UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [x]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[x] Definitive Proxy Statement
[x] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-12
Commission File No. 33-18978
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TEL-INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS CORP
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(Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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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.
1
Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp
728 Garden St.
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
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NOTICE
OF
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
December 3, 2008
The Annual Meeting of shareholders of Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp
will be held at the Company's principal office, 728 Garden St., Carlstadt, NJ,
on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. EST, for the following purposes, as
more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement:
1. To elect six directors for one year terms.
2. To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the
Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
3. To act upon such other business as may properly come before
the meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 27, 2008,
are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting, or at any adjournment
thereof.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, please vote as
soon as possible by marking, dating, and signing the enclosed proxy card exactly
as your name appears thereon and promptly return it in the envelope provided,
which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Proxies may be revoked
at any time before they are exercised, in the manner set forth in the Proxy
Statement, and, if you attend the meeting in person, you may withdraw your proxy
and vote personally on any matter properly brought before the meeting.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of Proxy Card are being
mailed beginning on or about October 31, 2008 to Stockholders entitled to vote.
The Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the June 30, 2008 quarter, which contain consolidated financial statements,
are being mailed with this Proxy Statement, but are not a part of the proxy
soliciting materials.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Harold K. Fletcher
-----------------------------------
Harold K. Fletcher
Chairman of the Board
Carlstadt, NJ
October 31, 2008
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING................................4
Proxies....................................................................4
Record Date and Outstanding Common Stock...................................4
Voting and Solicitation....................................................5
Revocability of Proxies....................................................5
Householding of Proxy Materials............................................6
PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS........................................6
General....................................................................6
Vote Required..............................................................6
Information Regarding the Nominees.........................................7
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES...........................8
Code of Conduct............................................................8
Audit Committee............................................................8
Compensation Committee.....................................................9
Nominating Committee.......................................................9
Compensation of Independent Directors.....................................10
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.........................10
PROPOSAL NO. 2 -RATIFICATION OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP AS INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM............................................11
Fees Paid to BDO Seidman, LLP.............................................11
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy of Audit and Permissible
Non-Audit Services........................................................11
SECURITY OWNERSHIP...........................................................13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.......................................................15
Summary Compensation Table...........................................15
Processes and Procedures.............................................16
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table...................17
Options Exercised During Fisca Year 2008 ............................17
Incentive Plan .................. .............................18
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS...............................18
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS........................................................19
3
Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp
728 Garden St.
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
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PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
December 3, 2008
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INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
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Proxies
-------
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp (the "Company" or "Tel") for use
at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held at 4:00 p.m. EST, on Wednesday,
December 3, 2008 at the Company's facilities at 728 Garden St., Carlstadt, NJ,
or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Annual Report, which includes
our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, and
our Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, have been mailed to
you with this Proxy Statement, but are not part of the proxy soliciting
material.
You may vote at the meeting in person or by proxy. We recommend that
you vote by proxy, even if you plan to attend the meeting. You can always change
your vote at the meeting. Giving us your proxy means you authorize us to vote
your shares at the meeting in the manner you direct. You may vote for some, all,
or none of the director candidates. You may also vote for or against the other
proposals, or you may abstain from voting.
All shares of common stock represented at the meeting by properly
executed and returned proxies, unless such proxies have previously been revoked,
will be voted at the annual meeting and, where the manner of voting is specified
on the proxy, will be voted in accordance with such specifications. Shares
represented by properly executed and returned proxies, on which no specification
has been made, will be voted for the election of the nominees for director named
herein, and for the ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March
31, 2009. If any other matters are properly presented at the annual meeting for
action, including a question of adjourning or postponing the annual meeting from
time to time, the persons named in the proxies and acting thereunder, will have
discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment. The
Company is unaware of any matters which will be submitted to Shareholders for
action, other than as stated in the Proxy card.
The Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement, and the related
proxy card are first being mailed to shareholders on or about October 31, 2008.
Record Date and Outstanding Common Stock
----------------------------------------
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 27,
2008, as the Record Date for determining the holders of outstanding common stock
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. On that date, there
were 2,448,256 shares of common stock issued, outstanding, and entitled to vote.
4
Voting and Solicitation
-----------------------
Each shareholder is entitled to one vote, exercisable in person or by
proxy, for each share of common stock held of record on the record date.
Shareholders are entitled to vote their shares for each proposal and for each
nominee, and cumulative voting is not permitted. Shareholders may vote
separately for each nominee.
If your shares are held by a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you
are considered the "beneficial owner" of those shares held in "street name". If
your shares are held in street name, these proxy materials are being forwarded
to you by your bank, brokerage firm or nominee (the "Record Holder"), along with
a voting instruction card. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct
the Record Holder how to vote your shares, and the Record Holder is required to
follow your instructions. If you do not give instructions to your bank, broker
or nominee, it will nevertheless be entitled to vote your shares in its
discretion on the election of directors and ratification of the independent
auditors, but will not be permitted to vote on any other non-routine matters
which may be submitted at the meeting, and your shares will be considered broker
non-votes on these matters, if any. Broker non-votes on a proposal are shares
held by brokers that do not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter,
have not received voting instructions from their clients and do not vote on
specific proposals.
The presence in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares of
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting. An affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of common stock present in person or by proxy, at a
meeting where there is a duly constituted quorum is necessary to adopt any
matter submitted for vote. All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of
election for the meeting appointed by the Directors and who will separately
tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions, and broker non-votes.
Proxies on which no specification has been made will be counted for
quorum purposes and voted for the election of the nominees listed below, and the
ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm, and, if any, for other matters that are
properly raised at the meeting, we will use our best judgment to vote your
proxy. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we are unaware of any other
matters to be voted on. If you mark the Proxy Card indicating withholding of
your vote, the equivalent to abstaining, your proxy will be counted in
determining the quorum, but will not be a vote cast and, therefore, it will have
the effect of a vote cast "against" the proposal.
Tel will pay the expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation
of proxies, and we are soliciting proxies principally by mail. In addition,
directors, officers, and regular employees may solicit proxies, personally or by
telephone, for which they will receive no consideration other than their regular
compensation. We will also request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, and
fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of shares of
common stock held by them, as of the record date, and will reimburse such
persons for their reasonable expenses so incurred.
Revocability of Proxies
-----------------------
Any shareholder who executes and returns a proxy may revoke it at any
time before it is voted by (a) executing a later-dated proxy relating to the
same shares and delivering it to our Corporate Secretary before the vote at the
meeting, (b) filing a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than his
proxy, with our Corporate Secretary, before the vote at the meeting, or (c)
appearing in person at the meeting, filing a written notice of revocation and
voting in person the shares to which the proxy relates. Any written notice or
subsequent proxy should be delivered to Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp, 728
Garden St., Carlstadt, NJ 07072, Attn: Joseph P. Macaluso.
5
Householding of Proxy Materials
-------------------------------
In an effort to reduce printing costs and postage fees, we have adopted
a practice approved by the Securities and Exchange Commissin ("SEC") called
"householding." Under this practice, stockholders who have the same address and
last name and who do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials,
will receive only one copy of our proxy materials unless one or more of these
stockholders notifies us that they wish to continue receiving individual copies.
Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate
proxy cards.
If you share an address with another stockholder and receive only one
set of proxy soliciting materials and would like to request a separate copy of
these materials, please send your request to the Company, 728 Garden Street,
Carlstadt, NJ 07072, Attn: Joseph P. Macaluso.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
-------------------------------------
General
-------
The Board consists of six directors elected annually. The six director
candidates named below have been nominated for one-year terms. Please see
"Nominating Committee" below for the Company's nominating procedures.
Each candidate currently serves as a director. None of the candidates,
except Harold K. Fletcher, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company, Jeffrey
O'Hara, President and COO of the Company, and Robert J. Melnick, Vice President,
is employed by the Company; Messrs. Leon, Rice, and Walker are independent as
defined in the rules of the American Stock Exchange. Directors are elected
annually, and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
Pursuant to the By-Laws, the directors may elect a director to fill a
term until the following Annual Meeting of Shareholders, provided that there is
an opening.
It is intended that votes will be cast pursuant to the enclosed proxy
card for the election of the nominees listed in the table below, except for
those proxies that withhold such authority. Shareholders do not have cumulative
voting rights with respect to the election of directors, and each proxy will be
voted for each of the six nominees (unless authority is withheld). If any of the
nominees shall be unable or unwilling to serve as a director, it is intended
that the proxy will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as
the proxies may recommend in the place of such nominee. We have no reason to
believe that any of the nominees will not be candidates or will be unable to
serve.
Vote Required
-------------
The six nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of
the shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting shall be elected to the Board
of Directors. (The number of shares voted "For" a nominee must exceed the number
of shares voted "Against" that nominee.) The officers and directors, who own
over 50% of the outstanding Common Stock (See "Security Ownership" below), have
stated that they will vote their shares for the six nominees listed below. The
Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR each of the nominees
listed below. Unless you indicate otherwise, your proxy will be voted for the
election of the nominees listed below.
6
Information Regarding the Nominees
----------------------------------
Director
Name (age) Position Since
---------- -------- -----
Harold K. Fletcher (1) Chairman of the Board, 1982
(83) Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since 1982;
Jeffrey C. O'Hara, CPA (1) Director; President since August 2007; 1998
(50) Chief Operating Officer
since April 2006; and Vice President
of the Company since August, 2005.
Independent Financial Consultant
from 2001; Chief Financial
Officer from 1999-2000
of Alarm Security Group;
George J. Leon Director; Investment 1986
(64) Manager and beneficiary of
the George Leon Family Trust
(investments) since 1993;
Robert J. Melnick Director; Vice President of 1998
(74) the Company since 1999; Marketing
and Management Consultant for
the Company since 1991;
Robert A. Rice Director; President and 2004
(53) Owner of Spurwink Cordage, Inc since
1998 (textile manufacturing).
Robert H. Walker Director; Member of Board of 1984
(72) Directors of Robotic Vision
Systems, Inc. (RVSI), 1990-2005
Executive Vice President of RVSI,
1983-1998.
(1) Mr. O'Hara is the son-in-law of Mr. Harold K. Fletcher.
---------------------------------
1 Mr. O'Hara is the son-in-law of Mr. Fletcher.
7
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
---------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors is responsible for supervision of the overall
affairs of the Company. The Board held 3 meetings during the fiscal year 2008.
Five directors attended all meetings and the other director attended 2 meetings.
All of the members of the Board also attended one of the Audit Committee
meetings. The Company expects directors to attend all Board, Committee, and
Shareholder meetings. Three of the six Directors, Messrs Leon, Rice and Walker,
are independent under Section 121(A) of the Rules of the American Stock Exchange
(the "Amex").
To assist it in carrying out its duties, the Board has delegated
certain authority to committees. The Board has established standing Audit and
Compensation Committees, and has delegated nominating responsibility to the
three Directors who are independent under Section 121(A) of the Rules of the
Amex ("Amex Rules"). Our Audit and Compensation Committees consist of only
independent, non-employee directors.
Code of Conduct
---------------
The Company has had corporate governance standards and policies,
regulating officer, director and employee conduct for many years. In fiscal
2004, we reviewed our standards and policies and incorporated them into our new
Code of Business Conduct, which we believe satisfies the rules promulgated by
the SEC and the Amex. The Code applies to all employees, including our Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and our Principal Accounting Officer,
and is available to any shareholder free of charge, by submitting a written
request to the Company, 728 Garden Street, Carlstadt, NJ 07072, Attn: Joseph P.
Macaluso.
Audit Committee
---------------
The Board of Directors established a separately designated standing
Audit Committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 121 of the Rules of The American Stock
Exchange. The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Walker (chairman), Leon,
and Rice. Messrs. Walker, Leon, and Rice are independent, as that term is
defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Mr. Walker is a financial
expert as defined in that act. Mr. Walker served as director and Executive Vice
President of Robotic Vision Systems, Inc., a reporting company, and as its
principal financial officer for over 15 years.
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company's
financial statements, and overseeing the Company's accounting, audits, internal
controls, and adherence to its Business Conduct Guidelines. The Committee also
appoints and recommends to the Board of Directors the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm and reviews and evaluates the independent
registered public accountants' compensation, services performed, and procedures
for ensuring its independence with respect to the Company. The Board of
Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee.
During fiscal 2008, all three members of the Committee attended all 5
of the Audit Committee meetings. In the opinion of the Board, and as
"independent" is defined under Amex Rules, Messrs. Walker, Leon and Rice are
independent of management and free of any relationship which might interfere
with their exercise of independent judgment as members of this committee.
8
Compensation Committee
----------------------
The Compensation Committee, which consisted during fiscal 2008 of
George J. Leon, Robert A. Rice (elected during the year) and Robert H. Walker,
is responsible for (1) reviewing and evaluating employee stock and other
compensation programs and plans, (2) determining the compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer, and (3) approving compensation arrangements, including Keyman
incentive compensation and stock option grants, for management and other
employees. The Board created the Compensation Committee by resolution giving it
the foregoing authority, but the committee does not have a written charter. (See
"Executive Compensation" below).
The Compensation Committee met three times during the 2008 fiscal year;
Messrs. Leon and Walker attended all of the meetings and Mr. Rice attended the 2
meetings after he was elected. Messrs. Leon, Rice and Walker are independent, as
defined in the Amex Rules.
Nominating Committee
--------------------
The Board of Directors designated George J. Leon, Robert A. Rice and
Robert H. Walker, each of whom is not an employee of the Company, and is an
independent director under Amex Rules, to act as a Nominating Committee of the
Board pursuant to a "Procedures Resolution" adopted by the Board.
The Board directed that candidates for director should have a
commitment to enhancing long term shareholder value and possess a high level of
personal and professional ethics and sound business judgment. In addition, they
should have (a) experience in business, finance, technology or administration,
(b) familiarity with the Company, its technology, business and industry, and (c)
appreciation of the relationship of the Company's business to changing needs in
our society. In order to identify director candidates, the Committee relies on
its and the Board's personal business experience and contacts, and its
evaluation of any recommended candidates. The Committee does not intend to
retain consultants to identify candidates, or to pay fees in this connection.
The Board of Directors unanimously concluded that it is not appropriate
to have a specific policy with regard to shareholder communications to the Board
or to director candidates recommended by Shareholders, because (a) the officers
and directors own over 50% of the outstanding shares, (b) the remaining shares
are limited and relatively widely held, and (c) Shareholders have not submitted
recommendations or comments in the past. The Nominating Committee will consider
any shareholder communication and any recommendations, if made in accordance
with the following paragraph, by Shareholders owning more than 5% of the
outstanding stock for over 1 year, and will make its recommendations for
nominees based on the criteria set forth above.
If a shareholder (or shareholders), who has owned at least 5% of the
outstanding Common Stock, for at least 1 year, wishes to submit to the
Nominating Committee a recommendation for a nominee as a director, for
consideration in connection with the 2009 annual meeting, they may send their
recommendation to the Company, Attention: Joseph P. Macaluso, not later than
July 1, 2009. The written recommendation must (a) identify the nominee, (b)
identify the shareholder or shareholders making the recommendation, (c) provide
a written consent of both the recommending shareholder and the recommended
nominee to be identified in the Proxy Statement, and (d) provide proof that the
security holder or group satisfies the ownership and holding period specified
above. The Committee will consider shareholder recommendations, but is not
obligated to submit the recommendations to the Board or the shareholders. (See
"Shareholder Proposals" below.)
9
The six candidates for Directors being submitted to Shareholders
pursuant to this Proxy Statement were recommended to the Board by the Nominating
Committee.
Compensation of Independent Directors
-------------------------------------
Directors who are not employees or officers of the Company receive
$1,250 in cash and options, at the then market price, to purchase 1,000 shares
of common stock for attendance at each in-person meeting and $625 in cash and
options to purchase 500 shares for attendance at each formal telephonic meeting
of the Board or of a standing committee. During fiscal year 2008 non-employee
directors received the following compensation pursuant to this plan.
------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ -----------
Name Cash Compensation Option Awards ($)(1) Total $
---- ----------------- -------------------- -------
------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ -----------
George J. Leon $6,875 $9,090 $15,965
------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ -----------
Robert A. Rice $7,500 $10,145 $17,645
------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ -----------
Robert H. Walker $8,125 $11,003 $19,128
------------------- --------------------- ------------------------ -----------
(1) Amounts in this column represent the fair value required by FASB 123R to be
included in our financial statements for all options granted during fiscal year
2008.
(2) Total outstanding options for all three outside directors were 92,250 at
March 31 2008.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
-------------------------------------------------------
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires reports to be filed with the
SEC, relating to stock ownership of officers, directors, and beneficial owners
of 10% or more of the Company stock. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008,
the Company believes, based on reports filed with it, that all required reports
under Section 16(a) have been filed.
10
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
-----------------------------------------------------------
AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
------------------------------------------------
BDO Seidman, LLP currently serves as the Company's independent
registered public accounting firm and that firm conducted the audit of the
Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31,
2008 and 2007. The Audit Committee has appointed BDO Seidman, LLP to serve as
the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to audit the
Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31,
2009 and recommended to the Board that its appointment be submitted to the
shareholders for ratification. The Board concurred with this appointment and
recommendation. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in
its discretion, direct the appointment of different auditors at any time during
the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of
the Company and its shareholders.
A representative of BDO Seidman, LLP is expected to attend the meeting
and will be available to answer stockholder questions, and will have the
opportunity to make a statement, if he or she wishes to do so.
Fees Paid to BDO Seidman
------------------------
For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, professional
services were performed by BDO Seidman, LLP, and fees were paid to it by the
Company, as follows:
2008 2007
---- ----
Audit Fees and Expenses $102,200 $ 89,000
Audit-Related Fees - -
-------- --------
Total Audit and Audit-Related Fees 102,200 89,000
Tax Fees - -
All Other Fees - -
-------- --------
Total $102,200 $ 89,000
Audit Fees. This category includes the audit of the Company's consolidated
financial statements and reviews of the financial statements included in the
Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. It also includes advice on accounting
matters which arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of
interim financial statements, and services which are normally provided in
connection with regulatory filings, or in an auditing engagement.
Audit Related Fees, Taxes and Other Fees. No fees under these categories were
paid to BDO Seidman, LLP in 2008 and 2007.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Audit Committee has established a policy which requires it to specifically
pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services, including
audit-related and tax services, if any, to be provided by the independent
registered public accountant. Preapproval is generally provided for up to one
year and is detailed as to the particular service or category of service to be
performed, and is subject to a detailed budget. The auditor and management are
required to report periodically to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of
services performed and the amount of fees paid to date, in accordance with the
pre-approval.
11
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE TO RATIFY THE SELECTION
OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2009. THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES PRESENT IN
PERSON OR BY PROXY PROVIDING THAT A QUORUM CONSISTING OF A MAJORITY OF
OUTSTANDING SHARES IS PRESENT WILL RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP.
THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, WHO OWN OVER 50% OF THE OUTSTANDING STOCK, HAVE
STATED THAT THEY WILL VOTE THEIR SHARES FOR RATIFICATION. UNLESS YOU INDICATE
OTHERWISE, YOUR PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" RATIFICATION.
12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth information known to the Company with respect to
the beneficial ownership as of October 7, 2008, of the Company's Common Stock,
$.10 par value, of (i) all persons who are beneficial owners of five percent
(5%) or more of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each director and nominee,
(iii) the named Officers, and (iv) all current directors and executive officers
as a group.
Number of Shares Percentage
Name and Address Beneficially Owned of Class (1)
---------------- ------------------ -------------
Named Directors and Officers
Harold K. Fletcher, Director 606,102 (2) (3) 26.2%
and Chief Executive Officer
728 Garden Street
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
George J. Leon, Director 341,467 (4) 14.7%
116 Glenview
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R1P8
Robert J. Melnick, Director 47,600 (5) 2.1%
and Vice-President
57 Huntington Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Jeffrey C. O'Hara, Director 155,200 (6) 6.7%
and President
853 Turnbridge Circle
Naperville, IL 60540
Robert A. Rice, Director 94,300 (7) 4.1%
5 Roundabout Lane
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Robert H. Walker, Director 66,153 (8) 2.9%
27 Vantage Court
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Donald S. Bab, Secretary 82,034 3.6%
770 Lexington Ave.
New York, New York 10021
Marc A. Mastrangelo 24,800 (9) 1.1%
136 Poplar Avenue
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
All Officers and Directors 1,417,656 (10) 58.6%
as a Group (8 persons)
Hummingbird Management, LLC 140,600 (11) 5.9%
460 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
13
(1) The class includes 2,448,256 shares outstanding plus shares outstanding
under Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Exchange Act. The common stock, deemed to
be owned by the named parties, includes stock which is not outstanding but
is subject to currently exercisable options held by the individual named.
The foregoing information is based on reports made by the named
individuals.
(2) Includes 24,681 shares owned by Mr. Fletcher's wife, and 4,254 shares owned
by his son. Mr. Fletcher disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned
by his wife and son.
(3) Includes 15,000 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options owned
by Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher also has a convertible, subordinated
Promissory Note in the amount of $50,000. This Note can be converted into
common shares at the conversion price of $2.50 per share (see Note 6 to
Summary Compensation Table below).
(4) Includes 299,517 shares owned by the George Leon Family Trust, of which Mr.
Leon is a beneficiary and 19,400 shares subject to currently exercisable
stock options. Mr. Leon acts as manager of the trust assets pursuant to an
informal family, oral arrangement and disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares owned by the Trust.
(5) Includes 10,000 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options owned
by Mr. Melnick.
(6) Includes 23,600 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options owned
by Mr. O'Hara.
(7) Includes 11,300 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options owned
by Mr. Rice.
(8) Includes 19,600 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options owned
by Mr. Walker.
(9) Includes 21,800 shares subject to currently exercisable stock options owned
by Mr. Mastrangelo.
(10) Includes 120,700 shares subject to currently exercisable options held by
all executive officers and directors of the Company (including those
individually named above).
(11) Based on Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on February 26, 2008 and furnished
to the Company.
14
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table presents information regarding compensation of our principal
executive officer and of the two most highly compensated executive officers
other than the principal executive officer for services rendered during fiscal
years 2008 and 2007.
Summary Compensation Table
--------------------------
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
Name and Principal Fiscal Salary ($) Incentive Option All Other Total
Position Year (1) ($) (2) Awards ($) Compensation $ ($)
(3) (4)
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
Harold K. Fletcher, CEO 2008 159,000 -0- -0- 7,613 166,613
(5)
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
2007 159,000 -0- -0- 7,337 166,337
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
Jeffrey C. O'Hara, COO 2008 113,500 -0- 26,175 14,425 154,100
(6)
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
2007 108,000 -0- -0- 13,345 121,345
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
Marc A. Mastrangelo, 2008 123,000 -0- -0- 26,049 (7) 140,049
Vice President -
Operations
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
2007 115,900 -0- -0- 13,449 140,196
--------------------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- -------------- ------------------- --------
(1) The amounts shown in this column represent the dollar value of base
cash salary earned by each executive officer. See Note 2.
(2) No incentive awards were made to the named officers in fiscal years
2007 and 2008 because the Company sustained losses in those years.
(3) Amounts in this column represent the estimated fair value required by
FASB 123R to be included in our financial statements for all options
granted during that year.
(4) The amounts shown in this column represent amounts for medical and
life insurance as well as the Company's match in the 401(k) Plan.
(5) The Company previously issued several $50,000 principal amount notes
to Mr. Fletcher, with due dates in consecutive fiscal years. At March
31, 2008, only one of these $50,000 face amount notes remained
outstanding, and is due on March 31, 2009. The Notes bear interest at
a rate of 4.5% per annum, payable semi-annually on the last day of
September and March of each year. The Company is required to prepay
the outstanding balance of the Notes and any accrued interest thereon,
if the Company sells all or substantially all of its assets. The Notes
can be converted into newly issued common shares of the Company at the
conversion price of $2.50 per share. The conversion prices shall be
adjusted for any stock dividends, stock issuances or capital
reorganizations. The Notes may be redeemed by the Company prior to
maturity upon giving written notice of not less than 30 days or more
than 60 days at a redemption price equal to 120% of the principal if
redeemed two years or more prior to the maturity date or 110% of the
principal if redeemed more than one year, but less than two years
prior to the maturity date. On March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively,
similar $50,000 notes due were converted into common stock. Each
$50,000 note due was converted into 20,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at $2.50 per share. The total principal amount of notes
outstanding was $50,000 and $100,000 at March 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, Mr. Fletcher
received $4,500 in interest related to the notes.
(6) Mr. O'Hara serves pursuant to an employment agreement, which was
amended January 1, 2008 and provides for an annual salary of $130,000.
Pursuant to being elected as President in August 2007, Mr. O'Hara
received 15,000 stock options on September 17, 2007, and the exercise
price was the market value at the date of grant ($3.70).
(7) Includes 3,000 shares of stock issued as compensation with a fair
value of $11,700.
(8) Robert J. Melnick, Vice President and director, serves pursuant to a
consulting contract that provided $85,090 and $68,973 in compensation
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (Continued)
----------------------------------
Processes and Procedures
------------------------
The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board, compensation for all
employees, including executive officers. Employee directors are not compensated
as Directors and the compensation for non-employee directors is determined
annually by the entire Board.
The Committee evaluates the performance of the executive officers on an ongoing
basis during the year. Management submits a proposal near the end of the year
for annual compensation of all employees, including executives, based on its
evaluation of the employee's performance and contribution to the Company. The
proposal recommends salary levels, keyman incentive awards, and stock option
grants. The Committee considers management's evaluation of each executive as
well as the Committee's own evaluation of his performance and published
information on compensation for similar positions in competitive businesses.
Because the Company is small and the executives are critical to its business
success, compensation is also based on overall business success.
The Compensation Committee independently evaluates the performance of the CEO
and determines the CEO's salary, bonus and stock option grant. The Compensation
Committee sets qualitative objectives and responsibilities for the CEO
consistent with the Corporation's business model. These include creating
shareholder value through a balanced focus on long-term returns on capital
employed, earnings per share and total shareholder return; developing the
long-term business strategy and assessing the effectiveness of the Corporation's
management development and succession planning process across the organization;
ensuring that every business line develops and meets high standards of safety,
health, environmental performance as well as high ethical standards and
compliance with applicable legal requirements; stewardship and enforcement on
internal business controls; communicating effectively with all the Corporation's
stockholders, and working effectively with the Board in the pursuit of all these
objectives.
The Committee does not delegate any of its responsibility and uses consultants
only as a source of information about compensation in comparable businesses.
16
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table
--------------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth the outstanding employee stock option equity
grants held by named executive officers at the end of the 2008 fiscal year. The
option exercise price set forth in the table is based on the closing price on
the date of grant.
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Number of Number of
Name Securities Securities
Underlying Underlying Option Vesting Date Option Option
Unexercised Unexercised (1) Exercise Price Expiration Date
Options (#) Options (#) ($)
Exercisable (1) Unexercisable (2)
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Harold K. Fletcher 9,000 $3.74 12/08/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
6,000 12/08/08 $3.74 12/08/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Jeffrey C. O'Hara 7,000 -0- $1.80 - $2.90 5/09/08 -
12/17/08
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
7,100 $2.75 - $3.70 1/15/09 -
12/8/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
2,400 1/15/08 - 12/8/08 $2.75 - $3.70 1/15/09 -
12/8/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
7,900 $3.55 - $4.25 1/28/10 -
8/15/10
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
10,600 1/28/09 - 8/15/09 $3.55 - $4.25 1/28/10 -
8/15/10
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
-0- 15,000 9/17/08 - 9/17/11 $3.70 9/17/12
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Robert J. Melnick 6,000 $3.40 12/08/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
4,000 12/08/08 $3.40 12/08/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Marc A. Mastrangelo 16,000 -0- $3.05 1/20/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
1,800 $3.40 12/08/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
1,200 12/08/08 $3.40 12/08/09
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
1,600 $3.40 2/28/11
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
2,400 2/28/090-02/28/10 $3.55 2/28/11
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
1,200 $3.35 1/24/12
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
4,800 1/24/09 - 1/24/11 $3.35 1/24/12
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
----------------------- ------------------ ------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ------------------
(1) Options are exercisable, on a cumulative basis, 20% at or after each
of the first, second, and third anniversary of the grant and 40% after
the fourth year anniversary.
(2) All options under Employee Stock Option Plans are available to all
employees.
Options Exercised During Fiscal Year 2008
-----------------------------------------
The following table sets forth the number of shares acquired upon exercising
options awards by our named executive officers during fiscal year 2008.
---------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------------
Number of shares
Name acquired on excercise Value realized on exercise (1)
---------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------------
Harold K. Fletcher 35,000 $46,900
---------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------------
Jeffrey C. O'Hara 7,800 $13,435
---------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------------
(1) Value stated calculated by subtracting the exercise price from the market
value at time of exercise.
17
Options granted to executive officers are consistent with the terms of options
granted to other employees pursuant to the Employee Stock Option Plans. Mr.
Fletcher's options are exercisable at 110% of the market price at the date of
grant. Mr. O'Hara's employment agreement provides for the grant of 15,000
options. Mr. O'Hara was granted an additional 15,000 stock options in fiscal
year 2008 upon assuming the role of President. No other executive officers were
awarded any stock options in fiscal year 2008. Options granted to such executive
officers may be tax sheltered to the grantee, and their cost constitutes a
current charge to the Company (see Notes 2 and 13 to the Financial Statements
included in Form 10-K).
Incentive Plan
The Company has a key man incentive compensation program. Each year the
Committee determines a percentage of operating profits to be distributed among
senior employees, including executive officers. The percentage determined is
based on the general performance of the Company, and the amount of operating
profits available for shareholders and for reinvestment in the business. This
element of compensation provides an incentive for short-term performance.
The percentage of operating profits so determined is then distributed to senior
employees, including executive officers and to a category entitled "other",
based on (a) the amount of the employee's base salary, (b) his contribution to
the Company, (c) the results of that contribution, (d) an estimated amount of
his "special effort" on behalf of the Company, (e) his technical expertise,
leadership, and management skills, and (f) the level of the overall compensation
paid employees performing similar work in competitive companies. No incentive
awards have been made to the executive officers the last two fiscal years.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
----------------------------------------------
Any corporate transaction which involves a related person must be approved by
the independent directors as being fair and reasonable to the Corporation and
its shareholders. Any such approval would be included in the minutes of the
Board of Directors. There were no such transactions during the last fiscal year
that would be required to be reported under Item 404 of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. See Notes 5 and 6 to
"Summary Compensation Table" above.
18
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
---------------------
Proxy Materials
---------------
If a shareholder wishes to present a proposal for inclusion in the proxy
materials for the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, the proposal must be sent
by certified mail, return receipt requested, and must be received at the
executive officers of Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp, 728 Garden St.,
Carlstadt, NJ 07072, Attn: Joseph P. Macaluso, no later than July 1, 2009. All
proposals must conform to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. See "Nominating Committee" above.
Annual Meeting
--------------
A shareholder must give written notice to the Company of a proposal, not
subject to SEC Rule 14a-8, or of a nomination, which the shareholder intends to
submit at the annual meeting, at least 45 days before the anniversary of the
date on the prior year's Proxy Statement. If the Company does not receive such
written notice, prior to such 45 day period, all Proxy cards will be voted at
the meeting, as directed by the Board of Directors, in respect of such proposal
or nomination.
No shareholder proposals or notices were received in connection with the
2008 meeting.
To be timely for the 2009 Annual Meeting, written notice must be received
by the Company at the above address, prior to September 15, 2009.
Shareholder Communications
--------------------------
Any shareholder wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors may send a
written communication, stating their name, the amount and duration of their
share ownership and the substance of their communication to the Company at the
address stated above under "Proxy Material" and the communication will be
distributed to each director.
19
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
------------------------------------------------------------
A copy of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
2008, and a copy of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June
30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the
financial statements and financial statement schedules thereto, accompany the
notice of this annual meeting, proxy statement and the related proxy card, but
are not proxy solicitation material. We will furnish to any person whose proxy
is being solicited, any exhibit described in the exhibit index accompanying the
Form 10-K, upon the payment, in advance, of fees based on our reasonable
expenses in furnishing such exhibit. Requests for copies of exhibits should be
directed to Joseph P. Macaluso at the Company address at 728 Garden Street,
Carlstadt, NJ 07072.
Sincerely,
TEL-INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS CORP
/s/ Harold K. Fletcher
-----------------------------------
Harold K. Fletcher
Chairman of the Board
Carlstadt, New Jersey
October 31, 2008
20
TEL-INSTRUMENT ELECTRONICS CORP.
PROXY
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, DECEMBER 3, 2008
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Harold K. Fletcher and Jeffrey C. O'Hara
each with full power to act without the other, and with full power of
substitution as the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned and hereby
authorizes them to represent and to vote, all the shares of Common Stock of
Tel-Instrument Electronics Corp., that the undersigned would be entitled to
vote, if personally present at the Annual Meeting for Stockholders to be held on
December 3, 2008 or any adjournment thereof, upon such business as may properly
come before the meeting, including the necessary items set forth below:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
NOMINEES RECOMMENDED BY THE DIRECTORS: Harold K. FIetcher;
George J. Leon; Jeffrey C. O'Hara; Robert J. Melnick; Robert A. Rice;
Robert H. Walker
Mark One Box Only:
------------------
|_| FOR ALL NOMINEES (except as marked to the contrary below);
To withhold authority to vote for an individual Nominee, write that
Nominee's name in the space below: or
|_| WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all Nominees.
2. RATIFY APPOINTMENT BY THE COMPANY OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP AS THE
REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLICE ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE 2009 FISCAL
YEAR
|_| For |_| Against |_| Abstain
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Please sign exactly as your name appears below. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a
corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized
officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Dated: , 2008
-------------------
-----------------------------------
Signature
-----------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
(PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD
PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE)
TIC
TEL INSTRUMENT
ELECTRONICS CORP.
October 31, 2008
To Our Shareholders:
The past year has continued to be an exciting time for Tel-Instrument Electronic
Corp. ("TIC") as revenues and profitability continue to improve and we begin
ramping up for testing and delivering our new cutting edge AN/USM-719 test sets
for the US Navy as part of our CRAFT program. Despite the worsening economic
environment and a sharp decline in our commercial avionics business, TIC
continues to make solid progress in building the infrastructure to support a
rapidly growing business and the outlook for the Company remains very positive.
While a new administration could impact military spending, we continue to
believe that the Company is well positioned to compete for new business based on
the new technology developed over the last several years.
Navy Contracts
--------------
In March 2005, TIC was awarded the US Navy AN/USM-708 (CRAFT) contract for a
multi-functional flight-line test set. This unit combines the function of five
different test sets into one and is the only Mode 5 IFF ("Identification,
Friend, or Foe") flight-line test unit now under government contract. In 2006,
the Navy amended the contract to provide for an IFF only variant called the
AN/USM-719 and increased the total IDIQ (Indefinite Quantity - Indefinite
Delivery) order quantity from 750 to 1,200 units. These IDIQ options for the
AN/USM-708 and 719 units, if exercised, would add about $23 million to TIC's
backlog and projected revenues. To date, TIC has received a delivery order for
83 AN/USM-719 units and has shipped 23 units to date. The AN/USM-708 engineering
hardware design has been largely completed and the fabrication of 15 pilot
production units is expected to take place in early 2009. These units are
currently scheduled to undergo design validation testing and Navy TECHEVAL next
summer with production currently scheduled to begin late in the 2009 calendar
year. Given the unique nature of the design, this unit could also generate
significant sales to other military customers, both domestically and overseas.
In July 2006 TIC was awarded a second major U.S. Navy contract for an
Intermediate Level TACAN Test Set AN/APM-206 (ITATS). This contract has options
for up to 180 units with a total value of over $12 million; the initial work
authorization was $4.4 million. TIC has been working with an engineering
sub-contractor on this project and this program will entail substantially less
TIC engineering effort than the AN/USM-708. These units are now in environmental
testing with Navy TECHEVAL expected to begin later this year. Given the unique
nature of the design, this unit could also generate significant sales to other
military customers, both domestically and overseas.
Financial Results
-----------------
Enclosed is the Company's Annual Report to the SEC on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ending March 31, 2008 (FY08). FY08 sales from continuing operations
increased substantially to $11.2 million from $7.0 million in the prior fiscal
year. The net loss before taxes from continuing operations decreased to $488,357
versus a pre-tax loss of $1.15 million in the prior year. The net loss for the
year declined to $581,782 versus $749,028 in the prior year. This 2008 net loss
included an after-tax charge of $251,177 related to the accounting of the ITI
hydrographics subsidiary as a discontinued operation. The results were also
negatively impacted by record R&D charges related primarily to the AN/USM-708
engineering program.
With the new marketing talent on board and the receipt of several large
contracts for our legacy products, TIC's revenues and financial performance have
materially improved in the current fiscal year. As detailed in the Company's
enclosed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ending June 30,
2008, first quarter sales from continuing operations increased to $3.6 million
versus $3.0 million in the prior year. The increased sales in the first quarter
of the 2009 fiscal year was the result of increased sales of legacy products and
commencement of sales of products to the U.S. Army under two large IDIQ
contracts for TIC's T-30D and T-47N products. Consolidated net income increased
to $43K versus a loss of $83K in the year ago period. Backlog, as of June 30,
2008, was approximately $8.2 million as compared to $8.7 million in the year
earlier period. Despite the continued downturn in the commercial segment of
TIC's business, TIC anticipates a solidly profitable year for fiscal 2009. We
plan to issue a press release detailing second quarter results in early November
2008.
At June 30, 2008, the Company had working capital of $2,796,912 as compared to
$2,681,511 at March 31, 2008. For the three months ended June 30, 2008, the
Company generated $218,457 in cash from operations as compared to using $556,052
of cash in operations the three months ended June 30, 2007, an improvement of
$774,509. This increase in cash from operations is primarily attributed to the
increased income for the current quarter, an increase in accrued expenses, as
well as the change in unbilled government receivables.
At September 30, 2008 the Company had an outstanding loan balance of $450,000.
The credit line originally had a September 30, 2008 expiration date and the bank
has verbally extended the agreement in order to allow the bank to complete it
credit analysis and review the second quarter financial statements. It is our
current expectation that this agreement will be extended until September 2009
consistent with prior year practice. However, there is no guarantee the line of
credit will be extended. As of September 30, 2008, remaining availability under
this modified line was approximately $229,000 based upon eligible receivables
and inventories. The Company's cash balance was $874,417 at June 30, 2008 as
compared to $469,906 at March 31, 2008. Based upon its current working capital,
backlog, and expected credit agreement extension, management believes the
Company has adequate funding for its operations for at least the next 18 months.
Research and Development
------------------------
In recent years, TIC's product design effort has been focused increasingly on
the AN/USM-708 and AN/USM- 719, the AN/APM-206, evolving the T-47 family, and on
refining our other "legacy" products. While TIC's R&D funding has been well
above historical levels, TIC's decision to self fund the Mode 5 development has
returned the Company to the forefront of the IFF testing industry. The outlay
required to complete the AN/USM-708 has been significant and will continue at
historically high levels through the balance of this fiscal year. TIC has also
produced product variants of the AN/USM-708, such as the TR-420 IFF/Mode 5 Test
Set, which has begun to ship to be shipped to military customers this year. TIC
believes that the AN/USM-708 technology will have a number of other applications
that will serve to broaden our product line, and allow us to penetrate
additional markets. While no assurances can be given for any new products,
management believes they will be leading edge products which should do well in
the competitive marketplace.
Shareholder Relations
---------------------
The Company has continued to issue press releases covering quarterly earnings
and other significant events. As previously reported, TIC began trading on the
AMEX in February, 2004. Closing prices in the AMEX market (symbol: TIK) during
the second quarter of calendar year 2008 ranged between $3.59 and $4.19 per
share. TIC has recently completed a substantial upgrade of its web-site
(telinstrument.com) which includes extensive information on our company and
products and we strongly encourage all shareholders to visit this new site.
The Board of Directors and Company management appreciates your continued support
and we hope to see you at the Annual Shareholder meeting at TIC on December 3,
2008. Whether or not you are able to attend in person, we urge you to read the
enclosed materials, sign and date the enclosed Proxy, and return it promptly in
the enclosed envelope. If you do attend in person, you may withdraw your Proxy
and vote personally on any matters properly brought before the annual meeting.
Sincerely,
----------------------- -----------------------
Harold K. Fletcher, Jeffrey C. O'Hara,
Chairman, and CEO President and COO
2