Ronald Wagner, Independent Director, Lenco Mobile Inc. Mr. Wagner was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2009. He is presently the President and Chief Operating Officer of e-Storm International, Inc., an online marketing strategy and services agency based in San Francisco and he is the Chairman of Simply Ideas LLC, a Florida based performance marketing company. He was previously the President of Partner Weekly, an online performance marketing company and subsidiary of Selling Source Inc. Between 2003 and 2006 he was the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Ink, a digital strategy and services company. Mr Wagner has at various times held positions on the boards of Publisafe Software, Ironlight Digital (now Arc Worldwide), and WMC. Mr. Wagner has an MBA degree from the University of Chicago, IL and a BA degree from Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR.
James L. Liang, Independent Director, Lenco Mobile Inc. Mr. Liang brings to Lenco Mobile strategy, finance and corporate development expertise gained from working with large, global companies. From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Liang served as SVP of Strategy and Corporate Development at Amdocs, Ltd (NYSE: DOX) a global provider of software and services for billing, customer relationship management and operations support systems. From January 2005 to July 2008, Jim Liang served as the Chief Strategy Officer for IBM Corporation’s $30+ billion Global Technology Services (GTS) Division. Prior to joining IBM, Mr. Liang spent 21 years as an investment banker working exclusively with technology companies on a broad range of financing and strategic assignments including twelve years at Morgan Stanley, where he was the Head of the Global Technology Banking Group. Mr. Liang is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Brown University (Sc.B. in Applied Mathematics/Economics) and The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (MBA in Finance/Marketing).
Philip B. Harris, Independent Director, Lenco Mobile Inc. Mr. Harris is an experienced entrepreneur with a strong track record of operating, advising and investing in technology and healthcare companies. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Harris was a Managing Director and Founding Principal of Maren Group, LLC which focused on select advisory projects and managing its corporate investments. Prior to founding Maren Group, Mr. Harris started a financial advisory firm, Alterity Partners, which specialized in mergers and acquisitions advisory in the technology and healthcare industries. The firm grew rapidly and was sold to First Horizon National (formerly First Tennessee Bank) where Mr. Harris continued to serve business until 2007. Previous to Alterity Partners, he held a variety of operating roles at priceline.com (SVP of Corporate Development), Cendant Corporation (GM of Interactive Services) and Nordson Corporation (Director of Marketing). Mr. Harris received a B.S. in Finance from Ohio State University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
Adopted on March 1, 2011
Director Qualifications
The Board of Directors of the Company shall have a majority of directors who meet the criteria for independence required by NYSE Amex. Nominees for directorship will be recommended to the Board by the Nominating and Governance Committee in accordance with its charter. No director may serve on more than four other public company boards, unless the Board makes a determination that service on multiple public company boards would not impair the ability of such director to effectively serve on the Board.
Director Responsibilities
The basic responsibility of the directors is to exercise their reasonable business judgment on behalf of the Company. In discharging that obligation, directors shall be entitled to rely on the honesty and integrity of the Company’s senior executives and its outside advisors and auditors.
Information and data that are important to the Board’s understanding of the business to be conducted at a Board meeting should generally be distributed in writing to the Board before the meeting. Directors should review in advance any materials sent to them before the meeting. A director should endeavor to attend all Board meetings and all meetings of Board committees on which he or she sits.
The non-management directors will meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions with the objective of meeting twice a year. The name of the director who presides at these meetings will be disclosed in the annual proxy statement. If the group of non-management directors includes any directors who are not independent, at least once per year an executive session comprising only independent directors will be scheduled. The Lead Director, if any, will preside over all such executive sessions (see “—Lead Director”).
Board Committees
The Board will have at all times an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee. All of the members of these committees will be independent directors, and each committee will have its own charter. The charters will set forth the purposes, goals and responsibilities of the committees as well as qualifications for committee membership, procedures for committee member appointment and removal, committee structure and operations and committee reporting to the Board and regularly review the adequacy of its charter. The Board will receive a report from each committee on these matters and review recommended changes. The Board may, from time to time, establish or maintain additional committees as necessary or appropriate.
Lead Director
In the event the Chairman of the Board is an officer of the Company or is otherwise not independent, the independent members of the Board will appoint one independent director to serve as the Lead Director. The Lead Director will (a) preside at executive sessions of the non-management and/or independent directors, (b) preside at meetings of the Board in the absence of the Chairman, (c) review agendas for Board meetings, and (d) assume such other functions as the Board may deem appropriate.
Director Access to Officers and Employees
Directors have full and free access to officers and employees of the Company. Any meetings or contacts that a director wishes to initiate may be arranged through the CEO or the Secretary or directly by the director. The directors will use their judgment to ensure that any such contact is not disruptive to the business operations of the Company and will, to the extent not inappropriate, copy the CEO on any written communications between a director and an officer or employee of the Company.
The Board and each committee of the Board have the power to hire independent legal, financial or other advisors as they may deem necessary, without consulting or obtaining the approval of any officer of the Company in advance. The Board welcomes regular attendance at each Board meeting of senior officers of the Company. If the CEO wishes to have additional Company personnel attend Board meetings on a regular basis, this suggestion should be brought to the Board for approval.
Director Compensation
The form and amount of director compensation will be recommended by the Compensation Committee in accordance with its charter, and the Compensation Committee will conduct a periodic review of director compensation. The Compensation Committee will consider that the independence of directors may be jeopardized if director compensation and perquisites exceed customary levels, if the Company makes substantial charitable contributions to organizations with which a director is affiliated or if the Company enters into consulting contracts with (or provides other indirect forms of compensation to) a director or an organization with which the director is affiliated.
CEO Evaluation and Management Succession
The Compensation Committee will conduct an annual review of the CEO’s performance, as set forth in its charter. The Board will review the Compensation Committee’s report in order to ensure that the CEO is providing the best leadership for the Company over the long and short term.
The entire Board will work with the Compensation Committee (with such input from the Nominating and Governance Committee as the Board deems desirable) to nominate and evaluate potential successors to the CEO and to ensure that a succession plan for the CEO and other key officers of the Company is in place. The CEO should at all times make available his or her recommendations and evaluations of potential successors, along with a review of any development plans recommended for such individuals.
Annual Performance Evaluation
The Board will conduct an annual self-evaluation to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. The Nominating and Governance Committee will receive comments from all directors and senior management and report annually to the Board with an assessment of the Board’s performance. This will be discussed with the full Board following the end of each fiscal year. The assessment will focus on the Board’s contribution to the Company and specifically focus on areas in which the Board or senior management believes that the Board could improve.
Annual Strategic Planning Session
The Board and senior management of the Company will hold an annual strategic planning session to discuss major business objectives for the year and other significant
strategic issues.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company will adopt and periodically review a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that will address, among other things, actual and apparent conflicts of interest; full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable public disclosure; and compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.
Selection of Agenda Items for Board Meetings
The Chairman of the Board and the CEO (if the Chairman is not the CEO) will establish the agenda for each Board meeting and review such agenda in advance of the meeting with the Lead Director. Any Board member may request the inclusion of item(s) on the agenda. The Board expects the CEO to keep the Board informed of all developments of which it needs to be aware to carry out its responsibilities.
Directors Who Change Their Job Responsibility or Whose Circumstances Change If a director of the Company (a) becomes a director or employee of a business that competes with the Company or (b) retires or otherwise changes the position of employment or other professional affiliations and responsibilities held upon first joining the Board, such director is required to submit a letter of resignation from the Board. The Board, through the Nominating and Governance Committee, shall then review the appropriateness of such director’s continuation on the Board and, as appropriate, shall accept or reject such director’s letter of resignation.
Term Limits The Board does not believe it should establish term limits. Term limits might bring fresh ideas and viewpoints to the Board, but at a cost of losing the benefits of continuity and insight into the Company and its operations that come with longer service. As an alternative to term limits, the Nominating and Governance Committee, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, will review each director’s continuation on the Board every year prior to the nomination for reelection for such director. This will also allow each director the opportunity to confirm his or her desire to continue as a member of the Board.
Officers Serving on the Board
If requested by the Board, any officer serving on the Board will submit a letter of resignation from the Board upon termination of employment, unless such officer holds ten percent or more of the Company’s Common Stock outstanding at that time. The Board, through the Nominating and Governance Committee, shall then review the appropriateness of such individual’s continuation on the Board and, as appropriate, shall accept or reject such individual’s letter of resignation.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
Adopted on March 1, 2011
Introduction
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all employees of the Company. All of our employees and directors must conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. This Code should also be provided to and followed by the Company’s agents and representatives, including consultants.
If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor how to handle the situation.
Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. If you are in a situation which you believe may violate or lead to a violation of this Code, follow the guidelines described under the heading “—Compliance Procedures” in this Code.
Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations
Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation on which this Company’s ethical standards are built. All employees must respect and obey the laws of the cities, states and countries in which we operate. Although not all employees are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel.
If requested, the Company will hold information and training sessions to promote compliance with laws, rules and regulations, including insider-trading laws.
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Company policy, except under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.
A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or director, or members of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees and their family members may create conflicts of interest.
It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Company employee to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier. You are not allowed to work for a competitor as a consultant or board member. The best policy is to avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except on our behalf.
Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should consult with higher levels of management or the Company’s legal counsel. Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of a supervisor, manager or other appropriate personnel or consult the procedures described under the heading “—Compliance Procedures” in this Code.
Insider Trading
Employees who have access to confidential information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of our business. All non-public information about the Company should be considered confidential information. To use non-public information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal. In order to assist with compliance with laws against insider trading, the Company has adopted a Policy on Insider Trading. This policy has been distributed to every employee. If you have any questions, please consult the Compliance Officer identified in the Policy on Insider Trading.
Corporate Opportunities
Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position without the consent of the Board of Directors. No employee may use corporate property, information, or position for improper personal gain, and no employee may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
Competition and Fair Dealing
We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner’s consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies is prohibited. Each employee should endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly with the Company’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other intentional unfair-dealing practice.
The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create goodwill and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any Company employee, family member of an employee or agent unless it: (a) is not a cash gift, (b) is consistent with customary business practices, (c) is not excessive in value, (d) cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff and (e) does not violate any laws or regulations. Please discuss with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts which you are not certain are appropriate.
Discrimination and Harassment
The diversity of the Company’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment of any kind. Examples include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic characteristics and unwelcome sexual advances.
Health and Safety
The Company strives to provide each employee with a safe and healthy work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by following safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees should report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.
Record-Keeping
The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. For example, only the true and actual number of hours worked should be reported.
Many employees regularly use business expense accounts, which must be documented and recorded accurately. If you are not sure whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask your supervisor or the Company’s senior financial officer.
All of the Company’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Company’s transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
Business records and communications often become public, and we should avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies that can be misunderstood. This applies equally to e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports. Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company’s record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation, please consult the Company’s senior financial officer.
Confidentiality
Employees must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by the Company or its customers, except when disclosure is authorized by the Company’s legal counsel or senior financial officer or required by laws or regulations. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Company or its customers, if disclosed. It also includes information that suppliers and customers have entrusted to us. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends. In connection with this obligation, every employee should have executed a confidentiality agreement when he or she began his or her employment with the Company. That agreement contains additional obligations and information with respect to your use of confidential information.
Protection and Proper Use of Company Assets
All employees should endeavor to protect the Company’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation. Company equipment should not be used for non-Company business, though incidental personal use may be permitted.
The obligation of employees to protect the Company’s assets includes its proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information would violate Company policy. It could also be illegal and result in civil or even criminal penalties.
Payments to Government Personnel
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments to government officials of any country.
In addition, the U.S. government has a number of laws and regulations regarding business gratuities which may be accepted by U.S. government personnel. The promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation of these rules would not only violate Company policy but could also be a criminal offense. State and local governments, as well as foreign governments, may have similar rules. The Company’s senior financial officer can provide guidance to you in this area.
Waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board of Directors or a Board committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation.
Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior
Employees are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel about observed illegal or unethical behavior and when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. It is the policy of the Company not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. Employees are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.
Employees are advised to read the Company’s Whistleblower Policy, which describes the Company’s procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. Any employee may submit a good faith concern regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters without fear of dismissal or retaliation of any kind.
Compliance Procedures
We must all work to ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code. However, in some situations, it is difficult to know if a violation has occurred. Since we cannot anticipate every situation that will arise, it is important that we have a way to approach a new question or problem. These are the steps to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have all the facts. In order to reach the right solutions, we must be as fully informed as possible.
- Ask Yourself. What specifically am I being asked to do? Does it seem unethical or improper? This will enable you to focus on the specific question you are faced with, and the alternatives you have. Use your judgment and common sense. If something seems unethical or improper, it probably is.
- Clarify your responsibility and role. In most situations, there is shared responsibility. Are your colleagues informed? It may help to get others involved and discuss the problem.
- Discuss the problem with your supervisor. This is the basic guidance for all situations. In many cases, your supervisor will be more knowledgeable about the question, and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making process. Remember that it is your supervisor’s responsibility to help solve problems.
- Seek help from Company resources. In the rare case where it may not be appropriate to discuss an issue with your supervisor, or where you do not feel comfortable approaching your supervisor with your question, discuss it locally with your office manager or your Human Resources manager.
- You may report ethical violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation. If your situation requires that your identity be kept secret, your anonymity will be protected. The Company does not permit retaliation of any kind against employees for good faith reports of ethical violations.
- Always ask first, act later. If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act.
- Written notices to the individual involved that the Board has determined that there has been a violation;
- Censure by the Board;
- Demotion or re-assignment of the individual involved;
- Suspension with or without pay or benefits (as determined by the Board); and
- Termination of the individual’s employment.
Determination of Actions to be Taken
The Board of Directors shall determine, or designate appropriate persons to determine, appropriate actions to be taken in the event of violations of this Code. Such actions shall be reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote accountability for adherence to this Code, and shall include:
In determining what action is appropriate in a particular case, the Board of Directors or such designee shall take into account all relevant information, including the nature and severity of the violation, whether the violation was a single occurrence or repeated occurrences, whether the violation appears to have been intentional or inadvertent, whether the individual in question had been advised prior to the violation as to the proper course of action and whether or not the individual in question had committed other violations in the past.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR CEO AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS
The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all directors and employees of the Company. The CEO and all senior financial officers, including the CFO and principal accounting officer, are bound by the provisions set forth therein relating to ethical conduct, conflicts of interest and compliance with law. In addition to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the CEO and senior financial officers are subject to the following additional specific policies.
The CEO and all senior financial officers are responsible for full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the periodic reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of the CEO and each senior financial officer promptly to bring to the attention of the Disclosure Committee any material information of which he or she may become aware that affects the disclosures made by the Company in its public filings or otherwise assist the Disclosure Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities as specified in the Company’s Disclosure Policy.
The CEO and each senior financial officer shall promptly bring to the attention of the Disclosure Committee and the Audit Committee any information he or she may have concerning (a) 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 or (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures or internal controls.
The CEO and each senior financial officer shall promptly bring to the attention of the legal counsel or the CEO and to the Audit Committee any information he or she may have concerning any violation of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, including any actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships, involving any management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures or internal controls.
The CEO and each senior financial officer shall promptly bring to the attention of the legal counsel or the CEO and to the Audit Committee any information he or she may have concerning evidence of a material violation of the securities or other laws, rules or regulations applicable to the Company and the operation of its business, by the Company or any agent thereof, or of violation of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or of these additional procedures.
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