Ultralife Batteries, Inc. DEF 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment
No. )
Filed by the
Registrant þ
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Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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o Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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þ Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o Definitive
Additional Materials
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o Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant)
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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transaction applies:
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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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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
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ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
2000 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY
NEWARK, NEW YORK 14513
May 3, 2006
To Our Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ultralife Batteries,
Inc. on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 10:30 A.M. at our corporate offices, 2000 Technology Parkway,
Newark, New York 14513.
The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement describe in
detail the matters expected to be acted upon at the meeting. This package also contains our 2005
Annual Report to Shareholders, which consists of the Companys annual report and Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, and which sets forth important business and financial information
concerning your Company.
We hope that you will be able to attend this years Annual Meeting.
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Very truly yours, |
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John D. Kavazanjian
President and Chief Executive Officer |
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
2000 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY
NEWARK, NEW YORK 14513
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 8, 2006
Notice is hereby given that the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) of
Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (the Company) will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 10:30 A.M. at
our corporate offices, 2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513 for the following purposes:
1. to elect directors for a term of one year and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified;
2. to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006;
3. to approve the amendment of our Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan by increasing
from 750,000 to 1,500,000 the number of shares of the Companys Common Stock authorized to be
issued pursuant to that plan;
4. to ratify and approve the grant of a non-qualified stock option to John D. Kavazanjian, our
Chief Executive Officer, to acquire up to 80,000 shares of our Common Stock; and
5. to transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any
adjournments thereof.
Only shareholders of record of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company at the
close of business on April 12, 2006 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at and attend
the Meeting. If you do not expect to be present, you are requested to fill in, date and sign the
enclosed proxy, which is solicited by our Board of Directors, and to return it promptly in the
enclosed envelope. In the event you decide to attend the Meeting in person, you may, if you
desire, revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.
Our Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ending December 31, 2005, which includes the
Companys Form 10-K, is enclosed.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Ranjit C. Singh
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Dated: May 3, 2006 |
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Table of Contents
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IMPORTANT
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO
COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED,
WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
2000 TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY
NEWARK, NEW YORK 14513
(315) 332-7100
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 8, 2006
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
We are furnishing this proxy statement to our shareholders in connection with our Board of
Directors solicitation of proxies for use at our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the
Meeting) to be held on Thursday, June 8, 2006, at 10:30 A.M. and at any adjournments thereof.
The Meeting will be held at our corporate offices, 2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513.
The approximate date on which the enclosed form of proxy and this proxy statement are first
being sent to our shareholders is May 3, 2006.
When a proxy is returned properly signed and dated, the shares represented thereby will be
voted in accordance with the shareholders directions. If the proxy is signed and returned without
choices having been specified, the shares will be voted FOR the election of each director-nominee
named herein, and FOR the other proposals identified herein. If for any reason any of the nominees
for election as directors shall become unavailable for election, discretionary authority may be
exercised by the proxies to vote for substitute nominees proposed by our Board of Directors. A
shareholder has the right to revoke a previously granted proxy at any time before it is voted by
filing with the Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation, or a duly executed
later-dated proxy, or by requesting return of the proxy at the Meeting and voting in person.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2006 are entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Meeting. As of April 12, 2006, there were 14,780,096 shares of our Common
Stock, par value $.10 per share (Common Stock), issued and outstanding, each entitled to one vote
per share at the Meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, represented in
person or by proxy at the Meeting, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our directors will be
elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of Common Stock present in person
or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Because directors are
elected by a plurality of the votes cast, withholding authority to vote with respect to one or more
nominees will have no effect on the outcome of the election, although such shares would be counted
as present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum. The affirmative vote of holders
of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the
proposal to ratify the selection of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, to
approve the amendment of our Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan and to ratify and
approve a stock option grant to our Chief Executive Officer is required for approval of those
proposals. For purposes of the vote on these proposals, abstentions would have the effect of
voting against the proposals because they are deemed to
be present and entitled to vote but do not count toward the affirmative vote required to
approve the proposals. Similarly, when brokers have discretionary authority to vote on a
particular proposal, such as the ratification of the selection of our independent registered public
accounting firm, shares held by them would be deemed present for quorum purposes and entitled to
vote for voting purposes, meaning that a broker abstention would then have the effect of voting
against the proposal. In contrast, broker non-votes (which occur when shares held by brokers or
nominees for beneficial owners cannot be voted on matters deemed to be non-discretionary, absent
instruction from the beneficial owner), which could occur with respect to the proposals to approve
the amendment of the Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan and the option grant to our
Chief Executive Officer, as these are non-discretionary matters as to which brokers cannot vote
without instruction from the beneficial owners of shares, would not be entitled to vote on the
proposals, and would therefore have no effect on the outcome.
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by
use of the mails, some of our officers, directors and regular employees, without extra
remuneration, may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, telefax or similar transmission. We
will reimburse record holders for expenses in forwarding proxies and proxy soliciting material to
the beneficial owners of the shares held by them.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors currently has seven directors, all of whom except Carl H. Rosner are
running for re-election for a one year period. Mr. Rosner had previously notified our Board of
Directors that he was retiring from our Board of Directors and would not be standing for
re-election to our Board at the Meeting and accordingly, effective the date of the Meeting, Mr.
Rosner will no longer sit on our Board of Directors or on any of its committees. Carole L.
Anderson is being nominated for the first time. Each director shall serve until the next annual
meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified. The
names of, and certain information with respect to, the persons nominated for election as directors
are presented on the following pages.
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Present Principal Occupation and Employment History |
Ranjit C. Singh
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Mr. Singh has been a director of the Company since
August 2000, and has served as Chairman of the
Board since December 2001. Mr. Singh is currently
President and Chief Executive Officer of Tech
Books, a position he has held since February 2003.
Since February 2002, he has served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Reliacast Inc., a
video streaming software and services company.
Prior to that, he was President and Chief
Operating Officer of ContentGuard, a spinoff of
Xerox Corporation that is jointly owned with
Microsoft. ContentGuard develops and markets
digital property rights software. Before joining
ContentGuard earlier in 2000, Mr. Singh worked for
Xerox as a corporate Senior Vice President in
various assignments related to software
businesses. Mr. Singh joined Xerox in 1997,
having come from Citibank where he was Vice
President of Global Distributed Computing. Prior
to that, he was a principal at two start-up
companies and also held executive positions at
Data General and Digital Equipment Corporation. |
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Carole L. Anderson
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Ms. Anderson is a co-founder and principal of
Suburban Capital Markets, Inc., a commercial real
estate finance company, and President of MASDUN
Capital Advisors, a private investment company.
Prior to her affiliation with Suburban, Ms.
Anderson was President and Chief Executive Officer
of MNC Investment Bank and Managing Director for
Merger and Acquisition Services. Prior to joining
MNC Investment Bank, Ms. Anderson served for two
years as Senior Vice President for Corporate
Development of Hasbro Inc. and as President of its
Infant Products Division. Prior to that, she was
Managing Director, Mergers and Acquisitions at
Paine Webber Inc. Ms. Anderson is currently a
Trustee of the Hasbro Childrens Foundation and is
a member of the Editorial Board of Southeast Real
Estate Business. |
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Patricia C. Barron
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Ms. Barron, who is currently retired, has been a
director of the Company since September 2000. Ms.
Barron serves as a director of Aramark
Corporation, Quaker Chemical Corporation, Teleflex
Incorporated and United Services Automobile
Association, an insurance mutual corporation. She
also serves on a number of non-profit
organizations, with a focus on education and
health. Ms. Barron had a 28-year career in
business. She was an Associate at McKinsey and
Company and then moved to Xerox Corporation where
she became a corporate officer and held the
positions of Vice President of Business Operation
Support, President of Engineering Systems and
President of Office Document Products. Most
recently she has been a Clinical Associate
Professor at the Leonard N. Stern School of
Business of New York University, where she focused
on issues of corporate governance and leadership. |
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Anthony J. Cavanna
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Mr. Cavanna has been a director of the Company
since December 2003. He is currently serving as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and
previously served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Trex Company, Inc., the
nations largest manufacturer of alternative
decking products, from September 1998 until
December 2003, and is currently a director of that
company. Before forming Trex Company, Inc. in
1996 by leading a management buyout from Mobil
Chemical Company, Mr. Cavanna spent 33 years with
Mobil and held a variety of positions, including
Group Vice President, Vice President-Planning and
Finance, Vice President of Mobil Chemical and
General Manager of its Films Division Worldwide,
President and General Manager of Mobil Plastics
Europe and Vice President-Planning and Supply of
the Films Division. |
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Daniel W. Christman
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Mr. Christman was appointed to the Board of
Directors in August 2001. He is currently Senior
Vice President International Affairs for the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since
June 2003, and was previously the Executive
Director of the Kimsey Foundation in Washington,
D.C. Prior to that, he was Superintendent for the
U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York from
June 1996 until July 2001. He currently serves as
a director of United Services Automobile
Association and Entegris, Inc., a semi conductor
equipment manufacturer. |
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Paula H.J.
Cholmondeley
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Ms. Cholmondeley has been a director of the
Company since June 2004. She is currently an
independent consultant with financial accounting
expertise. From 2000 to 2004, she was Vice
President and General Manager, Specialty Products
of Sappi Fine Paper, North America. She has
occupied management positions in Owens Corning,
the Faxon Company and Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Greater Philadelphia. Ms. Cholmondeley is a
certified public accountant and our Sarbanes-Oxley
designated financial expert and currently serves
on the Board of Directors of Dentsply
International, Inc., Minerals Technology Inc.,
Albany International Corp., Terex Corporation and
Gartmore Capital, a mutual fund. |
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John D. Kavazanjian
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Mr. Kavazanjian was elected as the Companys
President and Chief Executive Officer effective
July 12, 1999 and as a director on August 25,
1999. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Kavazanjian worked for Xerox Corporation from 1994
in several capacities, most recently as Corporate
Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Document
Services Group. Mr. Kavazanjian also serves on
the Board of Directors of ViaHealth of Wayne
Foundation. |
Our Board of Directors has unanimously approved the above-named nominees for directors. Our
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of these nominees.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
General
Pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the state under which we
were organized, and our By-laws, our business, property and affairs are managed by or under the
direction of our Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors are kept informed of
Company business through discussions with our Chief Executive Officer and other corporate officers,
by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the Board and its
committees. Our Board of Directors has four standing committees: an Executive Committee, an Audit
and Finance Committee, a Governance Committee and a Compensation and Management Committee. We also
have a Mergers and Acquisitions Committee, which is an ad hoc committee formed in 2005 specifically
for the purpose of identifying and evaluating acquisition opportunities. During 2005, our Board of
Directors held six
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meetings and the committees of our Board of Directors, including the Mergers and Acquisition
Committee, held a total of 24 meetings.
Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of: (1) the total number of meetings of
the Board (held during the period for which such person has been a director); and (2) the total
number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he or she served.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a charter for each of the four standing committees that
addresses the composition and function of each committee and has also adopted corporate governance
principles that address the composition and function of the Board of Directors. These charters and
corporate governance principles are available on our website at www.ultralifebatteries.com under
the heading Investor Relations.
Our Board of Directors has determined that all of the directors who serve on these committees
(other than Mr. Kavazanjian who sits on the Executive Committee) are independent for purposes of
the Nasdaq Corporate Governance Listing Standards, and that the members of the Audit and Finance
Committee are also independent for purposes of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). The Board of Directors based these determinations
primarily on a review of the responses of the directors to questions regarding employment,
compensation history, affiliations and family and other relationships, and on follow-up
discussions.
Committees of the Board
Executive Committee
The current members of the Executive Committee are Ranjit C. Singh (Chair), Patricia C.
Barron, Paula H.J. Cholmondeley, Daniel W. Christman and John D. Kavazanjian. This committee is
responsible for overseeing such matters as the Board of Directors determines from time to time and
takes action in between regularly scheduled meetings of our Board of Directors when it is
infeasible to convene the entire Board. The Executive Committee did not meet during 2005.
Audit and Finance Committee
The current members of the Audit and Finance Committee are Paula H.J. Cholmondeley (Chair),
Anthony J. Cavanna, Carl H. Rosner and Ranjit C. Singh. As previously noted, Mr. Rosner will not
be standing for re-election at our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This committee selects our
independent registered public accounting firm and has oversight responsibility for reviewing the
scope and results of the independent registered public accounting firms annual examination of our
financial statements and the quality and integrity of those financial statements, the
qualifications and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, meeting with
our financial management and also the independent registered public accounting firm to review
matters relating to internal accounting controls, our accounting practices and procedures and other
matters relating to our financial condition. The Audit and Finance Committee met 11 times during
2005.
Our Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Audit and Finance
Committee is financially literate in accordance with Nasdaq Corporate Governance Listing
Standards. In addition, our Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Cholmondeley qualifies as
an Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.
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Governance Committee
The members of the Governance Committee are currently Patricia C. Barron (Chair), Paula H.J.
Cholmondeley and Daniel W. Christman. This committee reviews the performance of our directors,
makes recommendations to our Board of Directors for membership and committee assignments and
manages the annual evaluation of the performance of our Chief Executive Officer. The Governance
Committee met four times during 2005.
Compensation and Management Committee
The current members of the Compensation and Management Committee are Daniel W. Christman
(Chair), Patricia C. Barron and Anthony J. Cavanna. The Compensation and Management Committee has
general responsibility for recommending to our Board of Directors remuneration for the Chairman and
determining the remuneration of other officers elected by the Board of Directors, granting stock
options and otherwise administering our equity compensation plans, and approving and administering
any other compensation plans or agreements. Our Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan is
administered by the Compensation and Management Committee. The Compensation and Management
Committee met six times during 2005.
Mergers
and Acquisitions Committee
The
current members of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee are Ranjit C. Singh, Paula H.J.
Cholmondeley and Anthony J. Cavanna. As noted earlier, this committee is an ad hoc committee which
is responsible for identifying and evaluating acquisition opportunities. The Mergers and
Acquisitions Committee met three times during 2005.
Shareholder Recommendations for Director Nominations
As noted above, the Governance Committee considers and establishes procedures regarding
recommendations for nomination to our Board of Directors, including nominations submitted by
shareholders. Such recommendations should be sent to Corporate Secretary, Ultralife Batteries,
Inc., 2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513. Any recommendations submitted to the
Corporate Secretary should be in writing and should include any supporting material the shareholder
considers appropriate in support of that recommendation, but must include the information that
would be required under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a proxy
statement soliciting proxies for the election of such candidate and a signed consent of the
candidate to serve as a director of the Company, if elected. The Governance Committee evaluates
all potential candidates in the same manner, regardless of the source of the recommendation.
Based on the information provided to the Governance Committee, it will make an initial
determination whether to conduct a full evaluation of a candidate. As part of the full evaluation
process, the Governance Committee may conduct interviews, obtain additional background information
and conduct reference checks of candidates. The Governance Committee may also ask the candidate to
meet with management and other members of our Board of Directors. In evaluating a candidate, the
Board, with the assistance of the Governance Committee, takes into account a variety of factors as
described in our Corporate Governance Principles.
6
Director Nominee
Our new director nominee, Carole L. Anderson, was recommended to our Governance Committee by
one of our independent directors. Our Governance Committee then evaluated Ms. Andersons candidacy
in accordance with our Corporate Governance Principles.
Annual Meeting Attendance
Our policy is that all of the directors, absent special circumstances, should attend the
Companys Annual Meeting of Shareholders. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors is typically
scheduled in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All directors attended last
years Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Executive Sessions
Our Corporate Governance Principles require our Board of Directors to meet in executive
session regularly by requiring our independent directors to have at least four regularly-scheduled
meetings per year without any management present. Our Board of Directors met in executive session
five times during 2005.
Communicating with the Board of Directors
Shareholders interested in communicating directly with our Board of Directors as a group may
do so in writing to the Companys Corporate Secretary, Ultralife Batteries, Inc., 2000 Technology
Parkway, Newark, New York 14513. The Corporate Secretary will review all such correspondence and
forward to our Board of Directors a summary of that correspondence and copies of any correspondence
that, in his opinion, deals with the functions of the Board of Directors or that he otherwise
determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence
received by the Company that is addressed to members of the Board of Directors and request copies
of any such correspondence. Any concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing
matters will be brought to the attention of the Audit and Finance Committee and handled in
accordance with the procedures established by the Audit and Finance Committee with respect to such
matters.
Code of Ethics
We have a Code of Ethics applicable to all employees, including the Chief Executive Officer
and the Chief Financial Officer, and, to the extent it applies to their activities, all members of
the Board of Directors. Our Code of Ethics incorporates the elements of a code of ethics specified
in Item 406 of Regulation S-K and also complies with Nasdaq requirements for a code of conduct.
Shareholders can find a link to this Code of Ethics on the Companys website at
www.ultralifebatteries.com under the heading Investor Relations. We intend to post amendments to
or waivers (express or implied) from the Code of Ethics (to the extent applicable to the Chief
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer) at the same location on our website as the Code of
Ethics.
7
DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
In 2005, we retained an executive compensation consultant to conduct a survey of certain of
our peer group companies to ascertain whether our overall executive compensation was appropriate
and balanced. At the direction of our Governance Committee, management undertook a review of
director compensation at those same peer group companies and provided their conclusions to our
Governance Committee. After reviewing that information, our Governance Committee decided not to
make any changes to director compensation at that time and made a recommendation to that effect to
our Board of Directors.
Directors Cash Compensation
Each non-employee director received during 2005 a $3,000 quarterly retainer, and the Chair of
the Board received a $5,000 quarterly retainer. Each non-employee director also received $1,000
for each Board meeting attended; subject, however, to the provision that the meeting compensation
was reduced by 50% if the director participated by conference call. Each non-employee director
also received $750 for each meeting of one of the four standing committee meetings attended,
whether in person or by telephone, and $1,000 for each meeting of the Mergers and Acquisition
Committee attended, which amount was reduced to $750 if the director participated by conference
call. The Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee received a $1,250 quarterly retainer, and the
Chairs of the Governance and Compensation and Management Committees received a $625 quarterly
retainer. For board and committee service during 2005, we paid our directors an aggregate
$178,750.
Directors Options
In addition, during 2005, each incumbent non-employee director received options at the end of
each calendar quarter to purchase an aggregate 3,000 shares of Common Stock. The Chair of our
Board of Directors received an additional 2,000 share option at the end of each calendar quarter.
All options are vested and have a term of seven years from the date of grant and were granted at an
exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant. In accordance
with a policy adopted in December 2003, upon their appointment or election, newly appointed or
elected directors receive an option for twice the number of shares subject to the normal quarterly
option grant and thereafter receive their normal quarterly option grants. Unless otherwise decided
by the Committee, a director whose term of directorship has terminated for a reason other than
death or disability will have three months after such termination to exercise his or her options.
If the term of directorship is terminated as a result of death or disability, the period within
which to exercise the options is one year after the date of death or disability.
Options for an aggregate 20,000 shares were granted on March 31, 2005 at an exercise price of
$17.12 per share; options for 20,000 shares were granted on June 30, 2005 at an exercise price of
$16.15 per share; options for an aggregate 20,000 shares were granted on September 30, 2005 at an
exercise price of $12.92 per share; and options for an aggregate 20,000 shares were granted on
December 30, 2005 at an exercise price of $12.00 per share.
8
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The names of, and certain information with respect to our executive officers who are not
director nominees are presented on the following pages.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Present Principal Occupation and Employment History |
Julius M. Cirin
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Mr. Cirin, a battery industry
veteran, was named Vice
President of Corporate
Marketing and Technology in
February 2006, having served as
Vice President of Corporate
Marketing since August 2000.
Prior to joining the Company at
its founding in March 1991 as
Director of Marketing, Mr.
Cirin served as Quality
Assurance Manager for Eastman
Kodak Company in the Ultra
Technologies Division from 1986
to 1989. From 1979 to 1986,
Mr. Cirin worked at Duracell
USA in several product and
process engineering and quality
management positions. Mr.
Cirin has a B.S. in
Interdisciplinary Studies from
St. John Fisher College,
Rochester, New York. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter F. Comerford
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
Mr. Comerford was named Vice
President of Administration and
General Counsel on July 1, 1999
and was elected Secretary of
the Company in December 2000.
He joined the Company in May
1997 as Senior Corporate
Counsel and was appointed
Director of Administration and
General Counsel in December of
that year. Prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Comerford was
a practicing attorney for
approximately fourteen years
having worked primarily in
municipal law departments
including the City of Niagara
Falls, New York where he served
as the Corporation Counsel.
Mr. Comerford has a B.A. from
the State University of New
York at Buffalo, an MBA from
Canisius College and a J.D.
from the University of San
Diego School of Law. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert W. Fishback
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Mr. Fishback joined the Company
in December 1998 as Corporate
Controller. He became Vice
President of Finance and Chief
Financial Officer in October
1999 and was appointed
Treasurer of the Company in
December 2002. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr.
Fishback served as
Controller-Shared Services for
ITT Industries, a diversified
manufacturing company, from
1997 to 1998. From 1995 to
1997, he was Director-Corporate
Accounting for Goulds Pumps
Inc., a manufacturer of
industrial and commercial
pumps. From 1983 to 1995, Mr.
Fishback served in various
managerial capacities in
finance and operations with
Frontier Corporation, a
provider of local and
long-distance
telecommunications services.
He is a Certified Public
Accountant and has an MBA in
finance from the State
University of New York at
Buffalo. His undergraduate
degree in accounting is from
Grove City College. |
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick R. Hanna, Jr.
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Mr. Hanna was named Vice
President of Corporate Strategy
and Business Integration in
February 2006, having served as
Vice President of Corporate
Strategy since December 2001.
He joined the Company in
February 2000 as Director of
Strategic Planning after a
23-year career with Xerox
Corporation. Mr. Hanna served
in many capacities in the areas
of strategic and business
planning development, most
recently as the Strategic
Planning Manager of the Xerox
Internet and Software Services
organization. Mr. Hanna has a
B.S. in electrical engineering
from Howard University and an
MBA from the William E. Simon
Graduate School of Business
Administration of the
University of Rochester. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy C. Naigle
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Ms. Naigle, currently Vice
President of Sales and
Marketing, joined the Company
as Vice President of Worldwide
Sales in January 2001 after a
20 year career with Xerox
Corporation where she held
multiple sales and general
management positions, most
recently as Vice President and
General Manager of the Software
Solutions Business Group. Ms.
Naigle has an M.A. in English
and Computer Science and a B.A.
in English and Mathematics from
the University of Texas at
Arlington, and an MBA from the
University of Dallas. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William A. Schmitz
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
Mr. Schmitz, currently Chief
Operating Officer, joined the
Company in December 1999 as
Vice President, Manufacturing,
Primary Batteries, and became
Vice President and General
Manager, Primary Batteries in
2001 and Chief Operating
Officer in 2002. Before this,
Mr. Schmitz worked for Bausch &
Lomb from 1985 to 1999 in
several positions, most
recently as Director, New
Product Development in the
Eyewear Division from 1995 to
1999. Mr. Schmitz has an M.S.
in Operations Management from
the University of Rochester and
a B.S. in Mechanical
Engineering from the Rochester
Institute of Technology. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip M. Meek
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Mr. Meek has served as Vice
President of Manufacturing
since January 2002. He joined
the Company in August 1998 as
Production Manager, and in
September 1999 became Director
of Primary Battery
Manufacturing. Prior to this,
Mr. Meek worked for Duracell
USA from 1989 to 1998 where he
held several manufacturing
management positions at
Duracells largest alkaline
battery manufacturing facility.
Mr. Meek has a B.S. from
Indiana University of
Pennsylvania. |
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of
shares of the Companys Common Stock as of April 12, 2006 by each person known by the Company to
beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, with percentages
based on 14,780,096 shares issued and outstanding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Percent |
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
Grace Brothers, Ltd. (1)
1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 900
Evanston, IL 60201 |
|
|
2,343,989 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FMR Corp. (2)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109 |
|
|
1,428,300 |
|
|
|
9.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Babson Capital Management LLC (3)
One Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02142 |
|
|
1,146,078 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UBS AG (4)
Bahnhofstrasse 45
P.O. Box CH-8021
Zurich, Switzerland |
|
|
1,107,988 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This information as to the beneficial ownership of shares of the Companys Common Stock
is based on the Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 4) dated March 31, 2006 filed with the SEC by
Grace Brothers, Ltd., an Illinois limited partnership, Bradford T. Whitmore (Whitmore) and
Spurgeon Corporation (Spurgeon), its general partners. Grace Brothers, Ltd., Whitmore and
Spurgeon share voting and dispositive power with respect to all of such shares. In
addition, Whitmore has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 25,815 shares. |
|
(2) |
|
This information as to the beneficial ownership of shares of the Companys Common Stock
is based on the Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 2) dated February 14, 2006 filed with the SEC
by FMR Corp. The number of shares shown is beneficially owned by Fidelity Management &
Research Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., as a result of its acting as
investment advisor to various investment companies (the Funds) registered under Section 8
of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Fidelity Contrafund, one of the investment
companies, owns 1,068,280 of such shares. Edward C. Johnson 3d, Chairman of FMR Corp., and
FMR Corp., through its control of Fidelity Management & Research Company, and the Funds,
each has sole dispositive power with respect to the shares owned by the Funds. Sole power
to vote or direct the voting of these shares resides with the Funds Boards of Trustees. |
|
(3) |
|
This information as to the beneficial ownership of shares of the Companys Common Stock
is based on the Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 1) dated February 3, 2006 filed with the SEC
by Babson Capital Management LLC. In its role as an investment advisor, Babson has the sole
power to vote all 1,146,078 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to all 1,146,078
shares. |
|
(4) |
|
This information as to the beneficial ownership of shares of the Companys Common Stock
is based on the Schedule 13G dated February 14, 2006 filed with the SEC by UBS AG (for the
benefit and on behalf of the Traditional Investments division of the UBS Global Asset
Management business group of UBS AG and its subsidiaries and affiliates), UBS Americas Inc.
(having a principal business office at 677 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT 06901) and USB
Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc. (having a principal |
11
|
|
|
|
|
business office at One North Wacker, Chicago, IL 60606). USB AG has sole voting power with
respect to 812,488 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to all 1,107,988 shares;
USB Americas Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 584,188 shares and shared
dispositive power with respect to 879,688 shares; and USB Global Asset Management (Americas)
Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 520,588 shares and shared dispositive power with
respect to 816,088 shares. UBS Global Asset Management (Americas) Inc. is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of UBS Americas Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UBS AG. UBS AG is
reporting direct and indirect beneficial ownership of holdings. USB Americas Inc. is
reporting indirect beneficial ownership by reason of its ownership of UBS Global Asset
Management (Americas) Inc. None of the reporting persons affirms the existence of a group
within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1). USB AG, UBS Americas Inc. and USB Global Asset
Management (Americas) Inc. each disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities reported.
The filing reflects the securities beneficially owned by the Traditional Investment division
of the UBS Global Asset Management business group of UBS AG and its subsidiaries and
affiliates (UBS), and does not reflect securities, if any, beneficially owned by any other
division or business group of UBS. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of
shares of the Companys Common Stock as of April 12, 2006 by (1) each director, director nominee
and Named Executive Officer of the Company (see EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION), and (2) all directors,
director nominee and executive officers of the Company as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Percent |
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Beneficially Owned (14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carole L. Anderson |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
* |
|
Patricia C. Barron (2) |
|
|
58,116 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Anthony J. Cavanna (3) |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Paula H.J. Cholmondeley (4) |
|
|
29,065 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Daniel W. Christman (5) |
|
|
52,591 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John D. Kavazanjian (6) |
|
|
126,800 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Carl H. Rosner (7) |
|
|
93,611 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ranjit C. Singh (8) |
|
|
93,505 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Peter F. Comerford (9) |
|
|
56,875 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert W. Fishback (10) |
|
|
53,335 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Nancy C. Naigle (11) |
|
|
43,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William A. Schmitz (12) |
|
|
90,493 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors, director nominee and
executive officers as a group
(15 persons)(13) |
|
|
801,328 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
% |
* Less than 1%
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders named in this table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them. The
information provided in this table is based upon information provided to the Company by such
shareholders. The table reports beneficial ownership for the Companys directors and
executive officers in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. This means all
Company securities over which directors and executive officers |
12
|
|
|
|
|
directly or indirectly have or share voting or investment power are listed as beneficially
owned. The figures also include shares which may be acquired by exercise of stock options
prior to June 11, 2006. The address of each of the directors and executive officers of the
Company is c/o Ultralife Batteries, Inc., 2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes (i) 1,200 shares held jointly with Ms. Barrons husband, and (ii) 37,909 shares
subject to options that may be exercised by Ms. Barron. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 31,000 shares subject to options that may be exercised by Mr. Cavanna. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 27,000 shares subject to option that may be exercised by Ms. Cholmondeley. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 50,091 shares subject to options that may be exercised by Mr. Christman. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes (i) 1,800 shares held by Mr. Kavazanjians wife, and (ii) 40,500 shares subject
to options that may be exercised by Mr. Kavazanjian. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 33,000 shares subject to options that may be exercised by Mr. Rosner. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 91,505 shares subject to options that may be exercised by Mr. Singh. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 50,335 shares subject to options that may be exercised by Mr. Comerford. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 49,335 shares subject to options that may be exercised by Mr. Fishback. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes (i) 2,000 shares held jointly with Ms. Naigles husband, and (ii) 41,500 shares
subject to options that may be exercised by Ms. Naigle. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes (i) 82,693 shares subject to options that may be exercised by Mr. Schmitz, and
(ii) 300 shares held by Mr. Schmitz wife. |
|
(13) |
|
Includes 602,305 shares subject to options which may be exercised by the named directors
and executive officers. |
|
(14) |
|
Based on 14,780,096 shares issued and outstanding. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and persons who
own greater-than-10% of our Common Stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. To our
knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to us during 2005, all
Section 16(a) filings applicable to our officers, directors and greater-than-10% beneficial owners
were made within the timeframes required.
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The individuals named in the following tables include, as of December 31, 2005, our Chief
Executive Officer and our four other most highly compensated executive officers whose annualized
salary and bonus during 2005 exceeded $100,000 (Named Executive Officers).
The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation of
the Named Executive Officers for all services in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiary
during 2005, 2004 and 2003:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
|
Long Term Compensation |
|
|
Compensation (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation($) |
|
|
Restricted Stock |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary($) |
|
|
Bonus($) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
Awards ($) |
|
|
Options/SARs |
|
|
LTIP Payouts($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John D. Kavazanjian |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
308,749 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
15,454 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
3,442,721 |
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
303,284 |
|
|
|
62,001 |
|
|
|
20,494 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
3,744,612 |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
288,103 |
|
|
|
54,251 |
|
|
|
12,002 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William A. Schmitz |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
199,778 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
8,697 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
18,331 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
189,462 |
|
|
|
25,840 |
|
|
|
5,719 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
458,585 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
147,538 |
|
|
|
39,697 |
|
|
|
2,578 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
84,228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert W. Fishback |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
174,163 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
17,398 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
50,248 |
|
Vice
President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
169,635 |
|
|
|
22,813 |
|
|
|
11,293 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
131,859 |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
141,461 |
|
|
|
33,625 |
|
|
|
5,411 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
29,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,560 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy C. Naigle |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
159,946 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
13,344 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
163,845 |
|
Vice President of Sales |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
154,576 |
|
|
|
28,600 |
|
|
|
11,400 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
441,787 |
|
and Marketing |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
|
51,940 |
|
|
|
4,901 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
26,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter F. Comerford |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
144,058 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
8,577 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Vice President of |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
142,970 |
|
|
|
18,500 |
|
|
|
9,258 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
19,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
46,323 |
|
Administration and General
Counsel |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
124,500 |
|
|
|
24,937 |
|
|
|
1,786 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
19,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John D. |
|
|
William A. |
|
|
Robert W. |
|
|
Nancy C. |
|
|
Peter F. |
|
|
|
Kavazanjian |
|
|
Schmitz |
|
|
Fishback |
|
|
Naigle |
|
|
Comerford |
|
Insurance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
8,204 |
|
|
$ |
4,338 |
|
|
$ |
12,900 |
|
|
$ |
6,881 |
|
|
$ |
4,233 |
|
2004 |
|
|
11,631 |
|
|
|
4,049 |
|
|
|
5,229 |
|
|
|
5,538 |
|
|
|
3,779 |
|
2003 |
|
|
12,002 |
|
|
|
2,578 |
|
|
|
5,411 |
|
|
|
4,901 |
|
|
|
3,789 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
401(k) Plan (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
6,500 |
|
|
$ |
4,359 |
|
|
$ |
4,498 |
|
|
$ |
6,463 |
|
|
$ |
2,919 |
|
2004 |
|
|
5,248 |
|
|
|
1,670 |
|
|
|
3,064 |
|
|
|
2,862 |
|
|
|
2,479 |
|
2003 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
In 2004, the Company instituted a program where officers of the Company could take
advantage of Company-paid financial planning and tax preparation services offered by an outside
provider up to a maximum amount of $3,000 for financial planning services and $750 for each year
covered by the tax preparation services. The financial planning services were not offered in 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Planning |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
2004 |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
2003 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Preparation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
$ |
750 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
1,425 |
|
2004 |
|
|
615 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2003 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
In each case, the amount reported is the value realized upon the exercise of stock
options. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts reported in this column are categorized in the tables that follows the
Summary Compensation Table. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents the Companys matching grants to the employees 401(k) Plan accounts. |
14
The following table sets forth information concerning options granted to the Named
Executive Officers during 2005:
OPTION GRANTS IN 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price Appreciation |
|
|
|
Individual Grants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Option Term (1) |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
% (2) |
|
|
Price (3) |
|
|
Exp. Date |
|
|
5% Dollar |
|
|
10% Dollar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (4) |
|
|
Gain (4) |
|
John D. Kavazanijian |
|
|
23,148 |
|
|
|
12.9318 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
122,129.35 |
|
|
$ |
284,613.31 |
|
President and Chief |
|
|
26,852 |
|
|
|
15.0011 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
141,671.73 |
|
|
$ |
330,155.37 |
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
80,000 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
422,081.72 |
|
|
$ |
983,629.89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William A. Schmitz |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0.8380 |
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
12/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
7,327.81 |
|
|
$ |
17,076.91 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0.8380 |
|
|
$ |
16.15 |
|
|
|
6/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
9,862.01 |
|
|
$ |
22,982.67 |
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0.8380 |
|
|
$ |
12.92 |
|
|
|
9/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
7,889.61 |
|
|
$ |
18,386.14 |
|
|
|
|
13,291 |
|
|
|
7.4251 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
70,123.60 |
|
|
$ |
163,417.81 |
|
|
|
|
5,709 |
|
|
|
3.1894 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
30,120.81 |
|
|
$ |
70,194.29 |
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0.8380 |
|
|
$ |
17.12 |
|
|
|
3/31/2012 |
|
|
$ |
10,454.34 |
|
|
$ |
24,363.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert W. Fishback |
|
|
999 |
|
|
|
0.5581 |
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
12/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
4,880.32 |
|
|
$ |
11,373.22 |
|
Vice President of Finance |
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
0.0866 |
|
|
$ |
16.15 |
|
|
|
6/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
1,019.07 |
|
|
$ |
2,374.88 |
|
and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
0.0006 |
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
12/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
4.89 |
|
|
$ |
11.38 |
|
|
|
|
8,429 |
|
|
|
4.7089 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
44,471.59 |
|
|
$ |
103,637.70 |
|
|
|
|
12,571 |
|
|
|
7.0229 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
66,324.87 |
|
|
$ |
154,565.14 |
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
0.5587 |
|
|
$ |
12.92 |
|
|
|
9/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
5,259.74 |
|
|
$ |
12,257.42 |
|
|
|
|
667 |
|
|
|
0.3726 |
|
|
$ |
17.12 |
|
|
|
3/31/2012 |
|
|
$ |
4,648.70 |
|
|
$ |
10,833.44 |
|
|
|
|
333 |
|
|
|
0.1860 |
|
|
$ |
17.12 |
|
|
|
3/31/2012 |
|
|
$ |
2,320.86 |
|
|
$ |
5,408.60 |
|
|
|
|
845 |
|
|
|
0.4721 |
|
|
$ |
16.15 |
|
|
|
6/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
5,555.60 |
|
|
$ |
12,946.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy C. Naigle |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0.8380 |
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
12/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
7,327.81 |
|
|
$ |
17,076.91 |
|
Vice President of Sales |
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
0.1598 |
|
|
$ |
16.15 |
|
|
|
6/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
1,880.36 |
|
|
$ |
4,382.03 |
|
and Marketing |
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
0.2793 |
|
|
$ |
17.12 |
|
|
|
3/31/2012 |
|
|
$ |
3,484.78 |
|
|
$ |
8,121.02 |
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
1.6760 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
15,828.06 |
|
|
$ |
36,886.12 |
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
1.1173 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
10,552.04 |
|
|
$ |
24,590.75 |
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
0.8380 |
|
|
$ |
12.92 |
|
|
|
9/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
7,889.61 |
|
|
$ |
18,386.14 |
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
0.5587 |
|
|
$ |
17.12 |
|
|
|
3/31/2012 |
|
|
$ |
6,969.56 |
|
|
$ |
16,242.04 |
|
|
|
|
1,214 |
|
|
|
0.6782 |
|
|
$ |
16.15 |
|
|
|
6/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
7,981.65 |
|
|
$ |
18,600.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter F. Comerford |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
0.5587 |
|
|
$ |
12.00 |
|
|
|
12/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
4,885.21 |
|
|
$ |
11,384.61 |
|
Vice President of |
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
0.2313 |
|
|
$ |
16.15 |
|
|
|
6/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
2,721.91 |
|
|
$ |
6,343.22 |
|
Administration and |
|
|
586 |
|
|
|
0.3274 |
|
|
$ |
16.15 |
|
|
|
6/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
3,852.76 |
|
|
$ |
8,978.56 |
|
General Counsel |
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
0.1866 |
|
|
$ |
17.12 |
|
|
|
3/31/2012 |
|
|
$ |
2,327.83 |
|
|
$ |
5,424.84 |
|
|
|
|
333 |
|
|
|
0.1860 |
|
|
$ |
12.92 |
|
|
|
9/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
1,751.49 |
|
|
$ |
4,081.72 |
|
|
|
|
8,142 |
|
|
|
4.5486 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
42,957.37 |
|
|
$ |
100,108.93 |
|
|
|
|
12,858 |
|
|
|
7.1832 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
|
12/9/2012 |
|
|
$ |
67,839.08 |
|
|
$ |
158,093.91 |
|
|
|
|
667 |
|
|
|
0.3726 |
|
|
$ |
12.92 |
|
|
|
9/30/2012 |
|
|
$ |
3,508.24 |
|
|
$ |
8,175.70 |
|
|
|
|
666 |
|
|
|
0.3721 |
|
|
$ |
17.12 |
|
|
|
3/31/2012 |
|
|
$ |
4,641.73 |
|
|
$ |
10,817.20 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
There is not assurance that the value realized by an employee will be at or near the
amount estimated using this model. These amounts rely on assumed future stock price
movements that cannot be predicted accurately. |
|
(2) |
|
Options for a total of 211,000 shares were granted to employees. This amount does not
include the 80,000 share option granted to John D. Kavazanjian on December 9, 2005 which is
subject to shareholder approval. |
|
(3) |
|
Fair market value of Common Stock at date of grant. |
|
(4) |
|
Fair market value of Common Stock at end of actual option term assuming compounding at
the stated rate, less the option price. |
|
(5) |
|
This option was granted on December 9, 2005 subject to shareholder approval (see
Proposal 4) and accordingly has not been included in the total number of options granted in
2005 for purposes of determining the percentage represented by each option grant. |
15
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number of shares of
Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of stock options during 2005 and the number and value at
December 31, 2005 of unexercised options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by the Named
Executive Officers.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 2005
AND DECEMBER 31, 2005 OPTION VALUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised in the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options/SARs at |
|
Money Options/SARs |
|
|
|
Shares Acquired on |
|
|
|
|
Value |
|
December 31, 2005(#) |
|
at December 31, 2005 ($) |
|
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
|
|
Realized ($) |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable(1) |
|
John D. Kavazanjian |
|
|
281,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$3,442,721 |
|
42,000/70,000 |
|
|
|
$86,885/$0 |
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William A. Schmitz |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$24,441 |
|
92,193/45,500 |
|
|
|
$372,650/$185,015 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert W. Fishback |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$112,180 |
|
62,001/40,999 |
|
|
|
$201,475/$140,649 |
|
Vice President of Finance
and Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy C. Naigle |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
$163,845 |
|
34,000/29,500 |
|
|
|
$17,615/$159,285 |
|
Vice President of Sales
and Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter F. Comerford |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
$0 |
|
48,001/34,999 |
|
|
|
$150,191/$98,409 |
|
Vice President of
Administration and
General Counsel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Market value of Companys Common Stock at December 30, 2005 ($12.00) minus the exercise
price. |
The Compensation and Management Committee has revised its policy for granting stock
options to make it clear that only non-employee directors receive seven-year options to purchase
3,000 shares of Common Stock at the end of each calendar quarter at an exercise price equal to the
closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and that executive officers will receive
seven-year stock options at the end of each calendar quarter at an exercise price equal to the
closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant in the following amounts: William A. Schmitz
and Nancy C. Naigle - 1,500 shares; Robert W. Fishback and Peter F.
Comerford - 1,000 shares; and
Julius M. Cirin, Patrick R. Hanna, Jr. and Philip M. Meek - 500 shares.
The Company has no employee pension plans to which it makes contributions, except as described
below under 401(k) Plan.
EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
In connection with the hiring of Mr. Kavazanjian as our President and Chief Executive Officer
effective July 12, 1999, the Company granted Mr. Kavazanjian an option to purchase 500,000 shares
of Common Stock for $5.19 per share, exercisable until July 12, 2005. The option vested 50,000
shares at issue and 90,000 shares on July 12, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. During 2005, Mr.
Kavazanjian exercised the unexercised portion of that option prior to July 12, 2005. In September
2002, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Kavazanjian pursuant to which we agreed
to pay Mr. Kavazanjian a salary of $300,000 per annum. Annually, our Compensation and Management
Committee reviewed Mr. Kavazanjians salary and made such adjustments as it deemed appropriate in
accordance with our executive compensation guidelines. When we terminated car allowances for our
executive officers, Mr. Kavazanjians base salary was increased to $310,000. In addition, Mr.
Kavazanjian shall
16
have one year after the termination of his employment to exercise any vested but unexercised
stock options. On February 1, 2006, both the Company and Mr. Kavazanjian had the option of
terminating Mr. Kavazanjians employment agreement effective June 30, 2006. As neither party opted
to terminate the employment agreement, pursuant to its terms, the employment agreement was renewed
automatically for an additional year. The employment agreement will similarly renew each year, if
the parties do not give notice of intent to terminate by February 1 of the year in which the
agreement is intended to be terminated effective June 30.
In September 2002, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Schmitz, our Chief
Operating Officer, pursuant to which we agreed to pay Mr. Schmitz a salary of $125,000 per annum.
Annually, our Compensation and Management Committee reviewed Mr. Schmitzs salary and made such
adjustments as it deemed appropriate in accordance with our executive compensation guidelines.
Pursuant to that agreement, Mr. Schmitz shall have one year after the termination of his employment
to exercise any vested but unexercised stock options. On February 1, 2006, both the Company and
Mr. Schmitz had the option of terminating Mr. Schmitzs employment agreement effective June 30,
2006. As neither party opted to terminate the employment agreement, pursuant to its terms, the
employment agreement was renewed automatically for an additional year. The employment agreement
will similarly renew each year if the parties do not give notice of intent to terminate by February
1 of the year in which the agreement is intended to be terminated effective June 30.
401(k) PLAN
We established a profit sharing plan under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code (the 401(k) Plan), effective as of June 1, 1992. The 401(k) Plan was amended effective as
of January 1, 1994. All employees in active service who have completed 1,000 hours of service or
were participating in the 401(k) Plan as of January 1, 1994, not otherwise covered by a collective
bargaining agreement (unless such agreement expressly provides that those employees are to be
included in the 401(k) Plan), are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Eligible employees
may direct that a portion of their compensation, up to a maximum of 17% (in accordance with all IRS
limitations in effect on January 1, 1998) be withheld and contributed to their account under the
401(k) Plan.
In April 1996, our Board of Directors authorized a Company matching contribution up to a
maximum of 1 1/2% of an employees annual salary for the calendar year ended December 31, 1996 and 3%
for subsequent calendar years. In January 2001, the matching contribution was raised to a maximum
of 4% (100% match of up to 3% of annual salary, and 50% match above 3% to a maximum of 5% of
salary). We made or accrued contributions of $150,000, $234,000, and $162,000 for Fiscal 2000,
2001, and 2002, respectively. In January 2002, the Company match was suspended in an effort to
conserve cash. Beginning in February 2004, we reinstated our match up to a maximum of 2%. In
November 2005, the Company match was once again suspended in an effort to conserve cash. For 2005,
2004 and 2003, we contributed $133,000, $174,000 and $0, respectively, pursuant to the matching
program then in effect.
All 401(k) contributions are placed in a trust fund to be invested at the trustees
discretion, except that the Company may designate that the funds be placed and held in specific
investment accounts managed by an investment manager other than the trustees. The trustees of our
401(k) Plan have retained an independent plan administrator for purposes of administering the plan.
Amounts contributed to employee accounts by the Company or as compensation reduction payments, and
any earnings or interest accrued on employee accounts, are not subject to federal income tax until
distributed to the employee, and may not be withdrawn (absent financial hardship) until death,
retirement or termination of employment.
17
REPORT OF COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
CONCERNING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following is a report of the Compensation and Management Committee of the Board of
Directors regarding executive compensation. The membership and duties of this committee are
described on page 6 of the Proxy Statement in which this report appears.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICY
Philosophy. We base our executive compensation policies on the same principles that guide us
in establishing all of our compensation programs. We design compensation programs to attract,
retain and motivate talented individuals. In particular:
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We base compensation decisions on a combination of the level of job responsibility,
individual performance and Company performance. Generally, as employees progress to
higher levels in the Company, an increasing proportion of their pay is linked to
Company performance and shareholder returns. |
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|
We try to have our compensation package reflect the value of the job in the
marketplace. To attract and retain a skilled work force, we must remain competitive
with the pay of other employers who compete with us for talent. |
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|
We develop and administer our compensation programs to foster the long-term focus
required for success in our industry, but we also try to achieve an appropriate balance
between short-term and long-term compensation in order to adequately motivate
employees. |
Methodology. We consider various measures of Company and industry performance, including
sales, earnings per share, total market value and total shareholder return. These data assist us
in exercising judgment in establishing total compensation ranges. We do not assign these
performance measures relative weights. Instead, we make a subjective determination after
considering all such measures collectively.
We also compare, or benchmark, our compensation programs with other companies of comparable
size and stature. For this benchmarking, we try to use a peer group consisting of similarly
situated companies. We compare the executive compensation programs as a whole, and we also compare
the pay of individual executives if we believe the jobs are sufficiently similar to make the
comparison meaningful. We use the peer group data primarily to ensure that the executive
compensation program as a whole is within the broad middle range of comparative pay of the peer
group companies when we achieve the targeted performance levels. We do not target a specific
position in the range of comparative data for each individual or for each component of
compensation. We establish individual amounts in view of the comparative data and such other
factors as level of responsibility, prior experience, and our judgment as to individual
performance. We do not apply formulas or assign these factors specific mathematical weights;
instead, we exercise judgment and discretion.
From time to time, we retain an independent compensation consultant to assist us in evaluating
our executive compensation programs and in setting the compensation for our chief executive
officer. The consultant reports directly to us. The use of an independent consultant provides
additional assurance that our programs are reasonable and consistent with our objectives. We did
not retain an independent compensation consultant during 2005.
18
COMPONENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FOR 2005
During 2005, we compensated our executive officers through a combination of base salary, cash
bonuses, long-term incentive awards, which consisted of stock options, and certain other
compensation and benefits, such health and life insurance benefits. Each of these components of
compensation is discussed, in turn, below.
Base Salary. We review the base salaries for executive officers at least annually, and we
must approve all salary increases for executive officers. For 2005, we set base salaries based on
Company and individual performance for the previous year, internal relativity and market
conditions, including pay at the peer group companies. As noted above, we used the peer group and
other market data to test for reasonableness and competitiveness of base salaries, but we also
exercised subjective judgment in view of our compensation objectives. We believe that the base
salaries paid to our executive officers are competitive with industry norms.
In the past, when the Companys performance has suffered, we have reduced executive
compensation accordingly. For example, during 2002, we recommended that the Company pay its
executive officers 80% of their base salaries in order to conserve cash resources during a
difficult economic period. The executive officers embraced this recommendation and cooperated with
the Company to implement this salary reduction. The reduction continued during 2003 and 2004, when
we paid executive officers between 80% and 90% of their base salaries. Because our economic
position has improved, for 2005 we recommended that the base salary reduction policy be
discontinued. This recommendation was adopted, and during 2005, we paid the executive officers
100% of their base salaries.
Information regarding base salaries paid to Named Executive Officers for the past three fiscal
years is included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 14 of this Proxy Statement.
Cash Bonuses. During 2005, the process by which we award cash bonuses to executive officers
was in transition. In 2004 and prior years, executives had been eligible to receive up to four
quarterly cash bonuses per year based upon the quarterly financial performance of the Company as
measured against budgeted targets. In early 2005, at the same time that we recommended the
elimination of the base salary reduction policy for executive officers, we recommended the
elimination of quarterly percentage bonuses based on pre-established earnings targets. Later in
the year, we adopted a new officer bonus plan. The plan, which is summarized below, will be fully
implemented in 2006.
Under the officer bonus plan, John D. Kavazanjian, our President and Chief Executive Officer,
is eligible to receive a cash bonus in an amount equal to up to 100% of his annual base
compensation. The determination as to whether to pay a cash bonus to Mr. Kavazanjian, as well as
the amount of the cash bonus, if any, is made by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion,
based upon our recommendation, which, in turn, is based upon our assessment of the performance of
the Company during the fiscal year.
William A. Schmitz, our Chief Operating Officer, is eligible to receive a cash bonus in an
amount equal to up to 70% of his annual base compensation under the officer bonus plan. The
determination as to whether to pay a cash bonus to Mr. Schmitz, as well as the amount of the cash
bonus, if any, is made by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, based upon our
recommendation, which, in turn, is based upon our assessment of the performance of the Company
during the fiscal year.
The remaining named executive officers, consisting of Robert W. Fishback, our Vice President
of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Nancy C. Naigle, our Vice President of Sales and Marketing,
and Peter F. Comerford, our Vice President of Administration and General Counsel, and our other
executive
19
officers, Julius M. Cirin, Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Technology, Patrick R.
Hanna, Jr., Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Business Integration, and Philip M. Meek, Vice
President of Manufacturing are each eligible to receive a cash bonus in an amount equal to up to
50% of their respective annual base compensation under the officer bonus plan. The determination
as to whether to pay a cash bonus to our named executive officers, as well as the amount of the
cash bonus, if any, depends on two factors, each of which is equally important.
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The first factor is the achievement of the performance goals established for the
executive officer. |
Each executive officers performance goals are based upon the particular area for which the
executive officer is responsible and relate to the achievement of identifiable and largely
objective standards. All are based, in part, on the achievement of budgeted financial thresholds.
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|
The second factor is the overall assessment of the Board of Directors of the
Companys performance during 2006. |
Information regarding cash bonuses paid to named executives officers for the past three fiscal
years is included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 14 of this Proxy Statement.
Long-Term Incentive Awards. Long-term incentive awards are designed to:
|
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focus attention on building sustained shareholder value through meeting longer-term
financial and strategic goals; |
|
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|
|
link managements financial success to that of the shareholders via equity plan
participation of key employees; |
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balance long-term with short-term focus and decision making; and |
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encourage and create executive ownership of our stock. |
Long-term incentive awards to executive officers are usually made under our Amended and
Restated 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which we administer. Annually, we submit a recommendation
to the Board of Directors regarding whether awards should be made for the fiscal year, and if so,
the aggregate amount of those awards. The total number of shares utilized is taken into account
when considering the potential Company profit and loss amounts or accounting cost and the overall
effects of shareholder dilution. Annual awards are generally made at the end of each year to
individuals based on recommendations submitted to us by Mr. Kavazanjian, our Chief Executive
Officer, or, with respect to awards to Mr. Kavazanjian and the four other most highly compensated
executives, by us, based on their contributions to the success of the Company, taking into
consideration competitive grant levels and total options granted as a percentage of shares
outstanding. Additional option grants may be made throughout the year at our discretion. However,
awards for more than 10,000 shares require approval of the full Board of Directors. Such grants
are generally made to new employees or in recognition of outstanding accomplishments or changes in
job responsibilities. Each grant is designed to align the interests of the employees with those of
the shareholders.
During 2005, all awards consisted of grants of stock options having exercise prices equal to
100% of the fair market value of the Companys Common Stock on the date of grant. The
exercisability and future value of these options is directly linked to increases in the price of
the Companys Common Stock and the passage of time (generally requiring employees to remain
employed by the Company in order to
20
receive their awards), thereby linking long-term compensation to both increased shareholder
value and continuing service to the Company.
Stock option grants to named executives are detailed on page 15 of this Proxy Statement.
Other Compensation. Executive officers are each entitled to participate in, or receive
benefits under, all pension plan, profit-sharing plan, life insurance plan, health insurance plan
and other employee benefit plan made available by the Company to its employees. Currently, the
Company provides medical insurance for its executive officers and has established a 401(k) plan, in
which all employees are eligible to participate, including our executive officers.
In 2005, the Company made available to its executive officers certain financial planning and
tax return preparation services, the cost of which was borne by the Company. The Company funded $0
for financial planning services and $2,175 for tax return preparation services.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION FOR 2005
In establishing Mr. Kavazanjians compensation for 2005, we applied the principles outlined
above in the same manner as they were applied to the other executives. We compared company
performance with that of the peer group companies, including EPS growth, economic value added,
market value added, and total shareholder return. We did not assign these performance measures
relative weights but rather made a subjective determination after considering the data
collectively. In addition, consistent with our annual process, in an executive session including
all independent directors, we assessed Mr. Kavazanjians 2004 performance. We considered the
Companys and Mr. Kavazanjians accomplishment of objectives that had been established at the
beginning of the year and our own subjective assessment of his performance. Based on that
analysis, we maintained Mr. Kavazanjians base salary at $310,000 for 2005. As with all of our
executive officers, Mr. Kavazanjian had his 2005 salary restored to 100% of his base salary in
2005.
With respect to long-term incentive awards, we considered Mr. Kavazanjians contributions to
the success of the Company in addition to the other standards considered for all executive
officers. In particular, we noted Mr. Kavazanjians leadership in connection with the following:
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Managing the Able acquisition, which was announced publicly in January 2006, but
began during 2005; |
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|
Continuing to manage the Companys relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense
during the on-going transition of purchasing responsibility for the U.S. Department of
Defense from the U.S. Department of the Army-Communications and Electronics Command to
the Defense Logistics Agency; |
|
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|
Overseeing the reduction in force that occurred during 2005 and managing its
impacts; and |
|
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|
Fostering the development of non-military business in commercial markets, including
search and rescue, automotive telematics and medical applications. |
On December 9, 2005, consistent with our annual practice, we granted stock options under the
Amended and Restated 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan to certain executive officers, including Mr.
Kavazanjian, who received an option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition, at the
same time, we granted Mr. Kavazanjian a further non-qualified option to purchase 80,000 shares of
Common Stock also at an exercise price of $12.96 per share, the closing price of the Companys
Common
21
Stock on December 9, 2005. This 80,000 share option was not awarded under the Amended and
Restated 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and it is subject to approval by the our shareholders, as
discussed elsewhere in the Proxy Statement. In determining the size of the stock option award
grants, we took into consideration Mr. Kavazanjians individual performance, compensation equity,
peer group data, and the size of grants previously made to Mr. Kavazanjian. During 2005, Mr.
Kavazanjian also received supplemental life insurance ($700,000 coverage in addition to $300,000 of
basic coverage) and supplemental disability insurance.
DEDUCTIBILITY CAP ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Under U.S. federal income tax law, we cannot take a tax deduction for certain compensation
paid in excess of $1 million to our five most highly compensated executive officers. However,
performance-based compensation, as defined in the tax law, is fully deductible if the programs are
approved by shareholders and meet other requirements. Our policy is to qualify our incentive
compensation programs for full corporate deductibility to the extent feasible and consistent with
our overall compensation goals. The Company has taken steps to qualify certain of its compensation
for full deductibility as performance-based compensation. We may make payments that are not
fully deductible if, in our judgment, such payments are necessary to achieve our compensation
objectives and to protect shareholder interests.
CONCLUSION
The Compensation and Management Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the caliber
and motivation of all our employees, and especially our executive leadership, are essential to the
Companys performance. We believe our management compensation programs contribute to our ability
to differentiate our performance from others in the marketplace. We will continue to evolve and
administer our compensation programs in a manner that we believe will be in shareholders interests
and worthy of shareholder support.
Compensation and Management Committee
Daniel W. Christman, Chair
Patricia C. Barron
Anthony J. Cavanna
22
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative return to holders of the Companys Common Stock
for the period commencing June 30, 2000 through the end of 2005 with the NASDAQ U.S. Index and the
NASDAQ Electronic Components Index for the same period. The comparison assumes $100 was invested
on June 30, 2000 in the Companys Common Stock and in each of the comparison groups, and assumes
reinvestment of dividends. The Company paid no dividends during the comparison period. In
December 2002, the Company changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31. Accordingly,
the data shown at December 31, 2002 reflects the transition period associated with the fiscal year
end change.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The duties and responsibilities of the Audit and Finance Committee are set forth in our Audit
and Finance Committee Charter, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A. Among other
things, the Audit and Finance Committee reviews the adequacy of our systems of internal controls
regarding financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and preparing our consolidated
financial statements. In addition, the Audit and Finance Committee recommends to our Board of
Directors that our audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K,
approves the Companys quarterly filings on Form 10-Q and selects the independent registered public
accounting firm to audit our books and records.
The Audit and Finance Committee has:
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Reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements for 2005 with our management and
with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for
2005; |
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Discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to
be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification for Statements on Auditing Standards) (as modified by
SAS 90); and |
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|
Received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the written disclosures required by
Independence Standards Board Statement No. 1 (Independent Discussions with Audit
Committees), and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP their independence. |
23
The Audit and Finance Committee met with our independent accountants with and without
management present and discussed with them the results of their examinations, their evaluations of
our internal control over financial reporting, our disclosure controls and procedures and the
quality of our financial reporting. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the
Audit and Finance Committee concluded that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is independent and
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2005 for filing with the SEC.
Audit and Finance Committee
Paula H.J. Cholmondeley, Chair
Anthony J. Cavanna
Carl H. Rosner
Ranjit C. Singh
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFY THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accountants, served as
the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company in connection with the audit of
the Companys financial statements for 2004 and 2005.
Our Audit and Finance Committee has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for 2006. This selection will be presented to our shareholders
for their ratification at the Meeting. The Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of the
proposal to ratify this selection, and the persons named in the enclosed proxy (unless otherwise
instructed therein) will vote such proxies FOR this proposal. If the shareholders do not ratify
this selection, the Audit and Finance Committee will reconsider its choice.
We have been advised by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that a representative will be present at
the Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. In addition, we intend to
give such representative an opportunity to make any statements if he or she should so desire.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for us by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for
2004 and for 2005 were:
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2004 |
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2005 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
158,000 |
|
|
$ |
182,000 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
$ |
329,000 |
|
|
$ |
278,000 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
$ |
43,000 |
|
|
$ |
24,900 |
|
All Other Fees |
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$ |
11,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
541,000 |
|
|
$ |
484,900 |
|
24
Audit Fees for 2004 and 2005, respectively, were for professional services rendered for the
audits of the consolidated financial statements of the Company, consents, income tax provision
procedures and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC.
Audit Related Fees for 2004 and 2005, respectively, were for assurance and related services
related to employee benefit plan audits, accounting consultations and audits in connection with
internal control reviews, attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and
consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
Tax Fees for 2004 and 2005, respectively, for services related to tax compliance, including
the preparation of tax returns and claims for refund, and tax planning and tax advice.
All Other Fees for 2004 were for S-8 review and related consents and access to web-based
research.
Our Audit and Finance Committee has not adopted pre-approval policies and procedures for audit
and non-audit services. Accordingly, this Proxy Statement does not include disclosure regarding
pre-approval policies and procedures and related information. The engagement of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for non-audit accounting and tax services is limited to circumstances
where those services are considered integral to the audit services that it provides or where there
is another compelling rationale for using PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All audit, audit-related and
permitted non-audit services for which PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was engaged were pre-approved by
our Audit and Finance Committee in compliance with applicable SEC requirements.
PROPOSAL 3
APPROVE THE AMENDMENT OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
On June 10, 2004, our shareholders approved the Ultralife Batteries, Inc. 2004 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (the LTIP). Our Board of Directors approved certain amendments to the LTIP on
July 26, 2004 and restated the LTIP to reflect those amendments (the Restated LTIP).
We believe that long-term incentive awards are invaluable tools for the recruitment, retention
and motivation of employees, directors and consultants who can contribute materially to the
Companys success. We have used stock options for such purposes since 1992, and we continue to
believe that stock options are an appropriate vehicle to incentivize and reward our employees,
directors and consultants. As of April 12, 2006, there are outstanding options to acquire up to
1,420,871 shares of our Common Stock. Of the 750,000 shares originally reserved for issuance
pursuant to the LTIP, only 40,551 shares remain available for future issuance pursuant to new
grants or awards as of April 12, 2006. Our Board of Directors believes that it is important to
have additional shares available to provide adequate flexibility to meet future needs.
The description of the Restated LTIP set forth below is a summary, does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Restated LTIP
itself. The complete text of the Restated LTIP is attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
Unless otherwise defined in this summary, capitalized terms used in this summary have the meanings
given such terms in the Restated LTIP.
25
The following table provides certain important information concerning our existing equity
compensation plans of the Company as of April 12, 2006:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
remaining available |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for future issuance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
under equity |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
compensation plans |
|
|
|
securities to be |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(excluding |
|
|
|
issued upon |
|
|
Weighted-average |
|
|
Weighted-average |
|
|
securities |
|
|
|
exercise of |
|
|
exercise price of |
|
|
term remaining of |
|
|
reflected in column |
|
Plan category |
|
outstanding options |
|
|
outstanding options |
|
|
outstanding options |
|
|
(a)) |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
1,420,871 |
|
|
$ |
11.09 |
|
|
4.45 years |
|
|
40,551 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders. |
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
$ |
12.96 |
|
|
6.67 years |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals |
|
|
1,500,871 |
|
|
|
11.19 |
|
|
4.57 years |
|
|
40,551 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary of Restated LTIP
Purpose. Like our previous option plans, the purpose of our Restated LTIP is to
provide our employees, directors and consultants who are in a position to contribute to our
long-term success, with Common Stock and options to acquire Common Stock, to increase their
interest in our Companys welfare and to aid in attracting and retaining employees, directors and
consultants of outstanding ability.
Term. The LTIP was adopted by our Board of Directors on April 27, 2004 and became
effective on June 10, 2004 when it was approved by our shareholders. The Restated LTIP was adopted
by our Board of Directors on July 26, 2004 after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Awards may
not be granted under the Restated LTIP after June 9, 2014, but awards granted before then may
extend beyond that date.
Administration. The Restated LTIP is administered by our Compensation and Management
Committee, or such other committee as may be designated by our Board of Directors (the
Committee); provided, however, that the Committee shall consist of not less than two directors
who are non-employee directors, within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
The Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers under the
Restated LTIP to any one or more of its members, our Chief Executive Officer or other senior
members of management as the Committee deems appropriate; however, only the Committee may select
and grant awards to participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The Committee has broad authority in its administration of the Restated LTIP, including, but
not limited to, the authority to interpret the plan; to establish rules and regulations for the
operation and administration of the plan; to select the persons to receive awards; to determine the
type, size, terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions of awards, including, without
limitation, terms regarding vesting, exercisability, assignability, expiration and the effect of
certain events, such as a change of control in the Company or the participants death, disability,
retirement or termination as a result of breach of agreement; and to take all other action it deems
necessary or advisable to administer the Restated LTIP.
Notwithstanding the Committees broad authority to administer the Restated LTIP and the awards
issued under the Restated LTIP, the exercise price of any stock option or stock appreciation right
granted pursuant to the Restated LTIP may not be subsequently repriced without shareholder
approval. The
26
term reprice means: (1) the reduction, directly or indirectly, in the per-share exercise
price of an outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right by amendment, cancellation or
substitution; (2) the cancellation of a stock option or stock appreciation right when its exercise
price exceeds the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock in exchange for another stock
option, stock appreciation right or other equity security (unless the cancellation and exchange
occurs in connection with a merger, acquisition, or similar transaction); or (3) the taking of any
other action that is treated as a repricing under United States generally accepted accounting
principles or by the rules or regulations of any stock exchange on which our securities are traded.
The term reprice shall not include adjustments made to awards by the Committee upon the
occurrence of certain events (as described under Adjustments Upon Certain Events below).
To facilitate the granting of awards to participants who are employed or retained outside of
the United States, the Committee will be authorized to modify and amend the terms and conditions of
an award to accommodate differences in local law, policy or custom.
Eligibility. All of our employees, directors and consultants are eligible to
participate in the Restated LTIP; provided, however, only employees are eligible to receive
incentive stock options. Participants in the Restated LTIP will be selected by the Committee from
those eligible persons who are in a position to have a material impact on the results of operations
of the Company and its subsidiaries. Participants may be selected and awards may be made at any
time during the ten-year period following the effective date of the Restated LTIP. As of December
31, 2005, eight executive officers and approximately 530 other officers and other employees would
be eligible for participation in the Restated LTIP.
The selection of those persons within a particular class who will receive awards is entirely
within the discretion of the Committee. The Committee has not yet determined how many persons are
likely to participate in the Restated LTIP. The Committee intends, however, to grant most of the
Restated LTIPs awards to those persons who are in a position to have a significant direct impact
on the growth, profitability and success of the Company, which would include the participants in
our current equity compensation plans.
Shares Available. A total of 40,551 shares of Common Stock remain available for grant
of awards under the Restated LTIP. In addition, any shares remaining available for issuance under
our prior 2000 Option Plan, or shares which become available upon the lapse, expiration,
termination or cancellation of outstanding stock options under the 2000 Option Plan, will be
available for grant of awards under the Restated LTIP. However, of the total number of shares of
Common Stock available for awards under the Restated LTIP, no more than 200,000 shares of Common
Stock may be used for awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights. (The Restated
LTIP authorizes the Committee to make equitable adjustments to the authorized number and class of
securities to be issued under the Restated LTIP upon the occurrence of certain events, as described
under Adjustments Upon Certain Events below.) If our shareholders approve the proposed
amendment to our Restated LTIP, we will have a total of 790,551 shares of Common Stock available
for future award grants.
Types of Awards. Awards under the Restated LTIP may be in the form of stock options,
stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock and other stock-based awards, or
any combination thereof. All awards granted to participants under the Restated LTIP shall be
evidenced by an award agreement which specifies the type of award granted pursuant to the Restated
LTIP, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the award and all of the terms governing the
award, including, without limitation, terms regarding the vesting, exercisability and expiration of
the award. The Committee has exclusive power and authority, consistent with the provisions of the
Restated LTIP, to establish the terms and conditions of any award and to waive any such terms or
conditions.
27
Award Limits. The maximum number of shares with respect to which awards may be paid
or granted during each calendar year to any given participant may not exceed 50,000 shares of
Common Stock. (The Restated LTIP authorizes the Committee to make equitable adjustments to the
number of shares with respect to which awards may be paid or granted during each calendar year to
any given participant under the Restated LTIP upon the occurrence of certain events, as described
under Adjustments Upon Certain Events below.)
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant awards under the
Restated LTIP in the form of stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock, which stock options
may be non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options for federal income tax purposes. Any
stock option granted in the form of an incentive stock option must satisfy the requirements of
Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code. Stock options shall be vested and exercisable at such
times and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee, but in no event
shall a stock option be exercisable more than ten years (five years for incentive stock options
issued to certain Control Persons) after the date it is granted. The exercise price per share of
Common Stock for any stock option awarded shall not be less than 100 percent (110 percent for
incentive stock options issued to certain Control Persons) of the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock on the day the stock option is granted, except for stock options granted in assumption
or replacement of outstanding awards in connection with specified corporate transactions.
A stock option may be exercised by paying the exercise price in cash or its equivalent, or, to
the extent permitted by the Committee, shares of Common Stock, a combination of cash and shares of
Common Stock or through the delivery of irrevocable instruments to a broker to sell the shares of
Common Stock obtained upon the exercise of the stock option and to deliver to the Company an amount
equal to the exercise price.
The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights independent of (Freestanding SARs) or in
conjunction with (Tandem SARs) a stock option. The exercise price of a stock appreciation right
shall be an amount determined by the Committee, but in no event shall such amount be less than the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the stock appreciation right is granted or, in
the case of Tandem SARs, the exercise price of the related stock option. Each Freestanding SAR
shall entitle the participant upon exercise to an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the fair
market value on the exercise date of one share of Common Stock over (B) the exercise price, times
(ii) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the stock appreciation right is exercised.
Each Tandem SAR shall entitle the participant to surrender the related stock option and to receive
an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the fair market value on the exercise date of one share of
Common Stock over (B) the exercise price per share of Common Stock, times (ii) the number of shares
of Common Stock covered by the related stock option which is surrendered. Payment of a stock
appreciation right may be made by the Company in shares of Common Stock or in cash or partly in
shares of Common Stock and partly in cash, as determined by the Committee.
Stock-Based Awards. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant stock awards
(shares of restricted stock or unrestricted stock) and other awards that are valued in whole or in
part by reference to, or are otherwise based on the fair market value of, the Common Stock. Such
stock-based awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall
determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive, or vest with respect to, one or
more shares of Common Stock (or the equivalent cash value of such shares of Common Stock) upon the
completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of
performance objectives. The restricted period specified in respect of any stock award shall not be
less than three years, except that the Committee may (i) provide for the restricted period to
terminate at any time after one year upon the attainment of performance-based objectives, and (ii)
grant stock awards of up to 30,000 shares of Common Stock
28
without regard to this limitation. Furthermore, the Committee may not terminate the
restrictions applicable to outstanding stock awards except in connection with a Change in Control.
The Committee may grant an unrestricted stock award only if the Committee determines that such
stock award is made in lieu of all or a portion of salary or cash bonus of comparable value.
Withholding. The Company will be entitled to deduct from any payment to a participant
under the Restated LTIP the amount of all applicable income and employment taxes required by law to
be withheld with respect to such payment or may require the participant to pay to the Company such
tax prior to and as a condition of the making of such payment. Subject to certain limitations, the
Committee may allow a participant to pay the amount of taxes required by law to be withheld from an
award by withholding shares of Common Stock to be paid under such award or by permitting the
participant to deliver to the Company shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal to
the amount of such taxes.
Adjustments Upon Certain Events. In the event of any reclassification,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, issuance of warrants, rights or
debentures, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, cash dividend, property dividend,
combination or exchange of shares, repurchase of shares or any other change in corporate structure
which in the judgment of the Committee materially affects the value of the Common Stock, the
Committee may determine the substitutions or adjustments to the maximum number of shares available
for the grant or issuance of awards under the Restated LTIP, the maximum award payable under the
Restated LTIP, the number and class of shares and the exercise price per share set forth in any
award theretofore granted, or any other affected terms of an award or the Restated LTIP as the
Committee deems equitable or appropriate.
Effect of Certain Events. The Committee will have the authority to promulgate rules
and regulations to determine the treatment of a participants award in the event of the
participants death, disability or termination. In addition, the Committee shall have the right to
extend the period for exercise of any stock option or stock appreciation right, provided such
extension does not exceed the term for such stock option or stock appreciation right.
Unless otherwise decided by the Committee and provided in an award agreement, upon a
participants death or disability prior to the complete exercise of the stock options or stock
appreciation rights granted to him or her under the Restated LTIP, any such remaining stock options
or stock appreciation rights may be exercised within one year after the date of the participants
death or disability and prior to the expiration of the term thereof, to the extent exercisable on
the date of the participants death or disability.
Unless otherwise decided by the Committee and provided in an award agreement, upon a
participants termination for any reason other than death or disability prior to the complete
exercise of the stock options or stock appreciation rights granted to him or her under the Restated
LTIP, any such remaining stock options or stock appreciation rights may be exercised within three
months after the date of the participants termination and prior to the expiration of the term
thereof, to the extent exercisable on the date of the participants termination.
Amendment and Termination. The Board of Directors may, at any time, alter, amend,
suspend, discontinue or terminate the Restated LTIP; provided, however, that no such action shall
adversely affect the rights of participants to awards previously granted hereunder and, provided
further, however, that any shareholder approval necessary or desirable in order to comply with tax,
securities, or other applicable laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the listing
requirements of the stock exchanges on which the securities of Company are listed, shall be
obtained in the manner required therein. In addition, the Board of Directors may, at any time and
for any reason, with or without prior notice, amend the Plan in
29
any manner, but may not without shareholder approval, adopt any amendment which would: (1)
increase the number of shares available under the Restated LTIP; (2) expand the types of awards
available; (3) expand the class of persons eligible to participate; (4) extend the term of the
Restated LTIP; (5) be a material amendment to the Restated LTIP, including, but not limited to, a
change in the method of determining the exercise price of options issued under the Restated LTIP;
(6) allow for repricing of options or SARs; or (vii) terminate restrictions applicable to awards
(except in connection with a grantees death, disability or termination of employment or connection
with a Change in Control).
New Plan Benefits
Because the benefits conveyed under the amended LTIP will largely be at the discretion of the
Committee (other than those options automatically granted at the end of each calendar quarter to
executive officers and non-employee directors), it is not possible to determine what benefits
participants will receive under the amended LTIP. If the amended LTIP had been in effect in 2005,
the stock options received in 2005 by the named executive officers, all current executive officers
as a group, all current directors who are not executive officers as a group, and all employees who
are not executive officers, would have been the same as the stock options actually received by such
persons for 2005 under the Restated LTIP, as set forth in the following table:
New Plan Benefits
Restated LTIP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Position |
|
Dollar Value ($) |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
John D. Kavazanjian |
|
$ |
1,036,800 |
|
|
|
130,000 |
(1) |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William A. Schmitz |
|
$ |
333,525 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert W. Fishback |
|
$ |
330,350 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Vice President of Finance and Chief
Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy C. Naigle |
|
$ |
152,085 |
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
Vice President of Sales and Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter F. Comerford |
|
$ |
330,350 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Vice President of Administration and
General Counsel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Executive Officers as a Group |
|
$ |
2,361,115 |
|
|
|
179,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Non-Employee Directors as a Group |
|
$ |
1,163,800 |
|
|
|
80,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Employees as a Group |
|
$ |
496,165 |
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes the December 9, 2005 grant of an 80,000 share option which is
subject to shareholder approval at the Meeting (see Proposal 4). |
Securities Act Registration
We intend to register the additional shares of Common Stock issuable and purchasable under the
Restated LTIP pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 as soon as practicable, subject to
the shareholders approval of the amendment to the Restated LTIP at the Meeting.
30
Tax Status of Restated LTIP Awards
Introduction. The following discussion of the United States federal income tax
consequences of awards under the Restated LTIP, as proposed, is based on present federal tax laws
and regulations and does not purport to be a complete description of the federal income tax laws.
Participants may also be subject to certain foreign, state and local taxes which are not described
below.
Incentive Stock Options. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 422A of the Internal
Revenue Code, only employees are eligible to receive incentive stock options. If a stock option is
an incentive stock option, no income is realized by the employee upon grant or exercise of the
incentive stock option, and no deduction is available to the Company at such times. If the Common
Stock purchased upon the exercise of an incentive stock option is held by the employee for at least
two years from the date of the grant of such incentive stock option and for at least one year after
exercise, any resulting gain is taxed at long-term capital gains rates. If the Common Stock
purchased pursuant to the incentive stock option is disposed of before the expiration of that
period, any gain on the disposition, up to the difference between the fair market value of the
Common Stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price of the incentive stock option, is taxed
at ordinary rates as compensation paid to the employee, and the Company is entitled to a deduction
for an equivalent amount. Any amount realized by the employee in excess of the fair market value
of the Common Stock at the time of exercise is taxed at capital gains rates.
Non-Qualified Options. If a stock option is a non-qualified option, no income is
realized by the participant at the time of grant of the non-qualified stock option, and no
deduction is available to the Company at such time. At the time of exercise (other than by
delivery of shares of Common Stock to the Company), ordinary income is realized by the participant
in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the
shares on the date of exercise, and the Company receives an income tax deduction for the same
amount. If a non-qualified stock option is exercised by delivering shares of Common Stock to the
Company, the number of shares received by the participant equal to the number of shares so
delivered are received tax-free and have a tax basis and holding period equal to the shares so
delivered. The fair market value of the additional shares received by the participant are taxable
to the participant as ordinary income, and the participants tax basis in such shares is their fair
market value on the date of exercise. Upon disposition, any appreciation or depreciation of the
Common Stock after the date of exercise may be treated as capital gain or loss depending on how
long the shares have been held.
Stock Appreciation Rights. No income is realized by a participant at the time a stock
appreciation right is granted, and no deduction is available to the Company at such time. When the
stock appreciation right is exercised, ordinary income is realized in the amount of the cash or the
fair market value at such time of the shares of Common Stock received by the participant, and we
are entitled to a deduction of equivalent value.
Unrestricted Stock and Unrestricted Stock-Based Awards. Upon the grant of an award of
shares of unrestricted stock or another stock-based award which is not restricted, a participant
realizes taxable income equal to the cash and fair market value at such time of the shares of
Common Stock received by the participant under such award (less the purchase price therefor, if
any), and we are entitled to a corresponding tax deduction at that time.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock-Based Awards. Upon the grant of an award of
shares of restricted stock or another stock-based award which is restricted, no income is realized
by a participant (unless a participant timely makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to
accelerate the recognition of the income to the date of grant), and the Company is not allowed a
deduction at that time; when the award vests and is no longer subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture for income tax purposes,
31
the participant realizes taxable ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash and the fair
market value at the time of vesting of the shares of Common Stock received by the participant under
such award (less the purchase price therefor, if any), and we are entitled to a corresponding
deduction at such time. If a participant makes an election, as permitted under Section 83(b) of
the Code, within 30 days after the date of the transfer by the Company to the participant of the
shares of restricted stock or other restricted stock-based award, then the participant recognizes
taxable ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash and the fair market value at the time of
grant of the shares of Common Stock to be received by the participant under such award (less the
purchase price therefor, if any), and we are entitled to a corresponding deduction at such time.
Stock Price
The closing price of our Common Stock reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on April 12, 2006,
was $11.54 per share.
Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
We believe that our best interests will be served by the approval of Proposal 3. Amending the
Restated LTIP will enable us to be in a position to grant stock options and other new forms of
long-term incentive awards to employees, directors and consultants who can contribute materially to
our success.
Approval of Proposal 3 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of the Common
Stock represented at the Meeting, provided that a majority of the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock votes on the proposal.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of the proposal to approve the amendment to
the Restated LTIP, and, unless otherwise indicated therein, the shares represented by the enclosed
properly executed proxy will be voted FOR such proposal.
PROPOSAL 4
RATIFY AND APPROVE THE GRANT OF AN OPTION TO JOHN D. KAVAZANJIAN
On December 9, 2005, we granted a stock option under our Restated LTIP to our Chief Executive
Officer, John D. Kavazanjian, for 50,000 shares of common stock, the maximum amount allowed for a
single grant under the Restated LTIP. In addition, at the same time, Mr. Kavazanjian received a
further non-qualified option to purchase 80,000 shares of Common Stock, also at an exercise price
of $12.96 per share, the closing price of the Companys Common Stock on December 9, 2005. This
80,000 share option, because it was not awarded under the Restated LTIP, is subject to shareholder
approval. As noted in the Report of our Compensation and Management Committee (page 18), in
deciding to grant Mr. Kavazanjian options greater than what the Restated LTIP provided, our
Compensation and Management Committee was guided by Mr. Kavazanjians individual performance,
compensation equity, peer group data and the size of grants previously made to him.
The tax status of the non-qualified option granted to Mr. Kavazanjian is the same as that set
forth in the section of this Proxy Statement under Proposal 3 entitled Tax Status of Restated LTIP
Awards, Non-Qualified Options.
32
Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation
We believe that it is in the best interests of our Company to appropriately incentivize and
reward our Chief Executive Officer and that our best interests will be served by the approval of
Proposal 4.
Approval of Proposal 4 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of the Common
Stock represented at the Meeting, provided that a majority of the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock votes on the Proposal.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote in favor of the Proposal to approve the grant of this
option to John D. Kavazanjian and, unless otherwise indicated therein, the shares represented by
the enclosed properly executed Proxy will be voted FOR such proposal.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not intend to present, and has not been informed that any other
person intends to present, any matters for action at the Meeting other than those specifically
referred to in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is
intended that the holders of the proxies will act in respect thereof in accordance with their best
judgment.
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, shareholder proposals intended for inclusion in the
proxy statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be submitted in writing to the
Company to our Corporate Secretary at 2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513, and must be
received by the Company by January 3, 2007.
Any shareholder proposal submitted for consideration at the Companys 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders but not submitted for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for that meeting that
is received by the Company after March 20, 2007 will not be considered filed on a timely basis with
the Company under Rule 14a-4(c)(1) of the Exchange Act. For such proposals that are not timely
filed, the Company retains discretion to vote proxies it receives. For such proposals that are
timely filed, the Company retains discretion to vote proxies it receives provided that the Company
includes in its Proxy Statement advice on the nature of the proposal and how it intends to exercise
its voting discretion and the proponent of any such proposal does not issue its own proxy
statement.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC, is
included in the Annual Report to Shareholders which accompanies this Proxy Statement.
|
|
|
May 3, 2006
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
Ranjit C. Singh
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
33
APPENDIX A
Audit and Finance Committee Charter
Amended April 26, 2005
Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
Audit and Finance Committee
Charter
I. Purpose
The primary function of the Audit and Finance Committee (the Committee) is to assist the
Board of Directors (the Board) in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing and
discussing: (a) the consolidated financial information of Ultralife Batteries, Inc. and its
subsidiaries (the Company) which will be provided to stockholders and others, (b) adequacy of the
systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and ethics guidelines
that management and the Board have established, (c) and the Companys auditing, accounting and
financial reporting processes. Consistent with this function, the Committee should encourage
management to engage in continuous improvement of, and should foster adherence to, the Companys
policies, procedures and practices at all levels.
Generally, the Committees primary duties and responsibilities are to: (a) serve as an
independent and objective party to monitor the Companys financial reporting processes and internal
control systems, (b) review and appraise the audit results of any public accounting firm engaged
for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest
services for the Company (the Independent Auditor) and its internal accounting staff, (c) retain
and, if appropriate, discharge the Independent Auditor, (d) review and monitor areas of risk that
could have a material impact on the Company, and (e) provide an open avenue of communication among
the independent accountants, financial and senior management, and the Board.
II. Composition
The Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined from time to time by
the Board, each of whom shall be independent as determined by the Board in accordance with the
applicable rules of Nasdaq, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act.
All members of the Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial
statements, including the Companys balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. The
Committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has accounting or related
financial management expertise, and who shall be an audit committee financial expert as defined
by the SEC. In carrying out their Committee responsibilities, members of the Committee are not
providing any expert or special assurance as to the Companys financial statements or any
professional certification as to the Independent Auditors work. Committee members may enhance
their familiarity with finance and accounting by participating in educational programs conducted by
the Company or an outside consultant.
The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board at the Companys Annual Meeting
of the Board or until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. The members of the
Committee may be removed by the Board at any time. The Committee will be chaired by an Independent
Director appointed by the Board.
III. Duties and Responsibilities.
Responsibility for the Companys financial statements rests primarily with management and the
Independent Auditor, and both the internal auditor of the Company and the Independent Auditor are
responsible for conducting audits. Nonetheless, the Committee shall have the following authority
and responsibilities:
Independent Auditor
Appointment and Oversight. The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation, retention and oversight of the Independent Auditor with the understanding that the
Independent Auditor must report directly to the Committee. The Committee shall make it clear to
the Independent Auditor that the Independent Auditor is ultimately accountable to the Committee as
the representative of the Companys stockholders.
Scope of Service. The Committee shall meet with the Independent Auditor and financial
management of the Company to understand the scope and associated fees of the proposed audit for the
current year and the audit procedures to be utilized, and at the conclusion thereof discuss any
comments or recommendations of the Independent Auditors.
Evaluation. The Committee shall, no less than annually (including at the time it appoints the
Independent Auditor), evaluate the Independent Auditors qualifications, performance and
independence. This evaluation shall include the review and evaluation of the lead partner of the
Independent Auditor firm. In making its evaluation, the Committee shall take into account the
opinions of management and the Companys internal auditor. The Committee shall report its findings
to the Board.
Annual Report on Quality Control and Independence. The Committee shall receive and review, at
least annually, a report from the Independent Auditor relating to the Independent Auditors
independence and quality of the Independent Auditors internal controls. The report shall describe
(a) the Independent Auditors internal quality-control procedures, (b) any material issues raised
by the most recent peer review or internal quality-control review of the Independent Auditor, (c)
any material issues raised by any governmental or professional authority and any inquiry or
investigation, within the preceding five years, regarding any independent audit carried out by the
Independent Auditor, and (d) any steps taken to deal with any issues raised in connection with
clauses (b) and (c) above. In addition, to assist the Committee in assessing the independence of
the Independent Auditor, the report shall describe all relationships between the Independent
Auditor and the Company (including any significant fees for any anticipated non-audit services.
Independent Auditor Plan. The Committee shall review with the Independent Auditor and
management the plan and scope of the Independent Auditors proposed annual financial audit and
quarterly reviews, including the procedures to be utilized and the Independent Auditors
compensation. The Committee shall also pre-approve audit, non-audit, and any other services to be
provided by the Independent Auditor in accordance with such policies as may, from time to time, be
adopted by the Committee. The Committee may (a) pre-approve audit and non-audit services based on
policies and procedures adopted by the Committee, provided that: (i) the policies and procedures
are detailed as to the particular service, (ii) the Committee is informed of each service on a
timely basis, (iii) such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Committees
responsibilities to management, and (iv) such policies and procedures are disclosed in the
Companys Annual Report; and/or (v) delegate to one or more of its members the authority to approve
in advance all audit or non-audit services to be provided by the Independent Auditor so long as
decisions made by such member are presented to the full Committee at the immediately subsequent
scheduled meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pre-approval is not
-2-
necessary for de minimis non-audit services if: (a) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit
services provided to the Company constitutes not more than five percent of the total amount of
revenues paid by the Company to its auditors during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services
are provided; (b) such services were not recognized by the Company at the time of the engagement to
be non-audit services; and (c) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee
and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Committee or by one or more members of the
Committee who are members of the Board of Directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has
been delegated by the Committee.
Audit Reports and Reviews. The Committee shall, in consultation with management and the
Independent Auditor, review the results of the annual financial audit and limited quarterly reviews
of the Companys financial statements, significant findings thereof, and any other matters required
to be communicated by the Independent Auditor under general accepted auditing standards, including,
if applicable, the Independent Auditors summary of any significant accounting, auditing and
internal control issues, along with questions, comments and recommendations and managements
corrective action plans, if applicable (i.e., the management or internal control letter).
In conjunction with its annual audit and its limited quarterly reviews of the Companys
financial statements, the Independent Auditor will review with the Committee any problems or
difficulties the Independent Auditor encountered in the course of its work, including any
restrictions on the scope of the Independent Auditors activities, its access to information, or
any significant disagreements with management and managements responses to such matters.
Management shall notify the Committee when it seeks a second opinion on a significant accounting
issue, the Committee shall be responsible for the resolution of any disagreements between
management and the Independent Auditor regarding financial reporting.
Financial Statements
The Committee shall review with management the consolidated financial statements contained in
the Form 10-K and annual report to stockholders, quarterly financial statements on Form 10-Q,
including MD&A disclosures, to determine that management is satisfied with the disclosure and
content of the financial statements to be presented to the Companys stockholders.
Scope of Review. In reviewing the Companys Form 10-K and 10-Q, the Committee shall review
with management and the Independent Auditor:
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the certifications required to be made by management in relation to the filings,
including those which relate to any significant deficiencies or weaknesses in the
design or operation of the Companys internal control over financial reporting and any
fraud, whether or not material, involving management or other employees who have a
significant role in the Companys system of internal control; |
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major issues regarding the presentation of, and the clarity of the disclosure in,
the Companys financial statements; |
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major issues regarding the Companys accounting principles, including (i)
significant changes in the Companys selection or application of its accounting
principles, (ii) material questions of choice with respect to the appropriate
accounting principles and practices used and to be used in the preparation of the
Companys financial statements, including judgments about the quality, not just
acceptability, of accounting principles, and (iii) the reasonableness of those
significant judgments; |
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significant regulatory and accounting initiatives, including material changes in, or
adoptions of, accounting principles and disclosure practices and standards; |
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the effect of off-balance sheet structures on the Companys financial statements; |
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any analyses prepared by management or the Independent Auditor regarding the
foregoing matters; and |
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other communications regarding the results of the Independent Auditors audit or
review, including any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the
Independent Auditor under generally accepted auditing standards. |
Earnings Releases and Guidance
The Committee shall discuss and review earnings press releases and financial information with
management, as well as earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. In connection
with this discussion and review, the Committee shall address the appropriate use of pro forma and
adjusted non-GAAP information and relevant reconciliations of such non-GAAP information to GAAP
financial presentation.
Internal Controls
The Committee shall discuss with the Companys financial and accounting personnel, the
adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls of the Company, and elicit any
recommendations for the improvement of such internal control procedures or particular areas where
new or more detailed controls or procedures are desirable. Particular emphasis should be given to
the adequacy of such internal controls to expose any payments, transactions, or procedures that
might be deemed illegal or otherwise improper. The Committee shall also discuss with the
Independent Auditors any significant matters regarding internal controls over financial reporting
that have come to their attention during the conduct of their audit. The Committee must establish
procedures for the (i) receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company
regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential,
anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters. Further, the Committee periodically should review Company policy statements to
determine their adherence to an appropriate code of conduct.
Internal Audit
The Committee shall review the internal audit function through an indirect reporting
relationship, including its competence and objectivity, and proposed audit plans for the coming
year. The Committee shall review and approve, at least annually, an Internal Audit Plan. The
Committee shall review and approve changes in the compensation of the head of the Companys
internal audit function as recommended by the Companys management. The Committee shall also
receive regular reports at least quarterly from the internal auditor regarding the results of the
internal audits. The Committee shall also discuss with the internal auditor, at least annually,
the responsibilities, budget, and staffing of the Companys internal audit function.
IV. Committee Operations
Meeting Schedule. The Committee shall approve its schedule of meetings and shall meet at
least four times per year. The Committee may also hold additional meetings at the direction of the
Committee
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Chairman or at the request of any other Committee members. The Committee may meet in person
or by telephone conference call, and may act by unanimous written consent.
Agenda and Materials. The Committee Chairman shall approve the agenda for the Committees
meeting, and any member may suggest items for the Committees consideration. Briefing materials
shall be provided to the Committee as far in advance of a meeting as practicable.
Attendance at Meetings. The Committee, at the discretion of the Committee Chairman, may
invite members of management to attend the Committees meetings. All outside directors who are not
Committee members shall be invited to attend Committee meetings, provided that: (i) the Committee
shall meet without such other Directors during executive session, (ii) the Committee Chairman may
ask non-Committee members to leave the meeting at any time, and (iii) such non-Committee members
may not vote on any actions considered by the Committee.
Executive Sessions. The Committee shall hold an executive session at each regularly scheduled
meeting. During the executive sessions, no non-Committee members shall be present. As part of
these executive sessions, the Committee may, at its discretion, meet separately and privately with
each of the following: (i) management, (ii) the internal auditor, and (iii) representatives of the
Independent Auditor.
Voting. A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum. Each Committee member
shall have one vote and actions at meetings may be approved by a majority of the members present.
Reporting to the Board. At the Board of Directors meeting following each Committee meeting,
the Committee Chairman (or the Chairmans designee) shall report to the full Board on the
Committees actions and recommendations. Among other things, these reports shall address any
issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the Companys financial statements,
the Companys compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of
the Independent Auditor, and the performance of the internal audit function.
V. Committee Resources
To assist the Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities (i) each Committee member shall
have full access to any member of management, the internal auditor, and the Independent Auditor,
and (ii) the Committee may retain independent consultants, counsel, and other advisors as it
determines necessary to carry out its duties. The Committee will have sole authority and
responsibility for hiring, approving the fees and retention terms for, and terminating the services
of, such advisors.
The Company will provide appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of
the fees of the Independent Auditor, the administrative expenses of the Committee, and any advisors
that the Committee may employ in carrying out its duties.
VI. Performance Evaluation
The Committee shall conduct an evaluation of the Committees performance at least annually.
The evaluation shall address subjects including the Committees composition, responsibilities,
structure and processes, and effectiveness. As part of this evaluation, the Committee shall also
review the Committees charter. The Committee shall, as appropriate, make recommendations to
management, the Governance Committee, or the full Board as a result of its performance evaluation
and review of its charter.
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APPENDIX B
Amended and Restated 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
2004 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Original Plan Effective June 10, 2004
As Amended by the Board on July 26, 2004
Section 1. Purpose.
The Plan authorizes the Committee to provide Employees, Directors and Consultants of the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries, who are in a position to contribute to the long-term success of
the Corporation, with Stock and options to acquire Stock, in accordance with the terms specified
herein. The Corporation believes that this incentive program will cause those persons to increase
their interest in the Corporations welfare and aid in attracting and retaining Employees,
Directors and Consultants of outstanding ability.
Section 2. Successor Plan.
This Plan shall serve as the successor to the Ultralife Batteries, Inc. Amended and Restated
2000 Stock Option Plan (the Predecessor Plan), and no further stock options shall be made under
the Predecessor Plan from and after the effective date of the Plan. All outstanding stock options
under the Predecessor Plan immediately prior to the effective date of the Plan are hereby
incorporated into the Plan and shall accordingly be treated as outstanding stock options under the
Plan; provided, however, each such stock option shall continue to be governed solely by the terms
and conditions of the instrument evidencing such stock option and interpreted under the terms of
the Predecessor Plan, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no provision of the Plan
shall affect or otherwise modify the rights or obligations of holders of such incorporated stock
options with respect to their acquisition of Stock, or otherwise modify the rights or the
obligations of the holders of such stock options. Any Stock reserved for issuance under the
Predecessor Plan in excess of the number of shares as to which stock options have been granted
thereunder, plus any such shares as to which stock options granted under the Predecessor Plan may
lapse, expire, terminate or be cancelled, shall be deemed available for issuance or reissuance
under Section 4(a) hereof.
Section 3. Definitions.
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms, when used in the Plan,
shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 3:
(a) Award shall mean any Option, SAR, Stock Award or other
incentive award granted under the Plan, whether singly, in combination, or in tandem, to a
Grantee by the Committee pursuant to such terms, conditions, restrictions and/or
limitations, if any, as the Committee may establish by the Award Agreement or otherwise.
(b) Award Agreement shall mean the document establishing the terms,
conditions, restrictions and limitations of an Award in addition to those established by the
Plan and by the Committees exercise of its administrative powers.
(c) Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(d) CEO shall mean the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
(e) Change in Control shall mean the occurrence of any of the
following: (i) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) is or becomes a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing 30% or
more of the voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Corporation; (ii) during
any period of two consecutive calendar years there is a change of 25% or more in the
composition of the Board in office at the beginning of the period except for changes
approved by at least two-thirds of the Directors then in office who were Directors at the
beginning of the period; (iii) the stockholders of the Corporation approve an agreement
providing for (A) the merger or consolidation of the Corporation with another corporation
where the stockholders of such corporation, immediately after the merger or consolidation,
own shares entitling such stockholders to 50% or more of all votes (without consideration of
the rights of any class of stock to elect Directors by separate class vote) to which all
stockholders of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the merger or consolidation
would be entitled in the election of directors or where the members of the board of
directors of such corporation, immediately after the merger or consolidation, constitute a
majority of the board of directors of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the
merger or consolidation, or (B) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all
the assets of the Corporation, or a liquidation, dissolution or statutory exchange of the
Corporation; or (iv) any person has commenced, or announced an intention to commence, a
tender offer or exchange offer for 30% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding
securities of the Corporation.
(f) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as it may be
amended from time to time.
(g) Committee shall mean the Compensation and Management Committee
of the Board, or such other Board committee as may be designated by the Board to administer
the Plan; provided that the Committee shall consist of not less than two Directors who are
Non-Employee Directors, as that term is defined and interpreted pursuant to Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act. The Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of
the Board.
(h) Consultant shall mean any consultant, advisor or independent
contractor retained by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.
(i) Control Person shall mean any person who, as of the date of
grant of an Option, owns (within the meaning of Section 422A(b)(6) of the Code) stock
possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock
of the Corporation or of any Parent or Subsidiary.
(j) Corporation shall mean Ultralife Batteries, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
(k) Director shall mean any member of the Board.
(l) Disability shall mean permanent and total disability as defined
by Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
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(m) Employee shall mean any person employed by the Corporation or
its Subsidiaries on a full or part-time basis, including Directors who are otherwise
employed by the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.
(n) Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as
it may be amended from time to time, including the rules thereunder and any successor
provisions and the rules thereto.
(o) Fair Market Value shall mean for any day (i) if the Corporation
is a registrant under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the closing price of the Stock in the
over-the-counter market, as reported through the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System or, if the stock is listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, the last reported sale price on such exchange or, (ii) if the
Corporation is not a registrant under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the price of the Stock
will be determined by the Board on the date of grant but will not be less than the par value
of such Stock.
(p) Grantee shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant granted
an Award under the Plan.
(q) Immediate Family Member shall mean the transferor and his or
her spouse, children or grandchildren, whether natural, step or adopted children or
grandchildren.
(r) ISO shall mean an Option granted pursuant to the Plan to
purchase shares of Stock and intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section
422 of the Code, as now or hereafter constituted.
(s) NQSO shall mean an Option granted pursuant to the Plan to
purchase shares of the Stock that is not an ISO.
(t) Non-Employee Director shall mean a non-employee director
within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
(u) Options shall refer collectively to NQSOs and ISOs subject to
the Plan.
(v) Parent shall mean any parent (as defined in Section 425 of the
Code) of the Corporation.
(w) Plan shall mean this 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan as set forth
herein and as amended from time to time.
(x) SAR shall mean a stock appreciation right granted pursuant to
Section 8 hereof; a stock appreciation right shall entitle the Grantee to receive a payment
equal to the appreciation in a stated number of shares of Stock from the exercise price for
that stock appreciation right to the Fair Market Value of the stated number of shares of
Stock on the date of exercise.
(y) Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of 1933 as it may
be amended from time to time, including the rules thereunder and any successor provisions
and the rules thereto.
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(z) Stock shall mean shares of the Common Stock, par value $.10 per
share, of the Corporation.
(aa) Stock Award shall mean an award of shares of Stock or
restricted shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof.
(bb) Subsidiary shall mean any subsidiary (as defined in Section
425 of the Code) of the Corporation.
Section 4. Shares of Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) In General. The maximum number of shares of Stock which shall be
available for the grant or issuance of Awards under the Plan (including ISOs) during its
term shall not exceed 750,000 (plus any shares of Stock which are or become available under
Section 2 hereof, which shares shall also be available for the grant or issuance of Awards
under the Plan); provided, however, that no more than 200,000 shares of Stock may be used
for Awards other than Options or SARs. Such amounts shall be subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4(c) hereof. Any shares of Stock related to Awards which terminate by
expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of such shares, are
settled in cash in lieu of Stock, or are exchanged with the Committees permission for
Awards not involving Stock, shall be available again for grant under the Plan. Moreover, if
the exercise price of any Award granted under the Plan or the tax withholding requirements
with respect to any Award granted under the Plan are satisfied by tendering shares of Stock
to the Corporation (by either actual delivery or by attestation), only the number of shares
of Stock issued net of the shares of Stock tendered will be deemed delivered for purposes of
determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan.
The shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares, including shares purchased in open market or private
transactions. For the purpose of computing the total number of shares of Stock granted
under the Plan, where one or more types of Awards, both of which are payable in shares of
Stock, are granted in tandem with each other, such that the exercise of one type of Award
with respect to a number of shares cancels an equal number of shares of the other, the
number of shares granted under both Awards shall be deemed to be equivalent to the number of shares under one of the Awards.
(b) Maximum Awards Payable. Subject to Section 4(c) hereof, and
notwithstanding any provision contained in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum Award
payable (or granted, if applicable) to any one Grantee under the Plan for a calendar year is
50,000 shares of Stock.
(c) Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any
reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, issuance of
warrants, rights or debentures, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, cash
dividend, property dividend, combination or exchange of shares, repurchase of shares or any
other change in corporate structure which in the judgment of the Committee materially
affects the value of shares, then the Committee may determine the substitutions or
adjustments to the maximum number of shares available for the grant or issuance of Awards
under the Plan pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, the maximum Award payable under Section 4(b)
hereof, the number and class of shares and the exercise price per share set forth in any
Award theretofore granted, or any other affected terms of an Award or the Plan as the
Committee, in its sole discretion and without liability to any person, deems equitable or
appropriate; provided, however, that no such adjustments shall be
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made to any ISO without the Grantees consent, if such adjustment would cause such ISO
to fail to qualify as such.
Section 5. Administration of the Plan.
(a) In General. The Committee shall have total and exclusive
responsibility to control, operate, manage and administer the Plan in accordance with its
terms. The Committee may act only by a majority of its members. Any determination of the
Committee may be made, without a meeting, by a writing or writings signed by all of the
members of the Committee. The decisions of the Committee and its actions with respect to
the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons having or claiming to have
any right or interest in or under the Plan.
(b) Authority. The Committee shall have all the authority that may
be necessary or helpful to enable it to discharge its responsibilities with respect to the
Plan. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Committee shall have
the exclusive right to:
(i) determine eligibility for participation in the Plan;
(ii) select the Grantees and determine the type of Awards to be made to
Grantees, the number of shares of Stock subject to Awards and the terms, conditions,
restrictions and limitations of the Awards, including, but not by way of limitation,
restrictions on the transferability of Awards and conditions with respect to continued
employment or performance criteria;
(iii) interpret the Plan or any Award Agreement;
(iv) construe any ambiguous provision, correct any default, supply any
omission, and reconcile any inconsistency of the Plan or an Award Agreement;
(v) issue administrative guidelines as an aid to administer the Plan and make
changes in such guidelines as it from time to time deems proper;
(vi) promulgate regulations for carrying out the Plan and make changes in
such regulations as it from time to time deems proper;
(vii) to the extent permitted under the Plan, grant waivers of Plan terms,
conditions, restrictions, and limitations;
(viii) promulgate rules and regulations regarding treatment of Awards of a
Grantee under the Plan in the event of such Grantees death, disability, retirement,
termination from the Corporation or breach of agreement by the Grantee, or in the event of a
Change in Control of the Corporation;
(ix) to the extent permitted under the Plan, accelerate the vesting,
exercise, or payment of an Award when such action or actions would be in the best interest
of the Corporation;
(x) subject to Section 5(d) hereof, grant Awards in replacement of Awards
previously granted under the Plan or any other executive compensation plan of the
Corporation;
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(xi) determine the terms and provisions of any Award Agreements entered into
hereunder, including, a provision in an Award Agreement that requires, upon the occurrence
of a Change in Control specified in Section 3(e)(iii) hereof, the cancellation for cash of
outstanding Awards or the issuance of comparable replacement Awards granted by the successor
entity in such event;
(xii) take any and all other action it deems necessary or advisable for the
proper operation or administration of the Plan; and
(xiii) make all other determinations it deems necessary or advisable for the
administration of the Plan, including factual determinations.
(c) Delegation. The Committee may allocate all or any portion of its
responsibilities and powers under the Plan to any one or more of its members, the CEO or
other senior members of management as the Committee deems appropriate and may delegate all
or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any such person or persons, provided that
any such allocation or delegation be in writing; provided, however, that only the Committee,
or other committee consisting of two or more Non-Employee Directors may select and grant
Awards to Grantees who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The Committee may
revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time for any reason with or without prior
notice.
(d) Repricing. Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 4(c)
hereof, the Committee shall not reprice any Options or SARs unless such action is approved
by the stockholders of the Corporation. For purposes of the Plan, the term reprice shall
mean: (i) the reduction, directly or indirectly, in the per-share exercise price of an
outstanding Option or SAR by amendment, cancellation or substitution; (ii) any action that
is treated as a repricing under United States generally accepted accounting principles;
(iii) canceling an Option or SAR when its exercise price exceeds the fair market value of
the underlying Stock in exchange for another Option, SAR or other equity security (unless
the cancellation and exchange occurs in connection with a merger, acquisition, or similar
transaction); and (iv) any other action that is treated as a repricing by the rules or
regulations of any stock exchange on which the securities of the Corporation are traded.
Any amendment or repeal of this provision shall require the affirmative vote of a majority
of shares of voting capital stock present at a stockholders meeting in person or by proxy
and entitled to vote thereon.
Section 6. Awards.
(a) Eligibility. Subject to Section 5 hereof, all Employees,
Directors and Consultants are eligible to participate in the Plan; provided, however, only
Employees are eligible to receive ISOs. The Committee shall determine and designate from
time to time those Employees, Directors and Consultants who are to be granted Awards, the
nature of each Award granted and the number of shares of Stock subject to each such Award.
(b) In General. Awards may, at the Committees sole discretion, be
paid in the form of Options pursuant to Section 7 hereof, SARs pursuant to Section 8 hereof,
Stock Awards pursuant to Section 9 hereof, or a combination thereof. Each Award shall be
subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations of the Plan and the Award
Agreement for such Award. Awards under a particular Section of the Plan need not be uniform
and Awards under two or more Sections may be combined into a single Award Agreement. Any
combination of Awards may be granted at one time and on more than one occasion to the same
Grantee.
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(c) Foreign Jurisdictions. With respect to Grantees who reside or
work outside of the United States, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion,
amend the terms of the Plan or Awards with respect to such Grantees in order to conform such
terms with the provisions of local law and practice or otherwise as deemed necessary or
desirable by the Committee.
Section 7. Stock Options.
(a) In General. Awards may be granted in the form of Options.
Options granted under the Plan may be of two types: ISOs and NQSOs. The Committee shall
have the authority and discretion to grant to an eligible Employee either ISOs, NQSOs, or
both, but shall clearly designate the nature of each Option at the time of grant.
Consultants and Directors shall only receive NQSOs.
(b) Terms of Options. An Option shall be exercisable in accordance
with such terms and conditions and at such times and during such periods as may be
determined by the Committee. In addition to any such terms and conditions, the following
terms and conditions shall apply to all Options granted under the Plan:
(i) The exercise price per share of Stock subject to an Option shall be not
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of the Stock on the date such Option is
granted, except for Options granted in assumption of or substitution for outstanding awards
previously granted by the Corporation or its affiliates or an entity that the Corporation
acquires or with which the Corporation combines, in any case in a transaction contemplated
by Section 4(c); provided, however, that the exercise price for any ISO granted to a Control
Person shall not be less than 110% of such Fair Market Value.
(ii) The term of each Option shall be determined by the Committee, provided
that no Option shall be exercisable more than ten years from the date such Option is
granted, and provided further that no ISO granted to a Control Person shall be exercisable
more than five years from the date of Option grant.
(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the aggregate Fair Market
Value (determined at the time the ISO is granted) of the Stock with respect to which ISOs
are exercisable for the first time by any Employee during any calendar year under all plans
of the Corporation and any Parent or Subsidiary corporation shall not exceed $100,000.
(c) Exercise of Options. Except as provided in Section 11 hereof, no
Option granted to an Employee or Consultant shall be exercised unless at the time of such
exercise the Grantee is then an Employee or Consultant. Upon exercise, the exercise price
of an Option may be paid in cash, or, to the extent permitted by the Committee, by
tendering, by either actual delivery of shares or by attestation, shares of Stock, a
combination of the foregoing, or such other consideration as the Committee may deem
appropriate. The Committee shall establish appropriate methods for accepting Stock, whether
restricted or unrestricted, and may impose such conditions as it deems appropriate on the
use of such Stock to exercise an Option. Options awarded under the Plan may also be
exercised by way of a broker-assisted stock option exercise program, if any, provided such
program is available at the time of the Grantees exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or the provision of any Award Agreement, a Grantee may not pay the exercise price of an
Option using shares of Stock if, in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation, (i) the
Grantee is, or within the six months preceding such exercise was, subject to reporting under
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, (ii) there is a substantial likelihood that the
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use of such form of payment or the timing of such form of payment would subject the
Grantee to a substantial risk of liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (iii)
there is a substantial likelihood that the use of such form of payment would result in
accounting treatment to the Corporation under generally accepted accounting principles that
the Committee reasonably determines is adverse to the Corporation.
Section 8. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) In General. Awards may be granted in the form of SARs. SARs
granted under the Plan may be of two types: an SAR granted in tandem with all or a portion
of a related Option under the Plan (Tandem SARs) or granted separately (Freestanding
SARs). A Tandem SAR may be granted either at the time of the grant of the related Option or
at any time thereafter during the term of the Option.
(b) Tandem SARs. A Tandem SAR shall be exercisable to the extent,
and only to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable, and the exercise price of
such a SAR (the base from which the value of the SAR is measured at its exercise) shall be
the exercise price under the related Option. However, at no time shall a Tandem SAR be
issued if the exercise price of its related Option is less than the Fair Market Value of the
Stock, as determined by the Committee, on the date that the Tandem SAR is granted. If a
related Option is exercised as to some or all of the shares covered by the Award, the
related Tandem SAR, if any, shall be canceled automatically to the extent of the number of shares covered by the Option exercise. Upon exercise of a Tandem SAR as to some or all of
the shares covered by the Award, the related Option shall be canceled automatically to the
extent of the number of shares covered by such exercise. All Tandem SARs shall expire not
later than ten years from the date of the grant of the SAR.
(c) Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs shall be exercisable or
automatically mature in accordance with such terms and conditions and at such times and
during such periods as may be determined by the Committee. The exercise price of a
Freestanding SAR shall be defined in the Award Agreement for that SAR and shall be not less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of the grant of the
Freestanding SAR. All Freestanding SARs shall expire not later than ten years from the date
of grant of the SAR.
(d) Exercise of SARs. Except as provided in Section 11 hereof, no
SAR granted to an Employee or Consultant shall be exercised unless at the time of such
exercise the Grantee is then an Employee or Consultant. The Committee may provide that an
SAR shall be deemed to be exercised at the close of business on the scheduled expiration
date of such SAR if at such time the SAR by its terms remains exercisable and, if so
exercised, would result in a payment to the holder of such SAR. Unless otherwise provided
in an Award Agreement, an SAR may be paid in cash, shares of Stock or any combination
thereof, as determined by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, at the time
that the SAR is exercised.
Section 9. Stock Awards
(a) In General. Awards may be granted in the form of Stock Awards.
Stock Awards shall be awarded in such numbers and at such times during the term of the Plan
as the Committee shall determine.
(b) Restrictions. The Committee may condition, restrict or limit the
grant of a Stock Award on the achievement of enumerated performance objectives or, with
respect to
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Stock Awards issued to an Employee or a Consultant, on such Employees or Consultants
continued employment or service to the Corporation through a specified period of time. The
restricted period specified in respect of any Stock Award shall not be less than three
years, except that the Committee may (i) provide for the restricted period to terminate at
any time after one year upon the attainment of performance-based objectives, and (ii) grant
Stock Awards of up to 30,000 shares of Stock without regard to this limitation.
Furthermore, the Committee may not terminate the restrictions applicable to outstanding
Stock Awards except in connection with a Change in Control. The Committee may grant an
unrestricted Stock Award only if the Committee determines that such Stock Award is made in
lieu of all or a portion of salary or cash bonus of comparable value.
(c) Rights as Stockholders. During the period in which any shares of
Stock received pursuant to a Stock Award are subject to any restrictions, the Committee may,
in its sole and absolute discretion, deny the Grantee to whom such shares have been awarded
all or any of the rights of a stockholder with respect to such shares, including, but not by
way of limitation, limiting the right to vote such shares or the right to receive dividends
on such shares.
Section 10. Payment of Awards.
(a) In General. Absent a Plan or Award Agreement provision to the
contrary, payment of Awards may, at the discretion of the Committee, be made in cash, Stock,
a combination of cash and Stock, or any other form of property as the Committee shall
determine. In addition, payment of Awards may include such terms, conditions, restrictions
and/or limitations, if any, as the Committee deems appropriate, including, in the case of
Awards paid in the form of Stock, restrictions on transfer and forfeiture provisions;
provided, however, such terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations are not
inconsistent with the Plan.
(b) Withholding. The Corporation shall be entitled to deduct from
any payment under the Plan, regardless of the form of such payment, the amount of all
applicable income and employment taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such
payment or may require the Grantee to pay to the Corporation such tax prior to and as a
condition of the making of such payment. In accordance with any applicable administrative
guidelines it establishes, the Committee may allow a Grantee to pay the amount of taxes
required by law to be withheld from an Award by withholding from any payment of shares of
Stock due as a result of such Award, or by permitting the Grantee to deliver to the
Corporation, shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount of such
required withholding taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing or the provision of any Award
Agreement, a Grantee may not pay the amount of taxes required by law to be withheld using shares of Stock if, in the opinion of counsel to the Corporation, (i) the Grantee is, or
within the six months preceding such exercise was, subject to reporting under Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act, (ii) there is a substantial likelihood that the use of such form of
payment or the timing of such form of payment would subject the Grantee to a substantial
risk of liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (iii) there is a substantial
likelihood that the use of such form of payment would result in accounting treatment to the
Corporation under generally accepted accounting principles that the Committee reasonably
determines is adverse to the Corporation.
Section 11. Effect of Termination of Relationship with the Corporation.
(a) Committee Rules. The Committee shall have the authority to
promulgate rules and regulations to determine the treatment of a Grantees Awards under the
Plan in the event of such Grantees death, Disability, and termination. In addition,
notwithstanding the
9
provisions of this Section 11, the terms of an Award Agreement or the rules and
regulations promulgated by the Committee and in effect from time to time, the Committee
shall have the right to extend the period for exercise of any Option or SAR, provided such
extension does not exceed the term of such Option or SAR.
(b) Death. Unless otherwise decided by the Committee and provided in
an Award Agreement, upon a Grantees death prior to the complete exercise of the Options or
SARs granted to him or her under the Plan, any remaining Options or SARs may be exercised in
whole or in part within one year after the date of the Grantees death and then only:
(i) by the beneficiary designated by the Grantee in a writing submitted to
the Corporation prior to the Grantees death, or in the absence of same, by the Grantees
estate or by or on behalf of such person or persons to whom the Grantees rights pass under
his or her will or the laws of descent and distribution,
(ii) to the extent that the Grantee would have been entitled to exercise the
Option or SAR at the date of his or her death and subject to all of the conditions on
exercise imposed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, and
(iii) prior to the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR.
(c) Disability. Unless otherwise decided by the Committee and
provided in an Award Agreement, upon a Grantees Disability prior to the complete exercise
of the Options or SARs granted to him or her under the Plan, any remaining Options or SARs
may be exercised in whole or in part within one year after the date of the Grantees
Disability and then only:
(i) by the Grantee or his or her legal representative,
(ii) to the extent that the Grantee would have been entitled to exercise the
Option or SAR on the date of his or her Disability, subject to all of the conditions on
exercise imposed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, and
(iii) prior to the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR.
(d) Other Termination. Unless otherwise decided by the Committee and
provided in an Award Agreement, the termination of a Grantees employment, consulting
relationship or term of directorship with the Corporation for a reason other than the
Grantees death or Disability and prior to the complete exercise of the Options or SARs
granted to him or her under the Plan, any remaining Options or SARs may be exercised in
whole or in part within three months after the date of the Grantees termination and then
only:
(i) by the Grantee or his or her legal representative,
(ii) to the extent that the Grantee would have been entitled to exercise the
Option or SAR on the date of his or her termination, subject to all of the conditions on
exercise imposed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, and
(iii) prior to the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR.
10
(e) Treatment of Intra-Corporation Transfers. In the case of an
Employee or Consultant, the transfer between the Corporation and any Subsidiary shall not be
deemed to be a termination of employment or consulting relationship, and a change from the
status of an Employee to a Consultant or from a Consultant to an Employee shall not be
deemed to be a termination of employment or consulting relationship.
Section 12. General Provisions.
(a) Award Agreement. Each Award grant shall be evidenced by a
written Award Agreement containing such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the
Plan, as the Committee shall approve. The terms and provisions of Award Agreements may vary
among Grantees and among different Awards granted to the same Grantee. Any Stock Award
granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate,
including, without limitation, book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or
certificates, with such restrictive legends and/or stop transfer instructions as the
Committee deems appropriate.
(b) No Right to Further Awards or Continued Service. The grant of an
Award in any year shall not give the Grantee any right to similar grants in future years or
any right to continue such Grantees employment or consultant relationship with the
Corporation or its Subsidiaries. All Grantees shall remain subject to discharge to the same
extent as if the Plan were not in effect.
(c) No Right, Title, or Interest in Corporation Assets. No Grantee
shall have any rights as a stockholder as a result of participation in the Plan until the
date of issuance of a stock certificate in his or her name, and, in the case of restricted shares of Stock, such rights are granted to the Grantee under the Plan. To the extent any
person acquires a right to receive payments from the Corporation under the Plan, such rights
shall be no greater than the rights of an unsecured creditor of the Corporation and the
Grantee shall not have any rights in or against any specific assets of the Corporation. All
of the Awards granted under the Plan shall be unfunded and the Corporation shall not be
required to establish any fund or make any other segregation of assets to assure the payment
of any Award.
(d) Nonassignability.
(i) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or as otherwise provided
in Section 12(d)(ii) hereof, no Award or other right under the Plan shall be subject to
anticipation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and an Award shall be exercisable during the Grantees lifetime
only by the Grantee.
(ii) The Committee shall have the discretionary authority to grant NQSOs or
amend outstanding NQSOs to provide that they be transferable, subject to such terms and
conditions as the Committee shall establish. In addition to any such terms and conditions,
the following terms and conditions shall apply to all transfers of NQSOs:
(A) Except as otherwise permitted by the Committee, in its sole and absolute
discretion, only Directors and corporate officers of the Corporation shall be permitted to
transfer their NQSOs, and such individuals must be a Director or a corporate officer on the
date of transfer.
11
(B) Transfers shall only be permitted to: (1) the transferors Immediate
Family Members; (2) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of the transferors
Immediate Family Members; or (3) a family partnership or family limited partnership in which
each partner is, at the time of transfer and all time subsequent thereto, either an
Immediate Family Member or a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Immediate Family
Members.
(C) All transfers shall be made for no consideration.
(D) Once a NQSO is transferred, any subsequent transfer of such transferred
NQSO shall, notwithstanding Section 12(d)(i) hereof to the contrary, be permitted; provided,
however, such subsequent transfer complies with all of the terms and conditions of this
Section 12(d)(ii), with the exception of Section 12(d)(ii)(A) hereof.
(E) In order for a transfer to be effective, the Committees designated
transfer agent must be used to effectuate the transfer. The costs of such transfer agent
shall be borne solely by the transferor.
(F) In order for a transfer in accordance with Section 12(d)(ii) to be
effective, the transferor must agree in writing prior to the transfer on a form provided by
the Corporation to pay any and all payroll and withholding taxes due upon exercise of the
transferred NQSO. In addition, prior to the exercise of the transferred NQSO by the
transferee, arrangements must be made by the Grantee with the Corporation for the payment of
any and all payroll and withholding taxes.
(G) Upon transfer, a NQSO continues to be governed by and subject to the
terms and conditions of the Plan. A transferee of a NQSO is entitled to the same rights as
the Grantee to whom such NQSO was originally granted, as if no transfer had taken place.
Accordingly, the rights of the transferee are subject to the terms and conditions of the
original grant of the NQSO, including provisions relating to expiration date,
exercisability, exercise price and forfeiture.
(H) The Corporation shall be under no obligation to provide a transferee with
any notice regarding the transferred NQSO held by the transferee upon forfeiture or any
other circumstance.
(e) Regulatory Approvals and Listings. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Plan or Award Agreements made pursuant thereto, the Corporation shall not
be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for shares of Stock under
the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(i) The listing, or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such shares on any securities exchange on which the Stock may then be traded;
(ii) Any registration or other qualification of such shares under any state
or federal law or regulation, or other qualification which the Board shall, in its absolute
discretion and upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or advisable;
(iii) The obtaining of any other consent approval or permit from any state or
federal government agency which the Board shall, in its absolute discretion and upon the
advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or advisable; and
12
(iv) The execution by the Grantee (or the Grantees legal representative) of
such written representation that the Committee may in its sole discretion deem necessary or
advisable to the effect that the shares then being purchased are being purchased for
investment with no present intention of reselling or otherwise disposing of such shares in
any manner which may result in a violation of the Securities Act and the placement upon
certificates for such shares of an appropriate legend in connection therewith.
(f) In the case of a grant of an Option to any Employee or Consultant of a
Subsidiary, the Corporation may, if the Committee so directs, issue or transfer the shares
covered by the Option to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Committee may
specify, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the shares to
the Employee or Consultant in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Award Agreement
relating to such Option.
(g) Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except as superseded by applicable
federal law, without giving effect to its conflicts of law provisions.
(h) No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. No person connected with the
Plan in any capacity, including, but not limited to, the Corporation and its directors,
officers, agents and employees, makes any representation, commitment, or guarantee that any
tax treatment, including, but not limited to, federal, state and local income, estate and
gift tax treatment, will be applicable with respect to the tax treatment of any Award, or
that such tax treatment will apply to or be available to a Grantee on account of
participation in the Plan.
(i) Amendment or Termination. The Board may, at any time and for any
reason, with or without prior notice, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided,
however, that no such action shall adversely affect the rights of Grantees to Awards
previously granted hereunder. In addition, the Board may, at any time and for any reason,
with or without prior notice, amend the Plan in any manner, but may not without stockholder
approval, adopt any amendment which would: (i) increase the number of shares available
under the Plan; (ii) expand the types of Awards available under the Plan; (iii) expand the
class of persons eligible to participate in the Plan; (iv) extend the term of the Plan; (v)
be a material amendment to the Plan, including, but not limited to, a change in the method
of determining the exercise price of Options issued under the Plan; (vi) allow for repricing
of Options or SARs issued under the Plan; (vii) terminate restrictions applicable to Awards
(except in connection with a Grantees death, Disability or termination of employment or in
connection with a Change in Control); or (viii) require the vote of the stockholders if such
approval is necessary or desirable in order to comply with tax, securities, or other
applicable laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, the listing requirements of
the stock exchanges on which the securities of Corporation are listed.
(j) Duration of Plan. The Plan was approved by the Board on April
27, 2004, and became effective on June 10, 2004, upon the approval by the stockholders of
the Corporation at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders. Awards may not be granted
under the Plan after June 9, 2014, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that
date.
* * * * *
13
PROXY
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON JUNE 8, 2006
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints each of John D. Kavazanjian and Peter F. Comerford as the
undersigneds proxy, with full power of substitution, to vote all of the undersigneds shares of
Common Stock in Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (the Company) at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
the Company to be held on June 8, 2006 at 10:30 A.M. local time, at the offices of the Company,
2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York 14513, or at any adjournment, on the matters described in
the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and upon such other business as may properly come
before such meeting or any adjournments thereof, hereby revoking any proxies heretofore given.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
June 8, 2006
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x
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1.
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Election of Directors |
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Nominees: |
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For all nominees
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Carole L. Anderson |
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Withhold Authority
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Patricia C. Barron |
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for all Nominees
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Anthony J. Cavanna |
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Paula H. J. Cholmondeley |
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For All Except
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Daniel W. Christman |
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(See instructions below)
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John D. Kavazanjian |
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Ranjit C. Singh |
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Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill in the circle next to each nominee
you wish to withhold as shown here: |
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2.
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Proposal to
ratify the
selection of
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as the
Companys
independent
registered public
accounting firm for
the fiscal year
ending December 31,
2006.
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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3.
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Proposal to
amend the Companys
Amended and
Restated Long-Term
Incentive Plan by
increasing from
750,000 to
1,500,000 the
number of shares of
the Companys
Common Stock
authorized to be
issued pursuant to
the Plan.
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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4.
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Proposal to
ratify and approve
the grant of a
non-statutory stock
option to John D.
Kavazanjian, the
Companys Chief
Executive Officer,
to acquire up to
80,000 shares of
the Companys
Common Stock.
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For
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Against
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Abstain
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In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come
before the Meeting and any adjournments thereof. |
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To change the address on your
account, please check the box at
right and indicate your new address
in the address space above. Please
note that changes to the registered
name(s) on the account may not be
submitted via this method.
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The undersigned acknowledges receipt
with this Proxy of a copy of the
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement dated May 3, 2006,
describing more fully the proposals
set forth herein. |
Each properly executed proxy will be voted in accordance with specifications
made hereon. Unless authority to vote for one or more of the nominees is
specifically withheld according to the instructions, a signed Proxy will be
voted FOR the election of the named nominees for directors and, unless
otherwise specified, FOR the other proposals listed herein and described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement.
I plan to attend the Meeting in person o
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Signature |
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Date: |
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Signature |
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Date: |
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of Shareholder
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of Shareholder |
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Note:
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Please sign name exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held
jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee
or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full
corporate name by duly authorized officer giving full title as such. If signer is a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |