UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 


Filed by the Registrant ☒         

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

  

Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as (as permitted byRule 14a-6(e)(2))

  

Definitive Proxy Statement

  

Definitive Additional Materials

  

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12§240.14a-12

 

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

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

 

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Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) (1) and 0-11.


1.

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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.

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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:

materials

 

 

2.

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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

 


 

 

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Date:

Tuesday,Friday, December 5, 2017 2, 2022

Time:

11:00 a.m.,AM Pacific timeTime

Place:

Natural Alternatives International, Inc.

1215 Park Center Drive

Vista CA 92081https://meetnow.global/M62WMRG

 

To our Stockholders:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Natural Alternatives International, Inc. We are holding this year’s Annual Meeting solely online via live webcast. You will not be able to considerattend physically in person. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online, listen to the Meeting, vote your shares electronically and act uponsubmit your questions prior to and during the following matters:meeting.

You may attend the meeting by visiting: https://meetnow.global/M62WMRG at the date and time of the meeting.

If you own your shares through our transfer agent, Computershare, follow the instructions on your proxy card to access the meeting. No advance registration is necessary.

If you do not hold your shares with our transfer agent Computershare, you have two options to attend the Annual Meeting.

 

1)

1.Registration in advance of the Annual Meeting

To elect one Class III directorregister, submit proof of your Natural Alternatives International common stock holdings along with your name and email address to serve until the next meeting of stockholders heldour transfer agent by email to: legalproxy@computershare.com, or by mail to elect Class III directors and until their respective successors are elected and qualified;Computershare, Natural Alternatives International, Inc., Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001, Providence, RI 02940-3001.

 

2.2)

Registration at the Annual Meeting

You may register online at the Annual Meeting to attend, ask questions, and vote. We expect that the vast majority will be able to fully participate using the control number received with their proxy card. Please note, however, that this option is intended to be provided as a convenience only, and there is no guarantee this option will be available. The inability to access this option shall in no way impact the validity of the Annual Meeting. To ratifyensure your ability to participate, you may choose the selectionRegister in Advance of Haskell & White LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018;Annual Meeting (see option above).

 

3.

At the meeting, we will ask Shareholders to consider and act upon the following matters:

1.             To elect one Class II director to serve until the next meeting of stockholders held to elect Class II directors and until their respective successors are elected and qualified;

2.             To ratify the selection of Haskell & White LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023;

3.             To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement;

4.             To approve on an advisory basis, how frequently stockholders will vote on our executive compensation; and

5.             To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

 

The foregoing matters are more fully described in the proxy statementstatement accompanying this notice.

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on October 10, 2017,21, 2022, the record date fixed by the Board of Directors, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and at any adjournments thereof.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 5, 2017:2, 2022: Our proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are both available on-line at http://www.nai-online.com/proxy.php.our-company/investors/.

 

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote your shares at your earliest convenience. This will help ensure the presence of a quorum at the meeting. Promptly voting your shares by telephone, by Internet, or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card will save us the expense and extra work of additional solicitation. Voting your shares by telephone or by Internet will further help us reduce the costs of solicitation. A pre-addressed envelope for which no postage is required if mailed in the United States is enclosed if you wish to vote by mail. Voting your shares now will not prevent you from attending or voting your shares at the meeting if you desire to do so. Please see “WhatWhat is the effect of not casting my vote? under “Voting Information”Voting Information in the accompanying proxy statement.

 

Only stockholders and persons holding proxies from stockholders may attend the meeting. If you plan to attend, please bring a photo ID. If your shares are heldyou must register by following the instructions contained in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, you will need to bring a recent brokerage statement,this proxy or letter from that broker, trust, bank or other nominee that confirms you are the beneficial owner of those shares.statement.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

Mark A. LeDoux

Chairman

By Order of the Board of Directors

naii20221024_def14aimg001.jpg

Mark A. LeDoux

Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

1535 Faraday Avenue,

Carlsbad,, California 92008,

(760) 744-7340

736-7700 - October 26, 2017 25, 2022

 


 

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

1535 Faraday Avenue

Carlsbad, California 92008

 


 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

We are providing this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Natural Alternatives International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “we,” “our,” or “us”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday,Friday, December 5, 2017,2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time, at Natural Alternatives International, Inc., 1215 Park Center Drive, Vista CA 92081 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The meeting will be held virtually. We expect to mail this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card on or about October 26, 201731, 2022 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

VOTING INFORMATION

How can I attend the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted exclusively by webcast. You are entitled to participate in the Annual Meeting only if you were a stockholder of the Company as of the close of business on the Record Date, or if you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. No physical meeting will be held. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online, listen to the meeting, and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting https://meetnow.global/M62WMRG. You also will be able to vote your shares online when attending the Annual Meeting by webcast.

To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need to review the information included on your Notice, on your proxy card, or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials.

The online meeting will begin promptly at 11:00 AM Pacific Time. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time leaving ample time for the check in. Please follow the registration instructions as outlined in this proxy statement.

How do I register to attend the Annual Meeting virtually on the Internet?

If you own your shares through our transfer agent, Computershare, follow the instructions on your proxy card to access the meeting. No advance registration is necessary.

If you do not hold your shares with our transfer agent Computershare, you have two options to attend the Annual Meeting.

1)

Registration in advance of the Annual Meeting

To register, submit proof of your Natural Alternatives International common stock holdings along with your name and email address to our transfer agent by email to: legalproxy@computershare.com, or by mail to Computershare, Natural Alternatives International, Inc., Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001, Providence, RI 02940-3001.

2)

Registration at the Annual Meeting

You may register online at the Annual Meeting to attend, ask questions, and vote. We expect that the vast majority will be able to fully participate using the control number received with their proxy card. Please note, however, that this option is intended to be provided as a convenience, and there is no guarantee this option will be available for everyone. The inability to access this option shall in no way impact the validity of the Annual Meeting. You may choose the Register in Advance of the Annual Meeting (see option above).

 

Who can vote?

 

You may vote if you were a stockholder of record as of the close of business on October 10, 2017.21, 2022. This date is known as the record date. You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock you held on that date on each matter presented at the Annual Meeting. As of October 10, 2017, 7,429,02021, 2022, 6,071,533 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were issued and outstanding, net of 1,052,6573,119,873 treasury shares.

1

 

How many votes are needed to hold the Annual Meeting?

 

To take any action at the Annual Meeting, a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock entitledentitled to vote as of October 10, 2017,21, 2022, must be represented, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. This is called a quorum.

 

What is a proxy?

 

A “proxy” allows someone else to vote your shares on your behalf. Our Board of Directors is asking you to allow Mark A. LeDoux, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Kenneth E. Wolf, our President, and Chief Operating Officer, and Secretary to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting.

 

How do I vote by proxy?

 

Whether you hold shares directly as a stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may vote without attending the Annual Meeting. You may vote by granting a proxy or, for shares held in street name, by submitting voting instructions to your broker or nominee. To vote by proxy, please follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. You may vote by telephone, by Internet or by mail. Shares held in street name may be voted by telephone or by Internet only if your broker or nominee makes those methods available. Your broker or nominee will enclose instructions for voting shares held in street name by telephone or by Internet with this proxy statement if your broker or nominee has chosen to make those methods available.

 

If you vote by proxy, your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting in the manner you indicate. If you vote by mail and return a signed proxy card with no specific instructions, your shares will be voted as the Board of Directors recommends.

 

Can I change my vote after I submit my proxy?

 

Yes. You can change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by submitting another proxy with a later date. You may also send a written notice of revocation to Natural Alternatives International, Inc., 1535 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008, Attention: Mr. Kenneth E. Wolf, Secretary.

 

Can I vote in person at the Annual Meeting instead of voting by proxy?

 

Yes. However, we encourage you to vote your shares at your earliest convenience to ensure that your shares are represented and voted. If you vote your shares by proxy and later decide you would like to attend the virtual meeting and vote your shares in person,during the virtual meeting, you will need to provide a written notice of revocation to the secretaryInspector of Elections at the meeting before your proxy is voted. If you do not attend the annual meeting, you may none the less vote your shares by telephone, by internet, or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card.


 

How are votes counted?

 

Except as noted, all proxies received will be counted in determining whether a quorum exists and whether we have obtained the necessary number of votes on each proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present or represented for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the Annual Meeting, but broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of determining the number of shares entitled to vote with respect to any proposal. Accordingly, broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote for the election of directors or any other proposed matter. Generally, broker non-votes occur when shares held by a broker for a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a particular proposal because (i) the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and (ii) the broker lacks discretionary voting power to vote such shares.

 

Stockholders of record who are present in person or by proxy and who abstain, including brokers holding customerscustomers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded at the meeting, are considered stockholders who are present and entitled to vote on the proposals. Accordingly, a properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” or “WITHHOLD” with respect to any matter will not be voted, will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors, and will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” any other proposed matter.

 

What is the effect of not casting my vote?

 

If you hold your shares in street name, it is critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors. In the past, if you held your shares in street name and you did not indicate how you wanted your shares voted in the election of directors, your bank or broker was allowed to vote those shares on your behalf in the election of directors as they felt appropriate.

 

2

Recent changes in regulations were made

Regulations have changed to take away the ability of your bank or broker to vote your uninstructed shares in the election of directors on a discretionary basis. Thus, if you hold your shares in street name and you do not instruct your bank or broker how to vote in the election of directors, no votes will be cast on your behalf. Your bank or broker will, however, continue to have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on the ratification of the appointment of the Company’sour independent registered public accounting firm.

 

How many votes are required to approve each of the proposals?

 

For the election of the Class III director, a plurality of the votes is required for the election of the director. This means that the candidate who receives the most votes will be elected to the available Class IIIII position on the Board of Directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve all of the other proposals.

 

As of October 10, 2017,21, 2022, our executive officers and directors were entitled to vote 2,108,0611,228,192 shares, or approximately 28.38%,20.2% of our issued and outstanding common stock. Our executive officers and directors have indicated their intention to vote “for” the election of the nominee for Class IIIII director, and “for” Proposal 2.Proposals 2, 3 and 4.

 

You will not have any rights of appraisal or similar dissenter’sdissenter’s rights with respect to any matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

 

Who pays for this proxy solicitation?

 

We will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting, including the costs of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy materials. We will provide copies of proxy materials to fiduciaries, custodians and brokerage houses to forward to the beneficial owners of shares held in their name. We may reimburse such fiduciaries, custodians and brokers for their costs in forwarding the proxy materials.

 

In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, certain of our officers and other employees may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone, facsimile, or other means. No additional compensation will be paid to these individuals for any such services.

 

3

 

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Board Members

 

Our Board of Directors is responsible for theour overall management of the Company.management. The Board of Directors is divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The Board of Directors currently includes two Class I directors, twoone Class II directors,director, and one Class III director. Members of each class of our Board of Directors are elected to serve for a three-year term. The three-year terms of the members of each class are staggered, so that each year the members of a different class are due to be elected at the annual meeting. The Class III director is currently is serving a term that is due to expire at the Annual Meeting. The Class I directorsDirectors are currently serving a term that is due to expire at our 2018 annual meeting,2024 Annual Meeting and the Class II directors areIII Director is currently serving a term that is due to expire at the next annual meeting thereafter. our 2023 Annual Meeting.

The name, age, positions held with the Company, and term of office of each of our current directors are shown below.

 

Name

  

Age

  

Positions Held

  

Class

  

Director Since

 

 

Age

 

Positions Held

 

Class

 

Director Since

Joe E. Davis

  

83

  

Director

  

I

  

 

2000

  

        

Alan G. Dunn

  

62

  

Director

  

II

  

 

2004

  

 

67

 

Director

 

II

 

2004

Alan J. Lane

  

55

  

Director

  

III

  

 

2004

  

        

Mark A. LeDoux

  

63

  

Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

  

I

  

 

1986

  

 

68

 

Director, Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

 

I

 

1986

Lee G. Weldon

  

78

  

Director

  

II

  

 

1992

  

        

Laura Kay Matherly

 

58

 

Director

 

III

 

2019

        

Guru Ramanathan

 

59

 

Director

 

I

 

2021

 

The business experience and principal occupations of each of our current directors are described below.

Joe E. Davis

Mr. Davis has been a member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors since 2000 and the Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2004, a member of the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors since 2003, and a member of the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors since 2004. He has been a private investor for more than fifteen years. He currently serves as a director (since 1997), the Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation and Nominating Committees of Anworth Mortgage Securities, Inc., a publicly traded real estate investment trust. Previously, Mr. Davis served as a trustee (since 1991) and a member of the Audit and Nominating Committees of American Funds Insurance Series, and as a director (since 2007) and a member of the Audit and Nominating Committees of American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, Inc. until retiring in December 2009; as Chairman of the Board of Linear Corporation (1987-1988); President and Chief Executive Officer of BMC Industries, Inc. (1985); and President and Chief Executive Officer of National Health Enterprises, Inc. (1974-1982). Formerly, Mr. Davis was a director and a member of the Audit Committee of BMC Industries, Inc. and Wilshire Technologies, Inc., and a director of Freymiller Trucking, Inc. Mr. Davis graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

We believe Mr. Davis’ qualifications to continue to serve on our Board of Directors include his prior service on our Board of Directors, his more than 30 years of practical experience and knowledge as a director as a result of his service on multiple boards and committees of public companies, and his prior experience as a Chief Executive Officer. In addition, his degree in chemistry enables him to understand much of the science involved in the products manufactured by the Company and his MBA from Harvard provides an understanding of and education in matters ranging from internal control to long range business strategy.

 

Alan G. Dunn

 

Mr. Dunn has been a member of both the Human Resources and Audit Committees of the Board of Directors since December 2005. Mr. Dunn was appointed to the Nominating Committee on September 17, 2021. Mr. Dunn is currently the Chair of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee. Mr. Dunn has been the President of GDI Consulting & Training Company (a manufacturing industry consulting firm focusing on cost and process improvement, productivity improvement and operational transformations) and the Chairman of its parent company, Gerald E. Dunn, Inc., since 1980. He currently serves as a director (since 2000) and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee (since 2003) and the Chairman of the Audit Committee (since July 2010) of Idaho Asphalt Supply Company, a privately held company. Formerly, he served as a director of TMI Products (2006-2008), a director and a member of the Compensation Committee of Tools & Metals, Inc. (2000-2004), a director of Air Logistics Corporation (1998-2003), a director of Bystrom Bros., Inc. (2004-2006), and a director of R.W. Lyall Company (1997-2000), each a privately held company, and a director of Tomorrow’sTomorrow’s Morning, Inc. (1995-1998), a company that went public in 1998. Mr. Dunn served on the Board of Directors of ASCM (previously APICS (2012-2015)from 2012-2015), a 501(c) (6) professional association for global supply chain professionals. He served as Chairman of APICSASCM in 2015. Mr. Dunn received a Bachelor’sbachelor's degree from California State University at Fullerton.

 

We believe Mr. Dunn’sDunn’s qualifications to continue to serve on our Board of Directors include his substantial prior service on our Board of Directors and his extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes and manufacturing operations as a manufacturing industry consultant.

 

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Alan J. Lane

Mr. Lane has been a member of both the Audit and Nominating Committees of the Board of Directors since 2004. Previously, he was a member of the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors (August 2004-December 2005). Mr. Lane has been a director, and Chief Executive Officer of Silvergate Bank (since December 2008) and a director and President of Silvergate Capital Corporation (since December 2008). Mr. Lane formerly served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of John Paul the Great Catholic University, Executive Chairman of Professional Business Bank, a director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Community Bancorp; Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Data Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Southwest Community Bancorp; and a director and Chief Administrative Officer of Southwest Community Bank. Before joining Southwest Community Bancorp, Mr. Lane was a director and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Business Bank of California. Mr. Lane graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1984.

We believe Mr. Lane’s qualifications to continue to serve on our Board of Directors include his substantial prior service on our Board of Directors and his knowledge of banking practices and leadership skills as a current and former Chief Executive Officer of several banks.

 

Mark A. LeDoux

 

Mr. LeDoux has been a director and theour Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1986, and the Chairman of the Board since 2001, and the Assistant Treasurer since 1998.2001. Mr. LeDoux also has served as a director and the ChairmanChair of the Board of Natural Alternatives International Europe S.A. (NAIE) a wholly-owned, our wholly owned subsidiary of the Company since its inception in 1999. Previously, he served as President of the Company (1986-1996, 1999-2001, 2009-2015). Mr. LeDoux also served as a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Natural Alternatives, Inc., a predecessor corporation that merged into the Company in 1986 (1980-1986); and as a director of CellLife Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., director and President of Transformative Health Products, Inc., and as a director and Chief Executive Officer of Disposition Company, Inc. (formerly known as Real Health Laboratories, Inc.), each a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kovac Laboratories, a manufacturer of nutritional supplements (1976-1980). Mr. LeDoux graduated Cum Laude from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts and Letters in 1975. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1979 from Western State University College of Law, which is now known as the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He is a member of the YPO Graduates, the Founding Chairman and a currentformer Director of the International Council for Responsible Nutrition, based in Switzerland, a past Director and past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, based in Washington, D.C., a member of the Board of Directors of the Nutrition Industry Association-West, and a participant of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the United Nations’ food and dietary supplement standard-setting body under joint supervision of its Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Mr. LeDoux is currently Chairman of the Board of the Natural Products Association where he has been a member since 1980.

 

We believe Mr. LeDoux’s qualifications to continue to serve on our Board of Directors include his extensive industry, technical and Company knowledge, his experience as one of theour founders of the Company and his long service as a director and executive officer of the Company.

 

Lee G. WeldonLaura Kay Matherly

 

Mr. WeldonMs. Matherly was elected as a Director at our annual meeting in 2019, has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1992, a member of the Human Resources Committee since 2020, and was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors since 1993,Human Resources Committee, and a member ofappointed to serve on the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors since 2004. Previously, heon September 17, 2021. Ms. Matherly was a member ofappointed to the Audit Committee in June 2021. Ms. Matherly is a Senior Vice President of Comerica Bank in San Diego and has been involved in the commercial banking and wealth management industry for over thirty years. She previously held many positions with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and MUFG Union Bank, from November 1987 to July 15, 2019. Prior to her current position for the previous five years, she was Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of the BoardNorth San Diego Regional Commercial Banking Office of Directors (1993-2005). HeWells Fargo Bank N.A. Previously, she was Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the San Diego Wealth Management Group of MUFG Union Bank. Prior to joining MUFG Union Bank, Ms. Matherly was Senior Vice President and Regional Sales Development Manager for Wells Fargo Bank N.A. providing sales coaching and management of 30+ Regional Private Bankers in San Diego, Temecula and Inland Empire. She has also held senior leadership positions in Commercial Banking in Orange County and Los Angeles with Wells Fargo. Ms. Matherly has experience in investments, estate planning, private banking, mergers and acquisitions, syndicated loan transactions, interest rate hedging, various accounting transactions and financial statement analysis, troubled debt restructuring, bankruptcy proceedings, compensations plans, strategic sales leadership and retail banking. Ms. Matherly previously held Finra Series 24, 7, 66 Securities broker licenses, and a California Life Insurance license. She has been a director of the ChairmanBoys and Girls Clubs of bothCarlsbad from June 2002 to the Human Resourcespresent, and the Nominating Committees since 2004. Mr. Weldon was the President of Natures Apothecary (1997-2000)the Junior League of Orange County, California Inc. and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kal Healthway, Inc., a food supplement distributor (1978-1995). HeBoard member from June 1997 to June 2001. Ms. Matherly graduated from theThe Ohio State University of California at Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Finance in 1963. He becameMarch 1987.

We have had a membercredit facility with Wells Fargo for many years. For several years Ms. Matherly managed the Wells Fargo group in charge of the Young Presidents’ Organization in 1982,commercial banking relationship with the Company which included a Line of Credit, deposits, foreign exchange transactions and became a graduate member in 1990.other customary banking services.

 

We believe Mr. Weldon’sMs. Matherly's qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include her prior service on our Board of Directors, her knowledge of the Company and of banking practices and leadership skills as a current and former officer of two banks, her past involvement as one of our bankers, and her long history of involvement in the business and local community in Southern California and specifically in Carlsbad, California where our corporate offices are located.

Guru Ramanathan

Dr. Ramanathan was appointed to a vacant seat on the Board, and was also appointed to the Audit, Human Resources and Nominating Committees of the Board on September 17, 2021.

He is President of Global Healthcare Innovation Advisory Services company, currently serving on Corporate and Advisory Board’s for established and early-stage companies in Global Food, Nutrition, Pharma, OTC, Digital Health and Primary Care Medicine industry sectors. He is very active in Nutrition Industry initiatives having been a founding member and current Chairman of the ‘Supplement Safety & Compliance Initiative’ (SSCI). He currently serves on CRN’s OWL Registry advisory board, as well as the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine’s Advisory Board.

Dr. Ramanathan is an Adjunct Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge Louisiana.

Dr. Ramanathan is a globally recognized expert on Innovation Management and his advisory concentrations include Scientific Affairs, Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance and Control, Clinical Trials Design & Management, Technology Acquisition, Alliance Management, Product Development and Manufacturing in the Global Health and Wellness Industry

5

Dr. Ramanathan’s industry experience spans Clinical care, Pharma, Consumer health, Animal health and the Retail sectors. His most recent appointment was with Pittsburgh based General Nutrition Corporation (GNC) as its Chief Innovation Officer, Senior Vice President and Member of the Executive Committee. Prior to that Dr. Ramanathan was a Senior Director for the US subsidiaries of Nutricia (Danone). Before this he was Medical Director for the US subsidiary of Scotia Pharmaceuticals. He has also held various industry consulting, research and teaching appointments in India and the US.

Dr. Ramanathan previously served on the Board of Directors of GNC-IVC Nutra Manufacturing JV, and for ten years on the Board of Prismic Pharmaceuticals until it was acquired by FSD Pharma. In addition to the Company, he presently serves on the Board of Directors of Nuritas Ltd., Nemysis Ltd. and Dutch Medical Food B.V.

Dr. Ramanathan holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business focused on global business practices. He earned his Ph.D. from Tufts University in Healthcare Innovation Management.

We believe Dr. Ramanathan’s qualifications to continue to serve on our Board of Directors include his substantial prior service on our Board of Directors and his in-depth knowledge of our industry. He has more than 40 years of managementextensive industry, experience in the nutritional supplement business, including all aspects of operations, sales, marketing, financeproduct design, manufacturing and strategic planning, having led several companies within the industry, including a former customer of the Company.distribution, and as an executive.

 

Board Meetings

 

The Board of Directors held fivefour meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.2022. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2022, all members of the Board of Directors attended all of the meetings held by the Board of Directors, and all of the members of each of the committees of the Board of Directors attended all of the meetings of each of the committees on which they served.


 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our Board of Directors is comprised of fivefour members, fourthree of whom are independent.independent. The remaining member, Mr. LeDoux, is the Company’sour founder, Chief Executive Officer and largest stockholder. Mr. LeDoux also serves as the Chairman of the Board. We do not have a lead independent director. The Chairman of the Board is not an officer position. The Chairman presides over meetings of the Board of Directors but in his capacity as a director Mr. LeDoux does not possess any other rights or responsibilities as a result of being the Chairman of the Board that differ from the other members of the Board of Directors. We believe a five-memberfour-member board, 80%three of which is comprised ofwhom are independent members, is appropriateacceptable, if not ideal for the size and operations of our Company. The Board of Directors has Audit, Human Resources and Nominating Committees as described in more detail below. The Board of Directors is principally responsible for providing risk oversight of the Company. In its risk oversight role, our Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. Our Board of Directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole and through the Board committees that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management in areas of financial risk, internal controls, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Human Resources Committee assists the Board of Directors with oversight of risk management in the areas of compensation policies and practices. The Nominating Committee assists the Board of Directors concerning organization, membership and structure of the Board of Directors, and facilitating the annual Board assessment process, as well as appointment of officers.

 

Independence

 

Nasdaq rules require listed companies to have a board of directors with at least a majority of independent directors. Our Board of Directors has determined that fourthree of our fivefour directors are independent under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The members determined to be independent are Ms. Matherly and Messrs. Davis, Dunn Lane and Weldon.Ramanathan.

Hedging

Our Corporate Disclosure and Insider Trading Policy (among other requirements) prohibits our officers, directors and employees from trading in any interest or position relating to the future price of our securities, such as a put, call or short sale, and buying and selling Company securities on the same day.

6

 

Board Committees

 

TheOur Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Human Resources Committee, which includes the functions of a compensation committee, and a Nominating Committee. Membership on each committee is limited to independent directors as defined under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. In addition, members of the Audit Committee must also meet the independence standards for audit committee members adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The members of the committees of our Board of Directors are as follows:

 

Audit Committee

Human Resources Committee

Nominating Committee

Joe E. Davis (Chairman)Alan G. Dunn (Chair)*

Laura Kay Matherly (Chair)

Lee G. Weldon (Chairman)

Lee G. Weldon (Chairman)

Alan G. Dunn

Joe E. Davis

Joe E. Davis (Chair)

Alan J. Lane*Laura Kay Matherly*

Alan G. Dunn

Laura Kay Matherly

Guru Ramanathan

Alan J. LaneGuru Ramanathan

Guru Ramanathan

 


*

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. DavisMr. Dunn and LaneMs. Matherly are each an audit“audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable rules adopted by the SEC.

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2022, the Audit Committee held four meetings, the Human Resources Committee held two meetings, and the Nominating Committee held one meeting.

 

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee operates under a charter originally adopted by the Board of Directors in 2000, amended and restated in April 2004, and further amended in August 2007 and September 2009. While theThe Audit Committee charter is not currently available on our website a copy of the charter, as amended, was included as Attachment A to the Company’s proxy statement for fiscal year 2011-2012. at www.nai-online.com. The general function of the Audit Committee is to oversee theour accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to theour accounting, reporting and financial practices, of the Company, including the integrity of our financial statements and disclosures; the surveillance of administration and financial controls and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; the qualification, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm; and the performance of our internal audit function and control procedures. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending matters to the Board of Directors but has no authority to make final decisions except as set forth in the Audit Committee’s charter. The Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint, determine fundingcompensation for, and oversee our independent registered public accounting firm.


 

Human Resources Committee. The Human Resources Committee operates under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors in January 2006, and amended in August 2007, September 2009 and September 2015. While theThe Human Resources Committee charter is not currently available on our website a copy of the charter, as amended, was included as Attachment A to the Company’s proxy statement for the fiscal year 2014-2015.at www.nai-online.com. The primary purpose of the Human Resources Committee is to oversee the Company’sour overall compensation and incentive programs for the Company’sour executive officers and certain other key personnel. The Human Resources Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending matters to the Board of Directors, which may be based on recommendations from the Company’sour management, but has no authority to make final decisions except with respect to the Company’sour incentive plans as described below or as otherwise set forth in the committee’s charter. Among other things, the Human Resources Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the amount of compensation to be paid or awarded to our officers and certain other personnel including salary, bonuses, other cash or stock awards under our incentive compensation plans as in effect from time to time, retirement and other compensation, and is responsible for evaluating the performance of the Company’sour Chief Executive Officer and making recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the compensation for such officer. The Human Resources Committee may engage the services of an independent compensation and benefits consulting company when the committee deems appropriate to conduct a survey and review of the Company’sour compensation programs as compared to other similarly situated companies taking into account, among others, industry, size and location when the committee deems appropriate.location.

 

Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee operates under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors in August 2004, and amended in August 2007 and September 2009. While theThe Nominating Committee charter is not currently available on our website a copy of the charter, as amended, was included as Attachment C to the Company’s proxy statement for fiscal year 2011-2012.at www.nai-online.com. The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in identifying qualified individuals to become members of the Board of Directors and in determining the composition of the Board of Directors and its various committees. The Nominating Committee periodically reviews the qualifications and independence of directors, selects candidates as nominees for election as directors, recommends directors to serve on the various committees of the Board of Directors, reviews director compensation and benefits, and oversees the self-assessment process of each of the committees of the Board of Directors.

 

The Nominating Committee considers nominee recommendations from a variety of sources, including nominees recommended by stockholders. Persons recommended by stockholders are evaluated on the same basis as persons suggested by others. Stockholder recommendations may be made in accordance with our Stockholder Communications Policy. See “Stockholder Communications with Directors” below. The Nominating Committee has the authority to retain a search firm to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating candidates.

 

7

The Nominating Committee has not established any specific minimum requirements for potential members of our Board of Directors. Instead, the Nominating Committee’sCommittee’s evaluation process includes many factors and considerations including, but not limited to, a determination of whether a candidate meets Nasdaq and/or SEC requirements relating to independence and/or financial expertise, as applicable, and whether the candidate meets the Company’sour desired qualifications in the context of the current make-up of the Board of Directors with respect to factors such as business experience, education, intelligence, leadership capabilities, integrity, competence, dedication, diversity, skills, and the overall ability to contribute in a meaningful way to the deliberations of the Board of Directors respecting the Company’sour business strategies, financial and operational performance and corporate governance practices. The Nominating Committee will generally select those nominees whose attributes it believes would be most beneficial to the Companyus in light of all the circumstances.

 

Stockholder Communications with Directors

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Stockholder Communications Policy to provide a process by which our stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors. Under the policy, stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors as a whole, with the independent directors, with a committee of the Board, or with a particular director. Stockholders wishing to communicate directly with our Board of Directors may do so by mail addressed to Natural Alternatives International, Inc., 15351535 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California, 92008, Attn: Corporate Secretary. The envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Stockholder-Board Communication” or “Stockholder-Director Communication.” All such letters must identify the author as a stockholder of the Company and clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board of Directors, all independent directors, all members of a committee of the Board, or certain specified individual directors. The Corporate Secretary will review the communications received from stockholders at the above designated address on a regular basis and if they are relevant to the Company’sour operations and policies, they will be copied and forwarded to the appropriate director or directors as expeditiously as reasonably practical. By way of example, communications that are unduly hostile, threatening, obscene, illegal or similarly inappropriate will not be forwarded to any director. Matters deemed to be trivial in the sole discretion of the Corporate Secretary will be delivered to the appropriate director or directors at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. The Corporate Secretary will periodically provide the Board of Directors with a summary of all communications received that were not forwarded and will make those communications available to any director upon request. The Board of Directors will determine whether any communications sent to the Board of Directors should be properly addressed by the entire Board or a committee thereof and whether a response to the communication is warranted.


 

Attendance at Annual Meetings

 

The members of the Board of Directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend each of the Company’sour annual meetings of stockholders. It may not be possible or practical, in light of other business commitments of the directors, for all of the members of the Board of Directors to attend all of the Company’sour annual meetings of stockholders. At the Company’sour most recent annual meeting of stockholders held on December 2, 2016,3, 2021, all of the members of the Board of Directors were present.

 

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF A CLASS IIIII DIRECTOR

 

NomineesNominee

 

At the Annual Meeting, one Class IIIII director is to be elected, to serve until the next meeting of stockholders held to elect Class IIIII directors and until their respective successors are elected and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal. The Board of Directors proposes the election of the nominee named below, who currently serves as a Class IIIII member of our Board of Directors.

 

Unless authorization to do so is withheld, proxies received will be voted “for” the nominee named below. If the nominee should become unavailable for election before the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as the present Board of Directors may propose. The person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that the nominee will be unable to serve.

8

 

Our Board of Directors proposes the election of the following nominee as the Class IIIII member of theour Board of Directors:

 

Alan J. LaneG. Dunn

 

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR”FOR the election of the nominee as a

Class IIIdirector of the Company.Company in Class II.

 

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has selected and approved Haskell & White LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.2023. One or more representatives of Haskell & White LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if they desire to do so. Haskell & White LLP was first appointed to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year endingended June 30, 2015.

 

Audit Fees

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Haskell & White LLP, billed us aggregateaggregate fees in the amount of $187,845$216,000 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2022, and $202,070$196,750 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016,2021, for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements, the reviews of the financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other services provided in connection with our regulatory filings.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

There were no fees for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 billed to the Companyus by Haskell & White LLP for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and not included under “Audit Fees” above duringFees.” There were $3,250 in audit-related fees billed to us by Haskell & White LLP for the fiscal yearsyear ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016.2021.

 

Tax Fees

 

There were no tax fees billed to the Companyus by Haskell & White LLP during the fiscal years ended June 30, 20172022 and June 30, 2016.2021.

 

All Other Fees

 

There were no other fees billed to the Companyus by Haskell & White LLP for products and services provided during the fiscal years ended June 30, 20172022 and June 30, 2016.2021.


 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

On June 23, 2003,In accordance with the Audit Committee approved certain policies and procedures under whichCharter, all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee. Under these policies and procedures, proposedCertain non-audit services do not require pre-approval. Non-audit services which do not require preapproval must meet the following qualifications: i) have aggregate non-audit fees less than 5% of total audit fees paid to be provided by ourthe independent registered public accounting firm may either be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-casefirm; ii) such services were not recognized by the Audit Committee (“general pre-approval”), or requireCompany at the specific pre-approvaltime of engagement to be non-audit services; and iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee (“specific pre-approval”).and approved before completion of the audit by the Committee or by one or more members of the Committee to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Committee. The Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members, who would then be required to report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee if it is to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts also will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. In granting both general and specific pre-approval, the Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, as well as whether our independent registered public accounting firm is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, for reasons such as familiarity with our business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile and other factors, and whether the service might enhance our ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality. The term of any general pre-approval will be 12 months, unless the Audit Committee determines otherwise. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2022, all of the audit and non-audit services described herein were approved pursuant to these policies and procedures, as adopted by the Audit Committee, and none of the services were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to a waiver of pre-approval, as contemplated by Regulation S-X, Rule 201(c)(7)(i)(C).

9

 

Audit Services. The annual audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and quarterly reviews, subsidiary audits, and other services necessary for the auditors to form an opinion on the Company’sour consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee monitors the audit services engagement no less frequently than quarterly and also approves, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Company structure or other items. In addition, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services, which include statutory or financial audits for our subsidiaries of the Company and services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or issued in connection with securities offerings.

 

Audit-Related Services. The Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval of audit-related services, which are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’sour financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. Audit-related services include due diligence services pertaining to any potential business acquisitions or dispositions, consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as audit services, assistance with the implementation of new accounting and financial reporting rules and guidance, financial audits of employee benefit plans, and assistance with internal control reporting requirements.

 

Tax Services. To the extent the Company retains itswe retain our independent registered public accounting firm to provide tax services, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for those tax services that historically have been provided by its independent registered public accounting firm and that the Audit Committee has reviewed and determined would not impair the independence of the auditor. Generally, tax services involving large and complex transactions must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee. For quite a few years the Company haswe have exclusively used another firm of Certified Public Accountants to provide tax services and hashave not relied for tax services upon the independent registered public accounting firm that provides the Companyour audit and audit related services.

 

Other Services. The Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services that it determines are routine and recurring services and that would not impair auditor independence. All other services not otherwise classified above must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

Procedures. All services proposed to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm that do not require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee are submitted to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, who determines whether such services are included within those that have received general pre-approval by the Audit Committee. All services proposed to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm that require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee are submitted to the Audit Committee or its delegated member by both the independent registered public accounting firm and the Company’sour Chief Financial Officer. All services proposed to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm are submitted to our Chief Financial Officer, who determines whether such services are included within those that have received pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for monitoring the performance of the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, determining whether such services are in compliance with the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies, and reporting the results of his monitoring on a periodic basis to the Audit Committee.


 

Effect of Ratification

 

Ratification by stockholders of the selection of Haskell & White LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by applicable law. However, as a matter of policy and sound corporate practice, we are submitting the selection to our stockholders for ratification at the Annual Meeting. If stockholders fail to ratify the selection of Haskell & White LLP, the Board of Directors will reconsider the matter. Even if the selection is ratified by stockholders, the Board of Directors may select a different firm to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the fiscal year if it believes a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR”FOR Proposal 2.2.

PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANYS NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT

We are providing our stockholders with an opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, and retain our executive officers, who are critical to our success. As described in the tables included in the sections below entitled “Executive Officer Compensation” and “Director Compensation” as well as our accompanying narrative disclosure to such tables, our executive compensation program contains elements of cash and equity-based compensation. We believe our program is designed to align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our stockholders and to reward our named executive officers for the achievement of our near-term and longer-term financial and strategic goals.

10

The Board of Directors is asking our stockholders to approve a non-binding advisory vote on the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the compensation tables and any other related disclosure.

Though this proposal calls for a non-binding advisory vote, our Board of Directors and Human Resources Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 3.

PROPOSAL 4

FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are providing a shareholder advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (the “say-on-pay” advisory vote in Proposal 3 of the Proxy Statement) this year, and we will do so at least once every three years. Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, at the 2022 Annual Meeting we are also asking stockholders to vote on a Say-On-Frequency Proposal regarding whether future “say-on-pay” advisory votes on executive compensation should occur every year, every two years or every three years.

After careful consideration, the Board of Directors recommends that future stockholder “say-on-pay” advisory votes on executive compensation be conducted every three years. Although the Board of Directors recommends a “say-on-pay” vote every three years, stockholders will be able to specify one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card: one year, two years, three years or abstain. Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove of the Board of Directors’ recommendation.

Although the vote on this Say-On-Frequency Proposal is non-binding on the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors and the Human Resources Committee will review the voting results and take them into consideration when deciding how often to conduct future say-on-pay stockholder advisory votes.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the Three Year frequency option. Unless otherwise instructed, validly executed proxies will be voted FOR the Three Year frequency option.

 

OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The Board of Directors appoints the executive officers of the Company who are responsible for administering our day-to-day operations. The name, age, positions held with the Company, and term of office of each of our executive officers are shown below.

 

Name

 

 

Positions Held

  

Officer
Since

 

Positions Held

 

Officer
Since

Mark A. LeDoux

 

63

  

Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

  

1986

68

Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief

Executive Officer

 

1986

Kenneth E. Wolf

 

56

  

President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

  

2008

61

President, Chief Operating

Officer and Secretary

 

2008

Michael E. Fortin

 

40

  

Chief Financial Officer

 

2015

45

Chief Financial Officer

 

2015

 

The business experience and principal occupations of each of our executive officers are described below.

 

11

Mark A. LeDoux

 

Mr. LeDoux has been a director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1986, and the Chairman of the Board since 2001, and the Assistant Treasurer since 1998.2001. Mr. LeDoux also has served as a director and the Chairman of the Board of Natural Alternatives International Europe S.A. (NAIE) a wholly-owned, our wholly owned subsidiary of the Company since its inception in 1999. Previously, he served as President of the Company (1986-1996, 1999-2001, 2009-2015). Mr. LeDoux also served as a director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Natural Alternatives, Inc., a predecessor corporation that merged into the Company in 1986 (1980-1986); and as a director of CellLife Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., director and President of Transformative Health Products, Inc., and as a director and Chief Executive Officer of Disposition Company, Inc. (formerly known as Real Health Laboratories, Inc.), each a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kovac Laboratories, a manufacturer of nutritional supplements (1976-1980). Mr. LeDoux graduated Cum Laude from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts and Letters in 1975. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1979 from Western State University College of Law, which is now known as the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He is a member of the YPO Graduates, the Founding Chairman and a currentpast Director of the International Council for Responsible Nutrition, based in Switzerland, a past Director and past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Council for Responsible Nutrition, based in Washington, D.C., a member of the Board of Directors of the Nutrition Industry Association-West, and a participant of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the United Nations’ food and dietary supplement standard-setting body under joint supervision of its Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Mr. LeDoux is currently Chairman of the Board of the Natural Products Association where he has been a member since 1980.

 

Kenneth E. Wolf

 

Mr. Wolf has been theour President of the Company since October 2015, theour Chief Operating Officer of the Company since June 2010, and theour Secretary of the Company since February 2009. Mr. Wolf previously served as theour Chief Financial Officer of the Company from February 2008 through September 2015. Before joining the Company, Mr. Wolf was Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary for Phoenix Footwear Group, a publicly-traded, multi-brand footwear and accessories company that had $140 million in annual sales and for which Mr. Wolf managed a staff of 30 employees (2003-2007); an independent consultant for various San Diego-based companies where he performed interim Chief Financial Officer responsibilities (2002); and Senior Vice President-Finance/Controller for Callaway Golf Company, a premium consumer goods company listed on the New York Stock Exchange that had $1.0 billion in annual sales and for which Mr. Wolf managed a staff of 50 employees (1992-2001). Mr. Wolf received his Certified Public Accountant license from the State of California and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting from California State University in Fresno, California.


 

Michael E. Fortin

 

Mr. Fortin has been theour Chief Financial Officer of the Company since October 2015. Prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Fortin was our Director of Accounting and SEC Reporting for the Company from April 2008 to September 2015. Before joining the Company, Mr. Fortin was the Director of Finance for K2 Licensed Products, a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation, a consumer products company specializing in licensed sporting goods that had $30 million in annual sales and for which Mr. Fortin managed a staff of 6 employees (2006-2008); Manager - Financial Accounting Operations for HSBC Auto Finance, a subsidiary of HSBC Bank USA, specializing in subprime auto lending that had $1.5B in annual revenues and for which Mr. Fortin managed a staff of 4 employees (2003-2006); and Audit Senior for Arthur Andersen LLP and KPMG LLP (1999-2003). Mr. Fortin received his Certified Public Accountant license from the State of California and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting from San Diego State University, California.

 

12

 

STOCK HOLDINGS OF CERTAIN OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth information on the beneficial ownership of our common stock by our directors and executive officers, as well as stockholders who are known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of ourour common stock, as of October 10, 2017.21, 2022.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

Number of Shares and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership
 (1)

 

Percent of Common
Stock Outstanding
 (2)

 
       

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746

 

496,841

(3)

 

 6.69

%
       

Renaissance Technologies LLC

800 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

 

479,300

(4)

 

 6.45

%
       

The Juice Plus+ Company

140 Crescent Drive

Collierville, Tennessee 38017

 

57,660

(5) 

 

       *

 
       

Joe E. Davis, Director

 

85,296

(6) 

 

  1.15

%
       

Alan G. Dunn, Director

 

48,328

(6) 

 

*

 
       

Michael E. Fortin, Chief Financial Officer

 

57,688

(7) 

 

*

 
       

Alan J. Lane, Director

 

49,328

(6) 

 

*

 
       

Mark A. LeDoux, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

1,192,084

(8)

 

 15.96

%
       

Lee G. Weldon, Director

 

119,641

(6)

 

  1.61

%
       

Kenneth E. Wolf, President and Chief Operating Officer

 

175,696

(9)

 

  2.35

%
       

All directors and executive officers as a group (seven persons)

 

2,228,061

(10)

 

 29.51

%
       
*        Less than 1%.      

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of Shares and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership (1)

  

Percent of Common
Stock Outstanding (2)

 
         
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP        

Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746

  528,449(3)  8.7%
         
Renaissance Technologies LLC         

800 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

  443,598(4)  7.3%
         

Alan G. Dunn, Director

  68,211(5)  1.1%
         

Michael E. Fortin, Chief Financial Officer

  42,978(6)  * 
         

Mark A. LeDoux, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

  977,425(7)  16.1%
         

Laura Kay Matherly, Director

  11,000(5)  * 
         

Guru Ramanathan

  7,000(8)  * 
         

Kenneth E. Wolf,

  121,578(9)  2.0%
President and Chief Operating Officer        

All directors and executive officers as a group (six persons)

  1,228,192   20.2%

 


* 

Less than 1%.

  

1 

A person is considered to beneficiallybeneficially own any shares: (i) over which the person, directly or indirectly, exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or (ii) of which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days (such as through the exercise of stock options). Unless otherwise indicated, voting and investment power relating to the shares shown in the table for our directors and executive officers is exercised solely by the beneficial owner or shared by the owner and the owner’s spouse or children.

  

2 

The percentages shown are calculated based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding plus, for each person or group, any shares that person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days of October 10, 2017 pursuant to options held.21, 2022. As of October 10, 2017,21, 2022, there were 7,429,0206,071,533 shares of our common stock outstanding, net of 1,052,6573,119,873 treasury shares.

  

3 

As reported by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP on Schedule 13G filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP with the SEC on February 9, 2017. 8, 2022. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager or sub-adviser to certain other commingled funds, group trusts and separate accounts (such investment companies, trusts and accounts, collectively referred to as the “Funds”). In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP may act as an adviser or sub-adviser to certain Funds. In its role as investment advisor, sub-adviser and/or manager, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries (collectively, “Dimensional”) may possess voting and/or investment power over the securities of the Issuer that are owned by the Funds and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of the Issuer held by the Funds. However, all securities reported in this schedule are owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities. The foregoing is based entirely on the statements of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP as set forth in its Schedule 13G filing.

13

4 

As reported by Renaissance Technologies LLC on Schedule 13G filed by Renaissance Technologies LLC with the SEC on February 14, 2017.11, 2022.

  

5

Does not include 500,000Includes 9,666 restricted shares of common stock that are subject to vesting and forfeiture, and governed by an irrevocable proxy in favor of the NAI Board of Directors. The Juice Plus+ Company disclaims beneficial ownership of these 500,000 restricted shares as they cannot be transferred or receive dividends prior to vesting, and due to the existing proxy cannot be voted by The Juice Plus+ Company.forfeiture.

  

6

Includes 10,000 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 18,33415,333 restricted shares of common stock that are subject to vesting and forfeiture.

  

7

Includes 5,000 shares underlying an option that is exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 41,33322,333 restricted shares of common stock that are subject to vesting and forfeiture.

  

8

Includes 40,000 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 49,9997,000 restricted shares of common stock that are subject to vesting and forfeiture.

  

9

Includes 35,000 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 70,00019,000 restricted shares of common stock that are subject to vesting and forfeiture.

10

Includes 500,000 restricted shares owned by The Juice Plus+ Company that are subject to vesting and forfeiture and that the Board of Directors has the right to vote pursuant to an irrevocable proxy granted to the Board by The Juice Plus+ Company. Also includes 120,000 shares underlying options held by officers and directors of the Company that are exercisable within 60 days.

 

From time to time, the number of our shares held in the “street name” accounts of various securities dealers for the benefit of their clients or in centralized securities depositories may exceed 5% of the total shares of our common stock outstanding.

 


 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table shows the compensation earned by or paid or awarded to our executive officers for all services rendered by them in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries during each of the last two fiscal years ended June 30.

 

SSUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL-YEAR ENDED JUNEUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLEFOR FISCAL-YEAR ENDED JUNE30,2017

Name and Principal Position

Fiscal
Year
 Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)
1
  Option
Awards
($)
1
  All Other
Compensation
($)
2
  

Total
($)

 
                          

Mark A. LeDoux

Chief Executive Officer

2017

  400,000   225,000   217,500   0   47,549   890,049 
 2016  385,706   80,000   299,750   0   46,044   811,500 
                          

Kenneth Wolf

President and Chief

2017

  375,000   200,000   174,000   0   34,457   783,457 

Operating Officer

2016

  362,145   70,000   552,800   0   34,642   1,019,587 
                          

Michael E. Fortin

Chief Financial Officer

2017

  196,944   100,000   130,500   0   34,180   461,624 
 

2016

  178,470   15,000   336,350   0   26,627   556,447 
Name and Principal PositionFiscal
Year
 Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)1
  Option
Awards
($)
  Deferred Cash Awards($)2  All Other
Compensation
($)3
  Total
($)
 

Mark A. LeDoux

Chief Executive Officer

2022  472,500   170,250   165,900      80,000   65,614   954,265 
2021  425,000   75,250   184,9101     222,000   44,916   952,076 
                              
Kenneth E. Wolf                             

President and Chief Operating Officer

2022

  447,500   160,250   

143,780

1

     53,000   48,737   853,268 

2021

  400,000   60,250   151,2901     175,000   33,906   820,446 
                              

Michael E. Fortin

2022

  297,500   100,250   

121,660

1     26,000   53,187   598,598 
Chief Financial Officer 

2021

  250,000   45,250   109,2651     135,000   42,640   582,156 

 

1 

Stock options and restrictedRestricted shares of our common stock were granted under our 20092020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Please see “Stock-Based Compensation” under Note A inof restricted stock shares granted is based on the Notes to our audited, consolidated financial statements included under Item 8market price of our Annual Reportcommon stock on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, for a discussiondate of grant. We amortize the assumptions made inestimated fair value of our stock awards to expense over the valuation.related vesting periods.

  

2

Deferred cash awards were granted under our Non-Qualified Incentive Plan. To date all deferred cash awards made by the Board of Directors including to these officers, have each been subject to vesting conditions requiring the employee or other recipient to remain employed or maintain their position with us prior to payment of one-third of the award on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.

14

3 

Includes matching contributions under the Company’sour 401(k) plan, 401(k) profit sharing, premiums paid by the Companyus for medical and dental insurance, term life insurance, long-term disability, payments for cell phone use and wireless internet access that may be used for both business and personal uses, and certain other benefits.

 

 

Employment Agreements

We have employment agreements with Messrs. LeDoux, Wolf and Fortin. Under the terms of each agreement, the officer’sofficer’s employment is at-will, and the employment may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, by either the officer or the Company.party. Each officer receives an annual salary, payable no less frequently than bi-weekly, and may receive certain employee benefits available generally to other corporate officers, including, without limitation, bonus compensation in a manner and at a level determined from time to time in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, medical, dental, term life, and short and long term disability and long term care. The Companyinsurance. We also may invite officers and their spouses to attend Company-related events and generally provides for, or reimburses expenses of, such officers’ and spouses’ travel, food and lodging for attendance at such events.


 

The annual salaries of Messrs. LeDoux, Wolf and FortinFortin in effect at OctoberJuly 1, 20172022 were:

 

Name

 

Annual
Salary

 

Mark A. LeDoux

 $400,000 
     

Kenneth Wolf

 $375,000 
     

Michael E. Fortin

 $200,000 

Name

Annual
Salary

Mark A. LeDoux

$475,000

Kenneth E. Wolf

$450,000

Michael E. Fortin

$300,000

 

Under the terms of the employment agreements for Messrs. LeDoux, Wolf and Fortin, each officer is entitled to a severance benefit in the event the officer is terminated by the Company without cause. For Mr. LeDoux, his severance benefit iscause in an amount equal to one year’s compensation, provided he executes and delivers to the Company a general release of claims. For Messrs. Wolf and Fortin their severance benefit is an amount equal to six months’ base salary and continuing group health insurance coverage pursuant to COBRA for sixtwelve months following termination at the Company’sour expense, provided they execute and deliver to the Companyus a general release of claims. If an officer does not execute and deliver a general release of claims, the severance benefit is reduced to one month’s compensation. No officer is entitled to receive a severance benefit if the officer is terminated by the Company for cause, or if the officer voluntarily resigns or retires. If an officer is terminated by the Companyus without cause upon a change in control, the officer is entitled to receive a severance benefit in an amount equal to two years’ compensation for Mr. LeDoux, and one year’s compensation and continuing group health insurance coverage pursuant to COBRA for twelve months following termination at the Company’sour expense for Messrs. Wolf and Fortin, provided the officersthey execute and deliver to the Companyus a general release of claims. If the officer does not execute and deliver a general release of claims, the severance benefit is reduced to one month’s compensation. In addition, if any officer dies, becomes disabled, or is terminated by the Company without cause uponwithin three months prior or within twelve months following a change of control, all then outstanding options held by the officer become fully exercisable and remain so for the term of the option, and all restricted stock held by the officer become unrestricted, provided that the officer executes and delivers to the Company a general release of claims.unrestricted.

 

Restricted Stock Grants

 

Under our 20092020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we may grant nonqualified and incentivegranted restricted stock options and other stock-based awards to employees, and non-employee directors which are subject to vesting and consultants.forfeiture. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, pursuant to our 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan,2022, we granted each ofrestricted shares to Messrs. LeDoux, Wolf and FortinFortin. Vested shares of restricted common stock,from awards may be withheld by us to satisfy tax withholding obligations.

Deferred Cash Awards

Under our Non-qualified Incentive Plan, we made deferred cash awards to officers, directors, and employees which are subject to vesting and forfeiture. Vested shares may be withheld byDuring the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations. In March 2017,fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we granted Mr.deferred cash awards to Messrs. LeDoux, 25,000 shares of restricted common stock, which vest with respect to 8,334 shares on March 7, 2018, 8,333 shares on March 7, 2019,Wolf and 8,333 shares on March 7, 2020. In March 2017, we granted Mr. Wolf 20,000 shares of restricted common stock, which will vest with respect to 6,667 shares on March 7, 2018, 6,667 shares on March 7, 2019, and 6,666 shares on March 7, 2020. In March 2017, we granted Mr. Fortin 15,000 shares of restricted common stock, which will vest with respect to 5,000 shares on March 7, 2018, 2019 and 2020.Fortin.

 

15

 

OutstandingOutstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

The following table provides certain information about unexercised option awardsunvested restricted stock held by Messrs. LeDoux, Wolf, and Fortin as of June 30, 2017.2022. There were no other stock awards held by such officers as of June 30, 2017.2022.

 

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL-YEAR END OF JUNE 30, 2022

 

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
($)

 

Mark A. LeDoux

                 22,333(1)  233,157 (4)      
                                     

Kenneth E. Wolf

                 19,000(2)  198,360 (4)      
                                     

Michael E. Fortin

                 15,333(3)  160,077 (4)      


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDSAT FISCAL-YEAR ENDOF JUNE 30, 2017

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

($)

 

Mark A. LeDoux

  40,000         7.502  

12/02/2020

             
                                    
                  49,999(1)  497,490(4)      
                                     

Kenneth E. Wolf

  35,000         7.502  

12/02/2020

             
                                    
                  80,000(2)  796,000(4)      
                                     

Michael E. Fortin

  5,000           7,502  

12/20/2020

                 
                                    
                       46,333(3)  461,013(4)        

(1)

 

These restricted shares of common stock are subject to vesting and forfeiture. 50.0% (25,000) of the shares38.8% (8,667) vest on March 7, 2018, 33.3% (16,666)2023, 38.8% (8,666) vest on March 7, 2019,2024, and 16.7% (8,333)22.4% (5,000) vest on March 7, 2020.2025.

 

(2)

 

These restricted shares of common stock are subject to vesting and forfeiture. 12.5% (10,000) vest on October 1, 2017, 25.0% (20,000) of the shares38.6% (7,334) vest on March 7, 2018, 12.5% (10,000) vest on October 1, 2018, 16.7% (13,334)2023, 38.6% (7,333) vest on March 7, 2019, 12.5% (10,000) vest on October 1, 2019, 8.3% (6,666)2024, and 22.8% (4,333) vest on March 7, 2020, and 12.5% (10,000) vest on October 1, 2020.2025.

 

(3)

(3)

These restricted shares of common stock are subject to vesting and forfeiture. 10.8% (5,000) vest on October 1, 2017, 24.5% (11,333) of the shares38.1% (5,834) vest on March 7, 2018, 10.8% (5,000) vest on October 1, 2018, 21.6% (10,000)2023, 38.0% (5,833) vest on March 7, 2019, 10.8% (5,000) vest on October 1, 2019, 10.8% (5,000)2024, and 23.9% (3,666) vest on March 7, 2020 and 10.8% (5,000) vest on October 1, 2020.2025.

 

(4)

 

Calculated by multiplying the applicable number of shares by the Company’sour June 30, 20172022 closing stock price of $9.95.$10.44.

 


 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Each of the non-employee directors (Messrs. Davis, Dunn Lane and Weldon) receivesRamanathan, and Ms. Matherly) receive an annual retention fee of $10,000, and a fee of $1,000 for each board of directors meeting and each committee of the board of directors meeting such director attends. The $1,000 paid for each board and committee meeting a director attends applies to both regular and special meetings of the board and of a committee,each of the board committees, including any regular or special meetings of the board or a committee held via teleconference, unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board on a case by case basis; provided, however, that payment for attendance at committee meetings in person or by telephone shall only be made to members of the applicable committee.basis. The annual retention fee is paid in advance at the beginning of each year of a director’sdirector’s term, which is determined to commence on the date of the annual meeting held to elect any class of directors and to continue until the next annual meeting of stockholders held to elect any class of directors. Directors appointed during a term year may receive a proportional amount of the annual retention fee for that year. Options and other equity awards may be granted to directors on a discretionary basis. Mr. LeDoux receives no additional compensation for serving as a director. Directors are reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in connection with attending board and board committee meetings. The Company alsoWe may invite directors and their spouses to attend Company-related events and generally provideswe provide for, or reimburses expenses of, such directors’ and spouses’ travel, food and lodging for attendance at such events. The table below provides information about the compensation of the Company’sour currently sitting non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.2022.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL-YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

Name

 

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)

 

  

Stock

Awards

($)(1)(2)

 

  

Option
Awards
($)
(2)

 

  

All Other
Compensation
($)

 

  

Total
($)

Joe E. Davis

 

 

23,000

  

  

 

87,000

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

110,000

                    

Alan G. Dunn

 

 

22,000

  

  

 

87,000

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

109,000

                    

Alan J. Lane

 

 

21,000

  

  

 

87,000

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

108,000

                    

Lee G. Weldon

 

 

19,000

  

  

 

87,000

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

0

  

  

 

106,000

16

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE FOR FISCAL-YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2022

 

Name

 

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)

  

Stock

Awards

($)(1)

  

Deferred

Cash
Awards
($)(2)

  

All Other
Compensation
($)

  

Total
($)

 

Alan G. Dunn

  20,000   77,420   21,000      118,420 
                     

Laura Kay Matherly

  20,000   77,420   21,000      118,420 
                     

Guru Ramanathan

  17,000   77,420   21,000      115,420 

 

(1)

 

During the fiscal-year fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company2022, we granted each of the above directors serving on the Board during the fiscal year shares of restricted common stock that are subject to vesting and forfeiture. Each was granted 10,0007,000 shares onin March 28, 2017;2022; of which 3,3342,334 vest on March 7, 2018, 3,3332023, 2,333 vest on March 7, 2019,2024, and 3,3332,333 vest on March 7, 2020.2025. The value of the restricted stock award is based on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. We amortize the estimated fair value of our stock awards to expense over the related vesting periods.

 

(2)

 

Restricted sharesDeferred cash awards were made by the Board of our common stock were granted under our 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The amounts shown representDirectors on March 4, 2022, each subject to vesting conditions requiring the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Please see “Stock-Based Compensation” under Note A in the Notesnon-employee director recipients to our audited, consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, forremain serving as a discussionmember of the assumptions made inBoard of Directors prior to payment of one-third of the valuation.award on each March 7

 

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The following table summarizes equity compensation plans approved by stockholders as of June 30, 2017.2022. As of June 30, 2017, the Company did not have any2022, we had one equity compensation plans that had not beenplan, the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan approved by stockholders.stockholders at the annual stockholder meeting held December 4, 2020 (the “2020 Plan”).

 

Plan Category

ENumberofshares
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstandingoptions
(a)

Weighted-
averageexercise
price of
outstanding
options
(b)

Numberofsharesremaining
available for future issuance
underequitycompensationplans
(excluding shares reflected in
columns (a)

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

(1)$N/A472,377QUITY(1) COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

N/AN/AN/A

Total

$N/A472,377

Plan Category

 

Number of shares
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options

(a)

  

Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options

(b)

  

Number of
shares of
outstanding
restricted
stock

(c)

  

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding restricted
stock

(d)

  

Number of shares remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation plans
(excluding securities reflected in
columns (a) and (c))

(e)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

  140,000(1) $6.36   330,665   N/A   389,000(1)

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A 

Total

  140,000  $6.36   330,665   N/A   389,000 

 

(1)

 

At our 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 30, 2009, our stockholders approved a new 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”). Upon approval of the 20092020 Plan, our 1999 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”) was terminated. All of the securitieswe had no other equity incentive plan. The shares shown above remaining available for future issuance shown in column (e) are pursuant to the 2009 Plan. Under the terms2020 Plan net of the 2009 Plan, on the first day of each calendar year during the term of the plan, beginning with January 1, 2011, an additional 100,000227,623 shares of our commonrestricted stock become available for issuance underissued pursuant to the 2009 Plan.2020 Plan, of which a portion remains subject to vesting and forfeiture.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

We have adopted a Code of Business Behavior and Conduct that applies to all of our employees and directors, including all of our officers and our non-employee directors. The Audit Committee periodically reviews the policy and the Company’sour compliance with the policy. A copy of our Code of Business Behavior and Conduct is posted on our website at www.nai-online.com. Our Code of Business Behavior and Conduct is not incorporated in, and is not a part of, this proxy statement and is not proxy-soliciting material.

 

17

 

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, executive officers and any person who owns more than 10% of our common stock, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership of our common stock within 10 days of becoming a director, executive officer or greater than 10% stockholder, and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock before the end of the second business day following the day on which a transaction resulting in a change of ownership occurs. Directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to provide us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of Section 16(a) reports provided to us during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2022, with one exception, all but two required Section 16(a) reports applicable to our directors, and executive officers were timely filed. Our Board of Directors approved certain restricted stock grants to each of our directors and others on March 4, 2022. We have one member of our Board of Directors appointed to the Board to fill a vacant seat in September 2021, and who was subsequently elected to the Board of Directors by the stockholders in December 2021. Each of our directors received a 7,000 share restricted stock grant on March 4, 2022. This new director requested his SEC filing codes obtained for him by a former employer and that company could not locate his records. As a result, he had to obtain replacement filing codes and he could not timely file the Section 16(a) report of his acquisition of the 7,000 unvested restricted shares on March 4, 2022. The two reports that were filed late werefiling was made but due to the result of an oversight, and weredelay it was not filed within 30the required two business days of receipt of the event.unvested restricted shares and was therefore filed late.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Pursuant to the Audit Committee’sCommittee’s charter, the Audit Committee conducts a review of all related party transactions for potential conflict of interest situations on an ongoing basis. The Company may not enter into a related party transaction unless the transaction is approved by the Audit Committee. A transaction is considered a “related party transaction” if the transaction would be required to be disclosed herein pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K. There have been no materialNo related party transactions since July 1, 2013, nor are any currently anticipated or proposed.

 

Audit Committee Report

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’sCompany’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 20172022 with the Company’s management, and discussed with Haskell & White LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 1301, “Communications with Audit Committees”. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures from Haskell & White LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding independent accountant communications with audit committees concerning independence and discussed with Haskell & White LLP its independence. Based on the Audit Committee’s above described review and discussions, on September 16, 2022 the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017,2022, be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for such fiscal year for filing with the SEC.

Members of the Audit Committee

 

Members of the Audit Committee

Joe E. Davis, Chairman

Alan G. Dunn, Chair

Alan J. LaneLaura Kay Matherly

Guru Ramanathan

 

The Audit Committee Report above is not considered proxy-soliciting material, is not deemed to be filed with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing with the SEC, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this information by reference.

 

18

ANNUAL REPORT

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 20172022 (“20172022 Annual Report”), as filed with the SEC, excluding exhibits, is being mailed to stockholders with this proxy statement. We will furnish any exhibit to our 20172022 Annual Report free of charge to any stockholder upon written request to the Secretary of the Company at 1535 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008. The 20172022 Annual Report is not incorporated in, and is not a part of, this proxy statement and is not proxy-soliciting material. We encourage you to review the 20172022 Annual Report, and any later information that we file with the SEC and other publicly available information.

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

Stockholders who wish to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials to be distributed in connection with next year’syear’s annual meeting must submit their proposal so that we receive it no later than the close of business on August 3, 2018.10, 2023. Any such proposal must be in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Pursuant to such rule, simply submitting a proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in our proxy materials.


 

In accordance with our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to be properly brought before an annual meeting, a stockholder must deliver timely notice of any matter the stockholder wishes to present. To be timely, we must receive the notice at least 60 days before the original scheduled meeting date. However, if we provide less than 70 daysdays’ notice or prior public disclosure of the meeting date, to be timely we must receive the notice before the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of the day on which we mailed notice of the meeting date or the day on which we publicly disclosed the meeting date. To be in proper form, the notice must be in writing and include the specified information set forth in Article Fifteenth of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

All proposals and notices should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Natural Alternatives International, Inc., 1535 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008, Attn: Mr. Kenneth E. Wolf, Secretary. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal or matter that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

 

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

 

Brokers with account holders who are the Company’sour Stockholders may be “householding” the Company’sour proxy materials. A single Proxy Statement may be delivered to multiple Stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected Stockholders. If you have received notice from your broker that it will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate Proxy Statement and annual report, please notify your broker. If you currently receive multiple copies of the Proxy Statement and annual report at your addresses and would like to request “householding” of your communications, you should contact your broker.

Please note that only one Proxy Statement and annual report may be delivered to two or more Stockholders who share an address, unless the Company has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and annual report or for instructions as to how to request a separate copy of this document and annual report or as to how to request a single copy if multiple copies of this document and annual report are received, Stockholders should contact the Company at the address and phone number set forth below.

 

Requests should be directed to the Company at 1535 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California 92008. Copies of these documents may also be accessed electronically by means of the SEC’s home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the proxy holders named in the accompanying proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies in accordance with their best judgment with respect to any such matters.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

By Order of the Board of Directors

Carlsbad,, California

October 26, 2017

October 25, 2022

 

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