UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by Registrantx

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

¨Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
xDefinitive Proxy Statement
¨Definitive Additional Materials
¨Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

BLACK DIAMOND, INC.CLARUS CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

 

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

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¨Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

 

(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5)Total fee paid:

 

¨Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

 

¨Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

(1)Amount Previously Paid:

(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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(4)Date Filed:

 

 

 

 

BLACK DIAMOND, INC.CLARUS CORPORATION

2084 East 3900 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84124

 

April 29, 201626, 2019

 

To Our Stockholders:

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, I cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 8, 2016,5, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350law offices of Kane Kessler, P.C., 666 Third Avenue, of the Americas,23rd Floor, New York, NY 10019.10017.

 

The accompanying Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement cover the details of the matters to be presented.

 

A copyThe Proxy Statement and form of the 2015proxy card, along with our Annual Report is included in this mailing.on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, are available at www.claruscorp.com.

 

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, I URGE YOU TO VOTE BY COMPLETING AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT AND WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED IF YOU LATER DECIDE NOT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 

 Cordially,
  
 BLACK DIAMOND, INC.CLARUS CORPORATION
  
 Warren B. Kanders
 Executive Chairman of the
 Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

BLACK DIAMOND, INC.CLARUS CORPORATION

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To Be Held on June 8, 20165, 2019

To Our Stockholders:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”), of Black Diamond, Inc.Clarus Corporation (the “Company” or “Black Diamond”“Clarus”), which will be held on June 8, 2016,5, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350law offices of Kane Kessler, P.C., 666 Third Avenue, of the Americas,23rd Floor, New York, NY 10019,10017, for the following purposes:

 

1.          To elect the fivefour nominees named in the accompanying Proxy Statement to serve on the Board of Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1);

 

2.          To ratify the appointment of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 20162019 (Proposal 2); and

 

3.          To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, including to consider any procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting, such as the postponement of the Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies to vote in favor of the matters presented at the Meeting.

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 29, 2016,18, 2019, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting to Be Held on June 8, 20165, 2019: This Proxy Statement and form of proxy card, along with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2018, are available at www.blackdiamond-inc.com.www.claruscorp.com.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD WILL ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED IF YOU LATER DECIDE NOT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 

 By Order of the Board of Directors
  
 Aaron J. Kuehne
 Secretary
April 29, 201626, 2019 

 

 

 

 

BLACK DIAMOND, INC.CLARUS CORPORATION

2084 East 3900 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84124

 

PROXY STATEMENT

PROXY STATEMENT

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

TO BE HELD ON

 

JUNE 8, 20165, 2019

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Proxy Solicitation and General Information

 

This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy card (the “Proxy Card”) are being furnished to the holders of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, a Delaware corporation (which is sometimes referred to in this Proxy Statement as “Black Diamond,“Clarus,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 8, 2016,5, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, at the Dolby Screening Room, 1350law offices of Kane Kessler, P.C., 666 Third Avenue, of the Americas,23rd Floor, New York, NY 1001910017, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”). This Proxy Statement and the Proxy Card are first being sent to stockholders on or about May 4, 2016.April 26, 2019.

 

At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked:

 

1.          To elect the fivefour nominees named in the accompanyingthis Proxy Statement to serve on the Board of Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1);

 

2.          To ratify the appointment of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 20162019 (Proposal 2); and

 

3.          To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, including to consider any procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting, such as the postponement of the Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies to vote in favor of the matters presented at the Meeting.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 29, 2016,18, 2019, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Each such stockholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters to come before the Meeting and may vote in person or by proxy authorized in writing.

 

Proxies and Voting

 

Stockholders are requested to complete, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed Proxy Card in the enclosed envelope. Proxy Cards which are not revoked will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with instructions contained therein.

 

If a Proxy Card is signed and returned without instructions, the shares will be votedFOR the election of each nominee for director named in this Proxy Statement (Proposal 1); andFOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 20162019 (Proposal 2).

 

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Voting

 

Most beneficial owners whose stock is held in street name do not receive the Proxy Card. Instead, they receive voting instruction forms or proxy ballots from their bank, broker or other agent. Beneficial owners should follow the instructions on the voter instruction form or proxy ballot they receive from their bank, broker or other agent.

 

Our Board of Directors has selected each of Warren B. Kanders and Robert R. Schiller, and each of them,Nicholas Sokolow to serve as “Proxyholders” for the Meeting. Proxy Cards whichthat are not revoked will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained therein.

 

Revocation of Proxy

 

A stockholder who so desires may revoke its previously submitted Proxy Card at any time before it is voted at the Meeting by: (i) delivering written notice to us at Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, c/o Aaron J. Kuehne, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Secretary and Treasurer; (ii) duly executing and delivering a Proxy Card bearing a later date; or (iii) casting a ballot at the Meeting. Attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy.

 

Voting on Other Matters

 

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that are to be brought before the Meeting other than as set forth in the Notice of Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy Card or their substitutes will vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

 

Record Date; Shares Outstanding and Entitled to Vote

 

Only stockholders as of the close of business on April 29, 201618, 2019 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 30,847,05629,755,306 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, with each share entitled to one vote. See “Beneficial Ownership of Company Common Stock By Directors, Officers and Principal Stockholders” for information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by our current directors, executive officers and stockholders known to us to beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of our common stock.

 

Quorum; Required Votes

 

The presence at the Meeting, in person or by duly authorized proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote constitutes a quorum for this Meeting.

 

Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are counted as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee such as a bank, broker or other agent holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

 

Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, nominees have such discretion to vote absent instructions with respect to certain “routine” matters, such as Proposal 2, the ratification of independent auditors, but not with respect to matters that are considered “non-routine,” such as the election of directors. Accordingly, without voting instructions from you, your broker will not be able to vote your shares on Proposal 1.1, which is a non-routine matter.

 

Each share of Black DiamondClarus’ common stock entitles the holder to one vote on each matter presented for stockholder action.  The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the election of the fivefour nominees named in this Proxy Statement (Proposal 1). The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the ratification of the appointment of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 20162019 (Proposal 2).

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Since the affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is required for Proposal 1, abstentions and “broker non-votes” will have no effect on the outcome of such election. Since the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the approval of Proposal 2, abstentions will have the same effect as a negative vote, but “broker non-votes” will have no effect on the outcome of the voting for Proposal 2.

 

An inspector of elections appointed by us will tabulate votes at the Meeting.

 

Proxy Solicitation; Expenses

 

Black DiamondClarus will bear the costs of the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. Our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies from stockholders by mail, telephone, telegram, e-mail, personal interview or otherwise. Such directors, officers and employees will not receive additional compensation but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. Brokers, nominees, fiduciaries and other custodians have been requested to forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of our common stock held of record by them and such parties will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses.

 

List of Stockholders

 

In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available at the Meeting and for ten days prior to the Meeting, for any purpose germane to the Meeting, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., local time, at our offices at 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124.

 

Voting Confidentiality

 

Proxy Cards, ballots and voting tabulations are handled on a confidential basis to protect your voting privacy. This information will not be disclosed to unrelated third parties except as required by law.

 

Appraisal Rights

 

Stockholders will have no rights of appraisal under the DGCL in connection with the proposals to be considered at the Meeting.

 

IT IS DESIRABLE THAT AS LARGE A PROPORTION AS POSSIBLE OF THE STOCKHOLDERS’ INTERESTS BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. THEREFORE, EVEN IF YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD TO ENSURE THAT YOUR STOCK WILL BE REPRESENTED. IF YOU ARE PRESENT AT THE MEETING AND DESIRE TO DO SO, YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY CARD AND VOTE IN PERSON BY GIVING WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY. YOUR PRESENCE AT THE MEETING WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY REVOKE YOUR PROXY CARD. PLEASE RETURN YOUR EXECUTED PROXY CARD PROMPTLY.

 

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK BY

DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth, as of April 29, 2016,18, 2019, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock outstanding by (i) each person known to us to own or control five percent (5%) or more of our common stock, (ii) each of our current directors and nominees, (iii) each of our current “Named Executive Officers” (as defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K), set forth in the summary compensation table on page 21 and (iv) our current Named Executive Officers and directors and nominees as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each person named in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person named in the table below is c/o Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124.

 

Name Common Stock
 Beneficially Owned (1)
  Percentage (%) of
Common Stock (2)
 
       
Warren B. Kanders  7,835,284(3)  24.8 
         
Robert R. Schiller  1,558,962(4)  5.1 
         
Nicholas Sokolow  608,817(5)  2.0 
         
Donald L. House  341,111(6)  1.1 
         
Michael A. Henning  86,250(7)  * 
         
Aaron J. Kuehne  53,317(8)  * 
         
Mark Ritchie  116,967(9)  * 
         
Kennedy Capital Management, Inc.  1,772,435(10)  5.7 
         
All current directors, nominees and named executive officers as a group  10,600,708(11)  32.9 

(7 persons)

3

 

* Denotes less than one percent.

Name Common Stock
 Beneficially Owned (1)
  Percentage (%) of
Common Stock (2)
 
       
Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. 2,096,157(3) 7.0 
       
Greenhouse Funds LLLP 2,078,652(4) 7.0 
       
Brown Advisory Incorporated 1,628,860(5) 5.5 
       
Warren B. Kanders 6,683,945(6) 21.8 
       
Nicholas Sokolow 734,735(7) 2.5 
       
Donald L. House 399,667(8) 1.3 
       
Michael A. Henning 146,667(9) * 
       
John C. Walbrecht 242,351(10) * 
       
Aaron J. Kuehne 318,908(11) 1.1 
       
All current directors, nominees and named executive officers as a group  (6 persons)    8,526,273(12) 26.9 

 

(1)*Denotes less than one percent.

(1)As used in this table, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares within 60 days of April 29, 2016,18, 2019, (a) the power to vote, or direct the voting of, such security or (b) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security.
  
(2)Applicable percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 30,847,05629,755,306 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 29, 2016.18, 2019. 
  
(3)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2019 by Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. In such filing, Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. lists its address as 10829 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, and indicates that, as of December 31, 2018, it had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,096,157 shares of common stock and did not have shared voting or dispositive power with respect to any shares of common stock.
(4)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2019 by Greenhouse Funds LLLP and certain of its affiliates. In such filing, Greenhouse Funds LLLP and its affiliates list their address as 650 S. Exeter St., Suite 1080, Baltimore, MD 21202, and indicate that, as of December 31, 2018, they did not have sole voting or dispositive power with respect to any shares of common stock and had shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,078,652 shares of common stock.
(5)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2019 by Brown Advisory Incorporated on its own behalf and on behalf of certain of its subsidiaries. In such filing, Brown Advisory Incorporated and its subsidiaries list their address as 901 South Bond Street, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21231, and indicate that, as of December 31, 2018, they had sole voting power with respect to 1,360,373 shares of common stock, did not have shared voting power or sole dispositive power with respect to any shares of common stock and had  

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shared dispositive power with respect to 1,628,860 shares of common stock. 
(6)Includes (i) Mr. Kanders’ options to purchase 800,000900,000 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016;18, 2019; (ii) 2,419,4902,019,490 shares of common stock held by Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, of which Mr. Kanders is a majority member and a trustee of the manager; (iii) 13,900 shares of common stock that Mr. Kanders may be deemed to beneficially own as UTMA custodian for his children; and (iv) 124,667 shares of common stock held by Mr. Kanders’ spouse in a UTA Trust Account of which Mr. Kanders is the sole trustee. Of the 7,835,2846,683,945 shares of common stock included in Mr. Kanders’ beneficial ownership, 5,919,0175,103,378 shares are hypothecated and/or pledged as security for loans from financial institutions. Excludes (i) 100,000 shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by Mr. Kanders’ spouse, as to all of which he disclaims any beneficial ownership; (ii) options to purchase 400,000 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and (ii)not exercisable within 60 days of April 18, 2019; (iii) a seven-year restrictedfive-year stock award of 250,000 shares of restricted common stock granted on January 17, 2011June 1, 2017 under the Company’s 20052015 Stock Incentive Plan of which 250,000 restricted sharesthat will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before January 17, 2018,June 1, 2022, the closing price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $14.00$12.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days. 

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(4)Includes (i) 35,333days; and (iv) a five-year stock award of 350,000 shares of restricted common stock held directly by Mr. Schiller through an IRA account; (ii) 1,296,429granted on January 7, 2019 under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan that will vest as follows: (A) the stock award will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before January 7, 2024, the closing price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days (such 20th day being the “Price Trigger Date”); and (B) once the Price Trigger Date occurs, (i) 116,667 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC; (iii) 18,532shall vest on each of the first and second anniversary of the Price Trigger Date; and (ii) 116,666 shares of the Company’s common stock that Mr. Schiller may be deemed to beneficially own as UTMA custodian for his children; (iv) 1,200 shares of common stock held by Schiller Family Foundation, Inc., of which Mr. Schiller isshall vest on the President, and has the power to vote and dispose of such shares; and (v) 207,468 shares of common stock held by the Robert R. Schiller Revocable Trust. Excludes: (i) 500 shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by Mr. Schiller’s spouse through an IRA account; and (ii) 40,000 shares of common stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Schiller’s spouse as trusteethird anniversary of the Robert R. Schiller Cornerstone Trust. Mr. Schiller disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock that are or may be deemed to be beneficially owned by his spouse.Price Trigger Date.
  
(5)(7)Includes (i) Mr. Sokolow’s options to purchase 171,250206,667 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016; and18, 2019; (ii) 377,567 shares of common stock held by ST Investors Fund, LLC, of which Mr. Sokolow is the General Manager.general manager; and (iii) 82,925 shares of common stock held by Madetys Investments, LLC, of which Mr. Sokolow is the general manager.  Excludes Mr. Sokolow’s options to purchase 6,2508,333 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.18, 2019.
  
(6)(8)Includes Mr. House’s options to purchase 211,250251,667 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.18, 2019.  Excludes Mr. House’s options to purchase 6,2508,333 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.18, 2018.
  
(7)(9)Includes Mr. Henning’s options to purchase 76,250136,667 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.18, 2019. Excludes Mr. Henning’s options to purchase 6,2508,333 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.18, 2019.
  
(8)(10)Includes Mr. Kuehne’sWalbrecht’s options to purchase 40,500100,000 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016, of which18, 2019.  Excludes (i) Mr. Walbrecht’s options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock are subject to certain transfer restrictions through and including December 31, 2017.  Excludes (i) Mr. Kuehne’s options to purchase 59,500400,000 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016;18, 2019; and (ii) a five-year stock award of 150,000 shares of restricted common stock granted on January 7, 2019 under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan that will vest as follows: (A) the stock award will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before January 7, 2024, the closing price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days (such 20th day being the Price Trigger Date); and (B) once the Price Trigger Date occurs, 37,500 shares of the Company’s common stock shall vest on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the Price Trigger Date.
(11)Includes Mr. Kuehne’s options to purchase 300,168 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 18, 2019.  Excludes (i) Mr. Kuehne’s options to purchase 474,832 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 18, 2019; (ii) restricted stock award granted on July 1, 2016 under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan of which 100,000 restricted shares will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before July 1, 2020, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days; and (iii) 1,991 shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by Mr. Kuehne’s spouse, as to all of which he disclaims any beneficial ownership.

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(9)(12)Includes Mr. Ritchie’s options to purchase 100,0001,895,169 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.18, 2019.  Excludes 20,000 restricted shares that will vest and become nonforteitable as follows: (i) 10,000 shares shall immediately vest and become nonforfeitable if: (A) during any calendar year ending prior to and including December 31, 2017, the Company’s apparel products achieve certain net revenue targets in such calendar year; and (B) Mr. Ritchie is employed as a full time employee by the Company or one of its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2018; and (ii) 10,000 shares shall immediately vest and become nonforfeitable if: (A) during any calendar year ending prior to and including December 31, 2018, the Company’s apparel products achieve certain net revenue targets in such calendar year; and (B) Mr. Ritchie is employed as a full time employee by the Company or one of its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2019; provided, however, in the event that the Company fails to achieve a net revenue target in an applicable calendar year but Mr. Ritchie remains employed as a full time employee by the Company or one of its subsidiaries as of the applicable employment date for such period, then 2,000 restricted shares with respect to such period shall become fully vested and the remaining 8,000 unvested restricted shares with respect to such period shall be forfeited effective as of such applicable employment date.
(10)Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. on February 12, 2016.

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(11)Includes options to purchase 1,339,250 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.  Excludes options to 78,2501,299,831 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 29, 2016.18, 2019.  

 

We are not aware of any material proceedings to which any of our directors, nominees for director, executive officers, affiliates of the foregoing persons or any security holder, including any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent (5%) of any class of our voting securities, is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us.

 

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Our Bylaws provide that our Board of Directors will consist of not less than three, nor more than seven members, with such number to be fixed by the Board of Directors. TheFrom and after the date of the Meeting, the number of directors has been fixed at fivefour by the Board of Directors. Our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and our Board of Directors have selected the fivefour nominees for directors that are listed in this Proxy Statement for election at the Meeting.

 

Our directors are elected annually at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Their respective terms of office will continue until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified in accordance with our Bylaws. There are no family relationships among any of our directors, nominees for director or executive officers.

 

Except as otherwise specified or in the case of broker non-votes, each Proxy Card received will be voted for the election of the fivefour nominees for director named below to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. Each of the nominees named below has been nominated by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors and has consented to be named a nominee in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a director, if elected. Should any nominee become unable or unwilling to accept a nomination for election, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy Card will vote for the election of a nominee designated by the Board of Directors or will vote for such lesser number of directors as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors in accordance with our Bylaws.

 

When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors focused primarily on the information discussed in each of the nominee’s individual biographies set forth below, which contains information regarding the person’s service as a director, business experience and director positions held currently or at any time during the last five years.

 

The age and principal occupation for the past five years of each person nominated as a director is set forth below:

 

Warren B. Kanders, 58,61, our Executive Chairman, has served as one of our directors since June 2002 and as Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors since December 2002. Since 1990, Mr. Kanders has served as the President of Kanders & Company, Inc. (“Kanders & Co.”), a private investment firm principally owned and controlled by Mr. Kanders, thatwhich makes investments in and provides consulting services to public and private entities. From January 1996 until its sale to BAE Systems plc (“BAE Systems”) on July 31, 2007, Mr. Kanders served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and from April 2003 as the Chief Executive Officer, from April 2003, of Armor Holdings, Inc. (“Armor Holdings”), formerly a New York Stock Exchange-listed company and a manufacturer and supplier of military vehicles, armored vehicles, and safety and survivability products and systems to the aerospace and defense, public safety, homeland security, and commercial markets. Since 2012, Mr. Kanders has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and as the Chief Executive Officer of Maui Acquisition Corp., the sole equity owner of Safariland, LLC, a manufacturer and supplier of safety and survivability products to the public safety, homeland security and commercial markets. Mr. Kanders graduated withreceived an A.B. degree in Economics from Brown University. Mr. Kanders also serves on the board of trustees of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Winston Churchill Foundation and the Hospital for Special Surgery, and is a member of the Advisory Council of The Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. Mr. Kanders also was a former trustee of the Choate Rosemary Hall School. Based upon Mr. Kanders’ role as Executive Chairman of the Company, service as a chairman and a director of a wide range of other public companies, financial background and education, as well as his extensive investment,

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capital raising, acquisition and operating expertise, the Company believes that Mr. Kanders has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board member of the Company.

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Robert R. Schiller, 53, has served as our Executive Vice Chairman since May 2010. Mr. Schiller served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gregory Mountain Products from March 2008 until May 2010. From July 1996 until its sale to BAE Systems on July 31, 2007, Mr. Schiller served in a variety of capacities at Armor Holdings, including as a Director from June 2005, President from January 2004, Chief Operating Officer from April 2003, and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary from November 2000 to March 2004. Mr. Schiller graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Emory University in 1985 and received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1991. Based upon Mr. Schiller’s role as Executive Vice Chairman of the Company as well as his extensive experience as an executive officer and director, together with his educational experience and his extensive operational, acquisition, corporate governance, financial and transactional expertise, the Company believes that Mr. Schiller has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board member of the Company.

 

Donald L. House, 74,77, has served as one of our directors since January 1993. Mr. House served as Chairman of our Board of Directors from January 1994 until December 1997 and as our President from January 1993 until December 1993. Mr. House alsois currently a private investor, and in the past he has served on a number of Boards of Directors of public and private companies, including a position as a member of the Board of Directors of Carreker Corporation from May 1998 until March 2007. Mr. House is a private investor2007, and he serves on the boardas Chairman of directors as well as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of several privately-held companies.Version One, Inc. from January 2003 until August 2017. Mr. House graduated with B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Based upon Mr. House’s role as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, prior experience as a chairman and an executive officer of companies in a variety of industries, financial expertise and extensive experience serving as a member of the boards of directors and committees of other public companies, the Company believes that Mr. House has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board or Board committee member of the Company.

 

Nicholas Sokolow, 66,69, has served as one of our directors since June 2002.2002, and has been designated as the “lead independent director” of the Company’s Board of Directors since June 2016. From January 1996 until its sale to BAE Systems on July 31, 2007, Mr. Sokolow served as a member of the Board of Directors of Armor Holdings. Mr. Sokolow served as a member of the Board of Directors of Stamford Industrial Group, Inc. from October 2006 until September 2009. From 2007 until December 31, 2014, Mr. Sokolow practiced law at the firm of Lebow & Sokolow LLP. From 1994 to 2007, Mr. Sokolow was a partner at the law firm of Sokolow, Carreras & Partners. From June 1973 until October 1994, Mr. Sokolow was an associate and partner at the law firm of Coudert Brothers. Mr. Sokolow graduated with Economics and Finance degrees from the Institut D’Etudes Politiques, a Law degree from the Faculte de Droit and a Masters of Comparative Law degree from the University of Michigan. Mr. Sokolow is also an honorary member of the French Bar. Based upon Mr. Sokolow’s role as the Chairman of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, education, legal background involving mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance expertise and extensive experience serving as a member of the boards of directors and committees of other public companies, the Company believes that Mr. Sokolow has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board or Board committee member of the Company.

 

Michael A. Henning, 75,78, has served as one of our directors since May 2010. Mr. Henning served as a director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Highlands Acquisition Corp. from May 2007 until September 2009. From 2000 to May 2015, Mr. Henning had served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee, and had previously served as the Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee, of the Board of Directors of CTS Corporation, a NYSE-listed company that provides electronic components to auto, wireless and PC businesses. InFrom December 2002 he joinedto May 2017, Mr. Henning served on the Board of Directors of Omnicom Group Inc., a NYSE-listed global communications company, where he also servesserved on the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. From 2007 to May 2017, Mr. Henning is also a member ofserved on the Board of Directors and serves on the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, of Landstar System, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed transportation and logistics services company.company, and served on committees such as the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Henning retired as Deputy Chairman from Ernst & Young in 2000 after forty years with the firm. Mr. Henning was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ernst & Young International, serving from 1993 to 1999. From 1991 to 1993, he served as Vice Chairman of Tax Services at Ernst & Young. Mr. Henning was also the Managing Partner of the firm’s New York office, from 1985 to 1991, and the Partner in charge of International Tax Services, from 1978 to 1985. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Henning served as a Co-Chairman of the Foreign Investment Advisory Board of Russia, where he co-chaired a panel of 25 chief executive officers from the G-7 countries who advised the Russian government in adopting international accounting and tax standards. Mr. Henning graduated with a B.B.A. degree from St. Francis College and received a Certificate from the Harvard University Advanced Management Program. Mr. Henning is a Certified Public Accountant. Based upon Mr. Henning’s role as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, his accounting and financial expertise and extensive experience serving as a member of the boards of directors and committees of other public companies, the Company believes that Mr. Henning has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board or Board committee member of the Company.

 

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The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the election as directors of the fivefour nominees named in this Proxy Statement (assuming a quorum of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock is present).

 

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH OF THE
ABOVE-NAMED DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

 

GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

 

Corporate Governance

 

Our Board of Directors is committed to sound and effective corporate governance practices. The Company’s management and our Board of Directors reviewed our corporate governance practices in light of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Based on that review, the Board of Directors maintains codes of ethics and conduct, corporate governance guidelines, committee charters, complaint procedures for accounting and auditing matters and an Audit Committee pre-approval policy. The Company is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”), and therefore, it has modeled its corporate governance practices after the listing requirements of NASDAQ.

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Documents

 

The Code of Ethics for Senior Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, for Directors, Officers and Employees, Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters, the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy, and the Charters of our Audit, Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees were adopted by Black DiamondClarus for the purpose of promoting honest and ethical conduct, promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in periodic reports required to be filed by Black Diamond,Clarus, and promoting compliance with all applicable rules and regulations that apply to Black DiamondClarus and its officers and directors. Our Codes of Ethics and Conduct, the Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters, the Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the Charters of our Audit, Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance CommitteesThese policies are available on our Internet website, at www.blackdiamond-inc.comwww.claruscorp.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance”“Governance Documents” within the section called “Investor Relations.“Governance.” In addition, you may request a copy of any such materials, without charge, by submitting a written request to: Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, Attention: Secretary, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124.

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Board of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors is currently comprised of the following fivefour members: Warren B. Kanders, Michael A. Henning, Donald L. House Robert R. Schiller and Nicholas Sokolow.

 

During fiscal 2015,2018, the Board of Directors held 11ten meetings, including one meeting of the independent directors, and acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting fourthree times. During fiscal 2015,2018, all of the directors then in office attended 100% of the total number of meetings of the full Board of Directors, each independent director then in office attended the independent directors’ meeting, and all of the directors then in office attended 100% of the total number of meetings of the Committees of the Board of Directors on which they served. The Company does not have a formal policy as to Board of Directors attendance at our Annual Meetings of Stockholders. All of the members of our Board of Directors attended last year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was held on December 11, 2015.June 7, 2018.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

TheOur Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors is also the principle executive officer of the Company. However, the Company believes that board independence is an important aspect of corporate governance, and the remaining three members of itsthe Board of Directors are independent.therefore independent directors. In addition, our independent directors hold periodically scheduled meetings, at which only independent directors are present. The Board of Directors believes that this leadership structure is appropriate for our Company, given the size and scope of our business, the experience and active involvement of our Executive Chairman and independent directors and our corporate governance practices, which include regular communication with and interaction between and among the President, Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Chairman, the Executive Vice Chairman and the independent directors. Mr. Sokolow is designated as the “lead independent director” of the Company’s Board of Directors.

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Board Role in Risk Oversight

 

Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board of Directors, as a whole and through its committees, provides risk oversight. In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors must satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed, including assessing major risk factors relating to the Company and its performance, and reviewing measures to address and mitigate risks. While the full Board of Directors is charged with overseeing risk management, various committees of the Board of Directors and members of management also have responsibilities with respect to our risk oversight. In particular, the Audit Committee plays a large role in monitoring and assessing our financial, legal and operational risks, and receives regular reports from the management team regarding comprehensive organizational risk as well as particular areas of concern.

 

Director Independence

 

The Board of Directors has evaluated each of its directors’ independence from Black DiamondClarus based on the definition of “independence” established by NASDAQ and has determined that Messrs. Henning, Sokolow and House are independent directors, constituting a majority of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has also determined that each of the members of our Audit Committee is “independent” for purposes of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

In its review of each director’s independence from the Company, the Board of Directors reviewed whether any transactions or relationships currently exist or existed during the past year between each director and the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates, equity investors or independent registered public accounting firm. The Board of Directors also examined whether there were any transactions or relationships between each director and members of the senior management of the Company or their affiliates.

 

Stockholder Communications

 

Stockholders may send communications to our Board of Directors or any committee thereof by writing to the Board of Directors or any committee thereof at Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, Attention: Secretary, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124. The Secretary will distribute all stockholder communications to the intended recipients and/or distribute to the entire Board of Directors, as appropriate.

 

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In addition, stockholders may also contact the non-management directors as a group or any individual director by writing to the non-management directors or the individual director, as applicable, at Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124.

 

Complaint Procedures

 

Complaints and concerns about accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing or related matters pertaining to the Company may be submitted by writing to the Chairman of the Audit Committee as follows: Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, Attention: Chairman of the Audit Committee, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124. Complaints may be submitted on a confidential and anonymous basis by sending them in a sealed envelope marked “Confidential.”

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight and evaluation of (i) the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors;registered public accounting firm (“independent auditors”); (ii) the performance of our internal audit function; and (iii) the quality and integrity of our financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of independent auditors and analyzes the reports and recommendations of such auditors. The Audit Committee also assesses major risk factors relating to the Company and its performance, and reviews measures to address and mitigate financial, legal and operational risks. The committee also prepares the Audit Committee report required by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which is included in this Proxy Statement beginning on page 21.14.

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Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Henning, House and Sokolow, with Mr. Henning serving as the Chairman. All of the members of our Audit Committee were determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of Black DiamondClarus based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence” and are able to read and understand the Company’s fundamental financial statements. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Henning qualifies as an audit committee financial expert (as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) and that his simultaneous service on the audit committees of more than two other public companies does not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee..

 

The duties of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, which are specified in the charter of the Audit Committee, include but are not limited to:

 

·reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditors the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to our Board of Directors whether the annual audited financial statements should be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K;

 

 ·discussing with management and the independent auditors significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;

 

 ·discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;

 

 ·monitoring the independence of the independent auditors;

 

 ·verifying the rotation of the lead audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by regulation;

 

 ·reviewing and approving all related party transactions;

 

 ·inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

 

 ·pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditors, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;

 

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 ·appointing and replacing the independent auditors;

 

 ·determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing and issuing an audit report or related work;

 

 ·establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; and

 

 ·approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses.

 

During fiscal 2015,2018, the Audit Committee held foursix meetings and acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting two times.once. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is available on our Internet website, at www.blackdiamond-inc.comwww.claruscorp.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance”“Governance Documents” within the section called “Investor Relations.“Governance.

 

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Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee reviews recommendations for executive compensation, including incentive compensation and stock incentive plans and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning levels of compensation of our executive officers and other key managerial personnel as well as the adoption of incentive and stock plans. Pursuant to the Compensation Committee’s charter (a copy of which is available on our Internet website, at www.blackdiamond-inc.comwww.claruscorp.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance”“Governance Documents” within the section called “Investor Relations”“Governance”), the Compensation Committee’s authority generally includes, among other things, the authority to do each of the following:

 

 ·To assist the Board of Directors in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions and to oversee the development of executive succession plans.

 

 ·To review and approve corporate goals and objectives with respect to compensation for the Company’s senior management team, evaluate the senior management team’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and, either as a committee or together with the other independent directors, determine and approve the senior management team’s compensation levels based on this evaluation. In determining the long-term incentive component of the senior management team’s compensation, the Compensation Committee shall consider the Company’s performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to chief executive officers at comparable companies, and the awards given to the Company’s senior management team in past years.

 

 ·To make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to non-senior management team compensation, incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee shall also provide oversight of senior management’s decisions concerning the performance and compensation of other Company officers.

 

 ·To review the Company’s incentive compensation and other stock-based plans and recommend changes in such plans to the Board of Directors as needed. The Compensation Committee shall have and shall exercise all the authority of the Board of Directors with respect to the administration of such plans.

 

 ·To produce the compensation committee report on executive compensation to be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

 

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 ·To review on an annual basis director compensation and benefits.

 

The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain or obtain advice from, as well as determine the appropriate compensation of, such compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisors as the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate.

 

Our Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. House and Sokolow, with Mr. House serving as the Chairman, both of whom were determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of the Company based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence”. The Compensation Committee does not formally meet on a regular basis, but only as circumstances require. During fiscal 2015,2018, the Compensation Committee held one meeting,two meetings, acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting three times,once, and also held numerous informal discussions.

 

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

 

The purpose of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is to identify, evaluate and nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors, as well as review Black Diamond’sClarus’ corporate governance guidelines and other related documents for compliance with applicable laws and regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the NASDAQ listing requirements. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers all qualified candidates identified by members of the Committee, by other members of the Board of Directors, and by senior management. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by

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stockholders. Information with respect to a proposed nominee should be forwarded to Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, Attention: Secretary, at 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, and upon receipt, the Secretary will submit them to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee for its consideration. Such information shall include the name of the nominee, and such information with respect to the nominee as would be required under the rules and regulations of the SEC to be included in our Proxy Statement if such proposed nominee were to be included therein, as well as a consent executed by the proposed nominee to serve as director if elected as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. In addition, the stockholder shall include a statement to the effect that the proposed nominee has no direct or indirect business conflict of interest with us, and otherwise meets our standards set forth below. See “Requirements for Submission of Stockholder Proposals, Nomination of Directors and Other Business of Stockholders” for additional information on certain procedures that a stockholder must follow to nominate persons for election as directors.

 

Our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Sokolow and House, with Mr. Sokolow serving as the Chairman, both of whom were determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of the Company based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee does not formally meet on a regular basis, but only as circumstances require. During fiscal 2015,2018, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings,one meeting, acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting two timesonce and held several informal meetings, in person and by telephone, to discuss various topics relevant to its function, including evaluating the composition, structure and qualifications of the Board of Directors. A copy of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s Charter is available on our Internet website, at www.blackdiamond-inc.comwww.claruscorp.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance”“Governance Documents” within the section called “Investor Relations.“Governance.

 

Candidates for the Board of Directors should possess fundamental qualities of intelligence, honesty, perceptiveness, good judgment, maturity, high ethics and standards, integrity, fairness and responsibility; have a genuine interest in the Company; have no conflict of interest or legal impediment which would interfere with the duty of loyalty owed to the Company and its stockholders; and have the ability and willingness to spend the time required to function effectively as a director of the Company. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying candidates for director. Nevertheless, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s evaluation of director candidates takes into account their ability to contribute to the diversity of age, background, experience, viewpoints and other individual qualities and attributes represented on the Board of Directors.

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The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee may engage third-party search firms from time to time to assist it in identifying and evaluating nominees for director. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee evaluates nominees recommended by stockholders, by other individuals and by the search firms in the same manner, as follows: The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reviews biographical information furnished by or about the potential nominees to determine whether they have the experience and qualities discussed above; when a Board of Directors vacancy occurs or is anticipated, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee determines which of the qualified candidates to interview, based on the current needs of the Board of Directors and the Company, and members of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee meet with these individuals. If, after such meetings, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee determines to recommend any candidate to the Board of Directors for consideration, that individual is invited to meet with the entire Board of Directors. The Board of Directors then determines whether to select the individual as a director-nominee.

 

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Director Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table summarizes the compensation earned by our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:2018:

 

Name Fees Earned or
 Paid in Cash 
 ($)
  Stock
Awards
($) 
  Option 
Awards
  ($) (1)
  Non-Equity 
Incentive Plan
Compensation 
 ($)
  Change in
Pension Value and
 Non-qualified Deferred
Compensation 
Earnings 
($)
  All Other 
Compensation 
($)
  Total 
($)
  Fees Earned or
 Paid in Cash 
 ($)
 Stock
Awards
($) 
 Option 
Awards
  ($) (1)
 Non-Equity 
Incentive Plan
Compensation 
 ($)
 Change in
Pension Value and
 Non-qualified Deferred
Compensation 
Earnings 
($)
 All Other 
Compensation 
($)
 Total 
($)
 
                               
Michael A. Henning  49,000   -   23,128(2)  -   -   -   72,128  50,000 - 38,183(2) - -  - 88,183 
Donald L. House  45,000   -   66,792(3)  -   -   -   111,792  45,000 - 38,183(3) - -  - 83,183 
Nicholas Sokolow  45,000   -   66,792(4)  -   -   -   111,792  55,000 - 38,183(4) - -  - 93,183 

 

(1) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for awards made during the applicable year. For discussions on the relevant assumptions, see footnote 12, “Stock-Based Compensation Plan” in the financial statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. These amounts do not include forfeiture estimates.2018.

 

(2) Mr. Henning’s option award includesawards include the grant of options on December 11, 2015,June 7, 2018, valued at $23,128$38,183 and fully vesting on June 30, 2016.March 31, 2019.

 

(3) Mr. House’s option award includesawards include the grant of options on (i) December 11, 2015,June 7, 2018, valued at $23,128$38,183 and fully vesting on June 30, 2016; and (ii) December 11, 2015, valued at $43,664 and fully vested on such date.March 31, 2019.

 

(4) Mr. Sokolow’s option award includesawards include the grant of options on (i) December 11, 2015,June 7, 2018, valued at $23,128$38,183 and fully vesting on June 30, 2016; and (ii) December 11, 2015, valued at $43,664 and fully vested on such date.

March 31, 2019.

Discussion of Director Compensation

 

We pay fourthree primary components of compensation to our non-management directors: an annual cash retainer, meeting fees, committee chairman fees, and equity awards, generally comprising of stock equity awards such as stock options. In setting director compensation, the Company considers the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties on our Board of Directors and its committees as well as the skill level required by the Company of members of the Board of Directors and the need to continue to attract highly qualified candidates to serve on our Board of Directors. Director compensation arrangements are reviewed annually to maintain such standards.

 

In 2015,2018, members of our Board of Directors were compensated as follows: (i) the non-employee directors received an annual stock option grant at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of 12,500 shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of such grant, and vesting and becoming exercisable in two equal consecutive quarterly tranches; (ii) the non-employee directors receives an annual retainer of $25,000 payable quarterly; (iii) chairmen of the committees of the Board of Directors, other than the Audit Committee, received an additional annual payment of $10,000 payable quarterly; (iv) the chairman of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee received an additional annual payment of $15,000 payable quarterly; and (v) each committee member received an additional $1,000 per committee meeting attended.

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In 2016, members of our Board of Directors will be compensated as follows: (i) the non-employee directors will receive an annual stock option grant at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of 12,500 shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of such grant, and vesting and becoming exercisable in four equal consecutive quarterly tranches; (ii) all non-employee directors serving on the Board of Directors will receivereceived an annual payment of $35,000, payable in equal quarterly installments, in consideration for their services on the Board; (ii)(iii) Mr. Sokolow, the lead independent director of the Board of Directors, received an additional annual payment of $10,000, payable in equal, quarterly installments, in consideration of his service as the lead independent director of the Board of Directors, (iv) the chairmen of the respective Board committees, other than the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee, will receivereceived an additional annual payment of $10,000, payable in equal quarterly installments, in consideration for their services as chairmen on the respective Board of Directors’ committees; and (iii)(v) the chairman of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee will receivereceived an additional annual payment of $15,000, payable in equal quarterly installments, in consideration for his service as the chairman of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee.

 

  OurIn 2018, our current employee directors (Messrs.director, Mr. Kanders, and Schiller) arewas compensated pursuant to theirhis employment agreementsagreement (which areis described below under the heading “Employment Agreements”).

 

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Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

No director, executive officer or person nominated to become a director or executive officer has, within the last ten years: (i) had a bankruptcy petition filed by or against, or a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer appointed by a court for, any business of such person or entity with respect to which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time; (ii) been convicted in a criminal proceeding or is currently subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); (iii) been subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining him from, or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities or practice; or (iv) been found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended or vacated.

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board of Directors has appointed an Audit Committee consisting of three directors. Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent from Black DiamondClarus and is financially literate as that qualification is interpreted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter with respect to the Audit Committee’s roles and responsibilities.

 

Management is responsible for Black Diamond’sClarus’ internal control and the financial reporting process. The external auditor is responsible for performing an independent audit of Black Diamond’sClarus’ consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting in accordance with auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

 

The Audit Committee has had various discussions with management and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Audit Committee that Black Diamond’sClarus’ consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the quarterly and annual earnings press releases and consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 161301,Communications with Audit CommitteesCommittees..

 

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and a letter from the independent registered public accounting firm as required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence from Black DiamondClarus and its management. The Audit Committee also considers whether the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of audit and non-audit services to Black DiamondClarus is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

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The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the overall scope and plans for its audit. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors, with and without management present, the results of its audit, the evaluations of Black Diamond’sClarus’ internal control over financial reporting, and the overall quality and integrity of financial reporting.

 

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the audited financial statements and the audit report on the audited financial statements and internal control over financial reporting be included in Black Diamond’sClarus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2018, for filing with the SEC.

 

Submitted by the Members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

Michael A. Henning (Chairman)

Donald L. House

Nicholas Sokolow

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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 (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Report of the Audit Committee by reference therein.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers as of the date hereof. Our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Black Diamond.Clarus.

 

Name Age Position
     
Warren B. Kanders 5861 Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
Robert R. SchillerJohn C. Walbrecht 5351 Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of DirectorsPresident
Aaron J. Kuehne 3740 Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Mark Ritchie57Chief Operating Officer

 

See “Biographical Information for Directors” for biographical information with respect to Warren B. KandersKanders.

John C. Walbrecht, 51, has served as the President of the Company since October 2017, and Robert R. Schiller.President of BDEL since October 2016.  Before joining the Company, Mr. Walbrecht served as the President of Mountain Hardwear from March 2016 to October 2016. Prior to Mountain Hardwear, Mr. Walbrecht served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fenix Outdoors NA from January 2012 until March 2016.  Mr. Walbrecht has also served in various senior roles with Brandbase, Spyder, Dr. Martens/Airwair, and Timberland.  Mr. Walbrecht holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Brigham Young University, a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Maryland and understudies in International Trade and Finance at Cambridge University - Trinity College.

 

Aaron J. Kuehne, 37,40, has served as our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, since March 2013. From March 2013 to November 2013,and as our Chief Administrative Officer since May 2016. Mr. Kuehne previously served as the Company’s interim chiefChief Financial Officer, in addition to serving as its Vice President of Finance, principal financial officer and has been with the Company since September 2010.principal accounting officer. Before joining the Company in September 2010, Mr. Kuehne served as the Corporate Controller of Certiport from August 2009 to September 2010. From July 2004 to August 2009, Mr. Kuehne served in various capacities with KPMG LLP, most recently as Audit Manager. Mr. Kuehne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business in 2002 and with aan M.B.A. degree from University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business in 2004. He has also been a Certified Public Accountant since 2005.

Mark Ritchie, 57, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since August 2012. Mr. Ritchie had been the Vice President of Operations, from 2004 to 2012, Director Planning Purchasing and Logistics, from 1995 to 2004, and Production Planner from 1994 to 1995, of Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Mr. Ritchie previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Sierra South from 1985 to 1992. Mr. Ritchie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from California State University, Los Angeles in 1983 and received an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management in 1994.

 

There are no family relationships between our Named Executive Officers and any director of the Company.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Overview

 

The Compensation Committee assists the independent members of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) establishes the salaries and otherin establishing a compensation of the Company’s Chiefpackage for Clarus’ Executive Officer and Chief Financial OfficerChairman and assists the Board of Directors in establishing compensation packages for Black Diamond’sClarus’ other Named Executive Officers, its key employees and non-employee directors as well as administering Black Diamond’sClarus’ incentive plans. The Compensation Committee is generally responsible for setting and administering the policies which govern annual salaries of executive officers, raises and bonuses and certain awards of stock options and common stock under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan and otherwise, and where applicable, compliance with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and such responsibility is generally limited to the actions taken by the Compensation Committee, although at times the full Board of Directors has determined annual executive salaries, raises and where the Company has determined that compliance with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code is not required, bonuses as well as grants of stock options

15

and common stock without having first received recommendations from the Compensation Committee. From time to time, the Compensation Committee reviews our compensation packages to ensure that they remain competitive with the compensation packages offered by similarly-situated companies and continue to incentivize management and align management’s interests with those of our stockholders. Although we do not target executive compensation to any peer group median, we strive to provide a compensation package that is competitive in the market and rewards each executive’s performance.

 

The Compensation Committee is comprised of two directors, each of whom has considerable experience in executive compensation issues. Each member of the Compensation Committee meets the independence requirements specified by NASDAQ and by Section 162(m) of the Code.Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). No member of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company, nor is there a direct or indirect relationship between any of the members of the Committee and any of the Company’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors that is available on our Internet website, at www.blackdiamond-inc.comwww.claruscorp.com, under the tab “Corporate Governance”“Governance Documents” within the section called “Investor Relations.“Governance.

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

The Compensation Committee continues to examine and refine our compensation philosophy, objectives and strategy throughout the fiscal year as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain “best practices” in this area and corporate governance in general. The general philosophy of our executive compensation program is to attract and retain talented management that are enthusiastic about our mission and culture while ensuring that our executive officers are compensated in a way that advances the interests of our stockholders. In pursuing these objectives, the Compensation Committee believes that it is critical that a substantial portion of each executive officer’s compensation be contingent upon our overall performance and the growth of the Company. The Compensation Committee is also guided by the principles that our compensation packages must be competitive, must support our overall strategy and objectives, must provide significant rewards for outstanding financial performance while establishing clear consequences for underperformance and must align management’s interests with the interests of stockholders by linking compensation with performance. Annual bonuses and long-term awards for our executive officers should take into account not only objective financial goals, but also individual performance goals that reinforce our core values, which include leadership, accountability, ethics and corporate governance. It is generally the Compensation Committee’s responsibility to determine the performance goals for the performance-based compensation payable to our Named Executive Officers, in compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors, and to certify compliance with such goals before such compensation is paid. Subject to this limitation, the Compensation Committee may also make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to Chief Executive Officercompensation of the President and Chief Financial Officer compensation and, either alone or with the other independent members of our Board of Directors, to determine and approve the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer’s and Chief Financial Officer’s compensation.Chairman.

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In determining the compensation packages for our other Named Executive Officers, key employees and non-employee directors, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors have evaluated the history and performance of the Company, previous compensation practices and packages awarded to the Company’s executive officers, key employees and non-employee directors, and compensation policies and packages awarded to executive officers, key employees and non-employee directors at similarly-situated companies.

 

Use of Outside Consultants

 

The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and terminate any independent compensation consultant and to obtain independent advice and assistance from internal and external legal, accounting and other advisors. In 2015,2018, the Compensation Committee did not engage any such consultants to determine or recommend the amount or form of executive and director compensation discussed herein.

 

Compensation Program Components

 

Our executive compensation program emphasizes company performance, individual performance and an increase in stockholder value over time in determining executive pay levels. Our executive compensation program consists of three key elements: (i) annual base salaries; (ii) a performance-based annual bonus; and (iii) periodic grants of stock options and restricted stock. The Compensation Committee believes that this three-part approach best

16

serves our and our stockholders’ interests by motivating executive officers to improve our financial position, holding executives accountable for the performance of the organizations for which they are responsible and by attracting key executives into our service. Under our compensation program, annual compensation for Named Executive Officers are composed of a significant portion of pay that is “at risk”, specifically, the annual bonus, stock options and restricted stock.

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2018, the components of compensation for Named Executive Officers were: (i) cash compensation; (ii) equity-based compensation; and (iii) perquisites and other personal and additional benefits. Additional details on each element of our compensation program are outlined below.

 

Cash Compensation

 

Base Salary.In reviewing and approving the base salaries of our Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee considers the scope of work and responsibilities and other individual-specific factors; the recommendations of our Executive Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman (except in the case of theirhis own respective compensation); compensation for similar positions at similarly-situated companies; and the executive’s experience. Except where an existing agreement establishes an executive’s salary, the Compensation Committee generally reviews executive officer and key employee salaries annually at the end of the fiscal year and establishes the base salaries for the upcoming fiscal year in connection with establishing the Company’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The employment agreements of our Named Executive Officers are described below under the heading “Employment Agreements”.

 

For 2015,In 2018, the annual base salariessalary for the Company’s Executive Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman wereMr. Kanders was established pursuant to their respectivehis current employment agreements.agreement (the “Kanders Employment Agreement”), under which he was paid an annual base salary of $350,000. In 2017, Mr. Kanders’ base salary was initially established pursuant to an employment agreement with the Company, dated June 5, 2013, which provided Mr. Kanders with an annual base salary of $175,000, however, on June 1, 2017 his base salary was increased to $350,000 in connection with his execution of the Kanders Employment Agreement. The annual base salariessalary for the Company’s Executive Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman areMr. Kanders is subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee and werewas not modified in 20152016, and remained at $175,000, respectively.$175,000. In establishing the salariessalary of our Executive Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman,Mr. Kanders, the Compensation Committee considered their respectivehis extensive investment, capital raising, acquisition and operating expertise, as well as the scope of their respectivehis responsibilities. Our Executive Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman devoteMr. Kanders devotes only as much of theirhis time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company and also serveserves in various capacities with other public and private entities, including not-for-profit entities. The

Mr. Walbrecht became our President on March 9, 2018. In 2018, Mr. Walbrecht’s annual base salary was $425,000. In 2017, his annual base salary was increased to $425,000, effective October 1, 2017. Prior to such increase, Mr. Walbrecht’s base salary was established pursuant to his employment agreementsagreement with Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. (“BDEL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s Executive Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman are described below underCompany, dated September 23, 2016 (the “Walbrecht Employment Agreement”), which provided Mr. Walbrecht with an annual base salary of $350,000. In establishing Mr. Walbrecht’s base salary, the heading “Employment Agreements”.Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the compensation for similar positions at similarly-situated companies.

 

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AsIn 2018, the annual base salary for Mr. Kuehne our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer, did not have anwas $350,000. In 2017, Mr. Kuehne’s base salary was initially established pursuant to his employment agreement his employment with the Company, is “at will.”dated May 16, 2016 (the “Kuehne Employment Agreement”), which provides Mr. Kuehne previously served aswith an annual base salary of $300,000, however, on October 1, 2017 the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer following the resignation of Robert Peay, the Company’s previous Chief Financial Officer, on March 15, 2013.annual base salary for Mr. Kuehne was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective November 1, 2013.increased to $350,000. In 2016, Mr. Kuehne’s base salary was initially $235,000, however, on May 16, 2016 his annual base salary was increased to $300,000 in connection with Mr. Kuehne’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer,his execution of the Company increased Mr. Kuehne’s salary from $160,000 to $210,000 per year effective as of January 1, 2014, and his salary remained at $210,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015.Kuehne Employment Agreement. In establishing Mr. Kuehne’s base salary, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the compensation for similar positions at similarly-situated companies, as well as the additional responsibilities and duties required by his role as chief financial officer of a public company. Effective as of December 15, 2015, Mr. Kuehne’s salary was increased by $25,000 to a total annual base salary of $235,000.

As Mr. Ritchie, our Chief Operating Officer, did not have an employment agreement, his employment with the Company is “at will.” Effective April 1, 2014, Mr. Ritchie’s salary was increased from $240,000 to $245,000 and his salary remained at $245,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015. In establishing Mr. Ritchie’s base salary, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the compensation for similar positions at similarly-situated companies, as well as the additional responsibilities and duties required by his role as chief operating officer of a public company.

For 2015, the base salary for Mr. Metcalf, who served as our Chief Executive Officer until his retirement effective December 31, 2015, was $275,000 pursuant to his employment agreement with the Company. In establishing the base salary of our former Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considered Mr. Metcalf’s extensive knowledge of the Company’s history, products, strategies, technologies and culture, as well as the additional responsibilities and duties required by his role as chief executive officer of a public company. For 2015, the base salary for Ms. Freeman, who served as our President until her resignation effective June 3, 2015, was $500,000 pursuant to her employment agreement with the Company. In establishing the base salary of our former President, the Compensation Committee considered Ms. Freeman’s extensive brand management, and consumer product and omni-channel expertise as well as the additional responsibilities and duties required by her role as president of a public company.

 

Performance-Based Annual Bonus. With regard to the performance-based compensation of any Named Executive Officer, that is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the Compensation Committee generally establishes the performance goals and then certifies the satisfaction of such performance goals prior to the payment of the performance-based bonus compensation. In reviewing and approving the annual performance-based bonus for our executive officers, the Compensation Committee may also consider an executive’s contribution to the overall performance of Black Diamond,Clarus, as well as annual bonuses awarded to persons holding similar positions at similarly-situated companies.

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In addition, cash bonuses may be awarded at the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee or the executive management of the Company for exceptional performance related to other corporate activity undertaken by the Company in any year.

 

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors determined to award our former Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Operating OfficerPresident a discretionary cash bonuses in the amount of $500 eachbonus for the performance of theirhis services in 2015.2018, pursuant to which he was paid $212,500. In determining to award a discretionary cash bonusesbonus to our former Chief Executive Officer and current Chief Operating Officer,President, the Compensation Committee took into account, among other things, their respectivehis contributions to the Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as their respective efforts towards implementing the Company’s strategic pivot.2018.

 

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors also determined to award our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer a discretionary cash bonus in the amount of $50,500 for the performance of his services in 2015.2018, pursuant to which he was paid $175,000. In determining to award a discretionary a cash bonus to our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, the Compensation Committee took into account, among other things, his contributions to the Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as his efforts in connection with the Company’s review of strategic alternatives and towards implementing the Company’s strategic pivot.2018.

 

Base salary, incentive compensation and the amount of discretionary bonus (total cash compensation) earned in 20152018 by the Named Executive Officers are reflected in the “Salary,” and “Bonus,” columns in the Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

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Equity-Based Compensation

 

2005 Stock Incentive Plan and 2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

We believe that equity-based compensation is the most effective means of creating a long-term link between the compensation provided to officers and other key management personnel and the returns realized by the stockholders. In 2015,2018, the Company maintained the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Incentive Plans”) to incentivize executive officers and other key employees. The Incentive Plans are designed to give the Board of Directors discretion and flexibility in designing incentive compensation packages to align the goals of management with those of our stockholders and to motivate executive officers and key employees to improve the operations of the Company, thereby maximizing stockholder value. Pursuant to the Incentive Plans, the Board of Directors may issue to employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, and restricted stock.

 

Awards under the Incentive Plans help relate a significant portion of an employee’s long-term remuneration directly to stock price appreciation realized by all our stockholders and align an employee’s interests with that of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes equity-based incentive compensation aligns executive and stockholder interests because (i) the use of a multi-year lock-up or vesting schedule or milestone based vesting schedule for equity awards encourages executive retention and emphasizes long-term growth, and (ii) paying a significant portion of management’s compensation in our equity provides management with a powerful incentive to increase stockholder value over the long-term. The specific types and size of awards to be granted (other than options granted to non-employee directors) and the terms and conditions of such awards are determined by the Compensation Committee subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plans.

 

The timing of our equity award grants is not designed to have any relationship with our release of material, non-public information. Awards are generally granted at previously scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee and as required by the Incentive Plans, options and stock awards are granted with an exercise price and valued equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock which is the closing price on the date of such grant. The Compensation Committee may also approve any equity-based grants in connection with the hiring or promotion of an executive officer.

 

The Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan expired in accordance with its terms in June 2015 and any shares of common stock then remaining available for grant under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan hashave been canceled. However, at December 31, 2015, 1,557,5002018, 461,000 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan prior to the expiration of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan will remain available for issuance in accordance with their terms.

 

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During

On March 9, 2018, in connection with a long-term incentive plan developed by the year ended December 31, 2015,Compensation Committee and Board of Directors, the Company issued and granted each of Messrs. Kanders, Walbrecht and Kuehne a stock award consisting of options to purchase 55,000500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to our Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, at anhaving exercise priceprices of $4.63, the closing price$6.80 per share, and vesting over a period of the Company’s common stock on the datefive years, with 100,000 of such grant, witheach officer’s options to purchase 22,000 shares of common stock vesting and becoming exercisable on December 31, 20172018 and optionseach anniversary thereof, through December 31, 2022.

On January 7, 2019, in connection with a long-term incentive plan developed by the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors, the Company issued and granted to purchase 16,500Mr. Kanders 350,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, vestingwhich will vest as follows: (A) on or before January 7, 2024, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock must equal or exceed $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days (such 20th day being the Price Trigger Date); and becoming exercisable(B) once the Price Trigger Date occurs, (i) 116,667 shares of Company’s common stock shall vest on each of December 31, 2018the first and December 31, 2019.second anniversary of the Price Trigger Date; and (ii) 116,666 shares of Company’s common stock shall vest on the third anniversary of the Price Trigger Date.

On January 7, 2019, in connection with a long-term incentive plan developed by the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors, the Company issued and granted to Mr. Walbrecht 150,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, which will vest as follows: (A) on or before January 7, 2024, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock must equal or exceed $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days (such 20th day being the Price Trigger Date); and (B) once the Price Trigger Date occurs, 37,500 shares of Company’s common stock shall vest on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the Price Trigger Date.

 

Equity based compensation earned in 20152018 by the Named Executive Officers are reflected in the “Stock Awards,” and “Option Awards,” columns in the Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Perquisites and Other Personal and Additional Benefits

 

Executive officers participate in other employee benefit plans generally available to all employees on the same terms as similarly-situated employees.

 

The Company maintains qualified 401(k) plans that provide for discretionary Company contributions up to the applicable Internal Revenue Service limits.

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The Company also provides Named Executive Officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Company and the Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to our Named Executive Officers.

 

The costs to the Company associated with providing these benefits for executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table are reflected in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Accounting and Tax Considerations

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation other than performance-based compensation over $1,000,000 paid for any fiscal year to an individual who on the last day of the taxable year, was (i) the Chief Executive Officer or (ii) among the four other highest compensated executive officers whose compensation is required to be reported in the Summary Compensation Table contained herein. Compensation programs generally will qualify as performance-based if (1) compensation is based on pre-established objective performance targets, (2) the programs’ material features have been approved by stockholders, and (3) there is no discretion to increase payments after the performance targets have been established for the performance period. With regard to the compensation of anya Named Executive OfficerOfficer. Under the rules in effect before 2018, compensation that is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the Compensation Committee establishes the performance goals and then certifies the satisfaction of such performance goals prior to the payment of the performance-based bonus compensation. The Compensation Committee desires to maximize deductibility of compensationqualified as “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Code was deductible without regard to this $1 million limit. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which became effective on January 1, 2018, eliminated the extent practicable while maintaining a competitive, performance-based compensation program. However, the Compensation Committee also believes that it must reserve the right to award compensation which it deems to be in the best interests of our stockholders but which may not be tax deductibleexception under Section 162(m) of the Code.Code, subject to a rule that “grandfathers” certain arrangements and awards in effect on or prior to November 2, 2017. As a result, compensation that we structured in prior years with the intent of utilizing the deduction for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) may not be fully deductible if it is paid on or after January 1, 2018, dependent upon the applicability of the 162(m) grandfathering rules.

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While the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will limit the deductibility of compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors will continue to design compensation programs that are in the best long-term interests of the Company and our shareholders, with deductibility of compensation being one of a variety of considerations taken into account. We are currently analyzing whether to redesign any of our compensation programs in light of the amendments to Section 162(m) and other sections of the Code that became effective this year.

 

Policy on Stock Trading

 

We do not permit our executives and other employees to buy or sell put or call options on the Company’s common stock, or sell the Company’s common stock short.

 

Post-Employment and Other Events

 

Retirement,Termination, death, disability and change-in-control events trigger the payment of certain compensation to the Named Executive Officers that is not available to all salaried employees. Such compensation is discussed under the headings “Employment Agreements” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

 

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

 

The Compensation Committee determinesassists the Board of Directors in determining the total compensation of our Executive Chairman, President and Chief Financial Officer, and any Chief Executive Officer the Company may hire in the future, and oversees the design and administration of compensation and benefit plans for all of the Company’s employees. Certain executive officers, including our Executive Chairman, Executive Vice Chairman,President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, may attend a portion of most regularly scheduled Compensation Committee meetings, excluding executive sessions, to present topical issues for discussion and education as well as specific recommendations for review. The Compensation Committee also obtains input from our legal, finance and tax advisors, as appropriate.

 

Summary

 

The Compensation Committee believes that the total compensation package has been designed to motivate key management to improve the operations and financial performance of the Company, thereby increasing the market value of our common stock. The tables in this Executive Compensation section reflect the compensation structure established by the Compensation Committee.

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Compensation Committee Report

 

Our Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement with management. Based on our Compensation Committee’s review of and the discussions with management with respect to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, our Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement for filing with the SEC.

 

Submitted by the Members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

Donald House (Chairman)

Nicholas Sokolow

 

The Report of the Compensation 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 Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Report of the Compensation Committee by reference therein.

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Summary Compensation Table

 

The following summary compensation table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation earned for the periods presented below by our executive officers and persons as to whom disclosure is required under the applicable rules of the SEC (collectively, the “NamedNamed Executive Officers”).Officers.

 

Name and 

Principal Position

 Year 

Salary

($)

  

Bonus

($)

  

Stock

Awards

($)(1)

  

Option

Awards
($)(2) 

  

Non-Equity

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

  

Non-qualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

  

All Other

Compensation

($)

  

Total

($)

 
                                   
Warren B. Kanders 2015  175,000(3)  -   -   -   -   -   45,638(4)  220,638 
Executive Chairman 2014  175,000   -   -   -   -   -   46,737   221,737 
  2013  175,000   -   -   -   -   -   47,030   222,030 
                                   
Robert R. Schiller 2015  175,000(5)  -   -   -   -   -   39,636(6)  214,636 
Executive Vice 2014  175,000   -   -   -   -   -   38,818   213,818 
Chairman 2013  175,000   -   -   -   -   -   38,403   213,403 
                                   
Peter R. Metcalf 2015  276,424(7)  500   -   -   -   -   34,943(8)  311,867 
Chief Executive Officer 2014  256,308   1,000   -   -   -   -   9,970   267,278 
  2013  247,308   -   -   -   -   -   9,278   256,856 
                                   
Zeena A. Freeman 2015  217,307(9)  -   -   -   -   -   474,277(10)  691,585 
President 2014  192,308   1,000   1,658,293   1,389,930   -   -   33,550   3,275,081 
                                   
Aaron J. Kuehne 2015  210,961(11)  50,500   -   128,260   -   -   16,667(12)  406,388 
Chief Financial Officer, 2014  210,000   51,000   -   -   -   -   14,902   275,902 
Secretary & Treasurer 2013  157,308   -   25,000   165,090   -   -   10,149   357,547 
                                   
Mark Ritchie 2015  245,000(13)  500   -   -   -   -   15,599(14)  261,099 
Chief Operating Officer 2014  243,654   51,000   -   -   -   -   14,660   309,314 
  2013  236,135   -   312,000   224,700   -   -   9,991   782,826 

Name and 

Principal Position

 Year  

Salary

($)

  

Bonus

($)

  

Stock

Awards

($)(1)

  

Option

Awards

 ($)(2) 

  

Non-Equity

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

  

Non-qualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

  

All Other

Compensation

($)

  

Total

($)

 
                            
Warren B. Kanders  2018   351,346   500   -   1,546,950   -   -   58,576(3)  1,957,372 
Executive Chairman  2017   277,308   -   1,944,487   -   -   -   51,101   2,322,896 
   2016   175,000   -   -   -   -   -   49,631   224,631 
                                     
John C. Walbrecht  2018   426,635   213,000   -   1,386,500   -   -   26,197(4)  2,052,332 
President  2017   368,750   185,000   -   -   -   -   11,580   565,330 
   2016   94,231   44,300   -   -           25,509   164,040 
                                     
Aaron J. Kuehne  2018   351,346   175,500   -   1,546,950   -   -   24,372(5)  2,098,168 
Chief Financial Officer,  2017   312,500   115,000   -   124,285   -   -   21,984   573,769 
Chief Administrative  2016   267,750   50,550   104,665   231,025   -   -   19,020   673,010 
Treasurer                                    

 

(1) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for awards made during the applicable year. For discussions on the relevant assumptions, see footnote 12, “Stock-Based Compensation Plans”Plan” in the financial statements contained in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2015,2018, December 31, 20142017 and December 31, 2013. These amounts do not include forfeiture estimates.2016.

 

(2) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for awards made during the applicable year. For discussions on the relevant assumptions, see footnote 12, “Stock-Based Compensation Plans”Plan” in the financial statements contained in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2015,2018, December 31, 20142017 and December 31, 2013.2016.

21

 

(3) Mr. Kanders is compensated pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company dated June 5, 2013, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement. Mr. Kanders is required to devote only as much time as is necessary to perform his duties for the Company.

(4) ”All“All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. Kanders in 20152018 consists of the following items: 401(k) matching contributions, $2,640,$5,250; health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $35,171;$45,553; and life insurance, $7,827.$7,773.

 

(5) Mr. Schiller is compensated pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company dated June 5, 2013, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement. Mr. Schiller is required to devote only as much time as is necessary to perform his duties for the Company.

(6) ”All(4) “All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. SchillerWalbrecht in 20152018 consists of the following items: 401(k) matching contributions, $2,632,$6,498; wellness time conversion, $8,173; health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $35,514;$10,476; and life insurance, $1,490.$1,050.

 

(7) Mr. Metcalf, during his term as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, received compensation pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with the Company dated June 5, 2013. Mr. Metcalf retired as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer effective December 31, 2015.

(8) ”All(5) “All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. MetcalfKuehne in 20152018 consists of the following items: 401(k) matching contributions, $4,689,$5,341; wellness time conversion, $5,000, vacation time conversion $21,154,$6,058; health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $3,038;$12,313; and life insurance $1,062.

(9) Ms. Freeman, during her term as President of the Company, received compensation pursuant to the terms of her employment agreement with the Company dated August 11, 2014. Ms. Freeman resigned as the Company’s President effective June 3, 2015.

(10) ”All Other Compensation” amount for Ms. Freeman in 2015 consists of the following items: contractual severance payments, $463,543, health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $10,477; and life insurance, $257.$660.

 

(11) On November 1, 2013, in connection with Mr. Kuehne’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer, the Company increased Mr. Kuehne’s salary from $160,000 to $210,000 per year effective as of January 1, 2014. The Company increased Mr. Kuehne’s salary from $210,000 to $235,000 per year effective as of December 15, 2015.

(12) ”All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. Kuehne in 2015 consists of the following items: 401(k) matching contributions, $3,211, wellness time conversion, $4,038, health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $8,968; and life insurance, $450.

(13) On April 1, 2014, the Company increased Mr. Ritchie’s salary from $240,000 to $245,000.

(14) ”All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. Ritchie’s in 2015 consists of the following items: 401(k) matching contributions, $3,746, wellness time conversion, $4,712, health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $6,079; and life insurance, $1,062.

22

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table sets forth information concerning grants of plan-based awards in fiscal year 20152018 to our Named Executive Officers.

 

21

                      All Other  All Other       
                      Stock Awards:  Option     Grant 
    Estimated Future Payouts  Estimated Future Payouts  Number  Awards:  Exercise  Date Fair 
    Under Non-Equity Incentive  Under Equity Incentive  of  Number of  or Base  Value of 
    Plan Awards (1)  Plan Awards  Shares  Securities  Price of  Stock and  
                      of Stock  Underlying  Option  Option 
  Grant Threshold  Target  Maximum  Threshold  Target  Maximum  or Units  Options  Awards  Awards 
Name Date ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  ($)  (#)  (#)  ($)  ($) 
                                           
Aaron J. Kuehne 12/16/15  -   -   -   -   -   -   55,000(1)  -   -   128,260 

    Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
  

All Other

Stock Awards:
Number

of
Shares
of Stock

  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
  

Exercise

or Base

Price of

Option

  

Grant

Date Fair

Value of

Stock and

Option

 
Name Grant
Date
 Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  

Maximum

($)

  

or Units

(#)

  Options
(#)
  

Awards

($)

  

Awards

($)

 
Warren B. Kanders 3/9/18  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   500,000(1) $6.80  $1,546,950 
                                           
John C. Walbrecht 3/9/18  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   500,000(1) $6.80  $1,386,500 
                                           
Aaron J. Kuehne 3/9/18  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   500,000(1) $6.80  $1,546,950 

 

(1)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

The following table sets forth information concerning stock options and stock awards held by the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2015:2018:

 

 Option Awards Stock Awards  Option Awards Stock Awards 
Name 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable 

  

Number of 

Securities 

Underlying 

Unexercised

Options (#) 

Unexercisable

  

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards: 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Unearned

Options (#)

 

Option

Exercise

 Price ($)

 

Option 

Expiration

Date

 

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested (#)

  

Market

 Value of

 Shares or

 Units of

Stock That

 Have Not

Vested 

($)

 

Equity

Incentive 

Plan Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares,

Units or

Other Rights

That Have 

Not Vested

(#)

 

Equity

Incentive 

Plan Awards: 

Market or

 Payout Value

of Unearned

Shares, 

Units or 

Other Rights

That Have  

Not Vested

 ($)

  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable 

 

Number of 

Securities 

Underlying 

Unexercised

Options (#) 

Unexercisable

 

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards: 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Unearned

Options (#)

 

Option

Exercise

 Price ($)

 

Option 

Expiration

Date

 

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested (#)

 

Market

 Value of

 Shares or

 Units of

Stock That

 Have Not

Vested 

($)

 

Equity

Incentive 

Plan Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares,

Units or

Other Rights

That Have 

Not Vested

(#)

 

Equity

Incentive 

Plan Awards: 

Market or

 Payout Value

of Unearned

Shares, 

Units or 

Other Rights

That Have  

Not Vested

 ($)

 
                                       
Warren B. Kanders  400,000(1)  -   -   7.50  5/31/20(1)  -   -   -   -  400,000(1) - - 7.50 5/31/20 - - - - 
  400,000(1)  -   -   10.00  5/31/20(1) -   -   -   -  400,000(1) - - 10.00 5/31/20 - - - - 
  -   -   -   -  -  250,000(2)  1,105,000   -   -  100,000(2) 400,000(2) - 6.80 3/9/2028 - - - - 
                                   - - - - - 250,000(3) 2,530,000 -   
Robert R. Schiller  -   -   -   -  -  -   -   -   - 
                                                     
Peter R. Metcalf  75,000(3)  -   -   6.85  3/30/16  -   -   -   - 
  -   -   -   -  -  -   -   -   - 
John C. Walbrecht 100,000(4) 400,000(4) - 6.80 3/9/2028 - - - - 
                                                     
Aaron J. Kuehne  25,000(4)  -   -   10.40  11/7/23  -   -   -   -  25,000(5) - - 10.40 11/7/23 - - - - 
  3,000   4,500(5)  -   8.20  1/1/23  -   -   -   -  7,500(6) - - 8.20 1/1/23 - - - - 
  12,500(6)  -   -   6.25  9/12/20  -   -   -   -  12,500(7) - - 6.25 9/12/20 - - - - 
      55,000(7)  -   4.63  12/16/25  -   -   -   -  38,500(8) 16,500(8) - 4.63 12/16/25 - - - - 
                                   - - - - - 100,000(9) 1,012,000 - - 
Mark D. Ritchie  75,000(8)  -   -   10.40  8/30/23  -   -   -   - 
  25,000(9)  -   -   6.85  5/28/20  -   -   -   -  83,334(10) 41,666(10) - 4.38 7/1/26 - - - - 
      -   -   -  -  30,000(10)  132,600   -   -  33,334(11) 16,666(11) - 6.15 8/21/27 - - - - 
 100,000(12) 400,000(12) - 6.80 3/9/2028 - - - - 

 

(1)    Fully vested non-plan stock option award. The Company’s Compensation Committee and Board of Directors approved, effective as of May 28, 2010, the extension of the expiration date for such stock option awards from December 20, 2012 to May 31, 2020.

(1)Fully vested non-plan stock option award. The Company’s Compensation Committee and Board of Directors approved, effective as of May 28, 2010, the extension of the expiration date for such stock option awards from December 20, 2012 to May 31, 2020.

 

(2)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on December 31, 2018, and options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock shall vest and became exercisable on each anniversary thereof, through December 31, 2022.

(2) A seven-year restricted stock award granted under the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan on January 17, 2011 of 250,000 restricted shares which will vest and become nonforfeitable on the date the closing price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $14.00 per share for 20 consecutive trading days.

(3)A five-year restricted stock award granted under the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan on June 1, 2017, of which 250,000 shares will vest if the fair market value of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $12.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

 2322 

 

 

(3) Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 30,000, 22,500 and 22,500 shares of common stock became exercisable on December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Mr. Metcalf retired as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer effective December 31, 2015 and as a result these options are no longer outstanding.  

(4)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on December 31, 2018, and options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock shall vest and became exercisable on each anniversary thereof, through December 31, 2022.

 

(4) Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 25,000 are immediately exercisable. The shares of common stock underlying the stock option will be subject to certain transfer restrictions through and including December 31, 2017, provided, that upon any termination of Mr. Kuehne’s employment with the Company for any reason (including, but not limited to, death, Disability or Termination by the Company without Cause (each as defined in the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan)), the transfer restrictions shall continue to apply through and including December 31, 2022.

(5)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock were immediately exercisable on the date of the grant.

 

(5) Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 3,000 shares of common stock shall vest and become exercisable on December 31, 2015 and options to purchase 2,250 shares of common stock shall vest and become exercisable on each of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017.

(6)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 3,000 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on December 31, 2015 and options to purchase 2,250 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on each of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

(6) Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 5,000, 3,750 and 3,750 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on each of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

(7)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 5,000, 3,750 and 3,750 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on each of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

(7) Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 22,000, 16,500 and 16,500 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on each of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

(8)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 22,000 and 16,500 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on each of December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively, and options to purchase 16,500 shares of common stock shall vest and become exercisable on December 31, 2019.

 

(8) Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 75,000 are immediately exercisable. The shares of common stock underlying the stock option will be subject to certain transfer restrictions through and including December 31, 2017, provided, that upon any termination of Mr. Ritchie’s employment with the Company for any reason (including, but not limited to, death, Disability or Termination by the Company without Cause (each as defined in the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan)), the transfer restrictions shall continue to apply through and including December 31, 2022.

(9)Restricted stock award granted on July 1, 2016 under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan of which 100,000 restricted shares will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before July 1, 2020, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

(9) Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 10,000, 7,500 and 7,500 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

(10)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 41,667 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on each of July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018, and options to purchase 41,666 shares of common stock shall vest and become exercisable on July 1, 2019.

 

(10)  Restricted stock award of 30,000 shares of common stock granted under the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan will vest and become nonforfeitable as follows: (i) 10,000 shares shall immediately vest and become nonforfeitable if: (A) during any calendar year ending prior to and including December 31, 2015, the Company’s apparel products achieve certain net revenue targets in such calendar year; and (B) Mr. Ritchie is employed as a full time employee by the Company or one of its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2016; (ii) 10,000 shares shall immediately vest and become nonforfeitable if: (A) during any calendar year ending prior to and including December 31, 2017, the Company’s apparel products achieve certain net revenue targets such calendar year; and (B) Mr. Ritchie is employed as a full time employee by the Company or one of its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2018; and (iii) 10,000 shares shall immediately vest and become nonforfeitable if: (A) during any calendar year ending prior to and including December 31, 2018, the Company’s apparel products achieve certain net revenue targets in such calendar year; and (B) Mr. Ritchie is employed as a full time employee by the Company or one of its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2019; provided, however, in the event that the Company fails to achieve a net revenue target in an applicable calendar year but Mr. Ritchie remains employed as a full time employee by the Company or one of its subsidiaries as of the applicable employment date for such period, then 2,000 restricted shares with respect to such period shall become fully vested and the remaining 8,000 unvested restricted shares with respect to such period shall be forfeited effective as of such applicable employment date.

(11)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 16,667 shares of the common stock vested and became exercisable on each of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, and options to purchase 16,666 shares of common stock shall vest and become exercisable on December 31, 2019.

 

24(12)Stock option award granted pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on December 31, 2018, and options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock shall vest and became exercisable on each anniversary thereof, through December 31, 2022.

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 20152018

There were no exercises of stock options by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2018.

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the vesting of stock option awards and vesting ofall restricted stock awards in fiscal year 2015previously granted to ourthe Named Executive Officers.Officers that vested during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

 Option Awards  Stock Awards  Stock Awards 
Name 

Number of

Shares

Acquired on

Exercise (#)

 

Value Realized

on Exercise ($)

 

Number of

Shares

Acquired on

Vesting (#)

 

Value Realized

on Vesting ($)

  

Number of

Shares

Acquired on

Vesting (#) 

 

Value Realized

on Vesting ($)

 

 
                
Zeena A. Freeman  -   -   45,000   434,250 
Warren B. Kanders  250,000  $2,720,000 

 

Pension Benefits – Fiscal 20152018

 

There were no pension benefits earned by our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.2018.

23

 

Non-qualified Defined Contribution and Other Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plans

 

The Company does not have any non-qualified defined contribution or other non-qualified deferred compensation plans covering its Named Executive Officers.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of ControlChange-in-Control

 

The tables below reflect the amount of compensation payable to each of the current Named Executive Officers of the Company in the event of termination of such executive’s employment. The amount of compensation payable to each current Named Executive Officer upon voluntary termination; retirement; involuntary not-for-cause termination; involuntary for cause termination; termination following a change of control;change-in-control; retention following a change of control;change-in-control; and in the event of disability or death of the executive is shown below. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2015.2018. The amounts shown thus include amounts earned through such times and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the executives upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executive’s separation from the Company.

Payments Made Upon Termination

 

Regardless of the manner in which a Named Executive Officer’s employment terminates, he may be entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment.

 

In the event that Mr. Kanders’ employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as such term is defined in the Kanders Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Kanders for certain reasons set forth in the Kanders Employment Agreement, Mr. Kanders will be entitled to receive, among other things, an amount equal to five times his annual base salary in one lump sum payment, and in each case, any unvested stock options held by Mr. Kanders shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Kanders shall immediately vest.

In the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated by BDEL without “cause” (as defined in the Walbrecht Employment Agreement), Mr. Walbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year of his base compensation.

In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Kuehne Employment Agreement), Mr. Kuehne will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, generally be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year of his base salary and reimbursement of any COBRA premium payments made by Mr. Kuehne during such one-year period, in each case payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. In addition, all granted but unvested stock options and all unvested restricted stock will be null and void.

Payments Made Upon Retirement

 

In the event of the retirement of a Named Executive Officer, no additional benefits are paid.

 

Payments Made Upon Permanent Disability or Death

In the event of Mr. Kanders’ death, his designees would be entitled to $200,000 from a ChangeCompany group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of Controlall of the Company’s employees. The Company also maintains term life insurance on Mr. Kanders in the amount of $2,000,000 for the benefit of his designees. Additionally, in the event of his termination due to permanent disability or death, the Kanders Employment Agreement provides that all unvested stock options held by Mr. Kanders will immediately vest and become exercisable.

In the event of Mr. Walbrecht’s death, his beneficiary would be entitled to receive $300,000 from a Company group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of all of the Company’s employees. In addition, in the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated upon death, his designees will be entitled to receive $1,000,000 from the proceeds of any key man life insurance policy obtained by BDEL on the life of Mr. Walbrecht in accordance with the Walbrecht Employment Agreement; no such insurance policy is currently in place.

24

In the event of Mr. Kuehne’s death, his beneficiary would be entitled to receive $300,000 from a Company group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of all of the Company’s employees. Additionally, in the event of his termination due to permanent disability or death, the Kuehne Employment Agreement provides that all unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock held by Mr. Kuehne will immediately vest and become exercisable, as applicable.

Payments Made Upon a Change-in-Control

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Kanders Employment Agreement, in the event that Mr. Kanders’ employment agreements betweenis terminated by Mr. Kanders upon a change-in-control, Mr. Kanders will be entitled to receive, among other things, an amount equal to five times his annual base salary in one lump sum payment, and any unvested stock options held by Mr. Kanders shall immediately vest and become exercisable and all unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Kanders shall immediately vest.

Pursuant to the terms of the Kanders Employment Agreement, a change-in-control is deemed to occur in the event that:

·the members of the Board of Directors as of June 1, 2017 cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directorsprovided,however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Board of Directors shall be considered as though such individual was a member of the Board of Directors as of such date;

·the Company shall have been sold by either (A) a sale of all or substantially all its assets, or (B) a merger or consolidation, other than any merger or consolidation pursuant to which the Company acquires another entity, or (C) a tender offer, whether solicited or unsolicited; or (iii) any party, other than the Company, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power of all the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company; or

·any party, other than the Company, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power of all the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company.

Pursuant to the terms of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, upon the termination of employment of Mr. Walbrecht by BDEL or the acquirer of BDEL upon a change-in-control of BDEL, Mr. Walbrecht will receive one year of annual salary and eachsupplemental performance bonuses that he may have been eligible to earn during the remainder of Messrs. Kanders and Schiller,the term of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement in one lump sum.

Pursuant to the terms of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, a change-in-control is deemed to occur in the event that:

·BDEL shall have been sold by either (A) a sale of all or substantially all its assets, or (B) a merger or consolidation, other than any merger or consolidation pursuant to which BDEL acquires another entity, or (C) a tender offer, whether solicited or unsolicited; or

·any party, other than the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting securities of BDEL representing 50% or more of the total voting power of all the then-outstanding voting securities of BDEL.

Pursuant to the terms of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, upon the termination of employment by such executive due to the occurrence of a change in control, such terminating executive will receive one year of annual salary in one lump sum, COBRA premium payments for one year, and all granted but unvested stock options held by the executiveMr. Kuehne will automatically vest and become exercisable.exercisable and all unvested shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Kuehne will automatically vest.

 

Pursuant to the employment agreements between the Company and each of Messrs. Kanders and Schiller, a change of control is deemed to occur in the event that:

 25 

 

Pursuant to the Kuehne Employment Agreement, a change-in-control is deemed to occur in the event that:

 

 ·the members of the Board of Directors as of June 5, 2013July 1, 2016 cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directorsprovided,however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to June 5, 2013,July 1, 2016, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Board shall be considered as though such individual was a member of the Board as of June 5, 2013;July 1, 2016;

 

 ·the Company shall have been sold by either (i) a sale of all or substantially all its assets; (ii) a merger or consolidation, other than any merger or consolidation pursuant to which the Company acquires another entity or (iii) a tender offer, whether solicited or unsolicited; or

 

 ·any party, other than the Company, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting securities representing 50% or more of the total voting power of the Company.

 

Warren B. Kanders

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination, permanent disability or a changedeath of control of the Company for Warren B. Kanders, the Company’s Executive Chairman, as well as a change-in-control of the Company, which includes payments payable pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement dated June 5, 2013,the Kanders Employment Agreement, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement.

 

Executive
Benefits and
Payments Upon
Separation
 Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/15
($)
  For Cause
Termination on
12/31/15
($)
  Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/15
($)
  Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/15
($)
  Change-in-
Control
12/31/15
($)
  Disability on
12/31/15
($)
  Death on
12/31/15
($)
  Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
 For Cause
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
 Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
 Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/18
($)
 Change-in-
Control
12/31/18
($)
 Disability on
12/31/18
($)
 Death on
12/31/18
($)
 
                                           
Compensation                                           
                                           
Cash Severance – Salary  -   -   175,000(1)  175,000(1)  -   -   -  - - 1,750,000(1) 1,750,000(1) - - - 
                                           
Stock Options  -   -   -   -       -   -  - - - - - - - 
                                           
Restricted Stock  -   -           1,105,000(2)  -   -  - - 2,530,000(2)  2,530,000(2)  - - - 
                                           
Benefits & Perquisites                          -                
                                           
Life Insurance  -   -   -   -       -   2,250,000(3) - - - - - - 2,200,000(3)
                                           
Disability Income  -   -   -   -       -   -  - - - - - - - 
                                           
Total          175,000   175,000   1,105,000       2,250,000  - -  4,280,000  4,280,000  - -  2,200,000 

 

(1)Mr. Kanders would be entitled to receive one year ofan amount equal to five times his annual base salary of $175,000$350,000 in one lump sum pursuant to the terms of his employment agreementthe Kanders Employment Agreement, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement.

 

(2)The unvested portion of 250,000 shares of restricted common stock awarded to Mr. Kanders pursuant to the terms of a restricted stock agreement dated January 17, 2011,June 1, 2017 and under the terms of the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan would vest and become nonforfeitable. Valued using the December 31, 2015,2018, market price of $4.42$10.12 per share.

 

(3)Upon Mr. Kanders’ death, his designees would be entitled to receive $2,000,000 pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement, and an additional $250,000$200,000 from a Company group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of all of the Company’s employees. The Company also maintains term life insurance on Mr. Kanders in the amount of $2,000,000 for the benefit of his designees.

 

 26 

 

 

Robert R. SchillerJohn C. Walbrecht

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination, permanent disability or death of John C. Walbrecht, the Company’s President, as well as a change of controlchange-in-control of the Company, for Robert R. Schiller, the Company’s Executive Vice Chairman, which includes payments payable pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement dated June 5, 2013,the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement.

 

Executive
Benefits and
Payments Upon
Separation
 Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/15
($)
  For Cause
Termination on
12/31/15
($)
  Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/15
($)
  Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/15
($)
  Disability
on 12/31/15
($)
  

Death on

12/31/15

($)

  Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
 For Cause
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
 Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
  Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/18
($)
  Change-in-
Control
12/31/18
($)
 Disability on
12/31/18
($)
 Death on
12/31/18
($)
 
                                         
Compensation                                         
                                         
Cash Severance - Salary  -   -   175,000(1)  175,000(1)  -   - 
Cash Severance – Salary - - 425,000(1) 425,000(1)  - - - 
                                         
Stock Options  -   -   -   -   -   -  - - -  -  - - - 
                                         
Restricted Stock  -   -   -   -   -   -  - - -  -  - - - 
                                         
Benefits & Perquisites                                         
                                         
Life Insurance  -   -   -   -   -   225,000(2) - - -  -  - - 300,000(2)
                                         
Disability Income  -   -   -   -   -   -  - - -  -  - - - 
                                         
Total          175,000   175,000       225,000  - -  425,000   425,000   -   300,000 

 

(1)Mr. SchillerWalbrecht would be entitled to receive one year of his annual base salary of $175,000$425,000 in one lump sum pursuant to the terms of his employment agreementthe Walbrecht Employment Agreement, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement.

 

(2)Upon Mr. Schiller’sWalbrecht’s death, his beneficiary would be entitled to receive $225,000$300,000 from a Company group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of all of the Company’s employees.

 

Aaron J. Kuehne

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination, permanent disability or a changedeath of control of the Company for Aaron J. Kuehne, the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer.Treasurer, as well as a change-in-control of the Company, which includes payments payable pursuant to the terms of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement.

Executive
Benefits and
Payments Upon
Separation
 Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
  For Cause
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
  Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/18
($)
  Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/18
($)
  Change-in-
Control
12/31/18
($)
  Disability on
12/31/18
($)
  Death on
12/31/18
($)
 
                      
Compensation                            
                             
Cash Severance – Salary  -   -   350,000(1)  350,000(1)  -   -   - 
                             
Stock Options  -   -   -   1,723,912(2)  -   1,723,912(2)  1,723,912(2)
                             
Restricted Stock  -   -   -   1,012,000(2)  -   1,012,000(2)  1,012,000(2)
                             
Benefits & Perquisites                            
                             
Insurance  -   -   15,810(3)  15,810(3)  -   -   300,000(4)
                             
Disability Income  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
                             
Total  -   -   365,810   3,101,722   -   2,735,912   3,035,912 

27

 

Executive

Benefits and

Payments Upon

Separation

(1)

Voluntary

Termination

on 12/31/15

($)

For Cause

Termination

 on 12/31/15

($)

Without Cause

Termination

on 12/31/15

($)

Change-in-

Control and

Termination

on 12/31/15

 ($)

Disability on

12/31/15

($)

Death on

12/31/15

($)

Compensation
Cash Severance - Salary------
Stock Options------
Restricted Stock------
Benefits & Perquisites
Life Insurance-----200,000(1)
Disability Income------
Total200,000Mr. Kuehne would be entitled to receive one year of his annual base salary of $350,000 in one lump sum pursuant to the terms of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement.

 

(1)(2)The unvested portion of an aggregate of options to purchase 474,832 shares of common stock would vest and become nonforfeitable, and 100,000 shares of restricted common stock awarded to Mr. Kuehne pursuant to the terms of a restricted stock agreement dated July 1, 2016 would vest and become nonforfeitable. Valued using the December 31, 2018, market price of $10.12 per share.

(3)Mr. Kuehne will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive reimbursement of any COBRA premium payments made by Mr. Kuehne during a one-year period, in each case payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.  Calculated assuming that maximum reimbursements are provided.

(4)Upon Mr. Kuehne’s death, his beneficiary would be entitled to receive $200,000$300,000 from a Company group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of all of the Company’s employees.

 

27

Mark RitchiePay Ratio Disclosure

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change of control2018 annual total compensation of the Company for Mark Ritchie,median compensated of all our employees who were employed as of December 31, 2018, other than our Executive Chairman, was $47,459. The 2018 annual total compensation of Mr. Kanders, our Executive Chairman, was $1,957,372, and the Company’s Chief Operating Officer.ratio of these amounts was 41:1.

 

Executive

The SEC’s rules for identifying the median compensated employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their employee populations and compensation practices. As a result, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

Benefits and

Payments Upon

Separation

Voluntary

Termination

on 12/31/15

($)

For Cause

Termination on

12/31/15

($)

Without Cause

Termination

on 12/31/15

($)

Change-in-

Control and

Termination

on 12/31/15

 ($)

Disability on

12/31/15

($)

Death on

12/31/15

($)

Compensation
Cash Severance - Salary------
Stock Options------
Restricted Stock------
Benefits & Perquisites
Life Insurance-----200,000(1)
Disability Income------
Total200,000

 

(1)Upon Mr. Ritchie’s death, his beneficiary would be entitled to receive $200,000 from a Company group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of all of the Company’s employees.

The pay ratio reported above is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll and employment records and the methodology described below. For these purposes, we identified the median compensated employee using total taxable wages paid to our employees in fiscal 2018, annualizing the salaries paid to new employees that did not work the full fiscal year. After identifying such median compensated employee, we calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the same methodology we used for our Executive Chairman and other Named Executive Officers. Using this methodology, the annual total compensation in 2018 for our median employee was $47,459.

We determined our total workforce, excluding our Executive Chairman, to consist of 571 employees. During fiscal 2018, Clarus acquired the assets of SKINourishment, LLC, which employs 6 employees that, pursuant to SEC rules, will be included in our pay ratio for fiscal 2019, but were not included in this year’s calculation.

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

Warren B. Kanders

 

On June 5, 2013,1, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreementthe Kanders Employment Agreement with Mr. Warren B. Kanders, (the “Kanders Employment Agreement”), in connection with the expirationCompany’s current Executive Chairman of his previously existing employment agreement with the Company, dated May 28, 2010. The Kanders Employment AgreementCompany’s Board of Directors, which provides for hisMr. Kanders’ employment as Executive Chairman of the CompanyBoard of Directors for a term of three years,expiring on June 1, 2022, subject to certain termination rights, during which time he will receive an annual base salary of $175,000,$350,000. Mr. Kanders’ annual base salary will be subject to annual review by the Company. Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors as well as further review in light of any redeployment of assets transaction that the Company may engage in during the term of the Kanders Employment Agreement.

Under the terms of the Kanders Employment Agreement, the Company issued and granted to Mr. Kanders a restricted stock award of 500,000 restricted shares of common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock

28

Incentive Plan, of which (i) 250,000 vested after the closing share price of the Company’s common stock equaled or exceeded $10.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days; and (ii) 250,000 will vest if, on or before June 1, 2022, the closing share price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $12.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

In addition, Mr. Kanders is entitled, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee, of the Company’s Board of Directors, to receive performance bonuses, which may be based upon a variety of factors,factors. Mr. Kanders will also be entitled, at the sole and stock options andabsolute discretion of the Compensation Committee, to participate in other bonus plans of the Company. Mr. Kanders will also be entitled, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, to bonuses in the form of cash, stock options and/or restricted stock awards based upon his provision of strategic advice to the Company in connection with capital markets transactions, financings, capital structure optimization and mergers and acquisitions transactions. The Company also agreed towill maintain term life insurance on Mr. Kanders in the amount of $2,000,000 for the benefit of his designees (the “Kanders Life Insurance”).

 

The Kanders Employment Agreement contains a non-competition covenant and non-interference (relating to the Company’s customers) and non-solicitation (relating to the Company’s employees) provisions effective during the term of hisMr. Kanders’ employment and for a period of three years after termination of the Kanders Employment Agreement.

 

28

In the event that Mr. Kanders’ employment is terminated (i) by the Company without “cause” (as such term is defined in the Kanders Employment Agreement);, (ii) by Mr. Kanders for certain reasons set forth in the Kanders Employment Agreement;Agreement or (iii) by Mr. Kanders upon a “change in control” (as such term is defined in the Kanders Employment Agreement), Mr. Kanders will be entitled to receive, among other things, an amount equal to one year offive times his annual base salary in one lump sum payment, within five days after the effective date of such termination and allin each case, any unvested stock options held by Mr. Kanders willshall immediately vest and become exercisable. exercisable and all unvested restricted stock awards held by Mr. Kanders shall immediately vest.

In the event that Mr. Kanders fails to comply with any of his post-employment obligations under the Kanders Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, the non-competition covenant and the non-interference and non-solicitation provisions, Mr. Kanders will be required to repay such lump sum payment as of the date of such failure to comply and he will have no further rights in or to such lump sum payment. In the event that Mr. Kanders’ employment is terminated upon his death, Mr. Kanders’ designees will be entitled to receive the proceeds of the Kanders Life Insurance. The Kanders Employment Agreement may also be terminated by the Company for “cause.” In the event that Mr. Kanders’ employment is terminated by the Company for “cause,” all stock options, whether vested or unvested, and unvested restricted stock awards will terminate and be null and void.

 

On January 17, 2011, Mr.All payments and benefits provided under the Kanders was awarded 250,000 shares of restricted stock, which the Company’s Board of Directors in May 2010 had determinedEmployment Agreement shall be subject to award to Mr. Kanders if he was an employee and/any compensation recovery or a director ofclawback policy as required under applicable law, rule or regulation or otherwise adopted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries as of thefrom time of the award. Such restricted stock award will vest and become nonforfeitable on the date the closing price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $14.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days. Pursuant to the terms of the restricted stock agreement dated January 17, 2011, by and between the Company and Mr. Kanders, all of such shares of restricted common stock would vest and become nonforfeitable upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in Mr. Kanders’ employment agreement).time. 

 

Robert R. SchillerJohn C. Walbrecht

 

On June 5, 2013, the CompanySeptember 23, 2016, BDEL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clarus, entered into an employment agreement with Robert R. Schiller (the “Schiller Employment Agreement”) in connection with the expiration of his previously existing employment agreement with the Company, dated May 28, 2010. The SchillerWalbrecht Employment Agreement with Mr. John C. Walbrecht, which provides for hisMr. Walbrecht’s employment as Executive Vice ChairmanPresident of the CompanyBDEL for a term of three years,expiring on December 31, 2020, subject to certain termination rights, during which time he will receiveand an annual base salary of $175,000, subject$350,000. Effective October 1, 2017, Mr. Walbrecht’s annual base salary was increased to annual review by the Company. In addition, Mr. Schiller is entitled, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, to receive performance bonuses, which may be based upon a variety of factors, and stock options and to participate in other bonus plans of the Company. Mr. Schiller will also be entitled, in$425,000.

At the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, Mr. Walbrecht is entitled to receive annual performance bonuses (the “Annual Performance Bonus”), which may be based upon the achievement of certain BDEL sales objectives, of up to 50% of Mr. Walbrecht’s base compensation. With respect to the calendar years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017, the Annual Performance Bonus was guaranteed in full.

In addition to the Annual Performance Bonus, commencing with the calendar year ended December 31, 2017, Mr. Walbrecht will be entitled to earn an additional annual bonus opportunity (the “Supplemental Performance Bonus”) of $500,000 upon BDEL achieving minimum annual Adjusted EBITDA Margins (as defined in the formWalbrecht Employment Agreement) of cash, stock options and/or restricted stock awards based upon his provisiongreater than 10% (the “Supplemental Performance Bonus Target”) for the applicable calendar year of strategic advicethe term of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement. In the event that BDEL fails to achieve an applicable Supplemental Performance Bonus Target by an amount not to exceed 200 basis points for a calendar year of the Companyterm of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement in connection with capital markets transactions, financings, capital structure optimization and mergers and acquisitions transactions.question but BDEL achieves the

29

Supplemental Performance Bonus Target for the immediately succeeding calendar year, then Mr. Walbrecht will be entitled to a Supplemental Performance Bonus of $1,000,000 in such succeeding calendar year.

 

The SchillerIn addition to confidentiality provisions, the Walbrecht Employment Agreement contains a non-competition covenant and non-interference (relating to the Company’s and the Company’s affiliates’ and subsidiaries’ customers) and, non-solicitation (relating to the Company’s and the Company’s affiliates’ and subsidiaries’ employees) and non-disparagement provisions effective during the term of his employment and for a period of three yearsone year after the termination of his employment with BDEL, as more particularly set forth in the SchillerWalbrecht Employment Agreement.

 

In the event that Mr. Schiller’sWalbrecht’s employment is terminated (i)as a result of his death or disability, Mr. Walbrecht or his estate will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base compensation through the date of such termination. In addition, in the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated upon his death, Mr. Walbrecht’s designees will be entitled to receive $1,000,000 from the proceeds of any key man life insurance policy obtained by BDEL on the Companylife of Mr. Walbrecht in accordance with the Walbrecht Employment Agreement; no such insurance policy is currently in place. In the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated by BDEL for “cause” (as defined in the Walbrecht Employment Agreement), Mr. Walbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base compensation through the date of such termination.

In the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated by BDEL without “cause” (as such term is defined in the Schiller Employment Agreement); (ii) by Mr. Schiller for certain reasons set forth in the Schiller Employment Agreement; or (iii) by Mr. Schiller upon a “change in control” (as such term is defined in the SchillerWalbrecht Employment Agreement), Mr. SchillerWalbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year of his base salarycompensation as a severance amount. In the event that Mr. Walbrecht voluntarily terminates his employment, Mr. Walbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base compensation and benefits through the date of such termination.

In the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated by BDEL or the acquirer of the business of BDEL upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Walbrecht Employment Agreement) (other than a termination by BDEL for “cause” during such period), Mr. Walbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive the severance amount and Supplemental Performance Bonuses that he may have been eligible to earn during the remainder of the term of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement in one lump sum payment within five days afterof the effective date of such termination, except that, in the event BDEL or the acquirer requests Mr. Walbrecht to provide consulting services described in the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, then the lump sum payment of an amount equal to the severance amount and all unvested stock options held by Mr. Schiller will immediately vest and become exercisable. Supplemental Performance Bonuses shall be payable upon the expiration of such consulting period.

In the event that Mr. SchillerWalbrecht fails to comply with any of his post-employment obligations under the SchillerWalbrecht Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, the non-competition covenant and the non-interference, non-solicitation and non-disparagement provisions, Mr. SchillerWalbrecht will be required to repay such lump sum paymentprevious post termination payments paid to him pursuant to the Walbrecht Employment Agreement as of the date of such failure to comply and he will have no further rights in or to such lump sum payment. The Schillerpayments payable to him pursuant to the Walbrecht Employment Agreement. All payments and benefits provided under the Walbrecht Employment Agreement may alsoshall be terminatedsubject to any compensation recovery or clawback policy as required under applicable law, rule or regulation or otherwise adopted by BDEL from time to time.

Aaron J. Kuehne

On May 16, 2016, the Company and Aaron Kuehne entered into the Kuehne Employment Agreement, which provides for Mr. Kuehne’s employment as Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company for “cause.” In the event that Mr. Schiller’s employment is terminateda term expiring on July 1, 2020, subject to certain termination rights, and an annual base salary of $300,000, subject to annual review by the Company for “cause,” all stock options, whether vestedCompany. The Kuehne Employment Agreement became effective on July 1, 2016. Effective October 1, 2017, Mr. Kuehne’s annual base salary was increased to $350,000. In addition, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors or unvested,the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, Mr. Kuehne is entitled to receive annual performance bonuses, which may be based upon a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors, of up to 25% of Mr. Kuehne’s annual base salary. Mr. Kuehne will terminatealso be entitled, at the sole and be null and void.absolute discretion of the Company’s Board of

 

 2930 

 

 

Aaron J. KuehneDirectors or the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, to participate in other bonus plans of the Company.

 

Effective asUnder the terms of Novemberthe Kuehne Employment Agreement, on July 1, 2013, Mr. Aaron J. Kuehne was appointed to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kuehne was serving as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer since March 15, 2013, in connection with the resignation of Mr. Peay, in addition to serving as its Vice President of Finance, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Mr. Kuehne’s employment with2016, the Company is “at-will.” During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company paidissued and granted to Mr. Kuehne an annual base salary of $210,000 Effective December 15, 2015, Mr. Kuehne’s salary was increased to $235,000. The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Kuehne a discretionary cash bonus in the amount of $50,500 for his services in 2015. In connection with Mr. Kuehne’s appointment as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, on November 8, 2013, awarded to him stock options under the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Planoption to purchase 25,000125,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $10.40 per share. On December 16, 2015, Mr. Kuehne was awarded stock options underpursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, having an exercise price of $4.38 per share, of which 41,667 shares of common stock vested and became exercisable on each of July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018 and 41,666 shares of common stock will vest and become exercisable on July 1, 2019. Also under the terms of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, on July 1, 2016, the Company issued and granted to purchase 55,000Mr. Kuehne a restricted stock award of 100,000 restricted shares pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, all of which will vest if, on or before July 1, 2020, the closing share price of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.63shall have equaled or exceeded $15.00 per share.share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

Mark Ritchie

EffectiveThe Kuehne Employment Agreement also contains confidentiality obligations as of August 3, 2012, Mr. Mark Ritchie was appointedwell as a non-competition covenant and non-interference (relating to serve as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Ritchie’scustomers), non-solicitation (relating to the Company’s employees) and non-disparagement provisions effective during the term of his employment and for a period of two years after the termination of his employment with the CompanyCompany.

In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is “at-will.” Duringterminated as a result of his death or disability, Mr. Kuehne or his estate will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base salary through the date of such termination and earned but unpaid annual incentive bonus prorated for the portion of the year ended December 31, 2015,in which such termination occurred and all granted but unvested stock options and all unvested restricted stock shall immediately vest. In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is terminated by the Company paidfor “cause” (as defined in the Kuehne Employment Agreement), Mr. Ritchie an annualKuehne will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base salary through the date of $245,000 The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Ritchie a discretionary cash bonussuch termination. In addition, all stock options, whether vested or unvested, and granted but unvested restricted stock will be null and void, except that, in the amountevent that Mr. Kuehne is terminated as a result of $500 for his services in 2015.failure to perform any reasonable directive of the Company’s Board of Directors, he will be entitled to retain any vested stock options.

 

In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Kuehne Employment Agreement), Mr. Kuehne will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year of his base salary and reimbursement of any COBRA premium payments made by Mr. Kuehne during such one-year period, in each case payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. In addition, all granted but unvested stock options and all unvested restricted stock will be null and void. In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is terminated by Mr. Kuehne other than as a result of a “change in control” (as defined in the Kuehne Employment Agreement), Mr. Kuehne will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base salary and benefits through the date of such termination. In addition, all granted but unvested stock options and all unvested restricted stock will be null and void. In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is terminated by Mr. Kuehne as a result of a “change in control” (as defined in the Kuehne Employment Agreement), Mr. Kuehne will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year of his base salary payable in one lump sum within five business days after such termination and reimbursement of any COBRA premium payments made by Mr. Kuehne during such one-year period, except that, in the event the Company or the acquirer requests Mr. Kuehne to provide consulting services described in the Kuehne Employment Agreement, then the lump sum payment of an amount equal to one year of his base salary shall be payable upon the expiration of such consulting period. In addition, all granted but unvested stock options and all unvested restricted stock shall immediately vest.

In the event that Mr. Kuehne fails to comply with any of his obligations under the Kuehne Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, the non-competition covenant and the non-interference, non-solicitation and non-disparagement provisions, Mr. Kuehne will be required to repay previous post termination payments paid to him pursuant to the Kuehne Employment Agreement as of the date of such failure to comply and he will have no further rights in or to such payments payable to him pursuant to the Kuehne Employment Agreement. All payments and benefits provided under the Kuehne Employment Agreement shall be subject to any compensation recovery or clawback policy as required under applicable law, rule or regulation or otherwise adopted by the Company from time to time.

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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDERPARTICIPATION

 

During fiscal 2015,2018, none of the members of our Compensation Committee (i) served as an officer or employee of Black DiamondClarus or its subsidiaries; (ii) was formerly an officer of Black DiamondClarus or its subsidiaries; or (iii) entered into any transactions with Black DiamondClarus or its subsidiaries. During fiscal 2015,2018, none of our executive officers (i) served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; (ii) served as director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; or (iii) served as member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of Black Diamond.Clarus.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

5% Unsecured Subordinated Notes due May 28, 2017

As part of the consideration payable to the stockholders of Gregory Mountain Products when the Company acquired Gregory Mountain Products, the Company issued $14,517,000, $7,539,000, and $554,000 in 5% Unsecured Subordinated Notes due May 28, 2017 (the “Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes”) to Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC, and five former employees of Gregory Mountain Products, respectively. Mr. Warren B. Kanders, the Company’s Executive Chairman and a member of its Board of Directors, is a majority member and a trustee of the manager of Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC. The sole manager of Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC is Mr. Robert R. Schiller, the Company’s Executive Vice Chairman and a member of its Board of Directors. The principle terms of the Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes are as follows: (i) the principal amount is due and payable on May 28, 2017 and is prepayable by the Company at any time; (ii) interest will accrue on the principal amount at the rate of 5% per annum and shall be payable quarterly in cash; (iii) the default interest rate shall accrue at the rate of 10% per annum during the occurrence of an event of default; and (iv) events of default, which can only be triggered with the consent of Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, are: (a) the default by the Company on any payment due under a Merger Consideration Subordinated Note; (b) the Company’s failure to perform or observe any other material covenant or agreement contained in the Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes; or (c) the Company’s instituting or becoming subject to a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code (as defined in the Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes). The Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes are junior to all senior indebtedness of the Company, except that payments of interest continue to be made under the Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes as long as no event of default exists under any senior indebtedness.

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On April 7, 2011, Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC transferred its Merger Consideration Subordinated Note in equal amounts to the Robert R. Schiller Cornerstone Trust and the Deborah Schiller 2005 Revocable Trust. On June 24, 2013, the Robert R. Schiller Cornerstone Trust dated September 9, 2010 transferred its Merger Consideration Subordinated Note in the amount of $3,769,000 to the Robert R. Schiller 2013 Cornerstone Trust dated June 24, 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2015, $726,000 in interest was paid to Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, and $377,000 in interest was paid to the Robert R. Schiller 2013 Cornerstone Trust and the Deborah Schiller 2005 Revocable Trust pursuant to the outstanding Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes.

On May 29, 2012 and August 13, 2012, five former employees of Gregory Mountain Products exercised certain sales rights and sold Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $365,000 to Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC and in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $189,000 to Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC. During the year ended December 31, 2015, $18,000 in interest was paid to Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, and $10,000 in interest was paid to Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC, pursuant to these outstanding Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes.

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related person transactions. Under the SEC’s rules, a related person is a director, officer, nominee for director, or five percent (5%) stockholder of the Company since the beginning of the last fiscal year and their immediate family members. In addition, under the SEC’s rules, a related person transaction is a transaction or series of transactions in which the company is a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any related person transactions.

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related person transactions. In addition, the Board of Directors has a general practice of requiring directors interested in a transaction not to participate in deliberations or to vote upon transactions in which they have an interest, and to be sure that transactions with directors, executive officers and major stockholders are on terms that align the interests of the parties to such agreements with the interests of the stockholders.

 

These practices are undertaken pursuant to written policies and procedures contained in: (i) the Charter of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, which vests the Audit Committee with the responsibility for the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (ii) the Company’s Amended and Restated Corporate Governance Guidelines, which vests in the Board and its committees the specific function of ensuring processes are in place for maintaining the integrity of compliance with law and ethics, and requiring that directors recuse themselves from any discussion or decision affecting their personal, business or professional interests; and (iii) the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which requires compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the avoidance of conflicts of interest, and prohibits the taking of corporate opportunities for personal benefit. In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 144 of the DGCL, which provides, among other things, that related party transactions involving the Company and our directors or officers need to be approved by a majority of disinterested directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board comprised of disinterested directors after disclosure of the material facts relating to the interested transaction in question.

 

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP audited the financial statements and related internal control over financial reporting of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018. The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, desires to continue the services of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP as of and for the current year ending December 31, 2016.2019. Accordingly, the Board of Directors will recommend at the Meeting that the stockholders ratify the appointment by Board of Directors of the firm of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP to audit the financial statements and related internal control over financial reporting of the Company as of and for the current year ending December 31, 2016.2019. Representatives of that firm are expected to be available at the Meeting, shall have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. Although ratification by stockholders is not required by our Amended and Restated Bylaws,

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our Charter of the Audit Committee or applicable law, and is not a binding proposal, the Audit Committee has determined that requesting ratification by stockholders of its selection of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is a matter of good corporate practice. In the event the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP, the appointment will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. Even if

KPMG LLP was previously the selection is ratified,principal accountants for the Company. On June 7, 2018, the Company dismissed KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. This change in the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was approved by the Audit Committee,Committee.

The audit reports of KPMG LLP on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. The audit report of KPMG LLP on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion. The audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 was modified in relation to the acquisition of Sierra Bullets, L.L.C. (“Sierra”) from which management excluded from its discretion, may changeassessment of the appointment at any time duringeffectiveness of the year if it determines that such a change would beCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, Sierra’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $26,420,000 and total revenues of $10,356,000 included in the best interestconsolidated financial statements of the Company as of and its stockholders.for the year ended December 31, 2017. KPMG LLP’s audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Sierra.

 

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During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and the subsequent interim period through June 7, 2018, there were no disagreements (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to this item) between the Company and KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and the subsequent interim period through June 7, 2018, there were been no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE FOR

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMGDELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016.2019. 

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for Black DiamondClarus by Deloitte & Touche LLP and KPMG LLP for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014, were:2017 were as follows:

 

 Fiscal 2015  Fiscal 2014  Deloitte & Touche LLP KPMG LLP 
         Fiscal 2018  Fiscal 2018  Fiscal 2017 
Audit Fees $1,541,733  $1,028,357  $767,704  $185,767  $1,796,709 
                    
Audit Related Fees $36,158  $24,050   -   -  $175,000 
                    
Tax Fees $226,893  $90,330   -  $75,119  $- 
                    
All Other Fees  -   -   -   -   - 
                    
Total $1,804,784  $1,142,737  $767,704  $260,886  $1,971,709 

 

Audit Fees.Deloitte & Touche LLP and KPMG LLP waswere engaged as our independent registered public accounting firmfirms to audit our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, respectively, to audit our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014, to review our 2015 and 2014 interim financial statements,2017, respectively, and to perform services in connection with our registration statements. KPMG LLP was also engaged to review our interim

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financial statements in 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, and Deloitte & Touche LLP was engaged to review our interim financial statements for the remainder of 2018.

 

Audit Related Fees.In 2015,Neither Deloitte & Touche LLP nor KPMG LLP billed us $36,158 for professional services rendered in connection with our sale of certain assets comprising Gregory Mountain Products’ business. In 2014,for audit related fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The amount KPMG LLP billed us $24,050 in connection withfor professional services rendered in relation to a transaction.for audit related fees for was $175,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Tax Fees. The amounts Deloitte & Touche LLP and KPMG LLP billed us for professional services rendered for compliance, tax advice or tax planning was $226,893were $0 and $90,33075,119, respectively, for the fiscal yearsyear ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.2018. KPMG LLP did not bill us for professional services rendered for compliance, tax advice or tax planning for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

All Other Fees.There were no other fees for the fiscal yearyears ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014, respectively.2017.

 

Auditor Independence.The Audit Committee has considered the non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP and KPMG LLP and determined that the provision of such services had no effect on either of Deloitte & Touche LLP’s or KPMG LLP’s independence from Black Diamond.Clarus.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures.

 

The Audit Committee must review and pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and has adopted a Pre-Approval Policy. In conducting reviews of audit and non-audit services, the Audit Committee will determine whether the provision of such services would impair the auditor’s independence. The term of any pre-approval is twelve months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved fee ranges or limits must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

Requests or applications to provide services that require pre-approval by the Audit Committee must be accompanied by a statement of the independent auditors as to whether, in the auditor’s view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s rules on auditor independence. Each pre-approval request or application must also be accompanied by documentation regarding the specific services to be provided.

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Since the adoptionengagement of the Pre-Approval PolicyDeloitte & Touche LLP by the Audit CommitteeCompany on MarchJune 11, 2004,2018, the Audit Committee has not waived the pre-approval requirement for any services rendered by KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP to Black Diamond.Clarus. All of the services provided by KPMGDeloitte & Touche LLP to Black DiamondClarus described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors does not intend to present any other matter for action at the Meeting other than as set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting and this Proxy Statement. If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, it is intended that the shares represented by the proxies will be voted, in the absence of contrary instructions, in the discretion of the persons named in the Proxy Card.

 

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and any persons who own more than 10% of our capital stock to file with the SEC (and, if such security is listed on a national securities exchange, with such exchange) various reports as to ownership of such capital stock. Such persons are required by the SEC’s regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

Based solely upon reports and representations submitted by the directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our capital stock, all Forms 3, 4 and 5 showing ownership of and changes of ownership in our capital stock during the 20152018 fiscal year were timely filed with the SEC.

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FORM 10-K

 

We will provide, without charge, to each stockholder as of the Record Date, upon our receipt of a written request of the stockholder, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, including the financial statements and schedules, as filed with the SEC. Stockholders should direct the written request to Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, Attention: Secretary.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS, NOMINATION OF

DIRECTORS AND OTHER BUSINESS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Under the rules of the SEC, if a stockholder wants us to include a proposal in our Proxy Statement and Proxy Card for presentation at our 20172020 Annual Meeting, the proposal must be received by us at our principal executive offices by January 4, 2017December 27, 2019 (or, if the 20172020 Annual Meeting is called for a date not within 30 calendar days before or after June 8, 2017,5, 2020, within a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for the meeting). The proposal should be sent to the attention of: Secretary, Black Diamond, Inc.,Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124 and must include the information and representations that are set out in Exchange Act Rule 14a-8.

 

Under our Bylaws, and as permitted by the rules of the SEC, certain procedures are provided that a stockholder must follow to nominate persons for election as directors or to introduce an item of business at a meeting of our stockholders outside of the requirements set forth in Exchange Act Rule 14a-8. These procedures provide that nominations for director nominees and/or an item of business to be introduced at a meeting of our stockholders must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company at our principal executive offices. Any written submission by a stockholder including a director nomination and/or item of business to be presented at a meeting of our stockholders must comply with the procedures and such other requirements as may be imposed by our Bylaws, Delaware law, the rules and regulations of the SEC and must include the information necessary for the Board of Directors to determine whether the candidate qualifies as independent.

 

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We must receive notice of the intention to introduce a director nomination or to present an item of business at our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (a) not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to June 8, 2017,5, 2020, if our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held within thirty (30) days before or after June 8, 2017;5, 2020; or (b) not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made, whichever occurs first, in the event our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held within thirty (30) days before or after June 8, 2017.5, 2020. In the event we call a special meeting of our stockholders, we must receive your intention to introduce a director nomination or to present an item of business at the special meeting of stockholders not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the notice of such special meeting of stockholders was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made, whichever occurs first.

 

If we do not receive notice within the prescribed dates, or if we meet other requirements of the SEC rules, the persons named as proxies in the proxy materials relating to that meeting will use their discretion in voting the proxies when these matters are raised at the meeting.

 

In addition, nominations or proposals not made in accordance herewith may be disregarded by the chairman of the meeting in his discretion, and upon his instructions all votes cast for each such nominee or for such proposals may be disregarded.

 

 FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  
 Aaron J. Kuehne
 Secretary

 

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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF CLARUS CORPORATION June 5, 2019 NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at www.claruscorp.com Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. 20430000000000000000 8 060519 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL THE NOMINEES LISTED; AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 2. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x 1. To elect the four nominees named in the accompanying Proxy Statement to serve on the Board of Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified; FOR ALL NOMINEES WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) NOMINEES: O Warren B. Kanders O Donald L. House O Nicholas Sokolow O Michael A. Henning 2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Clarus Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019; FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, including to consider any procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting, such as the postponement of the Annual Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies to vote in favor of the matters presented at the Annual Meeting. INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: Signature of Stockholder Date: Signature of Stockholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.

 

 

 

 

0 CLARUS CORPORATION THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby appoints Warren B. Kanders and Nicholas Sokolow as proxies, each with full power of substitution, to represent and vote as designated on the reverse side, all the shares of Common Stock of Clarus Corporation held of record by the undersigned on April 18, 2019, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the law offices of Kane Kessler, P.C., 666 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10017, on June 5, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, or any adjournment or postponement thereof and hereby revokes all earlier proxies of the undersigned. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ALL NOMINEES LISTED, AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 2. THIS PROXY CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY IN RESPECT TO MATTERS NOT KNOWN OR DETERMINED AT THE TIME OF THE MAILING OF THE NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL NOMINEES LISTED, AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 2. (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side) 1.1 14475