SCHEDULE 14A

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

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

 

(Amendment No. __)

 

Filed by the Registrant [  ]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [  ]

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

[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 Rule 14a-12

 

Digital Ally, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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

 

Payment of filing fee: (Check the appropriate box):

 

[  ] No fee required
   
[  ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

  

  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
   
   
  (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
   
   
  (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
   
   
  (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
   
   
  (5) Total fee paid:
   
   

 

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

  

  (1) Amount Previously Paid:
     
   
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
     
   
  (3) Filing Party:
     
   
  (4) Date Filed:
     
     

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

  

  Stanton E. Ross
  President, Chief Executive Officer and
  Chairman of the Board

 

April __, 2014

 

To our Stockholders:

 

I am pleased to invite you to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Digital Ally, Inc. (“Digital”) to be held on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., CDT, at our Company facility at 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219. Details regarding admission to the annual meeting and the business to be conducted are more fully described in the accompanying notice of annual meeting and proxy statement.

 

We have elected to take advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow issuers to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders on the Internet. We believe that the rules will allow us to provide our stockholders with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of our annual meeting.

 

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, I hope that you will vote as soon as possible. Please review the instructions on each of your voting options described in the proxy statement and the notice of annual meeting you received in the mail.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support of, and continued interest in, Digital.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Admission to the annual meeting will be limited to stockholders. Please note that admission ticket and picture identification will be required to enter the annual meeting. Each stockholder will be entitled to bring a guest to the annual meeting. For stockholders of record, an admission ticket is printed on the back cover of these proxy materials and on the notice of annual meeting. An individual arriving without an admission ticket will not be admitted unless it can be verified that the individual was a Digital stockholder as of the record date. Backpacks, cameras, cell phones with cameras, recording equipment and other electronic recording devices will not be permitted at the annual meeting. Digital reserves the right to inspect any persons or items prior to their admission to the annual meeting. Failure to follow the meeting rules or permit inspection will be grounds for exclusion from the meeting.

 

 
 

  

Table of Contents

 

    Page
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders    
Proxy Statement for 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders    1
Record Date and Voting Securities    1
Revocability of Proxies    2
Quorum Requirement    2
Voting    2
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes    3
Stockholder List    4
Proxy Solicitation Costs    4
Our Voting Recommendations    4
Voting Results    4
Stockholders Sharing the Same Address    4
Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders    5
Other Matters    5
     
Proposal One: Election of Directors    
Nominees    6
Vote Required and Board Recommendation    8
Board of Directors and Committee Meetings    8
Committees of the Board of Directors    8
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation    12
Board of Directors’ Role in the Oversight of Risk Management    12
Board Leadership Structure    13
Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors    13
Policy for Director Recommendations and Nominations    14
Code of Ethics and Conduct    14
Director Compensation    15
     
Proposal Two: Approval of Amendment to Our Articles of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Our Capital Stock That We May Issue From 9,375,000 to 85,000,000 Shares, Of Which 75,000,000 Shares Shall Be Classified As Common Stock and 10,000,000 Shares Shall Be Classified As Blank Check Preferred Stock
Increase in Authorized Shares of Common Stock   18
Authorization of Blank Check Preferred Stock   19
Potential Anti-Takeover effect of the Proposed Articles Amendment   20
Vote Required and Recommendation    20
     
Proposal Three: Amend the Company’s 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to Increase the Number of Shares Reserved for Issuance under the Plan    
Vote Required and Recommendation    22
Summary of the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan    23
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End    24
Recent Stock Option and Restricted Stock Award Grants to Employees, Consultants, and Directors    27
Federal Tax Aspects    28
     
Proposal Four: Approval under Applicable Nasdaq Rules of the Issuance of All Shares of Common Stock Issuable Upon Conversion of the Note and Exercise of the Warrant Issued in Our Private Placement without the Need for the Nasdaq Share Cap or Any Restriction on Any Anti-Dilution Provision in the Note and Warrant    
     
Proposal Five: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    
Audit and Related Fees    33
Vote Required and Board Recommendation    34
     
Report of the Audit Committee    
     
Executive Compensation and Related Information    
Summary Compensation Table    36
Grant of Plan-Based Awards    39
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End    39
Option Exercises and Stock Vested    40
Stock Option Plans    41
Equity Compensation Plan Information    42
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grants    42
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements    42
Retention Agreements    42
     
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management    44
     
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance    45
     
Transactions with Related Persons    45
     
Other Matters    45
     
Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations    46
     
Future Proposals of Stockholders    46
     
Annual Report    46
     
Appendix A – Amendment to the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan    47

 

 
 

 

Digital Ally, Inc.

9705 Loiret Blvd

Lenexa, Kansas 66219

(913) 814-7774

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on Thursday, June 12, 2014

 

The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Digital Ally, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Digital” or the “Company”), will be held at the Corporate facility located at 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas, 66219 on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., CDT, for the following purposes:

 

1.To elect four directors;
2.To approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our capital stock that we may issue from 9,375,000 to 85,000,000, of which 75,000,000 shares shall be classified as common stock and 10,000,000 shares shall be classified as blank check preferred stock.
3.To approve an amendment to the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance from 100,000 to 200,000;
 4.To approve under applicable Nasdaq rules of the issuance of all shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the $2,000,000 principal amount of Senior Secured Convertible Note (the “Note”) and exercise of common stock purchase warrant (the “Warrant”) issued in connection with the Note without the need for any Nasdaq Share Cap or any restriction on any anti-dilution provisions in the Note and Warrant, as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. The Note and Warrant were issued in the Company’s March 2014 private placement (the “Private Placement”);
5.To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm; and
6.To act upon such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting.

 

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this notice. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2014 will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please sign, date and return your proxy to us promptly. Your cooperation in signing and returning the proxy will help avoid further solicitation expense.

 

Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a notice of annual meeting, proxy statement, and 2013 Annual Report to Stockholders, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. Copies of our notice of annual meeting, proxy statement and 2013 Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.digitalallyinc.com.

 

  By order of the Board of Directors
   
 
  Stanton E. Ross
  Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
   
April __, 2014  
Lenexa, Kansas  

 

 
 

  

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, WE URGE YOU TO VOTE AND SUBMIT YOUR PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM. TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS ON IT AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

 

 
 

  

DIGITAL ALLY, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING

 

General

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Digital Ally, Inc., a Nevada corporation, for use at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., CDT, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying notice of annual meeting of stockholders. The annual meeting will be held at our corporate facility, located at 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas, 66219. The telephone number at that location is (913) 814-7774.

 

These proxy solicitation materials were first mailed on or about April __, 2014 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Record Date and Voting Securities

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2014 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. At the record date, 2,____,___ shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and held of record by __ stockholders.

 

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. If on April 14, 2014, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, First American Stock Transfer, Inc., then you are a stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the annual meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we urge you to complete and return the enclosed proxy card or vote by proxy via telephone or the Internet as instructed on your proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.

 

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank. If on April 14, 2014, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the annual meeting.

 

As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account. If you do not provide instructions for voting the shares that you beneficially own, the organization holding your shares cannot vote them for you for Proposals 1 through 4, as follows: Proposal 1, the election of directors; Proposal 2, to approve an amendment of our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 9,375,000 to 75,000,000 and to authorize 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock; Proposal 3, to approve an amendment to the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance from 100,000 to 200,000; for Proposal 4, to approve under applicable Nasdaq rules of the issuance of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant issued in the Private Placement without the need for the Nasdaq Share Cap or any restriction on any anti-dilution provisions in the Note and Warrant.

 

We encourage you to provide voting instructions to the brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization that is the record holder of your shares. A number of brokers and banks enable beneficial holders to give voting instructions via telephone or the internet. Please refer to the voting instructions provided by your bank or broker. You are also invited to attend the annual meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the annual meeting unless you provide a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other custodian.

 

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Revocability of Proxies

 

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting. In order to do this, you may either:

 

sign and return another proxy bearing a later date;
  provide written notice of the revocation to Thomas J. Heckman, our Secretary, prior to the time we take the vote at the annual meeting; or
attend the annual meeting and vote in person.

 

Quorum Requirement

 

A quorum, which is a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date, must be present or represented by proxy in order to hold the annual meeting and to conduct business. Your shares will be counted as being present at the annual meeting if you attend the meeting in person or if you submit a properly executed proxy card.

 

Voting

 

You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock that you hold on the record date.

 

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, vote by proxy on the internet or by telephone, or vote in person at the annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the annual meeting and vote in person if you have already voted by proxy.

 

To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the annual meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.
   
To vote on the internet, please follow the instructions provided on your proxy card.
   
To vote by telephone, please follow the instructions provided on your proxy card.
   
To vote in person, come to the annual meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive.

 

If you hold your shares in your own name as a holder of record, you may instruct the proxy holders how to vote your common stock by signing, dating and mailing the proxy card in the postage paid reply envelope that we have provided. Of course, you may also choose to come to the annual meeting and vote your shares in person. The proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with those instructions. If you sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by our Board of Directors.

 

 

We provide internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs associated with your internet access, such as usage charges from your internet provider.

 

 

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Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank. If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received instructions for granting proxies with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from the Company. A number of brokers and banks enable beneficial holders to give voting instructions via telephone or the internet. Please refer to the voting instructions provided by your bank or broker. To vote in person at the annual meeting, you must provide a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other custodian. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

 

If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will only be voted for Proposal 5, and not for Proposals 1, 2, 3 or 4. Thus, if you are not a record holder and hold your shares through a bank or broker, you must provide voting instructions to the record holder of the shares in accordance with its requirements in order for your shares to be properly voted for the following proposals: Proposal 1, the election of directors; Proposal 2, to approve an amendment of our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock from 9,375,000 to 75,000,000 and to authorize 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock; Proposal 3, to approve an amendment to the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance from 100,000 to 200,000; Proposal 4, to approve under applicable Nasdaq rules of the issuance of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant issued in the Private Placement without the need for the Nasdaq Share Cap or any restriction on any anti-dilution provisions in the Note and Warrant. If any other matter is properly presented at the meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his or her best judgment.

 

If you beneficially own your shares in street name and you do not instruct your bank or broker how to vote on Proposals 1 through 4, no votes will be cast on your behalf at the annual meeting as to these proposals. Your bank or broker will, however, have discretion to vote any uninstructed shares on Proposal 5.

 

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

 

If you return a proxy card that indicates an abstention from voting on all matters, the shares represented will be counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum, but they will not be voted on any matter at the annual meeting. Consequently, if you abstain from voting on Proposals 1 through 4, your abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with respect to these proposals.

 

If your shares are held by your broker as your nominee (that is, in “street name”), you will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds your shares and follow the instructions included on that form regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you do not give instructions to your broker, your broker can vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but not with respect to “non-discretionary” items. Discretionary items are proposals considered routine under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on which your broker may vote shares held in street name without your voting instructions. On non-discretionary items for which you do not give your broker instructions, the shares will be treated as broker non-votes. Under NYSE rules, any election of a member of the Board of Directors, whether contested or uncontested, is considered “non-discretionary” and therefore brokers are no longer permitted to vote your shares held in street name for the election of directors in the absence of instructions from you. Each of Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4 are “non-discretionary.” Therefore, if you hold your shares through a broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian, your shares will not be voted on those proposals unless you provide voting instructions to the record holder.

 

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker expressly instructs on a proxy card that it is not voting on a matter, whether routine or non-routine. Broker nonvotes are counted for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but are not counted for determining the number of votes cast for or against a proposal. Your broker will have discretionary authority to vote your shares on Proposal 5 only.

 

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Stockholder List

 

The stockholder list as of the record date will be available for examination by any stockholder at our corporate office, 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219, beginning May 26, 2014, which is at least ten business days prior to the date of the annual meeting and the stockholder list will be available at the annual meeting.

 

Proxy Solicitation Costs

 

This solicitation of proxies is made by our Board of Directors, and we will bear all related costs. None of our directors intends to oppose any action for which stockholder approval is being solicited. In addition, we may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by certain of our directors, officers and regular employees, without additional compensation, personally or by telephone or facsimile.

 

Our Voting Recommendations

 

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

 

FOR the four nominees to the Board of Directors;
FOR an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our capital stock from 9,375,000 to 85,000,000, of which 75,000,000 shares will be classified as common stock and 10,000,000 shares as blank check preferred stock;
FOR an amendment to the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance from 100,000 to 200,000;
 FOR approval under applicable Nasdaq rules of the issuance of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant without the need for the Nasdaq Share Cap or any restriction on any anti-dilution provisions in the Note and Warrant;
FOR ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm; and
On such other matters that may properly come before the annual meeting in accordance with the best judgment of the individual proxies named in the proxy.

 

Voting Results

 

The preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting. The final voting results will be calculated by our Inspector of Elections and published in our report on Form 8-K within four business days of the meeting.

 

Stockholders Sharing the Same Address

 

Digital has adopted a procedure called “householding,” which has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under this procedure, Digital is delivering only one copy of the annual report and proxy statement to multiple stockholders who share the same address, unless Digital has received contrary instructions from an affected stockholder. This procedure reduces Digital’s printing costs, mailing costs, and fees. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.

 

4
 

  

Digital will deliver, promptly upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the annual report and the proxy statement to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of either of those documents was delivered. To receive a separate copy of the annual report or proxy statement, you may write or call Digital’s Investor Relations Department at 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219, telephone (913) 814-7774. Any stockholders of record who share the same address and currently receive multiple copies of Digital’s annual report and proxy statement and who wish to receive only one copy of these materials per household in the future should contact Digital’s Investor Relations Department at the address or telephone number listed above to participate in the householding program.

 

A number of brokerage firms have instituted householding. If you hold your shares in “street name,” please contact your bank, broker, or other holder of record to request information about householding.

 

Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

As a stockholder, you may be entitled to present proposals for action at an upcoming meeting if you comply with the requirements of the proxy rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and our bylaws. Stockholders wishing to present a proposal at our 2015 annual meeting of stockholders must submit such proposal to us by December __, 2014, if they wish it to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. In connection with our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, we intend to solicit proxies granting discretionary authority to the proxyholders to vote on any matters submitted by stockholders by December __, 2014. In addition, under our bylaws, a stockholder wishing to make a proposal at the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders must submit such a proposal to us by December __, 2014. Any such proposals should be in compliance with our bylaws and should be submitted to Digital Ally, Inc., 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219, Attention: Thomas J. Heckman, Secretary.

 

Other Matters

 

Other than the proposals listed above, our Board of Directors does not intend to present any other matters to be voted on at the meeting. Our Board of Directors is not currently aware of any other matters that will be presented by others for action at the meeting. However, if other matters are properly presented at the meeting and you have signed and returned your proxy card, the proxy holders will have discretion to vote your shares on these matters to the extent authorized under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 12, 2014:

 

Copies of our notice of annual meeting, proxy statement and 2013 Annual Report to Stockholders are available online at www.digitalallyinc.com.

 

5
 

 

PROPOSAL ONE

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Nominees

 

A Board of four directors is to be elected at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the four nominees named below, of all of which are presently directors of Digital.

 

If any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the annual meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who shall be designated by the present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. We are not aware of any nominee who will be unable or will decline to serve as a director. The term of office for each person elected as a director will continue until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until a successor has been elected and qualified. The names of the nominees and certain information about them as of the date of this proxy statement are set forth below:

 

Name of Nominee   Principal Occupation   Age   Director Since
Stanton E. Ross   Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer     52   2005
Leroy C. Richie (1)(2)(3)(4)   Lead Outside Director, Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and Compensation Committee and attorney     72   2005
Daniel F. Hutchins (1)(3)(4)   Certified Public Accountant; Chairman of Audit Committee     58   2007
Elliot M. Kaplan (2)(3)(4)   Attorney     63   2005

  

 

 

(1)Member of Audit Committee

 

(2)Member of Compensation Committee

 

(3)Member of Nominating and Governance Committee

 

(4)Member of Strategic Planning Committee

 

Stanton E. Ross has served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since September 2005. From March 1992 to June 2005, Mr. Ross was the Chairman and President of Infinity Energy Resources, Inc., a publicly held oil and gas exploration and development company (“Infinity”), and served as an officer and director of each of Infinity’s subsidiaries. He resigned all of his positions with Infinity in June 2005, except Chairman, but was reappointed President in October 2006. Mr. Ross served on the board of directors of Studio One Media, Inc., a publicly held company, from January 2013 to March 2013. From 1991 until March 1992, he founded and served as President of Midwest Financial, a financial services corporation involved in mergers, acquisitions and financing for corporations in the Midwest. From 1990 to 1991, Mr. Ross was employed by Duggan Securities, Inc., an investment banking firm in Lenexa, Kansas, where he primarily worked in corporate finance. From 1989 to 1990, he was employed by Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., a member of the New York Stock Exchange, where he was an investment executive. From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Ross was self-employed as a business consultant. From 1985 to 1987, Mr. Ross was President and founder of Kansas Microwave, Inc., which developed a radar detector product. From 1981 to 1985, he was employed by Birdview Satellite Communications, Inc., which manufactured and marketed home satellite television systems, initially as a salesman and later as National Sales Manager. Mr. Ross devotes such time to the business of the Company as he deems necessary to discharge his fiduciary duties to it. Mr. Ross estimates he devoted most of his time to Digital Ally and the balance to Infinity in 2012. In late 2007, Infinity sold a substantial portion of its operating assets and has not required a substantial amount of his time since such point. Mr. Ross holds no public company directorships other than with the Company and Infinity and has not held any others during the previous five years, except for Studio One Media, Inc. The Company believes that Mr. Ross’s broad entrepreneurial, financial and business expertise and his experience with micro-cap public companies and his role as President and Chief Executive Officer give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

 

6
 

 

Leroy C. Richie has been the Lead Outside Director of Digital Ally since September 2005. He is also a member of the Audit, Strategic Planning and Compensation Committees and is the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Since June 1, 1999 Mr. Richie has been a director of Infinity Energy Resources, Inc., a publicly held oil and gas exploration and development company. Additionally, Mr. Richie serves as a member of the boards of directors of the following corporations and serves in the additional capacities noted: OGE Energy Corp., Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance Committee; and member of the board of directors of Columbia Mutual Funds, an investment company within the mutual fund family managed by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Since 2004, he has been of counsel to the Detroit law firm of Lewis & Munday, P.C. From September 2000 to November 2004, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Q Standards World Wide, Inc. From April 1999 to August 2000, he was President of Capitol Coating Technologies, Inc. He holds no other public directorships and has not held any others during the previous five years, except for Kerr-McGee Corporation (1998-2005). Mr. Richie was formerly Vice President of Chrysler Corporation and General Counsel for automotive legal affairs, where he directed all legal affairs for that company’s automotive operations from 1986 until his retirement in 1997. Before joining Chrysler, he was an associate with the New York law firm of White & Case (1973-1978), and served as director of the New York office of the Federal Trade Commission (1978-1983). Mr. Richie received a B.A. from City College of New York, where he was valedictorian, and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law, where he was awarded an Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Fellowship. The Company believes that Mr. Richie’s extensive experience as a lawyer and as an officer or director of public companies gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

 

Daniel F. Hutchins was elected a Director in December 2007. He serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee and is the Board’s financial expert. He is also a member of the Strategic Planning and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Mr. Hutchins, a Certified Public Accountant, is a Principal with the accounting firm of Hutchins & Haake, LLC and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Infinity Energy Resources, Inc., a publicly held oil and gas exploration and development company, of which Stanton E. Ross is the Chairman and President. He was previously a member of the Advisory Board of Digital Ally. Mr. Hutchins has served as an instructor for the Becker CPA exam with the Keller Graduate School of Management and has over 17 years of teaching experience preparing CPA candidates for the CPA exam. He has 30 years of public accounting experience, including five years with Deloitte & Touche, LLP. He has served on the boards of various non-profit groups and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Hutchins earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Mr. Hutchins holds no other public company directorships currently and has not held any others during the previous five years. The Company believes that Mr. Hutchins’ significant experience in finance and accounting gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

 

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Elliot M. Kaplan has been a Director since September 2005 and is a member of the Compensation, Strategic Planning and Nominating and Governance Committees. Mr. Kaplan was a practicing attorney with Daniels & Kaplan, P.C. from 1994 through 2006, with a concentration in corporate strategy. During the years 1985 through 1993, Mr. Kaplan practiced with the law firms of Berman, DeLeve, Kuchan and Chapman (1991-1993); DeWitt, Zeldin and Bigus (1990-1991); and Husch, Eppenberger, Donahue, Cornfeld and Jenkins (1985-1990). From 1983 to 1985, he served as Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Air One, Inc. He also served on the board of directors of Infinity Energy Resources, Inc., a publicly held oil and gas exploration and development company, from July 2004 through June 18, 2008. Mr. Kaplan served as the chairman of the Advisory Board of Executive Action and was a member of the SCCA ProRacing Board of Directors until early 2011. Mr. Kaplan holds no other public company directorships currently and has not held any others during the previous five years. The Company believes that Mr. Kaplan’s broad legal and business expertise give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

 

Our Directors are elected annually and hold office until the next annual meeting of our stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There is no family relationship between any of our directors, director nominees and executive officers. Board vacancies are filled by a majority vote of the Board.

 

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

 

If a quorum is present and voting, the five nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected to the Board of Directors. Votes withheld from any nominee will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for transaction of business at the meeting, but will have no other legal effect upon the election of directors under Nevada law.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT OUR STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH OF THE FOUR NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE.

 

Board of Directors and Committee Meetings

 

Our Board of Directors held three regular and three telephonic meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which he served in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. Our directors are expected, absent exceptional circumstances, to attend all Board meetings and meetings of committees on which they serve, and are also expected to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. All directors then in office attended the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Our Board of Directors currently has four committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Governance Committee and a Strategic Planning Committee. Each committee has a written charter approved by the Board of Directors outlining the principal responsibilities of the committee. These charters are also available on the Investor Relations page of our website. All of our directors, other than our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, have met in executive sessions without management present on a regular basis in 2013 and 2014.

 

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Audit Committee

 

Our Audit Committee appoints the Company’s independent auditors, reviews audit reports and plans, accounting policies, financial statements, internal controls, audit fees, and certain other expenses and oversees our accounting and financial reporting process. Specific responsibilities include selecting, hiring and terminating our independent auditors; evaluating the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent auditors; approving the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our auditors; reviewing the design, implementation, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls and critical accounting policies; overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements or accounting matters; reviewing any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding our results of operations in conjunction with management and our public auditors; conferring with management and the independent auditors regarding the effectiveness of internal controls, financial reporting processes and disclosure controls; consulting with management and the independent auditors regarding Company policies governing financial risk management; reviewing and discussing reports from the independent auditors on critical accounting policies used by the Company; establishing procedures, as required under applicable law, for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; reviewing and approving related-person transactions in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures with respect to related-person transactions and applicable rules; reviewing the financial statements to be included in our annual report on Form 10-K; and discussing with management and the independent auditors the results of the annual audit and the results of quarterly reviews and any significant changes in our accounting principles; and preparing the report that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires in our annual proxy statement. The report of the Audit Committee for the year-ended December 31, 2013 is included in this proxy statement.

 

The Audit Committee is comprised of three Directors, each of whom is independent, as defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the year-ended December 31, 2013. On September 22, 2005, the Company created the Audit Committee and adopted a written charter for it. The members of our Audit Committee are Daniel F. Hutchins, Leroy C. Richie, and Stephen Gans. The Board of Directors determined that Mr. Hutchins qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is independent as noted above.

 

Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services performed by the Company’s independent accountants must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee to assure that such services do not impair the accountants’ independence from the Company. Accordingly, the Audit Committee has adopted an Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (the “Policy”) that sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services to be performed by the independent accountants are to be pre-approved. Pursuant to the Policy, certain services described in detail in the Policy may be pre-approved on an annual basis together with pre-approved maximum fee levels for such services. The services eligible for annual pre-approval consist of services that would be included under the categories of Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Fees in the table, as well as services for limited review of actuarial reports and calculations. If not pre-approved on an annual basis, proposed services must otherwise be separately approved prior to being performed by the independent accountants. In addition, any services that receive annual pre-approval but exceed the pre-approved maximum fee level also will require separate approval by the Audit Committee prior to being performed. The Audit Committee may delegate authority to pre-approve audit and non-audit services to any member of the Audit Committee, but may not delegate such authority to management.

 

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Compensation Committee

 

Our Compensation Committee assists our Board of Directors in determining the development plans and compensation of our officers, directors and employees. Specific responsibilities include approving the compensation and benefits of our executive officers; reviewing the performance objectives and actual performance of our officers; administering our stock option and other equity compensation plans; and reviewing and discussing with management the compensation discussion and analysis that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires in our future Form 10-Ks and proxy statements.

 

Our Compensation Committee is comprised of three Directors, whom the Board considers to be independent under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The members of our Compensation Committee are Leroy C. Richie, Chairman, Stephen Gans and Elliot M. Kaplan. The Compensation Committee held two meetings during the year-ended December 31, 2013. Mr. Ross, our Chief Executive Officer, does not participate in the determination of his own compensation or the compensation of directors. However, he makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the amount and form of the compensation of the other executive officers and key employees, and he often participates in the Compensation Committee’s deliberations about their compensation. Thomas J. Heckman, our Chief Financial Officer also assists the Compensation Committee in its executive officer, director and employee compensation deliberations. No other executive officers participate in the determination of the amount or the form of the compensation of executive officers or directors. The Compensation Committee does not utilize the services of an independent compensation consultant to assist in its oversight of executive and director compensation. On September 22, 2007, the Board of Directors adopted a written charter.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Our Nominating and Governance Committee assists our Board of Directors by identifying and recommending individuals qualified to become members of our Board of Directors, reviewing correspondence from our stockholders, and establishing, evaluating and overseeing our corporate governance guidelines. Specific responsibilities include the following: evaluating the composition, size and governance of our Board of Directors and its committees and making recommendations regarding future planning and appointing directors to our committees; establishing a policy for considering stockholder nominees for election to our Board of Directors; and evaluating and recommending candidates for election to our Board of Directors.

 

Our Nominating and Governance Committee strives for a Board composed of individuals who bring a variety of complementary skills, expertise or background and who, as a group, will possess the appropriate skills and experience to oversee our business. The diversity of the members of the Board relates to the selection of its nominees. While the Committee considers diversity and variety of experiences and viewpoints to be important factors, it does not believe that a director nominee should be chosen or excluded solely or largely because of race, color, gender, national origin or sexual orientation or identity. In selecting a director nominee for recommendation to our Board, our Nominating and Governance Committee focuses on skills, expertise or background that would complement the existing members on the Board. Accordingly, although diversity may be a consideration in the Committee’s process, the Committee and the Board of Directors do not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees.

 

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When the Nominating and Governance Committee has either identified a prospective nominee or determined that an additional or replacement director is required, the Nominating and Governance Committee may take such measures as it considers appropriate in connection with its evaluation of a director candidate, including candidate interviews, inquiry of the person or persons making the recommendation or nomination, engagement of an outside search firm to gather additional information, or reliance on the knowledge of the members of the Board of Directors or management. In its evaluation of director candidates, including the members of the Board eligible for re-election, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers a number of factors, including: the current size and composition of the Board of Directors, the needs of the Board of Directors and the respective committees of the Board, and such factors as judgment, independence, character and integrity, age, area of expertise, diversity of experience, length of service, and potential conflicts of interest.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board selects director nominees and recommends them to the full Board of Directors. In relation to such nomination process, the Committee:

 

● determines the criteria for the selection of prospective directors and committee members;

 

● reviews the composition and size of the Board and its committees to ensure proper expertise and diversity among its members;

 

● evaluates the performance and contributions of directors eligible for re-election;

 

● determine the desired qualifications for individual directors and desired skills and characteristics for the Board;

 

● identifies persons who can provide needed skills and characteristics;

 

● screens possible candidates for Board membership;

 

● reviews any potential conflicts of interests between such candidates and the Company’s interests; and

 

● shares information concerning the candidates with the Board, and solicit input from other directors.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee has specified the following minimum qualifications that it believes must be met by a nominee for a position on the Board: the highest personal and professional ethics and integrity; proven achievement and competence in the nominee’s field and the ability to exercise sound business judgment; skills that are complementary to those of the existing Board; the ability to assist and support management and make significant contributions to our success; the ability to work well with the other directors; the extent of the person’s familiarity with the issues affecting our business: an understanding of the fiduciary responsibilities that are required of a member of the Board of Directors; and the commitment of time and energy necessary to diligently carry out those responsibilities. A candidate for director must agree to abide by our Code of Ethics and Conduct.

 

After completing its evaluation, the Nominating and Governance Committee makes a recommendation to the full Board of Directors as to the persons who should be nominated to the Board, and the Board of Directors determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Committee.

 

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Our Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of three Directors, whom the Board considers to be independent under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Nominating and Governance Committee held one meeting during the year ended December 31, 2013. The members of our Nominating and Governance Committee are Leroy C. Richie, who serves as Chairman, Elliot M. Kaplan and Daniel F. Hutchins. The Committee was created by our Board of Directors on December 27, 2007, when the Board of Directors adopted a written charter, which charter was amended in February 2010.

 

Strategic Planning Committee

 

Our Strategic Planning Committee assists our Board of Directors by providing guidance in the formulation of both short and long-term business development plans, including identifying and recommending new strategic initiatives and alternatives, technologies and products for the Company. Specific responsibilities include the following: evaluating the Company’s current product composition, markets to address, new research and development directions and commercialization of new products.

 

Our Strategic Planning Committee is comprised of three Directors. The Strategic Planning Committee held one meeting during the year ended December 31, 2012. The members of our Strategic Planning Committee are Leroy C. Richie, Daniel F. Hutchins and Elliot M. Kaplan. The position of Chairman of the Committee is open at present. The Strategic Planning Committee was created by our Board of Directors on July 28, 2009, when the Board of Directors adopted a written charter.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The Compensation Committee is made up of three independent, non-employee directors, Messrs. Richie, Gans and Kaplan. No interlocking relationship exists between the members of our Compensation Committee and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company.

 

Board of Directors’ Role in the Oversight of Risk Management

 

We face a variety of risks, including credit, liquidity, and operational risks. In fulfilling its risk oversight role, our Board of Directors focuses on the adequacy of our risk management process and overall risk management system. Our Board of Directors believes that an effective risk management system will (i) adequately identify the material risks that we face in a timely manner; (ii) implement appropriate risk management strategies that are responsive to our risk profile and specific material risk exposures; (iii) integrate consideration of risk and risk management into our business decision-making; and (iv) include policies and procedures that adequately transmit necessary information regarding material risks to senior executives and, as appropriate, to the Board or relevant committee.

 

The Board of Directors has designated the Audit Committee to take the lead in overseeing risk management at the Board of Directors level. Accordingly, the Audit Committee schedules time for periodic review of risk management, in addition to its other duties. In this role, the Audit Committee receives reports from management, certified public accountants, outside legal counsel, and other advisors, and strives to generate serious and thoughtful attention to our risk management process and system, the nature of the material risks we face, and the adequacy of our policies and procedures designed to respond to and mitigate these risks.

 

Although the Board of Directors has assigned the primary risk oversight to the Audit Committee, it also periodically receives information about our risk management system and the most significant risks that we face. This is principally accomplished through Audit Committee reports to the Board of Directors and summary versions of the briefings provided by management and advisors to the Audit Committee.

 

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In addition to the formal compliance program, our Board of Directors and the Audit Committee encourage management to promote a corporate culture that understands risk management and incorporates it into our overall corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. Our risk management structure also includes an ongoing effort to assess and analyze the most likely areas of future risk for us. As a result, the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee periodically ask our executives to discuss the most likely sources of material future risks and how we are addressing any significant potential vulnerability.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

Our Board of Directors does not have a policy on whether or not the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors should be separate and, if they are to be separate, whether the Chairman of the Board should be selected from the non-employee directors or be an employee. Our Board of Directors believes that it should be free to make a choice from time to time in any manner that is in the best interest of us and our stockholders. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Ross’s service as both Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board is in the best interest of us and our stockholders. Mr. Ross possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges we face and is thus best positioned to develop agendas, with the input of Mr. Richie, the lead director, that ensure that the Board’s time and attention are focused on the most critical matters. His combined role enables decisive leadership, ensures clear accountability, and enhances our ability to communicate our message and strategy clearly and consistently to our stockholders, employees, customers and suppliers, particularly during times of turbulent economic and industry conditions.

 

Our Board of Directors also believes that a lead director is part of an effective Board leadership structure. To this end, the Board has appointed Mr. Richie as the lead director. The independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions at which only they are present, and the lead director chairs those sessions. As the lead director, Mr. Richie calls meetings of the independent directors as needed; sets the agenda for meetings of the independent directors; presides at meetings of the independent directors; is the principal liaison on Board issues between the independent directors and the Chairman and between the independent directors and management; provides feedback to the Chairman and management on the quality, quantity and timeliness of information sent to the Board; is a member of the Compensation Committee which evaluates the CEO’s performance; and oversees the directors’ evaluation of the Board’s overall performance. The Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board believe that the Board’s leadership structure, which includes the appointment of an independent lead director, is appropriate because it, among other things, provides for an independent director who gives board member leadership and each of the directors, other than Mr. Ross, is independent. Our Board of Directors believes that the independent directors provide effective oversight of management.

 

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors by writing to us as follows: Digital Ally, Inc., attention: Corporate Secretary, 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219. Stockholders who would like their submission directed to a particular member of the Board of Directors may so specify and the communication will be forwarded as appropriate.

 

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Policy for Director Recommendations and Nominations

 

Our Nominating and Governance Committee will consider candidates for Board membership suggested by Board members, management and our stockholders. It is the policy for our Nominating and Governance Committee to consider recommendations for candidates to the Board of Directors from any stockholder of record in accordance with our bylaws. A director candidate recommended by our stockholders will be considered in the same manner as a nominee recommended by a Board member, management or other sources. In addition, a stockholder may nominate a person directly for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, provided the stockholder meets the requirements set forth in our bylaws. We do not pay a fee to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluation potential nominees.

 

Stockholder Recommendations for Director Nominations. Stockholder recommendations for director nominations may be submitted to the Company at the following address: Digital Ally, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219. Such recommendations will be forwarded to the Nominating Committee for consideration, provided that they are accompanied by sufficient information to permit the Board to evaluate the qualifications and experience of the nominees, and provided that they are in time for the Nominating and Governance Committee to do an adequate evaluation of the candidate before the annual meeting of stockholders. The submission must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Directors and to serve if elected and to cooperate with a background check.

 

Stockholder Nominations of Directors. Our bylaws provide that in order for a stockholder to nominate a director at an annual meeting, the stockholder must give timely, written notice to the Secretary of the Company and such notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 120 days before the date of its release of the proxy statement to stockholders in connection with its previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders. Such stockholder’s notice shall include, with respect to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, all information relating to such nominee, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee, serving as a director, that is required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and cooperating with a background investigation. In addition, the stockholder must include in such notice his name and address, as they appear on our records, of the stockholder proposing the nomination of such person, and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Company that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder of record and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, and any material interest or relationship that such stockholder of record and/or the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made may respectively have in such business or with such nominee. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the Company the information required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee.

 

To be timely in the case of a special meeting or if the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than thirty (30) days from such anniversary date, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the meeting date was mailed or public disclosure of the meeting date was made.

 

Code of Ethics and Conduct

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct that is applicable to all of our employees, officers and directors. Our Code of Ethics and Conduct is intended to ensure that our employees act in accordance with the highest ethical standards. The Code of Ethics and Conduct is available on the Investor Relations page of our website at http://www.digitalally.com. and the Code of Ethics and Conduct has been filed as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 10-K filed March 4, 2008.

 

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Director Compensation

 

Our non-employee directors received the stock option and restricted stock grants noted in the section below entitled “Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grants to Directors” for agreeing to serve on the Board of Directors in 2013, including on the Audit, Nominating and Governance, Strategic Planning and Compensation Committees.

 

Effective September 2, 2011, our Board of Directors terminated cash compensation to all non-employee Board members as part of the Company’s cost reduction program. The non-employee directors who attended Board meetings and meetings as members of various committees of the Board were reimbursed for their out-of-pocket costs in attending the meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

In 2013, non-employee members of the Board did not receive cash compensation for their services, but we reimbursed them for their out-of-pocket costs in attending the meetings of the Board of Directors. Neither the chairmen of each committee of the Board nor any members of any committee received any additional cash compensation for their service on such committees in 2013.

 

In May 2013, we granted to Messrs. Richie, Bianchino, Kaplan, Gans, Hutchins and Phillips each 10,000 shares of restricted stock valued at $6.04 per share on May 30, 2013 for their service on the Board through May 2014.

 

Director compensation for the year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:

 

Director Compensation

 

Name  Fees
earned or
paid in cash
($)
   Stock
awards
($) (4)
   Option
awards
($) (4)
   Total
($)
 
Stanton E. Ross, Chairman of the Board (1)  $   $   $   $ 
Leroy C. Richie  $   $60,400   $   $60,400 
Elliot M. Kaplan  $   $60,400   $   $60,400 
Daniel F. Hutchins  $   $60,400   $   $60,400 
Bernard A. Bianchino (2)  $   $60,400   $   $60,400 
Stephen Gans  $   $60,400   $   $60,400 
Stephen Phillips (3)  $   $60,400   $   $60,400 

 

 

 

(1) Mr. Ross’s compensation and option awards are provided in the Executive Compensation table because he did not receive compensation or stock options for his services as a director.
   
(2) Mr. Bianchino resigned as a member of the Board of Directors effective January 23, 2014. We accelerated the vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Bianchino that were due to vest on May 1, 2014 to January 23, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Bianchino restricted stock grant during 2013 has been included as director compensation.
   
(3) Mr. Phillips resigned as a Director on January 19, 2014. We accelerated the vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Phillips that were due to vest on May 1, 2014 to January 23, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Phillips restricted stock grant during 2013 has been included as director compensation.
   
(4) Represents aggregate grant date fair value pursuant to ASC Topic 718 for the respective year for stock options and restricted stock granted. Please refer to Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further description of the awards and the underlying assumptions utilized to determine the amount of grant date fair value related to such grants.

 

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Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grants to Directors

 

Name of Individual  Number of
Restricted Shares of
Common Stock Granted
   Number
of Options
Granted
   Average
per Share
Exercise Price
 
Stanton E. Ross (1)          $ 
Leroy C. Richie (2)   10,000       $6.04 
Elliot M. Kaplan (2)   10,000       $6.04 
Daniel F. Hutchins (2)   10,000       $6.04 
Bernard A. Bianchino (2) (3)   10,000       $6.04 
Stephen Gans (2)   10,000       $6.04 
Stephen Phillips (2) (4)   10,000       $6.04 

 

(1)

Mr. Ross’s compensation and option awards are noted in the Executive Compensation table because he did not receive compensation or stock options for his services as a director.

(2) The restricted stock grants were valued at an average price of $6.04 per share. Mr. Richie, Mr. Bianchino, Hutchins, Kaplan, Phillips and Mr. Gans were each granted a restricted stock award on May 30, 2013 for 10,000 shares with half vesting on September 1, 2013 and the remainder on May 1, 2014.
(3) Mr. Bianchino resigned as a member of the Board of Directors effective January 23, 2014. The vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Bianchino was accelerated from May 1, 2014 to January 23, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Bianchino’s entire restricted stock grant during 2013 have been included.
(4) Mr. Phillips resigned as a Director on January 19, 2014. The vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Phillips was accelerated from May 1, 2014 to January 23, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Phillips’ entire restricted stock grant during 2013 have been included.

 

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PROPOSAL TWO

 

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK THAT WE MAY ISSUE FROM 9,375,000 TO 85,000,000 SHARES, OF WHICH 75,000,000 SHARES SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS COMMON STOCK AND 10,000,000 SHARES SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK.

 

Proposal 2 seeks your approval of an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation, which we refer to as the “Articles Amendment,” to increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock that we may issue from 9,375,000 to 85,000,000, of which 75,000,000 shares shall be classified as common stock and 10,000,000 shares shall be classified as blank check preferred stock. The Articles Amendment has the effect of creating a new class of stock: blank check preferred. The proposed Articles Amendment is set forth below:

 

“Article IX of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

(a) Authorized Shares. The aggregate number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation will have the authority to issue is eighty-five million (85,000,000) shares, of which seventy-five million (75,000,000) shares will be designated common stock, par value of $0.001 each share (the “Common Stock”), and ten million (10,000,000) shares will be blank check preferred stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). The holders of the Common Stock shall have one (1) vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. Each share of Common Stock shall be entitled to the same dividend and liquidation rights. The capital stock of this Corporation, after the amount of the subscription price has been paid in, shall never be assessable, or assessed to pay debts of this Corporation.

 

(b) Blank Check Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to the limitations prescribed in this Article IX, to provide for the issuance of the shares of blank check preferred stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Nevada, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series of Preferred Stock will include, but not be limited to, the rights to determine the following:

 

(i)The number of shares constituting that series of Preferred Stock and the distinctive designation of that series, which may be a distinguishing number, letter or title;

 

(ii)The dividend rate on the shares of that series of Preferred Stock, whether dividends will be cumulative, and if so, from which date(s), and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series;

 

(iii)Whether that series of Preferred Stock will have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

 

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(iv)Whether that series of Preferred Stock will have conversion privileges and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors determines;

 

(v)Whether or not the shares of that series of Preferred Stock will be redeemable and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the date or date upon or after which they are redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates;

 

(vi)Whether that series of Preferred Stock will have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund;

 

(vii)The rights of the shares of that series of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and

 

(viii)Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series of Preferred Stock.

 

Each series of serial Preferred Stock, in preference to the Common Stock, will be entitled to dividends from funds or other assets legally available therefore, at such rates, payable at such times and cumulative to the extent as may be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to the authority herein conferred upon it. In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, voluntary or involuntary, the holders of serial Preferred Stock, in preference to the Common Stock, will be entitled to receive such amount or amounts as may be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation pursuant to the authority herein conferred upon it. Preferred Stock of any series redeemed, converted, exchanged, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be canceled by the Corporation and returned to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Stock. All shares of any series of serial Preferred Stock, as between themselves, shall rank equally and be identical; and all series of serial Preferred Stock, as between themselves, shall rank equally and be identical, except as set forth in resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of the series.”

 

Increase in Authorized Shares of Common Stock

 

We believe that an increase in the number of our authorized capital stock is prudent in order to assure that a sufficient number of shares of our capital stock is available for issuance in the future if our Board of Directors deems it to be in the best interests of our stockholders and us. Our Board of Directors has determined that a total of 75,000,000 shares of common stock to be a reasonable estimate of what might be required in this regard for the foreseeable future to (i) issue capital stock in acquisitions or strategic transactions and other proper corporate purpose that may be identified by our Board in the future; (ii) issue common stock to augment our capital and increase the ownership of our capital stock; and (iii) provide incentives through the grant of stock options and restricted stock to employees, directors, officers, independent contractors, and others important to our business under our stock option plans. Immediately following this increase, the Company will have approximately 72,924,436 shares of common stock authorized but unissued and available for issuance and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized but unissued and available for issuance. At present, we have 2,280,553 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 506,107 shares issuable upon exercise of options granted under the Plans, 178,438 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase common stock and no preferred stock authorized or issued.

 

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The remaining authorized but unissued shares of capital stock will be available for issuance from time to time as may be deemed advisable or required for various purposes, including those noted above. Our Board will be able to authorize the issuance of shares for the foregoing purposes and other transactions without the necessity, and related costs and delays of either calling a special stockholders’ meeting or waiting for the regularly scheduled Annual Meeting of Stockholders in order to increase the authorized capital. If in a particular transaction required stockholder approval by law or was otherwise deemed advisable by the Board, then the matter would be referred to the stockholders for their approval, even if we might have the requisite number of voting shares to consummate the transaction. The additional shares of common stock to be authorized by the Articles Amendment will have rights identical to the currently outstanding common stock. Adoption of the Articles Amendment and issuance of the additional common stock authorized thereby will not affect the rights of the holders of our currently outstanding common stock, except for effects incidental to increasing the number of outstanding shares of our common stock, as discussed above.

 

Authorization of Blank Check Preferred Stock

 

In addition to the increase in our authorized common stock, the Articles Amendment also authorize the issuance of blank check preferred stock with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. Accordingly, upon effectiveness of the Articles Amendment, our Board of Directors will be authorized to issue the preferred stock without stockholder approval, except as may be required by applicable laws or rules. For example, under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, shareholder approval is required for any potential issuance of 20% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, including upon conversion of convertible preferred stock, in connection with acquisitions or discounted private placements. In connection with the issuance of the preferred stock, the Board would have the authority to designate and issue series of our preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock, substantially dilute the common stockholders’ interests in the Company and depress the price of our common stock. In addition, although we do not presently intend to use the blank check preferred stock provision for such purpose, preferred stock authorized under such provision could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control of the Company.

 

Our Board of Directors believes that authorization of blank check preferred stock is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders because it is advisable to have the ability to authorize such shares of preferred stock and have them available for, among other things, possible issuances in connection with such activities as public or private offerings of shares for cash, acquisitions of other companies, pursuit of financing opportunities and other corporate purposes. However, we do not, at this time, have any plans, proposals or arrangements concerning the issuance of shares of our blank check preferred stock.

 

Effectiveness of the Articles Amendment

 

The amendment to our Articles of Incorporation described above will become effective upon the filing of the Articles Amendment with the Secretary of State of Nevada.

 

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Potential Anti-Takeover effect of the Proposed Articles Amendment

 

The Articles Amendment relating to the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock and adoption of a blank check preferred stock is not intended to have any anti-takeover effect and is not part of any series of anti-takeover measures contained in our Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws in effect on the date of this proxy statement. However, our stockholders should note that the availability of additional authorized and unissued shares of common and preferred stock could make any attempt to gain control of the Company or the Board more difficult or time-consuming and that the availability of additional authorized and unissued shares might make it more difficult to remove management. Although the Board currently has no intention of doing so, shares of stock could be issued by the Board to dilute the percentage of stock owned by any stockholder and increase the cost of, or the number of, voting shares necessary to acquire control of the Board or to meet the voting requirements imposed by Nevada law with respect to a merger or other business combination involving us. The issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights by our Board may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock, including the loss of voting control to others.

 

Our Board of Directors did not propose this Articles Amendment for the purpose of discouraging mergers, tender offers, proxy contests, solicitation in opposition to management or other changes in control. We are not aware of any specific effort to accumulate our common stock or obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise. We have no present intention to use the increased number of authorized shares of stock or creation of the blank check preferred stock for anti-takeover purposes.

 

Effectiveness of Articles Amendment

 

The Articles Amendment will become effective once it is approved at the annual meeting and filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada. Upon filing the Articles Amendment with the Secretary of State of Nevada, our authorized shares of common stock will increase from 9,375,000 to 75,000,000 and our authorized preferred stock will increase from none to 10,000,000.

 

Vote Required and Recommendation

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding common stock will be required to approve the Articles Amendment.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF OUR CAPITALSTOCK THAT WE MAY ISSUE FROM 9,375,000 TO 85,000,000 SHARES, OF WHICH 75,000,000 SHARES SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS COMMON STOCK AND 10,000,000 SHARES SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS BLANK CHECK PREFERRED STOCK.

 

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PROPOSAL THREE

 

TO AMEND THE 2013 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE PLAN.

 

We are seeking stockholder approval to amend the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2013 Plan”) to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan from 100,000 to 200,000. At March 21, 2014, there are 90,000 shares subject to restricted stock awards or stock options issued under the 2013 Plan since its adoption in 2013. Such grants were generally in lieu of cash bonuses and helped to conserve cash in the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years.

 

The purpose of the 2013 Plan is to offer all of our employees, directors, and key consultants an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in our success, and remain in service to the Company and to attract new employees, directors and consultants. The 2013 Plan provides both for the direct award of shares, for the grant of options to purchase shares, as well as for the grant of Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs). Options granted under the 2013 Plan may include non-statutory options as well as incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

The Company has a policy of issuing new shares upon the exercise of stock options, awarding significant amounts of stock options or restricted stock grants to new employees and regularly awarding such to employees on an annual basis. Stock options are generally granted at the market price on the date of grant. Stock options and restricted stock grants have generally vested over one or more years for officers and employees, and one year for directors. Stock options generally can be exercised within seven to ten years.

 

The aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the 2013 Plan was originally set at 100,000 shares. In order to continue and to enhance the effectiveness of the Plan, the Board of Directors approved, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan from 100,000 to 200,000.

 

The Board believes the approval of the amendment is necessary in order to make shares available for future awards, in part, due to the following.

 

(i) We anticipate that in order to meet the objectives and requirements of the 2013 Plan, we will likely utilize all of the shares presently available for awards under the 2013 Plan soon after the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and

 

(ii) Previous, long-term equity awards have, in large part, become fully vested. The Company faces increasing competition from industry to retain its talented and experienced staff and add staff as appropriate, and we believe that new equity awards that vest over longer periods are effective for retention and incentive compensation.

 

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In view of the limited number of shares remaining for grants under the 2013 Plan and earlier stock option plans, the continued need to attract and maintain individuals of the highest caliber to positions on the Board, management and employment, the Board of Directors have concluded that the maximum number of shares of common Stock that may be issued under the 2013 Plan should be increased from the current maximum of 100,000 to an aggregate of 200,000 shares.

 

The Board of Directors approved the increase in shares reserved under and required amendment to the 2013 Plan on March 28, 2014, subject to stockholder approval at the annual meeting. If our stockholders approve the 2013 Plan, 100,000 additional shares will be available for future grants.

 

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders for the Company to approve the increase in shares reserved under the 2013 Plan. There are relatively few shares available for grant under the existing stock option plans of the Company. Due to the economic recession and dramatic stock market decline, including the price of the Company’s stock, the exercise prices of the vast majority of the options now outstanding are well above the current market price. The Board believes that equity awards assist in retaining, motivating and rewarding employees, executives and consultants by giving them an opportunity to obtain long-term equity participation in the Company. In addition, equity awards are an important contributor to aligning the incentives of the Company’s employees with the interests of our stockholders.

 

The Board also believes equity awards are essential to attracting new employees and retaining current employees. Further, the granting of options to new and existing employees frequently permits the Company to pay lower salaries than otherwise might be the case. The Board of Directors believes that to remain competitive with other technology companies in our long-term incentive plans, the Company must continue to provide employees with the opportunity to obtain equity in the Company and that an inability to offer equity incentives to new and current employees would put the Company at a competitive disadvantage in attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Our named executive officers and directors have an interest in this proposal because they are expected to receive awards under the 2013 Plan if it is approved at the annual meeting.

 

The full text of the proposed amendment to increase the number of shares under the 2013 Plan is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.

 

Vote Required and Recommendation

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast will be required to approve the 2013 Plan.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE TO AMEND THE 2013 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE PLAN.

 

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Summary of the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan

 

The 2013 Plan authorizes us to issue 100,000 shares of common stock upon exercise of options and grant of restricted stock awards. The 2013 Plan authorizes us to grant (i) to the key employees incentive stock options to purchase shares of common stock and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock awards and (ii) to nonemployee directors and consultants’ non-qualified stock options and restricted stock. As of March 21, 2014, approximately 91 employees, two executive officers, and four non-employee directors were eligible to participate in the 2013 Plan.

 

The following paragraphs provide a summary of the principal features of the 2013 Plan and its operation. In addition, we have included the material change reflecting the proposed amendment to increase the number of shares reserved under the 2013 Plan. All references to the 2013 Plan in this summary will include the proposed amendment, unless the context requires otherwise. The summary is subject to the terms of the 2013 Plan and capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the 2013 Plan, unless the context otherwise requires. We will provide, upon request, a copy of the full text of the 2013 Plan to each person to whom a copy of this proxy statement is delivered. All written requests should be addressed as follows: Digital Ally, Inc., 9705 Loiret Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219, Attention: Secretary.

 

Objectives. The objective of the 2013 Plan is to provide incentives to our key employees, officers, directors and consultants to achieve financial results aimed at increasing stockholder value and attracting talented individuals to us. Persons eligible to be granted stock options or restricted stock under the 2013 Plan will be those persons whose performance, in the judgment of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, can have significant impact on our success.

 

Oversight. Our Board will administer the 2013 Plan by making determinations regarding the persons to whom options or restricted stock should be granted and the amount, terms, conditions and restrictions of the awards. The Board also has the authority to interpret the provisions of the 2013 Plan and to establish and amend rules for its administration subject to the 2013 Plan’s limitations. In addition, under the 2013 Plan, our Board is authorized to re-price any Option granted under the Plan by lowering its exercise price after it is granted, canceling an Option at a time when its exercise price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the stock underlying the Option, in exchange for another Option or Award, as well as any other action that is treated as a re-pricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock Available Under the 2013 Plan. If our stockholders approve the increase in the number of shares reserved under the 2013 Plan, a total of 200,000 shares of our common stock will be reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan, 90,000 shares of which were issued or reserved for issuance as of March 21, 2014.

 

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The following table presents information concerning the outstanding equity awards for the Directors and Officers as of December 31, 2013:

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

Name   Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable     Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable     Equity incentive plan awards: Numberof securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#)     Option exercise price ($)     Option expiration date
Stanton E. Ross     7,500       7,500           $ 4.80     1/12/2022
Chairman, CEO     5,625       13,125           $ 13.20     1/10/2021
and President     3,750                 $ 14.24     5/5/2019
      37,500                 $ 54.40     1/2/2018
      21,875                 $ 32.40     10/15/2017
      25,000                 $ 12.80     3/3/2017
      24,228                 $ 8.00     8/31/2015
Leroy C. Richie     1,250                 $ 9.52     6/3/2021
Lead Outside     1,250                 $ 13.20     1/10/2021
Director     625                 $ 14.24     5/5/2019
      6,250                 $ 54.40     1/2/2018
      13,805                 $ 12.80     3/3/2017
      10,668                 $ 8.00     8/31/2015
Elliot M. Kaplan     8,750                 $ 3.52     5/25/2022
Director     1,250                 $ 9.52     6/3/2021
      1,250                 $ 13.20     1/10/2021
      625                 $ 14.24     5/5/2019
      6,250                 $ 54.40     1/2/2018
      7,950                 $ 12.80     3/3/2017

 

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Daniel F. Hutchins   8,750           $3.52   5/25/2022
Director   1,250           $9.52   6/3/2021
    1,250           $13.20   1/10/2021
    625           $14.24   5/5/2019
    6,250           $54.40   1/2/2018
    1,250           $32.00   10/1/2017
Steven Phillips   7,500    7,500       $4.80   1/12/2022
Former Director,   3,750    8,750       $13.20   1/10/2021
Former Vice   1,875           $24.80   7/30/2019
President-Engineering   9,375           $14.24   5/4/2019
    9,375           $12.72   3/30/2019
Thomas J. Heckman   7,500    7,500       $4.80   1/12/2022
CFO, Treasurer and   3,750    8,750       $13.20   1/10/2021
Secretary   3,750            $24.80   7/30/2019
    3,750            $14.24   5/5/2019
    2,500            $12.72   3/30/2019
    12,500            $54.40   1/2/2018
    2,500            $32.40   10/15/2017

 

Types of Grants. The 2013 Plan allows for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards. The 2013 Plan does not specify what portion of the awards may be in the form of incentive stock options, non-statutory options or restricted stock. Incentive stock options awarded to our employees are qualified stock options under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Statutory Conditions on Stock Option—Exercise Price. Incentive stock options granted under the 2013 Plan must have an exercise price at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of grant. Incentive stock options granted to any person who owns, immediately after the grant, stock possessing more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock, or of any parent or subsidiary corporation, must have an exercise price at least equal to 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Non-statutory stock options may have an exercise price at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of the grant.

 

- Dollar limit. The aggregate fair market value, determined as of the time an incentive stock option is granted, of the common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable by an employee for the first time during any calendar year cannot exceed $100,000. However, there is no aggregate dollar limitation on the amount of non-statutory stock options that may be exercisable for the first time during any calendar year.

 

- Expiration date. Any option granted under the 2013 Plan will expire at the time fixed by our Board of Directors, which cannot be more than ten years after the date it is granted or, in the case of any person who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock or of any subsidiary corporation, not more than five years after the date of grant.

 

- Exercisability. Our Board may also specify when all or part of an option becomes exercisable, but in the absence of such specification, the option will ordinarily be exercisable in whole or in part at any time during its term. However, the board of directors may accelerate the exercisability of any option at its discretion.

 

- Assignability. Options granted under the 2013 Plan are not assignable. Incentive stock options may be exercised only while we employ the optionee or within twelve months after termination by reason of death or disabilities or within three months after termination for any other reason.

 

Payment upon Exercise of Options. Payment of the exercise price for any option may be in cash, or with our consent, by withheld shares which, upon exercise, have a fair market value at the time the option is exercised equal to the option price (plus applicable withholding tax) or in the form of shares of common stock, subject to restrictions.

 

Restricted Stock. Our Board is authorized to grant restricted stock awards. A restricted stock grant is a grant of shares of our common stock, which is subject to restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions and which may be forfeited in the event of certain terminations of employment or service prior to the end of a restricted period specified by the Board of Directors. A participant granted restricted stock generally has all of the rights of a stockholder, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee.

 

Merger or Sale of Assets. In the event of our merger with or into another corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, any unvested Awards will vest immediately prior to closing of the event resulting in the change of control, and the Board shall have the power and discretion to provide for each award holder’s election alternatives regarding the terms and conditions for the exercise of such awards. The alternative may provide that each outstanding stock option and restricted stock award will be assumed or substituted for by the successor corporation (or a parent or subsidiary or such successor corporation). If there is no assumption or substitution of outstanding awards, the administrator will provide notice to the recipient of their alternatives regarding their right to exercise the stock option as to all of the shares subject to the stock option.

 

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Amendment and Termination of the 2013 Plan. . The administrator has the authority to amend, alter, suspend, or terminate the 2013 Plan, except that stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the 2013 Plan to the extent required by any applicable law, regulation, or Nasdaq or stock exchange rule. Any amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination will not, without the consent of the participant, materially adversely affect any rights or obligations under any stock option or restricted stock award previously granted. The 2013 Plan has a term of ten (10) years beginning May 30, 2013, unless terminated earlier by the administrator.

 

Recent Stock Option and Restricted Stock Award Grants to Employees, Consultants, and Directors

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had adopted six separate stock option and restricted stock plans: (i) the 2005 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2005 Plan”), (ii) the 2006 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2006 Plan”), (iii) the 2007 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2007 Plan”), (iv) the 2008 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”), (v) the 2011 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2011 Plan”) and (v) the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2013 Plan”). These Plans permit the grant of stock options or restricted stock to its employees, non-employee directors and others for up to a total of 875,000 shares of common stock. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees with those of its stockholders. Option awards have been granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant with such option awards generally vesting based on the completion of continuous service and having ten-year contractual terms. These option awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plans). The Company has registered all shares of common stock that are issuable under its Plans with the SEC. A total of 52,849 options remain available for grant under the various Plans as of December 31, 2013.

 

The 2005 Plan, 2006 Plan, 2007 Plan, 2008 Plan, 2011 Plan and 2013 Plan are referred to as the “Plans.”

 

The number of stock options and restricted stock awards that an employee, director, or consultant may receive under our Plans is in the discretion of the administrator and therefore cannot be determined in advance, although the Board of Directors’ policy for 2013 was to grant directors and officers restricted shares that vest over a one-year period of time.

 

The following table sets forth (a) the aggregate number of shares subject to options granted under the Plans during the year-ended December 31, 2013 and (b) the average per share exercise price of such options.

 

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Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grants

 

 

Name of Individual or Group  Number of Restricted Shares of Common Stock Granted   Number of Options Granted   Average perShare Exercise 
Stanton E. Ross, Chairman of the Board, CEO & President   20,000       $ 
Leroy C. Richie, Director   10,000       $ 
Elliot M. Kaplan, Director   10,000       $ 
Daniel F. Hutchins, Director   10,000       $ 
Bernard A. Bianchino, Former Director (1)   10,000       $ 
Stephen Gans, Director   10,000       $ 
Steven Phillips, Director, Former Vice President — Engineering (2)   10,000       $ 
Thomas J. Heckman, Vice President, CFO, Treasurer & Secretary   20,000       $ 
All executive officers, as a group   40,000       $ 
All directors who are not executive officers, as a group   60,000       $ 
All employees who are not executive officers, as a group       40,000   $4.16 

 

 

 

(1)Mr. Bianchino resigned as a member of the Board of Directors effective January 23, 2014. We accelerated the vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Bianchino from May 2014 to January 23, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Bianchino’s entire restricted stock grant during 2013 have been included.
  
(2)Mr. Phillips resigned as a Director on January 19, 2014. We accelerated the vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Phillips from May 2014 to January 23, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Phillips restricted stock grant during 2013 have been included as director compensation.

 

Federal Tax Aspects

 

The following summary is a brief discussion of certain federal income tax consequences to U.S. taxpayers and to the Company of stock option and restricted stock awards granted under the 2013 Plan. This summary is not intended to be a complete discussion of all of the federal income tax consequences of the 2013 Plan or of all of the requirements that must be met in order to qualify for the tax treatment described below. The following summary is based upon the provisions of U.S. federal tax law as in effect on the date hereof, which is subject to change (perhaps with retroactive effect), and does not constitute tax advice. In addition, because tax consequences may vary, and certain exceptions to the general rules discussed in this summary may be applicable, depending upon the personal circumstances of individual recipients and each recipient should consider his or her personal situation and consult with his or her own tax advisor with respect to the specific tax consequences applicable to him or her. The following assumes stock options have been granted at an exercise price per share at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

Tax consequences of nonqualified stock options. In general, an employee, director or consultant will not recognize income at the time of the grant of nonqualified options under the 2013 Plan. When an optionee exercises a nonqualified stock option, he or she generally will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value (determined on the day of exercise) of the shares of the common stock received over the option exercise price. The tax basis of such shares to the optionee will be equal to the exercise price paid plus the amount of ordinary income includible in his or her gross income at the time of the exercise. Upon a subsequent sale or exchange of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the optionee will have taxable capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and the tax basis of the shares. The capital gain or loss will be short-term or long-term depending on holding period of the shares sold.

 

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Tax consequences of incentive stock options. In general, an employee will not recognize income on the grant of incentive stock options under the 2013 Plan. Except with respect to the alternative minimum tax, an optionee will not recognize income on the exercise of an incentive stock option unless the option exercise price is paid with stock acquired on the exercise of an incentive stock option and the following holding period for such stock has not been satisfied. For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, however, an optionee will be required to treat an amount equal to the difference between the fair market value (determined on the day of exercise) of our shares of the common stock received and the exercise price as an item of adjustment in computing the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income.

 

An optionee will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on a sale of the shares acquired on exercise, provided the shares acquired are not sold or otherwise disposed of before the earlier of: (i) two years from the date of grant of the option, or (ii) one year from the date of exercise of the option. In general, the amount of gain or loss will equal the difference, if any, between the sale price of such shares and the exercise price. If the stock is not held for the required period of time, the optionee will recognize ordinary income to the extent the fair market value (determined on the day of exercise) of the stock exceeds the option price, but limited to the gain recognized on sale. The balance of any such gain will be a short-term or long-term capital gain (depending on the applicable holding period).

 

For the exercise of a stock option to qualify for the foregoing incentive stock option tax treatment, an optionee generally must be an employee of the Company continuously from the date of the grant until any termination of employment, and in the event of a termination of employment, the stock option must be exercised within three months after the termination.

 

Tax consequences of restricted stock awards. In general, the recipient of a stock award that is not subject to restrictions will recognize ordinary income at the time the shares are received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares received over the amount, if any, the recipient paid in exchange for the shares. If, however, the shares are subject to vesting or other restrictions (that is, they are nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture) when the shares are granted (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the shares becomes vested or the restrictions otherwise lapse, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares on the date of vesting (or the date of the lapse of a restriction) less the amount, if any, the recipient paid in exchange for the shares. If the shares are forfeited under the terms of the restricted stock award, the recipient will not recognize income and will not be allowed an income tax deduction with respect to the forfeiture.

 

A recipient may file an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty (30) days of his or her receipt of a restricted stock award to recognize ordinary income, as of the award date, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares on the award date less the amount, if any, the recipient paid in exchange for the shares. If a recipient makes a Section 83(b) election, then the recipient will not otherwise be taxed in the year the vesting or restriction lapses, and, if the stock award is forfeited, he or she will not be allowed an income tax deduction. If the recipient does not make a Section 83 (b) election, dividends paid to the recipient on the shares prior to the date the vesting or restrictions lapse will be treated as compensation income.

 

The recipient’s tax basis for the determination of gain or loss upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired as stock awards will be the amount paid for such shares plus the amount includible in his or her gross income as compensation in respect of such shares.

 

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Withholding and other consequences. Any compensation includible in the gross income of a recipient will be subject to appropriate federal and state income tax withholding.

 

Tax effect for the Company. The Company generally is entitled to an income tax deduction in connection with a stock option or restricted stock award granted under the 2013 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a recipient at the time the recipient recognizes such income (for example, the exercise of a nonqualified stock option). Special rules may limit the deductibility of compensation paid to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and to each of its four most highly compensated executive officers under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that annual compensation paid to any of the foregoing individuals exceeds $1,000,000.

 

THE FOREGOING IS ONLY A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION UPON PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO THE GRANT AND EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS, STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS, AND RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS UNDER THE 2013 PLAN. IT DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE, AND DOES NOT DISCUSS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF A RECIPIENT’S DEATH OR THE PROVISIONS OF THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY STATE OR FOREIGN COUNTRY IN WHICH THE RECIPIENT MAY RESIDE. THE FOREGOING SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED BY ANY TAXPAYER, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON THE TAXPAYER.

 

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PROPOSAL FOUR

 

APPROVAL UNDER APPLICABLE NASDAQ RULES OF THE ISSUANCE OF ALL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THE NOTE AND EXERCISE OF THE WARRANT ISSUED IN OUR PRIVATE PLACEMENT WITHOUT THE NEED FOR THE NASDAQ SHARE CAP OR ANY RESTRICTION ON ANY ANTI-DILUTION PROVISIONS IN THE NOTE AND WARRANT

 

Background to the Proposal

 

As previously announced, on March 21, 2014, we entered into definitive agreements relating to a private placement (the “Private Placement”) of a $2.0 million principal amount Senior Secured Convertible Note due on March 24, 2016 (the “Note”) and a common stock purchase warrant (the “Warrant”). The closing of the Private Placement occurred on March 24, 2014. The Note and the Warrant were issued pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 21, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), between us and an investment fund (the “Holder”). After deducting placement agent’s fees and other offering expenses, the net proceeds from the Private Placement were approximately $1,880,000, which we are using for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

 

Description of the Note

 

The Note is convertible, subject to the Nasdaq Share Cap (as defined below), at any time at the option of the Holder into shares of common stock at $8.55 per share (the “Conversion Price”). If we issue or sell shares of our common stock, rights to purchase shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into shares of our common stock for a price per share that is less than the Conversion Price then in effect, such Conversion Price will be decreased to equal the lower price. The foregoing adjustments to the Conversion Price for future stock issues will not apply to certain exempt issuances, including issuances pursuant to certain employee benefit plans. In addition, the Conversion Price is subject to adjustment upon stock splits, reverse stock splits, and similar capital changes.

 

Prior to maturity, the Note bears interest at 6% per annum (or 21% per annum during an event of default) with interest payable in cash quarterly in arrears on the first business day of each calendar quarter following the issuance date.

 

On the first business day of each month beginning on September 24, 2014 through and including March 24, 2016, we will pay to the Holder an amount equal to (i) one-eighteenth (1/18th) of the original principal amount of the Note (or the principal outstanding on the Installment Date, if less) plus (ii) the accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such principal plus (iii) the accrued and unpaid late charges (if any) with respect to such principal and interest. The Holder has the ability to defer or accelerate such monthly payments in its sole discretion.

 

Each monthly payment may be made in cash, in shares of our common stock, or in a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. Our ability to make such payments with shares of our common stock will be subject to various conditions and certain minimum trading prices and trading volumes. Such shares will be valued, as of the date on which notice is given by us that payment will be made in shares, at the lower of (1) the then applicable Conversion Price and (2) a price that is 80.0% of the arithmetic average of the three lowest weighted average prices of our common stock during the twenty-trading day period ending two trading days before the applicable determination date.

 

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Description of the Warrant

 

As a part of the Private Placement, we issued a Warrant to the Holder giving it the right to purchase up to an aggregate of 100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. The Warrant is exercisable on or after the date of issuance and the exercise price for the Warrant is subject to adjustment for certain events, such as stock splits and stock dividends. If we issue or sell shares of our common stock, rights to purchase shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into shares of our common stock for a price per share that is less than the exercise price then in effect, such exercise price will be decreased to equal the lesser price. Upon each such adjustment, the number of the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant will increase proportionately, subject to the Nasdaq Share Cap. The foregoing adjustments to the exercise price for future stock issues will not apply to certain exempt issuances, including issuances pursuant to certain employee benefit plans. In addition, the Conversion Price is subject to adjustment upon stock splits, reverse stock splits, and similar capital changes. The Warrant will expire on the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date of issuance.

 

Nasdaq Share Cap

 

The Holder has no right to convert the Note or exercise the Warrant to the extent that such conversion or exercise would result in the Holder being the beneficial owner in excess of 4.99% of our common stock. In addition, the Holder has no right to convert the Note or exercise the Warrant if the issuance of the shares of common stock upon such conversion or exercise would exceed the aggregate number of shares of our common stock that we may issue upon conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant without breaching the Nasdaq Share Cap. The Nasdaq Share Cap does not apply if our shareholders approve issuances above it.

 

The Private Placement described in this Proposal No. Four is further described in our filings with the SEC, including our Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2014. Those filings, and the documents filed therewith, are incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement. The foregoing does purport to be a complete description of the Private Placement and is qualified in its entirety to the full text of the transaction documents of the Private Placement, which are attached to the above mentioned Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) (the “Private Placement Rule”), we are required to obtain stockholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with a transaction, other than a public offering, involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by us of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) equal to 20% or more of the shares of our common stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance if such issuance is for less than the greater of book or market value of the common stock.

 

In order to comply with the Private Placement Rule, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, are limited to not more than 19.9% of our total shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to consummation of the Private Placement (the “Nasdaq Share Cap”) unless or until the stockholders approve this Proposal No. Four. This is because the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note and issuable upon exercise of the Warrant may, in certain circumstances, be issued for less $7.88 per share (the “Threshold Price”), which is the closing bid price of our common stock on March 21, 2014, the date immediately prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement). However, because the initial Conversion Price of the Note was set at $8.55 per share and the initial exercise price of the Warrant was set at $10.00 per share, both of which were above the Threshold Price, stockholder approval was not required in order for us to consummate the Private Placement

 

We are seeking stockholder approval to issue all shares of common stock upon conversion of the Note and upon exercise of the Warrant in accordance with the terms of the Note and the Warrant, but without regard to the Nasdaq Share Cap. If the stockholders approve this Proposal No. Four, the Nasdaq Share Cap in the Note and the Warrant will be nullified

 

Approval by stockholders of this Proposal No. Four may result in an increase in the number of shares which may be issued upon conversion of the Note if the Conversion Price is reduced under the terms of the Note or if the number of shares of common stock underlying the Warrant is increased under the terms of the Warrant.

 

The failure to obtain stockholder approval of this Proposal No. Four, which will remove the Nasdaq Share Cap, has the potential for future significant adverse consequences to the Company. If we fail to obtain stockholder approval of this Proposal, we are required to hold a special meeting of stockholders within 90 days of the annual meeting to once again seek approval. Therefore, we recommend voting in favor of Proposal No. Four.

 

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PROPOSAL FIVE

 

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2014 and recommends that our stockholders vote for ratification of such appointment. Although we are not required to seek stockholder approval of this appointment, the Board believes it to be sound corporate governance to do so. Notwithstanding the selection by the Audit Committee of Grant Thornton LLP, the Audit Committee may direct the appointment of a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board of Directors determines that such a change would be in our best interest and in that of our stockholders. If the appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will investigate the reasons for stockholder rejection and will reconsider the appointment.

 

The Audit Committee believes that Grant Thornton LLP is well suited to provide the services that the Company requires in 2014 and beyond. Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to attend the annual meeting, where they will be available to respond to questions and, if they desire, to make a statement.

 

Audit and Related Fees

 

The following table is a summary of the fees billed to us by Grant Thornton LLP for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

Fee Category:  Fiscal 2013 Fees   Fiscal 2012 Fees 
Audit Fees   $147,000   $144,000 
Audit-Related Fees    2,000     
Tax Fees         
All Other Fees         
Total Fees   $149,000   $144,000 

 

Audit Fees. Such amount consists of fees billed for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports. It also includes services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firms in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

Audit-Related Fees. Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services include employee benefit plan audits, consents issued for certain filings with the SEC, accounting consultations in connection with acquisitions, attest services that are not required by statute or regulation, and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

 

Tax Fees. Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal, state and international tax compliance, tax audit defense, customs and duties, mergers and acquisitions, and international tax planning.

 

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All Other Fees. Consists of fees for products and services other than the services reported above. In fiscal 2013 and 2012, there were no fees related to this category.

 

The Audit Committee’s practice is to consider and approve in advance all proposed audit and non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. All of the fees shown above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

The audit report of Grant Thornton LLP on the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

 

During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, there were no disagreements with Grant Thornton LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Grant Thornton LLP’s satisfaction would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreements in connection with its reports on the financial statements for such periods.

 

During our fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no reportable events (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

 

Vote Required and Board Recommendation

 

If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be required to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against this proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with respect to this proposal.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP

AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM OF DIGITAL ALLY, INC.

FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2014.

  

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate future filings, including this proxy statement, in whole or in part, the Audit Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

 

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Below is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which includes our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and the notes thereto.

 

In accordance with the written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has the primary responsibility for overseeing our financial reporting, accounting principles and system of internal accounting controls, and reporting its observations and activities to the Board of Directors. It also approves the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm and approves in advance the services performed by such firm.

 

Review and Discussion with Management

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the process designed to achieve compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting and the report by our independent registered public accounting firm thereon.

 

Review and Discussions with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2013, the matters the Audit Committee is required to discuss pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communications with Audit Committees), which includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of our consolidated financial statements.

 

The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from Grant Thornton LLP, required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP, any relationships that may impact its independence, and satisfied itself as to the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

 

Conclusion

 

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

  Respectfully submitted by:
     
    THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DIGITAL ALLY, INC.
       
      Daniel F. Hutchins, Chairman
      Leroy C. Richie
      Stephen Gans

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table presents information concerning the total compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated officers during the last fiscal year (the “Named Executive Officers”) for services rendered to the Company in all capacities for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and principal position  Year   Salary($)   Bonus ($)   Stock awards ($) (1)   Optionawards ($) (1)   All other compensation ($) (2)   Total ($) 
Stanton E. Ross   2013   $175,000   $   $70,000   $   $8,523   $253,523 
Chairman, CEO and President   2012   $175,000   $   $   $27,226   $13,551   $215,777 
                                    
Kenneth L. McCoy   2013   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Former Director &   2012   $12,115   $   $   $   $2,739   $14,854 
Vice President – Marketing (3)                                   
                                    
Thomas J. Heckman   2013   $175,000   $10,000   $70,000   $   $16,046   $271,046 
Vice President, Chief Financial   2012   $175,000   $50,000   $   $27,226   $17,786   $270,012 
Officer, Treasurer and Secretary                                   
                                    
Steven Phillips   2013   $   $   $   $   $16,920   $16,920 
Director, Former Vice   2012   $109,038   $   $   $27,226   $9,751   $146,015 
President - Engineering (4)                                   
                                    
Edward Smith   2013   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Former Vice President –
   2012   $   $   $   $   $3,366   $3,366 
Operations (5)&(6)                                   
                                    
Michael Caulfield   2013   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Former Vice President -
   2012   $6,058   $   $   $   $1,232   $7,290 
Strategic Development (7)                                   

  

 

(1)Represents aggregate grant date fair value pursuant to ASC Topic 718 for the respective year for stock options granted. Please refer to Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further description of the awards and the underlying assumptions utilized to determine the amount of grant date fair value related to such grants.
(2)Amounts included in all other compensation include the following items: the employer contribution to the Company’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) on behalf of the named executive. The Company is required to provide a 100% matching contribution for all who elect to contribute up to 3% of their compensation to the plan and a 50% matching contribution for all employees’ elective deferral between 4% and 5%. The employee is (i) 100% vested at all times in the employee contributions and employer matching contributions; (ii) Company paid healthcare insurance; (iii) Company paid housing; and (iv) Separation Agreement Payments. See “All Other Compensation Table” below.
 (3) Mr. McCoy resigned as a director and officer on January 11, 2012.
(4)Mr. Phillips resigned his position as Vice President – Engineering effective July 13, 2012. Mr. Phillips was elected as a Director concurrent with his resignation as an officer of the Company and served as a Director until his resignation on January 19, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Phillips compensation has been included in the above table for the period through his date of resignation. During 2013, Mr. Phillips provided engineering consulting to the Company, the fees for which have been included in other compensation in the above table.
(5)Other compensation amounts for Mr. Smith include payments due under Mr. Smith’s separation agreement totaling $84,135 in 2011 and 3,366 in 2012. Mr. Smith resigned effective January 6, 2011. The Company entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Smith that required the Company to continue his compensation for twelve months. Mr. Smith was paid a total $13,461 through his resignation date in 2011 and the remaining $84,135 subsequent to his resignation for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(6)Mr. Smith separated from the Company on January 6, 2011.
 (7) Mr. Caulfield resigned as an officer on January 11, 2012.

 

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All Other Compensation Table

 

Name  Year   401(k) Plan contribution by Company   Company paid healthcare insurance   Flexible & health savings account contributions by Company   Housing allowance payments   Other Contractual payments   Total 
                             
Stanton E. Ross    2013   $   $8,523   $   $   $   $8,523 
Chairman, CEO and   2012   $   $13,551   $   $   $   $13,551 
President                                   
                                     
Kenneth L. McCoy (1)    2013   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Former Director & Vice   2012   $485   $770   $   $1,485   $   $2,739 
President – Marketing                                    
                                     
Thomas J. Heckman    2013   $7,269   $8,523   $254   $   $   $16,046 
Vice President,   2012   $7,000   $10,317   $469   $   $   $17,786 
Chief Financial Officer,                                   
Treasurer and Secretary                                    
                                     
Steven Phillips (2)    2013   $   $   $   $   $16,920   $16,920 
Director, Former Vice
   2012   $4,362   $5,389   $   $   $   $9,751 
President - Engineering                                    
                                     
Edward Smith (3)    2013   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Former Vice President -    2012   $   $   $   $   $3,366   $3,366 
Operations                                   
                                     
Michael Caulfield (1)    2013   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Former Vice President -   2012   $   $1,232   $   $   $   $1,232 
Strategic Development                                    

 

 

(1)Messrs. McCoy and Caulfield resigned as officers and Mr. McCoy resigned as a director on January 11, 2012.
(2)Mr. Phillips resigned as an officer and concurrently was elected as a director on July 13, 2012. Mr. Phillips provides engineering services on an hourly basis to the Company under a consulting agreement.
(3)Mr. Smith separated from the Company on January 6, 2011 and was paid a severance agreement that expired in January 2012.

 

Compensation Policy. The Company’s executive compensation plan is based on attracting and retaining qualified professionals who possess the skills and leadership necessary to enable the Company to achieve earnings and profitability growth to satisfy its stockholders. The Company must, therefore, create incentives for these executives to achieve both Company and individual performance objectives through the use of performance-based compensation programs. No one component is considered by itself, but all forms of the compensation package are considered in total. Wherever possible, objective measurements will be utilized to quantify performance, but many subjective factors still come into play when determining performance.

 

Compensation Components. The main elements of its compensation package consist of base salary, stock options and bonus.

 

Base Salary. The base salary for each executive officer is reviewed and compared to the prior year, with considerations given for increase or decrease. The review is generally on an annual basis, but may take place more often in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

 

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For fiscal year 2013, the Compensation Committee extended the reduced executive officers’ salaries that were implemented in 2011 in an effort to decrease overall compensation costs and to help the Company improve its operating results in 2013. As a result, the annual base salary of Stanton E. Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer, was set at $175,000 for 2014 which was the same as 2013 and 2012. Mr. Ross’ 2011 annual salary was reduced from $297,500 to $175,000 effective August 17, 2011. The Compensation Committee set the annual base salaries of Thomas J. Heckman, Chief Financial Officer at $175,000 for 2014, which is the same as his 2013, 2012 and 2011 levels.

 

The Committee plans to review the base salaries for possible adjustments on an annual basis. Base salary adjustments will be based on both individual and Company performance and will include both objective and subjective criteria specific to each executive’s role and responsibility with the Company.

 

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards. The Compensation Committee determined stock option and restricted stock awards based on numerous factors, some of which include responsibilities incumbent with the role of each executive to the Company, tenure with the Company, as well as Company’s performances. The vesting period of said options is also tied, in some instances, to Company performance directly related to certain executive’s responsibilities with the Company.

 

Bonuses. The Compensation Committee has determined that each of the executive officers will be eligible for the following bonuses in 2014 based on their individual performance throughout the year: Stanton E. Ross and Thomas J. Heckman - $75,000 each. The Compensation Committee will review each executive officer’s performance on a quarterly basis and determine what, if any, portion of the bonus he has earned and will be paid as of such point. It awarded Thomas J. Heckman a bonus of $10,000 for his performance in 2013.

 

Other. In July 2008, the Company amended and restated its 401(k) retirement savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The amended plan requires the Company to provide a 100% matching contribution for employees who elect to contribute up to 3% of their compensation to the plan and a 50% matching contribution for employee’s elective deferrals between 4% and 5%. The Company has made matching contributions for executives who elected to contribute to the 401(k) Plan during 2010. Each participant is 100% vested at all times in employee and employer matching contributions. As of December 31, 2013, 52,118 shares of Digital common stock were held in the 401(k) Plan. Mr. Heckman, as trustee of the 401(k) Plan, holds the voting power as to the shares of Digital common stock held in the 401(k) Plan. The Company has no profit sharing plan in place for employees. However, it may give consideration to adding such a plan to provide yet another level of compensation to its compensation plan.

 

The following table presents information concerning the grants of Plan-based awards to the Named Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

Name  Grant
date
  Date
approved by
Compensation
Committee
  All Other stock awards: Number of shares of stock or units:
(#) (1)
   Exercise or base price of option awards
($/Share)
   Grant date
fair value of stock awards
($) (2)
 
Stanton E. Ross
Chairman, CEO and President
  1/23/2013  1/23/2013   20,000   $   $70,000 
Thomas J. Heckman
Vice President CFO, Treasurer and Secretary
  1/23/2013  1/23/2013   20,000   $   $70,000 

  

 

(1)These restricted stock awards were made under the Digital Ally, Inc. Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans and vest over a one-year period (January 23, 2014) contingent upon whether the individual is still employed by the Company at that point.
   
(2)Stock awards noted represent the aggregate amount of grant date fair value as determined under ASC Topic 718. Please refer to 12 to the consolidated financial statements for further description of the awards and the underlying assumptions utilized to determine the amount of grant date fair value related to such grants.

 

The following table presents information concerning the outstanding equity awards for the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2013:

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

Name  Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#)exercisable   Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#)unexercisable   Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#)   Option exercise price ($)   Option expiration date
Stanton E. Ross   7,500    7,500       $4.80   1/12/2022
Chairman, CEO   5,625    13,125       $13.20   1/10/2021
and President   3,750           $14.24   5/5/2019
    37,500           $54.40   1/2/2018
    21,875           $32.40   10/15/2017
    25,000           $12.80   3/3/2017
    24,228           $8.00   8/31/2015
Thomas J. Heckman   7,500    7,500       $4.80   1/12/2022
CFO, Treasurer   3,750    8,750       $13.20   1/10/2021
and Secretary   3,750            $24.80   7/30/2019
    3,750            $14.24   5/5/2019
    2,500            $12.72   3/30/2019
    12,500            $54.40   1/2/2018
    2,500            $32.40   10/15/2017

 

 

(1)These stock option awards were made under the Digital Ally, Inc. Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans and vest over a the prescribed period contingent upon whether the individual is still employed by the Company at that point.

 

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The following table presents information concerning the stock options exercised and the vesting of stock awards during 2013 for the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2013:

 

  Options Exercises and Stock Vested      

 

    Option Awards    Stock Awards 
    Number of Shares acquired realized on exercise (#)    Value realized on exercise ($)    Number of Shares acquired on vesting (#)    Value on vesting ($)  
Stanton E. Ross
Chairman, CEO & President
      $       $ 
Thomas J. Heckman
CFO, Treasurer and Secretary
      $       $ 

 

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Stock Option Plans

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had adopted six separate stock option and restricted stock plans: (i) the 2005 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2005 Plan”), (ii) the 2006 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2006 Plan”), (iii) the 2007 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2007 Plan”), (iv) the 2008 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”), (v) the 2011 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2011 Plan”) and (vi) the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “2013 Plan”). These Plans permit the grant of stock options or restricted stock to its employees, non-employee directors and others for up to a total of 975,000 shares of common stock. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its employees with those of its stockholders. Option awards have been granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant with such option awards generally vesting based on the completion of continuous service and having ten-year contractual terms. These option awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the Plans). The Company has registered all shares of common stock that are issuable under its Plans with the SEC. A total of 52,849 options remain available for grant under the various Plans as of December 31, 2013.

 

The Plans authorize us to grant (i) to the key employees incentive stock options (except for the 2007 Plan) to purchase shares of common stock and nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock awards, and (ii) to non-employee directors and consultants non-qualified stock options and restricted stock. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors administers the Plans by making recommendations to the Board of Directors or determinations regarding the persons to whom options or restricted stock should be granted and the amount, terms, conditions and restrictions of the awards.

 

The Plans allow for the grant of incentive stock options (except for the 2007 Plan), non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards. Incentive stock options granted under the Plans must have an exercise price at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the common stock as of the date of grant. Incentive stock options granted to any person who owns, immediately after the grant, stock possessing more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of our stock, or of any parent or subsidiary corporation, must have an exercise price at least equal to 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Non-statutory stock options may have exercise prices as determined by our Compensation Committee.

 

The Compensation Committee is also authorized to grant restricted stock awards under the Plans. A restricted stock award is a grant of shares of the common stock that is subject to restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions and that may be forfeited in the event of certain terminations of employment or service prior to the end of a restricted period specified by the Compensation Committee. We have filed registration statements on Form S-8 and an amendment to a previously filed Form S-8 with the SEC which registered all shares to be issued upon exercise of the stock options underlying the 2005 Plan, 2006 Plan, 2007 Plan, 2008 Plan, 2011 Plan and the 2013 Plan.

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31, 2013

 

Plan category  Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)   Weighted average exercise price of
outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)
   Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation
plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a) (c)
 
             
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders    404,914   $18.98    45,320 
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders   101,193   $20.73    7,529 
Total all plans   506,107   $19.33    52,849 

 

The number of stock options and restricted stock awards that an employee, director, or consultant may receive under our Plans is in the discretion of the administrator and therefore cannot be determined in advance, although the Board of Directors’ policy in 2013 was to grant officers an award of 20,000 restricted shares and directors an award of 10,000 restricted shares.

 

The following table sets forth (a) the aggregate number of shares subject to options granted under the Plans during the year-ended December 31, 2013 and (b) the average per share exercise price of such options.

  

Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grants

 

Name of Individual or Group  Number of Restricted Shares of Common Stock Granted   Number of Options Granted   Average per Share Exercise Price 
Stanton E. Ross, Chairman of the Board,
CEO & President
   20,000       $ 
Leroy C. Richie, Director   10,000       $ 
Elliot M. Kaplan, Director   10,000       $ 
Daniel F. Hutchins, Director   10,000       $ 
Bernard A. Bianchino, Director   10,000       $ 
Stephen Gans, Director   10,000       $ 
Steven Phillips, Director, Former Vice President
— Engineering (2)
   10,000       $ 
Thomas J. Heckman, Vice President, CFO,
Treasurer & Secretary
   20,000       $ 
All executive officers, as a group   40,000       $ 
All directors who are not executive officers, as a group   60,000       $ 
All employees who are not executive officers, as a group       40,000   $4.16 

 

 

(1)Mr. Bianchino resigned as a member of the Board of Directors effective January 23, 2014. The vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Bianchino was accelerated form May 1, 2014 to January 23, 2014. McCoy resigned as an officer and a director on January 11, 2012. He entered into a Consulting Agreement with the Company on January 13, 2012. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Bianchino’s entire restricted stock grant during 2013 have been included.

 

(2)Mr. Phillips resigned as a Director on January 19, 2014. The vesting of 5,000 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Phillips was accelerated from May 1, 2014 to January 23, 2014. For purposes of the above table, Mr. Phillips’ entire restricted stock grant during 2013 have been included.

 

Employment Contracts; Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements

 

We do not have any employment agreements with any of our executive officers. However, on December 23, 2008, we entered into retention agreements with the following executive officers: Stanton E. Ross and Thomas J. Heckman.

 

Retention Agreements - Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

 

The following table sets forth for each named executive officer potential post-employment payments and payments on a change in control and assumes that the triggering event took place on January 1, 2014.

 

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Retention Agreement Compensation

 

Name  Change in control payment due based upon successful completion of transaction   Severance payment due based on termination after Change of Control occurs   Total 
Stanton E. Ross   $43,750   $175,000   $218,750 
Thomas J. Heckman   $43,750   $175,000   $218,750 
Total   $87,500   $350,000   $437,500 

 

The retention agreements guarantee the executive officers specific payments and benefits upon a Change in Control of the Company. The retention agreements also provide for specified severance benefits if, after a Change in Control of the Company occurs, the executive officer voluntarily terminates employment for “Good Reason” or is involuntarily terminated without “Cause.”

 

Under the retention agreements, a “Change in Control” means (i) one party alone, or acting with others, has acquired or gained control over more than 50% of the voting shares of the Company; or (ii) the Company merges or consolidates with or into another entity or completes any other corporate reorganization, if more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity’s securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization; or (iii) a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors is replaced and/or dismissed by the stockholders of the Company without the recommendation of or nomination by the Company’s current Board of Directors; or (iv) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) is replaced and/or dismissed by stockholders without the approval of the

Company’s Board of Directors; or (v) the Company sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and the Company does not own stock in the purchaser or purchasers having more than 50% of the voting power of the entity owning all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company after such purchase.

 

“Good Reason” means either (i) a material adverse change in the executive’s status as an executive or other key employee of the Company, including without limitation, a material adverse change in the executive’s position, authority, or aggregate duties or responsibilities; or (ii) any adverse change in the executive’s base salary, target bonus or benefits; or (iii) a request by the Company to materially change the executive’s geographic work location.

 

“Cause” means (i) the executive has acted in bad faith and to the detriment of the Company; (ii) the executive has refused or failed to act in accordance with any specific lawful and material direction or order of his or her supervisor; (iii) the executive has exhibited, in regard to employment, unfitness or unavailability for service, misconduct, dishonesty, habitual neglect, incompetence, or has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud or theft with respect to the property of the Company; (iv) the executive has abused alcohol or drugs on the job or in a manner that affects the executive’s job performance; and/or (v) the executive has been found guilty of or has plead nolo contendere to the commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person. Prior to termination for Cause, the Company shall give the executive written notice of the reason for such potential termination and provide the executive a 30-day period to cure such conduct or act or omission alleged to provide grounds for such termination.

 

If any Change in Control occurs and the executive continues to be employed as of the completion of such Change in Control, upon completion of such Change in Control, as payment for the executive’s additional efforts during such Change in Control, the Company shall pay the executive a Change in Control benefit payment equal to three months of the his base salary at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control completion date, payable in a lump sum net of required tax withholdings. If any Change in Control occurs, and if, during the one-year period following the Change in Control, the Company terminates the executive’s employment without Cause or the executive submits a resignation for Good Reason (the effective date of such termination or resignation, the “Termination Date”), then:

 

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(a) The Company shall pay the executive severance pay equal to 12 months of the his base salary at the higher of the rate in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date or the rate in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the event or events constituting Good Reason, payable on the Termination Date in a lump sum net of required tax withholdings, plus all other amounts then payable by the Company to the executive less any amounts then due and owing from the executive to the Company;

 

(b) The Company shall provide continuation of the executive’s health benefits at the Company’s expense for 18 months following the Termination Date; and

 

(c) The executive’s outstanding employee stock options shall fully vest and be exercisable for a 90-day period following the Termination Date.

 

The executive is not entitled to the above severance benefits for a termination based on death or disability, resignation without Good Reason or termination for Cause. Following the Termination Date, the Company shall also pay the executive all reimbursements for expenses in accordance with the Company’s policies, within ten days of submission of appropriate evidence thereof by the executive.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth, as of March 20, 2014, the number and percentage of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially owned by each person known by us to beneficially own more than five percent of such stock. We have no other class of capital stock outstanding.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 

Name and address of beneficial owner  Amount and nature of beneficial   Percent
of class
 
         
5% Stockholders (excluding executive officers and directors):          
Judd Herberger Trust (1)
10881 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 200
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-6715
   167,837    6.5%

  

 

(1)Based solely on a review of a Schedule 13G filed February 4, 2014 by the Reporting person. The Form 13G reports that the Judd Herberger Trust beneficially owns 71,587 shares of common stock and 96,250 warrants to purchase common stock which are exerciseable as of the date of the Form 13G filing.

 

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The following table sets forth, as of March 20, 2014, the number and percentage of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially owned by each director of the Company, each named officer of the Company, and all our directors and executive officers as a group. We have no other class of capital stock outstanding.

 

Security Ownership of Management

 

Name and address of beneficial owner  Amount and nature of beneficial ownership   Percent
of class
 
Executive Officers & Directors: (1)          
Stanton E. Ross (2)   198,748    7.7%
Leroy C. Richie (3)   66,442    2.5%
Elliot M. Kaplan (4)   53,387    2.0%
Daniel F. Hutchins (5)   35,450    1.4%
Bernard A. Bianchino   22,473    0.9%
Stephen Gans   398,587    15.4%
Steven Phillips (6)   53,125    2.0%
Thomas J. Heckman (7)   160,013    6.2%
All officers and directors as a group (9 individuals)   988,225    38.1%

 

 

 (1)The address of these persons is c/o Digital Ally, Inc. 9705 Loiret Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66219.
(2)Mr. Ross’s total shares include vested options to purchase 138,603 shares of common stock which includes options that vest within 60 days and 30,000 shares of restricted common stock that vest over two years; Mr. Ross has pledged 28,651 common shares and outstanding and exerciseable options to purchase 24,228 common shares at $8.00 per share to an individual as collateral for personal loans.
(3)Mr. Richie’s total shares include: (i) vested options to purchase 33,598 shares of common stock which includes options that vest within 60 days; and (ii) 5,000 shares of restricted common stock that vest May 1, 2014.
(4)Mr. Kaplan’s total shares include: (i) vested options to purchase 26,075 shares of common stock which includes options that vest within 60 days; and (ii) 5,000 shares of restricted common stock that vest May 1, 2014. Mr. Kaplan has pledged 22,312 common shares to financial institutions as collateral for personal loans.
(5)Mr. Hutchins’ total shares include: (i) vested options to purchase 22,500 shares of common stock which includes options that vest within 60 days; and (ii) 5,000 shares of restricted common stock that vest May 1, 2014.
(6)Mr. Phillips’ total shares include vested options to purchase 43,125 shares of common stock.
(7)Mr. Heckman’s total shares include (i) vested options to purchase 47,500 shares of common stock which includes options that vest within 60 days; (ii) 30,000 shares of restricted common stock that vest over two years; and (iii) 52,118 shares of common stock held in the Company’s 401(k) Plan (on December 31, 2013) as to which Mr. Heckman has voting power as trustee of the 401(k) Plan.

 

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports of ownership of, and transactions in, our securities and to provide us with copies of those filings. To our knowledge, based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during the year ended December 31, 2013, all filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with, except for Mr. Gans, who failed to file six reports disclosing a total of seventeen transactions on a timely basis.

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

 

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

 

The Company engaged in no reportable transactions with related persons during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to be presented for action at the annual meeting. However, if any other matter is properly presented at the annual meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the shares they represent as the Board of Directors may recommend.

 

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ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS

 

The bylaws of the Company provide that in order for a stockholder to nominate directors at an annual meeting or to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting, the stockholder must give timely, written notice to the Secretary of the Company and such notice must be received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than 120 days before the date of its release of the proxy statement to stockholders in connection with its previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Such stockholder’s notice shall include, with respect to each matter that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and with respect to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, all information relating to such person, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director, that is required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

In addition, the stockholder must include in such notice the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s records, of the stockholder proposing such business or nominating such persons, and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made, the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Company that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder of record and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made, and any material interest or relationship that such stockholder of record and/or the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal or nomination is made may respectively have in such business or with such nominee. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the Company the information required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee.

 

FUTURE PROPOSALS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

The deadline for stockholders to submit proposals to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for the next annual meeting of stockholders is December 27, 2014.

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

This proxy statement is accompanied by a copy of our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

 

 

  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
   
April __, 2014 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
Lenexa, Kansas  

  

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Appendix A

 

AMENDMENT TO DIGITAL ALLY, INC.

2013 STOCK OPTION AND RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN

 

Pursuant to Section 12 of the Digital Ally, Inc. 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “Plan”), the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Digital Ally, Inc. (the “Corporation”) hereby amends the Plan, subject to the approval of the Corporation’s stockholders. This Amendment to the Digital Ally, Inc. 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the “Amendment”) is effective as of the date of shareholder approval as provided in Section 12 hereof.

 

1.PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT

 

The Corporation wishes to amend the Plan to increase the aggregate number of Shares that may be granted under the Plan.

 

2.AMENDMENT

 

Section 4 of the Plan is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows

 

STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

(a) Stock Reserve. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 relating to adjustments upon changes in Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate two hundred thousand (200,000) shares of Common Stock.

 

This Amendment amends only the provision of the Plan as noted above, and those provisions not expressly amended herein shall be considered in full force and effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions and intent of this Amendment.

 

3.APPROVAL OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

This Amendment was adopted by the Board on March 28, 2014, and is subject to approval by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present or by an action by written consent no later than March 27, 2015.

 

4.EXECUTION

 

To record the adoption of this Amendment by the Board on March 28, 2014, the Corporation has caused an authorized officer to affix the Corporate name hereto.

 

DIGITAL ALLY, INC.
 
By: /s/ STANTON E. ROSS  
  Stanton E. Ross, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

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Admission Ticket

Bring this ticket with you for admission to the 2014 Annual Meeting

 

Digital Ally, Inc.

2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. CDT

9705 Loiret Boulevard

Lenexa, Kansas 66219

 

Your vote is important

 

FOLD AND DETACH HERE AND READ THE REVERSE SIDE

 

 

DIGITAL ALLY, INC.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Thomas J. Heckman and Christa Johnson, and each of them as the true and lawful attorney, agent and proxy of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote all shares of common stock of Digital Ally, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on April 14, 2014, at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the corporate facility located at 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219, on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., CDT, and at any adjournments thereof.

 

Any and all proxies heretofore given are hereby revoked.

 

When properly executed, this proxy will be voted as designated by the undersigned.

 

If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted, in relation to Proposal 5, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton as our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

In his or her discretion, the proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business that may properly come before the annual meeting.

 

(Continued and to be dated and signed on reverse side)

 

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2014 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF DIGITAL ALLY, INC.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Please date, sign and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.

Please mark your vote in blue or black ink as shown here Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.

 

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote as follows: “FOR” the election of the four nominees to the Board of Directors; “FOR” Proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5.

 

Proposal 1: Election of Directors of the Company    
     
NOMINEES:    
     
[  ] FOR ALL NOMINEES    
     
[  ] Stanton E. Ross    
[  ] Leroy C. Richie    
[  ] Daniel F. Hutchins    
[  ] Elliot M. Kaplan    
     
[  ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES    
[  ] FOR ALL EXCEPT _______________________________________    
     
(See instructions below)    
INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: [  ]

 

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.  [  ]

 

Proposal 2. FOR the amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our capital stock that we may issue from 9,375,000 to 85,000,000, of which 75,000,000 shares shall be classified as common stock and 10,000,000 shares shall be classified as blank check preferred stock:

 

                  FOR AGAINST   ABSTAIN
                           
                  [  ] [  ]   [  ]

 

Proposal 3. FOR the amendment of the 2013 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan from 100,000 to 200,000:

 

                  FOR AGAINST   ABSTAIN
                           
                  [  ] [  ]   [  ]

  

Proposal 4. FOR approval under applicable Nasdaq rules of the issuance of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Note or exercise of the Warrant issued in the Company’s Private Placement without the need for any Nasdaq Share Cap or any restriction on any anti-dilution provisions in the Note and Warrant.

 

                  FOR AGAINST   ABSTAIN
                           
                  [  ] [  ]   [  ]

 

Proposal 5. FOR ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm:

 

                  FOR AGAINST   ABSTAIN
                           
                  [  ] [  ]   [  ]

 

In his discretion, the proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business that may properly come before the 2014 Annual Meeting.

 

Signature of Stockholder       Date     Signature of Stockholder       Date  

 

  

NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

 

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