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Published: 2022-08-22 11:08:13 ET
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DEF 14A 1 rell-def14a_20221004.htm DEF 14A rell-def14a_20221004.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                                                    Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

 

Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

 

 

 

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)

 

 

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

No fee required

 

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

 

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 

 


 

 

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

40W267 Keslinger Road

P.O. Box 393

LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 4, 2022

 

 

Dear Stockholders:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (“Richardson” or the “Company”), I invite you to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, at our corporate headquarters at 40W267 Keslinger Road, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393.

The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to consider and vote on the following matters:

 

1.

To elect seven directors nominated by Richardson’s Board of Directors for a term expiring at the 2023 Annual Meeting (Proposal 1);

 

2.

To ratify the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023 (Proposal 2);

 

3.

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (Proposal 3); and

 

4.

To act upon any other business that may properly come before the meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

We currently are not aware of any other matters scheduled to come before the Annual Meeting. All stockholders are invited to attend the meeting, although only stockholders of record at the close of business as of August 5, 2022 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted. You may vote by telephone, via the Internet or by mail before the Annual Meeting or in person at the Annual Meeting. For specific instructions, regarding the voting of your shares, please refer to the accompanying proxy card. We encourage you to vote by telephone, Internet or mail in advance of the Annual Meeting even if you currently plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

This year we are again taking advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow us to furnish proxy materials to stockholders via the Internet. On or about August 22, 2022, we will send notice of Internet availability of proxy materials to holders of our common stock as of the record date. The notice describes how you can access our proxy materials beginning on August 22, 2022.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

EDWARD J. RICHARDSON

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

 


1


 

Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

 

We are making this proxy statement and our annual report for the 2022 fiscal year available to stockholders electronically via the Internet. On or about August 22, 2022, we will mail to most of our stockholders a notice containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement and our annual report and to vote via the Internet or by telephone. Other stockholders, in accordance with their prior requests, will receive e-mail notification of how to access our proxy materials and vote via the Internet or by telephone, or will be mailed paper copies of our proxy materials and a proxy card on or about August 22, 2022.

 

Information About Attending the Annual Meeting

 

We intend to hold the Annual Meeting in person at our corporate headquarters. However, we are actively monitoring the ongoing coronavirus ("COVID-19") global pandemic and are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders and employees may have and the protocols that governments may impose. If you elect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we ask that you follow recommended guidance, mandates and applicable executive orders from federal and state authorities, particularly as they relate to social distancing and attendance at public gatherings. If you are not feeling well, have had close contact (defined as being within six feet for 15 minutes or more without facial covering) with someone who has tested positive for, or think you may have been exposed to, COVID-19, we ask that you vote your shares by proxy in lieu of attending the Annual Meeting. We will require all attendees to comply with the Company’s policies in place at the time of the Annual Meeting along with any then-applicable governmental requirements or recommendations, which may include mask wearing, temperature checks, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result, and/or and maintaining appropriate social distancing. Any governmental requirements in effect for purposes of the Annual Meeting will be communicated to attendees via the Company’s website and upon entry on the date of the Annual Meeting.

 

In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Annual Meeting in person, we will publicly announce alternative arrangements for the Annual Meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the Annual Meeting solely by means of remote communication. If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance by, among other actions, issuing a press release and posting such information on our website.

 

 

 

2


 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

4

General

4

Record Date and Quorum

4

How to Vote

4

Vote Required, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

5

Revocability of Proxies

5

Proxy Solicitation

5

PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

6

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

8

Independence of Directors

8

Board Leadership Structure

8

Board Diversity

8

Board and Committee Information

9

Board Role in Risk Oversight

11

Compensation of Directors

11

Fiscal Year 2022 Director Compensation Table

11

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

12

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

13

PROPOSAL 2 – RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

15

AUDIT MATTERS

16

Audit Committee Report

16

Independent Auditor’s Fees

17

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

18

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

19

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

25

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

25

COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

26

Summary Compensation Table

26

Grants of Plan Based Awards for Fiscal 2022

27

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

28

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

30

Employment Agreements

30

Potential Payment upon Termination or Change in Control

31

Median Employee to CEO Pay Ratio

31

PROPOSAL 3 – ADVISORY VOTE REGARDING COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

32

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING

33

OTHER MATTERS

34

 

 

 

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RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

General

The Board of Directors of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is soliciting your proxy for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at our corporate headquarters (and principal executive offices) located at 40W267 Keslinger Road, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393, on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time, and at any and all adjourned or postponed sessions of the Annual Meeting. On or about August 22, 2022, we will mail to our stockholders of record a notice of Internet availability of proxy materials, including this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2022. All stockholders receiving the notice will have the ability to access the proxy materials over the Internet and to request a paper copy by mail by following the instructions in the notice.  

We intend to hold the Annual Meeting in person at our corporate headquarters. However, we are actively monitoring the ongoing coronavirus ("COVID-19") global pandemic and are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders and employees may have and the protocols that governments may impose. If you elect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we ask that you follow recommended guidance, mandates and applicable executive orders from federal and state authorities, particularly as they relate to social distancing and attendance at public gatherings. If you are not feeling well, have had close contact (defined as being within six feet for 15 minutes or more without facial covering) with someone who has tested positive for, or think you may have been exposed to, COVID-19, we ask that you vote your shares by proxy in lieu of attending the Annual Meeting. We will require all attendees to comply with the Company’s policies in place at the time of the Annual Meeting along with any then-applicable governmental requirements or recommendations, which may include mask wearing, temperature checks, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result, and/or and maintaining appropriate social distancing. Any governmental requirements in effect for purposes of the Annual Meeting will be communicated to attendees via the Company’s website and upon entry on the date of the Annual Meeting.

In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Annual Meeting in person, we will publicly announce alternative arrangements for the Annual Meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the Annual Meeting solely by means of remote communication. If we take this step, we will announce the decision to do so in advance by, among other actions, issuing a press release and posting such information on our website.

Record Date and Quorum

Holders of our common stock and Class B common stock of record at the close of business on August 5, 2022, the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote their shares at the Annual Meeting. At the record date, 11,815,132 shares of our common stock and 2,053,263 shares of our Class B common stock were issued and outstanding. The common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “RELL”. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock and Class B common stock entitled to vote is required to constitute a quorum to transact business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes (as defined below) are considered as shares present at the Annual Meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum.

How to Vote

Stockholders can simplify their voting and reduce Company expenses by voting by telephone or via the Internet. If you vote by telephone or via the Internet, you do not need to mail back your proxy card. Telephone and Internet voting information is provided on your proxy card. A control number located on the proxy card is designed to verify your identity, allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your voting instructions have been properly recorded.

If your shares are held in the name of a bank or broker, you should follow the voting instructions you receive from the bank or broker. The availability of telephone or Internet voting will depend on your bank or broker’s voting process. If you choose not to vote by telephone or Internet, please return your proxy card properly signed, and the shares represented will be voted in accordance with your directions. You can specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the proxy card.

The election of directors (Proposal 1) and the non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 3) are “non-discretionary” matters. Therefore, your broker may not vote your shares with respect to these items unless it receives your voting instructions, and if it does not, those votes will be counted as “broker non-votes.” “Broker non-votes” are shares that are held in street name by a bank or broker

4

 

 


that indicates on its proxy that it does not have or did not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter. See “Vote Required, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes” for more information regarding the effect of broker non-votes.

If your proxy card is signed and returned without specifying choices, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board’s recommendations are set forth together with the description of each matter in this Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

 

FOR the election of each director nominee (Proposal 1);

 

FOR the ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023 (Proposal 2); and

 

FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (Proposal 3).

The Company knows of no other matters scheduled to come before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the proxies solicited hereby will be voted on such matters at the discretion of the persons named as proxies, except proxies that are marked to deny discretionary authority.

We encourage you to vote your shares in advance of the Annual Meeting date even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

Vote Required, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on the record date, and holders of the Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share of Class B common stock held on the record date.

If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the seven candidates for director under Proposal 1 who receive the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. A proxy marked to withhold authority for the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated.

The affirmative vote of shares representing a majority in voting power of the Company’s common stock (both common stock and Class B commons stock) present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote is necessary for approval of Proposals 2 and 3. Proxy cards marked as abstentions on Proposals 2 and 3 will not be voted and will have the effect of a negative vote. Please note that a broker or other nominee will not be permitted to vote your shares on Proposals 1 (election of directors) and 3 (advisory approval of executive compensation) absent specific instructions from you. Broker non-votes on Proposal 1 will have no effect; broker non-votes on Proposal 3 will have the effect of a negative vote on the proposal. Because Proposal 2 is a routine proposal on which a broker or other nominee generally has discretionary authority to vote, we do not expect any broker non-votes on Proposal 2.

Revocability of Proxies

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted (in the case of proxy cards) by giving notice to the Secretary of the Company in accordance with the instructions set forth below in the proxy card or by executing and mailing a later-dated proxy. To revoke a proxy given or change your vote cast, by telephone or via the Internet, you must do so by telephone or via the Internet, respectively (following the directions on your proxy card), by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (10:59 p.m. Central Time) on October 3, 2022.

Proxy Solicitation

We will bear the expense of soliciting proxies. Our officers and certain other employees, without additional remuneration, may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone, e-mail or other means.

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PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will elect seven directors to serve on our Board of Directors until the next annual meeting, or until their successors are elected and shall have qualified, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal as permitted by law. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting by the holders of shares represented in person or by proxy. Thus, assuming a quorum is present, the seven persons receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as directors and votes that are withheld will have no effect.

Our Board of Directors, acting through our Nominating Committee, is responsible for nominating a slate of directors that collectively have the complementary experience, qualifications, skills and attributes to guide the Company and function effectively as a Board.

The Nominating Committee has recommended Edward Richardson, Jacques Belin, James Benham, Wendy Diddell, Kenneth Halverson, Robert Kluge and Paul Plante as nominees for election at the Annual Meeting.

We believe that each of our nominees has professional experience in areas relevant to our strategy and operations. All of our directors have managerial experience and are accustomed to dealing with complex problems. We also believe each of our nominees has other attributes necessary to create an effective Board, including high personal and professional ethics, the willingness to engage management and each other in a constructive and collaborative fashion, the ability to devote significant time to serve on our Board and its committees and a commitment to representing the long-term interests of all our stockholders. In addition to these attributes, in each individual’s biography set forth below, we have highlighted specific experience, qualifications and skills that led the Nominating Committee and the Board to conclude that each individual should be nominated to serve as a director of the Company.

Jacques Belin, age 70, has been a director of the Company since October 2013. He served as Managing Director of Thales Components and Subsystems (“Thales”) from 2000 to 2011. He retired from Thales in October 2011. Prior to 2000, he served in multiple capacities including Quality and Production Engineer, Operations Manager and Factories Manager. In addition, Mr. Belin was heavily involved at Thales in areas including strategy, sales and marketing and administration. Mr. Belin has been a director for Reltas AG (Switzerland) since 2012. Mr. Belin holds an engineering degree from Ecole Centrale in Paris. His entire career has been devoted to the electron tube and subsystems business. Mr. Belin’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his vast experience in the industry and knowledge of other advanced power generation, microwave, healthcare and detection technologies.

James Benham, age 77, has been a director of the Company since October 2013. He has served as a Technical and Marketing Consultant to the Night Vision and Microwave Devices Industries since March 2013. He retired in March 2013 after 46 years in the Defense Electronics industry. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Benham was the President of L-3 Communications Narda West Division in Folsom, California from 2011 to 2013. For the previous 16 years, he was President of the Electron Devices Division of L-3 Communications. Mr. Benham served as a director of Intevac (IVAC) Inc. from June 2015 to May 2017. Mr. Benham received his BS in Chemistry from the State University of New York and an MBA from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has also completed executive development programs at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard Business School and Stanford University. Additionally, Mr. Benham holds a patent in the night vision field. Mr. Benham’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his 45+ years of technology development, engineering and management experience.

Wendy S. Diddell, age 57, has been a director of the Company since March 2021 and Executive Vice President since June 2007 and, as of December 23, 2015, Ms. Diddell assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. Effective March 13, 2019, Ms. Diddell assumed direct responsibility for the Richardson Healthcare business. From June 2007 through December 2015, she held the role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development. From June 2009 through June 2015, she also assumed the role of General Manager of our Canvys business. Prior to June 2007, Ms. Diddell was Executive Vice President and General Manager of our Security Systems Division since February 2006. Prior to that, Ms. Diddell was employed as Vice President and General Manager of the Security Systems Division since June 2004 and as a management consultant for the Security Systems Division since July 2003. Ms. Diddell holds an MBA from the University of Southern Florida. Ms. Diddell’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include her position as our Executive Vice President and our Chief Operating Officer, her industry experience, her management and operations expertise, her deep understanding of the Company and her ability to bring historic knowledge and continuity to the Board.


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Kenneth Halverson, age 70, has been a director of the Company since October 2013. He has been a board member of ShiftRx, LLC since November 2018 and a board member for Red Pine Camp Foundation. Mr. Halverson has been a consultant with Halverson Consulting, LLC since 2009. Previously, he was Senior Vice President from 1999 to 2009 with MedAssets, Inc., one of the largest Group Purchasing Organizations in the country. MedAssets provides service to thousands of hospitals helping them to reduce their overall expenses. Mr. Halverson was with Comdisco Inc. from 1984 to 1999, acting as Senior Vice President and President of the Healthcare Group, which leased imaging and clinical equipment as well as refurbished and remarketed imaging equipment. Mr. Halverson holds an MBA in Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and has held various executive positions with technology and healthcare companies throughout his career. Mr. Halverson’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his extensive experience with healthcare companies as well as his background in technology and finance.

Robert Kluge, age 76, has been a director of the Company since October 2017. He has served as the General Manager, and later as President of the Imaging Components Business at Varian Medical Systems, Inc. from February 1993 to February 2014 and as a Corporate Senior Vice President. He served as General Manager of X-Ray Products for Picker International from 1988 to 1993 and oversaw the diagnostic X-Ray product line, including X-Ray systems for Radiographic, R&F and Vascular applications, and was later given expanded responsibility for X-ray tubes. Mr. Kluge began his career in 1973 with General Electric Medical Systems as a participant in the Financial Management Program. He held a number of management positions at GE, including Service Business Marketing Manager and General Manager of Marketing and Strategy for the X-Ray Tube business. Mr. Kluge holds a B.S. in Economics and an MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Kluge’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his significant management experience in the design and manufacturing of diagnostic imaging components including CT tubes and flat panel detectors, and his extensive knowledge of marketing, strategy and general management.

 

Paul J. Plante, age 64, has been a director of the Company since October 2011. Mr. Plante has been Director and Consultant to Cardinal Vending and Markets, LLC, a privately held company, since March 2020. Mr. Plante also serves as a Director of SigmaTron International, Inc. From December 2008 to March 2022, Mr. Plante was the founder and owner of Florida Fresh Vending, LLC, a privately held company, with vending machines throughout the state of Florida that was sold to Cardinal Vending and Markets in March 2020. He has provided business consulting services to the electronics industry since 2008. Prior to that time he was Vice President, Medical Industry Solutions, for the Kimball Electronics Group from February 2007 until May 2008, after the purchase by Kimball Electronics of Reptron Electronics, Inc. From February 2004 to February 2007, Mr. Plante was President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Reptron Electronics, Inc., a publicly held provider of electronics manufacturing services with a focus on the medical industry. From 1994 until 2004, he served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Reptron. Mr. Plante negotiated and led Reptron Electronics, Inc. through a successful pre-arranged Chapter 11 reorganization period that strengthened the company’s balance sheet and liquidity with no significant loss of customers, employees or suppliers. Prior to 1994, he was the Chief Financial Officer at Reptron and at K-Byte, Inc., a Michigan based software developer and electronics manufacturer. Mr. Plante has a degree in accounting and has been a licensed certified public accountant. We believe Mr. Plante is financially literate and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules. Mr. Plante’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his significant experience in the electronics industry, his experience managing electronics manufacturing companies and his extensive financial knowledge.

Edward J. Richardson, age 80, has been a director of the Company since 1965. He is currently the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Mr. Richardson has been employed by the Company in various capacities since 1961. Mr. Richardson’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his position as our Chief Executive Officer for over 40 years and his unique ability to bring historic knowledge and continuity to the Board.

The Company presently knows of no reason why any of the nominees for director would be unable to serve. In the event, however, that any nominee named should, prior to the election, become unable to serve as a director, your proxy (unless designated to the contrary) will be voted for such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may recommend.

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each director nominee.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Independence of Directors

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Belin, Benham, Halverson, Kluge and Plante are independent as defined by Nasdaq listing standards. All members of the Audit, Compensation & Governance and Nominating Committees are independent in accordance with applicable laws and Nasdaq rules for members of such committees.

Board Leadership Structure

The Company has no fixed policy on whether the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should be separate or combined, with this decision being made by the Board based on the best interests of the Company and its stockholders considering the circumstances at the time. Currently, these roles are combined, with Mr. Richardson serving as both the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Richardson possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing the Company and its business, and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company. Therefore, the Board believes that Mr. Richardson is best positioned to efficiently develop agendas that ensure that the Board's time and attention are focused on the most critical matters and to execute strategic plans effectively, especially given the relatively small size of the Company's Board.

At the selection of the Board, Mr. Plante serves as lead independent director (or “lead director”). The lead director acts as a key liaison with the Chief Executive Officer and assists the Chairman of the Board in setting the Board agenda, chairs executive sessions of the Board and communicates Board member feedback to the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Company's non-management directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without any members of management present. The purpose of these executive sessions is to promote open and candid discussion among the non-management directors. The Board believes this approach appropriately and effectively complements the combined role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

Board Diversity

Our Board seeks to foster a Board of Directors with diverse experience and backgrounds. The following table presents our Board diversity statistics as self-disclosed by our directors, as required by Nasdaq’s listing standards:

Board Diversity Matrix as of August 1, 2022

 

 

 

Board Size

 

 

Total Number of Directors

 

7

 

 

Gender

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose

Directors by gender

1

2

-

4

Number of directors who identify in the categories below:

 

 

 

 

African American

-

-

-

-

Alaskan Native or Native American

-

-

-

-

Asian

-

-

-

-

Hispanic or Latinx

-

-

-

-

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

-

-

-

-

White

1

2

-

1

Two or more races or ethnicities

-

-

-

-

LBGTQ+

 

-

 

 

Did not disclose demographic background

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 


 

Board and Committee Information

During our last fiscal year, the Board of Directors held four regular meetings. Each director attended, either in person or telephonically, at least 75% of the aggregate number of such Board meetings and meetings of the committees during their period of service in fiscal 2022. Although we have no formal policy about attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders by our directors, it is encouraged. Last year, six directors attended the Annual Meeting.

During our last fiscal year, the Board of Directors had four standing committees: the Audit Committee, Compensation & Governance Committee, Executive Committee and Nominating Committee.

During our last fiscal year, the members and chair of each committee were as follows:

 

Director

 

Audit

 

Compensation & Governance

 

Executive

 

Nominating

Jacques Belin

 

 

 

 

 

James Benham

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth Halverson

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Kluge

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Plante

 

✓*

 

✓*

 

 

✓*

Edward Richardson

 

 

 

 

 

✓*

 

 

* chair

Ms. Diddell did not serve on any committee during the last fiscal year.

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may exercise all authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the Company during the interval between meetings of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in our by-laws or by applicable law. The Executive Committee did not meet during the last fiscal year.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of five independent directors and the Board of Directors has determined that the composition and functioning of the committee complies with the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq, including that each of its members is independent as that term is defined in Nasdaq rules, and that one of its members, Mr. Plante, qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert,” as that term is defined in SEC rules. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the previous fiscal year.

The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:

 

Engaging and discharging the independent auditors (or recommending such actions);

 

Reviewing with the independent auditors the plan and results of the auditing engagement;

 

Reviewing the scope and results of our procedures for internal auditing;

 

Approving each professional service provided by the independent auditors prior to the performance of such services;

 

Reviewing the independence of the independent auditors;

 

Considering the range of audit and non-audit fees for the independent auditors;

 

Reviewing the adequacy of the issuer’s system of internal accounting controls;

 

Directing and supervising special investigations as necessary; and

 

Overseeing such other matters relating to our financial affairs and accounts as required by law or regulation or as it deems desirable or as the Board of Directors may assign to it.

The Audit Committee has adopted a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.rell.com.

The information on our website is not part of this proxy statement and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.

The Audit Committee’s report is on page 16.

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Compensation & Governance Committee. The Compensation & Governance Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) held four meetings in the last fiscal year. The committee is comprised of five independent directors and the Board of Directors has determined that the composition and functioning of this committee complies with the applicable Nasdaq and SEC requirements.

The committee’s responsibilities include:

 

Establishing, reviewing and approving the base salary, non-equity incentive compensation, perquisites and any other forms of non-equity compensation for our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and for our executive officers;

 

Reviewing and monitoring our incentive compensation and retirement plans and performing the duties imposed on the Committee by the terms of those plans;

 

Administering our incentive compensation plans, including determining the employees to whom stock options and stock awards are granted, the number of shares subject to each option or award and the date or dates upon which each option or award may be exercised;

 

Developing and reviewing the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines; and

 

Performing other duties deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

A discussion of the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for determining executive and director compensation can be found in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement. The Compensation Committee chairman reports the Committee’s recommendations on executive compensation to the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee has authority to retain, approve fees for and terminate consultants as it deems necessary to assist in the fulfillment of its duties and responsibilities. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter which is available on our website at www.rell.com.

The Compensation Committee report is on page 25.

Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee met once during the last fiscal year and is comprised of five independent directors.

In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion on the Board of Directors’ slate of recommended director nominees, the Nominating Committee applies the criteria set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, knowledge of our business and industry, experience, diligence and the ability to act in the interests of all stockholders. The committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. The committee believes that the background and qualifications of our directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will best allow the Board of Directors to fulfill its responsibilities.

Director Nominations. Management and the Directors submit candidates for nomination for election to the Board of Directors for committee consideration. With respect to the election of director nominees at the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee recommended the Board nominate each of the directors currently serving on the Board.

Stockholders may also submit names of candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee, provided that such submissions have been received by the Board of Directors no later than July 12, 2022. The Company received no such proposals for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Stockholders may also nominate a candidate or candidates for election as a director during the annual meeting at which directors are elected.

In addition, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which notice must be postmarked or transmitted electronically to the Company at its principal executive offices no later than 60 calendar days prior to the anniversary date of the annual meeting (for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, no later than August 5, 2023). However, if the date of the 2023 annual meeting is changed by more than 30 calendar days from such anniversary date, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders is first made.

10

 

 


Stockholder proposals made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 for inclusion in the proxy statement for presentation at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by April 24, 2023 and stockholders who intend to present a proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting without including such proposal in the Company’s proxy statement must provide the Company notice of such proposal no later than July 8, 2023 (with the submissions of names of candidates for consideration by the Nominating Committee due no later than July 11, 2023).

The Company does not have a policy regarding the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. The committee has not adopted a written charter. The Company is utilizing the "Controlled Company" exemption pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 5615(c) for purposes of the Nominating Committee Charter Requirement. The determination is based on the fact that Mr. Richardson beneficially owns approximately 63% of the voting rights as of the record date.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

Non-management Directors meet regularly in executive sessions without management. Executive sessions are held during each regularly scheduled Board meeting and the Company’s lead independent director presides over these sessions.

The Board and each of the Audit, Nominating and Compensation & Governance Committees conduct annual self-evaluations, as contemplated by the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and, as applicable, the charters of such Board Committees.

While the Company's management is responsible for day-to-day management of various risks facing the Company, the Board of Directors is responsible for evaluating the Company's exposure to risk and monitoring the steps management has taken to assess and control risk. In addition, the Board has delegated oversight of certain categories of risk to the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Audit Committee oversees risks related to the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and financial reporting, and the Compensation Committee oversees risks related to the Company’s compensation plans and practices. In performing its oversight responsibilities, the Board receives periodic reports from the Chief Executive Officer and other members of senior management on areas of risk facing the Company. The Audit and Compensation Committees report to the Board regularly on matters relating to the specific areas of risk the committees oversee.

Compensation of Directors

Non-employee directors receive a quarterly retainer of $4,500, meeting fees of $1,000 for each Audit Committee meeting and $750 for Board and other committee meetings. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional quarterly retainer of $1,500.

Upon joining the Board, new directors receive a grant of 25,000 common stock options that vest over five years. After the five-year period, directors receive an annual grant of 5,000 common stock options that are fully vested on the date of grant.

Employee directors receive no compensation related to their service on our Board of Directors in addition to their regular employee compensation. For a discussion of the compensation paid to our management directors, Mr. Richardson and Ms. Diddell, see the sections of this proxy statement entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation of Named Executive Officers.”

Fiscal Year 2022 Director Compensation Table

The following table shows compensation information for each of our non-employee directors during fiscal 2022.

 

Name of Director

 

Fees Earned or

Paid in

Cash ($)

 

 

Option Awards($) (1)

 

 

Total ($)

 

Jacques Belin

 

$

28,750

 

 

$

7,500

 

 

$

36,250

 

James Benham

 

 

28,750

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

36,250

 

Kenneth Halverson

 

 

28,750

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

36,250

 

Robert Kluge

 

 

28,750

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

36,250

 

Paul Plante

 

 

34,750

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

42,250

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to fiscal 2022 for the fair value of stock options granted to each director, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by each director. For the relevant assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock option awards, refer to Note 3, Significant Accounting Policies and Disclosures - Share-Based Compensation, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 1, 2022.

11

 

 


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following are our executive officers as of August 5, 2022:

Name

 

Age

 

 

Position

Edward J. Richardson

 

 

80

 

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Wendy S. Diddell

 

 

57

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

 

58

 

 

Executive Vice President, Power and Microwave Technologies Group (“PMT”)

Robert J. Ben

 

 

57

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Secretary

Jens Ruppert

 

 

49

 

 

Executive Vice President and General Manager, Canvys

Kathleen McNally

 

 

63

 

 

Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain

 

Mr. Richardson has been employed by the Company since 1961, holding several positions during this time. He was Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President from September 1989 until November 1996. Since that time, Mr. Richardson has continued to hold the offices of Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President. He also served as Chief Operating Officer from April 2006 until December 2015, and as the General Manager of the Electron Device Group from June 2009 to June 2014.

Ms. Diddell has been Executive Vice President since June 2007 and, as of December 23, 2015, Ms. Diddell assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. Effective March 13, 2019, Ms. Diddell assumed direct responsibility for the Richardson Healthcare business. From June 2007 through December 2015, she held the role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development. From June 2009 through June 2015, she also assumed the role of General Manager of our Canvys business. Prior to June 2007, Ms. Diddell was Executive Vice President and General Manager of our Security Systems Division since February 2006. Prior to that, Ms. Diddell was employed as Vice President and General Manager of the Security Systems Division since June 2004 and as a management consultant for the Security Systems Division since July 2003.

Mr. Peloquin has been Executive Vice President, Power and Microwave Technologies Group since June 2015. In June 2014, he re-joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Electron Device Group. From March 2011 to June 2014, Mr. Peloquin was President of Richardson RFPD, a division of Arrow Electronics. Prior to that, Mr. Peloquin was Executive Vice President of the RF Power & Wireless Division of the Company, which was sold to Arrow Electronics in 2011.

Mr. Ben has been Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary since August 17, 2015 and assumed the role of Chief Accounting Officer on October 16, 2016. Prior to joining Richardson Electronics, Mr. Ben was employed by Cobra Electronics Corporation as their Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from 2011 to 2014, Vice President and Corporate Controller from 2008 to 2011, Senior Corporate Controller from 2006 to 2008 and Corporate Controller from 2000 to 2006.

Mr. Ruppert has been the Executive Vice President and General Manager, Canvys since July 2015. Prior to joining Richardson Electronics, Mr. Ruppert was the Managing Director of Envinet GmbH a German based high-tech company. Prior to that, Mr. Ruppert was with NDS Surgical Imaging from April 2006 through December 2013. While with NDS Surgical Imaging, Mr. Ruppert held various management positions including Vice President and General Manager from January 2010 to December 2013. Prior to NDS Surgical Imaging, Mr. Ruppert held management positions at Heraeus-Med (Maquet/Getinge) and Gebrueder Martin (KLS Martin Group). Mr. Ruppert started his career as an engineer and worked his way up through sales, marketing and general management within the medical display and operating room equipment market.

Ms. McNally has been Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain, since 2009. Previously she served as Senior Vice President of Marketing Operations and Customer Support from 2000 to 2009 and as Vice President and Corporate Officer of Marketing Operations from 1989 until 2000. Prior to that, she held various positions within the marketing department since joining the Company in 1979.

Executive officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors at the time of the annual stockholders meeting and serve until their earlier resignation, death or removal.

 

12

 

 


 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table shows the number of shares of common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by (1) each director, (2) each of our Non-Director Executive Officers, (3) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group and (4) each other person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common shares. Percent of Class and Percent of Total Voting Rights are based on 13,868,395 shares outstanding as of August 5, 2022. The address of the directors and officers listed below is c/o Richardson Electronics, Ltd., 40W267 Keslinger Road, P.O. Box 393, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393.

 

 

 

Shares of

Common

Stock (1) (2)

 

 

 

Percent of Common Stock

Class

 

Shares of

Class B

Common

Stock (2)

 

 

Percent of

Class B

Common

Stock

 

 

Percent of

Total

Voting

Rights

Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jacques Belin

 

 

25,000

 

(3)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

James Benham

 

 

50,000

 

(4)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Wendy S. Diddell

 

 

118,662

 

(5)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Kenneth Halverson

 

 

50,000

 

(6)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Robert Kluge

 

 

45,000

 

(7)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Paul J. Plante

 

 

35,000

 

(8)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Edward J. Richardson

 

 

2,110,158

 

(9)

 

15.2%

 

 

2,013,657

 

 

98.1%

 

 

62.5%

Non-Director Executive Officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert J. Ben

 

 

49,562

 

(10)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Kathleen McNally

 

 

62,687

 

(11)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

 

99,116

 

(12)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Jens Ruppert

 

 

43,500

 

(13)

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group of 11 people

 

 

2,688,685

 

(14)

 

19.4%

 

 

2,013,657

 

 

98.1%

 

 

64.3%

Other Beneficial Owners:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BML Investment Partners, L.P.

 

 

710,000

 

(15)

 

6.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2%

Chain of Lakes Investment Fund, LLC

 

 

735,590

 

(16)

 

6.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.3%

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

 

 

860,748

 

(17)

 

7.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.7%

Renaissance Technologies LLC

 

 

825,965

 

(18)

 

7.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.6%

Royce & Associates, LP

 

 

1,028,375

 

(19)

 

8.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2%

*Less than 5%

(1)

Except as noted, beneficial ownership of each of the shares listed is comprised of both sole investment and sole voting power, or investment power and voting power that is shared with the spouse of the director or officer.

(2)

Common stock is entitled to one vote per share and Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes per share.

(3)

Includes 25,000 shares of common stock to which Mr. Belin holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022.

(4)

Includes 50,000 shares of common stock to which Mr. Benham holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022.

(5)

Includes 12,000 shares of common stock to which Ms. Diddell holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022 and 106,662 restricted stock awards.

(6)

Includes 50,000 shares of common stock to which Mr. Halverson holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022.

(7)

Includes 15,000 shares of common stock to which Mr. Kluge holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022.  

(8)

Includes 35,000 shares of common stock to which Mr. Plante holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022.

(9)

Includes 2,013,657 shares of common stock that would be issued upon conversion of Mr. Richardson’s Class B common stock, 24,000 shares of common stock to which Mr. Richardson holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022 and 72,501 restricted stock awards. Mr. Richardson has pledged 166,000 of his shares of Class B common stock as security to JP Morgan Chase Bank to secure a personal loan. The full Board evaluated the risk of significant pledging of stock. As this is a small percentage of his total holdings, the Board did not deem this to be material or represent a risk to the Company. Subsequent to the fiscal 2022 year end, this pledge was terminated on August 16, 2022.

(10)

Includes 44,562 restricted stock awards held by Mr. Ben.

(11)

Includes 29,040 shares of common stock to which Ms. McNally holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022 and 30,069 restricted stock awards.

(12)

Includes 50,800 shares of common stock to which Mr. Peloquin holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022 and 46,296 restricted stock awards.

(13)

Includes 6,000 shares of common stock to which Mr. Ruppert holds stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022 and 37,500 restricted stock awards.

(14)

Includes 2,013,657 shares of common stock issuable on conversion of Class B common stock, 296,840 shares of common stock issuable upon options exercisable within 60 days of August 5, 2022 and 337,590 restricted stock awards.

13

 

 


(15)

With respect to information relating to BML Investment Partners, L.P., we have relied solely on information supplied by such entity on the Schedule 13G/A filed by it with the SEC on January 27, 2022BML Investment Partners, L.P. is the beneficial owner of 710,000 shares, with shared dispositive and shared voting power as to such shares. BML Investment Partners, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership whose sole general partner is BML Capital Management, LLC. The managing member of BML Capital Management, LLC is Braden M. Leonard. As a result, Braden M. Leonard is deemed to be the indirect owner of the shares held directly by BML Investment Partners L.P. The address for BML Investment Partners, L.P. is 65 E Cedar – Suite 2, Zionsville, IN 46077.

(16)

With respect to information relating to Chain of Lakes Investment Fund, LLC, we have relied solely on information supplied by such entity on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2022. Chain of Lakes Investment Fund, LLC is the beneficial owner of such shares, with shared dispositive and shared voting power as to such shares. The address for Chain of Lakes Investment Fund, LLC is 8101 34th Avenue South, Suite 400, Bloomington, MN 55425.

(17)

With respect to information relating to Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, we have relied solely on information supplied by such entity on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is the beneficial owner of 860,748 shares, with sole voting power over 844,898 shares and sole dispositive power over 860,748 shares. The address for Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746.

(18)

With respect to information relating to Renaissance Technologies LLC, we have relied solely on information supplied by such entity on the Schedule 13G/A filed by it with the SEC on February 11, 2022. Renaissance Technologies LLC is the beneficial owner of such shares, with sole voting power over 728,677 shares and sole dispositive power over 825,965 shares. The address for Renaissance Technologies LLC is 800 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

(19)

With respect to information relating to Royce & Associates, LP, we have relied solely on information supplied by such entity on the Schedule 13G/A filed by it with the SEC on January 25, 2022. Royce & Associates, LP is the beneficial owner of such shares, with sole dispositive and sole voting power as to such shares. The address for Royce & Associates, LP is 745 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10151.

 

 

 

 

14

 

 


 

PROPOSAL 2 – RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May 27, 2023.

Although the Audit Committee is not required to do so, it is submitting its expected selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for ratification at the Annual Meeting in order to ascertain the views of our stockholders. The Audit Committee will not be bound by the vote of the stockholders; however, if the proposed selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee would reconsider its expected selection.

One or more representatives of BDO are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representatives will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire, and will be available to respond to questions from stockholders.

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2023.

15

 

 


AUDIT MATTERS

Audit Committee Report

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of directors that are “independent” as defined under the current Nasdaq listing standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee has a written charter that has been approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.rell.com.

The Audit Committee’s members are not professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing, and they necessarily rely on the work and assurances of the Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the process of internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm of BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and expressing an opinion on the conformity of such audited financial statements with United States generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing as well as expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2022 (the “Audited Financial Statements”). In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with BDO the matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB, regarding communications concerning independence and has discussed with BDO its independence from the Company. The Audit Committee further considered whether the provision of non-audit related services by BDO to the Company is compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO with the Company. The Audit Committee has also discussed with management of the Company and BDO such other matters and received assurances from them as it deemed appropriate.

The Company’s internal auditors and BDO discussed with the Audit Committee the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets regularly with the internal auditors and BDO, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their reviews, the evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and the overall quality of the Company’s accounting.

Based on the above review and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board approved, that the Audited Financial Statements of the Company be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2022, for filing with the SEC.

 

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Paul Plante, Chairman

Jacques Belin

James Benham

Kenneth Halverson

Robert Kluge

 

16

 

 


 

Independent Auditor’s Fees

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two years for professional services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm BDO for the respective years.

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

$

757,772

 

 

$

742,804

 

Tax Fees (2)

 

 

37,794

 

 

 

16,787

 

Total

 

$

795,566

 

 

$

759,591

 

 

(1)

Audit Fees were for professional services rendered for the audits of our annual financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended May 28, 2022 and May 29, 2021 and for the reviews of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q during such fiscal years, statutory audits for certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries and audits of our internal controls over financial reporting.

(2)

Tax fees were for professional services rendered for tax compliance services, transfer pricing studies and cash repatriations as pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

Audit Fees and Tax Fees are reviewed and specifically approved by the Audit Committee on an annual basis. The Audit Committee has established formal policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit-related, tax and other fees. These procedures include a review and pre-approval of an annual budget covering the nature of an amount to be expended for auditor services by specific categories of services to be provided.

17

 

 


RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Pursuant to our Audit Committee Charter and our Code of Conduct, related party transactions involving directors, executive officers or their immediate family members that would be required to be disclosed under SEC and Nasdaq rules must be reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee prior to the Company entering into such transactions. Our Code of Conduct generally describes a prohibited related party transaction as one that would adversely influence an employee or director in the performance of his or her duties to the Company or one that is inconsistent with or opposed to the best interests of the Company. The Code of Conduct contains many standards and examples of potentially prohibited related party transactions, but the Board of Directors retains the discretion to determine whether each potential transaction is consistent with the standards described in the Code of Conduct. Other than the broad standards outlined in the Code of Conduct, we do not have written standards for reviewing and evaluating potential related party transactions. However, Directors may consider any factors that they deem consistent with their fiduciary duties to stockholders.

On June 15, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement for the IMES facility with LDL, LLC. That lease agreement was extended for five years in fiscal 2021. The Company shall be entitled to extend the term of the lease for a period of an additional five years by notifying the landlord in writing of its intention to do so within six months of the expiration of the term. The Executive Vice President of IMES, Lee A. McIntyre III (former owner of IMES), has an ownership interest in LDL, LLC. Mr. McIntyre will be departing from the Company in fiscal year 2023, effective as of September 24, 2022. The lease agreement provides for monthly payments over five years with total future minimum lease payments of $0.5 million. Rental expense related to this lease amounted to $0.2 million for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2022.

 

 

18

 

 


 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

We believe that the performance and contribution of our executive officers are critical to the success of our long-term strategy. To attract, retain and motivate our executives to accomplish our business strategies, we have implemented executive compensation programs providing executives with the opportunity to earn compensation that rewards performance.

Objectives

The fundamental objectives of our executive compensation programs are to:

 

Attract and retain highly qualified executives by providing total compensation that is internally equitable and externally competitive;

 

Motivate executives by providing performance-based incentives to achieve our annual financial goals and long-term business strategies; and

 

Align the interests of executives with those of stockholders by rewarding our executives for individual and corporate performance measured against our goals and plans, and by granting stock options and other equity-based compensation.

To achieve our compensation objectives, we use a combination of base salary, annual bonus opportunity, the Company’s long-term incentive plan and other benefits, which are described in more detail in this Proxy Statement. When making compensation decisions, the various components of compensation are evaluated together, and the level of compensation opportunity provided for one component may impact the level and design of other components. We attempt to balance the total executive compensation program to promote the achievement of both current and long-term goals.

The Compensation Committee reviews and analyzes our executive compensation policies, programs and practices regularly in light of these objectives and our financial performance to ensure that our compensation practices are appropriately configured to achieve these objectives.

Say on Pay Feedback from Stockholders

A primary focus of our Compensation Committee is whether the Company’s executive compensation program serves the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. Our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders regarding executive compensation. As part of its ongoing review of our executive compensation program and as a key component of stockholder input on our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee considered the affirmative stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation (“Say on Pay Votes”) at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where a vast majority of our stockholders approved the compensation program described in the proxy statement for that meeting. Based on this approval, the Company did not undertake any significant changes to our executive compensation program in fiscal 2022.

At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company’s stockholders also voted, on an advisory basis, whether to hold future Say on Pay Votes every one, two or three years (the “Say on Frequency Vote”). The stockholders voted overwhelmingly to recommend that future Say on Pay Votes be held annually. After consideration of the results of the Say on Frequency Vote, the Board of Directors determined that the Company will hold future Say on Pay Votes on an annual basis. The next Say on Frequency Vote is expected to occur at the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Named Executive Officers

For fiscal 2022, our Named Executive Officers were as follows:

 

Name

 

Position

Edward J. Richardson

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Wendy S. Diddell

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

Executive Vice President, Power and Microwave Technologies Group (“PMT”)

Robert J. Ben

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Secretary

Jens Ruppert

 

Executive Vice President and General Manager, Canvys

 


19

 

 


 

Establishing Executive Compensation

Role of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for discharging the responsibilities of the Board of Directors with respect to executive compensation. Its role is to review and approve the Company’s compensation programs, policies and practices with respect to its executive officers. The Compensation Committee assists the Board in evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, which is conducted during executive sessions of the Board. The Committee also reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s evaluation of the performance of the other executive officers in order to determine the base compensation and annual cash incentive and equity opportunities for the executive officers.

The Committee also administers the Company’s equity compensation plans and, in such capacity, determines equity compensation for its executive officers in the form of awards of stock, restricted stock and stock options to support the objectives of its compensation programs.

Role of Management. The Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) assists the Compensation Committee in reaching compensation decisions by developing recommended compensation for the executive officers. The CEO also develops performance objectives for each executive officer. The CEO meets with each executive officer formally on an annual basis to review past performance and to discuss performance objectives for the following year.

Role of Employment Agreements. The Company considers employment agreements to be an important part of recruiting and retaining qualified executive officers. All of the Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Richardson, have entered into employment agreements. The employment agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers establish initial base compensation and ongoing annual cash incentive opportunity as a percentage of base compensation. These employment agreements are described in further detail beginning on page 30. Due to his substantial equity stake in the Company, the Compensation Committee does not believe that an employment agreement with Mr. Richardson is necessary to achieve the retention goals served by employment agreements with the other Named Executive Officers.

Role of Compensation Benchmarking. One of the fundamental objectives of the Company’s compensation program is that total compensation be externally competitive. To achieve this objective, the CEO and the Compensation Committee rely on publicly available information related to competitive compensation, based on similarly sized companies in the industries in which the Company operates, internal equity comparisons and general market trends in executive compensation.

Generally, the Compensation Committee uses data from public sources to determine whether the market for executive compensation has changed significantly. If, as a result of its review of such public data, the Compensation Committee believes the market has changed significantly, then it would instruct the CEO to commission a study of executive compensation at certain comparable companies for purposes of evaluating the Company’s compensation arrangements. If the Compensation Committee does not believe the market has changed significantly, then the Committee recommends a fixed percentage merit increase for executives. The Committee’s evaluation of competitive compensation and market trends is based on publicly available information. The Committee does not independently analyze executive compensation at any group of peer companies except when recruiting for new executives.

During fiscal 2022, the Committee did not analyze executive compensation at any group of peer companies as a 3-5% merit increase was given to all Named Executive Officers and their cash incentive target percentages (which percentages are based on such executive officer’s base compensation) were voluntarily reduced in fiscal 2022 for Mr. Richardson, Ms. Diddell and Mr. Ben, in keeping with prior years’ practices.

Role of Compensation Consultants. The Compensation Committee has the authority under its charter to retain compensation consultants to assist in the evaluation of executive officer compensation and benefits, and to approve the consultants’ fees and other retention terms. However, the Company and the Compensation Committee have not historically engaged compensation consultants in reviewing the Company’s compensation program or practices or determining Named Executive Officer compensation. Instead, the Compensation Committee utilizes publicly available information and informal surveys from professional human resource organizations when determining executive compensation. The Compensation Committee did not retain a compensation consultant during fiscal 2022.

 

 

 

20

 

 


 

Elements of Executive Compensation

The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to fulfill the Company’s compensation objectives. To do so, the Company employs various compensation elements, which are intended to fulfill one or more of its compensation objectives. The elements of total compensation for its Named Executive Officers are:

 

base compensation;

 

annual cash incentive compensation;

 

equity-based compensation;

 

profit sharing/401(k) plan; and

 

limited perquisites.

 

Base Compensation. Base salary is the fixed cash component of executive compensation that is intended to attract and retain high-performing executives and are generally established based on various factors, such as the executive’s responsibilities, experience and skills, and competitive market pay for the relevant position. The Compensation Committee alone determines the CEO’s base compensation. In fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 the Compensation Committee approved a 3.09%, 3.08% and 3.0% increase, respectively, in base compensation for Mr. Richardson.

In fiscal 2020, Ms. Diddell, Mr. Peloquin and Mr. Ben received a 3.09% merit increase and Mr. Ruppert received a 2.94% increase in base salary to $273,396 (this amount has been converted into U.S. Dollars from Mr. Ruppert’s base salary of 247,059 Euros, using the annual average rate as of May 30, 2020). In fiscal 2021, Ms. Diddell received a 3.08% increase in base salary to $440,735, Mr. Peloquin received a 3.08% increase in base salary to $358,807, Mr. Ben received a 3.08% increase in base salary to $304,389 and Mr. Ruppert received a 2.9% increase in base salary to $301,194 (this amount has been converted into U.S. Dollars from Mr. Ruppert’s base salary of 254,224 Euros, using the annual average rate as of May 29, 2021). In fiscal 2022, Ms. Diddell received a 3.0% increase in base salary to $453,957, Mr. Peloquin received a 3.0% increase in base salary to $369,571, Mr. Ben received a 3.0% increase in base salary to $313,521 and Mr. Ruppert received a 5.0% increase in base salary to $304,894 (this amount has been converted into U.S. Dollars from Mr. Ruppert’s base salary of 266,935 Euros, using the annual average rate as of May 28, 2022).

The amount of base compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers, other than the CEO, is initially set upon the commencement of his or her employment as an executive officer with the Company and is stated in the Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement, if applicable. This initial amount is established with a goal of attracting talented executive officers to the Company and is recommended by the CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee. Thereafter, each of the Named Executive Officers’ base compensation is reviewed annually by the CEO and the Compensation Committee.

In determining appropriate levels of base compensation for executive officers, the CEO considers the executive officer’s individual performance, the financial performance of the Company and a base compensation that is externally competitive. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the base compensation of the executive officers set by the CEO. The Compensation Committee reports its findings and opinions with respect to base compensation to the Board for further discussion so that the Board may provide feedback to the CEO regarding the Board’s perception of how well the base compensation of the executive officers achieves the Company’s compensation objectives.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation. Annual cash incentive compensation is intended to attract, as well as motivate and reward, executives in the achievement of short-term performance goals that are critical to the Company’s growth. In October 2012, the Compensation Committee recommended and the Board and stockholders approved the Amended and Restated Edward J. Richardson Incentive Compensation Plan whereby Mr. Richardson would be eligible to receive incentive compensation based on the greater of 2% of annual net income after tax or an incentive based upon achieving pre-established financial objectives set by the Compensation Committee.

In fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, the Committee selected three metrics by which to evaluate Mr. Richardson’s performance: achieving Company profitability goals; achieving revenue growth targets; and achieving cash and investing activity targets. Under the Amended and Restated Edward J. Richardson Incentive Compensation Plan, Mr. Richardson is eligible for a target incentive opportunity; in fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, this target incentive opportunity for Mr. Richardson was voluntarily reduced from the maximum bonus amount to 37.5% of his base compensation, which excludes car allowance, incentive, equity award and perquisites. In fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, Mr. Richardson received incentive payments of $195,000, $302,000 and $327,000, respectively.

On an annual basis, management presents specific recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the financial metrics and other components to be included in the annual incentive plan, which are those metrics and components that management believes will provide the best incentive to achieve desired operating results. These recommendations were developed in light of achievement under prior plans and through consultation with the CEO. The Compensation Committee considers management’s recommendation and then determines the final components and structure of our incentive compensation plans based on the objectives of our compensation program.

21

 

 


The target incentive percentages for Named Executive Officers were initially set by the Compensation Committee with a goal of attracting talented executive officers to the Company and are stated in the Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement, if we have an employment agreement with such Named Executive Officer. If we do not have an employment agreement with the Named Executive Officer, then the target incentive percentage is recommended by the CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee on an annual basis. While such Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement provides for a 50% target incentive opportunity based on such officer’s base compensation (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any car allowance, incentive, equity awards and perquisites), the target incentive opportunities for Ms. Diddell, Mr. Peloquin, Mr. Ben and Mr. Ruppert were voluntarily reduced to 37.5% of their base compensation in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 (and remained at that level in fiscal 2022 for Ms. Diddell and Mr. Ben). In recognition of fiscal 2022 performance and in consideration of a compensation package designed to achieve the Company’s compensation philosophy of, among other goals, retaining, motivating and rewarding our executives in the achievement of performance goals, Messrs. Peloquin and Ruppert were awarded bonuses for fiscal 2022 based on the 50% target incentive opportunity provided in their employment agreements.

For fiscal 2022, the Named Executive Officers were eligible for cash incentives based on the following metrics:

Fiscal 2022 Incentive Metrics

 

 

 

Richardson

 

 

Diddell

 

 

Peloquin

 

 

Ben

 

 

Ruppert

 

Revenue

 

33%

 

 

33%

 

 

 

 

 

 

33%

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

33%

 

 

33%

 

 

 

 

 

 

33%

 

 

 

 

 

Cash & Investment Activity

 

33%

 

 

33%

 

 

 

 

 

 

33%

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income excluding Healthcare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25%

 

 

 

 

 

 

25%

 

Power and Microwave Technologies Group Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canvys Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Targets for each of the financial metrics are established by the Compensation Committee for each fiscal year and correspond with the annual financial plan for the Company approved by the Board of Directors.

Depending on the performance results achieved, pursuant to the Company’s annual cash incentive program, payments of the awards to the Named Executive Officers could vary as a percentage of the target from 0% to a maximum of 105%.

The table below sets forth the incentive targets and percentage achievement for each of the Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2022.

Fiscal 2022 Incentive Actual Performance

 

 

 

Richardson

 

 

Diddell

 

 

Peloquin

 

 

Ben

 

 

Ruppert

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Achievement

 

105.0%

 

 

105.0%

 

 

N/A

 

 

105.0%

 

 

N/A

 

Eligible

 

$

103,660

 

 

$

55,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38,049

 

 

 

 

 

Earned

 

 

108,843

 

 

 

57,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,951

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Achievement

 

105.0%

 

 

105.0%

 

 

105.0%

 

 

105.0%

 

 

105.0%

 

Eligible

 

$

103,660

 

 

$

55,092

 

 

$

44,851

 

 

$

38,049

 

 

$

36,296

 

Earned

 

 

108,843

 

 

 

57,847

 

 

 

47,094

 

 

 

39,951

 

 

 

38,111

 

Cash & Investment Activity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Achievement

 

105.0%

 

 

105.0%

 

 

N/A

 

 

105.0%

 

 

N/A

 

Eligible

 

$

103,660

 

 

$

55,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38,049

 

 

 

 

 

Earned

 

 

108,843

 

 

 

57,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,951

 

 

 

 

 

PMT Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Achievement

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

105.0%

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Eligible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

134,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

141,281

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canvys Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Achievement

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

105.0%

 

Eligible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108,889

 

Earned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

114,333

 

 

22

 

 


 

Clawback Provision. The Compensation Committee approved a clawback policy allowing the Committee to clawback incentives for the Named Executive Officers in the event of fraud or illegal conduct. In addition, if the Company was required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material non-compliance with financial reporting requirements, the Committee has the right to recover incentive-based compensation that was awarded based on the erroneous data.

 

Hedging. The Company maintains a formal policy prohibiting directors, officers and employees from entering into hedging transactions involving our Company stock,

Equity Based Compensation. Our 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the “2011 Plan”) provides for grants of equity awards to our executive officers to encourage them to focus on long-term Company performance and further align the interest of the Company’s Named Executive Officers with the interests of our stockholders. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board.

Consistent with our policy of providing a total compensation package that includes equity-based components, the Compensation Committee makes periodic decisions (normally on an annual basis) regarding appropriate equity grants based on the Company’s achievement of its financial and strategic goals and the participants’ individual performance, based on recommendations from our CEO, which is generally determined on a year-to-year basis. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine whether equity awards will be granted to the Named Executive Officers and, if so, the number of shares subject to each award.

The CEO submits to the Compensation Committee, on at least an annual basis, his recommendation for the amount and type of equity award to grant to each Named Executive Officer other than himself. Annual equity recommendations and grants are typically made during our first quarter and are based on the Company’s and the grant recipients’ performance in the prior fiscal year. In determining whether to approve or adjust the recommended grants, the Compensation Committee considers our financial performance in the prior fiscal year, the executive’s level of responsibility and historical award data. The Compensation Committee does not assign a specific weight to any of these factors, but rather these factors are evaluated on an aggregate and qualitative basis.

When awarded, stock options are granted for an exercise price at the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. Under the terms of the 2011 Plan, the fair market value of the stock is the closing sale price of the stock on the date of grant. Our stock options, therefore, have value only if the stock price appreciates following the date the options are granted. Stock option awards to the Named Executive Officers under the 2011 Plan vest over a five-year period with 20% of the stock option grant becoming exercisable 12 months after the date of grant. The remaining options vest and are exercisable in 20% increments over the next four years.

In fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, each of the Named Executive Officers received a grant of restricted stock and a grant of stock options under the 2011 Plan with such fiscal 2022 grants reported in the table for Grants of Plan Based Awards on page 27. With respect to these awards, the CEO recommended to the Compensation Committee the number of restricted shares and stock options to be granted to the Named Executive Officers.

Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan. We offer retirement benefits to our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, through a tax-qualified Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan, which is a defined contribution plan designed to accumulate retirement funds for participating employees through individual and Company contributions. Participants are provided the opportunity to make salary reduction contributions to the Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan on a pre-tax basis. The Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan is intended to reward continued employment with the Company.

Limited Perquisites. We offer very few perquisites to our Named Executive Officers, primarily a car allowance. The perquisites provided to each Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2022 totaled less than $15,000 and less than 10% of total annual salary and incentive reported for each Named Executive Officer.

Compensation Policies and Practices as They Relate to Risk Management. As stated above under “Corporate Governance—Board Role in Risk Oversight,” as part of its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s compensation plans and practices for all employees, including executive officers, to determine whether, in its judgment, our compensation programs encourage risk-taking likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee determined that the performance measures and goals under our compensation programs were tied to our business, financial and strategic objectives and, as such, that the programs do not encourage inappropriate or excessive risk-taking.

23

 

 


Fiscal Year 2023 Compensation Actions

Similar to the Company’s actions in fiscal year 2022, on July 18, 2022, the Compensation Committee approved grants by the Company of shares of restricted stock and stock options to officers and employees of the Company.

With respect to the Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee, in keeping with the compensation philosophy of encouraging the Company’s Named Executive Officers to focus on long-term Company performance and further align the interest of such executive officers with the interests of our stockholders, approved the following equity award grants: Mr. Richardson received an award of 20,000 shares of restricted stock and 20,000 incentive stock options, Ms. Diddell received an award of 20,000 shares of restricted stock and 20,000 incentive stock options, Mr. Peloquin received an award of 10,000 incentive stock options, Mr. Ben received an award of 7,500 shares of restricted stock and 10,000 incentive stock options and Mr. Ruppert received an award of 10,000 incentive stock options.

 

 

24

 

 


 

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

The Compensation Committee has reviewed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis (the “CD&A”) for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2022 and discussed the CD&A with management. In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in the proxy statement for the year ended May 28, 2022, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

 

Paul Plante (Chairman)

 

Jacques Belin

 

James Benham

 

Kenneth Halverson

Robert Kluge

 

 

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The functions and members of the Compensation Committee are set forth above under “Corporate Governance - Board and Committee Information – Compensation & Governance Committee.” All Committee members are independent and none of the Committee members has served as an officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. None of our executive officers currently serves, or served during fiscal 2022, on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.

25

 

 


COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following tables and accompanying narrative should be read in conjunction with the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The tables present compensation for our CEO and CFO and each of the three most highly compensated executive officers active at the end of fiscal 2022.

 

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position

 

Fiscal

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

 

Restricted

Stock Awards

($) (1)

 

 

Option Awards

($) (1)

 

 

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation

($) (2)

 

 

All Other

Compensation

($) (3)

 

 

Total ($)

 

Edward J. Richardson

 

2022

 

 

844,589

 

 

 

153,200

 

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

326,529

 

 

 

13,788

 

 

 

1,368,106

 

Chairman of the Board, President

 

2021

 

 

819,749

 

 

 

85,200

 

 

 

9,800

 

 

 

301,689

 

 

 

14,079

 

 

 

1,230,517

 

and Chief Executive Officer

 

2020

 

 

795,690

 

 

 

112,200

 

 

 

16,200

 

 

 

195,107

 

 

 

14,079

 

 

 

1,133,276

 

Wendy S. Diddell

 

2022

 

 

449,380

 

 

 

153,200

 

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

173,541

 

 

 

29,800

 

 

 

835,921

 

Executive Vice President

 

2021

 

 

436,176

 

 

 

85,200

 

 

 

9,800

 

 

 

160,336

 

 

 

33,278

 

 

 

724,790

 

and Chief Operating Officer

 

2020

 

 

423,130

 

 

 

112,200

 

 

 

16,200

 

 

 

103,692

 

 

 

30,515

 

 

 

685,737

 

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

2022

 

 

368,743

 

 

 

76,600

 

 

 

13,500

 

 

 

188,375

 

 

 

21,412

 

 

 

668,630

 

Executive Vice President Power

 

2021

 

 

357,982

 

 

 

42,600

 

 

 

4,410

 

 

 

130,532

 

 

 

19,064

 

 

 

554,588

 

and Microwave Technologies Group

 

2020

 

 

347,283

 

 

 

56,100

 

 

 

7,290

 

 

 

62,124

 

 

 

16,983

 

 

 

489,780

 

Robert J. Ben

 

2022

 

 

311,589

 

 

 

57,450

 

 

 

11,250

 

 

 

119,853

 

 

 

20,291

 

 

 

520,433

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,

 

2021

 

 

302,465

 

 

 

31,950

 

 

 

3,675

 

 

 

110,735

 

 

 

18,277

 

 

 

467,102

 

Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Secretary

 

2020

 

 

293,422

 

 

 

42,075

 

 

 

6,075

 

 

 

71,614

 

 

 

18,178

 

 

 

431,364

 

Jens Ruppert (4)

 

2022

 

 

292,603

 

 

 

76,600

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

152,444

 

 

 

20,522

 

 

 

549,669

 

Executive Vice President and

 

2021

 

 

294,012

 

 

 

42,600

 

 

 

2,450

 

 

 

111,043

 

 

 

18,700

 

 

 

468,805

 

General Manager, Canvys

 

2020

 

 

266,187

 

 

 

56,100

 

 

 

4,050

 

 

 

77,736

 

 

 

16,750

 

 

 

420,823

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC topic 718. The amounts reflect our accounting expenses for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by each named executive officer. For the relevant assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock option awards, refer to Note 3, Significant Accounting Policies and Disclosures - Share-Based Compensation, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 1, 2022.

 

(2)

Amounts in this column represent annual incentive payments earned for fiscal 2022, 2021 and 2020 based on incentive goals established at the beginning of each fiscal year and tied to the Company’s financial goals and personal performance measures, and approved by the Compensation and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. Additional details regarding annual incentive payments made in 2022 are set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under “Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.”

 

(3)

All Other Compensation for each Named Executive Officer, except Mr. Ruppert, includes: (a) $12,000 annually for car allowance; (b) matching contributions made to the 401(k) plan; and (c) imputed income for each Named Executive Officer, except Mr. Ruppert, group term life insurance in excess of a $50,000 death benefit. For Ms. Diddell, All Other Compensation also includes: (i) $13,754 accrued, but not paid, in fiscal 2022, (ii) $14,856 accrued, but not paid, in fiscal 2021 and (iii) $13,222 accrued, but not paid, in fiscal 2020, in connection with termination payments payable to her. Ms. Diddell’s termination payments are discussed below under the heading “Employment Agreements”. Mr. Ruppert’s All Other Compensation is entirely related to a car lease paid for by the Company.

 

(4)

Amounts have been converted into US Dollars from Euros based on an annual average exchange rate as of the last day of each respective fiscal year.

 

26

 

 


 

Grants of Plan Based Awards for Fiscal 2022

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payments Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Threshold ($)

 

 

Target ($)

 

 

Maximum ($)

 

 

Grant

Date

 

All other

Stock

Awards;

Number of

Shares of

Stock or

Units (#)

 

 

All other

Option

Awards;

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Options (#)

 

 

Exercise

or Base

Price of

Option

Awards

 

 

Base Price

of

Restricted

Stock

Awards

($/Sh)(1)

 

 

Grant Date

Fair Value

of Restricted

Stock Awards

and

Options($)(2)

 

Edward J. Richardson

 

$

80,077

 

 

$

320,309

 

 

$

480,464

 

 

7/19/21

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

$

7.66

 

 

$

7.66

 

 

$

183,200

 

Wendy S. Diddell

 

 

42,558

 

 

 

170,234

 

 

 

255,351

 

 

7/19/21

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

183,200

 

Gregory Peloquin

 

 

46,196

 

 

 

184,786

 

 

 

277,178

 

 

7/19/21

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

90,100

 

Robert J. Ben

 

 

29,393

 

 

 

117,570

 

 

 

176,356

 

 

7/19/21

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

68,700

 

Jens Ruppert

 

 

38,111

 

 

 

152,444

 

 

 

228,666

 

 

7/19/21

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

 

84,100

 

 

 

(1)

The base price of restricted stock awards is equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant, as reported on Nasdaq.

 

(2)

The amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718 pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K.

 


27

 

 


 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth information on the holdings of stock option and restricted stock awards by the Named Executive Officers as of the end of fiscal 2022.

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Exercisable (#) (1)

 

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options

Unexercisable (#) (1)

 

 

Option

Exercise

Price ($)

 

 

Option

Expiration

Date (2)

 

 

Number of

Shares or Units

of Stock That

Have Not

Vested (#) (3)

 

 

Market Value of

Shares or Units

of Stock That

Have Not

Vested ($) (4)

 

Edward J. Richardson

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

12,000

 

 

 

5.61

 

 

7/22/2029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

4.26

 

 

7/21/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

7/19/2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,002

 

 

 

559,628

 

Wendy S. Diddell

 

 

 

 

 

12,000

 

 

 

5.61

 

 

7/22/2029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,000

 

 

 

4.26

 

 

7/21/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

7/19/2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,002

 

 

 

559,628

 

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.99

 

 

6/26/2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.90

 

 

10/3/2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,600

 

 

 

5,400

 

 

 

5.61

 

 

7/22/2029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

4.26

 

 

7/21/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

7/19/2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,001

 

 

 

279,814

 

Robert J. Ben

 

 

 

 

 

4,500

 

 

 

5.61

 

 

7/22/2029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

4.26

 

 

7/21/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

7/19/2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

209,850

 

Jens Ruppert

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.90

 

 

10/3/2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

6,000

 

 

 

9.10

 

 

8/20/2028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

5.61

 

 

7/22/2029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4.26

 

 

7/21/2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

7.66

 

 

7/19/2031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,001

 

 

 

279,814

 

 

 

 

(1)

Options vest on the anniversary of the grant date and become exercisable in annual increments of 20%.

 

(2)

The expiration date of each option occurs ten years after the date of grant of each option. The table below provides the grant date for each outstanding equity award at the end of the 2022 fiscal year and the respective vesting schedule.

 

(3)

Restricted stock awards vest on the anniversary of the grant date in three equal installments.

 

(4)

The market value is based on the closing market price of the Company as of May 27, 2022 (the last trading day prior to the Company’s fiscal year end), being $13.99 per share.


28

 

 


 

The table below provides the grant date for each outstanding equity award at the end of the 2022 fiscal year, total award, vesting years, vested shares and remaining vesting schedule.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining Vesting Period

 

Name

 

Grant Date (1)

 

Number of

Stock

Options

Granted

 

 

Number of

Restricted

Stock

Awards

 

 

Vesting

Years

 

 

Vested

Shares

 

 

Fiscal

2023

 

 

Fiscal

2024

 

 

Fiscal

2025

 

 

Fiscal

2026

 

 

Fiscal

2027

 

Edward J. Richardson

 

8/20/2018

 

 

 

 

 

36,592

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

36,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

13,332

 

 

 

6,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy S. Diddell

 

10/3/2016

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/20/2018

 

 

 

 

 

10,804

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

10,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

13,332

 

 

 

6,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

6,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

10/3/2016

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/20/2018

 

 

 

 

 

8,796

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

8,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

3,600

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

3,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert J. Ben

 

10/3/2016

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/20/2018

 

 

 

 

 

7,462

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

7,462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jens Ruppert

 

10/3/2016

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/20/2018

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

9,000

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/22/2019

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

3,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/21/2020

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

7/19/2021

 

 

 

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,333

 

 

 

3,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Share vest over the vesting period on the anniversary of the grant date.

29

 

 


 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information for fiscal 2022 for our Named Executive Officers on stock option exercises during fiscal 2022, including the number of shares acquired on exercise, and the vesting of restricted stock, and, in each case, the values realized therefrom.

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Stock Awards

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

Value Realized

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

Value Realized

 

 

 

Acquired on Exercise

 

 

on Exercise

 

 

Acquired at Vesting

 

 

on Vesting

 

Name

 

(#)

 

 

($)

 

 

(#)

 

 

($)

 

Edward J. Richardson

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

25,530

 

 

$

205,433

 

Wendy S. Diddell

 

 

137,000

 

 

 

626,195

 

 

 

16,934

 

 

 

138,126

 

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,598

 

 

 

77,919

 

Robert J. Ben

 

 

18,000

 

 

 

85,653

 

 

 

7,488

 

 

 

60,706

 

Jens Ruppert

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

65,612

 

 

 

6,666

 

 

 

54,961

 

 

Employment Agreements

Pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement dated June 1, 2004, as amended December 23, 2015, Wendy S. Diddell is employed as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Ms. Diddell received an initial base salary of $185,000 and a bonus opportunity of up to 50% of her then current base salary. Either the Company or Ms. Diddell may terminate her employment at any time for any reason, and upon any such a termination, the Company will be obligated to pay Ms. Diddell her then annual base salary for twelve months following such termination. During her employment term and for one year after termination for any reason, Ms. Diddell is prohibited from competing against the Company. Ms. Diddell’s employment with the Company is for an indefinite term, during which she is employed on an at-will basis.

Gregory J. Peloquin is employed as Executive Vice President, Power and Microwave Technologies Group under an employment agreement dated June 26, 2014, pursuant to which he received an initial base salary of $309,000 and a bonus opportunity of up to 50% of his then current base salary. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Peloquin's employment may be terminated by Mr. Peloquin by providing 60 days’ written notice to the Company. If the Company terminates Mr. Peloquin for any reason other than for cause, disability or death, the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Peloquin his then annual base salary for twelve months following such termination. During his employment term and for one year after termination for any reason, Mr. Peloquin is prohibited from competing against the Company. Mr. Peloquin's employment with the Company is for a five-year term, during which he is employed on an at-will basis. The term shall be extended automatically for successive one-year periods unless written notice of nonrenewal is provided to Mr. Peloquin or the Company within 60 days prior to the expiration of the Employment Term.

Robert J. Ben is employed as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary under an employment agreement dated August 4, 2015, pursuant to which he received an initial base salary of $270,000 and a bonus opportunity of up to 50% of his then current base salary. Mr. Ben also assumed the role of Chief Accounting Officer on October 16, 2016. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Ben’s employment may be terminated by Mr. Ben by providing 60 days’ written notice to the Company. If the Company terminates Mr. Ben for any reason other than for cause, disability or death, the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Ben his then annual base salary for twelve months following such termination. During his employment term and for one year after termination for any reason, Mr. Ben is prohibited from competing against the Company. Mr. Ben’s employment with the Company is for a three-year term, during which he is employed on an at-will basis. The term shall be extended automatically for successive one-year periods unless written notice of nonrenewal is provided to Mr. Ben or the Company within 60 days prior to the expiration of the Employment Term.

Jens Ruppert is employed as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Canvys under an employment agreement dated August 1, 2015, pursuant to which he received an initial base salary of €200,000 and a bonus opportunity of up to 50% of his then current base salary. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, Mr. Ruppert’s employment may be terminated by either party without a notice period and must be in writing. If the Company terminates Mr. Ruppert for any reason other than for misconduct, the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Ruppert six times his then monthly base salary at the time of termination. Mr. Ruppert’s employment with the Company is for an indefinite period of time.

Mr. Richardson does not have an employment agreement with the Company.

30

 

 


Potential Payment upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table shows potential payments to our Named Executive Officers under existing contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements for various scenarios under termination or a change in control, assuming a May 28, 2022 termination date or change in control. Such payments are subject to the terms of the employment agreements as described above.

 

Name

 

Termination

for Cause or

Voluntary

Termination

without Good

Reason

 

 

Voluntary

Termination

for Good

Reason by

Executive

 

 

Death

 

 

Disability

 

 

Termination

without

Cause by

Company

 

 

Change in

Control with Termination by Executive

 

 

Termination by

Executive for

any Reason

 

Edward J. Richardson

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Wendy S. Diddell

 

 

465,347

 

 

 

465,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

465,347

 

 

 

465,347

 

 

 

465,347

 

Gregory J. Peloquin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

369,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert J. Ben

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

313,521

 

 

 

313,521

 

 

 

 

Jens Ruppert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

152,447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such payments are subject to the terms of the employment agreement as described above and, further, commencement of such payments may be delayed following an executive’s termination to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Median Employee to CEO Pay Ratio

As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following ratio of the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the annual total compensation of our median employee.

For our fiscal year 2022, we estimate the total annual compensation of our median employee is $78,585. As reported in the Summary Compensation Table, the annual total compensation for our CEO for fiscal 2022 is $1,368,106. As a result, we estimate that our 2022 CEO to median employee pay ratio is 17:1.

We identified the median employee in fiscal 2022 by examining the fiscal 2022 total taxable compensation for all individuals, excluding our CEO, who were employed by us on May 28, 2022 (and excluding certain employees who had not yet been paid as of that date given their recent start date). We believe our use of total taxable compensation for these employees was appropriate because taxable income is a consistently applied compensation measure and the information is reasonably ascertainable. After identifying the median employee based on total taxable compensation, we calculated the employee’s annual total compensation using the same methodology we use for our named executive officers as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.

SEC rules for identifying the median employee and determining the CEO pay ratio permit companies to employ a wide range of methodologies, estimates and assumptions. As a result, the CEO pay ratios reported by other companies are likely not comparable to our CEO pay ratio.

 

31

 

 


 

PROPOSAL 3 – ADVISORY VOTE REGARDING COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

As required pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company’s stockholders have the opportunity to approve, by means of a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of its Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

This proposal, popularly known as “say-on-pay,” enables stockholders to express or withhold their approval, on an advisory basis, of the Company’s executive compensation program in general. The vote is intended to provide an assessment by the Company’s stockholders of its overall executive compensation program and not of any one or more particular elements of that program. The Compensation Committee and the full Board intend to consider and take into account the outcome of this non-binding advisory vote in making future executive compensation decisions. Because this vote is advisory and non-binding, it will not necessarily affect or otherwise limit any future compensation of any of the Named Executive Officers.

The Company’s executive compensation program is described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement and the related tables and narrative discussion. Stockholders are strongly urged to read this material in its entirety to obtain an informed understanding of the compensation programs for our executives.

The Company believes that its executive compensation program is aligned with the long-term interests of its stockholders. In addition to enabling the Company to attract and retain executive officers of the necessary caliber, its executive compensation program has as its objectives (i) motivating executives by providing performance-based incentives to achieve the Company’s annual financial goals and long-term business strategies; and (ii) aligning the interests of executives with those of stockholders by rewarding its executives for individual and corporate performance measured against its goals and plans and by granting stock options and other equity-based compensation.

The Company believes that its executive compensation program satisfies these objectives. The Company’s executive compensation program consists of cash compensation and long-term incentive compensation. Cash compensation is paid in the form of a base salary and a performance bonus based on financial and personal performance, and long-term incentive compensation is paid in the form of stock options or restricted stock.

For these reasons and the reasons elaborated more fully in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section and the related tables and narrative discussion, the Board of Directors requests stockholders to approve the following resolution:

Resolved, that the stockholders approve the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement, including the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section and the related compensation tables and narrative discussion.

The Board of Directors has adopted a policy providing for annual "say-on-pay" advisory votes. Accordingly, the next "say-on-pay" vote will occur at the 2023 annual meeting.

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval on an advisory basis of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

 

32

 

 


 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING

Any stockholder proposal intended to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for presentation at the 2023 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company by April 24, 2023. The proposal must be in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is suggested that the proposal be submitted by certified mail, return receipt requested. Stockholders who intend to present a proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting without including such proposal in the Company’s proxy statement must provide the Company notice of such proposal no later than July 8, 2023. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

See also “Board and Committee Information – Director Nominations” on page 10.

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OTHER MATTERS

Annual Report

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2022 fiscal year accompanies this proxy statement but is not deemed a part of the proxy soliciting material.

A copy of the 2022 Form 10-K report as required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, excluding exhibits, will be mailed to stockholders without charge upon written request to: Richardson Electronics, Ltd., 40W267 Keslinger Road, P.O. Box 393, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393, Attention: Secretary. Exhibits to the Form 10-K will be mailed upon similar request and payment of specified fees. The 2022 Form 10-K is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov).

Householding Information

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding.” This means that only one copy of either the notice of Internet availability of the proxy statement or of this proxy statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K may have been sent to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless the stockholders provide contrary instructions. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of these documents to stockholders upon request by telephone or in writing at: Richardson Electronics, Ltd., 40W267 Keslinger Road, P.O. Box 393, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393, Attention: Secretary; telephone (630) 208-2200.

If you want to receive separate copies of our proxy statements and annual reports to stockholders in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address or telephone number.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a written code of conduct and ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. A current copy of the code of conduct is posted on our website (including any related amendments and waivers), which is located at www.rell.com under “Investor Relations” and may be obtained without charge from our Corporate Secretary, Richardson Electronics, Ltd., 40W267 Keslinger Road, P.O. Box 393, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.

Our policies and practices include ethical and legal standards that must be followed by employees in conducting our business. Compliance with laws and regulations is specifically required. Every employee has the right and duty to report to the Company, to the extent not contrary to local law, any conduct which does not conform to these ethical and legal standards. We established the Richardson Hot Line to receive reports of possible wrongdoing and to answer questions about business conduct. Calls go directly to our Internal Audit Representative, or Audit Committee Representative.

Also, employees may report violations directly to appropriate government officials. Hotline posters explaining the procedure for making and handling Hot Line/Open Line calls are posted in our facilities and on our intranet for all employees to review. Employees at any level can call directly when they have a business conduct issue, without fear of reprisal.

Stockholder Communications

Stockholders may communicate with our Board of Directors by writing to Richardson Electronics, Ltd., Board of Directors, 40W267 Keslinger Road, P.O. Box 393, LaFox, Illinois 60147-0393.

Other Matters Before the Annual Meeting

As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no other business likely to be brought before the meeting. If other matters do come before the meeting, the persons named in the form of proxy or their substitute will vote said proxy according to their best judgment.

 

 

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Shareowner Services

P.O. Box 64945

St. Paul, MN 55164-0945

Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail 24

Hours a Day 7 Days a Week

Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies

to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked,

signed and returned your proxy card.

INTERNET/MOBILE

www.proxypush.com/RELL

Use the Internet to vote your proxy until

10:59 p.m. (CDT) on October 3, 2022.

PHONE 1-866-883-3382

Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy until

10:59 p.m. (CDT) on October 3, 2022.

MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return

it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you

do NOT need to mail back your Proxy Card.

 

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3.

1.

Election of directors:

01 Edward J. Richardson

05 Kenneth Halverson

Vote FOR

Vote WITHHELD

 

 

02 Paul J. Plante

06 Robert Kluge

all nominees

from all nominees

 

 

03 Jacques Belin

07 Wendy Diddell

(except as marked)

 

 

 

04 James Benham

 

 

 

 

 

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)

 

2.

To ratify the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2023.

For

Against

Abstain

 

3.

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

 

NOTE: In their discretion the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED AS THE BOARD RECOMMENDS.

Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below: Date

Signature(s) in Box

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy.

 


 

 

RICHARDSON ELECTRONICS, LTD.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

October 4, 2022

2:00 p.m. CDT

Corporate Headquarters

40W 267 Keslinger Road

LaFox, Illinois 60147

proxy

The undersigned hereby appoints Edward J. Richardson and Wendy S. Diddell as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his/her substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock of Richardson Electronics, Ltd. held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on August 5, 2022 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on October 4, 2022 or any adjournment thereof.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations.

 

 

 

See reverse for voting instructions.