UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

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

 

Filed by the Registrant

 

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 Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Electromed, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified Inin Its Charter)

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

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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(3)

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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)

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ELECTROMED, INC.
500 Sixth Avenue Northwest
New Prague, MN 56071
(952) 758-9299

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 201615, 2019

 

To our Shareholders:

 

The Fiscal 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Electromed, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s offices at 628500 Sixth StreetAvenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071 on Friday, November 11, 201615, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time, for the following purposes:

 

1.

Election of the directors named in the accompanying proxy statement, thereby setting the number of directors at six;seven;

 

2.

Ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

3.

Approval, on a non-binding and advisory basis, of our executive compensation; and

 

4.

To recommend, on a non-binding advisory basis, whether executive compensation votes should occur every year, every two years or every three years; and

5.

Transaction of any other business properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 15, 201616, 2019 as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. The stock transfer books of the Company will not be closed.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

image

 -s- Stephen H. Craney

Stephen H. Craney

Chairman of the Board

 

THE PROMPT SUBMISSION OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER REQUESTS FOR PROXIES IN ORDER TO ENSURE A QUORUM. YOU MAY VOTE BY MAIL, ONLINE OR BY PHONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THE PROXY CARD, NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OR OTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE HOLDER OF RECORD.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual Meeting to be held on November 11, 201615, 2019
The Notice and Proxy Statement, Form of Proxy Card, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Shareholder Letter are available at http://www.smartvest.com/electromed/investor-relations/annual-meeting/investors.smartvest.com/annual-meeting.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

1

2

PROPOSAL 1 : ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

7

8

Nominees for Election as Directors at the Annual Meeting

7
Required Vote and Board Recommendation9
PROPOSAL 2 : RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

10

11

Audit Fees

10
Audit Committee Pre-Approval10
Required Vote and Board Recommendation10
PROPOSAL 3 : ADVISORY APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

11

12

Required Vote and Board RecommendationPROPOSAL 4 : ADVISORY RECOMMENDATION REGARDING FREQUENCY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION VOTES

11

13

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

12

14

Independence12
Code of Ethics12
Director Attendance at Annual Meetings12
Board Leadership Structure12
Risk Oversight13
Board and Committee Meetings13
Committee Membership13
Audit Committee14
Personnel and Compensation Committee15
Nominating and Governance Committee15

SECURITY HOLDER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

16

17

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

16

17

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT1718

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

18

19

Executive Compensation Components for Fiscal 201618
Compensation Actions for Fiscal 201720
Employment Agreements20
Summary Compensation Table22
Outstanding Equity Awards at June 30, 201622

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

23

24

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

23

25

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTION APPROVAL POLICY

26

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS24

OTHER MATTERS

24

26

HOUSEHOLDING

26

HOUSEHOLDING24

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

24

26

 

i

 

ELECTROMED, INC.
Proxy Statement

Fiscal 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Friday, November 11, 201615, 2019
10:00 a.m. Central Time

 

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Electromed, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”), for use at the Fiscal 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on Friday, November 11, 201615, 2019 (the “Annual Meeting”), and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Company’s offices at 628500 Sixth StreetAvenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071. Registration for the Annual Meeting will begin at approximately 9:45 a.m. Central Time and the Annual Meeting will commence at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. This solicitation is being made by mail; however, the Company also may use its officers, directors, and employees (without providing them with additional compensation) to solicit proxies from shareholders in person or by telephone, facsimile, email or letter. Distribution of this proxy statement and the proxy card, or a notice of internet availability, via U.S. Mail is scheduledexpected to begin on or about September 30, 2016.27, 2019.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

 

Q:

Q:

Why did I receive this proxy statement?

 

A:

A:

The Company is soliciting your proxy vote at the Annual Meeting because you were the owner of record of one or more shares of common stock of the Company at the close of business on September 15, 2016,16, 2019, the record date for the meeting, and are therefore entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

Q:

Q:

What is a proxy?

 

A:

A:

A proxy is your legal designation of another person or persons (the “proxy” or “proxies,” respectively) to vote on your behalf. By giving your proxy, you are authorizing Stephen H. Craney and Kathleen S. Skarvan, the designated proxies, the authority to vote your shares of common stock at the Annual Meeting in the manner you indicate on your proxy card. If you authorize the proxies but do not give direction with respect to any nominee or other proposal, the proxies will vote your shares as recommended by the Board. The proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion (except as otherwise provided below) if other matters are properly submitted at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

Q:

Q:

When and where is the Annual Meeting?

 

A:

A:

The Annual Meeting will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016,15, 2019, at the Company’s building located at 628500 Sixth StreetAvenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071. Registration for the meeting will begin at approximately 9:45 a.m. Central Time. The Annual Meeting will commence at 10:00 a.m. Central Time.

 

Q:

Q:

What am I voting on?

 

A:

A:

You are voting on the following matters:

 

·

Proposal 1—   To elect the directors named in this proxy statement, thereby setting the number of directors at six;seven;

·

Proposal 2—   To ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm; and

·

Proposal 3—   To approve, on a non-binding and advisory basis, our executive compensation.compensation; and


Q:

Proposal 4  —   

To recommend, on a non-binding advisory basis, whether executive compensation votes should occur every year, every two years or every three years.

Q:

What does the Board recommend?

A:

The Board recommends a vote:

 

A:The Board recommends a vote:

·FORthe election of all of the directors named in this proxy statement, thereby setting the number of directors at sixseven (see Proposal 1);

·FORthe ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (see Proposal 2); and

·FOR the approval, by a non-binding vote, of named executive officer compensation (see Proposal 3).

 

Q:FOR the approval, by a non-binding and advisory vote, of executive compensation (see Proposal 3); and

1 YEAR for the frequency of executive compensation votes (see Proposal 4).

Q:

How many votes do I have?

 

A:

A:

On any matter which may properly come before the Annual Meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote thereon will have one (1) vote for each share of common stock owned of record by such shareholder as of the close of business on September 15, 2016.16, 2019.

 

Q:

Q:

How many shares of common stock may vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

A:

A:

At the close of business on the record date, there were 8,217,1128,445,851 outstanding shares of common stock, each of which is eligible to cast one vote on matters presented at the Annual Meeting.

 

Q:

Q:

What vote is required to approve each of the Proposals?constitutes a quorum?

 

A:

A:Provided a quorum is present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, each proposal will be subject to the following requirements:

Proposal 1 – Election of Directors — The nominees receiving the greatest number of votes relative to the votes cast for the other nominees will be elected, regardless of whether an individual nominee receives votes from a majority of the quorum of shares represented at the Annual Meeting (in person or by proxy). Election of the six directors named in this proxy statement will be deemed to be shareholder approval of setting the number of directors at six.

Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present at the Annual Meeting (whether in person or by proxy) will result in approval of the proposal to ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Proposal 3 – Approval, by a Non-Binding Vote, of Named Executive Officer Compensation — The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock represented at Annual Meeting (whether in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the proposal will result in the approval of our named executive officer compensation. However, this is a non-binding advisory vote, which means that the result of the vote is not binding on the Company, our Board or its Personnel and Compensation Committee. To the extent there is any significant vote against our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Personnel and Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address the concerns of shareholders.

Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors or any other matter. With respect to each director nominee, shareholders will be able to cast one vote per share owned by such shareholder as of the record date. Accordingly, a holder of 100 shares will be able to cast 100 votes for each nominee.


Q:What constitutes a quorum?

A:Transaction of business may occur at the Annual Meeting only if a quorum is present. In order to achieve a quorum, shareholders holding at least a majority of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote as of the record date must be present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Based on the number of shares outstanding as of the record date, the presence of 4,108,5574,222,926 shares will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business on all proposals properly brought before the Annual Meeting. If you submit a proxy or vote in person at the meeting, your shares will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes and abstentions are also counted for the purpose of determining a quorum, as discussed below.

 

Q:

Q.

What vote is required to approve each of the Proposals?

A:

Provided a quorum is established at the Annual Meeting, each proposal will be subject to the following requirements:

Proposal 1 – Election of Directors — The nominees receiving the greatest number of votes relative to the votes cast for the other nominees will be elected, regardless of whether an individual nominee receives votes from a majority of the quorum of shares represented at the Annual Meeting (in person or by proxy). Election of the seven directors named in this proxy statement will be deemed to be shareholder approval of setting the number of directors at seven.  Shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present at the Annual Meeting (whether in person or by proxy) will result in approval of the proposal to ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 (“fiscal 2020”).

Proposal 3 – Advisory Approval of Executive Compensation — The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock represented at Annual Meeting (whether in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote on the proposal will result in the advisory approval of our executive compensation. However, this is a non-binding and advisory vote, which means that the result of the vote is not binding on the Company, our Board or its Personnel and Compensation Committee. To the extent there is any significant vote against approval of our executive compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Personnel and Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address the concerns of shareholders.

Proposal 4 – Advisory Recommendation Regarding Frequency of Executive Compensation Votes — The alternative receiving the greatest number of votes will be deemed the alternative recommended by the shareholders. However, this is an advisory vote, which means that the result of the vote is not binding on the Company, our Board or its Personnel and Compensation Committee. The Board and its Personnel and Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote, however, when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation.

Q.

What is the effect of abstentions and withhold votes?

 

A:

A:

You may either vote FOR or WITHHOLD authority to vote for each nominee for the Board. If you WITHHOLD authority to vote on any or all nominees, your vote will have no effect on the outcome of the election. You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN on proposals 2 and 3. If you ABSTAIN from voting on proposals 2 or 3, your shares will be deemed present but will not be deemed to have voted in favor of the proposal, and your vote therefore has the same effect as a vote against the proposal. If you authorize the proxies without providing voting instructions, your shares will be voted FOR each director nominee and FOR proposals 2 and 3.

 

You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN on proposals 2 and 3. If you ABSTAIN from voting on proposals 2 or 3, your shares will be deemed present but will not be deemed to have voted in favor of the proposal, which will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the proposal.

You may vote for 1 YEAR, 2 YEARS, 3 YEARS or ABSTAIN on Proposal 4. If you ABSTAIN from voting on Proposal 4, your vote will have no effect on the outcome of the Proposal.

Q:

Q:

What is the effect of broker non-votes?

 

A:

A:

Shares that are held by stock brokers in “street name” may be voted by the stock broker on “routine” matters, such as the number of directors and ratification the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm. To vote on “non-routine” matters, the stock broker must obtain shareholder direction. When the stock broker does not obtain direction to vote the shares, the stock broker’s abstention is referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

 

Brokers do not have discretion to vote shares for the election of directors, for the advisory vote on ourto approve executive officer compensation, the advisory vote regarding the frequency of executive compensation votes, or for any other non-routine matters that may be brought before the meeting. Accordingly, if your shares are held in street name and you do not submit voting instructions to your broker, your shares will not be counted in determining the outcome of these proposals. Brokers will have discretion to vote on the number of directors and the ratification of RSM US LLP as the Company’sappointment of our independent registered public accounting firm if you do not provide voting instructions.

 

Broker non-votes will be considered present for quorum purposes at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes in connection with the election of directors are not deemed “votes cast,” and, since directors are elected by a plurality, will have no effect on the election. Approval of other non-routine business matters requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Because broker non-votes are not entitled to vote on non-routine business matters, such as Proposals 3 and 4, they will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on such matters.

 

Q:

Q:

How do I vote my shares?

 

A:

A:

If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting using one of the mail, phone or internet methods described on your notice of internet availability, proxy card or other voting instructions from the holder of record.

 

·Proxy card. If you received a full set of proxy materials, the proxy card is a means by which you may authorize the voting of your shares of common stock at the Annual Meeting. The shares of common stock represented by each properly executed proxy card will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with such shareholder’s directions. The Company urges you to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the proxy card. After you have marked your choices, please sign and date the proxy card and mail the proxy card in accordance with the instructions that accompanied it. If you sign and return the proxy card without specifying your choices, your shares will be votedFOR the Board’s nominees,FOR the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’sour independent registered public accounting firm, andFOR the advisory approval by a non-binding vote, of named executive officer compensation.compensation and for 1 YEAR for the frequency of executive compensation votes.

·Multiple proxy cards. If you receive more than one notice of internet availability, proxy card or voting instruction card, it likely means that you have multiple accounts with one or more holders of record. Please be sure to vote all of the shares by following the instructions on each such notice and/or card.

 

·In person at the Annual Meeting. All shareholders of record as of the record date may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, the Company requests that you vote ahead of time using one of the methods above.

 

You are a “street name” holder rather than a “shareholder of record” if your shares are held in the name of a stock broker, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, and this proxy statement was forwarded to you by that organization. If you are a “street name” holder, you must instruct your nominee as to your voting preferences. Please contact your nominee/custodian to do so. Because a beneficial owner is not the shareholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trustee or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting.

 

Q:

Q:

Can I change my vote after I have mailed in my proxy card?

 

A:

A:

Proxies solicited by the Board may be revoked at any time prior to the Annual Meeting. No specific form of revocation is required. You may revoke your proxy by:

 

·Voting in person at the Annual Meeting;

·Returning a later-dated signed proxy card; or

·Giving personal or written notice of the revocation to the inspector of election at the commencement of the Annual Meeting.

 

If your shares are held in street name through a broker or other nominee, you will need to contact that nominee if you wish to change your voting instructions.

 

Q:

Q:

How will my shares be voted if I do not specify how they should be voted?

 

A:

A:

If you are a record holder and authorize the proxies to vote on your behalf, but do not mark choices for a particular proposal, then the proxies solicited by the Board will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendation for that proposal, as set forth in this proxy statement.

 

If you are a street name holder and do not submit specific voting instructions to your broker, the organization that holds your shares is permitted to vote your shares with respect to “routine” items, but not with respect to “non-routine” items. On non-routine items for which you do not submit specific voting instructions to your broker, the shares will be treated as “broker non-votes.” Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not be considered shares entitled to vote on the proposal and therefore will not be treated as affirmative or opposing votes. The proposal to ratify the appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is considered routine and therefore may be voted upon by your broker if you do not give instructions to your broker. The other proposals set forth on the Notice of Annual Meeting are non-routine matters.

 

Q:

Q:

Who can attend the Annual Meeting?

 

A:

A:

All shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date may attend the Annual Meeting. We will request a current, government-issued form of identification in order to ensure an orderly meeting.


If you are not a shareholder of record but hold shares through a broker, bank, trustee, or other nominee as custodian (i.e., in street name), we will request proofyou may also be requested to present evidence of your beneficial ownership as of the record date, such as an account statement, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your custodian, a legal proxy provided by your custodian, or other similar evidence of ownership. Please see “How do I vote my shares?” above for additional requirements, including obtaining a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trustee or nominee that holds your shares if you intend to both attend and vote your shares in person.

 

Q:

Q:

What is the record date for the Annual Meeting?

 

A:

A:

The Board has fixed September 15, 2016,16, 2019, as the record date.date for the Annual Meeting.

 

Q:

Q:

Who will count the votes?

 

A:

A:

All proxies submitted to the Company and all votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by Broadridge Financial Solutions.

 

Q:

Q:

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

 

A:

A:

The entire cost of this proxy solicitation will be borne by the Company. The cost will include the cost of supplying necessary additional copies of the solicitation materials for beneficial owners of shares held of record by brokers, dealers, banks and voting trustees and their nominees and, upon request, the reasonable expenses of such record holders for completing the mailing of such materials to such beneficial owners.

 

Q:

Q:

How do I nominate a candidate for election as a director at next year’s annual meeting?

 

A:

A:

Nominations for directordirectors are made by the Board upon recommendation by its Nominating and Governance Committee, which is composed of independent directors. Shareholders may nominate a candidate for director to stand for election at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in the fiscal year ending June 30, 20182021 (the “Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting”), which the Company currently anticipates will be held in November 2020, by following the procedures explained below in this proxy statement under “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE–Nominating and Governance Committee–Director Nominations” and contained in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

Q:

Q:

What is a shareholder proposal?

 

A:

A:

A shareholder proposal is a proposal submitted by a shareholder that, if approved, would recommend or require that the Company and/or the Board take the proposed action. If you intend to submit a shareholder proposal, the proposal should state as clearly as possible the course of action that you believe the Company should follow. If your proposal is included in the Company’s proxy statement, then the Company must also provide the means for shareholders to vote on the matter. The deadlines and procedures for submitting shareholder proposals for the Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting are explained in the following question and answer. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

 

Q:

Q:

When are shareholder proposals and director nominations due for the Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting?

 

A:

A:

In order to be considered for inclusion in next year’sthe Company’s proxy statement,materials, shareholder proposals must be submitted in writing to the Company no later than June 2, 2017May 30, 2020 (120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the mailing of this proxy statement). The Company suggests that proposals for the Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting be submitted by certified mail, return receipt requested. The proposal must be in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).


Shareholders who intend to present a shareholder proposal at the Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting without including such proposal in the Company’s proxy statementmaterials must provide the Company notice of such proposal no later than August 13, 201717, 2020 (90 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the Annual Meeting). The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

 

Shareholders who intend to present a director nomination at the Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting without including such nomination in the Company’s proxy statement must provide the Company notice of such nomination no later than August 13, 201717, 2020 (90 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the Annual Meeting) and no earlier than July 14, 201718, 2020 (120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the Annual Meeting). The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order, or take appropriate action with respect to any nomination that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.

 

If the Company does not receive notice of a shareholder proposal or director nomination intended to be submitted to the Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting by the dates set forth above, the authorized proxies for next year’s annual meeting may vote on any such proposal in their discretion without notice of such proposal appearing in such proxy statement.


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal 1)

 

The Board is currently composed of sixeight directors. SixSeven individuals, all of whom are current directors, have been nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting. John L. Erb was first identified as a potential candidate by a shareholder and Gregory J. Fluet was first identified by a non-management director.  Each was then evaluated by the Nominating and Governance Committee in advance of its recommendation of their initial recommendation for service as a director.

If elected, each director will hold office until the Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. Each of the director nominees has consented to be named in this proxy statement and to serve, if elected. The Company has no reason to believe that any of the director nominees named below will be unable or unwilling to serve as director if elected. If for any reason any nominee withdraws or is unable to serve as director (neither of which is expected at this time), the shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee recommended by the Board or, alternatively, not voted for any nominee.

The six nominees receiving William V. Eckles, a current director of the highest numberCompany, is not standing for election and his term will expire as of affirmative votes cast will be elected as directors. Except as otherwise directed, the proxies will vote all valid proxies for the six nominees identified below.Fiscal 2020 Annual Meeting.

 

The Bylaws of the Company, as amended (the “Bylaws”), provide that the number of directors shall be determined by the shareholders annually. The Board has recommended that the number of directors be set at six.seven. The Board believes that the current number ofseven directors strikes an optimal balance between providing diversity of viewpoints and expertise while allowing each director to influence the strategic direction of the Company. If each of the sixseven directors named in this proxy statement are elected at the Annual Meeting, then their election will be deemed to be shareholder approval of setting the number of directors at six.seven.

 

Nominees for Election as Directors at the Annual Meeting

 

The Board has nominated each of the following persons for election to serve as directors and recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of each such nominee:

 

Name Age Director
Since

 

Age

 

Director
Since

Stephen H. Craney 72 2010

 

75

 

2010

William V. Eckles 41 2011

John L. Erb

 

70

 

2019

Stan K. Erickson 65 2014

 

69

 

2014

Gregory J. Fluet

 

50

 

2019

Lee A. Jones 59 2014

 

62

 

2014

Kathleen S. Skarvan 60 2013

 

63

 

2013

George H. Winn 79 2005

 

82

 

2005

 

Biographical information relating to each of the director nominees is set forth below:

 

Stephen H. Craney

 

Mr. Craney has served on the Board since November 2010 and has served as Chairman of the Board since May 2012. Since 1984, Mr. Craney has founded and operated a number of successful companies, including RiverSide Electronics, Ltd., RiverBend Electronics, Ltd., RiverStar, Inc., Custom Control Systems, Inc., RiverStyks, LLC, and JMW Enterprises, Inc. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Mr. Craney worked as an engineer, having earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Craney is also an active member of a number of community groups, such as the Winona Historical Society. In addition, he has provided support and advice to startup companies for more than 20 years through a local entrepreneur network. Among other attributes, skills, experiences and qualifications, ourOur Board believes that Mr. Craney’s experience developing companies with a strong record of growth, his technical knowledge in the electronics field, his research and development experience and his connections within the business community make him uniquely qualified to serve as a director.

 

 

William V. EcklesJohn L. Erb

 

Mr. Eckles has served on the Board since July 2011. Mr. EcklesErb has served as chief executive officer and president of CHF Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHFS) since 2015, and as a member of its board of directors and chairman since 2012. He has also served as chief executive officer and chairman of NeuroMedic, Inc., a private company he co-founded, since 2014. Previously, Mr. Erb served as chief executive officer, from 2007 to 2018, of NuAx, Inc. (formerly Cardia Access, Inc.), a private medical device company involved in developing new devices for the President and Chief Executive Officertreatment of Blue Earth Valley Communications, Inc. since 2003. He also servesheart disease. Mr. Erb’s prior board experience includes service as a director of First Bank Blue Earth, FNB Bancshares,SenoRx, Inc. (Blue Earth, Minnesota), then a Nasdaq-listed company, from 2001 until its acquisition in 2010; and Hector Communications Corporation (New Ulm, Minnesota).as chairman of the board of Vascular Solutions, Inc., then a Nasdaq-listed company, until its acquisition in 2017. Mr. Eckles received his undergraduate degreeErb currently serves as chairman of the board of Osprey Medical, Inc. (ASX:OSP) and as a director of MiroMatrix, a private biotechnology company, since 2017. Mr. Erb has a Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration, concentration in finance from the University of St. Thomas in 1999, and received an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in 2007. Among other attributes, skills, experiences and qualifications, ourCalifornia State University.  Our Board believes that Mr. Eckles’Erb’s experience leadingas an executive officer of early stage and settingmature medical device companies, his marketing and operations experience, his board experience and his connections within the strategic direction of growing companies allowmedical device community make him uniquely qualified to makeserve as a significant contribution to the Board.director.

 

Stan K. Erickson

 

Mr. Erickson has served on the Board since November 2014.Mr.2014.Mr. Erickson is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Capital, Inc., a company he co-founded in September 2013 to provide capital and advisory services. In November 2012, he retired from a 32-year career at ZieglerCat, Inc., one of the largest Caterpillar dealers in the U.S. where he most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Erickson is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, earned a business degree from the University of Minnesota, a CPA Certification and began his business career as an auditor and tax professional. Mr. Erickson has actively participatedserves on the board of directors of Titan Machinery, Inc. (Nasdaq) and several private company boards, advisory committees and associations. Among other attributes, skills, experiences and qualifications, ourOur Board believes that Mr. Erickson will be an asset to the Board due to Mr. Erickson’s extensive experience in finance and management.

 

Gregory J. Fluet

Mr. Fluet has served as a consultant with Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc. focused on microbiome commercialization and partnering since April 2018.  He served as chief business officer at Rebiotix, Inc., from April 2017 until its acquisition by Ferring Pharmaceuticals in April 2018.  Prior to that he started a strategic consulting practice working with various life science companies, including Rebiotix. Previously, he served as chief executive officer at Urologix, Inc., then a public company, from 2012 to January 2016.  He also served as its interim chief financial officer from August 2014 to May 2015 and as its executive vice president and chief operating officer from 2008 to 2012.  From 2002 to 2008, he was employed as an associate at Sapient Capital Management, LLC, a healthcare focused venture capital fund. Mr. Fluet earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. Our Board believes that Mr. Fluet’s experience as an executive officer of medical device companies, sales operations, operations, manufacturing and healthcare related financial and investment experience make him uniquely qualified to serve as a director.

Lee A. Jones

 

Ms. Jones has served on the Board since September 2014. Since November 2011, Ms. Jones has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Rebiotix, Inc., a biotechnology company that develops and commercializes medical therapies.therapies, since 2011. She has more than 30 years of healthcare and medical device industry experience. Until September 2013, Ms. Jones wasShe served on the boardboards of directors of Algos Preclinical Services, Inc. from [open] to 2013 and was on the board of Uroplasty, Inc. from August 2006 through June 2014. From June 2010 until Juneto 2011, she was a CEO-in-Residence at the University of Minnesota Venture Center and from February 2009 until Juneto 2010, Ms. Jones was the Chief Administrative Officer of the Schulze Diabetes Institute of the University of Minnesota. Among other attributes, skills, experiences and qualifications, our BoardMs. Jones has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota. Our board believes that Ms. Jones is an asset to the Board due to herJones’ experience operating a company in the medical device industry, andher experience as an executive officer of a medical products company.company, her previous board experience and connections within the medical device community make her uniquely qualified to serve as a director.

 

Kathleen S. Skarvan

 

Ms. Skarvan has servedjoined the Company in 2012 as the Chief Executive Officer, of the Company since December 2012became a director in 2013 and was elected to the Board in November 2013. Most recently, she was appointed to the additional position of President of the Company in August 2015. Previously, Ms. Skarvan served as Vice President of Operations at OEM Fabricators from November 2011 until Octoberto 2012. Prior to her position with OEM Fabricators,Previously, Ms. Skarvan served in various roles at Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, most recently as the President of the Disk Drive Components Division from April 2007 until March 2011. As President of the Disk Drive Components Division, Ms. Skarvan managed a public company division with annual revenues in excess of $300 million. Ms. Skarvan also served as a Senior Vice President of Hutchinson Technology Incorporated from December 2010 to March 2011, and as Vice President of Sales & Marketing of the Disk Drive Components Division from October 2003 until April 2007. She has served on the Board of Trustees of the St. Cloud State University Foundation since June 2015.2015 and in November 2018 joined the board of directors of Citizens Community Federal National Association, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Community Bancorp, Inc.  Ms. Skarvan has a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University.  Among other attributes, skills, experiences and qualifications, our Board believes that, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Ms. Skarvan is the person most familiar with the Company’s day to day operations and most capable of effectively identifying strategic priorities and leading the execution of strategy.

 

Dr. George H. Winn, D.D.S.

 

Dr. Winn has served on the Board since 2005is retired and has served as itsthe Board’s Vice Chairman sincefrom May 2012.2012 through November 2014. He has practiced dentistry for over 50 years with an emphasis in orthodontics and facial pain management in New Prague, Minnesota, for 50 years.Minnesota. He holds a bachelorBachelor of artsArts from Mankato State College, a bachelorBachelor of scienceScience from the University of Minnesota and a D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He has served as an associate clinical professor in the Department of Operative Dentistry and participates in a medical ethics program of the American College of Dentists at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Dr. Winn previously served for nine years on the University of Minnesota Foundation Board of Trustees, which included service on its executive and finance committees, from 2007 through 2016. Among other attributes, skills, experiences and qualifications, ourOur Board believes that, in addition to the vast industry relationships that Dr. Winn has developed, his education and experience give him insight into the medical device industry that is valuable in his role as a director.

 

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that you vote FOR“FOR” each of the nominees to the Board, thereby setting the number of directors at six.seven. The election of each nominee requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the voting power of the shareholders present, whether in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, provided that a quorum is present.
Except as otherwise directed, the proxies will vote all valid proxies for the seven nominees identified above.

 

10 

 

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMPANY’S
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(Proposal 2)

 

The Board, acting on the recommendation of its Audit Committee, has selected RSM US LLP (“RSM”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017.2020. RSM was the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the most recentrecently completed fiscal year.

 

Notwithstanding its selection of RSM, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint another independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. If the appointment of RSM is not ratified by our shareholders, the Audit Committee may reconsider whether it should appoint another independent registered public accounting firm.

 

A representative of RSM is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, 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 regarding preparation of the Company’s financial statements.

 

Audit Fees

 

The following table presents fees billed by RSM to the Company for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, the review of the Company’s interim financial statements, and various other audit and non-audit services provided in connection with the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016,2019, or “fiscal 2016,2019,” and the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015,2018, or “fiscal 2015.2018.

 

Category Year Ended June 30,
 2016 2015
Audit Fees(a) $127,064 $126,315

  Year Ended June 30, 
Category 2019  2018 
Audit Fees(a) $156,525  $140,850 

 

 

(a)

(a)

Includes the annual audits and quarterly reviews of the Company’s financial statements, and solely with respect to fiscal 2015, review of a registration statement on Form S-8.statements.

 

RSM provided no other services to the Company in fiscal 20162019 or fiscal 20152018 that are not included above.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval

 

Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed for the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm or any other auditing or accounting firm. During the year, circumstances may arise that will require the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, we will obtain pre-approval of the Audit Committee before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

All audit services and audit-related services incurred during fiscal 20162019 and fiscal 20152018 were pre-approved by our Audit Committee.

 

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of RSM US LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shareholders present, whether in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, provided that a quorum is present.

 

11 

10 

 

ADVISORY APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(Proposal 3)

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14AWe are seeking a vote of the Exchange Act require that we provide our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.statement.

 

We seek to closely align the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our shareholders. We designed our compensation program to reward our named executive officers for their individual performance and contributions to our overall business objectives, and for achieving and surpassing the financial goals set by our Board upon recommendation of its Personnel and Compensation Committee.

At our annual meeting of shareholders held in 2018, our executive compensation program was approved on an advisory basis, with approximately 85% of the votes cast in favor of the corresponding proposal. Our Board and its Personnel and Compensation Committee andbelieve that this vote reflected our Board.shareholders’ support for the decisions made with respect to the compensation of our named executive officers for fiscal 2018.

 

The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation. Instead, the vote relates to the overall compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.

 

Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the summary compensation table and the other related tables and disclosure.

 

While the Board and especially the Personnel and Compensation Committee intend to carefully consider the results of the voting on this proposal when making future decisions regarding executive compensation, the vote is not binding on the Company, the Personnel and Compensation Committee or the Board and is advisory in nature. To the extent there is any significant vote against this Proposal 3, the Personnel and Compensation Committee will evaluate what actions may be necessary to address our shareholders’ concerns.

 

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval, on a non-binding and advisory basis, of the compensation of the named executive officers. Approval of the proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shareholders present, whether in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, provided that a quorum is present. This vote is advisory and is not binding on the Company, the Board or the Personnel and Compensation Committee.

 

12 

11 

 

ADVISORY RECOMMENDATION REGARDING FREQUENCY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION VOTES
(Proposal 4)

As required under the Dodd-Frank Act and SEC rules, shareholders have an opportunity at annual meetings of shareholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote on how frequently future executive compensation votes should be conducted by the Company. Shareholders may indicate whether they prefer a vote on executive compensation every one, two or three years, or abstain on the question. The Company is required to solicit shareholder votes on the frequency of future executive compensation votes at least once every six years, although we may seek shareholder input more frequently.

The Board recommends that the shareholders select a frequency of 1 YEAR for future executive compensation votes. The Board has determined that continuing to solicit a vote each year is preferable because it provides the most consistent opportunity for feedback on our compensation programs, policies and decisions.

Effect of Vote

The frequency selected by the shareholders for future executive compensation votes is not binding on the Board or its Personnel and Compensation Committee. However, the Board will give the frequency selected by the shareholders due consideration in determining the frequency of future votes on executive compensation.

At the annual meeting held in 2013, shareholders expressed a preference for holding an advisory, non-binding vote to approve executive compensation on an annual basis. In light of that preference, the Board determined that it would solicit a nonbinding advisory vote to approve the compensation of our executive officers every year until the next required advisory vote regarding the frequency of executive compensation votes.

Required Vote and Board Recommendation

The Board recommends that you vote “1 YEAR” for the frequency executive compensation votes. If a quorum is present, the alternative receiving the greatest number of votes relative to the votes cast for the other alternatives will be deemed the alternative recommended by the shareholders.

13 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board annually reviews the materiality of any relationshiphas determined that each of our directors has with our Company, either directly or indirectly. Based on that review, our Board has determined that, with the exception ofMr. Craney, Mr. Erb, Mr. Erickson, Mr. Fluet, Ms. Skarvan, our PresidentJones and Chief Executive Officer, all of our current directorsMr. Winn are “independent directors” as defined underin the applicable regulationsrules of the SEC andNYSE American Stock Exchange.  None of our directors are related to any other director, director nominee or executive officer of the NYSE MKT.Company.

 

In determining the independence of our directors, our Board considered that, in fiscal 2019, the Company purchased approximately $52,000 in telecommunications services from Blue Earth Valley Communications, Inc., of which Mr. Eckles is a significant shareholder. The purchases were made payments of approximately $55,000, $101,000, and $237,000 during fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, respectively,on terms believed to RiverSide Electronics, Ltd. (“RiverSide”), an entity that is solely owned by Mr. Craney, in exchange for electronic parts. The Board determined that the terms of the Company’s transactions with RiverSide werebe consistent with what could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with an unrelatedindependent third party and that the transactions did not exceed 5% of RiverSide’s consolidated gross annual revenuesamounts involved are believed to be immaterial in amount for the applicable fiscal years.all parties involved. 

 

The Board also considered that Mr. Eckles is the chief executive officer and owns approximately 20% of the outstanding stock of Blue Earth Valley Communications, Inc. (“Blue Earth”), an entity from which the Company purchased approximately $44,000, $46,000 and $34,000 of telecommunications services in fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, respectively. The Board determined that the terms of the Company’s transactions with Blue Earth were consistent with what could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with an unrelated party and that the transactions did not exceed 5% of Blue Earth’s consolidated gross annual revenues for the applicable fiscal years.

Code of Ethics

The Board has approved a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to all employees, directors, and officers, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer). The Code of Ethics is available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.smartvest.com. We intend to disclose on our website any amendment to or waiver from any provision of the Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer), and that relates to any element of the Code of Ethics identified in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the SEC. Such disclosure will be provided promptly following the date of the amendment or waiver.

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

 

Directors’ attendance at annual meetings can provide shareholders with an opportunity to communicate directly with members of the Board about matters concerning the Company. The Company encourages all directors to attend the Company’s annual meetings, but it does not have a formal attendance policy. All of the Company’s current directors attended the Fiscal 20162019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.Shareholders, with the exception of Mr. Erb and Mr. Fluet, who were elected to the Board in August 2019.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

We have separate individuals serving as Chairman of the Board and as Chief Executive Officer because we believe independent directors and management have different perspectives and roles in strategy development. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Company and managing the day-to-day leadership and performance of the Company, while the Chairman provides guidance to the Chief Executive Officer, sets the agenda for meetings of the Board and presides over meetings of the full Board. We believe this structure promotes active participation of the independent directors and strengthens the role of the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility and fiduciary duties to our shareholders while recognizing the day-to-day management direction of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer.

 

12 

Risk Oversight

 

It is management’s responsibility to manage risk and bring to the Board’s attention the most material risks to the Company. The Board has oversight responsibility of the processes established to report and monitor systems for material risks applicable to the Company. The Audit Committee provides oversight of management with respect to enterprise-wide risk management, which focuses primarily on risks relating to the Company’s ability to maintain appropriate levels of credit and insurance coverage, financial and accounting risks, and legal and compliance risks, including oversight of internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, the Personnel and Compensation Committee considers risks related to the attraction and retention of talent and risks relating to the design of compensation programs and arrangements. The Nominating and Governance Committee considers risks and best practices relating to corporate governance policies and procedures. The full Board considers strategic risks and opportunities and regularly receives detailed reports from management and the committees, with respect to their areas of responsibility for risk oversight.

 

Board and Committee Meetings

 

During fiscal 2016,2019, the Board held five formal meetings. In addition, directors frequently communicate with each other informally and, when appropriate, take action by written consent of all directors, or in the case of an action that does not require shareholder approval, the number of directors required to take the action at a meeting, as permitted by the Minnesota Business Corporation Act and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended. Each director attended at least 75% of the total numbermeetings of Board meetings heldand any committee on which they serve during the most recentrecently completed fiscal year, with the exception of Mr. Erb and Mr. Fluet, who were elected to the total number of meetings held by all committees on which the director served during the same fiscal year.Board in August 2019.

 

14 

Committee Membership

 

The Board has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Personnel and Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The following table sets forth the current membership of each of the Company’s standing committees:

 

Director

Board Committee

Independent
Director

Audit

Nominating and
Governance

Personnel and
Compensation

Stephen H. Craney

Member

Chair

X

William V. Eckles

Member

Chair

X

John L. Erb

Member

Stan K. Erickson

Chair

Member

X

Gregory J. Fluet

Member

Lee A. Jones

Member

Member

X

Kathleen S. Skarvan

George H. Winn

Member

X

 

Our Board has evaluated independence for the members of each committee in accordance with NYSE MKTAmerican rules and, with respect to the members of the Audit Committee, Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. The membership and responsibilities of each committee complies with the listing requirements of the NYSE MKT.American.

 

13 

Audit Committee

 

Our Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Erickson (Chair), Mr. Craney, and Mr. Eckles. Under its charter, the Audit Committee must consist of at least three independent directors and its composition must otherwise satisfy NYSE MKTAmerican and SEC requirements applicable to audit committees. The principal functions of the Audit Committee are to evaluate and review the Company’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls. The Audit Committee evaluates the independence of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, recommends selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to the Board, approves fees to be paid to our independent registered public accounting firm, and reviews the Company’s financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has recommended to the Board the appointment of RSM US LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2017.2020. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board, a copy of which is available in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at www.smartvest.com. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the most recentrecently completed fiscal year.

 

Our Board has affirmatively determined that each of the members of the committee satisfy the additional independence requirements for audit committee members pursuant to the NYSE MKTAmerican LLC Company Guide and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. The Board has further determined that Mr. Erickson qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

15 

Report of the Audit Committee

 

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board, as amended, the Audit Committee assists the Board with fulfilling its oversight responsibility regarding the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company. A copy of the Audit Committee charter, which has been adopted by the Board and further describes the role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee, is available online in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.smartvest.com.

 

In discharging its duties, the Audit Committee:

 

(1)

reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements included in the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 20162019 with management;

 

(2)

discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the applicable Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards; and

 

(3)

received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountant required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussed with the independent accountant matters relating to their independence.

 

Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016,2019, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Audit Committee

Stephen H. Craney

William V. Eckles

Stan K. Erickson (Chair)

Gregory J. Fluet

14 

Personnel and Compensation Committee

 

The current members of the Personnel and Compensation Committee are Mr. Craney (Chair), Ms. Jones and Dr. Winn. Our Board has affirmatively determined that each of the members of the committee satisfy the additional independence requirements for compensation committee members pursuant to the NYSE MKTAmerican LLC Company Guide.

 

The Board has authorized the Personnel and Compensation Committee to, among other duties, develop the Company’s compensation strategy, review compensation policies and plans for the Company’s executive officers, and administer the Company’s compensation plans. Neither the Personnel and Compensation Committee nor the Board engages compensation consultants to assist in determining or recommending the amount or form of compensation for executive officers or directors. The Chief Executive Officer may give the committee input in regard to the compensation of the Chief Financial Officer, but the Chief Executive Officer is not present during voting or deliberations relating to her own compensation. The committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board, a copy of which is available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.smartvest.com. The Personnel and Compensation Committee held four meetings during the most recentrecently completed fiscal year.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Mr. Eckles (Chair), Ms. Jones, and Mr. Erickson. Our Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for oversight of our corporate governance policies and procedures, our codes of conduct and other corporate governance matters. In addition, our Nominating and Governance Committee makes recommendations to our Board regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our Board and its committees. The Nominating and Governance Committee acts pursuant to a written charter approved by the Board, a copy of which is available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.smartvest.com.http://investors.smartvest.com/governance-documents. The Nominating and Governance Committee held three meetingsone meeting during the most recentrecently completed fiscal year.

 

16 

Director Nominations

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending director nominees for nomination by the full Board. Shareholders may recommend a nominee to be considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee by submitting a written proposal to the Chairman of the Board, at 500 Sixth Avenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071. Any notice of a shareholder nomination must satisfy the timing and content requirements of our Bylaws and must be accompanied by a writing from the proposed nominee consenting to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

When selecting candidates for recommendation to the Board, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers the attributes of the candidates and the needs of the Board and reviews all candidates in the same manner, regardless of the source of the recommendation. In evaluating director nominees, the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to confirm that candidates meet certain minimum qualifications, including being able to read and understand basic financial statements, being familiar with our business and industry, having high moral character and mature judgment, and possessing the ability to work collegially with others. In addition, factors such as the following are also considered:

 

·

appropriate size and diversity of the Board;

 

·

needs of the Board with respect to particular talent and experience;

 

·

knowledge, skills and experience of a nominee;

 

·

experience in domestic and international business matters;

 

·

familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

·

familiarity with accounting rules and practices; and

 

·

the desire to balance the benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by a new member.

15 

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee does not have a formal diversity policy at this time. However, as summarized above, the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to nominate candidates with a diverse range of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, and other qualities that will contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Board. Moreover, potential nominees are not discriminated against on the basis of sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or other basis proscribed by law.

 

SECURITY HOLDER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Any shareholder wishing to communicate with the Board should send the communication, in written form, to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the Company’s principal place of business at 500 Sixth Avenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071. The President and Chief Executive Officer will promptly send the communication to each member of the Board identified on the communication.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT17 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our directors and executive officers file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Directors and executive officers are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our directors and executive officers, all Section 16(a) filing requirements were met for fiscal 2016.

16 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our outstanding common stock as of September 15, 201616, 2019 by (i) each of our named executive officers; (ii) each of our directors; (iii) all of our executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group; and (iv) each beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding common stock. Ownership percentages are based on 8,217,1128,445,851 shares of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on September 15, 2016.16, 2019.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. To our knowledge and subject to applicable community property laws, each of the holders of common stock listed below has sole voting and investment power as to the common stock owned unless otherwise noted. The table below includes the number of shares of common stock underlying options that are exercisable within 60 days from September 15, 2016.16, 2019. Except as otherwise noted below, the address for each director or officer listed in the table is c/o Electromed, Inc., 500 Sixth Avenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071.

 

Name Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership Percentage of Outstanding Shares 

Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership

 

Percentage of
Outstanding Shares

Executive Officers and Directors              
Kathleen S. Skarvan  150,657(a)  1.7% 333,990(a) 3.9%
Jeremy T. Brock  94,667(b)  1.1% 190,501(b) 2.2%
Stephen H. Craney  519,202   6.0% 561,901  6.7%
John L. Erb    
William V. Eckles  168,383   1.9% 194,994  2.3%
Stan K. Erickson  8,572   *     19,317  

*

 
Gregory J. Fluet    
Lee A. Jones  8,572   *     15,183  

*

 
George H. Winn  601,280(c)  6.9% 607,891(c) 7.2%
              
Executive officers and directors as a group (7 persons)  1,551,333(d)  17.9%
Executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons) 1,923,777(d) 21.9%
              
Red Oak Partners, LLC
1969 SW 17th Street
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
  1,078,380(e)  12.4%
Thomas M. Hagedorn
5985 Columbia Pike #200
Falls Church, Virginia 22401
  874,250(f)  10.1%
Craig N. Hansen
12920 Highway 55
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55441
  473,180(g)  5.4%
Zenith Sterling Advisers LLC
9075 Deer Ridge Drive
Bloomington, IL 61705
 489,700(e) 5.8%
      
Tocqueville Asset Management L.P.
40 West 57th Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10019
 439,700(f) 5.2%

 

*

*

Less than 1%

(a)

(a)

Includes options to purchase 81,668205,001 shares.

(b)

(b)

Includes options to purchase 74,667138,001 shares.

(c)

(c)

Includes 446,303 shares owned by G&J Winn Family LLLP, of which Dr. Winn and his spouse are general partners.

(d)

(d)

Includes options to purchase 156,335343,002 shares.

(e)

(e

Based on Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on June 13, 2019.  This statement was being filed by (i) Zenith Sterling Advisers LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Zenith”), and (ii) Joshua J. Peters, the sole managing member of Zenith (“Peters”).  Zenith is an investment adviser that holds discretionary voting control and dispositive power over the securities in its client accounts and as such may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own such securities. Peters is the sole managing member of Zenith and as a result may be deemed to be an indirect beneficial owner of shares held in the client accounts managed by Zenith.

(f)

Based on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 22, 2016, as supplemented by Form 4 filed with the SEC on May 17, 2016 and reflects beneficial ownership as of May 17, 2016. David Sandberg is the controlling member of Red Oak Partners, LLC (“Red Oak Partners”), which serves as a general partner of The Red Oak Fund, LP (the “Red Oak Fund”), The Red Oak Long Fund, LP (the “Red Oak Long Fund”), The Red Oak Institutional Founders Long Fund, LP (the “Red Oak Founders Fund”), and as a managing member of Pinnacle Capital Partners LLC (“Pinnacle Partners”), the general partner of Pinnacle Opportunities Fund, LP (“Pinnacle Fund” together with the aforementioned funds, the “Red Oak Funds”). Red Oak Partners has discretionary trading and voting authority over shares held in a separate managed account held by Wolverine Trading LLC (“Wolverine”). Red Oak Partners beneficially owns and shares voting and dispositive power over all of the shares reported, including 425,722 shares held by the Red Oak Founders Fund, 267,638 shares held by Red Oak Fund, 128,377 shares held by Red Oak Long Fund, 197,985 shares held by Pinnacle Fund, and 56,658 shares beneficially owned by Wolverine. Mr. Sandberg, as the managing member of Red Oak Partners beneficially owns the shares beneficially owned by Red Oak Partners. Red Oak Partners shares discretionary trading and voting authority over shares held by Wolverine. Each of the Red Oak Funds disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to any shares other than the shares owned directly by such fund.

(f)Based on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2011 and reflects beneficial ownershipJanuary 31, 2019, reporting holdings as of December 31, 2010.
(g)Based on Amendment No. 2 on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2013 and reflects beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. Includes 4,800 shares held by spouse.2018.

 


18 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following discussion describes the compensation awarded to our two executive officers (collectively, our “named executive officers”):

NameAgeTitle
Kathleen S. Skarvan60President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeremy T. Brock37Chief Financial Officer

, namely Kathleen S. Skarvan,

Ms. Skarvan joined Electromed in December 2012 as President and Chief Executive Officer, became a director in November 2013 and was appointed to the additional position of President in August 2015. Ms. Skarvan served as Vice President of Operations at OEM Fabricators from November 2011 until October 2012. Prior to her position with OEM Fabricators, Ms. Skarvan served in various roles at Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, most recently as the President of the Disk Drive Components Division from April 2007 until March 2011. As President of the Disk Drive Components Division, Ms. Skarvan managed a public company division with annual revenues in excess of $300 million. Ms. Skarvan also served as a Senior Vice President of Hutchinson Technology Incorporated from December 2010 to March 2011, and as Vice President of Sales & Marketing of the Disk Drive Components Division from October 2003 until April 2007. She has served on the Board of Trustees of the St. Cloud State University Foundation since June 2015. Ms. Skarvan has a bachelor’s degree from St. Cloud State University.Jeremy T. Brock, Chief Financial Officer.

 

Jeremy T. Brock

Mr. Brock joined Electromed in August 2011 as controller and principal accounting officer and became the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in October 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Brock spent five years with the CPA firm CliftonLarsonAllen LLP and focused on performing and managing audit and tax engagements in the manufacturing, distribution and technology sectors. As a Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Brock also has worked on strategic business planning, risk assessments, and the design and implementation of internal controls.Mr. Brock brings additional management and leadership experience from serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Brock has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Northern Iowa.

Executive Compensation Components for Fiscal 20162019

 

We provide a compensation package to our executive officers, including base salary, cash incentive compensation, certain perquisites and participation in benefit arrangements that are generally available to all salaried employees, such as health and retirement plans. We have also periodically awarded our executive officers with long-term equity incentive grants in the form of restricted shares of common stock or stock options. Pursuant to their employment agreements, our executives are eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan that provides opportunities to earn equity incentive compensation. Accordingly, our executives are eligible to participate in our equity incentive plans and the Board may grant equity awards to the executives thereunder.

 

Base Salary

 

For fiscal 2016,2019, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer had base salaries of $237,600$396,750 and $170,500,$250,000, respectively. Base salaries for our executive officers are determined and paid on a fiscal-year basis and, for fiscal 2016,2019, were established by our Personnel and Compensation Committee in accordance with the terms of each executive officer’s existing employment agreement.

 

In order to provide its recommendations regarding base salaries, the Personnel and Compensation Committee reviews individual performance and our operating results and considers compensation data for medical device manufacturing companies located in the Midwest. The Personnel and Compensation Committee also considers the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations as to compensation for the Company’s other executive officer. The Personnel and Compensation Committee uses a subjective process to set base salaries and does not specifically weight any factors. Based upon the information reviewed, the Personnel and Compensation Committee makes a recommendation with respect to compensation for the Company’s executive officer. The Board sets the compensation for each executive officersofficer based on the recommendation of the committee. The Chief Executive Officer is not present during the committee’s deliberations or voting on her compensation.

 


Cash Incentive Compensation

 

OurThe Personnel and Compensation Committee established a Fiscal Year 2019 Officer Bonus Plan (the “2019 Bonus Plan”) for officers of the Company, including our named executive officers. The 2019 Bonus Plan was effective for fiscal 2019 and provided an opportunity for each participant to earn an annual cash bonus based on Company revenue growth versus the prior fiscal year (subject to achievement of threshold earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”)). Under the 2019 Bonus Plan, the committee established minimum revenue growth of 10% and target revenue growth of 12% for fiscal 2019 and set target payouts of 50.0% and 30.0% of annual base salary for our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively. The following summarizes the potential payment scenarios that were each eligibleavailable under the 2019 Bonus Plan:

Company revenue growth below minimum performance would not have resulted in any payouts under the 2019 Bonus Plan.

Company revenue growth between minimum and target performance of resulted in a potential bonus payout starting at 50.0% and increasing in increments of 25.0% of the participant’s respective target payout for every whole percent of revenue growth in excess of minimum performance.

Company revenue growth equal to target performance would have resulted in a potential bonus payout equal to 100.0% of the participant’s respective target payout.

19 

Company revenue growth above target performance would have resulted in a potential bonus payout equal to 100.0% of the participant’s respective target payout, plus an additional increment of 8.0% of their target payout for every whole percent of revenue growth in excess of target performance.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company revenue growth also would not have resulted in any payout unless EBIT also exceeded an established threshold amount. Company revenue growth above target performance was only able to earn cash incentive compensation for fiscal 2016 pursuant toincrease the Fiscal 2016 Officer Bonus Plan established by the Personnel and Compensation Committee and ratified by the Board. So longresulting payout as the minimum performance threshold wasa percent of target if EBIT also exceeded our Chief Executive Officer was eligible to receive cash incentive compensation in an amount equal to between 10% and 60%the threshold EBIT amount plus an additional increment of her base salary depending upon actual performance against established goals and milestones related to financial and operational performance. After evaluation30.0% of actual performance against the established goals, Ms. Skarvan received a cash incentive compensation payment awardthreshold EBIT for every whole percent of $397,999 for her fiscal 2016revenue growth in excess of target performance.

 

So long as the minimum performance threshold was exceeded, our Chief Financial Officer was eligible to receive cash incentive compensation in an amount equal to between 7.5% and 45% of his base salary depending upon actual performance against established goals and milestones related to financial and operational performance. After evaluationAs a result of actual performance againstCompany revenue growth of approximately 10.6% and EBIT in excess of the established goals,threshold amount for fiscal 2019, Ms. Skarvan and Mr. Brock received a cash incentive compensation payment awardpayments equal to 50.0% of $171,361 for his fiscal 2016 performance.their target payouts, amounting to payments of $99,188 and $37,500, respectively, under the 2019 Bonus Plan.

 

In August 2019, the Committee awarded a one-time discretionary cash bonus of $30,000 to Ms. Skarvan that was separate from her bonus opportunity under the 2019 Bonus Plan. The bonus was awarded primarily in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the Company while the position of Vice President of Sales was vacant during a portion of fiscal 2019.

Equity Compensation

 

Our Board and its Personnel and Compensation Committee believe that stock-based compensation promotes the creation of long-term shareholder value and aligns the interests of our management with the interests of our shareholders by ensuring that a portion of their total compensation is at risk and changes in value with the value of our securities. As employees of our company, each of our named executive officers was previously eligible to receive equity compensation pursuant to our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) and after its ratification by our shareholders in November 2014 areStock Incentive Plan (“2014 Plan”), and each is eligible to receive equity compensation pursuant to our 2014 Equity2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014(“2017 Plan”).  Upon the ratification by our shareholders of the 2014 Plan in November 2014 and the 2017 Plan in November 2017, we ceased making awards under the 2012 Plan and the 2014 Plan, respectively.

 

During fiscal 2016,2019, we granted a combination of shares of common stock and options to purchase additional shares of common stock to each of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. On July 1, 2015,2018, Ms. Skarvan received 20,000 restricted shares of common stock and an option to purchase up to 40,000 shares of common stock. On the same date, Mr. Brock received 10,000 restricted shares of common stock and an option to purchase up to 20,000 shares of common stock. All of the awards were granted pursuant to the 20142017 Plan. Each of the foregoing options have an exercise price of $1.80$5.42 per share, representing the “fair market value” orof our common stock as of the date of grant, and expire after 10 years. The restricted stock awards and options are all scheduled to vest in substantially equal increments on June 30 in each of 2016, 20172019, 2020 and 2018.2021.

 

Perquisites and Other Benefits

 

We believe that providing perquisites to our executive officers is beneficial because it improves our ability to retain qualified leaders and is consistent with the practice of similarly-sized companies in our industry. Our executive officers are eligible to participate in our group health, disability and life insurance plans and receive matching contributions to a 401(k) plan, which are benefits that are generally available to all of our full timefull-time employees. The goal of these programs is to promote health and welfare benefits. In addition, the employment agreements with our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer provide for monthly automobile allowances for each officer, and our employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer provides for a monthly housing allowance.

 


20 

Compensation Actions for Fiscal 20172020

 

In July 2016,2019, the base salaries of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer were increased for fiscal 2020 to $410,000 and $290,000, respectively. Both base salaries reflect cost of living-based increases and the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 (“fiscal 2017”) to $285,120 and $200,000, respectively.Chief Financial Officer’s base salary reflects a supplemental adjustment based on a review of broad-based third-party survey data. The changes in the composition of the equity compensation to our named executive officers for fiscal 20162020 was maintained with one-thirdgranted on July 1, 2019, resulting in the issuance of 20,000 restricted stock awards and the remaining two-thirds inshares of common stock options.and an option to purchase up to 39,500 shares of common stock for our President and Chief Executive Officer and 12,500 restricted shares of common stock and an option to purchase up to 16,800 shares of common stock for our Chief Financial Officer.

 

In August 2016, the2019, our Board approved, upon recommendation from its Personnel and Compensation Committee, establishedthe final terms of the Fiscal Year 20172020 Officer Bonus Plan (the “2017 Officer“2020 Bonus Plan”) for officers of our company, including theour named executive officers. The 2017 Officer2020 Bonus Plan is effective for fiscal 20172020 and provides an opportunityopportunities similar to the 2019 Bonus Plan for each participant to earn an annual cash bonus 50% of which will be based on theperformance versus minimum and target levels of Company revenue growth for fiscal 2020 (subject to achievement of threshold EBIT for fiscal 2020). The target earnings before taxespayout amounts were maintained at 50.0% and 50%30.0% of which will be based on two strategic initiatives supporting long-term growth and profitability. If minimum earnings before taxes are achieved, thenannual base salary for Ms. Skarvan and Mr. Brock, would be eligible to receive a bonus equal to 12.50% and 7.50%, respectively, of their annual base salary. If target earnings before taxes are achieved, then Ms. Skarvan and Mr. Brock would be eligible to receive a bonus equal to 25.00% and 15.00%, respectively, of their annual base salary. Thirty percent of any earnings before taxes exceeding the target will be allocated to a bonus pool for all bonus-eligible employees and allocated among the bonus-eligible employees pro rata based on his or her targeted bonus payout. Depending on achievement of the strategic initiatives, each of the named executive officers would be eligible to receive an additional bonus amount equal to between 6.25% and 37.50% of annual base salary with respect to Ms. Skarvan and between 3.75% and 22.50% of annual base salary with respect to Mr. Brock.respectively.

 

Employment Agreements

Chief Executive Officer

 

We are party to an Amendedamended and Restated Employment Agreementrestated employment agreements with certain key employees, including both of our named executive officers. The employment agreement with Ms. Skarvan dated asand Mr. Brock were each initially effective for a period of July 1, 2014. The current term of Ms. Skarvan’s employment agreement runs through June 30, 2017 and istwo years ending in 2019, subject to an automatic renewal for successive one-year periods,extension every September unless terminated earlierin advance in accordance with its terms. Her employment agreement established an initial annualized base salary for Ms. Skarvan, subject to annual review and increase byNotwithstanding the Board. Such increases in the base salary are to be negotiated in good faith and shall not be less than 3.33% of her then-current base salary, subject to approval by the Board following review of the Company’s progress toward meeting performance goals.

For fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017, Ms. Skarvan is entitled to be eligible to receive a bonus in a maximum aggregate amount of 50% of her base salary if she achieves the goals and milestones set forth inforegoing, the applicable bonus plan implemented for each fiscal year. Notwithstanding this provision,term will automatically expire on the Board and its Personnel and Compensation Committee used 50% as the target bonus amount for Ms. Skarvan’s total bonus eligibility under the Fiscal 2016 Officer Bonus Plan.

Ms. Skarvan’s employment agreement may be terminated at any time by either party. If her employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause or by Ms. Skarvan for good reason (as both are defined in the employment agreement), then the Company may be required to pay severance to Ms. Skarvan inone-year anniversary of a lump sum equal to one year“change of her then-current base salary. If her employment agreement is terminated by Ms. Skarvan within six months following a change in controlcontrol” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement), then the Company may be required to pay severance to Ms. Skarvan in a lump sum equal to one year of her then-current base salary. Any severance paid to Ms. Skarvan will be paid in exchange for Ms. Skarvan’s release of claims against the Company and her compliance with the separate Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, and Confidentiality Agreement between.

Under their respective employment agreements, Ms. Skarvan and the Company, dated DecemberMr. Brock were each initially entitled to minimum annualized base salaries and are eligible for a merit-based increase on or about each successive July 1, 2012, which providessubject to final approval by our board of directors. The employment agreements also provide that Ms. Skarvan will not, duringand Mr. Brock are each eligible to earn an annualized cash bonus as determined by the termboard of her employmentdirectors, based on minimum targets amounts of 50% and for the 12 months following the termination30%, respectively, of her employment with the Company, (i) compete with the Company or (ii) solicit any customers, employees, or business contacts of the Company.


Chief Financial Officertheir annualized base salaries.

 

We are party to an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Mr. Brock dated as of July 1, 2014. The current term of Mr. Brock’s employment agreement runs through June 30, 2017 and is subject to automatic renewal for successive one-year periods, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms. His employment agreement established an initial annualized base salary for Mr. Brock, subject to annual review and increase by the Board. Such increases in the base salary are to be negotiated in good faith and shall not be less than 3.33% of his then-current base salary, subject to approval by the Board following review of the Company’s progress toward meeting performance goals.

For fiscal 2016, Mr. Brock was entitled to be eligible to receive a bonus in a maximum aggregate amount of 30% of his base salary if he achieves the goals and milestones set forth in the applicable bonus plan implemented for each fiscal year. Notwithstanding this provision, the Board and its Personnel and Compensation Committee used 30% as the target bonus amount for Mr. Brock’s total bonus eligibilityAlso under the Fiscal 2016 Officer Bonus Plan.

Mr. Brock’s employment agreement may be terminated at any time by either party. If hisagreements, if the executive’s employment agreement is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Brockus for goodany reason (as both are defined in the employment agreement), then the Company may be required to pay severance to Mr. Brock in a lump sum equal to one year of his then-current base salary. If his employment agreement is terminated by Mr. Brock within six months following a change in controlother than for “cause” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement) or is terminated by them for “good reason” (as defined in the applicable employment agreement), and in either case the termination of employment occurs before a change of control, then the Company mayexecutive will be requiredeligible to (A) receive an amount equal to (i) one times their annualized base salary as of the termination date, plus (ii) 100% of their target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination date occurs, plus (iii) a pro rata portion of the same target annual bonus amount based on the portion of the applicable fiscal year that had elapsed prior to the termination date, and (B) have us continue to pay severancethe Company portion of COBRA premiums for up to Mr. Brock in12 months.  If any such termination occurs within twelve months after a lump sumchange of control, then the Executive will instead be eligible to (A) receive an amount equal to one(i) 1.5 times their annualized base salary as of the termination date, plus (ii) 150% of their target annual bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination date occurs, plus (iii) a pro rata portion of his then-current base salary. Anythe same target annual bonus amount based on the portion of the fiscal that had then elapsed prior to the termination date, and (B) have us continue to pay the Company portion of COBRA premiums for up to 18 months. All of the above severance paid to Mr. Brock will be paid in exchange for Mr. Brock’sbenefits are contingent on the executive signing and not revoking a release of claims againstand the executive remaining in strict compliance with the terms of their employment agreement and their existing non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreement with the Company and his compliance withany other written agreement between the separate Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, and Confidentiality Agreement between Mr. Brockexecutive and the Company, dated October 18, 2011, which provides that Mr. Brock will not, during the term of his employmentCompany. Each executive remains a party to their existing non-competition, non-solicitation, and for the 12 months following the termination of his employmentconfidentiality agreement with the Company (i) compete withnotwithstanding the amendment and restatement of their employment agreement.  In addition to the specific terms summarized above, each Executive remains eligible to participate in the other compensation and benefits programs generally available to Company or (ii) solicit any customers, employees, or business contacts of the Company.employees.


21 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table provides information regarding the compensation earned during fiscal 20162019 and fiscal 20152018 by our named executive officers:

 

Name and principal positionFiscal
Year
 Salary
($)(a)
 Stock awards
($)(b)
 Option
awards
($)(c)
 Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($)(d) All other compensation
($)(e)
 Total
($)

 

Fiscal
Year

 

Salary
($)(a)

 

Bonus
($)
(b)

 

Stock
awards
($)
(c)

 

Option
awards
($)
(d)

 

Non-equity
incentive
plan
compensation
($)
(e)

 

All other
compensation

($)(f)

 

Total
($)

Kathleen S. Skarvan
President and Chief Executive Officer
 2016 237,600 36,000 54,760 397,999 20,612 746,971

 

2019

 

396,750

 

30,000

 

108,400

 

211,600

 

99,188

 

21,635

 

867,573

2015 216,993  47,468 97,647 16,410 378,518

2018

 

345,000

 

 

110,600

 

195,200

 

51,750

 

21,598

 

724,148

Jeremy T. Brock
Chief Financial Officer
 2016 170,500 18,000 27,380 171,361 13,905 401,145

 

2019

 

250,000

 

 

54,200

 

105,800

 

37,500

 

15,820

 

463,320

2015 155,000  28,481 52,313 11,193 246,987

2018

 

230,000

 

 

55,300

 

97,600

 

20,700

 

15,992

 

419,592

 

(a)

(a)

Amounts shown are not reduced to reflect the named executive officers’ elections, if any, to contribute portions of their salaries to 401(k) plans.

(b)

(b)

Amounts represent discretionary bonus earned for reported fiscal year’s performance but paid in the following fiscal year.

(c)

The values of stock awards in this table

Amounts represent the fair value of such awards granted during the fiscal year, which is determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted stock by the closing price of our common stock as of the date of grant, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.NYSE American.

(d)

(c)The values of option awards in this table

Amounts represent the fair value of such awards granted during the fiscal year, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (formerly FAS 123(R)).718. The assumptions used to determine the valuationvalue of the awards are discussed in Note 78 to our consolidated financial statements, included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016,2019, filed with the SEC on September 6, 2016.August 27, 2019.

(e)

(d)

Represents payments made under the Fiscal 20162019 Officer Bonus Plan. See the discussion under “Executive Compensation Components for Fiscal 20162019 – Cash Incentive Compensation” above.

(f)

(e)

Includes Company matches to 401(k) plans of $11,012$12,035 for Ms. Skarvan and $9,105$11,020 for Mr. Brock with respect to fiscal 20162019 and $6,810$11,998 for Ms. Skarvan and $6,393$11,192 for Mr. Brock with respect to fiscal 2015.2018.

 

22 

Outstanding Equity Awards at June 30, 20162019

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity awards granted to our named executive officers outstanding as of June 30, 2016:2019:

 

  Option Awards Stock Awards

 

 

 

Option Awards

 

Stock Awards

Name Grant Date Number of securities underlying unexercised
options (#) Exercisable
 Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) Unexercisable Option exercise price ($) Option expiration date Number of
shares of
stock that
have not
vested (#)
 

Market value
of shares of

stock that
have not
vested(a) ($)

 

Grant Date

 

Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
Exercisable

 

Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
Unexercisable

 

Option
exercise price
($)

 

Option
expiration
date

 

Number of
shares of stock
that have not
vested (#)

 

Market value of
shares of stock
that have not
vested
(a) ($)

Kathleen S. Skarvan 12/03/2012 20,000  1.75 12/02/2022 

 

12/03/2012

 

20,000

 

 

1.75

 

12/02/2022

 

07/01/2013 15,000  1.31 06/30/2023 

07/01/2013

 

15,000

 

 

1.31

 

06/30/2023

 

07/01/2014 33,334 16,666(b) 1.40 06/30/2024 

07/01/2014

 

50,000

 

 

1.40

 

06/30/2024

 

07/01/2015 13,334 26,666(c) 1.80 06/30/2025 

07/01/2015

 

40,000

 

 

1.80

 

06/30/2025

 

07/01/2015         13,333(d) 51,465

07/01/2016

 

40,000

 

 

3.82

 

06/30/2026

 

          

Kathleen S. Skarvan

07/01/2017

 

26,667

 

13,333(b)

 

5.53

 

06/30/2027

 

07/01/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,666(c)

 

36,330

07/01/2018

 

13,334

 

26,666(d)

 

5.42

 

06/30/2028

 

07/01/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,333(e)

 

72,665

 05/30/2012 18,000  2.53 05/29/2022 

 

05/30/2012

 

18,000

 

 

2.53

 

05/29/2022

 

11/15/2012 20,000  1.59 11/14/2022 

11/15/2012

 

20,000

 

 

1.59

 

11/14/2022

 

07/01/2013 10,000  1.31 06/30/2023 

07/01/2013

 

10,000

 

 

1.31

 

06/30/2023

 

07/01/2014 20,000 10,000(e) 1.40 06/30/2024 

07/01/2014

 

30,000

 

 

1.40

 

06/30/2024

 

07/01/2015 6,667 13,333(f) 1.80 06/30/2025 

07/01/2015

 

20,000

 

 

1.80

 

06/30/2025

 

Jeremy T. Brock 07/01/2015         6,666(g) 25,731

07/01/2016

 

20,000

 

 

3.82

 

06/30/2026

 

07/01/2017

 

13,334

 

6,666(f)

 

5.53

 

06/30/2027

 

07/01/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,333(g)

 

18,165

07/01/2018

 

6,667

 

13,333(h)

 

5.42

 

06/30/2028

 

07/01/2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,666(i)

 

36,330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

(a)

Equals the number of unvested shares of restricted stock multiplied by $5.45, the fair market value of our stock on June 30, 2016,28, 2019, the last trading day of our fiscal year, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.NYSE American.

(b)

(b)Scheduled

Remaining scheduled to vest with respect to 16,666 shares on June 30, 2017.2020.

(c)

(c)

Restricted stock scheduled to vest on June 30, 2020.

(d)

Scheduled to vest with respect to 13,333 shares on each of June 30, 20172020 and June 30, 2018.2021.

(e)

(d)

Restricted stock scheduled to vest with respect to 6,667 shares on June 30, 2020 and 6,666 shares on June 30, 2021.

(f)

Remainder scheduled to vest on June 30, 2020.

(g)

Restricted stock scheduled to vest on June 30, 2020.

(h)

Scheduled to vest with respect to 6,667 shares on June 30, 20172020 and 6,666 shares on June 30, 2018.2021.S

(i)

(e)Scheduled to vest with respect to 10,000 shares on June 30, 2017.
(f)Scheduled to vest with respect to 6,667 shares on June 30, 2017 and 6,666 shares on June 30, 2018.
(g)Scheduled

Restricted stock scheduled to vest with respect to 3,333 shares on each of June 30, 20172020 and June 30, 2018.2021.


23 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

InThe fiscal 2016, each2019 director compensation program provided non-employee director was paid $1,000directors with a combination of cash and shares of restricted stock for each Board meeting thesuch director, attendeddepending on committee service and the members of each of the Audit, Personnel and Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees were paid a $1,000 retainer for service in the firstleadership roles held during fiscal quarter and a $500 retainer for the second, third and fourth fiscal quarters. Compensation for Board and committee members is expected to be re-evaluated in connection with review of committee composition following the Annual Meeting.2019.

 

During fiscal 2016, the Board, upon the recommendation of itsThe Personnel and Compensation Committee determined that each non-employee director will receive an annual grant of restricted stock as a component of his or her compensation for service as a directorconducts periodic reviews of the Company. Accordingly, eachcompensation of non-employee directors. For fiscal 2019, an analysis of both total director received a grantcompensation and the mix of 4,651 shares of restricted stock pursuant to the 2014 Plan on December 4, 2015. Future restricted stock awards are expected to be granted to non-employee directors on or about the datecash and equity compensation was provided by management of the applicable year’s annual meetingCompany based on available market data. In light of shareholders.the data presented, the committee recommended, and the Board approved, the following revised compensation arrangements for directors, which were in effect for the entirety of fiscal 2019:

Director Compensation Element

Amount Payable

Annual Cash Retainer(s) (a)

●      Board Member

$10,000

●      Board Chair

$15,000

●      Audit Committee Chair

$10,000

●      Personnel and Compensation Committee Chair

$7,000

●      Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair

$3,500

●      Audit Committee Member

$2,500

●      Personnel and Compensation Committee Member

$2,200

●      Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member

$1,000

Annual Equity Award(b)

2,000

 shares

(a)

All amounts paid in quarterly installments each representing 25% of the total annual retainer and may be pro-rated for any partial service as a director or in any committee or leadership role.

(b)

To be issued on or about the date of the applicable year’s annual meeting of shareholders or as soon as practicable thereafter in the form of shares of restricted stock schedule to vest in full on the six-month anniversary of the date of grant.

 

The following table provides information regarding compensation paid to and earned by non-employee directors during fiscal 2016:2019:

 

Non-Employee Director Stock Awards
($)(a)
 Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
 Total
($)

 

Stock Awards
($)
(a)

 

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)

 

Total
($)

Stephen H. Craney 10,000 10,000 20,000

 

11,400

 

34,500

 

45,900

William V. Eckles 10,000 10,000 20,000

 

11,400

 

16,000

 

27,400

Stan K. Erickson 10,000 10,000 20,000

 

11,400

 

21,000

 

32,400

Lee A. Jones 10,000 10,000 20,000

 

11,400

 

13,200

 

24,600

George H. Winn 10,000   7,500 17,500

 

11,400

 

12,200

 

23,600

 

(a)

(a)The amounts shown in this column

Amounts represent the grant-date fair value of 2,000 shares of restricted stock awardsawarded on December 1, 2018 and computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 7, Share-Based Payments, to our audited financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 20162019 for a description of our accounting for these awards and the assumptions used in valuing the awards. All of these shares were eligible to receive dividends paid on our common stock while restricted and vested six months after the date of grant.

 

24 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

The following table provides information concerning equity compensation arrangements as of June 30, 2016:2019:

 

Plan Category

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

Weighted-average

Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding
options, warrants and rights

Number of securities
remaining available for


future issuance under equity
compensation plans

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    312,000

683,000(a)

$1.813.84 per share

458,140

660,500(b)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(c)287,800$3.50 per shareN/A
Total599,800$2.62 per shareN/A

 

(a)

(a)

Consists of 163,000, 335,000 and 185,000 shares underlying outstanding equity awards issued pursuant to the 2012, 2014 and 2014 Plans.2017 Plans, respectively.

(b)

(b)

Consists of shares available for future awards under the 20142017 Plan. Upon shareholder approval ofNo further awards are authorized for grant under the 2014 Plan, the Board determined no further awards will be issued under theor 2012 Plan.Plans.

(c)Consists of shares underlying equity awards and warrants issued prior to our initial public offering, which occurred in 2010.


25 

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPSRELATED PERSON TRANSACTION APPROVAL POLICY

 

Pursuant to its charter, our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving in advance any related party transaction, which consists of any transaction or series of transactions that occur during a fiscal year for which:

 

·

the amounts involved exceeded the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at the end of the last two completed fiscal years; and

 

·

a director, executive officer, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

In determining whether to approve or ratify a related party transaction, the Audit Committee considers all of the relevant facts and circumstances available to it, including, among any other factors it deems appropriate: (i) the benefits to the Company of the transaction; (ii) the nature of the related party’s interest in the transaction; (iii) whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders; (iv) the potential impact of the transaction on a director’s independence; and (v) whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unrelated third party under the same or similar circumstances. If a member of the Audit Committee is a related party with respect to a transaction under review, he or she is required to abstain from voting on the approval of the transaction.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board knows of no other matters which may be brought before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are presented at the meeting on which a vote may properly be taken, the persons named as proxy holders will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.

 

HOUSEHOLDING

 

We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding,” by which certain shareholders who do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials but who have the same address and appear to be members of the same family receive only one copy of our annual report, proxy statement and shareholder letter. Each shareholder participating in householding continues to receive a separate proxy card. Householding reduces both the environmental impact of our annual meetings and our mailing and printing expenses.

 

If you or another shareholder with whom you share an address currently receive multiple copies of our annual report, proxy statement, and/or shareholder letter, or if you hold shares in more than one account, but would like to receive only a single copy of materials for your household, then please send a written request addressed to the attention of our President and Chief Executive Officer at 500 Sixth Avenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071. If you currently participate in householding and would prefer to receive separate copies of materials for fiscal 20162019 and the Annual Meeting, then please contact us in the manner described above and you will receive additional copies, free of charge and promptly upon receipt of your request.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Our annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2016,2019, as filed with the SEC, is available on the SEC’s Internet site, www.sec.gov, and our corporate website, www.smartvest.com, under “Investor Relations.” A copy of the Annual Report will be sent to any shareholder without charge upon written request addressed to the attention of our President and Chief Executive Officer at 500 Sixth Avenue Northwest, New Prague, Minnesota 56071. Additional copies of the annual report on Form 10-K, this proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy may be obtained from our President and Chief Executive Officer, at the Company’s address noted above. Copies of exhibits to the annual report on Form 10-K may be obtained upon payment to us of the reasonable expense incurred in providing such exhibits.


 

 

(COOPERTIRES LOGO)

ELECTROMED, INC.
500 SIXTH AVENUE NW
NEW PRAGUE, MN 56071

VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 14, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. 

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. 

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 14, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. 





 
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
E85035-P28870KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
ELECTROMED, INC.For
All
Withhold
All
For All
Except
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR all of the following nominees:

1.Election of Directors, thereby setting the number of directors at seven. ☐☐ ☐ 
Nominees:
01)     Stephen H. Craney06)     Lee A. Jones
02)     John L. Erb07)     Kathleen S. Skarvan
03)     Stan K. Erickson08)     George H. Winn
04)     Gregory J. Fluet
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3.ForAgainstAbstain
2.To ratify appointment of RSM US LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.
3.To approve, on a non-binding and advisory basis, our executive compensation.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 YEAR on the following proposal:1 Year2 Years3 YearsAbstain
4.To recommend, on a non-binding and advisory basis, whether executive compensation votes should occur every year, every two years or every three years.
NOTE:At their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other business properly brought before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]DateSignature (Joint Owners)Date

 

 

 

 

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, YOU MUST FOLLOW THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION AT THE MEETING DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT.

YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO VOTE BY PROXY IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING EVEN IF

YOU PLAN TO ATTEND.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

 The Annual Report on Form 10-K, Notice and Proxy Statement, and Shareholder Letter are available at
www.proxyvote.com.

E85036-P28870

 

ELECTROMED, INC.

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

November 15, 2019 10:00 AM, CST

This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors

The shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Stephen H. Craney and Kathleen S. Skarvan, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint (his/her) substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock that the shareholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 10:00 AM, CST on November 15, 2019 at 500 Sixth Avenue Northwest, New Prague, MN 56071, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed. But if no direction is given, it will be voted "FOR" all nominees and proposals set forth in Items 1, 2 and 3 and "1 YEAR" on proposal 4. The proxies cannot vote these shares unless you vote by Internet or telephone or you sign this card on the reverse side and return it.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side