UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by a Party other than the
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Check the appropriate box:
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[_] Confidential, For Use of
the Commission Only (As Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy
Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material
under Rule 14a-12
LIGHTBRIDGE
CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its
Charter)
__________________________________________________________
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Lightbridge Corporation |
1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550 |
McLean, VA 22102 USA |
571.730.1200 |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
APRIL 18, 2013 |
Dear Stockholder:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting) of Lightbridge Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the Company), will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at the offices of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP located at 2300 N Street, N.W., Washington, DC, 20037, USA for the following purposes:
1. |
To elect five persons to the Board of Directors of the Company, each to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company or until such person shall resign, be removed or otherwise leave office; |
2. |
To ratify the selection by the Audit Committee of Anderson Bradshaw PLLC as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013; |
3. |
To have an advisory vote on executive compensation; |
4. |
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
If you owned our common stock at the close of business on February 19, 2013, you may attend and vote at the meeting.
A Proxy Statement describing the matters to be considered at the Meeting is attached to this Notice. Our 2012 Annual Report accompanies this Notice, but it is not deemed to be part of the Proxy Statement.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, I hope that you will vote as soon as possible. You may vote your shares by either completing, signing and returning the accompanying proxy card or casting your vote via a toll-free telephone number or over the Internet.
Sincerely, | |
/s/Thomas Graham, Jr. | |
Thomas Graham, Jr. | |
Chairman and Corporate Secretary |
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY
MATERIALS FOR THE STOCKHOLDER
MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 18, 2013
This Notice and Proxy Statement and our 2012 Annual Report are available online at http://www.edocumentview.com/LTBR .
Lightbridge Corporation
1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite
550
McLean, VA 22102 USA
571.730.1200
______________________
PROXY STATEMENT
______________________
The Board of Directors of Lightbridge Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the Company, Lightbridge or we) is furnishing this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy to you to solicit your proxy for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting). The Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., local time, at the offices of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP located at 2300 N Street, N.W., Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
What is this proxy statement?
You have received this proxy statement and our annual report because our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the annual meeting. This proxy statement includes information that we are required to provide to you under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and that is designed to assist you in voting your shares.
What is the purpose of the annual meeting?
At the annual meeting, our stockholders will act upon the matters described in this proxy statement. These actions include the election of directors; ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm (which we sometimes refer to as the independent auditors); and an advisory (that is, nonbinding) vote on executive compensation. An additional purpose of the annual meeting is to transact any other business that may properly come before the annual meeting and any and all adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting.
Who can attend the annual meeting?
All stockholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2013, the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the annual meeting.
1
What proposals will be voted on at the annual meeting? Stockholders will vote on three proposals at the annual meeting:
the election of directors;
the ratification of Anderson Bradshaw PLLC as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013; and
an advisory vote on executive compensation.
What are the Boards recommendations? Our Board recommends that you vote:
FOR election of the nominated directors;
FOR ratification of Anderson Bradshaw PLLC as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013;
FOR approval of the compensation of our named executive officers.
Will there be any other business on the agenda?
The Board knows of no other matters that are likely to be brought before the annual meeting. If any other matters properly come before the annual meeting, however, the persons named in the enclosed proxy, or their duly appointed substitute acting at the annual meeting, will be authorized to vote or otherwise act on those matters in accordance with their judgment.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2013, which we refer to as the record date, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. As of the record date, there were 12,526,240 shares of our common stock outstanding. Holders of common stock as of the record date are entitled to one vote for each share held for each of the proposals.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
Stockholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. This proxy and our Annual Report have been sent directly to you by us.
Beneficial Owner. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name. This proxy and the Annual Report have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee who is considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares by using the voting instructions included in with your proxy materials.
2
How do I vote my shares?
Stockholders can vote in person at the annual meeting or by proxy. There are three ways to vote by proxy:
By Telephone Stockholders located in the United States can vote by telephone by calling the number listed on your enclosed proxy card and following the instructions;
By Internet You can vote over the Internet going to the link provided on your enclosed proxy card and following the instructions; or
By Mail You can vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card.
Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on April 17, 2013.
If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record. You must follow the instructions of the holder of record in order for your shares to be voted. Telephone and Internet voting also will be offered to stockholders owning shares through certain banks and brokers. If your shares are not registered in your own name and you plan to vote your shares in person at the annual meeting, you should contact your broker or agent to obtain a legal proxy or brokers proxy card and bring it to the annual meeting in order to vote.
If you vote by proxy, the individuals named on the proxy card (your proxies) will vote your shares in the manner you indicate. You may specify how your shares should be voted for each of the proposals. If you grant a proxy without indicating your instructions, your shares will be voted as follows:
FOR the election of the three nominees for director;
FOR the ratification of Anderson Bradshaw PLLC as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013;
FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers.
You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (1) delivering to us a signed proxy card with a date later than your previously delivered proxy, (2) voting in person at the Annual Meeting, (3) granting a subsequent proxy through the Internet or telephone, or (4) sending a written revocation to the Corporate Secretary. Your most current proxy card or telephone or Internet proxy is the one that is counted. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting is February 19, 2013. As of that date, there were 12,526,240 shares of our common stock outstanding.
What constitutes a quorum?
A quorum is the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of the common stock entitled to vote. Under Nevada law, an abstaining vote and a broker non-vote are counted as present and are, therefore, included for purposes of determining whether a quorum of shares is present at the annual meeting.
What is a broker non-vote and what is its effect on voting?
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules of various national and regional securities exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on routine matters but cannot vote on non-routine matters. If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, the organization that holds your shares does not have the authority to vote on the matter with respect to those shares. This is generally referred to as a broker non-vote. Proposal 2 (ratification of auditors) involves a matter that we believe will be considered routine. All other proposals involve matters that we believe will be considered non-routine. We encourage you to provide voting instructions to the organization that holds your shares by carefully following the instructions provided on your proxy card.
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What is required to approve each item?
For Proposal No. 1 (election of directors), each director must be elected by a majority of votes cast with respect to such director (i.e., the number of shares voted for a director nominee must exceed the number of votes withheld from that nominee). Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of the election of directors.
For Proposal No. 2 (ratification of independent auditors) and Proposal No. 3 (advisory vote on executive compensation), the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stockholders shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote, is required.
For any other matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stockholders shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote, is required.
For the purpose of determining whether the stockholders have approved matters other than the election of directors, abstentions are treated as shares present or represented and voting, so abstaining has the same effect as a negative vote. If stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee and do not instruct them how to vote, the broker may have authority to vote the shares for routine matters.
Stockholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors, which means that each stockholder may vote no more than the number of shares he or she owns for a single director candidate.
Our bylaws require that, in uncontested elections, each director be elected by the majority of votes cast with respect to such director. This means that the number of shares voted for a director nominee must exceed the number of votes withheld from that nominee in order for that nominee to be elected. Only votes for or withheld are counted as votes cast with respect to a director. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect.
How will shares of common stock represented by properly executed proxies be voted?
All shares of common stock represented by proper proxies will, unless such proxies have previously been revoked, be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Boards recommendations as set forth herein. In addition, if any other matters properly come before the annual meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy, or their duly appointed substitute acting at the annual meeting, will be authorized to vote or otherwise act on those matters in accordance with their judgment.
4
Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?
Any stockholder executing a proxy has the power to revoke such proxy at any time prior to its exercise. You may revoke your proxy prior to exercise by:
filing with us a written notice of revocation of your proxy,
submitting a properly signed proxy card bearing a later date,
voting over the Internet or by telephone, or
voting in person at the annual meeting.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Proxy?
If your shares are registered under different names or are in more than one account, you may receive more than one set of proxy materials. To ensure that all your shares are voted, please vote by telephone, through the Internet using each personal identification number you are provided, or complete, sign and date the multiple proxy cards relating to your multiple accounts. We encourage you whenever possible to have all accounts registered in the same name and address. You can accomplish this by contacting our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company at (303) 262-0600.
Who paid for this proxy solicitation?
The cost of preparing, printing, assembling and mailing this proxy statement and other material furnished to stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies is borne by us.
How do I learn the results of the voting at the annual meeting?
Preliminary results will be announced at the annual meeting. Final results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days of the annual meeting.
How are proxies solicited?
In addition to the mail solicitation of proxies, our officers, directors, employees and agents may solicit proxies by written communication, telephone or personal call. These persons will receive no special compensation for any solicitation activities. We will reimburse banks, brokers and other persons holding common stock for their expenses in forwarding proxy solicitation materials to beneficial owners of our common stock.
What is householding?
Householding means that we deliver a single set of proxy materials when requested to households with multiple stockholders, provided certain conditions are met. Householding reduces our printing and mailing costs.
If you or another stockholder of record sharing your address would like to receive an additional copy of the proxy materials, we will promptly deliver it to you upon your request in one of the following manners:
Lightbridge Corporation |
1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550 |
McLean, VA 22102 |
Attention: Corporate Secretary |
If you would like to opt out of householding in future mailings, or if you are currently receiving multiple mailings at one address and would like to request householded mailings, you may do so by contacting our Corporate Secretary as indicated above.
5
Can I receive future stockholder communications electronically through the Internet?
Yes. You may elect to receive future notices of meetings, proxy materials and annual reports electronically through the Internet. To consent to electronic delivery, vote your shares using the Internet. At the end of the Internet voting procedure, the on-screen Internet voting instructions will tell you how to request future stockholder communications be sent to you electronically.
Once you consent to electronic delivery, you must vote your shares using the Internet and your consent will remain in effect until withdrawn. You may withdraw this consent at any time during the voting process and resume receiving stockholder communications in print form.
Whom may I contact for further assistance?
If you have any questions about giving your proxy or require any assistance, please contact our Corporate Secretary:
Lightbridge Corporation |
1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550 |
McLean, VA 22102 |
Attention: Corporate Secretary |
6
Directors and Executive Officers
Set forth below are the names of our current directors, officers and significant employees, their ages, all positions and offices that they hold with us, the period during which they have served as such, and their business experience during at least the last five years.
Position with the | Term as Director of | ||
Name | Age | Company | Company |
Seth Grae | 50 | President, CEO and Director | April 2006 Present |
Thomas Graham, Jr. | 79 | Chairman and Corporate Secretary | April 2006 Present |
Victor E. Alessi | 73 | Director | August 2006 Present |
Jack. D. Ladd | 63 | Director | October 2006 Present |
Daniel B. Magraw | 66 | Director | October 2006 Present |
James Guerra |
60 |
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer |
- |
Andrey Mushakov |
36 |
Executive Vice President
International Nuclear Operations |
-
|
Name | Position with the Company and Principal Occupations |
Seth Grae |
Mr. Grae was named the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company on March 17, 2006 and, effective April 2, 2006, became a director of the Company. Seth Grae has led the development and implementation of Lightbridges business efforts to develop and deploy advanced nuclear fuel technologies and to provide comprehensive advisory services based on safety, non-proliferation, and transparency for emerging commercial nuclear power programs. |
Mr. Grae is a member of the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and he is a member of the Nuclear Energy Institute's Suppliers Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Deans Advisory Council at the Washington College of Law at American University. Mr. Grae has served as Vice Chair of the Governing Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and as Co-Chair of the American Bar Associations Arms Control and Disarmament Committee. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers Alliance for World Security. Mr. Grae reviews the work of the Companys principal financial and accounting officers on significant matters related to the Companys financial position and results of operations, and the presentation of its financial statements. |
7
Thomas Graham, Jr. |
Ambassador Graham became a director of the Company on April 2, 2006, and chairman of the board of directors on April 4, 2006. Ambassador Graham served as a member of the board of directors of Thorium Power, Inc., from 1997 until the merger with the Company. He is one of the worlds leading experts on nuclear non- proliferation and has served as a senior U.S. diplomat involved in the negotiation of every major international arms control and non-proliferation agreement involving the United States during the period from 1970 to 1997, including the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (the Interim Agreement on Strategic Offensive Arms, the Anti- Ballistic Missile Treaty, and the Salt II Treaty), the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (the Start I Treaty and the Start II Treaty), the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty Extension, the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty, and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. In 1993, Ambassador Graham served as the Acting Director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA), and for seven months in 1994 served as the Acting Deputy Director. From 1994 through 1997, he served as the Special Representative of the President of the United States for Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament with the rank of Ambassador, and in this capacity successfully led U.S. government efforts to achieve the permanent extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1995. He also served for 15 years as the general counsel of ACDA. |
Ambassador Graham worked on the negotiation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention. He drafted the implementing legislation for the Biological Weapons Convention and managed the Senate approval of the ratification of the Geneva Protocol banning the use in war of chemical and biological weapons. In 2009, Mr. Graham was appointed as a member of the International Advisory Board for the nuclear program of the United Arab Emirates. He is also Chairman of the Board of CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. of Vancouver, Canada (Toronto: CVV: CN) a uranium exploration company. Ambassador Graham received an A.B. in 1955 from Princeton and a J.D. in 1961 from Harvard University. He is a member of the Kentucky, the District of Columbia and the New York Bar Associations and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He chaired the Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament of the American Bar Association from 1986-1994. Ambassador Graham received the Trainor Award for Distinction in Diplomacy from Georgetown University in 1995 and the World Order Under Law award from the International Law Section of the American Bar Association in 2007. He has taught at a number of universities as an adjunct professor including the University of Virginia Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, the University of Washington, The University of Tennessee, and Stanford University. He has published six books, the most recent being Unending Crisis in 2012. |
8
Victor E. Alessi |
Dr. Alessi became a director of the Company on August 23, 2006. Dr. Victor E. Alessi, who holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics, is President Emeritus of the United States Industry Coalition (USIC), an organization dedicated to facilitating the commercialization of technologies of the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union through cooperation with its members. He has held such position since August 1, 2006; prior to becoming President Emeritus, Dr. Alessi held the positions of CEO and President of USIC since 1999. Previously, he was President of DynMeridian, a subsidiary of DynCorp, specializing in arms control, non-proliferation, and international security affairs. Before joining DynMeridian in early 1996, Dr. Alessi was the Executive Assistant to the Director, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA). At ACDA he resolved inter-bureau disputes, and advised the Director on all arms control and non-proliferation issues. Dr. Alessi served as Director of the Office of Arms Control and Non-proliferation in the Department of Energy (DOE) prior to his work at ACDA, overseeing all DOE arms control and non-proliferation activities. As a senior DOE representative, Dr. Alessi participated in U.S. efforts that led to successful conclusion of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF), Conventional Forces in Europe, Threshold Test Ban, Peaceful Nuclear Explosions, Open Skies, Strategic Arms Reductions Talks Treaties and the Chemical Weapons Convention. In this role, he was instrumental in implementing the U.S. unilateral nuclear initiative in 1991 and was a member of the U.S. delegation discussing nuclear disarmament with Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union. He was in charge of DOEs support to the U.N. Special Commission on Iraq, to the Nunn-Lugar Initiative, and represented DOE in discussions on the Comprehensive Test Ban (CTB) with the other nuclear weapons states before the CTB negotiations began in Geneva in 1994. Dr. Alessi served as the U.S. board member to the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow since its founding in 1992 until 2011. He is also the former U.S. board member to the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine. Dr. Alessi is a 1963 graduate of Fordham University, where he also earned a licentiate in Philosophy (Ph.L.) in 1964. He studied nuclear physics at Georgetown University, receiving his M.S. in 1968 and Ph.D. in 1969. |
9
Jack D. Ladd |
Mr. Ladd became a director of the Company on October 23, 2006. Mr. Ladd is the Dean of the Collage of Business and Engineering of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB), having been appointed to that position in July, 2007. Mr. Ladd was previously the Director of the John Ben Shepperd Leadership Institute of UTPB, having served as the head of that institution beginning in September, 2004. Earlier in his career Mr. Ladd was a practicing attorney with the law firm of Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin & Browder, Inc., in Midland, Texas. Mr. Ladd was appointed to the Texas State Securities Board in 2002 and two years later was designated its Chairman where he served until 2010. Mr. Ladd has almost three decades of experience in public affairs, law, governance, and public service. As a practicing attorney, he has served on numerous civic, educational, religious and governmental boards and committees. He is the director of two other public corporations and one private corporation. He holds the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from The University of Texas in Austin and a B.A. from the University of Texas in Austin . |
| |
Daniel B. Magraw |
Mr. Magraw became a director of the Company on October 23, 2006. Mr. Magraw is a leading expert on international environmental law and policy. Mr. Magraw is a Fellow and Professorial Lecturer at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and President Emeritus of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Mr. Magraw was the President and CEO of CIEL from 2002-2010. From 1992-2001, he was Director of the International Environmental Law Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He was a member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (TEPAC), chairs the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of International Laws Task Force on Magna Carta, serves as a consultant to the United Nations, was a former member of the U.S. Department of State Study Group on International Business Transactions, was Chair of the 15,000-member Section of International Law and Practice of the ABA and is a member of the International Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association. He practiced international law, constitutional law, and bankruptcy law at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC from 1978-1983. Mr. Magraw is a widely-published author in the field of international environmental law. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley Law School. While working as an economist for the Peace Corps in India from 1968 to 1972, Magraw helped develop and managed the largest and most successful cooperative of its type (wholesale, retail, furniture manufacturing and food processing) in India. Since 1996, Mr. Magraw has been a member of the board of directors of Thorium Power, Inc., which is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. |
10
James Guerra |
Mr. Guerra became the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company on October 29, 2007, and the Chief Operating Officer on November 14, 2008. A seasoned financial executive, Mr. Guerras experience encompasses domestic and international markets as well as a diverse range of industries including nuclear energy. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Exelon Business Services Company from 2002 to 2007. Exelon Business Services Company is the corporate services and operating company of Exelon, the largest producer of nuclear energy in the United States. From 2000-2002, Mr. Guerra served as Vice President of Business Operations and Controller of Exelon Nuclear. Prior to joining Exelon, Mr. Guerra was Vice President of Finance and Treasurer and Controller of Grupo Dina, the Mexico City-based manufacturer of trucks and the largest producer of motor coaches and bus spare parts in North America. Earlier in his career, Mr. Guerra served in senior financial management positions with AT&T, Citigroup, and Beatrice Companies. Mr. Guerra holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, an M.B.A. in Accounting/Finance from the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University, is a licensed CPA in the State of Illinois and holds the designation of a Charted Global Management Accountant. |
| |
Andrey Mushakov |
Dr. Mushakov became the Executive Vice President- International Nuclear Operations of the Company on July 27, 2006 and he oversees the nuclear fuel technology division of Lightbridge Corporation. Dr. Mushakov has been with Lightbridge since 2000. In 2009, he led Lightbridges efforts to establish its Russian branch office in Moscow and currently oversees its operations. He also acts as the primary liaison between Lightbridge Corporation and various Russian nuclear organizations, including Russian State Corporation Rosatom, TVEL, MSZ Electrostal, OKBM, Kurchatov Institute, and other Russian entities. Dr. Mushakov was instrumental in negotiating Lightbridges collaborative agreements with AREVA, the worlds largest nuclear energy firm, to investigate the use of thorium fuel in light water reactors and directing successful execution of the consulting projects thereunder in 2009-2010. Dr. Mushakov has been a featured speaker at international conferences and panels on nuclear fuel technology, including the Wharton Energy Conference and the World Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference. Before joining Lightbridge, Dr. Mushakov worked in commercial bank oversight and corporate finance in the banking and construction sectors in Russia. Dr. Mushakov earned a Ph.D. in economics from St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance, an M.S. in management from Hult International Business School, and a B.S. in banking and finance from the Financial University under the Government of Russia. |
11
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officers and stockholders who own more than ten percent of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company to file with the SEC and NASDAQ reports of ownership and changes in ownership of voting securities of the Company and to furnish copies of such reports to us.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms received by the Company, we believe that with respect to the year ended December 31, 2012, the Companys directors, officers and more than ten-percent stockholders timely filed all such required forms.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our current corporate governance practices and policies are designed to promote stockholder value and we are committed to the highest standards of corporate ethics and diligent compliance with financial accounting and reporting rules. Our Board provides independent leadership in the exercise of its responsibilities. Our management oversees a system of internal controls and compliance with corporate policies and applicable laws and regulations, and our employees operate in a climate of responsibility, candor and integrity.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
We and our Board are committed to high standards of corporate governance as an important component in building and maintaining stockholder value. To this end, we regularly review our corporate governance policies and practices to ensure that they are consistent with the high standards of other companies. We also closely monitor guidance issued or proposed by the SEC and the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as the emerging best practices of other companies. The current corporate governance guidelines are available on the Companys website www.ltbridge.com . Printed copies of our corporate governance guidelines may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Corporate Secretary, Lightbridge Corporation, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia 22102 USA.
The Board and Committees of the Board
The Company is governed by the Board that currently consists of five members: Seth Grae, Thomas Graham, Victor Alessi, Jack Ladd and Daniel Magraw. The Board has established four Committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Executive Committee. Each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee are comprised entirely of independent directors. From time to time, the Board may establish other committees. The Board has adopted a written charter for each of the Committees which are available on the Companys website www.ltbridge.com . Printed copies of these charters may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Corporate Secretary, Lightbridge Corporation, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia 22102 USA.
12
Governance Structure
The Company has chosen to separate the roles of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, though our current Chairman, Thomas Graham, Jr., is a member of the Companys executive management. We have chosen to implement such a governance structure to allow our Chief Executive Officer the ability to focus the majority of his time and efforts on the day to day operations of the Company. We believe that this governance structure has served the Companys shareholders well over the years.
We encourage our shareholders to learn more about our Companys governance practices at our website, www.ltbridge.com .
The Boards Role in Risk Oversight
The Board oversees that the assets of the Company are properly safeguarded, that the appropriate financial and other controls are maintained, and that the Companys business is conducted wisely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and proper governance. Included in these responsibilities is the Board of Directors oversight of the various risks facing the Company. In this regard, the Board seeks to understand and oversee critical business risks. The Board does not view risk in isolation. Risks are considered in virtually every business decision and as part of the Companys business strategy. The Board recognizes that it is neither possible nor prudent to eliminate all risk. Indeed, purposeful and appropriate risk-taking is essential for the Company to be competitive on a global basis and to achieve its objectives.
While the Board oversees risk management, Company management is charged with managing risk. The Company has robust internal processes and a strong internal control environment to identify and manage risks and to communicate with the Board. The Board and the Audit Committee monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the internal controls and the risk management program at least annually. Management communicates routinely with the Board, Board Committees and individual Directors on the significant risks identified and how they are being managed. Directors are free to, and indeed often do, communicate directly with senior management.
The Board implements its risk oversight function both as a whole and through Committees. Much of the work is delegated to various Committees, which meet regularly and report back to the full Board. All Committees play significant roles in carrying out the risk oversight function. In particular:
The Audit Committee oversees risks related to the Companys financial statements, the financial reporting process, accounting and legal matters. The Audit Committee oversees the internal audit function and the Companys ethics programs, including the Code of Business Conduct. The Audit Committee members meet separately with representatives of the independent auditing firm.
The Compensation Committee evaluates the risks and rewards associated with the Companys compensation philosophy and programs. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves compensation programs with features that mitigate risk without diminishing the incentive nature of the compensation. Management discusses with the Compensation Committee the procedures that have been put in place to identify and mitigate potential risks in compensation.
13
Independent Directors
In considering and making decisions as to the independence of each of the directors of the Company, the Board considered transactions and relationships between the Company (and its subsidiaries) and each director (and each member of such directors immediate family and any entity with which the director or family member has an affiliation such that the director or family member may have a material indirect interest in a transaction or relationship with such entity). The Board has determined that the following members of the Board are independent as defined in applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules and regulations, and that each constitutes an Independent Director as defined in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605, and that such members constitute a majority of the entire Board: Mr. Alessi, Mr. Ladd and Mr. Magraw.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw, each of whom is independent as that term is defined under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. Mr. Ladd serves as our Audit Committee financial expert as that term is defined by the applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things:
selecting our independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by our independent auditors;
reviewing with our independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and managements response;
reviewing and approving all proposed related-party transactions, as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S- K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and our independent auditors;
reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of significant internal control deficiencies;
annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our Audit Committee charter;
meeting separately and periodically with management and our internal and independent auditors; and
reporting regularly to the full board of directors; and
such other matters that are specifically delegated to our Audit Committee by our board of directors from time to time.
All members of the Audit Committee met by telephone or in person four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
The Report of the Audit Committee regarding the audited financials statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 is located on Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
14
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw, each of whom is independent as that term is defined under the Nasdaq listing standards. Our Compensation Committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure of our directors and executive officers, including all forms of compensation to be provided to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer, and our chief operating officer and chief financial officer, may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things:
approving and overseeing the compensation package for our executive officers;
reviewing and making recommendations to the board with respect to the compensation of our directors;
reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our chief executive officer, evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer in light of those goals and objectives, and setting the compensation level of our chief executive officer based on this evaluation; and
reviewing periodically and making recommendations to the board regarding any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare benefit plans.
The Compensation Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate outside counsel, compensation consultants retained to assist the Compensation Committee in determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer or senior executive officers, or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate, including sole authority to approve the firms' fees and other retention terms. The Compensation Committee may also form and delegate authority to subcommittees and may delegate authority to one or more designated members of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may from time to time seek recommendations from the executive officers of the Company regarding matters under the purview of the Compensation Committee, though the authority to act on such recommendations rests solely with the Compensation Committee.
Our Compensation Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Governance and Nominating Committee
Our Governance and Nominating Committee consists of Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw, each of whom is independent as that term is defined under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Governance and Nominating Committee assists the board of directors in identifying individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other things:
identifying and recommending to the board nominees for election or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any vacancy;
reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board in light of the characteristics of independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us;
identifying and recommending to the board the directors to serve as members of the boards committees; and
monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics.
Our Governance and Nominating Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
15
Executive Committee
Our Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Alessi, Grae and Graham. The Executive Committee of the Company exercises the power of the board of directors between regular meetings of the board of directors and when timing is critical. The Executive Committee also assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to management-level staff, outside service providers and third party vendors.
Code of Ethics
The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to the Companys directors, officers and employees. A copy of this policy is available via our website at http://ir.ltbridge.com/corporate-governance.cfm. Printed copies of our Code of Ethics may be obtained, without charge, by contacting the Corporate Secretary, Lightbridge Corporation, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia 22102 USA. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, there were no waivers of our Code of Ethics.
Stockholder Communication with the Board of Directors
Stockholders may communicate with the Board, including non-management directors, by sending a letter to our board of directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, Lightbridge Corporation, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia 22102 USA for submission to the board or committee or to any specific director to whom the correspondence is directed. Stockholders communicating through this means should include with the correspondence evidence, such as documentation from a brokerage firm, that the sender is a current record or beneficial stockholder of the Company. All communications received as set forth above will be opened by the Corporate Secretary or his designee for the sole purpose of determining whether the contents contain a message to one or more of our directors. Any contents that are not advertising materials, promotions of a product or service, patently offensive materials or matters deemed, using reasonable judgment, inappropriate for the Board will be forwarded promptly to the chairman of the Board, the appropriate committee or the specific director, as applicable.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information concerning all cash and non-cash compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the named persons for services rendered in all capacities during the noted periods. No other named executive officers received total annual salary and bonus compensation in excess of $100,000.
16
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (1) |
Option Awards ($) (1) |
All Other Compensation ($) (2) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||
Seth Grae CEO, President and Director |
2012 2011 |
412,290 409,395 |
107,711 150,486 |
(4) | 69,501 |
208,595 |
20,102 23,304 |
540,103 861,281 |
|||||||||||||
Thomas Graham, Jr. Chairman (3) |
2012 2011 |
178,833 178,833 |
52,500 |
2,812 2,261 |
181,645 233,594 |
||||||||||||||||
James Guerra CFO and COO (4) |
2012 2011 |
277,686 275,736 |
72,545 101,355 |
(4) | 88,750 |
131,310 |
21,414 25,085 |
371,645 622,236 |
(1) |
The valuation of stock-based compensation is based in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 Compensation- Stock Compensation, which requires the measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of an equity instrument on the grant-date fair value of the award. . For additional information regarding the assumptions made in calculating these amounts, see the Notes to our audited, consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (Note 11). |
(2) |
The heading "All Other Compensation" includes life insurance, disability insurance, medical insurance and dental insurance. |
(3) |
Though his official title is Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Graham is considered to be an executive officer of the Company. |
(4) |
Bonus compensation reported for 2012 and 2011 is based on the actual amounts earned and paid for those years. Previously reported amounts were based on estimates for 2011 as final bonus calculations and payment occurred within the first two quarters of the year following the year in which the bonus was earned. The bonus earned in 2012, was paid in 2012. |
Narrative disclosure to summary compensation table
On February 14, 2006, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Seth Grae. Mr. Grae is also eligible to receive raises and discretionary bonuses, as well as stock based compensation over the term of the agreement. As of March 16, 2011, Mr. Grae's salary was increased to an annual salary of $412,290 and he earned bonuses in the amount of $107,711 and $150,486 for the years ended 2012 and 2011, respectively, which were both paid in 2012.
On March 19, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted to Mr. Grae 12,568 shares of the Company's common stock as part of its annual equity compensation to employees, which vest 1/3 on each anniversary of the grant date, over three years. Additionally on March 19, 2011, the Compensation Committee granted to Mr. Grae a non-qualified stock option for the purchase of 42,604 shares of the common stock of the Company, at an exercise price of $5.53 per share.
On August 1, 2007, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Graham. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Graham earns an annual salary in the amount of $178,833.
On April 11, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted to Mr. Graham 3,229 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair market value of $17,500, which vested over six months and on May 5, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted to Mr. Graham 6,987 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair market value of $35,000, which vest over one year.
On October 23, 2007, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Guerra. Mr. Guerra is also eligible to receive raises and discretionary bonuses, as well as stock based compensation over the term of the agreement. On March 16, 2011, Mr. Guerra's salary was increased from $269,598 to $277,686.
On March 19, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted to Mr. Guerra 7,912 shares of the Companys common stock as part of its annual equity compensation to employees, which vest 1/3 on each anniversary of the grant date, over three years. Additionally on March 19, 2011, the Compensation Committee granted to Mr. Guerra a non-qualified stock option for the purchase of 26,819 shares of the common stock of the Company, at an exercise price of $5.53 per share.
17
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth all outstanding equity awards to our named executive officers as of December 31, 2012. The market value of all restricted stock awards is based on the closing price of our common stock as of December 31, 2012 ($1.41) .
Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity | Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incentive | Incentive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plan | Plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Awards: | Awards: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Number | Market or | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity | of | of | Payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incentive | Shares | Unearned | Value of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plan | or Units | Shares, | Unearned | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Awards: | of | Market | Units or | Shares, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Number of | Number of | Stock | Value of | Other | Units or | |||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | Securities | Securities | That | Shares or | Rights | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||
Underlying | Underlying | Underlying | Option | Have | Units of | That | Rights | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unexercised | Unexercised | Unexercised | Exercise | Option | Not | Stock That | Have Not | That Have | |||||||||||||||||||
Options (#) | Options (#) | Unearned | Price | Expiration | Vested | Have Not | Vested | Not | |||||||||||||||||||
Name | Exercisable | Unexercisable (1) | Options (#) | ($) | Date | (#) | Vested ($) | (#) | Vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||
Seth Grae, President, CEO and Director |
240,000 36,311 166,667 112,868 66,638 28,403 |
14,201 |
|
$ | 23.85 $ 10.50 $ 13.50 $ 5.70 $ 8.65 $ 5.53 |
02/14/16 12/05/17 12/05/15 07/14/19 03/11/20 03/19/21 |
4,189 |
$ 5,906 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Thomas Graham Chairman and Corporate Secretary |
50,000 9,615 50,000 |
|
|
$ | 14.70 $ 10.50 $ 8.10 |
07/27/16 12/05/17 07/05/17 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
James Guerra, CFO, COO |
33,334 1,863 32,942 19,449 17,879 |
8,940 |
|
$ | 7.05 $ 10.50 $ 5.70 $ 8.65 $ 5.53 |
10/29/17 12/05/17 07/14/19 03/11/20 03/19/2021 |
2,637 |
$ 3,718 |
|
|
Narrative to outstanding equity awards table
This information is located in the narrative to the summary compensation table above.
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation paid to our directors for services rendered to us during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012. Neither Mr. Grae nor Mr. Graham were compensated for their service as directors in 2012.
Fees Earned or | ||||||||||||
Paid in Cash | Stock Awards | Option Awards | Total | |||||||||
Name | ($) | ($) | ($) | ($) | ||||||||
Victor Alessi | $ | 30,400 | $ | 30,400 | ||||||||
Jack Ladd | $ | 32,000 | $ | 32,000 | ||||||||
Daniel Magraw | $ | 30,400 | $ | 30,400 |
(1) |
Each of Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw individually had an aggregate of 19,461 option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2012. |
18
Narrative to director compensation table
We currently have three independent directors: Victor Alessi, Jack Ladd and Daniel Magraw. Mr. Alessi became a director of the Company on August 21, 2006. Pursuant to the Independent Director Contract between Mr. Alessi and the Company, Mr. Alessi receives $30,400 in cash per year for acting as a director of the Company. Messrs. Ladd and Magraw became directors of the Company on October 23, 2006. Pursuant to their respective Independent Director Contracts with the Company, Mr. Ladd receives $32,000 in cash per year and Mr. Magraw receives $30,400 in cash per year for serving on the board of directors of the Company.
Except for Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw, all of our current directors are also our officers and are compensated for the services that they provide to us in their capacity as officers. Other than Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw, our current directors do not receive any additional compensation for the services they provide to us as directors. Directors are reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of their participation on our board.
On April 11, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted to each of Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw 3,229 shares of restricted stock, which vested over six months. On May 5, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted to each of Messrs. Alessi, Ladd and Magraw 6,987 shares of restricted stock, which vested over one year.
Changes in Control
There are currently no arrangements which may result in a change in control of the Company.
19
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information known to us with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of March 4, 2013 for: (i) each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our voting securities, (ii) each executive officer, (iii) each of our directors and nominees, and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the persons set forth below is in care of Lightbridge Corporation, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia, 22102 USA.
Name and Address of | Amount and Nature of | Percent of Common | |||||||
Beneficial Owner (1) | Title | Beneficial Ownership (1) (2) | Stock (3) | ||||||
Officers and Directors | |||||||||
Seth Grae | President, CEO and Director | 1,240,807 | 9.18% | ||||||
Thomas Graham, Jr. | Chairman and Corporate Secretary | 190,245 | 1.50% | ||||||
James Guerra |
COO and CFO Executive VP International Nuclear |
186,163 | 1.47% | ||||||
Andrey Mushakov | Operations | 194,441 | 1.54% | ||||||
Dan Magraw | Director | 70,368 | * | ||||||
Victor Alessi | Director | 36,011 | * | ||||||
Jack Ladd | Director | 54,853 | * | ||||||
Directors and Officers as a Group (seven people) |
1,969,673 |
13.96% |
|||||||
5% Shareholders | |||||||||
Seth Grae | President, CEO and Director | 1,240,807 | 9.18% | ||||||
Austin Marxe (4) 527 Madison Ave., Suite 2600 New York, NY 10022 |
1,851,235 |
(4) | 12.88% |
(4) | |||||
David Greenhouse (4) 527 Madison Ave., Suite 2600 New York, NY 10022 |
1,851,235 |
(4) | 12.88% |
(4) |
* Denotes less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
(1) |
The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under SEC rules, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under those rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and also any shares which the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of the Record Date, through the exercise or conversion of any stock option, convertible security, warrant or other right (a Presently Exercisable security). Including those shares in the table does not, however, constitute an admission that the named shareholder is a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares. |
(2) |
Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting power and investment power (or shares that power with that persons spouse) with respect to all shares of common stock listed as owned by that person or entity. |
(3) |
A total of 12,526,240shares of the Companys common stock are considered to be outstanding pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For each beneficial owner above, any options exercisable within 60 days have been included in the denominator. |
(4) |
Austin Marxe and David Greenhouse share voting and investment control over all securities owned by Special Situations Fund III QP, L.P (QP), Special Situations Cayman Fund, L.P. (Cayman) and Special Situations Private Equity Fund, LP (PE). QP owns 872,927 shares of the Companys common stock and warrants to purchase 284, 091 shares of the Companys common stock. Cayman owns 290,976 shares of the Companys common stock and warrants to purchase 94,697 shares of the Companys common stock. PE owns 232,786 shares of the Companys common stock and warrants to purchase 75,758 shares of the Companys common stock. All of the warrants owned by QP, Cayman and PE have an exercise price of $9.00 per share. We obtained this information from a Schedule 13-G filed by Austin Marxe and David Greenhouse on February 13, 2012. |
20
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS,
PROMOTERS AND CERTAIN
CONTROL PERSONS
None of our directors, director nominees or executive officers has been involved in any transactions with us or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
21
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing broad corporate policies and monitoring the overall performance of the Company. It selects the Companys executive officers, delegates authority for the conduct of the Companys day-to-day operations to those officers, and monitors their performance. Members of the Board keep themselves informed of the Companys business by participating in Board and Committee meetings, by reviewing analyses and reports, and through discussions with the Chairman and other officers.
See Governance and Nominating Committee above for a discussion of the process for selecting directors. There are currently five directors serving on the Board. At the Meeting, five directors will be elected. The individuals who have been nominated for election to the Board at the Meeting are listed in the table below. Each of the nominees is a current director of the Company.
If, as a result of circumstances not now known or foreseen, any of the nominees is unavailable to serve as a nominee for director at the time of the Meeting, the holders of the proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement may vote those proxies either (i) for the election of a substitute nominee who will be designated by the proxy holders or by the present Board or (ii) for the balance of the nominees, leaving a vacancy. Alternatively, the size of the Board may be reduced accordingly. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unwilling or unable to serve, if elected as a Director. The five nominees for election as directors are uncontested. In uncontested elections, directors are elected by plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. Proxies submitted on the accompanying proxy card will be voted for the election of the nominees listed below, unless the proxy card is marked otherwise.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the nominees listed below.
NOMINEES
The names, the positions with the Company and the ages as of the Record Date of the individuals who are our nominees for election as directors are:
Position with the | Term as Director of | ||
Name | Age | Company | Company |
Seth Grae | 50 | President, CEO and Director | April 2006 Present |
Thomas Graham, Jr. | 79 | Chairman and Corporate Secretary | April 2006 Present |
Victor E. Alessi | 73 | Director | August 2006 Present |
Jack. D. Ladd | 63 | Director | October 2006 Present |
Daniel B. Magraw | 66 | Director | October 2006 Present |
Director Qualifications
Directors are responsible for overseeing the Companys business consistent with their fiduciary duty to shareowners. This significant responsibility requires highly-skilled individuals with various qualities, attributes and professional experience. The Board believes that there are general requirements for service on the Company's Board of Directors that are applicable to all Directors and that there are other skills and experience that should be represented on the Board as a whole but not necessarily by each Director. The Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board consider the qualifications of Directors and Director Candidates individually and in the broader context of the Board's overall composition and the Company's current and future needs.
22
Qualifications for All Directors
In its assessment of each potential candidate, including those recommended by shareowners, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers the nominee's judgment, integrity, experience, independence, understanding of the Company's business or other related industries and such other factors the Governance and Nominating Committee determines are pertinent in light of the current needs of the Board. The Governance and Nominating Committee also takes into account the ability of a Director to devote the time and effort necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities to the Company.
The Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee require that each Director be a recognized person of high integrity with a proven record of success in his or her field. Each Director must demonstrate innovative thinking, familiarity with and respect for corporate governance requirements and practices, an appreciation of multiple cultures and a commitment to sustainability and to dealing responsibly with social issues. In addition to the qualifications required of all Directors, the Board assesses intangible qualities including the individual's ability to ask difficult questions and, simultaneously, to work collegially.
The Board does not have a specific diversity policy, but considers diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural background and professional experiences in evaluating candidates for Board membership. Diversity is important because a variety of points of view contribute to a more effective decision-making process.
Qualifications, Attributes, Skills and Experience to be Represented on the Board as a Whole
The Board has identified particular qualifications, attributes, skills and experience that are important to be represented on the Board as a whole, in light of the Company's current needs and business priorities. The Company's services are performed in various countries around the world and significant areas of future growth are located outside of the United States. The Company's business is truly global and multicultural. Therefore, the Board believes that international experience or specific knowledge of key geographic growth areas and diversity of professional experiences should be represented on the Board. The Company's business is multifaceted and involves complex financial transactions in various countries. Therefore, the Board believes that the Board should include some Directors with a high level of financial literacy and some Directors who possess relevant business experience as a Chief Executive Officer or President. Our business involves complex technologies in a highly specialized industry. Therefore, the Board believes that extensive knowledge of the Company's business and the nuclear industry should be represented on the Board. The Company's business also requires compliance with a variety of regulatory requirements across a number of countries and relationships with various governmental entities. Therefore, the Board believes that governmental, political or diplomatic expertise should be represented on the Board.
23
Summary of Qualifications of 2012 Nominees for Director
Set forth below is a narrative disclosure that summarizes some of the specific qualifications, attributes, skills and experiences of our directors.
Seth Grae
Mr. Grae was named the Chief Executive
Officer and President of the Company on March 17, 2006 and, effective April 2,
2006, became a director of the Company. Seth Grae has led the development and
implementation of Lightbridge's business efforts to develop and deploy advanced
nuclear fuel technologies and to provide comprehensive advisory services based
on safety, non-proliferation, and transparency for emerging commercial nuclear
power programs.
Mr. Grae is a member of the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and he is a member of the Nuclear Energy Institute's Suppliers Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at the Washington College of Law at American University. Mr. Grae has served as Vice Chair of the Governing Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and as Co-Chair of the American Bar Association's Arms Control and Disarmament Committee. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers Alliance for World Security. Mr. Grae reviews the work of the Company's principal financial and accounting officers on significant matters related to the Company's financial position and results of operations, and the presentation of its financial statements.
Thomas Graham, Jr.
Ambassador Graham became a
director of the Company on April 2, 2006, and chairman of the board of directors
on April 4, 2006. He is one of the world's leading experts in nuclear
non-proliferation and was appointed in 2009 as a member of the International
Advisory Board for the UAE Nuclear Program. Ambassador Graham served as a senior
U.S. diplomat involved in the negotiation of every major international arms
control and non-proliferation agreement in which the United States took part
during the period from 1970 to 1997. Ambassador Graham also is the Chairman of
the Board of CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. of Vancouver, Canada (Toronto: CVV:CN), a
uranium exploration company. He is a member of the Kentucky, the District of
Columbia and the New York Bar Associations and is a member of the Council on
Foreign Relations. He chaired the Committee on Arms Control and Disarmament of
the American Bar Association from 1986-1994.
Victor E. Alessi
Dr. Alessi became a director of the
Company on August 23, 2006. Dr. Alessi holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics and is
President Emeritus of the United States Industry Coalition, or USIC, an
organization dedicated to facilitating the commercialization of technologies of
the New Independent States, or NIS, of the former Soviet Union through
cooperation with its members. Victor Alessi served as President and CEO of USIC
from 1999 to 2006, focusing on commercializing technologies developed in nuclear
institutes in the former Soviet Union by companies in the United States thus
creating peaceful jobs for former Soviet weapons scientists and preventing the
spread of nuclear weapons. Coinciding with his tenure at USIC, Dr. Alessi also
served the U.S. Representative on the Governing Board of the International
Science and Technology Center in Moscow since its founding in 1992 until 2011.
He also served as a board member of the Science and Technology Center in
Ukraine. Earlier, Dr. Alessi served as Director of the Office of Arms Control
and Non-proliferation at the Department of Energy, or DOE, where he oversaw arms
control and non-proliferation activities during the administrations of
Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and William Clinton. As a senior DOE
official, he also played an instrumental role implementing the U.S. unilateral
nuclear initiative in 1991 which eliminated over 7000 nuclear weapons.
24
Jack D. Ladd
Mr. Ladd became a director of the
Company on October 23, 2006. Mr. Ladd has almost three decades of experience in
public affairs, law, governance, and public service. Mr. Ladd is the Dean of the
College of Business and Engineering at the University of Texas, Permian Basin.
He also served as the Chairman of the Texas State Securities Board. As a
practicing attorney for 28 years, he has served on numerous civic, educational,
religious and governmental boards and committees. As Audit Committee Chairman he
reviews the work of the Companys principal financial and accounting officers on
significant matters related to the Companys financial position and results of
operations, and the presentation of its financial statements. He is the director
of two other public corporations and one private corporation.
Daniel B. Magraw
Mr. Magraw became a director of the
Company on October 23, 2006, and is a leading expert on international
environmental law and policy. Mr. Magraw is a Fellow and Professorial Lecturer
at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced
International Studies, and is President Emeritus of the Center for International
Environmental Law, or CIEL. Mr. Magraw served as the President and CEO of CIEL
from 2002-2010. From 1992-2001, he was Director of the International
Environmental Law Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He was a
member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee to the Office of
the U.S. Trade Representative, chairs the American Bar Association Section of
International Laws Task Force on Magna Carta, serves as a consultant to the
United Nations, was a member of the U.S. Department of State Study Group on
International Business Transactions, was Chair of the 15,000-member Section of
International Law and Practice of the American Bar Association and is a member
of the International Panel of Arbitrators of the American Arbitration
Association. Mr. Magraw is a widely-published author in the field of
international environmental law.
General Information
For information as to the shares of the Common Stock held by each nominee, see Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, above.
See Directors and Executive Officers above for biographical summaries for each of our director nominees.
All directors will hold office for the terms indicated, or until their earlier death, resignation, removal or disqualification, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of the nominees, directors or executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any of our nominees, directors or executive officers have been selected for their respective positions. No nominee, member of the Board of Directors or executive officer is related to any other nominee, member of the Board of Directors or executive officer.
For information as to the shares of the Common Stock held by each nominee, see Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management, above.
See Directors and Executive Officers above for biographical summaries for each of our director nominees.
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PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee has selected Anderson Bradshaw PLLC (Anderson Bradshaw) to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. Child, Van Wagoner & Bradshaw, PLLC (Child Van Wagoner) was the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006. On August 1, 2012, Child Van Wagoner ceased its accounting practice for reporting companies with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). At or about the same time, Anderson Bradshaw was established as a successor firm to Child Van Wagoner to continue performing audits for SEC reporting companies. As Anderson Bradshaw is viewed as a separate legal entity, the Company dismissed Child Van Wagoner as its independent registered public accounting firm and engaged Anderson Bradshaw, as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the Companys fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and the interim periods for fiscal 2012 and 2013. The decision to change the Companys independent registered public accounting firm was approved by the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors and subsequently approved by the Board of Directors.
We are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of Anderson Bradshaw as our independent registered public accounting firm. Although ratification is not required by our bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the selection of Anderson Bradshaw to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. In the event our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may reconsider this appointment.
The Company has been advised by Anderson Bradshaw that neither the firm nor any of its associates had any relationship with the Company other than the usual relationship that exists between independent registered public accountant firms and their clients during the last fiscal year. Representatives of Anderson Bradshaw will be available via teleconference during the Meeting, at which time they may make any statement they consider appropriate and will respond to appropriate questions raised at the Meeting.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms Fees
The following are the fees billed to us by Anderson Bradshaw or Child Van Wagoner during fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:
2012 | 2011 | |||||
Audit Fees | $ | 64,260 | $ | 69,110 | ||
Audit Related Fees | ||||||
Tax Fees | ||||||
All Other Fees | ||||||
Total | $ | 64,260 | $ | 69,110 |
Audit Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and for any other services that were normally provided by Child Van Wagoner, respectively, in connection with our statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit Related Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for assurance and related services that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and were not otherwise included in Audit Fees.
26
Tax Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Included in such Tax Fees were fees for preparation of our tax returns and consultancy and advice on other tax planning matters.
All Other Fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by Child Van Wagoner and not otherwise included in Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees or Tax Fees. Included in such Other Fees were fees for services rendered by Child Van Wagoner in connection with our private and public offerings conducted during such periods.
Our Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services described above is compatible with maintaining auditor independence and determined that such services are appropriate. Before auditors are engaged to provide us audit or non-audit services, such engagement is (without exception, required to be) approved by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services performed by our auditors must be approved in advance by our Board to assure that such services do not impair the auditors independence from us. In accordance with its policies and procedures, our Board pre-approved the audit service performed by Anderson Bradshaw and Child Van Wagoner for our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of the selection of Anderson Bradshaw PLLC as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
27
PROPOSAL 3
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SECs rules.
Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our named executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals, business unit goals, corporate goals, and the realization of increased stockholder value.
Our Compensation Committee continually reviews the compensation programs for our named executive officers to ensure they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our stockholders interests and current market practices. We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a say-on-pay proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote for the approval of the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, they will consider our stockholders concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
If you wish to have a proposal included in our proxy statement for next years annual meeting in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, your proposal must be received by the Corporate Secretary of Lightbridge Corporation at 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia 22102 USA, no later than the close of business on December 31, 2013. A proposal which is received after that date or which otherwise fails to meet the requirements for stockholder proposals established by the SEC will not be included. The submission of a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in the proxy statement.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
We will provide without charge to each person solicited by this Proxy Statement, on the written request of such person, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and financial statement schedules, as filed with the SEC for our most recent fiscal year. Such written requests should be directed to Lightbridge Corporation, c/o Corporate Secretary, 1600 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 550, McLean, Virginia 22102 USA. A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K is also made available on our website after it is filed with the SEC.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors has no knowledge of any business which will be presented for consideration at the Meeting other than the election of directors and the ratification of the appointment of the accountants of the Company. Should any other matters be properly presented, it is intended that the enclosed proxy card will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting the proxies.
March 4, 2013 | By Order of the Board of Directors |
/s/ Thomas Graham | |
Thomas Graham, Jr. | |
Chairman and Corporate Secretary |
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APPENDIX A
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee of the Board is comprised of three non-employee Directors, each of whom has been determined by the Board to be independent under the meaning of Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. The Board has determined, based upon an interview of Jack D. Ladd and a review of Mr. Ladds responses to a questionnaire designed to elicit information regarding his experience in accounting and financial matters, that Mr. Ladd shall be designated as an Audit Committee financial expert within the meaning of Item 401(e) of SEC Regulation S-K, as Mr. Ladd has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background which results in his financial sophistication. The Audit Committee assists the Boards oversight of the integrity of the Companys financial reports, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm, the audit process, and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the corporate accounting and financing reporting practices, recommending the selection of the Companys registered public accounting firm, reviewing the extent of non-audit services to be performed by the auditors, and reviewing the disclosures made in the Companys periodic financial reports. The Audit Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Following the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Audit Committee (1) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 with Company management; (2) discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards), as may be modified or supplemented; and (3) received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), as may be modified or supplemented, and has discussed with the independent accountant its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee had recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 for filing with the SEC.
/s/ The Audit Committee | |
Jack D. Ladd | |
Victor E. Alessi | |
Daniel B. Magraw |
LIGHTBRIDGE CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 18, 2013
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned stockholder of Lightbridge Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the Company), acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, dated March 4, 2013, and hereby constitutes and appoints Seth Grae and Thomas Graham, Jr., or either of them acting singly in the absence of the other, with full power of substitution in either of them, the proxies of the undersigned to vote with the same force and effect as the undersigned all shares of the Companys Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 18, 2013, and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, hereby revoking any proxy or proxies heretofore given and ratifying and confirming all that said proxies may do or cause to be done by virtue thereof with respect to the following matters:
The undersigned hereby instructs said proxies or their substitutes:
1. |
Elect as Directors the nominees listed below: [_] |
Seth Grae
Thomas Graham, Jr.
Victor E. Alessi
Jack
D. Ladd
Daniel B. Magraw
Withhold authority for the following:
[_] Seth Grae
[_] Thomas Graham, Jr.
[_] Victor E.
Alessi
[_] Jack D. Ladd
[_] Daniel B. Magraw
2. |
Approve the ratification of Anderson Bradshaw PLLC as the Companys independent registered public accountants for fiscal year 2013. |
FOR [_] | AGAINST [_] | ABSTAIN [_] |
3. |
Advisory non-binding vote for the approval of the Companys executive compensation. |
FOR [_]
AGAINST [_]
ABSTAIN [_]
4. |
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, and any adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED; IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF ANDERSON BRADSHAW PLLC, AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AND FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPANYS EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. IN THEIR DIRECTION, THE PROXIES ARE ALSO AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING, INCLUDING THE ELECTION OF ANY PERSON TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHERE A NOMINEE NAMED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT DATED MARCH 4, 2013 IS UNABLE TO SERVE OR WILL NOT SERVE.
I (we) acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement dated March 4, 2013, and the 2012 Annual Report to Stockholders and ratify all that the proxies, or either of them, or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof and revoke all former proxies.
Please sign, date and mail this proxy immediately in the enclosed envelope.
Name __________________________________________ | |
Name (if joint) | |
_______________________________________________ | |
Date _____________, 2013 | |
Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. When signing as | |
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your | |
full title as it appears hereon. When signing as joint tenants, all parties | |
in the joint tenancy must sign. When a proxy is given by a corporation, | |
it should be signed by an authorized officer and the corporate seal | |
affixed. No postage is required if returned in the enclosed envelope. |