9.	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

In 2017, the Company issued 271 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and received proceeds of $4,266. During 2017, employees surrendered to the Company 90 shares of common stock valued at $4,545 in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of equity awards. These shares are included in treasury stock. Additionally, during 2017, employees surrendered to the Company 22 shares of common stock valued at $785, also in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of equity awards, which were retired. Also, in 2017, the Company issued 14 shares of common stock as compensation to board members. During each of the four quarters of 2017, the Company paid a dividend of $0.175 per share to all stockholders of record. Subsequent to December 31, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share payable on March 19, 2018 to stockholders of record as of March 8, 2018.

In 2016, the Company issued 286 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and received proceeds of $2,760. During 2016, employees surrendered to the Company 128 shares of common stock valued at $2,657 in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of equity awards. These shares are included in treasury stock. Also, in 2016, the Company issued 27 shares of common stock as compensation to board members. During each of the four quarters of 2016, the Company paid a dividend of $0.175 per share to all stockholders of record.

In 2015, the Company issued 335 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and received proceeds of $3,182. During 2015, employees surrendered to the Company 140 shares of common stock valued at $2,610 in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of equity awards. These shares are included in treasury stock. Also, in 2015, the Company issued 22 shares of common stock as compensation to board members. During each of the four quarters of 2015, the Company paid a dividend of $0.175 per share to all stockholders of record.

The Company had a share repurchase program to repurchase up to $50,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock that expired on November 3, 2017. On October 25, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a new share repurchase program to replace that expiring program. The Company may repurchase up to $50,000 of its outstanding shares of common stock over a 24-month period commencing November 4, 2017. The timing, number and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will be based on a number of factors including its evaluation of general market and economic conditions, the trading price of the common stock, regulatory requirements and compliance with the terms of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company purchased and subsequently retired 29 shares of common stock under these programs for an aggregate cost of $1,500. Additionally, the Company purchased and placed in treasury 72 shares of common stock under these programs for an aggregate cost of $3,485.

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 5,000 shares of preferred stock issuable in series upon resolution of the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise required by law, the Board of Directors can, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock in the future with voting and conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, averting or preventing a change in control of the Company.