DEF 14A 1 stkr_def14a.htm STKR_DEF14A StockerYale 2003 DEF 14A Proxy Statement

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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

Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:
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x   Definitive Proxy Statement
o   Definitive Additional Materials
o   Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
 
StockerYale, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
         
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
         
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StockerYale, Inc.
 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING IN LIEU OF AN ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

The Special Meeting in lieu of an Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of StockerYale, Inc. (the "Company"), a Massachusetts corporation, will be held at the Company's headquarters, 32 Hampshire Road, Salem, New Hampshire 03079, on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

1.

To elect six directors to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualified and

    
2.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof as well as on matters related to the conduct of the Meeting.

Accompanying this Notice of Meeting is a proxy statement and a proxy card, together with the 2002 Annual Report of the Company and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 25, 2003 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting in person, you are asked to complete, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy. A proxy may not be effective unless it is received at the office of the Company's transfer agent and registrar, Proxy Services, EquiServe, P.O. Box 8694, Edison, NJ 08818-8694 not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the Meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Francis J. O'Brien, Clerk
April 18, 2003
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

Table of Contents

 
Notice of Special Meeting in Lieu of an Annual Meeting i
Solicitation of Proxies 1
Appointment of Proxyholders 1
Voting and Proxies 1
Revocation of Proxies 2
Annual Report 2
Principal Executive Office 2
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof 2
Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders and Management 2
Matters to be Acted Upon 4
Proposed Nominees and Principal Occupation 4
Board of Directors and its Committees 5
Audit Committee Report 6
Compensation Committee Report 6
Compensation of Directors 7
Executive Officers 8
Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors8
Contracts with Executive Officers 10
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 11
Stockholder Return Performance Graph 11
Compliance with 16(a) of the Exchange Act 12
Independent Public Accountants 12
Stockholder Proposals for 2004 Annual Meeting 13
Expense of Solicitation 13
Directors' Approval 13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

STOCKERYALE, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

as of April 18, 2003

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of StockerYale, Inc. (the "Company"), a Massachusetts corporation, for use at the Special Meeting in lieu of an Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of the Company to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at the Company's headquarters located at 32 Hampshire Road, Salem, New Hampshire, 03079 for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Special Meeting in lieu of an Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy statement and proxy card are first being sent to stockholders on or about April 18, 2003.

APPOINTMENT OF PROXYHOLDERS

The persons named in the accompanying proxy card are designated as proxyholders by management of the Company.
 
To be valid, the completed, signed, and dated proxy card should be received at the office of the Company's transfer agent and registrar, Proxy Services, EquiServe, P.O. Box 8694, Edison, NJ 08818-8694 not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the Meeting.
 
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

VOTING AND PROXIES

The shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share, represented by a properly executed and deposited proxy will be voted on any matter to properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof that may be called for or required by law and, if the stockholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, such shares of common stock will be voted accordingly at the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. If a choice with respect to such matters is not clearly specified, the persons designated by management in the form of proxy will vote the shares represented by the proxy (i) "FOR" the election to the Board of Directors of the nominees; and (ii) in the discretion of the persons named as proxies, upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, as well as on matters related to the conduct of the Meeting.
 
The proxy confers discretionary authority upon the named proxyholder with respect to amendments to or variations in matters identified in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and other matters that may properly come before the Meeting, as well as on matters related to the conduct of the Meeting. As of the date of this proxy statement, management is not aware of any amendment, variations or other matters. If such should occur, the persons designated as proxies by management will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment, exercising discretionary authority.
 
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of at least a majority of the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. Abstentions, votes withheld from Director nominees and "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares represented at the Meeting which are held by a broker or other nominee as to which (i) voting instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote such shares and (ii) the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote such shares) shall be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. With respect to the election of Directors, the By-Laws of the Company provide that such election shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders. Therefore, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of Directors.
 
 
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

REVOCATION OF PROXIES

A stockholder who has given a proxy may revoke it as to any matter on which a vote has not already been cast pursuant to the authority conferred on the proxy, by delivering a later-dated proxy, by delivering to the Clerk of the Company a written revocation of such proxy, or by appearing and voting in person at the Meeting.

ANNUAL REPORT

All holders of record are being sent herewith copies of the Company's 2002 Annual Report and Form 10-K, which contains audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. The Annual Report, however, is not part of the proxy soliciting material.

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE

The Company's principal executive office is located at 32 Hampshire Road, Salem, New Hampshire 03079, and its telephone number is (603) 893-8778.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

The voting securities of the Company consist of its common stock. As of March 25, 2003 there were 12,696,632 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, each share carrying the right to one vote. The Directors of the Company have fixed March 25, 2003 as the record date (the "Record Date") for determining stockholders entitled to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Transferees of common stock after the Record Date will not be entitled to notice of, or to vote at, the Meeting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, to the best knowledge of the Company, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company's common stock, as of February 28, 2003, by each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the voting stock of the Company, each Director of the Company, executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table below and all of the Company's Directors and executive officers as a group.
 
Name and Address (1)  Number of Shares of
Common stock
Beneficially Owned (2)
  Percent of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (3)  
Mark W. Blodgett   3,596,758   27.2 %
Alain Beauregard 604,124   4.7 %
George A. Fryburg   144,465   1.1 %
Lawrence W. Blodgett   74,253 (4) *  
Paul Jortberg   57,710   *  
Steven E. Karol   52,975 (5) *  
Raymond J. Oglethorpe   37,775   *  
Clifford L. Abbey   36,300   *  
Francis J. O'Brien   22,500   *  
Dr. Herbert Cordt   16,500   *  
         
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (10 persons)   4,643,360   34.1 %
           
Van Wagoner Capital Management Inc., 345 California Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104   1,364,600  (6) 10.7 %
           
Eureka Interactive Fund Limited, c/o Marshall Wace Asset Management, 29 Queen Anne's Gate, London, England SW1H 9BU   1,244,700   9.8 %
 
* Less than one percent.
(1) Unless otherwise stated, the address for the named party is c/o StockerYale, Inc., 32 Hampshire Road Salem, NH 03079. 
(2) Includes shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of stock options that are currently exercisable or that will be exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 2003 in the following amounts: Mr. Mark W. Blodgett, 515,000 shares of common stock, Mr. Beauregard, 115,000 shares of common stock, Mr. Fryburg, 118,800 shares of common stock, Mr. Lawrence W. Blodgett, 2,500 shares of common stock, Mr. Jortberg, 57,500 shares of common stock, Mr. Karol, 20,475 shares of common stock, Mr. Oglethorpe, 26,875 shares of common stock, Mr. Abbey, 31,300 shares of common stock, Mr. O'Brien, 22,500 shares of common stock, Dr. Cordt, 10,500 shares of common stock, and all Directors and executive officers as a group, 920,450 shares of common stock.
(3) In computing the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by a person, shares of common stock subject to options held by that person that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 2003 and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of currently convertible securities or securities that could become convertible held by that person are deemed outstanding. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of common stock beneficially owned by such person, the shares subject to options that are currently exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 2003 are deemed to be outstanding for such person but are not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the ownership percentage of any other person.
(4) Includes 22,200 shares owned indirectly through the Lawrence W. Blodgett Trust, of which Lawrence W. Blodgett is a Trustee. Includes 6,750 owned indirectly through Mr. Blodgett's spouse.
(5) Includes 20,000 shares owned by HMK Enterprises. Mr. Karol is President and Chief Executive Officer of HMK Enterprises.
(6) Information obtained from Schedule SC 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2003 for the period ended December 31, 2002.
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

Item 1-Election of Directors

Management proposes the persons named in the following table for election as Directors of the Company. Each Director elected will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor, if any, is elected and qualified, unless he resigns or becomes disqualified to act as a Director. Each nominee is currently serving as a Director of the Company. Stockholders may vote for no more than six nominees for Director. The resignation of Mr. Beauregard in September 2002 left a vacancy on the Board of Directors that will not be filled at this time.
 
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares present and voting in person or by proxy at the Meeting is necessary to elect each of these individuals as Directors. The Company believes that each of the nominees will stand for election and, if elected, will serve as a Director. However, if any nominee fails to stand for election, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person(s) as the Board of Directors may nominate and recommend. The following information concerning the respective nominees has been confirmed by each of them as of February 28, 2003:

PROPOSED NOMINEE AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

Proposed Nominee and Principal Occupation

  Age   Director Since
 

Mark W. Blodgett
        Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

  46   1989

Lawrence W. Blodgett
        Consultant

  68   1998

Clifford L. Abbey
        Former Chief Executive Officer of San Francisco 415 Corporation

  56   1994

Steven E. Karol
        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Watermill Ventures

  48   1997

Dr. Herbert Cordt
        Managing Director of Cordt & Partner

  56   2000

Raymond J. Oglethorpe
        Former President of America Online, Inc.

  58   2000
 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the nominees named above.

Unless otherwise specified in the enclosed proxy, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote the shares of common stock represented by each properly executed proxy "FOR" each of the nominees named above.

Information Regarding Directors

The principal occupation and business experience of each director, none of whom holds a directorship in any other company, is set forth below:

        Mark W. Blodgett purchased a majority of the shares of the common stock of the Company in 1989 and since then he has maintained overall responsibility for daily operations and strategic planning. Prior to joining the Company in 1989, Mr. Blodgett worked for a private merchant bank (1988-1989); was a corporate vice president at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc. in New York (1980-1988); and was a merger and acquisition associate for European American Bank in New York (1979-1980). Mr. Blodgett holds an M.A. Honors from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Mr. Blodgett is actively involved in the Young Presidents Organization. Mark W. Blodgett is the son of Lawrence W. Blodgett, a Director of the Company, and has been a Director of the Company since 1989.

 
 
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

        Lawrence W. Blodgett was the Vice President of Operations for The Andrew Jergens Company prior to becoming a consultant in improving processes and practices in factory performance, engineering solutions and systems implementation for North American & Western European companies. Before The Andrew Jergens Company, Mr. Blodgett served as a Vice President of Manufacturing for Chesebrough-Pond in their Greenwich, Connecticut facilities. Lawrence W. Blodgett is the father of Mark W. Blodgett. Mr. Blodgett has been a Director of the Company since 1998.

        Clifford L. Abbey  is the former Chief Executive Officer of San Francisco 415 Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of designer jeans and sportswear. Mr. Abbey currently owns Lucce-Abbey Vineyards and the Napa Valley Spring Water Company in St. Helena, California. Mr. Abbey has been a Director of the Company since 1994.

        Steven E. Karol is President and Chief Executive Officer of Watermill Ventures, a diversified manufacturing and distribution company with operations in building materials, modular housing, rubber compounding, environmental and strategic consulting. Mr. Karol received his Bachelor of Science degree at Tufts University, and he is a graduate of the President's Program on Leadership (PPL) at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. Mr. Karol has been a Director of the Company since 1997.

        Dr. Herbert Cordt is managing director of Cordt & Partner, International Business Consultants, based in Vienna, Austria. He also consults for major Austrian and international companies and represents Salomon Smith Barney in Austria. Dr. Cordt was formerly Vice Governor of Osterreichische Postsparkasse (Postal Savings Bank) and a member of the managing board of Landerbank, now Bank Austria. Dr. Cordt holds a doctorate in law from the University of Vienna and a master's degree (MSFS) from Georgetown University where he majored in international economics. Dr. Cordt is also an alumnus of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and has served on numerous corporate boards in Europe. Dr. Cordt has been a Director of the Company since March 2000.

        Raymond J. Oglethorpe retired as President of America Online, Inc. in September 2002. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of The George Washington University and St. Edwards's school and on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. Prior to joining America Online in 1994, Mr. Oglethorpe directed Redgate Communications Corporation's (a subsidiary of America Online) domestic and international sales, marketing, and client service organization. Mr. Oglethorpe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona and his MBA from George Washington University. Mr. Oglethorpe has been a Director since July 2000.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

Board of Directors.    The Company was managed in 2002 by a seven member Board of Directors. The Board met in person or by telephone on four occasions during fiscal 2002. Each of the Directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of meetings of the committees of the Board of Directors of which he was a member that occurred during the time that such individual was a Director.

Audit Committee.    The Board has established an Audit Committee consisting of Steven E. Karol, who serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee, Clifford L. Abbey and Dr. Herbert Cordt. The Board of Directors has determined that the members of the Audit Committee are "independent" under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Audit Committee meets with the Company's independent auditors to review the adequacy of the Company's internal control systems and financial reporting procedures; reviews the general scope of the Company's annual audit and the fees charged by the independent auditors; and performs such other functions as may be required by any stock exchange or over the counter market upon which the Company's securities may be listed or quoted. The Audit Committee met five times during fiscal 2002 and met once in 2003 to discuss the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

Compensation Committee.    The Company's Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee to determine the compensation of the Company's executive officers and to grant options and stock awards under the Company's stock option and incentive plans. The Compensation Committee, which consisted of Raymond J. Oglethorpe and Clifford L. Abbey, met five times during fiscal 2002.

  
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

The Board of Directors does not have a standing nominating committee or a committee performing such functions. The full Board of Directors performs the function of such a committee.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

We have reviewed and discussed with management the Company's audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. We have discussed with the Company's independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61. We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standard No. 1, as may be modified or amended, and have discussed with the auditors their independence.

The Audit Committee acts pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter. During fiscal 2001, the Audit Committee adopted a formal Committee Charter, which sets forth responsibilities of the Committee. This Charter was reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The Committee reviews this Charter on an annual basis to assess its adequacy. Each of the members of the Audit Committee qualifies as an "independent" Director under the current listing standards of the NASDAQ stock market.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the consolidated financial statements referred to above be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

Audit Committee
Steven E. Karol
Clifford L. Abbey
Dr. Herbert Cordt

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The following report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") describes the compensation policies applicable to our executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Blodgett, with respect to compensation for 2002.

Compensation Philosophy

The Compensation Committee's philosophy in setting compensation policies for executive officers is to maximize stockholder value over time. The Compensation Committee establishes compensation policies that apply to the executive officers, including Mr. Blodgett, and evaluates the performance of these officers. The Compensation Committee strongly believes that executive compensation should be directly linked to continuous improvements in corporate performance, including: increases in revenues, profits, and stockholder value.
 
In this regard, the Compensation Committee has adopted the following guidelines for compensation decisions:
 
 
 
l

Provide a competitive total compensation package that enables the Company to attract and retain key executive talent.

l

Align pay programs with the Company's annual and long-term business strategies and objectives.

l

Provide variable compensation opportunities that are directly linked to the Company's performance and that link executive reward to stockholder return.

 
The Compensation Committee focuses primarily on the following two components in forming the total compensation package for the Company's executive officers:
 
 

 
l

Base Salary

l

Long-Term Incentives

 
 
 
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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

Base Salary

The Compensation Committee believes that Mr. Blodgett's compensation is competitive within the industry. For the Company's other executive officers, Mr. Blodgett, in consultation with the committee, has established base salary ranges that the committee believes are competitive in the industry, linking a portion of these executives' total compensation to annual bonuses. Base salary is targeted at the competitive median for competitors in technology companies located in the Northeast United States. For the purpose of establishing these levels, the Company compares itself to a self-selected group of technology companies that compete in the Company's primary line of business, i.e. manufacturer of phase masks, specialty optical fiber, and advanced illumination products. There are currently 14 companies in this comparison group, which is subject to occasional change as the Company or its competitors change their focus, merge or are acquired, or as new competitors emerge.

Long-Term Incentives

The principal form of long-term incentive compensation is the grant of stock options. The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the individuals to whom grants should be made, the timing of grants, and the number of shares subject to each option. Other than stock options, the Compensation Committee made no other long-term performance awards during the last fiscal year. Stock option awards are granted based on individual and/or corporate performance as determined subjectively by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee considers grants of options to executive officers during each fiscal year.

Stock options provide the Company's executive officers with the opportunity to share in the appreciation of the value of the stock. The Compensation Committee believes that stock options directly motivate an executive to maximize long-term stockholder value. The option vesting periods encourage key employees to continue their employment with the Company.

All options to executive officers to date have been granted at the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant. The Compensation Committee considers the grant of each option subjectively, considering factors such as the individual performance of executive officers and competitive compensation packages in the industry. Certain executive officers received option grants in 2002 as disclosed in this proxy statement.

Internal Revenue Code Section 162 (m)

The Compensation Committee has determined that it is unlikely that the Company would pay any material amounts in fiscal 2003 that would result in the loss of a Federal income tax deduction under Section 162 (m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and accordingly, has not recommended that any special actions be taken or that any plans or programs be revised at this time in light of such tax law provision.

Summary

The Compensation Committee believes that the Company's executive compensation philosophy of paying the Company's executive officers by means of competitive base salaries, bonus, and long-term incentives, as described in this report, serves the interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Compensation Committee
Raymond J. Oglethorpe
Clifford L. Abbey

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Under the 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, each Director who is not an officer or employee of the Company (an "Independent Director") will receive an annual stock option grant to purchase 4,000 shares of common stock, beginning with the annual meeting following such Director's initial election to the Board. Unless earlier terminated, all options granted to Independent Directors under the 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan vest twenty-five percent per year over four years on the anniversary of the grant of such options.

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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The names and ages of all current executive officers of the Company and their principal occupation and business experience during the last five years are as set forth below.

Name   Age   Position
Mark W. Blodgett (1)   46   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Francis J. O'Brien   55   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
George A. Fryburg   51   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
 
(1)
For descriptions of business experience, please refer to "Information Regarding Directors" above.

        Francis J. O'Brien joined StockerYale as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in October 2001 and is responsible for all aspects of financial management, including accounting and treasury functions and corporate compliance resources. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. O'Brien served as Director of Finance and Business Development for Analogic Corporation. Previously, he was the Corporate Vice President of Finance and Administration for Addison Wesley Longman, directing the finance, accounting, information technology and administrative functions. Mr. O'Brien earned his MBA from Suffolk University and his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

        George A. Fryburg is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for manufacturing, procurement, fulfillment, and distribution. Mr. Fryburg has twenty years of manufacturing experience. He previously held plant manager and operations manager positions with Norton Company (1986 - 1997) and engineering and manufacturing management positions with GTE Sylvania (1977 - 1986). Mr. Fryburg holds a B.S. degree in physics from the College of Wooster, an M.S. in Ceramics and Material Science from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA from New Hampshire College. Mr. Fryburg joined the Company in May of 1997.

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Summary Compensation Information

The table below sets forth summary compensation information for the last three completed fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and the other four most highly compensated executive officers as well as one executive officer who was no longer serving as an executive officer at the end of the 2001 fiscal year (the "Named Executive Officers").
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  

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2003 PROXY STATEMENT

 
        Annual Compensation   Long-Term Compensation    
Name and Position   Securities
Underlying
Options (1)
  All
Other
Compensation
 
  Year   Salary   Bonus   Total  

Mark W. Blodgett
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  2002
2001
2000
  $
$
$
383,332
400,000
381,456
(2) $
$
$
-
-
-
  $
$
$
383,332
400,000
381,456
  970,000
670,000
360,000


 
$
$
$
2,019
2,625
2,295
(6)
(6)
(6)

Alain Beauregard (5)
Founder and Chief Technology Officer


 
2002
2001
2000

 
$
$
$
214,499
205,373
177,808

 
$
$
$
-
9,615
-
  $
$
$
214,499
214,908
177,808

 
238,000
190,000
76,000

 
$
$
$
-
-
-

 

George A. Fryburg
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer


 
2002
2001
2000

 
$
$
$
169,962
161,473
142,734
(2)
 
$
$
$
-
-
-

 
$
$
$
169,962
161,473
142,734

 
228,800
168,800
84,800


 
$
$
$
1,425
2,503
2,551
(6)
(6)
(6)

Francis J. O'Brien (3)
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


 
2002
2001

 
$
$
153,588
24,616
(2)
 
$
$
-
-

 
$
$
153,588
24,616

 
132,400
75,000

 
$
$
-
-

 

Paul J. Jortberg (4)
Senior Vice President-Sales and Marketing Optical Components


 
2002
2001
2000

 
$
$
$
122,733
125,000
28,846
(2)
 
$
$
$
37,500
37,500
-

 
$
$
$
160,233
162,500
28,846

 
187,800
90,000
48,000

 
$
$
$
2,613
1,307
-
(6)
(6)
 
(1) All amounts shown are adjusted for the two-for-one stock split on July 31, 2000.
(2) All executive officers' annual salaries were reduced by 10% effective June 2002.
(3) Mr. O'Brien became an employee of the Company on October 29, 2001.
(4) Mr. Jortberg became an employee of the Company on October 2, 2000. 
(5) Mr. Beauregard resigned as President and as a Director of the Company in September 2002.
(6) Amounts reported represent Company contributions to a defined contribution plan.

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

The table below sets forth grants of options to purchase shares of common stock pursuant to the 1996 and 2000 Stock Option Plans made during the last completed fiscal year to the Named Executive Officers. The table also shows the value of the options at the end of the option terms assuming the price of the Company's Common Stock appreciates annually by 5% and 10%, respectively. The options will only have value if they are exercised, and that value will depend entirely on the share price on the exercise date. Potential realizable values are based on assumed compound annual appreciation rates specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, of the price of the Common Stock. There is no assurance that the price of the Common Stock will appreciate at the rates shown in the table. If the price of the Common Stock appreciates, the value of the Common Stock held by all stockholders will increase. A total of 1,356,147 options to purchase Common Stock were granted to the Company's employees during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9  /  STKR  /  Schedule 14A

  
2003 PROXY STATEMENT

Name   Number of
Securities Underlying Options Granted
  Percent of Total Options Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year   Exercise or Base Price   Expiration Date   Potential Realizable Value at Assumed
Annual Rates of Stock Price
Appreciation for the Option Term
             5%                        10%
Mark W. Blodgett   125,400
74,000
  9.3%
5.5%
  $4.85
0.73
  5/15/2012
10/1/2012
  $
$
409,042
47,232
  $
$
1,011,581
107,207
Alain Beauregard   48,000   3.6%   4.85   5/15/2012   $ 156,571   $ 387,208
George A. Fryburg   40,000
20,000
  3.0%
1.5%
  4.85
0.73
  5/15/2012
10/1/2012
  $
$
130,476
12,765
  $
$
322,675
28,975
Paul J. Jortberg   50,000
7,800
40,000
  3.7%
0.6%
2.3%
  7.20
4.85
0.73
  4/1/2012
5/15/2012
10/1/2012
  $
$
$
241,062
25,443
25,531
  $
$
$
597,091
62,921
57,950
Francis J. O'Brien   15,000
17,400
25,000
  1.1%
1.3%
1.9%
  7.20
4.85
0.73
  4/1/2012
5/15/2012
10/1/2012
  $
$
$
72,319
56,757
15,957
  $
$
$
179,127
140,363
36,219
Luc Many   35,000
6,600
20,000
  2.6%
0.5%
1.5%
  7.20
4.85
0.73
  4/1/2012
5/15/2012
10/1/2012
  $
$
$
168,743
21,529
12,765
  $
$
$
417,964
53,241
28,975

Option Exercises and Year-End Option Values

The table below sets forth the number of unexercised options held at December 31, 2002 and the value of the unexercised in-the-money options held as of such date for each of the Named Executive Officers.

                                               
   
Shares
Acquired
      Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Options
at Fiscal Year-End
  Value of Unexcercised
In-The-Money Options
at Fiscal Year-End (1)
       
  On Exercise (#)   Value Realized ($)   Exercisable   Unexercisable   Exercisable  

Unexercisable

Mark W. Blodgett   -       -       437,500       431,900     $ 237,040     $ 60,680  
Alain Beauregard   -       -       77,500       160,500       -       -  
George A. Fryburg   -       -       93,800       135,000     $ 29,383     $ 16,400  
Paul J. Jortberg   -       -       37,500       150,300       -     $ 32,800  
Francis J. O'Brien   -       -       18,750       113,650       -     $ 20,500  
Luc Many   -       -       55,500       84,100     $ 20,650     $ 16,400  
 
(1)
Values calculated using the closing price of the Company's common stock reported on the NASDAQ National Market on December 31, 2002.

CONTRACTS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Company has a separation plan with respect to the compensation of its executive officers that provides for severance payments if any executive officer's employment with the Company or its subsidiaries is terminated for other than cause or in connection with a change of control of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or a change in the executive officer's responsibilities following a change in control. Under the plan, Mr. Blodgett is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to his annual salary then in effect. Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Fryburg are entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to one-half of their annual salary then in effect.

 
 
 
 

10  /  STKR  /  Schedule 14A

  
2003 PROXY STATEMENT

Under the 1996 Stock Option Plan, in the event of a change of control, as defined in that plan, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may provide for substitution or adjustments of outstanding options granted under that plan, or may terminate all unexercised options granted under that plan with or without payment of cash consideration. In addition, certain options granted to outside Directors of the Company vest in full upon such a change of control. Under the 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, upon a sale event, as defined in that plan, all options not previously exercisable become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the sale event.

Alain Beauregard and the Company are party to an employment agreement dated May 13, 1998 providing for the employment of Mr. Beauregard as President and Chief Executive Officer of StockerYale Canada (formerly Lasiris, Inc.). The initial term of the agreement was three years, with automatic one year extensions thereafter. The employment agreement was amended on September 23, 2002 providing for the employment of Mr. Beauregard as Founder and Chief Technology Officer of StockerYale. If the Company elects not to renew the agreement at any time, Mr. Beauregard will become entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to $350,000 CDN. While employed by StockerYale, Mr. Beauregard is entitled to a salary, a quarterly bonus, all regular benefits provided to employees of StockerYale, and certain other benefits set forth in the agreement. If Mr. Beauregard is terminated without cause at any time, he will become entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to $350,000 CDN. Also upon such termination without cause, Mr. Beauregard is entitled to receive all regular medical and dental benefits then in effect for a period of one year following termination. Mr. Beauregard has also agreed to certain confidentiality and non competition and non solicitation provisions, which apply during the term of his employment and for a minimum of one year thereafter.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Mark W. Blodgett, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is the son of Lawrence W. Blodgett, a Director of the Company.

STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The graph set forth below presents the cumulative, five year stockholder return for each of the Company's common stock, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and an index of peer group companies selected by the Company (the "Peer Group"). The Peer Group consists of the following four publicly traded companies in the specialty optical fiber and component industry: Lightpath Technologies Incorporated; New Focus Incorporated; Oplink Communications and Optical Communication Products Incorporated. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 1997 in each of the Company's common stock, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Peer Group, and assumes reinvestment of all dividends. The graph is market capitalization weighted. The historical information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

11  /  STKR  /  Schedule 14A

  
2003 PROXY STATEMENT

 
  12/31/1997 12/31/1998 12/31/1999 12/31/2000 12/31/2001 12/31/2002
StockerYale, Inc. $

100.00

$

20.00

$

22.12

$

416.87

$

373.58

$

52.22

S&P 500 Index $

100.00

$

128.58

$

155.64

$

141.47

$

124.66

$

97.11

Peer Group Companies $

100.00

$

78.26

$

325.00

$

215.81

$

28.82

$

14.30

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act") requires the Company's executive officers and directors, and persons who are beneficial owners of more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company, and written representations that no other reports were required, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were satisfied.

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Deloitte & Touche LLP was retained as the Company's independent auditors for fiscal year 2002. Deloitte & Touche was also selected by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as the Company's independent auditors for fiscal year 2003. A representative from Deloitte & Touche will be present at the Meeting to answer questions.

Audit Fees

The Company estimates that the aggregate fees billed by its independent auditors for professional services rendered in connection with (i) the audit of the Company's annual financial statements set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, and (ii) the review of the Company's quarterly financial statements set forth in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2002, June 30, 2002 and September 30, 2002, were approximately $165,000.

Audit Related Fees

Deloitte & Touche LLP provided no professional services of this nature to the Company in fiscal 2002.

 
 

12  /  STKR  /  Schedule 14A

  
2003 PROXY STATEMENT

Tax Fees

The Company estimates that the aggregate fees for all other services rendered by its independent auditors for the Company's most recent fiscal year equal approximately $36,000. These fees include work performed by the independent auditors with respect to tax compliance and advisory services, and financial accounting advisory services.

All Other Fees

There were no other fees for services rendered by the independent auditors.

The Audit Committee has advised the Company that it has determined that the non-audit services rendered by the Company's independent auditors during the Company's most recent fiscal year are compatible with maintaining the independence of such auditors.

Item 2-Other Matters

Management does not know of any other matters to come before the Meeting other than as set forth in the Notice of Special Meeting in Lieu of an Annual Meeting of Stockholders and this proxy statement. If other matters are presented, proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the proxy holder.

STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSALS FOR 2004 ANNUAL MEETING

For a proposal of a stockholder (including Director nominations) submitted pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-8 to be included in the Company's proxy statement and proxy for the Company's 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, it must be received at the principal offices of the Company on or before December 17, 2003. Such a proposal must also comply with the requirements as to form and substance established by the SEC for such a proposal to be included in the proxy statement. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will confer discretionary voting authority with respect to stockholder proposals, other than proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement described above, that the Company receives at its principal offices after December 17, 2003. These proxies will also confer discretionary voting authority with respect to stockholder proposals, other than proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement described above, that the Company receives on or before December 17, 2003, subject to SEC rules governing the exercise of this authority.

EXPENSE OF SOLICITATION

The Company will bear the expense of this solicitation. It is expected that the solicitation will be made primarily by mail, but regular employees or representatives of the Company (none of whom shall receive any extra compensation for their activities) may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, or other form of electronic communication and in person and arrange for intermediaries to send this proxy statement and proxy card to their principals at the expense of the Company.

DIRECTORS' APPROVAL

The contents of this proxy statement have been approved and its mailing has been authorized by the Directors of the Company.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Francis J. O'Brien, Clerk
April 18, 2003
 
 
  
  

13  /  STKR  /  Schedule 14A

  
2003 PROXY STATEMENT

 

DETACH HERE

PROXY

STOCKERYALE, INC.

This Proxy is Solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company

The undersigned stockholder of StockerYale, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby appoints MARK W. BLODGETT and FRANCIS J. O'BRIEN, and each of them singly, as proxy holder for and on behalf of the undersigned, with the power of substitution, to attend, act and vote all of the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, held of record by the undersigned as of the close of business on March 25, 2003 for and on behalf of the undersigned as directed and permitted herein, in respect of all matters that may properly come before the Special Meeting in Lieu of an Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at the offices of the Company located at 32 Hampshire Road, Salem, New Hampshire or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, to the same extent and with the same powers as if the undersigned were present at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The undersigned hereby acknowledge(s) receipt of a copy of the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting in Lieu of an Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement with respect thereto and hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given. This proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised.

Subject to the discretion of the Chairman of the Meeting, to be effective this proxy form must be received at Proxy Services, EquiServe, P.O. Box 8694, Edison, NJ 08818-8694 no later than 48 hours prior to the time of the Meeting.


     

SEE REVERSE SIDE

 

CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE

 

SEE REVERSE SIDE


 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 

14  /  STKR  /  Schedule 14A

  
2003 PROXY STATEMENT

 
STOCKERYALE, INC.
C/O EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY N.A.
P.O. BOX 8694
EDISON, NJ 08818-8694

Dear Shareholder,

You are cordially invited to attend the annual stockholders meeting of StockerYale, Inc. scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at our corporate headquarters located at 32 Hampshire Road, Salem, New Hampshire.

For directions, you can visit our website at: www.stockeryale.com

If you have any questions regarding the annual meeting, please E-mail Fred Pilon at fpilon@stockeryale.com

Sincerely,
StockerYale, Inc.
 

 

x   Please mark votes as in this example. 

   

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the proposals set forth below. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the previous proposals set forth below, and the proxies are each authorized to vote, in their discretion, upon each other as business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof as well as on other matters incidental to the conduct of the Meeting Place.

 

 

1.

 

Election of Directors

Nominees:
(01) Mark W. Blodgett, (02) Clifford L. Abbey, (03) Lawrence W. Blodgett, (04) Steven E. Karol, (05) Dr. Herbert Cordt, and (06) Raymond J. Oglethorpe.

 

 

 

This proxy form is not valid unless it is signed and dated. If someone other than the registered shareholder of the Company signs this proxy on the shareholder's behalf, authorizing documentation acceptable to the Chairman of the Meeting must be deposited with the Proxy Form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR ALL NOMINEES

 

o

 

o

 

WITHHELD FROM ALL NOMINEES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
o
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all nominee (s) except as noted above


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT

 

o 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in corporation name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person.

Signature:

    

                                     

 

Date:

    

                      

 

Signature:

     

                                     

 

Date:

    

                      

 
 
 
 

15  /  STKR  /  Schedule 14A

  
2003 PROXY STATEMENT