UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

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

 

Filed by Registrant x

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

xDefinitive Proxy Statement

 

¨Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

 

CLARUS CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

 

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

xNo fee required.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

(5)Total fee paid:

 

¨Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

 

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

 

(1)Amount Previously Paid:

 

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

 

(3)Filing Party:

 

(4)Date Filed:

 

 

 

   

 

 

CLARUS CORPORATION

2084 East 3900 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84124

 

April 27, 2018

 

To Our Stockholders:

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Clarus Corporation, I cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 7, 2018, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the law offices of Kane Kessler, P.C, 666 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10017.

 

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

 

The Proxy Statement and form of proxy card, along with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, are available at www.claruscorp.com.

 

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

 

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

 

   

 

 

CLARUS CORPORATION

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To Be Held on June 7, 2018

 

To Our Stockholders:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”), of Clarus Corporation (the “Company” or “Clarus”), which will be held on June 7, 2018, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the law offices of Kane Kessler, P.C, 666 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10017, for the following purposes:

 

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

 

2.       To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018 (Proposal 2); and

 

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

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 27, 2018, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting to Be Held on June 7, 2018: This Proxy Statement and form of proxy card, along with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, are available at www.claruscorp.com.

 

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

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
   
  Aaron J. Kuehne
  Secretary
April 27, 2018  

 

   

 

 

CLARUS CORPORATION

2084 East 3900 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84124

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

TO BE HELD ON

 

JUNE 7, 2018

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Proxy Solicitation and General Information

 

This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy card (the “Proxy Card”) are being furnished to the holders of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Clarus Corporation, a Delaware corporation (which is sometimes referred to in this Proxy Statement as “Clarus,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 7, 2018, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at the law offices of Kane Kessler, P.C., 666 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10017, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”). This Proxy Statement and the Proxy Card are first being sent to stockholders on or about May 2, 2018.

 

At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked:

 

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

 

2.       To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018 (Proposal 2); and

 

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

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 27, 2018, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Each such stockholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters to come before the Meeting and may vote in person or by proxy authorized in writing.

 

Proxies and Voting

 

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

 

If a Proxy Card is signed and returned without instructions, the shares will be voted FOR the election of each nominee for director named in this Proxy Statement (Proposal 1); and FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 (Proposal 2).

 

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Voting

 

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

 

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

 

Revocation of Proxy

 

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

 

Voting on Other Matters

 

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

 

Record Date; Shares Outstanding and Entitled to Vote

 

Only stockholders as of the close of business on April 27, 2018 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 30,041,265 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, with each share entitled to one vote. See “Beneficial Ownership of Company Common Stock By Directors, Officers and Principal Stockholders” for information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by our current directors, executive officers and stockholders known to us to beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of our common stock.

 

Quorum; Required Votes

 

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

 

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

 

Under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, nominees have such discretion to vote absent instructions with respect to certain “routine” matters, such as Proposal 2, the ratification of independent auditors, but not with respect to matters that are considered “non-routine,” such as the election of directors. Accordingly, without voting instructions from you, your broker will not be able to vote your shares on Proposal 1, which is a non-routine matter.

 

Each share of Clarus common stock entitles the holder to one vote on each matter presented for stockholder action.  The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the election of the four nominees named in this Proxy Statement (Proposal 1). The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting is necessary for the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2018 (Proposal 2).

 

 2 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Proxy Solicitation; Expenses

 

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

 

List of Stockholders

 

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

 

Voting Confidentiality

 

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

 

Appraisal Rights

 

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

 

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

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK BY

DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth, as of April 27, 2018, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock outstanding by (i) each person known to us to own or control five percent (5%) or more of our common stock, (ii) each of our current directors and nominees, (iii) each of our current “Named Executive Officers” (as defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K) set forth in the summary compensation table on page 21 and (iv) our current Named Executive Officers and directors and nominees as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each person named in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person named in the table below is c/o Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124.

 

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Name  Common Stock
 Beneficially Owned (1)
   Percentage (%) of
Common Stock (2)
 
         
Kennedy Capital Management, Inc.   1,876,610(3)   6.2 
           
Greenhouse Funds LLLP   1,626,720(4)   5.4 
           
Brown Advisory Incorporated   1,552,657(5)   5.2 
           
Warren B. Kanders   7,835,284(6)   25.4 
           
Nicholas Sokolow   713,902(7)   2.4 
           
Donald L. House   380,695(8)   1.3 
           
Michael A. Henning   125,834(9)   * 
           
John C. Walbrecht   142,351(10)   * 
           
Aaron J. Kuehne   144,074(11)   * 
           
All current directors, nominees and named executive officers as a group (6 persons)   9,342,140(12)   29.6 

 

* Denotes less than one percent.

 

(1)As used in this table, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares within 60 days of April 27, 2018, (a) the power to vote, or direct the voting of, such security or (b) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security.

 

(2)Applicable percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 30,041,265 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 27, 2018.

 

(3)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2018 by Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. In such filing, Kennedy Capital Management, Inc. lists its address as 10829 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, and indicates that, as of December 31, 2017, it had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,876,610 shares of common stock and did not have shared voting or dispositive power with respect to any shares of common stock.

 

(4)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018 by Greenhouse Funds LLLP and certain of its affiliates. In such filing, Greenhouse Funds LLLP and its affiliates list their address as 650 S. Exeter St., Suite 1080, Baltimore, MD 21202, and indicate that, as of December 31, 2017, they did not have sole voting or dispositive power with respect to any shares of common stock and had shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,626,720 shares of common stock.

 

(5)Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on March 6, 2018 by Brown Advisory Incorporated on its own behalf and on behalf of certain of its subsidiaries. In such filing, Brown Advisory Incorporated lists its address as 901 South Bond Street, Suite 400, Baltimore, MD 21231, and indicates that, as of February 28, 2018, it had sole voting power with respect to 1,264,488 shares of common stock, had shared voting power with respect to 1,256 shares of common stock, did not have sole dispositive power with respect to any shares of common stock and had shared dispositive power with respect to 1,552,657 shares of common stock.

 

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(6)Includes (i) Mr. Kanders’ options to purchase 800,000 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018; (ii) 2,419,490 shares of common stock held by Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, of which Mr. Kanders is a majority member and a trustee of the manager; (iii) 13,900 shares of common stock that Mr. Kanders may be deemed to beneficially own as UTMA custodian for his children; and (iv) 124,667 shares of common stock held by Mr. Kanders’ spouse in a UTA Trust Account of which Mr. Kanders is the sole trustee. Of the 7,835,284 shares of common stock included in Mr. Kanders’ beneficial ownership, 5,919,017 shares are hypothecated and/or pledged as security for loans from financial institutions. Excludes (i) 100,000 shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by Mr. Kanders’ spouse, as to all of which he disclaims any beneficial ownership; (ii) options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018; and (iii) a five-year stock award of 500,000 shares of restricted common stock granted on June 1, 2017 under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan of which (a) 250,000 restricted shares will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before June 1, 2022, the closing price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $10.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days, and (b) 250,000 restricted shares will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before June 1, 2022, the closing price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $12.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

(7)Includes (i) Mr. Sokolow’s options to purchase 210,834 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018; (ii) 377,567 shares of common stock held by ST Investors Fund, LLC, of which Mr. Sokolow is the general manager; and (iii) 70,425 shares of common stock held by Madetys Investments, LLC, of which Mr. Sokolow is the general manager. Excludes Mr. Sokolow’s options to purchase 16,666 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018.

 

(8)Includes Mr. House’s options to purchase 250,834 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018. Excludes Mr. House’s options to purchase 16,666 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018.

 

(9)Includes Mr. Henning’s options to purchase 115,834 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018. Excludes Mr. Henning’s options to purchase 16,666 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018.

 

(10)Excludes options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018.

 

(11)Includes Mr. Kuehne’s options to purchase 125,334 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018. Excludes (i) Mr. Kuehne’s options to purchase 649,666 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018; (ii) restricted stock award granted on July 1, 2016 under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan of which 100,000 restricted shares will vest and become nonforfeitable if, on or before July 1, 2020, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days; and (iii) 1,991 shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by Mr. Kuehne’s spouse, as to all of which he disclaims any beneficial ownership.

 

(12)Includes options to purchase 1,502,836 shares of common stock that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018. Excludes options to purchase 1,699,664 shares of common stock that are not presently exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of April 27, 2018.

 

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

 

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Warren B. Kanders, 60, our Executive Chairman, has served as one of our directors since June 2002 and as Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors since December 2002. Since 1990, Mr. Kanders has served as the President of Kanders & Company, Inc. (“Kanders & Co.”), a private investment firm principally owned and controlled by Mr. Kanders, that makes investments in and provides consulting services to public and private entities. From January 1996 until its sale to BAE Systems plc (“BAE Systems”) on July 31, 2007, Mr. Kanders served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and as the Chief Executive Officer from April 2003, of Armor Holdings, Inc. (“Armor Holdings”), formerly a New York Stock Exchange-listed company and a manufacturer and supplier of military vehicles, armored vehicles and safety and survivability products and systems to the aerospace and defense, public safety, homeland security and commercial markets. Since 2012, Mr. Kanders has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and as the Chief Executive Officer of Maui Acquisition Corp., the principal equity owner of Safariland, LLC, a manufacturer and supplier of safety and survivability products to the public safety, homeland security and commercial markets. Mr. Kanders graduated with an A.B. degree in Economics from Brown University. Mr. Kanders also serves on the board of trustees of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Winston Churchill Foundation and the Hospital for Special Surgery, and is a member of the Advisory Council of The Institute at Brown for Environment and Society. Mr. Kanders also was a former trustee of the Choate Rosemary Hall School. Based upon Mr. Kanders’ role as Executive Chairman of the Company, service as a chairman and a director of a wide range of other public companies, financial background and education, as well as his extensive investment, capital raising, acquisition and operating expertise, the Company believes that Mr. Kanders has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board member of the Company.

 

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Donald L. House, 76, has served as one of our directors since January 1993. Mr. House served as Chairman of our Board of Directors from January 1994 until December 1997 and as our President from January 1993 until December 1993. Mr. House is currently a private investor, and in the past he has served on a number of Boards of Directors of public and private companies, including a position as a member of the Board of Directors of Carreker Corporation from May 1998 until March 2007, and as Chairman of Version One, Inc. from January 2003 until August 2017. Mr. House graduated with B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Based upon Mr. House’s role as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, prior experience as a chairman and an executive officer of companies in a variety of industries, financial expertise and extensive experience serving as a member of the boards of directors and committees of other public companies, the Company believes that Mr. House has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board or Board committee member of the Company.

 

Nicholas Sokolow, 68, has served as one of our directors since June 2002, and has been designated as the “lead independent director” of the Company’s Board of Directors since June 2016. From January 1996 until its sale to BAE Systems on July 31, 2007, Mr. Sokolow served as a member of the Board of Directors of Armor Holdings. Mr. Sokolow served as a member of the Board of Directors of Stamford Industrial Group, Inc. from October 2006 until September 2009. From 2007 until December 31, 2014, Mr. Sokolow practiced law at the firm of Lebow & Sokolow LLP. From 1994 to 2007, Mr. Sokolow was a partner at the law firm of Sokolow, Carreras & Partners. From June 1973 until October 1994, Mr. Sokolow was an associate and partner at the law firm of Coudert Brothers. Mr. Sokolow graduated with Economics and Finance degrees from the Institut D’Etudes Politiques, a Law degree from the Faculte de Droit and a Masters of Comparative Law degree from the University of Michigan. Mr. Sokolow is also an honorary member of the French Bar. Based upon Mr. Sokolow’s role as the Chairman of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, education, legal background involving mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance expertise and extensive experience serving as a member of the boards of directors and committees of other public companies, the Company believes that Mr. Sokolow has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board or Board committee member of the Company.

 

Michael A. Henning, 77, has served as one of our directors since May 2010. Mr. Henning served as a director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Highlands Acquisition Corp. from May 2007 until September 2009. From 2000 to May 2015, Mr. Henning had served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee, and had previously served as the Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee, of the Board of Directors of CTS Corporation, a NYSE-listed company that provides electronic components to auto, wireless and PC businesses. From December 2002 to May 2017, Mr. Henning served on the Board of Directors of Omnicom Group Inc., a NYSE-listed global communications company, where he also served on the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. From 2007 to May 2017, Mr. Henning served on the Board of Directors of Landstar System, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed transportation and logistics services company, and served on committees such as the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Henning retired as Deputy Chairman from Ernst & Young in 2000 after forty years with the firm. Mr. Henning was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Ernst & Young International, serving from 1993 to 1999. From 1991 to 1993, he served as Vice Chairman of Tax Services at Ernst & Young. Mr. Henning was also the Managing Partner of the firm’s New York office, from 1985 to 1991, and the Partner in charge of International Tax Services, from 1978 to 1985. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Henning served as a Co-Chairman of the Foreign Investment Advisory Board of Russia, where he co-chaired a panel of 25 chief executive officers from the G-7 countries who advised the Russian government in adopting international accounting and tax standards. Mr. Henning graduated with a B.B.A. degree from St. Francis College and received a Certificate from the Harvard University Advanced Management Program. Mr. Henning is a Certified Public Accountant. Based upon Mr. Henning’s role as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, his accounting and financial expertise and extensive experience serving as a member of the boards of directors and committees of other public companies, the Company believes that Mr. Henning has the requisite set of skills to serve as a Board or Board committee member of the Company.

 

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

 

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

 

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GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

 

Corporate Governance

 

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

 

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Documents

 

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

 

Board of Directors

 

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

 

During fiscal 2017, the Board of Directors held eleven meetings, including one meeting of the independent directors, and acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting twice. During fiscal 2017, only one director then in office missed a meeting of the full Board of Directors, each independent director attended the independent directors’ meeting, and all of the directors then in office attended 100% of the total number of meetings of the Committees of the Board of Directors on which they served. The Company does not have a formal policy as to Board of Directors attendance at our Annual Meetings of Stockholders. All of the members of our Board of Directors attended last year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was held on June 1, 2017.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

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

 

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Board Role in Risk Oversight

 

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

 

Director Independence

 

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

 

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

 

Stockholder Communications

 

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

 

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

 

Complaint Procedures

 

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

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight and evaluation of (i) the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditors”); (ii) the performance of our internal audit function; and (iii) the quality and integrity of our financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of independent auditors and analyzes the reports and recommendations of such auditors. The Audit Committee also assesses major risk factors relating to the Company and its performance, and reviews measures to address and mitigate financial, legal and operational risks. The committee also prepares the Audit Committee report required by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which is included in this Proxy Statement beginning on page 14.

 

Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Henning, House and Sokolow, with Mr. Henning serving as the Chairman. All of the members of our Audit Committee were determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of Clarus based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence” and are able to read and understand the Company’s fundamental financial statements. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Henning qualifies as an audit committee financial expert (as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) and that his simultaneous service on the audit committees of two other public companies during the 2017 fiscal year did not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

·monitoring the independence of the independent auditors;

 

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

 

·reviewing and approving all related party transactions;

 

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

 

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

 

·appointing and replacing the independent auditors;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

During fiscal 2017, the Audit Committee held four meetings and acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting once. The Board of Directors has adopted a written Charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is available on our Internet website, at www.claruscorp.com, under the tab “Governance Documents” within the section called “Governance.”

 

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Compensation Committee

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Our Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. House and Sokolow, with Mr. House serving as the Chairman, both of whom were determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of the Company based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence”. The Compensation Committee does not formally meet on a regular basis, but only as circumstances require. During fiscal 2017, the Compensation Committee held four meetings, acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting once, and also held numerous informal discussions.

 

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Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

 

The purpose of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is to identify, evaluate and nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors, as well as review Clarus’ corporate governance guidelines and other related documents for compliance with applicable laws and regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the NASDAQ listing requirements. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers all qualified candidates identified by members of the Committee, by other members of the Board of Directors, and by senior management. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders. Information with respect to a proposed nominee should be forwarded to Clarus Corporation, Attention: Secretary, at 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, and upon receipt, the Secretary will submit them to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee for its consideration. Such information shall include the name of the nominee, and such information with respect to the nominee as would be required under the rules and regulations of the SEC to be included in our Proxy Statement if such proposed nominee were to be included therein, as well as a consent executed by the proposed nominee to serve as director if elected as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. In addition, the stockholder shall include a statement to the effect that the proposed nominee has no direct or indirect business conflict of interest with us, and otherwise meets our standards set forth below. See “Requirements for Submission of Stockholder Proposals, Nomination of Directors and Other Business of Stockholders” for additional information on certain procedures that a stockholder must follow to nominate persons for election as directors.

 

Our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Sokolow and House, with Mr. Sokolow serving as the Chairman, both of whom were determined by the Board of Directors to be independent of the Company based on NASDAQ’s definition of “independence. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee does not formally meet on a regular basis, but only as circumstances require. During fiscal 2017, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings, acted by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting once and held several informal meetings, in person and by telephone, to discuss various topics relevant to its function, including evaluating the composition, structure and qualifications of the Board of Directors. A copy of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s Charter is available on our Internet website, at www.claruscorp.com, under the tab “Governance Documents” within the section called “Governance.”

 

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

 

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

 

Director Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table summarizes the compensation earned by our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017:

 

Name  Fees Earned or
 Paid in Cash 
 ($)
   Stock
Awards
($) 
   Option 
Awards
  ($) (1)
   Non-Equity 
Incentive Plan
Compensation 
 ($)
   Change in
Pension Value and
 Non-qualified Deferred
Compensation 
Earnings 
($)
   All Other 
Compensation 
($)
   Total 
($)
 
                             
Michael A. Henning   50,000    -    92,727(2)   -    -    -    142,727 
Donald L. House   45,000    -    152,967(3)   -    -    -    197,967 
Nicholas Sokolow   50,000    -    152,967(4)   -    -    -    202,967 

 

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(1) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for awards made during the applicable year. For discussions on the relevant assumptions, see footnote 12, “Stock-Based Compensation Plan” in the financial statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

(2) Mr. Henning’s option awards include the grant of options on June 1, 2017 and August 21, 2017, valued at $30,584 and $62,143, respectively, and fully vesting on March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

(3) Mr. House’s option awards include the grant of options on June 1, 2017, June 1, 2017 and August 21, 2017, valued at $60,240, $30,584 and $62,143, respectively, and fully vesting on June 1, 2017, March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

(4) Mr. Sokolow’s option awards include the grant of options on June 1, 2017, June 1, 2017 and August 21, 2017, valued at $60,240, $30,584 and $62,143, respectively, and fully vesting on June 1, 2017, March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

Discussion of Director Compensation

 

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

 

In 2017, members of our Board of Directors were compensated as follows: (i) the non-employee directors received an annual stock option grant at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of 12,500 shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of such grant, and vesting and becoming exercisable in four equal consecutive quarterly tranches; (ii) in consideration for their services during the acquisition of Sierra Bullets, L.L.C., the non-employee directors received a stock option grant of 25,000 shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of such grant, and vesting and becoming exercisable in three, approximately equal, consecutive annual tranches; (iii) all non-employee directors serving on the Board of Directors received an annual payment of $35,000, payable in equal quarterly installments, in consideration for their services on the Board; (iv) Mr. Sokolow, the lead independent director of the Board of Directors, received an additional annual payment of $5,000, payable in two equal installments, in consideration of his service as the lead independent director of the Board of Directors, (v) the chairmen of the respective Board committees, other than the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee, received an additional annual payment of $10,000, payable in equal quarterly installments, in consideration for their services as chairmen on the respective Board of Directors’ committees; (vi) the chairman of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee received an additional annual payment of $15,000, payable in equal quarterly installments, in consideration for his service as the chairman of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee; and (vii) Messrs. Sokolow and House received a stock option grant of 50,000 shares at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of such grant, and vesting and becoming exercisable on the date of such grant, as replacement for an equal number of options that expired unexercised in 2017.

 

In 2017, our current employee director, Mr. Kanders, was compensated pursuant to his employment agreement (which is described below under the heading “Employment Agreements”).

 

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Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

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

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

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

 

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

 

The Audit Committee has had various discussions with management and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Audit Committee that Clarus’ consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the quarterly and annual consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has also discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees.

 

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

 

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

 

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the audited financial statements and the audit report on the audited financial statements and internal control over financial reporting be included in Clarus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, for filing with the SEC.

 

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

 

Michael A. Henning (Chairman)

Donald L. House

Nicholas Sokolow

 

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The Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Report of the Audit Committee by reference therein.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

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

 

Name   Age   Position
         
Warren B. Kanders   60   Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
John C. Walbrecht   50   President
Aaron J. Kuehne   39   Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

 

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

 

John C. Walbrecht, 50, has served as the President of the Company’s Outdoor Group since October 2017, and President of BDEL since October 2016.  Before joining the Company, Mr. Walbrecht served as the President of Mountain Hardwear from March 2016 to October 2016.    Prior to Mountain Hardwear, Mr. Walbrecht served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fenix Outdoors NA from January 2012 until March 2016.   Mr. Walbrecht has also served in various senior roles with Brandbase, Spyder, Dr. Martens/Airwair, and Timberland.  Mr. Walbrecht holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Brigham Young University, a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Maryland and understudies in International Trade and Finance at Cambridge University - Trinity College.

 

Aaron J. Kuehne, 39, has served as our Chief Administrative Officer since July 2017 and our Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer since March 2013, and has been with the Company since September 2010. Before joining the Company in September 2010, Mr. Kuehne served as the Corporate Controller of Certiport from August 2009 to September 2010. From July 2004 to August 2009, Mr. Kuehne served in various capacities with KPMG LLP, most recently as Audit Manager. Mr. Kuehne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business in 2002 and with a M.B.A. degree from University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business in 2004. He has also been a Certified Public Accountant since 2005.

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Overview

 

The Compensation Committee assists the independent members of the Board of Directors in establishing a compensation package for Clarus’ Executive Chairman and assists the Board of Directors in establishing compensation packages for Clarus’ other Named Executive Officers, its key employees and non-employee directors as well as administering Clarus’ incentive plans. The Compensation Committee is generally responsible for setting and administering the policies which govern annual salaries of executive officers, raises and bonuses and certain awards of stock options and common stock under the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan and otherwise, and such responsibility is generally limited to the actions taken by the Compensation Committee, although at times the full Board of Directors has determined annual executive salaries, raises and bonuses as well as grants of stock options and common stock without having first received recommendations from the Compensation Committee. From time to time, the Compensation Committee reviews our compensation packages to ensure that they remain competitive with the compensation packages offered by similarly-situated companies and continue to incentivize management and align management’s interests with those of our stockholders. Although we do not target executive compensation to any peer group median, we strive to provide a compensation package that is competitive in the market and rewards each executive’s performance.

 

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

 

Executive Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

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

 

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

 

Use of Outside Consultants

 

The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and terminate any independent compensation consultant and to obtain independent advice and assistance from internal and external legal, accounting and other advisors. In 2017, the Compensation Committee did not engage any such consultants to determine or recommend the amount or form of executive and director compensation discussed herein.

 

Compensation Program Components

 

Our executive compensation program emphasizes company performance, individual performance and an increase in stockholder value over time in determining executive pay levels. Our executive compensation program consists of three key elements: (i) annual base salaries; (ii) a performance-based annual bonus; and (iii) periodic grants of stock options and restricted stock. The Compensation Committee believes that this three-part approach best serves our and our stockholders’ interests by motivating executive officers to improve our financial position, holding executives accountable for the performance of the organizations for which they are responsible and by attracting key executives into our service. Under our compensation program, annual compensation for Named Executive Officers are composed of a significant portion of pay that is “at risk”, specifically, the annual bonus, stock options and restricted stock.

 

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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the components of compensation for Named Executive Officers were: (i) cash compensation; (ii) equity-based compensation; and (iii) perquisites and other personal and additional benefits. Additional details on each element of our compensation program are outlined below.

 

Cash Compensation

 

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

 

In 2017, the annual base salary for Mr. Kanders was increased to $350,000, effective June 1, 2017, in connection with his execution of a new employment agreement (the “Kanders Employment Agreement”) with the Company. Prior to the effectiveness of the Kanders Employment Agreement, Mr. Kanders’ base salary was established pursuant to an employment agreement with the Company, dated June 5, 2013, which provided Mr. Kanders with an annual base salary of $175,000. The annual base salary for Mr. Kanders is subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee and was not modified in 2016 or 2015, and remained at $175,000. In establishing the salary of Mr. Kanders, the Compensation Committee considered his extensive investment, capital raising, acquisition and operating expertise, as well as the scope of his responsibilities. Mr. Kanders devotes only as much of his time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company and also serves in various capacities with other public and private entities, including not-for-profit entities.

 

Mr. Walbrecht became our President on March 9, 2018. In 2017, his annual base salary was increased to $425,000, effective October 1, 2017. Prior to such increase, Mr. Walbrecht’s base salary was established pursuant to his employment agreement with Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. (“BDEL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, dated September 23, 2016 (the “Walbrecht Employment Agreement”), which provided Mr. Walbrecht with an annual base salary of $350,000.

 

In 2017, the annual base salary for Mr. Kuehne was increased to $350,000, effective October 1, 2017. Prior to such increase, Mr. Kuehne’s base salary was established pursuant to his employment agreement with the Company, dated May 16, 2016 (the “Kuehne Employment Agreement”), which provides for Mr. Kuehne’s employment as Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company for a term expiring on July 1, 2020, and an annual base salary of $300,000. Prior to the effectiveness of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, Mr. Kuehne’s annual base salary was increased to $235,000, effective as of December 15, 2015, from the base salary of $210,000 that he was paid at the beginning of 2015. In establishing Mr. Kuehne’s base salary, the Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the compensation for similar positions at similarly-situated companies, as well as the additional responsibilities and duties required by his role as chief financial officer of a public company.

 

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

 

 17 

 

 

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

 

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors determined to award our President a discretionary cash bonus for the performance of his services in 2017, pursuant to which he was paid $185,000. In determining to award a discretionary cash bonus to our President, the Compensation Committee took into account, among other things, his contributions to the Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors also determined to award our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer a discretionary cash bonus for the performance of his services in 2017, pursuant to which he was paid $115,000. In determining to award a discretionary cash bonus to our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, the Compensation Committee took into account, among other things, his contributions to the Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Base salary, incentive compensation and the amount of discretionary bonus (total cash compensation) earned in 2017 by the Named Executive Officers are reflected in the “Salary,” and “Bonus,” columns in the Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Equity-Based Compensation

 

2005 Stock Incentive Plan and 2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

We believe that equity-based compensation is the most effective means of creating a long-term link between the compensation provided to officers and other key management personnel and the returns realized by the stockholders. In 2017, the Company maintained the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Incentive Plans”) to incentivize executive officers and other key employees. The Incentive Plans are designed to give the Board of Directors discretion and flexibility in designing incentive compensation packages to align the goals of management with those of our stockholders and to motivate executive officers and key employees to improve the operations of the Company, thereby maximizing stockholder value. Pursuant to the Incentive Plans, the Board of Directors may issue to employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, and restricted stock.

 

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

 

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

 

The Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan expired in accordance with its terms in June 2015 and any shares of common stock then remaining available for grant under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan have been canceled. However, at December 31, 2017, 801,000 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan prior to the expiration of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan will remain available for issuance in accordance with their terms.

 

 18 

 

 

On June 1, 2017, in connection with Mr. Kanders’ entry into a new employment agreement with the Company and pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, the Company issued and granted to Mr. Kanders 500,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, of which (i) 250,000 shares will vest if, on or before June 1, 2022, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $10.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days; and (ii) 250,000 shares will vest if, on or before June 1, 2022, the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock shall have equaled or exceeded $12.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

On August 21, 2017, in connection with the acquisition of Sierra Bullets, L.L.C. by the Company, the Company issued and granted to Mr. Kuehne options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, having an exercise price of $6.15 per share, of which 16,667 options will vest and become exercisable on each of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, and 16,666 options will vest and become exercisable on December 31, 2019.

 

On March 9, 2018, in connection with a long-term incentive plan developed by the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors, the Company issued and granted each of Messrs. Kanders, Walbrecht and Kuehne a stock award consisting of options to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, having exercise prices of $6.80 per share, and vesting over a period of five years, with 100,000 of each officer’s options vesting and becoming exercisable on December 31, 2018 and each anniversary thereof, through December 31, 2022.

 

Equity based compensation earned in 2017 by the Named Executive Officers are reflected in the “Stock Awards,” and “Option Awards,” columns in the Summary Compensation Table set forth on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Perquisites and Other Personal and Additional Benefits

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Accounting and Tax Considerations

 

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation over $1,000,000 paid for any fiscal year to an individual who was a Named Executive Officer. Under the rules in effect before 2018, compensation that qualified as “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Code was deductible without regard to this $1 million limit. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which became effective on January 1, 2018, eliminated the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) of the Code, subject to a rule that “grandfathers” certain arrangements and awards in effect on or prior to November 2, 2017. As a result, compensation that we structured in prior years with the intent of utilizing the deduction for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) may not be fully deductible if it is paid on or after January 1, 2018, dependent upon the applicability of the 162(m) grandfathering rules.

 

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

 

 19 

 

 

Policy on Stock Trading

 

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

 

Post-Employment and Other Events

 

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

 

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

 

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

 

Summary

 

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

 

Compensation Committee Report

 

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

 

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

 

Donald House (Chairman)

Nicholas Sokolow

 

The Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates the Report of the Compensation Committee by reference therein.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following summary compensation table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation earned for the periods presented below by our Named Executive Officers.

 

 20 

 

 

Name and

Principal Position

  Year 

Salary

($)

  

Bonus

($)

  

Stock

Awards

($) (1)

  

Option

Awards

 ($) (2) 

  

Non-Equity

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

  

Non-qualified

Deferred

Compensation

Earnings

  

All Other

Compensation

($)

  

Total

($)

 
                                    
Warren B. Kanders  2017   277,308(3)   -    1,944,487    -    -    -    51,101(4)   2,322,896 
Executive Chairman  2016   175,000    -    -    -    -    -    49,631    224,631 
   2015   175,000    -    -    -    -    -    45,638    220,638 
                                            
John C. Walbrecht  2017   368,750(5)   185,000    -    -    -    -    11,580(6)   565,330 
President  2016   94,231    44,300    -    -    -    -    25,509    164,040 
                                            
Aaron J. Kuehne  2017   312,500(7)   115,000    -    124,285    -    -    21,984(8)   573,769 
Chief Financial Officer,  2016   267,750    50,550    104,665    231,025    -    -    19,020    673,010 
Chief Administrative  2015   210,961    50,500    -    128,260    -    -    16,667    406,388 
Treasurer                                           

 

(1) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for awards made during the applicable year. For discussions on the relevant assumptions, see footnote 12, “Stock-Based Compensation Plan” in the financial statements contained in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

(2) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for awards made during the applicable year. For discussions on the relevant assumptions, see footnote 12, “Stock-Based Compensation Plan” in the financial statements contained in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

(3) In 2017, Mr. Kanders’ annual base salary was initially established according to the terms of an employment agreement with the Company dated June 5, 2013, which provided an annual base salary of $175,000. On June 1, 2017, Mr. Kanders executed the Kanders Employment Agreement, which provides for an annual base salary of $350,000 and which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement. Mr. Kanders is required to devote only as much time as is necessary to perform his duties for the Company.

 

(4) “All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. Kanders in 2017 consists of the following items: 401(k) matching contributions, $4,109; health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $39,552; and life insurance, $7,440.

 

(5) In 2017, Mr. Walbrecht’s annual base salary was initially established pursuant to the terms of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, which provided for an annual base salary of $350,000 and which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement. Effective October 1, 2017, Mr. Walbrecht’s annual base salary was increased to $425,000.

 

(6) “All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. Walbrecht in 2017 consists of the following items: health, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D, $9,398; life insurance, $932; and relocation, $1,250.

 

(7) In 2017, Mr. Kuehne’s annual base salary was initially established pursuant to the terms of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, which provided for an annual base salary of $300,000 and which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement. Effective October 1, 2017, Mr. Kuehne’s annual base salary was increased to $350,000.

 

(8) “All Other Compensation” amount for Mr. Kuehne in 2017 consists of the following items: 401(k) matching contributions, $4,760; wellness time conversion, $5,769; health, short-term and long-term disability, $10,754; and life insurance and AD&D, $702.

 

 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The following table sets forth information concerning grants of plan-based awards in fiscal year 2017 to our Named Executive Officers.

 

 21 

 

 

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

All Other

Stock Awards:
Number

of
Shares
of Stock

   All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
  

Exercise

or Base

Price of

Option

  

Grant

Date Fair

Value of

Stock and

Option

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

Maximum

($)

  

or Units

(#)

   Options
(#)
  

Awards

($)

  

Awards

($)

 
                                            
Warren B. Kanders  6/1/17   -    -    -    -    -    -    500,000(1)   -    -   $1,994,487 
                                                      
Aaron J. Kuehne  8/21/17   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    50,000(2)  $6.15   $124,285 

 

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

 

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

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

The following table sets forth information concerning stock options and stock awards held by the Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2017:

 

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
Name 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable 

  

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Unexercisable

  

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Unearned

Options (#)

  

Option

Exercise

 Price ($)

  

Option

Expiration

Date

  

Number of

Shares or

Units of

Stock That

Have Not

Vested (#)

  

Market

 Value of

 Shares or

 Units of

Stock That

 Have Not

Vested

($)

  

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares,

Units or

Other Rights

That Have

Not Vested

(#)

  

Equity

Incentive

Plan Awards:

Market or

 Payout Value

of Unearned

Shares,

Units or

Other Rights

That Have

Not Vested

 ($)

 
                                     
Warren B. Kanders   400,000(1)   -    -    7.50    5/31/20    -    -    -    - 
    400,000(1)   -    -    10.00    5/31/20    -    -    -    - 
    -    -    -    -    -    250,000(2)   1,962,500    -    - 
    -    -    -    -    -    500,000(3)   3,925,000    -      
                                              
John C. Walbrecht   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                              
Aaron J. Kuehne   25,000(4)   -    -    10.40    11/7/23    -    -    -    - 
    7,500(5)   -    -    8.20    1/1/23    -    -    -    - 
    12,500(6)   -    -    6.25    9/12/20    -    -    -    - 
    22,000(7)   33,000(7)   -    4.63    12/16/25    -    -    -    - 
    -    -    -    -    -    100,000(8)   785,000    -    - 
    41,667(9)   83,333(9)   -    4.38    7/1/26    -    -    -    - 
    16,667(10)   33,333(10)   -    6.15    8/21/27    -    -    -    - 

 

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

 

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

 

(3) A five-year restricted stock award granted under the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan on June 1, 2017 of 500,000 restricted shares of which (i) 250,000 shares will vest if the fair market value of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $10.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days; and (ii) 250,000 shares will vest if the fair market value of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $12.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

 22 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 2017

 

There were no exercises of stock options by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2017 and there were no vesting during fiscal year 2017 of other stock awards previously granted to the Named Executive Officers.

 

Pension Benefits – Fiscal 2017

 

There were no pension benefits earned by our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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

 

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

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

 

The tables below reflect the amount of compensation payable to each of the current Named Executive Officers of the Company in the event of termination of such executive’s employment. The amount of compensation payable to each current Named Executive Officer upon voluntary termination; retirement; involuntary not-for-cause termination; involuntary for cause termination; termination following a change-in-control; retention following a change-in-control; and in the event of disability or death of the executive is shown below. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2017. The amounts shown thus include amounts earned through such times and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the executives upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executive’s separation from the Company.

 

 23 

 

 

Payments Made Upon Termination

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Payments Made Upon Retirement

 

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

 

Payments Made Upon Permanent Disability or Death

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Payments Made Upon a Change-in-Control

 

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

 

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

 

 24 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 25 

 

 

Warren B. Kanders

 

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

 

Executive
Benefits and
Payments Upon
Separation
  Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   For Cause
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/17
($)
   Change-in-
Control
12/31/17
($)
   Disability on
12/31/17
($)
   Death on
12/31/17
($)
 
                             
Compensation                                   
                                    
Cash Severance – Salary   -    -    1,750,000(1)   1,750,000(1)   -    -    - 
                                    
Stock Options   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                    
Restricted Stock   -    -    5,887,500(2)   5,887,500(2)   1,962,500(3)   -    - 
                                    
Benefits & Perquisites                                   
                                    
Life Insurance   -    -    -    -    -    -    2,200,000(4)
                                    
Disability Income   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                    
Total   -    -    7,637,500    7,637,500    1,962,500    -    2,200,000 

 

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

 

  (2) The unvested portion of 750,000 shares of restricted common stock awarded to Mr. Kanders pursuant to the terms of a restricted stock agreement dated January 17, 2011 and under the terms of the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan on June 1, 2017, would vest and become nonforfeitable. Valued using the December 31, 2017, market price of $7.85 per share.

 

  (3) The unvested portion of 250,000 shares of restricted common stock awarded to Mr. Kanders pursuant to the terms of a restricted stock agreement dated January 17, 2011, would vest and become nonforfeitable. Valued using the December 31, 2017, market price of $7.85 per share.

 

  (4) Upon Mr. Kanders’ death, his designees would be entitled to $200,000 from a Company group term life policy that is maintained for the benefit of all of the Company’s employees. The Company also maintains term life insurance on Mr. Kanders in the amount of $2,000,000 for the benefit of his designees.

 

John C. Walbrecht

 

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination, permanent disability or death of John C. Walbrecht, the Company’s President, as well as a change-in-control of the Company, which includes payments payable pursuant to the terms of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, which is discussed under the heading “Employment Agreements” in this Proxy Statement.

 

 26 

 

 

 

Executive
Benefits and
Payments Upon
Separation
  Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   For Cause
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/17
($)
   Change-in-
Control
12/31/17
($)
   Disability on
12/31/17
($)
   Death on
12/31/17
($)
 
                             
Compensation                                   
                                    
Cash Severance – Salary   -    -    425,000(1)   425,000(1)   -    -    - 
                                    
Stock Options   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                    
Restricted Stock   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                    
Benefits & Perquisites             -                     
                                    
Life Insurance   -    -    -    -    -    -    300,000(2)
                                    
Disability Income   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                    
Total   -    -    425,000    425,000    -    -    300,000 

 

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

 

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

 

Aaron J. Kuehne

 

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

 

 

Executive
Benefits and
Payments Upon
Separation
  Voluntary
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   For Cause
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   Without Cause
Termination on
12/31/17
($)
   Change-in-Control
and Termination
on 12/31/17
($)
   Change-in-
Control
12/31/17
($)
   Disability on
12/31/17
($)
   Death on
12/31/17
($)
 
                             
Compensation                                   
                                    
Cash Severance – Salary   -    -    350,000(1)   350,000(1)   -    -    - 
                                    
Stock Options   -    -    -    452,092(2)   -    452,092(2)   452,092(2)
                                    
Restricted Stock   -    -    -    785,000(2)   -    785,000(2)   785,000(2)
                                    
Benefits & Perquisites                                 - 
                                    
Insurance   -    -    15,129(3)   15,129(3)   -    -    300,000(4)
                                    
Disability Income   -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                    
Total   -    -    365,129    1,602,221    -    1,237,092    1,537,092 

 

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

 

(2)The unvested portion of an aggregate of options to purchase 149,666 shares of common stock would vest and become nonforfeitable, and 100,000 shares of restricted common stock awarded to Mr. Kuehne pursuant to the terms of a restricted stock agreement dated July 1, 2016 would vest and become nonforfeitable. Valued using the December 31, 2017, market price of $7.85 per share.

 

 27 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Pay Ratio Disclosure

 

The 2017 annual total compensation of the median compensated of all our employees who were employed as of December 31, 2017, other than our Executive Chairman, was $47,485. The 2017 annual total compensation of Mr. Kanders, our Executive Chairman, was $2,322,896, and the ratio of these amounts was 49:1.

 

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

 

The pay ratio reported above is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our payroll and employment records and the methodology described below. For these purposes, we identified the median compensated employee using total taxable wages paid to our employees on an annualized basis in fiscal 2017. After identifying such median compensated employee, we calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the same methodology we used for our Executive Chairman and other Named Executive Officers. Using this methodology, the annual total compensation in 2017 for our median employee was $47,485.

 

We determined our total workforce, excluding our Executive Chairman, to consist of 394 employees. During fiscal 2017, Clarus acquired Sierra Bullets, L.L.C., which employs 136 employees that, pursuant to SEC rules, will be included in our pay ratio for fiscal 2018, but were not included in this year’s calculation.

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

 

Warren B. Kanders

 

On June 1, 2017, the Company entered into the Kanders Employment Agreement with Mr. Warren B. Kanders, the Company’s current Executive Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, which provides for Mr. Kanders’ employment as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors for a term expiring on June 1, 2022, subject to certain termination rights, during which time he will receive an annual base salary of $350,000. Mr. Kanders’ annual base salary will be subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors as well as further review in light of any redeployment of assets transaction that the Company may engage in during the term of the Kanders Employment Agreement.

 

Under the terms of the Kanders Employment Agreement, the Company issued and granted to Mr. Kanders a restricted stock award of 500,000 restricted shares of common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, of which (i) 250,000 will vest if, on or before June 1, 2022, the closing share price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $10.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days; and (ii) 250,000 will vest if, on or before June 1, 2022, the closing share price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $12.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

In addition, Mr. Kanders is entitled, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee, to receive performance bonuses, which may be based upon a variety of factors. Mr. Kanders will also be entitled, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee, to participate in other bonus plans of the Company. The Company will maintain term life insurance on Mr. Kanders in the amount of $2,000,000 for the benefit of his designees (the “Kanders Life Insurance”).

 

 28 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

All payments and benefits provided under the Kanders Employment Agreement shall be subject to any compensation recovery or clawback policy as required under applicable law, rule or regulation or otherwise adopted by the Company from time to time.

 

John C. Walbrecht

 

On September 23, 2016, BDEL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clarus, entered into the Walbrecht Employment Agreement with Mr. John C. Walbrecht, which provides for Mr. Walbrecht’s employment as President of BDEL for a term expiring on December 31, 2020, subject to certain termination rights, and an annual base salary of $350,000. Effective October 1, 2017, Mr. Walbrecht’s annual base salary was increased to $425,000.

 

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

 

In addition to the Annual Performance Bonus, commencing with the calendar year ended December 31, 2017, Mr. Walbrecht will be entitled to earn an additional annual bonus opportunity (the “Supplemental Performance Bonus”) of $500,000 upon BDEL achieving minimum annual Adjusted EBITDA Margins (as defined in the Walbrecht Employment Agreement) of greater than 10% (the “Supplemental Performance Bonus Target”) for the applicable calendar year of the term of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement. In the event that BDEL fails to achieve an applicable Supplemental Performance Bonus Target by an amount not to exceed 200 basis points for a calendar year of the term of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement in question but BDEL achieves the Supplemental Performance Bonus Target for the immediately succeeding calendar year, then Mr. Walbrecht will be entitled to a Supplemental Performance Bonus of $1,000,000 in such succeeding calendar year.

 

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

 

 29 

 

 

In the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated as a result of his death or disability, Mr. Walbrecht or his estate will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base compensation through the date of such termination. In addition, in the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated upon his death, Mr. Walbrecht’s designees will be entitled to receive $1,000,000 from the proceeds of any key man life insurance policy obtained by BDEL on the life of Mr. Walbrecht in accordance with the Walbrecht Employment Agreement. In the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated by BDEL for “cause” (as defined in the Walbrecht Employment Agreement), Mr. Walbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base compensation through the date of such termination.

 

In the event that Mr. Walbrecht’s employment is terminated by BDEL without “cause” (as defined in the Walbrecht Employment Agreement), Mr. Walbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive an amount equal to one year of his base compensation as a severance amount. In the event that Mr. Walbrecht voluntarily terminates his employment, Mr. Walbrecht will, subject to the provisions of the Walbrecht Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base compensation and benefits through the date of such termination.

 

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

 

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

 

Aaron J. Kuehne

 

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

 

Under the terms of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, on July 1, 2016, the Company issued and granted to Mr. Kuehne an option to purchase 125,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, having an exercise price of $4.38 per share, of which 41,667 shares of common stock will vest and become exercisable on each of July 1, 2017 and July 1, 2018 and 41,666 shares of common stock will vest and become exercisable on July 1, 2019. Also under the terms of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, on July 1, 2016, the Company issued and granted to Mr. Kuehne a restricted stock award of 100,000 restricted shares pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, all of which will vest if, on or before July 1, 2020, the closing share price of the Company’s common stock shall have equaled or exceeded $15.00 per share for twenty consecutive trading days.

 

 30 

 

 

The Kuehne Employment Agreement also contains confidentiality obligations as well as a non-competition covenant and non-interference (relating to the Company’s customers), non-solicitation (relating to the Company’s employees) and non-disparagement provisions effective during the term of his employment and for a period of two years after the termination of his employment with the Company.

 

In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is terminated as a result of his death or disability, Mr. Kuehne or his estate will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base salary through the date of such termination and earned but unpaid annual incentive bonus prorated for the portion of the year in which such termination occurred and all granted but unvested stock options and all unvested restricted stock shall immediately vest. In the event that Mr. Kuehne’s employment is terminated by the Company for “cause” (as defined in the Kuehne Employment Agreement), Mr. Kuehne will, subject to the provisions of the Kuehne Employment Agreement, be entitled to receive his accrued base salary through the date of such termination. In addition, all stock options, whether vested or unvested, and granted but unvested restricted stock will be null and void, except that, in the event that Mr. Kuehne is terminated as a result of his failure to perform any reasonable directive of the Company’s Board of Directors, he will be entitled to retain any vested stock options.

 

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

 

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

 

 31 

 

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

 

During fiscal 2017, none of the members of our Compensation Committee (i) served as an officer or employee of Clarus or its subsidiaries; (ii) was formerly an officer of Clarus or its subsidiaries; or (iii) entered into any transactions with Clarus or its subsidiaries. During fiscal 2017, none of our executive officers (i) served as a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; (ii) served as director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee; or (iii) served as member of the compensation committee (or other board committee performing similar functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the board of directors) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of Clarus.

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

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

 

On April 7, 2011, Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC transferred its Merger Consideration Subordinated Note in equal amounts to the Robert R. Schiller Cornerstone Trust and the Deborah Schiller 2005 Revocable Trust. On June 24, 2013, the Robert R. Schiller Cornerstone Trust dated September 9, 2010 transferred its Merger Consideration Subordinated Note in the amount of $3,769,000 to the Robert R. Schiller 2013 Cornerstone Trust dated June 24, 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2017, $89,000 in interest was paid to Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, and $46,000 in interest was paid to the Robert R. Schiller 2013 Cornerstone Trust and the Deborah Schiller 2005 Revocable Trust pursuant to the outstanding Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes.

 

On May 29, 2012 and August 13, 2012, five former employees of Gregory Mountain Products exercised certain sales rights and sold Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $365,000 to Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC and in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $189,000 to Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC. During the year ended December 31, 2017, $2,000 in interest was paid to Kanders GMP Holdings, LLC, and $1,000 in interest was paid to Schiller Gregory Investment Company, LLC, pursuant to these outstanding Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes.

 

During February 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the repayment of the Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes. On February 13, 2017, the entire principal amount and all accrued interest were paid in full on the Merger Consideration Subordinated Notes.

 

Upon the Company’s acquisition of Sierra Bullets, L.L.C., on August 21, 2017, the Company paid a fee in the amount of $1,000,000 to Kanders & Co., in consideration of the significant support received by the Company from Kanders & Co. in sourcing, structuring, performing due diligence and negotiating the acquisition. Mr. Warren B. Kanders, the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and a member of its Board of Directors, is the sole stockholder of Kanders & Co.

 

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Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related person transactions. Under the SEC’s rules, a related person is a director, officer, nominee for director, or five percent (5%) stockholder of the Company since the beginning of the last fiscal year and their immediate family members. In addition, under the SEC’s rules, a related person transaction is a transaction or series of transactions in which the company is a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

The Board of Directors has a general practice of requiring directors interested in a transaction not to participate in deliberations or to vote upon transactions in which they have an interest, and to be sure that transactions with directors, executive officers and major stockholders are on terms that align the interests of the parties to such agreements with the interests of the stockholders.

 

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

 

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

KPMG LLP audited the financial statements and related internal control over financial reporting of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, desires to continue the services of KPMG LLP as of and for the current year ending December 31, 2018. Accordingly, the Board of Directors will recommend at the Meeting that the stockholders ratify the appointment by Board of Directors of the firm of KPMG LLP to audit the financial statements and related internal control over financial reporting of the Company as of and for the current year ending December 31, 2018. Representatives of that firm are expected to be available at the Meeting, shall have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. Although ratification by stockholders is not required by our Amended and Restated Bylaws, our Charter of the Audit Committee or applicable law, and is not a binding proposal, the Audit Committee has determined that requesting ratification by stockholders of its selection of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is a matter of good corporate practice. In the event the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the appointment will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE FOR

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2018.

 

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for Clarus by KPMG LLP for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, were:

 

   Fiscal 2017   Fiscal 2016 
Audit Fees  $1,796,709   $1,138,286 
           
Audit Related Fees  $175,000   $- 
           
Tax Fees  $-   $202,282 
           
All Other Fees   -    - 
           
Total  $1,971,709   $1,340,568 

 

Audit Fees. KPMG LLP was engaged as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, to audit our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, to review our 2017 and 2016 interim financial statements, and to perform services in connection with our registration statements.

 

Audit Related Fees. The amounts KPMG LLP billed us for professional services rendered for audit related fees was $175,000 and $0 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Tax Fees. The amounts KPMG LLP billed us for professional services rendered for compliance, tax advice or tax planning was $0 and $202,282 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

All Other Fees. There were no other fees for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

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

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures.

 

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

 

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

 

Since the adoption of the Pre-Approval Policy by the Audit Committee on March 11, 2004, the Audit Committee has not waived the pre-approval requirement for any services rendered by KPMG LLP to Clarus. All of the services provided by KPMG LLP to Clarus described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

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

 

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SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

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

 

Based solely upon reports and representations submitted by the directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our capital stock, all Forms 3, 4 and 5 showing ownership of and changes of ownership in our capital stock during the 2017 fiscal year were timely filed with the SEC.

 

FORM 10-K

 

We will provide, without charge, to each stockholder as of the Record Date, upon our receipt of a written request of the stockholder, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, including the financial statements and schedules, as filed with the SEC. Stockholders should direct the written request to Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124, Attention: Secretary.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS, NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER BUSINESS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Under the rules of the SEC, if a stockholder wants us to include a proposal in our Proxy Statement and Proxy Card for presentation at our 2019 Annual Meeting, the proposal must be received by us at our principal executive offices by December 28, 2018 (or, if the 2019 Annual Meeting is called for a date not within 30 calendar days before or after June 7, 2019, within a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for the meeting). The proposal should be sent to the attention of: Secretary, Clarus Corporation, 2084 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124 and must include the information and representations that are set out in Exchange Act Rule 14a-8.

 

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

 

We must receive notice of the intention to introduce a director nomination or to present an item of business at our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (a) not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to June 7, 2019, if our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held within thirty (30) days before or after June 7, 2019; or (b) not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made, whichever occurs first, in the event our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is not held within thirty (30) days before or after June 7, 2019. In the event we call a special meeting of our stockholders, we must receive your intention to introduce a director nomination or to present an item of business at the special meeting of stockholders not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the notice of such special meeting of stockholders was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made, whichever occurs first.

 

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

 

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

 

  FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
  Aaron J. Kuehne
  Secretary

 

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