Check
the appropriate box:
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¨ Preliminary Proxy
Statement
|
¨
|
Confidential,
for Use of the,
|
Commission
Only (as permitted
|
||
by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|
||
x Definitive Proxy
Statement
|
||
¨ Definitive
Additional Materials
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||
¨ Soliciting
Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
|
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
x No fee
required.
|
¨ Fee computed on
table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
|
(1)
Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
(2)
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies:
|
(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):
|
(4)
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
Total fee paid:
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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.
|
(1)
Amount Previously Paid:
|
(2)
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
|
(3)
Filing Party:
|
(4)
Date Filed:
|
|
1.
|
To
elect one director to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held in 2012 and until his successor is duly elected and
qualified;
|
|
2.
|
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
James
B. Huff
|
|
Secretary
|
Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
|
Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
Percent
of Class
|
||||||
Harvey
B. Grossblatt
11407
Cronhill Drive, Suite A
Owings
Mills, MD 21117
|
130,401 | (1) | 5.42 | % | ||||
FMR
Corp.
82
Devonshire Street
Boston,
MA 02109
|
241,255 | 10.10 | % | |||||
First
Manhattan Co.
437
Madison Avenue
New
York, NY 10022
|
168,025 | 7.04 | % | |||||
North
Star Investment Management Corp.
20
North Wacker Drive
Chicago,
IL 60606
|
151,376 | 6.34 | % | |||||
Kuby
Gottlieb Special Fund
20
North Wacker Drive, Suite 1416
Chicago,
IL 60606
|
124,994 | 5.23 | % |
|
(1)
|
Includes
19,999 Shares which Mr. Grossblatt presently has the right to acquire
through the exercise of stock options and 500 shares beneficially owned by
Mr. Grossblatt’s spouse.
|
Name
|
Age
|
Director
Since
|
Current Term
to Expire
|
Independent
|
||||
Board
Nominees for Term to Expire in 2012
|
||||||||
Ronald
A. Seff, M.D.
|
61
|
2002
|
2009
|
Yes
|
||||
Directors
Continuing in Office
|
||||||||
Cary
Luskin
|
52
|
2002
|
2010
|
Yes
|
||||
Ira
F. Bormel
|
48
|
2008
|
2010
|
Yes
|
||||
Harvey
B. Grossblatt
|
62
|
1996
|
2011
|
No
|
Name
|
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
|
Stock
Awards
|
Total
|
|||||||||
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
(h)
|
|||||||||
Cary
Luskin
|
$ | 10,000 | — | $ | 10,000 | |||||||
Ronald
A. Seff, M.D.
|
$ | 10,000 | — | $ | 10,000 | |||||||
Ira
F. Bormel.
|
$ | 6,821 | — | $ | 6,821 |
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
Shares Beneficially Owned
|
Percent of Class
|
||||||
Harvey
B. Grossblatt (1)
|
130,401 | 5.42 | % | |||||
Cary
Luskin (2)
|
72,756 | 3.03 | % | |||||
Ronald
A. Seff, M.D. (3)
|
81,469 | 3.41 | % | |||||
James
B. Huff (4)
|
28,576 | 1.19 | % | |||||
Ira
F. Bormel
|
0 | 0 | % | |||||
All
directors and executive officers as
a group (5 persons) (5)
|
313,202 | 12.85 | % |
|
(1)
|
Includes
19,999 Shares Mr. Grossblatt has the right to acquire through the exercise
of stock options.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes
13,333 Shares Mr. Luskin has the right to acquire through the exercise of
stock options.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes
4,000 Shares Dr. Seff has the right to acquire through the exercise of
stock options.
|
|
(4)
|
Includes
11,333 Shares Mr. Huff has the right to acquire through the exercise of
stock options.
|
|
(5)
|
See
footnote 1-5 above.
|
Name and
Principal Position
(a)
|
Year
(b)
|
Base Salary
$
(c)
|
Bonus
$
(d)
|
Stock
Awards
$
(e)
|
Option
Awards
$(1)
(f)
|
All Other
Compensation
$ (i)
|
Total
$
(j)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Harvey
B. Grossblatt,
|
2009
|
351,418 | 119,638 | 0 | 0 | 65,745 |
(2)
|
536,801 | ||||||||||||||||||
President
and CEO
|
2008
|
343,045 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75,509 |
(2)
|
418,553 | ||||||||||||||||||
James
B. Huff,
|
2009
|
175,955 | 10,000 | 0 | 5,490 | 14,204 |
(3)
|
205,649 | ||||||||||||||||||
Secretary/Treasurer/CFO
|
2008
|
171,090 | 0 | 0 | 75,192 | 13,750 |
(3)
|
260,032 | ||||||||||||||||||
Ronald
Lazarus,
|
2009
|
220,000 | 6,140 | 0 | 0 | 37,637 |
(4)
|
263,777 | ||||||||||||||||||
President/USI
Electric, Inc.
|
2008
|
220,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38,335 |
(4)
|
258,335 | ||||||||||||||||||
Philip
A. Haigh
|
2009
|
100,800 | 26,975 | 0 | 0 | 19,379 |
(5)
|
147,154 | ||||||||||||||||||
VP
of Consumer Sales
|
2008
|
100,154 | 26,724 | 0 | 146,747 | 11,526 |
(5)
|
285,151 |
(1)
|
The
amounts shown on the “Option Awards” column reflect the compensation cost
related to stock option awards included in the Company’s financial
statements for the relevant fiscal year, computed in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) (“SFAS No.
123(R)”. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see the
Company’s Annual Report for the year ended March 31,
2009. While these amounts are deductible for federal income tax
purposes, for financial statement purposes, these amounts are charged to
additional paid-in capital. There were no stock option awards
granted during 2009. As of March 31, 2009, the aggregate number
of stock options outstanding is: Harvey B. Grossblatt – 19,999; James B.
Huff – 11,333; and Ronald Lazarus –
10,666.
|
(2)
|
All
other compensation for Mr. Grossblatt for 2009 and 2008, respectively,
includes employer 401(k) contributions of $29,871 and $29,500, medical
reimbursement and health insurance premiums of $28,144 and $38,615, group
life and disability premiums of $6,878 and $6,542, and auto lease value of
$852 and $852.
|
(3)
|
All
other compensation for Mr. Huff for 2009 and 2008, respectively, includes
employer match of 401(k) contributions of $7,000 and $7,000, group life
and disability premiums of $4,154 and $3,700, and auto lease value or
reimbursement allowance of $3,050 and
$3,050.
|
(4)
|
All
other compensation for Mr. Lazarus for 2009 and 2008 respectively,
includes employer match of 401(k) contributions of $8,800 and $8,800,
medical reimbursement and health insurance premiums of $11,099 and
$11,797, group life and disability premiums of $5,738 and $5,738, and auto
reimbursement allowances of $12,000 and
$12,000.
|
(5)
|
All
other compensation for Mr. Haigh for 2009 and 2008 respectively, includes
employer match of 401(k) contributions of $4,032 and $4,032, medical
reimbursement and health insurance premiums of $1,802 and $0, group life
and disability premiums of $2,745 and $2,694, and auto reimbursement
allowances of $10,800 and $4,800.
|
Name
(a)
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable (1)
(b)
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
(c)
|
Option Exercise
Price ($)
(e)
|
Option
Expiration Date
(f)
|
|||||||||
Harvey
B. Grossblatt
|
13,333 | 0 | 11.27 |
3/22/2010
|
|||||||||
6,666 | 0 | 16.09 |
3/23/2011
|
||||||||||
James
B. Huff
|
3,333 | 1) | 7.68 |
8/30/2009
|
|||||||||
4,000 | 0 | 11.27 |
3/22/2010
|
||||||||||
4,000 | 0 | 16.09 |
3/23/2011
|
||||||||||
Ronald
Lazarus
|
6,666 | 0 | 11.27 |
3/22/2010
|
|||||||||
4,000 | 0 | 16.09 |
3/23/2011
|
Non Renewal
|
Resignation
For Good
Reason
|
Termination
Following
Change in
Control (1)
|
Death
|
Disability
|
||||||||||||||||
Severance
|
$ | 939,276 | (2) | $ | 939,276 | (2) | $ | 1,639,276 | (5) | - | $ | 148,483 | (8) | |||||||
Health Benefits
|
$ | 96,483 | (3) | $ | 96,483 | (3) | $ | 96,483 | (3) | $ | 96,483 | (7) | $ | 96,483 | (9) | |||||
401(k) Contribution
|
$ | 27,000 | (4) | $ | 27,000 | (4) | $ | 27,000 | (4) | $ | 9,000 | (4) | $ | 27,000 | (4) | |||||
Tax gross up
|
— | $ | 738,527 | $ | 1,224,968 | — | — |
|
(1)
|
Limited
to 2.99 times Mr. Grossblatt’s average annual taxable compensation from
the Company which is included in his gross income for the five taxable
years of the Company ending before the date on which the change of control
occurs.
|
(2) | Lump sum payment equal to Mr. Grossblatt’s last 12 months base salary and bonus. | |
(3) | The aggregate of the health benefits for the first three years following the termination. |
|
(4)
|
The
aggregate of the respective annual lump sum payments, payable on each of
the first three anniversaries of the termination, equal to the 401(k) plan
contribution the Company would have made on behalf of the Company had Mr.
Grossblatt remained employed by the
Company.
|
|
(5)
|
Lump
sum payment equal to Mr. Grossblatt’s annual base salary for the balance
of the employment period and last bonus, plus three times Mr. Grossblatt’s
last 12 months base salary and
bonus.
|
|
(6)
|
Mr.
Grossblatt’s estate is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to his
base salary for the greater of the balance of the employment term or one
year, reduced by any individual life insurance benefits the premiums for
which are paid for by the Company, plus the amount of his last bonus and
the amount of the Company’s last 401(k) plan contribution made on his
behalf.
|
|
(7)
|
Mr.
Grossblatt’s estate is entitled to the health insurance and medical
reimbursement benefits for the longer of the balance of the employment
term or three years following the date of death, or the cash equivalent
thereof.
|
|
(8)
|
Mr.
Grossblatt is entitled to the continuation of the payment of his base
salary for the balance of the term, reduced by any group or individual
disability income insurance benefits the premiums for which are paid for
by the Company and Social Security disability benefits paid to Mr.
Grossblatt.
|
|
(9)
|
Mr.
Grossblatt is entitled to the health insurance and medical reimbursement
benefits for the longer of the balance of the term or three years
following the date of disability, or the cash equivalent
thereof.
|
|
(10)
|
Mr.
Grossblatt is entitled to a payment equal to the 401(k) plan contribution
the Company would have made on behalf of the Company had he remained
employed by the Company, for the longer of the balance of the term or
three years following the date of disability, or the cash equivalent
thereof.
|
Plan Category
|
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
|
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding
securities reflected in
column (a)
|
|||||||||
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
||||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security
holders
|
72,422 | $ | 12.96 | -0- | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security
holders
|
25,000 | $ | 3.25 | -0- | ||||||||
Total
|
97,422 | $ | 10.47 | -0- |
The
Audit
Committee
|
Ira
F. Bormel, Chairman
|
Ronald
A. Seff, M.D.
|
Cary
Luskin
|
|
·
|
Management
in the performance of its responsibility for the integrity of the
Company’s accounting and financial reporting, and its systems of internal
controls;
|
|
·
|
The
performance and qualifications of the independent auditor (including the
independent auditor’s
independence);
|
|
·
|
The
performance of the Company’s internal audit function;
and
|
|
·
|
The
Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements.
|
|
·
|
Each
member of the Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental
financial statements, including a company's balance sheet, income
statement, and cash flow statement or will become able to do so within a
reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the
Committee.
|
|
·
|
At
least one member of the Committee must have past employment experience in
finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting,
or any other comparable experience or background which results in the
individual's financial sophistication, including being or having been a
chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer
with financial oversight
responsibilities.
|
|
·
|
If
the Board determines, at least one member shall qualify as an “audit
committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”).
|
|
·
|
Assess
the Company’s risk management process and the adequacy of the overall
control environment, including controls in selected areas representing
financial reporting, disclosure and
compliance.
|
|
·
|
Assess
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal
controls.
|
|
·
|
Assess
the annual scope and plans of the independent
auditors.
|
|
·
|
Review
and discuss with management and the independent auditor the annual audited
and quarterly financial statements, related footnotes, disclosures made in
the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations section of the Company’s quarterly and annual SEC
filings, the opinion of the independent auditor with respect to the
audited financial statements, and the results of the independent auditor’s
quarterly review of the financial
statements.
|
|
·
|
Review
and discuss with management and the independent auditor any significant
events, transactions, changes in accounting estimates, changes in
important accounting principles and their application, and any major
issues as to the adequacy of internal controls affecting the quality of
the Company’s financial reporting.
|
|
·
|
Review,
in conjunction with its review of the quarterly and annual reports, the
process for the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and CFO
certifications with respect to the financial statements and the Company’s
disclosure and internal controls.
|
|
·
|
Evaluate
all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal
controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record,
process, summarize, and report financial
data.
|
|
·
|
Review
and discuss with management any proposed public release of earnings
information, as well as financial information provided to analysts and
rating agencies.
|
|
·
|
Based
upon a report from the independent auditor at least annually, review (a)
the auditor’s internal quality-control procedures, (b) any material issues
raised by the most recent quality-control review, or peer review, of the
firm, or by any recent inquiry or investigation by governmental or
professional authorities respecting one or more independent audits carried
out by the firm and (c) any steps taken to address any such
issues.
|
|
·
|
Ensure
that the independent auditor submits, on a periodic basis, a formal
written statement delineating all relationships between the independent
auditor and the Company, as required by the Independence Standards Board,
Standard No. 1; discuss the statement with the independent auditor and
evaluate the relationships and services that may affect the auditor’s
objectivity and independence; take appropriate action to satisfy itself of
the auditor’s independence.
|
|
·
|
Review
matters related to the conduct of the annual audit, which are required to
be communicated by AICPA Statement of Auditing Standards 61 and other
generally accepted auditing
standards.
|
|
·
|
Conduct
the annual discussion with the independent auditor on the quality and
acceptability of the Company’s accounting principles and all alternative
treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting
principles that have been discussed with management, the potential impact
of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the
treatment preferred by the independent
auditor.
|
|
·
|
Review
the independent auditor’s management
letter.
|
|
·
|
Review
with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and
management’s response.
|
|
·
|
Approve
in advance all audit and non-audit services to be provided by, and all
fees to be paid to, the independent auditor or devise policies delegating
pre-approval authority to one or more members of the
Committee.
|
|
·
|
Assess
the Company’s processes regarding compliance with applicable laws,
regulations and any code of business ethics adopted by the Board,
including those matters that could have a significant impact on the
financial statements, compliance with policies, reports from regulators
and the provisions of any such code of business ethics applicable to the
CEO and the Company’s senior financial officers as defined by the SEC
rules.
|
|
·
|
Assess
the Committee’s procedures for (a) the receipt, retention, and treatment
of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls or auditing matters, and (b) the confidential,
anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters.
|
|
·
|
Review
reports and disclosures of significant conflicts of interest and
related-party transactions.
|
1.
|
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS: FOR the nominee listed
below o
|
|
Dr.
Ronald A. Seff
|
2.
|
In
his/their discretion, the proxy/proxies are authorized to vote upon any
other business which properly comes before the meeting and any
adjournments or postponements
thereof.
|
|
PLEASE
MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE CARD TO US AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED
BELOW.
|
DATED:
|
____________________,
2009
|
PRINT
CONTROL NUMBER, NAME AND ADDRESS (as shown on the Notice Regarding
Availability of Proxy
|
Signature
|
______________________________________
|
Materials
you previously received by mail).
|
_____________________________________________
|
||
DATED:
|
____________________,
2009
|
____________________________________________
|
____________________________________________
|
||
Signature
|
_____________________________________
|
____________________________________________
|
To
vote by proxy, mark, sign and date this 2009 Voting Proxy and return it to
us at:
Corporate
Secretary
Universal
Security Instruments, Inc.
11407
Cronhill Drive, Suite A
Owings
Mills, Maryland 21117
|