telkonet_pre14a-062608.htm
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.)
Filed by
the Registrant x
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the
appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
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Confidential,
For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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TELKONET,
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):
x
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fee required.
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computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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Telkonet,
Inc.
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
Maryland 20876-7004
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the
Stockholders:
The 2008
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Telkonet, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at
The Union League of Philadelphia, located at 140 South Broad Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19012, on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., local time,
for the following purposes:
1. To elect five
(5) directors, each to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders
and until his successor has been elected and qualified;
2. To vote upon a proposal
to amend Telkonet’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of
authorized shares;
3. To ratify the appointment
of independent accountants for 2008; and
4. To transact such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on May 29, 2008 are entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
All
stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. However, to
assure your representation at the meeting, we urge you to complete, sign, date
and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope as promptly as
possible.
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By
order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ JASON
L. TIENOR
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Jason
L. Tienor
Chief
Executive Officer
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Dated:
May __, 2008
YOUR VOTE
IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD
IMMEDIATELY,
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
Telkonet,
Inc.
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
Maryland 20876-7004
PROXY
STATEMENT
Date,
Time and Place of Meeting
This
proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by
and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Telkonet, Inc. for use at Telkonet’s
2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held at The Union League
of Philadelphia, located at 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19012, on
Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment or
postponement of the annual meeting. This proxy statement, the accompanying proxy
card and Telkonet’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007 are first being sent to stockholders on or about
____.
Solicitation
and Voting
The
solicitation of proxies is made by and on behalf of Telkonet’s Board of
Directors. The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by Telkonet. In
addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, employees of Telkonet or its
affiliates may solicit proxies by telephone or facsimile.
The Board
of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 29, 2008 as the record date
for determining the holders of shares of common stock who are entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. At the close of business on May 29,
2008, Telkonet had outstanding ____ shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per
share. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote per share of Telkonet’s common
stock registered in such stockholder’s name on Telkonet’s books as of the close
of business on May 29, 2008.
Shares of
common stock represented by properly executed proxies received at or prior to
the annual meeting that have not been revoked will be voted at the annual
meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxies.
Stockholders are requested to complete, sign, date and promptly return the
enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope to ensure that
their shares are voted. If the enclosed proxy is signed and returned, the shares
represented thereby will be voted in accordance with any specification made
therein by the stockholder. In the absence of any such specification, the shares
will be voted to elect each of the director nominees set forth under “Election
of Directors” below, for the proposal set forth under “Ratification
of Appointment of Independent Public Accountants,” and in the discretion of
management on any other matter which may properly come before the annual
meeting.
Revocability
of Proxy
Any proxy
given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at
any time before it is voted. Attendance at the annual meeting will not, in and
of itself, revoke a proxy. Proxies may be revoked by:
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Filing
with the Secretary of Telkonet, at or before the taking of the vote at the
annual meeting, a written notice of revocation dated later than the
proxy;
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Executing
a later dated proxy relating to the same shares of common stock and
delivering it to the Secretary of Telkonet, including by facsimile, before
the taking of the vote at the annual meeting; or
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Attending
the annual meeting and voting in
person.
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Any
written revocation or subsequent proxy should be sent so as to be delivered to
Telkonet, Inc., 20374 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown, Maryland 20876,
Attention: Corporate Secretary, or hand delivered to the Secretary of Telkonet
or his representative at or before the taking of the vote at the annual
meeting.
If the
annual meeting is postponed or adjourned, proxies given pursuant to this
solicitation will be utilized at any subsequent reconvening of the annual
meeting, except for any proxies that previously have been revoked or withdrawn
effectively, and notwithstanding that proxies may have been effectively voted on
the same or any other matter previously.
Quorum
Telkonet’s
bylaws provide that the holders of a majority of the outstanding Telkonet
shares, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum, and that the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting
and constituting a quorum is required for approval of any proposal brought
before the annual meeting, unless a greater proportion or number of votes is
required by law or by Telkonet’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws. The
election of directors and approval of the amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
present at the annual meeting and constituting a quorum. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be deemed present for purposes of constituting a quorum and will
have the same legal effect as a vote “against” each nominee for the Board of
Directors and all proposals presented at the annual meeting.
PROPOSAL 1.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Telkonet’s
bylaws establish the number of directors at not less than three members.
Pursuant to the bylaws, the Board of Directors may increase or decrease the
number of members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has
established the number of directors at five. At the annual meeting, the shares
represented by properly executed proxies, unless otherwise specified, will be
voted for the election of the five nominees named herein, each to serve until
the next annual meeting and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
Proxies cannot be voted for more than five nominees.
If for
any reason any nominee is not a candidate when the election occurs (which is not
expected), the Board of Directors expects that proxies will be voted for the
election of a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. The
following information is furnished concerning each nominee for election as a
director.
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Telkonet’s common stock
represented at the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy, is required to
elect the following nominees as Telkonet directors.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE
Nominees
for Election at the Annual Meeting
Director
Name
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Age
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Position
With Telkonet
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Director Since
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Warren
V. Musser
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81
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Chairman
of the Board
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2003
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Anthony
J. Paoni
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63
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Director
(1) (2)
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2007
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Thomas
C. Lynch
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66
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Director
(1) (2)
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2003
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Thomas
M. Hall
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56
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Director
(1) (2)
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2004
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Seth
D. Blumenfeld
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67
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Director
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2005
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(1)
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Member
of the Audit Committee
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(2)
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Member
of the Compensation Committee
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WARREN V. MUSSER, Chairman of
the Board of Directors, has taken over 50 companies public during his
distinguished and successful career as an entrepreneur. He is the
founder and Chairman Emeritus of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (a high-tech
venture capital company, formerly Safeguard Industries, Inc.). Mr. Musser
is currently the Managing Director of The Musser Group (a business consulting
firm) and Founder & President of Musser and Company, Inc. (an
investment banking firm). In addition, Mr. Musser is a Director of Internet
Capital Group, Inc. (a business-to-business venture capital company), is a
Director and Vice Chairman of Nutri/System, Inc. (a weight management company)
and Co-Chairman of Eastern Technology Council (a business advisory firm).
Mr. Musser serves on a variety of civic, educational and charitable boards
of directors, and serves as vice president of development, Cradle of Liberty
Council, Boy Scouts of America; vice chairman of The Eastern Technology Council;
and chairman of the Pennsylvania Partnership on Economic Education.
ANTHONY J. PAONI, Director,
has been a faculty member at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of
Management since 1996. Previously, he spent 28 years in the information
technology industry with market leading organizations that provided computer
hardware, software and consulting services. For the first 15 years of
his career Professor Paoni managed sales and marketing organizations and in the
later stages of his career he moved into general management positions starting
with PANSOPHIC Systems Incorporated. This Lisle, Illinois based firm was the
world’s fifth largest international software company prior to its acquisition by
Computer Associates, Incorporated. Subsequently, he became chief operating
officer of Cross Access, a venture capital funded software firm that provided
industry-leading solutions to the heterogeneous database connectivity market
segment. In addition, he has been president of two wholly-owned U.S.
subsidiaries of Ricardo Consulting, a U.K.-based international engineering
consulting firm focused on computer based automotive powertrain design. Prior to
joining the Kellogg faculty, Professor Paoni was chief executive officer of
Eolas, an Internet software company with patent pending Web technology that was
one of the key technology drivers responsible for the rapid adoption of the
Internet platform.
THOMAS C. LYNCH, Director, is
Senior Vice President and Director of The Staubach Company’s Federal Sector (a
real estate management and advisory services firm) in the Washington, D.C. area.
Mr. Lynch joined The Staubach Company in November 2002 after six years as
Senior Vice President at Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) (a high-tech
venture capital company). While at Safeguard, he served nearly two years as
President and Chief Operating Officer at CompuCom Systems, a Safeguard
subsidiary. After a 31-year career of naval service, Mr. Lynch retired in
the rank of Rear Admiral. Mr. Lynch’s naval service included Chief, Navy
Legislative Affairs, command of the Eisenhower Battle Group during Operation
Desert Shield, Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1991 to
1994 and Director of the Navy Staff in the Pentagon from 1994 to 1995.
Mr. Lynch presently serves as a Director of Pennsylvania Eastern Technology
Council, Armed Forces Benefit Association, Catholic Leadership Institute,
National Center for the American Revolution at Valley Forge, and Mikros
Systems.
THOMAS M. HALL, M.D.,
Director, is the Managing Member of Marrell Enterprises LLC (a company that
specializes in international business development). Dr. Hall serves on the
board of directors of Coris International SA (a Paris-based insurance services
company with subsidiaries in 36 countries). For 12 years (until 2002),
Dr. Hall was the Chief Executive Officer of Medical Advisory Systems, Inc.
(a company providing international medical services and pharmaceutical
distribution). Dr. Hall holds a bachelor of science and a medical degree
from the George Washington University and a master of international management
degree from the University of Maryland.
SETH D. BLUMENFELD, Director,
served as President of International Services for MCI International (a provider
of telecommunication services) from 1998 until his retirement in January of
2005. Mr. Blumenfeld was President and Chief Operating Officer of several
of MCI’s international subsidiaries from 1984 to 1998. Mr. Blumenfeld earned his
Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Fordham University Law School in 1965. He
practiced law on Wall Street prior to serving as infantry captain for the U.S.
Army in Vietnam. From 1976 through 1978, Mr. Blumenfeld lived in Japan. Mr.
Blumenfeld’s involvement on professional boards and community associations have
included Executive Committee member of the United States Council for
International Business, Member of the Board of Directors of the United States
Telecommunications Training Institute, Member of the State Department Advisory
Council on International Communications and Information Policy, Member of the
University of Colorado Institute for International Business Board of Advisors,
Member of the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird)
Board of Advisors, Member of the Advisory Board of Visitors to Fordham
University School of Law, and honorary Chairman of the Connecticut Association
of Children with Learning Disabilities.
Meetings
of the Board and Committees
The Board
of Directors held eight meetings in 2007. Each member of the Board of Directors
attended at least 75 percent of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the
committees of which such director was a member. Telkonet has not established a
formal policy requiring director attendance at all Board meetings, but the
Company expects each director to attend such meetings, absent unusual
circumstances. Telkonet expects its directors to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (which is usually held the same day as a meeting of the Board of
Directors). Two of Telkonet’s directors attended the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
Code
of Ethics
The Board
has approved, and Telkonet has adopted, a Code of Ethics that applies to all
directors, officers and employees of Telkonet. This Code of Ethics was included
as an Exhibit to Telkonet’s Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 30, 2004.
Director
Independence
The Board
of Directors has determined that the following Directors are “independent” under
the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX): Dr. Hall and
Messrs. Lynch and Paoni. Each of Dr. Hall, Mr. Lynch and Mr. Paoni serve on, and
are the only members of, the Company’s Audit and Compensation
Committees.
Communications
with the Board of Directors
Stockholders
can communicate directly with the Board, with any Committee of the Board, or
specified directors by writing to: The Board of Directors of Telkonet, Inc., at
the Company’s principal business address or by calling at (240) 912-1800.
All communications will be reviewed by management and then forwarded to the
appropriate director, directors, committee, or to the full Board.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
The Board
has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, but the Board does not
presently have a Nominating Committee because the Board does not feel a
Nominating Committee is necessary due to the Board’s nomination procedures in
effect as described below.
Director
Nominations
Although
Telkonet does not maintain a standing Nominating Committee, nominees for
election as directors are considered and nominated by a majority of Telkonet’s
independent directors in accordance with the AMEX listing standards.
“Independence” for these purposes is determined in accordance with
Section 121(A) of the AMEX Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Since Telkonet does not maintain a standing Nominating
Committee, it has not adopted a formal Nominating Committee
charter.
When
considering potential candidates for election to Telkonet’s Board of Directors,
the independent directors evaluate various criteria, including, but not limited
to, each candidate’s business and professional skills, experience serving as
management or on the board of directors of companies such as Telkonet, financial
literacy and personal integrity in judgment. Candidates for vacant board seats
will be considered if they are able to read and understand fundamental financial
statements; have no identified conflicts of interest; have not been convicted in
a criminal proceeding other than traffic violations during the five years before
the date of selection; and are willing to comply with Telkonet’s Code of Ethics.
One or more directors must have requisite financial expertise to qualify as an
“audit committee financial expert” as defined by Item 401 of Regulation S-K
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The independent directors
reserve the right to modify these minimum qualifications from time to time.
Exceptional candidates who do not meet all of these criteria may still be
considered.
The
independent directors review the qualifications and backgrounds of the
directors, as well as the overall composition of the Board from time to time. In
the case of any candidate for a vacant Board seat, the independent directors
will consider whether such candidate meets the applicable independence standards
and the level of the candidate’s financial expertise. Any new candidates will be
interviewed by the independent directors, and the full Board will approve the
final nominations. The Chairman of the Board, acting on behalf of the full
Board, will extend the formal invitation to become a nominee of the Board of
Directors.
Stockholders
may nominate director candidates for consideration by the Board of Directors by
writing to the Chairman and providing to the Chairman the candidate’s name,
biographical data and qualifications, including five-year employment history
with employer names and a description of the employer’s business; whether such
individual can read and understand fundamental financial statements; other board
memberships (if any); and such other information as is reasonably available and
sufficient to enable the Board to evaluate the minimum qualifications described
above. The submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the
individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Directors and to
serve if elected by the stockholders. If a stockholder nominee is eligible, and
if the nomination is proper, the independent directors then will deliberate and
make a decision as to whether the candidate will be submitted to Telkonet’s
stockholders for a vote. The Board will not change the manner in which it
evaluates candidates, including the applicable minimum criteria set forth above,
based on whether the candidate was recommended by a stockholder.
Audit
Committee
The Audit
Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. Lynch and Paoni and Dr. Hall.
Telkonet’s Board of Directors has determined that each of Dr. Hall and
Messrs. Lynch and Paoni is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by
Item 401 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. The Board of Directors also has determined that each of Dr. Hall and
Messrs. Lynch and Paoni are “independent” as such term is defined in
Section 121(A) of the AMEX Rules and Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Audit
Committee recommends annually to the Board of Directors the selection of
independent auditors for each fiscal year, confirms and assures their
independence and approves the fees and other compensation to be paid to the
auditors. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board the advisability of having
the independent auditors make specified studies and reports as to auditing
matters, accounting procedures, tax or other matters. The Audit Committee also
reviews, prior to its filing with the SEC, Telkonet’s Form 10-K and annual
report to stockholders. The Audit Committee provides an open avenue of
communication among the independent auditors, management and the Board of
Directors and will review any significant disagreement among management and the
independent auditors in connection with the preparation of any of Telkonet’s
financial statements. The Audit Committee reviews, with Telkonet’s legal
counsel, legal and regulatory matters that may have a significant impact on
Telkonet’s financial statements. The Audit Committee held four meetings in 2007
and all of members of the Audit Committee attended at least 75 percent of these
meetings.
The Board
of Directors has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, which was ratified by the
stockholders at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. A copy of the Audit
Committee Charter was attached as Appendix A to the proxy statement for the 2007
Annual Meeting.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in any of Telkonet’s previous filings under
the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that might
incorporate future filings or this proxy statement, the following report shall
not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filings. In
addition, the following report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material”
or “filed” with the SEC.
The Audit
Committee for the year ended December 31, 2007, whose members are
identified below, has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements as
of and for the year ended December 31, 2007 with Telkonet’s management and
has discussed the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 with Telkonet’s
independent auditors. The Audit Committee has also received the written
disclosures and the letter from Telkonet’s independent auditors required by
Independent Standards Board Standard No. 1 and has discussed with the
independent auditors the independent auditors’ independence. Based upon its
review of the foregoing materials and its discussions with Telkonet’s management
and independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the audited financial statements be included in Telkonet’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Audit
Committee also considered whether the provision of other non-audit services by
the independent auditor to Telkonet is compatible with maintaining the
independence of the independent auditor and concluded that the independence of
the independent auditor is not compromised by the provision of such
services.
The Audit
Committee has a written charter which was adopted by the Board of Directors on
October 3, 2003, a copy of which is filed as Appendix A to the proxy
statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Audit Committee has
established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of any
complaints received by Telkonet regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by
Telkonet’s employees of any concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters.
By the
Audit Committee.
Thomas M.
Hall
Thomas C.
Lynch
Anthony
J. Paoni
Compensation
Committee
Dr. Hall,
Mr. Lynch and Mr. Paoni serve on Telkonet’s Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee oversees the Company’s
compensation programs, which are designed specifically for the Company’s most
senior executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and the other executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table. Additionally, the Compensation Committee is charged with the
review and approval of all annual compensation decisions relating to named
executive officers. The Board of Directors has adopted a Compensation
Committee charter. A copy of the Compensation Committee charter was
attached as Appendix B to the proxy statement for the 2007 annual
meeting.
The
Compensation Committee met two times in 2007, and all members of the
Compensation Committee attended the meetings.
REPORT
OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in any of Telkonet’s previous filings under
the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act that might incorporate future
filings or this proxy statement, the following report shall not be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into any such filings. In addition, the following
report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the
SEC.
The base
salary, bonus, benefits and other compensation payable to Telkonet’s executive
officers for the year ended December 31, 2007 were fixed under written
employment agreements (except for Ms. Cleal, Mr. Leimbach and Mr. Landry,
who do not have written employment agreements) described below under the heading
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment Arrangements.
Prior to
establishing Mr. Tienor’s compensation pursuant to his employment agreement (as
well as the compensation of the other executive officers), the Board of
Directors reviewed compensation recommendations prepared by Telkonet’s
compensation committee, which recommendations provide information regarding
compensation levels at peer companies.
The
Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis contained in this proxy statement with management and, based upon
this review and these discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be include in
this proxy statement.
By,
Thomas M.
Hall
Thomas C.
Lynch
Anthony
J. Paoni
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
Oversight of Executive
Compensation Program
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors oversees the Company’s
compensation programs, which are designed specifically for the Company’s most
senior executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and the other executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table (collectively, the “named executive officers”). Additionally,
the Compensation Committee is charged with the review and approval of all annual
compensation decisions relating to named executive officers.
The
Compensation Committee is composed of 3 independent, non-management members of
the Board of Directors. Each year the Company reviews any and all relationships
that each director has with the Company and the Board of Directors subsequently
reviews these findings.
The
responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, as stated in its charter,
include the following:
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annually
review and approve for the CEO and the executive officers of the Company
the annual base salary, the annual incentive bonus, including the specific
goals and amount, equity compensation, employment agreements, severance
arrangements, and change in control agreements/provisions, and any other
benefits, compensation or
arrangements.
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make
recommendations to the Board with respect to incentive compensation plans,
including reservation of shares for issuance under employee benefit
plans.
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annually
review and recommend to the Board of Directors for its approval the
compensation, including cash, equity or other compensation, for members of
the Board of Directors for their service as a member of the Board of
Directors, a member of any committee of the Board of Directors, a Chair of
any committee of the Board of Directors, and the Chairman of the Board of
Directors.
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annually
review the performance of the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer.
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make
recommendations to the Board of Directors on the Company’s executive
compensation practices and policies, including the evaluation of
performance by the Company’s executive officers and issues of management
succession.
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review
the Company’s compliance with employee benefit
plans.
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make
regular reports to the Board.
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annually
review and reassess the adequacy of the Compensation Committee charter and
recommend any proposed changes to the Board for
approval.
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The
Compensation Committee is also responsible for completing an annual report on
executive compensation for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement. In
addition to such annual report, the Compensation Committee maintains written
minutes of its meetings, which minutes are filed with the minutes of the
meetings of the Board.
Overview of Compensation
Program
In order
to recruit and retain the most qualified and competent individuals as senior
executives, the Company strives to maintain a compensation program that is
competitive in the global labor market. The purpose of the Company’s
compensation program is to reward exceptional organizational and individual
performance.
The
following compensation objectives are considered in setting the compensation
programs for our named executive officers:
|
·
|
drive
and reward performance which supports the Company’s core
values;
|
|
·
|
provide
a percentage of total compensation that is “at-risk,” or variable, based
on predetermined performance
criteria;
|
|
·
|
design
competitive total compensation and rewards programs to enhance the
Company’s ability to attract and retain knowledgeable and experienced
senior executives; and
|
|
·
|
set
compensation and incentive levels that reflect competitive market
practices.
|
Compensation Elements and
Rationale
Compensation
for Named Executive Officers Other than the CEO
Compensation
for the named executive officers, other than the CEO, is made in the CEO’s sole
and exclusive discretion. While the Compensation Committee provides its
recommendations with respect to compensation for the named executive officers
(other than the CEO) as described in greater detail below, the CEO is only
required to consider the Compensation Committee’s recommendations, but is not
bound by its findings.
Compensation
for the Company’s CEO
To reward
both short and long-term performance in the compensation program and in
furtherance of the Company’s compensation objectives noted above, the Company’s
compensation program for the CEO is based on the following
objectives:
The
Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of the CEO’s
compensation should be tied not only to individual performance, but also to the
Company’s performance as a whole measured against both financial and
non-financial goals and objectives. During periods when performance meets or
exceeds these established objectives, the CEO should be paid at or more than
expected levels. When the Company’s performance does not meet key objectives,
incentive award payments, if any, should be less than such levels.
|
(ii)
|
Incentive
Compensation
|
A large
portion of compensation should be paid in the form of short-term and long-term
incentives, which are calculated and paid based primarily on financial measures
of profitability and stockholder value creation. The CEO has the incentive of
increasing Company profitability and stockholder return in order to earn a major
portion of his compensation package.
|
(iii)
|
Competitive Compensation
Program
|
The
Compensation Committee reviews the compensation of chief executive officers at
peer companies to ensure that the compensation program for the CEO is
competitive. The Company believes that a competitive compensation program will
enhance its ability to retain a capable CEO.
Financial Metrics Used in
Compensation Programs
Several
financial metrics are commonly referenced in defining Company performance for
the CEO’s executive compensation. These metrics include quarterly metrics to
target cash flow break even and specific revenue goals to define Company
performance for purposes of setting the CEO’s compensation.
Compensation Benchmarking
Relative to Market
The
Company sets the CEO’s compensation by evaluating peer group companies. Peer
group companies are chosen based on size, industry, annual revenue and whether
they are publicly or privately held. Based on these criteria, the Compensation
Committee has identified 29 companies in the Company’s peer group. These peer
group companies include Catapult Communications Corp., Endwave Corp., Carrier
Access Corp., Crystal Technology, Echelon Corp. and FiberTower Corp. The
Compensation Committee has concluded that the CEO’s compensation falls within
the 50th
percentile of compensation for chief executive officers within the peer group
companies.
Review of Senior Executive
Performance
The
Compensation Committee reviews, on an annual basis, each compensation package
for the named executive officers. In each case, the Compensation Committee takes
into account the scope of responsibilities and experience and balances these
against competitive salary levels. The Compensation Committee has the
opportunity to meet with the named executive officers at least once per year,
which allows the Compensation Committee to form its own assessment of each
individual’s performance. As indicated above, with the exception of the CEO,
recommendations with respect to compensation packages for the named executive
officers must be considered by the CEO in connection with establishing
compensation for those named executive officers. However, the recommendations of
the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation paid to the named
executive officers (other than the CEO) will not be binding on the
CEO.
Components of the Executive
Compensation Program
The
Compensation Committee believes the total compensation and benefits program for
named executive officers should consist of the following:
|
·
|
retirement,
health and welfare benefits;
|
|
·
|
perquisites
and perquisite allowance payments;
and
|
Base Salaries
With the
exception of the CEO, whose compensation is set by the Compensation Committee
and approved by the Board of Directors, base salaries and merit increases for
the named executive officers are determined by the CEO in his discretion after
consideration of a competitive analysis recommendation provided by the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee’s recommendation is
formulated through the evaluation of the compensation of similar executives
employed by companies in the Company’s peer group.
Stock Incentive
Plan
Under the
Company’s Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) incentive stock options and
non-qualified options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock may be
granted to key employees. An important objective of the long-term incentive
program is to strengthen the relationship between the long-term value of the
Company’s stock price and the potential financial gain for employees as well as
the retention of senior management and key personnel. Stock options provide
named executive officers with the opportunity to purchase the Company’s common
stock at a price fixed on the grant date regardless of future market price.
Stock options generally vest ratably on a quarterly basis and become exercisable
over a five-year vesting period. A stock option becomes valuable only if the
Company’s common stock price increases above the option exercise price (at which
point the option will be deemed “in-the-money”) and the holder of the option
remains employed during the period required for the option to “vest” thus,
providing an incentive for an option holder to remain employed by the Company.
In addition, stock options link a portion of an employee’s compensation to
stockholders’ interests by providing an incentive to increase the market price
of the Company stock.
The
Company practice is that the exercise price for each stock option is equal to
the fair market value on the date of grant. Under the terms of the Plan, the
option price will not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the
date of grant or, in the case of a beneficial owner of more than 5.0% of the
Company’s outstanding common stock on the date of grant, the option price will
not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of
grant.
There is
a limited term in which Plan participants can exercise stock options, known as
the “option term.” The option term is generally ten years from the date of
grant. At the end of the option term, the right to exercise any unexercised
options expires. Option holders generally forfeit any unvested options if their
employment with the Company terminates.
Certain
key executives may be a party to option agreements containing clauses that cause
their options to become immediately and fully vested and exercisable upon a
Change of Control, as defined in the Plan. Additionally, death or disability of
the executive during his or her employment period may cause certain stock
options to immediately vest and become exercisable per the terms outlined in the
stock option award agreement.
The
Compensation Committee awards options to named executive officers upon
commencement of their employment with the Company, and for successfully
achieving or exceeding predetermined individual and Company performance goals.
In determining whether to award stock options and the number of stock options
granted to a named executive officer, the Compensation Committee reviews the
compensation of executives at peer group companies to ensure that the
compensation program is competitive.
Retirement, Health and
Welfare Benefits
The
Company offers a variety of health and welfare and retirement programs to all
eligible employees. The named executive officers generally are eligible for the
same benefit programs on the same basis as the rest of the broad-based
employees. The Company’s health and welfare programs include medical, dental,
vision, life, accidental death and disability, and short and long-term
disability insurance. In addition to the foregoing, the named executive officers
are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing
Plan.
401(k) Profit
Sharing Plan
Telkonet
maintains a defined contribution profit sharing plan for employees (the
“Telkonet 401(k)”) that is administered by a committee of trustees appointed by
the Company. All Company employees are eligible to participate upon the
completion of six months of employment, subject to minimum age
requirements. Contributions by employees under the Telkonet 401(k) are
immediately vested and each employee is eligible for distributions upon
retirement, death or disability or termination of employment. Depending upon the
circumstances, these payments may be made in installments or in a single lump
sum.
MSTI
maintains a defined contribution profit sharing plan for employees (the “MSTI
401(k)”) that is administered by a committee of trustees appointed by the
Company. All Company employees are eligible to participate upon the completion
of three months of employment, subject to minimum age requirements. Each
year the Company makes a contribution to the MSTI 401(k) without regard to
current or accumulated net profits of the Company. These contributions are
allocated to participants in amounts of 100% of the participants’ contributions
up to 1% of each participant’s gross pay, then 10% of the next 5% of each
participant’s gross pay (a higher contribution percentage may be determined at
the Company’s discretion). In addition, the Company makes a one-time, annual
contribution of 3% of each participant’s gross pay to each participant’s
contribution account in the MSTI 401(k) plan. Participants become vested in
equal portions of their Company contribution account for each year of service
until full vesting occurs upon the completion of six years of service.
Distributions are made upon retirement, death or disability in a lump sum or in
installments.
Perquisites
The
Company leases a vehicle for the use of Telkonet's former CEO. The
lease will expire in September 2008. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2007
the Company began providing monthly car allowance stipends to certain executives
of Telkonet, MSTI and Ethostream.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, Messrs, Hall, Lynch and Paoni served as
members of the Company’s Compensation Committee. None of the members of the
Compensation Committee was an employee of the Company during the year ended
December 31, 2007 nor have any of them been an officer of the Company. No
executive officer of the Company served during the year ended December 31, 2007
as a member of a compensation committee or as a director of any entity of which
any of the Company’s directors served as an executive officer.
Directors’
Compensation
Telkonet
reimburses non-management directors for costs and expenses in connection with
their attendance and participation at Board of Directors meetings and for other
travel expenses incurred on Telkonet’s behalf. Telkonet compensates each
non-management director $4,000 per month, 10,000 vested stock options per
quarter and $1,000 for each committee meeting of the Board of Directors such
director attends.
Mr. Musser,
as Chairman of the Board of Directors, is compensated $8,333 per month
(consisting of monthly payments in the amount of $4,000, which payments are
consistent with the monthly payments made to the other non-management directors,
and $4,333 per month, which payments are in lieu of the 10,000 vested stock
options per quarter and $1,000 for each committee meeting that the other
non-management directors receive). Payments to Mr. Musser for Board
services are made to The Musser Group pursuant to a consulting agreement
described below under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions.”
On July
1, 2005, the Company executed a consulting agreement with Mr. Blumenfeld
pursuant to which Mr. Blumenfeld was issued 10,000 shares of Company common
stock upon execution of the agreement, 10,000 shares of Company common stock per
quarter for the first year (for a total 50,000 shares in the first year) and
5,000 shares of Company stock per quarter thereafter. Under the terms
of the consulting agreement Mr. Blumenfeld was also entitled to receive a
commission equal to 5% on all international sales generated by him having gross
margins of 50% or more. This commission was payable in cash or common
stock, at Mr. Blumenfeld’s option. The agreement had a one year term,
and was renewable annually upon both parties’ agreement. The consulting
agreement expired on June 20, 2006 and was not renewed. On March 16, 2007, the
Board of Directors authorized a payment to Mr. Blumenfeld of $24,000 for Board
service between July 1, 2006, and December 31, 2006, which payments were
commensurate with the payments made to the other directors for Board service
during that time period. Effective January 1, 2007, Mr. Blumenfeld
began receiving compensation in accordance with the non-management director
compensation plan.
The
following table summarizes all compensation paid to the Company’s directors in
the year ended December 31, 2007.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid
in
Cash
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Change
in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Earnings
|
|
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Warren
V. Musser
|
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
52,000 |
(1)
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
Thomas
M. Hall
|
|
|
56,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
60,217 |
(2)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
116,217 |
|
Thomas
C. Lynch
|
|
|
56,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
60,217 |
(2)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
116,217 |
|
James
L. Peeler
|
|
|
52,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
60,217 |
(2)(4) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
112,217 |
|
Seth
D. Blumenfeld
|
|
|
67,950 |
(3) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
60,217 |
(2)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
128,167 |
|
Ronald
W. Pickett (5)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Anthony
J. Paoni
|
|
|
37,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
37,367 |
(2)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
74,367 |
|
(1) Fees
for director services performed by Mr. Musser and paid to the Musser Group
pursuant to a September 2003 consulting agreement.
(2) Stock
options granted pursuant to the 2007 non-management director compensation
plan.
(3)
Includes a payment of $24,000 to Mr. Blumenfeld for his services as a director
in 2006.
(4) Mr.
Peeler resigned from the Board of Directors on April 7, 2008.
(5) Mr.
Pickett resigned from the Board of Directors on April 7, 2008.
Executive
Officers
The
following table provides the information concerning Telkonet’s executive
officers as of May 29, 2008.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Title
|
Jason
L. Tienor
|
|
33
|
|
President
& Chief Executive Officer
|
Dorothy
E. Cleal
|
|
58
|
|
Chief
Operating Officer
|
Richard
J. Leimbach
|
|
39
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Jeffrey
Sobieski
|
|
33
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Energy Management
|
James
F. Landry
|
|
52
|
|
Chief
Technology Officer
|
Jason L. Tienor—President
and Chief Executive Officer
Mr.
Tienor has served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer since
December 2007 and, from August 2007 until December 2007, he served as the
Company’s Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Tienor has also served as
Chief Executive Officer of EthoStream, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, since March 2007. From 2002 until his employment with the
Company, Mr. Tienor served as Chief Executive Officer of Ethostream, LLC, the
company that he co-founded. Mr. Tienor received a bachelor of business
administration in management information systems and marketing from the
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh and a masters of business administration with
an emphasis on computer science from Marquette University.
Dorothy E. Cleal—Chief
Operating Officer
Ms. Cleal
has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since December 2007 and,
from August 2007 until December 2007, she served as the Company’s Executive Vice
President. Prior to joining Telkonet, Ms. Cleal served, since 2005, as Vice
President and Director, Navy and Marine Corps Business Program of SRA
International, a billion dollar leading provider of consulting services to
clients in the national security, civil government, health care and public
health industries. From 2000 through 2005 she served as the Navy
account manager as well as the Navy and Marine Corps account manager with
SRA. Prior to joining SRA, Ms. Cleal was the acting Chief Information
Officer and Associate Director for Information Systems and Technology at the
White House.
Richard J. Leimbach—Chief
Financial Officer
Mr.
Leimbach has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer since December 2007
and, from June 2006 until December 2007, he served as the Vice President of
Finance. He also served as the Company’s Controller from January 2004 until June
2006. Mr. Leimbach is a certified public accountant with over fifteen
years of public accounting and private industry experience. Prior to joining
Telkonet, Mr. Leimbach was the Controller with Ultrabridge, Inc., an
applications solution provider. Mr. Leimbach also served as Corporate Accounting
Manager for Snyder Communications, Inc., a global provider of integrated
marketing solutions.
Jeffrey Sobieski—Executive
Vice President, Energy Management
Mr.
Sobieski has served as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Energy Management
since December 2007 and from March 2007 until December 2007, he served as Chief
Information Officer of Ethostream, LLC, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company. From 2002 until his employment with the Company, Mr.
Sobieski served as Chief Information Officer of Ethostream, LLC, the company he
co-founded. Mr. Sobieski is also the co-founder of Interactive
Solutions, a consulting firm providing support to the Insurance and
Telecommunications Industries.
James F. Landry—Chief
Technology Officer
Mr.
Landry has served as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer since December 2004
and Vice President of Engineering from September 2001 to May 2004. Before
joining Telkonet, Mr. Landry was a Senior Member of 3Com Technical Staff since
1994. Mr. Landry has over 20 years experience in developing communications
hardware for the enterprise/carrier market with 3Com, US Robotics, Penril
Datacomm and Data General. While at 3Com/US Robotics, he was responsible for the
development of the entire xDSL product line as well as a number of modems and
interface cards. At Penril, he served as the product development leader for the
Series 1544 multiplexer/channel bank and at Data General he was technical leader
of system integration for ISDN, WAN. Mr. Landry brings a wealth of practical
design leadership and a solid history of delivering products to the marketplace.
Mr. Landry holds four US patents.
Executive
Compensation
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation for
services in all capacities for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005 paid to our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer), Chief
Financial Officer (principal financial officer) and the three other most highly
compensated executive officers who were serving as such as of December 31,
2007.
Summary
Compensation Table
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
(6)(7)(8)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation ($)
|
|
|
Change
in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compen-sation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Jason
L. Tienor
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
133,022 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
111,230 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
6,139 |
|
|
$ |
250,391 |
|
President
and Chief
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Executive
Officer (1)
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard
J. Leimbach
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
133,491 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
158,491 |
(9) |
Chief
Financial
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
111,231 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
116,231 |
|
Officer
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
102,340 |
|
|
$ |
3,936 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
156,300 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
262,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald
W. Pickett
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
424,075 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
2,296 |
|
|
$ |
576,371 |
(10) |
President
and Chief
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
245,423 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
4,593 |
|
|
$ |
250,016 |
|
Executive
Officer (2)
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
102,340 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
163,319 |
(3) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
465,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dorothy
E. Cleal
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
70,154 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
55,615 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
125,769 |
|
Chief
Operating
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Officer
(4)
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff
Sobieski
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
122,003 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
6,139 |
|
|
$ |
128,142 |
|
Executive
Vice
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
President
(5)
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
F. Landry
|
|
2007
|
|
$ |
175,698 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
175,698 |
|
Chief
Technology
|
|
2006
|
|
$ |
174,886 |
|
|
$ |
6,789 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
181,675 |
|
Officer
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
176,508 |
|
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
191,508 |
|
____________________
(1) Mr.
Tienor was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Telkonet, Inc.
on December 11, 2007. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Tienor served as
Chief Executive Officer of Ethostream, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary
since March 2007, and Chief Operating Officer of Telkonet, Inc. since August 20,
2007.
(2) Mr.
Pickett resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer on December 11,
2007.
(3) In
the year ending December 31, 2005, Mr. Pickett earned 36,000 shares issued under
the Company’s Employee Stock Incentive Plan as additional compensation pursuant
to his employment agreement. The fair market value of these shares upon issuance
was $163,319.
(4) Ms.
Cleal was appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Telkonet, Inc. on December 11,
2007. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Cleal served as Executive Vice
President since August 20, 2007.
(5) Mr.
Sobieski was appointed as Executive Vice President of Telkonet, Inc. on December
11, 2007. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Sobieski served as Chief
Information Officer of Ethostream, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, since
March 2007.
(6) In
2005 the following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of stock
option awards granted: historical volatility of 71% expected option life of 5.0
years and a risk-free interest rate of 4.5%.
(7) In
2006 the following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of stock
option awards granted: historical volatility of 65% expected option life of 5.0
years and a risk-free interest rate of 5.0%.
(8) In
2007 the following assumptions were used to determine the fair value of stock
option awards granted: historical volatility of 70% expected option life of 5.0
years and a risk-free interest rate of 4.8%.
(9) Mr.
Leimbach received $8,750 in salary for his services as Vice President Finance of
MSTI, a position which he has held since July 2007.
(10) Mr.
Pickett received $34,615 in salary for his services as President of MSTI, a
position which he has held since May 2007.
Employment
Agreements
Jason L.
Tienor, President and Chief Executive Officer, is employed pursuant to an
employment agreement dated March 15, 2007. Mr. Tienor’s employment
agreement has a term of three years, which may be extended by mutual agreement
of the parties thereto, and provides for an annual base salary of $148,000 per
year and bonuses and benefits based on Telkonet’s internal
policies. On August 20, 2007, Mr. Tienor’s annual salary was
increased to $200,000 and he remains eligible to participate in the incentive
and benefit plans pursuant to his existing employment agreement and Telkonet’s
internal policies.
Dorothy
E. Cleal, Chief Operating Officer, has been employed since August 20, 2007 with
an annual salary of $190,000 and bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet’s
internal policies. Ms. Cleal does not have a written employment
agreement.
Richard
J. Leimbach, Chief Financial Officer, has been employed by the Company since
January 26, 2004. Mr. Leimbach’s annual salary was increased from
$130,000 to $190,000 in December 2007 in connection with his appointment as
Chief Financial Officer. He is also eligible to receive bonuses and
benefits based upon Telkonet’s internal policies. Mr. Leimbach does
not have a written employment agreement. In addition, Mr. Leimbach
receives an annual salary of $25,000 for his services as Vice President Finance
of MSTI.
James F.
Landry, Chief Technology Officer, has been employed with the Company since
September 24, 2001. Mr. Landry’s annual salary in 2007 was $176,508 and he is
entitled to receive bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet’s internal
policies. Mr. Landry does not have a written employment
agreement.
Jeffrey
Sobieski, Executive Vice President, Energy Management, is employed pursuant to
an employment agreement, dated March 15, 2007. Mr. Sobieski’s employment
agreement has a term of three years, which may be extended by mutual agreement
of the parties thereto, and provides for a base salary of $148,000 per year and
bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet’s internal policies. On
December 11, 2007, Mr. Sobieski’s salary was increased to $190,000 and he
remains eligible to participate in the incentive and benefit plans pursuant to
his existing employment agreement and Telkonet’s internal policies.
Ronald W.
Pickett, President and Chief Executive Officer, was employed pursuant to an
employment agreement for an unspecified term that commenced January 30, 2003. As
of January 1, 2007, Mr. Pickett’s annual salary was $250,000 and he was entitled
to receive bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet’s internal
policies. On March 19, 2007, Mr. Pickett’s annual base salary was increased
to $425,000, including compensation in the annual amount of $75,000 for his
service as President of MSTI, and he was awarded an incentive bonus of $150,000
for his performance as Chief Executive Officer during the year ended December
31, 2006. On December 11, 2007, Mr. Pickett resigned as President and
Chief Executive Officer and on February 13, 2008, the Board of Directors
approved a severance compensation package of $350,000 plus benefits paid through
2008. In addition, Mr. Pickett agreed to provide services as Vice
Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2008 for no additional
compensation. Mr. Pickett resigned as Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors on April 7, 2008.
In
addition, to the foregoing, stock options are periodically granted to employees
under the Company’s Plan at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors. Executives of Telkonet are eligible to receive stock option
grants, based upon individual performance and the performance of Telkonet as a
whole.
Grant
of Plan Based Awards
The
following table sets forth information concerning stock options granted in the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, to the persons listed on the Summary
Compensation Table.
Name
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
|
All
Other Option
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Options Granted
(#)
|
|
|
Exercise
Price
or
Base Price
of
Option
Awards
($/sh)
|
|
|
Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
|
|
Jason
Tienor
|
|
8/10/2007
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
$ |
111,230 |
|
Richard
J. Leimbach
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Dorothy
E. Cleal
|
|
8/10/2007
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
$ |
55,615 |
|
Jeffrey
Sobieski
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
James
Landry
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Ronald
W. Pickett
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
The
following table shows outstanding stock option awards classified as exercisable
and unexercisable as of December 31, 2007 for the named executive officers.
The table also shows unvested and unearned stock awards (both time-based awards
and performance-contingent) as of December 31, 2007.
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Exerciseable
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
Unexerciseable
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options
(#)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise Price
($)
|
|
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
|
|
Number
of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
|
|
Market
Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights
That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
|
|
Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or
Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
|
|
Jason
Tienor
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
95,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
4/23/2012
(3)
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dorothy
Cleal
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
47,500 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
4/23/2012
(3)
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Richard
J. Leimbach
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
4/23/2012
(3)
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
James
F. Landry
|
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
4/23/2012
(3)
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Jeffrey
Sobieski
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Ronald
W. Pickett
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
_________________
(1)
|
|
Includes
27,500 and 10,000 vested and unvested options, respectively, exerciseable
at $2.59, and 32,500 and 17,500 vested and unvested options, respectively,
exerciseable at $5.08 per share.
|
(2)
|
|
Includes
250,000 fully vested options, exerciseable at $1.00 per share with
expiration dates ranging from 12/3/2011 to 7/1/2013 and 200,000 and 50,000
vested and unvested options, respectively, exerciseable at $3.45 per share
with an expiration dates of 5/1/2014.
|
(3)
|
|
All
options granted in accordance with the Telkonet Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) have an outstanding term equal to the shorter
of ten years, or the expiration of the Plan. The Plan expires
on April 24, 2012.
|
Option
Exercises and Vesting of Stock Awards
There
were no options exercised by, or stock awards vested for the account of, the
named executive officers during 2007.
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Each of
Mr. Tienor’s and Mr. Sobieski’s Employment Agreement obligate the Company to
continue to pay each executive’s base salary and provide continued participation
in employee benefit plans for the duration of the term of their employment
agreements in the event such executive is terminated without “cause” by the
Company or if the executive terminates his employment for “good reason.” “Cause”
is defined as the occurrence of any of the following: (i) theft, fraud,
embezzlement, or any other act of dishonesty by the executive; (ii) any material
breach by the executive of any provision of the employment agreement which
breach is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed thirty (30) days
after written notification thereof to the executive by Telkonet; (iii) any
habitual neglect of duty or misconduct of the executive in discharging any of
his duties and responsibilities under the employment agreement after a written
demand for performance was delivered to the executive that specifically
identified the manner in which the board believed the executive had failed to
discharge his duties and responsibilities, and the executive failed to resume
substantial performance of such duties and responsibilities on a continuous
basis immediately following such demand; (iv) commission by the executive of a
felony or any offense involving moral turpitude; or (v) any default of the
executive’s obligations under the employment agreement, or any failure or
refusal of the executive to comply with the policies, rules and regulations of
Telkonet generally applicable to Telkonet employees, which default, failure or
refusal is not cured within a reasonable time (but not to exceed thirty (30)
days) after written notification thereof to the executive by Telkonet. If cause
exists for termination, the executive shall be entitled to no further
compensation, except for accrued leave and vacation and except as may be
required by applicable law. “Good reason” is defined as the occurrence of any of
the following: (i) any material adverse reduction in the scope of the
executive’s authority or responsibilities; (ii) any reduction in the amount of
the executive’s compensation or participation in any employee benefits; or (iii)
the executive’s principal place of employment is actually or constructively
moved to any office or other location 50 miles or more outside of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
In the
event Telkonet fails to renew the employment agreements upon expiration of the
term, then Telkonet shall continue to pay the executive's base salary and
provide the executive with continued participation in each employee benefit plan
in which the executive participated immediately prior to expiration of the term
for a period of three months following expiration of the term. Each of Messrs.
Tienor and Sobieski have agreed to not to compete with the Company or solicit
any Company employees for a period of one year following expiration or earlier
termination of the employment agreements.
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder
The
following table provides information concerning securities authorized for
issuance pursuant to equity compensation plans approved by the Company’s
stockholders and equity compensation plans not approved by the Company’s
stockholders as of December 31, 2007.
|
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
|
|
|
Weighted
-average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
|
|
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
9,421,366 |
|
|
$ |
1.84 |
|
|
|
2,170,423 |
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
9,421,366 |
|
|
$ |
1.84 |
|
|
|
2,170,423 |
|
The
following table sets forth, as of May 29, 2008, the number of shares of the
Company’s common stock beneficially owned by each director and executive officer
of the Company, by all directors and executive officers as a group, and by each
person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5.0% of the Company’s
outstanding common stock. As of May 29, 2008, there were no issued and
outstanding shares of any other class of the Company’s equity
securities.
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Amount
and Nature of Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
Percentage
of Class
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers
and Directors
|
|
|
|
|
Jason
Tienor, President and Chief Executive Officer
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
891,803(1)(2)
|
|
1.2%
|
Dorothy
Cleal, Chief Operating Officer
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
12,500(3)
|
|
*
|
Richard
Leimbach, Chief Financial Officer
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
66,000(4)
|
|
0.1%
|
James
Landry, Chief Technology Officer
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
484,200(5)
|
|
0.7%
|
Jeffrey
Sobieski, Executive Vice President
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
879,303(6)
|
|
1.2%
|
Warren
V. Musser, Chairman
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
2,000,000(7)
|
|
2.7%
|
Thomas
C. Lynch, Director
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
170,000(8)
|
|
0.2%
|
Dr.
Thomas M. Hall, Director
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
707,790(9)
|
|
1.0%
|
Seth
D. Blumenfeld, Director
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
90,000(10)
|
|
0.1%
|
Anthony
J. Paoni, Director
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
MD 20876
|
|
40,000(11)
|
|
0.1%
|
All
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
|
|
5,341,596
|
|
7.0%
|
_____________________
|
* Represents less than
0.1% beneficial ownership of Telkonet common stock as of reporting
date
|
(1)
|
Includes
876,803 shares of the Company’s common stock issued to Mr. Tienor in
conjunction with the Company’s March 2007 acquisition of Ethostream,
LLC.
|
(2)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 15,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at $1.80 per share.
|
(3)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 7,500 shares of the
Company’s common stock at $1.80 per share.
|
(4)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 30,000 and 35,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at $2.59 and $5.08 per share,
respectively.
|
(5)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 250,000 and 200,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock at $1.00 and $3.45 per share,
respectively.
|
(6)
|
Includes
876,803 shares of the Company’s common stock issued to Mr. Sobieski in
conjunction with the Company’s March 2007 acquisition of Ethostream,
LLC.
|
(7)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 2,000,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at $1.00 per share.
|
(8)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 20,000, 70,000 and 80,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.00, $2.66 and $3.45 per share,
respectively.
|
(9)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 70,000 and 80,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at $2.66 and $3.45 per share,
respectively.
|
(10)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 70,000 and 80,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock at $2.66 and $3.45 per share,
respectively.
|
(11)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 40,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at $2.66 per share.
|
(12)
|
Includes
options exercisable within 60 days to purchase 40,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at $2.30 per
share.
|
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
Description
of Related Party Transactions
In
September 2003, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (renewable
annually) with The Musser Group to compensate Mr. Musser in the amount of
$100,000 per year for his services to the Company as a director. Mr. Musser,
Chairman of the Board of Directors, is the sole principal and owner of The
Musser Group. For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, the
Company paid and expensed $100,000, $100,000 and $100,000,
respectively.
In
February 2007, the Company entered into a one-year professional services
agreement with Global Transport Logistics, Inc. (“GTI”), for the provision of
consulting services for which GTI is paid a fee of $10,000 per month. GTI is
100% owned by Eileen Matarazzo, the sister-in-law of MSTI’s Chief Executive
Officer.
The Chief
Administrative Officer at MSTI, Laura Matarazzo, is the sister of the President
of MSTI and receives an annual base salary of approximately $134,000 with
bonuses and benefits based upon the Company’s internal policies.
Company’s
Policies on Related Party Transactions
Under the
Company’s policies and procedures, related-party transactions that must be
publicly disclosed under the federal securities laws require prior approval
of the Company’s independent directors without the participation of
any director who may have a direct or indirect interest in the transaction in
question. Related parties include directors, nominees for director, principal
shareholders, executive officers and members of their immediate families. For
these purposes, a “transaction” includes all financial transactions,
arrangements or relationships, ranging from extending credit to the provision of
goods and services for value and includes any transaction with a company in
which a director, executive officer immediate family member of a director or
executive officer, or principal shareholder (that is, any person who
beneficially owns five percent or more of any class of the Company’s voting
securities) has an interest by virtue of a 10-percent-or-greater equity
interest. The Company’s policies and procedures regarding related-party
transactions are not a part of a formal written policy, but rather, represent
the Company’s historical course of practice with respect to approval of
related-party transactions.
Director
Independence
The Board
of Directors has determined that the following Directors are “independent” under
the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange (AMEX): Dr. Hall,
Mr. Lynch and Mr. Paoni. Each of Dr. Hall, Mr. Lynch and Mr. Paoni serve
on, and are the only members of, the Company’s Audit Committee and Compensation
Committee. Although Telkonet does not maintain a standing Nominating
Committee, nominees for election as directors are considered and nominated by a
majority of Telkonet’s independent directors in accordance with the AMEX listing
standards. “Independence” for these purposes is determined in accordance with
Section 121(A) of the AMEX Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
Section 16(a)
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors and certain
of our officers to file reports of holdings and transactions in shares of
Telkonet common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on our
records and other information, we believe that in 2007 our directors and our
officers who are subject to Section 16 met all applicable filing
requirements.
Independent
Public Accountants
The
following table sets forth fees billed to the Company by our auditors during the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
|
|
December
31, 2007
|
|
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
1.
Audit Fees
|
|
$ |
379,828 |
|
|
$ |
229,552 |
|
2.
Audit Related Fees
|
|
|
136,525 |
|
|
|
52,600 |
|
3.
Tax Fees
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
4.
All Other Fees
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Total
Fees
|
|
$ |
516,353 |
|
|
$ |
282,152 |
|
Audit
fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of
the Company’s consolidated financial statements and review of the interim
consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports and services
that are normally provided by RBSM LLP 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 the Company’s
consolidated financial statements, which are not reported under “Audit
Fees.”
Tax fees
consist of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice
and tax planning. The tax fees relate to federal and state income tax reporting
requirements.
All other
fees consist of fees for products and services other than the services reported
above.
Prior to
the Company’s engagement of its independent auditor, such engagement is approved
by the Company’s audit committee. The services provided under this engagement
may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other
services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any
pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services
and is generally subject to a specific budget. Pursuant to the Company’s Audit
Committee Charter, the independent auditors and management are required to
report to the Company’s audit committee at least quarterly regarding the extent
of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this
pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The audit
committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. All
audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees and other fees incurred by the Company
for the year ended December 31, 2007, were approved by the Company’s audit
committee.
PROPOSAL
2. TO AMEND TELKONET’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE
THE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
On May 16, 2008, the Board of Directors
unanimously adopted a resolution, subject to stockholder approval, to amend the
Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the aggregate number of shares
of Common Stock that the Company is authorized to issue from 100,000,000 shares
to 130,000,000 shares.
The Board of Directors has determined
that this proposed amendment is advisable and in the best interest of the
Company and its stockholders.
Reason
for the Amendment
The
Company’s Articles of Incorporation currently authorize the issuance of
100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value of $0.001 per share. As
of May 29, 2008, _____ shares were issued and outstanding, and another _____
shares were subject to unexercised options granted pursuant to the Amended and
Restated Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), or reserved for issuance in
connection with future grants under the Plan.
Adoption
of this proposal would permit the Board of Directors, without further approval
of the stockholders (except as may be required by applicable law or stock
exchange rules), to issue additional shares of common stock from time to time as
the Board of Directors may determine, for such consideration as the Board of
Directors establishes. In addition to providing the Company with the ability to
issue shares under its stock-based compensation plan, the availability of
additional shares of common stock would provide flexibility in structuring
possible acquisitions of other businesses and enable the Company to raise
additional equity capital if and when needed.
The
proposed Amendment will increase the total number of authorized shares of common
stock by an amount substantially greater than that necessary to achieve
currently contemplated corporate objectives. The Amendment may be viewed as
having the possible effect of diluting the stock ownership of current
stockholders, as well as discouraging, under certain circumstances, an
unsolicited attempt by another person or entity to acquire control of the
Company. Although the Board of Directors has no present intention of doing so,
the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock could be issued in one or
more transactions which would make a takeover of the Company more difficult or
costly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the proposed Amendment will ensure that
the Company continues to have additional shares available for future issuance
from time to time as approved by the Board of Directors for any proper corporate
purpose, including those described above.
Effective
Date of the Amendment
If the
Amendment is adopted by the required vote of stockholders, the Amendment will
become effective when the appropriate Articles of Amendment to the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation are filed with the Utah Department of Commerce,
Division of Corporations. The Company anticipates that this filing will be made
promptly following the Annual Meeting, or as soon as practicable
thereafter.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE
FOR THIS
PROPOSAL
PROPOSAL 3.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
RBSM, LLP
served as Telkonet’s independent public accountants in 2007 and are expected to
be retained to do so in 2008. The Board of Directors has directed that
management submit the selection of RBSM, LLP for ratification by the
stockholders at the annual meeting. A representative of RBSM, LLP is expected to
be present at the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement,
should the representative desire to do so, and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of RBSM, LLP as Telkonet’s independent public
accountants is not required. However, the Board of Directors is submitting the
selection of RBSM, LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good
corporate practice. If the stockholders do not ratify the selection, the Audit
Committee will reconsider whether to retain the firm. In such event, the Audit
Committee may retain RBSM, LLP, notwithstanding the fact that the stockholders
did not ratify the selection, or select another accounting firm without
re-submitting the matter to the stockholders. Even if the selection is ratified,
the Audit Committee reserves the right in its discretion to select a different
accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change
would be in the best interests of Telkonet and its stockholders.
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Telkonet’s common stock
represented at the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy, is required to
ratify the appointment of Telkonet’s independent public
accountants.
THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE
FOR THIS
PROPOSAL
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board
of Directors is not aware of any other matter that may be presented for action
at the annual meeting. If any other matter comes before the annual meeting, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the proxy with respect thereto in
accordance with their best judgment, pursuant to the discretionary authority
granted by the proxy.
STOCKHOLDERS
SHARING AN ADDRESS
Stockholders
sharing an address with another stockholder may receive only one set of proxy
materials at that address unless they have provided contrary instructions. Any
such stockholder who wishes to receive a separate set of proxy materials now or
in the future may write or call Telkonet at the following address and telephone
number to request a separate copy of these materials:
Telkonet,
Inc.
20374
Seneca Meadows Parkway
Germantown,
Maryland 20876-7004
240-912-1800
Similarly,
stockholders sharing an address with another stockholder who have received
multiple copies of Telkonet’s proxy materials may write or call Telkonet to
request delivery of a single copy of these materials.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Telkonet
intends to hold its 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in June of 2009.
Stockholders may submit written proposals to be considered for stockholder
action at Telkonet’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. To be eligible for
inclusion in Telkonet’s Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting, stockholder
proposals must be received by Telkonet by _______, 2009 and must otherwise
comply with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and
Telkonet’s Bylaws. Stockholder proposals should be addressed to Telkonet at
20374 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown, Maryland 20876-7004, Attention:
Corporate Secretary. In addition, if a stockholder intends to present a proposal
at Telkonet’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders without the inclusion of the
proposal in Telkonet’s proxy materials and written notice of the proposal is not
received by Telkonet on or before _____, 2009, proxies solicited by the
Board of Directors for the 2009 annual meeting will confer discretionary
authority to vote on the proposal if presented at the meeting. Telkonet reserves
the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with
respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable
requirements.
Brokers
and other persons holding Telkonet’s common stock in their names, or in the
names of a nominee, will be requested to forward this proxy statement and the
accompanying materials to the beneficial owners of the common stock and to
obtain proxies, and Telkonet will defray reasonable expenses incurred in
forwarding such material.
Telkonet’s
Annual Report to Stockholders, including audited financial statements and
schedules, accompanies this proxy statement. Upon the written request of a holder
of shares as of the record date, Telkonet will, without charge, provide a copy
of Telkonet’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Such written
requests should be sent to 20374 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown, Maryland
20876-7004. Attn: Corporate Secretary.
|
By
order of the Board of Directors,
|
|
|
|
/s/ JASON
L. TIENOR
|
|
Jason
L. Tienor
Chief
Executive Officer
|
TELKONET,
INC.
The
Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of Telkonet, Inc. will be held on Thursday,
June 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. local time, at The Union League of Philadelphia,
located at 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19012.
1.
|
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS - Nominees:
|
01-Seth
D. Blumenfeld
|
|
02-Thomas
M. Hall
|
|
03-Thomas
C. Lynch
|
|
|
|
04-Warren
V. Musser
|
|
05-Anthony
J. Paoni
|
|
|
¨ FOR all
nominees
¨ WITHHELD as
to all nominees
¨ FOR all
nominees except vote withheld from the following
nominee(s):____________________________________________________
|
2.
|
TO
APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO TELKONET’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE
THE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK.
|
¨ FOR
|
|
¨ AGAINST
|
|
¨ ABSTAIN
|
3.
|
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS.
|
¨ FOR
|
|
¨ AGAINST
|
|
¨ ABSTAIN
|
4.
|
IN
THEIR DISCRETION, TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME
BEFORE THE MEETING.
|
cut
here
SEE
REVERSE SIDE
|
SEE
REVERSE SIDE
|
(CONTINUED
AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TELKONET, INC. FOR USE
ONLY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 26,
2008, AND ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.
The
undersigned, being a stockholder of TELKONET, INC. (“TELKONET”), hereby
authorizes Richard J. Leimbach and Jason Tienor, and each of them, with the full
power of substitution, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Telkonet to be held at The Union League of Philadelphia, located
at 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19012, on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at
10:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with
respect to all votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast, if then
personally present, as appears on the reverse side of this proxy.
In their
discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote with respect to matters incident
to the conduct of the meeting and upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting. This proxy may be revoked at any time before it is
exercised.
Shares of
the Common Stock of Telkonet will be voted as specified. If no specification is made, shares
will be voted FOR the nominees for director named on the reverse side, FOR
approval of the amendment to Telkonet's Articles of Incorporation, FOR
ratification of the appointment of the independent accountants and IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES as to any other matter which may properly
come before the annual meeting.
|
The
undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Telkonet, Inc. called for Thursday, June 26, 2008, and a
Proxy Statement for the Meeting prior to the signing of this
proxy.
____________________________
Dated: ___________, 2008
____________________________
Dated: ___________, 2008
Please
sign exactly as your name(s) appears(s) on this proxy. When signing in a
representative capacity, please give
title.
|
PLEASE
MARK, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
cut
here
YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT
VOTE
TODAY IN ONE OF TWO WAYS:
1.
|
VOTE
BY INTERNET:
Log-on
to www.votestock.com
Enter
your control number printed below
Vote
your proxy by checking the appropriate boxes
Click
on “Accept Vote”
OR
|
2.
|
VOTE BY MAIL: If you do
not wish to vote by Internet, please complete, sign, date and return the
above proxy card in the pre-paid envelope
provided.
|
YOUR
CONTROL NUMBER IS:
You may
vote by Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your
Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote in the same
manner as
if you
marked,
signed and returned your proxy card.