UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATIONInformation Required in Proxy Statement

 

Schedule 14a Information

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

☐      Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

☒      Definitive Proxy Statement

☐      Definitive Additional Materials

☐      Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12Harvard Bioscience, Inc.

 

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

No fee required.

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)

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

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5)

Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

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

(1)

Amount previously paid:

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3)

Filing Party:

(4)

Date Filed:


 

☒      No fee required

☐      Fee paid previously with preliminary materials

☐      Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.


84 October Hill Road


Holliston, Massachusetts 01746-1371

May 12, 2016

April 7, 2022

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Friday, June 24, 2016Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. EDTEDT. The Annual Meeting will be held by virtual meeting only. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting at http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HBIO2022, you must enter the offices of Burns & Levinson LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you previously received. You may vote during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting. At the meeting, we will be voting on the matters described in this Proxy Statement.the accompanying proxy statement.

 

We are using the Internet as our primary means of furnishing the proxy materials to our stockholders. This process expedites the delivery of proxy materials, ensures materials remain easily accessible to stockholders, and allows stockholders to receive clear instructions for receiving materials and voting.

 

We are mailing the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to stockholders on or about May 12, 2016.April 7, 2022. The Proxy Statementproxy statement and 2015 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes theour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,2021, are available atwww.proxyvote.com. www.proxyvote.com.

 

The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions for our stockholders’ use of this process, including how to access or receive copies of our Proxy Statementproxy statement and 20152021 Annual Report and how to vote including onlineby Internet or mail. To the extent you receive a proxy card, such proxy card will also contain instructions on how you may alsoto vote, including the option to vote by telephone. In addition, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials contains instructions on how you may (i) receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement and 2015 Annual Report, if you received only a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials this year, or (ii) elect to receive your Proxy Statement and Annual Report only over the Internet, if you received them by mail this year.

 

If you are unable to attend the meeting virtually, it is still important that your shares be represented and voted. Therefore, regardless of the number of shares you own, PLEASE VOTE THROUGH THE INTERNET, BY TELEPHONE OR BY MAIL. Any stockholder who attends the meeting virtually may vote in person,through the meeting website, even if he or she has already voted through the Internet, by telephone or by mail.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 2, 2016March 23, 2022 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. OUR ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD AS A VIRTUAL MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING VIRTUALLY, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE ONLINE, BY TELEPHONE OR BY COMPLETING, DATING, SIGNING AND PROMPTLY RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTIONSINSTRUCTION CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE (WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE STOCKHOLDERS WHO REQUEST TO RECEIVE PAPER COPIES OF THESE MATERIALS BY MAIL) BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING SO THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE METHODS OF VOTING ARE CONTAINED IN THE NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS.

 

Sincerely,


Jeffrey A. Duchemin

James W. Green
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer




 

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.


84 October Hill Road


Holliston, Massachusetts 01746-1371


(508) 893-8999

_______________


______________________

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


To Be Held on Friday, June 24, 2016

_______________Tuesday, May 17, 2022
_____________________

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Friday, June 24, 2016,May 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. EDTEDT. The Annual Meeting will be held by virtual meeting only. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting at http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HBIO2022, you must enter the offices of Burns & Levinson LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you previously received. You may vote during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

 

1.

The election of two Class I Directors named in the accompanying proxy statement, nominated by the Board of Directors for a three-year terms,term, such termsterm to continue until the annual meeting of stockholders in 20192025 and until such Directors’ successors areDirector’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until theirhis earlier resignation or removal;

 

2.

The ratification of the appointment of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016;

2022;

 

3.Adoption and approval of an amendment to the Harvard Bioscience, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock available for issuance by 500,000 shares of common stock;

 

3.

4.

Approval, by a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers; and

 

4.

5.

Such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 2, 2016March 23, 2022 as the record date for determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Each of the items of business listed above is more fully described in the proxy statement that accompanies this notice.

 

In the event there are not sufficient shares to be voted in favor of any of the foregoing proposals at the time of the Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies.

The Board of Directors of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of the nominees of the Board of Directors as Directors of Harvard Bioscience, Inc., “FOR” the proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, “FOR” the proposal to adopt and approve an amendment to the Harvard Bioscience, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock available for issuance by 500,000 shares of common stock, and “FOR” the proposal to approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on Friday, June 24, 2016:May 17, 2022: The Proxy Statementproxy statement and 2015 Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,2021 are available atwww.proxyvote.com. www.proxyvote.com. The Annual Report, however, is not part of the proxy solicitation material.material.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,


Jeffrey A. Duchemin

James W. Green
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer



 

Holliston, Massachusetts
April 7, 2022

May 12, 2016

 

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. OUR ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD AS A VIRTUAL MEETING. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING VIRTUALLY, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE ONLINE, BY TELEPHONE OR BY COMPLETING, DATING, SIGNING AND PROMPTLY RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE (WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE STOCKHOLDERS WHO REQUEST TO RECEIVE PAPER COPIES OF THESE MATERIALS BY MAIL) BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING SO THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.


Harvard Bioscience, Inc.

Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,

Proxy Statement and Other Information

Contents

 

 

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.
Proxy Statement

Table of Contents

Page

Proxy Statement

1

Proposal 1 Election Of Directors

Page

3

Proxy Statement

1

Proposal 1: Election of Directors

3

Information Regarding Directors

3

4

Information Regarding theThe Board ofOf Directors and itsAnd Its Committees

7

6

Code ofOf Business Conduct andAnd Ethics

11

Report of theOf The Audit Committee

11

12

Director Compensation

11

13

Information About Our Executive Officers

14
Compensation Discussion and Analysis

14

15

Executive And Director Compensation Process

21

Compensation Committee Report

21

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

21

2021 Summary Compensation Table

22

20

Grants of Plan-Based Awards- 2015

23

Outstanding Equity Awards atAt Fiscal Year-End- 2015

Year-End—2021

25

21

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

26

Security Ownership ofOf Certain Beneficial Owners andAnd Management

29

24

Equity Compensation Plan Information

31

26

Transactions With Related Persons

31

26

Delinquent Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Reports

32

26

Expenses of Solicitation

Stockholder Communications With The Board Of Directors

32

26

Submission of Stockholder Proposals for the 2017 Annual Meeting

33

Submission of Securityholder Recommendations for Director Candidates

33

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

34

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

34

27

Proposal 2:2 Ratification ofOf Appointment ofOf Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

35

27

Proposal 3:3 Approval by a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation ofOf An Amendment Of The Harvard Bioscience, Inc.’s named executive officers

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

35

28

Proposal 4 Advisory Vote On The Compensation Of Our Named Executive Officers

30
Submission Of Stockholder Proposals For The 2023 Annual Meeting31
Multiple Stockholders Sharing theThe Same Address

36

31

Other Matters

36

32

 


 

i

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.


84 October Hill Road


Holliston, Massachusetts 01746-1371


(508) 893-8999


_______________

 

PROXY STATEMENTProxy Statement

_______________



Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on Friday, June 24, 2016
Tuesday, May 17, 2022

 

This Proxy Statementproxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) for use at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Friday, June 24, 2016,May 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. EDT, at the offices of Burns & Levinson LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held by virtual meeting only. You may obtain directionswill not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

To be admitted to the Annual Meeting at www.proxyvote.com. http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HBIO2022, you must enter the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you previously received. You may vote during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting.

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders of the Company will be asked to consider and vote upon:

 

1.

The election of two Class I Directors, nominated by the Board of Directors (or the “Board”), for three-year terms, such terms to continue until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2019 and until such Directors’ successors are duly elected and qualified or until their

1.       The election of two Class I Directors named in this proxy statement, nominated by the Board of Directors (or the “Board”) for a three-year term, such term to continue until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2025 and until such Director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal;

2.

The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016;

3.

Approval, by a non-binding advisory vote, of the compensation of our named executive officers; and

4.

Such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

Under rules2.       The ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022;

3.       Adoption and regulations thatapproval of an amendment to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, insteadHarvard Bioscience, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of mailingauthorized shares of common stock available for issuance by 500,000 shares of common stock;

4.       Approval, by a printed copynon-binding advisory vote, of the compensation of our proxy materials to each stockholder of recordnamed executive officers; and

5.       Such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or beneficial owner of our common stock, wepostponements thereof.

We are now furnishing proxy materials, which include our Proxy Statementproxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Annual Report”), to our stockholders over the Internet, and providing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) by mail. We believe that this e-proxy process expedites stockholders’ receipt of proxy materials, including our proxy statement and Annual Report, while lowering the costs and reducing the environmental impact of our annual meeting. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials is first being mailed to stockholders of the Company on or about May 12, 2016,April 7, 2022, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 2, 2016March 23, 2022 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting (the “Record Date”). Only holders of Common Stock, par value $.01$0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 34,069,54941,241,449 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and approximately 141 stockholders of record.Meeting. Each holder of a share of Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record with respect to each matter properly submitted at the Annual Meeting.

 


The presence, in personvirtually online or by proxy, of holders of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares held of record by stockholders or their nominees who do not return a signed and dated proxy, properly deliver proxies via the Internet or telephone, or attend the Annual Meeting in personvirtually will not be considered present or represented at the Annual Meeting and will not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. Consistent with applicable law, we intend to count abstentions and broker non-votes only for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.

A broker “non-vote” refers to shares held by a broker or nominee that does not have the authority, either express or discretionary, to vote on a particular matter. Applicable rules no longer permit brokers to vote inIf the election of Directors ifbeneficial owner does not provide voting instructions, the broker hasor nominee can still vote the shares with respect to matters that are considered to be “routine,” but not receivedwith respect to “non-routine” matters. Proposal No. 2, the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, is considered “routine” under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters without voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Accordingly, it is important that beneficial owners, instruct their brokers how they wishand therefore no broker non-votes are expected to exist in connection with Proposal 2. The remaining proposals are considered “non-routine” under applicable rules. A broker or other nominee cannot vote their shares.without instructions on non-routine matters, and therefore there may be broker non-votes on those proposals. Accordingly, if you own shares in street name through a broker, bank or other nominee, please be sure to provide voting instructions to your nominee to ensure that your vote is counted on each of the proposals.


 

With respect to the election of two Class I Directors in Proposal No. 1, such Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast if a quorum is present. Votes may be cast for or withheld from each Director.the Directors. In a plurality election, votes may only be cast in favor of or withheld from each nominee; votes that are withheld will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no effect. This means that the two personsperson receiving the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected as Directors.Director.

 

Approval of Proposal Nos. 2, 3 and 3, regarding the ratification of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers respectively, requires4 require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting in personvirtually online or by proxy.

 

Any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote or otherwise) will have no impact on the election of the Directors, except to the extent that the failure to vote for an individual results in another individual receiving a larger percentage of votes, and no impact on the proposal for approvalvoting results of each other matter expected to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.

The corporate actions described in this Proxy Statement will not afford stockholders the opportunity to dissent from the actions described herein or to receive an agreed or judicially appraised value for their shares.

 

You will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request to receive these materials in hard copy by following the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.Notice. Instead, the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will instruct you how you may access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials also instructs you how you may submit your proxy via the Internet or mail. To the extent you receive a proxy card, such proxy card will also contain instructions on how you may also vote by telephone.telephone (in addition to voting by Internet or mail). If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.Notice.

 

We encourage you to vote either online, by telephone or by completing, signing, dating and returning a proxy card, or if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bankbroker or other financial institution,nominee, by completing and returning a voting instruction form. This ensures that your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting and reduces the likelihood that we will be forced to incur additional expenses soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting.

 

Voting over the Internet, by telephone or mailing a proxy card will not limit your right to vote in personvirtually online or to attend the Annual Meeting.Meeting virtually. Any record holder as of the Record Date may attend the Annual Meeting in personvirtually and may revoke a previously provided proxy at any time by: (i) executing and deliveringsubmitting a later-datednew vote on the Internet or by telephone or submitting a properly completed proxy card with a later date; (ii) sending written notice that you are revoking your proxy to the corporate secretary at Harvard Bioscience, Inc., 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746-1371; (ii) delivering a written revocation to the corporate secretary at the address above before the meeting;01746-1371, with such notice received by May 13, 2022; or (iii) voting in personattend the Annual Meeting virtually online and vote through the Annual Meeting website. Attendance at the Annual Meeting.Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy. If your shares are held by your broker or nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by such broker or nominee to revoke an earlier vote.

 

Beneficial holders who wish to change or revoke their voting instructions should contact their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution for information on how to do so.


Beneficial holders who wish to attend the Annual Meeting virtually and vote in personthrough the Annual Meeting website should contact their brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution holding shares of Common Stock on their behalf in order to obtain a “legal proxy”, which will allow them to vote in person at the meeting. Attendance atthrough the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.website.

 

You will be able to participate in the Annual Meeting online and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HBIO2022. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting, you must enter the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you received. You also will be able to vote your shares electronically prior to or during the Annual Meeting. If you want to submit a question during the Annual Meeting, log into http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HBIO2022, type your question into the “Ask a Question” field, and click “Submit.” Questions pertinent to meeting matters will be read and answered during the meeting, subject to time constraints.

If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Virtual Shareholder Meeting log in page.

Our Board of Directors recommends an affirmativea vote “FOR” the nominees of the Board of Directors with respect to Proposal No. 1, and “FOR” on all proposals specified in the notice for the Annual Meeting.Proposal Nos. 2, 3 and 4. Proxies will be voted as specified. If your proxy is properly submitted, it will be voted in the manner you direct.If you submit a properly executed proxy but do not specify instructions with respect to any particular matter to be acted upon at the meeting, proxies will be voted in favor of the Board of Directors’ recommendations.recommendations.

 


We will pay the entire expense of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. In addition to solicitations by mail, certain of our Directors, officers and employees (who will receive no compensation for their services other than their regular compensation) may solicit proxies by telephone, telegram, personal interview, facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic communication. Banks, brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and other fiduciaries have been requested to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock held of record by them as of the Record Date, and such custodians will be reimbursed for their expenses.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be Held on Friday, June 24, 2016:Tuesday, May 17, 2022: The Proxy Statementproxy statement and 2015 Annual Report, to Stockholders, which includes the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, are available atwww.proxyvote.com. The Annual Report, however, is not part of the proxy solicitation material.

 

PROPOSALProposal 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Election Of Directors

 

The Board of Directors of the Company currently consists of eightfive members and is divided into three classes of Directors, with three Directors in Class I, two Directors in Class II and three Directors in Class III. Neal J. Harte will not stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has approved a reduction in the size of the Board of Directors from eight members to seven members, to become effective immediately prior to the Annual Meeting at the end of Mr. Harte’s current term. At such time, there will be two Directors in Class I, two Directors in Class II and threeone Directors in Class III.

 

Once elected, Directors serve for three-year terms with one class of Directors being elected by our stockholders at each annual meeting to succeed the Directors of the same class whose terms are then expiring. Each nominee elected as a Director will continue in office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her death,earlier resignation or retirement.removal.

 

At the Annual Meeting, two Class I Directors, nominated by the Board of Directors, will stand for re-electionelection to serve until the 20192025 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.Atstockholders. At the recommendation of the Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated Mr. James W. Green and Mr. Bertrand Loy for election as the two Class I Directors of the Company. Unless otherwise specified in the proxy, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the shares represented by each properly executed proxy “FOR” the election of Mr. James W. Green and Mr. Bertrand Loy. The nominees have agreed to stand for re-electionelection and, if re-elected,elected, to serve as Directors. However, if any person nominated by the Board of Directors is unable to serve or will not serve, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as the Governance Committee and the Board of Directors may recommend.

 

Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by holders of shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of each nomineethe nominees as a Class I DirectorDirectors of the Company.

 


OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE FOLLOWING NOMINEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: JAMES W. GREEN AND BERTRAND LOY. PROPERLY AUTHORIZED PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES UNLESS INSTRUCTIONS TO WITHHOLD OR TO THE CONTRARY ARE GIVEN.

 

INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTORSInformation Regarding Directors

 

Set forth below is certain information regarding the Directors of the Company, including the two Class I Directors who have been nominated for election at the Annual Meeting, based on information furnished to the Company by each Director.such Directors. The biographical descriptiondescriptions below for each Director includes histhe Directors include their age, all positions he holdsthey hold with the Company, histheir principal occupation and business experience over at least the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies for which hethey currently servesserve as a DirectorDirectors or hashave served as a DirectorDirectors during at least the past five years. The biographical descriptiondescriptions below for each Directorthe Directors also includesinclude the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion by the Board of Directors that such personpersons should serve as a DirectorDirectors of the Company. In addition to such specific information, we also believe that all of our Directors have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards. Further, they have each demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment as well as a commitment of service to the Company and our Board.

 


Independence

 

The Board of Directors has determined that all of the Director nominees and incumbent Directors listed below, other than our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Green, are “independent” as such term is currently defined by applicable NASDAQ rules, except for Mr. David Green, who is the Company’s former President and interim CEO. In making its independence determination of Mr. David Green, the Board of Directors considered the fact that Mr. David Green serves as a director of Biostage, Inc., formerly known as Harvard Apparatus Regenerative Technology, Inc., or Biostage, which was spun-off from the Company on November 1, 2013. Our Director John F. Kennedy is also currently a Director of Biostage.Nasdaq rules.

 

The following information is current as of May 1, 2016, based on information furnished to the Company by each Director:

Directors of Harvard Bioscience, Inc.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position with the Company

Director

Since

Class I Directors—Term expires 2016; Nominated to Serve a Term Expiring 2019

 

 

 

 

 

James W. Green (2)*

 

58

 

Director

 

2015

Bertrand Loy(3)*

 

        50

 

Director

 

2014

  

  

 

 

Class I Director—Term expires 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Neal J. Harte(1)(3)

 

72

 

Director

 

2004

  

 

    

Class II Directors—Term expires 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Green

 

51

 

Director

 

1996

John F. Kennedy(1)(2)

 

67

 

Director

 

2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class III Directors—Term expires 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey A. Duchemin

 

50

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

2013

Earl R. Lewis (2)(3)

 

72

 

Chairman

 

2000

George Uveges (1)

 

        68

 

Director

 

2006

Name

 

Age

 

Principal Occupation

 

Director Since

Class I Directors—Term expires 2022; Nominated to Serve a Term Expiring 2025      
James W. Green 63 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company 2015
Bertrand Loy (CC)(GC) 56 President, CEO and a Director of Entegris, Inc., Lead Independent Director of the Board of the Directors of the Company 2014
Class II Directors—Term expires 2023      
Thomas W. Loewald (CC)(AC)(GC) 59 President and CEO of  Cambrex 2017
Katherine A. Eade (AC)(GC) 48 General Counsel of Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2017
Class III Director—Term expires 2024      
Alan Edrick (AC)(CC) 54 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of OSI Systems, Inc. 2019

___________________

*

Nominees for election. The Governance Committee has recommended that Mr. Loy be appointed to the Audit Committee, and Mr. Green be appointed to the Governance Committee, following the Annual Meeting to fill the vacancies created when Mr. Harte’s term ends at the Annual Meeting.

(1)

Member of the Audit Committee

(2)

Member of the Compensation Committee

(3)

Member of the Governance Committee

____________________

 

(AC) Member of the Audit Committee

(CC) Member of the Compensation Committee

(GC) Member of the Governance Committee

Nominees for Election as Class I Directors—Nominated to Serve Terms Expiring in 20192025

 

James W. Greenhas served as a Director of the Company since April 2015 and iswas appointed Chairman on June 5, 2017. Mr. Green was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer on July 8, 2019. Immediately prior to becoming our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Green served as President of Spacelabs Healthcare, a membermanufacturer of the Compensation Committee.medical equipment, beginning in April 2018. Prior to that position, Mr. James W. Green currently serveswas General Partner of Grantchester Group, a private equity investment firm with experience in healthcare and technology. Mr. Green also previously served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Analogic Corporation, a leading publicly held advanced medical and security imaging company.company from 2007 until October 2016. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. James W. Green worked as Regional Vice President of Unilab Corp., a California division of Quest Diagnostics Corporation, successfully integrating full Unilab operations into the national laboratory network of Quest Diagnostics.Corporation. From 1983 to 2005, Mr. James W. Green worked in various other leadership positions at Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV, St. Jude Medical Inc., Beckman Instruments, McDonnell Douglas Corporation and Northrop Advanced Systems. Mr. James W. Green holds a B.S. from the University of Missouri at Columbia, an M.S. from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the Stanford University Executive Program. We believe Mr. James W. Green’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his executive leadership experience and global experience in thetechnology, healthcare and life science industryindustries in a variety of executive positions.

 


Bertrand Loyhas served as a Director of the Company since November 2014 and currently serves as the Lead Independent Director and is a member of the Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee.  Since November 2012, Mr. Loy has served asbeen Chief Executive Officer, President CEO and a Directordirector of Entegris, Inc., a provider of yield-enhancing materials and solutions used in advanced high-tech manufacturing environments. Prior since November 2012. From July 2008 to that,November 2012, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Entegris, fromInc. From August 2005 until July 2008, to 2012 and Chief Administrative Officerhe served as the Executive Vice President of Entegris, from 2005 to 2008.Inc., in charge of its information technology, global supply chain and manufacturing operations. He previously workedserved as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mykrolis, Corp.a company spun out of Millipore Corporation, a life science products company, from January 2001 until its merger with Entegris inAugust 2005. From 1995Prior to 2000,that, Mr. Loy wasserved as the Chief Information Officer of Millipore Corporation during 1999 and 2000, and previously served in various strategic planning, global supply chain and financial roles with Millipore initially as the Director of Finance and Manufacturing for Millipore's Laboratory Water Division before moving to the position of Chief Information Officer. He began his career with Sandoz Pharmaceuticals (now Novartis) where he held various positions in strategic planning, finance and audit in Europe, Japan and Latin America from 1989 to 1995., a pharmaceutical company. Since July 2013, Mr. Loy earnedhas also been on the board of directors of SEMI, the global industry association representing the electronics manufacturing supply chain, and currently acts as the chairman of the association. Mr. Loy holds an M.B.A. atfrom ESSEC Business School in France. We believe Mr. Loy’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his extensive experience as an actinga Chief Executive Officer, as well as his experience in operational management and his extensive international experience in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

 

Incumbent Class I Director — Term Expiring in 2016

Neal J. Harte has served as a Director of the Company since February 2004 and is a member of the Audit Committee and Governance Committee. In 2011 The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants created the “Sustained Contribution Award” and Mr. Harte was a recipient that year. Since 2003, Mr. Harte has served as the President of the TACS Group, a consulting firm. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Harte served as the Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of Caturano & Company. From 1974 to 2002, Mr. Harte served as the President of Harte, Carucci & Driscoll, P.C., a CPA firm. From 1993 to 1996, he accepted and held the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Versyss, Inc., a $100 million health care technology company and orchestrated a turnaround and successful sale to Physician Computer, Inc., a publically held health care company. Mr. Harte serves on the Board of Trustees of Winchester Savings Bank. Mr. Harte is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and served as a Council at Large. Mr. Harte served as President of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants in 1991. Mr. Harte holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Boston College and holds a M.S. in taxation from Bentley University. We believe Mr. Harte’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his years of experience providing consulting services and his nearly four decades of accounting and financial management expertise.

Incumbent Class II Directors—Terms Expire 2017Expiring 2023

 

David Greenserved as President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company from March 1996 until the spin-off of Biostage on November 1, 2013, as interim CEO of the Company from May 2013 and August 2013, and has remained a Director of the Company since the spin-off. Mr. David Green serves on the Board of Directors of Biostage and was a founder and a former Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Biostage. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. David Green was a strategy consultant with Monitor Company, a strategy consulting company, in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Johannesburg, South Africa from June 1991 until September 1995 and a brand manager for household products with Unilever PLC, a packaged consumer goods company, in London from September 1985 to February 1989. Mr. David Green currently is on the advisory board of the Harvard Business School Healthcare Initiative. Mr. David Green graduated from Oxford University with a B.A. Honors degree in physics and holds a M.B.A. degree with distinction from Harvard Business School. We believe Mr. David Green’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his years of experience providing strategic consulting services and his executive leadership experience and knowledge and understanding of our Company from serving as our President for seventeen years.

John F. KennedyThomas W. Loewald has served as a Director of the Company since October 2000.2017. Mr. KennedyLoewald currently serves as ChairmanChair of the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Governance Committee and Audit Committee. From June 2006 untilSince September 2020, Mr. Loewald has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cambrex, a leading private equity-owned Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization. Previously, Mr. Loewald served as President of the Flexible Packaging Division of ProAmpac, a private-equity owned flexible packaging company from September 2017 to September 2020. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a multinational biotechnology product development company. He previously worked in various roles of Thermo Fisher Scientific from 2002 to 2016. Prior to Thermo Fisher, Mr. Loewald led sales, marketing, and customer service for the adhesives division of Tyco International from 1998 to 2002. Prior to Tyco, Tom held a series of roles with General Electric’s Plastics and Materials businesses. Mr. Loewald holds a B.A. in economics from Middlebury College and an M.B.A. in business administration from The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. We believe Mr. Loewald’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his retirementbroad global business experience in October 2008, Mr. Kennedya wide range of industries from commodity to high growth, his strong strategic management and leadership skills, and his extensive record of success in leading business growth and excellence.

Katherine A. Eade has served as a Director of the Company since October 2017. Ms. Eade currently serves as Chair of the Governance Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Eade has more than 18 years of experience advising public companies on M&A and other significant corporate transactions, governance matters and capital markets. Ms. Eade is General Counsel of Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Previously, Ms. Eade served as Vice President, Strategic Commercial Affairs at Align Technology, a position she held from July 2019 to July 2020, and prior to that was Deputy General Counsel of La-Z-Boy Incorporated from 2018 to 2019. Prior to joining La-Z-Boy, Ms. Eade was the Director, M&A Law and Transactions for Corning Incorporated and Division Counsel for Corning’s Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical Technologies divisions. Her life science acquisitions for Corning included the $730 million purchase of BD’s Discovery Labware business. Previous to her work at Corning, Ms. Eade was an attorney at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, a leading international law firm, for over seven years. Earlier in her career, she served as a law clerk for Judge Morton I. Greenberg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Ms. Eade earned a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and a B.A. in Government, summa cum laude, from Cornell University. We believe Ms. Eade’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include her significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, including in the life sciences industry, and her extensive experience in capital markets and corporate governance.


Incumbent Class III Director—Terms Expiring 2024

Alan Edrick has served as a Director of the Company since September 2019. Mr. Edrick currently serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Edrick has over 25 years of financial management and public accounting experience, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial planning and analysis, and regulatory compliance. Mr. Edrick has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nova Ventures Corporation, the managementOSI Systems, Inc., a publicly traded multinational company providing executive management services to the operating companies of Nova Holdings LLC, Nova Analytics Corporationwith leading market positions in homeland security, patient monitoring and Nova Technologies Corporation. From July 2002 to Juneoptoelectronics, since 2006. Between 2004 and 2006, Mr. KennedyEdrick served as theExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nova Analytics Corporation, a worldwide supplierBioSource International, Inc. until its sale to Invitrogen Corporation. Between 1998 and integrator of analytical instruments. From August 1999 to April 2002,2004, Mr. KennedyEdrick served as the Senior Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of RSA Security Inc., an e-business security company. Prior to joining RSA Security, Mr. Kennedy was Chief Financial Officer of Decalog, NV,North American Scientific, Inc., a developer of enterprise investment management software, from 1998 to 1999. From 1993 tomedical device and specialty pharmaceutical company. Between 1989 and 1998, Mr. Kennedy served as Vice PresidentEdrick was employed by Price Waterhouse LLP in various positions including Senior Manager, Capital Markets. Mr. Edrick earned a Bachelor of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Natural MicroSystems Corporation, a telecommunications company. Mr. Kennedy, a former CPA, also practiced as a public accountant at KPMG for 6 years. Mr. Kennedy serves on the Board of Directors of Datacom Systems, Inc., Matrix Systems Holdings LLC and Biostage. Mr. Kennedy holds an M.S.B.A.Arts in accountingeconomics/business from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Master of Business Administration from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. We believe Mr. Kennedy’sEdrick’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his executive leadership experience as a Chief Financial Officer, as well as his significant operating, accounting and financial management expertise, and the knowledge and understanding of our Company that he has acquired over fifteen years of service on our Board.


Incumbent Class III Directors—Terms Expire 2018

Jeffrey A. Ducheminwas appointed Chief Executive Officer on August 26, 2013. Mr. Duchemin assumed the additional roles of President on November 1, 2013 and Director on October 29, 2013.  Prior to joining Harvard Bioscience, Mr. Duchemin spent 16 years with Becton Dickinson ("BD") in progressive sales, marketing and executive leadership positions across BD's three business segments; BD Medical Systems, BD Diagnostic Systems, and BD Biosciences.  In October 2012, BD Biosciences Discovery Labware was acquired by Corning Life Sciences.  Mr. Duchemin was a Global Business Director for Corning Life Sciences until his departure to Harvard Bioscience. Mr. Duchemin is a transformational leader with demonstrated business results. The depth of his experience spans across a broad range of life science research and medical device products resulting in growth on a global basis. Mr. Duchemin earned an M.B.A. from Southern New Hampshire University and a B.S. in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. We believe Mr. Duchemin’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his executive leadership experience and global experienceincluding in the life science industry in a variety of executive positions.sciences industry.

 

Earl R. Lewishas served as a Director of the Company since October 2000, Lead Director from November 2008 to July 2013 and Chairman since July 2013. Mr. Lewis currently serves as Chairman of the Governance Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Lewis served as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of FLIR Systems, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of thermal imaging and infrared camera systems from November 2000 until his retirement as Chief Executive Officer and President in May 2013. Mr. Lewis continues to serve as the Company’s Chairman.  Mr. Lewis previously served in various capacities with Thermo Instrument Systems, Inc. (now merged into Thermo Fisher Corporation, a developer, manufacturer and marketer of measuring and controlling devices) beginning in 1986 and was named President in 1997 and Chief Executive Officer in 1998. Thermo Fisher Corporation develops, manufactures and markets measuring and controlling devices. Mr. Lewis formerly was Chairman of Thermo BioAnalysis Corporation, Thermo Vision Corporation, Thermo Optek Corporation, ThermoQuest Corporation, each of which is a developer of laboratory analytical instruments, and ONIX Systems, Inc., a developer of measuring and controlling devices. Mr. Lewis currently serves on theInformation Regarding The Board ofOf Directors of NxStage Medical Inc., FLIR Systems, Inc. and Tecogen, Inc. Mr. Lewis also serves on the Board of Trustees of Clarkson University and New Hampton School. Mr. Lewis holds a B.S. from Clarkson College of Technology and has attended post-graduate programs at the University of Buffalo, Northeastern University and Harvard University. Mr. Lewis has a Professional Director Certification, earned through an extended series of director education programs sponsored by the Corporate Directors Group, an accredited organization of RiskMetrics ISS. We believe Mr. Lewis’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his experience in the laboratory products and analytical instruments industry, his executive leadership experience from serving as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of FLIR Systems, Inc. and his knowledge and understanding of our Company that he has acquired over fifteen years of service on our Board.

George Uveges has served as a Director of the Company since March 2006 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Uveges is the founder and principal of the Tallwood Group, an angel-investing firm that provides financial and management advisory services in addition to investment capital. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Uveges served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of TranXenoGen, Inc., a development stage biotechnology company that was listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange during that period. He was also a Director of that company from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Uveges was, from 2000 to 2001, the Chief Operating Officer of BioSource International, Inc., a publicly held company engaged in developing a broad-based offering of life science tools. Mr. Uveges also practiced as a public accountant at Ernst & Young for thirteen years. Mr. Uveges served as a Director from 2005 to 2011 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Microfluidics International Corporation from 2010 to 2011. Mr. Uveges, a CPA, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Financial Executives International and the National Association of Corporate Directors. Mr. Uveges holds a B.B.A. from Cleveland State University and an M.B.A. from Baldwin Wallace College. We believe Mr. Uveges’ qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his operating, accounting and financial management expertise, approximately eighteen years of experience in the life science industry in a variety of senior executive positions and his knowledge and understanding of our Company that he has acquired over ten years of service on our Board.


INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEESAnd Its Committees

 

During the year ended December 31, 2015,2021, our Board of Directors held twelvesix meetings. Each of the Directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held while he or she was a Director and of the committees of which he or she was a member, except for Robert Dishman who retired from ourmember. The Board of Directors in April 2015. The Board of Directorsgenerally encourages Directors to attend in person the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, or Special Meeting in lieu thereof, or, if unable to attend in person, to participate by other means, if practicable. In recognition of this policy, theThe Board of Directors typically schedules a regular meeting of the Board ofencourages Directors to be held onparticipate virtually for the date of, and immediately following, the2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Meeting. All of the Directors in office at the time attended in person or by telephone, the 20152021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 28, 2015.18, 2021. The non-employee Directors meet regularly in executive sessions outside the presence of management.

 

Mr. Lewis has been theBoard Leadership Structure

Our Board leadership structure consists of a Chairman of the Board who is also our Board since July 2013.  Among other things, the Chairman provides feedbackChief Executive Officer. Prior to theMr. Green being appointed Chief Executive Officer, on executive sessions and facilitates discussion among the independent directors outsideroles of meetingsChairman of the Board of Directors. TheDirectors and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management of our Company and the development and implementation of our Company’s strategy.  Our Board of Directors currently believes that separating the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman contributes to an efficient and effective board.were separate. Our Board of Directors does not have a current requirement that the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board be either combined or separated, because the Board of Directors currently believes it is in the best interests of our Company to make this determination based on the position and direction of our Company and the constitution of the Board and management team. From time to time, the Board of Directors will evaluate whether the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board should be combined or separated. Both the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions are currently held by Mr. Green and as noted above, Mr. Loy has been appointed and currently serves as the Lead Independent Director.

The Lead Independent Director has broad responsibility and authority, including to:

·Preside at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent Directors.

·Call meetings of independent Directors.

·Serves as the principal liaison between the Chairman and the independent Directors.

·Approve all information sent to the Board, including the quality, quantity, appropriateness and timeliness of such information.

·Approve meeting agendas for the Board.

·Approve the frequency of Board meetings and meeting schedules, assuring there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items.


·Recommend to the Governance Committee and to the Chairman, selection for the membership and chairman position for each Board committee.

·Interview along with the chair of the Governance Committee, all Director candidates and make recommendations to the Governance Committee.

·Be available, when appropriate, for consultation and direct communication with stockholders.

·Retain outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board on Board-wide issues.

·On an annual basis, in consultation with the independent directors, the Lead Independent Director will review his responsibility and authority and recommend to the Board for approval any modifications or changes.

Our Board of Directors has determined that having separate roles of our Company’sits current structure, with combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles and Chairmana Lead Independent Director is in the best interestinterests of our Company and its stockholders at this time.

A number of factors support the leadership structure chosen by the Board, including, among others:

·Our Chief Executive Officer has extensive knowledge of all aspects of our company and its business and risks, its industry and its customers.

·Our Chief Executive Officer is intimately involved in the day-to-day operations of our company and is best positioned to elevate the most critical business issues for consideration by the Board.

·The Board believes having our Chief Executive Officer serve in both capacities allows him to more effectively execute our company’s strategic initiatives and business plans and confront its challenges.

·A combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer structure provides our company with decisive and effective leadership with clearer accountability to our stockholders and customers, especially within the context of an aggressive turnaround situation in which rapid decision making is a critical success factor.

·This structure allows one person to speak for and lead the company and the Board.

·The combined role is both counterbalanced and enhanced by the effective oversight and independence of our Board and the independent leadership provided by our Lead Independent Director and independent committee chairs.

·The Board believes that the appointment of a strong Lead Independent Director and the use of regular executive sessions of the non-management Directors, along with the Board’s strong committee system and all Directors being independent except for Chief Executive Officer, allow it to maintain effective oversight of management.

·In our view, splitting the roles would potentially make our management and governance processes less effective through undesirable duplication of work and possibly lead to a blurring of clear lines of accountability and responsibility.


Board Diversity Matrix (As of March 23, 2022)

Total Number of Directors5
Part I. Gender IdentityFemaleMaleNon-BinaryDid Not Disclose Gender
Directors14--
Part II. Demographic Background    
African American or Black----
Alaskan Native or Native American----
Asian----
Hispanic or Latinx----
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander----
White14--
Two or More Races or Ethnicities----
LGBTQ+----
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background----

Board Committees

 

The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”), a Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and a Governance Committee (the “Governance Committee”).

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee currently consistscharters of Messrs. Harte, Kennedy and Uveges. Mr. Uveges serves as the Chairman. The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of independent Directors and it operates under a Board approved charter that sets forth its duties and responsibilities. The Audit Committee met nine times during 2015. The Governance Committee has recommended that Mr. Loy be appointed to the Audit Committee following the Annual Meeting to fill the vacancy created when Mr. Harte’s term ends at the Annual Meeting.

The Audit Committee is governed by the Sixth Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter which was approved by the Board of Directors on April 26, 2016. The Audit Committee Charter iseach our committees are available on the Corporate Governance page in the Investor Relations section of our website atwww.harvardbioscience.com. Please note that the information contained on the Company website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this Proxy Statement.proxy statement.

 


Audit Committee

The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Edrick, Mr. Loewald and Ms. Eade. Mr. Edrick serves as the Chair. The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of independent Directors and it operates under a Board-approved charter that sets forth its duties and responsibilities. The Audit Committee met five times during 2021.

 

Under its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm and management the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting and related matters;
reviewing and consulting with management and the independent registered public accounting firm on matters related to the annual audit, the annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures, earnings releases and the related accounting principles, policies, practices and judgments;
making a recommendation to the Board as to whether our audited financial statements should be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K;
appointing, retaining and terminating, and determining compensation of, the Company’s independent auditors;
the oversight of the Company’s independent auditors and the evaluation of the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence, including performance of the lead audit partner, and reporting of such evaluation to the Board;
assurance of the regular rotation of audit partners, including any lead and concurring partners, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;
preparation of the Audit Committee report required to be included in our annual proxy statement;
reporting matters that arise relating to quality or integrity of our financial statements, legal compliance, performance of the independent auditors and other matters, to the Board and reviewing such matters with the Board.
·reviewing our financial statements and related disclosures included in quarterly and annual financial statements, as well as quarterly earnings releases;

·reviewing the adequacy of our internal controls, and financial systems and management practices;

·appointing, retaining and terminating, and determining compensation of, our independent auditors;

·overseeing our independent auditors and the evaluation of the independent auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence;

·assuring the regular rotation of audit partners, including any lead and concurring partners, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;

·reporting matters that arise relating to quality or integrity of our financial statements and other matters to the Board and reviewing such matters with the Board.

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee discuss matters relating to risks that arise or may arise. The Audit Committee has also established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment, on a confidential basis, of complaints received by the Company.

 


The Audit Committee is also responsible for, and has established policies and procedures with respect to, the pre-approval of all services provided by the independent auditors. When assessing the independence of our auditors, the Audit Committee considers the independent registered public accounting firm’s provision of non-audit services to the Company.

The Audit Committee has also established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment, on a confidential basis, of complaints received by the Company. The Board of Directors, including the Audit Committee, adopted our Second Amended and Restated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on April 26, 2016, a copy of which is available on the Corporate Governance page in the Investor Relations section of our website atwww.harvardbioscience.com. Please note that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this Proxy Statement.

With respect to the Company’sthe independent registered public accounting firm, currently KPMG, in accordance with SEC rules and KPMG policies, audit partners are subject to rotation requirements to limit

the number of consecutive years an individual partner may provide service to our Company. For lead and concurring audit partners, the maximum number of consecutive years of service in that capacity is five years. Our Audit Committee is involved in the selection of the lead audit partner. The process for selection of our lead audit partner pursuant to this rotation policy involves a meeting between the Chairman of the Audit Committee and the candidate for the role, as well as discussion by the full Audit Committee and with management.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Harte, KennedyMr. Edrick, Ms. Eade and UvegesMr. Loewald are “independent” as such term is currently defined by NASDAQNasdaq rules meetfor purposes of service on the criteria for independence set forth under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are able to read and understand fundamental financial statements.Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has also determined that each of Messrs. Harte, Kennedy and UvegesMr. Edrick qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as this term has been defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.SEC.

 


Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Green, KennedyMr. Loewald, Mr. Loy and Lewis. Mr. KennedyEdrick. Mr. Loewald serves as the Chairman. Mr. Green replaced Mr. Harte as a member of the Compensation Committee in May 2015 following our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.   Mr. Harte remained a member of our Audit Committee and Governance Committee at such time.TheChair. The Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of independent Directors and it operates under a Board approved charter that sets forth its duties and responsibilities. The Compensation Committee met eightthree times during 2015.

The Compensation Committee adopted the Fourth Amended and Restated Compensation Committee Charter on April 26, 2016. The Compensation Committee Charter is available on the Corporate Governance page in the Investor Relations section of our website atwww.harvardbioscience.com. Please note that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this Proxy Statement.2021.

 

The Compensation Committee determines and oversees the execution of our compensation philosophy and oversees the administration of our executive compensation programs. Its responsibilities also include overseeing the Company’s compensation and benefit plans and policies, retaining or terminating committee advisors, independence evaluation of compensation advisors, administering its stock plans (including reviewing and approving equity grants) and reviewing and approving annually all compensation decisions for the Company’s executive officers, including the CEO and the other executive officers named in the 20152021 Summary Compensation Table. See “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” later in this Proxy Statementproxy statement for information concerning the Compensation Committee’s role, processes and activities in overseeing executive compensation.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Green, KennedyMr. Loewald, Mr. Loy and LewisMr. Edrick are “independent” as such term is currently defined by NASDAQ rules.Nasdaq rules for purposes of service on the Compensation Committee.

 

Governance Committee

 

The current members of the Governance Committee are Messrs. Harte, LewisMr. Loewald, Mr. Loy and Loy. Mr. LewisMs. Eade. Ms. Eade is the Chairman.Chair. The Governance Committee is comprised entirely of independent Directors and it operates under a Board approved charter that sets forth its duties and responsibilities. The Governance Committee met threetwice times during 2015. The Governance Committee has recommended that Mr. Green be appointed to the Governance Committee following the Annual Meeting to fill the vacancy created when Mr. Harte’s term ends at the Annual Meeting.2021.

 

Under the terms of its charter, the Governance Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria recommended by the Governance Committee and approved by the Board of Directors, and recommending that the Board of Directors select the Director candidates for election at each annual meeting of stockholders. Its responsibilities also include recommending to the Board of Directors the criteria for membership on Board Committees. The Governance Committee is also responsible for assisting the Board of Directors with such corporate governance matters as the Board of Directors may request.

 

In identifying and evaluating nominees for the Board of Directors, the Governance Committee may solicit recommendations from any or all of the following sources: non-management Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers, third-party search firms or any other source it deems appropriate. In addition,At the Annual Meeting, Mr. Green and Mr. Loy will be standing for election by the stockholders.


The Governance Committee has established a policy that it will review and consider anyprocedures for stockholders to recommend Director candidates. All stockholder recommendations for Director candidates must be submitted in writing to our Chief Financial Officer at 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746, who have been recommended by securityholders in compliance with certain procedures established bywill forward all recommendations to the Governance Committee. The procedures to be followed by securityholders in submitting suchAll stockholder recommendations are described in the section entitled “Submission of Securityholder Recommendations for Director Candidates” includedcandidates must be submitted to the Company not less than 120 calendar days prior to the anniversary of the date on which our proxy statement was released to stockholders in this Proxy Statement. The Governance Committee will review and evaluateconnection with the qualifications of any such proposedprevious year’s annual meeting. All stockholder recommendations for Director candidate and conduct inquiries it deems appropriate.candidates must include:

 


·the name and address of record of the stockholder,

·a representation that the stockholder is a record holder of our securities, or if the stockholder is not a record holder, evidence of ownership in accordance with Rule 14a-8(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,

·the name, age, business and residential address, educational background, public company directorships, current principal occupation or employment, and principal occupation or employment for the preceding five full fiscal years of the proposed Director candidate,

·a description of the qualifications and background of the proposed director candidate which addresses the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Board of Directors and set forth in the Governance Committee Charter,

·a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and the proposed Director candidate,

·the consent of the proposed Director candidate to be named in the proxy statement, to have all required information regarding such Director candidate included in the proxy statement, and to serve as a Director if elected, and

·any other information regarding the proposed Director candidate that is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

The Governance Committee will evaluate all such proposed Director candidates, including those recommended by securityholdersstockholders, in compliance with the procedures established by the Governance Committee, in the same manner, with no regard to the source of the initial recommendation of such proposed Director candidate. When considering a potential candidate for membership on the Board of Directors, the Governance Committee may consider, in addition to the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Board of Directors, all facts and circumstances that the Governance Committee deems appropriate or advisable, including, among other things, the skills of the proposed Director candidate, his or her availability, depth and breadth of business experience or other background characteristics, his or her independence and the needs of the Board of Directors. At a minimum, each candidate must have high personal and professional integrity, have demonstrated ability and judgment, and be effective, in conjunction with the other Directors and candidates, in collectively serving the long-term interests of the stockholders. In addition, the Governance Committee will recommend that the Board select candidates for nomination to help ensure that a majority of the Board shall be “independent” in accordance with NASDAQNasdaq rules and that each of its Audit, Compensation and Governance Committees shall be comprised entirely of independent Directors; provided, however, in accordance with NASDAQDirectors, subject to certain exceptions under the Nasdaq rules under exceptional and limited circumstances, if a committee has at least three members, the Board may appoint one individual to such committee who does not satisfy the independence standards.requirement. Although there is no specific policy regarding the consideration of diversity in identifying Director candidates, the Governance Committee may consider whether the candidate, if elected, assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background and experience. The Governance Committee also may consider whether the candidate has direct experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and/or life science research industries or in the markets in which the Company operates.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Harte, Lewis and Loy are “independent” as such term is currently defined by NASDAQ rules.

The Governance Committee Charter is available on the Corporate Governance page in the Investor Relations section of our website atwww.harvardbioscience.com. Please note that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this Proxy Statement.

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

Risks to the Company are discussed by the Board of Directors during the year. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks we face, while the Board, as a whole and through its Committees, oversees risk management. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewingBoard reviews and discussing with management our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee review and discuss,discusses, including with management, risks that arise or may arise.arise, including in relation to legal, compliance and cyber-security matters, as well as novel risks that arise such as the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. For example, the Audit CommitteeBoard discusses financial risk, including with respect to financial reporting and internal controls, with management and our independent registered public accounting firm and the steps management has taken to minimize those risks. Our Board of Directors also administers its risk oversight function through the required approval by the Board (or a Committee of the Board) of significant transactions and other material decisions.

 


Risk Considerations in our Compensation Programs

 

The Compensation Committee believes that risks arising from our policies and practices for compensating employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Non-Employee Director Ownership Guidelines

 

Our Board has implemented equity ownership guidelines with respect to our non-employee directors.  SuchDirectors. The ownership guidelines require each non-employee member of the Board of Directors, within five years from April 29, 2014, as to existing directors at such time, and five years from their initial election to the Board as to directors initially elected after such date, to own shares of our Common Stock having a value of at least three times the annual retainer of the non-employee directors.Directors. With respect to satisfying suchthe guidelines, unvested deferred stock awards of restricted stock units are included in the calculation while stock options are excluded.


CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS All of our Directors are currently in compliance with these equity ownership guidelines.

 

Code Of Business Conduct And Ethics

The Board of Directors has adopted a Second Amended and Restated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, on April 26, 2016, which applies to all Directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries including the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer, controller and any person performing similar functions. The Second Amended and Restated Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Corporate Governance page in the Investor Relations section of our website atwww.harvardbioscience.com. We intend to post any amendments to or waivers from this Second Amended and Restatedour Code of Business Conduct and Ethics at this location on our website. Please note, however, that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered a part of, this Proxy Statement.

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 


Report Of The Audit Committee

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate this Proxy Statementproxy statement or any future filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in whole or in part, the following report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any such filing.

 

The undersigned members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company submit this report in connection with the committee’s review of the financial reports of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152021 as follows:

 

1.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

2021.

2.

The Audit Committee has discussed with representatives of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP the matters required to be discussed with them by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16.

and the SEC.

3.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountant required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s independence.

 

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152021 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Submitted by the Audit Committee:

Alan Edrick, Chair
Katherine A. Eade

Thomas W. Loewald

 

George Uveges, Chairman

John F. Kennedy

Neal J. Harte

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 


Director Compensation

Our Board of Directors has the authority to approve all compensation payable to our Directors, although our Compensation Committee is responsible for making recommendations to our Board regarding Board compensation. Our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee annually review our Board compensation to evaluate whether it remains competitive such that we are able to recruit and retain qualified Directors. We use a combinationmix of cash andand/or stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. In setting directorBoard compensation, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee consider the significant amount of time that Directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Company as well as the skill-level required by the Company of members of the Board.   In the second quarter of 2015, following a recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board modified the director compensation program so that the annual equity grant to each non-employee director vested fully on the earlier to occur of (i) the date of the Company’s next Annual Meeting of Stockholders after the grant date, immediately prior to the commencement of such meeting, and (ii) one year from the date of grant, as opposed to vesting just one year from the date of grant. Such modified policy went into effectas of May 1, 2015 and is described below.

2015 Director Compensation

 

Directors who are also employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for service as a Director. Non-employee Directors receive the compensation described below.

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors Upon Initial Election to the Board

Each new non-employee Director, is entitled to receive a non-qualified stock option having an aggregate Black-Scholes cash value of $120,000, rounded to the nearest 100 shares, provided that in no case shall such stock option be less than 25,000 shares.  Such option shall be for the purchase of Common Stock of the Corporation and shall vest annually over three years and granted on the fifth business day followingupon his or her initial election to the Board, of Directors.


Each non-employee Director receives an annual retainer of $35,000 paid in four equal quarterly installments. The Chairman of the Board is entitled to receive an additional annual retainer of $35,000 paid in four equal quarterly installments. Each non-employee Director member of the Audit Committee is entitled to receive an additional annual retainer of $9,000, each non-employee Director member of the Compensation Committee is entitled to receive an additional annual retainer of $6,000 and each non-employee Director member of the Governance Committee is entitled to receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000. The Committee Chairman of the Audit Committee is entitled to receive an additional annual retainer of $18,000, the Committee Chairman of the Compensation Committee is entitled to receive an additional annual retainer of $12,000 and the Committee Chairman of the Governance Committee is entitled to receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000. Retainers are paid in four equal quarterly installments.

Each non-employee Director is also entitled to receive an equitya restricted stock unit (“RSU”) award having an aggregate casha grant date fair value of $80,000, rounded to the nearest 100 shares, vesting fully on the earlier to occur of (i) the date of the Company’s next Annual Meeting of Stockholders after the grant date, immediately prior to the commencement of such meeting, and (ii) one year from the date of grant and granted on the fifth business day following the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, with such$150,000. Such RSU award to be evidenced by a grant ofdeferred stock awards of restricted stock units.  In addition, non-employee Directors are reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and Committee meetings.

Non-employee Directors continue to be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and committee meetings.

2016 Director Compensation

In the fourth quarter of 2015, following a recommendation of the Compensation Committee, to further certain expense reduction and cash savings initiatives, the Board modified the director compensation program by implementing a temporary reduction in annual cash retainer payments, as well as utilizing deferred stock awards of restricted stock units to satisfy the annual cash retainers. The revised program went into effect on January 1, 2016 and was further revised by the Board in April 2016. The revised program is described below.

Directors who are also employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for service as a Director. Each non-employee director will be entitled to receive a non-qualified stock option having an aggregate Black-Scholes cash value of $120,000, rounded to the nearest 100 shares, provided that in no case shall such stock option be less than 25,000 shares (so long as 25,000 shares are required to be granted under the equity incentive plan of the Company). Such option shall be for the purchase of Common Stock and shall vest annually over three years and be granted on the fifth business day following his or her initial election to the Board.

 

The annual retainers described herein shall each be satisfied by the issuanceAnnual Compensation of deferred stock awards of restricted stock units (each a “Retainer Award”). Non-Employee Directors

Annual Board and Committee Retainers

Each non-employee director will beDirector is entitled to receive an annual retainer, valued at $31,500. The Chairman will also be entitled to receive an additional annual retainer valued at $31,500. Each non-employee director member of the Audit Committee will be entitled to receive an additional annual retainer valued at $8,100. Each non-employee director member of the Compensation Committee will be entitled to receive an additional annual retainer valued at $5,400. Each non-employee member of the Governance Committee will be entitled to receive an additional annual retainer valued at $4,500. The Committee Chairman of the Audit Committee will be entitled to receive an additional annual retainer valued at $16,200.  The Committee Chairman of the Compensation Committee will be entitled to receive an additional annual retainer valued at $10,800.  The Committee Chairman of the Governance Committee will be entitled to receive an additional annual retainer valued at $4,500.   The retainer awards for individuals that are non-employee directors of the Company as of the first trading day of January of the corresponding year, are granted on the first trading day of January (the “Grant Date”) and vest quarterly over the calendar year (on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, provided thatpaid in the event a director’s service (including as a Board member, or their role as Chairman, Committee Chairman, Committee member) ends during a particular quarter, the vesting dateRSUs, for such quarter in relation to the portion of the award attributable to such roles that are ending, shall be the last day of the director’s term in the respective role such that the full quarterly amount attributable to such roles shall vestDirector’s service on that earlier vesting date and subject to continued service as a non-employee director on the applicable vesting dates. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to a retainer award is equal to the amount of cash that would have been received had the retainers all been paid in cash, divided by the average daily closing market price of the Common Stock for the month of November immediately preceding the Grant Date, rounded to the nearest 100 shares.


In the event that a non-employee director is named Chairman or joins any committees of the Board of Directors during a fiscal year after the Grant Date, such director shall be granted an additional retainer award, in relation to such additional roles and respective retainer amounts pro-rated for the remainder of such year, on the first trading day of the month after the individual is appointed to such roles. The additional retainer award shall vest in equal amounts spread over the remaining quarterly vesting dates of the retainer awards for such calendar year subject to continued service as a non-employee director on the applicable vesting dates, provided that in the event a director’s service (including as a Board member, or their role as Chairman, Committee Chairman, Committee member) ends during a particular quarter, the vesting date for such quarter in relation to the portion of the award attributable to such roles that are ending, shall be the last day of the director’s term in the respective role such that the full quarterly amount attributable to such roles shall vest on that earlier vesting date (i.e. if the additionalDirectors. Such retainer award is granted on September 1, one half wouldthe fifth business day following each annual meeting of stockholders and will vest on September 30 and the remaining half would vest on December 31). The number of shares of Common Stock subject to an additional retainer award is equal to the amount of cash that would have been received had the retainers all been paid in cash, divided by the average daily closing market price of the Common Stock for the calendar month that is two months prior to the month the director was appointed to the additional roles, rounded to the nearest 100 shares (i.e., the month of June if the director was appointed to the additional roles on August 15).

Each non-employee director will also be entitled to receive an equity award having an aggregate cash value of $72,000, rounded to the nearest 100 shares, vesting fullyfull on the earlier to occur of (i) the date of the Company’s next Annual Meeting of Stockholders after the grant date, immediately prior to the commencement of suchCompany’s next annual meeting and (ii) one year from the date of grant, subject to the Director’s continued service through the applicable vesting date. The Lead Independent Director receives an additional retainer paid in RSUs which has the same date of grant and vesting schedule as the annual Board retainers. Further, each non-employee Director is entitled to receive cash retainers for such Director’s service on committees of the Board of Directors. Such committee retainers are paid quarterly in arrears.

As a result of its annual review of the Company’s non-employee Director compensation program in 2021, the Board of Directors approved certain changes to the compensation amounts. In addition, while annual Board and committee retainers were historically paid on a calendar year basis, the Board determined that following the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, annual retainers would be paid in accordance with a Board year that commences on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders and ends on the date of the next annual meeting. As part of this transition from the calendar year to the Board year, for the 2021-2022 Board year, each non-employee Director received certain pro-rated transition awards.

The current annual retainer values for each particular role on the Board are as follows:

Role Annual Retainer Value
Non-employee Director $45,000 
Lead Independent Director $35,000 
Audit Committee chair $17,500 
Audit Committee member $10,000 
Compensation Committee chair $7,000 
Compensation Committee member $7,000 
Governance Committee chair $5,000 
Governance Committee member $5,000 


Annual Equity Award

Each non-employee Director will also be entitled to receive an equity award in the form of restricted stock units having an aggregate cash value of $100,000, which is granted on the fifth business day following each annual meeting of stockholders and will vest in full on the earlier of (i) immediately prior to the Company’s Annual Meetingnext annual meeting of Stockholders, with such awardstockholders, and (ii) one year from the date of grant, subject to be evidenced by a grant ofdeferred stock awards of restricted stock units.  the Director’s continued service through the applicable vesting date.

Expenses

In addition, non-employee directorsDirectors shall be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and Committee meetings.

 

Non-employee Directors continue to be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and committee meetings.

2021 Director Compensation Table

 

The following table presents the compensation provided by us to the non-employee Directors who served during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.2021.

 

Name Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) Stock Awards ($) (1)(2) Option Awards ($) (3) Total ($)
Katherine A. Eade     164,152      164,152 
Alan Edrick  4,336   172,216      176,552 
John F. Kennedy     19,247      19,247 
Thomas W. Loewald  6,194   168,184      174,378 
Bertrand Loy     191,368      191,368 
Susan Steele     15,782      15,782 

____________________

 

  

Fees

             
  

Earned or

             
  

Paid in

  

Option

  

Restricted Stock

     

Name (1)

 

Cash

  

Awards (2), (3)

  

Awards (4)

  

Total

 
                 

Robert Dishman

 $11,375  $-  $80,008  $91,383 

David Green

  35,000   -   80,064   115,064 

James Green

  27,175   120,000   80,064   227,239 

Neal J. Harte

  51,450   -   80,064   131,514 

John F. Kennedy

  62,000   -   80,064   142,064 

Earl R. Lewis

  86,000   -   80,064   166,064 

Bertrand Loy

  45,589   -   80,064   125,653 

George Uveges

  62,000   -   80,064   142,064 

___________________

(1)  

Jeffrey A. Duchemin, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer is not included in this table as he is an employee of the Company and thus receives no compensation for his service as a Director. The compensation received by Mr. Duchemin as an employee of the Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table later in this Proxy Statement.

(2)  

(1)

Based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed awards in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures.. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are included in Note 1910 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152021 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SecuritiesSEC on March 11, 2022.

(2)The aggregate number of unvested RSU awards outstanding at December 31, 2021 and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016.

held by the non-employee Directors were as follows: 14,400 awards for Ms. Eade; 14,400 awards for Mr. Edrick; 14,000 awards for Mr. Loewald; 14,400 awards for Mr. Loy.

(3)  

(3)

The aggregate number of option awards outstanding at December 31, 2015,2021 and held by the non-employee Directors were as follows: 116,08887,600 options for Dr. Dishman; 447,530Ms. Eade; 101,800 options for Mr. David Green; 60,000Edrick; 87,600 options for Mr. James Green; 125,979 options for Mr. Harte; 37,059 options for Mr. Kennedy; 0 options for Mr. Lewis;Loewald; 55,300 options for Mr. Loy; and 125,979 options for Mr. Uveges.

(4)  

The aggregate number of restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2015, and held by the non-employee Directors were as follows: 0 awards for Dr. Dishman; 70,989 awards for Mr. David Green; 14,400 awards for Mr. James Green; 14,400 awards for Mr. Harte; 14,400 awards for Mr. Kennedy; 14,400 awards for Mr. Lewis; 14,400 awards for Mr. Loy; and 14,400 awards for Mr. Uveges.

Loy.

 


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSISInformation About Our Executive Officers

 

Our compensation philosophyThe following table shows information about our executive officers:

Name

Age

Position

James W. Green63President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Michael Rossi48Chief Financial Officer
Kenneth Olson60Chief Operating Officer

Biographical information for Mr. Green is designedprovided above under the heading “Directors of Harvard Bioscience, Inc.”

Michael Rossi was named Chief Financial Officer in July 2019. Immediately prior to support our key objectivebecoming Chief Financial Officer of creating valuethe Company, Mr. Rossi served as Chief Financial Officer of Laborie Medical Technologies from August 2018 to May 2019, a manufacturer of urology and gastrointestinal diagnostic equipment. Prior to that role, he was Chief Financial Officer of Medical Specialties Distributors, a healthcare supply chain management solutions company, for our stockholders by growing our revenues, growing our U.S. GAAPover three years. Mr. Rossi brings significant experience with turnarounds and non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share, growing our adjusted EBITDA, exclusivedriving financial and operational improvements within complex middle market manufacturing and distribution businesses. He also has over fifteen years of one-time charges,public company accounting and reporting experience as well as experience managing debt and liquidity during both periods of growth and business downturns. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rossi held finance roles of increasing our total market capitalizationresponsibility at various public companies, including Haemonetics Corporation, The Princeton Review, Inc., American Tower Corporation, Sonus Networks and growing our share price. Our Compensation Committee isManufacturers’ Services Limited. He began his professional career as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Rossi earned a B.S. in accounting from Babson College and an MBA from Babson College’s Olin School of Management.


Kenneth Olson served as Chief Operating Officer from April 2020 to January 2022 and was responsible for establishingglobal manufacturing, supply chain and approvingresearch and development. Prior to becoming Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Olson served as Vice President and General Manager, Data Sciences International from October 2019 to April 2020. Prior to joining DSI, Mr. Olson served as the compensationSenior Vice President of Global Engineering and Operations at Spacelabs Healthcare, a patient monitoring and diagnostic cardiology companies, from May 2017 to October 2019. From July 2013 until October 2019, Mr. Olson ran a successful management consulting firm in the medical device space. Mr. Olson previously served as Vice President of Research & Development at ABT Molecular Imaging from December 2010 to July 2013. Mr. Olson has significant experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with over 40 issued patents in cardiology and resuscitation products. He served as Vice President of Research and Development for all executive officersMedtronic Physio-Control from May 2006 to December 2010, where he oversaw the development of the Company.LP15 Monitor/Defibrillator. Prior to Medtronic, Olson was the Chief Technical Officer for Cardiac Science, after a merger with Survivalink Corporation where he had served as the VP of R&D from its inception. Mr. Olson earned a B.S. in electrical engineering and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.

Compensation Discussion AND Analysis

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis, explainswhich should be read together with the executive compensation tables set forth below, provides information regarding our executive compensation objectives, policiesprogram for our named executive officers. Our named executive officers for 2021 were James Green, our President and practices with respect to our Chief Executive Officer, Michael Rossi, our Chief Financial Officer, and Kenneth Olson, our other two most highly-compensated executive officersChief Operating Officer. Mr. Olson resigned from his position as determinedChief Operating Officer effective January 31, 2022, but will assist on various projects and in accordance with applicable SEC rules, which are collectively referred to as the named executive officers or, in this “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section, our executives. Our named executive officers are currently as follows: Jeffrey A. Duchemin,transition of the Chief ExecutiveOperating Officer and President; Robert E. Gagnon, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; and Yong Sun, Vice President, Commercial Operations.

This proxy statement also includes disclosures required with respect to Yoav Sibony, our former Vice President, Global Sales and named executive officer, who served in such capacity during fiscal 2015role until his resignation in October 2015.

Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Programs

Our compensation programs for our named executive officers are designed to achieve the following objectives:

attract and retain high performing and experienced executives;
motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;
align the interests of our executives and stockholders by motivating executives to increase stockholder value and rewarding executives when stockholder value increases;
foster a shared commitment among executives by coordinating their goals; and
motivate our executives to manage our business to meet our short and long-term objectives, and reward them for meeting these objectives.


Compensation Elements

The elements of executive compensation include base salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, employment agreements, long-term equity incentive compensation and broad-based benefits programs.

Consultant, Peer Group Information and Benchmarking

In the past the Compensation Committee has engaged Radford, an Aon Consulting company, to provide analysis and recommendations pertaining to our compensation philosophy, peer group comparisons and competitiveness of salary, bonus and long-term incentive compensation.  In March 2014, the Compensation Committee established, with the assistance of Radford, an updated peer group, which for 2015 included Abaxis, Inc., Affymetrix, Inc., Bovie Medical Corporation, Cynosure, Inc., Digirad Corporation, Enzo Biochem, Inc., Fluidigm Corporation, Fonar Corporation, GenMark Diagnostics, Inc., Genomic Health, Inc., iCAD, Inc., IRIDEX Corporation, Landauer, Inc., Luminex Corporation, NanoString Technologies, Inc., Natus Medical Incorporated, Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc., Quidel Corporation, Sequenom, Inc., Stereotaxis, Inc., and Transgenomic, Inc.

In the first quarter of 2015, the Compensation Committee engaged Radford to provideanalysis and recommendations pertaining to the compensation, including salary, bonus and equity grants, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  In addition, on June 3, 2015, the Compensation Committee obtained reportsdeparture from Radford with respect to providing a current view into typical public market practices relating to market condition equity awards.  The Compensation Committee utilized the reports, recommendations and insight of Radford, along with a variety of additional factors, in determining the appropriate compensation, including salary, bonus and equity grants, with respect to Messrs. Duchemin, Gagnon and Sun, and our other named executive officers.

Base Salary

We pay our executives a base salary, which we review and determine annually. We believe that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program that is designed to attract and retain talented and experienced executives. We also believe that attractive base salaries can motivate and reward executives for their overall performance. Although base salaries are established in part based on the individual experience, skills and expected contributions during the coming year of each of our executives and each executive’s performance during the prior year, we do not view base salaries as primarily serving our objective of paying for performance.

It is our goal to maintain a base salary structure among our executives that, in our judgment, appropriately reflects their respective roles and responsibilities. For 2015, for the period from January 1 to February 28, the base salaries for the named executive officers were as follows: $385,000 per year for Mr. Duchemin, $299,000 per year for Mr. Gagnon, $232,000 per year for Mr. Sun and $193,000 per year for Mr. Sibony. For the period from March 1 to October 31 during 2015, the base salaries for the named executive officers were based on the following increased amounts established by the Compensation Committee: $521,000 per year for Mr. Duchemin, $329,000 per year for Mr. Gagnon, $244,000 per year for Mr. Sun and $200,000 per year for Mr. Sibony. For the period from November 1 to December 31 during 2015, the base salaries for the named executive officers were decreased as follows: $468,900 per year for Mr. Duchemin, $312,500 per year for Mr. Gagnon and $231,800 per year for Mr. Sun. On February 24, 2015, the Compensation Committee approved the above-mentioned increased annual base salaries, however, in November 2015, to further certain expense reduction and cash savings initiatives, at the election and recommendation of our named executive officers, a temporary 10% reduction in annual base salaries of the above-mentioned executives was implemented. Their current salaries are based on the factors discussed above as well as our goal of maintaining a base salary structure among our executives that, in our judgment, appropriately reflects their respective roles and responsibilities.

Our executives’ base salaries reflect the initial base salaries that we negotiated with each of our executives at the time of his initial employment and our subsequent adjustments to these amounts, to reflect market increases, our growth, our executives’ performance and increased experience, any changes in our executives’ roles and responsibilities and other factors. The base salaries of our executives are based on our understanding of base salaries for comparable positions at similarly situated companies at the time, the individual experience and skills of, and expected contribution from each executive, the roles and responsibilities of the executive, the base salaries and annual bonus eligibility of our existing executives and other factors.


Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses

Consistent with our emphasis on performance-based incentive compensation programs, our executives are eligible to receive annual cash incentive bonuses. The Compensation Committee of our Board has the authority to provide such bonuses for a given fiscal year based on the performance of our executives as with respect to the key performance areas and targets established by the Compensation Committee for such period. These bonuses are primarily based upon our company meeting certain growth targets, which historically have been measured by exceeding targets relating to non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, revenue growth, adjusted EBITDA, each exclusive of one-time charges. In addition to the primary bonus components that may be earned based on the achievement of specific performance areas and targets set by the Compensation Committee, the bonus also often includes a discretionary component. When assessing any such discretionary component, the Compensation Committee also considers other performance goals, current economic conditions and exceptional and/or inadequate performances by each executive officer.

The primary objective of our annual cash incentive bonuses is to motivate and reward our named executive officers for meeting our short-term objectives. We have structured our annual cash incentive bonuses in a manner so that they may represent a meaningful portion of our executives’ currently paid out cash compensation. In establishing these levels, in addition to considering the incentives that we want to provide to our executives, we also consider the bonus levels for comparable positions at peer group companies and our historical practices.

In 2015, the Compensation Committee of our Board established a performance target with respect to the annual cash incentive bonuses for the named executive officers in 2015, including Messrs. Duchemin, Gagnon, Sun and Sibony.  For 2015, the target objective was to achieve a minimum of $0.24 of non-GAAP earnings per diluted share.  In determining whether and to what extent to award any annual cash incentive bonus for 2015, the Compensation Committee considered if the established target was met and or exceeded. In addition to the achievement of the corporate goal noted above, the Compensation Committee assessed the extent to which each executive officer contributed to our achievement of such target.

For 2015, in accordance with their respective employment arrangements, in the event the objective was determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee (and our Chief Executive Officer with respect to Mr. Sun) was achieved, and depending on the level of achievement in the event the target was exceeded, each of our named executive officers were eligible to receive cash incentive compensation on an annual basis of up to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of his base salary with respect to Mr. Duchemin, fifty percent (50%) of his base salary with respect to Mr. Gagnon, and thirty five percent (35%) of their respective base salaries for Mr. Sun.  

For fiscal 2015, as the target objective described above was not achieved, based on the executive’s performance and other considerations of the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee did not awarded bonuses to Mr. Duchemin, Mr. Gagnon, Mr. Sun or Mr. Sibony.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

We grant long-term equity incentive awards in the form of stock option awards and/or deferred stock awards of restricted stock units (“RSU”) to executives as part of our total compensation package. We place a significant emphasis on performance-based incentive compensation. These awards generally represent a significant portion of total executive compensation. We use long-term equity incentive awards in order to align the interests of our executives and our stockholders by providing our executives with strong incentives to increase stockholder value and a significant reward for doing so.  

In May 2015, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, taking into consideration the analysis and recommendations of Radford, approved the grant of stock option and time-based RSU awards to our named executive officers. In addition, in August 2015, taking into consideration the analysis and recommendations of Radford, the Compensation Committee also approved and granted market condition RSUs to the named executive officers and other members of management, the vesting of which is cliff-based and linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return, or TSR, of the Company’s Common Stock. These 2015 awards granted to our named executive officers are described in the table and subsequent disclosures below.


The Compensation Committee’s long-term incentive strategy allows for use of a portfolio approach when granting awards. Each element of the portfolio is intended to address a different aspect of long-term incentive compensation, as set forth below:

Time-based RSUs provide an interest in the value of the Company’s shares, because, even though they vest over time, they provide recipients with a certain equity interest, assuming continued employment. In addition to promoting retention, time-based RSUs further align executives’ interests with the interests of shareholders and provide a long-term ownership mentality as well as motivation to succeed in the long-term because the value of RSUs does not solely depend upon increases in the market price of our shares, which may occur over a short period of time. 

Stock options provide rewards based upon the appreciation in value to shareholders, as measured by the increase in our share price, and there is no value to these awards if our share price does not increase. 

Market condition RSUs which provide an additional incentive for executive officers to create shareholder value, as these awards only vest if the relative TSR of our Common Stock as compared to companies in the Russell 3000 index exceeds the performance goals established by the Committee. The Committee believes that measuring TSR on a relative, rather than on an absolute, basis provides a more relevant measure of the performance of the Company’s stock. By mitigating the impact of macroeconomic factors (both positive and negative) that are beyond the control of the Company and its executives, relative TSR provides rewards that are better aligned to relative performance through varying economic cycles. These market condition RSUs also provide a retention incentive since these awards generally do not vest until the end of the three year performance period. 

Our decisions regarding the amount and type of long-term equity incentive compensation and relative weighting of these awards among total executive compensation have also been based on our understanding of market practices of our peer group companies and take into account additional factors such as level of individual responsibility, experience and performance. 

An RSU is a grant representing the right to receive a share of Common Stock upon vesting of the RSU and satisfaction of other conditions but for which no share of Common Stock is issued until the RSU vests and any other applicable conditions are satisfied. A holder of an RSU does not have any rights of a stockholder until the RSU vests and is converted to Common Stock. The fair value of RSUs is based on the market price of our stock on the date of grant. Unvested RSUs are forfeited in the event of termination of employment or engagement with the Company.

Stock option awards provide our executive officers with the right to purchase shares of our Common Stock at a fixed exercise price typically for a period of up to ten years, subject to continued employment with our Company. Stock options are earned based on continued service to us and generally vest over a range of one to four years. The exercise price of each stock option award granted under our Third Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”) is based on the fair market value of our Common Stock on the grant date. The fair market value of our Common Stock is defined as the closing market price of a share of our Common Stock on the date of grant. We do not have any program, plan or practice of setting the exercise price based on a date or price other than the fair market value of our Common Stock on the grant date.

Stock option awards and RSU awards are made pursuant to our 2000 Plan. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” for a discussion of the change-in-control provisions related to stock option awards and RSUs.


While annual stock option grants and RSUs to named executive officers have been historically made on the fifth business day following each annual meeting of stockholders, the Compensation Committee is considering, commencing in 2016, granting any such awards on the fifth business day following the public issuance of our earnings release for the most recent completed fiscal year, to coincide with the granting of annual equity grants to our employees generally. Stock options granted to employees hired or promoted during a month are generally granted on the first business day of the following month. If NASDAQ is closed on the appropriate business day as described above, then the grants will instead be made on the next day that NASDAQ is open for trading. The Compensation Committee retains the discretion to grant options and other awards at such other times as it may deem appropriate.

In 2015, we granted stock option, time based RSUs and market condition RSUs to our current named executive officers as follows:

 

Stock Option

Awards (#) (1)

Time Based

RSUs (2)

Market

Condition

RSUs (3)

 

 

  

Jeffrey A. Duchemin

 

130,000

68,900

71,748

Robert E. Gagnon

 

50,000

26,500

28,117

Yong Sun

 

32,500

17,225

14,058

Yoav Sibony

 

19,500

10,335

11,247

 

 

232,000

122,960

125,170

___________________

(1)

These options were granted on June 4, 2015, vest in four equal installments on each of January 1, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, and have a term of ten years from the date of grant.

(2)

These time based RSUs were granted on June 4, 2015, vest in four equal installments on each of January 1, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, and have a term of ten years from the date of grant.

(3)

These market condition RSUs were granted on August 3, 2015. The vesting of these restricted stock units is cliff-based and linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return, or TSR, of the Company’s Common Stock from August 3, 2015 to the earlier of (i) August 3, 2018 or (ii) upon a change of control (measured relative to the Russell 3000 index and based on the 20-day trading average price before each such date). The target number of these restricted stock units that may be earned is reported above; the maximum amount is 150% of the number reported and cap of 100% in the event of negative TSR. The TSR calculations will be adjusted to reflect stock splits, recapitalizations and other similar events. The market condition RSUs will vest at target—the amount reported in the table above—if the TSR of the Company’s Common Stock is at the 60th percentile of companies in the Russell 3000 Index. A payout at maximum, which is 150% of the target award, may be achieved if the relative TSR is at or above the 85th percentile of companies in the Russell 3000 Index. In order to receive a payout at threshold, which is 50% of the target award, the relative TSR must be at or above the 35th percentile of companies in the Russell 3000 Index. If the relative TSR of the Company’s Common Stock is below the 35th percentile, the market condition RSUs will not vest and the awards will be forfeited. The complete payout matrix for the market condition RSUs granted in fiscal 2015 is presented in the table below:

Relative TSR Percentile Rank

Percentage of Target Number that Vests

34th percentile or lower

0%

35th percentile

50%

36th to 59th percentile

50%, plus for each 1 percentile above 35th percentile, 2% of the Target Number will vest.

60th percentile

100%

61st to 84th percentile

100%, plus for each 1 percentile above 60th percentile, 2% of the Target Number will vest.

As noted above, reports provided by Radford in 2015 were utilized and taken into consideration by the Compensation Committee when setting the amount of these grants noted in the table above to our current named executive officers.


Employment Agreements

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

We have entered into employment agreements with Mr. Duchemin, dated August 26, 2013, as amended, and Mr. Gagnon, dated October 2, 2013.  Each of these agreements, as amended, provides for a term ending August 26, 2016, which such term shall automatically be extended for two additional years following the end of the term then in effect unless, not less than 90 days prior to each such date, either party shall have given written notice to the other that it does not wish to extend the agreement. Mr. Duchemin’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary (which was initially $350,000 following execution of his agreement in 2013), a bonus for the portion of fiscal 2013 following his hiring in the amount of $150,000, as well as eligibility to receive cash incentive compensation on an annual basis of up to a one hundred fifty percent (150%) (which was initially 200% following execution of his agreement in 2013) of his base salary upon meeting objectives as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, which may include non-GAAP earnings per share (on a pro-forma basis, as applicable), revenue growth, and EBITDA, each exclusive of one-time charges, and other discretionary factors.  Mr. Gagnon’s employment agreement provides for an annual base salary (which was initially $290,000 following execution of his agreement in 2013) and eligibility to receive cash incentive compensation on an annual basis of up to a fifty percent (50%) of his base salary upon meeting objectives as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, including as described above.  On July 30, 2014, we entered into amendments to our employment agreements with Mr. Duchemin and Mr. Gagnon that among other things, extended the terms thereof through August 26, 2016, and modified them such that the terms shall automatically be extended for two additional years following the end of the term then in effect unless, not less than 90 days prior to each such date, either party shall have given written notice to the other that it does not wish to extend the respective employment agreement. Under the respective employment agreements, the base salary amounts are subject to review annually by our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee.  Mr. Duchemin and Mr. Gagnon are also eligible to participate in other incentive compensation plans as the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee shall provide for our senior executive officers. Each of Mr. Duchemin and Mr. Gagnon also received an inducement stock option grant of 500,000 options and 150,000 options, respectively.

The employment agreements with Messrs. Duchemin and Gagnon also require us to provide certain payments and benefits to these executives in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment by us without cause, by the executive for good reason or upon death or disability. In return, each such executive covenants not to compete or solicit our employees for one year following the termination of employment. We believe that negotiation of the severance level in advance makes it less problematic for our Board of Directors to terminate these executives for performance reasons without the need for protracted negotiation over severance.  The employment agreements with Messrs. Duchemin and Gagnon also provide change-in-control benefits.  See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” for a summary of these termination related provisions.

Vice President and Former Vice President

We have also entered into an offer letter, dated September 30, 2013 with Mr. Sun.  The offer letter entitles Mr. Sun to an annual base salary (which was initially $225,000 following execution of his agreement in 2013) and a signing bonus of $25,000.  Furthermore, Mr. Sun is eligible to receive cash incentive compensation on an annual basis of up to thirty five percent (35%) of his base salary upon meeting objectives as determined by our Chief Executive Officer.  Under the offer letter, Mr. Sun is also eligible to participate in other incentive compensation plans as the Board of Directors or CompensationCommittee shall provide for our senior executive officers.    Mr. Sun’s offer letter also contains provisions regarding the provision of customary additional benefits such as medical, dental, vacation, signing bonus and life insurance. Mr. Sun also received an inducement stock option grant of 100,000 options.


Prior to his resignation in October 2015, Mr. Sibony’s employment was governed by an offer letter dated September 30, 2013.  The offer letter entitled Mr. Sibony to an annual base salary (which was initially $175,000following execution of the offer letter in 2013) and eligibility to receive cash incentive compensation on an annual basis of up to thirty five percent (35%) of his base salary upon meeting objectives as determined by our Chief Executive Officer.  Under the offer letter, Mr. Sibony was also eligible to participate in other incentive compensation plans as the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee shall provide for our senior executive officers.  Mr. Sibony’s offer letter also contained provisions regarding the provision of customary additional benefits such as medical, dental, vacation, life insurance and vehicle allowance and reimbursement.   

Broad-Based Benefits Programs

All full-time employees in the United States, including our named executive officers, may participate in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan and in our health and welfare benefit programs, including medical coverage, dental coverage, disability insurance, life insurance and our 401(k) plan. We offer similar plans in foreign countries.

Consideration of Stockholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation and Shareholder Outreach

The Compensation Committee and Board of Directors have noted the disappointing results of the advisory stockholder votes obtained at our Annual Meetings of Stockholders on May 28, 2015 and May 22, 2014, each with less than 70% of the votes cast at the annual meeting voting in favor of the Company’s executive compensation. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee is undertaking a comprehensive review of our executive compensation program with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant. The goal of this review is to ensure that the Company’s compensation programs appropriately tie executive pay to Company performance. The ongoing comprehensive review has included the following:

discussions with many of our institutional stockholders,

examination of reports and analyses issued by the principal proxy advisory services,

analysis of compensation practices at peer companies, and

solicitation of advice from the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant

Based on the preliminary results of the ongoing review and analysis, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors have implemented equity ownership guidelines described below with respect to our named executive officers. While the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors are also considering the implementation of a clawback policy with respect to our executive officers, they have elected at this time to not implement any such policy at least until final disclosure rules are established by the SEC with respect thereto.

Equity Ownership Guidelines

At the recommendation of our Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors has implemented equity ownership guidelines with respect to our named executive officers.  Such ownership guidelines require, within five years from May 9, 2016 as to existing named executive officers at such time, and five years from their initial appointment or designation as named executive officers, as to named executive officers initially appointed or designated after such date, our Chief Executive Officer to own our Common Stock with a market value equal to at least three times his annual base salary, and our other named executive officers to own, at a minimum, our Common Stock with a market value equal to one time their annual base salary.With respect to satisfying such guidelines, unvested time-based RSUs are included in the calculation while stock options and unvested performance based RSUs are excluded.


Anti-Short Selling and Anti-MarginPolicies

The Company’s Insider Trading Guidelines explicitly prohibit directors, officers and employees from (i) selling any securities of the Company that are not owned by such person at the time of the sale, (ii) buying or selling puts, calls or options in respect of the Company’s securities at any time, and (iii) purchasing any securities of the Company on margin.

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROCESSDecember 31, 2022.

 

Our Compensation Committee hasis responsible for determining the authority to determine all compensation payable to our executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to our Compensation Committee regarding the compensation of all executive officers, excluding his own, but our Compensation Committee is ultimately responsible for approving this compensation. In the past the Compensation Committee has engaged Radford, an Aon Consulting company, to provide analysis and recommendations pertaining to our compensation philosophy, peer group comparisons and competitiveness of salary, bonus and long-term incentive compensation.

Generally, our Chief Executive Officer recommends the terms of an annual corporate bonus plan to our Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee then, after considering the recommendations made by our Chief Executive Officer, determines the terms and amount of compensation to pay to each of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, and the terms of any corporate bonus plans and related targets and objectives. Such determination is made in reliance on a number of other factors, including analysis and guidance provided by an independent compensation consultant from time to time, as well as compensation for comparable executive positions at peer group companies and our historical practices.

Objectives of Our Executive Compensation Programs

 

Our compensation programs for our executive officers are designed to achieve the following key objectives:

·attract and retain high performing and experienced executives;

·motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are deemed critical to our success;

·align the interests of our executives and stockholders by motivating executives to increase stockholder value and rewarding executives when stockholder value increases;

·foster a shared commitment among executives by coordinating their goals; and

·motivate our executives to manage our business to meet our short- and long-term objectives, and reward them for meeting these objectives, including growing our revenues, earnings per share, total market capitalization and share price.


Role of Independent Compensation Consultant

From time to time, our Compensation Committee has engaged an independent compensation consultant to provide guidance with respect to the development and implementation of our compensation programs. The Compensation Committee utilizes the reports, recommendations and insight of the independent compensation consultant, along with a variety of additional factors, including input from the Chief Executive Officer as to the other executive officers, in determining the appropriate compensation, including salary, bonus and equity grants, with respect to our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee engaged Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“FW Cook”) as its independent compensation consultant for 2021.

After consideration of the independence assessment factors provided under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Global Market, the Compensation Committee determined that the compensation consultant is independent and that the work performed in 2021 did not raise any conflicts of interest.

In consultation with FW Cook, in September 2020, the Compensation Committee selected the peer group used for 2021 compensation decisions as follows, focusing on market capitalization, revenues, industry:

Champions Oncology, Inc.OraSure Technologies, Inc.
Electromed, Inc.Pro-Dex, Inc.
Enzo Biochem, Inc.Quanterix Corporation
Fluidigm CorporationSurgalign Holdings, Inc.
GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.Surmodics, Inc.
IRIDEX CorporationT2 Biosystems, Inc.
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.Transcat, Inc.
Meridian Bioscience, Inc.UFP Technologies, Inc.

Compensation Practices

Our executive compensation practices include the following, each of which the Compensation Committee believes reinforces our executive compensation objectives:

·market comparison of executive compensation against a relevant peer group;

·use of an independent compensation consultant reporting directly to the Compensation Committee and providing no other services to the Company;

·double-trigger vesting for equity awards in the event of a change in control;

·limited perquisites;

·executive stock ownership guidelines;

·clawback policy;

·anti-short selling, anti-margin and hedging policies; and

·annual say-on-pay vote.

Compensation Elements

The elements of executive compensation include base salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, long-term equity incentive compensation, employment agreements, and broad-based benefits programs. We have not adopted any formal guidelines for allocating total compensation between long-term and short-term compensation, cash compensation and non-cash compensation, or among different forms of non-cash compensation.


Base Salary

We pay our executive officers a base salary, which our Compensation Committee reviews and determines annually. We believe that a competitive base salary is a necessary element of any compensation program that is designed to attract and retain talented and experienced executives. We also believe that attractive base salaries can motivate and reward executives for their overall performance. The 2021 annualized base salary of each of Messrs. Green, Rossi and Olson were:

Current Executive Officers

2021 Base Salary

Increase over 2020

James Green$573,7100%
Michael Rossi$340,0000%
Kenneth Olson$290,0000%

Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses

Consistent with our emphasis on performance-based incentive compensation programs, our executives are eligible to receive annual cash incentive bonuses. The Compensation Committee has the authority to provide such bonuses for a given fiscal year based on the performance of our executive officers with respect to key performance areas and targets established by the Compensation Committee for such period. In March 2021, the Compensation Committee adopted the 2021 Annual Incentive Plan as set forth below:

MetricWeightingRationale for Metric
Revenue Growth50%Strategic goal to return the Company to organic growth
Adjusted Operating Income (1)50%Achievement of Adjusted Operating Income targets designed to significantly improve the core profitability of the business and invest in products and revenue growth activities.

____________________

(1)Adjusted operating income is a non-GAAP measure and excludes certain expenses and income primarily resulting from purchase accounting or events that management does not believe are related to the underlying operations of the business such as amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, costs related to acquisition, disposition and integration initiatives, impairment charges, severance, restructuring and other business transformation expenses, and stock-based compensation expense. The effect of the current year’s annual cash incentive bonus is also excluded from adjusted operating income.

The Compensation Committee evaluated our performance against these goals and, based upon that evaluation and in consideration of our overall performance, the Compensation Committee awarded each named executive officer a 2021 annual cash incentive bonus that equaled 68% of his target. The Compensation Committee believes these payouts are appropriate due to the performance of the Company in 2021, particularly in light of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and each participating named executive officer’s contribution to the Company’s performance.

For fiscal year 2021, Mr. Green was eligible to receive cash incentive compensation equal to 100% of his base salary, with a maximum of 150% of his base salary, and each of Messrs. Rossi and Olson were eligible to receive cash incentive compensation equal to 50% of their respective base salaries, with a maximum of 75% of their respective base salaries.

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

We place a significant emphasis on performance-based incentive compensation. We grant long-term equity incentive awards in the form of RSUs to executives as part of our total compensation package. These awards generally represent a significant portion of total executive compensation. We use long-term equity incentive awards in order to align the interests of our executives and our stockholders by providing our executives with strong incentives to increase stockholder value and a significant reward for doing so.


The Compensation Committee’s long-term incentive strategy allows for use of a portfolio approach when granting awards. Each element of the portfolio is intended to address a different aspect of long-term incentive compensation, as set forth below:

·Time-based RSUs serve as a retentive device and provide an interest in the value of the Company’s shares, because, even though they vest over time, they provide recipients with a certain equity interest, assuming continued employment. In addition to promoting retention, time-based RSUs further align executives’ interests with the interests of shareholders and provide a long-term ownership mentality as well as motivation to succeed in the long term. An RSU is a grant representing the right to receive a share of Common Stock upon vesting of the RSU and satisfaction of other conditions. A holder of an RSU does not have any rights of a stockholder until the RSU vests and is converted to Common Stock.

·Performance-based RSUs provide an additional incentive for executive officers to create shareholder value, as these awards only vest if the relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) of our Common Stock as compared to companies in the utilized index exceeds the performance goals established by the Committee. The Committee believes that measuring TSR on a relative, rather than on an absolute, basis provides a more relevant measure of the performance of the Company’s stock. By mitigating the impact of macroeconomic factors (both positive and negative) that are beyond the control of the Company and its executives, we believe relative TSR provides rewards that are better aligned with relative performance through varying economic cycles. The maximum number of shares, relative to target, that can be earned under this TSR plan is 150%.

Our decisions regarding the amount and type of long-term equity incentive compensation and relative weighting of these awards among total executive compensation have also been based on our understanding of market practices of our Peer Companies and take into account additional factors such as level of individual responsibility, experience and performance. The vesting of our long-term equity incentive compensation is typically subject to continued employment with our Company, and in some instances, to acceleration in connection with certain termination events and a change-in-control.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Compensation Committee granted a mix of time-based RSU awards and performance-based RSUs to Messrs. Green, Rossi, and Olson, each with vesting subject, among other things, to the executive’s continued employment with the Company on the vesting dates.

Name

Time-Based RSUs
(1)

Performance-Based RSUs
(2)

James W. Green194,698186,674
Michael A. Rossi38,46236,876
Kenneth Olson32,80531,453
 265,965255,003

____________________

(1)These time-based RSUs was granted on March 1, 2021 and vests in three equal installments on each of December 29, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

(2)These performance-based RSUs were granted on March 1, 2021 subject to relative TSR vesting conditions. These RSUs will vest upon the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Common Stock during the period from March 1, 2021 to the earlier of (i) December 31, 2023, and (ii) the date of a change of control (the “Measurement Period”), measured relative to the Russell 2000 index and based on the 20-day trading average beginning on the first day of the Measurement Period and ending on the last day of the Measurement Period.


With respect to the performance-based RSUs, the target number of these RSUs that may be earned is reported above; the maximum amount that may be earned is 150% of the target number, with a cap of 100% in the event of negative TSR. The TSR calculations will be adjusted to reflect stock splits, recapitalizations and other similar events. The performance-based RSUs will vest at target—the amount reported in the table above—if the TSR of the Common Stock is at the 50th percentile of companies in the Russell 2000 Index. A payout at maximum, which is 150% of the target award, may be achieved if the relative TSR is at or above the 75th percentile of companies in the Russell 2000 Index. In order to receive a payout of at least 50% of the target award, the relative TSR must be at or above the 25th percentile of companies in the Russell 2000 Index. If the relative TSR of the Common Stock is below the 25th percentile, the performance-based RSUs will not vest and the awards will be forfeited. The complete payout matrix for the performance-based RSUs granted in fiscal 2021 is presented in the table below:

Relative TSR Percentile RankPerformance Factor
Below 25th percentile0%
25th to 50th percentile50%, plus an additional 1.923% for each whole percentile above 25th percentile
51st to 74th percentile100%, plus an additional 2.083% for each whole percentile above 51st percentile
75th percentile or higher150%

Employment Agreements

See “2021 Summary Compensation Table—Employment Agreements” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” later in this proxy statement for a summary of the material terms of the Company’s employment agreements with Mr. Green and Mr. Rossi and the Company’s separation agreement with Mr. Olson.

Broad-Based Benefits Programs

All full-time employees in the United States, including our named executive officers, may participate in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan and in our health and welfare benefit programs, including medical coverage, dental coverage, disability insurance, life insurance and our 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan provides for matching contributions equal to 100% of each dollar contributed up to 1% of eligible compensation plus 50% of each additional 1% of eligible compensation up to 6% for a maximum matching contribution of 3.5%. We offer similar plans in certain foreign countries.

Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines

At the recommendation of our Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors has the authority to approve all compensation payableimplemented updated executive stock ownership guidelines with respect to our Directors, althoughnamed executive officers. Such ownership guidelines require, within five years from their initial appointment or designation as named executive officers, our named executive officers to own our Common Stock with a market value equal to at least three times their respective annual base salary. With respect to satisfying such guidelines, stock options are excluded in the calculation while shares owned outright or beneficially owned (as defined under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), while restricted shares, including shares granted but not vested, shares issuable upon the settlement of RSUs and shares acquired pursuant to our Employee Stock Purchase Plan are all included. The Compensation Committee will monitor compliance with the stock ownership guidelines, including approving any hardship exceptions or implementing any non-compliance penalties.

Clawbacks

Awards under the Company’s 2021 Incentive Plan and any shares issued pursuant to such awards will be subject to recovery or “clawback” by the Company if and to the extent that the vesting of such awards was determined or calculated based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other material inaccurate performance metric criteria; or if the Company or its subsidiaries terminate a grantee’s service relationship due to the grantee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, or determine there are grounds for such a termination (whether or not such actions also constitute “cause” under an award agreement), any awards under the 2021 Incentive Plan, whether or not vested, as well as any shares of stock issued pursuant to awards under the 2021 Incentive Plan shall be subject to forfeiture, recovery and “clawback.” In addition, the 2021 Incentive Plan provides that if the Company is responsible for making recommendationsrequired to our Board regarding their compensation. Additionally, ourprepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with the financial reporting requirements of the securities laws, in certain cases the Compensation Committee may require the repayment of amounts paid under the 2021 Incentive Plan in excess of what the employee would have received under the accounting restatement.

Further, if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws as a result of misconduct, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer may also make recommendationsand Chief Financial Officer are required to reimburse the Company for any bonus or assist our Compensation Committeeother incentive-based or equity-based compensation received by such officer from the Company during the twelve-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the SEC (whichever first occurs) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement, and any profits realized from the sale of securities of Company during such twelve-month period.


Anti-Short Selling, Anti-Margin and Hedging Policies

The Company’s Insider Trading Guidelines explicitly prohibit directors, officers, employees, contractors and part-time and temporary workers in making recommendations regarding Director compensation. Our Boardpossession of Directorsmaterial non-public information from (i) buying, selling, or otherwise transacting in Company’s securities, including common stock, options and Compensation Committee annually review our Director compensation to ensureany other securities that the Director compensation package remains competitiveCompany may issue, such that we are ableas preferred stock, notes, bonds and convertible securities, as well as derivative securities; (ii) disclosing information to recruitanother individual for the purpose of enabling such individual to trade in the Company’s securities on the basis of such information; (iii) engaging in transactions designed to hedge or offset economic risks of owning the Company’s securities, including short sales of the Company’s securities and retain qualified Directors.selling security futures related to the Company’s securities; (iv) trading in options or derivatives related to the Company’s securities; and (v) and purchasing the Company’s securities on margin (i.e. borrowing money to fund the stock purchase) other than the cashless exercises of employee stock options.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

We, the2021 Summary Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Harvard Bioscience, Inc., have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with the management of the Company, and, based on such review and discussion, have recommended to the Board of Directors inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement and, through incorporation by reference from this Proxy Statement, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Compensation Committee:

John F. Kennedy, Chairman

James W. Green*

Earl R. Lewis

Neal J. Harte*

 ___________

*Mr. Green replaced Mr. Harte as a member of the Compensation Committee in May 2015 following our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During the 2015 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. James W. Green, Kennedy and Lewis for the entire year.   None of these Directors has served as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. During the 2015 fiscal year, to the knowledge of the Company, none of its executive officers:

served as a member of the Compensation Committee of another entity; or

served as a Director of another entity.


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLETable

 

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by each of the named executive officers noted below for services rendered in all capacities, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and the two other executives who were named executive officersour Chief Operating Officer during 2015,2021, all during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, 20142021 and 2013.2020. As a smaller reporting company, we are only required to provide two years of compensation information for our named executive officers.

 

Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 Stock Awards
($)(1)
 Option Awards
($)(1)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2)
 All Other Compensation
($)
 Total
($)
James W. Green  2021   573,710   1,721,140      390,123   52,481(3)  2,737,454 
President and Chief Executive Officer  2020   573,710   1,223,771   573,710   215,304   33,958   2,620,453 
Michael A. Rossi  2021   340,000   340,000      115,600   23,150(4)  818,750 
Chief Financial Officer  2020   340,000   241,752   113,333   63,798   19,278   778,161 
Kenneth Olson (5)  2021   290,000   290,000      98,600   25,711(6)  704,311 
Chief Operating Officer  2020   285,263   206,196   96,667   54,416   186,540   829,082 

____________________

 

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

  

Bonus ($)

  

Option

Awards

($)(1)

  

Time Based

RSUs($)

  

Market

Condition

RSUs ($)

  

All Other Compensation ($)

  

Total ($)

 

Name and Principal Position

                             
                              

Jeffrey A. Duchemin

2015

 $489,667  $-  $273,000  $383,084  $345,108  $26,509(2) $1,517,368 
President and Chief                             

Executive Officer

2014

  370,417   300,000   663,000   -   -   29,009(3)  1,362,426 
                              
 

2013

  121,781   150,000   1,111,850   -   -   5,346(4)  1,388,977 
                              

Robert E. Gagnon

2015

 $321,333  $-  $105,000  $147,340  $135,243  $13,656(5) $722,572 
Chief Financial Officer                             

and Treasurer

2014

  295,250   75,000   221,000   -   -   16,169(6)  607,419 
                              
 

2013

  54,822   -   333,555   -   -   -   388,377 
                              

Yong Sun

2015

 $240,000  $-  $68,250  $95,771  $67,619  $9,699(7) $481,339 
Vice President                             

Commercial Operations

2014

  229,083   31,000   77,350   -   -   10,592(8)  348,025 
                              
 

2013

  39,452   25,000   222,370   -   -   -   286,822 
                              

Yoav Sibony

2015

 $165,500  $-  $40,950  $57,463  $54,098  $13,452(9) $331,463 
Former Vice President                             

Global Sales

2014

  185,500   25,000   77,350   -   -   16,284(10)  304,134 
                              
 

2013

  34,041   -   111,185   -   -   -   145,226 


___________________

(1)

(1)

Based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, Compensation—“Compensation—Stock Compensation”excluding. Under FASB ASC 718, the impactvesting condition related to the performance-based RSUs is considered a market condition and not a financial performance condition. Accordingly, there is no grant date fair value below or in excess of estimated forfeitures.the amount reflected in the table above for the named executive officers that could be calculated and disclosed based on achievement of the underlying market condition. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are set forth in Note 1910 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2021, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC on April 29, 2016.  

March 11, 2022.

(2)  

(2)Represent amounts earned under the annual cash incentive plan.

(3)Includes $12,000 for personal usage of Company leased automobile (as calculated in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and included as compensation on the W-2), $13,000$21,769 in Company medical, dental and other insurance matching, $8,562 in president's club travel, and $10,150 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Duchemin’sGreen’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan accountaccount.

(4)Includes $21,769 in Company medical, dental and $1,509 representing lifeother insurance purchased formatching, and $1,381 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Duchemin’s benefit.

Rossi’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account.

(3)(5)Mr. Olson resigned from his position as Chief Operating Officer effective January 31, 2022.

(6)Includes $12,000$8,400 for personal usage of Company leased automobile (as calculated in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and included as compensation on the W-2), $13,000$8,103 in Company medical, dental and other insurance matching, and $9,208 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Duchemin’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account, $2,500 representing financial planning services purchased for Mr. Duchemin’s benefit and $1,509 representing life insurance purchased for Mr. Duchemin’s benefit.


(4)  

Includes $4,000 for personal usage of Company leased automobile (as calculated in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and included as compensation on the W-2) and $1,346 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Duchemin’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account.

(5)Includes $12,987 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Gagnon’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account and $669 representing life insurance purchased for Mr. Gagnon’s benefit.

(6)  

Includes $13,000 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Gagnon’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account, $2,500 representing financial planning services purchased for Mr. Gagnon’s benefit and $669 representing life insurance purchased for Mr. Gagnon’s benefit.

(7)Includes $9,699 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Sun’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account.
(8)Includes $10,592 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Sun’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account.
(9)Includes $5,000 for personal usage of Company leased automobile (as calculated in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and included as compensation on the W-2) and $8,452 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Sibony’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account.
(10)Includes $7,500 for personal usage of Company leased automobile (as calculated in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and included as compensation on the W-2) and $8,784 in matching contributions made by the Company to Mr. Sibony’sOlson’s tax-qualified 401(k) Savings Plan account.

 

Employment Agreements

 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS—2015Chief Executive Officer

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the individual grant of stock option awards, time-based RSUs and market condition RSUs to the named executive officers who received such grants during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. These awards identified in the table below are also reported in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End—2015 included within the proxy statement.

Name

 

Grant

Date

 

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Non-

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards (1)

  

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Equity Incentive

Plan Awards (2)

  

All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (3)

  

All Other Option

Awards: Number of

Securities Underlying

Options

(#) (5)

  

Exercise or Base

Price of Option

Awards ($/sh)

  

Grant Date

Fair Value of

Stock and

Option

Awards

($) (4)(6)

 

Award
Type
  

Target

($)

  

Maximum

($)

  

Target

(#)

  

Maximum

(#)

                 

Jeffrey A. Duchemin

Market Condition RSU

8/3/2015

 $345,108  $517,662   71,748   107,622  $-  $-  $-  $345,108 
 

Time Based RSU

6/4/2015

                  68,900   -   -   383,084 
 

Option

Awards

6/4/2015

                  -   130,000   5.56   273,000 
                                   

Robert E. Gagnon

Market Condition RSU

8/3/2015

 $135,243  $202,865   28,117   42,176  $-  $-  $-  $135,243 
 

Time Based RSU

6/4/2015

                  26,500   -   -   147,340 
 

Option

Awards

6/4/2015

                  -   50,000   5.56   105,000 
                                   

Yong Sun

Market Condition RSU

8/3/2015

 $67,619  $101,429   14,058   21,087  $-  $-  $-  $67,619 
 

Time Based RSU

6/4/2015

                  17,225   -   -   95,771 
 

Option Awards

6/4/2015

                  -   32,500   5.56   68,250 
                                   

Yoav Sibony

Market Condition RSU

8/3/2015

 $54,098  $81,147   11,247   16,871  $-  $-  $-  $54,098 
 

Time Based RSU

6/4/2015

                  10,335   -   -   57,463 
 

Option Awards

6/4/2015

                  -   19,500   5.56   40,950 

___________________

(1)

These Market Condition restricted stock units were granted on August 3, 2015. The vesting of these Market Condition RSU's is cliff-based and linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Company’s common stock from August 3, 2015 to the earlier of (i) August 3, 2018 or (ii) upon a change of control (measured relative to the Russell 3000 index and based on the 20-day trading average price before each such date). The vesting of all restricted stock units is subject to the executive’s continued employment with the Company, and is also subject, in some instances, to acceleration in connection with certain termination events and a change-in-control as described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”


(2)

The fair value of the Market Condition RSU's is based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”,  excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are set forth in Note 19 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016.

(3)These restricted stock units were granted on June 4, 2015 and vest in four equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of January 1, 2015. The vesting of all restricted stock units is subject to the executive’s continued employment with the Company, and is also subject, in some instances, to acceleration in connection with certain termination events and a change-in-control as described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
(4)The fair value of the RSU’s are based on the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant multiplied by the total number of the RSU’s granted to each of the named executive officers of the Company.
(5)

These stock option awards were granted on June 4, 2015 and vest in four equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of January 1, 2015 and have a term of ten years from the date of grant. The vesting of all stock options is subject to the executive’s continued employment with the Company, and is alsosubject, in some instances, to acceleration in connection with certain termination events and achange-in-control as described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.

(6)

The fair value of the stock option awards is based on the aggregate grant date fair value computed inaccordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—StockCompensation”, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures. Assumptions used in the calculationof this amount are set forth in Note 19 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscalyear ended December 31, 2015, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed withthe Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016.

Discussion of Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tables

Our executive compensation policies and practices, pursuant to which the compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table was paid or awarded, are described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” A summary of certain material terms of our compensation plans and arrangements is set forth below. The terms of employment agreements that weWe have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Green, dated July 2, 2019, which provides for a term of two years from his commencement date of July 8, 2019, which such term shall automatically be extended for two additional years on each anniversary of the commencement date unless, not less than 90 days prior to each such date, either party shall have given written notice to the other that it does not wish to extend the agreement. In addition, the agreement provides for an annual base salary, which is subject to review annually by our executives are described below under “Potential Payments Upon TerminationBoard of Directors or Change-in-Control.”

Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses

As described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Annual Cash Incentive Bonuses,” for 2015,Compensation Committee. Furthermore, commencing with fiscal year 2020, Mr. Green is eligible to receive cash incentive compensation on an annual basis of up to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of his base salary upon meeting objectives as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee did not award annual cash bonusesfrom time to our namedtime. Mr. Green is also eligible to participate in other incentive compensation plans as the Board of Directors or Committee shall provide for the Company’s senior executive officers.

 


2015 Equity AwardsChief Financial Officer

 

In 2015, we granted stock option, time-based RSUs and market condition RSUsWe have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Rossi, dated July 18, 2019, which provides for a term of one year, which such term shall automatically be extended for one additional year on each anniversary of the commencement date unless, not less than 90 days prior to each such date, either party shall have given written notice to the named executive officers under our 2000 Plan. The vesting and other key terms of such awards is discussed in more detail above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation.” The vesting of such awardsthat it does not wish to extend the agreement. In addition, the agreement provides for an annual base salary, which is subject to continued employmentreview annually by our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. Furthermore, commencing with our Company, andfiscal year 2020, Mr. Rossi is eligible to receive cash incentive compensation on an annual basis of up to fifty percent (50%) of his Base Salary upon meeting objectives as determined by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee from time to time. Mr. Rossi is also eligible to participate in some instances, to acceleration in connection with certain termination events and a change-in-controlother incentive compensation plans as described in “Potential Payments Upon Terminationthe Board of Directors or Change-in-Control.”Committee shall provide for the Company’s senior executive officers.

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END—2015Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End—2021

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the number and value of exercisable and unexercisable options to purchase Common Stock, and the number of time-based and market conditionperformance-based RSUs held by the applicable named executive officers noted below as of December 31, 2015.2021.

 

  

Option Awards (7)

  

Time Based Restricted Stock Units (7)

  

Market Condition Restricted Stock Units (7)

 
  

Number of

  

Number of

          

Number of

  

Number of

 
  

Securities

  

Securities

          

Securities

  

Securities

 
  

Underlying

  

Underlying

          

Underlying

  

Underlying

 
  

Unexercised

  

Unexercised

  

Option

  

Option

  

Unexercised

  

Unexercised

 
  

Options (#)

  

Options (#)

  

Exercise

  

Expiration

  

Time Based

  

Market Condition

 
  

Exercisable

  

Unexercisable

  

Price ($)

  

Date

  

RSUs

  

RSUs

 
                         

Jeffrey A. Duchemin

  -   130,000(1) $5.56  

6/4/2025

   68,900(5)  71,748(6)
   75,000   225,000(2) $4.12  

5/30/2024

   -   - 
   -   500,000(3) $4.31  

11/18/2023

   -   - 
   75,000   855,000           68,900   71,748 
                         

Robert E. Gagnon

  -   50,000(1) $5.56  

6/4/2025

   26,500(5)  28,117(6)
   25,000   75,000(2) $4.12  

5/30/2024

   -   - 
   75,000   75,000(4) $4.31  

11/18/2023

   -   - 
   100,000   200,000           26,500   28,117 
                         

Yong Sun

  -   32,500(1) $5.56  

6/4/2025

   17,225(5)  14,058(6)
   8,750   26,250(2) $4.12  

5/30/2024

   -   - 
   50,000   50,000(4) $4.31  

11/18/2023

   -   - 
   58,750   108,750           17,225   14,058 
                         

Yoav Sibony

  -   -(8)          -(8)  -(8)
   -   -           -   - 
   -   -           -   - 
   -   -           -   - 
   

Option Awards

 Stock Awards 
   

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable

   

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable

   

Option Exercise Price ($)

  Option Expiration Date Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)  

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1)

  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)  

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)(1)

 
James W. Green  60,000      5.27  5/5/2025 209,180 (2)  1,474,719  186,674 (3)  1,316,052 
   117,563   235,127 (4)   2.63  6/11/2030 109,070 (5)  768,944       
                129,799 (6)  915,083       
                218,140 (7)  1,537,887       
                209,179 (8)  1,474,712       
Michael A. Rossi  55,920   55,922 (9)   1.78  7/18/2029 21,545 (5)  151,892  36,876 (3)  259,976 
   46,448   46,448 (4)   2.63  6/11/2030 25,641 (6)  180,769       
                23,877 (10)  168,333       
                43,092 (11)  303,799       
Kenneth Olson  18,518   18,519 (12)   2.95  11/1/2029 18,378 (5)  129,565  31,453 (3)  221,744 
   39,618   39,617 (4)   2.63  6/11/2030 21,870 (6)  154,184       
                36,756 (13)  259,130       
                5,029 (14)  35,454       

_______________________________________

(1)

The option was(1)

Based on a closing stock price of $7.05 per share on December 31, 2021.

(2)These RSUs were granted on June 4, 2015July 8, 2019 and, assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested shares will vest in equal installments on each of January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023.

(3)These performance-based RSUs were granted on March 1, 2021 subject to relative TSR vesting conditions. The RSUs will vest in full on December 31, 2023, and are linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Common Stock from March 1, 2021 to the earlier of December 31, 2023 or the date of a change of control (measured relative to the Russell 2000 Index and based on the 20-day trading average beginning on the first day of the measurement period and ending on the last day of the measurement period). The target number of these RSUs that may be earned is noted above; the maximum amount is 150% of the amount reported.


(4)These options were granted on June 11, 2020 and, assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested options will become exercisable in equal installments on January 1 of each of 2016, 2017, 2018December 29, 2022 and 2019.

December 29, 2023.

(2)

The option was(5)

These RSUs were granted on May 30, 2014June 11, 2020 and, assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested shares become exercisablewill vest in equal installments on January 1 of each of 2016, 2017December 29, 2022 and 2018.

December 29, 2023.

(3)

The option was(6)

These RSUs were granted on November 18, 2013March 1, 2021 and, assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested shares will vest in fullequal installments on November 18, 2016.

each of December 29, 2022 and December 29, 2023.

(4)

The option was(7)

These RSUs were granted on November 18, 2013June 11, 2020 with performance-based vesting conditions linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Common Stock from June 11, 2020 to June 11, 2021 (measured relative to the Nasdaq Biotechnology index and assumingbased on the 20-day trading average price before each such date). The maximum number of RSUs was earned on June 11, 2021 and an additional 109,070 shares were added to the award. Assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested shares become exercisable in equal installments on November 18 of each of 2016 and 2017.

(5)

The Time Based restricted stock units were granted on June 4, 2015 and, assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested shareswill vest in equal installments on January 1 of each of 2016, 2017, 2018June 11, 2022 and 2019.

June 11, 2023.

(6)

The Market Condition restricted stock units(8)

These performance-based RSUs were granted on August 3, 2015. TheJuly 8, 2019 subject to relative TSR vesting of these Market Condition RSU's is cliff-based andconditions linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Company’s common stockCommon Stock from August 3, 2015July 8, 2019 to the earlier of (i) August 3, 2018 or (ii) upon a change of controlJuly 8, 2020 (measured relative to the Russell 3000Nasdaq Biotechnology index and based on the 20-day trading average price before each such date).

(7)

The vestingmaximum number of these optionsRSUs was earned on July 8, 2020 and awards is also subject, in some instances,an additional 209,179 shares were added to acceleration in connectionwith certain termination events and a change-in-control as described in “Potential Payments UponTermination or “Change-in-Control.”

(8)

Mr. Sibony resigned in October 2015 and did not have outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2015.

the award. The unvested shares will vest on July 8, 2022

 


(9)These options were granted on July 18, 2019 and, assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested options will become exercisable in equal installments on each of July 18, 2022 and July 18, 2023.

(10)These RSUs were granted on July 18, 2019 with performance-based vesting conditions linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Common Stock from July 18, 2019 to July 18, 2020 (measured relative to the Nasdaq Biotechnology index and based on the 20-day trading average price before each such date). The maximum number of RSUs was earned on July 18, 2020 and an additional 23,877 shares were added to the award. Assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested shares will vest on July 18, 2022.

(11)These RSUs were granted on June 11, 2020 with performance-based vesting conditions linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Common Stock from June 11, 2020 to June 11, 2021 (measured relative to the Nasdaq Biotechnology index and based on the 20-day trading average price before each such date). The maximum number of RSUs was earned on June 11, 2021 and an additional 21,546 shares were added to the award. Assuming continued employment with the Company, the unvested shares will vest in equal installments on each of June 11, 2022 and June 11, 2023.

(12)These options were granted on November 1, 2019 and the unvested options will become exercisable in equal installments on each of November 1, 2022 and November 1, 2023.

(13)These RSUs were granted on June 11, 2020 with performance-based vesting conditions linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Common Stock from June 11, 2020 to June 11, 2021 (measured relative to the Nasdaq Biotechnology index and based on the 20-day trading average price before each such date). The maximum number of RSUs was earned on June 11, 2021 and an additional 18,378 shares were added to the award. The unvested shares will vest in equal installments on each of June 11, 2022 and June 11, 2023.

(14)These RSUs were granted on November 1, 2019 with performance-based vesting conditions linked to the achievement of a relative total shareholder return of the Common Stock from November 1, 2019 to November 1, 2020 (measured relative to the Nasdaq Biotechnology index and based on the 20-day trading average price before each such date). The performance factor on November 1, 2020 was 89% and 1,863 shares were forfeited from the award. The unvested shares will vest on November 1, 2022.

 

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROLPotential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control

 

ChiefTermination Arrangements with Current Named Executive Officer and Chief Financial OfficerOfficers

 

OurThe employment agreements with Mr. DucheminGreen and Mr. GagnonRossi also require the Company to provide for certain payments and benefits forin the executive ifevent of a termination of the executive’s employment with is terminated because of death or disability,by us without cause, by the executive for good reason, upon death or by us without causedisability or in relatingrelation to a change-in-control. The events constituting cause, good reason and a change-in-control are specified in eachthe respective agreement. Following any such termination, the executives are entitled to receive theirSuch benefits include, without limitation, accrued and unpaid base salary to the date of termination, accrued and unused vacation, and if to the extent required by law, any bonuses or other compensation actually earned for periods ended prior to the termination event. These employment agreements also provide change-in-control benefits, and have customary best net/modified economic cutback provisions in relation to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In some instances, the executive’s receipt of such payments and other benefits in connection with such a termination is subject to the executive signing a general release of claims, as provided in the respective employment agreement.

 


With respect to terminations because oftermination due to death or disability, all equity awards of the named executive officers shall accelerate and fully vest and we shall also pay a cash lump sum equal to the value of COBRA premiums for a period of one (1) yeartwelve (12) months following the termination that may be used by the executive or his spouse and dependents, as applicable, to pay for health insurance coverage that is substantially similar to the coverage executive and his eligible dependents received prior to the termination.

 

In addition, in the case of a termination by the executive for good reason, or by us without cause, and subject to the terms of the agreement, (i) we shall pay the executive an amount equal to 12eighteen (18) months for Mr. Green, and twelve (12) months for Mr. Rossi of his respective base salary rate in equal installments over the period of one year from the date of termination in accordance with our payroll procedures and (ii) any stock options or other stock based grants which would otherwise vest within 12 months (or 24 months solely with respect to Mr. Duchemin’s initially 500,000 option granted in 2013), of the date of termination shall become fully vested or non-forfeitable.non-forfeitable (provided that with respect to Mr. Green, as to the time-based RSUs granted in connection with his hiring, such period shall be 24 months, and with respect to the performance-based RSUs granted in connection with his hiring, the performance period would be measured as to the period from grant through the termination event). Further, following any such termination, we shall reasonably determine what annual bonus the executive would have received had he remained employed throughout the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, and if any such annual bonus would have been earned, we shall pay the executive a pro rata portion of such determined annual bonus by a lump-sum cash payment. In addition, following the termination we shall also pay a cash lump sum equal to the value of COBRA premiums for a period of one (1) yeareighteen (18) months for Mr. Green, and twelve (12) months for Mr. Rossi, following the termination that may be used by the respective executive to pay for health insurance coverage that is substantially similar to the coverage executive and his eligible dependents received prior to the termination.  The executive’s receipt of payment and benefits in connection with such a termination by the executive for good reason or by us without cause is subject to the executive signing a general release of claims, as provided in the agreement.

 

In addition, in the event that Mr. Ducheminthe executive is terminated within three months prior to, or twelve months after, a change in control (as described in his employment agreement), we shall pay Mr. Ducheminthe executive a single lump sum in cash equal to 18twenty-four (24) months as to Mr. Green, and eighteen (18) months as to Mr. Rossi, of his respective base salary, and all stock options and other stock-based awards granted to Mr. Ducheminthe executive shall immediately accelerate and become exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the date of the change in control.control (and as to Mr. DucheminGreen, with respect to the performance-based RSUs granted in connection with his hiring, the performance period would be measured as to the period from grant through the change of control event). In addition, following such termination we shall also receivepay a pro rata portioncash lump sum equal to the value of fifty percent (50%)COBRA premiums for a period of the maximum annual bonustwenty four (24) months for the fiscal year in whichMr. Green, and eighteen (18) months for Mr. Rossi, following the termination occurs.  Inthat may be used by the eventrespective executive to pay for health insurance coverage that Mr. Gagnon is terminated within three monthssubstantially similar to the coverage executive and his eligible dependents received prior to or twelve months after, a change in control (as described in his employment agreement), we shall pay Mr. Gagnon a single lump sum in cash equal to 12 months of his base salary, and all stock options and other stock-based awards granted to Mr. Gagnon shall immediately accelerate and become exercisable or non-forfeitable as of the date of the change in control.  termination.

We believe that it is fair to provide for accelerated vesting because equity grants generally provide a high proportion of the total compensation of our executive officers. Very often, senior management lose their jobs in connection with a change-in-control. By agreeing up front to protect these executive officers from losing their equity in the event of a change-in-control, we believe we can reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of our executive officers to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of an actual or threatened change-in-control. This protection also aligns the interests of such executive officers with that of our stockholders.


Vice President and Former Vice President

 

Our offer letterSeparation Agreement with Mr. Sun does not expressly provide for any payments and benefits for the executive if his employment with our Company is terminated because of death or disability, by the executive for good reason or by us without cause or in relating to a change-in-control.  As provided below, in the event of a change-in-control (as defined in our 2000 Plan), the vesting of the options held by Mr. Sun may accelerate under certain circumstances.Olson

 

With respect to the stock options that we awarded to Messrs. Duchemin, Gagnon and Sun, the respective option agreements provide for the full acceleration of the unvested portion of such options upon a change-in-control of our Company in the event that the option is not continued or assumed by our Company or the acquiring or successor entity or is not substituted for an option of the acquiring or successor entity on substantially equivalent terms to the option. With respect to the market condition RSUs granted to Messrs. Duchemin, Gagnon and Sun, upon a change-in-control, such awards will accelerate at the time of such event with the portion vesting determined based on the relative total shareholder return of the Company’s common stock from August 3, 2015 to such change of control that is achieved.

The following tables reflect the estimated amount of payments and benefits that would have been provided by us to each of our current named executive officers upon the termination of such executive’s employment with us as of December 31, 2015 in each of the following circumstances: termination by us without cause, termination by the executive for good reason, termination upon death, termination by us upon disability and termination by us without cause or by the executive for good reason following a change-in-control. The tables also reflect the estimated amount of payments and benefits that would have been provided by us to each such named executive officer upon a change-in-control of the Company occurring as of December 31, 2015. The types of events constituting cause, good reason, disability and a change-in-control may differ in some respects among the different arrangements providing for benefits to the named executive officers; however, for consistency in presentation, the tables below have grouped these arrangements together based on these concepts without regard for any such differences.

The respective table below for Mr. Sibony reflect the amount of payments and benefits provided by us to himOn January 26, 2022, in connection with Mr. Olson’s resignation from his resignation in October 2015. 

The amounts described in the tables below do not include payments and benefits to the extent they have been earned prior to the termination of employment or change-in-control or are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to salaried employees upon termination of employment. These include:

Accrued salary, bonus and vacation pay;

Distribution of plan balances under our 401(k) plan;

Life insurance proceeds in the event of death; and

Disability insurance payouts in the event of disability.


Jeffrey A. Duchemin

The following table shows the estimated payments upon termination or a change-in-control ofposition as Chief Operating Officer, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and Release with Mr. Olson. Under the terms of such separation agreement, the Company will, among other things, continue to employ Mr. Olson and pay him his current salary until December 31, 2022 in exchange for Jeffrey A. Duchemin, our Chief Executive Officer.his remote assistance on projects and the transition of duties, unless earlier terminated.

 

 

  

Termination

Without Cause

  

Termination

  

Termination

  

Termination

After

     
  

or For

  

Upon

  

Upon

  

Change-in-

  

Change-in-

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Separation

 

Good Reason

  

Death

  

Disability

  

Control (1)

  

Control

 
                     

Cash Severance (2)

 $469,000  $-  $-  $703,500  $- 

Vesting of Stock Options (3)

  -   -   -   -   - 

Vesting of Restricted Stock Units (4)

  119,542   239,083   239,083   239,083   239,083 

Health Care Benefits (5)

  12,232   12,232   12,232   12,232   - 

Total

  600,774   251,315   251,315   954,815   239,083 


(1)

This column assumes a change-in-control occurs on December 31, 2015 followed immediately thereafter by a termination of the executive’s employment on the same date by us without cause or by the executive for good reason.

(2)

Includes bonus amounts attributable to fiscal 2015 pursuant to the terms of Mr. Duchemin’s employment agreement.

(3)

Based on the difference between the exercise price of unvested stock options that accelerate upon the relevant event and the closing price of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2015, which was $3.47.

(4)

Value pertains entirely to time-based RSUs, as no portion of the market condition RSUs would have vested in connection with any such termination events or change-in-control as of December 31, 2015.

(5)

Reflects the amount of future premiums, which would be paid on behalf of the named executive officer under our health and dental plans, based on the premiums in effect as of December 31, 2015.

Robert E. Gagnon

The following table shows the estimated payments upon termination or a change-in-control of the Company for Robert E. Gagnon, our Chief Financial Officer.

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Separation

 

Termination

Without Cause

or For

Good Reason

  

Termination

Upon

Death

  

Termination

Upon

Disability

  

Termination

After

Change-in-

Control (1)

  

Change-in-

Control

 
                     

Cash Severance (2)

 $313,000  $-  $-  $313,000  $- 

Vesting of Stock Options (3)

  -   -   -   -   - 

Vesting of Restricted Stock Units (4)

  22,989   91,955   91,955   91,955   91,955 

Health Care Benefits (5)

  12,232   12,232   12,232   12,232   - 

Total

  348,221   104,187   104,187   417,187   91,955 


(1)

This column assumes a change-in-control occurs on December 31, 2015 followed immediately thereafter by a termination of the executive’s employment on the same date by us without cause or by the executive for good reason.

(2)

Includes bonus amounts attributable to fiscal 2015 pursuant to the terms of Mr. Gagnon’s employment agreement.

(3)

Based on the difference between the exercise price of unvested stock options that accelerate upon the relevant event and the closing price of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2015, which was $3.47.

(4)

Value pertains entirely to time-based RSUs, as no portion of the market condition RSUs would have vested in connection with any such termination events or change-in-control as of December 31, 2015.

(5)

Reflects the amount of future premiums, which would be paid on behalf of the named executive officer under our health and dental plans, based on the premiums in effect as of December 31, 2015.


Yong Sun

The following table shows the estimated payments upon termination or a change-in-control of the Company for Yong Sun, our Vice President, Commercial Operations.

  

Termination

Without Cause

  

Termination

  

Termination

  

Termination

After

     
  

or For

  

Upon

  

Upon

  

Change-in-

  

Change-in-

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon Separation

 

Good Reason

  

Death

  

Disability

  

Control (1)

  

Control

 
                     

Cash Severance

 $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 

Vesting of Stock Options

  -   -   -   -   - 

Vesting of Restricted Stock Units (2)

  -   -   -   59,771   59,771 

Health Care Benefits

  -   -   -   -   - 

Total

  -   -   -   59,771   59,771 

___________________

(1)

This column assumes a change-in-control occurs on December 31, 2015 followed immediately thereafter by a termination of the executive’s employment on the same date by us without cause or by the executive for good reason.

(2)

Value pertains entirely to time-based RSUs, as no portion of the market condition RSUs would have vested in connection with any such termination events or change-in-control as of December 31, 2015.

Yoav Sibony

In connection with Mr. Sibony’s resignation from the Company as Vice President, Global Sales in October 2015, the Company and Mr. Sibony entered into a severance arrangement pursuant to which Mr. Sibony executed a general release of claims in favor of the Company, and Mr. Sibony received a lump sum payment of $10,614.96 in relation to three weeks of accrued vacation time, as well as $104,318.60 payable in thirteen bi-weekly installments, representing six months’ salary, $3,785.20 in relation to seven months of health insurance premiums, and $533.40 in relation to seven months of dental insurance premiums.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENTSecurity Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding Common Stock as of May 6, 2016March 23, 2022 by: (i) all persons known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our Common Stock; (ii) each of our Directors and nominees for Director; (iii) each of the named executive officers; and (iv) all of our Directors and executive officers as a group.

 

The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power and includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after May 6, 2016March 23, 2022 through the exercise of any warrant, stock option or other right. The inclusion in this Proxy Statementproxy statement of such shares, however, does not constitute an admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of such shares. Common stock subject to options currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016,March 23, 2022, are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding those options, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.


 

Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of Common Stock, except to the extent spouses share authority under community property laws.

 

   

Common Stock Beneficially Owned

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)  

Shares

   

Percent (2)

 
Greater than 5% Holders        
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
  3,063,190   7.4% (3)
Chane Graziano
23610 Peppermill Court
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
  2,546,107   6.2%(4)
Portolan Capital Management, LLC
2 International Place, FL 26
Boston, MA 02110
  2,538,799   6.2% (5)
Punch & Associates Investment Management, Inc.
7701 France Ave. So., Suite 300
Edina, MN 55435
  2,166,775   5.3% (6)
         
Non-Employee Directors        
Bertrand Loy  416,482   1.0% (7)
Katherine A. Eade  289,041   *(8)
Thomas W. Loewald  273,226   *(8)
Alan Edrick  202,093   *(9)
         
Named Executive Officers        
James Green  1,197,664   2.9% (10)
Michael A. Rossi  175,432   *(11)
Kenneth Olson  104,723   *(12)
All Executive Officers and Directors, as a group (6 persons)  2,553,938   6.2% (13)

____________________

 

  

Common Stock Beneficially Owned

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

 

Shares

  

Percent (2)

    
             

Chane Graziano

  3,005,150   8.8

%

  (3) 

23610 Peppermill Court

Bonita Springs, FL 34134

            

BlackRock, Inc

  2,723,932   8.0

%

  (4) 

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

            

First Light Asset Management, LLC

  2,039,291   6.0

%

  (5) 

3300 Edinborough Way, Suite 201

Edina, MN 55435

            

Heartland Advisors, Inc.

  2,000,000   5.9

%

  (6) 

789 North Water Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

            

Polar Asset Management Partners, Inc.

  1,716,933   5.0

%

  (7) 

401 Bay Street, Suite 1900, PO Box 19

Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4, Canada

         
David Green  1,496,804   *   (8) 

Earl R. Lewis

  377,100   *   (9) 

George Uveges

  202,250   *   (10) 

John F. Kennedy

  223,489   *   (11) 

Neal J. Harte

  218,589   *   (12) 

Robert Dishman

  51,055   *     

James Green

  38,734   *   (13) 

Bertrand Loy

  44,450   *   (14) 

Jeffrey A. Duchemin

  215,033   *   (15) 

Robert E. Gagnon

  154,753   *   (16) 

Yong Sun

  78,322   *   (17) 

Yoav Sibony

  -   *   (18) 

All Executive Officers and Directors, as a group (12 persons)

  3,100,579   8.8

%

  (19) 

___________________

*Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent (1%) of our outstanding Common Stock.

(1)Unless otherwise indicated, theThe address for all persons shownnon-employee directors and named executive officers is c/o Harvard Bioscience, Inc., 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746.

(2)(2)Based on 34,069,54941,241,449 shares outstanding on March 31, 201623, 2022 together with the applicable options and restricted stock units for each stockholder.

(3)This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. with the SEC on February 3, 2022, reporting sole voting power over 3,003,360 shares and sole dispositive power over 3,063,190 shares.


(4)This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G/A filed by Chane Graziano with the SecuritiesSEC on May 13, 2019, reporting sole voting power over 2,546,107 shares and Exchange Commissionsole dispositive power over 2,546,107 shares.

(5)This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G/A filed by Portolan Capital Management, LLC and George McCabe with the SEC on February 13, 201411, 2022, reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2013.sole voting and dispositive power over 2,538,799 shares.

(4)(6)This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock,Punch & Associates Investment Management, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2016 reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2015.
(5)This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G filed by First Light Asset Management, LLC with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC on February 12, 201614, 2022, reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2015.
(6)This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G filed by Heartland Advisors, Inc. with the Securitiessole voting power and Exchange Commission on February 5, 2016 reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2015.
(7)This information is based solely upon a Schedule 13G filed by Polar Asset Management Partners, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2016 reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2015.dispositive power over 2,166,775 shares.

 


(8)(7)Includes options to acquire 421,17855,300 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016,March 23, 2022, as well as 16,97518,889 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.March 23, 2022.

(9)(8)Includes 20,750options to acquire 87,600 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2022, as well as 16,925 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.March 23, 2022.

(10)(9)Includes options to acquire 125,97967,867 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016,March 23, 2022, as well as 18,00016,925 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.March 23, 2022.

(11)(10)Includes options to acquire 37,059177,563 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016,March 23, 2022.

(11)Includes options to acquire 102,368 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2022.

(12)Includes options to acquire 58,136 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2022.

(13)Includes options to acquire 578,298 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2022 as well as 18,95069,664 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.
(12)Includes options to acquire 125,979March 23, 2022. Does not include shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016, as well as 18,000 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.
(13)Includes options to acquire 20,000 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016, as well as 17,425 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.
(14)Includes options to acquire 18,434 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016, as well as 17,350 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.
(15)Includes options to acquire 182,500 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016.
(16)Includes options to acquire 137,500 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016.
(17)Includes options to acquire 75,625 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016.
(18)Yoav Sibony does not hold any beneficially owned sharesby Kenneth Olson, who resigned from his position as of May 6, 2016.
(19)Includes options to acquire 1,260,342 shares that are exercisable within 60 days after May 6, 2016, as well as 100,800 restricted stock units that will fully vest within 60 days after May 6, 2016.Chief Operating Officer effective January 31, 2022.

 

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION


Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 20152021 concerning the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under our existing equity compensation plans.

 

Plan Category Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Restricted Stock Units, Warrants and Rights Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants, And Rights Remaining Available For Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected In Column (a))
   (a)   (b)   (c) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)  3,406,135  $3.10   4,246,710 (2) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders         
Total  3,406,135       4,246,710 

____________________

 

          

Number of Securities

 
      

Weighted

  

Remaining Available

 
  

Number of Securities to

  

Average Exercise

  

For Future Issuance

 
  

be Issued Upon Exercise

  

Price of

  

Under Equity

 
  

of Outstanding Options,

  

Outstanding

  

Compensation Plans

 
  

Restricted Stock Units,

  

Options, Warrants,

  

(Excluding Securities

 

Plan Category

 

Warrants and Rights

  

And Rights

  

Reflected In Column (a))

 
  

(a)

  

(b)

  

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)

  5,521,283  $3.50   3,699,998(2) 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  -   -   - 

Total

  5,521,283  $3.50   3,699,998 

___________________

(1)

(1)

Consists of the Harvard Apparatus,Bioscience, Inc. 1996Fourth Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Grant Plan;Incentive Plan, the 2000 Plan;Harvard Bioscience, Inc. 2021 Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) and the Harvard Bioscience, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the(as amended, the “ESPP”).

The number of securities in column (a) for plans approved by security holders consists of 1,404,816 outstanding stock options and 2,001,319 RSUs.

(2)

(2)

Represents 3,594,0094,149,876 shares available for future issuance under the 20002021 Plan and 105,98996,834 shares available for future issuance under the ESPP.

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONSTransactions With Related Persons

 

The Audit Committee charter sets forth the standards, policies and procedures that we follow for the review, approval or ratification of any related person transaction that we are required to report pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. UnderPursuant to the Audit Committee charter, which is in writing, the Audit Committee must conduct an appropriate review ofreviews these related person transactions on an ongoing basis and the approval of the Audit Committee is required for all such transactions. The Audit Committee relies on management to identify related person transactions and bring them to the attention of the Audit Committee. We do not have any formal policies and procedures regarding the identification by management of related person transactions.

 


DuringAside from the 2015indemnification agreements we have entered into with each of our Directors, each of which provides that we will indemnify our Directors for expenses incurred because of their status as a Director to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws, during the 2021 fiscal year, we were not a participant in any related person transactions that required disclosure under this heading except, due to Mr. David Green’s former position as Chief Executive Officer of Biostage until April 2015, our agreements with Biostage that were entered into in connection with the spin-off of such company. As Mr. David Green is a Director of our Company, and was the former Chief Executive Officer of Biostage until April 2015, Mr. Green may be deemed to have an interest as a related party in such agreements. These commercial agreements with Biostage include: (i) a Separation and Distribution Agreement to effect the separation and spin-off distribution and provide other agreements to govern our relationship with Biostage after the spin-off; (ii) an Intellectual Property Matters Agreement, which governs various intellectual property related arrangements between our Company and Biostage, including the separation of intellectual property rights between us and Biostage, as well as certain related cross-licenses between the two companies; (iii) a Product Distribution Agreement, which provides that each company will become the exclusive distributor for the other party for products such other party develops for sale in the markets served by the other; (iv) a Tax Sharing Agreement, which governs the parties respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings and other matters regarding taxes for periods before, during and after the spin-off; (v) a Transition Services Agreement, which provides for certain services to be performed on a transitional basis by us to facilitate Biostage’s transition into a separate public reporting company for time frames of limited length, which expired in 2014,and (vi) a Sublease from our Company to Biostage of approximately 17,000 square feet of mixed use space of the facility located at 84 October Hill Road, Suite 11, Holliston, Massachusetts. As these agreements evidence ongoing commercial arrangements which may involve varying amounts over time, we are unable to provide an approximate dollar value of the amount involved in the transaction.  In fiscal 2015, we received approximately $0.2 million from Biostage with respect to the Transition Services Agreement, Sublease and related cost, and research and development supplies.Mr. David Green does not receive any amounts from the transactions with Biostage relating to his role as a Director of our Company, and it is our understanding that Mr. David Green does not receive any direct amounts from such agreements and the transactions in relation to his former roles as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Biostage, and his interest is limited to benefits he may have received solely relating to his former role as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and a principal stockholder, of Biostage.heading.

 

SECTIONDelinquent Section 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCEReports

 

Our executive officers, Directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our Common Stock are required under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of those reports must also be furnished to us.

 

Based solely on a review of the copies of the reports furnished to us, and written representations from certain reporting persons that no other reports were required, we believe that during the year ended December 31, 2015,2021, the reporting persons complied on a timely basis with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them, except for (i) Mr. Kennedy, our current Director, who had one late filing reporting nine stock option exercise transactions, (ii) Mr. Lewis, our Chairman, who had one late filing reporting one stock option exercise transaction and (iii) Mr. David Green, our current Director, who had one late filing reporting one stock disposition transaction.

EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION

We will pay the entire expense of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. In addition to solicitations by mail, certain of our Directors, officers and employees (who will receive no compensation for their services other than their regular compensation) may solicit proxies by telephone, telegram, personal interview, facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic communication. Banks, brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and other fiduciaries have been requested to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock held of record by them as of the Record Date, and such custodians will be reimbursed for their expenses.


SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2017 ANNUAL MEETINGthem.

 

Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by us on or before January 12, 2017 in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. These proposals must also comply with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission governing the form and content of proposals in order to be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy and should be mailed to: Secretary, Harvard Bioscience, Inc., 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746.

Our Bylaws provide that any stockholder of record wishing to have a stockholder proposal that is not included in our proxy statement considered at an annual meeting must provide written notice of such proposal and appropriate supporting documentation, as set forth in the Bylaws, to our Secretary at our principal executive office not less than 90 days or not more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting. In the event, however, that the annual meeting is scheduled to be held more than 30 days before such anniversary date or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice must be delivered not earlier than 120 days prior to the date of such meeting and not later than the later of (i) 10 days following the date of public announcement of the date of such meeting or (ii) 90 days prior to the date of such meeting. Proxies solicited by theCommunications With The Board ofOf Directors will confer discretionary voting authority on the proxy holders with respect to these proposals, subject to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission governing the exercise of this authority.

SUBMISSION OF SECURITYHOLDER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

All securityholder recommendations for Director candidates must be submitted in writing to our Chief Financial Officer at 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746, who will forward all recommendations to the Governance Committee. All securityholder recommendations for Director candidates must be submitted to us not less than 120 calendar days prior to the anniversary of the date on which our proxy statement was released to securityholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting. All securityholder recommendations for Director candidates must include:

the name and address of record of the securityholder,

a representation that the securityholder is a record holder of our securities, or if the securityholder is not a record holder, evidence of ownership in accordance with Rule 14a-8(b)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,

the name, age, business and residential address, educational background, public company directorships, current principal occupation or employment, and principal occupation or employment for the preceding five full fiscal years of the proposed Director candidate,

a description of the qualifications and background of the proposed director candidate which addresses the minimum qualifications and other criteria for Board membership approved by the Board of Directors and set forth in the Governance Committee Charter,

a description of all arrangements or understandings between the securityholder and the proposed Director candidate,

the consent of the proposed Director candidate to be named in the proxy statement, to have all required information regarding such Director candidate included in the proxy statement, and to serve as a Director if elected, and

any other information regarding the proposed Director candidate that is required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.


STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Stockholders and other interested parties wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors may do so by sending a written communication to any Director at the following address: Harvard Bioscience, Inc., 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746. The mailing envelope should contain a notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Stockholder-Board Communication”.“Board Communication.” All such letters should clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board of Directors or certain specified individual Directors. Our Secretary or his or her designee will make a copy of any stockholdersuch communication so received and promptly forward it to the Director or Directors to whom it is addressed.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

FeesThe following table presents fees for professional services provided by KPMGGrant Thornton LLP our independent registered public accounting firm, in eachfor the audits of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories is as set forth in the table below.

 

  2021 2020
Audit Fees (1) $1,027,304  $1,026,037 
Audit-Related Fees      
Tax Fees (2)  7,218   34,353 
Other      
Total Fees $1,034,522  $1,060,390 

____________________

  

2015

  

2014

 

Audit Fees (1)

 $2,303,625  $923,750 

Tax Fees (2)

  195,498   143,750 

Other

  2,550   - 

Total Fees

 $2,501,673  $1,067,500 

 

(1)

(1)

Audit Fees included fees billed or expected to be billed for professional services associated with the annual audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting and the reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, . Theseand fees also includedrelated to the forensic investigation and additional audit procedures performed following our discovery that an employee at Denville Scientific, Inc., one if our wholly-owned subsidiaries, appeared to have embezzled money from the Company and manipulated certain records in an attempt to conceal the theft.

registration statement on Form S-8.

(2)

(2)

Tax Fees included domestic and international tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

All of the services performed in or related to the year ended December 31, 20152021 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. It is the Audit Committee’s policy to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided to us by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated to one or more members of the Audit Committee, who shall present all decisions to pre-approve an activity to the full Audit Committee at its first meeting following such decision. The Audit Committee has delegated this pre-approval authority to its Chairman (currently George Uveges) for non-audit services with aggregate fees of $30,000 or less.services. In addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services above is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

 

Proposal 2

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRMRatification Of Appointment Of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed KPMGGrant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. KPMG2022. Grant Thornton LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2000.2017. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, retention, termination, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work.firm. To execute this responsibility, the Audit Committee engages in a comprehensive annual evaluation ofannually evaluates the independent auditor’s qualifications, performance and independence and whether the independent registered public accounting firm should be rotated, and considers the advisability and potential impact of selecting a different independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Although ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the appointment of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP to our stockholders for ratification because we value the views of our stockholders. In the event that our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP. Even if the appointment is ratified, the ratification is not binding and the Audit Committee may in its discretion select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

 

A representative of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP is expected to be present virtually at the Annual Meeting. He or she will have an opportunity to make a statement, if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 


Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting is required for the ratification of the appointment of KPMGGrant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.2022.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMGGRANT THORNTON LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2016. PROPERLY AUTHORIZED PROXIES SOLICITED BY2022.

Proposal 3
approval Of AN AMENDMENT OF THE Harvard Bioscience, Inc.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

The Board of Directors is requesting that our stockholders vote in favor of amending the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended, “ESPP”) to add 500,000 shares under the ESPP to increase the number of authorized shares available for issuance thereunder (the “Amendment”). The Plan is intended to constitute an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The primary purpose of the ESPP is to provide employees with the tax-qualified opportunity to acquire an ownership stake in the Company through participation in a payroll deduction-based employee stock purchase plan. The Company believes that by increasing the total number of authorized shares for issuance under the ESPP, it can retain our employees with a market-competitive benefit. The following summary of the ESPP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual text of the ESPP, as set forth on Appendix A. Stockholders are urged to read the actual text of the ESPP, as proposed to be amended, and form of the Amendment, which are respectively set forth as Appendix A and Appendix B to this Proxy Statement and incorporated herein by reference.

Total Shares Authorized to Date Under ESPP1,400,000
Shares Issued Through December 31, 2021 Under ESPP1,303,166
Estimated Shares Available Under the ESPP as of December 31, 2021 (a)96,834
Additional Shares Requested Under this Amendment (b)500,000
Common Stock Outstanding as of the Record Date (c)41,241,449
ESPP Shares as a Percentage of Common Stock Outstanding (a+b)/c1.4%

Background on ESPP

The ESPP was adopted by the Board of Directors on October 26, 2000 and was approved by the Company’s stockholders in November 2000. An amendment to add an additional 250,000 shares of Common Stock to the ESPP was approved by our Board of Directors on February 26, 2013 and our stockholders on May 23, 2013. An amendment to add an additional 300,000 shares of Common Stock to the ESPP was approved by our Board of Directors on March 31, 2017 and our stockholders on May 18, 2017. An amendment to add an additional 350,000 shares of Common Stock to the ESPP was approved by our Board of Directors on February 26, 2019 and our stockholders on May 16, 2019. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 332 employees were eligible to participate in the ESPP.

Under the ESPP, participating employees can authorize the Company to withhold a portion of their base pay during consecutive six-month payment periods for the purchase of shares of the Company’s Common Stock. At the conclusion of the period, participating employees can purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price that is not less than 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock at the beginning or end of the period. Shares are issued under the plan for the six-month periods ending June 30 and December 31.

Key Terms

Enrollment and Participation

The first offering under the ESPP commenced on January 1, 2001 and ended on June 30, 2001. Subsequent offering periods commenced on each January 1 and July 1 thereafter and will have a duration of six months. Generally, all employees of the Company and certain U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries who are customarily employed for more than 20 hours per week as of the first day of the applicable offering period are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Any employee who owns or is deemed to own shares of stock representing in excess of 5% of the combined voting power of all classes of the Company’s stock may not participate in the ESPP.


During each offering, an employee may purchase shares under the ESPP by authorizing payroll deductions of up to 10% of his or her base pay during the offering period. Unless the employee has previously withdrawn from the offering, his or her accumulated payroll deductions will be used to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock on the last business day of the offering period at a price that is not less than 85% of the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the first or last day of the offering period, whichever is lower. In accordance with applicable tax rules, an employee may purchase no more than $25,000 worth of the Company’s Common Stock in any calendar year under the ESPP.

Transferability

The rights under the ESPP are not transferable by participating employee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the employee’s lifetime only by the employee.

Withdrawal

An employee may withdraw from participation in the ESPP by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to his or her designated payroll personnel. The employee’s withdrawal will be effective as of the next business day. Following an employee’s withdrawal, the Company will promptly refund to him or her, the entire account balance under the ESPP. Partial withdrawals are not permitted.

Administration

The ESPP is administered by the Company’s Compensation Committee.

Amendment and Termination of the Plan

The Board of Directors may at any time, and from time to time, amend the ESPP in any respect, except that without the approval, within 12 months of such Board action, by the stockholders, no amendment shall be made increasing the number of shares approved for the ESPP or making any other change that would require stockholder approval in order for the ESPP to qualify as a “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423(b) of the Code.

The Board of Directors may also terminate the ESPP at any time.

U.S. Federal Tax Consequences

The following summary is intended only as a general guide as to the United States federal income tax consequences under current law of participation in the ESPP and does not attempt to describe all possible federal or other tax consequences of such participation. Furthermore, the tax consequences are complex and subject to change, and a taxpayer’s particular situation may be such that some variation of the described rules is applicable. This summary assumes that the exercise of a purchase right under the ESPP constitutes an exercise pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423(b) of the Code.

Purchase Rights. Generally, there are no tax consequences to an employee of either becoming a participant in the ESPP or purchasing shares under the ESPP. The tax consequences of a disposition of shares vary depending on the period such stock is held before its disposition. If a participant disposes of shares within two years of the offering date, or within one year after the transfer of the purchased shares to the ESPP participant (a “disqualifying disposition”), the participant recognizes ordinary income in the year of such disqualifying disposition in an amount equal to the gain on the sale, i.e. the excess of the amount received on the shares over the purchase price. ESPP stock issued at a discount is also taxed as ordinary income on the disposition of the stock.

If the participant disposes of shares more than two years after the granting of the option or more than one year after the transfer of the purchased shares to the participant, or the participant dies while holding shares (whether or not within such periods) the participant recognizes ordinary income in the year of disposition or death in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition or death over the purchase price, or (2) the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the offering date over the purchase price. For this purpose, if the purchase price cannot be determined at the date of the option grant, then the purchase price is determined as though the option were exercised when granted. Any additional gain recognized by the participant on the disposition of the shares is a capital gain. If the fair market value of the shares on the date of disposition is less than the purchase price (as so determined), there is no ordinary income and the loss recognized is a capital loss.


If the participant disposes of the shares in a disqualifying disposition, the Company is entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant as a result, subject to the Section 162(m) Deduction Limit discussed below. In all other cases, no deduction is allowed the Company.

Section 162(m) Deduction Limit. Section 162(m) of the Code limits the deduction allowed to a publicly-held employer for the applicable remuneration of a “covered employee” to the extent that the amount of such remuneration for the taxable year for such employee exceeds $1 million. Employees covered by this limitation are each individual who was at any time during the taxable year either the principal executive officer or the principal financial officer, among the three highest compensated officers for the taxable year (other than the principal executive officer or principal financial officer), or was a “covered employee” for such employer (or any predecessor) in any preceding taxable year beginning after 2016 (each a “Covered Employee”). Income to a Covered Employee resulting from the disqualifying disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of purchase rights under the ESPP is subject to the Deduction Limit under Section 162(m) of the Code.

New Plan Benefits

The amounts of future purchases under the ESPP are not determinable because participation is voluntary, participation levels depend on each participant’s elections and the restrictions of Code Section 423 and the ESPP, and the per-share purchase price depends on the future value of our common stock. No purchases have been made with respect to the additional shares to be reserved for issuance under the ESPP.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting is required for the approval of the Amendment of our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTEDUNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATIONAPPROVAL OF THE APPOINTMENTAMENDMENT OF KPMG LLP UNLESS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE GIVEN.EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.

 

PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF

OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

(“SAY-ON-PAY VOTE”)Proposal 4
Advisory Vote On The Compensation Of
Our Named Executive Officers

 

Background

 

The Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC adopted final rules on January 26, 2011 to implement Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Final Rules”) requiring public companies to provide stockholders with periodic advisory votes on executive compensation (“Say-on-Pay Proposal”).

In accordance with the Final Rules, an advisory vote on the frequency of stockholders votes on executive compensation was conducted in connection with our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. The Board recommended, and our stockholders agreed, that the advisory vote on executive compensation be held on an annual basis. Upon review of the stockholder voting results concerning that proposal, our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee determined that we will hold an annual advisory vote on executive compensation. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are seeking an advisory vote from our stockholders to approve our named executive officer compensation, as set forth below. We and theThe Board of Directors welcomewelcomes our stockholders’ views on this subject, and will carefully consider the outcome of this vote consistent with the best interests of all stockholders. As an advisory vote, however, the outcome is not binding on us or the Board of Directors. Consistent with the preference of our stockholders as determined by the last vote to approve the frequency of our Say-on-Pay Proposal, we intend to conduct a Say-on-Pay Proposal annually.


 

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain high performing and experienced executives; motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success; align the interests of our executives and stockholders by motivating executives to increase stockholder value and rewarding executives when stockholder value increases; foster a shared commitment among executives by coordinating their goals; and motivate our executives to manage our business to meet our short and long-term objectives, and reward them for meeting these objectives. The elements of executive compensation include base salary, annual cash incentive bonuses, employment agreements, long-term equity incentive compensation and broad-based benefits programs. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about the Fiscal 2015fiscal year 2021 compensation of our named executive officers. Specifically, we are seeking a vote on the following resolution:

 

RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative discussion.

 

Recommendation


Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the Annual Meeting is required for the approval of the resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RESOLUTION ABOVE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.OFFICERS.

 

MULTIPLE STOCKHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESSSubmission Of Stockholder Proposals For The 2023 Annual Meeting

 

In order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for our 2023 annual meeting, stockholder proposals intended to be presented at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by us on or before December 8, 2022 and otherwise comply with the requirements set forth in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. These proposals must also comply with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission governing the form and content of proposals in order to be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy and should be mailed to: Secretary, Harvard Bioscience, Inc., 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746.

To the extent a stockholder of record wishes to have a stockholder proposal or Director nomination considered at an annual meeting even though such proposal is not included in our proxy statement, our Bylaws provide that such stockholder of record must provide written notice of such proposal or nomination and appropriate supporting documentation, as set forth in the Bylaws, to our Secretary at our principal executive office not less than 90 days or not more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting. For the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, such proposal or nomination must be received no earlier than January 17, 2023 and no later than February 16, 2023.

In addition to the notice and information requirements contained in our Bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than March 18, 2023.

Multiple Stockholders Sharing The Same Address

Owners of Common Stock in street name may receive a notice from their broker or bank stating that only one notice of internet availability of proxy materials, annual report or proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce printing and postage costs. However, if any stockholder residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate notice of internet availability of proxy materials, annual report or proxy statement, we will promptly deliver a separate copy to any stockholder upon written or oral request to our investor relations department at Harvard Bioscience, Inc., 84 October Hill Road, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746-1371 or by telephone at 508-893-8066 or by e-mail at info@harvardbioscience.com. In addition, any stockholder who receives multiple copies at the same address can request delivery of a single copy by notifying our investor relations department pursuant to the contact information provided above.

 

OTHER MATTERS


Other Matters

 

The Board of Directors does not know of any matters, other than those described in this Proxy Statementproxy statement that will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If other matters are duly presented, proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holders.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING VIRTUALLY, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE ONLINE, BY TELEPHONE OR BY COMPLETING, DATING, SIGNING AND PROMPTLY RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE (WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE STOCKHOLDERS WHO REQUEST PAPER COPIES OF THESE MATERIALS BY MAIL) BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING SO THAT YOUR SHARES ARE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 

THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015.REPORT. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND ANY EXHIBITS THERETO TO ANY STOCKHOLDER, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC., 84 OCTOBER HILL ROAD, HOLLISTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01746-1371. A LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY STOCKHOLDERS DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS AT OUR OFFICES AND THE OFFICES OF OUR TRANSFER AGENT DURING THE TEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING AS WELL AS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 


Appendix A

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

(As Amended)

The purpose of the Harvard Bioscience, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide eligible employees of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain of its subsidiaries with opportunities to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). One Million Nine Hundred Thousand (1,900,000)One Million Four Hundred Thousand (1,400,000) shares of Common Stock in the aggregate have been approved and reserved for this purpose. The Plan is intended to constitute an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and shall be interpreted in accordance with that intent.

1. ADMINISTRATION. The Plan will be administered by the person or persons (the “Administrator”) appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) for such purpose. The Administrator has authority to make rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, and its interpretations and decisions with regard thereto shall be final and conclusive. No member of the Board or individual exercising administrative authority with respect to the Plan shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any option granted hereunder.

2. OFFERINGS. The Company will make one or more offerings to eligible employees to purchase Common Stock under the Plan (“Offerings”). Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the initial Offering will begin on January 1, 2001 and will end on June 30, 2001 (the “Initial Offering”). Thereafter, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, an Offering will begin on the first business day occurring on or after each January 1 and July 1 and will end on the last business day occurring on or before the following June 30 and December 31, respectively. The Administrator may, in its discretion, designate a different period for any Offering, provided that no Offering shall exceed six months in duration or overlap any other Offering.

3. ELIGIBILITY. All employees of the Company (including employees who are also directors of the Company) and all employees of each Designated Subsidiary (as defined in Section 11) are eligible to participate in any one or more of the Offerings under the Plan, provided that as of the first day of the applicable Offering (the “Offering Date”) they are customarily employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for more than 20 hours a week.

4. PARTICIPATION. An employee eligible on any Offering Date may participate in such Offering by submitting an enrollment form to his appropriate payroll location at least 15 business days before the Offering Date (or by such other deadline as shall be established for the Offering). The form will (a) state a whole percentage to be deducted from his Compensation (as defined in Section 11) per pay period, (b) authorize the purchase of Common Stock for him in each Offering in accordance with the terms of the Plan and (c) specify the exact name or names in which shares of Common Stock purchased for him are to be issued pursuant to Section 10. An employee who does not enroll in accordance with these procedures will be deemed to have waived his right to participate. Unless an employee files a new enrollment form or withdraws from the Plan, his deductions and purchases will continue at the same percentage of Compensation for future Offerings, provided he remains eligible.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, participation in the Plan will neither be permitted nor be denied contrary to the requirements of the Code.

5. EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS. Each eligible employee may authorize payroll deductions at a minimum of one percent (1%) up to a maximum of ten percent (10%) of his Compensation for each pay period. The Company will maintain book accounts showing the amount of payroll deductions made by each participating employee for each Offering. No interest will accrue or be paid on payroll deductions.

6. DEDUCTION CHANGES. Except as may be determined by the Administrator in advance of an Offering, an employee may not increase or decrease his payroll deduction during any Offering, but may increase or decrease his payroll deduction with respect to the next Offering (subject to the limitations of Section 5) by filing a new enrollment form at least 15 business days before the next Offering Date (or by such other deadline as shall be established for the Offering). The Administrator may, in advance of any Offering, establish rules permitting an employee to increase, decrease or terminate his payroll deduction during an Offering.


7. WITHDRAWAL. An employee may withdraw from participation in the Plan by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to his appropriate payroll location. The employee’s withdrawal will be effective as of the next business day. Following an employee’s withdrawal, the Company will promptly refund to him his entire account balance under the Plan (after payment for any Common Stock purchased before the effective date of withdrawal). Partial withdrawals are not permitted. The employee may not begin participation again during the remainder of the Offering, but may enroll in a subsequent Offering in accordance with Section 4.

8. GRANT OF OPTIONS. On each Offering Date, the Company will grant to each eligible employee who is then a participant in the Plan an option (“Option”) to purchase on the last day of such Offering (the “Exercise Date”), at the Option Price hereinafter provided for, (a) a number of shares of Common Stock, which number shall not exceed the number of whole shares which is less than or equal to $12,500 divided by the closing price per share of Common Stock on the Offering Date, or (b) such other lesser maximum number of shares as shall have been established by the Administrator in advance of the Offering. The purchase price for each share purchased under each Option (the “Option Price”) will be 85% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Offering Date or the Exercise Date, whichever is less.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no employee may be granted an option hereunder if such employee, immediately after the option was granted, would be treated as owning stock, possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (as defined in Section 11). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an employee, and all stock which the employee has a contractual right to purchase shall be treated as stock owned by the employee. In addition, no employee may be granted an Option which permits his rights to purchase stock under the Plan, and any other employee stock purchase plan of the Company and its Parents and Subsidiaries, to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of the fair market value of such stock (determined on the option grant date or dates) for each calendar year in which the Option is outstanding at any time. The purpose of the limitation in the preceding sentence is to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.

9. EXERCISE OF OPTION AND PURCHASE OF SHARES. Each employee who continues to be a participant in the Plan on the Exercise Date shall be deemed to have exercised his Option on such date and shall acquire from the Company such number of whole shares of Common Stock reserved for the purpose of the Plan as his accumulated payroll deductions on such date will purchase at the Option Price, subject to any other limitations contained in the Plan. Any amount remaining in an employee’s account at the end of an Offering solely by reason of the inability to purchase a fractional share will be carried forward to the next Offering; any other balance remaining in an employee’s account at the end of an Offering will be refunded to the employee promptly.

10. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES. Certificates representing shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan may be issued only in the name of the employee, in the name of the employee and another person of legal age as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, or in the name of a broker authorized by the employee to be his, or their, nominee for such purpose.

11. DEFINITIONS.

The term “Compensation” means the amount of an employee’s base pay from the Company prior to any reduction for deferrals made under either Code Section 125 or 401(k), including commissions, but excluding overtime, incentive or bonus awards, allowances and reimbursements for expenses such as relocation allowances or travel expenses, income or gains on the exercise of Company stock options, and similar extraordinary items.

The term “Designated Subsidiary” means any present or future Subsidiary (as defined below) that has been designated by the Board to participate in the Plan. The Board may so designate any Subsidiary, or revoke any such designation, at any time and from time to time, either before or after the Plan is approved by the stockholders.

The term “Fair Market Value of the Common Stock” on any given date means the fair market value of the Common Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Common Stock is admitted to quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“Nasdaq”), Nasdaq National System or national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to market quotations. If there are no market quotations for such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which there are market quotations.


The term “Initial Public Offering” means the consummation of the first fully underwritten, firm commitment public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than on Forms S-4 or S-8 or their then equivalents, covering the offer and sale by the Company of its Common Stock.

The term “Parent” means a “parent corporation” with respect to the Company, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

The term “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation” with respect to the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

12. RIGHTS ON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If a participating employee’s employment terminates for any reason before the Exercise Date for any Offering, no payroll deduction will be taken from any pay due and owing to the employee and the balance in his account will be paid to him or, in the case of his death, to his designated beneficiary as if he had withdrawn from the Plan under Section 7. An employee will be deemed to have terminated employment, for this purpose, if the corporation that employs him, having been a Designated Subsidiary, ceases to be a Subsidiary, or if the employee is transferred to any corporation other than the Company or a Designated Subsidiary.

13. SPECIAL RULES. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may adopt special rules applicable to the employees of a particular Designated Subsidiary, whenever the Administrator determines that such rules are necessary or appropriate for the implementation of the Plan in a jurisdiction where such Designated Subsidiary has employees; provided that such rules are consistent with the requirements of Section 423(b) of the Code. Such special rules may include (by way of example, but not by way of limitation) the establishment of a method for employees of a given Designated Subsidiary to fund the purchase of shares other than by payroll deduction, if the payroll deduction method is prohibited by local law or is otherwise impracticable. Any special rules established pursuant to this Section 13 shall, to the extent possible, result in the employees subject to such rules having substantially the same rights as other participants in the Plan.

14. OPTIONEES NOT STOCKHOLDERS. Neither the granting of an Option to an employee nor the deductions from his pay shall constitute such employee a holder of the shares of Common Stock covered by an Option under the Plan until such shares have been purchased by and issued to him.

15. RIGHTS NOT TRANSFERABLE. Rights under the Plan are not transferable by a participating employee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the employee’s lifetime only by the employee.

16. APPLICATION OF FUNDS. All funds received or held by the Company under the Plan may be combined with other corporate funds and may be used for any corporate purpose.

17. ADJUSTMENT IN CASE OF CHANGES AFFECTING COMMON STOCK. In the event of a subdivision of outstanding shares of Common Stock, or the payment of a dividend in Common Stock, the number of shares approved for the Plan, and the share limitation set forth in Section 8, shall be increased proportionately, and such other adjustments shall be made as may be deemed equitable by the Administrator. In the event of any other change affecting the Common Stock, such adjustment shall be made as may be deemed equitable by the Administrator to give proper effect to such event.

18. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend the Plan in any respect, except that without the approval, within 12 months of such Board action, by the stockholders, no amendment shall be made increasing the number of shares approved for the Plan or making any other change that would require stockholder approval in order for the Plan, as amended, to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423(b) of the Code.


19. INSUFFICIENT SHARES. If the total number of shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be purchased on any Exercise Date plus the number of shares purchased under previous Offerings under the Plan exceeds the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan, the shares then available shall be apportioned among participants in proportion to the amount of payroll deductions accumulated on behalf of each participant that would otherwise be used to purchase Common Stock on such Exercise Date.

20. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Board. Upon termination of the Plan, all amounts in the accounts of participating employees shall be promptly refunded.

21. GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS. The Company’s obligation to sell and deliver Common Stock under the Plan is subject to obtaining all governmental approvals required in connection with the authorization, issuance, or sale of such stock.

The Plan shall be governed by Delaware law except to the extent that such law is preempted by federal law.

22. ISSUANCE OF SHARES. Shares may be issued upon exercise of an Option from authorized but unissued Common Stock, from shares held in the treasury of the Company, or from any other proper source.

23. TAX WITHHOLDING. Participation in the Plan is subject to any minimum required tax withholding on income of the participant in connection with the Plan. Each employee agrees, by entering the Plan, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the employee, including shares issuable under the Plan.

24. NOTIFICATION UPON SALE OF SHARES. Each employee agrees, by entering the Plan, to give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of shares purchased under the Plan where such disposition occurs within two years after the date of grant of the Option pursuant to which such shares were purchased.

25. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS. The Plan shall take effect on the first day of the Company’s Initial Public Offering, subject to approval by the holders of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present or by written consent of the stockholders.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: AUGUST 2, 2011.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: FEBRUARY 26, 2013.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO PLAN APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 23, 2013.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: MARCH 31, 2017.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO PLAN APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 18, 2017.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: FEBRUARY 26, 2019.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO PLAN APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 16, 2019.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 3, 2022.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO PLAN APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 17, 2022.

A-4

Appendix B

AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

This Amendment No. 5 to the Harvard Bioscience, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) is effective as of May 17, 2022 (the “Effective Date”).

In accordance with Section 18 of the Plan, as approved by the stockholders of Harvard Bioscience, Inc. on the Effective Date, in order to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan to One Million Nine Hundred Thousand (1,900,000), the Plan is hereby amended as follows, effective as of the Effective Date:

 

1.The reference to “One Million Four Hundred Thousand (1,400,000)” in the initial paragraph of the Plan is hereby deleted and replaced with “One Million Nine Hundred Thousand (1,900,000)”.

 


2.The following is added to the end of the Plan:

  

“DATE AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APRIL 3, 2022.

DATE AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO PLAN APPROVED BY STOCKHOLDERS: MAY 17, 2022.”

 

3.Except as expressly amended hereby, the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Harvard Bioscience, Inc. has duly executed this amendment to be effective as the date first above written.

HARVARD BIOSCIENCE, INC.
By:
Name:Michael A. Rossi
Title:Chief Financial Officer