DEF 14A 1 giga20150713_def14a.htm FORM DEF 14A giga20150713_def14a.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

 

 

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GIGA-TRONICS INCORPORATED

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Giga-tronics Incorporated

4650 Norris Canyon Road

San Ramon, California 94583

(925) 328-4650

investors@gigatronics.com

 

 

 

 

 

July 14, 2015

 

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 Wednesday, September 2, 2015.

 

At the meeting, you will be asked to (a) elect seven directors, (b) ratify the selection of Crowe Horwath LLP as our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, (c) approve on an advisory basis the named executive officer compensation and (d) approve an amendment to the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan increasing the number of shares available for grant as awards.

 

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

investors@gigatronics.com

 


 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To be held on September 2, 2015

 


 

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 Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

 

 

1.

Elect seven directors for the ensuing year; and

 

 

2.

Ratify the appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm; and

  

 

3.

Approve on an advisory basis the named executive officer compensation; and

 

 

4.

To approve an amendment to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan increasing the number of shares available for grant as awards under the plan; and

 

 

5.

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

 

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on July 13, 2015 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/ Steven D. Lance

 

Steven D. Lance

 

Vice President of Finance/

 

Chief Financial Officer & Secretary

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting To Be Held on September 2, 2015: The proxy statement and annual report on Form 10-K are available online at www.gigatronics.com under “Investor Relations”.

 

 

San Ramon, California

July 14, 2015

 

 
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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 (the “Board”) 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 Wednesday, September 2, 2015, 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 has fixed July 13, 2015 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 and preferred stock on an as-converted basis will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, there were 6,725,281 shares of Giga-tronics common stock and 18,534 shares of Giga-tronics preferred stock (which have 100 votes per share) issued and outstanding. Each common share outstanding on the record date is entitled to one vote as to each matter to be acted on at this meeting; each preferred share outstanding on the record date is entitled to 100 votes as to each matter to be acted on at the 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 such 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. Seven 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 July 25, 2015.

 

Alliance 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.

 

 
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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 (i) ratification of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, (ii) the advisory vote to approve the named executive officer compensation and (iii) approval of an amendment to the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan increasing the number of shares available for grant awards. 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, against the approval of executive compensation and against the amendment of the Plan. A non-vote will have no effect on the vote for these matters unless the number of shares voted in favor is less than a majority of the required quorum, in which case a non-vote would have the effect of a vote against these matters.

 

The Annual Report of Giga-tronics for its fiscal year ended March 28, 2015 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, email or personal solicitation by directors, officers or other regular employees of Giga-tronics and by Alliance Advisors. Giga-tronics has retained Alliance Advisors to solicit proxies for a fee of approximately $5,000, which includes the estimated fees for related printing services. 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. Emails can be addressed to investors@gigatronics.com.

 

 
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  PROPOSAL 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

At the Annual Meeting, seven 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 for election as directors are listed below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

Name

 

Age

 

Positions and Offices Held with Company

 

Since

Garrett A. Garrettson

 

72

 

Director, Chairman of the Board

 

2006

John R. Regazzi

 

60

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

2006

Gordon L. Almquist

 

65

 

Director

 

2012

James A. Cole

 

72

 

Director

 

1994

Kenneth A. Harvey

 

51

 

Director

 

2002

Lutz P. Henckels

 

74

 

Director

 

2011

William J. Thompson

 

50

 

Director

 

2011

 

The following is additional information about each of the nominees as of the date of this proxy statement, including their business experience, director positions held currently or at any time during the last five years, involvement in certain legal or administrative proceedings, if applicable, and the experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that caused the nominating and corporate governance committee and our Board to determine that each nominee should serve as one of our directors.

 

Garrett A. Garrettson, age 72, has served as a member of our Board since 2006.  Dr. Garrettson is currently the President of G. Garrettson Consulting LLC, providing management consulting to public and private companies.  Dr. Garrettson has over 20 years’ experience serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the private and public technology companies Fresco Technologies, Clairvoyante Laboratories, Spectrian Corporation, and Censtor Corp.  Dr. Garrettson also held senior management positions at Seagate Technology and Control Data. He began his career as a Director at HP Laboratories after being an Assistant Professor of Physics, Naval Postgraduate School. Dr. Garrettson was educated at Stanford in Engineering Physics, receiving his PhD in Nuclear Engineering. Dr. Garrettson has been a director of over seventeen public and private companies.

 

Dr. Garrettson’s extensive knowledge and experience as a Chief Executive Officer of numerous technology companies qualifies him to serve as a director of Giga-tronics Incorporated.  

 

Member: Nominating and Governance Committee, and Compensation Committee  

 

 

John R. Regazzi, age 60, has served as a member of our Board and Chief Executive Officer of Giga-tronics Incorporated since 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Regazzi held the following positions within Giga-tronics Instrument Division: President and General Manager, Vice President of Operations, and Vice President of Engineering. Prior to Giga-tronics Mr. Regazzi was with Hewlett Packard and Agilent Technologies for 22 years in various design and management positions associated with their microwave sweeper and synthesizer product lines. Mr. Regazzi holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University.

  

Mr. Regazzi’s current role as Chief Executive Officer, his RF and Microwave expertise, and his depth of experience in engineering and manufacturing management, qualifies him to serve as a director of Giga-tronics Incorporated.    

 

 
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Gordon L. Almquist, age 65, has served as a member of our Board since 2012. Mr. Almquist has more than 30 years of experience in senior financial management roles at public and private technology companies.  Mr. Almquist is currently the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Keyssa, Inc. (formerly known as WaveConnex, Inc.), a semiconductor technology company headquartered in Campbell, CA. Prior to Keyssa, he held similar positions at Strix Systems, where he was also a Co-founder, and publicly-traded companies including Vertel Corporation and 3D Systems Corporation. Mr. Almquist also served on the board of directors for CAP Wireless (acquired by TriQuint Semiconductor). Mr. Almquist is a certified public accountant (inactive) in the State of California and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration (accounting) from California State University, Northridge.

 

Mr. Almquist’s expertise and knowledge of financial and audit matters and public company experience qualifies him to serve as a director of Giga-tronics Incorporated.

 

Member: Audit Committee, and Compensation Committee  

 

 

James A. Cole, age 72, has served as a member of our Board since 1994. Mr. Cole is General Partner of Windward Ventures and Spectra, and a former Partner at New Enterprise Associates. Mr. Cole was a Founder and Executive Vice president of the publicly traded company Amplica Inc. (acquired by Comsat). Mr. Cole served as a director of Syntricity, Inc., CAP Wireless (acquired by TriQuint Semiconductor) and serves as a director of WhoKnows.com.  

 

Mr. Cole’s skills in business and financial matters, and his experience as a director of public companies, qualifies him to serve as a director of Giga-tronics Incorporated.

 

Member: Audit Committee, and Compensation Committee    

 

 

Kenneth A. Harvey, age 51, has served as a member of our Board since 2002. Mr. Harvey was recently appointed CEO of Nexaware Technologies, he is also the President of Peak Consulting Group. Mr. Harvey was the Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Wireless & Telecom, and Modulation Instruments, where he was also a Co-founder. Mr. Harvey also served as Vice President and General Manager of Credence Systems Corporation. Mr. Harvey holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Akron and a Masters of Business Administration from Santa Clara University.

 

Mr. Harvey’s extensive knowledge and experience as a Chief Executive Officer of numerous technology companies qualifies him to serve as a director of Giga-tronics Incorporated.  

 

Member: Nominating and Governance Committee, and Audit Committee  

 

 

Lutz P. Henckels, age 74, has served as a member of our Board since 2011. Dr. Henckels is currently the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of HiQ Solar, and a Venture Partner with Alara Capital Partners, formerly Guggenheim Venture Partners. Dr. Henckels has over 20 years’ experience serving as Chief Executive Officer of the private and public technology companies SyntheSys Research (acquired by Tektronix/Danaher), LeCroy Corporation, and HHB Systems. Dr. Henckels is the recipient of the first John Fluke Sr. Memorial Award, along with David Packard, Joe Keithley, and Alex D’Arbeloff. The John Fluke Sr. Memorial Award was established in 1986 to honor executives who have led their companies with innovative engineering or business management. Dr. Henckels holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and PhD in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He graduated Eta Kappa Nu and Tau Beta Pi, and is also a graduate of the ONP program of Harvard Business School. Dr. Henckels has been a director of multiple publicly traded companies, including Ikos, Inframetrics, and LeCroy.

 

Dr. Henckels provides valuable insight and perspective on strategic and business matters. Dr. Henckels’ knowledge and experience in the technology industry qualifies him to serve as a director of Giga-tronics Incorporated.

 

Member: Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee  

 

 
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William J. Thompson, age 50, has served as a member of our Board since 2011. Dr. Thompson is a Managing Member of Alara Capital AVI II and is Director of Research for Jacobi Capital Management.  Dr. Thompson co-founded Circadiant Systems (acquired by JDS Uniphase Corporation), a venture capital backed test and measurement company that designed and manufactured instrumentation for optical communication.   Dr. Thompson also served as a Member of Technical Staff at Lucent Technologies where he designed analog RF optoelectronic components for high speed optical communication, and as a researcher with the University of Maryland. Dr. Thompson graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from University of North Carolina at Charlotte and holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Stony Brook University. He graduated as a Palmer Scholar with an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School.

 

Dr. Thompson’s extensive knowledge and experience with RF and the test and measurement industry, and his valuable insight and knowledge in financial matters qualifies him to serve as a director of Giga-tronics Incorporated.    

 

Member: Nominating and Governance Committee, and Audit Committee

   

 

There are no family relationships among the nominees or between any nominee and any executive officer of Giga-tronics. The Board has determined that Messrs. Almquist, Cole, Garrettson, Harvey, Henckels, and Thompson, representing a majority of the Board, are independent under the independence standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“NASDAQ”).

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES NAMED IN PROPOSAL 1. THE PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE SO VOTED IN THE ABSENCE OF INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY.

 

 
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD

AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

 

Meetings

 

There were fourteen meetings of the Board during the last fiscal year. All of the directors attended all the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, except for a director missing four meetings, and two directors missing one meeting. Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting except for good cause, and all of the directors attended the Annual Meeting in 2014.

 

Committees

 

The Giga-tronics Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee.

 

Audit Committee: During fiscal 2015, the Audit Committee consisted of directors Gordon L. Almquist (Chairman), James A. Cole, Kenneth A. Harvey and William J. Thompson, all of whom were independent under the director independence standards of NASDAQ. 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 held four meetings during the past fiscal year. All directors who serve on the Audit Committee attended all of the scheduled committee meetings, except one director, who missed two committee meetings. For fiscal 2015 the board has determined that Gordon L. Almquist as the financial expert had:

 

(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 determined that Mr. Almquist is the Audit Committee’s financial expert for purposes of NASDAQ rules and requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

The charter of the Audit Committee is available on the Company’s website at http://investor.gigatronics.com/governance.cfm.

 

Compensation Committee: During fiscal year 2015, the Compensation Committee consisted of directors Lutz P. Henckels (Chairman), Gordon L. Almquist, James A. Cole, and Garrett A. Garrettson, all of whom were independent under the director independence standards of NASDAQ. The Compensation Committee formulates recommendations to the Board 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 Compensation 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 2015. The Compensation Committee met three times during the last fiscal year. All directors who serve on the Compensation Committee attended all of the scheduled committee meetings.

 

The Compensation Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at http://investor.gigatronics.com/governance.cfm.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee: During fiscal 2015 the Nominating and Governance Committee (“NG Committee”) is comprised of directors William J. Thompson (Chairman), Garrett A. Garrettson, Kenneth A. Harvey, and Lutz P. Henckels, all of whom are independent under the director independence standards of NASDAQ. The purpose of the NG Committee is to recommend persons for membership on the Board, to establish criteria and procedures for the selection of new directors, and to evaluate and recommend to our Board any revisions to our corporate governance guidelines. The NG Committee met one time during the last fiscal year. All directors who serve on the NG Committee attended the scheduled committee meeting.

 

The NG Committee has no formal process for identifying and evaluating candidates. Existing directors 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 NG 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 NG 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 NG Committee must be satisfied that each nominee, both those recommended by the NG 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 NG 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 NG 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.

 

 
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The Nominating Committee charter is available on the Company’s website at http://investor.gigatronics.com/governance.cfm.

 

Board 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. Periodically, the Board assesses the roles and the Board leadership structure to ensure the interests of the Company and the shareholders are best served.

 

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

 

In fiscal year 2015 each of the directors (other than the Chairman of the Board and the Audit Committee Chair) who is not employed by Giga-tronics received an annual director’s fee of $67,000; in lieu of cash compensation, 27,000 shares of restricted stock were granted. The Audit Committee Chairman’s annual director fee was $94,000; in lieu of cash compensation, 38,000 shares of restricted stock were granted. The Chairman of the Board’s annual director fee was $101,000; in lieu of cash compensation, 41,000 shares of restricted stock were granted. 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. Also the directors received options to purchase shares of the Company as compensation for fiscal 2015. Each of the directors (other than the Chairman of the Board and the Audit Committee Chair) received options to purchase 5,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Audit Committee Chairman received options to purchase 7,500 shares of the Company’s common stock and the Chairman of the Board received options to purchase 8,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The restricted stock awards described above vested fully on July 1, 2015.

 

On February 25, 2015, each of the directors (other than the Chairman of the Board and the Audit Committee Chair) who is not employed by Giga-tronics received their annual director’s fee for fiscal year 2016. Each director received 36,000 shares of restricted stock. The Audit Committee Chairman’s annual director fee was 47,000 shares of restricted stock. The Chairman of the Board’s annual director fee was 54,000 shares of restricted stock. Each of the directors (other than the Chairman of the Board and the Audit Committee Chair) also received options to purchase 5,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Audit Committee Chairman received options to purchase 7,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and the Chairman of the Board received options to purchase 8,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for fiscal 2016. The restricted stock awards described above vests fully on the final day of fiscal year 2016 or March 26, 2016.

 

 
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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 2015.

 

Director Compensation

Name

 

Fees Earned or Cash Paid ($)

 

 

Option Awards

(1) (2) ($)

 

 

Restricted Stock Awards (3) (4) ($)

 

 

Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings

 

 

All Other Compensation

($)

 

 

Total ($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

 

(d)

 

 

(e)

 

 

(f)

 

 

(g)

 

 

(h)

 

Gordon L. Almquist

 

 

--

 

 

 

$15,282

 

 

 

$93,860

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

$109,142

 

James A. Cole

 

 

--

 

 

 

$11,207

 

 

 

$66,690

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

$77,897

 

Garrett A. Garrettson

 

 

--

 

 

 

$16,301

 

 

 

$101,270

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

$117,571

 

Kenneth A. Harvey

 

 

--

 

 

 

$11,207

 

 

 

$66,690

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

$77,897

 

Lutz P. Henckels

 

 

--

 

 

 

$11,207

 

 

 

$66,690

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

$77,897

 

William J. Thompson

 

 

--

 

 

 

$11,207

 

 

 

$66,690

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

$77,897

 

 

 

(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 28, 2015 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 28, 2015, Mr. Garrettson held options to purchase 78,000 shares of common stock, Mr. Cole and Mr. Harvey held options to purchase 54,000 shares of common stock, Mr. Henckels and Mr. Thompson held options to purchase 44,000 shares of common stock while Mr. Almquist held options to purchase 47,500 shares of common stock.

 

(2)

Excludes grants of options to acquire common stock made in fiscal year 2015 but intended as compensation in fiscal year 2016 and not vesting until fiscal year 2016 in the following amounts: Mr. Garrettson, options to purchase 8,000 shares of common stock with a grant date fair value of $15,000; Mr. Almquist, options to purchase 7,000 shares of common stock with a grant date fair value of $13,000; Mr. Cole, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Henckels, options to purchase 5,500 shares of common stock each with a grant date fair value of $10,000 each. The options for fiscal year 2016 had a grant date fair value of $1.54 per share. These amounts will be included in the Director Compensation table in the Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting.

 

(3)

Restricted shares were granted in lieu of cash compensation for fiscal year 2015 with the weighted average grant date fair value of $2.47 per share.

 

(4)

Excludes grants of restricted shares made in fiscal year 2015 but intended as compensation in fiscal year 2016 and not vesting until fiscal year 2016 in the following amounts: Mr. Garrettson, 54,000 shares with a grant date fair value of $99,000; Mr. Almquist, 47,000 shares with a grant date fair value of $86,000, Mr. Cole, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Henckels, 36,000 shares each with grant date fair values of $66,000 each. The restricted shares were granted in lieu of cash compensation for fiscal year 2016 with the weighted average grant date fair value of $1.84 per share. These amounts will be included in the Director Compensation table in the Proxy Statement for the 2016 annual meeting.

 

Giga-tronics has entered into indemnification agreements with all of its officers and directors.

 

Communications with Directors

 

The Company does not have a formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board 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 Chairman of the Board if addressed to the Board. The Board 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 28, 2015, the Company’s officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders complied with all applicable filing requirements.

 

 
12

 

  

INFORMATION ABOUT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

John R. Regazzi

 

60

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Steven D. Lance

 

50

 

Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Jeffrey T. Lum

 

69

 

Chief Technology Officer

Mark A. Elo

 

47

 

Vice President of Marketing

Michael R. Penta

 

51

 

Vice President of Sales

 

John R. Regazzi, see Proposal 1 -- Election of Directors

 

Steven D. Lance, age 50, has served as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Giga-tronics since 2013. He has 26 years of financial experience with technology companies. Prior to Giga-tronics, Mr. Lance was the Vice President of Finance at Taulia Inc. from 2011 to 2013 and Vice President of Finance and Administration at SugarCRM Inc. from 2006 to 2011, both SaaS software companies. Mr. Lance was Corporate Controller at Entrisphere from 2005 to 2006, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer. From 2000 to 2005 Mr. Lance was the Vice President and Corporate Controller at SumTotal Systems (formerly Docent Inc.), a publicly traded software company. Prior to 2000, Mr. Lance held Financial Management positions with the publicly traded companies ADAC Laboratories Inc., Phoenix Technologies and KLA-Tencor. Mr. Lance is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) in the State of California, and holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Business Accounting from San Jose State University.

 

Jeffrey T. Lum, age 69, has served as the Chief Technology Officer of Giga-tronics since April 2007. Mr. Lum was a founder and President of ASCOR, which was purchased by Giga-tronics. Mr. Lum was a founder and Vice President of Autek Systems Corporation, a manufacturer of precision waveform analyzers. Mr. Lum holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University.

 

Mark A. Elo, age 47, has served as Vice President of Marketing of Giga-tronics since September 2011. From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Elo was an Engineering Director for Agilent Technologies. Mr. Elo served as an Engineering Director at Keithley Instruments from 2007 to 2009, concluding with a sale and integration of the RF Instrumentation business to Agilent Technologies. From 2004 to 2007 Mr. Elo was the Business Development Director managing Keithey’s entrance into the RF Test market. Prior to 2004, Mr. Elo held Engineering Management and Marketing Management positions with Agilent Technologies focusing on RF and Microwave Test Equipment. Originally a British citizen, he was educated in England and holds an Honors Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Salford, England and an MBA from Herriot Watt University in Scotland.

 

Michael R. Penta, age 51, has served as the Vice President of Sales of Giga-tronics since July 2012. From 2010 to 2012, Mr. Penta held the position of Director of Business Development at Tektronix, a Danaher Corporation. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Penta served as Vice President of Sales at SyntheSys Research, concluding with the sale and integration of the company to Tektronix. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Penta served as Vice President of Sales at Escend Technologies. Prior to 1999, Mr. Penta held Sales Management positions with LeCroy Corporations and Nicolet Instruments. Mr. Penta holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University.

 

 
13

 

 

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 28, 2015, and for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2014:

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and 

Fiscal 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

All Other Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

Position

Year

 

Salary (3)($)

 

 

($)

 

 

(1)($)

 

 

(2) ($)

 

 

Total ($)

 

(a)

(b)

 

(c)

 

 

(d)

 

 

(f)

 

 

(i)

 

 

(j)

 

John R. Regazzi

2015

 

$

225,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,817

 

 

$

226,817

 

Chief Executive Officer

2014

 

$

225,000

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,523

 

 

$

226,523

 

Steven D. Lance

2015

 

$

180,000

 

 

 

 

 

$

128,948

 

 

$

1,800

 

 

$

310,748

 

Vice President Finance,

2014

 

 

148,846

 

 

 

 

 

 $

97,800

 

 

$

1,315

 

 

$

247,961

 

Chief Financial Officer & Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey T. Lum

2015

 

$

145,000

 

 

 

 

 

 $

 

 

$

1,227

 

 

$

146,227

 

Chief Technical Officer

2014

 

$

145,000

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,450

 

 

$

146,450

 

Mark A. Elo

2015

 

$

160,000

 

 

 

 

 

 $

128,948

 

 

$

1,600

 

 

$

290,548

 

Vice President, Marketing

2014

 

$

160,000

 

 

 

 

 

 $

 

 

$

1,600

 

 

$

161,600

 

Michael R. Penta

2015

 

$

154,858

 

 

$

50,610

 

 

 $

 

 

$

11,149

 

 

$

216,617

 

Vice President, Sales

2014

 

$

155,000

 

 

$

56,753

 

 

$

 

 

$

11,150

 

 

$

222,903

 

 

 

(1)

Stock options granted under the 2005 Plan. The value for Stock Option Awards in the table above represents grant date fair value of Stock Option Awards for fiscal year 2015 and 2014. 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 28, 2015 for information on the assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of Option Awards and the expense recognized under ASC 718.

 

(2)

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.

 

(3)

Effective April 1, 2015, the annual salary for John R. Regazzi increased to $250,000; the annual salary for Steven D. Lance increased to $225,000; the annual salary for Jeffrey T. Lum increased to $165,000 and the annual salaries for Mark A. Elo and Michael R. Penta increased to $200,000.  

 

 
14

 

 

STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table includes information as of July 13, 2015, 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 above; and all directors and executive officers of Giga-tronics as a group:

 

 

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 

 

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership

Percentage of Total

Outstanding Common

Stock

 

Gordon L. Almquist

102,700

(1)

1.52%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

James A. Cole

191,894

(2)

2.85%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

Garrett A. Garrettson

139,870

(3)

2.07%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

Mark A. Elo

65,000

(4)

0.96%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Harvey

108,854

(5)

1.61%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

Lutz P. Henckels

4,036,560

(6)

37.73%

 

 

1045 First Avenue

 

 

 

 

 

King of Prussia, PA 19406

 

 

 

 

Steven D. Lance

55,000

(7)

0.81%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey T. Lum

28,364

(8)

0.42%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

Michael R. Penta

214,000

(9)

3.11%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

John R. Regazzi

227,000

(10)

3.30%

 

 

4650 Norris Canyon Road

 

 

 

 

 

San Ramon, California 94583

 

 

 

 

William J. Thompson

4,066,376

(11)

38.01%

 

 

1045 First Avenue

 

 

 

 

 

King of Prussia, PA 19406

 

 

 

 

All executive officers and directors as a group

1,342,706

(12)

19.97%

 

   

 
15

 

 

(12 persons, including those above)

 

 

 

 

Alara Capital AVI II, LC

3,956,456

(13)

40.83%

 

 

1045 First Avenue

 

 

 

 

 

King of Prussia, PA 19406

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes 17,700 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(2)

Includes 17,300 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(3)

Includes 24,400 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(4)

Includes 65,000 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(5)

Includes 17,300 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(6)

Includes 17,300 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

 

Also includes 3,956,456 shares beneficially owned by Alara Capital AVI II, LLC with respect to which Mr. Henckels shares voting and dispositive power as a managing member of Alara Capital AVI II, LLC as set forth in the following table and the accompanying footnote.

(7)

Includes 55,000 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(8)

Includes 15,000 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(9)

Includes 160,000 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(10)

Includes 160,000 issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

(11)

Includes 17,300 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

 

Also includes 3,956,456 shares beneficially owned by Alara Capital AVI II, LLC with respect to which Mr. Thompson shares voting and dispositive power as a managing member of Alara Capital AVI II, LLC as set forth in the following table and the accompanying footnote.

(12)

Includes 566,300 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of July 13, 2015.

 

Excludes 3,956,456 shares beneficially owned by Alara Capital AVI II, LLC as set forth in the table and accompanying footnote.

(13)

Includes 1,010,034 common shares, preferred shares convertible to 1,853,351 of common shares and warrants exercisable into 1,093,071 common shares, totaling 3,956,456 of beneficially owned shares.

   

 
16

 

 

Stock Options

 

The following table sets forth information about stock options held by the named executive officers outstanding at the end of fiscal year 2015. All option exercise prices were based on market price on the date of grant.

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Shares subject to Unexercised Options

(#) Exercisable

 

 

Shares subject to
Unexercised Options

(#) Unexercisable

 

 

Option Exercise Price ($)

 

Expiration Date

 

Unvested Restricted Stocks

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

 

(c)

 

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

 John R. Regazzi

 

60,000

 

 

 

40,000

 

 

 

$1.64

 

12/15/2021

 

 

 

 

 

40,000

 

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

$1.42

 

8/22/2022

 

 

 

 

 

40,000

 

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

$1.65

 

3/13/2023

 

 

 

Steven D. Lance

 

16,000

 

 

 

64,000

 

 

 

$1.25

 

7/24/2023

 

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

$1.25

 

7/24/2023

 

 

 

   

     

65,500

     

$2.08

 

8/1/2024

     
   

     

9,500

     

$2.08

 

8/1/2024

     

 Jeffrey T. Lum

 

9,000

 

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

$1.64

 

12/15/2021

 

 

 

   

15,000

     

     

$2.40

 

6/03/2015

     

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

$1.42

 

8/22/2022

 

 

 

Mark A. Elo

 

20,000

 

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

$1.01

 

6/20/2022

 

 

 

   

15,000

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

$1.47

 

8/29/2021

     
   

     

49,000

     

$2.08

 

8/1/2024

     

 

 

     

26,000

     

$2.08

 

8/1/2024

 

 

 

Michael R. Penta

 

40,000

 

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

$1.18

 

7/16/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

$1.18

 

7/16/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,000

 

   

 
17

 

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table provides information on options and other equity rights outstanding and available at March 28, 2015.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No. of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, stock awards, warrants and rights (1)

 

 

Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, stock awards, 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 security holders

 

 

1,958,975

 

 

 

$1.23

 

 

397,425

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders-options

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

$1.22

 

 

n/a

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   

50,000

     

$0.000

   

n/a

 

Total

 

 

2,208,975

 

 

 

$1.23

 

 

397,425 

 

 

 

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

 

Change-In-Control Arrangements

 

All outstanding options may accelerate and become exercisable for fully vested shares of common stock 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 as a result of one or more contested elections for Board membership.

 

In order to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of certain key members of management, we have entered into several change in control agreements and severance agreements with certain executive officers. We entered into change in control agreements with Messrs Regazzi, Lance, Penta, Elo and Lum.  Under the Company’s termination of employment and change of control agreements, officers are entitled to receive the following benefits: severance pay, payment of coverage premiums for health, dental, and vision benefits for and executive officers and their covered dependents, if any, pursuant to COBRA and accelerated vesting of any unvested restricted stock awards or options to purchase our common stock as of the date of termination.

 

Under Mr. Regazzi’s agreement, he receives such salary and benefits for 15 months for a change of control and 12 months for an involuntary termination other than for cause; both Mr. Lance and Mr. Penta will each receive such salary and benefits for 12 months for a change of control and 9 months for an involuntary termination other than for cause; Mr. Lum will receive such salary and benefits for 9 months for a change of control and 6 months for an involuntary termination other than for cause under his agreement and Mr. Elo will receive such salary and benefits for 9 months for either a change of control or an involuntary termination other than for cause.

 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

No executive officer of Giga-tronics serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Giga-tronics Board or Compensation Committee.

 

 
18

 

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors 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 that is available on the Investor Relations section our website at http://investor.gigatronics.com/governance.cfm.

 

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 has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the consolidated financial statements included in Giga-tronics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2015. The Audit Committee also discussed, with the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards No. 16, “Communication with Audit Committees” issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). The Audit Committee also received written disclosures and the letter from the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm pursuant to the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and the Audit Committee discussed with the auditors their independence. .

 

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors 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 28, 2015 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee has approved the engagement of Crowe Horwath LLP to continue as the Company’s auditors for the current fiscal year.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Gordon L. Almquist, Chairman

James A. Cole

Kenneth A. Harvey

William J. Thompson

 

 
19

 

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

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. Second, 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 2015 are summarized below. It is expected that this process will remain the same in fiscal year 2016. 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 within 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, and after reviewing published compensation surveys, this Committee believes that the base salary levels in effect for Giga-tronics’ executive officers after giving effect to recent increases are competitive with comparable companies within and outside its industry with which Giga-tronics competes for executive talent. However, the Compensation 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.

 

Other than sales incentive bonuses, there were no bonus payments earned in fiscal year 2015.

 

 
20

 

 

Long-Term (Stock Based) Incentive Compensation

 

Giga-tronics has always believed that stock ownership or stock option participation is 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 ten year terms, exercisable for 20% of the total grant per year after the first year. The right to exercise options granted from the Giga-tronics Incorporated 2005 Stock Option Plan (the “2005 Plan”), unless otherwise specified in the option grant, expires 90 days after termination of employment, and in case of death an optionee’s estate would have twelve months to exercise. 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 2015 the Compensation Committee established a $225,000 annual base salary for the CEO, effective April 1, 2015, the annual salary for John R. Regazzi increased to $250,000.

 

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 2005 Plan restricts the maximum number of shares of common stock for which any one participant may be granted stock options and awards, and the stockholders approved this plan. 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:

 

Lutz P. Henckels, Chairman

Gordon L. Almquist

James A. Cole

Garrett A. Garrettson

 

 
21

 

 

PROPOSAL 2

 

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee has re-appointed the firm of Crowe Horwath LLP as Giga-tronics’ Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending March 26, 2016 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 Crowe Horwath 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 Crowe Horwath LLP in fiscal year 2015 and in fiscal year 2014 in the following categories:

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Audit fees (1)

 

$

170,500

 

 

$

174,000

 

Audit-related fees

 

$

 

 

$

 

Tax fees

 

 $

 

 

 $

 

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 (including the amended 10-K and 10-Q filings) and services normally provided by the independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF CROWE HORWATH LLP AS GIGA-TRONICS’ INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. THE PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE SO VOTED IN THE ABSENCE OF INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY.

 

 
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PROPOSAL 3

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 enables our shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. This advisory vote is commonly referred to as a “say on pay” proposal.

 

Our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering the Company’s executive compensation program, has designed our executive compensation program to provide a competitive yet equitable compensation and benefits package that reflects the Company’s performance and size, job complexity, and strategic value of the position while enabling long-term retention and motivation consistent with the long-term interests of our shareholders. We encourage you to carefully review the section entitled “General Compensation Policy” beginning on page 20 of this proxy statement for details on Giga-tronics’s executive compensation, including Giga-tronics’s compensation philosophy and objectives, as well as the reasons and processes for how our Compensation Committee determined the structure and amounts of the fiscal year 2015 compensation of our executives.

 

We are asking our shareholders to support our executive compensation program. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our executives and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.

 

Accordingly, we are asking our shareholders to approve the following resolution:

 

RESOLVED , that the shareholders approve the compensation of Giga-tronics’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (which includes the compensation tables and related narrative discussion).

 

The results of this advisory vote are not binding on Giga-tronics. However, our Compensation Committee values the opinions expressed by shareholders in their vote, and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for named executive officers. 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 3. THE PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE SO VOTED IN THE ABSENCE OF INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY.

 

 
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PROPOSAL 4

 

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE UNDER THE 2005 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

The Proposal

  

The Board of Directors has approved an amendment to our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) increasing the number of shares of common stock available for awards under the Plan by 600,000 shares. At the meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve the amendment.

  

The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of the Company’s stock by the Company’s employees and directors and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company’s business. The Company’s shareholders first approved the Plan in 2005.

  

The Plan currently provides that up to 2,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are available for awards. If the shareholders approve the proposed amendment, the Plan will be amended to increase the total number of shares available for grants under the Plan to a total of 2,850,000 shares. These awards include stock options, including incentive stock options, restricted stock, stock awards and stock appreciation rights, including grants of performance-based awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code in order to preserve the deductibility of these awards for federal income tax purposes.

  

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, options to purchase 1,398,975 common shares have been granted by the Board of Directors and were outstanding, and options to purchase an additional 258,323 shares have been exercised by option holders and 245,000 restricted shares have been granted and not forfeited, leaving 347,702 shares of the 2,250,000 shares previously authorized currently available for further grants of options, including shares returned to the Plan upon cancelation of options. The Company has not granted awards under the Plan other than stock options and restricted share awards. If the shareholders approve Proposal 4, the number of shares available for further grants under the Plan will be 947,702.

  

The Plan and Types of Awards

  

The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”), which is presently composed of four members, all of whom are independent directors as defined by the regulations of the SEC and NASDAQ. Any of the employees including officers and directors may be selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan. As of June 27, 2015, there were approximately 80 persons who are eligible to participate in the Plan.

  

The Board may at any time exercise any of the powers and responsibilities assigned to the Committee under the Incentive Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plan, the Committee has complete authority to make all determinations with respect to awards to be granted, including the form of award and the recipient of the award. Subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plan, the Committee also has complete authority to interpret the Incentive Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Incentive Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of any agreements concerning the terms of an award, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Incentive Plan. All decisions, interpretations and other actions of the Committee are final and binding.

  

The Plan authorizes the Company to grant equity-based awards to participants. These awards include options that qualify as incentive stock options (“Incentive Options”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and nonqualified stock options (“Nonstatutory Options”), restricted stock awards, stock grants and stock appreciation rights. Only employees of the Company are eligible for grants of Incentive Options. In addition, if an Incentive Option is granted to an officer or employee of the Company who, at the time of the grant, owns more than 10 percent of the Company’s common stock, the exercise price of the options must be not less than 110 percent of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted. All options granted generally expire not later than ten years from the date of grant except that incentive stock options granted to 10 percent shareholders will expire not later than five years from the date of grant. Unless the Committee specifically determines otherwise at the time of the grant of the option, options vest and become exercisable in installments as to 20% of the underlying stock at the first anniversary of the grant date and 20% per year thereafter. The Committee may allow an optionee to exercise before an installment vests, subject to the Company’s right to repurchase the shares or any other restriction the Committee imposes. The vesting of any awards granted under the Incentive Plan may be accelerated in full in the event of a merger or sale of the company if the acquiring entity does not assume or replace the awards with comparable awards. In addition, the Committee may accelerate the exercisability of options (unless restricted by the Code in the case of incentive options) and any grant of restricted stock even if restrictions have not expired. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which Incentive Options are exercisable for the first time by any individual during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such excess options will be treated as Nonstatutory Options.

  

Options granted must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. As of June 27, 2015, the last closing sale price for the Company’s common stock as reported by NASDAQ was $1.82 per share.

  

Upon the exercise of a stock option, the purchase price must be paid in full in either cash or its equivalent. The Committee may allow the optionee to make payment by tendering shares of our common stock having a fair market value equal to the exercise price. The Committee may also allow broker-assisted cashless exercises under which the Company issues shares on exercise of the option and is paid the purchase price from the sale of the shares by the optionee’s broker. The Committee may also authorize loans for the purpose of exercise to the extent permitted by law and may withhold shares on option exercise in payment of the exercise price and tax withholding.

 

 
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Options continue to be exercisable for up to twelve months after an optionee’s association with the Company terminates due to death or disability and up to 90 days after an optionee’s association ends for other reasons for the Plan. These periods may be extended at the Committee’s discretion.

  

Performance-based awards

  

Grants of performance-based awards under the Incentive Plan are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and preserve the deductibility of these awards for federal income tax purposes. Section 162(m) of the Code denies a tax deduction to public companies for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in a taxable year to the extent the compensation paid to a covered employee exceeds $1,000,000, unless the plan contains certain features that qualify the compensation as “performance-based compensation.” Because Section 162(m) of the Code only applies to those employees who are “covered employees” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code, only covered employees and those likely to become covered employees are eligible to receive performance-based awards. “Covered employees” means the Company’s chief executive officer or any of its other four highest compensated officers.

  

Participants are only entitled to receive payment for a performance-based award for any given performance period to the extent that pre-established performance goals set by the Committee during the first 90 days of the year for the period are satisfied. These pre-established performance goals must be based on one or more of the following performance criteria which are set forth in Section 2.23 of the Incentive plan:

  

2.23 Performance Criteria means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Participant for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria used to establish Performance Goals are limited to: pre- or after-tax net earnings, sales growth, operating earnings, operating cash flow, return on net assets, return on shareholders’ equity, return on assets, return on capital, Stock price growth, shareholder returns, gross or net profit margin, earnings per share, price per share of Stock, and market share, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.

  

These performance criteria may be measured in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group, and may be calculated in any manner chosen by the Committee. With regard to a particular performance period, the Committee will have the discretion to select the length of the performance period, the type of performance-based awards to be granted, and the goals that will be used to measure the performance for the period. In determining the actual size of an individual performance-based award for a performance period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate (but not increase) the award. Generally, a participant would have to be employed on the date the performance-based award is paid to be eligible for a performance-based award for that period.

  

United Stated Income Tax Implications

  

The Company is generally entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an option or award under the Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a participant and at the time the participant recognizes such income (for example, upon the exercise of a Nonstatutory Option). Special rules limit the deductibility of compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and to each of the named executive officers. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible only to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000. However, the Company can preserve the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 if the conditions of Section 162(m) are met with respect to awards. These conditions include shareholder approval of the Plan and performance criteria under the Plan, setting individual annual limits on each type of award, and certain other requirements. The Plan has been designed to permit the Committee to grant awards that qualify as performance-based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m), thereby permitting the Company to receive a federal income tax deduction in connection with such awards if the Company should make them.

  

The grant of Incentive Options will not result in taxable income to the recipient. With respect Nonstatutory Options, the recipient will realize ordinary income at the time of exercise in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired over the exercise price for those shares and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Generally, gains or losses realized by the participant upon disposition of such shares will generally be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise. In the case of a disqualifying disposition of Incentive Option stock, however, some or all of the gain will be ordinary income and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.

  

The grant of restricted stock should not result in income for the recipient or in a deduction for the Company for federal income tax purposes if the shares transferred are subject to restrictions resulting in a “substantial risk of forfeiture.” If there are no such restrictions, the recipient would recognize ordinary income upon receipt of the shares. Any dividends paid to the recipient while the stock remained subject to restriction would be treated as compensation for federal income tax purposes. At the time the restrictions lapse, the recipient would receive ordinary income and the Company would be entitled to a deduction measured by the fair market value of the shares at the time of lapse. Income tax withholding would be required.

 

The grant of a performance-based award will not result in income to the recipient. Upon the receipt of shares or cash under a performance-based award, the recipient would recognize ordinary income and the Company would be entitled to a deduction measured by the fair market value of the shares plus any cash received. Income tax withholding would be required.

  

 
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The preceding discussion is based on U.S. tax laws and regulations presently in effect, which are subject to change, and the discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. income tax aspects of the Plan. A participant may also be subject to state and local taxes in connection with the grant of awards under the Plan. The Company suggests that participants consult with their individual tax advisors to determine the applicability of the tax rules to the awards granted to them in their personal circumstances.

  

Reasons for Amending the Plan

  

As of June 27, 2015, there were only 347,702 shares available to award. The Board of Directors believes that the availability of stock based compensation for officers and employees will be a key factor in the ability of the Company to attract qualified individuals to fill certain positions. The Company also anticipates granting more options to its employees for performance incentives as well as director compensation to conserve the cash needed for the growth of the Company’s new Advanced Signal Generator Product Line. It is also anticipated that additional equity awards may be needed to retain existing officers and staff. The Company has not made any determination as to specific grants to be made under the Plan upon approval of the amendment by shareholders.

  

   

Accordingly, the Board of Directors is seeking shareholder approval to increase the number of shares authorized under the Plan in order to ensure that shares will be available to adequately compensate the Company’s employees and directors as the Company expands its business and adds additional employees.

  

  Shareholder Approval

  

Approval of the amendment to the Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares represented and entitled to vote at the Meeting.

  

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL 4

  

 
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SHAREHOLDERS' PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS

 

To be considered for presentation to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2016, which we currently expect to be held on September 5, 2016, a shareholder proposal (including a shareholder nomination for director) must be received by Giga-tronics no later than June 10, 2016. To be considered for inclusion in the Giga-tronics proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2016, a shareholder proposal must be received by Giga-tronics no later than March 25, 2016. Proposals should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary, Giga-tronics Incorporated, 4650 Norris Canyon Road, San Ramon, CA 94583.

 

SEC rules permit proxy holders to vote in their discretion on matters proposed by a shareholder and not described in the proxy statement only if the Company did not receive 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 14, 2016.

 

The Annual Report of Giga-tronics for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2015 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 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

July 14, 2015

 

 
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