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OMB APPROVAL |
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OMB Number:
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3235-0059 |
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Expires:
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February 28, 2006 |
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12.75 |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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x 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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o Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
ELECTRIC CITY CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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x No fee required. |
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o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11. |
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (11-01) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid
OMB control number. |
1280 Landmeier Road
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
March 31, 2005
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I cordially invite you to
attend the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at
10:00 a.m., local time, on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at
the Holiday Inn Hotel, 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove
Village, Illinois 60007. The formal notice of the Annual Meeting
appears on the following page.
The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement
contain detailed information about the matters that we expect to
act upon at the Annual Meeting.
Please sign, date and specify your choices on the enclosed proxy
card and promptly return it in the enclosed business reply
envelope. This will help insure that your shares are represented
at the Annual Meeting, whether or not you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may revoke your
proxy and personally cast your vote.
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting and urge you
to return your proxy card as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Electric City Corp.
John P. Mitola
Chief Executive Officer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ELECTRIC CITY CORP.
1280 Landmeier Road
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held May 4, 2005
To the Stockholders of
Electric
City Corp.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Electric City Corp. will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel,
1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 at
10:00 a.m. local time, on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, for
the following purposes:
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To elect six directors to our Board of Directors; |
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To amend our Certificate of incorporation to increase our
authorized capital stock and authorized Common Stock; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the
proxy statement accompanying this notice. The Board of Directors
has fixed the close of business on March 7, 2005 as the
record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors encourages you to complete, sign and date
the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the enclosed
postage prepaid envelope, regardless of whether you plan to
attend the Annual Meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Robert J. Manning |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
March 31, 2005
ELECTRIC CITY CORP.
1280 Landmeier Road
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held Wednesday, May 4, 2005
This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being
furnished to our stockholders in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Electric
City Corp., a Delaware corporation (Electric City or
the Company), for use at our Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, 1000 Busse
Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 at 10:00 a.m. local
time, on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, and any adjournments
thereof. This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy
are first being mailed to stockholders on or about
April 14, 2005.
Solicitation
The cost of this proxy solicitation will be borne by Electric
City. We may request banks, brokers, fiduciaries, custodians,
nominees and certain other record holders to send proxies, proxy
statements and other materials to their principals at our
expense. Those banks, brokers, fiduciaries, custodians, nominees
and other record holders will be reimbursed by us for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of solicitation. We do not
anticipate that costs and expenses incurred in connection with
this proxy solicitation will exceed an amount normally expended
for a proxy solicitation for an election of directors in the
absence of a contest. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail,
Electric City and its directors, officers and regular employees
may also solicit proxies personally, by telephone or by other
appropriate means. No additional compensation will be paid to
directors, officers or other regular employees for such services.
Record Date and Outstanding Shares
Our Board of Directors fixed the close of business on
March 7, 2005 as the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual
Meeting or any adjournments thereof. As of the close of business
on the record date, we had 41,762,610 shares of Common
Stock and 223,252 shares of Preferred Stock with voting
rights as to certain matters outstanding. Each outstanding share
of Common Stock on such date is entitled to one vote on each
matter to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, and each
outstanding share of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
is entitled to one hundred votes on each matter, other than the
election of directors, to be voted at the Annual Meeting.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
voted in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to
elect the nominees to the Board of Directors. Stockholders will
not be allowed to cumulate their votes in the election of
directors.
Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
The required quorum for transaction of business at the Annual
Meeting will be a majority of the total votes of the shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock issued and outstanding as of
the record date, except that for purposes of electing directors
the required quorum will be a majority of the total votes of the
shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the record
date. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting
will be tabulated by the election inspector appointed for the
meeting and will be taken into account in determining whether or
not a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes, which
occur when a broker has not received customer instructions and
indicates that it does not have the discretionary authority to
vote on a particular matter on the proxy card, will be included
in determining the presence of a quorum at the
Annual Meeting. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will
have any effect on the vote for the election of directors.
Voting of Proxies; Revocability of Proxies
Our Board of Directors selected Jeffrey R. Mistarz and Denis
Enberg, the persons named as proxies on the proxy card
accompanying this proxy statement, to serve as proxy.
Mr. Mistarz is our executive vice president, chief
financial officer, treasurer and assistant secretary and
Mr. Enberg is our senior vice president of engineering. The
shares of Common Stock represented by each executed and returned
proxy will be voted in accordance with the directions indicated
thereon, or if no direction is indicated, the proxy will be
voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of
Directors contained in this proxy statement. Members of the
Companys management intend to vote their shares in favor
of each of the proposals.
You can revoke a proxy you have given at any time before the
shares it represents are voted by giving our secretary either
(1) an instrument revoking the proxy or (2) a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date. Additionally, you may
change or revoke a previously executed proxy by voting in person
at the Annual Meeting. However, your attendance at the Annual
Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
Annual Report to Stockholders
We are simultaneously furnishing to you with this proxy
statement our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004, which contains financial and other
information pertaining to us.
2
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, six nominees to the Board of Directors
will be elected to hold office for a one year term ending at our
2006 Annual Meeting of stockholders or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified. All nominees listed
below are currently members of our Board of Directors and have
consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve as
directors, if elected. If, at the time of the Annual Meeting,
any nominee becomes unavailable or declines to serve as a
director for any reason, the persons named in the proxy will
vote for the substitute nominee(s) as the Board of Directors
recommends, or vote to allow the vacancy created by the nominee
who is unable or declines to serve to remain open until filled
by the Board of Directors, as the Board of Directors recommends.
The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee
will be unable or decline to serve if elected to office.
The number of directors has been set at 12 by resolution of the
Board. On September 7, 2001, we closed on an issuance of
our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
(Series A Preferred Stock) with certain
investors. With respect to this issuance, we entered into a
Stockholders Agreement with the investors that provided (among
other things) the investors the right to elect up to
(i) four directors for so long as at least
800,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were
outstanding, (ii) three directors for so long as at least
600,000 but less than 800,000 shares of Series A
Preferred Stock were outstanding, (iii) two directors for
so long as at least 400,000 but less than 600,000 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock were outstanding and (iv) one
director for so long as at least 200,000 but less than
400,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were
outstanding.
On June 4, 2002, we closed on an issuance of Series C
Convertible Preferred Stock with an individual and amended the
Stockholders Agreement to include the Series C Preferred
Stockholders participation in the Stockholders Agreement.
Shares of Series C Preferred Stock were included with the
Series A Preferred Stock in determining the number of
directors the holders thereof could elect.
On June 27, 2003, we closed on an issuance of our
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock with a group of
investors. These holders did not have a right to vote with the
Series A Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock
in choosing directors.
On March 19, 2004, we entered into a Redemption and
Exchange Agreement with the holders of our outstanding
Series A Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock and
Series D Preferred Stock (collectively, the Existing
Preferred Stock) under which we agreed to redeem
538,462 shares of Existing Preferred Stock (the
Redemption) and to exchange shares of our newly
authorized Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (the
Series E Preferred) for all remaining
outstanding shares of Existing Preferred Stock on a 1 for 10
basis (one share of Series E Preferred exchanged for
10 shares of Existing Preferred Stock). As a result, the
only Preferred Stock now outstanding are shares of Series E
Preferred Stock. The holders of the Series E Preferred
Stock have the right to elect up to (i) four directors for
so long as at least 90,000 shares of Series E
Preferred Stock are outstanding, (ii) three directors for
so long as at least 65,000 but less than 90,000 shares of
Series E Preferred Stock are outstanding, (iii) two
directors for so long as at least 45,000 but less than
65,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are
outstanding and (iv) one director for so long as at least
20,000 but less than 45,000 shares of Series E
Preferred Stock are outstanding. If less than 20,000 shares
of Series E Preferred Stock are outstanding, unless
otherwise provided by law, each holder of record of
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock has the right to vote
on an as-converted basis together with the holders of Common
Stock on all matters on which holders of Common Stock are
entitled to vote, including the election of directors.
On March 25, 2005, the preferred stockholders held
222,595 shares of the Series E Preferred Stock.
Accordingly, the holders of the Series E Preferred Stock
are entitled to elect up to four directors (out of 12) to
our board. Except for the election of directors nominated by our
Board of Directors for election, holders of the Series E
Preferred Stock are entitled to vote with the holders of our
Common Stock on an as-converted basis on all matters on which
our holders of Common Stock are entitled to vote.
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NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
The following table presents the names of the nominees for the
office of director, as well as certain information about them.
As of the date of this filing, the Board of Directors has not
nominated any individuals for the two vacant director positions,
because it has not identified additional qualified candidates
who are willing to serve. Proxies can not be voted for a greater
number of persons than the number of nominees named.
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Served as | |
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Position Held with the Company |
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Director Since | |
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John P. Mitola
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40 |
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Chief Executive Officer and Director |
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1999 |
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Robert J. Manning
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62 |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director(2)(3) |
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2000 |
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David R. Asplund
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47 |
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Director(3) |
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2002 |
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John C. Bukovski
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62 |
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Director(1) |
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2004 |
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Gerald A. Pientka
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49 |
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Director(1)(2) |
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2000 |
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Michael S. Stelter
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48 |
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Director |
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1998 |
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Member of our Audit Committee. |
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Member of our Compensation Committee. |
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Member of our Governance and Nominating Committee. |
DIRECTORS APPOINTED AND ELECTED BY THE HOLDERS OF OUR
SERIES E CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The following table presents the name of the director appointed
and elected by the holders of our Series E Preferred Stock,
as well as certain information about him. This information, as
well as the informational disclosures regarding him, is
presented for information purposes only. The Series E
Preferred holders are entitled to appoint and elect three
additional directors (for a total of 4 directors) which
positions are vacant as of March 25, 2005.
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Director Since | |
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David W. Valentine
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35 |
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Director(3) |
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2004 |
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Member of our Audit Committee. |
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Member of our Compensation Committee. |
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Member of our Governance and Nominating Committee. |
Nominees for Election
John P. Mitola has been one of our directors since
November 1999 and has been our chief executive officer since
January 2000. From August 1993 until joining us, Mr. Mitola
was with Unicom Thermal Technologies (now Exelon Thermal
Technologies), Unicom (now Exelon) Corporations largest
(at that time) unregulated subsidiary, serving most recently as
vice president and general manager. Mr. Mitola led the
growth of Unicom Thermal through the development of Unicom
Thermals
Northwindtm
ice technology and through thermal energy joint ventures between
Unicom Thermal and several leading electric utility companies
across North America. Prior to his appointment at Unicom
Thermal, Mr. Mitola was director of business development
for Commonwealth Edison Company, the local electric utility
serving Chicago, Illinois and the northern Illinois region.
Since April 2003, Mr. Mitola has also served as the
chairman of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, appointed
by the Governor of Illinois.
David R. Asplund was nominated to our Board of Directors
during June 2002. Mr. Asplund is, and has been, the founder
and President of Delano Group Securities, LLC since October
1999. From March 1995
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through October 1999, Mr. Asplund was employed by Bear,
Stearns and Company, Inc., serving as a Senior Managing Director
from July 1997 until October 1999.
John C. Bukovski has been one of our directors since
January 2004. From January 1992 until his retirement in January
2002, Mr. Bukovski was the Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Commonwealth Edison Company, the largest
subsidiary of Unicom (now Exelon) Corporation. During his
thirty-seven year career with Commonwealth Edison
Mr. Bukovski held a variety of management positions within
the company. During the 1990s Mr. Bukovski served on
the Board of Directors of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in
Chicago, Illinois.
Robert J. Manning has been one of our directors since May
2000 and Chairman of our Board of Directors since January 2001.
Mr. Manning is a co-founder and a member of Groupe Manning
LLC. From April 1997 until his retirement in January 2000,
Mr. Manning served as executive vice president of Unicom
(now Exelon) Corporation and its largest subsidiary,
Commonwealth Edison Company, where his responsibilities included
managing the sale of Commonwealth Edisons fossil
generating fleet. During his thirty-five year career at Unicom,
Mr. Manning was involved in all aspects of electric
generation, consumer service and transmission and distribution
operations.
Gerald A. Pientka has been one of our directors since May
2000. Mr. Pientka is currently, and has been since
September 2003, a Principal of Verus Partners, a real estate
development company located in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to this,
from May 1999 through March 2003, Mr. Pientka was President
of Higgins Development Partners, LLC (the successor to Walsh,
Higgins & Company), a national real estate development
company controlled by the Pritzker family interests. From May
1992 until May 1999, Mr. Pientka served as President of
Walsh, Higgins & Company. Mr. Pientka is also a
member of Leaf Mountain Company, LLC, which is a holder of
shares of our Series E Convertible Preferred Stock.
Michael S. Stelter is one of our co-founders and has been
one of our directors since our incorporation in June 1998.
Currently, Mr. Stelter is the President and owner of
Switchboard Distribution Systems LLC and a part owner of
Switchboard Apparatus, Inc., which was divested by Electric City
effective May 31, 2003. Since joining our organization in
December 1997, through May 2003 Mr. Stelter served as our
Vice President of Switchgear Sales. Mr. Stelter was our
Corporate Secretary from June 1998 until October 2000. From 1986
until May 1999, Mr. Stelter served as Vice President of
Marino Electric.
DIRECTORS APPOINTED AND ELECTED BY THE HOLDERS OF OUR
SERIES E CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
David W. Valentine has been one of our directors since
May 2004 and is an appointee of the holders of our Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock. Mr. Valentine is currently the
President of KVG Partners LLC, a private equity firm. From March
2000 to March 2004, Mr. Valentine was the Global Head of
Debt Private Placements at UBS Investment Bank. From March 1998
to March 2000, he served as an Associate Director at Nesbitt
Burns Securities Inc. in the Debt Capital Markets, and from
August 1996 to March 1998 he was an Assistant Vice President of
ABN Amro in its capital markets area.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
FOR
THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR THE OFFICE OF
DIRECTOR.
PROPOSAL 2.
PROPOSAL TO AMEND OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE OUR AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK AND AUTHORIZED COMMON
STOCK
The Board of Directors has unanimously approved, subject to
stockholder approval, an amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation to increase our authorized number of shares of
capital stock from 125,000,000 to 205,000,000 and our authorized
number of shares of Common Stock from 120,000,000 to
200,000,000. No changes will be made to the number of authorized
shares of our preferred stock, which is 5,000,000. If
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approved, the first sentence of Article 4 of our
Certificate of Incorporation will be amended in its entirety to
read as follows:
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The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation
shall have authority to issue is 205,000,000, consisting of
200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, with a par value of
$.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, with a par value of $.01 per share (hereinafter, the
Capital Stock). |
As of March 25, 2005, we had
(1) 41,828,310 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding, (2) 22,259,500 shares of Common Stock
reserved for conversion of Series E Convertible Preferred
Stock (including shares of Series E Convertible Preferred
Stock issued to date as payment for dividends),
(3) 11,277,015 shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options,
(4) 11,334,867 shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants,
(5) 2,274,756 shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance upon conversion of a convertible term note and a
convertible revolving note and (6) 5,988,000 shares of
Common Stock reserved for issuance upon conversion of shares of
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock that may be issued
during the next fours years as dividends on the Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock.
As of March 25, 2005, we had (1) 222,595 shares
of Series E Preferred Stock outstanding (which shares of
preferred stock are convertible into 22,259,500 shares of
Common Stock, which shares of Common Stock are included in the
preceding paragraph).
The Companys common stock does not have pre-emptive
rights. Therefore, shares of Common Stock may be issued upon
approval of the Board of Directors without affording any of our
Common Stock holders the opportunity to acquire any of the
shares to be issued.
Purpose and Reasons for the Amendment
The purpose of the proposed amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation is to increase the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock to 200,000,000 shares, and thus to increase
our authorized capital stock to 205,000,000 shares,
principally to provide sufficient authorized Common Stock for
general corporate purposes, including issuances for possible
future acquisitions, possible future equity financings and
pursuant to stock incentive plans for employees, officers and
directors. On March 1, 2005, we entered into a letter of
intent with respect to a potential acquisition. Adoption of the
proposed amendment is not necessary for us to proceed with that
transaction.
Principal Effects of the Amendment
The additional shares of Common Stock to be authorized by
adoption of the amendment would have rights identical to the
currently outstanding Common Stock. Adoption of the proposed
amendment and issuance of the Common Stock would not affect the
rights of the holders of our currently outstanding Common Stock,
except for effects incidental to increasing the number of shares
of the Common Stock outstanding, such as dilution of the
earnings per share and voting rights of current holders of
Common Stock. If the amendment is adopted, it will become
effective upon filing of a certificate of amendment to our
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware.
Shares of our Common Stock, including the additional shares that
will be authorized if the proposed amendment is adopted, may be
issued, subject to certain exceptions, by the Board of Directors
at such times, in such amounts and upon such terms as the Board
of Directors may determine without further approval of the
stockholders.
The additional shares of Common Stock that would become
available for issuance if the proposed amendment is adopted
could also be used by the Company to oppose a hostile takeover
attempt or delay or prevent changes in control or management of
the Company. For example, without further stockholder approval,
the Board of Directors could adopt a poison pill
that would, under some circumstances related to an acquisition
of shares not approved by the Board of Directors, give some
holders the right to acquire additional shares of Common Stock
at a low price, or the Board could strategically sell shares of
Common
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Stock in a private transaction to purchasers who would oppose a
takeover or favor the current Board of Directors. Although this
proposal to increase the authorized Common Stock has been
prompted by our desire to make available additional shares of
Common Stock for issuances for possible future acquisitions,
possible future equity financings and pursuant to stock
incentive plans for employees, officers and directors, and not
by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt (nor is the Board
of Directors currently aware of any such attempts directed at
us), nevertheless, stockholders should be aware that approval of
this proposal could facilitate future efforts by us to deter or
prevent changes in control of the Company, including
transactions in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a
premium for their shares over then current market prices.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of our Common Stock (including, for this
purpose, shares of Series E Preferred Stock on an
as-converted basis) will be required to approve this
proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation. As a result,
abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as
votes against the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
FOR
THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK AND AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK.
Director Attendance
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the Board
of Directors held seven formal meetings. In addition, there were
six meetings of the Audit Committee, one meeting of the
Compensation Committee and one meeting of our Governance and
Nominating Committee. During 2004, all members of the Board of
Directors attended at least 75% of the total of all board
meetings and applicable committee meetings except
Mr. Brace, who attended 60% of such meetings he was
eligible to attend. Mr. Brace resigned from the Board
effective October 19, 2004. We encourage our Board members
to attend our Annual Meeting, but we do not have a formal policy
requiring attendance. All but two of our Board members attended
last years Annual Meeting.
Compensation of Directors
Effective April 1, 2000, the Company adopted a stock option
plan for all non-employee directors, which is separate and
distinct from the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan described under
Stock Options and Incentive Compensation. The
directors stock option plan provides that eligible
directors receive an initial option grant upon being appointed
to our Board of Directors to purchase 75,000 shares of
our Common Stock, and a grant of options to purchase an
additional 25,000 shares on each anniversary of their
appointment to the Board if they are still a member of the Board
of Directors on such anniversary date. These options have an
exercise price equal to the greater of the closing price of our
Common Stock on the grant date, or $1.00, and a term of ten
years. The options vest in three equal amounts, beginning on the
grant date and on each of the next two anniversaries of the
grant date, if the individual is still a member of the Board of
Directors on each such anniversary date.
The Company granted options to purchase 375,000 shares
under the directors stock option plan during 2004, and
options to purchase 1,341,669 shares were outstanding
under this plan as of December 31, 2004.
Directors who are also employees of the Company receive no
additional compensation for their services as directors.
Directors who are not employees of the Company, in addition to
stock options, are reimbursed for travel expenses and other
out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with their attendance
at the meetings.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and a Governance and Nominating Committee.
7
The Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of
non-employee, independent directors, held six meetings during
2004. Each of the members of the Audit Committee attended at
least 75% of the meetings of the Committee held in 2004. The
Audit Committee meets periodically and separately in executive
sessions with management and the independent auditors to review
the activities of each. The Audit Committee possesses and may
exercise the powers of the Board of Directors relating to
accounting, auditing, and financial reporting matters of the
Company, except when such powers are by statute or the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws reserved to the full
Board or delegated to another committee of the Board. The Audit
Committee reports regularly to the full Board on these matters.
The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation, and oversight of the Companys independent
auditors. Among other duties, the Audit Committee:
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selects the independent auditors; |
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pre-approves all audit and non-audit services provided to the
Company by the independent auditors; |
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monitors the independence of the independent auditors; |
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reviews and approves: |
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the scope and timing of work to be performed by the independent
auditors |
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compensation to be paid to the independent auditors |
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financial accounting and reporting principles used by the Company |
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results of the audit and the report of the independent auditors |
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transactions involving the Company and its officers, directors,
affiliates and significant stockholders |
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|
discusses the Companys annual audited financial statements
and quarterly financial statements with management and the
independent auditors; |
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considers allegations made, if any, of possible financial fraud
or other financial improprieties; and |
|
|
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prepares an Audit Committee report as required by the SEC to be
in this proxy statement |
The Audit Committees current members are directors Robert
Wagner, Jr. (Committee Chairman) John Bukovski and Gerald
Pientka. Our Board of Directors has determined that
Mr. Bukovski qualifies as an Audit Committee
financial expert as defined in Item 401(h) of SEC
Regulation S-K. The Board also believes that
Messrs. Bukovski, Pientka and Wagner are independent
directors as defined by Section 121(A) of The American
Stock Exchange listing standards. The Board of Directors adopted
an Audit Committee Charter effective April 19, 2000, which
was amended effective January 31, 2001 to combine the
Conflicts Committee with the Audit Committee. A copy of the
Audit Committees charter is available on our website
(www.elccorp.com) under the heading Investors &
Media and subheading Corporate Governance.
Mr. Wagner is not standing for election to the Board of
Directors at this Annual Meeting and will no longer be a
director after the meeting.
The Compensation Committee, which is composed of Robert
Wagner, Jr. (Committee Chairman), Robert Manning, and
Gerald Pientka, was formed on January 31, 2001 upon the
Board of Directors adoption of a Compensation Committee
Charter. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during 2004
which was attended by all members. The Compensation
Committees responsibilities are to:
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review and recommend to the Board of Directors the annual
salary, bonus, stock options and other benefits of the
Companys senior executives; |
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review executive compensation programs and the administration
thereof; |
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|
plan for executive development and succession; |
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review expense accounts and fringe benefits of executive
management; |
8
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administer the Companys stock option and stock incentive
programs; and |
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|
review and recommend to the Board of Directors, the compensation
of members of the Board of Directors. |
The Governance and Nominating Committee, which is
composed of Robert Manning (Committee Chairman), David Asplund,
and David Valentine, was formed on April 7, 2004 upon the
Board of Directors adoption of a Governance and Nominating
Committee Charter. A copy of the Governance and Nominating
Committees charter is available on our website
(www.elccorp.com) under the heading
Investors & Media and subheading
Corporate Governance. The Board believes that
Messrs. Asplund, Manning and Valentine are independent
directors as defined by Section 121(A) of The American
Stock Exchange listing standards. Prior to the establishment of
the Governance and Nominating Committee, the recruitment and
selection of candidates for Board of Directors was handled by
the Compensation Committee. The Governance and Nominating
Committee held one meeting in 2004. The Governance and
Nominating Committees responsibilities are to:
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develop and recommend to the Board of Directors policies and
processes designed to provide for effective and efficient
governance; |
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plan Board education activities, including new member
orientation; |
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|
evaluate the size and composition of the Board of Directors,
develop criteria for membership on the Board of Directors, and
evaluate the independence of existing and prospective directors,
and make recommendations to the Board concerning such matters; |
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seek and evaluate qualified individuals to become directors; |
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|
evaluate the nature, structure and composition of other
committees of the Board of Directors and make recommendations to
the Board concerning such matters; and |
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assess the performance of the Board of Directors. |
Selection of Board Nominees
Our Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for
identifying and evaluating Board candidates using one or more
informal processes deemed appropriate for the circumstances. All
of our directors and executive officers play a significant role
in bringing potential candidates to the attention of the
Committee. Last year, Mr. Asplund recommended David
Valentine to the Committee. Mr. Valentine became a member
of the Board on May 26, 2004, elected by the holders of the
Series E Preferred. A determination of whether to pursue
discussions with a particular individual will be made after
discussion by the Committee and may be preceded by formal or
informal discussions involving one or all of the other Board
members. Information considered by the Committee may include
information provided by the candidate, the chief executive
officer and one or more Committee or Board members. The
Committee seeks candidates whose qualifications, experience and
independence complement those of existing Board members. Board
candidates are expected to possess high personal and
professional ethics, integrity and values, and relevant business
experience and to be committed to representing the long-term
interests of all stockholders. They are also expected to have an
inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and good
judgment.
Once appropriate candidates have been identified, the Committee
will recommend nominations to our Board. Our Governance and
Nominating Committee has not adopted a policy or procedure for
the consideration of director candidates recommended by
stockholders. Our Board does not recall an instance in which a
stockholder (other than a stockholder serving as an officer or
director) has recommended a director candidate; however the
Governance and Nominations Committee will consider all timely
stockholder recommendations. For the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, nominations may be submitted to the Corporate
Secretary, Electric City Corp., 1280 Landmeier Road, Elk
Grove Village, IL 60007-2410, which will forward them to
the Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee.
Recommendations must be in writing, must specify the
candidates qualifications for serving as a director and
must be received by the
9
Company not later than February 1, 2006, in order for
nominees to be considered for election at our 2006 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
The Companys Annual Meeting provides an opportunity each
year for stockholders to ask questions of or otherwise
communicate directly with directors on matters relevant to the
Company. In addition, stockholders may, at any time, communicate
with any of the Companys directors by sending a written
communication to such director c/o the Companys
Secretary at 1280 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village,
IL 60007-2410.
All communications by stockholders or other interested parties
addressed to the Board will be sent directly to Board members.
While the Companys Corporate Secretary may review, sort,
and summarize these communications, all direct communications
will be presented to the non-management Directors unless there
is instruction from them to filter such
communications (and in such event, any communication that has
been filtered out will be made available to any non-management
director who wishes to review it).
Proposals of Stockholders for Next Years Meeting
Stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in the
proxy statement for our next annual meeting of stockholders by
submitting their proposals to us in a timely manner. In order to
be included in the proxy statement for our next annual meeting,
stockholder proposals must be received by us no later than
December 30, 2005, and must otherwise comply with the
requirements of the applicable SEC rules. Notice of intention to
present proposals at next years annual meeting must be
addressed to Corporate Secretary, Electric City Corp., 1280
Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007. Any
Stockholder proposal to be considered at our 2006 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, but not included in the proxy materials, must
be submitted to the Companys Corporate Secretary by
February 13, 2006, or the persons appointed as proxies may
exercise their discretionary voting authority with respect to
that proposal. The persons appointed as proxies may also
exercise their discretionary voting authority with respect to
stockholder proposals submitted prior to February 13, 2006,
unless the proponent otherwise complies with the requirements of
the Commissions Rule 14a-4 or Rule 14a-8.
Code of Conduct and Business Ethics
The Company has a Code of Conduct and Business Ethics which is
applicable to all of the Companys officers, directors and
employees. The Code of Ethics is available on our website
(www.elccorp.com) under the heading
Investors & Media and subheading
Corporate Governance. We intend to post amendments
to or waivers from the Code of Ethics which are applicable to
the Companys directors, principal executive officer and
principal financial officer at this location on our website.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below identifies our only executive officer who is not
identified in the table under Nominees For Director.
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Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position Held with the Company |
|
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| |
|
|
Jeffrey R. Mistarz
|
|
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46 |
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Assistant Secretary |
Jeffrey R. Mistarz has been our chief financial officer
since January 2000, our treasurer since October 2000, an
executive vice president since November 2002 and our assistant
secretary since February 2003. From January 1994 until joining
us, Mr. Mistarz served as chief financial officer for Nucon
Corporation, a privately held manufacturer of material handling
products and systems, responsible for all areas of finance and
accounting, managing capital and stockholder relations. Prior to
joining Nucon, Mr. Mistarz was with First Chicago
Corporation (now JPMorgan Chase & Co.) for
12 years where he held several positions in corporate
lending, investment banking and credit strategy.
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following tables list certain information, as of
March 25, 2005, regarding the beneficial ownership of our
outstanding Common Stock by (1) each of our directors and
named executive officers, (2) the persons known to us to
beneficially own greater than 5% of each class of our voting
securities and (3) our directors and executive officers, as
a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with
the rules of the SEC. Except as otherwise noted, (1) the
persons or entities named have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them
and (2) the address of each person listed in the following
table (unless otherwise noted) is c/o Electric City Corp.,
1280 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
60007-2410.
Common Stock
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|
|
|
|
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|
Common | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
Common | |
|
Common | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuable Upon | |
|
Shares | |
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Conversion of | |
|
Issuable upon | |
|
Issuable upon | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
Preferred | |
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise of | |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Directly Held | |
|
Stock(1) | |
|
Warrants | |
|
Options(2) | |
|
Total | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Directors, Executive Officers and 5% Holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Asplund
|
|
|
58,086 |
|
|
|
323,900 |
|
|
|
107,173 |
(3) |
|
|
108,334 |
|
|
|
597,493 |
|
|
|
1.410 |
% |
John Bukovski
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Cinergy Ventures II(4)
|
|
|
73,199 |
|
|
|
3,261,900 |
|
|
|
684,375 |
|
|
|
83,334 |
(5) |
|
|
4,102,808 |
|
|
|
8.947 |
% |
Columbia Acorn Trust(6)
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,500,000 |
|
|
|
5.977 |
% |
DYDX Consulting LLC(7)
|
|
|
2,491,954 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
947,546 |
(9) |
|
|
3,439,500 |
|
|
|
8.041 |
% |
Richard P. Kiphart(10)
|
|
|
563,594 |
|
|
|
8,142,500 |
|
|
|
1,127,928 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,834,022 |
|
|
|
19.245 |
% |
Nikolas Konstant
|
|
|
2,491,954 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
947,546 |
(9) |
|
|
3,439,500 |
|
|
|
8.041 |
% |
Leaf Mountain Company, LLC(11)
|
|
|
183,222 |
|
|
|
1,843,700 |
|
|
|
421,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,448,797 |
|
|
|
5.554 |
% |
Robert J. Manning
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
166,667 |
|
|
|
168,667 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Joseph C. Marino
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|
|
5,777,516 |
(12) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,150,000 |
(13) |
|
|
7,927,516 |
|
|
|
18.026 |
% |
Jeffrey R. Mistarz
|
|
|
14,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
466,667 |
|
|
|
480,867 |
|
|
|
1.137 |
% |
John P. Mitola
|
|
|
19,750 |
(14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,150,000 |
|
|
|
1,519,750 |
|
|
|
3.508 |
% |
CIT Capital Securities, Inc.(15)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,064,830 |
(16) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,064,830 |
|
|
|
8.857 |
% |
Newcourt Capital USA, Inc.(15)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,064,830 |
(16) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,064,830 |
|
|
|
8.857 |
% |
Gerald A. Pientka(17)
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
166,667 |
|
|
|
188,667 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Pino Manufacturing, LLC(12)
|
|
|
5,386,852 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,700,000 |
|
|
|
7,086,852 |
|
|
|
16.281 |
% |
Security Benefit Group (18)
|
|
|
6,079,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,750,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,829,000 |
|
|
|
17,965 |
% |
Michael S. Stelter
|
|
|
1,044,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
33,334 |
|
|
|
1,142,586 |
|
|
|
2.725 |
% |
David W. Valentine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
133,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
183,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert D. Wagner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group
(9 persons)**
|
|
|
1,160,288 |
|
|
|
457,200 |
|
|
|
172,173 |
|
|
|
2,666,669 |
|
|
|
4,456,330 |
|
|
|
9.892 |
% |
|
|
|
|
* |
Denotes beneficial ownership of less than 1%. |
|
|
** |
Eliminates duplication |
11
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock(19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series E Shares | |
|
|
Name |
|
Directly Held | |
|
% of Class | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Directors, Executive Officers and 5% Holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Asplund
|
|
|
3,239 |
|
|
|
1.455 |
% |
Augustine Fund, L.P.(20)
|
|
|
16,881 |
|
|
|
7.584 |
% |
John Bukovski
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cinergy Ventures II(4)
|
|
|
32,619 |
|
|
|
14.654 |
% |
Robert L. Gipson(21)
|
|
|
17,501 |
|
|
|
7.862 |
% |
Richard P. Kiphart(11)
|
|
|
81,425 |
|
|
|
36.580 |
% |
Leaf Mountain Company, LLC(11)
|
|
|
18,437 |
|
|
|
8.283 |
% |
Robert J. Manning
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey R. Mistarz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John P. Mitola
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nikolaos D. Monoyios(22)
|
|
|
17,501 |
|
|
|
7.862 |
% |
Gerald A. Pientka(17)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
SF Capital Partners Ltd.
|
|
|
25,140 |
|
|
|
11.294 |
% |
Michael S. Stelter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David W. Valentine
|
|
|
1,333 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert D. Wagner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons)**
|
|
|
3,239 |
|
|
|
1.455 |
% |
|
|
|
|
* |
Denotes beneficial ownership of less than 1%. |
|
|
|
|
** |
Eliminates duplication |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Represents shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock. |
|
|
(2) |
Represents options to purchase Common Stock exercisable within
60 days. |
|
|
(3) |
Includes warrants to purchase Common Stock held by Delano Group
Securities, LLC, of which Mr. Asplund is the President and
principal owner. |
|
|
(4) |
Cinergy Technologies, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Cinergy Corp. and is also the sole member of Cinergy
Ventures II, LLC. The business address of Cinergy
Ventures II, LLC is 139 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati,
Ohio 45202. |
|
|
(5) |
The business address of Columbia Acorn Trust is 227 West Monroe,
Suite 3000, Chicago, Illinois 60606. |
|
|
(6) |
Reflects stock options awarded pursuant to the Directors
Stock Option Program to former directors of the Company who were
employees of Cinergy Ventures II, LLC , The policies of
Cinergy Ventures II provide that director compensation be
paid to the Cinergy Ventures II rather than to the
individual. |
|
|
(7) |
The business address of DYDX Consulting, LLC (DYDX)
is 221 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 3900, Chicago,
Illinois 60601. |
|
|
(8) |
Includes 2,491,954 shares of Common Stock held of record by
DYDX. Mr. Konstant holds a 100% membership interest in DYDX
and, in such capacity, has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares of Common Stock held by DYDX and,
therefore, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares. |
|
|
(9) |
Includes options to acquire 947,546 shares of Common Stock
at $1.10 per share held by DYDX. |
|
|
(10) |
The business address of Mr. Kiphart is c/o William
Blair & Company, LLC, 222 W. Adams Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60606. |
12
|
|
(11) |
The business address of Leaf Mountain Company, LLC is 190 South
LaSalle Street, Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60603. |
|
(12) |
Includes 6,224,352 shares of Common Stock held of record by
Pino Manufacturing, LLC (Pino). Mr. Marino
holds a 100% membership interest in Pino and, in such capacity,
has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
of Common Stock held by Pino and, therefore, is deemed to be the
beneficial owner of these shares. The business address for Pino
is 49 Marguerite Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. |
|
(13) |
Includes options to acquire 1,700,000 shares of Common
Stock at $1.10 per share held by Pino. In addition,
Mr. Marino holds options to acquire 450,000 shares of
Common Stock at $3.50 per share, which he received as our
Chairman prior to his resignation in December 2000. |
|
(14) |
In December 2002, Mr. Mitola gifted approximately
40,000 shares of Common Stock to his wife and children now
held in accounts in which Mr. Mitola does not own or
control. |
|
(15) |
CIT Capital Securities, Inc. (formerly named Newcourt Capital
Securities, Inc.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Newcourt
Capital USA, Inc. Accordingly, Newcourt Capital USA is deemed to
be the beneficial owner of shares held by CIT Capital
Securities. The business address of Newcourt Capital USA, Inc.
is 1211 Avenue of the Americas, 22nd Floor, New York,
New York 10036. |
|
(16) |
Includes warrants to acquire 3,314,830 shares of Common
Stock at an initial exercise price of $1.00 per share held
by CIT Capital Securities, Inc. |
|
(17) |
Mr. Gerald Pientka, who is one of our directors, is also a
member of Leaf Mountain Company, LLC. |
|
(18) |
The business address of Augustine Fund, L.P. is 141 West
Jackson Blvd., Suite 2182, Chicago, Illinois 60604. |
|
(19) |
The Series E Convertible Preferred Stock has the right to
elect up to four directors depending on the number of shares of
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding at any
time (as adjusted for stock splits, stock combinations and the
like) as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
for so long as at least 90,000 shares of Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding, holders of
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, voting as a single
class, will be entitled to elect four directors; |
|
|
|
for so long as at least 65,000 but less than 90,000 shares
of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding,
holders of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, voting as
a single class, will be entitled to elect three directors; |
|
|
|
for so long as at least 45,000 but less than 65,000 shares
of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding,
the holders of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, voting
as a single class, will be entitled to elect two
directors; and |
|
|
|
for so long as at least 20,000 but less than 45,000 shares
of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding,
the holders of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, voting
as a single class, will be entitled to elect one director. |
|
|
|
Except for the election of directors or as otherwise provided by
law, the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock is entitled
to vote with the holders of our Common Stock on an as-converted
basis on all matters on which our holders of Common Stock are
entitled to vote. However, if less than 20,000 shares of
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding,
unless otherwise provided by law, each holder of record of
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock has the right to vote
on an as-converted basis together with the holders of Common
Stock on all matters on which holders of Common Stock are
entitled to vote, including the election of directors. |
|
|
Our Board of Directors has fixed by resolution the number of
directors at 12. As of February 29, 2004, the holders of
our Series E Convertible Preferred Stock had appointed one
of the four directors they are entitled to appoint. At our
Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 26, 2004, our
six director nominees were elected by a majority of the votes
cast. There are currently five vacancies on our Board of
Directors, of which three are reserved for appointment by the
holders of our Series E Convertible Preferred Stock. |
13
|
|
|
Holders of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock also have
the following approval rights with respect to certain actions of
the Company: |
|
|
|
|
|
For so long as any shares of Series E Convertible Preferred
Stock are outstanding we cannot, without approval of at least
75% of the shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
then outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
enter into any agreement that would restrict our ability to
perform under the Series E Securities Redemption and
Exchange Agreement; |
|
|
|
amend our Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws in any way that
could adversely affect, alter or change the rights, powers or
preferences of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock; |
|
|
|
engage in any transaction that would impair or reduce the
rights, powers or preferences of the Series E Convertible
Preferred Stock as a class; |
|
|
|
sell control of the Company or sell all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company or merge with or into another company,
or liquidate the Company (provided that if less than
45,000 shares of the Series E Convertible Preferred
Stock are then outstanding and the then holders of Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock refused to consent to such a
transaction, we may at our option, in connection with
consummating such a transaction, redeem all, but not less than
all, of such Series E Convertible Preferred Stock at a
redemption price per share equal to the amount the Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock would receive upon a
liquidation); or |
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|
change the authorized number of directors of our Board of
Directors. |
|
|
|
|
|
For so long as at least 90,000 shares of Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding we cannot, without
the approval of at least
662/3%
of the shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock then
outstanding: |
|
|
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|
|
authorize or issue any capital stock with rights senior to or
equal to the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock or
securities convertible or exchangeable into such capital stock; |
|
|
|
amend or alter any outstanding options, rights or warrants in a
manner that reduces or that has the effect of reducing the per
share exercise price for any outstanding options, rights or
warrants; |
|
|
|
authorize or issue any debt securities of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, other than debt under the existing revolving
lines of credit as of March 19, 2004 or the replacement
thereof on substantially similar terms, except that we may issue
additional debt up to $1,000,000 in the aggregate in the
ordinary course of business and may incur trade payables in the
ordinary course of business; |
|
|
|
purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any of the Companys
capital stock, other than the redemption of the Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock; |
|
|
|
enter into an acquisition, sale, merger, joint venture,
consolidation or reorganization involving the Company or any of
its subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
sell or lease assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
except in the ordinary course of business; |
|
|
|
declare or pay any cash dividends or make any distributions on
any of our capital stock, other than on the Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock; |
|
|
|
authorize the payment of, or pay to any individual employee of
the Company, cash compensation in excess of $500,000 per
annum; or |
|
|
|
enter into any transaction (or series of transactions),
including loans, with any employee, officer or director of the
Company or to or with his, her or its affiliates or family
members (other than with respect to payment of compensation to
actual full-time employees in the ordinary course of business)
involving $50,000 or more per year individually or $250,000 or
more per year in the aggregate. |
14
|
|
|
|
|
For so long as at least 130,000 shares of Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding we cannot, without
the approval of the holders representing
662/3%
of the shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock then
outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
terminate or newly appoint the chief executive officer or
president of the Company; |
|
|
|
approve any annual capital expense budget if such budget
provides for annual capital expenditures by the Company and its
subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any
year; or |
|
|
|
approve the incurrence of any single capital expenditure (or
series of related capital expenditures) in excess of $500,000. |
|
|
(20) |
The business address of Augustine Fund, L.P. is 141 West Jackson
Blvd., Suite 2182, Chicago, Illinois 60604. |
|
(21) |
The business address for Mr. Gipson is 61 Broadway, New
York, NY 10006. |
|
(22) |
The business address for Mr. Monoyios is 6 Stewart Drive,
Short Hills, NJ 07078. |
|
(23) |
SF Capital Partners, Ltd. is a British Virgin Island company.
Staro Asset Management, L.L.C., a Wisconsin limited liability
company, acts as investment manager and has sole power to direct
the management of SF Capital Partners. Through Staro Asset
Management, Mr. Michael A. Roth and Brian J. Stark possess
sole voting and dispositive power over all shares owned by SF
Capital Partners. The business address for Staro Asset
Management, LLC is 3600 South Lake Drive, St. Francis, WI 53235. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires
our directors and officers (as defined in Section 16) and
persons who beneficially own greater than 10% of a registered
class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and
changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The required reports consist of initial statements
on Form 3, statements of changes on Form 4 and annual
statements on Form 5. Directors, Officers and greater than
10% stockholders are required by Securities and Exchange
Commission rules to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) reports filed. Based solely on our review of
the reports we have received and on written representations from
our officers who are reporting persons, we believe that during
2004 all Section 16 filing requirements applicable to our
directors, officers and 10% beneficial owners were complied with
by these persons, except that Mr. David Asplund was late in
reporting three transactions.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Effective August 31, 2004, the Company entered into a
consulting agreement with Delano Group Securities LLC
(Delano), a company owned and controlled by
Mr. David Asplund, one of the Companys directors.
Under the terms of the agreement, Delano is to act as the
Companys financial advisor with respect to matters
including capital formation and mergers and acquisitions. For
its services the Company is obligated to pay Delano an initial
one-time retainer of $10,000, a warrant to
purchase 30,000 shares of common stock at
$1.03 per share and ongoing retainer payments of
$7,500 per month for the duration of the engagement. In
addition, Delano will receive a commission of 5% on any capital
raised through its direct efforts and a success fee for any
merger or acquisition transaction facilitated by Delano. The
success fee, which is payable in cash or stock at the
Companys option, will be equal to 5% of the first
$5 million of transaction consideration, plus 2.5% of the
next $5 million in transaction consideration and 1.5% of
any transaction consideration in excess of $10 million, but
the success fees are not to exceed $700,000 in total (except
with respect to one specific transaction then under
consideration, as to which such fees are capped at
$2 million in total). Before entering into the consulting
agreement with Delano the Board reviewed quotes from other
investment banks and determined that the Delano agreement is
fair and as favorable to the Company as if negotiated with an
unaffiliated third party.
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation paid or
awarded to each of our named executive officers whose total
compensation exceeded $100,000 during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 and for each of our fiscal years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002. No bonuses were earned during
any of the fiscal years reported on the following table.
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Long Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
Year | |
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Ended | |
|
Salary(2) | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Options (#) | |
|
Compensation(4) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John P. Mitola
|
|
|
12/31/04 |
|
|
$ |
247,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,600 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,294 |
|
|
our chief executive officer
|
|
|
12/31/03 |
|
|
$ |
233,844 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,600 |
(3) |
|
|
750,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
12/31/02 |
|
|
$ |
337,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,600 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,079 |
|
Jeffrey R. Mistarz
|
|
|
12/31/04 |
|
|
$ |
207,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,084 |
|
|
our chief financial officer
|
|
|
12/31/03 |
|
|
$ |
159,070 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,312 |
|
|
and treasurer
|
|
|
12/31/02 |
|
|
$ |
172,308 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,945 |
|
Denis Enberg(1)
|
|
|
12/31/04 |
|
|
$ |
193,594 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
our senior vice president
|
|
|
12/31/03 |
|
|
$ |
160,417 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
759 |
|
|
of engineering
|
|
|
12/31/02 |
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
948 |
|
Eugene Borucki(1)
|
|
|
12/31/04 |
|
|
$ |
144,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
President of Great Lakes
|
|
|
12/31/03 |
|
|
$ |
128,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
759 |
|
|
Controlled Energy
|
|
|
12/31/02 |
|
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
759 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Messrs. Enberg and Borucki are not executives officer of
the Company but are included for purposes of compensation
disclosure. |
|
(2) |
Certain employees of the Company, including Messrs. Mitola,
Mistarz, Enberg and Borucki voluntarily reduced their salaries
for all of 2003 and a portion of 2004. |
|
(3) |
This represents a monthly auto allowance of $550 for
Mr. Mitola. |
|
(4) |
Amounts of All Other Compensation are the amounts paid for
long-term disability insurance for the Named Officers and the
cost of life insurance for Messrs. Mitola and Mistarz. |
2004 Option Grants
The following table sets forth information regarding stock
option grants made to each of the above named executive and
principal officers during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004.
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|
|
Potential Realizable | |
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|
|
|
Percent of | |
|
|
|
|
|
Value at Assumed | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Rates of Stock | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
Price Appreciation for | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Option Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted (#) | |
|
Period | |
|
($/Share) | |
|
Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John P. Mitola
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey R. Mistarz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denis Enberg
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
6.7 |
% |
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
36,161 |
|
|
$ |
91,640 |
|
Eugene Borucki
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|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
$ |
7,232 |
|
|
$ |
18,328 |
|
16
Option Values
The following table sets forth information regarding the number
and value of unexercised options held by each of the above named
executive and principal officers as of December 31, 2004.
None of our named executive or principal officers hold any stock
appreciation rights and none of them exercised any options
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
Options at December 31, | |
|
In-the-Money Options | |
|
|
2004 (#) | |
|
at December 31, 2004 ($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John P. Mitola
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
$ |
198,750 |
|
|
$ |
98,750 |
|
Jeffrey R. Mistarz
|
|
|
466,667 |
|
|
|
133,333 |
|
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
|
$ |
32,000 |
|
Denis Enberg
|
|
|
100,001 |
|
|
|
149,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
Eugene Borucki
|
|
|
100,001 |
|
|
|
109,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
900 |
|
Securities Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following information reflects certain information about our
equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2004:
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Compensation Plan Information | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
Remaining Available | |
|
|
Securities to be | |
|
|
|
for Future Issuance | |
|
|
Issued upon | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Under Equity | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
(Excluding | |
|
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Securities Reflected | |
Plan Category |
|
and Rights | |
|
and Rights | |
|
in column (a)) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
|
|
|
1,886,500 |
|
|
$ |
1.19 |
|
|
|
413,500 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)(3)
|
|
|
9,330,515 |
|
|
$ |
3.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
11,217,015 |
|
|
$ |
3.26 |
|
|
|
413,500 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The 2001 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (Plan) was
approved by the Companys stockholders at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. The Plan called for 800,000 shares
of the Companys Common Stock be reserved for issuance upon
approval of the Plan by the Company stockholders and additional
reserves of 500,000 shares of the Companys Common
Stock on each January 1, beginning January 1, 2002. |
|
(2) |
Prior to the adoption of the 2001 Employee Stock Incentive Plan,
the Company had granted to certain of its employees stock
options on a discretionary basis. These grants were not made
pursuant to any formal plan. Grants made to employees pursuant
to this method were discontinued following adoption of the Plan. |
|
(3) |
The Company grants stock options to its non-employee directors
pursuant to a Directors Stock Option Plan (See
Compensation of Directors), which grants are
included in this category. |
Stock Options and Incentive Compensation
During the Companys annual meeting of stockholders held on
August 30, 2001, our stockholders approved the adoption of
the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan), which
provides that up to 800,000 shares of the Companys
Common Stock, par value $0.0001, may be issued under the Plan to
certain employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and
to consultants and directors who are not employees.
17
In addition, the Plan provides for an additional number of
shares of Common Stock to be reserved for issuance under the
Plan on January 1 of each succeeding year, beginning
January 1, 2002, in an amount equal to the lesser of
(i) 5% of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock,
or (ii) 500,000 shares. The awards to be granted under
the Plan may be incentive stock options eligible for favored
treatment under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue code of
1986, as amended from time to time, or non-qualified options
that are not eligible for such treatment, or stock of the
Company, which may be subject to contingencies or restrictions,
as well as grants of stock appreciation rights or grants of
shares of Common Stock. Approximately 27 employees and
officers of the Company are currently eligible to participate in
the Plan.
As of December 31, 2004, there were 2,300,000 shares
of Common Stock reserved under the Plan. The Company granted
options to purchase 741,500 under the Plan during 2004, and
options to purchase 1,886,500 shares were outstanding
under the Plan as of December 31, 2004. Only the
directors options described under Compensation of
Directors were granted outside of the Plan during 2003 or
2004. No grants of shares or stock appreciation rights have been
made under the Plan.
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and
Change-in-Control Arrangements
John Mitola
Effective January 1, 2003, we entered into a new employment
agreement with John Mitola for a three-year period ending on
December 31, 2005. This agreement, which is structured to
place more emphasis on achieving important corporate milestones,
reduced Mr. Mitolas base salary to $250,000 per
year, but provides for a discretionary bonus of up to one
hundred percent of his annual salary payable if he meets or
exceeds certain annual goals as established by the Board of
Directors, and a guaranteed bonus of $250,000 upon the
achievement of two consecutive calendar quarters of positive net
income by the Company (such net income to be that as reflected
in the Companys quarterly reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission). The agreement also provides
for a monthly automobile allowance of $550.00 and the
reimbursement of Mr. Mitolas business-related
expenses.
As part of the employment agreement, we granted to
Mr. Mitola an option to purchase 750,000 shares
of our Common Stock at a price per share of $0.845, which is
equal to the average closing price of the Companys Common
Stock as measured over the thirty (30) trading day period
prior to the effective date of the contract. The option granted
vests in amounts of 250,000 shares on each
December 31st of 2003, 2004 and 2005, except on a change of
control in which case all the options will immediately vest.
Except as specifically set forth in the employment agreement,
such options are governed by the Companys 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan.
The employment agreement imposes on Mr. Mitola
non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality
obligations.
Jeffrey Mistarz
Effective January 1, 2003, we entered into a new employment
agreement with Mr. Mistarz for a three-year period ending
on December 31, 2005. This agreement provides for an annual
base salary of $175,000 through December 31, 2003, which
increased to $210,000 effective January 1, 2004 through
December 31, 2005. In addition, Mr. Mistarz is
eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan with certain
other management employees. The new agreement provides
Mr. Mistarz with options to
purchase 400,000 shares of our Common Stock at a price
of $1.00 per share, which options vest 133,334 shares
on December 31, 2003 and 133,333 shares each on
December 31, 2004 and 2005, except on a change of control
in which case all the options will immediately vest. Except as
specifically set forth in the employment agreement, such options
are governed by the Companys 2001 Stock Incentive Plan.
The employment agreement imposes on Mr. Mistarz
non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality
obligations.
18
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of
Directors (the Committee) has the authority to set
the compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer
and all executive officers and makes the following report for
the year 2004. The Committee has the responsibility to review
the design, administration and effectiveness of all programs and
policies concerning executive compensation. The Committee
administers the Companys 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. In
addition, the Committee has responsibility for the review and
approval of the Management Incentive Program(s) to be in effect
for the Chief Executive Officer, executive officers and key
employees each fiscal year. The Committee is comprised of three
independent, non-employee directors who had no interlocking
relationships as defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
General Compensation Philosophy. The Company operates in
the competitive and rapidly changing power technology industry.
The Committee strives to maintain compensation programs that
allow the Company to respond to the competitive pressures within
this industry. The Committees compensation philosophy is
to offer compensation opportunities that are linked to the
Companys business objectives and performance, individual
performance and contributions to the Companys success, and
enhancements to Stockholder value. These compensation
opportunities are intended to be competitive within this
industry and enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate
the management talent necessary to achieve the Companys
overall business objectives and ensure the Companys
long-term growth.
Compensation Components. It is the Committees
objective to have a substantial portion of each executive
officers compensation opportunity conditioned upon the
Companys performance (at risk), as well as his
or her contribution to the Company meeting its objectives. The
Committee has attempted to design a total compensation and
incentive structure to motivate and reward success, balancing
short and long-term goals. The Companys executive
compensation program consists of three major components:
(i) base salary; (ii) an annual management incentive
bonus; and (iii) long-term incentives. The second and third
elements constitute the at risk portion of the
Companys overall compensation program.
Base Salary. The Committee periodically reviews each
executive officers base salary. In setting the base
salaries of executive officers, the Committee takes into
consideration many factors, including the officers
individual performance, the Companys performance in
achieving its business goals, and the salary levels for
individuals with comparable skills and experience for which the
Company competes for management talent. The Committee exercises
its judgment based upon the above criteria and does not apply a
specific formula or assign a weight to each factor considered.
The relative weight given to each factor varies with each
individual in the sole discretion of the Committee.
Annual Management Incentive Bonus. All executive officers
are eligible to participate in the Companys management
incentive bonus program. At the beginning of each year, the
Committee establishes objectives for the management incentive
bonus program drawn from the fiscal year business plan approved
by the Board of Directors. Additionally, at the beginning of
each year, the Committee establishes bonus award targets for the
executive officers. The bonus plan has a threshold level of
performance that the Company must achieve before any bonuses
will be awarded. The bonus amounts payable to each executive
officer are then determined by considering the Companys
performance and individuals performance. Due to the
Boards desire to preserve cash, this aspect of the overall
executive compensation program has been de-emphasized in recent
years in favor of a larger equity component.
Long-Term Incentive Program. The Companys long-term
incentive program consists of a stock option plan. The Committee
views the granting of stock options as a significant method of
aligning managements long-term interests with those of the
stockholders, which bring into balance short and long-term
compensation with the Companys goals, fostering the
retention of key executive and management personnel, and
stimulating the achievement of superior performance over time.
Awards to executives are based upon criteria which include an
individuals current position with the Company, total
compensation, unvested stock options, the executives
performance in the recent period, expected contributions to the
achievement of the Companys long-term performance goals,
and current competitive practice. The relative weight given to
each of these factors will vary from executive to executive at
the Committees discretion. After giving consideration to
the
19
criteria deemed relevant by the Committee, including prior
option grants made to Company executives, a competitive analysis
of the Companys option program and overall compensation
programs against the programs of companies of similar size and
industry, and the recommendations of the Companys
management, the Committee approved the stock option grants to
the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table
set forth in the 2004 Option Grants table. These stock options
were granted at exercise prices equal to the fair market value
of the stock at the effective date of the grant, become
exercisable over three years and have a term of ten years.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. At the beginning of
2003, the Committee reviewed Mr. Mitolas overall
compensation package as part of the renegotiation of his
employment agreement. Consistent with the compensation
philosophy outlined above, the Committee decided to restructure
Mr. Mitolas compensation package to place more of it
at risk and to better align it with stockholder objectives for
the Company. As a result, his base salary was reduced from
$350,000 per year to $250,000 per year, but he was
awarded options to purchase 750,000 shares of Company
stock at the then current 30-day average closing market price.
These options vest equally over the three-year term of the
employment contract. In addition, the Committee provided that
Mr. Mitola would be eligible for a $250,000 cash bonus,
payable in ten monthly installments, upon the Company reporting
two consecutive calendar quarters of positive net income.
Mr. Mitola is also eligible to participate in any annual
management incentive programs established by the Committee.
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MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
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Robert D. Wagner, Jr., Chair |
|
Robert J. Manning |
|
Gerald A. Pientka |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
Robert J. Manning, Gerald A. Pientka and Robert D. Wagner serve
on the Compensation Committee. None of these individuals has
ever been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. During 2004, no executive officer of the Company
served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee (or
other committee performing similar functions) of any other
entity that has an executive officer who serves on the Board of
Directors or Compensation Committee of the Company.
20
COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the performance of the
Companys Common Stock to that of the Dow Jones Electric
Component & Equipment Index and the Russell 3000. The
Companys Common Stock began trading on the American Stock
Exchange on December 12, 2000. Quotes for the
Companys Common Stock for year-ends prior to 2000 are not
available.
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Based on an Initial Investment of $100 on December 31,
2000
with Dividends Reinvested
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Cumulative Total Return(1) | |
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12/31/00 | |
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12/31/01 | |
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12/31/02 | |
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12/31/03 | |
|
12/31/04 | |
| |
Electric City Corp.
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
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|
$ |
41.67 |
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|
$ |
25.67 |
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|
$ |
78.67 |
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|
$ |
41.33 |
|
|
Dow Jones Electric Components & Equipment Index
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|
$ |
100.00 |
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|
$ |
70.33 |
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|
$ |
41.69 |
|
|
$ |
68.09 |
|
|
$ |
61.12 |
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Russell 3000
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|
$ |
100.00 |
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|
$ |
87.38 |
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|
$ |
67.45 |
|
|
$ |
86.82 |
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|
$ |
95.57 |
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|
|
(1) |
Assumes an investment of $100 in the Companys Common Stock
and each index on December 31, 2000, with reinvestment of
dividends. |
21
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of BDO Seidman, LLP (BDO) audited our
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004, and the Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the
Audit Committee, intends to continue the services of this firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. It is
expected that representatives of BDO will be present at the
Stockholders meeting and will be available to respond to
questions. Representatives of BDO will also be given an
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table summarizes the total fees paid to our
principal accounting firm, BDO for professional services
provided during the twelve-month periods ended December 31,
2004 and December 31, 2003:
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|
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|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit fees(1)
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|
$ |
57,075 |
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|
$ |
80,638 |
|
Audit-related fees(2)
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|
$ |
54,971 |
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|
$ |
20,000 |
|
Tax fees(3)
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|
$ |
10,690 |
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$ |
5,800 |
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All other fees(4)
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$ |
700 |
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|
|
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|
|
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|
Total
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$ |
123,436 |
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$ |
106,438 |
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(1) |
Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered
for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and
review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports
and services normally provided by the independent auditor in
connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. |
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(2) |
Audit-related fees are fees billed for assurance and related
services that are reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of our financial statements, but not included in
item 1 above. These services included the review of various
registration statements filed during 2004 and 2003 and filings
related to the sale of our Power Management business. |
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(3) |
Tax services fees consist of professional fees billed for
products and services rendered by BDO for tax compliance, tax
advice and tax planning. |
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(4) |
All other fees consist of fees billed by BDO for services other
than those listed in categories 1 thru 3 above. |
It is the policy of our Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit
and non-audit services provided by BDO. Our Audit Committee
considered whether the use of BDOs services other than for
the annual audit and quarterly reviews in any way impairs their
independence and has concluded that it does not. No services
were performed by BDO prior to receiving approval from the Audit
Committee.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by
the Board of Directors, which is reassessed periodically for
adequacy by the Audit Committee. The directors who serve on the
Audit Committee have no financial or personal ties to the
Company (other than director compensation and equity ownership
as described in this proxy statement) and are all
independent for purposes of the Securities and
Exchange Commissions regulations and the American Stock
Exchange listing standards. The Board of Directors has
determined that none of the Audit Committee members has a
relationship with the Company that may interfere with the
directors independence from the Company and its
management. Copies of the Audit Committees charter a can
be viewed on the Companys website at
www.elccorp.com.
The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on
behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary
responsibility for the financial statements and their reporting
process, including the systems of internal controls. In
fulfilling their oversight responsibilities, the Committee has
reviewed and discussed with the independent auditors matters
such as the quality (in addition to acceptability), clarity,
22
consistency, and completeness of the Companys financial
reporting, as required by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90, Audit Committee
Communications.
Management is responsible for the Companys internal
controls and the financial reporting process. BDO, the
Companys independent auditor, is responsible for
performing an independent audit of the Companys
consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards. The Audit Committees
responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.
The Audit Committee received from BDO the written disclosures
and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and
has discussed with BDO the issue of its independence from the
Company.
Based on the Audit Committees review of the audited
financial statements and its discussions with management and BDO
noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors the selection of BDO as
the Companys independent auditor.
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MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE |
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Robert D. Wagner, Jr., Chair |
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John C. Bukovski |
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Gerald A. Pientka |
23
MISCELLANEOUS AND OTHER MATTERS
Stockholder List
For at least ten days prior to the meeting, a list of
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, showing the address of and number of shares
registered in the name of each stockholder, will be open for
examination by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the
Annual Meeting, during ordinary business hours at Electric
Citys principal executive offices by contacting the
Corporate Secretary. The list will also be available for
examination at the meeting.
Other Business
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to be
presented at the Annual Meeting other than those mentioned in
this proxy statement and our enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. If, however, any other matters properly come
before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying
proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment.
Incorporation by Reference
The Report of the Audit Committee, the Report of the
Compensation Committee, and the Performance Graph do not
constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or
incorporated by reference into any other filing by the Company
under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically
incorporates such information by reference. The Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
March 31, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Statements
We have enclosed a copy of our Annual Report to Stockholders for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, which includes our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for such period that we
filed with the SEC, incorporated herein by reference. Upon the
written request of any person who is a stockholder as of the
record date, we will provide copies of the exhibits to the
Form 10-K upon payment of a reasonable fee which shall not
exceed our reasonable expenses in providing the exhibits. You
should direct requests for these materials to Electric City
Corp., 1280 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007,
Attention: Chief Financial Officer.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, |
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Robert J. Manning |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
March 31, 2004
YOU ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE,
DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY.
24
ELECTRIC CITY CORP.
1280 Landmeier Road
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007-2410
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder(s) hereby revokes all prior proxies and appoints Jeffrey R.
Mistarz and Denis Enberg and each of them, with full power of substitution, as attorneys and
proxies for, and in the name and place of, the undersigned, and hereby authorizes each of them to
represent and to vote all of the shares of common stock which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Electric City Corp. to be
held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 at 10:00 a.m.
local time, on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, and at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters set forth
in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED IN A TIMELY MANNER, WILL BE VOTED AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO CONTRARY INDICATION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR
ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3
AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES HEREIN ON ANY OTHER MATTERS
THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN
EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ABOVE, DATE AND
RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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(continued, and to be signed and dated, on reverse side) |
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SEE REVERSE SIDE |
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5 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 5
ELECTRIC CITY CORP.
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. l
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR all nominees listed in Proposal
1 and FOR Proposal 2 and 3.
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For
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Withhold |
1.
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Election of Directors:
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All
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All |
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(Instruction: TO WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY to vote for any
individual nominee, strike a
line through the nominees
name below)
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m
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m
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David R. Asplund
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John P. Mitola |
John C. Bukovski
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Gerald A. Pientka |
Robert J. Manning
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Michael S. Stelter |
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2.
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Proposal to approve an amendment to the Companys Certificate of Incorporation to
increase its authorized shares of capital stock from 125,000,000 to 205,000,000 and its
authorized shares of Common Stock from 120,000,000 to 200,000,000.
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For
m
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Against
m
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Abstain
m
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3.
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Each of the persons named as proxies herein are authorized, in such persons
discretion, to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting, or any adjournments thereof
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For
m
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Against
m
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Abstain
m
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Date: , 2005 |
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Signature
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Signature (if held jointly) |
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Please date this Proxy and sign it exactly as your name(s) appears hereon. When shares are held
by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as an attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, please indicate your capacity. If you sign
for a corporation, please print full corporate name and indicate capacity of duly authorized
officer executing on behalf of the corporation. If you sign for a partnership, please print full
partnership name and indicate capacity of duly authorized person executing on behalf of the
partnership. |
5 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 5
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ABOVE, DATE AND
RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
ELECTRIC CITY CORP.
1280 Landmeier Road
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007-2410
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned stockholder(s) hereby revokes all prior proxies and appoints Jeffrey R.
Mistarz and Denis Enberg and each of them, with full power of substitution, as attorneys and
proxies for, and in the name and place of, the undersigned, and hereby authorizes each of them to
represent and to vote all of the shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Electric City Corp. to be
held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 at 10:00 a.m.
local time, on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, and at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters set forth
in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED IN A TIMELY MANNER, WILL BE VOTED AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO CONTRARY INDICATION IS MADE, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3
AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JUDGMENT OF THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES HEREIN ON ANY OTHER MATTERS
THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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(continued, and to be signed and dated, on reverse side) |
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SEE REVERSE SIDE |
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5 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 5
ELECTRIC CITY CORP.
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. l
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 2 and 3.
INSTRUCTION: This Proxy is to be voted by certain stockholders who are holders of shares of
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, which preferred stock has rights that enable
such holders to vote their preferred stock on an as-converted basis. Each share of Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into one hundred shares of the Companys common stock.
On March 7, 2005, which is the date of record for stockholders to vote at the Companys Annual
Meeting, the holders of the Companys Series E Convertible Preferred Stock comprised the following:
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David Asplund
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Richard Kiphart |
Augustine Fund, LP
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Nikolaos D. Monoyios |
Cinergy Ventures II, LLC
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Leaf Mountain Company, LLC |
John Donohue
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SF Capital Partners, Ltd. |
Robert L. Gipson
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Technology Transformation Venture Fund, LP |
John Thomas Hurvis Revocable Trust
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David W. Valentine |
Each of the aforementioned holders may cast their vote for Proposal 2 and 3 but cannot cast a vote
with respect to Proposal 1 Election of Directors.
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2.
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Proposal to approve an amendment to the Companys Certificate of Incorporation to
increase its authorized shares of capital stock from 125,000,000 to 205,000,000 and its
authorized shares of Common Stock from 120,000,000 to 200,000,000.
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For
m
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Against
m
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Abstain
m
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3.
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Each of the persons named as proxies herein are authorized, in such persons
discretion, to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting, or any adjournments thereof
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For
m
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Against
m
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Abstain
m
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Date: , 2005 |
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Signature
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Signature (if held jointly) |
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Please date this Proxy and sign it exactly as your name(s) appears hereon. When shares are held
by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as an attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, please indicate your capacity. If you sign
for a corporation, please print full corporate name and indicate capacity of duly authorized
officer executing on behalf of the corporation. If you sign for a partnership, please print full
partnership name and indicate capacity of duly authorized person executing on behalf of the
partnership. |
5 FOLD AND DETACH HERE 5
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS ABOVE, DATE AND RETURN
THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.