reeds_defr14a-112009.htm
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant To Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934
Filed by the registrant x
Filed by a party other than the registrant ¨
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the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive
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Definitive
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Soliciting
material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c)
or Rule 14a-12
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REED’S,
INC.
(Name of
Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment
of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
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No
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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of each class of securities to which transaction
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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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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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its
filing.
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REED’S,
INC.
13000
South Spring Street
Los
Angeles, California 90061
NOTICE
OF 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
be held November 20, 2009
Dear
Stockholder:
You are
cordially invited to attend our annual meeting of stockholders at the corporate
offices of Reed’s, Inc., located at 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles,
California 90061 on Friday, November 20, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard
Time. The business of the annual meeting will be to:
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Elect Christopher
J. Reed, Judy Holloway Reed, Mark Harris, Daniel S.J. Muffoletto and
Michael Fischman to serve as directors until the 2010 annual meeting, or
until each director’s successor is elected and
qualified,
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Ratify
the selection of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2009, and
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Discuss
and resolve any other matters that properly come before the
meeting.
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A Proxy
Statement and a proxy card are enclosed with this notice. The Proxy
Statement describes the business to be transacted at the meeting and provides
other information about Reed’s, Inc. that you should know when you vote your
shares. You may vote your shares in person at the annual meeting or
by using the enclosed proxy card. Please note, however, that if your
shares are held of record by a broker, bank, or other nominee and you wish to
vote at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy card issued in your name from the
record holder. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 16,
2009 will be entitled to vote at the meeting, or any adjournments of the
meeting.
* * * IMPORTANT NOTICE * *
*
Regarding
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
for the
2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 20,
2009
In
accordance with new rules issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission,
you may
access our 2009 Annual Report and our Proxy Statement at
www.transferonline.com/reeds
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By
Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/
Christopher J. Reed
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Los
Angeles, California
October 28, 2009
Whether
or not you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, you are urged to
mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as
possible in the envelope provided. Signing and returning a
proxy will not prevent you from voting in person at the
meeting.
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FOR
THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
REED’S,
INC.
To
Be Held on November 20, 2009
The
enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Reed’s,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, for use at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “Annual Meeting”) of Reed’s, Inc. and all postponements, continuations or
adjournments thereof. These proxy materials and the enclosed Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (“Annual Report”) are
being mailed to our stockholders on or about October 31, 2009 . In this Proxy Statement, we use the terms the
“Company,” “Reed’s,” “we,” “our,” and “us” to refer to Reed’s, Inc.
Where and when is the Annual
Meeting? Our Annual Meeting will be held at the corporate
offices of Reed’s, Inc., located at 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles,
California 90061, on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard
Time.
Why did I receive these
materials? You received this Proxy Statement because you held
shares of our common stock on October 16, 2009, the record date fixed by our
Board, and you are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy
Statement and a copy of our Annual Report will be mailed on or about October 31,
2009. Although the Proxy Statement and Annual Report are being
mailed together, the Annual Report is not incorporated into, and should not be
deemed part of, this Proxy Statement.
Who can attend the Annual
Meeting? Only stockholders as of the record date, their
authorized representatives, and invited guests will be able to attend the Annual
Meeting.
Who is entitled to
vote? Only holders of record of our common stock at the close
of business on October 16, 2009, the record date, are entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting. Each share is entitled to vote on each matter
properly brought before the meeting. As of the record date, there
were 9,597,877 shares of our common stock outstanding and 46,621 shares of
preferred stock outstanding. We have 46,621 outstanding shares of
Series A preferred stock which do not have voting rights on any matters,
including, without limitation, the election of directors.
Who are the proxies? The Board
of Directors of the Company has appointed Christopher J. Reed, our Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Judy Holloway Reed, our Secretary and
director, to serve as proxies at the Annual Meeting. When you fill
out your proxy card and return it, or if you vote electronically, you will be
giving the proxies your instruction on how to vote your shares at the Annual
Meeting.
How do I vote if I am a registered
stockholder? You may vote in person, electronically via the
Internet, or by proxy. Proxies are solicited to give all stockholders
who are entitled to vote on the matters that come before the meeting the
opportunity to do so whether or not they attend the meeting in
person. If you are a registered holder, you can vote your proxy card
by mail, electronically via the Internet , or in person at the Annual
Meeting. If you
choose to vote by mail, mark your proxy card enclosed with this Proxy Statement,
date and sign it, and mail it in the postage-paid envelope. If you
wish to vote in person, you can vote the proxy card in person at the Annual
Meeting. Signing and
returning a proxy will not prevent you from voting in person at the
meeting.
How do I vote electronically?
If you are a registered stockholder, you may vote electronically via the
Internet. Please review the voting instructions on the proxy
card.
How do I specify how I want my shares
voted? If you are a registered stockholder, you can specify
how you want your shares voted on each proposal by marking the appropriate boxes
on the proxy card. Please review the voting instructions on the proxy
card and read the entire text of the proposals and the positions of the Board of
Directors in the Proxy Statement prior to marking your vote. If your proxy card is signed and
returned without specifying a vote, it will be voted according to the
recommendation of the Board of Directors on that proposal.
How do I vote if I am a beneficial
stockholder? If you are a beneficial stockholder, you have the
right to direct your broker or nominee on how to vote your
shares. You should complete a voting instruction card which your
broker or nominee is obligated to provide to you. If you wish to vote
in person at the meeting, you must first obtain from the record holder a proxy
card issued in your name.
What items will be voted upon at the
Annual Meeting? The following items will be voted upon at the
Annual Meeting:
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(1)
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the
election of Christopher J. Reed, Judy Holloway Reed, Mark
Harris, Daniel S.J. Muffoletto and Michael Fischman to serve as directors
until the 2010 annual meeting, or until each director’s successor is
elected and qualified.
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(2)
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the
ratification of the selection of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the
financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2009, and
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(3)
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any
other matters that properly come before the
meeting.
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The Board
of Directors does not currently know of any other matters that may be brought
before the meeting for a vote. However, if any other matters are
properly presented for action, it is the intention of the persons named on the
proxy card to vote on them according to their best judgment.
What is the Board of Directors’
voting recommendation? For the reasons set forth in more
detail later in the Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors unanimously
recommends a vote FOR
the election of all nominees for director proposed by our Board (Proposal
1). The Board of Directors has ratified the selection of Weinberg
& Company, P.A. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2009 which selection was made by the Company’s Audit
Committee. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the
auditors (Proposal 2).
How can I provide my comments to the
Company? We urge you to let us know your feelings about the
Company or to bring a particular matter to our attention by writing directly to
us at Reed’s, Inc., 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061,
attention: Judy Holloway Reed, Secretary.
How many votes are needed to have the
proposals pass? A majority of the votes cast at the Annual
Meeting is required to elect the directors and a majority of the votes cast is
required to ratify the selection of the auditors.
How are the votes
counted? You will have one vote for each share of our common
stock that you owned on the record date. If the proxy card is
properly executed and returned prior to the Annual Meeting, the shares of common
stock it represents will be voted as you instruct on the proxy
card. If a proxy card is unmarked, or if you indicate no vote, the
shares of common stock it represents will be voted FOR the election of directors
recommended by the Board, and FOR the ratification of the
auditors.
No Cumulative
Voting. Holders
of common stock shall not be entitled to cumulate their votes for the election
of directors or any other matters.
Abstentions. Abstentions
will be treated as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum. Abstentions will not constitute a vote FOR or
AGAINST any matter, and thus will be disregarded in the calculation of shares
voting or votes cast on any matter submitted to the stockholders for a
vote.
Broker
Non-Votes. Broker non-votes, meaning shares held by brokers or
nominees as to which instructions have not been received from the beneficial
owners or persons entitled to vote and as to which the broker has physically
indicated on the proxy card that the broker or nominee does not have
discretionary power to vote on a particular matter, will be counted as present
and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum. However, for purposes of determining the outcome of any
matter as to which the broker has physically indicated on the proxy card that it
does not have discretionary authority to vote, those shares will be treated as
not present and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter, even though
those shares are considered present for quorum purposes and may be entitled to
vote on other matters.
Quorum. A
majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the record date,
represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the Annual
Meeting. As of October 16, 2009 we had 9,597,877 shares of common
stock outstanding. The number of shares required to be represented in
person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting to constitute a quorum is
4,798,938.
How can I revoke my
proxy? You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is
voted at the meeting by taking one of the following three actions:
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giving
timely written notice of the revocation to our
Secretary,
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(2)
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executing
and delivering a proxy card with a later date,
or
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(3)
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voting
in person at the meeting.
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How would my proxy be voted on other
matters? The persons named on the proxy card will have
discretionary authority to vote on business other than Proposal 1 (the election
of directors) and Proposal 2 (ratification of auditors) as may properly come
before the Annual Meeting.
Who will pay for the costs involved
in the solicitation of proxies? This Proxy Statement is
furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of Reed’s. Reed’s will pay all costs of preparing,
assembling, printing and distributing the proxy materials. Copies of
proxy materials will be furnished to brokerage houses, nominees, fiduciaries and
custodians to forward to beneficial owners of common stock held in their names.
Our employees, officers and directors may, for no additional compensation,
solicit proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors through the mail, in person
and by telecommunications. Upon request, we will reimburse brokerage
firms and other record holders for their reasonable expenses incurred for
forwarding solicitation material to beneficial owners of stock.
Do stockholders have any dissenters’
right with regards to the matters proposed to be acted upon? There are no
rights of appraisal or other similar rights of dissenters under the laws of the
State of Delaware with respect to any of the matters proposed to be acted upon
herein.
DELIVERY
OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
We will
only deliver one Proxy Statement to multiple stockholders sharing an address
unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the
stockholders. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of this Proxy Statement
to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the document was
delivered upon oral or written request:
Reed’s,
Inc.
Attention:
Judy Holloway Reed, Secretary
13000
South Spring Street
Los
Angeles, California 90061
Tel:
(310) 217-9400
Fax: (310)
217-9411
Stockholders
may also address future requests for separate delivery of Proxy Statements
and/or annual reports by contacting us at the address listed
above. Stockholders sharing an address with another stockholder who
has received multiple copies of the Company's proxy materials may contact us to
request delivery of a single copy of these materials.
PROPOSAL
NO. 1
ELECTION OF CHRISTOPHER J. REED, JUDY
HOLLOWAY REED, MARK HARRIS, DANIEL S.J.
MUFFOLETTO AND MICHAEL FISCHMAN TO
SERVE AS DIRECTORS UNTIL
THE 2010 ANNUAL
MEETING, OR UNTIL EACH DIRECTOR’S
SUCCESSOR IS ELECTED AND QUALIFIED
Our
Bylaws provide that the number of directors on the Board of Directors shall be
not less than one or more than seven. The Board of Directors is empowered to fix
the number of directors from time to time. Christopher J. Reed, Judy
Holloway Reed, Mark Harris, Daniel S.J. Muffoletto and Michael Fischman are to
be elected to our Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. Proxies cannot be
voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees
named.
The Board
of Directors has nominated and approved the nominations of five persons to serve
as directors until the 2010 annual meeting, or until each director’s successor
is elected and qualified. All of the nominees currently serve on our Board of
Directors. Each of the nominees has agreed to continue to serve if
elected. Management expects that each of the nominees will be
available for election, but if any of them is not a candidate at the time the
election occurs, it is intended that the proxies will be voted for the election
of another nominee to be designated by the Board of Directors to fill any
vacancy. Additionally, the Board of Directors may elect additional members of
the Board to fill any additional vacancies.
The
nominees are as follows:
Name
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Age
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Current
Position with the Company
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Christopher
J. Reed
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51
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President,
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
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Judy
Holloway Reed
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50
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Secretary,
Director
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Mark
Harris
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54
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Director
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Daniel
S.J. Muffoletto
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55
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Director
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Michael
Fischman
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54
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Director
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Business
Experience of Nominees
Christopher J.
Reed founded our company in
1987. Mr. Reed has served as our Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer since our incorporation in 1991. Mr. Reed
previously served as our Chief Financial Officer and was re-appointed as Chief
Financial Officer on April 17, 2008. Mr. Reed has been
responsible for our design and products, including the original product recipes,
the proprietary brewing process and the packaging and marketing strategies. Mr.
Reed received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1980 from Rennselaer Polytechnic
Institute in Troy, New York.
Judy Holloway
Reed has
been with us since 1992 and, as we have grown, has run the accounting,
purchasing and shipping and receiving departments at various times since the
1990s. Ms. Reed has been one of our directors since June 2004 and our Secretary
since October 1996. In the 1980s, Ms. Reed managed media tracking for a Los
Angeles Infomercial Media Buying Group and was an account manager with a Beverly
Hills, California stock portfolio management company. She earned a Business
Degree from MIU in 1981. Ms. Reed is the wife of Christopher J. Reed, our
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mark
Harris has
been a member of our Board of Directors since April 2005. Mr. Harris
is an independent venture capitalist and has been retired from the work force
since 2002. In late 2003, Mr. Harris joined a group of Amgen colleagues in
funding NeoStem, Inc., a company involved in stem-cell storage, archiving, and
research to which he is a founding angel investor. From 1991 to 2002, Mr. Harris
worked at biotech giant Amgen managing much of the company’s media production
for internal use and public relations. Mr. Harris spent the decade prior working
in the aerospace industry at Northrop with similar
responsibilities.
Daniel S.J.
Muffoletto, N.D. has been a member of
our Board of Directors from April 2005 to December 2006 and from January 2007 to
the present. Dr. Muffoletto has practiced as a Naturopathic Physician
since 1986. He has served as chief executive officer of It’s Your Earth, a
natural products marketing company, since June 2004. From 2003 to
2005, Dr. Muffoletto worked as Sales and Marketing Director for Worthington,
Moore & Jacobs, a Commercial Law League member firm serving FedEx, UPS, DHL
and Kodak, among others. From 2001 to 2003, he was the owner-operator
of the David St. Michel Art Gallery in Montreal, Québec. From 1991 to
2001, Dr. Muffoletto was the owner/operator of a Naturopathic Apothecary, Herbal
Alter*Natives of Seattle, Washington and Ellicott City, Maryland. The
apothecary housed Dr. Muffoletto’s Naturopathic practice. Dr.
Muffoletto received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Government and Communications
from the University of Baltimore in 1977 and conducted postgraduate work in the
schools of Public Administration and Publication Design at the University of
Baltimore from 1978 to 1979. In 1986, he received his Doctorate of
Naturopathic Medicine from the Santa Fe Academy of Healing, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
Michael
Fischman has been a member of
our Board of Directors since April 2005. Since 1998, Mr. Fischman has
served as president and chief executive officer of the APEX course, the
corporate training division of the International Association of Human
Values. In addition, Mr. Fischman is a founding member and the
director of training for USA at the Art of Living Foundation, a global
non-profit educational and humanitarian organization, at which he has
coordinated over 200 personal development instructors since 1997.
Director
Independence
The Board
of Directors has determined that three members of our Board of Directors and
nominees, Mr. Harris, Dr. Muffoletto and Mr. Fischman, do not have relationships
that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out
the responsibilities of a director and that each of these nominees is an
“independent director” as defined under Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock
Market, Inc. Marketplace Rules. We intend to maintain at least two
independent directors on our Board of Directors at all times in the
future.
No
Arrangements of Understandings
There are
no arrangements or understandings pursuant to which a nominee has been or will
be elected as a director.
Family
Relationships
Other
than the relationships of Christopher J. Reed, Judy Holloway Reed (Christopher
Reed’s wife), Mark Reed (Christopher Reed’s brother) and Robert T. Reed, Jr.
(Christopher Reed’s brother), none of our directors or executive officers are
related to one another.
Legal
Proceedings
To the
best of our knowledge, none of the nominees are parties to any material
proceedings adverse to Reed’s, have any material interest adverse to Reed’s or
have during the past five years:
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been
convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses);
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had
any bankruptcy petition filed by or against him/her or any business of
which he/she was a general partner or executive officer, either at the
time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that
time;
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been
subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently
or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting
his/her involvement in any type of business, securities, futures,
commodities or banking activities; or
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been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the
Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities
law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or
vacated.
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Vote
Required
In
accordance with applicable law and our Bylaws, the election of directors shall
be by a majority of the votes cast. Unless a stockholder indicates otherwise,
each signed proxy will be voted FOR the election of these
nominees.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES AS A
DIRECTOR
PROPOSAL
2:
RATIFICATION
OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The
Board’s Audit Committee recommends Weinberg & Company, P.A. (“Weinberg”) as
the Company’s independent registered public accountants. The Board of
Directors requests that stockholders ratify its selection of Weinberg as our
independent registered public accountants for the 2009 fiscal
year. If the stockholders do not ratify the selection of Weinberg,
the Board of Directors will select another firm of
accountants. Representatives of Weinberg will not be present at the
meeting although they were afforded the opportunity to attend.
Weinberg
has been our independent registered public accounting firm for several fiscal
years.
Audit
Fees and Related Fees
The
aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional
services rendered by Weinberg for the audit of annual financial statements and
for review of financial statements included in our Forms 10-QSB or Forms 10Q or
services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years
were:
2007 -
$146,000
2008 -
$153,000
Tax
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional
services rendered by Weinberg for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning
were:
2007 -
$0
2008 -
$0
All
Other Fees
The
aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for the products and
services provided by Weinberg, other than the services reported in paragraphs
(1) and (2) were:
2007 -
$0
2008 -
$0
Our Audit
Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures, pursuant to paragraph
(c)(7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, require the audit committee to
pre-approve all accounting related activities prior to the performance of any
services by any accountant or auditor. In the year ended December 31,
2008, 100% of audit fees were pre-approved by the audit committee.
The
percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit
our financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to
work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full time,
permanent employees was 0%.
Vote
Required
Ratification
of the independent auditor requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
votes cast. Unless a stockholder indicates otherwise, each signed proxy will be
voted FOR the
ratification of the selection of Weinberg as the Company’s independent
registered public accountants.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE SELECTION OF WEINBERG &
COMPANY, P.A.
AS
OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE 2009 FISCAL
YEAR
BOARD
AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
During
the 2008 fiscal year, the Board of Directors met at least monthly and otherwise
took action by unanimous written consent. A majority of the directors and a
majority of the independent directors attended all meetings. The
Company does not have a policy for Board meeting attendance because, pursuant to
our Bylaws, members constituting a majority of directors constitute a quorum for
meetings of the Board of Directors and a majority of our directors, including a
majority of the independent directors, regularly attend all
meetings.
ATTENDANCE
OF BOARD MEMBERS AT ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING
All of
our directors will be attending our 2009 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
BOARD
STRUCTURE AND COMMITTEES
As of the
date of this Proxy Statement, our Board of Directors has five directors and the
following three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee and a Governance Committee. These committees were formed in
January 2007. Our Board of Directors has adopted written charters for
each of our committees which may be found at
www.reedsgingerbrew.com.
US EURO
Securities, Inc., the lead underwriter in our initial public offering, will have
the right to designate an observer to our Board of Directors and each of its
committees through the period ending December 12, 2011.
Board
Determination of Independence
Under
applicable NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent
director” if, in the opinion of the Board, that person does not have a
relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in
carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board has
determined that Daniel S.J. Muffoletto, Mark Harris
and Michael Fischman do not have relationships that would interfere with the
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as
defined under Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Marketplace
Rules and within the meaning of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002,
Section 301(3). We intend to maintain at least two independent
directors on our Board of Directors at all times in the future. We intend to
maintain independent directors constituting our Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and Governance Committee as well.
Committees
Audit
Committee. Our Audit
Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes, internal
systems of accounting and financial controls, relationships with independent
auditors and audits of financial statements. Specific
responsibilities include the following:
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selecting,
hiring and terminating our independent auditors;
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evaluating
the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent
auditors;
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approving
the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent
auditors;
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reviewing
the design, implementation, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal
controls and critical accounting policies;
|
|
|
|
|
|
overseeing
and monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to
financial statements or accounting matters;
|
|
|
|
|
|
reviewing,
with management and our independent auditors, any earnings announcements
and other public announcements regarding our results of operations;
and
|
|
|
|
|
|
preparing
the audit committee report that the Securities Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) requires in our annual proxy
statement.
|
Our Audit
Committee is comprised of Daniel S.J. Muffoletto, Mark Harris
and Michael Fischman. Dr. Muffoletto serves as Chairman of the Audit
Committee. We believe Dr. Muffoletto meets SEC requirements of an
"audit committee financial expert" within the meaning of the Sarbanes Oxley Act
of 2002, Section 407(b).
Compensation
Committee. Our Compensation
Committee assists our Board of Directors in determining and developing plans for
the compensation of our officers, directors and employees. Our Compensation
Committee is comprised of Dr. Muffoletto, Mr. Harris and Mr.
Fischman.
Specific
responsibilities include the following:
|
|
approving
the compensation and benefits of our executive
officers;
|
|
|
|
|
|
reviewing
the performance objectives and actual performance of our officers;
and
|
|
|
|
|
|
administering
our stock option and other equity compensation
plans.
|
Governance
Committee. Our Governance
Committee assists the Board of Directors by identifying and recommending
individuals qualified to become members of our Board of Directors, reviewing
correspondence from our stockholders, and establishing, evaluating and
overseeing our corporate governance guidelines. Our Governance Committee is
comprised of Dr. Muffoletto and Mr. Fischman.
Specific
responsibilities include the following:
|
|
evaluating
the composition, size and governance of our Board of Directors and its
committees and making recommendations regarding future planning and the
appointment of directors to our
committees;
|
|
|
establishing
a policy for considering stockholder nominees for election to our Board of
Directors; and
|
|
|
evaluating
and recommending candidates for election to our Board of
Directors.
|
Stockholder
Communications with Our Board of Directors
Our Board
of Directors has established a process for stockholders to communicate with the
Board of Directors or with individual directors. Stockholders who
wish to communicate with our Board of Directors or with individual directors
should direct written correspondence to our principal executive offices located
at 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061, attention: Judy
Holloway Reed, Secretary. Any such communication must
contain:
|
|
a
representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of our capital
stock;
|
|
|
|
|
|
the
name and address, as they appear on our books, of the stockholder sending
such communication; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
the
class and number of shares of our capital stock that are beneficially
owned by such stockholder.
|
Our
Secretary will forward such communications to our Board of Directors or the
specified individual director to whom the communication is directed unless such
communication is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly
inappropriate, in which case the Secretary has the authority to discard the
communication or to take appropriate legal action regarding such
communication.
NOMINATION
OF DIRECTORS
Our
Governance Committee determines the required selection criteria and
qualifications of director nominees based upon our needs at the time nominees
are considered. In general, directors should possess the highest
personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to
representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. Moreover,
our Governance Committee will strive to ensure that at least one director meets
the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules
and that the majority of the directors comprising the Board meet the definition
of “independent director” under NASDAQ rules.
In
addition to the above considerations, the Governance Committee will consider
criteria such as strength of character and leadership skills; general business
acumen and experience; broad knowledge of the industry; age; number of other
Board seats; and willingness to commit the necessary time to ensure an active
Board whose members work well together and possess the collective knowledge and
expertise required by the Board of Directors. The Governance
Committee will consider these same criteria for candidates regardless of whether
the candidate was identified by the Governance Committee, by stockholders, or
any other source.
The
Governance Committee will consider qualified candidates for possible nomination
that are submitted by our stockholders. Stockholders wishing to make such a
submission may do so by sending the requisite information to the Governance
Committee at the address indicated herein under the heading “Stockholder
Communications with Our Board of Directors.” Any recommendations
submitted to the Chairman should be in writing and should include whatever
supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate in support of that
recommendation, but must include the information that would be required under
the rules of the SEC in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of
such candidate and a signed consent of the candidate to serve as a director of
Reed’s, if elected.
The
Governance Committee conducts a process of making a preliminary assessment of
each proposed nominee based upon the resume and biographical information
provided, an indication of the candidate’s willingness to serve and other
background information, business experience, and leadership skills, all to the
extent available and deemed relevant by the Governance Committee. This
information is evaluated against the criteria set forth above and our specific
needs at that time. Based upon a preliminary assessment of the
candidate(s), those who appear best suited to meet our needs may be invited to
participate in a series of interviews, which are used as a further means of
evaluating potential candidates. On the basis of information learned
during this process, the Governance Committee determines which candidate(s) to
recommend to the Board to submit for election at the next stockholder
meeting. The Governance Committee uses the same process for
evaluating all candidates, regardless of the original source of the
nomination.
Our goal
is to seek to achieve a balance of knowledge and experience on our
Board. To this end, we seek nominees with the highest professional
and personal ethics and values, an understanding of our business and industry,
diversity of business experience and expertise, a high level of education,
broad-based business acumen, and the ability to think
strategically. Although we use the criteria listed above as well as
other criteria to evaluate potential nominees, we do not have a stated minimum
criteria for nominees. The Board does not use different standards to evaluate
nominees depending on whether they are proposed by our directors and management
or by our stockholders. To date, we have not paid any third parties to assist us
in finding director nominees.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ( the “Exchange Act”), that might incorporate
future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the
following audit committee report shall not be deemed to be "soliciting
material," is not deemed "filed" with the SEC and shall not be incorporated by
reference into any filings under the Securities Act or Exchange Act whether made
before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation
language in such filing except to the extent that the Company specifically
requests that the information be treated as soliciting material or specifically
incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act.
The
primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in
fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to matters involving the
accounting, financial reporting and internal control functions of the
Company. The Audit Committee has sole authority to select the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit
Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided
by the independent registered public accounting firm and other financial
professional services providers. These services may include audit services,
audit-related services, tax services, and other services. Pre-approval generally
is provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the
particular service or category of services and generally is subject to a
specific budget. The Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm and management report annually to the Audit Committee regarding
the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting
firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services
performed. All services provided by Weinberg and the related fees in
the 2008 fiscal year were approved in accordance with the Audit Committee’s
policy.
Management
is responsible for preparing the Company’s financial statements so that they
comply with generally accepted accounting principles and fairly present the
Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; issuing
financial reports that comply with the requirements of the SEC; and establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control structures and procedures for
financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to
monitor and oversee these processes.
In
furtherance of its role, the Audit Committee has an annual agenda, which
includes periodic reviews of the Company’s internal controls and of areas of
potential exposure for the Company such as litigation matters. The
Committee meets at least quarterly and reviews the Company’s interim financial
results and earnings releases prior to their publication.
In this
context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management (i) the
audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2008, (ii) the Company’s evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 and (iii) the related
opinions by the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm. The Audit Committee also has discussed with Weinberg &
Company, P.A. the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as currently in
effect. The Audit Committee also has received written disclosures and
a letter from Weinberg regarding its independence from the Company as required
by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees) and has discussed with Weinberg the independence of that
firm. Based upon these materials and discussions, the Audit Committee
has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s audited
consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
Daniel
S.J. Muffoletto
Mark
Harris
Michael
Fischman
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to our current
directors and executive officers:
Name
|
|
Position
|
|
Age
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher J. Reed
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
|
|
51
|
Thierry Foucaut
|
|
Chief
Operating Officer
|
|
45
|
James
Linesch
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
55
|
Judy Holloway Reed
|
|
Secretary
and Director
|
|
50
|
Mark Harris
|
|
Director
|
|
54
|
Daniel S.J. Muffoletto
|
|
Director
|
|
55
|
Michael Fischman
|
|
Director
|
|
54
|
Business
Experience of Directors and Executive Officers
Christopher J.
Reed founded our company in 1987. Mr. Reed has served as our
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since our incorporation in
1991. Mr. Reed previously served as our Chief Financial Officer and
was re-appointed as Chief Financial Officer on April 17, 2008. Mr.
Reed has been responsible for our design and products, including the original
product recipes, the proprietary brewing process and the packaging and marketing
strategies. Mr. Reed received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1980
from Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Thierry
Foucaut has been our Chief Operating Officer since May
2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Foucaut worked for six years as Chief
Operating Officer of Village Imports, a $30 million specialty foods and beverage
distributor in California, where he created and launched a line of sparkling
lemonades and managed the company’s operations including multiple warehouses and
fleets of DSD delivery trucks. Mr. Foucaut spent 2000 with Eve.com, a
leading San Francisco website specializing in retail sales of high end
cosmetics. Mr. Foucaut worked for L’Oréal Paris from 1994 through
1999 with growing marketing and sales responsibilities, including Product
Manager from September 1994 to May 1996, South Europe Marketing Coordinator from
June 1996 to July 1998 and Duty Free Key Account Executive from July 1998 to
December 1999, managing large airport and airline clients over several European
countries. He earned a Master of Science degree from Ecole Centrale
Paris in 1988, and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1994.
James
Linesch was appointed as Chief Financial Officer effective January 19,
2009. Mr. Linesch served as the chief financial officer of AdStar, Inc., a
public company providing ad placement services and payment processing software
for publishers, from February 2006 until January 2009. He performed
transaction intermediary services with MET Advisors, LLC from January 2005 until
January 2006. From June 2000 to October 2004, he served as chief
financial officer of DynTek, Inc., an information technology (IT) services
company. From May 1996 until October 1999 he served as chief
financial officer and president of CompuMed, Inc. He also served as
chief financial officer of Universal Self Care, Inc. from June 1991 until May
1996. Mr. Linesch is a certified public accountant (CPA), having practiced
with Price Waterhouse in Los Angeles. He earned a BS degree in finance
from California State University, Northridge, and an MBA from the University of
Southern California.
Judy Holloway
Reed has been with us since 1992 and, as we have grown, has run the
accounting, purchasing and shipping and receiving departments at various times
since the 1990s. Ms. Reed has been one of our directors since June
2004, and our Secretary since October 1996. In the 1980s, Ms. Reed
managed media tracking for a Los Angeles Infomercial Media Buying Group and was
an account manager with a Beverly Hills, California stock portfolio management
company. She earned a Business Degree from MIU in
1981. Ms. Reed is the wife of Christopher J. Reed, our Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mark
Harris has been a member of our Board of Directors since April
2005. Mr. Harris is an independent venture capitalist and has been
retired from the work force since 2002. In late 2003, Mr. Harris
joined a group of Amgen colleagues in funding NeoStem, Inc., a company involved
in stem-cell storage, archiving, and research to which he is a founding angel
investor. From 1991 to 2002, Mr. Harris worked at biotech giant Amgen
managing much of the company’s media production for internal use and public
relations. Mr. Harris spent the decade prior working in the aerospace industry
at Northrop with similar responsibilities.
Daniel S.J.
Muffoletto, N.D. has been a member of our Board of Directors from April
2005 to December 2006 and from January 2007 to the present. Dr.
Muffoletto has practiced as a Naturopathic Physician since 1986. He
has served as chief executive officer of Its Your Earth, a natural products
marketing company since June 2004. From 2003 to 2005, Dr. Muffoletto
worked as Sales and Marketing Director for Worthington, Moore & Jacobs, a
Commercial Law League member firm serving FedEx, UPS, DHL and Kodak, among
others. From 2001 to 2003, he was the owner-operator of the David St.
Michel Art Gallery in Montreal, Québec. From 1991 to 2001, Dr.
Muffoletto was the owner/operator of a Naturopathic Apothecary, Herbal
Alter*Natives of Seattle, Washington and Ellicott City, Maryland. The
apothecary housed Dr. Muffoletto’s Naturopathic practice. Dr.
Muffoletto received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Government and Communications
from the University of Baltimore in 1977, and conducted postgraduate work in the
schools of Public Administration and Publication Design at the University of
Baltimore from 1978 to 1979. In 1986, he received his Doctorate of Naturopathic
Medicine from the Santa Fe Academy of Healing, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
Michael
Fischman has been a member of our Board of Directors since April
2005. Since 1998, Mr. Fischman has been President and chief executive
officer of the APEX course, the corporate training division of the International
Association of Human Values. In addition, Mr. Fischman is a founding
member and the director of training for USA at the Art of Living Foundation, a
global non-profit educational and humanitarian organization at which he has
coordinated over 200 personal development instructors since 1997.
Family
Relationships
Other
than the relationships of Christopher J. Reed, Judy Holloway Reed (Christopher
Reed’s wife), Mark Reed (Christopher Reed’s brother) and Robert T. Reed, Jr.
(Christopher Reed’s brother), none of our directors or executive officers are
related to one another.
Legal
Proceedings
To the
best of our knowledge, none of our executive officers or directors are parties
to any material proceedings adverse to Reed’s, have any material interest
adverse to Reed’s or have, during the past five years:
|
|
been
convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor
offenses);
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
had
any bankruptcy petition filed by or against him/her or any business of
which he/she was a general partner or executive officer, either at the
time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that
time;
|
|
·
|
been
subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed,
suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently
or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting
his/her involvement in any type of business, securities, futures,
commodities or banking activities; or
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
been
found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the
Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities
law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or
vacated.
|
Executive
Compensation
The
following table summarizes all compensation for fiscal years 2008 and 2007
received by our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and
chief operating officer, who are the only executive officers of the Company in
fiscal year 2008, our “Named Executive Officers”.
Name and
Principal Position
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
|
|
|
Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher J. Reed,
Chief Executive Officer, former Chief Financial Officer
(2)
|
2008
|
|
$
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
4,616
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
154,616
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
4,616
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
154,616
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Kane, former Chief
Financial Officer (5)
|
2008
|
|
$
|
43,750
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
43,750
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
41,169
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
21,917
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
63,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thierry Foucaut, Chief
Operating Officer (4)
|
2008
|
|
$
|
130,000
|
|
|
$
|
57,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
79,292
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
266,892
|
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
83,000
|
|
|
$
|
34,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
43,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
160,500
|
|
(1)
|
The
amounts represent the compensation expense for all share-based payment
awards based on estimated fair values, computed in accordance with
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123 (revised 2004),
“Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”), excluding any impact of assumed
forfeiture rates. We record compensation expense for employee
stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date
of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula with the
following assumptions for fiscal 2007: 0% dividend yield; 70% - 90.3%
expected volatility; 4.33% risk free interest rate; 5 years expected lives
and 0% forfeiture rate and the following assumptions for fiscal 2008: 0%
dividend yield; 107.54% expected volatility; 1.67% risk free interest
rate; 3.5 years expected lives; and 0% forfeiture rate.
|
(2)
|
Christopher
J. Reed served as Chief Financial Officer during fiscal year 2007 until
October 1, 2007 and again from April 17, 2008 to January 19,
2009.
|
(3)
|
Represents
value of automobile provided to Christopher J. Reed.
|
(4)
|
Mr.
Foucaut was hired in June 2007. Amounts represent payments pursuant to an
at will employment agreement since his hire date.
|
(5)
|
Mr.
Kane served as Chief Financial Officer from October 1, 2007 through April
15, 2008.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End
The
following table sets forth information regarding unexercised options
and equity incentive plan awards for each Named Executive Officer outstanding as
of December 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Equity Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Plan Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Option
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Expiration
|
Name and Position
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Unearned Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher J. Reed,
Chief Executive Officer
and
former Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thierry
Foucaut,
Chief
Operating Officer
|
|
|
16,667
|
|
|
|
33,333
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7.55
|
|
06/03/12
|
Notes:
(1)
|
Vest
as follows: 16,667 options vested on June 3, 2008 and 16,666 will vest on
June 3, 2009, and 16,667 will vest on June 3, 2010.
|
(2)
|
Vest
as follows: 16,667 will vest on December 6, 2009; 16,667 will vest on
December 6, 2010; and 16,666 will vest on December 6,
2011.
|
Director
Compensation
The
following table summarizes the compensation paid to our directors for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2008:
|
|
Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned or
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in
|
|
Stock
|
Option
|
Incentive Plan
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
Awards
|
Awards
|
Compensation
|
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
Name
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
Judy
Holloway Reed
|
|
$
|
875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
875
|
|
Mark
Harris
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Daniel
S.J. Muffoletto
|
|
$
|
12,831
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,831
|
|
Michael
Fischman
|
|
$
|
1,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,175
|
|
Notes:
(1)
|
Since
November 2007, Dr. Muffoletto receives $833 per month to serve as the
Chairman of the Audit Committee.
|
2001
Stock Option Plan and 2007 Stock Option Plan
We are
authorized to issue options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock
under our 2001 Stock Option Plan, and we are authorized to issue options to
purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of common stock under our 2007 Stock Option
Plan. On August 28, 2001, our board of directors adopted the 2001
Stock Option Plan and the plan was approved by our stockholders. On
October 8, 2007, our board of directors adopted the 2007 Stock Option Plan and
the plan was approved by our stockholders on November 19, 2007.
The plans
permit the grant of options to our employees, directors and
consultants. The options may constitute either “incentive stock
options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or
“non-qualified stock options.” The primary difference between
“incentive stock options” and “non-qualified stock options” is that once an
option is exercised, the stock received under an “incentive stock option” has
the potential of being taxed at the more favorable long-term capital gains rate,
while stock received by exercising a “non-qualified stock option” is taxed
according to the ordinary income tax rate schedule.
The plans
are currently administered by the board of directors. The plan
administrator has full and final authority to select the individuals to receive
options and to grant such options as well as a wide degree of flexibility in
determining the terms and conditions of options, including vesting
provisions.
The
exercise price of an option granted under the plan cannot be less than 100% of
the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of the grant of the
option. The exercise price of an incentive stock option granted to a
person owning more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the common
stock must be at least 110% of the fair market value per share of common stock
on the date of the grant. Options may not be granted under the plan
on or after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the
plan. Incentive stock options granted to a person owning more than
10% of the combined voting power of the common stock cannot be exercisable for
more than five years.
When an
option is exercised, the purchase price of the underlying stock will be paid in
cash, except that the plan administrator may permit the exercise price to be
paid in any combination of cash, shares of stock having a fair market value
equal to the exercise price, or as otherwise determined by the plan
administrator.
If an
optionee ceases to be an employee, director, or consultant with us, other than
by reason of death, disability, or retirement, all vested options must be
exercised within three months following such event. However, if an
optionee’s employment or consulting relationship with us terminates for cause,
or if a director of ours is removed for cause, all unexercised options will
terminate immediately. If an optionee ceases to be an employee or
director of, or a consultant to us, by reason of death, disability, or
retirement, all vested options may be exercised within one year following such
event or such shorter period as is otherwise provided in the related
agreement.
When a
stock award expires or is terminated before it is exercised, the shares set
aside for that award are returned to the pool of shares available for future
awards.
No option
can be granted under the plan after ten years following the earlier of the date
the plan was adopted by the board of directors or the date the plan was approved
by our stockholders.
2009
Consultant Stock Plan
We are
authorized to issue up to 100,000 shares of common stock to employees, officers,
directors, consultants, independent contractors, advisors, or other service
providers to Reed’s under our 2009 Consultant Stock Plan. The 2009
Consultant Stock Plan was adopted by our board of directors on February 13, 2009
and is administered by a committee of the board of directors. The
plan committee may from time to time, and subject to the provisions of the plan
and such other terms and conditions as the plan committee may prescribe, grant
to any eligible person one or more shares of common stock of Reed’s
("Award Shares"). The grant of Award Shares or grant of the right to receive
Award Shares shall be evidenced by either a written consulting agreement or a
separate written agreement confirming such grant, executed by Reed’s and the
recipient, stating the number of Award Shares granted and stating all terms and
conditions of such grant.
The plan
committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Award Shares in any of the
following instances:
(i) as
a "bonus" or "reward" for services previously rendered and compensated, in which
case the recipient of the Award Shares shall not be required to pay any
consideration for such Award Shares, and the value of such Award Shares shall be
the fair market value of such Award Shares on the date of grant; or
(ii) as
"compensation" for the previous performance or future performance of services or
attainment of goals, in which case the recipient of the Award Shares shall not
be required to pay any consideration for such Award Shares (other than the
performance of his services).
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides information, as of December 31, 2008, with respect to
options outstanding and available under the 2001 Plan and 2007 Plan and certain
other outstanding options:
Plan
Category
|
|
Number
of
Securities
to be
Issued
Upon
Exercise
of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and
Rights
(a)
|
|
Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
(b)
|
|
Number
of Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance Under
Equity
Compensation
Plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
Column
(a))
(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
702,500
|
|
$
|
3.55
|
|
1,297,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
1,868,236
|
|
$
|
5.41
|
|
Not
applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
2,570,736
|
|
$
|
4.90
|
|
1,297,500
|
Employment
Agreements
We
entered into an at-will employment agreement with Thierry Foucaut, our Chief
Operating Officer, which provides for an annualized salary of approximately
$130,000 per year. In addition, we have granted Mr. Foucaut options
to purchase up to 50,000 shares of common stock which vest over a three year
period ending in 2010.
Further,
we entered into an at-will employment agreement with David M. Kane, our former
Chief Financial Officer, which provided for an annualized salary of
approximately $175,000 per year. Mr. Kane subsequently resigned as
Chief Financial Officer effective April 15, 2008.
Further,
we entered into an at-will employment agreement with Mark Reed, one of our
Executive Vice Presidents, which provided for an annualized salary of
approximately $225,000 per year. In addition, we have granted Mark Reed options
to purchase up to 100,000 shares of common stock which were forfeited upon his
resignation. Effective March 25, 2008, Mark Reed is no longer an employee of
Reed’s but continues to serve as a consultant.
Further,
we entered into an at-will employment agreement with James Linesch, our Chief
Financial Officer, which provided for an annual salary of $156,000 per year
commencing January 19, 2009. In addition, we have granted Mr. Linesch options
under our 2007 Stock Option Plan to purchase up to 75,000 shares of common
stock which vest over a three year period ending January 19,
2012. In the event of a sale of Reed’s, Inc., should Mr. Linesch’s
employment terminate during the first 12 months after the sale, he will be
entitled to three months severance. Mr. Linesch is entitled to
participate in our employee benefits plan, including health benefits and three
weeks of paid vacation during his first year of employment.
Except as
set forth above, there are no written employment agreements with any of our
officers or key employees, including Christopher J. Reed. We do not
have any agreements which provide for severance upon termination of employment,
whether in context of a change of control or not.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table reflects the beneficial common stock ownership of: (a) each of
our directors, (b) each of our current named executive officers, (c) each person
known by us to be a beneficial holder of 5% or more of our common stock, and (d)
all of our executive officers and directors as a group, as of October 20,
2009.
Except as
otherwise indicated below, the persons named in the table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares of common stock held by
them. Unless otherwise indicated, the principal address of each
listed executive officer and director is 13000 South Spring Street, Los Angeles,
California 90061.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Percentage
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
and Named Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher
J. Reed (2)
|
|
|
3,200,000
|
|
|
|
33.3
|
|
Judy
Holloway Reed (2)
|
|
|
3,200,000
|
|
|
|
33.3
|
|
James
Linesch (6)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
Mark
Harris (3)
|
|
|
319
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Daniel
S.J. Muffoletto, N.D.
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
Michael
Fischman
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
Thierry
Foucaut (4)
|
|
|
16,667
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
and executive officers as a group (7 persons)
|
|
|
3,233,652
|
|
|
|
33.6
|
|
|
|
5%
or greater stockholders
|
|
Joseph
Grace (5)
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
Pearl
Elias (7)
(8)
|
|
|
749,696
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
|
Robert
Elias (7)
(8)
|
|
|
749,696
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
|
*
Less than 1%.
(1)
|
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
SEC. Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of October 20,,
2009 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of
the stockholder holding the options or warrants but are not deemed
outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other
stockholder. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to
this table, we believe stockholders named in the table have sole voting
and sole investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite
such stockholder’s name. Percentage of ownership is based on
approximately 9,597,877
shares of common stock outstanding as of October 20,
2009.
|
(2)
|
Christopher
J. Reed and Judy Holloway Reed are husband and wife. The same
number of shares of common stock is shown for each of them, as they may
each be deemed to be the beneficial owner of all of such
shares.
|
(3)
|
The
address for Mr. Harris is 160 Barranca Road, Newbury Park, California
91320.
|
(4)
|
Consists
of options to purchase up to 16,667 shares of common stock. Does not
include options to purchase up to 83,333 shares of common stock which vest
in portions through the period ending December
2011.
|
(5)
|
The
address for Mr. Grace is 1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 116, PMB 158,
Seattle, Washington 98119.
|
(6)
|
Does
not include options to purchase up to 75,000 shares of common stock which
vest over a three year period ending January 19, 2012.
|
(7)
|
The
address for Mr. and Ms. Alias is P.O. Box 340, Merion Station,
PA 19066
|
(8)
|
Pearl
Elias and Robert Elias are the sole trustees of the trust holding the
securities. The same number of shares of common stock is shown
for each of them, as they may each be deemed to be the beneficial owner of
all of such shares.
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Our board
of directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the review of any
transaction, arrangement or relationship between Reed’s and one of our executive
officers, directors, director nominees or 5% or greater stockholders (or their
immediate family members), each of whom we refer to as a “related person,” in
which such related person has a direct or indirect material
interest.
If a
related person proposes to enter into such a transaction, arrangement or
relationship, defined as a “related party transaction,” the related party must
report the proposed related party transaction to our Chief Financial
Officer. The policy calls for the proposed related party transaction
to be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by the Governance Committee.
If practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur prior to entry
into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not
practicable, the Governance Committee will review, and, in its discretion, may
ratify the related party transaction. Any related party transactions that are
ongoing in nature will be reviewed annually at a minimum. The related
party transactions listed below were reviewed by the full board of
directors. Prior to August 2005, we did not have independent
directors on our Board to review and approve related party transactions. The
Governance Committee shall review future related party
transactions.
Since the
beginning of our fiscal year for the period ended December 31, 2006, we have
participated in the following transactions in which a related person had or will
have a direct or indirect material interest:
Judy
Holloway Reed, our Secretary and director, is Christopher J. Reed’s
spouse.
As of
December 31, 2007, the Company had a $300,000 note receivable from an entity
that is partly owned by an advisor to the board of directors. The note is
secured by all the entity’s assets and intellectual property. The note was
payable on March 25, 2008 and bears interest at 7.50% per annum with quarterly
interest payments. As of December 30, 2007, the Company determined that the note
was deemed uncollectible and the collateral worthless, and has written off the
entire balance and associated accrued interest.
For the
year ending December 31, 2007, the Company employed three family members of the
majority shareholder and Chief Executive officer of the Company in sales and
administrative roles. The three members were paid approximately
$232,000, $80,000 and $15,000, respectively. In addition, for the
year ending December 31, 2007, these family members were granted 0, 100,000 and
0 options, respectively, to purchase the Company’s common stock which vest over
three years and expire in 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the
Company employed two family members of the majority shareholder and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company in sales roles. They were paid approximately
$37,000 and $113,000.
During
the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement for the
distribution of its products internationally. The agreement is between the
Company and a company controlled by two brothers of Christopher Reed, Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. The agreement remains in effect until
terminated by either party and requires the Company to pay the greater of
$10,000 per month or 10% of the defined sales of the previous month. During the
year ended December 31, 2008, the Company paid $60,000 for these services and
200,000 warrants were granted in connection with this distribution agreement.
The warrants are issuable only upon the attainment of certain international
product sales. No warrants vested during the year ended December 31, 2008. The
warrants will be valued and a corresponding expense will be recorded upon the
attainment of the sales goals identified when the warrants were
granted.
In 2005, we added three independent
directors to our board. We will maintain at least two independent
directors on our board in the future. The board of directors,
inclusive of at least a majority of these independent directors, who did not
have an interest in the transactions and had access, at our expense, to our or
independent legal counsel, resolved to reauthorize all material ongoing and past
transactions, arrangements and relationships listed above. In
addition, all future material affiliated transactions and loans: (i) will be
made or entered into on terms that are no less favorable to us than those that
can be obtained from unaffiliated third parties, (ii) and any forgiveness of
loans must be approved by a majority of our independent directors who do not
have an interest in the transactions and who have access, at our expense, to our
or independent legal counsel, and (iii) will comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
and other securities laws and regulations.
From
August 3, 2005 through April 7, 2006, we issued 333,156 shares of common stock
in connection with our initial public offering. The shares may have
been issued in violation of federal or state securities laws, or both, and may
be subject to rescission. On August 12, 2006, we made a rescission offer to all
holders of the outstanding shares that we believe are subject to rescission,
pursuant to which we offered to repurchase these shares then outstanding from
the holders. At the expiration of our rescission offer on September 18, 2006,
the rescission offer was accepted by 32 of the offerees to the extent of 28,420
shares for an aggregate of $118,711.57, including statutory interest. This
exposure amount was calculated by reference to the acquisition price of $4.00
per share for the common stock in connection with the earlier offering, plus
accrued interest at the applicable statutory rate. If our rescission offer had
been accepted by all offerees, we would have been required to make an aggregate
payment to the holders of these options and shares of up to approximately
$1,332,624, plus statutory interest.
We had
entered into agreements with Mark Reed and Robert T. Reed, Jr. (the “designated
purchasers”) that they would irrevocably commit to purchase up to all of the
shares in the rescission offer that are tendered to us for
rescission. Each of the designated purchasers is a brother of
Christopher J. Reed. We assigned to the designated purchasers the
right to purchase any rescission shares at 100% of the amount required to pay
the rescission price under applicable state law. Mark Reed and Robert
T. Reed agreed to purchase all of the rescission shares from stockholders who
accepted the rescission offer. The shares that were tendered for
rescission were agreed to be purchased by others and not from our
funds. The rescission shares, purchased by the designated purchasers
in the rescission offer, are deemed to be registered shares for the benefit of
the designated purchasers pursuant to the registration statement filed by us
relating to the rescission offer under the Securities Act, effective as of the
commencement date of the rescission offer without any further action on the part
of the designated purchasers. There are no assurances that we will not be
subject to penalties or fines relating to these issuances. We believe our
anticipated rescission offer could provide us with additional meritorious
defenses against any future claims relating to these shares. This transaction
was ratified by a majority of our independent directors who did not have an
interest in the transactions and who had access, at our expense, to our or
independent legal counsel.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s officers,
directors and persons beneficially owning more than 10% of the outstanding
common stock of the Company to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes
in beneficial ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”). Officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners
of common stock are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon a
review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto, Reed’s believes that
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, all of our officers and
directors filed timely file reports required by Section 16(a).
Legal
Proceedings
There are
no material proceedings to which any of our directors, officers or affiliates,
any owner of record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our
voting securities, or any associate of any such director, officer, affiliate, or
security holder is a party adverse to Reed’s or has a material interest adverse
to Reed’s.
Code
of Ethics
We have
adopted a code of ethics that applies to all our executive officers and
employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing
similar functions. Our code of ethics is posted on our website at
www.reedsgingerbrew.com.
INVESTOR
INFORMATION
All
reports filed by the Company with the SEC are available free of charge via EDGAR
through the SEC website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the public may
read and copy materials filed by Reed’s with the SEC at the SEC’s public
reference room located at 450 Fifth St., N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s
Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Reed’s
also provides copies of its Forms 8-K, 10-K, 10-Q, Proxy, Annual Report and
press releases at no charge to investors upon request and makes electronic
copies of such reports and press releases available through its website at
www.reedsgingerbrew.com as soon as is practicable after filing such material
with the SEC. Requests should be sent to Reed’s, 13000 South Spring
Street, Los Angeles, California 90061, attention: Judy Holloway Reed,
Secretary.
ANNUAL
REPORT
Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 has
been mailed to stockholders along with this Proxy Statement. We will,
upon written request and without charge, provide to any person solicited
hereunder additional copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K or exhibits
thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Requests should be addressed to 13000 South
Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061, attention: Judy Holloway Reed,
Secretary. Also, such report may be obtained from our Internet
homepage at www.reedsgingerbrew.com.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Any
stockholder who intends to submit a proposal at the 2010 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and who wishes to have the proposal considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting must, in addition to
complying with the applicable laws and regulations governing submission of such
proposals, deliver the proposal to us for consideration no later than July 3,
2010, which is 120 calendar days prior to the anniversary of this year’s mailing
date. Rule 14a-4 of the SEC’s proxy rules allows a company to use
discretionary voting authority to vote on matters coming before an annual
meeting of stockholders, if the company does not have notice of the matter at
least 45 days before the date corresponding to the date on which the company
first mailed its proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting of
stockholders. Stockholder proposals should be sent to 13000 South
Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90061, attention: Judy Holloway Reed,
Secretary.
Where the
date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from the date
of the previous year's meeting, stockholders’ written notices must be received
by us a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail proxy
materials.
Any stockholder filing a
written notice of nomination for director must describe various matters
regarding the nominee and the stockholder, including such information as name,
address, occupation and shares held. Any stockholder filing a notice
to bring other business before a stockholder meeting must include in such
notice, among other things, a brief description of the proposed business and the
reasons for the business, and other specified matters. Copies of
those requirements will be forwarded to any stockholder upon written
request.
OTHER
MATTERS
We are
not aware of any business to be presented for consideration at the meeting,
other than that specified in this Proxy Statement. If any other
matters are properly presented at the meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote in accordance with their best
judgment.
It
is important that proxies be returned promptly, whether or not you expect to
attend the Annual Meeting in person. We request that you complete,
date and sign the enclosed form of proxy and return it promptly in the envelope
provided for that purpose. By returning your proxy promptly you can
help us avoid the expense of follow-up mailings to ensure a quorum so that the
meeting can be held. Stockholders who attend the meeting may revoke a
prior proxy and vote their proxy in person as set forth in this Proxy
Statement.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
/s/ Christopher J.
Reed |
|
Christopher
J. Reed
|
|
Chairman
of the Board
|
|
|
|
Los
Angeles, California
|
PROXY
REED’S,
INC.
13000
South Spring Street
Los
Angeles, California 90061
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE
UNDERSIGNED HEREBY APPOINTS CHRISTOPHER J. REED AND JUDY HOLLOWAY REED AND
EACH OF THEM, AS PROXIES OF THE UNDERSIGNED, WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, TO
VOTE ALL THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF REED’S, INC. HELD OF RECORD BY THE
UNDERSIGNED ON NOVEMBER 20, 2009, AT THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OR
ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
There
are two ways to vote your Proxy
VOTE BY MAIL: Mark,
sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage paid envelope we have
provided or return it to: Transfer Online, 317 S.W. Alder Street,
2nd
Floor, Portland, OR 97204.
VOTE BY
INTERNET: Go online at www.transferonline.com/proxy
and cast your ballot electronically, in accordance with the following
instructions.
Your
Proxy ID is: 247
Your
Authorization Code is:XXXXXXXX
Instructions
for voting electronically:
1.
|
Go
to www.transferonline.com/proxy
|
2.
|
Enter
your Proxy ID and Authorization
Code
|
(Continued
and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)
1.
|
|
To
elect Christopher J. Reed, Judy Holloway Reed, Mark Harris, Daniel S.J.
Muffoletto and Michael Fischman to serve as directors until the 2010
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
|
FOR all nominees listed (except as marked to the contrary
)
|
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees
listed
|
01
Christopher J. Reed
02 Judy
Holloway Reed
03 Mark
Harris
04 Daniel
S.J. Muffoletto
05
Michael Fischman
(Instruction:
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, place a line through
the nominee’s name.)
2.
|
|
To
ratify the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as the Company’s
registered independent public accountants for the 2009 fiscal
year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
|
In
their discretion, upon the transaction of any other matters which may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
|
The shares represented by this proxy,
when properly executed, will be voted as specified by the undersigned
stockholder(s) in items 1, 2 and 3 above. If this card contains no specific
voting instructions, the shares will be voted FORthe election of all nominees for
director and FORthe ratification ofWeinberg & Company, P.A.
as the Company’s independent
public accountants.
THIS
PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
Dated:
October
,
2009
|
|
Signature:
|
|
Signature
if held jointly:
|
Please
sign exactly as the name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants,
both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please
sign the corporate name by the president or other authorized
officer. If a partnership, please sign in the partnership name by an
authorized person.