ALPHA & OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR LTD
10-Ks,20-Fs and 10-Qs
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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
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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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.
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(4) Date Filed:
Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda
NOTICE OF 2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT 9:00 A.M. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2014 TAIWAN LOCAL TIME
(AT 5:00 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2014 U.S. PACIFIC STANDARD TIME)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2014 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited, a Bermuda exempted limited liability company (“we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”), will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Taiwan local time (at 5:00 p.m. on November 10, 2014, U.S. Pacific Standard Time), at the Sheraton Hsinchu Hotel located at No. 265, Dong Sec 1, Guangming 6th Road, Zhubei, Hsinchu County, Taiwan, or any other adjournments or postponements thereof, for the following purposes:
1. To elect six (6) nominees to serve as directors on our Board of Directors until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;
2. To approve and ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, and to authorize our Board of Directors, acting through our Audit Committee, to determine the remuneration of such accounting firm, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015;
3. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement; and
4. To consider and act upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only holders of common shares of record at the close of business on September 26, 2014 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, in order to ensure that your shares will be voted in accordance with your wishes and that a quorum at the Annual Meeting may be achieved, please promptly complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope. The proxy card must be properly dated, signed and returned in order to be counted. You can also submit your proxy to vote your shares via the Internet by following the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card and the accompanying proxy statement.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Mike F. Chang
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dated October 6, 2014
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
For the Annual Meeting to be Held on November 11, 2014 Taiwan Local Time
(November 10, 2014 U.S. Pacific Standard Time):
The Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2014 are available at:
http://investor.aosmd.com/annuals.cfm
Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT 9:00AM ON NOVEMBER 11, 2014 TAIWAN LOCAL TIME (AT 5:00PM ON NOVEMBER 10, 2014 U.S. PACIFIC STANDARD TIME)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors
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Board of Directors and Committees of the Board
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Compensation of Non-Employee Directors
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Executive Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
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Executive Compensation
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Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management
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Related Party Transactions
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Report of the Audit Committee
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Proposal No. 2: Ratification of Appointment Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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Proposal No. 3: Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Named Executive Officers
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Principal Accounting Fees and Services
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Future Shareholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2015 Annual General Meeting
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
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Other Matters
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Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT 9:00AM ON NOVEMBER 11, 2014 TAIWAN LOCAL TIME
(AT 5:00PM ON NOVEMBER 10, 2014 U.S. PACIFIC STANDARD TIME)
INFORMATION REGARDING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
General
This proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”) has information about the 2014 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) and was prepared by our management for the Board of Directors of Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited, an exempted limited liability company organized under the laws of Bermuda. The Notices of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement are being mailed to our shareholders on or about October 10, 2014. Our Board of Directors supports each proposal for which your vote is solicited.
Our Board of Directors asks you to appoint Mike F. Chang, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Yifan Liang, our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, as your proxy holders to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. You make this appointment by properly completing the enclosed proxy as described below. If appointed by you, your shares represented by a properly completed proxy received by us will be voted at the Annual Meeting in the manner specified in the proxy card or, if no instructions are marked on the proxy, your shares will be voted as described below. Although management does not know of any other matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, unless contrary instructions are given, shares represented by valid proxies will be voted by the persons named on the accompanying proxy card in the manner the proxy holders deem appropriate for any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
We maintain our registered office in Bermuda at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. Our telephone number in the United States is (408) 830-9742. The mailing address of our business offices in the United States is 475 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94085.
Record Date and Shares Outstanding
The record date for the Annual Meeting has been set as the close of business on September 26, 2014. Only shareholders of record as of such date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. On the record date, there were 26,446,158 issued and outstanding common shares, par value $0.002 per share (“common shares” or “shares”). Each issued common share is entitled to one vote on the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting. Shares held as of the record date include common shares that are held directly in your name as the shareholder of record and those shares held for you as a beneficial owner through a broker, bank, trust or other nominee.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RELATING TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
Why did I receive these materials?
Only our shareholders as of the close of business on September 26, 2014, which we refer to as the “Record Date,” are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, which will be held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday on November 11, 2014 Taiwan local time (at 5:00 p.m. on November 10, 2014 U.S. Pacific Standard Time) at the Sheraton Hsinchu Hotel located at No. 265, Dong Sec 1, Guangming 6th Road, Zhubei, Hsinchu County, Taiwan. As a shareholder, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the items of business described in the Proxy Statement. We distribute the Proxy Statement and related materials to our shareholders of record on the Record Date.
The Proxy Statement provides notice of the Annual Meeting, describes the proposals presented for shareholder actions and includes information about the proposals, information concerning our management, corporate governance, principal shareholders and other relevant information. The accompanying proxy card also enables shareholders to vote on the matters without having to attend the Annual Meeting in person.
What is a proxy?
A proxy is your legal designation of another person to vote on your behalf. By completing and returning the enclosed proxy card, you are providing each of our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer with the authority to vote your shares in the manner you indicate on your proxy card.
What are the proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting and what vote is required to approve each proposal?
The Board of Directors is submitting the following three (3) proposals for shareholder actions at the Annual Meeting:
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Proposal 1
- the election of six (6) nominees to serve as directors on our Board of Directors until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors. “Plurality” means that the individuals who receive the highest number of votes are elected as directors, up to the number of directors to be chosen at the meeting. A properly executed proxy marked “withhold authority” with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
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Proposal 2
- the approval and ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as our independent registered public accounting firm, and the authorization for our Board of Directors to determine the remuneration of the accounting firm, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve this proposal. A properly executed proxy marked “abstain” with respect to Proposal 2 will not be voted, although it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Accordingly, an abstention will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
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Proposal 3
- the approval of an advisory and non-binding resolution regarding the compensation of our named executive officers as described in the Proxy Statement, or the “say-on-pay” vote. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve this proposal. However, Proposal 3 represents only an advisory vote of the shareholders and is not binding on the Board of Directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
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How are votes counted and how will a broker non-vote be treated and counted?
For Proposal 1 with respect to the election of directors, you may vote “FOR” all or some of the nominees or your vote may be “WITHHELD” with respect to one or more of the nominees. You may not cumulate your votes for the election of directors.
For Proposal 2 with respect to the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the votes.
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For Proposal 3 with respect to the compensation of our named executive officers, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the votes.
As the “street name” holder or beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, trust or other nominee on how to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. The broker, bank, trust or other nominee that is the shareholder of record for your shares is obligated to provide you with a voting instruction card for you to use for this purpose. If you hold your shares in a brokerage account but you fail to return your voting instruction card to your broker, your shares may constitute “broker non-votes.” Generally, broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. If you are a beneficial owner and your broker, bank, trust or other nominee holds your shares in its name, it is not permitted for the broker, bank, trust or other nominees to vote your shares on the election of directors (Proposal 1) and the “say-on-pay vote” (proposal 3). The broker, bank, trust or other nominees are permitted to vote for the approval and ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP (Proposal 2), therefore we do not expect any broker non-votes for Proposal 2. Broker non-votes are counted for purposes of establishing a quorum.
Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of and to participate and vote in the Annual Meeting. If you were a shareholder of record on the Record Date, you will be entitled to vote all of the shares that you held on that date at the Annual Meeting.
How many votes do I have?
You will be entitled to one vote for each outstanding share of our common shares you own as of the Record Date. As of the Record Date, there were 26,446,158 shares of our common shares outstanding and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between a “shareholder of record” and a “street name” holder or a beneficial owner?
These terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are registered directly in your name with Computershare, our transfer agent, you are considered a “shareholder of record.” As the shareholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to our management or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in a brokerage, bank, trust or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name.” As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, trust or nominee how to vote and are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
How can I vote my shares at the Annual Meeting?
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote by mailing a completing and mailing proxy card or via the Internet. Instructions for voting via the Internet are described in the proxy card attached to the Proxy Statement. To vote by mailing a proxy card, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed prepaid and addressed envelope and your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting in the manner you directed. You may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
If you are a beneficial owner, your broker, bank, trust or nominee should have provided voting instructions for you to use in directing them how to vote your shares. You may be eligible to vote your shares over the Internet rather than by mailing a completed voting instruction card provided by the broker, bank, trust or nominee. Please check the voting instructions card provided by your bank or brokerage house for instructions. You may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting. To do so, you must obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trust or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. Please contact that organization for instructions regarding obtaining a legal proxy.
Can I vote electronically through the Internet?
If you are a shareholder of record, you may vote electronically through the Internet at www.investorvote.com/aosl. The instructions are included in your proxy card.
If your shares are held in “street name,” please check your proxy card or contact your broker, bank, trust or other nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote electronically through the Internet and the deadline for such voting.
Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. If you are a shareholder of record and submitted your proxy through the mail or Internet, you may revoke your
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proxy before the vote is taken at the Annual Meeting by any of the following ways:
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granting a proxy through the Internet after the date of your original proxy and before the deadlines for voting included on your proxy card;
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submitting a later-dated proxy by mail before your earlier-dated proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting;
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giving written notice of the revocation of your proxy to our Corporate Secretary at the address shown above that is actually received by our Corporate Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting; and
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voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
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If you are a “street name” holder, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank, trust or other nominee or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank, trust or other nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. In either case, the powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if you attend the Annual Meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
How many shares must be present or represented to conduct business at the Annual Meeting?
The presence at the Annual Meeting of at least two shareholders, in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, representing not less than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Company's common shares outstanding on the Record Date, will constitute a quorum, permitting the conduct of business at the Annual Meeting.
Proxies received but marked as abstentions, votes withheld and broker non-votes (as described below) will be included in the calculation of the number of shares present at the Annual Meeting for quorum purposes.
Who can attend the Annual Meeting?
All shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 26, 2014 may attend the meeting. To attend the Annual Meeting, please follow these instructions:
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If you are a shareholder of record, bring proof of ownership of your shares and a form of identification; or
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If you are a “street name” holder, bring proof of ownership of your shares through your broker, bank, trust or nominee, and a form of identification. You must have obtained a “legal proxy” from your broker, bank, trust or nominee to vote at the Annual Meeting.
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What are the Board of Directors' recommendations?
Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the person named as proxy holder on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors recommends the following vote for proposals:
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Proposals
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Recommendation of the Board of Directors
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Election of Directors
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For all Nominees
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Approval and Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm and authorization for the board to determine its remuneration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015
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For
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Approval on an advisory basis of the compensation of our named executive officers
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For
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Will shareholders be asked to vote on any other matters?
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To the knowledge of the Company and its management, shareholders will vote only on the matters described in the Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies for shareholders will vote on those matters in the manner they consider appropriate.
What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of the Proxy Statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a shareholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the 2014 Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the website,
www.sec.gov
, within four business days after the Annual Meeting.
Who bears the costs of proxy solicitation?
The Company will bear the entire cost of this solicitation of proxies, including the preparation, assembly, printing, and mailing of this proxy statement, the proxy, and any additional solicitation materials that the Company may provide to shareholders. Copies of solicitation materials will be provided to brokerage firms, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in their names that are beneficially owned by others so that they may forward the solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. The Company will reimburse the brokerage firms, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares in their names for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending solicitation materials to its beneficial shareholders. The solicitation of proxies will be made by various methods, including by mail, electronic mail, telephone, facsimile, or personally by directors, officers and employees of the Company who will receive no extra compensation for such services.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's directors are elected annually to serve until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Upon recommendation from our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board of Directors has nominated each of the six director nominees named below for election to the board at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise directed by shareholders, the proxy holders will vote all shares represented by proxies held by them for the election of such nominees.
On January 25, 2014, Messrs. Howard M. Bailey and Thomas W. Steipp resigned their positions as members of our Board of Directors. On January 29, 2014 and upon recommendation from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Michael L. Pfeiffer to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and the chairman of the Audit Committee. For more information about the resignations and appointment, see the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2014.
Director Nominees
Information concerning the director nominees as of September 26, 2014 is set forth below:
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Name
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Position
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Mike F. Chang, Ph.D.
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
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Yueh-Se Ho, Ph.D.
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62
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Director and Chief Operating Officer
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Robert I. Chen (1)(2)(3)
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Director
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King Owyang, Ph.D. (2)(3)
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Director
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Michael L. Pfeiffer (1)
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Director
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Michael J. Salameh (1)(2)
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Director
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(1) Member of the Audit Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee
(3) Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Mike F. Chang, Ph.D.,
is the founder of our company and has served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since the incorporation of our company. Dr. Chang has extensive experience in both technology development and business operations in the power semiconductor industry. Prior to establishing our company, Dr. Chang served as the Executive Vice President at Siliconix Incorporated, a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology Inc., a global manufacturer and supplier of discrete and other power semiconductors, or Siliconix, from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Chang also held various management positions at Siliconix from 1987 to 1998. Earlier in his career, Dr. Chang focused on product research and development in various management positions at General Electric Company from 1974 to 1987. Dr. Chang received his B.S. in electrical engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, and M.S. and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri. Dr. Chang’s extensive technological expertise and business experiences in the power semiconductor industry and his knowledge of our day-to-day operations and long-term strategic initiatives provide our Board of Directors with valuable insights and in-depth understanding of our Company.
Yueh-Se Ho, Ph.D.,
is a co-founder of our company and has served as our Chief Operating Officer since January 2006 and our director since March 2006. Dr. Ho has held various operational management positions in our company since our inception, including the Vice President of Worldwide Operations from 2003 to 2006 and the Vice President of Back End Operations from 2000 to 2003. Prior to co-founding our company, Dr. Ho served as the Director of Packaging Development and Foundry Transfer at Siliconix from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Ho received his B.S. in chemistry from Tamkang University, Taiwan, and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Ho’s extensive operating experience in the power semiconductor industry and his scientific and technical expertise in various aspects of the design and development of power semiconductor solutions make Dr. Ho a valuable contributor to our Board of Directors.
Robert I. Chen
has been a director of our company since November 2013. Mr. Chen founded several technology companies, including RAE Systems, Inc., a provider of rapidly deployable connected, intelligent gas and radiation detection systems, where Mr. Chen served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer from its inception in 1991 until it was acquired by Honeywell, Inc. in June 2013. Prior to founding RAE Systems, Mr. Chen founded Applied Optoelectronic Technology, a manufacturer of computer-aided test systems. He served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at
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Applied Optoelectronic Technology from 1981 to 1991. In 1991, Applied Optoelectronic Technology was acquired by Hewlett Packard. Mr. Chen served as Division General Manager at Hewlett Packard from 1991 to 1993. Prior to founding Applied Optoelectronic Technology, Mr. Chen held various engineering and management positions at General Motors, General Electric, Tektronix and Fairchild Semiconductor. Mr. Chen received a B.S.E.E. from Taiwan National Cheng Kung University, an M.S.E.E. from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and an Advanced Engineering degree from Syracuse University. He also completed the Owner/President Management Program at the Harvard School of Business. Mr. Chen’s extensive experience and background in establishing and managing technology-based public companies, as well as his experience in leading strategic transactions by major technology companies, provide the Board with valuable insight and expertise.
King Owyang, Ph.D.,
has been a director of our company since April 2013. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Computime Group Limited, a Hong Kong listed company and a leading global provider of electronic control technologies. Prior to joining Computime, Dr. Owyang held various positions at Siliconix Inc., a U.S. semiconductor company, for over 21 years, including the President and Chief Executive Officer. He was instrumental in leading Siliconix to become a highly profitable company with industry leading products. Under his leadership and management, Siliconix established itself as the world leader in power switching and management products and its sales grew to a record level in 2008. Prior to joining Siliconix, Dr.Owyang held various technical and managerial positions at General Electric Company, where he was responsible for developing many enabling semiconductor technologies. Dr. Owyang is a recognized leader in the power semiconductor industry. He has published over 20 technical papers and has been awarded more than 25 patents. Dr. Owyang’s broad experience in the power semiconductor industry, including his background in leadership positions at major technology companies, as well as his knowledge in the technical and operational aspects of semiconductor companies, provide the Board with an in-depth understanding of our business and operations.
Michael L. Pfeiffer
has been a director of our company since January 2014. Mr. Pfeiffer currently serves on the board of directors of Razer, Inc., a computer peripherals company. From 2008 to 2013, Mr. Pfeiffer served as a member of the board of directors of BCD Semiconductor Manufacturing Limited, a company listed on NASDAQ until it was acquired in 2013. From 2009 to 2014, Mr. Pfeiffer served as a member of the board of directors of Integrated Memory Logic, Ltd., a semiconductor company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange until it was acquired in 2014. Mr. Pfeiffer is a certified public accountant in California and Oregon, and he has extensive experience in public accounting, having worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for over 30 years, including 18 years as an audit partner of high technology companies in the Silicon Valley. Mr. Pfeiffer received an MBA from the University of Oregon and a BA from Eckerd College in Florida. Mr. Pfeiffer’s extensive experience and expertise in the area of finance, accounting and auditing of publicly traded companies in the semiconductor industry, and his knowledge and background in working with companies with international operations, make him a valuable member of our Board, particularly in its role of exercising oversight and risk management of the Company’s financial reporting process.
Michael J. Salameh
has been a director of our company since November 2013. Mr. Salameh co-founded PLX Technology, Inc., a semiconductor company (PLXT), in May 1986 and served as its Chief Executive Officer until 2008. Mr. Salameh also served as a member of the Board of Directors of PLXT since its inception until it was acquired in August 2014. During his tenure at PLXT, Mr. Salameh personally participated in many of the key company functions including sales, marketing, engineering, accounting, and operations. From 1980 through 1986, Mr. Salameh was employed in various marketing management positions with Hewlett-Packard Company. Mr. Salameh currently performs management consulting for private technology companies. Mr. Salameh received a B.S. in Engineering and Applied Science from Yale University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Salameh’s chief executive and marketing experience in the semiconductor industry, and his knowledge of the semiconductor business landscape, including customers, markets, suppliers and competition, provide the Board with critical understanding of our business and operations.
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” each of the above mentioned nominees.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Board of Directors
Our bye-laws provide that our Board of Directors shall consist of not less than two directors. Our Board of Directors currently consists of six directors. Our Board of Directors is the decision-making body responsible for, among other things, determining policies and guidelines for our business. Our Board of Directors also supervises our executive officers and monitors their implementation of policies and guidelines established from time to time by our Board of Directors.
No shareholder has the contractual right to designate persons to be elected to our Board of Directors, and our bye-laws provide that directors be elected upon a resolution passed at a duly convened shareholders meeting, to hold office for such term as the shareholders may determine or until their successors are appointed or elected in accordance with our bye-laws. There is no minimum share ownership or age limit requirement for qualification to serve as a member of our Board of Directors.
We have determined that each of our directors, except for Dr. Mike F. Chang and Dr. Yueh-Se Ho, is an “independent director” under the current rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market.
Board Meetings and Committees; Annual Meeting Attendance
Our Board of Directors met a total of 17 times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, including regular scheduled meetings and special meetings called in connection with reviewing time-sensitive matters. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, each current director attended or participated in 100% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors during the period for which he has been a director and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which the director served during fiscal year 2014. Five Board members attended our 2013 annual general meeting of shareholders.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We have three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. We believe that the composition of these committees meets the criteria for independence, and the functioning of these committees complies with, the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, the current rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market and applicable SEC rules and regulations. The written charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available at the Investor Relations section of our website at
http://investor.aosmd.com/
. The contents of this website are not a part of the Proxy Statement.
Each committee has the composition and responsibilities described below:
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee currently consists of Michael L. Pfeiffer, Robert I. Chen and Michael J. Salameh. The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr. Pfeiffer. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Pfeiffer is an Audit Committee financial expert, as defined by the rules promulgated by the SEC. Our Audit Committee held seven meetings during fiscal year 2014. From July 1, 2013 to the 2013 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on November 11, 2013 (the “2013 Annual Meeting”), the Audit Committee consisted of Howard M. Bailey, who served as the chairman, Thomas W. Steipp and Richard W. Sevcik. Mr. Sevcik did not stand for reelection at the 2013 Annual Meeting, and Messrs. Bailey and Steipp resigned from the Board on January 25, 2014. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include:
|
•
|
assisting our Board of Directors in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, risk management and internal control over financial reporting;
|
|
•
|
retaining and setting compensation of our independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditors”), evaluating and monitoring its performance, and as appropriate, discharging our independent auditors;
|
|
•
|
reviewing and approving all audit and non-audit services of our independent auditors;
|
|
•
|
reviewing and discussing with management and our independent auditors our financial statements included in public filings;
|
8
|
•
|
discussing with our independent auditors significant financial reporting issues in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;
|
|
•
|
resolving any disagreements between management and our independent auditors regarding financial reporting;
|
|
•
|
overseeing our disclosure controls and procedures; and
|
|
•
|
reviewing and approving related party transactions.
|
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee currently consists of Michael J. Salameh, Robert I. Chen and Dr. King Owyang. Our Compensation Committee is currently chaired by Mr. Salameh. From July 1, 2013 to the 2013 Annual Meeting, our Compensation Committee consisted of Chung Te Chang, Dr. Owyang and Richard W. Sevcik. Messrs. Chang and Sevick did not stand for reelection at the 2013 Annual Meeting. Our Compensation Committee held two meetings during fiscal year 2014. The Compensation Committee's responsibilities include:
|
•
|
establishing compensation arrangements and incentive goals for executive officers;
|
|
•
|
evaluating the performance of executive officers and awarding incentive compensation and adjusting compensation arrangements as appropriate;
|
|
•
|
reviewing and recommending actions to the Board of Directors with respect to the compensation of all directors;
|
|
•
|
administering our incentive and equity-based plans and programs and otherwise exercising the authority of the Board with respect to such plans and programs; and
|
|
•
|
reviewing and approving and, when appropriate, recommending to the Board for approval, any employment agreements and any severance arrangements or plans, including any benefits to be provided in connection with a change in control, for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers.
|
The Compensation Committee is authorized to engage independent compensation consultants and other professionals to assist in the design, formulation, analysis and implementation of compensation programs for the Company’s executive officers and other key employees. In March 2014, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Compensia, Inc., a national compensation consulting firm ("Compensia") to provide advice and recommendations regarding the compensation of the Company’s executive officers and other senior officers. From October 2012 until March 2014, Compensia was retained by management to provide advice on the compensation for executive and other senior officers, including advice relating to compensation for fiscal year 2014. Compensia also provided analysis and recommendation to management on the compensation of our non-employee directors. Compensia did not perform any other services on behalf of management or the Company.
The Compensation Committee has determined that Compensia is independent and that Compensia's work did not raise any conflict of interest. The Compensation Committee made such determination primarily on the basis of the six factors for assessing independence and identifying potential conflicts of interest that are set forth in Rule 10C-1(b)(4) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Dr. King Owyang and Robert I. Chen. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is chaired by Dr. King Owyang. From July 1, 2013 to January 25, 2014, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisted of Dr. Owyang and Mr. Steipp. Following Mr. Steipp’s resignation on January 25, 2014, Mr. Chen was appointed to the committee to replace Mr. Steipp. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings during fiscal year 2014. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's responsibilities include:
|
•
|
recommending to the board of directors the composition and operations of the board;
|
|
•
|
identifying individuals qualified to serve as members of the board, and identifying and recommending that the board select the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders and fill vacancies on the board;
|
9
|
•
|
recommending to the board the responsibilities of each board committee, the composition and operation of each board committee and the director nominees for assignment to each board committee; and
|
|
•
|
review with the Board the Company’s management succession plans.
|
Leadership Structure of the Board
Our Board of Directors currently combines the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. We believe that combining these two positions provides the most effective and efficient leadership structure. Our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mike F. Chang, has extensive knowledge of the power semiconductor industry and an in-depth understanding of our strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations, which make him well suited to set the agenda and lead the discussions at board meetings. This structure also facilitates communications between the Board and management by ensuring a regular flow of information, thereby enhancing the Board's ability to make informed decisions on critical issues facing our company. In addition, combining the two positions allows us to establish a clear chain of command and speak in a single voice by reducing the potential for a divided leadership.
To ensure a strong independent Board of Directors, four (4) out of the total six (6) members of our Board are non-employee and independent directors. The Board of Directors holds executive sessions where only independent directors attend, and these executive sessions provide an effective method to perform oversight and advisory functions of the Board. In addition, our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees consist of solely independent directors. Given the composition of the Board with a strong slate of independent directors, the Board does not believe that it is necessary to formally designate a lead independent director at this time, although it may consider appointing a lead independent director if circumstances change. We believe that the board leadership described above is the best structure to lead us in the achievement of our goals and objectives and establishes an effective balance between management leadership and appropriate oversight by independent directors.
Oversight of Risk Management by the Board
One of the key functions of our Board of Directors is informed oversight of our risk management process. The Board administers this oversight function directly through the Board of Directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of the Board that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, our Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic and operational risk exposure, including risks associated with acquisition of significant assets, changes in business models, major corporate transactions and market conditions in the semiconductor industry. Our Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The Audit Committee also monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, in addition to oversight of the performance of our internal audit function. Our Compensation Committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines and is primarily responsible for assessing the risks associated with corporate governance practices, the independence of our directors, and management succession plans.
Nominations for Election of Directors
Director Qualifications
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of criteria to evaluate the qualifications and skills necessary to serve as members of our Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may assess character, judgment, business acumen, scientific expertise, familiarity with issues affecting the semiconductor industry and other backgrounds and attributes that are needed to help strengthen and balance the Board of Directors. Other qualifications will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee desires to fill a vacant seat or increase the size of the Board to add new directors. In addition, while the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not prescribe specific diversity standards, as a matter of practice, the Committee considers diversity in the context of the Board as a whole and takes into account the personal characteristics and experiences of current and prospective directors that reflect a broad range of perspectives in the Board's decision making process.
Identification and Evaluation of Nominees for Directors
10
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assesses the appropriate size of the Board of Directors, and whether any vacancies on the Board of Directors are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers various potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through current members of the Board of Directors, executive officers, professional search firms, shareholders or other persons. These candidates are evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and may be considered at any point during the year. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends the director nominees to our Board of Directors for approval for election at each annual general meeting of shareholders. Under our bye-Laws, any director appointed by our Board of Directors is subject to re-election by shareholders at our next annual general meeting of shareholders. The nominees for election at this annual general meeting were recommended and approved unanimously by members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board of Directors, respectively.
A shareholder seeking to recommend a prospective nominee for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's consideration should submit the candidate's name and qualifications to our Corporate Secretary at our business office in the United States at 475 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, California 94085. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider a properly submitted shareholder nomination that meets the requirements under our bye-laws and applicable U.S. federal securities laws. Our bye-laws require, among other things, an advance written notice of the nomination in writing of not less than sixty (60) nor more than one hundred and eighty (180) days from the date of the annual general meeting. This notice must also include certain information relating to the nominee and the nominating shareholders, as described in more detail below in “Future Shareholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2015 Annual General Meeting.”
Shareholder Communication with our Board of Directors
Although we do not have a formal policy regarding communications with the Board of Directors, shareholders may communicate with the Board of Directors, including the independent directors, by sending a letter to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited, Board of Directors, c/o Investor Relations, Alpha and Omega Semiconductor, Inc., 475 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. Shareholders may also direct their submission to a particular member of the Board of Directors.
Code of Ethics
Our Board of Directors has adopted the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to members of senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as all other employees of the Company. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is publicly available on our website at
http://investor.aosmd.com/governance.cfm
. In the event that we make any amendments to or grant any waivers of, a provision of the Code of Ethics that applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, or principal accounting officer that requires disclosure under applicable SEC rules, we intend to disclose such amendment or waiver and the reasons therefore, on our website at www.aosmd.com, in the Investors section.
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
Our non-employee director compensation policy as in effect at the beginning of fiscal year 2014 provided for the following cash and equity compensation:
Cash Retainer and Fees:
Each non-employee director serving as a member of our Board of Directors at the beginning of the Company's fiscal year was eligible to receive an annual retainer of $5,000 (prorated for a partial year of service). In addition, each non-employee director was eligible to receive the following fees for meetings attended: (i) $2,000 for each Board meeting attended in person, (ii) $1,000 for each Board meeting attended via teleconference and (iii) $1,000 for each meeting of a committee of the Board, whether attended in person or via teleconference.
Equity Grants:
Each individual elected by the Company's shareholders to serve as a non-employee director at the Company's Annual Shareholders Meeting and each individual who was to continue to serve as a non-employee director following such meeting whether or not that individual was standing for re-election at that meeting, was granted on the date of such meeting, an option to purchase 7,500 common shares pursuant to the Automatic Grant Program in effect under the 2009 Share Option/Share Issuance Plan (the “Plan”). The option will vest upon the earlier of (i) the individual's completion of one year of Board service following the grant date or (ii) the next subsequent Annual Shareholders Meeting. New non-employee director elected or appointed to the Board on a date other than at the Company's Annual Shareholders Meeting, were eligible
11
for a pro-rated amount of the annual option grant based on the period from the date of appointment or election to the date of the next Annual Shareholders Meeting.
In March, 2014, we amended our non-employee director compensation policy to align it more closely with that of comparable public companies and adequately compensate Board members for their services. The revised policy was based on an analysis and review of competitive data and a proposal provided by Compensia, Inc. and is in general effective with fiscal year 2015. In connection with this amendment, each non-employee director was granted an award of restricted stock units ('RSUs") covering 2,000 shares which will vest in full on the date of the 2014 Annual Shareholders Meeting. In addition, the cash retainer for the period from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014 was increased to the amount that would be payable under the revised policy effective with the 2015 fiscal year (as described below); no meeting attendance fees were paid for this period.
The non-employee director compensation policy effective with fiscal year 2015 is as follows:
Cash Retainer and Fees:
Each non-employee director serving as a member of the Board at the beginning of the Company's fiscal year will be eligible to receive an annual retainer of $40,000 (prorated for a partial year of service). In addition, each non-employee director serving as the chairperson of a committee of the Board will be eligible to receive an additional retainer as follows: Audit Committee - $25,000; Compensation Committee - $15,000; and Nominating and Governance Committee - $15,000. Each non-employee director serving as a member of a committee of the Board will be eligible to receive an additional retainer as follows: Audit Committee - $12,000; Compensation Committee - $7,500; and Nominating and Governance Committee - $5,000. Non-employee directors will not receive any additional compensation for attending regular Board or committee meetings. However, with respect to special meetings of the Board or a committee, the Board shall determine whether such meetings will be eligible for payment of special fees, and if so, each non-employee director will receive $2,000 for a meeting attended in person and $1,000 for a meeting attended via teleconference.
Equity Grants:
Each individual who is elected by the Company’s shareholders to serve as a non-employee director at the Company’s Annual Shareholders Meeting (starting with the 2014 Annual Shareholders Meeting) and each individual who is to continue to serve as a non-employee director following such meeting whether or not that individual is standing for re-election at that meeting, will be granted on the date of such meeting, an award of restricted stock units under the Automatic Grant Program of the Plan. The number of shares subject to each such annual award will be determined by dividing $42,000 by the Average Per Share Price, up to a maximum of 10,000 shares. The Average Per Share Price for an award means the average closing price per common share over the 90 day-period immediately prior to the date of grant of the award. The award will vest in four (4) equal quarterly installments upon the non-employee director’s completion of each quarter of Board service following the grant date; provided, however, that if the Company’s Annual Shareholders Meeting for the year following the year of grant occurs prior to the end of the one-year period measured from the grant date, the last quarterly installment will become vested upon the date of such subsequent Annual Shareholders Meeting, provided, the Non-Employee Director continues in Board service until such date. The award (to the extent outstanding) will vest in full (i) upon the non-employee director’s termination of Board service by reason of death or permanent disability (as defined in the Plan) and (ii) immediately prior to the consummation of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan). Shares that vest under a restricted stock unit award will be issued on the earlier of (i) the date of the Annual Shareholders Meeting that is coincident with or next following the applicable vesting date or (ii) the date of the non-employee director’s termination of Board service. Shares that vest upon a Change in Control will be issued as soon as practicable following the Change in Control.
Reimbursements:
All non-employee directors receive reimbursement from the Company for their reasonable expenses of travel (including airfare and ground transportation) to and from meetings of the Board, and reasonable lodging and meal expenses.
Director Compensation for Fiscal Year 2014
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of each individual who served as a non-employee member of our Board of Directors during fiscal year 2014.
12
|
Name
|
Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash ($)(1)
|
Stock Awards
($)(2)
|
Option Awards
($)(3)
|
All Other
Compensation ($)(4)
|
Total ($)
|
||||||
|
Robert I. Chen
|
35,250
|
15,260
|
28,005
|
—
|
78,515
|
||||||
|
King Owyang
|
45,750
|
15,260
|
28,005
|
—
|
89,015
|
||||||
|
Michael L. Pfeiffer
|
32,500
|
15,260
|
23,573
|
—
|
71,333
|
||||||
|
Michael J. Salameh
|
36,500
|
15,260
|
28,005
|
—
|
79,765
|
||||||
|
Howard Bailey (5)
|
14,500
|
—
|
28,005
|
—
|
42,505
|
||||||
|
Chung Te Chang (6)
|
9,500
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
9,500
|
||||||
|
Richard W. Sevcik (6)
|
13,500
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
13,500
|
||||||
|
Thomas Steipp (5)
|
14,500
|
—
|
28,005
|
2,500
|
45,005
|
||||||
|
(1)
|
The amounts represent (i) for the period from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013, the $2,500 annual retainer plus fees for attending Board and committee meetings during that period and (ii) for the period from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014, the $20,000 annual retainer plus the additional retainer for serving as chairpersons or members of committees during that period (pro rated for the period of service).
|
|
(2)
|
On March 24, 2014, each non-employee director was granted an award of restricted stock units covering 2,000 common shares. The dollar value shown represents the grant date fair value of the awards determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”), without taking into account any estimated forfeitures related to service vesting conditions. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014. Individuals who served as our non-employee directors during fiscal year 2014 held the following outstanding restricted stock units on June 30, 2014:
|
|
Name
|
Number of Shares Subject to RSUs
|
|
|
Robert I. Chen
|
2,000
|
|
|
King Owyang
|
2,000
|
|
|
Michael L. Pfeiffer
|
2,000
|
|
|
Michael J. Salameh
|
2,000
|
|
|
Howard Bailey
|
—
|
|
|
Chung Te Chang
|
—
|
|
|
Richard W. Sevcik
|
—
|
|
|
Thomas Steipp
|
—
|
|
|
(3)
|
Pursuant to the Automatic Grant Program in effect under the Plan, each non-employee director (other than Mr. Pfeiffer) was granted an option to acquire 7,500 common shares on November 11, 2013 with an exercise price per share equal to $7.56. Mr. Pfeiffer was granted an option to acquire 6,875 common shares on January 29, 2014 with an exercise per share equal to $7.21. The dollar value shown represents the grant date fair value of the options determined in accordance FASB ASC Topic 718, without taking into account any estimated forfeitures related to service vesting conditions. The valuation assumptions used in determining such amounts are described in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014. Individuals who served as our non-employee directors during fiscal year 2014 held the following outstanding options on June 30, 2014:
|
|
Name
|
Number of Shares Subject to Options
|
|
|
Robert I. Chen
|
7,500
|
|
|
King Owyang
|
12,500
|
|
|
Michael L. Pfeiffer
|
6,875
|
|
|
Michael J. Salameh
|
7,500
|
|
|
Howard Bailey
|
45,000
|
|
|
Chung Te Chang
|
37,500
|
|
|
Richard W. Sevcik
|
26,000
|
|
|
Thomas Steipp
|
45,000
|
|
|
(4)
|
Reflects reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with Mr. Steipp's professional director certification.
|
|
(5)
|
Messrs. Bailey and Steipp resigned as directors on January 25, 2014.
|
13
|
(6)
|
Messrs. Chang and Sevcik did not stand for reelection at the 2013 Annual Meeting on November 11, 2013.
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee for fiscal 2014 consisted of Chung Te Chang, Dr. King Owyang and Richard W. Sevcik for the period from July 1, 2013 to the date of the 2013 Annual Meeting and Michael J. Salameh, Robert I. Chen and Dr. King Owyang thereafter. None of the members of the Compensation Committee who served during fiscal 2014 is a current or former officer or employee of ours or our subsidiaries, or had any relationship with us not otherwise disclosed herein under applicable SEC rules. In addition, to our knowledge, there are no Compensation Committee interlocks between us and other entities, involving our executive officers or directors who serve as executive officers or directors of such other entities.
14
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following is a discussion and analysis of the compensation arrangements that were in effect for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 for the named executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table that follows. This discussion should be read together with that table and the other compensation tables and related disclosures that follow.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our philosophy is to provide our named executive officers with compensation that will motivate and retain them, provide them with meaningful incentives to achieve and exceed short-term and long-term corporate objectives set by our Compensation Committee, and align their long-term interests with those of our shareholders.
Based on this philosophy, the compensation programs for our named executive officers are designed to achieve the following primary objectives:
|
•
|
establish a compensation structure that is competitive enough to attract, retain and motivate outstanding executive talent;
|
|
•
|
ensure that any cash incentive compensation programs for our named executive officers are aligned with our corporate strategies and business objectives by tying the potential payouts under such programs to the achievement of key strategic, financial and operational goals; and
|
|
•
|
utilize long-term equity awards to align interests between our named executive officers and shareholders.
|
Impact of 2011 Say-on-Pay Vote
The most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive officer compensation required under the federal securities laws was held on November 18, 2011. Approximately 99.9% of the total votes cast on such proposal were in favor of the compensation of the named executive officers, as that compensation was disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the various compensation tables and narrative that appeared in the Company’s proxy statement dated October 18, 2011. Based on that high level of shareholder approval, the Compensation Committee decided not to make any material changes to the Company’s compensation philosophies, policies and practices for the 2014 fiscal year compensation of the named executive officers. Based on the voting preference of the Company’s shareholders, advisory votes on executive officer compensation will be conducted every three years; accordingly, the next advisory vote will be conducted in this 2014 Annual Meeting. The Compensation Committee will continue to take into account each such advisory vote and other relevant market developments affecting executive compensation in order to determine whether any subsequent changes to the Company’s executive compensation programs and policies would be warranted to reflect any shareholder concerns reflected in those advisory votes or to address market developments.
Compensation Decision-Making Process
The Compensation Committee meets on a regular schedule throughout the year to manage our compensation program. The Compensation Committee reviews the principle components of compensation for our executive officers on an annual basis, typically before the beginning of the fiscal year. As part of that review process, the Compensation Committee reviews and may adjust the base salaries of our named executive officers for the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee also establishes the cash bonus plan for that fiscal year and determines the cash bonuses payable to our named executive officers for the preceding fiscal year based on achievement of the pre-specified performance goals for that prior year. The Compensation Committee then meets again mid-year at which time the Compensation Committee may grant additional equity awards to our named executive officers to ensure their interests are aligned with shareholders and for retention. The Compensation Committee also reviews and may revise compensation decisions at this time.
In setting executive compensation, the Compensation Committee takes into account a number of factors, including the nature and scope of the named executive officer's responsibilities, his or her individual performance level and contribution to the achievement of our corporate objectives, the experience level of the executive, the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer for each individual's compensation package (other than his own) and the compensation trends in the industry.
15
In October 2012, the Company retained Compensia to (i) identify a peer group of companies, (ii) provide management with compensation data based on the peer group companies (for our chief executive officers and chief financial officer) and Radford 2012 survey data for companies with revenues in the range of $200 million to $500 million (for our other officers), and (iii) recommend adjustments to the compensation of our executive officers to reflect the market trend and practice. Management presented the results of Compensia’s study and recommendations to the Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee reviewed and considered such data but relied on its own judgment and experience in establishing and adjusting executive compensation for fiscal year 2014.
For a discussion of the specific responsibilities of our Compensation Committee, see "Board of Directors and Committees of the Board - Committees of the Board of Directors - Compensation Committee” above.
Role of Management.
Our Chief Executive Officer, with input from our Vice President of Human Resources, provides our Compensation Committee with his recommendations as to the base salary, cash bonus potential and long-term equity incentive award for each of our named executive officers other than himself based on that officer's level of responsibility, individual performance and contribution to the attainment of our strategic corporate objectives and market data. Our Compensation Committee takes the Chief Executive Officer's recommendations into consideration in setting named executive officer compensation, but retains complete discretionary authority to make all compensation-related decisions for our named executive officers. Our Compensation Committee makes its compensation decisions with respect to the Chief Executive Officer on the basis of relevant market data furnished by the Vice President of Human Resources and its subjective assessment of his individual performance and contributions to our overall corporate performance. Any decisions regarding our Chief Executive Officer's compensation are made without him present.
Compensation Structure
Elements of Compensation
We utilize three main components in structuring compensation programs for our named executive officers:
|
•
|
Base salary, which is the only fixed compensation element in our executive compensation program and is primarily used to recruit and retain executive talent and provide an element of economic security from year to year;
|
|
•
|
Performance-based cash bonuses that are primarily designed to reward achievement of financial and operational goals; and
|
|
•
|
Equity incentive awards designed to ensure long-term retention of our executive talent and align their interests with those of our shareholders.
|
We view each component of compensation as related but distinct. It is the practice of our Compensation Committee to allocate a substantial portion of each named executive officer's total compensation to performance and long-term incentive compensation as a result of the philosophy described above. There is no pre-established policy for the allocation of compensation between cash and non-cash components or between short-term and long-term components, and there are no pre-established ratios between the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and that of the other named executive officers. Instead, our Compensation Committee determines the compensation of each named executive officer based on its review of the market data provided by the Vice President of Human Resources, its subjective analysis of that individual's performance and contribution to our financial performance and the other factors identified in the Compensation Decision-Making Process section above to determine the appropriate level and balance of total compensation. We believe that this approach allows us to tailor compensation for each named executive officer to attract, retain and motivate that executive officer within the parameters of our compensation philosophy.
Base Salaries
Base salaries are set at levels that are intended to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all our named executive officers. Each named executive officer's base salary level is typically reviewed on an annual basis and adjustments may be made to the individual's base salary on the basis of his or her level of performance, the overall performance of the Company and the various compensation trends in our industry.
In June 2013, the Compensation Committee reviewed the base salaries of the named executive officers for fiscal 2014 and increased the base salaries of the Chief Executive Officer and the other named executive officers by 3% and an additional 7% for Mr. Grizelj in recognition of his significant efforts and contribution to the handling of certain significant projects.
16
The base salaries for the named executive officers effective July 1, 2013 as so adjusted were as follows:
|
Annual Base Salary
|
||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
$
|
403,142
|
|
|
|
Mary L. Dotz *
|
$
|
288,400
|
|
|
|
Yifan Liang
|
$
|
212,180
|
|
|
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
$
|
275,834
|
|
|
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
$
|
275,834
|
|
|
|
Tony Grizelj
|
$
|
237,930
|
|
|
* Ms. Dotz resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective November 11, 2013.
In October 2013, in order to reduce the monthly cash expenditures of the Company, the Compensation Committee approved a temporary 10% reduction in the base salary of each named executive officer effective for the period from October 17, 2013 until December 31, 2013; a similar reduction was effected for certain other employees. The base salaries were reinstated to their prior rates effective January 1, 2014. In addition, Mr. Grizelj’s base salary was increased to $254,616 effective January 1, 2014 in recognition of the additional duties and responsibilities he had taken on in his role as Vice President of Sales.
Performance-Based and Other Cash Bonuses
Our named executive officers are eligible to receive a bonus under our annual Executive Incentive Plan. Each year, our Compensation Committee establishes the performance objectives to be attained and the target bonuses payable based on the level of attainment of the specified goals. Historically, we have paid a portion of the bonus following the end of the first six months of each fiscal year based on achievement of performance goals for that period. The bonus payable based on a full fiscal year performance is then reduced by the amounts paid out for the first six-month period.
For fiscal year 2014 there were two performance goals weighted as follows: (1) revenue goal weighted 50% and (2) operating income goal weighted 50%. A minimum of 80% of the target goal had to be achieved for the payout under that goal. In addition, no bonus was payable under either performance goal if a minimum of 80% of the operating income target was not achieved. The actual bonus payable to an executive officer depended on the level of attainment of the performance goals with threshold amount payable upon attainment of 80% of the target goal and maximum amount payable upon attainment of at least 115% of the goal.
The threshold, target and maximum bonuses payable to each of our named executive officers for fiscal year 2014 based on level of attainment of the performance goals are as follows:
|
Threshold Bonus
|
Target Bonus
|
Maximum Bonus
|
||||
|
Named Executive Officer
|
% of Base Salary
|
% of Base Salary
|
% of Base Salary
|
|||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
40 %
|
100 %
|
200 %
|
|||
|
Mary L. Dotz *
|
20 %
|
60%
|
120%
|
|||
|
Yifan Liang
|
20 %
|
40 %
|
100 %
|
|||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
20 %
|
60%
|
120 %
|
|||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
20 %
|
60%
|
120 %
|
|||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
20 %
|
60%
|
120 %
|
|||
* Ms. Dotz resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective November 11, 2013.
The operating income target for the period July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 and fiscal year 2014 were not attained and accordingly no bonus was payable on the basis of the performance for fiscal year 2014.
O
n May 9, 2013, the Compensation Committee recommended and the independent members of the Board approved a special retention bonus for Ms. Dotz in the aggregate amount of $200,000 payable as follows: $100,000 payable on August 9, 2013, provided she continued her employment as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company through such date; the remaining
17
$100,000 payable in three (3) equal monthly installments upon her completion of each month of employment as the Chief Financial Officer over the subsequent three (3) months period from September 2013 to November 2013. The bonus was subject to earlier payment upon a termination of Ms. Dotz’s employment by the Company without cause prior to November 10, 2013. The Compensation Committee approved the special bonus after careful consideration of various factors, including the financial conditions of the Company at that time which was negatively impacted by the declining PC markets, and the critical role that the Chief Financial Officer would play over this time period in the Company’s strategy to mitigate this trend and to return the Company to sustained profitability and financial stability.
In connection with Mr. Liang’s appointment as Interim Chief Financial Officer on November 12, 2013, the independent members of the Board approved a cash bonus for Mr. Liang in the amount of $5,000 per month payable each month starting on November 2013 for so long as Mr. Liang remains as Interim Chief Financial Officer (pro-rated for any partial month of service).
Equity Compensation Plans
Our equity award program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our named executive officers and providing an inducement for long-term retention. Equity compensation represents a significant component of the total compensation package we provide to each of our named executive officers. We believe this weighting is appropriate because it aligns the interests of our named executive officers with those of our shareholders and focuses their attention on the creation of shareholder value in the form of stock price appreciation. Historically, the equity awards to our named executive officers have been in the form of stock options. However, in April 2012, the Compensation Committee added restricted stock units as part of the Company’s long-term incentive program for named executive officers. The Company believes that restricted stock units are a valuable addition to its long-term incentive program for several reasons, including ongoing concerns over the dilutive effect of option grants on the Company’s outstanding shares, the Company’s desire to have a more direct correlation between the compensation expense it must record for financial accounting purposes and the actual value delivered to executive officers, and the fact that the incentive and retention value of a restricted stock unit award is less affected by market volatility than stock options. We believe that the equity-based compensation provides our named executive officers with a direct interest in our long-term performance and creates an ownership culture that establishes a mutuality of interests between our named executive officers and our shareholders.
Equity awards granted to our named executive officers are approved by our Compensation Committee. Historically, the stock options vested over a five-year period of service. In order to be competitive with market practice, the shares subject to our stock options granted to newly-hired executive officers now typically vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the shares to vest upon completion of one year of service measured from the grant date, and the balance to vest in 36 successive equal monthly installments upon completion of each additional month of service thereafter. Annual stock option grants for our named executive officers typically vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the shares to vest upon completion of one year of service measured from the grant date, and the balance to vest in 36 successive equal monthly installments upon completion of each additional month of service thereafter. The shares subject to the restricted stock units granted to our named executive officers will vest over a four-year period measured from the grant date, with 25% vesting annually upon completion of each year of service during such period.
We typically make an initial stock option grant to a new named executive officer in connection with his or her commencement of employment. Additionally, our Compensation Committee reviews our equity compensation program periodically and may, at its discretion, grant additional equity awards to existing named executive officers consistent with our named executive officer compensation objectives. In determining the size of those additional grants, our Compensation Committee typically takes into account the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer and its own subjective assessment of the named executive officer’s performance and the retention value of his or her existing equity awards.
All stock options to our employees, including executive officers, and to our directors are granted at the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of grant.
Fiscal Year 2014 Grants
: On February 19, 2014, the Compensation Committee authorized, effective as of March 17, 2014, the grant of stock options and restricted stock units to each of our named executive officers for the number of our common shares indicated below. Each option has an exercise price of $7.44 per share, the fair market value per our common share on the effective grant date, and a maximum term of 10 years measured from the grant date, subject to earlier termination following the individual's cessation of employment with us. Each option vests over a four-year period, with 25% of the shares to vest upon completion of one year of service measured from March 15, 2014, and the balance to vest in 36 successive equal monthly installments upon completion of each additional month of service thereafter. Each restricted stock unit entitles the holder to receive one common share following vesting. Each award will vest 25% annually upon completion of each year of
18
service measured from March 15, 2014 over a four-year period.
|
Named Executive Officer
|
Option Grant
(Shares)
|
Restricted Stock Unit
(Shares)
|
||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
180,000
|
|
15,000
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mary L. Dotz *
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||
|
Yifan Liang
|
70,000
|
|
7,000
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
80,000
|
|
9,000
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
80,000
|
|
9,000
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
50,000
|
|
4,500
|
|
||
* Ms. Dotz resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective November 11, 2013.
For more information concerning the stock options and restricted stock unit awards we granted to our named executive officers in 2014, please see “Grants of Plan-Based Awards 2014” below.
A subcommittee comprised of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer is authorized to grant stock options and restricted stock unit awards to newly-hired employees, other than executive officers, within prescribed limits specified by position and location of the employee pursuant to authority delegated to the subcommittee by the Board of Directors. These grants are generally made on the 15th day of each month.
Severance and Change in Control Benefits
We have entered into an employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer which sets forth certain terms and conditions governing his period of continued employment with us including certain benefits to which he would become entitled were his employment to be terminated involuntarily. In addition, we have entered into retention agreements with each of our named executive officers pursuant to which such officers are entitled to certain severance benefits upon an involuntary termination of employment. The employment agreement and retention agreements are summarized below in the section of this proxy entitled “Agreements Regarding Employment, Change in Control and Termination of Employment”.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Dr. Chang's severance will depend upon whether the involuntary termination occurs in connection with a change in control. If his employment is terminated by the Company (without cause) or he resigns for good reason within 12 months following a change in control, Dr. Chang will be entitled to (i) continued payment of base salary and health care coverage for a period of 24 months and (ii) full vesting acceleration of his outstanding equity awards. In the case of such involuntary termination other than during the 12 months following a change in control, he will be entitled to continued payment of base salary and health care coverage for a period of 12 months and no accelerated vesting of his outstanding unvested equity awards.
Under the retention agreements, the named executive officer's severance will depend upon whether the involuntary termination occurs in connection with a change in control. If such officer's employment is terminated by the Company (without cause) or he resigns for good reason within 12 months following a change in control, he will be entitled to (i) continued payment of base salary and health care coverage for a period of 6 months and (ii) vesting acceleration of his outstanding equity awards with respect to that number of shares in which he would have vested had he remained employed for an additional 12 months. In the case of such involuntary termination other than during the 12 months following a change in control, he will be entitled to continued payment of base salary and health care coverage for a period of 6 months and no accelerated vesting of his outstanding unvested equity awards.
The severance benefits that we have provided in connection with a change in control situation are designed to serve two primary purposes: (i) encourage our named executive officers to remain our employee in the event of an actual or potential change in control transaction and (ii) align the interests of the named executive officers with those of the shareholders by enabling the named executive officers to consider acquisition transactions that are in the best interests of the shareholders and provide opportunities for the creation of substantial shareholder value without undue concern over whether those transactions may jeopardize their employment or their existing compensation arrangements. Our Compensation Committee also believes that the severance benefits payable on an involuntary termination in the absence of a change in ownership serve as an important recruitment and retention tool that allows us to remain competitive in attracting and retaining executive talent.
19
Pursuant to the terms of our equity plans, outstanding options and restricted stock units awards held by our named executive officers and our other employees will accelerate upon a change in control unless those options or awards are assumed or otherwise replaced by the acquiring entity. The Compensation Committee believes that accelerated vesting under such a limited circumstance is appropriate because it protects a significant component of the named executive officer's total compensation in the event those options and awards would otherwise terminate in the acquisition and allows our named executive officers to remain focused on the Company's business without undue concern over this significant component of their compensation package should the Company become an acquisition target in a transaction in which the outstanding equity awards would not be assumed or replaced.
Our severance and change of control provisions for the named executive officers are discussed in more detail in "Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment" below.
Benefits and Other Compensation
We maintain broad-based employee benefit plans, which are provided to all eligible employees, including our named executive officers. These plans provide group medical and dental coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts and a 401(k) savings program for our employees based in the United States. We also offer bonuses for patented inventions, authoring technical articles and making technical presentations at major symposiums; our named executive officers are eligible to receive bonuses under these programs on the same basis as our other employees.
We believe these benefits are consistent with the benefits offered by companies with which we compete for employees and are necessary to attract and retain qualified employees.
Perquisites
We believe that cash and equity compensation are the key components needed to attract and retain our executive management. As a result, we do not provide any substantial perquisites to our named executive officers.
Risk Assessment
The Compensation Committee believes the various components of the total compensation package of our named executive officers, as discussed above, are appropriately balanced so as to avoid any excessive risk taking by such individuals. First, long-term equity awards tied to the market price of our common shares represent a significant component of executive officer compensation and promote a commonality of interest between the executive officers and our shareholders in increasing shareholder value. In addition, a portion of the equity component is in the form of restricted stock units. The use of such restricted stock units mitigates the potential risk that stock options pose in encouraging risk taking in the short term. Restricted stock units provide varying levels of compensation as the market price of the Company’s common shares fluctuates over time and are less likely to contribute to excessive risk taking. Furthermore, equity awards generally will vest over a period of years, and that vesting element encourages the award recipients to focus on sustaining our long-term performance.
Secondly, under the annual executive incentive bonus program, an individual target bonus amount is established for each named executive officer at each level of potential goal attainment. Accordingly, at all levels of performance goal attainment, there are limits in place for the potential bonus payout. In addition, a maximum bonus amount is established for each participant such that no participant may earn more than a fixed percentage of his base salary, which for fiscal year 2014 ranged from 100% to 200%, depending on the participant.
Accordingly, our overall compensation structure is not overly-weighted toward short-term incentives, and the Compensation Committee has taken what it believes are reasonable steps to protect against the potential of disproportionately large short-term incentives that might encourage excessive risk taking.
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid by a publicly held company to certain named executive officers. Compensation that qualifies as performance-based for purposes of Section 162(m) is not subject to such deduction limitation, provided certain specified requirements are met. In addition, “grandfather” provisions may apply to certain compensation arrangements that were entered into by a company before it was publicly held and certain compensation arrangements and awards that are made during a
20
specified period following the date the company becomes publicly held
.
Non-performance-based compensation paid to our executive officers for fiscal 2014 did not exceed the $1 million limit per covered officer. The restricted stock units awarded to our named executive officer in fiscal 2014 will not qualify as performance-based compensation. In addition, the bonuses provided to our named executive officers under the annual cash incentive program will not qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m). However, we believe that in establishing the cash and equity incentive compensation programs for our executive officers, the potential deductibility of the compensation payable under those programs should be only one of a number of relevant factors taken into consideration, and not the sole governing factor. Accordingly, our Compensation Committee may provide one or more named executive officers with the opportunity to earn incentive compensation, whether through cash incentive programs or equity incentive programs, which may be in excess of the amount deductible by reason of Section 162(m) or other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides information regarding the compensation paid during our fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 to our principal executive officer, the two individuals who served as our principal financial officers and our three other executive officers with aggregate compensation in excess of $100,000. We refer to these individuals as our named executive officers.
|
Name and Principal Position
|
Fiscal Year
|
Salary ($)
|
Bonus ($)
|
Stock Awards ($) (1)
|
Option Awards ($) (1)
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)
|
All Other Compensation ($) (2)
|
Total ($)
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
2014
|
393,529
|
|
—
|
|
111,600
|
|
693,720
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
1,198,849
|
|
||||||||
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
|
2013
|
383,873
|
|
—
|
|
105,904
|
|
246,455
|
|
—
|
|
658
|
|
736,890
|
|
||||||||
|
2012
|
358,138
|
|
60,000
|
|
124,077
|
|
288,381
|
|
—
|
|
188
|
|
830,784
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Mary L. Dotz (3) (5)
|
2014
|
106,442
|
|
200,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
306,442
|
|
||||||||
|
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
|
2013
|
266,000
|
|
23,333
|
|
38,304
|
|
89,143
|
|
—
|
|
471
|
|
417,251
|
|
||||||||
|
2012
|
87,232
|
|
56,000
|
|
44,877
|
|
766,043
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
954,152
|
|
|||||||||
|
Yifan Liang (3) (4)
|
2014
|
199,957
|
|
35,667
|
|
52,080
|
|
269,780
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
557,484
|
|
||||||||
|
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
|
2013
|
202,039
|
|
11,885
|
|
12,396
|
|
28,841
|
|
—
|
|
471
|
|
255,632
|
|
||||||||
|
2012
|
192,244
|
|
20,000
|
|
14,523
|
|
33,747
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
260,514
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
2014
|
269,256
|
|
—
|
|
66,960
|
|
308,320
|
|
—
|
|
4,396
|
|
648,932
|
|
||||||||
|
Director and Chief Operating Officer
|
2013
|
262,650
|
|
22,317
|
|
38,304
|
|
89,143
|
|
—
|
|
7,039
|
|
412,414
|
|
||||||||
|
2012
|
249,917
|
|
40,000
|
|
44,877
|
|
104,308
|
|
—
|
|
4,786
|
|
443,888
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
2014
|
259,645
|
|
—
|
|
66,960
|
|
308,320
|
|
—
|
|
8,395
|
|
643,320
|
|
||||||||
|
Chief Technology Officer
|
2013
|
262,650
|
|
22,317
|
|
38,304
|
|
89,143
|
|
—
|
|
9,744
|
|
422,158
|
|
||||||||
|
2012
|
249,917
|
|
40,000
|
|
44,877
|
|
104,308
|
|
—
|
|
4,151
|
|
443,253
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
2014
|
243,428
|
|
—
|
|
33,480
|
|
192,700
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
469,608
|
|
||||||||
|
Vice President of Sales
|
2013
|
212,140
|
|
12,479
|
|
19,714
|
|
45,883
|
|
—
|
|
471
|
|
290,687
|
|
||||||||
|
2012
|
201,856
|
|
20,000
|
|
23,097
|
|
53,688
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
298,641
|
|
|||||||||
21
|
(1
|
)
|
The amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive officer. Instead the dollar value shown represents the grant date fair value of the award determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 without taking into account any estimated forfeitures related to service vesting conditions. For assumptions used in determining such grant date fair value, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|||
|
(2
|
)
|
Represents bonuses paid under our inventions and publication bonus program, and other de minimus compensation.
|
|
|
|
|||
|
(3
|
)
|
Ms. Dotz resigned her position as Chief Financial Officer effective as of November 11, 2013. Yifan Liang, our Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Corporate Secretary, was appointed to serve as the Interim Chief Financial Officer, also effective as of November 11, 2013. On August 14, 2014, the Board promoted Mr. Liang to serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company.
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Represents the bonus of $5,000 per month approved by the Board in connection with Mr. Liang’s appointment as the Interim Chief Financial Officer.
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
Represents the special retention bonus approved by the Board in May 2013.
|
|
22
Grants of Plan-Based Awards 2014
The following table sets forth information regarding grants of compensation in the form of plan-based awards made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 to our named executive officers:
|
Potential Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
|
All Other
RSUs
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Awards (#)(2)
|
All Other
Option
Awards
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)(3)
|
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Share)(4)
|
Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Options and
RSUs ($)(5)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
Minimum ($)
|
Target ($)
|
Maximum ($)
|
Grant Date
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
161,257
|
|
403,142
|
|
806,284
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
—
|
|
180,000
|
|
7.44
|
|
693,720
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
111,600
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Mary L. Dotz (6)
|
56,000
|
|
168,000
|
|
336,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||||||||
|
3/17/2014
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
3/17/2014
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Yifan Liang
|
42,436
|
|
84,872
|
|
212,180
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
—
|
|
70,000
|
|
7.44
|
|
269,780
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
52,080
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
55,167
|
|
165,500
|
|
331,000
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
—
|
|
80,000
|
|
7.44
|
|
308,320
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
66,960
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
55,167
|
|
165,500
|
|
331,000
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
0
|
|
80,000
|
|
7.44
|
|
308,320
|
|
|||||||
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
66,960
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
50,923
|
|
152,770
|
|
305,539
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
0
|
|
50,000
|
|
7.44
|
|
192,700
|
|
||||||||
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3/17/2014
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
33,480
|
|
||||||||
23
|
(1
|
)
|
Represents the performance-based awards for the fiscal year 2014 under our annual executive incentive plan. The material terms of the awards are discussed in the section of this proxy statement entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Compensation Structure - Elements of Compensation -Performance-Based Cash Bonuses.” The specified performance goals were not attained and accordingly no bonuses were paid under these awards. However, discretionary bonuses were paid to Ms. Dotz and Mr. Liang which are reported in the “Bonus” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
|
|||
|
(2
|
)
|
Each restricted stock unit was granted under our 2009 Share Option/Share Issuance Plan. The units vest annually over a four-year period of service measured from March 15, 2014. Such units are also subject to accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control of our company as further described in “Agreements Regarding Employment, Change in Control and Termination of Employment.”
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
Each stock option was granted under our 2009 Share Option/Share Issuance Plan. Each option vests over a four-year period, with 25% of the shares to vest upon completion of one year of service measured from March 15, 2014, and the balance to vest in 36 successive equal monthly installments upon completion of each additional month of service thereafter. Such options are also subject to accelerated vesting in the event of a change in control of our Company as further described in “Agreements Regarding Employment, Change in Control and Termination of Employment.”
|
|
|
|
|||
|
(4
|
)
|
The exercise price is set at the fair market value per common share on the grant date.
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
Reflects the grant-date fair value of the options and restricted stock unit awards as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 without taking into account any estimated forfeitures related to service vesting conditions. For assumptions used in determining such grant date fair value, see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, as filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 29, 2014.
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
Ms. Dotz resigned her position as Chief Financial Officer effective as of November 11, 2013.
|
|
24
Outstanding Equity Awards at June 30, 2014
The following table sets forth information regarding equity awards held by the named executive officers as of June 30, 2014, the close of our 2014 fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable (1)
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#) Unexercisable
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
Number of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
|
Market Value of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
|
|||||||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
104,166
|
|
20,834
|
|
18.00
|
|
4/27/2020
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
61,100
|
|
32,900
|
|
12.68
|
|
3/6/2021
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
30,550
|
|
25,850
|
|
(2)
|
9.90
|
|
4/25/2022
|
|
5,745
|
|
(4)
|
53,256
|
|
|||||
|
|
18,800
|
|
37,600
|
|
(3)
|
8.45
|
|
2/13/2023
|
|
9,400
|
|
(5)
|
87,138
|
|
|||||
|
—
|
|
180,000
|
|
(3)
|
7.44
|
|
3/16/2024
|
|
15,000
|
|
(6)
|
139,050
|
|
||||||
|
Total
|
214,616
|
|
297,184
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
30,145
|
|
279,444
|
|
|||||||
|
Mary L. Dotz
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
Total
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
Yifan Liang
|
10,000
|
|
—
|
|
6.40
|
|
1/30/2016
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
10,000
|
|
—
|
|
8.60
|
|
10/26/2016
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
20,000
|
|
—
|
|
13.00
|
|
2/6/2018
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
12,499
|
|
2,501
|
|
18.00
|
|
4/27/2020
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
7,150
|
|
3,850
|
|
12.68
|
|
3/6/2021
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
3,575
|
|
3,025
|
|
(2)
|
9.90
|
|
4/25/2022
|
|
673
|
|
(4)
|
6,239
|
|
||||||
|
2,200
|
|
4,400
|
|
(3)
|
8.45
|
|
2/13/2013
|
|
1,101
|
|
(5)
|
10,206
|
|
||||||
|
—
|
|
70,000
|
|
(3)
|
7.44
|
|
3/16/2024
|
|
7,000
|
|
(6)
|
64,890
|
|
||||||
|
Total
|
65,424
|
|
83,776
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
8,774
|
|
81,335
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Yueh-So Ho
|
75,000
|
|
—
|
|
11.00
|
|
7/12/2017
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
41,665
|
|
8,335
|
|
18.00
|
|
4/27/2020
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||||||||
|
22,100
|
|
11,900
|
|
12.68
|
|
3/6/2021
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||||||||
|
11,050
|
|
9,350
|
|
(2)
|
9.90
|
|
4/25/2022
|
|
2,078
|
|
(4)
|
19,263
|
|
||||||
|
6,800
|
|
13,600
|
|
(3)
|
8.45
|
|
2/13/2023
|
|
3,400
|
|
(5)
|
31,518
|
|
||||||
|
—
|
|
80,000
|
|
(3)
|
7.44
|
|
3/16/2024
|
|
9,000
|
|
(6)
|
83,430
|
|
||||||
|
Total
|
156,615
|
|
123,185
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
14,478
|
|
134,211
|
|
|||||||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
48,333
|
|
1,667
|
|
8.40
|
|
8/12/2019
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
13,750
|
|
1,250
|
|
10.50
|
|
11/11/2019
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
40,000
|
|
—
|
|
13.00
|
|
2/6/2018
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
41,666
|
|
8,334
|
|
18.00
|
|
4/27/2020
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
98,768
|
|
—
|
|
7.60
|
|
5/4/2019
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
22,100
|
|
11,900
|
|
12.68
|
|
3/6/2021
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
||||||||
|
11,050
|
|
9,350
|
|
(2)
|
9.90
|
|
4/25/2022
|
|
2,078
|
|
(4)
|
19,263
|
|
||||||
|
6,800
|
|
13,600
|
|
(3)
|
8.45
|
|
2/13/2023
|
|
3,400
|
|
(5)
|
31,518
|
|
||||||
|
—
|
|
80,000
|
|
(3)
|
7.44
|
|
3/16/2024
|
|
9,000
|
|
(6)
|
83,430
|
|
||||||
|
Total
|
282,467
|
|
126,101
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
14,478
|
|
134,211
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
45,000
|
|
—
|
|
2.00
|
|
4/14/2015
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
25,000
|
|
—
|
|
13.00
|
|
2/6/2018
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
20,833
|
|
4,167
|
|
18.00
|
|
4/27/2020
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
|
11,375
|
|
6,125
|
|
12.68
|
|
3/6/2021
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||||||
|
5,687
|
|
4,813
|
|
(2)
|
9.90
|
|
4/25/2022
|
|
1,070
|
|
(4)
|
9,919
|
|
||||||
|
3,500
|
|
7,000
|
|
(3)
|
8.45
|
|
2/13/2023
|
|
1,750
|
|
(5)
|
16,223
|
|
||||||
|
—
|
|
50,000
|
|
(3)
|
7.44
|
|
3/16/2024
|
|
4,500
|
|
(6)
|
41,715
|
|
||||||
|
Total
|
111,395
|
|
72,105
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
7,320
|
|
67,857
|
|
|||||||
25
|
(1
|
)
|
Each stock option was granted pursuant to one of our stock option/stock issuance plans for employees and other service providers. Unless described otherwise in the footnotes below, each option becomes exercisable over a five-year period, with 20% of the shares to become exercisable upon completion of one year of service measured from the vesting commencement date and the balance to become exercisable in 48 successive equal monthly installments upon the completion of each additional month of service thereafter.
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
This option becomes exercisable over forty-eight (48) successive equal monthly installments upon the optionee’s completion of each month of service measured from the vesting commencement date.
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
This option becomes exercisable over a four-year period, with 25% of the shares to become exercisable upon completion of one year of service measured from the vesting commencement date and the balance to become exercisable in 36 successive equal monthly installments upon the completion of each additional month of service thereafter.
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
This restricted stock unit award vests in a series of forty-eight (48) successive equal monthly installments upon the individual’s completion of each month of service measured from the award date on April 26, 2012. Shares that vest during a calendar quarter will be issued on the last day of such quarter.
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
This restricted stock unit award vests in a series of four (4) successive equal annual installments upon the individual’s completion of each year of service measured from the award date on February 14, 2013.
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
This restricted stock unit award was granted on March 17, 2014 and vests in a series of four (4) successive equal annual installments upon the individual's completion of each year of service measured from March 15, 2014.
|
|
Option Exercises and Shares Vested
The following table provides information regarding option exercises and vesting of awards held by the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.
|
Name
|
Number of
Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
Value Realized on Exercise ($) (1)
|
Number of
Shares Acquired on
Vesting (#)(2)
|
Value Realized
on Vesting ($)(3)
|
|||||||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
6,266
|
|
47,214
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Mary L. Dotz
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
377
|
|
3,003
|
|
|||||
|
Yifan Liang
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
733
|
|
5,523
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
2,266
|
|
17,074
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
2,266
|
|
17,074
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
27,000
|
|
150,096
|
|
1,166
|
|
8,786
|
|
|||||
|
(1
|
)
|
Value realized is determined by multiplying (i) the amount by which the market price of the common share on the date of exercise exceeded the exercise price by (ii) the number of shares for which the options were exercised.
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Reflects shares pursuant to (i) a restricted stock unit award granted on April 26, 2012 that vests in 48 equal successive monthly installments and (ii) a restricted stock unit award granted on February 14, 2013 that vests in 4 equal annual installments. The number of shares subject to RSUs granted on April 26, 2012 is as follows: Dr. Chang - 12,533, Ms. Dotz - 4,533, Mr. Liang - 1,467, Dr. Ho - 4,533, Dr. Yilmaz - 4,533 and Mr. Grizelj - 2,333. The shares that vest under the April 2012 award during a calendar quarter are issued on the last day of the quarter; pursuant to such issuance schedule, shares were issued on September 30, 2013, December 31, 2013, March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014. The number of shares subject to RSUs granted on February 14, 2013 is as follows: Dr. Chang - 12,533, Mr. Liang - 1,467, Dr. Ho - 4,533, Dr. Yilmaz - 4,533 and Mr. Grizelj - 2,333. The shares that vest under the February 2014 award are issued upon vesting.
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
Value realized is determined by multiplying (i) the market price of the common share on the applicable vesting date by (ii) the number of shares as to which each award vested on such date. The value realized based on the date of issuance of the shares under the April 26, 2012 award is as follows: Dr. Chang - $25,988, Ms. Dotz - $3,188, Mr. Liang - $3,045, Dr. Ho -$9,397, Dr. Yilmaz - $9,397 and Mr. Grizelj - $4,837.
|
|
Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
We do not provide a pension plan for our named executive officers, and none of our named executive officers participated in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.
Agreements Regarding Employment, Change in Control and Termination of Employment
Employment Agreement and Retention Agreements
26
We have entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Chang and retention agreements with each of our other named executive officers.
Pursuant to his April 28, 2010 employment agreement, Dr. Chang is entitled to a base salary of $325,000 per year. His base salary is subject to annual review and may be adjusted by our Compensation Committee at its discretion and is currently $403,142. In addition, Dr. Chang is eligible to receive a cash bonus in an amount determined by our Compensation Committee based on attainment of specified performance goals. Dr. Chang is also entitled to participate in the benefit plans generally available to our employees, such as group health care coverage and 401(k) plan participation.
Under the terms of his employment agreement, should Dr. Chang's employment be involuntarily terminated by us without cause or by him for good reason at any time other than during the 12 months following a change in control of the Company, he will be entitled to receive (i) continued base salary for a period of 12 months and (ii) continued health care coverage for himself and his eligible dependents for a period of 12 months. Should Dr. Chang's employment be involuntarily terminated by us without cause or by him for good reason within 12 months following a change in control of the Company, he will be entitled to receive (i) continued base salary for a period of 24 months, (ii) continued health care coverage for himself and his eligible dependents for a period of 24 months, and (iii) accelerated vesting of his then unvested equity awards.
Pursuant to the retention agreements, each of our other named executive officers is entitled to receive severance payments and benefits upon an involuntary termination of his or her employment. Should the named executive officer's employment be involuntarily terminated by us without cause or by him or her for good reason at any time other than during the 12 months following a change in control of the Company, he or she will be entitled to receive (i) continued base salary for a period of 6 months, and (ii) continued health care coverage for himself and his eligible dependents for a period of 6 months. In the event that such involuntary termination occurs within 12 months following a change in control of the Company, then the named executive officer will be entitled to receive (i) continued base salary for a period of 6 months, (ii) continued health care coverage for himself/herself and his/her eligible dependents for a period of 6 months and (iii), each outstanding unvested equity award held by the terminated executive officer will accelerate with respect to that number of shares that would have vested had the officer remained in service for an additional 12 months.
If any payment or benefit in connection with a change in control or the subsequent termination of Dr. Chang's or a named executive officer's employment would be subject to an excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, then such payment of benefit will be reduced to the extent necessary to maximize his net after tax benefits.
As a condition to the severance payments and benefits, each named executive officer (including Dr. Chang) must deliver a general release of all claims against us and our affiliates. In addition, severance benefits are conditioned on the executive's continued compliance with non-compete and non-solicitation restrictive covenants for the severance period.
For purposes of Dr. Chang's employment agreement and the retention agreements with our named executive officers, the following definitions will be in effect:
A
change in control
will be deemed to occur upon (i) a merger, consolidation or other reorganization approved by our shareholders, unless our shareholders continue to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the voting securities of the successor corporation; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets; or (iii) the acquisition by any person or related group of persons of more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of our outstanding securities.
A
resignation for good reason
will be deemed to occur should the individual resign from his employment with us for any of the following reasons during the applicable change in control protection period: (i) a material diminution in his authorities, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a reduction in his base compensation; (iii) a material relocation of his existing work site; or (iv) any material breach by us of any provision of any agreement we have with such individual.
An individual's employment will be deemed to have been terminated for cause if such termination occurs by reason of: (i) the commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the individual or his conviction of a felony, (ii) any unauthorized use or disclosure by the individual of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary), (iii) any other misconduct by the individual adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company in a material manner, (iv) the individual's failure to cure any breach of his obligations under certain agreements with the Company, or (v) the individual's breach of any of his fiduciary duties as an officer or director of the Company.
Option and Restricted Stock Unit Acceleration
27
The options and restricted stock units awards granted to our named executive officers under our various equity plans will each vest on an accelerated basis as to all the shares in the event those options or awards are not assumed or otherwise replaced in connection with certain changes in control or ownership of the Company. The table below sets forth the intrinsic value of the options and the restricted stock unit awards held by each named executive officer that would accelerate in full (in accordance with the terms of the equity plans governing those options and awards) upon a change in control or ownership in which those options or awards and restricted stock units were not assumed or replaced had such change in control or ownership occurred on June 30, 2014:
|
Named Executive Officer
|
Intrinsic Value
of Accelerated Options (1)
|
Intrinsic Value
of Accelerated RSUs (2)
|
||||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
$
|
360,232
|
|
$
|
279,444
|
|
||
|
Yifan Liang
|
$
|
131,708
|
|
$
|
81,335
|
|
||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
$
|
157,552
|
|
$
|
134,211
|
|
||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
$
|
159,002
|
|
$
|
134,211
|
|
||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
$
|
97,240
|
|
$
|
67,856
|
|
||
|
(1
|
)
|
Such intrinsic value is determined by multiplying (A) the amount by which the fair market value per common share on June 30, 2014 ($9.27 per share) exceeded the exercise price per share in effect under each option by (B) the number of unvested shares that would vest on an accelerated basis under such option.
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Such value is determined by multiplying (A) the fair market value per common share on June 30, 2014 ($9.27 per share) by (B) the number of unvested shares that would vest on an accelerated basis under such award.
|
|
Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment
Termination in Absence of Change in Control.
The following table provides the total dollar value of the compensation that each named executive officer would have been entitled to receive had his employment been terminated without cause or he had resigned for good reason on June 30, 2014 in the absence of a change in control of the Company:
|
Named Executive Officer
|
Cash Severance
|
Health Benefits (1)
|
Total
|
|||||||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
$
|
403,142
|
|
$
|
13,377
|
|
$
|
416,519
|
|
|||
|
Yifan Liang
|
$
|
106,090
|
|
$
|
14,068
|
|
$
|
120,158
|
|
|||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
$
|
137,917
|
|
$
|
6,689
|
|
$
|
144,606
|
|
|||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
$
|
137,917
|
|
$
|
8,888
|
|
$
|
146,805
|
|
|||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
$
|
118,965
|
|
$
|
7,878
|
|
$
|
126,843
|
|
|||
|
(1
|
)
|
Represents the aggregate full premium payments that would be required to be paid on behalf of each named executive officer to provide continued health insurance coverage under COBRA (based on the executive's health insurance coverage as of June 30, 2014) for the maximum period available to the executive.
|
|
28
Termination in Connection with Change in Control
. The following table provides the total dollar value of the compensation that each named executive officer would be entitled to receive if his or her employment was terminated without cause or he or she resigned for good reason on June 30, 2014 in connection with a change in control of the Company in which the outstanding awards are assumed, replaced or otherwise continued. If the outstanding awards are not assumed, replaced or otherwise continued in effect, then those awards will accelerate in full at the time of the change in control and the value of the acceleration will instead be as set forth in the table above titled:" Option and Restricted Stock Unit Acceleration".
|
Named Executive Officer
|
Cash Severance
|
Health Benefits (1)
|
Accelerated Vesting of Options (2)
|
Accelerated
Vesting of
Restricted
Stock units (3)
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Mike F. Chang
|
$
|
806,284
|
|
|
$
|
26,754
|
|
$
|
360,232
|
|
$
|
279,444
|
|
$
|
1,472,714
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Yifan Liang
|
$
|
106,090
|
|
|
$
|
14,068
|
|
$
|
41,384
|
|
$
|
20,329
|
|
$
|
181,871
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Yueh-Se Ho
|
$
|
137,917
|
|
|
$
|
6,689
|
|
$
|
49,932
|
|
$
|
33,557
|
|
$
|
228,095
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Hamza Yilmaz
|
$
|
137,917
|
|
|
$
|
8,888
|
|
$
|
51,382
|
|
$
|
33,557
|
|
$
|
231,744
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Tony Grizelj
|
$
|
118,965
|
|
|
$
|
7,878
|
|
$
|
30,746
|
|
$
|
16,973
|
|
$
|
174,562
|
|
||||
|
(1
|
)
|
Represents the aggregate full premium payments that would be required to be paid on behalf of each named executive officer to provide continued health insurance coverage under COBRA (based on the executive's health insurance coverage as of June 30, 2014) for the maximum period available to the executive.
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Represents the intrinsic value of the stock options that would vest on an accelerated basis in connection with such termination. Such intrinsic value is determined by multiplying (A) the amount by which the fair market value per common share on June 30, 2014 ($9.27 per share) exceeded the exercise price per share in effect under each option by (B) the number of unvested shares that vest on an accelerated basis under such option.
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
Represents the value of restricted stock units that would vest on an accelerated basis in connection with such termination. The value is determined by multiplying (A) the number of unvested units that would vest on an accelerated basis under the award by (B) the fair market value per common share on June 30, 2014 ($9.27 per share).
|
|
29
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The information contained in the Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates the information by reference in such filing.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors:
Mr. Michael J. Salameh, Chairman
Mr. Robert I. Chen
Dr. King Owyang
30
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information as of June 30, 2014 with respect to the shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans. There are no outstanding options that the Company has assumed in connection with its acquisition of other companies, and there are currently no assumed plans under which the Company can grant options.
|
|
|
Column (A)
|
|
|
Column (B)
|
|
|
Column (C)
|
|
||
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
||
|
|
|
Securities to be
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
||
|
|
|
Issued Upon
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available
|
|
||
|
|
|
Exercise of
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Future Issuance
|
|
||
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Under Equity
|
|
||
|
|
|
Options,
|
|
|
Average Exercise
|
|
|
Compensation Plans
|
|
||
|
|
|
Restricted Stock
|
|
|
Price of
|
|
|
(Excluding
|
|
||
|
|
|
Units and Other
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Securities Reflected
|
|
||
|
Plan Category
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
in Column A)
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders (1)
|
|
3,895,158
|
|
(2)(3)
|
|
10.28
|
(4)
|
|
1,973,785
|
|
(5)(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
3,895,158
|
|
|
|
10.28
|
|
|
1,973,785
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Consists of the 2009 Share Option/Share Issuance Plan (“the 2009 Plan”) and the Employee Share Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) established in May 2010.
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Includes 656,374 shares subject to restricted stock unit awards or RSUs that will entitle the holder to one share of common stock for each unit that vests over the holder’s period of continued service with the Company.
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
Excludes purchase rights accruing under the Company’s ESPP with a stockholder-approved reserve of 600,000 shares subject to the annual increase discussed in note (6) below. Under the ESPP, each eligible employee may purchase up to 875 shares of common stock at semi-annual intervals on the 14th of May and November each year at a purchase price per share equal to 85% of the lower of (i) the closing selling price per share of common stock on the employee’s entry date into the two-year offering period in which that semi-annual purchase date occurs or (ii) the closing selling price per share on the semi-annual purchase date.
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
The calculation does not take into account the 656,374 shares of common stock subject to outstanding RSUs. Such shares will be issued at the time the RSUs vest, without any cash consideration payable for those shares.
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
Consists of shares available for future issuance under the ESPP and the 2009 Plan. As of June 30, 2014, 519,043 shares of common stock were available for issuance under the ESPP, and 1,454,742 shares of common stock were available for issuance under the 2009 Plan. The 1,454,742 shares available for issuance under the 2009 Plan may be issued upon the exercise of stock options or stock appreciation rights, or those shares may be issued as stock bonuses or pursuant to restricted stock awards or RSUs which vest upon the attainment of prescribed performance milestones or the completion of designated service periods.
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2009 Share Option/Share Issuance Plan automatically increases in January each calendar year during the term of the 2009 Plan, by the lesser of 3% of the total number of common shares outstanding on the last trading day of December in the immediately preceding calendar year, or 750,000 shares. The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP established in May 2010 automatically increases in January of each calendar year during the term of the ESPP, by the lesser of 0.75% of the outstanding common shares on the last trading day of December in the immediately preceding calendar year, or 250,000 shares.
|
|
31
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common shares, as of September 26, 2014, by:
|
•
|
each of our directors and executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table of the Executive Compensation of this Proxy Statement;
|
|
•
|
all current directors, director nominees and named executive officers as a group; and
|
|
•
|
each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common shares.
|
The calculations in the shareholder table below are based on 26,446,158 common shares outstanding as of September 26, 2014. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. All common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days following September 26, 2014 are deemed to be beneficially owned by the shareholder holding such options or units for the purpose of computing the number of shares beneficially owned by such shareholder. They are not, however, deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other shareholder.
Except as described in the footnotes below, we believe each shareholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to the common shares indicated in the table as beneficially owned. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, the principal address of each of the shareholders below is: c/o Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated, 475 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, California 94085.
|
Name
|
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned Number
|
Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
|
||||
|
Directors and Executive Officers:
|
||||||
|
Mike F. Chang (1)
|
4,394,953
|
|
16.6
|
%
|
||
|
Yueh-Se Ho (2)
|
451,042
|
|
1.7
|
%
|
||
|
Howard M. Bailey (3)
|
30,000
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Chung Te Chang (4)
|
37,500
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Thomas W. Steipp (5)
|
30,000
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Richard W. Sevcik (6)
|
15,000
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Robert I. Chen (7)
|
9,500
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
King Owyang (8)
|
14,500
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Michael L. Pfeiffer (9)
|
8,875
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Michael J. Salameh (10)
|
14,295
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Hamza Yilmaz (11)
|
299,635
|
|
1.1
|
%
|
||
|
Tony Grizelj (12)
|
105,165
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
Yifan Liang (13)
|
72,878
|
|
*
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (14)
|
5,483,343
|
|
20.7
|
%
|
||
|
5% Shareholder:
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Fidelity Management & Research -FMR LLC
|
3,825,200
|
|
14.5
|
%
|
||
|
Gagnon Securities LLC and Mr. Neil Gagnon
|
2,497,490
|
|
9.4
|
%
|
||
|
Royce & Associates LLC
|
1,514,070
|
|
5.7
|
%
|
||
|
*
|
Beneficially owns less than 1% of our outstanding common shares.
|
32
|
(1
|
)
|
Includes 241,358 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 1,045 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Includes 166,607 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 378 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
Represents 30,000 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Represents 37,500 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
Represents 30,000 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
Represents 15,000 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
Includes 7,500 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 2,000 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
Includes 12,500 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 2,000 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
Includes 6,875 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 2,000 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
Includes 7,500 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 2,000 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
Includes 295,375 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 378 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
Includes 102,987 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 195 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
Includes 68,577 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 122 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014. On October 6, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Yifan Liang to serve as the Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective November 11, 2014. Mr. Yifan was appointed to serve as the Chief Financial Officer, effective August 14, 2014
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
Includes 1,021,779 common shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of September 26, 2014 and 10,118 common shares subject to restricted stock unit awards that will be issued within 60 days of September 26, 2014.
|
|
None of our existing shareholders has different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.
33
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Indemnification Arrangements
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers that provide our directors and executive officers with additional protection regarding the scope of the indemnification set forth in our bye-laws. Pursuant to these agreements, we will indemnify each such person (to the fullest extent permitted by Bermuda law) against all costs and expenses, including expense advances, incurred in connection with any claim by reason or arising out of any event or occurrence relating to the fact that such person is our director or executive officer or is serving at our request at another corporation or entity, or by reason of any activity or inactivity while serving in such capacity. However, we are not obligated to indemnify our directors or executive officers under these agreements if:
|
•
|
indemnification is prohibited by our bye-laws or applicable law;
|
|
•
|
the action initiated by the person is not authorized by our Board of Directors; or
|
|
•
|
a court determines that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that such officer or director reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the company.
|
Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for establishing policies and procedures for reviewing and approving all related party transactions as defined under Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. While we do not have a formal written policy or procedure for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions, the Audit Committee generally reviews the material facts of any such transaction and approves such transaction.
To identify related party transactions, each year we submit and require our directors and officers to complete director and officer questionnaires identifying transactions with the Company in which the director or officer or their family members have a conflict of interest. The Company reviews the questionnaires for potential related party transactions. In addition, at meetings of the Audit Committee, management may recommend related party transactions to the committee, including the material terms of the proposed transactions, for its consideration. In making its decision to approve or ratify a related party transaction, the Audit Committee may consider all relevant facts and circumstances available to the committee, including factors such as the aggregate value of the transaction, whether the terms of the related party transaction are no less favorable than terms generally available in an arms' length transaction and the benefit of such transaction to us.
34
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates the information by reference in such filing.
The Audit Committee is currently comprised of three independent directors: Mr. Michael L. Pfeiffer, its Chairman, and Messrs. Michael J. Salameh and Mr. Robert I. Chen. Mr. Pfeiffer was appointed to the Audit Committee and as chairman in January 2014. Mr. Chen was appointed to the Audit Committee in January 2014, and Mr. Salameh was appointed to the Audit Committee in November 2013. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist our Board of Directors in its general oversight of our financial reporting, internal controls and audit functions. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, retention, evaluation, compensation, oversight and termination of our independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee reviews the results and scope of audit and other services provided by the independent auditors and reviews the accounting principles and auditing practices and procedures to be used in our financial reporting process, including its systems of internal control, and in the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our independent registered public accounting firm for the last fiscal year, Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”), was responsible for performing an independent audit of those financial statements. As more fully explained in the Audit Committee's charter, the Audit Committee's responsibility is to provide oversight of and to review those processes. The Audit Committee does not conduct auditing or accounting reviews or procedures, and relies on information and representations provided by management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has relied on management's representation that the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and on the representations of the independent registered public accounting firm included in their report on our financial statements.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with our management. Management is responsible for maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee was kept apprised of the progress of management's assessment of our internal control over financial reporting and provided oversight to management during the process. In connection with this oversight, the Audit Committee received periodic updates provided by management at meetings throughout the year. At the conclusion of the process, management provided the Audit Committee with a report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee reviewed this report of management and Item 9A, “Control and Procedures,” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 filed with the SEC, as well as Grant Thornton's reports of independent registered public accounting firm (included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K) relating to its audits of the consolidated financial statements and of internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee has reviewed with management and Grant Thornton (a) matters related to the conduct of the audit of the consolidated financial statements by the independent registered public accounting firm and its audit of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and (b) the additional analyses undertaken and procedures performed by us to support certifications by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer that are required by the SEC and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to accompany our periodic filings with the SEC.
In addition, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with Grant Thornton, including such items set forth in Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 16,
Communications with Audit Committees
or any successor standard. The Audit Committee has received from the independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton, the written disclosures and the letter required by the PCAOB, and the Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.
After review of all discussions and all written correspondence described above, as well as such other matters deemed relevant and appropriate by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the audited financial statements for the last fiscal year be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014.
The Audit Committee
Mr. Michael L. Pfeiffer, Chairman
Mr. Robert I. Chen
Mr. Michael J. Salameh
35
PROPOSAL NO. 2
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has selected Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as our independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. Shareholders are asked to approve and ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton as our independent registered public accounting firm, and to authorize our Board of Directors, acting through our Audit Committee, to determine the remuneration of such accounting firm.
Grant Thornton has served as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013 and 2014. Grant Thornton has issued a Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for our audited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2013 and 2014 which appeared in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 29, 2014.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Grant Thornton served as our independent registered public accounting firm and conducted the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services and other services rendered by Grant Thornton for fiscal years ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
|
|
Year ended Jun 30,
|
||||||
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
||||
|
|
(in thousands)
|
||||||
|
Audit Fees
|
$
|
938
|
|
|
$
|
929
|
|
|
Audit Related Fees
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Tax Fees
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|||
|
Other Services Fees
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$
|
938
|
|
|
$
|
929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Audit fees
: These fees generally relate to professional services rendered for the audits of the consolidated financial statements of Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Inc and its internal control over financial reporting, quarterly reviews, subsidiary or equity investment audits, issuance of comfort letters, consents, income tax provision reviews, and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.
Audit-related fees:
These fees generally relate to assurance and other services related to the performance of the audit or review of Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Inc’s financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, issuance of consents, internal control reviews, attest services that are not required by statute or regulation, consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards, and financial audits of employee benefit plans.
Tax fees
: These fees generally relate primarily to tax compliance, including review and preparation of corporate and expatriate tax returns, assistance with tax audits, review of the tax treatment for certain expenses, extra-territorial tax analysis, and tax due diligence relating to acquisitions. They also include fees for state and local tax planning and consultations with respect to various domestic and international tax matters.
Other Services fees:
These fees generally relate to reviews for compliance with various government regulations, risk management and treasury reviews and assessments and audits of various contractual arrangements.
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and the fees for these services. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, our shareholders are entitled to vote, on an advisory basis, to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We held our annual shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay vote” at our 2011 Annual Meeting. Based on the voting preference, our stockholders voted in favor of holding a say-on-pay once every three years. Therefore we are holding our say-on-pay vote at this year’s Annual Meeting.
We design our executive compensation program to implement our core objectives of attracting and retaining superior executive talent ensuring executive compensation is substantially dependent on our financial performance and provide incentives for the attainment of our key strategic business objectives and aligning executives' incentives with the creation of shareholder value. The key elements of the compensation program that were in effect during the 2014 fiscal year for the Company's named executive officers are described in detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement.
Resolution
The shareholders are being asked to approve by advisory vote the following resolution relating to the compensation of the named executive officers as described in this proxy statement:
“Resolved that the Company's shareholders hereby approve the compensation paid to the Company's executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement, as that compensation is disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the various compensation tables and the accompanying narrative discussion included in this proxy statement.”
The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather the vote relates to the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Although this vote is advisory and the outcome is not binding on our Board of directors, the views expressed by our shareholders, whether through this vote or otherwise, are important to us. As a result, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will carefully review the results of this vote, and they will consider these results in making future decisions about our executive compensation programs and arrangements.
Unless our Board of Directors modifies the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive offices, the next advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will be held at the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders.
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FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR
THE 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, for a shareholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for the 2015 annual general meeting of shareholders, we must have received the written proposal by such shareholder no later than June 12, 2015. Such proposals must comply with the other provisions of Rule 14a-8 and additional applicable SEC rules regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in the proxy materials. In addition, the proxy solicited by the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting in 2015 will confer discretionary authority to vote on any shareholder proposal presented at that meeting, if we do not receive notice of such proposal prior to September 12, 2015.
If you wish to bring a matter before an annual general meeting and the proposal is submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8, you may use the procedures set forth in the bye-laws to make a shareholder proposal, including director nominations, not intended to be included in our proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 so long as such proposal complies with our bye-laws. In accordance with our bye-laws, shareholder nominations and proposals may be voted on at an annual general meeting of shareholders only if such nominations and proposals are submitted to us pursuant to written notice timely and accompanied by certain information. To be timely, a shareholder's written notice must be received by us not less than 60 nor more than 180 days to the date set for the annual general meeting of shareholders (or if no such date is set, the date that is not less than 60 nor more than 180 days prior to the anniversary of the previous year's annual general meeting of shareholders). The notice must contain the information specified in Section 59(4) of our bye-laws with respect to the person to be nominated as director and include all material information on the proposal, statement or resolution to be put to the meeting, together with details of shareholder submitting the proposal, statement or resolution and such other information as may from time to time be specified by our Board. Section 59(4) of bye-laws requires a nominating shareholder to include in the notice:
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the meeting at which the person nominated is proposed for election as a director;
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all such information relating to the nominee as is required in solicitations of proxies for the election of directors or as may be otherwise required pursuant to Section 14 and Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act;
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the names and addresses of the nominating shareholder and the class and number of shares which are held by such shareholder;
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a written consent of the nominee to his being named in a proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a Director, if elected.
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Our Board of Directors will review proposals from eligible shareholders which it receives by that date and will determine whether any such proposal has been received in accordance with the bye-laws and whether any such proposal will be acted upon at the annual general meeting of shareholders. All shareholder proposals and shareholder nominations should be mailed to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited, Board of Directors, c/o Investor Relations, Alpha and Omega Semiconductor, Inc. 475 Oakmead Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94085.
In addition, Section 79 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, as amended, provides that shareholders representing either (i) 5% of the total voting rights of the shares eligible to vote at a general meeting of shareholders, or (ii) not less than 100 shareholders may propose any resolution which may properly be moved at the next annual general meeting of shareholders. Upon timely receipt of notice, we shall, at the expense of such shareholder(s), give our other shareholders entitled to receive notice of the next annual general meeting of shareholders notice of such proposed resolution. To be timely, the proposal requiring notice of a resolution must be deposited at our registered office at least six weeks before the next annual general meeting of shareholders. Shareholders satisfying the criteria of Section 79 may also require us to circulate a statement in respect of any matter to come before an annual general meeting of shareholders by notice deposited at our registered office not less than one week prior to the annual general meeting of shareholders.
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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The members of the Board of Directors, the executive officers of the Company and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of the outstanding common shares are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which require them to file reports with respect to their beneficial ownership of the common share and their transactions in such common shares. Based upon (i) the copies of Section 16 reports which the Company received from such persons for their fiscal year 2014 transactions in the common shares and their common share holdings, and (ii) written representation that no other reports were required, the Company believes that all reporting requirements under Section 16 for such year were met in a timely manner by its directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent beneficial owners.
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter shall properly come before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holder named in the proxy accompanying this statement will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies in accordance with his best judgment.
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By order of the Board of Directors,
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Mike F. Chang
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dated October 6, 2014
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Information Regarding the Annual General MeetingQuestions and Answers Relating to the Annual General MeetingProposal No. 1: Election of DirectorsBoard of Directors and Committees of the BoardCompensation of Non-Employee DirectorsExecutive Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider ParticipationExecutive CompensationSecurity Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And ManagementRelated Party TransactionsReport of the Audit CommitteeProposal No. 2: Ratification of Appointment Of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmProposal No. 3: Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Named Executive OfficersPrincipal Accounting Fees and ServicesFuture Shareholder Proposals and Nominations for the 2015 Annual General MeetingSection 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceOther Matters