def14a
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 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy
Statement |
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o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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þ Definitive Proxy
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o Definitive Additional
Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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þ No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
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1) Title of each class of securities
to which transaction applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to
which transaction applies: |
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3) Per unit price or other
underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value
of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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1) Amount Previously
Paid: |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration
Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (11-01) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid
OMB control number. |
10 High Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 24, 2006
To our stockholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Nextera Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be
held at the Omni Parker House Hotel, 60 School Street, Boston,
MA 02108 on May 24, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. local time, for
the following purposes:
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1. To elect nine directors to hold
office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until
their successors have been elected and have qualified. Our
current Board of Directors has nominated and recommends for
election as directors the following nine persons: |
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Ralph Finerman |
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Alan B. Levine |
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Michael P. Muldowney |
Steven B. Fink |
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Stanley E. Maron |
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Richard V. Sandler |
Keith D. Grinstein |
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Joseph J. Millin |
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Scott J. Weiss |
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2. To ratify the selection of
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2006. |
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3. To transact such other business
as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
continuation, adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the
Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
April 11, 2006 as the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at this Annual
Meeting and at any continuation, adjournment or postponement
thereof.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Stanley E. Maron
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Secretary |
April 24, 2006
Boston, Massachusetts
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting
in person. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting,
please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy as
promptly as possible in order to ensure your representation at
the meeting. A return envelope (which is postage prepaid if
mailed in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. Even
if you have given your proxy, you may still vote in person if
you attend the meeting. Please note, however, that if a broker,
bank or other nominee holds your shares of record and you wish
to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy issued in your
name from the record holder.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
10 High Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
General
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of
Nextera Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Nextera) for use at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on May 24, 2006, at 9:00 a.m.
local time (the Annual Meeting), or at any
continuation, adjournment or postponement thereof, for the
purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Omni
Parker House Hotel, 60 School Street, Boston, MA 02108.
The approximate date on which this proxy statement and the
accompanying proxy card were first sent to stockholders was
April 24, 2006. As used in this proxy statement, the terms
we, us, our, and
ours refer to Nextera and its wholly owned
subsidiaries.
Solicitation
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies for the upcoming
Annual Meeting. We will ask banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries
and custodians holding stock in their names for others to send
proxy materials to and obtain proxies from the beneficial owners
of such stock, and we will reimburse them for their reasonable
expenses in doing so. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail,
we and our directors, officers and regular employees may also
solicit proxies personally, by telephone or by other appropriate
means. No additional compensation will be paid to our directors,
officers or other regular employees for such services.
Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares
Stockholders of record at the close of business on
April 11, 2006 (the record date) are entitled
to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of
the record date, Nextera had outstanding and entitled to
vote 38,492,851 shares of Class A Common Stock,
par value $0.001 per share (the Class A Common
Stock), 3,844,200 shares of Class B Common
Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the Class B
Common Stock, and together with the Class A Common
Stock the Common Stock), and 49,745 shares of
Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the Series A Preferred
Stock).
Holders of Nexteras Class A Common Stock of record on
the record date will be entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted upon for each share of Class A Common
Stock held. Holders of Nexteras Class B Common Stock
of record on the record date will be entitled to ten votes per
share on all matters to be voted upon for each share of
Class B Common Stock held. Holders of Nexteras
Series A Preferred Stock on the record date will be
entitled to 145 votes per share (which equals the number of
whole shares of Class A Common Stock into which one share
of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible as of the record
date) on all matters to be voted upon for each share of
Series A Preferred Stock held.
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A quorum is necessary for the transaction of business at the
Annual Meeting. A quorum exists when holders of a majority of
the voting power of the shares of Nexteras capital stock
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote are present in
person or represented by proxy. The presence of the quorum will
be determined, and all votes will be tabulated, by the inspector
of elections appointed for the meeting. The inspector of
elections will separately tabulate affirmative and negative
votes, abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., shares held by a
broker or nominee that are represented at the meeting but which
the broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a particular
proposal). Abstentions will be considered shares entitled to
vote in the tabulation of votes cast on proposals presented to
the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative
votes. Broker non-votes are counted towards a quorum but are not
counted for any purpose in determining whether a matter has been
approved.
Revocability of Proxies
Any stockholder giving a proxy pursuant to this solicitation has
the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted. It may be
revoked by filing with our Secretary at our principal executive
offices, 10 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, a written
notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date. A stockholder of record at the close of business on the
record date may vote in person if present at the meeting,
whether or not he or she has previously given a proxy.
Attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors currently consists of nine members.
Nexteras Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the
Bylaws) provide that the Board of Directors shall be
elected at the annual meeting of stockholders and each director
shall serve until such persons successor is elected and
qualified or until such persons death, retirement,
resignation or removal. Nexteras Third Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the
Certificate of Incorporation), and Bylaws provide
that the number of directors that shall constitute the whole
Board of Directors shall not be less than seven and not more
than thirteen directors, and that the exact number of directors
shall be determined by one or more resolutions adopted from time
to time by the Board of Directors. The authorized number of
directors is currently set at nine. Each of the nominees for
election is currently a member of our Board of Directors and is
standing for re-election by the stockholders. If elected at the
Annual Meeting, each of the nine nominees would serve until
Nexteras next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, in each case
until a successor is elected and has qualified, or until such
directors earlier death, resignation or removal.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting
and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Shares
represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to
do so is not withheld, for the election of the nine nominees
named below. In the event that any nominee should be unavailable
for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, such
shares will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee
as the Board of Directors may propose. Each person nominated for
election has agreed to serve if elected, and the Board of
Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be
unable to serve.
Biographical information for each person nominated as a director
is set forth below.
Ralph Finerman
Mr. Finerman, 70, currently serves as a director of
Nextera, a position he has held since August 1998.
Mr. Finerman also serves as an officer or director of other
privately held affiliates of Mounte LLC (successor to Krest,
LLC, Knowledge Universe, Inc. and Knowledge Universe LLC) and
subsidiaries of Nextera. Mounte LLC beneficially owns or
controls approximately 64.7% of the voting power of our
outstanding Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock.
Mr. Finerman is a certified public accountant and an
attorney
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and practiced in New York prior to forming RFG Financial Group,
Inc. in 1994. Mr. Finerman currently serves as President of
RFG Financial Group.
Steven B. Fink
Mr. Fink, 55, currently serves as a director of Nextera, a
position he has held since February 1997. Mr. Fink
previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Nextera between October 1999 and December 2001. Mr. Fink
serves as a manager of Mounte LLC, and serves as an officer or
director of other public and privately held affiliates of Mounte
LLC. Mr. Fink has served as the Chief Executive Officer of
Lawrence Investments, LLC, a private company, since May 2000.
Mr. Fink is Chairman of the Board of Directors of LeapFrog
Enterprises, Inc., and serves as director of Nobel Learning
Communities, Inc., C-COR Incorporated and Spring Group, PLC.
Keith D. Grinstein
Mr. Grinstein, 45, currently serves as a director of
Nextera, a position he has held since January 2000, and serves
on Nexteras Audit and Compensation Committees.
Mr. Grinstein was a director of Nextel International, Inc.
from January 1996 until October 2002, and served as its
President from January 1996 until March 1999 and its Chief
Executive Officer from January 1996 until August 1999. From 1993
to 1996 Mr. Grinstein held senior operating positions with
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., formerly McCaw Cellular
Communications, Inc. From 1990 to 1992 Mr. Grinstein served
as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of LIN
Broadcasting Company. Mr. Grinstein is Chairman of the
board of directors of Coinstar, Inc. and is also a director of
F5 Networks, Inc and Labor Ready Inc.
Alan B. Levine
Mr. Levine, 62, currently serves as a director of Nextera,
a position he has held since June 2003, and serves as Chairman
of Nexteras Audit Committee in addition to serving on
Nexteras Compensation Committee. Mr. Levine, a
certified public accountant, currently provides interim CFO and
entrepreneurial consulting services through ABL Associates, a
private consulting firm which he founded in May 2002.
Mr. Levine serves on the board of RBC Bearings,
Incorporated where he is the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Mr. Levine served as a director and Chief Financial Officer
of Virtual Access Networks, Inc. from September 2001 to April
2002 and Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
of Marathon Technologies Corporation from October 1998 to
September 2001. In February 2003, Marathon Technologies
Corporation filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Mr. Levine was a partner with Ernst & Young LLP
from 1986 to September 1998.
Stanley E. Maron
Mr. Maron, 58, currently serves as a director and as
Secretary of Nextera, positions he has held since February 1997.
Mr. Maron serves on Nexteras Compensation Committee.
Mr. Maron is also a director of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.,
Secretary of Mounte LLC and serves as an officer and/or director
of various privately held affiliates of Mounte LLC and
subsidiaries of Nextera. Mr. Maron is a senior partner in
the law firm of Maron & Sandler, a position he has held
since September 1994.
Joseph J. Millin
Mr. Millin, 52, was elected as a director and President of
Nextera on March 9, 2006 in connection with the closing of
the purchase of the assets of the Woodridge business (the
Transaction). As a condition to the closing of the
Transaction, Nextera was required to increase the size of the
Board of Directors from seven to nine members, and
Mr. Millin was elected to fill one of the resultant
vacancies. Mr. Millin also serves as the Chief Executive
Officer and President of Woodridge Labs, Inc.
(Woodridge) (formerly known as W Lab Acquisition
Corp.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nextera, in accordance with
the terms of his employment agreement with us. Mr. Millin
has served as the President and a director of Jocott
Enterprises, Inc. (formerly known as Woodridge Labs, Inc.) since
its formation in 1996, which positions he continues to hold.
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Michael P. Muldowney
Mr. Muldowney, 42, currently serves as a director, the
Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer of
Nextera. Mr. Muldowney was elected to the board in May
2005. In addition, Mr. Muldowney was appointed Chief
Operating Officer effective as of March 9, 2006. He held
the position of President from December 2003 until March, 2006,
and has held the position of Chief Financial Officer since
January 1999. Previously, Mr. Muldowney served as our Chief
Operating Officer from February 2003 until December 2003 and
Vice President, Finance from May 1997 until May 1998.
Mr. Muldowney also serves as an officer of certain
subsidiaries of Nextera. Mr. Muldowney is a former licensed
certified public accountant and was corporate controller as well
as a principal of Mercer Management Consulting, Inc. from 1992
to May 1997, and held various other financial management
positions with Mercer from 1989 to 1992.
Richard V. Sandler
Mr. Sandler, 57, currently serves as Chairman of the Board
of Directors of Nextera, a position he has held since December
2003, and has been a director of Nextera since February 1997.
Previously, Mr. Sandler served as Vice-Chairman of Nextera
from February 2003 until December 2003. Mr. Sandler serves
on Nexteras Compensation Committee. Mr. Sandler also
serves as an officer and/or director of other privately held
affiliates of Mounte LLC and subsidiaries of Nextera.
Mr. Sandler is a senior partner in the law firm of
Maron & Sandler, a position he has held since September
1994.
Scott J. Weiss
Mr. Weiss, 50, was elected as a director of Nextera on
March 9, 2006 in connection with the closing of the
Transaction. As a condition to the closing of the Transaction,
Nextera was required to increase the size of the Board of
Directors from seven to nine members, and Mr. Weiss was
elected to fill one of the resultant vacancies. Mr. Weiss
also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Woodridge, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Nextera, in accordance with the terms
of his employment agreement with us. Mr. Weiss has served
as the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and a director of
Jocott Enterprises, Inc. since its formation in 1996, which
positions he continues to hold. Mr. Weiss is a licensed
certified public accountant and is the President and director of
Weiss Accountancy Corporation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
EACH NOMINEE NAMED ABOVE.
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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
During 2005, independent directors (Messrs. Grinstein and
Levine) received an annual cash retainer fee of $20,000 payable
in equal quarterly sums of $5,000, with each quarterly payment
being conditioned on participation in at least 75% of the
directors Board and Committee activities and duties during
that calendar quarter. During 2005, Messrs. Finerman, Fink,
and Maron received an annual cash retainer fee of $8,000 payable
in equal quarterly sums of $2,000, with each quarterly payment
being conditioned on participation in at least 75% of the
directors Board and Committee activities and duties during
that calendar quarter. Additionally, except for
Messrs. Millin, Muldowney, Sandler, and Weiss, each
director is paid an in-person meeting fee of $1,000 and a
telephonic meeting fee of $500 for each meeting attended.
Mr. Sandler received a fee of $20,000 per month for
his services as Chairman, which fee was reduced to $6,667
effective January 1, 2006. Directors are reimbursed for all
expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board and
committee meetings. During 2005, all of the directors other than
Mr. Muldowney received options to
purchase 25,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
with an exercise price of $0.43 per share, which was equal
to the closing trading price of Nexteras Class A
Common Stock on the date of the grant.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Nexteras Board of Directors held a total of four meetings
during the year ended December 31, 2005. During the past
fiscal year, each incumbent director attended at least 75% of
the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and
the total number of meetings of committees of the Board on which
he served during the period in which he was a director or
committee member. Two of our directors were present in person or
telephonically at our annual meeting of stockholders held on
May 19, 2005. We do not have a policy regarding attendance
by directors at our annual meetings of stockholders.
Director Nomination Process
We do not have a nominating committee, nor have we adopted a
charter with respect to the nomination of director candidates.
Nominations for director are considered and made by the entire
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors does not believe that
it is meaningful or appropriate to have a nominating committee
because a single stockholder, Mounte LLC, controls approximately
64.7% of the voting power of Nexteras Common Stock and
Series A Preferred Stock. Mounte LLC has sufficient voting
power to elect all of the members of the Board of Directors.
We have also not adopted a policy regarding consideration of
director candidates recommended by stockholders as we have not
received nominations for directors from security holders and a
single stockholder, Mounte LLC, is able to elect all of the
members of the Board of Directors due to the voting power of
Nexteras securities held by Mounte LLC. We do not have any
specific, minimum qualifications that we apply to potential
nominees for director. Because of the above mentioned factors,
we have not implemented a process for identifying and evaluating
nominees for director.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. There are no other committees of the
Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with
Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended. The Audit Committee currently consists of
Mr. Levine, Chairman, and Mr. Grinstein. The Board of
Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Grinstein and
Levine is an independent director as defined by the
rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board of
Directors has determined that Mr. Levine meets the
requirements of an audit committee financial expert
as defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC).
The Audit Committee makes recommendations concerning the
engagement of independent registered public accounting firms;
reviews the scope of the audit examination, including fees and
staffing; reviews the independence of the independent registered
public accounting firm; reviews non-audit services provided by
the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews
findings and recommendations of independent
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registered public accounting firm and managements
response; and reviews the internal control function. The Audit
Committee is governed by a written charter, which is attached to
this proxy statement as Exhibit A. The Audit Committee held
six meetings during the year ended December 31, 2005.
The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Grinstein,
Levine, Maron and Sandler. The Compensation Committee reviews
management compensation programs; approves compensation changes
for senior executive officers; reviews compensation changes for
senior management and other employees; and approves grants and
administers awards under our option plans. The Compensation
Committee held one meeting during the year ended
December 31, 2005.
Communication with the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has adopted a process by which
stockholders may communicate directly with the Board of
Directors or any individual director. Stockholders wishing to
communicate with the Board of Directors or an individual
director should send communications addressed to the Board or
the individual director, as applicable, Nextera Enterprises,
Inc., 10 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
c/o Michael P. Muldowney, Chief Operating Officer and Chief
Financial Officer. All communications sent by stockholders in
this manner will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or to individual directors in the case of
communications specifically addressed to an individual director,
for consideration.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Grinstein,
Levine, Maron and Sandler. The law firm of Maron &
Sandler has provided legal services to us since February 1997.
Messrs. Maron and Sandler are partners of Maron &
Sandler. In 2005, Maron & Sandler billed us
approximately $25,000 for legal services rendered.
Mr. Sandler also serves as our Chairman and Mr. Maron
serves as our Secretary. Since Mr. Sandler became
Vice-Chairman and subsequently Chairman of Nextera, no legal
fees relating to Mr. Sandlers services to Nextera
have been billed to us. Neither Mr. Grinstein nor
Mr. Levine has at any time been an officer or employee of
Nextera or any of its subsidiaries.
MANAGEMENT
Biographical information for our executive officers who are not
directors is set forth below. There are no family relationships
between any director or executive officer and any other director
or executive officer. Executive officers serve at the discretion
of the Board of Directors. Officers are elected by the Board of
Directors annually at its first meeting following the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
Executive Officer
Mr. Dolan, 39, joined us in March 2001 as our Corporate
Controller. He currently serves as our Chief Accounting Officer,
a position he has held since February 2003, and continues to
serve as our Corporate Controller. Mr. Dolan is a certified
public accountant, and was a senior manager in the
Assurance & Advisory Business Services practice of
Ernst & Young LLP from 1988 until joining us in 2001.
Compensation Arrangements and Employment Agreements
On October 24, 2000, Nextera entered into an employment
agreement with Michael P. Muldowney, Nexteras Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The agreement
provides for a term of one year and automatically renews for
additional one-year periods unless either party provides at
least 30 days notice of its intention not to renew.
Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Muldowney currently receives
an annual base salary of $310,000 and an annual discretionary
bonus in an amount determined by the Board of Directors, as well
as benefits under our benefit plans. Mr. Muldowney is also
subject to non-competition, non-disclosure and non-solicitation
covenants. Mr. Muldowneys employment agreement
provides that if his employment is terminated by Nextera without
cause or by him with good cause (as defined in the employment
agreement), or if
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Nextera fails to renew his employment agreement, then
Mr. Muldowney will be entitled to: (1) his base salary
for a period of one year, (2) a bonus equal to 50% of the
bonus amount, if any, paid to him during the year preceding the
year of his termination, pro-rated for the length of his service
during the year in which his termination occurs,
(3) continuation of customary health benefits for one year,
(4) immediate vesting of 50% of all unvested options
granted to Mr. Muldowney for Nexteras Class A
Common Stock and (5) release from his non-competition and
non-solicitation covenants.
Effective February 1, 2003, Richard V. Sandler began
serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors on a month to
month basis. Pursuant to the terms of his letter of acceptance,
dated February 1, 2003, Mr. Sandler was paid
$20,000 per month for such services. On January 25,
2006, Nextera and Mr. Sandler agreed to reduce the
compensation paid to Mr. Sandler for his services as
Chairman of the Board of Directors from $20,000 per month
to $6,667 per month, effective as of January 1, 2006.
Maron & Sandler does not charge Nextera for the time
that Mr. Sandler spends on Nextera matters.
On February 12, 2001, we entered into an oral agreement
with Michael Dolan regarding his employment as our Corporate
Controller, which was memorialized in a letter and later
formalized in an agreement effective January 1, 2004. Under
this written agreement, Mr. Dolan receives a base salary of
$157,500 per year, paid semi-monthly, plus a bonus, with an
annual salary review. Mr. Dolan also receives benefits
under our benefit plans. In addition, Mr. Dolan is subject
to non-competition, non-disclosure and non-solicitation
covenants. In February 2003, Mr. Dolan was named as
Nexteras Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Dolans
employment agreement provides that if his employment is
terminated by Nextera without cause or by him with good cause
(as defined in the employment agreement), or if Nextera fails to
renew his employment agreement, then Mr. Dolan will be
entitled to: (1) his base salary for a period of six
months, (2) a bonus equal to 25% of his base salary earned
in the calendar year of the termination, (3) continuation
of customary health benefits for six months, (4) immediate
vesting of 50% of all unvested options granted to Mr. Dolan
for Nexteras Class A Common Stock and
(5) release from his non-competition and non-solicitation
covenants.
On March 9, 2006, we entered into an employment agreement
with Joseph J. Millin, in connection with his appointment as the
President of Nextera and the President and Chief Executive
Officer of its wholly owned subsidiary Woodridge. The agreement
provides for a term of four years and automatically renews for
additional one-year periods unless either party provides at
least 30 days notice of its intention not to renew.
If we elect not to renew his employment agreement at the end of
the initial four-year term, we must give Mr. Millin at
least 180 days notice or continue to pay his salary
for a period of 180 days from the date of the termination
notice. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Millin receives an
annual base salary of $360,000, an annual discretionary bonus of
an amount determined by the Board of Directors in its sole
discretion, benefits under our benefit plans and various fringe
benefits. In addition, Nextera agreed to reserve stock options
under its stock option plan in an amount equal to five percent
(5%) of the total outstanding shares of its Class A Common
Stock, which will be granted to Mr. Millin and other
employees of Woodridge as determined by the Board of Directors
from time to time. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the options
granted to Mr. Millin will vest on each of the first,
second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of the
employment agreement. Mr. Millin also signed a separate
agreement subjecting him to certain non-competition,
non-disclosure and non-solicitation covenants.
Mr. Millins employment agreement provides that if his
employment is terminated by us without cause or by him with good
reason (as defined in the employment agreement), or if we fail
to renew his employment agreement, then Mr. Millin will be
entitled to: (1) his base salary for a period of one year,
(2) a bonus in an amount based upon the bonus amount, if
any, that would have been paid to Mr. Millin for the year
in which the termination occurs, pro-rated for the length of his
service during the year in which his termination occurs,
(3) continuation of customary benefits for one year and
(4) immediate vesting of either 50% of all unvested options
granted to Mr. Millin for Nexteras Class A
Common Stock or the options granted to Mr. Millin for
Nexteras Class A Common Stock which would have vested
in the twelve (12) month period immediately following the
date of termination, whichever is greater.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth all compensation paid or accrued
for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 for
our chief executive officer and our other two most highly
compensated executive officers whose compensation exceeded
$100,000 in 2005 (collectively, the Named Executive
Officers).
Summary Compensation Table
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Long Term | |
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Compensation | |
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Awards | |
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Securities | |
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Annual Compensation | |
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Underlying | |
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Fiscal | |
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| |
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Options | |
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All Other | |
Name and Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus(2) | |
|
(# of Shares) | |
|
Compensation(3) | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Michael P. Muldowney
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2005 |
|
|
$ |
310,000 |
|
|
$ |
85,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,400 |
|
|
President and Chief Financial |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
310,000 |
|
|
$ |
85,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
47,585 |
|
|
Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
310,000 |
|
|
$ |
337,500 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,000 |
|
Richard Sandler(4)
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|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board of |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Directors |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
220,000 |
|
|
$ |
800,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Michael J. Dolan
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
157,500 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,300 |
|
|
Chief Accounting Officer and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
157,500 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
$ |
13,955 |
|
|
Corporate Controller |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
157,500 |
|
|
$ |
130,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
As permitted by SEC rules, no amounts are shown with respect to
certain perquisites where the aggregate amounts of
such perquisites for a Named Executive Officer do not exceed the
lesser of either $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and
bonus for the relevant year. |
|
(2) |
2003 bonuses for Messrs. Muldowney, Sandler and Dolan
include bonuses of $162,500, $800,000 and $70,000, respectively,
in consideration for services in connection with the successful
completion of the sale of the economic consulting business. |
|
(3) |
All other compensation in 2004 includes accrued vacation of
$33,385 and $5,755 for Messrs. Muldowney and Dolan,
respectively. All Other Compensation also includes the value of
defined contribution plan contributions and other miscellaneous
benefits for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003. |
|
(4) |
Mr. Sandler was named Vice-Chairman of the Board of
Directors and an executive officer in February 2003 and Chairman
of the Board of Directors in December 2003. |
8
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The following table sets forth information regarding stock
options granted to each of the Named Executive Officers in 2005.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, we granted options
to purchase an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Nextera
Class A Common Stock, all of which were granted to the
directors of Nextera (other than Mr. Muldowney).
STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN 2005
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Potential Realizable | |
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Individual Grants | |
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Value at Assumed | |
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| |
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Annual Rates of | |
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Number of | |
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Percent of | |
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|
Stock Price | |
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|
Securities | |
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Total Options | |
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Appreciation for | |
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Underlying | |
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Granted to | |
|
Exercise | |
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|
Option Term(2) | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees In | |
|
Price | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted(1) | |
|
Fiscal 2005 | |
|
($/SH) | |
|
Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Michael P. Muldowney
|
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Richard V. Sandler
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25,000 |
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|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
|
1/19/15 |
|
|
$ |
6,761 |
|
|
$ |
17,133 |
|
Michael J. Dolan
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(1) |
Options have a grant price that is equal to the fair market
value on the date of grant. These options vest in their entirety
on January 19, 2009, and vesting is contingent on
Mr. Sandler continuing to be a director of Nextera. |
|
(2) |
The potential realizable values are based on an assumption that
the stock price of our Class A Common Stock will appreciate
at the annual rate shown (compounded annually) from the date of
grant until the end of the option term, net of the option
exercise price. These values do not take into account amounts
required to be paid as income taxes under the Internal Revenue
Code and any applicable state laws or option provisions
providing for termination of an option following termination of
employment, non-transferability or vesting. These amounts are
calculated based on the requirements promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission and do not reflect our
estimate of future stock price growth of the shares of the
Class A Common Stock, nor do they give effect to any actual
appreciation in the Class A Common Stock. Actual gains, if
any, on stock option exercises are dependent on the future
performance of the Class A Common Stock and overall stock
market conditions. |
2005 Aggregated Option Exercises and Option Values at
December 31, 2005
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to the exercise of options to purchase Nexteras
Class A Common Stock during the year ended
December 31, 2005, and the unexercised options held and the
value thereof at that date, for each of the Named Executive
Officers. No options were exercised by the Named Executive
Officers during 2005.
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Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised |
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Underlying Unexercised | |
|
In-the-Money |
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Options at | |
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Options at |
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|
Shares | |
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Value |
|
Fiscal Year-End (#) | |
|
Fiscal Year-End ($)(1) |
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Acquired on | |
|
Realized |
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| |
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Name |
|
Exercise | |
|
($) |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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Michael P. Muldowney
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$ |
|
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|
801,667 |
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158,333 |
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|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Richard V. Sandler
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|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
352,396 |
|
|
|
162,604 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Michael J. Dolan
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|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
124,000 |
|
|
|
66,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Represents the closing price per share of the underlying shares
on the last trading day of 2005 less the option exercise price
multiplied by the number of shares. The closing price per share
was $0.34 on the last trading day of 2005 as quoted by the Pink
Sheets LLC.
In-the-money
options are those for which the fair market value of the
underlying securities exceeds the exercise price of the option. |
9
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information with respect to our
equity compensation plans in effect during the year ended
December 31, 2005.
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Number of | |
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|
|
Securities to be | |
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
Issued Upon | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Remaining Available for | |
|
|
Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Future Issuance Under | |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Equity Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
Options, Warrants | |
|
(Excluding Securities | |
|
|
and Rights | |
|
and Rights | |
|
Reflected in Column (a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS APPROVED BY SECURITY HOLDERS
|
|
|
5,152,267 |
|
|
$ |
1.91 |
|
|
|
32,714,535 |
|
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS NOT APPROVED BY SECURITY HOLDERS
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
|
5,402,267 |
|
|
$ |
1.84 |
|
|
|
32,714,535 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description of Non-Security Holder-Approved Plans
On February 19, 2004, the Compensation Committee
recommended that all directors receive options to purchase
shares of Nexteras Class A Common Stock at an
exercise price of $0.43 per share, the closing market price
on the day the Compensation Committee made the recommendation,
subject to the approval of the full Board of Directors. On
March 3, 2004, the Board of Directors approved the option
grant. The closing market price of Nexteras Class A
Common Stock was $0.53 on March 3, 2004.
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of
Nexteras Class A Common Stock, Class B Common
Stock and Series A Preferred Stock as of March 15,
2006, by (i) all those known by us to be beneficial owners
of more than 5% of Nexteras Common Stock; (ii) each
of Nexteras directors; (iii) Nexteras President
and our other three most highly paid executive officers; and
(iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a
group. Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly
and the indicated person has sole voting and investment power.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the persons named
below is care of Nextera Enterprises, Inc., 10 High Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
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|
Beneficial Ownership of | |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A and B Common | |
|
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|
|
|
|
Stock and Series A | |
|
|
Beneficial Ownership | |
|
Beneficial Ownership | |
|
Beneficial Ownership | |
|
Preferred Stock(1)(2) | |
|
|
of Class A Common | |
|
of Class B Common | |
|
of Series A Preferred | |
|
| |
|
|
Stock(1)(2) | |
|
Stock(1)(2) | |
|
Stock(1)(2) | |
|
|
|
Percent of | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Percent of | |
|
Common and | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Combined | |
|
Preferred | |
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
Percent | |
|
Beneficially | |
|
Percent | |
|
Beneficially | |
|
Percent | |
|
Voting | |
|
Stock | |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Owned | |
|
of Class | |
|
Owned | |
|
of Class | |
|
Owned | |
|
of Class | |
|
Power(3) | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Joseph J. Millin
|
|
|
8,467,410 |
(4) |
|
|
22.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.06 |
|
|
|
19.98 |
|
Richard V. Sandler
|
|
|
419,201 |
(5) |
|
|
1.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael J. Dolan
|
|
|
155,400 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Steven B. Fink
|
|
|
8,933,813 |
(7) |
|
|
23.13 |
|
|
|
3,844,200 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
49,745 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
64.87 |
|
|
|
30.26 |
|
Ralph Finerman
|
|
|
158,813 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Keith D. Grinstein
|
|
|
203,813 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alan B. Levine
|
|
|
32,813 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Stanley E. Maron
|
|
|
178,813 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael P. Muldowney
|
|
|
1,000,133 |
(8) |
|
|
2.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
2.36 |
|
Scott J. Weiss
|
|
|
8,467,410 |
(4) |
|
|
22.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.06 |
|
|
|
19.98 |
|
David Michael Schneider
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust
|
|
|
2,762,267 |
(5) |
|
|
6.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.18 |
|
|
|
6.52 |
|
Mounte LLC
|
|
|
8,810,000 |
(9) |
|
|
22.89 |
|
|
|
3,844,200 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
49,745 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
64.73 |
|
|
|
29.97 |
|
Lawrence J. Ellison
|
|
|
8,810,000 |
(9) |
|
|
22.89 |
|
|
|
3,844,200 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
49,745 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
64.73 |
|
|
|
29.97 |
|
Michael R. Milken
|
|
|
8,810,000 |
(9) |
|
|
22.89 |
|
|
|
3,844,200 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
49,745 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
64.73 |
|
|
|
29.97 |
|
Lowell J. Milken
|
|
|
8,810,000 |
(9) |
|
|
22.89 |
|
|
|
3,844,200 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
49,745 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
64.73 |
|
|
|
29.97 |
|
Jocott Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
|
8,467,410 |
(4) |
|
|
22.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.06 |
|
|
|
19.98 |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group
(10 persons)
|
|
|
19,550,207 |
(10) |
|
|
48.14 |
|
|
|
3,844,200 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
49,745 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
75.59 |
|
|
|
55.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Indicates beneficial ownership of less than 1.0% of the
outstanding Class A or Class B Common Stock or
Series A Preferred Stock, as applicable. |
|
|
(1) |
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect
to securities. Shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of stock options exercisable within 60 days of
March 15, 2006 are deemed outstanding and to be
beneficially owned by the person holding such options for
purposes of computing such persons percentage ownership,
but are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person. Except for shares held
jointly with a persons spouse or subject to applicable
community property laws, or as indicated in the footnotes to
this table, each stockholder identified in the table possesses
the sole voting and disposition power with respect to all shares
of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by such stockholder. |
|
|
(2) |
Based on approximately 38,492,851 shares of Class A
Common Stock, 3,844,200 shares of Class B Common Stock
and 49,745 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding as of March 15, 2006. |
11
|
|
|
|
(3) |
Holders of Nexteras Class B Common Stock are entitled
to 10 votes per share. Holders of Nexteras Series A
Preferred Stock are entitled to 145 votes per share, which
equals the number of whole shares of Class A Common Stock
into which one share of Series A Preferred Stock is
convertible. |
|
|
(4) |
At the closing of the Transaction, 8,467,410 shares of
Class A Common Stock were issued to Jocott Enterprises,
Inc. Messrs. Millin and Weiss are each directors of Jocott
Enterprises, Inc. and (together with their respective spouses) a
trustee and beneficiary of living trusts that own all of the
shares of Jocott Enterprises, Inc. Each of Messrs. Millin
and Weiss have disclaimed all beneficial ownership of the shares
held by Jocott Enterprises, Inc., except to the extent of their
respective pecuniary interests therein. |
|
|
(5) |
Represents shares issuable with respect to options exercisable
within 60 days of March 15, 2006. |
|
|
(6) |
Includes 144,500 shares issuable with respect to options
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2006. |
|
|
(7) |
Steven B. Fink, in his capacity as a manager of Mounte LLC, may
be deemed to have the power to direct the voting and disposition
of, and to share beneficial ownership of, any shares of Common
Stock and Series A Preferred Stock owned by Mounte LLC.
Includes 8,810,000 of Class A Common Stock,
3,844,200 shares of Class B Common Stock, and
48,906 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by
Mounte LLC of which Mr. Fink has disclaimed all beneficial
ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest
therein. Also includes 123,813 shares issuable with respect
to options exercisable within 60 days of March 15,
2006. |
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(8) |
Includes 855,833 shares issuable with respect to options
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2006and
79,000 shares held by the Muldowney Children Irrevocable
Trust. Mr. Muldowney has disclaimed all beneficial
ownership of the shares held by the Muldowney Children
Irrevocable Trust. |
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(9) |
Lawrence J. Ellison, Michael R. Milken and Lowell J. Milken may
each be deemed to have the power to direct the voting and
disposition of, and to share beneficial ownership of, any shares
of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock owned by
Mounte LLC. Lawrence J. Ellison, Michael R. Milken and Lowell J.
Milken may be deemed to be a group within the meaning of
Rule 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act. Lawrence J. Ellison is Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Oracle Corporation. Michael R. Milken is a
manager and member of Mounte LLC. |
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(10) |
Includes 2,117,597 shares issuable with respect to options
exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2006, and
79,000 shares held by the Muldowney Children Irrevocable
Trust of which Mr. Muldowney has disclaimed all beneficial
ownership. |
12
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
SEC rules require proxy statements to contain a performance
graph comparing, over a five-year period, the performance of
Nexteras Class A Common Stock against the Nasdaq
Composite Index (U.S. Companies), and against either a
published industry or
line-of-business index
or a group of peer issuers or issuers with similar market
capitalization.
Because we did not have any business operations during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, we do not believe that
we can reasonably identify a group of comparable peer companies.
Accordingly, we have selected the Russell 2000 Index for
comparison of issuers with similar market capitalizations to
Nextera.
The following graph compares total stockholder return on
Nexteras Class A Common Stock since December 31,
2000 to two indices: the Nasdaq Composite Index
(U.S. companies), and the Russell 2000 Index. The graph
assumes an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2000
and reinvestment of all dividends.
COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND RUSSELL 2000 INDEX
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Cumulative Total Return | |
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12/31/00 | |
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12/31/01 | |
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12/31/02 | |
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12/31/03 | |
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12/31/04 | |
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12/31/05 | |
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NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC
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100.00 |
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62.17 |
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62.17 |
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63.94 |
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78.15 |
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60.39 |
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RUSSELL 2000 INDEX
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100.00 |
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101.02 |
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79.22 |
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115.16 |
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135.31 |
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139.81 |
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NASDAQ MARKET INDEX (U.S.)
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100.00 |
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77.19 |
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54.01 |
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82.10 |
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89.52 |
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92.74 |
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The closing price of Nexteras Class A Common Stock on
December 30, 2005, the last trading day of 2005, was
$0.34 per share.
13
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
Compensation Committee) administers Nexteras
executive compensation program and establishes the salaries of
Nexteras executive officers. The Compensation Committee
consists of our two independent Directors,
Messrs. Grinstein and Levine, and Messrs. Maron and
Sandler.
Compensation Philosophy
The general philosophy of the Compensation Committee is to
provide executive compensation designed to enhance our
enterprise value, including annual compensation, consisting of
salary and bonus awards, and long-term compensation, consisting
of stock options and other equity based compensation. To this
end, the Compensation Committee designs compensation plans and
incentives to link the financial interests of Nexteras
executive officers to the interests of its stockholders, to
encourage support of Nexteras long-term goals, to tie
executive compensation to Nexteras performance, to attract
and retain talented leadership and to encourage significant
ownership of Nexteras common stock by executive officers.
In making decisions affecting executive compensation, the
Compensation Committee reviews the nature and scope of the
executive officers responsibilities as well as his or her
effectiveness in supporting Nexteras long-term goals. The
Compensation Committee also considers the compensation practices
of other organizations that compete with Nextera. Based upon
these and other factors which it considers relevant, and in
light of Nexteras overall long-term performance, the
Compensation Committee has considered it appropriate, and in the
best interest of the stockholders, to set the overall executive
compensation at competitive market levels to enable Nextera to
continue to attract, retain and motivate the highest level of
executive personnel.
There are two primary types of compensation provided
Nexteras executive officers:
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Annual compensation, which includes base salary intended to
provide a stable annual salary at a level consistent with
individual contributions, and annual performance bonuses
intended to link officers compensation to Nexteras
and the individuals performance. |
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Long-term compensation, which includes stock or other equity
based compensation and long-term incentive awards intended to
encourage actions to maximize stockholder value. |
Annual Compensation
Consistent with its stated philosophy, the Compensation
Committee aims to position base salaries for Nexteras
executive officers annually at levels that are equal to or
slightly higher than the comparison group, with consideration of
the performance of Nextera, individual performance of each
executive and the executives scope of responsibility in
relation to other officers and key executives within Nextera. In
selected cases, other factors may also be considered.
Nextera pays cash bonuses to its executive officers at the end
of each fiscal year based primarily on Nexteras
performance in relation to predetermined objectives, individual
executive performance for the year then ended and compensation
survey information for executives employed within Nexteras
market segment. An executives bonus in any given year
varied depending on:
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The ability of the executive to meet financial targets. |
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Key contributions made by the executive during the year. |
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Industry practice. |
14
The Compensation Committee is committed to long-term incentive
programs for executives that promote the long-term growth of
Nextera. The Compensation Committee believes that the management
employees should be rewarded with a proprietary interest in
Nextera for continued long-term performance and to attract,
motivate and retain qualified and capable executives.
Equity Based Compensation
Nextera grants stock options to provide long-term incentives and
to align employee and stockholder long-term interest. Stock
options provide a direct link between compensation and
stockholder return. The exercise price of stock options granted
to executives is generally equal to the fair market value of
Nexteras Class A Common Stock on the date of the
grant. The vesting schedule for options granted under
Nexteras option plans is generally set to emphasize the
long-term incentives provided by option grants. A longer vesting
schedule is generally selected to encourage executives to
consider the long-term welfare of Nextera and to establish a
long-term relationship with Nextera. It is also designed to
reduce executive turnover and to retain the trained skills of
valued employees.
The number of options granted to individual executive officers
depends upon the executives position at Nextera, his or
her performance prior to the option grant and market practices
within the consulting industry. Because the primary purposes of
granting options are to provide incentives for future
performance and retain highly skilled and valued executives, the
Compensation Committee considers the number of shares that are
not yet exercisable by an executive under previously granted
options when granting additional stock options.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
Each year, the Compensation Committee reviews the chief
executive officers compensation and his individual
performance, as well as Nexteras overall performance, for
the calendar year under review.
Michael P. Muldowney was named President in December 2003, a
position he held until March 9, 2006. Mr. Muldowney
currently receives an annual base salary of $310,000 and an
annual discretionary bonus in an amount determined by the Board
of Directors, in accordance with his employment agreement. The
Compensation Committee approved a bonus of $85,000 for
Mr. Muldowney during 2005 based on his contributions to
Nextera in 2005, specifically, leading acquisition negotiations
and due diligence efforts, and achieving balance sheet and
expense management objectives.
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
The Compensation Committee also considers the potential impact
of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (Section 162(m)). Section 162(m)
disallows a tax deduction for any publicly held corporation for
individual compensation exceeding $1 million in any taxable
year for the chief executive officer and the other senior
executive officers, other than compensation that is
performance-based under a plan that is approved by the
shareholders of the corporation and that meets certain other
technical requirements. Based on these requirements, the
Compensation Committee has determined that Section 162(m)
will not prevent Nextera from receiving a tax deduction for any
of the compensation paid to executive officers.
15
Incorporation by Reference
This report of the Compensation Committee shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating
by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Nextera
specifically incorporates this information by reference, and
shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Submitted on March 28, 2006 by the members of the
Compensation Committee of Nexteras Board of Directors.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
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Keith D. Grinstein |
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Alan B. Levine |
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Stanley E. Maron |
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Richard V. Sandler |
16
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Woodridge Transaction
On March 9, 2006, Nextera and its wholly owned subsidiary
Woodridge entered into an asset purchase agreement (the
Purchase Agreement), with Jocott Enterprises, Inc.
(Seller); Joseph J. Millin and Valerie Millin,
Trustees of the Millin Family Living Trust Dated
November 18, 2002; Scott J. Weiss and Debra Weiss, as
Trustees of the Scott and Debra Weiss Living Trust; Joseph J.
Millin; and Scott J. Weiss, under which Woodridge purchased
substantially all of the assets of Seller.
The purchase price comprised:
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$22.5 million in cash (subject to purchase price
adjustments); |
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8,467,410 unregistered restricted shares of Nextera Class A
Common Stock (the Sale Shares); |
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the assumption by Woodridge of a promissory note of Seller in
the principal amount of $1.0 million, which assumed debt
was paid in full by Woodridge on the closing date of the
Transaction; and |
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an earn-out of up to $2.5 million which is payable if the
audited EBITDA of Woodridge for the period from the closing date
of the Transaction through December 31, 2006 exceeds
$4.2 million, and is fully earned at approximately
$6.5 million of audited EBITDA of Woodridge. This earn-out
amount, if any, is payable in the second quarter of 2007. |
$2 million of the cash purchase price together with the
total earn-out amount, if any, are to be held in escrow until
September 2007 to secure the payment of any indemnification
obligations of Seller. The payment of any indemnification
obligations of Seller is also secured by a pledge of the Sale
Shares.
As a condition to the closing of the Transaction, Nextera was
required to increase the size of the Board of Directors to nine
members, and, effective as of the closing, Messrs. Millin
and Weiss were elected to fill the resultant vacancies on the
Board of Directors. Messrs. Millin and Weiss also entered
into employment agreements with Nextera and Woodridge. All of
the shares of Seller are owned by two living trusts;
Mr. Millin serves as a trustee, and is a beneficiary, of
one of the living trusts and Mr. Weiss serves as a trustee,
and is a beneficiary, of the other living trust.
Under the Purchase Agreement, Seller is granted
piggyback registration rights with respect to the
Sale Shares. In addition, each of Seller, the shareholders of
Seller, and Messrs. Millin and Weiss agreed not to compete
with the personal care, healthcare and beauty product business
of Woodridge for a period of five years from and after the
closing or, with respect to Messrs. Millin and Weiss, the
date of termination of their employment (reduced to two years
for Mr. Millin and Mr. Weiss if their employment
contracts are not renewed by Woodridge or Nextera, if they are
terminated without cause or if they terminate their employment
for good reason).
Woodridge was formerly known as W Lab Acquisition Corp.,
and Jocott Enterprises, Inc. was formerly known as Woodridge
Labs, Inc. Both companies changed their names following the
consummation of the Transaction.
Debentures and Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock
On December 14, 2000, Nextera entered into a
Note Conversion Agreement with Mounte LLC whereby Mounte
LLC converted certain debentures into shares of Series A
Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock currently
bears dividends at a 7% rate. Such dividends are payable
quarterly in arrears in cash or, at the option of Nextera, in
additional nonassessable shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
The Series A Preferred Stock carries a liquidation
preference equal to $100 per share and is convertible into
Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder. The
Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at a price equal to
$0.6875 per share. Each holder of Series A Preferred
Stock is entitled to vote on matters presented to stockholders
on an as converted basis. Holders of our Series A Preferred
Stock are entitled to 145 votes per share (which equals
17
the number of whole shares of Class A Common Stock into
which one share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible)
on all matters to be voted upon for each share of Series A
Preferred Stock held.
Beginning on December 14, 2004, in the event that the
average closing price of Nexteras Class A Common
Stock for the 30 days prior to the redemption is at least
$1.0313, the Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed at
the option of Nextera at a price equal to $106 per share
plus accrued unpaid dividends through December 14, 2005.
Each year thereafter, the redemption price will decrease
$1 per share until December 14, 2010, at which point
the redemption price will be fixed at $100 per share plus
accrued unpaid dividends.
Steven B. Fink, a director of Nextera, is a manager of Mounte
LLC.
Legal Services
The law firm of Maron & Sandler has provided legal
services to us since February 1997. Messrs. Maron and
Sandler, two members of our Compensation Committee, are partners
of Maron & Sandler. In 2005, Maron & Sandler
billed us approximately $25,000 for legal services rendered.
Mr. Sandler also serves as our Chairman and Mr. Maron
serves as our Secretary. Since Mr. Sandler became
Vice-Chairman and subsequently Chairman of Nextera, no legal
fees relating to Mr. Sandlers services to Nextera
have been billed to us.
18
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the Audit
Committee) oversees Nexteras financial reporting
process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the
primary responsibility for the financial statements and the
reporting process including the systems of internal controls. In
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee
reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report
with management, including a discussion of the quality, not just
the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the
reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of
disclosures in the financial statements.
The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent registered
public accounting firm, who are responsible for expressing an
opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements
with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments
as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of Nexteras
accounting principles and such other matters as are required to
be discussed with the Audit Committee by Statements on Auditing
Standards No. 61, as amended by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 90 (Communication with Audit Committees). In
addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent
auditors the auditors independence from management and
Nextera including the matters in the written disclosures
required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independent Discussions with Audit Committees) and considered
the compatibility of nonaudit services with the independent
registered public accounting firms independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with Nexteras independent
registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans
for the audit. The Audit Committee met with the independent
registered public accounting firm, with and without management
present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their
evaluations of Nexteras internal controls, and the overall
quality of Nexteras financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and
the Board of Directors has approved) that the audited financial
statements be included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee and the Board of
Directors have also recommended, subject to stockholder
approval, the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as
Nexteras independent registered public accounting firm for
the year ending December 31, 2006.
The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter, attached
to this proxy statement as Appendix A, adopted by the Board
of Directors. The Audit Committee held six meetings during 2005.
The members of the Audit Committee are considered independent
because they satisfy the independence requirements as defined by
the rules and regulations of The Nasdaq Stock Market and
Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Alan B. Levine, Chairman
Keith D. Grinstein
March 28, 2006
19
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP
as our independent registered public accounting firm for the
year ending December 31, 2006 and has directed that
management submit the selection of the independent registered
public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification at
the Annual Meeting. Ernst & Young LLP audited our
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2003,
2004 and 2005. During the year ended December 31, 2005,
Ernst & Young LLP served as Nexteras principal
independent registered public accounting firm and provided
certain tax and other services. See Principal Accountant
Fees and Services. Representatives of Ernst &
Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will
have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and
will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Stockholders are not required to ratify the selection of
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm. However, we are submitting the selection of
Ernst & Young LLP to the stockholders for ratification
as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail
to ratify the selection, the Board of Directors and the Audit
Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain
Ernst & Young LLP. Even if the selection is ratified,
the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee in their
discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent
registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if
they determine that such a change would be in the best interests
of Nextera and its stockholders.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the shares represented and voting either in person or
by proxy at the meeting will be required to ratify the selection
of Ernst & Young LLP, as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2006.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The following table summarizes the aggregate fees billed to
Nextera by its independent registered public accounting firm,
Ernst & Young, LLP, for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004:
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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Audit Fees(1)
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$ |
90,500 |
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$ |
87,500 |
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Audit-Related Fees(2)
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11,000 |
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Tax Fees(3)
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1,265 |
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150,044 |
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All Other Fees(4)
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1,500 |
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1,500 |
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Total
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$ |
93,265 |
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$ |
250,044 |
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(1) |
Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services
rendered for the audit of Nexteras consolidated annual
financial statements and review of the interim consolidated
financial statements included in quarterly reports and other
services associated with regulatory filings. |
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(2) |
Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and
related services that are reasonably related to the performance
of the audit or review of Nexteras consolidated financial
statements and are not reported under Audit Fees.
For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, these
principally included employee benefit plan audits. |
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(3) |
Tax fees consist of fees billed for professional services
rendered for tax compliance, tax consultations, and tax merger
and acquisition due diligence. |
20
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(4) |
All other fees consist of fees for products and services other
than the services reported above. For the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004, this category included a
subscription fee for technical research material. |
The Audit Committees policy is to pre-approve all audit
and non-audit services by the independent registered public
accounting firm. These services may include audit services,
audit-related services, tax services and other services.
Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any
pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or
category or services and is generally subject to a specific
budget. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority
to Mr. Levine, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, for
services required on an expedited basis. The independent
registered public accounting firm and management are required to
periodically report to the full Audit Committee regarding the
extent of services proved by the independent registered public
accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the
fees for the services performed to date. All of the audit,
audit-related, tax and other services provided by
Ernst & Young LLP in fiscal year 2005 and related fees
were approved in accordance with the Audit Committees
policy.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any stockholder who desires to present proposals at the 2007
annual meeting of stockholders and to have such proposals set
forth in the proxy statement and form of proxy mailed in
conjunction with such annual meeting must submit such proposals
in writing to our Secretary no later than January 24, 2007.
Nexteras Bylaws require that for nominations of persons
for election to the Board of Directors or the proposal of
business to be considered by the stockholders at an annual
meeting, a stockholder must give timely written notice thereof.
To be timely for the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, such
notice must be delivered to our Secretary at our principal
executive office, at 10 High Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days
prior to the close of business on May 24, 2007, provided,
that if the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders is advanced or
delayed by more than 30 days from May 24, 2007, such
notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business
on the 90th day prior to the 2007 annual meeting and not
later than the close of business on the later of the
60th day prior to the 2007 annual meeting or the
10th day following the earlier of (i) the day on which
notice of the meeting was mailed or (ii) the date we first
publicly announce the date of the 2006 annual meeting. The
stockholders notice must contain and be accompanied by
certain information as specified in the Bylaws. It is
recommended that any stockholder desiring to make a nomination
or submit a proposal for consideration obtain a copy of the
Bylaws, which may be obtained without charge from our Secretary
upon written request addressed to the Secretary at our principal
executive offices.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires Nexteras directors and executive officers, and
persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
Nexteras equity securities to file with the SEC initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of
Nexteras Class A Common Stock, Class B Common
Stock and other equity securities. Officers, directors and
greater-than-ten-percent stockholders are required by SEC
regulations to furnish Nextera copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such
reports furnished to Nextera, during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to our officers, directors and
greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with.
OTHER MATTERS
Householding of Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and
intermediaries (e.g. brokers) to satisfy the delivery
requirement for proxy statements and annual reports with respect
to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by
delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those
stockholders. This process, which is
21
commonly referred to as householding, potentially
means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for
companies. Brokers with account holders who are Nextera
stockholders may be householding our proxy
materials. If you hold your shares in an account with one of
those brokers, a simple proxy statement will be delivered to
multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary
instructions have been received from the affected stockholders.
Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be
householding communications to your address,
householding will continue until you are notified
otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you
no longer wish to participate in householding and
would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual
report, please notify your broker and direct your written
request to Nextera Enterprises, Inc., 10 High Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, or call (617) 262-0055. Stockholders
who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at
their address and would like to request householding
of their communication should contact their broker.
Other Business
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be
presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other
matters are properly brought before the meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote
on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
A copy of Nexteras Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the SEC,
excluding exhibits, may be obtained by stockholders without
charge by written request addressed to 10 High Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110.
All stockholders are urged to complete, sign, date and return
the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Stanley E. Maron
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Secretary |
April 24, 2006
22
APPENDIX A
Nextera Enterprises, Inc.
Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Purpose
The purpose of the Audit Committee (the Committee)
is to provide assistance to the Board of Directors (the
Board) of Nextera Enterprises, Inc. (the
Company) in fulfilling the Boards oversight
responsibilities regarding the Companys accounting and
system of internal controls, the quality and integrity of the
Companys financial reports and the independence and
performance of the Companys independent auditor. In so
doing, the Committee should endeavor to maintain free and open
means of communication between the members of the Committee,
other members of the Committee, other members of the Board, the
independent auditor and the financial management of the Company.
Membership
The Committee shall consist of two members of the Board. The
members shall be appointed by action of the Board and shall
serve at the discretion of the Board. Each Committee member
shall satisfy the independence requirements of The
Nasdaq Stock Market. Each Committee member must be able to read
and understand fundamental financial statements, including a
companys balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow
statement or must be able to do so within a reasonable period of
time after his or her appointment to the Committee. At least one
Committee member must have past employment experience in finance
or accounting, requisite professional certification in
accounting, or any other comparable experience or background
(including a current or past position as a chief executive or
financial officer or other senior officer with financial
oversight responsibilities) which results in the Committee
members financial sophistication. This member must meet
the definition of a financial expert as defined by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Committee Organization and Procedures
1. The members of the Committee shall appoint a Chair of
the Committee by majority vote. The Chair (or in his or her
absence, a member designated by the Chair) shall preside at all
meetings of the Committee.
2. The Committee shall have the authority to establish its
own rules and procedures consistent with the bylaws of the
Company for notice and conduct of its meetings, should the
Committee, in its discretion, deem it desirable to do so.
3. The Committee shall meet at least twice in each fiscal
year, and more frequently as the Committee in its discretion
deems desirable.
4. The Committee may, in its discretion, include in its
meetings members of the Companys financial management,
representatives of the independent auditor, the senior manager
responsible for internal audit and other financial personnel
employed or retained by the Company. The Committee may meet with
the independent auditor or the senior manager responsible for
the internal audit function in separate executive sessions to
discuss any matters that the Committee believes should be
addressed privately, without managements presence. The
Committee may likewise meet privately with management, as it
deems appropriate.
5. The Committee may, in its discretion, utilize the
services of the Companys regular corporate legal counsel
with respect to legal matters or, at its discretion, retain
other legal counsel if it determines that such counsel is
necessary or appropriate under the circumstances.
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Responsibilities
Independent
Auditor
6. The independent auditor shall be ultimately accountable
to the Committee and the Board in connection with the audit of
the Companys annual financial statements and related
services. In this regard, the Committee shall periodically
evaluate the performance of the independent auditor and, if
necessary, recommend that the Board replace the independent
auditor.
7. The Committee shall approve the fees to be paid to the
independent auditor and any other terms of the engagement of the
independent auditor.
8. The Committee shall receive from the independent
auditor, at least annually, a written statement delineating all
relationships between the independent auditor and the Company,
consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1. The
Committee shall actively engage in a dialogue with the
independent auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships
or services that, in the view of the Committee, may impact the
objectivity and independence of the independent auditor. If the
Committee determines that further inquiry is advisable, the
Committee shall recommend that the Board take any appropriate
action in response to the independent auditors report to
satisfy itself of the auditors independence.
9. The Committee shall meet with the independent auditor
and management of the Company in connection with each annual
audit to discuss the scope of the audit and the procedures to be
followed.
10. The Committee shall
review1
and discuss the audited financial statements with the management
of the Company.
11. The Committee shall discuss with the independent
auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61 as then in effect including,
among others, (i) the methods used to account for any
significant unusual transactions reflected in the audited
financial statements; (ii) the effect of significant
accounting policies in any controversial or emerging areas for
which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or a consensus
to be followed by the independent auditor; (iii) the
process used by management in formulating particularly sensitive
accounting estimates and the basis for the auditors
conclusions regarding the reasonableness of those estimates; and
(iv) any disagreements with management over the application
of accounting principles, the basis for managements
accounting estimates or the disclosures in the financial
statements.
12. The Committee shall, based on the review and
discussions in paragraphs 10 and 11 above, and based on the
disclosures received from the independent auditor regarding its
independence and discussions with the auditor regarding such
independence in paragraph 8 above, recommend to the Board
whether the audited financial statements should be included in
the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year subject to the audit.
13. The independent auditor is required to review the
interim financial statements to be included in any
Form 10-Q of the
Company using professional standards and procedures for
conducting such reviews, as established by generally accepted
auditing standards as modified or supplemented by the Securities
and
1 Auditing
literature, particularly, Statement of Accounting Standards
No. 100, defines the term review to include a
particular set of required procedures to be undertaken by
independent accountants. The members of the Audit Committee are
not independent accountants, and the term review as
used in this Audit Committee charter is not intended to have
this meaning. Consistent with footnote 47 of SEC Release
No. 34-42266, any use in this Audit Committee Charter of
the term review should not be interpreted to suggest
that the Committee members can or should follow the procedures
required of auditors performing reviews of interim financial
statements.
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Exchange Commission, prior to the filing of the
Form 10-Q.
Furthermore, prior to filing the
Form 10-Q, the
independent auditor shall meet, either in person or
telephonically, with the Committee as a whole or the Committee
Chair to discuss their findings.
14. The Committee shall discuss with the independent
auditor and the senior manager responsible for the internal
audit function, at least annually, the adequacy and
effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls of the
Company, and consider any recommendations for improvement of
such internal control procedures.
15. The Committee shall discuss with the independent
auditor and with management any management letter provided by
the independent auditor and any other significant matters
brought to the attention of the Committee by the independent
auditor as a result of its annual audit. The Committee should
allow management adequate time to consider any such matters
raised by the independent auditor.
16. The Committee shall discuss at least annually with the
senior manager responsible for internal audit the activities and
organizational structure of the Companys internal audit
function and the qualifications of the primary personnel
performing such function. Such senior manager shall be granted
unfettered access to the Committee.
17. The Committee shall review and reassess the
Committees charter at least annually and submit any
recommended changes to the Board for its consideration.
18. The Committee shall provide the report for inclusion in
the Companys Annual Proxy Statement required by
Item 306 of
Regulation S-K of
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
19. The Committee, through its Chair, shall report
periodically, as deemed necessary or desirable by the Committee,
but at least annually, to the full Board regarding the
Committees actions and recommendations, if any.
A-3
NEXTERA ENTERPRISES, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 24, 2006
The undersigned stockholder of Nextera Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company),
hereby appoints Richard V. Sandler and Michael P. Muldowney, and each of them, with full power to
act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact for the
undersigned, to attend the annual meeting of the Companys stockholders to be held on May 24, 2006
and any adjournment or postponement thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that
the undersigned is entitled to cast at such meeting and otherwise to represent the undersigned at
the meeting with all powers possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the meeting. The
undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to such meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1 and 2.
Proposal 1. To elect the following persons who are nominees to the Companys Board of
Directors:
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Ralph Finerman
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Alan B. Levine
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Michael P. Muldowney |
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Steven B. Fink
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Stanley E. Maron
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Richard V. Sandler |
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Keith D. Grinstein
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Joseph J. Millin
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Scott J. Weiss |
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FOR
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY For all (except as indicated to the contrary below) |
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominees
name in the space provided below)
Proposal 2. To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
The proxy holders are authorized to vote in their discretion upon any other business as may
properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
PLEASE DATE THIS PROXY AND SIGN IT EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME OR NAMES APPEAR BELOW. WHEN SHARES ARE HELD
BY JOINT TENANTS, BOTH SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS AN ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE
OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH. IF SHARES ARE HELD BY A CORPORATION, PLEASE SIGN IN
FULL CORPORATE NAME BY THE PRESIDENT OR OTHER AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF SHARES ARE HELD BY A
PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AN AUTHORIZED PERSON.
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Signature(s)
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Dated: , 2006 |
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE PROXY CARD USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. IF YOUR
ADDRESS IS INCORRECTLY SHOWN, PLEASE PRINT CHANGES BELOW.