UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 

Filed by the Registrant  x

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o

 

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

MESA LABORATORIES, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

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

 

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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

 

 

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

 

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MESA LABORATORIES, INC.

12100 West Sixth Avenue

Lakewood, Colorado  80228

Telephone:  (303) 987-8000

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Thursday, October 3, 2013

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF MESA LABORATORIES, INC.:

 

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”) of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (“we”, “our”, the “Company”, or “Mesa”) will be held at our corporate offices at 12100 West Sixth Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80228, on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. MDT, for the following purposes:

 

1.                                      To elect seven directors to hold office for the term specified in the Proxy Statement or until their successors are elected and qualified;

2.                                      To hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation;

3.                                      To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation;

4.                                      To ratify the appointment of EKS&H LLLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending March 31, 2014 (the “Ratification of Auditors Proposal”); and

5.                                      To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment.

 

The discussion of the items set forth above is intended only as a summary, and is qualified in its entirety by the information contained in the accompanying Proxy Statement.  Only holders of record of our Common Stock on August 13, 2013 (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to notice of and to vote at this Annual Meeting, and any postponements or adjournments thereof.

 

Please vote your shares by signing and returning your proxy card, using telephone or internet voting, or at the Annual Meeting.  This will assure that your shares will be voted, whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting.  You may, of course, attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person even if you have previously granted a proxy.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ John J. Sullivan

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

 

August 23, 2013

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

The Mesa Laboratories, Inc. Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013 are available for view on the internet at: www.edocumentview.com/MLAB or www.mesalabs.com.

 

Please note that due to changes in the NYSE rules, brokers are no longer permitted to vote your shares for the election of directors or on any other non-routine matters if you have not given your broker specific instructions on how to vote your shares.  PLEASE BE SURE TO GIVE SPECIFIC VOTING INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BROKER SO THAT YOUR VOTES CAN BE COUNTED.

 



 

MESA LABORATORIES, INC.

12100 West Sixth Avenue

Lakewood, Colorado  80228

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held Thursday, October 3, 2013

 

Solicitation of Proxy

 

The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (“we”, “our”, the “Company”, or “Mesa”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”) of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. to be held on Thursday, October 3, 2013, and at any adjournment.  In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview or telephone by officers, directors and other employees of the Company, who will not receive additional compensation for such services.  We may also request brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward the soliciting material to the beneficial owners of stock held of record and will reimburse such persons for forwarding such material.  We will bear the cost of this solicitation of proxies.  Such costs are expected to be nominal.  Proxy solicitation will commence with the mailing of this Proxy Statement on or about August 23, 2013.

 

Execution and return of the enclosed proxy will not affect a shareholder’s right to attend the meeting and to vote in person.  Any shareholder executing a proxy retains the right to revoke it at any time prior to exercise at the meeting.  A proxy may be revoked by delivery of written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, by execution and delivery of a later proxy or by voting the shares in person at the meeting.  A proxy, when executed and not revoked, will be voted in accordance with the instructions thereon.  In the absence of specific instructions, proxies will be voted by the person named in the proxy “FOR” the items described in this Proxy and in accordance with his best judgment on all other matters that may properly come before the meeting.

 

The enclosed proxy provides a method for shareholders to withhold authority to vote for any one or more of the nominees for director while granting authority to vote for the remaining nominees.  The names of all nominees are listed on the proxy.  If you wish to grant authority to vote for all nominees, check the box marked “FOR”.  If you wish to withhold authority to vote for all nominees, check the box marked “WITHHOLD”.  If you wish your shares to be voted for some nominees and not for one or more of the others, check the box marked “FOR” and indicate the name(s) of the nominee(s) for whom you are withholding the authority to vote by writing the name(s) of such nominee(s) on the proxy in the space provided.

 

Purpose of Meeting

 

As stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders accompanying this Proxy Statement, the business to be conducted and the matters to be considered and acted upon at the meeting are as follows:

 

1.                                      To elect seven directors to hold office for the term specified in the Proxy Statement or until their successors are elected and qualified;

 

2.                                      To hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation;

 

3.                                      To hold an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation;

 

4.                                      To ratify the appointment of EKS&H LLLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending March 31, 2014 (the “Ratification of Auditors Proposal”); and

 

5.                                      To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment.

 

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VOTING SECURITIES

 

Our voting securities consist solely of common stock, no par value per share (“Common Stock”).

 

The record date for shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting is the close of business on August 13, 2013, at which time we had 3,404,751 shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.  Shareholders are entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of Common Stock held in their name on the record date.

 

Shareholders representing a majority of the Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote must be present or represented by proxy to constitute a quorum.  The election of each director and the Ratification of Auditors Proposal each will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock present or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon.  Cumulative voting for directors is not authorized and proxies cannot be voted for more than seven nominees.  As advisory votes, the proposals to approve executive compensation and the frequency of future advisory votes are not binding upon the Company.  The Compensation Committee, however, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program, values the opinions of our shareholders and will consider the outcome of the votes when making future compensation decisions.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT

 

The following responses to certain questions do not purport to be a complete statement of the information in this Proxy Statement and are qualified by the more complete information set forth hereinafter.

 

Who is asking for my vote?

 

The Board of Directors of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. is sending this Proxy Statement, the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the enclosed proxy card on or about August 23, 2013 to you and all of our other shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 13, 2013.  The Board of Directors is soliciting your vote for the Annual Meeting.

 

Who is eligible to vote?

 

Shareholders of record who own shares of our Common Stock at the close of business on August 13, 2013 are eligible to vote.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote.

 

Why is the Annual Meeting being held?

 

The Annual Meeting is being held to elect persons to serve as directors of Mesa until the next annual meeting, to obtain advisory votes to approve executive compensation and the frequency of future advisory votes, and to ratify the appointment of EKS&H LLLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending March 31, 2014.

 

Might the Annual Meeting be adjourned?

 

We do not intend to seek adjournment of the Annual Meeting unless we have insufficient votes to satisfy a quorum (which requires the presence of at least a majority of the outstanding shares).  If that circumstance exists, we will consider the advisability of proposing adjournment to a specific time and place.  If the meeting is adjourned, we will make a public announcement.

 

Why did you send me this booklet?

 

This booklet is a Proxy Statement.  It provides you with information you should review before voting on the items listed above and in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  You are receiving these proxy materials — a booklet that includes the Proxy Statement and one proxy card — because you have the right to vote on these important items concerning your investment in Mesa.

 

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How do I vote?

 

Shareholders of record:  All shareholders of record may vote by written proxy card.  Joint owners must each sign the proxy card.  If you are a shareholder of record and receive a notice regarding availability of proxy materials, you may request a written proxy card by following the instructions included in the notice.  All shareholders of record may also vote by touchtone telephone using the toll-free telephone number on the notice or proxy card, or through the internet using the procedures and instructions described on the notice or proxy card.

 

Beneficial owners:  If you own your shares through a broker-dealer or another nominee, you must vote your shares as instructed by that broker-dealer or other nominee. If you own your shares through a nominee, you are not considered to be a shareholder of record, and you will not be permitted to vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you have obtained a “Legal Proxy” for those shares from the entity who holds your shares of record.

 

If a shareholder wishes to participate in the Annual Meeting but does not wish to give a proxy, the shareholder may attend the Annual Meeting in person.  Should you require additional information regarding the Annual Meeting, please contact Mesa at 303-987-8000.

 

Why does my name not appear as a shareholder of record?

 

Many, if not most, investors own their shares through a broker-dealer or other nominee.  Broker-dealers frequently clear their transactions through other broker-dealers, and may hold the actual certificates for shares in the name of securities depositories, such as CEDE & Co. (operated by Depository Trust Company of New York City).  In such a case, only the ultimate certificate holder appears on our records as a shareholder, even though that nominee may not have any economic interest in the shares that you actually own through your broker-dealer.  You should contact your broker-dealer for more information about this process.

 

When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?

 

As described in the Notice, we will hold the Annual Meeting at our corporate offices at 12100 West Sixth Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80228 (telephone 303-987-8000), on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. MDT.

 

How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?

 

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 and 4 and every 3 Years for Proposal 3.

 

How can I obtain more information about Mesa?

 

We have included an Annual Report to Shareholders with this Proxy Statement that contains additional information about Mesa.  In addition, information is available on our website at www.mesalabs.com and through the EDGAR filings maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.  Neither the Annual Report to Shareholders nor our website is incorporated into this Proxy Statement and they are not to be considered a part of the soliciting material.

 

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ITEM 1.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS THAT THEY VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF SUCH NOMINEES.

 

At the Annual Meeting, seven directors are to be elected.  Each director will be elected for a one-year term or until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

Shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted, in the absence of contrary indication or revocation by the shareholder granting such proxy, in favor of the persons named below as directors, to hold office for the term stated in the preceding paragraph.  The person named as proxy in the enclosed proxy has been designated by management and intends to vote for the election to the Board of Directors of the persons named below, each of whom is now a director of the Company.  If the contingency should occur that any such nominee is unable to serve as a director, it is intended that the shares represented by the proxies will be voted, in the absence of contrary indication, for any substitute nominee that the Nominating Committee may designate.  Management knows of no reason why any nominee would be unable to serve.  The information presented herein with respect to the nominees was obtained in part from the respective persons, and in part from the records of the Company.

 

Information about Board of Directors Nominees

 

In addition to the information presented below regarding each nominee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board of Directors to the conclusion that he should serve as a director, we also believe that all of our director nominees display personal and professional integrity; broad-based business acumen; a high level of understanding of our business and our industry; strategic thinking and a willingness to share ideas; and have a diversity of experiences, expertise and background.

 

NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR

 

The following table sets forth the names and ages of each of our directors as of March 31, 2013:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

Luke R. Schmieder (1)

 

70

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

60

 

Chief Executive Officer, Director

 

Michael T. Brooks (1)

 

64

 

Director

 

H. Stuart Campbell (1)

 

83

 

Director

 

Robert V. Dwyer

 

72

 

Director

 

Evan C. Guillemin (1)

 

47

 

Director

 

David M. Kelly (1)

 

71

 

Director

 

 


(1)  Member of the Nominating, Audit and Compensation committees.

 

Luke R. Schmieder has served as a director since March 1982 and devotes such time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company.  Mr. Schmieder served as our Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer from our inception in March 1982 through his retirement at March10, 2009.  From 1977 to 1982, Mr. Schmieder served as president and principal of a consulting company for product and process development primarily in the medical field.  Mr. Schmieder was employed from 1970 to 1977 by Cobe Laboratories, Inc. (manufacturer of dialysis and cardiovascular equipment and supplies) as a designer and process controller on various projects.  Mr. Schmieder attended Ohio State University and Ohio University, taking courses in mechanical engineering and business management.

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D. was promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer and President, and appointed to the Board of Directors in March 2009.  Dr. Sullivan joined us in October 2004 in the role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and was promoted to the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer in 2006.  In 1988, Dr. Sullivan joined Varian, Inc. (a major analytical instrument manufacturer) and served in various capacities in Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Management and in Business Development until 2004.  In 1982, Dr. Sullivan joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Seattle District Laboratory as a Senior Research Scientist and worked there until 1988.  From 1976 until 1980, Dr. Sullivan was employed as an Analytical Chemist at BioMed Research Labs (an independent research and testing laboratory).  Dr. Sullivan

 

4



 

received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Western Washington University in 1976 and a Ph.D. degree in Food Science from the University of Washington in 1982.

 

Michael T. Brooks has served as a director since October 1998 and devotes such time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company.  Mr. Brooks was an independent manufacturer’s representative from 1982 to 1985, at which time he purchased an interest in Fiero Fluid Power, which he presently owns and operates.  Fiero Fluid Power is a Rep/Distributor selling pneumatic and instrumentation equipment.  While pursuing a career in fluid power, he received a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Denver in 1983.  Mr. Brooks received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1971.

 

H. Stuart Campbell has served as a director since May 1983 and devotes such time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company.  Mr. Campbell owned and served as an officer of Highland Packaging Labs, Inc., Somerville, New Jersey (contract packaging business) until its sale in 2002.  From 1977 through September 1982, he was a Company Group Chairman with Johnson & Johnson and served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of eight major corporate subsidiaries.  From 1960 through September 1982, Mr. Campbell served in various capacities for Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon, Inc., a domestic subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.  Mr. Campbell received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in 1951.

 

Robert V. Dwyer has served as a director since May 2006 and devotes such time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company.  Mr. Dwyer served as President of our Raven Biological Laboratories operation until November 2010.  Mr. Dwyer currently serves on the Board of Directors of American National Bank, based in Omaha, Nebraska.  In addition, Mr. Dwyer holds ownership positions in other small business entities.  Mr. Dwyer served as President and was the majority owner of Raven Biological Laboratories, Inc. and is also an Attorney at Law.  Mr. Dwyer received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Creighton University in 1962, and he received his J.D. from Creighton University in 1964.

 

Evan C. Guillemin has served as a director since February 2009 and devotes such time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company.  Mr. Guillemin has served as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and Analyst at Select Equity Group Inc., a registered investment adviser based in New York City, since 2004.  Prior to joining Select Equity Group, Mr. Guillemin served as CFO of Alloy Merchandising Group Inc., the successor to Delias Inc.  Mr. Guillemin was an executive and board member of Delias Inc., a NASDAQ-traded specialty retailing company.  He served as CFO and then Chief Operating Officer of Delias from 1996 to 2003, when the company was acquired by Alloy Inc.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1987 and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with distinction from Harvard Business School in 1996.

 

David M. Kelly has served as a director since October 2010 and devotes such time as is necessary to the affairs of the Company.  Mr. Kelly currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Federated Investors, Inc. (NYSE: FII), Mestek Inc. (OTC: MCCK), and a privately held company.  In 1995, Mr. Kelly joined Matthews International Corporation, where he served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President until his retirement in 2007.  From 1972 to 1995, Mr. Kelly was with Carrier Corporation and held a variety of executive positions, in the United States and in Asia, in marketing, finance, manufacturing and operations, including President of North America operations.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Boston College in 1964, a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biophysics from Yale in 1966, and a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1968.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, no director has held any other directorships for the past five years.

 

Directors are elected at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders and serve until a successor is duly elected and qualified.  Vacancies may be filled by an affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining directors.

 

The Board of Directors met six times during the year ended March 31, 2013. Each director attended at least 75% of the Board of Director meetings, and at least 75% of the regular and special meetings of the committees on which they serve, either in person or telephonically.  In addition, directors are required to prepare for each meeting by reviewing materials distributed in advance.

 

There were, and are, no family relationships among the Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), directors or any person chosen to become a director or executive officer.

 

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Based on information submitted by the directors and executive officers, none of the directors or executive officers is involved in, or has been involved in, legal proceedings during the past ten years that are material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of that director or executive officer.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Each non-employee director is compensated separately for service on the Board of Directors and is reimbursed for expenses to attend Board of Director meetings.  Members of the Audit, Nominating and Compensation Committees are not compensated separately for service on those committees.  The following summarizes director compensation for the year ended March 31, 2013.

 

 

 

Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash

 

Option
Awards(1)

 

Total

 

Name

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(d)

 

(h)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael T. Brooks

 

$

19,000

 

$

14,030

 

$

33,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H. Stuart Campbell

 

$

19,000

 

$

14,030

 

$

33,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert V. Dwyer

 

$

19,000

 

$

14,030

 

$

33,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evan C. Guillemin

 

$

19,000

 

$

14,030

 

$

33,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David M. Kelly

 

$

19,000

 

$

14,030

 

$

33,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke R. Schmieder

 

$

19,000

 

$

14,030

 

$

33,030

 

 


(1)                                 1,000 stock options were granted to each director on April 2, 2012.  We calculated these amounts in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Section 718 — Compensation — Stock Compensation, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

 

Effective January 1, 2013, outside director compensation increased from $4,500 per quarter to $5,500 per quarter, or $22,000 annually.  No additional compensation is received for various committee assignments or for attendance at meetings.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Our business is managed through the oversight and direction of our Board of Directors.  We have three standing committees: Audit, Compensation and Nominating.  Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven persons.  Under applicable NASDAQ and SEC requirements, (a) we are required to have a majority of independent directors, and (b) all of the members of each committee, with the exception of the Nominating Committee, must be independent.  The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that each of H. Stuart Campbell, Michael T. Brooks, David M. Kelly, Luke R. Schmieder and Evan C. Guillemin is an “independent director” as such term is defined in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605.  The Board of Directors has also affirmatively determined that each member of each committee of the Board of Directors satisfies the independence requirements applicable to committees as prescribed by the NASDAQ Listing Rules and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Dwyer are not “independent directors” because they either are our employees or have been employed by us in the past three years.

 

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The Board of Directors has the responsibility for establishing broad corporate policies and for our overall performance, although it is not involved in day-to-day operating details.  The Board of Directors meets regularly throughout the year, including the annual organizational meeting following each Annual Meeting, to review significant developments affecting the Company and to act upon matters requiring Board of Directors approval.  It also holds special meetings as required from time to time when important matters arise, requiring Board of Directors action between scheduled meetings.

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

The charter of each committee is available in print to any shareholder who requests it, or on our website at www.mesalabs.com/corporate.  Each of the following directors is a member of all of our committees (Audit, Compensation and Nominating):

 

Michael T. Brooks

H. Stuart Campbell, Nominating Committee Chairman

Evan C. Guillemin, Audit Committee Chairman

David M. Kelly, Compensation Committee Chairman

Luke R. Schmieder

 

In addition to the standing committees mentioned above, the Board of Directors may convene special committees to consider various other matters as they arise.  During the year ended March 31, 2013, the Board of Directors did not convene any special committees.

 

Audit Committee

 

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in overseeing (i) the financial statements and audits of the Company, (ii) our compliance with financial reporting requirements, and (iii) the independence and performance of our internal and external auditors.  The Audit Committee charter further requires the Audit Committee to, among other things:

 

·                  Review the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors and determine whether to recommend to the Board of Directors that they be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K;

 

·                  Review proposed major changes to our auditing and accounting principles and practices;

 

·                  Review and evaluate our system of internal control;

 

·                  Review significant financial reporting issues raised by management or the independent auditors; and

 

·                  Establish procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters as well as the confidential and anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

 

The Audit Committee met six times during the year ended March 31, 2013.  All members of the Audit Committee were present at each meeting (except for one meeting in which one committee member was not able to attend).  The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Evan Guillemin is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act and is “independent.”  The SEC has indicated that the designation of a person as an “audit committee financial expert” does not (i) mean that such person is an expert for any purpose, including without limitation for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (ii) impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors in the absence of such designation, or (iii) affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors.

 

As required by NASDAQ, our Board of Directors has reviewed the qualifications of our Audit Committee members and has determined that none of them has a relationship with us that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from management and the Company.

 

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Compensation Committee

 

Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for compensation of executive officers and administration of our compensation and benefit plans.  The Compensation Committee met five times during the year ended March 31, 2013, and all members of the Compensation Committee were present at each meeting.

 

During the year ended March 31, 2013, no members of our Compensation Committee were executive officers serving on the Compensation Committee of another entity whose executive officers served on our Board of Directors.  No member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of the Company, or had a business relationship with or conducted any undisclosed transactions with the Company.  Our Chief Executive Officer, upon request, may attend selected meetings of the Compensation Committee.

 

Nominating Committee

 

The Nominating Committee assists the Board of Directors in identifying qualified individuals to become members of the Board of Directors.  The Nominating Committee met one time during the year ended March 31, 2013, and all members of the Nominating Committee were present.

 

In evaluating potential director candidates, the Nominating Committee considers the appropriate balance of experience, skills, and characteristics required of the Board of Directors, and seeks to ensure that at least a majority of the directors are independent under the applicable Listing Rules of NASDAQ.  The Nominating Committee selects director nominees based on their personal and professional integrity, depth and breadth of experience, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, understanding of our business, willingness to devote adequate attention and time to duties of the Board of Directors, and such other criteria as are deemed relevant by the Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee believes that the backgrounds and qualifications of the directors, considered as a group, should provide a diverse mix of experience, knowledge, and skills.

 

In identifying potential director candidates, the Nominating Committee relies on recommendations made by current directors and officers.  In addition, the Nominating Committee may engage a third party search firm to identify and recommend potential candidates.  Finally, the Nominating Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders.

 

Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Directors takes a key role in overseeing our risks.  The Board of Directors receives frequent timely reports of our financial performance, changes in and composition of balance sheet accounts, quality assurance program effectiveness, product liability risks and status of relationships with all business constituencies including customers, employees, suppliers and government entities.  The Audit Committee receives regular reports on our compliance with securities laws and communications with the SEC and shareholders.  The Audit Committee has established an independent whistleblower hot line to encourage early and anonymous reporting of accounting irregularities or other violations of our codes of ethics.  The Board of Directors routinely reviews our litigation threats, product/market strategies and operational activities.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to all of our employees, executive officers and directors, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer.  The Code of Ethics contains written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and includes provisions regarding ethical conduct, conflicts of interest, proper disclosure in all public communications, compliance with all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, and the prompt reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics and accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics.  A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.mesalabs.com/corporate/.

 

8



 

Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with one or more members of the Board of Directors by writing to all or one of the following: Audit Committee Chairman, Compensation Committee Chairman or Nominating Committee Chairman, c/o Corporate Secretary, Mesa Laboratories, Inc., 12100 West Sixth Avenue, Lakewood CO 80228.

 

OWNERSHIP OF EQUITY SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY

 

The following table sets forth the number of shares of our Common Stock owned beneficially as of March 31, 2013 (unless otherwise noted), by each person known by the Company to have owned beneficially more than five percent of such shares then outstanding, by each of our executive officers and directors, and by all of our executive officers and directors as a group.  This information gives effect to securities deemed outstanding pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  As far as is known, no person owns beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of March 31, 2013 except as set forth below.

 

 

 

Amount and Nature of Beneficial

 

Percentage of Class-

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Owner

 

Beneficially Owned

 

Luke R. Schmieder (1)

 

187,163

(3)

5.6

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D. (1)

 

107,935

(4)

3.1

 

Glenn E. Adriance (1)

 

21,650

(5)

0.6

 

H. Stuart Campbell (1)

 

77,458

(6)

2.3

 

Michael T. Brooks (1)

 

37,350

(7)

1.1

 

Robert V. Dwyer (1)

 

127,410

(8)

3.8

 

Evan C. Guillemin (1)

 

205,250

(9)(10)

6.1

 

David M. Kelly (1)

 

8,200

(11)

0.2

 

John V. Sakys(1)

 

 

 

FMR LLC (2)

 

317,500

 

9.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All executive officers and directors as a group (8 in number)

 

772,416

(12)

22.2

 

 


(1)               The business address is 12100 West Sixth Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80228.

(2)               The business address is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

(3)               Includes 7,675 shares which Mr. Schmieder has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(4)               Includes 83,000 shares which Mr. Sullivan has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(5)               Includes 6,525 shares which Mr. Adriance has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(6)               Includes 1,600 shares which Mr. Campbell has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(7)               Includes 11,150 shares which Mr. Brooks has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(8)               Includes 3,400 shares which Mr. Dwyer has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(9)               Includes 5,250 shares which Mr. Guillemin has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(10)        Includes 200,000 shares beneficially owned by SEG Ventures, LLC, of which Mr. Guillemin is a partner.

(11)        Includes 1,800 shares which Mr. Kelly has the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

(12)        Includes 121,500 shares that our executive officers and directors as a group have the right to acquire within 60 days by exercise of stock options.

 

9



 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than five percent of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our Common Stock.  Officers, directors and greater than five percent shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.  To our knowledge, based upon a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and based upon written representations that no other reports were required, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than five percent beneficial owners were complied with during the year ended March 31, 2013.

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

The names, addresses, ages and dates of appointment of the executive officers of the Company are:

 

Name and Address

 

Age

 

Office

 

Date Appointed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John. J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

12100 West Sixth Avenue

Lakewood, Colorado

 

60

 

Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer and Director

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John V. Sakys

12100 West Sixth Avenue

Lakewood, Colorado

 

44

 

Chief Financial and Chief Accounting Officer and Secretary

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn E. Adriance

12100 West Sixth Avenue

Lakewood, Colorado

 

59

 

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

 

2007

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D. was promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer and President, and appointed to the Board of Directors in March 2009.  Dr. Sullivan joined us in October 2004 in the role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and was promoted to the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer in 2006.  In 1988, Dr. Sullivan joined Varian, Inc. (a major analytical instrument manufacturer) and served in various capacities in Research and Development, Sales and Marketing Management and in Business Development until 2004.  In 1982, Dr. Sullivan joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Seattle District Laboratory as a Senior Research Scientist and worked there until 1988.  From 1976 until 1980, Dr. Sullivan was employed as an Analytical Chemist at BioMed Research Labs (an independent research and testing laboratory).  Dr. Sullivan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Western Washington University in 1976 and a Ph.D. degree in Food Science from the University of Washington in 1982.

 

John V. Sakys joined us in October 2012 as our Chief Financial Officer.  From 2009 through October 2012, Mr. Sakys held several positions with The Berry Company, LLC, and its predecessor company, Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc., most recently as its Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.  From 2001 to 2009, Mr. Sakys was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Isonics Corporation, a NASDAQ listed company based in the Denver area.  From September 2000 to April 2001, Mr. Sakys was Controller of AuraServ Communications.  From July 1998 to September 2000, Mr. Sakys was Director of Financial Reporting for Media One, Inc.  From December 1994 to July 1998, Mr. Sakys was an audit manager at Ernst and Young LLP.  Mr. Sakys received his Bachelors degree in Business Economics with an emphasis in accounting from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

Glenn E. Adriance joined us in October 2007.  From 2000 to 2007, Mr. Adriance was employed with two software firms, Lakeview Technology and Scientific Technologies Corporation as Global Business Partner Director and VP/COO/Executive Officer, respectively.  From 1983 until 2000, Mr. Adriance held various sales and marketing roles of increasing responsibility at IBM.  From 1981 to 1983, Mr. Adriance was employed at Sandia National Laboratories as a senior Business Systems Analyst responsible for various business systems that

 

10



 

were fundamental to Sandia’s operations.  Mr. Adriance received his Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from the University of Massachusetts in 1978 and his MBA from Colorado State University in 1981.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee supervises the executive compensation program for our NEOs.  The Compensation Committee has designed a compensation program for NEOs to attract, retain and motivate talent in our competitive market environment while focusing the executive team and the Company on the creation of long-term value for our shareholders.  The Compensation Committee has the authority to engage outside consultants or purchase compensation surveys, if needed, for evaluation of executive compensation levels.

 

Compensation Philosophy

 

NEO positions during the year ended March 31, 2013 included: Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and Vice President of Operations.  Other positions may be added as business conditions warrant.

 

We have designed our compensation programs for our NEOs to:

 

·                  attract and retain high performing and experienced executives;

 

·                  motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;

 

·                  align the interests of our executives and shareholders by motivating executives to increase shareholder value;

 

·                  foster a shared commitment among executives by coordinating their goals; and

 

·                  motivate our executives to manage our business to meet our short and long-term objectives, and reward them for meeting these objectives.

 

Our Compensation Committee administers four elements for NEOs: base salary (cash), short-term incentives (cash), long-term incentives (equity), and benefits.  The total compensation package reflects our “Pay for Performance” philosophy, which is to couple employee rewards with the interests of our shareholders.  We believe strongly that retention and motivation of successful employees is in the long-term interest of our shareholders.  The Compensation Committee targets the total compensation level to be competitive with comparable companies in terms of size (as measured by revenue and market capitalization), our industry segments and geographic locations.

 

Benchmarking

 

The Compensation Committee, with assistance from our executives if required, researches compensation levels by investigating comparable company records, purchasing third party compensation surveys or engaging compensation consultants.  The acquired data is evaluated by the Compensation Committee and is one factor in establishing compensation plans for the NEOs.

 

To help establish competitive compensation levels for the year ended March 31, 2013, the Compensation Committee examined executive compensation survey data, both base salaries and total cash compensation, from Economic Research Institute (“ERI”).  The survey data was tailored to include only those U.S. public companies in the “Instrument Manufacturing” segment with revenues between $20 — $50 million per year.  The ERI survey included 90 public companies in the data set used to establish compensation statistics.  This included companies that produced both medical devices and general electronic instruments, along with consumable supplies.  The data was further adjusted for the geographic location of each NEO.  The data from this analysis were used by the Compensation Committee as one factor in determining compensation levels for base salary and total compensation.

 

Determination of Target Compensation

 

For the year ended March 31, 2013, the Compensation Committee determined that an appropriate starting point for total compensation of our NEOs was approximately the 50th percentile level, compared to the data obtained from the

 

11



 

ERI survey.  The Compensation Committee used not only the data from the ERI survey, but also considered individual and team executive performance, along with our financial performance, as criteria to establish target compensation levels for each NEO.  From that analysis, and in consideration of our past and future expected financial performance, the Compensation Committee made adjustments to base salaries and target total compensation levels for each NEO that were implemented June 1, 2012.

 

Base Salary

 

Base salaries for NEOs are determined based upon job responsibilities, level of experience, individual performance and comparisons to the salaries of executives in similar positions from the ERI survey.

 

Short-term Incentive Plan

 

Each NEO participates in our Short-term Incentive Plan.  The Compensation Committee believes that it is in the best interest of our shareholders to have a substantial component of total compensation “at-risk” and dependent upon our financial performance.  For the purpose of the Short-term Incentive Plan, performance is measured by two variables: sales growth and profit growth.  These variables are considered by the Compensation Committee to be a reliable indicator for the creation of long-term shareholder value.  Bonus payouts under the Short-term Incentive Plan are tied directly to achievement of these sales and profit growth targets for the year.  If both the sales and profit growth targets are exceeded by a substantial margin, the maximum bonus payments are set at between 45% and 85% of the base salary for the various NEOs.  Of course, if our financial performance is poor, bonus payments could be at or near $0.  The Compensation Committee reserves the right to adjust payments under the Short-term Incentive Plan, in the case of unusual circumstances or events, or economic conditions in general.

 

We do not disclose the specific target sales and profit growth targets set forth in the Short-term Incentive Plan as we believe that the disclosure thereof would cause us competitive harm.  Because we are not disclosing these target objectives, we are stating our assessment of how likely it will be for these targets to be achieved by our NEOs.  Although achievement of our target objectives involves future performance and, therefore, is subject to uncertainties, the Compensation Committee believes it has established target objectives that are achievable with an appropriate amount of dedication and hard work and, therefore, it is more likely than not that each NEO will earn a bonus under the Short-term Incentive Plan.

 

Long-term Incentive Plan

 

The Compensation Committee believes that it is in the best interest of our shareholders to provide long-term incentive to each NEO with ownership of our stock.  Stock ownership by our NEOs directly ties their long-term compensation to the performance of our share price.  To achieve this goal, we make stock option grants to each NEO at the time of hire and on an annual basis under our stock compensation plan.  These grants are either incentive stock options with a term of five years and/or non-qualified stock options with a term of 10 years.  In either case, the grant price is set at 100% of the market price on the day of the grant and the options vest ratably over four years.  There are no performance or market conditions associated with the vesting of these stock options.  The number of stock options awarded is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

 

Other benefits

 

Our philosophy is to provide only those other benefits to our named executives that are consistent with those generally offered to all of our other employees.  As such, the NEOs have available various health, welfare and retirement (401(k)) benefits.

 

Employment and Change-in-Control Agreements.  We have provided certain of our NEOs with salary continuation agreements.  Severance payments will be made 1) in the event of an involuntary separation of service without cause or a voluntary separation of service with good reason or 2) immediately prior to, or within 24 months after, a change in control for an involuntary termination without cause or a voluntary termination for good reason.  Severance payments will be paid monthly for 12 months or 24 months, respectively, to include the individual’s then current monthly salary, and the same percentage of Company-paid health and life insurance benefits.  Additionally, all outstanding unvested stock options, and any other equity-based awards that may be granted in the future, will vest immediately with the exercise period extended to the full term of the option (in case 1 above, the acceleration is subject to discretion of the Board of Directors).

 

12



 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.  We have no nonqualified defined contribution or deferred compensation plans.

 

Post-Employment Compensation.  We have no defined benefit plans, supplemental executive retirement plans or actuarial plans.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Named Executive Officers

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in Item 402 of Regulation S-K defines NEOs to include: a) all individuals serving as the registrant’s principal executive officer (“PEO”); b) all individuals serving as the registrant’s principal financial officer (“PFO”); c) the registrant’s three most highly compensated executive officers other than the PEO and PFO; and d) up to two individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided but for the fact the individual was not serving as an executive officer at the end of the last completed fiscal year.  Bryan T. Leo is not an executive officer of the Company, but is included in the disclosures below as an NEO in accordance with SEC regulations.  Steven W. Peterson served as PFO until leaving the Company effective November 30, 2012.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table lists compensation awarded to or earned by our NEOs for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

Name and Principal
Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Option Awards ($)(2)

 

Non-equity Incentive Plan
Compensation ($)(1)

 

All Other Compensation ($)(3)

 

Total ($)

 

(a) 

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(f)

 

(g)

 

(i)

 

(j)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

2013

 

$

290,819

 

$

125,317

 

$

200,000

 

$

8,725

 

$

624,861

 

CEO and President

 

2012
2011

 

265,488
237,611

 

110,782
76,549

 

180,000
182,000

 

8,220
7,204

 

564,490
503,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John V. Sakys

 

2013

 

$

83,836

 

$

10,076

 

$

70,000

 

 

$

163,912

 

Chief Financial Officer
effective December 1, 2012

 

2012
2011

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn E. Adriance

 

2013

 

$

183,322

 

$

33,396

 

$

90,000

 

$

5,500

 

$

312,218

 

Chief Sales and Marketing
Officer

 

2012
2011

 

147,493
131,917

 

36,343
19,221

 

84,000
100,000

 

4,583
5,118

 

272,419
256,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven W. Peterson

 

2013

 

$

120,329

 

$

269,995

 

$

 

$

188,610

 

$

578,934

 

Chief Financial Officer
through November 30, 2012

 

2012
2011

 

175,321
146,611

 

36,343
16,031

 

70,000
114,000

 

5,440
4,765

 

287,104
281,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryan T. Leo

 

2013

 

$

117,123

 

$

13,057

 

$

49,313

 

$

3,514

 

$

183,007

 

Vice President of
Operations

 

2012
2011

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

13



 


(1)             This column represents compensation to NEOs under our Short-term Incentive Plan.  These amounts are included for the year earned, not when paid.

(2)             This column reflects the stock-based compensation expense recognized during the year for each NEO for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.  We calculated these amounts in accordance with the provisions of ASC Section 718 — Compensation — Stock Compensation, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  Effective November 30, 2012, as part of the negotiated separation agreement with Steven W. Peterson, 14,400 unvested options were modified to a) extend the expiration date to 10 years following the original grant date, b) allow them to be exercised through their expiration date, and c) accelerate the vesting such that all options will vest by November 30, 2014.  This was a modification of the terms of an equity award and, accordingly, we treated this as an exchange of the original award for a new award.  We recorded incremental compensation expense of approximately $240,000 for the year ended March 31, 2013.

(3)             This column represents 401(k) matching funds.  For Steven W. Peterson, it also includes a separation payment equivalent to one year of salary, recognized fully in our statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2013, but to be paid out over 12 months.

 

Grant of Plan-based Awards

 

 

 

 

 

Estimated future payments
under non-equity incentive plan awards
(1)

 

All other
option
awards:
Number of
securities

 

Exercise
or base
price
of option

 

Grant
date fair
value of
stock and

 

Name

 

Grant Date

 

Threshold
($)

 

Target
($)

 

Maximum
($)

 

underlying
options

 

awards
($/Sh)

 

option
awards

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(d)

 

(e)

 

(j)

 

(k)

 

(l)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

4/2/2012

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

$

50.50

 

$

14.03

 

 

 

5/1/2012

 

 

$

187,500

 

$

250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John V. Sakys

 

10/29/2012

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

48.72

 

13.97

 

 

 

5/1/2012

 

$

70,000

 

70,000

 

70,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn E. Adriance

 

4/2/2012

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

50.50

 

14.03

 

 

 

5/1/2012

 

 

105,000

 

140,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven W. Peterson

 

4/2/2012

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

50.50

 

14.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryan T. Leo

 

4/23/2012

 

 

 

 

3,100

 

50.32

 

13.76

 

 

 

4/23/2012

 

 

 

 

1,900

 

50.32

 

11.65

 

 

 

5/1/2012

 

 

45,000

 

60,000

 

 

 

 

 


(1)         This section represents compensation to NEOs under our Short-term Incentive Plan.  These amounts are included for the year earned, not when paid.  These awards are based on growth in total revenue, and total net income adjusted for amortization of intangible assets net of tax, adjusted for unusual items, weighted evenly between these two factors.

 

14



 

Outstanding Equity Awards at March 31, 2013

 

Name

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable

 

Option
Exercise
Price ($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

(e)

 

(f)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Sullivan

 

4,500

 

1,500

 

$

16.60

 

4/1/2014

 

 

 

1,950

 

1,950

 

25.56

 

4/1/2015

 

 

 

30,000

 

 

15.44

 

3/20/2016

 

 

 

20,000

 

20,000

 

18.98

 

5/11/2017

 

 

 

1,100

 

 

21.93

 

4/1/2018

 

 

 

1,500

 

500

 

16.60

 

4/1/2019

 

 

 

3,050

 

3,050

 

25.56

 

4/1/2020

 

 

 

2,200

 

6,600

 

29.20

 

4/6/2021

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

50.50

 

4/2/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John V. Sakys

 

 

8,000

 

$

48.72

 

10/29/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn E. Adriance

 

 

1,000

 

$

16.60

 

4/1/2014

 

 

 

 

1,950

 

25.56

 

4/1/2015

 

 

 

800

 

 

16.60

 

10/1/2017

 

 

 

275

 

550

 

25.56

 

4/1/2020

 

 

 

1,100

 

3,300

 

29.20

 

4/6/2021

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

50.50

 

4/2/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven W. Peterson

 

 

1,000

 

$

16.60

 

4/1/2019

 

 

 

 

2,500

 

25.56

 

4/1/2020

 

 

 

1,100

 

3,300

 

29.20

 

4/6/2021

 

 

 

 

4,000

 

50.50

 

4/2/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryan T. Leo

 

 

1,900

 

$

50.32

 

4/23/2017

 

 

 

 

3,100

 

50.32

 

4/23/2022

 

 

15



 

Options Exercised During the Year Ended March 31, 2013

 

Name

 

Number of
Shares Acquired
upon Exercise (#)

 

Value Realized
On Exercise (1)

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

4,300

 

$

128,613

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John V. Sakys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn E. Adriance

 

3,850

 

$

113,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven W. Peterson

 

8,200

 

$

259,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryan T. Leo

 

 

 

 


(1)         Determined by multiplying the number of options that were exercised during the year ended March 31, 2013 by the difference between the per share closing price of our Common Stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the options, but not including any tax impact incurred in connection with such exercise.

 

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control

 

 

 

Salary
Continuation
upon
Termination (1)

 

Salary
Continuation
upon Change in
Control (1)

 

Value of Equity
Awards Received
or to be Received
(2)

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

$

295,000

 

$

590,000

 

$

1,065,396

 

John V. Sakys

 

200,000

 

400,000

 

36,014

 

Glenn E. Adriance

 

190,000

 

380,000

 

194,698

 

 


(1)                                 This amount is based on the NEO’s salary at March 31, 2013.

 

(2)                                 The value of accelerating these unvested stock options was calculated by multiplying the number of shares underlying the NEO’s unvested stock options that were in-the-money at March 31, 2013 by the difference between the weighted average exercise price for options in-the-money at March 31, 2013, and our closing price per share on March 28, 2013 (the last trading day of the period).

 

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Plan-Based Awards Table

 

See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The members of the Compensation Committee have analyzed and discussed with management the information contained above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K. The Committee believes this information to be a full and accurate analysis of the Company’s compensation philosophy and recommended its inclusion by reference in the Company’s Form 10-K filing.

 

The foregoing report is given by the following members of the Compensation Committee:

 

The Compensation Committee

 

Michael T. Brooks

H. Stuart Campbell

Evan C. Guillemin

David M. Kelly, Committee Chairman

Luke R. Schmieder

 

16



 

ITEM 2

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was enacted in July 2010, and Section 14A of the Exchange Act require that we allow our shareholders the opportunity to vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as set forth in this Proxy Statement.  The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of executive compensation.  Instead, the vote relates to the executive compensation of our named executive officers, as set forth in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  This vote is advisory and not binding on our Company or our Board of Directors, but in the event of any significant vote against this proposal, the Compensation Committee will consider whether any actions are appropriate to respond to shareholder concerns.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting for this proposal is required to approve this proposal.

 

We are asking shareholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the Executive Compensation section.

 

We have designed our compensation programs to:

 

·                  attract and retain high performing and experienced executives;

 

·                  motivate and reward executives whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;

 

·                  align the interests of our executives and shareholders by motivating executives to increase shareholder value;

 

·                  foster a shared commitment among executives by coordinating their goals; and

 

·                  motivate our executives to manage our business to meet our short and long-term objectives, and reward them for meeting these objectives.

 

We urge shareholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures are designed to achieve our compensation objectives, as well as the Executive Compensation section and related compensation tables and narrative, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our named executive officers.  The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our named executive officers reported in this Proxy Statement has supported and contributed to our success.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

 

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ITEM 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF

FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Exchange Act also require that we allow our shareholders the opportunity to vote on their preference as to how frequently we should seek future shareholder advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers. This vote also is advisory, which means that it is not binding on our Company or our Board of Directors. When voting on this proposal, shareholders may indicate whether they would prefer that we conduct future shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation once every one, two or three years.

 

The Board of Directors has determined that a three-year shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation is the most appropriate alternative for the Company and will allow our shareholders to provide meaningful input on the Company’s executive compensation practices.  Therefore, the Board recommends that you vote for a three-year interval for the shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation.

 

This vote is advisory and not binding on our Company or our Board of Directors, but in the event that a frequency other than three years receives the highest number of votes cast, the Board of Directors will consider whether any actions are appropriate to respond to shareholder concerns.

 

Accordingly, our Board of Directors asks our shareholders to vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders determine, on an advisory basis, whether the preferred frequency of a shareholder advisory vote on the executive compensation of the Company’s named executive officers should be every one year, two years or three years.”

 

The proxy card provides shareholders with the opportunity to choose among four voting options: holding the advisory vote every one, two or three years or abstaining from voting. Therefore, shareholders will not be voting directly to approve or disapprove the Board of Directors’ recommendation.

 

Although the vote is not binding, the Board of Directors will consider the voting results in determining the frequency of future advisory votes.  Notwithstanding the Board of Director’s recommendation and the outcome of the shareholder vote, the Board of Directors may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with shareholders and the adoption of material changes to compensation programs.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that future advisory votes on executive compensation occur every three years.  Because our executive compensation programs are designed to reward long-term performance and operate over a period of years, shareholders should evaluate how our programs perform over the long term.  Also, an advisory vote every three years provides an appropriate period for the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors to evaluate the results of the most recent advisory vote on executive compensation and to develop and implement any appropriate adjustments to our executive compensation programs.  Conducting an advisory vote every three years would provide shareholders a meaningful opportunity to provide regular feedback and sufficient time for us to respond to it.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS THAT THEY VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE OPTION OF THREE YEARS AS THE PREFERRED FREQUENCY FOR A SHAREHOLDER ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

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ITEM 4

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EKS&H LLLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

The Audit Committee has again selected EKS&H LLLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending March 31, 2014.  Although it is not required to do so, our Board of Directors wishes to submit the appointment of EKS&H LLLP for shareholder ratification at the Annual Meeting.  Even if the appointment is ratified by our shareholders, the Audit Committee may in its sole discretion change the appointment at any time during the year, if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our Company and our shareholders.  A representative of EKS&H LLLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of EKS&H LLLP, our Board of Directors will reconsider its selection.

 

EKS&H LLLP, Denver, Colorado, has conducted the audits of our accounting records since 1986 and the Board of Directors has selected the same firm to audit our accounting records for the year ending March 31, 2014.

 

The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by EKS&H LLLP, our principal accountant, for the audit of our financial statements, and the fees for other services:

 

 

 

Year ended March 31,

 

Type of Fees

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Annual audit and quarterly reviews

 

$

183,910

 

$

126,112

 

$

122,500

 

Audit-related fees — acquisitions

 

117,127

 

 

98,114

 

Tax fees

 

25,625

 

15,500

 

22,020

 

All other fees

 

20,899

 

81,492

 

20,598

 

Total

 

$

347,561

 

$

223,104

 

$

263,232

 

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS THAT THEY VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EKS&H LLLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2014.

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee is composed of five non-employee directors of the Company.  All members are independent as defined under the NASDAQ Listing Rules.  The Audit Committee held six meetings during the year ended March 31, 2013.  The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors.

 

In connection with the March 31, 2013, financial statements, the Audit Committee (1) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management; (2) discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61; (3) received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and (4) discussed with the independent accountant their independence.

 

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

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Michael T. Brooks

H. Stuart Campbell

Evan C. Guillemin, Committee Chairman

David M. Kelly

Luke R. Schmieder

 

PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Any shareholder of record of the Company who desires to submit a proper proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials relating to the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must do so in writing and it must be received at our principal executive offices by March 31, 2014.  The proponent must be a record or beneficial owner entitled to vote at the next Annual Meeting on his proposal and must continue to own such security entitling him to vote through the date on which the meeting is held.

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

The Annual Report to Shareholders concerning the operations of the Company during the year ended March 31, 2013, including audited financial statements for the year then ended, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013 are available on our website at www.mesalabs.com.  The Annual Report to Shareholders is not incorporated in the Proxy Statement and is not to be considered a part of the soliciting material.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Our management is not aware of any matters which are to be presented at the meeting, nor has it been advised that other persons will present any such matters.  However, if other matters properly come before the meeting, the individual named in the accompanying proxy shall vote on such matters in accordance with his best judgment.

 

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AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, WE WILL PROVIDE, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, TO EACH SHAREHOLDER OF RECORD OR TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO OWNED OUR COMMON STOCK LISTED IN THE NAME OF A BANK OR BROKER, AS NOMINEE, AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON AUGUST 13, 2013.  ANY REQUEST BY A SHAREHOLDER FOR OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K SHOULD BE MAILED TO OUR SECRETARY, MESA LABORATORIES, INC., 12100 WEST SIXTH AVENUE, LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228.

 

The above Notice and Proxy Statement are sent by order of the Board of Directors.

 

 

/s/ John J. Sullivan

 

 

 

John J. Sullivan, Ph.D.

 

August 23, 2013

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

MESA LABORATORIES, INC.

TO BE HELD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013

 

The undersigned hereby appoints Luke R. Schmieder as the lawful agent and Proxy of the undersigned (with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, including full power of substitution), and hereby authorizes him to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of Common Stock of Mesa Laboratories, Inc. held of record by the undersigned as of the close of business on August 13, 2013, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, October 3, 2013, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

o

FOR all nominees listed below

o

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

 

(except as marked to the contrary below)

 

(to vote for all nominees listed below)

 

L. Schmieder

H. Campbell

M. Brooks

R. Dwyer

E. Guillemin

J. Sullivan

D. Kelly

 

(INSTRUCTION:  To withhold authority to vote for any nominees, write the nominees’ names on the space provided below.)

 

2.  To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the Executive Compensation section of our Proxy Statement.

 

o  FOR

o  AGAINST

o  ABSTAIN

 

3.  Advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation.

 

o  1 Year

o  2 Years

o  3 Years

o  ABSTAIN

 

4.  To ratify the appointment of EKS&H LLLP (“EKS&H”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending March 31, 2014 (the “Ratification of Auditors Proposal”).

 

o  FOR

o  AGAINST

o  ABSTAIN

 

In his or her discretion, the Proxy is authorized to vote upon any matters which may properly come before the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

It is understood that when properly executed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder.  WHERE NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED BY THE SHAREHOLDER, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS PROPOSED IN ITEM (1), FOR APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROPOSED IN ITEM (2), FOR CONDUCTING ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION EVERY THREE YEARS PROPOSED IN ITEM (3); AND FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF EKS&H PROPOSED IN ITEM (4).

 

The undersigned hereby revokes all previous proxies relating to the shares covered hereby and confirms all that said proxy or his substitutes may do by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature if held jointly

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE

 

o  PLEASE CHECK THIS BOX IF YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING

 

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