UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

 

 

 

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [  ]

 

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  [  ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
     
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  [X] Definitive Proxy Statement
     
  [  ] Definitive Additional Materials
     
  [  ] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

 

I.D. Systems, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 
(Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

 

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I.D. Systems, Inc.

123 Tice Boulevard

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677

 

 

 

NOTICE OF 2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

To Be Held On June 14, 2018

 

To the Stockholders of I.D. Systems, Inc.:

 

Notice is hereby given that the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of I.D. Systems, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) will be held at the offices of Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP, located at 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and thereafter as it may be postponed or adjourned from time to time, for the following purposes, each of which is described more fully in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting:

 

  1. To elect six (6) directors, the names of whom are set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement, each to serve until the Company’s 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;
     
  2. To vote upon the ratification of the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018;
     
  3. To approve and adopt the I.D. Systems, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan;
     
  4. To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the Company’s executive compensation; and
     
  5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, including any motion to adjourn to a later date to permit further solicitation of proxies, if necessary, or before any adjournment thereof.

 

The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Only holders of record of shares of our common stock at the close of business on April 26, 2018, the date fixed by our Board of Directors as the record date for the Annual Meeting, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.

 

For a period of at least 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available and open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose relating to the Annual Meeting during normal business hours at our principal executive offices located at 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677.

 

Whether you expect to attend the Annual Meeting or not, please vote, sign, date and return in the self-addressed envelope provided the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote your shares in person, even though you have previously signed and returned your proxy.

 

  By order of the Board of Directors,
   
  /s/ Ned Mavrommatis
  Ned Mavrommatis
  Corporate Secretary

 

Dated: April 30, 2018

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

 

Important Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 14, 2018. The Notice, this Proxy Statement, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, are available through the Internet at https://idsystemsinc.gcs-web.com/proxy-materials. Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, we are providing access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet.

 

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I.D. SYSTEMS, INC.

123 TICE BOULEVARD

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NEW JERSEY 07677

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

Annual Meeting of Stockholders
June 14, 2018

 

 

 

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of I.D. Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), for use at our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at the offices of Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP, located at 1325 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, on Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

The Board is sending the proxy materials relating to the Annual Meeting, which include this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and proxy card, to its stockholders beginning on or about May 7, 2018. The information included in this Proxy Statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation of our most highly paid executive officers and our directors, and certain other required information.

 

Important Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 14, 2018

 

The Notice, this Proxy Statement, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 are available through the Internet at https://idsystemsinc.gcs-web.com/proxy-materials. Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, we are providing access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet.

 

Record Date and Outstanding Shares

 

The Board has fixed the close of business on April 26, 2018, as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any and all adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

As of the Record Date, we had issued and outstanding 17,634,904 shares of common stock. Our common stock comprises all of our issued and outstanding voting stock.

 

At least ten (10) days before the Annual Meeting, we will make a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting open to the examination of any of our stockholders for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting. The list will be available for inspection during ordinary business hours at our offices at 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677, and will be made available to stockholders present at the Annual Meeting.

 

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Purposes of the Annual Meeting

 

The purposes of the Annual Meeting are (i) to elect six (6) directors to our Board, each to serve until our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; (ii) to ratify the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018; (iii) to approve and adopt the I.D. Systems, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan; (iv) to approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive compensation; and (v) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. In addition to the foregoing, there will be a report on the progress of our company and an opportunity for questions of general interest to the stockholders.

 

Unless we receive specific instructions to the contrary or unless such proxy is revoked, shares represented by each properly executed proxy will be voted: (i) “FOR” the election of each of our nominees as a director; (ii) “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of EisnerAmper LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018; (iii) “FOR” the approval and adoption of the I.D. Systems, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan; (iv) “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation; and (v) with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, at the discretion of the proxy holders. We do not presently anticipate that any other business will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting.

 

Voting at the Annual Meeting

 

Quorum Requirements

 

The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the total outstanding shares of our common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” (as hereinafter defined) are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. A broker “non-vote” on a matter occurs when a broker, bank or your representative may not vote on a particular matter because it does not have discretionary voting authority and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.

 

Shareholders of Record and Beneficial Owners

 

Each share of our common stock outstanding on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Cumulative voting by stockholders is not permitted. The shares to be voted include shares of our common stock that are (i) held of record directly in a stockholder’s name and (ii) held for stockholders in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee. If your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s stock transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, you are considered the “shareholder of record” with respect to those shares. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares.

 

If you hold your shares of our common stock through a broker, bank or other representative, generally the broker, bank or representative may only vote the common stock that it holds for you in accordance with your instructions. However, under the rules that govern brokers who have record ownership of shares that are held in street name for their clients who are the beneficial owners of the shares, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters. Therefore, if the broker, bank or representative has not timely received your instructions, it may vote on certain matters for which it has discretionary voting authority. The ratification of the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm is considered a routine matter. Thus, if you do not otherwise instruct your broker, the broker may turn in a proxy card voting your shares “FOR” ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Company believes that all of the other proposals to be voted upon at the meeting will be considered “non-routine.” Thus, a broker or other nominee cannot vote without instructions on these non-routine matters, and, consequently, if your shares are held in street name, you must provide your broker or nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares in order for your shares to be voted on those proposals.

 

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Holders of our common stock will not have any rights of appraisal or similar dissenters’ rights with respect to any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

 

Vote Required

 

For the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast is required. Since the number of candidates is equal to the number of vacancies, receipt of any votes in favor of any candidate will ensure that that candidate is elected. If no voting direction is indicated on a proxy card that is signed and returned, the shares will be considered votes “FOR” the election of all director nominees set forth in this Proxy Statement. In accordance with Delaware law, stockholders entitled to vote for the election of directors may withhold authority to vote for all nominees for directors or may withhold authority to vote for certain nominees for directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered for the purpose of the election of directors.

 

The ratification of the selection of EisnerAmper LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the approval and adoption of the I.D. Systems, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan and the advisory (non-binding) proposal to approve the Company’s executive compensation each requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome on these matters.

 

Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except: (i) as may be necessary to meet applicable legal requirements or to assert or defend claims for or against the Company; (ii) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; and (iii) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.

 

Effect of Advisory Votes

 

The approval, on an advisory basis, of our executive compensation, also known as a “say on pay” vote, is an advisory vote mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This means that while we ask stockholders to approve our executive compensation, it is not an action that requires stockholder approval, and stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation with respect to this proposal. This advisory vote is non-binding on the Board, although the Board welcomes the input of our stockholders on the Company’s compensation policies and compensation program and will take the advisory vote into account in making determinations concerning executive compensation. At our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders held on June 15, 2017, we conducted a stockholder advisory vote on the frequency of future stockholders votes on the Company’s executive compensation (every one, two or three years), also known as a “say on frequency” vote. The Board considered the results of this “say on frequency” advisory vote and, since the most affirmative votes of all the votes cast on the “say on frequency” matter expressed a preference for having the “say on pay” vote every year, determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation would be conducted on an annual basis until the next vote on the frequency of such stockholder advisory votes. Notwithstanding the outcome of stockholder “say on frequency” votes, however, the Board may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a less frequent basis if appropriate and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with stockholders and the adoption of material changes to compensation programs.

 

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Voting of Proxies

 

Shareholders of Record

 

As a shareholder of record, these proxy materials will be furnished directly to you by the Company, by mail. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company or to vote in person at the meeting.

 

Beneficial Owners

 

As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, trustee or nominee as to how to vote your shares. Please refer to the voting instruction card provided by your broker, trustee or nominee. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, because a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting. Note that it may take some time to obtain a legal proxy from your broker, trustee or nominee, so, if you plan to request a legal proxy, you should do so well in advance of the meeting.

 

Voting Without Attending the Meeting

 

Whether you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or through a broker, trustee or other nominee as the beneficial owner, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the Annual Meeting. There are two ways to vote by proxy without attending the meeting:

 

  By Internet — Stockholders of record may submit proxies over the Internet by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction card.
     
  By Mail — Stockholders of record may submit proxies by completing, signing and dating their proxy card or voting instruction card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope.

 

Revocation of Proxies

 

Stockholders can revoke a proxy prior to the completion of voting at the Annual Meeting through any of the following methods:

 

  by writing a letter delivered to Ned Mavrommatis, our Corporate Secretary, stating that the proxy is revoked;
     
  by submitting another proxy bearing a later date; or
     
  by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (unless you are a beneficial owner without a legal proxy, as described below).

 

Please note, however, that if a stockholder’s shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and that stockholder wishes to vote at the Annual Meeting, the stockholder must bring to the Annual Meeting a letter or “legal proxy” from the broker, bank or other nominee confirming the stockholder’s beneficial ownership of the shares.

 

Solicitation

 

The cost of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the proxy material and of reimbursing brokers, nominees and fiduciaries for the out-of-pocket and clerical expenses of transmitting copies of the proxy material to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons will be borne by the Company. Certain officers and employees of the Company, without additional compensation, may use their personal efforts, by telephone or otherwise, to obtain proxies.

 

We have retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to provide services as proxy solicitor in connection with this Proxy Statement. We expect that the costs for such services, including fees and expenses, will be in the aggregate amount of approximately $27,500.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board has nominated Kenneth Brakebill, Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey, Christopher Formant, Ron Konezny and Chris Wolfe for election as directors of the Company. If elected to the Board, each nominee will hold office until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2019 and until his respective successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Each of Messrs. Brakebill, Brodsky, Casey, Formant, Konezny and Wolfe has consented to being named as a nominee and, if elected, to serve as a director. The Nominating Committee and the Board believe that each of these nominees possesses the attributes we seek in directors generally as well as the individual experiences, qualifications and skills included in their individual biographies below.

 

If any nominee is unable to serve, which the Board has no reason to expect, the persons named in the proxy intend to vote for the balance of those nominees named above and, if they deem it advisable, for a substitute nominee.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.

 

Information About Our Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers

 

The table below sets forth the names and ages of the directors, nominees for director and executive officers of the Company as of April 26, 2018, as well as the position(s) and office(s) with the Company held by those individuals. A summary of the background and experience of each of those individuals is set forth after the table.

 

Name   Age   Position(s)
DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR NOMINEES:        
Chris Wolfe   60   Chief Executive Officer and Director
Kenneth Brakebill   48   Director
Michael Brodsky   50   Director and Chairman of the Board
Michael Casey   55   Director
Christopher Formant   66   Director Nominee
Ron Konezny   50   Director
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS OR DIRECTOR NOMINEES:        
Michael L. Ehrman   44   Chief Technology Officer
Ned Mavrommatis   46   Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary

 

Directors and Director Nominees

 

Chris Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe has served as our Chief Executive Officer since December 2016 and as a director of the Company since June 2017. Mr. Wolfe previously served as our Chief Product Officer from August 2016 to December 2016 and as a strategy consultant for the Company from February 2016 to July 2016. From 2000 to 2005, Mr. Wolfe served as the President of Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions, a division of Qualcomm Incorporated, a NASDAQ-listed company which provides wireless communications products and services. After leaving Qualcomm, Mr. Wolfe founded Americans for Energy Independence, a public awareness non-profit organization, which later merged into the Apollo Alliance. Mr. Wolfe has degrees in Data Processing, Business Management and Technical Education from the University of Akron. He has attended Stanford’s Executive Course and several MBA-level accounting and finance courses at Kent State University and Cleveland State.

 

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Mr. Wolfe’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his years of experience as an executive in the wireless technology and data solutions sector. In addition, Mr. Wolfe’s role as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and former role as Chief Product Officer of the Company provides the Board with invaluable insight into the management and daily operations of the Company.

 

Kenneth Brakebill. Mr. Brakebill has served as a director of the Company since June 2014. Mr. Brakebill is an intellectual property and trial lawyer. Following a one-year appellate clerkship out of law school, in 1998 Mr. Brakebill joined Morrison & Foerster, a global law firm of which he became a partner in 2005. At Morrison & Foerster, Mr. Brakebill primarily represented technology companies, both in the hardware and software sectors, in bet-the-company type intellectual property cases involving disputes over patents, copyrights and contracts concerning use of technology. He retired from the firm in 2010. Since that time, Mr. Brakebill has served as a director of several not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Brakebill received a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors from Stanford University in 1991 and attended Harvard Law School and the University of California, Hastings, from which he received his law degree in 1997.

 

Mr. Brakebill has extensive experience representing technology companies in litigation concerning intellectual property rights and rightful use of technology, and accordingly, has insights in the area of intellectual property rights in technology. Mr. Brakebill participated on successful trial teams that represented Novell, Inc., then a publicly held software company, in a widely-followed case concerning ownership of the copyrights in the UNIX operating system; and Altera Corporation, a publicly traded global semiconductor company, in cases concerning the designs of Altera’s reprogrammable logic device technology and its software tools. Through these representations, Mr. Brakebill gained significant experience working with senior executives of companies on issues relating to litigation-impacted product lines and strategic direction. We believe that Mr. Brakebill’s legal and technology background and experience as a director of not-for-profit companies, give him the qualifications and skills to enable him to serve as an effective contributing member of the Board.

 

Michael Brodsky. Mr. Brodsky has served as a director of the Company since June 2014, as Chairman of the Board since December 2016 and as Lead Director of the Board from June 2014 until December 2016. Mr. Brodsky is the Managing Partner of Vajra Asset Management, LLC, an investment firm. Mr. Brodsky has served as the Chairman of the Board of Determine, Inc. (NASDAQ: DTRM), a provider of contract management, procurement and sourcing software that is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, since August 2013, has served on its board of directors October 2010 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from August 2013 until December 2013. He has also served as the Chairman of the Board of Trans World Corporation (OTCQB: TWOC), an owner and operator of hotels and casinos throughout Europe that is headquartered in New York City, since June 2014 and as a director since September 2013. Since June 2012, he has served on the board of directors of Genesis Land Development Corporation (TSX: GDC), a residential land developer and homebuilder based in Calgary, Canada. Mr. Brodsky also served on the board of directors of Los Angeles-based Spark Networks, Inc. (AMEX: LOV), a collection of niche-oriented community websites, from November 2015 until its sale in November 2017. From February 2015 until its sale in July 2015, Mr. Brodsky also served on the board of directors of JPS Industries, Inc. (formerly OTCPK: JPST), a manufacturer of urethane film, sheet, tubing, and other highly-engineered components which is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. From February 2013 until July 2014, he was a member of the board of directors of AltiGen Communications, Inc. (OTCPK: ATGN), a provider of Voice over Internet Protocal (VoIP) phone systems and call center solutions based in San Jose, California. Previously, he was a member of the board of directors and served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Youbet.com, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: UBET), an online horse racing wagering provider based in Woodland Hills, California. Following the June 2010 acquisition of Youbet.com, Inc. by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN), an industry-leading racing, gaming and online entertainment company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Brodsky served on the board of directors of Churchill Downs until April 2012. From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Brodsky was the managing partner of New World Opportunity Partners, LLC, an investment firm.

 

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Mr. Brodsky possesses extensive business, operating and executive expertise. Among other things, Mr. Brodsky has served as the Chief Executive Officer of several companies and possesses skills in executive management and leadership. We believe Mr. Brodsky’s management and leadership skills and experience as a member of the board of directors of various companies enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.

 

Michael Casey. Mr. Casey has served as a director of the Company since September 2016. Mr. Casey served on the board of directors and as a member of the nominating/corporate governance committee and as Chairperson of the audit committee for Determine, Inc. (DTRM) since 2010. Mr. Casey also serves on the board of directors of Revegy, Inc., a privately held software business, and on the board of directors of ServisFirst Bank of Atlanta, a subsidiary of ServisFirst Bancshares Inc. (SFBS). Since 2006, Mr. Casey has been a partner at TechCXO, LLC, a professional services firm that provides financial, strategic and operational consulting services to businesses in the technology industry. Mr. Casey’s prior experience includes having served as chief financial officer for MAPICS, Inc., a publicly traded provider of enterprise resource planning software for the discrete manufacturing industries. Previously, Mr. Casey served as executive vice president, chief financial and administrative officer of iXL Enterprises, Inc., a publicly traded professional services firm, chief financial officer of Manhattan Associates, Inc., a publicly traded provider of supply chain execution solutions, and chief financial officer of IQ Software Corporation, a publicly traded provider of business intelligence software. Mr. Casey began his career as a CPA with Arthur Andersen & Co. and holds a B.B.A. degree in accounting from The University of Georgia.

 

Mr. Casey possesses extensive business, operating and executive expertise. Mr. Casey’s experience includes more than eleven years as a Chief Financial Officer of publicly traded software and services companies including business intelligence and supply chain sectors. In addition, Mr. Casey has served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and advisor for software businesses in the asset performance management, supply chain and business intelligence and analytics sectors. We believe Mr. Casey’s management and leadership skills and experience with software businesses enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.

 

Christopher Formant. Mr. Formant served as the President of Verizon Enterprise Solutions, a division of Verizon Communications Inc. that provides technology and communications services and products to business and government customers, from January 2014 until December 2017. Mr. Formant previously served as the Senior Vice President of Avaya Inc. and President of Avaya Government Solutions, a provider of collaboration and communications products to governmental agencies, from August 2010 until April 2013. Mr. Formant has served on the board of directors of Vox Mobile, Inc. since December 2016, Emtec, Inc. since December 2011, and Proposal Software Inc. since January 2017. Mr. Formant is also on the board of trustees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Maryland University of Integrative Health.

 

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Mr. Formant possesses extensive business, operating and executive expertise. Through his experience over the past decade as an executive of various companies in the technology and communications sectors, Mr. Formant has acquired skills in executive management and leadership. We believe Mr. Formant’s management and leadership skills and experience with technology and communications businesses enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.

 

Ron Konezny. Mr. Konezny has served as a director of the Company since June 2014. Mr. Konezny has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Digi International Inc., a publicly held provider of machine-to-machine (“M2M”) networking hardware and solutions, since December 2014. Mr. Konezny served as Vice President, Global Transportation and Logistics of Trimble Navigation Limited, a publicly held provider of technology solutions for field and mobile worker productivity (“Trimble”), from September 2013 until December 2014, and as Chief Executive Officer of PeopleNet Communications Corporation (“PeopleNet”), an onboard computing and carrier fleet communications provider, from 2007 until December 2014. Mr. Konezny served as General Manager of Trimble’s Global Transportation and Logistics division from August 2011, when Trimble acquired PeopleNet, to December 2014. Mr. Konezny served in several positions with PeopleNet since he co-founded it in 1994, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2007 and Chief Technology Officer from 1996 to 2007. Mr. Konezny has previously served on the boards of directors of the National Private Truck Council Institute and the Truckload Carriers Association. Mr. Konezny received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University.

 

Mr. Konezny possesses extensive business, operating and executive expertise. Through his executive positions with PeopleNet, Mr. Konezny has acquired skills in executive management and leadership. Specifically, in his positions as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of PeopleNet, Mr. Konezny led PeopleNet’s growth, profitability, and solution innovation. He also led PeopleNet’s technology team and platform vision, which resulted in the first internet-based solution in the market, patented OTAP (over-the-air-programming), email messaging, handheld integration, Vehicle Management engine data interface, eDriver Logs, Automated Fuel Tax, and Automated Workflow. We believe Mr. Konezny’s management and leadership skills and technological background enable him to be an effective contributing member of the Board.

 

Executive Officers

 

Chris Wolfe. See narrative description under the caption “Directors and Director Nominees” above.

 

Michael L. Ehrman. Mr. Ehrman serves as our Chief Technology Officer, a position he has held since March 2010. Mr. Ehrman previously served as our Executive Vice President of Engineering from August 1999 until March 2010. Prior to that, he served as our Executive Vice President of Software Development since joining us in 1995. Mr. Ehrman graduated from Stanford University in 1994 with a Master of Science in Engineering - Economics Systems as well as a Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Engineering. Upon his graduation in 1994, Mr. Ehrman was employed as a consultant for Andersen Consulting in New York.

 

Ned Mavrommatis. Mr. Mavrommatis has served as our Chief Financial Officer since joining us in August 1999, as our Treasurer since June 2001, and as our Corporate Secretary since November 2003. Mr. Mavrommatis is also the Managing Director of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, I.D. Systems GmbH and I.D. Systems (UK) Ltd. Prior to joining us, Mr. Mavrommatis was a Senior Manager at the accounting firm of Eisner LLP (currently known as EisnerAmper LLP). Mr. Mavrommatis received a Master of Business Administration in finance from New York University’s Leonard Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College, The City University of New York. Mr. Mavrommatis is also a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Bankruptcies

 

Other than as set forth below, during the past ten years, a petition under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any state insolvency law has not been filed by or against, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer has not been appointed by a court for the business or property of any of our directors, executive officers or nominees for election as director at the Annual Meeting, or any partnership in which he was a general partner at or within two years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business association of which he was an executive officer at or within two years before the time of such filing. Mr. Brodsky served as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Federated Sports & Gaming Inc. (“Federated”) and Federated Heartland, Inc. (“Federated Heartland”) from October 2010 until his resignation from Federated and Federated Heartland, effective March 1, 2012. On February 28, 2012, each of Federated and Federated Heartland filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS

 

General

 

Our Board is responsible for the management and direction of our Company and for establishing broad corporate policies. Members of the Board are kept informed of our business through various documents and reports provided by the Chief Executive Officer and other corporate officers, and by participating in Board and committee meetings. Each director has access to all of our books, records and reports, and members of management are available at all times to answer their questions.

 

Currently, there are five members of the Board. The Board is not classified or staggered, and all directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective successors are elected and qualified.

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board has determined that each of our current directors and Mr. Formant satisfies the current “independent director” standards established by the Nasdaq Rules and, as to the members of the Audit Committee of our Board, the additional independence requirements under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. Thus, a majority of the Board is comprised of independent directors as required by the Nasdaq rules. The Audit Committee of the Board is composed of Messrs. Brodsky, Casey and Konezny, each of whom is an independent director in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(c). The Compensation Committee of the Board is composed of Messrs. Brakebill, Casey and Konezny, each of whom is an independent director in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(d). The Nominating Committee of the Board is composed of Messrs. Brakebill, Brodsky and Casey, each of whom is independent in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5605(e).

 

In determining the independence of Mr. Casey, the Board considered and deemed immaterial to Mr. Casey’s independence a transaction involving certain sales consulting services performed by a partner of TechCXO, LLC, a firm of which Mr. Casey is a partner. Mr. Casey did not receive any direct or indirect compensation from the Company in connection with the services performed by his partner. Effective May 31, 2017, the Company and TechCXO, LLC mutually terminated the agreement pursuant to which such consulting services were performed.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

In December 2016, we experienced a CEO transition and made changes in our Board leadership structure. Our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth S. Ehrman, resigned from the Company effective December 6, 2016. Michael Brodsky, our independent lead director, was appointed as the new Chairman and Mr. Wolfe was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer. The separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer allows our independent Chairman to focus on governance of our Board, Board meeting agenda planning, Board committee responsibilities, investor engagement and outreach on governance matters, and our Chief Executive Officer to focus his attention on our business and execution of our Company’s strategy. While the Board believes that this leadership structure is the most effective for the Company at this time, it continues to evaluate the composition of the Board to determine what leadership structure is most appropriate for the Company and our stockholders.

 

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Risk Oversight

 

The Board has the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process and regularly reviews issues that present particular risk to us, including those involving competition, customer demands, economic conditions, planning, strategy, finance, sales and marketing, products, information technology, facilities and operations, supply chain, legal and environmental matters and insurance. The Board further relies on the Audit Committee for oversight of certain areas of risk management. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial and enterprise risk exposures, including internal controls, and discusses with management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including risks related to fraud, liquidity, credit operations and regulatory compliance, and advises the internal audit function as to overall risk assessment of the Company.

 

While the Board oversees risk management, Company management is charged with managing risk. Management communicates routinely with the Board, committees of the Board and individual directors on significant risks that have been identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed frequently do, communicate directly with senior management.

 

The Company believes that its leadership structure, discussed above, supports the risk oversight function of the Board. The separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions aids in the Board’s oversight of management, independent directors chair the various Board committees involved with risk oversight, there is frequent and open communication among management and directors, and all directors are actively involved in the risk oversight function. The Board believes that this approach provides appropriate checks and balances against undue risk-taking.

 

Board and Committee Meetings

 

The Board held 10 meetings during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Each director attended over 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the meetings held by committees of the Board during 2017. Actions were also taken by the unanimous written consent of the members of the Board on 2 occasions during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

We have adopted a policy of encouraging, but not requiring, members of the Board to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. Mr. Wolfe attended our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders held on June 15, 2017 in person, and Mr. Casey attended the meeting by telephone.

 

Committees of the Board

 

The standing committees of the Board include the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee, which is a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is composed of Messrs. Brodsky, Casey and Konezny, each of whom is independent under Nasdaq Rule 5605(c)(2) and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

The Board has determined that it has at least one “audit committee financial expert” serving on the Audit Committee. Mr. Casey serves as the audit committee financial expert. Mr. Casey also serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

The Audit Committee held 5 meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The Audit Committee acted by unanimous written consent on 1 occasion during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is publicly available on our website at www.id-systems.com. The Audit Committee’s charter sets forth the responsibilities, authority and specific duties of the Audit Committee and is reviewed and reassessed annually. The information on our website is not a part of this Proxy Statement. The charter specifies, among other things, the structure and membership requirements of the Audit Committee, as well as the relationship of the Audit Committee to our independent registered public accounting firm and management.

 

In accordance with its written charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board in monitoring (i) the integrity of our financial reporting process including our internal controls regarding financial reporting, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and (ii) the independence and performance of our internal and external auditors, and serves as an avenue of communication among the independent registered public accounting firm, management and the Board.

 

The report of the Audit Committee appears on page 20 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Brakebill, Casey and Konezny, each of whom is independent within the meaning of Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). Mr. Konezny serves as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

 

The Compensation Committee held 1 meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The Compensation Committee acted by unanimous written consent on 3 occasions during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board for its approval our executive officers’ annual compensation and long-term incentives and option and other equity grants, reviews management’s performance, development and compensation, and administers our incentive plans. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee, a copy of which is publicly available on our website at www.id-systems.com. The Compensation Committee’s charter sets forth the responsibilities, authority and specific duties of the Compensation Committee and is reviewed and reassessed annually. The charter specifies that the Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for evaluating and recommending to the Board for approval our director and officer compensation plans, policies and programs and for producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our annual report on Form 10-K or annual proxy statement, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The charter also specifies that the Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees of the Compensation Committee when appropriate; however, the Compensation Committee may not delegate authority to any other persons. As discussed below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” for compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee considers recommendations relating to compensation for executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer, if any) of our Chief Executive Officer and includes him in its discussions with respect to such compensation, and considers compensation information provided by compensation consultants, if any, retained by the Compensation Committee for such purpose.

 

The Compensation Committee Process. Compensation Committee meetings typically involve a preliminary discussion with our Chief Executive Officer prior to the Compensation Committee deliberating without any members of management present. For compensation decisions, including decisions regarding the grant of equity compensation relating to executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer), the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer and includes him in its discussions. The Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees of the Compensation Committee when appropriate.

 

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Compensation Consultants. The Company did not engage a compensation consultant for 2017.

 

The report of the Compensation Committee appears on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Nominating Committee

 

The Nominating Committee is composed of Messrs. Brakebill, Brodsky and Casey, each of whom is independent within the meaning of Nasdaq Rule 5605(a)(2). Mr. Brakebill serves as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee.

 

The Nominating Committee acted by unanimous written consent on 1 occasion during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

The Board has adopted a written charter for the Nominating Committee, which is publicly available on our website at www.id-systems.com. The Nominating Committee’s charter authorizes the committee to develop certain procedures and guidelines addressing certain nominating matters, such as procedures for considering nominations made by stockholders, minimum qualifications for nominees and identification and evaluation of candidates for the Board, and the Nominating Committee has adopted procedures addressing the foregoing.

 

Procedures for Considering Nominations Made by Stockholders. The Nominating Committee has adopted guidelines regarding procedures for nominations to be submitted by stockholders and other third parties, other than candidates who have previously served on the Board or who are recommended by the Board. These guidelines provide that a nomination must be delivered to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting will not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a notice as described above. The guidelines require a nomination notice to set forth as to each person whom the proponent proposes to nominate for election as a director: (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), and (ii) information that will enable the Nominating Committee to determine whether the candidate or candidates satisfy the criteria established pursuant to the charter for director candidates. The Nominating Committee’s policy is to consider all persons proposed to be nominated for election as a director in accordance with these procedures.

 

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Qualifications. The Nominating Committee has adopted guidelines describing the minimum qualifications for nominees and the qualities or skills that are necessary for directors to possess. Each nominee:

 

  must satisfy any legal requirements applicable to members of the Board;
     
  must have business or professional experience that will enable such nominee to provide useful input to the Board in its deliberations;
     
  must have a reputation, in one or more of the communities serviced by the Company and its affiliates, for honesty and ethical conduct;
     
  must have a working knowledge of the types of responsibilities expected of members of the board of directors of a public company; and
     
  must have experience, either as a member of the board of directors of another public or private company or in another capacity, that demonstrates the nominee’s capacity to serve in a fiduciary position.

 

We believe that each member of our Board should possess the qualities of character, judgment, business acumen, diligence, lack of conflicts of interest, familiarity with our business and industry, ability to work collegially and ability to act in the best interests of all stockholders. While we do not have a formal diversity policy, we seek to have directors representing a range of experiences, qualifications, skills and backgrounds.

 

Identification and Evaluation of Candidates for the Board. Candidates to serve on the Board will be identified from all available sources, including recommendations made by stockholders of the Company. The Nominating Committee has a policy that there will be no differences in the manner in which the Nominating Committee evaluates nominees recommended by stockholders and nominees recommended by the Committee or management, except that no specific process shall be mandated with respect to the nomination of any individuals who have previously served on the Board. The evaluation process for individuals other than existing members of the Board will include:

 

  a review of the information provided to the Nominating Committee by the proponent;
     
  a review of reference letters from at least two sources determined to be reputable by the Nominating Committee; and
     
  a personal interview of the candidate, together with a review of such other information as the Nominating Committee shall determine to be relevant.

 

Mr. Formant was recommended to the Nominating Committee for nomination for election as a director by Michael Casey, a current director of the Company.

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines. On April 29, 2009, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines to further align the interests of our non-employee directors with the interests of our stockholders and to promote our commitment to sound corporate governance. Pursuant to these guidelines, each outside director is required to hold shares of our common stock with a value equal to three times the amount paid in cash to such director for services as a director (including for in-person and telephonic meetings of the Board and meetings of committees of the Board) during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 or, if all such meetings were not attended by such director during such year, the amount that would have been paid in cash to such director for services as a director had such director attended all such meetings. The ownership guideline value for each outside director initially was calculated with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, was re-calculated with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and will be re-calculated with respect to each third fiscal year thereafter. Outside directors are required to achieve the applicable level of ownership within three (3) years of the later of the date the guidelines were adopted and the date the person first became an outside director. Under the stock ownership guidelines, the value of the shares of common stock held by each outside director will be determined on April 1st of each year based on the average for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days preceding and including such date of the reported last sale prices per share on the Nasdaq Global Market or other principal national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which our common stock is listed or admitted to trading. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, each of our non-employee directors elected to be paid in restricted shares of common stock in lieu of cash in consideration for his services as a director of the Company. As of April 1, 2018, each non-employee director had achieved his applicable level of ownership in accordance with the stock ownership guidelines.

 

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Third Party Recommendations. In connection with the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee did not receive any nominations from any stockholder or group of stockholders which owned more than 5% of our common stock for at least one year.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

General

 

All directors are entitled to reimbursement for travel and lodging and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their attendance at Board and/or Board committee meetings or other activities on our behalf.

 

Employee Directors

 

Directors who are current officers or employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company do not receive any additional compensation for their service as members of either the Board or any committees of the Board.

 

Non-Employee Directors

 

On August 1, 2017, the Board adopted a non-employee director compensation program pursuant to which non-employee directors are entitled to receive annual compensation having economic value of approximately $119,000, which includes a cash retainer of $59,000 and restricted stock grants with an economic value of approximately $60,000. The cash retainer may be paid, at each director’s election, in cash or in restricted shares of our common stock. Each of the non-employee directors elected to be paid his retainer for 2017 in restricted shares of our common stock. With respect to restricted stock awards, the number of shares issuable was calculated based on the average of the reported closing price per share of the stock on the NASDAQ Global Market for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days prior to and the twenty (20) consecutive trading days following and including the date of our earnings release for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017.

 

The Chairman of the Board and the chairperson of each of the committees of the Board are also entitled to a supplemental retainer, which may be paid, at each director’s election, in cash or in restricted shares of our common stock. Specifically, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional $36,000 per year of service; the chairperson of the Audit Committee receives an additional $18,000 per year of service; the chairperson of the Compensation Committee receives an additional $12,000 per year of service; and the chairperson of the Nominating Committee receives an additional $10,000 per year of service. In addition, if during the year, any director attends, in person or by telephone, more than eight meetings of the Board and/or any committee thereof, in the aggregate, such director will be entitled to receive for each additional meeting attended in person or by telephone a payment of $1,000 or $500; however, the directors maintain discretion to waive, and have on occasion agreed to waive, those additional meeting fees. Each of the non-employee directors elected to be paid his supplemental retainer in 2017 in restricted shares of our common stock.

 

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In addition, on February 17, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded each of the non-employee directors 5,000 restricted shares of our common stock, which is intended to be a one-time grant in light of the fact that each non-employee director has elected to be paid in restricted stock in lieu of cash during the entirety of such director’s tenure and the increase in the number of Board meetings due in part to the CEO transition and change in Board leadership structure. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for the non-employee directors to be paid their retainers in stock in lieu of cash.

 

On February 17, 2017, the Compensation Committee also awarded Michael Brodsky, the Chairman of the Board, a one-time grant of options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock, which options vest in equal increments over a four-year period, such that 25% of the options will vest on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant, provided that Mr. Brodsky is serving as a director of the Company on each such date. This one-time award was made in consideration of the additional responsibilities that Mr. Brodsky has undertaken as Chairman of the Board and as a result of the CEO transition.

 

Our non-employee directors are entitled to participate in the Company’s 2009 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which was adopted by the Board in April 2009, and approved by our stockholders in June 2009. In June 2011, our stockholders also approved an amendment to the 2009 Plan, which increased the number of shares available for issuance under the 2009 Plan from 300,000 to 600,000. As of April 26, 2018, a total of 13,644 shares of our common stock remain reserved and available for issuance under the 2009 Plan, as amended. Non-employee directors are eligible to be awarded non-qualified stock options and shares of restricted stock under the 2009 Plan. A recipient of restricted stock under the 2009 Plan is entitled to vote such shares and would be entitled to dividends, if any, paid on such shares, but is not entitled to dispose of such shares until they have vested in accordance with the terms of the applicable award.

 

Our non-employee directors are also entitled to participate in the Company’s 2015 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2015 Plan”), which was adopted by the Board in May 2015 and approved by our stockholders in June 2015. As of April 26, 2018, a total of 10,780 shares of our common stock remain reserved and available for issuance under the 2015 Plan. Non-employee directors are eligible to be awarded non-qualified stock options, shares of restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and other awards under the 2015 Plan. A recipient of restricted stock under the 2015 Plan is entitled to vote such shares and would be entitled to dividends, if any, paid on such shares, but is not entitled to dispose of such shares until they have vested in accordance with the terms of the applicable award.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, each of Kenneth Brakebill, Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey and Ron Konezny was awarded an aggregate of 24,406, 28,317, 25,609 and 24,706 restricted shares of common stock, respectively, in consideration for his services as a director of the Company and Mr. Brodsky was awarded stock options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock as additional compensation for his services as the Chairman of the Board, as previously discussed. All of these awards were made pursuant to the 2015 Plan. The restricted stock awards consist of (i) 5,000 restricted shares of common stock that were granted to each of Messrs. Brakebill, Brodsky, Casey and Konezny on February 17, 2017, which vest as to 100% of such shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided that such non-employee director is then serving as a director of the Company, and (ii) 19,406, 23,317, 20,609 and 19,706 restricted shares of common stock, respectively, that were granted to Messrs. Brakebill, Brodsky, Casey and Konezny on August 31, 2017, which vest as to 100% of such shares on June 15, 2018, provided that such non-employee director is then serving as a director of the Company.

 

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Our non-employee directors are not entitled to retirement, benefit or other perquisite programs.

 

The following table provides certain information with respect to the compensation paid to our non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Name  Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1)(3)(4)   Stock Awards ($)(2)(3)(4)   Option Awards ($)(5)(6)   Total ($) 
Kenneth Brakebill  $69,000   $87,224    -   $156,224 
Michael Brodsky  $95,000   $87,224   $105,455   $287,679 
Michael Casey  $77,000   $87,224    -   $164,224 
Ron Konezny  $71,000   $87,224    -   $158,224 

 

  (1) The amount under this column with respect to each of Kenneth Brakebill, Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey and Ron Konezny reflects the dollar amount of fees for which such non-employee director elected to be paid in restricted shares of our common stock in lieu of cash, which shares were issued under the 2015 Plan on August 31, 2017. The number of restricted shares issued to each of such non-employee directors in lieu of cash was calculated based on the average of the reported closing price per share of the stock on the NASDAQ Global Market for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days prior to and the twenty (20) consecutive trading days following and including the date of our earnings release for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017. Messrs. Brakebill, Brodsky, Casey and Konezny were granted 10,380, 14,291, 11,583 and 10,681 restricted shares of our common stock, respectively, in lieu of cash, the aggregate grant date fair value of which, computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding any service-based vesting conditions, is $65,808, $90,605, $73,437 and $67,715, respectively.
     
  (2) The amounts under this column reflect the sum of the aggregate grant date fair value of 5,000 restricted shares of our common stock granted to each of Kenneth Brakebill, Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey and Ron Konezny, under the 2015 Plan on February 17, 2017, and the aggregate grant date fair value of 9,026 restricted shares of our common stock granted to each of Kenneth Brakebill, Michael Brodsky, Michael Casey and Ron Konezny, under the 2015 Plan on August 31, 2017, computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding any service-based vesting conditions. For a discussion of the assumptions we made in valuing the stock awards, see “Note 2(S) — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Stock-based compensation” and “Note 11 — Stock-Based Compensation” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. The amounts set forth under this column do not include the restricted shares of common stock granted in lieu of cash for fees set forth under the column “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash.”
     
  (3) Of the restricted stock awards granted to Messrs. Brakebill, Brodsky, Casey and Konezny, 5,000 restricted shares of common stock will vest in full on February 17, 2018, provided that such non-employee director is then serving as a director of the Company on such date, and 19,406, 23,317, 20,609 and 19,706 restricted shares of common stock, respectively, will vest in full on June 15, 2018, provided that such non-employee director is then serving as a director of the Company on such date.

 

 

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  (4) At December 31, 2017, Kenneth Brakebill held 73,192 shares of restricted stock; Michael Brodsky held 160,674 shares of restricted stock; Michael Casey held 42,522 shares of restricted stock; and Ron Konezny held 72,379 shares of restricted stock.
     
  (5) The amounts under this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock granted to Michael Brodsky under the 2015 Plan on February 17, 2017, computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding any service-based vesting conditions. For a discussion of the assumptions we made in valuing the stock options, see “Note 2(S) — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Stock-based compensation” and “Note 11 — Stock-Based Compensation” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
     
  (6) At December 31, 2017, each of Kenneth Brakebill, Michael Casey and Ron Konezny held options to purchase 45,000 shares of our common stock and Michael Brodsky held options to purchase 95,000 shares of our common stock.

 

Process for Sending Communications to the Board of Directors

 

The Board has established a procedure that enables stockholders to communicate in writing with members of the Board. Any such communication should be addressed and sent to our Corporate Secretary at c/o I.D. Systems, Inc., 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677. Any such communication must state, in a conspicuous manner, that it contains a stockholder communication and that it is intended for distribution to the entire Board or to one or more members of the Board, as applicable. All such stockholder communications will be forwarded to the director or directors to whom the communications are addressed. Under the procedures established by the Board, upon the Corporate Secretary’s receipt of such a communication, our Corporate Secretary will send a copy of such communication to each member of the Board or to the applicable director(s), identifying it as a communication received from a stockholder. Absent unusual circumstances, at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board held more than two days after such communication has been distributed, the Board will consider the substance of any such communication.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Controller and other persons who perform similar functions. A copy of our Code of Ethics can be found on our website at www.id-systems.com. The Code of Ethics also is available in print, free of charge, to any stockholder who requests a copy by writing to the Company at the following address: I.D. Systems, Inc., 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Our Code of Ethics is intended to be a codification of the business and ethical principles that guide the Company, and to deter wrongdoing, to promote honest and ethical conduct, to avoid conflicts of interest, and to foster full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosures, compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, the prompt internal reporting of violations and accountability for adherence to this code. We will post any amendment to the Code of Ethics, as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC or The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, on our website.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

Our policy prohibits conflicts between the interests of our employees, officers and directors and our company. A conflict of interest exists when an employee, officer, or director’s personal interest interferes or may interfere with the interests of the Company. When it is deemed to be in the best interests of our company and our stockholders, the Audit Committee may grant waivers to employees, officers and directors who have disclosed an actual or potential conflict of interest, which waivers are subject to approval by our Board. This policy is included in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Officers and Directors.

 

In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for annually reviewing any transactions or series of similar transactions to which we are or were a party and in which any director, executive officer or beneficial holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or members of any such person’s immediate family, have had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Our Audit Committee’s procedures for reviewing related party transactions are not in writing. Except as described below, since January 1, 2016, there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which the Company is or was a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer or beneficial holder of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, or members of any such person’s immediate family, have had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. As of April 26, 2018, our common stock is the Company’s only class of voting securities.

 

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Proxy Statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language in those filings, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Report of the Audit Committee by reference therein.

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is currently comprised solely of independent directors meeting the requirements of applicable rules of the SEC and of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. All members of the Audit Committee were appointed by the Board. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board. The Audit Committee reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter on an annual basis. As more fully described in the charter, the purpose of the Audit Committee is to provide general oversight of the Company’s financial reporting, integrity of financial statements, internal controls and internal audit functions.

 

Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, and internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, laws and regulations. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, EisnerAmper LLP, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and expressing an opinion in its report on those financial statements.

 

The Audit Committee reviewed the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and met with both management and EisnerAmper LLP to discuss those financial statements and EisnerAmper LLP’s related opinion.

 

The Audit Committee has discussed with EisnerAmper LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees.

 

The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from EisnerAmper LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding EisnerAmper LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with EisnerAmper LLP its independence.

 

Based on its review and the meetings, discussions and reports described above, and subject to the limitations of its role and responsibilities referred to above and in its charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for filing with the SEC.

 

Members of the Audit Committee:

 

Michael Casey, Chairman

Michael Brodsky

Ron Konezny

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Committee Report

 

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

Members of the Compensation Committee:

 

Ron Konezny, Chairman

Kenneth Brakebill

Michael Casey

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Introduction

 

This discussion presents the principles underlying our executive officer compensation program. Our goal in this discussion is to provide the reasons why we award compensation as we do and to place in perspective the data presented in the tables that follow this discussion. The focus is primarily on compensation of our executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, but some historical and forward-looking information is also provided to put such year’s compensation information in context. The information presented herein relates to the following individuals who are considered “named executive officers,” under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, each of whom is sometimes referred to in this Proxy Statement as a “Named Executive Officer:” (i) Chris Wolfe, who served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, (ii) Ned Mavrommatis, who served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and (iii) Michael L. Ehrman, who served as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

We attempt to apply a consistent philosophy to compensation for all employees, including senior management. This philosophy is based on the premises that our success is dependent upon the efforts of each employee and that a cooperative, team-oriented environment is an essential part of our culture. We believe in the importance of rewarding our employees for our successes, which is why we emphasize pay-for-performance incentive compensation. Particular emphasis is placed on broad employee equity participation through the use of stock options and restricted stock awards, as well as on annual cash bonuses linked to achievement of our corporate performance goals. We considered the results of the “say on pay” proposal with respect to executive compensation presented to the stockholders at our 2017 annual meeting held on June 15, 2017, and in light of the support the proposal received, we continue to emphasize pay-for-performance incentive compensation, as explained in detail in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

 

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Our compensation programs for our Named Executive Officers are designed to achieve a variety of goals, including:

 

  attracting and retaining talented and experienced executives;
     
  motivating and rewarding executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;
     
  aligning the interests of our executives and stockholders by motivating executives to increase stockholder value in a sustained manner; and
     
  providing a competitive compensation package which rewards achievement of our goals.

 

Total compensation paid to our executive officers is influenced significantly by the need to attract and retain management employees with a high level of expertise and to motivate and retain key executives for our long-term success. Some of the components of compensation, such as salary, are generally fixed and do not vary based on our financial and other performance. Some components, such as bonus and in some cases, such as our long-term incentive plans adopted in prior years, stock options and stock award grants, are dependent upon the achievement of certain goals approved by the Compensation Committee; and for such purpose, the Compensation Committee considers goals for executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer) recommended by our Chief Executive Officer, and includes him in its discussions with respect to such goals. Furthermore, the value of certain of these components, such as stock options and restricted stock, is dependent upon our future stock price.

 

We compensate our executive officers in these different ways in order to achieve different goals. Cash compensation, for example, provides executive officers with a minimum base salary. Incentive bonus compensation is generally linked to the achievement of financial and business goals (as described in greater detail below), and is intended to reward executive officers for our overall performance. Stock options and grants of restricted stock are intended to link our executive officers’ longer-term compensation with the performance of our stock and to build executive ownership positions in our stock. This encourages our executive officers to remain with us and to act in ways intended to maximize stockholder value, and serves to penalize them if we and/or our stock fails to perform to expectations.

 

We view the three components of our executive officer compensation as related but distinct. Although the Compensation Committee does review total compensation, it does not believe that compensation derived from one component of compensation necessarily should negate or reduce compensation from other components. We determine the appropriate level for each compensation component based in part, but not exclusively, on its historical practices with the individual and our view of individual performance and other information we deem relevant. The Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid out compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation, or among different forms of compensation. We have not reviewed wealth and retirement accumulation as a result of employment with us and have only focused on fair compensation for the year in question.

 

The Compensation Committee monitors the results of the annual advisory “say-on-pay” proposal and incorporates such results as one of many factors considered in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities. At our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, and in light of such approval, the Compensation Committee continued with its performance-based compensation philosophy and its balanced approach to the components of its compensation program.

 

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Elements of Executive Officer Compensation

 

Base Salary. We pay our executive officers a base salary, which we review and determine annually. We believe that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program. We believe that attractive base salaries can motivate and reward executives for their overall performance. Base salaries are established in part based on the particular executive’s position, responsibility, experience, skills and expected contributions during the coming year and such individual’s performance during the prior year. We also have generally sought to align base compensation levels comparable to our competitors and other companies in similar stages of development. We do not view base salaries as primarily serving our objective of paying for performance, but in attracting and retaining the most qualified executives necessary to run the Company’s business. On February 17, 2017, each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael Ehrman elected to reduce their annual base salaries for the remainder of 2017 and, in exchange for such salary reduction, receive restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. The annual base salary of each of Mr. Mavrommatis and Mr. Ehrman decreased from $283,250 to $258,466 and each of Mr. Mavrommatis and Mr. Ehrman received 4,957 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, which shares vested on February 17, 2018. The Company continues to focus on pay-for-performance structure, which is discussed below.

 

Cash Incentive Bonus Programs

 

The primary objective of our annual cash incentive bonus program is to motivate and reward our employees, including our Named Executive Officers, for meeting our short-term objectives using a pay-for-performance program with objectively determinable performance goals. Each of our Named Executive Officers was eligible to receive a cash incentive bonus under our Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which is discussed below.

 

Executive Incentive Plan

 

The objectives of the EIP, which was adopted by the Board upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, are to align the interests of all employees with the Company’s performance goals. The EIP focuses on rewarding executives for the achievement of financial objectives with competitive financial incentives and provides a systemic plan for establishing definitive performance goals. On February 17, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved the EIP for 2017. The objectives of the EIP are to align the interests of all employees with the Company’s performance goals. Under the EIP for 2017, the Company’s performance goals are based on (i) revenue growth and (ii) “operating income,” which for these purposes is defined as operating income (loss) from operations, excluding depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation expense. Executives are eligible to be awarded cash bonus compensation based on the Company’s annual and quarterly results with respect to revenue growth and operating income.

 

The Company accrues funds for the EIP over the course of the applicable plan year. The EIP may be modified or terminated by the Compensation Committee at any time, but incentive awards that have been earned by the participating Named Executive Officers through the date of termination of the EIP will be payable. In addition, target awards and weightings may be modified by the Compensation Committee during the plan year based upon a shift in focus or changing industry standards, or any other factors that the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee has the authority to administer the EIP and has the final decision on any discrepancies in interpretation of the EIP.

 

Awards under the EIP are calculated as a percentage of an executive’s base salary and, as noted above, are based upon revenue growth and operating income. The target award under the EIP for 2017, which is calculated as a percentage of base salary, for Chris Wolfe was set at 100% of his base salary and for each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman was set at 67% of his base salary. The target award (expressed as a percentage of base salary) for each Named Executive Officer is as follows:

 

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Named Executive Officer 

Target Award

Percentage

 
Chris Wolfe   100%
Ned Mavrommatis   67%
Michael L. Ehrman   67%

 

The maximum aggregate amount of the Quarterly Bonuses and the Annual Bonus (each, as defined below), for each executive is 300% of the target award for such executive.

 

2017 Quarterly Bonuses. Forty-five percent of the executive’s bonus under the EIP for 2017 was based on quarterly revenue and operating income targets (such portion, the “Quarterly Bonus”). For these purposes, “operating income” is defined as operating income (loss) from operations, excluding depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, and was calculated after all bonus expenses (the “Operating Income”). For 2017, for each of the Named Executive Officers entitled to participate in the EIP, the Company’s quarterly revenues (the “Quarterly Revenues”) were required to equal or exceed dollar amounts ranging from $9.9 million to $10.3 million and the Company’s quarterly Operating Income (the “Quarterly Operating Income”) was required to equal or exceed dollar amounts ranging from $250 to $8,800 (each, the “Quarterly Target Amount”) in order for the executives to receive their Quarterly Bonus. For each of the first three quarters of the fiscal year, if the Quarterly Revenues were equal to at least 92.5% of the respective Quarterly Target Amount and the Quarterly Operating Income was equal to at least 100% of the respective Quarterly Target Amount, the executive would be entitled to receive 15% of the target award for such executive. If either the Quarterly Revenues for any quarter did not equal or exceed 92.5% of the respective Quarterly Target Amount for such quarter or the Quarterly Operating Income for any quarter did not equal or exceed 100% of the respective Quarterly Target Amount for such quarter, the executive would not be entitled to receive any bonus for such quarter. In the event that both the Quarterly Revenues and the Quarterly Operating Income for any quarter exceeded the Quarterly Target Amount for such quarter, the executives would not be entitled to receive any additional bonus; however, the cumulative Quarterly Revenues and Quarterly Operating Incomes for all four quarters would be considered for calculating the Annual Revenues (as defined below) for purposes of determining the Annual Bonus.

 

Any Quarterly Bonuses for any fiscal quarter are payable to the executives after completion of the Company’s financial statements for such quarter. Participants are not entitled to receive an award unless they are employed by the Company at the time the award is payable by the Company. Based on the Quarterly Revenues and the Quarterly Operating Income for each of the quarters during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, each of Chris Wolfe, Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman received Quarterly Bonuses under the EIP for 2017 in the aggregate amount of $87,000, $56,933 and $56,933, respectively.

 

2017 Annual Bonus. Fifty-five percent of the executive’s bonus under the EIP for 2017 was based on annual revenue and operating income targets (such portion, the “Annual Bonus”). For 2017, for each of the Named Executive Officers entitled to participate in the EIP, the Company’s annual revenues (the “Annual Revenues”) were required to equal or exceed $40.8 million and the Company’s annual operating income (the “Annual Operating Income”) was required to equal or exceed $20,700 (each, the “Annual Target Amount”) in order for the executives to receive their Annual Bonus. If the Annual Revenues were equal to 92.5% of the Annual Target Amount and the Annual Operating Income was equal to 100% of the Annual Target Amount, the executive would be entitled to receive 55% of the target award for such executive. If either the Annual Revenues did not equal or exceed 92.5% of the respective Annual Target Amount or the Annual Operating Income did not equal or exceed 100% of the respective Annual Target Amount, the executive would not be entitled to receive any Annual Bonus.

 

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Any Annual Bonuses are payable to the executives after completion of the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year. Participants are not entitled to receive an award unless they are employed by the Company at the time the award is payable by the Company. Based on the Annual Revenues and the Annual Operating Income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, none of Chris Wolfe, Ned Mavrommatis or Michael L. Ehrman received an Annual Bonus under the EIP for 2017.

 

Equity Compensation

 

We believe that stock options and restricted stock awards are an important long-term incentive for our executive officers and employees and that our stock option and restricted stock award program has been effective in aligning officer and employee interests with those of our stockholders. We review our equity compensation plans annually. Employees are eligible for annual stock option and restricted stock award grants. These options and grants are intended to produce value for each executive officer if (i) our stockholders derive significant sustained value and (ii) the executive officer remains employed with us.

 

Historically, the Company did not have any program, plan or obligation under which it was required to grant equity compensation to any executive officer on specified dates or upon the achievement of certain performance goals. The authority to make equity grants to executive officers rests with the Compensation Committee, although, as noted, the Compensation Committee does consider the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer in setting the compensation of our other executive officers.

 

On February 17, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted restricted shares of common stock and options to purchase common stock to each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman in consideration of his continued services as an officer of the Company. The number of restricted shares of our common stock granted to and held by our Named Executive Officers are set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” and the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table below.

 

Severance and Change-in-Control Benefits. Except for the severance and change-in-control benefits described below under the captions “Severance Arrangements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control,” we do not provide to any of our executive officers any severance or change in control benefits in the event of termination or retirement, whether following a change in control or otherwise.

 

Benefits. The executive officers participate in all of our employee benefit plans, such as medical and 401(k) plans, on the same basis as our other employees, except that we pay 100% of the premiums for health and dental insurance of our executive officers and 75% of the premiums for health and dental insurance of our other employees.

 

Perquisites. Certain of our Named Executive Officers receive an allowance for automobile and related expenses, which amounts are reflected under column titled “All Other Compensation” in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. Our use of perquisites as an element of compensation is very limited. We do not view perquisites as a significant element of our comprehensive compensation structure.

 

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Peer Group

 

In making decisions regarding the compensation of our executive officers, the Compensation Committee generally considers compensation and survey data for similarly situated executives at a comparison group of companies it considers our peer group. These comparison data are primarily used to gauge the reasonableness and competitiveness of executive compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee utilized as a reference for determining competitive total compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers for 2017, our peer group of companies that were identified by CRI, the compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee in 2012, together with a group of companies identified as our peer group by the Hay Group (the “Hay Group”), the compensation consultant retained by the Compensation Committee in 2014; however, the Compensation Committee determined not to place a significant amount of reliance on the information provided by the Hay Group since although the companies identified by the Hay Group as part of the peer group were in the same M2M industry as the Company, such companies had significantly greater revenues and market capitalizations than the Company. While the Compensation Committee refers to information with respect to its peer group for purposes of determining compensation of the executive officers, it does not benchmark compensation for the Named Executive Officers against the peer group. The peer group of companies determined by CRI was based on revenue, organizational profile and geographic location and the peer group of companies determined by the Hay Group was based primarily on industry.

 

We believe that the compensation practices of our industry, in general, and of our select peer group, in particular, provide useful information to help us establish compensation practices that allow us to attract, retain, and motivate a highly talented executive team. We review the levels of cash, equity, and total compensation for comparable executives in our peer group relative to the elements of compensation paid to our executives. In considering how these data relate to our existing compensation structure, we take into account our size, performance, and geographic location as compared to these peer companies, as well as what we know about the comparable scope of responsibilities of our executives versus those of comparable executives at such peer group companies.

 

The following companies were identified as members of our peer group by CRI in 2012:

 

ANADIGICS Inc.   NVE Corporation
CalAmp Corp.   ORBCOMM Inc.
Chyron Corporation   Orbit International Corp.
Identive Group Inc. (formerly SCM Microsystems, Inc.)   Par Techonology Corp.
RELM Wireless Corporation    
LoJack Corporation   Telular Corp.
Memsic, Inc.   Vasco Data Sec. Int’l Inc.
Numerex Corp.   XATA Corporation

 

The following companies were identified as members of our peer group by the Hay Group in 2014:

 

CalAmp Corp.   Novatel Wireless Inc.
Digi International Inc.   Numerex Corp
Fleetmatics Group PLC   ORBCOMM Inc.
Globalstar, Inc.   Sierra Wireless, Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc.   Telular Corp.
LoJack Corp   XRS Corporation

 

Regulatory Considerations

 

We account for the equity compensation expense for our employees under the rules of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 (“ASC 718”), which requires us to estimate and record an expense for each award of equity compensation over the service period of the award. Accounting rules also require us to record cash compensation as an expense at the time the obligation is accrued.

 

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Employment Agreements

 

The Company has not entered into employment agreements with any of its executive officers. All executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board, with no fixed term of employment.

 

Severance Agreements

 

On September 22, 2009, the Company entered into severance agreements with each of Ned Mavrommatis, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary, and Michael L. Ehrman, the Company’s Chief Technology Officer. Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman are sometimes collectively referred to in this section as the “Executives” and each, an “Executive.” The Severance Agreements were previously approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board and presented to the full Board.

 

Except as described below, each of the Severance Agreements is substantially identical in form. The Severance Agreements provide each Executive with certain severance and change in control benefits upon the occurrence of a “Trigger Event” (as defined in the Severance Agreements). Under the Severance Agreements, a Trigger Event will have occurred if (i) the Company terminates the Executive without Cause or (ii) the Executive resigns for Good Reason within six months following a Change in Control Event (provided, however, that the termination of the Executive’s employment due to his death or Disability will in no event be considered a Trigger Event).

 

Within 45 days after the occurrence of a Trigger Event (or such shorter period as may be required under the terms of a general release agreement (“Release”) to be entered into by the Executive in order to obtain benefits under the Severance Agreement, a form of which is attached to the Severance Agreement), the Executive must execute and deliver the Release to the Company. Upon the earlier of the expiration of any applicable revocation period required for the Release to be effective with respect to age discrimination claims and the date on which it is otherwise permitted to be effective and irrevocable under applicable law, the Executive will be entitled to the following: (i) a cash payment at the rate of the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Trigger Event for a period of 2 months (such period, as applicable, the “Severance Period”), made as a series of payments that are payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices; (ii) a waiver of any remaining portion of the Executive’s healthcare continuation payments under COBRA for the Severance Period, provided that the Executive timely elects COBRA coverage and continues to make contributions for such coverage equal to his contribution amount in effect immediately preceding the date of his termination of employment; (iii) partial accelerated vesting of the Executive’s previously granted stock options and restricted stock awards, such that (to the extent not already then vested) a portion of these awards shall vest and/or become exercisable, in each case on a pro-rated basis that takes into account the number of months elapsed since the date of grant as compared to the scheduled vesting date (provided that the terms of the Company’s 2007 Equity Compensation Plan and 2015 Plan will continue to govern acceleration of vesting in the event of a “Change of Control” as defined therein); and (iv) an award of “Performance Shares” under the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement previously entered into between the Company and the Executive, in an amount and to the extent of the sum of the “Interim Shares” determined (and defined) in accordance with Exhibit A to that agreement.

 

As a condition to the Company’s obligations under the Severance Agreements, each Executive is required to execute and deliver to the Company a restrictive covenants agreement, a form of which is attached to the Severance Agreements, containing covenants regarding confidentiality, assignment of inventions, non-competition and non-solicitation. These restrictive covenants will remain in effect during the Severance Period.

 

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On December 6, 2016, in connection with Chris Wolfe’s appointment as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Company entered into an employment offer letter with Mr. Wolfe, pursuant to which Mr. Wolfe is entitled to a lump sum severance payment equivalent to nine months of salary in the event Mr. Wolfe’s employment is terminated without cause during the first twenty-four months of employment.

 

Compensation Tables

 

The following table, which should be read in conjunction with the explanations provided above, sets forth summary compensation information for the year ended December 31, 2017 for our Named Executive Officers.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position  Year  

Salary

($)

  

Bonus

($)

  

Stock Awards

($) (1)

  

Option Awards ($) (1)

  

Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (2)

  

All Other Compensation ($) (3)

  

Total

($)

 
Chris Wolfe,   2017    290,000                87,000    11,290    388,290 
Chief Executive Officer (4)   2016    89,853(5)       544,578    342,675        23,000    1,000,106 
Ned Mavrommatis   2017    283,250(6)       104,960(6)   105,500    56,933    39,654    590,297 
Chief Financial Officer,   2016    283,250        65,550    48,043    28,467    34,126    459,436 
Treasurer and Corporate Secretary   2015    282,563(7)       209,400            36,811    528,774 
Michael L. Ehrman,   2017    283,250(6)       79,958(6)   79,125    56,933    37,085    536,351 
Chief Technology Officer   2016    283,250        65,550    48,043    28,467    30,231    455,541 
    2015    282,563(7)       209,400            32,775    524,738 

 

(1) The dollar amount shown under the headings “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” with respect to each of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock, performance shares and option awards granted in the fiscal year indicated, computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding service-based vesting conditions. For a discussion of the assumptions we made in valuing the stock and option awards, see “Note 2(S) — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Stock-based compensation” and “Note 11 — Stock-Based Compensation” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
   
(2) The dollar amount shown under the heading “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” (i) for each of Chris Wolfe, Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman for 2017 represents bonus earned for such fiscal year pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan for 2017, and (ii) for each of Chris Wolfe, Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman for 2016 represents bonus earned for such fiscal year pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan for 2016.

 

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(3) The dollar amounts shown under the heading “All other compensation” represent the incremental cost of all perquisites and other personal benefits to our Named Executive Officers for automobile allowance and related expenses and health insurance premiums and, with respect to Chris Wolfe for 2016, moving expenses. The automobile allowance and related expenses for 2017 for each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman were $22,475 and $19,906, respectively; the health insurance premiums for 2017 for each of Chris Wolfe, Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman were $11,290, $17,179 and $17,179, respectively. The automobile allowance and related expenses for 2016 for each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman were $19,720 and $15,825, respectively; the health insurance premiums for 2016 for each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman were $14,406. The moving expenses for 2016 for Chris Wolfe was $23,000. Chris Wolfe did not receive an automobile allowance or payments for health insurance premiums for 2016. The automobile allowance and related expenses for 2015 for each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman were $24,046 and $20,010, respectively; the health insurance premiums for 2015 for each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman were $12,765.
   
(4) Chris Wolfe was appointed to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective as of December 7, 2016.
   
(5) Effective as of August 4, 2016, Chris Wolfe was appointed to serve as our Chief Product Officer. His annual base salary as Chief Product Officer was $220,000. Upon his appointment to serve as our Chief Executive Officer, effective as of December 7, 2016, Mr. Wolfe’s annual base salary was increased to $290,000.
   
(6) On February 17, 2017, each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman elected to reduce their annual base salaries for the remainder of 2017 and, in exchange for such salary reduction, receive restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. The annual base salary of each of Mr. Mavrommatis and Mr. Ehrman decreased from $283,250 to $258,466 and each of Mr. Mavrommatis and Mr. Ehrman received 4,957 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. The incremental value of such 4,957 restricted shares over the $24,785 of reduced salary is reported under the heading “Stock Awards.”
   
(7) Effective as of February 1, 2015, the base salary of each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael S. Ehrman was increased from $275,000 to $283,250.

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table provides certain information with respect to restricted stock awards and options granted to our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

     

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards

($)(1)

  

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards

(#)

  

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

  

Grant Date

Fair Value

of Stock

and Option

Awards

 
Name  Grant Date  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Threshold   Target   maximum   (#)   (#)   ($/Sh)  

($)(2)

 
Chris Wolfe (5)  2/17/2017   43,500    290,000    870,000                             
Ned Mavrommatis  2/17/2017   28,467    189,778    569,332                              
   2/17/2017                           16,667(3)           100,002 
   2/17/2017                           4,957(4)           29,742 
   2/17/2017                               50,000(5)   6.00    105,500 
Michael L. Ehrman  2/17/2017   28,467    189,778    569,332                             
   2/17/2017                           12,500(3)           75,000 
   2/17/2017                           4,957(4)           29,742 
   2/17/2017                               37,500(5)   6.00    79,125 

 

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(1) The information under “Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards” relates to cash bonuses for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 payable to our named executive officers based on the achievement of quarterly and annual revenue goals and quarterly and annual “operating income” (which for these purposes is defined as operating income (loss) from operations, excluding depreciation and amortization and stock based compensation) goals for 2017 pursuant to our Executive Incentive Plan.
   
(2) Represents the grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718. For stock awards, the grant date fair value was calculated based on the closing price of our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of grant. For a discussion of the assumptions we made in valuing the stock and option awards, see “Note 2(S) — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Stock-based compensation” and “Note 11 — Stock-Based Compensation” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
   
(3) Represents restricted shares issued under our 2007 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2007 Plan”). Twenty five percent (25%) of the restricted shares vest on each of the first, second, third and fourth annual anniversary date of the date of grant provided that the awardee is an employee of our company on such anniversary.
   
(4) Represents restricted shares issued under the 2015 Plan and in connection with the election of each of Mr. Mavrommatis and Mr. Ehrman to reduce their annual base salaries for 2017 in exchange for restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. One hundred percent (100%) of the restricted shares vest on the first anniversary date of the date of grant provided that the awardee is an employee of our company on such date.
   
(5) Represents options to purchase shares of our common stock issued under the 2015 Plan. Twenty five percent (25%) of the options vest on each of the first, second, third and fourth annual anniversary date of the date of grant provided that the awardee is an employee of our company on such anniversary.

 

Stock Option Exercises and Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards

 

The following table provides certain information with respect to options that were exercised and shares of restricted stock that vested for each of our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
Name 

Number of

Share

Acquired on

Exercise

(#)

  

Value

Realized in

Exercise

($)

  

Number of

Shares

Acquired on

Vesting

(#)

  

Value

Realized in

Vesting

($)(1)

 
Chris Wolfe           25,000   $172,125 
Ned Mavrommatis           23,750   $149,775 
Michael L. Ehrman           23,750   $149,775 

 

(1) Represents the aggregate dollar value of the shares on the vesting date.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

The following table provides certain information concerning outstanding equity awards held by each of our Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2017.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

    

Option Awards

    

Stock Awards

 
Name   

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable

    

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Unexercisable

    

Option

Exercise

Price

($)

    

Option

Expiration

Date

    

Number of

Shares or

Units of Stock

That Have

Not Vested

(#)(1)

    

Market Value

of Shares or

Units of Stock

That Have

Not Vested

($)(2)

    

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares, Units

or Other

Rights That

Have Not

Vested

(#)

    

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Market Value

of Unearned

Shares, Units or Other

Rights That Have Not

Vested

($)

 
Chris Wolfe   25,000    75,000    5.21    8/4/2026(3)   75,000    520,500         
    25,000    75,000    4.70    12/7/2026(3)                
Ned Mavrommatis   16,000        7.41    2/27/2018(4)   60,374    418,996         
    17,061        4.55    3/30/2021(5)                
    40,541        5.93    3/29/2022(5)                
    40,842        5.71    4/4/2023(3)                
    7,500    22,500    4.37    3/24/2026(3)                
        50,000    6.00    2/17/2027(3)                
Michael L. Ehrman   16,000        7.41    2/27/2018(4)   56,207    390,077         
    30,488        3.54    6/29/2019(5)                
    44,643        2.84    2/5/2020(5)                
    14,217        4.55    3/30/2021(5)                
    33,784        5.93    3/29/2022(5)                
    34,035        5.71    4/4/2023(3)                
    7,500    22,500    4.37    3/24/2026(3)                
        37,500    6.00    2/17/2027(3)                

 

 

(1) Represents shares of our restricted common stock issued under the 2007 Plan and the 2015 Plan. With respect to Mr. Mavrommatis and Mr. Ehrman, includes restricted shares issued in connection with the election of each of Mr. Mavrommatis and Mr. Ehrman to reduce their annual base salaries for 2017 in exchange for restricted shares of the Company’s common stock
   
(2) Calculated based on $6.94 per share, the closing price per share of our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market, on December 29, 2017.
   
(3) These option awards vest over a four-year period, such that twenty-five percent (25%) of the award vests each year on the anniversary of the grant date, provided that the holder is employed by the Company on such date.
   
(4) These option awards vest over a five-year period, such that twenty percent (20%) of the award vests each year on the anniversary of the grant date, provided that the holder is employed by the Company on such date.
   
(5) One hundred percent (100%) of these option awards vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, provided that the holder is employed by the Company on such date.

 

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control under Severance Arrangements

 

As described above under the caption “Severance Arrangements,” the Company has entered into severance agreements with certain of its Named Executive Officers. These severance agreements provide for severance payments or other compensation upon the termination of the Named Executive Officer’s employment or a change in control with respect to the Company.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Our 1999 Stock Option Plan provides that all outstanding stock options, including stock options held by our executive officers, will become immediately exercisable, and the restrictions with respect to outstanding restricted shares will lapse, upon the occurrence of a “change in control event.” For this purpose, a “change in control event” will be deemed to occur if any of the following events occur: (i) the consummation of any merger of our Company with any other company unless the combined voting power of our voting securities outstanding immediately prior thereto continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 70% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of our Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; (ii) the consummation of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets; (iii) approval by our stockholders of a plan of liquidation of our Company; (iv) any action pursuant to which any person or group (as defined in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d) of the Exchange Act) will become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of our outstanding voting securities; or (v) the individuals who were members of our Board on May 14, 1999 (the date on which our 1999 Stock Option Plan was initially adopted by the Board), including any individuals who became or become directors after that date and whose election or nomination for election was approved by at least two-thirds of the directors of our Board, cease to constitute a majority of the members of our Board.

 

The 2007 Plan provides that, in the event of a consolidation or merger in which, after completion of any such transaction, our prior stockholders own less than 50% of the voting shares of the continuing or surviving entity, or in the event of the sale or transfer of substantially all of our assets, all outstanding options will become exercisable and all restrictions and/or forfeitures with respect to restricted stock awards and restricted stock units will lapse.

 

The 2015 Plan provides that the Compensation Committee may, at the time of the grant of an award, provide for the effect of a “change in control” on any award, including (i) accelerating or extending the time periods for exercising, vesting in, or realizing gain from any award, (ii) eliminating or modifying the performance or other conditions of an award, (iii) providing for the cash settlement of an award for an equivalent cash value, as determined by the Compensation Committee, or (iv) such other modification or adjustment to an award as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and interests of participants upon or following a change in control. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and without the need for the consent of any recipient of an award, also take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of a change in control: (a) cause any or all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights to become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part; (b) cause any other awards to become non-forfeitable, in whole or in part; (c) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for a substitute option; (d) cancel any award of restricted stock, stock units, performance shares or performance units in exchange for a similar award of the capital stock of any successor corporation; (e) redeem any restricted stock for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value of an unrestricted share of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (f) cancel any option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration based on the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control, and cancel any option or stock appreciation right without any payment if its exercise price exceeds the value of our common stock on the date of the change in control; (g) cancel any stock unit or performance units held by a participant affected by the change in control in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of the change in control, or (h) make such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding awards as the Compensation Committee deems necessary or appropriate.

 

32
 

 

For purposes of the 2015 Plan, a “change in control” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any person or group (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding the Company, its affiliates and any person holding securities under employee benefit plan or trust of the Company) is or becomes the beneficial owner of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of either the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities or the then outstanding shares of our common stock; (ii) any consolidation or merger of the Company where stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to such consolidation or merger, would not, immediately after such consolidation or merger, beneficially own shares representing in the aggregate 50% of more of the combined voting power of the securities of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the consolidation or merger; or (iii) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by persons in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale; (iv) the approval by stockholders of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (v) the members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive 24-calendar-month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided that any member of the Board whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved or ratified by a vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board then still in office who were members of the Board at the beginning of such 24-calendar-month period, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director.

 

Estimated Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

The following table shows potential payments to the Company’s Named Executive Officers under existing severance agreements, plans or arrangements in connection with a termination of employment or change in control with respect to the Company. The following table assumes a December 31, 2017 termination or change in control date, and uses the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 29, 2017 ($6.94). The disclosed amounts are estimates only and do not necessarily reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to the Named Executive Officer. These actual amounts would only be known at the time the Named Executive Officers become eligible for payment and would only be payable upon the termination of employment or change in control.

 

Name  Benefit  Non Change-in-Control Termination (Without Cause or for Good Reason) ($)   Change-in-Control Termination (Without Cause or for Good Reason) ($)   Change-in-Control Only ($) 
Chris Wolfe  Severance Pay  $217,500   $217,500     
   Exercise of Vested Stock Options Upon Termination      $297,750(2)  $297,750(2)
   Realization of Restricted Stock Awards Upon Termination      $520,500(4)  $520,500(4)
   Realization of Performance Share Awards Upon Termination            
   Benefit Continuation            
Ned Mavrommatis  Severance Pay  $283,250   $283,250     
   Exercise of Vested Stock Options Upon Termination  $24,248(1)  $104,825(2)  $104,825(2)
   Realization of Restricted Stock Awards Upon Termination  $119,997(3)  $418,996(4)  $418,996(4)
   Realization of Performance Share Awards Upon Termination            
   Benefit Continuation  $35,174   $35,174     
Michael L. Ehrman  Severance Pay  $283,250   $283,250     
   Exercise of Vested Stock Options Upon Termination  $21,800(1)  $93,075(2)  $93,075(2)
   Realization of Restricted Stock Awards Upon Termination  $113,972(3)  $390,077(4)  $390,077(4)
   Realization of Performance Share Awards Upon Termination            
   Benefit Continuation  $35,174   $35,174     

 

(1) Pursuant to the option award agreements entered into between the Company and each Named Executive Officer, options that have vested as of the date of termination of employment generally are exercisable for a period of three months following the date of termination (or 365 days, in the case of termination of employment resulting from death or disability). Moreover, the terms of the severance agreements entered into between the Company and each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman generally provide for accelerated vesting of a portion of the unvested options held by the individual in the event of termination of his employment for either of the following reasons (each, a “Trigger Event”): (i) the termination of the executive’s employment by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the severance agreements), or (ii) the executive’s resignation for “good reason” within six months following a “change in control event” (as each such term is defined in the severance agreements). Thus, the amounts reported in the table assume the exercise of any such stock options held by the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2017 that were in-the-money as of such date.
   
(2) The 2007 Plan provides that all outstanding options will become exercisable upon a change in control (as defined in the 2007 Plan). The 2015 Plan provides that upon or in anticipation of any change in control (as defined in the 2015 Plan), the Compensation Committee has the discretion to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding options. Thus, the amounts reported in the table assume the exercise of any outstanding stock options held by the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2017 that were in-the-money as of such date and that, with respect to option awards issued under the 2015 Plan, the Compensation Committee decided to accelerate the vesting of such outstanding options upon a change in control.
   
(3) The terms of the severance agreements entered into between the Company and each of Ned Mavrommatis and Michael L. Ehrman generally provide for accelerated vesting of a portion of the unvested restricted shares held by the individual upon the occurrence of a Trigger Event.  
   
(4) The 2007 Plan provides that all outstanding restricted stock awards will become fully vested upon a change in control (as defined in the 2007 Plan). The 2015 Plan provides that upon or in anticipation of any change in control (as defined in the 2015 Plan), the Compensation Committee has the discretion to accelerate the vesting of any outstanding restricted stock awards. The amounts reported in the table assume that, with respect to restricted stock awards issued under the 2015 Plan, the Compensation Committee decided to accelerate the vesting of such outstanding restricted stock upon a change in control.

 

33
 

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The members of the Compensation Committee are Kenneth Brakebill, Michael Casey and Ron Konezny. No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an executive officer or employee of our Company or except as set forth above under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” had any relationships requiring disclosure by us under the SEC’s rules requiring disclosure of certain relationships and related-party transactions. None of our executive officers served as a director or a member of a compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, the executive officers of which served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Risk Considerations

 

We do not believe that our compensation practices and policies for our employees, including our executive officers, create risks or are likely to create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us or our results of operations or financial condition.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of shares of our common stock as of April 26, 2018, by:

 

  each stockholder known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
     
  each of our executive officers named in the “Summary Compensation Table” in this Proxy Statement (these executive officers are sometimes referred to herein as the “Named Executive Officers”);
     
  each of our current directors and nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting; and
     
  all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.

 

To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to the table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting and disposition power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s or entity’s name. The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity, person, director or executive officer is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares over which the individual has the sole or shared voting power or investment power and any shares that the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 26, 2018, through the exercise of stock options, warrants or other convertible securities or any other right. Shares of our common stock that a person has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 26, 2018 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such rights but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person (except with respect to the percentage ownership of all directors and executive officers as a group). As used in this Proxy Statement, “voting power” is the power to vote or direct the voting of shares and “investment power” includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares.

 

34
 

 

The number and percentage of shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 17,634,904 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 26, 2018. The information in the following table regarding the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock is based upon information supplied by our principal stockholders or set forth in Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. The determination that there were no other persons, entities or groups known to the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock was based on a review of all statements filed with the SEC with respect to the Company pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange Act.

 

The address for those persons for which an address is not otherwise provided is c/o I.D. Systems, Inc., 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner   Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned          Percentage of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (1)  
5% Stockholders:                
Neil Subin                
3300 South Dixie Highway, Suite 1-365
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
    2,220,438 (2)     12.59 %
Emancipation Management LLC                
825 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
    1,722,293 (3)     9.77 %
Cannell Capital LLC                
245 Meriwether Circle
Alta, WY 83414
    1,698,684 (4)     9.63 %
Avis Budget Group, Inc.                
6 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
    1,000,000 (5)     5.67 %
                 
Executive Officers:                
Chris Wolfe     220,455 (6)     1.25 %
Ned Mavrommatis     338,389 (7)     1.91 %
Michael L. Ehrman     524,709 (8)     2.95 %
Directors:                
Kenneth Brakebill     106,942 (9)     *  
Michael Brodsky     206,924 (10)     1.17 %
Michael Casey     53,772 (11)     *  
Ron Konezny     106,129 (12)     *  
All directors and executive officers as a group (seven individuals)     1,557,320 (13)     8.60 %

 

 

* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

(1) Ownership percentages are based on 17,634,904 shares of common stock of the Company outstanding as of April 26, 2018.
   
(2) Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 23, 2018, Neil Subin beneficially owns an aggregate of 2,220,438 shares of the Company’s common stock, with sole voting and dispositive power over 2,212,538 shares and shared voting and dispositive power over 7,900 shares. Mr. Subin succeeded to the position of President and Manager of MILFAM LLC, which serves as manager, general partner or investment advisor of a number of entities formerly managed or advised by the late Lloyd I. Miller, III. Mr. Subin also serves as trustee of a number of Miller family trusts.
   
(3) Based on information contained in Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on January 22, 2018 and a Form 4 filed on February 16, 2018, Emancipation Management LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Emancipation Management”), and Charles Frumberg, a U.S. citizen who serves as the managing member of Emancipation Management, beneficially own an aggregate of 1,722,393 shares of the Company’s common stock, with shared voting and dispositive power over these shares. Emancipation Capital Master, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, beneficially owns an aggregate of 754,010 shares, with shared voting and dispositive power over these shares. Emancipation Capital SPV IV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Emancipation Capital LLC, a New York limited liability company, beneficially own an aggregate of 1,033,383 shares of the Company’s common stock, with shared voting and dispositive power over these shares.
   
(4) Based on information contained in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017, Cannell Capital LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company (“Cannell Capital”), and J. Carlo Cannell, a U.S. citizen who serves as the managing member of Cannell Capital, beneficially own an aggregate of 1,698,684 shares of the Company’s common stock, with shared voting and dispositive power over these shares.
   
(5) Based on information contained in Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on March 7, 2017, Avis Budget Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Avis”), beneficially owns 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, with sole voting and dispositive power over these shares.
   
(6) This number includes (i) 50,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018; (ii) 37,500 restricted shares of common stock, 33 1/3% of which shares vest on each of August 4, 2018, August 4, 2019 and August 4, 2020, provided that Mr. Wolfe is employed by the Company on each such date; (iii) 37,500 restricted shares of common stock, 33 1/3% of which shares vest on each of December 7, 2018, December 7, 2019 and December 7, 2020, provided that Mr. Wolfe is employed by the Company on each such date; and (iv) 70,850 restricted shares of common stock, 25% of which shares vest on each of February 24, 2019, February 24, 2020, February 24, 2021 and February 24, 2022.

 

35
 

 

(7) This number includes (i) 125,944 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018; (ii) 12,500 restricted shares of common stock, 100% of which shares vest on September 8, 2018, provided that Mr. Mavrommatis is employed by the Company on such date; (iii) 15,000 restricted shares of common stock, 50% of which shares vest on each of June 11, 2018 and June 11, 2019, provided that Mr. Mavrommatis is employed by the Company on each such date; (iv) 7,500 restricted shares of common stock, 50% of which shares vest on each of March 24, 2019 and March 24, 2020, provided that Mr. Mavrommatis is employed by the Company on each such date; (v) 12,500 restricted shares of common stock, 33 1/3% of which shares vest on each of February 17, 2019, February 17, 2020 and February 17, 2021, provided that Mr. Mavrommatis is employed by the Company on each such date; and (vi) 53,981 restricted shares of common stock, 25% of which shares vest on each of February 24, 2019, February 24, 2020, February 24, 2021 and February 24, 2022, provided that Mr. Mavrommatis is employed by the Company on each such date.
   
(8) This number includes (i) 181,542 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018; (ii) 12,500 restricted shares of common stock, 100% of which shares vest on September 8, 2018, provided that Mr. Ehrman is employed by the Company on such date; (iii) 15,000 restricted shares of common stock, 50% of which shares vest on each of June 11, 2018 and June 11, 2019, provided that Mr. Ehrman is employed by the Company on each such date; (iv) 7,500 restricted shares of common stock, 50% of which shares vest on each of March 24, 2019 and March 24, 2020, provided that Mr. Ehrman is employed by the Company on each such date; (v) 9,375 restricted shares of common stock, 33 1/3% of which shares vest on each of February 17, 2019, February 17, 2020 and February 17, 2021, provided that Mr. Ehrman is employed by the Company on each such date; (vi) 22,942 restricted shares of common stock, 25% of which shares vest on each of February 24, 2019, February 24, 2020, February 24, 2021 and February 24, 2022, provided that Mr. Ehrman is employed by the Company on each such date and (vii) 250 shares of our common stock held by Mr. Ehrman’s spouse.
   
(9) This number includes (i) 19,406 restricted shares of our common stock, all of which vest on June 15, 2018 provided that Mr. Brakebill is a director of the Company on such date; and (ii) 33,750 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018.
   
(10) This number includes (i) 23,317 restricted shares of our common stock, all of which vest on June 15, 2018, provided that Mr. Brodsky is a director of the Company on such date; (ii) 76,000 shares of Common Stock held by Vajra Fund I, L.P., of which Mr. Brodsky is the general partner; and (iii) 46,250 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018.
   
(11) This number includes (i) 20,609 restricted shares of our common stock, all of which vest on June 15, 2018, provided that Mr. Casey is a director of the Company on such date; and (ii) 11,250 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018
   
(12) This number includes (i) 19,706 restricted shares of our common stock, all of which vest on June 15, 2018, provided that Mr. Konezny is a director of the Company on such date; and (ii) 33,750 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018.
   
(13) This number includes an aggregate of 482,486 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of options which are currently exercisable or which will become exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2018.

 

36
 

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC statements on Form 3, Form 4 and Form 5 of ownership and changes in ownership. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports that they file.

 

Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments to those forms that have been furnished to us, we believe that all parties subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) filed all such required reports during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

37
 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2

 

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee has appointed the firm of EisnerAmper LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the current fiscal year, subject to the ratification of such appointment by our stockholders. Representatives of EisnerAmper LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

Fees and Services of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm

 

Audit Fees

 

The aggregate fees billed by EisnerAmper LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services rendered for (i) the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, (ii) for the review of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, (iii) for the review of the financial statements included in our Current Report on Form 8-K during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and (iv) for the filing of a registration statement on Form S-3 and issuance of comfort letters and consents in connection with a public offering during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 were $314,000. The aggregate fees billed by EisnerAmper LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services rendered for (i) the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and (ii) for the review of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 were $170,000.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

Other than the fees described under the caption “Audit Fees” above, there were no fees billed by EisnerAmper LLP for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Tax Fees

 

There were no fees billed by EisnerAmper LLP for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning during fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

All Other Fees

 

The aggregate fees billed by EisnerAmper LLP for products or professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, other than services described under the captions “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees” above, were $0.

 

Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The Audit Committee pre-approves all services, including both audit and non-audit services, provided by our independent accountants. For audit services, each year the independent registered public accounting firm provides the Audit Committee with an engagement letter outlining the scope of the audit services proposed to be performed during the year, which must be formally accepted by the Audit Committee before the audit commences. The independent registered public accounting firm also submits an audit services fee proposal, which also must be approved by the Audit Committee before the audit commences. None of the fees for services described above under the captions “Audit-Related Fees” or “All Other Fees” approved by the Audit Committee were approved pursuant to the exception provided by paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EISNERAMPER LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018.

 

38
 

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3

 

APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF

THE I.D. SYSTEMS, INC. 2018 INCENTIVE PLAN

 

The Board has adopted and is seeking stockholder approval of the I.D. Systems, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), including the authority to issue 1,500,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, and similar events) under the 2018 Incentive Plan. The Board is proposing a new plan rather than simply amending its existing 2015 Plan because recent changes in tax laws make certain of the provisions in its 2015 Plan (including those related to Section 162(m) of the Code) unnecessary with respect to prospective awards. The Board adopted the 2018 Incentive Plan on April 25, 2018, subject to stockholder approval of the 2018 Plan at the Annual Meeting. Awards will not be made under the 2018 Plan until stockholder approval is obtained for the 2018 Plan.

 

The Board believes that an adequate reserve of shares available for issuance is necessary to enable the Company to attract, motivate, and retain key employees, directors, advisors to and consultants of the Company, its affiliates and/or its subsidiaries through the use of competitive incentives that are tied to stockholder value. For this purpose, subject to the approval of stockholders, the Board adopted the 2018 Plan based in part on a belief that the number of shares currently available under the Company’s existing equity incentive plans does not allow for sufficient authority and flexibility to adequately provide for future incentives. If our stockholders do not approve the 2018 Plan, there are insufficient shares available under the Company’s existing equity incentive plans to make grants to new and continuing employees and non-employee directors. In that event, the Compensation Committee would be required to revise its compensation philosophy and create other non-equity related compensation programs to attract, retain and compensate executives, non-employee directors and other key employees.

 

The 2018 Plan will become effective on the date it is approved by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”). Upon stockholder approval, this 2018 Plan will be the only long-term incentive plan under which equity compensation may then be awarded to our employees, consultants, and members of the Board. Awards currently outstanding under the 1999 Stock Option Plan, the 2007 Plan, the 2009 Plan and the 2015 Plan will remain outstanding under such plans in accordance with their terms.

 

New Plan Benefits

 

It is not possible to determine specific amounts that may be awarded in the future under the 2018 Plan because grants of awards under the 2018 Plan are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

 

Summary of the 2018 Plan

 

The following is a summary of the material terms of the 2018 Plan. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Form of 2018 Incentive Plan attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A, which assumes that this Proposal 3 is approved.

 

Purpose

 

The 2018 Plan allows the Company to provide employees, consultants and all members of the Board who are selected to receive awards under the 2018 Plan the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company. The Board believes that equity incentives are a significant factor in attracting and motivating eligible persons whose present and potential contributions are important to the Company.

 

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Key Provisions

 

The following is a summary of the key provisions of the 2018 Plan:

 

Plan Termination Date: Ten years from the Effective Date
   
Eligible Participants: Employees, directors, consultants and advisors (except that only employees are eligible for Incentive Stock Options)
   
Shares Authorized: The sum of: (i) 1,500,000 shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of common stock of the Company which remain available for grants of options or other awards under the 2009 Plan and the 2015 Plan as of the Effective Date, plus (iii) the number of shares that, after the Effective Date, would again become available for issuance pursuant to the reserved share replenishment provisions of the 2009 Plan and the 2015 Plan as a result of stock options issued thereunder expiring or becoming unexercisable for any reason before being exercised in full, or, as a result of restricted stock being forfeited to the Company or repurchased by the Company pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing such shares.
   
Award Types:

(1) Incentive Stock Options

(2) Non-qualified Stock Options

(3) Restricted Stock

(4) Stock Appreciation Rights

(5) Performance Bonus Awards

(6) Deferred Stock

(7) Restricted Stock Units

(8) Dividend Equivalents

(9) Performance Stock Units

(10) Performance Share Awards

(11) Other Stock-Based Awards

   
Vesting: Determined by the Compensation Committee. Subject to the acceleration of vesting in certain circumstances as permitted under the terms of the 2018 Plan, each award under the 2018 Plan will have a minimum vesting period of one year, except that the Compensation Committee may determine in its discretion that up to 5% of the shares of common stock which may be issued under the 2018 Plan may be granted free of such minimum vesting provisions.
   
Not Permitted: Repricing of stock options and amendments that under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) or NASDAQ rules require stockholder approval
   
Incentive Stock Option Limit: No more than 1,000,000 shares may be issued pursuant to incentive stock options
   
Limitation on Number of Shares Granted to Independent Directors: The sum of the grant date fair value of equity-based awards and the amount of any cash-based awards granted to a non-employee director during any calendar year, under the 2018 Plan, may not exceed $500,000

 

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Awards under the 2018 Plan

 

Stock Options. The 2018 Plan permits the Compensation Committee to issue incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to participants, which directly link their financial success to that of the Company’s stockholders. The Compensation Committee shall determine the number of shares subject to options and all other terms and conditions of the options, including vesting requirements. In no event, however, may the exercise price of a stock option be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the stock option’s grant, nor may any option have a term of more than ten years. Except for adjustments based on changes in the corporate structure or as otherwise provided in the 2018 Plan, the terms of an option may not be amended to reduce the exercise price nor may options be canceled or exchanged for cash, other awards or options with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options.

 

Additionally, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power all classes of stock of the Company, such incentive stock option shall be granted at a price that is not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of fair market value on the date of grant and such incentive stock option shall be exercisable for no more than five (5) years from the date of grant.

 

As of April 26, 2018, the fair market value of a share of our common stock was $6.66.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. The 2018 Plan permits the Compensation Committee to issue stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), either free-standing or in tandem with stock options. The Compensation Committee shall determine the number of SARs to be granted and other terms and conditions of the SARs. In no event, however, may the exercise of a SAR be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, and the terms shall not exceed ten years. SARs may be settled in cash, stock, or a combination of both.

 

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The 2018 Plan permits the Compensation Committee to grant restricted stock awards. Each share of restricted stock shall be subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions, and/or limitations, if any, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, including, but not by way of limitation, restrictions on transferability and continued employment. Holders of shares of restricted stock may vote the shares and receive dividends on such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a share of restricted stock, dividends shall only be paid out to the extent that the share of restricted stock vests. The vesting period for restricted stock shall be determined by the Compensation Committee, which may accelerate the vesting of any such award. The Compensation Committee may also grant restricted stock units, which have substantially the same terms as restricted stock, except that units have no voting rights, and unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, will not receive dividends or dividend equivalents (which in an event shall only be paid out to the extent that the restricted stock units vest). The Compensation Committee may also grant unrestricted stock under this provision.

 

Performance Shares and Performance Stock Units. The 2018 Plan permits the Compensation Committee to issue “performance shares” and “performance stock units.” These are contingent incentive awards that are converted into stock and/or cash and paid out to the participant only if specific performance goals are achieved over performance periods, as set by the Compensation Committee. If the performance goals are not achieved, the awards are canceled or reduced. Performance shares are each equivalent in value to a share of common stock (payable in cash and/or stock), while performance stock units are equal to a specific amount of cash.

 

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Stock Payments and Other Stock-Based Awards. The 2018 Plan also permits the Compensation Committee to grant awards of deferred stock, dividend equivalents, other stock-based awards, and performance bonus awards as provided in the 2018 Plan.

 

Eligible for Participation. Persons eligible to participate in the 2018 Plan include employees, directors, consultants and advisors, as determined by the Compensation Committee. Approximately 120 employees and four nonemployee directors currently are eligible to participate in the 2018 Plan.

 

Available Shares. The 2018 Plan authorizes the issuance of an aggregate number of shares of common stock equal to the sum of: (i) 1,500,000 shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of common stock of the Company which remain available for grants of options or other awards under the 2009 Plan and the 2015 Plan as of the Effective Date, plus (iii) the number of shares that, after the Effective Date, would again become available for issuance pursuant to the reserved share replenishment provisions of the 2009 Plan and the 2015 Plan as a result of, stock options issued thereunder expiring or becoming unexercisable for any reason before being exercised in full, or, as a result of restricted stock being forfeited to the Company or repurchased by the Company pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing such shares. In the event of a stock split, stock dividend, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company, as described in the 2018 Plan, affecting the shares that may be issued under the 2018 Plan, an adjustment shall be made in the number and class of shares which may be delivered under the 2018 Plan (including but not limited to individual grant limits). Upon termination of the 2018 Plan, no further awards may be issued under the 2018 Plan.

 

Minimum Vesting. Subject to the acceleration of vesting in certain circumstances as permitted under the terms of the 2018 Plan, each award under the 2018 Plan will have a minimum vesting period of one year, except that the Compensation Committee may determine in its discretion that up to 5% of the shares of common stock which may be issued under the 2018 Plan may be granted free of such minimum vesting provisions.

 

Other Information. The 2018 Plan may be amended in whole or in part by the Board or the Compensation Committee with the approval of the Board and in certain circumstances with stockholder approval. Unless the Compensation Committee provides otherwise in advance of the grant, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2018 Plan), if the employee is terminated other than for “cause” within one year of a Change in Control or leaves for “Good Reason,” options and restricted stock (including restricted stock units) shall vest. In addition, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, the payout of performance stock units and performance shares shall be determined exclusively by the attainment of the performance goals established by the Compensation Committee, which may not be modified after the Change in Control, and the Company will not have the right to reduce the awards for any other reason. “Good Reason” means in connection with a termination of employment by a participant within one year following a Change in Control, (a) a material adverse alteration in the participant’s position or in the nature or status of the participant’s responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (b) any material reduction in the participant’s base salary rate or target annual bonus, in each case as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (c) the relocation of the participant’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than 50 miles from the location where the participant was principally employed at the time of the Change in Control or materially increases the time of the participant’s commute as compared to the participant’s commute at the time of the Change in Control (except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the participant’s customary business travel obligations in the ordinary course of business prior to the Change in Control).

 

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In addition, the 2018 Plan provides that if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with the financial reporting requirements of the securities laws, in certain cases the Compensation Committee may require the repayment of amounts paid under the 2018 Incentive Plan in excess of what the employee would have received under the accounting restatement.

 

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The following summary is intended only as a general guide to the U.S. federal income tax consequences under current law of equity-based awards that may be granted under the 2018 Plan. It does not attempt to describe all possible federal or other tax consequences of participation in the 2018 Plan or tax consequences based on particular circumstances. The exact federal income tax treatment of transactions under the 2018 Plan will vary depending upon the specific facts and circumstances involved and participants are advised to consult their personal tax advisors with regard to all consequences arising from the grant or exercise of awards and the disposition of any acquired shares.

 

Incentive Stock Options. Incentive stock options under the 2018 Plan are intended to be eligible for the favorable tax treatment accorded “incentive stock options” under the Code. There generally are no federal income tax consequences to the participant or the Company by reason of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. However, the exercise of an incentive stock option may increase the participant’s alternative minimum tax liability, if any.

 

If a participant holds stock acquired through exercise of an incentive stock option for at least two (2) years from the date on which the option is granted and at least one (1) year from the date on which the shares are transferred to the participant upon exercise of the option, any gain or loss on a disposition of such stock will be treated for tax purposes as long-term capital gain or loss.

 

Generally, if the participant disposes of the stock before the expiration of either of these holding periods (a “disqualifying disposition”), then at the time of disposition the participant will realize taxable ordinary income equal to the lesser of (a) the excess of the stock’s fair market value on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (b) the participant’s actual gain, if any, on the purchase and sale. The participant’s additional gain (or any loss) upon the disqualifying disposition will be a capital gain (or loss), which will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one (1) year.

 

To the extent the participant recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying disposition, the Company will generally be entitled to a corresponding business expense deduction in the tax year in which the disqualifying disposition occurs.

 

Non-qualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock. Non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and deferred stock granted under the 2018 Plan generally have the following federal income tax consequences:

 

There are no tax consequences to the participant or the Company by reason of the grant of a non-qualified stock option. Upon exercise of the option, the participant ordinarily will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stock’s fair market value on the exercise date over the exercise price. If the stock received pursuant to the exercise is subject to further vesting requirements, the taxable event will be delayed until the vesting restrictions lapse unless the participant elects under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed on receipt of the stock.

 

There are no tax consequences to the participant or the Company by reason of the grant of restricted stock, restricted stock units or deferred stock awards. The participant ordinarily will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stock’s fair market value over the purchase price, if any, when such award vests. Under certain circumstances, the participant may be permitted to elect under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed on the grant date.

 

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With respect to employees, the Company is generally required to withhold from regular wages or supplemental wage payments an amount based on the ordinary income recognized. The Company will generally be entitled to a business expense deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the participant.

 

Upon disposition of the stock, the participant will generally recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for such stock (if any) plus any amount recognized as ordinary income upon acquisition (or vesting) of the stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on whether the stock was held for more than one (1) year.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. No taxable income is generally recognized upon the receipt of a SAR, but upon exercise of the SAR, the fair market value of the shares (or cash in lieu of shares) received generally will be taxable as ordinary income to the recipient in the year of such exercise. The Company generally will be entitled to a compensation deduction for the same amount which the recipient recognizes as ordinary income.

 

Performance Awards. A participant who has been granted a performance award generally will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction at that time. When an award is paid, whether in cash or common shares, the participant generally will recognize ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction.

 

Stock Payments and Other Stock-Based Awards. A participant who receives a stock payment in lieu of a cash payment that would otherwise have been made will generally be taxed as if the cash payment has been received, and the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction for the same amount.

 

Section 409A of the Code. Most of the awards under the 2018 Incentive Plan are exempt from Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any award hereunder could be subject to Section 409A of the Code, it will be structured to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

 

Section 162(m) of the Code. The Tax Reform and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) generally eliminated the ability to deduct compensation qualifying for the “performance-based compensation” exception under Section 162(m) of the Code for tax years commencing after December 31, 2017. Section 162(m) of the Code imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to anyone who has ever been the Company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer or one of the three highest compensated officers in any fiscal year beginning after December 31, 2016 (i.e., a “covered employee”). For 2017 and prior taxable years, an exception to this deduction limit applied to “performance-based compensation,” such as stock options and other equity awards that satisfied certain criteria. Under the Tax Act, the performance-based pay exception to Section 162(m) was eliminated, but a transition rule may allow the exception to continue to apply to certain performance-based compensation payable under written binding contracts that were in effect on November 2, 2017. The Board of Directors and the committee intend to consider the potential impact of Section 162(m) on grants made under the 2018 Incentive Plan, but reserve the right to approve grants of options and other awards for an executive officer that exceeds the deduction limit of Section 162(m). The adoption of the 2018 Incentive Plan is not intended to affect the grandfathered status of awards previously granted under the Company’s existing equity incentive plans that were intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m).

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE I.D. SYSTEMS, INC. 2018 INCENTIVE PLAN.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 4

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

In accordance with recently adopted Section 14A of the Exchange Act, which was added under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, we are asking stockholders to approve an advisory resolution on the Company’s executive compensation as reported in this Proxy Statement. Our executive compensation programs are designed to support the Company’s long-term success. As described above in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee has structured our executive compensation program to achieve the following key objectives:

 

  to provide a total rewards package to our executives that are competitive with our peer companies;
     
  to attract and retain key talent;
     
  to link pay to performance by providing incentives that promote short and long-term financial growth and stability to continuously enhance stockholder value.

 

We believe that our performance-based executive compensation programs provide incentives that are aligned with the best interests of our stockholders and have facilitated the Company’s performance.

 

We urge stockholders to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and related compensation tables and narrative contained herein, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The Board believes that the policies and procedures articulated in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our Named Executive Officers reported in this Proxy Statement has supported and contributed to the Company’s success.

 

Accordingly, we are asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of I.D. Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables and narrative in the Proxy Statement relating to the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” resolution, is non-binding on the Board. Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully review and consider the voting results when evaluating our executive compensation program.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL NO. 4 AND APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

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STOCKHOLDERS’ PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING

 

Stockholder proposals to be presented at our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019, for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, must be received by us at our principal executive offices, 123 Tice Boulevard, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey 07677, addressed to the Corporate Secretary, on or before January 7, 2019. If, however, our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date of the Annual Meeting, the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Such stockholder proposals must comply with our bylaws and the requirements of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act.

 

Rule 14a-4 of the Exchange Act governs our use of our discretionary proxy voting authority with respect to a stockholder proposal that is not addressed in the proxy statement. With respect to our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019, if we are not provided notice of a stockholder proposal prior to March 23, 2019, we will be permitted to use its discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the meeting, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors is not aware of any matters, other than those stated above, that may be brought before the Annual Meeting. The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy or their substitutes will vote with respect to any such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

 

  By order of the Board of Directors,
   
  /s/ Ned Mavrommatis
   
  Ned Mavrommatis
  Corporate Secretary
   
Dated: April 30, 2018  

 

A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 (EXCLUDING EXHIBITS) ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THE ANNUAL REPORT IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS PROXY SOLICITING MATERIAL OR AS A COMMUNICATION BY MEANS OF WHICH ANY SOLICITATION IS TO BE MADE.

 

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I.D. SYSTEMS, INC.

 

2018 Incentive Plan

 

Article 1

 

Establishment and Purpose

 

1.1 Establishment of the Plan. I.D. Systems Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby establishes an incentive compensation plan (the “Plan”), as set forth in this document.

 

1.2 Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company by linking the personal interests of Participants to those of the Company’s stockholders, and by providing Participants with an incentive for outstanding performance.

 

1.3 Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan is effective as of the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”). The Plan will be deemed to be approved by the stockholders if it receives the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Company present or represented and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Company’s Bylaws. The I.D. Systems, Inc. 2015 Equity Compensation Plan and the 2009 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan (the “Prior Plans”) shall be frozen on the date on which this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders and no new awards shall be issued under the Prior Plans. With respect to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans, the Prior Plans shall remain in place and any awards granted under the Prior Plans shall continue to be subject to the terms of the Prior Plans and applicable Award Agreements (as defined below) (including any such terms that are intended to survive the termination of the Prior Plans or the settlement of such Award (as defined below)) and shall remain in effect pursuant to their terms.

 

1.4 Duration of the Plan. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, the Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from the Effective Date. After the Plan is terminated, no Awards may be granted but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the Plan’s terms and conditions.

 

Article 2

 

Definitions

 

Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below and, when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word is capitalized:

 

2.1 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question, including any subsidiary. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. As used herein, the term “subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, venture or other entity in which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, a fifty percent (50%) or greater ownership interest.

 

2.2 “Applicable Law” means any applicable law, including without limitation: (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.

 

2.3 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant or award under this Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock (including unrestricted Stock), Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units, Performance Shares, Deferred Stock Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards, Dividend Equivalent Awards and Performance Bonus Awards, in each case subject to the terms of the Plan.

 

   
 

 

2.4 “Award Agreement” means an agreement, certificate, resolution or other type or form of writing or other evidence approved by the Committee which sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award. An Award Agreement may be in any electronic medium, may be limited to a notation on the books and records of the Company and, with the approval of the Committee, need not be signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and an Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall govern.

 

2.5 “Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficial Ownership” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

2.6 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

2.7 “Cause” means (i) conviction of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or any other crime that causes the Company or its Affiliates public disgrace or disrepute, or materially and adversely affects the Company’s or its Affiliates’ operations or financial performance or the relationship the Company has with its customers, (ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including, without limitation fraud, embezzlement, theft or proven dishonesty in the course of his or her employment; (iii) refusal to perform any lawful, material obligation or fulfill any duty (other than any duty or obligation of the type described in clause (v) below) to the Company or its Affiliates (other than due to a Disability), which refusal, if curable, is not cured within 10 days after delivery of written notice thereof; (iv) material breach of any agreement with or duty owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates, which breach, if curable, is not cured within 10 days after the delivery of written notice thereof; or (v) any breach of any obligation or duty to the Company or any of its Affiliates (whether arising by statute, common law or agreement) relating to confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation or proprietary rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant and the Company (or any of its Affiliates) have entered into an employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement that specifically defines “cause,” then with respect to such Participant, “Cause” shall have the meaning defined in that employment agreement, consulting agreement or other agreement.

 

2.8 “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:

 

(a) any Person, other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

(b) during any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the Company and any new Director whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of a majority of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof;

 

(c) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

 

(d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or any portion of an Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

 

 2 
 

 

The Committee shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

2.9 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder.

 

2.10 “Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

2.11 “Company” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.

 

2.12 “Consultant” means any consultant or advisor who renders bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, other than as an Employee or Director, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not, directly or indirectly, promote or maintain a market for the Company’s or its Affiliates’ securities.

 

2.13 “Deferred Stock” means a right to receive a specified number of shares of Stock during specified time periods pursuant to Article 9.

 

2.14 “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

2.15 “Disability” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, absence of an Employee from work under the relevant Company or Subsidiary long term disability plan; provided, however, that to entitle a Participant to an extended exercise period for an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant must be described in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards subject to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or (ii) of the Code.

 

2.16 “Dividend Equivalent” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 9 to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Stock) of dividends paid on Stock.

 

2.17 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

 

2.18 “Eligible Person” means any person who is an employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any Affiliate, or any person who is determined by the Committee to be a prospective employee, officer, director, consultant, advisor or other individual service provider of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

2.19 “Employee” means any person employed by the Company, its Affiliates and/or Subsidiaries; provided, that, for purposes of determining eligibility to receive Incentive Stock Options, an Employee shall mean an employee of the Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. Mere service as a Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company or an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate.

 

2.20 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor Act thereto.

 

2.21 “Exercise Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option, as determined by the Committee.

 

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2.22 “Fair Market Value” or “FMV” means, as of any date, the value of Stock determined as follows:

 

(a) If the Stock is listed on one or more established stock exchanges or national market systems, including, without limitation, the NASDAQ Global Select Market, The NASDAQ Global Market or The NASDAQ Capital Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such Stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on the principal exchange or system on which the Stock is listed (as determined by the Committee) on the date of determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last immediately preceding trading date such closing sales price or closing bid was reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;

 

(b) If the Stock is regularly quoted on an automated quotation system (including the OTC Bulletin Board) or by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such Stock as quoted on such system or by such securities dealer on the date of determination, but if selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Stock on the date of determination (or, if no such prices were reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or

 

(c) In the absence of an established market for the Stock of the type described in (a) and (b), above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Committee in good faith using any reasonable method of valuation, which method may be set forth with greater specificity in the Award Agreement, (and, to the extent necessary or advisable, in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code and Section 422 of the Code for Incentive Stock Options), which determination shall be conclusive and binding on all interested parties. Such reasonable method may be determined by reference to (i) the placing price of the latest private placement of the Shares and the development of the Company’s business operations and the general economic and market conditions since such latest private placement; (ii) other third party transactions involving the Shares and the development of the Company’s business operation and the general economic and market conditions since such sale; (iii) an independent valuation of the Shares (by a qualified valuation expert) or (iv) such other methodologies or information as the Committee determines to be indicative of Fair Market Value.

 

2.23 “Good Reason” means, unless the applicable Award Agreement states otherwise, (i) if an Employee or Consultant is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or its Affiliates and such agreement provides for a definition of “good reason,” the definition contained therein, or (ii) if no such agreement exists or if such agreement does not define “good reason,” in connection with a Termination of Employment by a Participant within one (1) year following a Change in Control, (1) a material adverse alteration in the Participant’s position or in the nature or status of the Participant’s responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (2) any material reduction in the Participant’s base salary rate or target annual bonus, in each case as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (3) the relocation of the Participant’s principal place of employment to a location that is more than fifty (50) miles from the location where the Participant was principally employed at the time of the Change in Control or materially increases the time of the Participant’s commute as compared to the Participant’s commute at the time of the Change in Control (except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with the Participant’s customary business travel obligations in the ordinary course of business prior to the Change in Control).

 

In order to invoke a Termination of Employment for Good Reason, a Participant must provide written notice to the Company or the Employer with respect to which the Participant is employed or providing services of the existence of one or more of the conditions constituting Good Reason within ninety (90) days following the Participant’s knowledge of the initial existence of such condition or conditions, specifying in reasonable detail the conditions constituting Good Reason, and the Company shall have thirty (30) days following receipt of such written notice (the “Cure Period”) during which it may remedy the condition. In the event that the Company or the Employer fails to remedy the condition constituting Good Reason during the applicable Cure Period, the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) must occur, if at all, within one (1) year following such Cure Period in order for such termination as a result of such condition to constitute a Termination of Employment for Good Reason.

 

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2.24 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and that meets the requirements set out in the Plan.

 

2.25 “Insider” means an individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, director, or ten percent (10%) beneficial owner of the Company, as those terms are defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, who is required to file reports pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

2.26 “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee of the Company.

 

2.27 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option that, by its terms, does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

2.28 “Option” means the right to purchase Stock granted to a Participant in accordance with Article 6. Options granted under the Plan may be Non-Qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options or a combination thereof.

 

2.29 “Other Stock-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of the Plan, granted pursuant to Article 9.

 

2.30 “Participant” means an Eligible Person to whom an Award is granted under the Plan.

 

2.31 “Performance Goal” means any goals established by the Committee pursuant to an Award.

 

2.32 “Performance Period” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, Performance Stock Units and Performance Shares.

 

2.33 “Performance Stock Unit” and “Performance Share” each mean an Award granted to an Employee pursuant to Article 9 herein.

 

2.34 “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act (or any successor form thereto), or to any other transferee specifically approved by the Committee after taking in to account Applicable Law, but excluding any third-party financial institutions.

 

2.35 “Person” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

 

2.36 “Plan” means this I.D. Systems, Inc. 2018 Incentive Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

2.37 “Prior Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

 

2.38 “Restricted Stock” means Stock awarded to a Participant pursuant to Article 8 as to which the Restriction Period has not lapsed.

 

2.39 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8.9 as to which the Restriction Period has not lapsed.

 

2.40 “Restriction Period” means the period when Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), as provided in Article 8.

 

2.41 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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2.42 “Share” means a share of Stock of the Company.

 

2.43 “Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

 

2.44 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted pursuant to Article 9 to receive an amount payable in cash or Shares equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares on the date the SAR is exercised over (ii) the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date the SAR was granted as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

2.45 “Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership, venture, unincorporated association or other entity in which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, a fifty percent (50%) or greater ownership interest, provided, however, that with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, a Subsidiary must be a corporation. The Committee may, at its sole discretion, designate, on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine, any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, venture, or other entity a Subsidiary for purposes of this Plan.

 

2.46 “Ten Percent Owner” means a person who owns, or is deemed within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code to own, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary corporations of the Company, as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code). Whether a person is a Ten Percent Owner shall be determined with respect to an Option based on the facts existing immediately prior to the grant date of the Option.

 

2.47 “Termination of Employment” or a similar reference means the event where the Employee is no longer an Employee of the Company or of any Subsidiary, including but not limited to where the employing company ceases to be a Subsidiary. With respect to any Participant who is not an Employee, “Termination of Employment” shall mean cessation of the performance of services. With respect to any Award that provides “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, “Termination of Employment” shall mean a “separation from service” as defined under Section 409A of the Code. Military or sick leave or other bona fide leave shall not be deemed a termination of employment, provided that it does not exceed the longer of three (3) months or the period during which the absent Participant’s reemployment rights, if any, are guaranteed by statute or by contract.

 

2.48 “Treasury Regulation” or “Treas. Reg.” means any regulation promulgated under the Code, as such regulation may be amended from to time.

 

Article 3

 

Administration

 

3.1 Committee. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”). Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more members of the Board each of whom is (a) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and (b) an “independent director” under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or any similar rule or listing requirement that may be applicable to the Company from time to time); provided, that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 3.1 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to all Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and for purposes of such Awards the term “Committee” as used in this Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (b) the Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 3.4. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters which under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment; Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board; and vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board.

 

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3.2 Authority of the Committee. Subject to the general purposes, terms and conditions of this Plan and Applicable Law, and to the direction of the Board, the Committee shall have complete control over the administration of the Plan and shall have sole authority to (a) exercise all of the powers granted to it under the Plan, (b) construe, interpret and implement the Plan, grant terms and grant notices, and all Award Agreements, (c) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules governing its own operations, (d) make all determinations necessary or advisable in administering the Plan, (e) correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, (f) amend the Plan to reflect changes in applicable law (whether or not the rights of the holder of any Award are adversely affected, unless otherwise provided by the Committee), (g) grant Awards and determine who shall receive Awards, when such Awards shall be granted and the terms and conditions of such Awards, including, but not limited to, conditioning the exercise, vesting, payout or other term of condition of an Award on the achievement of Performance Goals, (h) unless otherwise provided by the Committee, amend any outstanding Award in any respect, not materially adverse to the Participant, including, without limitation, to (1) accelerate the time or times at which the Award becomes vested, unrestricted or may be exercised (and, in connection with such acceleration, the Committee may provide that any Shares acquired pursuant to such Award shall be restricted Shares, which are subject to vesting, transfer, forfeiture or repayment provisions similar to those in the Participant’s underlying Award), (2) accelerate the time or times at which Shares are delivered under the Award (and, without limitation on the Committee’s rights, in connection with such acceleration, the Committee may provide that any shares of Stock delivered pursuant to such Award shall be Restricted Shares, which are subject to vesting, transfer, forfeiture or repayment provisions similar to those in the Participant’s underlying Award), or (3) waive or amend any goals, restrictions or conditions applicable to such Award, or impose new goals, restrictions and (i) determine at any time whether, to what extent and under what circumstances and method or methods (1) Awards may be (A) settled in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property (in which event, the Committee may specify what other effects such settlement will have on the Participant’s Award), (B) exercised or (C) canceled, forfeited or suspended, (2) Shares, other securities, cash, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award may be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant or of the Committee, or (3) Awards may be settled by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their designees. No Award may be made under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

3.3 Committee Decisions Final. The act or determination of a majority of the Committee shall be the act or determination of the Committee and any decision reduced to writing and signed by all of the members of the Committee shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a majority at a meeting duly held. The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, agents, and other persons, any of whom may be an Employee, and the Committee, the Company, and its officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions, or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and all related orders or resolutions shall be final and binding upon the Participants, the Company, and all other interested persons, including but not limited to the Company, its stockholders, Employees, Participants, and their estates and beneficiaries.

 

3.4 Delegation of Authority. The Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 3; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable Organizational Documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 3.4 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority.

 

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3.5 Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to applicable law, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

Article 4

 

Shares Subject to the Plan

 

4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, the aggregate number of Shares of Stock which may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be the sum of: (i) 1,500,000 shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of common stock of the Company which remain available for grants of options or other awards under the Prior Plans as of the Effective Date, plus (iii) the number of Shares that, after the Effective Date, would again become available for issuance pursuant to the reserved share replenishment provisions of the Prior Plans as a result of, stock options issued thereunder expiring or becoming unexercisable for any reason before being exercised in full, or, as a result of restricted stock being forfeited to the Company or repurchased by the Company pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing such shares. The share replenishment provision of the immediately preceding clause (iii) shall be effective regardless of whether the Prior Plans have terminated or remain in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order that the applicable regulations under the Code relating to Incentive Stock Options be satisfied, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered upon exercise of Incentive Stock Options shall be 1,000,000, as adjusted under Sections 4.2 and 4.3. Shares of Stock issued pursuant to the Plan may be either authorized but unissued Shares or Shares held by the Company in its treasury.

 

4.2 Share Accounting. Without limiting the discretion of the Committee under this section, the following rules will apply for purposes of the determination of the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan or compliance with the foregoing limits:

 

(a) If an outstanding Award for any reason expires or is terminated or canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if Shares acquired pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture are forfeited under the terms of the Plan or the relevant Award, the Shares allocable to the terminated portion of such Award or such forfeited Shares shall again be available for issuance under the Plan.

 

(b) Shares shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash, other than an Option.

 

(c) If the exercise price of an Option is paid by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of Shares owned by the Participant, or an Option is settled without the payment of the exercise price, or the payment of taxes with respect to any Award is settled by a net exercise, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of shares for which the Option is exercised or other Awards that have vested.

 

4.3 Adjustments in Authorized Plan Shares and Outstanding Awards. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, separation, split-up, liquidation, Share combination, Stock split, Stock dividend, an extraordinary cash distribution on Stock, a corporate separation or other reorganization or liquidation or other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company affecting the Shares, an adjustment shall be made in a manner consistent with Sections 422 and 424(h)(3) of the Code for Incentive Stock Options and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code for Non-Qualified Stock Options and in the number and class of and/or price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards granted under the Plan, and/or the number of outstanding Options, Shares of Restricted Stock, and Performance Shares (and Restricted Stock Units, Performance Stock Units and other Awards whose value is based on a number of Shares) constituting outstanding Awards, as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in this Section) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. Adjustments under this Section 4.3 shall be consistent with Section 409A of the Code and adjustments pursuant to determination of the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on all Participants under the Plan.

 

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4.4 Limitation on Number of Shares Granted to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the sum of the grant date Fair Market Value of equity-based Awards and the amount of any cash-based Awards granted to a Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

 

Article 5

 

Eligibility and Participation

 

5.1 Eligibility and Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from all Eligible Persons, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine, in its sole discretion, the nature of, any and all terms permissible by law, and the amount of each Award. In making this determination, the Committee may consider any factors it deems relevant, including without limitation, the office or position held by a Participant or the Participant’s relationship to the Company, the Participant’s degree of responsibility for and contribution to the growth and success of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, the Participant’s length of service, promotions and potential. No individual shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan, or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award. In addition, there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated.

 

5.2 Foreign Participants. In order to assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign countries, the Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy, or custom. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of, the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose; provided, however, that no such supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 4.1 of the Plan.

 

Article 6

 

Options

 

6.1 Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms and conditions, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, subject to the limitations set forth in Article 4 and the following terms and conditions:

 

(a) Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the terms and conditions of the Option, including the Exercise Price, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which an Option shall become vested and exercisable, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(b) Exercise Period. Unless a shorter period is otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant, each Option will expire on the tenth (10th) anniversary date of its grant or on the fifth (5th) anniversary of its grant date if the Participant is a Ten Percent Owner.

 

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(c) Exercise Price. Unless a greater Exercise Price is determined by the Committee, the Exercise Price for each Option awarded under this Plan shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted.

 

(d) Vesting of Options. Subject to Section 13.1, a grant of Options shall vest at such times and under such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee including, without limitation, suspension of a Participant’s vesting during all or a portion of a Participant’s leave of absence.

 

6.2 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. In addition to the general requirements of Article 6, the terms of any ISO granted pursuant to the Plan must comply with the provisions of this Section 6.2.

 

(a) ISO Eligibility. ISOs may be granted only to Employees of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary corporation (as permitted under Sections 422 and 424 of the Code). No ISO Award may be made pursuant to this Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date.

 

(b) ISO Individual Dollar Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the Option is granted) of all Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code. To the extent that Incentive Stock Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

(c) ISO Expiration. An ISO will expire and may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

 

(i) Ten (10) years from the date of grant, unless an earlier time is set in the Award Agreement;

 

(ii) Three (3) months after the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment other than on account of Disability or death. Whether a Participant continues to be an employee shall be determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.421-1(h)(2); and

 

(iii) One (1) year after the date of the Participant’s Termination of Employment on account of Disability or death. Upon the Participant’s Disability or death, any ISOs exercisable at the Participant’s Disability or death may be exercised by the Participant’s legal representative or representatives, by the person or persons entitled to do so pursuant to the Participant’s last will and testament, or, if the Participant fails to make testamentary disposition of such ISO or dies intestate, by the person or persons entitled to receive the ISO pursuant to the applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

Any ISO that remains exercisable pursuant to a Participant’s agreement with the Company following Termination of Employment and is unexercised more than one (1) year following Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability or more than three (3) months following Termination of Employment for any reason other than death or Disability will thereafter be deemed to be a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(d) Ten Percent Owners. In the case of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Owner, such ISO shall be granted at an exercise price that is not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and, unless a shorter period is otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant, each ISO will expire on the fifth (5th) anniversary of its grant date.

 

(e) Notification of Disposition. If a Participant disposes of Shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO within two (2) years from the date the Option is granted or within one (1) year after the issuance of such Shares to the Participant, the Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition and provide information regarding the date of disposition, sale price, number of Shares disposed of, and any other information relating thereto that the Company may reasonably request.

 

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(f) Right to Exercise. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant.

 

(g) Failure to Meet ISO Requirements. If an Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, and if, for any reason, such Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a Non-Qualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan; provided that such Option (or portion thereof) otherwise complies with the Plan’s requirements relating to Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

6.3 Exercise of Options.

 

(a) Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant. Exercises of Options may be effected only on days and during the hours NASDAQ is open for regular trading. The Company may change or limit the times or days Options may be exercised. If an Option expires on a day or at a time when exercises are not permitted, then the Options may be exercised no later than the immediately preceding date and time that the Options were exercisable.

 

(b) An Option shall be exercised by providing notice to the designated agent selected by the Company (if no such agent has been designated, then to the Company), in the manner and form determined by the Company, which notice shall be irrevocable, setting forth the exact number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and including with such notice payment of the Exercise Price, as applicable. When an Option has been transferred, the Company or its designated agent may require appropriate documentation that the person or persons exercising the Option, if other than the Participant, has the right to exercise the Option. No Option may be exercised with respect to a fraction of a Share.

 

6.4 Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, the following limitations on the exercise of Options shall apply upon Termination of Employment:

 

(a) Termination by Death or Disability. In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability, all outstanding Options granted to such Participant which are vested and exercisable as of the effective date of Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability may be exercised, if at all, no more than one (1) year from such date of Termination of Employment, unless the Options, by their terms, expire earlier. All unvested Options granted to such Participant shall immediately become forfeited as of the date of Termination of Employment.

 

(b) Involuntary Termination Without Cause. If a Participant’s Termination of Employment is by involuntary termination without Cause, all Options held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Employment may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of three (3) months from the date of such Termination of Employment, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Options. All Options held by the Participant which are not vested on or before the effective date of Termination of Employment shall immediately be forfeited to the Company (and the Shares subject to such forfeited Options shall once again become available for issuance under the Plan).

 

(c) Voluntary Termination. If a Participant’s Termination of Employment is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.4(d)), all Options held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Employment may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of three (3) months from the date of such Termination of Employment, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated terms of such Options. All Options held by the Participant which are not vested on or before the effective date of Termination of Employment shall immediately be forfeited to the Company (and the Shares subject to such forfeited Options shall once again become available for issuance under the Plan).

 

(d) Termination for Cause. If the Participant’s Termination of Employment (i) is by the Company for Cause or (ii) is a voluntary Termination (as provided in Subsection (c) above) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for Termination of Employment for Cause, all outstanding Options held by the Participant shall immediately be forfeited to the Company and no additional exercise period shall be allowed, regardless of the vested status of the Options (and the Shares subject to such forfeited Options shall once again become available for issuance under the Plan).

 

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(e) Other Terms and Conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish different, or waive, terms and conditions pertaining to the effect of Termination of Employment on Options, whether or not the Options are outstanding, but no such modification shall shorten the terms of Options issued prior to such modification or otherwise be materially adverse to the Participant.

 

6.5 Payment. The Committee shall determine the methods by which payments by any Participant with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan may be paid and the form of payment. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Exercise Price shall be paid in full at the time of exercise. No Shares shall be issued or transferred until full payment has been received or the next business day thereafter, as determined by the Company. The Committee may, from time to time, determine or modify the method or methods of exercising Options or the manner in which the Exercise Price is to be paid. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in full or in part, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, payment may be made by any of the following:

 

(a) cash or certified or bank check;

 

(b) delivery of Shares owned by the Participant duly endorsed for transfer to the Company, with a Fair Market Value of such Shares delivered on the date of delivery equal to the Exercise Price (or portion thereof) due for the number of Shares being acquired;

 

(c) if the Company has designated a stockbroker to act as the Company’s agent to process Option exercises, an Option may be exercised by issuing an exercise notice together with instructions to such stockbroker irrevocably instructing the stockbroker: (i) to immediately sell (which shall include an exercise notice that becomes effective upon execution of a sale order) a sufficient portion of the Shares to be received from the Option exercise to pay the Exercise Price of the Options being exercised and the required tax withholding, and (ii) to deliver on the settlement date the portion of the proceeds of the sale equal to the Exercise Price and tax withholding to the Company. In the event the stockbroker sells any Shares on behalf of a Participant, the stockbroker shall be acting solely as the agent of the Participant, and the Company disclaims any responsibility for the actions of the stockbroker in making any such sales. However, if the Participant is an Insider, then the instruction to the stock broker to sell in the preceding sentence is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) of the Exchange Act to the extent permitted by law. No Shares shall be issued until the settlement date and until the proceeds (equal to the Exercise Price and tax withholding) are paid to the Company;

 

(d) at any time, the Committee may, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, provide that an Option may be “stock settled,” which shall mean upon exercise of an Option, the Company may fully satisfy its obligation under the Option by delivering that number of shares of Stock found by taking the difference between (i) the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the exercise date, multiplied by the number of Options being exercised and (ii) the total Exercise Price of the Options being exercised, and dividing such difference by the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the exercise date; or

 

(e) any combination of the foregoing methods.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company shall be permitted to pay the Exercise Price of an Option in any method which would violate Section 13(h) of the Exchange Act.

 

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Article 7

 

Stock Appreciation Rights

 

7.1 Grant of SARs. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more SARs. SARs may be granted alone or in tandem with Options. Each SAR shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. With respect to SARs granted in tandem with Options, the exercise of either such Options or such SARs shall result in the simultaneous cancellation of the same number of tandem SARs or Options, as the case may be.

 

7.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share covered by a SAR granted pursuant to the Plan shall be equal to or greater than Fair Market Value on the date the SAR was granted.

 

7.3 Term. The term of each SAR shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, but in no event shall the term exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.

 

7.4 Payment. SARs may be settled in the form of cash, shares of Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Stock, as determined by the Committee.

 

7.5 Other Provisions. Except as the Committee may deem inappropriate or inapplicable in the circumstances, SARs shall be subject to terms and conditions substantially similar to those applicable to Non-Qualified Options as set forth in Article 6.

 

Article 8

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant shares of Restricted Stock to eligible Employees in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. In addition to any other terms and conditions imposed by the Committee, vesting of Restricted Stock may be conditioned upon the achievement of Performance Goals.

 

8.2 Restricted Stock Agreement. The Committee may require, as a condition to receiving a Restricted Stock Award, that the Participant enter into a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award. In lieu of a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, the Committee may provide the terms and conditions of an Award in a notice to the Participant of the Award, on the Stock certificate representing the Restricted Stock, in the resolution approving the Award, or in such other manner as it deems appropriate. If certificates representing the Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, any certificates so issued shall be printed with an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award as determined or authorized in the sole discretion of the Committee. Shares recorded in book-entry form shall be recorded with a notation referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award as determined or authorized in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Committee may require that the stock certificates or book-entry registrations evidencing shares of Restricted Stock be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Participant deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock covered by such Award.

 

8.3 Restrictions. Subject to Section 13.1, the Restricted Stock shall be subject to such vesting terms, including the achievement of Performance Goals, as may be determined by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, to the extent Restricted Stock is subject to any condition to vesting, if such condition or conditions are not satisfied by the time the period for achieving such condition has expired, such Restricted Stock shall be forfeited. The Committee may impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including but not limited to a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each share of Restricted Stock and/or restrictions under Applicable Law. The Committee may also grant Restricted Stock without any terms or conditions in the form of vested Stock Awards.

 

8.4 Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8 or otherwise provided in the grant thereof, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant after completion of all conditions to vesting, if any. However, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to immediately vest the shares and waive all or part of the restrictions and conditions with regard to all or part of the shares held by any Participant at any time.

 

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8.5 Voting Rights, Dividends and Other Distributions. Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights and, subject to the provisions of this Section 8.5, may receive all dividends and distributions paid with respect to such Shares. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall automatically be subject to the same restrictions and conditions as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. In addition, with respect to a share of Restricted Stock, dividends shall only be paid out to the extent that the Share of Restricted Stock vests. Any cash dividends and stock dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account, and interest may be credited on the amount of the cash dividends withheld at a rate and subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, if applicable, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends.

 

8.6 Termination of Employment Due to Death or Disability. In the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment by reason of death or Disability, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all restrictions imposed on outstanding Shares of Restricted Stock held by the Participant shall immediately lapse and the Restricted Stock shall immediately become fully vested as of the date of Termination of Employment.

 

8.7 Termination of Employment for Other Reasons. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, in the event of the Participant’s Termination of Employment for any reason other than those specifically set forth in Section 8.6 herein, subject to Section 10.2, all shares of Restricted Stock held by the Participant which are not vested as of the effective date of Termination of Employment shall immediately be forfeited and returned to the Company.

 

8.8 Section 83(b) Election. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Section 83(b) of the Code. If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code concerning a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall be required to file a copy of such election with the Company within thirty (30) days following the date of grant.

 

8.9 Restricted Stock Units. In lieu of or in addition to Restricted Stock, the Committee may grant Restricted Stock Units under such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 3.2. Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions under this Plan as Restricted Stock except as otherwise provided in this Plan or as otherwise provided by the Committee. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, the award shall be settled and paid out promptly upon vesting (to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code), and the Participant holding such Restricted Stock Units shall receive, as determined by the Committee, Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the number of Shares as of the date the Award becomes payable) equal to the number of such Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units shall not be transferable, shall have no voting rights, and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, shall not receive dividends or Dividend Equivalents (which in any event shall only be paid out to the extent that the Restricted Stock Units vest). Upon a Participant’s Termination of Employment due to death or Disability, the Committee will determine whether there should be any acceleration of vesting.

 

Article 9

 

Other Types of Awards

 

9.1 Performance Share Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Share awards which shall be denominated in a number of shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

 

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9.2 Performance Stock Units. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Performance Stock Unit awards which shall be denominated in units of value including dollar value of shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

 

9.3 Dividend Equivalents. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted Dividend Equivalents based on the dividends declared on the Shares that are subject to any Award, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award is exercised, vests or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional shares of Stock by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee, in a matter consistent with the rules of Section 409A of the Code; provided that, to the extent Shares subject to an Award are subject to vesting conditions, any Dividend Equivalents relating to such Shares shall be subject to the same vesting conditions.

 

9.4 Deferred Stock. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted an award of Deferred Stock in the manner determined from time to time by the Committee. The number of shares of Deferred Stock shall be determined by the Committee and may be linked to the Performance Criteria or other specific performance criteria determined to be appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. Stock underlying a Deferred Stock Award will not be issued until the Deferred Stock Award has vested, pursuant to a vesting schedule or performance criteria set by the Committee. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, a Participant awarded Deferred Stock shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Deferred Stock until such time as the Deferred Stock Award has vested and the Stock underlying the Deferred Stock Award has been issued.

 

9.5 Other Stock-Based Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Awards that provide Participants with shares of Stock or the right to purchase shares of Stock or that have a value derived from the value of, or an exercise or conversion privilege at a price related to, or that are otherwise payable in shares of Stock and which may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Goals or other specific performance criteria determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee. In making such determinations, the Committee shall consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of Award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

 

9.6 Performance Bonus Awards. Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted one or more Awards in the form of a cash bonus (a “Performance Bonus Award”) payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Committee, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Committee.

 

9.7 Term. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of any Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents, Deferred Stock, Other Stock-Based Award and Performance Bonus Award shall be set by the Committee in its discretion.

 

9.8 Exercise or Purchase Price. The Committee may establish the exercise or purchase price, if any, of any Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Deferred Stock, Other Stock-Based Award and Performance Bonus Award; provided, however, that such price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.

 

9.9 Exercise Upon Termination of Employment or Service. An Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Deferred Stock, Other Stock-Based Award and Performance Bonus Award shall only be exercisable or payable while the Participant is an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, as applicable; provided, however, that the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may provide that an Award of Performance Shares, Performance Stock Units, Deferred Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, Other Stock-Based Award and Performance Bonus Award may be exercised or paid subsequent to a Termination of Employment without Cause. In the event of the Termination of Employment of a Participant by the Company for Cause, all Awards under this Article 9 shall be forfeited by the Participant to the Company.

 

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9.10 Form of Payment. Payments with respect to any Awards granted under this Article 9 shall be made in cash, in Stock or a combination of both, as determined by the Committee.

 

9.11 Award Agreement. All Awards under this Article 9 shall be subject to such additional terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement.

 

Article 10

 

Change in Control

 

10.1 Vesting Upon Change in Control. For the avoidance of doubt, the Committee may not accelerate the vesting and exercisability (as applicable) of any outstanding Awards, in whole or in part, solely upon the occurrence of a Change in Control except as provided in this Section 10.1. In the event of a Change in Control after the date of the adoption of the Plan, then:

 

(a) to the extent an outstanding Award subject solely to time-based vesting is not assumed or replaced by a comparable Award referencing shares of the capital stock of the successor corporation or its “parent corporation” (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) or “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) which is publicly traded on a national stock exchange or quotation system, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and the exercise prices, if applicable, then any outstanding Award subject solely to time-based vesting then held by Participants that is unexercisable, unvested or still subject to restrictions or forfeiture shall, in each case as specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise, be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested, as the case may be, as of immediately prior to such Change in Control;

 

(b) all Awards that vest subject to the achievement of any performance goal, target performance level, or similar performance-related requirement shall, in each case as specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise, either (A) be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor; or (B) automatically vest based on: (1) actual achievement of any applicable Performance Goals through the date of the Change in Control, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; or (2) achievement of target performance levels (or the greater of actual achievement of any applicable Performance Goals through the date of the Change in Control, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and target performance levels); provided that in the case of vesting based on target performance levels, such Awards shall also be prorated based on the portion of the Performance Period elapsed prior to the Change in Control; and, in the case of this clause (B), shall be paid at the earliest time permitted under the terms of the applicable agreement, plan or arrangement that will not trigger a tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code, as determined by the Committee; and

 

(c) Each outstanding Award that is assumed in connection with a Change in Control, or is otherwise to continue in effect subsequent to the Change in Control, will be appropriately adjusted, immediately after the Change in Control, as to the number and class of securities and other relevant terms in accordance with Section 4.3.

 

10.2 Termination of Employment Upon Change in Control. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, and except as may otherwise be provided in any applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement entered into between the Company or Affiliate and a Participant, upon (i) a Participant’s involuntary Termination of Employment without Cause on or within one (1) year following a Change in Control, or (ii) a Participant’s Termination of Employment for Good Reason (including the Termination of Employment of the Participant if he or she is employed by an Affiliate at the time the Company sells or otherwise divests itself of such Affiliate), all outstanding Awards shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable; provided that Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the grant without regard to the Change in Control unless the Change in Control constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and such Termination of Employment occurs within one (1) year following such Change in Control, in which case the Restricted Stock Units shall be settled and paid out with such Termination of Employment.

 

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10.3 Cancellation and Termination of Awards. The Committee may, in connection with any merger, consolidation, share exchange or other transaction entered into by the Company in good faith, determine that any outstanding Awards granted under the Plan, whether or not vested, will be canceled and terminated and that in connection with such cancellation and termination the holder of such Award may receive for each Share subject to such Award a cash payment (or the delivery of shares of stock, other securities or a combination of cash, stock and securities equivalent to such cash payment) equal to the difference, if any, between the amount determined by the Committee to be the Fair Market Value of the Stock and the purchase price per Share (if any) under the Award multiplied by the number of Shares subject to such Award; provided that if such product is zero or less or to the extent that the Award is not then exercisable, the Award will be canceled and terminated without payment therefor.

 

Article 11

 

Amendment, Modification, and Termination

 

11.1 Amendment, Modification, and Termination of Plan. At any time and from time to time, the Board may amend, modify, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part, without stockholder approval; provided, however, that (a) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any Applicable Law, regulation, or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, and (b) stockholder approval is required for any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of shares available under the Plan (other than any adjustment as provided by Section 4.3) or the number of shares available for issuance as ISOs, or (ii) permits the Committee to grant Options with an Exercise Price that is below Fair Market Value on the date of grant, or (iii) permits the Committee to extend the exercise period for an Option beyond ten (10) years from the date of grant, or (iv) results in a material increase in benefits or a change in eligibility requirements, or (v) change the granting corporation or (vi) the type of stock.

 

11.2 Amendment of Awards. Subject to Section 4.3, at any time and from time to time, the Committee may amend the terms of any one or more outstanding Awards, provided that the Award as amended is consistent with the terms of the Plan or if necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or an Award Agreement to any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature (including, without limitation, Section 409A and, to the extent applicable, Section 162(m) of the Code), and to the administrative regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, absent approval of the stockholders of the Company, no Option may be amended to reduce the per share Exercise Price of the shares subject to such Option below the per share exercise price as of the date the Option is granted and, except as permitted by Section 4.3, no Option may be granted in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of an Option having a higher per share Exercise Price.

 

11.3 Awards Previously Granted. No termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan or any Award shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award; provided, however, that any such modification made for the purpose of complying with Section 409A of the Code may be made by the Company without the consent of any Participant.

 

11.4 Repricing and Backdating Prohibited. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, except as provided under Section 4.3 and Section 11.2, neither the Committee nor any other person may (i) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the exercise or grant price of such outstanding Options or SARs; (ii) cancel outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for Options or SARs with an exercise or grant price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or SARs; or (iii) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an exercise or grant price above the current Share price in exchange for cash or other securities. In addition, the Committee may not make a grant of an Option or SAR with a grant date that is effective prior to the date the Committee takes action to approve such Award.

 

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Article 12

 

Withholding

 

12.1 Tax Withholding. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, the Company shall deduct or withhold any amount needed to satisfy any foreign, federal, state, or local tax (including but not limited to the Participant’s employment tax obligations) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising or as a result of this Plan (“Withholding Taxes”).

 

12.2 Share Withholding. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, upon the exercise of Options, the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock, the vesting of Restricted Stock Units the distribution of Performance Shares in the form of Stock, or any other taxable event hereunder involving the transfer of Stock to a Participant, the Company shall withhold Stock equal in value, using the Fair Market Value on the date determined by the Company to be used to value the Stock for tax purposes, to the Withholding Taxes applicable to such transaction.

 

Any fractional Share of Stock payable to a Participant shall be withheld as additional Federal withholding, or, at the option of the Company, paid in cash to the Participant.

 

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, when the method of payment for the Exercise Price is from the sale by a stockbroker pursuant to Section 6.5(c), herein, of the Stock acquired through the Option exercise, then the tax withholding shall be satisfied out of the proceeds. For administrative purposes in determining the amount of taxes due, the sale price of such Stock shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of the Stock.

 

If permitted by the Committee, prior to the end of any Performance Period a Participant may elect to have a greater amount of Stock withheld from the distribution of Performance Shares to pay withholding taxes; provided, however, the Committee may prohibit or limit any individual election or all such elections at any time.

 

Alternatively, or in combination with the foregoing, the Committee may require Withholding Taxes to be paid in cash by the Participant or by the sale of a portion of the Stock being distributed in connection with an Award, or by a combination thereof.

 

The withholding of taxes is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) of the Exchange Act to the extent permitted by law.

 

Article 13

 

General Provisions Applicable to Awards

 

13.1 Minimum Vesting. Subject to Section 10.1, each Award shall have a minimum vesting period of one (1) year; provided that the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that up to five percent (5%) of the Shares available for issuance under the Plan may be granted free of such minimum vesting requirements.

 

13.2 Form of Payment. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Award Agreement and any Applicable Law, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or any Affiliate on the grant, exercise, or settlement of any Award may be made in such form as determined by the Committee including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, other property, or any combination thereof, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or any combination thereof, in each case determined by rules adopted by the Committee.

 

13.3 Treatment of Dividends and Dividend Equivalents on Unvested Awards. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, with respect to any Award that provides for or includes a right to dividends or Dividend Equivalents, if dividends are declared during the period that an equity Award is outstanding, such dividends (or Dividend Equivalents) shall either (i) not be paid or credited with respect to such Award or (ii) be accumulated but remain subject to vesting requirement(s) to the same extent as the applicable Award and shall only be paid at the time or times such vesting requirement(s) are satisfied.

 

13.4 Limits on Transfer.

 

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.4(b),

 

(i) no Award may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issues, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;

 

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(ii) no Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for or otherwise subject to the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy) unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed, and any attempted disposition of an Award prior to satisfaction of these conditions shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 13.4(a)(i); and

 

(iii) during a Participant’s lifetime, only the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative may exercise an Award (or any portion thereof) granted to him or her under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a domestic relations order. After a Participant’s death, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, be exercised by such Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

 

(b) Notwithstanding Section 13.4(a), the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is intended to become a Nonqualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant without consideration, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than (A) to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant or (B) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Committee, pursuant to a domestic relations order; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award to any person other than another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant); and (iii) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the receiving Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Committee, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under Applicable Law and (C) evidence the transfer. In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 13.4(a), hereof, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and other Applicable Law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.

 

13.5 Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding Section 13.4, if provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than fifty percent (50%) of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.

 

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13.6 Forfeiture Events/Representations. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement at the time of the Award that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events shall include, but shall not be limited to, termination of Service for Cause, violation of material Company policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company. The Committee may also specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be conditioned upon the Participant making a representation regarding compliance with noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant and providing that the Participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment on account of a breach of such representation. In addition and without limitation of the foregoing, any amounts paid hereunder shall be subject to recoupment in accordance with The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any implementing regulations thereunder, any “clawback” policy adopted by the Company or as is otherwise required by applicable law or stock exchange listing condition.

 

13.7 No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

13.8 Reservation of Stock. The Company shall at all times during the term of the Plan and any outstanding Awards granted hereunder reserve or otherwise keep available such number of Shares of Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan (if then in effect) and the Awards and shall pay all fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith.

 

13.9 Reimbursement of Company for Unearned or Ill-gotten Gains. Unless otherwise specifically provided in an Award Agreement, and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, the Committee may, without obtaining the approval or consent of the Company’s shareholders or of any Participant, require that any Participant who personally engaged in one of more acts of fraud or misconduct that have caused or partially caused the need for such restatement or any current or former chief executive officer, chief financial officer, or executive officer, regardless of their conduct, to reimburse the Company in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, if the Award constitutes “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation,” for all or any portion of any Awards granted or settled under this Plan (with each such case being a “Reimbursement”), or the Committee may require the termination or rescission of, or the recapture associated with, any Award, in excess of the amount the Participant would have received under the accounting restatement.

 

13.10 Delay in Payment. To the extent required in order to avoid the imposition of any interest and/or additional tax under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code, any amount that is considered deferred compensation under the Plan or Award Agreement and that is required to be postponed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, following the a Participant’s Termination of Employment shall be delayed for six (6) months if a Participant is deemed to be a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(i)(B) of the Code; provided that, if the Participant dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of the postponed amount, the amounts withheld on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the executor or administrator of the decedent’s estate within 60 days following the date of his death. A “Specified Employee” means any Participant who is a “key employee” (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to paragraph (5) thereof), as determined by the Company in accordance with its uniform policy with respect to all arrangements subject to Section 409A of the Code, based upon the twelve (12) month period ending on each December 31st (the “Identification Period”). All Participants who are determined to be key employees under Section 416(i) of the Code (without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) during the identification period shall be treated as Specified Employees for purposes of the Plan during the twelve (12) month period that begins on the first day of the 4th month following the close of such identification period.

 

Article 14

 

Successors

 

All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

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Article 15

 

Miscellaneous Provisions

 

15.1 Substitute Awards in Corporate Transactions. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Committee to grant Awards under the Plan in connection with the acquisition, whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or other corporate transaction, of the business or assets of any corporation or other entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan to an employee or director of another corporation who becomes an Eligible Person by reason of any such corporate transaction in substitution for awards previously granted by such corporation or entity to such person. The terms and conditions of the substitute Awards may vary from the terms and conditions that would otherwise be required by the Plan solely to the extent the Committee deems necessary for such purpose. Any shares of Stock subject to these substitute Awards shall not be counted against any of the maximum share limitations set forth in the Plan.

 

15.2 409A Compliance. It is intended that all Awards issued under the Plan be in a form and administered in a manner that will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, or the requirements of an exception to Section 409A of the Code, and the Award Agreement and this Plan will be construed and administered in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to such intent. The Committee is authorized to adopt rules or regulations deemed necessary or appropriate to qualify for an exception from or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. With respect to an Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code: (i) if any amount is payable under such Award upon a termination of service, a termination of service will be treated as having occurred only at such time the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code; (ii) if any amount is payable under such Award upon a disability, a disability will be treated as having occurred only at such time the Participant has experienced a “disability” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code; (iii) if any amount is payable under such Award on account of the occurrence of a Change in Control, a Change in Control will be treated as having occurred only at such time a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” has occurred as such terms are defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, (iv) if any amount becomes payable under such Award on account of a Participant’s separation from service at such time as the Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, then no payment shall be made, except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, prior to the first business day after the earlier of (y) the date that is six months after the date of the Participant’s separation from service or (z) the Participant’s death, (v) any right to receive any installment payments under this Plan shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment hereunder shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment, and (vi) no amendment to or payment under such Award will be made except and only to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Plan or any Award Agreement is not warranted or guaranteed, and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

15.3 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. All elections and transactions under the Plan by persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act involving shares of Stock are intended to comply with any applicable exemptive condition under Rule 16b-3. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish and adopt written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business thereunder.

 

15.4 Unfunded Status of the Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation, and the Plan is not intended to constitute a plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Stock or payments with respect to Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards hereunder, provided, however, that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.

 

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15.5 Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of stock options and restricted stock other than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

 

15.6 Investment Representations. The Company shall be under no obligation to issue any shares covered by any Award unless the shares to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan have been effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Participant shall have made such written representations to the Company (upon which the Company believes it may reasonably rely) as the Company may deem necessary or appropriate for purposes of confirming that the issuance of such shares will be exempt from the registration requirements of that Act and any applicable state securities laws and otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to that the Participant is acquiring the shares for his or her own account for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such shares.

 

15.7 Registration. If the Company shall deem it necessary or desirable to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or other applicable statutes any Shares of Stock issued or to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, or to qualify any such Shares of Stock for exemption from the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or other applicable statutes, then the Company shall take such action at its own expense. The Company may require from each recipient of an Award, or each holder of Shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan, such information in writing for use in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or offering circular as is reasonably necessary for that purpose and may require reasonable indemnity to the Company and its officers and directors from that holder against all losses, claims, damage and liabilities arising from use of the information so furnished and caused by any untrue statement of any material fact therein or caused by the omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made. In addition, the Company may require of any such person that he or she agree that, without the prior written consent of the Company or the managing underwriter in any public offering of Shares of Stock, he or she will not sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, pledge or otherwise encumber, or otherwise dispose of, any shares of Stock during the 180 day period commencing on the effective date of the registration statement relating to the underwritten public offering of securities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section 15.7, if in connection with any underwritten public offering of securities of the Company the managing underwriter of such offering requires that the Company’s directors and officers enter into a lock-up agreement containing provisions that are more restrictive than the provisions set forth in the preceding sentence, then (a) each holder of shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan (regardless of whether such person has complied or complies with the provisions of clause (b) below) shall be bound by, and shall be deemed to have agreed to, the same lock-up terms as those to which the Company’s directors and officers are required to adhere; and (b) at the request of the Company or such managing underwriter, each such person shall execute and deliver a lock-up agreement in form and substance equivalent to that which is required to be executed by the Company’s directors and officers.

 

15.8 Placement of Legends; Stop Orders; etc. Each share of Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may bear a reference to the investment representation made in accordance with Section 15.4 in addition to any other applicable restriction under the Plan, the terms of the Award and to the fact that no registration statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect to such shares of Stock. All shares of Stock or other securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any certificates or recorded in connection with book-entry accounts representing the shares to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

15.9 Uncertificated Shares. To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Shares, the transfer of such Shares may be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law.

 

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15.10 Limitation of Rights in Stock. A Participant shall not be deemed for any purpose to be a stockholder of the Company with respect to any of the Shares of Stock subject to an Award, unless and until Shares shall have been issued therefor and delivered to the Participant or his agent. Any Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to all restrictions upon the transfer thereof which may be now or hereafter imposed by the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company.

 

15.11 Employment Not Guaranteed. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company (or any Affiliate) to terminate any Participant’s Employment at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company (or any Affiliate), subject to the terms of any separate employment or consulting agreement or provision of law or corporate articles or by-laws to the contrary, at any time to terminate such employment or consulting agreement or to increase or decrease, or otherwise adjust, the other terms and conditions of the recipient’s employment or other association with the Company and its Affiliates.

 

15.12 Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

15.13 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

 

15.14 Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

15.15 Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to Applicable Law and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

15.16 Errors. At any time the Company may correct any error made under the Plan without prejudice to the Company. Such corrections may include, among other things, changing or revoking an issuance of an Award.

 

15.17 Elections and Notices. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, all elections and notices of every kind shall be made on forms prepared by the Company or the General Counsel, Secretary or Assistant Secretary, or their respective delegates or shall be made in such other manner as permitted or required by the Company or the General Counsel, Secretary or Assistant Secretary, or their respective delegates, including but not limited to elections or notices through electronic means, over the Internet or otherwise. An election shall be deemed made when received by the Company (or its designated agent, but only in cases where the designated agent has been appointed for the purpose of receiving such election), which may waive any defects in form. The Company may limit the time an election may be made in advance of any deadline.

 

Where any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Company under the Plan, it shall be delivered to the principal office of the Company, directed to the attention of the General Counsel of the Company or his or her successor. Such notice shall be deemed given on the date of delivery.

 

Notice to the Participant shall be deemed given when mailed (or sent by telecopy) to the Participant’s work or home address as shown on the records of the Company or, at the option of the Company, to the Participant’s e-mail address as shown on the records of the Company.

 

It is the Participant’s responsibility to ensure that the Participant’s addresses are kept up to date on the records of the Company. In the case of notices affecting multiple Participants, the notices may be given by general distribution at the Participants’ work locations.

 

15.18 Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by Federal law, the Plan, and all awards and agreements hereunder, and any and all disputes in connection therewith, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict or choice of law principles which might otherwise refer the construction, interpretation or enforceability of this Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.

 

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15.19 Venue. The Company and the Participant to whom an Award under this Plan is granted, for themselves and their successors and assigns, irrevocably submit to the exclusive and sole jurisdiction and venue of the state or federal courts of Delaware with respect to any and all disputes arising out of or relating to this Plan, the subject matter of this Plan or any awards under this Plan, including but not limited to any disputes arising out of or relating to the interpretation and enforceability of any awards or the terms and conditions of this Plan. To achieve certainty regarding the appropriate forum in which to prosecute and defend actions arising out of or relating to this Plan, and to ensure consistency in application and interpretation of the Governing Law to the Plan, the parties agree that (a) sole and exclusive appropriate venue for any such action shall be an appropriate federal or state court in Delaware, and no other, (b) all claims with respect to any such action shall be heard and determined exclusively in such Delaware court, and no other, (c) such Delaware court shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction over the person of such parties and over the subject matter of any dispute relating hereto and (d) that the parties waive any and all objections and defenses to bringing any such action before such Delaware court, including but not limited to those relating to lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue or forum non conveniens.

 

15.20 No Obligation to Notify. The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any holder of an Option to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Option. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending transaction or expiration of an Option or a possible period in which the Option may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Option to the holder of such Option.

 

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