UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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Koss Corporation |
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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Not Applicable |
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KOSS CORPORATION
4129 NORTH PORT WASHINGTON AVENUE
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held on
October 16, 2019
We hereby notify you that we will hold the annual meeting of stockholders of Koss Corporation at the Holiday Inn Riverfront, 4700 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. local time for the following purposes:
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to elect five (5) directors from among the nominees described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice; |
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to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers; |
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to conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers; |
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to ratify the appointment of WIPFLI LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly be brought before the annual meeting. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 19, 2019, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. Information regarding the matters to be considered and voted upon at the annual meeting is set forth in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice.
You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting in person, if possible. In order to assist us in preparing for our annual meeting, we urge you to promptly sign and date the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage. If you attend our annual meeting, you may vote your shares in person even if you previously submitted a proxy.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ David D. Smith |
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David D. Smith, Secretary |
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
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August 30, 2019 |
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KOSS CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
2019 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
October 16, 2019
INTRODUCTION
THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS FURNISHED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF KOSS CORPORATION (the “Company”) for use at the Company’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) and any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Date, Time and Location. The Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Riverfront, 4700 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. local time.
Purposes of the Meeting. At the Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote upon the following: (i) to elect five (5) directors for one-year terms; (ii) to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, executive compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers; (iii) to conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation; (iv) to ratify the appointment of WIPFLI LLP (“WIPFLI”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020; and (v) to transact such other business as may properly be brought before the Meeting.
Proxy Solicitation. The Board of Directors is soliciting the stockholders’ proxies, the cost of which will be borne by the Company. Proxies will be solicited primarily by mail and may be made by directors, officers and employees personally or by telephone. The Company will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians and nominees for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. Proxy Statements and proxies will be mailed to stockholders on approximately September 3, 2019.
Quorum and Voting Information. Only stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) at the close of business on August 19, 2019 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to vote at the Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were issued and outstanding 7,404,831 shares of Common Stock, each of which is entitled to one vote per share. A quorum of stockholders is necessary to take action at the Meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum of stockholders at the Meeting. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of elections appointed for the Meeting. The inspector of elections will determine whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting. The inspector of elections will treat abstentions as shares of Common Stock that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote certain shares of Common Stock on a particular matter (a “broker non-vote”), those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter (although those shares are considered entitled to vote for quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other matters).
The five nominees receiving the greatest number of votes cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting will be elected directors of the Company. The vote required to approve, by non-binding advisory basis, the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, to recommend, by non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of the approval of the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, to ratify the appointment of WIPFLI as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and to approve any other matter to be presented at the Meeting, is the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors and will have the same effect as votes “against” approval, by non-binding advisory basis, on the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, the recommendation, by non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of the approval of the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, and ratification of WIPFLI as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.
Proxies and Revocation of Proxies. A proxy in the accompanying form that is properly executed, duly returned to the Company and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained therein. In the event that any matter not described in this Proxy Statement properly comes before the Meeting, the accompanying form of proxy authorizes the persons appointed as proxies thereby (the “Proxyholders”) to vote on such matter in their discretion. At the present time, the Company knows of no other matters that are to come before the Meeting. See “TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS.” If no instructions are given with respect to any particular matter to be acted upon, a proxy will be voted “FOR” the election of all nominees for director named in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” approval of the advisory resolution on the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, to conduct future advisory votes on the compensation paid to our Named Executive officers “EVERY YEAR,” and “FOR” the ratification of WIPFLI as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.
Each such proxy granted may be revoked at any time before it is voted by filing with the Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation, by delivering to the Company a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.
Annual Report. The Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2019, although not a part of this Proxy Statement, is delivered herewith.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on October 16, 2019
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card
are available at www.koss.com.
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The By-Laws of the Company provide that the number of directors on the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) will be no fewer than five and no greater than twelve. We had five directors during fiscal year 2019 and will elect five directors for fiscal year 2020. Each director elected will serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until the director’s successor is duly elected, or until his prior death, resignation, or removal. The five nominees that receive the most votes will be elected to serve on our Board for the next year.
Information as to the Nominees
The following identifies the nominees for the five director positions and provides information as to their business experience for the past five years. Each nominee is presently a director of the Company:
Thomas L. Doerr, 75, has been a director of the Company since 1987 and was elected Lead Director in 2015. In 1972, Mr. Doerr co-founded Leeson Electric Corporation and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until 1982. The company manufactures industrial electric motors. In 1983, Mr. Doerr incorporated Doerr Corporation as a holding company for the purpose of acquiring established companies involved in distributing products to industrial and commercial markets. Mr. Doerr brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience to the Board including a hands-on understanding of strategy development, operations and finance. Mr. Doerr has directly been involved in all aspects of his businesses including operations, distribution, purchasing, finance and quality control.
Michael J. Koss, 65, has held various positions at the Company since 1976 and has been a director of the Company since 1985. He was elected President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company in 1987, Chief Executive Officer in 1991, Vice-Chairman in 1998 and Chairman in 2015. Mr. Koss brings to the Board intimate knowledge of the Company’s daily operations as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Mr. Koss’s extensive senior leadership experience in various positions gives him a broad understanding of the types of operational, financial and strategic issues that affect the Company. He has been the driving force behind the Company’s new product development. Mr. Koss is also a director of STRATTEC Security Corporation.
Steven A. Leveen, 64, has been a director of the Company since 2015. Mr. Leveen is co-founder and board member of the Levenger Company, having been CEO of Levenger from 1987 to 2014. He is a 2015 Fellow in the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard. He serves on the boards of the National Book Foundation, Conscious Capitalism, Inc. and the WPO Miami/Fort Lauderdale Chapter of Young Presidents' Organization. Mr. Leveen brings a wealth of experience including direct marketing, strategy development, technology and consumer goods branding.
Theodore H. Nixon, 67, has been a director of the Company since 2006. Since 1992, Mr. Nixon has been the Chief Executive Officer of D.D. Williamson, a global manufacturer of natural and caramel color for the food and beverage industry. Mr. Nixon joined D.D. Williamson in 1974 and became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1982. Mr. Nixon brings to the board business leadership, corporate strategy and operating expertise. In particular, he has extensive experience in launching new products, brand building, innovation, marketing, customers and sales channels. Mr. Nixon also lends a global business perspective, based on his leadership of global business operations at D.D. Williamson.
William J. Sweasy, 66, has been a director of the Company since 2015. Mr. Sweasy is Chairman of Red Wing Shoe Co. and was also CEO until 2013. Red Wing Shoe Co. is a multi-facility manufacturer and retailer of purpose-built footwear, setting the standard of excellence for work boots. Mr. Sweasy adds valuable experience to the board in the areas of executive leadership, large international company experience and a diverse background in strategy development, operational management, financial oversight, and consumer goods experience.
Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and Skills
Each director nominee possesses the following experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, in addition to those reflected above, as these are required of all candidates nominated for election or reelection to the Board:
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The highest level of personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; |
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An inquiring and independent mind; |
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Practical wisdom and mature judgment; |
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Broad training and experience at the policy-making level in business, finance and accounting, or technology; |
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Expertise that is useful to Koss and complementary to the background and experience of other Board members, so that an optimal balance and diversity of Board members can be achieved and maintained; |
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Willingness to devote the required time to carrying out the duties and responsibilities of Board membership; |
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Commitment to serve on the Board for several years to develop knowledge about Koss’s business; |
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Willingness to represent the best interests of all stockholders and objectively appraise management performance; and |
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Involvement only in activities or interests that do not conflict with the director’s responsibilities to Koss and its stockholders. |
The Company expects that the “Koss Family” (John C. Koss, Michael J. Koss, John Koss, Jr., and Michael J. Koss, Jr. and their affiliates), who beneficially own approximately 74.71% of the outstanding Common Stock, will vote “for” the election of all nominees named above to the Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES
NAMED ABOVE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Board Leadership Structure
The current Chairman of our Board and Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Michael J. Koss.
Board Committees
The Board has appointed the following standing committees for auditing and accounting matters, executive compensation and Board nominations. Each member of these committees is an “independent director” as defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, which was composed of Mr. Doerr, Mr. Nixon and Mr. Sweasy during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of the Company’s financial and accounting functions, including reviewing the scope and results of the audit work performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and by the Company’s internal accounting staff. The Board has determined that Mr. Doerr is an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as that term is defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Audit Committee met five times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The independent registered public accounting firm was present at all of these meetings to discuss their audit scope, the results of their audit and quarterly reviews. For more information about the Audit Committee meetings, see the “Audit Committee Report.” The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter, which was amended in fiscal year 2019 and approved and adopted by the Board. The amended charter was attached as Appendix A to the 2018 Proxy Statement and is also available on the Company's website.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, which was composed of Mr. Doerr, Mr. Leveen, Mr. Nixon, and Mr. Sweasy during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, has responsibility for reviewing and recommending compensation for all employees whose annual salaries exceed $130,000. The Chief Executive Officer assists the Compensation Committee with the review of compensation, which is determined based on a qualitative and quantitative review of the performance of the employee and the performance of the Company, as well as peer company data. The Compensation Committee does not use any outside consultants to make compensation decisions and retains ultimate decision-making authority for all executive pay matters. The Compensation Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The Company's 2012 Omnibus Plan (the “Plan”) as well as the Company's 1990 Flexible Incentive Plan are administered by the Compensation Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan (as well as the corresponding provisions in the 1990 Flexible Incentive Plan), the Committee has complete authority to (i) determine when and to whom benefits are granted; (ii) determine the terms and provisions of benefits granted; (iii) interpret the Plan; (iv) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (v) accelerate, purchase, adjust or remove restrictions from benefits; and (vi) take any other action which it considers necessary or appropriate for the administration of the Plan. The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter, which was amended in fiscal year 2018 and approved and adopted by the Board. The charter is available on the Company's website.
Nominating Committee and Director Nomination Process. The Nominating Committee, which was composed of Mr. Doerr, Mr. Leveen, Mr. Nixon, and Mr. Sweasy during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, has responsibility for overseeing the director nomination process and for identifying and evaluating potential candidates and recommending candidates to the Board for nomination. Although the Nominating Committee did not meet by itself during fiscal year 2019, it did discuss with the full Board the prospects of adding certain additional expertise to the Board. Candidates are evaluated by the Nominating Committee on the basis of outstanding achievement in their professional careers, broad experience, wisdom, personal and professional integrity and their experience with and understanding of the business environment. With respect to minimum qualifications of candidates, the Nominating Committee will consider candidates who have the experiences, skills and characteristics necessary to gain a basic understanding of the principal operational and financial objectives and plans of the Company, the results of operations and financial condition of the Company, and the relative standing of the Company and its business segments in relation to its competitors. The Nominating Committee will consider qualified director candidates recommended by stockholders if such recommendations for director are submitted in writing to the Secretary, c/o Koss Corporation, 4129 North Port Washington Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 and include the following information: (i) name and address of the stockholder making the recommendation; (ii) name and address of the candidate; and (iii) pertinent biographical information about the candidate. Any recommendations must be submitted by the deadline by which a stockholder must give notice of a matter that he or she wishes to bring before the Company’s Annual Meeting as described in the Stockholder Proposals for the 2020 Annual Meeting section of this Proxy Statement. The Nominating Committee does not currently have a written charter.
With respect to diversity, certain of our directors have strong technical backgrounds that are relevant to our industry; other directors have a background in management. We believe that the backgrounds and skills of our directors bring a diverse range of experience, opinion and perspectives to the Board.
Risk Oversight
While our management is responsible for assessing and managing the risks to the Company, our Board takes an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing the material risks facing the Company, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, strategic and reputational risks. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of the Company’s overall business strategy. Our Board committees also regularly engage in risk assessment as a part of their regular function. The Audit Committee discusses with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Nominating Committee manages risks associated with corporate governance, including risks associated with the independence of the Board and reviews risks associated with potential conflicts of interest affecting directors and executive officers of the Company. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our entire Board is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. The Board regularly engages in discussion of financial, legal, technological, economic and other risks. Because overseeing risk is an ongoing process that is inherent in the Company’s strategic decisions, our Board discusses risk throughout the year at other meetings in relation to specific proposed actions. Additionally, our Board exercises its risk oversight function in approving the annual budget and in reviewing the Company’s long-range strategic and financial plans with management.
Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, the Board held four meetings. All incumbent directors attended 75% or more of the total of (i) all meetings of the Board, plus (ii) all meetings of the committees on which they served during their respective terms of office.
Attendance at Annual Meetings
The Company's policy is that absent extraordinary circumstances, each member of the Board shall attend each annual stockholder meeting in person. Mr. Michael J. Koss, Mr. Doerr, Mr. Leveen, Mr. Nixon, and Mr. Sweasy attended last year’s annual meeting held on October 10, 2018.
Independence of the Board
Each of Mr. Doerr, Mr. Leveen, Mr. Nixon and Mr. Sweasy, is "independent" as such term is defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). These independent directors constitute a majority of the Board, as required under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(b)(1).
Communications with the Board
Stockholders may communicate with the Board, individually or as a group, by sending written communications to: Koss Corporation, 4129 North Port Washington Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212. Stockholders may also communicate with members of the Board by telephone (414) 964-5000 or facsimile (414) 964-8615. If any correspondence is addressed to the Board or to a member of the Board, that correspondence is forwarded directly to the Board or a member of the Board.
Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics for the Company’s directors, officers and employees was attached as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 and is available on the Company's website.
Executive Officers
Information is provided below with respect to the executive officers of the Company. Each executive officer is elected annually by the Board of Directors and serves for one year or until his or her successor is appointed.
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Michael J. Koss |
65 |
President, Chief Executive Officer |
1987 (Chief Executive Officer since 1991) |
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David D. Smith |
64 |
Chief Financial Officer |
2010 | ||||
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John Koss, Jr. |
62 |
Vice President — Sales |
1988 | ||||
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Lenore E. Lillie |
60 |
Vice President — Operations |
1998 | ||||
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Michael J. Koss, Jr. |
35 |
Vice President — Marketing and Product |
2016 | ||||
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Beneficial Ownership of Company Securities
The following table sets forth, as of August 1, 2019, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as defined under applicable regulations of the SEC) and the percentage of such shares to the total number of shares outstanding, for all director nominees, for each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table (see “Summary Compensation Table”), for all directors and executive officers as a group and for each person and each group of persons who, to the knowledge of the Company as of August 1, 2019, were the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
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Thomas L. Doerr (4) |
3,333 | * | ||||||
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Michael J. Koss (5) |
4,649,542 | 59.57 | % | |||||
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Steven A. Leveen (6) |
20,000 | * | ||||||
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Theodore H. Nixon (7) |
33,333 | * | ||||||
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William J. Sweasy (8) |
25,000 | * | ||||||
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John C. Koss, Jr. (9) |
3,631,864 | 47.45 | % | |||||
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Michael J. Koss, Jr. (10) |
94,512 | 1.26 | % | |||||
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Lenore E. Lillie (11) |
248,110 | 3.26 | % | |||||
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David D. Smith (12) |
395,031 | 5.08 | % | |||||
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All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons) (13) |
6,254,091 | 71.54 | % | |||||
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Koss Family Trust (14) |
1,000,885 | 13.52 | % | |||||
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KFT Corp (15) |
983,800 | 13.29 | % | |||||
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Koss Employee Stock Ownership Trust (“KESOT”) (16) |
395,442 | 5.34 | % | |||||
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Denotes beneficial ownership of less than 1%. |
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Unless otherwise noted, the business address of all persons named in the above table is c/o Koss Corporation, 4129 North Port Washington Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53212. |
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Unless otherwise noted, amounts indicated reflect shares as to which the beneficial owner possesses sole voting and dispositive powers. Also included are shares subject to stock options if such options are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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All percentages shown in the above table are based on 7,404,831 shares outstanding and entitled to vote on August 1, 2019, plus (for Michael J. Koss, John C. Koss, Jr., Michael J. Koss, Jr., Ms. Lillie, Mr. Smith, and for all directors and executive officers as a group) the respective number of options exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. The percentage calculation assumes, for each individual owning options and for directors and executive officers as a group, the exercise of that number of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be “beneficially owned” by Michael J. Koss: (i) 3,869,663 shares owned directly or by reason of family relationships; (ii) 157,811 shares by reason of the allocation of those shares to his account under the KESOT and his ability to vote such shares; (iii) 222,068 shares as a result of his position as an officer of the Koss Foundation; and (iv) 400,000 shares with respect to which he holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be "beneficially owned" by Steven A. Leveen: (i) 10,000 shares owned directly; (ii) 10,000 shares with respect to which he holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be "beneficially owned" by Theodore H. Nixon: (i) 30,000 shares owned directly; (ii) 3,333 shares with respect to which he holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be "beneficially owned" by William J. Sweasy: (i) 15,000 shares owned directly; (ii) 10,000 shares with respect to which he holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be “beneficially owned” by John Koss, Jr.: (i) 3,262,707 shares owned directly or by reason of family relationships; (ii) 119,157 shares by reason of the allocation of those shares to his account under the KESOT and his ability to vote such shares; and (iii) 250,000 shares with respect to which he holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be "beneficially owned" by Michael J. Koss, Jr.: (i) 2,000 shares owned directly; (ii) 12 shares by reason of the allocation of those shares to his account under the KESOT and his ability to vote such shares; and (iii) 92,500 shares with respect to which he holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be “beneficially owned” by Lenore E. Lillie: (i) 20,088 shares owned directly; (ii) 30,022 shares by reason of the allocation of those shares to her account under the KESOT and her ability to vote such shares; and (iii) 198,000 shares with respect to which she holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
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Includes the following shares which are deemed to be “beneficially owned” by David D. Smith: (i) 25,000 shares owned directly or by his spouse; (ii) 31 shares by reason of the allocation of those shares to his account under the KESOT and his ability to vote such shares; and (iii) 370,000 shares with respect to which he holds options which are exercisable within 60 days of August 1, 2019. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
Includes the shares which are deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Doerr, Michael J. Koss, Mr. Leveen, Mr. Nixon, Mr. Sweasy, John C. Koss Jr., Michael J. Koss, Jr., Ms. Lillie, and Mr. Smith. |
|
|
|
||
|
(14 |
) |
|
The trustees of the Koss Family Trust are Michael J. Koss and John C. Koss, Jr.. The term of the Koss Family Trust is indefinite. Under the Trust Agreement, the trustees hold full voting and dispositive power over the shares held by the Koss Family Trust. All of the 1,000,885 shares held by the Koss Family Trust are included in the number of shares shown as beneficially owned by Michael J. Koss (see Note (5), above) and John C. Koss, Jr. (see Note (9), above). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
Michael J. Koss and John C. Koss, Jr., hold full voting and dispositive power over the shares held by KFT Corp. All of the 983,800 shares held by KFT Corp are included in the number of shares shown as beneficially owned by Michael J. Koss (see Note (5), above) and John C. Koss, Jr. (see Note (9), above). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
The KESOT holds 395,442 shares. Authority to vote these shares is vested in the individual KESOT accounts to which they have been allocated. Principal Financial Group serves as trustee, as such, they hold dispositive power with respect to (and are therefore deemed under applicable SEC rules to beneficially own) all 395,442 KESOT shares. |
|
|
|
|
|
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table presents certain summary information concerning compensation paid or accrued by the Company for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, for (i) the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company, and (ii) each of the other five executive officers of the Company (determined as of the end of the last fiscal year) whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 (collectively, including the CEO, the “Named Executive Officers”).
|
Non-Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Option |
Incentive Plan |
All Other |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Salary |
Awards |
Compensation |
Compensation |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Name & Principal Position |
Year |
($) | ($) (1) | ($) (2) | ($) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||
|
Michael J. Koss (3) |
2019 |
325,000 | 241,121 | 15,592 | 26,825 | 608,538 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Chairman of the Board and CEO |
2018 |
325,000 | 125,338 | — | 34,186 | 484,524 | ||||||||||||||||
|
John Koss, Jr. (4) |
2019 |
241,008 | 150,701 | 1,349 | 29,766 | 422,823 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Vice President — Sales |
2018 |
241,008 | 78,336 | 63,682 | 33,101 | 416,127 | ||||||||||||||||
|
David Smith (5) |
2019 |
200,833 | 85,400 | — | 11,814 | 298,047 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Chief Financial Officer |
2018 |
132,000 | — | — | 23,239 | 155,239 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Lenore Lillie (6) |
2019 |
195,000 | 51,349 | 2,594 | 14,328 | 263,271 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Vice President — Operations |
2018 |
194,375 | 29,374 | 2,421 | 18,837 | 245,007 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Michael J. Koss, Jr (7) |
2019 |
140,000 | 90,361 | 1,862 | 9,821 | 242,044 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Vice President — Marketing & Product |
2018 |
139,167 | 46,956 | 1,961 | 14,665 | 202,749 | ||||||||||||||||
|
(1) |
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 11 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2019, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2019 for the relevant assumptions used to determine the valuation of option awards. |
|
(2) |
Michael J. Koss received performance awards based on pre-tax earnings for the year. John Koss, Jr. received performance awards based on sales. Lenore Lillie and Michael J. Koss, Jr. were paid profit-based incentive compensation quarterly based on pre-tax earnings for the quarter. |
|
(3) |
Michael J. Koss received $12,250 in 2019 and $19,219 in 2018 in Company matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan. Car related expenses were paid by the Company for Michael J. Koss in the amount of $2,167 in 2019 and $2,596 in 2018, and premiums were paid by the Company for life insurance in the amount of $7,924 in 2019 and $7,887 in 2018. Premiums paid by the Company for disability insurance were $4,177 in 2019 and 2018. |
|
(4) |
John Koss, Jr. received $10,263 in 2019 and $13,528 in 2018 in Company matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan. Car leases and related expenses were paid by the Company for John Koss, Jr. in the amount of $14,242 in 2019 and $14,556 in 2018, and premiums were paid by the Company for life insurance in the amount of $4,954 in 2019 and $4,710 in 2018. |
|
(5) |
David Smith received $10,338 in 2019 and $21,759 in 2018 in Company matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan. Premiums were paid by the Company for life insurance in the amount of $1,172 in 2019 and 2018. |
|
(6) |
Lenore Lillie received $12,357 in 2019 and $18,227 in 2018 in Company matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan. Premiums were paid by the Company for life insurance in the amount of $1,667 in 2019 and $306 in 2018. |
|
(7) |
Michael J. Koss, Jr. received $9,344 in 2019 and $14,194 in 2018 in Company matching contributions under the Company’s 401(k) Plan. Premiums were paid by the Company for life insurance in the amount of $173 in 2019 and $154 in 2018. |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
The following table sets forth information on outstanding option awards held by the Named Executive Officers as of June 30, 2019, including the number of shares underlying both exercisable and un-exercisable portions of each stock option as well as the exercise price and the expiration date of each outstanding option. There were no outstanding stock awards as of June 30, 2019.
|
Option Awards (1) |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Equity |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Incentive |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Plan Awards: |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Number |
Number |
|||||||||||||||||
|
of |
Number |
of |
||||||||||||||||
|
Securities |
of Securities |
Securities |
||||||||||||||||
|
Underlying |
Underlying |
Underlying |
||||||||||||||||
|
Unexercised |
Unexercised |
Unexercised |
Option |
|||||||||||||||
|
Options |
Options |
Unearned |
Exercise |
Option |
||||||||||||||
|
(#) |
(#) |
Options |
Price |
Expiration |
||||||||||||||
|
Name |
Exercisable |
Unexercisable |
(#) |
($) |
Date |
|||||||||||||
|
Michael J. Koss |
160,000 | — | — | $ | 3.30 |
7/23/2019 |
||||||||||||
| 120,000 | 40,000 | — | $ | 2.83 |
7/29/2020 |
|||||||||||||
| 80,000 | 80,000 | — | $ | 2.42 |
7/27/2021 |
|||||||||||||
| 40,000 | 120,000 | — | $ | 1.95 |
7/26/2022 |
|||||||||||||
| — | 160,000 | — | $ | 2.92 |
7/25/2023 |
|||||||||||||
|
John Koss, Jr. |
100,000 | — | — | $ | 3.30 |
7/23/2019 |
||||||||||||
| 75,000 | 25,000 | — | $ | 2.83 |
7/29/2020 |
|||||||||||||
| 50,000 | 50,000 | — | $ | 2.42 |
7/27/2021 |
|||||||||||||
| 25,000 | 75,000 | — | $ | 1.95 |
7/26/2022 |
|||||||||||||
| — | 100,000 | — | $ | 2.92 |
7/25/2023 |
|||||||||||||
|
David Smith |
50,000 | — | — | $ | 3.90 |
1/19/2020 |
||||||||||||
| 50,000 | — | — | $ | 5.24 |
7/14/2020 |
|||||||||||||
| 50,000 | — | — | $ | 6.00 |
7/27/2021 |
|||||||||||||
| 50,000 | — | — | $ | 4.97 |
7/25/2022 |
|||||||||||||
| 50,000 | — | — | $ | 5.30 |
7/24/2023 |
|||||||||||||
| 40,000 | 10,000 | — | $ | 3.00 |
7/23/2024 |
|||||||||||||
| 30,000 | 20,000 | — | $ | 2.57 |
7/29/2025 |
|||||||||||||
| 20,000 | 30,000 | — | $ | 2.20 |
7/27/2026 |
|||||||||||||
| — | 50,000 | — | $ | 2.63 | 10/10/2028 | |||||||||||||
|
Lenore Lillie |
20,000 | — | — | $ | 6.28 |
7/15/2019 |
||||||||||||
| 25,000 | — | — | $ | 5.24 |
7/14/2020 |
|||||||||||||
| 25,000 | — | — | $ | 6.00 |
7/27/2021 |
|||||||||||||
| 25,000 | — | — | $ | 4.97 |
7/25/2022 |
|||||||||||||
| 30,000 | — | — | $ | 5.30 | 7/24/2023 | |||||||||||||
| 24,000 | 6,000 | — | $ | 3.00 |
7/23/2024 |
|||||||||||||
| 18,000 | 12,000 | — | $ | 2.57 |
7/29/2025 |
|||||||||||||
| 15,000 | 15,000 | — | $ | 2.20 |
7/27/2026 |
|||||||||||||
| 6,000 | 24,000 | — | $ | 1.77 |
7/26/2027 |
|||||||||||||
| — | 30,000 | — | $ | 2.65 |
7/25/2028 |
|||||||||||||
|
Michael J. Koss, Jr. |
25,000 | — | — | $ | 3.30 |
7/23/2019 |
||||||||||||
| 18,750 | 6,250 | — | $ | 2.83 |
7/29/2020 |
|||||||||||||
| 15,000 | 15,000 | — | $ | 2.42 |
7/27/2021 |
|||||||||||||
| 15,000 | 45,000 | — | $ | 1.95 | 7/26/2022 | |||||||||||||
| — | 60,000 | — | $ | 2.92 |
7/25/2023 |
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
(1) All options for David Smith and Lenore Lillie vest over a period of five (5) years with the first 20% vesting one year after the date of grant. The options are exercisable for ten (10) years and expire on the date ten (10) years from the date of grant. All options for Michael J. Koss, John Koss, Jr., and Michael J. Koss, Jr. vest over a period of four (4) years with the first 25% vesting one year after the date of grant. The options are exercisable for five (5) years and expire on the date five years from the date of grant.
Benefit Plans
The Company has certain benefit plans and arrangements which are available to the CEO and certain of the executives of the Company set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above (the “Named Executive Officers”) including the following:
|
• |
Supplemental Medical Care Reimbursement Plan. Each officer of the Company is covered by a medical care insurance plan for medical expenses incurred that are not covered under the group health insurance. |
|
• |
Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust. In December 1975, the Company adopted the KESOT, which is a form of employee benefit plan designed to invest primarily in employer securities. The KESOT is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and Michael J. Koss and David Smith currently serve as members of the KESOT Committee. All full-time employees with at least six months uninterrupted service with the Company are eligible to participate in the KESOT. Contributions to the KESOT are allocated to the accounts of participants in proportion to the ratio that a participant’s compensation bears to total compensation of all participants and are immediately vested. Accounts are adjusted each year to reflect the investment experience of the trust. Voting rights for all shares are passed through to the participant for whose account such shares are allocated, and must be voted by the Trustees in accordance with the participants’ direction. As of June 30, 2019 the KESOT held 395,442 shares of Common Stock (5.34% of the total number of shares outstanding). |
|
• |
Retirement Agreement. The former chairman is eligible to receive his base salary of $150,000 for the remainder of his life, whether he becomes disabled or not. The former chairman is 89 years old and began receiving payments from this benefit upon his retirement from the Company during fiscal year 2015. The Company has a deferred compensation liability of $540,379 and $672,884 recorded as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for this arrangement. |
|
• |
Stock Option Plans. In 2012, the Board of Directors created, and the stockholders approved, the 2012 Koss Corporation Omnibus Incentive Plan, which superseded the 1990 Flexible Incentive Plan. This plan is administered by the Compensation Committee and vests the Compensation Committee with discretionary powers to choose from a variety of incentive compensation alternatives to make annual stock-based awards to officers, key employees, consultants, and other members of the Company's management team. |
|
• |
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The Board of Directors has by resolution entered into a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan with Michael J. Koss which calls for Michael J. Koss to receive annual cash compensation following his retirement from the Company (“Retirement Payments”) in an amount equal to 2% of the base salary of Michael J. Koss, multiplied by his number of years of service to the Company (for example, if Michael J. Koss worked 25 years, then he would be entitled to receive 50% of base salary). The base salary shall be calculated using the average base salary of Michael J. Koss during the three years preceding his retirement. The Retirement Payments are to be paid to Michael J. Koss monthly until his death, and after his death shall continue to be paid monthly to his surviving spouse until her death. The Company has a deferred compensation liability of $2,029,583 and $1,871,125 recorded as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for this arrangement. |
|
• |
Profit Sharing Plan. Every quarter of each fiscal year, the Company sets aside a percentage of any operating profits and distributes it to all employees (except Michael J. Koss, John Koss, Jr., David Smith and one other sales department employee eligible for sales-related bonus) based on their hourly rate of pay. All full-time Koss employees (except Michael J. Koss, John Koss, Jr., David Smith and one other sales department employee eligible for sales-related bonus) are eligible for profit sharing if they have been employed for the complete fiscal quarter. |
|
• |
401(k) Plan. All employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) Plan the beginning of the fiscal quarter after they have completed one full fiscal quarter of service. Employees are able to defer a dollar amount up to the federal yearly maximum. In 2019, the Company matched the employee dollar deferral with a $0.50 per dollar match. In 2020, the Company plans to match the employee dollar deferral with a $0.75 per dollar match. Such matches are completely at the discretion of the Company. The funds that are deferred and matched are immediately 100% vested to the employee’s 401(k) account. The employees allocate their funds to a group of twenty-three funds or they may self-direct their funds to a qualified 401(k) of their choice. |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Company uses cash-based and equity incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. In setting director compensation, the Company considers the significant amount of time that Directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Company as well as the skill-level required by the Company as members of the Board.
Cash Contributions Paid to Non-employee Board Members
Directors who are not also employees of the Company receive an annual retainer of $17,000, plus $2,500 per director for each Board meeting attended, $1,500 per director for each committee meeting attended, $5,000 per year for the audit committee chair for service on this committee and $2,500 per year for other committee chairs for service for each remaining committee.
Stock Option Program
The non-employee members of the Board participate in the stock option program. These stock options vest over a three year period and expire five years from date of grant. No options were granted to any non-employee members of the Board in the year ended June 30, 2019.
2019 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
|
Fees |
||||||||||||||||
|
Earned |
||||||||||||||||
|
or Paid |
||||||||||||||||
|
in Cash |
All Other |
Total |
||||||||||||||
|
Name |
($) |
Option Awards ($) |
Compensation ($) |
($) | ||||||||||||
|
Thomas L. Doerr |
41,000 | — | — | 41,000 | ||||||||||||
|
Michael J. Koss (1) |
— | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
|
Steven A. Leveen |
28,500 | — | — | 28,500 | ||||||||||||
|
Theodore H. Nixon |
37,000 | — | — | 37,000 | ||||||||||||
|
William J. Sweasy |
36,000 | — | — | 36,000 | ||||||||||||
(1) Michael J. Koss did not receive additional compensation for his service as a member of the Company's Board.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
THE REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE SHALL NOT BE DEEMED INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE BY ANY GENERAL STATEMENT INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE THIS PROXY STATEMENT INTO ANY FILING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (TOGETHER, THE “ACTS”), EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE COMPANY SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATES THIS INFORMATION BY REFERENCE, AND SHALL NOT OTHERWISE BE DEEMED FILED UNDER SUCH ACTS.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) is composed of three non-employee directors. The members of the Committee are Mr. Doerr, Mr. Nixon, and Mr. Sweasy. Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). The Audit Committee held five meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in its Charter, which is reviewed and amended periodically, as appropriate. Generally, the Audit Committee reviews and monitors the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee, among other things, monitors the integrity of the financial reporting process, systems of internal controls and financial statements and reports of the Company; appoints, compensates, retains and oversees the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, including reviewing the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and pre-approves all audit, attest and review services and permitted non-audit services; oversees the audit work performed by the Company’s internal accounting staff; and oversees the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee meets, at a minimum, four times a year with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to discuss the results of their examinations, theirunderstanding of the Company’s internal controls and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.
Specifically, the Audit Committee has:
(i) reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, with the Company’s management;
(ii) discussed with WIPFLI LLP (“WIPFLI”), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "PCAOB") Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees;
(iii) received the written disclosures and the letter from WIPFLI, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, required by the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed such matters with representatives of WIPFLI;
(iv) based on the discussions referred to above, recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, for filing with the SEC; and
(v) concluded that WIPFLI's provision of audit and non–audit services to the Company is compatible with their independence.
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
|
Thomas L. Doerr |
|
|
Theodore H. Nixon |
|
|
William J. Sweasy |
Related Party Transactions
Building Lease. The Company leases its facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Koss Holdings, LLC, which is wholly-owned by the former chairman. On January 5, 2017, the lease was renewed for a period of five years, ending June 30, 2023, and is being accounted for as an operating lease. The lease extension maintained the rent at a fixed rate of $380,000 per year. The Company is responsible for all property maintenance, insurance, taxes and other normal expenses related to ownership.
Stock Repurchases. The Company has previously announced its intention to repurchase shares of Common Stock in the open market or in private transactions as such shares become available from time to time if the Company believes that its stock is undervalued and that such repurchases would enhance the value to stockholders. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The Company may continue from time to time to engage in such transactions either in the open market or in private transactions.
The Company has an agreement with the former chairman, in the event of his death, at the request of the executor of his estate, to repurchase certain amounts of his Company common stock from his estate. The repurchase price is 95% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date that notice to repurchase is provided to the Company. The total number of shares to be repurchased shall be sufficient to provide proceeds which are the lesser of $2,500,000 or the amount of estate taxes and administrative expenses incurred by his estate. The Company may elect to pay the purchase price in cash or may elect to pay cash equal to 25% of the total amount due and to execute a promissory note at the prime rate of interest for the balance payable over four years. The Company maintains a $1,150,000 life insurance policy to fund a substantial portion of this obligation.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC and with The Nasdaq Stock Market reports of ownership and changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on review of such reports furnished to the Company or representations that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during the 2019 fiscal year, all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with.
PROPOSAL 2 . Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Officer Compensation
We are asking our stockholders to provide advisory approval of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as set forth in this Proxy Statement.
We have designed our executive compensation program to attract and retain highly qualified, superior leaders, reward performance, and align our executives' interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders. Highlights of our program include the following:
|
• |
Pay for Performance. Our incentive program is designed to emphasize a pay-for-performance relationship. A portion of our senior executives' compensation is tied to company and individual performance. The main components of our executive compensation program are base salary and incentive awards, including both cash-based and equity-based awards. We do not provide guaranteed bonuses or stock options. |
|
• |
Alignment with Stockholder Interests. We promote the alignment of our executives' interests with stockholder interests by focusing on key measures of long-term value creation. |
|
• |
Responsible Pay Practices. Our executive compensation packages do not provide tax gross ups for our executives. In addition, we have adopted policies covering our executives that require compensation clawbacks in certain circumstances. |
We believe that our executive compensation program plays a key role in our long-term success. As required by Section 14A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, we request your vote supporting the following non-binding resolution:
RESOLVED: That the stockholders approve, in a non-binding vote, the compensation of the company's Named Executive Officers as set forth in this Proxy Statement.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE ADVISORY RESOLUTION
ON THE COMPENSATION PAID TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
PROPOSAL 3. ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We are asking our stockholders to vote on whether future advisory votes on executive compensation of the nature reflected in Proposal Number 2 above should occur every year, every two years or every three years.
After careful consideration, the Board has determined that holding an advisory vote on executive compensation for our Named Executive Officers every year is the most appropriate policy for the Company at this time. The Board recognizes that executive compensation disclosures are made annually. Holding an annual advisory vote on executive compensation will provide the Company with more direct and immediate feedback on our compensation disclosures.
This advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers is non-binding on the Board. Stockholders will be able to specify on the proxy card whether you prefer the vote to occur every year, two years, three years, or may abstain from voting on this proposal.
Although non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully review the voting results. In the future, the Board may change the vote frequency based on the nature of the Company's compensation programs, input from our stockholders, and the Board's views on the best way to obtain meaningful stockholder input.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR HOLDING A NON-BINDING, ADVISORY VOTE
ON THE COMPENSATION PAID TO OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS “EVERY YEAR”.
PROPOSAL 4. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The firm of WIPFLI has acted as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. WIPFLI has served the Company as its independent registered public accounting firm since March 4, 2019. Representatives of WIPFLI are expected to be present at the Meeting, available to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
Although this appointment of WIPFLI as the independent registered public accounting firm is not required to be submitted to a vote by stockholders, the Board believes it appropriate, as a matter of policy, to request that the stockholders ratify the appointment. If stockholder ratification (by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting) is not received, the Audit Committee of the Board will reconsider the appointment. Even if the selection of WIPFLI is ratified, the Audit Committee of the Board may, in its discretion, appoint a different firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee feels that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Unless otherwise directed, the proxy will be voted in favor of the ratification of such appointment.
Fees and Services
The following table represents fees for professional services rendered to the Company by WIPFLI and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP ("Baker Tilly") for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively:
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
||||||||
|
June 30, 2019 |
June 30, 2018 |
|||||||
|
Audit Fees |
$ | 148,506 | (1) | $ | 147,700 | (3) | ||
|
Audit-Related Fees |
— | — | ||||||
|
Tax Fees |
45,132 | (2) | 29,783 | (3) | ||||
|
All Other Fees |
— | — | ||||||
|
Total |
$ | 193,638 | $ | 177,483 | ||||
(1) Of this amount, $26,333 was attributable to WIPFLI and $120,710 was attributable to Baker Tilly.
(2) Of this amount, $5,000 was attributable to WIPFLI and $25,005 was attributable to Baker Tilly.
(3) This entire amount was attributable to Baker Tilly.
Audit Fees. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the “Audit Fees” reported above were billed by WIPFLI and Baker Tilly for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, for the review of financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly 10-Q filings and for services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Tax Fees. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the “Tax Fees” reported above were billed by WIPFLI and Baker Tilly and affiliate for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee requires the pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, the Audit Committee is to specifically pre-approve before the filing of the Form 10-K Annual Report for the previous fiscal year any recurring audit and audit-related services to be provided during the following fiscal year. The Audit Committee also may generally pre-approve, up to a specified maximum amount, any non-recurring audit and audit related services for the following fiscal year. All pre-approved matters must be detailed as to the particular service or category of services to be provided, whether recurring or non-recurring and reported to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Permissible non-audit services are to be pre-approved on a case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee may delegate its pre-approval authority to any of its members, provided that such member reports all pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and members of management are required to report periodically to the Audit Committee the extent of all services provided in accordance with the pre-approval policy, including the amount of fees attributable to such services.
In accordance with Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by Section 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Company is required to disclose the approval by the Audit Committee of non-audit services performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Non-audit services are services other than those provided in connection with an audit or review of the financial statements. During the period covered by this filing, the Audit Committee approved all fees, and the services rendered in connection with these fees, as reported in the table shown above.
The Company expects that the “Koss Family,” who own or beneficially own approximately 74.71% of the outstanding Common Stock, will vote “for” the ratification of WIPFLI as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF
WIPFLI AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020.
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Directors of the Company is not aware of any other matters that may come before the meeting. If any other matters are properly presented to the meeting for action, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies in the enclosed form of proxy to vote such proxies in accordance with their discretion on such matters.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2020 ANNUAL MEETING
There are no stockholder proposals on the agenda for the Meeting. In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials for its 2020 annual meeting, a stockholder proposal must be received by the Company no later than May 13, 2020 and must otherwise comply with the applicable rules of the SEC. To avoid controversy over when a stockholder proposal is received, stockholder proposals should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and should be addressed to the Secretary of the Company.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ David D. Smith |
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David D. Smith, Secretary |
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
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August 30, 2019 |
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PROXY
KOSS CORPORATION
4129 North Port Washington Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
2019 ANNUAL MEETING
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Michael J. Koss and Thomas L. Doerr, or either of them, as Proxies, each with full power of substitution for himself, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the shares of common stock of Koss Corporation held as of the record date and which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on October 16, 2019, and any or all adjournments thereof, with like effect as if the undersigned were personally present and voting.
Properly executed proxies received by the Company will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of all nominees listed for director, FOR approval of the advisory resolution on executive compensation, to conduct future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation EVERY YEAR, and FOR Proposal 4 to ratify the appointment of WIPFLI LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the Proxies appointed. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement furnished therewith.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
KOSS CORPORATION
October 16, 2019
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL
The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card
are available at — www.koss.com
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 4, AND FOR AN ADVISORY VOTE "EVERY YEAR" IN PROPOSAL 3. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE ☒
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES:
☐ Thomas L. Doerr
☐ Michael J. Koss
☐ Steven A. Leveen
☐ Theodore H. Nixon
☐ William J. Sweasy
☐ FOR ALL NOMINEES
☐ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
☐ FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below)
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee strike a line through the nominee's name.
2. APPROVAL OF AN ADVISORY RESOLUTION ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
☐ FOR
☐ AGAINST
☐ ABSTAIN
3. ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF VOTING TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
☐ 1 YEAR
☐ 2 YEARS
☐ 3 YEARS
☐ ABSTAIN
4. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF WIPFLI LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020.
☐ FOR
☐ AGAINST
☐ ABSTAIN
IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.