DEF 14A 1 def14a1123_surge.htm PROXY STATEMENT

  

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

 

Filed by a party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

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

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

Soliciting Material under § 180.14a-12

Surge Components, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

_________________________________________________________________

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

 

No fee required

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

  

 

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SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.
95 East Jefryn Blvd.
Deer Park, New York 11729

Dear Fellow Stockholders,

It’s a pleasure to invite you to our 2023 Annual Meeting and I hope you will join us virtually on November 30, 2023. It will be an opportunity to discuss the current business conditions in 2023 and our movement into the future.

I am happy to let you know that I made my first trip to Asia in August, to visit both customers and suppliers after four years, due to the pandemic. The meetings were positive with excellent opportunities for growth.

Reflecting on the year’s performance, we acknowledge some challenges as well as successes. Because of supply chain problems in 2022, many of our customers ordered and received the same products from multiple suppliers, to see which suppliers could deliver quickest. In fact, our revenue for fiscal year 2022 increased by 30.3% over fiscal 2021 At the end of 2022 these customers ended the year with major excess inventory, which we believe will take four to six quarters for them to consume, before starting to order these products again. At the same time, the Company has achieved new business with both new and existing customers and continues to forge stronger and closer relationships with our customers. Surge is a major supplier for many customers, and we continue to broaden our global reach through our regional sales operations and our distribution channels. In Europe, we are successfully penetrating the market, utilizing our sales office in London. Concurrently, we are also growing our presence in Asia as we have employed a key sales manager in China. We plan to continue to hire additional sales talent in both Europe and Asia.

Beyond our global growth, we have continued to add value for our customers as a trusted and reliable partner. The Challenge division continues to design new products for customers, understanding how to help their products perform better. We remain ahead of our competition as Surge has shorter lead times than our peers, helping to maintain stable production and preserve our competitive advantage. We strive to continue to find opportunities to excel and put our customers first.

The company is also facing a global economic slowdown with the challenges of rising interest rates, supply chain challenges and high inflation. Rest assured, we are prudently managing the business and adjusting for possible negative impacts. Our strong balance sheet and relationships with our customers and business partners give us comfort that we remain well positioned to sustain through the excess inventory industry condition and slowdown and continue to grow and maintain the strength of the company. Sales year to date 2023 are lower than 2022, but the Company is working on many new exciting projects that could contribute to good sales growth in the coming year.

I am proud to be part of the Surge Components team, and I am confident in our future. On behalf of the company and the Board of Directors, we look forward to continuing to serve you for years to come.

Your vote is very important to us. We encourage you to read our proxy statement and ask that you vote with our recommendations.

Thank you for your continued investment in Surge Components.

 

Sincerely,

   

/s/ Ira Levy

   

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

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SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.
95 East Jefryn Blvd.
Deer Park, New York 11729

November 6, 2023

Dear Stockholders:

It is our pleasure to invite you to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Surge Components, Inc. (“Surge” or the “Company”) to be held on Thursday November 30, 2023, by telephone at (800) 267-6316 (United States toll-free) or (203) 518-9713 (international) (conference ID 2036951) or at the following website address: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4398446/E325CD2CA2CD3B8CE0ADC261B3546051 and by entering the 12-digit control number included on the proxy card you received or in the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. The Annual Meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. A Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are enclosed with this letter. A copy of the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, also accompanies this mailing.

The Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

1.      To elect seven directors to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) from the nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) to hold office until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

2.      To ratify the appointment of Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2023;

3.      To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.

It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, we hope that you will read the enclosed Notice of the Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and the voting instructions on the enclosed Proxy Card. We hope that you will promptly vote by completing, signing and dating the Proxy Card and mailing it in the enclosed, postage pre-paid envelope, or vote by the Internet by following the instructions on the Proxy Card. If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you must register in advance to gain access to the virtual Annual Meeting to vote your shares during the meeting or ask questions during the meeting. To register, you must submit proof of your proxy power (legal proxy) reflecting your ownership of the Company’s common stock, along with your name and email address to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on November 29, 2023. Forward the email from your broker and attach an image of your legal proxy to www.cstproxy.com. Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

The attached Proxy Statement is dated November 6, 2023 and is first being mailed to stockholders on or about November 6, 2023, together with the Proxy Card and the Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022.

 

Sincerely,

   

/s/ Ira Levy

   

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

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SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.
95 East Jefryn Blvd.
Deer Park, New York 11729

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON November 30, 2023

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Surge Components, Inc., a Nevada Corporation (“Surge” or the “Company”), will be held on Thursday November 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. The Annual Meeting is being held virtually for the following purposes:

1.      To elect seven directors to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) from the nominees named in the accompanying proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) to hold office until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;

2.      To ratify the appointment of Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2023;

3       To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any postponements or adjournments thereof.

You are cordially invited to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 6, 2023, as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any postponement or adjournment thereof.

YOUR VOTE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. If you are a stockholder of record, whether or not you personally plan to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, please take a few minutes now to vote over the internet by following the instructions on the Proxy Card, or by completing, signing and dating the enclosed Proxy Card and mailing it in the postage pre-paid envelope provided. If your shares are held in “street name,” that is, held for your account by a broker, bank or other nominee, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted. Regardless of the number of Company shares you own; your vote is important.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NOMINEES USING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.

THE BOARD ADDITIONALLY RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR PROPOSAL 2 USING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.

The proxy statement accompanying this notice provides a more complete description of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting. We encourage you to read the proxy statement carefully and in its entirety.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

   

/s/ Ira Levy

   

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Deer Park, New York
November 6, 2023

 

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This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, proxy statement and form of proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about November 6, 2023.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on November 30, 2023.

This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the accompanying Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, are available free of charge at the “Investor Relations” portion of our website at https://surgecomponents.com/about/investors-relations.

 

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SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.
95 East Jefryn Blvd.
Deer Park, New York 11729

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
November 30, 2023

This Proxy Statement, along with a proxy card and our 2022 Annual Report, is first being mailed
to stockholders on or about November 6, 2023

General Information

This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) is being furnished by the Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Board of Directors”) of Surge Components, Inc. (“Surge” or the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held virtually at https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4398446/E325CD2CA2CD3B8CE0ADC261B3546051 on Thursday November 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting is being held for the purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement, the enclosed Proxy Card, and the Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, are first being mailed to stockholders on or about November 6, 2023.

Under our governing documents, no other business may be raised by stockholders at the Annual Meeting unless proper notice has been given to us by the stockholders seeking to bring such business before the meeting. If any other item or proposal properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxies received will be voted on such matter in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders.

Voting Procedures

If you are a record holder, meaning your shares are registered in your own name, you may vote:

(1)    By Mail:    Complete, sign and date your enclosed Proxy Card and mail it in the enclosed envelope. Your shares will be voted according to your instructions.

(2)    By E-Mail:    You may cast your vote by E-Mail. Mark, sign and date your Proxy Card and sent it to Proxy@continentalstock.com

(3)    Online at the virtual Annual Meeting:    If you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on November 6, 2023, and have your control number, you may vote your shares prior to the virtual Annual Meeting by following the instructions included in the Proxy Statement, or during the virtual Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on the virtual Annual Meeting website https://www.cstproxy.com/surgecomponents/2023/. A list of stockholders of record will be available electronically during the Annual Meeting.

If your shares are held in “street name,” meaning they are held for your account by a broker, bank or other nominee, these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that nominee. The nominee holding for your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you may vote:

(1)    Over the Internet:    You will receive instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee stating if they permit Internet voting and, if they do, explaining how to do so. You should follow those instructions.

(2)    By Mail:    You will receive instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee explaining how you can vote your shares by mail. You should follow those instructions.

(3)    Online at the virtual Annual Meeting:    If you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker, you must register in advance to gain access to the virtual Annual Meeting to vote your shares during the meeting or ask questions during the meeting. You will not be able to vote at the meeting unless you have submitted proof of a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee issued in your name giving you the right to vote your shares.

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The shares represented by any proxy card which is properly executed and received by the Company prior to or at the Annual Meeting (each, a “Conforming Proxy”) will be voted in accordance with the specifications made thereon. Conforming Proxies on a Proxy Card on which no specifications have been made by the stockholder will be voted in favor of the proposals described in the Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors is not aware of any matters that are expected to come before the Annual Meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the Proxy Card will vote the shares represented by each Conforming Proxy on a Proxy Card on those matters as instructed by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of express instructions from the Board of Directors, in accordance with their own best judgment. For information regarding the revocation of a Conforming Proxy, please see “Revocation of Proxies”.

Proof of Ownership Required for Attending the Annual Meeting Online

You are entitled to attend the virtual Annual Meeting only if you are a stockholder of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), as of the close of business on November 6, 2023, the record date set by the Board of Directors (the “Record Date”) or hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record or a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee, you will need to submit proof of your proxy power (legal proxy) reflecting your ownership of the Company’s common stock, along with your name and email address to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Requests for registration must be labelled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on November 27, 2023. Forward the email from your broker and attach an image of your legal proxy to www.cstproxy.com.

Quorum

The presence at the Annual Meeting, online or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote, is necessary to constitute a quorum. Shares of Common Stock represented by Conforming Proxies will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum without regard as to whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote for or against a proposal, withholding a vote or abstaining. Shares of Common Stock represented by Conforming Proxies that are voted on at least one matter coming before the Annual Meeting will also be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum, even if the beneficial owner’s discretion has been withheld (a “broker non-vote”) for voting on some or all other matters. For information regarding broker non-votes, please see “Revocation of Proxies.” As of November 6, 2023, the record date, there was issued and outstanding 5,569,521 shares of common stock entitled to one vote per share.

Required Vote

Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock.

Proposal No. 1, concerning the seven directors will be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. You may either vote FOR or WITHHOLD for the Company’s director nominees. If you withhold authority to vote with respect to any nominee, your shares will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum. Broker non-votes are not deemed “votes cast” with respect to proposal 1 and therefore will have no effect on the vote.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NOMINEES BY VOTING FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NOMINEES ON THE PROXY CARD.

Pursuant to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Nevada law, proposal 2 will require the affirmative “FOR” votes of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on such proposal. You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN on proposal 2.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS VOTING FOR PROPOSAL 2.

If you abstain from voting on any of such proposals, your shares will nevertheless be counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal Number. 2.

If your shares are registered in your name, your shares will not be voted unless you provide a proxy by Internet or mail or vote at the virtual Annual Meeting. If you hold shares through an account with a bank, broker, or other nominee, your shares will not be voted, except with respect to certain routine matters, unless you provide voting instructions. Broker non-votes, if any, are counted as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum but will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved, except in the case of certain “routine” matters. Broker non-votes occur when brokers, banks and other nominees do not receive voting instructions from their customers, and the broker, bank or other nominee does not have discretionary voting authority with respect to a proposal. If you hold shares through a broker, bank or other nominee and you do not give instructions as to how to vote, under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, your broker, bank or other nominee may have authority to vote your shares on certain routine matters but not on non-routine matters. If the nominee that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, the nominee that holds your shares will inform us that it does not have the authority to vote on such matter with respect to your shares. Typically, “non-routine” matters include the election of directors and “routine” matters include ratification of the appointment of independent auditors. Therefore, please instruct your broker how to vote your shares on these matters promptly. We will publish final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC within four business days from the date of the Annual Meeting.

Solicitation of Proxies

We are required by law to convene an Annual Meeting of our stockholders at which directors are elected. Because our shares are widely held, it would be impractical for our stockholders to meet physically in sufficient numbers to hold a meeting. Accordingly, proxies are solicited from our stockholders. United States federal securities laws require us to send you this Proxy Statement and specify the information required to be contained in it. This solicitation of proxies is being made by the Board of Directors of the Company and all expenses of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. These costs will include, among other items, the expense of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the proxy materials to stockholders of record and beneficial owners, and reimbursements paid to brokerage firms, banks and other fiduciaries for their reasonable out of pocket expenses for forwarding proxy materials to stockholders and obtaining beneficial owner’s voting instructions. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors, without additional compensation, personally or by telephone. We may also solicit proxies by email from stockholders who are our employees or who previously requested to receive proxy materials electronically.

Revocation of Proxies

A stockholder of record who has executed and delivered a Conforming Proxy may revoke such Conforming Proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting by (i) timely completing and returning a new proxy card with a later date, (ii) voting on a later date by using the Internet, (iii) delivering a written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of the Company prior to the Annual Meeting or (iv) attending the Annual Meeting and voting virtually. Only a stockholder’s latest proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted. A stockholder’s attendance at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke such stockholder’s proxy unless such stockholder votes at the Annual Meeting or specifically requests in writing that his or her prior proxy be revoked.

If you are a beneficial owner, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker in accordance with such broker’s procedures.

Other Matters

If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, or if you need additional copies of the proxy materials, please contact: Surge Components, Inc., 95 East Jefryn Blvd., Deer Park, New York 11729, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

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PROPOSAL NO. 1:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our board of directors’ terms expire at the stockholders meeting in the year set forth in the below chart:

Name

 

Age

 

Director Since

Ira Levy

 

67

 

1981

Steven J. Lubman

 

68

 

1981

Alan Plafker

 

64

 

2001

Martin Novick

 

87

 

2016

Lawrence Chariton

 

66

 

2001

Peter A. Levy

 

63

 

2017

Gary M. Jacobs

 

66

 

2003

At this Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to elect each of the director nominees listed above to hold office until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal.

Pursuant to the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board has nominated each of the seven listed director nominees, who each currently serve as a director, to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

The basic responsibility of a Company director is to exercise his or her business judgment prudently and act in a manner that he or she believes in good faith to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board consider individuals who have records for leadership and success in their areas of activity and who will make meaningful contributions to the Board. Nominees for director are selected on the basis of Board experience, character, integrity, ability to make independent analytical inquiries, business background, as well as an understanding of the Company’s business environment.

We believe that each of the director nominees brings these qualifications in a positive manner to our Board of Directors. Moreover, the director nominees provide our Board with a complement of specific business skills, experience and perspectives.

We have been advised by each of the seven director nominees that they are willing to be named as nominees, and each is willing to continue to serve as a director if elected. If some unexpected occurrence should make necessary, in the discretion of the Board, the substitution of some other person for the nominees, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote for the election of such other person as may be designated by the Board.

Nominees:

Ira Levy has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer and director since our inception in November 1981, and as our Chief Financial Officer since March 2010. From 1976 to 1981, Mr. Levy was employed by Capar Components Corp., an importer and supplier of capacitor and resistor products. Mr. Levy has served on the board of trustees of the Bellmore Jewish Centre since 2002 and served as its president from 2006 to 2008. From 2000 to 2004, he served as a member of the board of trustees of METNY, the governing body of the Conservative movement of Judaism for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Mr. Levy studied Business Management at Hofstra University. Mr. Levy’s experience in, and knowledge of, the electronics components business led to the conclusion that he should serve on our board.

Steven J. Lubman has served as our Vice President, Secretary and a director since our inception in November 1981. In June 1988, Mr. Lubman founded Challenge Electronics (“Challenge”), a division of the Company. From 1980 through 1981, he served as the sales manager for NIC Components Corp., a division of Nu Horizons Electronics Corp., a distributor of electronic components which was acquired by Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) in January 2011. From 1976 through 1980, Mr. Lubman served as both an inside and then outside salesperson for Capar Components Corp., a division of Diplomat Electronics Inc., a broad line distributor of electronic components including integrated circuits, diodes, transistors, and capacitor products. Mr. Lubman’s more than 35 years of experience in, and knowledge of the electronics components business, led to the conclusion that he should serve on our board.

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Alan Plafker has served as a director since June 2001. Since November 2016, he has served as Vice President of Garber Atlas Fries & Associates, Inc., an insurance agency providing commercial and personal insurance coverage. From July 2000 to November 2016, Mr. Plafker served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Member Brokerage Service LLC, a credit union service organization owned by Melrose Credit Union, and also served as director of business services for the credit union. From January 1993 to July 2000, he served as a member of the credit union’s board of directors and supervisory committee. Mr. Plafker has more than 35 years of executive and management experience in the insurance and credit union industries. He is a New York State licensed insurance agent and broker. Mr. Plafker has earned certification as a Certified Professional Insurance Agent from the AIMS Society and earned the CIC designation from the Society of Certified Insurance Counsellors. He has also earned the CUBLP (Credit Union Business Lending Professional) designation from the CUNA Business Lending Certification Institute. In addition, he is a past President and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Professional Insurance Agents Association of New York State, and currently serves as Treasurer and as a member of the Board of Directors for the New York Independent Livery Drivers Benefit Fund, a New York State benefit fund providing injury benefits for livery drivers, to comply with the Workers’ Compensation Board regulations. Mr. Plafker received a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Adelphi University. Mr. Plafker’s experience in the insurance industry and knowledge of financial matters led to the conclusion that he should serve on our board.

Martin Novick is a real estate investor and was appointed to the Board in September 2016. He served as a vice president of Audiovox Electronic Corp., an international distributor and value-added service provider in the accessory, mobile and consumer electronics industries, from 1969 to 2008. He previously served on the board of directors of Audiovox Electronic Corp., Nu Horizons Electronics Corp., a distributor of electronic components which was acquired by Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) in January 2011 and Arielle Electronics, a company that sold bluetooth and wireless products. Mr. Novick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from New York University. Mr. Novick’s significant experience in the electronics industry and as a director of a public company led to the conclusion that he should serve on our board.

Lawrence Chariton has served as a director since 2001. He has served for 50 years in the retail jewelry industry at Linda Shop Jewelry and Great American Jewelry as Chief Operating Officer. Since February 2018 Mr. Chariton has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University of Old Westbury in New York. Mr. Chariton has served previously from 1998 as member of the Board of Directors of New Island Hospital in Bethpage, N.Y. Subsequently he remained after the merger as a member of the Board of Directors with St. Joseph’s Hospital till December 2010. Mr. Chariton served as a member of The Board of Directors of the Jewish National Fund of Long Island. Mr. Chariton has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Hofstra University. He is a graduate of The Gemological Institute of America in Diamonds and Color Stones. Mr. Chariton’s experience on several Board of Directors as well as running a small business led to the conclusion that he should serve on our board.

Peter A. Levy has been a director of the Company since April 2017. He is an equity shareholder at the law firm of Mandelbaum Barrett, one of the region’s oldest and most renowned law firms. He joined Mandelbaum as a member in September of 2015, and now serves on the firms Executive Committee with the responsibility for all department practices within the firm. In addition to practicing law for 15 years, Mr. Levy spent 12 years as a partner at a regional accounting firm, Sobel & Company, and has served as the chief operating officer of two different public companies, The Empire Sports & Entertainment and MYOS Corporation. As the president of MYOS Corporation, he successfully positioned the company on the NASDAQ stock exchange. Mr. Levy has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint venture partnering, corporate governance, business processes, and strategic planning. Community service is an important aspect of Mr. Levy’s life. For over 20 years he has been on the Board and also served as the Corporate Liaison to Easter Seals — Camp ASCCA, America’s flagship camp for People with Disabilities, and he is the co-builder of the Roswal-Levy Tower, the world’s largest wheelchair-accessible interactive climbing tower for the disabled. For over a decade, Mr. Levy has been on the Board of Hamp’s Camp, a charity founded by former N.Y. Giants running back Rodney Hampton, which is dedicated to providing leadership tools to underprivileged children in Atlanta, Newark, and Houston. Mr. Levy’s financial experience led to the conclusion that he should serve on our board.

Gary M. Jacobs has served as a director since July 2003. Since October 2014, Mr. Jacobs has served as President of Bar Bakers, LLC, a commercial food manufacturer of nutritional bars, cookies and other baked goods. From March 2011 to October 2014, he served as a consultant to several companies, providing advisory services in the areas of turn-around and financial and operational efficiencies. Mr. Jacobs served as the Chief Financial Officer of Chem Rx from June 2008 until March 2011. From May 2005 to June 2008, Mr. Jacobs was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Gold Force International, Ltd., a supplier of gold, silver and pearl jewelry to U.S. retail chains,

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and Karat Platinum LLC, a developer of an alternative to platinum. From July 2003 to April 2005, Mr. Jacobs served as President of The Innovative Companies, LLC, a supplier of natural stone. From October 2001 to February 2003, Mr. Jacobs served as Executive Vice President of Operations and Corporate Secretary of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a food and personal care products company. Mr. Jacobs also served as Executive Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. from September 1998 to October 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Jacobs was the Chief Financial Officer of Graham Field Health Products, Inc., a manufacturing and distribution company. Mr. Jacobs served for 13 years as a member of the audit staff of Ernst & Young LLP, where he attained the position of senior manager. He is a certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting from Adelphi University. Mr. Jacobs’s experience as a certified public accountant and as a chief financial officer led to the conclusion that he should serve on our board.

Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons

The following is a description of transactions with our executive officers, directors or 5% stockholders during the past two years. We believe that all of the transactions described below were made on terms no less favorable to us than could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. All future related party transactions will be approved by our audit committee or a majority of our independent directors who do not have an interest in the transaction and who will have access, at our expense, to our independent legal counsel. Surge and Challenge each lease their current executive offices from Great American Realty of Jefryn Blvd., LLC, an entity owned 50% by Ira Levy, our Chief Executive Officer, and President and Steven Lubman, our Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Our lease is through September 2030 and our annual rent payments were approximately $271,231 and $275,042 for Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2022, respectively.

Procedures for Review and Approval of Transactions with Related Persons

Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all related party transactions as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K, after reviewing each such transaction for potential conflicts of interests and other improprieties.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in the ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Such persons are required to furnish us copies of all Section 16(a) filings.

Based solely upon a review of the copies of the forms furnished to us, we believe that our officers, directors and holders of more than 10% of our common stock complied with all applicable filing requirements during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022.

Required Vote

Each nominee shall be elected by a plurality of voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting. Unless marked to the contrary, Conforming Proxies on a Proxy Card will be voted FOR each of the nominees. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on proposal 1.

Recommendation of the Board

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE SEVEN DIRECTOR NOMINEES AS A DIRECTOR.

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PROPOSAL NO. 2:

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has appointed Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2023. Although this appointment does not require ratification, the Board has directed that the appointment of Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP be submitted to stockholders for ratification due to the significance of their appointment to us. If stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP, the Audit Committee will consider the appointment of another independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2024.

Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022. A representative of Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.

Fees Billed by Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm During Fiscal 2021 and 2022

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021, and 2022 by Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP:

 

2022

 

2021

Audit Fees(1)

 

$

171,650

 

$

167,500

Tax Fees(2)

 

$

12,600

 

$

12,300

____________

(1)      Audit Fees represent the aggregate fees for professional services for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

(2)      Tax fees represent the aggregate fees billed for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for the pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our principal independent accountants on a case-by-case basis. Our Audit Committee has established a policy regarding approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our principal independent accountants. Our Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category and service. Our Audit Committee has preapproved all of the services provided by our principal independent accountants in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022.

Vote Required

Approval of Proposal No. 2 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. Unless marked to the contrary, Conforming Proxies on a Proxy Card will be voted FOR Proposal No. 2. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.

Recommendation of the Board

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

Our executive officers and directors, and their ages, positions and offices with us are as follows:

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Ira Levy

 

67

 

Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President and Director

Steven J. Lubman

 

68

 

Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director

Alan Plafker*

 

64

 

Director

Martin Novick*

 

87

 

Director

Lawrence Chariton*

 

66

 

Director

Gary Jacobs*

 

66

 

Director

Peter Levy*

 

63

 

Director

____________

*        Independent director

Director Independence

The Board has determined that each of Messrs. Chariton, Jacobs, Plafker, Novick and Peter Levy qualify as “independent” under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules as well as Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Board and Committee Meetings

During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Board held 5 meetings. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which he served as a director), and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which they served (during the periods that he served on such committees). We have no written policy regarding director attendance at annual meetings of stockholders. Our last annual meeting of stockholders was held on November 30, 2022 and all of our directors attended such meeting.

Board Committees

The composition and responsibilities of each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are described below. Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by the Board. Each committee operates under a charter that has been approved by the Board,

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Chariton, Plafker, Novick, Jacobs and Peter Levy, each of whom is an independent director of the Board. Mr. Jacobs serves as chairman of the Audit Committee. Our Board has determined that Mr. Jacobs is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. The audit committee members are “independent” as that term is defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Audit Committee held four meetings.

The Audit Committee is authorized to:

        approve and retain the independent auditors to conduct the annual audit of our books and records;

        review the proposed scope and results of the audit;

        review and pre-approve the independent auditor’s audit and non-audit services rendered;

        approve the audit fees to be paid;

        review accounting and financial controls with the independent auditors and our financial and accounting staff;

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        review and approve transactions between us and our directors, officers and affiliates;

        recognize and prevent prohibited non-audit services;

        establish procedures for complaints received by us regarding accounting matters;

        oversee internal audit functions; and

        prepare the report of the Audit Committee that SEC rules require to be included in our annual meeting proxy statement.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Peter Levy and Gary Jacobs, each of whom is an independent director. Mr. Levy serves as chairman of the Compensation Committee. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Compensation Committee held {2} meetings.

The Compensation Committee is authorized to:

        review and recommend the compensation arrangements for management, including the compensation for our chief executive officer;

        establish and review general compensation policies with the objective of attracting and retaining superior talent, rewarding individual performance and achieving our financial goals;

        administer our stock incentive plans; and

        prepare the report of the Compensation Committee that SEC rules require to be included in our annual meeting proxy statement.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Messrs. Chariton, Plafker, Novick, Peter Levy and Jacobs, each of whom is an independent director. Mr. Jacobs serves as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held 1 meeting during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is authorized to:

        identify and nominate members of the board of directors;

        oversee the evaluation of the board of directors and management;

        develop and recommend corporate governance guidelines to the board of directors;

        evaluate the performance of the members of the board of directors; and

        make recommendations to the board of directors as to the structure, composition and functioning of the board of directors and its committees.

Director Nominations

In evaluating and determining whether to nominate a candidate for a position on the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods and considers criteria such as high professional ethics and values, experience on the policy-making level in business or experience relevant to our product candidates and a commitment to enhancing stockholder value. Candidates may be brought to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by current Board members, stockholders, officers or other persons. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review all candidates in the same manner regardless of the source of the recommendation.

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We have no formal policy regarding board diversity. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Board may therefore consider a broad range of factors relating to the qualifications and background of nominees, which may include diversity, which is not only limited to race, gender or national origin. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s and Board’s priority in selecting board members is identification of persons who will further the interests of our stockholders through his or her established record of professional accomplishment, the ability to contribute positively to the collaborative culture among board members and professional and personal experiences and expertise relevant to our growth strategy.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers stockholder recommendations for director nominees that are properly received in accordance with our Bylaws and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. In order to validly nominate a candidate for election or reelection as a director, stockholders must give timely notice of such nomination in writing to our Corporate Secretary and include, as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected). For more information on director candidate nominations by stockholders, see “Procedures for Nominating Directors”.

Procedures for Nominating Directors

The Bylaws provide, among other things, for advance notice of director nominations.

The exclusive means by which a stockholder may nominate a director is as follows: (i) in the case of the nomination of a director for election at an annual meeting, by delivery of a notice to the secretary of the Company not less than seventy days nor more than ninety days prior to the anniversary of the date on which the Corporation first mailed its proxy materials for the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders (or within a reasonable time before the date on which the Company mails its proxy materials for the current year if during the prior year the Company did not hold an annual meeting); or (ii) in the case of the nomination of a director for election at a special meeting, (other than pursuant to a special meeting request in accordance with the requirements set forth in Sections 2.3 and 2.5) by delivery of a notice to the secretary not less than sixty days nor more than ninety days prior to such special meeting, in either case setting forth: (a) the name, age, business address and the primary legal residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (b) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (c) the number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are owned directly or indirectly of record and directly or indirectly beneficially owned by the nominee and each of its affiliates, (d) any material agreements, understandings or relationships, including financial transactions and compensation, between the nominating stockholder and the proposed nominees and (d) such other information concerning each such nominee as would be required, under the rules of the SEC, in a proxy statement soliciting proxies in a contested election of such nominees. Such notice shall include a signed consent of each such nominee to serve as a director of the Company, if elected. In addition, any stockholder nominee, to be validly nominated, is required to submit to the secretary the questionnaire required pursuant to the Bylaws. A stockholder intending to nominate one or more candidates for election as directors must comply with the advance notice bylaw provisions specifically applicable to the nomination of candidates for election as directors for such nomination to be properly brought before the meeting.

To be eligible to be a director nominee nominated by a stockholder or stockholders for election or reelection as a director of the Company, a nominee must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.4(ii) of the Bylaws) to the secretary a written questionnaire (the “Questionnaire”) with respect to the background, qualification and experience of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made and a written representation and agreement that such person: (a) will abide by the requirements of the Bylaws and the Company’s certificate of incorporation as in effect at the time of their nomination and as validly amended, (b) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Company, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Company or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Company, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (c) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (d) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of

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any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Company, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company. If, prior to the meeting, there is a change or inaccuracy in any information set forth on the Questionnaire, then the director candidate must promptly notify the secretary by submitting in writing a revised Questionnaire. If a nominee fails to provide such Questionnaire, revised Questionnaire or representation and agreement in accordance with the above, the information may be deemed by the Board of Directors in its discretion not to have been provided in accordance with the Bylaws and such nominee may be disqualified as a director nominee by the Board of Directors in its discretion.

In addition to all other requirements set forth in the Bylaws, a nominating stockholder (including its affiliates) and each director nominee must also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in the Bylaws.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Although we have not adopted a formal policy on whether the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions should be separate or combined, we have traditionally determined that it is in our best interests and in the best interests of our stockholders to combine these roles. Mr. Levy has served as our Chairman since November 1981. Due to our small size, we believe it is currently most effective to have the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions combined.

Our board of directors is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk management processes. The Board receives and reviews periodic reports from management, auditors, legal counsel, and others, as considered appropriate regarding our assessment of risks. The Board focuses on the most significant risks facing us and our general risk management strategy, and also ensures that risks undertaken by management are consistent with the board’s appetite for risk. While the Board oversees our risk management, management is responsible for day-to-day risk management processes. We believe this division of responsibilities is the most effective approach for addressing the risks facing us and that our board leadership structure supports this approach.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our officers, directors and employees. A copy of the code of ethics is accessible on our website at https://surgecomponents.com/about/investors-relations. Additional copies of the code of ethics may be obtained without charge, from us by writing or calling: 95 East Jefryn Blvd., Deer Park, New York 11729, Attention: Corporate Secretary, Telephone: (631) 595-1818.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Under Rule 13d-3, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of shares; and (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares. Certain shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if, for example, persons share the power to vote or the power to dispose of the shares). In addition, shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by a person if the person has the right to acquire the shares (for example, upon exercise of an option) within 60 days of the date as of which the information is provided. In computing the percentage ownership of any person, the amount of shares outstanding is deemed to include the amount of shares beneficially owned by such person (and only such person) by reason of these acquisition rights.

The following table sets forth as of September 30, 2023, information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by: (i) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of than five percent of the outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each of our directors and officers and (iii) all officers and directors, as a group:

Name and address of Beneficial Owner(1)

 

Amount and Nature of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned

 

Percentage of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned(2)

Ira Levy

 

1,365,202

(3)

 

18.4

%

Steven J. Lubman

 

1,111,952

(3)

 

19.9

%

Lawrence Chariton

 

192,573

(5)

 

3.5

%

Alan Plafker

 

46,334

(6)

 

 

Martin Novick

 

35,000

(5)

 

 

Gary Jacobs

 

182,000

(4)

 

3.29

%

Peter Levy

 

35,000

(5)

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)

 

2,944,558

 

 

53.1

%

____________

*        Less than 1%

(1)      Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o Surge Components, Inc., 95 East Jefryn Boulevard, Deer Park, NY 11729.

(2)      Applicable percentage ownership is based on 5,541,342 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 15, 2023.

(3)      Includes 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options with an exercise price of $1.41, which are exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 40,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options with an exercise price of $3.55, which are exercisable within 60 days.

(4)      Includes 25,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options with an exercise price of $1.41, which are exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 30,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options with an exercise price of $3.55, which are exercisable within 60 days.

(5)      Includes 15,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options with an exercise price of $1.41, which are exercisable within 60 days. Also includes 20,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options with an exercise price of $3.55, which are exercisable within 60 days.

(6)      Includes 20,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options with an exercise price of $3.55, which are exercisable within 60 days.

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Stockholder Communications with the Board

Stockholders who wish to do so may communicate directly with the Board or specified individual directors by writing to:

Board of Directors (or name of individual director)

c/o Corporate Secretary
Surge Components, Inc.
95 East Jefryn Blvd.
Deer Park, New York 11729

The Board of Directors maintains a process for stockholders or other interested parties to communicate with the Board or any Board member. Stockholders or interested parties who desire to communicate with the Board should send any communication to the Company’s Corporate Secretary, Surge Components, Inc., 95 East Jefryn Blvd., Deer Park, New York 11729. We will forward all communications from security holders and interested parties to the full Board, to non-management directors, to an individual director or to the chairperson of the Board committee that is most closely related to the subject matter of the communication, except for the following types of communications: (i) communications that advocate that we engage in illegal activity; (ii) communications that, under community standards, contain offensive or abusive content; (iii) communications that have no relevance to our business or operations; and (iv) mass mailings, solicitations and advertisements. The Corporate Secretary will determine when a communication is not to be forwarded. Our acceptance and forwarding of communications to directors does not imply that directors owe or assume any fiduciary duties to persons submitting the communications.

Additionally, the Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and confidential treatment of complaints received by Surge regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, including procedures for confidential, anonymous submissions by employees with respect to such matters. Employees and stockholders may raise a question or concern to the Audit Committee regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters by writing to:

Chairman, Audit Committee
c/o Corporate Secretary
Surge Components, Inc.
95 East Jefryn Blvd.
Deer Park, New York 11729

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed our financial statements for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022 with both management and Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. In its discussion, management has represented to the Audit Committee that our financial statements for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022 were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Audit Committee meets with our independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their annual audit and quarterly reviews, our internal controls and the overall quality of our financial reporting. The Audit Committee has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from our independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has considered and discussed with Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP, such firm’s independence and the compatibility of the non-audit services provided by the firm with its independence.

Based on the Audit Committee’s review of the audited financial statements and the various discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

   

/s/ Gary Jacobs (Chairman)

   

Gary Jacobs

   

/s/ Alan Plafker

   

Alan Plafker

   

/s/ Lawrence Chariton

   

Lawrence Chariton

   

/s/ Peter Levy

   

Peter Levy

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid to our executive officers for the years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30, 2021:

Name and Position

 

Fiscal
Year

 

Salary
($)

 

Bonus
($)

 

Stock
Awards
($)

 

Option
Awards
($)

 

All Other
Compensation
($)(1)

 

Total
($)

Ira Levy

 

2022

 

300,000

 

271,575

     

 

61,473

 

633,048

President CEO and CFO

 

2021

 

291,827

 

240,000

 

60,000

 

 

57,283

 

649,110

                             

Steven J. Lubman

 

2022

 

250,000

 

183,261

 

 

 

48,308

 

481,569

Vice President and Secretary

 

2021

 

241,827

 

170,889

 

37,500

 

 

39,627

 

489,843

____________

(1)      Amounts in this column include payments for medical insurance, automobile allowance and life and personal insurance. With respect to Fiscal 2022, the amounts were comprised of the following items:

 

Medical
Insurance

 

Automobile
Allowances

 

Life and
Personal
Insurance

Ira Levy

 

$

33,240

 

$

18,756

 

$

9,477

Steven J. Lubman

 

$

29,093

 

$

11,400

 

$

7,815

2022 Base Salary and Bonus

In February 2016, the Company entered into revised employment agreements with two officers of the Company. Pursuant to these agreements, the base salary for Ira Levy is $275,000 and the base salary for Steven Lubman is $225,000. The agreements continue until terminated by either party. In April 2021, the employment agreements for Ira Levy and Steven Lubman were amended to increase the base salary to $300,000 and $250,000, respectively.

The Company’s compensation committee may award these officers with bonuses and will review the base salary amounts for each of the officers on an annual basis to determine if any changes to the base salary amounts need to be made. Pursuant to the employment agreements, the officers are prohibited from engaging in activities which are competitive with those of the Company during their employment with the Company and for one year following termination. If the agreement is terminated other than for cause, the officer would be entitled to all base salary earned through the date of termination, accrued but unused vacation, all vested equity, and bonus amounts payable to the officer through the date of termination. The officers would also be entitled to receive an additional thirty-six months of annual compensation equal to the average of his base salary and bonus for the three calendar years prior to the date of termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice over a 52-week period.

The bonus granted to the named executive officers for 2021 was based on certain performance goals that were set prior to the year by the Compensation Committee and the executive, but ultimately the bonus is discretionary, as the Compensation Committee has the authority to make all final decisions regarding the amount and form of bonuses provided to the executive officers. For Mr. Levy, his target bonus amount is equal to fifty percent (50%) of his base salary, and Mr. Lubman’s target is equal to forty-five percent (45%) of his base salary.

In 2021 the Compensation Committee used four performance markers to guide their decisions regarding bonus amounts. The performance guidelines that were applicable to Messrs. Levy and Lubman’s bonuses for the 2021 year included individual performance goals, revenue growth, achieving the operating plan goals for specific divisions of the company, and achieving the operating plan for the company as a whole. Each performance guideline was generally intended to make up twenty-five percent of the potential bonus amount for each executive. Based upon the Company’s and the executives’ performance during the 2021 year, the Compensation Committee granted awards that were approximately one hundred percent (100%) of the executives’ target award amount.

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2021 Equity Compensation Awards

We have historically granted fully vested stock awards and stock option awards. The amount of awards granted in any given year is determined based on the performance of the company and the executive in the previous year. Performance is generally based upon the same performance guidelines that are used for the annual cash bonus award for that year. The Compensation Committee sets a target award amount based upon a percentage of the executive’s base salary. At the end of the year, the Compensation Committee determines the cash amount that resulted from the previous year’s performance, with any discretionary adjustments that the Compensation Committee deems to be appropriate, and converts that cash amount into a number of shares of stock awards or stock option awards, as applicable.

During the 2021 year, the Compensation Committee set a target amount of twenty percent (20%) of base salary for Mr. Levy and a target of fifteen percent (15%) of base salary for Mr. Lubman. Following the end of the 2021 year, the Compensation Committee determined that Messrs. Levy and Lubman should receive equity awards equal in value to one hundred percent (100%) of their target award amount. The Compensation Committee used the Company’s stock price of $3.75 on March 7, 2022 to convert the resulting cash award into 16,000 stock awards for Mr. Levy and 10,000 stock awards for Mr. Lubman. The equity awards, if any, that will be granted to the named executive officers with respect to 2022 year performance will not be granted until the 2023 year, therefore they will be included in the compensation disclosures that we file for the 2023 year.

Employment Agreements

In February 2016, the Company entered into revised employment agreements (the “Levy Agreement” and the “Lubman Agreement”, individually, and collectively, the “Employment Agreements”) with Ira Levy and Steven Lubman, respectively, which provides the executives with a base salary of $275,000 and $225,000, respectively (“Base Salary”). In April 2021, the employment agreements for Ira Levy and Steven Lubman were amended to increase their base salaries to $300,000 and $250,000, respectively.

The executives shall receive an annual bonus as shall be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee, as applicable, in its sole discretion, based upon criteria to be established in its sole discretion. The executives shall also be entitled to receive additional cash, equity or other compensation or benefits in consideration for their services to the Company, at such times and in such amounts as shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee. In addition, the executives shall be entitled to receive grants of stock options, stock and/or any other equity incentive awards available to senior executives, under the Company’s equity incentive plans, at such times and in such amounts as shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee.

The Employment Agreements will remain in effect until terminated by either the Company or the executive. In the event an executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreements), or if an executive resigns other than for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreements), he shall be entitled to receive (i) any earned but unpaid salary, all vested equity, and any earned but unpaid bonus awards through the date of termination, and (ii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by him in accordance with the Company’s policy prior to the date of termination.

In the event an executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or if an executive resigns for Good Reason, including a Change of Control (as defined in the Employment Agreements) that is accompanied by the executive’s resignation within a twelve month period following that Change of Control, such executive shall be entitled to any earned but unpaid salary, all vested equity, and any earned but unpaid bonus awards through the date of termination. Such executive will also be paid an additional thirty-six months of annual compensation equal to the average of his base salary and bonus for the three calendar years prior to the date of termination, payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practice over a 52-week period. The Company shall also (i) accelerate the vesting on any of the executive’s unvested stock options, restricted stock grants or other equity incentive awards; and (ii) reimburse the executive for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by him in accordance with the Company’s policy prior to the date of termination. In the event that the executive is terminated without Cause due to our inability to pay our debts when they generally become due, we will not be liable for the cash severance payments or the payment of annual bonuses due to the executive. The severance benefits potentially payable upon a termination other than for Cause or for Good Reason will be provided subject to the executive signing a general release of claims in our favor prior to payment.

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In the event an executive’s employment is terminated by the Company upon death or disability, the executive or his estate shall be entitled to receive his salary then in effect along with all other fringe benefits (including, without limitation, family medical benefits) for a period of one year following the date of such termination. In addition, the executive or his estate shall have the right to exercise any unexercised and vested options for a period of ninety days following the date of termination and to receive payment for any accrued but unpaid vacation time.

The Employment Agreements contain customary non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that extend to one year after the date of termination of the executives’ employment with the Company. The executives also agreed to customary terms regarding confidentiality and ownership of product ideas.

Outstanding Equity Awards at November 30, 2022

Name

 

Number of
securities
underlying
options,
Unexercisable
(#)

 

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options,
Exercisable
(#)

 

Option
Exercise
Price
($)

 

Option
Expiration
Date

Ira Levy

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

1.41

 

04/23/2025

Steven Lubman

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

1.41

 

04/23/2025

Ira Levy

 

40,000

 

40,000

 

3.55

 

03/15/2027

Steven Lubman

 

40,000

 

40,000

 

3.55

 

03/15/2027

Director Compensation for Year Ending November 30, 2022

The following table summarizes the compensation for our non-employee board of directors for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022. All compensation paid to our employee directors is included under the summary compensation table above. With respect to the 2022 fiscal year, the director compensation program consisted of a monthly cash fee of $2,500 per month, with the amount increased to $3,500 per month for a non-employee director that serves as the chairman of more than two committees on the Board of Directors. The non-employee directors are also eligible to receive equity awards, although there is no annual target amount set for the non-employee directors. In July 2021 the directors received an increase making the new monthly cash fee $3,000 per month and the amount for a non-employee director that serves as a chairman on more than two committees on the Board of Directors $4,000 per month.

Name

 

Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)

 

Total
($)

Alan Plafker

 

36,000

 

36,000

Martin Novick

 

36,000

 

36,000

Lawrence Chariton

 

36,000

 

36,000

Gary Jacobs

 

48,000

 

48,000

Peter Levy

 

36,000

 

36,000

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING

Stockholder proposals intended for inclusion in our proxy statement for our next Annual Meeting (expected to be held on or about November 29, 2024, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act) must be submitted to us on or before August 2, 2024, so that they may be considered by us for inclusion in our proxy statement relating to that meeting.

Our Bylaws provide that nominations for the election of directors and proposals for other business to be consider at the annual meeting of stockholders may be made upon timely notice given by any stockholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors. A timely notice must be made in writing, contain the information required by our Bylaws and be received by the Secretary of the Company, not later than the close of business on the 45th day, nor earlier than the opening of business on the 75th day before the first anniversary of the mailing of the proxy for the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, in the event that the date of the upcoming annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days before, or delayed more than 60 calendar days after, such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be delivered not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th before the meeting and not later than (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Company. Additionally, delivery of a notice to the Secretary must set forth the information regarding each nominee required by Section 2.4 of the Company’s By-laws.

ANNUAL REPORT

The Annual Report is being sent with this Proxy Statement to each stockholder and is available at the Investor Relations portion of our website as well as on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Annual Report contains our audited financial statements for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021, and November 30, 2022. The Annual Report, however, is not to be regarded as part of the proxy soliciting material.

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DELIVERY OF PROXY MATERIALS TO HOUSEHOLDS

Only one copy of this Proxy Statement and one copy of our Annual Report are being delivered to multiple registered stockholders who share an address unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. A separate form of proxy and a separate notice of the Annual Meeting are being included for each account at the shared address.

Registered stockholders who share an address and would like to receive a separate copy of our Annual Report and/or a separate copy of this Proxy Statement, or have questions regarding the house holding process, may contact our transfer agent: Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, by calling (212) 509-4000, or by forwarding a written request addressed to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004. Promptly upon request, a separate copy of our Annual Report and/or a separate copy of this Proxy Statement will be sent. By contacting Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, registered stockholders sharing an address can also (i) notify us that the registered stockholders wish to receive separate annual reports to stockholders, proxy statements and/or Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, in the future or (ii) request delivery of a single copy of annual reports to stockholders, proxy statements and/or Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, in the future if registered stockholders at the shared address are receiving multiple copies.

Many brokers, brokerage firms, broker/dealers, banks and other holders of record have also instituted “house holding” (delivery of one copy of materials to multiple stockholders who share an address). If your family has one or more “street name” accounts under which you beneficially own shares of common stock of Surge, you may have received house holding information from your broker, brokerage firm, broker/dealer, bank or other nominee in the past. Please contact the holder of record directly if you have questions, require additional copies of this Proxy Statement or our Annual Report or wish to revoke your decision to household and thereby receive multiple copies. You should also contact the holder of record if you wish to institute house holding.

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OTHER MATTERS

Management does not know of any other matters that are likely to be brought before the meeting. However, in the event that any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote said proxy in accordance with their judgment in said matters.

The information presented in this proxy statement under the caption “Audit Committee Report” will not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, and nothing contained in any previous filings made by the Company under such acts shall be interpreted as incorporating by reference the information presented under said specified captions.

Where You Can Find More Information

We file annual and quarterly reports and other reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We distribute to our stockholders annual reports containing financial statements audited by our independent registered public accounting firm and, upon request, quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal year containing unaudited financial information. In addition, the reports and other information are filed through Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (known as “EDGAR”) system and are publicly available on the SEC’s Web site, located at http://www.sec.gov. We will provide without charge to you, upon written or oral request, a copy of the reports and other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Any requests for copies of information, reports or other filings with the SEC should be directed to Surge Components, Inc., 95 E. Jefryn Blvd., Deer Park, New York 11729, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

   

/s/ Ira Levy

   

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Deer Park, New York
November 6, 2023

   

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement and the Annual Report are available at the Investor Relations portion of our website
at https://surgecomponents.com/about/investors-relations

SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

November 30, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.

The undersigned stockholder of Surge Components, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), hereby appoints Ira Levy and Steven J. Lubman, and each of them, each with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, all of the shares of common stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote, on all matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on November 30, 2023, over the phone at (800) 267-6316 (United States toll-free) or (203) 518-9713 (international) (conference ID 2036951) or online at https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4398446/E325CD2CA2CD3B8CE0ADC261B3546051 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (“Annual Meeting”). The undersigned stockholder hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given by the undersigned for the Annual Meeting.

THIS PROXY CARD, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE BUT THE CARD IS SIGNED, THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES IN PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” PROPOSAL 2 AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

 

Table of Contents

SURGE COMPONENTS, INC.
95 EAST JEFRYN BLVD.
DEER PARK, NEW YORK 11729

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Continental Stock Transfer, 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004, Attention: Proxy Department.

VOTE BY E-MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and send it to proxy@continentalstock.com.

VOTE BY FAX

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and fax it to (212) 509-5152.

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

1.

 

Election of Directors.

 

Vote FOR

 

Vote WITHHOLD

 

Vote FOR ALL

                 
   

Ira Levy
Steven J. Lubman
Alan Plafker
Martin Novick
Lawrence Chariton
Peter A. Levy
Gary M. Jacobs

 

ALL
nominees

 

from
all
nominees

 

nominees except
the nominee(s)
marked below

       

 

 

_____________

                 

2.

 

Ratification of the appointment of Seligson & Giannattasio, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2023.

                     
           

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

           

 

 

3.

   
     
     

NOTE: The proxies are authorized to vote on all such matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.

Signature

     

Date:

Signature (Joint Owners)

     

Date: