Letter shares important perspectives from Comtech’s two nominees and highlights clear deficiencies of Outerbridge’s director candidates
empfiehlt den Aktionären nachdrücklich,füralle hochqualifizierten und erfahrenen Kandidaten von Comtech auf der BLAUEN Vollmachtskarte zu stimmen
MELVILLE, N.Y. –
November 22, 2021– Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL), a leading global provider of next-generation 911 emergency systems and secure wireless communications technologies, today announced that it has mailed a letter to stockholders detailing the deficiencies of Outerbridge Capital Management’s nominees and enabling shareholders to get to know Comtech’s highly qualified director candidates.
Comtech invites shareholders to familiarize themselves with the two members of the Board up for election this year-Judy Chambers and Larry Waldman-by reviewing the short interviews below. Comtech believes that Ms. Chambers and Mr. Waldman are vastly superior Board candidates to Outerbridge’s nominees, who clearly lack the relevant skills and experience necessary to create shareholder value and oversee good corporate governance.
The full text of the interviews follow and can also be accessed by visiting: https://comtechcreates.com/stockholder-materials/.
PROTECT THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT BY VOTING THE ENCLOSED BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY FOR COMTECH’S HIGHLY QUALIFIED DIRECTORS
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
We invite you to take a moment of your time to familiarize yourself with the two members of the Board up for election this year-Judy Chambers and Larry Waldman-by reviewing the short interviews accompanying this letter.
Comtech is benefitting from new oversight, new leadership and new capital to deploy in service of a technology renewal cycle occurring across our core markets. Your current Board of Directors is action-oriented and highly experienced, with the collective skills, expertise, and diversity of perspectives that deliver shareholder value. Your Board is overseeing a carefully considered long-term plan to enhance financial performance and accelerate growth. That plan is already delivering strong results.
We believe that Ms. Chambers and Mr. Waldman are vastly superior Board candidates to Outerbridge’s nominees, who clearly lack the relevant skills and experience necessary to create shareholder value and oversee good corporate governance. We say, “we believe,” because after only an initial introductory meeting, Outerbridge refused to allow us to vet these candidates following our standard process. A cursory review of Outerbridge’s proxy filing and other public information, however, reveals clear red flags:
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Wendi Carpenter is unqualified to serve as a director at Comtech.
- Ms. Carpenter’s education and Navy experience have no bearing on Comtech’s core end markets. Despite references to systems engineering and technology development experience in versions of her biography, Ms. Carpenter conceded to our Board during an introductory meeting that she does not possess any technical experience.
- Ms. Carpenter has been a public company director at only one company, newly public SkyWater Technology, for a total of seven months. SkyWater’s share price has a history of significant declines, (45)% following preliminary Q2 2021 results and (36)% following Q3 2021 results, after the company guided to or reported negative adjusted EBITDA and a net loss. Further, SkyWater’s principal accounting officer’s resignation in October 2021 for whatever reason in the midst of this turbulence raises governance concerns and stresses the important need for strong accounting skills on any Board.
- Ms. Carpenter clearly does not have any accounting or audit experience – shortfalls which could damage our Board’s ability to oversee Comtech’s global accounting and complex information systems if she is elected over our nominees.
- Importantly, we are concerned about material omissions from Ms. Carpenter’s resume and introductory meeting with our Board that mask a history of poor oversight. During our due diligence, we discovered that Ms. Carpenter was named Chair of the Board of a now defunct credit card processing company in 2015 and that three small businesses that Ms. Carpenter formed have been administratively dissolved due to failure to file required annual reports and registrations.
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Sidney Fuchs is unfit to serve as a director at Comtech.
- Mr. Fuchs currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Eutelsat North America, a major competitor to many of Comtech’s largest customers. This role presents a material conflict of interest, and his appointment would significantly damage key customer relationships and negatively impact prospective business opportunities.
- His industry background is in services – not products or software – and he also possesses no accounting or audit experience.
- While Outerbridge has touted Mr. Fuchs’ ability to lead strategic alternatives processes and proposed that he chair a newly formed committee to do so, nothing in his biography demonstrates any experience doing so for a publicly traded company. Mr. Fuchs’ M&A experience is limited to long-ago stints at companies of a significantly smaller scale than Comtech. Regardless, if elected, his material conflict of interest would limit Mr. Fuchs’ ability to participate fully in strategic discussions including a review of alternatives.
- We are also troubled that Mr. Fuchs resigned his only position as CEO and director of a public company, ATS Corporation, just a few days after assuming the CEO role.
In summary, Outerbridge’s nominees consist of a director with no experience or background in our core markets and an executive who presents a material risk to our largest customer relationships. Neither has any expertise in global accounting requirements or accounting experience. These director candidates reflect Outerbridge’s limited understanding of our business, our capital needs, our strategy, and our end markets.
We urge you to support your Board by using the enclosed BLUE proxy card to vote today FOR Comtech’s two highly qualified director nominees, Judy Chambers and Larry Waldman. Please do not return or otherwise vote using any White proxy card you may receive from Outerbridge.
Thank you for your support,
Board of Directors
Comtech Telecommunications Corp.
IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVES FROM COMTECH’S DIRECTOR NOMINEES: JUDY CHAMBERS AND LARRY WALDMAN
Judy Chambers
Director since August 2021; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair
- Extensive experience in the investment advisory services industry and corporate finance
- Managing Principal and director of Meketa Investment Group, an investment advisory firm with more than $1.5 trillion assets under advisement
- Works with some of the largest institutional investors in the U.S. including public pension plans, corporations, endowments, foundations, and insurance companies
As Comtech’s newest director, what attracted you to join the Board?
Given my background in the investment industry, I keep a close watch on the wireless technology space. When I was approached about joining the Comtech Board, I immediately recognized a unique opportunity to help a true industry leader in critically important and growing markets create value for shareholders. Comtech’s strategic momentum is clear from its significant new business wins over the past couple of years, and I believe the company is uniquely positioned to capitalize on exciting growth opportunities across end markets. After meeting several members of the Board during a months-long interview process, I knew I could work well with them and that my skills and perspectives would be highly complementary.
What are your biggest takeaways from your first three months on the Board?
This is a Board that is willing to make any and all changes necessary to create shareholder value. Since I joined the Board this summer, we have announced a plan to declassify the Board, the completion of a leadership transition plan, and the appointment of two additional directors with significant industry experience. Yes, it has been a bit of a whirlwind, but I am proud to serve on a Board that is so action-oriented and so focused on the interests of shareholders.
What do you bring to the Board that will further enhance shareholder value creation?
I will reiterate exactly what I told the Board during my interviews – experience, perspective, and commitment. My considerable experience dealing with regulatory and public authorities as it relates to major infrastructure projects will be critical to Comtech as it continues to pursue next generation 911 contracts. In my role at Meketa, I spend all day, every day addressing institutional investors’ interests and concerns, and I will bring the same perspective to ensuring we are watching out for shareholders’ interests and being responsive to their feedback. I am fully committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and addressing ESG issues, and I intend to hold Comtech to a high standard in that regard. It is the best thing to do for all stakeholders.
Larry Waldman
Director since August 2015; Audit Committee Chair; Designated Lead Independent Director
- Significant experience providing financial and business advisory services to technology companies, serving on public company boards, and leading public accounting firms.
- Serves as non-executive Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee of CVD Equipment Corporation
- Serves as Lead Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of APYX Medical
What have you learned during your time on the Comtech Board and how does that inform the Company’s execution of its strategy?
Following my election at the Annual Meeting, I will have the privilege of being the longest tenured independent director of Comtech and the only remaining independent director who helped oversee the Company’s acquisition strategy, Board refreshment process, and recently completed leadership succession plan. During my tenure, Comtech has successfully executed a dramatic transformation into a business with significant recurring revenues, best-in-class satellite ground station and next generation 911 offerings, and blue-chip customers. Comtech has a rich history of innovation and solving complex problems that we continue to leverage to this day to create value for shareholders. I intend to continue putting my experience and deep knowledge of the Company to good use for shareholders.
How would you characterize the relationship between the Board and management?
We are a hands-on Board that values thoughtful perspectives and is committed to holding management accountable. Our entire Board is excited about Mike Porcelain’s promotion to Chief Executive Officer, which marks the completion of a succession plan we initiated in 2018. Over the past several years, we have watched Mike distinguish himself by building our 911 public safety business, strengthening our satellite and space communications business, and spearheading new product lines and new business wins. We are fully confident that he is the right leader for this next phase of Comtech’s growth. With a refreshed Board that brings new skills and experiences to the table, we are even better placed to oversee execution of our strategic growth plan.
You will be serving as Lead Independent Director. Can you tell us more about how your background and experience will enable you to further enhance shareholder value?
I have significant experience as lead director at other public companies, which helps inform the perspective I bring to our Board deliberations. Additionally, I believe my extensive public accounting experience is critically important to my success as a director. The cornerstone of public accounting is independence – and maintaining an independent perspective enables me to effectively hold management accountable and do what is in the best interest of shareholders. Most importantly, as a member of the Board for the past six years, I have played a key role in overseeing a strategy that is clearly delivering results. I know we have the right mix of skills, experience and demanding expectations on the Board to continue driving value for shareholders.
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IHRE STIMME IST SEHR WICHTIG!
To ensure your shares are represented, please follow the easy instructions on the enclosed BLUE proxy card to vote by telephone, by internet, or by signing, dating and returning the BLUE proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you received this letter by email, you may also vote by pressing the BLUE “VOTE NOW” button in the accompanying email. Please simply disregard any White proxy card you may receive from Outerbridge. If you have any questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please call Comtech’s proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated:
Gebührenfrei: (877) 750-8198 (aus den USA und Kanada)
Oder +1 (412) 232-3651 (von anderen Standorten aus)
Die endgültigen Proxy-Materialien von Comtech und andere Materialien zur Empfehlung des Vorstands für die Jahreshauptversammlung 2021 finden Sie unter www.comtechcreates.com. |
Über Comtech
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. ist ein weltweit führender Anbieter von Notrufsystemen der nächsten Generation und sicheren drahtlosen Kommunikationstechnologien für kommerzielle und staatliche Kunden in aller Welt. Mit Hauptsitz in Melville, New York, entwickelt, produziert und vermarktet Comtech fortschrittliche und sichere drahtlose Lösungen, die sich am Erfolg seiner Kunden orientieren. Für weitere Informationen besuchen Sie bitte www.comtechtel.com.
Zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen
Bestimmte Informationen in diesem Schreiben enthalten zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen, die mit erheblichen Risiken und Ungewissheiten verbunden sind, z. B. in Bezug auf unsere Geschäftsentwicklung, künftige Einnahmen und Umsätze, die Akquisitionsstrategie, Änderungen im Management und in der Unternehmensführung sowie unser Wachstum. Tatsächliche Ergebnisse können erheblich von solchen zukunftsgerichteten Informationen abweichen. Zu den Risiken und Ungewissheiten, die sich auf diese zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen auswirken könnten, gehören die Möglichkeit, dass die erwarteten Synergien und Vorteile aus den jüngsten Akquisitionen nicht in vollem Umfang oder nicht innerhalb der erwarteten Zeiträume realisiert werden; das Risiko, dass die erworbenen Unternehmen nicht erfolgreich in das Unternehmen integriert werden; die Möglichkeit von Unterbrechungen durch die jüngsten Akquisitionen, die es schwieriger machen, Geschäfts- und Betriebsbeziehungen aufrechtzuerhalten oder Schlüsselpersonal zu halten; das Risiko, dass das Unternehmen bei der Umsetzung einer taktischen Verlagerung in seinem Segment Government Solutions nicht erfolgreich sein wird, weg von der Ausschreibung großer Dienstleistungsverträge und hin zur Verfolgung von Verträgen für seine Nischenprodukte mit höheren Margen; die Art und der Zeitpunkt des Eingangs neuer oder bestehender Aufträge und die Leistung des Unternehmens bei diesen Aufträgen, die erhebliche Schwankungen des Nettoumsatzes und des Betriebsergebnisses verursachen können; der Zeitpunkt und die Finanzierung von Regierungsverträgen; Anpassungen der Bruttogewinne bei langfristigen Verträgen; Risiken im Zusammenhang mit internationalen Verkäufen; schneller technologischer Wandel; sich entwickelnde Industriestandards; Ankündigungen neuer Produkte und Verbesserungen; sich ändernde Kundenanforderungen und oder Beschaffungsstrategien; Änderungen der vorherrschenden wirtschaftlichen und politischen Bedingungen; Änderungen des Ölpreises auf den globalen Märkten; Änderungen der Wechselkurse; Risiken im Zusammenhang mit Rechtsstreitigkeiten des Unternehmens, Schadensersatzforderungen von Kunden und anderen ähnlichen Angelegenheiten; Risiken im Zusammenhang mit den Verpflichtungen des Unternehmens im Rahmen seiner Kreditfazilität; Risiken im Zusammenhang mit den Großaufträgen des Unternehmens; Risiken im Zusammenhang mit der COVID-19-Pandemie und den damit verbundenen Unterbrechungen der Lieferkette; und andere Faktoren, die in diesem und anderen Berichten des Unternehmens an die Securities and Exchange Commission beschrieben sind. Wir übernehmen keine Verpflichtung und beabsichtigen nicht, diese zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen zu aktualisieren oder sie an die tatsächlichen Ergebnisse oder an Änderungen unserer Erwartungen anzupassen.
Zusätzliche Informationen und Bezugsquellen
Comtech hat bei der Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") eine endgültige Vollmachtserklärung eingereicht und an die Aktionäre des Unternehmens versandt, sowie eine begleitende BLAUE Proxy Card und andere relevante Dokumente in Verbindung mit der Jahreshauptversammlung des Unternehmens für das Geschäftsjahr 2021 (die "Jahreshauptversammlung 2021") verschickt. DIE AKTIONÄRE DES UNTERNEHMENS WERDEN DRINGEND GEBETEN, DAS PROXY STATEMENT, DIE BEGLEITENDE BLAUE PROXY CARD UND ALLE ANDEREN DOKUMENTE ZU LESEN, DIE IN VERBINDUNG MIT DER JAHRESHAUPTVERSAMMLUNG 2021 DES UNTERNEHMENS BEI DER SEC EINGEREICHT WERDEN ODER DURCH VERWEIS IN DAS PROXY STATEMENT AUFGENOMMEN WERDEN, DA SIE WICHTIGE INFORMATIONEN ÜBER DIE JAHRESHAUPTVERSAMMLUNG 2021 DES UNTERNEHMENS UND DIE DAMIT VERBUNDENEN PARTEIEN ENTHALTEN. Die Aktionäre des Unternehmens können eine kostenlose Kopie der bei der SEC eingereichten Dokumente auf der Website der SEC unter https://www.sec.gov oder auf der Website des Unternehmens unter www.comtechcreates.com erhalten .
Teilnehmer der Aufforderung zur Einreichung von Vorschlägen
Das Unternehmen, seine Direktoren und einige seiner leitenden Angestellten sowie bestimmte andere Mitglieder der Geschäftsführung und Mitarbeiter des Unternehmens können als "Teilnehmer" an der Einholung von Stimmrechtsvollmachten von Aktionären im Zusammenhang mit den auf der Jahreshauptversammlung 2021 zu behandelnden Angelegenheiten betrachtet werden. Informationen zu den direkten und indirekten Beteiligungen der Personen, die nach den Regeln der SEC als Teilnehmer an der Einholung von Stimmrechtsvollmachten von Aktionären der Gesellschaft im Zusammenhang mit der Jahreshauptversammlung 2021 der Gesellschaft gelten oder gelten können, sind im endgültigen Proxy Statement der Gesellschaft, das in Verbindung mit der Jahreshauptversammlung 2021 der Gesellschaft eingereicht wurde, und anderen relevanten Dokumenten, die bei der SEC eingereicht wurden, aufgeführt. Informationen über die leitenden Angestellten und Direktoren des Unternehmens finden Sie auch im Jahresbericht des Unternehmens auf Formblatt 10-K für das am 31. Juli 2021 zu Ende gegangene Geschäftsjahr sowie in den sonstigen bei der SEC eingereichten Unterlagen des Unternehmens und dieser Personen.
PCMTL
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