DEF 14A 1 tv529826_def14a.htm DEF 14A

 

 

 

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 the registrant þ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

  ¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement ¨ Confidential, For Use
  þ Definitive Proxy Statement   of the Commission Only
  ¨ Definitive Additional Materials   (as permitted by Rule
  ¨ Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12   14a-6(e)(2))

 

RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) 

 

 

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

 

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¨ 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:  _______________________________________
     
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  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: _______________________________________________________________________________________
     
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¨ 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.

 

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RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.

15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 165

Encino, California 91436

(310) 477-0354

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on November 12, 2019

 

 

 

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Research Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), to be held on November 12, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. Pacific time, at 15260 Ventura Boulevard, 20th Floor, Sherman Oaks, California 91403.

 

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider and act upon the following matters:

 

1.To elect five members of the Board of Directors;

 

2.To ratify the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as the Company’s independent accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020;

 

3.To approve an amendment to our 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted thereunder from 1,874,513 to 2,374,513;

 

4.To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation;

 

5.To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation; and

 

6.To transact other business properly presented at the meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

 

Our Board of Directors has fixed September 19, 2019 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any postponement or adjournment thereof, and only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at the Annual Meeting and at the offices of the Company for 10 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

 

We hope that you will use this opportunity to take an active part in the affairs of the Company by voting on the business to come before the Annual Meeting, either by executing and returning the enclosed Proxy Card or by casting your vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU HOLD. YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, BUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MAY, IF YOU PREFER, REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON.

 

September 20, 2019     By Order of the Board of Directors  
       
     

John Regazzi

Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 12, 2019

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Research Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation (we, us or our), for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on November 12, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time, or the Annual Meeting, at 15260 Ventura Boulevard, 20th Floor, Sherman Oaks, California 91403. Accompanying this Proxy Statement is our Board of Directors’ Proxy for the Annual Meeting, which you may use to indicate your vote as to the proposals described in this Proxy Statement.

 

We will bear the expense of this solicitation of proxies. Solicitations will be made only by use of the mail except that, if deemed desirable, officers and regular employees of our company may solicit proxies by telephone, electronic mail or personal calls. We may also engage a proxy solicitation firm on terms and at costs reasonably acceptable to our Board of Directors. Brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be requested to forward the proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of the stock held of record by those persons and we will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses incurred in this regard.

 

The purpose of the Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted upon are set forth in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our Board of Directors knows of no other business that may be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. All proxies which are properly completed, signed and returned to us prior to the Annual Meeting and which have not been revoked will be voted in favor of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement unless otherwise directed. A stockholder may revoke its proxy at any time before it is voted either by filing with our Secretary, at our principal executive offices, a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and expressing a desire to vote its shares in person, provided that if a stockholder holds its shares in street name, such stockholder may vote its shares in person at the Annual Meeting only if it obtains a proxy, executed in its favor, from the record holder. If any other business properly comes before the Annual Meeting, votes will be cast pursuant to those proxies in respect of any other business in accordance with the judgment of the persons acting under those proxies.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 165, Encino, California 91436. It is anticipated that the mailing to stockholders of this Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy will commence on or about September 27, 2019.

 

OUTSTANDING SECURITIES AND VOTING RIGHTS

 

The close of business on September 19, 2019, has been fixed as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. As of the record date, we had outstanding 24,470,255 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Our common stock is our only outstanding voting security. As of the record date, we had 38 holders of record of our common stock.

 

A holder of common stock is entitled to cast one vote for each share held on the record date on all matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting. The nominees for director who receive a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of our common stock, in person or by proxy at the meeting, will be elected. Approval of the proposal to ratify the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A., as our independent accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, approval of the proposal to amend our 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted thereunder from 1,874,513 to 2,374,513, and approval of the advisory vote on the resolution approving the compensation of our executives as disclosed in the compensation tables and related narrative disclosure herein, requires the favorable vote of a majority of shares voted at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. With respect to the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation, our Board of Directors will give careful consideration to the voting results on this proposal and expects to adopt the alternative that receives the greatest number of votes, even if that alternative does not receive a majority of the votes cast.

 

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A quorum, which is a majority of the outstanding shares as of September 19, 2019, must be present to hold the Annual Meeting. A quorum is calculated based on the number of shares represented by the stockholders attending in person and by their proxy holders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the determination of shares present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals submitted to stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes, while broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast for or against these matters or deemed present or represented for determining whether stockholders have approved a proposal. Broker non-votes occur when a broker holding customer securities in street name has not received voting instructions from the customer on certain “non-routine” matters, such as director elections, and, therefore, is barred by the rules of the applicable securities exchange from exercising discretionary authority to vote those securities. Brokers may vote their clients’ shares on routine matters, such as the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Your vote is important. If your shares are registered in your name, you are a stockholder of record. If your shares are in the name of your broker or bank, your shares are held in street name. We encourage you to vote by proxy so that your shares will be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting even if you cannot attend. All stockholders can vote by written proxy card. Your submission of the enclosed proxy will not limit your right to vote at the Annual Meeting if you later decide to attend in person. If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting either by filing with our Secretary, at our principal executive offices, a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and expressing a desire to vote your shares in person, provided that if your shares are held in street name, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the holder of record in order to be able to vote at the Annual Meeting. All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting, and not revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on those proxies. If no instructions are indicated on a properly executed proxy, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as recommended by our Board of Directors.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Proposal No. 1 is the election of five directors to hold office for a period of one year or until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the number of the directors of our company shall be not less than one nor more than nine, as fixed from time-to-time by resolution of our Board of Directors. On September 18, 2015, our Board of Directors fixed the number of directors at five effective as of November 6, 2015.

 

Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the nominees named below. If any nominee is unwilling to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for such other nominee(s) as shall be designated by the then current Board of Directors to fill any vacancy. We have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling to serve if elected as a director.

 

Our Board of Directors proposes the election of the following nominees as directors:

 

John Regazzi

Chad J. Cooper

Peter Victor Derycz

General Merrill McPeak

Roy W. Olivier

 

If elected, the foregoing five nominees are expected to serve until the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.

 

The principal occupation and certain other information about the nominees and certain executive officers are set forth on the following pages.

 

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CURRENT DIRECTORS/DIRECTOR NOMINEES

 

The following table sets forth the name, age, position and date of appointment of each of our directors as of September 19, 2019.

 

Name  Age  Position  Date of
Appointment
John Regazzi(1) (2)  71  Chairman of the Board  June 22, 2015
Chad J. Cooper(2) (3)  49  Director  March 31, 2016
Peter Victor Derycz  57  Director, Chief Executive Officer and President  January 6, 2006
Gen. Merrill McPeak (2) (4)  83  Director  November 5, 2010
Roy W. Olivier (2)  60  Director  January 9, 2018

 

(1)Chairman of the Audit Committee.
(2)Member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee.
(3)Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee.
(4)Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

 

John Regazzi – Chairman of the Board

 

Mr. Regazzi was appointed to our Board of Directors on June 22, 2015 and was appointed Chairman of the Board effective August 20, 2015. Mr. Regazzi is an information services and IT industry innovator, with more than four decades of experience. He is currently managing director of Akoya Capital Partners, a sector-focused private investment firm, where for the last few years he has served as its professional information services sector leader. He has also been a professor at the Long Island University’s College of Education, Information and Technology since 2005, and has served as dean of LIU’s College of Information and Computer Science. Before joining Akoya Capital Partners, Mr. Regazzi served for several years as CEO of Elsevier Inc. and managing director of the NYSE-listed Reed Elsevier, the world’s largest publisher and information services company for journal and related scientific, technical and medical content. At Reed Elsevier, he oversaw its expansive electronic publishing portfolio, with a program staff of 3,000 and revenues exceeding $1 billion. He was previously CEO of Engineering Information, which he helped turn around before being acquired by Reed Elsevier. As a recognized industry thought leader, Mr. Regazzi has designed, launched, and managed some of the most innovative and well-known information services in the professional communities, including the Engineering Village, Science Direct, Scirus and Scopus, as well as numerous other electronic information services dating back to the early days of the online and CD-ROM industries. Mr. Regazzi has served on a variety of corporate and industry boards, including the British Standards Institute Group and the American Institute of Physics, and he recently was appointed and serves as chairman of the board of National Technical Information Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. He currently serves as chairman of DiSTI and Convergered Security Solutions (CSS), both Akoya portfolio companies. Mr. Regazzi earned his B.S. from St. Johns University, M.A. from University of Iowa, M.S. from Columbia University, and Ph.D. in Information Science from Rutgers University. Our Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Regazzi should serve as a director in light of his extensive experience in the information services industry.

 

Chad J. Cooper – Director

 

Mr. Cooper has more than 15 years of experience in the financial markets. He has served in various capacities, including investment management, investment banking and capital markets. Mr. Cooper served as a board member at ARI Networks (NASDAQ: ARIS) from 2014 to 2017, until True Wind Capital Management took the company private in August 2017. Mr. Cooper currently serves on the board of YouMail, Inc., and Wings for Crossover, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Mr. Cooper has a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California and M.B.A. from Georgetown University. In light of Mr. Cooper's financial and executive experience, our Board of Directors believes it to be in our best interests that Mr. Cooper serve as a director.

 

Peter Victor Derycz – Director, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Mr. Derycz founded Reprints Desk and has served as its Chief Executive Officer and President since January 6, 2006. Mr. Derycz also served as Chairman of the Board from January 6, 2006 through August 19, 2015. Mr. Derycz was a founder of Infotrieve, Inc. in 1989 and served as its President from February 2003 until September 2003. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Puerto Luperon, Ltd. (Bahamas), a real estate development company, from January 2004 until December 2005. He previously served on the International Advisory Board of the San Jose State University School of Information, and served as a member of the board of directors of Insignia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISIG), a consumer products advertising company from 2006 to 2014. Mr. Derycz received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California at Los Angeles. Our Board of Directors believes that Mr. Derycz’ familiarity with our day-to-day operations, his strategic vision for our business and his past leadership and management experience make him uniquely qualified to serve as a director.

 

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General Merrill McPeak – Director

 

Gen. McPeak was appointed to our Board of Directors on November 5, 2010. He is President of McPeak and Associates, a company he founded in 1995. From 1990 until his retirement from active military service in late-1994, he was chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. During this period, he was the senior officer responsible for organization, training and equipage of a combined active duty, National Guard, Reserve and civilian work force of over 850,000 people serving at 1,300 locations in the United States and abroad. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and the other service chiefs were military advisors to the Secretary of Defense and the President. Gen. McPeak has served on the board of directors of several publicly traded companies, including long service with Trans World Airlines, Inc. and with the test and measurement company, Tektronix, Inc. He was for many years Chairman of the Board of ECC International Corp., until that company was acquired by Cubic Corporation. Currently, Gen. McPeak is a director of Iovance Biotherapeutics (IOVA, NASDAQ). General McPeak was a founding investor, director and chairman of Ethicspoint, Inc., a software-as-a-service provider of secure, confidential employee reporting systems, that was acquired by private equity at a return making it one of Oregon’s most successful business startups in decades. Our Board of Directors concluded that Gen. McPeak should serve as a director in light of his demonstrated leadership abilities and years of experience serving on the boards of directors of numerous publicly traded corporations.

 

Roy W. Olivier – Director

 

Mr. Olivier currently serves as president and CEO of ARI Network Services (formerly NASDAQ: ARIS), a provider of an award-winning suite of SaaS tools and marketing services. Before joining ARI in 2006, Mr. Olivier was a consultant to start-up and small and medium-sized businesses. Prior to that, he served as VP of sales and marketing for ProQuest Media Solutions, a business he founded in 1993 and sold to ProQuest in 2000. He previously held various executive and managerial positions with other companies in the telecommunications and computer industries, including Multicom Publishing, Tandy Corporation, BusinessLand and PacTel. In light of Mr. Olivier's executive and operational experience, our Board of Directors believes it to be in our best interests that Mr. Olivier serve as a director.

 

OTHER EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth the name, age, position and date of appointment of each of our other executive officers as of September 19, 2019.

 

Name  Age  Position  Date of
Appointment
Alan Louis Urban  50  Chief Financial Officer and Secretary  November 3, 2011
Scott Ahlberg  56  Chief Operating Officer  July 1, 2007
Marc Nissan  43  Chief Technology Officer  July 1, 2007
Rogier van Erkel  44  Chief Sales Officer  July 2, 2018
Yohann Georgel  33  Chief Marketing Officer  June 11, 2018

 

Alan Louis Urban – Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

Mr. Urban joined Research Solutions in 2011 and has over 25 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting. Mr. Urban has previously served in numerous senior management positions, including: Vice President of Finance and Treasurer for Infotrieve from 2000 to 2004; Chief Financial Officer of a leading online poker company from 2005 to 2006; and Chief Financial Officer of ReachLocal (NASDAQ:RLOC) from 2007 to 2009, an internet marketing company that ranked #1 on Deloitte’s Tech Fast 500 List. Mr. Urban has also held positions as an audit and tax manager in public accounting, and as an internal auditor. He holds a B.S. in Business, with a concentration in Accounting Theory and Practice, from California State University, Northridge and has been a Certified Public Accountant (currently inactive) since 1998.

 

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Scott Ahlberg – Chief Operating Officer

 

Mr. Ahlberg has effectively served as the Chief Operating Officer since July 1, 2007, and has many years of experience in content and startup businesses. Mr. Ahlberg started with Dynamic Information (EbscoDoc) in the 1980s, then went on to lead Sales and Marketing at Infotrieve, Inc. After leaving Infotrieve in 2005 Mr. Ahlberg provided consulting services to ventures in professional networking and medical podcasting. He joined Reprints Desk in 2006. His areas of expertise include strategic planning, operational innovation, copyright and content licensing, and quality management. Mr. Ahlberg has degrees from Stanford University (B.A., 1984) and the University of London (M.A., 1990).

 

Marc Nissan –Chief Technology Officer

 

Mr. Nissan has 15 years of experience in systems architecture and technology build-out. Mr. Nissan is an experienced software developer with strong hands-on management and interpersonal skills. Mr. Nissan has performed full implementation and integration of custom software solutions for clients, including interviewing users, gathering requirements, analysis, design, and documentation.  During the past 15 years, Mr. Nissan has held various technology architecture positions at Infotrieve, Ultralink, and MPDN.

 

Rogier van Erkel – Chief Sales Officer

 

Mr. van Erkel has 12 years of sales management experience at Elsevier, an information and analytics company, and one of the world's major providers of scientific, technical and medical information. In his most recent role, he served as sales director, leading a global team and agent network. He managed a diverse sales portfolio consisting of four product groups selling to businesses all over the world. In that role, he specialized in information products, input for discovery tools and solutions to optimize and maximize customer workflow. He also served in other senior sales roles in Elsevier and before that, managed sales and operations teams for five years at Renewi (formerly Van Gansewinkel), a leading waste management company operating across Europe. Mr. van Erkel earned his Master’s degree from the University of Amsterdam and his Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen. For charity, Mr. van Erkel coaches start-ups to improve their sales through his involvement in incubator firms Rockstart and ACE.

 

Yohann Georgel – Chief Marketing Officer

 

Mr. Georgel has 12 years of marketing experience, most recently serving as senior director of digital marketing for PrimeSport for over six years. PrimeSport is the leader in providing direct access to the biggest sporting events on the planet, offering tickets, travel and hospitality. Prior to that, he was a director of digital marketing for OleOle, a social media platform for soccer fans worldwide. While there, he was in charge of marketing in 10 different languages. Mr. Georgel's passion for data and algorithms led him to pursue a career in digital marketing, specifically search engine optimization and marketing. Other areas of his expertise include data analysis, social media and user experience.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Meetings. Our Board of Directors held four meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. Each director then serving attended 75% or more of the aggregate of all of the meetings of our Board of Directors and all of the meetings held by all committees of our Board of Directors on which such director served in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. While directors periodically attend annual stockholder meetings, we have not established a specific policy with respect to members of our Board of Directors attending annual stockholder meetings.

 

Committees. Our Board of Directors currently has the following standing committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Our Audit Committee held four meetings, our Compensation Committee held four meetings and our Nominating and Governance Committee held no meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

 

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Our Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Regazzi (Chairman), Cooper, McPeak and Olivier. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Regazzi is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K, and that each member of our Audit Committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements and has substantial business experience that results in such member’s financial sophistication. Accordingly, our Board of Directors believes that each member of our Audit Committee has sufficient knowledge and experience necessary to fulfill such member’s duties and obligations on our Audit Committee. The primary purposes of our Audit Committee are to assist our Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of our company and audits of our financial statements, including (i) reviewing the scope of the audit and all non-audit services to be performed by our independent accountant and the fees incurred by us in connection therewith, (ii) reviewing the results of such audit, including the independent accountant’s opinion and letter of comment to management and management’s response thereto, (iii) reviewing with our independent accountants our internal accounting principles, policies and practices and financial reporting, (iv) engaging our independent accountants and (v) reviewing our quarterly and annual financial statements prior to public issuance. The role and responsibilities of our Audit Committee are more fully set forth in a revised written Charter adopted by our Board of Directors on September 18, 2015, which is available on our website located at www.researchsolutions.com.

 

Our Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. McPeak (Chairman), Cooper, Olivier and Regazzi. The primary purposes of our Compensation Committee are to assist our Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility to determine the compensation of our executive officers and to approve and evaluate the compensation policies and programs of our company, including (i) reviewing the compensation packages of executive officers and making recommendations to our Board of Directors for said compensation packages, (ii) reviewing and approving proposed stock incentive grants and (iii) providing our Board of Directors with recommendations regarding bonus plans, if any. The role and responsibilities of our Compensation Committee are more fully set forth in a revised written Charter adopted by our Board of Directors on September 18, 2015, which is available on our website located at www.researchsolutions.com.

 

The policies underlying our Compensation Committee’s compensation decisions are designed to attract and retain the best-qualified management personnel available. We routinely compensate our executive officers through salaries. At our discretion, we may reward executive officers and employees through bonus programs based on profitability and other objectively measurable performance factors. Additionally, we use stock options, restricted stock awards and other incentive awards to compensate our executives and other key employees to align the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders. In establishing executive compensation, our Compensation Committee evaluates compensation paid to similar officers employed at other companies of similar size in the same industry and the individual performance of each officer as it impacts our overall performance with particular focus on an individual’s contribution to the realization of operating profits and the achievement of strategic business goals. Our Compensation Committee further attempts to rationalize a particular executive’s compensation with that of other executive officers of our company in an effort to distribute compensation fairly among the executive officers. Although the components of executive compensation (salary, bonus and incentive grants) are reviewed separately, compensation decisions are made based on a review of total compensation.

 

Our Nominating and Governance Committee currently consists of Messrs. Cooper (Chairman), McPeak, Olivier and Regazzi. The primary purposes of our Nominating and Governance Committee are to (i) identify individuals qualified to become members of our Board of Directors and recommend to our Board of Directors the nominees for the next annual meeting of our stockholders and candidates to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors, (ii) recommend to our Board of Directors the directors to be appointed to committees of our Board of Directors and (iii) oversee the effectiveness of our corporate governance in accordance with regulatory guidelines and any other guidelines we establish, including evaluations of members of executive management, our Board of Directors and its committees. The role and responsibilities of our Nominating and Governance Committee are more fully set forth in a revised written Charter adopted by our Board of Directors on October 15, 2012, which is available on our website located at www.researchsolutions.com.

 

Our Nominating and Governance Committee’s methods for identifying candidates for election to our Board of Directors (other than those proposed by our stockholders, as discussed below) include the solicitation of ideas for possible candidates from a number of sources - members of our Board of Directors; our executives; individuals personally known to the members of our Board of Directors; and other research. Our Nominating and Governance Committee may also, from time-to-time, retain one or more third-party search firms to identify suitable candidates.

 

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A stockholder of our company may nominate one or more persons for election as a director at an annual meeting of stockholders if the stockholder complies with the notice, information and consent provisions contained in our Amended and Restated Bylaws. In addition, the notice must be made in writing and set forth as to each proposed nominee who is not an incumbent Director (i) their name, age, business address and, if known, residence address, (ii) their principal occupation or employment, (iii) the number of shares of stock of our company beneficially owned, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person pursuant to which the nominations are to be made and (v) any other information concerning the nominee that must be disclosed respecting nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Rule 14(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The recommendation should be addressed to our Secretary.

 

Among other matters, our Nominating and Governance Committee:

 

1.Reviews the desired experience, mix of skills and other qualities to assure appropriate Board of Directors composition, taking into account the current members of our Board of Directors and the specific needs of our company and our Board of Directors;

 

2.Conducts candidate searches, interviews prospective candidates and conducts programs to introduce candidates to our management and operations, and confirms the appropriate level of interest of such candidates;

 

3.Recommends qualified candidates who bring the background, knowledge, experience, independence, skill sets and expertise that would strengthen and increase the diversity of our Board of Directors; and

 

4.Conducts appropriate inquiries into the background and qualifications of potential nominees.

 

Based on the foregoing, our Nominating and Governance Committee recommended for nomination and our Board of Directors nominated, Messrs. Regazzi, Cooper, Derycz, McPeak and Olivier for re-election as directors on our Board of Directors, subject to stockholder approval, for a one-year term ending on or around the date of the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight. Mr. Regazzi serves as our Chairman of the Board and Mr. Derycz serves as our Chief Executive Officer. We believe that separating the role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer enhances our corporate governance practices and better enables management and our Board of Directors to focus on growth to maximize stockholder value. Our Board of Directors plays an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of our risks and strategic direction. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews information regarding our liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. Our Audit Committee oversees the process by which our senior management and relevant employees assess and manage our exposure to, and management of, financial risks. Our Nominating and Governance Committee also manages risks associated with the independence of members of our Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed about such risks.

 

Stockholder Communications. Holders of our securities can send communications to our Board of Directors via email to auditcommittee@researchsolutions.com or by telephoning the Chief Financial Officer at our principal executive offices, who will then relay the communications to our Board of Directors.

 

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

Our Board of Directors currently consists of five members: Messrs. Regazzi (Chairman), Cooper, Derycz, McPeak and Olivier. Each director serves until our next annual meeting or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. We are not a “listed issuer” under Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, rules and are therefore not required to have separate committees comprised of independent directors. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Regazzi, Mr. Cooper, Gen. McPeak and Mr. Olivier are independent directors as that term is defined in the applicable rules for companies traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Mr. Regazzi, Mr. Cooper, Gen. McPeak and Mr. Olivier are each members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee of our Board of Directors.

 

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REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has furnished the following report:

 

Our Audit Committee currently operates under a revised written charter that was approved by our Board of Directors effective September 18, 2015. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, our Audit Committee has performed, or has confirmed that our Board of Directors has performed, the duties of our Audit Committee, which is responsible for providing objective oversight of our internal controls and financial reporting process.

 

In fulfilling its responsibilities for the financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, our Audit Committee:

 

·Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2019 with management and Weinberg & Company, P.A., or the Auditors, our independent auditors; and

 

·Received written disclosures and the letter from the Auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the Auditors’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the Auditors their independence.

 

Based on our Audit Committee’s review of our audited financial statements and discussions with management and the Auditors, our Audit Committee approved the inclusion of the audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, for filing with the SEC.

 

  AUDIT COMMITTEE
   
  John Regazzi
  Chad J. Cooper
  General Merrill McPeak
  Roy W. Olivier

 

The information in this Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material,” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or to be subject to Regulation 14A or 14C as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

 

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

 

Proposal No. 2 is the ratification of the firm of Weinberg & Company, P.A., or Weinberg, as our independent accountants for the year ending June 30, 2020. Our Audit Committee recommended and our Board of Directors has selected, subject to ratification by a majority vote of the stockholders in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, Weinberg as our independent public accountant for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. Representatives of Weinberg are expected to be present telephonically at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. In addition, at the Annual Meeting, representatives of Weinberg are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions posed by our stockholders.

 

While there is no legal requirement that this proposal be submitted to stockholders, it will be submitted at the Annual Meeting nonetheless, as our Board of Directors believes that the selection of auditors to audit our consolidated financial statements is of sufficient importance to seek stockholder approval. If the majority of our stockholders present and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting do not ratify the appointment of Weinberg as our auditors for the current fiscal year, Weinberg will continue to serve as our auditors for the current fiscal year, and our Audit Committee will engage in deliberations to determine whether it is in our best interest to continue Weinberg’s engagement as our auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

 

Weinberg is our principal independent public accounting firm. All audit work was performed by the full-time employees of Weinberg. Our Audit Committee approves in advance all services performed by Weinberg, has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining Weinberg’s independence, and has approved such services.

 

The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional audit services and other services rendered by Weinberg in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

 

   Year Ended June 30, 2019   Year Ended June 30, 2018 
Audit Fees  $112,882   $106,124 
Audit Related Fees   --    -- 
Tax Fees   35,121    23,378 
All Other Fees   --    -- 
Total  $148,003   $129,502 

 

Audit Fees consist of amounts billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and reviews of our interim consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Registration Statement on Form S-1, including amendments thereto.

 

Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for professional services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements but are not reported under “Audit Fees.”

 

Tax Fees consist of fees for professional services for tax compliance activities, including the preparation of federal and state tax returns and related compliance matters.

 

All Other Fees consists of amounts billed for services other than those noted above.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF WEINBERG & COMPANY, P.A. AS OUR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 3

 

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO 2017 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Proposal No. 3 is the approval of an amendment to the Research Solutions, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, or 2017 Plan, to increase from 1,874,513 to 2,374,513 the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance pursuant to equity awards granted thereunder, or the Plan Amendment. A copy of the text of the Plan Amendment is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. The Plan Amendment is being submitted to our stockholders for approval.

 

Our Board of Directors believes that the continued growth of our company depends upon its ability to retain and motivate key employees and directors, and that equity incentive awards are an important means of retaining and motivating talented employees and directors. Previously, the 2017 Plan authorized a total of 1,874,513 shares of our common stock for issuance to eligible participants. In order to ensure that we may continue to retain and motivate key employees and directors who are expected to contribute to our success, on September 17, 2019, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2017 Plan to increase to 2,374,513 the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance pursuant to awards granted thereunder.

 

Summary of the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

The following summary briefly describes the principal features of the 2017 Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2017 Plan.

 

Shares Available. A total of 1,874,513 shares of our common stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2017 Plan. Any shares of common stock that are subject to awards shall be counted against this limit on a one-for-one basis. If any shares of common stock subject to an award under the 2017 Plan are forfeited, expire or are settled for cash, the shares subject to the award may be used again for awards under the 2017 Plan to the extent of the forfeiture, expiration or cancellation on a one-for-one basis. In the event that any option or other award granted under the 2017 Plan is exercised through the tendering of shares of common stock (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of shares of common stock by us, then in each such case the shares so tendered or withheld shall again be available for awards under the 2017 Plan on a one-for-one basis. In addition, in the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from any option or other award under the 2017 Plan are satisfied by the tendering of shares of common stock (either actually or by attestation) or by the withholding of shares of common stock by us, then in each such case the shares of common stock so tendered or withheld shall again be available for awards under the 2017 Plan on a one-for-one basis. On September 19, 2019, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the OTCQB tier of the OTC Markets Group Inc. was $2.50.

 

Plan Administration. The 2017 Plan will be administered by our Compensation Committee which consists of four members of our Board of Directors, each of whom qualifies as a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Rule 16b-3, an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and an “independent director” under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the terms and conditions of awards, and to interpret and administer the 2017 Plan. The Compensation Committee may (i) delegate to a committee of one or more directors the right to make awards and to cancel or suspend awards and otherwise take action on its behalf under the 2017 Plan (to the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, including Section 162(m) of the Code, and the rules of the principal U.S. national securities exchange, if any, on which the common stock is traded), and (ii) to the extent permitted by law, delegate to an executive officer or a committee of executive officers the right to make awards to employees who are not directors or executive officers and the authority to take action on behalf of the Compensation Committee pursuant to the 2017 Plan to cancel or suspend awards under the 2017 Plan to key employees who are not directors or executive officers.

 

Stock Options. Stock options may be granted under our 2017 Plan. The exercise price of options granted under our 2017 Plan must at least be equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The term of an incentive stock option may not exceed 10 years, except that with respect to any participant who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our outstanding stock, the term must not exceed five years and the exercise price must equal at least 110% of the fair market value on the grant date. The Compensation Committee will determine the methods of payment of the exercise price of an option, which may include cash, shares or other property acceptable to the Compensation Committee, as well as other types of consideration permitted by applicable law. After the termination of service of an employee, director or consultant, he or she may exercise his or her option for the period of time stated in his or her option agreement. Generally, if termination is due to death or disability, the option will remain exercisable for 12 months. In all other cases, the option will generally remain exercisable for three months following the termination of service. However, in no event may an option be exercised later than the expiration of its term. Subject to the provisions of our 2017 Plan, the Compensation Committee determines the other terms of options.

 

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Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights (or SARs) may be granted under our 2017 Plan. Stock appreciation rights allow the recipient to receive the appreciation in the fair market value of our common stock between the exercise date and the date of grant. Stock appreciation rights may not have a term exceeding 10 years. After the termination of service of an employee, director or consultant, he or she may exercise his or her stock appreciation right for the period of time stated in his or her stock appreciation right agreement. However, in no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised later than the expiration of its term. Subject to the provisions of our 2017 Plan, the Compensation Committee determines the other terms of stock appreciation rights, including when such rights become exercisable and whether to pay any increased appreciation in cash or with shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof, except that the per share exercise price for the shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of a stock appreciation right will be no less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant.

 

Restricted Stock. Restricted stock may be granted under our 2017 Plan. Restricted stock awards are grants of shares of our common stock that vest in accordance with terms and conditions established by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will determine the number of shares of restricted stock granted to any employee, director or consultant and, subject to the provisions of our 2017 Plan, will determine the terms and conditions of such awards. The Compensation Committee may impose whatever conditions to vesting it determines to be appropriate (for example, the Compensation Committee may set restrictions based on the achievement of specific performance goals or continued service to us); provided, however, that the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed. Recipients of restricted stock awards generally will have voting and dividend rights with respect to such shares upon grant without regard to vesting, unless the Compensation Committee provides otherwise. Shares of restricted stock that do not vest are subject to our right of repurchase or forfeiture.

 

Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock units may be granted under our 2017 Plan. Restricted stock units are bookkeeping entries representing an amount equal to the fair market value of one share of our common stock. Subject to the provisions of our 2017 Plan, the Compensation Committee will determine the terms and conditions of restricted stock units, including the vesting criteria (which may include accomplishing specified performance criteria or continued service to us) and the form and timing of payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

Performance Units and Performance Shares. Performance units and performance shares may be granted under our 2017 Plan. Performance units and performance shares are awards that will result in a payment to a participant only if performance goals established by the Compensation Committee are achieved or the awards otherwise vest. The Compensation Committee will establish organizational or individual performance goals or other vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or the value of performance units and performance shares to be paid out to participants. After the grant of a performance unit or performance share, the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance criteria or other vesting provisions for such performance units or performance shares. Performance units shall have an initial dollar value established by the Compensation Committee prior to the grant date. Performance shares shall have an initial value equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned performance units or performance shares in the form of cash, in shares or in some combination thereof.

 

Outside Directors. Our 2017 Plan provides that all non-employee directors are eligible to receive all types of awards (except for incentive stock options) under the 2017 Plan.

 

No Repricing. Our 2017 Plan prohibits repricing of options and stock appreciation rights (other than to reflect stock splits, spin-offs or similar corporate events) unless stockholder approval is obtained. A “repricing” means a reduction in the exercise price of an option or the grant price of a stock appreciation right, the cancellation of an option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash or another award under the 2017 Plan, or any other action with respect to an option or stock appreciation right that may be treated as a repricing under the rules of the principal U.S. national securities exchange on which the common stock is traded.

 

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Non-transferability of Awards. Unless the Compensation Committee provides otherwise, our 2017 Plan generally does not allow for the transfer of awards and only the recipient of an award may exercise an award during his or her lifetime.

 

Certain Adjustments. In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits available under our 2017 Plan, the Compensation Committee will adjust the number and class of shares that may be delivered under our 2017 Plan and/or the number, class and price of shares covered by each outstanding award and the numerical share limits set forth in our 2017 Plan. In the event of our proposed liquidation or dissolution, the Compensation Committee will notify participants as soon as practicable and all awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed transaction.

 

Merger or Change in Control. Our 2017 Plan provides that in the event of a merger or change in control, as defined under the 2017 Plan, each outstanding award will be treated as provided for in the individual award agreement, except that the Compensation Committee in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence of a merger or change in control, each option and stock appreciation right shall terminate within a specified number of days after notice to the participant, or that the participant shall receive, with respect to each share of common stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right, an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of such share immediately prior to the occurrence of the merger or change in control over the exercise price per share of such option or stock appreciation right.

 

Unless otherwise provided in an individual award agreement, in the event of a merger or change in control in which the successor company assumes or substitutes for an award granted under the 2017 Plan, if a participant’s employment with the successor company or a subsidiary thereof terminates within 12 months following such merger or change in control, (i) the options and stock appreciation rights outstanding as of the date of such termination of employment will immediately vest, become fully exercisable, and may thereafter be exercised for 12 months, and (ii) the restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to restricted stock and restricted stock units outstanding as of the date of such termination of employment shall lapse and the restricted stock and restricted stock units shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested.

 

Unless otherwise provided in an individual award agreement, in the event of a merger or change in control in which the successor company does not assume or substitute for an award granted under the 2017 Plan, then immediately prior to the merger or change in control, (i) those options and stock appreciation rights outstanding as of the date of the merger or change in control that are not assumed or substituted for shall immediately vest and become fully exercisable, and (ii) restrictions, limitations and other conditions applicable to restricted stock and restricted stock units that are not assumed or substituted for shall lapse and the restricted stock and restricted stock units shall become free of all restrictions, limitations and conditions and become fully vested.

 

Amendment, Termination. Our Board of Directors will have the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 2017 Plan provided such action does not require stockholder approval and will not impair the existing rights of any participant. Our 2017 Plan will automatically terminate in 2027, unless we terminate it sooner.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The following discussion summarizes certain federal income tax considerations of awards under the 2017 Plan. However, it does not purport to be complete and does not describe the state, local or foreign tax considerations or the consequences for any particular individual.

 

Stock Options. A participant does not realize ordinary income on the grant of a stock option. Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant will realize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock over the option exercise price. The cost basis of the shares acquired for capital gain treatment is their fair market value at the time of exercise. Upon exercise of an incentive stock option, the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock acquired over the option exercise price will be an item of tax preference to the participant, which may be subject to an alternative minimum tax for the year of exercise. If no disposition of the shares is made within two years from the date of granting of the incentive stock option or within one year after the transfer of the shares to the participant, the participant does not realize taxable income as a result of exercising the incentive stock option; the tax basis of the shares received for capital gain treatment is the option exercise price; and any gain or loss realized on the sale of the shares is long-term capital gain or loss. If the participant disposes of the shares within the two-year or one-year periods referred to above, the participant will realize ordinary income at that time in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise (or the net proceeds of disposition, if less) over the option exercise price. For capital gain treatment on such a disposition, the tax basis of the shares will be their fair market value at the time of exercise.

 

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Stock Appreciation Rights. No ordinary income will be realized by a participant in connection with the grant of a SAR. When the SAR is exercised, the participant will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the sum of the amount of any cash received and the fair market value of the shares of common stock or other property received upon the exercise.

 

Restricted Stock, Performance and Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The participant will not realize ordinary income on the grant of a restricted stock award (or a performance award if the shares of common stock are issued on grant), but will realize ordinary income when the shares subject to the award become vested in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the shares on the vesting date over (ii) the purchase price, if any, paid for the shares. The participant may, however, elect under Section 83(b) of the Code to include as ordinary income in the year the shares are granted an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the shares on the date of issuance, over (ii) the purchase price, if any, paid for the shares. If the Section 83(b) election is made, the participant will not realize any additional taxable income when the shares become vested.

 

The participant will not realize ordinary income on the grant of a restricted stock unit award (or a performance award under which shares of common stock are not issued on grant), but will realize ordinary income when the shares subject to the award are issued to the participant after they become vested. The amount of ordinary income will be equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the shares on the date they are issued over (ii) the purchase price, if any, paid for the award.

 

Upon disposition of shares of common stock acquired under a restricted stock award, performance award or restricted stock unit award, the participant will realize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the sum of the amount paid for the shares plus any amount realized as ordinary income upon grant (or vesting) of the shares.

 

Company Tax Deduction. We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the 2017 Plan, subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a participant and at the time the participant realizes such income (for example, on the exercise of a nonqualified stock option). While we remain a smaller reporting company, Section 162(m) of the Code may limit the deductibility of compensation paid to our chief executive officer and to each of the next two most highly compensated executive officers. Under Section 162(m), the annual compensation paid to any of these executives will be deductible to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000 or if the compensation is treated as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. Compensation attributable to stock options and SARs under the 2017 Plan should qualify as performance-based compensation if the awards are made by the Compensation Committee and the exercise or grant price of the award is no less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Compensation attributable to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and performance awards should qualify as performance-based compensation if (i) the compensation is approved by the Compensation Committee, (ii) the compensation is paid only upon the achievement of an objective performance goal established in writing by the Compensation Committee while the outcome is substantially uncertain, and (iii) the Compensation Committee certifies in writing prior to the payment of the compensation that the performance goal has been satisfied.

 

Effect of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

The acquisition and disposition of our common stock by officers, directors and more than 10% stockholders (referred to as insiders) pursuant to awards granted to them under the 2017 Plan may be subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Section 16(b). Pursuant to Section 16(b), a purchase of common stock by an insider within six months before or after a sale of common stock by the insider could result in recovery by us of all or a portion of any amount by which the sale proceeds exceed the purchase price. Insiders are required to file reports of changes in beneficial ownership under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, upon acquisitions and dispositions of shares. Rule 16b-3 provides an exemption from Section 16(b) liability for certain transactions pursuant to certain employee benefit plans. The 2017 Plan is designed to comply with Rule 16b-3.

 

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New Plan Benefits

 

Because awards under the 2017 Plan are discretionary, benefits or amounts that will hereinafter be received by or allocated to our chief executive officer, the named executive officers, all current executive officers as a group, the directors as a group, and all employees who are not executive officers, are not presently determinable. No awards that are contingent upon obtaining stockholder approval of the Plan Amendment have been made under the 2017 Plan.

 

Required Vote

 

The approval of the amendment to the 2017 Plan will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting with respect to such proposal. Our Board of Directors is of the opinion that the Plan Amendment is in the best interests of our company and its stockholders and recommends a vote for the approval of the Plan Amendment. All proxies will be voted to approve the Plan Amendment unless a contrary vote is indicated on the enclosed proxy card.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAN AMENDMENT TO THE 2017 PLAN.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 4

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”), we are required to include in this Proxy Statement and present at the Annual Meeting a non-binding stockholder vote to approve the compensation of our executives, as described in this Proxy Statement, pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. Proposal No. 4, commonly known as a “say on pay” vote, gives stockholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the compensation of our executives as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting as a resolution in substantially the following form:

 

RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve the compensation of the Company’s executives, as disclosed in the compensation tables and related narrative disclosure in the Company’s proxy statement for the Annual Meeting.

 

This vote will not be binding on our Board of Directors and may not be construed as overruling a decision by our Board of Directors or creating or implying any change to the fiduciary duties of our Board of Directors. The vote will not affect any compensation previously paid or awarded to any executive. Our Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors may, however, take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

 

The purpose of our compensation programs is to attract and retain experienced, highly qualified executives critical to our long-term success and enhancement of stockholder value.

 

Required Vote

 

Endorsement of the compensation of our executive officers will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting with respect to such proposal.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COMPENSATION OF OUR EXECUTIVES.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 5

 

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, in addition to providing stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on executive compensation, we are required this year to include in this Proxy Statement and present at the Annual Meeting a non-binding stockholder vote on whether an advisory vote on executive compensation should be held every year, every two years or every three years.

 

Our Board of Directors believes that holding an advisory vote on executive compensation every year is the optimal interval for conducting and responding to a “say on pay” vote, so that stockholders may annually express their views on our executive compensation program.

 

Stockholders have the opportunity to choose among four options – holding the advisory vote on executive compensation every year, every two years, every three years or abstaining – and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove our Board of Director’s recommendation.

 

Although this advisory vote on the frequency of the “say on pay” vote is nonbinding, our Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee may take into account the outcome of the vote when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR A “SAY ON PAY” FREQUENCY OF “EVERY YEAR”.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table summarizes all compensation for the last two fiscal years awarded to, earned by, or paid to our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our CEO who were serving as executive officers at the end of our last completed fiscal year, whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 during such fiscal year ends.

 

Name and principle
Position
  Fiscal
Year
   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Stock
awards
($)
   Option
awards
($)
   All other
compensation
($)
   Total
($)
 
Peter Victor Derycz   2019    350,200    84,988    106,462(1)   -    14,155    558,254 
Chief Executive Officer and President   2018    340,000    119,367    108,910(2)   -    12,474    580,751 
                                    
Alan Louis Urban   2019    257,500    63,056    78,985(3)   -    15,892    415,433 
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary   2018    250,000    88,545    82,281(4)   -    14,523    435,349 
                                    
Scott Ahlberg   2019    226,600    63,056    78,985(3)   -    16,021    384,662 
Chief Operating Officer    2018    220,000    88,545    77,186(5)   30,750(6)   14,768    431,249 

 

(1)Represents the grant date fair value of 40,340 shares of restricted stock granted on August 9, 2018, 4,677 shares of restricted stock granted on November 13, 2018, 3,766 shares of restricted stock granted on February 7, 2019, and 2,444 shares of restricted stock granted on May 17, 2019. The grant date fair value was estimated using the market price of our common stock at the date of grant. The restricted stock vests over a three-year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(2)Represents the grant date fair value of 62,487 shares of restricted stock granted on August 22, 2017, 10,975 shares of restricted stock granted on November 21, 2017, 12,185 shares of restricted stock granted on February 8, 2018, and 11,315 shares of restricted stock granted on May 10, 2018. The grant date fair value was estimated using the market price of our common stock at the date of grant. The restricted stock vests over a three-year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(3)Represents the grant date fair value of 29,929 shares of restricted stock granted on August 9, 2018, 3,470 shares of restricted stock granted on November 13, 2018, 2,794 shares of restricted stock granted on February 7, 2019, and 1,813 shares of restricted stock granted on May 17, 2019. The grant date fair value was estimated using the market price of our common stock at the date of grant. The restricted stock vests over a three-year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(4)Represents the grant date fair value of 47,829 shares of restricted stock granted on August 22, 2017, 8,136 shares of restricted stock granted on November 21, 2017, 9,030 shares of restricted stock granted on February 8, 2018, and 8,395 shares of restricted stock granted on May 10, 2018. The grant date fair value was estimated using the market price of our common stock at the date of grant. The restricted stock vests over a three-year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(5)Represents the grant date fair value of 42,834 shares of restricted stock granted on August 22, 2017, 8,136 shares of restricted stock granted on November 21, 2017, 9,030 shares of restricted stock granted on February 8, 2018, and 8,395 shares of restricted stock granted on May 10, 2018. The grant date fair value was estimated using the market price of our common stock at the date of grant. The restricted stock vests over a three-year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(6)Represents the grant date fair value of options granted on September 30, 2017 to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.50. The grant date fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 1.45%; volatility of 76%; expected term of 2.6 years; and no dividend yield. The stock options vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and expire on December 21, 2022.

 

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Employment Agreements

 

Peter Victor Derycz

 

On July 1, 2010, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Derycz which was subsequently amended on June 30, 2019. Under the terms of the executive employment agreement, Mr. Derycz has agreed to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President on an at-will basis. The term of the agreement ends on June 30, 2020. The agreement provides for a base salary of $360,700 per year. No part of Mr. Derycz’s salary is allocated to his duties as a director of our company.

 

The agreement contains provisions that prohibit Mr. Derycz from soliciting our customers or employees during his employment with us and for one year afterward. The agreement also contains provisions that restrict disclosure by Mr. Derycz of our confidential information and assign ownership to us of inventions related to our business that are created by him during his employment. We may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without cause. Mr. Derycz will be eligible to receive an amount equal to six (6) months of his then-current base salary payable in the form of salary continuation if he is terminated without cause. Mr. Derycz may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without reason, upon four weeks’ advance written notice.

 

Alan Louis Urban

 

On November 3, 2011, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Urban which was subsequently amended on June 30, 2019. Under the terms of the executive employment agreement, Mr. Urban has agreed to serve as our Chief Financial Officer on an at-will basis. The term of the agreement ends on June 30, 2020. The agreement provides for a base salary of $265,225 per year.

 

The agreement contains provisions that prohibit Mr. Urban from soliciting our customers or employees during his employment with us and for one year afterward. The agreement also contains provisions that restrict disclosure by Mr. Urban of our confidential information and assign ownership to us of inventions related to our business that are created by him during his employment. We may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without cause. Mr. Urban will be eligible to receive an amount equal to six (6) months of his then-current base salary payable in the form of salary continuation if he is terminated without cause. Mr. Urban may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without reason, upon four weeks’ advance written notice.

 

Scott Ahlberg

 

On July 1, 2010, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Ahlberg which was subsequently amended on June 30, 2019. Under the terms of the executive employment agreement, Mr. Ahlberg has agreed to serve as Chief Operating Officer on an at-will basis. The term of the agreement ends on June 30, 2020. The agreement provides for a base salary of $233,400 per year.

 

The agreement contains provisions that prohibit Mr. Ahlberg from soliciting our customers or employees during his employment with us and for one year afterward. The agreement also contains provisions that restrict disclosure by Mr. Ahlberg of our confidential information and assign ownership to us of inventions related to our business that are created by him during his employment. We may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without cause. Mr. Ahlberg will be eligible to receive an amount equal to six (6) months of his then-current base salary payable in the form of salary continuation if he is terminated without cause. Mr. Ahlberg may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without reason, upon four weeks’ advance written notice.

 

19

 

 

Marc Nissan

 

On July 1, 2013, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Mr. Nissan which was subsequently amended on June 30, 2019. Under the terms of the executive employment agreement, Mr. Nissan has agreed to serve as Chief Technology Officer on an at-will basis. The term of the agreement ends on June 30, 2020. The agreement provides for a base salary of $238,700 per year.

 

The agreement contains provisions that prohibit Mr. Nissan from soliciting our customers or employees during his employment with us and for one year afterward. The agreement also contains provisions that restrict disclosure by Mr. Nissan of our confidential information and assign ownership to us of inventions related to our business that are created by him during his employment. We may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without cause. Mr. Nissan will be eligible to receive an amount equal to six (6) months of his then-current base salary payable in the form of salary continuation if he is terminated without cause. Mr. Nissan may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without reason, upon four weeks’ advance written notice.

 

Rogier van Erkel

 

On May 18, 2018, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. van Erkel. Under the terms of the consulting agreement, Mr. van Erkel has agreed to serve as our Chief Sales Officer. The term of the agreement ends on July 2, 2021. The agreement provides for total compensation of approximately $250,000 per year assuming certain performance targets are attained.

 

The agreement contains provisions that prohibit Mr. van Erkel from soliciting our customers or employees during his service with us. The agreement also contains provisions that restrict disclosure by Mr. van Erkel of our confidential information and assign ownership to us of inventions related to our business that are created by him during his service with us. After the first year we may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without cause. Mr. van Erkel will be eligible to receive an amount equal to three (3) months of his then-current base salary payable in the form of salary continuation if he is terminated without cause. After the first year Mr. van Erkel may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without reason, upon 60 days’ notice.

 

Yohann Georgel

 

On June 11, 2018, Mr. Georgel was hired and agreed to serve as our Chief Marketing Officer.  On July 1, 2019, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Georgel. The agreement provides for total compensation of approximately $240,000 per year assuming certain performance targets are attained.

 

The agreement contains provisions that prohibit Mr. Georgel from soliciting our customers or employees during his service with us. The agreement also contains provisions that restrict disclosure by Mr. Georgel of our confidential information and assign ownership to us of inventions related to our business that are created by him during his service with us. Either party may terminate the agreement at any time, with or without reason, upon 30 days’ notice.

 

20

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

 

The following table sets forth information regarding stock options, warrants and other stock awards (restricted stock) for each named executive officer as of June 30, 2019.

 

Name  Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options/warrants
exercisable (#)
   Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options/warrants
unexercisable (#)
   Option/
Warrant
exercise
price ($)
   Option/
Warrant
expiration
date (1)
   Stock Awards:
Number of
shares of stock
that have not
vested (#)
   Stock Awards:
Market value of
shares of stock
that have not
vested ($)
 
Peter Victor Derycz   32,000    -   $1.25     2/13/2023    -     -  
    16,000    -   $1.85    5/20/2023    -     -  
    6,000    -   $1.25    6/23/2021    -     -  
    -    -    -    -    556 (2)  $1,098 (3)
    -    -    -    -    1,884 (4)  $2,335 (5)
    -    -    -    -    3,487 (6)  $4,498 (7)
    -    -    -    -    20,829 (8)  $21,246 (9)
    -    -    -    -    4,573 (10)  $5,488 (11)
    -    -    -    -    6,093 (12)  $7,006 (13)
    -    -    -    -    6,600 (14)  $10,495 (15)
    -    -    -    -    40,340 (16)  $80,277 (17)
    -    -    -    -    4,677 (18)  $11,225 (19)
    -    -    -    -    3,766 (20)  $8,850 (21)
    -    -    -    -    2,444 (22)  $6,110 (23)
                                 
Alan Louis Urban   100,000    -   $1.02     7/27/2020    -     -  
    125,000    -   $1.30     3/5/2022    -     -  
    24,000    -   $1.15    2/6/2023    -     -  
    1,800    -   $1.25    6/23/2021    -     -  
    -    -    -    -    417 (2)  $437 (3)
    -    -    -    -    1,413 (4)  $1,611 (5)
    -    -    -    -    2,615 (6)  $2,615 (7)
    -    -    -    -    15,943 (8)  $16,262 (9)
    -    -    -    -    3,390 (10)  $4,068 (11)
    -    -    -    -    4,515 (12)  $5,192 (13)
    -    -    -    -    4,897 (14)  $7,786 (15)
    -    -    -    -    29,929 (16)  $59,559 (17)
    -    -    -    -    3,470 (18)  $8,328 (19)
    -    -    -    -    2,794 (20)  $6,566 (21)
    -    -    -    -    1,813 (22)  $4,533 (23)
                                 
Scott Ahlberg   20,000    -   $1.02    7/27/2020    -     -  
                                 
    25,600    -   $1.15    2/6/2023    -     -  
    1,500    -   $1.25    6/23/2021    -     -  
    75,000    -   $1.50    12/21/2022    -     -  
    -    -    -    -    694 (2)  $729 (3)
    -    -    -    -    1,651 (4)  $1,882 (5)
    -    -    -    -    2,614 (6)  $2,614 (7)
    -    -    -    -    14,278 (8)  $14,564 (9)
    -    -    -    -    3,390 (10)  $4,068 (11)
    -    -    -    -    4,515 (12)  $5,192 (13)
    -    -    -    -    4,897 (14)  $7,786 (15)
    -    -    -    -    29,929 (16)  $59,559 (17)
    -    -    -    -    3,470 (18)  $8,328 (19)
    -    -    -    -    2,794 (20)  $6,566 (21)
    -    -    -    -    1,813 (22)  $4,533 (23)

 

21

 

 

  (1) Stock options expire ten years from the grant date.
  (2) The restricted stock was granted on November 21, 2016 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (3) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.05 on November 21, 2016.
  (4) The restricted stock was granted on February 16, 2017 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (5) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.14 on February 16, 2017.
  (6) The restricted stock was granted on May 11, 2017 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (7) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.00 on May 11, 2017.
  (8) The restricted stock was granted on August 22, 2017 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (9) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.02 on August 22, 2017.
  (10) The restricted stock was granted on November 21, 2017 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (11) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.20 on November 21, 2017.
  (12) The restricted stock was granted on February 8, 2018 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (13) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.15 on February 8, 2018.
  (14) The restricted stock was granted on May 10, 2018 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (15) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.59 on May 10, 2018.
  (16) The restricted stock was granted on August 9, 2018 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (17) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $1.99 on August 9, 2018.
  (18) The restricted stock was granted on November 13, 2018 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (19) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $2.40 on November 13, 2018.
  (20) The restricted stock was granted on February 7, 2019 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (21) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $2.35 on February 7, 2019.
  (22) The restricted stock was granted on May 17, 2019 and vest over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period.
  (23) Based on a market closing price per share of common stock of $2.50 on May 17, 2019.

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table presents information regarding compensation awarded or paid to our directors for our fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 for the services rendered by them to the Company in all capacities.

 

Name  Fiscal Year   Fees earned or paid in cash ($)   Stock awards ($)   Warrant and Option Awards ($)   All other Compensation ($)   Total ($) 
(a)      (b)   (c)   (d)   (g)   (h) 
John Regazzi (2)   2019    36,000    -    128,000    -    164,000 
    2018    36,000    -    100,500    -    136,500 
Gen. Merrill McPeak (3)   2019    18,000    -    64,000    -    82,000 
    2018    18,000    -    50,250    -    68,250 
Chad J. Cooper (4)   2019    18,000    -    64,000    -    82,000 
    2018    18,000    -    50,250    -    68,250 
Roy W. Olivier (5)   2019    18,000    -    64,000    -    82,000 
    2018    8,500    -    39,650    -    48,150 
Janice Peterson   2019    -    -    -    -    - 
    2018    -    -    -    297,277(1)   297,277 

 

22

 

 

  (1) Ms. Peterson received no compensation for her services as a director of the Company. Other compensation represents the following amounts paid to Ms. Peterson for her services as an employee of the Company: salary in the amount of $195,605, bonus in the amount of $73,209, grant date fair value of restricted stock of $41,249 (represents the grant date fair value of 16,364 shares of restricted stock granted on August 23, 2016, 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted on November 21, 2016, 8,479 shares of restricted stock granted on February 16, 2017, and 10,460 shares of restricted stock granted on May 11, 2017), and other compensation in the amount of $5,349.  The grant date fair value of restricted stock was estimated using the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. The restricted stock vests over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remain subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
  (2) Outstanding equity awards as of June 30, 2019 consists of options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at $2.40 per share, options to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock at $1.10 per share, options to purchase 16,000 shares of common stock at $0.80 per share, options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at $0.70 per share, options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.05 per share, and options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.
  (3) Outstanding equity awards as of June 30, 2019 consists of shares underlying warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, shares underlying warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.19 per share, options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at $2.40 per share, options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.15 per share, options to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.05 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.10 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.70 per share, and options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.
  (4) Outstanding equity awards as of June 30, 2019 consists of options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at $2.40 per share, options to purchase 43,750 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.09 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.05 per share, and options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.
  (5) Outstanding equity awards as of June 30, 2019 consists of options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at $2.40 per share, options to purchase 65,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.15 per share.

 

In fiscal 2019 and 2018 our non-employee Chairman of the Board received $36,000, and options to purchase 100,000 and 150,000, respectively, shares of our common stock for attending meetings and serving on our board of directors. In fiscal 2019 and 2018, other non-employee directors of our company received $18,000, and options to purchase 50,000 and 75,000, respectively, shares of our common stock, for attending meetings and serving on our Board of Directors. We expect to compensate our non-employee directors with a combination of cash and options to purchase our common stock going forward. Compensation payable to non-employee directors may be adjusted from time to time, as approved by our Board of Directors.

 

23

 

 

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

 

We are a Nevada Corporation. The Nevada Revised Statutes and certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Bylaws under certain circumstances provide for indemnification of our officers, directors and controlling persons against liabilities which they may incur in such capacities. A summary of the circumstances in which such indemnification is provided for is contained herein, but this description is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Bylaws and to the statutory provisions.

 

In general, any officer, director, employee or agent may be indemnified against expenses, fines, settlements or judgments arising in connection with a legal proceeding to which such person is a party, if that person’s actions were in good faith, were believed to be in our best interest, and were not unlawful. Unless such person is successful upon the merits in such an action, indemnification may be awarded only after a determination by independent decision of our Board of Directors, by legal counsel, or by a vote of our stockholders, that the applicable standard of conduct was met by the person to be indemnified.

 

The circumstances under which indemnification is granted in connection with an action brought on our behalf is generally the same as those set forth above; however, with respect to such actions, indemnification is granted only with respect to expenses actually incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the action. In such actions, the person to be indemnified must have acted in good faith and in a manner believed to have been in our best interest, and have not been adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct.

 

Indemnification may also be granted pursuant to the terms of agreements which may be entered in the future or pursuant to a vote of stockholders or directors. The Nevada Revised Statutes also grant us the power to purchase and maintain insurance which protects our officers and directors against any liabilities incurred in connection with their service in such a position, and such a policy may be obtained by us.

 

We have not entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers.

 

A stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees regarding which indemnification by us is sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information, as of September 19, 2019, with respect to the holdings of (1) each person who is the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our common stock, (2) each of our directors, (3) each named executive officer, and (4) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership of our common stock is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and includes any shares of common stock over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment powers, or of which a person has a right to acquire ownership at any time within 60 days of September 19, 2019. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by them. The address of each director and officer is c/o Research Solutions, Inc., 15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 165, Encino, California 91436. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on 24,470,255 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 19, 2019 plus, for each person, any securities that person has the right to acquire within 60 days of September 19, 2019.

 

24

 

 

Name of Beneficial Owner  Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
   Percentage of Shares
Outstanding
 
Executive Officers and Directors:          
Peter Victor Derycz (1)   3,765,581    15.4%
Alan Louis Urban (2)   587,086    2.4%
Scott Ahlberg (3)   485,659    2.0%
Marc Nissan (4)   803,246    3.2%
Rogier van Erkel (5)   83,333    * 
Yohann Georgel (6)   37,500    * 
John Regazzi (7)   793,500    3.2%
Chad J. Cooper (8)   838,250    3.4%
General Merrill McPeak (9)   684,608    2.7%
Roy W. Olivier (10)   115,000    * 
Directors and officers as a group (10 persons) (11)   8,193,763    30.3%
           
5% Stockholders:          
Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd (12)
1100 Glendon Avenue, Suite 850
Los Angeles, CA 90024
   4,825,772    19.7%
12 West Capital Fund LP (13)
90 Park Avenue, 41st Floor
New York, NY 10016
   4,445,339    17.6%
12 West Capital Offshore Fund LP (14)
90 Park Avenue, 41st Floor
New York, NY 10016
   3,135,661    12.5%
Samjo Capital, LLC (15)
1345 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10105
   1,350,000    5.5%

 

*       Less than 1%.

 

(1) Includes shares underlying options to purchase 32,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, options to purchase 16,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.85 per share, and warrants to purchase 6,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, and 95,248 shares of unvested restricted stock. The restricted stock vests over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(2)   Includes 5,000 shares owned by the wife of Mr. Urban, 5,000 shares owned by each of the three children of Mr. Urban, shares underlying options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.02 per share, options to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.30 per share, options to purchase 24,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.15 per share, and warrants to purchase 1,800 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, and 71,196 shares of unvested restricted stock. The restricted stock vests over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(3) Includes shares underlying options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share, options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.02 per share, options to purchase 25,600 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.15 per share, and warrants to purchase 1,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, and 70,045 shares of unvested restricted stock. The restricted stock vests over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.

 

25

 

 

(4) Includes shares underlying options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share, options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.30 per share, options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.02 per share, options to purchase 28,800 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.15 per share, and warrants to purchase 3,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, and 75,045 shares of unvested restricted stock. The restricted stock vests over a three year period, with a one year cliff vesting period, and remains subject to forfeiture if vesting conditions are not met.
(5) Includes shares underlying options to purchase 83,333 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.95 per share.
(6) Includes shares underlying options to purchase 37,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.95 per share.
(7) Includes shares underlying warrants to purchase 22,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, options to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock at $1.10 per share, options to purchase 16,000 shares of common stock at $0.80 per share, options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at $0.70 per share, options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.05 per share, options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share, and options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.40 per share.
(8) Includes 323,000 shares of common stock held by the Cooper Family Trust Dated 8/1/2004 and 26,500 shares of common stock held by Mr. Cooper’s IRA and SEP IRA, and shares underlying warrants to purchase 195,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, and options to purchase 43,750 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.09 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.05 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share, and options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.40 per share.  Mr. Cooper exercises voting and investment power over the shares held by the Cooper Family Trust Dated 8/1/2004, and his IRA and SEP IRA.
(9) Includes shares underlying warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.19 per share, warrants to purchase 7,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share, options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.15 per share, options to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.05 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.10 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.70 per share, options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share, and options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.40 per share.
(10) Includes shares underlying options to purchase 65,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.15 per share, and options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.40 per share.
(11) Includes shares underlying warrants to purchase 337,300 shares of common stock, and shares underlying options to purchase 2,221,983 shares of common stock.
(12) Paul Kessler exercises voting and investment power over the shares held by Bristol Investment Fund, Ltd. and is the brother-in-law of Peter Victor Derycz. Mr. Kessler previously served as a member of our board of directors from August 18, 2014 through November 6, 2015.
(13) Includes shares underlying warrants to purchase 880,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. Joel Ramin, the General Partner of 12 West Management LP, the investment manager of 12 West Capital Fund LP, exercises voting and investment power over the shares held by 12 West Capital Fund LP but disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(14) Includes shares underlying warrants to purchase 619,500 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. Joel Ramin, the General Partner of 12 West Management LP, the investment manager of 12 West Capital Offshore Fund LP, exercises voting and investment power over the shares held by 12 West Capital Offshore Fund LP but disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(15) Andrew N. Wiener, the sole managing member of Samjo Capital, LLC and Samjo Management, LLC, exercises voting and investment power over the shares held by Samjo Capital, LLC.

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

In December 2007, we established the 2007 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2007 Plan”) and in November 2017 we established the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, collectively (the “Plans”). The Plans were approved by our Board of Directors and stockholders. The purpose of the Plans is to grant stock and options to purchase our common stock, and other incentive awards, to our employees, directors and key consultants. On November 10, 2016, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2007 Plan increased from 5,000,000 to 7,000,000. On November 21, 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved the adoption of the 2017 Plan (previously adopted by our board of directors on September 14, 2017), which authorized a maximum of 1,874,513 shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2017 Plan. Upon adoption of the 2017 Plan we ceased granting incentive awards under the 2007 Plan and commenced granting incentive awards under the 2017 Plan. The shares of our common stock underlying cancelled and forfeited awards issued under the 2017 Plan may again become available for grant under the 2017 Plan. Cancelled and forfeited awards issued under the 2007 Plan that were cancelled or forfeited prior to November 21, 2017 became available for grant under the 2007 Plan. As of June 30, 2019, there were 537,246 shares available for grant under the 2017 Plan, and no shares were available for grant under the 2007 Plan. All incentive stock award grants prior to the adoption of the 2017 Plan on November 21, 2017 were made under the 2007 Plan, and all incentive stock award grants after the adoption of the 2017 Plan on November 21, 2017 were made under the 2017 Plan. The following table provides information as of June 30, 2019 with respect to the Plans, which are the only compensation plans under which our equity securities are, or have been, authorized for issuance.

 

26

 

 

Plan category  Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (1)
   Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 
   (a)   (b)   (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (2007 Equity Compensation Plan, and 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan)   5,453,884(2)  $1.16    537,246 
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders   200,000(3)   1.22    - 
Total   5,653,884         537,246 

 

(1)The weighted average exercise price excludes restricted stock awards, which have no exercise price.
(2)Shares underlying options to purchase 3,287,335 shares of common stock and 2,166,549 shares of restricted common stock.
(3)Shares underlying warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock.
   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Transactions with Officers and Directors

 

Other than the transactions described herein, since July 1, 2017, there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a party:

 

·in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years; and

 

·in which any director, executive officer, stockholder who beneficially owns more than 5% of our common stock or any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers, directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Our review of copies of the Section 16(a) reports filed during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 indicates that all filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors, and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with, except as follows: each of Messrs. Georgel, Nissan and van Erkel failed to timely file a Form 3; each of Messrs. Derycz, Georgel, Urban and van Erkel failed to timely file a Form 4 reporting one transaction; Mr. Nissan failed to timely file two Form 4s each reporting one transaction; and Mr. Ahlberg failed to timely file two Form 4s, the first reporting one transaction and the second reporting two transactions.

 

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 

In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our Proxy Statement for our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, the written proposal must be received by us no later than May 2, 2020, and should contain the information required by our Amended and Restated Bylaws. If the date of next year’s annual meeting is moved more than 30 days before or after November 12, 2020, the first anniversary of this year’s Annual Meeting, the deadline for inclusion of proposals in our Proxy Statement is instead a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for next year’s meeting. Any proposals will also need to comply with Rule 14a-8 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be addressed to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

 

If you intend to present a proposal at our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders and the proposal is not intended to be included in our Proxy Statement relating to that meeting, you must give us advance notice of the proposal in accordance with our Amended and Restated Bylaws. Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Bylaws, in order for a stockholder proposal to be deemed properly presented in these circumstances, a stockholder must deliver notice of the proposal to our Secretary, at our principal executive offices, from and after July 15, 2020 through August 14, 2020. However, if the date of our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days before or after November 12, 2020, the first anniversary of this year’s Annual Meeting, stockholders must give us notice of any stockholder proposals after the 120th day prior to next year’s annual meeting and before the 90th day prior to next year’s annual meeting, or, if later, the 10th day following the day on which we first make public announcement of the date of next year’s annual meeting. If a stockholder does not provide us with notice of a stockholder proposal in accordance with the deadlines described above, the stockholder will not be permitted to present the proposal to the stockholders for a vote at the meeting. If the stockholder does not also comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-4(c)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we may exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies that we solicit to vote in accordance with our best judgment on any such stockholder proposal or nomination.

 

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SECURITY HOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

 

We are delivering this Proxy Statement and an annual report to all stockholders of record as of the record date. Stockholders residing in the same household who hold their shares in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record may receive only one Proxy Statement and annual report if previously notified by their bank, broker or other holder. This process, by which only one proxy statement and annual report, as the case may be, is delivered to multiple security holders sharing an address, unless contrary instructions are received from one or more of the security holders, is called “householding.” Householding may provide convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. Once begun, householding may continue unless instructions to the contrary are received from one or more of the stockholders within the household.

 

Street name stockholders in a single household who received only one copy of the Proxy Statement or annual report may request to receive separate copies in the future by following the instructions provided on the voting instruction form sent to them by their bank, broker or other holder of record. Similarly, street name stockholders who are receiving multiple copies may request that only a single set of materials be sent to them in the future by checking the appropriate box on the voting instruction form. Otherwise, street name stockholders should contact their bank, broker or other holder.

 

Copies of this Proxy Statement and our annual report are available promptly by calling (310) 477-0354, or by writing to Research Solutions, Inc., 15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 165, Encino, California 91436. If you are receiving multiple copies of this Proxy Statement, you also may request orally or in writing to receive a single copy of this Proxy Statement by calling (310) 477-0354, or writing to Research Solutions, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 15821 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 165, Encino, California 91436.

 

28

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

Our Board of Directors is not aware of any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than described in this Proxy Statement. Unless otherwise directed, all shares represented by the persons named in the accompanying proxy will be voted in favor of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matter properly comes before the meeting, however, the proxy holders will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.

 

29

 

 

Appendix A

 

Amendment No. 1 to

Research Solutions, Inc.

2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

This Amendment No. 1 (this “Amendment”) to Research Solutions, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”), is effective as of November [●], 2019, by action of the Board of Directors and the Stockholders of Research Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”). All undefined terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in the 2017 Plan.

 

1.       Section 3.1(a) of the 2017 Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.2, a total of 2,374,513 Shares shall be authorized for grant under the Plan (the “Maximum Plan Shares”). Any Shares that are subject to Awards shall be counted against this limit as one (1) Share for every one (1) Share granted.”

 

I hereby certify that the foregoing Amendment was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on September 17, 2019.

 

Executed as of November [●], 2019 RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.
   
   
  By:                   
    Peter Derycz
    Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

 

 

RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.

November 12, 2019

 

Please date, sign and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSALS 2, 3 and 4, AND “FOR” EVERY 1 YEAR ON PROPOSAL 5.  PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK.

 

1. TO ELECT THE FOLLOWING FIVE NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS:

 

JOHN REGAZZI                  CHAD J. COOPER      PETER VICTOR DERYCZ

GENERAL MERRILL MCPEAK                             ROY W. OLIVIER

 

_______ FOR NOMINEES LISTED (EXCEPT AS MARKED TO THE CONTRARY BELOW)

 

_______ WITHHELD

 

(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee’s name in the space below:)

 -------------------------------------------------------------------

The undersigned hereby confer(s) upon the Proxies and each of them discretionary authority with respect to the election of directors in the event that any of the above nominees is unable or unwilling to serve.

 

2. TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF WEINBERG & COMPANY, P.A., AS THE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY.

 

____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN

 

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

The undersigned revokes any other proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and hereby ratifies and confirms all that the Proxies, and each of them, may lawfully do by virtue hereof. With respect to matters not known at the time of the solicitation hereof, said Proxies are authorized to vote in accordance with their best judgment.

 

This proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions set forth above. Where a vote is not specified, the proxies will vote the shares represented by the proxy “FOR” all nominees listed in Proposal 1, “FOR” Proposals 2, 3 and 4, and “FOR” every 1 year on Proposal 5, as said proxy shall deem advisable on such other business as may come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, unless otherwise directed.

 

3. TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC. 2017 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK THAT MAY BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO AWARDS GRANTED THEREUNDER FROM 1,874,513 TO 2,374,513.

 

____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN

 

4. TO HOLD AN ADVISORY VOTE APPROVING THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION ENDORSING OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION: “RESOLVED, THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVES, AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION TABLES AND RELATED NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE IN THE COMPANY’S PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING.”

 

____ FOR ____ AGAINST ____ ABSTAIN

 

5. TO HOLD AN ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

____ 1 YEAR ____ 2 YEARS ____ 3 YEARS ____ ABSTAIN

 

 

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and accompanying Proxy Statement dated September 20, 2019 relating to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Please check here if you plan to attend the meeting. o

 

To change the address on your account, please check the box below and indicate your new address in the address space below. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.  o

 

 

 

 

Signature of Stockholder     Date:     Signature of Stockholder     Date:  

 

   

 

 Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

 

 

 

 

RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders

November 12, 2019           11:00 A.M.

 

The undersigned, a stockholder of Research Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), hereby appoints PETER VICTOR DERYCZ and ALAN URBAN or either of them, the proxies of the undersigned (the “Proxies”), each with full power of substitution, to attend, vote and act for the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to be held on November 12, 2019 at 11:00 A.M., and any postponements or adjournments thereof, and in connection herewith to vote and represent all of the shares of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote as follows:

 

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)