Preliminary Proxy Statement
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 ¨
Check
the
appropriate box:
x
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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¨
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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¨
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Soliciting
Material under Rule 14a-12
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GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
¨
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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1.
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2.
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3.
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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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4.
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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1.
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Amount
Previously Paid:
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2.
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC
3191
Temple Avenue, Suite #250
Pomona,
CA 91768
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held On July 2, 2007
Dear
Stockholders:
You
are
cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of General
Environmental Management, Inc. (GEM), a Nevada corporation. The meeting
will be held on Monday, July 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the
office 3191 Temple Avenue, Suite #250, Pomona, CA 91768, for the following
purposes:
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1.
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To
elect three directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their
successors are elected;
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2.
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To
ratify the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as GEM's
independent certified public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007; and
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3.
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To
adopt the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which reserves a total of
5,500,000 shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Incentive
Stock
Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Restricted Share Awards or Performance
Awards.
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4.
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To
conduct any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting
or
any adjournment thereof.
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These
items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying
this Notice. The record date for the Annual Meeting is April 16, 2007. On
April 16, 2007 there were 9,767,147 shares of common stock outstanding and
entitled to vote. Each such share is entitled to one vote. Only stockholders
of
record at the close of business on April 16, 2007 may vote at the Annual Meeting
or any adjournment or postponement thereof. This Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders and Proxy Statement and form of proxy are being distributed
on
or about June 11, 2007; by Order of the Board of Directors.
Timothy
J. Koziol
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
Pomona,
California
May
31,
2007
You
are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not
you
expect to attend the Annual Meeting please complete, date, sign and return
the
enclosed proxy card, as promptly as possible in order to ensure your
representation at the Annual Meeting. A return envelope (which is postage
prepaid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for your convenience. Even
if you have voted by proxy card, you may still vote in person if you attend
the
Annual Meeting. 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 Annual Meeting,
you
must obtain a legal proxy issued in your name from that record holder.
GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
3191
Temple Avenue, Suite #250
Pomona,
CA 91768
PROXY
STATEMENT
FOR
THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held On July 2, 2007
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THIS PROXY MATERIAL AND VOTING
Why
am I receiving these materials?
We
sent
you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because the board of
directors of General Environmental Management, Inc. (referred to as the
“Company” or “GEM”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Company’s 2007
Annual Meeting. You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and we request
that
you vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do
not
need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply
complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card. The Company intends to
mail this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card on or about June 11,
2007
to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Who
can vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, April 16,
2007, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date,
there were 9,767,147 shares of GEM’s common stock outstanding and entitled to
vote. Fully diluted shares outstanding including common shares issued, warrants,
options, convertible debentures, convertible term notes and the options under
the 2005 and the 2007 Stock Incentive plans totaled 19,588,691 at April 16,
2007. For information regarding security ownership by management and by the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of GEM’s common stock, see the section
entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” below.
Stockholders
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If
on
April 16, 2007 your shares were registered directly in your name with GEM’s
transfer agent, Colonial Stock Transfer Co., then you are a stockholder of
record. As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting
or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we
urge
you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card as instructed below to ensure
your vote is counted.
Beneficial
Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
If
on
April 16, 2007 your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank,
dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of
shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to
you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered
the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As
a
beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on
how
to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual
Meeting. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not
vote
your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a
legal proxy from your broker or other agent. If you fail to instruct your
organization how you would like to have your shares voted, the organization
has
the authority to vote in its discretion as to Proposals One, Two and Three.
May
I attend the Annual Meeting?
All
stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 16, 2007 may attend
the Annual Meeting. You must have a proxy card or other evidence of your
ownership of shares eligible to be voted as of the record date (such as a copy
of your brokerage or bank account statement) to attend the Annual Meeting.
Also,
stockholders will be asked to present valid government-issued photo
identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, before being admitted to
the meeting. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not
be
permitted at the Annual Meeting. No items will be allowed into the Annual
Meeting that might pose a concern for the safety of those attending.
If
you
are a registered stockholder, you will receive a proxy card in the mail. Please
bring the proxy card, or other evidence of your ownership of shares eligible
to
be voted as of the record date, to the Annual Meeting.
If
a
broker, bank, trustee, nominee or other third party holds your shares, please
inform that party that you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and ask for a
legal
proxy. Bring the legal proxy to the stockholder registration area when you
arrive at the Annual Meeting and we will admit you to the Annual Meeting. If
you
cannot obtain a legal proxy in time, we will admit you to the Annual Meeting
if
you bring a copy of your brokerage or bank account statement showing that you
owned GEM stock as of April 16, 2007.
On
what proposals am I voting?
The
following three matters are scheduled for a vote:
1. |
The
election of three directors to serve for the ensuing year and until
their
successors are elected (Proposal One); and
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2. |
To
ratify the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as GEM's
independent certified public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007 (Proposal 2); and
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3. |
To
adopt the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, which reserves a total of
5,500,000 shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Incentive Stock
Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,
Restricted Share Awards or Performance
Awards.
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How
do I vote?
You
may
either vote “For” all of the nominees to the board of directors or you may
abstain from voting for any nominee you specify on the proxy card. For each
of
the other matters to be voted on, you may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain
from voting. The procedures for voting are as follows:
Stockholder
of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
If
you
are a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or
vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted.
You may still attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person if you have already
voted by proxy.
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To
vote in person: come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you
a ballot
when you arrive.
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To
vote using the proxy card: simply complete, sign and date the enclosed
proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you
return your signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, the
designated proxy holders will vote your shares as you direct, except
with
respect to all other matters that may properly come before the
meeting or
any postponement, continuation or adjournment thereof, the designated
proxy holders have discretionary authority to vote your shares.
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Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of
Broker
or Bank
If
you
are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank
or
other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions
with
these proxy materials from that organization rather than from GEM. Simply
complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote
in
person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid legal proxy from your
broker, bank or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank
included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request
a
legal proxy form.
How
many votes do I have?
On
each
matter to be voted upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you
own as of April 16, 2007.
What
if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?
If
you
return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections,
your
shares will be voted:
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“For”
the election of all three nominees for director to serve for the
ensuing
year and until their successors are elected;
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· |
“For”
the ratification of the appointment of Weinberg & Company, P.A. as
GEM’s independent certified public accountants for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007;
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· |
“For”
the ratification of the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan, which provides
for the issuance of
options to purchase up to 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock.
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As
set
forth on the proxy card, if any other matter is properly presented at the
meeting, your proxy (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will
vote
your shares at his or her discretion.
Who
is paying for this proxy solicitation?
GEM
will
bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including preparation,
assembly, printing and mailing of this proxy statement. In addition to these
mailed proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies
in
person, by telephone, by electronic mail or by other means of communication.
Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for
soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other
agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. We
may
engage the services of a professional proxy solicitation firm to aid in the
solicitation of proxies from certain brokers, bank nominees and other
institutional owners. Our costs for such services, if retained, will not be
material.
What
does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
If
you
receive more than one proxy card, your shares are registered in more than one
name or are registered in different accounts. Please complete, sign and return
each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Can
I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Yes.
You
may revoke your proxy at any time before the closing of the polls at the Annual
Meeting. You may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:
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You
may complete, sign, date and mail another proxy card bearing a
later date
and deliver such proxy card to us prior to the Annual Meeting;
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You
may send a written notice that you are revoking your proxy to our
Secretary, Clyde Rhodes, at 3191 Temple Avenue, Suite #250, Pomona,
CA
91768 and deliver such notice to us prior to the Annual Meeting.
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You
may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Simply attending
the
Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
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When
are stockholder proposals due for next year’s Annual Meeting?
Requirements
for Stockholder Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in the Company’s Proxy
Materials.
Stockholders
may present proper proposals for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and
for consideration at the Annual Meeting to be held in 2008 by submitting their
proposals in writing to the Secretary of the Company in a timely manner as
provided herein. In order to be included in the Company’s proxy materials for
the 2008 Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals must be received by the Secretary
of the Company no later than the Notice Deadline (as defined below), and must
otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Requirements
for Stockholder Proposals to be Brought Before an Annual
Meeting.
Section 3.6
of our Bylaws establishes an advance notice procedure for stockholders who
wish
to present certain matters before an Annual Meeting of stockholders. The Bylaws
provide that, to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting, nominations
for
the election of director or other business must be: (1) specified in the
notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the board of directors,
(2) properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board
of directors, or (3) properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder
who has delivered written notice to the Secretary of the Company no later than
the Notice Deadline, which notice must contain specified information concerning
the matters to be brought before such meeting and concerning the stockholder
proposing such matters.
The
“Notice Deadline” is defined as that date which is 120 days prior to the
one-year anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy
materials for the previous year’s Annual Meeting of stockholders. As a result,
the Notice Deadline for the 2008 annual stockholder meeting is February 11,
2008. If a stockholder who has notified the Company of his or her intention
to
present a proposal at an Annual Meeting does not appear to present his or her
proposal at such meeting, the Company need not present the proposal for vote
at
such meeting.
A
copy of
the full text of Section 3.6 of our Bylaws may be obtained without charge
by stockholders by writing to the Secretary of the Company at the address below.
All notices of proposals by stockholders, whether or not included in the
Company’s proxy materials, should be sent to our Secretary, Clyde Rhodes, at
3191 Temple Avenue, Suite #250, Pomona, CA 91768.
Stockholders
may also submit a recommendation (as opposed to a formal nomination) for a
candidate for membership on our board of directors by following the procedures
set forth in the section entitled “Director Candidates” in Proposal 1 below.
How
are votes counted?
Votes
will be counted by the inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting,
who will separately count “For” and (with respect to proposals other than the
election of directors) “Against” votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. A
“broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner
does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have
discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received
instructions with respect to that proposal from the beneficial owner. Broker
non-votes will have the effect on each Proposal as indicated below. Abstentions
will be counted towards the vote total for each proposal and will have the
same
effect as “Against” votes.
How
many votes are needed to approve each proposal?
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For
Proposal 1, the election of directors, the three nominees receiving
the most “For” votes (among votes properly cast in person or by proxy)
will be elected. “Withheld votes” and Broker non-votes will have no
effect.
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· |
For
Proposal 2, the ratification of the appointment of Weinberg & Co. P.A.
as GEM's independent certified public accountants for the fiscal
year
ending December 31, 2007, a “For” vote by a majority of the votes present
in person or by proxy, will ratify the appointment. “Withheld votes”
and Broker non-votes will have no
effect.
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· |
For
Proposal 3, the ratification of the Company’s 2007 Stock Option Plan,
which provides for the issuance of options to purchase up to 5,500,000
shares of Common Stock, a “For” vote by a majority of the votes present in
person or by proxy, will ratify the plan. “Withheld votes” and
Broker non-votes will have no
effect.
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What
is the quorum requirement?
A
quorum
of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid stockholder meeting. A quorum
will
be present if at least a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is present in person or represented
by
proxy at the Annual Meeting.
Your
shares will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting if you submit a valid
proxy vote or vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes
are
counted as present and entitled to vote and are, therefore, included for
purposes of determining the quorum requirement. If there is no quorum, a
majority of the votes present at the Annual Meeting may adjourn the Annual
Meeting to another date.
How
can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary
voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results
will be published in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ending June 30, 2007.
PROPOSAL
1
TO
ELECT THREE DIRECTORS TO SERVE FOR THE ENSUING YEAR AND UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS
ARE ELECTED
GEM’s
board of directors currently consists of three directors. Upon the
recommendation of the nominating committee of the board of directors, which
consists solely of independent directors, the board of directors has selected
three nominees for director this year. Each director to be elected will hold
office until the next Annual Meeting of stockholders and until his or her
successor is elected, or until the director’s death, resignation or removal.
Each nominee listed below is currently a director of the Company.
VOTE
REQUIRED
Directors
are elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast in person or by proxy.
The
nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE THREE
NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
NOMINEES
Unless
otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them
for the nominees named below. The nominees have consented to be named nominees
in the proxy statement and to continue to serve as directors if elected. If
a
nominee becomes unable or declines to serve as a director or if additional
persons are nominated at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders intend to vote
all proxies received by them in such a manner as will assure the election of
the
nominees listed below if possible (or, if new nominees have been designated
by
the board of directors, in such a manner as to elect such nominees), and the
specific nominees to be voted for will be determined by the proxy
holders.
The
Company is not aware of any reason that any of the nominees will be unable
or
will decline to serve as directors. There are no arrangements or understandings
between any director or executive officer and any other person pursuant to
which
he is or was to be selected as a director or officer of the Company.
The
following is a brief biography of each nominee for director:
Name
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Age
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Position
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Timothy
J. Koziol
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53
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Chief
Executive Officer, Board Chairman and Director
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James
P. Stapleton
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44
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Director
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Clyde
E. Rhodes, Jr.
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43
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Chief
Compliance Officer, Board Secretary and
Director
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Timothy
J. Koziol. Mr.
Koziol joined GEM in January 2002 and now serves as the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Koziol implemented accounting
controls and systems to monitor the day-to-day financial position of GEM,
changed operational policies to improve efficiencies, and implemented new sales
and marketing programs to increase revenue. Prior to joining GEM, Mr. Koziol
was
a principal of Fortress Funding, Inc., an asset based lending company, where
he
was responsible for business development and underwriting. Mr. Koziol was
also a principal in Global Vantage, Ltd., an investment banking firm located
in
Newport Beach, CA. Prior to his work in the financial services industry,
Mr. Koziol managed a marketing consulting firm for national and regional
clients. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in Speech
Communications and a Masters of Arts (Magma Cum Laude) from the Wheaton Graduate
School in Mass Communications.
James
P. Stapleton
is
currently the Chief Financial Officer of BioNovo (OTC BB BNVI), a pharmaceutical
company. Bionovo is a drug discovery and development company focusing on
cancer and women’s health. He was hired as the CFO. at BioNovo in June
2005. From January 2003 to January 2005, Mr. Stapleton was the CFO for
Auxilio, Inc. (NASDAQ OTC AUXO.OB). Prior to that, from 1996 through 2002,
Mr. Stapleton was employed in a variety of positions for ProSoft Learning Corp.
(NASDAQ OTC POSO.OB); including holding the positions as Corporate Secretary,
Vice President - Investor Relations, Chief Financial Officer, and other
positions. Moreover, Mr. Stapleton was Chief Financial Officer of BioTek
Solutions, Inc. from 1995 through February 1996. Also, from 1987 to1995,
Mr. Stapleton was the Chief Financial Officer for Advantage Life Products,
Inc. Currently, Mr. Stapleton serves on GEM’s Board of Directors. He
also served as GEM’s CFO from Nov. 2003 through April 2004. Mr. Stapleton
graduated in 1995 from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) with an MBA;
he also graduated in 1985 from the University of Washingon with a BA in
Economics.
Clyde
E. Rhodes, Jr. Mr.
Rhodes serves as Chief Compliance Officer, Secretary and a Director of the
Company. Mr. Rhodes joined GEM’s predecessor, HazPak Environmental
Services, Inc. (“HES”), in 2000. Before joining HES, he was the Hazardous
Waste Program Manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
for more than nine years. Mr. Rhodes has been in the environmental
industry for a total of more than 15 years developing environmental management
programs, performing environmental audits and assisting public and private
entities in meeting the myriad of state and federal environment control laws
and
regulations. Mr. Rhodes is a founding member of the Joint Utilities Vendor
Audit Consortium established by west coast utilities (Edison, LA Department
of
Water and Power, Southern California Gas, PG&E, Salt River Project, and the
Arizona Public Service Utility) to audit hazardous
waste facilities throughout the country. Mr. Rhodes possesses a Bachelor
of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University.
Mr. Rhodes has the certificate of Engineer-In-Training and received registration
as a Registered Environmental Assessor in the State of California in
1994.
INDEPENDENCE
OF DIRECTORS
Our
board
of directors has determined that James P. Stapleton, is an "independent"
director for the purposes of the applicable rules of the SEC.
DIRECTOR
CANDIDATES
Stockholder
Nominations and Recommendations.
Section 3.6 of our Bylaws, described above, sets forth the procedure for
the proper submission of stockholder nominations for membership on the board
of
directors. In addition, it is the policy of our nominating committee to consider
properly submitted stockholder recommendations (as opposed to a formal
nomination) for candidates for membership on our board of directors. A
stockholder may make such a recommendation by submitting the following
information: candidate’s name, home and business contact information, detailed
biographical data, relevant qualifications, information regarding any
relationships between the candidate and GEM within the last three years and
evidence of ownership of GEM stock by the recommending stockholder.
Information must be submitted to:
Clyde
E.
Rhodes, Jr., Board Secretary
3191
Temple Avenue, Suite #250
Pomona,
CA 91768
Identifying
and Evaluating Director Nominees.
The
nominating committee uses a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating
candidates for nomination to the board of directors. Although candidates for
nomination to the board of directors typically are suggested by existing
directors or by our executive officers, candidates may come to the attention
of
the nominating committee through professional search firms, stockholders or
other persons. The nominating committee evaluates candidates for nomination
by
reviewing the qualifications of the candidates, considering the performance
of
the board of directors as a whole and the directors eligible for re-election
at
the Annual Meeting of stockholders, and considering the current size,
composition and needs of the board of directors and its committees. The
nominating committee also takes into account other factors it considers
appropriate, including issues of character, judgment, independence, age,
expertise, diversity of experience, length of service, other commitments and
potential conflicts of interest. Except as may be required by rules promulgated
by the SEC, it is the current sense of the nominating committee that there
are
no specific, minimum qualifications that must be met by each nominee for the
board of directors, nor are there specific qualities or skills that are
necessary for one or more of the members of the board of directors to possess.
Candidates properly recommended by stockholders are evaluated by the nominating
committee using the same criteria as other candidates.
CODE
OF ETHICS
GEM
is
committed to maintaining the highest standards of business conduct and ethics.
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) reflects the business
practices and principles of behavior that support this commitment and covers
our
employees, officers and directors. The Code satisfies SEC rules for a “code of
ethics” required by Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The Code is available at GEM’s Corporate Website, and we will post any amendment
to the Code, as well as any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the
rules of the SEC, on GEM’s Corporate Website.
COMMUNICATIONS
WITH THE BOARD
Stockholders
may communicate with the non-management members of the board of directors
by
writing to:
Board
of
Directors
General
Environmental Management, Inc.
3191
Temple Avenue Suite #250
Pomona,
California 91768.
Pursuant
to procedures adopted by the board of directors, the chief financial officer
of
the Company reviews all such correspondence and forwards copies of all
correspondence, together with a summary, to each non-management member of the
board of directors. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or
auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of the Company’s audit
committee and handled in accordance with procedures established by the audit
committee with respect to such matters.
BOARD
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The
board
of directors of the Company held a total of 2 meetings and acted by written
consent 15 times during the year ended December 31, 2006. No director
serving during the year ended December 31, 2006 attended fewer than 75% of
the aggregate of all meetings of the board of directors and the committees
of
the board of directors upon which such director served. Directors are
encouraged, but not required, to attend the Annual Meeting of stockholders.
The
board
of directors has three standing committees: the audit committee, the
compensation committee and the nominating committee.
Audit
Committee.
GEM has
a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance
with
Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The audit committee currently
consists of one director, James Stapleton, who is “independent” as independence
for audit committee members is defined by the SEC Rules. Mr. Stapleton has
been determined by the board of directors to meet the qualifications of an
“audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules, including that
the person meets the relevant definition of an “independent director.”
Stockholders should understand that this designation is a disclosure requirement
of the SEC related to Mr. Stapleton’s experience and understanding with
respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not
impose upon Mr. Stapleton any duties, obligations or liability that are
greater than are generally imposed on him as a member of the audit committee
and
the board of directors, and his designation as an audit committee financial
expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations
or liability of any other member of the board of directors.
The
audit
committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process and internal
controls, as well as the independent audit of the Company’s financial
statements. The audit committee also selects an accounting firm to be engaged
as
the Company’s independent public accountants and provides oversight of legal,
ethical and corporate governance matters. The audit committee held three (3)
meetings during the year ended December 31, 2006. The report of the audit
committee is presented later in this proxy statement.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Our
directors did not receive any cash compensation for their services as directors
during the year ended December 31, 2006. Our 2005 Stock Plan provides for grants
of options to purchase common stock to our directors who are not employees.
Our
non-employee director was awarded 35,000 warrants for his services as a director
and as chairman of the audit committee.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES
LISTED ABOVE.
PROPOSAL
2
APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Based
on
the recommendation of its Audit Committee, the Board has appointed the firm
of
Weinberg & Co. P.A. to be GEM’s independent certified public accountants for
the year ending December 31, 2007, and recommends to stockholders that they
vote
for ratification of that appointment. Although not required to do so, the Board
has determined that it would be desirable to request stockholders’ approval of
this appointment. The ratification of the appointment of GEM’s independent
certified public accountants will require the affirmative vote by the holders
of
a majority of the outstanding Stock present in person or represented by proxy
at
the Meeting. If such approval is not received, the Board will reconsider the
appointment.
In
2006
and 2005 Weinberg & Co. P.A. services included an examination of GEM’s
consolidated financial statements, the financial statements of certain benefit
plans, and reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in GEM
Form
10-Qs filed with the SEC for each of the quarters ended March 31, June 30,
and
September 30.
Weinberg
& Co. P.A. billed GEM for professional services rendered for the years ended
December 31, 2006, and December 31, 2005, as follows:
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Fees
for Services Rendered
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
Audit
fees
(1)
|
|
$
|
175,858
|
|
$
|
135,304
|
|
Audit-related
fees (2)
|
|
$
|
44,824
|
|
$
|
111,508
|
|
Tax
fees (3)
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
All
other
fees
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
220,682
|
|
$
|
246,812
|
|
(1)
Includes
fees and expenses related to the fiscal year audit and to interim reviews and
related accounting consultation.
(2)
Includes
fees and expenses for audits of the employee benefit plan and, in 2004,
consultation regarding internal control reporting.
(3)
Includes
fees and expenses for tax advisory service.
The
Audit
Committee approves in advance all audit and non-audit services provided by
the
independent auditors prior to their engagement with respect to such services.
The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee the
authority to pre-approve additional audit-related and non-audit services not
prohibited by law to be performed by GEM’s independent auditors and associated
fees up to a maximum for any one non-audit service equal to the lesser of
$20,000 or 20% of the audit fees for GEM’s most recent completed fiscal year,
provided that the Chair shall report any decisions to pre-approve such
audit-related or non-audit services and fees to the full Audit Committee at
its
next regular meeting. The Audit Committee approved in advance all of the audit
and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors in fiscal 2006
and
2005.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF WEINBERG & CO. P.A.TO SERVE AS GEM’S
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER
31,
2007.
PROPOSAL
3
TO
ADOPT THE COMPANY’S 2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE
ISSUANCE
OF OPTIONS TO PURCHASE UP TO 5,500,000 SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK
The
Board
of Directors has approved the 2007 General Environmental Management, Inc. Stock
Incentive Plan (the "2007 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN"), an incentive and non-qualified
stock option plan which authorizes the issuance of up to 5,500,000 shares of
our
common stock. The 2007 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the Board of
Directors subject to stockholder approval. If the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
is
approved, the shares of common stock being authorized will be used to grant
Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares or
Performance Awards to our employees, directors, officers and consultants and
Incentive and non-qualified stock options to our employees.
With
respect to Incentive Stock Options, the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan provides
that
the exercise price of each such option must be at least equal to 100% of the
fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant (110% in the case
of
stockholders who, at the time the option is granted, own more than 10% of the
outstanding common stock), and requires that all such options have an expiration
date not later than ten years from the date of the grant (or the fifth
anniversary of the date of grant, in the case of 10% stockholders). Pursuant
to
the provisions of the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, the aggregate fair market
value, determined as of the date(s) of grant, for which incentive stock options
are first exercisable by an option holder during any one calendar year cannot
exceed $100,000.
With
respect to non-qualified stock options, the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan requires
that the exercise price of all such options be at least equal to 100% of the
fair market value of our common stock on the date such option is granted and
requires that all such options have an expiration date not later than ten years
from the date of the grant of the option.
The
Board
of Directors believes that the Company and its stockholders have benefited
from
the grant of stock options in the past and that similar benefits will result
from the adoption of the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan. It is believed that stock
options play an important role in providing eligible employees with an incentive
and inducement to contribute fully to our Company's growth and development
because of the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company
on
an attractive basis.
During
the term of the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, our eligible employees will receive,
for no consideration prior to exercise, the opportunity to profit from any
rise
in the market value of our common stock. This will dilute the equity interest
of
our other stockholders. The grant and exercise of the options also may affect
our ability to obtain additional capital during the term of any
options.
The
2007
Stock Incentive Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors, or by
any
Stock Option Committee or Compensation Committee that may be established by
the
Board of Directors.
The
description of the proposed 2007 Stock Incentive Plan set forth above is a
summary of various provisions of the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and is not a
complete description of the plan. The Plan is attached to this proxy statement
as Appendix A.
Federal
Income Tax
Consequences
The
following is a summary of the federal income tax treatment of the stock options
which may be granted under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan based upon the current
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. This summary does not purport to be
a
complete and detailed description of all possible tax consequences to the
recipient of a stock option. It describes the federal tax consequences in effect
as of the date of this Proxy Statement. Each holder of a stock option is advised
to consult his or her tax advisor because tax consequences may vary depending
on
the individual circumstances of the holder.
An
option
holder who exercises a non-qualified stock option will recognize taxable
compensation at the date of exercise with respect to the difference between
the
fair market value of the option shares at exercise and the exercise price paid
to purchase such shares. The Company is entitled to a corresponding deduction
for such compensation. At such time as the option stock is sold, the option
holder will recognize either short-term or long-term capital gain income
(depending upon the length of time such stock has been held) with respect to
the
excess of the stock sale price over the exercise price paid to purchase such
shares.
An
option
holder who exercises an incentive stock option will not realize any regular
taxable income. At the date of exercise, the option holder may, depending on
his
or her personal tax situation, be subject to Alternative Minimum tax ("AMT")
because the difference between the fair market value of the shares at exercise
and the exercise price represents an AMT preference item.
The
tax
consequences of a disposition of an incentive stock option depend upon the
length of time the stock has been held by the employee. If the employee holds
the option stock for at least two years after the option is granted and one
year
after the exercise of the option, any gain realized on the sale is long-term
capital gain. In order to receive long-term capital gain treatment, the employee
must remain in our employ from the time the option is granted until three months
before its exercise (twelve months in the event of termination due to disability
of the employee). We will not be entitled to a deduction in this
instance.
If
the
incentive option stock is not held for the requisite holding period described
above, a "disqualifying disposition" will occur. A disqualifying disposition
results in the employee recognizing ordinary compensation income to the extent
of the lesser of: (1) the fair market value of the option stock on the date
of
exercise less the exercise price (the "spread") or (2) the amount realized
on
disposition of the option stock less the exercise price. If the amount realized
on the disposition is greater than the fair market value of the stock on the
date the stock option was exercised, such excess will be treated as a capital
gain, which will be a long-term capital gain if the stock was held for the
appropriate holding period (currently more than one year). We will be entitled
to a deduction at this time for such ordinary compensation income. The option
holder's basis in such shares will be the fair market value on the date of
exercise.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE COMPANY’S 2007 STOCK OPTION PLAN, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF OPTIONS TO PURCHASE UP TO 5,500,000 SHARES OF COMMON
STOCK
The
Board
is not aware of any matters not set forth herein that may come before the
Meeting. If, however, further business properly comes before the Meeting, the
persons named in the proxies will vote the shares represented thereby in
accordance with their judgment.
POLICY
ON AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND PERMISSIBLE NON-AUDIT SERVICES
OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The
audit
committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit
services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include
audit
services, audit-related services, tax services and other
services. Pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category
of
services and is generally subject to a specific budget. Each new engagement
of
Weinberg & Co. P.A. was approved in advance by the audit committee, and none
of those engagements made use of the de
minimus
exception to pre-approval contained in the SEC’s rules.
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Audit
Committee (the "Committee") is composed of James P. Stapleton, who is considered
an "independent" director for the purposes of the applicable rules of the SEC.
The Board and the Committee believe that the Committee members are and were
at
the time of the actions described in this report "independent" directors, as
independence is defined by SEC Rule 401(e).
The
Committee has reviewed and discussed with management GEM's audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, and has
discussed with GEM's independent auditors the matters required to be discussed
by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees,
as amended, issued by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute
of
Certified Public Accountants.
The
Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter
from
the independent auditors required by Independence Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, issued by the Independence
Standards Board, and has discussed with the auditors the auditors' independence
and considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the auditors
is
compatible with maintaining their independence.
Based
on
the foregoing reviews and discussions, the Committee recommended to the Board
that the above referenced consolidated financial statements be included in
GEM's
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006, for filing
with the SEC.
Respectfully
Submitted
James
P.
Stapleton
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth as of April 16, 2007, certain information as known
to
the Company with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock
by
(i) any person (including any group as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), known by the Company to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s voting securities,
(ii) each director and each nominee for director to the Company,
(iii) each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation
Table appearing herein, and (iv) all current executive officers and
directors of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, all persons
named below can be reached at General Environmental Management, Inc. 3191
Temple
Avenue, Suite #250, Pomona, CA 91768.
Name
|
No.
of
Shares
owned (1)
|
%
of Stock
Outstanding
(2)
|
General
Pacific Partners LLC (3)
660
Newport Center Drive, Suite 720 Newport Beach, CA
92660
|
2,862,272
(4)
|
24.73%
|
Revete
Capital Partners, LLC (3)
660
Newport Center Drive, Suite 720 Newport Beach, CA
92660
|
400,000
(5)
|
4.10%
|
Billington
Brown Acceptance, LLC (3)
660
Newport Center Drive, Suite 720 Newport Beach, CA
92660
|
46,442
(6)
|
0.48%
|
Timothy
J. Koziol
|
858,469
(7)
|
8.79%
|
Clyde
Rhodes
|
100,836
(8)
|
1.03%
|
James
Stapleton
|
44,392
(9)
|
0.45%
|
Brett
M. Clark
|
655,000
(10)
|
6.71%
|
Directors
and Officers as a Group
|
1,686,730
|
16.98%
|
|
(1)
|
The
number and percentage of shares beneficially owned is determined
in
accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and the
information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership
for any
other purpose. Under such rule, beneficial ownership includes
any shares
as to which the Selling Stockholder has sole or shared voting
power or
investment power and also any shares which the Selling Stockholder
has the
right to acquire within 60 days.
|
|
(2)
|
Based
upon 9,767,147 shares outstanding.
|
|
(3)
|
Kevin
P. O’Connell is the managing member of General Pacific Partners LLC,
Billington Brown Acceptance LLC and Revete Capital Partners
LLC.
|
|
(4)
|
Includes
warrants to purchase 1,051,686 common shares at an exercise price
of $0.60
and warrants to purchase 19,059 common shares at an exercise
price of $30.
|
|
(5)
|
Includes
warrants to purchase 400,000 common shares at an exercise price
of
$1.19.
|
|
(6)
|
Includes
warrants to purchase 2,688 common shares at an exercise price
of
$37.50.
|
|
(7)
|
Includes
187,500 options to purchase common stock at $1.19 per share,
6,667 options
to purchase common stock at $30 per share, warrants to purchase
650,000
common shares at an exercise price of $1.19 and warrants to purchase
967
common shares at an exercise price of
$30.
|
|
(8)
|
Includes
87,500 options to purchase common stock at $1.19 per
share.
|
|
(9)
|
Includes
warrants to purchase 35,000 common shares at and exercise price
of $1.19
per share.
|
|
(10)
|
Includes
150,000 options to purchase common stock at $1.19 per share,
5,000 options
to purchase common stock at $39 per share and warrants to purchase
500,000
shares of common stock at $1.19 per
share.
|
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
The
following table summarizes the compensation earned by or paid to our
Chief
Executive Officer and the other most highly compensated executive officers
whose
total salary and bonuses exceeded $100,000 for services rendered in all
capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. We refer to
these
individuals as our named executive officers.
The
total
compensation for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 of Timothy
J.
Koziol, our Chief Executive Officer, Brett M. Clark, our Chief Financial
Officer, and Clyde E. Rhodes, Jr., our Secretary is set forth below in
the
following Summary Compensation Table.
Name
and Principal
Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
(1)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Other
Annual
Compensation
($)
(2)
|
All
Other Compensation
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy
J. Koziol
|
2006
|
203,075
|
25,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
2005
|
204,194
|
10,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
2004
|
186,401
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brett
M. Clark
|
2006
|
147,950
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
2005
|
81,710
|
10,000
|
71,920
|
-0-
|
|
2004
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clyde
E. Rhodes, Jr.
|
2006
|
110,973
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
2005
|
103,393
|
10,000
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
2004
|
85,361
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
|
(1)
|
The
compensation described in this table does not include medical,
group life
insurance or other benefits received by the named executive officers
that
are available generally to all of our salaried employees, and may
not
include certain perquisites and other personal benefits received
by the
named executive officers that do not exceed the lesser of $50,000
or ten
percent (10%) of any such officer's salary and bonus disclosed
in the
table.
|
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Clark performed services for the Company during the first part
of the year
as an outside consultant.
|
Option
Grants in Last Fiscal Year
Prior
to
acquisition by the Company, General Environmental Management, Inc. of Delaware’s
Board of Directors approved and implemented the 2005 Stock Option Plan (the
plan). The plan authorized option grants to employees and other persons closely
associated with the Company for the purchase of up to 88,117 shares. The Board
of Directors of the Company granted a total of 66,284 options to 86 employees
and to two consultants. The exercise price for the options ranged between $30.00
and $48.00, the market value of the stock at the date of the grant.
On
April
1, 2006 the Company granted 3,334 options to employees. The exercise price
for
these options is $25.80, the market value of the stock at the date of the
grant.
On
July
1, 2006 the Company granted 9,253 options to employees. The exercise price
for
these options is $6.60, the market value of the stock at the date of the
grant.
Aggregate
Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year And Fiscal Year End Option
Values
There
were no option exercises by our executive officers during fiscal
2006.
YEAR-END
OPTION VALUES
The
following table provides information for the executive officers named in
the
Summary Compensation Table above concerning stock options exercised during
the
year ended December 31, 2006, as well as the number and value of securities
underlying exercisable and unexercisable options held as of December 31,
2006.
|
Number
of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options at
December
31, 2006(#)
|
|
Value
of Unexercised
In-the-Money
Options at
December
31, 2006 ($)
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
Timothy
J Koziol
|
6,334
|
|
333
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Brett
M. Clark
|
3,000
|
|
3,667
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Clyde
E. Rhodes, Jr.
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
The
values shown for in-the-money options represent the difference between the
respective exercise price of outstanding stock options, and $2.43, which is
the
fair market value of our common stock as of December 31, 2006.
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and
persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s
equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and
other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than
ten
percent stockholders are required by Securities and Exchange Commission
regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they file.
To
the
Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports
furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports
were
required, during the year ended December 31, 2006, all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners were complied with. All such Forms 4 have since been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During
the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 the Company incurred $525,000 and
$611,126 respectively in fees for advisory services provided by General Pacific
Partners (“GPP”), a company that owns approximately 13 % of the outstanding
stock of GEM at December 31, 2006 and is operated by a prior member of the
Board
of Directors of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, General Environmental
Management, Inc. of Delaware. During the year ended December 31, 2006, as a
part
of this advisory agreement, the Company also issued 333,334 warrants, valued
at
$773,761, to purchase common stock at $1.20 per share. The company used the
black scholes valuation model to determine the value of the warrants. For the
Black Scholes calculation, the Company assumed no dividend yield, a risk free
interest rate of 3.68%, expected volatility of 93.49% and an expected term
for
the warrants of 6 years. The Company allocated the fees and warrant values
to
specific tasks outlined in the advisory agreement. This included $513,165
related to a proposed acquisition
(Note
14), $319,730 related to the issuance of convertible notes and $465,871 related
to general corporate matters.
As
of
December 31, 2006 the Company owed General Pacific Partners $270,000 for fees
related to advisory services. These amounts due are unsecured, non- interest
bearing and due on demand.
During
the year ended December 31, 2006, General Pacific Partners made unsecured
advances to the Company totaling $850,000. The proceeds were used for due
diligence on a proposed capital raise and working capital until proceeds from
the capital raise were received. The rate of interest on the advance is 10%
per
annum. The funds are due December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2006, $300,000
of
the advance had been repaid, and $550,000 remained outstanding.
During
the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company converted $110,000 of amounts
due
to GPP for services in exchange for the issuance of 3,667 shares of the
Company’s common stock. The shares issued were valued at the market price at the
date of issuance, which resulted in a reduction in cost of $53,900 upon
conversion that has been offset to operating expenses in the accompanying
statement of operations.
On
December 31, 2006 General Pacific Partners agreed to convert $851,558 in
promissory notes and accrued interest into 709,632 shares of common stock in
connection with this conversion. The Company issued 212,890 warrants to purchase
common stock at $0.60 with an expiration date of December 31, 2008. As an
inducement to convert these warrants were valued at $210,760 using the Black
Scholes valuation model. For the Black Scholes calculation, the Company assumed
no dividend yield, a risk free interest rate of 3.68 %, expected volatility
of
161.56 % and an expected term for the warrants of 2 years.
INDEMNIFICATION
AGREEMENTS
Our
bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers and may
indemnify our employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by
Nevada law. Our bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any
officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of
his
or her actions in such capacity, regardless of whether the Nevada Revised
Statutes expressly permits indemnification.
We
believe that these provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified
persons as directors and executive officers. It is the position of the
Securities and Exchange Commission that indemnification for liabilities arising
under federal or state securities laws is against public policy and not
enforceable.
In
March,
2007, a former employee of the company, Francis Passarelli, instituted an action
against the Company, its CEO, a former director and 25 “John Does” to set aside
a settlement agreement between the former employee and the Company, on the
grounds of concealment and fraud. The action seeks damages of approximately
$1
million. The Company and its CEO have vigorously denied any liability to the
former employee and believes the action is completely without merit. In the
event of an adverse result against the CEO or former director, the Company
would
indemnify them for any losses they may suffer.
At
present, there is no other pending litigation or proceeding involving any of
our
directors or officers in which indemnification is required or permitted, and
we
are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in
a
claim for such indemnification. The Company is self-insured for these and
similar claims
HOUSEHOLDING
OF PROXY MATERIALS
The
SEC
has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers)
to
satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with
respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering
a
single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which
is
commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for
stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This
year, a number of brokers with account holders who are GEM stockholders will
be
“householding” our proxy materials. A single proxy statement will be delivered
to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have
been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice
from
your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address,
“householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you
revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in
“householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual
report, please notify your broker or direct your written request
to:
Brett
Clark, Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
General
Environmental Management, Inc.
3191
Temple Avenue, Suite #250
Pomona,
CA 91768
or
call
(909) 444-9500 to request an additional copy. Stockholders who currently
receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would
like
to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker.
OTHER
MATTERS
The
Company knows of no other matters to be submitted to the Annual Meeting. If
any
other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed form proxy to vote the shares they represent
as
the board of directors may recommend.
A
copy of
the Company’s Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on
Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006 is enclosed with this
Proxy Statement.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The
Corporation files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements
or
other information we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the SEC’s regional offices located at 233
Broadway, New York, New York 10279; 801 Brickell Ave., Suite 1800, Miami,
Florida 33131; 175 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois
60604; 1801 California Street, Suite 4800, Denver, Colorado 80202-2648 or
5670 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90036-3648.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public
reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from
commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the
SEC
at http://www.sec.gov. The SEC allows the Corporation to “incorporate by
reference” information into this Proxy Statement, which means that we can
disclose important information by referring you to another document filed
separately with the SEC. A copy of such report is enclosed with this Proxy
Statement. All documents filed by the Corporation pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the
date hereof and prior to the annual meeting shall also be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.
You
should rely only on the information contained in this Proxy Statement or other
documents to which we refer to vote at the Annual Meeting. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what
is
contained in this Proxy Statement. You should not assume that the information
contained in this Proxy Statement is accurate as of any date other than the
date
of the Annual Meeting, and the mailing of the Proxy Statement to stockholders
shall not create any implication to the contrary.
Please
sign and promptly return your proxy in the enclosed envelope. Your vote is
important.
By
Order
of the Board of Directors
__________________________
Clyde
E.
Rhodes Jr., Secretary
Dated:
May 31, 2007
Appendix
A
GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC..
3191
Temple Avenue, Suite #250,
Pomona,
CA 91768
PROXY
FOR THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held On July 2, 2007
TO
THE
STOCKHOLDERS:
NOTICE
IS
HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC
(the
“Company”), a Nevada corporation, will be held on July 2, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, at the office of the Company, 3191
Temple Avenue, Suite #250, Pomona, CA 91768 for
the
purposes stated on the reverse side of this proxy card.
The
signatory on the reverse side of this proxy card (the “Signatory”), revoking all
prior proxies, hereby appoints Timothy J, Koziol and Brett M. Clark, and each
of
them, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, to
represent and vote on the matters set forth in this proxy any and all shares
of
the Common Stock of the Company held or owned by or standing in the name of
the
Signatory on the Company’s books that the Signatory would be entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on July 2, 2007,
at
10:00 a.m., local time, and any continuation or adjournment thereof, with
all powers the Signatory would possess if personally present at the meeting.
The
Signatory hereby directs and authorizes the above named Proxies and each of
them, or their substitute or substitutes, to vote as specified with respect
to
the proposals listed on the reverse side of this proxy card. The shares
represented by this proxy will be voted as specified, or, if no specification
is
made, in favor of each proposal. The Signatory hereby further confers upon
said
Proxies, and each of them, or their substitutes, discretionary authority to
vote
with respect to all other matters that may properly come before the meeting
or
any postponement, continuation or adjournment thereof.
The
Signatory hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, Proxy Statement and Annual Report.
20