SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
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Common Stock
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
21,815,371
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TELKONET, INC.
902-A COMMERCE ROAD
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21401
-----------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 29, 2002
To the Stockholders:
The 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Telkonet, Inc. will be held
at Hampton Inn & Suites, 124 Womack Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 on Monday,
July 29, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. local time for the following purposes:
1. To elect five directors to serve until the next annual meeting
of stockholders and until their successors are elected and
qualified;
2. To approve Telkonet's Stock Option Plan;
3. To ratify the appointment of independent accountants for 2002;
and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 17, 2002 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.
However, to assure your representation at the meeting, stockholders are urged to
complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope
as promptly as possible.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Robert P. Crabb
Robert P. Crabb
Secretary
Dated: June 26, 2002
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD
IMMEDIATELY, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
TELKONET, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Telkonet, Inc. for use
at Telkonet's 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held at Hampton Inn &
Suites, 124 Womack Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 on Monday, July 29, 2002 at
2:00 p.m. local time, and at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual
Meeting. This Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card and Telkonet's Annual
Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 are first
being sent to stockholders on or about June 26, 2002.
The solicitation of proxies is made by and on behalf of Telkonet's
Board of Directors. The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by
Telkonet. In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, employees of Telkonet
or its affiliates may solicit proxies by telephone or facsimile.
At the close of business on June 17, 2002, Telkonet had outstanding
13,927,996 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Each stockholder
is entitled to one vote per share of Telkonet's common stock registered in such
stockholder's name on Telkonet's books as of the close of business on June 17,
2002.
Any duly executed proxy received prior to the closing of the polls
during the Annual Meeting will be voted in the manner specified on the proxy. If
no direction is indicated on a proxy, it will be voted to elect as directors the
nominees listed in this Proxy Statement. A proxy given pursuant to this
solicitation may be revoked by a stockholder of record at any time before it is
voted either by delivering a written notice of revocation bearing a date later
than the proxy or a subsequent, duly-executed proxy relating to the same shares
to the Secretary of Telkonet or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
Materials intended for the Secretary of Telkonet should be mailed to Telkonet at
902-A Commerce Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Telkonet's telephone number is
(410) 897-5900.
ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Telkonet's bylaws establish the number of directors at not less than
three members. Pursuant to the bylaws, the Board of Directors may increase or
decrease the number of members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
has established the number of directors at five. At the Annual Meeting, the
shares represented by properly executed proxies, unless otherwise specified,
will be voted for the election of the five nominees named herein, each to serve
until the next annual meeting and until his successor is duly elected and
qualified.
If for any reason any of the nominees is not a candidate when the
election occurs (which is not expected), the Board of Directors expects that
proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee designated by the
Board of Directors. The following information is furnished concerning each
nominee for election as a director.
2
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Director Name Age Position with the Company Since
- ------------- --- ------------------------- -----
J. Gregory Fowler 41 President and Chief Executive 2001
Officer, Director
David W. Grimes 64 Chairman of the Board, 2000
Director
Stephen L. Sadle 56 Chief Operating Officer, 2000
Treasurer, Director
Robert P. Crabb 54 Secretary, Director 2001
A. Hugo DeCesaris 43 Director 2001
J. Gregory Fowler, President and Chief Executive Officer, has over
twenty years of experience in the communications industry with proven results in
engineering, business development, sales, marketing, and management. His primary
focus has been the Internet and related technologies and he has distinguished
himself at several industry-leading network equipment manufacturers. Prior to
his employment with Telkonet, from 1998 to 2001, Mr. Fowler was employed by
Nortel Networks where he managed a team that successfully designed, implemented,
and fielded communications solutions for service providers, growing the revenue
from $500,000 to over $50 million in two years. During the period from 1988 to
1998 he held similar positions at Bay Networks, Wellfleet Communications, and
3Com Corporation, where he led the design, development and deployment of IP and
Ethernet based LAN and WAN solutions. Mr. Fowler holds a B.S. in Computer
Engineering from the University of Southern Mississippi.
David W. Grimes, Chairman, is a co-founder of Telkonet. From 1963-1982,
Mr. Grimes was a senior executive with NASA, heading the $200 million per year
Delta Program. From 1982-1989 he was founder and Chief Executive Officer of
Transpace Carriers Inc., a venture to commercialize the Delta launch vehicle.
From 1989-1992, he was the Engineering Division Director at EER Inc., of
Seabrook, Maryland, with supervisory responsibility for more than 100 engineers
and technicians on electrical mechanical and thermal tasks for Goddard Space
Flight Center. From 1992-1999, Mr. Grimes was Chief Engineer for Final Analysis,
Inc. and led the design and development of the Low Earth Orbit constellation of
38 satellites for use in global store and forward communications. Mr. Grimes is
a recognized expert in space and ground communications systems.
Stephen L. Sadle, Chief Operating Officer, is a co-founder of Telkonet.
From 1970-1986 Mr. Sadle was president of a successful infrastructure
construction and development company in the Washington, D.C. metro area. From
1986-1999, he was Vice President of Business Development and Sales for The
Driggs Corporation, a major heavy and infrastructure firm interfacing with both
government and the private sectors. From 1999-2000, Mr. Sadle was Vice President
and General Sales Manager of Internos, a provider of web-based vertical intranet
applications, and developed operating extranets in the transportation and
construction industries.
3
Robert P. Crabb, a Director, has been President and Managing Director
of Susquehanna Development, L.L.C., a marketing consulting firm, since 1996. Mr.
Crabb has over 30 years of sales, marketing and public and private corporate
management experience, including a career of sales management with MetLife.
A. Hugo DeCesaris, a Director, has over 24 years experience in the
homebuilding industry with Washington Homes, Inc., where he served as Vice
President and a member of the Board of Directors. In January of 2001, Washington
Homes, Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
and is now one of the top ten homebuilders in the nation. Mr. DeCesaris is
currently the Regional Vice President for the Maryland Division of Washington
Homes, Inc., President and owner of Southern Maryland's largest Marina and a
member of the Board of Directors of MNCBIA Volume Builders Council.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, the Board of Directors
held 6 regular and special meetings, which all directors attended. Telkonet does
not have any standing committees of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with management of Telkonet and has discussed the matters required to
be discussed by SAS 61 with Telkonet's independent auditors. The Board of
Directors has also received the written disclosures and the letter from
Telkonet's independent accountants required by Independent Standards Board
Standard No. 1 and has discussed with the independent accountants the
independent accountant's independence. Based upon its review of the foregoing
materials and its discussions with Telkonet's management and independent
accountants, the Board of Directors determined that the audited financial
statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
year ended December 31, 2001.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Telkonet reimburses non-management directors for costs and expenses in
connection with their attendance and participation at Board of Directors
meetings and for other travel expenses incurred on Telkonet's behalf. Telkonet
compensates each non-management director $250.00 for each meeting of the Board
of Directors.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In addition to Mr. Fowler and Mr. Sadle, the executive officers of
Telkonet are:
David S. Yaney, 50, is Chief Technology Officer of Telkonet. Dr. Yaney
has over twenty-four years of industry experience in engineering and product
development, business development, program execution and fiscal management. He
has held senior level engineering management positions with industry leaders
including Bell Laboratories (1978-1994), Motorola (1994-1996), Allied Signal
(1996-1999), UltraBeam Division of Ultratech Stepper (1999-2000), and most
recently 3Com, where he was Vice President/Engineering for the Residential
Connectivity Group and later Vice President/General Manager of the Consumer DSL
Business Unit. While at 3Com, Dr. Yaney was responsible for growing annual
revenue of the DSL Business Unit to $80 million, while simultaneously
streamlining the product portfolio and cutting unit cost structure by over 30%.
Dr. Yaney has authored numerous publications in semiconductor fabrication
technology and has been awarded three patents. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.
in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
4
James F. Landry, 49, is Vice President Engineering of Telkonet. Mr.
Landry has over 19 years experience in developing communications hardware for
the enterprise/carrier market with 3Com, U.S. Robotics, Penril Datacomm and Data
General. While at 3Com/U.S. Robotics, he was responsible for the development of
the entire xDSL product line as well as a number of modems and interface cards.
At Penril, he served as the product development leader for the Series 1544
Multiplexer/channel bank and at Data General he was technical leader of system
integration for ISDN WAN. Mr. Landry brings a wealth of practical design
leadership and a solid history of delivering products to the marketplace. He
holds four U.S. patents and has four patents pending.
ITEM 2: RATIFICATION OF THE TELKONET, INC.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
On April 24, 2002, the Board of Directors adopted the Telkonet, Inc.
Stock Option Plan, subject to stockholder approval. The plan provides for the
grant of stock options to employees, officers, consultants, independent
contractors and non-employee directors providing services to Telkonet, as
determined by the Board of Directors or by a committee of directors designated
by the Board of Directors to administer the plan. The full text of the plan is
attached to this proxy statement as APPENDIX A.
SUMMARY OF THE PLAN
The purpose of the plan is to advance the interests of Telkonet by
encouraging and enabling acquisition of a financial interest in Telkonet by its
officers, directors, consultants and key personnel. The plan is intended to aid
Telkonet in attracting and retaining key employees, to stimulate the efforts of
such personnel and to strengthen their desire to remain with Telkonet.
The plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
designated by the Board of Directors which, if designated, would have full power
and authority to determine when and to whom awards will be granted and the type,
amount, form of payment and other terms and conditions of each award, consistent
with the provisions of the plan. Subject to the provisions of the plan, the
Board of Directors may amend the terms and conditions of an outstanding award,
with the consent of the optionee. The Board of Directors has full authority to
interpret the plan and establish, amend or rescind rules and regulations for the
administration of the plan.
Any employee, officer, consultant, or director of Telkonet and its
subsidiaries is eligible to receive awards under the plan.
The plan provides for the issuance of up to 7,000,000 shares of
Telkonet common stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends,
recapitalization, stock splits, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations or
other similar changes in the corporate or capital structure of Telkonet. If an
option issued under the plan expires, or for any reason is terminated or
unexercised with respect to any shares of Telkonet common stock, such shares
shall again be available for issuance of options under the plan. The shares of
common stock issued under the plan will be authorized but unissued shares or
issued shares that have been reacquired by Telkonet.
5
The types of awards that may be granted under the plan are stock
options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. Options granted
pursuant to the plan will not be transferable without the approval of the Board
of Directors, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
During the lifetime of a participant, an award may be exercised only by the
participant to whom such award is granted.
Incentive stock options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code and non-qualified options may be granted under the plan.
The Board of Directors will determine the exercise price of any option granted
under the plan, but in no event will the exercise price for any incentive stock
option be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares of common stock
on the date of grant. The term of an incentive stock option granted under the
plan may not extend for more than ten (10) years from the date of grant. Stock
options will be exercisable at such times as the Board of Directors determines.
Stock options may be exercised in whole or in part by payment in full of the
exercise price in cash or, at the Board of Directors' discretion, (i) by
delivery of shares of Telkonet common stock having a fair market value on the
date of exercise equal to the exercise price; (ii) by withholding from the
option shares shares of Telkonet common stock in satisfaction of all or part of
the exercise price; (iii) by delivery of the optionee's full recourse promissory
note in the amount of the exercise price; or (iv) by delivery of irrevocable
instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to Telkonet, from the sale or loan
proceeds with respect to the sale of Telkonet common stock or a loan secured by
Telkonet common stock, the amount necessary to pay the exercise price.
Unless earlier discontinued or terminated by the Board of Directors, no
awards may be granted under the plan after April 23, 2012. The plan permits the
Board of Directors to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the plan
at any time, except that no amendment to the plan shall (i) increase the maximum
number of shares under the plan; (ii) materially modify the eligibility
requirements for participation in the plan; or (iii) materially increase the
benefits accruing to participants under the plan, except in accordance with
Telkonet's certificate of incorporation.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors has
granted incentive stock options for the purchase of 990,000 shares of common
stock pursuant to the plan to employees of Telkonet, including certain executive
officers of Telkonet. These options have exercise prices at $1.00 per share. In
the event that the plan is not approved by the stockholders, these options will
remain outstanding but will become non-qualified stock options.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Telkonet common stock represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on this
matter is necessary for approval of the plan.
6
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
ITEM 3. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed Stefanou & Company as Telkonet's
independent public accountants for 2002. Although ratification by stockholders
is not required, the Board of Directors requests that stockholders ratify this
appointment. If ratification is not obtained, the Board will reconsider this
appointment. Telkonet has been advised that representatives of Stefanou &
Company will be present at the Annual Meeting. They will be afforded the
opportunity to make a statement, should they desire to do so, and respond to
appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS
VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
7
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matter that may be
presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If any other matter comes before the
Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the proxy with
respect thereto in accordance with their best judgment, pursuant to the
discretionary authority granted by the proxy.
VOTE REQUIRED
Telkonet's bylaws provide that the holders of a majority of the
outstanding Telkonet shares, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a
quorum, and that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at
the Annual Meeting and constituting a quorum is required for approval of any
proposal brought before the Annual Meeting, unless a greater proportion or
number of votes is required by law or by Telkonet's certificate of incorporation
or bylaws. The election of directors will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present at the Annual Meeting and constituting a quorum.
For purposes of determining whether the proposal has received a majority vote,
abstentions will be included in the vote total and will have the same effect as
a negative vote. In instances where brokers are prohibited from exercising
discretionary authority for beneficial owners of Telkonet's common stock who
have not returned a proxy, those shares will not be included in the vote totals
and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth, as of June 17, 2002, the number of
shares of Telkonet's common stock beneficially owned by each director and
executive officer of Telkonet, by all directors and executive officers as a
group, and by each person known by Telkonet to own beneficially more than 5.0%
of the outstanding common stock.
PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING
BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) SHARES SHARES
------------------- ------ ------
Stephen L. Sadle 4,500,000 (2) 30.1%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
J. Gregory Fowler 850,000 (3) 5.8%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
David W. Grimes 2,250,000 (4) 15.1%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
David S. Yaney 400,000 (5) 2.8%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
8
James Landry 350,000 (6) 2.5%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
A. Hugo DeCesaris 1,125,000 (7) 7.5%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Robert P. Crabb 679,793 (8) 4.7%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
L. Peter Larson 1,655,285 (9) 11.7%
902-A Commerce Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Ronald W. Pickett 2,058,964 14.8%
2321 Ocean Point Drive
Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
FERST For St. Mary's Inc. 1,958,550 (10) 13.4%
P.O. Box 167
Mechanicsville, Maryland 20659
All directors and executive officers
as a group 10,154,793 53.3%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole power to vote and
dispose, or direct the disposition of, all shares of common stock
beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property and
similar laws.
(2) Includes 1,000,000 fully vested options to purchase Telkonet common
stock at fair market value on the date of exercise, but not less than
$1.00 per share.
(3) Includes fully vested options to purchase 50,000 shares of Telkonet
stock at $1.00 per share, options to purchase 600,000 shares of
Telkonet common stock at $1.00 per share that vest ratably over three
years beginning January 29, 2002 and options to purchase 200,000 shares
of Telkonet common stock at $1.00 per share that vest ratably over
three years beginning April 26, 2002.
(4) Includes 1,000,000 fully vested options to purchase Telkonet common
stock at fair market value on the date of exercise, but not less than
$1.00 per share.
(5) Includes options to purchase 300,000 shares of Telkonet common stock at
$1.00 per share that vest ratably over three years beginning February
15, 2002 and options to purchase 100,000 shares of Telkonet common
stock at $1.00 per share that vest ratably over three years beginning
April 26, 2002.
(6) Includes options to purchase 100,000 shares of Telkonet common stock at
$1.00 per share that vest ratably over three years beginning October
16, 2000, options to purchase 25,000 shares of Telkonet common stock at
$1.00 per share that vest ratably over three years beginning December
20, 2001, options to purchase 100,000 shares of Telkonet common stock
at $1.00 per share that vest ratably over three years beginning
February 2, 2002 and options to purchase 125,000 shares of Telkonet
common stock at $1.00 per share that vest ratably over three years
beginning April 26, 2002.
9
(7) Includes 1,125,000 shares of Telkonet common stock subject to purchase
pursuant to warrants issued in connection with a loan to Telkonet from
First Mariner Bank in the principal amount of $250,000 for which Mr.
DeCesaris provided a personal financial guaranty. The warrants entitle
Mr. DeCesaris to purchase Telkonet common stock at $0.50 per share over
a period of eight years beginning on June 30, 2001.
(8) Includes options to purchase 100,000 shares of Telkonet common stock at
$1.00 that vest ratably over three years beginning October 16, 2002 and
options to purchase 300,000 shares of Telkonet common stock at $1.00
that vest ratably over three years beginning January 29, 2002 owned by
Susquehanna Development L.L.C. of which Mr. Crabb is President and
Managing Director.
(9) Includes 200,000 options to purchase Telkonet common stock at $1.00 per
share that vest ratably over three years beginning October 16, 2000.
This does not take into account the transaction between Telkonet and
Mr. Larson described under the heading "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED TRANSACTIONS," since the surrender of shares by Mr. Larson was
not reflected in Telkonet's stock ledger as of June 17, 2002.
(10) Includes 652,850 shares of Telkonet common stock subject to purchase
pursuant to warrants exercisable at $0.402 per share between June 30,
2000 through July 31, 2002.
COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth information concerning options to
purchase Telkonet common stock granted pursuant to equity compensation plans
approved by Telkonet's stockholders and equity compensation plans not approved
by Telkonet's stockholders as of June 17, 2002.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
REMAINING AVAILABLE FOR
FUTURE ISSUANCE UNDER
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE EQUITY COMPENSATION
NUMBER OF SECURITIES TO EXERCISE PRICE OF PLANS (EXCLUDING
BE ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OUTSTANDING SECURITIES REFLECTED IN
PLAN CATEGORY OF OUTSTANDING OPTIONS OPTIONS COLUMN (a))
- ----------------------------------- ---------------------- ----------------- ------------------------
(a) (b) (c)
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS n/a n/a n/a
APPROVED BY SECURITY HOLDERS
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS 4,809,896 $0.995 1,643,472
NOT APPROVED BY SECURITY
HOLDERS
TOTAL 4,809,896 $0.995 1,643,472
The options to purchase Telkonet common stock summarized in the
foregoing table were issued under the Telkonet, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan. This plan was not approved by Telkonet's stockholders. However,
the common stock subject to purchase pursuant to exercise of the options granted
under this plan were registered on a Form S-8 Registration Statement Under The
Securities Act of 1933 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 16, 2000 and amended on April 17, 2002. The material terms of this plan
are summarized below.
The purpose of the plan is to advance the interests of Telkonet by
encouraging and enabling acquisition of a financial interest in Telkonet by its
officers, directors, consultants and key personnel. The plan is intended to aid
Telkonet in attracting and retaining key employees, to stimulate the efforts of
such personnel and to strengthen their desire to remain with Telkonet.
10
The plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
designated by the Board of Directors which, if designated, would have full power
and authority to determine when and to whom awards will be granted and the type,
amount, form of payment and other terms and conditions of each award, consistent
with the provisions of the plan. Subject to the provisions of the plan, the
Board of Directors may amend the terms and conditions of an outstanding award,
with the consent of the optionee. The Board of Directors has full authority to
interpret the plan and establish, amend or rescind rules and regulations for the
administration of the plan.
Any employee, officer, consultant, or director of Telkonet and its
subsidiaries is eligible to receive awards under the plan.
The plan provides for the issuance of up to 7,000,000 shares of
Telkonet common stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends,
recapitalization, stock splits, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations or
other similar changes in the corporate or capital structure of Telkonet. If an
option issued under the plan expires, or for any reason is terminated or
unexercised with respect to any shares of Telkonet common stock, such shares
shall again be available for issuance of options under the plan. The shares of
common stock issued under the plan will be authorized but unissued shares or
issued shares that have been reacquired by Telkonet.
The types of awards that may be granted under the plan are stock
options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. Options granted
pursuant to the plan will not be transferable without the approval of the Board
of Directors, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
During the lifetime of a participant, an award may be exercised only by the
participant to whom such award is granted.
Non-qualified options may be granted under the plan. The Board of
Directors will determine the exercise price of any option granted under the
plan. Stock options will be exercisable at such times as the Board of Directors
determines. Stock options may be exercised in whole or in part by payment in
full of the exercise price in cash or, at the Board of Directors' discretion,
(i) by delivery of shares of Telkonet common stock having a fair market value on
the date of exercise equal to the exercise price; (ii) by withholding from the
option shares shares of Telkonet common stock in satisfaction of all or part of
the exercise price; (iii) by delivery of the optionee's full recourse promissory
note in the amount of the exercise price; or (iv) by delivery of irrevocable
instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to Telkonet, from the sale or loan
proceeds with respect to the sale of Telkonet common stock or a loan secured by
Telkonet common stock, the amount necessary to pay the exercise price.
Unless earlier discontinued or terminated by the Board of Directors, no
awards may be granted under the plan after September 14, 2010. The plan permits
the Board of Directors to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the
plan at any time, except that no amendment to the plan shall (i) increase the
maximum number of shares under the plan; (ii) materially modify the eligibility
requirements for participation in the plan; or (iii) materially increase the
benefits accruing to participants under the plan, except in accordance with
Telkonet's certificate of incorporation.
11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and
long-term compensation for services in all capacities to Telkonet for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2001 for each of the three highest paid persons who are
officers or directors of Telkonet. There were no options to purchase Telkonet
common stock granted to executive officers in 2001.
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
-------------------
NAME AND BASE OTHER ANNUAL
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS ($) COMPENSATION($)
- ------------------ ---- --------- --------- ---------------
L. Peter Larson(1) 1999 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Chief Executive Officer 2000 $ 76,747 $ 0 $ 0
2001 $160,484 $ 0 $ 0
David W. Grimes(2) 1999 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Chief Technical Officer 2000 $ 60,918 $ 0 $ 0
2001 $ 57,041 $ 0 $ 0
Stephen L. Sadle 1999 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Chief Operating Officer 2000 $ 78,270 $ 0 $ 0
2001 $160,484 $ 0 $ 0
(1) On January 12, 2002, Mr. Larson resigned as Chief Executive Officer of
Telkonet and on January 30, 2002, J. Gregory Fowler was appointed
President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Fowler is employed pursuant
to an employment agreement for a three year term that commenced on
January 30, 2002. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Fowler is
entitled to an annual salary of $130,000 and bonuses and benefits based
upon Telkonet's internal policies.
(2) On January 12, 2002, Mr. Grimes resigned as Chief Technical Officer of
Telkonet and on February 15, 2002, Dr. David Yaney was appointed as his
replacement. Dr. Yaney is employed pursuant to an employment agreement
for a three-year term that commenced on February 15, 2002. Pursuant to
his employment agreement, Dr. Yaney is entitled to an annual salary of
$130,000 and bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet's internal
policies.
12
STOCK OPTION EXERCISES
The following table summarizes information relating to stock option
exercises during 2001 and the number and value of unexercised stock options.
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN 2001 AND
OPTION VALUES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001
NUMBER OF VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
SECURITIES UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONEY
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT OPTIONS AT
DECEMBER 31, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2001 (1)
----------------- ---------------------
SHARES
ACQUIRED
ON VALUE
NAME EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- -------- -------- ----------- -------------- ----------- -------------
L. Peter Larson 0 $0 50,000 150,000 $ 0 $ 0
David W. Grimes 0 $0 40,000 120,000 $ 0 $ 0
Stephen L. Sadle 0 $0 50,000 150,000 $ 0 $ 0
- -----------------------
(1) On December 31, 2001, there was no active trading market for Telkonet
common stock. Based on the trading history of the Telkonet common
stock, management estimates the fair market value of the stock as of
December 31, 2001 to be $1.00.
On January 12, 2002, the Board of Directors voted to authorize the
repurchase of certain shares of, and options to purchase, Telkonet common stock
owned by Messrs. Larson, Grimes and Sadle. As of February 1, 2002, Messrs.
Larson, Grimes and Sadle each hold fully vested options to purchase 1,000,000
shares of Telkonet common stock at fair market value on the date of exercise,
but not less than $1.00 per share. For a more detailed description of this
transaction, see "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS" below.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
Mr. Larson was employed pursuant to an employment agreement for a
three-year term that commenced June 19, 2000 and provided for an annual salary
of $130,000 and bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet's internal policies.
Mr. Larson resigned from his employment on January 12, 2002.
Mr. Sadle is employed pursuant to an employment agreement for a
three-year term that commenced June 19, 2000 and provides for an annual salary
of $130,000 and bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet's internal policies.
Mr. Fowler is employed pursuant to an employment agreement for a
three-year term that commenced January 30, 2002 and provides for an annual
salary of $130,000 and bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet's internal
policies.
Mr. Yaney is employed pursuant to an employment agreement for a
three-year term that commenced February 15, 2002 and provides for an annual
salary of $130,000 and bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet's internal
policies.
Mr. Landry is employed pursuant to an employment agreement for a
three-year term that commenced September 24, 2001 and provides for an annual
salary of $116,000 and bonuses and benefits based upon Telkonet's internal
policies.
In addition, under the stock option plan established by Telkonet, stock
options are periodically granted to employees at the discretion of the Board of
Directors. Executives of Telkonet are eligible to receive stock option grants,
based upon individual performance and the performance of Telkonet as a whole.
13
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed to Telkonet by its accountants for
professional services rendered for the audit of Telkonet's annual financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 and the reviews of the
financial statements included in Telkonet's Forms 10-QSB for the periods ending
March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001 and September 31, 2001, respectively, were
$25,250.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, Telkonet's accountants
did not engage in the direct or indirect operation or supervision of Telkonet's
information system or manage Telkonet's local area network, the design or
implementation of a hardware or software system that aggregates source data
underlying the financial statements or generates information that is significant
to Telkonet's financial statements.
ALL OTHER FEES
The aggregate fees billed for services rendered by the principal public
accountant other than those disclosed under audit fees and financial information
systems design and implementation fees were $700 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2001. This amount consists of fees associated with the preparation
of Telkonet's tax returns. The Board of Directors has determined that the
provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the principal
accountant's independence.
COMPLIANCE WITH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, Telkonet's directors,
executive officers and any person holding 10.0% or more of its common stock are
required to report their beneficial ownership and any changes therein to the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Specific due dates for these
reports have been established and Telkonet is required to report herein any
failure to file such reports by those due dates. Based solely on review of the
copies of such reports furnished to Telkonet or written representations that no
other reports were required, Telkonet believes that, during 2001, its executive
officers, directors and greater than 10.0% beneficial owners complied with all
applicable Section 16(a) reporting requirements.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
On January 12, 2002, the Board of Directors approved a plan authorizing
the repurchase of certain shares of, and options to purchase, Telkonet common
stock owned by Messrs. Grimes, Larson and Sadle and Donald F. Erat. Each of
Messrs. Grimes, Larson, Sadle and Erat, at the time of the stock repurchase,
owned in excess of five percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Telkonet
common stock. In addition, each of Mr. Grimes, Mr. Larson and Mr. Sadle were
directors and executive officers of Telkonet.
As part of the stock repurchase, Mr. Grimes surrendered 3,721,918
shares of Telkonet common stock and options to purchase 160,000 shares of
Telkonet common stock owned by him. In consideration of the surrender of these
shares and options, Telkonet retained Mr. Grimes as a consultant for a period of
three years and issued to Mr. Grimes fully vested options to purchase 1,000,000
shares of Telkonet common stock at fair market value on the date of exercise,
but not less than $1.00 per share. In addition, Mr. Grimes agreed that certain
shares of Telkonet common stock owned by him would be subject to a 36-month
lock-up agreement under which 50,000 shares would be released on each of
December 1, 2002 and December 1, 2003 and the remaining shares would be released
on January 1, 2005. On April 24, 2002, the terms of Mr. Grimes' lock-up
agreement were amended to permit the immediate release of 139,280 shares of
Telkonet common stock, the release of 50,000 shares of Telkonet common stock on
December 1, 2002, the release of 50,000 shares of Telkonet common stock on
December 1, 2003 and the release of the remaining Telkonet common stock on
January 1, 2005. The revised lock-up agreement also provides for the release of
common stock in proportion to the number of options to purchase Telkonet common
stock exercised by Mr. Grimes from time to time during the term of the lock-up
agreement.
14
Mr. Larson surrendered 705,000 shares of Telkonet common stock and
options to purchase 200,000 shares of Telkonet common stock owned by him. In
consideration of the surrender of these shares and options, Telkonet retained
Mr. Larson as a consultant for a period of three years and issued to Mr. Larson
fully vested options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Telkonet common stock at
fair market value on the date of exercise, but not less than $1.00 per share. In
addition, Mr. Larson agreed that certain shares of Telkonet common stock owned
by him would be subject to a 36-month lock-up agreement under which 50,000
shares would be released on each of December 1, 2002 and December 1, 2003 and
the remaining shares would be released on January 1, 2005. On April 24, 2002,
the terms of Mr. Larson's lock-up agreement were amended to permit the immediate
release of 139,280 shares of Telkonet common stock, the release of 50,000 shares
of Telkonet common stock on December 1, 2002, the release of 50,000 shares of
Telkonet common stock on December 1, 2003 and the release of the remaining
Telkonet common stock on January 1, 2005. The revised lock-up agreement also
provides for the release of common stock in proportion to the number of options
to purchase Telkonet common stock exercised by Mr. Larson from time to time
during the term of the lock-up agreement.
Mr. Sadle surrendered 2,147,694 shares of Telkonet common stock and
options to purchase 200,000 shares of Telkonet common stock owned by him. In
consideration of the surrender of these shares and options, the Board of
Directors granted Mr. Sadle options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Telkonet
common stock at fair market value on the date of exercise, but not less than
$1.00 per share. In addition, Mr. Sadle agreed that certain shares of Telkonet
common stock owned by him would be subject to a 36-month lock-up agreement under
which 50,000 shares would be released on each of December 1, 2002 and December
1, 2003 and the remaining shares would be released on January 1, 2005. On April
24, 2002, the terms of Mr. Sadle's lock-up agreement were amended to permit the
immediate release of 139,280 shares of Telkonet common stock, the release of
50,000 shares of Telkonet common stock on December 1, 2002, the release of
50,000 shares of Telkonet common stock on December 1, 2003 and the release of
the remaining Telkonet common stock on January 1, 2005. The revised lock-up
agreement also provides for the release of common stock in proportion to the
number of options to purchase Telkonet common stock exercised by Mr. Sadle from
time to time during the term of the lock-up agreement. Mr. Sadle's employment
agreement was also amended to include a provision by which Mr. Sadle would be
required to forfeit shares of Telkonet common stock owned by him, up to an
aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of common stock, in the event he voluntarily
terminates his employment prior to the end of its 36-month term. Pursuant to the
amended employment agreement, Mr. Sadle is required to forfeit 40,000 shares for
each month following the month in which he resigns until the expiration of the
amended employment agreement. The amended employment agreement also extends the
term of Mr. Sadle's employment agreement until December 31, 2004.
Mr. Erat surrendered 2,361,347 shares of Telkonet common stock owned by
him in exchange for fully vested options to purchase 500,000 shares of Telkonet
common stock at $1.00 per share. Mr. Erat also agreed that certain shares of
Telkonet common stock owned by him would be subject to a 36-month lock-up
agreement under which 50,000 shares would be released on each of December 1,
2002 and December 1, 2003, and the remaining shares would be released on January
1, 2005.
OTHER INFORMATION
Brokers and other persons holding Telkonet's common stock in their
names, or in the names of a nominee, will be requested to forward this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying materials to the beneficial owners of the common
stock and to obtain proxies, and Telkonet will defray reasonable expenses
incurred in forwarding such material.
Telkonet's Annual Report to Stockholders, including audited financial
statements and schedules, accompanies this Proxy Statement.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholders may submit written proposals to be considered for
stockholder action at Telkonet's 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. To be
eligible for inclusion in Telkonet's Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual
Meeting, stockholder proposals must be received by Telkonet by February 25, 2003
and must otherwise comply with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission
regulations. Stockholder proposals should be addressed to Telkonet at its
principal place of business, attention: Secretary.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Robert P. Crabb
Robert P. Crabb
Secretary
15
APPENDIX A
----------
TELKONET, INC.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. PURPOSE. The purpose of the Telkonet, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") is to further the long term stability and financial success of
Telkonet, Inc., a Utah corporation (the "Company"), by retaining and
attracting key employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the
Company through the use of stock incentives utilizing the Company's
common stock (the "Company Stock"). It is believed that ownership of
Company Stock will stimulate the efforts of those employees,
consultants and directors of the Company upon whose efforts, interest
and judgment the Company is and will be largely dependent for success.
It is also believed that Incentive Awards granted to employees and
directors under this Plan will strengthen their desire to remain with
the Company and will further identify the interests of those employees
and directors with the interests of the Company's shareholders. The
Plan is intended to conform to the provisions of Securities and
Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3, if Company Stock becomes Publicly
Traded in the future.
2. DEFINITIONS. As used in the Plan, the following terms have the meanings
indicated:
"1933 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as
amended.
"1934 Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"Applicable Withholding Taxes" means the aggregate amount of
any federal, state and local income and payroll taxes that the Company is
required to withhold in connection with any exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or the lapse of restrictions with respect to
Restricted Stock.
"Board" means the board of directors of the Company.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any event deemed
by the Committee, in its SOLE discretion, to constitute a Change of Control of
the Company, and before the Company Stock is Publicly Traded, shall include an
event described in (i), or (ii):
(i) the closing date of any sale or other disposition of
substantially all the assets of the Company, other
than in the ordinary course of business.
(ii) following the closing(s) of Financing(s) whereby the
Company raises $25,000,000 or more in the aggregate,
any person or persons attaining ownership of more
than 50% of the Company Stock, other than (A) any
person or persons who own Company Stock as of the
effective date specified in Section 11 (the "Existing
Shareholders"); (B) any trusts, partnerships or
corporations controlled by the Existing Shareholders;
(C) the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, any
employee benefit plan of the Company or any
subsidiary; or (D) any entity holding Company Stock
for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee
benefit plan.
After the Company Stock is Publicly Traded, "Change
of Control" shall include an event described in (iii), (iv), (v), or (vi):
(iii) The acquisition by a Group of Beneficial
Ownership of 50% or more of the Stock or the Voting Power of the Company, but
excluding for this purpose: (A) any acquisition by the Company (or a
subsidiary), or an employee benefit plan of the Company; or (B) any acquisition
of Common Stock of the Company by management employees of the Company. For
purposes of this Section, "Group" means any individual, entity or group within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act, "Beneficial
Ownership" has the meaning in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act, "Stock"
means the then outstanding shares of common stock, and "Voting Power" means the
combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors.
(iv) Individuals who constitute the Board on the date
immediately after the Company Stock becomes Publicly Traded (the "Incumbent
Board") cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any
director whose nomination was approved by a majority of the Incumbent Board
shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board unless such individual's
initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the 1934 Act).
(v) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, in which the owners of
more than 50% of the Stock or Voting Power of the Company do not, following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of the Stock or Voting Power of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation.
(vi) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Company or of its sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Committee" means the committee appointed by the Board (as
described in Section 14), or the entire Board, if no committee is appointed, to
administer this Plan.
"Company" means Telkonet, Inc., a Utah corporation.
"Company Stock" means common stock of the Company. In the
event of a change in the capital structure of the Company (including any change
in connection with Company Stock becoming Publicly Traded) the shares resulting
from such a change shall be deemed to be Company Stock within the meaning of the
Plan.
"Date of Grant" means the date on which an Incentive Award is
granted by the Committee or such later date specified by the Committee as the
date as of which the grant of the Incentive Award is to be effective.
"Disability" or "Disabled" means, as to an Incentive Stock
Option, a Disability within the meaning of Code Section 22(e)(3). As to all
other Incentive Awards, the Committee shall determine whether a Disability
exists and such determination shall be conclusive.
"Employee" means an individual employed by the Company or the
Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company.
"Fair Market Value" means, if the Company Stock is not
actively Publicly Traded, the value of a share of Company Stock determined by
the Committee in good faith. If the Company Stock is actively Publicly Traded,
the value of a share of Company Stock, determined as follows:
(i) if such Company Stock is then quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market, its closing price on the Nasdaq National Market on the
date of determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL;
(ii) if such Company Stock is then listed on a
national securities exchange, its closing price on the date of determination on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Company Stock is listed
or admitted to trading, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL;
(iii) if such Company Stock is not quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market nor listed or admitted to trading on a national
securities exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on the date
of determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL; or
(iv) if none of the foregoing is applicable, by the
Committee in good faith.
"Incentive Award" means, collectively, an award of Restricted
Stock, an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan.
"Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to meet the
requirements of, and to qualify for favorable federal income tax treatment
under, Code Section 422. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to an
Employee and may only be exercised by the Employee while he is employed by the
Company or within three (3) months following the date upon which the Employee
ceases to be employed by the Company, except as provided in the Code.
"Mature Shares" means shares of Company Stock for which the
holder thereof has good title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances and
which such holder either (i) has held for at least six months or (ii) has
purchased on the open market.
"Non-Employee Director" means a member of the Board who is not
an Employee of the Company or the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company, as
defined in Rule 16b-3 under the 1934 Act.
"Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option which does not
meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or even if meeting the requirements
of Code Section 422, is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option and is so
designated.
"Option" means a right to purchase Company Stock granted under
the Plan, at a price determined in accordance with the Plan.
"Parent" means, with respect to any corporation, a parent of
that corporation within the meaning of Code Section 424(e).
"Participant" means an Employee, Non-Employee Director or
consultant who receives an Incentive Award under the Plan.
"Publicly Traded" means a registration statement with respect
to Company Stock that was filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission has become effective.
"Restricted Stock" means Company Stock awarded upon the terms
and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.
"Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange
Commission promulgated under the 1934 Act. A reference in the Plan to Rule 16b-3
shall include a reference to any corresponding rule (or number redesignation) of
any amendment to Rule 16b-3 enacted after the effective date of the Plan's
adoption. The provisions of the Plan relating to Rule 16b-3 shall be applicable
only if the Company Stock becomes Publicly Traded.
"Stock Appreciation Right" means a right to receive amounts
from the Company granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any corporation, a
subsidiary of that corporation within the meaning of Code Section 424(f).
"10% Shareholder" means a person who, on the Date of Grant,
owns, directly or indirectly, stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company. Indirect ownership of stock shall be determined in
accordance with Code Section 424(d).
"Taxable Year" means the fiscal period used by the Company for
reporting taxes or income under the Code.
3. GENERAL. The following types of Incentive Awards may be granted
under the Plan: Restricted Stock, Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.
4. STOCK. Subject to Section 12 of the Plan, there shall be reserved
for issuance under the Plan an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of Company Stock,
which shall be authorized but unissued shares. Shares allocable to Incentive
Awards or portions thereof granted under the Plan that expire or otherwise
terminate unexercised may again be subjected to an Incentive Award under the
Plan. The Committee is expressly authorized to make an Incentive Award to a
Participant conditioned upon the surrender for cancellation of an existing
Incentive Award. For purposes of determining the number of shares that are
available for Incentive Awards under the Plan, such number shall, to the extent
permissible under Rule 16b-3 if the Company Stock is Publicly Traded, include
the number of shares surrendered by an optionee or retained by the Company in
payment of Applicable Withholding Taxes.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
(a) Any Employee, Non-Employee Director or consultant of the
Company (or Parent or Subsidiary of the Company) who, in the judgment of the
Committee has contributed or can be expected to contribute to the profits or
growth of the Company (or Parent or Subsidiary) shall be eligible to receive
Incentive Awards under the Plan. The Committee shall have the power and complete
discretion, as provided in Section 14 hereof, to select eligible Participants to
receive Incentive Awards and to determine for each Participant the terms and
conditions, the nature of the award and the number of shares to be allocated to
each Participant as part of each Incentive Award. Both the Board and the
Committee shall have the power and complete discretion, as provided in Section
14, to select eligible Non-Employee Directors and consultants to receive
Incentive Awards and to determine for each Non-Employee Director or consultant
the nature of the award and the terms and conditions of each Incentive Award.
(b) The grant of an Incentive Award shall not obligate the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to pay an Employee,
Non-Employee Director or consultant any particular amount of remuneration, to
continue the employment of the Employee after the grant or to make further
grants to the Employee, Non-Employee Director or consultant at any time
thereafter.
6. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
(a) The Committee may make grants of Restricted Stock to
Participants. Whenever the Committee deems it appropriate to grant Restricted
Stock, notice shall be given to the Participant stating the number of shares of
Restricted Stock granted and the terms and conditions to which the Restricted
Stock is subject. This notice, when accepted in writing by the Participant,
shall become an award agreement between the Company and the Participant, and
certificates representing the shares shall be issued and delivered to the
Participant. Restricted Stock may be awarded by the Committee in its discretion
without cash consideration.
(b) No shares of Restricted Stock may be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until
the restrictions on such shares as set forth in the Participant's award
agreement have lapsed or been removed pursuant to paragraph (d) or (e) below.
(c) Upon the acceptance by a Participant of an award of
Restricted Stock, such Participant shall, subject to the restrictions set forth
in paragraph (b) above, have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to
such shares of Restricted Stock, including, but not limited to, the right to
vote such shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive all dividends and
other distributions paid thereon. Certificates representing Restricted Stock
shall bear a legend referring to the restrictions set forth in the Plan and the
Participant's award agreement.
(d) The Committee shall establish as to each award of
Restricted Stock the terms and conditions upon which the restrictions set forth
in paragraph (b) above shall lapse. Such terms and conditions may include,
without limitation, the lapsing of such restrictions as a result of the
Disability, death or retirement of the Participant or the occurrence of a Change
of Control.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) above, the
Committee may at any time, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which
any or all restrictions will lapse or remove any and all such restrictions.
(f) Each Employee shall agree at the time his or her
Restricted Stock is granted, and as a condition thereof, to pay to the Company,
or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment to the
Company of, Applicable Withholding Taxes. Until such amount has been paid or
arrangements satisfactory to the Company have been made, no stock certificate
free of a legend reflecting the restrictions set forth in paragraph (b) above
shall be issued to such Participant. As an alternative to making a cash payment
to the Company to satisfy Applicable Withholding Taxes, if the grant so
provides, the Employee may elect to (i) deliver Mature Shares or (ii) have the
Company retain that number of shares of Company Stock that would satisfy all or
a specified portion of the Applicable Withholding Taxes. The Company may require
the Participant to execute a shareholder agreement or such other form of
agreement as it may deem appropriate as a condition to permitting restrictions
on Restricted Stock to lapse.
7. STOCK OPTIONS.
(a) Whenever the Committee deems it appropriate to grant
Options, notice shall be given to the eligible person stating the number of
shares for which Options are granted, the Option price per share, whether the
Options are Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, the extent to
which Stock Appreciation Rights are granted (as provided in Section 8 hereof)
and the conditions to which the grant and exercise of the Options are subject.
This notice, when duly accepted in writing by the Participant, shall become a
stock option agreement between the Company and the Participant.
(b) The exercise price of shares of Company Stock covered by
an Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such shares on
the Date of Grant. If the employee is a 10% Shareholder and the Option is an
Incentive Stock Option, the exercise price shall be not less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value of such shares on the Date of Grant.
(c) Options may be exercised in whole or in part at such times
as may be specified by the Committee in the Participant's stock option
agreement; provided that the exercise provisions for Incentive Stock Options
shall in all events not be more liberal than the following provisions:
(i) No Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after
ten years (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10%
Shareholder, five years) from the Date of Grant.
(ii) An Incentive Stock Option shall be subject to
such other conditions on exercise as may be imposed under the Code.
(d) The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Options that
by their terms become fully exercisable upon a Change of Control,
notwithstanding other conditions on exercisability in the stock option
agreement.
8. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) Whenever the Committee deems it appropriate, Stock
Appreciation Rights may be granted in connection with all or any part of an
Option to a Participant or in a separate Incentive Award.
(b) The following provisions apply to all Stock Appreciation
Rights that are granted in connection with Options:
(i) Stock Appreciation Rights shall entitle the
Participant, upon exercise of all or any part of the Stock Appreciation Rights,
to surrender to the Company unexercised that portion of the underlying Option
relating to the same number of shares of Company Stock as is covered by the
Stock Appreciation Rights (or the portion of the Stock Appreciation Rights so
exercised) and to receive in exchange from the Company an amount equal to the
excess of (x) the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Company Stock
covered by the surrendered portion of the underlying Option over (y) the
exercise price of the Company Stock covered by the surrendered portion of the
underlying Option. The Committee may limit the amount that the Participant will
be entitled to receive upon exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(ii) Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right
and surrender of the related portion of the underlying Option, the Option, to
the extent surrendered, shall not thereafter be exercisable.
(iii) Subject to any further conditions upon exercise
imposed by the Committee, a Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only
to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and a Stock Appreciation
Right shall expire no later than the date on which the related Option expires.
(iv) A Stock Appreciation Right may only be exercised
at a time when the Fair Market Value of the Company Stock covered by the Stock
Appreciation Right exceeds the exercise price of the Company Stock covered by
the underlying Option.
(c) The following provisions apply to all Stock Appreciation
Rights that are not granted in connection with Options:
(i) Stock Appreciation Rights shall entitle the
Participant, upon exercise of all or any part of the Stock Appreciation Rights,
to receive in exchange from the Company an amount equal to the excess of (x) the
Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Company Stock covered by the
surrendered Stock Appreciation Right over (y) the Fair Market Value of the
Company Stock on the Date of Grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. The
Committee may limit the amount that the Participant will be entitled to receive
upon exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(ii) A Stock Appreciation Right may only be exercised
at a time when the Fair Market Value of the Company Stock covered by the Stock
Appreciation Right exceeds the Fair Market Value of the Company Stock on the
Date of Grant of the Stock Appreciation Right.
(d) The manner in which the Company's obligation arising upon
the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be paid shall be determined by
the Committee and shall be set forth in the Incentive Award. The Incentive Award
may provide for payment in Company Stock or cash, or a fixed combination of
Company Stock or cash, or the Committee may reserve the right to determine the
manner of payment at the time the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised. Shares
of Company Stock issued upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be
valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.
9. METHOD OF EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by
the Participant by giving written notice of the exercise to the Company, stating
the number of shares the Participant has elected to purchase under the Option or
the number of Stock Appreciation Rights the Participant has elected to exercise.
In the case of the purchase of shares under an Option, such notice shall be
effective only if accompanied by the exercise price in full in cash; provided,
however, that if the terms of an Option, or the Committee by separate action, so
permits, the Participant may (i) deliver Mature Shares (valued at their Fair
Market Value on the date of exercise) in satisfaction of all or part of the
exercise price, (ii) cause to be withheld from the Option shares, shares of
Company Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise) in
satisfaction of all or any part of the exercise price, (iii) deliver a properly
executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to
deliver promptly to the Company, from the sale or loan proceeds with respect to
the sale of Company Stock or a loan secured by Company Stock, the amount
necessary to pay the exercise price and, if required by the Committee,
Applicable Withholding Taxes, or (iv) deliver an interest bearing promissory
note, payable to the Company, in payment of all or part of the exercise price
together with such collateral as may be required by the Committee at the time of
exercise. The interest rate under any such promissory note shall be established
by the Committee and shall be at least equal to the minimum interest rate
required at the time to avoid imputed interest under the Code.
(b) The Company may require the Participant to execute a
shareholder agreement or such other form of agreement as it may deem appropriate
as a condition to transfer of Company Stock to the Participant upon exercise of
an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right. The Company may place on any
certificate representing Company Stock issued upon the exercise of an Option or
a Stock Appreciation Right any legend deemed desirable by the Company's counsel
to comply with federal or state securities laws, and the Company may require a
customary written indication of the Participant's investment intent. Until the
Participant has made any required payment, including any Applicable Withholding
Taxes, and has had issued a certificate for the shares of Company Stock
acquired, he or she shall possess no shareholder rights with respect to the
shares.
(c) Each Employee shall agree as a condition of the exercise
of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right to pay to the Company Applicable
Withholding Taxes, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding
the payment to the Company of such amounts. Until Applicable Withholding Taxes
have been paid or arrangements satisfactory to the Company have been made, no
stock certificate shall be issued upon the exercise of an Option or a Stock
Appreciation Right.
(d) As an alternative to making a cash payment to the Company
to satisfy Applicable Withholding Taxes, if the Option or Stock Appreciation
Right agreement so provides, or the Committee by separate action so provides, an
Employee may, subject to the provisions set forth below, elect to (i) deliver
Mature Shares or (ii) have the Company retain that number of shares of Company
Stock that would satisfy all or a specified portion of the Applicable
Withholding Taxes. The Committee shall have sole discretion to approve or
disapprove any such election.
(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the
Company Stock is Publicly Traded, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall
always be granted and exercised in such a manner as to conform to the provisions
of Rule 16b-3.
10. NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall not be transferable except to the
extent specifically provided in the Incentive Award. Incentive Stock Options, by
their terms, shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the Employee's lifetime only
by the Employee.
11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN. This Plan shall be effective as of
April 24, 2002 and shall be submitted for approval to the shareholders of the
Company and to the holders of the Company's Series A-1 Preferred Stock. Until
(i) the Plan has been approved by the Company's shareholders and by the holders
of the Company's Series A-1 Preferred Stock, and (ii) the requirements of any
applicable federal or state securities laws have been met, no Option or Stock
Appreciation Right shall be exercisable, and no Restricted Stock shall be
granted.
12. TERMINATION, MODIFICATION, CHANGE. If not sooner terminated by the
Board, this Plan shall terminate at the close of the business day that is the
day immediately preceding the ten year anniversary of the effective date (as
provided in Section 11). No Incentive Awards shall be made under the Plan after
its termination. The Board may terminate the Plan or may amend the Plan in such
respects as it shall deem advisable; provided, that, if and to the extent
required by the Code or applicable federal or state securities law, or
regulations thereunder, no change shall be made that materially increases the
total number of shares of Company Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to
Incentive Awards granted under the Plan (except pursuant to Section 13 hereof),
materially expands the class of persons eligible to receive Incentive Awards, or
materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan,
unless such change is authorized in accordance with the provisions of the
Charter of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may amend the
Plan and unilaterally amend Incentive Awards as it deems appropriate to ensure
compliance with applicable federal or state securities laws or regulations
thereunder and to cause Incentive Stock Options to meet the requirements of the
Code and regulations thereunder. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, a
termination or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of the
Participant, detrimentally affect a Participant's rights under an Incentive
Award previously granted to him.
13. CHANGE IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
(a) In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or
combination of shares, recapitalization or merger in which the Company is the
surviving corporation or other change in the Company's capital stock (including,
but not limited to, the creation or issuance to shareholders generally of
rights, options or warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock
of the Company), the number and kind of shares of stock or securities of the
Company to be subject to the Plan and to Incentive Awards then outstanding or to
be granted thereunder, the maximum number of shares or securities which may be
delivered under the Plan, the maximum number of shares or securities that can be
granted to an individual Participant under Section 4 hereof, the exercise price,
the terms of Incentive Awards and other relevant provisions shall be
appropriately adjusted by the Committee, whose determination shall be binding on
all persons. If the adjustment would produce fractional shares with respect to
any unexercised Option, the Committee may adjust appropriately the number of
shares covered by the Option so as to eliminate the fractional shares.
(b) If the Company is a party to a consolidation or a merger
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, a transaction that
results in the acquisition of substantially all of the Company's outstanding
stock by a single person or entity, or a sale or transfer of substantially all
of the Company's assets, the Committee may take such actions with respect to
outstanding Incentive Awards as the Committee deems appropriate.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the
Committee may take the foregoing actions without the consent of any Participant,
and the Committee's determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons
for all purposes.
14. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee, who shall be appointed by the Board. In the absence of the Committee,
the Board shall have authority to act in place of the Committee. The Committee
shall have general authority to impose any limitation or condition upon an
Incentive Award the Committee deems appropriate to achieve the objectives of the
Incentive Award and the Plan and, without limitation and in addition to powers
set forth elsewhere in the Plan, shall have the following specific authority:
(a) The Committee shall have the power and complete discretion
to determine (i) which eligible persons shall receive Incentive Awards and the
nature of each Incentive Award, (ii) the number of shares of Company Stock to be
covered by each Incentive Award, (iii) whether Options shall be Incentive Stock
Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iv) when, whether and to what extent
Stock Appreciation Rights shall be granted, (v) the Fair Market Value of Company
Stock, (vi) the time or times when an Incentive Award shall be granted, (vii)
whether an Incentive Award shall become vested over a period of time and when it
shall be fully vested, (viii) when Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be
exercised, (ix) whether a Disability exists, (x) the manner in which payment
will be made upon the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (xi)
conditions relating to the length of time before disposition of Company Stock
received upon the exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights is permitted,
(xii) whether to approve a Participant's election (A) to deliver Mature Shares
to satisfy Applicable Withholding Taxes or (B) to have the Company withhold from
the shares to be issued upon the exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option or a
Stock Appreciation Right the number of shares necessary to satisfy Applicable
Withholding Taxes, (xiii) notice provisions relating to the sale of Company
Stock acquired under the Plan, and (xiv) any additional requirements relating to
Incentive Awards that the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee shall have
the power to amend the terms of previously granted Incentive Awards so long as
the terms as amended are consistent with the terms of the Plan and provided that
the consent of the Participant is obtained with respect to any amendment that
would be detrimental to him or her, except that such consent will not be
required if such amendment is for the purpose of complying with Rule 16b-3 or
any requirement of the Code applicable to the Incentive Award.
(b) The Committee may adopt rules and regulations for carrying
out the Plan. The interpretation and construction of any provision of the Plan
by the Committee shall be final and conclusive. The Committee may consult with
counsel, who may be counsel to the Company, and shall not incur any liability
for any action taken in good faith in reliance upon the advice of counsel.
(c) A majority of the members of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum, and all actions of the Committee shall be taken by a
majority of the members present. Any action may be taken by a written instrument
signed by all of the members, and any action so taken shall be fully effective
as if it had been taken at a meeting.
(d) The Board from time to time may appoint members previously
appointed and may fill vacancies, however caused, in the Committee.
(e) With respect to Non-Employee Directors, the Board or the
Committee shall be authorized to make grants of Restricted Stock and
Nonstatutory Stock Options in its discretion, provided such grants are made in
compliance with other provisions of the Plan. In such case, the Board shall hold
the same general and specific authority granted to the Committee under this
Section 14 and other provisions of the Plan.
15. NOTICE. All notices and other communications required or permitted
to be given under this Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if delivered personally or mailed first class, postage prepaid, as
follows (a) if to the Company - at its principal business address to the
attention of the Secretary; (b) if to any Participant - at the last address of
the Participant known to the sender at the time the notice or other
communication is sent.
16. INTERPRETATION. The terms of this Plan are subject to all present
and future regulations and rulings of the Secretary of the Treasury or his
delegate relating to the qualification of Incentive Stock Options under the
Code. If any provision of the Plan conflicts with any such regulation or ruling,
then that provision of the Plan shall be void and of no effect.
17. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Plan, Incentive Awards may be granted pursuant to this Plan, and Company Stock
may be issued pursuant to the exercise thereof by a Participant, only after
there has been compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws,
and such grants and issuances will be subject to this overriding condition. The
Company will not be required to register or qualify Company Stock with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any state agency.
18. STOCK CERTIFICATES. Any certificates representing Company Stock
issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Awards will bear all legends
required by law and necessary to effectuate this Plan's provisions. The Company
may place a "stop transfer" order against shares of Company Stock until all
restrictions and conditions set forth in this Plan and in the legends referred
to in this Plan have been complied with.
19. AMENDMENT AND DISCONTINUANCE. The Board may amend, suspend or
discontinue this Plan at any time or from time to time, but no such action may
alter or impair any Incentive Award previously granted under this Plan without
the consent of the holder of such Incentive Award.
20. CITATIONS TO STATUTES. References in this Plan to any statutes,
regulations, or portions thereof are intended to refer to the statutes,
regulations, or portions thereof in force at the time of the Plan's adoption by
the Board and as subsequently amended, or to any substantially similar successor
statutes, regulations or portions thereof resulting from recodification,
renumbering, or other enactment or promulgation.
21. GOVERNING LAW. This Plan will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Utah.
22. COPIES OF PLAN. A copy of this Plan will be delivered to each
Participant at or before the time he or she executes any agreement pursuant to
this Plan.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Telkonet, Inc. Stock Option Plan has been
executed this 24th day of April, 2002.
Telkonet, Inc., a Utah corporation
By: /S/ Stephen L. Sadle
------------------------------
Stephen Sadle, Chief Operating
Officer
TELKONET, INC.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Telkonet, Inc. Stephen L. Sadle will be
held Monday, July 29, A. Hugo DeCesaris 2002, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hampton Inn &
Suites, to all nominees 124 Womack Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees: J. Gregory Fowler David W. Grimes Stephen L. Sadle
Robert P. Crabb A. Hugo DeCesaris
[ ] FOR all nominees [ ] WITHHELD as
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
[ ] ____________________________________________________
2. APPROVAL OF TELKONET'S AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
4. ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Telkonet, Inc. called for July 29, 2002, and a Proxy
Statement for the Meeting prior the signing of this proxy.
Dated: ______________________, 2002 Please sign exactly as your name(s)
___________________________________ appears(s) on this proxy. When
signing in a representative
capacity, please give title.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THIS PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
TELKONET, INC.
902-A COMMERCE ROAD
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21401
PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TELKONET, INC.
FOR USE ONLY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON July 29, 2002
AND ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.
The undersigned, being a stockholder of TELKONET, INC. ("TELKONET"),
hereby authorizes Robert P. Crabb, Stephen L. Sadle and J. Gregory Fowler, and
each of them, with the full power of substitution, to represent the undersigned
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Telkonet to be held at the Hampton Inn
& Suites, 124 Womack Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 on July 29, 2002 at 2:00
p.m., local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with respect
to all votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast, if then personally
present, as appears on the reverse side of this proxy.
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote with respect to
matters incident to the conduct of the meeting and upon such other matters as
may properly come before the meeting. This proxy may be revoked at any time
before it is exercised.
Shares of the Common Stock of Telkonet will be voted as specified. If no
specification is made, shares will be voted FOR the nominees for director named
on the reverse side, FOR approval of Telkonet's Amended and Restated Stock
Incentive Plan, FOR ratification of the appointment of the independent
accountants and IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES as to any other
matter which may properly come before the Meeting.