UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒ | Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐ |
Check the appropriate box:
☐ |
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☒ |
Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ |
Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
M-tron Industries, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☒ |
No fee required. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
M-tron Industries, Inc.
2525 Shader Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
NOTICE OF THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 11, 2024
April 29, 2024
To the Stockholders of M-tron Industries, Inc.:
The 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of M-tron Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “MtronPTI,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, at the Bruce Museum, located at One Museum Drive, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, for the following purposes, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement:
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To elect eight directors to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023; |
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To ratify the appointment of PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2024 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
Your vote is extremely important, regardless of the number of shares that you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we ask that you promptly sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card in the envelope provided, or submit your proxy by telephone or over the Internet (if those options are available to you) in accordance with the instructions on the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction card.
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/ Bel Lazar | |
Bel Lazar |
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Chairman of the Board |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the M-tron Industries, Inc. Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on June 11, 2024:
The Proxy Statement, our form of proxy card, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, are available at ir.mtronpti.com/financials/annual-reports-and-proxies.
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of M-tron Industries, Inc. in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, at the Bruce Museum, located at One Museum Drive, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. This Proxy Statement along with either a proxy card or a voting instruction card are being mailed to stockholders beginning on or about April 29, 2024.
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Proxy Statement, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “MtronPTI” and the “Company” refer to M-tron Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Why did I receive this Proxy Statement?
The Board is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting because you were a stockholder at the close of business on April 15, 2024, the record date for the Annual Meeting, and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement provides important information regarding the matters to be acted on at the Annual Meeting and is designed to assist you in voting. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote your shares using any of the methods discussed below under the question “How do I vote?”.
What is a proxy?
A proxy is a person who votes the shares of stock of another person. The term “proxy” also refers to the proxy card. When you return the enclosed proxy card or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet, you are giving your permission to either our Chief Executive Officer or our Executive Vice President - Finance to vote your shares of common stock at the Annual Meeting as you instruct. The proxies will not vote your shares of common stock if you do not return the enclosed proxy card or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet. This is why it is important for you to return the proxy card to us or authorize your proxy by telephone or over the Internet as soon as possible, whether or not you plan on attending the Annual Meeting in person.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
The Company will pay the expense of soliciting proxies, including the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the notice, Proxy Statement and proxy. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, the Company’s directors, officers or employees, without additional compensation, may make solicitations personally and by telephone. The Company may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.
What information is contained in this Proxy Statement?
The information in this Proxy Statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the Board and its committees, the compensation of directors and certain executive officers, and certain other required information.
What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this Proxy Statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.
How may I obtain an additional set of proxy materials?
All stockholders may write to us at the following address to request an additional copy of these materials:
M-tron Industries, Inc.
2525 Shader Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Additionally, stockholders may access this Proxy Statement, our form of proxy card, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Form 10-K”) on the Internet at ir.mtronpti.com/financials/annual-reports-and-proxies.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the “stockholder of record.” If you are a stockholder of record, this Proxy Statement, our 2023 Form 10-K and a proxy card have been sent directly to you by the Company.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name. If you own shares held in street name, this Proxy Statement and our 2023 Form 10-K have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card included in the mailing or by following their instructions for voting by telephone or the Internet, if the broker, bank or nominee offers these alternatives. Since a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting.
What am I voting on at the Annual Meeting?
You are voting on the following proposals:
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To elect eight directors to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and until their successors are duly elected and qualify; |
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To vote on a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023; |
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To ratify the appointment of PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP (“PKF”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of its nominees for directors; “FOR” the approval of a non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023; and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of PKF as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024.
How do I vote?
You may vote using any of the following methods:
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Proxy card or voting instruction card. Be sure to complete, sign and date the card and return it in the prepaid envelope. |
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By telephone or the Internet. If you own shares held in street name, you will receive voting instructions from your bank, broker, or other nominee. Stockholders of record will be able to vote on the Internet using the instructions on their proxy card. |
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In person at the Annual Meeting. All stockholders of record may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. You may also be represented by another person at the Annual Meeting by executing a proper proxy designating that person. If you own shares held in street name, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee and present it to the inspector of election with your ballot when you vote at the Annual Meeting. |
Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted at the Annual Meeting. To participate in the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16‐digit control number included on your notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted during the Annual Meeting. Shares for which you are the beneficial owner but not the stockholder of record also may be voted during the Annual Meeting. However, even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, the Company recommends that you vote your shares in advance, so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
What can I do if I change my mind after I vote my shares?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by:
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Sending a written notice of revocation to the attention of our Corporate Secretary at the address listed on page 5 under the question "Who can help answer my question"; |
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Submitting a new, proper proxy dated later than the date of the revoked proxy; or |
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Attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. |
What if I return a signed proxy card, but do not indicate a vote for some of the matters listed on the proxy card?
If you return a signed proxy card without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations as follows: “FOR” the election of each of its nominees for directors; “FOR” the approval of a non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023; and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of PKF as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024. With respect to any other proposals to be voted upon, your shares will be voted in the discretion of the persons named as proxy holders, Michael Ferrantino and Linda Biles.
Can my broker vote my shares for me without my instructions?
Brokers may not use discretionary authority to vote shares on the election of directors, or the approval of a non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023; however, if they have not received instructions from their clients, they may vote either for or against the ratification of auditors. Please provide voting instructions on these proposals to your broker so your vote can be counted.
Can my shares be voted if I do not return my proxy card or voting instruction card and do not attend the Annual Meeting?
If you do not vote your shares held of record (registered directly in your name, not in the name of a bank or broker), your shares will not be voted.
If you do not vote your shares held in street name with a broker, your broker will not be authorized to vote on most items being put to a vote, including the election of directors, or the approval of a non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023. If your broker is not able to vote your shares, they will constitute “broker non-votes,” which are counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum, but otherwise do not affect the outcome of any matter being voted on at the Annual Meeting.
What are the voting requirements with respect to each of the proposals?
In the election of directors, each director receiving a plurality of the affirmative (“FOR”) votes cast will be elected. You may withhold votes from any or all nominees. All other proposals require the affirmative ("FOR") votes of a majority of the votes cast on the matter. Thus, abstentions will not affect the outcome of the votes on these proposals.
If you own shares held in street name and do not provide your broker with voting instructions, your shares may constitute “broker non-votes.” Generally, broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. In tabulating the voting result for any particular proposal, shares that constitute broker non-votes are not considered entitled to be voted on that proposal. Thus, the “broker non-vote” will have no effect on any matter being voted on at this Annual Meeting, assuming that a quorum is present.
How many votes do I have?
You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock that you held as of the record date. As of April 15, 2024, the record date, there were 2,798,579 shares of common stock outstanding.
Is cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors?
We do not use cumulative voting for the election of directors.
What happens if a nominee for director does not stand for election?
If for any reason any nominee does not stand for election, any proxies we receive will be voted in favor of the remaining nominees and may be voted for a substitute nominee in place of the nominee who does not stand. We have no reason to expect that any of the nominees will not stand for election.
What happens if additional matters are presented at the Annual Meeting?
Other than the items of business described in this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders, Michael Ferrantino and Linda Biles, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.
How many shares must be present or represented to conduct business at the Annual Meeting?
There must be a quorum present in order for business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. A quorum will be present if at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote, or 1,399,290 shares, is represented at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy. Both abstentions and broker non-votes (described above) are counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.
How can I attend the Annual Meeting?
You are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting only if you were a stockholder as of the close of business on April 15, 2024, the record date, or if you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. If you are a stockholder of record, your name will be verified against the list of stockholders of record on the record date prior to your admission to the Annual Meeting. If you are not a stockholder of record, but hold shares through a broker, bank or nominee (i.e., in street name), you should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the record date, such as your most recent account statement prior to April 15, 2024, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide photo identification or comply with the other procedures outlined above, you will not be admitted to the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly on June 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Please allow time for the check-in procedures.
What is the deadline for voting my shares?
If you hold shares as the stockholder of record, your vote by proxy must be received by 11:59 p.m. on June 10, 2024 (the night before the Annual Meeting). If you hold shares beneficially in street name, please follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, bank or nominee. You may vote these shares at the Annual Meeting only if you provide a legal proxy obtained from your broker, bank or nominee.
Is my vote 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: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements, (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote, and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
How are votes counted?
For the election of directors, you may vote “FOR” all or some of the nominees or your vote may be “WITHHELD” with respect to one or more of the nominees. For the other items of business, you may vote "FOR," "AGAINST" or "ABSTAIN." If you elect to "ABSTAIN," the abstention will be counted for the purpose of establishing a quorum, but otherwise will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on the matter.
Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and publish final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) within four business days after the Annual Meeting.
How can I obtain the Company’s corporate governance information?
The following information is available in print to any stockholder who requests it and is also available on the Investor Relations - Governance portion of the Company’s website, ir.mtronpti.com/governance/governance-documents:
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Corporate Governance Guidelines |
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Our Related Person Transaction Policy |
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Our Code of Conduct and Ethics policy |
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The charters of the following committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee, and the Nominating Committee |
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Our Conflict Minerals Report |
The information contained on this website is not part of, or incorporated by reference in, this Proxy Statement.
How may I obtain the Company’s 2023 Form 10-K and other financial information?
A copy of our 2023 Form 10-K is enclosed with this Proxy Statement.
Stockholders may request another free copy of our 2023 Form 10-K and other financial information by contacting us at:
M-tron Industries, Inc.
2525 Shader Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Alternatively, current and prospective investors can access our 2023 Form 10-K at ir.mtronpti.com/financials/annual-reports-and-proxies.
We will also furnish any exhibit to our 2023 Form 10-K if specifically requested. Our SEC filings, including exhibits, are also available free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, and at the investor relations portion of our website, ir.mtronpti.com.
What if I have questions for the Company’s transfer agent?
Please contact our transfer agent, Computershare Limited, at the telephone number or address listed below with questions concerning stock certificates, transfer of ownership or other matters pertaining to your stock account.
Regular delivery:
Computershare
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Overnight:
Computershare
150 Royall Street, Suite 101
Canton, MA 02021
Toll free number: (877) 868-8027
TDD Hearing Impaired: (800) 952-9245
Foreign Stockholders: (201) 680-6578
TDD Foreign Stockholders: (781) 575-4592
Who can help answer my questions?
If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting or how to vote or revoke your proxy, please contact us at:
M-tron Industries, Inc.
2525 Shader Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
Attention: Corporate Secretary
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned on April 15, 2024, by:
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Each person who is known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock; |
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Each of our directors, nominees and named executive officers; and |
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All of our directors and executive officers, as a group. |
The amounts and 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 direct the voting of a security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of a security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, each of the beneficial owners listed has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of common stock. Except as otherwise set forth below, the address of each of the persons listed below is: M-tron Industries, Inc., 2525 Shader Road, Orlando, Florida 32804.
Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Shares |
% |
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5% Stockholders: |
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Mario Gabelli |
374,010 |
(2) |
13.4 |
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Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
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Marc Gabelli |
110,241 |
(3) |
3.9 |
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James Tivy (4) |
25,004 |
(5) |
* |
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Michael Ferrantino |
19,611 |
* |
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Linda Biles |
17,960 |
(6) |
* |
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William Drafts |
10,008 |
(6) |
* |
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Hendi Susanto |
6,093 |
* |
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Bel Lazar |
5,201 |
* |
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John Mega |
4,942 |
* |
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Robert LaPenta |
4,309 |
* |
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Ivan Arteaga |
2,364 |
* |
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David Goldman |
1,630 |
* |
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All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons) |
207,363 |
(7) |
7.4 |
* |
Less than 1% of outstanding shares. |
(1) |
The applicable percentage of ownership for each beneficial owner is based on 2,798,579 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2024. Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options, warrants or other rights beneficially owned that are exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such securities and rights and all executive officers and directors as a group. |
(2) |
Includes (i) 184,010 shares of common stock owned directly by Mario J. Gabelli; and (ii) 190,000 shares owned by GGCP, Inc., of which Mario J. Gabelli is the chief executive officer, a director and controlling shareholder. Mario J. Gabelli disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by GGCP, Inc., except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Mario J. Gabelli's business address is One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580. This disclosure is based solely on information in a Form 4 filed by Mario J. Gabelli with the SEC on April 10, 2024. |
(3) |
Includes (i) 41,920 shares of common stock owned directly by Marc J. Gabelli; and (ii) 68,321 shares held by Venator Merchant Fund, L.P. ("Venator Fund"). Venator Global, LLC ("Venator Global"), which is the sole general partner of Venator Fund, may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned by Venator Fund. Marc J. Gabelli, who is the President and Sole Member of Venator Global, may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned by Venator Fund. Marc J. Gabelli disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities owned by Venator Fund, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
(4) |
Effective April 16, 2024, Mr. Tivy resigned as Chief Financial Officer. |
(5) |
Includes 19,161 shares of unvested restricted common stock. |
(6) |
Includes 9,000 shares of unvested restricted common stock. |
(7) |
Includes 37,161 shares of unvested restricted common stock. |
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors
The current members of the Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, have nominated each of the following eight nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting: Bel Lazar; Michael Ferrantino; Marc Gabelli; Robert LaPenta; John Mega; Hendi Susanto; David Goldman and Ivan Arteaga.
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”) provide that the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board. As of and following the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, the size of the Board will be set at eight members. Each director is elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Except where authority to vote for directors has been withheld, it is intended that the proxies received pursuant to this solicitation will be voted “FOR” the nominees named below. If for any reason any nominee does not stand for election, such proxies will be voted in favor of the remainder of those named and may be voted for substitute nominees in place of those who do not stand. Management has no reason to expect that any of the nominees will not stand for election.
Biographical summaries and ages of our directors and nominees, and the experiences and skills that led to the conclusion that such persons should serve as directors, are set forth in the table below. Information with respect to the shares of common stock beneficially owned by each of our directors and nominees is set forth in the section titled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” All such information has been furnished to us by our directors and nominees. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our directors and any third person pursuant to which a director was selected to serve on the Board. There are no family relationships between any of our directors, or between any of our directors and officers.
Directors and Nominees
Name |
Age |
Director Since |
Offices and Positions Held with the Company, Business Experience and Principal Occupation for the Last Five Years, and Directorships in Public Corporations and Investment Companies |
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Bel Lazar |
63 |
2022 |
Mr. Lazar currently serves as Chairman of the Board for M-tron Industries, Inc. (September 2023 to present) and is currently Chief Operations Officer and member of the Board of Directors at Efficient Power Conversion, a leading provider of gallium nitride (GaN)-based power management technology (2015 to present); and Chief Executive Officer of EPC Space LLC, a high reliability wide-gap power management technology company, and was previously President and CEO of Spectrum Control, formerly API Technologies Corp. and a NASDAQ listed company. Mr. Lazar previously served on the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc. (NYSE American: LGL) (January 2019 to October 2022 and held other leadership roles at Infineon and Microchip. Mr. Lazar brings to the Board his experience in management and aerospace manufacturing operations within our industry, and significant mergers and acquisition experience. |
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Michael Ferrantino |
52 |
2022 |
Mr. Ferrantino’s biographical information can be found under the section for Executive Officers, below. |
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Marc Gabelli |
56 |
2022 |
Mr. Gabelli currently serves as Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Board for M-tron Industries, Inc. (September 2023 to present); Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer for The LGL Group, Inc. (December 2017 to present, and October 2022 to present, respectively); President and Managing Partner, GGCP, Inc. (1999 to present) and holds various executive and directorship roles at GGCP financial services subsidiaries including GAMCO Investors, Inc., Associated Capital Group, Inc. and Teton Advisors, Inc. He formerly served as Chairman of the Board for M-tron Industries, Inc. (October 2022 to September 2023); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, LGL Systems Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: DFNS) (September 2019 to August 2021); and Chairman of Gabelli Merger Plus Trust (GMP-LSE) (July 2017 to present). Mr. Gabelli brings to the Board his extensive knowledge of the Company’s business and industry due to his longstanding service on the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc., as well as his financial expertise and leadership experience as an executive of various investment firms. |
Name | Age | Director Since | Offices and Positions Held with the Company, Business Experience and Principal Occupation for the Last Five Years, and Directorships in Public Corporations and Investment Companies | |||
Robert LaPenta |
56 |
2022 |
Mr. LaPenta has an extensive career spanning over 30 years in finance, accounting, capital markets advisory, equity trading, asset allocation and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. LaPenta began his career at Coopers & Lybrand as a CPA responsible for managing audits, consulting, M&A due diligence and special project engagements for emerging growth clients. Mr. LaPenta transitioned full time into the investment banking sector spending the next 13 years focused on trading and capital market activities culminating in the role of Managing Director and Co-head of Equity Trading at Banc of America Securities, LLC where he managed the firm’s equity capital commitment, proprietary trading, secondary offerings, and risk management within cash trading. In 2007, Mr. LaPenta joined L-1 Identity Solutions, Inc. as Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Strategy. Mr. LaPenta managed the firm’s M&A processes from sourcing, structuring, valuation, diligence, and financing of multiple transactions with the most notable being the negotiation of the $1.6 billion sale of L-1 to Safran and BAE Systems. Following the sale of L-1, Mr. LaPenta became a Partner of Aston Capital, an alternative asset management firm of the LaPenta family office focusing on direct and co-investments. Mr. LaPenta previously served on the Board of Directors for IronNet, Inc. (NYSE: IRNT) (August 2021 to September 2023); The LGL Group, Inc (NYSE: American: LGL) (August 2020 to September 2021); TherapeuticsMD (NASDAQ: TXMD) (February 2012 to April 2020); Revolution Lighting Technologies, Inc. (until 2016); and on the Board of Directors of private companies The Radiant Group (subsequently part of NASDAQ: MAXR) and AFIX Technologies. He recently was a Board Observer of ARKA and currently sits as an Audit Committee member for St. David’s School New York City. Mr. LaPenta graduated from Boston College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and has been a registered CPA (inactive) in the State of New York. Mr. LaPenta brings to the Board his business experience, prior board service and experience as an entrepreneur, investor, and investment banker and earlier in his career as an audit professional. |
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John Mega |
71 |
2022 |
Mr. Mega served as President of LGL Systems Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: DFNS) from September 2019 to August 2021 and a member of the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc. (NYSE American: LGL) from August 2020 to October 2022. Mr. Mega was an original founding member of L3, which merged with Harris Technologies and is now L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LHX). Mr. Mega built and managed several divisions at L3 since its formation in 1997 after spinning off from Lockheed Martin. Prior to his retirement in 2018, he was a corporate Senior Vice President and President of L3’s Communication Systems, one of the four L3 major business segments. Earlier in his career, he had been President of L3’s Microwave Group, President of Narda Microwave, President of Logimetrics, Inc., Chief Financial Officer and Vice President at Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Tactical Defense Systems, Group Controller at Loral Corp. and a principal at Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN). Mr. Mega brings to the Board his considerable experience in management and manufacturing operations within our industry. |
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Hendi Susanto |
50 |
2022 |
Mr. Susanto currently serves as a Senior Vice President and a Portfolio Manager at Gabelli Funds. Mr. Susanto has also served as a Portfolio Manager at GAMCO Investors, Inc. since December 2015. Mr. Susanto began his investment management career in equity research in August 2007. Mr. Susanto joined the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc. (NYSE American: LGL) in June 2016, serving until December 2020. Prior to 2007, Mr. Susanto worked as an analyst at Silicon Laboratories (NASD: SLAB) and a supply chain management consultant in the technology sector at JDA Software. Mr. Susanto received a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, an MS in Chemical Engineering from MIT, with a minor in Quantitative Finance from MIT Sloan, and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School. Mr. Susanto brings to the Board extensive experience in evaluating investments in technology, and special situations such as mergers and acquisitions, strategic transformation, and restructuring. |
Name | Age | Director Since | Offices and Positions Held with the Company, Business Experience and Principal Occupation for the Last Five Years, and Directorships in Public Corporations and Investment Companies | |||
David Goldman |
50 |
2022 |
Mr. Goldman provides legal counsel and engages in business development for financial service companies under the GGCP, Inc. umbrella. He is the General Counsel for Associated Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE: AC) and General Counsel, Senior Vice-President Business Development for GAMCO Asset Management, Inc. Mr. Goldman serves on the boards of numerous international subsidiaries of GAMCO Investors, Inc. Mr. Goldman served as a director of Teton Advisors, Inc. from September 2021 to September 2022. Prior to joining GAMCO, Mr. Goldman held senior legal, compliance and business roles at Deutsche Asset Management, Inc., the asset management division of Deutsche Bank. Mr. Goldman served as the primary liaison between the Deutsche Bank mutual fund directors and the fund’s investment adviser. He holds an LL.M. from Georgetown University School of Law and a JD from the University of Maryland School of Law. Mr. Goldman earned a B.S. in Accounting from Indiana University in Bloomington. Mr. Goldman is a licensed CPA (inactive). Mr. Goldman serves on the Board of Advisors of the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School in the Bronx, NY. Mr. Goldman is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law. Mr. Goldman brings to the Board his understanding of public company governance and experience counselling public company boards of directors on oversight responsibilities, policies and procedures. |
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Ivan Arteaga |
55 |
2022 |
Mr. Arteaga is the Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer of Arteaga Capital Management, LLC (2006 to present), an investment manager to alternative global investment funds and provider of equity research services; Portfolio Manager of Arteaga Global Partners, LP (2007 to present), a global equity investment partnership; Managing Member of Arteaga Investment Management Group, LLC (2008 to present), a registered investment advisor; and Director of Brick Skirt Holdings, Inc. (2014 to present), an owner of rural local exchange carrier DFT Communications. Formerly, he was Chief Financial Officer of The LGL Group, Inc. (October 2022 to January 2023); Interim Chief Executive Officer of The LGL Group, Inc. (January 2020 to March 2021); a member of the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc. (January 2019 to October 2022); Portfolio Manager at GAMCO Investors, Inc. (1994 to 2006); Vice President of Equity Research, Gabelli & Company, Inc., a provider of institutional research and brokerage services (1992 to 2002); and Senior Associate at KPMG Inc., a global CPA, audit and consulting firm. Mr. Arteaga brings to the Board his extensive financial and investment experience, his knowledge of global financial markets, and his knowledge and experience as an analyst and investor in the communications and satellite industry. |
Vote Required
Each nominee receiving a plurality of the affirmative (“FOR”) votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected to the Board.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE ‘FOR’ THE ELECTION OF EACH OF ITS NOMINEES TO THE BOARD TO SERVE UNTIL THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE DULY ELECTED AND QUALIFY.
Proposal No. 2: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
We are asking stockholders to indicate their support for the 2023 compensation of our named executive officers named in the “Summary Compensation Table” included in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our named executive officers. Accordingly, we will ask stockholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board. The Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns. At our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, holders of approximately 99.7% of the votes cast on such proposal approved the say-on-pay vote on the 2022 compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee considered the results of the advisory vote when setting executive compensation for 2023 and plans to continue to do so in future executive compensation policies and decisions. Also at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholders approved a frequency of one year for the advisory vote on executive compensation. A vote to determine the frequency for the "say-on-pay" advisory vote on executive compensation must take place at least once every six years, so our next vote on frequency of this vote will be at our 2029 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
For further detail regarding our compensation philosophy and objectives, the determination of compensation awards and other information regarding the compensation of our executive officers, see the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement below.
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers, including their business experience for the past five years and prior years.
Name |
Age |
Offices and Positions Held with the Company, Business Experience and Principal Occupation for the Last Five Years |
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Michael Ferrantino |
52 |
Mr. Ferrantino currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for M-tron Industries, Inc. (October 2022 to present) and is a member of the Board of Directors of The LGL Group, Inc. (September 2019 to present) and Gabelli Equity Trust, Inc. Mr. Ferrantino previously held the position of Co-Chief Executive Officer for The LGL Group, Inc. (October 2022 to August 2023) and formerly served as its President and Chief Executive officer (April 2021 to October 2022). Mr. Ferrantino received an undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland. Mr. Ferrantino brings to the Board and management his experience in management and manufacturing operations, and an extensive knowledge of global financial markets. |
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William Drafts |
59 |
Mr. Drafts currently serves as President of M-tron Industries, Inc. (October 2022 to present) and previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of M-tron Industries, Inc. (November 2019 to October 2022). Mr. Drafts formerly served as Vice President, General Manager of FLIR Systems, Inc. (“FLIR”), Imaging Division, a world leader in thermal imaging. Preceding FLIR, Mr. Drafts was Vice President, General Manager of Microsensor Systems, Inc., the world leader in surface acoustic wave (SAW) chemical sensors and instrumentation. Prior to that, Mr. Drafts was the Division Manager of F. W. Bell, the world leader in magnetic sensors and instrumentation. Mr. Drafts graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S.E.E. and earned both an M.S.E.E. and M.B.A. from the University of Central Florida. Mr. Drafts has eleven technical publications and holds three U.S. patents. |
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Linda Biles |
62 |
Ms. Biles currently serves as Executive Vice President - Finance and as the principal financial officer for M-tron Industries, Inc. (April 2024 to present) and as Vice President & Controller for The LGL Group, Inc. (June 2020 to present). Ms. Biles formerly served as Vice President & Controller for M-tron Industries, Inc. (2007 to April 2024) and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for AO Precision Manufacturing (1999 to 2007). |
Vote Required
The affirmative (“FOR”) vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter is required to “approve,” on an advisory basis, the resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE ‘FOR’ THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023.
Proposal No. 3: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2024
The Audit Committee has appointed PKF as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024. Although this appointment does not require ratification, the Board has directed that the appointment of PKF be submitted to stockholders for ratification due to the significance of its appointment. If stockholders do not ratify the appointment of PKF as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of another independent registered public accounting firm but may decide to retain PKF as our independent registered public accounting firm.
PKF served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Representatives of PKF are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. These representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit Fees
PKF
Aggregate audit fees billed by PKF as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $242,989 and $49,250, respectively. Audit fees include services relating to auditing the Company's annual financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and reviewing the Company's financial statements included in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q beginning with the third fiscal quarter of 2022. There were no other professional services rendered or fees billed by PKF for 2023 and 2022.
RSM
During 2023, RSM US LLP ("RSM"), our predecessor independent registered public accounting firm, rendered fees for audit-related services totaling $42,000 in connection with their consent over their opinion on the stand-alone MtronPTI audit for 2021 being included within the 2022 financial statements. During 2022, RSM rendered fees for audit services totaling $258,850 in connection with stand-alone MtronPTI audits for 2021 and 2020, quarterly reviews for the first and second quarters of 2021 and 2022, along with multiple Form 10 filings, and The LGL Group, Inc.’s (“LGL Group” or “LGL”) Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A related to obtaining stockholder approval for the spin-off of MtronPTI from LGL Group. There were no other professional services rendered or fees billed by RSM for 2022.
Audit-Related Fees
During 2023, RSM rendered fees for audit-related services totaling $42,000 in connection with their consent over their opinion on the stand-alone MtronPTI audit for 2021 being included within the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. There were no other professional services rendered or fees billed by RSM for 2023.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee's policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm are reflected in the Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee Charter provides that the Audit Committee shall pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and shall not engage the independent registered public accounting firm to perform the specific non-audit services proscribed by law or regulation. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to a member of the Audit Committee. The decisions of any Audit Committee member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
If any services other than audit services are rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee determines whether such services are compatible with maintaining our independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
All services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Vote Required
The affirmative (“FOR”) vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter is required to ratify the appointment of PKF as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2024.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE ‘FOR’ THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PKF AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.
Originally founded in 1965, MtronPTI is engaged in the designing, manufacturing and marketing of highly engineered, high reliability frequency and spectrum control products used to control the frequency or timing of signals in electronic circuits in various applications. MtronPTI’s primary markets are defense, aerospace, space, and avionics.
Separation from The LGL Group, Inc.
On October 7, 2022, MtronPTI was spun off from LGL Group, and has since operated as an independent, publicly traded company. In connection with the spin-off from LGL Group (“Separation”), we entered into several agreements with LGL Group on August 19, 2022 that, among other things, effect the separation of the two companies and provide a framework for the relationship between MtronPTI and LGL Group after the Separation.
Although MtronPTI and LGL Group currently operate as separate companies, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) require that we provide certain information, including compensation information for our named executive officers, for the period of time prior to the Separation. We have sought to clearly indicate throughout this Proxy Statement what information relates to MtronPTI prior to the Separation, when it was operating as a subsidiary of LGL Group, and what information relates to MtronPTI following the Separation.
As required under NYSE rules, a majority of the members of a listed company’s board of directors must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by such board of directors. The Board has determined that Messrs. Lazar, LaPenta, Mega, Susanto, Goldman, and Arteaga are independent within the meaning of NYSE rules.
The Board of Directors held six meetings during the year ended December 31, 2023. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (held while he was a director); and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served (while he served on such committees). Although there is no formal policy, all directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. 7 of the eight directors attended the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Audit Committee met six times, and the Compensation Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee, and the Nominating Committee each met once during 2023.
The three principal committees of the Board and their duties are described below.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee held six meetings during 2023. The incumbent members of the Audit Committee are Mr. LaPenta (Chairman) and Messrs. Lazar and Mega. All members of the Audit Committee are independent in accordance with NYSE American rules for audit committee members. The Board has determined that all Audit Committee members are financially literate and independent in accordance with SEC and NYSE American rules concerning audit committee membership requirements. The Board also determined that Mr. LaPenta qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Audit Committee operates in accordance with its charter. The charter gives the Audit Committee the authority and responsibility for the appointment, retention, compensation and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm, including pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also reviews the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our annual financial statements prior to their filing with the SEC, reviews the report by our independent registered public accounting firm regarding management procedures and policies and determines whether our independent registered public accounting firm has received satisfactory access to our financial records and full cooperation of corporate personnel in connection with their audit of our records. The Audit Committee also reviews our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board and reviews the financial information issued to stockholders and others, including a discussion of the quality and reasonableness of the accounting principles used, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of discussions in the financial statements, and monitors the systems of internal control and the audit process. Management has primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process. The Audit Committee Charter is available on our website at ir.mtronpti.com/governance/governance-documents.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee met once during 2023. The incumbent members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Lazar (Chairman) and Messrs. Mega and LaPenta. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent in accordance with NYSE American rules for compensation committee members. The responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to review the Company’s compensation and benefits policies and objectives, determine whether our officers and directors are compensated in accordance with these policies and objectives, and carry out the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of our executives. The Compensation Committee Charter is available on our website at ir.mtronpti.com/governance/governance-documents. See further discussion of the Compensation Committee’s role in setting executive compensation under the section “Executive Compensation” below.
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee met once during 2023. The incumbent members of the Nominating Committee are Mr. Mega (Chairman) and Messrs. Lazar and LaPenta. All members of the Nominating Committee are independent in accordance with NYSE American rules. The responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are to identify individuals qualified to become Board members and recommend that the Board select director nominees for election at the annual meetings of stockholders. The Nominating Committee Charter is available on our website at ir.mtronpti.com/governance/governance-documents.
Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee met once during 2023. The incumbent members of the Nominating Committee are Mr. Mega (Chairman) and Messrs. Lazar and LaPenta. All members of the Corporate Governance Committee are independent in accordance with NYSE American rules. The responsibilities of the Corporate Governance Committee are to develop and recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance guidelines, review the corporate governance guidelines at least annually and provide appropriate recommendations to the Board, develop and recommend to the Board procedures for the review, approval, or ratification of transactions with related persons, and review and evaluate related person transactions in accordance with the Company's procedures. The Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available on our website at ir.mtronpti.com/governance/governance-documents.
In evaluating and determining whether to nominate a candidate for a position on the Board, the Nominating Committee utilizes a variety of methods and considers criteria such as high professional ethics and values, relevant management and/or manufacturing experience and a commitment to enhancing stockholder value. Candidates may be brought to the attention of the Nominating Committee by current Board members, stockholders, officers or other persons. The Nominating Committee will review all candidates in the same manner regardless of the source of the recommendation.
The Company does not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, but the Nominating Committee strives to nominate director candidates with a variety of complementary skills so that, as a group, the Board will possess the appropriate talent, skills and expertise to oversee the Company’s businesses.
The Nominating Committee also considers stockholder recommendations for director nominees that are properly received in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. In order to validly nominate a candidate for election or reelection as a director, stockholders must give timely notice of such nomination in writing to the Corporate Secretary and include, as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and the other rules and regulations under the Exchange Act (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected). For more information on director candidate nominations by stockholders, see “Stockholder Proposals” herein.
Throughout most of 2023, the Board was led by Mr. Marc Gabelli, serving as Chairman of the Board. At our annual meeting on September 20, 2023, Bel Lazar was appointed Chairman of the Board and Mr. Gabelli was appointed as Advisor to the Chairman and they will split the retainer for Chairman of the Board equally from that point forward. The Board does not have a policy regarding a separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. However, we believe separation of these roles allows Michael Ferrantino, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, to focus on managing the Company’s business and operations, and allowed Mr. Gabelli and Mr. Lazar to focus on Board matters, which we believe is especially important in light of the high level of regulation and scrutiny of public company boards. Additionally, we believe the separation of these roles contributes to the independence of the Board in its oversight role and in assessing the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and management generally.
Senior management is responsible for assessing and managing the Company’s various exposures to risk on a day-to-day basis, including the creation of appropriate risk management programs and policies. We have developed a consistent, systemic and integrated approach to risk management to help determine how best to identify, manage and mitigate significant risks throughout the Company, which includes our system of internal controls over financial reporting, annual reviews conducted by our directors and officers, monitoring compliance with our Code of Conduct and Ethics policy and general liability insurance coverage. The Board is responsible for overseeing management in the execution of its responsibilities and for assessing the Company’s approach to risk management. The Board exercises these responsibilities periodically as part of its meetings and also through the Board’s three principal committees, each of which examines various components of enterprise risk as part of its responsibilities. In addition, an overall review of risk is inherent in the Board’s consideration of the Company’s long-term strategies and in the transactions and other matters presented to the Board, including capital expenditures, acquisitions and divestitures, and other financial matters.
Stockholders may communicate with the Board, including the non-management directors, by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by sending a letter to M-tron Industries, Inc., 2525 Shader Road, Orlando, Florida 32804, Attention: Executive Vice President - Finance. The Executive Vice President - Finance will submit all such correspondence to any specific director to whom the correspondence is directed.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We adopted a code of business conduct and ethics as part of our Code of Conduct and Ethics policy, which applies to all of our directors, officers, and employees, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics policy is available at ir.mtronpti.com/governance/governance-documents. Amendments to and any waivers of our Code of Conduct and Ethics policy will be disclosed on our website.
Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons
All transactions between us and any of our officers, directors, director nominees, principal stockholders or their immediate family members are to be approved by the Audit Committee and are to be on terms no less favorable to us than we could obtain from unaffiliated third parties. Such policy and procedures are set forth in the Company’s Related Person Transaction Policy.
Agreements with LGL Group Prior to the Separation
In connection with the Separation of MtronPTI from LGL Group, the Company entered into several agreements with LGL Group that, among other things, effected the Separation and govern the relationship of the parties following the Separation, including a Separation and Distribution Agreement, a Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement, and a Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement. These agreements are summarized below. Additional information about the terms of these agreements can be found in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with SEC on August 19, 2022. The following summaries are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements, which are filed as exhibits to our Form 8-K filed on August 19, 2022.
Separation and Distribution Agreement – The Separation and Distribution Agreement governs the overall terms and the steps taken to effect the Separation, including the assets transferred, liabilities assumed, and related matters, and governs the treatment of indemnification, insurance and litigation responsibility and management.
Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement – The Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement generally prohibits us from taking certain actions that could cause the Separation to fail to qualify as a tax-free transaction, including but not limited to, within two years of the date of the Separation not entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement involving the substantial acquisition of stock of the Company or a substantial shift in ownership (by vote or value) of the Company. Under the agreement, LGL Group will generally be responsible for all U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income taxes of the Company for any taxable period, or portion of such period, ending on or before the Separation.
Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement – The Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement sets out the terms for services to be provided between the two companies post Separation and the related monthly costs.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, and any persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on our review of the forms filed with the SEC and written representations from the directors and executive officers, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were timely met in the year ended December 31, 2023.
Although we have not adopted any practices or policies prohibiting hedging or pledging, we discourage our directors, executive officers, and employees from entering into hedging or pledging arrangements with respect to the Company’s securities.
The Company maintains a clawback policy that complies with the applicable listing standards of the NYSE American and Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act. In the event of a restatement of the reported financial results of the Company due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements, the Company will take all available steps to recover reasonably promptly the amount of all erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation received by an executive officer during the relevant recovery period.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 with both management and PKF, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee meets with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their financial statement audit and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee has discussed with PKF the matters required to be discussed by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) and the SEC.
PKF provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding PKF’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee discussed with PKF its independence.
Based on the Audit Committee’s review of the audited financial statements and discussions, including those noted above, with management and PKF, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Robert LaPenta (Chairman) Bel Lazar John Mega |
The Compensation Committee is responsible for the design and administration of the Company’s compensation policy and plans. The plans are designed to successfully implement the Company’s business strategy and create stockholder value. As a matter of policy, the Compensation Committee submits its recommendations to the full Board for approval.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Company’s compensation program emphasizes performance-based compensation promoting the achievement of short-term and long-term business objectives. This aligns our executives’ compensation with stockholder interests, while providing competitive compensation to attract, motivate and retain executives with superior skills and abilities.
Determination of Compensation Awards
The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board the compensation awards for the named executive officers based on (i) Company performance versus annual budgeted financial targets, and (ii) individual performance.
The Compensation Committee conducts an annual review of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance prior to making its recommendation to the Board regarding the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation. Our Chief Executive Officer reviews the performance of our principal financial officer with the Compensation Committee and makes a recommendation to the Compensation Committee regarding the principal financial officers’s compensation. During these reviews, the Compensation Committee considers the Company’s performance in the following categories: (i) improvement in the Company’s market value; (ii) the achievement of agreed upon short- and long-term objectives; and (iii) predetermined individual goals.
Consideration of “Say-on-Pay” Advisory Vote
The Board is asking stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023 as described in the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” vote, gives stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our executive compensation. The vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the compensation philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. At our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, holders of approximately 99.7% of the votes cast on such proposal approved the “say-on-pay” vote on the 2022 compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee considered the results of the advisory vote when setting executive compensation for 2023 and plans to continue to do so in future executive compensation policies and decisions. Also at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholders approved a frequency of one year for the advisory vote on executive compensation. A vote to determine the frequency for the "say-on-pay" advisory vote on executive compensation must take place at least once every six years, so our next vote on the frequency of this vote will be at our 2029 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Although the vote on this proposal is advisory and non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully consider the results of this vote and, if there are a significant number of negative votes, we will seek to understand the concerns that influenced those votes and address them in making future decisions about our executive compensation program.
The Company has not retained a compensation consultant to review its policies and procedures with respect to the compensation of the named executive officers, though it may choose to do so in the future. The Compensation Committee benchmarks the compensation of the named executive officers against the median compensation paid by comparable companies determined at the time. To that end, the Compensation Committee will conduct a benchmark review as often as deemed necessary of the aggregate level of compensation of the named executive officers as well as the mix of elements used to compensate the named executive officers, taking into account input from independent members of the Board and publicly available data relating to the compensation practices and policies of comparable companies. While benchmarking may not always be appropriate as a stand-alone tool for setting the compensation of the named executive officers due to the Company’s potentially unique circumstances and objectives, the Compensation Committee generally believes that gathering such information is an important part of the Compensation Committee’s decision-making process.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Committee may determine that it is in the Company’s best interest to recommend total compensation packages that deviate from the Compensation Committee’s general principle of benchmarking the compensation of the named executive officers.
Base Salary
Base salary levels for the Company’s named executive officers are designed to be competitive with those of employees with similar responsibilities working for companies of comparable size, capitalization and complexity. In determining base salaries, the Compensation Committee takes into account a variety of factors, including experience, performance, and benchmarking.
Incentive Compensation
The Company provides annual and long-term incentive compensation to its executives and managers under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2022 Incentive Plan (the “2022 Incentive Plan”), which was approved prior to the Separation by our Board on August 19, 2022. The 2022 Incentive Plan is designed to provide annual and long-term incentives for executive performance by rewarding participating executives for their contributions to profitability and stockholder value based on achieving short-term Company and individual performance goals for a given year, as well as by aligning a significant portion of compensation with the long-term interests of stockholders. Short-term Company performance goals include revenue growth, EBITDA, earnings per share and return on equity. Long-term Company performance goals include increasing the Company’s total market value. The Compensation Committee may recommend that other corporate performance measures be substituted or added (including but not limited to operating income after tax, return on capital employed and stockholder return) in order to achieve the Company’s business strategy. Individual performance goals for the Chief Executive Officer are established by the Compensation Committee and recommended to the Board for approval, while individual performance goals for our other employees are established by the Chief Executive Officer and reviewed by the Compensation Committee.
M-tron Industries, Inc. 401(k) Plan
The M-tron Industries, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which is subject to limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), permits the Company’s employees to defer a portion of their compensation by making contributions to the 401(k) Plan and thereby obtain certain tax benefits. Participating employees also benefit from the 401(k) Plan by sharing in discretionary contributions made by the Company to the 401(k) Plan based on each employee’s contribution made in a particular year. A participant’s interest in his or her individual contributions, the Company’s contributions and earnings thereon is fully vested at all times. The 401(k) Plan’s proceeds are invested in guaranteed investment contracts or certain mutual funds, subject to the discretion of the participants.
The named executive officers and all other employees over the age of 18 of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan after having completed three months of service.
Other Benefits
The Company makes available to its named executive officers the same medical insurance, life insurance and disability benefits that are generally made available to the Company’s employees to ensure that the Company’s employees have access to basic healthcare and income protection for themselves and their family members.
The Company has not entered into any employment agreements with its executive officers.
The Company’s Named Executive Officers for the year ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:
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Michael Ferrantino, Chief Executive Officer |
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James Tivy, Chief Financial Officer |
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William Drafts, President and former President and CEO |
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Linda Biles, Vice President, Controller |
The list above reflects titles as of December 31, 2023, the last day of the 2023 fiscal year. Effective April 16, 2024, Mr. Tivy resigned as Chief Financial Officer and Ms. Biles was appointed Executive Vice President - Finance and principal financial officer.
The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation earned by the Company’s named executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards (1) ($) |
Total ($) |
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Michael Ferrantino (2) |
2023 |
225,000 | — | — | 225,000 | ||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
2022 |
225,000 | — | — | (3) | 225,000 | |||||||||||||
James Tivy (2) (4) |
2023 |
200,000 | — | — | 200,000 | ||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
2022 |
158,923 | 25,000 | 313,800 | (5) | 497,723 | |||||||||||||
William Drafts |
2023 |
197,323 | 50,000 | 101,700 | (6) | 349,023 | |||||||||||||
President and former President and CEO |
2022 |
185,262 | 30,000 | 20,463 | (7) | 235,725 | |||||||||||||
Linda Biles (10) |
2023 |
143,374 | 50,000 | 101,700 | (8) | 295,074 | |||||||||||||
Vice President, Controller |
2022 |
134,240 | 27,000 | — | (9) | 161,240 |
(1) |
Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards or option awards granted in the applicable year, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Stock-Based Compensation ("ASC 718"). |
(2) |
Amounts shown for 2022 include amounts paid to the respective individual for services rendered to LGL Group prior to the October 7, 2022 Separation. |
(3) |
On December 28, 2021, Mr. Ferrantino was awarded 45,000 restricted shares of LGL common stock with a grant date fair value of $532,800. On October 7, 2022, 15,000 of these unvested shares of LGL common stock were canceled and MtronPTI issued 14,371 restricted shares of MtronPTI common stock as a replacement grant, with the same terms as Mr. Ferrantino’s original LGL grant, resulting in no additional compensation cost being recorded. |
(4) |
Effective April 16, 2024, Mr. Tivy resigned as Chief Financial Officer. |
(5) |
On April 30, 2022, Mr. Tivy was awarded 30,000 restricted shares of LGL common stock with a grant date fair value of $313,800. On October 7, 2022, these unvested shares of LGL common stock were canceled and MtronPTI issued 28,741 restricted shares of MtronPTI common stock as a replacement grant, with the same terms as Mr. Tivy’s original LGL grant, resulting in no additional compensation cost being recorded. |
(6) |
On August 9, 2023, Mr. Drafts was awarded 9,000 restricted shares of MtonPTI common stock with a grant date fair value of $11.30. |
(7) |
On October 7, 2022, options to purchase 10,000 shares of LGL common stock were canceled, with MtronPTI awarding options to purchase 9,710 shares of MtronPTI common stock at $13.10 per share as a replacement grant, with the same vesting terms as Mr. Drafts' original LGL grant, vesting on November 7, 2022 with an expiration date of November 7, 2024. The replacement grant resulted in an incremental $20,463 of additional compensation expense being recorded. |
(8) | On August 9, 2023, Ms. Biles was awarded 9,000 restricted shares of MtronPTI common stock with a grant date fair value of $11.30. |
(9) |
On October 7, 2022, 7,533 unvested shares of LGL common stock were canceled, with MtronPTI issuing 7,217 restricted shares of MtronPTI common stock as a replacement grant, with the same terms as Ms. Biles’s original LGL grant, resulting in no additional compensation cost being recorded. |
(10) |
Effective April 16, 2024, Ms. Biles was appointed Executive Vice President - Finance and principal financial officer. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End
The following table sets forth the information with respect to outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2023.
Option Awards |
Stock Awards |
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Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested ($) (4) |
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William Drafts (1) |
9,710 | — | $ | 13.10 |
11/7/2024 |
9,000 | $ | 321,300 | ||||||||||||||||
James Tivy (2) |
— | — | — | — | 19,161 | $ | 684,048 | |||||||||||||||||
Linda Biles (3) |
— | — | — | — | 9,000 | $ | 321,300 |
(1) |
On October 7, 2022, MtronPTI awarded options to purchase 9,710 shares of MtronPTI common stock at $13.10 per share as a replacement grant, with the same vesting and expiration dates as Mr. Drafts’ original LGL grant, which vested on November 7, 2022 with an expiration date of November 7, 2024. On August 9, 2023, MtronPTI issued 9,000 restricted shares of MtronPTI common stock, which vest over three years, 30% in year one and two, and the remaining 40% in year three. |
(2) |
On October 7, 2022, MtronPTI issued 28,741 restricted shares of MtronPTI common stock as a replacement grant, with the same terms as Mr. Tivy’s original LGL grant. These shares vest pro-rata over three years, vesting one-third on April 30 of each year. Effective April 16, 2024, Mr. Tivy resigned as Chief Financial Officer. |
(3) |
On August 9, 2023, MtronPTI issued 9,000 restricted shares of MtronPTI common stock, which vest over three years, 30% in year one and two, and the remaining 40% in year three. Effective April 16, 2024, Ms. Biles was appointed Executive Vice President - Finance and principal financial officer. |
(4) |
Market value is based on the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE American on December 29, 2023, the last trading day of 2023, of $35.70 per share. |
Non-Employee Director Compensation
The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation earned by or awarded to each non-employee director who served on the Board during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (1) |
Total ($) |
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Bel Lazar |
52,337 | 15,002 | 67,339 | |||||||||
Marc Gabelli |
93,087 | 15,002 | 108,089 | |||||||||
Robert LaPenta |
28,087 | 15,002 | 43,089 | |||||||||
John Mega |
26,587 | 15,002 | 41,589 | |||||||||
Hendi Susanto |
20,837 | 15,002 | 35,839 | |||||||||
David Goldman |
20,837 | 15,002 | 35,839 | |||||||||
Ivan Arteaga |
19,098 | 15,002 | 34,100 |
(1) |
These shares were granted under the 2022 Incentive Plan. |
Non-employee directors receive the following in addition to the $15,000 in equity awards granted as part of their base compensation: (i) their annual base cash compensation of $10,000; (ii) $2,000 for each meeting of the Board attended in person and $750 for attendance at each meeting held telephonically and (iii) the Audit Committee Chairman receives a $2,000 annual cash retainer, and the Nominating Committee Chairman and Compensation Committee Chairman each receives a $1,000 annual cash retainer.
Prior to the appointment of the Advisor to the Chairman of the Board on September 20, 2023, the Chairman of the Board received an annual cash retainer of $100,000. Subsequent to the appointment of the Advisor to the Chairman of the Board, the Chairman of the Board and the Advisor to the Chairman of the Board split equally the annual cash retainer of $100,000.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2023 about our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under all of our existing equity compensation plans (including individual arrangements):
Plan Category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) |
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Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) |
193,010 | $ | 34.90 | 380,074 | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
— | — | — | |||||||||
Total |
193,010 | $ | 34.90 | 380,074 |
(1) |
The 2022 Incentive Plan was approved prior to the Separation by our Board on August 19, 2022. 500,000 shares of common stock are authorized for issuance under the 2022 Incentive Plan. Options to purchase 193,010 shares of common stock issued under the 2022 Incentive Plan were outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Unvested restricted stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2023 amounted to 79,896 shares. |
Proposals of stockholders made in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act and intended to be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Corporate Secretary, M-tron Industries, Inc., 2525 Shader Road, Orlando, Florida 32804, by no later than December 25, 2024, for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Under SEC rules, if we do not receive notice of a stockholder proposal at least 45 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the prior year’s proxy statement, then the Company’s appointed proxy holders will be permitted to use their discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the annual meeting, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement. In connection with the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, if we do not have notice of a stockholder proposal on or before March 10, 2025, we will be permitted to use our discretionary voting authority as outlined above.
Our Bylaws establish procedures for stockholder nominations for elections of directors and bringing other business before any annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders. Any stockholder entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at or properly bring other business before a meeting only if written notice of such stockholder’s intent has been delivered, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 90th day, which is March 13, 2025, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day, which is February 11, 2025, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us. In no event must the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
The stockholder’s notice must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Company that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business and a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on our books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of shares of the Company that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the nomination or proposal of such business by such stockholder, (iv) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the persons named in the notice or bring such business before the annual meeting, and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Notwithstanding anything in the previous paragraph, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no public announcement by us naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board at least 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by our Bylaws will also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by us.
We may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director. The Board or chairman of the annual meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, in which event, the officer will announce that determination to the annual meeting and the defective nomination will be disregarded.
In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under our Bylaws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than our nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act no later than April 12, 2025.
Our 2023 Form 10-K is being sent with this Proxy Statement to each stockholder. The 2023 Form 10-K is available at ir.mtronpti.com/financials/annual-reports-and-proxies. The 2023 Form 10-K, however, is not to be regarded as part of the proxy soliciting material.
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS
We have adopted a procedure permitted by SEC rules that is commonly referred to as “householding.” Under this procedure, a single Proxy Statement and annual report are delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless we receive contrary instructions from any stockholder at that address. We will continue to send a separate proxy card to each stockholder of record. We have adopted this procedure because we believe it reduces the volume of duplicate information stockholders receive and helps to reduce our printing and postage costs. A number of brokers with account holders who are Company stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials and annual reports as well.
If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate Proxy Statement and annual report, or if you and other stockholders sharing your address are receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials and you would like to receive only a single copy of such materials in the future, please notify your broker if you hold your Company shares through a broker, or notify us directly if you are a stockholder of record by contacting us at:
M-tron Industries, Inc.
2525 Shader Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
Attention: Corporate Secretary
(407) 298-2000
We will send promptly additional copies of the relevant materials following receipt of a request for additional copies.