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CUI Global, Inc. – ‘DEF 14A’ for 12/3/19

On:  Friday, 8/23/19, at 4:03pm ET   ·   Effective:  8/23/19   ·   For:  12/3/19   ·   Accession #:  1437749-19-17355   ·   File #:  1-35407

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  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 8/23/19  CUI Global, Inc.                  DEF 14A    12/03/19    1:892K                                   RDG Filings/FA

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: DEF 14A     Definitive Proxy Statement                          HTML    486K 

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

Schedule 14A

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:

CUI Global, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

Not applicable

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

20050 SW 112th Avenue

Tualatin, Oregon 97062

October 5, 2019

Dear Stockholders:

We are pleased to invite you to attend our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:00 am CST on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at Orbital Gas Systems, North America, 1924 Aldine Western, Houston, Texas 77038. The board of directors has fixed the close of business on November 4, 2019 as the record date for determining Stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the 2019 Annual Meeting. We are also pleased to offer a live webcast of our 2019 Annual Meeting to allow you to view the meeting on the Investor Relations section of our web site at www.cuiglobal.com.

Details of the business to be conducted are described in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials you received in the mail and in this Proxy Statement. We have also provided with this Proxy Statement a copy of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly Form 10-Q for the six months of 2019. We encourage you to read our reports that include our audited financial statements and provide information about our business and products.

Besides the Proxy Statement and the 2018 Annual Report, you might also review our recent press releases, which demonstrate the exciting year we have had in 2019. Among our many accomplishments:

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the internet under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s “notice and access” rules. Our management is constantly focused on improving the ways people connect with information and believes that providing our proxy materials over the internet increases the ability of our stockholders to connect with the information they need, while reducing the environmental impact of our 2019 Annual Meeting. If you want more information about the 2019 Annual Meeting, please see the Questions and Answers section of the Proxy Statement under the heading General Information or visit the Meeting of Stockholders section of our Investor Relations website, www.cuiglobal.com.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the 2019 Annual Meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. You may vote over the internet and by telephone or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, by mailing a proxy card. Please review the instructions on each of your voting options described in the Proxy Statement and in the Notice you received in the mail.

Thank you for your ongoing support of CUI Global. We look forward to seeing you at our 2019 Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,

William J. Clough

President/Chief Executive Officer

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To: The Stockholders of CUI Global, Inc.

We will hold our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders at 9:00 am CST on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at Orbital Gas Systems, North America, 1924 Aldine Western, Houston, Texas 77038 (the “Annual Meeting”) for the following purposes:

These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice. The board of directors has fixed the close of business on November 4, 2019 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. For a period of at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be open to examination by any stockholder during ordinary business hours at the offices of the company, 20050 SW 112^th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062.

Your vote is very important. All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read this Proxy Statement and submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) you received in the mail, the section entitled General Information about the Annual Meeting beginning on page 1 of the Proxy Statement or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, your enclosed proxy card.

To assure your representation at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we ask that you vote as promptly as possible. 

Your stock will be voted in accordance with the instructions you provide in your proxy. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by signing and returning a proxy bearing a later date for the same shares, by filing with the Secretary of the Company a written revocation bearing a later date or by attending and voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Proxy Statement

Introduction

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of CUI Global, Inc. (the “Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:00 am CST on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at Orbital Gas Systems, North America, 1924 Aldine Western, Houston, Texas 77038 and for any postponements or adjournments thereof. Please vote your shares of CUI Global, Inc. common stock. Your vote at the Annual Meeting is important to us. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read this Proxy Statement and submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) you received in the mail, the section entitled General Information about the Annual Meeting beginning below in this Proxy Statement or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, your enclosed proxy card. The Proxy Statement and the accompanying materials are being made available to the stockholders on or about October 14, 2019.

Contents

General Information about the Annual Meeting

Q: Why am I receiving these materials?

A: Our board of directors has made these materials available to you on the internet or, upon your request, delivered printed proxy materials to you, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the CUI Global Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will take place at 9:00 am CST on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at Orbital Gas Systems, North America, 1924 Aldine Western, Houston, Texas 77038. As a stockholder, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and you are requested to vote on the items of business described in this Proxy Statement.

Q: What information is contained in this Proxy Statement?

A: The information in this Proxy Statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation award process of our directors and most highly paid executive officers, a description of our CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, corporate governance and information on our board of directors and certain other required information.

Q: Why did I receive a notice in the mail regarding the internet availability of proxy materials instead of a full set of proxy materials?

A: In accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we may furnish proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement and our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q for the first six months of 2019, to our stockholders by providing access to such documents on the internet instead of mailing printed copies. Most stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they request them. Instead, the Notice, which was mailed to most of our stockholders, will instruct you as to how you may access and review all the proxy materials on the internet. The Notice also instructs you as to how you may submit your proxy on the internet. If you would like to receive a paper or email copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions in the Notice for requesting such materials.

Q: I share an address with another stockholder and we received only one paper copy of the proxy materials. How may I obtain an additional copy of the proxy materials?

A: We have adopted a procedure called “householding,” which the SEC has approved. Under this procedure, we deliver a single copy of the Notice and, if applicable, the proxy materials and the Annual Report to Stockholders to multiple stockholders who share the same address unless we received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. This procedure reduces environmental impact as well as our printing costs, mailing costs and fees. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able to access and receive separate proxy cards. Upon written request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, the proxy materials and the Annual Report to Stockholders to any stockholder at a shared address to which we delivered a single copy of any of these documents. To receive a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, these proxy materials or the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Form 10-Q for the first six months of 2019, stockholders may telephone, write or email us as follows: (503) 612-2300; CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112^th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062; investors@cuiglobal.com.

Stockholders who hold shares in street name (as described below) may contact their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization to request information about householding.

Q: How do I get electronic access to the proxy materials?

A: The Notice will provide you with instructions regarding how to:

Choosing to receive your future proxy materials by email will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact on the environment of printing and mailing these materials. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by email, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials by email will remain in effect until you terminate it.

Q: Is the Annual Meeting going to be webcast?

A: For your convenience, we are pleased to offer a live webcast of our Annual Meeting on the Investor Relations section of our web site at www.cuiglobal.com.

Q: Can I participate in the question-and-answer portion of the Annual Meeting without attending the Annual Meeting?

A: No. The live webcast will be only visual and audio; there will be no opportunity to participate in the question-and-answer portion of the Annual Meeting unless you are present at the meeting.

Q: What items of business will be voted on at the 2019 Annual Meeting?

A: The items of business scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are:

We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting.

Q: How can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?

A: Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted by you in person at the Annual Meeting. Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted by you in person at the Annual Meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instructions as described herein so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the meeting.

Q: How shall I sign my name on the proxy card?

A: The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to CUI Global in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.

Q: How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?

A: Whether you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct how your shares are voted without attending the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by proxy. You can vote by proxy over the internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, you can also vote by mail or telephone pursuant to instructions provided on the proxy card. If you hold shares beneficially in street name, you may also vote by proxy over the internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice or, if you requested to receive printed proxy materials, you can also vote by telephone or mail by following the voting instruction card provided to you by your broker, bank, trustee or nominee.

Q: May I change my vote?

A: You may change your vote at any time prior to the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are the stockholder of record, you may change your vote by: (1) granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) using any of the methods described above (and until the applicable deadline for each method), (2) providing a written notice of revocation to CUI Global’s Corporate Secretary at CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112^th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062 prior to your shares being voted or (3) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request. For shares you hold beneficially in street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank, trustee or nominee following the instructions they provided or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank, trustee or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Q: Is my vote confidential?

A: Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within CUI Global or to third parties, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements, (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the votes and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation. Occasionally, stockholders provide on their proxy card written comments, which are then forwarded to CUI Global management.

Q: How many shares must be present or represented to conduct business at the Annual Meeting?

A: The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of one third of the aggregate voting power of the common stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. As of the Record Date for this Annual Meeting, approximately 28,680,260 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Both abstentions and broker non-votes (described below) are counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein to percentages of outstanding shares of stock are based on such numbers of shares outstanding. Shares entitled to vote are referred to hereafter as “Voting Shares.”

Q: What shares can I vote?

A: Each share of CUI Global common stock issued and outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date for the Annual Meeting is entitled to be voted on all items being voted on at the Annual Meeting. You may vote all shares owned by you as of the Record Date, including: (1) shares held directly in your name as the stockholder of record and (2) shares held for you as the beneficial owner in street name through a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee.

Q: How many votes am I entitled to per share?

A: Each holder of shares of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held as of the Record Date.

Q: What is the Record Date?

A: Record Date, in the context of voting at the Annual Meeting, is the date on which our stock ledger is closed for the purpose of determining which stockholders officially own voting shares in order to be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Record Date for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is November 4, 2019.

Q: How may I vote?

A: Regarding the election of directors, you may vote “FOR” all or some of the nominees or your vote may be “WITHHELD” with respect to one or more of the nominees.

A: Regarding the following proposals, you may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN”:

A: Regarding the advisory vote on the frequency of a shareholder vote on executive compensation (Say-on-Frequency), you may vote “EVERY YEAR”, “EVERY OTHER YEAR”, or “EVERY THREE YEARS”, or “ABSTAIN”.

Q: What vote is required to approve each item?

A: Election of directors

The affirmative vote “FOR” of a simple majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of each director, A properly executed proxy marked "WITHHOLD" with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated or the other items to be voted on; although, it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Voting Shares represented by properly executed proxies for which no instruction is given will be voted “FOR” election of the nominee for director.

A: Approval of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan

The affirmative vote “FOR” of a simple majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the approval of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan. A properly executed proxy marked "WITHHOLD" with respect to approval of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will not be voted with respect to approval of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan; although, it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Voting Shares represented by properly executed proxies for which no instruction is given will be voted “FOR” approval of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan.

A: Ratification of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

The affirmative vote “FOR” of a simple majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required for the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” regarding this issue will not be voted with respect to the item to be voted on; although, it will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Voting Shares represented by properly executed proxies for which no instruction is given will be voted “FOR” these issues.

A: Advisory vote on the approval of the company’s executive compensation (Say-on-Pay).

While we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, in accord with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the final vote is advisory in nature, therefore, not binding on us, our board or the Compensation Committee. Our executive compensation will be approved, on an advisory basis, if the votes cast by stockholders in favor of advisory approval exceed those votes cast in opposition of advisory approval.

A. Advisory vote on the frequency of a shareholder vote on executive compensation (Say-on-Frequency),

The choice receiving the greatest number of votes will determine the period of time considered to be approved by stockholders, on an advisory basis (Say-on-Frequency). The choices are: “EVERY YEAR”, “EVERY OTHER YEAR”, or “EVERY THREE YEARS”, or “ABSTAIN”.

You may cast your vote for your preferred voting frequency (Say-on-Frequency) by selecting the option of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation “EVERY YEAR”, “EVERY OTHER YEAR”, “EVERY THREE YEARS,” or you may “ABSTAIN.” The choice receiving the greatest number of votes will determine the period of time considered to be approved by stockholders, on an advisory basis. Similar to the effect of your vote for Say-on-Pay, while we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, the final vote is advisory in nature, therefore, not binding on us, our board or the Compensation Committee.

A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with regard to this issue will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Voting Shares represented by properly executed proxies for which no instruction is given will be voted for “EVERY THREE YEARS”.

Q: What is the effect of the proposal to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm?

A: Selection of our independent registered public accounting firm is not required to be submitted to a vote of stockholders. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires the Audit Committee of our board of directors to be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the audit work of the independent registered public accounting firm. However, the board of directors has elected to submit the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to stockholders for ratification as a matter of corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain Grant Thornton LLP, and may retain that firm or another firm without resubmitting the matter to our stockholders. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may, at its discretion, appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year.

Q: Why am I asked to vote on the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan?

A: Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c) requires shareholder approval prior to the issuance of securities when a stock option or purchase plan is to be established or materially amended or other equity compensation arrangement is made or materially amended, pursuant to which stock may be acquired by officers, directors, employees, or consultants.

We had two previous equity incentive plans, 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (Executive), which have both expired.

Q: What is the purpose of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan and what is in it?

A: The purpose of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is to enhance CUI’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to CUI by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities. CUI believes that the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is essential to its success. Equity awards are intended to motivate high levels of performance and align the interests of CUI’s directors, employees and consultants with those of CUI’s stockholders by giving directors, employees and consultants the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in CUI and providing a means of recognizing their contributions to the success of CUI. The CUI board of directors and management believe that equity awards are necessary to remain competitive in its industry and are essential to recruiting and retaining the highly qualified employees who help CUI meet its goals.

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including ISOs and nonqualified stock options (“NSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, dividend equivalents, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other stock or cash-based awards. Certain awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan may constitute or provide for payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. All awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will be set forth in an award Agreements, which will detail the terms and conditions of awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms and post termination exercise limitations.

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is intended to conform to all provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, including without limitation Rule 16b-3.

Q: Is cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors?

A: No. You may not cumulate your votes for the election of directors.

Q: What is cumulative voting?

A: A system of voting in which each voter is given as many votes as there are positions to be filled and allowed to cast those votes for one candidate or distribute them in any way among the candidates.

Q: What happens if additional matters are presented at the Annual Meeting?

A: Other than:

As described in this Proxy Statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. If you submit a signed proxy, the persons named as proxy will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting.

Q: What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

A: Many CUI Global stockholders hold their shares as a beneficial owner through a broker or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.

Stockholder of Record

If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record, and the Notice was sent directly to you by CUI Global. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to CUI Global or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If you requested to receive printed proxy materials, CUI Global has enclosed or sent a proxy card for you to use. You may also vote on the internet or by telephone, as described in the Notice and below under the heading “How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?”

Beneficial Owner

If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, trust or other similar organization, like most of our stockholders, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and the Notice was forwarded to you by that organization. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, trustee or nominee how to vote your shares and you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting.

Since a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the broker, bank, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting. If you do not wish to vote in person or you will not be attending the Annual Meeting, you may vote by proxy. You may vote by proxy over the internet or by telephone, as described in the Notice and below under the heading “How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?”

If you hold your shares in "street name” through a broker or other nominee, your broker or nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to be acted upon. Thus, if you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions, your shares may not be voted on those matters and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval. Shares represented by such "broker non-votes" will, however, be counted in determining whether there is a quorum.

Q: Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the Annual Meeting?

A: CUI Global will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. If you choose to access the proxy materials and/or vote over the internet, you are responsible for internet access charges you may incur. If you choose to vote by telephone, you are responsible for telephone charges you may incur. In addition to the mailing of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person, by telephone or by electronic communication by our directors, officers and employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for such solicitation activities.

Q: Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?

A: We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and to disclose the vote results on Form 8-K as well as on our website at www.cuiglobal.com as soon as possible after the Annual Meeting.

Proposals to be Considered

PROPOSAL I

Election of Directors

Issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for each Director for a one-year term or until a successor has been elected and qualified or the Director’s earlier resignation or removal. Cumulative voting is not permitted.

Unless stated to be voted otherwise, each proxy will be voted for the election of the nominees named. The nominees have consented to serve as director if elected. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the board of directors may name a substitute nominee and proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee unless an instruction to the contrary is written on the proxy card.

Information about Director Nominees

Board of Directors Independence

The board of directors has determined that each of the director nominees standing for election has no relationship that, in the opinion of the board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Additionally, several of the director nominees standing for election are “independent directors” as defined by Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). In determining the independence of our directors, the board of directors has adopted independence standards that mirror exactly the criteria specified by applicable laws and regulations of the SEC and the Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. In determining the independence of our directors, the board of directors considered all transactions in which CUI Global and any director had any interest, including those discussed below under Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons.

Following is a brief description of the business experiences, ages as of September 30, 2019 and positions and offices with the Company for each of the director nominees.

William J. Clough, Esq., President/Chief Executive Officer, and General Counsel of CUI Global, Inc. Mr. Clough is also a Director and Chairman of the Company’s board of directors, as well as Chief Executive Officer of all the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, age 68

Mr. Clough has served on the board of directors since 2006. Mr. Clough was reelected at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve a one-year term.

During his tenure, he has led several strategic initiatives, including the Company’s acquisition of Orbital Gas Systems Limited and the Company’s natural gas technology line; the opening of Orbital Gas Systems, North America, Inc.; the successful award by Snam Rete Gas of the ~€60,000,000 re-metering project to Orbital-UK; in addition, Mr. Clough steered the Company through its 2012, 2013, and 2017 equity raises and its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market in 2012.

Before joining the Company, Clough, an attorney, operated his own law firm for 14 years, with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu. In that capacity, he successfully represented leading movie studios and media conglomerates.

Mr. Clough received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Hastings College of the Law in 1990. He obtained one of the largest ever non-wrongful death jury verdicts in Los Angeles County Superior Court in 2000 and successfully represented parties in multi-million-dollar cases throughout the United States. Mr. Clough is certified to practice law in state and federal courts in California, Illinois, Hawaii, and before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Clough worked as a police officer for 16 years at the local, state, and federal level including as a Federal Air Marshall flying in Southern Europe and the Middle East.

C. Stephen Cochennet, Director, age 62

Mr. Cochennet was appointed to the CUI Global Board of Directors at its December 1, 2017 annual meeting to fill a director vacancy on the board of directors. Mr. Cochennet is an independent director within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market and, as such, will serve as one of four independent directors on the nominating committee along with Messrs. Rooney, Lambrecht and O’Neil. Mr. Cochennet is a member of our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. Mr. Cochennet was reelected at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve a one-year term.

Mr. Cochennet has served as CEO/President, of Kansas Resource Development Company, a private oil and gas exploration company since 2011. From 2011 through 2015 he was also the CEO and president of Guardian 8 Corporation. From 2005 to 2010 Mr. Cochennet was the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of EnerJex Resources, Inc., a publicly traded SEC registered Oil and Gas Company. Prior to joining EnerJex, Mr. Cochennet was President of CSC Group, LLC. in which he supported several Fortune 500 corporations, international companies, and natural gas/electric utilities, as well as various startup organizations. The services provided included strategic planning, capital formation, corporate development, executive networking and transaction structuring. From 1985 to 2002, he held several executive positions with UtiliCorp United Inc. (Aquila) in Kansas City, Missouri. His responsibilities included finance, administration, operations, human resources, corporate development, natural gas/energy marketing, and managing several new startup operations. Prior to his experience at Aquila Mr. Cochennet served 6 years with the Federal Reserve System managing problem and failed banking institutions, primarily within the oil and gas markets.

Mr. Cochennet graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.A. in Finance and Economics.

Sean P. Rooney, Director, age 48

Mr. Rooney was elected to serve as a director at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and continues to serve on the board of directors as an independent director within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Mr. Rooney is Chairman of our Audit Committee. Mr. Rooney was reelected at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve a one-year term.

Mr. Rooney is a veteran of the financial markets and has served on the board of directors of CUI Global since 2008. He brings over 20 years of financial management experience to the board of directors. Mr. Rooney currently is a Financial Advisor at the Pinnacle Financial Group, which is part of LPL Financial, the largest independent broker dealer in the United States. Prior to working with LPL, Mr. Rooney served as Senior Director of Investments at Oppenheimer & Co., a full-service investment banking, securities and wealth management firm. He has also worked in similar capacity at Investec Ernst & Company, an international specialist bank headquartered in South Africa and the U.K. Mr. Rooney currently advises a clientele of high net worth investors, institutions and foundations. He is an active member of various industry and charitable organizations.

Mr. Rooney graduated from C.W. Post University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and holds Series 7 (General Securities Representative), Series 63 (Uniform Securities Law), Series 24 (General Securities Principal) and Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser) licenses.

Paul D. White, Employee and Director, age 58

Mr. White was appointed in April 2014 as a director to fill a vacancy and continues to serve on the board of directors. Mr. White was reelected at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve a one-year term.

Mr. White is a graduate of Humboldt State University and brings to the CUI Global board of directors over 25 years of upper-level business management skills. Mr. White served for two years as the President of Orbital Gas Systems, Ltd. Prior to working for the Company, Mr. White served as Vice President of the Healthcare Division for North America of a global security company. His responsibilities included direct responsibility for profit and loss statements with approximately $120 million in revenues, along with management, control, and supervision of approximately 3,000 employees working at 44 Medical Centers & Hospitals and over 600 Medical Office Buildings throughout the United States. He previously served in the Office of the General Counsel and Risk Services, as an Environmental Risk Consultant with Sutter Health Support Services - Corporate Services. His key responsibilities included: formulating best practice solutions to minimize/eliminate existing and potential employee health & safety and security exposures as well as consultations of state, federal, and professional standards for Risk Control/Environmental Health & Safety programs such as OSHA, TJC, DHS, EPA, NFPA, and DOT.

As a results-oriented business leader, Mr. White has skills in developing, managing and expanding business portfolios. Mr. White has senior management experience in contract management, public relations, program strategy and design and has been consistently recognized for effective financial management, leadership, integrity, teambuilding, and program management skills.

Corey A. Lambrecht, Director, age 50

Mr. Lambrecht was elected to serve as a director at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and continues to serve on the board of directors as an independent director within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Mr. Lambrecht is Chairman of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Lambrecht was reelected at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to serve a one-year term.

Mr. Lambrecht is a 20+ year public company executive with broad experience in strategic acquisitions, corporate turnarounds, new business development, pioneering consumer products, corporate licensing, and interactive technology services. In addition, Mr. Lambrecht has held public company executive roles with responsibilities including day-to-day business operations, management, raising capital, board of directors communication and investor relations. Mr. Lambrecht holds a certificate as a Certified Director from the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management Accredited Directors program.

Mr. Lambrecht is a director of ORHub, a SaaS company as well as a strategic consultant for American Rebel Holdings, Inc. He served as Director of Sales for Leveraged Marketing Associates, the worldwide leader in licensed brand extension strategies. While Executive Vice President for Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, he was responsible for Smith & Wesson Licensing, Advanced Technologies and Interactive Marketing divisions. Previously, Mr. Lambrecht served as an independent director of Guardian 8 Holdings. He was the former President of A For Effort, an interactive database marketing company specializing in online content (advergaming) for clients such as the National Hockey League. Mr. Lambrecht's prior experience also includes Pre-IPO founder for Premium Cigars International and VP Sales/Marketing for ProductExpress.com.

James F. O’Neil III, Director, age 61

On July 9, 2019, James F. O’Neil was appointed to the Company Board of Directors as the Vice Chairperson and Lead Independent Director within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market.

James Francis O'Neil III, a veteran executive of the power industry, earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Tulane University in 1980. He is the principal owner of Forefront Solutions, LLC. since October 2017.

Mr. O’Neil joined Quanta Services, Inc. in 1999 as Vice President of Operations Integration and in 2002 advanced to Senior Vice President of Operations Integration & Audit. He continued to advance to Chief Operating Officer from October 2008 to 2011, then as the Chief Executive Officer from May 19, 2011 to March 14, 2016 and President from October 2008 to March 14, 2016. Throughout his tenure at Quanta, he was responsible for various initiatives including the company’s growth strategy, internal audit, and merger and acquisition initiatives.

Mr. O’Neil currently serves on the board of Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV (Independent Director since February 2019), FirstEnergy Corp. (Independent Director since 2017) and NRC Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE American: NRCG) (director since 2017).

From 1980 to 1999, Mr. O'Neil held various positions with Halliburton Company, lastly as Director, Global Deepwater Development.

Mr. O’Neil and his wife, Tracey, are personally active and loyal financial supporters of Waller/Austin Counties, Texas non-profit programs devoted to providing scholarship funds to students who participate in the 4H Club and fair programs throughout the year.

All six directors are nominated for election to a one-year term on the Board of Directors

Vote Required

In compliance with our corporate bylaws, the election of each director nominee requires the affirmative vote “FOR” of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors recommends that Stockholders vote “FOR” election of the nominees for director named above.

PROPOSAL II

Ratification of the Appointment of

Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

for the Year Ending December 31, 2019

The Audit Committee has selected Grant Thornton LLP to serve as independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The board is submitting the appointment of independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification at the Annual Meeting.

Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be available by teleconference at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Shareholder ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is not required by the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, bylaws or otherwise; however, the board of directors is submitting the selection of Grant Thornton LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will review its future selection of an independent registered public accounting firm considering that vote result. Your ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, does not preclude us from terminating our engagement of Grant Thornton LLP and retaining a new independent registered public accounting firm, if we determine that such an action would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

Vote Required

Ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and voting for the proposal.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

PROPOSAL III

Advisory Approval of the Company’s

Executive Compensation

(Say-on-Pay)

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related SEC regulations require that, at least once every three years, we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to express their views on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. We first held this vote, which is often referred to as the Say-on-Pay vote, at our annual meeting of stockholders held in 2013. At such meeting, our stockholders voted to hold the frequency of our Say-on-Pay vote on an annual basis. Our board of directors agreed to support the stockholder decision; therefore, the Company will hold future non-binding advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers every year, at least until the next required vote of frequency of stockholder votes on the compensation of our named executive officers. Such Say-on-Frequency vote must occur no later than the annual or other meeting of stockholders held in the sixth calendar year after the immediately preceding Say-on-Frequency vote (2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders). In compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act, the board has authorized that a Say-on-Frequency proposal be included for the 2019 Annual Meeting. The Company could hold a Say-on-Frequency vote more frequently than every six years if it elects to do so.

The compensation of our named executive officers for the past three fiscal years is set forth in the Elements of Executive Compensation Section. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis, or CD&A Section, describes our executive compensation policies and practices and analyzes the compensation received by our named executive officers in fiscal year 2018. As described in the CD&A, our executive compensation philosophy is to reward performance and motivate collective achievement of strategic objectives that will contribute to our company’s success. Our board of directors believes the compensation programs for our named executive officers effectively meet the primary objectives of attracting and retaining highly qualified executives, motivating our executives to achieve our business objectives, rewarding our executives appropriately for their individual and collective contributions and aligning our executives’ interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders, and our board believes our programs are reasonable when compared to compensation at similar companies.

The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of executive compensation. Instead, the vote relates to the executive compensation of our named executive officers, as set forth in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the rules of the SEC. This vote provides stockholders with the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the compensation of our named executive officers, but is advisory and not binding on our company or our board of directors.

Accordingly, the board of directors believes the Company’s executive compensation achieves these objectives, therefore, unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal.

RESOLVED, that the stockholders of CUI Global, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the compensation tables and related material in the Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of stockholders.

This vote will not be binding on the board of directors or the Compensation Committee and may not be construed as overruling a decision by the board or the Compensation Committee or create or imply any additional fiduciary duty on the board. It will also not affect any compensation paid or awarded to any executive. The approval or disapproval of this proposal by stockholders will not require the board of directors or the Compensation Committee to take any action regarding the Company’s executive compensation practices. The final decision on the compensation and benefits of the Company’s executive officers and on whether, and if so, how to address shareholder disapproval remains with the board and the Compensation Committee. Although the Say-on-Pay resolution is non-binding, the board of directors will review and consider the voting results when making future executive compensation decisions.

Vote Required

Our executive compensation will be approved, on an advisory basis, if the votes cast by stockholders in favor of advisory approval exceed those votes cast in opposition of the advisory approval.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” Advisory Approval of the Company’s Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay).

PROPOSAL IV

Advisory Vote on the

Frequency of a Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation

(Say-on-Frequency)

The following proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency with which we include in our Proxy Statement an advisory vote to approve or not approve the compensation of our named executive officers. By voting on this proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they prefer that we seek such an advisory vote everyone, two or three years. After careful consideration of this proposal, our board determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every three years is the most appropriate option for the Company, therefore, recommends that stockholders vote for future advisory votes on executive compensation to occur every three years. In reaching its recommendation, our board has determined that an advisory vote every three years would permit our compensation programs to be evaluated on a long-term basis and would allow the Company to engage a compensation expert only every three years, which the board believes is an appropriate use of Company funds, given the Company’s size. Further, our board believes that a well-structured and meaningful compensation program should include plans that increase shareholder value over the long-term and do not focus on short-term awards and that the effectiveness of such plans cannot be adequately evaluated on an annual or biennial basis.

Vote Required

You may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by selecting the option of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation “EVERY THREE YEARS”, “EVERY TWO YEARS”, “EVERY YEAR,” or you may “ABSTAIN.” Similar to the effect of your vote for Proposal III, while we intend to carefully consider the voting results of this proposal, the final vote is advisory in nature, therefore, not binding on us, our board or the Compensation Committee. Our board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of this vote when making future decisions on the frequency with which we will hold an advisory vote on executive compensation. The choice receiving the greatest number of votes will determine the period of time considered to be approved, on an advisory basis, by our stockholders.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” voting “EVERY THREE YEARS” on the advisory of frequency of the advisory approval of executive compensation.

PROPOSAL V

To approve the adoption of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan

In this Proposal, CUI is requesting CUI stockholders to approve and adopt the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan (the “CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan”) and the material terms thereunder. The CUI board of directors has approved the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, subject to stockholder approval at the CUI Stockholder Meeting. The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will become effective upon stockholder approval.

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is described in more detail below. A copy of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A.

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan

The purpose of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is to enhance CUI’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to CUI by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities. CUI believes that the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is essential to its success. Equity awards are intended to motivate high levels of performance and align the interests of CUI’s directors, employees and consultants with those of CUI’s stockholders by giving directors, employees and consultants the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in CUI and providing a means of recognizing their contributions to the success of CUI. The CUI board of directors and management believe that equity awards are necessary to remain competitive in its industry and are essential to recruiting and retaining the highly qualified employees who help CUI meet its goals.

Prior CUI Incentive Plans, Now Expired

We had two previous equity incentive plans, which have both expired. The table below presents information about the number of outstanding equity awards under these previous plans at December 31, 2018. The outstanding equity awards under the prior plans will remain subject to the terms of the applicable prior plan and will not be recycled into the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan. The only equity incentive plan CUI will currently have is the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, if it is approved by our stockholders:

Employee Equity Incentive Plans

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding the following equity compensation plan information:

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan Share Limit and Share Reserve

In determining whether to approve the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, including the proposed share reserve under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, the CUI board of directors considered, among other factors, the following:

Grants of stock options to executive officers and new director subject to stockholder approval of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan

On May 14, 2019, we entered into executive employment agreements with William J. Clough, our Chief Executive Officer, President and General Counsel and Daniel N. Ford, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer – Energy Division. In connection with these executive employment agreements, we granted Mr. Clough options to acquire 1,600,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.14. Likewise, we granted Mr. Ford options to acquire 960,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.14. The exercise price is set at the closing price as quoted on Nasdaq as of May 13, 2019. These options vest equally over 36 months. July 9, 2019, Mr. James O’Neil was awarded an option to purchase 600,000 shares of CUI common stock at an exercise price of $0.84, which option shall vest in twelve equal quarterly tranches from the date of grant, July 9, 2019. Issuance of the options to each of Messers Clough, Ford and O’Neil is subject to stockholder approval of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan within one (1) year of the date of their agreements. If our stockholders do not approve the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan or another plan by May 13, 2020, the options issued to Mr. Clough, Mr. Ford and Mr. O’Neil shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

In light of the factors described above, and the fact that the ability to continue to grant equity compensation is vital to CUI’s ability to continue to attract and retain employees in the extremely competitive labor markets in which it competes, the CUI board of directors believes it has approved a share reserve under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan that is reasonable and appropriate at this time. The CUI board of directors will not create a subcommittee to evaluate the risk and benefits for issuing shares under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan.

Summary of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan

This section summarizes certain principal features of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A.

Eligibility and Administration

CUI’s employees, consultants and directors, and employees and consultants of CUI’s subsidiaries, will be eligible to receive awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan. As of December 31, 2018, CUI had 357 employees.

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will be administered by the CUI board of directors, which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to one or more committees of CUI’s directors and/or officers (referred to collectively as the plan administrator), subject to the limitations imposed under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, Section 16 of the Exchange Act, stock exchange rules and other applicable laws. The plan administrator will have the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, to interpret the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan and Award Agreement and to adopt, amend and repeal rules for the administration of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan as it deems advisable. The plan administrator will also have the authority to determine which eligible service providers receive awards, grant awards and set the terms and conditions of all awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, including any vesting and vesting acceleration provisions, subject to the conditions and limitations in the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan.

Lapsed or Terminated Shares Available for Awards

If an award under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan expires, lapses or is terminated, exchanged for cash, surrendered, repurchased, canceled without having been fully exercised or forfeited, any unused shares subject to the award will again be available for new grants under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan. Further, shares delivered to satisfy the purchase price or tax withholding obligation of any award or grant under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will again be available for new grants under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan.

Awards granted under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by an entity before the entity’s acquisition or consolidation with CUI (or any of CUI’s subsidiaries) or CUI’s (or any of CUI’s subsidiary’s) acquisition of the entity’s property or stock will not reduce the shares available for grant under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, but will count against the maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of incentive stock options.

Awards

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including ISOs and nonqualified stock options (“NSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, dividend equivalents, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and other stock or cash-based awards. Certain awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan may constitute or provide for payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code. All awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will be set forth in the award agreement, which will detail the terms and conditions of awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms and post termination exercise limitations. A brief description of each award type follows.

Certain Transactions

In connection with certain corporate transactions and events affecting the common stock of CUI, including a change in control, or change in any applicable laws or accounting principles, the plan administrator has broad discretion to take action under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan to prevent the dilution or enlargement of intended benefits, facilitate the transaction or event or give effect to the change in applicable laws or accounting principles. This includes canceling awards for cash or property, accelerating the vesting of awards, providing for the assumption or substitution of awards by a successor entity, adjusting the number and type of shares subject to outstanding awards and/or with respect to which awards may be granted under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan and replacing or terminating awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan. In addition, in the event of certain non-reciprocal transactions with CUI’s stockholders, the plan administrator will make equitable adjustments to the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan and outstanding awards as it deems appropriate to reflect the transaction. In the event of change in control, if awards are not continued, converted, assumed, or replaced with a substantially similar award by CUI or a successor entity or its parent or subsidiary, then, immediately prior to the change in control, and contingent on a participant’s then-current employment with CUI, such awards shall become fully vested, exercisable and/or payable, as applicable, and all forfeiture, repurchase and other restrictions on such awards shall lapse, in which case, such awards shall be canceled upon the consummation of the change in control in exchange for the right to receive the change in control consideration payable to other holders of common stock.

Provisions of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan Relating to Director Compensation

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan provides that the plan administrator may establish compensation for non-employee directors from time to time subject to the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan’s limitations. The plan administrator will from time to time determine the terms, conditions and amounts of all non-employee director compensation in its discretion and pursuant to the exercise of its business judgment, taking into account such factors, circumstances and considerations as it shall deem relevant from time to time, provided that, the sum of any cash compensation or other compensation and the grant date fair value of any equity awards granted under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan as compensation for services as a non-employee director during any fiscal year may not exceed $250,000 per year of a non-employee director’s service as a non-employee director. The plan administrator may make exceptions to this limit for individual non-employee directors, as the plan administrator may determine in its discretion, subject to the limitations in the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan. The non-employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous compensation decisions involving the non-employee Director.

Plan Amendment and Termination

The CUI board of directors may amend or terminate the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan at any time; however, an amendment that increases the number of shares available under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan requires stockholder approval. The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will remain in effect until the tenth anniversary of the date the CUI board of directors adopted the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, unless earlier terminated by the CUI board of directors. No awards may be granted under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan after its termination. Under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, the plan administrator may, without the approval of our stockholders, authorize the repricing of any outstanding option or SAR to reduce its price per share, or cancel any option or SAR in exchange for cash or another award when the price per share exceeds the Fair Market Value (as that term is defined in the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan) of the underlying shares.

Foreign Participants, Claw-Back Provisions and Transferability

The plan administrator may modify awards granted to participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish subplans or procedures to address differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions. All awards will be subject to any company claw-back policy as set forth in such claw-back policy or the applicable award agreement. Except as the plan administrator may determine or provide in an award agreement, awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan are generally non-transferrable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the plan administrator’s consent, pursuant to a domestic relations order, and are generally exercisable only by the participant. With regard to tax withholding obligations arising in connection with awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, and exercise price obligations arising in connection with the exercise of stock options under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan, the plan administrator may, in its discretion, accept cash, wire transfer or check, shares of common stock of CUI that meet specified conditions, a promissory note, a “market sell order,” such other consideration as the plan administrator deems suitable or any combination of the foregoing.

Securities Laws

The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is intended to conform to all provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, including without limitation Rule 16b-3. The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will be administered, and options will be granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following summary is based on an analysis of the Code as currently in effect, existing laws, judicial decisions, administrative rulings, regulations and proposed regulations, all of which are subject to change. Moreover, the following is only a summary of United States federal income tax consequences. Actual tax consequences to participants may be either more or less favorable than those described below depending on the participant’s particular circumstances.

ISOs. No income will be recognized by a participant for federal income tax purposes upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. The basis of shares transferred to a participant upon exercise of an ISO is the price paid for the shares. If the participant holds the shares for at least one year after the transfer of the shares to the participant and two years after the grant of the option, the participant will recognize capital gain or loss upon sale of the shares received upon exercise equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the basis of the stock. Generally, if the shares are not held for that period, the participant will recognize ordinary income upon disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the amount paid for the shares, or if less, the gain on disposition. Any additional gain realized by the participant upon the disposition will be a capital gain. The excess of the fair market value of shares received upon the exercise of an ISO over the option price for the shares is generally an item of adjustment for the participant for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Therefore, although no income is recognized upon exercise of an ISO, a participant may be subject to alternative minimum tax as a result of the exercise.

NSOs. No income is expected to be recognized by a participant for federal income tax purposes upon the grant of an NSO. Upon exercise of an NSO, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the amount paid for the shares. Income recognized upon the exercise of an NSO will be considered compensation subject to withholding at the time the income is recognized, and, therefore, the participant’s employer must make the necessary arrangements with the participant to ensure that the amount of the tax required to be withheld is available for payment. NSOs are designed to provide the employer with a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant at the time of the recognition by the participant, subject to the deduction limitations described below.

SARs. There is expected to be no federal income tax consequences to either the participant or the employer upon the grant of SARs. Generally, the participant will recognize ordinary income subject to withholding upon the receipt of payment pursuant to SARs in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of any common stock received. Subject to the deduction limitations described below, the employer generally will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction equal to the amount includible in the participant’s income.

Restricted Stock. If the restrictions on an award of shares of restricted stock are of a nature that the shares are both subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and are not freely transferable (within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code), the participant will not recognize income for federal income tax purposes at the time of the award unless the participant affirmatively elects to include the fair market value of the shares of restricted stock on the date of the award, less any amount paid for the shares, in gross income for the year of the award pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. In the absence of this election, the participant will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes on the date the shares either become freely transferable or are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code), the fair market value of the shares of restricted stock on such date, less any amount paid for the shares. The employer will be entitled to a deduction at the time of income recognition to the participant in an amount equal to the amount the participant is required to include in income with respect to the shares, subject to the deduction limitations described below. If a Section 83(b) election is made within 30 days after the date the restricted stock is received, the participant will recognize ordinary income at the time of the receipt of the restricted stock, and the employer will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time, less the amount paid, if any, by the participant for the restricted stock. If a Section 83(b) election is made, no additional income will be recognized by the participant upon the lapse of restrictions on the restricted stock, but, if the restricted stock is subsequently forfeited, the participant may not deduct the income that was recognized pursuant to the Section 83(b) election at the time of the receipt of the restricted stock.

Dividends paid to a participant holding restricted stock before the expiration of the restriction period will be additional compensation taxable as ordinary income to the participant subject to withholding, unless the participant made an election under Section 83(b). Subject to the deduction limitations described below, the employer generally will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction equal to the dividends includible in the participant’s income as compensation. If the participant has made a Section 83(b) election, the dividends will be dividend income, rather than additional compensation, to the participant.

If the restrictions on an award of restricted stock are not of a nature that the shares are both subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and not freely transferable, within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code, the participant will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes at the time of the transfer of the shares in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of restricted stock on the date of the transfer, less any amount paid therefore. The employer will be entitled to a deduction at that time in an amount equal to the amount the participant is required to include in income with respect to the shares, subject to the deduction limitations described below.

RSUs. There will be no federal income tax consequences to either the participant or the employer upon the grant of RSUs. Generally, the participant will recognize ordinary income subject to withholding upon the receipt of cash and/or transfer of shares of common stock in payment of the RSUs in an amount equal to the aggregate of the cash received and the fair market value of the common stock so transferred. Subject to the deduction limitations described below, the employer generally will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction equal to the amount includible in the participant’s income.

Generally, a participant will recognize ordinary income subject to withholding upon the payment of any dividend equivalents paid with respect to an award in an amount equal to the cash the participant receives. Subject to the deduction limitations described below, the employer generally will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction equal to the amount includible in the participant’s income.

Excess Parachute Payments. Section 280G of the Code limits the deduction that the employer may take for otherwise deductible compensation payable to certain individuals if the compensation constitutes an “excess parachute payment.” Excess parachute payments arise from payments made to disqualified individuals that are in the nature of compensation and are contingent on changes in ownership or control of the employer or certain affiliates. Accelerated vesting or payment of awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan upon a change in ownership or control of the employer or its affiliates could result in excess parachute payments. In addition to the deduction limitation applicable to the employer, a disqualified individual receiving an excess parachute payment is subject to a 20% excise tax on the amount thereof.

Application of Section 409A of the Code. Section 409A of the Code imposes an additional 20% tax and interest on an individual receiving non-qualified deferred compensation under a plan that fails to satisfy certain requirements. For purposes of Section 409A, “non-qualified deferred compensation” includes equity-based incentive programs, including some stock options, SARs and RSU programs. Generally speaking, Section 409A does not apply to ISOs, non-discounted NSOs and appreciation rights if no deferral is provided beyond exercise, or restricted stock.

The awards made pursuant to the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan are expected to be designed in a manner intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent the awards granted under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan are not exempt from coverage. However, if the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan fails to comply with Section 409A in operation, a participant could be subject to the additional taxes and interest.

State and local tax consequences may in some cases differ from the federal tax consequences. The foregoing summary of the income tax consequences in respect of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is for general information only. Interested parties should consult their own advisors as to specific tax consequences of their awards. The CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and is not intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

Plan Benefits

The benefits or amounts that may be received or allocated to participants under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan will be determined at the discretion of the plan administrator and are not currently determinable. CUI expects to continue to make automatic equity awards under the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan to CUI’s non-employee directors.

Vote Required; Recommendation of CUI Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of CUI’s common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such matters at the stockholder meeting is required for approval of this Proposal.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the adoption of the CUI 2019 Incentive Award Plan

Other Business

Management does not presently know of any matter that may be presented for action at this Annual Meeting other than as set forth herein. However, if any other matters properly come before this Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxies solicited by management to exercise their discretionary authority to vote the shares represented by all effective proxies on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

Directors and Executive Officers

Our Bylaws permit the number of directors to be fixed by resolution of the board of directors, but to be no less than one. The board of directors has set the maximum number of members to no more than eight members. Directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders and serve a one-year term or until their successors have been elected and qualified or their earlier resignation or removal. Currently, we have six directors, four of whom are ‘‘independent’’ in accordance with applicable rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market. One independent director was appointed to the board July 9, 2019.

The board of directors has four standing committees: Audit Committee, Disclosure Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, each of which has a written charter and/or statement of policy approved by our board. Our board currently appoints the members of each committee. Copies of the current committee charters and/or statement of policy for each committee are posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com. With the exception of a single meeting, no incumbent director attended, either in person or electronically, fewer than 100% of the total number of meetings held by the committees on which such director served.

The following are executive officers and directors of the Company with their ages as of September 30, 2019, and a list of the members of our four standing committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Disclosure Committee and Nominating Committee.

*Mr. O’Neil⁽¹⁾ was appointed July 9, 2019.

Audit Committee:

Sean P. Rooney, Chairman ⁽¹⁾

Corey A. Lambrecht, Committee Member ⁽¹⁾

C. Stephen Cochennet, Committee Member ⁽¹⁾

Compensation Committee

Cory A. Lambrecht, Chairman ⁽¹⁾

C. Stephen Cochennet, Committee Member ⁽¹⁾

Disclosure Committee

The Disclosure Committee consists of our Principal Officers, the individual or representative of the third-party firm primarily charged with investor/public relations, the Audit Committee Chairman and outside SEC counsel.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee consists of the independent directors of the board of directors.

⁽¹⁾ "Independent director" within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Capital Market.

Corporate Governance and Board of Directors Matters

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of business conduct and corporate governance, which we believe are essential to running our business efficiently, serving our stockholders well and maintaining our integrity in the marketplace. We have adopted a Corporate Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, including our Whistleblower Policy, for employees, directors and officers (including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer). We have also adopted the following governance guides: Charter of the Audit Committee, Charter of the Compensation Committee, Policy for Director Independence, Nominating Committee Charter, Whistleblower Policy, Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, all of which, in conjunction with our Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, form the framework for our corporate governance. These corporate governance documents are available on the internet and our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Board Diversity

Although CUI Global does not presently have a formal Board Diversity Policy, we believe in diversity and value the benefits that diversity can bring to our board of directors. Diversity promotes the inclusion of different perspectives and ideas, mitigates against group think and ensures that the Company has the opportunity to benefit from all available talent. The promotion of a diverse Board makes prudent business sense and makes for better corporate governance.

The Company seeks to maintain a Board comprised of talented and dedicated directors with a diverse mix of expertise, experience, skills and backgrounds. The skills and backgrounds collectively represented on the Board should reflect the diverse nature of the business environment in which the Company operates. For purposes of Board composition, diversity includes, but is not limited to, business experience, geography, age, gender, and ethnicity and aboriginal status. In particular, the Board should include an appropriate number of women directors.

The Company is committed to a merit-based system for Board composition within a diverse and inclusive culture which solicits multiple perspectives and views and is free of conscious or unconscious bias and discrimination. When assessing Board composition or identifying suitable candidates for appointment or re-election to the Board, the Company will consider candidates on merit against objective criteria having due regard to the benefits of diversity and the needs of the Board. Of our current six directors, two directors are ethnically diverse.

Our Corporate Governance Practices

We have always believed in strong and effective corporate governance procedures and practices. In that spirit, we have summarized several of our corporate governance practices below.

The Board of Director’s Role in Risk Oversight

The board of directors and its committees have an important role in the Company’s risk oversight, management and assessment process. The board regularly reviews with management, the Company’s financial and business strategies, which include a discussion of relevant material risks as appropriate. The board discusses with the Company’s outside general counsel, as appropriate, its risk oversight and assessment as well as any material risks to the Company. In addition, the board delegates risk management responsibilities to the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, which are each comprised of only independent directors.

The Audit Committee, as part of its charter, oversees the Company’s risk oversight, management and assessment of the Company and oversees and assesses the risks associated with the corporate governance and ethics of the Company. Risk considerations are a material aspect of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to executive compensation. In addition, the Compensation Committee also, as appropriate, assesses the risks relating to the Company’s overall compensation programs.

While the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee oversee the management of the risk areas identified above, the entire board is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. This enables the board and its committees to coordinate the risk management, assessment and oversight roles.

Adopting Governance Guidelines

Our board of directors has adopted a set of corporate governance guidelines to establish a framework within which it will conduct its business and to guide management in its running of our Company. The governance guidelines can be found on our website at www.cuiglobal.com and are summarized below.

Providing Transparency

We believe that it is important that stockholders understand our governance practices. To help ensure transparency of our practices, we have posted information regarding our corporate governance procedures on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders may communicate with the board of directors by writing to the Company at CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112^th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062 or phone (503) 612-2300. Stockholders who would like their submission directed to a member of the board may so specify and the communication will be forwarded as appropriate.

Monitoring Board Effectiveness

It is important that our board of directors and its committees are performing effectively and in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. The board of directors and each committee are responsible for annually assessing their effectiveness in fulfilling their obligations.

Conducting Formal Independent Director Sessions

On a regular basis, many times at the conclusion of regularly scheduled board meeting, the independent directors are encouraged to meet privately, without our management or any non-independent directors.

Hiring Outside Advisors

The board and each of its committees may retain outside advisors and consultants of their choosing at company expense, without management's consent.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

We expect our directors, executives and employees to conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity, ethics and honesty. Our credibility and reputation depend upon the good judgment, ethical standards and personal integrity of each director, executive and employee. To provide assurances to the Company and its stockholders, we have implemented standards of business conduct which provide clear conflict of interest guidelines to our employees and directors, as well as an explanation of reporting and investigatory procedures.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Our board adopted a companywide Corporate Social Responsibility Policy (CSR). As a responsible member of society, we believe that the long-term future of our business is best served by respecting the interests of our employees, customers, contractors, suppliers and the wider global community. We look for opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment and to contribute to the wellbeing of those less fortunate than ourselves. Our CSR policy sets out the principles we follow with a view to supporting our CSR ethos. Demonstrating our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility is an objective toward which we aim to align our business values, purpose and strategy with the social and economic needs of our stockholders, while embedding responsible and ethical business policies and practices into everything we do.

Accuracy of All Public Disclosure

It is the Company's policy that all public disclosure made by the Company should be accurate, complete, and present fairly, in all material respects, the Company's financial condition and results of operations, and be made on a timely basis as required by applicable laws and securities exchange requirements. To oversee this policy, a Disclosure Committee Charter has been adopted by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and ratified by our Audit Committee. A copy of this document is posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com or a copy is available by making a written request to the Company at CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112^th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062, phone (503) 612-2300.

Standards of Business Conduct

The board of directors has adopted a Corporate Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, including our Whistleblower Policy, for all employees and directors, including the Company's principal executive and senior financial officers. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct can be viewed on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

You can obtain a copy of these documents on our website at www.cuiglobal.com or by making a written request to the Company at CUI Global, Inc., 20050 SW 112^th Avenue, Tualatin, Oregon 97062 or phone (503) 612-2300. We will disclose any amendments to the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct or waiver of a provision on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Internal Auditor

The board of directors adopted a Charter of Internal Audit that authorizes and outlines the function of an Internal Audit as an independent and objective assurance activity that is guided by a philosophy of adding value to improve the operations of CUI Global. A copy of this charter is posted on our website, www.cuiglobal.com. It is designed to assist CUI Global in accomplishing objectives by bringing a systematic and disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the design and operating effectiveness of CUI Global’s governance, risk management, and internal control over financial reporting.

Ensuring Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Independence

We have taken a number of steps to ensure the continued independence of our independent registered public accounting firm. That firm reports directly to the Audit Committee, which also has the ability to pre-approve or reject any non-audit services proposed to be conducted by our independent registered public accounting firm. For further information on independent registered public accounting firm independence see the section hereafter entitled Audit Committee.

Whistleblower Policy

In furtherance of our governance transparency and ethical standards, we adopted a comprehensive Whistleblower Policy that encourages employees to report to proper authorities incorrect financial reporting, unlawful activity, activities that are not in line with CUI Global Code of Ethics and Business Conduct or activities, which otherwise amount to serious improper conduct. Our Whistleblower Policy is posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Committees of the Board of Directors

At December 31, 2018, our board of directors consists of five directors. Three of the five directors are ‘‘independent’’ as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Our board of directors has the following standing committees: Audit Committee, Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee and Disclosure Committee. Each of the committees operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors. All committee charters are available on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is established pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for the purposes of overseeing the company’s accounts and financial reporting processes and audits of its financial statements. The Audit Committee reviews the financial information that will be provided to the stockholders and others, the systems of internal controls established by management and the board of directors and the independence and performance of the Company’s audit process. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for, among other things, the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm, review of financial reporting, internal company processes of business/financial risk and applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirements. During 2018, the Audit Committee held six formal meetings.

At December 31, 2018, the Audit Committee is comprised of Sean P. Rooney, Chairman, C. Stephen Cochennet, and Corey A. Lambrecht. Messrs. Rooney, Cochennet, and Lambrecht are independent in accordance with Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market.

Audit Committee Report

THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SOLICITING MATERIAL AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED FILED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO ANY OTHER COMPANY FILING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE COMPANY SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATES THIS REPORT BY REFERENCE THEREIN.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee reviews the financial information that will be provided to the stockholders and others, the systems of internal controls established by management and the board and the independence and performance of the Company’s audit process.

The Audit Committee has:

Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee has recommended that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the amount and nature of non-audit services provided by Perkins & Company P.C. is compatible with the auditor’s independence and determined that it is compatible.

Submitted by: Audit Committee by

Sean P. Rooney

C. Stephen Cochennet

Corey A. Lambrecht

Nominating Committee

The nominating committee consists of all of the members of the board of directors who are ‘‘independent directors’’ within the meaning of Rule 5605(a)(2) of The Nasdaq Stock Market. The nominating committee is responsible for the evaluation of nominees for election as director, the nomination of director candidates for election by the stockholders and evaluation of sitting directors.

The board of directors has developed a formal policy for the identification and evaluation of nominees, Charter of the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors, which can be reviewed on our website at www.cuiglobal.com. In general, when the board of directors determines that expansion of the board of directors or replacement of a director is necessary or appropriate, the nominating committee will review, through candidate interviews with members of the board of directors and management, consultation with the candidate's associates and through other means, a candidate's honesty, integrity, reputation in and commitment to the community, judgment, personality and thinking style, willingness to invest in the Company, residence, willingness to devote the necessary time, potential conflicts of interest, independence, understanding of financial statements and issues, and the willingness and ability to engage in meaningful and constructive discussion regarding Company issues. The committee reviews any special expertise, for example, that qualifies a person as an audit committee financial expert, membership or influence in a geographic or business target market, or other relevant business experience. To date the Company has not paid any fee to any third party to identify or evaluate, or to assist it in identifying or evaluating, potential director candidates.

The nominating committee considers director candidates nominated by stockholders during such times as the Company is actively considering obtaining new directors. Candidates recommended by stockholders will be evaluated based on the same criteria described above. Stockholders desiring to suggest a candidate for consideration should send a letter to the Company's secretary and include: (a) a statement that the writer is a stockholder (providing evidence if the person's shares are held in street name) and is proposing a candidate for consideration; (b) the name and contact information for the candidate; (c) a statement of the candidate's business and educational experience; (d) information regarding the candidate's qualifications to be director, including but not limited to an evaluation of the factors discussed above which the board of directors would consider in evaluating a candidate; (e) information regarding any relationship or understanding between the proposing stockholder and the candidate; (f) information regarding potential conflicts of interest and (g) a statement that the candidate is willing to be considered and willing to serve as director if nominated and elected. Because of the small size of the Company and the limited need to seek additional directors, there is no assurance that all stockholder proposed candidates will be fully considered, that all candidates will be considered equally or that the proponent of any candidate or the proposed candidate will be contacted by the Company or the board of directors and no undertaking to do so is implied by the willingness to consider candidates proposed by stockholders.

Disclosure Committee

We have formed a Disclosure Committee, which has been adopted by our CEO and CFO (‘‘Principal Officers’’) and ratified by our Audit Committee. The Disclosure Committee assists our Principal Officers in fulfilling their responsibility for oversight of the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of our public disclosures including, but not limited to our SEC filings, press releases, correspondence disseminated to security holders, presentations to analysts and release of financial information or earnings guidance to security holders or the investment community. The Disclosure Committee consists of our Principal Officers, the individual or representative of the firm primarily charged with investor/public relations, the Audit Committee Chairman and outside SEC counsel. Our CEO is Chairman of the committee. Our Senior Officers may replace or add new members from time to time. Our Senior Officers have the option to assume all the responsibilities of this committee or designate a committee member, who shall be a person with expertise in SEC and SRO rules and regulations with respect to disclosure, who shall have the power, acting together with our Senior Officers, to review and approve disclosure statements when time or other circumstances do not permit the full committee to meet. You may review the full text of our Disclosure Committee Charter on our website, www.cuiglobal.com, under the link, governance.

Generally, the committee serves as a central point to which material information should be directed and a resource for people who have questions regarding materiality and the requirement to disclose. In discharging its duties, the committee has full access to all Company books, records, facilities and personnel, including the board of directors, Audit Committee, independent public accountants and outside counsel.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee discharges the board of director’s responsibilities relating to general compensation policies and practices and to compensation of our executives. In discharging its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee establishes principles and procedures in order to ensure to the board of directors and the stockholders that the compensation practices of the Company are appropriately designed and implemented to attract, retain and reward high quality executives and are in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. In this context, the Compensation Committee’s authority, duties and responsibilities are:

The Committee is not required to implement or act consistently with the advice or recommendations of the compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser to the Committee.

Compensation Committee Charter

Our Compensation Committee Charter is posted on our website at www.cuiglobal.com.

Compensation Committee Members

The Compensation Committee of the board of directors is appointed by the board of directors to discharge the board of director’s responsibilities with respect to all forms of compensation of the Company’s executive officers, to administer the Company’s equity incentive plans and to produce an annual report on executive compensation for use in the Company’s Form 10-K and the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A. At December 31, 2018, the Compensation Committee consists of two independent members of the board of directors, Messrs. Corey A. Lambrecht, and C. Stephen Cochennet, both of whom are ‘‘independent directors’’ within the meaning of Rule 5605(a) (2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Committee Meetings

Our Compensation Committee meets formally and informally as often as necessary to perform its duties and responsibilities. The Compensation Committee held one formal meeting during fiscal 2018. On an as requested basis, our Compensation Committee receives and reviews materials prepared by management, consultants or committee members, in advance of each meeting. Depending on the agenda for the particular meeting, these materials may include, among other factors:

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the Company’s Compensation Committee is or has at any time during the last completed fiscal year been an officer or employee of the Company. None of the Company’s executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors, or as a member of the compensation or similar committee, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who served on the Company’s board of directors or Compensation Committee during the last completed fiscal year.

Compensation Committee Report

We have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and based on our review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Compensation

General Philosophy

Our compensation philosophy is based on the premise of attracting, retaining and motivating exceptional leaders, setting high goals, working toward the common objectives of meeting the expectations of customers and stockholders and rewarding outstanding performance. Following this philosophy, in determining executive compensation, we consider all relevant factors, such as the competition for talent, our desire to link pay with performance, the use of equity to align executive interests with those of our stockholders, individual contributions, teamwork and performance, each executive’s total compensation package and internal pay equity. We strive to accomplish these objectives by compensating all employees with total compensation packages consisting of a combination of competitive base salary and incentive compensation.

Pay for Performance

At the core of our compensation philosophy is our strong belief that pay should be directly linked to performance. We believe in a pay for performance culture that places a significant portion of executive officer total compensation as contingent upon, or variable with, individual performance, Company performance and achievement of strategic goals including increasing shareholder value.

The performance based compensation for our executives may be in the form of (i) annual cash incentives to promote achievement of, and accountability for, shorter term performance plans and strategic goals and (ii) equity grants, designed to align the long-term interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders, by creating a strong and direct link between executive compensation and shareholder return over a multiple year performance cycle. Long-term incentive equity awards are typically granted in restricted stock or stock options. These awards generally vest over a two to four-year period. This opportunity for share ownership was to provide incentive and retain key employees and align their interests with our long-term strategic goals.

Base Compensation to be Competitive within Industry

A key component of an executive’s total compensation base salary is designed to compensate executives commensurate with their respective level of experience, scope of responsibilities, sustained individual performance and future potential. The goal has been to provide for base salaries that are sufficiently competitive with other similar-sized companies, both regionally and nationally, to attract and retain talented leaders.

Compensation Setting Process

Management’s Role in the Compensation Setting Process

Management plays a significant role in the compensation-setting process. The most significant aspects of management’s role are:

The Chief Executive Officer generally attends the Committee meetings excluding meetings regarding his compensation; however, the Committee also regularly meets in executive session. The Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations with respect to financial and corporate goals and objectives and makes non-CEO executive compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee based on Company performance, individual performance and the peer group compensation market analysis. The Compensation Committee considers and deliberates on this information and in turn makes recommendations to the board of directors, for the board’s determination and approval of the executives’ and other members of senior management’s compensation, as necessary, including base compensation, short-term cash incentives and long-term equity incentives. For related party employee matters, appropriate personnel meet with the Compensation Committee to determine compensation and incentives and to review ongoing performance of the employee. The Chief Executive Officer’s performance and compensation is reviewed, evaluated and established separately by the Compensation Committee and ratified and approved by the board of directors.

Setting Compensation Levels

To evaluate whether total compensation is competitive and provides appropriate rewards to attract and retain talented leaders, as discussed above, we may rely on analyses of peer companies performed by independent compensation consultants and on other industry and occupation specific survey data available. Our general benchmark is to establish both base salary and total compensation for the executive officers at or near the compensation of peer group data, recognizing that a significant portion of executive officer total compensation should be contingent upon, or variable with, achievement of individual and Company performance objectives and strategic goals, as well as being variable with stockholder value. Further, while the objective for base salary is at that of peer group data, executives’ base salaries are designed to reward core competencies and contributions to the Company and may be increased above this general benchmark based on (i) the individual’s increased contribution over the preceding year; (ii) the individual’s increased responsibilities over the preceding year; and (iii) any increase in median competitive pay levels.

Setting Performance Objectives

The Company’s business plans and strategic objectives are generally presented by management annually and as needed to the board of directors. The board engages in an active discussion concerning the financial targets, the appropriateness of the strategic objectives and the difficulty in achieving the same. In establishing the compensation plan, our Compensation Committee then utilizes the primary financial objectives from the adopted business plan and operating cash flow as the primary targets for determining the executive officers’ short-term cash incentives and long-term equity incentive compensation. The Committee also establishes additional non-financial performance goals and objectives, the achievement of which is required for funding of a significant portion, approximately twenty five percent, of the executive officers’ incentive compensation. In 2018, these non-financial performance goals and objectives included among other factors, the continued growth of the Orbital Gas Systems, North America operations; continued integration of CUI-Canada; continued expansion within the global natural gas market, expansion of distribution and direct customer relationships through CUI Inc.; continued product development and new product introductions including the ICE technology and various VE technology-based sample systems; and general and administrative management responsibilities. In addition, such factors as revenue growth; new product adoption; market penetration; M&A activities; and investment banking transactions were and are considered in setting compensation levels.

Annual Evaluation

The Chief Executive Officer recommends the actual incentive award amounts for all other executives based on actual Company performance relative to the targets set as well as on individual performance and recommends the executives’ base salary levels. The Compensation Committee considers these recommendations generally following the end of each fiscal year in determining its recommendations to the board of directors for the final short-term cash incentive and long-term equity award amounts for each executive. Executive base salary levels are reviewed in accordance with their respective employment agreements. The actual incentive amounts awarded to each executive are ultimately subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee and the board of directors.

Voting Results on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay) Advisory Vote

As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, under the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Compensation Committee considers the prior year stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as appropriate for making compensation decisions. At the annual meeting of stockholders held December 3, 2018, 46% percent of the stockholders present and voting on the proposal approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2018. As a result, the Compensation Committee concluded that the Company's stockholders were not supportive of the Company's executive compensation philosophy, policies and programs and the Compensation Committee will continue to reach out to stockholders regarding compensation matters. The Compensation Committee determined to review such philosophy, policies and programs, with such updates and modifications as appropriate for changing circumstances.

Special Evaluation

Additional equity-based awards may also be granted to executives, as well as other employees, upon commencement of employment, promotions, for special performance recognition or for retention purposes, based on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. In determining whether to recommend additional grants to an executive, the Chief Executive Officer typically considers the individual’s performance and any planned change in functional responsibility.

Elements of Executive Compensation

Total Compensation

Total compensation for our executives consists of three elements: (i) base salary; (ii) incentive cash award based on achieving specific performance targets as measured by revenues, cash flow and other objectives and (iii) equity incentive award, which is also performance based and may be paid out over a future period in the form of stock, restricted stock or stock purchase options. Base salaries are the value upon which both the incentive compensation percentage targets are measured against. For evaluation and comparison of overall compensation of the executives and to assist it in making its compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee reviews an executive compensation summary, which sets forth for each executive: current compensation and current equity ownership holdings as well as the projected value of each and all such compensation elements, including distributions and dividends therefrom. Also included in the summary are comparative performance numbers, specific milestones, strategic objectives, and other elements used to measure each executive's individual performance.

Base Salaries

Base salaries are designed to compensate executives commensurate with their respective level of experience, scope of responsibilities and to reward sustained individual performance and future potential. The goal has been to provide for base salaries that are sufficiently competitive with other similar-sized companies, both regionally and nationally, to attract and retain talented leaders.

Incentive Compensation

Incentive compensation is intended to align compensation with business objectives and performance and enable the Company to attract, retain and reward high quality executive officers whose contributions are critical to both the short and long-term success of the Company. The executives’ incentive awards are based upon three key performance metrics: (i) the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA); (ii) achievement of agreed-upon strategic and corporate performance goals; and/or (iii) existing Employment Agreement.

The strategic and corporate performance goals are not intended to be a specific agreed-upon goal, but rather a general objective. Management and the board of directors discuss these factors and set objectives that are dynamic and change periodically. In setting these periodic goals, the board of directors discusses with management the nature of the objective and management’s proposed method of achieving the goal. These goals change throughout the operational process because of changing dynamics such as economic conditions, current success of marketing, availability of materials, availability of funding and overall momentum toward achieving the goal.

Incentive Plan Compensation

Incentive awards are typically paid out in cash, restricted common stock or option awards. The incentive award targets for the executives are established at the beginning of the year, generally, as a percentage of their base salary and the actual awards are determined in the following year at a board of directors’ meetings based on actual Company performance relative to established goals and objectives, as well as on evaluation of the executive’s relevant departmental and individual performance during the past year. In many instances the award of restricted common stock and stock options vests over a multi-year term in equal periodic tranches. The award of restricted common stock purchased through options generally, although not in every instance, vests immediately upon exercise of the option and generally has a validity of up to ten years and a per share purchase price of no less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The awards are intended to serve as a means of incentive compensation for performance.

Retirement Plans

Our wholly owned subsidiaries, CUI Inc. and Orbital Gas Systems, North America, Inc. maintain a 401(k) plan. The Company 401(k) retirement savings plan allows employees to contribute to the plan after they have completed 60 days of service and are 18 years of age. The Company matches the employee’s contribution up to 6% of total compensation. Total employer contributions, net of forfeitures were $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $0.4 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Our wholly owned subsidiary, Orbital Gas Systems Ltd., operates a defined contribution retirement benefit plan for employees who have been employed with the company at least 12 months and who chose to enroll in the plan. Orbital contributes to its plan the equivalent of 5% of the employee’s salary and the employee has the option to contribute pre-tax earnings. Orbital made total employer contributions of $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Change in Control Agreements

Our executives are awarded protection upon a change in control as specifically provided in their employment contracts. The Chief Executive Officer contract includes a provision for a two-year severance package upon termination. The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer, Power and Electromechanical division contracts include a provision for an eighteen-month severance package upon termination.

Perquisites

As of December 31, 2018, the Company does not provide for any perquisites or any other benefits for its senior executives that are not generally available to all employees.

Employment Agreements

During fiscal year 2018, four executive officers were employed under employment agreements. Those executive officers are:

To see the material terms of each named executive officer’s employment agreement, please see the sections of the “Summary Compensation Table” and the Compensation, Bonus and Severance Provisions of their New Employment Agreements.

Executive Salary and Bonus Performance Assessment Considerations

Bonuses for certain executive officers and employees of CUI Global and subsidiaries are calculated based on historical financial and non-financial information and accomplishments based on an ongoing review and approval by the Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer. Accordingly, the Company accrues bonuses through components calculated on prior data. This review also considers ongoing performance and incentives for those officers and employees to increase their performance. As such, bonuses calculated based on fiscal 2018 data are not necessarily earned or owed to the employees as of December 31, 2018 and there is no legal right by the employees to receive such bonuses upon either termination by the Company or voluntary termination, unless they have been approved based on the subsequent review of subjective items.

The performance assessment considerations for William J. Clough, Esq. in his capacity as President, Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of CUI Global, Inc. and subsidiaries, include his successful management and implementation of acquisition and growth strategy, both domestically and internationally, that resulted in the March 2015 asset acquisition of Tectrol, Inc., a Canadian electronics company by CUI Inc. and the highly lucrative February 2016 purchase order from Europe’s largest natural gas transmission company for our GasPT product. This purchase order culminates several years of Mr. Clough’s personal effort. The Tectrol asset purchase entailed complex labor union negotiations and ongoing management support. Mr. Clough continues to expand new technology development, implementation, branding and sales by strategically expanding the VE Technology product recognition through adoption of mercury sampling and thermowells. As a primary initiator of the Company’s growth strategy, he engineered the Company’s launch of Orbital Gas Systems, North America, Inc. as a unified international GasPT and VE Technology sales headquarters. Mr. Clough continues to expand investor relations and strengthen investment banking relationships through regular investor meetings and conferences. In addition, Mr. Clough is the point-person for the Company's mergers and acquisition (M&A) strategy. He provides insight, tactics, targets, and potential relationships to expand the Company's opportunities through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Mr. Clough's efforts have included strategic relationships with SAMSON AG, Socrate S.p.A., Daily Thermetrics, and others, along with various acquisition opportunities currently being explored by the Company. As Corporate General Counsel, he is “hands on” in his management of corporate governance and legal issues, addressing employee concerns, providing personal direction and oversight of drafting revised and restated corporate bylaws and regularly communicating with the directors pertaining to various corporate matters as they arise. During 2018, Mr. Clough’s employment contract was extended through December 31, 2019 and allows for performance and discretionary bonuses. During 2018, he earned a performance and discretionary cash bonus of one hundred percent (100%) of his annual base salary based on 2017 performance metrics.

The performance assessment considerations for Daniel N. Ford, Chief Financial Officer of CUI Global, Inc. and subsidiaries and Chief Operating Officer of the Energy Division include his successful management of financial resources for CUI Global and subsidiaries including investments, corporate portfolio, cash and debt positions. Mr. Ford’s daily duties include ongoing development and oversight of global banking relationships and overall financial performance oversight and management of the accounting staff of CUI Global, Inc. and all subsidiaries. In 2016, Mr. Ford added the responsibility of Chief Operating Officer for the Energy Division including direct management of the Division's leadership teams as well as coordinating ongoing activities, planning and initiatives to continue growth within this division on a global basis. Mr. Ford efficiently communicates with the board pertaining to company activities, audit results and findings, growth and acquisition strategy and investment tactics. Mr. Ford oversees SEC filing compliance, internal reporting matters, and works directly with internal and external audit and tax firms. As an integral part of this management, it is necessary that he continue to be up to date on all current accounting and SEC regulatory standards such as ICFR and SOX. Mr. Ford works closely with Mr. Clough regarding financial reporting, the Energy Division activities, investor management and investor relations activities. Mr. Ford is integral to the M&A efforts and assists Mr. Clough with analysis and identification of specific strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Mr. Ford has been particularly involved in the integration of Tectrol (CUI-Canada), Orbital-UK, and Orbital North America into the CUI Global portfolio. During 2018, Mr. Ford’s employment contract was extended through December 31, 2019 and allows for performance and discretionary bonuses. During 2018, he earned a performance and discretionary cash bonus of ninety percent (90%) of his annual base salary based on 2017 performance metrics.

The performance assessment considerations for Matthew M. McKenzie, President of CUI Inc. are directed toward corporate operations for the Power and Electromechanical Division. Mr. McKenzie manages the daily operations of CUI Inc., CUI Japan, and CUI-Canada, Inc., the entity that received the assets purchased from Tectrol in March 2015. He continues to direct and manage the integration of CUI-Canada and has been instrumental in the acquisition and development of the ICE technology. Mr. McKenzie handles distributor contract procurement and contract management and oversight of key contracts with Digi-Key Electronics, Future Electronics, Mouser Electronics, Arrow Electronics and many others. Through Mr. McKenzie’s efforts and oversight, CUI Inc.’s power and electromechanical product sales, bookings, deliveries and revenue continue to perform and are well set for growth opportunities. The Power and Electromechanical Division that Mr. McKenzie manages requires his oversight of employees, hiring specialized technical individuals and applicable job descriptions. Mr. McKenzie successfully managed the construction of our research and development facility and implementation of our ICE product development project. Mr. McKenzie is also quite involved in the Company's recent investment in Virtual Power Systems ("VPS") (the owner of the VPS software that empowers our ICE hardware) and in the Company's efforts to expand and strengthen its relationship with VPS. During 2018, Mr. McKenzie’s employment contract was extended through December 31, 2019 and allows for performance and discretionary bonuses. During 2018, he earned a performance and discretionary cash bonus of fifty percent (50%) of his annual base salary based on 2017 performance metrics.

The performance assessment considerations for Paul D. White, President of Orbital Gas Systems, Limited are directed toward corporate operations for the Energy Division. In 2017, Mr. White went from serving as one of the Company’s independent directors to serving as president of one of the Company’s key subsidiaries, Orbital-UK, while continuing to serve on the board of directors. Mr. White works closely with Mr. Ford and Mr. Clough on Energy Division activities. During 2017, Mr. White entered into a three-year employment contract through December 2020 that allows for performance and discretionary bonuses. During 2017, Mr. White’s initial base pay was set at $225 thousand, with increases to $250 thousand and $275 thousand in years 2 and 3, respectively. In addition, he earned a sign-on bonus of $30 thousand.

Pay Ratio Disclosure Rule

In August 2015, pursuant to a mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd - Frank Act”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted a rule requiring annual disclosure of the ratio of the median employee’s annual total compensation to the total annual compensation of the principal executive officer (‟PEO”). The Company’s PEO is Mr. William Clough. The purpose of the new required disclosure is to provide a measure of the equitability of pay within the organization. The Company believes its compensation philosophy and process yield an equitable result and is presenting such information in compliance with the required disclosure as follows:

When determining the median employee, we included the following compensation in our calculations:

Mr. Clough’s compensation can be reviewed in more detail in the Summary Compensation Table and includes the same benefits that were included in the calculation of the median employee’s compensation.

We elected to exclude our CUI-Japan sales office from the calculation due to there being less than 5% of the total number of employees there (4 employees). We elected to include 5 contract employees in determining the median employee.

Full and part-time employee compensation for employees that were hired during the year was annualized based on the average compensation they received during the period they were employed. The number of employees was determined as of December 31, 2018 when there were 353 total employees (Excluding CUI-Japan and including 5 contract employees), 101 of which are considered US employees and 252 of which were considered non-US employees.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation paid and accrued to be paid by the Company for the fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016 to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and President of CUI Inc.

Summary Compensation Table

Footnotes:

Compensation, Bonus and Severance Provisions of New Employment Arrangements

On May 14, 2019, we entered into Executive Employment Agreements with William J. Clough, our Chief Executive Officer, President and General Counsel and Daniel N. Ford, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer - Energy Division (collectively, the “Executives”). Set forth below is a summary of some of the material terms and provisions of each of these Executive’s Employment Agreements:

Compensation and Bonus

The previous Equity Incentive Plan approved by the Company’s stockholders, has expired. We are submitting a new Equity Incentive Plan for approval by our stockholders. Until an Equity Incentive Plan is approved by our stockholders, any bonus compensation payable to the Executive shall be in the form of cash. If and when a new Equity Incentive Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders, the executive shall have the right to have any bonuses paid in the form of restricted stock units or other equity incentive arrangements provided for under the proposed new Equity Incentive Plan. Any issuance of equity-based compensation to the executive shall be consistent with the provisions of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c).

Stock Options

Each Executive was granted, subject to the restrictions and understandings described below, options to acquire up to 1,600,000 shares (as to Willian Clough) and 960,000 shares (as to Daniel Ford) of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.14. Such stock options shall vest in equal monthly installments over thirty-six (36) months commencing on May 15, 2019. The issuance of these options is subject to our stockholder approval of an equity compensation plan within one (1) year of issuance (i.e. May 13, 2020) in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 5635(c).

Involuntary Termination or Resignation for Good Reason.

In the event of an involuntary termination of Executive’s employment by the company for any reason other than cause, death, or disability or Executive's resignation for good reason, Mr. Clough shall be entitled to 2.5 times the sum of his annual base salary target bonus and Mr. Ford shall be entitled to 2.0 times the sum of his annual base salary target bonus, paid in a single lump sum cash payment, eighteen (18) months medical coverage, and all unvested stock options, issued to Executive shall immediately vest in full.

Change of Control

Each employment agreement contains wording that upon acquisitions, corporate consolidation, transfer of substantially all the corporate assets the surviving or new corporation or the transferee of the company's assets shall be bound by and shall have the benefit of the provisions of the respective Employment Agreements.

Restrictive Covenants

In consideration of the payments and benefits to be received under each of the Employment Agreements, each executive officer is also a party to restrictive covenants regarding non-competition non-solicitation of customers/clients, non-solicitation of employees, intellectual property ownership of Company, confidentiality and non-disparagement.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2018 to each of the named executive officers:

Footnotes:

Director Compensation

For 2018, each of our directors received the following compensation pursuant to our director compensation plan: Non-employee directors received annual compensation of $100,000.

The following table sets forth the compensation of the non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:

Footnotes:

(1) Mr. Price retired from the board of directors effective July 1, 2018.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our voting shares as of December 31, 2018, by: (i) each shareholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares, (ii) each of our directors and executives and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the voting shares listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options and warrants that are currently exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2018 have been included in the table.

No shares of preferred stock are outstanding at the date of this report.

Beneficial Interest Table

Footnotes:

Note: Effective July 9, 2019, James F. O’Neil was appointed to the Company Board of Directors as the Lead Independent Director and Vice Chairperson and was awarded an option to purchase 600,000 shares of CUI common stock which vests in twelve equal quarterly tranches from the date of grant (July 9, 2019).

Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers, directors and persons owning more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of ownership and reports of changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reporting persons are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. We have made all officers and directors aware of their reporting obligations and have appointed an employee to oversee Section 16 compliance for future filings. Our records show that all filings were timely.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Board of Directors is responsible for the review and approval of all related party transactions. Although the board of directors does not have written policies and procedures with respect to the review of related party transactions, we intend that any such transactions will be reviewed by the Board of Directors or one of its committees, which will consider all relevant facts and circumstances and will consider, among other factors:

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, William J. Clough’s son, Nicholas J. Clough, serves as President at Orbital Gas Systems, North America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Additional Information on Nicholas Clough’s compensation is included in Note 13 Related Party Transactions, to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8, ‘‘Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ of our Form 10-K filed March 18, 2019.

Except as set forth herein, no related party of the Company, including, but not limited to, any director, officer, nominee for director, immediate family member of a director or officer, immediate family member of any nominee for director, security holder that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, shares carrying more than 5% of the voting rights attached to its outstanding shares, or immediate family member of any such security holder, since the beginning of fiscal year 2019, has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or in any presently proposed transaction with the Company where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 which has or will materially affect the Company.

IED and Other Affiliates Related Matters

Effective May 16, 2008 the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary into which CUI Inc., an Oregon corporation, merged all its assets. The funding for this acquisition was provided by a bank note, a seller’s note and a convertible seller’s note. Matthew McKenzie, COO and Daniel Ford, CFO each were partial owners in CUI Inc. prior to the acquisition and they each, along with James McKenzie are stockholders in International Electronic Devices, Inc. (IED). Matthew McKenzie is the son of James McKenzie. The convertible seller’s note was satisfied in 2010 and the bank note was satisfied in 2012. The remaining seller's note is described below:

During 2018, 2017, and 2016, $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of interest payments were made in relation to the promissory note issued to IED.

DESCRIPTION OF CUI’S CAPITAL STOCK

Description of Securities

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol ‘‘CUI.’’ The Company currently has authorized 325,000,000 common shares, par value $0.001 per share, and as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s issued and outstanding shares consisted of 28,552,886 shares of common stock of which 27,987,706 shares are freely tradable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act.

The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and do not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of the Company’s Common Stock do not have any pre-emptive or other rights to subscribe for or purchase additional shares of capital stock and no conversion rights, redemption or sinking-fund provisions.

Lack of Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules

On July 18, 2019, Nasdaq notified the Company that the Nasdaq Listing Rules require listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1 per share. Based upon the closing bid price for the last 30 consecutive business days, the Company failed to meet this requirement. However, the Rules provide the Company a compliance period of 180 calendar days in which to regain compliance. If at any time during this 180-day period the closing bid price of the Company’s security is at least $1 for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide written confirmation of compliance and this matter will be closed.

Price Range of Our Common Stock

The Company's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol "CUI". The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market during each quarter of the two most recently completed years and the first six months of 2019.