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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

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

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

BEACON POWER CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
    (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        
 
    (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        
 
    (5)   Total fee paid:
        
 

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

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

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
    (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        
 
    (3)   Filing Party:
        
 
    (4)   Date Filed:
        
 

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BEACON POWER CORPORATION
65 Middlesex Road
Tyngsboro, MA 01879



NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be Held July 13, 2011



To the Stockholders of
Beacon Power Corporation:

        We are hereby notifying you that Beacon Power Corporation will be holding its Annual Meeting of Stockholders at the Stephentown Town Hall, located at 26 Grange Hall Road, Stephentown, New York 12168, on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., local time, followed by a tour of Beacon's Stephentown operation, located at 99 Grange Hall Road. The purpose of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is as follows:

    (1)
    To elect five members of our Board of Directors for the ensuing year and until each of their successors is duly elected and qualified

    (2)
    To ratify the selection of Miller Wachman LLP as independent auditors to audit our books and accounts for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011

    (3)
    To conduct a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers

    (4)
    To conduct a non-binding vote to determine the frequency of conducting future advisory votes on executive compensation

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

        Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please vote as soon as possible. You may vote by mailing a completed proxy card, by telephone, or over the Internet. For specific voting instructions, please refer to the information provided with your proxy card and in this proxy statement.

  By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Beacon Power Corporation

 

James M. Spiezio
Secretary

June 10, 2011
Tyngsboro, Massachusetts


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    3  

PROXY STATEMENT

   
4
 
 

Introduction

    4  
 

Methods of Voting

    4  
 

Solicitation of Proxies

    4  
 

Voting Rights

    5  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   
6
 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

   
7
 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   
8
 
 

Executive Officers

    8  
 

Board Leadership Structure

    8  
 

Board's Role in Risk Oversight

    9  
 

Board of Directors' Meetings and Committees

    9  
 

Director Independence

    10  
 

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

    10  
 

Communication with Our Board of Directors

    11  

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

   
11
 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

   
12
 
 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

    12  
 

Compensation Committee Report

    26  
 

Summary Compensation Table

    27  
 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

    30  
 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

    31  
 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

    33  
 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

    34  
 

Consideration of Risk in Compensation Programs

    43  
 

Director Compensation

    43  

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

   
46
 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   
46
 

PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

   
49
 

PROPOSAL 2—RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS

   
52
 
 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

    52  
 

Audit Fees

    52  
 

Audit-Related Fees

    52  
 

Tax Fees

    52  
 

All Other Fees

    52  
 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Requirements

    53  

PROPOSAL 3—ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   
54
 

PROPOSAL 4—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   
55
 

OTHER MATTERS

   
55
 

ANNUAL REPORT AND OTHER SEC FILINGS

   
55
 

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

   
56
 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

   
56
 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This Proxy Statement may include statements that are not historical facts and are considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect Beacon Power Corporation's current views about future events and financial performances. These "forward-looking" statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "will," "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," and similar expressions identifying forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectation. These factors include, for example: a limited commercial operating history; a history of losses and anticipated continued losses from operations; the complexity and other challenges of arranging project financing and resources for one or more frequency regulation power plants, including uncertainty about whether we will be able to comply with the conditions or ongoing covenants of the Federal Financing Bank loan for our Stephentown, New York, facility; our need to comply with any disbursement or other conditions under the Department of Energy (DOE) Smart Grid grant program; a need to raise additional equity to fund our projects and our other operations in uncertain financial markets; conditions in target markets, such as that some ISOs are taking longer than others to comply with FERC's requirement to update market rules to include new technology such as ours, and also such as that frequency regulation pricing is lower in the short-term than at many times in the past; our ability to obtain site interconnection approvals, landlord approvals, or other zoning and construction approvals in a timely manner; limited experience manufacturing commercial products or supplying frequency regulation services on a commercial basis; limited commercial contracts for revenues to date; our ability to construct and operate plants in a variety of locations; our ability to make our technology fully compatible with 50 Hz. electrical design requirements for use in overseas markets; our ability to sell regulation services and plants at attractive margins; the uncertainty of the global economy; meeting the technical requirements of foreign markets based upon their specific grid and market characteristics; dependence on third-party suppliers; competition from companies with greater financial resources, especially from companies that are already in the frequency regulation market; possible government regulation that may impede the ability to market products or services or impact market size; possible product liability claims and the negative publicity which could result; any failure to protect intellectual property, or any possible infringement of third party patents; our ability to retain key executives and continue to attract additional talented human resources; and the historical volatility of our stock price. Such statements made by us fall within the safe harbors provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These factors are elaborated upon and other factors are described in the section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K titled "Risk Factors Relating to Our Business." We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein after the date of this Proxy Statement.    

Explanatory Note Regarding Share Amounts:

        All share amounts and per share prices in this Proxy Statement have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effect of our reverse stock split, on a one-for-ten basis, effective February 25, 2011, unless otherwise indicated.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on July 13, 2011. Our proxy statement and annual report to security holders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, are available at www.beaconpower.com, under the "Investor" tab.

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BEACON POWER CORPORATION


PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
On July 13, 2011

        This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Beacon Power Corporation ("we", "us", "Beacon", "our", or the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 13, 2011, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Stephentown Town Hall located at 28 Grange Hall Road, Stephentown, New York 12168, and at any adjournment or postponement of that meeting.


Introduction

        We are furnishing you with this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Beacon to be held on July 13, 2011 and at any adjournment of the Annual Meeting, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of the meeting. All holders of record of our Common Stock at the close of business on May 27, 2011, will be entitled to vote at this meeting and any adjournments thereof. The stock transfer books have not been closed.

        We expect to mail this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and the accompanying proxy card to our stockholders on or about June 10, 2011.


Methods of Voting

        You may vote by mail, by telephone, over the Internet or in person at the Annual Meeting.

        Voting by Mail.    By signing and returning the proxy card in the enclosed prepaid and addressed envelope, you are authorizing the individuals named on the proxy card to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in the manner you indicate. We encourage you to sign and return the proxy card even if you plan to attend the meeting. Please sign and return your proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

        Voting by Telephone.    To vote by telephone, please follow the instructions included on your proxy card. If you vote by telephone, you do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.

        Voting over the Internet.    To vote over the Internet, please follow the instructions included on your proxy card. If you vote over the Internet, you do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.

        Voting in Person at the Annual Meeting.    If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, we will provide you with a ballot at the meeting. If your shares are registered directly in your name, you are considered the stockholder of record and you have the right to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in the name of your broker or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name. As a beneficial owner, if you wish to vote at the meeting, you will need to bring to the meeting a legal proxy from your broker or other nominee authorizing you to vote such shares.


Solicitation of Proxies

        We are soliciting proxies in the form enclosed on behalf of the Board of Directors. We will vote any such signed proxy, if received in time for the voting and not revoked, at the Annual Meeting according to your directions. We will vote any proxy that fails to specify a choice on any matter to be acted upon FOR the election of each nominee for director and FOR each other proposal to be acted upon. If you submit a signed proxy in the form enclosed, you will have the power to revoke it at any

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time before we use it by filing a later proxy with us, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, or by notifying us of the revocation in writing addressed to the Secretary of Beacon Power Corporation at 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, MA 01879.

        We will pay for all expenses of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the material used in the solicitation of proxies by the Board. Officers and regular Beacon employees may solicit proxies on behalf of the Board by telephone, telegram or personal interview, and we will bear the expenses of such efforts. We also may make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons at our expense.


Voting Rights

        As of May 27, 2011, we had 26,116,674 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value ("Common Stock"), issued and outstanding. You may vote your shares of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting if you were a stockholder of record as the close of business on May 27, 2011. Each share of Common Stock that you held as of the record date entitles you to one vote on each matter to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. All holders of Common Stock vote together as one class.

        The presence at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock on the record date is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present, we expect that the Annual Meeting will be adjourned or postponed in order to solicit additional proxies. Shares of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting but not voted, including shares of Common Stock for which proxies have been received but for which the holders have abstained, will be treated as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of all business.

        Assuming a quorum is established, directors will be elected (under Proposal 1) by a plurality of votes cast. If a vote is withheld regarding the election of directors, such vote will have no effect.

        Proposal 2, the ratification of auditors, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares represented at the meeting.

        Proposal 3, which is a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, will be considered approved at the Annual Meeting if more votes are cast in favor than against.

        Proposal 4 is a non-binding advisory vote to determine the frequency of conducting future advisory votes on executive compensation. The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be considered the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been recommended by the stockholders.

        If you return your proxy with instructions to abstain from voting on any of the proposals, your shares will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. Abstaining from voting or withholding a vote on the election of directors proposal (Proposal 1) will have no effect because the directors who receive a plurality of votes are elected. An abstention with respect to the proposal to ratify our auditors (Proposal 2) has the effect of a vote "AGAINST" such proposal. Abstaining from voting on the advisory vote seeking approval of our executive compensation (Proposal 3) will have no effect because abstentions are not considered votes cast for or against the proposal. Abstaining from voting on the advisory vote relating to the frequency of future executive compensation votes will have no effect on the outcome of that vote. If your shares are held by your broker in "street name" and you do not vote your shares, your brokerage firm may not have the authority to vote your unvoted shares held by the firm on certain proposals, including on the election of directors or executive compensation matters. Since such "broker non-votes" are not considered cast on the proposals, they will not have any effect on the outcome of Proposals 1, 3 or 4.

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No Appraisal Rights

        There are no appraisal rights associated with any of the proposals being considered at the Annual Meeting.


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

        The following table sets forth, as of June 2, 2011, certain information concerning the ownership of shares of our Common Stock by:

    Each person or group that we know beneficially owns more than five percent of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock

    Each director

    Each executive officer for whom we are required to present compensation information in this proxy statement; and

    All of our directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, each person named has sole investment and voting power with respect to his, her or its shares of common stock shown.

        Each beneficial owner other than Capital Ventures International has an address c/o Beacon Power Corporation, 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts 01879.

 
  Shares beneficially owned  
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(2)
  Number(1)   Percent of Class  

F. William Capp

    408,291     1.5 %

Judith F. Judson

    34,431     *  

Daniel E. Kletter

    45,458     *  

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

    153,335     *  

Virgil G. Rose

    34,137     *  

Jack P. Smith

    46,764     *  

James M. Spiezio

    159,028     *  

Edward A. Weihman

    26,458     *  

5% Shareholders

             

Capital Ventures International(3)

    2,162,386     7.5 %

Heights Capital Management, Inc.
One Capitol Place
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
British West Indies

             

All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)

    907,902     3.3 %

*
Less than 1%.

(1)
The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting or investment power with respect to those securities. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power and includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after June 2, 2011, through the exercise of any warrant, stock option or other right. The inclusion in this joint proxy statement of these shares, however, does not constitute an admission that the named stockholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. The number of shares of Beacon common stock outstanding used in calculating the percentage for each listed person

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    includes the shares of Beacon common stock underlying options or restricted stock units held by that person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of June 2, 2011, but excludes shares of Beacon common stock underlying options or restricted stock units held by any other person.

(2)
Includes the following shares of the Company's Common Stock which the indicated executive officer or director had the right to acquire within 60 days after June 2, 2011, through the exercise of stock options or restricted stock units: Mr. Capp, 350,644; Ms. Judson, 34,431; Mr. Kletter, 26,458; Mr. Lazarewicz, 113,880; Mr. Rose, 31,637; Mr. Smith, 43,964; Mr. Spiezio, 131,776; and Mr. Weihman, 26,458.

(3)
Heights Capital Management, Inc., the investment advisor of Capital Ventures International, has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the shares held by Capital Ventures International and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares. The address for Heights Capital Management, Inc. is 101 California Street, Suite 3250, San Francisco, CA 94111. This amount includes 2,071,754 shares underlying warrants and convertible preferred stock outstanding on June 2, 2011. Information regarding the number of shares of Common Stock held by Capital Ventures International is based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC jointly with Heights Capital Management, Inc. on February 11, 2011.

        Equity Compensation Plan Information.    The following table provides information about the securities authorized for issuance under the Company's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2010:

Plan category
  Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
  Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
  Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
 
 
  (a)
  (b)
  (c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    1,650,791   $ 8.09     1,722,014  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

    10,000     8.09      
               

Total

    1,660,791   $ 8.09     1,722,014  
               

        For additional information concerning our equity compensation plans, see discussion in footnote 16 to our consolidated financial statements.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") requires our directors and officers, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our Common Stock. Directors, officers and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

        To our knowledge, during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors, officers and ten percent stockholders were satisfied.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Executive Officers

        The names, ages, current positions and principal occupations during the last five years of our current executive officers are described below:

Name
  Age   Position

F. William Capp

    62   President and Chief Executive Officer

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

    60   Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technical Officer

James M. Spiezio

    63   Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

Judith F. Judson

    38   Vice President, Asset Management and Market Development

F. William Capp

        Mr. Capp has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors since December 1, 2001, when he joined the Company. Mr. Capp received his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University, a Master of business Administration and a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

        Mr. Lazarewicz has served as our Vice President of Engineering since February 1999, and was named our Chief Technical Officer in September of 2001. Mr. Lazarewicz is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and received both Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Lazarewicz also completed his Master's Degree in Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

James M. Spiezio

        Mr. Spiezio joined our Company in May 2000. He has served as Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since July 2000, Secretary since March 2001, and was our Corporate Controller from May 2000 to July 2000. He has over twenty-seven years of diversified manufacturing and financial management experience. Mr. Spiezio is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Business.

Judith F. Judson

        Ms. Judson joined our Company in January 2008 as Director of Regulatory and Market Affairs. She was appointed as Vice President, Asset Management and Market Development in April 2010. Prior to joining Beacon Power, Ms. Judson worked as a consultant to businesses in the energy sector from April 2007 through January 2008, and served as a Commissioner and Chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy from 2005 through April 2007. Ms. Judson received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.


Board Leadership Structure

        In August 2009, the Board of Directors formally appointed a Chairman of the Board, to recognize the differences between the roles of Chief Executive Officer and of Chairman of the Board. The CEO articulates management's view of the Company's strategic direction and provides day-to-day leadership, while the Chairman of the Board provides guidance to the CEO, sets the agenda for Board meetings and presides over meetings of the full Board. Our Board is comprised of five directors, four of whom are independent directors. As discussed below, we have four standing Board committees, all of which

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are comprised entirely of, and are chaired by, independent directors. We believe that this leadership structure has been effective for the Company by providing a balance of power with strong independent leadership.


Board's Role in Risk Oversight

        The Board's role in the Company's risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks. The full Board (or the appropriate committee in the case of risks that are under the purview of a particular committee) receives these reports from the appropriate "risk owner" within the organization to enable it to understand our risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies. When a committee prepares a report, the Chairman of the relevant committee provides an overview discussion to the full Board at the next meeting of the Board. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships at the enterprise level.


Board of Directors' Meetings and Committees

        Meetings.    During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, our Board of Directors held 18 meetings. Each director attended more than 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of our Board held during the period for which he has been a director and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of our Board on which he served during the period.

        Committees.    Our Board of Directors has established four standing committees: Audit, Compensation, Finance and Nominating and Governance. All members of these committees are independent directors and there is no representation on any of these committees by employees of the Company. The membership of each committee, is as follows:

Audit   Compensation   Nominating and Governance   Finance Committee
Daniel E. Kletter, Chair   Jack P. Smith, Chair   Virgil G. Rose, Chair   Edward A. Weihman, Chair
Edward A. Weihman   Edward A. Weihman   Daniel E. Kletter   Virgil G. Rose
Jack P. Smith   Virgil G. Rose   Jack P. Smith   Daniel E. Kletter

        Audit Committee.    All members of our Audit Committee qualify as independent as defined in the Nasdaq Stock Market and SEC rules. Mr. Kletter is qualified as an audit committee financial expert, as defined by the SEC. The Audit Committee is appointed by and reports to our Board of Directors. Its responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the appointment, compensation and dismissal of our independent auditors, review of the scope and results of our independent auditors' audit activities, evaluation of the independence of our independent auditors and review of our accounting controls and policies, financial reporting practices and internal audit control procedures and related reports. During the last fiscal year, the Audit Committee held 5 meetings. The Audit Committee's charter can be found on our website at www.beaconpower.com.

        Compensation Committee.    Our Compensation Committee has the authority to set the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and all other executive officers and has the responsibility to review the design, administration and effectiveness of all programs and policies concerning executive compensation and establishing and reviewing general policies relating to compensation and benefits of employees. The Compensation Committee administers our 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Messrs. Smith, Rose and Weihman are non-employee directors who have no interlocking relationships as defined by the SEC, and are all independent pursuant to the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange applicable to members of this committee. The Compensation Committee held 12 meetings during the last fiscal year. The Compensation Committee's charter can be found on our website at www.beaconpower.com.

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        Nominating and Governance Committee.    The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Board and to the Company and oversees the effectiveness of our corporate governance in accordance with those guidelines. The committee also identifies individuals qualified to become Board members, reviews the qualifications of nominee directors and recommends to the Board the director nominees for annual meetings of stockholders and candidates to fill vacancies on the Board. Additionally, the committee recommends to the Board the directors to be appointed to Board committees. While the committee does not have a formal diversity policy for Board membership, the Board seeks directors who represent a mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences that will enhance the quality of the Board's deliberations and decisions.

        A stockholder may nominate a person for election as a director by complying with Section 2.2 of our By-Laws, which provides that advance notice of a nomination must be delivered to us and must contain the name and certain information concerning the nominee and the stockholders who support the nominee's election. A copy of this By-Law provision may be obtained by writing to Beacon Power Corporation, Attn: James M. Spiezio, Secretary, 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts 01879. Director nominees recommended by our stockholders will be considered on the same terms as other nominees. All members of our Nominating and Governance Committee qualify as independent pursuant to the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Nominating and Governance Committee held 7 meetings during the last fiscal year. The charter for our Nominating and Governance Committee can be found on our web site at www.beaconpower.com.

        Finance Committee.    The Finance Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in monitoring material financial matters involving: (1) debt undertaken by the Company; (2) equity raised by the Company; (3) share splits or retirement of shares by the Company; (4) cash dividends or share dividends paid by the Company; (5) acquisitions and divestures; (6) significant changes in Company ownership; (7) project finance for the Company and/or for affiliates that it may sponsor; and (8) such other matters as are similar or related to these matters, or which the Board considers to be necessary or advisable. While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in its Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct financial transactions nor does the Committee have any oversight responsibility with respect to the Company's financial reporting. The Finance Committee held 6 meetings during the last fiscal year. The Finance Committee's Charter can be found on our website at www.beaconpower.com.


Director Independence

        There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. Messrs. Smith, Kletter, Weihman and Rose, representing a majority of our directors, are independent under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Our board holds regularly scheduled meetings at which only these independent directors are present.


Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

        Our Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of our directors, officers and various other parties whom we have requested to serve as directors, officers, trustees or in similar capacities with other entities to us or our stockholders for any liability arising from an action to which such persons are a party by reason of the fact that they were serving Beacon or at our request to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

        We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. Subject to certain limited exceptions, under these agreements, we will be obligated, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law, to indemnify such directors and officers against all expenses, judgments, fines and penalties incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any actions brought against them by reason of the fact that they were Beacon directors or executive

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officers. We also maintain liability insurance for our directors and executive officers in order to limit our exposure to liability for indemnification of our directors and executive officers.


Communication with Our Board of Directors

        Our Board of Directors provides a process for our stockholders and other interested parties to send communications directly to our non-employee directors. Any person who desires to contact the non-employee directors may do so by writing to: Board of Directors, c/o Beacon Power Corporation, 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts 01879.

        Communications received will be forwarded directly to the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee will, in his discretion, forward such communications to other directors, members of our management or such other persons as he deems appropriate. The Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, or, if appropriate, our management, will respond in a timely manner to any substantive communications from a stockholder or interested party.

        Our Audit Committee also provides a process to send communications directly to the committee about our accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. Any person who desires to contact the Audit Committee regarding such matters may do so by writing to Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, c/o Beacon Power Corporation, 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts 01879.

        Communications received by mail will be forwarded directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Chair of the Audit Committee, in his discretion, will forward such communications to other directors, members of our management or such other persons as he deems appropriate. The Chair of the Audit Committee, or, if appropriate, our management, will respond in a timely manner to any substantive communications from a stockholder or an interested party.


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

        The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is composed of three members and acts under a written charter. All members of the Audit Committee are independent directors, as defined by its charter and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq Stock Market.

        In connection with the preparation and filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, the Audit Committee (i) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management, (ii) discussed with Miller Wachman LLP, our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and (iii) received the written disclosures and the letter from Miller Wachman LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight board regarding Miller Wachman LLP's communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed the independence of Miller Wachman LLP with such firm. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, among other things, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

    Submitted by the Audit Committee:

 

 

Daniel E. Kletter, Chair
Jack P. Smith
Edward A. Weihman

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Compensation Philosophy

        Our executive compensation and benefit program has been designed to encourage our named executive officers (our chief executive officer, or CEO; our chief financial officer, or CFO; our chief technology officer, or CTO, and our Vice President of Asset Development and Market Development) to pursue our strategic objectives while effectively managing the risks and challenges inherent in a development stage company transitioning into a commercial company. We have created a compensation package that combines short and long-term components through a mix of base salary, bonus and equity compensation, in the proportions we believe are most appropriate to incentivize and reward our executive officers for achieving our strategic objectives. Moreover, the program is designed to be competitive with comparable employers and to align management's incentives with the long-term interests of our stockholders. Our compensation-setting process consists of establishing targeted overall compensation for each executive officer and then allocating that compensation among fixed and variable elements. At the executive level, we design the incentive compensation to reward company-wide performance, shareholder value creation, and the achievement of specific financial, operational and strategic objectives.

Summary of 2010 Results

        The Compensation Committee provided an increase in the executive officers' salaries for 2010, to better align compensation to our peer group, and shifted executive compensation to a more performance-based mechanism. There was no salary adjustment in 2009. The Compensation Committee decided to better align executive compensation with shareholder interests by eliminating RSUs and to focus on annual grants of stock options and performance-based Restricted Stock Units (PSUs) which have no value unless the stock price appreciates (in the case of stock options) or important long term goals are achieved (in the case of PSUs). Accordingly, our Compensation Committee believes that our compensation program is a performance-oriented structure, with a significant portion of compensation at risk for our executive officers.

        In 2010 our executive officers' performance relative to strategic objectives resulted in a 25% payout of the targeted bonus amount. The objectives for 2010, as described in more detail below, had four primary components: (1) funding, including a stretch objective for funding, (2) the sale of a turn-key plant, (3) the build and operation of our Stephentown facility and (4) attracting a strategic partner. The overall performance of our common stock price was also considered in evaluating executive performance.

    Funding:  The target related to closing the DOE loan guarantee, which was achieved in August of 2010. On the stretch objectives, the target was specifically to obtain a DOE loan guarantee for our second plant in Glenville, NY and getting a change in DOE rules to allow the possibility of a loan guarantee for our third plant in Hazle Township, PA. Neither stretch target was achieved.

    The sale of a plant:  The target was to sign and announce the sale of a facility by the end of the year which was not achieved.

    The build and operation of the Stephentown facility:  The target had two components (i) operation of the first 4MW and (ii) cost control consistent with the DOE loan guarantee estimate. The target for 4 MW being operational by year end was not achieved, but 4 MW became operational in January. The cost control target was achieved.

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    Obtaining a strategic partner:  The target was to successfully close an agreement with a strategic partner by year end, which was not achieved.

    Increasing the stock price:  The stock price increase did not occur. This part of the bonus formula contained both a positive and negative component. Based on stock price in the fourth quarter of the year, the adjustment was negative, resulting in a decrease in the bonus percentage awarded to the executives for 2010.

        On average, the Compensation Committee's objective is to target our executive officers' compensation at the median (between the 40th and 60th percentiles) within its peer group. Because the structure of our executive compensation program includes a significant portion of compensation that is performance-based, we believe the compensation paid to our executives fairly reflects the performance of our company.

Role of Our Compensation Committee

        Our Compensation Committee approves, administers and interprets our executive compensation policies. Our Compensation Committee is appointed by our Board of Directors, and consists entirely of directors who are "outside directors" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, "non-employee directors" for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and "independent directors" for purposes of the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Our Compensation Committee has three members: Mr. Edward A. Weihman, Mr. Virgil G. Rose and Mr. Jack P. Smith, who chairs the committee.

        Our Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to our Board of Directors to ensure that our compensation program is consistent with our compensation philosophy and corporate governance guidelines and, subject to the approval of our Board (without the participation of the CEO), establishes the compensation paid or granted to our executive officers, which include our CEO, CFO, CTO and Vice President, Asset Management and Market Development. The Compensation Committee also establishes an overall pool of compensation for non-executive management and other employees.

        Messrs. Weihman, Smith and Rose are non-employee directors who have no interlocking relationships as defined by the SEC, and are all independent pursuant to the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market applicable to members of this committee.

Role of Compensation Consultant

        The Compensation Committee generally engages an independent compensation consultant to provide a market perspective on executive compensation matters. In November of 2010, the Board passed a resolution to engage Pearl Meyers & Partners LLC as our compensation consultants. Previously, Towers Watson (formerly known as Watson Wyatt) had served as the Compensation Committee's consultant since 2005. The Compensation Committee utilizes its consultants for various activities, including but not limited to peer group development, competitive market analysis, incentive plan design and assistance in pay determination. During 2010, we did not make any payments to Pearl Meyers & Partners but did pay Towers Watson approximately $80,000 for services provided. None of these services related to matters outside of our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee expects to continue to engage an outside advisor in the development of programs and pay setting activities.

Role of our Executive Officers

        After consideration of input received from its compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee determines the compensation to be awarded to our CEO. The CEO and Compensation

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Committee jointly discuss the compensation for the other executive officers. However, the final decisions regarding compensation for all of the Executives are made by the Compensation Committee. The CEO and CFO, however, allocate the compensation pool approved by the Compensation Committee among all our other non-executive employees and provide recommendations to the Compensation Committee in regard to any equity compensation to be granted to non-executive employees.

        During the transition from development stage to commercial production, we have aligned the compensation structure of all other employees to the same company-wide strategic objectives and performance as the executive officers' compensation. As we move into volume production of commercial products, we will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of company-wide strategic objectives. If we determine that company performance would be improved by combining these objectives with specific operational goals within areas, we will modify our programs.

Program Participants

    Our named executive officers in 2010 were:

    F. William Capp, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

    James M. Spiezio, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

    Matthew L. Lazarewicz, Chief Technical Officer (CTO)

    Judith F. Judson, Vice President, Asset Management and Market Development.

        On April 26, 2010, our Board of Directors promoted Judith Judson from Director of Regulatory and Market Affairs to Vice President, Asset Management and Market Development. As an executive officer of the Company, she was eligible to participate in our 2010 executive officer compensation programs.

Development of a Formal Compensation Program

        Our Compensation Committee has taken the following steps to ensure that our compensation and benefit programs for executive officers are consistent with our compensation philosophy and our corporate governance guidelines:

    Beginning in 2005, the committee has engaged and directed independent executive compensation and benefits consultants to assess the competitiveness of our compensation program and provide a high-level review of our long-term incentive plan

    With the assistance of ongoing input from these consultants, we have developed appropriate compensation packages by targeting a competitive level of pay as measured against our peer group

    We have maintained a practice of reviewing the performance and determining the total compensation earned, paid or awarded to our Chief Executive Officer independent of input from him

    We have developed compensation guidelines for our Chief Financial Officer, our Chief Technical Officer and our Vice President, Asset Management and Market Development with assistance from our Chief Executive Officer, and determined what we believe to be appropriate total compensation based on competitive levels as measured against our peer group

    We have maintained the practice of holding executive Board sessions, without executive officers present, at every Compensation Committee meeting

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    For the remainder of the management team, the Compensation Committee and executive officers review the compensation program to insure consistency with our compensation philosophy and governance guidelines.

        Based on these efforts and examinations, the Compensation Committee developed a compensation program intended to be in place for the next several years and continues to monitor this program to ensure its effectiveness.

Market Referencing

        To test the competitiveness of our compensation program, our consultants have been engaged to compare our compensation practices and levels to a group of specific peer companies, representative of companies of similar size and industry. As our company continues to grow, this analysis continues to be assessed, and when appropriate, updates to the compensation benchmarking peer group are made. The recommended changes, if any, in the peer group is then presented to the Compensation Committee for approval. In the most recent evaluation, a comparison group was selected using the following criteria:

    Publicly-traded companies subject to disclosure requirements governed by the SEC

    Companies that operate in the capital goods sectors or select companies in the clean technology industry

    Companies that are similar in size to the company:

    Market capitalization—generally within a range of .5X - 2.5X of our own

    Revenue—generally within a range of $0 to $50 million

    Companies that are generally in a similar business stage.

        Based on this analysis, the Compensation Committee determined that that the existing peer group of 11 companies listed below, as determined in prior years, continues to be appropriate and no changes were recommended:

    Active Power Inc.

    Akeena Solar Inc.

    Ascent Solar Technologies

    Capstone Turbine Corporation

    Daystar Technologies Inc.

    Evergreen Energy Inc.

    Hoku Scientific Inc.

    Ocean Power Technologies Inc.

    Satcon Technology Corporation

    Spire Corporation

    UQM Technologies, Inc.

        The Compensation Committee engaged Towers Watson in December 2009 to update its 2007 benchmarking analysis. Pearl Meyers & Partners did not perform this analysis at the end of 2010. The analysis consisted of assessing our named executive officer compensation against that of the peer group. The analysis specifically reviewed base salaries, annual incentive targets, long-term incentive levels and overall total direct compensation. As a group, our named executive officers' base salaries in 2009 were

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between the 25th and 50th percentile of the peer group, while target total direct compensation (TDC) was closer to the market 50th percentile (CEO TDC approximated the market 30th percentile). The Committee also reviewed annual and three year Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance of the company versus its peer group and the Russell 2000 (small cap index). It was determined that the Company underperformed the peer group and index with regards to shareholder return.

        We intend to continue our strategy of providing competitive compensation opportunities to our executive officers, through programs that emphasize performance-based incentive compensation in the form of cash and equity. To that end, total executive compensation is structured to ensure that, due to the nature of our business, there is an equal focus on our operational and financial performance and stockholder return. We believe that the positioning of our executive officer compensation was consistent with our financial performance, the individual performance of each of our executives and the interests of our stockholders. We also believe that the total compensation was reasonable in the aggregate. Further, in light of our compensation philosophy, we believe that the total compensation package for our executive officers should continue to consist of base salary, annual cash incentive awards (bonuses), long-term equity-based incentive compensation, and certain other benefits.

        The competitive posture of our total annual direct compensation will vary from year to year based on our results and individual performance, as compared to the performance of the peer group companies and the respective level of annual performance bonus awards made to their executives.

Components of Compensation Program

        Our performance-driven compensation program has both short-term and long-term components. Our executive officers' compensation is defined in the Executive Agreements (which are further detailed in the section titled "Executive Officer Employment Agreements" below.) All of our other employees are employees at will. However, all of our employees participate in the compensation programs as noted below.

Current Compensation Components

        We utilize current compensation components that include base salary and cash bonuses to motivate and reward our employees, including our executive officers, in accordance with our defined objectives. Our Compensation Committee has established this program to set and refine management objectives and to measure performance against those objectives. The Compensation Committee reviews its conclusions on short term compensation with the Board (without the participation of the CEO), and once a consensus is reached, the short term compensation decisions are presented to the executive officers.

Base Salary

        Base salary rewards the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of each of our executive officers and reflects competitive market conditions. The factors considered in determining salary and annual increases to salary are:

    Experience

    Functional role

    Level of responsibility

    Performance and accomplishments

    Comparisons against market benchmarks described earlier in this discussion

    Trends in compensation for the geographic region

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    Professional effectiveness including leadership, commitment, creativity and team building

    Knowledge, skills, attitude and focus

    Competitive market for corresponding positions within comparable geographic areas and industries.

        Using the criteria outlined above, our Compensation Committee works directly with its independent compensation consultant to determine the compensation recommendations that our Compensation Committee makes to our Board of Directors regarding specific compensation actions for the executive officers. The Compensation Committee evaluates each executive officer's base salary in terms of his or her individual performance and his or her compensation relative to the peer group. The Compensation Committee decided on April 26, 2010, to increase the executive officers' base salaries as follows:

 
 
  Executive Officer
   
  2009 Base Salary
   
  2010 Base Salary
   
  % Increase
   

 

 

F. William Capp

      $ 296,125       $ 325,000         9.8 %  

 

 

James M. Spiezio

        210,813         217,137         3.0 %  

 

 

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

        189,280         194,958         3.0 %  

 

 

Judith Judson

        140,000         160,000         14.3 %  

        There was no base salary adjustment in 2009. The Compensation Committee determined that it was necessary to increase Mr. Capp's salary by 9.8% as it had fallen to the lowest within our peer group. Ms. Judson's increase was a result of her promotion on April 26, 2010, to an officer's position. Messrs. Spiezio and Lazarewicz received merit increases, consistent with information provided by our compensation consultant.

Performance Bonus

Overview of Performance Bonus Program

        Awards under the performance bonus program are based on a quantitative and qualitative review of all of the facts and circumstances related to the Company and each executive's performance. An executive officer may receive awards from zero to 100% of his or her target bonus based on the review of results. Additional compensation may be awarded for performance at levels above targeted goals and objectives or improvement in the timing of achieving certain results. The criteria for these potential additions to the bonus are clearly defined as part of establishing the potential bonus structure each year. For 2010 the potential additional award was 55% of which none was achieved.

        On an individual level, the Compensation Committee attempts to set clearly defined goals for each executive officer, focusing on the categories mentioned below, with an emphasis on quantifiable and achievable goals. Once the defined goals have been identified, the Compensation Committee engages in a collaborative process with the executive officers to reach agreement on the following aspects of the short term goals:

    Agreement that the goals formulated are viewed by the executive officers as the correct drivers for the business from their perspectives

    Consistency of these goals with our short and long term strategies

    Timing, measurability and relative values that should be ascribed to each goal; and

    Agreement that the goals are difficult yet realistically attainable.

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        The Compensation Committee sees this process both as the optimal means of assembling accurate information regarding the expectation and realization of performance, as well as an integral part of our culture of collaborative, team-oriented management.

        The Compensation Committee evaluates each executive officer as well as our other key employees once each year based on the achievement of set goals. This review is typically done during the first quarter of the year. We review final results for the year versus pre-determined objectives and begin discussions regarding performance objectives for the current fiscal year. Performance bonuses, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, may be awarded in the form of cash or RSUs and equity-based awards. During recent years, the performance bonuses have been paid in cash.

        Total compensation for our executive officers may vary significantly from year to year, based on the percentage of achievement of goals. In addition, the value of equity awards in either PSUs or stock options may vary significantly in value based on the performance of our stock price.

Discretionary Bonus

        Additional discretionary awards of the target bonus may be awarded for performance to targets that emerge subsequent to the establishment of the year's bonus program or other achievements not previously identified, or performance to existing targets that is greater or timelier than the target.

2010 Performance Bonus and Resulting Bonus Payout

        Our business strategy is to become a leader in providing frequency regulation services to the electrical grid. We expect to increase our revenues from the commercialization of our flywheel energy storage systems to supply frequency regulation services to the electricity grid in North America and from the sale of turnkey systems outright or on a fractional basis, both within the United States and on a global basis. In order to accomplish these goals, we will need to expand manufacturing capabilities, acquire appropriate locations for installation of our flywheel systems and raise additional financing. We must also focus on continually strengthening our management and technical teams, in order to provide the human resources necessary to carry out our business objectives.

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        In 2010, we made progress in executing our strategic plan. For 2010, the target performance goals and results were as follows:

 
 
  Metrics
   
  Comment on results
   
  Potential Value
(% of Bonus
Award)

   
  Value Awarded
Based on
Achievement
(% of Bonus
Target)

   
    Target goals
    Funding: Goal was closing the loan guaranteed by the DOE for the Stephentown plant by June 15, 2010.       The loan was closed in August 2010; later than the target.         20         10    
    Sale of a plant: Goal was to sign agreement and announce plant sale in the US or internationally for at least 10 MW and operating by 2012.       While progress continues to be made on the sale of turn-key plants, the goal of completing a transaction by year end was not achieved.         30         5    
    Stephentown build and operation:
Two goals:
1.
Schedule—4 MW of paid revenue operational by year end 2010. Projected to be at 20 MW in 1Q2011.
      We were not successful in getting 4 MW operational by year end; but were operational in January 2011. Expectation is to be at 20 MW by the end of 2Q11.         30         30    
    2. Budget—estimated cost to complete versus loan guarantee program budgeted cost.       On budget performance, the goal was achieved.                        
    Strategic Partner: Goal was to close on agreement with Board approval with a meaningful strategic partner who will add significant perceived value to shareholders. BOD discretion will apply on grading the quality of the partner.       We made progress on three potential strategic partnerships, but were unsuccessful in closing any by year end.         20         5    
                                     
    Total target:                 100         50    
                                     
    Stretch goals: Stretch goals would permit bonus amounts above the targets.
    Funding: DOE loan guarantee 2 (commitment)       We were not successful on this goal.         20         0    
    Change DOE rules to allow third loan possible application during 2010.       We were not successful on this goal.         10         0    
                                     
    Stock price adjustment:
    BCON average daily common price over last 3 months of 2010 equal to or below $0.25 (prior to reverse stock split).

BCON average daily common price over last 3 months of 2010 equal to or above $1.00 (prior to reverse stock split).
     
The average daily common stock price for the last 3 months of 2010 was $0.25 (not adjusted for reverse stock split), resulting in a negative adjustment.
       

-25


25
       


-25
   
                                     
    Total maximum bonus and actual bonus award         155         25    

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        The overall evaluation of performance to targets for 2010 was that as a percentage of targeted objectives, an appropriate rating would be approximately 50%. However, the Compensation Committee, upon reviewing the results of executive performance for 2010 determined that an award of 25% was appropriate due to the stock price adjustment resulting from the low stock value for the last three months of 2010. The Compensation Committee determined that 25% was a fair payout. Accordingly, for our executive officers, the targeted and actual bonuses paid in cash in April 2011 for our 2010 performance plan were as follows:

 
 
  Name
   
  2010
Base Salary

   
  Bonus
Potential as
% Salary

   
  2010 Target
Bonus
Potential

   
  Bonus Percent
Awarded (as
% of Target)

   
  Bonus
Amount
Earned

   
    F. William Capp       $ 325,000         85.0 %     $ 276,250         25.0 %     $ 69,063    
    James M. Spiezio         217,137         40.0 %       86,855         25.0 %       21,714    
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz         194,958         40.0 %       77,983         25.0 %       19,496    
    Judith F. Judson         160,000         40.0 %       64,000         25.0 %       16,000    

        The bonus potential as a percent of salary is defined in the executive officers' Employment Agreements with the Company. These agreements are further described below.

Long-term Compensation

        In prior years, our long-term compensation for executive officers has consisted of a combination of common stock options and RSUs, all with a three year vesting period, and performance stock units (PSUs) tied to achieving specific longer term objectives. Our practice had been to grant stock options and RSUs on an annual basis at the time of annual performance review. All options, RSUs and PSUs are granted under our Third Amended and Restated 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, which was amended, restated and renamed the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan at our 2010 Annual Meeting on July 21, 2010. Given market conditions and our stock price as of the beginning of 2010, the Compensation Committee decided to change the 2010 executive equity awards structure. The Compensation Committee opted to utilize two long-term incentive vehicles (PSUs and stock options) and not to use RSUs any longer. The Compensation Committee chose to discontinue RSUs and focus on annual grants of PSUs and stock options which are inherently performance-based because they have no value unless the stock price appreciates (in the case of stock options) or important long term goals are achieved (in the case of PSUs.) The Compensation Committee strongly believes that executive share ownership further ensures shareholder alignment and it was the Compensation Committee's intention that the proposed long-term incentive program would allow for management to earn above market equity ownership levels when Company mid- and long-term financial goals are met. Aligning executive compensation with the Company's long-range objectives should limit the executives' incentive to make decisions that improve short-term metrics but increase the Company's risk exposure. Thus, we believe this strategy aligns the interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders over the long-term, focuses on attaining key operational milestones, and provides an effective retention feature.

        Prior to 2010, PSUs were last granted in 2006 as a special grant to motivate the executives to achieve specific long-term financial objectives. These 2006 PSUs were scheduled to cliff vest in 2009 or 2010 based upon the achievement of the specified objectives. Management did not meet those objectives for 2009 or 2010, so none of the PSUs from the 2006 grant vested, and instead such PSUs were forfeited. See "Performance Stock Unit Grants" below for details regarding the PSUs granted in 2010.

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        We analyze the following when we set the number of options or PSUs to be granted to each executive. On an individual basis, we compare:

    The fair value of the grants valuation for equity awards that is consistent with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718

    The number of common stock options and PSUs granted by position

    The competitive level of our equity-based compensation practices versus the market based upon our peer group, including levels, share usage levels, dilution and overall equity plan expense.

        Each of the elements of our LTI program—stock options and performance stock units—is discussed in more detail below.

Targeted Pay Mix and Determination of Long Term Incentive (LTI) Equity Grants

        During recent years, the Compensation Committee had targeted the long-term incentive equity grants (options and RSUs) to the executive officers at 100% of base salary for our CEO and at 55% of base salary for our other executive officers. In 2009, the Compensation Committee determined to grant 75% of the LTI value in options, and the remainder in RSUs. The number of options granted was calculated by dividing the targeted dollar amount by the average closing price for our stock for the preceding calendar year, and multiplying this value by 75%. The number of RSUs was calculated by multiplying the remaining number of shares by a 3:1 conversion ratio. The use of the prior year average stock price to calculate the size of the LTI grant was a change from prior years, when the Black-Scholes value of the current stock price at date of grant was used to calculate the number of options/RSUs granted. This change was taken in response to a decrease in the company's stock price. The result of this process in 2009 was to grant the executives 120% of the number of shares they had been granted in 2008, but considerably fewer shares than would have been granted under the prior formula. The Black-Scholes value per share of the options granted was only 22% of the value used to calculate the grant size. Consequently, the actual LTI value as a percent of salary was significantly lower than the targeted percentage.

        In 2010, the Compensation Committee continued to target the long-term incentive equity grants to the executive officers at 100% of base salary for our CEO and at 55% of base salary for our other executive officers, excluding the value of the PSUs. The number of options granted was calculated by multiplying the executive's base salary by the LTI target percentage (100% or 55%), and then dividing the resulting amount by our average stock price for 2009, consistent with the methodology used in 2009. The Black-Scholes value per share for the 2010 grants was 44% of the value used to calculate the grant size. In addition, in 2010, the executives were also granted PSUs. As a result, although the actual LTI value as a percent of salary is still lower than the targeted percentage, the LTI as a percent of base salary for 2010 is more than double the percentage granted in 2009.

        The charts below show long-term incentive (LTI) grants as a percentage of base salary for 2009 and 2010:

 
 
  Name
   
  2009 Base
Salary

   
  Fair Value
of Options
Granted

   
  Fair Value
of RSUs
Granted

   
  Total LTI
   
  LTI as
% Base
Salary

   
    F. William Capp       $ 296,125       $ 90,879       $ 19,022       $ 109,901         37 %  
    James M. Spiezio         210,813         35,599         7,455         43,054         20 %  
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz         189,280         31,957         6,683         38,640         20 %  
    Judith F. Judson(1)         140,000                                 0 %  

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  Name
   
  2010 Base
Salary

   
  Fair Value
of Options
Granted

   
  Fair Value
of PSUs
Granted

   
  Total LTI
   
  LTI as
% Base
Salary

   
    F. William Capp       $ 325,000       $ 204,503       $ 70,435       $ 274,938         85 %  
    James M. Spiezio         217,137         100,148         35,219         135,367         62 %  
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz         194,958         89,919         35,219         125,138         64 %  
    Judith F. Judson         160,000         73,797         35,219         109,016         68 %  
(1)
Ms. Judson was not an officer in 2009, and thus was not eligible for the LTI grants to the executive officers in that year.

        In total, we believe that our executives' pay mix reflects a significant percentage of pay at risk and allows for appropriate risk-taking.

Common Stock Option Grants

        Our common stock option grants are designed to align our executives' performance objectives with the interests of our stockholders. We believe that these options provide an important component of executive compensation which is fully aligned with our shareholders' interests whereby the impact of any business setbacks, whether Company-specific or industry based, achievement of objectives or other performance matters impacts the executive officers as well as shareholders directly. Our Compensation Committee also grants options to key employees based on this same rationale and enables these key employees to participate in the long term appreciation of our stockholder value. In addition, all new permanent, full-time employees are granted options when they join the Company. We further believe that our option grants provide a means to assist in the retention of key employees, inasmuch as they are in almost all cases subject to vesting over an extended period of time.

        In 2010, we granted options vesting over three years to our executive officers pursuant to the Executive Agreements as follows: Mr. Capp, 97,335 options; Mr. Spiezio, 35,767 options; Mr. Lazarewicz, 32,114 options and Ms. Judson, 26,356 options. These options had exercise prices based on the stock closing price on the date of grant, which was $4.46.

Restricted Stock Unit Grants

        In prior years, RSUs were granted to our executive officers pursuant to the Executive Agreements, which historically had been renegotiated annually. Our issuance of RSUs was a further effort to align management's performance objectives with the interest of shareholders by having the same attributes as our vesting stock options with the additional alignment of each executive officer owning actual shares. These RSUs vest quarterly over a three year period, and are generally converted to common stock on the vesting dates. In 2010, rather than issue RSUs that vest based on time, a new, multi-year performance stock units (PSU) plan was implemented, under which the executive officers were granted PSUs as described below.

Performance Stock Unit Grants

        Our Performance Stock Units (PSUs) are also designed to align management's performance objectives to shareholder interest by providing stock grants that cliff-vest upon achievement of specific longer term, multi-year objectives of interest to our investors.

        The executive officers were granted PSUs as part of their Executive Agreements in 2006 to incentivize the executive team to maintain a sustained drive and focus on moving the development-stage company successfully into production. The 2006 PSUs were structured to provide Mr. Capp with potential awards valued at $1,000,000 and Mr. Spiezio and Mr. Lazarewicz with potential awards valued

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at $500,000 each, where the unit price used to calculate the number of units was $15.80, the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of grant. This equated to a potential award of 63,291 shares to Mr. Capp and 31,646 shares each to Mr. Spiezio and Mr. Lazarewicz. There were no additional PSUs granted in 2007, 2008 or 2009. We did not meet the award conditions as of December 31, 2009, and our executive management did not believe that it was probable that the award would be earned in 2010 based on the business plan at that time. Therefore, on April 26, 2010, the 2006 PSUs were forfeited by the executives.

        The Compensation Committee believes that it is important to align management's performance with the objectives of shareholder interest by providing stock grants that cliff-vest upon achievement of specific longer term performance objectives of interest to our investors. Hence, a new annual PSU plan was put in place April 26, 2010. The new PSU grants cliff vest upon the achievement of specific longer-term performance objectives, e.g., PSUs granted in 2010 cliff vest upon the achievement of certain performance conditions in 2011 or 2012. We anticipate that PSU grants will be made on an annual basis going forward.

        Under the new PSU plan that became effective on April 26, 2010, we granted PSUs to the executives on June 30, 2010, for a number of shares of common stock that were determined by dividing $125,000 for Mr. Capp and $62,500 for the other executive officers by the twelve month VWAP (volume weighted average price) of our stock immediately preceding June 30, 2010. When calculating the number of shares the PSU granted, the number of shares granted is subject to a 25,000 maximum share limit (for Mr. Capp) or a 12,500 share limit (for the other officers), unless the share limit is waived by the Board of Directors, and further subject to a 5,000 minimum share limit (for Mr. Capp) or a 2,500 minimum share limit (for the other officers). The number of PSUs granted may be converted into that number of shares of common stock equal to up to 150% of the PSUs granted.

        The PSUs granted in 2010 will vest as of December 31, 2012, subject to the achievement of the performance requirements described below, which are based on the achievement of certain Adjusted EBITDA targets. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as our income before the effect of interest expenses, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and equity compensation expenses as set forth in our audited Consolidated Statement of Operations and the related Notes. Any portion of the PSUs that does not vest as of the determination date shall be forfeited. The PSUs granted in 2010 were granted contingent upon shareholder approval of the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. This approval was obtained at the 2010 Shareholder Meeting held July 21, 2010, thus the grant date for accounting valuation purposes is considered to be July 21, 2010. The closing price of our stock on July 21, 2010, was $3.20. The PSUs granted for 2010 were as follows:

 
 
   
   
  Base
   
  12 Month
VWAP

   
  Target
# PSU

   
  Grant Date
Fair Value

   
  Maximum
Common
Shares

   

 

  Mr. Capp       $ 125,000       $ 5.6790         22,011       $ 70,435         33,016    

 

 

Mr. Spiezio

      $ 62,500       $ 5.6790         11,006         35,219         16,509    

 

 

Mr. Lazarewicz

      $ 62,500       $ 5.6790         11,006         35,219         16,509    

 

 

Ms. Judson

      $ 62,500       $ 5.6790         11,006         35,219         16,509    

 

                                55,029       $ 176,093         82,543    

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        The vesting schedule for the 2010 grants is as follows:

 
 
  Adjusted EBITDA achieved ($ millions)
   
  % of Total PSUs Vested
   
    $8.5       0%    
      46.0       100%    
      69.0 or greater       150%    

        Vesting of PSUs for Adjusted EBITDA achieved between $8.5 million and $46 million shall be interpolated on a straight line basis, with the aggregate rounded up to the next whole integer of a PSU. Each vested PSU will convert into one share of common stock on the determination date, provided that (a) for Adjusted EBITDA achievement between $46 million and $69 million, the conversion factor will be interpolated on a straight line basis between 100% and 150% as applied to the PSUs, and (b) for Adjusted EBITDA achievement at or greater than $69 million, each PSU shall convert into 1.5 shares of common stock on the determination date (shown above in the column titled, "Maximum Common Shares"). The Company reserves the right, in lieu of issuing shares of common stock upon conversion, to pay the executive a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the fair market value on the date of conversion of the shares of common stock into which all or any portion of the vested PSUs would have been converted.

        Upon conversion of the PSUs into shares of common stock, shares representing 50% of the net after-tax value of the PSUs will be non-transferable for a two-year period commencing on the determination date. This holding period becomes inoperative upon an acquisition event. The determination date for the PSUs granted in 2010 is March 15, 2013.


Equity Grant Practices

        During 2010, our Board granted common stock options and PSUs based upon the recommendations of our Compensation Committee and the Executive Agreements. These grants to executive officers were made during regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. Mr. Capp and Mr. Spiezio have been authorized by the Board of Directors to issue common stock option grants to individuals being hired and promoted, within certain limits which have been predetermined by the Board based upon job title and function.

        The Board of Directors takes into account a wide variety of factors when determining the timing of specific grants, including the pricing of our most recently completed equity financing; the status of additional equity or debt transactions; the status of our various research and development activities; the quality and growth of our management team; and specific and general market comparables.

        In addition to the options granted to the executive officers, our policy has been to grant common stock options to all full-time permanent new hires at the time of employment. The number of options varies depending on the position and experience of the new hire. Further, options or RSUs may be granted to employees as part of the annual compensation review. Typically, options granted vest quarterly over a three year period.


Executive Officer Employment Agreements

        On April 26, 2010, we entered into employment agreements with our executive officers, commencing on the date of the agreement and continuing until March 31, 2011, unless renewed or terminated. Additional agreements providing for long term incentive compensation consisting of performance-based Restricted Stock Units (PSUs) and stock options were also dated April 26, 2010. The terms of the employment and option agreements were similar to those of the executive officer agreements dated May 8, 2006, March 2, 2007, February 12, 2008 and April 3, 2009. However, in contrast, there were no 2007, 2008 or 2009 counterparts of the performance-based RSU agreements

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that were signed in 2006 and in 2010. On March 4, 2011, we entered into new employment agreements with the executive officers for a term that began on that date. Additionally, the executive officers received option grants. The 2011 employment agreements, unlike previous agreements, have no expiration date.

        These agreements, in total, will be referred to as the "Executive Agreements." In addition to the Base Salary and Targeted Bonus amounts (discussed above under "Current Compensation" section), the Executive Agreements specified other benefits, such as vacation time and fringe benefits. The fringe benefits include those available to our other employees, such as group health and dental insurance, life insurance, group long and short-term disability insurance, 401(k) plan, and stock plan participation. In addition, each executive officer is entitled to reimbursement for an executive physical every other year (not to exceed $1,000 for each such physical), as well as an additional life insurance policy over and above the insurance plan provided to all employees. Further, in the event that the executive officer becomes disabled and receives disability insurance payments that are less than his or her monthly base salary, we will pay him or her the difference between the normal base salary and the insurance payment, for the duration of his or her employment, as defined in the Executive Agreements. These agreements also contain certain provisions related to severance and change of control, which are discussed further in the section titled, "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control." We believe these benefits are consistent with those offered by other companies.

        We do not have a supplemental retirement plan or any form of executive retirement plan.

        Some additional provisions of the Executive Agreements include the following:

    Each executive officer is entitled to 20 business days of paid vacation per calendar year. Any paid vacation time accrued ("PVA") prior to January 1, 2010, is considered "grandfathered." The number of unused vacation days that may be carried forward from one calendar year to the next is limited to ten days of the current calendar year's unused accrual less the grandfathered PVA. For any unused vacation accrual from the current calendar year that cannot be carried over into the next year, the Company will pay the executive a cash amount equal to the value up to a maximum of ten vacation days. Any unused excess over ten vacation days from the current calendar year that was accrued will be forfeited. The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may elect from time to time to direct the Company to pay the executive a cash amount (based on the executive's then current year's base salary) equal to part or all of the PVA. Upon any termination of employment, the Company shall pay the executive a lump sum equal to any unused PVA, plus a lump sum equal to up to ten days of current year vacation accrual. Any remaining accrued but unused or unpaid days shall be forfeited.

    In the event that the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the IRS code of 1986 (or any successor penalty or excise tax subsequently imposed by law) applies to any payments or benefits specifically paid or conferred under the Executive Agreement, we will pay an additional amount to the executive equal to the amount of the excise tax, up to a maximum of $500,000 for Mr. Capp and $250,000 for the other executive officers in regards to salary, vacation, and bonus. We will also pay an additional amount up to a maximum of $500,000 for Mr. Capp and $250,000 for the other executive officers in regards to any exercise tax under benefits conferred by stock options, RSUs and PSUs.

        Up through 2010 we entered into short term (year to year) Executive Agreements with our management team because of the increased flexibility that it gives us and them to adjust compensation, long term incentive award expectations and other expectations from year to year in light of our performance, cash position, and other conditions. However, in the first quarter of 2011, we entered into "at-will" evergreen agreement in order to eliminate the need to negotiate new Executive Agreements every year, thus freeing management's (and the Board's) time and attention to the operations of the Company.

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        From January 1, 2010, until November 29, 2010, the Compensation Committee members were Mr. Smith (Chair), Mr. Stephen P. Adik, and Mr. Rose, none of whom currently are or formerly were our officers or employees. On November 29, 2010, upon the resignation of Mr. Adik from our Board, the Compensation Committee members were Messrs. Smith, Weihman, and Rose. None of our executive officers served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company that had one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

        We have reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. We have reviewed the incentive plans for the executive officers to ensure that these incentives do not provide the executives with incentives that require actions that represent excess risks that would not be in the best interest of our shareholders, as discussed in the section titled "Consideration of Risk in Compensation Programs" which follows the Executive Compensation tables, below. Based on our review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

        The following report is provided by the following directors, who constitute the Compensation Committee:

  Submitted by the Compensation Committee:

 

Jack P. Smith, Chairman
Virgil G. Rose
Edward A. Weihman

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that incorporate future filings including this Annual Report, in whole or in part, the foregoing Compensation Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

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Summary Compensation Table

        The following table(s) sets forth the total compensation paid in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2009, and 2010 to the four persons who served as our executive officers during 2010: F. William Capp, our Principal Executive Officer; James M. Spiezio, our Principal Financial Officer; Matthew Lazarewicz, our Chief Technology Officer and Judith F. Judson, our Vice President, Asset Management and Market Development.

 
 
  Name and Principal Position
   
  Year
   
  Salary
($)(1)

   
  Bonus
($)(2)

   
  Stock
Awards
($)(3)

   
  Option
Awards
($)(4)

   
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Comp.
($)(5)

   
  Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(6)

   
  All Other
Compensation
($)(7)

   
  Total
($)

   
    President and Chief         2010       $ 330,532       $       $ 70,435       $ 204,503       $ 69,063       $       $ 7,350       $ 681,883    
         
    Executive Officer         2009         297,264                 19,022         90,879         133,256                 10,481         550,902    
         
    F. William Capp         2008         298,551                 40,438         224,285         115,489                 30,425         709,188    
  
    Vice President of Finance         2010         222,294                 35,219         100,148         21,714                 20,448         399,823    
         
    and Chief Financial Officer         2009         211,624                 7,455         35,599         66,406                 20,135         341,219    
         
    James M. Spiezio         2008         212,466                 15,848         87,855         57,552                 20,218         393,939    
  
    Vice President of Engineering         2010         194,310                 35,219         89,919         19,496                 13,502         352,446    
         
    and Chief Technology Officer         2009         190,008                 6,683         31,957         59,623                 13,768         302,039    
         
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz         2008         190,764                 14,208         78,868         51,673                 14,201         349,714    
  
    Vice President, Asset Management         2010         155,692                 35,219         73,797         16,000                 4,643         285,351    
         
    and Market Development         2009         140,539                                 44,000                 4,281         188,820    
         
    Judith F. Judson         2008         134,649                         38,500         37,000                 2,745         212,894    
(1)
Salaries are reported on the accrual basis.

(2)
Cash bonuses to the executive officers were made under our Incentive Compensation Plan, and thus are reported in the column titled, "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation." No bonuses were made to the executive officers outside of this plan.

(3)
For 2010, the stock awards represent the grant date fair value of the PSUs granted to the executive officers under their Executive Agreements during the year. These PSUs will cliff-vest as of December 31, 2012, subject to the achievement of certain EBITDA targets. If the targets are not met, the PSUs will be forfeited. Management believes that the targets that were set for the 2010 PSUs are extremely difficult to meet, and that the probability of meeting these targets is very low. For 2009 and 2008, the stock awards represent the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to the executive officers under their Executive Agreements during those years.

27


    The fair value of the PSUs and RSUs is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a discussion on the assumptions made in the valuation of these PSUS and RSUs.

(4)
Options include the grant date fair value of the options granted to the executives during the year, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a discussion of the assumptions made in the valuation of these options.

(5)
The amounts shown as "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" represent the actual bonuses earned per the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Incentive Bonus Plans. These bonuses were paid in February 2009, March 2010 and April 2011, respectively. See details of the incentive bonus plan structure in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

(6)
All of our employees, including our executive officers, are eligible to participate in our qualified deferred-contribution plan (401(k)). There are no additional executive retirement plans.

(7)
The amounts shown in the "All Other Compensation" column consist of the following:

 
 
  Name and Principal Position
   
  Year
   
  Officer Life
Insurance
Premium
(a)

   
  Company
Contributions
to 401(k) Plan
(b)

   
  Mileage
Reimbursement
(c)

   
  Other
Reimbursement
(d)

   
  Total—All
Other
Compensation

   
    President and Chief         2010       $       $ 7,350       $       $       $ 7,350    
         
    Executive Officer         2009         2,964         7,517                         10,481    
         
    F. William Capp         2008         6,125         6,900         16,400         1,000         30,425    
  
    Vice President of Finance         2010         13,807         6,641                         20,448    
         
    and Chief Financial Officer         2009         13,810         6,325                         20,135    
         
    James M. Spiezio         2008         13,894         6,324                         20,218    
  
    Vice President of Engineering         2010         3,797         5,793         3,912                 13,502    
         
    and Chief Technology Officer         2009         3,787         5,678         4,303                 13,768    
         
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz         2008         3,847         5,679         4,675                 14,201    
  
    Vice President, Asset Management         2010                 4,643                         4,643    
         
    and Market Development         2009                 4,281                         4,281    
         
    Judith F. Judson         2008                 2,745                         2,745    
    (a)
    Represents the cost of life insurance coverage which is provided to the executive officers for which we are not the beneficiary.

28


    (b)
    We match 50% of the amount our plan participants contribute to our qualified defined contribution (401(k)) plan. The maximum company matching contribution is 3% of salary. The amounts shown represent the company matching contributions for the individuals choosing to participate in the plan.

    (c)
    In January 2008, we relocated our offices and manufacturing facility from Wilmington, Massachusetts to Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. As a result of the move, a significant percentage of our work force had longer daily commutes to and from work. To compensate the employees for the additional commuting cost and as an incentive not to leave the Company, the Board authorized management to pay affected employees a mileage differential. This mileage differential is paid each quarter over a three-year period, and is calculated based upon the incremental number of commuter miles, times the IRS mileage rate, times the number of work days per quarter (which has been determined to be 60 days.) Affected employees who relocate their personal residence nearer the Tyngsboro facility are eligible for a one-time payout of the mileage compensation remaining through the end of the program (which is December 31, 2010). In 2008, Mr. Capp and Mr. Lazarewicz were both eligible for this mileage reimbursement program. During 2008, Mr. Capp relocated his residence, and so received the one-time payout noted above. In 2009 and 2010, only Mr. Lazarewicz continued to be eligible for the mileage differential payments.

    (d)
    Represents reimbursement of the cost of an executive physical examination to which the officers are entitled every other year under the terms of the Executive Agreement.

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

        The following table shows all grants made to our executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2010:

 






   
 





   
 





   
 





   
   
   
   
   
 





   
   
   
   
   
 





  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(3)

 





   
 





   
 





   
   
   
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
  Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)

  Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards

 
  Name
   
  Grant
Date

   
  Approval
Date

   
  Threshold
($)

   
  Target
($)

   
  Maximum
($)

   
  Threshold
(#)

   
  Target
(#)

   
  Maximum
(#)

   
   
   
   

 

            4/26/2010         4/26/2010       $       $ 276,250       $ 428,188                                                                
     

 

            4/26/2010         4/26/2010                                                                     45,000       $ 4.46       $ 126,000    
     

 

 

F. William Capp

        4/26/2010         7/21/2010                                                                     52,335       $ 4.46         78,503    
     

 

            6/30/2010         7/21/2010                                               22,011         33,016                             70,435    

 

            4/26/2010         4/26/2010                 86,855         134,625                                                                
     

 

 

James M. Spiezio

        4/26/2010         4/26/2010                                                                     35,767       $ 4.46         100,148    
     

 

            6/30/2010         7/21/2010                                               11,006         16,509                             35,219    

 

            4/26/2010         4/26/2010                 77,983         120,874                                                                
     

 

 

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

        4/26/2010         4/26/2010                                                                     32,114       $ 4.46         89,919    
     

 

            6/30/2010         7/21/2010                                               11,006         16,509                             35,219    

 

            4/26/2010         4/26/2010                 64,000         99,200                                                                
     

 

 

Judith F. Judson

        4/26/2010         4/26/2010                                                                     26,356       $ 4.46         73,797    
     

 

            6/30/2010         7/21/2010                                               11,006         16,509                             35,219    

Note that the column titled "All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units" was not presented for 2010 because there were no such awards made in 2010.

(1)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards:    The amount shown in the Target column represents the amount which executive officers were eligible to receive if all goals for the 2010 Performance Bonus Plan were met. If none of the goals were achieved, no bonus would be paid, as reflected in the Threshold column. In addition, there were "stretch" goals, which if achieved, could have resulted in bonus payments of up to 155% of the Target amounts for the executive officers. These stretch goal amounts are reflected in the "Maximum" column in the table above.

(2)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards:    These awards represent PSUs granted to the executive officers under the 2010 Executive Agreements. These PSUs cliff-vest on December 31, 2012, based upon the achievement of the performance goals. The goals are based on the achievement of certain Adjusted EBITDA targets. (See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as our income before the effect of interest expenses, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and equity compensation expenses as set forth in our audited Consolidated Statement of Operations and the related Notes. Any portion of the PSUs that does not vest as of the determination date (March 15, 2013) shall be forfeited. The PSUs granted in 2010 were granted contingent upon shareholder approval of the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. This approval was obtained at the 2010 Shareholder Meeting held July 21, 2010, thus the grant date for accounting valuation purposes is considered to be July 21, 2010. The closing price of our stock on July 21, 2010, was $3.20.

(3)
Option Awards:    These awards represent options granted to the executive officers under the 2010 Executive Agreements. The exercise price of the options was $4.46, which was the closing price of our stock on the date of grant. A portion of the options granted to Mr. Capp in 2010 were granted contingent upon shareholder approval of the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. This approval was obtained at the 2010 Shareholder Meeting held July 21, 2010, thus the grant date for accounting valuation purposes for that portion of the option grant is considered to be July 21, 2010. The stock price on July 21, 2010, was $3.20.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

        The following table shows the unexercised options, unvested stock grants, and equity incentive plan awards outstanding relating to our executive officers as of December 31, 2010:

                                                                                                   
              Option Awards         Stock Awards    
         
    Name         Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
        Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
(1)
        Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
        Option
Exercise
Price
($)
        Option
Expiration
Date
        Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(1)
        Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That have
Not Vested
($)(2)(3)
        Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)(1)
        Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares,
Units, or
Other Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(2)
   
              30,000                           $ 8.90         12/1/2011                                            
              60,000                           $ 8.90         12/1/2011                                            
              60,000                           $ 7.40         10/13/2014                                            
              11,868                           $ 15.80         5/8/2016                                            
    F. William Capp         8,953                           $ 15.80         3/2/2017                                            
              35,637                           $ 8.90         3/2/2017                                            
              29,128                           $ 12.50         2/14/2018                                            
              23,303         11,651                 $ 4.90         4/3/2019         1,294       $ 2,847                        
              14,994         30,006                 $ 4.46         4/25/2020                                            
              17,438         34,897                 $ 4.46         7/21/2020                             22,011       $ 48,424    
              3,239                           $ 7.00         3/15/2012                                            
              4,762                           $ 7.00         3/15/2012                                            
              45,000                           $ 7.40         10/13/2014                                            
              5,091                           $ 15.80         5/8/2016                                            
    James M. Spiezio         3,841                           $ 15.80         3/2/2017                                            
              15,437                           $ 8.90         3/2/2017                                            
              11,410                           $ 12.50         2/14/2018                                            
              9,128         4,564                 $ 4.90         4/3/2019         508       $ 1,118                        
              11,918         23,849                 $ 4.46         4/25/2020                             11,006       $ 24,213    
              5,453                           $ 7.00         3/15/2012                                            
              2,548                           $ 7.00         3/15/2012                                            
              35,000                           $ 7.40         10/13/2014                                            
              4,661                           $ 15.80         5/8/2016                                            
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz         3,516                           $ 15.80         3/2/2017                                            
              13,859                           $ 8.90         3/2/2017                                            
              10,243                           $ 12.50         2/14/2018                                            
              8,195         4,097                 $ 4.90         4/3/2019         455       $ 1,001                        
              10,700         21,414                 $ 4.46         4/25/2020                             11,006       $ 24,213    
              5,000                           $ 16.30         8/28/2017                                            
    Judith F. Judson         4,565         435                 $ 12.50         2/14/2018                                            
              8,782         17,574                 $ 4.46         4/25/2020                             11,006       $ 24,213    

31


(1)
The vesting schedule of unvested options, RSUs and PSUs is outlined in the table below. The PSUs, as reflected in the Stock Award column titled, "Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested", will vest contingently on December 31, 2012, assuming the performance and employment requirements are met. However, the performance targets are considered by management to be extremely difficult to meet, and management believes the probability of meeting these targets to be very low. These requirements are detailed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

              # Shares Vesting for Date Shown:    
         
              Mr. Capp         Mr. Spiezio         Mr. Lazarewicz         Ms. Judson    
         
    Vesting Date         Options         Stock         Options         Stock         Options         Stock         Options         Stock    
    January 1, 2011                                                         435            
    March 31, 2011         11,022         323         4,120         127         3,699         114         2,195            
    June 30, 2011         11,019         324         4,121         127         3,699         113         2,196            
    September 30, 2011         11,022         323         4,120         127         3,700         114         2,195            
    December 31, 2011         11,020         324         4,121         127         3,699         114         2,196            
    March 31, 2012         8,109                 2,979                   2,675                 2,195            
    June 30, 2012         8,107                 2,979                   2,675                 2,195            
    September 30, 2012         8,109                 2,980                   2,675                 2,196            
    December 31, 2012         8,146         22,011         2,993         11,006         2,689         11,006         2,206         11,006    
(2)
Unvested RSUs and PSUs were valued at the closing price of our stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of December 31, 2010, which was $2.20.

(3)
On September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2010, a portion of the RSUs granted to the executive officers based upon their Executive Agreements vested. However, conversion of these RSUs to common stock was delayed under the terms of the applicable grant agreement because the trading window for insiders was closed from the date of vesting through December 31, 2010. The numbers and shares that vested but were not converted by December 31, 2010, were as follows: Mr. Capp, 1,187 shares; Mr. Spiezio, 465 shares; and Mr. Lazarewicz, 417 shares.

32



Option Exercises and Stock Vested

        The following table sets forth the number of shares acquired and the value realized upon exercise of stock options and vesting of RSUs during 2010 and the number of shares of our common stock acquired on vesting of RSUs during 2010. None of our executive officers exercised options during 2010, so no amounts are reported under those columns. The value realized for the RSUs is based on the stock closing price on the vesting date.

 
 
   
  Option Awards
   
  Stock Awards
   
 
  Name
   
  Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)

   
  Value Realized
on Exercise
($)

   
  Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#)

   
  Value Realized
on Vesting
($)

   
    F. William Capp               $         2,373.0       $ 7,652    
    James M. Spiezio                         929.8         2,999    
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz                         833.8         2,689    
    Judith F. Judson                                    

        The number of shares vested and value realized on vesting during 2010 includes shares that vested as of September 30, 2010, and December 31, 2010, but which were not issued during 2010 under the terms of the applicable grant agreement because the trading window for insiders was closed between the date of vesting and December 31, 2010. The number of shares involved was 1,187 for Mr. Capp, 417 for Mr. Lazarewicz, and 465 for Mr. Spiezio. The stock price per share for the shares vesting September 30, 2010, was $2.90, and $2.20 for the shares vesting on December 31, 2010. However, there were also shares that vested as of December 31, 2009, which were not issued until April 8, 2010, also because the trading window was closed at the date of vesting. The number of shares involved was 9,249 for Mr. Capp, 3,370 for Mr. Lazarewicz, and 3,757 for Mr. Spiezio.

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Table of Contents


Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Severance Compensation & Termination Protection

        The Executive Agreements provide for severance compensation to be paid if the executive officers are terminated under certain conditions, such as a change in control of the Company or a termination without cause by us, each as is defined in the agreements.

Terms Used

        The "termination date" is the date on which the executive officer resigns or notifies us that he will resign, or the date on which we notified the executive officer that employment will be terminated.

        The following are the definitions for the various termination and change of control scenarios:

    Termination for Cause.  We have the option to terminate any of the executives immediately upon written notice for "cause." "Cause" is defined as a finding by the Board of Directors that the executive has committed various egregious acts, such as fraud, embezzlement or other felony, or otherwise materially breached his or her obligations to the Company.

    Resignation without "Good Reason."  The executive can terminate the agreement, for any reason, upon providing us at least 90 days written notice.

    Termination without Cause.  We can elect to terminate the executive, without cause, upon at least 90 days written notice.

    Resignation with "Good Reason."  The executive can terminate the agreement with at least 30 days written notice in certain circumstances, known as "good reason." These reasons include material diminution of the duties, responsibilities, position or job title without the executive's written consent, a material breach by the Company of its obligations under this agreement, a change in the primary location to a location more than 50 miles away from Tyngsboro, MA, sale of the business, or in the case of Mr. Capp, our CEO, his failure to be nominated for reelection to the Board or his removal from the Board without cause.

    Death or Disability.  We can terminate the employment of the executive, at our discretion, upon the disability of the executive. In general, disability is defined as physical or mental incapacity to perform his or her normal duties for a period of 60 days (not counting days taken for vacation) during any 180-day period.

    Continuation / Non-renewal of Contract.  Unless the agreement has been otherwise terminated before the end of the scheduled employment period (which is March 31, 2011), the Company and the executive agree to discuss in good faith the possible continuation of the executive's employment, commencing six months prior to such date. If we fail to offer the executive a new employment agreement, with at least equivalent material terms to this agreement by March 31, 2011, and in fact the executive ceases to be our employee (except for cause), certain payments will become due as noted below. The executive officers entered into new employment agreements with the Company on March 4, 2011, which became effective on that date, and will continue unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Termination Payments for Each Type of Termination

    Terminations for Cause or Resignations without Good Reason.  If the executive is terminated for cause or resigns without good reason, we would pay the executive his or her accrued base salary through the last date of his or her employment, and would continue to provide the remainder of the benefits (e.g., health insurance) through the termination date.

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Table of Contents

    Terminations without Cause or Resignations with Good Reason.  If we elect to terminate the executive without cause or if the executive resigns with 30 days notice for good reason, we will pay to the executive a cash amount equal to his or her monthly base salary multiplied by twelve, and will continue to provide the remainder of the benefit package until the first anniversary of the termination date. Additionally, within five business days of the termination date, we will pay the executive an amount equal to the bonus paid (or which has been determined but not yet paid) for the prior fiscal year, prorated for the portion of the current fiscal year which was worked, up to a maximum of 80% of the executive's base salary for the prior year. We believe this is appropriate because the terminated executive officer is bound by confidentiality and non-compete provisions covering one year after termination and because we and the executive officer have mutually agreed to the severance package that is in place prior to any termination event. This provides us with more flexibility to make a change in senior management if such a change is in our and our stockholders' best interests.

    Death or Disability.  In the event employment is terminated due to death or disability of the executive, we will continue to pay to the executive or his or her estate an amount equal to the base salary for a three-month period following the termination date, and will continue all health and dental insurance benefits for a twelve-month period following the termination date.

    Continuation / Non-renewal of Contract.  If, at the end of the employment period, we fail to offer the executive a substantially equivalent contract and the executive ceases to be an employee, except for cause, we agree to pay the executive a monthly amount for twelve months equal to his or her last prevailing monthly base salary, plus one-twelfth of his or her bonus for our most recent fiscal year.

Effect of Termination of Employment Relative to RSUs, PSUs and Options

        If the executive terminates for any reason, including by resignation or termination (with or without cause), the executive may retain all RSUs and PSUs that have vested before the termination date. However, any RSUs and PSUs vesting after the termination date will be forfeited. In relation to options, if employment is terminated by reason of death, disability, resignation or without cause, any vested but unexercised options will expire if not exercised within 365 days after the termination date, and any options that were not vested before the termination date are forfeited. In the case of termination for cause, all vested and unvested options will expire immediately. In addition, we may, in our sole discretion, by written notice demand that any or all stock certificates for shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of any option, or any profit realized from the sale or transfer of such shares, be returned to us. The exercise price will be returned to the executive officer, without interest.

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Table of Contents

        If any of the executive officers' employment were terminated as of December 31, 2010, under the indicated circumstances, the following options and RSUs would have been forfeited or would expire by December 31, 2011, if not exercised:

 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
  # Unvested Units Forfeited:
   
  Vested Options That Would Expire 12/31/10 if Not Exercised
   
 
   
   
       
 
  Officer
   
  Options
   
  RSU
   
  PSU
   
  From
4/26/10
Grant

   
  From
4/3/2009
Grant

   
  From
2/14/2008
Grant

   
  From
3/2/07
Grant

   
  From
5/8/06
Grant

   
  From
Other
Option
Grants

   
  Total
Vested
Options

   
 

 

 

F. William Capp

        76,554         1,294         22,011         32,432         23,303         29,128         44,590         11,868         150,000         291,321    

 

 

James M. Spiezio

        28,413         508         11,006         11,918         9,128         11,410         19,278         5,091         53,001         109,826    

 

 

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

        25,511         455         11,006         10,700         8,195         10,243         17,375         4,661         43,001         94,175    

 

 

Judith F. Judson

        18,009                 11,006         8,782                 4,565                         5,000         18,347    

        Note that the executive officers had received options from grants made prior to the May 6, 2006, Executive Agreements, as indicated in the above table. Options received from those prior grants were fully vested as of December 31, 2010. Certain of those options would expire within 90 days of termination if not exercised, rather than within 365 days. In addition, Ms. Judson was granted 5,000 options on August 28, 2007, at which time she was employed by us as consultant. Under the terms of that option agreement, if Ms. Judson's service to us ceases for any reason other than a Breach of Conduct, as defined by the agreement, all options that are vested as of the service termination date continue to be exercisable until the final exercise date, which is April 25, 2020. All 5,000 options from this grant were vested as of December 31, 2010.

36


        The following table shows the total amounts that would have been payable as of December 31, 2010, under various termination scenarios:

 
 
  Officer
   
  Type of Termination
   
  Accrued
Salary
(1)

   
  Accrued
Vacation
(2)

   
  Accrued
Bonus for
2010

   
  Health &
Dental
Benefits
(3)

   
  Total #
Vested
Options

   
  Potential
Gain if all
Vested
Options
Were
Exercised
on 12/31/10
(4)

   
  Total
Payout
Value at
12/31/10

   
 
            Termination for Cause       $ 6,250       $ 107,677       $       $               $       $ 113,927    
             
            Resignation without "Good Reason"         6,250         107,677                         291,321                 113,927    
             
    F. William Capp       Termination without Cause         331,250         107,677         69,063         30,858         291,321                 538,848    
             
            Resignation with "Good Reason"         331,250         107,677         69,063         30,858         291,321                 538,848    
             
            Death or disability(5)         87,500         107,677         69,063         30,858         291,321                 295,098    
            Termination for Cause         4,176         63,699                                         67,875    
             
            Resignation without "Good Reason"         4,176         63,699                         109,826                 67,875    
             
    James M. Spiezio       Termination without Cause         221,313         63,699         21,714         26,826         109,826                 333,552    
             
            Resignation with "Good Reason"         221,313         63,699         21,714         26,826         109,826                 333,552    
             
            Death or disability(5)         58,460         63,699         21,714         26,826         109,826                 170,699    
            Termination for Cause         4,727         37,785                                         42,512    
             
            Resignation without "Good Reason"         4,727         37,785                         94,175                 42,512    
             
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz       Termination without Cause         199,685         37,785         19,496         20,663         94,175                 277,629    
             
            Resignation with "Good Reason"         199,685         37,785         19,496         20,663         94,175                 277,629    
             
            Death or disability(5)         53,467         37,785         19,496         20,663         94,175                 131,411    
            Termination for Cause         3,077         14,559                                         17,636    
             
            Resignation without "Good Reason"         3,077         14,559                         18,347                 17,636    
             
    Judith F. Judson       Termination without Cause         163,077         14,559         16,000         8,979         18,347                 202,615    
             
            Resignation with "Good Reason"         163,077         14,559         16,000         8,979         18,347                 202,615    
             
            Death or disability(5)         43,077         14,559         16,000         8,979         18,347                 82,615    
(1)
Salaries are paid bi-weekly for that two week period and were paid through December 24, 2010; therefore, accrued salaries as of December 31, 2010, represent an accrual for five days, Monday, December 26 through Friday, December 31, 2010. Amounts shown represent termination payments under the terms of the Executive Agreements plus accruals for regular time worked.

(2)
Under the 2010 Executive Agreements, officers are allowed to carry forward only the remaining unused vacation earned prior to January 1, 2010, plus a maximum of ten days earned in the current year. Any excess is forfeited as of the end of the year. Mr. Capp forfeited ten days and Mr. Spiezio forfeited 3.25 days of accrued vacation as of December 31, 2010.

(3)
Health and dental benefits are calculated based on the 2011 monthly cost for the insurance plans in which the officers are currently enrolled.

(4)
There would be no potential gain if the officers had exercised and sold all vested stock options on December 31, 2010, because the option exercise prices for all vested options are equal to or higher than the stock closing price as of December 31, 2010.

(5)
One-third of this amount to be paid each month over a three month period.

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Change of Control

Objectives

        As part of our normal course of business, we engage in discussions with other companies about possible collaborations, licensing and/or other ways in which the companies may work together to further our respective long-term objectives. In addition, as a development stage company with intellectual property, we may become a potential acquisition target by companies significantly larger and better financed than we are. In certain scenarios, the potential for a merger or for being acquired may be in the best interests of our stockholders. We provide severance compensation, along with accelerated vesting of certain long-term equity compensation, if an executive officer is terminated as a result of a change of control transaction. We believe that this promotes the ability of our executive officers to act in the best interests of our stockholders even though they could be terminated as a result of the transaction.

Definition

        An "Acquisition Event" is defined as (a) any merger or consolidation which results in our voting securities outstanding immediately prior thereto representing immediately thereafter (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or acquiring entity) less than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving or acquiring entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; (b) any sale of all or substantially all of our assets; or (c) our complete liquidation.

Impact of Change of Control on Options, RSUs and PSUs

        Upon the occurrence of an Acquisition Event, the authorized administrator of our 2010 Stock Incentive Plan shall take any one or more of the following actions with respect to the RSUs, PSUs and options:

1)
Provide that the RSUs, PSUs and/or options shall be assumed, or equivalent equity compensation substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation; and/or

2)
Provide that any portion of the RSUs that are vested but not converted and/or any portion of the options that are vested but not exercised become converted or exercisable, in full, as of a specified time prior to the Acquisition Event and will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Acquisition Event unless exercised (in the case of options) during that period.

        If an Acquisition Event had occurred on December 31, 2010, the following unvested RSUs and PSUs would have been forfeited, along with any vested options if not exercised prior to the consummation of the acquisition event.

 



   
 


  # Unvested Units
Forfeited:

 


   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 


   
 


   
  Vested Options That Would Expire 12/31/10 if Not Exercised
  Potential
Gain if all

   
       
 
   
   
   
   
  Vested
Options
Were
Exercised
on
12/31/10

   
 
  Officer
   
  Options
   
  RSU
   
  PSU
   
  From
4/26/10
Grant

   
  From
4/3/2009
Grant

   
  From
2/14/2008
Grant

   
  From
3/2/07
Grant

   
  From
5/8/06
Grant

   
 
From
Other
Option
Grants

   
  Total
Vested
Options

   
   
    F. William Capp         76,554         1,294         22,011         32,432         23,303         29,128         44,590         11,868         150,000         291,321       $    
    James M. Spiezio         28,413         508         11,006         11,918         9,128         11,410         19,278         5,091         53,001         109,826            
    Matthew L. Lazarewicz         25,511         455         11,006         10,700         8,195         10,243         17,375         4,661         43,001         94,175            
    Judith F. Judson         18,009                 11,006         8,782                 4,565                         5,000         18,347            

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        There would be no potential gain related to the exercise of all vested options at December 31, 2010 because the exercise price of the options was greater than or equal to the stock closing price at December 31, 2010.

3)
Provide for cash payments to common shareholders for each share of common stock surrendered, in which the following could occur:

a.
The unvested RSUs will terminate upon consummation of the Acquisition Event, and the executive officer will receive, in exchange, a cash payment equal to the amount of the acquisition price multiplied by the number of shares of common stock subject to the unvested RSUs.

b.
The options will terminate upon consummation of the Acquisition Event, and the executive officer will receive a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) by which the acquisition price times the number of options (both vested and unvested) exceeds the cash price of the option.

        If an Acquisition Event occurred on December 31, 2010, and this alternative was elected, the amount of cash received by the executive officers would vary based on the acquisition price. Assuming the acquisition price was equal to the closing price of our stock as of the end of the fiscal year ($2.20), the following payments would have been made:

 
 
  Officer
   
  # Shares
Owned

   
  # Vested
RSUs not
issued

   
  Potential Proceeds
from Sale of shares
owned at 12/31/10

   
  Potential Proceeds
from Sale of Vested
but Unissued
RSUs at 12/31/10

   
 

 

 

F. William Capp

        57,324         1,187       $ 126,113       $ 2,611    

 

 

James M. Spiezio

        27,124         465         59,673         1,023    

 

 

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

        28,176         417         61,987         917    

 

 

Judith F. Judson

                                   
4)
Provide that the unvested RSUs and PSUs and/or the options become exercisable, realizable or vested in full, or be free of all conditions or restrictions, prior to the consummation of the Acquisition Event, or if applicable, be replaced by equivalent RSUs, PSUs or options by the acquiring or succeeding corporation.

    The number of units that could potentially have become fully vested and value of those units, should the officer have exercised the option or sold the stock resulting from the issuance of the RSU or PSU, based on the stock closing price on December 31, 2010, is as follows:

 
 
  Officer
   
  Options
(#)

   
  Proceeds
from Exercise
of Options

   
  RSU
(#)

   
  Proceeds
from RSUs

   
  PSU
(#)

   
  Proceeds
from PSUs

   
 

 

 

F. William Capp

        76,554       $         2,481       $ 5,458         22,011       $ 48,424    

 

 

James M. Spiezio

        28,413                 973         2,141         11,006         24,213    

 

 

Matthew L. Lazarewicz

        25,511                 872         1,918         11,006         24,213    

 

 

Judith F. Judson

        18,009                                 11,006         24,213    

        Note that options granted prior to 2008 were fully vested as of December 31, 2010.

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Table of Contents


Summary of "Walk-Away" Value in the Event of a Change of Control or Acquisition Event

        If a change of control were to occur, the executive officers would be entitled to resign with good reason. The following is a summary of the total "walk-away" value as of December 31, 2010, under the various change of control or acquisition event alternatives discussed above:

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Post Acquisition:
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
  Officer
   
  Alternative
   
  Cash
compensation
(salary /
benefits)
(1)

   
  Potential
proceeds
from sale
of stock
(2)

   
  Potential
gain from
exercise of vested options
(3)

   
  Potential
cash
payment
for
unvested
options
(4)

   
  Potential
proceeds
from RSUs
(5)

   
  Total
"Walk-Away"
value at
12/31/10

   
  Unvested
options
forfeited

   
  Unvested
RSUs and
PSUs
forfeited

   
  Vested
options
that would
expire
12/31/10
if not
exercised

   
  # Options
outstanding

   
  # Unvested
RSUs and
PSUs

   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

         

1)  RSUs/Options assumed by acquirer

      $ 538,848       $ 126,113       $       $       $       $ 664,9611                                 367,875         23,305    
             

 

         

2)  Vested options/RSUs exercisable prior to acquisition and terminated if not exercised

        538,848         126,113                         2,611         667,572         76,554         23,305         291,321                    
             

 

  F. William
Capp
     

3)  Cash payment equal to value of unvested RSUs, undistributed vested RSUs and all options

        538,848         126,113                         5,458         670,419                                            
             

 

         

4)  Accelerate vesting for RSUs and options as of acquisition date

        538,848         126,113                         5,458         670,419                                            

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Table of Contents

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Post Acquisition:
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
  Officer
   
  Alternative
   
  Cash
compensation
(salary /
benefits)
(1)

   
  Potential
proceeds
from sale
of stock
(2)

   
  Potential
gain from
exercise of vested options
(3)

   
  Potential
cash
payment
for
unvested
options
(4)

   
  Potential
proceeds
from RSUs
(5)

   
  Total
"Walk-Away"
value at
12/31/10

   
  Unvested
options
forfeited

   
  Unvested
RSUs and
PSUs
forfeited

   
  Vested
options
that would
expire
12/31/10
if not
exercised

   
  # Options
outstanding

   
  # Unvested
RSUs and
PSUs

   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

         

1)  RSUs/Options assumed by acquirer

        333,552         59,673                                 393,225                                 138,239         11,514    
             

 

         

2)  Vested options/RSUs exercisable prior to acquisition and terminated if not exercised

        333,552         59,673                         1,023         394,248         28,413         11,514         109,826                    
             

 

  James M.
Spiezio
     

3)  Cash payment equal to value of unvested RSUs, undistributed vested RSUs and all options

        333,552         59,673                         2,141         395,366                                            
             

 

         

4)  Accelerate vesting for RSUs and options as of acquisition date

        333,552         59,673                         2,141         395,366                                            

 

         

1)  RSUs/Options assumed by acquirer

        277,629         61,987                                 339,616                                 119,686         11,461    
             

 

         

2)  Vested options/RSUs exercisable prior to acquisition and terminated if not exercised

        277,629         61,987                         917         340,533         25,511         11,461         94,175                    
             

 

  Matthew L.
Lazarewicz
     

3)  Cash payment equal to value of unvested RSUs, undistributed vested RSUs and all options

        277,629         61,987                         1,918         341,534                                            
             

 

         

4)  Accelerate vesting for RSUs and options as of acquisition date

        277,629         61,987                         1,918         341,534                                            

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Table of Contents

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Post Acquisition:
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
  Officer
   
  Alternative
   
  Cash
compensation
(salary /
benefits)
(1)

   
  Potential
proceeds
from sale
of stock
(2)

   
  Potential
gain from
exercise of vested options
(3)

   
  Potential
cash
payment
for
unvested
options
(4)

   
  Potential
proceeds
from RSUs
(5)

   
  Total
"Walk-Away"
value at
12/31/10

   
  Unvested
options
forfeited

   
  Unvested
RSUs and
PSUs
forfeited

   
  Vested
options
that would
expire
12/31/10
if not
exercised

   
  # Options
outstanding

   
  # Unvested
RSUs and
PSUs

   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

         

1)  RSUs/Options assumed by acquirer

        202,615                                         202,615                                 36,356         11,006    
             

 

         

2)  Vested options/RSUs exercisable prior to acquisition and terminated if not exercised

        202,615                                         202,615         25,511         11,006         18,347                    
             

 

  Judith F.
Judson
     

3)  Cash payment equal to value of unvested RSUs and all options

        202,615                                         202,615                                            
             

 

         

4)  Accelerate vesting for RSUs and options as of acquisition date

        202,615                                         202,615                                            
(1)
The total shown represents accrued salary, accrued vacation, accrued bonus and health and dental benefits to which the executive officer would be entitled based on a resignation with good reason.

(2)
The proceeds from sale of stock is calculated based on the number of shares owned directly by the executive officer that were received by him as a result of his or her service as an executive officer of the Company, multiplied by our stock price at December 31, 2010.

(3)
The potential gain from the exercise of vested options is calculated at the difference between the option exercise price and the stock closing price as of December 31, 2010. There would be no potential gain related to the exercise of all vested options at December 31, 2010, because the exercise price of the options is greater than or equal to the stock closing price at December 31, 2010.

(4)
The potential cash payment for unvested options represents the cash amount that would be paid, equal to the amount (if any) by which the acquisition price times the number of unvested options exceeds the exercise price of the option. Since the exercise price of all unvested options is greater than or equal to the stock closing price at December 31, 2010, there would be no payment for unvested options as of December 31, 2010. Note that payment, if any, would relate only to outstanding options granted since May 6, 2009. Options granted in prior years do not contain this provision to allow for cash payments.

(5)
For change of control alternative 2) above, the amount shown represents the potential proceeds for the sale of RSUs that were vested but unissued as of year-end, valued at the stock closing price as of December 31, 2010. For alternative 3) above, the amount shown represents the cash payment for the unvested RSUs plus the potential proceeds from the sale of RSUs that were vested but unissued as of year-end, both valued at the stock closing price as of December 31, 2010.

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Table of Contents


Consideration of Risk in Compensation Programs

        As part of its oversight of our compensation policies, the Compensation Committee considers the incentives created by our executive compensation program and the effect that our compensation policies and practices could have on our overall risk profile. In addition, the Compensation Committee annually reviews our compensation policies and practices to determine whether they create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Examples of elements that the Committee has taken into account are: (a) cash and non-cash incentives, (b) short, medium and long term targets and compensation, (c) time-vested and performance-based measures, and (d) overall, targets and structures that enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate employees and align their interests with stockholders' interests. Based on its latest review, the Committee has concluded that our compensation policies and procedures do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, the Compensation Committee engaged Towers Watson during 2010 to conduct a qualitative review of its executive compensation programs. The Committee decided that granting performance share units (PSUs) annually instead of every four years would better mitigate risk taking and allow for more realistic goal-setting that are attuned to shareholder interests. In addition, the Committee decided to implement a share retention requirement in the PSU plan that was implemented in 2010, i.e., a portion of the net after tax PSUs once earned will be restricted and may not be sold for two years after vesting to insure longer term achievement of goals.


Director Compensation

Standard Director Compensation Arrangements

        Our non-employee directors are compensated with a package that consists of both stock options and cash. Effective November 18, 2010, the Board decided to temporarily reduce their cash retainers and fees by 25% in response to the current stock price and the company's then current cash position.

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Table of Contents


The following table illustrates our existing directors' compensation structure for all non-employee directors, except for the Chairman of the Board, for fiscal 2010:

 
 
  Cash Payments:
   
  Annual amount
effective from
1/1/2010
through
11/17/2010

   
  Quarterly rate
effective from
1/1/2010
through
11/17/2010

   
  Quarterly rate
effective from
11/18/2010
through
6/30/2011

   
    Retainers (paid in quarterly installments and prorated for new directors or partial periods):                                  
    Annual retainer       $ 10,000       $ 2,500       $ 1,875    

 

 

Other retainers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
            Audit Committee Chair         10,000         2,500         1,875    
            Audit Committee Member (non-Chair)         5,000         1,250         938    
            Compensation Committee Chair         7,500         1,875         1,406    
            Other Committee Chair         5,000         1,250         938    

 

 

Meeting fees, paid per meeting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    Fees for attending board meetings:                                  
            In person         2,000         2,000         1,500    
            Via conference call         1,000         1,000         750    

 

 

Fees for attending meetings of committees of which the director is a member:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
            In person         1,500         1,500         1,125    
            Via conference call         500         500         375    

 

 

Maximum meetings fees/day

 

 

 

 

4,500

 

 

 

 

4,500

 

 

 

 

4,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
  Stock Compensation:
   
  Amount (# Options)
   
   
   

 

 

Stock Options—annual grant(i)

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    Stock Options—grant upon joining board(ii)                                  
(i)
On December 1st of each year, all non-employee directors of the Company are granted a stock option, with an exercise price of the options equal to the closing price of our stock on the date of grant. The 2010 options were granted under our 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, become exercisable in twelve substantially-equal monthly installments on the anniversary of the date of grant and have a term of ten years from date of grant.

(ii)
The Board will grant to each person who joins the Board a non-qualified stock option for twice the number of shares covered by the annual stock option most recently granted by the company to existing board members. In addition, the Board will grant to each person who joins the Board a nonqualified stock option for as many shares as were covered by the annual stock option most recently granted by the Company to existing Board members, prorated by multiplying that number times the period remaining until the next anticipated grant date for annual stock options for board members, divided by 12. The exercise price for these stock options shall be the closing price on the grant date. Start options for new directors typically vest monthly over a three-year period, expire after ten years and continue to be exercisable once vested, regardless of whether the director continues to serve on our board.

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Table of Contents

    Chairman of the Board Compensation Arrangements

            The Chairman of the Board is also compensated with a package that consists of both stock options and cash:

    The Chairman is paid a cash retainer that is calculated at 150% of the average cash compensation earned during the prior fiscal year by all other non-executive directors as a group, including committee chairmanships, paid in equal quarterly installments. The Chairman retainer was also reduced by 25% effective November 18, 2010.

    The stock compensation is computed at 150% of the average share or option amounts granted to others for the same year.

Director Compensation Paid in 2010

        The following table represents the compensation paid to our Board of Directors with respect to fiscal 2010.

 
 
  Name
   
  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
(2)

   
  Option
Awards ($)
(3)

   
  All Other
Compensation
($)(1)

   
  Total ($)
   
    Stephen P. Adik(1)       $ 63,500       $ 7,232       $ 9,000       $ 79,732    
    Daniel E. Kletter         63,901         6,500                 70,401    
    Virgil G. Rose (Chairman)         89,495         9,750                 99,245    
    Jack P. Smith         60,803         6,500                 67,303    
    Edward A. Weihman         51,377         6,500                 57,877    

        In addition to the individuals noted above, F. William Capp, CEO of Beacon Power, serves as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Capp's compensation is shown in the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Capp does not receive any additional compensation for his service on the Board of Directors.

    (1)
    Mr. Adik resigned from the Board on November 29, 2010. In addition, on December 16, 2010, the board granted him a nonqualified stock option for the number of shares he would have received on December 1, 2010, had he not resigned from the board. The board also gave Mr. Adik a new grant of 387 options to replace options granted on December 1, 2009, which had not vested as of the date of his resignation and which were therefore forfeited. In recognition of Mr. Adik's years of service on the board, the board paid him a onetime departure payment in the amount of $9,000

    (2)
    The totals shown above include retainers and board meeting fees earned in fiscal 2010 on an accrual basis. Actual cash paid to the directors in 2010 is as follows:

Total cash compensation [Director Compensation Table (above)] paid on accrual basis:

  $ 338,076  

Plus: 2009 compensation paid in 2010

    58,859  

Less: 2010 compensation accrued at December 31, 2010

    (26,824 )
       

Total director cash compensation on cash basis for fiscal 2009

  $ 370,111  
       
    (3)
    Amounts shown under the Option Awards column represent the grant date fair value of option awards during the year, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See

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      Note 16 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed on March 16, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference, for a discussion on the assumptions made in the valuation of the options shown above.

      Options granted to directors in 2010 and options outstanding as of December 31, 2010 include the following:

 
 
  Name
   
  Grant Date
of Option
Awards
during 2010

   
  Number of
Options
Granted
during 2010

   
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Option
Awards

   
  Options
Outstanding at
December 31,
2010 (#)

   
    Stephen P. Adik         12/16/10         5,000       $ 7,000         42,299    
              12/16/10         387         232              
    Daniel E. Kletter         12/01/10         5,000         6,500         28,124    
    Virgil G. Rose         12/01/10         7,500         9,750         34,137    
    Jack P. Smith         12/01/10         5,000         6,500         45,630    
    Edward A. Weihman         12/01/10         5,000         6,500         28,124    


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

        The members of our Board of Directors' Compensation Committee in 2010 were Jack P. Smith, Stephen P. Adik (who resigned in November 2010), Edward A. Weihman (as of November 2010) and Virgil G. Rose. During or prior to our fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, none of these members was an officer or employee of Beacon, or its subsidiary or, to our knowledge, had relationships requiring disclosure under the SEC rules. In making these statements, we have relied upon representations from our directors.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Director Independence

        There were no related party transactions in the year ended December 31, 2010.

        There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. Messrs. Smith, Kletter, Weihman and Rose, representing a majority of our directors, are independent under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Our board holds executive sessions at most regularly scheduled meetings at which only these independent directors are present.


Related Party Transaction Policy and Procedures

        We have adopted the following policy and procedures as part of the Nominating and Governance Committee's charter:

Policy

        It is the policy of our Board of Directors that all interested transactions with related parties, as each of those terms are defined in the policy, are subject to approval or ratification in accordance with the procedures set forth below.

Procedures

        The Nominating and Governance Committee (the "committee") reviews the material facts of all interested transactions and either approves or disapproves of the entry into the interested transaction,

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subject to the exceptions described below. If advance committee approval of an interested transaction is not feasible, then the transaction shall be considered and, if the committee determines it to be appropriate, ratified at the committee's next regularly scheduled meeting. In determining whether to approve or ratify an interested transaction, the committee shall take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the interested transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related person's interest in the transaction.

        The committee has reviewed the categories of interested transactions described below in "Standing Pre-Approval for Certain Interested Transactions" and determined that under the terms of its policy, we may enter into each of the interested transactions described therein without further specific approval. The committee may add additional categories of interested transactions to the list of standing pre-approved transactions.

        No director shall participate in any discussion or approval of an interested transaction for which he or she is a related party, except for pre-approved interested transactions, and except that the director shall provide all material information concerning the interested transaction to the Committee.

        If an interested transaction will be ongoing, the committee may establish guidelines for our management to follow in our ongoing dealings with the related party. Thereafter, the committee, on at least an annual basis, shall review and assess ongoing relationships with the related party to see that they are in compliance with the committee's guidelines and that the interested transaction remains appropriate.

Terms Used in the Policy

        An "interested transaction" is any transaction, arrangement or relationship or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $100,000 in any calendar year, (2) the Company is a party or a participant, and (3) any related party has or will have a direct or indirect interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10 percent beneficial owner of another entity).

        A "related party" is any (a) person who is or was (since the beginning of the last fiscal year, even if he or she does not presently serve in that role) an executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5 percent beneficial owner of the Company's common stock, or (c) immediate family member of any of the foregoing. An "immediate family member" includes a person's spouse, parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, siblings, mothers- and fathers-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, and brothers- and sisters-in-law and anyone residing in such person's home (other than a tenant or employee).

Standing Pre-Approval for Certain Interested Transactions

        The committee has reviewed the categories of interested transactions described below and determined that under the terms of this policy we are approved to enter into each of the interested transactions so described, even if the aggregate amount involved will exceed $100,000:

    1.
    Employment of Executive Officers.    Any employment by the Company of an executive officer if:

    a.
    the related compensation is required to be reported in our proxy statement under Item 402 of Regulation S-K as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Reg S-K") as generally applicable to "named executive officers"; or

    b.
    the executive officer is not an immediate family member of another executive officer or director of the Company, the related compensation would be reported in our proxy

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        statement under Item 402 of Reg S-K if the executive officer were a "named executive officer", and the Compensation Committee approved (or recommended that the Board approve) such compensation;

    2.
    Director compensation.    Any compensation paid to a director if the compensation is required to be reported in the Company's proxy statement under Item 402 of Reg S-K;

    3.
    Certain transactions with other companies.    Any transaction with another company with which a related person's only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer), director or beneficial owner of less than 10% of that company's equity, if the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the greater of $1,000,000, or two percent of that company's total annual revenues;

    4.
    Certain Company charitable contributions.    Any charitable contribution, grant or endowment by us to a charitable organization, foundation or university at which a related person's only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer) or a director, if the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the lesser of $50,000, or 2 percent of the charitable organization's total annual receipts;

    5.
    Transactions where all shareholders receive proportional benefits.    Any transaction where the related person's interest arises solely from the ownership of our common stock and all holders of our common stock received the same benefit on a pro rata basis (e.g. dividends);

    6.
    Transactions involving competitive bids.    Any transaction involving a related party where the rates or charges involved are determined by competitive bids;

    7.
    Regulated transactions.    Any transaction with a related party involving the rendering of services as a common or contract carrier, or public utility, at rates or charges fixed in conformity with law or governmental authority.

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Our Board of Directors has nominated the persons named below for election at the 2011 Annual Meeting as directors. The directors who are elected will hold office until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified as of the 2012 Annual Meeting of stockholders. In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, each nominee for director requires a plurality of the votes of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting in order to gain election.

        All of the nominees are members of our present Board of Directors. The nominees for director have consented to being named nominees in this Proxy Statement and have agreed to serve as directors, if elected at the Annual Meeting. The Common Stock represented by proxies will be voted for the election the nominees as directors unless we receive contrary instructions. If any of the nominees becomes unwilling or unable to serve, proxies voted in favor of such nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by our Board of Directors. If a suitable substitute is not available by the time of the Annual Meeting, our Board of Directors will reduce the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting.

        We encourage our directors to attend each of our Annual Meetings of Stockholders. At our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, all of our then current directors were present.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission's rules require us to discuss briefly the specific experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills that led the Board to conclude that each director or nominee for director should serve on our Board of Directors. We have provided this discussion in a separate paragraph immediately below the biographical information provided by each director.

        As you read the new disclosure, please keep the following points in mind: First, any specific qualification, attribute or skill that is attributed to one director should not necessarily imply that other directors do not possess that qualification, attribute or skill. Second, this disclosure does not impose on the director any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liability imposed on each other member of the Board.

        Because the discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of a director is to be made each year in light of the Company's business and structure at that time, the content of this discussion may change for one or more directors in future years.

        OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW.

F. William Capp, age 62 (director since 2001)

        Mr. Capp has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and Board member since December 1, 2001, when he joined the Company. Mr. Capp received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University, a Master of Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

        The Company believes that Mr. Capp's business expertise as Chief Executive Officer, including his extensive knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the Company and the issues that it faces, together with his engineering background and his manufacturing and operations experience, give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

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Daniel E. Kletter, age 72 (director since October 2006)
        Audit Committee
        Finance Committee
        Nominating and Governance Committee

        Mr. Kletter is an independent consultant with more than 29 years of operating management, acquisition and director experience. From 1999 to 2001 he was with ING-BARINGS/ABN-AMRO, where he was Managing Director in the Industrial Manufacturing and Technology Group. Mr. Kletter serves on the Board of Directors of Power Curbers, Inc. Mr. Kletter received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern University.

        The Company believes that Mr. Kletter's manufacturing and operations experience, engineering and international business background, and past service as a director on other company and association boards give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

Virgil G. Rose, age 65 (director since January 2007)
        Chairman of the Board of Directors since August 2009
        Compensation Committee
        Nominating and Governance Committee
        Finance Committee

        Mr. Rose has been an independent consultant providing advisory services that include working with the United States Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, California ISO, Bonneville Power Authority, National Labs, and numerous west coast utilities since 2004. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Rose was Senior Vice President and Director of Energy Delivery and Management at Nexant, an international energy industry consulting company. Mr. Rose has 38 years of experience in the electric utility industry in various consulting, engineering, system operation, and management capacities, including 27 years with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), where he served as Senior Vice President of Electric Supply. Mr. Rose received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Fresno State University, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Santa Clara University, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

        The Company believes that Mr. Rose's experience in utilities, familiarity with the regulatory environment of the electric industry, engineering background, and leadership abilities give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director and as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Jack P. Smith, age 62 (director since 2001)
        Compensation Committee
        Audit Committee
        Nominating and Governance Committee

        Mr. Smith is Chairman, Director and co-owner of Silversmith Inc., a producer of natural gas well metering and automated data reporting systems. Mr. Smith co-founded Silversmith Inc. in 2003. Prior to his current engagement with Silversmith, Mr. Smith was President and CEO of Holland Neway International, a leading producer of commercial vehicle suspensions and brake systems. Mr. Smith also serves on the Board of Directors of Bissell Corporation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, SRAM Corporation in Chicago and Weasler Engineering in Wisconsin. He is a Trustee of Grand Valley State University Foundation. Mr. Smith received a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

        The Company believes that Mr. Smith's entrepreneurial background, manufacturing and engineering experience and leadership abilities give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

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Edward A. Weihman, age 62 (director since 2007)
        Audit Committee
        Compensation Committee
        Finance Committee

        Mr. Weihman is currently President of Kirkwood, Weihman & Co., LLC, a consulting firm serving the oil and gas industry. He was a Managing Director at Dresdner Kleinwort and a predecessor firm, Wasserstein Perella, from 1995 to 2006, where he was engaged in the mergers and acquisitions business for the firm's natural Resources and Utility clients. Mr. Weihman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Columbia University.

        The Company believes that Mr. Weihman's financial expertise, particularly in the energy industry, and M&A background, gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a Director.

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PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS

        We are submitting for ratification at the Annual Meeting the selection, by our Audit Committee, of Miller Wachman LLP ("Miller Wachman") as independent auditors to audit our books and accounts for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011. Such ratification requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote thereon present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting when a quorum is present. Representatives of Miller Wachman will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will respond to appropriate questions of stockholders.

        Miller Wachman has advised us that neither it nor any of its members has any direct financial interest in Beacon as a promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee.


Principal Accounting Fees and Services

        We have engaged Miller Wachman as our independent registered public accounting firm since October 29, 2004. Principal accounting fees billed by Miller Wachman during 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 
  2010   2009  

Audit Fees

  $ 180,000   $ 156,000  

Audit-Related Fees

    67,449     57,802  

Tax Fees

    22,736     21,130  

All Other Fees

         
           

Total Fees

  $ 270,185   $ 234,932  
           


Audit Fees

        The aggregate audit fees billed by Miller Wachman for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010, and 2009 were $180,000 and $156,000, respectively. These fees include amounts for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements, audit of our internal controls and the reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.


Audit-Related Fees

        Audit-related fees billed during 2010 and 2009 were $67,449 and $57,802, respectively. These fees included work related to consent letters, review of registration and other reviews related to fundraising.


Tax Fees

        The aggregate fees billed by Miller Wachman for tax services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010, and 2009, respectively, were $22,736 and $21,130, respectively. These fees were for the preparation and filing of the 2009 income tax return and developing estimated payment amounts for 2010 income taxes.


All Other Fees

        There were no other fees paid to our auditors during 2010 or 2009.

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Audit Committee Pre-Approval Requirements

        The charter of our Audit Committee provides that it has the sole authority to review in advance and grant any pre-approvals of (i) all auditing services to be provided by the independent auditor, (ii) all significant non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors as permitted by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (iii) all fees and the terms of engagement with respect to such services. All audit and non-audit services performed by Miller Wachman during fiscal 2010 were pre-approved pursuant to the procedures outlined above.


Required Vote and Board of Directors Recommendation

        Approval of the ratification of the selection, by our Audit Committee, of Miller Wachman LLP as independent auditors to audit our books and accounts for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting. Proxies solicited by management for which no specific direction is included will be voted "FOR" the approval of the ratification of the selection of Miller Wachman LLP.

        OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF MILLER WACHMAN LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO AUDIT OUR BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2011.

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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        We are asking stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables and narrative included in this Proxy Statement.

        We believe that our compensation policies for the Named Executive Officers are designed to attract, motivate and retain a talented, entrepreneurial and creative team of executives who are aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders. Our executive compensation program has been designed to implement certain core compensation principles, which include:

    Alignment of management's interest with our shareholder's interest to support long-term value creation through our equity compensation programs

    Pay-for-performance, which is demonstrated by linking annual cash incentives and long-term equity incentives tied to an appropriate balance of both short- and long-term goals designed to:

    meet the specific financial, operational and strategic objectives outlined under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis",

    manage the risks and challenges inherent in a development stage company transitioning into a commercial company, and

    provide for increased shareholder value.

    Linking compensation to market levels of compensation paid to executive officers in the competitive market so that we can attract, motivate and retain executives that are able to drive our long-term success.

        We urge stockholders to read the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page 14 of this Proxy Statement, which contains a more detailed discussion of our executive compensation program and the compensation of our named executive officers in 2010.

        The Company is asking its stockholders to indicate their support for its named executive officer compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly referred to as a "say-on-pay proposal," gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to approve or not approve the compensation of the named executive officers that is disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and for the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, the Company is asking stockholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution:

            "RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Beacon Power Corporation approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion.

        This item is being presented pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). This say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore, is not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board. The Board and the Company's 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 the Proxy Statement, the Company, the Board and the Compensation Committee will consider the results of the vote in future compensation deliberations.

        Unless otherwise instructed, the proxies given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted "FOR" the resolution approving the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.

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PROPOSAL 4

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking our stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote regarding how frequently the Company should seek from its stockholders a non-binding advisory vote (similar to Proposal 3 above) on executive compensation. By voting on this frequency proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer that the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers occur every year, every two years or every three years. The Board recommends that such a vote occur every year, but stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board's recommendation. Stockholders may also abstain from voting on the proposal.

        After consideration of this proposal, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that future advisory votes on executive compensation that occur every year would be most appropriate policy for Beacon at this time. Therefore, the Board recommends that you vote for future advisory votes on executive compensation to occur annually. In coming to this decision, the Compensation Committee recognized that our executive compensation programs are designed to promote a long-term alignment of pay and performance over multi-year periods. However, because executive compensation decisions and disclosures are made every year, the Compensation Committee decided that an annual advisory vote on executive compensation will allow stockholders to provide us with direct input on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in each annual proxy statement.

        The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by stockholders. However, this advisory vote is not binding on Beacon or our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors will take into account the result of the vote when determining the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation. Because this vote is advisory and not binding on Beacon or our Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may decide that it is in the best interests of Beacon and our shareholders to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently that the option approved by our stockholders.

        The Board of Directors recommends an ANNUAL advisory vote on executive compensation. Proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted for the ONE YEAR option of this proposal unless otherwise specified in the proxy.


OTHER MATTERS

        As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we do not know of any matters that will be brought before the Annual Meeting other than those specified in the Notice of Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the form of proxy, or their substitutes, will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.


ANNUAL REPORT AND OTHER SEC FILINGS

        Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K are available on our website at www.beaconpower.com. These and other SEC filings, including this proxy statement, are also available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. A copy of these filings may be obtained, at no cost, by writing to Corporate Secretary, Beacon Power Corporation, 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, MA 01879.

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HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

        The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as "householding," potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

        This year, a number of brokers with account holders who are Beacon stockholders will be "householding" our proxy materials. A singly proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be "householding" communications to your address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in "householding" and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, please notify your broker, direct your request to Beacon Power Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations, 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, MA 01879 or contact Investor Relations at (978) 661-2825. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request "householding" of their communications should contact their broker.


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

        Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2012 may do so by complying with SEC rules and our By-Laws. To be eligible for inclusion, stockholder proposals must be received by us on or before February 13, 2012. If you would like a copy of the requirements contained in our By-Laws, please contact James M. Spiezio, Secretary, Beacon Power Corporation, 65 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, MA 01879.

        If a stockholder of Beacon wishes to present a proposal before the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but does not wish to have the proposal considered for inclusion in Beacon's proxy statement and proxy card, such stockholder must give written notice to the Secretary of Beacon at the address noted above. The Secretary must receive such notice no later than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the release date of the proxy statement in connection with the preceding year's annual meeting, or March 12, 2012. If a stockholder fails to provide timely notice of a proposal to be presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting, the proxies designated by the Board of Directors of Beacon will have discretionary authority to vote on any such proposal.

    By order of the Board of Directors,
Beacon Power Corporation

 

 

F. William Capp
President and Chief Executive Officer

Tyngsboro, Massachusetts
June 10, 2011

 

 

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PROXY – BEACON POWER CORPORATION

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JULY 13, 2011

 

THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THEIR STOCKHOLDER(S)

 

The undersigned stockholder of Beacon Power Corporation (the “Corporation”) hereby appoints F. William Capp and James M. Spiezio (each a “Proxy Agent”), jointly and severally with full power of substitution to each as proxies for and on behalf of the undersigned, to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation to be held at the Stephentown Town Hall located at 26 Grange Hall Road, Stephentown, New York 12169 , July 13, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., or at any adjournments thereof, and to vote as directed below all stock of the Corporation which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present.

 

By acceptance, each Proxy Agent agrees that this Proxy will be voted in the manner directed by the stockholder giving this Proxy.  If no direction is specified, the Proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees for Directors, FOR the ratification of the selection of Miller Wachman LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, FOR the advisory vote on executive compensation, and FOR “ONE YEAR” in the advisory vote on the frequency of future votes on executive compensation. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred as to all other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.  This Proxy, if properly executed and delivered, will revoke all other Proxies.

 

Electronic Voting Instructions

 

You can vote by telephone OR Internet!  Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week!

 

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.

 

Vote by telephone

 

Vote by Internet

·                  Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico any time on a touch tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call.

 

·                  Log on to the Internet and go to the following web site:
WWW.INVESTORVOTE.COM

 

 

 

·                  Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.

 

·                  Follow the steps outlined on the secure website.

 

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED ON THE FRONT OF THIS FORM IN THE COLORED BAR

 

Proxies submitted by telephone or the Internet must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on

 

July 12, 2011.

 

THANK YOU FOR VOTING

 



 

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

 

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

 

PROPOSALS — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1, FOR Proposals 2 and 3 and ONE YEAR for Proposal 4.

 

A

Proposals

 

 

1.

Election of Directors — Nominees:

 

 

For

Withhold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F. William Capp

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel E. Kletter

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virgil G. Rose

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jack P. Smith

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward A. Weihman

o

o

 

 

2.

Ratification of the selection of Miller Wachman LLP as the Corporation’s independent auditors for 2010.

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Approval, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

o

o

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Select the frequency which you prefer (every one year, every two years or every three years) for Beacon Power Corporation to hold an advisory shareholder vote to approve the compensation of the Corporation’s executive officers:

ONE YEAR

TWO
YEARS

THREE
YEARS

ABSTAIN

o

o

o

o

 

B

Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the meeting.

o

 

C

Authorized Signatures –This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. – Date and sign below.

 

 

 

PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.

 

 

 

NO POSTAGE REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES

 

Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon.  When signing as administrator, attorney, executor, guardian or trustee, please give your full title.  If the signer is a corporation or partnership, please sign a full corporate or partnership name by any authorized officer of person.  If shares are held jointly, each joint owner should sign.

 

Signature 1 – Please keep signature within box

 

Signature 2 – Please keep signature within box

 

Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

 

 

 

 

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