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 x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
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| x | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ¨ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-12 |
| MEDIFAST, INC. |
| (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
| (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) |
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MEDIFAST, INC.
NOTICE OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF MEDIFAST, INC.
TO BE HELD ON Wednesday, June 17, 2015
May 8, 2015
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF MEDIFAST, INC.:
Notice is hereby given that the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Medifast, Inc. (the “Company” or “Medifast”) will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. EDT, at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, 200 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, for the following purposes, as more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement:
| 1. | To elect 9 nominees to the Board of Directors; |
| 2. | To ratify the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws to declassify the Board of Directors; |
| 3. | To ratify the appointment of McGladrey LLP (“McGladrey” or the “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”) as the independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015; and |
| 4. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. |
Doors to the Annual Meeting will open at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Stockholders of record at the close of business on May 4, 2015 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please note that for security reasons, before being admitted you must present your proof of stock ownership and valid photo identification at the door. All hand-carried items will be subject to inspection, and any bags, briefcases, or packages must be checked at the registration desk prior to entering the meeting room.
| Jason L. Groves, Esq. | |
| Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
Table of Contents
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May 8, 2015
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Medifast, Inc. (the “Company” or “Medifast”) is soliciting proxies to be voted on our stockholders behalf at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
The Annual Meeting will commence at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, 200 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
This Proxy Statement provides information regarding the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, as well as other information that may be useful to you. It is anticipated that this Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card, Annual Report, and related proxy materials will first be sent to our stockholders on or about May 20, 2015.
At the close of business on May 4, 2015, there were 12,124,699 shares of our common stock outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
Questions and Answers Regarding the Proxy Statement and Annual Meeting
What proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
There are two matters on which a vote is scheduled at the Annual Meeting:
| 1. | The election of 9 nominees to the Board (Proposal 1); |
| 2. | The ratification of the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) to declassify the Board (Proposal 2); and |
| 3. | The ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP (“McGladrey”), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 (“Fiscal Year 2015”) (Proposal 3). |
We will also consider and vote upon any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
What are the Board’s voting recommendations?
The Board recommends that you vote your shares:
| · | FOR the election of each of the 9 nominees named herein for election to the Board (Proposal 1); |
| · | FOR the ratification of the amendment to the Bylaws to declassify the Board (Proposal 2); and |
| · | FOR the ratification of the appointment of McGladrey as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal Year 2015 (Proposal 3). |
What shares may I vote?
You may vote all shares of Medifast common stock that you owned as of the close of business on May 4, 2015 (the “Record Date”). These shares include:
| 1. | those held directly in your name as the stockholder of record; and |
| 2. | those held for you as the beneficial owner through a stockbroker, bank, or other nominee at the close of business on the Record Date. |
Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote. On the Record Date, there were approximately 12,124,699 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
Most Medifast stockholders hold their shares through a bank, broker or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
Stockholder of Record
If your shares are registered directly in your name with Medifast’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC (the “Transfer Agent”), you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record and we are sending these proxy materials directly to you. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your proxy directly to the Company or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. The Company has enclosed a proxy card for you to use.
Beneficial Owner
If you hold shares in a stock brokerage account or through a bank, broker or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and your broker or nominee is forwarding these proxy materials to you. Your broker or nominee is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your nominee on how to vote your shares, but because you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a signed proxy from the record holder giving you the right to vote the shares. As a beneficial owner, you are, however, welcome to attend the Annual Meeting. Your nominee has enclosed a voting instruction card for you to use.
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How can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?
You may vote shares you hold directly in your name as the stockholder of record in person at the Annual Meeting. If you choose to do so, please bring the enclosed proxy card and proof of identification.
If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and your nominee is forwarding these proxy materials to you, you may vote the shares in person at the Annual Meeting only if you have obtained a signed legal proxy from your nominee (i.e., the record holder) giving you the right to vote the shares.
Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy as described below so that your vote will be counted regardless of attendance. Submitting your proxy now will not prevent you from voting your shares in person by written ballot at the Annual Meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy is revocable at your option.
What do I need to attend the Annual Meeting?
You must present both proof of stock ownership and valid photo identification to attend the Annual Meeting. If you hold shares through an account with a bank, broker or other nominee, contact your nominee to request a legally valid proxy from the owner of record and this will serve as your proof of stock ownership.
If you do not have proof of ownership and valid photo identification, you will not be admitted into the Annual Meeting. Please also note that the use of cell phones, smartphones, pagers, recording and photographic equipment and/or computers is strictly prohibited at the Annual Meeting.
How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?
Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct your vote without attending the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares directly, you may vote by granting a proxy. If you hold your shares in street name, you may submit voting instructions to your nominee.
By Mail—You may vote by mail by signing your proxy card or, for shares held in street name, the voting instruction card included by your nominee, and mailing it in the enclosed prepaid envelope. If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you sign but do not provide instructions, your shares will be voted as described below in “How are votes counted?”
On the Internet—If you are a record holder, you may vote your shares online by following the instructions provided in the enclosed Proxy Card. If you hold your shares in street name and the firm that holds your shares offers internet voting, the voting instruction card provided by your nominee will contain instructions for voting your shares online. If you vote online, you do not need to mail in your proxy card.
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By Telephone—If you are a record holder, you may vote your shares by telephone by following the instructions provided in the enclosed Proxy Card. If you hold your shares in street name, and the firm that holds your shares offers voting by telephone, your nominee voting instruction card will contain instructions on how to vote your shares by telephone. If you vote your shares by telephone, you do not need to mail in your proxy card.
Our Board has selected the persons named on the enclosed Proxy Card (the “Named Proxies”) to vote all shares represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The Named Proxies will vote any properly executed proxy, if received in time and not revoked, at the Annual Meeting according to your directions. The Named Proxies will vote the shares represented by any signed Proxy Card that fails to specify a choice on any matter to be acted upon as follows:
| · | FOR the election of each of the 9 nominees named herein for election to the Board (Proposal 1); |
| · | FOR the ratification of the amendment to the Bylaws to declassify the Board (Proposal 2); |
| · | FOR the ratification of the appointment of McGladrey as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal Year 2015 (Proposal 3); and |
| · | in the Named Proxies’ discretion, FOR or AGAINST such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
May I change or revoke my vote?
Yes, stockholders are entitled to revoke their proxies at any time before their shares are voted at the Annual Meeting. To revoke a proxy, a stockholder must file a written notice of revocation with the Company, deliver a duly executed Proxy Card bearing a later date than the original submitted Proxy Card, submit voting instructions again by telephone or the Internet, or attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy; you must vote your shares. If you hold shares in street name, you must contact your nominee to change your vote or obtain a proxy to vote your shares if you wish to cast your vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
How are votes counted?
You may vote “FOR”, “AGAINST”, or “ABSTAIN” each proposal. For abstentions, see “What happens if I abstain from voting?” below.
If you are a record holder and you sign your Proxy Card with no further instructions, the Named Proxies will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.
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If you are a beneficial owner and you have not provided voting instructions to your broker, your broker may exercise discretion to vote your shares only with respect to the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 3). Your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote your shares in the election of directors (Proposal 1) or ratification of the amendment to the Bylaws to declassify the Board (Proposal 2), resulting in a “broker-non-vote” with respect to these matters. See “What is a broker non-vote?” for more information.
What are the approval requirements for each of the proposals being voted on at the Annual Meeting?
For each proposal, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, by the holders of stock entitled to vote thereat, is required for approval.
“A majority of the votes cast” with respect to the election of directors means that the number of votes cast for a director’s election exceeds fifty percent of the number of votes cast with respect to that director’s election.
A quorum must be present at the Annual Meeting for a valid vote to occur.
What constitutes a quorum?
For business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, a quorum must be present or represented by proxy. Under our Bylaws, the presence of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The number of outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is determined as of the Record Date. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present for the Annual Meeting.
What happens if I abstain from Voting?
If an executed Proxy Card is returned and the stockholder has explicitly abstained from voting on any proposal, the shares represented by the Proxy Card will be considered present at the Annual Meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and therefore they will have no effect on the outcome of any proposal.
What is a “broker non-vote”?
A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker submits a proxy to the Company that does not indicate a vote for one or more of the proposals because the broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owner on how to vote on such proposals, and does not have discretionary authority to vote in the absence of instructions. Brokers have discretionary authority to vote on matters that are deemed “routine,” such as the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 3). Brokers do not have discretionary authority to vote on matters that are deemed “non-routine,” such as the election of directors (Proposal 1) or the ratification of the amendment to the Bylaws to declassify the Board (Proposal 2). Broker non-votes will be counted for the purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting, but because they are not votes that are cast, they will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1 or Proposal 2.
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What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy or voting instruction card?
It means your shares are registered differently or are held in more than one account. Please provide voting instructions for all proxy and voting instruction cards you receive.
Are voting records confidential?
We require vote tabulators and the Inspector of the Election to execute agreements to maintain the confidentiality of voting records. Voting records will remain confidential, except as necessary to meet legal requirements, and in other limited circumstances such as proxy contests.
How does the Company solicit proxies?
The Company will solicit Proxies by mail, telephone, or other means of communication. We will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies. The Company has retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in soliciting proxies from stockholders and we will pay a fee estimated at $20,000, plus expenses, for such services. In addition, solicitation may be made by our directors, officers, and other employees. We reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries in accordance with the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding materials to the beneficial owners of our common stock.
Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting, and publish final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K following the Annual Meeting.
COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH STOCKHOLDER
As previously disclosed, the Company entered into a Cooperation Agreement, dated April 3, 2015 (the “Cooperation Agreement”), with Engaged Capital, LLC, Engaged Capital Master Feeder I, L.P., Engaged Capital Master Feeder II, L.P., Engaged Capital I, L.P., Engaged Capital I Offshore, LTD, Engaged Capital II, L.P., Engaged Capital II Offshore LTD., Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC and Glenn W. Welling (collectively, the “Engaged Group”). Pursuant to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, the Company agreed to (i) amend the Bylaws to, commencing with the Annual Meeting, eliminate the classification of the Board and provide for the annual election of all directors to the Board and (ii) adopt a resolution, effective as of the Annual Meeting, to decrease the size of the Board from twelve directors to nine directors. The Company also agreed to nominate the following persons for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting and the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “2016 Annual Meeting”): Jeffrey J. Brown; Kevin G. Byrnes; Charles P. Connolly; Constance C. Hallquist, Jorgene K. Hartwig; Michael C. MacDonald; Carl E. Sassano; Scott Schlackman; and Glenn W. Welling.
Jeffrey J. Brown will be appointed to the Executive and Audit Committees of the Board, Glenn W. Welling will be appointed to the Special Mergers & Acquisitions and Compensation Committees of the Board, and Jorgene K. Hartwig will be appointed to the Nomination Committee of the Board. All other Board members will be assigned to Board committees in connection with the Board’s annual review of committee composition to take place immediately following the 2015 Annual Meeting.
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Under the Cooperation Agreement, the Engaged Group is subject to certain standstill restrictions during the period from the date of the Cooperation Agreement until the day that is three months following the date of the 2016 Annual Meeting, subject to limited exceptions (such period, the “Standstill Period”). During the Standstill Period, Engaged is subject to customary standstill and voting obligations, including, among other things, that Engaged and its affiliates and associates will not acquire beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock or participate in a proxy solicitation, and will vote all voting securities which they are entitled to vote in favor of all directors nominated by the Board, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Board on other matters, other than certain specified matters and subject to certain exceptions. The Company also agreed to reimburse Engaged for its reasonable and documented legal and search firm fees, and expenses in an amount not to exceed $100,000.
The foregoing is not a complete description of the Cooperation Agreement. For a further description of the Cooperation Agreement and a copy of the Cooperation Agreement, please see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 6, 2015.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board is currently composed of twelve directors. However, pursuant to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, the size of the Board has been reduced to nine. As a result of the Cooperation Agreement, Jason L. Groves Esq., John P. McDaniel, Donald F. Reilly, OSA, Margaret E. Sheetz, Barry B. Bondroff and Catherine T. Maguire have agreed not to stand for reelection to the Board. Additionally, Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. and Jerry D. Reece, who are also current members of the Board, are not standing for reelection at the 2015 Annual Meeting because they have reached, or will reach, the Company’s mandatory retirement age for non-management directors by December 31, 2015.
Each of the nominees for election to the Board, except for Messrs. Brown, Schlackman and Welling and Mses. Hallquist and Hartwig, has been previously elected to the Board by stockholders. Each of the nominees that has not been previously elected was nominated pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement. Management has no reason to believe that any of the Nominees is unable or unwilling to serve if elected. However, in the event that any of the Nominees should become unable or unwilling to serve as a director, the Named Proxies will vote shares represented by proxies at the Annual Meeting for the election of such persons as shall be designated by the Board.
NOMINEES
Jeffrey J. Brown, age 54, is a nominee for election to the Board pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement between the Company and the Engaged Group. He is the Chief Executive Officer and founding member of Brown Equity Partners, LLC (“BEP”), which provides capital to management teams and companies needing equity. Prior to founding BEP in January 2007, Mr. Brown served as a founding partner and primary deal originator of the venture capital and private equity firm Forrest Binkley & Brown (“FBB”) from 1993 to January 2007. In March 2005, SBIC Partners II, L.P., an investment vehicle formed by FBB and licensed through the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”), voluntarily agreed to enter into receivership after failing to meet various SBA capital requirements. Mr. Brown has served as a director of Midatech Pharma PLC (LSE: MTPH), a nano-medicine company since 2011, and RCS Capital Corporation (NYSE: RCAP), a full service investment firm, since February 2014. From 2012 until August 2014, Mr. Brown served on the board of directors of Nordion, Inc. (NYSE: NDZ), and from September 2009 until October 2011, he served as a director of Steadfast Income REIT, Inc., a real estate investment trust. Mr. Brown received an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a B.S. from Williamette University.
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Qualifications: Mr. Brown brings to the Board extensive public and private company board experience and significant transactional experience.
Kevin G. Byrnes, age 67, has been a director of the Company since 2013. Mr. Byrnes serves as Chairman for the Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Byrnes has more than 40 years of financial experience working in the retail and commercial banking industries. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Bay Bank, with assets of approximately $500 million and 12 branches located in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Mr. Byrnes served as President/COO and Director of Provident Bank from 2002 to 2009. Provident, acquired by M&T Bank in May 2009, was the largest independent financial institution in the Maryland and Northern Virginia marketplaces at that time, with $6.5 billion in assets, 150 branches and 1,600 employees. Prior to Provident Bank, Mr. Byrnes spent 25 years with the Chase Manhattan Bank in various executive management positions. Mr. Byrnes began his career at Bankers Trust Co. in New York. He received a BBA from Pace University.
Qualifications: Mr. Byrnes was selected based on his extensive financial experience given his long career in the banking industry. Because of his public-company experience and significant prior board experience, Mr. Byrnes is serving on the Company’s Audit Committee and Chairs the Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee.
Charles P. Connolly, age 66, has been a director of the Company since 2006. Mr. Connolly is the Chairman of the Audit Committee and also serves as a member of the Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee. Mr. Connolly spent 29 years at First Union Corp., which merged with Wachovia Bank in 2001. He retired in 2001 as the President and Chief Executive Officer of First Union Corp. of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Mr. Connolly serves on the board of numerous profit and non-profit organizations. He received an MBA from the University of Chicago and an AB from Villanova University.
Qualifications: Mr. Connolly brings to the Board extensive executive experience and financial acumen derived from a lengthy executive career in the banking industry. He possesses a unique financial and risk assessment perspective into the operations and financial management of the Company. He spends significant time with our executive team, providing guidance and consultation on key metrics and performance objectives that have served Medifast well in the past few years.
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Constance C. Hallquist, age 51, is a nominee for election to the Board pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement between the Company and the Engaged Group. Ms. Hallquist is President of Healthy Directions, a Helen of Troy company (NASDAQ: HELE). She joined Healthy Directions, LLC in 2010 as Executive Vice President, Merchandising and New Product Development, and in 2012 she became President and CEO. Previously, she served as President, New Business Ventures, for Orchard Brands, a $1 billion catalog holding company. In 2007, Orchard Brands acquired the company that Ms. Hallquist founded in 2000, Gold Violin, a multi-channel retailer offering helpful products for independent living. Prior to Gold Violin, Ms. Hallquist held the position of Managing Director at Prophet, a brand strategy consulting firm, where she oversaw the firm's flagship clients including Williams-Sonoma, Audi, UBS, and Levi Strauss & Co. Prior to consulting, Ms. Hallquist worked in brand management at Kraft Foods. She received a BA in French Language & Literature from the University of Virginia and an MBA degree from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
Qualifications: Ms. Hallquist brings to the Board leadership skills, and significant experience in the direct sales business model and the healthcare and nutritional supplement industry.
Jorgene K. Hartwig, age 53, is a nominee for election to the Board pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement between the Company and the Engaged Group. Ms. Hartwig is currently the Chief Operating Officer for 3Kinetic, Inc. She is responsible for strategy development, financing and key customer acquisition. Prior to joining 3Kinetic, Inc. Ms. Hartwig was the VP/CMO for Amway North America, a leading direct sales company, from 2009 to 2014. At Amway, Ms. Hartwig led brand management, public relations, digital, experiential marketing, sales development, and market research. Prior to Amway, Ms. Hartwig held marketing leadership roles with several companies including Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Fiskars, Bemis Manufacturing, Pillsbury and SC Johnson. In these roles, she was responsible for building brands, acquisitions, corporate reputations, national sponsorships, loyalty programs and impactful social and digital campaigns that delivered consistent growth. Ms. Hartwig received a BBA from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an MBA from Marquette University.
Qualifications: Ms. Hartwig brings to the Board extensive experience as a marketing executive, including expertise in the direct selling business.
Michael C. MacDonald, age 61, has been a director of the Company since 1998. Mr. MacDonald serves as a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. MacDonald has served as Executive Chairman of the Board since November 2011, and was promoted to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in February 2012. Prior to this role, Mr. MacDonald was Executive Vice President of OfficeMax, overseeing the Contract Division, a $3.6 billion division of the OfficeMax Company. Mr. MacDonald has spent an additional 33 years in sales, marketing, and general management at Xerox Corporation. Among his most significant roles was leading the turnaround in North America from the years 2000-2004 as President of the North American Solutions Group, a $6.5 billion division of Xerox. In addition, Mr. MacDonald was President of Global Accounts and Marketing from 2004-2007, where he led the re-branding of the Xerox Corporation. Mr. MacDonald also has international experience in marketing, sales, and operations with both Xerox and OfficeMax. In addition to serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. MacDonald also serves on the Jimmy V Foundation and the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Community Foundation. Mr. MacDonald received his BA from Rutgers University, earned 44 MBA Credits at Iona College, and attended premier executive education courses in leadership and management at Harvard and Columbia Universities. Mr. MacDonald is the uncle of Margaret Sheetz.
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Qualifications: Mr. MacDonald brings to the Board leadership skills and significant experience from large corporations. His significant leadership and management experience helps drive innovation and results.
Carl E. Sassano, age 65, has been a director of the Company since 2013. Mr. Sassano serves as a member of the Compensation Committee and the Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee. He is a member of the board of Transcat, Inc. and the Lead Director. Mr. Sassano was Chairman of the Board of Transcat from October 2003 until July, 2013. From April 2007 to May 2008, he also served as executive chairman of the board. Mr. Sassano became President and Chief Executive Officer in March 2002 and was named Chairman of the board in October 2003. In May 2006, he ceased serving as president when Charles P. Hadeed assumed that position. He ceased serving as CEO in April, 2007. Mr. Sassano was president and chief operating officer of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated in 1999 and 2000. He also held positions in Bausch & Lomb as president-global vision care (1996-1999), president-contact lens division (1994-1996), group president (1993-1994) and president-Polymer Technology (1983-1992), a subsidiary of Bausch & Lomb. Mr. Sassano is a partner in CSW Equity Partners, a small private equity investment company. He also serves as Chairman of the board of Voiceport, one of the companies in the CSW portfolio. He received a BA from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Rochester.
Qualifications: Mr. Sassano brings to the Board leadership skills and significant public corporate experience from both small companies (Transcat) and large corporations (Bausch & Lomb). He also bring a strong understanding of the issues organizations face in executing a growth strategy.
Scott Schlackman, age 57, is a nominee for election to the Board pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement between the Company and the Engaged Group. Mr. Schlackman is currently President of Scott Schlackman Global Consulting, LLC. From 2010 to 2013 he was President of Avon UK and Vice President of Liz Earle Products, which Avon acquired in March 2010, for the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 2010 he was Regional Vice President for Global Sales Development WEMEA and Asia Pacific Regions for Avon. In his 24 years with Avon, Mr. Schlackman served in a variety of senior executive roles with Avon Products, Inc., a global manufacturer and marketer of beauty and related products. Mr. Schlackman received a BS from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Qualifications: Mr. Schlackman brings to the Board extensive executive leadership experience and expertise in the direct selling business.
Glenn W. Welling, age 44 is a nominee for election to the Board pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement between the Company and the Engaged Group. He is the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Engaged Capital, LLC since its founding in 2012. Prior to the founding of Engaged Capital, Mr. Welling was a Principal and Managing Director of Research at Relational Investors LLC, which he joined in July 2008 and was responsible for the research on the consumer, healthcare, and utilities sectors. Mr. Welling served from February 2002 to May 2008 as a Managing Director of Credit Suisse Group AG, where he also served as the Head of the Investment Banking Department’s Advisory Business. Mr. Welling served as Partner and Managing Director of HOLT Value Associates L.P. from October 1999 to January 2002. Mr. Welling is a member of the Board of Directors of Jamba, Inc., a NASDAQ listed leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you food and beverage offerings. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the University of Pennsylvania’s tennis program and as a Member of the Wharton Executive Education Board. He teaches executive education courses at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Welling received his BA from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Qualifications: Mr. Welling brings to the Board financial and senior management experience, which makes him particularly qualified to serve on our Board.
| THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE 9 NOMINEES IDENTIFIED ABOVE. |
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INFORMATION CONCERNING OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are required to have a majority of independent directors serving on our Board and may only have independent directors serving on each of our Audit, Compensation, and Nomination Committees pursuant to the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and, with respect to our Audit Committee, the rules and regulations existing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Our Board undertook an annual review of our directors’ and Director Nominees’ independence. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any relationships or transactions involving our directors or Director Nominees (including their family members and affiliates) were inconsistent with a determination that such director or Director Nominee is independent under the independence standards prescribed by the NYSE’s listing rules and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. Our Board also considered whether our Audit Committee members continue to satisfy the independence standards prescribed for audit committee members by the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act.
In making its determination, the Board considered not only the criteria for independence set forth in the listing rules of the NYSE but also any other relevant facts and circumstances that may have come to the Board’s attention. These related transactions, relationships or arrangements between a director or a Director Nominee (or any member of their immediate family or any entity of which such director or Director Nominee or one of their immediate family members is an executive officer, general partner or significant equity holder) on the one hand, and Medifast or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, on the other hand, might signal potential conflicts of interest, or might bear on the materiality of a director’s or a Director Nominee’s relationship to Medifast or any of its subsidiaries. The Board considered the independence issue not merely from the standpoint of the director or Director Nominee, but also from that of the persons or organizations with which the director or Director Nominee is affiliated.
Based on its review, our Board determined that each of the non-employee directors qualify as independent under the independence standards prescribed by the listing rules of the NYSE. Our Board also determined that Messrs. Brown, Byrnes, and Connolly qualify as “independent” under the independence standards for audit committee members adopted by the SEC.
The Board is committed to strong corporate governance and board independence. The Board recognizes that having the same person serve in the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman positions can present an issue for some companies and some boards. However, the 2004 Blue Ribbon Commission of the National Association of Corporate Directors found that separation of the roles of chairman and chief executive officer was not necessary for effective board leadership. The Nomination Committee and the Board continue to consider the issue of board leadership and do not believe there is any material corporate governance benefit to separating these positions at this time. Our Chairman of the Board does not have any enhanced rights as a director, but has the same voting authority as any other director. The role of Chairman is one which is principally that of presiding at meetings of the Board and taking the initiative on establishing the proposed agenda for meetings of the Board, which is a role our senior management would play a significant part in regardless of which director serves as Chairman. Our Board continues to believe that the current structure is in our best interests, and our stockholders’ best interests, and allows Michael C. MacDonald, who serves as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to focus on our strategy, business, and operations.
| - 12 - |
The Board believes that there is no one best leadership structure model that is most effective in all circumstances. The Board retains the authority to separate the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in the future if such change is determined to be in our best interests and those of our stockholders. Thus, the Board remains flexible and committed to a strong corporate governance structure and board independence. The Board is committed to adopting corporate management and governance policies and strategies that promote our effective and ethical management. In this regard, the Board strongly believes that it should have maximum flexibility in deciding whether the offices of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are combined or separate and, if separate, whether the Chairman should be an independent director or an employee.
Lead Director
As noted above, the Board appointed Barry B. Bondroff, CPA, as Lead Independent Director effective July 22, 2013, however, pursuant to the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, Mr. Bondroff is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting. If elected at the Annual Meeting, the Board will appoint Jeffrey J. Brown as Lead Independent Director at the third quarter Board meeting. The Lead Independent Director is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the activities of the independent directors. For the purpose of balancing the interests of the stockholders and management when the CEO also serves as the Chairman of the Board, the Lead Independent Director serves as Chairman for meetings of the independent directors separate from management. The Lead Independent Director also represents the best practices regarding corporate governance, provides independent leadership to the Board, and performs such other duties and responsibilities as the Board may determine.
The principal responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director are as follows:
| · | Act as the principal liaison between the independent directors of the Board and the CEO and Chairman of the Board; |
| · | Develop the agenda for and preside at executive sessions of the Board's independent directors; |
| · | Communicate to the Chairman any and all feedback from the executive sessions; |
| · | Prepare minutes of the meeting of independent directors, share minutes with the full Board when appropriate, and deliver the minutes to the Company for filing with the minutes of the Company; |
| · | Review and approve the agenda for the Board; |
| - 13 - |
| · | Participate in the compensation committee’s evaluation of the CEO’s performance; |
| · | Supervise the evaluations (self and otherwise) of the directors; |
| · | Initiate a review of the independent Board members’ performances, discuss the results with the Chairman, and make recommendations for improvement, if required; |
| · | Handle difficult and underperforming directors to improve the functionality of the Board; |
| · | Assist in Board succession plans; |
| · | Preside at all meetings at which the Chairman is not present; |
| · | Retain the authority to call meetings of the independent directors; |
| · | Subject to the authority of any committee of the Board, recommend to the Board the retention of advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board; |
| · | As the Board determines, serve as a liaison and be available for consultation and direct communication with major stockholders; |
| · | Make recommendations to the Board on behalf of the independent directors; and |
| · | Undertake further such responsibilities that the independent directors may designate to the Lead Independent Director from time to time. |
The Board has four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nomination Committee and the Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nomination Committee meets the standards of “independence” established by the NYSE as currently in effect. Following the Annual Meeting Jeffrey J. Brown will be appointed to the Executive and Audit Committees of the Board, Glenn W. Welling will be appointed to the Special Mergers & Acquisitions and Compensation Committees of the Board and Jorgene K. Hartwig will be appointed to the Nomination Committee of the Board. A description of each Board committee is set forth below.
| - 14 - |
The present members of the Audit Committee are Charles P. Connolly (Chairman), Barry B. Bondroff, Kevin G. Byrnes, and John P. McDaniel, all of whom have been determined by the Board to be independent within the meaning of SEC rules and the applicable NYSE listing rules. The Board has also determined that each member of the Audit Committee is “financially literate” as required by the NYSE rules, and an Audit Committee Financial Expert within the meaning of the SEC rules based on, among other things, the experience of such member.
The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, the review and oversight of the Company’s performance with respect to its financial responsibilities and the integrity of the Company’s accounting and reporting practices. The Audit Committee, on behalf of the Board, also appoints the Company’s independent auditors, subject to stockholder ratification, at the annual meeting of stockholders.
The Audit Committee operates under the Audit Committee Charter adopted and approved by the Board. A copy of the charter can be obtained from the Company’s website (http://ir.medifastnow.com/), or by sending a request to the Office of the General Counsel, Medifast, Inc., 3600 Crondall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.
The present members of the Compensation Committee are Carl E. Sassano (Chairman), Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., Catherine T. Maguire, and Jerry D. Reece, all of whom have been determined by the Board to be independent within the meaning of the applicable NYSE listing rules.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing and approving annually the corporate goals and objectives applicable to the compensation of our chief executive officer and determining the compensation of our chief executive officer based on the achievement of these goals, approving the compensation of our other executive officers, overseeing our incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and reviewing and recommending changes to the Board with respect to director compensation. For information regarding our Compensation Committee, including its processes and procedures for determining executive compensation, see “Information About our Compensation Committee.”
The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities under its charter, along with the authority to take action in relation to such responsibilities, to one or more subcommittees as the Committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion.
The Compensation Committee operates under the Compensation Committee Charter, adopted and approved by the Board. A copy of the charter can be obtained from the Company’s website (http://ir.medifastnow.com/) or by sending a request to the Office of the General Counsel, Medifast, Inc., 3600 Crondall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.
The present members of the Nominating Committee are Rev. Donald Francis Reilly, OSA (Chairman), Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., and Catherine T. Maguire, all of whom have been determined by the Board to be independent within the meaning of the applicable NYSE listing rules.
| - 15 - |
The Nomination Committee is responsible for, among other things, recommending to the Board potential director nominees for election to the Board, recommending to the Board directors to serve on the various Board committees, advising the Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees, developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance principles applicable to the Company, and evaluating and making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation of directors.
The Nominating Committee operates under the Nomination Committee Charter adopted and approved by the Board. A copy of the Charter can be obtained from the Company’s website (http://ir.medifastnow.com/), or by sending a request to the Office of the General Counsel, Medifast, Inc., 3600 Condall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.
Director Qualifications. Director nominees are selected on the basis of, among other things, experience, knowledge, skills, expertise, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding the Company’s global business environment, and willingness to devote adequate time and effort to Board responsibilities so as to enhance the Board’s ability to oversee and direct the affairs and business of the Company.
Diversity. The Company does not maintain a separate policy regarding the diversity of the Board. However, the charter of the Nominating Committee requires that the Committee review the composition of the Board to ensure it has the “appropriate balance” of experience, skills, expertise, and diversity for the Board as a whole. Consistent with these guidelines, both the Nomination Committee and the full Board seek director nominees with distinct professional backgrounds, experience, and perspectives so that the Board as a whole has the range of skills and viewpoints necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. As part of our annual Board self-evaluation process, the Board evaluates whether or not the Board as a whole has the skills and backgrounds for the current issues facing the Company. The Board also evaluates its effectiveness with regard to specific areas of expertise.
Director Nomination Process. Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Nomination Committee reviews the qualifications of proposed director nominees to serve on our Board and recommends director nominees to our Board for election at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. The Board proposes a slate of director nominees to the stockholders for election to the Board, using information provided by the Nomination Committee.
In certain instances, a third party may assist the Nomination Committee or the Board in identifying potential director nominees. The Nomination Committee also considers potential nominations for director provided by the Company’s stockholders and submits any such suggested nominations, when appropriate, to the Board for approval. Stockholder nominees for director are evaluated using the same criteria described above. Stockholders wishing to recommend persons for consideration by the Nomination Committee as nominees for election to the Board can do so by writing to the Office of the Corporate Secretary, Medifast, Inc., 3600 Crondall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 and providing the information and following the additional procedures set forth in the Bylaws, which are described in “Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Director” in this Proxy Statement.
| - 16 - |
Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee
The present members of the Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee are Kevin G. Byrnes (Chairman), Barry B. Bondroff, Charles P. Connolly, John P. McDaniel, and Carl E. Sassano.
The Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee is responsible for reviewing and overseeing all mergers, acquisitions, investment transactions and similar transactions being considered by the Company, and making recommendations to the Board.
The Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee operates under the Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee Charter adopted and approved by the Board. A copy of the charter can be obtained from the Company’s website (http://ir.medifastnow.com/) or by sending a request to the Office of the General Counsel, Medifast, Inc., 3600 Crondall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.
BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company takes a comprehensive approach to risk management and believes risk can arise in every decision and action taken by the Company, whether strategic or operational. The Company, therefore, seeks to include risk management principles in all of its management processes and in the responsibilities of its employees at every level. Our comprehensive approach is reflected in the reporting processes, by which our management provides timely and comprehensive information to the Board, to support the Board’s role in oversight, approval, and decision-making.
The Board closely monitors the information it receives from management and provides oversight and guidance to our management team concerning the assessment and management of risk. The Board has delegated oversight for matters involving certain specific areas of risk exposure to its committees. Each committee reports to the Board at regularly scheduled Board meetings, and more frequently if appropriate, with respect to the matters and risks for which the committee provides oversight.
Our senior executives provide the Board and its committees with regular updates about the Company’s strategies and objectives, and the risks inherent within them at Board and committee meetings and in regular reports. Board and committee meetings also provide a venue for directors to discuss issues with management. The Board and committees call special meetings when necessary to address specific issues. In addition, our directors have access to Company management at all levels to discuss any matters of interest, including those related to risk. Those members of management most knowledgeable of the issues attend Board meetings to provide additional insight into items being discussed, including risk exposures.
The Board approves the Company’s high level goals, strategies and policies to set the tone and direction for appropriate risk taking within the business. The Board and its committees then emphasize this tone and direction in its oversight of management’s implementation of the Company’s goals, strategies, and policies.
| - 17 - |
Code of Conduct and Business Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board has adopted a corporate Code of Conduct and Business Ethics applicable to our directors, officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and employees, as well as Corporate Governance Guidelines, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE. Each of our Code of Conduct and Business Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at http://ir.medifastnow.com/ by following the links through “Investor Relations” to “Corporate Governance.”
Any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Company’s Code of Conduct and Business Ethics with respect to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller will be posted on the Company’s website, (http://ir.medifastnow.com/).
In 2014, our Board convened eight times, including three telephonic meetings, and our Board Committees held the following number of meetings: (i) Audit Committee — five meetings; (ii) Compensation Committee — five meetings; (iii) Nomination Committee — four meetings; and (iv) Special Mergers & Acquisitions Committee — three meetings.
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, directors are expected to regularly attend Board meetings and meetings of the Board committees on which they serve in person or by conference telephone, and all directors are expected to attend the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. All of our current directors attended the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 17, 2014. All of our current directors attended at least 90% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board and the Committees on which they served in 2014.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The non-employee directors of Medifast receive an annual stock and stock option grant for their service on the Board. In Fiscal 2014, each non-employee director received 750 shares of restricted stock and 5,000 stock options. The Lead Director received 850 shares of restricted stock. The number of options received was prorated for directors who joined the Board mid-year in 2013. Stock options are granted at the February meeting of the Board and vest over a three year term, and restricted shares vest on January 1, 2016. In Fiscal 2014, directors also received a meeting fee of $7,500 for attending a quarterly Board meeting and between $500 and $4,000 for attending a quarterly committee meeting (depending on the committee and the position held). The committee fees and Board meeting fees may, at each director’s election, be received in cash or common shares (equivalent in value to 120% of the cash value of the compensation based on the stock price on the last day of the quarter). All common shares granted in lieu of compensation vest on the respective quarter-end date. For additional committee meetings or board service, directors receive $1,500 per day or a pro rata portion thereof. Employee directors do not receive any additional compensation for their services as director.
| - 18 - |
The following table contains information concerning the compensation of our non-employee Directors during 2014.
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) (1) | Option Awards ($) (2) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||
| Harvey C. Barnum | 844 | 60,761 | 76,851 | 138,456 | ||||||||||||
| Barry B. Bondroff | 3,719 | 72,430 | 76,851 | 153,000 | ||||||||||||
| Kevin G. Byrnes | 35,219 | 19,890 | 44,835 | 99,944 | ||||||||||||
| Charles P. Connolly | 2,156 | 75,129 | 76,851 | 154,136 | ||||||||||||
| Catherine T. Maguire | 18,625 | 39,749 | 76,851 | 135,225 | ||||||||||||
| John P. McDaniel | 1,313 | 60,761 | 76,851 | 138,925 | ||||||||||||
| Jerry D. Reece | 938 | 65,529 | 76,851 | 143,317 | ||||||||||||
| Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A. | 34,563 | 19,890 | 76,851 | 131,304 | ||||||||||||
| Carl E. Sassano | 18,521 | 39,152 | 22,410 | 80,093 | ||||||||||||
(1) Amounts are calculated based on the aggregate grant date fair value of these awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Stock Compensation,” excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The assumptions and methodologies used to calculate these amounts are discussed in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report. Under generally accepted accounting principles, compensation expense with respect to stock awards granted to our employees is recognized over the vesting periods of the applicable rewards.
(2) Amounts are based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
Our non-employee directors held the following outstanding awards as of December 31, 2014:
| Name | Outstanding Restricted Stock Awards (#) | Outstanding Stock Option Awards (#) | ||||||
| Harvey C. Barnum | 1,500 | 5,000 | ||||||
| Barry B. Bondroff | 1,600 | 5,000 | ||||||
| Kevin G. Byrnes | 1,188 | 2,917 | ||||||
| Charles P. Connolly | 1,500 | 5,000 | ||||||
| Catherine T. Maguire | 1,500 | 5,000 | ||||||
| John P. McDaniel | 1,500 | 5,000 | ||||||
| Jerry D. Reece | 1,500 | 5,000 | ||||||
| Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A. | 1,500 | 5,000 | ||||||
| Carl E. Sassano | 969 | 1,458 | ||||||
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Except for Michael C. MacDonald, who is also a director of the Company, the biographical information of the Company’s executive officers is below.
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Timothy G. Robinson, CPA, age 52, has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, since February 2013. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Robinson was Vice President, Business Operations for Canon Business Solutions, Inc., from 2008 to 2013, where he served as a key member of the executive team for this national office products subsidiary of Canon U.S.A. From 1995 to 2008, Mr. Robinson was Vice President, Finance & Administration for Canon Business Solutions-East, Inc. Mr. Robinson was Controller of Dupli-Fax, Inc. from 1989 to 1995 and was a Senior Emerging Business Consultant for Deloitte & Touche from 1985 to 1989. Mr. Robinson received his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Villanova University.
Jason L. Groves, Esq., age 44, has been a director of the Company since 2009 and served as a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Groves has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel since November 2011. Prior to joining Medifast in November 2011, Mr. Groves served as Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs for Verizon Maryland, since 2003. Mr. Groves is also a United States Army veteran. He was a direct commissioned Judge Advocate in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp (“JAG”). As a JAG Officer, he practiced law and had the distinction of prosecuting criminal cases in the District Court of Maryland as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. Over the course of three years, he received two Army Achievement Medals, and one Army Commendation Medal. Mr. Groves also sits on several non-profit boards including Anne Arundel Medical Center and the Maryland Hospital Association. Mr. Groves received his Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in Business with a concentration in Hospitality Management, from Bethune-Cookman University. He also obtained his juris doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law and is a member of the New Jersey and District of Columbia bars as well as several bar associations.
Margaret E. Sheetz, age 38, has been a director of the Company since 2008 and served as a member of the Executive Committee. Ms. Sheetz has served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Medifast since 2008. In March 2011, Ms. Sheetz also became the Chief Executive Office of Take Shape for Life. Prior to joining the Company in 2000, she worked with the firm of Carrington, Coleman, Sloman and Blumenthal in Dallas, Texas. Ms. Sheetz supports the efforts of the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and Toys for Tots Foundation. She sits on the board for Stevenson University, the Greater Baltimore Committee, Siloam, and is also a member of the Villanova President’s Leadership Circle. In addition, she is the managing trustee of the MacDonald Family Foundation and the Take Shape for Life Foundation which focuses on grants to support education programs for disadvantaged students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University and received an Executive MBA from Loyola University. Ms. Sheetz is the niece of Michael C. MacDonald.
Mehrnaz Mona Ameli, age 44, is the President of Take Shape For Life and is responsible for providing day-to-day leadership and direction to Take Shape for Life in order to optimize performance and profitability. Ms. Ameli’s focus is on helping to develop and implement effective and creative plans for the long-term growth of the business and providing leadership, direction, and coaching to Field Marketing, Field Operations, and Field Business development. She is also responsible for driving TSFL’s strategic initiatives while insuring their alignment with Medifast’s overall strategic goals.
| - 20 - |
Ms. Ameli brings over 20 years of progressive and successful executive leadership, management, and cross functional international expertise in the direct selling industry covering all major regions of the world: North America, Western and Eastern Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Before joining Medifast, Ms. Ameli held the role of General Manager, United States Division of Belcorp, the ninth largest direct selling company in the world with $2B in sales across 15 markets. Prior to joining Belcorp, Ms. Ameli was the Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at CGT in California where she managed the development and execution of their business strategy, market segmentation, branding, and budget and product portfolio. In addition, Ms. Ameli has had leadership positions at Shaklee Corporation, Natural Alternatives International, and Herbalife.
Ms. Ameli has a proven track record of results-driven leadership in opening new markets as well as growing and enhancing sales and profitability for both established companies as well as start-ups. Her expertise in building multi-national consumer packaged goods brands, developing new products, and expanding new business units internationally with a special focus in the direct-to-consumer and direct selling industries makes her a valuable addition to the Medifast Team.
Ms. Ameli serves on the Direct Selling Association Diversity Council and was honored in 2012 as one of the most influential women in the direct selling industry by Direct Selling News. She earned her Diploma of Economics and Master of Business Management from the University of Paris - Dauphine.
Donald Gould, age 56, has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President for Information Technology since January 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Gould worked in information technology at Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. and Campbell Soup Company. Mr. Gould has 30 years of information technology experience with the majority being in the consumer products industry. Mr. Gould has managed a variety of projects both in the United States and internationally, mostly focusing on supply chain and retail operations. Mr. Gould received a BS from Slippery Rock University and a MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.
Brian Kagen, age 42, has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer since August 2012. Prior to this he served as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Business Development since June 2011. In his current role, Brian oversees all marketing across the organization, driving day-to-day execution and initiating long-term plans to build awareness, drive revenue and profit growth all while working to expand the Medifast brand. Brian’s responsibilities include brand strategy, product marketing, channel management, creative services, pricing and promotion, consumer insights, public relations, social media, and marketing communications. Brian came to Medifast in June 2011 after a 14-year career with Fortune 500 Company, Stanley Black & Decker, where he held the position of Global Vice President of Marketing. In this position, Brian was charged with leadership for the company’s largest consumer products business segment. Brian received his BA from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from the Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University of Maryland where he serves as a guest lecturer. Brian is a graduate of Leadership Baltimore County and is active in the community as a youth football and basketball coach.
| - 21 - |
Joseph Kelleman, age 60, is the Vice President of Finance, Corporate Controller. Mr. Kelleman joined Medifast as Director of Finance – Supply Chain in February 2012 with over 30 years of experience in finance at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. Prior to joining Medifast, Mr. Kelleman was the Global Operations Controller – CDIY Business at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. from 2010 to 2012. From 2009 through 2010, Mr. Kelleman held the position of Director of Finance – Asian Operations having financial oversight for all Power Tool manufacturing in Asia and the global sourcing operations for the Company. From 2001 to 2009, Mr. Kelleman held the position of Director of Finance for the North American Power Tool Commercial Operations of Black & Decker and prior to that role held numerous positions of increasing responsibility over his career within the company. Mr. Kelleman received his BS Degree in Accounting from Mount St. Mary’s University.
| - 22 - |
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF AMENDMENT TO
THE COMPANY’S
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board regularly reviews the Company’s corporate governance. On and effective April 3, 2015, in connection with this review and in accordance with the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, the Board of Directors approved and adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, which provide for the declassification of the Board and the annual election of all directors to the Board, commencing with the Annual Meeting. In accordance with the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, the Company is submitting this Proposal 2 to stockholders at the Annual Meeting for ratification of the amendment to the Bylaws to declassify the Board. Michael MacDonald and Margaret Sheetz have agreed to vote all shares over which they have voting control, representing approximately 6.25% of the number of shares outstanding as of May 4, 2015, for the approval of Proposal 2.
Prior Board Structure and Declassification
Prior to the amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws, our Board was divided into three classes. The amendment to the Bylaws provides that the Board is declassified and all directors will be elected annually for one year terms that will expire at the next year’s annual meeting, commencing with the Annual Meeting.
Reasons for the Declassification
The Board of Directors considered the views of a number of investors who believe that a classified board structure reduces the accountability of directors to stockholders because the directors on such a board do not face an annual election. They argue that the election of directors is the primary means for stockholders to influence corporate governance policies, and that a classified board structure reduces the accountability of directors because stockholders are unable to evaluate and elect all directors on an annual basis.
Classified boards have been widely adopted and accepted, and they have a long history in corporate law. Proponents of classified boards assert they provide continuity and stability in the management of the business and affairs of a company, because classified boards allow companies to maintain the experience of a majority of directors of the company following each election of directors. Proponents further assert that classified boards may enhance stockholder value by forcing a potential acquirer to negotiate directly with the board of a target company, because the acquirer is unable to replace the entire board in a single election.
Our Board has considered the advantages and disadvantages of its classified board structure and determined that the declassification of our Board is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. Accordingly, the Board amended the Bylaws effective April 3, 2015, to declassify the Board in connection with its review and in accordance with the terms of the Cooperation Agreement.
| - 23 - |
The Amended and Restated Bylaws were approved and adopted by the Board of Directors on April 3, 2015, and stockholder approval of the amendment to the Amended and Restated Bylaws is not required by Delaware law or the Bylaws or the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. Nevertheless, the Board considers the amendments an important issue, and the Company has agreed to ask stockholders to ratify the Amended and Restated Bylaws. If the proposal for ratification is not approved by stockholders, the Board will evaluate whether or not to rescind the amendment to the Bylaws.
The Board recommends that the stockholders ratify the amendment to the Bylaws to declassify the Board of Directors by adopting the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the amendment of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company as of April 3, 2015, to declassify the Company’s Board of Directors is hereby APPROVED, RATIFIED, AND CONFIRMED.”
| THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. |
| - 24 - |
Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”)
Introduction
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses our 2014 compensation program as it relates to our “named executive officers.” For 2014, our named executive officers are:
| Ø | Michael MacDonald – our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board |
| Ø | Timothy Robinson – our Chief Financial Officer |
| Ø | Margaret Sheetz – our President and Chief Operating Officer |
| Ø | Brian Kagen – our Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer |
| Ø | Don Gould – our Executive Vice President of Technology |
| Ø | Jeannette Mills – our former Executive Vice President, Take Shape for Life |
Executive Summary
2014 was a year of transition for our company. We took actions during 2014 that we believe will position us for long-term profitability and growth. During 2014, we transitioned company-owned centers to a franchise model and expanded our product line. However, due in part to these actions, our revenue and net income decreased over 2013 levels, and certain other financial results did not reach our budgeted levels for 2014. Specifically, our financial results for 2014 included one-time charges related to our exit from the MWCC corporate center model and the sale of 41 centers to existing franchise partners, as well as the write-off of a franchise loan and certain legal expenses. Despite these results, we have delivered strong returns for our shareholders, as our one and three-year total stockholder return are approximately 28% and 144%, respectively.
We believe that it is important, during this time of transition, to retain the talented executives who can lead us to become a stronger company and to deliver value to our shareholders, but also to ensure that our executives are rewarded in line with the results that they deliver. In light of these challenges and of the negative results of the “say on pay” advisory vote held at our annual meeting of stockholders in 2014, we have focused in 2014 on assessing and improving our executive compensation policies and programs to effectively achieve our compensation goals: to attract, retain and motivate these highly qualified executives, and to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders. This assessment has resulted in the implementation of several new policies that help to align executive interests with the interests of our stockholders, which will ensure that our executives continue to be focused on long-term results. Our assessment of our compensation programs has continued into 2015, and we expect that we will continue to make changes to our programs to further achieve our compensation goals.
We spent a majority of the 2014 year following the “say on pay” advisory vote analyzing our compensation programs, and based on our analysis and the feedback we received, we made changes that we believe were necessary to strengthen the overall executive compensation program and to address the concerns of our stockholders. The following is a summary of compensation actions taken during 2014.
| - 25 - |
| 2014 Actions | ||
| ü | Amended our 2012 Share Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) to provide for a double-trigger in the event of a Change in Control on future grants of equity and equity-related awards. | |
| ü | Amended our 2012 Plan to provide that dividends paid on performance-based restricted shares will only be paid at the time and to the extent the underlying restrictions lapse. | |
| ü | Corrected actions taken in 2013 and 2014 in which equity and equity-based awards were granted in excess of the limits in the 2012 Plan, and improved our internal controls with respect to equity grant practices. | |
| ü | No new grants of restricted shares to any of our named executive officers. | |
In addition to the above actions, we have continued our policies which are what we consider to be our ongoing “best practices” with respect to compensation.
| Compensation Best Practices | ||
| ü | We do not provide excessive perquisites to our executives. | |
| ü | Our executives will not be entitled to tax gross-ups under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if there is a change in ownership or control of Medifast. | |
| ü | We do not provide supplemental retirement benefits to our executives. | |
| ü | We do not have employment agreements with our executives. | |
| ü | We provide only limited severance benefits to our CEO, President, and CFO. | |
| ü | Approximately 81% of the target compensation for our CEO in 2014 was based on company performance or the performance of our stock. | |
| ü | The 2012 Plan prohibits repricing of underwater stock options without stockholder approval. | |
2014 Say on Pay Advisory Vote Results and 2014 Compensation Actions
As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), we held a “say on pay” advisory vote on executive compensation at our annual meeting of stockholders in 2014. At that meeting, only 28% of our stockholders voted in favor of our executive compensation proposal. Since that time, we have conducted an in-depth review of our compensation policies and programs, and have adopted several new policies to promote good governance and an alignment of the interests of our executives with our stockholders. We have also engaged in discussions with several of our stockholders in order to better understand their concerns with our executive compensation policies and programs. These discussions were informative and assisted us in understanding how our compensation programs can be better structured, and how we can improve the understanding of our compensation programs by our stockholders. The chart below summarizes the main concerns raised by our stockholders and how we have responded to such concerns.
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|
Stockholder Feedback |
Medifast Response | ||
| Ø | Annual cash bonus awards assumed to be discretionary. | Ø | Our annual cash bonus awards are made pursuant to a plan with pre-established performance goals based on our financial performance. We have clarified our disclosure regarding the annual cash bonus awards. |
| Ø | Restricted share awards to our CEO in 2013 were thought to be excessive. | Ø | The restricted share awards granted to our CEO in 2013 were one-time grants – one as a reward for performance during 2012 and in consideration of his taking on the role of CEO, and the second as a retention award with a 7-year vesting schedule – and we have not historically granted restricted share awards on an annual basis. |
| Ø | Perceived disconnect between CEO pay and Company performance. | Ø | We have enhanced our disclosure of how we link CEO pay to performance, and we did not grant new restricted share awards to our CEO during 2014. |
| Ø | Lack of stock ownership guidelines. | Ø | We are currently considering stock ownership guidelines. |
| Ø | Lack of a clawback policy. | Ø | We are currently considering a clawback policy. |
| Ø | Lack of anti-pledging policy. | Ø | We are currently considering an anti-pledging policy. |
The discussions we have engaged in with our stockholders have helped us understand the concerns with our compensation programs, and we hope to keep this dialogue open during our ongoing assessment of our compensation programs. Our “say-on-pay” advisory vote on executive compensation is required to be held no later than at our annual meeting of stockholders in 2017.
Compensation Philosophy
In today’s rapidly changing marketplace, it is important to locate and secure the talented individuals who will be able to steer our company to long-term success and to provide positive returns for our stockholders. Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate these highly qualified executives, and to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders.
| Ø | Attract: We compete with other companies in our industry for talent, and many of these companies are much larger and have higher revenues. We offer our executives competitive compensation packages, including sign-on awards, so that we can attract the talent needed to deliver quality results, and position our company to succeed now and into the future. |
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| Ø | Retain: A stable management team benefits our strategic long-term goals, and ensures that we are managed by executives who have a deep knowledge and understanding of our company and the ability to make well informed decisions. We retain our executives by providing them competitive on-going pay packages, and tying a portion of their compensation to their long-term service with the company. |
| Ø | Motivate: We believe in pay for performance. A large percentage of our executives’ compensation is based on our performance. The only fixed element of compensation for our executives is base salary, with the remainder of compensation based on our financial performance (our executive cash bonus plan and performance-based deferred shares) and the value of our stock (the retention awards granted to our senior executives periodically, stock options granted to our Executive Vice Presidents annually, and performance-based deferred shares). Placing the value of a portion of our executives’ pay at risk ensures that our executives will work to achieve our stated business objectives and create stockholder value. |
| Ø | Align Interests with Stockholder Interests: It is vital for our executives to make decisions that will create positive results for our stockholders. We believe that the best way to ensure our executives understand the pressing concerns of stockholders is for our executives to be stockholders themselves, and to have a meaningful proportion of their compensation paid in shares. Since the value of the executive’s compensation is dependent on our share price, the executive is motivated to increase long-term company value. |
Pay for Performance
Executive compensation at Medifast is focused on executive performance keyed to results. We provide fair and equitable compensation to our executives by combining conservative base pay, annual incentive awards paid based on our performance (consisting of both cash and performance-based deferred shares), and stock-based long-term incentives. The Compensation Committee has designed our executive compensation program so that performance-based and other variable pay elements (annual incentive awards and equity-based awards) constitute a significant portion of the targeted annual compensation that each executive is eligible to earn during the year. The total amount of compensation each executive could receive with respect to a fiscal year is variable based on our performance, which motivates our executives to focus on creating value for our stockholders.
The following charts demonstrate that these performance-based and variable pay elements comprised at least 80% of the targeted annual compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, 70% of the targeted annual compensation for the Chief Operating Officer/President, and 60% of the targeted annual compensation for the Chief Financial Officer.
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For purposes of these charts, “fixed” compensation is the executive’s base salary, and “variable” is a combination of the target cash bonus, the grant date fair value of the deferred shares granted in connection with 2014 performance (assuming performance at the target level), and the grant date fair value of the portion of the restricted share awards that our CEO, President and CFO each received in 2013 that were scheduled to vest during 2014. We have included the grant date fair value of the restricted share awards granted in 2013 that vested during the 2014 because this is the amount the Compensation Committee took into consideration for compensation planning purposes when it granted the restricted share awards.
Realized Compensation
The amounts included in the Summary Compensation Table are calculated based on SEC regulations and do not reflect the actual amounts that our named executive officers will receive during the year – the totals in the Summary Compensation Table are much higher than the amounts each named executive officer will actually receive in the applicable year. The amounts included in the Summary Compensation Table are particularly misleading with respect to restricted share awards granted to our named executive officers, since the full grant date fair value of the awards are reported in the year of grant, and we have not historically granted restricted share awards to our named executive officers on an annual basis. Instead, we have historically made one-time grants of restricted share awards that vest over a long vesting period. As a result, our Summary Compensation Table is required to show a larger “total compensation” in the year in which a restricted share award is granted, and lower “total compensation” in the years in which no such awards are made. To illustrate the disconnect between the amounts reported in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table and the actual amounts realized by our CEO, the table below shows the amounts realized by our CEO, Michael MacDonald, in the applicable year, and the amount reported in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table.
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Realized Compensation
The amounts in the “Summary Compensation Table” columns are as reported in the Total column of the 2014 Summary Compensation Table. The amounts in the “Realized Compensation” column include (a) base salary, (b) actual cash bonus earned for the applicable year, (c) the value on vesting of deferred shares that vest and are paid during the applicable year (which relate to performance in the prior year), (d) the value on vesting of restricted shares that vest during the year, (e) the value realized from the exercise of stock options during the year, and (f) all other compensation paid (or earned) during the applicable year (which is included in the “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year). The Summary Compensation Table amounts for 2013 and 2014 reflect the re-grant of certain restricted share and deferred share awards in 2014, discussed below under “Long-Term Compensation Correction During 2014.”
CEO Compensation and Company Results
Our focus on pay for performance can best be demonstrated through a comparison of our total stockholder return and our CEO’s realized pay over the same period. Since our CEO took the position in February 2012, we have delivered excellent returns for our stockholders. Our one and three-year total stockholder return are approximately 28% and 144%, respectively. The realizable pay for our CEO is directly linked to the value of our stock and to the positive returns for our stockholders. Due to the increase in the value of our stock, our CEO’s realized compensation for this period has increased as well.
To demonstrate the linkage between CEO pay and Company performance, the chart below compares our CEO’s realized pay (as disclosed above) for the last three fiscal years to our total stockholder return for that period. The total stockholder return is based on the amount that a stockholder would have at the end of each fiscal year, assuming $100 was invested in the beginning of 2012.
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How Compensation Decisions are Made
Role of Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is responsible for developing and approving the executive compensation program for all executive officers, including the named executive officers, and for reviewing, approving and, where appropriate, recommending to the full Board for approval, our incentive compensation and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for the creation and periodic review of the overall executive compensation philosophy, the analysis and assessment of any material risk to the Company related to our compensation programs, and the determination of the components and levels of executive compensation.
Role of Management
The Compensation Committee works closely with members of our management team in designing our executive compensation programs, including Mr. MacDonald, our CEO, and Mr. Robinson, our CFO and Jeanne Uphouse, Executive Vice President, Human Resources. Our management team evaluates the performance of our executives (other than our CEO), and makes recommendations as to the compensation levels of our executives and the goals for our short-term incentives. The advice of our management is important in order for the Compensation Committee to design compensation programs that align to corporate goals and our strategic direction. All compensation decisions are made by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
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Use of Peer Group
The Compensation Committee measures the total direct compensation (which includes base pay, annual cash and stock-based incentives and stock-based long-term incentives) of each executive against other organizations in the general weight-loss industry. There is a wide variety of diet products and programs which comprise the weight loss industry, which include a wide variety of commercial weight loss programs, pharmaceutical products, weight loss books, self-help diets, dietary supplements, appetite suppressants and meal replacement shakes and bars. Some of our competitors are substantially larger than we are, and have considerably greater financial resources than we have. Our ability to remain competitive depends, in significant part, on our success in recruiting and retaining executive leadership with an attractive compensation package. The Company targets total direct compensation for each executive near median for organizations in the general weight-loss industry, with the mix of pay (base pay, annual cash incentives and long-term incentives) designed to reflect a strong bias towards pay for performance by placing a majority of target compensation at risk.
Each year, the Compensation Committee compares the total direct compensation for our executives to compensation paid by an industry peer group approved by the Compensation Committee. The criteria used to identify the peer group were: (1) industry — Medifast competes for talent with other healthy living and wellness companies and general weight-loss industry companies of similar and larger size; and (2) financial scope — our management talent should be compensated similar to that of companies of a similar and larger size in terms of revenues.
For 2014, the peer group was comprised of the following five corporations. The peer group revenue range is from $214 million to $4.9 billion.
| · | NutriSystem Inc., |
| · | Nutraceutical, Inc., |
| · | Herbalife Ltd., |
| · | USANA Health Sciences, and |
| · | Weight Watchers International Inc. |
Role of Compensation Consultants and Survey Data
During Fiscal 2013, the Compensation Committee engaged an independent executive compensation consultant firm, Keating Advisors, LLC. (“Keating”), to advise and make recommendations regarding Medifast’s executive compensation program. Keating provided advice with respect to compensation through June 2014. The Compensation Committee has evaluated the independence of Keating and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent Keating from independently advising the Compensation Committee.
In addition to advice provided by Keating the Compensation Committee utilized the following materials, along with other resources and tools, to render compensation decisions for 2014: (i) surveys and reports of executive compensation paid by other public companies with characteristics similar to ours and (ii) professionally published surveys from Towers Watson, WTPF Compensation Survey, Direct Selling Association Management Compensation & Benefits Survey, Economic Research Institute Salary Assessor, and HRA-NCA. These materials and other resources help to provide us with solid benchmarks for each component of our executive compensation package as well as a general understanding of best practices of companies in our industry who are competing for with us for top talent.
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Elements of Executive Compensation
Our executive compensation program has three main elements: base salary, annual incentive bonus (cash and equity), and long-term equity awards.
Base Salary
Base salary is the only element of fixed compensation that we provide to our executives. Our base salary determinations principally reflect the skills and performance levels of our individual executives, the needs of the Company, and pay practices of comparable public companies within the general health and wellness diet industry.
It is not our policy to pay our executive officers at the highest base salary level. Instead, we establish executive base salaries below the midpoint level relative to our peers. The Compensation Committee evaluates our executives’ base salaries on an annual basis and asks for input and recommendations from the CEO and CFO and then considers (i) the particular executive’s role and responsibilities; (ii) his or her level of performance, achievements, and contributions to the Company; (iii) current market data and salary levels for such executive’s particular position; and (iv) the total compensation paid to such executive. We believe this policy sets a prudent and fiscally responsible tone for the Company’s overall base salary compensation program.
In 2014, the salary increases were based on Keating’s engagement in a general market study of base salaries in our industry, and base salaries were adjusted to be in line with the median salary level as determined in the study. Base salary for 2014 for each named executive officer is illustrated below:
| Name | 2014 Base Salary | |||
| Mr. MacDonald | $ | 635,400 | ||
| Mr. Robinson | $ | 317,700 | ||
| Ms. Sheetz | $ | 423,600 | ||
| Mr. Kagen | $ | 266,400 | ||
| Mr. Gould | $ | 220,000 | ||
| Ms. Mills | $ | 242,050 | ||
Annual Incentive Bonus
Our annual incentive bonus awards are paid to participants in a combination of cash and performance-based deferred shares. These bonus awards principally reflect the Company’s financial performance and achievement of corporate objectives approved by our Board. The executive cash bonus plan and the performance-based deferred share awards are designed to reward our executives for the achievement of shorter-term financial goals, predominantly revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow. In consultation with the Chairman and CEO, the Compensation Committee evaluates, adjusts and approves the target cash bonus and the amount of deferred shares to be granted to each executive officer. In determining the target amounts for each executive, the Compensation Committee and the Chairman and CEO consider each executive’s contribution to current and long-term corporate goals, and value in the labor market.
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The financial targets for the annual cash and equity incentives are set based on the annual budget approved by the Board during the first quarter of 2014, and are intended to reward executives if the financial performance projections are met.
For 2014, the financial targets were based on corporate revenue, income before tax, and cash flow. The performance targets were the same for both the cash and the deferred share components of the annual incentive bonus. However, as discussed below, the deferred shares have an additional service requirement, and only vest if the executive remains employed for an additional year after the end of the performance period.
The Compensation Committee set the target for pre-tax profit at $40.7 million, the target for corporate revenue at $388.2 million, and net increase in cash and cash equivalents at $26.2 million (excluding adjustments from / to investment accounts, treasury stock repurchases and change in year over year deferred income tax, and income tax payable balances versus last year). The target performance level is set to promote solid performance in line with our budget for the year. The executive is eligible to receive an amount greater than the target if performance is greater than the target level. The components of the incentive plan outlined below are in place to focus the organization towards achieving growth/improved market share, shareholder value, and the effective use of cash.
The financial targets for annual cash and equity incentives are divided into three components as follows:
| · | Corporate Revenue: 25% of the total target payout is based on the achievement of our corporate revenue target. For 2014, the corporate revenue target was $388.2 million in net revenue, an increase of 8.8% over 2013 net revenue of $356.9 million. |
| · | Income Before Tax (“IBT”): 50% of the total target payout is based on a pre-tax profit target of $40.7 million, an increase of 19.0% over 2013 IBT of $34.2 million. |
| · | Cash Flow: 25% of the total target payout is based on an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $26.2 million. Cash flow is defined as total cash generated adjusted for treasury stock repurchases, and the change in year over year deferred income tax and income tax payable year end balances versus last year, or adjustments from/to investment accounts. |
Each performance goal was assigned a target, as described above, along with a threshold level and a maximum level, which increase or decrease the payout for executives. The financial targets, along with the threshold and maximum level for each of these goals, and the actual performance are set forth below.
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| Goal | Percentage of Total Bonus Payout | Threshold | Target | Maximum for EVPS | Maximum for CEO, President and CFO | |||||||
| Net Revenue | 25 | % | $340 million | $388.2 million | $402.8 million | $410.8 million | ||||||
| Income Before Tax (1) | 50 | % | $34 million | $40.7 million | $48 million | $52.0 million | ||||||
| Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents(2) | 25 | % | $21.5 million | $26.2 million | $30.2 million | $34.2 million | ||||||
(1) Income Before Tax, for purposes of determining payouts under the executive cash bonus plan, may be adjusted for certain non-recurring items as approved by the Compensation Committee.
(2) Defined as total cash generated adjusted for treasury stock purchases and the change in year over year deferred income tax and income tax payable year end balances, versus 2013 or adjustments from/to investment accounts.
To the extent that the actual performance with respect to a performance goal is above or below the target, the portion of the bonus attributable to that performance goal is increased or decreased accordingly. After the end of the fiscal year, our Compensation Committee reviews our financial results, and determines the final achievement of each of the performance goals and the actual bonus amount that was earned and is payable to each of our executives. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to increase or decrease the award payable to any executive in its sole discretion, based on the Compensation Committee’s assessment of that executive’s individual performance during the year.
Our financial results for 2014 included certain one-time charges which were outside of the control of our executive team, related to our exit from the MWCC corporate center model, and the sale of 41 centers to existing franchise partners, as well as the write-off of a franchise loan and certain expenses related to 13D filers. In December 2014, our Compensation Committee examined our financial results to date, both including and excluding the assets, liabilities, operating results, and cash flows relating to these one-time expenses, which were expected to be included in the Company’s financial statements in December 2014. The Compensation Committee determined that these expenses could not have been anticipated at the beginning of the performance period, and should not be included in the determination of the actual performance for purposes of the annual incentive bonus. The Compensation Committee also determined that the executive team had performed admirably during the 2014 fiscal year. The Compensation Committee amended the 2014 annual incentive cash and equity incentives such that the threshold payout would be the minimum payment that the executives would receive with respect to 2014.
The actual results with respect to 2014 performance (including discontinued operations as well as non-GAAP adjustments) are set forth in the table below:
| Goal | Actual Performance (In Millions) | |||
| Net Revenue | $ | 307.8 | ||
| Income Before Tax (1) | $ | 32.7 | ||
| Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (2) | $ | 25.0 | ||
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(1) Income before tax was adjusted to exclude certain one-time expenses recorded in 2014, including the Company’s gain/loss on the sale of corporate centers, the write-off of a franchise loan, and certain legal expenses.
(2) Cash flow was adjusted to exclude certain one-time impacts on cash recorded in 2014 to include the cash impact the Company realized regarding the gain/loss on the sale of corporate centers, the write-off of a franchise loan, and certain legal expenses.
Cash Component
The target incentive cash bonus amount for each of our named executive officers for 2014 is set forth below, along with the minimum amount they were entitled to, the maximum amount that each executive would have been entitled to for above-target performance, and the actual bonus amount for 2014.
| Name | Minimum Payout | Target Payout | Maximum Payout | Actual Payout | ||||||||||||
| Mr. MacDonald | $ | 317,700 | $ | 635,400 | $ | 1,906,200 | $ | 317,700 | ||||||||
| Mr. Robinson | $ | 95,310 | $ | 190,620 | $ | 571,860 | $ | 95,310 | ||||||||
| Ms. Sheetz | $ | 211,800 | $ | 423,600 | $ | 1,270,800 | $ | 211,800 | ||||||||
| Mr. Kagen | $ | 53,280 | $ | 106,560 | $ | 213,120 | $ | 53,280 | ||||||||
| Mr. Gould | $ | 46,596 | $ | 93,192 | $ | 186,384 | $ | 46,596 | ||||||||
| Ms. Mills | $ | 48,410 | $ | 96,800 | $ | 193,640 | $ | 0 | (1) | |||||||
(1) Ms. Mills did not earn an annual incentive cash bonus due to her termination of employment on September 12, 2014.
Performance-Based Deferred Share Component
The equity portion of our annual incentive bonus is composed of performance-based deferred shares. The performance goals and targets are the same as the goals and targets for the cash portion of the annual incentive bonus. At the end of the year, the Compensation Committee reviews our results and determines the number of performance-based deferred shares that will be deemed “earned.” The earned deferred shares are paid to the executives as restricted shares with a one year vesting period. The target number of performance-based deferred shares for each of our named executive officers for 2014 is set forth below, along with the minimum number of shares they are entitled to, the maximum number that each executive would have earned for above-target performance, and the actual amount earned with respect to 2014 performance, which will vest in full December 31, 2015.
| Name | Minimum Number of Deferred Shares | Target Number of Deferred Shares | Maximum Number of Deferred Shares | Actual Number of Deferred Shares | ||||||||||||
| Mr. MacDonald | 20,000 | 40,000 | 80,000 | 20,000 | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Robinson | 5,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 5,000 | ||||||||||||
| Ms. Sheetz | 10,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 10,000 | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Kagen | 1,250 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 1,250 | ||||||||||||
| Mr. Gould | 1,250 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 1,250 | ||||||||||||
| Ms. Mills | 1,250 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 0 | (1) | |||||||||||
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(1) The Deferred Shares held by Ms. Mills were forfeited upon her termination of employment on September 12, 2014.
Long-Term Compensation
Our Compensation Committee provides long-term compensation to our executives in the form of equity or equity-based awards, in order to incentivize them to create stockholder value, and to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders. We generally grant these awards in the form of restricted shares or stock options, as described below. Other than with respect to the corrective action discussed below under the heading “Long-Term Compensation Correction During 2014”, we granted only performance-based deferred shares (described above under “Annual Incentive Bonus”) and stock options to our named executive officers during 2014, and we did not grant any restricted shares to our named executive officers. The description of restricted share awards and retention awards below relates to awards granted in 2013.
Restricted Share Awards
We have not historically made grants of restricted shares on an annual basis to our named executive officers. Instead, our Compensation Committee has generally made one-time grants of restricted shares that vest over long periods. We grant restricted shares as sign-on awards, long-term retention awards, or, in some cases, rewards for exceptional performance. We believe that these larger one-time restricted share awards with long vesting schedules assist us in retaining our executives and encourage our executives to create long-term stockholder value.
With the exception of the restricted shares granted to our CEO as a result of the corrective actions described below in the section titled “Long-Term Compensation Correction During 2014”, we did not grant any restricted shares to any of our named executive officers in 2014. However, our CEO, President, and CFO received a grant of retention shares in 2013, as described below.
Retention Shares
During 2013, our Compensation Committee made grants of restricted shares to Mr. MacDonald (100,000), Ms. Sheetz (50,000), and Mr. Robinson (12,000) that are referred to herein as Retention Shares. These grants have a particularly long vesting schedule. The Retention Shares are meant to retain the services of these executives over the seven year vesting schedule (five years for Mr. Robinson), and to reward them for their performance over that period. Retention Shares are not granted on an annual basis to our executives. The vesting schedule of the Retention Shares is nested in such a way as to be the equivalent of making a smaller grant each year for five years (three years for Mr. Robinson) that vests over three years. The Compensation Committee determined that, rather than making an award each year, the award should be granted at one time. This would give the executives some certainty as to their compensation and incentivize them to create long-term stockholder value to increase the value of their awards. Taking this unique vesting schedule into account, the value of the Retention Shares in each tranche was comparable to similar annual grants made to CEOs of our peer companies.
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The Retention Shares granted to Mr. MacDonald and Ms. Sheetz vest in five equal tranches, with each tranche vesting over a three year period, as illustrated below:
| Total Shares | Year of Vesting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In Tranche | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. MacDonald | 20,000 | 6,666 | 6,667 | 6,667 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20,000 | 6,666 | 6,667 | 6,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20,000 | 6,666 | 6,667 | 6,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20,000 | 6,666 | 6,667 | 6,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20,000 | 6,666 | 6,667 | 6,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ms. Sheetz | 10,000 | 3,333 | 3,333 | 3,334 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,000 | 3,333 | 3,333 | 3,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,000 | 3,333 | 3,333 | 3,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,000 | 3,333 | 3,333 | 3,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,000 | 3,333 | 3,333 | 3,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Retention Shares granted to Mr. Robinson vest in three equal tranches, with each tranche vesting over a three year period, as illustrated below:
| Total Shares In | Year of Vesting | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tranche | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Robinson | 4,000 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,334 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,000 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,000 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,334 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other Restricted Share Grants
Our Compensation Committee also made certain restricted share grants in 2013 to executives in addition to the grants set forth above.
| · | Mr. MacDonald received a restricted share grant of 100,000 shares in January 2013, in recognition of his performance during 2012, and in consideration of his stepping into the CEO role during 2012. These restricted shares were meant to serve as a sign-on grant for Mr. MacDonald even though they were not granted until 2013, and the number of restricted shares was determined to be reasonable based on our competition for talent in the market, and Mr. MacDonald’s experience. These restricted shares vest in equal annual installments over a five year period. |
| · | Ms. Mills received a restricted share grant of 10,000 shares in June 2013, in connection with her stepping into the role of Executive Vice President, Take Shape for Life. These shares vest in equal annual installments over a five year period. In connection with her termination on September 12, 2014, we accelerated a pro-rata portion of the restricted shares that would have vested had she remained employed through the next vesting date, and the remaining restricted shares were forfeited. |
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Stock Options
Our Compensation Committee granted stock options to our Executive Vice Presidents in both 2013 and 2014, but stock options have not been granted to our CEO, President, or CFO. The Compensation Committee determined that our CEO, President, and CFO hold adequate equity awards, as described above, to align their interests with stockholders, to retain their services, and to reward them for positive results that they have created. Stock options help us maintain a competitive level of total compensation for our Executive Vice Presidents, and are an important part of our effort to attract, retain, and motivate high-quality talent in key positions.
We grant stock options to our Executive Vice Presidents rather than restricted shares in order to incentivize them to create stockholder value and to retain their services. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our shares on the date of grant, and have value only if the stock price increases from that date. We generally intend for our stock options to qualify as “incentive” stock options, which provide certain tax benefits for the grantee. Stock options vest 33% each year on the anniversary of the date of grant and have a term of 10 years from the date of grant. The number of stock options granted to each Executive Vice President is determined on a discretionary basis, rather than by a formula. We do not time the grant of our options to coincide with the announcement of any financial results.
Long-Term Compensation Correction During 2014
Following a review in 2014 of our compensation awards and procedures, our Compensation Committee determined that it had inadvertently exceeded the limit on grants of awards of restricted shares and deferred shares to an individual during a 12-month period under the 2012 Plan with respect to grants made to Mr. MacDonald during 2013 and 2014, and to Ms. Sheetz during 2014.
We promptly took corrective action. Mr. MacDonald and Ms. Sheetz agreed that the portion of the award of 100,00 restricted shares granted to Mr. MacDonald on January 2, 2013, the award of 100,000 restricted shares granted to Mr. MacDonald on February 19, 2013, the award of 80,000 performance-based deferred shares granted to Mr. MacDonald on February 19, 2013, the award of 80,000 performance-based deferred shares granted to Mr. MacDonald on February 5, 2014, and the award of 40,000 performance-based deferred shares granted to Ms. Sheetz on February 5, 2014, exceeded the limit on grants of awards under the 2012 Plan, and would be cancelled and forfeited. The amount of the remaining awards did not exceed the limits on grants to an individual during a 12-month period.
The Board amended the 2012 Plan to provide that no participant may be granted more than 150,000 restricted shares or deferred shares during a calendar year, as disclosed on the Form 8-k filed on June 17, 2014.
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The Compensation Committee determined that, while the awards were mistakenly made in excess of the limits in the 2012 Plan, the awards themselves were reasonable and in line with the compensation philosophy described above. The Compensation Committee thereafter granted new awards of restricted shares and deferred shares to Mr. MacDonald and Ms. Sheetz, subject to the same vesting schedules and performance criteria as the cancelled awards. These awards were granted in compliance with the limits on grants of restricted shares or deferred shares to an individual during a calendar year under the amended 2012 Plan. The Compensation Committee has taken actions since the date of the corrective action to strengthen its internal controls and procedures, and to ensure that no similar mistakes occur in the future.
As a result of the cancellation and re-grant of these awards during 2014, the Summary Compensation Table disclosure with respect to 2014 shows a level of compensation for Mr. MacDonald that is much larger than the amount the Compensation Committee intended to award him in 2014. SEC rules require that we include the value of the replacement grants in the 2014 compensation of Mr. MacDonald, even though the Compensation Committee did not intend to grant these awards in 2014. Conversely, we have adjusted the 2013 compensation in the Summary Compensation Table. The value of the portion of the grants made in 2013 that were cancelled and forfeited as a result of corrective action taken by our Compensation Committee are not included in Mr. MacDonald’s 2013 compensation amounts, since the portions of the grants that are in excess of the limits in the plan are deemed ineffective under the terms of the 2012 Plan. We have included an additional column in for Mr. MacDonald in the Summary Compensation Table, as well as an illustrative table in the “Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” below, which displays what Mr. MacDonald’s 2013 and 2014 Summary Compensation Table disclosure would have been had there been no need for the corrective action with respect to his equity and equity-based awards.
Retirement Benefits
Executives may participate in the Company 401(k) retirement plans on the same terms and conditions, including Company matching provisions, as other employees.
Perquisites
It is our general practice not to provide significant perquisites or personal benefits to our executives. The Compensation Committee considers and awards reasonable perquisites or personal benefits to executives as necessary to accomplish the objectives under our compensation philosophy. In 2014, the Compensation Committee decided to provide perquisite allowances in an amount equal $10,000 net of all tax obligations. The amount of the perquisite allowance for each of our executives is set forth below. This perquisite allowance is intended to cover the basic perquisites that a typical executive would expect to receive.
| 2014 Perquisite Allowance | ||||
| Mr. MacDonald | $ | 14,185 | ||
| Mr. Robinson | $ | 17,141 | ||
| Ms. Sheetz | $ | 15,656 | ||
| Mr. Kagen | $ | 18,211 | ||
| Mr. Gould | $ | 17,928 | ||
| Ms. Mills | $ | 18,293 | ||
| - 40 - |
Severance Benefits
We have entered into severance agreements generally only with our senior executives, including our CEO, President, and CFO. The severance agreements contain provisions regarding severance benefits upon certain terminations of employment, including a termination by the Company without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason”. The severance benefits provided to our CEO, President and CFO under these agreements consist of one year of continued payment of base salary, the annual bonus (cash and stock) that he or she would have been entitled to receive for the year of termination if the performance goals are reached (paid at the target level at the time such bonuses are paid to other employees), and continued participation in our health and welfare plans for one year. Severance benefits provide some security for our executives during times of uncertainty, and allow them to focus their attention on leading the Company. Severance benefits are typical for executives in these senior positions in our industry, and it is necessary for us to offer such benefits in order to attract the talent needed for our success. We believe that these severance benefits are an important factor in the retention of our executives, while still remaining modest in the overall marketplace.
We provided severance payments and benefits to Ms. Mills upon her termination of employment on September 12, 2014, which are set forth in greater detail under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination” below.
Our other named executive officers do not have severance agreements, and would be entitled to severance benefits only under any general severance policy that we may put in place from time to time or as are determined at the time of their termination.
Other Compensation
We do not currently provide pension arrangements, post-retirement health coverage, or similar benefits for our executives or employees. In 2014, we paid health, life, and disability insurance premiums on behalf of our executives, all on the same terms as those that we provided to all of the Company’s employees.
Anti-Hedging Policy
Our insider trading policy contains a strict anti-hedging policy. Our executives and directors are prohibited from engaging in hedging, monetization transactions or similar arrangements involving our stock, including short sales, margin transactions, and buying put or call options.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of our Compensation Committee was an officer or employee while serving on the Compensation Committee during Fiscal 2014, or has ever been an officer of Medifast or its subsidiaries. No executive officer of Medifast has served as a director or a member of the Compensation Committee of another entity that has one or more executive officers who are also members of our Board or Compensation Committee.
| - 41 - |
Compensation Committee Report
We have reviewed and discussed with management certain Compensation Discussion and Analysis provisions to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2014.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD
Carl E. Sassano, Chairman
Jerry D. Reece
Harvey C. Barnum
Catherine T. Maguire
ANALYSIS OF RISK INHERENT IN OUR COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES
The Compensation Committee has conducted a risk assessment of all of our compensation policies and practices to ensure that they do not foster risk taking above the level of risk associated with our business model. Based upon that review and a review by management of the Company’s internal controls, the Compensation Committee has concluded that the Company’s compensation programs do not encourage executives or other employees to take inappropriate risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Compensation Committee based its conclusion on a variety of factors, including the following specific aspects of the Company’s compensation practices:
| · | Our annual incentive compensation program is based on balanced performance metrics that promote disciplined progress towards longer-term Company goals; |
| · | We do not offer significant short-term incentives that might drive high-risk investments at the expense of long-term Company and shareowner value; |
| · | At the senior management and executive levels, our compensation programs are weighted towards offering incentives that reward sustainable performance by requiring continued service to receive payment; and |
| · | All of our compensation awards are capped at reasonable and sustainable levels, as determined by a review of our economic position and prospects, as well as the compensation offered within our peer group and by comparable companies. |
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2014 Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation for the last three fiscal years of the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and President, the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, the Executive Vice President of Technology and the former Executive Vice President of Take Shape For Life. These individuals are our “Named Executive Officers” for fiscal year 2014.
| Name and Principal | Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards | Option Awards | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | All Other Compensation | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Year | ($) | ($) | ($)(1) | ($)(2) | ($) | ($)(3) | ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael C. MacDonald | 2014 | 635,400 | - | 5,039,300 | (4) | - | 317,700 | 27,071 | 6,019,471 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman of the Board | 2013 | 600,000 | - | 1,273,900 | (4) | - | 675,000 | (8) | 12,886 | 2,561,786 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | 2012 | 344,231 | - | - | - | 815,150 | (8) | 1,321 | 1,160,702 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timothy G. Robinson | 2014 | 317,700 | - | 132,600 | - | 95,310 | 26,138 | 571,748 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | 2013 | 285,000 | - | 382,095 | - | 202,500 | (8) | 70,275 | 939,870 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Margaret Sheetz | 2014 | 423,600 | - | 265,200 | (5) | - | 211,800 | 24,595 | 925,195 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Operating Officer | 2013 | 400,000 | - | 1,576,900 | - | 450,000 | (8) | 8,939 | 2,435,839 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | 2012 | 247,115 | - | - | - | 582,500 | (8) | 6,083 | 835,698 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian Kagen | 2014 | 266,400 | - | 33,150 | 30,740 | 53,280 | 28,171 | 411,741 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Marketing Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Don Gould | 2014 | 232,980 | - | 33,150 | 30,740 | 46,596 | 26,233 | 369,699 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President | 2013 | 220,000 | 45,488 | 28,659 | 55,000 | 8,135 | 357,282 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | 2012 | 220,000 | - | - | - | 174,900 | (8) | 4,114 | 399,014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeannette Mills (6) | 2014 | 383,091 | - | 55,141 | 30,740 | - | 281,221 | 750,193 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President, | 2013 | 132,000 | - | 343,987 | 19,629 | (7) | 34,271 | (8) | 5,297 | 535,184 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Take Shape For Life | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the stock awards in the year indicated, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation reflected in these columns, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report. The values do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executives at the time such awards vest. With respect to the award of performance-based deferred shares to each of our named executive officers during 2014, the amount included in the grant date fair value of the number of deferred shares that were earned based on our performance for 2014 (or, for Ms. Mills, the number of deferred shares that would have been earned had she remained employed for the full year). The maximum value of such deferred shares were: $2.1 million, $0.5 million, $1.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Sheetz, Mr. Kagen, Mr. Gould, and Ms. Mills, respectively. Ms. Mills forfeited the deferred shares upon her termination on September 12, 2014. For information with respect to the individual performance-based awards made in fiscal year 2014, please see the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.
| - 43 - |
(2) Amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards in the year indicated, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The values do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named executives at the time such awards are exercised. For information with respect to the stock option awards made in fiscal year 2014, please see the 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.
(3) The amounts reported in this column represent the perquisite allowances, Company’s matching contributions under the 401(K) plan and contributions to group term life insurance and health savings accounts. Mr. MacDonald’s all other compensation total includes group term life insurance contributions, $11,500 in matched 401(K) plan contributions made by the Company and a $14,200 perquisite allowance. Mr. Robinson’s all other compensation total includes group term life insurance contributions, health savings account contributions, matched 401(K) plan contributions and a $17,141 perquisite allowance. Ms. Sheetz's all other compensation total includes group term life insurance contributions, matched 401(K) plan contributions, and a $15,656 perquisite allowance. Mr. Kagen's all other compensation total includes group term life insurance contributions, health savings account contributions, matched 401(K) plan contributions, and a $18,211 perquisite allowance. Mr. Gould's all other compensation total includes group term life insurance contributions, health savings account contributions, matched 401(K) plan contributions, and a $17,928 perquisite allowance. Ms. Mills’ all other compensation total includes group term life insurance contributions, matched 401(K) plan contributions, a $18,293 perquisite allowance, and $256,015 in severance benefits.
(4) The amount in Mr. MacDonald’s Stock Awards column for 2013 does not include the value of certain restricted share and deferred share awards granted to him during 2013 that were determined to be in excess of the limits on individual grants under the 2012 Plan and are not considered to be effective. The amount in Mr. MacDonald’s Stock Awards column for 2014 does not include the grant of performance-based deferred shares that was determined to be in excess of the limits on individual grants under the 2012 Plan and was not considered to be effective. These awards were re-granted in 2014, and the value of the re-grants are included in the Stock Awards column for 2014. For more information on these awards, please see the section titled “Long-Term Compensation Correction During 2014” above.
(5) The amount in Ms. Sheetz’s Stock Awards column for 2014 does not include the grant of performance-based deferred shares that was determined to be in excess of the limits on individual grants under the 2012 Plan and was not considered to be effective. This award was re-granted in 2014, and the value of the re-grant is included in the Stock Awards column for 2014. For more information on this award, please see the section titled “Long-Term Compensation Correction During 2014” above.
(6) Ms. Mills resigned from the Company effective September 12, 2014 and the unvested portion of her awards were forfeited.
| - 44 - |
(7) The stock options awarded to Ms. Mills on May 31, 2013, were inadvertently not included in the 2013 Summary Compensation Table. This was due to an accounting issue regarding the date of grant. The 2013 amount has been updated.
(8) These amounts reflect cash bonus payments in accordance with the compensation plan. The balances were improperly reflected in the “Bonus” column on the prior years’ Summary Compensation Table and have been corrected in this filing.
| - 45 - |
2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table outlines all stock awards granted to named executive officers during fiscal 2014. All awards were granted under the 2012 Share Incentive Plan, which was approved by stockholders.
| Name | Grant Date | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan | Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael C. MacDonald | 2/5/2014 | 317,700 | 635,400 | 1,906,200 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman of the Board | 2/5/2014 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 80,000 | 530,400 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | 6/17/2014 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 80,000 | 530,400 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/17/2014 | 30,000 | (3) | 727,800 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/17/2014 | 150,000 | (4) | 3,781,100 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timothy G. Robinson | 2/5/2014 | 95,310 | 190,620 | 571,860 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | 2/5/2014 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 132,600 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Margaret Sheetz | 2/5/2014 | 211,800 | 423,600 | 1,270,800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Operating Officer, | 2/5/2014 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 265,200 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | 6/17/2014 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 265,200 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian Kagen | 2/5/2014 | 53,280 | 106,560 | 213,120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President | 2/5/2014 | 1,250 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 33,150 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Marketing Officer | 2/5/2014 | 2,000 | 26.52 | 30,740 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Don Gould | 2/5/2014 | 46,596 | 93,192 | 186,384 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President | 2/5/2014 | 1,250 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 33,150 | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| of Technology | 2/5/2014 | 2,000 | 26.52 | 30,740 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeannette Mills | 2/5/2014 | 48,410 | 96,820 | 193,640 | (13) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President, | 2/5/2014 | 1,250 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 33,150 | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Take Shape For Life | 2/5/2014 | 2,000 | 26.52 | 30,740 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) The reflected grant is for deferred shares for 2014 performance that was erroneously granted in excess of the allowed limits in the 2012 Share Plan Agreement. These shares were cancelled and re-granted on June 17, 2014, see note (2) below.
(2) The reflected grant is a regrant of the deferred shares granted for 2014 performance that were made in excess of the allowed limits in the 2012 Share Plan Agreement. The requirements for receiving these shares are outlined in the “Target Bonus” section outlined above. This award will vest in entirety on December 31, 2015. Upon regrant, the terms of the grant did not materially change; and therefore, the grant date fair value is based on the stock price as of the original grant date, February 5, 2014.
(3) On February 19, 2013, a deferred shares performance grant was issued and on February 5, 2014 it was approved that the payout under the plan would be 30,000 shares. The grant was made in excess of the 2012 Share Plan Agreement allowances and was therefore cancelled and reissued as deferred shares on June 17, 2014. These shares vested in full on December 31, 2014.
| - 46 - |
(4) On January 2, 2013, a grant for 100,000 shares was made for 2012 performance and on February 19, 2013 a grant of 100,000 retention shares was made vesting in tranches over a 7 year period. Both of these grants were erroneously made in excess of the 2012 Share Plan Agreement allowances and therefore were cancelled and regranted as restricted stock on June 17, 2014. The regrant includes 70,000 shares related to the January 2, 2013 2012 performance grant and 80,000 shares related to the February 19, 2013 retention grant. The 70,000 shares will vest as follows: 10,000 shares on January 2, 2015, 20,000 shares on January 2, 2016, 20,000 shares on January 2, 2017, and 20,000 shares on January 2, 2018. The 80,000 shares will vest in accordance with the following schedule: 6,667 shares on February 19, 2015, 13,333 shares on February 19, 2016, 20,000 shares on February 19, 2017, 20,000 shares on February 19, 2018, 13,333 shares on February 19, 2019, and 6,667 shares on February 19, 2020. The terms of these grants did not materially change.
(5) As the terms of the grant did not materially change, the grant date fair value is based on the original grant date, February 19, 2013, stock price of $24.26.
(6) As the terms of the grant did not materially change, the grant date fair value is based on the stock price as of the original grant dates, January 2, 2013 ($26.29) and February 19, 2013 ($24.26).
(7) The reflected grant is for deferred shares for 2014 performance that was erroneously granted in excess of the allowed limits in the 2012 Share Plan Agreement. These shares were cancelled and re-granted on June 17, 2014, see note (8) below.
(8) The reflected grant is a regrant of the deferred shares granted for 2014 performance that were made in excess of the allowed limits in the 2012 Share Plan Agreement. The requirements for receiving these shares are outlined in the "Target Bonus" section outlined above. This award will vest in entirety on December 31, 2015. Upon regrant, the terms of the grant did not materially change; and therefore, the grant date fair value is based on the stock price as of the original grant date, February 5, 2014.
(9) These awards are deferred shares granted for 2014 performance and will vest in full on December 31, 2015. The requirements for receiving the awards are outlined in the “Target Bonus” section outlined above.
(10) These options vest over a 3 year period beginning on the anniversary of the grant date and have a 10 year term.
(11) The award is deferred shares granted for 2014 performance that were forfeited by Ms. Mills on September 12, 2014 when she resigned from the Company. The requirements for receiving the award are outlined in the "Target Bonus" section outlined above.
(12) These options vest over a 3 year period beginning on the anniversary of the grant date and have a 10 year term. Ms. Mills forfeited all 2,000 options on September 12, 2014 when she resigned from the Company.
Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
Employment Agreements
We do not have employment agreements with any of our named executive officers. We have entered into severance agreements with Mr. MacDonald, Ms. Sheetz, and Mr. Robinson, which provide for severance payments and benefits upon certain terminations of employment, which are described in further detail below under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”
| - 47 - |
Annual Incentive Bonus
Our annual incentive bonus has a cash component and a performance-based deferred share component, with the earned shares vesting one year after the end of the performance period. For 2014, our named executive officers received 50% of their target cash bonus amounts based on our performance in 2014, which is set forth in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. The performance-based deferred shares were deemed to be earned at the minimum level based on our performance, and the value of such deferred shares are included in the “Stock Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table. These deferred shares will not be fully vested until December 31, 2015, provided the executive remains employed through that date. Ms. Mills did not receive an annual cash bonus and all performance-based deferred shares were forfeited upon her termination of employment. A more detailed discussion of our annual incentive bonus is included above under the heading “Annual Incentive Bonus”.
Corrective Action With Respect to Certain Long-Term Compensation
As discussed above under the heading “Long-Term Compensation Correction During 2014”, we took actions during 2014 to correct certain grants of restricted shares and performance-based deferred shares made to Mr. MacDonald during 2013 and 2014 and Ms. Sheetz during 2014 that were in excess of the limit on grants to an individual during a 12-month period under our 2012 Plan. The Summary Compensation Table reflects the value of these corrected grants in the 2014 column entitled “Stock Awards.” For Mr. MacDonald, the values in the “Stock Awards” column for 2013 have been adjusted to remove the value of the grants that were deemed to be ineffective due to this correction.
As a result of the corrective action, the amounts in the “Total Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2013 and 2014 do not reflect the intentions of the Compensation Committee with respect to Mr. MacDonald’s compensation, as the amounts included in 2014 compensation include amounts intended to be granted in 2013. The table below more accurately reflects the intention of the Compensation Committee with respect to Mr. MacDonald’s compensation.
| Salary | Stock Awards | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | All Other Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position | Year | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michael C. MacDonald | 2014 | 635,400 | 530,400 | 317,700 | 27,071 | 1,510,571 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman of the Board | 2013 | 600,000 | 5,782,800 | 675,000 | 12,886 | 7,070,686 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| - 48 - |
As noted above, however, the “Total Compensation” for 2014 for Mr. MacDonald does not reflect the value actually received by Mr. MacDonald during 2014, and “Total Compensation” for 2013 includes the value of awards granted in 2013 that have a vesting period of up to seven years. For a more accurate display of the value of compensation received by Mr. MacDonald with respect to 2014, see “Realized Compensation” above.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2014 Fiscal Year-End Table
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested | |||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Exercisable | Unexercisable | ($) | Date | (#) | ($)(1) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michael C. MacDonald | 150,000 | (6) | 5,032,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairman of the Board | 10,000 | (7) | 335,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | 13,334 | (8) | 447,356 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 20,000 | (2) | 671,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timothy G. Robinson | 3,750 | (3) | 125,813 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officers | 10,667 | (4) | 357,878 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,000 | (2) | 167,750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Margaret E. Sheetz | 15,000 | (3) | 503,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Operating Officer, President | 46,667 | (5) | 1,565,678 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 10,000 | (2) | 335,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian Kagen | 666 | 1,334 | 24.26 | 2/19/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President | - | 2,000 | 26.52 | 2/5/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Marketing Officer | 1,250 | (2) | 41,938 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Don Gould | 666 | 1,334 | 24.26 | 2/19/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive Vice President of Technology | - | 2,000 | 26.52 | 2/5/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,250 | (2) | 41,938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The market value of shares of stock that have not vested is based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2014, or $33.55 per share. |
| (2) | The deferred shares will vest in full on December 31, 2015. |
| (3) | The deferred shares will vest in full on January 1, 2015. |
| (4) | The restricted stock will vest according to the following schedule: 2,666 shares on February 19, 2015; 4,000 shares on February 19, 2016; 2,667 shares on February 19, 2017, and 1,334 shares on February 19, 2018. |
| (5) | The restricted stock will vest according to the following schedule: 6,666 shares on February 19, 2015; 10,000 shares on February 19, 2016; 10,000 shares on February 19, 2017, 10,000 shares on February 19, 2018, 6,667 shares on February 19, 2019, and 3,334 shares on February 19, 2020. |
| (6) | The restricted stock is a regrant of two awards granted in 2013 which contained different vesting schedules. The vesting schedules of the original awards were kept intact resulting in the following vesting schedule: 10,000 shares on January 2, 2015; 6,666 shares on February 19, 2015; 20,000 shares on January 2, 2016; 13,333 shares on February 19,2016; 20,000 shares on January 2, 2017; 20,000 shares on February 19, 2017; 20,000 shares on January 2, 2018; 20,000 shares on February 19, 2018; 13,334 shares on February 19, 2019; and 6,667 shares on February 19, 2020. |
| - 49 - |
| (7) | The restricted stock will vest on January 2, 2015. |
| (8) | The restricted stock will vest 6,667 shares on February 19, 2015, and 6,667 shares on February 19, 2016. |
| - 50 - |
2014 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
The following table sets forth information regarding stock vesting for the Named Executive Officers during 2014, and the resulting value realized.
| Stock Awards | ||||||||
| Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting | Value Realized on Vesting | |||||||
| Name | (#) | ($)(1) | ||||||
| Michael C. MacDonald | 20,000 | 634,800 | ||||||
| Chairman of the Board | 20,000 | 521,600 | ||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | 30,000 | 1,006,500 | ||||||
| 6,666 | 178,982 | |||||||
| Timothy G. Robinson | 1,333 | 35,791 | ||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Margaret E. Sheetz | 20,000 | 583,000 | ||||||
| Chief Operating Officer | 3,333 | 89,491 | ||||||
| President | ||||||||
| Brian Kagen | 1,875 | 49,725 | ||||||
| Executive Vice President | ||||||||
| Chief Marketing Officer | ||||||||
| Don Gould | 1,875 | 49,725 | ||||||
| Executive Vice President of Technology | ||||||||
| Jeannette Mills | 2,000 | 62,860 | ||||||
| Executive Vice President, Take Shape For Life | 667 | 21,991 | ||||||
(1) Represents the number of shares vested multiplied by the fair market value of the common stock on the vesting date.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Robinson, and Ms. Sheetz
On June 19, 2013, the Company executed certain severance agreements with each of the Company’s Chairman and CEO; CFO; and President and COO.
Under the terms of these agreements, in the event of a termination of employment by the Company without “Cause”, or by any of these executives with “Good Reason,” the officer would be eligible to receive the following as severance (in addition to receiving all accrued but unpaid salary and accrued vacation as of the termination date):
| i. | the executive’s then-current annual salary, which will be paid in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, for a period of one (1) year following the date of termination; |
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| ii. | the annual bonus, including any cash or stock that the executive would have been entitled to had he or she been employed for the entire calendar year (provided that the related performance metrics are satisfied), at the target level, which will be paid when such consideration is normally paid to executives in accordance with the Company’s regular practices; and |
| iii. | continued coverage under the Company’s health, disability, and other insurance benefits for a period of one (1) year following the termination date. |
In addition, under the terms of these agreements, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Company’s 2012 Plan or in any other agreement between the executive and the Company, upon the occurrence of a “Change of Control” as defined in the 2012 Plan, any and all awards previously granted under the plan will become immediately and fully vested and, to the extent applicable, exercisable as of the date immediately prior to such Change of Control.
For purposes of these agreements, the Company will have “Cause” to terminate the executive’s employment in the event that the executive violates any material provision of the Company’s Code of Conduct and Business Ethics.
For purposes of these agreements, these executives will be deemed to have “Good Reason” to terminate his or her employment if any of the following occur: (i) a material diminution in title, status, authority, duties or responsibilities, including the imposition of any requirement that the executive report to a person other than the CEO; (ii) any material reduction in compensation from the executive’s current total compensation, including current base salary and bonuses; (iii) the Company’s breach of any of its obligations under the agreement, provided, however, if cure is possible, the failure by the Company to cure the circumstance or breach within 30 days after receiving notice from the executive; (iv) the relocation of the executive’s work location by more than 50 miles from the current location in Baltimore, Maryland; and (v) the failure by any successor of the Company to assume in writing the Company’s obligations under this agreement.
The payments and benefits to be provided under these agreements are subject to certain confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement provisions.
Mr. Kagen and Mr. Gould
We do not have employment agreements or severance arrangements with Mr. Kagen or Mr. Gould. Upon a termination of employment, they would not be entitled to any cash severance from the Company or the acceleration of any equity awards.
Ms. Mills
Ms. Mills left the Company on September 12, 2014 to pursue other opportunities. We did not have any severance obligations to Ms. Mills under any employment agreement or other severance policy. However we agreed to continue to pay Ms. Mills’ base salary for a period of 55 weeks following her termination of employment and to continue her participation in our medical, dental and/or vision plans during that period. We also agreed to accelerate and vest on a pro-rata basis, the portion of the 10,000 restricted shares granted to her in connection with her hiring that would have vested on the next vesting date following her termination. No adjustments were made to the restricted shares granted to her in 2013 in connection with her service to the Board of Directors that will vest on January 1, 2015. All other unvested equity awards held by Ms. Mills were forfeited in their entirety. Ms. Mills executed a general release of claims in favor of the Company and is bound by a covenant not to compete for six months following her termination.
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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control Table
The table below details the payments and benefits that would be provided to each of our named executive officers if he or she was terminated by the Company without Cause or terminated employment for Good Reason, or if a Change in Control occurred, in each case on December 31, 2014. For Ms. Mills, the table details the payments and benefits actually received by her in connection with her termination of employment on September 12, 2014.
| Name | Severance | Annual Cash Bonus (1) | Health, Disability and Insurance Benefits | Restricted Shares (2) (unvested) | Performance- Based Shares | Stock Options (2) (unvested) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michael C. MacDonald | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason | 635,400 | 635,400 | 18,474 | 5,815,356 | 1,262,000 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Control | - | - | - | 5,815,356 | 1,262,000 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Timothy G. Robinson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason | 317,700 | 190,620 | 15,818 | 483,691 | 315,500 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Control | - | - | - | 483,691 | 315,500 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Margaret E. Sheetz | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason | 423,600 | 423,600 | 29,501 | 2,068,928 | 631,000 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Control | - | - | - | 2,068,928 | 631,000 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brian Kagen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Control | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Don Gould | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Control | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jeannette Mills | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Termination on September 12, 2014 | 256,015 | - | 11,360 | 21,991 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) The annual cash bonus reflects the target cash bonus that the executive would have been entitled to receive under our 2014 Annual Incentive Bonus program, without pro-ration since the assumed date of termination is also the last day of the fiscal year.
| (2) | The value of the restricted shares, performance-based shares, and stock options that would be accelerated upon a termination of employment is based on the value of our common stock on December 31, 2014, which was $33.55. The restricted shares column represents the grants outlined in the Outstanding Equity Awards table on page 25, except the unvested performance-based deferred shares that were granted in 2014 and earned based on 2014 performance that are reflected in the Performance-Based Shares column. |
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
The Board has established a policy and certain procedures that must be followed prior to any transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness, with a “related person” (as defined by the SEC’s rules and regulations). Under this policy, the Nomination Committee monitors and reviews issues involving potential conflicts of interest involving officers and directors of the Company, including reviewing all related party transactions (generally, transactions involving amounts exceeding $120,000 in which a related person has a direct or indirect material interest).
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PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 2015
The Board has appointed McGladrey LLP (“McGladrey”), as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 (“Fiscal Year 2015”). The appointment was made by the Audit Committee of the Board. The appointment of McGladrey as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is subject to ratification by the Company’s stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of McGladrey will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement. Such representatives will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board recommends that the stockholders ratify the appointment of McGladrey as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal Year 2015 by adopting the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the appointment of McGladrey as independent auditors of this Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, is hereby APPROVED, RATIFIED, AND CONFIRMED.”
| THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MCGLADREY AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015. |
The Audit Committee assists the Board in oversight of (i) risks related to the integrity of the Company’s financial statements; (ii) the performance of the independent auditor; (iii) the independent auditor’s qualification and independence; and such other matters as are described in the Committee’s Charter. In addition to discussions with the CEO, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and other members of Management regarding the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and operating results, the Audit Committee received periodic reports from the Company’s Internal Audit and Legal departments. Such reports addressed, among other matters, ongoing projects, control assessments and audits being conducted by the Internal Audit department, reports to the Company’s compliance hotline and/or issues involving the Company’s Code of Business Conduct, material litigation and significant legal developments involving the Company and/or its subsidiaries, and proposed organizational changes. The Audit Committee also received periodic routine reports regarding the Company’s efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and efforts related to the completion and periodic filings of the Company’s financial statements with the SEC. In addition to the scheduled meetings of the Audit Committee, the members of the Audit Committee held periodic telephonic discussions and/or in-person meetings with Management regarding various subjects. Such informal periodic meetings and discussions permit the Audit Committee to provide advice and assistance to Management on a more frequent basis than the regularly scheduled meetings of the Audit Committee.
The meetings of the Audit Committee also were designed to facilitate and encourage communication among the Committee, the Company, and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, McGladrey. The Audit Committee discussed with McGladrey the overall scope and plans for the integrated audit of the Company’s financial statements, and met with McGladrey with and without Management present, to discuss the results of their audits and evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and to discuss the efforts expended by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the financial statements.
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Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial controls, for preparing the financial statements and for the public reporting process. Neither the Audit Committee nor McGladrey are responsible for the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, its operating results or for the appropriate safekeeping of the Company’s assets. McGladrey’s responsibility is to attest to the Company’s fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements and attest to the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm is accountable to the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee has the ultimate authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent registered public accounting firm. The role of the Audit Committee is to be satisfied that both the Company and the independent registered public accounting firm discharge their respective responsibilities effectively.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 with Management and McGladrey. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with McGladrey the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards No. 16, “Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”).
McGladrey has provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed with McGladrey that firm’s independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has concluded that McGladrey’s provision of audit services to the Company is compatible with McGladrey’s independence. The Audit Committee also reviewed and approved, among other things, the amount of fees paid to McGladrey for audit and non-audit services. For further information regarding these fees, please see the fees chart located in Information Regarding the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees, Services and Independence .
Based on its review and the meetings, discussions and reports described above, and subject to the limitations on its role and responsibilities referred to above and in the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
The Audit Committee,
Charles P. Connolly, Chairman
Barry B. Bondroff, CPA
Kevin G. Byrnes
John P. McDaniel
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INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S FEES, SERVICES, AND INDEPENDENCE
The following table outlines the aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 by the Company’s principal accounting firm, McGladrey.
| 2014 | 2013 | |||||||
| Audit Fees | $ | 350,000 | $ | 249,000 | ||||
| Audit Related Fees | - | - | ||||||
| Tax Fees | 99,000 | 148,000 | ||||||
| All Other Fees | 5,000 | 4,000 | ||||||
| Total Fees | $ | 454,000 | $ | 401,000 | ||||
Audit Fees: The amounts noted above for Audit Fees include the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audits of the Company’s consolidated annual financial statements and local subsidiaries’ annual financial statements, reviews of the Company’s quarterly financial statements, attestation of internal control over financial reporting, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404, consents, and other services related to SEC matters.
Tax Fees: The amounts noted above for Tax Fees include tax compliance and advisory services.
All Other Fees: The amounts noted above for All Other Fees include fees incurred for the review of the Company’s annual Franchise Disclosure Document and other services not reported above.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accountant
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accountant. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent registered public accountant.
Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for work associated with the following:
| · | registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933 (for example, comfort letters or consents); |
| · | due diligence work for potential acquisitions or dispositions; |
| · | attest services not required by statute or regulation; |
| · | adoption of new accounting pronouncements or auditing and disclosure requirements, and accounting or regulatory consultations; |
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| · | internal control reviews and assistance with internal control reporting requirements; |
| · | review of information systems security and controls; |
| · | tax compliance, tax planning, and related tax services, excluding any tax service prohibited by regulatory or other oversight authorities; expatriate and other individual tax services; and |
| · | assistance and consultation on questions raised by regulatory agencies. |
For each proposed service, the independent registered public accountant is required to provide detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval to permit the Audit Committee to make a determination whether the provision of such services would impair the independent registered public accountant’s independence.
The Audit Committee has approved in advance certain permitted services whose scope is routine across business units, including statutory or other financial audit work for non-U.S. subsidiaries that is not required for Exchange Act audits.
The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit, audit-related, tax, and other services provided by McGladrey during fiscal year 2014 in accordance with this policy.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth, as of May 4, 2015, the Record Date, information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:
| · | each person known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; |
| · | each of our directors and Director Nominees; |
| · | each of the NEOs set forth in the Summary Compensation Table of this Proxy Statement; and |
| · | all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. |
The number of shares beneficially owned by each person, director, Director Nominee, or NEO is determined under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act; this information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares for which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares with respect to which the person has the right to acquire sole or shared voting or investment power on or before July 3, 2015 (60 days after May 4, 2015), through the exercise of any stock option, warrant, or other right. Unless we indicate otherwise, each person has sole investment and/or voting power with respect to the shares set forth in the following tables.
Except as otherwise indicated, the address for each person below is c/o Medifast, Inc., 3600 Crondall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.
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| Name of Beneficial Owner | Title | Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | Percent of Outstanding Common Stock (%) | |||||||
| Visium Asset Management, L.P. (2) c/o Visium Asset Management, L.P. 888 7th Avenue New York, NY 10019 | 1,325,458 | 10.93 | % | |||||||
| ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. (3) 1601 Trapelo Road Waltham, MA 02154 | 1,260,925 | 10.40 | % | |||||||
| BlackRock, Inc. (4) 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 | 1,098,074 | 9.06 | % | |||||||
| Engaged Capital, LLC (5) 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 250 Newport Beach, CA 92660 | 718,670 | 5.93 | % | |||||||
| Michael C. MacDonald (6) | Director, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer | 340,988 | 2.81 | % | ||||||
| Margaret E. Sheetz (7) | Director, President & Chief Operating Officer | 416,912 | 3.44 | % | ||||||
| Donald F. Reilly (8) | Director | 31,316 | * | |||||||
| Charles P. Connolly | Director | 47,696 | * | |||||||
| Barry B. Bondroff, CPA (8) | Director | 26,912 | * | |||||||
| John P. McDaniel | Director | 22,955 | * | |||||||
| Catherine T. Maguire (8) | Director | 16,740 | * | |||||||
| Harvey C. Barnum (8) | Director | 14,992 | * | |||||||
| Jerry D. Reece (8) | Director | 15,042 | * | |||||||
| Jason L. Groves, Esq. | Director, Executive Vice President & General Counsel | 23,696 | * | |||||||
| Kevin G. Byrnes | Director | 3,924 | * | |||||||
| Carl E. Sassano | Director | 4,682 | * | |||||||
| Jeffrey J. Brown | Director Nominee | 0 | * | |||||||
| Constance C. Hallquist | Director Nominee | 0 | * | |||||||
| Jorgene K. Hartwig | Director Nominee | 0 | * | |||||||
| Scott Schlackman | Director Nominee | 0 | * | |||||||
| Glenn W. Welling (9) | Director Nominee | 0 | * | |||||||
| Timothy G. Robinson | Chief Financial Officer | 17,716 | * | |||||||
| Jeannette M. Mills | Former Executive Vice President, Take Shape for Life | 12,549 | * | |||||||
| Brian Kagen | Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer | 7,053 | * | |||||||
| Don Gould | Executive Vice President of Technology | 10,053 | * | |||||||
| All current directors, nominees, and executive officers as a group (22 persons): | 1,007,677 | 8.08 | % | |||||||
| * | Shares held represent less than 1% of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. |
| 1. | Based on 12,124,699 shares outstanding at May 4, 2015. In calculating the percentage of ownership, all shares of common stock of the Company of which the identified person or group has the right to acquire beneficial ownership on or before June 17, 2015, are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the shares of common stock of the Company owned by that person or group. These shares are not, however, deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the shares of common stock owned by any other person or group. |
| 2. | Based solely on information reported on Schedule 13G, as amended, filed by Visium Asset Management, LP on April 8, 2014. As reported in such filing, Visium Asset Management, LP has shared voting power with respect to 1,274,351 shares and share dispositive power with respect to 1,325,458 shares and an aggregate beneficial ownership of 1,325,458 shares of the common stock. |
| 3. | Based solely on information reported on Schedule 13D filed by ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. on August 14, 2014. As reported in such filing, ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. has shared dispositive power with respect to 1,260,925 shares and an aggregate beneficial ownership of 1,260,925 shares of the common stock of the Company. |
| 4. | Based solely on information included in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) on January 15, 2015. In such filing BlackRock indicates that it has sole voting power with respect to 1,067,062 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,098,074 shares of common stock of the Company. |
| 5. | Based solely on information included in a Schedule 13 D/A filed with the SEC by Glenn W. Welling and Engaged Capital, LLC (“Engaged”) on April 7, 2015. In such filing Engaged indicates that it has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 718,670 shares of May 4 common stock of the Company. |
| 6. | Includes 92,656 shares that are pledged as collateral for loans. |
| 7. | Includes 5,149 indirect shares owned by Ms. Sheetz’ spouse. |
| 8. | The following shares are held in joint accounts: Mr. Reilly holds 289,1650 shares in joint accounts with The Brothers of the Order of Hermits of St Augustine and has no pecuniary interest in the shares, Mr. Bondroff holds 23,046 shares in a joint account with his spouse, Ms. Maguire holds 15,074 shares in joint accounts with the Sisters of Mercy, Mr. Barnum holds 1,869 shares in a living trust, and Mr. Reece holds 7,727 shares in a trust account. |
| 9. | Mr. Welling, as the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Engaged Capital and the sole member of Engaged Holdings, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned directly by Engaged Capital. Mr. Welling expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of equity securities of the Company. Directors, officers, and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by them. We have reviewed copies of reports provided to us, as well as other records and information. Based on that review, we concluded that all reports were timely filed in 2014, except as follows: (i) Mr. Barnum had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 2 stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 1,101 shares) being untimely reported; (ii) Mr. Bondroff had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 2 stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 1,201 shares) being untimely reported; (iii) Mr. Byrnes had 1 late Form 4 report, which resulted in 1 stock grant by the Company for 750 shares being untimely reported; (iv) Mr. Connolly had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 2 stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 1,224 shares) being untimely reported; (v) Mr. Gould had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 1 stock grant by the Company for 1,875 shares and 1 forfeiture of shares for tax withholdings of 657 shares being untimely reported; (vi) Mr. Kagen had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 1 stock grant by the Company for 1,875 shares and 1 forfeiture of shares for tax withholdings of 657 shares being untimely reported; (vii) Mr. MacDonald had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 1 stock grant by the Company for 30,000 shares and 1 forfeiture of shares for tax withholdings of 2,334 shares being untimely reported; (viii) Ms. Maguire had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 2 stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 915 shares) being untimely reported; (ix) Mr. McDaniel had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 2 stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 1,101 shares) being untimely reported; (x) Ms. Mills had 3 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 1 stock grant by the Company for 1,094 shares and 2 forfeiture of shares for tax withholdings (for an aggregate of 1,083 shares) being untimely reported; (xi) Mr. Reece had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 2 stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 1,142 shares) being untimely reported; (xii) Mr. Reilly had 1 late Form 4 report, which resulted in 1 stock grant by the Company for 750 shares being untimely reported; (xiii) Mr. Robinson had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 1 stock grant by the Company for 3,750 shares and 1 forfeiture of shares for tax withholdings of 467 shares being untimely reported; (xiv) Mr. Sassano had 2 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in 2 stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 915 shares) being untimely reported; and (xv) Ms. Sheetz had 7 late Form 4 reports, which resulted in in 1 stock grant by the Company for 15,000 shares, 1 forfeiture of shares for tax withholdings of 1,167 shares, 1 initial reporting of indirect ownership of 95 shares, 2 indirect ownership stock grants by the Company (for an aggregate of 5,875 shares), and 2 indirect ownership forfeiture of shares for tax withholdings (for an aggregate of 2,071 shares) being untimely reported.
Stockholder Proposals and Nominations for Director
If any Stockholder intends to present a proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy material for the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, the proposal must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act and must be submitted in writing by notice delivered or mailed by first-class United States mail, postage prepaid to the General Counsel, Medifast, Inc., 3600 Crondall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.
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Any such proposal must be received at least 120 days before the anniversary of the mailing of the prior year’s proxy material, unless the date of our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from June 17, 2016, in which case, the proposal must be received a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials. Any such notice must set forth the specific information required by Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, including without limitation: (a) the name and address of the stockholder and the text of the proposal to be introduced; (b) the number of shares of common stock held of record, owned beneficially, and represented by proxy by such stockholder as of the date of such notice; and (c) a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders to introduce the proposal specified in the notice.
In addition, our Bylaws establish certain requirements for proposals a stockholder wishes to make from the floor of the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If the proposal is for a matter other than the nomination of a director for election at the meeting, the proposal must be written and delivered to the Secretary at the address set forth above, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered by not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting, or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting of stockholders commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. As described in Section 1.2 of our Bylaws, the notice must contain: (a) a reasonably detailed description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and any material interest in such business of the stockholder giving the notice, and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (b) the name and address of the stockholder giving the notice as it appears on the Corporation’s books, and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) the class and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by the stockholder giving the notice, and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made.
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Our Bylaws also set forth the procedure for a stockholder’s nomination of directors. As described in Section 1.5 of our Bylaws, nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors by any stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the time such person provides the required notice; provided that the notice meets the requirements set forth below, and that they continue to be a stockholder at the time of the meeting. The written notice required with respect to any nomination (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation, and agreement discussed below) must be given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Company (a) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company, and (b) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the date of such special meeting or the close of business on the 10th day following the earlier of (i) the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders and (ii) the date on which a public announcement of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Each such notice shall include: (1) the class and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, and each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director; (2) the name and address of each stockholder of record who intends to appear in person or by proxy to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (3) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected; and (4) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name of each nominee holder of shares owned beneficially but not of record by such person and the number of shares of stock held by each such nominee holder, (ii) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest, or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person with respect to stock of the Company, and whether any other agreement, arrangement, or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock) has been made by or on behalf of such person, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk of stock price changes for, such person, or to increase the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such person with respect to stock of the Company, (iii) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (iv) a completed and signed questionnaire with respect to the background and qualifications of the person the Stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director and a written representation and agreement (in a form to be provided by the Secretary of the Company).
The required representation and agreement provides that such person (a) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Company, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Company, or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Company, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (b) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (c) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Company, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company.
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In addition, Section 1.5(e) of our Bylaws provide that the stockholder’s notice must set forth the following information (regardless of whether the notice pertains to the nomination of directors or the proposal of other business): (a) the name of each nominee holder of shares owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, and the number of shares of stock held by each such nominee holder; (b) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder with respect to stock of the Company, and whether any other agreement, arrangement, or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock) has been made by or on behalf of such stockholder, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk of stock price changes for, such stockholder or to increase the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of such stockholder with respect to stock of the Company; (c) a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings between such stockholder, and (i) any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder or (ii) each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, as the case may be, and any material interest of such stockholder in such business or nomination, as the case may be, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder therefrom; (d) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting or to nominate the persons named in its notice, as the case may be; and (e) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies with respect to business brought at an annual meeting of stockholders or for election of directors, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The chairperson of the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders may refuse to acknowledge the introduction of any stockholder proposal or director nomination not made in compliance with the foregoing procedures.
CERTAIN MATTERS RELATING TO PROXY MATERIALS AND ANNUAL REPORTS
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for Proxy Statements, with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address, by delivering a single Proxy Statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. Medifast and some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once stockholders have received notice from their broker or us that materials will be sent in the householding manner to the stockholder’s address, householding will continue until otherwise notified or until the stockholder revokes such consent. If, at any time, stockholders no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, they should notify their broker if shares are held in a brokerage account, or us if holding registered shares.
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Any beneficial owner can request (i) to receive a separate copy of an annual report or proxy statement for this meeting, (ii) to receive separate copies of those materials for future meetings, or (iii) if the stockholder shares an address and wishes to request delivery of a single copy of annual reports or proxy statements if now receiving multiple copies of annual reports or proxy statements, you can make your request in writing to your broker.
Under NYSE 303A.02 (b)(v), the Company is required to report as to whether or not any charitable contributions were made by the Company to any charitable organization for which a Company Director served as an Executive Officer of that organization in an amount greater than $1 million or 2% of such charitable organization’s consolidated gross revenues for the years 2014, 2013 or 2012. The Company did not make any such charitable contributions in excess of those amounts.
Communications with the Board or Its Committees
Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Board, non-management directors as a group or individual directors, including Barry B. Bondroff as Lead Director of the Board in his capacity as the presiding director of executive sessions of non-management directors, may do so by writing to Medifast, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 3600 Crondall Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117, indicating to whose attention the communication should be directed. Under a process approved by the Board for handling letters received by the Company and addressed to non-management directors, the Corporate Secretary of the Company reviews all such correspondence and forwards to members of the Audit Committee a summary and/or copies of any such correspondence that, in the opinion of the Corporate Secretary, deal with the functions of the Board or committees thereof, or that the Corporate Secretary otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by the Company and addressed to members of the Board and request copies of any such correspondence.
Any Stockholder who desires an additional copy of Medifast’s Form 10-K, as amended (including the financial statements and financial schedules) may obtain a copy (excluding Exhibits) without charge by addressing a written request to the Office of the General Counsel, Medifast, Inc., 3600 Crondal Lane, Suite 100, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117. Exhibits also may be requested, but a charge equal to the reproduction cost thereof will be made. Stockholders may also obtain a copy by visiting the Company’s website ( http:// ir.medifastnow.com).
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Jason L. Groves, Esq.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
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Preliminary Copy
MEDIFAST, INC.
Proxy for Annual General Meeting of Stockholders on June 17, 2015
Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael C. MacDonald and Jason L. Groves, Esq., and each of them, with full power of substitution and power to act alone, as proxies to vote all the shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present and acting at the Annual General Meeting of Stockholders of Medifast, Inc., to be held June 17, 2015 at 9:30 am, Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, 200 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, and at any adjournments, postponements, or continuations thereof, as follows:
| 1. | To elect nine (9) members to the Board of Directors: | FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | ||
| a. | Michael C. MacDonald | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| b. | Jeffrey J. Brown | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| c. | Kevin G. Byrnes | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| d. | Charles P. Connolly | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| e. | Constance C. Hallquist | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| f. | Jorgene K. Hartwig | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| g. | Carl E. Sassano | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| h. | Scott Schlackman | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| i. | Glenn W. Welling | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ | ||
| 2. | To ratify the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws to declassify the Board of Directors. |
| 3. | To ratify the appointment of McGladrey LLP (“McGladrey” or the “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”) as the independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. |
| 4. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment, postponement, or continuation thereof. |
This proxy, if properly executed and returned will be voted in accordance with the directions specified hereon. If a choice is not specified, the shares represented by this proxy will be voted “FOR” each director nominee, “FOR” Proposal 2, and “FOR” Proposal 3.
This proxy should be dated, signed by the stockholder(s), and returned promptly to us in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate.
__________________________________________________________________
Signature
DATE: ________________, 2015
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