UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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 (Amendment No.              )

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Spherix IncorporatedSPHERIX INCORPORATED

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6430 Rockledge Drive

12051 Indian Creek CourtWestmoreland Bldg. #503

Beltsville, Maryland 20705Bethesda, MD 20817

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

to be held on June 28, 2006May 13, 2008

and Proxy Statement

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Spherix Incorporated (the “Company”) will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort, 16701 Lakeview Road, NE, Flintstone, MD 21539, on June 28, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time.Bethesda Marriott Suites, 6711 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.

 

The items of business are:

 

(1)                      Election of eight (8)seven (7) Directors.

(2)                      Ratification of the appointment of the independent accountants.

(3)                      Transaction of other business that may properly come before the Meeting.

 

These items are more fully described in the following pages, which are hereby made part of this Notice.

 

The Company’s Proxy Statement, Proxy Card, and Annual Report on Form 10-K accompany this Notice.

 

Pursuant to the By-Laws of the Company, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 28, 200611, 2008 as the Record Date for determination of Stockholders entitled to Notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.  Only Common Stockholders of record on the date so fixed are entitled to vote.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katherine M. Brailer, Corporate Secretary

 

PLEASE EXECUTE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING.  IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING AND VOTE PERSONALLY, YOUR PROXY WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE REVOKED AT THAT TIME.

 

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PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

June 28, 2006May 13, 2008

This Proxy Statement is being mailed on or about May 1, 2006,April 15, 2008, with the solicitation of Proxies in the accompanying form by the Board of Directors of Spherix Incorporated, a Delaware Corporation.  The Annual Meeting of its Stockholders will be held June 28, 2006,May 13, 2008, at 10:9:00 a.m. E.D.T.,Eastern time, at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort, 16701 Lakeview Road, NE, Flintstone, MD 21539.Bethesda Marriott Suites, 6711 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.  The cost of solicitation of Proxies will be borne by the Company.  The Company will reimburse brokers, banks, and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending Company-supplied Proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock.  In addition to solicitations by mail, Directors, Officers, and employees of the Company may solicit Proxies personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.

 

All shares represented by Proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the choices specified on the Proxy, and where no choice is specified, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.  Thus, where no choice is specified, the Proxies will be voted for the election of Directors, and for ratification of the appointment of independent accountants.  A Stockholder giving a Proxy will have the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised.  A Proxy will be revoked automatically if the Stockholder who executed it is present at the Annual Meeting and elects to vote in person.

 

Each Stockholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock $.005 par value per share (“Common Stock”) held by the Stockholder at the close of business on April 28, 2006.11, 2008.  At that time, there were 13,578,35614,318,702 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

In accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.  Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum for the transaction of business.  A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.  Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of the election of Directors.  An abstention will be counted as a vote against the approval of any other matter to come before the Annual Meeting.  Broker non-votes will not be voted for any other matter scheduled to come before the Annual Meeting.

 

It is anticipated that the Directors and Officers will vote their shares of Common Stock in favor of the Nominees for election to the Board of Directors listed herein, and for ratification of the appointment of independent accountants listed herein.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(Item 1 on the Proxy Card)

Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  The Board of Directors has currently fixed the number of Directors at eight (8)seven (7).  Unless otherwise instructed, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy intend to vote the Shares represented by the Proxy for the election of the eight (8)seven (7) Nominees listed below.  Although it is not contemplated that any Nominee will decline or be unable to serve as a Director, in such event, Proxies will be voted by the Proxy holder for such other persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors, unless the Board of Directors reduces the number of Directors to be elected.  Election of a Board of Directors requires a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting.

 

The current Board of Directors consists of Mr. Douglas T. Brown, Mr. A. Paul Cox, Jr., Mr. George C. Creel,Dr. Claire L. Kruger, Dr. Gilbert V. Levin, Mrs. M. Karen Levin, Mr. Richard C. Levin, Dr. Robert A. Lodder, Jr., Mr. Aris Melissaratos, and Dr. Robert J. Vander Zanden.  The Board of Directors has determined that a majority of its members, being Messrs. Brown, Cox, Creel, Lodder,Melissaratos, and Vander Zanden, are independent Directors within the meaning of the applicable NASD rules.

 

The following table sets forth the Nominees for Membership on the 2006-20072008-2009 Spherix Board of Directors.  It also provides certain information about the Nominees as of April 28, 2006.11, 2008.

 

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Nominees for Election to Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

Since

 

 

Age

 

Position

 

Since

Douglas T. Brown

 

52

 

Director

 

2004

 

 

54

 

Director

 

2004

A. Paul Cox, Jr.

 

68

 

Director

 

2004

 

 

70

 

Chairman of the Board

 

2004

George C. Creel

 

72

 

Director

 

2004

 

Claire L. Kruger

 

49

 

Director, and Chief Executive Officer

 

2007

Gilbert V. Levin

 

82

 

Chair and Executive Officer for Science

 

1967

 

 

83

 

Director, and Dir. of Science and Technology

 

1967

M. Karen Levin

 

86

 

Director

 

1968

 

Richard C. Levin

 

53

 

Director, CEO and President, and CFO

 

2005

 

Aris Melissaratos

 

64

 

Director

 

2008

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

 

46

 

Director

 

2005

 

 

48

 

Director, and President

 

2005

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

60

 

Director

 

2004

 

 

62

 

Director

 

2004

 

Mr. Douglas T. Brown, Spherix Incorporated Board Member since 2004, is Senior Vice President and Manager of the Corporate Banking Government Contracting Group for PNC Bank N.A., Washington, DC.  Mr. Brown has been with PNC and its predecessor bank, Riggs Bank, since 2001 and previously worked for Bank of America, N.A. and its predecessor banks for 16 years as a Loan Officer, as well as a manager of Loan Officers throughoutin the Mid-Atlantic and New England.region.  Subsequent to 1990, the majority of Mr. Brown’s customers were companies that provided services to the Federal Government and State governments.  Mr. Brown holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from American University and a graduate degree from The Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Mr. A. Paul Cox, Jr., PE, CMC, Spherix Incorporated Board Member since 2004 and elected Chairman of the Board in 2007, brings bothsales, information technology and general corporate management experience to Spherix.  He holds a B.E.S. in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. in Management Science, both from The Johns Hopkins University.  Mr. Cox began his career designing special purpose digital computers, forearning three patents from the Westinghouse Underseas Division, where he remained for seven years.  AdvancingHe joined IBM Corporation, advancing through technical assignments, he achievedachieving increasing management responsibility in information systems, technical services and sales promotion, serving 13 years at IBM, 10 years atpositions, and becoming Regional Marketing Rep and then Marketing Unit Manager.  Mr. Cox became President, CEO, and Board Member of Data Systems Corporation as President and CEO, and then asfor nine years until selling the company to a division of ADP.  He became Chairman and CEO of the Codema Corporation.Corporation, a management consulting company.  He was then recruited by Standard Register as its Corporate Vice President and General Manager.Manager of their business and equipment division.  Now Principal of his own Asset Protection Company, Mr. Cox has served on various educational, industrial, civic and charitable boards.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Mr. George C. Creel,Dr. Claire L. Kruger was elected to the Spherix Incorporated Board Member since 2004,of Directors in August 2007, and was also elected Chief Executive Officer and Director of Health Sciences at that time.  Dr. Kruger received his Bachelorher Ph.D. in Toxicology from Albany Medical College, and her B.S. in Biology from Clarkson College.  With more than 20 years of Engineering degreeconsulting experience, her primary areas of expertise are in Mechanical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins Universityfoods, consumer products and pharmaceuticals, where she provides scientific, regulatory, and strategic support to clients in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1955. Except forboth the US and international regulatory arenas.  Dr. Kruger has conducted toxicity evaluations of foods and food contaminants, as well as health risk assessments and exposure assessments of drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides.  Her clients include food, drug, and dietary supplement manufacturers, agricultural producers, biotechnology companies, trade associations, and law firms.  In her role as a brief tour on active dutyconsultant, Dr. Kruger has been involved in the U.S. Army Corpssafety evaluation of Engineers, he spent his full-time working careera variety of consumer products, providing oversight of product compliance with the Baltimore Gascurrent and Electric Company (BGE). There, Mr. Creel rose from Junior Engineer to Chief Mechanical Engineer, to Executive Vice Presidentemerging scientific and Acting Chief Operating Officer until his retirement from BGE in 1997. His general management experience, including strategic planning and focusing on performance management, brings added strength to Spherix. He specializes in leadership development, executive coaching, strategic planning, and performance management. Mr. Creel serves on advisory boards for several engineering schools. Heregulatory guidance.  She is not now, nor has heshe been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Dr. Gilbert V. Levin founded Spherix Incorporated in 1967 and has been Chair, President and/or Chief Executive Officerserved the Company in a variety of capacities since incorporation.  He currently serves as ChairmanDirector of the BoardScience and Executive Officer for Science.Technology.  Dr. Levin previously served in the public health departments of Maryland, California, and the District of Columbia and, subsequently, as a research scientist and corporate official.  Among his inventions are low-caloric sweeteners; biological nutrient removal (BNR) for municipal wastewater, rapid detection and identification of microorganisms; and the Labeled Release life detection experiment that landed on Mars in 1976 aboard NASA’s Viking Mission.  He holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and a Ph.D., all from The Johns Hopkins University, where he also served on its Board of Trustees and presently serves on its National Advisory CouncilsCouncil for the Whiting School of Engineering and the Sheridan Libraries.Engineering.  He is not

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now, nor has he ever been, a director of a public company other than Spherix.  HeDr. Levin has not worked for any company other than Spherix for the past 38 years.

Mrs. M. Karen Levin severed as a Vice President of Spherix Incorporated until her retirement on January 4, 2006, and is an original member of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Levin led Spherix’s public relations information

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efforts and coordinated proposals for government and commercial business development. She served as Director of the Company’s Information Services Division for 25 years, while it grew into a major sector spawning the Government and Commercial Information branches. Previously, Mrs. Levin was a science and medical reporter and writer for the Washington Bureau of Newsweek magazine. She also served as a writer and public information consultant to the National Institute of Mental Health. She joined the Company in 1968, a year after its founding. Mrs. Levin holds a B.A. in English from Vassar College. Mrs. Levin is the wife of Dr. Levin. She has worked for no other company since 1968, nor has she been a director of any other public company.

Mr. Richard C. Levin joined the Company in 1991 as Business Manager. Mr. Levin progressed through various executive positions within the Company and served as the CFO and Vice President for Administration during 2002. In February 2003, Mr. Levin was promoted to the position of Interim President of the InfoSpherix Division. In September 2004, Mr. Levin was appointed Acting CEO and President and, in February 2005 was elected CEO and President. Prior to joining Spherix, he was the General Manager of the Catalyst Research Division of the Mine Safety Appliances Company. Mr. Levin holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of Baltimore and is a C.P.A. in the State of Maryland. Mr. Levin is the nephew of Dr. and Mrs. Levin. He was elected to the Board of Spherix in May 2005. Mr. Levin is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public company other than Spherix.1967.

 

Dr. Robert A. Lodder, Spherix Incorporated Board Member since 2005, is the Director of the Analytical Spectroscopy Research Group of the Advanced Science and Technology Center at the University of Kentucky.was elected President in August 2007.  He is currentlyserved as a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky Medical Center, and holds joint appointments in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Lodder received his B.S. degree cum laude in Natural Science in 1981, and his M.S. in Chemistry in 1983 from Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH in 1981.Ohio.  He received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 1988 from Indiana University.  He was a founder of InfraReDx, Inc. in 1998 and Prescient Medical, Inc. in 2004.  Neither of these companies are public, and they do not engage in business with Spherix.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

Mr. Aris Melissaratos was elected to the Spherix Board of Directors in February 2008.  He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins University with responsibilities for technology transfer, corporate partnerships, and enterprise development.  From 2003 to 2007, he served as Secretary of Business and Economic Development for the State of Maryland, driving the state’s unemployment figures to an impressive 3.6% and positioning Maryland for leadership in the emerging “knowledge economy.”  He worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation for 32 years, culminating as the corporation’s Chief Technology Officer and Vice President for Science and Technology, responsible for running Westinghouse’s research and development functions.  He also served as the Chief Operations Officer for the company’s Defense Electronics Group, where he was responsible for managing 16,000 employees (9,000 engineers) and $3.2 billion dollars of sales.  After Westinghouse, he became Vice President of Thermo Electron Corporation and CEO of its Coleman Research Corporation and Thermo Information Solutions subsidiaries.  He formed Armel Scientifics, LLC, which invested in over 30 start-up companies in Life Sciences and Advanced Technology.  He holds a B.E.S. in electrical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in engineering management from George Washington University, and has completed the program for Management Development at the Harvard University School of Business.  He completed the course work for a Ph.D. in International Politics at the Catholic University of America but did not complete the dissertation.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

Dr. Robert J. Vander Zanden, Spherix Incorporated Board Member since 2004, having served in two Vice President positions with Kraft Foods International, brings a long and distinguished career in technical and business aspects of the food science industry to Spherix.  Dr. Vander Zanden holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from Kansas State University, and an M.S. and B.S. in Chemistry, the latter from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, where he was named a Distinguished AlumAlumnus in 2002.  In his 30-year career, that spans more than 30 years, he has been with ITT Baking Company as a Product Development Scientist;Scientist, with Ralston Purina as Manager of Dietary Foods R&D;&D, with Keebler as Group Director, Product and Process Development; andDevelopment, with GrupoGroup Gamesa, a Frito-Lay Company, as Vice President, Technology.Technology, with Nabisco, as Vice President of R&D for their International Division and with the acquisition of Nabisco by Kraft Foods, he became the Vice President of R&D for Kraft’s Latin American Division.  Dr. Vander Zanden retired from Kraft Foods in 2004.  He currently holds the title of Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Clemson University, where he teaches a course in New Product Development.  His focus on achieving product and process innovation through training, team building and creating positive working environments has resulted in his being recognized with many awards for product and packaging innovation.  Dr. Vander Zanden retired from Kraft Foods in 2004. Currently, he is adjunct assistant professor and lecturer in the Department of Food, Science, and Human Nutrition at Clemson University. He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Brown, Cox, Creel, Lodder,Melissaratos, and Vander Zanden, constituting a majority of the Nominees, are independent Directors within the meaning of the applicable NASD rules.

 

The by-laws provide that a Stockholder of the Company entitled to vote for the election of Directors may nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors by providing written notice to the Secretary of the Company not less than 10 and not more than 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.  Such notice shall include (i) the name and address of the Stockholder and of each person to be nominated, (ii) a representation that the Stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company entitled to vote at such Meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Meeting to nominate each person specified, (iii) a description of all understandings between the Stockholder and each nominee and other person (naming such person) pursuant to which the nomination is to be made by the Stockholder, (iv) such other information regarding each nominee as would be required to be included in a proxy

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statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the nominee been nominated by the Board of Directors and (v) the consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of the Company if so elected.  The Chairman of the Meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures.

 

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Each independent Director was paid an annual retainer of $2,000 and fees of $1,200 for each Meeting of the Board and each in-person Committee Meeting he or she attended that did not coincide with a Board Meeting. In April 2006, each of the independent Directors was granted options for 5,000 shares of Common Stock. Non-independent Directors are not paid for their services as Directors, nor do they receive options for their service as Directors.

No Director serves as a director of any other publicly-held company.  There is not and has not been for the previous two fiscal years any relationship between the Company and any company in which any Director has a 1% or greater interest.

 

Board of Directors and Committee Meetings in Board Year 2005-20062007-2008

 

The Company’s Board of Directors held four (4)three (3) regular meetings from May 12, 2005,31, 2007, to April 28, 2006,11, 2008, all of which were attended by all members.  In addition, there were four (4)two (2) special meetings three of which were attended by all members, and the other of which was attended by all members except Mr. Brown.members.  The Board of Directors has six (6)five (5) Committees:  Audit, Compensation & Benefits, Executive, Nominating, Science & Technology, and Strategic Planning.  The Committees generally meet quarterly.

 

The Audit Committee members during this time period were Mr. Brown, Chair; Mr. Cox, and Mr. George Creel.  Upon Mr. Creel’s resignation from the Board on February 25, 2008, he was replaced by Dr. Vander Zanden.  The Committee has authority to review the financial records of the Company, deal with its independent auditors, recommend to the Board policies with respect to financial reporting, and investigate all aspects of the Company’s business.  There were four (4) Audit Committee meetings, all of which were attended by all members.  The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.  Each member of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence requirements and other established criteria of the NASD and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Board of Directors believes that, while the members of its Audit Committee have substantial financial and management experience and are fully qualified to carry out the functions of the Audit Committee, none of its members meets the requirements of an audit committee financial expert as defined in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

 

The Compensation & Benefits Committee oversees the Company’s executive compensation and recommends various incentives for key employees to encourage and reward increased corporate financial performance, productivity and innovation.  Its members during this time period were Dr. Vander Zanden, Chair; Mr. Cox, and Mr. Creel.  Upon Mr. Creel’s resignation from the Board on February 25, 2008, he was replaced by Mr. Melissaratos.  There were four (4)two (2) meetings, allboth of which were attended by all Committee Members.  The Compensation Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.

 

The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the Board of Directors on matters requiring action in the interim between meetings of the full Board.  Its members during this time period were Mr. Cox, Chair; Dr. Levin, Chair; Mr. Brown,Kruger, and Mr. Levin. No meetings wereDr. Lodder.  One (1) meeting was held by this Committee.Committee and was attended by all members.

 

The Nominating Committee recommends to the Board, for adoption by the Board, the proposed Board for election by the Stockholders.  Its members during this time period were Mr. Creel, Chair; Dr. Lodder, and Dr. Vander Zanden, who held one (1) meeting.two (2) meetings.  Upon Mr. Creel’s resignation from the Board on February 25, 2008, he was replaced by Mr. Melissaratos.  The Nominating Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.  The Nominating Committee does not have any formal minimum qualifications for Director candidates.  The Nominating Committee identifies candidates by first evaluating current members of the Board who are willing to continue in service.  If any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Board decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Nominating Committee then identifies the desired skills and experience of a new candidate(s).

Among other factors, when considering a prospective candidate, the Nominating Committee considers a candidate’s business experience and skills, science and technology attributes pertinent to Company business, personal integrity and judgment, and possible conflicts of interest.  To date, the Nominating Committee has not utilized the services of any search firm to assist it in identifying Director candidates.  The Nominating Committee’s policy is to consider Director candidate recommendations from its Stockholders which are received no later than December 31 prior to any Annual Meeting, including confirmation of the candidate’s consent to serve as a Director.  Upon receipt of such a recommendation, the Nominating Committee will solicit appropriate information about the candidate in order to evaluate the candidate, including information that would need to be described in the Company’s Proxy Statement if the candidate were nominated.  Candidates recommended by Stockholders will be evaluated on the same basis as other candidates.

 

The Science & Technology Committee’s mission is to carry out inquiries into matters in science and technology with which the Company ought to be concerned, including the Company’s new science and advanced

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technology programs, major internal projects, interactions with academic and independent research organizations, and the acquisition of technologies. Its members during this time period were Dr. Lodder, Chair; Dr. Levin, and Dr. Vander Zanden. Two meetings of this Committee were held and were attended by all members.

 

The Strategic Planning Committee uses the experience and expertise of its members to assist the Board of Directors by presenting for approval strategic long-term plans for our businesses.  Its members during this time period were Mr. Brown, Chair; Mr. Cox, Chair;Mr. Creel, Dr. Kruger, Dr. Levin, Mr. Levin,Dr. Lodder, and Dr. Vander Zanden.  Upon Mr. Creel’s resignation from the Board on February 25, 2008, he was replaced by Mr. Melissaratos.  Two meetings of this Committee were held and were attended by all members.

 

Any Stockholder may communicate in writing by mail at any time with the entire Board of Directors or any individual Director (addressed to “Board of Directors” or to a named Director), c/o Spherix Incorporated, ATTN:  K. Brailer, 12051 Indian Creek Court, Beltsville,6430 Rockledge Drive, Westmoreland Bldg. #503, Bethesda, MD 20705,20817, or via e-mail at info@spherix.com.  All communications will be promptly relayed to the appropriate Directors.  The Corporate Secretary will coordinate all responses.

 

It is the policy of the Board of Directors that its members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting.  The 20052007 Annual Meeting was attended by all Directors.

 

The Company has adopted a worldwide Code of Ethics, which is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.

 

Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management

The following table sets forth the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by all Executive Officers and Directors as a group as of April 28, 2006. Except for Dr. Levin, Chairman of the Board and Executive Officer for Science, and Mrs. Levin, Director and former Vice President, no person is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock. The ownership of Dr. and Mrs. Levin is detailed below.

Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Executive Officers and DirectorsCorporate Governance

 

Title of Class

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature
of Ownership

 

Percent
Of Class

 

Common

 

Gilbert V. Levin

 

1,393,348

(1) (2)

9.9

 

Common

 

M. Karen Levin

 

1,340,109

(2)

9.5

 

Common

 

Richard C. Levin

 

118,298

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Douglas T. Brown

 

17,500

(2)

*

 

Common

 

A. Paul Cox, Jr.

 

8,500

(2)

*

 

Common

 

George C. Creel

 

8,500

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

8,500

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

 

5,100

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Robert L. Clayton

 

2,500

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Jeffrey T. Lowe

 

2,500

(2)

*

 

Common

 

All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group

 

2,904,855

(2)

20.6

 


*                 Less than 1%The Audit Committee members during 2007 were Mr. Brown, Chair; Mr. Cox, and Mr. Creel.  Upon Mr. Creel’s retirement from the Board on February 25, 2008, Dr. Vander Zanden was appointed to the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.  Each member of the outstanding shares of Common StockAudit Committee satisfies the independence requirements and other established criteria of the Company.

(1)          Includes 1,600 shares held jointly with M. Karen Levin.

(2)          Included inNASD and the number of shares beneficially owned by G.V. Levin, M.K. Levin, R.C. Levin, D.T. Brown, A.P. Cox, G.C. Creel, R.J. Vander Zanden, R.A. Lodder, R.L. Clayton, J.T. Lowe,Securities and All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group are 227,750, 60,000, 117,500, 7,500, 7,500, 7,500, 7,500, 5,000, 2,500, 2,500, and 445,250 shares, respectively, which such persons have a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to stock options.

As of April 28, 2006, Dr. Levin, Chairman of the Board and Executive Officer for Science, and Mrs. Levin, Director and former Vice President, 3180 Harness Creek Road, Annapolis, Maryland, beneficially owned in the aggregate 2,733,457 shares of Common Stock (19.4% of the 14,074,556 outstanding shares(1)). Dr. Levin and Mrs. Levin


(1) Includes 496,200 shares which could be acquired pursuant to stock options or warrants within 60 days.

6



are husband and wife. As principal Stockholders of the Company, they are considered control persons with respect to the Company.

All Directors and Executive Officers as a group, as beneficial owners of 2,904,855 shares of Common Stock, owned 20.6% of the 14,074,556 outstanding shares(1). With the exception of Cede & Co., the holder of record for certain brokerage firms and banks, no other person is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.

In February 2001, theExchange Commission.  The Board of Directors adoptedbelieves that, while the Rights Agreement (the “Agreement”). The Agreement provides each Stockholdermembers of record a dividend distribution of one “right” for each outstanding shareits Audit Committee have substantial financial and management experience and are fully qualified to carry out the functions of the Company’s Common Stock. Rights become exercisable at the earlier of ten days following:  (1) a public announcement that an acquirer has purchased or has the right to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s Common Stock, or (2) the commencement of a tender offer which would result in an offeror beneficially owning 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. All rights held by an acquirer or offeror expire on the announced acquisition date, and all rights expire at the close of business on December 31, 2010. Each right entitles a Stockholder to acquire, at a stated purchase price, 1/100 of a share of the Company’s preferred stock, which carries voting and dividend rights similar to one shareAudit Committee, none of its Common Stock. Alternatively, a right holder may elect to purchase formembers meets the stated pricerequirements of an equivalent number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price per share equal to one-half of the average market price for a specified period. In lieu of the stated purchase price, a right holder may elect to acquire one-half of the Common Stock available under the second option. The purchase price of the preferred stock fractional amount is subject to adjustment for certain eventsaudit committee financial expert as describeddefined in the Agreement. At the discretion of a majority of the BoardSecurities and within a specified time period, the Company may redeem all of the rights at a price of $0.001 per right. The Board may also amend any provisions of the Agreement prior to exercise.Exchange Commission rules.

 

Executive Officers

 

The Executive Officers of the Company are elected annually by the Board of Directors. The Executive Officers of the Company as of April 28, 2006,Directors and are listed in the following table.

 

Executive Officers as of April 28, 2006

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Robert L. Clayton

 

4344

 

Director of Finance,Interim CFO and Treasurer

Gilbert V. Levin

82

Chairman, and Executive Officer for Science

Richard C. Levin

53

Chief Executive Officer and President, and Chief Financial Officer

Jeffrey T. LoweClaire L. Kruger

 

49

 

Vice Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Robert A. Lodder

48

President Corporate Communications

 

Dr. Levin’sDrs. Kruger and Richard Levin’sLodder’s professional experience are discussed above.

 

Mr. Robert L. Clayton was elected to the Office of Interim CFO in August 2007, and  was elected Director of Finance and Treasurer in May 2005.  Mr. Clayton previously served as Controller.  Prior to joining Spherix, he was a Senior Auditor for the Public Accounting Firmpublic accounting firm Rubino & McGeehin Chartered.  Mr. Clayton holds a B.S. in business and management from the University of Maryland and a C.P.A. from the District of Columbia.  He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Mr. Jeffrey T. Lowe was elected to

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Regarding Compliance

Section 16(a) of the OfficeSecurities Exchange Act of Vice President of Corporate Communications in May 2005. Mr. Lowe previously served1934, as Director of Communications,amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires the Company’s Directors and prior to that (in reverse chronological order): Director of ProposalsExecutive Officers, and Publications, Proposal Manager, and Proposal Writer. During his employment, Mr. Lowe has been principally responsible for the production, quality, and outputanyone who beneficially owns ten percent (10%) or more of the Company’s proposals,common stock, to which virtually allfile with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of common stock.  Such persons are required by regulations of the Company’s current revenue-generating contracts owe their existence. PriorSecurities and Exchange Commission to joining Spherix, Mr. Lowe had careers as a journalist and a marine engineer. Mr. Lowe holds a B.A. in Journalism fromfurnish the UniversityCompany with copies of Maryland and a dual B.S. in Marine Engineering and Nautical Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He is not now, nor has he been for the past five years, a director of a public, for-profit company other than Spherix.all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

76



 

Based solely upon a review of (i) copies of the Section 16(a) filings received by the Company during or with respect to 2007 and (ii) certain written representations of its Officers and Directors, the Company believes that each filing required to be made pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during and with respect to 2007 and 2008 to date was filed in a timely manner.

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a worldwide Code of Ethics, which is available on the Company’s website at www.spherix.com.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We strive to pay our named executive officers at or near the median paid by comparable companies.  In 2007, the Compensation Committee hired an outside company, Equilar, Inc., to compare the total compensation of the Spherix Executives to the total compensation of fourteen (14) companies identified by Equilar, Inc. to be peer companies to Spherix.  The Equilar Report on Executive Compensation Tablesshowed that Spherix Executives are not compensated at the same level as colleagues in peer companies.  Based upon the fiscal health of Spherix, however, it was determined by the Compensation Committee that no special efforts should be made to bring Executive total compensation to equivalent levels of those in peer companies.  All 2008 base salary increases (with few exceptions) should be kept in line with inflation. The Compensation Committee requested that the Chief Executive Officer of Spherix propose all Executive salary increases, but the overall Spherix company-wide increase should not be above inflation.  With minor adjustments, these recommendations were accepted by the full Board.  The Compensation Committee recommended to the Board the salary adjustment for the President and Chief Executive Officer of Spherix.

Summary of Compensation in Last Three Fiscal Years

The following summarySummary of compensationCompensation table sets forth the compensation paid by the Company during the threetwo years ended December 31, 2005,2007, to all Executive Officers earning in excess of $100,000 during any year.

 

Summary of Compensation

(Dollars in 000’s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards

 

Payouts

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Compensation

 

No. of

 

 

 

Name and
Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Bonus ($)(1)

 

Other
Annual Com-
pensation ($) (2)

 

Securities
Underlying
Options (3)

 

All Other
Compen-
sation ($)

 

Richard C. Levin

 

2005

 

184,167

 

10,000

 

7,200

 

8,000

 

4,622

 

CEO & President, and

 

2004

 

169,375

 

 

7,200

 

 

4,250

 

CFO

 

2003

 

151,600

 

 

7,200

 

10,000

 

3,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey T. Lowe

 

2005

 

126,250

 

6,000

 

 

2,000

 

3,156

 

VP, Corp. Comm.

 

2004

 

113,833

 

 

 

 

2,846

 

 

 

2003

 

77,049

 

 

5,400

 

1,000

 

1,926

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gilbert V. Levin

 

2005

 

118,000

 

 

7,200

 

 

3,130

 

Executive Officer

 

2004

 

122,325

 

 

7,200

 

 

4,538

 

for Science

 

2003

 

221,800

 

 

7,200

 

100,000

 

4,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert L. Clayton

 

2005

 

114,250

 

4,500

 

 

2,000

 

2,856

 

Director of Finance and

 

2004

 

107,118

 

 

 

 

2,678

 

Treasurer

 

2003

 

96,369

 

 

5,400

 

500

 

2,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

Qualified

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Option

 

Incentive Plan

 

Deferred

 

All Other

 

 

 

Name and

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus

 

Award

 

Award

 

Compensation

 

Compensation

 

Compen-

 

 

 

Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

($)(1)

 

($)(2)

 

($)(3)

 

($)(4)

 

Earnings ($)

 

sation ($)

 

Total ($)

 

R. Levin

 

2007

 

132,625

 

400,000

 

 

2,350

 

 

 

 

534,975

 

Former CEO & President and CFO

 

2006

 

190,000

 

 

 

3,290

 

35,000

 

 

7,200

 

235,490

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.Kruger

 

2007

 

72,333

 

 

26,350

 

 

33,751

 

 

 

132,434

 

CEO and COO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Lodder
President

 

2007

 

60,000

 

 

10,000

 

 

18,667

 

 

 

88,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.Clayton

 

2007

 

150,314

 

100,000

 

 

940

 

 

 

 

251,254

 

CFO and Treasurer

 

2006

 

118,000

 

 

 

823

 

10,000

 

 

1,600

 

130,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G. Levin

 

2007

 

125,200

 

 

 

 

 

39,971

 

 

165,171

 

Director of Science and Technology

 

2006

 

118,000

 

 

 

 

 

(22,000

)

7,200

 

103,200

 

 


(1)          Bonuses are based onR. Levin was awarded the achievementfollowing bonuses in 2007: $150,000 for the negotiation of performance goalsthe settlement of the National Parks Service Contract, and are awarded bya stay bonus of $250,000 ($100,000 of this amount will be paid in November 2008, the Boardbalance was paid in 2007).  R. Clayton received a stay bonus of Directors pursuant to an incentive compensation plan.$100,000 in 2007.

(2)          Includes compensation expense for automobile allowances.On August 1, 2007, C. Kruger was granted 30,000 shares in restricted stock with a market price on the date of grant of $1.86.  The restricted stock vests in equal amounts of 10,000 shares on August 1, 2007, August 1, 2008 and August 1, 2009.  On August 16, 2007, R. Lodder was granted 15,000 shares in restricted stock with a market price of the date of grant of $2.00.  The restricted stock vests in equal amounts of 7,500 shares on March 1, 2008 and September 1, 2008.

7



(3)        RepresentsOn February 17, 2006, Richard C. Levin and Robert L. Clayton were granted stock options for 8,000 and 2,000 shares, respectively.  Information regarding forfeiture and assumptions made in the numbervaluation are disclosed in Note 7 of options.the Company’s Annual Financial Statements (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated December 31, 2007).

(4)        Awards pursuant to the May 12, 2005 Spherix Incorporated Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Option Grants in LastOutstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal YearYear-End

The following option grants table sets forth the total options granted by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2005, to the Executive Officers earning in excess of $100,000 during the year. Although these stock options were not granted until April 7, 2006, they were awarded in conjunction with performance goals achieved during the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

Individual Grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options

 

% of Total
Options
Granted to
Employees in

 

Exercise or
Base Price

 

Expiration

 

Potential Realizable Value at
Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
Price Appreciation for Option
Term(1)

 

Name

 

Granted

 

Fiscal Year

 

per Share ($)

 

Date

 

5% ($)

 

10% ($)

 

Robert L. Clayton

 

2,000

 

5.9

%

$

2.20

 

2/15/2011

 

$

1,216

 

$

2,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard C. Levin

 

8,000

 

24.5

%

$

2.20

 

2/15/2011

 

$

4,863

 

$

10,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey T. Lowe

 

2,000

 

5.9

%

$

2.20

 

2/15/2011

 

$

1,216

 

$

2,686

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

Market

 

 

 

Number of

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

of Shares

 

Value of

 

 

 

Securities

 

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

or Units

 

Shares or

 

 

 

Underlying

 

Underlying

 

 

 

 

 

of Stock

 

Units of

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

Unexercised

 

Option

 

Option

 

that have

 

Stock that

 

 

 

Options (#)

 

Options (#)

 

Exercise

 

Expiration

 

not Vested

 

have not

 

Name

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Price ($)

 

Date

 

(#)

 

Vested ($)

 

C. Kruger

 

 

 

 

 

20,000

(3)

22,200

 

R. Lodder

 

 

 

 

 

15,000

(4)

16,650

 

R. Clayton

 

500

 

 

$

6.35

 

11/24/2008

 

 

 

R. Clayton

 

500

 

1,500

(2)

$

2.20

 

2/15/2011

 

 

 

G. Levin

 

160,000

(1)

 

$

8.67

 

11/12/2008

 

 

 

 


(1)          Potential gains are net of exercise price, but before taxes associated with exercise. These amounts represent certain assumed rates of appreciation only, in accordance with the SEC’s rule. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future performance60,000 of the common stock, overall market conditions,160,000 shares are owned by Mrs. M. Karen Kevin and the option holders’ continued employment through the vesting period. The amounts reflectedare beneficially owned by Gilbert V. Levin.

(2)          Will vest in this table may not necessarily be achieved.equal installments on 2/16/2008, 2/16/2009 and 2/16/2010.

(3)          Will vest in equal installments on 8/1/2008 and 8/1/2009.

8



Option Grants(4)

The Spherix Incorporated 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) was approved by the Company’s Stockholders          Will vest in equal installments on May 15, 1998. The Plan was revised3/1/2008 and re-approved by the Stockholders on May 12, 2005. The Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to select employees and Directors of the Company. The Plan provides for the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock. As of December 31, 2005, there were 507,200 outstanding options granted to individuals including the above-named Executive Officers, and all 507,200 were exercisable as of such date.9/1/2008.

 

Aggregated Options Exercised in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option ValuesPension Benefits

The following table sets forth information concerning option exercises and option holdings by each of the named Executive Officers earning(Dollars in excess of $100,000 during the year ended December 31, 2005:000’s)

 

No. of

Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options at FYE

Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money
Options at FYE (2)

Name

Shares Acquired
on Exercise

Value
Realized (1)

Exercisable/
Unexercisable

Exercisable ($)/
Unexercisable ($)

Robert L. Clayton

2,500 / 2,000

- / $2,500

Richard C. Levin

117,500 / 8,000

- / $10,000

Jeffrey T. Lowe

2,500 / 2,000

- / $2,500

Name

 

Plan Name

 

Number of Years 
Credited Service (#)

 

Present Value of 
Accumulated Benefit ($)

Gilbert V. Levin

 

Employment Agreement (1)

 

41

 

215

Gilbert V. Levin

 

Exit Agreement (2)

 

41

 

70

Gilbert V. Levin

 

Consulting Agreement (3)

 

41

 

 


(1)          Represents the closing price per share on the date the option was exercised less the option exercise price multiplied by the number of shares acquired upon exercise.

(2)Represents the closing price per share of the underlying shares on the last day of the fiscal year less the option exercise price multiplied by the number of shares. The closing price per share was $3.45 on the last trading day of fiscal year as reported on the NASDAQ.

Long-Term Incentive Plan - Awards in Last Fiscal Year

There were no long-term Incentive Plan awards during 2005.

Compensation Agreements

On March 23, 2004, Dr. Levin’s Employment Agreement was amended and restated.  It provides lifetime payments of $12,500 each quarter following his full retirement from the Company.  This Restated Agreement supersedes and replaces all previous agreements concerning Spherix’s obligations for Dr. Levin’s retirement benefits. On November 16, 2005, Mrs. Levin’s Exit Agreement was approved by the Board. It provides lifetime payments of $12,500 each quarter following her full retirement from the Company, which occurred on January 4, 2006. This Exit Agreement supersedes and replaces all previous agreements concerning Spherix’s obligations for Mrs. Levin’s retirement benefits.

 

(2)          The Company agreed to fund long-term, continuous lifetime long-term care and healthcare policies per the G.V. Levin Exit Agreement dated March 23, 2004.

(3)To ensure the availability of their services to the Company after their respective retirements, Dr. and Mrs. Levin each have entered into Consulting Agreements with the Company.  On March 23, 2004, the Board approved a Restated Consulting Agreement for Dr. Levin, which limits his post-retirement consultation to any Company requests that may be issued to him from time to time.  No minimum amount of consulting time is required.  For any consulting time so requested and provided, Dr. Levin will be compensated at the rate of $2,000 per day, subject to the Federal CIP, plus related expenses.  On November 16, 2005, the Board approved a Consulting Agreement for Mrs. Levin, which limits her post-retirement consultation to any Company requests that may be issued to her from time to time.  No minimum amount of consulting time is required.  For any consulting time so requested and provided, Mrs. Levin will be compensated at the rate of $1,000 per day, subject to the Federal CIP, plus related expenses.

 

For8



Potential Payment Upon Termination or Change in Control

The only commitment we have to make any payments upon termination of employment to any named Executive Officer is a commitment to Dr. Levin.  On March 23, 2004, the Board approved revised agreements with Dr. Levin.  These agreements provide the following post-employment benefits:

·                  Lifetime quarterly payments of $12,500;

·                  $2,000 per day for any consulting services requested by the Company;

·                  Office space and Mrs. Levin’s many yearssecretarial support at the Company’s headquarters and at the BioSpherix office location for a period of service,three (3) years;

·                  Free use of his computer Internet hook-up to the Company has agreed to fund long-term, continuous lifetimefor a period of three (3) years;

·                  Free storage at the Company’s headquarters of all Mars-related files for a period of five (5) years;

·                  Lifetime long-term care and healthcare policies.health insurance for Dr. Levin and his wife.

 

Effective January 1, 1990,Unless otherwise agreed by the Company establishedBoard of Directors, the other named Executive Officers would be entitled to severance upon termination of employment pursuant to the Company’s severance policy.  The policy provides:

Completed Service Years

Severance Pay

> 1 year

10 days

1 but less than 2 years

15 days

2 but less than 3 years

20 days

3 but less than 4 years

25 days

4 or more years

30 days

No named Executive Officer has any commitment for payments upon a change of control of the Company.

Compensation of Directors

(Dollars in 000’s)

Name

 

Fees Earned of 
Paid in Cash ($)

 

Stock Awards ($)

 

All Other 
Compensation ($)

 

Total 
($)

 

Douglas T. Brown

 

19.0

 

10

 

 

29.0

 

A. Paul Cox, Jr.

 

21.7

 

10

 

 

31.7

 

George C. Creel

 

21.7

 

10

 

 

31.7

 

Aris Melissaratos

 

 

 

 

 

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

16.7

 

10

 

 

26.7

 

Non-employee directors of Spherix Incorporated 401(k) Retirement Plan. The Plan is(“Spherix”) receive the following annual compensation for service as a discretionary defined contribution plan and covers substantially all employees who have attained the agemember of Spherix:

Annual Retainer

 

$

5,000

 

To be paid in cash at the first meeting of the term.

Stock Awards

 

$

10,000

 

To be calculated by dividing $10,000 by the closing stock price the day the Stock Awards are granted. The shares will be granted upon approval of the Board; however, the shares will be restricted and instructions will be given to the stock transfer agent that the shares may not be transferred until the one year anniversary of the Board Member’s departure from the Board.

Board Meeting Fees

 

$

2,500

 

To be paid for all in-person Board Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.

Committee Meeting Fees

 

$

800

 

To be paid for all in-person Committee Meetings. Members must be present to be paid.

Teleconference Fees

 

$

300

 

To be paid for all teleconferences called by either the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by the Chairman of the relevant Committee. Members must be on-line to be paid.

Additional Retainer

 

$

1,000

 

To be paid to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

9



 

21, have completed six months of service, and have worked a minimum of 500 hours. The Company matches an amount equal to 50% of the employees’ contribution, up to 5% of the employees’ eligible compensation. No Spherix stock has been bought by this fund or issued to it by the Company in lieu of cash contributions.

On February 17, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the termination of Spherix’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, effective as of July 1, 2005.

Equity Compensation Plan InformationSecurity Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management

 

The following table sets forth the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by all Executive Officers and Directors as a group as of April 11, 2008.  Except for Dr. Levin, Chairman Emeritus and Director of Science and Technology, and his wife, no person is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock.  The ownership of Dr. Levin is detailed below.

Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock by Executive Officers and Directors

Title of Class

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature of 
Ownership

 

Percent Of 
Class

 

Common

 

Gilbert V. Levin

 

2,579,307

(1)(2)

17.7

%

Common

 

Douglas T. Brown

 

30,037

(2)

*

 

Common

 

A. Paul Cox, Jr.

 

21,037

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Robert J. Vander Zanden

 

21,037

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

 

20,352

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Claire L. Kruger

 

10,000

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Robert L. Clayton

 

1,500

(2)

*

 

Common

 

Aris Melissaratos

 

0

(2)

*

 

Common

 

All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group

 

2,683,270

(2)

18.5

%


*                 Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.

(1)          Includes shares owned by M. Karen Levin.

(2)          Included in the number of shares beneficially owned by G.V. Levin, D.T. Brown, A.P. Cox, R.J. Vander Zanden, R.A. Lodder, C.L. Kruger, R.L. Clayton, A. Melissaratos, and All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group are 160,000, 7,500, 7,500, 7,500, 5,000, 0, 1,500, 0, and 189,000 shares, respectively, which such persons have a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant to stock options.

As of April 11, 2008, Dr. Levin, Chairman Emeritus and Director of Science and Technology, 3170 S. Ocean Boulevard, #602S, Palm Beach, FL 33480, beneficially owned in the aggregate 2,579,307 shares of Common Stock (17.7% of the 14,318,702 outstanding shares(1)).  As principal Stockholders of the Company, Dr. Levin and his wife are considered control persons with respect to the Company.

All Directors and Executive Officers as a group, beneficial owners of 2,683,270 shares of Common Stock, owned 18.5% of the 14,318,702 outstanding shares(1). With the exception of Cede & Co., the holder of record for certain brokerage firms and banks, no other person is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.

In February 2001, the Board of Directors adopted the Rights Agreement (the “Agreement”).  The Agreement provides information abouteach Stockholder of record a dividend distribution of one “right” for each outstanding share of the Company’s Common Stock.  Rights become exercisable at the earlier of ten days following:  (1) a public announcement that an acquirer has purchased or has the right to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s Common Stock, that may be issued uponor (2) the exercisecommencement of optionsa tender offer which would result in an offeror beneficially owning 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.  All rights held by an acquirer or offeror expire on the announced acquisition date, and all rights under allexpire at the close of business on December 31, 2010.  Each right entitles a Stockholder to acquire, at a stated purchase price, 1/100 of a share of the Company’s existing equity compensation plans aspreferred stock, which carries voting and dividend rights similar to one share of December 31, 2005 (allits Common Stock.  Alternatively, a right holder may elect to purchase for the stated price an equivalent number of which have been approved by the Company’s Stockholders), as well as rights to acquire shares of the Company’s Common Stock grantedat a price per share equal to an unaffiliated investor pursuant toone-half of the average market price for a warrant issued byspecified period.  In lieu of the Company in connection withstated purchase price, a private placement of securities and rightsright holder may elect to acquire sharesone-half of Companythe Common Stock grantedavailable under the second option.  The purchase price of the preferred stock fractional amount is subject to adjustment for certain events as described in the independent membersAgreement.  At the discretion of a majority of the Board of Directorsand within a specified time period, the Company may redeem all of the Company.rights at a price of $0.001 per right.  The Board may also amend any provisions of the Agreement prior to exercise.

Plan Category

 

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (a) (#)

 

Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (b)
(#)

 

Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a)) (c) (#)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

482,200

 

7.75

 

402,000

 

Equity compensation plans not

 

Options(1):

25,000

 

$

7.23

 

N/A

 

approved by securities holders

 

Warrants(2):

585,973

 

$

7.00

 

 

 

Total

 

1,093,173

 

$

7.34

 

236,400

 

 


(1)          Consists of Includes 215,300 shares which could be acquired pursuant to stock options issued to the Board of Directors.

(2)          Consists ofor warrants issued to an unaffiliated institutional investor in connection with a private placement of securities. These warrants were exercised in full in March 2006.

COMMITTEES

Committees are appointed annually by the Chair.

Report of the Compensation & Benefits Committee

The following report of the Compensation & Benefits Committee and the performance graphs included elsewhere in this proxy statement do not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report or the performance graphs by reference therein.

The Company’s compensation program for Executives consists of five key elements:

                  a base industry competitive salary;

                  a car allowance;

                  an annual review of the salary by the Board;

                  a Company-performance-based annual bonus opportunity; and

                  stock options based on individual performance.

The Compensation Committee believes that this multi-part approach serves the interests of the Company and its Stockholders. It enables the Company to meet the requirements of the highly competitive environment in which the Company operates, while ensuring that Executive Officers are compensated in a way that advances both the short-term and long-term interests of Stockholders. Under this approach, compensation for these Executive Officers involves a high proportion of pay that is “at risk” – namely, the annual bonus and stock options. The annual bonus is based on Company and individual performance in meeting or exceeding its Annual Business Plan and individualwithin 60 days.

 

10



 

goals as determined by the Board. Stock options relate a significant portion of long-term remuneration directly to stock price appreciation realized by all of the Company’s Stockholders.

Base Salary - Base salaries for the Company’s Executive Officers, as well as changes in such salaries, are determined annually, taking into account such factors as competitive industry salaries, a subjective assessment of the nature of the positionCertain Relationships and the contributionRelated Transactions, and experience of the Officer and the length of the Officer’s service.

Annual Review – Executive Officers’ performances are reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee.

Annual Bonus – Bonuses are awarded to Executive Officers for achieving established performance goals.

Stock Options - The final component of the Company’s Executive compensation program is the grant of stock options. The number of options granted is based on each Executive’s individual performance, level of responsibility, and the Company’s performance. The Compensation Committee recommends such awards to the Board for action. Stock options are used as incentives to motivate the key managers of the Company’s operations as well as Company Executive Officers, and to induce the Executives to remain in the employment of the Company. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee permits stock options to be exercisable with tenure requirement.

On February 17, 2005, Richard C. Levin, acting CEO and President, was elected to the position of Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company at an annual salary of $187,000. Effective January 1, 2006, Mr. Levin’s annual salary was increased to $190,000. In April 2006, he was issued options for the purchase of 8,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 1997 Stock Option Plan. Also in April 2006, Mr. Levin was awarded a bonus of $10,000. Both the stock option grant and the bonus were awarded in conjunction with performance goals achieved during the year ended December 31, 2005.

This report is submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

Robert J. Vander Zanden, Chair

A. Paul Cox, Jr.

George C. Creel

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider ParticipationDirector Independence

 

The Compensation Committeecurrent Board of Spherix during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, consistedDirectors consists of Mr. Douglas T. Brown, Mr. A. Paul Cox, Jr., Dr. Claire L. Kruger, Dr. Gilbert V. Levin, Dr. Robert A. Lodder, Jr., Mr. Aris Melissaratos, and Dr. Robert J. Vander Zanden.  The Board of Directors has determined that a majority of its members, being Messrs. Brown, Cox, Melissaratos, and Vander Zanden, Chair; Mr. Cox, and Mr. Creel. None of these individuals has served as an Officer or employeeare independent Directors within the meaning of the Company nor is there any other relationship between any memberapplicable NASD rules.  The Company’s Audit, Compensation, and Nominating Committees consist solely of the Compensation Committee and the Company which is required to be disclosed under applicable proxy regulations.independent Directors.

 

Report of the Audit Committee Report

The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference therein.

 

During fiscal year 2005,2007, in overseeing the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, the Audit Committee met with both management and the Company’s outside auditors to review and discuss all financial statements prior to their issuance and to discuss significant accounting issues.  Management advised the Committee that all financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Committee discussed the statements with both management and the outside auditors.  The Committee’s review included receipt of written disclosures and letters from the outside auditors as well as a discussion with the outside auditors of matters required pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication With Audit Committees).

 

With respect to the Company’s independent auditors, the Committee, among other things, discussed with the auditors matters relating to their independence, including the disclosures made to the Committee as required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees).

 

11



On the basis of these reviews and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Board approve the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005,2007, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

This report is submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

 

 

Douglas T. Brown, Chair

 

A. Paul Cox, Jr.

 

George C. Creel

Robert J. Vander Zanden*


*Upon Mr. Creel’s retirement from the Board on February 25, 2008, Dr. Vander Zanden was appointed to the Audit Committee.

 

Grant Thornton LLP Fees For Fiscal 20052007

The following table sets forth the fees paid by the Company to Grant Thornton LLP for audit and other services provided in 20052007 and 2004:2006:

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit fees

 

$

109,000

 

$

87,300

 

 

$

202,000

 

$

103,000

 

Tax fees

 

14,000

 

10,200

 

 

3,000

 

17,000

 

Total

 

$

123,000

 

$

97,500

 

 

$

205,000

 

$

120,000

 

 

The Audit Committee considered whether the provision of services referenced above is compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton’s independence. The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors.  These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.  Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year.  The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.

 

Performance Graph

The following graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2000 in Spherix Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index and the S&P small cap 600. It compares the cumulative total return on each, assuming reinvestment of dividends, for the five-year period ended December 31, 2005.

Cumulative Total Return

Based upon an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2000

with dividends reinvested

1211



 

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

(Item 2 on the Proxy Card)

The Board of Directors has reappointed the firm of Grant Thornton LLP to be the Company’s independent accountants for the year 20062008 and recommends that Stockholders vote “FOR” ratification of that appointment. The Company is advised that no member of the firm of Grant Thornton LLP has any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, in the Company.  A representative from Grant Thornton LLP will attend the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to answer questions.  If the Stockholders, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Meeting, do not ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP, the selection of independent accountants will be reconsidered by the Board of Directors.

 

13



OTHER BUSINESS

(Item 3 on the Proxy Card)

As of the date of this statement, the management of Spherix Incorporated has no knowledge of any business that may be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, other than that described above.  As to other business, if any, that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, it is intended that the Proxy hereby solicited will be voted in respect of such business in accordance with the judgment of the Proxy holders.

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholders intending to present a proposal at the 20072009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit such proposals to the Company at Spherix Incorporated, ATTN:  K. Brailer, Corporate Secretary, 12051 Indian Creek Court, Beltsville,6430 Rockledge Drive, Westmoreland Bldg. #503, Bethesda, MD 20705,20817, no later than December 30, 2006.31, 2008.  The Company’s by-laws provide that any Stockholder wishing to nominate a Director must do so in writing delivered to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at least ten (10) days and not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.  For further details, please see the discussion under Item One hereof.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Katherine M. Brailer, Corporate Secretary

 

1412



 

Please sign, date, and mail your

proxy card back as soon as possible!ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

 

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

 

June 28, 2006May 13, 2008

PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

MAIL - Date, sign and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.

- or -

TELEPHONE - Call toll-free 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437) in the United States or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available when you call.

- or -

INTERNET - Access “www.voteproxy.com” and follow the on-screen instructions. Have your proxy card available when you access the web page.

- or -

IN PERSON - You may vote your shares in person by attending the Annual Meeting.

 

COMPANY NUMBER

 

 

ý

Please mark your

votes as in this

box.ACCOUNT NUMBER

 

 

You may enter your voting instructions at 1-800-PROXIES in the United States or 1-718-921-8500 from foreign countries or www.voteproxy.com up until 11:59 PM Eastern Time the day before the cut-off or meeting date.

Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not voting via telephone or the Internet.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:

 

FOR all nominees

WITHHOLD

 

 

 

listed to rightNOMINEES:

o

AUTHORITYFOR ALL NOMINEES

o Douglas T. Brown

 

 

(except as markedo A. Paul Cox, Jr.

o

to vote for allWITHHOLD AUTHORITY

o Claire L. Kruger

FOR ALL NOMINEES

o Gilbert V. Levin

 

 

to the contraryo Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

o

nomineesFOR ALL EXCEPT

o Aris Melissaratos

(See instructions below)

o Robert J. Vander Zanden

INSTRUCTIONS:

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: x

 

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

below)

listed at right

2.

PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 20062008.

o

o

o

3. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME UP BEFORE THE MEETING.

This proxy will be voted as specified hereon. If no indication to the contrary is made hereon, this proxy will be voted for all nominees for Directors listed in Proposal 1 and for Proposal 2. SPHERIX’S DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A FOR VOTE ON EACH ITEM, AND SHARES WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.

1.

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

o

o

Nominees:

Douglas T. Brown

 

OF

A. Paul Cox, Jr.

DIRECTORS

George C. Creel

Gilbert V. Levin

M. Karen Levin

INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), put an X in the “FOR all nominees” box and strike aline through the name(s) of nominee(s) not voted for in the list at the right.

Richard C. Levin

3.

IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON

Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME UP BEFORE THE

Robert J. Vander Zanden

MEETING.

I plan to attend the Annual Meeting in Flintstone,Bethesda, MD, at 9:00 a.m. on May 13, 2008  o

 o

Signature of Shareholder

 

 

at 10:00 a.m. on June 28, 2006

Date:

 

 Signature of Shareholder

 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.



ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

SPHERIX INCORPORATED

May 13, 2008

Please sign, date, and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:

 

 

 

 

This proxy will be voted as specified hereon. If no indication to the contrary is made hereon, this proxy will be voted for all nominees for Directors listed in Proposal 1 and for Proposal 2. SPHERIX’S DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A FOR VOTE ON EACH ITEM, AND SHARES WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.NOMINEES:

o

FOR ALL NOMINEES

o Douglas T. Brown

o A. Paul Cox, Jr.

o

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

o Claire L. Kruger

FOR ALL NOMINEES

o Gilbert V. Levin

o Robert A. Lodder, Jr.

o

FOR ALL EXCEPT

o Aris Melissaratos

(See instructions below)

o Robert J. Vander Zanden

INSTRUCTIONS:

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: x

 

 

FOR

AGAINST

Dated _______________, 2006ABSTAIN

PLEASE SIGN HERE AND RETURN PROMPTLY2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008.

o

PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAMEo

o

3. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME UP BEFORE THE MEETING.

This proxy will be voted as specified hereon. If no indication to the contrary is made hereon, this proxy will be voted for all nominees for Directors listed in Proposal 1 and for Proposal 2. SPHERIX’S DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A FOR VOTE ON EACH ITEM, AND SHARES WILL BE SO VOTED UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.

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

NUMBER OF SHARES VOTEDo

I plan to attend the Annual Meeting in Bethesda, MD, at 9:00 a.m. on May 13, 2008  o

 

 

Signature of Shareholder

 Date:

 Signature of Shareholder

 Date:

NOTE:  If signing as Attorney, Administrator, Executor, Guardian or Trustee, please add your title as such.

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.

 



 

SPHERIX®INCORPORATED

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROXY

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gilbert V. Levin, M. Karen Levin and

Katherine M. Brailer, Robert L. Clayton, Claire L. Kruger, or any of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby appointed Proxies of the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock of Spherix Incorporated owned by the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort, 16701 Lakeview Road, NE, Flintstone, MD 21539, on June 28, 2006, at 10:9:00 a.m. EDT,Eastern time, May 13, 2008, at the Bethesda Marriott Suites, 6711 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, or any adjournment thereof, upon the proposals set forth on the reverse and, in their discretion, upon all other matters as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)side)