def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __)
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 |
ThermoGenesis Corp.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
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Date Filed: |
ThermoGenesis Corp.
2711 Citrus Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
Telephone (916) 858-5100
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 10, 2010
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ThermoGenesis Corp. (the
Company), a Delaware corporation, will be held at the Sacramento Marriott, Rancho Cordova,
located at 11211 Point East Dr., Rancho Cordova, Ca. 95742, on Friday, December 10, 2010, at 9:00
a.m. (PST) for the following purposes:
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To elect six (6) directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified; |
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To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young
LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011 fiscal
year; |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting,
including adjournment. |
These items are described more fully in the proxy statement to this notice. Please give your
careful attention to all of the information in the proxy statement.
The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on October 22, 2010, as
the record date for determining those stockholders who will be entitled to vote at the meeting or
any postponement or adjournment thereof. Stockholders are invited to attend the meeting in person.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Mr. David C. Adams
Corporate Secretary
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October 22, 2010
Rancho Cordova, California
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, WE REQUEST THAT YOU VOTE BY SUBMITTING
YOUR PROXY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 5 TO ENSURE THAT YOUR SHARES
WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND. IF YOU DO
ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING AND WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN
PERSON.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND PROCEDURAL
MATTERS
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Why am I receiving these materials? |
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The board of directors of ThermoGenesis is making this proxy statement available to you on the
Internet or delivering a paper copy of this proxy statement to you by mail in connection with the
solicitation of proxies for use at ThermoGenesis 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual
Meeting) to be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, and any adjournment
or postponement of the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at Sacramento Marriott,
located at 11211 Point East Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA 95742, for the purpose of considering and
acting on the matters set forth in this proxy statement. |
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These proxy materials and the accompanying annual report were first made available or mailed on
October 26, 2010 to all ThermoGenesis stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
ThermoGenesis website is www.thermogenesis.com. |
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What proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting? |
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ThermoGenesis stockholders are being asked to vote on three matters at the Annual Meeting: |
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To elect six (6) directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of
Stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified; |
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To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011 fiscal year; |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including
adjournment. |
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What are the recommendations of the board of directors? |
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ThermoGenesis board of directors recommends a vote: |
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FOR the election of each of the nominated directors; |
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FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young, LLP as ThermoGenesis independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011; and |
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FOR such other matters, if any, which may properly come before the meeting (including
any proposal to adjourn the meeting). |
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Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting? |
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ThermoGenesis board of directors set October 22, 2010 as the record date for the Annual
Meeting. If you owned ThermoGenesis common stock at the close of business on October 22, 2010, you
may attend and vote at the meeting. As of October 22, 2010, there were 14,023,332 shares of
ThermoGenesis common stock outstanding. |
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What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial
owner? |
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If your shares are registered directly in your name with ThermoGenesis transfer agent,
Computershare Investor Services LLC, you are considered the stockholder of record with
respect to those shares, and the notice or these proxy materials have been sent directly to you by
ThermoGenesis.
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Some ThermoGenesis stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, rather
than directly in their own names. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or
another nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of those shares held in street name, and
the notice or these proxy materials have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee who
is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. |
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How many votes do I have? |
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You are entitled to one vote for each share of ThermoGenesis common stock you owned at the close
of business on the record date, provided that those shares are either held directly in your name as
the stockholder of record or were held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or
other nominee. |
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What should I do if I receive more than one notice or set of voting materials? |
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You may receive more than one notice or set of voting materials, including multiple copies of
this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold
your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate notice or voting
instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder of
record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one notice
or proxy card. Please vote by telephone or the Internet with respect to each notice that you
receive, or complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you
receive, to ensure that all of your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting. |
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How can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting? |
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If you are the stockholder of record of shares of ThermoGenesis common stock, you have the right
to vote in person at the Annual Meeting with respect to those shares. |
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If you are the beneficial owner of shares of ThermoGenesis common stock, you are invited to attend
the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these
shares in person at the Annual Meeting, unless you obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or
nominee giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting. |
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Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy card or
voting instructions as described in the next Q&A so that your vote will be counted if you later
decide not to attend the Annual Meeting. |
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How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting? |
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If you are the stockholder of record, you may instruct the proxy holders how to vote your shares
by using the Internet voting site or the toll-free telephone number provided on the website to
which the notice directs you or, if you have requested paper copies of the proxy materials, by
completing, signing, dating and returning a requested proxy card in the provided, postage pre-paid
envelope or by using the Internet voting site or the toll-free telephone number listed on the proxy
card. Specific instructions for using the Internet and telephone voting systems are on the website
and proxy card (and repeated in the box below). The Internet and telephone voting
systems for stockholders of record will be available until 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on December 10,
2010 (the morning of the Annual Meeting). |
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If you are the beneficial owner of shares of ThermoGenesis common stock held in street name, you
have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote your shares. Your broker, bank
or nominee has provided a notice that directs you to a website with Internet and toll-free
telephone voting instructions (repeated in the box below) or, if you have requested paper copies of
the proxy materials, enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the broker,
bank or nominee regarding how to vote your shares. |
VOTE BY INTERNET
Shares Held of Record:
www.envisionreports.com/KOOL
Shares Held Through Broker, Bank or Nominee:
www.proxyvote.com
24 hours a day/7 days a week
Through 1:00 am Central Time, December 10, 2010
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read this Proxy Statement.
2. Go to the applicable website listed above.
3. Have your notice of internet availability of proxy materials, proxy
card or voting instruction card in hand (including the control number specified
on that notice or card) and follow the instructions.
VOTE BY TELEPHONE
Shares Held of Record:
1-800-652-VOTE (8683)
Shares Held Through Broker, Bank or Nominee:
1-800-454-8683
Toll-free 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Through 1:00 am Central Time, December 10, 2010
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read this Proxy Statement.
2. Call the applicable toll-free number above.
3. Have your notice of internet availability of proxy materials, proxy
card or voting instruction card in hand (including the control number specified
on that notice or card) and follow the instructions.
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If I submit my proxy via the Internet, by telephone or by signing a proxy card or voting
instruction card, how will it be voted? |
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Whichever method you select to transmit your instructions, the proxy holders or your broker,
bank or nominee will vote your shares in accordance with those instructions. |
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If you grant a proxy or provide instructions using the Internet or telephone voting systems or
return a proxy card or voting instruction card without giving specific voting instructions for a
proposal, your shares will be voted as recommended by our board of directors on that proposal. |
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If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide instructions using
the Internet or telephone voting systems or return the voting instruction card, your broker, bank
or other nominee will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on the particular
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matter. Under applicable rules, brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters, such as the
uncontested election of directors and the ratification of the selection of independent registered
public accounting firm, but do not have discretion to vote on non-routine matters such as equity
plans. For this meeting, if you do not provide specific instructions, your broker, bank or other
nominee may cast your vote in its discretion for Proposal 1, the election of directors, and for
Proposal 2, the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm. |
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Can I change or revoke my vote after I return a proxy card or voting instruction card? |
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If you are the stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy or change your vote by: |
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delivering to the Corporate Secretary of ThermoGenesis, prior to your shares being voted
at the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy card, in
either case dated later than the prior proxy card relating to the same shares (such written
notice should be hand delivered to ThermoGenesis Assistant Corporate Secretary or should
be sent so as to be delivered to ThermoGenesis Corp., 2711 Citrus Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA
95742, Attn: Corporate Secretary); |
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attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person; or |
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making a timely and valid later Internet or telephone vote, as the case may be, if you
have previously voted on the Internet or by telephone in connection with the Annual
Meeting. |
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If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may change your vote by: |
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submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee in a timely
manner; or |
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attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, if you have obtained a legal proxy
from the broker, bank or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the
shares. |
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Can I attend the Annual Meeting? |
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All ThermoGenesis stockholders as of the record date, October 22, 2010, or their duly appointed
proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting. If you are the beneficial owner of ThermoGenesis shares
held in street name, please bring proof of ownership such as a brokerage statement or letter from
the broker, bank or other nominee that is the owner of record of the shares. |
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How many votes must be present or represented to conduct business at the Annual Meeting? |
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The presence of a majority of the shares eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to
constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Presence is determined by the stockholder entitled to
vote the shares being present at the Annual Meeting or having properly submitted a proxy with
respect to the shares. In compliance with Delaware General Corporate Law, abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted as present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and are thereby
included for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. |
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A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial
owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker, bank or nominee does not have |
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discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions from the
beneficial owner. |
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If sufficient votes to constitute a quorum are not received by the date of the Annual Meeting, the
persons named as proxies in this proxy statement may propose one or more adjournments of the
meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Adjournment would require the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of ThermoGenesis common stock present in
person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The persons named as proxies in this proxy
statement would generally exercise their authority to vote in favor of adjournment. |
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What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals? |
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A plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors. Thus, the nominees for director
receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as members of ThermoGenesis
board of directors to serve until ThermoGenesis 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. There is no
cumulative voting in the election of directors. |
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The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented
by proxy is required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as ThermoGenesis independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. |
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How are votes counted? |
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With respect to the election of directors, you may vote FOR or WITHHOLD on each of the six
nominees. |
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With respect to other proposals, you may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN on each proposal.
Abstentions are deemed to be votes cast and thereby have the same effect as a vote against the
proposal. Broker non-votes are not deemed to be votes cast and thereby do not affect the outcome of
the voting on the proposal. |
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What happens if one or more of the director nominees is unable to stand for election? |
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The board of directors may reduce the number of directors or select a substitute nominee. In the
latter case, if you have submitted your proxy via the Internet or by telephone or completed and
returned your proxy card or voting instruction card, J. Melville Engle and Matthew Plavan as proxy
holders, will have the discretion to vote your shares for the substitute nominee. |
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Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting? |
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Matthew Plavan, ThermoGenesis CFO and EVP, Business Development, will tabulate the votes and
act as the inspector of election. We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual
Meeting. We will provide final results on a Form 8-K within four days of the Annual Meeting. |
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Who pays for the proxy solicitation process? |
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ThermoGenesis will bear the cost of soliciting proxies, including the cost of preparing, posting
and mailing proxy materials. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail and through
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its regular
employees, ThermoGenesis will request brokers, banks and other nominees to solicit their customers
who hold shares of ThermoGenesis common stock in street name. ThermoGenesis may reimburse such
brokers, banks and nominees for their reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses. ThermoGenesis may also
use the services of its officers, directors and employees to solicit proxies, personally or by
telephone, mail, facsimile or email, without additional compensation other than reimbursement for
reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses. |
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How do I get an additional copy of the proxy materials? |
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If you would like an additional copy of this proxy statement or ThermoGenesis 2010 Form 10-K,
these documents are available in digital form for download or review by clicking on the Investors
tab at www.thermogenesis.com. Alternatively, we will promptly send a copy to you upon request by
mail to ThermoGenesis Corp., Attention: Assistant Corporate Secretary, 2711 Citrus Rd., Rancho
Cordova, CA., or by calling Investor Relations of ThermoGenesis at (916) 858-5107. Please note,
however, that if you want to receive a paper proxy card or voting instruction card or other proxy
materials for purposes of the Annual Meeting, you should follow the instructions for obtaining
paper copies included in the notice of internet availability of proxy materials. |
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How do I get proxy materials electronically? |
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We encourage you to register to receive all future stockholder communications electronically,
instead of in print. This means that the annual report, proxy statement and other correspondence
will be delivered to you via email. Electronic delivery of stockholder communications helps
ThermoGenesis to conserve natural resources and to save money by reducing printing, postage and
service provider costs. |
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Stockholders of Record: If you vote your shares using the Internet at www.envisionreports.com/KOOL,
please follow the prompts for enrolling in the electronic proxy delivery service. |
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Beneficial Owners: If you vote your shares using the Internet at www.proxyvote.com, please complete
the consent form that appears on-screen at the end of the Internet voting procedure to register to
receive stockholder communications electronically. Stockholders holding through a bank, broker or
other nominee may also refer to information provided by the bank, broker or nominee for
instructions regarding how to enroll in electronic delivery. |
8
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
OF THERMOGENESIS
The Company has only one class of stock outstanding, its common stock. The following table
sets forth certain information as of September 30, 2010 with respect to the beneficial ownership of
our common stock for (i) each director, (ii) each Named Executive Officer (NEO), (iii) all of our
directors and officers as a group, and (iv) each person known to us to own beneficially five
percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. As of September 30, 2010 there
were 14,023,332 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed stockholder is: ThermoGenesis Corp.,
2711 Citrus Road, Rancho Cordova, California 95742. To our knowledge, except as indicated in the
footnotes to this table or pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the
table have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock indicated.
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Amount and Nature of Beneficial |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Ownership(1) |
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Percent of Class |
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Gruber and McBaine Capital
Management, LLC, Jon D.
Gruber, J. Patterson McBaine
and Eric B. Swergold
50 Osgood Place, Penthouse,
San Francisco, CA 94133 |
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1,397,947 |
(2) |
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10 |
% |
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Hubert E. Huckel, M.D. |
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73,417 |
(3) |
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% |
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Patrick McEnany |
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43,790 |
(4) |
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* |
% |
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Mahendra Rao, Ph.D., M.D. |
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11,667 |
(5) |
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* |
% |
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J. Melville (Mel) Engle |
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108,334 |
(6) |
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* |
% |
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Matthew T. Plavan |
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117,500 |
(7) |
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* |
% |
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Jorge Artiles |
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8,434 |
(8) |
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* |
% |
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Harold (Hal) Baker |
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8,334 |
(9) |
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* |
% |
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Menachem (Moni) Shavit |
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14,167 |
(10) |
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* |
% |
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Officers & Directors as
a Group
(10 persons) |
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385,643 |
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2.7 |
% |
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* |
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Less than 1%. |
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(1) |
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Beneficial Ownership is defined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, and generally
means any person who directly or indirectly has or shares voting or investment power with
respect to a security. A person |
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shall be deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if
that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of the security within 60 days,
including, but not limited to, any right to acquire the security through the exercise of any
option or warrant or through the conversion of a security. Any securities not outstanding that
are subject to options or warrants shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage of outstanding securities of the class owned by that person, but
shall not be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the class
owned by any other person. Some of the information with respect to beneficial ownership has
been furnished to us by each director or officer, as the case may be. Information with
respect to each 5% or more stockholder is based solely on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D
filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission after giving effect to the 1-for-4
reverse stock split which was effective at the close of business on August 26, 2010. |
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(2) |
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This information is provided by Gruber & McBaine Capital Management, LLC (GMCM). GMCM is a
registered investment adviser whose clients have the right to receive or the power to direct
the receipts of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of the stock. Jon D. Gruber and
J. Patterson McBaine are the managers, controlling persons, and portfolio managers of GMCM.
Collectively, GMCM, Mr. Gruber, Mr. McBaine and Eric Swergold hold shared voting and
dispositive power for 907,382 shares. Lagunitas Partners holds shared voting power for 717,259
shares. Mr. Gruber and Mr. McBaine hold sole voting and dispositive power for 250,538 and
240,027 shares, respectively. No individual client of GMCM holds more than five percent of
the outstanding stock. Lagunitas Partners is an investment limited partnership of which GMCM
is the general partner. Lagunitas Partners disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities
with respect to its ownership is reposited. |
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Includes 52,500 common shares and 20,917 shares issuable upon the exercise of options. |
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(4) |
|
Includes 26,832 common shares and 16,750 shares issuable upon the exercise of options. Also
includes 208 shares owned by McEnany Holding, Inc. Mr. McEnany is the sole shareholder of
McEnany Holding, Inc. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 6,250 common shares and 5,417 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 50,000 common shares and 58,334 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 13,750 common shares and 103,750 common shares issuable upon the exercise of
options. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 100 common shares and 8,334 common shares issuable upon the exercise of options. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 8,334 shares issuable upon the exercise of options. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 14,167 shares issuable upon the exercise of options. |
PROPOSAL NO 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
General Information
Our bylaws presently provide that the authorized number of directors may be fixed by
resolution of the Board from time to time, with a minimum of not less than three (3) directors and
a maximum of seven (7) directors. The Board currently has fixed the authorized number of directors
at six (6).
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to elect the nominees for director listed
below, each of whom is a current member of the Companys Board of Directors.
Nominees for Director
The nominees for director have consented to being named as nominees in this Proxy Statement
and have agreed to serve as directors, if elected. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders
will vote the proxies received by them for the six (6) nominees named below. If any nominee of the
Company is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Meeting, the proxies will
be voted for any nominee designated by the present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. The
Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unavailable for
election. Each Director who is elected shall hold office until the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, or until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal, or until such
Directors successor is elected and qualified.
10
The following sets forth the persons nominated by the Board of Directors for election and
certain information with respect to those individuals:
|
|
|
|
|
Nominee |
|
Age |
Hubert E. Huckel, M.D. |
|
|
79 |
|
David W. Carter |
|
|
71 |
|
Patrick J. McEnany |
|
|
63 |
|
Craig W. Moore |
|
|
66 |
|
Mahendra S. Rao, Ph.D., M.D. |
|
|
49 |
|
J. Melville Engle |
|
|
60 |
|
Biographies
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hubert E. Huckel, M.D., Chairman
|
|
Director since 1997 |
Dr. Huckel has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since September 2007. He is a
co-founder of Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. (CPRX), a specialty pharmaceutical company and
has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2002. In addition, since 1995 he has been on the
Board of Directors of Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (TTP), a biopharmaceutical company and since 2003
has been on the Board of Directors of Concordia Pharmaceuticals. He spent 29 years with the
Hoechst Group (Hoechst now Sanofi-Aventis), and was at the time of his retirement, Executive
Chairman of the Board of Hoechst-Roussel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Huckel received his M.D. degree
from the University of Vienna, Austria, and is a member of the Rockefeller University Council. Dr.
Huckel brings leadership experience, judgment and long-term healthcare industry experience and
knowledge to our Board.
|
|
|
|
|
|
David W. Carter
|
|
Director since 2010 |
Mr. Carter was appointed to the Board of Directors on May 4, 2010. Mr. Carter has served as
the Chief Executive Officer of Origen Therapeutics, a company that develops technology for
producing fully human sequence polyclonal antibodies, since November 2009, and serves as President
of DaCart, Inc., a business consulting company which he co-founded in 2006. Previously, Mr. Carter
had served as Chairman of the Board of Xenogen from November 1997 through August 2006, and as
Xenogens Chief Executive Officer from April 2003 through August 2006. Mr. Carter is a director of
Cell Genesys, ImmunoGen, Inc., (IMGN), Caliper Life Sciences (CALP), Cobalt Technologies, Inc. and
Origen Therapeutics, Inc. Mr. Carter received a B.A. in history and an M.B.A. from Indiana
University. Mr. Carter brings executive experience and long-term healthcare industry experience
and knowledge to our Board.
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick J. McEnany
|
|
Director rejoined in 1997 |
Mr. McEnany rejoined the Board of Directors in 1997 and is ThermoGenesis lead independent
director. Mr. McEnany is co-founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst
Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company. Mr. McEnany has served as
Catalysts Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a director since its formation in January 2002. From
1991 to April of 1997, Mr. McEnany was Chairman and President of Royce Laboratories, Inc., a Miami,
Florida based manufacturer of generic prescription drugs. From 1997 to 1998, after the merger of
Royce Laboratories, Inc., into Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mr. McEnany served as President of the
wholly-owned Royce Laboratories subsidiary and Vice President of Corporate Development for Watson
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. From 1993 through 1997, he also served as Vice Chairman and director of the
National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. He currently serves on the Board of Directors
for Renal CarePartners, Inc., an operator of kidney dialysis centers, and Jackson Memorial Hospital
Foundation. Mr. McEnany brings his long-term experience in the healthcare industry, leadership
experience and judgment to the Board.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig W. Moore
|
|
Director since 2009 |
Mr. Moore was appointed to the Board of Directors on December 7, 2009. Mr. Moore has served
as director of NxStage (NXTM) since 2002 and currently serves as chairman of their Compensation
Committee and a member of their Audit Committee. From 1986 to 2001, Mr. Moore was Chairman of the
Board of Directors and Chief Executive Office at Everest Healthcare Services Corporation, a
provider of dialysis and contract services. Since 2001, Mr. Moore has acted as a consultant to
various companies in the healthcare services industry. Mr. Moore also spent 13 years with American
Hospital Supply/Baxter Healthcare, where he held senior management positions in sales, marketing
and business development. Mr. Moore served as a director of Biologic System Corporation (BLSC)
from 1992 thru 2006. Mr. Moore also serves as a director on several private company boards. Mr.
Moore brings leadership, corporate and healthcare industry experience to our Board.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mahendra Rao, Ph.D., M.D.
|
|
Director since 2008 |
Dr. Rao joined the board in March 2008. He has been the Vice President, Regenerative Medicine
at Invitrogen (IVGN) since January 2006. From May 2001 through October 2005 he was Stem Cell
Section Chief and Senior Investigator at the National Institute on Agings Laboratory of
Neuroscience. He has also held associate professor positions at both the Johns Hopkins University
and the University of Utah Schools of Medicine, and at the National Center for Biological Science
in India. Dr. Rao has served as Chairman of the FDAs Cell and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee and
is the founder of Q Therapeutics, a company working on the development of cellular therapy to treat
multiple sclerosis. He holds degrees from Bombay University in India and earned his Ph.D. in
Biology from California Institute of Technology. He also conducted post-doctorate studies at Case
Western Reserve University and Caltech. Dr. Rao brings his clinical, corporate and regulatory
experience in the stem cell therapy field to our Board.
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Melville Engle
|
|
Director since 2009 |
Mr. Engle joined the Company in April 2009 as Chief Executive Officer. He was appointed to
the Board of Directors in June 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Engle was Chief Executive
Officer of Raydiance, Inc., a laser technology company. For six years he served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Dey LP, a $600 million specialty pharmaceutical company, an affiliate of
Merck KGaA. While at Dey, he served as Regional Director, North America, for the Merck Generics
Group. He also served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anika Therapeutics,
Inc., a publicly traded medical device company, and held senior financial, operations and sales
positions at Allergan, Inc. Mr. Engle is currently a member of the board of directors of Oxygen
Biotherapeutics (OXBT), a company developing pharmaceuticals and medical devices in the field of
oxygen therapeutics and continuous substrate monitoring. In 2002 the Securities and Exchange
Commission advised Mr. Engle it intended to institute a cease and desist proceeding against him
alleging violations of Sections 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, and Rules 12b-20, 13a-1, and 13a-13 thereunder, which pertain to the filing of periodic
reports without false or misleading statements, proper and accurate recording and accounting for
revenue and financial transactions, and establishing and maintaining internal accounting control
procedures and processes designed to correctly record and report financial information and prevent
fraud. Without admitting or denying allegations, Mr. Engle agreed under a settlement offer to the
entry of an order in January 2003 requiring him to cease and desist from committing or causing any
future violations of the statutory provisions and rules noted above and Rule 13b2-1. Mr. Engle
holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Colorado and an M.B.A. in Finance from the
University of Southern California. Mr. Engle brings his leadership and healthcare industry
experience and deep knowledge of our Companys business to our Board.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED
ABOVE.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD OF DIRECTOR MATTERS
General
Our Board of Directors believes that good corporate governance is important to ensure that
ThermoGenesis is managed for the long-term benefit of our stockholders. This section describes key
corporate governance guidelines and practices that we have adopted. Complete copies of our
corporate governance guidelines, committee charters and code of ethical conduct described below are
available under the investor information section of our website at www.thermogenesis.com.
Board Operating and Governance Guidelines
Our Board of Directors has adopted a number of operating and governance guidelines, including
the following:
|
|
|
Majority of the members of the board should be independent directors; |
|
|
|
|
Formalization of the ability of each committee to retain independent advisors; |
13
|
|
|
Performance of an annual assessment of the Boards performance by the Governance and
Nominating Committee; |
|
|
|
|
Directors will have open access to the Companys management; and |
|
|
|
|
Independent directors may meet in executive session prior to or after each regularly
scheduled Board meeting. |
Board Leadership Structure
Currently, our Chairman of the Board is not an executive officer of the Company. This
structure was put into place at a time of transition in the CEO position. In our view, separating
the role of Chairman of the Board and CEO facilitates the ability of the Chairman to monitor the
CEO and the Companys overall performance on behalf of the stockholders. The transition of the CEO
position has been successful and we will evaluate this structure in the future. In addition, Mr.
McEnany is our lead independent director.
Risk Oversight
The Board has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing risk
management. The board regularly reviews information regarding the Companys liquidity and
operations, as well as the risks associated with each. The Companys Compensation Committee is
responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Companys executive compensation
plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees management of risks relating to financial
reporting, internal controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Governance
and Nominating Committee oversees the management of risks associated with corporate governance, the
independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee
is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire
Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.
Governance and Nominating Committee
The Governance and Nominating Committee was formed to address general governance and policy
oversight; succession planning; to identify qualified individuals to become prospective Board
Members and make recommendations regarding nominations for the Board of Directors; to advise the
Board with respect to appropriate composition of Board committees; to advise the Board about and
develop and recommend to the Board appropriate corporate governance documents and assist the Board
in implementing guidelines; to oversee the annual evaluation of the Board and the Companys CEO,
and to perform such other functions as the Board may assign to the committee from time to time. The
Governance and Nominating Committee has a Charter which is available on the Companys website at
www.thermogenesis.com. The Governance and Nominating Committee consists of three independent
directors: Mr. McEnany (Governance and Nominating Committee Chairman), Dr. Huckel and Dr. Rao.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors makes recommendations regarding the retention of
the independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the scope of the annual audit undertaken
by our independent registered public accounting firm and the progress and results of their work,
reviews our financial statements, and oversees the internal controls over
14
financial reporting and corporate programs to ensure compliance with applicable laws. The
Audit Committee reviews the services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm
and determines whether they are compatible with maintaining the registered public accounting firms
independence. The Audit Committee has a Charter, which is reviewed annually and as may be required
due to changes in industry accounting practices or the promulgation of new rules or guidance
documents. The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Companys website at
www.thermogenesis.com. The Audit Committee consists of three independent directors as determined by
NASD listing standards: Mr. McEnany (Audit Committee Chairman), Dr. Huckel and Mr. Moore. Mr.
McEnany is qualified as an Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined in Regulation S-K Item
407(d)(5)(ii).
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors reviews and approves executive
compensation policies and practices, reviews salaries and bonuses for our CEO & CFO, administers
the Companys stock option plans and other benefit plans, and considers other matters as may, from
time to time, be referred to them by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has a
charter which is available on the Companys website at www.thermogenesis.com. The members of the
Compensation Committee are Dr. Rao (Compensation Committee Chairman), Dr. Huckel and Mr. Moore.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of our Compensation Committee were at any time an officer or employee of
ours. In addition, none of our executive officers serves as a member of the compensation committee
of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Compensation
Committee.
Nominations to the Board of Directors
Our directors take a critical role in guiding our strategic direction and oversee the
management of the Company. Board candidates are considered based upon various criteria, such as
their broad-based business and professional skills and experiences, a global business and social
perspective, concern for the long-term interests of the stockholders and personal integrity and
judgment. In addition, directors must have time available to devote to Board activities and to
enhance their knowledge of the medical device industry. Accordingly, we seek to attract and retain
highly qualified directors who have sufficient time to attend to their substantial duties and
responsibilities to the Company.
15
The Board of Directors has a Governance and Nominating Committee. The Board believes given the
diverse skills and experience required to grow the Company that the input of all members is
important for considering the qualifications of individuals to serve as directors but does not have
a diversity policy. In fiscal 2010, the Governance & Nominating Committee retained DHR
International, Inc. to identify potential Board of Director candidates to ensure that vacancies on
the Board are filled on a timely basis with qualified candidates. The Governance and Nominating
Committee recommends a slate of directors for election at the annual meeting. In accordance with
Nasdaq rules, the slate of nominees is approved by a majority of the independent directors. Mr.
McEnany, Dr. Huckel and Dr. Rao, each members of the Governance and Nominating Committee, are
independent as defined in the NASD listing standards.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board will consider candidates suggested by
stockholders. If a stockholder wishes to formally place a candidates name in nomination, however,
he or she must do so in accordance with the provisions of the Companys Bylaws. Suggestions for
candidates to be evaluated by the Nominating Committee must be sent to Assistant Corporate
Secretary, 2711 Citrus Road, Rancho Cordova, California 95742.
Board and Committee Meetings and Attendance
In fiscal 2010, the Board of Directors met seven (7) times, the Audit Committee met four (4)
times, the Compensation Committee met three (3) times and the Governance and Nominating Committee
met two (2) times. Each director attended all of the meetings of the Board of Directors held while
serving as a director, except Drs. Huckel and Rao who missed one (1) meeting each. Each director
attended all of the meetings of the committees upon which he served. All Directors nominated at
the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders attended. The Board requires all Directors to attend the
annual stockholder meeting unless there is an emergency.
Stockholders may send communications to the Board by mail to the Chairman of the Board,
ThermoGenesis Corp., 2711 Citrus Road, Rancho Cordova, California 95742.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 delivered to the Company as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, directors and officers of the Company and persons who own more
than 10% of the Companys common stock timely filed all required reports pursuant to Section 16(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended except Mr. Artiles who was late filing a Form 4
for one January 11, 2010 transaction that was subsequently filed on Form 4 on January 19, 2010.
Legal Proceedings
The Company and its property are not a party to any pending legal proceedings. In the normal
course of operations, the Company may have disagreements or disputes with employees, vendors or
customers. These disputes are seen by the Companys management as a normal part of business, and
there are no pending actions currently or no threatened actions that management believes would have
a significant material impact on the Companys financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.
16
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all employees including our CEO, CFO,
Controller or any person performing similar functions. A copy of our code of ethics can be found on
our website at www.thermogenesis.com. The Company will report any amendment or wavier to the code
of ethics on our website within five (5) days.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
All of our non-employee directors earned director compensation in 2010 in the form of
retainers and meeting fees as set forth in the following table.
|
|
|
|
|
Annual non-executive chairman of the board retainer |
|
$ |
60,000 |
|
Quarterly director retainer |
|
$ |
6,000 |
|
Annual retainer for chairman of a committee |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
Fee for each board meeting attended |
|
$ |
1,500 |
|
Fee for each committee meeting attended |
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
In addition, we reimburse our directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending
meetings of the Board and its committees.
On the first business day of the fiscal year, each of our non-employee directors who have
served for one full year automatically receives a nonqualified stock option grant of 3,750 shares.
Upon the initial election of any new non-employee director, the director receives a nonqualified
stock option grant of 6,250 shares. In both instances, the exercise price is equal to the closing
price of the common stock on the date of grant. The options have a four year life, vest over three
years and the director continues to vest in the option even if service has terminated.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation received by each of the Companys non-employee
Directors. Each non-employee director is considered independent under NASD listing standards.
Their compensation is described in the Summary Compensation Table below. Mr. Engle, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company was a member of the Board of Directors in fiscal 2010 and received
no additional compensation for serving on the Board.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid in |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
Awards(1)(2) |
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Dr. Hubert E. Huckel |
|
|
104,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
(3) |
|
|
110,000 |
|
Mr. David W. Carter |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
(4) |
|
|
13,000 |
|
Mr. Patrick J. McEnany |
|
|
54,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
(3) |
|
|
60,000 |
|
Mr. Craig W. Moore |
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
(5) |
|
|
33,000 |
|
Dr. Mahendra S. Rao |
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
(3) |
|
|
49,000 |
|
Dr. Woodrow Myers,
did not stand
for re-election
at the December 7,
2009 annual
meeting |
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
(3) |
|
|
20,000 |
|
Ms. Tiffany Olson,
resigned
effective March 31,
2010 |
|
|
34,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,000 |
|
17
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts reported in the Option Awards column are the aggregate grant date fair value
of the awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards Codification
topic 718. See Note 1 of notes to Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for fiscal 2010 for the assumptions used in determining such amounts. |
|
(2) |
|
The following table sets forth the aggregate number of option awards held by each
non-employee director as of June 30, 2010: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Number of |
Name |
|
Option Awards |
Dr. Hubert E. Huckel |
|
|
26,750 |
|
Mr. David W. Carter |
|
|
6,250 |
|
Mr. Patrick J. McEnany |
|
|
20,500 |
|
Mr. Craig W. Moore |
|
|
6,250 |
|
Dr. Mahendra S. Rao |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Dr. Woodrow Myers |
|
|
17,500 |
|
Ms. Tiffany Olson |
|
|
6,250 |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
$6,000 reflects the grant date fair value of the annual option awarded to existing directors
who have served for one full year at the time of grant. |
|
(4) |
|
Amount shown relates to Mr. Carters grant of 6,250 shares upon his appointment in May 2010
and reflects the grant date fair value of this award. |
|
(5) |
|
Amount shown relates to Mr. Moores grant of 6,250 shares upon his appointment in December
2009 and reflects the grant date fair value of this award. |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below is information about the executive officers of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Position |
|
Age |
|
Mr. J. Melville Engle
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
60 |
|
Mr. Matthew T. Plavan
|
|
Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President, Business Development
|
|
|
46 |
|
Mr. Jorge Artiles
|
|
VP, Chief Quality and Regulatory Affairs Officer
|
|
|
50 |
|
Mr. Hal Baker
|
|
VP, Commercial Operations
|
|
|
61 |
|
Mr. Moni Shavit
|
|
V.P. of Engineering
|
|
|
60 |
|
The Board of Directors appoints the executive officers. Executive officers serve at the
pleasure of the Board. There are no family relationships between any of the directors, executive
officers or key employees.
18
Biographies
The biography for Mr. Engle can be found under Proposal 1 Election of Directors.
Mr. Matthew Plavan joined ThermoGenesis in May of 2005 as Chief Financial Officer and
currently is our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Business Development. On
September 23, 2008, the Compensation Committee promoted Mr. Plavan to Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer. From December 3, 2008 through April 14, 2009, he served as interim Chief
Executive Officer and from April 14, 2009 Mr. Plavan served as Chief Operating Officer while
continuing to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Effective July 1,
2010, he transitioned to his current role serving as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice
President and head of Business Development. Before joining the Company, Mr. Plavan served from
2002 to 2005 as Chief Financial Officer of StrionAir, Inc., an air purification product development
and marketing company. Prior to that, Mr. Plavan was the Chief Financial Officer for a wireless
device management company, Reason Inc., from 2000 to 2002. During the preceding seven years, 1993
through 2000, Mr. Plavan served in a number of key financial and operating leadership roles within
McKesson and McKesson-acquired companies, including most recently, Vice President of Finance for a
$300 million ehealth division. Prior to that, Mr. Plavan was an audit manager in the Audit and Risk
Advisory Services group of Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Plavan became a Certified Public Accountant in
1992. Mr. Plavan earned his bachelors degree in business economics from the University of
California at Santa Barbara.
Mr. Jorge Artiles joined ThermoGenesis in October 2009 as Vice President, Chief Quality and
Regulatory Affairs Officer. From 2007 until joining ThermoGenesis, Mr. Artiles served as Vice
President, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs at Physio Control, a division of Medtronic. Mr.
Artiles was Vice President, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs for Cytyc Surgical Products. He
holds a BS in Industrial Technology from San Jose State University, an MS in Quality
Assurance/Industrial Technology from San Jose State University and is an ASQ Certified Quality
Engineer.
Mr. Harold (Hal) Baker joined ThermoGenesis in August 2009 as Vice President of Sales and was
appointed Vice President of Commercial Operations in November 2009. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Baker
was Vice President, Global Sales for Hygenic Corporation. He was at Pall Corporation serving as
Senior Vice President, Global Marketing from 2004 to 2005 and Senior Vice President, US Commercial
Operations from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Baker has a BA in Political Science from Miami University
(Oxford, Ohio) and a MA in Political Science from Kent State University.
Mr. Menachem (Moni) Shavit joined ThermoGenesis in August 2008 as Vice President of Research &
Development and in March 2009 he was appointed Vice President of Engineering. He brings more than
20 years of experience in Research & Development to ThermoGenesis. Before joining the Company, Mr.
Shavit worked at several medical companies, including Medivision, Medical Imaging, Ltd., Biogenics,
Ltd., Stryker GI and most recently TRIG Medical, Inc. He holds an MS in Electrical Engineering
(Bio-Medical and Signal Processing) and a BS in Electrical Engineering (Bio-Medical and Signal
Processing) from Polytechnic University of New York.
19
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
section with management and recommends that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section be
included in this proxy statement and included or incorporated by reference in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
Respectfully Submitted,
THERMOGENESIS CORP.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Dr. Mahendra Rao, Ph.D., M.D., Chairman
Dr. Hubert Huckel, M.D.
Mr. Craig W. Moore
Independent Directors of the Company
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This compensation discussion and analysis describes the material elements of the Companys
compensation programs as they relate to our executive officers who are listed in the compensation
tables appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement. This compensation discussion and analysis
focuses on the information contained in the following tables and related footnotes, but also
describes other arrangements and actions taken since the end of fiscal 2010 to the extent such
discussion enhances the understanding of our executive compensation for fiscal 2010. Throughout
this proxy statement, the individuals who served as the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer during fiscal 2010, as well as the other individuals included in the Summary
Compensation Table, are referred to as the named executive officers.
Overview of Compensation Committee Role and Responsibilities
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors oversees our compensation plans and
policies, reviews and approves all decisions concerning the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officers compensation, which may further be approved by the Board, and administers our
stock option and equity plans, including reviewing and approving stock option grants and equity
awards under the plans. The Compensation Committees membership is determined by the Board and is
composed entirely of independent directors.
Management plays a role in the compensation-setting process. The most significant aspects of
managements role are to evaluate employee performance and recommend salary levels and equity
compensation awards. Our Chief Executive Officer often makes recommendations to the Compensation
Committee and the Board concerning compensation for other executive officers. Our Chief Executive
Officer is a member of the Board but does not participate in Board decisions regarding any aspect
of his own compensation. The Compensation Committee can retain independent advisors or consultants
and has done so in the past.
20
Compensation Committee Process
The Compensation Committee reviews executive compensation upon the signing of an employment
agreement, an increase in responsibilities or other factors. With respect to equity compensation
awarded to other employees, the Compensation Committee or the Board grants stock options, often
after receiving a recommendation from our Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee also
evaluates proposals for incentive and performance equity awards, and other compensation.
Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee emphasizes the important link between the Companys performance,
which ultimately affects stockholder value, and the compensation of its executives. Therefore, the
primary goal of the Companys executive compensation policy is to try to align the interests of the
executive officers with the interests of the stockholders. In order to achieve this goal, the
Company attempts to, (i) offer compensation opportunities that attract and retain executives whose
abilities and skills are critical to the long-term success of the Company and reward them for their
efforts in ensuring the success of the Company, (ii) align the Companys compensation programs with
the Companys long-term business strategies and objectives, and (iii) provide variable compensation
opportunities that are directly linked to the Companys performance and stockholder value,
including an equity stake in the Company. Our named executive officers compensation utilizes two
primary components base salary and long-term equity compensation to achieve these goals. There
have been no bonus plan pay-outs as we have not yet obtained profitability. Additionally, the
Compensation Committee may award discretionary bonuses to certain executives based on the
individuals contribution to the achievement of the Companys strategic objectives.
Setting Executive Compensation
We fix executive base compensation at a level we believe enables us to hire and retain
individuals in a competitive environment and to reward satisfactory individual performance and a
satisfactory level of contribution to our overall business goals. We also take into account the
compensation that is paid by companies that we believe to be our competitors and by other companies
with which we believe we generally compete for executives.
In establishing compensation packages for executive officers, numerous factors are considered,
including the particular executives experience, expertise and performance, our companys overall
performance and compensation packages available in the marketplace for similar positions. In
arriving at amounts for each component of compensation, our Compensation Committee strives to
strike an appropriate balance between base compensation and incentive compensation. The
Compensation Committee also endeavors to properly allocate between cash and non-cash compensation
and between annual and long-term compensation.
Base Salary
The Company provides executive officers and other employees with base salary to compensate
them for services rendered during the fiscal year. Subject to the provisions contained in
employment agreements with executive officers concerning base salary amounts, base salaries of the
executive officers are established based upon compensation data of comparable companies in our
market, the executives job responsibilities, level of experience,
21
individual performance and contribution to the business. We believe it is important for the Company
to provide adequate fixed compensation to highly qualified executives in our competitive industry.
In making base salary decisions, the Compensation Committee uses its discretion and judgment based
upon personal knowledge of industry practice but does not apply any specific formula to determine
the base salaries for the executive officers.
Chief Executive Officer. In April 2009, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
Mr. Engle whereby Mr. Engle agreed to serve as Chief Executive Officer. The agreement provided a
base salary rate of $350,000 per year subject to annual increases as may be determined. The
Compensation Committee did not adjust Mr. Engles base salary in fiscal 2010.
Chief Financial Officer and EVP, Business Development. In May 2008, at the conclusion of the
existing employment agreement, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Plavan
whereby Mr. Plavan agreed to serve as Chief Financial Officer. The agreement provided for a base
salary rate of at least $275,000 per year, subject to annual increases as may be determined.
Effective August 1, 2009, the Compensation Committee increased Mr. Plavans annual salary to
$300,000 in recognition of his demonstrated leadership, tenure and additional duties.
Vice President, Chief Quality and Regulatory Affairs Officer. In October 2009, Mr. Artiles
joined the Company with an annual base salary of $245,000.
Vice President, Commercial Operations. In August 2009, Mr. Baker joined the Company as Vice
President of Sales with an annual base salary of $250,000.
Vice President of Engineering. In August 2008, Mr. Shavit joined the Company as Vice
President of Research and Development with an annual base salary of $200,000. In March 2009, Mr.
Shavit was appointed Vice President of Engineering and his annual salary was increased to $215,000.
The Compensation Committee did not adjust Mr. Shavits base salary in fiscal 2010.
401(k) Plan
The Company maintains a retirement savings plan, or 401(k) Plan, for the benefit of our
executives and employees. Our 401(k) Plan is intended to qualify as a defined contribution
arrangement under the Internal Revenue Code (Code). Participants may elect to defer a percentage of
their eligible pretax earnings each year or contribute a fixed amount per pay period up to the
maximum contribution permitted by the Code. All participants plan accounts are 100% vested at all
times. All assets of our 401(k) plan are currently invested, subject to participant-directed
elections, in a variety of mutual funds chosen from time to time by the Plan Administrator.
Distribution of a participants vested interest generally occurs upon termination of employment,
including by reason of retirement, death or disability. Historically, we have not made matching
contributions to the 401(k) Plan.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
The Companys executive officers participate in the Companys other benefit plans on the same
terms as other employees. These plans include medical, dental, life and disability insurance.
Relocation benefits also are reimbursed and are individually negotiated when they
22
occur. The Company reimburses each executive officer for all reasonable business and other expenses
incurred by them in connection with the performance of their duties and obligations under their
employment agreements. The Company does not provide named executive officers with any significant
perquisites or other personal benefits.
Accounting and Tax Considerations
Section 162(m) of the Code limits the Company to a deduction for federal income tax purposes
of up to $1 million of compensation paid to certain named executive officers in a taxable year.
Compensation above $1 million may be deducted if it is performance-based compensation. To
maintain flexibility in compensating executive officers in a manner designed to promote varying
corporate goals and due to the Companys substantial net operating loss carry forwards, the
Compensation Committee has not adopted a policy requiring all compensation to be deductible. The
Compensation Committee intends to continue to evaluate the effects of the compensation limits of
Section 162(m) and to grant compensation awards in the future in a manner consistent with the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders.
COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation paid to our
named executive officers for all of the services they rendered to the Company.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
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Stock |
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Option |
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All Other |
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Awards |
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Awards |
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Compensation |
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Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary ($) |
|
|
Bonus ($) |
|
|
($)(1) |
|
|
($)(1) |
|
|
($) |
|
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Total ($) |
|
J. Melville Engle |
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2010 |
|
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350,000 |
|
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|
|
|
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|
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91,000 |
|
|
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21,000 |
(2) |
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462,000 |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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2009 |
|
|
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73,000 |
(3) |
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|
|
|
|
|
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237,000 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
(4) |
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314,000 |
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Matthew T. Plavan |
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2010 |
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298,000 |
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110,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
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408,000 |
|
CFO & EVP, Business |
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2009 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
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|
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30,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
7,000 |
(5) |
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380,000 |
|
Development |
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2008 |
|
|
|
233,000 |
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
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225,000 |
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6,000 |
(5) |
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464,000 |
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Jorge Artiles |
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2010 |
|
|
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170,000 |
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89,000 |
(6) |
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95,000 |
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94,000 |
(7) |
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448,000 |
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V.P., Chief Quality & |
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Regulatory Affairs Officer |
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Hal Baker |
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2010 |
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221,000 |
(3) |
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65,000 |
(8) |
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97,000 |
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7,000 |
(9) |
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390,000 |
|
V.P., Commercial Operations |
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Moni Shavit |
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2010 |
|
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215,000 |
|
|
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|
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54,000 |
|
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3,000 |
(10) |
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272,000 |
|
V.P., Engineering |
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2009 |
|
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178,000 |
(3) |
|
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50,000 |
(11) |
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74,000 |
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25,000 |
(10) |
|
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327,000 |
|
23
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(1) |
|
The amounts reported in the Option Awards column are the aggregate grant date fair value
of the awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards Codification
topic 718. See Note 1 of notes to Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for fiscal 2010 for the assumptions used in determining such amounts. |
|
(2) |
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Includes $15,000 for an auto allowance. |
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(3) |
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Represents payment for a partial year of employment. |
|
(4) |
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Represents payment for an auto allowance. |
|
(5) |
|
Represents accrued vacation pay. |
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(6) |
|
Represents a hiring bonus of $50,000 and a gross-up for taxes of $39,000. |
|
(7) |
|
Represents $8,000 reimbursement of living expenses for temporary housing, $50,000 related to
relocation activities and $36,000 tax gross-up as per Mr. Artiles offer letter. |
|
(8) |
|
Represents commission payments as Vice President of Commercial Operations. |
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(9) |
|
Represents $7,000 for an auto allowance. |
|
(10) |
|
Represents reimbursement of living expenses for temporary housing. |
|
(11) |
|
Represents a hiring bonus. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2010
The following table provides information relating to stock and options awarded during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.
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All Other |
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Option Awards: |
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Number of |
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Exercise or |
|
Grant Date Fair |
|
|
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|
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Securities |
|
Base Price of |
|
Value of Stock |
|
|
Grant |
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Underlying |
|
Option Awards |
|
and Option |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Date of Meeting |
|
Options (#) |
|
($/SH)(1) |
|
Awards($) |
|
J. Melville Engle |
|
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6/10/10 |
|
|
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6/9/10 |
(2) |
|
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62,500 |
|
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2.32 |
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91,000 |
|
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|
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|
Matthew Plavan |
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7/30/09 |
(3) |
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7/30/09 |
|
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25,000 |
|
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2.54 |
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38,000 |
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6/10/10 |
|
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6/9/10 |
(2) |
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50,000 |
|
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2.32 |
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72,000 |
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|
|
|
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|
Jorge Artiles |
|
|
10/19/09 |
(4) |
|
|
10/19/09 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
41,000 |
|
|
|
|
6/10/10 |
|
|
|
6/9/10 |
(2) |
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
|
54,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Hal Baker |
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8/10/09 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
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25,000 |
|
|
|
2.88 |
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
|
|
6/10/10 |
|
|
|
6/9/10 |
(2) |
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
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54,000 |
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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|
Moni Shavit |
|
|
6/10/10 |
|
|
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6/9/10 |
(2) |
|
|
37,500 |
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2.32 |
|
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54,000 |
|
|
|
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(1) |
|
The exercise price of the options is equal to the closing market price of the common stock
on the grant date, after giving effect to the 1-for-4 reverse stock split which was effective
at the close of business on August 26, 2010. |
|
(2) |
|
At the June 9, 2010 Compensation Committee meeting, the grant date of the option awards was
set as June 10, 2010. The option awards shown vest one-fourth June 10, 2011, one-fourth June
10, 2012, one-fourth June 10, 2013 and one-fourth June 10, 2014. |
|
(3) |
|
The option award shown vests one-third July 30, 2010, one-third July 30, 2011 and one-third
July 30, 2012. |
|
(4) |
|
The option award shown vests one-third October 19, 2010, one-third October 19, 2011 and
one-third October 19, 2012. |
24
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
At the July 30, 2009 Compensation Committee meeting, the grant date of the option awards was
set as the effective date of hire. The option award vests one-third August 10, 2010,
one-third August 10, 2011 and one-third August 10, 2012. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information about outstanding option and stock awards held by the
named executive officers as of June 30, 2010. The awards granted in fiscal 2010 are also disclosed
in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table. The grant date fair value of the awards granted in fiscal
2008, 2009 and 2010 is disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.
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Option Awards |
|
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Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|
Options (#) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
|
J. Melville Engle |
|
|
58,334 |
|
|
|
116,666 |
(1) |
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
|
4/16/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,500 |
(2) |
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
|
6/10/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew Plavan |
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.04 |
|
|
|
5/31/12 |
|
|
|
|
29,167 |
|
|
|
14,583 |
(3) |
|
|
9.24 |
|
|
|
8/10/11 |
|
|
|
|
16,667 |
|
|
|
8,333 |
(4) |
|
|
5.92 |
|
|
|
5/31/12 |
|
|
|
|
4,167 |
|
|
|
8,333 |
(5) |
|
|
2.24 |
|
|
|
1/9/13 |
|
|
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
|
16,667 |
(6) |
|
|
3.08 |
|
|
|
1/30/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
(7) |
|
|
2.54 |
|
|
|
7/30/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
(2) |
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
|
6/10/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jorge Artiles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
(8) |
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
10/19/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,500 |
(2) |
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
|
6/10/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hal Baker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
(9) |
|
|
2.88 |
|
|
|
8/10/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,500 |
(2) |
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
|
6/10/15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moni Shavit |
|
|
4,167 |
|
|
|
8,333 |
(10) |
|
|
7.32 |
|
|
|
8/18/12 |
|
|
|
|
5,833 |
|
|
|
11,667 |
(6) |
|
|
3.08 |
|
|
|
1/30/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,500 |
(2) |
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
|
6/10/15 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
58,333 options to vest on each April 16, 2011 and April 16, 2012. |
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(2) |
|
One-fourth vests on each of June 10, 2011, June 10, 2012, June 10, 2013 and June 10, 2014. |
|
(3) |
|
Vests on August 10, 2010. |
|
(4) |
|
Vests on May 31, 2011. |
|
(5) |
|
One-half vests on each of January 9, 2011 and January 9, 2012. |
|
(6) |
|
One-half vests on each of January 30, 2011 and January 30, 2012. |
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(7) |
|
One-third vests on each of July 30, 2010, July 30, 2011 and July 30, 2012. |
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(8) |
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One-third vests on each of October 19, 2010, October 19, 2011 and October 19, 2012. |
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(9) |
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One-third vests on each August 10, 2010, August 10, 2011 and August 10, 2012. |
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(10) |
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One-half vests on each August 18, 2010 and August 18, 2011. |
25
Potential Payments upon Termination and Change in Control
The following table describes the potential payments upon a hypothetical termination without
cause or due to a change of control of the Company on June 30, 2010 for the NEOs. The actual
amounts that may be paid upon an executives termination of employment can only be determined at
the actual time of such termination.
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Termination Without Cause |
|
Termination following a Change of |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acceleration |
|
Control(1) (2) |
|
|
|
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|
|
Heath |
|
of Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health |
|
|
Name |
|
Salary |
|
Benefits |
|
Vesting(3) |
|
Total |
|
Salary |
|
Benefits |
|
Total |
|
J. Engle |
|
$ |
263,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
263,000 |
|
|
$ |
525,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
525,000 |
|
M. Plavan |
|
$ |
300,000 |
(5) |
|
$ |
13,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
313,000 |
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
J. Artiles |
|
$ |
123,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
137,000 |
|
|
$ |
368,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
382,000 |
|
H. Baker |
|
$ |
125,000 |
(1) |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
385,000 |
|
M. Shavit |
|
$ |
215,000 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
215,000 |
|
|
$ |
430,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
430,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Payable in a lump-sum payment. |
|
(2) |
|
Company policy also provides for selected Executive Officers and Vice Presidents to receive a
one time payment equal to twelve months base salary in the event there is a Change of Control
and the participant continues to work in their current position with no significant changes. |
|
(3) |
|
This table does not include an estimate for the acceleration of vesting of stock options upon
a change of control as this benefit is available to all employees with outstanding stock
options as provided in the Equity Plans at the discretion of the Plan Administrator. |
|
(4) |
|
Payable in biweekly installments for nine months. |
|
(5) |
|
Payable in biweekly installments for one year. |
Under the employment agreement of Mr. Engle cause is defined as:
(i) |
|
willful or habitual breach of Executives duties; |
|
(ii) |
|
fraud, dishonesty, deliberate injury or intentional material misrepresentation by Executive
to Employer or any others; |
|
(iii) |
|
embezzlement, theft or conversion by Executive; |
|
(iv) |
|
unauthorized disclosure or other use of Employers trade secrets, customer lists or
confidential information; |
|
(v) |
|
habitual misuse of alcohol or any non-prescribed drug or intoxicant; |
|
(vi) |
|
willful misconduct that causes material harm to Employer, |
|
(vii) |
|
willful violation of any other standards of conduct as set forth in Employers employee
manual and policies, |
|
(viii) |
|
conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or misdemeanor involving
moral turpitude, |
|
(ix) |
|
continuing failure to communicate and fully disclose material information to the Board of
Directors, the failure of which would adversely impact the Company or may result in a
violation of state or federal law, including securities laws, or |
|
(x) |
|
debarment by any federal agency that would limit or prohibit Executive from serving in his
capacity for Employer under this Agreement. |
Under the employment agreement of Mr. Plavan cause is defined as:
i) |
|
willful or habitual breach of employees duties; |
|
ii) |
|
fraud or intentional material misrepresentation by employee; |
|
iii) |
|
theft or conversion |
26
iv) |
|
unauthorized disclosure or other use of the Companys trade secrets,
customer lists or confidential information; |
|
v) |
|
habitual misuse of alcohol or any non-prescribed drug or intoxicant; |
|
vi) |
|
debarment by any federal agency that would limit or prohibit the executive from serving in
his capacity under the agreement; |
|
vii) |
|
willful violation of any other standards of conduct as set forth n the Companys employee
manual and policies. |
Under Mr. Shavits offer letter cause is defined as:
Willful breach of duty in the course of employment, unfair competition, dishonesty or fraud
which materially affects the Company, conviction of felony or other crime involving moral
turpitude, or habitual neglect of duty.
Under each employment agreement and the Companys Executive Change of Control Policy, change of
control means an event involving one transaction or a related series of transaction in which one
of the following occurs:
i) |
|
the Company issues securities equal to 33% or more of the Companys issued and outstanding
voting securities, determined as a single class; |
|
ii) |
|
the Company issues securities equal to 33% or more of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company in connection
with a merger, consolidation or other business combination; |
|
iii) |
|
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the Company is not the surviving
company; or |
|
iv) |
|
all or substantially all of the Companys assets are sold or transferred. |
Long-term Equity Compensation
The Compensation Committee provides the Companys executive officers with long-term equity
compensation in the form of stock option grants or restricted stock grants under the Companys 2006
Equity Incentive Plan (the Equity Plan). The ability to provide equity incentives, through the
granting of stock options and other equity-based compensation, gives the Compensation Committee the
ability to create a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation programs to promote
high performance and achievement of corporate goals by executives and employees. The Compensation
Committee believes that stock based compensation provides the Companys executive officers with the
opportunity to maintain an equity interest in the Company and to share in the appreciation of the
value of the Companys common stock, thereby motivating the executive to maximize long-term
stockholder value. It is the Companys practice to grant options or restricted stock from time to
time to executive officers at the fair market value of the Companys common stock on the date of
grant. The option grants also place what can be a significant element of compensation at risk,
because stock options have value for the executive only if the market price of the Companys stock
increases above the fair market value on the grant date and the executive remains in the Companys
employ for the period required for the shares to vest. The Compensation Committee considers each
grant subjectively, considering factors such as the individual performance of the executive
officer, the anticipated contribution of the executive officer to the attainment of the Companys
long-term strategic performance goals and the need to retain key employees. The number of stock
options
27
or restricted stock shares granted to other executives in prior years and the total number of
shares available for issuance under the Equity Plans are also taken into consideration.
Stock options typically have been granted to executive officers when the executive first joins
the Company, in connection with a significant change in responsibilities, in response to changes in
industry practices and, occasionally, to achieve equity within a peer group. The Compensation
Committee may, however, grant additional stock options to executives and employees for other
reasons. Awards of equity-based compensation are not routinely made but may occur throughout the
year. Stock options granted to the named executive officers have vesting schedules ranging from
three to four years. Generally, we do not time the granting of our options or awards with any
favorable or unfavorable news released by the Company, except that on occasion, the Compensation
Committee times the grant to occur after information concerning the Company is publicly released.
Although the Company has historically only issued stock options and restricted shares, it may
in the future grant stock appreciation rights, or other equity-based compensation as permitted in
the Equity Plans and as determined appropriate by the Compensation Committee.
On July 30, 2009, the Compensation Committee granted a four-year stock option to Mr. Plavan to
purchase 25,000 shares. In determining the amount of the grant, the Compensation Committee took
into account Mr. Plavans existing options and calculated potential gains with assumed increases in
stock price.
In connection with Mr. Bakers hire, on August 10, 2009, the Compensation Committee granted a
four-year stock option to Mr. Baker to purchase up to 25,000 shares. In determining the amount of
the grant, the Compensation Committee took into account Mr. Bakers position, experience and the
number of options granted to other officers.
In connection with Mr. Artiles hire, on October 19, 2009, the Compensation Committee granted
a four-year stock option to Mr. Artiles to purchase up to 25,000 shares. In determining the amount
of the grant, the Compensation Committee took into account Mr. Artiles position, experience and
the number of options granted to other officers.
In June 2010, management prepared an analysis of stock-based compensation for executives, vice
presidents, director level and other key employees. In preparation for this analysis, the
Companys peer group was reviewed and updated. This peer group was based upon certain criteria
including financial metrics and similarity of markets served. The companies comprising our updated
peer group are: Cytori, Orthovita, Cepheid, CryoLife, Abiomed, Cardiovascular Systems,
Immunomedics, Osiris, Cerus, Vision Sciences, Inc. and Orthofix. The analysis compared each
individuals three year projected gain based on existing stock grants and stock price increase
assumptions utilizing our peer groups experience. Management proposed a five-year grant for each
executive to narrow the gap between our executives potential gain and that of the average gain for
comparable executives from certain peer group companies. In order to minimize the impact on near
term profitability and dilution, 50% of the grants were effective June 10, 2010 and the other 50%
will be deemed granted on February 15, 2011, after the release
28
of our fiscal 2011 second quarter financial results. The exercise price for the second traunch
will be set as the closing stock price on February 15, 2011.
In June 2010, the Compensation Committee approved a new Company policy regarding the granting
of equity based compensation awards. The policy provides for an annual grant of equity-based
compensation awards to be approved by the Committee at the first regularly scheduled Compensation
Committee meeting in the third fiscal quarter of each year.
Bonuses
The bonus component of executive compensation is designed to reflect the Compensation
Committees belief that a portion of the compensation of each executive officer should be
contingent upon the performance of the Company, as well as the individual contribution of each
executive officer. The bonus is intended to motivate and reward executive officers by allowing the
executive officers to directly benefit from the success of the Company. We have not historically
paid any automatic or guaranteed bonuses to our executive officers as we have not obtained
profitability. However, we have from time to time paid signing, retention or other bonuses to
particular executive officers. All executive employment contracts provide generally for a
discretionary bonus of up to 35% of the executives base salary, which is to be determined by the
Compensation Committee based on individual performance criteria and Company achievement of
profitability during the year.
In July 2009, the Compensation Committee approved the Management Bonus Plan (MBP) whose
purpose is to align the Corporate and Management focus and to reward and retain high performers.
The MBP is an objective-based, results-oriented program that is driven by corporate objectives and
is paid out by overall corporate and individual performance. The Plan consists of a measure of
corporate and personal objectives, an At Plan bonus rate and a multiplier methodology that
measures a payout at the end of the fiscal year. No bonuses are paid out unless the Company
achieves profitability. As the Company did not attain profitability in fiscal 2010, no bonuses
were earned or paid out under the MBP. With the establishment of the MBP, the Company has a
comprehensive and competitive total compensation program.
Risk Assessment
We do not believe that risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are
reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. We believe our approach to
goal setting and evaluation of performance results assist in mitigating excessive risk-taking that
could harm our value or reward poor judgment by our executives. We believe we have allocated our
compensation among base salary and short-and long-term compensation opportunities in such a way as
to not encourage risk-taking. The multi-year vesting of our equity awards are intended to properly
account for the time horizon of risk. Our insider trading policy prohibits short selling of our
Companys stock or the purchase or sale of puts or calls for speculative purposes.
Severance and Change in Control Agreements
The Company has entered into employment agreements with Mr. Engle, our CEO and Mr. Plavan, our
CFO and EVP, Business Development. These agreements include provisions for severance payments in
certain circumstances. Except for those named, the Company has moved
29
away from employment agreements in general. Other named executive officers have been granted
change of control provisions in their offer letter or by company policy. The Compensation
Committee considers these agreements to provide the named executive officers with the ability to
make appropriate, informed decisions on strategy and direction of the Company that may adversely
impact their particular positions, but nevertheless are appropriate for the Company and its
shareholders. Our Compensation Committee believes that companies should provide reasonable
severance benefits to employees, recognizing that it may be difficult for them to find comparable
employment within a short period of time and that severance arrangements may be necessary to
attract highly qualified officers in a competitive hiring environment. Additional information
concerning the terms of the Companys employment, severance and change in control arrangements
appears elsewhere in this proxy statement under the headings, Employment Agreements and
Potential Payments Upon a Change in Control.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
..
The following table provides information for all of the Companys equity compensation
plans and individual compensation arrangements in effect as of June 30, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Weighted- |
|
Number of securities |
|
|
securities to be |
|
average |
|
remaining available for |
|
|
issued upon |
|
exercise price |
|
future issuance under |
|
|
exercise of |
|
of outstanding |
|
equity compensation |
|
|
outstanding |
|
options, |
|
plans (excluding |
|
|
options, warrants |
|
warrants and |
|
securities reflected in |
Plan Category |
|
and rights |
|
rights |
|
column (a)(1)) |
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
1,225,955 |
|
|
$ |
4.36 |
|
|
|
329,603 |
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,225,955 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
329,603 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Under the Companys 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, the number of shares of common stock equal
to six percent (6%) of the number of outstanding shares of the Company are authorized to be
used. Under this provision, the number of shares available to grant for awards will increase
at the beginning of each fiscal year if options were granted or additional shares of common
stock were issued in the preceding fiscal year. |
30
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee oversees the financial reporting process for the Company on behalf of the
Board of Directors. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee (i) reviews
the financial statements, (ii) reviews managements and the independent registered public
accounting firms results of testing of the internal controls over the financial reporting process,
(iii) reviews and concurs with managements appointment, termination or replacement of the Chief
Financial Officer, (iv) consults with and reviews the services provided by the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
regarding the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm, and (v) reviews
reports received from regulators and other legal and regulatory matters that may have a material
effect on the financial statements or related company compliance policies. The Companys management
has primary responsibility for preparing the financial statements and establishing the Companys
financial reporting process and internal control over financial reporting. Company management is
also responsible for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting. The Companys independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, is
responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Companys audited financial
statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Depending on the reporting status of
the Company, the independent registered public accounting firm may also be responsible for issuing
a report on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting. The Audit
Committees responsibilities include oversight of these processes.
In accordance with Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 61 (codification of Statements
on Auditing Standards, AU§ 380), as adopted by the Public Company Oversight Board in Rule 3200T,
the audit committee had discussions with management and the independent registered public
accounting firm regarding the acceptability and the quality of the accounting principles used in
the reports. These discussions included the clarity of the disclosures made therein, the underlying
estimates and assumptions used in the financial reporting, and the reasonableness of the
significant judgments and management decisions made in developing the financial statements. In
addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm
their independence from the Company and its management and the independent registered public
accounting firm provided the written disclosures and the letter required by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning
Independence and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the independent
registered public accounting firms independence.
On an annual basis, the Audit Committee obtains from the independent registered public
accounting firm a written communication delineating all their relationships and professional
services as required by The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Rule 3526,
Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence. In addition, review with the
independent registered public accounting firm the nature and scope of any disclosed relationships
or professional services and take, or recommend that the Board of Directors take, appropriate
action to ensure the continuing independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.
31
The Audit Committee has also met and discussed with the Companys management, and its
independent registered public accounting firm, issues related to the overall scope and objectives
of the audits conducted, the internal controls used by the Company and the selection of the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed
with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, the
specific results of audit investigations and examinations and the independent registered public
accounting firms judgments regarding any and all of the above issues.
Pursuant to the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
THERMOGENESIS CORP.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Mr. Patrick J. McEnany, Chairman
Dr. Hubert E. Huckel
Mr. Craig W. Moore
Independent Directors of the Company
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table summarizes the fees of Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered
public accounting firm, billed to us for each of the last two fiscal years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fee Category |
|
Fiscal 2010 |
|
|
Fiscal 2009 |
|
Audit Fees(1) |
|
$ |
492,000 |
|
|
$ |
495,000 |
|
Audit-related(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees(3) |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,000 |
|
All Other Fees(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
512,000 |
|
|
$ |
512,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The audit fees for fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 consisted of fees for the audit of our
financial statements, the audit of our internal control over financial reporting, the
review of the interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
and other professional services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory
filings or engagements. |
|
(2) |
|
There were no fees for audit-related services by Ernst & Young LLP for the fiscal years
ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. |
|
(3) |
|
Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance, which relate to the preparation of federal
and state tax returns. |
|
(4) |
|
There were no fees for other services by Ernst & Young LLP for the fiscal years ended
June 30, 2010 and 2009. |
32
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the
independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the Audit Committee Charter.
PROPOSAL NO. 2. RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG, LLP.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (EY) as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.
EY also served as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for our 2010 fiscal
year. The Board of Directors concurs with the appointment and is submitting the appointment of EY
as our independent registered public accounting firm for stockholder ratification at the annual
meeting.
A representative of EY is expected to be present at the annual meeting. The EY representative
will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she wishes to do so and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Our Bylaws do not require that the stockholders ratify the appointment of EY as our
independent registered public accounting firm. We are seeking ratification because we believe it is
a good corporate governance practice. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit
Committee will reconsider whether to retain EY, but may retain EY in any event. Even if the
appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any
time during the year if it determines that a change would be in the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR
THE CURRENT YEAR.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE NEXT
THERMOGENESIS ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals by stockholders intended to be presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
must be received by us not later than July 18, 2011, for consideration for possible inclusion in
the proxy statement relating to that meeting. All proposals must meet the requirements of Rule
14a-8 of the Exchange Act.
For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in next years proxy statement (as
described in the preceding paragraph), but is instead intended to be presented directly at next
years annual meeting, SEC rules permit management to vote proxies in its discretion if the Company
(a) receives notice of the proposal before the close of business on October 14, 2011, and advises
stockholders in the next years proxy statement about the nature of the matter and how management
intends to vote on such matter, or (b) does not receive notice of the proposal prior to the close
of business on October 14, 2011.
33
Notices of intention to present proposals at the 2011 Annual Meeting should be addressed to
the Assistant Corporate Secretary, ThermoGenesis Corp., 2711 Citrus Road, Rancho Cordova,
California 95742. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order or take other
appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other
applicable requirements.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, including audited
consolidated financial statements, has been mailed to stockholders concurrently with this proxy
statement, but such report is not incorporated in this Proxy Statement and is not deemed to be a
part of the proxy solicitation material. The Company is required to file annual reports on Form
10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other information with the
SEC. The public can obtain copies of these materials by visiting the SECs Public Reference 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330, or by accessing the
SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Additional copies of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, will be provided to stockholders without charge upon request.
Stockholders should direct any such requests to ThermoGenesis Corp., 2711 Citrus Road, Rancho
Cordova, California 95742, Attention: Assistant Corporate Secretary.
TRANSACTIONS OF OTHER BUSINESS AT THE THERMOGENESIS ANNUAL MEETING
We do not know of any business to be presented for action at the meeting other than those
items listed in the notice of the meeting and referred to herein. If any other matters properly
come before the meeting, including adjournment, it is intended that the proxies will be voted in
respect thereof in accordance with their best judgment pursuant to discretionary authority granted
in the proxy.
ALL STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO EXECUTE THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND TO RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. STOCKHOLDERS MAY REVOKE ANY PROXY IF SO DESIRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS
VOTED.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. David C. Adams, |
|
|
|
|
Corporate Secretary |
|
|
October 22, 2010
Rancho Cordova, California
34
IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION |
Electronic Voting Instructions |
You can vote by Internet or telephone!
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! |
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose
one of the two voting methods outlined below to
vote your proxy. |
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. |
Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be |
received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on December 10,
2010. |
Log on to the Internet
and go to
www.envisionreports.com/KO
OL |
Follow the steps outlined on the secured website. |
Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE
(8683) within the USA, US territories &
Canada any time on a touch tone
telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for
the call. |
Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message. |
Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in X |
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. |
Annual Meeting Proxy Card |
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM
PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. |
A Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR
Proposal 2. |
1. Election of Directors: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold |
01 Hubert E. Huckel, M.D.* 02 David W. Carter* 03 Patrick J. McEnany* |
04 Craig W. Moore* 05 Mahendra S. Rao, Ph.D., M.D.* 06 J. Melville Engle* |
* Each to serve until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the
fiscal year 2011. |
2. To ratify appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the 3. In their discretion, the proxies are
Companys independent registered public accounting authorized to vote upon such other
firm for fiscal year 2011. business as may properly come before the
Meeting, including adjournment. |
Change of Address Please print new
address below. |
C Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted.
Date and Sign Below |
Please sign exactly as name appears. When shares are held by joint tenants or more than one
person, all owners should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor, administrator, trustee,
or guardian, |
please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by
President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person. |
Signature 1 Signature 2 -
Please keep Please keep
signature within signature within
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. the box. the box. |
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND
RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. |
Proxy ThermoGenesis Corp. Common Stock |
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. |
The undersigned hereby appoints J. Melville Engle and Matthew T. Plavan as proxies, each with
full power to appoint substitutes, and hereby authorizes them or either of them to represent and to
vote as designated below, all the shares of common stock of ThermoGenesis Corp. held of record by
the undersigned as of October 22, 2010, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at
Sacramento Marriott, Rancho Cordova, located at 11211 Point East Dr., Rancho Cordova, Ca. 95742, at
9:00 a.m., (PST), on December 10, 2010, and any adjournments or postponements thereof, and hereby
ratifies all that said attorneys and proxies may do by virtue hereof. |
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL PROPOSALS. |
THIS PROXY ALSO DELEGATES DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO VOTE WITH RESPECT TO OTHER BUSINESS WHICH
PROPERLY MAY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF. IN THEIR
DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE
THE MEETING. |
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