PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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EVANS & SUTHERLAND COMPUTER CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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March 29, 2013
Dear Evans & Sutherland Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend Evans & Sutherland’s 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at our principal executive offices located at 770 Komas Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.
An outline of the business to be conducted at the meeting is given in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement. In addition to the matters to be voted on, there will be a report on our progress and an opportunity for shareholders to ask questions.
Securities and Exchange Commission Rules permit companies to furnish proxy materials to their shareholders by the Internet. As part of our efforts to cut unnecessary expenses and conserve the environment, Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation has elected to provide Internet access to the proxy statement and annual report rather than mailing paper copies. This reduces postage and printing expenses and paper waste. We will mail to our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access the Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K by the Internet. The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and the Proxy Statement also contain instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of the proxy materials.
I hope you will be able to join us. To ensure your representation at the meeting, I encourage you to vote your shares by following the voting instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Your vote is very important. Whether you own a few or many shares of stock, it is important that your shares be represented.
Sincerely,
David H. Bateman
President and Chief Executive Officer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders | |
Proxies and Voting at the Meeting | 1 |
Proposal One – Election of Directors | 2 |
Directors | 2 |
Board Meetings and Committees | 3 |
Board Leadership Structure and Oversight of Risk | 5 |
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions | 6 |
Proposal Two – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 7 |
Proposal Three – Advisory vote on executive compensation | 7 |
Proposal Four – Advisory vote on the frequency of future “Say-on-Pay” advisory votes | 8 |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 9 |
Executive Compensation | 11 |
Executive Compensation Table | 11 |
Outstanding Equity Awards | 12 |
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements | 12 |
Summary Director Compensation Table | 13 |
Report of the Audit Committee | 14 |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures | 14 |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 15 |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance | 15 |
Shareholder Proposals | 15 |
Communicating with the Board of Directors | 15 |
Other Matters | 16 |
Additional Information | 16 |
EVANS & SUTHERLAND
COMPUTER CORPORATION
______________________________________________
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May 16, 2013
______________________________________________
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
The annual meeting of shareholders of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at 770 Komas Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108. At the meeting, you will be asked:
1. | To elect two directors to the Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation Board of Directors to serve for the term more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement; |
2. | To ratify the appointment of Tanner LLC as independent registered public accounting firm of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013; |
3. | To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers; |
4. | To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the frequency of future votes on the compensation paid to our named executive officers; and |
5. | To transact such other business as may properly be presented at the annual meeting. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice.
If you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on March 25, 2013, you may vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
This year we are utilizing the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow issuers to furnish proxy materials to their shareholders over the Internet. We believe these rules allow us to provide our shareholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing waste. Soon we will mail to our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access our 2013 proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The notice provides instructions on how you can request a paper copy of these documents if you desire. Shareholders, whether or not they expect to be present at the meeting, are urged to vote their shares as promptly as possible by following the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. Any person giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time, and shareholders of record who are present at the meeting may withdraw their proxies and vote in person.
FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paul L. Dailey
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 29, 2013
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2013.
THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ANNUAL REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT
www.es.com/about/proxy/
EVANS & SUTHERLAND
COMPUTER CORPORATION
770 Komas Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
______________________________________________
GENERAL
Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, a Utah corporation (the “Company”), is soliciting the attached proxy on behalf of its Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) to be voted at the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The annual meeting of shareholders will be held at Evans & Sutherland’s principal executive offices located at 770 Komas Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.
METHOD OF PROXY SOLICITATION
In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instead of mailing a printed copy of the Company’s proxy materials to each shareholder of record, the Company may furnish proxy materials via the internet. Accordingly, all of the Company’s shareholders will soon receive by mail a Notice of Internet Availability. We began mailing the Notice of Internet Availability on or about April 1, 2013.
By the date of mailing of the Notice of Internet Availability through the conclusion of the Meeting, shareholders will be able to access all of the proxy materials on the internet at www.es.com/about/proxy/. The proxy materials will be available free of charge. The Notice of Internet Availability will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials (including the Company’s Annual Report on form 10-K) over the internet or through other methods specified at the website designated in the Notice of Internet Availability.
The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies. These costs include the expenses of preparing and delivering proxy materials for the annual meeting and reimbursement paid to brokerage firms and others for their expenses incurred in forwarding the proxy material. In addition to solicitation by mail, Evans & Sutherland’s directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies for the meeting by telephone, facsimile or otherwise. Directors, officers, or employees of the Company will not be additionally compensated for this solicitation but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses they incur.
VOTING OF PROXIES
Your shares will be voted as you direct on your submitted proxy. If you do not specify on your submitted proxy how you want to vote your shares, we will vote submitted proxies:
· | FOR the election of the Board of Directors’ nominees for directors; |
· | FOR ratification of the appointment of Tanner LLC as Evans & Sutherland’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013; |
· | FOR the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers; and |
· | FOR “ONE YEAR” with respect to the advisory proposal on the frequency of the stockholders’ vote on executive compensation. |
We do not know of any other business that may be presented at the annual meeting. If a proposal other than those listed in the notice is presented at the annual meeting, your submitted proxy gives authority to the persons named in the proxy to vote your shares on such matters at their discretion.
REQUIRED VOTE
Record holders of shares of Evans & Sutherland’s common stock, par value $0.20 per share, at the close of business on March 25, 2013, may vote at the meeting. Each shareholder has one vote for each share of common stock the shareholder owns. At the close of business on March 25, 2013, there were 11,089,199 shares of common stock outstanding.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter at the annual meeting is required for approval of all items being submitted to the shareholders for their consideration, except for the election of directors, which is determined by a plurality of the votes cast. Evans & Sutherland’s Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that a majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum for transaction of business. An automated system administered by Evans & Sutherland’s transfer agent tabulates the votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum. Each is tabulated separately. Abstentions are counted as voted and broker non-votes are counted as unvoted for determining the approval of any matter submitted to the shareholders for a vote. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker votes on some matters on the proxy card but not on others because he does not have the authority to do so.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
You may revoke your proxy by giving written notice to the Corporate Secretary of Evans & Sutherland, by delivering a later proxy to the Corporate Secretary, either of which must be received prior to the annual meeting, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The authorized number of directors is currently fixed at five as established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Evans & Sutherland’s Amended and Restated Bylaws. The Board is divided into three classes, currently consisting of one or two directors each, whose terms expire at successive annual meetings. At the 2013 annual meeting, the shareholders of Evans & Sutherland will elect two directors to the Board of Directors. Each director elected at the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders will be elected to serve for a three-year term expiring at Evans & Sutherland’s annual meeting in 2016.
The nominees elected as directors will continue in office until their respective successor is duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated David H. Bateman and L. Tim Pierce for election as directors at the 2013 annual meeting. Messrs. Bateman and Pierce are designated to fill positions having terms expiring in 2016. Unless you specify otherwise, your returned proxy will be voted in favor of the Board’s nominees. In the event a nominee is unable to serve, your proxy may vote for another person nominated by the Board of Directors to fill that vacancy. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that its nominees will be unavailable or unable to serve as directors.
VOTE REQUIRED
A plurality of the votes cast at the meeting is required to elect a director.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS
VOTE “FOR” THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE
DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has determined that all outside directors, Dr. Campbell, Mr. Pierce, General McCarthy, and Dr. Schneider, are independent within the requirements of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. There are no family relationships among any of Evans & Sutherland’s directors or executive officers. Set forth below is the principal occupation of, and certain other information regarding, the nominees and those directors whose terms of office will continue after the annual meeting.
Director Nominees – Terms Ending 2016
David H. Bateman was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Evans & Sutherland in February 2007. Mr. Bateman joined Evans & Sutherland as Director of Business Operations in May 1998. He was appointed Vice President – Business Operations in March 2000 and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors in June 2006. Before joining Evans & Sutherland, Mr. Bateman was President and Chief Operating Officer of Binghamton Simulator Company. The Company believes that Mr. Bateman’s past positions with the Company and his leadership role as President and Chief Executive Officer provides the Board of Directors with a needed perspective from within the Company’s operations. Age: 70
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L. Tim Pierce has been a director of Evans & Sutherland since November 2012. From January 2012 to present Mr. Pierce has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for UELS, LLC, a provider of services to the energy industry. From March 2011 until December 2011, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Alliance Health Networks, Inc., an internet social networking company serving the healthcare markets. From 2009 until March 2011, Mr. Pierce provided operational assistance, capital raising support and due diligence assistance to various companies in a consulting capacity. During 2006 through 2008, Mr. Pierce held executive positions including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer at AKQA, Inc., a global digital advertising company. From 1988 through 1998, Mr. Pierce served as Chief Financial Officer for Mrs. Fields, a specialty retailer. Prior to 1988, he worked in the audit and assurance departments of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Pierce earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). The Company believes that Mr. Pierce’s education and professional credentials combined with his financial leadership experience make him well qualified for his role as director. Age 61
Director Continuing in Office – Term Ending 2015
General James P. McCarthy, USAF (ret.) has been a director of Evans & Sutherland since May 2004. General McCarthy has been teaching at the U.S. Air Force Academy since retirement in 1992 and currently is the ARDI Professor of National Security and the Director of the Institute for Information Technology Applications. General McCarthy chaired the Task Force on Operation Enduring Freedom Lessons Learned in Afghanistan and Iraq and was a member of the Defense Science Board. General McCarthy has served on the Defense Policy Board advising the Secretary of Defense, among others. General McCarthy served as director of NAVSYS Corporation from 1998 to 2007 and as a director of EADS North America from 2003-2007. The Company believes that General McCarthy’s military leadership experience and expertise with complex engineered systems including simulation displays is a valuable complement to the other directors’ qualifications. Age: 78
Directors Continuing in Office – Terms Ending 2014
Dr. William Schneider has been a director of Evans & Sutherland since May 2002. Dr. Schneider has served as the president of International Planning Services, Inc., a Washington-based international trade and finance firm, since 1986. In addition, Dr. Schneider is currently an adjunct fellow of the Hudson Institute. Dr. Schneider serves as an advisor to the U.S. government in several capacities; he is a consultant to the Departments of Defense, Energy, and State, and also serves as a Senior Fellow of the Defense Science Board in the Department of Defense. Dr. Schneider is also a Member of the Department of State's Defense Trade Advisory Group. He earned his Ph.D. degree from New York University in 1968. The Company believes that Dr. Schneider’s experience with the government procurement process and commercial technology businesses will aid the Company in commercializing its technology products. Age: 71
Dr. E. Michael Campbell has been a director of Evans & Sutherland since July 2008. Dr. Campbell is presently Director of the Energy Division of Logos Technologies, a position he has held since March 2008. From 2000 through 2007 he held various senior management positions, most recently Executive Vice-President for Energy, at General Atomics Corporation. He was the director of Laser Programs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 1994-1999. He is an internationally recognized expert in lasers and their applications and in advanced energy research and development. He has won numerous awards in these fields, is a visiting Trustee of the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics and has consulted for Schott Glass, Schafer, and Lockheed Martin Corporations. He obtained his undergraduate and advanced degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and the University of Western Sydney. The Company believes that Dr. Campbell’s specific experience with laser technology and leading complex scientific development projects can help in the evaluation and strategic planning of the Company’s technology. Age: 62
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
It is the Board of Directors’ policy to encourage all directors to attend each annual meeting of shareholders. All directors attended the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders except for General McCarthy. In fiscal year 2012, the Board of Directors held four Board meetings either in person or telephonically. In 2012, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings held by the Board of Directors and all meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such director served. The Board of Directors has established three committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Stock Options Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
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The Audit Committee operates under the Audit Committee Charter and is a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee Charter can be found on Evans & Sutherland’s website, www.es.com, in the Investor Relations, Corporate Governance section. The principal functions of the Audit Committee are to:
· | monitor the integrity of Evans & Sutherland’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance; |
· | monitor the independence and performance of Evans & Sutherland’s independent auditors; |
· | provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management and the Board of Directors; |
· | encourage adherence to, and continuous improvement of, Evans & Sutherland’s policies, procedures and practices at all levels; |
· | review areas of potential significant financial risk to Evans & Sutherland; and |
· | monitor compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. |
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Evans & Sutherland is composed of all four non-employee directors. The members of the Committee are L. Tim Pierce, Dr. E. Michael Campbell, Dr. William Schneider and General James P. McCarthy. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are independent within the requirements of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. The Board of Directors has reviewed the Securities and Exchange Commission’s definition of an “audit committee financial expert,” and has determined that L. Tim Pierce qualifies as an audit committee financial expert. The Audit Committee held four meetings in 2012.
The Compensation and Stock Options Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) operates under the Compensation and Stock Options Committee Charter. The Compensation and Stock Options Committee Charter can be found on Evans & Sutherland’s website, www.es.com, in the Investor Relations, Corporate Governance section. The Compensation Committee reviews compensation and benefits for Evans & Sutherland’s executives and administers the grant of stock options under Evans & Sutherland’s existing plans. Pursuant to delegated authority from the Board of Directors, David H. Bateman, as Chief Executive Officer, approves all employee salaries except for those of Evans & Sutherland’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee consists of L. Tim Pierce, Dr. E. Michael Campbell, Dr. William Schneider, and General James P. McCarthy. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the requirements of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. The Compensation Committee held one meeting in 2012. Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee’s process and procedures for consideration of executive and director compensation is provided in the Compensation Committee Charter.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) operates under the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter can be found on Evans & Sutherland’s website, www.es.com, in the Investor Relations, Corporate Governance section. The Nominating Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning candidates for election as directors, determines the composition of the Board of Directors and its committees, assesses the Board of Directors’ effectiveness, and develops and implements Evans & Sutherland’s corporate governance guidelines.
The process followed by the Nominating Committee to identify and evaluate candidates may include requests to Board members and others for recommendations, meetings from time to time to evaluate biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates and interviews of selected candidates by members of the Nominating Committee and the Board, as deemed appropriate by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is authorized to retain advisors and consultants and to compensate them for their services in identifying and evaluating potential candidates. The Nominating Committee did not retain any such advisors or consultants during 2012.
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Shareholders may recommend director candidates for inclusion by the Board of Directors in the slate of nominees which the Board recommends to shareholders for election. The qualifications of recommended candidates will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee. If the Board determines to nominate a shareholder-recommended candidate and recommends his or her election as a director by the shareholders, his or her name will be included in Evans & Sutherland’s proxy card for the shareholder meeting at which his or her election is recommended.
Although the Nominating Committee has not established any specific minimum qualifications for director nominees, the Nominating Committee will consider properly submitted shareholder recommendations for candidates who generally have the highest personal and professional integrity, who have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment, and who would be most effective in conjunction with other Board Members. Recommendations from shareholders concerning nominees for election as a director should be sent to: Board of Directors, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, 770 Komas Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah 84108. Recommendations must include the candidate’s name, business address and a description of the candidate’s background and qualifications for membership on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will consider a recommendation only if appropriate biographical information and background material is provided on a timely basis.
Assuming that appropriate biographical and background material is provided for candidates recommended by shareholders, the Nominating Committee will evaluate those candidates by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as for candidates submitted by Board members or by other persons. In considering whether to recommend any candidate for inclusion in the Board’s slate of recommended director nominees, including candidates recommended by shareholders, the Nominating Committee will apply the criteria established by the Nominating Committee, which may include considerations such as the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, experience, diligence, conflicts of interest, and the ability to act in the interest of all shareholders. The Nominating Committee does not necessarily assign specific weights to particular criteria, and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all prospective nominees. Evans & Sutherland believes that the backgrounds and qualifications of the directors, considered as a group, should provide a significant composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow the Board to fulfill its responsibilities. The Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy regarding diversity, but considers a broad range of attributes and characteristics in evaluating nominees for election to the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee views diversity broadly to include diversity of experience, skills and viewpoint in addition to more traditional diversity concepts. The Nominating Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board of Directors that brings to the Company a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience, as well as non-business experiences and attributes.
The Nominating Committee consists of L. Tim Pierce, Dr. E. Michael Campbell, Dr. William Schneider and General James P. McCarthy. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Nominating Committee are independent within the requirements of the applicable NASDAQ listing standards. There was one meeting of the Nominating Committee held in 2012.
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND OVERSIGHT OF RISK
For the past several years, the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer have been separated. We have no fixed policy with respect to the separation of the offices of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and the Board of Directors believes that flexibility in appointing the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer allows the Board to make such determination at times and in a manner that it believes is in the best interest of our company and its shareholders. In November 2012, the Chairman of the Board retired and since then the remaining directors have acted as a Chairman in kind and will continue to do so until such time as a new Chairman of the Board of Directors is appointed.
Our company’s management is responsible for the day to day assessment and management of the risks we face, while our Board administers its risk oversight function directly and through the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer regularly report to our Board of Directors and the relevant Committee regarding identified or potential risks. The areas of material risk to our company include strategic, operational, financial, legal and regulatory risks. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews our company’s strategies and attendant risks, and provides advice and guidance with respect to strategies to manage these risks while attaining long- and short-term goals. Financial risks, including internal controls and liquidity risk, are the purview of our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s review is accompanied by regular reports from management and assessments from our company’s independent accountants. In assessing legal or regulatory risks, our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee are advised by management, counsel and experts, as appropriate. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks associated with executive and employee compensation and plans, to ensure that our company’s compensation programs remain consistent and do not encourage excessive risk-taking.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, Evans & Sutherland may engage in transactions which have the potential to create actual or perceived conflicts of interest between Evans & Sutherland and its directors and officers or their immediate family members. The Audit Committee charter requires that the Audit Committee review and approve any related party transaction or, in the alternative, that it notify and request action on the related party transaction by the full Board of Directors. While Evans & Sutherland has not adopted formal written procedures for reviewing such transactions, in deciding whether to approve a related party transaction, the Audit Committee may consider, among other things, the following factors:
· | information regarding the goods or services proposed to be provided, or being provided, by or to the related party; |
· | the nature of the transaction and the costs to be incurred by Evans & Sutherland; |
· | an analysis of the costs and benefits associated with the transaction, and a comparison of alternative goods or services available to Evans & Sutherland from unrelated parties; |
· | an analysis of the significance of the transaction to Evans & Sutherland; |
· | whether the transaction would be in the ordinary course of Evans & Sutherland’s business; |
· | whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length dealing with an unrelated third party; |
· | whether the transaction could result in an independent director no longer being considered independent under applicable rules; and |
· | any other matters the committee deems appropriate. |
After considering these and other relevant factors, the Audit Committee will either (1) approve or disapprove the related party transaction, or (2) notify and request action on the related party transaction by the full Board of Directors. The Audit Committee will not approve any related party transaction which is not on terms that it believes are fair and reasonable to Evans & Sutherland. Based on information provided by the directors and the executive officers, the Audit Committee has determined that there are no related person transactions to be reported in this Proxy Statement.
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PROPOSAL TWO
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Tanner LLC (“Tanner”), independent registered public accounting firm, has been selected by the Audit Committee as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the accounts and to report on the consolidated financial statements of Evans & Sutherland for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013, and the Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote for ratification of such selection. Shareholder ratification of the selection of Tanner as Evans & Sutherland’s independent auditors is not required by Evans & Sutherland’s Amended and Restated Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board of Directors is submitting the selection of Tanner for shareholder ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. Notwithstanding the selection, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a new independent auditor at any time during the year if the Audit Committee feels that such a change would be in the best interests of Evans & Sutherland and its shareholders.
Neither Tanner, nor any of its members has any financial interest, direct or indirect, in Evans & Sutherland, nor has Tanner, nor any of its members, ever been connected with Evans & Sutherland as promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, or employee. In the event the shareholders do not ratify such appointment, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection. Representatives of Tanner are expected to attend the meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
VOTE REQUIRED
The affirmative vote of a majority of the common shares present at the 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, in person or by proxy, is required for the ratification of the appointment of Tanner.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR”
THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF TANNER LLC AS
EVANS & SUTHERLAND’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2013.
PROPOSAL THREE
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We are asking our shareholders to cast an advisory vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to SEC compensation disclosure rules. This proposal, commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal, gives you, as a shareholder, the opportunity to vote on our executive compensation. As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding upon the Board or the Compensation Committee. However, our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program, values the opinions expressed by shareholders in their vote on this proposal and intends to consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.
We urge shareholders to carefully read the Executive Compensation Tables and related narrative disclosure below, which describes the executive compensation paid to our named executive officers. Our Board and our Compensation Committee believe that the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as described in this Proxy Statement, is effective in achieving our compensation objectives.
Therefore, we ask our shareholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company's named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion contained in this Proxy Statement, is hereby APPROVED.”
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VOTE REQUIRED
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as described herein.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS AN ADVISORY VOTE “FOR” APPROVING THE COMPENSATION PAID TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
PROPOSAL FOUR
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Proposal Four affords our shareholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on how often we should include a “Say-on-Pay” vote in our proxy materials for future annual shareholder meetings (or special shareholder meetings for which we must include executive compensation information in the proxy statement for that meeting). Under this proposal, our shareholders may vote to have the “Say-on-Pay” vote every year, every two years or every three years, or our shareholders may abstain from such vote.
We believe that submitting the “Say-on-Pay” vote on an annual basis is appropriate for the Company and its shareholders at this time because we believe that an annual “Say-on-Pay” vote will provide our shareholders an opportunity to provide more timely feedback regarding our executive compensation programs, which will enable the Company to more effectively implement modifications that the Compensation Committee determines to be appropriate. As an advisory vote, this proposal on the frequency of future “Say-on-Pay” votes is not binding on our Board or our Compensation Committee. However, we intend to consider the outcome of the vote when making future decisions about the frequency of holding future “Say-on-Pay” votes.
Therefore, we ask our shareholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the shareholders determine, on an advisory basis, that the frequency with which the Company should submit an advisory vote on the compensation of its named executive officers to the shareholders is 'ONE YEAR.'”
VOTE REQUIRED
The option of three years, two years or one year that receives the highest number of votes cast by shareholders will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by shareholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS AN ADVISORY VOTE OF “1 YEAR” ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows how much of Evans & Sutherland common stock was beneficially owned as of March 25, 2013 by (i) each person who is known by Evans & Sutherland to beneficially own more than 5% of Evans & Sutherland common stock, (ii) each of Evans & Sutherland’s directors, (iii) each of Evans & Sutherland’s Named Executive Officers (as defined in the Summary Compensation Table below) and (iv) all directors and executive officers of Evans & Sutherland as a group. Unless indicated otherwise, each holder’s address is c/o Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, 770 Komas Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.
Shares Beneficially Owned | |||
Number (1) | Percent (2) | ||
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS | |||
Peter R. Kellogg (3) | 2,985,578 | 26.9% | |
48 Wall Street, 30th Fl., New York, New York 10005 | |||
State of Wisconsin Investment Board (4) | 2,042,250 | 18.4% | |
P.O. Box 7842, Madison, Wisconsin 53707 | |||
Thomas R. Demas (5) | 1,103,226 | 9.9% | |
10412 Balmoral Circle, Charlotte, NC 28210 | |||
Royce & Associates, LLC (6) | 806,628 | 7.3% | |
745 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10151 | |||
Stuart Sternberg (7) | 695,498 | 6.3% | |
85 Bellevue Avenue, Rye, New York 10580 | |||
DIRECTORS | |||
David H. Bateman (8) | 315,317 | 2.8% | |
William Schneider (8) | 60,000 | * | |
James P. McCarthy (8) | 60,500 | * | |
E. Michael Campbell (8) | 20,000 | * | |
L. Tim Pierce | 0 | * | |
OTHER NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | |||
Paul L. Dailey (8) | 107,645 | * | |
Kirk Johnson (8) | 89,999 | * | |
All directors and executive officers as a group – 9 persons (14) | 826,325 | 6.9% | |
* Less than one percent
(1) | The number of shares beneficially owned by each person or group as of March 25, 2013 includes shares of common stock such person or group had the right to acquire on or within 60 days after that date, including, but not limited to, upon the exercise of options. To Evans & Sutherland’s knowledge, except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, the shareholder named in the table has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such shareholder’s name. |
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(2) | For each person and group included in the table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group as described above by the sum of the 11,089,199 shares of common stock outstanding on March 25, 2013 and the number of shares of common stock that such person or group had the right to acquire on or within 60 days of that date, including, but not limited to, upon the exercise of options. |
(3) | Peter R. Kellogg reported beneficial ownership of 2,985,578 shares through direct ownership of 1,423,618 shares and indirect ownership of 1,561,960 held by I.A.T. Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“IAT”), a Bermuda corporation of which Mr. Kellogg is the sole holder of voting stock, on a Form 13D/A filed with the SEC by Mr. Kellogg on September 21, 2012. In the Form 13D/A, Mr. Kellogg disclaimed beneficial ownership of the shares held by IAT. |
(4) | State of Wisconsin Investment Board has sole voting power and sole dispositive power as to 2,042,250 shares according to the Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 5, 2010. |
(5) | Thomas R. Demas reported beneficial ownership of 1,103,226 shares through direct ownership of 872,182 shares and indirect ownership of 231,044 by his spouse, Wilhelmina Demas, on a Form 3 filed with the SEC by Mr. Demas on August 25, 2011. |
(6) | Royce & Associates, LLC has sole voting power and sole dispositive power as to 806,628 shares according to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 11, 2012. |
(7) | Stuart Sternberg has sole voting power and sole dispositive power as to 695,498 shares according to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on May 31, 2007. |
(8) | The table includes the following shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days from March 25, 2013: David H. Bateman, 314,999; William Schneider, 60,000; James P. McCarthy, 60,000; E. Michael Campbell, 20,000; Paul L. Dailey, 99,999 and Kirk Johnson, 89,999; all executive officers and directors as a group, 807,495. |
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and each of its two other most highly compensated executive officers (the “Named Executive Officers”).
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Option Awards ($) (1) | All Other Compensation ($) (2) | Total ($) |
David H. Bateman, President & Chief Executive Officer | 2012 2011 | $284,322 $276,300 | $ 4,099 $15,986 | $6,896 $6,689 | $295,317 $298,975 |
Paul L. Dailey, Chief Financial Officer | 2012 2011 | $216,855 $210,700 | $ 4,099 $15,986 | $6,506 $6,321 | $227,460 $233,007 |
Kirk Johnson, Vice President, General Manager Digital Theater | 2012 2011 | $205,506 $202,200 | $ 4,099 $15,986 | $6,237 $6,066 | $221,465 $224,252 |
(1) | Represents the grant date fair value of stock option awards, as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options. For more information regarding the assumptions used in determining grant date fair value refer to Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements included in its 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
(2) | All Other Compensation includes 401(k) matching contributions of $6,896, $6,506 and $6,237 for Messrs. Bateman, Dailey and Johnson, respectively, in 2012 and $6,689, $6,321 and $6,066 for Messrs. Bateman, Dailey and Johnson, respectively, in 2011. |
See “Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control Arrangements” below for additional information regarding the Employment Contracts and Change-In-Control Agreements between the Company and the Named Executive Officers.
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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS
The following table includes certain information with respect to the value of all unexercised options previously awarded to the executive officers named at the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Option Awards | ||||
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date |
Exercisable | Unexercisable | |||
David H. Bateman, | 20,000 | $ 0.226 | 02/28/22 | |
President and | 6,666 | 13,334 | 0.880 | 03/03/21 |
Chief Executive Officer | 50,000 | 0.166 | 02/25/19 | |
100,000 | 1.188 | 02/22/18 | ||
100,000 | 3.300 | 02/28/17 | ||
10,000 | 6.072 | 06/26/16 | ||
15,000 | 6.580 | 02/15/16 | ||
10,000 | 7.238 | 02/24/15 | ||
10,000 | 5.830 | 09/17/14 | ||
5,000 | 6.010 | 03/04/13 | ||
Paul L. Dailey, | 20,000 | 0.226 | 02/28/22 | |
Chief Financial Officer | 6,666 | 13.334 | 0.880 | 03/03/21 |
30,000 | 0.166 | 02/25/19 | ||
10,000 | 1.188 | 02/22/18 | ||
10,000 | 3.300 | 02/28/17 | ||
5,000 | 5.214 | 08/21/16 | ||
25,000 | 6.908 | 04/28/16 | ||
Kirk Johnson, | 20,000 | 0.880 | 03/03/21 | |
Vice-President | 16,667 | 8,333 | 0.166 | 02/25/19 |
General Manager Digital Theater | 5,000 | 1.118 | 02/22/18 | |
5,000 | 3.300 | 02/28/17 | ||
20,000 | 6.580 | 02/15/16 | ||
7,500 | 7.238 | 02/24/15 | ||
7,500 | 4.300 | 02/26/14 | ||
7,500 | 6.010 | 03/04/13 |
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
Employee Arrangements
Evans & Sutherland believes that it is in its interest to secure the services of key executives and that it is appropriate to provide such executives with protection in the event their employment with Evans & Sutherland is terminated under certain circumstances. Therefore, Evans & Sutherland entered into employment agreements with Mr. Dailey on February 8, 2006, with Mr. Johnson on August 26, 2002 and with Mr. Bateman on September 22, 2000. The employment agreement with Mr. Bateman was later amended and the current employment agreement as amended is dated August 26, 2002. Pursuant to the agreement with Mr. Bateman, Mr. Bateman shall continue to serve in his position or other positions as may be assigned by the Board until the term of service is terminated or amended in accordance with his agreement. Pursuant to the agreements with Messrs. Dailey and Johnson, each of these individuals shall continue to serve in their respective positions or other positions as may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer until the terms of service are terminated or amended in accordance with their respective agreements. Further, Evans & Sutherland agreed to continue to pay Messrs. Bateman, Dailey and Johnson their annualized base salary subject to adjustment as provided in their respective agreements for the terms of their agreements. Such annualized base salary may be increased from time to time in accordance with the normal business practices of Evans & Sutherland. Evans & Sutherland also agreed that Messrs. Bateman, Dailey and Johnson shall be entitled to participate in Evans & Sutherland’s incentive program and other benefits normally provided to employees of Evans & Sutherland similarly situated, including being added as a named officer on Evans & Sutherland’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy.
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In the case of termination of employment for any of Messrs. Bateman, Dailey or Johnson as a result of death or disability, the terminated employee will be entitled to a termination payment equal to such individual’s then current calendar year base salary plus targeted cash bonus and to continuation of certain other benefits for a period of one year. If Messrs. Bateman, Dailey or Johnson terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in their respective agreements), or the employment of any such employee is terminated by Evans & Sutherland for any reason other than death, disability or cause (as defined in their respective agreements), any such terminated employee shall be entitled to a termination payment equal to such employee’s then current calendar year base salary plus targeted cash bonus and to continuation of certain other benefits for a period of one year.
Under the agreements, Messrs. Bateman, Dailey and Johnson are subject to customary noncompetition provisions during their employment and for 12 months following the termination of their employment, and to customary assignment of inventions provisions during their employment and to customary confidentiality provisions at all times during and after their employment.
Change-in-Control Agreements
Pursuant to change-in-control provisions included in the employment agreements entered into by Evans & Sutherland and Messrs. Bateman, Dailey and Johnson, if in conjunction with a change in control the employee terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in their respective agreements), or Evans & Sutherland terminates the employee’s employment for any reason other than death, disability, or cause (as defined in their respective agreements), the employee shall be entitled to a termination payment equal to one (1) times his then current calendar year base salary plus targeted bonus and to continuation of certain other benefits for a period of one year.
SUMMARY DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
The table below summarizes the compensation paid to directors by Evans & Sutherland for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Option Awards(1) ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||
Dr. E. Michael Campbell | $ | 20,000 | $ | - | $ | 20,000 | ||||||
General James P. McCarthy | 20,000 | - | 20,000 | |||||||||
Dr. William Schneider | 20,000 | - | 20,000 | |||||||||
L. Tim Pierce | 3,000 | 273 | 3,273 | |||||||||
David J. Coghlan(2) | 32,700 | - | 32,700 |
1. | Represents the grant date fair value of stock option award to Mr. Pierce, as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options. There were no other stock option awards granted to directors in 2012. At December 31, 2012, the aggregate number of option awards outstanding held by directors was as follows: Dr. Campbell 20,000; General McCarthy 60,000; Dr. Schneider 70,000; Mr. Pierce 10,000 and Mr. Coghlan 70,000. |
2. | Mr. Coghlan retired from the board of directors on November 15, 2012. |
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Mr. Coghlan received an $8,200 retainer for each quarter served as Chairman of the Board plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended. Mr. Coghlan retired from the Board on November 15, 2012 and received a prorated payment of the retainer for the fourth quarter of 2012. Each of our other non-employee directors received a $4,000 retainer for each quarter plus $1,000 for each Board meeting attended. Mr. Pierce became a director on November 15, 2012 and received a prorated payment of the retainer for the fourth quarter of 2012. There is no separate compensation for committee participation. Each non-employee director first appointed or elected to the Board after the date of adoption of the Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, receives, as of the date of such appointment or election, an option to purchase up to 10,000 shares of our common stock. Prior to 2011, on the first day of each fiscal year each non-employee director then serving as a director received an option to purchase up to 10,000 shares of our common stock; provided, however, that in no event was any non-employee director granted additional options if options previously granted to such non-employee director equaled or exceeded 100,000 shares of our common stock. There were no stock option awards granted to directors in 2012, other than an award to Mr. Pierce to purchase up to 10,000 shares made upon his appointed to the board on November 15, 2012. In January 2013, the Company resumed its practice to award each non-employee director serving as a director an option to purchase 10,000 shares on the first day of the fiscal year. The exercise price for options granted to non-employee directors was equal to 110% of the fair market value of our common stock as of the date of grant. The options have a term of ten years and become exercisable in three annual installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the grant. However, each option expires upon the Board member’s termination for cause or willful termination from the Board; expires 90 days after the Board member’s termination from the Board by Evans & Sutherland if not for cause; and becomes fully vested and exercisable until the expiration date of such option as a result of retirement from the Board.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SOLICITING MATERIAL AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED FILED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO ANY OTHER EVANS & SUTHERLAND FILING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT EVANS & SUTHERLAND SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATES THIS REPORT.
Management is responsible for Evans & Sutherland’s internal controls and financial reporting process. Evans & Sutherland’s independent registered accounting firm, Tanner LLC, is responsible for performing an independent audit of Evans & Sutherland’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and to issue a report thereon. The primary function of the Committee is to monitor and oversee these processes.
In connection with these responsibilities, the Committee met with management and the independent registered accounting firm, Tanner LLC, to review and discuss the December 31, 2012 consolidated financial statements. The Committee also discussed with Tanner LLC the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. The Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from Tanner LLC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Committee concerning independence, and the Committee discussed with Tanner LLC its independence. The Committee charter can be found on Evans & Sutherland’s website, www.es.com, under the Investor Relations, Corporate Governance section. The Committee reassesses the adequacy of its charter on a yearly basis.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax and other services performed by the independent auditor. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent auditor is engaged to perform it. The Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Committee authority to approve permitted services provided that the Chair reports any decisions to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All audit, audit-related, tax and other services were pre-approved by the Committee.
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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The fees paid to Tanner LLC, Evans & Sutherland’s current independent registered public accounting firms, relating to the 2012 and 2011 fiscal years were as follows:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Audit Fees (1) | $ | 159,000 | $ | 158,000 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees | - | - | ||||||
Tax Fees (2) | 41,000 | 36,000 | ||||||
All Other Fees | - | - | ||||||
Total | $ | 200,000 | $ | 194,000 |
(1) | Audit fees represent fees and expenses for professional services provided in connection with the audit of the Company’s financial statements found in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and reviews of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. |
(2) | Tax fees consisted primarily of fees and expenses for professional services related to tax compliance and tax consulting. |
The Committee determined that the services provided by and fees paid to Tanner were compatible with maintaining the independent registered accounting firm’s independence.
Based on the Committee’s discussions with management and the independent auditors, and the Committee’s review of the representations of management and the report of the independent auditors to the Committee, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that it include Evans & Sutherland’s audited consolidated financial statements in Evans & Sutherland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
L. Tim Pierce
E. Michael Campbell
William Schneider
James P. McCarthy
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires Evans & Sutherland’s directors, executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Evans & Sutherland’s equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of Evans & Sutherland. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish Evans & Sutherland with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely upon review of the copies of such reports furnished to Evans & Sutherland and written representations from certain reporting persons that no other reports were required, Evans & Sutherland believes that there was compliance for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to Evans & Sutherland’s officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If you wish to submit a proposal for the 2014 annual meeting, you must submit it to us by November 29, 2013, in order to be considered for inclusion in Evans & Sutherland’s proxy statement and related proxy materials for that meeting. Otherwise, if you intend to present a proposal at the 2014 annual meeting without including that proposal in Evans & Sutherland’s proxy materials, you must provide advance written notice of the proposal to Evans & Sutherland not later than February 7, 2014. Address all shareholder proposals to Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, 770 Komas Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, Attn: Corporate Secretary. We reserve the right to reject, rule out-of-order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with applicable requirements, including conditions established by the SEC.
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COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Evans & Sutherland’s shareholders may communicate in writing directly with the entire Board of Directors or with specific Board members. The Board, or its specific members, will give appropriate attention to written communications that are submitted by shareholders, and will respond as appropriate. In general, the Board, or a specific member, is more likely to give attention to communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy than to communications relating primarily to ordinary business affairs, personal grievances and matters as to which Evans & Sutherland tends to receive repetitive or duplicative communications. If you wish to communicate directly with the entire Board of Directors or a particular Board member, send your written communication addressed to: Board of Directors (or the particular Board member with whom you wish to communicate), Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, 770 Komas Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108. All communications will be forwarded to the appropriate member(s) of the Board.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be acted upon at the meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons voting the proxies will vote them in accordance with their best judgment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Evans & Sutherland has included with this proxy statement a copy of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Evans & Sutherland will provide without charge to each person solicited, upon oral or written request of any such person, an additional copy of Evans & Sutherland’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedules required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 13a-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Direct any such correspondence to the Corporate Secretary of Evans & Sutherland.
EVANS & SUTHERLAND COMPUTER CORPORATION
Paul L. Dailey
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
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