Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
MISONIX, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
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MISONIX, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Thursday, December 11, 2008
To the Shareholders of
MISONIX, INC.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) of
MISONIX, INC., a New York corporation (the Company), will be held at the Huntington Hilton Hotel,
598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747 on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., or at
any adjournment thereof, for the following purposes:
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1. |
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To elect six Directors to the Board of Directors; |
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To approve an amendment of the Companys Certificate of Incorporation increasing the
total number of authorized shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, from ten (10)
million shares to twenty (20) million shares; |
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3. |
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To ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm; and |
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To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The above matters are set forth in the Proxy Statement attached to this Notice to which your
attention is directed.
Only shareholders of record on the books of the Company at the close of business on November
3, 2008 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. You are
requested to sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy at your earliest convenience in order that
your shares may be voted for you as specified.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
RICHARD ZAREMBA
Secretary
MISONIX, INC.
1938 New Highway
Farmingdale, New York 11735
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) of MISONIX, INC. (the Company)
will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2008, at the Huntington Hilton Hotel, 598 Broad Hollow Road,
Melville, New York 11747 at 10:00 a.m. for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The enclosed Proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors of the Company (Board of Directors or Board) for use at the Annual Meeting to be held
on Thursday, December 11, 2008, and at any adjournments of such Meeting. The approximate date on
which this Proxy Statement and the enclosed Proxy are being first mailed to shareholders is
November 17, 2008.
If a Proxy in the accompanying form is duly executed and returned, the shares represented by
such Proxy will be voted as specified. In the absence of such directions, the Proxy will be voted
in accordance with the recommendations of management. Any person executing a Proxy may revoke it
prior to its exercise either by letter directed to the Company or in person at the Annual Meeting.
Voting Rights
On November 3, 2008 (the Record Date), the Company had outstanding 7,001,369 shares of its
only class of voting securities, namely common stock, $.01 par value per share (the Common
Stock). Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share registered in their names at the
close of business on the Record Date. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the
Annual Meeting is required for the election of Directors. Approval of the amendment to the
Companys Certificate of Incorporation increasing the total number of authorized shares of Common
Stock as described in the accompanying notice, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all
the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote on such proposal. On all other matters
which may come before the Annual Meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at
the Annual Meeting is required. For purposes of determining whether proposals have received a
majority vote, abstentions will not be included in the vote totals and, in instances where brokers
are prohibited from exercising discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not returned
a Proxy (broker non-votes), those votes will not be included in the vote totals. Therefore,
abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in the determination of a quorum and will have no
effect on the vote for the election of Directors, approval of the amendment to the Companys
Certificate of Incorporation increasing the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock and
the ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm. Unless contrary instructions are given, all Proxies
received pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in favor of the (i) election of the nominees
named in Proposal One, (ii) amendment to the Companys Certificate of Incorporation increasing the
total number of authorized shares of Common Stock and (iii) ratification of the selection of Grant
Thornton.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth as of November 3, 2008, certain information with regard to the
ownership of the Companys Common Stock by (i) each beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
Companys Common Stock; (ii) each Director and nominee for Director; (iii) each executive officer
named in the Summary Compensation Table below; and (iv) all executive
officers and Directors of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise stated, the persons named in
the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Common Stock shown as
beneficially owned by them.
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Percent |
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Common Stock |
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of |
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Name and Address (1) |
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Beneficially Owned |
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Class |
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Michael A. McManus, Jr. |
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993,251 |
(2) |
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12.7 |
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Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
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587,862 |
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8.4 |
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Gary Gelman |
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458,947 |
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6.6 |
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Howard Alliger |
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411,508 |
(3) |
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5.8 |
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Richard Zaremba |
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103,000 |
(4) |
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1.5 |
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Ronald Manna |
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84,144 |
(5) |
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1.2 |
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Dan Voic |
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57,160 |
(6) |
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* |
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T. Guy Minetti |
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57,000 |
(7) |
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Thomas F. ONeill |
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57,000 |
(8) |
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John W. Gildea |
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20,000 |
(9) |
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Charles Miner |
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20,000 |
(10) |
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Frank Napoli |
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7,000 |
(11) |
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Michael Ryan |
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3,750 |
(12) |
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All executive officers and Directors as a group (eleven people) |
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1,813,813 |
(13) |
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22.1 |
(14) |
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Less than 1% |
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(1) |
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Except as otherwise noted, the business address of each of the named individuals in this table is c/o MISONIX, INC., 1938 New Highway, Farmingdale, New York 11735. Mr. Gelman has an office address
c/o American Claims Evaluation, Inc., One Jericho Plaza, Jericho New York, 11753. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP has a principal business office at 1299 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401. |
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(2) |
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Includes 800,000 shares which Mr. McManus has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 60,000 shares which Mr. Alliger has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 88,333 shares which Mr. Zaremba has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 56,583 shares which Mr. Manna has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 49,993 shares which Mr. Voic has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 50,000 shares which Mr. Minetti has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 50,000 shares which Mr. ONeill has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 20,000 shares which Mr. Gildea has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 20,000 shares which Dr. Miner has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 2,833 shares which Mr. Napoli has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes 3,750 shares which Mr. Ryan has the right to acquire upon exercise of stock options which are currently exercisable. |
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Includes the shares indicated in notes (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (12). |
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(14) |
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Calculation includes exercisable options to acquire 1,201,492 shares of Common Stock held by the persons noted. |
2
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Six Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting. The term of each Director expires at
the Annual Meeting, with Messrs. Alliger, Gildea, McManus, Miner, Minetti, and ONeill standing for
reelection for a term of one year. The following table contains information regarding all
Directors and executive officers of the Company:
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Howard Alliger
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81 |
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Director
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1971 |
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T. Guy Minetti
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57 |
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Director
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2003 |
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Thomas F. ONeill
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62 |
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Director
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2003 |
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John W. Gildea
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65 |
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Director
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2005 |
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Dr. Charles Miner III
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57 |
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Director
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2005 |
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Michael A. McManus, Jr.
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65 |
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Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
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1998 |
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Richard Zaremba
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53 |
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Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
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Dan Voic
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46 |
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Vice President of R&D and Engineering
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Michael C. Ryan
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62 |
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Senior Vice President Medical Division
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Ronald Manna
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54 |
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Vice President of New Product Development and
Regulatory Affairs
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Frank Napoli
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51 |
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Vice President Operations
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Principal Occupations and Business Experience of Directors and Executive Officers
The following is a brief account of the business experience of the Companys Directors:
Howard Alliger founded the Companys predecessor in 1955 and the Company was a sole proprietorship
until 1960. The Company name then was Heat Systems-Ultrasonics. Mr. Alliger was President of the
Company until 1982 and Chairman of the Board until 1996. He has been awarded 25 patents and has
published various papers on ultrasonic technology. In 1959, Mr. Alliger sold the first sonicator
in the United States. For three years, ending in 1991, Mr. Alliger was the President of the
Ultrasonic Industry Association. Mr. Alliger holds a BA degree in economics from Allegheny College
and attended Cornell University School of Engineering for four years. He has also established, and
is President of, two privately-held entities which are engaged in pharmaceutical research and
development.
T. Guy Minetti is the founder, and is Managing Director of, Senior Resource Advisors LLC, a
management consulting firm. Prior to founding Senior Resource Advisors LLC, Mr. Minetti served as
the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of
1-800-Flowers.Com, Inc., a publicly-held specialty
gift retailer based in Westbury, New York. Before joining
1-800-Flowers.Com, Inc. in September
2000, Mr. Minetti was the Managing Director of Bayberry Advisors, an investment banking firm he
founded in 1989 to provide corporate finance advisory services to small-to-medium-sized businesses.
From 1981 through 1989, Mr. Minetti was a Managing Director of the investment banking firm,
Kidder, Peabody & Company. While at Kidder, Peabody, Mr. Minetti worked in the investment banking
and high yield bond departments.
3
Thomas F. ONeill has been a principal of Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P., an investment banking
firm, since founding such firm in 1988. From 1985 through 1988, Mr. ONeill was a Managing
Director of Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. From 1972 through 1985, Mr. ONeill was employed by L.F.
Rothschild. Mr. ONeill serves on the Board of Directors of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company and The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Mr. ONeill is a graduate of New York University and a veteran of the
United States Air Force.
John W. Gildea is the founding principal of Gildea Management Co. (Gildea Management), a
management company of special situations with middle market companies in the United States and
Central Europe. From 2000 to 2005 Gildea Management formed a joint venture with F.O. Hambro
Capital Management Co. to manage accounts targeting high yield debt and small capitalization
equities. From 1996 to 2000 Gildea Management formed and founded Latona Europe, a joint venture
between Latona U.S., Lazard Co., and Gildea Management to restructure several Czech Republic
companies. Before forming Gildea Management in 1990, Mr. Gildea managed the Corporate Series Group
at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette, an investment banking firm. Mr. Gildea is a graduate of the
University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Charles Miner III currently practices internal medicine in Darien, Connecticut. Dr. Miner is
on staff at Stamford and Norwalk Hospitals and is an instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia
University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Miner received his M.D. from the University of
Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1979 and received a Bachelor of Science from Lehigh University in
1974.
Michael A. McManus, Jr. became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on October 30,
1998. Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Bancorp Inc.
from 1991 through March 1998 and as a director of such company from 1990 through March 1998. He
also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Home Federal Savings Bank, the principal
subsidiary of New York Bancorp Inc., from February 1995 through March 1998. From 1990 through
November 1991, Mr. McManus was President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamcor Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Mr. McManus served as an Assistant to the President of the United States from 1982 to 1985 and
held positions with Pfizer Inc. and Revlon Group. Mr. McManus received a BA in economics from the
University of Notre Dame and a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center. He serves as a member
of the Board of Directors of A. Schulman Inc. and Novavax, Inc.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of these nominees as Directors.
The following is a brief account of the business experience of the Companys executive
officers:
Michael A. McManus, Jr. became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on October 30,
1998. Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Bancorp Inc.
from 1991 through March 1998 and as a director of such company from 1990 through March 1998. He
also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Home Federal Savings Bank, the principal
subsidiary of New York Bancorp Inc., from February 1995 through March 1998. From 1990 through
November 1991, Mr. McManus was President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamcor Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Mr. McManus served as an Assistant to the President of the United States from 1982 to 1985 and
held positions with Pfizer Inc. and Revlon Group. Mr. McManus received a BA in economics from the
University of Notre Dame and a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center. He serves as a member
of the Board of Directors of A. Schulman Inc. and Novavax, Inc.
4
Richard Zaremba became Senior Vice President in September 2004. He became Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer in February 1999. Mr. Zaremba became Secretary and Treasurer in March 1999.
From March 1995 to February 1999, he was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Comverse
Information Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of digital voice recording systems. Previously, Mr.
Zaremba was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Miltope Group, Inc., a manufacturer of
electronic equipment. Mr. Zaremba is a licensed certified public accountant in the State of New
York and holds BBA and MBA degrees in Accounting from Hofstra University.
Dan Voic became Vice President of R&D and Engineering in January 2002. Prior thereto, he served as
Engineering Manager and Director of Engineering of the Company. Mr. Voic has approximately 14
years experience in both medical and industrial product development. Mr. Voic holds a M.S. degree
in mechanical engineering from Polytech University Traian Vuia of Timisoara, Romania and a MS
degree in applied mechanics from Polytechnic University of New York.
Michael C. Ryan became Senior Vice President, Medical Division in October 2007. Prior thereto, he
served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Nomos Radiation Oncology, a manufacturer of
radiological products, from 2006 to October 2007. From 1992 to 2005, Mr. Ryan was Executive Vice
President, Business Development for Inter V. Mr. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts from John F.
Kennedy College.
Ronald Manna became Vice President Regulatory Affairs of the Company in September 2005. From
July 2002 through September 2005, he served as Vice President New Product Development and
Regulatory Affairs. For more than five years prior thereto, Mr. Manna served as Vice President
Operations of the Company. Mr. Manna holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering from Hofstra
University.
Frank Napoli became Vice President of Operations in September 2004. From March 2004 to September
2004, Mr. Napoli was Vice President of Manufacturing for Spellman High Voltage Electronics Corp., a
manufacturer of power supplies. Previously, Mr. Napoli was Director of Manufacturing for
Telephonics Corporation, a defense contractor. Mr. Napoli holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical
Engineering from the New York Institute of Technology.
Each of the Companys executive officers is to serve until the next annual meeting of
shareholders or until his earlier resignation or removal.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, the Board of Directors held four meetings and the
Stock Option Committee held one meeting. The Audit Committee met four times and the Compensation
Committee met once during the last fiscal year. No Director attended less than 75% of the
aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of Committees of
which he was a member that were held during the Companys last fiscal year.
In compliance with requirements of the Qualitative Listing Requirements of The Nasdaq Stock
Market, Inc. (the NASD listing standards), the non-management directors of the Board of Directors
met four times in executive session during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.
5
Committees of the Board
Currently, the only standing committees of the Board of Directors of the Company are its Stock
Option Committees, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The Stock Option Committee
for the 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan, the 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, the 1998 Employee
Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Employee Equity Incentive Plan
consists of Messrs. Alliger, Minetti, ONeill and Gildea. The Stock Option Committee for the 1996
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
consists of Messrs. McManus, Alliger, Minetti, ONeill and Gildea. The Stock Option Committees are
responsible for administering the Companys stock option plans.
The Company has a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance
with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Gildea, Miner, Minetti and ONeill. The Board of
Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent not only under
the NASD listing standards but also within the definition contained in a final rule of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Furthermore, the Board of Directors has determined
that Messrs. Minetti, ONeill and Gildea are audit committee financial experts within the
definition contained in a final rule adopted by the SEC.
The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Alliger, Minetti, ONeill and Gildea. The
Compensation Committee is responsible for considering and recommending remuneration arrangements
for executive officers and directors to the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer of the
Company makes recommendations for compensation of executive officers other than himself to the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee did not employ a compensation consultant during
fiscal 2008 to assist it in evaluating executive compensation. The Committee also did not set
percentage compensation goals against a peer group of companies, or benchmark, our executives
compensation, though the availability to our executives of alternative employment opportunities is
an important consideration in the compensation design process. Rather, the Committee used its
marketplace knowledge, background, experience and market information to make recommendations
concerning executive compensation. The Board of Directors has not adopted a written charter for the Board of Directors.
Nomination of Directors
The Company does not currently have a standing nominating committee or a formal nominating
committee charter. Currently, the independent members of the Board, rather than a nominating
committee, approve or recommend to the full Board those persons to be nominated. The Board
believes that the current method of nominating directors is appropriate because it allows each
independent board member input into the nomination process and does not unnecessarily restrict the
input that might be provided from an independent director who could be excluded from a committee.
Currently, five of the six directors are independent. Furthermore, the Board has adopted by
resolution a director nomination policy. The purpose of the policy is to describe the process by
which candidates for inclusion in the Companys recommended slate of director nominees are
selected. The director nomination policy is administered by the Board. Many of the benefits that
would otherwise come from a written committee charter are provided by this policy.
6
In the ordinary course, absent special circumstances or a change in the criteria for Board
membership, the incumbent directors who continue to be qualified for Board service and are willing
to continue as directors are re-nominated. If the Board thinks it is in the best interest of the
Company to nominate a new individual for director in connection with an annual meeting of
shareholders, or if a vacancy occurs between annual shareholder meetings, the Board will seek
potential candidates for Board appointments who meet the criteria for selection as a nominee and
have the specific qualities or skills being sought. Director candidates will be selected based on
input from members of the Board, senior management of the Company and, if deemed appropriate, a
third-party search firm.
Candidates for Board membership must possess the background, skills and expertise to make
significant contributions to the Board, to the Company and its shareholders. Desired qualities to
be considered include substantial experience in business or administrative activities; breadth of
knowledge about issues affecting the Company; and ability and willingness to contribute special
competencies to Board activities. The independent
members of the Board also consider whether members and potential members are independent under the
NASD listing standards. In addition, candidates should possess the following attributes: personal
integrity; absence of conflicts of interest that might impede the proper performance of the
responsibilities of a director; ability to apply sound and independent business judgment;
sufficient time to devote to Board and Company matters; ability to fairly and equally represent all
shareholders; reputation and achievement in other areas; independence under rules promulgated by
the SEC and the NASD listing standards; and diversity of viewpoints, background and experiences.
The Board of Directors intends to review the director nomination policy from time to time to
consider whether modifications to the policy may be advisable as the Companys needs and
circumstances evolve, and as applicable legal or listing standards change. The Board may amend the
director nomination policy at any time.
The Board will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders and will evaluate such
director candidates in the same manner in which it evaluates candidates recommended by other
sources, as described above. Recommendations must be in writing and mailed to MISONIX, INC., 1938
New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735, Attention: Corporate Secretary, and include all information
regarding the candidate as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to
the proxy rules promulgated by the SEC if the candidate were nominated by the Board of Directors
(including such candidates written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and
to serving as a director if elected). The shareholder giving notice must provide (i) his or her
name and address, as they appear on the Companys books, and (ii) the number of shares of the
Company which are beneficially owned by such shareholder. The Company may require any proposed
nominee to furnish such other information it may require to be set forth in a shareholders notice
of nomination which pertains to the nominee.
Director Compensation For The 2008 Fiscal Year
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Fees Earned or Paid in |
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Option |
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Cash ($) |
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Awards ($) |
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Total ($) |
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Michael A. McManus, Jr. |
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-0- |
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-0- |
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-0- |
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John Gildea |
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23,750 |
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-0- |
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23,750 |
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Howard Alliger |
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18,750 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Charles Miner III |
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Guy Minetti |
|
|
28,750 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
28,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas F. ONeill |
|
|
23,750 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
23,750 |
|
7
Outstanding options at fiscal year end for Messrs. ONeill and Minetti are 60,000 shares; Mr.
Alliger is 70,000 shares and Messrs. Gildea and Miner are 30,000 shares. Each non-employee director
receives an annual fee of $15,000. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional
$10,000 per year cash compensation and other members of the Audit Committee receive an additional
$5,000 per year cash compensation. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, there were no options
granted to the non-employee directors. Each non-employee director is also reimbursed for reasonable
expenses incurred while traveling to attend meetings of the Board of Directors or while traveling
in furtherance of the business of the Company.
Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys executive officers, directors and
persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Companys equity securities (Reporting
Persons) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4, and 5 with the SEC
and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the NASD). These Reporting Persons are
required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file
with the SEC and NASD. Based solely on the Companys review of the copies of the forms it has
received, the Company believes that all Reporting Persons complied on a timely basis with all
filing requirements applicable to them with respect to transactions during fiscal year 2008.
Communications with Directors
Shareholders, associates of the Company and other interested parties may communicate directly
with the Board of Directors, with the non-management Directors or with a specific Board member, by
writing to the Board (or the
non-management Directors or a specific Board member) and delivering
the communication in person or mailing it to: Board of Directors, Privileged & Confidential, c/o
Richard Zaremba, Secretary, MISONIX, INC., 1938 New Highway, Farmingdale, New York 11735.
Correspondence will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors, or as
indicated by the urgency of the matter. The non-management Directors are: Messrs. Alliger,
Minetti, ONeill, Gildea and Miner. From time to time, the Board of Directors may change the
process by which shareholders may communicate with the Board of Directors or its members. Any
changes in this process will be posted on the Companys website or otherwise publicly disclosed.
Director Independence
The Company is required to have a Board of Directors a majority of whom are independent as
defined by the NASD listing standards and to disclose in the proxy statement for each annual
meeting those Directors that the Board of Directors has determined to be independent. Based on
such definition, the Board of Directors has determined that all Directors other than Mr. McManus,
who is an officer of the Company, are independent.
The Company is required to have an audit committee of at least three members composed solely
of independent Directors. The Board of Directors is required under the NASD listing standards to
affirmatively determine the independence of each Director on the Audit Committee. The Board has
determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent not only under the NASD listing
standards but also within the definition contained in a final rule of the SEC. Furthermore, the
Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Minetti, ONeill and Gildea are audit committee
financial experts within the definition contained in a final rule adopted by the SEC.
Corporate Governance
The Company has an ongoing commitment to good governance and business practices. In
furtherance of this commitment, we regularly monitor developments in the area of corporate
governance and review our policies and procedures in light of such developments. We comply with
the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market, and implement other
corporate governance practices we believe are in the best interests of the Company and the
shareholders.
8
Board Attendance at Annual Meetings of Shareholders
The Company does not currently have a formal policy regarding Director attendance at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. It is, however, expected that Directors will be in attendance,
absent compelling circumstances. Except for Messrs. Gildea and ONeill, all members of the Board
of Directors attended the Companys Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on December 11, 2007.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of its Directors, officers
(including its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and any person
performing similar functions) and employees. The Company has filed a copy of this Code of Ethics
as Exhibit 14 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004. The
Company has also made the Code of Ethics available on its website at
www.MISONIX.com.
In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Audit Committee has established
procedures for the receipt and handling of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and to allow for the confidential, anonymous
submission by employees of concerns regarding auditing or accounting matters.
The Audit Committee has furnished the following report. The information contained in the
Audit Committee Report is not to be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the
SEC, nor is such information to be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), or the Exchange Act, except to the
extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filings.
Audit Committee Report
Management is responsible for the Companys financial reporting process, including its system
of internal control, and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Companys independent
auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements. The Audit Committees
responsibility is to monitor and review these processes. It is not the Audit Committees duty or
responsibility to conduct audit or accounting reviews or procedures. The members of the Audit
Committee are not employees of the Company and may not be, and may not represent themselves to be
or to serve as, accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or
auditing. Therefore, the Audit Committee has relied, without independent verification, on
managements representation that the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and
objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
and on the representations of the independent registered public accounting firm included in its
report on the Companys financial statements. The Audit Committees oversight does not provide it
with an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and
financial reporting principles or policies, or appropriate internal controls and procedures
designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations.
Furthermore, the Audit Committees considerations and discussions with management and the
independent registered public accounting firm do not assure that the Companys financial statements
are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States,
that the audit of the Companys financial statements has been carried out in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards or that the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm is in fact independent.
9
The Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors is currently composed of four
Directors, none of who are officers or employees of the Company. The Board of Directors has
determined that (1) all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and independent
under the NASD listing standards, and (2) Messrs. Gildea, Minetti and ONeill are audit committee
financial experts, as defined under the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. The Board
of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee charter
was attached to the Proxy Statement for the Companys Annual Meeting held on December 11, 2007.
In accordance with its written charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in
fulfilling its responsibility to monitor the integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial
reporting practices of the Company. Typically, for each fiscal year, the Audit Committee selects
the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the Company
and its subsidiaries and such selection is subsequently presented to the Companys shareholders for
ratification.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008 with our management; has discussed
with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the
statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (AICPA, Professional
Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380) as
adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; has discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm the independent registered public accounting firms independence;
and has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public
accounting firm required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions
with Audit Committees).
Based on the review and discussions of the above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board
of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008 for filing with the SEC.
Reported upon by the Audit Committee
T. Guy Minetti
Thomas F. ONeill
John W. Gildea
Dr. Charles Miner III
* * *
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Compensation Program and Philosophy
Our compensation program is intended to:
|
|
|
Attract, motivate, retain and reward employees of outstanding ability; |
|
|
|
|
Link changes in employee compensation to individual and corporate performance; |
|
|
|
|
Align employees interests with those of the stockholders. |
The ultimate objective of our compensation program is to increase shareholder value. We seek
to achieve these objectives with a total compensation approach which takes into account a
competitive base salary, bonus pay based on the annual performance of the Company and individual
goals and stock option awards.
10
Base Salaries
Base salaries paid to executives are intended to attract and retain highly talented
individuals. In setting base salaries, individual experience,
individual performance, the Companys
performance and job responsibilities during the year are considered. Executive salaries are
reconciled by Human Resources and evaluated against local companies of similar size and nature.
Annual Bonus Plan Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approves annual performance based
compensation. The purpose of the annual bonus based compensation is to motivate executive officers
and key employees. Target bonuses, based upon recommendation from the Chief Executive Officer, are
evaluated and approved by the Compensation Committee for all employees other than the Chief
Executive Officer. The bonus recommendations are derived from individual and Company performance
but not based on a specific formula but is discretionary. The Chief Executive Officers bonus
compensation is derived from the Board of Directors recommendation to the Compensation Committee
based upon the Chief Executive Officers performance and Company performance and is not based on a
specific formula but is discretionary.
Stock Option Awards
Stock option awards are intended to attract and retain highly talented executives, to provide
an opportunity for significant compensation when overall Company performance is reflected in the
stock price, and to help align executives and shareholders interests. Stock options are
typically granted at the time of hire to key new employees and annually to a broad group of
existing key employees, including executive officers.
Annual option grants to executive officers are made in the form of incentive stock options
(ISOs) to the fullest extent permitted under tax rules, with the balance granted in the form of
nonqualified stock options. ISOs have potential income tax advantage for executives if the
executive disposes of the acquired shares after satisfying certain holding periods. Tax laws
provide that the aggregate grant, at date of grant for market value of ISOs that become
exercisable for any employee in any year may not exceed $100,000.
Our current standard vesting schedule for all employees is 25% on the first anniversary of the
date of grant, 50% on the second anniversary of the date of grant, 75% on the third anniversary of
the date of grant and 100% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.
401 (k) Plan
Our Individual Deferred Tax and Savings Plan (the 401 (k) plan) is a tax qualified
retirement savings plan pursuant to which all of the Companys U.S. employees may defer
compensation under Section 401 (k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
The Company contributes an amount equal to 25% of salary contributed under the 401 (k) plan by an
eligible employee, up to the maximum allowed under the Code. We do not provide any supplemental
retirement benefits to executive officers.
Change in Control benefits
Change in control benefits are intended to diminish the distinction that executives would face
by virtue of the personal uncertainties created by a pending or threatened change in control and to
assure that the Company will continue to have the executives full attention and services at all
time. Our change in control benefits are designed to be competitive with similar benefits available
at companies with which we compete for executives talent. These benefits, as one element of our
total compensation program, help the Company attract, retain and motivate highly talented
executives.
11
Mr. McManus
has an agreement that provides, after a change in control of the Company, for a
one-time additional compensation payment equal to two times his total compensation (annual salary
plus bonus) at the highest rate paid during his employment payable within 60 days of termination.
A change in control shall be deemed to have occurred in the event (i) any person (as such term
is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), or group of such persons, without the
consent of the Board, is or becomes a beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined
voting power of the Companys then outstanding securities, or (ii) of a merger, consolidation or
other combination of the result of which is the ownership by shareholders of the Company of less
than 60% of those voting securities of the resulting or acquiring entity having the power to elect
a majority of the Board of Directors of such entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no change in control shall be deemed to have occurred requiring
payment to Mr. McManus by virtue of (i) any transaction which results in Mr. McManus or a group of
persons which includes Mr. McManus, acquiring, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of any class of
voting securities of the Company, or (ii) if Mr. McManus continues in the employ of the Company
more than 9 months following the occurrence of an event which would otherwise constitute a change
in control.
Mr. Zaremba has an agreement for the payment of six months of annual base salary upon a change
in control of the Company.
The Company provides, in each of its option agreements with named executive officers, for
accelerated vesting upon a change in control of the Company. The Company believes that, in the
context of a potential change in control, executives should be entitled to participate with other
shareholders in realizing the value contributed to the Company. Accordingly, the accelerated
vesting of stock options is intended to compensate executives for their contributions up to and
including the date of a change in control, and to provide additional incentive to remain employed
by the Company in order to assist in effectuating such potential change in control. For fiscal
year 2008 the named executive officers held unvested stock options. Accordingly, the named
executive officers, as of the end of fiscal year 2008, would have been entitled to accelerated
vesting upon a change in control of the Company occurring on such date.
Tax deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162 (m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits to $1,000,000 per person the amount that
we may deduct for compensation paid to any of our most highly compensated officers in any year. In
fiscal 2008, there was no executive officers compensation that exceeded $1,000,000.
* * *
12
The following table sets forth information for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 concerning
the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers during Fiscal 2008
for services rendered to the Company.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards |
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Ended June 30, |
|
|
Salary ($) |
|
|
Bonus ($) |
|
|
($)(a) |
|
|
Total ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. McManus, Jr. |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
475,000 |
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Zaremba |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
189,303 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
23,430 |
|
|
|
236,733 |
|
Senior Vice
President, |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
183,790 |
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
23,640 |
|
|
|
230,430 |
|
Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dan Voic |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
143,789 |
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
23,430 |
|
|
|
189,219 |
|
Vice
President of Research and Development and
Engineering |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
126,915 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
15,760 |
|
|
|
160,675 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Ryan* |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
152,677 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,500 |
|
|
|
196,177 |
|
Senior Vice
President-Medical Division |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael Ryan joined the Company during October 2007. |
|
(a) |
|
The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free
interest rate of 4.3%; no dividend yield; volatility factor of the expected market price of the
Common Stock of 54.7%, and a weighted-average expected life of the options of six and one half
years. |
Employment Agreements
In June 2008, the Company amended and restated its employment agreement with its President and
Chief Executive Officer. The agreement expires on June 30, 2009 and is automatically renewable for
one-year periods unless notice is given by the Company or Mr. McManus that it or he declines to
renew the agreement. The agreement provides for an annual base compensation of $275,000 and a
Company-provided automobile. The agreement also provides for a bonus based upon achievement of his
annual goals and objectives as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
In conformity with the Companys policy, all of its directors, officers and employees execute
confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements upon the commencement of employment with the Company.
The agreements generally provide that all inventions or discoveries by the employee related to the
Companys business and all confidential information developed or made known to the employee during
the term of employment shall be the exclusive property of the Company and shall not be disclosed to
third parties without the prior approval of the Company. Mr. Zaremba has an agreement for the
payment of six months annual base salary upon a change in control of the Company. Mr. McManus is
entitled in the event of a change of control to payment of two times his total
compensation (annual base salary plus bonus) at the highest rate paid during the period of
employment, payable in a lump sum within 60 days of termination of employment. The Companys
employment agreement with Mr. McManus also contains non-competition provisions that preclude him
from competing with the Company for a period of 18 months from the date of his termination of
employment.
13
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL
In addition, and as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above, the
Company periodically grants options to purchase Common Stock of the Company to named executive
officers. Pursuant to the terms of the Companys Stock Option Plans, such options generally vest
and become fully exercisable upon a change in control, defined generally as: (1) an acquisition by
a person or entity of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company or the combined voting
power of the Companys voting shares; (2) replacement of a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of the Company with new members (other than members approved by the incumbent Board); (3)
consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale or disposition of all or
substantially all of the Companys assets (a Business Combination) unless the existing
shareholders retain more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Companys voting securities,
at least a majority of the incumbent Board members remain on the Board and no person or entity
other than the Company, an employee benefit plan or an entity resulting from such Business
Combination acquires more than 20% of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or (4) the Companys
shareholders approval of a complete liquidation or a disposition of the Company.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT THE 2008 FISCAL YEAR-END
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options (#) |
|
|
Options (#) |
|
|
Option Exercise |
|
|
Option Expiration |
|
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
Price ($) |
|
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. McManus, Jr. |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.375 |
|
|
|
10/13/10 |
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.07 |
|
|
|
10/17/11 |
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.10 |
|
|
|
09/30/12 |
|
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.66 |
|
|
|
11/01/13 |
|
|
|
|
125,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.18 |
|
|
|
11/01/14 |
|
Richard Zaremba |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.3125 |
|
|
|
08/09/10 |
|
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.12 |
|
|
|
05/08/11 |
|
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.07 |
|
|
|
10/17/11 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.10 |
|
|
|
09/30/12 |
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.70 |
|
|
|
09/16/13 |
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
09/15/14 |
|
|
|
|
5,333 |
|
|
|
2,667 |
(1) |
|
|
7.60 |
|
|
|
09/27/15 |
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
(2) |
|
|
5.82 |
|
|
|
02/07/16 |
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
(3) |
|
|
3.45 |
|
|
|
10/20/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
(4) |
|
|
4.04 |
|
|
|
09/04/17 |
|
Dan Voic |
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.3125 |
|
|
|
08/09/10 |
|
|
|
|
2,210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.07 |
|
|
|
10/17/11 |
|
|
|
|
6,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.10 |
|
|
|
09/30/12 |
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.70 |
|
|
|
09/16/13 |
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
09/15/14 |
|
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
1,667 |
(1) |
|
|
7.60 |
|
|
|
09/26/15 |
|
|
|
|
1,250 |
|
|
|
1,250 |
(2) |
|
|
5.82 |
|
|
|
02/07/16 |
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
(3) |
|
|
3.45 |
|
|
|
10/20/16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
(4) |
|
|
4.04 |
|
|
|
09/04/17 |
|
Michael Ryan |
|
|
3,750 |
|
|
|
11,250 |
(5) |
|
|
4.98 |
|
|
|
11/06/17 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
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Options issued 09/26/05 and vest equally over 3 years |
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(2) |
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Options issued 02/07/06 and vest equally over 4 years |
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(3) |
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Options issued 10/20/06 and vest equally over 4 years |
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(4) |
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Options issued 09/5/07 and vest equally over 4 years |
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(5) |
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Options issued 11/7/07 and vest equally over 4 years |
Stock Options
In September 1991, in order to attract and retain persons necessary for the success of the
Company, the Company adopted a stock option plan (the 1991 Plan) which covers up to 375,000
shares of Common
Stock. Pursuant to the 1991 Plan, officers, directors, consultants and key employees of the Company
are eligible to receive incentive and/or non-incentive stock options. At June 30, 2008, options to
purchase 30,000 shares were outstanding under the 1991 Plan at an exercise price of $7.38 per share
with a vesting period of two years, options to purchase 327,750 shares had been exercised and
options to purchase 47,250 shares have been forfeited (of which options to purchase 30,000 shares
have been reissued). There are no shares available for future grants.
14
In March 1996, the Board of Directors adopted and, in February 1997, the shareholders approved
the 1996 Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan covering an aggregate of 450,000 shares (the 1996
Plan) and the 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the 1996 Directors Plan) covering an
aggregate of 1,125,000 shares of Common Stock. At June 30, 2008, options to purchase 266,278 shares
were outstanding at exercise prices ranging from $3.07 to $7.60 per share with a vesting period of
immediate to three years under the 1996 Plan and options to acquire 175,000 shares were outstanding
at exercise prices ranging from $3.07 to $7.60 per share with a vesting period of immediate to
three years under the 1996 Directors Plan. At June 30, 2008, options to purchase 138,295 shares
under the 1996 Plan have been exercised and options to purchase 222,372 shares have been forfeited
(of which options to purchase 182,945 shares have been reissued). At June 30, 2008, options to
purchase 808,500 shares under the 1996 Directors Plan have been exercised, options to purchase
90,000 shares have been forfeited (of which none have been reissued) and there are no shares
available for future grants.
In October 1998, the Board of Directors adopted and, in January 1999, the shareholders
approved the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan (the 1998 Plan) covering an aggregate of 500,000
shares of Common Stock. At June 30, 2008, options to purchase 381,875 shares were outstanding under
the 1998 Plan at exercise prices ranging from $3.45 to $7.60 per share with a vesting period of
immediate to three years. At June 30, 2008, options to purchase 72,848 shares under the 1998 Plan
have been exercised and options to purchase 110,552 shares under the 1998 Plan have been forfeited
(of which options to purchase 79,702 shares have been reissued). At June 30, 2008, there were
45,277 shares available for future grants.
In October 2000, the Board of Directors adopted and, in February 2001, the shareholders
approved the 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan (the 2001 Plan) covering an aggregate of 1,000,000
shares of common stock. At June 30, 2008 options to purchase 862,838 shares were outstanding under
the 2001 Plan at exercise prices ranging from $3.45 to $8.00 per share with a vesting period of one
to four years. At June 30, 2008, options to purchase 128,306 shares under the 2001 Plan have been
exercised and options to purchase 176,762 shares under the 2001 Plan have been forfeited (of which
159,577 options have been reissued). At June 30, 2008, there were 8,756 shares available for
future grants.
In September 2005, the Board of Directors adopted, and in December 2005, the shareholders
approved, the 2005 Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan) covering an aggregate of
500,000 shares of Common Stock and the 2005 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the 2005
Directors Plan) covering an aggregate of 200,000 shares of Common Stock. At June 30, 2008, there
were 31,850 options to purchase shares outstanding under the 2005 Plan at exercise prices ranging
from $4.04 to $4.98 per share with a vesting period of one to four years. At June 30, 2008,
468,150 shares were available for future grants. At June 30, 2008, options to purchase 75,000
shares were outstanding under the 2005 Non- Employee Director Stock Option Plan at an exercise
price of $5.42 with a vesting period over one to three years. At June 30, 2008, no options had
been exercised under the 2005 Directors Plan and 125,000 shares were available for future grants.
The selection of participants, allotments of shares and determination of price and other
conditions relating to options are determined by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof,
depending on the Plan, and in accordance with Rule 4350(c) of the NASD listing standards. Incentive
stock options granted under the plans are exercisable for a period of up to ten years from the date
of grant at an exercise price which is not less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date of the grant, except that the term of an incentive stock option granted under the plans to
a shareholder owning more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock may not exceed five years and
its exercise price may not be less than 110%
of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Options shall become exercisable
at such time and in such installments as provided in the terms of each individual option agreement.
15
PROPOSAL TWO
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation to Increase Authorized Common Stock
General
On October 22, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized, subject to approval by the Companys
shareholders, an amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation increasing the total number of
authorized shares of Common Stock from ten (10) million shares to twenty (20) million shares. The
form of the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is annexed hereto as Exhibit A.
A Restated Certificate of Incorporation incorporating the form of proposed amendment set forth in
Exhibit A will be filed with the New York Department of State promptly after the Annual Meeting if
the proposed amendment is adopted by the Companys shareholders.
The Board of Directors has determined that the adoption of the proposed amendment will be in
the best interests of the Company.
Increase in Authorized shares of Common Stock of Common Stock
Under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Company has 10,000,000 authorized shares of
capital stock, all of which are shares of common stock. The Board of Directors believes it is in
the best interest of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock to
20,000,000, all of which will be shares of common stock. As of the Record Date, the Company had
outstanding 7,001,369 shares of Common Stock and 77,800 shares of Common Stock held as treasury
shares. Further, at such date, 1,731,341 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance under
the Companys Stock Option Plans in respect of outstanding options.
As a result of the increase, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock that are not
issued or outstanding will increase, as reflected in the following table:
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Number of Shares |
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Prior to Increase |
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After Increase |
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Authorized |
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10,000,000 |
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20,000,000 |
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Outstanding |
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7,001,369 |
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7,001,369 |
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Treasury Shares |
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77,800 |
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77,800 |
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Reserved for issuance1 |
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1,731,341 |
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1,731,341 |
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Available for future issuance2 |
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1,189,490 |
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11,189,490 |
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In approving the increase in the authorized shares of Common Stock, the Board of Directors
believes that the number of authorized shares of Common Stock remaining available was not
sufficient to enable the Company to respond to potential business opportunities and pursue
important objectives that may present themselves. Although the Company has no commitments or
agreements with any other person or entity regarding a proposed transaction, the Board of Directors
believes that the availability of additional authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock will
provide the Company with the flexibility to issue shares of Common Stock without further
shareholder action (subject to applicable laws and stock exchange rules) in the event that the
Board of Directors determines to enter into any such transaction. Accordingly, the Board of
Directors believes it is in the Companys best interests to increase the number of authorized
shares of Common Stock as described above.
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1 |
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Represents shares of Common Stock that are issuable
upon the exercise of outstanding options. |
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2 |
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Includes 476,283 shares of Common Stock that may be the
subject of future grants of options under the Companys existing option plans. |
16
The Board of Directors also believes the availability of such shares of Common Stock will
provide the Company with the flexibility to issue shares of Common Stock for other proper corporate
purposes that may be identified by the Board of Directors from time to time, such as stock
dividends (including stock splits in the form of stock dividends), financings, acquisitions, or
strategic business relationships. Further, the Board of Directors believes the availability of
additional shares of Common Stock will enable the Company to attract and retain talented employees
through the grant of additional stock options and other stock-based incentives following any such
acquisition. The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock may have a dilutive effect on
earnings per share and a person who does not purchase additional shares of Common Stock will not be
able to maintain his or her pro rata interest of a shareholders percentage voting power.
The authorized shares of Common Stock in excess of those issued or reserved for issuance will
be available for issuance at such times and for such corporate purposes as the Board of Directors
may deem advisable without further action by the Companys shareholders, except as may be required
by applicable laws or the rules of any stock exchange or national securities association trading
system on which the securities may be listed or traded. Upon issuance, such shares of Common Stock
will have the same rights as the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Holders of shares of Common
Stock do not have preemptive rights. The Board of Directors does not intend to issue any shares of
Common Stock except on terms that the Board of Directors deems to be in the best interest of the
Company and its then-existing shareholders.
The Board of Directors did not approve this proposed amendment with the intent to use the
ability to issue additional shares of Common Stock to discourage tender offers or takeover
attempts. However, the availability of authorized shares of Common Stock for issuance could render
more difficult or discourage a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other attempt to obtain
control of the Company. The proposed amendment is not in response to any effort on the part of any
party to accumulate material amounts of shares of Common Stock or to acquire control of the Company
by means of merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, or to change the Companys
management. In addition, the corporate action is not part of any plan by management to recommend a
series of similar amendments to the Board of Directors and the shareholders.
Required Vote and Board Recommendation
The adoption of the above-described amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation requires the
affirmative vote of not less than a majority of all outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to
vote on this proposal. All members of the Board of Directors and each of our executive officers
who beneficially hold as of the Record Date an aggregate of 595,820 outstanding shares of Common
Stock (approximately 8.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date) have
indicated that they will vote in favor of the proposal. Under the New York Business Corporation
Law, shareholders are not entitled to dissenters rights with respect to this proposal.
The Board of Directors believes that the above-described amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation is in the best interests of the Company and the shareholders and recommends a vote
FOR this proposal. It is intended that the shares of Common Stock represented by the enclosed
form of proxy will be voted in favor of this proposal unless otherwise specified in such proxy.
PROPOSAL THREE
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has selected the firm of Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) to act as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the 2009 fiscal year. Grant
Thornton will audit the Companys consolidated financial statements for the 2009 fiscal year and
perform other
services. While shareholder ratification is not required by the Companys By-laws or otherwise,
the Board of Directors is submitting the selection of Grant Thornton to the shareholders for
ratification as part of good corporate governance practices. If the shareholders fail to ratify
the selection, the Audit Committee may, but is not required to, reconsider whether to retain Grant
Thornton. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct
the appointment of a different independent auditor at any time during the year if it determines
that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.
17
A representative of Grant Thornton is expected to be available either personally or by
telephone hookup at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders and
will be given the opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so.
Audit Fees:
Grant Thornton billed the Company $263,294 and $336,449 in the aggregate for services rendered
for the audit of the Companys 2008 and 2007 fiscal years and the review of the Companys interim
financial statements included in the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the Companys
2008 and 2007 fiscal years, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees:
Grant Thornton did not render any audit-related services, as defined by the SEC, to the
Company for the Companys 2008 and 2007 fiscal years.
Tax Fees:
Grant Thornton did not render any tax-related services, as defined by the SEC, to the Company
for the Companys 2008 and 2007 fiscal years.
All Other Fees:
Grant Thornton did not render any professional services other than those covered in the
section captioned Audit Fees for the Companys 2008 and 2007 fiscal years.
Policy on Pre-approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Services:
The charter of the Audit Committee provides for the pre-approval of all auditing services and
all permitted non-auditing services to be performed for the Company by the independent registered
public accounting firm, subject to the requirements of applicable law. The procedures for
pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm include the Audit Committee reviewing audit-related services, tax services, and
other services. The Audit Committee periodically monitors the services rendered by and actual fees
paid to the independent registered public accounting firm to ensure that such services are within
the parameters approved by the Committee.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors does not know of any business
other than that specified above to come before the Annual Meeting, but, if any other business does
lawfully come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
Proxy to vote in regard thereto in accordance with their judgment.
The Company will pay the cost of soliciting Proxies in the accompanying form and as set forth
below. In addition to solicitation by use of the mails, certain officers and regular employees of
the Company may solicit proxies by telephone, telegraph or personal interview without additional
remuneration therefor.
18
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals with respect to the Companys next Annual Meeting of Shareholders must
be received by the Company no later than July 20, 2009 to be considered for inclusion in the
Companys next Proxy Statement. Under SEC proxy rules, proxies solicited by the Board of Directors
for the 2009 Annual Meeting may be voted at the discretion of the persons named in such proxies (or
their substitutes) with respect to any shareholder proposal not included in the Companys Proxy
Statement if the Company does not receive notice of such proposal on or before October 3, 2009,
unless the 2009 Annual Meeting is not held within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of
the 2008 Annual Meeting.
A copy of the Companys Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008
has been provided to all shareholders. Shareholders are referred to the Report for financial and
other information about the Company, but such Report is not incorporated in this Proxy Statement
and is not part of the proxy soliciting material.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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RICHARD ZAREMBA |
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Secretary |
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Dated: November 17, 2008
Farmingdale, New York |
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19
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF AMENDMENT TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK
Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, relating to the number of authorized shares of
the Company, is hereby amended to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from
10,000,000 shares to 20,000,000 shares and should read as follows:
FOURTH: The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is
22,000,000 shares, consisting of 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the par value of $.01 per
share and 2,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of the par value of $1.00 per share.
The relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class of capital stock
are as follows:
Common Stock
(1) Subject to the rights of any other class or series of stock, the holders of shares of
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of
the assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, such dividends as may be declared from
time to time by the Board of Directors.
(2) Subject to such rights of any other class or series of securities as may be granted from
time to time, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the assets of
the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders in the event of the voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, ratably, in proportion to
the number of shares of Common Stock held by them. Neither the merger or consolidation of the
Corporation into or with any corporation nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation
into or with the Corporation nor the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition (for cash, shares
of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all the assets of the
Corporation shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, voluntary or
involuntary, of the Corporation.
(3) Common Stock shall not be subject to redemption.
(4) Subject to such voting rights of any other class or series of securities as may be granted
from time to time pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation, any
amendment thereto, or the
provisions of the law of the State of New York governing business corporations, voting rights shall
be vested exclusively in the holders of Common Stock. Each holder of Common Stock shall have one
vote in respect of each share of such stock held.
(c) Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized, subject
to limitations prescribed by law and the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, to
provide for the issuance of the Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to
the New York Business Corporation Law, to establish the number of shares to be included in each
such series, and to fix the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares
of each such series. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall
include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
(1) the number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that
series;
20
(2) whether the holders of shares of the series shall be entitled to receive dividends and, if
so, the rates of such dividends, conditions under which and times such dividends may be declared or
paid, any preference of any such dividends to, and the relation to, the dividends payable on any
other class or classes of stock or any other series of the same class and whether dividends shall
be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, from which date or dates;
(3) whether the holders of shares of that series shall have voting rights in addition to the
voting rights provided by law and, if so, the terms and conditions of exercise of such voting
rights;
(4) whether
shares of that series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any
other class, or any series of the same or any other class, and, if so, the terms and conditions
thereof, including the date or dates when such shares shall be convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of any other class, or any series of the same or any other class, the price or prices of or
the rate or rates at which shares of such series shall be so convertible or exchangeable, and any
adjustments which shall be made, and the circumstances in which any such adjustments shall be made,
in the conversion or exchange price or rates;
(5) whether the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and
conditions of such redemption, including the date or dates upon or after which they shall be
redeemable and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under
different conditions and at different redemption dates;
(6) whether the share of that series shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or
sinking fund and if so subject, the extent to and the manner in which it shall be applied to the
purchase or redemption of the shares of that series, and the terms and provisions relative to the
operation thereof;
(7) the rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and any presence of any such rights to,
and the regulation of, the rights in respect thereto of any class or classes of stock or any other
series of the same class; and
(8) any
other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series;
provided, however, that if the stated dividends and amounts payable on liquidation with
respect to shares of any series of the Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the shares of all
series of the Preferred Stock share ratably in the payment of dividends including
accumulations, if any, in accordance with the sums which would be payable on such shares if all
dividends were declared and paid in full, and in any distribution of assets (other than by way of
dividends) in accordance with the sums which would be payable on such distribution if all sums
payable were discharged in full.
21
PROXY
MISONIX, INC.
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael A. McManus, Jr. and Richard Zaremba, as Proxies, each with
the power to appoint a substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as
designated below, all the shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, held of record by the
undersigned on November 3, 2008 at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on December 11,
2008 or any adjournment thereof (the Meeting) of MISONIX, INC. (the Company).
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED
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ACCOUNT
NUMBER
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NO.
OF SHARES
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1. |
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Election of Directors: Michael A. McManus, Jr., Howard Alliger, T. Guy Minetti, Thomas
F. ONeill, John W. Gildea, Charles Miner, III MD |
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FOR all Nominees listed (except
as marked to the contrary)
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
to vote for all Nominees listed
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(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for
one or more individual nominees write the
nominees name(s) in the line provided below). |
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2. Approval of the adoption of an amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company to
increase the number of shares of Common Stock.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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3. Ratification of the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as independent registered public accounting
firm.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly
come before the Meeting. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, the Proxy will be voted FOR the
election of all Directors, Proposal 2 and Proposal 3.
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Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. |
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(Signature)
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Dated
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(Signature if held jointly) |
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When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor,
administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign
in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person. Please note any change in your address alongside the
address as it appears in the Proxy.
PLEASE MARK IN BLUE OR BLACK INK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.