SCHEDULE 14A
Information Required in Proxy Statement
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant
þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
o
Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ
Definitive Proxy Statement
o
Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
SUPERCONDUCTIVE COMPONENTS, 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):
þ
No fee required.
o
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2)
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3)
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
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Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
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how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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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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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3)
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Filing Party:
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(4)
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Date Filed:
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SUPERCONDUCTIVE COMPONENTS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held
June 9, 2006
and
PROXY STATEMENT
IMPORTANT
Please mark, sign and date your proxy
and promptly return it in the enclosed envelope.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Superconductive Components, Inc.
2839 Charter Street
Columbus, Ohio 43228
(614) 486-0261
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 9, 2006
May 1, 2006
To Our Shareholders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Superconductive Components, Inc. (the Company) will be
held at the offices of the Company located at 2839 Charter Street, Columbus, Ohio 43228, on Friday,
June 9, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
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1.
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To elect five directors of the Company, each to serve for terms expiring at the
next Annual Meeting of Shareholders;
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2.
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To approve and adopt the Companys 2006 Stock Incentive Plan;
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3.
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To ratify the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm
for the year ending December 31, 2006; and
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4.
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To transact any other business which may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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The Board of Directors has fixed April 21, 2006, as the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment thereof. A
list of shareholders will be available for examination by any shareholder at the annual meeting and
for a period of 10 days before the annual meeting at the executive offices of the Company.
You will be most welcome at the annual meeting and we hope you can attend. Directors and
officers of the Company and representatives of its registered independent public accounting firm
are expected to be present to answer your questions and to discuss the Companys business.
We urge you to execute and return the enclosed proxy as soon as possible so that your shares
may be voted in accordance with your wishes. If you attend the annual meeting, you may cast your
vote in person and your proxy will not be used. If your shares are held in an account at a
brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct them on how to vote your shares.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Daniel Rooney
President, Chief Executive Officer, and
Chairman of the Board of Directors
PLEASE SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY
IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE
NO POSTAGE NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES
SUPERCONDUCTIVE COMPONENTS, INC.
2839 Charter Street
Columbus, Ohio 43228
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
This proxy statement is furnished to the shareholders of Superconductive Components, Inc., an
Ohio corporation (the Company), in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be used in
voting at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the principal executive offices of the
Company located at 2839 Charter Street, Columbus, Ohio 43228 on June 9, 2006 at 9:30 a.m., and at
any adjournment or postponement thereof (the Annual Meeting). The enclosed proxy is being
solicited by the Companys Board of Directors. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy will be
first sent or given to the Companys shareholders on
approximately May 1, 2006.
The Company will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies, including the charges and
expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding solicitation material to beneficial owners of
stock. Representatives of the Company may solicit proxies by mail, telegram, telephone, fax, or
personal interview.
The shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted as directed if the proxy is
properly signed and received by the Company prior to the Annual Meeting. If no directions are made
to the contrary, the proxy will be voted
FOR
the election of Daniel Rooney, Robert J. Baker, Jr.,
Walter J. Doyle, Robert H. Peitz, and Edward W. Ungar as directors of the Company and, at the
discretion of persons acting under the proxy, to approve and adopt the Companys 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan, to ratify the selection of Hausser + Taylor LLC as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2006 and to transact such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Any shareholder voting
the accompanying proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before its exercise by giving notice
of revocation to the Company, by duly executing and delivering to the Company a proxy card bearing
a later date, or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
Holders of record of the Companys common stock at the close of business on April 21, 2006
will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. At that time, the Company had 3,425,915
shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of the Companys common
stock outstanding on the record date entitles the holder to one vote on each matter submitted at
the Annual Meeting.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Companys
common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual
Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence
or absence of a quorum. Broker non-votes occur when brokers, who hold their customers shares in
street name, sign and submit proxies for such shares and vote such shares on some matters, but not
others. Typically, this would occur when brokers have not received any instructions from their
customers, in which case the brokers, as the holders of record, are permitted to vote on routine
matters, which typically include the election of directors.
The proposal to ratify the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm for
the year ending December 31, 2006, is considered a routine matter and broker/dealers who hold their
customers shares in street name may, under the applicable rules of the exchanges and other
self-regulatory organizations of which such broker/dealers are members, sign and submit proxies for
such shares and may vote such shares on this matter. The proposal to approve and adopt the
Companys 2006 Stock Incentive Plan is not considered a routine matter and broker/dealers who hold
their customers shares in street name may not vote such shares on this matter.
The election of the director nominees requires the favorable vote of a plurality of all votes
cast by the holders of the Companys common stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
Proxies that are marked Withhold Authority and broker non-votes will not be counted toward such
nominees achievement of a plurality and thus will have no effect. Each other matter to be
submitted to the shareholders for approval or ratification at the Annual Meeting requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Companys common stock present and entitled to
vote on the matter. For purposes of determining the number of shares of the Companys common stock
voting on the matter, abstentions will be counted and will have the effect of a negative vote;
broker non-votes will not be counted and thus will have no effect.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Companys Restated Code of Regulations provides that the number of directors shall be
fixed by the Board. The total number of authorized directors currently is fixed at five. The
nominees for director, if elected, will serve for one-year terms expiring at the next Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. Daniel Rooney, Robert J. Baker, Jr., Walter J. Doyle, Robert H. Peitz,
and Edward W. Ungar currently serve as directors of the Company and are being nominated by the
Board of Directors for re-election as directors.
It is intended that, unless otherwise directed, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy
will be voted
FOR
the election of Messrs. Rooney, Baker, Doyle, Peitz, and Ungar as directors. In
the event that any nominee for director should become unavailable, the number of directors of the
Company may be decreased pursuant to the Restated Code of Regulations or the Board of Directors may
designate a substitute nominee, in which event the shares represented by the enclosed proxy will be
voted for such substitute nominee.
The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the election of the nominees
for director.
The following table sets forth for each nominee for director of the Company, such persons
name, age, and his position with the Company:
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Name
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Age
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Position
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Daniel Rooney
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52
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President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors
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Robert J. Baker, Jr.
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66
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Director
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Walter J. Doyle
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71
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Director
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Robert H. Peitz
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45
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Director
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Edward W. Ungar
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69
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Director
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Daniel Rooney
has served as a Director of the Company since joining the Company in March 2002
as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Rooney was elected as the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company on January 8, 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rooney was General
Manager for Johnson Matthey, Color and Coatings Division, Structural Ceramics Sector North America
from 1994 to 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Rooney held various management positions at TAM Ceramics,
Inc., a Cookson Group Company.
Robert J. Baker, Jr., Ph.D.
has served as a Director of the Company since 1992. Dr. Baker is
the president and founder of Venture Resources International and the co-founder of Business Owners
Consulting Group, which assist companies in the development of growth strategies, including
marketing position and competitive strategies. Dr. Baker is currently a visiting member of the
Capital University faculty serving the MBA program.
2
Edward W. Ungar
has been a Director of the Company since 1990. Mr. Ungar is the President and
founder of Taratec Corporation, a technology business-consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to
forming Taratec Corporation in 1986, Mr. Ungar was an executive with Battelle Memorial Institute.
Walter J. Doyle
has served as a Director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Doyle is the
President of Forest Capital, an angel capital firm. Previously, Mr. Doyle was President and CEO of
Industrial Data Technologies Corp. for 21 years. Mr. Doyle earned an Electrical Engineering degree
from City College of New York (CCNY) and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.
Robert
H. Peitz
has served as a Director of the Company since 2004.
Mr Peitz is a private investor. Mr. Peitz was a managing director and head of financial markets for
PB Capital. Mr. Peitzs 15 years of experience at PB Capital include 10 years as Treasurer. Mr.
Peitz is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Mr.
Peitz also has an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management. He also
attended the European Business School and completed the Executive Development Program at the
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Meetings and Compensation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Company had a total of nine meetings during the year ended
December 31, 2005. During 2005, no director attended fewer than
75% of the meetings of the Board
of Directors held during the period for which he has been a director. Additionally, no director
attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of
Directors on which he served (during the periods that he served). Directors who are employed by
the Company receive no compensation for serving as directors.
As compensation for their service as directors of the Company, non-employee directors
periodically receive grants of stock options with an exercise price equal to the fair market value
of the Companys common stock on the date of grant and a ten-year term. Directors are also
reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. On March 7, 2005, each of Messrs. Baker,
Jr., Doyle, Peitz and Ungar received an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock of the
Company, exercisable immediately and expiring 10 years from the date of grant at a price of $2.40
per share. On December 16, 2005, each of Messrs. Baker, Jr., Doyle, Peitz and Ungar received an
option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock of the Company, exercisable on December 16, 2006
and expiring 10 years from the date of grant at a price of $4.00 per share.
It is the Companys expectation that all members of the Board of Directors attend the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. All members of the Companys Board of Directors were present at the
Companys 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, except Dr. Baker.
Shareholder Communication
The Companys Board of Directors welcomes communications from shareholders. Shareholders may
send communications to the Board of Directors or to any director in particular, c/o Gerald S.
Blaskie, Superconductive Components, Inc., 2839 Charter Street, Columbus, Ohio 43228. Any
correspondence addressed to the Board of Directors or to any one of the Companys directors in care
of the Companys offices will be forwarded to the addressee without review by management.
3
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Company has an Audit Committee and a Stock Option and Compensation Committee (the
Compensation Committee). The purpose of the Audit Committee is to pre-approve all auditing and
permitted non-audit services performed by the Companys registered independent public accounting
firm. The Audit Committee also receives reports from the Companys registered independent public
accounting firm as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Chairman of
the Audit Committee is Mr. Ungar, and the members are Messrs. Baker and Doyle. The Audit Committee
met three times during 2005. The Board of Directors has not adopted a charter for the Audit
Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Doyle and Ungar qualify as audit
committee financial experts as that term is defined in Item 401(e) of Regulation S-B. Messrs.
Doyle and Ungar and Dr. Baker each meet the criteria for audit committee independence as defined in
NASDAQ Rule 4350, and Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors reviews executive compensation and
administers the Companys stock incentive and incentive compensation performance plans. The
Chairman of the Compensation Committee is Dr. Baker and the members are Messrs. Doyle and Ungar.
The Compensation Committee met twice during 2005.
Due to the limited size of the Companys Board of Directors, the Board of Directors has
determined that it is not necessary to establish a nominating committee. Nominations for directors
are considered by the entire Board of Directors. The directors take a critical role in guiding the
strategic direction and oversee the management of the Company. Director candidates are considered
based on various criteria, such as their broad based business and professional skills and
experiences, a global business and social perspective, concern for long term interests of
shareholders, and personal integrity and judgment. In addition, directors must have available time
to devote to Board activities and to enhance their knowledge of the industry.
Accordingly, we seek to attract and retain highly qualified directors who have sufficient time
to attend to their substantial duties and responsibilities to the Company. Recent developments in
corporate governance and financial reporting have resulted in an increased demand for such highly
qualified and productive public company directors.
The Board of Directors will consider the recommendations of shareholders regarding potential
director candidates. In order for shareholder recommendations regarding possible director
candidates to be considered by the Board of Directors:
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such recommendations must be provided to the Board of Directors c/o Gerald S.
Blaskie, Superconductive Components, Inc., 2839 Charter Street, Columbus, Ohio 43228,
in writing at least 120 days prior to the date of the next scheduled annual meeting;
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the nominating shareholder must meet the eligibility requirements to submit a valid
shareholder proposal under Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended; and
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the shareholder must describe the qualifications, attributes, skills or other
qualities of the recommended director candidate.
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4
REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee consults with our Chief Financial Officer and other key members of our
management and with our independent auditors with regard to the plan of audit; reviews, in
consultation with the independent auditors, their report of audit, or proposed report of audit and
the accompanying management letter, if any; and consults with our Chief Financial Officer and other
key members of our management and with our independent auditors with regard to the adequacy of the
internal accounting controls.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee selected Hausser + Taylor LLC as our
independent accountants for purposes of auditing our financial statements for 2005. The Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors our audited
financial statements; discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed
by Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61; received the written disclosures and
the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1;
and discussed with the independent accountants their independence from our Company.
Based on the reviews and discussions with management and Hausser + Taylor LLC, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that our audited consolidated financial statements
be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Board of Directors evaluated the independence of each member of the Audit Committee. As
part of its evaluation, the Board of Directors determined, in the exercise of its business
judgment, that Messrs. Ungar and Doyle, and Dr. Baker are independent under Rule 4350(d) of the
Nasdaq Stock Market and are financially literate each in his own capacity.
Based upon its work and the information received in the inquiries outlined above, the Audit
Committee is satisfied that its responsibilities for the period ended December 31, 2005, were met
and that our financial reporting and audit processes are functioning effectively.
Submitted by the Audit Committee
of the Board of Directors:
Robert J. Baker, Jr.
Walter J. Doyle
Edward W. Ungar
Executive Officers
In addition to Mr. Rooney, the following persons serve as executive officers of the Company:
Gerald S. Blaskie
, age 48, has served as the Companys Chief Financial Officer since April
2001. On March 2, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed Mr. Blaskie to the
position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Blaskie
was the Controller at Cable Link, Inc. from February 2000 to March 2001. From 1997 to 2000, he was
the Plant Manager at Central Ohio Plastics Corporation, where he also served as Controller from
1993 to 1997.
Scott Campbell
,
Ph.D
., age 48, has served as the Companys Vice President of Technology since
March 2005. Dr. Campbell served as the Companys Vice-President of Research and Engineering from
July 2004 to March 2005. Dr. Campbell joined the Company in July 2002 as the Companys Technical
Director. Prior to joining the Company, he was Senior Research Manager at Oxynet, Inc. for five
years.
Michael K. Barna
, age 48, has served as Vice President, Sales-Photonics, since March 2, 2006.
Mr. Barna joined the Company as Director of Sales and Marketing in January 2004. Prior to joining
the Company Mr. Barna had more than 20 years of experience in thin film sales, including major
account sales of Physical Vapor Deposition equipment, high purity targets and evaporation materials
for these systems, hybrid microelectronic, telecommunications, and the commercial glass coating
markets. Mr Barna served as National Sales Manager for Aerosflex
Corporation from March 2001 until January 2003. From January 1,
2003, until the date he joined the Company, Mr. Barna served as
the director of product management for Liquid Metal Technologies.
Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at its discretion.
5
Ownership of Common Stock by Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2006, the beneficial ownership of the
Companys common stock by each of the Companys directors, each executive officer named in the
Summary Compensation Table, and by all directors and executive officers as a group.
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Number of Shares
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Percentage of
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Name of Beneficial Owner
(1)
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Beneficially Owned
(2)
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Class
(3)
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Robert H. Peitz
(4)
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301,790
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8.6
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%
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Daniel Rooney
(5)
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132,300
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3.7
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%
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Walter J. Doyle
(6)
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96,600
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2.8
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%
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Robert J. Baker, Jr.
(7)
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61,413
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1.8
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%
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Edward W. Ungar
(8)
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42,550
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1.2
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%
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All directors and executive officers as
a group (8 persons)
(9)
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804,653
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20.5
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%
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(1)
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The address of all directors and executive officers is c/o Superconductive
Components, Inc., 2839 Charter Street, Columbus, Ohio 43228.
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(2)
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For purposes of the above table, a person is considered to beneficially own any
shares with respect to which he exercises sole or shared voting or investment power or as to which
he has the right to acquire the beneficial ownership within 60 days of March 31, 2006. Unless
otherwise indicated, voting power and investment power are exercised solely by the person named
above or shared with members of his or her household.
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(3)
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Percentage of Class is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially
owned by the total number of outstanding shares of the Company on March 31, 2006, plus the number
of shares such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
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(4)
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Includes 100,962 common shares, which may be acquired by Mr. Peitz under stock
options and stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
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(5)
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Includes 125,000 common shares, which may be acquired by Mr. Rooney under stock
options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
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(6)
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Includes 14,250 common shares, which may be acquired by Mr. Doyle under stock
purchase options and stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
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(7)
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Includes 41,000 common shares, which may be acquired by Dr. Baker under stock
options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006, and 16,603 shares which are held in Dr.
Bakers IRA.
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(8)
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Includes 41,000 common shares, which may be acquired by Mr. Ungar under stock
options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
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(9)
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Includes 492,212 common shares, which may be acquired under stock options and stock
purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
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6
Ownership of Common Stock by Principal Shareholders
The following table sets forth information as of March 31, 2006, relating to the beneficial
ownership of common stock by each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of
the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.
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Number of Shares
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Percentage of
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Name of Beneficial Owner
(1)
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Beneficially Owned
(2)
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Class
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Curtis A.
Loveland
(4)
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1,225,064
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33.5
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%
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The Estate of Ingeborg V. Funk
(5)
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462,852
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13.2
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%
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The Estate of Edward R. Funk
(6)
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437,256
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12.3
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%
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Thomas G. Berlin
(7)
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406,250
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11.6
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%
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Windcom Investments SA
(8)
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335,205
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9.7
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%
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Lake Street Fund L.P.
(9)
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312,500
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9.0
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%
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Robert H. Peitz
(10)
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301,790
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8.6
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%
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Berlin Capital Growth L.P.
(11)
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281,250
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8.1
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%
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Mid South Investor Fund L.P.
(12)
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250,000
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7.2
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%
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(1)
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The address of Curtis A. Loveland is c/o Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP, 41
South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The address of the Estates of Ingeborg and Edward Funk is
c/o Curtis A. Loveland, Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio
43215. The address of Thomas G. Berlin is c/o Berlin Financial Ltd., 1325 Carnegie Avenue,
Cleveland, Ohio 44115. The address of Windcom Investments SA is Corso Elvezia 25, 6900 Lugan, CH.
The address of Lake Street Fund L.P. is 600 South Lake Avenue, Suite 100, Pasadena, California
91106. The address of Robert H. Peitz is c/o Superconductive Components, Inc., 2839 Charter
Street, Columbus, Ohio 43228. The address of Berlin Capital Fund, L.P. is c/o Thomas G. Berlin,
Berlin Financial Ltd., 1325 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. The address of Mid South
Investor Fund L.P. is 1776 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 412 North, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
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(2)
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For purposes of this table, a person is considered to beneficially own any shares
with respect to which he or she exercises sole or shared voting or investment power or as to which
he or she has the right to acquire the beneficial ownership within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
Unless otherwise indicated, voting power and investment power are exercised solely by the person
named above or shared with members of his or her household.
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(3)
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|
Percentage of Class is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially
owned by the total number of outstanding shares of the Company on March 31, 2006, plus the number
of shares such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
|
|
(4)
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|
Includes (i) 41,000 shares of common stock which can be acquired by Mr. Loveland
under stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006; (ii) 437,256 shares of common
stock beneficially owned by Mr. Loveland as the executor of the Estate of Edward R. Funk, of which
127,900 shares of common stock can be acquired by Mr. Loveland on behalf of the estate under stock
options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006; (iii) 462,852 shares of common
stock beneficially owned by Mr. Loveland as the executor of the Estate of Ingeborg V. Funk, of
which 87,500 shares of common stock can be acquired by Mr. Loveland on behalf of the estate under
stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006; and (iv) 283,756 shares
beneficially owned by Mr. Loveland as the trustee of generation-skipping irrevocable trusts
established by Edward R. and Ingeborg V. Funk.
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(5)
|
|
Includes 87,500 shares of common stock, which can be acquired by The Estate of
Ingeborg V. Funk under stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006. Mr.
Loveland holds the voting and investment power for the shares of common stock owned by the Estate
of Ingeborg V. Funk.
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(6)
|
|
Includes 127,900 shares of common stock, which can be acquired by The Estate of
Edward R. Funk under stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006. Mr.
Loveland holds the voting and investment power for the shares of common stock held by the Estate of
Edward R. Funk.
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7
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(7)
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Mr. Berlins ownership includes 281,250 shares of common stock beneficially owned by
Berlin Capital Growth L.P., of which 52,083 shares of common stock can be acquired under stock
purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006. Mr. Berlin has shared voting and
dispositive power over the shares of common stock in this limited partnership as the controlling
principal of Berlin Capital Growth L.P. Mr. Berlins ownership also includes 20,833 shares of
common stock, which can be acquired by Mr. Berlin under stock purchase warrants exercisable within
60 days of March 31, 2006.
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(8)
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|
Based on the Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2005, Dr. Karl Kohlbrenner, CEO of
Windcom Investments SA, has voting and dispositive power over the shares of common stock on behalf
of the Company. Windcom Investments SAs ownership includes 20,286 shares of common stock, which
can be acquired by Windcom Investments SA under stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days
of March 31, 2006.
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(9)
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|
Includes 62,500 shares of common stock, which can be acquired by Lake Street Fund
L.P. under stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
|
|
(10)
|
|
Includes 100,962 shares of common stock, which can be acquired by Mr. Peitz under
stock options and stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
|
|
(11)
|
|
Includes 52,083 shares of common stock, which can be acquired by Berlin Capital
Growth L.P. under stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
|
|
(12)
|
|
Includes 50,000 shares of common stock, which can be acquired by Mid South Investor
Fund L.P. under stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006.
|
Executive Compensation
The following summary compensation table sets forth information regarding compensation paid
during each of the Companys last three years to the Companys Chief Executive Officer, who is the
Companys only executive officer whose combined salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 for the year
ended December 31, 2005 (the Named Executive Officer). Mr. Rooney has an employment contract
that entitles him to 100% of his compensation for six months following his termination without
cause. Following the initial six-month period after his termination, Mr. Rooney is also entitled
to receive six months of pay at a rate of 50% of his compensation at the time of his termination.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation
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|
Long-Term Compensation
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Underlying
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Award
|
|
Options
|
|
Compensation
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
|
|
Daniel Rooney
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
$
|
140,000
|
|
|
$
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
President, Chief Executive
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
$
|
137,172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officer and Chairman of
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
$
|
133,218
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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8
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST YEAR
The following table shows grants of options to purchase the Companys common stock to the
Companys Named Executive Officer during 2005.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
% of Total Options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
Granted to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Options
|
|
Employees in Fiscal
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Granted (#)
|
|
Year
|
|
per share
|
|
Expiration Date
|
|
Daniel Rooney
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
37.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
2.40
|
|
|
March 8, 2015
|
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN 2005
AND YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table provides certain information regarding the number and value of stock
options held by the Companys Named Executive Officer at December 31, 2005.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities
|
|
Value of Unexercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised
|
|
In-the-Money Options at Fiscal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at Fiscal Year-End (#)
|
|
Year-End ($)
(1)
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired on
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Realized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
(#)
|
|
($)
(2)
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
Daniel Rooney
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
470,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Represents the total gain which would be realized if all in-the-money options held
at year end were exercised, determined by multiplying the number of shares underlying the
options by the difference between the per share option exercise price and the per share fair
market value at year end ($5.50 at December 31, 2005). An option is in the money if the fair
market value of the underlying shares exceeds the exercise price of the option.
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(2)
|
|
If shares were acquired on exercise, the value realized would be calculated based on
the number of shares exercised multiplied by the excess of the fair market value of a share of
the Companys common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the stock
option.
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9
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth additional information as of December 31, 2005, concerning
shares of the Companys common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and other
rights under the Companys existing equity compensation plans and arrangements, divided between
plans approved by the Companys shareholders and plans or arrangements not submitted to the
Companys shareholders for approval. The information includes the number of shares covered by, and
the weighted average exercise price of, outstanding options and other rights and the number of
shares remaining available for future grants excluding the shares to be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options, warrants, and other rights.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
issuance under equity
|
|
|
|
be issued upon exercise
|
|
|
Weighted-average exercise
|
|
|
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
of outstanding options,
|
|
|
price of outstanding
|
|
|
(excluding securities
|
|
|
|
warrants and rights
|
|
|
options, warrants and rights
|
|
|
reflected in column (a))
|
|
|
|
(a)
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|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
Equity
compensation plans
approved by
security holders
(1)
|
|
|
590,250
|
|
|
$
|
2.18
|
|
|
|
280,450
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders
(2)
|
|
|
17,500
|
|
|
$
|
2.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
607,750
|
|
|
$
|
2.20
|
|
|
|
280,450
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders include the Companys 1995 Stock
Option Plan.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Includes 17,500 stock purchase warrants that can be exercised to purchase 17,500
shares of the Companys common stock, which were issued by the Company in exchange for
consideration in the form of goods and services.
|
ADOPTION OF THE COMPANYS 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
At the Annual Meeting, the Company will submit to shareholders a proposal to adopt the
Superconductive Components, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2006 Plan). The Board of
Directors unanimously approved the adoption of the 2006 Plan on
April 20, 2006. This summary of
the principal features of the 2006 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2006
Plan, which is attached hereto as Appendix A and incorporated herein by reference. A vote in favor
of adopting the 2006 Plan will constitute approval of all terms of the 2006 Plan.
Purpose
The 2006 Plan is intended to further the growth and profitability of the Company by providing
increased incentives to and encourage share ownership on the part of key employees, officers and
directors of, and consultants and advisers who render services to the Company, and any future
parent or subsidiary of the Company.
General
The 2006 Plan permits the granting of stock options and restricted stock awards (collectively,
Awards) to eligible participants. If our shareholders approve the 2006 Plan at the annual
meeting, the maximum number of shares of our common stock which will be issued pursuant to the 2006
Plan will be 600,000 shares. The market value of the 600,000 shares of our common stock to be
subject to the 2006 Plan was approximately $2,160,000 at April 21, 2006. If an Award expires or is
canceled without having been fully exercised or vested, the unvested or canceled shares will be
available again for grants of Awards.
10
Administration of the 2006 Plan
The 2006 Plan will be administered by the Companys Stock Option and Compensation Committee
(the Committee). The members of the Committee must qualify as non-employee directors under
Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Rule 16b-3), and as outside directors under
section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Subject to the terms of the 2006 Plan,
the Committee has the sole discretion to determine the employees, directors and consultants who
shall be granted Awards, the terms and conditions of such Awards, and to construe and interpret the
2006 Plan. The Committee also is responsible for making adjustments in outstanding Awards, the
shares available for Awards, and the numerical limitations for Awards to reflect any transactions
such as stock splits or stock dividends. The Committee may delegate its authority to one or more
directors or officers; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate its authority and
powers (a) with respect to Section 16 Persons, or (b) in any way which would jeopardize the Plans
qualification under Section 162(m) of the Code or Rule 16b-3. The Board of Directors may amend or
terminate the 2006 Plan at any time and for any reason, but to the extent required under Rule
16b-3, material amendments to the 2006 Plan must be approved by the shareholders.
Eligibility to Receive Awards
Eligibility to participate in the 2006 Plan extends to the management, key employees,
directors and consultants of the Company. The estimated number of eligible participants is
approximately 25 persons. The actual number of individuals who will receive options or restricted
stock awards under the 2006 Plan cannot be determined because eligibility for participation in the
2006 Plan is at the discretion of the Committee. No participant may receive Awards covering more
than 300,000 shares under the 2006 Plan.
Options
The Committee may grant incentive stock options, which entitle the holder to favorable tax
treatment, and/or non-statutory options. The number of shares covered by each option is determined
by the Committee. The Committee will determine the option price per share of each option granted
under the Plan, provided that the option price of each incentive stock option granted under the
Plan may not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant of such option.
Within five business days following the date of exercise of an option, the optionee or other
person exercising the option will make full payment of the option price in cash or, with the
consent of the Committee, (i) by tendering previously acquired shares (valued at fair market value,
as determined by the Committee, as of such date of tender); (ii) with a full recourse promissory
note of the optionee for the portion of the option price in excess of the par value of shares
subject to the option, under terms and conditions determined by the Committee; (iii) any
combination of the foregoing; or (iv) if the shares subject to the option have been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and there is a regular public market for the shares,
by delivering to the Company on the date of exercise of the option written notice of exercise
together with: (A) written instructions to forward a copy of such notice of exercise to a broker or
dealer, as defined in section 3(a)(4) and 3(a)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (Broker), designated in such notice and to deliver to the specified account maintained
with the Broker by the person exercising the option a certificate for the Shares purchased upon the
exercise of the option, and (B) a copy of irrevocable instructions to the Broker to deliver
promptly to the Company a sum equal to the purchase price of the Shares purchased upon exercise of
the option and any other sums required to be paid to the Company under the Plan. If tax offset
payments sufficient to allow for withholding of taxes are not being made at the time of exercise of
an option, the Company shall have the right to require the optionee or other person exercising such
option to remit to the Company, by deduction from salary, wages or otherwise, an amount sufficient
to satisfy federal, state and local withholding tax requirements or to deduct from all payments
made under the Plan, including tax offset payments, amounts sufficient to satisfy all withholding
tax requirements.
The Committee will determine the period during which each option may be exercised; provided,
however, that any incentive stock option granted under the 2006 Plan will have an option period
which does not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. If the grant of any option becomes subject
to Code Section 409A, then notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee-designated exercise period
may be modified to include only those dates that are compliant with Code Section 409As
distribution rules.
Options will expire at such time as the Committee determines at the date of grant; provided,
however, that no incentive stock options may be exercised on or after 10 years from the date of
grant.
11
Termination of Options
Any option granted under the 2006 Plan will, subject to earlier termination by its terms,
terminate automatically if not exercised:
|
|
|
within 30 days after the optionees termination of employment with the Company
(other than by reason of death, disability, or for cause);
|
|
|
|
|
within one year after the employees death or termination of employment by the
Company by reason of disability, as defined in the 2006 Plan; and
|
|
|
|
|
prior to termination by the Company for Cause, as defined in the 2006 Plan.
|
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards are shares of the Companys common stock which vest in accordance with
terms established by the Committee in its discretion. For example, the Committee may provide that
restricted stock will vest only if one or more performance goals are satisfied and/or only if the
participant remains employed with the Company for a specified period of time. Any performance
measures may be applied on a Company-wide or an individual business unit basis, as deemed
appropriate in light of the participants specific responsibilities.
Awards to be Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups
The Committee has discretion to determine the number and type of Awards to be granted to any
employee, director or consultant. Accordingly, the actual number and type of Awards to be granted
in the future is not determinable.
Nontransferability of Options
Except for non-statutory stock options, Awards granted under the 2006 Plan may not be sold,
transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by
the applicable laws of descent and distribution. Non-statutory stock options may be transferred
for no consideration to family members or to trusts or other entities for their benefit, or to
other persons, if approved by the Committee.
Tax Aspects
As explained below, each type of award has different federal income tax consequences. In
addition to these, a participant may also be subject to foreign, state and local income or other
tax consequences in the jurisdiction in which the participant works and/or resides. The following
is a brief general summary of the material federal income tax consequences with respect to awards
under the 2006 Plan. It is not intended to be tax advice to participants. We do not intend the
following discussion to be a complete explanation of all of the federal income tax consequences of
participating in the 2006 Plan. Participants in the 2006 Plan should rely on their own tax advisers
concerning the specific tax consequences to them, including the applicability and effect of state,
local and foreign tax laws.
Stock Options
The
2006 Plan allows the Committee to grant non-statutory as incentive
stock options. Generally, no income is recognized when either type of stock option is granted to
the participant, but the subsequent tax treatment differs widely.
Non-statutory Stock Options
Generally, if a participant exercises a non-statutory stock option, the excess of the fair
market value of a share on the date of exercise over the stock option price is ordinary
compensation income to the participant at the time of the exercise. The tax basis for the shares
purchased is their fair market value on the date of exercise. Any gain or loss that the
participant realizes from a later sale of the shares for an amount in excess of or less than the
tax basis of the shares will be taxed as capital gain or loss, respectively. The character of the
gain or loss (short-term or long-term) will depend upon how long the participant held the shares
since exercise. Generally capital gains will be taxable as long-term
capital gains if the shares are held more than one year from exercise.
12
Incentive Stock Options
Generally, a participant will recognize no regular taxable income upon the exercise of an
incentive stock option. The tax basis of the shares acquired will be the exercise price. If the
participant meets the Holding Periods described below, all gain or loss that he or she realizes
upon a later sale of the shares for an amount in excess of or less than their tax basis will be
taxed as a capital gain or loss. To receive this favorable treatment, the participant must not
dispose of the shares that he or she acquires by exercising an incentive stock option within two
years after the date the stock option was granted, nor within one year after the exercise date (the
Holding Periods). If the participant disposes of the shares before the end of the Holding
Periods, the amount of that gain which equals the lesser of: (1) the difference between the fair
market value on the exercise date and the stock option price; or (2) the difference between the
sale price and the stock option price, will be taxed as ordinary
income. Any remaining gain or loss
will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain, depending upon how long the participant held
the shares.
Alternative Minimum Tax Incentive Stock Options
For determining a participants alternative minimum taxable income subject to the alternative
minimum tax, a participants exercise of an incentive stock option will result in the recognition
of alternative minimum taxable income at the time of the exercise of the stock option in an amount
equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date over the stock
option price.
Restricted Stock
In general, a participant who is granted restricted shares of common stock will not recognize
taxable income upon grant, but instead will recognize ordinary income when the shares vest and are
no longer subject to restriction. Alternatively, within 30 days of the grant of the restricted
stock a participant may elect, under Section 83(b) of the Code, to be taxed at the time of the
grant. In all cases, the amount of ordinary income that a participant recognizes will be equal to
the fair market value of the shares at the time the participant recognizes income, less the price
paid for the shares, if any. Generally, any gain recognized
thereafter will be capital gain or loss.
Superconductive Components, Inc. Tax Deduction
Generally, we will
be entitled to a tax deduction for an award made under the 2006 Plan
to the extent that the participant recognizes ordinary income from the award. Section 162(m) of the Code
contains special rules regarding the federal income tax deductibility of compensation paid to our
Chief Executive Officer and to each of the other four most highly compensated executive officers.
The general rule is that compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible
only to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000 or qualifies as performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m). We have designed the Plan so that awards to covered officers
should qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
Deferred Compensation/Section 409A Awards
Section 409A of the Code provides that covered amounts deferred under a nonqualified deferred
compensation plan are includable in the participants gross income to the extent not subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture and not previously included in income, unless certain requirements
are met, including limitations on the timing of deferral elections and events that may trigger the
distribution of deferred amounts.
The Company has designed the Plan so that awards are either intended to comply with, or are
exempt from coverage of, Section 409A of the Code. The Company intends to continue to review the
terms of the Plan and may, subject to the terms of the Plan, adopt additional amendments to comply
with current and additional guidance issued under Section 409A
of the Code. However, if an award fails to meet or is not granted in
compliance with these new requirements the award may be subject to an
additional 20% tax and interest.
Required Vote
Approval of the 2006 Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
represented and voting, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends that our shareholders vote FOR the approval of the 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan.
13
REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Company has selected Hausser + Taylor LLC to serve as the Companys registered independent
public accounting firm for 2006. Hausser + Taylor LLC served as the registered independent public
accounting firm for the Company for 2005 and throughout the periods covered by the Companys
financial statements. Representatives of Hausser + Taylor LLC are expected to attend the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders in order to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders, and they
will have the opportunity to make a statement.
Hausser + Taylor LLC has a continuing relationship with RSM McGladrey, Inc. (RSM) (formerly
with American Express Tax and Business Services, Inc.) from which it leases auditing staff who are
full time, permanent employees of RSM and through which its shareholders provide non-audit
services. As a result of this arrangement, Hausser + Taylor LLC has no full time employees and,
therefore, none of the audit services performed were provided by permanent full time employees of
Hausser + Taylor LLC. Hausser + Taylor LLC manages and supervises the audit and audit staff, and is
exclusively responsible for the opinion rendered in connection with its examination.
FEES OF THE REGISTERED INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed and to be billed by Hausser + Taylor LLC for professional services
rendered for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements and review of financial
statements included in the Companys Form 10-QSB were $49,700 for 2005, and $47,000 for 2004.
Audit Related Fees
The Company paid Hausser + Taylor LLC $700 in 2005 and $0 in 2004 in aggregate fees for
professional services rendered for audit related fees for assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements that are
not reported above under the heading audit fees. These fees were related to the Companys
response to comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission related to its Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Tax Fees
The Company paid $0 in 2005 and $300 in 2004 in aggregate tax fees for professional services
rendered for tax compliance and tax advice in connection with the Companys internally prepared
corporate tax return.
All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Hausser + Taylor LLC for professional services rendered by in
connection with the research and review for the acceleration of employee stock options were $4,140
for 2005 and $0 for 2004.
Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit
services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent
auditor or other registered public accounting firm, subject to the
de minimis
exceptions for
non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
are approved by the Audit Committee prior to completion of the audit.
14
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our Audit Committee has appointed Hausser + Taylor LLC, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2006, and has further directed that management submit the selection of independent auditors for
ratification by the shareholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Hausser + Taylor LLC
has audited the Companys financial statements since the year ending December 31, 1995. The Audit
Committee believes that Hausser + Taylor LLCs experience with and knowledge of the Company are
important, and would like to continue this relationship.
Hausser + Taylor LLC has advised us that the firm does not have any direct or indirect
financial interest in the Company, nor has Hausser + Taylor LLC, had any such interest since the
inception of the Company in 1987, other than as a provider of auditing and accounting services. In
making the selection of Hausser + Taylor LLC to continue as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2006, the Audit Committee reviewed past audit
results and the non-audit services performed during the Companys fiscal year 2005 and which are
proposed to be performed during fiscal year 2006. In selecting Hausser + Taylor LLC, the Audit
Committee carefully considered Hausser + Taylor LLCs independence. Hausser + Taylor LLC has
confirmed to us that it is in compliance with all rules, standards and policies of the Independence
Standards Board and the SEC governing auditor independence.
Neither the Companys bylaws nor other governing documents requires shareholder ratification
of the selection of Hausser + Taylor LLC as the Companys independent auditors. However, we are
submitting the selection of Hausser + Taylor LLC to the shareholders for ratification as a matter
of good corporate practice. If our shareholders fail to ratify this selection, the Audit Committee
will reconsider whether or not to continue to retain Hausser + Taylor LLC, but may still retain
them. Even if this selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the
appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if it determines that
such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote at the 2006 Annual Meeting will be required to ratify the selection of Hausser +
Taylor LLC. Abstentions will be counted toward the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented
to the shareholders and will have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes are counted
toward a quorum, but are not counted for any purpose in determining whether this matter has been
approved.
The Board of Directors recommends that our shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the
independent registered public accounting firm.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys officers,
directors and greater than 10% shareholders to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership
of the Companys securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of the
reports are required by SEC regulation to be furnished to the Company. Based on its review of such
reports, and written representations from reporting persons, the Company believes that all
reporting persons complied with all filing requirements during the year ended December 31, 2005,
except for Robert H. Peitz, who had one late Form 4 filing.
15
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Notes Payable and Capital Lease
During 2005, the Company entered into agreements with the Estates of Edward R. Funk and
Ingeborg V. Funk. The Company was indebted to the Estates in the amount of $289,391.92. The
Estates agreed to cancel $288,000 of the indebtedness in exchange for 144,000 shares of common
stock and warrants to purchase an additional 36,000 shares of common stock at $3.00 per share,
which expire October 2010. The Company transferred to the Estates $1,391.92 in full satisfaction
of the remaining amount of the indebtedness.
Convertible Promissory Notes and Stock Purchase Warrants
On January 7, 2000, the Company issued common stock purchase warrants at $2.50 per share for
150,000 shares of common stock related to the subordinated notes payable to Edward R. and Ingeborg
V. Funk. The warrants are 100% vested and expire ten years from the date of grant. The Estate of
Edward R. Funk and the Estate of Ingeborg V. Funk are both greater than 5% beneficial owners of the
Company.
On June 30, 2003, the Company issued a $100,000 convertible promissory note payable to Windcom
Investments SA, a greater than 5% beneficial owner of the Company. The interest on the convertible
promissory note was determined by the Prime Commercial Rate in effect at Bank One, N.A., Columbus,
Ohio. In addition, the Company issued to Windcom Investments SA, warrants to purchase 20,333
shares of the Companys common stock at $1.00 per share expiring June 2008. The warrants vested
according to the following schedule: (1) 8,333 vested on the date of grant; and (2) 12,000 vested
at a rate of 333 per month for 32 months, then 336 per month for 4 months. On May 13, 2004, in
accordance with the terms of the convertible promissory note, the balance and accrued and unpaid
interest owed automatically converted to 43,119 shares of common stock after the Company raised
over $500,000 in private equity financing. As of May 13, 2004, the vested warrants were fixed at
11,633; no additional warrants will vest. In connection with the private equity financing, the
Company also issued to Windcom Investments SA 8,623 warrants to purchase shares of common stock at
$2.88 per share. These warrants expire May 2009.
On June 30, 2003, the Company issued to the Estate of Edward R. Funk, warrants to purchase
10,000 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share in connection with a lease guarantee. The
warrants vest according to the following schedule: (1) 4,600 vested on the date of grant; and (2)
5,400 vest at a rate of 150 per month for 36 months. These warrants expire June 2008.
On June 30, 2003, the Company issued a $166,666.67 convertible promissory note payable to
Robert H. Peitz. Mr. Peitz is a greater than 5% beneficial owner of the Company. Mr. Peitz
currently serves on the Companys Board of Directors. The Prime Commercial Rate in effect at Bank
One, N.A., Columbus, Ohio determined the interest on the convertible promissory note. In addition,
the Company issued to Mr. Peitz warrants to purchase 33,889 shares of the Companys common stock at
$1.00 per share, which expire June 2008. The warrants vested according to the following schedule:
(1) 13,889 vested on the date of grant; and (2) 20,000 vested at a rate of 556 per month for 32
months, then 552 per month for four months. On May 13, 2004, in accordance with the terms of the
convertible promissory note, the balance and accrued and unpaid interest owed on the note
automatically converted to 71,873 shares of common stock after the Company raised over $500,000 in
private equity financing. As of May 13, 2004, the vested warrants were fixed at 14,374; no
additional warrants will vest. In connection with the 2004 private equity financing, the Company
also issued to Mr. Peitz 19,449 warrants to purchase shares of common stock at $2.88 per share,
which expire May 2009.
On November 3, 2004, the Company entered into a loan agreement between the Company, as
borrower, and Robert H. Peitz, as lender. Mr. Peitz agreed to loan the Company up to $200,000 for
working capital, to be drawn by the Company in increments of $50,000. The interest rate was
Huntington National Banks prime rate plus 2%, which accrued and compounded monthly. The loan was
secured by the Companys assets and perfected by the filing of a UCC-1 financing statement. For
each $50,000 increment drawn on the loan Mr. Peitz received 5,000 warrants to purchase the
Companys common stock, without par value, at a purchase price of $2.50 per share and exercisable
until November 1, 2009. The loan was drawn on the following schedule: November 3, 2004, $100,000;
January 7, 2005, $50,000; and April 1, 2005, $50,000. The loan balance (principal and accrued
interest) was repaid in October 2005 and the UCC-1 financing statement was terminated.
16
On April 14, 2005 the Company entered into a loan agreement between the Company, as borrower,
and Robert H. Peitz, as lender. Mr. Peitz agreed to provide a $200,000 convertible secured loan to
the Company for working capital. The interest rate of 10% accrued and compounded monthly. The
loan was drawn on the following schedule: April 14, 2005, $100,000; and May 20, 2005, $100,000.
Because the Company completed equity financing of at least $500,000 during the fourth quarter of
2005, the principal and accrued interest totaling $209,110 automatically converted on the same
basis as the new financing to 104,555 shares of common stock ($2.00 per share) and warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 26,139 shares of the Companys common stock at a purchase price of $3.00
per share exercisable until October 2010.
Legal Services
Curtis A. Loveland is the Secretary of the Company and is the beneficial owner of greater than
5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, which ownership includes (i) 41,000 shares of
common stock, which can be acquired by Mr. Loveland under stock options exercisable within 60 days
of March 31, 2006; (ii) 437,256 shares of common stock beneficially owned in his capacity as the
executor of the Estate of Edward R. Funk, of which 127,900 shares of common stock can be acquired
by Mr. Loveland on behalf of the estate under stock options and warrants exercisable within 60 days
of March 31, 2006; (iii) 462,852 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Mr. Loveland in his
capacity as the executor of the Estate of Ingeborg V. Funk, of which 87,500 shares of common stock
can be acquired by Mr. Loveland on behalf of the estate under stock options and warrants
exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2006; and (iv) 283,756 shares beneficially owned by Mr.
Loveland as the trustee of generation-skipping irrevocable trusts established by Edward R. and
Ingeborg V. Funk. Mr. Loveland is also a partner with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP, the
Companys legal counsel.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2007 ANNUAL MEETING
Each year the Board of Directors submits its nominations for election of directors at the
annual meeting of shareholders. Other proposals may be submitted by the Board of Directors or the
shareholders for inclusion in the proxy statement for action at the annual meeting. Any proposal
submitted by a shareholder for inclusion in the proxy statement for the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held in 2007 must be received by the Company (addressed to the attention of the
Secretary) on or before January 4, 2007. Any shareholder proposal submitted outside the processes
of Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for presentation at the Companys 2007
annual meeting will be considered untimely for purposes of Rule 14a-4 and 14a-5 if notice thereof
is received by the Company after March 20, 2007. To be submitted at the meeting, any such proposal
must be a proper subject for shareholder action under the laws of the State of Ohio.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Companys annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005, containing
financial statements for such year and the signed opinion of Hausser + Taylor LLC, registered
independent public accounting firm, with respect to such financial statements, is being sent to
shareholders concurrently with this proxy statement. The Annual Report is not to be regarded as
proxy soliciting material, and management does not intend to ask, suggest or solicit any action
from the shareholders with respect to such report.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If
other matters should come before the meeting, however, each of the persons named in the proxy
intends to vote in accordance with his judgement on such matters.
17
Appendix A
SUPERCONDUCTIVE COMPONENTS, INC.
2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
Purpose
.
This plan (the Plan) is intended as an incentive and to encourage stock
ownership by certain key employees, officers and directors of, and consultants and advisers who
render services to Superconductive Components, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the Company), and any
current or future Parent or Subsidiary thereof (the Company Group), by the granting of stock
options (the Options) and restricted stock (the Restricted Stock) as provided herein. By
encouraging such stock ownership, the Company seeks to attract, retain and motivate employees,
officers, directors, consultants and advisers of training, experience and ability. The Options
granted under the Plan may be either incentive stock options (ISOs) which meet the requirements
of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time hereafter (the
Code), or options which do not meet such requirements (Non-Statutory Options). Grants of
Non-Statutory Options will be designed to qualify for the exemption from coverage of Internal
Revenue Code Section 409A and the guidance promulgated thereunder (Code Section 409A).
2.
Effective Date
.
The Plan will become effective on June 9, 2006, subject to
ratification by an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares which are present,
in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the
Effective Date).
3.
Administration
.
(a) The Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) which
may, to the full extent permitted by law, delegate all or any of its powers under the Plan to a
Committee (the Committee) which consists of not fewer than three members of the Board. If the
Committee is so appointed, and to the extent such powers are delegated, all references to the Board
in the Plan shall mean and relate to the Committee, unless otherwise indicated. If any class of
equity securities of the Company is registered under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), all members of the Committee will be non-employee directors as
defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(2)(i) promulgated under the 1934 Act (or any successor rule of like tenor
and effect) and outside directors as defined in section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board is authorized to establish, amend and
rescind such rules and regulations as it deems appropriate for its conduct and for the proper
administration of the Plan, to make all determinations under and interpretations of, and to take
such actions in connection with the Plan or the Awards granted thereunder as it deems necessary or
advisable. All actions taken by the Board under the Plan are final and binding on all persons. No
member of the Board is liable for any action taken or determination made relating to the Plan,
except for willful misconduct.
(c) Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this Section 3, the Companys full Board of
Directors shall have full and sole authority and discretion with respect to the grant of
Non-Statutory Options to non-employee directors of the Company. The Board shall also have all of
the authority and discretion otherwise granted to the Committee with respect to the administration
of any Non-Statutory Options granted to non-employee directors.
(d) Each member of the Board shall be indemnified by the Company against costs, expenses and
liabilities (other than amounts paid in settlements to which the Company does not consent, which
consent will not be unreasonably withheld) reasonably incurred by such member in connection with
any action taken in relation to the Plan to which he or she may be a party by reason of service as
a member of the Board, except in relation to matters as to which he or she is adjudged in such
action to be personally guilty of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his
or her duties. The foregoing right to indemnification is in addition to such other rights as the
Board member may enjoy as a matter of law, by reason of insurance coverage of any kind, or
otherwise.
4.
Eligibility
.
(a) The Board may grant Options, Restricted Stock, and Tax Offset Payments, as defined in
paragraph 13, (each, individually, an Award) to such Key Employees of the Company or the Company
Group or, in the case of Non-Statutory Options only, to directors who are not employees of, and to
consultants and advisers who render services to, the Company or the Company Group, as the Board may
select from time to time (the Participants). The Board may grant more than one Award to an
individual under the Plan.
(b) No ISO may be granted to an individual who, at the time an ISO is granted, is considered
under section 422(b)(6) of the Code as owning stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its Parent or any Subsidiary;
provided
,
however
, this restriction will not apply if at the time such ISO is
granted the option price per share of such ISO is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of such
share, and such ISO by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the
date it is granted. This paragraph 4(b) has no application to Options granted under the Plan as
Non-Statutory Options.
(c) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the ISO is granted) of shares
with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by any Optionee during any calendar
year under the Plan, or any other incentive stock option plan of the Company or the Company Group,
may not exceed $100,000. If an ISO which exceeds the $100,000 limitation of this paragraph 4(c) is
granted, the portion of such Option which is exercisable for Shares in excess of the $100,000
limitation shall be treated as a Non-Statutory Option pursuant to Section 422(d) of the Code.
Except as otherwise provided in the preceding sentence, this paragraph 4(c) has no application to
Options granted under the Plan as Non-Statutory Options.
5.
Stock Subject to Plan
.
The shares subject to Options and Restricted Stock grants
under the Plan are the shares of common stock, no par value, of the Company (the Shares). The
Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open
market or in a private transaction, or Shares held as treasury stock. The aggregate number of
Shares which may be granted or awarded under the Plan may not exceed 600,000 Shares, subject to
adjustment in accordance with the terms of paragraph 14 of the Plan. The maximum number of Shares
for which Awards may be granted under the Plan during the term of the Plan to any one individual
may not exceed 300,000 Shares subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of paragraph 14 of
the Plan. The unpurchased Shares subject to terminated or expired Options, and Restricted Stock
for which restrictions have not lapsed, may be offered again under the Plan. The Board, in its
sole discretion, may permit the exercise of any Option as to full Shares or fractional Shares.
Proceeds from the sale of Shares under Options or Restricted Stock Agreements will be general funds
of the Company.
6.
Restricted Stock
(a) Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Board, at any time and from time to
time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Key Employees and consultants in such amounts as the
Board, in its sole discretion, shall determine.
(b) Each award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced in writing by a restricted stock
agreement (Restricted Stock Agreement) that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number
of Shares granted, any price to be paid for the Shares, and such other terms and conditions as the
Board, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Board determines otherwise, Shares of
Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares
have lapsed. Any action under paragraph 14 may be reflected in an amendment to, or restatement of,
such Restricted Stock Agreement.
(c) Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise
alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction. In no event may
the restrictions on Restricted Stock granted to a Section 16 Person lapse prior to six (6) months
following the Grant Date.
A-2
(d) The Board, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of
Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, in accordance with this Section 6(d).
For example, the Board may set restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance
objectives (Company-wide, divisional, or individual), applicable federal or state securities laws,
or any other basis determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board, in its discretion, may
legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of the
restrictions applicable to such Shares.
(e) Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan
shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of
Restriction. The Board, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall
lapse and may remove any restrictions; provided, however, that the Period of Restriction on Shares
granted to a Section 16 Person may not lapse until at least six (6) months after the Grant Date.
(f) During the Period of Restriction, participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted
hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless otherwise provided
in the Restricted Stock Agreement.
(g) During the Period of Restriction, participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be
entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless
otherwise provided in the Restricted Stock Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are
paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and
forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. With
respect to Restricted Stock granted to a Section 16 Person, any dividend or distribution that
constitutes a derivative security or an equity security under Section 16 of the 1934 Act shall
be subject to a Period of Restriction equal to the longer of: (a) the remaining Period of
Restriction on the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which the dividend or distribution is
paid; or (b) six (6) months.
(h) On the date set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which
restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and again shall become available for grant
under the Plan.
(i) At the time of the grant of Restricted Stock to a Key Employee, and prior to the beginning
of the performance period to which the performance objectives relate, the Board may establish
performance objectives for the award or vesting of Restricted Stock grants based on any one or more
of the following: price of Company Common Stock or the stock of any affiliate, shareholder return,
return on equity, return on investment, return on capital, sales productivity, economic profit,
economic value added, net income, operating income, gross margin, sales, operating cash flow, free
cash flow, earnings per share, operating company contribution, division contribution or market
shares. These factors shall have a minimum performance standard below which such grants or vesting
will not occur. These performance goals may be based on an analysis of historical performance and
growth expectations for the business, financial results of other comparable businesses, and
programs towards achieving the long-range strategic plan for the business. These performance goals
and determination of results shall be based entirely on financial measures. The Board may not use
any discretion to modify award results except as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code.
7.
Grant of Options
.
(a) At the time of grant, the Board will determine whether the Options granted will be ISOs or
Non-Statutory Options. All Options granted will be authorized by the Board and, within a
reasonable time after the date of grant, will be evidenced in writing by a stock option agreement
(Stock Option Agreement) in such form and containing such terms and conditions not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Plan, as the Board may determine. Any action under paragraph 14 may be
reflected in an amendment to, or restatement of, such Stock Option Agreement.
(b) The Board may grant Options having terms and provisions which vary from those specified in
the Plan if such Options are granted in substitution for, or in connection with the assumption of,
existing options granted by another corporation and assumed or otherwise agreed to be provided for
by the Company pursuant to or by reason of a transaction involving a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation to which
the Company is a party.
A-3
8.
Option Price
.
The Board will determine the option price per Share (the Option
Price) of each Option granted under the Plan, provided that the Option Price of each ISO granted
under the Plan may not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such
Option. The date of grant will be the date the Board acts to grant the Option or such later date
as the Board specifies and the Fair Market Value will be determined in accordance with paragraph
28(c) and without regard to any restrictions other than a restriction which, by its terms, will
never lapse.
9.
Option Period
.
The Board will determine the period during which each Option may be
exercised (the Option Period);
provided
,
however
, any ISO granted under the Plan
will have an Option Period which does not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. If the grant of
any Option becomes subject to Code Section 409A, then notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Board-designated exercise period will be automatically modified to include only those dates that
are compliant with Code Section 409As distribution rules.
10.
Nontransferability of Options
.
An Option will not be transferable by the Optionee
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee or by the Optionees guardian or legal
representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Optionee may transfer a Non-Statutory Option to
members of his or her immediate family (as defined in Rule 16a-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act),
to one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members or to partnerships in which such
family members are the only partners if (a) the stock option agreement with respect to such
Non-Statutory Option as approved by the Board expressly so provides and (b) the Optionee does not
receive any consideration for the transfer. Non-Statutory Options held by such transferees are
subject to the same terms and conditions that applied to such Non-Statutory Options immediately
prior to transfer.
11.
Exercise of Options
.
(a) The Board, in its sole discretion, will determine the terms and conditions of exercise and
vesting percentages of Options granted hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing or the terms and
conditions of any Stock Option Agreement to the contrary: (i) if the Optionees employment is
terminated as specified in paragraph 12(a), the Options will be exercisable to the extent and for
the period specified in paragraph 12(a); (ii) if the Optionees employment is terminated as a
result of disability or death, his or her Options will be exercisable to the extent and for the
period specified in paragraph 12(b); (iii) if a merger or similar reorganization or sale of
substantially all of the Companys assets occurs, all outstanding Options will be exercisable to
the extent and for the period specified in paragraph 14(b) or paragraph 14(c), whichever paragraph
applies; and (iv) in the event of a Change of Control, as defined herein, all outstanding Options
will be exercisable for the period specified in paragraph 14(d).
(b) An Option may be exercised only upon delivery of a written notice to the Board, any member
of the Board, or any officer of the Company designated by the Board to accept such notices on its
behalf, specifying the number of Shares for which it is exercised.
(c) Within five business days following the date of exercise of an Option, the Optionee or
other person exercising the Option will make full payment of the Option Price in cash or, with the
consent of the Board, (i) by tendering previously acquired Shares (valued at Fair Market Value, as
determined by the Board, as of such date of tender); (ii) with a full recourse promissory note of
the Optionee for the portion of the Option Price in excess of the par value of Shares subject to
the Option, under terms and conditions determined by the Board; (iii) any combination of the
foregoing; or (iv) if the Shares subject to the Option have been registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), and there is a regular public market for the Shares, by
delivering to the Company on the date of exercise of the Option written notice of exercise together
with:
(A) written instructions to forward a copy of such notice of exercise to a broker or dealer,
as defined in section 3(a)(4) and 3(a)(5) of the 1934 Act (Broker), designated in such notice and
to deliver to the specified account maintained with the Broker by the person exercising the Option
a certificate for the Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option, and;
(B) a copy of irrevocable instructions to the Broker to deliver promptly to the Company a sum
equal to the purchase price of the Shares purchased upon exercise of the Option and any other sums
required to be paid to the Company under paragraph 19 of the Plan.
A-4
(d) If Tax Offset Payments sufficient to allow for withholding of taxes are not being made at
the time of exercise of an Option, the Optionee or other person exercising such Option will pay to
the Company an amount equal to the withholding amount required to be made less any amount withheld
by the Company under paragraph 19.
12.
Termination of Employment
.
(a) Upon termination of an Optionees employment with the Company (or each member of the
Company Group as the case may be), other than (i) termination of employment by reason of death or
Disability, or (ii) termination of employment for Cause, the Optionee will have 30 days after the
date of termination (but not later than the expiration date of the Stock Option Agreement) to
exercise all Options held by him or her to the extent the same were exercisable on the date of
termination;
provided
,
however
, if such termination is a result of the Optionees
retirement with the consent of the Company, such Option shall then be exercisable to the extent of
100% of the Shares subject thereto. The Board will determine in each case whether a termination of
employment is a retirement with the consent of the Company and, subject to applicable law, whether
a leave of absence is a termination of employment. The Board may cancel an Option during the
30-day period after termination of employment referred to in this paragraph if the Optionee engages
in employment or activities contrary, in the opinion of the Board, to the best interests of the
Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company.
(b) Upon termination of employment by reason of death or Disability, the Optionee or the
Optionees personal representative, or the person or persons to whom his or her rights under the
Options pass by will or the laws of descent or distribution, will have one year after the date of
such termination (but not later than the expiration date of the Stock Option Agreement) to exercise
all Options held by the Optionee to the extent the same were exercisable on the date of
termination;
provided
,
however
, that the Board, in its sole discretion, may permit
the exercise of all or any portion of any Option granted to such Optionee not otherwise
exercisable.
(c) Upon termination of employment for Cause, as defined herein, all Options held by such
Optionee will terminate effective on the date of termination of employment.
13.
Tax Offset Payments
. The Board has the authority and discretion under the Plan to
make cash grants to Participants to offset a portion of the taxes which may become payable as a
result of participation in this Plan (Tax Offset Payments). The Tax Offset Payments shall be
determined by multiplying a percentage established by the Board by all or a portion (as the Board
shall determine) of the taxable income recognized by a Participant upon (a) the exercise of a
Non-Statutory Option, (b) the disposition of shares received upon exercise of an ISO, or (c) the
lapse of restrictions of Restricted Shares. The percentage will be established, from time to time,
by the Board at that rate which the Board, in its sole discretion, determines to be appropriate and
in the best interest of the Company to assist Participants in the payment of taxes. The Company
has the right to withhold and pay over to any governmental entities (federal, state or local) all
amounts under a Tax Offset Payment for payment of any income or other taxes incurred on exercise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not have the authority to offset any taxes,
interest, and penalties incurred by Participants as a result of a violation of Code Section 409A.
14.
Stock Splits; Mergers; Reorganizations; Change in Control
.
(a) If a stock split, stock dividend, combination or exchange of shares, exchange for other
securities, reclassification, reorganization, redesignation or other change in the Companys
capitalization occurs, the Board will proportionately adjust or substitute the aggregate number of
Shares for which Awards may be granted under this Plan, the number of Shares subject to outstanding
Options and Restricted Stock Awards and the Option Price of the Shares subject to outstanding
Options to reflect the same. The Board will make such other adjustments to the Awards, the
provisions of the Plan, the Restricted Stock Agreements and the Stock Option Agreements as may be
appropriate and equitable, which adjustments may provide for the elimination of fractional Shares.
(b) In the event of a change of the Companys common stock, no par value, resulting from a
merger or similar reorganization as to which the Company is the surviving corporation, or a merger
or similar reorganization involving only a change in the state of incorporation or an internal
reorganization not involving a Change in Control, the number and kind of Shares which thereafter
may be purchased pursuant to an Option under the Plan, the number and kind of Shares then subject
to Options granted hereunder and the price per Share thereof, and the number and kind of Shares of
Restricted Stock will be appropriately adjusted in such manner as the Board may deem equitable to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights available or granted hereunder.
A-5
(c) Except as otherwise determined by the Board, a merger or a similar reorganization which
the Company does not survive (other than a merger or similar reorganization involving only a change
in the state of incorporation or an internal reorganization not involving a Change in Control), or
a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, will cause every Option hereunder
to terminate, to the extent not then exercised, unless any surviving entity agrees to assume the
obligations hereunder on terms reasonably acceptable to the Board; provided, however, that, in the
case of such a merger or similar reorganization, or such a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, if there is no such assumption, the Board, in its sole discretion, may
provide that some or all of the unexercised portion of any one or more of the outstanding Options
will be immediately exercisable and vested as of such date prior to such merger, similar
reorganization or sale of assets as the Board determines. If the Board makes an Option fully
exercisable under this paragraph 14(c), the Board will notify the Optionee that the Option will be
fully exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such notice, and the Option
will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
(d) If a Change in Control occurs, all outstanding Options granted under this Plan will become
immediately exercisable to the extent of 100% of the Shares subject thereto notwithstanding any
contrary waiting or vesting periods specified in this Plan or in any applicable Stock Option
Agreement.
15.
Sale of Option Shares
.
If any class of equity securities of the Company is
registered pursuant to section 12 of the 1934 Act, any Section 16 Person shall not sell or
otherwise dispose of the Shares subject to an Option unless at least six months have elapsed from
the date of the grant of the Option.
16.
Rights as Shareholder
.
An Optionee has no rights as a shareholder with respect to
any Shares covered by an Option until the date of issuance of a stock certificate to the Optionee
for such Shares.
17.
No Contract of Employment
.
Nothing in the Plan or in any Option, Restricted Stock
Agreement or Stock Option Agreement confers on any Participant any right to continue in the
employment or service of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company or interfere with
the right of the Company to terminate such Participants employment or other services at any time.
The establishment of the Plan will in no way, now or hereafter, reduce, enlarge or modify the
employment relationship between the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company and the
Participant. Options and/or Restricted Stock granted under the Plan will not be affected by any
change of duties or position as long as the Participant continues to be employed by the Company or
any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, unless otherwise provided in the Restricted Stock
Agreement or Stock Option Agreement.
18.
Agreements and Representations of Participants
.
As a condition to the exercise of
an Option or the issuance of Restricted Stock, the Board, in its sole determination, may require
the Participant to represent in writing that the Shares being purchased are being purchased only
for investment and without any present intent at the time of the acquisition of such Shares to sell
or otherwise dispose of the same.
19.
Withholding Taxes
.
The Company shall have the right to require Participants or
their beneficiaries or legal representatives to remit to the Company, by deduction from salary,
wages or otherwise, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local withholding tax
requirements, or to deduct from all payments under this Plan, including Tax Offset Payments,
amounts sufficient to satisfy all withholding tax requirements. The Board may, in its discretion,
permit a Participant to satisfy his or her tax-withholding obligation by (a) surrendering shares
owned by the Participant or (b) having the Company withhold from shares otherwise deliverable to
the Participant. Shares surrendered or otherwise withheld shall be valued at their Fair Market
Value as of the date on which income is required to be recognized for income tax purposes.
20.
Exchanges
.
The Board may permit the voluntary surrender of all or a portion of
any Option granted under the Plan to be conditioned upon the granting to the Optionee of a new
Option for the same or a different number of Shares as the Option surrendered, or may require such
voluntary surrender as a condition precedent to a grant of a new Option to such Optionee. Subject
to the provisions of the Plan, such new Option will be exercisable at such price, during such
period and on such other terms and conditions as are specified by the Board at the time the new
Option is granted. Upon surrender, the Options surrendered will be cancelled, and the Shares
previously subject to them will be available for the grant of other Options. The Board also may
grant Tax Offset Payments to any Optionee surrendering such Option for a new Option.
A-6
21.
Confidentiality Agreements
.
Upon the Companys request, each Optionee shall
execute, prior to or contemporaneously with the grant of an Award hereunder, the Companys then
standard form of agreement relating to non-disclosure of confidential information, non-competition
and the assignment of inventions and related matters.
22.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
.
The Plan, the grant of Restricted Stock
under the Plan, the grant and exercise of Options under the Plan, and the obligation of the
Company to sell and deliver the Shares under such Options, will be subject to all applicable
federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory
agency as may be required. Options issued under this Plan are not exercisable prior to (i) the
date upon which the Company has registered the Shares for which Options may be issued under the
1933 Act and the completion of any registration or qualification of such Shares under state law, or
any ruling or regulation of any government body which the Company, in its sole discretion,
determines to be necessary or advisable in connection therewith, or (ii) receipt by the Company of
an opinion from counsel to the Company stating that the exercise of such Options may be effected
without registering the Shares subject to such Options under the 1933 Act or under state or other
law. Restricted Stock may not be released from escrow pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof prior to (i)
the date upon which the Company has registered the Shares representing such Restricted Stock award
under the 1933 Act and the completion of any registration or qualification of such Shares under
state law, or (ii) receipt by the Company of an opinion from counsel to the Company stating that
the Restricted Stock may be released from escrow free of restriction without registering the Shares
representing such Restricted Stock under the 1933 Act or under state or other law.
23.
Assumption
.
The Plan may be assumed by the successors and assigns of the Company.
24.
Expenses
.
The Company will bear all expenses and costs in connection with
administration of the Plan.
25.
Amendment, Modification and Termination of the Plan
.
The Board may terminate,
amend or modify the Plan at any time without further action on the part of the shareholders of the
Company;
provided
,
however
, that (a) no amendment to the Plan may cause the ISOs
granted hereunder to fail to qualify as incentive stock options under the Code; and (b) any
amendment to the Plan which requires the approval of the shareholders of the Company under the
Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder or the rules promulgated under Section 16 of the 1934
Act will be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the Code,
such regulations or such rules. No amendment, modification or termination of the Plan may
adversely affect in any manner any Option previously granted to an Optionee under the Plan without
the consent of the Optionee or the transferee of such Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
amendments necessary to bring the Plan into compliance with Code Section 409A shall not require the
consent of the Optionee or the transferee of such Option.
26.
Term of Plan
.
The Plan will become effective on the Effective Date, subject to
the approval of the Plan by the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Company
entitled to vote within twelve months of the date of the Plans adoption by the Board, and the
exercise of all Options granted prior to such approval will be subject to such approval. The Plan
will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, or such earlier date as may be
determined by the Board. Termination of the Plan, however, will not affect the rights of Optionees
under Options previously granted to them, and all unexpired Options will continue in force and
operation after termination of the Plan, except as they may lapse or terminate by their own terms
and conditions. Termination of the Plan will also not affect the rights of Participants that have
been granted Restricted Stock Awards prior to termination of the Plan. The terms of the Plan
shall, notwithstanding such termination, continue to apply to Restricted Stock Awards granted prior
to such termination.
27.
Limitation of Liability
.
The liability of the Company under this Plan or in
connection with any exercise of an Option is limited to the obligations expressly set forth in the
Plan and in any Restricted Stock Agreement or Stock Option Agreement, and no term or provision of
this Plan or of any Restricted Stock Agreement or Stock Option Agreement will be construed to
impose any further or additional duties, obligations or costs on the Company not expressly set
forth in the Plan or the Restricted Stock Agreement or Stock Option Agreement.
A-7
28.
Definitions
.
(a)
Change In Control
. A Change in Control will be deemed to have occurred if and
when (i) a person, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (Person) acquires or combines
with the Company, or 50 percent or more of its assets or earning power, in one or more
transactions, and after such acquisition or combination, less than a majority of the outstanding
voting shares of the Person surviving such transaction (or the ultimate parent of the surviving
Person) is owned by the owners of the voting shares of the Company outstanding immediately prior to
such acquisition or combination, unless the Change in Control transaction or transactions have been
approved in advance by Board members representing at least two-thirds of the Board members; or (ii)
during any period of two consecutive years during the term of this Plan, individuals who at the
beginning of such period are members of the Board (Original Board Members) cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority of the Board, unless the election of each Board member who was
not an Original Board Member has been approved in advance by Board members representing at least
two-thirds of the Board members then in office who were Original Board Members.
(b)
Disability
. The term Disability means a physical or mental condition resulting
from bodily injury, disease, or mental disorder which renders the Optionee incapable of continuing
the Optionees usual and customary employment or service with the Company or the Company Group.
(c)
Fair Market Value
. If the Shares are publicly traded, the term Fair Market
Value as used in this Plan means (i) the closing price quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, if
the shares are so quoted, (ii) the last quote reported by Nasdaq for small-cap issues, if the
shares are so quoted, (iii) the mean between the bid and asked prices as reported by Nasdaq, if the
Shares are so quoted, or (iv) if the shares are publicly traded but not listed or admitted to
trading on a national securities exchange, the closing price of the Shares as reported on the OTC
Bulletin Board regulated quotation service, in each case at the close of the date immediately
before the Option is granted or, if there be no quotation or sale on that date, the next preceding
date on which the Shares were quoted or traded. In all other cases, the Fair Market Value will be
determined in accordance with procedures established in good faith by the Board. With respect to
Non-Statutory Options, the Fair Market Value will be determined in accordance with the valuation
rules of Code Section 409A and with respect to ISOs, conforming to regulations issued by the
Internal Revenue Service regarding incentive stock options.
(d)
Key Employees
. The term Key Employees means those executive, administrative,
operational and managerial employees of the Company Group who are determined by the Board to be
eligible for Options under the Plan.
(e)
Optionee
. The term Optionee means any person who receives an Option under the
Plan.
(f)
Parent and Subsidiary
. The terms Parent and Subsidiary as used in the Plan
have the respective meanings set forth in sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code.
(g)
Period of Restriction
. The term Period of Restriction means the period during
which shares of Restricted Stock are subject to forfeiture and/or restrictions on transferability.
(h)
Retirement
. Retirement means the termination of employment by an Optionee who
has attained the age of at least 55, who has been continuously employed the Company Group for at
least five years, and who has entered into a written confidentiality and non-competition agreement
with the Company (Retirement Agreement) in a form acceptable to the Board at the time of such
termination of employment.
(i)
Section 16 Person
. The term Section 16 Person means a person who, with respect
to the Shares, is subject to the reporting requirements of section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
A-8
(j)
Termination For Cause
. Termination of Employment for Cause means termination of
employment for (a) the commission of an act of dishonesty, including but not limited to
misappropriation of funds or property of the Company; (b) the engagement in activities or conduct
injurious to the reputation of the Company; (c) the conviction or entry of a guilty or no contest
plea to a misdemeanor involving an act of moral turpitude or a felony; (d) the violation of any of
the terms and conditions of any written agreement the Optionee may have with the Company or its
Parent or Subsidiary (following 30 days written notice from the Company specifying the violation
and the employees failure to cure such violation within such 30-day period) or (e) any refusal to
comply with the written directives, policies or regulations established from time to time by the
Board.
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Superconductive Components, Inc.
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/s/ Daniel Rooney
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Daniel Rooney,
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Adopted effective June 9, 2006
A-9
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
A. Election of Directors
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES.
1.
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To elect as directors the nominees named below to serve for terms expiring at the 2007
Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and
qualified.
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For
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Withhold
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For
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Withhold
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01 Robert J. Baker, Jr.
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04 Walter J. Doyle
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02 Robert H. Peitz
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05 Daniel Rooney
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03 Edward W. Ungar
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B. Issues
The Board of Directors recommends a vote
FOR
the following proposals
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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2.
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To adopt the Companys 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
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3.
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To ratify the selection of Hausser + Taylor LLC as the
Companys Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm for the year ending December 31, 2006.
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4.
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To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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C. Authorized Signatures Sign Here This section must be completed for your instructions to
be executed.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt with this Proxy of a copy of the Companys Notice of
Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated May 1, 2006. Any proxy heretofore given to vote said
shares is hereby revoked.
IMPORTANT:
Please sign exactly as name or names appear to the left. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. Corporations should sign in their full corporate name
by their president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name
by an authorized person.
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Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box
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Signature 2 - Please keep signature within the box
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
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(Continued, to be dated and signed, on the other side.)
1
(Continued from the other side.)
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned shareholder of Superconductive Components, Inc. (the Company) hereby
appoints Daniel Rooney, Gerald S. Blaskie, and Curtis A. Loveland, or any one of them, as attorneys
and proxies with full power of substitution to each, to vote all shares of common stock of the
Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company to be held at the offices of the Company, 2839 Charter Street, Columbus, Ohio, on Friday,
June 9, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, with all of
the powers such undersigned shareholder would have if personally present, for the purposes stated
on the reverse side.
The undersigned gives unto said attorneys and proxies, or substitutes, full power and authority to
do whatsoever in their opinions may be necessary or proper to be done in the exercise of the power
hereby conferred, including the right to vote for any adjournment, hereby ratifying all that said
attorneys and proxies, or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Any of
the said attorneys and proxies, or substitutes, who shall be present and shall act at the meeting
shall have and may exercise all powers of said attorneys and proxies hereunder.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3 ON THE
REVERSE SIDE.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
.