DEF 14A 1 giga_def14a-101811.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT giga_def14a-101811.htm
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


Filed by the Registrant  [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  [   ]
 
Check the appropriate box:

[   ]
 Preliminary Proxy Statement
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 Definitive Proxy Statement
[   ]
 Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[   ]
 Definitive Additional Materials
[   ]
 Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec. 240.14a-11(c) or sec. 240.14a-12

GIGA-TRONICS INCORPORATED
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
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(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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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
(2)
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
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Amount Previously Paid:
 
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Date Filed:
 
 
1
 
 
Giga-tronics Incorporated
4650 Norris Canyon Road
San Ramon, California 94583
(925) 328-4650






September 16, 2011
 
To Our Shareholders:



I cordially invite you to attend the annual meeting of Giga-tronics Incorporated shareholders to be held at the Giga-tronics executive office, 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, California at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2011.

At the meeting, you will be asked to elect five directors, and ratify the selection of Perry-Smith LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  Information about these matters is set forth in the attached Notice and Proxy Statement.

Giga-tronics counts on your continued interest, and I hope you will be able to attend the meeting.  However, regardless of whether you plan to attend in person, it is important that your vote be counted.  I urge you to vote your shares by signing and returning the accompanying proxy card.


 
Sincerely,
   
   
 
/s/ Garrett A Garrettson
 
Garrett A. Garrettson
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors



 
Your vote is very important.  Even if you plan to attend the meeting,
VOTE YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.
 
 
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Giga-tronics Incorporated
4650 Norris Canyon Road
San Ramon, California 94583
(925) 328-4650


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on October 18, 2011
 
 
To Our Shareholders:

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Giga-tronics Incorporated will be held at the Giga-tronics executive office, 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, California on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 9:30 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

1.        
Elect five directors for the ensuing year;

 
2.
Ratify the appointment of Perry-Smith LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; and

 
3.
Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2011 will be entitled to vote at this meeting, or any adjournment of this meeting.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER YOU HOLD.  PLEASE DATE, SIGN, VOTE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED, PREPAID ENVELOPE.

 
By Order of the Board of Directors,
   
 
/s/ Patrick J. Lawlor
 
Patrick J. Lawlor
 
Corporate Secretary

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting To Be Held on October 18, 2011:  The proxy statement and annual report on Form 10-K are available online at www.gigatronics.com under “Investor Relations”.
 
San Ramon, California
September 16, 2011
 
 
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PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Giga-tronics Incorporated
4650 Norris Canyon Road
San Ramon, California 94583


This proxy statement is submitted by the Board of Directors of Giga-tronics Incorporated (“Giga-tronics” or the “Company”), a California corporation, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at the Giga-tronics executive office, 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, California, in accordance with the notice to shareholders, and at any adjournment thereof.

Our Board of Directors has fixed September 1, 2011 as the record date for the Annual Meeting.  Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at this meeting.  A majority of the shares of common stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.  On the record date, there were 5,017,032 shares of Giga-tronics common stock issued and outstanding.  Each share outstanding on the record date is entitled to one vote as to each matter to be acted on at this meeting.  However, each shareholder will be entitled to cumulate his votes in the election of directors provided that notice of an intention to cumulate votes is given at this meeting by at least one shareholder before voting for the election of directors.  Under cumulative voting, a shareholder is allowed one vote per share multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and may cast the total number of votes for one nominee or may distribute the total number of votes among as many nominees as the shareholder chooses.  Five directors will be elected at this meeting.

Shares represented by properly executed proxies received by Giga-tronics will be voted at the Annual Meeting according to the instructions on the proxies.  It is intended that shares represented by proxies received by Giga-tronics which are not marked to the contrary will be voted FOR all proposals included in the notice of this meeting.

Any person giving a proxy in the form accompanying this proxy statement has the power to revoke it at any time before its exercise.  A shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it before its exercise by filing with the Secretary of Giga-tronics either an instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date.  A proxy will be revoked automatically if the shareholder who executed it is present at the Annual Meeting and votes in person.  Attendance at this meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute the revocation of a proxy.  The granting of a proxy will give the proxy holder authority to cumulate votes if cumulative voting is elected.

The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy will be sent to Giga-tronics shareholders is September 23, 2011.

Eagle Rock Proxy Advisors will be using an automated system for the tabulation of shareholder votes for Giga-tronics.  Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.  A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.  We believe that nominees have discretionary voting power with respect to all of the ballot items described below and elsewhere in this proxy statement.  In the election of directors, the candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them up to the number of directors to be elected by such shares are elected.  Abstentions and broker “non-votes” will have no effect on the voting outcome with respect to the election of directors.  The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of shares of common stock, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, is required with respect to the ratification of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  An abstention is treated as present and entitled to vote and therefore has the effect of a vote against ratification of the selection of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
 
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The Annual Report of Giga-tronics for its fiscal year ended March 26, 2011 is being mailed with this mailing of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement to all shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

The costs of solicitation of proxies, including the printing, handling and mailing of the proxy material, will be paid by Giga-tronics.  Copies of solicitation material will be furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians to be forwarded to beneficial owners of shares held in their names, and Giga-tronics will reimburse them for their expenses. The solicitation of proxies through this proxy statement may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by directors, officers or other regular employees of Giga-tronics and by Eagle Rock Proxy Advisors.  Giga-tronics has retained Eagle Rock Proxy Advisors to solicit proxies for a fee of approximately $6,650, which includes the estimated fees for related services to be rendered by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.  No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other employees for such services.

The executive office of Giga-tronics is located at 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, California  94583, and the telephone number at that location is (925) 328-4650.
 
 
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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the Annual Meeting, five directors are to be elected to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified.  The nominees of the Board of Directors for election as directors are listed below.  There are no family relationships among the nominees or between any nominee and any executive officer of Giga-tronics.  The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Cole, Garrettson and Harvey, representing a majority of the Board of Directors, are independent under the independence standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.

 
Name and Principal Occupation
Director
Since
 
Age
George H. Bruns, Jr.
Chairman of the Board until February 2008 and a Director of the Company.  Chief Executive Officer from January 1995 until April 2006.  He provided seed financing for the Company in 1980 and has been a Director since inception.  Mr. Bruns is General Partner of The Bruns Company, a private venture investment and management consulting firm.  Mr. Bruns is Director of Testronics, Inc. of McKinney, Texas.  Mr. Bruns has been nominated primarily because of his long experience in the industry and his thorough knowledge of the Company.
Member:  Governance, Nominating and Audit Committees
1980
92
James A. Cole
General Partner of Windward Ventures, General Partner of Spectra Enterprise Associates, Founder and President of Amplica, Inc. and presently a director of Syntricity, CAP Wireless, KOR Electronics and Akatoo, all private companies.  Mr. Cole is also a Trustee at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, CA.  Mr. Cole has been nominated because of his broad business experience and industry knowledge.  
Member:  Governance, Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees
1994
68
Garrett A. Garrettson
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Giga-tronics Inc. since February 2008.  Garrett Garrettson is currently a Managing Director of daVinci Capital Group and President of G. Garrettson Consulting LLC, providing management consulting to public and private companies.  From December 2005 until January 2008 Dr. Garrettson was President and CEO of Fresco Technologies, a private digital imaging company, and from November 2001 until September 2004, he was President and CEO of Clairvoyante, a private company that developed and licensed critical technology to the flat panel display industry.  From 1996 until 2002, he held the position of Chairman, and before that President & CEO, of Spectrian Corporation, a public company that developed, manufactured and sold microwave telecommunications infrastructure equipment and semiconductors. Before Spectrian he spent ten years in the data storage industry as President & CEO of Censtor Corporation, a Vice President at Seagate Technology and a Vice President at Control Data.  He began his career as a Director at HP Laboratories after being an Assistant Professor of Physics, Naval Postgraduate School. He was educated at Stanford in Engineering Physics, receiving his PhD in Nuclear Engineering.  In addition to being a Director of Giga-tronics, he is a Director of Iridex (IRIX) and Purdy Electronics, a private company.  Mr. Garrettson is nominated primarily because of his leadership skills and his executive experience in the industry.
Member:  Governance, Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees
2006
68
 
 
6
 
 
Kenneth A. Harvey
President of Peak Consulting Group.  Former CEO of Advanced Wireless & Telecom, Vice President and General Manager of Credence Systems Corporation.  Co-founded Modulation Instruments where he served as President and CEO.  Mr. Harvey is nominated primarily because of his executive experience in the industry, technical knowledge, and his familiarity with accounting and SEC issues.
Member:  Governance, Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees
2002
47
John R. Regazzi
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company since April 2006.  Mr. Regazzi had been President and General Manager of Instrument Division since August 2005, and prior to that, was Vice President of Operations for Instrument Division from October 2004 through August 2005.  Prior to that, he was Vice President of Engineering for Instrument Division from June 2001 through October 2004. Previous experience includes 22 years at Hewlett Packard and Agilent Technologies in various design and management positions associated with their microwave sweeper and synthesizer product lines. His final position at Agilent Technologies was as a senior engineering manager.  Mr. Regazzi is nominated primarily because of his role as Chief Executive Officer, his RF and Microwave expertise, and his depth of experience in the industry.
Member:  Governance and Nominating Committees
2006
57



THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES NAMED IN PROPOSAL 1.
 
 
7
 
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Meetings

There were thirteen meetings of the Board of Directors during the last fiscal year.  Five of the directors attended all the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors, and one director missed one scheduled meeting.  All directors who serve on a committee attended all of the scheduled committee meetings, except one director, who missed 2 committee meetings.  Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting except for good cause.  All of the directors attended the Annual Meeting in 2010.

Committees

Giga-tronics' Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.

Audit Committee.  During fiscal 2011, the Audit Committee consisted of directors James A. Cole, Kenneth A. Harvey (Chairman) and Robert C. Wilson, all of whom are independent under the director independence standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.  The Audit Committee serves to monitor the effectiveness of the independent audit, as well as the Company's accounting, financial controls and financial reports.  The Audit Committee must approve all non-audit services provided by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.  The Audit Committee has signed the tax engagement letters for the Section 382 Net Operating Losses (NOL) study and other consulting services.  The Audit Committee held four meetings during the past fiscal year.  The board has determined that Robert Wilson has:
 
(i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;
 
(ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;
 
(iii) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant's financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;
 
(iv) an understanding of internal control over financial reporting; and
 
(v)  an understanding of audit committee functions.
 
Therefore the Board of Directors determined that Robert Wilson is the Audit Committee’s financial expert for purposes of Nasdaq rules and requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act.
 
The charter of the Audit Committee is available on the Company’s website under “Investor Relations”.
 
Compensation Committee.  During fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee consisted of directors Garrett A. Garrettson (Chairman), Kenneth A. Harvey and Robert C. Wilson, all of whom are independent under the director independence standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.  The committee formulates recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding levels of compensation for management.  In addition, in order to recognize the expected future contributions of key employees and provide an additional incentive for them to remain with Giga-tronics over the long-term, the Committee awards options to purchase shares of our common stock and other forms of equity awards.  The Compensation Committee reviews and approves all stock options and executive compensation.
 
 
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The Compensation Committee did not engage any compensation consultants in determining or recommending executive officer compensation for fiscal 2011.  The Compensation Committee met three times during the last fiscal year.

The Compensation Committee charter is available on the Company’s website under “Investor Relations”.

Nominating Committee.  The Board of Directors has a Nominating Committee, which is currently comprised of directors James A. Cole and Robert C. Wilson, both of whom are independent under the director independence standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.  The purposes of the Nominating Committee are to recommend persons for membership on the Board and to establish criteria and procedures for the selection of new directors.  The Nominating Committee met two times during the last fiscal year.

The Nominating Committee has no formal process for identifying and evaluating candidates.  Existing directors attempt to identify suitable candidates as the need arises.  The Board’s policy is to consider any director candidate nominated or recommended by a shareholder in the same manner that it would consider a candidate nominated by the Board or committee.  In the past year the Company did not receive any recommendations for director candidates from any shareholders.  Shareholder recommendations should be submitted in writing to the Company by mail at its main office at least 120 days in advance of the anniversary date of the mailing of notice of the previous year’s annual meeting and should include sufficient biographical information (including all information that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement for a shareholder meeting at which directors are to be elected) for the committee to make an initial evaluation of the candidate’s qualifications.  The Company has never engaged or paid a fee to a third party search firm in connection with the nomination of a candidate for director.

The Nominating Committee considers the following criteria in proposing nominations for director to the full Board: independence; high personal and professional ethics and integrity; ability to devote sufficient time to fulfilling duties as a director; impact on diversity of the Board, including skills and other factors relevant to the Company’s business; overall experience in business, education, and other factors relevant to the Company’s business.  At a minimum, the Nominating Committee must be satisfied that each nominee, both those recommended by the Nominating Committee and any recommended by shareholders, meets the following minimum qualifications:

 
·
The nominee should have a reputation for integrity and honesty.
 
·
The nominee should have demonstrated business experience and the ability to exercise sound judgment.
 
·
The nominee should have an understanding of the Company and its industry.
 
·
The nominee should have the ability and willingness to act in the interests of the Company and its shareholders.
 
·
The nominee should not have a conflict of interest that would impair the nominee’s ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a director.

The Nominating Committee also serves as the Corporate Governance Committee.  The Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees.  The Company will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of such Code of Ethics upon written request mailed to the Company at its main office, to the attention of the Corporate Secretary.

The Committee has no formal policy on the consideration to be given to diversity in the nomination process, other than to seek candidates who have skills and experience that are appropriate to the position and complementary to those of the other board members or candidates.

The Nominating Committee charter is available on the Company’s website under “Investor Relations”.
 
 
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Leadership Structure

The positions of Chairman of the board and Chief Executive Officer are currently held by different persons.  The Board believes that having a separate chairman will help enable the board to maintain an independent perspective on the activities of the Company and executive management.

Board Risk Oversight

The Company’s senior management manages the risks facing the Company under the oversight and supervision of the Board.  While the full Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at the Company, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk in the areas of financial reporting and internal controls.  Other general business risks such as economic and regulatory risks are monitored by the full Board.

Compensation of Directors

Each of the directors who is not employed by Giga-tronics receives an annual director's fee of $10,000 ($20,000 for Chairman) and, in addition, an attendance fee of $1,000 for each Board meeting attended ($1,500 for Chairman).  Outside directors serving on committees of the Board of Directors receive $500 for in-person attendance at each committee meeting, and $250 for each telephonic meeting.  From time to time, Giga-tronics makes discretionary grants of options to purchase shares of its common stock to directors in consideration for services they provide to Giga-tronics as members of the Board.

The following table summarizes compensation paid to directors (other than Mr. Regazzi, whose compensation in all capacities is included in the Executive Compensation Table that follows) in fiscal year 2011.

Director Compensation

 
 
 
 
Name
 
Fees
Earned or
Cash
Paid ($)
 
 
Option
Awards
(1)($)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation ($)
Change in Pension
Value and Non-
qualified Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
All
Other
Comp-
ensation
($)
 
 
 
 
Total ($)
(a)
(b)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
George H. Bruns, Jr.
$17,500
$15,935
--
--
--
$33,435
James A. Cole
$20,250
$15,935
--
--
--
$36,185
Garrett A. Garrettson
$31,000
$23,903
--
--
--
$54,903
Kenneth A. Harvey
$20,500
$15,935
--
--
--
$36,435
Robert C. Wilson
$21,250
$15,935
--
--
--
$37,185
 
  (1)
The value for Stock Option Awards in the table above represents grant date fair value of Stock Option Awards.  For Option Awards, the dollar amount for each individual varies depending on the number of options granted, the fair value of such options, and the vesting terms of such options.  See Note 1 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2011 for information on the assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of Option Awards and the expense recognized under ASC 718.  At March 26, 2011, Mr. Garrettson held options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock, Mr. Bruns held options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock while the remaining directors listed above held options to purchase 35,000 shares of common stock.
 
Giga-tronics has entered into indemnification agreements with all of its officers and directors.
 
 
10
 
 
Communications with Directors

The Company does not have a formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board of Directors or to specific individual directors.  Shareholders may send communications to the full board or to individual directors at the Company’s main office at 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, California 94583.  Communications will be forwarded unopened to the director to whom it is addressed or to the lead independent director if addressed to the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors believes that this informal process is adequate to ensure that shareholder communications are received by the intended recipients.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, executive officers, and holders of more than 10% of Giga-tronics' common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.  Officers, directors, and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish Giga-tronics with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms received by Giga-tronics, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during the fiscal year ended March 26, 2011 its officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders complied with all applicable filing requirements.
 
 
INFORMATION ABOUT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Name
  
Age
  
Position
John R. Regazzi
  
57
  
See previous table.
         
Patrick J. Lawlor
  
61
  
Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Giga-tronics, Inc. since February 2007.  Previously he was a Consultant to PDL BioPharma, Inc.; Vice President, Chief Financial Officer at SaRonix, LLC; Chief Financial Officer with Aerojet Fine Chemicals, LLC; and Vice President of Finance with Systems Chemistry, Inc.  Mr. Lawlor spent 23 years with Westinghouse Electric Corporation, where he rose through numerous positions among various divisions, with his final position as Vice President of Finance and Controller.
         
Jeffrey T. Lum
 
 
  
65
  
Chief Technology Officer of Giga-tronics since April 2007 and founder of ASCOR.  Mr. Lum founded ASCOR in 1987 and has been President since inception.  Mr. Lum was a founder and Vice President of Autek Systems Corporation, a manufacturer of precision waveform analyzers.  Mr. Lum is on the Board of Directors for the Santa Clara Aquamaids, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing athletes in synchronized swimming to the Olympic games.
 
 
11
 
 
         
Malcolm E. Levy
  
61
  
Vice President, Sales & Marketing since September 2008.  Mr. Levy has over 25 years of Sales and Marketing experience in the Test & Measurement industry.  His career started in sales with Racal Instruments in the U.K.  A background in RF and Communications made him an ideal candidate to move to the U.S. and become the sales and marketing manager for all U.K. manufactured instruments, including low noise fast switching synthesizers.  His final position at Racal Instruments after 20 years of service was Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing.  Since leaving Racal in 2001 he has helped wireless test companies grow their international sales business.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation of Officers

The following table provides information concerning compensation paid or accrued by the Company, to or on behalf of Giga-tronics' chief executive officer and the other executive officers during the last fiscal year ended March 26, 2011, and for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2010:

Name and
Principal Position
(a)
Fiscal
Year
(b)
Salary
($)
(c)
Bonus
($)
(d)
Option
Awards (1)
(2) ($)
(f)
All Other
Compensation
(3) ($)
(i)
Total
($)
(j)
Patrick J. Lawlor
2011
$141,923
---
---
  $690
$142,613
    VP Finance,
    CFO & Secretary
2010
$128,249
$44,518
$12,735
  $538
$186,040
Malcolm E. Levy
2011
$140,000
---
---
 $36,093
$176,093
     Vice President,
     Sales & Marketing
2010
$161,434
---
 $9,551
 $807
$171,792
Jeffrey T. Lum
2011
$125,820
---
$23,903
  $774
$150,497
    President, ASCOR
    CTO, Giga-tronics
2010
$121,949
$32,553
$31,837
  $610
$186,949
John R. Regazzi
2011
$156,923
---
---
  $779
$157,702
    Chief Executive
    Officer
2010
$140,185
$52,753
$25,470
  $701
$219,109

(1)
Stock options granted under Giga-tronics' 2000 Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Employee Incentive Plan.  The value for Stock Option Awards in the table above represents grant date fair value of Stock Option Awards for fiscal year 2011 and 2010.  For Option Awards, the dollar amount for each individual varies depending on the number of options granted, the fair value of such options, and the vesting terms of such options.  See Note 1 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2011 for information on the assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of Option Awards and the expense recognized under ASC 718.
(2)
Excludes 90,000 restricted stock awards that vest over 3 years based on performance conditions that are not expected to be met as of the date of the filing.  Management believes that it is more likely than not that these performance goals will not be reached and has therefore estimated that there is no value associated with these awards.
(3)
Includes contributions made by Giga-tronics to its 401(k) Plan which match in part the pre-tax elective deferral contributions included under Salary made to the 401(k) plan by the executive officers.
 
 
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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table includes information as of September 1, 2011, concerning the beneficial ownership of Giga-tronics' common stock for:  each person known by Giga-tronics to own beneficially more than 5% of Giga-tronics' outstanding common stock; each director and nominee; each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table below; and all directors and executive officers of Giga-tronics as a group:
 
 
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Stock ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

Name of Beneficial Owner
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
Percentage of Total
Outstanding Common Stock
George H. Bruns, Jr.
   4650 Norris Canyon Road
   San Ramon, California 94583
310,273 (1)
6.07%
James A. Cole
   2291 Melford Court
   Thousand Oaks, California 91361
106,094 (2)
2.07
Garrett A. Garrettson
   P.O. Box 157
   Pebble Beach, California 93953
11,250 (3)
0.22
Kenneth A. Harvey
   4650 Norris Canyon Road
   San Ramon, California 94583
23,054 (4)
0.45
Patrick J. Lawlor
   4650 Norris Canyon Road
   San Ramon, California 94583
124,680 (5)
2.43
Malcolm E. Levy
   4650 Norris Canyon Road
   San Ramon CA 94583
62,200 (6)
1.20
Jeffrey T. Lum
   4650 Norris Canyon Road
   San Ramon, California 94583
37,114 (7)
0.72
John R. Regazzi
   4650 Norris Canyon Road
   San Ramon, California 94583
199,000 (8)
3.83
Robert C. Wilson
   620 Sand Hill Road #413-G
   Palo Alto, California 94304
7,500 (9)
0.15
All executive officers and directors as a group
   (9 persons, including those above)
881,165 (10)
16.82
Renaissance Technologies LLC
James H. Simons
800 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
233,500
4.57%
 
  (1)  Includes 22,163 shares owned by The Bruns Company; 280,610 shares owned directly and 7,500 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (2)  Includes 7,500 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (3)  Includes 11,250 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (4)  Includes 7,500 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (5)  Includes 31,250 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (6)  Includes 60,000 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (7)  Includes 23,750 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (8)  Includes 88,000 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
  (9)  Includes 7,500 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
(10)  Includes 244,250 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of September 1, 2011.
 
 
14
 

Stock Options
 
The following table sets forth information about stock options held by the named executive officers and outstanding at the end of fiscal 2011.  All option exercise prices were based on market price on the date of grant.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

Name
(a)
Unexercised Options
(#) Exercisable
(b)
Unexercised Options
(#) Unexercisable
(c)
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
(e)
Option
Expiration
Date
(f)
Restricted
Stocks (1)
(g)
Patrick J. Lawlor
18,750
---
$1.96
3/20/2012
  
 
7,500
3,750
$1.85
11/13/2012
  
 
2,500
7,500
$1.95
8/18/2014
  
 
---
10,000
$0.00
8/17/2013
30,000
Malcolm E. Levy
37,500
37,500
$1.14
9/02/2013
  
 
1,875
5,625
$1.95
8/18/2014
  
Jeffrey T. Lum
16,650
---
$1.43
9/12/2011
  
 
7,500
2,500
$1.85
11/13/2012
  
 
6,250
18,750
$1.95
8/18/2014
  
 
---
15,000
$2.40
6/03/2015
  
John R. Regazzi
35,000
---
$2.65
4/21/2011
  
 
81,500
---
$2.31
11/14/2011
  
 
1,500
15,000
$1.95
8/18/2014
  
 
---
20,000
$0.00
6/03/2013
60,000

(1)
The restricted stocks awarded are performance-based with vesting over 3 years. Management does not believe the performance criteria will be met as of the date of this filing.


Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information on options and other equity rights outstanding and available at March 26, 2011.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
No. of securities to
be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
No. of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
Plan category
(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans
     approved by securities holders
 
885,014
 
$ 1.9608
 
155,725
Equity compensation plans not
     approved by securities holders
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
n/a
Total
885,014
$ 1.9608
155,725
 
 
15
 
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

Change-In-Control Arrangements

All outstanding options will automatically accelerate and become exercisable for fully vested shares upon a change in control of Giga-tronics, whether effected through merger, sale of substantially all of Giga-tronics' assets, the successful completion of a hostile tender offer for 30% or more of Giga-tronics' outstanding common stock, or a change in the majority of the Board of Directors as a result of one or more contested elections for Board of Directors membership.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

For the 2011 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. Garrett A. Garrettson, Kenneth A. Harvey and Robert C. Wilson.

No executive officer of Giga-tronics serves as a member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any entity which has one or more executive officers serving as a member of Giga-tronics Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
 
 
16
 
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE - REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee of the Board is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of Giga-tronics’ accounting functions and internal controls.  The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board of Directors.

Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls and financial reporting process.  The Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and issuing a report thereon.  The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

In connection with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee met with management to review and discuss the March 26, 2011 consolidated financial statements.  The Audit Committee also discussed, with the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, “Communication with Audit Committees”.  The Audit Committee also received written disclosures from the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees”, and the Audit Committee discussed with the independent accountants that firm’s independence.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 26, 2011 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Committee has approved the engagement of Perry-Smith LLP to continue as the Company's auditors for the current year.

Respectfully submitted,

AUDIT COMMITTEE
Kenneth A. Harvey, Chairman
Robert C. Wilson
James A. Cole
 
 
17
 

REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

General Compensation Policy

Giga-tronics' executive compensation philosophy rests on two fundamental principles.  First, the program is intended to provide fully competitive levels of compensation - at expected levels of performance - in order to attract, motivate and retain talented executives.  Secondly, the program is intended to create an alignment of interest between Giga-tronics' executives and its shareholders such that a significant portion of each executive's compensation is linked directly to the creation of shareholder value.

The Executive Compensation Program is intended to place heavy emphasis on variable pay, which is pay that varies with performance, and less focus on a fixed base salary.  The incentive pay programs are intended to reward performance that is directly relevant to the Company's short term and long term success.  The three primary components of the program include base salary, annual incentive, which is a performance-based bonus, and long-term incentives such as stock options.

Factors

The process involved and the factors considered in the executive compensation determination for fiscal year 2011 are summarized below.  It is expected that this process will remain the same in fiscal year 2012.  However, the Compensation Committee may, at its discretion, apply a different set of factors in setting executive compensation in the future in order to further enhance the basic concept of "pay-for-performance".

Base Salary

Base salaries are based primarily on individual performance, and each individual’s role in Giga-tronics.  Employees with higher levels of sustained performance over time and/or those assuming greater responsibilities will be paid correspondingly higher salaries.

On the basis of its knowledge of the industry, this Committee believes that the base salary levels in effect for Giga-tronics' executive officers are competitive with comparable companies within and outside its industry with which Giga-tronics competes for executive talent.  However, the Committee did not engage an independent third party to confirm the specific percentiles at which the base salary levels in effect for Giga-tronics' executive officers stood in relation to other comparable companies in its industry.

Salaries are reviewed annually based on individual performance, overall financial results and the general level of increases in the marketplace.  Salary increases are granted within a pay-for-performance framework.
 
Annual Performance (Non-Stock) Based Incentive Compensation
 
Giga-tronics' annual incentive bonus plan is intended to:
 
·    reward key employees based upon company and individual performance,
·    motivate, and
·    provide competitive cash compensation opportunities.

Incentive awards are paid annually in cash based upon achievement of individual performance objectives for the most recently completed fiscal year.

There were no bonus payments earned in fiscal 2011.
 
 
18
 
 
Long-Term (Stock Based) Incentive Compensation

Giga-tronics has always believed that stock ownership or stock option participation was the most effective way of aligning its management and shareholder interests.  Options are generally issued with an exercise price at 100% of market value, for five year terms, exercisable for 25% of the total grant per year after the first year.  The right to exercise options granted from the 2000 Plan expires 60 days after termination of employment (except for certain situations), and in case of death an optionee's estate would have twelve months to exercise.  For the 2005 Plan, unless otherwise specified in the option grant, the right to exercise options expires 90 days after termination of employment, and in case of death an optionee's estate would have twelve months to exercise.  For both plans, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised after its expiration date in accordance with its terms.

CEO Compensation

The CEO compensation is based on the same considerations as any other senior executive. Other compensation factors, including salary increases, incentive bonus and option participation are performance-based.

In fiscal year 2010 the Compensation Committee established a $160,000 annual base salary for the CEO.
 
Deduction Limit for Executive Compensation

Effective January 1, 1994, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits federal income tax deductions for compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated officers of a public company to $1 million per individual per year, but contains an exception for performance-based compensation that satisfies certain conditions.

The 2000 Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Employee Incentive Plan restrict the maximum number of shares of common stock for which any one participant may be granted stock options and awards, and the stockholders approved these plans.  As a result, stock options granted to Giga-tronics' executive officers with an exercise price not less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date will generally qualify as performance-based compensation which is not subject to the $1 million limitation.


BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

Garrett A. Garrettson, Chairman
Kenneth A. Harvey
Robert C. Wilson
 
 
19
 

PROPOSAL 2

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Audit Committee has re-appointed the firm of Perry-Smith LLP as Giga-tronics' Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 and to perform other appropriate services.  We are seeking ratification by the shareholders for this appointment.  In case of a negative vote, the appointment will be reconsidered.
 
Representatives of Perry-Smith LLP are expected to be present at Giga-tronics' Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and they are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
The following table presents aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Perry-Smith LLP in fiscal year 2011 and in fiscal year 2010 in the following categories:
 
   
2011
  
2010
Audit fees (1)
     $ 183,000       $  176,000  
Audit-related fees (2)
     $   23,000       $      3,000  
Tax fees (3)
     $   13,000       —  
All other fees
     —       —  

(1)
Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, review of consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports and services normally provided by the independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2)
Audit-related fees represent fees for professional services such as merger related services and technical accounting, consulting and research.
(3)
Tax services consist of a limited scope review of the Company’s net operating loss carry-forwards and other tax-related consulting services.
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PERRY-SMITH PER PROPOSAL 2.
 
 
20
 
 
SHAREHOLDERS' PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS

To be considered for presentation to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2012, which we currently expect to be held on August 21, 2012, a shareholder proposal must be received by Giga-tronics no later than June 7, 2012.  To be considered for inclusion in the Giga-tronics proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2012, a shareholder proposal must be received by Giga-tronics no later than March 20, 2012.  Proposals should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Giga-tronics Incorporated, 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA  94583.

SEC rules permit proxyholders to vote in their discretion on matters proposed by a shareholder and not described in the proxy statement unless the Company received notice of the proposal and certain additional information at least 45 days in advance of the anniversary of the proxy mailing date for the previous year’s meeting or a reasonable period in advance if the meeting date is changed by more than 30 days from the previous year.  Next year this deadline date will be June 7, 2012.

The Annual Report of Giga-tronics for the fiscal year ended March 26, 2011 is being mailed with this mailing of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement to all shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.  Giga-tronics will mail the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year to any shareholder who requests a copy.  Requests should be sent to the Corporate Secretary as noted above for proposals.

OTHER MATTERS

Giga-tronics knows of no other business which will be presented at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals included in the Notice of Meeting.  If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, persons appointed as proxies for the shareholders in the enclosed form will vote on these matters in accordance with their judgments. Regardless of whether you intend to be present at the Annual Meeting, you are urged to complete, date, sign and return your proxy promptly.

The Report of the Compensation Committee, the Report of the Audit Committee, and the statement of independence of Audit Committee members referred to under “Information About the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board” are not to be considered as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or incorporated by reference into any other filings which the Company makes with the Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor is this information considered as proxy soliciting material.  These portions of this proxy statement are not a part of any of those filings unless otherwise stated in those filings.


 
By order of the Board of Directors,
   
   
 
/s/ Garrett A. Garrettson
 
Garrett A. Garrettson
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors


San Ramon, California
September 16, 2011
 
 
21
 









 



 TO VOTE BY MAIL, PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE
 
 
GIGA-TRONICS INCORPORATED
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Garrett A. Garrettson and Patrick J. Lawlor, or either of them are hereby constituted and appointed the lawful attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to vote and act as proxy with respect to all shares of common stock of Giga-tronics Incorporated standing in the name of the undersigned on the books of Giga-tronics at the close of business on September 1, 2011 at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at Giga-tronics' executive office at 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94583 on October 18, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. (PDT), or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
THE POWERS HEREBY GRANTED MAY BE EXERCISED BY BOTH OF SAID ATTORNEYS OR PROXIES OR THEIR SUBSTITUTES PRESENT AND ACTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF OR, IF ONLY ONE BE PRESENT AND ACTING, THEN BY THAT ONE. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REVOKES ANY AND ALL PROXIES HERETOFORE GIVEN BY THE UNDERSIGNED TO VOTE AT SAID MEETING.
 
(Continued, and to be signed, on the other side.)
 
 
22
 
 
TO VOTE YOUR PROXY


Simply sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope to:

Giga-tronics Inc., % Eagle Rock Proxy Advisors, LLC, 12 Commerce Dr, Cranford NJ  07016




 

 
 
 
 
TO VOTE, PLEASE DETACH PROXY CARD HERE
Please mark votes as in this sample      x
 
 
1.   Elect five Directors for the ensuing year.
  
FOR ALL
NOMINEES  LISTED
WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
Nominees: (1) George H. Bruns, Jr., (2) James A. Cole;
  
(EXPEPT AS
     TO VOTE FOR ALL
(3) Garrett A. Garrettson; (4) Kenneth A. Harvey;
  
INDICATED BELOW)
    NOMINEES LISTED
(5) John R. Regazzi
  
[   ]
[   ]
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for one or more
      
nominees, write such names in the space provided below:
      
           
   
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
2. Ratify the appointment of Perry-Smith LLP as independent certified public accountants;
  
[   ]
[   ]
[   ]
         
3. Any other business as may properly come before the meeting.
  
[   ]
[   ]
[   ]
 
 
 
Dated: ________________, 2011
   
   
 
Signature(s)
   
   
 
Signature(s)
   
Please sign exactly as the name appears printed hereon. When shares are held  by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by annual authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in full partnership name by authorized person. Receipt of the Proxy statement for the meeting is hereby acknowledged.