whether the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) deems the particular proposal to be a “routine” matter. Although our shares are not listed with the NYSE, the NYSE regulates broker-dealers and their discretion to vote on stockholder proposals. Under the NYSE rules applicable to brokers and other similar organizations that are subject to NYSE rules, such organizations may use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed shares” with respect to matters considered to be “routine” under NYSE rules, but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. Under such rules and interpretations, non-routine matters are matters that may substantially affect the rights or privileges of stockholders, such as mergers, stockholder proposals, elections of directors (even if not contested), executive compensation (including any advisory stockholder votes on executive compensation and on the frequency of stockholder votes on executive compensation), and certain corporate governance proposals, even if management-supported.
Proposal 1 (the Share Issuance Proposal) is considered “non-routine” and, accordingly, your broker may not vote your shares on this proposal without your instructions.
What are “broker non-votes”?
As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” does not give voting instructions to his or her broker, bank or other agent holding his or her shares as to how to vote on matters deemed to be “non-routine,” the broker, bank or other securities intermediary cannot vote the shares for such matter. When there is at least one “routine” matter to be considered at a meeting, a “broker non-vote” occurs when a separate matter is deemed “non-routine” and the broker, bank or other securities intermediary holding shares for a beneficial owner does not have discretionary voting authority with respect to the “non-routine” matter being considered and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Such un-voted shares on “non-routine” matters are counted as broker non-votes.
Because the NYSE has determined that Proposal 1 (the Share Issuance Proposal) is considered to be “non-routine”, we do not anticipate any broker non-votes with respect to Proposal 1 at the Special Meeting. Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their bank, broker or agent how they wish to vote their shares for the Share Issuance Proposal.
Accordingly, if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, in order to ensure your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker or bank by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker or bank.
Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?
ConnectM will pay for the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to these proxy materials, our directors and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by other means of communication. Directors and employees will not be paid any additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We may also reimburse brokerage firms, banks, dealers and other agents for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. In addition, we have engaged Advantage Proxy, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies and provide related advice and informational support, for a services fee and the reimbursement of customary disbursements, which are not expected to exceed $6,750 in total. If you have any questions regarding this proxy statement, you may contact Advantage Proxy Toll-Free at 877-870-8565, Collect at 206-870-8565 and by Email at KSmith@advantageproxy.com.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy?
If you receive more than one proxy, it means that you hold shares that are registered in more than one account. For example, if you own your shares in various registered forms, such as jointly with your spouse, as trustee of a trust or as custodian for a minor, you will receive, and you will need to sign and return, a separate proxy card for those shares because they are held in a different form of record ownership. Therefore, to ensure that all of your shares are voted, you will need to sign and return each proxy card you receive or vote by telephone or via the Internet by using the different control number(s) on each proxy card.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Special Meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of the following ways: