UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy Statement
Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of
1934
Filed
by the Registrant
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Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check
the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
For Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12
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TOWERSTREAM
CORPORATION
(Name of
Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No
fee required
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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 Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
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Total
fee paid:
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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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Date
Filed:
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TOWERSTREAM
CORPORATION
55
HAMMARLUND WAY
MIDDLETOWN,
RHODE ISLAND 02842
TELEPHONE:
(401) 848-5848
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The
annual meeting of the stockholders of Towerstream Corporation (the “Company”)
will be held on Monday, November 8, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. at 88 Silva Lane,
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 for the purposes of:
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1.
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Electing
the five (5)
directors
nominated by the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders;
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2.
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Approving
the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan;
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3.
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Amending
the 2008 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan to extend the option
term, modify annual compensation and permit the issuance of restricted
stock awards;
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4.
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Ratifying
Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010;
and
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5.
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Transacting
such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
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Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010, will be
entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. A list of all stockholders
entitled to vote at the annual meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and
showing the address of and number of shares held by each stockholder, will be
available at the principal office of the Company during usual business hours,
for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the annual meeting
for 10 days prior to the date thereof. The proxy materials will be
furnished to stockholders on or about September 24, 2010.
The
Company is pleased to take advantage of the Securities and Exchange Commission
rules that allow issuers to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders on the
Internet. The Company believes these rules allow it to provide you with
the information you need while lowering the Company’s costs.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors
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/s/
Philip
Urso
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Chairman
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WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS
POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED.
TOWERSTREAM
CORPORATION
55
HAMMARLUND WAY
MIDDLETOWN,
RHODE ISLAND 02842
TELEPHONE:
(401) 848-5848
PROXY
STATEMENT
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010
SOLICITATION
OF PROXIES
The
enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Towerstream Corporation
(herein after referred to as the “Company”, “we,” “us,” or “our”), for use at
the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders to be held at 88 Silva Lane,
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 on November 8, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. and at any
adjournments thereof. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in
person, please vote your shares as promptly as possible to ensure that your vote
is counted. The proxy materials will be furnished to stockholders on or
about September 24, 2010.
REVOCABILITY
OF PROXY AND SOLICITATION
Any
stockholder executing a proxy that is solicited hereby has the power to revoke
it prior to the voting of the proxy. Revocation may be made by attending
the annual meeting and voting the shares of stock in person, or by delivering to
the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company prior to the
annual meeting a written notice of revocation or a later-dated, properly
executed proxy. Solicitation of proxies may be made by directors, officers
and other employees of the Company by personal interview, telephone, facsimile
transmittal or electronic communications. No additional compensation will
be paid for any such services. This solicitation of proxies is being made
by the Company which will bear all costs associated with the mailing of this
proxy statement and the solicitation of proxies.
INTERNET
AND ELECTRONIC AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
Under new
rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company
is making this Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as
amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 available on the Internet
instead of mailing a printed copy of these materials to each stockholder.
Stockholders who received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
(the “Notice”) by mail will not receive a printed copy of these materials other
than as described below. Instead, the Notice contains instructions as to
how stockholders may access and review all of the important information
contained in the materials on the Internet, including how stockholders may
submit proxies by telephone or over the Internet.
If
you received the Notice by mail and would prefer to receive a printed copy of
the Company’s proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting
printed copies included in the Notice.
RECORD
DATE
Stockholders
of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010, will be entitled to
receive notice of, to attend and to vote at the meeting.
ACTION
TO BE TAKEN UNDER PROXY
Unless
otherwise directed by the giver of the proxy, the persons named in the form of
proxy, namely, Jeffrey M. Thompson, our Chief Executive Officer and
President, and Joseph P. Hernon, our Chief Financial Officer, or either one of
them who acts, will vote:
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FOR
the election of the persons named herein as nominees for directors of the
Company, for a term expiring at the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders
(or until successors are duly elected and
qualified);
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FOR
the approval of the 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (sometimes referred
to as the “Employee Stock Purchase
Plan”);
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FOR
the amendment to the 2008 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan
(sometimes referred to as the “Directors
Plan”);
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FOR
the ratification of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010;
and
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According to their judgment, on
the transaction of such matters or other business as may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
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Should
any nominee named herein for election as a director become unavailable for any
reason, it is intended that the persons named in the proxy will vote for the
election of such other person in his stead as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors is not aware of any reason that might
cause any nominee to be unavailable.
WHO
IS ENTITLED TO VOTE; VOTE REQUIRED; QUORUM
As of
September 10, 2010, there were 35,043,105 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding, which constitute all of the outstanding capital stock of the
Company. The Company does not expect our shares of common stock issued and
outstanding to change as of our record date. Stockholders are entitled to
one vote for each share of common stock held by them.
A
majority of the outstanding shares (estimated to be 17,521,553 shares), present
in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the
meeting. For purposes of the quorum and the discussion below regarding the
vote necessary to take stockholder action, stockholders of record who are
present at the annual meeting in person or by proxy and who abstain, including
brokers holding customers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded
at the meeting, are considered stockholders who are present and entitled to vote
and are counted towards the quorum.
Brokers
holding shares of record for customers generally are not entitled to vote on
“non-routine” matters, unless they receive voting instructions from their
customers. As used herein, “uninstructed shares” means shares held by a
broker who has not received voting instructions from its customers on a
proposal. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding uninstructed
shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the
nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that
non-routine matter. In connection with the treatment of abstentions and broker
non-votes, the proposed ratification of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010
is considered a “routine” matter. Accordingly, brokers are entitled to
vote uninstructed shares with respect to this proposal.
Under
Delaware state law and provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation
and By-Laws, as amended, the vote required for the election of directors is a
plurality of the votes of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock
present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting of stockholders
and entitled to vote on the election of directors. This means that the
nominees who receive the most votes will be elected to the open director
positions. Abstentions, broker non-votes and other shares that are not voted in
person or by proxy will not be included in the vote count to determine if a
plurality of shares voted in favor of each nominee.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS
Why
am I receiving these materials?
Towerstream
Corporation has made these materials available to you on the Internet or, upon
your request, has delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail,
in connection with the Company’s solicitation of proxies for use at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held on November 8, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. local time
at 88 Silva Lane, Middletown, Rhode Island. These materials describe the
proposals on which the Company would like you to vote and also give you
information on these proposals so that you can make an informed decision. We are
furnishing our proxy materials on or about September 24, 2010 to all
stockholders of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
What
is included in these materials?
These materials include:
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this
proxy statement for the annual
meeting;
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the
Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2009, as filed with the SEC on March 17, 2010;
and
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the
Company’s amendment to its annual report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2009, as filed with the SEC on April 29,
2010.
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If you
requested printed versions of these materials by mail, these materials also
include the proxy card or vote instruction form for the annual
meeting.
What
is the proxy card?
The proxy
card enables you to appoint Jeffrey M. Thompson, our Chief Executive Officer and
President, and Joseph P. Hernon, our Chief Financial Officer, as your
representative at the annual meeting. By completing and returning a proxy
card, you are authorizing these individuals to vote your shares at the annual
meeting in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card. This way,
your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the annual
meeting.
What
items will be voted on?
You are
being asked to vote on these specific proposals:
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the
election of the five nominated members of our Board of
Directors;
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the
approval of our Employee Stock Purchase
Plan;
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the
amendment to our Directors Plan;
and
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the
ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm, Marcum
LLP, for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2010.
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We will
also transact any other business that properly comes before the annual
meeting.
How
does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?
Our Board
of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote your shares:
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FOR
each of the five persons nominated for
director;
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FOR
the approval of our Employee Stock Purchase
Plan;
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FOR
the amendment of our Directors
Plan;
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FOR
the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm,
Marcum LLP, for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2010.
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Why
did I receive a one-page notice in the mail regarding the Internet availability
of proxy materials this year instead of a full set of proxy
materials?
Pursuant
to rules adopted by the SEC, the Company has elected to provide access to its
proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, the Company is sending the
Notice to the Company’s shareholders of record and beneficial owners. All
shareholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website
referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy
materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the
Internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. In
addition, shareholders may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by
mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis. The Company
encourages you to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials on
the Internet.
What
does it mean if I receive more than one Notice?
You may
have multiple accounts at the transfer agent and/or with brokerage firms.
Please follow directions on each Notice to ensure that all of your shares are
voted.
How
can I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
The
Notice will provide you with instructions regarding how to:
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view
the Company’s proxy materials for the annual meeting on the
Internet;
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request
hard copies of the materials;
and
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instruct
the Company to send future proxy materials to you electronically by
email.
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Choosing
to receive future proxy materials by email will save the Company the cost of
printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of the
Company’s annual meetings on the environment. If you choose to receive
future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email message next year
with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy
voting website. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will
remain in effect until you terminate it.
Who
can vote at the annual meeting of stockholders?
There
were 35,043,105 shares of common stock outstanding on September 10, 2010.
There are approximately 50 shareholders of record. Beneficial owners
hold their shares at brokerage firms and other financial institutions.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010 are
entitled to receive notice of, to attend, and to vote at the annual
meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote. All shares of common
stock shall vote together as a single class. Information about the
stockholdings of our directors and executive officers is contained in the
section of this proxy statement entitled “Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management.”
What
is the difference between a stockholder of record and a beneficial owner of
shares held in street name?
Most of
our stockholders hold their shares in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or
other nominee holder, rather than holding share certificates in their own
name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held
of record and those owned beneficially in street name.
Stockholder
of Record
If on
September 15, 2010, your shares were registered directly in your name with our
transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are
considered a stockholder of record with respect to those shares, and the Notice
was sent directly to you by the Company. If you request printed copies of
the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a proxy card. As the
stockholder of record, you have the right to direct the voting of your shares by
returning the proxy card to us. Whether or not you plan to attend the
annual meeting, if you do not vote over the Internet, please complete, date,
sign and return a proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted.
Beneficial
Owner of Shares Held in Street Name
If on
September 15, 2010, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm,
bank, broker-dealer, or other nominee holder, then you are considered the
beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the Notice was forwarded
to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is
considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the annual
meeting. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct that
organization on how to vote the shares held in your account. However,
since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in
person at the annual meeting unless you receive a valid proxy from the
organization. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by
mail, you will receive a vote instruction form.
How
do I vote?
Shareholders of Record.
If you are a stockholder of record,
you may vote by any of the
following methods:
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Via the
Internet.
You
may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided
in the Notice.
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By Telephone.
If
you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by
calling the toll free number found on the proxy
card.
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By Mail.
If you
request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by
completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the
pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope
provided.
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In Person.
You may
attend and vote at the annual meeting. The Company will give you a
ballot when you arrive.
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Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in
Street Name.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street
name,
you may vote
by any of the following methods:
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Via the
Internet.
You
may vote by proxy via the Internet by following the instructions provided
in the Notice.
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By Telephone.
If
you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by
proxy by calling the toll free number found on the vote instruction
form.
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By Mail.
If you
request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by
proxy by filling out the vote instruction form and returning it in the
pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope
provided.
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In Person.
If you are a
beneficial owner of shares held in street name and you wish to vote in
person at the annual meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the
organization that holds your
shares.
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What
if I change my mind after I have voted?
You may
revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the
annual meeting. You may vote again on a later date via the Internet or by
telephone (only your latest Internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the
annual meeting will be counted), by signing and returning a new proxy card or
vote instruction form with a later date, or by attending the annual meeting and
voting in person. However, your attendance at the meeting will not
automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the meeting or
specifically request that your prior proxy be revoked by delivering to the
Company’s Corporate Secretary at 55 Hammarlund Way, Middletown, Rhode Island
02842 a written notice of revocation prior to the annual meeting.
Please
note, however, that if your shares are held of record by an organization, you
must instruct them that you wish to change your vote by following the procedures
on the voting form provided to you by the organization. If your shares are
held in street name, and you wish to attend the annual meeting and vote at the
annual meeting, you must bring to the annual meeting a legal proxy from the
organization holding your shares, confirming your beneficial ownership of the
shares and giving you the right to vote your shares.
How
are proxies voted?
All valid
proxies received prior to the annual meeting will be voted. All shares
represented by a proxy will be voted and, where a stockholder specifies by means
of the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares
will be voted in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.
What
happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?
Shareholders of Record.
If you are a stockholder of record and you:
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indicate
when voting on the Internet or by telephone that you wish to vote as
recommended by the Board of Directors,
or
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sign
and return a proxy card without giving specific voting
instructions,
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then the
proxy holders will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board of
Directors on all matters presented in this proxy statement and as the proxy
holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters
properly presented for a vote at the annual meeting.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in
Street Name.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street
name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific
voting instructions, under the rules of various national and regional securities
exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on routine
matters, such as the ratification of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010, but
cannot vote on non-routine matters, such as the election of directors, the
approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan or the amendment to the Directors
Plan.
How
many votes are required to elect the nominated persons to our Board of
Directors?
The
affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting of the
stockholders by the holders of shares of common stock entitled to vote in the
election are required to elect each director. This means that the nominees
who receive the most votes will be elected to the open director positions, to
serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors
are duly elected and qualified.
How
many votes are required to approve our Employee Stock Purchase
Plan?
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting by the
holders of shares of common stock entitled to vote are required to approve our
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
How
many votes are required to amend our Directors Plan?
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting by the
holders of shares of common stock entitled to vote are required to amend our
Directors Plan.
How
many votes are required to ratify our independent public
accountants?
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting by the
holders of shares of common stock entitled to vote are required to ratify Marcum
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2010.
Is
my vote kept confidential?
Proxy
instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual
stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy.
Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties,
except:
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as
necessary to meet applicable legal
requirements;
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to
allow for the tabulation and certification of votes;
and
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to
facilitate a successful proxy
solicitation.
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Occasionally,
stockholders provide written comments on their proxy cards, which may be
forwarded to the Company’s management and the Board of Directors.
Where
do I find the voting results of the annual meeting?
We will
announce voting results at the annual meeting and also in our Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010, which we anticipate filing in March
2011.
Who
can help answer my questions?
You can
contact our corporate headquarters, at Towerstream Corporation, 55 Hammarlund
Way, Middletown, RI 02842, by phone at 401-848-5848 or by sending a letter to
Joseph P. Hernon, our Secretary, with any questions about any proposal described
in this proxy statement or how to execute your vote.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership
of our common stock as of September 10, 2010 by:
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each person known by us to
beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock (based solely on our
review of SEC filings);
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each of our directors and
nominees for director;
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each of our named executive
officers listed in the table entitled “Summary Compensation Table” under
the section entitled “Executive Compensation” below;
and
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all of our directors and
executive officers as a
group.
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The
percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of
regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of
securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a
beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which
includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, or
investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the
disposition of, with respect to the security. Except as indicated in the
footnotes to this table, each beneficial owner named in the table below has sole
voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned
and each person’s address is c/o Towerstream Corporation, 55 Hammarlund Way,
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842, unless otherwise indicated.
Name and Address of Beneficial
Owner
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Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership(1)
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Percent
of
Class(1)
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5%
Stockholders:
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Joel
Lusman (2)
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1,800,000
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5.1
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%
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c/o
Lusman Capital Management, LLC
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717
Fifth Avenue, 14
th
Floor
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New
York, NY 10022
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Lacuna
Hedge Fund LLLP (3)
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1,784,818
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5.1
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%
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1100
Spruce Street, Suite 202
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Boulder,
CO 80302
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Directors
and Named Executive Officers:
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Philip
Urso
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3,778,528
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(4)
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10.6
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%
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William
J. Bush
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167,500
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(5)
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*
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Howard
L. Haronian
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|
1,124,370
|
(6)
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
Paul
Koehler
|
|
|
160,000
|
(7)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Jeffrey
M. Thompson
|
|
|
2,660,976
|
(8)
|
|
|
7.4
|
%
|
Joseph
P. Hernon
|
|
|
251,051
|
(9)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Melvin
L. Yarbrough, Jr.
|
|
|
465,817
|
(10)
|
|
|
1.3
|
%
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)
|
|
|
8,608,242
|
(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)
|
|
|
22.9
|
%
|
* Less
than 1%.
(1)
|
Shares of common stock
beneficially owned and the respective percentages of beneficial ownership
of common stock assumes the exercise of all options, warrants and other
securities convertible into common stock beneficially owned by such person
or entity currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of September
10, 2010. Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options
and warrants exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding and held by
the holder of such options or warrants for computing the percentage of
outstanding common stock beneficially owned by such person, but are not
deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of outstanding common
stock beneficially owned by any other person. As of September 10,
2010, there were 35,043,105 shares of our common stock
outstanding.
|
(2)
|
Based
on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on June 11, 2010. Includes
1,800,000 shares held by Lusman Capital Management, LLC. Joel
Lusman, as Managing Member of Lusman Capital Management, LLC, may be
deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of, and to dispose
or direct the disposition of, the securities of the Company held by Lusman
Capital Management, LLC.
|
(3)
|
Based
on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 16, 2010.
Includes 333,333 shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant issued to
Lacuna Hedge Fund LLLP (“Lacuna Hedge”), dated January 12, 2007, at an
exercise price of $4.50 per share. This warrant expires on January
12, 2012. The remaining 1,451,485 shares are held directly by Lacuna
Hedge. Lacuna, LLC (“Lacuna LLC”) serves as the sole general partner of
Lacuna Hedge GP LLLP (“Lacuna Hedge GP”), which serves as the sole general
partner of Lacuna Hedge. Neither Lacuna Hedge GP nor Lacuna LLC
directly owns any securities of the Company. Lacuna Hedge GP and
Lacuna LLC may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote
of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of, the securities of the
Company held by Lacuna Hedge but disclaim beneficial ownership except to
the extent of their pecuniary interest
therein.
|
(4)
|
Includes 282,386 shares of common
stock held by Mr. Urso’s minor children, for whom Mr. Urso and his wife
are the trustees, and 512,886 shares of common stock issuable upon the
exercise of options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days.
|
(5)
|
Includes
162,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options that
are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60
days.
|
(6)
|
Includes 175,039 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60
days.
|
(7)
|
Includes 160,000 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60
days.
|
(8)
|
Includes 893,465 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60
days.
|
(9)
|
Includes 228,130 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60
days.
|
(10)
|
Includes 448,683 shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60
days.
|
PROPOSAL
1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Information
about the Nominees
Our
By-laws currently specify that the number of directors shall be at least one and
no more than 15 persons, unless otherwise determined by a vote of the majority
of the Board of Directors (the “Board”). Our Board currently consists of
five (5) persons and all of them have been nominated by the Company to stand for
re-election. Each director is elected or nominated to the Board until the
following annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been
elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier resignation or
removal.
The
following table shows for each nominee his age, his principal occupation for at
least the last five years, his present position with the Company, the year in
which he was first elected or appointed as director (each serving continuously
since first elected or appointed except as set forth in the footnotes hereto),
and his directorships with other companies whose securities are registered with
the SEC.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Jeffrey
M. Thompson
|
|
46
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
Philip
Urso
|
|
51
|
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors
|
Howard
L. Haronian, M.D. (1)(2)(3)
|
|
49
|
|
Director
|
Paul
Koehler (1)(3)
|
|
51
|
|
Director
|
William
J. Bush (1)(2)
|
|
45
|
|
Director
|
(1)
Member of our Audit Committee.
(2)
Member of our Compensation Committee.
(3)
Member of our Nominating Committee.
The
biographies below include information related to service by the persons below to
Towerstream Corporation and our subsidiary, Towerstream I, Inc. On January
4, 2007, we merged with and into a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary, for the
sole purpose of changing our state of incorporation to Delaware. On
January 12, 2007, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours completed a reverse merger
with and into a private company, Towerstream Corporation, with Towerstream
Corporation (the private company) being the surviving company and becoming a
wholly-owned subsidiary of ours. Upon closing of the merger, we
discontinued our former business and succeeded to the business of Towerstream
Corporation as our sole line of business. At the same time, we also
changed our name from University Girls Calendar Ltd to Towerstream Corporation
and, our newly acquired subsidiary, Towerstream Corporation, changed its name to
Towerstream I, Inc.
Jeffrey M.
Thompson
co-founded Towerstream I, Inc. in December 1999 with Philip
Urso. Mr. Thompson has served as a director since inception and as chief
operating officer from inception until November 2005 when Mr. Thompson became
president and chief executive officer. Since the completion of our reverse
merger in January 2007, Mr. Thompson has been our president, chief executive
officer and a director. In 1995, Mr. Thompson co-founded and was vice
president of operations of EdgeNet Inc., a privately held Internet service
provider (which was sold to Citadel Broadcasting Corporation in 1997 and became
eFortress (“eFortress”)) through 1999. Mr. Thompson holds a B.S. degree
from the University of Massachusetts.
Philip
Urso
co-founded Towerstream I, Inc. in December 1999 with Jeffrey M.
Thompson. Mr. Urso has served as a director and chairman since inception
and as chief executive officer from inception until November 2005. Since
the completion of our reverse merger in January 2007, Mr. Urso has been our
chairman and a director. In 1995, Mr. Urso co-founded eFortress (previously
EdgeNet Inc.) and served as its president through 1999. From 1983 until
1997, Mr. Urso owned and operated a group of radio stations. In addition, Mr.
Urso co-founded the regional cell-tower company, MCF Communications,
Inc.
Howard L.
Haronian, M.D.,
has served as a director of Towerstream I, Inc. since
inception in December 1999. Since the completion of our reverse merger in
January 2007, Dr. Haronian has been a director. Dr. Haronian is an
interventional cardiologist and has been president of Cardiology Specialists,
Ltd. of Rhode Island since 1994. Dr. Haronian has served on the clinical faculty
of the Yale School of Medicine since 1994. Dr. Haronian has directed the
cardiac catheterization program at Westerly Hospital since founding the program
in 2003.
Paul Koehler
has been a director since January 2007. Mr. Koehler has served as
vice president of corporate development of Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (NasdaqGM:
PEIX) since June 2005. Mr. Koehler has over twenty years of experience in
the power and renewable fuels industries and in marketing, trading and project
development. Prior to working for Pacific Ethanol Inc., from 2001 to 2005, Mr.
Koehler developed wind power projects for PPM Energy Inc., a wind power producer
and marketer. Mr. Koehler was president and co-founder of Kinergy LLC, a
consulting firm focused on renewable energy, project development and risk
management from 1993 to 2003. During the 1990s, Mr. Koehler worked for
Portland General Electric Company and Enron Corp. in power marketing and energy
trading. Mr. Koehler holds a B.A. degree from the Honors College at the
University of Oregon. Mr. Koehler currently serves on the Board of
Directors of Oregon College of Art and Craft, a private art college, and has
been a director since 2009. Mr. Koehler also served on the Board of
Directors of Oregon College of Art and Craft from 2005 through
2007.
William J.
Bush
has been a director since January 2007. Since January 2010,
Mr. Bush has served as the chief financial officer of Borrego Solar Systems,
Inc., which is one of the nation’s leading financiers, designers and installers
of commercial and government grid-connected solar electric power systems.
From October 2008 to December 2009, Mr. Bush served as the chief financial
officer of Solar Semiconductor, Ltd., a private vertically integrated
manufacturer and distributor of quality photovoltaic modules and systems
targeted for use in industrial, commercial and residential applications with
operations in India helping it reach $100 million in sales in its first 15
months of operation. From January 2006 through December 2007, Mr. Bush
served as chief financial officer of ZVUE Corporation (formerly known as
Handheld Entertainment, Inc. (Pink Sheets: ZVUE.PK)), a distributor of user
generated content. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. Bush was the chief financial
officer and secretary for International Microcomputer Software, Inc. (OTCBB:
IMSI.OB), a developer and distributor of precision design software, content and
on-line services. Prior to that he was a director of business development
and corporate controller for Buzzsaw.com, Inc. Mr. Bush was one of the
founding members of Buzzsaw.com, Inc., a privately held company spun off from
Autodesk, Inc. in 1999, focusing on online collaboration, printing and
procurement applications. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Bush worked as corporate
controller at Autodesk, Inc. (NasdaqGM: ADSK), the fourth largest software
applications company in the world. Prior to that, Mr. Bush worked for
seven years in public accounting, first with Ernst & Young, and later with
Price Waterhouse in Munich, Germany. Mr. Bush holds a B.S. degree in
Business Administration from U.C. Berkeley and is a certified public
accountant. Mr. Bush currently serves on the Board of Directors of
FindEx.com (OTCBB: FIND), a Bible study software provider, and has been a
director since 2007.
Except
for Howard L. Haronian, M.D. and Philip Urso, who are cousins, there are no
family relationships among our directors and executive officers.
Director
or Officer Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Our
directors and executive officers were not involved in any legal proceedings as
described in Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)
requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own
more than 10% of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes
in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on our review of copies of such
reports and representations from our executive officers and directors, we
believe that our executive officers and directors complied with all Section
16(a) filing requirements during the year ended December 31, 2009, except that
Jeffrey M. Thompson, our President, Chief Executive Officer and a director,
failed to timely file Form 4s reporting the grant of an option to purchase
shares of our common stock on May 6, 2009 and the issuance of common stock as
bonus shares on May 11, 2009 and August 11, 2009, Joseph P. Hernon, our Chief
Financial Officer, failed to timely file Form 4s reporting the grant of an
option to purchase shares of our common stock on May 6, 2009 and the issuance of
common stock as bonus shares on May 11, 2009 and August 11, 2009, and Melvin L.
Yarbrough, Jr., our Chief Revenue Officer, failed to timely file Form 4s
reporting the grant of an option to purchase shares of our common stock on May
6, 2009 and the issuance of common stock as bonus shares on May 11, 2009 and
August 11, 2009.
Leadership
Structure and Risk Oversight
Currently,
the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board are held by
two different individuals. Jeffrey M. Thompson currently serves as
President, Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board and Philip Urso
serves as Chairman of the Board. Although no formal policy currently
exists, the Board determined that the separation of these positions would allow
Mr. Thompson to devote his time to the daily execution of the Company’s business
strategies and Mr. Urso to devote his time to the long-term strategic direction
of the Company.
Our Audit
Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk management processes
on behalf of our Board. The Audit Committee receives and reviews periodic
reports from management, auditors, legal counsel, and others, as considered
appropriate regarding our Company’s assessment of risks. In addition, the Audit
Committee reports regularly to the full Board, which also considers our risk
profile. The Audit Committee and the full Board focus on the most significant
risks facing our Company and our Company’s general risk management strategy, and
also ensure that risks undertaken by our Company are consistent with the Board’s
tolerance for risk. While the Board oversees our Company’s risk management,
management is responsible for day-to-day risk management processes. We believe
this division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for addressing
the risks facing our Company and that our Board leadership structure supports
this approach.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Related
parties can include any of our directors or executive officers, certain of our
stockholders and their immediate family members. Each year, we prepare and
require our directors and executive officers to complete Director and Officer
Questionnaires identifying any transactions with us in which the officer or
director or their family members have an interest. This helps us identify
potential conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when an
individual’s private interest interferes, or appears to interfere, in any way
with the interests of the Company as a whole. Our code of ethics requires all
directors, officers and employees who may have a potential or apparent conflict
of interest to immediately notify our Audit Committee of the Board of Directors,
which is responsible for considering and reporting to the Board any questions of
possible conflicts of interest of Board members. Our code of ethics further
requires pre-clearance before any employee, officer or director engages in any
personal or business activity that may raise concerns about conflict, potential
conflict or apparent conflict of interest. Copies of our code of ethics and the
Audit Committee charter are posted on the corporate governance section of our
website at
www.towerstream.com
.
In
evaluating related party transactions and potential conflicts of interest, our
compliance officer and independent directors apply the same standards of good
faith and fiduciary duty they apply to their general responsibilities. They will
approve a related party transaction only when, in their good faith judgment, the
transaction is in the best interest of the Company.
There
were no related party transactions entered into by the Company for the year
ended 2009.
Independent
Directors
We
believe that William J. Bush, Howard L. Haronian, M.D., and Paul Koehler are
“independent directors,” as that term is defined by listing standards of the
national exchanges and SEC rules, including the rules relating to the
independence standards of an audit committee and the non-employee director
definition of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
Recommendation
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF ITS
NOMINEES.
Board
Committees
Since
January 2007, the standing committees of our Board consist of an Audit
Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee. Each
member of our committees is “independent” as such term is defined under and
required by the federal securities laws and the rules of The NASDAQ Stock
Market. The charters of each of the committees have been approved by the
Board and are available on our website at
www.towerstream.com
.
Audit
Committee
The Audit
Committee is comprised of three directors: William J. Bush, Howard L.
Haronian, M.D., and Paul Koehler. Mr. Bush is the Chairman of the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee’s duties are to recommend to our Board the
engagement of independent auditors to audit our financial statements and to
review our accounting and auditing principles. The Audit Committee reviews the
scope, timing and fees for the annual audit and the results of audit
examinations performed by independent public accountants, including their
recommendations to improve the system of accounting and internal controls.
The Audit Committee oversees the independent auditors, including their
independence and objectivity. However, the committee members are not
acting as professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not
intended to duplicate or substitute for the activities of management and the
independent auditors. The Audit Committee is empowered to retain
independent legal counsel and other advisors as it deems necessary or
appropriate to assist the Audit Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities,
and to approve the fees and other retention terms of the advisors. Each of
our Audit Committee members possesses an understanding of financial statements
and generally accepted accounting principles. Our Board has determined
that Mr. Bush is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item
407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee is comprised of two directors: Howard L. Haronian,
M.D., and William J. Bush. Dr. Haronian is the Chairman of the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has certain duties and
powers as described in its charter, including but not limited to periodically
reviewing and approving our salary and benefits policies, compensation of
executive officers, administering our stock option plans and recommending and
approving grants of stock options under such plans.
Nominating
Committee
The
Nominating Committee is comprised of two directors: Howard L. Haronian,
M.D., and Paul Koehler. Dr. Haronian is Chairman of the Nominating
Committee. The Nominating Committee considers and makes recommendations on
matters related to the practices, policies and procedures of the Board and takes
a leadership role in shaping our corporate governance. As part of its
duties, the Nominating Committee assesses the size, structure and composition of
the Board and its committees, coordinates evaluation of Board performance and
reviews Board compensation. The Nominating Committee also acts as a
screening and nominating committee for candidates considered for election to the
Board.
Director
Nominations
Part of our Nominating Committee’s
duties is to screen and nominate candidates considered for election to our
Board. In this capacity, it concerns itself with the composition of the
Board with respect to depth of experience, balance of professional interests,
required expertise and other factors. The Nominating Committee evaluates
prospective nominees identified on its own initiative or referred to it by other
Board members, management, stockholders or external sources and all
self-nominated candidates. The Nominating Committee uses the same criteria
for evaluating candidates nominated by stockholders and self-nominated
candidates as it does for those proposed by other Board members, management and
search companies
.
The
Nominating Committee values diversity as a factor in selecting individuals
nominated to serve on the Board. Although the Board prefers a mix of
backgrounds and experience among its members, it does not follow any ratio or
formula to determine the appropriate mix, nor is there any specific policy on
diversity. The Nominating Committee uses its judgment to identify nominees
whose backgrounds, attributes and experiences, taken as a whole, will contribute
to a high standard of service for the Board.
Stockholders
who wish to recommend a candidate for election to the Board may submit such
nominations pursuant to timely notice in writing. To be timely, a
stockholder's notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at our
principal executive offices, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior
to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is changed by
more than 30 days from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be
timely must be received not later than the close of business on the 10th day
following the earlier of the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was
mailed or public disclosure was made. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth
(a) as to the proposed candidate, the name, contact information, background,
experience and other pertinent information; (b) as to the stockholder giving the
notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the books of the Company, of
such stockholder and (ii) the class and number of shares which are beneficially
owned by such stockholder and also which are owned of record by such
stockholder; and (c) as to the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
nomination is made, (i) the name and address of the beneficial owner and (ii)
the class and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by
the beneficial owner.
Meetings
of the Board of Directors and Committees
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Board held six meetings and acted
by written consent on one occasion, the Audit Committee held four meetings, the
Compensation Committee held five meetings and acted by written consent on one
occasion, and the Nominating Committee held one meeting. Each incumbent
director attended or participated in 75% or more of the aggregate number of
meetings of the Board and the Committees on which he served during the fiscal
year, except for Paul Koehler, who participated in 50% of the audit committee
meetings.
Policy
Regarding Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders
Our Board
has adopted a policy which states that each director is expected to attend
annual meetings of its stockholders. Last year, all of our directors
attended the annual meeting of stockholders and we expect that all of them will
attend this year’s annual meeting as well.
Director
Compensation Table – Fiscal 2009
The
following table summarizes the compensation awarded during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009 to our directors who are not named executive officers in the
Summary Compensation Table under “Executive Compensation” below:
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid
in Cash
|
|
|
Option
Awards
(1)(2)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Philip
Urso
|
|
$
|
31,000
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
18,343
|
|
|
$
|
49,343
|
|
Howard
L. Haronian, M.D.
|
|
$
|
36,000
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
18,343
|
|
|
$
|
54,343
|
|
Paul
Koehler
|
|
$
|
31,500
|
|
|
$
|
18,343
|
|
|
$
|
49,843
|
|
William
J. Bush
|
|
$
|
35,500
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
18,343
|
|
|
$
|
53,843
|
|
|
(1)
|
Based upon the aggregate grant
date fair value calculated in accordance with the Stock Compensation Topic
of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards
Codification. Our policy and assumptions made in the valuation of
share-based payments are contained in Note 8 to our December 31, 2009
financial statements.
|
|
(2)
|
Option awards relate to the
issuance in 2009 of options to purchase 50,000 shares each for Messrs.
Urso, Koehler and Bush, and Dr.
Haronian.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes $1,000 of fees earned
during fiscal year 2009 that were not paid until fiscal year
2010.
|
Narrative
Disclosure to Director Compensation Table
The table
entitled “Director Compensation Table - Fiscal 2009” above quantifies the value
of the different forms of compensation of each of the directors for services
rendered during fiscal 2009. The primary elements of each director’s total
compensation reported in the table are cash fees earned and stock option
awards.
Pursuant
to the 2008 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan, each non-employee director
is entitled to receive periodic grants of five-year options to purchase 50,000
shares of our common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value
of our common stock on the date of grant. An initial grant is made upon
such non-employee director’s election or appointment to our Board and thereafter
annually on the first business day in June, subject to such director remaining
on the Board.
Non-employee
directors presently receive $25,000 per annum in cash and an additional $1,000
per Board meeting attended in person or by telephone, and $500 per committee
meeting attended in person or by telephone. If Proposal No. 3 is approved,
effective January 1, 2011, Board members will receive $50,000 per annum in
cash. No fees will be paid for meetings attended in person or
telephonically. In connection with the additional responsibilities
associated with such positions, the Chairman of the Board will receive an
additional $10,000 per year, and the Chairman of the Audit and Compensation
Committees will each receive an additional $5,000 per year.
Code
of Ethics
Our Board
has adopted a code of conduct and ethics that establishes the standards of
ethical conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees of our
Company. The code addresses, among other things, conflicts of interest,
compliance with disclosure controls and procedures, and internal control over
financial reporting, corporate opportunities and confidentiality
requirements. The Audit Committee is responsible for applying and
interpreting our code of conduct and ethics in situations where questions are
presented to it. There were no amendments or waivers to this code in fiscal
2009. Our code of ethics is available for review on our website at
www.towerstream.com
.
We will provide a copy of our code of ethics free of charge to any person who so
requests. Requests should be directed by e-mail to Philip Mongada, our Vice
President of Human Resources, at pmongada@towerstream.com, by mail to
Towerstream Corporation, 55 Hammarlund Way, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842, or
by telephone at (401) 848-5848.
Stockholder
Communication with Directors
Our Board
has established procedures for stockholders or other interested parties to send
communications to the Board. Such parties can contact the Board by
electronic mail at
Board@towerstream.com
.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
following Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting
material,” “filed” with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of
the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
any of the Company’s previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or the Exchange Act, that might incorporate by reference future
filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following
Audit Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any such
filings.
The Audit
Committee is comprised of three independent directors (as defined under Rule
4200 of the NASDAQ Stock Market). The Audit Committee operates under a
written charter adopted by the Board of Directors on January 12, 2007, which can
be found in the Corporate Governance section of our website,
www.towerstream.com, and is also available in print to any stockholder upon
request to the Corporate Secretary.
We have
reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009.
We have
reviewed and discussed with management and Marcum LLP, our independent
registered public accounting firm, the quality and the acceptability of the
Company’s financial reporting and internal controls.
We have
discussed with Marcum LLP, the overall scope and plans for their audit as well
as the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s
internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial
reporting.
We have
discussed with management and Marcum LLP, such other matters as required to be
discussed with the Audit Committee under Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the
“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T, and other auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States, the corporate governance standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market and
the Audit Committee’s Charter.
We have
received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Marcum LLP,
required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Marcum LLP’s
communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and have
discussed with Marcum LLP, their independence from management and the
Company.
Based on
the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to the Board of
Directors that the financial statements referred to above be included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009 for filing with the SEC.
|
William
Bush, Audit Committee Chairman
|
|
Howard
L. Haronian, M.D.
|
|
Paul
Koehler
|
|
|
Dated
as of September 10, 2010
|
|
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
The
following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers.
Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the
discretion of the Board.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Jeffrey
M. Thompson
|
|
46
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer, President and Director
|
Joseph
P. Hernon
|
|
50
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
Melvin
L. Yarbrough, Jr.
|
|
45
|
|
Chief
Revenue Officer
|
Information
pertaining to Mr. Thompson, who is both a director and an executive officer of
the Company, may be found in the section entitled “Information about the
Nominees.”
Joseph P.
Hernon
has been our chief financial officer, principal financial officer
and principal accounting officer since joining the Company in May 2008.
From November 2007 until May 2008, Mr. Hernon was a financial consultant to a
high technology company. From November 2005 until October 2007, Mr. Hernon
served as the chief financial officer of Aqua Bounty Technologies Inc., a
biotechnology company dedicated to the improvement of productivity in the
aquaculture industry through the application of biotechnology. From August
1996 until October 2005, Mr. Hernon served as vice president, chief financial
officer and secretary of Boston Life Sciences Inc., a biotechnology company
focused on developing therapeutics and diagnostics for central nervous system
diseases.
From
January 1987 until August 1996, Mr. Hernon held various positions while employed
at Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP, an international accounting firm. Mr.
Hernon holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of
Lowell, Massachusetts and a M.S. degree in Accounting from Bentley College in
Waltham, Massachusetts.
Melvin L.
Yarbrough, Jr.
has been our chief revenue officer since August
2008. Mr. Yarbrough has been employed by Towerstream since April 2007,
serving as Vice President of Sales until his new appointment as chief revenue
officer. Mr. Yarbrough came to Towerstream from Hoovers (Dun and
Bradstreet (“D&B”)), where he first served as Vice President of Business
Development and then Vice President of Subscription Sales from 2005 until
2007. Prior to joining D&B, Mr. Yarbrough spent nearly a decade in
several executive sales positions, including serving as Senior Vice President of
Sales, Marketing and Alliance Channel at StarCite, an on-demand global meetings
management company, and as Vice President of Sales at Handango, a handheld and
wireless software solutions company. Mr. Yarbrough holds a B.A. degree in
Economics from Southern Methodist University and a J.D. degree from Vanderbilt
University School of Law.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Summary
Compensation Table – Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008
The
following table summarizes the annual and long-term compensation paid to our
chief executive officer and our two other most highly compensated executive
officers who were serving at the end of 2009, whom we refer to collectively in
this prospectus as the “named executive officers”:
Name and Principal
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Option
Awards
(1)
|
|
|
Other
Compensation
(2)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Jeffrey
M. Thompson
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
236,250
|
|
|
$
|
114,374
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
74,480
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
425,104
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
225,000
|
|
|
$
|
121,533
|
(5)
|
|
$
|
43,095
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
389,628
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph
P. Hernon
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
190,000
|
|
|
$
|
78,788
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
59,584
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
328,372
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer (14)
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
114,487
|
|
|
$
|
60,715
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
197,055
|
(10)
|
|
$
|
4,156
|
|
|
$
|
376,413
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Melvin
L. Yarbrough, Jr.
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
190,000
|
|
|
$
|
62,133
|
(11)
|
|
$
|
59,584
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
311,717
|
|
Chief
Revenue Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
179,480
|
|
|
$
|
95,053
|
(12)
|
|
$
|
108,142
|
(13)
|
|
$
|
2,172
|
|
|
$
|
384,847
|
|
(1)
|
Based
upon the aggregate grant date fair value calculated in accordance with the
Stock Compensation Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
Accounting Standards Codification. Our policy and assumptions made in the
valuation of share-based payments are contained in Note 8 to our December
31, 2009 financial statements.
|
(2)
|
Includes
reimbursement for relocation costs, including
travel.
|
(3)
|
Consists
of $78,782 paid in cash and $35,592 paid in common stock. Mr.
Thompson was awarded $41,506 in cash and $23,167 in common stock in 2009
in recognition of services performed during 2009 and Mr. Thompson was
awarded $37,276 in cash and $12,425 in common stock in February 2010 in
recognition of services performed during
2009.
|
(4)
|
Represents
a ten-year option to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $0.78 per share granted on May 6, 2009 in recognition of
services performed during 2009. Such option vests quarterly over an
18 month period beginning on August 6,
2009.
|
(5)
|
Consists
of $113,276 paid in cash and $8,257 paid in common stock. Mr.
Thompson was awarded $85,590 in cash and $8,257 in common stock in 2008 in
recognition of services performed during 2008 and Mr. Thompson was awarded
$27,686 in cash in January 2009 in recognition of services performed
during 2008.
|
(6)
|
Represents
(i) a ten-year option to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $0.69 per share granted on December 31, 2008 in
recognition of services performed during 2008, with vesting occurring
annually as to one-third of the option, commencing December 31, 2009, and
(ii) a ten-year option to purchase 18,406 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $0.77 per share granted in March 2009 in recognition of
services performed in 2008, which option was fully vested and exercisable
on the date of grant.
|
(7)
|
Consists
of $59,091 paid in cash and $19,697 paid in common stock. Mr. Hernon
was awarded $31,969 in cash and $10,656 in common stock in 2009 in
recognition of services performed during 2009 and Mr. Hernon was awarded
$27,122 in cash and $9,041 in common stock in February 2010 in recognition
of services performed during
2009.
|
(8)
|
Represents
a ten-year option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $0.78 per share granted on May 6, 2009 in recognition of
services performed during 2009. Such option vests quarterly over an
18 month period beginning on August 6,
2009.
|
(9)
|
Consists
of $52,981 paid in cash and $7,734 paid in stock. The cash bonus
included $23,203 awarded to Mr. Hernon in 2008 in recognition of services
performed during 2008 and $29,778 awarded to Mr. Hernon in January 2009 in
recognition of services performed during
2008.
|
(10)
|
Represents
(i) a ten-year option to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $1.45 per share granted on June 2, 2008 in recognition
of the commencement of employment with the Company, with vesting occurring
annually as to one-third of the option, commencing June 2, 2009, (ii) a
ten-year option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $0.69 per share granted on December 31, 2008 in recognition of
services performed during 2008, vesting occurring annually as to one-third
of the option, commencing December 31, 2009, and (iii) a ten-year option
to purchase 19,797 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.77
per share granted in March 2009 in recognition of services performed in
2008, which option was fully vested and exercisable on the date of
grant.
|
(11)
|
Consists
of $46,600 paid in cash and $15,533 paid in common stock. Mr.
Yarbrough was awarded $26,104 in cash and $8,701 in common stock in 2009
in recognition of services performed during 2009 and Mr. Yarbrough was
awarded $20,496 in cash and $6,832 in common stock in February 2010 in
recognition of services performed during
2009.
|
(12)
|
Consists
of $89,897 paid in cash and $5,156 paid in common stock. The cash
bonus included $61,796 awarded to Mr. Yarbrough in 2008 in recognition of
services performed during 2008 and $28,101 awarded to Mr. Yarbrough in
January 2009 in recognition of services performed during
2008.
|
(13)
|
Represents
(i) a ten-year option to purchase 65,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $1.45 per share granted on June 2, 2008 in recognition
of services performed during 2008, with vesting occurring annually as to
one-third of the option, commencing June 2, 2009, (ii) a ten-year option
to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.69
per share granted on December 31, 2008 in recognition of services
performed during 2008, with vesting occurring annually as to one-third of
the option, commencing December 31, 2009, and (iii) a ten-year option to
purchase 18,683 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.77 per
share granted in March 2009 in recognition of services performed in 2008,
which option was fully vested and exercisable on the date of
grant.
|
(14)
|
Mr.
Hernon joined the Company in May
2008.
|
Narrative
Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
The table
entitled “Summary Compensation Table - Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008” above
quantifies the value of the different forms of compensation of each of the named
executive officers for services rendered during fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, to
the extent applicable. The primary elements of each named executive officer’s
total compensation reported in the table are base salary, an annual bonus, and
stock option awards. For a description of the material terms of the
employment agreements with the named executive officers, see section entitled
“Employment Agreements and Change-in-Control Agreements” below.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year-End
The
following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards to our named executive
officers as of December 31, 2009:
|
|
Option Awards
|
Name
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
|
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
Jeffrey
M. Thompson
|
|
|
280,309
|
(1)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
2/27/13
|
|
|
|
175,193
|
(2)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
1.14
|
|
12/14/14
|
|
|
|
175,193
|
(3)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
1.43
|
|
4/28/15
|
|
|
|
75,000
|
(4)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
9.74
|
|
2/13/12
|
|
|
|
12,010
|
(5)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
2.00
|
|
12/2/17
|
|
|
|
3,678
|
(6)
|
|
|
7,354
|
|
|
$
|
2.00
|
|
3/2/18
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
(7)
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
0.69
|
|
12/30/18
|
|
|
|
18,406
|
(8)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
0.77
|
|
3/30/19
|
|
|
|
41,668
|
(9)
|
|
|
83,332
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
5/5/19
|
Joseph P.
Hernon
|
|
|
50,000
|
(10)
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.45
|
|
6/1/18
|
|
|
|
8,333
|
(7)
|
|
|
16,667
|
|
|
$
|
0.69
|
|
12/30/18
|
|
|
|
19,797
|
(8)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
0.77
|
|
3/30/19
|
|
|
|
33,334
|
(9)
|
|
|
66,666
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
5/5/19
|
Melvin
L. Yarbrough, Jr.
|
|
|
90,000
|
(11)
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
$
|
7.05
|
|
5/9/17
|
|
|
|
90,000
|
(12)
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.70
|
|
6/28/17
|
|
|
|
21,667
|
(10)
|
|
|
43,333
|
|
|
$
|
1.45
|
|
6/1/18
|
|
|
|
16,667
|
(7)
|
|
|
33,333
|
|
|
$
|
0.69
|
|
12/30/18
|
|
|
|
18,683
|
(8)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
$
|
0.77
|
|
3/30/19
|
|
|
|
33,334
|
(9)
|
|
|
66,666
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
5/5/19
|
(1)
|
Such
option vested as to one-third of the shares subject to the option
annually, commencing February 28,
2004.
|
(2)
|
Such
option was fully vested and exercisable on December 15, 2004, the date of
grant.
|
(3)
|
Such
option was fully vested and exercisable on April 29, 2005, the date of
grant.
|
(4)
|
Such
option vested in equal quarterly installments over a two year period,
commencing April 1, 2007.
|
(5)
|
Such
option was fully vested and exercisable on December 3, 2007, the date of
grant.
|
(6)
|
Such
option vests as to one-third of the shares subject to the option annually,
commencing March 3, 2009.
|
(7)
|
Such
option vests as to one-third of the shares subject to the option annually,
commencing December 31, 2009.
|
(8)
|
Such
option was fully vested and exercisable on March 31, 2009, the date of
grant.
|
(9)
|
Such
option vests in equal quarterly installments over an 18 month period,
commencing August 6, 2009.
|
(10)
|
Such
option vests as to one-third of the shares subject to the option annually,
commencing June 2, 2009.
|
(11)
|
Such
option vests as to one-third of the shares subject to the option annually,
commencing May 10, 2008.
|
(12)
|
Such
option vests as to one-third of the shares subject to the option annually,
commencing June 29, 2008.
|
Employment Agreements and
Change-in-Control Agreements
On
December 21, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement with Jeffrey M.
Thompson, our principal executive officer. Pursuant to the terms of the
agreement, Mr. Thompson serves as our chief executive officer and president and
is now on automatic one-year renewals, subject to either party electing not to
renew. Mr. Thompson’s initial base salary was $225,000 per annum, which
may be increased annually by our Board in its discretion, but which increase
shall not be less than the greater of (i) the annual increase in the consumer
price index or (ii) 5%. Effective January 1, 2010, Mr. Thompson’s base
salary was $248,063, representing a 5% increase from his 2009 base
compensation. Mr. Thompson is also eligible for a bonus of up to 75% of
his base salary, as determined by our Board. In addition, we will pay 100%
of all costs associated with Mr. Thompson’s employee benefits, including without
limitation health insurance.
If Mr.
Thompson’s employment is terminated (i) by us without “cause,” (ii) by him for
“good reason” or (iii) by us within two years of a “change of control” (as such
terms are defined in the agreement), then (a) we will be required to pay Mr.
Thompson twenty-four months base salary in monthly installments, (b) any
unvested options to purchase shares of our common stock would immediately vest
and become exercisable and any restrictions on restricted stock would
immediately lapse, and (c) we must continue to provide employee benefits,
including without limitation health insurance, to Mr. Thompson for a period of
five years following such termination.
During
Mr. Thompson’s employment with us, and for a period of twelve months following
his termination (the “Restricted Period”), except for a termination by Mr.
Thompson for “good reason,” he is prohibited from engaging in any line of
business in which we were engaged or had a formal plan to enter during the
period of his employment with us. We will continue to pay Mr. Thompson his
base salary then in effect in accordance with our customary payroll practices
for the duration of any such Restricted Period in the event that Mr. Thompson’s
employment is terminated voluntarily by him, except for “good reason,” or by us
for “cause.”
In May
2008, Joseph P. Hernon joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer. His
employment offer provided for a base annual salary of $190,000 and bonus
payments up to 58% of base salary, as determined by the Board. Effective
April 1, 2010, Mr. Hernon’s base salary was increased to $199,500. Upon
joining the Company, Mr. Hernon was granted options to purchase 150,000 shares
of common stock at an exercise price of $1.45 per share, vesting in three annual
installments commencing upon the first anniversary of the grant. He has
received subsequent awards and is eligible to receive additional stock-based
awards at the discretion of the Board and as provided under the Company’s
stock-based incentive plans. He is also eligible to participate in the
Company’s health and other employee benefit plans. The Company pays 100%
of Mr. Hernon’s health insurance. Mr. Hernon is an employee at
will.
In April
2007, Mel Yarbrough joined the Company as Vice President of Sales. His
employment offer provided for a base annual salary of $165,000 and bonus
payments up to 61% of base salary, as determined by the Chief Executive
Officer. In August 2008, Mr. Yarbrough was appointed to the position of
Chief Revenue Officer. In connection with his new position, Mr.
Yarbrough’s base salary was increased to $190,000 per year, with potential bonus
payments subject to the discretion of the Board. Effective April 1, 2010,
Mr. Yarbrough’s base salary was increased to $199,500. Upon joining the
Company, Mr. Yarbrough was granted options to purchase 135,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $7.05 per share, vesting in three annual
installments commencing upon the first anniversary of the grant. He has
received subsequent awards and is eligible to receive additional stock-based
awards at the discretion of the Board and as provided under the Company’s
stock-based incentive plans. He is also eligible to participate in the
Company’s health and other employee benefit plans. The Company pays 100%
of Mr. Yarbrough’s health insurance. Mr. Yarbrough moved from Texas to
Rhode Island to join the Company which reimbursed him for reasonable relocation
costs, totaling $25,198 which included moving expenses, temporary housing, and
other related costs. Mr. Yarbrough is an employee at will.
PROPOSAL
NO. 2 — APPROVAL OF 2010 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Background
and Purpose of the Proposed Plan
We are
requesting that stockholders vote to approve our 2010 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan (“the Employee Stock Purchase Plan”). Our Board of Directors has
approved the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, subject to the approval from the
stockholders at the annual meeting. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan will
facilitate employees becoming shareholders of Towerstream Corporation. If
approved, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be effective as of January 1,
2011, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter.
The
purpose of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is to attract, retain and reward
eligible employees of the Company and to motivate employees to contribute to the
growth and profitability of the Company.
The
following summary of the material provisions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as
Exhibit A.
Administration
of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The
Employee Stock Purchase Plan shall be administered by the Board of
Directors.
Stock
Subject to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
We have
reserved a maximum of 200,000 shares of common stock for purchase under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Shares subject to the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan may be either authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of
common stock, or any combination thereof.
In the
event of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization,
combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the
Company, or in the event of any merger (including a merger effected for the
purpose of changing the Company’s domicile), sale of assets or other
reorganization in which the Company is a party, the number and class of shares
available for issuance in the aggregate under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
will be adjusted appropriately.
Eligibility
All
employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, except any employee: (a) who is customarily employed
by the Company for 20 hours or less per week, (b) who is customarily
employed by the Company for not more than five months in any calendar year;
(c) who has been employed by the Company for less than six months; or (d) who
owns or holds option to purchase, immediately after a grant, five percent or
more of the Company’s total combined voting power or value of all classes of
stock. Accordingly, as of September 10, 2010, approximately 111 of our
employees were eligible to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan.
Offering
Periods and Enrollment
The
Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides for four three-month offering periods
during which employees can participate in the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan’s offering periods are as
follows:
First Trading Day of the Period On or
After
|
|
Last Trading Day of the Period On or
Before
|
January
1
st
|
|
March
31
st
|
April
1
st
|
|
June
30
th
|
July
1
st
|
|
September
30
th
|
October
1
st
|
|
December
31
st
|
The Board
may establish a different duration for one or more offering periods or different
commencing or ending dates for such Offering Periods; provided, however, that no
offering period may have a duration exceeding 27 months.
An
eligible employee may become a participant in an offering period by delivering a
properly completed subscription agreement to the Human Resources Department not
later than the close of business for such office on the subscription date
(established as the last business day prior to the offering date of an offering
period). The subscription agreement will authorize payroll
deductions, which must be an amount not less than 1% nor more than 10% (unless
otherwise determined by the Board). A participant’s contribution may be
reduced as necessary to ensure that the participant does not purchase shares
having a fair market value greater than $25,000 in any calendar year. The
contribution rate elected by a participant will continue in effect until
modified by the participant. A contribution rate cannot be modified during
an offering period for the current offering period. Shares of common stock
acquired through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan can only be paid through
payroll deductions.
After the
initial enrollment in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the participant will
automatically participate in future offering periods unless the employee
withdraws from the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, terminates employment with the
Company or otherwise becomes ineligible to participate.
Stock
Purchase
The
purchase price of common stock acquired by a participant under the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan will be 85% of the fair market value of a share of common
stock on the purchase date. The purchase date is the last day of the
offering period. The Board may change the price prior to the beginning of
any offering period. On each purchase date, each participant will
automatically acquire the number of whole shares of common stock determined by
dividing the total amount of the participant’s payroll deductions during
the offering period by the purchase price.
As soon
as practicable after each purchase date, the Company will arrange the delivery
to each participant a certificate representing the shares acquired by the
participant on such purchase date. Shares will be delivered to a broker
designated by the Company that will hold such shares for the benefit of the
participant. Any cash balance remaining in a participant’s account
following any purchase date shall be refunded to the participant as soon as
practicable after such purchase date. However, if the cash balance is less than
$10.00, the Company may retain the cash balance in the participant’s account to
be applied toward the purchase of shares of common stock in the subsequent
offering period.
ESPP
Brokerage Account
The
Company may require that the shares purchased on behalf of each participant be
deposited directly into a brokerage account which the Company shall establish at
a brokerage firm. The account will be known as the ESPP Brokerage Account.
Shares deposited into the participant’s ESPP Broker Account must be held until
those shares have been held for the period necessary to avoid a disqualifying
disposition under the federal tax laws. Accordingly, the shares must be held in
the ESPP Brokerage Account until the later of the following two periods:
(i) the end of the two-year period measured from the start date of the
offering period in which the shares were purchased and (ii) the end of the
one-year measured from the actual purchase date of those shares. The
deposited shares shall not be transferable (either electronically or in
certificate form) from the ESPP Brokerage Account until the required holding
period is satisfied. The ESPP Brokerage Account does not limit a
participant from selling their shares but is designed solely to ensure that any
sale of shares prior to the satisfaction of the required holding period is made
through the ESPP Brokerage Account.
Withdrawal,
Termination of Employment or Ineligibility related to the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan
A
participant may withdraw from the Employee Stock Purchase Plan by delivering to
the Human Resources Department a written notice of withdrawal. Withdrawal
may be elected at any time but shall not affect participation in the then
current offering period. The Company may require advance notice of
withdrawal of up to 10 days.
If a
participant ceases to be an employee of the Company for any reason, including
retirement, disability or death, or upon the failure of a participant to remain
an eligible employee, participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will
terminate immediately. In such event, the participant’s accumulated
payroll deductions which have not been applied toward the purchase of shares
shall be returned to the participant or, in the case of the participant’s death,
to the beneficiary designation, if any, or legal representative, and all of the
participant’s rights under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will
terminate.
Amendment
or Termination of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Board
may terminate or amend the Employee Stock Purchase Plan at any time and for any
reason.
Securities
Act Registration
The
Company intends to register the shares of common stock purchasable under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the SEC pursuant to a Registration Statement
on Form S-8 as soon as practicable, subject to stockholders approval of the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan at the annual meeting.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
The
Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an “employee stock
purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, which we refer to as the Code. The following generally summarizes
the United States federal income tax consequences that will arise with respect
to participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and with respect to the
sale of shares of our common stock acquired under the Employee Stock Purchase
Plan. This summary is based on the tax laws in effect as of the date of
this proxy statement. Changes to these laws could alter the tax
consequences described below.
(1)
No taxable income results to the participants upon the grant of a right to
purchase or upon the purchase of shares for his or her account under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (although the amount of a participant’s payroll
contributions under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be taxable as ordinary
income to the participant).
(2)
If the participant disposes of shares less than two years after the first day of
an offering period with respect to which he or she purchased the shares, the
participant will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market
value of the shares on the date of purchase minus the amount of the
participant’s payroll deductions used to purchase the shares.
(3)
If the participant holds the shares for at least two years after the first day
of an offering period with respect to which he or she purchased the shares, at
the time the participant disposes of the shares he or she will realize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the
shares on the first day of the offering period minus the amount of the
participant’s payroll deductions used to purchase the shares, and (ii) the fair
market value of the shares on the date of disposition minus the amount of the
participant’s payroll deductions used to purchase the shares.
(4)
In addition, the participant will realize a long-term or short-term capital gain
or loss, as the case may be, in an amount equal to the difference between the
amount realized upon any sale of the stock and the participant’s basis in the
stock (i.e., the purchase price plus the amount, if any, taxed to the
participant as ordinary income, as described in (2) and (3) above).
(5)
If the statutory holding period described in (2) and (3) above is satisfied, the
Company will not receive any deduction for federal income tax purposes with
respect to any discount in the sale price of stock applicable to such
participant. If such statutory holding period is not satisfied, the
Company generally should be entitled to a tax deduction in an amount equal to
the amount taxed to the participant as ordinary income. Any such deduction will
be subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code.
The
foregoing provides only a general description of the application of federal
income tax laws to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The summary does not
address the effects of other federal taxes or taxes imposed under state, local,
or foreign tax laws. Because of the complexities of the tax laws,
participants are encouraged to consult a tax advisor as to their individual
circumstances.
Required
Vote
Approval
of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan will require affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares of common stock represented in person or by proxy
and entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Assuming the presence of a
quorum of more than 50% of the shares of our common stock, the failure to vote
will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Recommendation
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
APPROVAL OF THE 2010 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.
PROPOSAL
NO. 3 — AMENDMENT TO THE 2008 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
PLAN
Background
and Purpose of the Amended Plan
We are
requesting that stockholders vote to amend our 2008 Non-Employee Directors
Compensation Plan (“the Directors Plan”). Our Board of Directors has
approved the amendment to our Directors Plan, subject to the approval from the
stockholders at the annual meeting. The proposed amendment will (a) extend
the option term of the annual grants to board members from a 5 year term to a 10
year term; (b) modify the terms of annual compensation; and (c) permit the Board
to issue shares of restricted common stock under the Directors Plan in lieu of
the automatic annual grant of options contemplated under the Directors
Plan. The Directors Plan was originally adopted by our Board of Directors
and approved by our stockholders on August 27, 2008. As of September 10,
2010, there were 400,000 options granted from the Directors Plan and 600,000
available for future grants.
The
purpose of the Directors Plan is to help us attract and retain the services of
experienced and highly-qualified individuals as directors and to encourage stock
ownership by such directors so that their interests are aligned with the
interests of our company and stockholders. Our Board of Directors believe
that by (a) amending the option term of the annual grants to the directors from
a 5 year term to a 10 year term; (b) modifying the terms of annual compensation;
and (c) permitting grants of restricted stock in lieu of automatic option
grants, we will be offering a compensation program for our directors which is
competitive to that offered by our peer group.
The
following summary of the material provisions of the amended Directors Plan is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Directors
Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit
B.
Stock
Subject to the Directors Plan
We have
reserved a maximum of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance upon the
exercise of stock options to be granted pursuant to the Directors Plan or for
restricted stock awards in lieu of option grants. Each share issued under
an option or restricted stock award will be counted against this limit.
Shares to be delivered at the time a stock option is exercised or upon a
restricted stock grant may be available from authorized but unissued shares or
from shares previously issued but which we have reacquired and hold in our
treasury.
In the
event of any change in our outstanding shares by reason of any reorganization,
recapitalization, consolidation, stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, combination of shares, reclassification or other similar transactions,
the number of shares which may be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
and the exercise price of options previously granted under the Directors Plan,
will be proportionally adjusted to prevent any enlargement or dilution of the
rights of holders of previously granted options as may be appropriate to reflect
any such transaction or event.
Administration
of the Directors Plan
The
Directors Plan will be administered by our Board of Directors or by a committee
of the Board. Until such time as the Board appoints a committee, the Board will
administer the Directors Plan.
Eligibility
Options,
restricted stock awards and cash fees may be granted only to directors of the
Company who, at the time of such grant, are not employees of the Company or of
any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company.
Cash
Fees
Under the
current plan,
each
non-employee director is entitled to receive an annual retainer fee of $25,000
for serving as a director, and a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of our Board of
Directors and $500 for any committee meeting attended by such
director.
If
Proposal No. 3 is approved, effective January 1, 2011, Board members will
receive $50,000 per annum in cash. No fees will be paid for meetings
attended in person or telephonically. In connection with the additional
responsibilities associated with such positions, the Chairman of the Board will
receive an additional $10,000 per year, and the Chairman of the Audit and
Compensation Committees will each receive an additional $5,000 per
year.
Option
Terms
Stock
options are contractual rights entitling an optionee who has been granted a
stock option to purchase a stated number of shares of our Common Stock at an
exercise price per share determined at the date of the grant. The
Directors Plan provides that the stock options be non-qualified options, which
are stock options other than incentive stock options within the meaning of
Sections 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Options may be evidenced by stock option agreements with the respective
optionees.
The
exercise price for each share of our Common Stock purchasable as a non-qualified
option granted under the Directors Plan will be the fair market value (as
defined in the Directors Plan) of such share on the date of grant.
The
exercise price of the options may be paid in cash, in shares of our Common
Stock, or in a combination of cash and shares, equal in value to the exercise
price. In no event may a stock option be exercised after the expiration of
its stated term.
Under the
current plan, no option may be exercisable more than five years after the date
the option is granted. If Proposal No. 3 is approved, the option term will
be modified from a five year term to a ten year term. Options granted
under the Directors Plan will be fully exercisable at the time of grant,
provided that no option will be exercisable until such time as any limitation
required by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”), and related rules and regulations are satisfied for the
availability of the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
No cash consideration is payable to us in exchange for the grant of
options.
Automatic
Grant of Options
Unless
otherwise determined by our Board, each non-employee director will receive an
option to purchase 50,000 shares of our Common Stock upon election or
appointment to our Board of Directors and thereafter each year on the first
business day in June, subject to such director being on the Board on such
date.
Restricted
Stock Awards in Lieu of Automatic Option Grants
In the
sole discretion of the Board, the Board may elect to grant restricted stock
awards to each non-employee director in lieu of the automatic option awards
described above.
Transferability
During
the lifetime of the Optionee, options may be exercisable only by the optionee
and are generally not transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution except, with the consent of the Board, the optionee may
transfer all or a portion of an option to limited permitted
transferees.
Termination
of Directorship
If an
optionee ceases to be a director other than for fraud, dishonesty or conviction
of a felony or other activities that are deemed by our Board to constitute
“cause,” any options held by such optionee may be exercised, to the extent the
option was exercisable on the date such optionee ceases to be a director, until
the earlier of (i) one year after the date the optionee ceases to be a director
and (ii) the date on which the option otherwise expires by its terms. If the
optionee ceases to be a director by reason of “cause,” any options held by such
optionee will terminate as of the date of the action giving rise to such
termination for “cause.”
Amendment
of the Directors Plan
Our Board
of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Directors Plan or amend the
terms of any option previously granted at any time except that grants previously
made under the Directors Plan may not be impaired by any amendment of the
Directors Plan, without the consent of the affected grantees.
Registration
of Stock
A
registration statement on Form S-8 was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”) on August 7, 2009. Before any shares of common
stock can be sold, a Reoffer and Resale Prospectus (the “Prospectus”) will need
to be filed with the SEC. A Prospectus was filed for 200,000 shares
on August 7, 2009.
Certain
Awards Deferring or Accelerating the Receipt of Compensation
Section 409A
of the Internal Revenue Code, enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act
of 2004, imposes certain new requirements applicable to “nonqualified deferred
compensation plans.” If a nonqualified deferred compensation plan subject to
Section 409A fails to meet, or is not operated in accordance with, these
new requirements, then all compensation deferred under the plan may become
immediately taxable. Deferred stock awards which may be granted under the
Plan may constitute deferred compensation subject to the Section 409A
requirements. It is our intention that any stock option agreement governing
awards subject to Section 409A will comply with these new
rules.
Tax
Treatment
The
following is a brief description of the federal income tax consequences, under
existing law, with respect to non-qualified stock options that may be granted
under the Directors Plan.
An
optionee will not realize any taxable income upon the grant of a non-qualified
option. When exercised, the amount by which the fair market value of the shares
covered by the non-qualified option exceeds the option price paid upon exercise,
ordinary income is recognized by the optionee in the year of such exercise. The
Company is entitled to a corresponding income tax deduction in the year of
exercise equal to the ordinary income recognized by the optionee. If the
optionee thereafter sells such shares, the difference between any amount
realized on the sale and the fair market value of the shares at the time of
exercise will be taxed to the optionee as capital gain or loss, short-or
long-term depending on the length of time the stock was held by the optionee
before such sale.
An
optionee who receives shares of restricted stock will recognize ordinary income
equal to the fair value of the restricted stock on the date of
issuance.
Required
Vote
Amendment
of the Directors Plan will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares of common stock represented in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Assuming the presence of a quorum of
more than 50% of the shares of our common stock, the failure to vote will have
no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Recommendation
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
AMENDMENT OF THE 2008 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS COMPENSATION PLAN.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
—
RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF
MARCUM LLP
AS OUR
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010
Our
stockholders are being asked to ratify the Board of Directors’ appointment of
Marcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal
2010.
In the
event that the ratification of this selection is not approved by a majority of
the votes cast by holders of our shares of common stock voting at the annual
meeting, management will review its future selection of our independent
registered public accounting firm.
A
representative of Marcum LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting and
will have an opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so. It is
also expected that such representative will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
Fees
Paid to Auditors
The
following table sets forth the fees that the Company accrued or paid to Marcum
LLP during fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008.
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Audit
Fees(1)
|
|
$
|
172,519
|
|
|
$
|
178,550
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees(2)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
|
−
|
|
Tax
Fees(3)
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
|
−
|
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
|
−
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
172,519
|
|
|
$
|
178,550
|
|
(1)
Audit fees relate to professional services rendered in connection with the audit
of the Company’s annual financial statements and internal control over financial
reporting, quarterly review of financial statements included in the Company’s
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and audit services provided in connection with
other statutory and regulatory filings.
(2)
Audit-related fees relate to professional services rendered in connection with
assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of
the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements, including due
diligence.
(3)
Tax fees relate to professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice
and tax planning for the Company.
Administration
of the Engagement; Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit
Services
Before
the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged by the Company to
perform audit or permissible non-audit services, the engagement is approved by
the Audit Committee. These services may include audit services, audit-related
services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee may establish,
either on an ongoing or case-by-case basis, pre-approval policies and procedures
providing for delegated authority to approve the engagement of the independent
registered public accounting firm, provided that the policies and procedures are
detailed as to the particular services to be provided, the Audit Committee is
informed about each service, and the policies and procedures do not result in
the delegation of the Audit Committee's authority to management. In
accordance with these procedures, the Audit Committee pre-approved all services
performed by Marcum LLP during 2009.
Required
Vote
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is
required for ratification of the appointment of Marcum LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2010.
Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A
VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF MARCUM LLP
AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
2010.
ANNUAL
REPORT
A copy of
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009, accompanies this notice.
FUTURE
PROPOSALS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Stockholders
who wish to present proposals for inclusion in the Company’s proxy materials for
the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may do so by following the procedures
prescribed in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. To be eligible, the
stockholder proposals must be received by our Secretary at our principal
executive office on or before January 15, 2011. Under SEC rules, you must
have continuously held for at least one year prior to the submission of the
proposal (and continue to hold through the date of the meeting) at least $2,000
in market value, or 1%, of our outstanding stock in order to submit a proposal
which you seek to have included in the Company’s proxy materials. We may,
subject to SEC review and guidelines, decline to include any proposal in our
proxy materials.
Stockholders
who wish to make a proposal at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, other
than one that will be included in our proxy materials, must notify us no later
than March 31, 2011 (see Rule 14a-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act). If a
stockholder who wishes to present a proposal fails to notify us by March 31,
2011, the proxies that management solicits for the meeting will confer
discretionary authority to vote on the stockholder’s proposal if it is properly
brought before the meeting.
HOUSE
HOLDING OF MATERIALS
In some
instances, only one copy of the Notice, this proxy statement or our annual
report, as applicable, is being delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an
address, unless we have received instructions from one or more of the
stockholders to continue to deliver multiple copies. We will deliver promptly,
upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the applicable materials to a
stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered. If you
wish to receive a separate copy of the Notice, this proxy statement or our
annual report, as applicable, you may call us at 401-848-5848, or send a written
request to Towerstream Corporation, 55 Hammarlund Way, Middletown, Rhode Island
02842, attention Investor Relations. If you have received only one copy of
the Notice, proxy statement or annual report, and wish to receive a separate
copy for each stockholder in the future, you may call us at the telephone number
or write us at the address listed above. Alternatively, stockholders sharing an
address who now receive multiple copies of the Notice, proxy statement or annual
report, may request delivery of a single copy, also by calling us at the number
or writing to us at the address listed above.
OTHER
BUSINESS
The Board
of Directors knows of no business to be brought before the annual meeting other
than as set forth above. If other matters properly come before the stockholders
at the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy to vote
the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their
judgment.
Dated:
September 14, 2010