Cvd Equipment Corp DEF 14A, filed Jun 20, 2025
Cvd Equipment Corp (CVV)
About this DEF 14A
Cvd Equipment Corp filed this DEF 14A on June 20, 2025.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant To Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commissions Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
| (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) |
| N/A |
| (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
| ☒ | No fee required. |
| ☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
| ☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
CVD EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
355 South Technology Drive
Central Islip, NY 11722
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 8, 2025
Dear Shareholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of CVD Equipment Corporation (the “Company”) will be held virtually via a live audio webcast at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Daylight Time on August 8, 2025. You or your proxyholder will be able to participate and vote at the Annual Meeting by visiting www.cstproxy.com/cvdequipment/2025 and using your control number assigned by Continental Stock Transfer. To register and receive access to the virtual Annual Meeting, registered shareholders and beneficial shareholders (those holding shares through a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record) will need to follow the instructions applicable to them provided in the enclosed proxy statement.
At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to vote on:
| Proposal 1: | The election of six (6) directors to the Board of Directors of the Company to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. | |
| Proposal 2: | The ratification of CBIZ CPAs P.C., as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025. | |
| Proposal 3: | The approval of a non-binding advisory resolution supporting the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. | |
| Other: | To transact such other and further business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 16, 2025 as the record date for determining shareholders who are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Your vote is important to us. Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual meeting online, please sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope. Returning a proxy will not deprive you of your right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares virtually using the online meeting website.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD AUGUST 8, 2025: THIS NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, PROXY STATEMENT, PROXY CARD AND REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024 IS AVAILABLE AT www.cvdequipment.com (CLICK ON THE PROXY STATEMENT LINK) OR www.cvdproxy.com
| By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
| /s/ Emmanuel Lakios | |
| Emmanuel Lakios | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
Dated: June 20, 2025
Central Islip, New York
CVD EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
355 South Technology Drive
Central Islip, NY 11722
PROXY STATEMENT
2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
August 8, 2025
INTRODUCTION
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are both being furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of CVD Equipment Corporation, a New York corporation (the “Company”), of proxies for use at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held virtually via live webcast at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Time, on August 8, 2025, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being distributed on or about June 27, 2025 to all shareholders of the Company entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
VOTING PROCEDURES AND SOLICITATION
Your Vote Is Important
Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual meeting online, please complete and return the enclosed proxy card. Your prompt voting may save the Company the expense of following up with a second mailing. A return envelope (postage paid if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for that purpose. You should sign your name exactly as it appears on the proxy card. If you are signing in a representative capacity, (for example, as an officer of a corporation, guardian, executor, trustee or custodian) you should indicate your name, title or capacity.
Registration and Access to the Virtual-Only Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually over the Internet by means of a live audio webcast. Only shareholders who own common stock as of the close of business on June 16, 2025 will be entitled to attend the virtual Annual Meeting. Any shareholder wishing to attend the virtual Annual Meeting should register for the meeting by August 8, 2025.
To register for the virtual Annual Meeting, please follow these instructions as applicable to the nature of your ownership of our common stock:
Registered Shareholders
If your shares are registered in your name with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company’s transfer agent and you wish to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, go to www.cstproxy.com/cvdequipment/2025, enter the control number you received on your proxy card or notice of the meeting and click on the “Click here to preregister for the online meeting” link at the top of the page. Just prior to the start of the meeting you will need to log back into the meeting site using your control number. Pre-registration is recommended but is not required in order to attend.
Beneficial Shareholders (those holding shares through a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record)
Beneficial shareholders who wish to attend the virtual Annual Meeting must obtain a legal proxy by contacting their account representative at the bank, broker, or other nominee that holds their shares and e-mail a copy (a legible photograph is sufficient) of their legal proxy to proxy@continentalstock.com. Beneficial shareholders who e-mail a valid legal proxy will be issued a meeting control number that will allow them to register to attend and participate in the virtual Annual Meeting. After contacting Continental, a beneficial holder will receive an e-mail prior to the Annual Meeting with a link and instructions for entering the virtual Annual Meeting. Beneficial shareholders should contact Continental at least five (5) business days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting.
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Shareholders participating in the virtual Annual Meeting will be in a listen-only mode and will not be able to speak during the webcast. However, in order to maintain the interactive nature of the virtual meeting, virtual attendees are able to:
| ● | Vote using the online meeting website; and | |
| ● | Submit questions or comments to the Company’s officers during the meeting via the virtual webcast. |
Shareholders may submit questions or comments during the virtual Annual Meeting through the virtual meeting portal by typing in the “Submit a question” box.
Methods of Voting
You may vote by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card, by voting using the online meeting website at the Annual Meeting, by following the applicable instructions set forth above, or such other methods set forth in the applicable proxy card received. If you send in a proxy card, and also attend the virtual Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote your shares as you instructed on your proxy card, unless you inform the Secretary that you wish to revoke your proxy before the Annual Meeting.
Revoking a Proxy
You may revoke your proxy by:
| ● | Signing and returning another proxy card at a later date; | |
| ● | Sending written notice of revocation to the attention of the Secretary at: |
CVD Equipment Corporation
355 South Technology Drive
Central Islip, NY 11722; or
| ● | Informing the Secretary and voting virtually at the Annual Meeting. |
To be effective, a later-dated proxy or written revocation must arrive at the above address before the start of the Annual Meeting.
Proxy Solicitation
The proxies solicited hereby are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company will pay all costs of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy materials.
Directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may, but without compensation other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies by further mailing or personal conversations, or by telephone, facsimile or electronic means. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock.
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How Proxy Cards Are Voted
The proxy holders named on the proxy card are Emmanuel Lakios, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Richard Catalano, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary. Giving us your proxy means you authorize us to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in the manner you direct. You may vote for all, some or none of our director nominees. You may also vote for or against the other proposals or abstain from voting. The proxy holders will vote shares according to the shareholder instructions on the proxy card. If a signed proxy card does not contain instructions, then the proxy holders will vote the shares (1) “FOR” the election of each of the director nominees listed on the card; (2) “FOR” ratifying the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s independent public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2025; (3) “FOR” the non-binding advisory resolution supporting the compensation of our Named Executive Officers; and (4) in their discretion, on any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
Broker Non-Votes
Under the rules that govern brokers and nominees who have record ownership of shares that are held in “street name” for accountholders (who are the beneficial owners of the shares), a broker non-vote occurs when a shareholder who holds his or her shares through a broker and the broker does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Broker non-votes count for quorum purposes, but not for voting purposes. It is important that you instruct your broker how to vote shares held by you in street name using the voting instruction form provided by your broker. At the Annual Meeting, only the ratification of the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025 (Proposal 2) is considered a “routine” matter. Accordingly, brokers and nominees will not have discretionary authority to vote on: the election of directors to our Board (Proposal 1); and the non-binding advisory resolution supporting the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal 3).
Quorum and Votes Required
A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy constitutes a quorum. Only votes “FOR” or “AGAINST” a proposal will have an effect on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will count towards the quorum but not for voting purposes.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, so the six (6) nominees receiving the most votes will be elected (Proposal 1). Shareholders who do not wish to vote for one or more of the individual nominees may “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” as directed in the proxy card.
The proposal to ratify the appointment of the independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2025 (Proposal 2) requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast at the Annual Meeting by holders of shares entitled to vote thereon (a majority of votes cast means that the number of votes cast “FOR” a proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” that proposal).
The proposal to approve the non-binding advisory resolution supporting the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal 3) requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast at the Annual Meeting by holders of shares entitled to vote thereon.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted to determine whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting but are not counted as a vote in favor of or against a particular matter.
Voting Rights, Shares Outstanding and Votes Per Share
Holders of common stock at the close of business on the record date of June 16, 2025 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
As of the close of business on June 16, 2025, there were 6,881,838 shares of common stock outstanding.
Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the Shareholders at the Annual Meeting. There is no cumulative voting.
No Dissenter’s Rights
Shareholders are not entitled to dissenter’s rights of appraisal with respect to the proposals being voted on.
Householding of Annual Meeting Materials
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our proxy statement and annual report to Shareholders may have been sent to multiple Shareholders in your household. The Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you if you contact the Secretary at the following address or telephone number: CVD Equipment Corporation, 355 South Technology Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722; telephone: (631) 981-7081. In addition, copies of both documents may be obtained from our website www.cvdequipment.com (click on the proxy statement link or at www.cvdproxy.com). If you want to receive separate copies of the proxy statement or the annual report to Shareholders in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy per household, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or you may contact the Company at the above address or telephone number.
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PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
Upon the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance, and Compliance Committee, the Board has nominated Lawrence J. Waldman, Emmanuel Lakios, Andrew Africk, Robert M. Brill, Ashraf Lotfi and Debra Wasser to stand for re-election to the Board at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next Annual Meeting or Special Meeting of Shareholders at which a new Board of Directors is elected and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. See “Information Regarding Executive Officers and Directors” for biographical information as to each nominee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE SIX NOMINEES PROPOSED BY THE NOMINATING, GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Information Regarding our Board of Directors
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for our Company to be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. Under our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the number of directors shall not be less than five (5) nor more than eleven (11), as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is currently fixed at six (6), and currently consists of six (6) directors, five (5) of which have been determined to be “independent” as defined by the applicable rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”). These “independent” directors are Messrs. Waldman, Africk, Brill, and Lotfi, and Ms. Wasser. Consistent with the requirements of NASDAQ, we require that a majority of our Board of Directors be “independent” directors. The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the trading symbol “CVV”. The Company is a “smaller reporting company” within the meaning of Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K.
The primary responsibilities of our Board of Directors are to provide oversight, strategic guidance, counseling and direction to our management. Our Board of Directors meets on a regular basis and additionally as required. Written or electronic materials are distributed in advance of meetings as a general rule and our Board of Directors schedules meetings with, and presentations from, members of our senior management on a regular basis and as may be required from time to time.
Directors are elected at the Annual Meeting and hold office until our next Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors held nine (9) meetings during the 2024 fiscal year and each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which they served. We encourage all members of the Board of Directors to attend the Annual Meetings; however, there is no formal policy as to their attendance. At last year’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, all of the members of the Board of Directors attended the meeting.
Director Service on Other Boards
Lawrence J. Waldman has been a member of the board of directors of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation since August 2015 and Lead Independent Director from December 2021 to March 2025. He serves as the chairperson of Comtech’s Audit Committee. Mr. Waldman is a member of the board of directors and Lead Independent Director and Audit Committee Chairperson at Apyx Medical Corporation.
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Legal Proceedings Involving Directors
There were no legal proceedings required to be disclosed hereunder involving the nominees to the Board of Directors in the past ten years.
Board Leadership
In January 2021, the Board appointed Lawrence J. Waldman to serve as the Chairman, which separated the positions of Chairman and CEO.
Our Corporate Governance practices contain several features which we believe will ensure that the Board maintains effective and independent oversight of management, including the following:
| ● | Executive sessions without management and non-independent directors present are a standing Board agenda item. | |
| ● | Executive sessions of the independent directors are held at any time requested by an independent director and, in any event, are held in connection with at least 100% of regularly schedule Board meetings. | |
| ● | All Board committee members are independent directors. The committee chairs have the authority to hold executive sessions with management and non-independent directors present. |
While our Board has no formal policy with respect to separation of the positions of Chairman and CEO or with respect to whether the Chairman should be a member of management or an independent director, we believe that the appointment of Mr. Waldman as Chairman properly facilitates better communication between the Independent Directors on the one hand and the non-Independent Director and members of management on the other hand and leads to improved oversight and discussions by the Board as a whole. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Emmanuel Lakios, is tasked with the responsibility of implementing our corporate strategy. We believe he is best suited for leading discussions with input from the Chairman, at the Board level, regarding performance relative to our corporate strategy and this discussion accounts for a significant portion of the time devoted at the Board meetings.
Risk Management Oversight
Our management is responsible for defining the various risks facing the Company, formulating risk management policies and procedures, and managing our risk exposures on a day-to-day basis. The Board’s responsibility is to monitor our risk management processes concerning our material risks and evaluating whether management has reasonable controls in place to address the material risks. The Board has played, and continues to play, a very active role in providing on-going oversight to management in identifying and managing the material risks we face.
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While the Board periodically reviews and discusses the overall risks we face, as well as risk management and mitigation in the context of specific plans or projects being proposed or implemented, the Board also exercises its overall responsibility for risk oversight through its committees. The Audit Committee of the Board is primarily responsible for overseeing management’s processes for managing financial and operational risk in the Company. The Audit Committee also has primary responsibility at the Board level with respect to overseeing the management of risks relating to the reliability of our financial reporting processes and system of internal controls. In connection with that responsibility, the Audit Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate the independent registered public accounting firm and is directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee meets with management and the independent registered public accounting firm to review and discuss the annual audited and quarterly unaudited financial statements and reviews the integrity of our accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements.
Similarly, the Compensation Committee of the Board oversees risks associated with its areas of responsibility, including the risks associated with our compensation programs, policies and practices with respect to both executive compensation, non-employee director compensation, and compensation generally. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee of the Board oversees the process, qualifications of director candidates, and risks associated with the nomination of members of the Board and committees thereof and periodically analyzes corporate governance practices in order to assist the Board in its risk oversight activities.
INFORMATION REGARDING EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTOR NOMINEES
The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions within the Company of each of our director nominees and executive officers as of June 16, 2025.
| Name | Age | Position(s) with the Company | ||
| Lawrence J. Waldman | 78 | Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman-Audit Committee and Director | ||
| Emmanuel Lakios | 63 | Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director | ||
| Andrew Africk | 59 | Director | ||
| Robert M. Brill | 78 | Chairman Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee and Director | ||
| Ashraf Lotfi | 64 | Chairman-Compensation Committee and Director | ||
| Debra Wasser | 60 |
Director | ||
| Richard Catalano | 65 | Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary | ||
| Jeffrey A. Brogan | 55 | Vice President Sales and Marketing | ||
| Warren D. Cheesman | 52 | Vice President Manufacturing Operations | ||
| Kevin R. Collins | 59 | Vice President and General Manager - SDC Division | ||
| Maxim S. Shatalov | 54 | Vice President of Engineering and Technology |
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Business Experience:
The principal occupation and business experience of each of the director nominees and executive officers are as follows:
Lawrence J. Waldman
Biography
Lawrence J. Waldman was appointed a member of the Board of Directors on October 5, 2016 and currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Waldman has over 40 years of experience in public accounting.
Mr. Waldman has been a member of the board of directors of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation since August 2015 and Lead Independent Director from December 2021 through March 2024. He currently serves as the chairperson of Comtech’s Audit Committee. Mr. Waldman is a member of the board of directors and Lead Independent Director and Audit Committee Chairperson at APYX Medical Corporation, a Nasdaq-listed advanced energy medical technology company. Mr. Waldman serves as a Senior Advisor at First Long Island Investors, LLC since 2016 and was previously an Advisor to the accounting firm of EisnerAmper LLP following his role as Partner-in-Charge of Commercial Audit Practice Development for Long Island. Mr. Waldman served as the Managing Partner of the Long Island office of KPMG LLP from 1994 through 2006, the accounting firm where he began his career in 1972. During his tenure at KPMG, Mr. Waldman served as audit partner to a number of public and privately held technology companies.
Mr. Waldman is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Association and a member of the boards of directors of the Long Island Angel Network and the Advanced Energy Research Center at Stony Brook University.
Mr. Waldman was Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Bethpage Federal Credit Union and previously served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the State University of New York’s (“SUNY”) Board of Trustees, the largest state university system in the United States. Mr. Waldman previously served as Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee Board of Trustees of the Long Island Power Authority (“LIPA”), the second largest government utility in the United States, and as the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Waldman also served as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University, teaching graduate courses in advanced accounting theory and advanced auditing. Mr. Waldman is a certified public accountant in New York State. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of CPAs. Mr. Waldman holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Waldman has significant experience serving on public company boards, and his extensive business experience serving on industry and civic boards allows him to bring a diverse perspective and experience, as well as experience in accounting, auditing and finance.
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Emmanuel Lakios
Biography
Emmanuel Lakios was appointed to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 22, 2021, and on July 15, 2021 was elected by the shareholders as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Lakios joined the Company as Vice President Sales and Marketing in February 2017. Mr. Lakios has over 30 years of experience serving the aerospace, semiconductor, data storage and optical device industries and is the holder of several patents in the field of process equipment and device structure. From January 2015 through February 2017, Mr. Lakios was the President and Chief Executive Officer at Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc., overseeing that company’s transition from R&D to a leading global commercial UV LED supplier. From 2003 to 2011 he was the Executive Vice President of Field Operations and President and Chief Operating Officer at Imago Scientific, bringing it from pre-revenue to a commercial leadership position in the 3D atomic scale tomography field. Mr. Lakios was previously employed at Veeco Instruments Inc. from 1984 until 2003, where he held several positions, including President of the Process Equipment Group and Executive Vice President of Field Operations. He has been involved in several acquisitions and numerous product line launches. He received his BE in Mechanical Engineering with focus in Material Science from SUNY Stony Brook in 1984.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Lakios’ experience as Chief Executive Officer of the Company as well as his prior experience as Vice President Sales and Marketing of the Company, together with his extensive experience serving the aerospace, semiconductor, data storage and optical device industries, provides a valuable resource to the Board of Directors and Executive Management.
Andrew Africk
Biography
Andrew Africk was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors on May 28, 2024. Mr. Africk is the founder of Searay Capital LLC, a private investment company. Mr. Africk established Searay Capital in July 2013 after 21 years leading private equity and capital markets investments for Apollo Global Management. As a Senior Partner at Apollo, Mr. Africk was responsible for investments in technology and communications, and he has 30 years of experience financing, analyzing and investing in public and private companies. In the last five years, Mr. Africk has served on the board of directors of ADT Inc., which provides residential and commercial security systems and services. Additionally, Mr. Africk serves on the Board of Advisors of the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science. Mr. Africk graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Economics, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School with a J.D., and from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with an MBA.
Director Qualifications
Mr. Africk has extensive board and finance experience including previously serving on the board of directors of ADT Inc., and numerous boards of technology companies while a Senior Partner at Apollo.
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Robert M. Brill
Biography
Dr. Robert M. Brill was appointed a Director of the Company on March 5, 2021. Dr. Brill was co-founder and managing partner of Newlight Management from 1997 to 2019, which managed venture capital funds that focused on early-stage technology companies. Prior to co-founding Newlight, Dr. Brill was a general partner of Poly Ventures, a Long Island based venture capital fund. Dr. Brill is a member of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Angel Network and one private company. Dr. Brill has also previously served on the Board of Directors of multiple public and private companies. Dr. Brill has been the CEO of both public and private companies. Dr. Brill served as General Manager of Harris Corporation’s CMOS Semiconductor Division. He also held various technical and management positions at IBM’s semiconductor operation. Dr. Brill holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics from Brown University and a B.A. and a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Lehigh University. Dr. Brill had previously served on the Company’s Board from April 2018 until October 2019.
Director Qualifications
Dr. Brill’s prior service on the Board of Directors and prior service on the boards of other companies, together with his extensive experience as an investor and in the semiconductor industry gives him a broad base of business and financial experience and provides a valuable resource to the Board of Directors and Executive Management.
Ashraf Lotfi
Biography
Dr. Ashraf Lotfi is currently a venture partner with Deep Sciences Ventures and serves on the board of Lotus Microsystems, ApS, Xonia Ltd., HyperCIM Ltd. Dr. Lotfi previously served as Vice President and a Fellow at Intel Corporation. Prior to Intel, he was Power Chief Technology Officer for Altera Corporation serving its Enpirion Power Business as well as the broader Field Programmable Gate Array community. Altera was acquired by Intel in 2015. Prior to Altera, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Enpirion, Inc., which he founded in 2002.
From Enpirion’s inception, Dr. Lotfi led its strategic direction with a unique industry-first vision to create the ultimate power converter-on-chip creating ubiquitous DC-DC conversion at the silicon level. In 2013, he led Enpirion’s merger into Altera to realize his vision of highly integrated power management closely coupled to leading-edge digital silicon loads. Prior to founding Enpirion, he was Director of Advanced Power Research at Bell Laboratories.
Dr. Lotfi currently serves on the boards of Lotus Microsystems ApS, Xonai Ltd., HyperCIM Ltd. and his extensive experience in high power electronics provide a valuable resource to the Board of Directors and Executive Management.
Dr. Lotfi has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Cairo University and an M.S. and PhD. in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech.
Director Qualifications
Dr. Lotfi’s prior extensive experience serving the semiconductor industry and his experience with power electronics provides a valuable resource to the Board of Directors and Executive Management.
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Debra Wasser
Biography
Debra Wasser was elected as a member of the Board of Directors on July 13, 2023. Ms. Wasser currently serves as Vice President of Investor Relations for Etsy, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETSY), the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. She is responsible for Etsy’s external shareholder relationships, with a focus on corporate and financial reporting, driving increased analyst coverage and investor connectivity, effective corporate messaging, strategic investor targeting, and governance engagement with the financial community. Ms. Wasser has led investor and broad internal and external communications strategies on multiple financial transactions and offerings, and a host of product and technology launches and marketing initiatives.
Prior to joining Etsy in April 2018, Ms. Wasser led Edelman’s Investor Relations practice in the U.S. and advised boards of directors and senior managements of public companies on strategic communications including investor relations, financial and corporate public relations, transaction communications, crisis communications and leadership positioning.
Prior to joining Edelman in 2015, Ms. Wasser was Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications for semiconductor equipment provider Veeco Instruments, Inc. (Nasdaq: VECO) for over 15 years. While at Veeco, Ms. Wasser created and implemented a global investor relations program to raise visibility and deepen ownership to reflect business trends. She led effective communications strategy through positive periods of growth, over a dozen merger and acquisition transactions, a highly successful secondary equity offering, and new market opportunities.
Prior to joining Veeco, Ms. Wasser was Vice President of Dewe Rogerson Inc. where she ran the firm’s U.S. investor relations client base, focused on healthcare/biotech, high-tech, consumer products, financial services, publishing, and general industry. During her tenure at the firm, Ms. Wasser served clients across the globe and helped the firm grow from four to 80 employees. Deb has a B.S. in Communications and Business from The State University of New York at Albany.
Director Qualifications
Ms. Wasser has provided business and communications advice to Boards of Directors of publicly traded and privately held companies for over three decades. She has served on the Board of Directors of NIRI, the Association of Investor Relations Professionals, including the maximum service of four years on the National Chapter Board, as well as earlier as a Board member of the organization’s New York Chapter.
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Richard A. Catalano
Richard A. Catalano was appointed as the Company’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective as of August 30, 2022. Mr. Catalano began his career at KPMG LLP and became an audit partner in 1993. Throughout his over 35 years as an audit professional at KPMG LLP, Mr. Catalano advised a diverse array of clients through private equity financed transactions, merger-related accounting, and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Towards the later part of his tenure, Mr. Catalano served as the leader of KPMG LLP’s Metro New York Healthcare and Life Sciences Practice and then co-led KPMG’s Global Audit Methodology Group. Mr. Catalano is a Certified Public Accountant in New York State and received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Hofstra University.
Jeffrey Brogan
Dr. Jeffrey Brogan was appointed as Vice President Sales and Marketing for the Company on March 23, 2021. Previously he was Director of Sales and Marketing for CVD Materials Corporation since November 2017 with General Management responsibilities of CVD MesoScribe Technologies Corporation. Dr. Brogan served as the President and CEO of MesoScribe Technologies, Inc., spearheading its sale to CVD in 2017. He has over 25 years of experience serving aerospace and defense industries with expertise in strategic sales & marketing, technology management, and advanced Research & Development. He received his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Stony Brook University in 1996.
Warren D. Cheesman
Warren D. Cheesman was appointed Vice President of Manufacturing Operations in October 2022. He has over 25 years of management experience in the semiconductor, medical device and defense equipment sectors. Mr. Cheesman has held roles of increasing responsibility in engineering, operations, quality and strategic sourcing, at equipment manufacturers including Veeco Instruments, Air Techniques, and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. Mr. Cheesman provides strategic leadership across all divisions related to manufacturing, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives, with emphasis on process improvement, lean manufacturing, risk management, and collaboration. He holds two master of science degrees from Stony Brook University in Technology Management and Materials Science & Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. His academic and professional experience is also complemented by a Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Kevin R. Collins
Kevin R. Collins is the Vice President and General Manager of SDC, Mr. Collins served as the General Manager of SDC since 1999. From 1990 to 1999 he was employed by Stainless Design Corp. as Manager of Field Operations and Product Development Advisor. Mr. Collins attended Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Maxim S. Shatalov
Dr. Maxim S. Shatalov was appointed Vice President of Engineering and Technology in April 2018. Prior to CVD, Mr. Shatalov was employed by Sensor Electronic Technology Inc. (SETi) a LED company where he held multiple technical and management positions from 2006 through 2018. In 2017, Dr. Shatalov became Vice President of Technology responsible for UV LED technology and LED application development at SETi. Dr. Shatalov has over twenty years of experience in semiconductor research and devices and holds more than 12 U.S. patents.
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COMMITTEES OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We maintain a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee assists the full Board of Directors in its general oversight of our financial reporting, internal controls, and audit functions, and is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management and our independent accountants the annual audited and quarterly financial statements, reviews the integrity of the financial reporting processes, both internal and external, reviews the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent accountants and prepares the Audit Committee Report included in this Proxy Statement in accordance with rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee Charter gives the Audit Committee broad discretion in conducting investigations relating to, among other things, financial integrity, risk management and internal controls and has the authority to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties.
Our Audit Committee presently consists of three independent members of the Board of Directors, Lawrence J. Waldman (Chairperson), Robert M. Brill and Debra Wasser. As a smaller reporting company, we are required to have at least two independent members comprising our Audit Committee in accordance with Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the NASDAQ Capital Market. Our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Waldman, Brill, and Ms. Wasser are “independent” under Rule 10A-3(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the applicable rules of NASDAQ. Mr. Waldman qualifies as a “financial expert” (as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act), for the Committee.
The Audit Committee meets as often as it determines necessary but not less frequently than once every fiscal quarter. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Audit Committee held four (4) meetings. All of the committee members attended at least 75% of such meetings. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.cvdequipment.com and will be provided to any person, without charge, upon written request to the Company’s address to the attention of the Secretary.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee currently consists of Ashraf Lotfi (Chairperson), Andrew Afick and Lawrence J. Waldman. The Compensation Committee has broad discretion in determining the persons to whom equity incentives are to be granted and the terms and conditions of such awards, including the type of award, the exercise price, term, restrictions and forfeiture conditions. The Committee also reviews, approves and makes recommendations regarding our compensation policies, practices and procedures. With respect to executive officer compensation, the Compensation Committee receives recommendations and information from senior management.
Mr. Lakios, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Compensation Committee annually review the performance of the Company’s executive officers and Mr. Lakios participates in Committee deliberations regarding the compensation of executive officers and senior management. Mr. Lakios does not participate in the review or deliberations regarding his own compensation. Management provides the Committee with recommendations, data and information regarding the compensation of the Company’s executive officers and senior management.
The Compensation Committee has the authority to select and retain compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisors in its sole discretion and to approve their fees and other retention terms. All of the members of the Compensation Committee currently qualify as independent under the rules of NASDAQ. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Compensation Committee held one (1) meeting. All of the committee members attended such meeting. The Compensation Committee utilized the services of a compensation consultant during the 2021 fiscal year.
A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.cvdequipment.com and will be provided to any person without charge upon written request to the Company’s address to the attention of the Secretary.
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Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee presently consists of Robert M. Brill (Chairperson), Ashraf Lotfi and Debra Wasser. This Committee’s role is to make recommendations to the full Board of Directors as to the size and composition of the Board of Directors and to make recommendations as to particular nominees. All of the members of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee currently qualify as independent under the rules of NASDAQ. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee held one (1) meeting, of which all of the committee members attended.
The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee may consider candidates recommended by shareholders as well as from other sources such as other directors or officers, third party search firms or other appropriate sources. When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the Nominating Governance and Compliance Committee may consider all factors it deems relevant, such as a candidate’s personal integrity and sound judgment, business and professional skills and experience, independence, knowledge of the industry in which we operate, possible conflicts of interest, diversity, the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board, and concern for the long-term interests of the shareholders. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee annually reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the composition and size of the Board so that the Board consists of members with the proper expertise, skills, attributes, and personal and professional backgrounds needed by the Board, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.
The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee believes that all directors, including nominees, should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity, and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of our shareholders. The Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee will consider criteria including the nominee’s current or recent experience as a senior executive officer, whether the nominee is independent, as that term is defined in existing independence requirements of NASDAQ and the Securities and Exchange Commission, the business, scientific or engineering experience currently desired on the Board, geography, the nominee’s industry experience, and the nominee’s general ability to enhance the overall composition of the Board.
A copy of the Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.cvdequipment.com and will be provided to any person without charge upon written request to the Company’s address to the attention of the Secretary.
While our Nominating, Governance and Compliance Committee does not have a formal policy on Board diversity, it values diversity in director nominations. In recommending directors, the Board and the Committee consider the specific background and experience of the Board members and other personal attributes, including gender and racial diversity, in an effort to provide a diverse mix of capabilities, contributions and viewpoints which the Board believes enables it to function effectively as the Board of Directors of a company with our size and nature of business.
Meetings of Independent Directors. Members of the Board of Directors who are “independent” as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ rules hold meetings periodically without persons who are members of management present. There were nine (9) meetings held during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Shareholder Communications
The Board of Directors provides a process by which shareholders may communicate with the Board, including our independent directors. Shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board may do so by sending written communications addressed to any director or the entire Board of Directors of CVD Equipment Corporation, c/o Secretary, 355 South Technology Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722. All mail received at the above address that is addressed to the Board of Directors or any individual director will be relayed by the Company to the Board of Directors or individual director. On a periodic basis, all such communications will be compiled by the Secretary and submitted to the Board of Directors or the individual director whom the communications are addressed.
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Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission require us to disclose late filings of reports of stock ownership and changes in stock ownership by our directors, officers and ten percent shareholders. To our knowledge, based solely on our review of (a) the copies of such reports and amendments thereto furnished to us and (b) written representations that no other reports were required, during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, all of the filings for our officers, directors and ten percent shareholders were made on a timely basis.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
The Board of Directors has adopted a Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all directors, officers and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer. A copy of the Code of Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s website at www.cvdequipment.com and will be provided to any person without charge upon written request to the Company’s address to the attention of the Secretary.
Insider Trading Policy
The
Company has
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of June 16, 2025 information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock by (a) each person who is known to the Company to be the owner of more than five percent of the Company’s common stock, (b) each of the Company’s directors, (c) each of the named executive officers, (d) all directors and executive officers and executive employees as a group and (e) all owners of more than five percent of the Company’s common stock as a group. For purpose of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have beneficial ownership of any shares that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of June 16, 2025.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) | Amounts and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (2) | Percent of Class (%) | ||||||
| 5% or Greater Shareholder: | ||||||||
| Leviticus Partners, L.P. | 504,800 | 7.3 | % | |||||
| Directors and Executive Officers: | ||||||||
| Andrew Africk / ADA Partners, L.P. | 1,306,515 | (3)(5) | 19.0 | % | ||||
| Emmanuel Lakios | 281,358 | (4) | 4.1 | % | ||||
| Kevin R. Collins | 104,937 | (4) | 1.5 | % | ||||
| Lawrence J. Waldman | 83,046 | (5) | 1.2 | % | ||||
| Jeffrey A Brogan | 59,519 | (4) | 1.5 | % | ||||
| Robert M. Brill | 35,831 | (5) | * | |||||
| Maxim Shatalov | 35,000 | (4) | * | |||||
| Richard A. Catalano | 22,500 | (4) | * | |||||
| Debra Wasser | 17,636 | (5) | * | |||||
| Ashraf Lotfi | 17,131 | (5) | * | |||||
| Warren Cheesman | 15,000 | (4) | * | |||||
| All directors and executive officers and executive employees as a group (11 persons) | 1,978,473 | 28.7 | % | |||||
* Less than 1% of the outstanding common stock or less than 1% of the voting power
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| (1) | The address of Messrs. Lakios, Waldman, Africk, Brill, Lotfi, Brogan, Catalano, Collins, Shatalov, Chessman, and Ms. Wasser is c/o CVD Equipment Corporation, 355 South Technology Drive, Central Islip, New York 11722. The address of Leviticus Partners, L.P. is 32 Old Mill Road, Great Neck, NY 11023. |
| (2) | All of such shares are owned directly with sole voting and investment power, unless otherwise noted below. |
| (3) | ADA Partners, L.P. (‘Partners’) is the direct beneficial owner of the shares of common stock. The general partner of Partners is ADA Partners GP, LLC (‘GP’), of which Andrew Africk is the sole member and manager. Andrew Africk, as the sole member and manager of GP, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock beneficially owned by GP as a result of being the general partner of Partners. Africk disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by GP, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. |
| (4) | Includes outstanding options that to purchase the following shares of our common stock that are either exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days: Lakios – 275,000; Collins – 25,000; Brogan – 55,000; Shatalov – 35,000; Catalano – 22,500; and Cheesman – 15,000. |
| (5) | Does not include shares to be issued per Director Compensation Plan related to the Annual Equity Retainer in the amount of $40,000, to be determined at the 2025 shareholder meeting. Mr. Waldman’s ownership include 15,000 vested and exercisable options to purchase shares of common stock. |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation paid to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and our “named executive officers,” for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Name and principal position | Year | Salary($) | Bonus ($) (1) | Option Awards ($) (2) | Stock Awards ($) (2) | All Other Compensation ($) (3) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Emmanuel Lakios | 2024 | 415,000 | - | - | - | 20,744 | 435,744 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| President and | 2023 | 388,600 | - | 699,990 | - | 19,522 | 1,108,112 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Richard Catalano | 2024 | 283,800 | - | - | - | 26,772 | 310,572 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Secretary, Chief | 2023 | 274,700 | - | 233,330 | - | 27,201 | 535,231 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Financial Officer and Executive Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin Collins | 2024 | 206,000 | 30,000 | - | - | 26,558 | 262,558 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Vice President & General Manager - SDC | 2023 | 203,308 | 15,000 | 139,998 | - | 27,374 | 385,680 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Reflects cash bonuses under the Company’s Management Bonus Plan. Bonuses listed for a particular year represents amounts earned with respect to such year even though all or part of such amounts have been paid during the following year. | |
| (2) | These columns represent the grant date fair value of the stock awards as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718 (Stock Compensation). The stock options granted in 2023 vest 25% per year over four years and have a ten-year life. There were no stock options granted in 2024 to the named executive officers. | |
| (3) | All other compensation consists of 1) 401(k) match in 2024 and 2023 of $10,350 and $9,900 for Emmanuel Lakios, $8,514 and $9,179 for Richard Catalano, and $6,630 and $7,863 for Kevin Collins, respectively; and 2) health, life and disability insurance premiums in 2024 and 2023 of $10,394 and $9,622 for Emmanuel Lakios, $18,258 and $18,022 for Richard Catalano and $19,928 and $19,511 for Kevin Collins, |
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Equity Awards
From time to time, we grant equity awards, including stock options, to our employees, including our named executive officers. Historically, we have typically granted new-hire option awards on, or within the calendar quarter of, a new hire’s employment start date and annual refresh employee option grants in the first quarter of each fiscal year, which refresh grants are typically approved at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee occurring in such quarter. Also, non-employee directors receive automatic grants of initial and annual stock option awards, at the time of a director’s initial appointment or election to the board and at the time of each annual meeting of our stockholders, respectively, pursuant to our non-employee director compensation policy, as further described under the heading, “Director Compensation” below.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End
The following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2024.
| OPTION AWARDS | STOCK AWARDS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying Options Exercisable | Number of Securities Options Unexercisable | Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of unearned shares or units that not vested | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares or units that have not vested | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emmanuel Lakios | 18,750 | 56,250 | $ | 14.11 | 3/23/2033 | - | $ | - | - | $ | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| 37,500 | 37,500 | $ | 5.02 | 8/17/2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75,000 | 25,000 | $ | 4.26 | 6/1/2031 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 100,000 | - | $ | 10.30 | 2/6/2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Richard Catalano | 6,250 | 18,750 | $ | 14.11 | 3/23/2033 | - | $ | - | - | $ | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| 10,000 | 10,000 | $ | 5.42 | 8/30/2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin Collins | 3,750 | 11,250 | $ | 14.11 | 3/23/2033 | - | $ | - | - | $ | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7,500 | 7,500 | $ | 5.02 | 8/27/2032 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7,500 | 2,500 | $ | 4.01 | 7/15/2031 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pay Versus Performance Disclosure
Pursuant to the Exchange Act, we are required to disclose in this proxy statement certain information comparing the total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer (our “CEO”) and the average total compensation of our other named executive officers (whom we also refer to below as our “NEOs”), in each case both as reported in the Summary Compensation Table presented in this proxy statement and as “compensation actually paid” to such named executive officers as determined pursuant to applicable SEC rules, to the Company’s performance as presented in the table below.
| Fiscal Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for CEO (1) | Compensation Actually Paid to CEO (1)(2) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total For Other NEOs (1) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Other NEOs (1)(2) | Value of Initial $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return | Net Income (Loss) ($ Thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The
PEO for all the years included in the table is |
| ● | 2024 and 2023: Richard Catalano and Kevin Collins | |
| ● | 2022: Richard Catalano, Thomas McNeill and Kevin Collins |
| (2) | SEC rules require certain adjustments be made to the Summary Compensation Table totals to determine “compensation actually paid” as reported in the Pay versus Performance table. “Compensation Actually Paid” does not necessarily represent cash and/or equity value transferred to the applicable NEO without restriction, but rather is a value calculated under applicable SEC rules. In general, “compensation actually paid” is calculated as Summary Compensation Table total compensation adjusted to include the fair market value of equity awards as of the last day of the applicable fiscal year or, if earlier, the vesting date (rather than the grant date). Our NEOs do not participate in a defined benefit plan so no adjustment for pension benefits is included in the table below. The following table details these adjustments to compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table: |
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| CEO | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Summary Compensation Table Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Less: Grant date fair value of equity awards | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Plus: Year-end fair value of equity awards granted in the year | ||||||||||||
| Plus: Fair value as of vesting date of equity awards granted and vested in the year | ||||||||||||
| Plus/Minus: Change in fair value of unvested equity awards granted in prior years | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Plus/Minus: Change in fair value of equity awards from prior years that vested in the year | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Minus: Fair value of equity awards from prior year that were forfeited in the year | ||||||||||||
| Compensation Actually Paid | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Average of Other NEOs | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Summary Compensation Table Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Less: Grant date fair value of equity awards | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Plus: Year-end fair value of equity awards granted in the year | ||||||||||||
| Plus: Fair value as of vesting date of equity awards granted and vested in the year | ||||||||||||
| Plus/Minus: Change in fair value of unvested equity awards granted in prior years | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Plus/Minus: Change in fair value of equity awards from prior years that vested in the year | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Minus: Fair value of equity awards from prior year that were forfeited in the year | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Compensation Actually Paid | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Note: All stock option valuations included in Compensation Actually Paid values were performed using the Black-Scholes option pricing model in a manner consistent the process used to determine stock option grant date fair value.
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Clawback Policy
In compliance with NASDAQ listing standards and Section 10D of the Exchange Act, the Board adopted an Executive Compensation Clawback Policy, effective October 2, 2023. This Policy applies to the Company’s current and former executive officers, as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 10D of the Exchange Act and the NASDAQ listing standards, and such other senior executives/employees who may from time to time be deemed subject to the Policy by the Compensation Committee. Under the policy, in the event that we are required to prepare a restatement of our previously issued financial statements due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under securities laws, we are required to recover (subject to certain limited exceptions described in the an Executive Compensation Clawback Policy and permitted under the final clawback rules) any cash and/or equity incentive-based compensation received by any current or former executive officer after the effective date of the Executive Compensation Clawback Policy and in the three years prior to the date we are required to restate our financial statements that is in excess of the amount that would have been received based on the restated financial statements.
Director Compensation
The following table details fiscal 2024 compensation paid to our non-employee directors.
| Fees Earned or | Option | Restricted Stock | ||||||||||||||
| Name | Paid in Cash | Awards | Awards (1) | Total | ||||||||||||
| Lawrence J. Waldman | $ | 113,000 | - | $ | 40,000 | $ | 153,000 | |||||||||
| Andrew Africk (2) | 23,736 | - | 23,736 | 47,472 | ||||||||||||
| Robert M. Brill | 50,000 | - | 40,000 | 90,000 | ||||||||||||
| Ashraf Lotfi | 42,500 | - | 40,000 | 82,500 | ||||||||||||
| Debra Wasser | 40,000 | - | 40,000 | 80,000 | ||||||||||||
| Raymond A. Nielsen (2) | 30,435 | - | 20,000 | 50,435 | ||||||||||||
| (1) | On October 11, 2021, the Board of Directors, following the recommendation of the Board’s Compensation Committee, unanimously approved a director compensation plan, effective October 1, 2021 (the “Plan”). The Plan is based on the recommendations of an independent compensation consultant engaged by the Board’s Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the Plan, each director is entitled to Director Compensation, divided into the following pay components: (i) Annual Board Cash Compensation in the amount of $40,000 and (ii) an Annual Equity Retainer in the amount of $40,000, to be automatically granted on the date of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Additionally, a director serving as a chairman for the Board’s Compensation Committee, Nominating & Governance Committee, or Strategic Planning Committee is entitled to Chair Compensation in the amount of $10,000. The director serving as the chairman for the Board’s Audit Committee is entitled to Chair Compensation in the amount of $25,000. Furthermore, the director serving as the Non-Executive Chairman is entitled to Board Leadership Compensation in the amount of $48,000. |
| (2) | Raymond A. Nielsen retired from the Board of Directors on August 9, 2024 and Andrew Africk was appointed to the Board of Directors on May 28, 2024. |
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Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information about shares of our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options or the grant of restricted stock under all of our existing compensation plans as of December 31, 2024.
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (2) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance | |||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 823,125 | $ | 8.24 | 183,128 | ||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | N/A | — | |||||||||
| Total | 823,125 | $ | 8.24 | 183,128 | ||||||||
| (1) | Reflects aggregate options and restricted stock awards outstanding under our 2007 Share Incentive Plan, 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, and 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (all as defined below). |
| (2) | Calculation is exclusive of the value of any unvested restricted stock awards. |
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Our Stock Option Plans
The Company maintains three separate equity incentive plans.
2007 Share Incentive Plan. The 2007 Share Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) covers key employees, officers, outside directors or third- party consultants to the Company or any of its affiliates. The 2007 Plan authorizes the grant and issuance of two different types of awards: options , which can qualify as “incentive stock options” under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), or as “non-qualified stock options”, and restricted stock (“Restricted Stock”), which is stock that is contingent on an employee satisfying conditions, including without limitation continued employment, passage of time or satisfaction of performance criteria. Options may be awarded by the Compensation Committee, although the Board of Directors may exercise any authority of the Committee under the 2007 Plan in lieu of the Committee’s exercise thereof. Under the 2007 Plan, an aggregate of 750,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance or transfer upon the granting of Restricted Stock or upon the exercise of options which are granted. The purchase price of the common stock under each option granted under the 2007 Plan is established by the Board of Directors provided that the exercise price per share shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. As of December 31, 2024, there were 120,000 options outstanding under this plan. The 2007 Plan terminated in December 2017. No further grants may be made under the 2007 Plan.
2016 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) covers key employees, officers, outside directors or third-party consultants to the Company or any of its affiliates. The 2016 Plan authorizes the grant and issuance of two different types of awards: options , which can qualify as “incentive stock options” under the Internal Revenue Code , or as “non-qualified stock options”, and restricted stock, which is stock that is contingent on an employee satisfying conditions, including without limitation continued employment, passage of time or satisfaction of performance criteria. Options may be awarded by the Compensation Committee, although the Board of Directors may exercise any authority of the Committee under the 2016 Plan in lieu of the Committee’s exercise thereof. Under the 2016 Plan, an aggregate of 750,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance or transfer upon the granting of Restricted Stock or upon the exercise of options which are granted. The purchase price of the common stock under each option granted under the 2016 Plan is established by the Board of Directors provided that the exercise price per share shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. As of December 31, 2024, 44,948 remain available for grant and there were 424,125 options outstanding under this plan.
2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) covers key employees, officers, outside directors or third-party consultants to the Company or any of its affiliates. The 2022 Plan authorizes the grant and issuance of two different types of awards: options, which can qualify as “incentive stock options” under the Internal Revenue Code, or as “non-qualified stock options”, and restricted stock, which is stock that is contingent on an employee satisfying conditions, including without limitation continued employment, passage of time or satisfaction of performance criteria. Options may be awarded by the Compensation Committee, although the Board of Directors may exercise any authority of the Committee under the 2022 Plan in lieu of the Committee’s exercise thereof.
Under the 2022 Plan, an aggregate of 515,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance or transfer upon the granting of Restricted Stock or upon the exercise of options which are granted. The purchase price of the common stock under each option granted under the 2022 Plan is established by the Board of Directors provided that the exercise price per share shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. As of December 31, 2024, 138,180 remain available for grant and there were 279,000 options outstanding under this plan.
| 22 |
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL OR OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
Emmanuel Lakios Employment Agreement
On June 1, 2021, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Emmanuel Lakios, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (the “Lakios Agreement”). The term of Mr. Lakios’ employment under the Lakios Agreement commenced as of the effective date thereof and shall continue until terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lakios Agreement. Under the Lakios Agreement, Mr. Lakios will receive an initial annual base salary of $288,000, which shall be reviewed from time to time and may be increased, but not decreased, by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) in its sole and exclusive discretion. Mr. Lakios shall be entitled to participate in any bonus or incentive plan available to the Company’s senior executives generally, on such terms as the Committee may determine in its discretion.
In the event of the termination of the Lakios Agreement and Mr. Lakios’ employment thereunder, Mr. Lakios or his estate (in the event of his death) shall be entitled to (A) receive any unpaid base salary earned and accrued under the Lakios Agreement prior to the date of termination (and reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to the date of termination), (B) indemnification in accordance with any applicable indemnification plan, program, corporate governance document or other arrangement, and any vested rights pursuant to any insurance plan, benefit plan or retirement plan, and, except in the event of Mr. Lakios’ termination by the Company for Cause (as defined in the Lakios Agreement, (C) treatment of his stock option grants in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan and award agreement.
In the event Mr. Lakios’ employment is terminated as a result of death or disability, Mr. Lakios shall also be entitled to receive a pro rata bonus payment under the Company’s bonus Plan for the year of termination, if applicable.
In the event Mr. Lakios’ employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, Mr. Lakios’ stock option grants, whether vested or unvested, shall immediately terminate and be null and void.
In the event Mr. Lakios’ employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, or by Mr. Lakios for Good Reason (as defined in the Lakios Agreement), Mr. Lakios shall also be entitled to (A) a pro rata bonus for the year of termination, and (B) continued payment of his base salary and the Company’s portion of Mr. Lakios’ then existing medical benefits for the nine (9) month period following the date of termination.
The Lakios Agreement contains customary non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality provisions in favor of the Company.
Other than as set forth above, there are no arrangements for compensation of directors or Named Executive Officers and there are no employment contracts between the Company and its directors or any change in control arrangements.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Our policy is that employees, non-employees, and third parties must obtain authorization from the appropriate department executive manager, for any business relationship or proposed business transaction in which they or an immediate family member has a direct or indirect interest, or from which they or an immediate family member may derive a personal benefit (a “related party transaction”). The maximum dollar amount of related party transactions that may be approved as described above in this paragraph in any calendar year is $120,000. Any related party transactions that would bring the total value of such transactions to greater than $120,000 must be referred to the Audit Committee to determine the procedure for approval, and then have the recommendations presented to the Board of Directors for approval.
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PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The submission of the appointment of CBIZ CPAs P.C. is not required by law or by the Company’s Bylaws and is non-binding. However, the Board of Directors is nevertheless submitting this proposal to the shareholders as a matter of good corporate practice. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment, the selection of other independent public accountants will be considered by the Audit Committee. Even if CBIZ CPAs P.C.is ratified by the shareholders, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that doing so is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. If CBIZ CPAs P.C. shall decline to accept or become incapable of accepting its appointment, or if its appointment is otherwise discontinued, the Audit Committee will appoint other independent public accountants. Previously, CBIZ CPAs P.C. (including its predecessor Marcum LLP) has served as the Company’s independent public accountants since September 20, 2019. The Board of Directors expects that a representative of CBIZ CPAs P.C. will be present virtually at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire and respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL 2 TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF CBIZ CPAs P.C. AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025.
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following presents fees for professional audit services rendered by CBIZ CPAs P.C., for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||
December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Audit fees (1) | $ | 224,025 | $ | 236,076 | ||||
| Audit-related fees (2) | 25,750 | 55,002 | ||||||
| All other fees | - | - | ||||||
| Total fees | $ | 249,775 | $ | 291,078 | ||||
| (1) | Consisted of the review of the first three quarters and year-end audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. | |
| (2) | Consisted of the audit of the Company’s defined contribution 401(k) plan and fees associated with registration statements and comfort letter. |
Pre-Approval Policy
The Company pre-approved all of the above described audit and non-audit services provided by CBIZ CPAs P.C. and has pre-approved similar services to be rendered during fiscal year 2025. The Audit Committee believes the rendering of these services is not incompatible with CBIZ CPAs P.C. maintaining their independence.
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Our Audit Committee is composed of “independent” directors, as determined in accordance with Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.
The information contained in the “Audit Committee Report” is not to be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), nor is such information to be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the Securities Act of 1033, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filings.
As described more fully in its charter, the purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities by overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of CVD, the audits of CVD’s consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, the qualifications and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged as CVD’s independent auditor, and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of our financial statements as well as our financial reporting process, accounting policies, internal audit function, internal accounting controls and disclosure controls and procedures. CBIZ CPAs P.C., CVD’s independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. The following is the Audit Committee’s report submitted to the Board of Directors for 2024.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee recognizes the importance of maintaining the independence of CVD’s Independent Auditor, both in fact and appearance. Each year, the Audit Committee evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of CVD’s Independent Auditor and determines whether to re-engage the current Independent Auditor. Based on this evaluation, the Audit Committee has retained CBIZ CPAs P.C. as the Company’s Independent Auditor for 2025. Although the Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint the Independent Auditors, the Audit Committee will continue to recommend that the Board ask the shareholders, at the Annual Meeting, to ratify the appointment of the Independent Auditors.
In 2024, in fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee, among other things:
| ● | Reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in the 2024 Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K with CVD’s management and with CBIZ CPAs P.C.: |
| ● | Discussed with CBIZ CPAs P.C. the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended and adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; and |
| ● | Received written disclosures and the letter from CBIZ CPAs P.C. required by Public Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526, “Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence,” and discussed with CBIZ CPAs P.C. its independence from CVD and its management. |
In reliance on the reviews and discussion noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in CVD’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee
Lawrence J. Waldman, Chairperson
Robert M. Brill, Member
Debra Wasser, Member
The foregoing Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under these acts, except to the extent we specifically incorporate by reference into such filings.
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PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL OF NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
General
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company is asking its shareholders to vote, on an advisory basis, to approve the compensation of its named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives the Company’s shareholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers. For purposes of this Proxy Statement, the following Company executive is referred to collectively as the “named executive officers”: Emmanuel Lakios, Richard Catalano and Kevin Collins.
Compensation Program and Philosophy
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, reward and retain key employees, including our Named Executive Officers, who is critical to the Company’s long-term success. Shareholders are urged to read the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement for greater detail about the Company’s executive compensation programs, including information about the fiscal year 2024 compensation of the Named Executive Officers.
The Company is asking the shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement by voting in favor of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers of CVD Equipment Corporation, as disclosed in the “Executive Compensation” discussion, the Summary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of shareholders.
Even though this say-on-pay vote is advisory and therefore will not be binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors value the opinions of the Company’s shareholders. Accordingly, to the extent there is a significant vote against the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, the Board of Directors will consider shareholder concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate what actions, if any, may be necessary or appropriate to address those concerns. You may vote “for,” “against,” or “abstain” from the proposal to approve on an advisory basis the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL 3 SUPPORTING THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
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DEADLINE FOR SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, shareholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and for consideration at our next Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholder proposals intended to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for presentation at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received in writing at the Company’s offices at 355 South Technology Drive, Central Islip, New York 11722, no later than March 2, 2026 for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and proxy card relating to such meeting. Such proposals must comply with applicable SEC rules and regulations.
In addition, our By-Laws contain an advance notice provision with respect to matters to be brought before an Annual Meeting of Shareholders and not included in our proxy statement. If you would like to bring any other business before the shareholders at the 2026 Annual Meeting, you must comply with the procedures contained in the By-Laws and you must notify us in writing, and such notice must be delivered to or received by our Secretary no sooner than January 29, 2026 and no later than March 2, 2026. However, if the 2026 Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after August 8, 2026, notice must be received by our Secretary no later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the 2026 Annual Meeting is mailed to shareholders or public disclosure of the date of the 2026 Annual Meeting is made, whichever first occurs.
Furthermore, to comply with the universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 no later than June 9, 2026.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matter other than those set forth in this proxy statement that will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons appointed as proxies intend to vote the shares they represent in accordance with their best judgment in the interest of the Company.
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DOCUMENTS INCLUDED WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT
WE ARE PROVIDING HEREWITH, A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, WITHOUT EXHIBITS, FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES FILED THEREWITH. IF ANY PERSON RECEIVES THIS PROXY MATERIALS WITHOUT THE FOREGOING DOCUMENTS, THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON A WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON AND BY FIRST CLASS MAIL OR OTHER EQUALLY PROMPT MEANS WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY OF RECEIPT OF SUCH REQUEST, A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES FILED THEREWITH. WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR SUCH REPORTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, CVD EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, 355 SOUTH TECHNOLOGY DRIVE, CENTRAL ISLIP, NEW YORK 11722. THE COMPANY’S TELEPHONE NUMBER AT SUCH OFFICE IS (631) 981-7081.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT VIRTUALLY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
By Order of the Board of Directors
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