UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(A) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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o | Soliciting Material under Sec. 240.14a-11 (c) or Sec. 240.14a-12 |
CONCURRENT COMPUTER CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
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NOTICE OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
RETURN OF PROXY
Please follow the instructions for voting provided to you and vote your shares even if you plan to attend the meeting. If you attend the meeting and vote in person, the proxy will not be used. The immediate return of your proxy will be of great assistance in preparing for the meeting and is therefore urgently requested.
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
NOTICE OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015
To our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Concurrent Computer Corporation (“Concurrent” or the “Company”) to be held at Concurrent’s corporate offices, 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096, at 8:30 a.m., ET, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. The meeting is being held to consider and act upon the following matters:
| 1) | To elect seven directors nominated by the Board of Directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
| 2) | To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Concurrent’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016; |
| 3) | To conduct an advisory vote to approve the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers; and |
| 4) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting. |
The Board of Directors established August 31, 2015 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the meeting. Only holders of record of common stock at the close of business on that date will be entitled to vote. A list of stockholders as of the record date will be available for inspection by stockholders at Concurrent’s corporate office at 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096 during regular business hours in the ten-day period prior to the meeting and on the day of the meeting.
Your vote is important. To be sure your shares are voted at the meeting, even if you plan to attend the meeting in person, please follow the instructions provided to you and vote your shares today. This will not prevent you from voting your shares in person if you are able to attend. Your cooperation is appreciated since a majority of the outstanding shares of Concurrent’s common stock must be represented, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum.
We look forward to meeting with you on October 27, 2015.
| By Order of the Board of Directors, |
| |
| Derek J. Elder |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
| |
Duluth, Georgia | |
September 17, 2015 | |
Important Notice regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be held on October 27, 2015: The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to stockholders are available at www.proxyvote.com.
CONCURRENT COMPUTER CORPORATION
4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100
Duluth, Georgia 30096
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement and proxy card are first being sent to stockholders on or about September 17, 2015, and are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at Concurrent Computer Corporation’s corporate headquarters, located at 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096 at 8:30 a.m., ET, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. Your proxy is solicited by Concurrent’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Why am I receiving this proxy statement and proxy card?
You are receiving a proxy statement and proxy card because, as of the close of business on August 31, 2015, you owned shares of Concurrent common stock. This proxy statement describes in detail issues on which we would like you, our stockholder, to vote. It also gives you information on these issues so that you can make an informed decision.
When you execute your proxy, you appoint Derek J. Elder, Emory O. Berry, and Davina M. Furnish each as your representatives at the annual meeting. Mr. Elder, Mr. Berry and/or Ms. Furnish will vote your shares at the meeting as you have instructed them on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the annual meeting. Even if you plan to attend the meeting, it is a good idea to complete, sign, date and return your proxy card in advance of the meeting in case your plans change.
If an issue comes up for vote at the meeting that is not on the proxy card, Mr. Elder, Mr. Berry and/or Ms. Furnish will vote your shares, under your proxy, in accordance with their best judgment.
What am I voting on?
You are being asked to vote on: (1) the election of seven directors, (2) the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Concurrent’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and (3) an advisory vote to approve the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers.
No cumulative voting rights are authorized and dissenters’ rights are not applicable to these matters.
Who is entitled to vote?
Stockholders as of the close of business on August 31, 2015 are entitled to vote. This is referred to as the record date. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
How do I vote?
You may vote via the Internet. Depending on how your shares are held, you may be able to vote via the Internet. If this option is available to you, you will have received an insert with this proxy statement explaining the procedure.
You may vote via telephone. Depending on how your shares are held, you may be able to vote via telephone. If this option is available to you, you will have received an insert with this proxy statement explaining the procedure.
You may vote by mail. You do this by signing your proxy card and mailing it in the prepaid and addressed envelope.
You may vote in person at the meeting. Written ballots will be passed out to anyone who wants to vote at the meeting. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you must request a legal proxy from your stockbroker in order to vote at the meeting. Please note that if you request a legal proxy, any previously submitted proxy will be revoked and your shares will not be voted unless you attend the annual meeting and vote in person or appoint another proxy to vote on your behalf.
Are voting procedures different if I hold my shares in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee?
If your shares are held in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, please refer to the instructions they provide regarding how to vote your shares or to revoke your voting instructions. If you hold your shares in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, the availability of telephone and Internet voting depends on their voting processes. Street name holders may vote in person only if they have a legal proxy as described above.
How many votes do you need to hold the meeting?
As of August 31, 2015, there were 9,682,582 shares of Concurrent’s common stock outstanding and each share is entitled to one vote. A majority of Concurrent’s outstanding shares as of the record date must be present at the meeting either in person or by proxy in order to hold the meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum.
Your shares will be counted as present at the meeting if you:
| · | vote via the Internet or by telephone, if available; |
| · | properly submit a proxy (even if you do not provide voting instructions); or |
| · | attend the meeting and vote in person. |
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
It means that you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent and/or with a broker, bank or other nominee. Please vote all proxies to ensure that all your shares are represented at the meeting. In the future, you may wish to consolidate as many of your transfer agent accounts or accounts with brokers, banks or other nominees as possible under the same name and address for better customer service.
What if I change my mind after I return my proxy?
You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the polls close at the meeting. You may do this by:
| · | sending written notice to the Corporate Secretary at 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096 so that it is received prior to October 26, 2015; |
| · | voting again over the Internet or via telephone, if available, prior to 11:59 p.m., ET, on October 26, 2015; |
| · | signing another proxy with a later date and sending it so that it is received by Concurrent’s corporate secretary prior to October 26, 2015; or |
How may I vote for the nominees for election of director?
With respect to the election of nominees for director, you may:
| · | vote FOR the election of the seven nominees for director; |
| · | WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for the seven nominees; or |
| · | WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one or more of the nominees and vote FOR the remaining nominees. |
How many votes must the nominees for election of director receive to be elected?
Directors are elected by a plurality vote. As a result, the seven nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors. This number is called a plurality.
What happens if a nominee is unable to stand for re-election?
The Board may, by resolution, provide for a lesser number of directors or designate a substitute nominee. In the latter event, shares represented by proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee.
How may I vote for the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accountants?
With respect to the proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Concurrent’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, you may:
| · | vote AGAINST ratification; or |
| · | ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal. |
How many votes must the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accountants receive to pass?
The ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accountants must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present or represented by proxy at the meeting to pass.
How may I vote on the advisory vote to approve the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers?
With respect to the advisory vote to approve the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers, you may:
| · | vote FOR approval of the compensation; |
| · | vote AGAINST approval of the compensation; or |
How many votes must the advisory vote to approve the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers receive to pass?
The proposal to approve the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present or represented by proxy at the meeting to pass.
What happens if I sign and return my proxy card but do not provide voting instructions?
If you return a signed card but do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted FOR the seven named director nominees, FOR the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accountants, and FOR approval of the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers. In addition, your proxy will be voted in the discretion of Mr. Elder, Mr. Berry and/or Ms. Furnish with respect to any other business that properly comes before the meeting.
If you mark your voting instructions on the proxy card, your shares will be voted as you instruct.
What if I abstain from voting?
Abstentions with respect to a proposal are counted for purposes of establishing a quorum. If a quorum is present, WITHHOLD AUTHORITY votes have no effect on the outcome of a vote on the election of directors. However, abstentions will have the effect of a vote AGAINST the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accountants and AGAINST the approval of the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers.
Will my shares be voted if I do not vote my proxy?
If your shares are held in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, your brokerage firm may vote your shares under certain circumstances if you do not provide voting instructions. These circumstances include certain “routine” matters, such as the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accountants.
Therefore, if you do not vote your proxy, your brokerage firm may either vote your shares on routine matters or leave your shares unvoted. When a brokerage firm votes its customers’ unvoted shares on routine matters without receiving voting instructions, these shares are counted for purposes of establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting and in determining the number of shares voted FOR or AGAINST the routine matter.
A brokerage firm cannot vote customers’ shares on non-routine matters, which includes the election of directors and approval of the compensation of Concurrent’s named executive officers. If your brokerage firm has not received voting instructions on a non-routine matter, these shares will be considered “broker non-votes” to the extent that the brokerage firm submits a proxy. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting, but will have no effect on the outcome of the vote for these items.
Where do I find the voting results of the meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the meeting and will publish the final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed within four business days after the meeting. The report will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and you may obtain a copy by contacting the Corporate Secretary at (678) 258-4000 or through our website at www.concurrent.com or the SEC’s EDGAR system at www.sec.gov.
How do I obtain a copy of the 2015 Annual Report to Stockholders and the 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K?
Concurrent’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended June 30, 2015, which includes our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015, accompanies this proxy statement. In addition, these documents can be found on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com) under the ‘Company’ tab.
At the written request of any common stockholder who owns common stock as of the close of business on the record date, we will provide, without charge, a copy of our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and financial statement schedules, as filed with the SEC, except exhibits thereto. If requested by eligible stockholders, we will provide copies of the exhibits for a reasonable fee. Requests for copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K should be mailed to the Corporate Secretary at 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 of Notice)
In accordance with our Bylaws, the Board has fixed the number of directors at seven members. The following nominees are standing for re-election to the Board at the meeting: Charles Blackmon, Derek J. Elder, Larry L. Enterline, C. Shelton James, Steve G. Nussrallah, Robert M. Pons and Dilip Singh. Directors will be elected to hold office until the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
There are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which he was or is to be selected as a director or nominee. None of the nominees has a family relationship with any other nominee or director or any executive officer of Concurrent or any of its subsidiaries. The Board has determined that all the nominees are independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards other than Mr. Elder, who serves as Concurrent’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the seven nominees for Director.
Nominees for Election of Director
Information on each of the nominees for the Board, including each nominee’s principal occupation and business experience for at least the last five years, the names of other publicly held companies for which he serves as a director or has served as a director in the last five years, and the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills considered among the most important by our Nominating Committee and Board in determining that the nominee should serve as a director is set forth below.
Charles Blackmon. Age 66 and a director since April 2003. Since June 2005, Mr. Blackmon has been Senior Vice President for Timberland Harvesters, LLC, a corporation that buys and sells timber and land. Since July 2013, he has served on the board of directors of CSP, Inc., a public company that develops and markets IT integration solutions and high-performance cluster computer systems. He is Chairman of its audit committee and serves on the nominating committee. From June 2004 until March 2005, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Interline Brands, Inc., a public company that acts as a direct marketer and distributor of maintenance, repair and operations products, including plumbing, electrical, hardware, security hardware, HVAC and other related items. From 1980 until joining Interline Brands, Mr. Blackmon was with MAGNATRAX Corporation, a company specializing in manufacturing products for the construction industry. Throughout his career with MAGNATRAX, Mr. Blackmon played a significant role in financial reporting and corporate administration responsibilities, including, from 1994 to 1996, as Vice President, Finance and Administration; from 1996 to 2002, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and from November 2002 to June 2004, as Vice President responsible for special financial and operational projects. He also served as a director of MAGNATRAX from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Blackmon was the Principal Financial Officer for American Buildings Company, a predecessor of MAGNATRAX, during its initial public offering and the five years that it was a public company. Prior to his employment with MAGNATRAX, Mr. Blackmon served for several years in public accounting. He has over 40 years of financial management experience and is a certified public accountant.
We believe Mr. Blackmon’s expertise in accounting, financial controls and financial reporting, operational knowledge of compensation matters, manufacturing, and sales gained through senior executive positions and experience as a chief financial officer of a public company, qualify him to serve as a director of our Board.
Derek J. Elder. Age 44 and a director since November 2014. Prior to joining Concurrent, Mr. Elder served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the DOCSIS & Multiservice Gateway business at ARRIS Group, Inc. (“ARRIS”) since April 2013. He also held a number of other leadership positions at ARRIS in sales, product management and marketing during this ten-year tenure, including serving as Senior Vice President & General Manager, Touchstone Broadband CPE Division from March 2011 to April 2013, Senior Vice President, Product Management & Marketing from May 2008 to May 2011 and Senior Vice President, North American Sales prior thereto. Prior to ARRIS, Mr. Elder was a technology and business leader at Tropic Networks, Cisco Systems and Narad Networks, Inc.
We believe Mr. Elder’s day-to-day leadership as our CEO, extensive experience in the telecommunications industry and unique understanding of our operations, opportunities and challenges, qualify him to serve as a director of our Board.
Larry L. Enterline. Age 62 and a director since October 2005. Since March 2011, Mr. Enterline has been Chief Executive Officer and a director of FOX Factory, Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance shock absorbers and racing suspension products. In August 2013, he became the Chief Executive Officer and director of its parent, Fox Factory Holding Corp., upon its initial public offering. Since April 2010, Mr. Enterline has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Holdings, Inc., a private investment firm. From February 2006 to April 2010, Mr. Enterline served as the Chief Executive Officer and director for Comsys IT Partners Inc. From September 2004 to February 2006, Mr. Enterline served as the Chief Executive Officer for Strategic Management Inc., a private investment company. In addition, Mr. Enterline served in a number of senior management and director roles at Personnel Group of America/Venturi Partners, Inc., Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. and Raptor Networks Technology, Inc.
We believe Mr. Enterline’s lengthy experience as a senior executive at publicly-traded companies, service on other public company boards and leadership experience and familiarity with issues facing the technology industry gained through serving as a chief executive officer of a leading provider of information technology services, qualify him to serve as a director of our Board.
C. Shelton James. Age 75 and a director since July 1996. Mr. James has been President of C.S. James & Associates, a business advisory firm, since May 1990. Mr. James was Chief Executive Officer of Technisource, Inc., an IT staffing company, from December 2001 to July 2002. From August 1998 to September 2000, Mr. James served as a director, and from August 1999 to March 2000, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cyberguard Corporation, a provider of information security solutions. From May 1991 to October 1999, Mr. James served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elcotel, Inc., a public company that manufactures telecommunications equipment. From 1990 until June 1999, Mr. James served in several executive positions of Fundamental Management Corporation, an investment management firm specializing in active investment in small capitalization companies. Prior to 1990, Mr. James was Executive Vice President of Gould, Inc., a diversified electronics company, and President of Gould’s Computer Systems Division. Mr. James is Chairman of the board of directors of CSP, Inc., a public company that develops and markets IT integration solutions and high-performance cluster computer systems. He also serves as a member of its compensation and audit committees. During the course of his career, Mr. James was a certified public accountant and worked in public accounting, served as Chief Financial Officer for Systems Engineering Labs, and has served on 10 public company boards and nine audit committees.
We believe Mr. James’ extensive service on other public company boards, including his vast experience on audit committees, expertise in accounting, financial controls and financial reporting and operational knowledge of the implementation and development of information technology and software solutions gained through his past experience serving as a chief executive officer in the technology industry, qualify him to serve as a director of our Board.
Steve G. Nussrallah. Age 65 and Chairman of Concurrent’s Board of Directors since October 2000. Mr. Nussrallah has been a general partner of Value Plus Ventures, a private equity firm, since December 2007. He was a general partner at Noro-Moseley Partners, a venture capital firm, from January 2001 to November 2007. He served as Concurrent’s President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2000 to December 2000. From July 2002 to June 2005, Mr. Nussrallah was a director for Cypress Communications Holding, Inc., a public company that provides building centric voice, data, and video services to small and medium sized businesses. From January 2002 to November 2007, Mr. Nussrallah was a director for EG Technology, Inc., a private company that manufactures digital video signal processing equipment for television distribution over cable, satellite and IPTV networks.
We believe Mr. Nussrallah’s deep understanding of the technology industry from his many years serving in senior leadership roles at technology companies, mergers and acquisitions experience from his work in venture capital, technical expertise provided by his engineering education and various operational positions throughout his career and extensive knowledge of our operations and industry gained through his past experience as our Chief Executive Officer, qualify him to serve as a director of our Board.
Robert M. Pons. Age 59 and a Director since July 2012. Since May 2014, Mr. Pons has served as Executive President of Business Development of HC2 Holdings, Inc. (formerly PTGi Holdings, formerly Primus Telecommunications), a diversified holding company, with operating subsidiaries primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. From April 2011 to March 2014, he was Chairman of the board of directors of Live Microsystems, Inc. (formerly Live Wire Mobile, Inc.), a digital content solution provider for mobile carriers, handset manufacturers and media companies. From January 2008 to January 2011, he was Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, at TMNG Global, a global consulting firm to technology, media, communications and financial services companies. Prior to this, Mr. Pons served in a number of senior management roles in technology companies, including Uphonia (formerly SmartServ Online, Inc.), a wireless applications development company and FreedomPay, a cashless retail payment system vendor. Mr. Pons currently serves on the board of directors of: MRV Communications, Inc. (Vice Chairman and a member of the audit committee), Novatel Wireless (a member of the compensation committee) and HC2 Holdings, Inc. He has previously served on the board of directors of Arbinet, Proxim Wireless, Network-1 Security Systems and DragonWave, Inc.
We believe that Mr. Pons’ broad operational executive management and board experience in technology companies and success in strategic activities with various companies qualify him to serve as a director of our Board.
Dilip Singh. Age 67 and a Director since July 2012. Since December 2013, Mr. Singh has been a general partner of Value Generation Capital Fund. Mr. Singh was the interim Chief Executive Officer and President of InfuSystem Holdings, Inc., a healthcare services company, from April 2012 to April 2013. From July 2010 to December 2011, he was the interim Chief Executive Officer of MRV Communications, Inc., a network equipment provider and systems integration company. From December 2008 to May 2009, he was Chief Executive Officer of Telia-Sonera Spice Nepal, an Asian mobile operator. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Singh was President and Chief Executive Officer of Telenity, Inc., a software company providing convergence applications, service delivery platforms and other value added services. Prior to this, he served in several roles at ADC Telecommunications, Inc., NewNet, IntelliNet Technologies, Inc., MC Venture Partners, Sprint Corporation and Alcatel-Lucent. Mr. Singh currently serves as Chairman of the board of directors of On-Track Innovations Ltd., and has previously served on the board of directors of ALCO Stores, Inc., MRV Communications, Inc. and InfuSystems Holdings, Inc.
We believe that Mr. Singh’s over 40 years of operational executive management and board experience with global telecom carriers, network equipment providers, healthcare services, software and systems integration, and medical and venture capital companies qualifies him to serve as a director of our Board.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Concurrent is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and is governed by the Board. As permitted under Delaware law and Concurrent’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Board has established and delegated certain authority and responsibility to four standing committees: the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Executive Committee, and Nominating Committee. The Board annually reviews the membership of and the authority and responsibility delegated to each committee.
Concurrent’s Board is committed to sound business practices, transparency in financial reporting and effective corporate governance. The Board annually reviews Concurrent’s corporate governance policies and practices in light of the requirements of applicable law and the listing standards of Nasdaq. Concurrent’s Board meets regularly and no less than twice a year in executive sessions which are comprised of the independent directors. Concurrent has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines (“Guidelines”), a Business Code of Ethics and Compliance Policies for all employees, a Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and Financial Officers, and an Accounting/Auditing Complaint Policy. Concurrent’s Guidelines, codes of ethics and its Accounting/Auditing Complaint Policy are available on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com), under the ‘Company’ tab in the Corporate Governance section. Any amendments to, or waivers of, our Code of Ethics for Senior Executive and Financial Officers will be disclosed on our website promptly following the date of such amendment or waiver.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Mr. Nussrallah, an independent director, has served as the Chairman of our Board since 2000. Our Guidelines provide that the Chairman will be an independent director under applicable legal and regulatory rules. The Chairman is elected by and from the members of the Board.
We believe it is beneficial to have a non-executive Chairman who is responsible for leading the Board. We also believe our President and CEO should be principally responsible for running the Company. Under our Guidelines and our Bylaws, our non-executive Chairman:
| · | provides leadership to the Board to ensure that the Board functions in an independent, cohesive fashion; |
| · | presides at Board meetings, all meetings of independent directors (including executive sessions) and stockholder meetings; |
| · | sees that all orders, resolutions and policies adopted or established by the Board are carried into effect; |
| · | consults with the Nominating Committee and CEO on any changes to committee chairs and membership; and |
| · | prepares and circulates an agenda for each Board meeting in consultation with the CEO. |
Our Board has six independent members and only one non-independent member, our CEO. We have four standing board committees (Audit, Compensation, Executive and Nominating) and three of the committees (Audit, Compensation and Nominating) are comprised solely of independent directors, each with a different independent director serving as chair of the committee. We believe that the number of independent, experienced directors that make up our Board, along with the independent oversight of the Board by our non-executive Chairman, benefits our Company and our stockholders.
Under the Guidelines, our Board provides oversight of the Company’s risk management processes. Pursuant to the Guidelines and the Charter of our Audit Committee, the Audit Committee is primarily responsible for reviewing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management and meeting periodically with management to review the Company’s major financial risk exposures and steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. Each of our Board committees also considers the risks within its area of responsibilities. For example, in accordance with its Charter, our Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s incentive compensation arrangements to confirm that incentive pay does not encourage unnecessary risk taking and periodically considers the relationship between risk management and incentive compensation. We believe that the leadership structure of our Board supports its effective oversight of the Company’s risk management.
Directors
The responsibility of the directors is to provide direction and oversight and to exercise their business judgment to act in what they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. In discharging that obligation consistent with their fiduciary duties to stockholders, directors are entitled to rely on the honesty and integrity of the Company’s executives and its outside advisors and auditors. Directors are expected to attend Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they serve, and to spend the time needed and meet as frequently as necessary to properly discharge their responsibilities with due care. Directors are expected to review in advance any information distributed before meetings.
Board Attendance
During fiscal year 2015, there were 13 meetings of the Board. All the directors who served during the year attended more than 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of the Board and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served.
The Board has adopted a policy that each director is encouraged to attend Concurrent’s regularly scheduled Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All of the directors serving at the time of Concurrent’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders attended the meeting.
Committees of the Board
The membership of each of the Board’s standing committees as of July 1, 2015, is indicated in the table below:
Director | Audit | Compensation | Executive | Nominating |
Charles Blackmon | X | Chair | X | X |
Derek J. Elder | | | X | |
Larry L. Enterline | X | | | Chair |
C. Shelton James | Chair | X | | X |
Steve G. Nussrallah | | X | Chair | |
Robert M. Pons | | X | | |
Dilip Singh | X | | | |
Self-Evaluation
Each year the Board and the Compensation and Audit Committees complete an internal self-evaluation. The self-evaluations are discussed within each committee and then by the Board as a whole, including any areas for improvement.
Stockholder Communications with the Board
We have adopted a formal process for stockholder communications with members of the Board. The process requires Concurrent to maintain on its corporate website information explaining that stockholders who wish to communicate directly with the Board may do so by writing the Board as a group or the non-management directors as a group via Concurrent’s Corporate Secretary at its corporate headquarters. The policy further provides that the Corporate Secretary shall review all written correspondence received from stockholders and forward such correspondences periodically to the directors. A copy of the procedures for stockholder communication with the Board may be found on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com), under the ‘Company’ tab in the Corporate Governance section. In addition, employees, customers, stockholders, vendors or partners may also make anonymous reports under Concurrent’s Accounting/Auditing Complaint Policy regarding any financial irregularities, fraud, errors or false statements.
Board Committees
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee has, to the extent legally permitted, the power and authority of the Board. There was one Executive Committee meeting held during fiscal year 2015. The Executive Committee operates under a written Executive Committee charter adopted by the Board and reviewed annually. A copy of the charter may be found under the ‘Company’ tab on Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com) on the Investors page under Corporate Governance.
Audit Committee. All of the members of the Audit Committee have been determined by the Board to be independent within the meaning of applicable SEC rules and Nasdaq listing standards. Additionally, the Board has determined that both Mr. James and Mr. Blackmon qualify as “audit committee financial experts” pursuant to SEC rules. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are:
| · | to review Concurrent’s financial statements contained in filings with the SEC; |
| · | to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided by Concurrent’s independent registered public accountants; |
| · | to review matters relating to the examination of Concurrent’s financial statements by its independent registered public accountants and accounting procedures and controls; and |
| · | to appoint Concurrent’s independent registered public accountants. |
There were nine meetings of the Audit Committee during fiscal year 2015. The Audit Committee operates under a written Audit Committee charter adopted by the Board and reviewed annually. The charter may be found on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com), under the ‘Company’ tab in the Corporate Governance section.
Nominating Committee. All of the members of the Nominating Committee have been determined by the Board to be independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards. The principal responsibilities of the committee are:
| · | to select potential candidates for director and recommend selected candidates to the full Board; |
| · | to develop and recommend to the Board a self-evaluation process for the Board and its committees and oversee such evaluation process; and |
| · | to make recommendations to the Board concerning the structure and membership of Board committees. |
The Nominating Committee is responsible for assessing and considering director and candidate qualification factors.
In order to fill any positions resulting from vacancies or expansion, the Nominating Committee is responsible for seeking and recommending candidates to the entire Board for membership. The entire Board is responsible for nominating members for election to the Board and for filling vacancies on the Board that may occur between annual meetings of stockholders. Stockholders may propose nominees for consideration by the Nominating Committee by submitting recommendations to: Corporate Secretary, Concurrent Computer Corporation, 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096 in accordance with the Concurrent Computer Corporation Shareholder Director Nominee Recommendation Policy, which is described below and may be found on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com), under the ‘Company’ tab in the Corporate Governance section.
There was one meeting of the Nominating Committee during fiscal year 2015. The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board and reviewed annually. A copy of the charter may be found on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com) under the ‘Company’ tab in the Corporate Governance section.
Compensation Committee. All members of the Compensation Committee have been determined by the Board to be independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards. The principal responsibilities of the committee are:
| · | to review and approve/recommend compensation (salary, bonus and long- and short-term incentives) of the CEO and senior executives; |
| · | to oversee the administration of Concurrent’s incentive compensation plans, equity-based plans and other employee benefit plans, subject to certain limitations; |
| · | to annually review and approve the annual incentive bonus structure; and |
| · | to oversee Concurrent’s disclosures in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section contained herein. |
The CEO reports to the Compensation Committee regularly on the results of the evaluations of our named executive officers (“NEOs”) other than the CEO. In addition to the CEO’s involvement in conducting evaluations and making compensation recommendations for other NEOs, our management team and outside consulting firm play an active role in updating the Compensation Committee on the trends and challenges of hiring, retaining and competing for talent. The management team and outside consulting firms periodically suggest alternative forms of compensation or compensation strategies to assist the Compensation Committee in setting compensation packages that will enable us to attract and retain key talent.
The Compensation Committee also reviews director compensation practices, in relation to peer companies and outside advice, and recommends to the Board, as appropriate, revisions to our director compensation program. The Board believes that director compensation should be commensurate with the work required and responsibilities undertaken and should serve to align directors’ interests with the long-term interests of stockholders. For further information regarding the compensation practices, see the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
The Compensation Committee periodically retains firms for analysis of our executive and director compensation and comparisons to overall compensation offered by peer companies in our industry and other comparable organizations, as well as for other project-related work. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to engage or terminate outside consulting firms, including sole authority to approve fees and other retention terms. In late fiscal year 2013, the Compensation Committee retained Pearl Meyer & Partners as its independent compensation consultant. The nature and scope of the engagement is more fully discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The compensation consultant reports to the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and acts at the direction of the Chairman of the Compensation Committee when engaged on projects for the committee. Pearl Meyer & Partners does not provide any services to the Company other than those relating to executive and non-employee director compensation, as directed by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee considered the independence of its compensation consultant, Pearl Meyer & Partners, and whether the engagement of the compensation consultant raised any potential conflicts of interest. In evaluating independence of and potential conflicts of interest relating to the consultant, the Compensation Committee requested and received a letter from the consultant addressing the following factors: (1) other services provided to us by the consultant; (2) fees paid by us as a percentage of the consulting firm's total revenue; (3) policies or procedures maintained by the consulting firm that are designed to prevent a conflict of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships between the individual consultants involved in the engagement and a member of the Compensation Committee; (5) any Concurrent stock owned by the individual consultants involved in the engagement; and (6) any business or personal relationships between our executive officers and the consulting firm or the individual consultants involved in the engagement. The Compensation Committee discussed these considerations and concluded that the compensation consultant was independent and the engagement of the consultant did not raise any conflict of interest.
There were seven meetings of the Compensation Committee during fiscal year 2015. The Compensation Committee operates under a written Compensation Committee charter adopted by the Board and reviewed annually. The charter may be found on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com) under the ‘Company’ tab in the Corporate Governance section.
Stockholder Recommendations of Director Nominations
The Nominating Committee will consider all properly submitted stockholder recommendations when evaluating director nominees for recommendation to the Board. However, acceptance of a recommendation for consideration does not imply that the Nominating Committee will nominate the recommended candidate. In order to submit a nominee recommendation, stockholders must follow the following procedures:
| 1. | Submit recommendations in writing to the Corporate Secretary at Concurrent’s corporate headquarters. |
| 2. | Include in the submission the following information concerning the recommended individual for the committee to consider: |
| · | business address and residence address of such person; |
| · | five-year employment history, including employer names and business descriptions; |
| · | the class and number of shares of Concurrent which are beneficially owned by such person; |
| · | ability of the individual to read and comprehend financial statements; |
| · | the information required by Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K (certain relationships and related transactions); |
| · | board memberships (if any); |
| · | any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); and |
| · | a statement supporting the nominating stockholder’s view that the recommended individual possesses the minimum qualifications prescribed by the Nominating Committee for nominees. |
| 3. | Include with the submission a written consent of the individual to be interviewed by the Nominating Committee and to stand for election if nominated and to serve if elected. |
| 4. | Include in the submission the following information concerning the stockholder (or group of stockholders) recommending the individual for the Nominating Committee to consider: |
| · | the name and address, as they appear on Concurrent’s books, of such stockholder or stockholders; and |
| · | the class and number of shares of Concurrent which are beneficially owned by such stockholder or stockholders. |
| 5. | The nominating recommendation must state the relationship between the proposed nominee and the recommending stockholder and any agreements or understandings between the nominating stockholder and the nominee regarding the nomination. |
All such director nomination recommendations for an annual meeting of stockholders must be delivered, as provided above, to Concurrent’s corporate headquarters not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, recommendations to be timely must be so received no later than the close of business on the later of (1) the tenth day following the date of the public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting or (2) 90 days prior to the date of the annual meeting.
Stockholders may also directly nominate candidates for election to Concurrent’s Board in accordance with our Bylaws. Any stockholder wishing to make a nomination directly must follow the requirements set forth in Article V of Concurrent’s Bylaws, as described under “Other Matters - 2016 Stockholder Proposals.”
Procedures for Identifying and Evaluating Candidates for the Board
The Nominating Committee’s process for selecting nominees begins with an evaluation of the performance of incumbent directors and a determination of whether the Board or its committees have specific unfilled needs. The Nominating Committee then considers nominees identified by the Nominating Committee, other directors, senior management of Concurrent and stockholders. The Nominating Committee may obtain, as deemed necessary or appropriate, advice and assistance from legal, executive search, accounting or other advisors.
In identifying and recommending nominees to the Board, the Nominating Committee will consider certain skills and attributes of prospective candidates, including, but not limited to:
| · | the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; |
| · | business or professional knowledge and experience that will contribute to the effectiveness of the Board and the committees of the Board; |
| · | diversity of skills, experience, age, gender, race, ethnicity and background; |
| · | lack of interests that materially conflict with those of the Company’s stockholders; and |
| · | demonstrated professional achievement. |
Further, the candidate must be willing to:
| · | consent to stand for election if nominated and to serve if elected; and |
| · | devote sufficient time to carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities effectively (our Guidelines prohibit a director from serving on more than five other public company boards). |
In addition, the Nominating Committee will consider the following:
| · | at least a majority of the Board must be independent as determined by the Board under the Nasdaq listing standards; |
| · | at least one member of the Board should have the qualifications and skills necessary to be considered an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the rules of the SEC; and |
| · | at least three directors must meet the requirements for Audit and Compensation Committee membership required by the Nasdaq listing standards and the SEC. |
All potential candidates are interviewed by the Nominating Committee and may be interviewed by other members of the Board and senior management.
For each of the nominees to the Board, the biographies included in this proxy statement highlight the experiences and qualifications that were among the most important to the Nominating Committee in concluding that the nominee should serve as a director.
Compensation of Directors
Non-employee directors receive a $20,000 annual retainer payable in two installments, the first half upon election as a director at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the second half approximately six months later, typically at the April Board meeting. A non-employee who becomes a director after the Annual Meeting of Stockholders receives a pro rata portion of the annual retainer, payable at the time of becoming a non-employee director. In addition, non-employee directors receive a $2,000 fee per Board and committee meeting they attend in person or $500 per meeting they attend by telephone. However, this amount may not exceed $2,000 per day for attendance at Board and committee meetings regardless of the number of meetings attended on a given day. In addition, non-employee directors who serve as a chairman of the Audit or Compensation Committees of the Board receive an additional $7,500 fee per year. These fees are payable in two installments, the first half at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the second half approximately six months later, typically at the April Board meeting. Further, the Chairman of the Board is paid an additional $25,000 fee per year payable in two installments, the first half at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the second half approximately six months later, typically at the April Board meeting. Non-employee directors also receive an annual equity grant in an amount and in the form as determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board from time to time.
Early in fiscal year 2014, the Compensation Committee retained Pearl Meyer & Partners to evaluate executive and director compensation, including long-term incentive awards. Thirteen peer companies were recommended by the firm and approved by the Compensation Committee for this evaluation:
Brightcove, Inc. | iPass, Inc. | Synacor, Inc. |
CSP, Inc. | NetSol Technologies, Inc. | Zhone Technologies, Inc. |
Evolving Systems, Inc. | Numerex Corp. | Zix Corporation |
Exa Corporation | Rentrak Corporation | |
GSE Systems, Inc. | Sonic Foundry, Inc. | |
Based on the input from the consulting firm, the Board concluded that the cash compensation and annual equity grant for each non-employee director were appropriate. The Compensation Committee typically re-evaluates long-term incentive grants to directors on an annual basis. In fiscal year 2015, the committee recommended and the Board approved the grant of 5,000 restricted stock awards to all non-employee directors on October 30, 2014 with the restrictions lapsing as follows: 4,700 shares on October 15, 2015, 200 shares on October 15, 2016, and 100 shares on October 30, 2017.
None of the directors received perquisites in fiscal year 2015. Employee directors do not receive any separate compensation or perquisites for their service on the Board.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015
The following table sets forth the annual compensation of our non-employee directors for fiscal year 2015.
Name | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | | | Stock Awards (1) | | | Total | |
Steve G. Nussrallah | | $ | 63,000 | | | $ | 35,900 | | | $ | 98,900 | |
Charles Blackmon | | | 48,000 | | | | 35,900 | | | | 83,900 | |
Larry L. Enterline | | | 36,500 | | | | 35,900 | | | | 72,400 | |
C. Shelton James | | | 48,000 | | | | 35,900 | | | | 83,900 | |
Robert M. Pons | | | 36,500 | | | | 35,900 | | | | 72,400 | |
Dilip Singh | | | 38,000 | | | | 35,900 | | | | 73,900 | |
(1) | The amounts in this column reflects the grant date fair value for stock awards granted in fiscal year 2015, determined in accordance with the Account Standards Codification Topic 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation. An award was granted to each non-employee director on October 30, 2014, valued based on the closing stock price of $7.18 per share. As of June 30, 2015, the aggregate number of restricted stock awards held by non-employee directors was as follows: Mr. Nussrallah, 5,400; Mr. Blackmon, 5,400; Mr. Enterline, 5,400; Mr. James, 5,400; Mr. Pons, 5,440; and Mr. Singh, 5,440. |
Stock Ownership Guidelines
To align the interests of the officers and directors with the interests of the stockholders, the Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for the CEO, CFO, and directors. Achievement of the guidelines will be measured each December 31 and will be in effect on December 31, 2019, or within five years after the director or officer’s election. The stock ownership guideline for the CEO is 103,842 shares; the CFO, 43,150 shares; and the directors, 13,600 shares.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Named Executive Officers for Fiscal Year 2015
Our named executive officers, or NEOs, for fiscal year 2015 were Derek J. Elder (President, CEO and Director), Emory O. Berry (Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations) and Dan Mondor (President and CEO through November 21, 2014). As disclosed in Concurrent’s Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014, Mr. Mondor’s employment with Concurrent ended on November 21, 2014. Mr. Mondor is a named executive officer for fiscal year 2015, but is no longer an executive officer or employee as of the date hereof.
Comparison Objectives and Overview of Compensation Program
Our executive compensation programs have been designed to ensure that total compensation for the NEOs and other senior management is aligned with our business objectives and financial performance, and to enable us to attract and retain skilled professionals who contribute to our long-term success. The objectives of our executive compensation programs are as follows:
· | pay salaries that are competitive and attract, retain, and motivate a highly competent executive team; |
· | provide market-based bonus programs that link corporate performance and total executive compensation; and |
· | align executives’ financial interests with the creation of stockholder value by providing periodic long-term incentive awards subject to vesting over time and/or performance-based incentives tied to meaningful and quantifiable performance metrics. |
We have also designed our compensation programs to reward our NEOs and other senior management’s measurable accomplishments toward the goal of creating stockholder value and the sustainability of our Company in the marketplace. To this end, a significant portion of our executive compensation packages is comprised of variable pay in the form of annual incentive awards, which are dependent on the achievement of company performance objectives, and long-term equity-based compensation.
Components of Compensation
Our executive compensation program consists of three primary components: base salary, an annual cash incentive opportunity and long-term equity-based incentive awards. We pay base salaries to remain competitive in the marketplace and to attract and retain talented executives. Base salaries are established assuming an acceptable level of individual performance and provide our executives with a steady cash payment. We have established an annual cash-based incentive program, our Annual Incentive Plan or “AIP,” with payouts contingent on the attainment of measurable financial company goals so that a significant portion of the annual cash compensation for our executive officers and senior management is at risk. Through periodic grants of long-term equity-based awards, we seek to enable executives to develop and maintain a significant long-term equity interest in our common stock, align our executives’ actions with our stockholders’ interests and create a retention incentive for our executives to continue their employment with us.
We believe it is necessary to provide these three elements of compensation — base salary, AIP and long-term equity-based incentive awards — to compete for and retain executive talent in a competitive marketplace. The Compensation Committee has responsibility for establishing, implementing and monitoring adherence to this philosophy.
Determination of Compensation
Total Compensation
In establishing each NEO’s total compensation package, the Compensation Committee considers:
· | the compensation packages of executive officers in similar positions at a comparable group of peer companies based on reported and survey information as described below; |
· | the experience and contribution levels of the individual executive officer; |
· | the Company’s performance; and |
· | advice received from the Compensation Committee’s independent consulting firm. |
Each element of compensation is compared with that of peer companies through review of analyses prepared by the consulting firm, the Surveys (as defined below) and the input received from the consulting firm. Total compensation (the combined value of base salary, target annual incentive and grant date fair value of long-term incentive awards) is also assessed.
With respect to long-term equity-based incentive awards, the Compensation Committee also considers the amount and value of stock options and restricted stock currently held by the NEOs and senior managers when determining new grants. The Compensation Committee’s focus is on compensating executives for their individual performances and their expected future contributions to Concurrent, in addition to the potential material adverse effect of the risks arising from these compensation practices.
Peer Group Analysis
Early in fiscal year 2014, the Compensation Committee retained the consulting firm, Pearl Meyer & Partners, to advise them on executive and director compensation policies and practices. This advice, which included a peer group analysis and survey information, was considered by the Compensation Committee in establishing the framework of our executive compensation package for fiscal years 2014 and 2015. The peer group recommended by the consulting firm and approved by the Compensation Committee used for purposes of analyzing the structure of our executives’ compensation included similarly-sized companies and those in the high-tech or communications industries. These criteria resulted in a group of companies against which our executive compensation program was evaluated. These companies were:
Brightcove, Inc. | iPass, Inc. | Synacor, Inc. |
CSP, Inc. | NetSol Technologies, Inc. | Zhone Technologies, Inc. |
Evolving Systems, Inc. | Numerex Corp. | Zix Corporation |
Exa Corporation | Rentrak Corporation | |
GSE Systems, Inc. | Sonic Foundry, Inc. | |
The Compensation Committee also references survey information (“Surveys”) obtained on-line from various organizations, as well as reports published by global compensation organizations and local consulting firms. This data is utilized on an on-going basis to confirm that the base salaries, annual incentive awards and long-term stock awards continue to be customary and competitive.
Base Salaries
Individual base salaries are determined through an evaluation of individual performance levels and contributions to our business objectives, as well as comparisons to the peer group described above and the Surveys for similar positions in the technology marketplace where we compete. Salaries are reviewed annually for each NEO in July or August.
Fiscal 2015
In August 2014, the Compensation Committee considered the compensation of the NEOs and determined that their salaries would not be changed.
Annual Incentive Awards
To align incentives for the NEOs with the creation of stockholder value, our NEOs participate in the AIP that is in place for management level and other key employees. The AIP is designed to align employee incentives with the corporate goals that are most important for the fiscal year. Each year management develops the AIP and makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee for its consideration as to the performance goals for the year. The AIP award is paid as a cash award after the completion of the fiscal year, usually in August. Individual target awards are established by the Compensation Committee based on a percentage of the executive’s base salary, recognizing the relative size and scope of each executive’s responsibility within Concurrent.
Our NEOs are subject to the reimbursement or ‘clawback’ provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Fiscal 2015 AIP
The AIP award targets for fiscal year 2015 for our NEOs were the following percentages of each person’s fiscal year 2014 salary: Mr. Elder, 65% and Mr. Berry, 50%. As disclosed in Concurrent’s Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014, Mr. Mondor’s employment with Concurrent ended November 21, 2014. As a result he was not eligible for an AIP award for fiscal year 2015.
For fiscal year 2015, the Compensation Committee determined that the AIP achievement percentage would consist of two equally-weighted factors: a revenue goal and an adjusted operating income goal. The revenue goal was GAAP revenue; the adjusted operating income goal was the operating income before the cash-based AIP expense and other discretionary adjustments made by the Committee. Both the revenue goal and the adjusted operating income goal were assigned a minimum (0% achievement), target (100% achievement) and maximum (150% achievement) amount. Achievement of each component between these points would be prorated:
a. Minimum: | | $ | 71,171,000 | |
b. Target: | | | 77,800,000 | |
c. Maximum: | | | 85,580,000 | |
2) | Adjusted Operating Income Component. |
a. Minimum: | | $ | 7,183,200 | |
b. Target: | | | 8,315,000 | |
c. Maximum: | | | 9,978,000 | |
Neither the minimum revenue goal nor the minimum adjusted operating income goal was achieved in fiscal year 2015. As a result, no AIP bonuses were earned.
Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards
The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board, and the Board approves, grants of long-term equity-based incentive awards to the NEOs and senior managers in the form of stock options and restricted stock. In determining the size of the grants, the Compensation Committee and the Board consider the amount and value of stock options and restricted stock currently held, the executive’s performance during the prior year, and the executive’s likely continued future contributions to Concurrent, as well as the executive’s role within Concurrent. The Compensation Committee also considers the value of awards granted to executives in similar positions at the peer companies based on the input received from the consulting firm and the Surveys.
The Compensation Committee recommends and the Board approves awards of stock options or restricted stock to the NEOs and senior managers generally at the time of initial employment and at discretionary intervals thereafter.
The Compensation Committee, in determining whether to grant stock options or restricted stock, considers what it believes most effectively motivates employees under different market conditions. In recent years, the Compensation Committee has utilized restricted stock to focus individuals on our long-term performance, to motivate their performance and to retain them. The restricted stock may be performance-based or time-based.
The Compensation Committee considers long-term incentive grants based on recommendations from our CEO and Human Resources staff, as well as the consulting firm. All stock options are approved with exercise prices equal to the closing market price on the date of grant. The date of the grant is the date of the Compensation Committee meetings, unless the approval is at a meeting preceding the release of earnings for the prior period, in which case the grant date is two business days after the earnings release. The Compensation Committee does not have any program, plan or practice to time stock option grants in coordination with the release of material nonpublic information, nor do we time the release of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
Fiscal 2015 Equity Awards
In October 2014, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the grant of time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) to the NEOs, as shown in the table below.
| | Restricted Stock Awards Granted | |
Named Executive Officer 1 | | Time- Based 2 | | | Performance-Based | | | Total | |
Derek J. Elder | | | 120,000 | | | | - | | | | 120,000 | |
Emory O. Berry | | | 27,000 | | | | - | | | | 27,000 | |
1 As disclosed in Concurrent’s Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014, Mr. Mondor’s employment with Concurrent ended on November 21, 2014. Mr. Mondor is a named executive officer for fiscal year 2015, but is no longer an executive officer or employee as of the date hereof. His RSAs cancelled upon his termination.
2 Restrictions on one-half of Mr. Elder’s time-based RSA will lapse on the grant anniversary in 2015 and one-half will lapse in 2016. Restrictions on 99% of Mr. Berry’s time-based RSA will lapse on August 31, 2017 and the remainder on October 30, 2017.
RSAs Earned for Fiscal 2015
During fiscal year 2015, restrictions lapsed on restricted stock, for which passage of time was the only restriction, as follows: Mr. Berry, 3,707 and Mr. Mondor, 7,185. On September 2, 2014, restrictions lapsed for these time-based RSAs: Mr. Berry, 2,335 and Mr. Mondor, 4,825. On September 4, 2014, restrictions lapsed for these time-based RSAs: Mr. Berry, 1,372 and Mr. Mondor 2,360.
During fiscal year 2015, certain performance-based RSAs vested as a result of fiscal year 2014 achievement. AIP for fiscal year 2014 was achieved at 136.6% of target, so restrictions lapsed on certain performance-based RSAs on September 4, 2014 (granted September 4, 2013) and September 10, 2014 (granted September 10, 2012). On September 4, 2014, restrictions lapsed for these performance-based RSAs: Mr. Berry, 3,658 and Mr. Mondor, 6,293. On September 10, 2014, restrictions lapsed for these performance-based RSAs: Mr. Berry, 10,303 and Mr. Mondor, 14,442. AIP for fiscal year 2015 was not achieved, so certain performance-based RSAs were cancelled, effective August 27, 2015: Mr. Berry, 3,658 granted on September 4, 2013 and 10,303 granted on September 10, 2012.
Severance
Pursuant to the employment agreements we have with our NEOs, we provide severance pay to our NEOs, which is more fully described below under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.” In establishing this benefit, the Compensation Committee has received advice from the consulting firm and the Surveys that indicates that other comparable companies provide their NEOs similar protections in the form of severance and the amount of payments that are customary and reasonable in our industry. The Compensation Committee believes that providing severance to the NEOs is customary for our industry and allows us to remain competitive with other companies. This approach ensures that our NEOs continue to act in the best interests of stockholders even in the event that they are at risk of losing their jobs. This strategy is particularly important and worthwhile given the difficulty for a high-level employee to secure a comparable position at another company quickly and for Concurrent to remain competitive with other companies that routinely offer a similar benefit to their executive officers.
Compensation Risk Analysis
Early in fiscal year 2014, the Compensation Committee retained Pearl Meyer & Partners to perform a high-level risk assessment of the Company’s compensation program for NEOs and directors and any potential risk mitigation factors associated with existing policies and practices. Each year management evaluates the risk of the Company’s compensation programs for all employees, consistent with the risk assessment completed by the consulting firm. The Compensation Committee considered the findings of the assessments conducted and concluded that the Company's compensation programs are designed and administered with the appropriate balance of risk and reward in relation to its overall business strategy and do not encourage employees to take unnecessary or excessive risks. The analyses considered the following attributes of the programs:
· | base salaries are periodically benchmarked and are competitive; |
· | balance between fixed and variable compensation varies with responsibility level; |
· | incentive awards opportunities are capped and are tied to multiple performance metrics; |
· | performance goals and payouts are reviewed by a Compensation Committee consisting of independent non-employee directors; |
· | the mix of time based and performance-based equity vehicles; |
· | executives receive equity-based incentives which vest over multiple years; |
· | limited use of employment agreements and packages offered are competitive; |
· | executives own meaningful levels of company stock; and |
· | use of incentive plan performance goals that are both challenging and realistic. |
Benefits and Perquisites
Our NEOs are eligible to participate in the health and welfare and defined contribution plans that we make generally available to our other full-time employees, including health care, disability and life insurance coverage and 401(k) matching programs. In fiscal year 2015, the Compensation Committee maintained the Company match at 50% of the first 5% of the employee’s annual salary invested by the employee in the 401(k) plan. The Company does not provide any pension plans or any non-qualified deferred compensation to any of the NEOs. Our NEOs do not receive any other benefits or perquisites.
Role of Management in Determining Compensation
Evaluations of the NEOs’ performance (other than the CEO) are conducted on a regular basis by the CEO. The CEO reports to the Compensation Committee on the results of the evaluations of the other NEO. The CEO’s performance is periodically evaluated by the Compensation Committee and the Board.
In addition to the CEO’s involvement in reviewing performance of the other NEO, our management team plays an active role in updating the Compensation Committee on the trends and challenges of hiring, retaining and competing for talent. The management team periodically suggests alternative forms of compensation or compensation strategies to assist the Compensation Committee in establishing compensation packages that will enable us to attract and retain key talent. The Compensation Committee solicits input from executive management on compensation related strategies and practices. Additionally, the Compensation Committee utilizes the data and analysis from the consulting firm and industry surveys to gain a comprehensive view of related factors affecting its decision making. Management has not retained its own compensation consultants.
Tax Considerations
The Compensation Committee considers the impact of certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, relating to tax when making decisions on executive compensation. The primary provision they consider is Section 162(m).
Section 162(m) includes potential limitations on the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of compensation in excess of $1 million paid or accrued with respect to our highly paid executive officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. None of our NEOs received cash compensation in excess of $1 million in fiscal year 2015. Stock options and restricted stock granted to our NEOs from time to time are designed to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee may determine, however, that one or more awards granted should not conform to these requirements if, in its judgment, such payments are necessary to achieve our compensation objectives and protect stockholder interests and the benefit of the compensation arrangement for Concurrent and the stockholders outweighs the incremental cost to Concurrent.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with Concurrent’s management. Based on the Compensation Committee’s review of, and discussions with management with respect to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
| Compensation Committee of the Board |
| |
| Charles Blackmon, Chairman |
| C. Shelton James |
| Steve G. Nussrallah |
| Robert M. Pons |
| |
| September 17, 2015 |
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth compensation information for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 for our NEOs. None of the NEOs received perquisites in any of these fiscal years.
Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | | Salary (1) ($) | | | Stock Awards (2) ($) | | | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (3) ($) | | | All Other Compensation (4) ($) | | | Total ($) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derek J. Elder | 2015 | | | 302,703 | | | | 822,000 | | | | - | | | | 3,139 | | | | 1,127,842 | |
President and Chief | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Executive Officer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Emory O. Berry | 2015 | | | 316,734 | | | | 193,860 | | | | - | | | | 5,482 | | | | 516,076 | |
Chief Financial Officer | 2014 | | | 315,137 | | | | 129,376 | | | | 215,173 | | | | 7,425 | | | | 667,360 | |
& EVP of Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dan Mondor (5) | 2015 | | | 165,954 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 443,014 | | | | 608,968 | |
President and Chief | 2014 | | | 379,179 | | | | 222,556 | | | | 336,956 | | | | 8,534 | | | | 947,225 | |
Executive Officer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | The salary indicated for Mr. Elder includes a one-time cash signing bonus of $100,000, as disclosed in Concurrent’s Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014. |
(2) | The amount reported in this column for each NEO represents the grant date fair value of the performance-based or time-based RSAs granted during the applicable fiscal year, computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Performance-based RSAs granted in fiscal years 2015 and 2014 may be earned by achievement of specified company financial results. The grant date fair value for the award is computed based on the probable outcome for the performance period. The grant date fair value of the performance-based RSAs assumes maximum performance. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2015 for the assumptions used to value these awards. |
(3) | The amounts reported in this column represent incentive plan compensation earned by the NEOs under the AIP for fiscal year 2014. There was no incentive compensation earned under the AIP for fiscal year 2015. |
(4) | In fiscal 2015, Mr. Mondor became eligible for severance in the amount of $717,671 upon his termination as CEO of the Company. During fiscal 2015, Mr. Mondor was paid $441,644 of this severance amount. The remaining amount reported in this column for Mr. Mondor in fiscal 2015 and other NEO's for all periods represent matching contributions to the company-sponsored 401(k) plan. |
(5) | As disclosed in Concurrent’s Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014, Mr. Mondor’s employment with Concurrent ended on November 21, 2014. Mr. Mondor is a named executive officer for fiscal year 2015, but is no longer an executive officer or employee as of the date hereof. Any RSAs granted to him, whose restrictions had not lapsed, were cancelled upon his termination. |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS
AS OF JUNE 30, 2015
The following table provides information concerning outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs on June 30, 2015.
| | Option Awards | | | Restricted Stock Awards | | | Performance Stock Awards | |
Name | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) | | | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) (1) | | | Option Exercise Price ($) | | | Option Grant Date | | | Option Expiration Date | | | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) (2) | | | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (3) | | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (4) | | | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) (3) (4) | |
Derek J. Elder | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 120,000 | | | | 744,000 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Emory O. Berry | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 10,000 | | | | - | | | | 14.70 | | | | 3/08/2007 | | | | 3/08/2017 | | | | 31,115 | | | | 192,913 | | | | 17,618 | | | | 109,232 | |
| | | 9,000 | | | | - | | | | 12.80 | | | | 9/12/2007 | | | | 9/12/2017 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 20,000 | | | | - | | | | 5.90 | | | | 8/01/2008 | | | | 8/01/2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dan Mondor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| (1) | The options vest and become exercisable in equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. All options have vested as of June 30, 2015. |
| (2) | These RSAs vest as follows: Mr. Elder's awards vest: 60,000 on November 21, 2015 and 60,000 on November 21, 2016. Mr. Berry’s awards vest: 1,372 on September 4, 2015; 1,372 on September 8, 2016; 26,730 on August 31, 2017; 1,371 on September 8, 2017; and 270 on October 30, 2017. In addition, 7,078 RSAs held by Mr. Mondor were forfeited and canceled upon his termination on November 21, 2014. |
| (3) | The amounts shown in these columns reflect the market value of the unvested performance-based and time-based RSAs on the closing market price on June 30, 2015 of $6.20, multiplied by the number of shares. |
| (4) | The restrictions on the shares reported in this column lapse when performance goals based on revenue and operating income are achieved. The number of unearned shares represents the maximum number of shares that can be earned by the NEOs. In addition, 27,026 performance-based RSAs held by Mr. Mondor were forfeited and canceled upon his termination on November 21, 2014. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
The employment agreements with our NEOs and the terms of our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan and Third Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan provide for certain payments or accelerated vesting of awards as described below.
Executive Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with our NEOs. These agreements contain generally the same terms and provide for a base salary to be reviewed for increase annually, at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee. The agreements also provide for an annual incentive award opportunity based on a percentage of base salary. Although the percentage is established in each agreement, it is subject to change by the Compensation Committee as an employee’s duties expand.
The agreements provide that employment may be terminated by either Concurrent or the respective NEO at any time. In the event the NEO voluntarily resigns or is terminated for Due Cause (defined below), compensation under the employment agreement will end. In the event an agreement is terminated:
· | directly by us without Due Cause, |
· | in certain circumstances constructively by us, or |
· | within one year of a Change in Control (as defined below in the 2001 Stock Option Plan for Mr. Berry or the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan for Mr. Elder), |
the terminated employee will receive severance compensation consisting of 1) his salary at the time of termination for a period of 12 months from the date of termination, 2) continued participation in our healthcare plans through the severance period, and (3) the amount of annual incentive award, if any, paid in the year prior to termination. Mr. Elder’s severance compensation will be doubled if he is terminated pursuant to a Change of Control. The agreements define constructive termination as (a) demotion, (b) material change in authority, duties or responsibilities, (c) decrease in salary or incentive award opportunity, (d) material reduction in benefits or (e) material breach of the employment agreement by us.
Except for the prior year incentive award, which would be paid in a lump sum on the first pay date after termination, severance compensation would be paid in equal, biweekly installments or in accordance with our normal salary payment procedures. If we determine that the amounts payable are on account of an “involuntary separation from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)) and exceed the “separation pay allowance” described below, the excess amounts payable would be accumulated and distributed in a single sum six months and one day after the date of the separation from service. If we reasonably determine that the amounts payable are not on account of an “involuntary separation from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(n)), no amount shall be distributed before the date that is six months after separation from service. Further, any amounts that would have been distributed during the six months after the separation from service will be accumulated and distributed in a single sum six months and one day after the date of separation from service. The “separation pay allowance” means an amount that is two times the lesser of (x) the NEO’s annualized compensation or (y) the compensation limit in effect under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17).
Mr. Berry’s agreement also provides that if he is terminated due to death or continuing disability, he or his estate will be paid six months of salary.
The term “Due Cause” means the NEO:
a) | committed a willful serious act to enrich himself at our expense or has been convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude; |
b) | willfully and grossly neglected his duties, or intentionally failed to observe specific lawful directives or policies of the Board; |
c) | failed to take reasonable and appropriate steps to determine the accuracy of Sarbanes-Oxley Act certifications; or |
d) | failed to fulfill any of his duties to administer effective systems and controls necessary for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. |
If a NEO’s employment is terminated for any reason, he is prohibited from competing with us, soliciting our customers, or trying to hire our employees for the period in which he receives severance, if any, plus one year.
Derek J. Elder. In November 2014, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Elder. Mr. Elder’s annual salary is $340,000 and his target bonus is 65% of his annual salary. The agreement has a three-year term and renews automatically for additional one-year terms unless one party notifies the other that it does not intend to renew.
Emory O. Berry. In August 2008, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Berry and terminated our consulting agreement regarding Mr. Berry with TechCFO. Mr. Berry’s annual salary was $316,725 in fiscal year 2015. His target bonus was 50% of his annual base salary. The agreement has a four-year term and renews automatically for additional one-year terms unless one party notifies the other that it does not intend to renew.
Dan Mondor. Mr. Mondor’s employment with Concurrent ended on November 21, 2014. Mr. Mondor is a named executive officer for fiscal year 2015, but is no longer an executive officer or employee as of the date hereof.
2001 Stock Option Plan
Under the 2001 Stock Option Plan, if an employee terminates employment for any reason other than death, disability or cause, existing and vested stock options may be exercised for a period of three months. If an employee is terminated for Due Cause (defined above), any stock option held by such person shall immediately terminate. Regardless of the reason for termination, any restricted or performance shares on which the restriction has not lapsed shall be cancelled upon termination.
Upon a Change in Control, any unvested, unexercised options to purchase shares shall immediately vest and the restrictions will lapse on any restricted and performance shares. “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
a) | the acquisition of 35% or more of our stock by a party that is not a fiduciary holding the shares for our benefit; |
b) | a change in the composition of the Board such that a minority of the directors have been directors for at least 24 months (“24 Month Directors”) or were elected by at least two-thirds of the 24 Month Directors or were serving as the result of a Merger as defined in (c) below; |
c) | a merger, consolidation, reorganization, sale of substantially all of our assets, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another company, (“Merger”) unless (i) those holding our shares prior to the Merger hold more than 50% of the voting shares of the successor entity, (ii) more than 50% of the directors were our directors prior to the Merger and (iii) no entity owns 35% or more of our shares without approval of our Board; or |
d) | a liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
If an employee is terminated due to death or continuing disability, any stock options vested at the time of termination may be exercised until the earlier of one year following termination or until the expiration of the stock options. Under such a termination, the Compensation Committee has the authority to accelerate vesting or further extend the time to exercise. The 2001 Stock Option Plan expired on November 1, 2011, but its terms continue to apply to awards granted under it.
2011 Stock Incentive Plan
The 2011 Stock Incentive Plan became effective November 1, 2011. Under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, if an employee terminates employment for any reason other than death, disability or cause, existing and vested stock options may be exercised for a period of three months. If an employee is terminated for Due Cause (defined above), any stock options held by such person shall immediately terminate. Regardless of the reason for termination, any restricted or performance shares on which the restriction has not lapsed shall be cancelled upon termination.
Upon a Change in Control, any unvested, unexercised options to purchase shares shall immediately vest and the restrictions will lapse on any restricted and performance shares. “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
a) | the acquisition of 50% or more of our stock by a party that is not a fiduciary holding the shares for our benefit; |
b) | a change in the composition of the Board such that a minority of the directors have been directors for at least 24 months (“24 Month Directors”) or were elected by at least two-thirds of the 24 Month Directors or were serving as the result of a Merger as defined in (c) below; |
c) | a merger, consolidation, reorganization, sale of substantially all of our assets, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another company, (“Merger”) unless (i) those holding our shares prior to the Merger hold more than 50% of the voting shares of the successor entity, (ii) more than 50% of the directors were our directors prior to the Merger, and (iii) no entity owns 50% or more of our shares without approval of our Board; or |
d) | a liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
If an employee is terminated due to death or continuing disability, any stock options vested at the time of termination may be exercised until the earlier of one year following termination or until the expiration of the stock options. Under such a termination, the Compensation Committee has the authority to accelerate vesting or further extend the time to exercise.
Derek J. Elder
The following table describes the estimated incremental compensation upon termination or Change in Control for Mr. Elder, assuming the triggering event occurred on June 30, 2015. The actual amount of compensation can only be determined at the time of termination or Change in Control.
Payments and Benefits upon Termination | | Voluntary Termination ($) | | | Change in Control ($) | | | Constructive Termination ($) | | | For Cause Termination ($) | | | Termination without Cause ($) | | | Death ($) | | | Disability ($) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Base Salary | | | - | | | | 680,000 | | | | 340,000 | | | | - | | | | 340,000 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Incentive Award (1) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceleration of Unvested Stock Awards (2) | | | - | | | | 744,000 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Benefits: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Post Termination Medical (3) | | | - | | | | 17,578 | | | | 17,578 | | | | - | | | | 17,578 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | - | | | | 1,441,578 | | | | 357,578 | | | | - | | | | 357,578 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| (1) | Mr. Elder was not eligible for an incentive award for fiscal year 2014. Mr. Elder is entitled to two times the award paid in the event of a termination within one year of a Change in Control. |
| (2) | The amount in this row represents the full value of unvested RSAs, including those with performance conditions, as of June 30, 2015, to the extent vesting would be accelerated upon termination under these scenarios. The assumed price is $6.20, which was the closing price of our common stock on June 30, 2015. |
| (3) | The amount shown is the grossed-up amount of the difference between the employee’s portion of the premiums and the cost of COBRA coverage for the same plans, which would be paid to Mr. Elder during the severance period. Cost of continued benefits is estimated by using current rate multiplied by 12 months and 24 months in the event of a Change in Control. |
Emory O. Berry
The following table describes the estimated incremental compensation upon termination or Change in Control for Mr. Berry, assuming the triggering event occurred on June 30, 2015. The actual amount of compensation can only be determined at the time of termination or Change in Control.
Payments and Benefits upon Termination | | Voluntary Termination ($) | | | Change in Control ($) | | | Constructive Termination ($) | | | For Cause Termination ($) | | | Termination without Cause ($) | | | Death ($) | | | Disability ($) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Compensation: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Base Salary | | | - | | | | 316,725 | | | | 316,725 | | | | - | | | | 316,725 | | | | 158,363 | | | | 158,363 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Incentive Award (1) | | | - | | | | 215,173 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 215,173 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acceleration of Unvested Stock Awards (2) | | | - | | | | 302,145 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Benefits: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Post Termination Medical (3) | | | - | | | | 11,211 | | | | 11,211 | | | | - | | | | 11,211 | | | | - | | | | 11,211 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | - | | | | 853,512 | | | | 328,956 | | | | - | | | | 559,581 | | | | 158,363 | | | | 170,594 | |
| (1) | Reflects the incentive award Mr. Berry was paid for fiscal year 2014. Mr. Berry would only be entitled to the base salary and incentive award components if he were terminated within one year of a Change in Control. |
| (2) | The amount in this row represents the full value of unvested RSAs, including those with performance conditions, as of June 30, 2015, to the extent vesting would be accelerated upon termination under these scenarios. The assumed price is $6.20, which was the closing price of our common stock on June 30, 2015. |
| (3) | Includes current employer portion of the medical and dental premiums which would be paid to Mr. Berry during severance period. Cost of continued benefits is estimated by using current rate multiplied by 12 months. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Blackmon (Chairman), James, Nussrallah, and Pons. From January 2000 to October 2000, Mr. Nussrallah served as our President and CEO and from January 1999 to December 1999, he served as the President of the VOD (Video-on-Demand) Division. No other members of the Compensation Committee have ever been an officer or employee of Concurrent. In addition, none of our NEOs serve as a member of a Board or Compensation Committee of any entity that has one or more NEOs who serves on our Board or Compensation Committee.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table presents information as of June 30, 2015, about Concurrent’s common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under our Third Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option Plan and 2011 Stock Incentive Plan.
Plan Category | | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | | | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders: | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
2001 Stock Option Plan | | | 183,317 | | | $ | 11.96 | | | | - | |
2011 Stock Incentive Plan | | | - | | | | - | | | | 470,743 | |
Total | | | 183,317 | | | $ | 11.96 | | | | 470,743 | |
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Concurrent’s Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing with Concurrent’s independent registered public accountants, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the scope and results of their audit engagement. In connection with the fiscal year 2015 audit, the Audit Committee has:
· | reviewed and discussed with management Concurrent’s audited financial statements to be included in Concurrent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2015; |
· | discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the matters required by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T; and |
· | received from and discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the written disclosures and letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and discussed with them their independence. |
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in Concurrent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2015.
| Audit Committee |
| |
| C. Shelton James, Chairman |
| Charles Blackmon |
| Larry L. Enterline |
| Dilip Singh |
The foregoing report and other information provided above regarding the Audit Committee should not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act (the “Acts”), except to the extent that Concurrent specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP for professional services rendered for each of fiscal year 2015 and fiscal year 2014 for the audit of our annual financial statements, the reviews of the financial statements included in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, other SEC filings and audit consultations were $503,879 and $473,879, respectively.
Audit Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP for other audit related services rendered to Concurrent for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were $0.
Tax Fees
There were $11,000 and $12,000 in fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP for tax services rendered to Concurrent for each of fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively.
All Other Fees
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, all permissible non-audit services to be performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP for services rendered to Concurrent, other than the services described above under “Audit Fees,” “Audit Related Fees,” and “Tax Fees,” for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were $2,000 and $12,000, respectively.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services by Deloitte & Touche LLP is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accountant's independence.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
(Item 2 of Notice)
The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accountants of Concurrent for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 and is submitting the appointment to stockholders for ratification. Deloitte & Touche LLP also served as our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Although ratification is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to our stockholders for ratification because we value our stockholders’ views on our independent registered public accounting firm and as a matter of good corporate practice. In the event that our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, it will be considered as a direction to the Board and Audit Committee to consider the appointment of a different firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of Concurrent and our stockholders.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accountants.
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
(Item 3 of Notice)
Concurrent is providing stockholders with the opportunity at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to vote on the following advisory resolution, commonly known as “say-on-pay.”
We are asking the stockholders of Concurrent to approve, in a non-binding, advisory vote, the compensation of Concurrent’s NEOs as disclosed in Concurrent’s proxy statement under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narratives in Concurrent’s proxy statement.
The say-on-pay vote is advisory and, therefore, not binding on us. The Board and Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will review and consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.
The Board urges stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis which describes in more detail how Concurrent’s executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives. The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our NEOs reported in this proxy statement reflects and supports these compensation policies and procedures.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of Concurrent’s Named Executive Officers.
COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth, to the best of our knowledge, the beneficial ownership of Concurrent’s common stock as of August 31, 2015, for directors, the NEOs and directors and executive officers as a group.
| | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | | | Options Exercisable Within 60 Days (2) | | | Percentage of Shares Outstanding (3) | |
Directors and NEOs | | | | | | | | | |
Emory O. Berry | | | 123,388 | | | | 39,000 | | | | 1.7 | |
Charles Blackmon | | | 34,351 | | (4) | | 3,000 | | | | * | |
Derek J. Elder | | | 190,000 | | | | - | | | | 2.0 | |
Larry L. Enterline | | | 34,351 | | | | 4,000 | | | | * | |
C. Shelton James | | | 36,001 | | (5) | | 3,000 | | | | * | |
Dan Mondor (6) | | | 22,556 | | (7) | | - | | | | * | |
Steve G. Nussrallah | | | 39,351 | | | | 3,000 | | | | * | |
Robert Pons | | | 17,000 | | | | - | | | | * | |
Dilip Singh | | | 11,000 | | | | - | | | | * | |
Directors and Executive Officers as a group | | | 507,998 | | | | 52,000 | | | | 5.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Five Percent Stockholders | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Wellington Trust Company | | | 811,100 | | (8) | | | | | | 8.4 | |
Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation | | | 665,619 | | (9) | | | | | | 6.9 | |
Dimensional Fund Advisors | | | 607,155 | | (10) | | | | | | 6.3 | |
Blackrock, Inc. | | | 550,143 | | (11) | | | | | | 5.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
* Less than 1.0 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, we believe that each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned. This table is based upon information supplied by the NEOs, directors and principal stockholders, and Schedule 13Gs filed with the SEC. |
(2) | Represents shares that can be acquired through stock option exercises on or before November 1, 2015. |
(3) | Based on an aggregate of 9,682,582 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 31, 2015. Assumes that all options exercisable on or prior to November 1, 2015, owned by this person are exercised. The total number of shares outstanding used in calculating this percentage also assumes that none of the options owned by other persons are exercised. |
(4) | Includes 4,000 shares that are held by Mr. Blackmon’s spouse. |
(5) | Includes 200 shares that are held by Mr. James’ spouse. |
(6) | As disclosed in Concurrent’s Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014, Mr. Mondor’s employment with Concurrent ended on November 21, 2014. Mr. Mondor is a named executive officer for fiscal year 2015, but is no longer an executive officer or employee as of the date hereof. |
(7) | As reported by Mr. Mondor. Includes approximately 1,114 held in a unitized fund for the benefit of Mr. Mondor in Concurrent’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. |
(8) | Represents shares of common stock beneficially owned by Wellington Trust Company, National Association Multiple Common Trust Funds Trust, Micro Cap Equity Portfolio (“Wellington Trust”). The address of Wellington Trust is 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210. This information is included in reliance upon an amendment to Schedule 13G filed by Wellington Trust with the SEC as of February 12, 2015. |
(9) | Represents shares of common stock beneficially owned by Renaissance Technologies, LLC (“Renaissance”). The address of Renaissance is 800 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. This information is included in reliance upon a Schedule 13D-1 filed by Renaissance with the SEC as of February 12, 2015. |
(10) | Represents shares of common stock beneficially owned by Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. (“DFA”). DFA has the power to vote over 590,795 shares and power to dispose over 607,155 shares. The address of DFA is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78746-5149. This information is included in reliance upon an amendment to Schedule 13G filed by DFA with the SEC as of February 5, 2015. |
(11) | Represents shares of common stock beneficially owned by Blackrock, Inc. (“Blackrock”). The address of Blackrock is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. This information is included in reliance upon an amendment to Schedule 13G filed by Blackrock with the SEC as of January 12, 2015. |
OTHER MATTERS
Expenses of Solicitation
All costs of solicitation of proxies will be borne by Concurrent. In addition to solicitations by mail, our directors, officers and employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies by telephone and personal interviews. Brokers, custodians and fiduciaries will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the owners of stock held in their names, and we will reimburse them for their related out-of-pocket expenses.
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
In accordance with its charter, our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions. Although we have not entered into any transactions with any immediate family member of a director or executive officer of Concurrent, if we were to do so, any such transaction would need to be reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee. A report is made to our Audit Committee annually by our management and our independent auditor disclosing any known related party transactions. No reportable transactions occurred during fiscal year 2014 or 2015.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file reports of ownership of Concurrent’s securities and changes in such ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and ten percent stockholders are required by the SEC’s regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon a review of copies of the Section 16(a) filings filed by our officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe all required Section 16(a) reports were timely filed in fiscal year 2015.
Householding
As permitted by the Exchange Act, only one copy of the proxy statement and annual report is being delivered to stockholders residing at the same address, unless such stockholders have notified us of their desire to receive multiple copies of the proxy statement or annual report. We will promptly deliver, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the annual report or proxy statement, as applicable, to any stockholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Requests for additional copies should be directed to the Corporate Secretary at 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096.
Stockholders residing at the same address and currently receiving only one copy of the proxy statement or annual report may contact the Corporate Secretary at 4375 River Green Parkway, Suite 100, Duluth, Georgia 30096, to request multiple copies in the future. Stockholders residing at the same address and currently receiving multiple copies may contact the Corporate Secretary to request that only a single copy of the proxy statement and annual report be mailed in the future.
2016 Stockholder Proposals
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, proposals of stockholders for possible consideration at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (expected to be held in October 2016) must be received by the Corporate Secretary of Concurrent before the close of business on May 21, 2016 to be included in the proxy statement for that meeting, if appropriate for consideration under applicable securities laws. Stockholder proposals should be sent to:
| Concurrent Computer Corporation |
| 4375 River Green Parkway |
| Suite 100 |
| Duluth, Georgia 30096 |
| Attn: Corporate Secretary |
In addition, a stockholder may bring business before the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, other than a proposal included in the proxy statement, or may submit nominations for directors, if the stockholder complies with the requirements specified in Concurrent’s Bylaws. The Bylaws require that, for proposals for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a stockholder must:
· | provide written notice that is received by the Corporate Secretary of Concurrent between June 29, 2016 and July 29, 2016; provided, however, that if the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not scheduled to be held between September 27, 2016 and November 26, 2016, to be timely the stockholder’s notice must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the tenth day following the day of the public disclosure of the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or (2) 90 days prior to the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and |
· | supply the additional information listed in Article V of Concurrent’s Bylaws and update such information as required by the Bylaws. |
The foregoing description is only a summary of the requirements of the Bylaws. Stockholders intending to submit a nomination or a proposal of other business for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must comply with the provisions specified in the Bylaws, which were filed as an exhibit to a Form 8-K on September 9, 2011 and may be found on the Investors page of Concurrent’s corporate website (www.concurrent.com), under the ‘Company’ tab in the Corporate Governance section.
Management generally will be able to vote proxies in its discretion unless the proponent of a stockholder proposal (a) provides Concurrent with a timely written statement that the proponent intends to deliver a proxy statement to at least the percentage of Concurrent’s voting shares required to carry the proposal, (b) includes the same statement in the proponent’s own proxy materials, and (c) provides Concurrent with a statement from a solicitor confirming that the necessary steps have been taken to deliver the proxy statement to at least the percentage of Concurrent’s voting shares required to carry the proposal.
Other Matters
The Board does not know of any other matters which may come before the meeting. If any other matters are properly presented to the meeting, the proxy holders intend to vote, or otherwise to act, in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
| By Order of the Board, |
| |
| |
| Davina Furnish |
| General Counsel & Corporate Secretary |
Duluth, Georgia
September 17, 2015
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CONCURRENT COMPUTER CORPORATION ATTN: GAIL JARVIS 4375 RIvER GREEN PARKWAY SUITE 100 DULUTH, GA 30096 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. Electronic Delivery of Future PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: M96468-P69572 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. CONCURRENT COMPUTER CORPORATION For All Withhold All For All Except For Against Abstain To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors Nominees: 01) Charles Blackmon 02) Derek J. Elder 03) Larry L. Enterline 04) C. Shelton James 05) Steve G. Nussrallah 06) Robert M. Pons 07) Dilip Singh The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3. For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for fiscal year 2016. 3. To conduct an advisory vote to approve the compensation of Concurrent's named executive officers. NOTE: In the discretion of the proxies, on any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. CONCURRENT COMPUTER CORPORATION THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON OCTOBER 27, 2015 The undersigned hereby appoints Derek J. Elder, Emory O. Berry and Davina M. Furnish, and each of them, proxies, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name of the undersigned, to vote all shares of common stock of Concurrent Computer Corporation (the "Company") that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on October 27, 2015, at 8:30 a.m., local time, at the Corporate Headquarters, 4375 River Green Parkway, Ste. 100, Duluth, GA 30096, and at any adjournment thereof. This appointment relates to the matters described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement and upon any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof. By signing this Proxy, the undersigned acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. The proxies are directed to vote on the matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement as follows, and otherwise in their discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders or any adjournment thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner as directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the proposals on the reverse side. Continued and to be signed on reverse side