Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ý
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Check the appropriate box: |
ý | | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o | | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
o | | Definitive Proxy Statement |
o | | Definitive Additional Materials |
o | | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
LIFEVANTAGE CORPORATION |
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
ý | | No fee required. |
o | | 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: |
o | | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
o | | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
| | (1) | | Amount Previously Paid: |
| | (2) | | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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| | (4) | | Date Filed: |
LifeVantage Corporation
9785 S. Monroe Street, Suite 300
Sandy, Utah 84070
_________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
February 2, 2018
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the fiscal year 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of LifeVantage Corporation, a Colorado corporation. The meeting will be held at the Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Sandy, 9685 South Monroe Street, Sandy UT 84070 on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. Mountain Time, for the following purposes:
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1. | To elect six directors to hold office for a one-year term expiring at our fiscal year 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified; |
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2. | To approve an amendment to the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the plan by 675,000; |
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3. | To ratify the appointment of WSRP, LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2018; |
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4. | To approve the reincorporation of the Company from the State of Colorado to the State of Delaware; and |
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5. | To conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting. |
These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
Our board of directors recommends that you vote FOR proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Our board of directors has fixed December 6, 2017, as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
We are taking advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission rule that allows us to furnish proxy materials to our shareholders over the Internet. Instead of mailing printed copies of our Proxy Statement and Annual Report, we are mailing a Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials, or Notice of Availability. We intend to mail the Notice of Availability to our shareholders on or about December 20, 2017. The Notice of Availability contains instructions on how to access our Proxy Statement and Annual Report on the Internet and how to submit your vote online or by telephone. The Notice of Availability also contains instructions on how you can, alternatively, receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement and Annual Report and a return, postage prepaid envelope. We believe this e-proxy process expedites shareholders' receipt of proxy materials, lowers our costs associated with the annual meeting and reduces the environmental impact of our annual meeting.
Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, your vote is very important. We encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible (i) by accessing the Internet site, (ii) by calling the toll-free number described in the proxy materials; or (iii) by signing, dating and returning the paper proxy card as promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at the meeting. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend the meeting. Please note, however, that if your shares of record are held by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
Thank you for your ongoing support and continued interest in LifeVantage Corporation. We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.
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Sandy, Utah | By Order of our Board of Directors |
December 20, 2017 | /s/ Darren Jensen |
| Darren Jensen |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 2, 2018:
This notice, the accompanying proxy statement, and annual report to shareholders are available at
http://investor.lifevantage.com/sec.cfm.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | |
INFORMATION CONCERNING VOTING AND SOLICITATION OF PROXY | |
General | |
Our Fiscal Year | |
Why am I receiving these materials? | |
Where and when is the annual meeting? | |
What am I voting on? | |
Who can vote at the annual meeting? | |
How do I vote? | |
How many votes do I have? | |
How are votes counted? | |
What are broker non-votes? | |
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal? | |
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or Notice of Availability? | |
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy? | |
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices? | |
What is the quorum requirement? | |
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation? | |
When are shareholder proposals due for next year's annual meeting? | |
How can I find out the results of the voting at the annual meeting? | |
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | |
PROPOSAL 2 - APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE PLAN | |
PROPOSAL 3 - RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | |
PROPOSAL 4 - APPROVAL OF THE REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE | |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | |
AUDIT RELATED MATTERS | |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS | |
CODE OF ETHICS | |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE | |
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS | |
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K | |
OTHER MATTERS | |
ANNEX A: 2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN | |
ANNEX B: PLAN OF CONVERSION | |
ANNEX C: COLORADO STATEMENT OF CONVERSION | |
ANNEX D: DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION | |
ANNEX E: DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION | |
ANNEX F: DELAWARE BYLAWS | |
ANNEX G: FORM OF DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT | |
LifeVantage Corporation
9785 S. Monroe Street, Suite 300
Sandy, Utah 84070
_________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
February 2, 2018
_________________________________________________________________________________________
INFORMATION CONCERNING VOTING AND SOLICITATION OF PROXY
General
This proxy statement is furnished to shareholders of LifeVantage Corporation, a Colorado corporation, sometimes referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “LifeVantage,” in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of LifeVantage to be held on February 2, 2018, at 1:00 P.M. Mountain Time, at the Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Sandy, 9685 South Monroe Street, Sandy UT 84070, for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Meeting. This solicitation of proxies is made on behalf of our board of directors.
Our Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year ends on June 30 of each year. In this proxy statement, when we refer to our fiscal year, we mean the twelve-month period ending on June 30 of the stated year. For example, "fiscal 2018" refers to the twelve-month period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
Why am I receiving these materials?
You are receiving these proxy materials from us because you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on December 6, 2017 (the “Record Date”). Our board of directors is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on the matters to be considered at that meeting. The Notice of Annual Meeting, this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy card are being made available to you on or about December 20, 2017. This proxy statement includes information that we are required to provide to you under SEC rules and that is designed to assist you in voting your shares.
Where and when is the annual meeting?
The fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of LifeVantage will take place on Friday, February 2, 2018, at 1:00 P.M. Mountain Time at the Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Sandy, 9685 South Monroe Street, Sandy UT 84070.
What am I voting on?
The following matters are scheduled to be voted on by shareholders at the annual meeting:
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• | the election of six directors to our board of directors; |
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• | an amendment to the 2017 Long-Term Incentive plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan by 675,000; |
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• | the ratification of the selection of the appointment of WSRP, LLC as our independent registered accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2018; and |
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• | the approval of the reincorporation of the Company from the State of Colorado to the State of Delaware (the "Reincorporation"). |
Who can vote at the annual meeting?
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on December 6, 2017, the record date, will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting. As of the record date, we had approximately [ ] shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Shareholders of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If on the record date your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, Inc., then you are a shareholder of record. As a shareholder of record, you may vote by proxy or vote in person at the meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible by (i)
accessing the Internet site or by calling the toll-free number described in the proxy materials; or (ii) signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy to ensure your vote is counted.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker, Bank or Other Nominee
If on the record date your shares were not held in your name, but rather in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the annual meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the annual meeting provided that you bring with you proof of your beneficial ownership of shares, such as a brokerage account statement. However, if you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.
How do I vote?
Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card or in person at the annual meeting.
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• | Voting Your Proxy By Mail. To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided to you. |
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• | Voting on the Internet. To vote on the Internet, access http://www.proxyvote.com and follow the on-screen instructions. |
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• | Voting by Telephone. To vote by phone call toll free 1-800-690-6903 from any touch-telephone and follow the instructions. |
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• | Voting in Person. To vote in person, come to the annual meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive. |
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting and vote in person if you have already voted by proxy. See “Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?” below.
Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker, Bank or Other Nominee
If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. You may not vote your shares in person at the meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the record date.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the meeting. Each proposal (other than the election of directors and approval of the Reincorporation) will be approved if the votes cast “FOR” the proposal exceed the votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal. With respect to the election of directors, the six nominees receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected. Because neither abstentions nor broker non-votes are considered cast with respect to a proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total for any proposal.
The Reincorporation will be approved if a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting vote “FOR” the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the proposal.
What are broker non-votes?
When a broker indicates on its proxy that it does not have authority to vote certain shares held in “street name” on particular proposals, the shares not voted are called “broker non-votes.” Broker non-votes occur when brokers do not have discretionary voting authority on certain “non-routine” proposals under the rules of the NYSE Stock Exchange (“NYSE rules”) and the beneficial owner has not instructed the broker how to vote on these proposals. The ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm is the only proposal at the annual meeting that is considered a “routine” matter under the rules and interpretations of the NYSE rules with respect to broker non-votes.
How many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
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• | Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast in person or by proxy. Cumulative voting is not permitted. The six nominees receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected. Properly executed proxies marked “WITHHOLD” and broker non-votes with respect to this proposal will not be voted and accordingly will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal |
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• | The amendment to the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan will be approved by our shareholders if the votes cast “FOR” the proposal exceed the votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal. Properly executed proxies marked “ABSTAIN” and broker non-votes with respect to this proposal will not be voted and accordingly will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
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• | The ratification of the selection of WSRP, LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 will be approved by our shareholders if the votes cast “FOR” the proposal exceed the votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal. Properly executed proxies marked “ABSTAIN” and broker non-votes with respect to this proposal will not be voted and accordingly will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. A broker or other nominee will generally have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal because it is considered a routine matter, and therefore we do not expect broker non-votes with respect to this proposal |
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• | The Reincorporation will be approved if a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting vote “FOR” the proposal. Properly executed proxies marked “ABSTAIN” and broker non-votes with respect to this proposal will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the proposal |
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
If you receive more than one proxy card, your shares are likely registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. If you vote by mail, please complete, sign and return each proxy card. Or, if you vote by Internet or telephone, vote once for each proxy card you received.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:
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• | You may submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date; |
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• | You may send a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our Corporate Secretary at LifeVantage Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 9785 S. Monroe Street, Suite 300, Sandy, Utah 84070; or |
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• | You may attend the annual meeting and vote in person. Simply attending the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy. |
If your shares are held by your broker, bank or other nominee as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank to revoke your proxy.
What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections or without marking your voting selection as to a particular proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” the election of all six nominees for director and “FOR” Proposal 2, Proposal 3 and Proposal 4, in each case, to the extent your proxy card does not indicate otherwise. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.
What is the quorum requirement?
A quorum of shareholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present if a majority of the shares outstanding as of the record date are represented by shareholders present at the meeting in person or by proxy. As of the record date, we had approximately [ ] shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Thus, at least [ ] shares of common stock must be represented by shareholders present at the meeting in person or by proxy to constitute a quorum.
Persons returning executed proxy cards will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum even if they abstain from voting on any or all proposals. Shares held by brokers who vote such shares on any proposal will be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum, and broker non-votes on other proposals will not affect the presence of a quorum.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
We will pay the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these mailed proxy materials and the use of the Internet, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We also intend to engage Morrow & Co., LLC (“Morrow”) to assist with the solicitation of proxies. We expect to pay Morrow a fee of approximately $[_____] plus reimbursement of expenses for their services. We will also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners.
When are shareholder proposals due for next year's annual meeting?
Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in Next Year's Proxy Statement.
Shareholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for shareholder action at meetings of our shareholders in accordance with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to our fiscal 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholder proposals must be submitted in writing to LifeVantage Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary at 9785 South Monroe Street, Suite 300, Sandy, Utah 84070 and must be received by us no later than August 22, 2018, and must otherwise satisfy the conditions established by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for shareholder proposals to be included in the proxy statement for that meeting. In addition, our bylaws include other requirements for the submission of proposals and the nomination of candidates for director.
Shareholder Proposals for Presentation at Next Year's Annual Meeting.
If a shareholder wishes to present a proposal, including a director nomination, at our fiscal 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the proposal is not intended to be included in our proxy statement relating to that meeting, the shareholder must give advance notice in writing to LifeVantage Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary at 9785 South Monroe Street, Suite 300, Sandy, Utah 84070 not less than 90 days, or September 21, 2018, nor more than 120 days, or August 22, 2018, prior to the first anniversary of the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting, except that if the fiscal 2019 Annual Meeting date is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting, such notice must be delivered not earlier than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting date and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting date or the 10th day following the day on which we first publicly announce the fiscal 2019 Annual Meeting date. If a shareholder fails to give timely notice of a proposal, the shareholder will not be permitted to present the proposal to the shareholders for a vote at our fiscal 2019 Annual Meeting. In addition, our bylaws include other requirements for the submission of proposals and the nomination of candidates for director.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the annual meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. We expect to report final voting results in a current report on Form 8-K that we will file with the SEC within four business days after the annual meeting. You can obtain a copy of the Form 8-K, once it is filed, on our website at investor.lifevantage.com/sec.cfm, by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for the location of the nearest public reference room, or through the EDGAR system at www.sec.gov. Our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement.
IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE AGENTS DESIGNATED IN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD TO VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR IDENTIFIED IN PROPOSAL 1 (UNLESS AUTHORITY IS WITHHELD BY THE SHAREHOLDER GRANTING THE PROXY) AND “FOR” EACH OF PROPOSAL 2, PROPOSAL 3 AND PROPOSAL 4. IF ANY NOMINEE BECOMES UNAVAILABLE TO SERVE FOR ANY REASON, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR A SUBSTITUTE NOMINEE OR NOMINEES TO BE SELECTED BY THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER WITHHOLDS AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors currently consists of the following nine individuals: Darren Jensen, Michael A. Beindorff, Raymond B. Greer, Vinayak R. Hegde, Darwin K. Lewis, Garry Mauro, George E. Metzger, Richard Okumoto, and David Toole. Other than Messrs. Metzger, Okumoto, and Toole, each of these individuals will be standing for election at our fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Each director elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualified, or, if sooner, until the director's death, resignation or removal.
We encourage nominees for director to attend the annual meeting. All of the nominees for election as a director at last year's annual meeting of shareholders attended that meeting.
If any nominee becomes unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, shares represented by a duly executed proxy will be voted to fill any vacancy so arising in accordance with the discretionary authority of the persons named in the proxy, unless contrary instructions are given. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected. Our management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
The following information is furnished with respect to each of the nominees for election as director at the annual meeting:
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Name | | Age | | Position with Company |
Mr. Darren Jensen | | 48 | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
Mr. Michael A. Beindorff | | 65 | | Independent Director |
Mr. Raymond B. Greer | | 54 | | Independent Director |
Mr. Vinayak R. Hegde | | 48 | | Independent Director |
Mr. Darwin K. Lewis | | 59 | | Independent Director |
Mr. Garry Mauro | | 69 | | Chairman, Independent Director |
MR. DARREN JENSEN. Mr. Jensen was appointed as our President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2015. He was appointed to our board of directors in January 2016 by the board of directors. From June 2014 to May 2015, Mr. Jensen served as the President-Americas and from September 2012 to June 2014 as the Chief Sales Officer at Jeunesse Global, a privately held direct selling anti-aging and skin care company. Prior to joining Jeunesse Global, Mr. Jensen served from August 2011 to June 2012 as the Chief Sales Officer of Ampegy, a privately held direct selling company in the energy industry. Prior to that, he was the Executive Vice President and Corporate General Manager at Agel Enterprises, a nutritional supplements direct selling company, where he was also a Co-Founder of the Agel Cares Foundation. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Jensen was the Director of International Business Development at USANA Inc. Mr Jensen served as a Brand Manager at Amway Global from 1995 to 1997. Mr. Jensen began his direct selling career at Nu Skin Enterprises in Provo, where he served as an International Marketing Specialist from 1990-1995. Mr. Jensen received a bachelor of arts degree from Brigham Young University. Mr. Jensen’s more than 25 years of experience in the direct selling industry brings to our board of directors deep industry expertise as well as strong leadership in all aspects of our business.
MR. MICHAEL A. BEINDORFF. Mr. Beindorff has been an independent member of our board of directors since January 2012. Mr. Beindorff brings more than 35 years of experience in general management, operations, sales and marketing with a strong track record of building and leading disciplined organizational teams, driving rapid, profitable growth and delivering results across a variety of business environments. He currently serves as Principal and President of the Far Niente Group, a management consultancy and private investment entity focused on helping clients build effective business models, strong differentiated brands, viable product lines and sustainable businesses while maximizing return on investment, a position he has held since 2008. From 2004 to 2008 he served as Chief Operating Officer of Exclusive Resorts, a private club for luxury travel experience. From 2002 to 2004 he served as Principal and President of the Greentree Group, a management consultancy focused on helping clients build strong brands and effective business models. From 1999 to 2002 he served first as President and COO and then as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PlanetRx.com, an internet pharmacy and on-line health portal. From 1995 to 1999 he served as Executive Vice President of Marketing, Operations and Product Management for VISA. From 1978 to 1995 he held various positions leading global advertising, marketing and brand management for The Coca-Cola Company and Rhodes Furniture. Mr. Beindorff received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Alabama and his Masters of Business Administration from the Gouzuietta Business School at Emory University. Mr. Beindorff's broad background building and leading organizations, and experience in building strong sales and marketing, and branding initiatives brings to our board of directors expertise in operations and oversight as well as strong leadership and initiative.
MR. RAYMOND B. GREER. Mr. Greer has been an independent member of our board of directors since February 2017. Mr. Greer has over 30 years of logistics and transportation experience. Mr. Greer has served since February 2011 as the President of BNSF Logistics, LLC, which is an international third party logistics provider and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, a Berkshire Hathaway company. From March 2005 to January 2010, Mr. Greer served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Greatwide Logistics Services, a non-asset based logistics and transportation services company. From December 2002 to March 2005, Mr. Greer served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Newgistics, Inc., a reverse logistics company. Mr. Greer served as President of Global Network Solutions and Services for i2 Technologies, Inc., a supply chain management software and services company, from February 2002 to November 2002. Mr. Greer has also held senior management positions for Ryder and FedEx Corporation. From June 2005 to April 2007, Mr. Greer served as a director of Kitty Hawk, Inc., an air cargo company. Mr. Greer received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Utah and an Executive Masters in Information Systems & Telecommunications from Christian Brothers University. Mr. Greer brings to our board of directors deep experience in international logistics and supply chain management.
MR. VINAYAK R. HEGDE. Mr. Hegde has been an independent member of our board of directors since February 2017. Since October 2014, Mr. Hegde has served as the Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Groupon, a company that operates online local commerce marketplaces that connect merchants to consumers by offering discounted goods and services in Europe, North America and Africa. From February 2012 to October 2014, Mr. Hegde served as Vice President of Engineering and Global Online Marketing at Groupon. From 2000 to February 2012, Mr. Hegde served in various roles including Director, General Manager of Worldwide Marketing, and Manager, Global Payment Services - India at Amazon.com, which offers a range of products and services through its websites, including merchandise and content that it purchases for resale from vendors and those offered by third-party sellers. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Hegde served as Senior Member Technical Staff at Oracle - India, a global enterprise software company, which also provides hardware and service to support customers' businesses. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Hegde served as a Software Engineer at Verifone - India, a developer and supplier of electronic payment hardware and software for merchant-operated, consumer facing, and self-service payment systems globally. In addition, Mr. Hegde served in Software Engineer roles at Lucent, Tatas and Citicorp between 1995 and 1997. Mr. Hegde currently sits on the board of directors of nearbuy.com, an India-based online marketplace platform. Mr. Hegde received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka in Karnataka, India. Mr. Hegde brings to our board of directors deep experience and strong business and technical skills in the digital/e-commerce space.
MR. DARWIN K. LEWIS. Mr. Lewis has been an independent member of our board of directors since February 2017. Mr. Lewis joined SC Johnson & Son, Inc., a global consumer packaged goods company, in 1981. During his career there, he has held a number of sales, marketing, acquisition and general manager positions both domestically and abroad. Since July 2015, Mr. Lewis has served as the Senior Vice President-Global Sales and Chief Customer Officer at SC Johnson. Prior to that, Mr. Lewis’ roles at SC Johnson included Senior Vice President of North American Sales and Chief Customer Officer (from November 2008 to June 2015), Vice President, Group General Manager in Greater China (from 2005 to 2008), Vice President of North American Sales (from 2000 to 2004), and President and General Manager over SCJ Canada (From 1997 to 2000). Prior to 1997, Mr. Lewis served in various other roles at SC Johnson including National Director of Special Business, Division Sales Director over the Midwest Division, Marketing Associate, Sales Director, Director of Trade Marketing and Area Manager and Division Sales Director. Mr. Lewis received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Colorado and his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Lewis brings to our board of directors extensive experience in managing sales and international operations in a global consumer goods business.
MR. GARRY MAURO. Mr. Mauro has been an independent member of our board of directors since April 2008 and has served as the chairman of the board of directors since November 2013. Mr. Mauro is currently a practicing attorney in Texas and the District of Columbia. He is also a licensed stock broker. He has worked for over 30 years at the local, state and national levels on behalf of both private and public sector entities. From 1983 to 1999, he served as Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office overseeing the management of more than 20 million acres of state land, 18,000 oil and gas wells, and the state’s benefit program for Veterans. During his tenure as Commissioner, he also chaired the Veterans Land Board, the School Land Board, the Parks and Wildlife Board For Lease, the Texas Department of Corrections Board For Lease, the Permanent University Fund Board For Lease, the Coastal Coordination Council and the Texas Alternative Fuels Council and co-chaired the Sustainable Energy Development Council. He has received numerous honors and awards for his civic and philanthropic contributions in environmental, political and business arenas, including the “Man of the Year Award” from the Texas League of Women Voters and the “Rising Star of Texas Award” from Texas Business Magazine. In 1998, he was the Texas Democratic Party nominee for Governor. Mr. Mauro’s broad range of expertise brings to our board of directors experience in management and operations as well as strong leadership and oversight.
The following information is furnished with respect to each of our directors who are not standing for reelection at the Annual Meeting:
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| | | | |
Name | | Age | | Position with Company |
Mr. George E. Metzger | | 70 | | Independent Director |
Mr. Richard Okumoto | | 65 | | Independent Director |
Mr. David Toole | | 62 | | Non-Employee Director |
MR. GEORGE E. METZGER. Mr. Metzger has been an independent member of our board of directors since January 2012. Mr. Metzger has more than 30 years of experience in executive compensation, human resources, benefits and labor relations as well as workforce planning. In December 2007, Mr. Metzger retired from Textron Inc., a company with international operations in multiple industries. Mr. Metzger worked in various capacities while at Textron beginning in 1985, and most recently served as Vice President of Human Resources and Benefits from 2000 until December 2007. In this role, he was responsible for Textron's networked integrated human resource delivery system, including account based healthcare plans, retirement plan redesign and reward structure. From 1976 to 1985, he worked for Rockwell International, most recently as Director Human Resources. He worked at Clark Equipment Company from 1969 to 1976, where he served as Director Labor Relations at the time of his departure. From June 2008 until March 2014, Mr. Metzger served on the board of directors of WorkWell Systems, Inc., a privately-held physical medicine and workers' compensation solutions company. Mr. Metzger received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trine University. Mr. Metzger's extensive experience with executive compensation, labor relations and benefits brings to our board of directors experience in human resources oversight and workforce planning and development.
MR. RICHARD OKUMOTO. Mr. Okumoto has been an independent member of our board of directors since November 2012. Mr. Okumoto has over 30 years of corporate finance, operations, and strategy development experience in rapid growth technology companies in Silicon Valley. Mr. Okumoto is currently an adjunct professor in the Lucas Graduate and Undergraduate Schools of Business at San Jose State University; a position he has held since 2008. He is also currently on faculty at California State University Long Beach and Keck Graduate Institute; positions he has held since 2014 and 2015, respectively. He teaches business strategy to MBA and post-doctoral students. He was a principal with the consulting firm of Miller-Okumoto, Inc. from 2007 to 2012. From 2008 to 2010 Mr. Okumoto was the audit committee chairman and a member of the compensation committee for Logic Vision, Inc., a publicly traded electronic design automation company. From 2007 to 2009 Mr. Okumoto was the chief financial officer of Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment, Inc., a global micro-fabrication equipment company. From 2003 to 2006 Mr. Okumoto was the chief financial officer of Photon Dynamics, Inc., a publicly held manufacturer of flat panel display test equipment. From 1998 to 2001 Mr. Okumoto was the chief executive officer of TMT, Inc., a manufacturer of test equipment for the global semiconductor industry, and the Vice-President and General Manager for the Analog, Linear, and RF test equipment division of the acquiring company, Credence Systems Corporation, a publicly traded manufacturer of test equipment for the global semiconductor industry. From 1993 to 1998 Mr. Okumoto was the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Credence Systems Corporation, where he completed that company’s initial public offering. From 1990 to 1993 Mr. Okumoto was the Corporate Controller at Novellus Systems, Inc., a publicly traded supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services. From 1974 to 1990 Mr. Okumoto held finance and operations roles at such companies as: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, Measurex Corporation (Honeywell), Commodore Business Machines, Inc., Basys, Inc., and Digital Research Corporation. Mr. Okumoto also serves on the board of directors of Vantage Technology Corporation, a privately held micro-analytical metrology tool company. Mr. Okumoto received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from San Jose State University and his Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University. Mr. Okumoto holds a Registered Financial Consultant designation: RFC®. Mr. Okumoto brings to our board of directors extensive business background in finance and accounting, general management, and business strategy as a public company chief financial officer and audit committee chairman, as a chief executive officer and division general manager, and practitioner and academic of business strategy.
MR. DAVID TOOLE. Mr. Toole has been a non-employee member of our board of directors since January 2016. Mr. Toole brings over 35 years of experience as a technology, supply chain, digital media and video expert, and has been the Chief Executive Officer of MediaMobz, a private company that enables brands to increase their capacity to create video centric digital media that drives business results, since 2008. Mr. Toole is also currently the Chief Executive Officer of Outhink Media, an emerging media incubator, a position he has held since 2001. Prior to Outhink Media, Mr. Toole spent 21 years at GaSonics International, a semiconductor capital equipment company, where he worked in various positions, including as Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 2001. As Chief Executive Officer at GaSonics, Mr. Toole led the company's initial public offering in 1994 and the sale of the company to Novellus Systems in 2001. Mr. Toole began his career at Advance Micro Devices, a manufacturer of early computer chips, where he was a production supervisor from 1976 to 1979. Mr. Toole received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Mr. Toole’s executive leadership experience, including as the Chief Executive Officer of a public company, and extensive digital media experience brings to our board of directors strong leadership and oversight as well as strategic leadership as our company leverages digital media to enhance our business initiatives.
Required Vote
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast in person or by proxy. Cumulative voting is not permitted. The six nominees receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES ABOVE.
PROPOSAL 2 - APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO
THE 2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES
Our board of directors is recommending that our shareholders approve an amendment to our 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2017 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of our common stock that are available for issuance under the 2017 Plan by 675,000 shares. If the amendment is approved by shareholders, the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2017 Plan would increase from 1,125,000 to 1,800,000 (which includes up to 475,000 shares previously reserved for issuance under our 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan that may become available under the 2017 Plan). Our board of directors approved the amendment on November 16, 2017(the “Amendment”), subject to shareholder approval. Other than the increase in shares, the Amendment effects no other material changes to the 2017 Plan.
As of December 6, 2017, the record date for our fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, there were awards with respect to [___] shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units outstanding under the 2017 Plan. [No options to purchase shares of our common stock were outstanding under the 2017 Plan as of such date.] As of December 6, 2017, [___] shares remained available for future equity grants under the 2017 Plan and the fair market value of a share of our common stock (as determined by the closing price quoted on the Nasdaq on such date) was $[___].
Our board of directors believes the proposed Amendment is necessary to the long-term health of our company in order to support the effectiveness of our compensation, including executive and director compensation programs. We provide long-term incentives to our executives, employees, advisors and directors in the form of equity compensation, which we believe aligns their interests with the interests of our shareholders and fosters an ownership mentality that drives optimal decision-making for the long-term health and profitability of our company. Equally important, equity compensation is critical to our continuing ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified service providers
Having an adequate number of shares available for future grants is necessary to promote our long-term success and the creation of shareholder value by:
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• | Enabling us to continue to attract and retain the services of key employees and other service providers who would be eligible to receive grants; |
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• | Aligning participants' interests with shareholders' interests through incentives that are based upon the performance of our common stock; |
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• | Motivating participants, through equity incentive awards, to achieve long-term growth in the company's business, in addition to short-term financial performance; and |
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• | Providing a long-term equity incentive program that is competitive as compared to other companies with who we compete for talent. |
If the proposed Amendment to the 2017 Plan is not approved by shareholders, we anticipate that we will not have shares available to make grants of equity compensation awards to employees and directors after the date of the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The proposed Amendment is intended to provide us with a sufficient number of shares to satisfy our expected equity grant requirements through approximately January 2019, based on the anticipated structure and timing of annual grants of our equity incentive program. We intend, beginning immediately following the fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to resume granting stock options to certain of our employees, including our executive officers, in addition to or in lieu of full value awards, as our compensation committee believes that stock options offer the best performance-based incentive at this time and stage of the company’s life. As we transition from full value awards to stock options, we anticipate that our share usage will increase in order to allow us to provide market competitive long-term incentive compensation. The additional 675,000 shares of common stock that would become available for grant under the 2017 Plan represents approximately [__]% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 6, 2017. Increasing the shares available for grant under the 2017 Plan would have a dilutive effect of approximately [___]% of the requested share reserve.
The approximate impact of the requested share reserve for the 2017 Plan on shareholder dilution is shown in the below table (the below figures are a percentage of our outstanding shares as of December 6, 2017, the record date of our fiscal 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders):
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| | |
Dilutive effect of new reserve shares under the 2017 Plan | | [_____] |
Total potential dilution (including currently outstanding equity compensation awards) | | [_____] |
The complete text of the 2017 Plan, as proposed to be amended, is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. Shareholders are urged to review it together with the following information, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
complete text of the 2017 Plan. If there is any inconsistency between the description of the 2017 Plan included in this proxy statement and the terms of the 2017 Plan, the terms of the 2017 Plan shall govern.
Description of the 2017 Plan
On December 6, 2016, our board of directors approved the 2017 Plan, which was subsequently approved by our shareholders at our fiscal 2017 Annual Shareholders Meeting. The 2017 Plan permits the discretionary award of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights and performance-based cash awards to eligible service providers.
General Plan Administration
Eligibility to Receive Awards. Our employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors are eligible to receive awards under the 2017 Plan. The compensation committee determines, in its discretion, the eligible persons who will be granted awards under the 2017 Plan. As of December 6, 2017, approximately [____] employees (including each of our executive officers) and each of our non-employee directors were eligible to participate in the 2017 Plan.
Administration of the 2017 Plan. Our board of directors has determined that its compensation committee will administer the 2017 Plan. Subject to the terms of the 2017 Plan, the compensation committee has the sole discretion, among other things, to:
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• | select the individuals who will receive awards, |
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• | determine the terms and conditions of awards (for example, performance conditions, if any, and vesting schedule), |
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• | correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the 2017 Plan or any award agreement, |
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• | accelerate the vesting, extend the post-termination exercise term or waive restrictions of any awards at any time and under such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, and |
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• | interpret the provisions of the 2017 Plan and outstanding awards. |
The compensation committee may also use the 2017 Plan to issue shares under other plans or subplans as may be deemed necessary or appropriate, such as to provide for participation by non-U.S. employees and those of any of our subsidiaries and affiliates. In addition, awards may be subject to any policy that we may implement on the recoupment of compensation (referred to as a clawback policy). We will indemnify the members of our board of directors, the compensation committee and their delegates to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law for actions taken or not taken regarding the 2017 Plan.
Types of Awards
Awards issued under the 2017 Plan will be evidenced by a written agreement entered into between our company and the participant. Such agreements will recite the specific terms and conditions of the award.
Stock Options. A stock option is the right to acquire shares at a fixed exercise price over a fixed period of time. The compensation committee will determine the number of shares covered by each stock option and the exercise price of the shares subject to each stock option, but such per share exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant of the stock option.
Stock options granted under the 2017 Plan may be either incentive stock options, or “ISOs,” or nonstatutory stock options, or “NSOs.” As required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and applicable regulations, ISOs are subject to various limitations. For example, the exercise price for any ISO granted to any employee owning more than 10% of our common stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and the ISO must expire not later than five years after the grant date. The aggregate fair market value (determined at the date of grant) of common stock subject to all ISOs held by a participant that are first exercisable in any single calendar year cannot exceed $100,000. ISOs may not be transferred other than upon death, or to a revocable trust where the participant is considered the sole beneficiary of the stock option while it is held in trust. The 2017 Plan, as proposed to be amended, provides that no more than 1,800,000 shares plus (i) shares underlying forfeited or terminated awards that become available again for issuance under the 2017 Plan and (ii) shares that are utilized to pay an award’s exercise price or tax withholding obligations, may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs.
A stock option granted under the 2017 Plan cannot be exercised until it becomes vested. The compensation committee establishes the vesting schedule of each stock option at the time of grant. The maximum term life for stock options granted under the 2017 Plan may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant.
The exercise price of each stock option granted under the 2017 Plan must be paid in full at the time of exercise, either with cash or through a broker-assisted “cashless” exercise and sale program, or through another method approved by the
compensation committee. The optionee must also make arrangements to pay any taxes that we are required to withhold at the time of exercise.
Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right, or “SAR,” is the right to receive, upon exercise, an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of the SAR’s exercise over the fair market value of the shares of common stock covered by the exercised portion of the SAR on the date of grant. The compensation committee determines the terms of SARs including the exercise price (provided that such per share exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant), the vesting and the term of the SAR. The maximum term life for SARs granted under the 2017 Plan may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. The compensation committee may determine that a SAR will only be exercisable if our company satisfies performance goals established by the compensation committee. Settlement of a SAR may be in shares of common stock or in cash, or any combination thereof, as the compensation committee may determine.
Restricted Stock. Awards of restricted stock are shares of common stock that vest in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the compensation committee. The compensation committee also will determine any other terms and conditions of an award of restricted shares. In determining whether an award of restricted shares should be made, and/or the vesting schedule for any such award, the compensation committee may impose whatever conditions to vesting as it determines to be appropriate. For example, the compensation committee may determine that an award of restricted shares will vest only if our company satisfies performance goals established by the compensation committee.
Stock Units. Stock units are the right to receive an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares covered by the stock unit at some future date after the grant. The compensation committee will determine all of the terms and conditions of an award of stock units, including the vesting period. Upon each vesting date of a stock unit, the holder thereof will be entitled to receive an amount equal to the then fair market value of the shares on the settlement date. The compensation committee may determine that an award of stock units will vest only if our company satisfies performance goals established by the compensation committee. Payment for vested stock units may be in shares of common stock or in cash, or any combination thereof, as the compensation committee may determine. Settlement of stock units will generally occur within 30 days of vesting unless the participant has timely elected to defer such compensation.
Cash Awards. We may also award cash-based performance bonus opportunities to participants under the 2017 Plan. Such awards will be (i) payable in cash, (ii) paid based on achievement of performance goal(s) applying the performance criteria specified below and (iii) intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m).
Performance Goals and Annual Grant Limits. The 2017 Plan specifies performance goals that the compensation committee may include in awards that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). These performance goal criteria shall be limited to one or more of the following target objectives:
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operating income | earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization | earnings |
cash flow | market share | sales or revenue, including with respect to a particular product, business line, geography or market |
expenses | cost of goods sold | profit/loss or profit margin |
working capital | return on equity or assets or investment | earnings per share |
economic value added | stock price including without limitation total shareholder return | price/earnings ratio |
debt or debt-to-equity | accounts receivable | writeoffs |
cash | assets | liquidity |
operations | research or related milestones | business development |
intellectual property | product development | regulatory activity |
information technology | financings | product quality control |
management | human resources | corporate governance |
compliance program | legal matters | internal controls |
policies and procedures | accounting and reporting | strategic alliances, licensing and partnering |
site, plant or building development | corporate transactions including without limitation mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and/or joint ventures | customer satisfaction |
capital expenditures | Company advancement milestones | |
Including one or more of the foregoing performance conditions in awards of restricted stock and stock units or in cash-based awards to Covered Employees (as defined below in the federal income tax section) can permit these awards to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). Certain other awards, such as stock options, may qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) without the inclusion of any of the above performance criteria.
The 2017 Plan imposes the following annual grant limits on awards, including limits that are intended to constitute qualified performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). No individual employee may be granted awards covering more than 300,000 shares subject to each type of equity award specified under the 2017 Plan (stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards and stock units) during a single fiscal year, with such number doubled in the year in which the employee is, as applicable, first hired or promoted to a position such that their compensation would be subject to the deduction limitation imposed by Code Section 162(m). In addition, no individual employee may be granted awards covering more than 600,000 shares during any single fiscal year.
In addition, the fiscal year-based annual limit on the value of cash awards granted under the 2017 Plan to any individual employee is $5,000,000. It is within the discretion of our compensation committee to determine whether or not to grant awards to Covered Employees that qualify as performance-based compensation under the 2017 Plan, and it is within the committee’s authority to award or grant to Covered Employees compensation under the 2017 Plan, or outside of the plan, that does not so qualify and that may not be tax deductible by us. See also the discussion under the heading “Certain Federal Income Tax Information-Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) Limits” below for further information on Code Section 162(m).
Limited Transferability of Awards. Awards granted under the 2017 Plan generally are not transferrable other than upon death, or pursuant to a court-approved domestic relations order. However, the compensation committee may in its discretion permit awards other than ISOs to be transferred. Generally, where transfers are permitted, they will be permitted only by gift to a member of the participant’s immediate family or to a trust or other entity for the benefit of the member(s) of the participant’s and/or his or her immediate family.
Termination of Employment, Death or Disability. The compensation committee will determine the effect of the termination of employment on awards, which determination may be different depending on the nature of the termination, such as terminations due to cause, resignation, death, disability or retirement, and the status of the award as vested or unvested.
Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding shares, stock dividend, dividend payable in a form other than shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of the shares, consolidation, combination or reclassification of the shares, recapitalization, spin-off, or other similar occurrence, then the number and class of shares issued under the 2017 Plan and subject to each award, along with any exercise prices and repurchase prices, as well as
the number and class of shares available for issuance under the 2017 Plan, shall each be equitably and proportionately adjusted by the compensation committee.
Corporate Transaction. In the event that our company is a party to a merger or other reorganization, outstanding 2017 Plan awards will be subject to the agreement of merger or reorganization. Such agreement may provide, without limitation, for (i) the continuation of the outstanding awards if our company is a surviving corporation, (ii) the assumption of the outstanding awards by the surviving corporation or its parent, (iii) full exercisability or full vesting, or (iv) cancellation of outstanding awards with or without consideration, in all cases with or without the consent of the participant. The compensation committee will decide the effect of a change in control of our company on outstanding awards. The compensation committee may, among other things, provide that awards will fully vest upon a change in control, or upon a change in control followed by an involuntary termination of employment within a certain period of time.
Term of the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan will continue in effect until December 5, 2026, or until earlier terminated by our board of directors.
Governing Law. The 2017 Plan is governed by the laws of the State of Utah.
Amendment and Termination of the 2017 Plan. Our board of directors generally may amend or terminate the 2017 Plan at any time and for any reason, except that our board of directors must obtain shareholder approval of certain material amendments, including any addition of shares, expansion of the class of persons eligible to participate, or any repricing or as may be required by applicable stock exchange rules.
Certain Federal Income Tax Information
The following is a general summary as of the date of this proxy statement of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Company and to U.S. participants for awards granted under the 2017 Plan. The federal tax laws may change and the federal, state and local tax consequences for any participant will depend upon his or her individual circumstances. Tax consequences for any particular individual may be different. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss the tax consequences of a participant’s death or provisions of income tax laws of any municipality, state or other country. The Company advises participants to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the tax implications of their awards under the 2017 Plan.
Incentive Stock Options. For federal income tax purposes, the holder of an ISO has no taxable income at the time of the grant or exercise of the ISO. If such person retains the common stock acquired under the ISO for a period of at least two years after the stock option is granted and one year after the stock option is exercised, any gain upon the subsequent sale of the common stock will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. A participant who disposes of shares acquired by exercise of an ISO prior to the expiration of two years after the stock option is granted or before one year after the stock option is exercised will realize ordinary income as of the date of exercise equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares will be treated as short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how long the shares have been held by the participant. The difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date of an ISO is an adjustment in computing the holder’s alternative minimum taxable income and may be subject to an alternative minimum tax which is paid if such tax exceeds the participant’s regular income tax for the year.
Nonstatutory Stock Options. A participant who receives an NSO generally will not realize taxable income on the grant of such option, but will realize ordinary income at the time of exercise of the stock option equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares will be treated as short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how long the shares were held by the participant.
Stock Appreciation Rights. No taxable income is generally reportable when a stock appreciation right is granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the value of the shares or other consideration received. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of any shares received will be treated as short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how long the shares were held by the participant.
Restricted Stock. A participant will generally not have taxable income upon grant of unvested restricted shares unless he or she elects to be taxed at that time pursuant to a Code Section 83(b) election. Instead, he or she will recognize ordinary income at the time(s) of vesting equal to the fair market value (on each vesting date) of the shares received minus any amount paid for the shares.
Stock Units. No taxable income is generally reportable when unvested stock units are granted to a participant. Upon settlement of the vested stock units, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the value of the payment received pursuant to the vested stock units.
Income Tax Effects for the Company. The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the 2017 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a participant at the time the participant recognizes such income (for example, upon the exercise of an NSO). As described herein, Code Section 162(m) may limit the deductibility of awards granted under the 2017 Plan.
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) Considerations. Code Section 162(m) generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to a company’s principal executive officer and each of the other three most highly compensated officers (other than the principal financial officer) (“Covered Employees”) in any one fiscal year. Stock options and stock appreciation rights are exempt from this limitation if (a) the exercise price is at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date the option or stock appreciation right is granted and (b) the plan under which the options are granted is approved by the shareholders and contains a limit on the number of options or stock appreciation rights granted to any one individual under the plan during a specified period. Various other rules apply with regard to compensation committee independence and the procedures that must be followed by the committee in connection with performance-based awards that may be fully deducted under Code Section 162(m). Among other requirements, stock awards such as restricted stock and stock units, and performance cash awards must vest contingent upon the achievement of performance goals, the material terms of which have been approved by the shareholders, in order to be exempt from this limitation. The 2017 Plan includes certain fiscal year limits, as described above, on the number of shares or total dollars that may be granted to an individual under options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units and performance-based cash awards in order to comply with the Code Section 162(m) requirements. The above description is subject to proposed changes to Section 162(m) that would eliminate the exception from the general rule for performance-based compensation. If that proposed statutory change is enacted, we would not expect to be able to deduct compensation in excess of $1 million paid during a single year to a Covered Employee.
Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Code Section 409A governs the federal income taxation of certain types of nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. A violation of Code Section 409A generally results in an acceleration of the recognition of income of amounts intended to be deferred and the imposition of a federal excise tax of 20% on the employee over and above the income tax owed plus possible penalties and interest. The types of arrangements covered by Code Section 409A are broad and may apply to certain awards available under the 2017 Plan (such as stock units). The intent is for the 2017 Plan, including any awards available thereunder, to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A to the extent applicable. As required by Code Section 409A, certain nonqualified deferred compensation payments to specified employees may be delayed to the seventh month after such employee’s separation from service.
New Plan Benefits
All awards under the 2017 Plan will be granted at the compensation committee’s discretion and, with respect to stock-based awards, the value of awards to be granted is not determinable because it depends on the value of our stock on future dates. Accordingly, the size and value of 2017 Plan awards cannot be determined in advance.
Existing Plan Benefits
The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock for which restricted shares and stock units have been granted under the 2017 Plan between February 16, 2017 (the date the 2017 Plan was originally approved by the Company's shareholders) and June 30, 2017, as to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table contained in this proxy statement in the section entitled “Executive Compensation,” each non-employee director, and the various indicated groups. No stock options were granted to any current employees, including executive officers, in fiscal 2017.
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Name and Position | | Number of Restricted Shares Granted | | Number of Stock Units Granted | |
Darren Jensen | | — |
| | 186,600 |
| (1) |
President and Chief Executive Officer | | | | | |
Steve Fife | | 90,000 |
| | — |
| |
Chief Financial Officer | | | | | |
Ryan Goodwin | | — |
| | 93,400 |
| (1) |
Chief Marketing Officer | | | | | |
Courtland Pearson | | — |
| | 93,400 |
| (1) |
Senior Vice President International | | | | | |
Justin Rose | | — |
| | 93,400 |
| (1) |
Chief Sales Officer | | | | | |
Mark Jaggi (2) | | — |
| | — |
| |
Former Chief Financial Officer | | | | | |
Gary Koos (3) | | — |
| | — |
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Former Interim Chief Financial Officer | | | | | |
All current executive officers as a group | | 90,000 |
| | 466,800 |
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Michael A. Beindorff | | — |
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Raymond B. Greer | | — |
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Vinayak R. Hegde | | — |
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Darwin K. Lewis | | — |
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David Manovich (4) | | — |
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Garry Mauro | | — |
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George E. Metzger | | — |
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Richard Okumoto | | — |
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David Toole | | — |
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All non-employee directors as a group | | — |
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All employees as a group (excluding executive officers) | | — |
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(1)Messrs. Jensen, Goodwin, Pearson and Rose were each granted performance-based restricted stock units in March 2017, the vesting of which is tied to the Company’s TSR during a three-year performance period commencing January 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2019. The number of shares included in this table are based upon the maximum achievement.
(2)Mr. Jaggi’s employment with the Company was terminated effective January 18, 2017.
(3)Mr. Koos served as our Interim Chief Financial Officer from January 18, 2017 through March 13, 2017.
(4)Mr. Manovich served as a non-employee director until the annual meeting of shareholders held in February 2017.
Required Vote
The proposed amendment to the 2017 Plan will be approved by our shareholders if the votes cast “FOR” the proposal exceed the votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal. In the event that shareholder approval is not obtained, we may not issue more than 1,125,000 shares of our common stock under the 2017 Plan.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES AVAILABLE TO BE ISSUED UNDER THE PLAN.
PROPOSAL 3 - RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit committee of our board of directors has selected WSRP, LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and has further directed that the selection of such firm be submitted to our shareholders for ratification.
Shareholder ratification of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm is not required. However, the audit committee is submitting this proposal to our shareholders as a matter of good corporate governance. If our shareholders do not vote on an advisory basis in favor of the ratification of the selection of WSRP, LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the audit committee will review its future selection of an independent registered public accounting firm. Regardless of whether the selection is ratified, the audit committee in its discretion may, without resubmitting the matter for shareholders to approve or ratify, appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our company and our shareholders.
We expect representatives of WSRP, LLC to be present at the annual meeting and they will have the opportunity to make a statement at the annual meeting if they so desire. We also expect such representatives to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The aggregate fees for professional services rendered for us by WSRP, LLC are described in the Audit Related Matters section of this proxy statement.
Required Vote
The ratification of the selection of WSRP, LLC as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 will be approved by our shareholders if the votes cast “FOR” the proposal exceed the votes cast "AGAINST" the proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF WSRP, LLC AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
PROPOSAL 4 - APPROVAL OF THE REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE
For the reasons discussed below, the Board has unanimously approved and declared it is advisable and in the best interests of LifeVantage and its shareholders to change the state of incorporation of LifeVantage from the State of Colorado to the State of Delaware (the “Reincorporation”), which includes adopting a new certificate of incorporation (the “Delaware Certificate”) and bylaws (the “Delaware Bylaws”) to govern LifeVantage.
Summary
The principal effects of the Reincorporation will be that:
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• | The affairs of the Company will cease to be governed by the Colorado Business Corporation Act (the “CBCA”) and its existing articles of incorporation and bylaws (the “Colorado Articles” and the “Colorado Bylaws”, respectively) and will become subject to the Delaware General Corporation Law(the “DGCL”) |
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• | The resulting Delaware corporation (“LifeVantage-Delaware”) will be the same entity as the Company as currently incorporated in Colorado (“LifeVantage-Colorado”), will possess all of the properties of LifeVantage-Colorado, will continue with all of the debts, liabilities and obligations of LifeVantage-Colorado and will continue with the same officers and directors of LifeVantage-Colorado immediately prior to the Reincorporation, as more fully described below. |
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• | When the Reincorporation becomes effective, all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of LifeVantage-Colorado will be automatically converted into issued and outstanding shares of common stock of LifeVantage-Delaware, without any action on the part of our shareholders. The Reincorporation will have no effect on the trading of our shares of common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market under the same symbol “LFVN”. LifeVantage-Delaware will continue to file periodic reports and other documents as and to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Shares of our common stock that are freely tradeable prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be freely tradeable as shares of LifeVantage-Delaware common stock, and shares of our common stock that are subject to restrictions prior to the Reincorporation will continue to be subject to the same restrictions as shares of LifeVantage-Delaware common stock. The Reincorporation will not change the respective positions of LifeVantage or our shareholders under federal securities laws. |
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• | Upon effectiveness of the Reincorporation, all of our employee benefit and incentive plans will become LifeVantage-Delaware plans, and each option, restricted stock unit, equity award or other right issued under such plans will automatically be converted into an option, restricted stock unit, equity award or right to purchase or receive the same number of shares of LifeVantage-Delaware common stock, at the same price per share, upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as before the Reincorporation. In addition, our employment contracts and other employee benefit arrangements also will be continued by LifeVantage-Delaware upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions in effect at the time of the Reincorporation. |
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• | Upon effectiveness of the Reincorporation, all outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock will automatically be converted into a warrant to purchase or receive the same number of shares of LifeVantage-Delaware common stock, at the same price per share, upon the same terms and subject to the same conditions as before the Reincorporation. |
As part of the Reincorporation, the Board determined that it was in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to reduce the number of shares of common stock and preferred stock the Company is authorized to issue. Under the Colorado Articles of Incorporation (the “Colorado Articles”), the Company is authorized to issue up to 250,000,000 shares of common stock and up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The Delaware Certificate authorizes the Company to issue up to 40,000,000 shares of common stock and up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
Reasons for the Reincorporation
The primary reason that the Board has approved and recommended the Reincorporation is because the corporate laws of the State of Delaware are more comprehensive, widely-used and extensively interpreted than the corporate laws of other states, including Colorado. As a result of the flexibility and responsiveness of the Delaware corporate laws to the legal and business needs of corporations, many major corporations have incorporated in Delaware or have changed their corporate domiciles to Delaware in a manner similar to the Reincorporation. The Delaware judiciary has become particularly familiar with corporate law matters and a substantial body of court decisions has developed construing the laws of Delaware, thus providing greater clarity and predictability with respect to corporate legal and governance affairs. The Board believes any benefits provided to the Company by Delaware law directly benefit our shareholders.
In deciding to propose the Reincorporation, the Board considered, among others, the following benefits of Delaware law to LifeVantage and its shareholders:
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• | our corporation would be governed by the DGCL, which is generally acknowledged to be the most advanced and flexible corporate statute in the country; |
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• | the responsiveness and efficiency of the Division of Corporations of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; |
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• | the Delaware General Assembly, which each year considers and adopts statutory amendments proposed by the Corporation Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association in an effort to ensure that the corporate statute continues to be responsive to the changing needs of businesses; |
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• | the Delaware Court of Chancery, which has exclusive jurisdiction over matters relating to the DGCL and in which cases are heard by judges, without juries, who have many years of experience with corporate issues, and the Delaware Supreme Court are both highly regarded and can help the Company reach quick and effective resolution of any future corporate litigation; and |
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• | the well-established body of case law construing Delaware law, which has developed over the last century and which provides businesses with a greater degree of predictability than most, if not all, other jurisdictions. |
The Board is not proposing the Reincorporation to prevent a change in control of LifeVantage and is not aware of any present attempt by any person to acquire control of LifeVantage or to obtain representation on the Board.
Why You Should Vote for the Reincorporation
Predictability, Flexibility and Responsiveness of Delaware Law. Delaware is a nationally recognized leader in adopting and implementing comprehensive modern and flexible corporate laws. The DGCL is frequently revised and updated to accommodate changing legal and business needs and is more comprehensive, widely used and interpreted than other state corporate laws, including the CBCA.
In addition, Delaware courts (such as the Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court) are highly regarded for their considerable expertise in dealing with corporate legal issues and for producing a substantial body of case law construing the DGCL, with multiple cases concerning areas that Colorado courts have not considered. Because the judicial system is based largely on legal precedents, the abundance of Delaware case law should serve to enhance the relative clarity and predictability of many areas of corporate law, which in turn may offer added advantages to us by allowing the Board and management to make corporate decisions and take corporate actions with greater assurance as to the validity and consequences of those decisions and actions.
Enhanced Ability to Attract and Retain Directors. The Reincorporation may also make it easier to attract future candidates and retain individuals willing to serve on the Board because many such candidates and individuals are already familiar with the DGCL, including provisions relating to director indemnification, from their past business experience.
Enhanced Anti-Takeover Protection. While the Company is currently unaware of any hostile attempts to acquire control of the Company, it believes that the DGCL is better suited than the CBCA to protect shareholders’ interests in the event of an unsolicited takeover attempt. There is substantial judicial precedent in the Delaware courts as to the legal principles applicable to such defensive measures with respect to the conduct of the Board under the business judgment rule, and the related enhanced scrutiny standard of judicial review, with respect to unsolicited takeover attempts. See the sections titled “Comparison of Shareholder Rights before and after the Reincorporation” and “Anti-Takeover Implications” below.
Enhanced Access to Capital. In addition, in the opinion of the Board, underwriters and other members of the financial services industry may be more willing and better able to assist in capital-raising programs for corporations having the greater flexibility afforded by the DGCL. Certain investment funds, sophisticated investors and brokerage firms may be more comfortable and more willing to invest in a Delaware corporation than in a corporation incorporated in another U.S. jurisdiction whose corporate laws may be less understood and perceived to be unresponsive to stockholder rights.
Plan of Conversion and Adoption of Delaware Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
To accomplish the Reincorporation, the Board has adopted a plan of conversion substantially in the form appended to this proxy statement as Annex B (the “Plan of Conversion”). The Plan of Conversion provides that we will convert into a Delaware corporation and will thereafter be subject to all of the provisions of the DGCL, the Delaware Certificate and Delaware Bylaws.
Assuming that our shareholders approve this proposal, we will cause the Reincorporation to be effected as soon as practicable thereafter by filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Colorado articles of conversion substantially in the form appended to this proxy statement as Annex C (the “Colorado Articles of Conversion”) and will file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (i) a certificate of conversion substantially in the form appended to this proxy statement as Annex D (the “Delaware
Certificate of Conversion”) and (ii) the Delaware Certificate, which will govern LifeVantage-Delaware as a Delaware corporation, substantially in the form appended to this proxy statement as Annex E . In addition, assuming that our shareholders approve this proposal, the Board has adopted the Delaware Bylaws, substantially in the form appended to this proxy statement as Annex F , and we will enter into a new indemnification agreement with each director and executive officer of LifeVantage-Delaware based upon provisions of the DGCL, substantially in the form appended to this proxy statement as Annex G (the “Delaware Indemnification Agreement”). Approval of this proposal by our shareholders will constitute approval of the Plan of Conversion, the Colorado Articles of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation, the Delaware Bylaws and the Delaware Indemnification Agreement. Shareholders should also note that approval of the Reincorporation will also constitute approval of the Company’s equity and other employee benefit and incentive plans continuing as plans of LifeVantage-Delaware.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Reincorporation may be delayed by the Board or the Plan of Conversion may be terminated and abandoned by action of the Board at any time prior to the effective time of the Reincorporation, whether before or after approval by our shareholders, if the Board determines for any reason that such delay or termination would be in the best interests of LifeVantage and our shareholders. If the Reincorporation is approved by our shareholders, the Reincorporation would become effective upon the filing (and acceptance thereof by the Secretary of State of the State of Colorado and the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, as applicable) of the Colorado Articles of Conversion, the Delaware Certificate of Conversion and the Delaware Certificate of Incorporation.
No Change in Business, Management or Board Members
The Reincorporation will not result in any change in the Company’s business, management, employees, fiscal year, assets, liabilities or federal tax identification number, (ii) cause the principal executive offices or other facilities of the Company to be moved or (iii) result in any relocation of management or other employees. The mailing address of the principal offices and the telephone number of LifeVantage will be the same as the Company’s current address and telephone number.
The individuals serving as directors of the Company as of immediately prior to the Reincorporation will be the directors of LifeVantage as of immediately following the Reincorporation, and will continue to serve for the term of their respective elections. The individuals serving as executive officers of the Company as of immediately prior to the Reincorporation will continue to serve as executive officers of LifeVantage as of immediately following the Reincorporation, without a change in their title or responsibilities. In addition, the Reincorporation will not affect any of the Company’s contracts with third parties. However, LifeVantage-Delaware will be deemed LifeVantage-Colorado’s successor with respect to LifeVantage-Colorado’s current contracts and agreements and will succeed to all of LifeVantage-Colorado’s rights and obligations under these contracts and agreements.
Immediately following the Reincorporation, the LifeVantage Common Stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker “LFVN.”
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reincorporation
The discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences set forth below is for general information only and does not purport to be a complete discussion or analysis of all potential tax consequences that may apply to a shareholder. The discussion does not deal with all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to particular shareholders, such as shareholders who are dealers in securities, foreign persons, tax exempt entities or shareholders who received their stock in the Company in connection with stock option or stock purchase plans or in other compensatory transactions. In addition, this discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax considerations nor does it address any federal estate, gift, employment, excise or other non income tax considerations. This discussion also does not address the tax consequences of transactions effected prior to or after the Reincorporation (whether or not such transactions are in connection with the Reincorporation) including, without limitation, the exercise of options, warrants or similar rights to purchase the Company’s stock. The following discussion is based upon provisions of the Code, regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions presently in effect, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) or to different interpretations. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine the particular tax consequences of the Reincorporation, including the applicability and effect of federal, state, local, foreign and other tax laws.
The Reincorporation provided for in the Plan of Conversion is intended to be a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. Assuming the Reincorporation qualifies as a reorganization, no gain or loss should be recognized to the holders of our capital stock as a result of consummation of the Reincorporation. Shareholders should have the same basis in the LifeVantage-Delaware common stock received pursuant to the Reincorporation as they had in the shares of LifeVantage-Colorado common stock held immediately prior to the time the Reincorporation is consummated. The holding period with respect to LifeVantage-Delaware common stock should include the period during which corresponding shares of LifeVantage-Colorado common stock were held, provided the latter was held as a capital asset at the time of consummation of the Reincorporation.
Accounting Treatment
We expect that the Reincorporation will have no effect from an accounting perspective because there is no change in the entity as a result of the Reincorporation. As such, the financial statements of LifeVantage-Colorado previously filed with the SEC will remain the financial statements of LifeVantage-Delaware following the Reincorporation.
Dissenters’ Rights
Under the CBCA, shareholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights in connection with a reincorporation if the shares held by the shareholder are listed on a national securities exchange registered under the federal “Securities Exchange Act of 1934”, as amended (the "Act"), or if the common stock of the company are held of record by more than two thousand shareholders. Because LifeVantage’s common stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Global Market, shareholders will therefore not be entitled to dissenters’ rights in connection with the Reincorporation.
Comparison of Shareholder Rights Before and After the Reincorporation
Although the Delaware Certificate and the Delaware Bylaws are substantially similar to provisions from the current Colorado Articles and Colorado Bylaws, they also include certain provisions that are different from the provisions contained in the Colorado Articles and Bylaws. The following discussion briefly summarizes some of the changes resulting from the Reincorporation and the significant differences between the CBCA and the Colorado Articles and Bylaws and the DGCL and the Delaware Certificate and Bylaws.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete statement of the respective rights of holders of our common stock and LifeVantage Delaware common stock, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the CBCA and DGCL, respectively, and to the Colorado Articles and Bylaws and to the Delaware Certificate and Bylaws, respectively.
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Authorized Capital Stock |
Colorado The Colorado Articles authorize 300,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $0.0001 per share, comprised of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of immediately prior to the Reincorporation, approximately [__________] shares of LifeVantage Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock of the Company will be outstanding. | Delaware The Delaware Certificate will authorize 45,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $0.0001 per share, comprised of 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of immediately following the Reincorporation, approximately [_______] shares of LifeVantage Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock of LifeVantage will be outstanding. |
Blank Check Preferred |
Colorado Under the CBCA, if the articles of incorporation so provide, a corporation may issue one or more classes of stock or one or more series of stock within any class, with such preferences, limitations and relative rights as determined by the board of directors without shareholder approval (“Blank Check Preferred Stock”). | Delaware The DGCL also permits, if authorized by the certificate of incorporation, the issuance of Blank Check Preferred Stock with preferences, limitations and relative rights determined by a corporation’s board of directors without stockholder approval. |
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The Colorado Articles authorize 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of immediately prior to the Reincorporation, the authorized preferred stock will constitute undesignated Blank Check Preferred Stock. | The Delaware Certificate will authorize 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of immediately following the Reincorporation, the authorized preferred stock will constitute undesignated Blank Check Preferred Stock. |
Special Meetings of Shareholders |
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Colorado Under the CBCA, a special meeting of shareholders shall be held if: (i) called by the board of directors or any person authorized by the bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors to call such a meeting; or (ii) if the corporation receives one or more written demands for a special meeting, stating the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held, signed and dated by the holders of shares representing at least 10% of all of the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the special meeting. | Delaware Under the DGCL, a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the corporation’s board of directors or by such persons as may be authorized by the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws. The DGCL does not require a corporation to call a special meeting at the request of stockholders. |
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The Colorado Bylaws provide that a special meeting of the Company’s shareholders may be called by the Board, by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or at the request of the holders of not less than 10% of the shares of LifeVantage Common Stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. | The Delaware Certificate and the Delaware Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by a majority of the authorized number of directors of LifeVantage, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or at the request of the holders of not less than 10% of the shares of LifeVantage Common Stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. |
Corporate Action without a Shareholder/Stockholder Meeting |
Colorado The CBCA provides that, unless the articles of incorporation require such action be taken at a shareholder meeting or expressly authorize that such action can be taken by less than unanimous written consent, any action required or permitted to be taken at a shareholder meeting may be taken without a meeting if all of the shareholders entitled to vote consent to such action in writing. | Delaware Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, the DGCL permits corporate action without a meeting of stockholders upon the written consent of the holders of that number of shares necessary to authorize the proposed corporate action being taken. |
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The Colorado Articles and the Colorado Bylaws provide that any action required or permitted by the provisions of the CBCA to be taken at a shareholder meeting may be taken without a meeting, and shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of all shareholders of the Company, if the Company receives a written consent (or counterpart thereof) setting forth the action to be taken, signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote thereon. | The Delaware Certificate prohibits stockholder action without a meeting, except in the case of holders of LifeVantage preferred stock, if any, which are entitled to take action by written consent as provided in the applicable certificate of designation. |
Amendment or Repeal of the Articles of Incorporation or the Certificate of Incorporation |
Colorado Under the CBCA, amendments to the articles of incorporation, other than ministerial amendments authorized by the board of directors without shareholder action, may be proposed by the board of directors or by the holders of shares representing at least 10% of all of the shares entitled to vote upon the amendment. The board of directors must recommend the amendment to the shareholders unless the amendment is proposed by the shareholders or the board of directors determines that because of a conflict of interest or other special circumstances it should make no recommendation and communicates the basis for its determination to the shareholders with the amendment. | Delaware Under the DGCL, stockholders are not entitled to enact an amendment to the certificate of incorporation without appropriate action taken by the board of directors. Amendments to the certificate of incorporation generally require that the board of directors adopt a resolution setting forth the amendment, declaring its advisability and submitting it to a vote of the stockholders. |
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The Colorado Articles provide that the Company reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in the Colorado Articles in any manner permitted under the CBCA. Under the Colorado Articles all rights and powers conferred upon directors and shareholders are granted subject to the reservation. | The Delaware Certificate expressly reserves the right of LifeVantage to amend or repeal any provision contained in the Delaware Certificate in the manner prescribed by Delaware law, provided that approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of LifeVantage is also obtained. |
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Amendment or Repeal of Bylaws |
Colorado Under the CBCA, shareholders may amend the corporation’s bylaws. Unless otherwise specified in the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, directors also are permitted to amend the bylaws, other than bylaws establishing greater quorums or voting requirements for shareholders or directors. Directors may not amend the bylaws to change the quorum or voting requirements for shareholders, and directors may amend the bylaws to change the quorum or voting requirements for directors only if such provision was originally adopted by the directors or if such provision specifies that it may be amended by the directors. | Delaware
The DGCL provides that stockholders may amend the bylaws and, if provided in its certificate of incorporation, the board of directors also has this power. |
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The Colorado Bylaws provide that the LifeVantage bylaws may at any time and from time to time be amended, supplemented, or repealed by the Board or the shareholders. | The Delaware Certificate and the Delaware Bylaws provide that, subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock of LifeVantage, if any, bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed (i) by the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors of LifeVantage, or (ii) upon the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of LifeVantage. |
Anti-Takeover Statutes |
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Colorado The CBCA does not contain provisions designed to deter takeovers of public companies, such as a “fair price” statute, “business combination” statute, “control share acquisition” statute or “cash-out” statute. However, a company’s articles of incorporation may include such provisions. | Delaware Section 203 of the DGCL establishes “business combination” restrictions that may deter or delay takeovers, although a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or stockholders may elect to exclude the corporation from the restrictions in Section 203. Section 203 provides that, subject to certain exceptions specified therein, a corporation shall not engage in any business combination with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the date that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder unless: (i) prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding shares held by directors who are also officers and employee stock purchase plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine, confidentially, whether plan shares will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or (iii) on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and by the affirmative vote at an annual or special meeting, and not by written consent, of at least 66 2/3 of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. Except as specified in Section 203, an interested stockholder is defined to include: (a) any person that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, at any time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date; and (b) the affiliates and associates of any such person.
The provisions of Section 203 do not apply to a corporation if, subject to certain requirements, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation contain a provision expressly electing not to be governed by the provisions of the statute or the corporation does not have voting stock listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. |
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The Colorado Articles provide, similar to Delaware law, that, subject to certain exceptions specified therein, the Company shall not engage in any business combination with any “interested shareholder” for a three-year period following the date that such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder unless: (i) prior to such date, the Board approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding shares held by directors who are also officers and employee stock purchase plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine, confidentially, whether plan shares will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or (iii) on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the Board and by the affirmative vote at an annual or special meeting, and not by written consent, of at least 66 2/3 % of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested shareholder.
The restrictions in the Colorado Articles do not apply if the Colorado Articles are amended by the shareholders to repeal the applicable section of the Colorado Articles, provided that such amendment shall not be effective until twelve months after the adoption of such amendment and shall not apply to any business combination between the Company and a person who became an interested shareholder on or prior to the date of such adoption. | Because neither the Delaware Certificate nor the Delaware Bylaws includes any provision to “opt-out” of Section 203, the statute will apply to business combinations involving LifeVantage.
Under certain circumstances, Section 203 may make it more difficult for a person who would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with LifeVantage for a three-year period. The provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring LifeVantage to negotiate in advance with the LifeVantage Board of Directors, since the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if a majority of the directors then in office approve either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder.
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Number of Directors |
Colorado Under the CBCA, the number of directors must be specified in the corporation’s bylaws. | Delaware The DGCL permits the number of directors to be specified in either a corporation’s bylaws or the corporation’s certificate of incorporation. If the number of directors is specified in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, a change in the number of directors may be made only by amendment of the certificate of incorporation |
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The Colorado Articles provide that the number of directors may be stated in or fixed in accordance with the Colorado Bylaws. The Colorado Bylaws provide that the number of directors of the Company shall be fixed from time to time by the Board, but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. | The Delaware Certificate and the Delaware Bylaws provide that, subject to any rights of preferred stockholders of LifeVantage, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors of LifeVantage. |
Term |
Colorado The CBCA permits (but does not require) classifications of a corporation’s board of directors. | Delaware The DGCL permits (but does not require) classifications of a corporation’s board of directors into one, two or three classes, with each class comprised of as equal a number of directors as is possible. In the event of multiple classes of directors, the DGCL provides for staggered terms of two years if there are two classes of directors or three years if there are three classes of directors. |
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The Colorado Bylaws provide that the Company’s directors be elected annually. All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders following their election or until their successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. | The Delaware Certificate, like the Colorado Articles, provides that LifeVantage’s directors are elected annually. Under the Delaware Certificate, subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock of LifeVantage, if any, all directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders following their election or until their successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal |
Removal |
Colorado Under the CBCA, one or more directors may be removed from office by the shareholders with or without cause, unless a corporation’s articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause, and only if the number of votes cast in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against removal. | Delaware Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, one or more directors serving on a non-classified board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. In the case of a corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against such director’s removal would be sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there are classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which the director is a part. |
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The Colorado Articles do not prohibit shareholders from removing a director without cause. The Colorado Bylaws provide that shareholders may remove directors from office with or without cause at a shareholder meeting duly called for such purpose, only if the number of votes cast in favor of removal exceeds the number of votes cast against such removal.
| The Delaware Certificate provides that, subject to the rights of holders of any preferred stock of LifeVantage, if any, directors may be removed at any time, with our without cause and only by the vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at a duly-called stockholder meeting. |
Vacancies |
Colorado Under the CBCA, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, any vacancy on the board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the shareholders or the board of directors, except that if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum, the board of directors may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors. | Delaware Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, any vacancy on the board of directors, including any vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. Under the DGCL (unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws), stockholders may fill the vacancy only if (i) at the time of the filling of any vacancy or newly created directorship, the directors in office constitute less than a majority of the whole board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase) and (ii) the Delaware Chancery Court, upon application of stockholders holding at least 10% of a corporation’s outstanding voting shares, orders an election to fill any such position. |
The Colorado Articles do not alter the procedures specified in the CBCA. The Colorado Bylaws provide that any vacancy on the Board may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors in office or by the shareholders at the next annual meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. | Under the Delaware Certificate and the Delaware Bylaws, unless otherwise required by law or by resolution of LifeVantage’s Board of Directors, vacancies on the board of directors may be filled, subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock of LifeVantage, if any, by a vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, although less than a quorum. |
Cumulative Voting; Vote Required for the Election of Directors |
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Colorado Under the CBCA, shareholders have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of directors unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation. In addition, the CBCA provides that, absent a provision to the contrary in a corporation’s articles of incorporation, the election of directors will be by a plurality vote of the shareholders entitled to vote. | Delaware Similar to the CBCA, the DGCL permits cumulative voting if provided in the certificate of incorporation. In addition, the DGCL provides for the election of directors by plurality vote of the stockholders entitled to vote, unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise. |
The Colorado Articles expressly prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors. The Colorado Articles do not alter the default plurality voting standard for the election of directors and the Colorado Bylaws specifically adopt a plurality voting standard for the election of the Company’s directors. | The Delaware Certificate does not provide for cumulative voting. The Delaware Certificate and Delaware Bylaws do not alter the default plurality voting standard for the election of directors. |
Limitation of Liability of Directors |
Colorado The CBCA permits a corporation to include a provision in its articles of incorporation eliminating the liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty in certain cases. Under the CBCA, a provision eliminating the liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary liability for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty in certain cases must be contained in the corporation’s articles of incorporation. In addition, a director may not be exculpated from liability: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) arising from transactions relating to certain unlawful distributions; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. | Delaware Under the DGCL, a provision eliminating the liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary liability for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty in certain cases must be contained in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation. In addition, a director may not be exculpated from liability: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) arising from transactions relating to certain unlawful distributions; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
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The Colorado Articles exculpates directors of the Company from personal liability for all monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent allowed under the CBCA, except that the Colorado Articles do not eliminate or limit the liability of the Company’s directors for monetary damages otherwise existing for: (i) any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or to its shareholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) certain acts specified in the CBCA relating to any unlawful distribution; or (iv) any transaction from which the director directly or indirectly derived any improper personal benefit. | The Delaware Certificate exculpates directors of LifeVantage from all monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to LifeVantage or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for unlawful payment of dividends; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
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Colorado The CBCA provisions regarding indemnification rights are substantially similar to the provisions contained in the DGCL, except as noted below.
Permissive Indemnification. In addition to the limitations of the DGCL, the CBCA prohibits a corporation from indemnifying a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation (each, an “Indemnitee”) adjudged liable of receiving an improper personal benefit.
The CBCA also allows a corporation to indemnify an Indemnitee who is not a director to a greater extent than specified in the CBCA, if not inconsistent with public policy. However, a corporation may only indemnify a director as specified in the CBCA. The CBCA requires a corporation to provide its shareholders with written notice of any indemnification payments or expense advancements paid to a director on or before the notice of the next shareholder’s meeting after making such payments.
Standard of Conduct. Under the CBCA, the specified “Standard of Conduct” requires that an Indemnitee acted (i) in good faith, (ii) in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be, in the case of conduct in the Indemnitee’s official capacity, in the best interests of the corporation, and, for all other conduct, at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and (iii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, with no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. | Delaware
Permissive Indemnification - Non-Derivative Actions. Under the DGCL, a corporation may indemnify an Indemnitee who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding if the Indemnitee met the specified Standard of Conduct.
Permissive Indemnification - Derivative Actions. In the case of derivative actions, a corporation may indemnify an Indemnitee against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), but not amounts paid in settlement, judgments or fines. However, such indemnification is permitted only if the Indemnitee met the specified Standard of Conduct, except that no indemnification may be made for any claim as to which the Indemnitee is adjudged liable to the corporation unless a court determines that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity. Mandatory Indemnification. A present or former director or officer of a corporation who is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any proceeding subject to the DGCL’s indemnification provisions must be indemnified by the corporation for reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees).
Standard of Conduct. The DGCL states that any permissive indemnification, unless ordered by a court, may be made only after a determination that the Indemnitee met the specified Standard of Conduct. Under the DGCL, the specified Standard of Conduct requires that an Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The determination may be made (i) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (iv) by the stockholders. |
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The Colorado Articles require the Company to indemnify any person who is or was a director of the Company to the fullest extent allowed by the laws of Colorado, or while serving as a director or officer, also served at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of an another entity or employee benefit plan. The Colorado Articles also require the Company to indemnify any person who is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company to the fullest extent allowed by the laws of Colorado or to a greater extent if consistent with law and if provided in the Colorado Bylaws, by resolution of the Company’s shareholders or directors or in a contract.
Additionally, the Colorado Bylaws provide that the Company may indemnify a director, officer or agent or former director, officer or agent against liability in the proceeding if such person acted with the required Standard of Conduct.
Further, the Colorado Bylaws provide that the Company must indemnify a director or former director for reasonable expenses if such person is successful in the defense of any proceeding to which such person was a party because such person was or is a director. | Under the Delaware Bylaws, LifeVantage must indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of LifeVantage or is or was serving at the request of LifeVantage as a director, officer or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan. |
Advancement of Expenses |
Colorado Under the CBCA, a corporation may advance reasonable expenses to the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding upon (i) a written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the Indemnitee met the specified Standard of Conduct and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount to the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee did not meet the specified Standard of Conduct. | Delaware A corporation may advance reasonable expenses to the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding upon a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount to the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee did not meet the specified Standard of Conduct |
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The Colorado Bylaws provide that reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending an action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Company to any Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of (i) a written affirmation of such Indemnitee’s good faith belief that he or she has met the Standard of Conduct, (ii) a written undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the prescribed Standard of Conduct, and (iii) a determination is made by the Company that the facts as then known to the Company would not prohibit indemnification. | Under the Delaware Bylaws, LifeVantage may advance expenses to any Indemnitee to the fullest extent allowed under the DGCL, provided that, if required under the DGCL, the Indemnitee must provide LifeVantage with a written undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the applicable Standard of Conduct. Unlike the CBCA, the Board of LifeVantage is not required to make a preliminary determination that the Indemnitee has met the Standard of Conduct prior to advancing expenses. |
Transactions with Officers and Directors |
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Colorado The CBCA contains a provision regarding interested transactions between a corporation and its executives that is substantively identical to the corresponding statute contained in the DGCL, except that the applicable CBCA statute only addresses transactions between a corporation and its directors (and not officers of a corporation). | Delaware The DGCL provides that contracts or transactions between a corporation and one or more of its officers or directors or an entity in which they have a financial interest are not void or voidable solely because of such interest or the participation of the director or officer in a meeting of the board of directors or a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction if: (i) the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the board of directors or the committee, and the board of directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors are less than a quorum; (ii) the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified by the board of directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders. |
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Neither the Colorado Articles nor the Colorado Bylaws modify the CBCA provisions with respect to transactions with directors.
| Neither the Delaware Certificate nor the Delaware Bylaws modify the DGCL provisions with respect to transactions with directors.
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Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal; Appraisal Rights |
Colorado Dissenting shareholders have the right to obtain the fair value of their shares in more circumstances under the CBCA than under the DGCL. Under the CBCA, a properly dissenting shareholder is entitled to receive the appraised value of the shares owned by the shareholder when the corporation votes to: (i) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property and assets other than in the regular course of the corporation’s business; (ii) merge or consolidate with another corporation; (iii) participate in a share exchange; or (iv) convert into another entity, subject to certain exceptions, including, in certain circumstances, with respect to a company listed on a national securities exchange or that has more than 2,000 stockholders. Dissenters’ rights under the CBCA are available to both record holders and beneficial holders. | Delaware Under the DGCL, unless the certificate of incorporation of a corporation provides otherwise, appraisal rights are only available with respect to a merger or consolidation of a corporation under certain limited circumstances. No appraisal rights are provided in the case of (i) a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets, (ii) a share exchange or (iii) with respect to a company listed on a national securities exchange or that has more than 2,000 stockholders. Appraisal rights under the DGCL are available to record holders only. |
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Neither the Colorado Articles nor the Colorado Bylaws modify the CBCA provisions relating to dissenters’ rights. | Neither the Delaware Certificate nor the Delaware Bylaws modify the DGCL provisions relating to appraisal rights. |
Shareholders Rights to Examine Books and Records |
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Colorado Under the CBCA, any record or beneficial shareholder of a corporation may, upon five days’ written demand, inspect certain records, including shareholder actions, minutes of shareholder meetings, communications with shareholders and recent financial statements. In addition, upon five days’ written demand, any such shareholder may inspect the list of shareholders and certain other corporate records, including minutes of the meetings of the board of directors of the corporation, if the shareholder either (i) has been a shareholder for at least three months or (ii) is a holder of at least 5% of all outstanding shares of any class of shares when the demand is made, provided that the demand is made in good faith for a proper purpose reasonably related to such person’s interests as a shareholder. | Delaware Under the DGCL, the inspection rights of the stockholders of a corporation are the same as under the CBCA, except: (i) there is no requirement that a stockholder has been a shareholder for at least three months or is a stockholder of at least 5% of all outstanding shares of any class of shares when the demand is made, and (ii) if a corporation refuses to permit inspection or does not reply to the demand within five business days after the demand has been made the stockholder may apply to the Court of Chancery for an order to compel such inspection. |
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Neither the Colorado Articles nor the Colorado Bylaws contains a provision regarding examination rights. | Neither the Delaware Certificate nor the Delaware Bylaws contains a provision regarding examination rights. |
Dividends and Repurchases of Shares |
Colorado Unlike the DGCL, the CBCA does not utilize the concept of par value of shares or contain statutory definitions of capital, surplus and the like. The CBCA permits a corporation to declare and pay cash or in-kind property dividends or to repurchase shares unless, after giving effect to the transaction: (i) the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (ii) the corporation’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus (unless the articles of incorporation permit otherwise) the amount that would be needed, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. | Delaware The DGCL utilizes the concepts of par value, capital and surplus in determining whether a corporation can pay a dividend or repurchase shares. The DGCL permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends out of surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared or for the preceding fiscal year as long as the amount of capital of the corporation following the declaration and payment of the dividend is not less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets. In addition, the DGCL generally provides that a corporation may redeem or repurchase its shares only if the capital of the corporation is not impaired and such redemption or repurchase would not impair the capital of the corporation. The term “capital” means the aggregate par value of all outstanding shares of capital stock and the term “surplus” means the excess of fair value of net assets over the amount of capital. |
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The Colorado Articles permit the Board to declare and pay dividends upon the LifeVantage Common Stock out of any funds legally available therefor at such times and in such amounts as the Board shall determine, subject to preferential dividend rights, if any, of the holders of the Company’s preferred stock. | Neither the Delaware Certificate nor the Delaware Bylaws prohibits (i) the payment of dividends or (ii) the repurchase and subsequent reissuance of shares acquired by LifeVantage. |
Franchise Tax |
Colorado
There is no Franchise Tax | Delaware
The DGCL requires corporations to pay an annual franchise tax and the Board believes that the benefits of reincorporating to Delaware outweigh the annual franchise tax. |
Required Vote
If a quorum is present, approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock entitled to vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting. Because matters considered “routine” by the applicable regulations, such as ratification of auditors, are under consideration at the Annual Meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards a quorum, but these abstentions, broker non-votes, and any other outstanding shares that are not voted will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Independence
NASDAQ Stock Market Rules, or NASDAQ Rules, require that a majority of the members of our board of directors qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by our board of directors. Our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Beindorff, Greer, Hegde, Lewis, Mauro, Metzger and Okumoto is an “independent director” under NASDAQ Rules.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
The leadership of our board of directors is currently structured such that the chair of our board of directors and chief executive officer positions are separated. Mr. Mauro, an independent director, has served as chair of our board of directors since November 2013. We believe having an independent chair of our board of directors has provided our board of directors with consistent, experienced and independent leadership that enhances the effectiveness of our board of directors. Our corporate governance guidelines do not require our board of directors to choose an independent chair or to separate the roles of chair and chief executive officer, but our board of directors believes this leadership structure is the appropriate structure for our company at this time, and plans to keep the roles separated in fiscal 2018. Pursuant to our corporate governance guidelines, our board of directors may choose its chair in any manner that it deems to be in the best interests of our company. If, in the future, the chair of our board of directors is not an independent director, our board of directors may designate an independent director to serve as a lead independent director.
Our board of directors is responsible for oversight of risks facing our company, while our management is responsible for day-to-day management of risk. Our board of directors directly administers its risk oversight function. In addition, the risk oversight function is also administered through the standing committees of our board of directors, which oversee risks inherent in their respective areas of responsibility, reporting to our board of directors regularly and involving our board of directors as necessary. For example, the audit committee oversees our financial exposure and financial reporting related risks, and the compensation committee oversees risks related to our compensation programs and practices. Our board of directors directly oversees our strategic and business risk, including geographic, product development and regulatory risks, through regular interactions with our management and, from time-to-time, input from independent advisors. We believe our board's leadership structure supports its role in risk oversight, with our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer primarily responsible for assessing and managing risks facing our company on a day-to-day basis and the chair and other members of our board of directors providing oversight of such risk management.
Meetings of Our Board of Directors and Committees
During the last fiscal year, our board of directors held 18 meetings and acted by unanimous written consent four times. Each director who currently serves on our board of directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of our board of directors (held during the period for which he has been a director) and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of our board of directors on which he served (held during the periods that he served).
Committees of Our Board of Directors
Our board of directors has an audit committee, a nominating and corporate governance committee, a compensation committee, and a strategic planning committee.
Audit Committee
The audit committee was established by our board of directors in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The current members of our audit committee are Messrs. Lewis, Mauro and Okumoto, with Mr. Okumoto serving as chair. Our board of directors has determined that all three members of the audit committee qualify as “independent” under NASDAQ Rules. Our board of directors has also determined that each member of the audit committee meets the financial literacy and sophistication requirements set forth in the NASDAQ Rules and that Mr. Okumoto qualifies as “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined by SEC rules. Our board of directors made a qualitative assessment of Mr. Okumoto's level of knowledge and experience based on a number of factors, including his formal education, his past experience as a public company chief financial officer, and his experience reviewing and analyzing company financial statements as an investor and audit committee chair of a public company, and his other prior professional experience. The audit committee met 13 times during our last fiscal year and acted by unanimous written consent once.
The audit committee operates under a written charter adopted by our board of directors that is available on our website at http://investor.lifevantage.com/governance.cfm. Our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement.
The audit committee was established to:
a.assist board oversight of (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, and (iv) the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm;
b.prepare an audit committee report as required by the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement;
c.evaluate the performance of and assesses the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;
d.determine and approve the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm;
e.determine whether to retain or terminate our existing independent registered public accounting firm or to appoint and engage a new independent registered public accounting firm;
f.review and approve the retention of our independent registered public accounting firm to perform any proposed permissible non-audit services;
g.monitor the rotation of partners of our independent registered public accounting firm on the audit engagement team as required by law;
h.confer with management and our independent registered public accounting firm regarding the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting;
i.review and approve all related-party transactions;
j.establish procedures, as required under applicable law, for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and
k.review our annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, including reviewing disclosures under the section entitled “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our periodic reports.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The current members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Messrs. Beindorff, Greer and Hegde, with Mr. Beindorff serving as chair. Our board of directors has determined that all three members of the nominating and governance committee qualify as "independent" under NASDAQ Rules. As long as our common stock remains publicly traded, each member of the nominating and corporate governance committee will (1) qualify as an “independent” director as defined under applicable NASDAQ Rules and (2) qualify as a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated under the Exchange Act. The nominating and corporate governance committee met three times during our last fiscal year.
The nominating and corporate governance committee operates under a written charter adopted by our board of directors that is available on our website at http://investor.lifevantage.com/governance.cfm. Our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement.
The purpose of the nominating and corporate governance committee is to (1) identify individuals qualified to serve as members of our board of directors, (2) recommend nominees for election as directors, (3) develop and recommend to our board of directors corporate governance guidelines, and (4) provide oversight with respect to the evaluation of our board of directors, management, corporate governance and ethical conduct. In the process of performing its duties, the committee has engaged and may engage in the future, third-party board governance experts to evaluate board composition, analyze board contributions and review board activities and practices.
The nominating and corporate governance committee has the following authority and responsibilities:
a.identify and evaluate individuals qualified to serve as members of our board of directors (including individuals nominated by shareholders in proposals made in writing to our Secretary that are timely received and that contain sufficient background information concerning the nominee to enable proper judgment to be made as to the nominee's qualifications and are otherwise in compliance with applicable laws) and establish a process for recruiting suitable candidates to our board of directors, including identifying the characteristics and skills required by our board of directors and those existing on our board of directors;
b.identify and recommend for our board of directors' selection nominees for election as directors at the meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected;
c.recommend to our board of directors the appointment of directors to committees of our board of directors and, as appropriate, recommend rotation or removal of directors from such committees;
d.cause to be prepared and recommend to our board of directors the adoption of corporate governance guidelines, and periodically review and assess the guidelines and recommend changes for approval by our board of directors;
e.cause to be prepared and recommend to our board of directors the adoption of a code of ethics and a code of conduct, and from time to time review and assess the codes, and recommend changes for approval by our board of directors;
f.provide minutes of meetings of the committee to our board of directors, and to report regularly to our board of directors with respect to significant actions and determinations made by the committee;
g.at least annually, to review and reassess the charter of the committee and, if appropriate, recommend changes to our board of directors; and
h.make recommendations to our board of directors regarding issues of management succession.
Compensation Committee
The current members of the compensation committee are Messrs. Beindorff, Greer and Metzger, with Mr. Metzger serving as chair. Our board of directors has determined that all three members of the compensation committee qualify as “independent” under NASDAQ Rules. As long as our common stock remains publicly traded, each member of the compensation committee will (1) qualify as an “independent” director as defined under applicable NASDAQ Rules or the listing standards of such other national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which our common stock is then-listed (the “Applicable Listing Standards”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (2) satisfy any additional more stringent requirements applicable to members of the compensation committee under the Applicable Listing Standards, (3) qualify as a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated under the Exchange Act and (4) qualify as an “outside director” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3) promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code. During our last fiscal year, the compensation committee met four times.
The compensation committee operates under a written charter adopted by our board of directors that is available on our website at http://investor.lifevantage.com/governance.cfm. Our website does not constitute part of this proxy statement. The charter of the compensation committee provides that the compensation committee has the overall responsibility of our board of directors relating to compensation for our executive officers and non-employee directors.
The compensation committee has the following authority and responsibilities:
a.assist our board of directors in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions and to oversee the development of executive succession plans;
b.review periodically our compensation philosophy and strategy;
c.determine, or review and recommend to our board of directors for its determination, on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives with respect to compensation for our Chief Executive Officer. The committee evaluates at least once a year our Chief Executive Officer's performance in light of these established goals and objectives and, based upon these evaluations, reviews and recommends to the independent members of our board of directors for approval, our Chief Executive Officer's compensation, including base salary, annual and long term incentive compensation. The Chief Executive Officer is not present during any meeting of the committee during which it will vote upon or deliberate upon the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer;
d.determine, or review and recommend to our board of directors for its determination, on an annual basis the evaluation process and compensation structure for our executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer. The committee annually evaluates the performance of these executive officers and determines, or reviews and recommends to our board of directors for approval, the compensation, including salary, bonus, incentive and equity compensation, for such executive officers. The committee considers the proposals for the compensation of such executive officers submitted to the committee by our Chief Executive Officer;
e.review and approve the initial compensation, including salary, bonus, incentive and equity compensation, for newly hired employees who are proposed to be executive officers of our company (other than a proposed newly hired
Chief Executive Officer). The committee considers the proposals for compensation of such proposed newly hired executive officers submitted to the committee by our Chief Executive Officer;
f.provide general oversight of management's decisions concerning the performance and compensation of our other officers, employees, consultants and advisors. The committee may delegate its authority on these matters with regard to non-officer employees and consultants to our officers and other appropriate supervisory personnel;
g.if and to the extent we are required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) section in our annual proxy statement, (i) review and discuss with management the CD&A and other required compensation disclosures, (ii) based on that review and discussion, recommend to our board of directors whether such CD&A be included in that proxy statement, and (iii) review and approve the disclosure required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K
h.oversee on an annual basis management's recommendations for the salary range of non-officer employees by pay grade, percent merit increases and annual incentive pools;
i.review our incentive compensation and stock-based plans and approve, or recommend to our board of directors for its approval, adoption of or changes in such plans, as needed; provided the adoption or amendment of a plan that results in reservation of additional shares of our common stock for issuance thereunder shall be approved by our board of directors. The committee has and exercises all the authority of our board of directors with respect to the administration of such plans;
j.select, retain and terminate such compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisors as it deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion. The committee may invite such consultants and advisors to attend its meetings or to meet with any members of the committee. The committee has sole authority to approve the fees and retention terms relating to such consultants and advisors;
k.except with respect to the responsibilities set forth above regarding the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers, the committee may delegate its authority granted under its charter to a subcommittee of the committee (consisting either of a subset of members of the committee or, after giving due consideration to whether the eligibility criteria described above with respect to committee members and whether such other board of directors members satisfy such criteria, any members of our board of directors);
l.review executive officer compensation for compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, and oversee our implementation of corporate policies affecting compensation;
m.oversee and, as needed from time to time, review and approve other compensation and benefit plans, including non-routine employment agreements, severance arrangements and change in control agreements and provisions when, and if, appropriate, as well as any special supplemental benefits;
n.review and recommend to our board of directors the compensation of independent non-employee directors, including annual and long term incentive compensation;
o.report regularly to our board of directors with respect to significant actions and determinations made by the committee;
p.annually review and evaluate the committee’s own performance and report on its conclusions in this regard to our board of directors;
q.periodically review, as and when required by applicable laws, rules or regulations, our risk management processes related to our compensation programs including to determine whether any such program encourages undue or inappropriate risk-taking our personnel that is reasonable likely to have a material adverse effect on us;
r.oversee, as and when required by applicable laws, rules and regulations, our submission to, and consider the results of, shareholder votes on matters relating to compensation, including advisory votes and votes seeking approval of our compensation plans or arrangements; and
s.perform any other activities consistent with its charter, our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, Applicable Listing Standards and any other applicable law, as the committee or our board of directors deems appropriate.
Other Committees
In addition to the committees described above, we also have a strategic planning committee. The current members of the strategic planning committee are Messrs. Jensen, Hegde, Lewis, Okumoto and Toole, with Mr. Jensen serving as chair. The strategic planning committee meets on an ad hoc basis as our board of directors deems necessary to review and advise our board of directors with respect to matters assigned by our board of directors to this committee from time to time.
Director Nominations
Criteria for Board Membership
In selecting candidates for appointment or election to our board of directors, the nominating and corporate governance committee considers the appropriate balance of experience, skills and characteristics required of our board of directors, and seeks to insure that at least a majority of the directors are independent under NASDAQ Rules, that members of the audit committee meet the financial literacy and sophistication requirements under NASDAQ Rules and that at least one member of the audit committee qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules. Nominees for director are selected on the basis of their depth and breadth of experience, wisdom, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, willingness to devote adequate time to board duties, the interplay of the nominee's experience and skills with those of other directors and the extent to which the nominee would be a desirable addition to our board of directors and any of its committees. Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although the nominating and corporate governance committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best interests of our company and our shareholders. The nominating and corporate governance committee does not have a policy regarding board diversity, but it takes diversity of professional experience and perspective into account in identifying and selecting director nominees.
Shareholder Recommendations
The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider qualified candidates for director suggested by shareholders by applying the criteria for board membership described above. If a shareholder submits a director recommendation, the nominating and corporate governance committee will conduct an initial evaluation of the proposed nominee and, if it determines the proposed nominee may be qualified, the nominating and corporate governance committee will follow the evaluation process described below. If the nominating and corporate governance committee determines the proposed nominee would be a valuable addition to our board of directors, based on the criteria for board membership described above and after following the evaluation process described below, it will recommend such person's nomination to our board of directors.
Separately, our bylaws (including the Delaware Bylaws if the Reincorporation is approved and subsequently effected) contain provisions that address the process by which a shareholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to our board of directors at our annual meeting of shareholders. Such nominations may be made only if the shareholder has given timely written notice to our Corporate Secretary containing the information required by our bylaws, including as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, and as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on our books, and of such beneficial owner and the class and number of shares of our company which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner. To be timely, the notice given by a shareholder must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which we first mailed proxy materials for the preceding year's annual meeting, except that if the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the anniversary date of the previous year's meeting, such notice must be delivered not earlier than 120 days prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which we first publicly announce the date of such meeting.
Process for Identifying and Evaluating Nominees
Generally, before recommending to the board a slate of nominees for director, the nominating and corporate governance committee will consider each incumbent director's performance on our board of directors and willingness to continue in service. In the ordinary course, absent special circumstances or a material change in the criteria for board membership, the nominating and corporate governance committee will recommend for nomination incumbent directors with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service. If the nominating and corporate governance committee determines to seek one or more new director candidates who would add particularly desired skills, experience or attributes to our board, if an incumbent director is not willing to stand for re-election, or if a vacancy on our board of directors occurs between annual shareholder meetings and our board of directors determines to fill such vacancy, the nominating and corporate governance committee will generally identify the desired skills and experience of a new nominee
based on the criteria for board membership described above and any specific needs of our board of directors at the time. Under ordinary circumstances, the nominating and corporate governance committee will then seek suggestions from other members of our board of directors and our senior management as to individuals meeting such criteria. Potential nominees will be selected based on input from members of our board of directors, our senior management and, if the nominating and corporate governance committee deems appropriate, a third-party search firm. The nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate each potential nominee's qualifications and check relevant references; in addition, such individuals will be interviewed by at least one member of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Under ordinary circumstances, following this process, the nominating and corporate governance committee will determine whether to recommend to our board of directors that a potential nominee be presented as a nominee for election by the shareholders or be appointed to fill a vacancy on our board of directors, as the case may be. Generally, our board of directors nominates for election at our annual shareholder meetings the individuals recommended by the nominating and corporate governance committee.
Shareholder Communications With the Board of Directors
Shareholders interested in communicating with our board of directors, a board committee, the independent directors or an individual director may do so by sending an email to our Corporate Secretary at Investor@lifevantage.com or writing to our board of directors, LifeVantage Corporation, 9785 South Monroe Street, Suite 300, Sandy, Utah 84070, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Communications should specify the addressee(s) and the general topic of the communication. Our Corporate Secretary will review and sort communications before forwarding them to the addressee(s). If no particular director is named, letters will be forwarded, depending on the subject matter, to the chairman of our board of directors or the appropriate committee, as applicable.
No Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any of our officers and directors.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the names, ages and titles of our executive officers as of December 6, 2017, the record date for our fiscal year 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
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| | | | |
Name | | Age | | Position with Company |
Mr. Darren Jensen | | 48 | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Mr. Steven R. Fife | | 58 | | Chief Financial Officer |
Mr Ryan Goodwin | | 41 | | Chief Marketing Officer |
Mr. Courtland Pearson | | 48 | | Senior Vice President International |
Mr. Justin Rose | | 49 | | Chief Sales Officer |
Mr. Charles Wach | | 55 | | Chief Operating Officer |
Each officer serves at the discretion of our board of directors and holds office until his or her successor is appointed or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers and directors.
MR. DARREN JENSEN. See biographical information set forth above under “Proposal 1—Election of Directors.”
MR. STEVEN R. FIFE. Mr. Fife was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer in March 2017. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Fife served as Chief Financial Officer for Evidera, Inc., a private equity sponsored professional services firm, from May 2014 to June 2016. Prior to joining Evidera, Inc., from October 2012 to December 2013, Mr. Fife served as Chief Financial Officer for Active Power, Inc., a publicly traded producer of kinetic energy storage systems that was later sold to Piller Power Systems Inc. In addition, from March 2011 to August 2012, Mr. Fife served as Interim Chief Financial Officer for Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, and from April 2007 to August 2010 as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of LECG. Mr. Fife also served in a variety of financial roles for Gilead Sciences, Amkor Technologies, JDS Uniphase and Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Fife received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
MR. RYAN GOODWIN. Mr. Goodwin was appointed as our Chief Marketing Officer in November 2015. Mr. Goodwin brings more than a decade of experience building brands and marketing strategies for both direct sales companies and traditional consumer brands. In July 2013, Mr. Goodwin founded Dinng, a brand and digital brand studio, where he served as President and Creative Director. Prior to founding Dinng, in January 2003, Mr. Goodwin co-founded Struck, a full service creative agency, where he was in charge of the entire creative product as the Executive Creative Director until February 2009
after which he served as Chairman of the Board until September 2014. Mr. Goodwin earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Brigham Young University.
MR. COURTLAND PEARSON. Mr. Pearson was appointed our Senior Vice President International in July 2016. From April 2012 until April 2016, Mr. Pearson was Vice President, Global Social Marketer Success and Regional Vice President over Asia for Modere, a manufacturer and distributor of products for personal care, health and wellness and household care. Prior to joining Modere, Mr. Pearson served as Vice President, Sales, NuSkin Japan and also served in various other positions in Asia for Nu Skin Enterprises beginning in 1998. Mr. Pearson earned a bachelor’s degree in Japanese with an emphasis in Business from Brigham Young University.
MR. JUSTIN ROSE. Mr. Rose was appointed as our Chief Sales Officer in July 2015. From December 2010 through January 2014, Mr. Rose served as the Regional Vice President Sales and from January 2014 through June 2015 as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Field Development at Shaklee Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of natural nutritional supplements and beauty and household products. Prior to joining Shaklee Corporation, from April 2003 through December 2010, Mr. Rose was President of North America and South Pacific at Nu Skin Enterprises and prior to that he was the General Manager - North America from 2000 to 2003. Mr. Rose was Director of Business Marketing and Director of Sales at USANA Inc. from 1999 to 2000. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Rose was Director of Marketing and Sales at Aveda. Mr. Rose began his career as Marketing Services Manager at Nu Skin Enterprises 1989 to 1994. Mr. Rose earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Business Management from Brigham Young University.
MR. CHARLES WACH. Mr. Wach was appointed as our Chief Operating Officer in March 2017. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Wach served as Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain Executive for Bodybuilding.com, Inc., a global internet specialty retailer, from June 2013 to March 2017. Prior to joining Bodybuilding.com, Inc., Mr. Wach served as Director of Global Supply Chain, Materials Management for Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. from 2000 to 2012. Mr. Wach also served in a variety of operational roles for Nestle - Perrier Group of America Inc., H.J. Heinz Co. and Frito Lay Inc. Mr. Wach received his Master of Business Administration degree from Utah State University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Brigham Young University.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
In this section, we describe the material components of compensation that were paid or awarded to, or earned by, our “named executive officers” (our “NEOs”) in fiscal 2017, provide an overview of the information set forth below in the Summary Compensation Table and other compensation tables, and address actions taken regarding executive compensation after the end of fiscal 2017 that could affect a fair understanding of a NEO’s compensation during fiscal 2017.
Our named executive officers for fiscal 2017 and their principal positions are:
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| | |
NEO | | Position |
Darren Jensen | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Steven R. Fife | | Chief Financial Officer(1) |
Ryan Goodwin | | Chief Marketing Officer |
Courtland Pearson | | Senior Vice President International(2) |
Justin Rose | | Chief Sales Officer |
Mark Jaggi | | Former Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer(3) |
Gary Koos | | Former Interim Chief Financial Officer(4) |
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(1) | Mr. Fife was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer effective March 13, 2017. |
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(2) | Mr. Pearson was appointed as our Senior Vice President International effective July 2, 2016. |
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(3) | Mr. Jaggi's employment with the Company was terminated effective January 18, 2017. |
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(4) | Mr. Koos served as our Interim Chief Financial Officer from January 18, 2017 until March 13, 2017, through an agreement with Cerius Interim Executive Solutions and as described in further detail in the footnotes to our Summary Compensation Table. As a result, he was not eligible during fiscal 2017 for all of the elements of compensation described below that are provided to our other NEOs and was only eligible for the compensation he received through Cerius Interim Executive Solutions. |
Executive Summary
Overall, we are focused on long-term growth strategies for our business, including through the adoption of improved operational controls designed to ensure the long-term success of our domestic and international businesses and the implementation of technology-enabled distributor training and resources to increase their productivity and potential for success. During fiscal 2017, we added key individuals to both our executive team and our board of directors, each of whom brings demonstrated talent and experience to advance significantly our long-term strategic goals and provide the appropriate management and oversight of our operations. In addition, our compensation committee continues to adjust our compensation programs to incorporate longer-term performance periods and refine applicable performance metrics to better align compensation with our strategic goals, while balancing the need to maintain a market competitive compensation program to continue to attract and retain our management team.
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis is divided into three parts:
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• | Part I-Compensation Principles and Processes. In this part we describe the important principles, processes and tools that help us determine compensation for our NEOs. |
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• | Part II-Compensation Components. In this part we discuss the three material components of NEO compensation - base salary, annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation - and actual compensation paid or awarded to, or earned by, our NEOs in fiscal 2017. |
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• | Part III-Other Matters. In this part we discuss other compensation practices that affect how we compensate our NEOs, including employment agreements and certain corporate policies. |
PART I. COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES AND PROCESSES
Our Compensation Principles and Objectives
Our executive compensation program is designed to be fair, reasonable and competitive and to attract, retain and motivate talented executives capable of achieving our business objective of creating long-term shareholder value. We actively seek to
foster a pay-for-performance environment that encourages our executive officers to enhance shareholder value. To this end, we seek to establish a compensation program linked directly to the delivery of long-term returns to our shareholders, the achievement of short- and long-term strategic business objectives, individual performance, and the demonstration of competencies that are aligned with our culture and values. With our recent hiring of several new members of our executive management team, including our Chief Executive Officer in fiscal 2015, we have also had to prioritize the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program.
To ensure that our compensation programs support our business objectives, we observe several core compensation principles and objectives. We believe our executive compensation program should:
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• | manage the distribution of gains between our NEOs and our shareholders; |
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• | reward company and individual performance; |
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• | maintain an appropriate balance between base salary and annual and long-term incentive opportunities; |
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• | be externally competitive and internally equitable; and |
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• | give us the flexibility to attract, retain and motivate talented executives. |
Compensation Committee
Our compensation principles and objectives are sustained, in part, by our board of directors and the independent oversight of NEO compensation by its compensation committee. The compensation committee is responsible for overseeing our compensation policies, plans and programs, and reviewing and recommending to our board of directors the base salary, annual and long-term incentives, perquisites, severance arrangements and other related benefits paid to our directors and executive officers, including our NEOs.
The compensation committee has the authority and responsibility to review and recommend to the board of directors on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives with respect to compensation for Mr. Jensen, our President and Chief Executive Officer (whom we refer to as our “CEO”). The compensation committee evaluates at least annually the performance of our CEO in light of these established goals and objectives. The compensation committee, based upon its evaluations, makes a recommendation regarding our CEO's annual compensation to the independent members of our board of directors for its approval. Our CEO is not present during any meeting of the compensation committee during which it deliberates upon or approves determinations of or recommendations regarding the determination of the compensation of our CEO.
The compensation committee also has the authority and responsibility to review and recommend to our board of directors on an annual basis the evaluation process and compensation structure for our executive officers, including our NEOs, other than our CEO. The compensation committee evaluates the performance of these executive officers and reviews and approves or recommends to our board of directors for approval the compensation, including base salary and annual and long-term incentive compensation, for such executive officers. The compensation committee's recommendation in this regard is based, in part, on amounts proposed by our CEO.
Each member of our compensation committee is an “independent outside director,” as defined under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is independent under NASDAQ Rules. Our compensation committee approves components of our executive compensation where appropriate to facilitate our ability to deduct amounts under the corporate tax deduction limitations imposed by Section 162(m). A complete description of the authority and responsibility of our compensation committee is set forth in its charter, which is available on our website at http://investor.lifevantage.com/governance.cfm and in print upon request. Our website does not constitute part of this annual report.
To assist it with fulfilling its responsibility for making NEO compensation decisions consistent with the principles and objectives discussed above, the compensation committee utilizes a variety of tools, as described below.
Compensation Consultant
For fiscal 2017, the compensation committee engaged Barney & Barney as an independent compensation consultant. Specifically, Barney & Barney was engaged to review and recommend refinements of our peer group of companies and assess, relative to our peer group, total compensation of our executives, compensation of our board of directors and to develop long-term incentive grant guidelines and strategies for all employees. The compensation committee has engaged Barney & Barney since fiscal year 2011 to provide similar services.
The compensation committee has the exclusive right to select, retain and terminate Barney & Barney as well as to approve any fees, terms or other conditions of its compensation advisory services. Barney & Barney and its lead compensation consultant report directly to the compensation committee, but when directed to do so by the compensation committee, work
cooperatively with our executive officers to develop analyses and proposals for presentations to the compensation committee. The compensation committee reviews Barney & Barney's performance on at least an annual basis and determines whether to continue that relationship.
The compensation committee concluded for fiscal 2017 that Barney & Barney is independent and that its work in advising the compensation committee does not raise any conflict of interest. In making such determination, the compensation committee considered, among other things, (i) the provision of other services to us by Barney & Barney; (ii) the amount of fees received by Barney & Barney from us, as a percentage of Barney & Barney's total revenue; (iii) Barney & Barney's policies and procedures that are designed to prevent conflicts of interest; (iv) any business or personal relationship of Barney & Barney with members of the compensation committee; (v) any of our stock owned by Barney & Barney; and (vi) any business or personal relationship of Barney & Barney with our executive officers.
CEO Recommendations
As discussed above, the compensation committee relies upon our CEO for compensation recommendations for the NEOs other than himself. Our CEO and the compensation committee discuss our CEO's assessment of the NEOs and any other factors the CEO believes may be relevant for the compensation committee's consideration.
Fiscal 2017 Peer Group
During fiscal 2017, Barney & Barney reviewed and made recommendations to the compensation committee regarding refinements to our peer group for market assessments for fiscal 2017 (our “FY2017 Peer Group”) that adjusted the peer group (our “FY2016 Peer Group”) the compensation committee had used for our fiscal 2016 compensation decisions. Barney & Barney considered industry, company size and location as selection criteria in identifying appropriate peer companies for fiscal 2017. Our compensation committee uses the peer group to establish a framework for evaluating our NEO compensation practices. Our FY2017 Peer Group consists of the following companies:
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| |
CVR Partners (UAN) | Nutraceutical International (NATR) |
Depomed (DEPO) | Nutrisystem (NTRI) |
Endocyte (ECYT) | Omega Protein (OME) |
Gaiam (GAIA) | PetMed Express (PETS) |
Lifeway Foods (LWAY) | Quidel (ODEL) |
Mannatech (MTEX) | QuinStreet (QNST) |
Medifast (MED) | Sagent Pharmaceuticals (SGNT) |
Meridian Bioscience (VIVO) | SciClone Pharmaceuticals (SCLN) |
MGP Ingredients (MGPI) | Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) |
MusclePharm (MSLP) | Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (SCMP) |
Natural Alternatives Int'l (NAII) | |
Because of the limited number of public companies in our industry that meet the recommended criteria for selecting our compensation peer group, the compensation committee includes selected companies in industries similar to our industry, including neutraceuticals, network marketing and life sciences. In determining our FY2017 Peer Group, our compensation committee narrowed one of the three factors used in determining the FY2016 Peer Group. While the peer group used for each fiscal year used a total revenue factor ranging from $70 million to $450 million and the factor relating to the number of company employees ranging from 70 to 800 employees, the compensation committee on advice of Barney & Barney adjusted the market capitalization factor to $1.0 billion or less. As a result of this refinement in the peer group’s market capitalization factor and based upon the recommendation of Barney and Barney, two companies were added to the FY2017 Peer Group: Endocyte and Nutrisystem. Additionally, Rentech Nitrogen was removed from the FY2017 Peer Group as a result of its acquisition by CVR Partners.
The compensation committee used data from our FY2017 Peer Group companies to help ensure that the compensation of NEOs was competitive and that its decisions were appropriate. The compensation committee generally believes that the base salary and total direct compensation of our NEOs should be set within a range of plus or minus 20% of the 50th percentile of each of the base salary and the total direct compensation of persons in reasonably similar positions at companies in our FY2017 Peer Group.
Role of Say-on-Pay Vote
At our fiscal 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in October 2015, our shareholders were provided an opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in the proxy statement for the fiscal 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Approximately 70% of shareholders’ votes were cast in favor of the compensation of our NEOs, which the compensation committee believes affirms general support for our executive compensation program by our shareholders. Changes made to our executive compensation programs in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017 took into account that our compensation committee would like to improve the percentage by which our say on pay advisory vote passes when it is next submitted to shareholders at our annual meeting with respect to fiscal 2018.
At our fiscal 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in November 2012, our shareholders voted in favor of holding an advisory vote on the compensation of our executive officers once every three years. As such, we do not intend to hold another advisory shareholder vote on our NEO compensation until our fiscal 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (which meeting is expected to be held in late 2018 or early in 2019).
Compensation Risk Analysis
The compensation committee annually reviews our executive compensation program, including our compensation-related risk profile, to ensure that our compensation-related risks are not likely to have a material adverse effect on our company. The compensation committee does not believe our executive compensation program encourages excessive or inappropriate risk taking. The base salary portion of compensation is designed to provide a steady income regardless of our stock price performance, so that our NEOs do not feel pressured to focus exclusively on stock price performance to the detriment of other important aspects of our business. Our long-term incentive awards have been structured to provide longer term incentives that correlate with total shareholder return. As a result, the compensation committee believes our executive compensation program strikes a balance between providing fixed compensation and appropriate long-term incentives, such that our NEOs are not encouraged to take unnecessary or excessive risks.
PART II. COMPENSATION COMPONENTS
The three components of our executive compensation program are base salary, annual or short-term incentives and long-term incentives in the form of equity-based awards. While no specific formula is used to determine the allocation of a NEO's total annual compensation among these three components, we strive to achieve market competitive pay in each compensation component. An underlying principle in each of the compensation components is that the compensation of our executives should correlate with their level of performance. In addition, the compensation committee has not established any formal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between cash and non-cash compensation.
Base Salary
Base salary is the primary fixed component of our executive compensation program. We believe that base salaries should provide a fixed level of competitive compensation to help us attract and retain strong executive talent and compensate executives for services rendered during the fiscal year.
For newly hired executives, the compensation committee determines base salary on a case-by-case basis by evaluating a number of factors, including the executive's qualifications and experience, the competitive recruiting environment for his or her services, the executive's anticipated role and responsibilities with our company, the executive's past compensation history, internal pay equity, and comparisons to market data regarding compensation levels for comparable executives of other companies in our peer group.
How Our CEO's Base Salary is Determined
Under the compensation committee's charter, each year the compensation committee reviews and recommends to the board of directors the corporate goals and objectives with respect to our CEO's compensation, including base salary. The compensation committee evaluates the CEO's performance in light of the established corporate goals and objectives and whether our CEO's compensation falls within a range of plus or minus 20% of the 50th percentile of the compensation of other CEOs in our peer group. Based on such evaluation, the compensation committee recommends our CEO's compensation, including base salary, to the independent members of the board of directors for their approval. The independent members of the board of directors collectively have the discretion to set our CEO's base salary. Our CEO is not present during the portion of any meeting of the compensation committee or board of directors during which it votes on or deliberates regarding the compensation of our CEO.
Our CEO, Mr. Jensen, joined the Company in May 2015 at which time his salary was determined based upon a review of his base salary in his prior position and a review of the salaries of CEOs in our fiscal 2015 peer group. Mr. Jensen’s initial salary was set at $550,000 and fell within a range of plus or minus 20% of the 50th percentile of base salaries of other CEOs in our fiscal 2015 peer group. As Mr. Jensen joined our company less than two months prior to the beginning of fiscal 2016, the
compensation committee determined that Mr. Jensen’s salary would remain unchanged for fiscal 2016. In June 2016, the compensation committee recommended to the board of directors that Mr. Jensen’s base salary for fiscal 2017 not be increased and his base salary remained unchanged for fiscal 2017.
How Our Other NEOs' Base Salaries are Determined
At least annually, the compensation committee reviews our performance evaluation process and compensation structure for our executive officers, including our NEOs. Among other things, the compensation committee compares the compensation of our executive officers against data derived from an analysis of similar executive officers in our peer group and reviews each executive officer's performance with our CEO. Following its evaluation and review, the compensation committee recommends to our board of directors the base salary of each executive officer, other than our CEO. In making such recommendations, the compensation committee considers proposals and recommendations of our CEO. The base salaries of our executive officers, including our NEOs other than our CEO, are established by our board of directors after taking into account the recommendation of the compensation committee. See “PART I. COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES AND PROCESSES-Compensation Committee.”
Similar to the base salary of our CEO, we believe that the base salary of our other NEOs should be competitive with the base salary ranges for persons in similar positions at the companies within our peer group and should generally be set within a range of plus or minus 20% of the 50th percentile of the base salaries of such persons. The base salaries of each of Messrs. Goodwin and Rose were determined in prior fiscal years when they were hired. The base salaries of each of Messrs. Fife and Pearson were determined at the time of their hire during fiscal 2017.
In June 2016 the compensation committee determined to recommend to our board of directors that the annual base salary payable to each of Messrs. Goodwin or Rose (and Mr. Jaggi, who was still employed by us at such time) for fiscal 2017 not be increased.
Short-Term Cash Incentive Plans
The second material component of our NEOs' compensation is the opportunity to earn cash incentives under one of our annual incentive plans. Generally, we believe annual incentives should:
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• | Reward the NEOs for business and individual performance; |
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• | Encourage effective short-term performance while balancing long-term focus; |
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• | Provide a significant portion of total compensation opportunity that is at risk; and |
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• | Be externally competitive and internally equitable. |
In May 2016, our board of directors, upon the recommendation of the compensation committee, adopted a fiscal 2017 annual incentive plan (the “FY2017 Annual Incentive Plan”). The FY 2017 Annual Incentive Plan is intended to reward certain full time employees who were selected by the compensation committee for participation in the plan for their performance in meeting corporate goals. All of our NEOs were eligible to participate in the FY 2017 Annual Incentive Plan based on achievement of specified performance goals, both corporate and individual.
Our CEO was also eligible during fiscal 2017 to earn cash incentive awards related to the performance of three of our product lines (the “FY2017 Product Line Awards”).
FY2017 Annual Incentive Plan
Under the terms of the FY2017 Annual Incentive Plan, our CEO and our other eligible NEOs were eligible to receive a cash bonus if we met certain corporate goals or they achieved certain individual goals. Target bonus amounts for our NEOs are established as a percentage of their annual base salary. For all NEOs other than Mr. Jensen, the target bonus amount ranges from 40% to 50% of the NEO’s annual base salary, with a maximum bonus of 152.5% of the target amount. Mr. Jensen’s target bonus amount is 82% of his annual base salary, with a maximum bonus equal to 150% of his annual base salary.
For fiscal 2017, two corporate goals comprised 70% of the target bonus amount for our NEOs, with an earnings per share target (“EPS”) comprising 35% of target, and a revenue target, comprising the other 35% of target. The applicable revenue and EPS targets, along with minimum and maximum amounts payable for such goals, were as follows:
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| | | |
EPS | | | |
| FY 2017 EPS (rounded to nearest cent) | | Performance Bonus Percentage |
Minimum | $0.40 | | 20% |
| $0.42 | | 40% |
| $0.44 | | 60% |
| $0.45 | | 80% |
| $0.47 | | 100% |
| $0.51 | | 125% |
Maximum | $0.54 | | 150% |
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| | | |
Top Line Revenue | | | |
| FY 2017 Top Line Revenue | | Performance Bonus Percentage |
Minimum | $207,000,000 | | 20% |
| $208,250,000 | | 40% |
| $209,500,000 | | 60% |
| $210,750,000 | | 80% |
| $212,000,000 | | 100% |
| $214,500,000 | | 125% |
| $217,000,000 | | 150% |
| $219,500,000 | | 175% |
Maximum | $222,000,000 | | 200% |
The remaining 30% of the target bonus amount was comprised of individual goals, determined on a quarterly basis with 7.5% of the target bonus amount allocated to each fiscal quarter. A minimum of 80% and a maximum of 100% applied to the individual goals for fiscal 2017.
Following the end of fiscal 2017, it was determined that no amount would be payable to any of our NEOs attributable to our corporate goals, as achievement was below the minimum level applicable to both the revenue and EPS targets. Annual Incentive Plan bonus payments attributable to individual goals were, however, paid to each of our NEOs in the following amounts: Mr. Jensen, $94,710; Mr. Fife, $12,375 (for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 only); Mr. Goodwin, $66,375; Mr. Pearson, $27,188; Mr. Rose, $38,250; and Mr. Jaggi, $24,375 (for the first two quarters of fiscal 2017, prior to termination of his employment).
For fiscal 2016, we paid no annual incentive plan bonuses to our NEOs (other than Mr. Rose, who during that year participated in a different incentive plan) as a result of the disruption to our business caused by the independent review conducted by the audit committee after the end of fiscal 2016 which resulted in our delayed filing of our Form 10-K for fiscal 2016.
FY2017 Product Line Awards
In September 2016, our compensation committee approved the FY2017 Product Line Awards for our CEO. Pursuant thereto, Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive three separate cash incentive awards for revenue generated by each of three Company product lines subject to (i) a maximum amount payable of $1,000,000 in the aggregate and (ii) reduction if our overall gross profit margin for fiscal year 2017 fell below the overall gross profit margin for fiscal year 2016 (a 25% reduction for each 10% reduction in overall gross profit margin, with straight line interpolation applied to any decline in overall gross margin of other than 10%).
Mr. Jensen’s bonus opportunity for the Protandim and TrueScience product lines originated from his employment agreement negotiated with us at the time he was hired in May 2015. The PhysIQ product line bonus opportunity was approved as an additional award in September 2016. For the Protandim product line, including the Protandim NRF1 synergizer and the Protandim Nrf2 synergizer (together, the “Protandim Product Line”), Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive a cash incentive award
equal to 3% of the positive difference in total net revenue from the Protandim Product Line for fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal year 2016.
For the TrueScience skin care regimen products, including the TrueScience Ultra Gentle Facial Cleanser, the TrueScience Perfecting Lotion, the TrueScience Eye Corrector Serum, the TrueScience Anti-Aging Cream and the TrueScience Micro Lift Serum (collectively, the “TrueScience Product Line”), Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive a cash incentive award equal to 2% of the positive difference in total net revenue from the TrueScience Product Line for fiscal year 2017 as compared to fiscal year 2016.
For the PhysIQ Smart Weight Management System products, including the PhysIQ Cleanse, the PhysIQ Probio, the PhysIQ Fat Burn and the PhysIQ Protein (collectively, the “PhysIQ Product Line”), Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive a cash incentive award equal to 2% of the positive difference in total net revenue from the PhysIQ Product Line for the fiscal year 2017 performance period (December 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017) as compared to the fiscal year 2016 performance period (December 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016).
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, our compensation committee determined that Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive a cash incentive award solely for the FY2017 Product Line Award related to the Protandim Product Line, as the revenues for our TrueScience Product Line and the PhysIQ Product Line for fiscal year 2017 or, in the case of the PhysIQ Product Line, for the fiscal year 2017 performance period, were not greater than fiscal year 2016 (or the fiscal year 2016 performance period, for the PhysIQ Product Line). Based on increased revenues for the Protandim Product Line of $3,515,059, Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive an award of $105,452; however, due to our overall gross margin for fiscal year 2017 being less than the overall gross margin for fiscal year 2016 (-0.41%), Mr. Jensen’s cash incentive award was reduced by 1.02% for a payout of $104,371.
Long-Term Incentive Plan
The third material component of our NEOs' compensation includes awards granted under our equity incentive plan. Prior to 2017, such awards were granted pursuant to our 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2010 LTIP. Following the adoption of our 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan in December 2016, equity awards are now granted pursuant to the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2017 LTIP. Historically, we have not granted long-term incentive awards as compensation for past performance, and instead believe that long-term incentive awards should:
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• | align NEO's incentives directly with shareholder value; |
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• | encourage performance that increases long-term shareholder return; |
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• | serve as a retention tool; and |
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• | give NEOs a meaningful equity stake in our business. |
The awards granted to our NEOs historically have consisted of stock options or restricted stock awards, in each case subject to time-based vesting. We have not granted stock options to NEOs since 2012. New hire awards are usually granted to executive officers at the time employment commences, and such awards typically vest over a three year period following the commencement of employment.
In January 2015, we began granting performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) to our NEOs under the 2010 LTIP, which utilize the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) as a performance metric. In determining the number of PRSUs to award to our NEOs, the compensation committee takes into account our compensation philosophy that the overall compensation of our NEOs should be set within a range of plus or minus 20% of the 50th percentile of the overall compensation of persons in reasonably similar positions at companies in our peer group. The compensation committee approves all equity awards to our employees, including awards to our executive officers.
Fiscal 2017 PRSUs
In March 2017, our compensation committee granted PRSUs (the “2017 PRSUs”) to our NEOs and certain other officers of the Company pursuant to the 2017 LTIP. Vesting of the PRSUs is subject to continued service and the Company’s TSR during a three-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2019. Vesting of 50% of the PRSUs is based on the Company’s absolute TSR for the performance period as compared to a matrix of fixed numeric values, and the vesting of the other 50% of the PRSUs is based on a relative comparison of the Company’s TSR to the Vanguard Russell 2000 exchange traded fund TSR for the performance period. The number of PRSUs eligible to vest is 0% to 200% of the target.
The Company's NEO long term compensation grant levels are determined to be within a range of plus or minus 20% of the 50th percentile of the long term compensation paid to executives preforming comparable tasks at our compensation peer group.
The plus or minus 20% of the 50th percentile range allows for a level of discretion in making awards while assuring market competitive compensation that enables the Company to attract and retain qualified, focused and engaged executives. Additional details regarding the 2017 PRSUs granted to our NEOs in fiscal 2017 are detailed in the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below.
Fiscal 2017 New Hire Awards
In connection with their commencement of employment with the Company during fiscal 2017, our board of directors approved the grant of restricted stock awards to each of Messrs. Fife and Pearson. These awards vest based on the NEO’s continuing service, with one-third of the award vesting on each of the first three anniversaries of their respective employment start dates. These awards are detailed in the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below.
Fiscal 2018 Equity Awards
We expect long-term equity awards for fiscal 2018 to be granted to our NEOs early in 2018, at which point we intend to reintroduce stock options as a component of our long-term incentive plan.
Other Components
As a general matter, subject only to limited exceptions, we do not provide perquisites or benefits to our NEOs on a basis that is different from other eligible employees, and such perquisites or benefits represent only a minor portion of the total compensation of the NEOs. We maintain health, dental, long term and short term disability, and vision insurance plans for the benefit of all eligible employees, including our NEOs. We pay for basic coverage under each of these benefit plans and any premium in excess of the basic coverage is paid by the employee. We also provide wealth accumulation benefits to eligible employees, including our NEOs, in the form of a 401(k) savings plan. These benefit programs are offered on the same basis to all employees, including our NEOs.
PART III. OTHER MATTERS
Employment Agreements
We currently have an employment agreement with Mr. Jensen. Messrs. Fife, Goodwin, Pearson and Rose are entitled to certain severance benefits under key executive benefits package contracts which are described below in “Severance or Change-in-Control Agreements.” Below is a summary of the material terms of the employment agreement we have in place with Mr. Jensen. During fiscal 2017, we entered into an amendment and restatement of Mr. Jensen’s employment agreement as described below.
Darren Jensen Compensation Arrangements
On April 26, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Jensen pursuant to which he was appointed as our President and Chief Executive Officer effective May 18, 2015. On December 6, 2016, we amended and restated Mr. Jensen’s employment agreement agreement to add the PhysIQ Product Line Award and refine aspects of his other cash incentive awards including to facilitate the deductibility of his awards. Mr. Jensen’s employment agreement as amended and restated is referred to herein as the employment agreement. Mr. Jensen’s employment agreement will expire on the 90th day following the close of the first fiscal year in which our net revenue exceeds $500 million, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the employment agreement or extended by mutual agreement of the parties.
Base Salary. Mr. Jensen’s base salary was set at $550,000 at the time of his hiring in 2015 and remained at that level through fiscal 2017.
Bonus Awards; Annual Incentives. For fiscal 2017, Mr. Jensen’s target bonus percentage was set at 82% of his annual base salary, with a maximum bonus percentage of 150% of his annual base salary. Mr. Jensen’s annual incentive arrangements for fiscal 2017, as set forth in his employment agreement, are as described above in “Annual Incentive Plan.” Pursuant to his employment agreement, beginning with fiscal 2018 and ending with the fiscal year in which the Company first achieves annual revenue of at least $500 million, Mr. Jensen will be entitled to the following annual incentive payments granted under the Company’s shareholder-approved long-term incentive plan, as currently in effect or as may be in effect in the future:
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• | An annual incentive payment for incremental annual revenue from sales of the Protandim product line over prior year revenue for such product in an amount equal to 3% of the positive difference between total net revenue from sales of Protandim for the most recently completed fiscal year relative to the prior fiscal year; |
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• | An annual incentive payment for incremental annual revenue from sales of TrueScience Skin Care Regimen products over prior year revenue for such products in an amount equal to 2% of the positive difference between total net |
revenue from sales of TrueScience Skin Care Regimen for the most recently completed fiscal year relative to the prior fiscal year; and
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• | An annual incentive payment for incremental annual revenue from sales of PhysIQ products over prior year revenue for such products in an amount equal to 2% of the positive difference between total net revenue from sales of PhysIQ for the most recently completed fiscal year relative to the prior fiscal year. |
Under each of the three above product line-based awards, if our overall gross profit margin for a completed fiscal year falls below the overall gross profit margin for the prior year, then the annual incentive payments described above relating to such year shall be reduced by twenty-five percent (25%) for each ten percent (10%) reduction in overall gross profit margin (with straight line interpolation applied to any decline in overall gross margin of other than ten percent (10%)).
As described above in "FY2017 Product Line Awards," for fiscal 2017, our compensation committee determined that Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive a cash bonus solely from sales of the Protandim product line as the revenues for the TrueScience products and PhysIQ products for fiscal 2017 were not greater than fiscal year 2016 (or the fiscal 2017 performance period versus the 2016 performance period, for the PhysIQ products).
Under the terms of his employment agreement, beginning with fiscal 2018 and ending at the end of the fiscal year during which the Company first achieves annual revenue of at least $500 million, Mr. Jensen will also be eligible to earn the following additional amounts:
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• | a one-time cash bonus of $300,000 when our annual net revenue exceeds $300 million; |
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• | a one-time cash bonus of $400,000 when our annual net revenue exceeds $400 million; and |
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• | a one-time cash bonus of $500,000 when our annual net revenue exceeds $500 million (each of $300 million, $400 million and $500 million, a “Revenue Milestone”). |
If two (or more) annual Revenue Milestones are first achieved during a single fiscal year, Mr. Jensen will be paid the sum of the bonus amounts that relate to each Revenue Milestone achieved during such year. If, following achievement of a Revenue Milestone, our annual revenue for a subsequent fiscal year is less than the previously achieved Revenue Milestone, the next Revenue Milestone is voided and no bonus will be paid for achievement of such next Revenue Milestone.
Equity Awards. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement and as described above in “Long-Term Incentive Plan,” Mr. Jensen received a grant of 93,300 PRSUs under the 2017 LTIP in March 2017.
Reimbursement of Expenses. While the employment agreement remains in effect, we will pay up to $20,000 annually to cover costs incurred by Mr. Jensen for professional assistance with respect to personal financial and tax planning and compliance.
Severance. Mr. Jensen's employment with us is at-will and either he or we can terminate his employment at any time and for any reason or for no reason. If we terminate Mr. Jensen's employment without “cause” or if he resigns for “good reason,” which includes customary triggers, he will be asked to execute and deliver to us a separation agreement that will provide, among other things, a release of all claims against us and a covenant not to sue us. So long as Mr. Jensen executes and does not revoke the separation agreement, and he remains in full compliance with its terms, then he will be entitled to payments equal in the aggregate to six (6) months of his then annualized base salary. The salary continuation payments referred to in the preceding sentence will be paid in substantially equal monthly installments over a 12 month period following the date of termination of employment.
Change in Control. If, within 12 months after the occurrence of an event constituting a change in control, Mr. Jensen's employment terminates without cause or if Mr. Jensen resigns for good reason, then we will pay him severance payments equal to 12 months of his annual base salary, paid as described in the paragraph above, and unless otherwise provided in the applicable option agreement or award agreement, all restricted stock awards and other equity-based awards granted to Mr. Jensen will be entitled to receive full service-based vesting credit and deemed attainment at target of all performance-based vesting milestones as of the date of the change in control, the performance period with respect to all PRSUs shall be deemed to have ended as of the date of the change in control, and the performance over such shortened performance period shall be measured as of such date.
Separation Arrangement with Mark Jaggi
On January 18, 2017, the Company terminated the employment of Mr. Jaggi, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Jaggi participated in the key executive benefit package, pursuant to which he was eligible to receive severance in an aggregate amount equal to six months his annual base salary as of the termination date. This severance amount was paid in substantially
equal monthly installments over the six-month period following his termination date. As a condition to receiving the severance payments, Mr. Jaggi provided a separation agreement in a form prescribed by us, which included, among other things, a release of all claims against the Company, a covenant not to sue and certain other covenants during the severance period.
Severance or Change-in-Control Agreements
Messrs. Fife, Goodwin, Pearson and Rose are eligible to receive severance benefits pursuant to the terms of their key executive benefit package agreements.
The key executive benefit package agreements with Messrs. Fife, Goodwin, Pearson and Rose provide that their employment with us is at-will and either the NEO or the Company can terminate the NEO’s employment at any time and for any reason or for no reason, in each case subject to the terms and provisions of the key executive benefit package agreement. These agreements provided that, if we terminate their employment without cause, the NEO will be asked to execute and deliver to us a separation agreement that will provide, among other things, a release of all claims against us and a covenant not to sue us. So long as the NEO executes and does not revoke the separation agreement, and remains in full compliance with its terms, he will be entitled to payments equal in the aggregate to six months of his then annualized base salary. These severance payments will be paid in substantially equal monthly installments over the six month period following the date of termination of employment.
The contractually-provided severance benefits under the terms of their respective employment agreements and key benefit package agreements are intended to provide compensation to the applicable NEO while he searches for new employment after his employment with us is terminated without cause or for good reason. We believe that providing severance protection for these NEOs upon their termination of employment under these circumstances is necessary in the competitive marketplace for talented executives. We believe that the amounts of these payments and benefits and the periods of time during which they would be provided are fair and reasonable. The agreements governing the 2010 LTIP awards granted to our NEOs also generally provide for some or all of the unvested shares underlying equity awards granted thereunder to vest immediately when certain events occur, including a change in control, described below under “SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE-Long Term Incentive Plan.” For further details of the potential amounts that a NEO may receive in connection with a change-in-control transaction see the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” table.
Equity Ownership Policy
Our equity ownership policy, which we adopted in June 2013, requires certain of our executive officers, including our NEOs, to own a minimum number of shares of our common stock. Our equity ownership policy requires (i) our Chief Executive Officer to hold a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to or greater than six times his annual base salary, (ii) each of our officers who has been designated by our board of directors as an “officer” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to hold a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to or greater than three times his or her annual base salary, and (iii) any other executive officer designated by our CEO to be subject to the equity ownership policy to hold a number of shares of our common stock having a value equal to or greater than two times his or her annual base salary. Such ownership targets will be measured each year on the date of our board of directors meeting held on the date of, or next following the date of, our annual meeting of shareholders. Each employee subject to our equity ownership policy has five years from the time he or she becomes subject to the equity ownership policy to meet his or her required level of equity ownership. Until such time as each employee subject to our equity ownership policy obtains the ownership targets, such employee is required to retain direct ownership of at least fifty percent of the shares of our common stock he or she receives as a result of the exercise, vesting or payment of equity awards. If an employee subject to our equity ownership policy does not achieve his or her ownership target as of the end of his or her buy-in period, then he or she is required to retain direct ownership of all of the shares of our common stock he or she receives as a result of the exercise, vesting or payment of equity awards until his or her ownership target is achieved. The compensation committee has full power and authority to administer and interpret our equity ownership policy and may grant exceptions based on economic hardship or other showing of good cause.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
In fiscal 2017, while the compensation committee generally considered the financial accounting and tax implications of its executive compensation decisions, neither element was a material consideration in the compensation awarded to our NEOs during such fiscal year.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the compensation of our NEOs for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015. However, information for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 is not provided if a NEO first became a NEO for fiscal 2017 and
information for fiscal 2015 is not provided if a NEO first became a NEO for fiscal 2016. The primary components of each NEO's compensation are also described in our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” above.
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Name and Principal Position | | Year | | Salary ($) | | Bonus ($) | | Stock Awards ($)(1) | | Non-equity Plan Compensation ($)(2) | | All Other Compensation ($) | | Total ($) |
Darren J. Jensen, President | | 2017 | | 550,000 |
| | — |
| | 437,577 |
| (3) | 199,081 |
| | 21,102 |
| (4) | 1,207,760 |
|
and Chief Executive Officer | | 2016 | | 550,000 |
| | — |
| | 2,031,840 |
| | 98,600 |
| | 20,988 |
| | 2,701,428 |
|
| | 2015 | | 68,750 |
| | 451,000 |
| (5) | 630,000 |
| | — |
| | 2,414 |
| | 1,152,164 |
|
Steven R. Fife, Chief | | 2017 | | 86,308 |
| | 25,000 |
| (7) | 442,800 |
| | 12,375 |
| | 241,257 |
| (8) | 807,740 |
|
Financial Officer (6) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ryan Goodwin, Chief | | 2017 | | 350,000 |
| | — |
| | 219,023 |
| (10) | 66,375 |
| | 8,358 |
| (11) | 643,756 |
|
Marketing Officer (9) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Courtland Pearson, Senior Vice | | 2017 | | 239,583 |
| | 75,000 |
| (13) | 300,743 |
| (14) | 27,188 |
| | 2,796 |
| (15) | 645,310 |
|
President of International (12) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Justin Rose, Chief Sales Officer (16) | | 2017 | | 340,000 |
| | — |
| | 219,023 |
| (10) | 38,250 |
| | 17,224 |
| (17) | 614,497 |
|
| | 2016 | | 323,436 |
| | — |
| | 676,281 |
| | 83,338 |
| | 10,325 |
| (18) | 1,093,380 |
|
Mark Jaggi, Former Chief | | 2017 | | 206,889 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 24,375 |
| | 126,614 |
| (20) | 357,878 |
|
Financial Officer (19) | | 2016 | | 294,688 |
| | — |
| | 695,961 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 990,649 |
|
Gary Koos, Former Interim Chief | | 2017 | | 64,149 |
| (22) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 64,149 |
|
Financial Officer (21) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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(1) | The amounts in the current year in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards granted to the NEO in the applicable fiscal year under either our 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 LTIP”) or our 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2017 LTIP”) and computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 8 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of all assumptions made by the Company in determining the grant date fair values of its equity awards. Each NEO other than Messrs. Fife, Jaggi and Koos was granted performance-based RSUs (“PRSUs”) on March 28, 2017, the vesting of which is tied to the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) during a three-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2019. The PRSUs granted to our NEOs in fiscal 2017 are described in greater detail in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Part II - Compensation Components - Long-Term Incentive Plan” above. In accordance with SEC rules, the grant date fair value reflected in the above table of an equity award that is subject to performance conditions is based on the probable outcome of the performance condition. Below in the footnotes related to each individual’s equity award we specify the grant date fair value assuming maximum achievement of the PRSUs. |
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(2) | The amounts in this column reflect cash bonus awards earned by the NEOs under one of our cash incentive plans or, in the case of Mr. Jensen, $94,710 earned as a cash bonus award pursuant to our cash incentive plan and $104,371 earned pursuant to his fiscal year product line awards under our 2010 LTIP. |
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(3) | Assuming the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved, the grant date fair value of the PRSUs awarded would be $875,154. |
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(4) | Reflects reimbursements Mr. Jensen received for travel, including travel by Mr. Jensen’s spouse in the amount of $4,224, $270 for a cash holiday gift, $108 for a distributor event gift, and $16,500 in 401(k) matching contributions. |
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(5) | Reflects a signing bonus paid to Mr. Jensen in connection with the commencement of his employment. |
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(6) | Mr. Fife was hired as our Chief Financial Officer on March 13, 2017. Mr. Fife’s annualized salary during the fiscal year was $330,000. |
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(7) | Reflects a signing bonus paid to Mr. Fife in connection with the commencement of his employment. |
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(8) | Reflects relocation expenses paid by the Company in fiscal 2017 in the amount of $130,913, plus a tax gross-up payment thereon of $110,344 which will be paid to Mr. Fife in fiscal 2018. |
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(9) | Mr. Goodwin was hired as our Chief Marketing Officer on October 19, 2015. |
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(10) | Assuming the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved, the grant date fair value of the PRSUs awarded would be $438,046. |
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(11) | Reflects reimbursements Mr. Goodwin received for travel, including travel by Mr. Goodwin’s spouse in the amount of $980, $270 for a cash holiday gift, $108 for a distributor event gift, and $7,000 in 401(k) matching contributions. |
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(12) | Mr. Pearson was hired as our Senior Vice President, International, on July 2, 2016. |
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(13) | Reflects a signing bonus paid to Mr. Pearson in connection with the commencement of his employment. |
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(14) | Includes $219,023, the grant date fair value of the PRSUs granted on March 28, 2017, calculated based on the probable outcome of the performance condition applicable to such award. Assuming the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved, the grant date fair value of the PRSUs would be $438,046. |
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(15) | Reflects reimbursements Mr. Pearson received for travel, including travel by Mr. Pearson’s family member(s) in the amount of $2,148, $270 for a cash holiday gift, $108 for a distributor event gift. |
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(16) | Mr. Rose was hired as our Chief Sales Officer on July 21, 2015. |
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(17) | Reflects reimbursements Mr. Rose received for travel, including travel by Mr. Rose’s spouse in the amount of $9,471, $270 for a cash holiday gift, $108 for a distributor event gift, and $7,375 in 401(k) matching contributions. |
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(18) | Reflects relocation expenses paid by the Company in the amount of $8,170 and reimbursements for travel, including airfare, in the amount of $1,770 and $385 for a holiday cash gift. |
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(19) | Mr. Jaggi’s employment with the Company was terminated effective January 18, 2017. |
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(20) | Represents severance payments made pursuant to Mr. Jaggi's separation agreement. |
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(21) | Mr. Koos served as our Interim Chief Financial Officer from January 18, 2017 through March 13, 2017. |
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(22) | Mr. Koos was paid on an interim basis with Cerius Enterprises. This reflects the total paid to Cerius and may not be the total paid to Mr. Koos. |
Salary, Bonus and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in Proportion to Total Compensation
The amount of salary, bonus and non-equity incentive plan compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our NEOs for fiscal 2017 in proportion to the total compensation reported for each NEO who remained in service with us through the end of the fiscal year ranged from 16% in the case of Mr. Fife to 66% in the case of Mr. Jensen.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table sets forth information concerning the grants of non-equity incentive and equity incentive plan awards to our NEOs in fiscal 2017. Non-equity incentive plan awards are provided under our fiscal 2017 Annual Incentive Plan, or AIP, or, in the case of Mr. Jensen during fiscal 2017, pursuant to our 2010 LTIP. Equity incentive awards are provided under either our 2010 LTIP or, after its adoption, the 2017 LTIP. These non-equity and equity incentive plan awards are also described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part II-Compensation Components-Cash Incentive Plan” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part II-Compensation Components-Annual Incentive Plan-Long Term Incentive Plan.” Mr. Jaggi did not receive any grants of equity incentive plan awards due to his termination of employment with the Company effective January 18, 2017. Mr. Koos did not receive any grants of equity or non-equity incentive plan awards due to his interim role.
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Name | Award Type (1) | Grant Date | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2) | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (3) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares Or Units (#)(4) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(5) |
Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | | Target (#) | Maximum (#) |
Darren Jensen | PRSU | 3/28/2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| | 93,300 |
| 186,600 |
| — |
| 437,577 |
|
| AIP | n/a | 27,060 |
| 451,000 |
| 825,000 |
| | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
| 2010 LTIP | n/a | — |
| — |
| 1,000,000 |
| (6) | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Steven R. Fife | RSA | 3/28/2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| 90,000 |
| 442,800 |
|
| AIP | n/a | 9,900 |
| 12,375 |
| — |
| (7) | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Ryan Goodwin | PRSU | 3/28/2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| | 46,700 |
| 93,400 |
| — |
| 219,023 |
|
| AIP | n/a | 10,500 |
| 175,000 |
| 266,875 |
| | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Courtland Pearson | RSA | 9/14/2016 | — |
| — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| 9,000 |
| 81,720 |
|
| PRSU | 3/28/2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| | 46,700 |
| 93,400 |
| — |
| 219,023 |
|
| AIP | n/a | 6,000 |
| 100,000 |
| 152,500 |
| | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Justin Rose | PRSU | 3/28/2017 | — |
| — |
| — |
| | 46,700 |
| 93,400 |
| — |
| 219,023 |
|
| AIP | n/a | 10,200 |
| 170,000 |
| 259,250 |
| | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Mark Jaggi(8) | AIP | n/a | 9,750 |
| 162,500 |
| 247,813 |
| | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
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(1) | “AIP” denotes that the award was made pursuant to our fiscal 2017 annual incentive plan. “2010 LTIP” denotes a cash award made pursuant to our 2010 LTIP. “RSA” denotes an award of restricted stock that was made pursuant to our 2010 LTIP or our 2017 LTIP. “PRSU” denotes a performance-based restricted stock unit award that was made pursuant to our 2010 LTIP or our 2017 LTIP. |
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(2) | The annual incentive plan (AIP) is a cash incentive plan that pays awards for performance, with awards for corporate performance metrics paid on an annual basis after the end of the applicable year and awards for individual performance metrics paid on a quarterly basis after the end of each applicable quarter. See our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part II-Compensation Components-Cash Incentive Plans” for a detailed description of annual incentive plan awards. The amounts reported in the Threshold column reflect the lowest payout possible under the AIP, which would have been attributable to achievement at the minimum level of one fiscal quarter of individual performance goals. The amounts reported in the Target column reflect the at-target potential payout if the Company’s revenue and earnings per share for the fiscal year were at target and the NEO achieved all of the NEO’s individual performance metrics for the fiscal year. The amounts reported in the Maximum column reflect the maximum payout possible under the plan. Amounts for each NEO are based on a percentage of the NEO’s base salary set prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. |
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(3) | Messrs. Jensen, Goodwin, Pearson and Rose were each granted PRSUs under the 2017 LTIP on March 28, 2017, the vesting of which is tied to the Company's TSR during a three-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2019. Vesting of 50% of the PRSUs is based on the Company’s absolute TSR for the performance period as compared to a matrix of fixed numeric values, and the vesting of the other 50% of the PRSUs is based on a relative comparison of the Company’s TSR to the Vanguard Russell 2000 exchange traded fund TSR for the performance period. The number of PRSUs eligible to vest is 0% to 200% of the target. The number of PRSUs shown in the target column represents the number of PRSUs that will vest if achievement is at 100% for the performance period, and the maximum reflects achievement at 200%. No threshold is applicable to the PRSUs. |
| |
(4) | Messrs. Fife and Pearson were granted shares of restricted stock in connection with the commencement of their employment. These awards vest over three years in equal installments based on continued employment with the Company on each such date. See our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis -Part II-Compensation Components-Annual Incentive Plan-Long Term Incentive Plan” above and also the Outstanding Equity Awards table below for a description of restricted stock awards under our 2010 LTIP and our 2017 LTIP. |
| |
(5) | We calculate the grant date fair value of each award in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and as described in Footnote 1 to the “Summary Compensation Table,” above. In accordance with SEC rules, the grant date fair value of an award that is subject to a performance condition is based on the probable outcome of the performance condition. |
| |
(6) | Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive cash incentive awards for fiscal 2017 related to revenue generated by three of our product lines. See our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part II-Compensation Components-Cash Incentive Plans” for a detailed description of Mr. Jensen’s FY2017 Product Line Awards. The amount Mr. Jensen was eligible to receive pursuant to the FY2017 Product Line Awards in fiscal 2017 was a percentage of actual revenue generated with |
a maximum of $1,000,000 payable in the aggregate for the three product lines. No threshold or target level was applicable to such award.
| |
(7) | Due to Mr. Fife’s partial year of employment with the Company, he was only eligible for a bonus under the AIP for fiscal 2017 related to his individual performance goals for our fourth fiscal quarter. As a result, full achievement would have occurred at the target level and no maximum was applicable. |
| |
(8) | The amounts included in the table above as threshold, target and maximum for Mr. Jaggi do not reflect his termination of employment during fiscal 2017. As a result of his termination, he was only eligible to receive a bonus for the first two quarters of fiscal 2017 attributable to his individual performance goals. |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table sets forth information concerning all restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) held by our NEOs as of June 30, 2017. As of June 30, 2017, none of our NEOs held unexercised options.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Stock Awards |
Name | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1) | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (2) | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(3) |
Darren Jensen | | 142,858 |
| (4) | 618,575 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | 153,000 |
| (5) | 662,490 |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | 93,300 |
| (6) | 403,989 |
|
Steven R. Fife | | 90,000 |
| (7) | 389,700 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Ryan Goodwin | | 11,429 |
| (8) | 49,488 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | 46,000 |
| (5) | 199,180 |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | 46,700 |
| (6) | 202,211 |
|
Courtland Pearson | | 9,000 |
| (9) | 38,970 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | 46,700 |
| (6) | 202,211 |
|
Justin Rose | | 11,428 |
| (10) | 49,483 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | 46,000 |
| (5) | 199,180 |
|
| | — |
| | — |
| | 46,700 |
| (6) | 202,211 |
|
| |
(1) | Computed in accordance with SEC rules as the number of unvested RSAs multiplied by the closing market price of our common stock at the end of the 2017 fiscal year, which was $4.33 on June 30, 2017 (the last business day of the 2017 fiscal year). The actual value (if any) to be realized by the NEO depends on whether the shares vest and the future performance of our common stock. |
| |
(2) | In the event of a change in control prior to the end of the applicable performance period, the performance period will be deemed to end on the effective date of the change in control and performance determined as of such date. |
| |
(3) | Computed in accordance with SEC rules as the number of unvested PRSUs multiplied by the closing market price of our common stock at the end of the 2017 fiscal year, which was $4.33 on June 30, 2017 (the last business day of the 2016 fiscal year). The actual value (if any) to be realized by the NEO depends on whether the performance milestones related thereto are achieved and the future performance of our common stock. |
| |
(4) | These shares of restricted stock were granted on May 18, 2015 and vest in full on the third anniversary of Mr. Jensen’s commencement of employment with the Company, assuming continuous employment with the Company through such date. |
| |
(5) | These PRSUs were granted under the 2010 LTIP on March 28, 2016. Vesting of the PRSUs is subject to continued service and the Company’s TSR during a three-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2018. Vesting of 50% of the PRSUs is based on the Company’s absolute TSR for the performance period as compared to a matrix of fixed numeric values, and the vesting of the other 50% of the PRSUs is based on a relative comparison of the Company’s TSR to the Vanguard Russell 2000 exchange traded fund TSR for the performance period. The number of PRSUs eligible to vest is 0% to 200% of the target in the case of all NEOs other |
than Mr. Jensen, for whom the maximum number of PRSUs eligible to vest is 116.7% of the target. The number of PRSUs in the table reflects performance at the 100% target level.
| |
(6) | These PRSUs were granted under the 2017 LTIP on March 28, 2017. Vesting of the PRSUs is subject to continued service and the Company’s TSR during a three-year performance period commencing on January 1, 2017 and ending on December 31, 2019. Vesting of 50% of the PRSUs is based on the Company’s absolute TSR for the performance period as compared to a matrix of fixed numeric values, and the vesting of the other 50% of the PRSUs is based on a relative comparison of the Company’s TSR to the Vanguard Russell 2000 exchange traded fund TSR for the performance period. The number of PRSUs eligible to vest is 0% to 200% of the target. The number of PRSUs in the table reflects performance at the 100% target level. |
| |
(7) | These shares of restricted stock were granted on March 28, 2017 and vest in three equal annual installments beginning on March 13, 2018 assuming Mr. Fife's continuous employment with the Company through each such date. |
| |
(8) | These shares of restricted stock are part of a restricted stock grant that was granted on January 4, 2016 and vested in three equal annual installments beginning on October 19, 2016 assuming Mr. Goodwin's continuous employment with the Company through each such date. |
| |
(9) | These shares of restricted stock were granted on July 2, 2016 and vest in three equal annual installments beginning on July 2, 2017 assuming continuous employment with the Company through each such date. |
| |
(10) | These shares of restricted stock were granted on July 27, 2015 and vest in three equal annual installments beginning on July 27, 2016 assuming continuous employment with the Company through each such date. |
2017 Long Term Incentive Plan
In December 2016, our board of directors adopted our 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2017 LTIP. The 2017 LTIP replaced the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan, or 2010 LTIP, for all equity-based awards granted to our NEOs and other employees. The 2017 LTIP was approved by our shareholders in February 2017. The 2017 LTIP permits the discretionary award of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock units, stock appreciation rights and performance-based cash awards to eligible service providers.
The 2017 LTIP reserved a maximum of 1,125,000 shares to be issued thereunder. 650,000 shares were immediately available to be issued on February 16, 2017, following the approval of the plan by our shareholders, with up to an additional 475,000 shares potentially available for issuance under the 2017 LTIP, consisting of shares available for grant under the 2010 LTIP that were not issued or subject to outstanding awards plus shares subject to awards previously granted under the 2010 LTIP if they expire or lapse unexercised or are subsequently forfeited to or repurchased by the Company. As of June 30, 2017, 283,156 shares (of the 475,000 shares) have become available for grant under the 2017 LTIP. As of June 30, 2017, there were awards outstanding, net of awards expired, for an aggregate of 514,200 shares of our common stock under the 2017 LTIP.
On November 16, 2017, our board of directors approved an amendment to the 2017 LTIP to increase the number of shares of our common stock that are available for issuance under the 2017 LTIP by 675,000 to 1,800,000. For a more complete description of the proposed amendment to the 2017 LTIP, including a description of the terms of the 2017 LTIP, see the portion of this proxy statement entitled “PROPOSAL 2 - APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES.”
2010 Long Term Incentive Plan
In 2010, we adopted our 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan, or 2010 LTIP, which was approved by our shareholders in November 2010. The 2010 LTIP replaced the 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan for all equity-based awards granted to our NEOs and other employees. In September 2011, our board of directors approved an amendment to the 2010 LTIP to increase the number of shares of our common stock that are available for issuance under the 2010 Plan by 485,715 to 985,715. Our shareholders approved that amendment in January 2012.
In August 2014, our board of directors approved an amendment to the 2010 LTIP to increase the number of shares of our common stock that are available for issuance under the 2010 LTIP by 514,286 to 1,500,001, which was approved by our shareholders in November 2014.
Following the adoption of our 2017 LTIP, no further awards will be granted pursuant to the 2010 LTIP. As of June 30, 2017, there were awards outstanding, net of awards expired, under our 2010 LTIP for an aggregate of 606,857 shares of our common stock.
2007 Long Term Incentive Plan
We previously adopted and our shareholders approved the 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan, or the 2007 LTIP, effective November 21, 2006. A maximum of 1,428,572 shares of common stock could be issued under the 2007 LTIP in connection with the grant of awards. Awards to purchase common stock have been granted pursuant to the 2007 LTIP and are outstanding to various employees, officers, directors, members of our scientific advisory board and independent distributors at prices between $1.47 and $10.50 per share with respect to options to purchase common stock, vesting over one- to three-year periods. Awards expire in accordance with the terms of each award and the shares subject to the award are added back to the 2007 LTIP upon expiration of the award. As of June 30, 2017, there were awards outstanding, net of awards expired, for the purchase in aggregate of 227,188 shares of our common stock. As of June 30, 2017, there were 33,328 shares unallocated under the 2007 LTIP. This plan expired on November 21, 2016.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table sets forth information concerning the common shares acquired by each of our NEOs upon the vesting of restricted stock awards during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. None of our NEOs (have been granted or) exercised any stock options during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.
|
| | | | | | |
| | Stock Awards |
Name | | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | | Value Realized on Vesting ($)(1) |
Darren Jensen | | — |
| | — |
|
Steven R. Fife | | — |
| | — |
|
Ryan Goodwin | | 5,714 |
| | 52,053 |
|
Courtland Pearson | | — |
| | — |
|
Justin Rose | | 5,715 |
| | 82,753 |
|
Mark Jaggi | | 5,715 |
| | 79,324 |
|
Gary Koos | | — |
| | — |
|
| |
(1) | Value realized upon vesting of stock awards was determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted stock that vested by the fair market value of our common stock on the vesting date. |
PENSION BENEFITS
We do not maintain any defined benefit pension plans.
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
We do not maintain any nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
As of June 30, 2017, all of our NEOs other than Messrs. Jaggi and Koos were eligible to receive contractually-provided severance benefits under the terms of their respective employment agreements or key executive benefit package agreements, as applicable. Mr. Jaggi would not have been entitled to benefits on June 30, 2017, as a result of his departure from the Company prior to such date. Mr. Koos, having served as our Interim Chief Financial Officer, was not eligible for severance benefits due to service through an agreement with Cerius Interim Executive Solutions. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part III-Other Matters-Employment Agreements” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part III-Other Matters-Severance or Change-in-Control Agreements,” above.
Upon retirement or separation from service for reasons that do not trigger the contractually-provided severance benefits under the terms of their respective employment agreements or key executive benefit package agreements, as applicable, NEOs are entitled to certain accrued benefits and payments generally afforded other employees.
The table below provides estimates for compensation payable to each of our NEOs under hypothetical termination of employment and change in control scenarios under our compensatory arrangements other than nondiscriminatory arrangements generally available to salaried employees. Due to the number of factors and assumptions that can affect the nature and amount of any benefits provided upon the events discussed below, any amounts paid or distributed upon an actual event may differ.
For purposes of the hypothetical payment estimates shown in the below table, some of the important assumptions were:
| |
• | Executive’s rate of base salary as of June 30, 2017; |
| |
• | Full acceleration of all unvested equity awards held by the Executive upon a change in control, except for the 2016 performance-based restricted stock units (the “2016 PRSUs”) and the 2017 performance-based restricted stock units (the “2017 PRSUs”), for which awards no value has been attributed to vesting acceleration, as the achievement of the applicable performance metrics for such awards would have been determined as of June 30, 2017 and no portion of either the 2016 PRSUs or the 2017 PRSUs would have been eligible to vest as of that date; |
| |
• | Cash severance as provided under the NEO’s employment agreement or key executive benefit package agreement, as applicable, in effect as of June 30, 2017; |
| |
• | Change in control occurring on June 30, 2017; |
| |
• | Termination of the NEO’s employment occurring on June 30, 2017; and |
| |
• | A price per share of $4.33, which was the closing price of our common stock on June 30, 2017, the final trading day of fiscal 2017. |
Each of the columns in the table below show the total hypothetical payment estimate upon a specified event and the amounts in the columns should not be aggregated across the table.
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Involuntary Termination ($)(1) | | Involuntary Termination within 12 months after a Change in Control ($)(2) |
Darren Jensen | | | | |
Base salary continuation | | 275,000 |
| | | 550,000 |
|
Acceleration of vesting of equity awards | | — |
| (3) | | 618,575 |
|
Total | | 275,000 |
| | | 1,168,575 |
|
Steven R. Fife | | | | | |
Base salary continuation | | 165,000 |
| | | 165,000 |
|
Acceleration of vesting of equity awards | | — |
| | | 389,700 |
|
Total | | 165,000 |
| | | 554,700 |
|
Ryan Goodwin | | | | | |
Base salary continuation | | 175,000 |
| | | 175,000 |
|
Acceleration of vesting of equity awards | | — |
| (3) | | 49,488 |
|
Total | | 175,000 |
| | | 224,488 |
|
Courtland Pearson | | | | | |
Base salary continuation | | 125,000 |
| | | 125,000 |
|
Acceleration of vesting of equity awards | | — |
| | | 38,970 |
|
Total | | 125,000 |
| | | 163,970 |
|
Justin Rose | | | | | |
Base salary continuation | | 170,000 |
| | | 170,000 |
|
Acceleration of vesting of equity awards | | — |
| (3) | | 49,483 |
|
Total | | 170,000 |
| | | 219,483 |
|
| |
(1) | For purposes of this table, an involuntary termination consists of our termination of their respective employment without cause or their resignation for good reason. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part III-Other Matters-Employment Agreements” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part III-Other Matters-Severance or Change-in-Control Agreements,” above. |
| |
(2) | For purposes of this table, an involuntary termination within 12 months after a change in control consists of, with respect to Mr. Jensen, the termination of his employment without cause or his resignation for good reason. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part III-Other Matters-Employment Agreements” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Part III-Other Matters-Severance or Change-in-Control Agreements,” above. |
| |
(3) | No value has been included for the 2016 PRSUs granted to Messrs. Jensen, Goodwin and Rose, which provide for a pro-rated portion of such PRSUs to remain eligible to vest if the executive is terminated without cause during the performance period, with the performance determined at the end of the performance period. Assuming both the performance period and termination without cause had occurred on June 30, 2017, no portion of the 2016 PRSUs would have been eligible to vest. |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The current members of the compensation committee are Messrs. Beindorff, Greer and Metzger, with Mr. Metzger serving as chair. Our board of directors has determined that all three members of the compensation committee qualify as "independent" under NASDAQ Rules. There are no interlocking relationships between any of our executive officers and compensation committee members, on the one hand, and the executive officers and compensation committee members of any other companies, on the other hand, nor have any such interlocking relationships existed in the past.
Compensation Committee Report
The following report has been submitted by the compensation committee of our board of directors:
The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed our Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on this review and discussion, the compensation committee recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 and in this Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
|
| | |
| The Compensation Committee | |
| | |
| George E. Metzger, Chair | |
| Michael Beindorff | |
| Raymond B. Greer | |
The preceding “Compensation Committee Report” shall not be deemed soliciting material or filed with the SEC, nor shall any information in this report be incorporated by reference into any past or future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Fiscal 2017
For fiscal 2017 our non-employee director compensation consisted of (i) monthly retainers for Board service and for service as chairman of our board of directors and the chair of one of the standing Board committees and (ii) equity awards granted on an annual basis to continuing non-employee directors and granted to new non-employee directors, as described below. Our directors who are also our employees receive no additional compensation for their service on our board of directors.
Non-Employee Director Compensation
Cash Compensation. Each non-employee director receives a monthly retainer for their service as directors as follows: $6,000 for the chairman of our board of directors, $5,500 for the chairs of our audit and compensation committees and $5,000 for all other non-employee directors.
Equity Compensation. Each non-employee director will receive the following annual equity awards in connection with each annual meeting of our shareholders or initial equity award upon joining our board of directors:
| |
• | Annual Equity Awards - On the date of the next regular annual meeting of shareholders after the annual meeting of shareholders at which a continuing non-employee director is re-elected (the “Election Date”) (for example, for continuing non-employee directors re-elected at and having an Election Date of the fiscal 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, the fiscal 2017 annual meeting of shareholders), each such continuing non-employee director who continues to serve as a member of our board of directors immediately prior to the next regular annual meeting of shareholders following the Election Date will receive a fully vested stock award for a number of shares of our common stock determined as follows: $75,000 divided by the “average stock price” and rounded down to the nearest whole share, with the “average stock price” calculated by averaging the closing prices of a share of our common stock on the last trading day of the calendar month (each, a “Month End”) for each Month End occurring between the Election Date and date of the next regular annual meeting of shareholders. |
| |
• | Initial Equity Awards - On the one year anniversary of the non-employee director joining our board of directors, each new non-employee director will receive an award for that number of shares of our common stock determined as follows: $150,000 divided by the “average stock price” and rounded down to the nearest whole share, with the “average stock price” calculated by averaging the closing prices of a share of our common stock on the last trading day of the month for each of the twelve months prior to the one year anniversary of the non-employee director joining |
our board. Following the end of fiscal 2017, our board of directors approved a change to the initial equity award to be received by each non-employee director. Effective immediately, each new non-employee director will receive three annual equity awards instead of just one, beginning on the one year anniversary of the non-employee director joining our board and continuing on each of the following two anniversaries thereafter, with the number of shares subject to each award determined utilizing $50,000 and the “average stock price” referring to the twelve months prior to the date the award is granted.
The table below summarizes the compensation we paid to our non-employee directors for fiscal 2017:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | | Stock Awards ($)(1) | | All Other Compensation | | Total ($) |
Michael A. Beindorff | | 60,000 |
| | 49,948 |
| | — |
| | 109,948 |
|
Raymond B. Greer | | 25,000 |
| | — |
| (2) | — |
| | 25,000 |
|
Vinayak R. Hegde | | 25,000 |
| | — |
| (2) | — |
| | 25,000 |
|
Darwin K. Lewis | | 25,000 |
| | — |
| (2) | — |
| | 25,000 |
|
David Manovich | | 40,000 |
| | 49,948 |
| (3) | — |
| | 89,948 |
|
Garry Mauro | | 72,000 |
| | 49,948 |
| | — |
| | 121,948 |
|
George E. Metzger | | 66,000 |
| | 49,948 |
| | — |
| | 115,948 |
|
Richard Okumoto | | 66,000 |
| | 49,948 |
| | — |
| | 115,948 |
|
David Toole | | 60,000 |
| | 113,777 |
| | — |
| | 173,777 |
|
| |
(1) | These amounts represent the grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted by the Company during the period presented, determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For the assumptions used in our valuations, see Note 8 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of all assumptions made by the Company in determining the grant date fair values of its equity awards. |
| |
(2) | There were no stock awards granted to these Directors during fiscal 2017. |
| |
(3) | Mr. Manovich served as a non-employee director until the annual meeting of shareholders held in February 2017. |
The table below summarizes the unexercised stock options, all of which are fully vested, held by our non-employee directors as of June 30, 2017:
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Option Awards |
Name | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | | Option Exercise Price ($) |
Michael A. Beindorff | | 14,286 |
| | — |
| | 9.31 |
|
Garry Mauro | | 14,286 |
| | — |
| | 2.10 |
|
Garry Mauro | | 17,143 |
| | — |
| | 1.47 |
|
Garry Mauro | | 17,143 |
| | — |
| | 1.75 |
|
Garry Mauro | | 17,143 |
| | — |
| | 5.60 |
|
Garry Mauro | | 14,286 |
| | — |
| | 9.31 |
|
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides certain information as of June 30, 2017 with respect to all compensation plans under which shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance.
|
| | | | | | | | | |
(a) | | (b) | | (c) | | (d) |
| | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights and vesting of restricted stock awards (#) | | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights ($) | | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (b)) (#) |
All equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | 1,348,245 |
| (1) | 6.35 |
| (2) | 633,051 |
|
| | | | | | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| |
(1) | Includes 309,473 shares of our common stock that can be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options and 1,038,772 shares of our common stock that can be issued upon vesting of restricted stock awards and PRSUs. |
| |
(2) | Does not take into account outstanding restricted stock awards and PRSUs, as those awards have no exercise price. |
AUDIT RELATED MATTERS
Audit Committee Report
Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. WSRP, LLC, our independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for auditing our financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
The audit committee has held discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the audit committee that our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the audit committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and our independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee received the written disclosures and letter required by the Independence Standards Board of Directors Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and discussed the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm with the firm. In addition, the committee has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU §380).
The audit committee has also considered whether the provision of non-audit services to our company is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The audit committee has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firm is independent of our company and our management. The audit committee has reviewed with our independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for its audit.
Relying on the foregoing reviews and discussions, the audit committee recommended to our board of directors the inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2017, and this Proxy Statement, for filing with the SEC.
|
|
The Audit Committee |
|
Richard Okumoto, Chair |
Michael A. Beindorff |
Garry Mauro |
The preceding “Audit Committee Report” shall not be deemed soliciting material or filed with the SEC, nor shall any information in this report be incorporated by reference into any past or future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
EKS&H LLLP (“EKS&H”) reviewed the Company's interim quarterly filings for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2015. On April 8, 2016 the audit committee dismissed EKS&H as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. In connection reviews of the Company’s interim periods through April 8, 2016, there were no disagreements with EKS&H on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of EKS&H, would have caused EKS&H to make reference to the matter in their report. In addition, during the interim period through April 8, 2016, there were no reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Effective as of April 12, 2016, the audit committee engaged BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016. On July 7, 2016, the audit committee dismissed BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately, due to BDO’s determination that it was not independent of the Company with respect to the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and not for any reason related to the Company’s financial reporting or accounting operations or policies. BDO concluded that it was not independent of the Company with respect to fiscal 2016 because, during fiscal 2016 but prior to BDO’s appointment as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, a firm in the BDO international network had provided certain prohibited non-audit services as a subcontractor to a third party contractor who had been engaged to provide payroll services to an international subsidiary of the Company. BDO was engaged by the Company on April 12, 2016 and as a result did not deliver an audit report on the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. At no point during BDO’s engagement were there any (i) disagreements with BDO on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report, or (ii) “reportable events” as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Effective as of July 11, 2016, the audit committee engaged WSRP, LLC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the interim periods subsequent to the dismissals of EKS&H and BDO and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by EKS&H LLLP for fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:
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| | | | | | | | |
EKS&H LLLP | | Fiscal year ended June 30, |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
Audit Fees (1) | | $ | 27,085 |
| | $ | 156,966 |
|
Audit-Related Fees | | — |
| | — |
|
Tax Fees (2) | | 2,000 |
| | 91,434 |
|
All Other Fees | | — |
| | — |
|
| | $ | 29,085 |
| | $ | 248,400 |
|
| |
(1) | Audit Fees consist of fees billed for the review of interim financial statements. |
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(2) | Tax Fees consisted of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by BDO USA, LLP for fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:
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| | | | | | | | |
BDO USA, LLP | | Fiscal year ended June 30, |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
Audit Fees | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
Audit-Related Fees (1) | | 15,994 |
| | — |
|
Tax Fees | | — |
| | — |
|
All Other Fees | | — |
| | — |
|
| | $ | 15,994 |
| | $ | — |
|
| |
(1) | Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for the audit of our employee benefit plan. |
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by WSRP, LLC for fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:
|
| | | | | | | | |
WSRP, LLC | | Fiscal year ended June 30, |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
Audit Fees (1) | | $ | 241,228 |
| | $ | 194,843 |
|
Audit-Related Fees | | — |
| | — |
|
Tax Fees | | — |
| | — |
|
All Other Fees | | — |
| | — |
|
| | $ | 241,228 |
| | $ | 194,843 |
|
| |
(1) | Audit Fees consist of fees billed for the audit of annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and the review of interim financial statements. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The audit committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. The policies require pre-approval of all auditing and such non-auditing services as our independent registered public accounting firm is permitted to provide, subject to de minimus exceptions for services other than audit, review, or attest services that are approved by the audit committee prior to completion of the audit. All of the items identified under “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” above were approved by the audit committee. Alternatively, the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm may be entered into pursuant to pre-approved policies and procedures that our audit committee may establish, so long as these policies and procedures are detailed as to particular services and the audit committee is informed of each service. In making these determinations, the audit committee will consider whether the services provided are compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm. We are prohibited by applicable law from obtaining certain non-audit services from our independent registered public accounting firm and, in that event, we would obtain these non-audit services from other providers.
Our audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and determined that it is consistent with such independence.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of October 31, 2017 by: (i) each director; (ii) each of our named executive officers; and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. As of October 31, 2017, other than those individuals listed on the chart below, no other individuals were known to us to own beneficially more than five percent of our common stock. The shares disclosed in this table are based upon information supplied to us by the foregoing parties and filings made by such parties with the SEC.
Except as otherwise noted, the address for each person listed below is c/o LifeVantage Corporation, 9785 South Monroe Street, Suite 300, Sandy, Utah 84070.
The percentages of beneficial ownership set forth below are based on 14,225,780 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of October 31, 2017.
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| | | | | | |
Name of Beneficial Owner(1) | | Number of Shares | | Percent of Class |
Principal Shareholders | | | | |
Dell Loy Hansen | | 711,839 |
| (2) | 5.00 | % |
595 S. Riverwoods Pkwy, Suite 400 | | | | |
Logan, UT 84321 | | | | |
Directors and Named Executive Officers | | | | |
Michael A. Beindorff | | 54,978 |
| (3) | * |
|
Raymond B. Greer | | — |
| | |
Vinayak R. Hegde | | — |
| | |
Darwin K. Lewis | | 3,500 |
| (4) | |
Garry P. Mauro | | 138,641 |
| (5) | * |
|
George Metzger | | 32,637 |
| (6) | * |
|
Richard Okumoto | | 32,708 |
| (7) | * |
|
David Toole | | 16,662 |
| (8) | * |
|
Darren J. Jensen | | 149,358 |
| (9) | 1.05 | % |
Steven R. Fife | | 90,000 |
| (10) | * |
|
Ryan Goodwin | | 14,779 |
| (11) | * |
|
Courtland Pearson | | 9,000 |
| (12) | * |
|
Justin Rose | | 14,316 |
| (13) | * |
|
Charles Wach | | 4,000 |
| (14) | * |
|
Mark Jaggi | | — |
| | |
Gary Koos | | — |
| | |
All executive officers and directors (14 persons) | | 560,579 |
| (15) | 3.86 | % |
* Less than one percent.
| |
(1) | The shares of our common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Securities that can be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such person's ownership percentage, but not for purposes of computing any other person's percentage. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal shareholders and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. Except as otherwise indicated in these footnotes and subject to community property laws where applicable, each of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of common stock. |
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(2) | Based solely upon a Schedule 13D filed on July 17, 2015, by Dell Loy Hansen and Hansen Guaranty, LLC. According to the Schedule 13D, adjusted for our October 19, 2015 reverse stock split, Dell Loy Hansen has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 191,000 shares and shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 520,839 shares. Hansen Guaranty, LLC has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 520,839 shares. |
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(3) | Includes 38,865 shares held directly by Mr. Beindorff, 1,501 shares owned by Mr. Beindorff's spouse which he is deemed to beneficially own, and 326 shares owned by Mr. Beindorff's spouse in a custodial account for their minor children, which Mr. Beindorff is deemed to beneficially own. Also includes the following shares which Mr. Beindorff has the right to acquire or will have the right to acquire within 60 days of October 31, 2017 upon the exercise of options: 14,286 shares at an exercise price of $9.31 per share. |
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(4) | Consists of 3,500 shares directly owned by Mr. Lewis. |
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(5) | Includes 57,721 shares directly owned by Mr. Mauro, 225 shares owned by Mr. Mauro's spouse which he is deemed to beneficially own, and 694 shares owned by Mr. Mauro in a custodial account for his minor children, which he is deemed to beneficially own. Also includes the following shares which Mr. Mauro has the right to acquire or will have the right to acquire within 60 days of October 31, 2017 upon the exercise of options: 14,286 shares at an exercise price of $2.10 per share, 17,143 shares at an exercise price of $1.47 per share, 17,143 shares at an exercise price of $1.75 per share, 17,143 shares at an exercise price of $5.60 per share and 14,286 shares at an exercise price of $9.31 per share. |
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(6) | Consists of 32,637 shares directly owned by Mr. Metzger. |