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SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12
TECNOGLASS INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applied:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(4) Date Filed:
Avenida Circunvalar a 100 mts de la Via 40
Barrio Las Flores, Barranquilla
(57)(5)3734000
Notice of Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on December 20, 2019
To the Shareholders of Tecnoglass Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual general meeting of shareholders of Tecnoglass Inc. to be held at Carrera 24 # 1 A – 24, Floor 8, Edificio BC Empresarial, Puerto Colombia, Metropolitan Area of Barranquilla, Colombia, on Friday, December 20, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., to consider and act upon the following matters:
(1) To elect two Class C directors to serve for the ensuing three-year period until their successors are elected and qualified;
(2) To approve the voluntary delisting of the Company's ordinary shares from the Colombian Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Valores de Colombia – BVC) and cancellation of the registration of ordinary shares of the Company from National Registry of Securities and Issuers ("RNVE") of the Superintendence of Finance in Colombia and the BVC;
(3) To approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation of the Company's named executive officers;
(4) To select, on an advisory basis, the frequency with which the Company will hold an advisory shareholder vote to approve executive compensation; and
(5) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any and all postponements or adjournments thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on November 22, 2019 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof.
You are urged to read the attached proxy statement, which contains information relevant to the actions to be taken at the meeting. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, you are requested to date, sign and return the accompanying form of proxy in the enclosed addressed, postage-prepaid envelope. Returning a proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting. You may revoke your proxy if you so desire at any time before it is voted. We would greatly appreciate the prompt return of your proxy as this will assist us in preparing for the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ A. Lorne Weil, Chairman of the Board
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 20, 2019
Our 2019 Proxy Statement, dated November 27, 2019, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2019, are available at investors.tecnoglass.com/annuals-proxies.cfm.
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy is furnished to shareholders of Tecnoglass Inc. in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use in voting at our annual general meeting of shareholders to be held at Carrera 24 # 1 A – 24, Floor 8, Edificio BC Empresarial, Puerto Colombia, Metropolitan Area of Barranquilla, Colombia, on Friday, December 20, 2019, at 10:00 a.m, and at any and all postponements or adjournments.
This proxy statement, the accompanying notice of annual general meeting of shareholders, the proxy and the annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2018 are being mailed to shareholders of record on November 22, 2019. We are bearing all costs of this solicitation.
What matters am I voting on?
You are being asked to vote on the following matters:
What are the recommendations of the board of directors?
Our board of directors recommends that you vote:
✓ "FOR" the election of the director nominees named in this proxy statement;
✓ "FOR" the approval of the voluntary delisting of the Company's ordinary shares from the BVC and cancellation of the registration of ordinary shares from the RNVE;
✓ "FOR" the approval of executive compensation; and
✓ For holding executive compensation votes "EVERY THREE YEARS".
Who is entitled to vote?
Holders of our ordinary shares as of the close of business on November 22, 2019, the record date, are entitled to vote at the meeting. As of the record date, we had issued and outstanding 45,519,472 ordinary shares, our only class of voting securities outstanding. Each holder of our ordinary shares is entitled to one vote for each share held on the record date.
If you are a record holder of your shares, you may vote your ordinary shares at the annual general meeting by:
● signing and returning the enclosed proxy card, which is discussed in greater detail below; or
● attending the annual general meeting and voting in person.
If your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or another nominee, you should contact your broker, bank or such other nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted.
If you would like to attend the meeting and vote in person and your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or another nominee, you must obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee to attend the meeting. That is the only way we can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your shares.
What is the effect of giving a proxy?
Proxies in the form enclosed are solicited by and on behalf of our board of directors. The persons named in the proxy have been designated as proxies by our board of directors. If you sign and return the proxy in accordance with the procedures set forth in this proxy statement, the persons designated as proxies by our board of directors will vote your shares at the meeting as specified in your proxy.
If you sign and return your proxy in accordance with the procedures set forth in this proxy statement but you do not provide any instructions as to how your shares should be voted, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the Class C director nominees (Proposal 1), FOR the voluntary delisting of the Company's ordinary shares from the BVC and cancellation of registry before the RNVE (Proposal 2), FOR the advisory approval of executive compensation (Proposal 3), and for holding executive compensation votes EVERY THREE YEARS (Proposal 4).
If you give your proxy, your shares also will be voted in the discretion of the proxies named on the proxy card with respect to any other matters properly brought before the meeting and any postponements or adjournments. If any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote the proxies in accordance with their best judgment.
May I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
If you are a record owner of your shares and you give a proxy, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by:
● sending another proxy card with a later date;
● notifying our corporate secretary in writing before the annual general meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or
● attending the annual general meeting, revoking your proxy, and voting in person.
Please note that your attendance at the meeting will not alone serve to revoke your proxy.
If your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or another nominee, you should contact your broker, bank or such other nominee for information on how to revoke your voting instructions.
What is a quorum?
A quorum is the minimum number of shares required to be present at the annual general meeting for the meeting to be properly held under our Third Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Companies Law (2018 Revision) of the Cayman Islands. The presence, in person, by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative or proxy, of the holders of a majority of our ordinary shares constitutes a quorum. Proxies that are marked "abstain" and proxies relating to "street name" shares that are returned to us but marked by brokers as "not voted" will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on all matters. The latter will not be treated as shares voting on the matter as to which authority to vote is withheld from the broker. If a shareholder does not give the broker voting instructions, under applicable self-regulatory organization rules, its broker may not vote its shares on "non-routine" proposals, such as the election of Class C directors or the voluntary delisting of the Company's ordinary shares from the BVC and cancellation of registry before the RNVE.
How many votes are needed for approval of each matter?
The election of a director. Directors are elected by ordinary resolution which will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of ordinary shares present (in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) who, being entitled to vote on such proposal at the annual general meeting, vote. Abstentions are deemed voted on the director proposal. Therefore, they have the same effect as a vote against any particular nominee. Broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will have no effect on such proposal.
Voluntary delisting from the BVC. The approval of Proposal 2 will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company's ordinary shares present (in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) and entitled to vote on such proposal at the annual general meeting. Abstentions are deemed voted on the proposal. Therefore, they have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will have no effect on such proposal.
Shareholder approval of the voluntary delisting of the Company's ordinary shares from the BVC and cancellation of registry before the RNVE is not required under Cayman Islands law, however it is required under the BVC and RNVE rules.
Approval of executive compensation ("Say on Pay"). The results of the Say on Pay vote are advisory and non-binding on our board of directors. A vote "FOR" the Say on Pay proposal by the Company's ordinary shares present (in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) and entitled to vote on such proposal at the annual general meeting will constitute the shareholders' non-binding approval of our current executive compensation and related policies and procedures. Abstentions are deemed voted on the proposal. Therefore, they have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will have no effect on such proposal.
Frequency of Say on Pay ("Say on Pay Frequency"). Like the Say on Pay vote, the vote regarding the frequency with which we should hold future Say on Pay votes is advisory and non-binding on our board of directors. The option — every one, two, or three years — which receives a majority of the votes present (in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) and entitled to vote at the annual general with respect to such proposal will constitute the shareholders' non-binding selection with respect to the frequency of future Say on Pay votes. Abstentions are deemed voted on the proposal. Therefore, they have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes, while considered present for the purposes of establishing a quorum, will have no effect on such proposal.
If you hold your shares through a broker, bank, or other financial institution, your broker will not be permitted to vote on your behalf on any of the proposals set forth in this proxy statement, without your instructions to do so. Please communicate your voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other financial institution before the meeting so that your vote will be counted.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The table and accompanying footnotes set forth certain information based on public filings or information known to Tecnoglass as of November 19, 2019 with respect to the ownership of our ordinary shares by:
● each person or group who beneficially owns more than 5% of our ordinary shares;
● each of our executive officers and directors; and
● all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
A person is deemed to be the "beneficial owner" of a security if that person has or shares "voting power," which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or "investment power," which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership Approximate
Directors and Named Executive Officers
Jose M. Daes
Chief Executive Officer and Director 271,136 (2) *
Christian T. Daes
Chief Operating Officer and Director 201,164 (2) *
Carlos Cure
Director 0 0 %
Luis F. Castro
Chief Financial Officer 0 0 %
A. Lorne Weil
Chairman of the Board 123,173 (3) *
Julio A. Torres
Director 105,520 *
Martha L. Byorum
Director 72,564 *
All current directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons) 773,557 1.7 %
Five Percent Holders:
Energy Holding Corporation 25,661,498 (4) 56.4 %
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is Avenida Circunvalar a 100 mts de la Via 40, Barrio Las Flores, Barranquilla, Colombia.
(2) Does not include shares held by Energy Holding Corporation, in which this person has an indirect ownership interest.
(3) Does not include 253,000 ordinary shares held by Child's Trust f/b/o Francesca Weil u/a dated March 4, 2010 and 253,000 ordinary shares held by Child's Trust f/b/o Alexander Weil u/a dated March 4, 2010, irrevocable trusts established for the benefit of Mr. Weil's children.
(4) Joaquin Fernandez and Alberto Velilla Becerra are the directors of Energy Holding Corporation and may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power over such shares.
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF CLASS C DIRECTORS
Our board of directors is divided into three classes with only one class of directors being elected in each year and each class serving a three-year term. The term of office of our Class C directors, consisting of Jose M. Daes and A. Lorne Weil, will expire at this year's annual general meeting. The term of office of our Class A directors, Martha Byorum, Luis Fernando Castro and Carlos Cure, will expire at our annual general meeting in 2020. The term of office of our Class B directors, consisting of Christian T. Daes and Julio A. Torres, will expire at our annual general meeting in 2021.
Our nominating committee has nominated each of Messrs. Daes and Weil to be re-elected as a Class C director.
Recommendation and Vote Required
The election of directors requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the ordinary shares present (in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) who, being entitled to vote on such proposal at the annual general meeting, vote.
Unless authority is withheld or the shares are subject to a broker non-vote, the proxies solicited by the board of directors will be voted "FOR" the election of these nominees. In case any of the nominees becomes unavailable for election to the board of directors, an event that is not anticipated, the persons named as proxies, or their substitutes, will have full discretion and authority to vote or refrain from voting for any other candidate in accordance with their judgment.
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE CLASS C DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
Information About Directors, Nominees, Executive Officers and Significant Employees
Our current directors and executive officers are as follows:
Name Age Position
José M. Daes 60 Chief Executive Officer and Director
Christian T. Daes 56 Chief Operating Officer and Director
Santiago Giraldo 44 Chief Financial Officer
A. Lorne Weil 73 Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
Luis Fernando Castro Vergara 53 Director
Martha (Stormy) L. Byorum 70 Director
Julio A. Torres 53 Director
Carlos Alfredo Cure Cure 75 Director
José M. Daes has served as our chief executive officer and a director since December 2013. Mr. Daes has over 30 years' experience starting and operating various businesses in Colombia and the U.S. Mr. Daes has served as chief executive officer of C.I. Energia Solar S.A. E.S. Windows ("ES") since its inception in 1984, responsible for all aspects of ES's operations. Mr. Daes also co-founded Tecnoglass S.A. ("TG") in 1994. Mr. Daes began his career in textiles, importing textiles from Japan to Colombia and later owned and operated an upscale clothing store with multiple locations in Miami. Mr. Daes is the older brother of Christian T. Daes, our chief operating officer and a director.
We believe Mr. Daes is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his operational experience with ES and TG, our operating subsidiaries, and his knowledge of the industry within which they operate.
Christian T. Daes has served as our chief operating officer and a director since December 2013. Mr. Daes has served as the chief executive officer of TG since its inception in 1994, responsible for all aspects of TG's operations. Mr. Daes's philanthropic activities include founding the Tecnoglass-ES Windows Foundation, which promotes local development, health and social programs in Barranquilla, Colombia. Mr. Daes is the younger brother of José M. Daes, our chief executive officer and a director.
We believe Mr. Daes is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his operational experience with ES and TG and his knowledge of the industry within which they operate.
Santiago Giraldo served as our deputy chief financial officer from February 2016 until August 2017 and has served as our chief financial officer since such time. From February 2013 to February 2016, Mr. Giraldo was the Chief Financial Officer and Business Development and Strategy Head of Oleoducto Central S.A., the owner and operator of the Ocensa pipeline in Colombia (subsidiary of the Ecopetrol Group, the National Oil Company). From October 2009 to February 2013, Mr. Giraldo was Vice President of Oil & Gas Corporate Banking at Citibank. Prior to this, Mr. Giraldo was with JPMorgan Chase where he most recently held the position of Vice President of Corporate Banking for diversified industries.
A. Lorne Weil has served as a member of our board of directors and non-executive chairman of the board since our inception. Mr. Weil serves as Executive Chairman of Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a position he has held since December 2016. Previously, Mr. Weil served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Inspired's predecessor, Hydra Industries Acquisition Corp., from October 2014 to December 2016. Since September 2017, Mr. Weil has also served as Executive Chairman of Leisure Acquisition Corp., a blank check company seeking to consummate an initial business combination. He has also served as a principal of Hydra Management, an investment vehicle formed by Mr. Weil, since September 2014. Mr. Weil has also served as a director of Sportech Plc, one of the largest suppliers and operators of pools/tote (often also referred to as pari-mutuel) betting in the world, since October 2010. From October 1991 to November 2013, Mr. Weil served as chairman of the board of Scientific Games Corporation, a supplier of technology-based products, systems and services to gaming markets worldwide, and served as its chief executive officer from April 1992 until November 2013. Mr. Weil also served as president of Scientific Games from August 1997 to June 2005. From 1979 to November 1992, Mr. Weil was president of Lorne Weil, Inc., a firm providing strategic planning and corporate development services to high technology industries. Previously, Mr. Weil was vice president of corporate development at General Instrument Corporation, working with wagering and cable systems.
We believe Mr. Weil is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his extensive business experience in strategic planning and corporate development, his contacts he has fostered throughout his career, as well as his operational experience.
Luis Fernando Castro Vergara has served on our board of directors since November 2018. Since 2017, Mr. Castro Vergara has been serving as a fund manager in the agroindustry sector and overseeing his investments in the construction, infrastructure and agroindustry sectors. Mr. Castro Vergara served as the Chief Executive Officer of Banco de Comercio Exterior de Colombia S.A., Colombia's development bank, from 2013 to 2017. From 2007 to 2008 and 2012 to 2013, Mr. Castro Vergara was the General Manager of Agrodex International SAS, an import and marketing food company. From 2008 to 2012, he was the Regional Development Agency President of the Barranquilla Chamber of Commerce. Previously, he was General Manager of Provyser S.A., a commercialization and logistics services company in the food industry. He is on the board of directors of Unimed Pharmaceuticals Limited, where he also serves as member of the Audit Committee, and of Colombian the Colombian companies Accenorte SAS and Devimed SAS. Mr. Castro Vergara received a B.S. from Fordham University, a B.S. from Columbia University and a M.B.A. from the Universidad de los Andes Bogota in Colombia. He has complementary education in economic development from Harvard University, strategy and leadership from Pennsylvania University and management from Northwestern University.
We believe Mr. Castro Vergara is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his contacts and business relationships and experienced as independent member on other boards.
Martha (Stormy) L. Byorum has served as a member of our board of directors since November 2011. Ms. Byorum is founder and chief executive officer of Cori Investment Advisors, LLC (Cori Capital), a financial services entity that was most recently (January 2005 through August 2013) a division of Stephens Inc., a private investment banking firm founded in 1933. Ms. Byorum was also an executive vice president of Stephens Inc. from January 2005 until August 2013. From March 2003 to December 2004, Ms. Byorum served as chief executive officer of Cori Investment Advisors, LLC, which was spun off from VB&P in 2003. Ms. Byorum co-founded VB&P in 1996 and served as a Partner until February 2003. Prior to co-founding VB&P in 1996, Ms. Byorum had a 24-year career at Citibank, where, among other things, she served as chief of staff and chief financial officer for Citibank's Latin American Banking Group from 1986 to 1990, overseeing $15 billion of loans and coordinating activities in 22 countries. She was later appointed the head of Citibank's U.S. Corporate Banking Business and a member of the bank's Operating Committee and a Customer Group Executive with global responsibilities.
Ms. Byorum is a Life Trustee of Amherst College and a chairman of the finance committee of the board of directors of Northwest Natural Gas, a large distributor of natural gas services in the Pacific Northwest. She also serves on the board of directors of JELD-WEN Holding, Inc., a vertically integrated global manufacturer and distributor of windows and doors, and Opes Acquisition Corp., a blank check company seeking to consummate an initial business combination.
We believe Ms. Byorum is well-qualified to serve as a member of the board of directors due to her operational experience with Cori Capital Advisors, VB&P and Citibank and her financial background, which includes having served on the audit committees of four publicly-traded companies.
Julio A. Torres has served on our board of directors since October 2011. He previously served as our co-chief executive officer from October 2011 through January 2013. Since March 2013, Mr. Torres has served as the managing partner at Multiple Equilibria Capital, a financial advisory firm. From August 2015 to March 2018, Mr. Torres served as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of Andina Acquisition Corp. II, a blank check company that consummated an initial business combination with Lazy Days' R.V. Center, Inc. From March 2008 to February 2013, Mr. Torres served as managing director of Nexus Capital Partners, a private equity firm. From April 2006 to February 2008, Mr. Torres served with the Colombian Ministry of Finance acting as director general of public credit and the treasury. From June 2002 to April 2006, Mr. Torres served as managing director of Diligo Advisory Group, an investment banking firm. From September 1994 to June 2002, Mr. Torres served as vice president with JPMorgan Chase Bank.
We believe Mr. Torres is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his operational experience with Nexus Capital Partners, his work with the Colombian government and his extensive contacts he has fostered while working at Nexus Capital Partners, JPMorgan Chase Bank and in the Colombian government.
Carlos Alfredo Cure Cure has served on our board of directors since September 2019. Mr. Cure Cure currently acts as external advisor to Grupo Olímpica, one of the largest multi-industry conglomerates in Colombia, and is the former president of the Board of Directors of Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE: EC), the leading oil & gas company in Colombia. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Cure Cure served as the Colombian Ambassador to Venezuela. Earlier in his career, Mr. Cure Cure was the Financial Manager of Cementos del Caribe, General Manager of Cementos Toluviejo, General Manager of Astilleros Unión Industrial, and Sociedad Portuaria de Barranquilla. Mr. Cure Cure has served as a board member of Avianca (NYSE: AVH) and Isagen, and is the former President of Bavaria S.A. (AB Inbev, EBR: ABI). Mr. Cure Cure earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
We believe Mr. Cure Cure is well-qualified to serve as a member of our board of directors due to his leadership experience in other boards, contacts and business relationships in Colombia.
Director Independence
Our ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and therefore, we adhere to the Nasdaq listing standards in determining whether a director is independent. Our board of directors consults with its counsel to ensure that the board's determinations are consistent with those rules and all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the independence of directors.
The Nasdaq listing standards define an "independent director" as a person, other than an executive officer of a company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the issuer's board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Consistent with these considerations, we have affirmatively determined that Messrs. Weil, Cure, Castro Vergara, Torres and Ms. Byorum qualify as independent directors. Our independent directors have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
Our board of directors held 5 meetings in 2018 and acted by written consent 8 times. We held our 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders on December 6, 2018, which was attended by two of our directors. No director attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the board and of the committees thereof upon which he or she served in 2018.
We do not have any formal policy regarding director attendance at annual general meetings of shareholders; however, we will attempt to schedule our annual general meetings so that all of our directors can attend. In addition, we expect our directors to attend all board and committee meetings and to spend the time needed and meet as frequently as necessary to properly discharge their responsibilities.
Leadership Structure
Our board of directors has determined to keep separate the positions of board chairman and chief executive officer at this time. This permits our chief executive officer to concentrate his efforts primarily on managing the Company's business operations and development, while our chairman can focus on, among other things, communications and relations between our board of directors and senior management, consideration by our board of directors of the Company's strategies and policies and our chief executive officer evaluation processes.
Risk Oversight
Our board of directors' primary function is one of oversight. Our board of directors as a whole has responsibility for risk oversight and reviews management's risk assessment and risk management policies and procedures. Our audit committee discusses with our management major financial risk exposures and reports its findings to our board of directors in connection with our board of directors' risk oversight review. Our compensation committee is responsible for creating incentives that encourage behavior consistent with our business strategy, without encouraging undue risk-taking.
In October 2017, we adopted an updated code of conduct that applies to all of our executive officers, directors and employees. The code of conduct codifies the business and ethical principles that govern all aspects of our business. We will provide, without charge, upon request, copies of our code of conduct. Requests for copies of our code of conduct should be sent in writing to Tecnoglass Inc., Avenida Circunvalar a 100 mts de la Via 40, Barrio Las Flores, Barranquilla, Colombia, Attn: Corporate Secretary. Readers can also obtain a copy of our code of conduct on our website at http://investors.tecnoglass.com/corporate-governance.cfm.
We have a standing audit committee of the board of directors, which consists of Martha L. Byorum, Luis Fernando Castro and Julio Torres, with Martha L. Byorum serving as chairman. Each of the members of the audit committee is independent under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards.
The audit committee held 5 meetings and made 3 written decisions in 2018. The audit committee has a written charter, which is included in our compendium of Corporate Governance Guidelines and can be found on our website at http://investors.tecnoglass.com/corporate-governance.cfm. The purpose of the audit committee is to assist the Board in monitoring the integrity of the annual, quarterly and other financial statements of the Company, the independent auditor's qualifications and independence, the performance of the Company's independent auditor and the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements. appoint, retain, set compensation of, and supervise our independent accountants, review the results and scope of the audit and other accounting related services and review our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting and disclosure controls. The audit committee's duties, which are specified in the audit committee charter, include, but are not limited to:
● Meet with the independent auditor prior to the audit to review the scope, planning and staffing of the audit.
● Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior to the filing of the Form 10-K).
● Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company's quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of its Form 10-Q, including the results of the independent auditor's review of the quarterly financial statements.
● Discuss with management and the independent auditor, as appropriate, significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company's financial statements, including:
○ any significant changes in the Company's selection or application of accounting principles;
○ the Company's critical accounting policies and practices;
○ all alternative treatments of financial information within GAAP that have been discussed with management and the ramifications of the use of such alternative accounting principles;
○ any major issues as to the adequacy of the Company's internal controls and any special steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; and
○ any material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.
● Discuss with management the Company's earnings press releases generally, including the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted" non-GAAP information, and any financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such discussion may be general and include the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made.
● Discuss with management and the independent auditor the effect on the Company's financial statements of (i) regulatory and accounting initiatives and (ii) off-balance sheet structures.
● Discuss with management the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies.
● Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the conduct of the audit, including any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management.
● Review disclosures made to the Audit Committee by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (or individuals performing similar functions) during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs about any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
● At least annually, obtain and review a report from the independent auditor, consistent with the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, regarding (a) the independent auditor's internal quality-control procedures, (b) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, (c) any steps taken to deal with any such issues and (d) all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor, including whether the auditor's quality controls are adequate and the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor's independence, and taking into account the opinions of management and the internal auditor. The Audit Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the Board.
● Verify the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law. Consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, it is appropriate to adopt a policy of rotating the independent auditing firm on a regular basis.
● Oversee the Company's hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company.
● Be available to the independent auditor during the year for consultation purposes.
● Obtain assurance from the independent auditor that Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act has not been implicated.
● Review and approve material or significant related-party transactions.
● Inquire and discuss with management the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations and with the Company's Code of Conduct and ethics and compliance program in effect at such time, if any, and, where applicable, recommend policies and procedures for future compliance.
● Review and approve procedures (which may be incorporated in the Company's Code of Conduct, in effect at such time, if any) for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding the Company's financial statements or accounting policies.
● Discuss with management and the independent auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company's financial statements or accounting policies.
● Discuss with the Company's General Counsel legal matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements or the Company's compliance policies.
● Review and approve material payments made to the Company's officers and directors or its or their affiliates when not part of ordinary course of business. Any payments made to members of the Audit Committee will be reviewed and approved by the Board, with the interested director or directors abstaining from such review and approval.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
As required by the Nasdaq listing standards, the audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of independent directors who are "financially literate." Nasdaq listing standards define "financially literate" as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company's balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. In addition, the Company must certify to Nasdaq the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual's financial sophistication. The board of directors has determined that Martha Byorum satisfies Nasdaq's definition of financial sophistication and also qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined under rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Audit Committee Report
Our audit committee is responsible for supervising our independent accountants, reviewing the results and scope of the audit and other accounting related services and reviewing our accounting practices and systems of internal accounting and disclosure controls, among other things. These responsibilities include reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements. The audit committee does not itself prepare financial statements or perform audits, and its members are not auditors or certifiers of our financial statements.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibility of appointing and reviewing the services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, the audit committee carefully reviews the policies and procedures for the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm, including the scope of the audit, audit fees, auditor independence matters and the extent to which the independent registered public accounting firm may be retained to perform non-audit related services.
The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 with our management and PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltda. ("PwC"), our independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee has also discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) in Rule 3200T regarding "Communication with Audit Committees."
The audit committee has also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PwC's communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with PwC its independence from the Company.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the board that the financial statements referred to above be included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Martha L. Byorum (Chairperson)
Luis Fernando Castro
We have a standing nominating committee, which consists of A. Lorne Weil and Martha L. Byorum, with A. Lorne Weil serving as chairperson. Each member of the nominating committee is an "independent director" as defined under Nasdaq listing standards. Pursuant to its written charter, which is included in our compendium of Corporate Governance Guidelines and can be found on our website at http://investors.tecnoglass.com/corporate-governance.cfm, our nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors. The nominating committee did not meet in person in 2018 but acted by unanimous written consent one time.
Guidelines for Selecting Director Nominees
The nominating committee considers persons identified by its members, management, shareholders, investment bankers and others. Currently, the guidelines for selecting nominees, which are specified in the nominating committee charter, generally provide that persons to be nominated:
● should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;
● should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the board of directors and bring a range of skills, diverse perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and
● should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the shareholders.
The nominating committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism in evaluating a person's candidacy for membership on the board of directors. The nominating committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad and diverse mix of board members. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by shareholders and other persons.
In December 2013, we established a standing compensation committee. Our compensation committee currently consists of Julio Torres, Martha Byorum and Luis Fernando Castro Vergara, with Julio Torres serving as chairperson. The compensation committee met two times in 2018. The compensation committee's duties, which are specified in our compensation committee charter included in our compendium of Corporate Governance Guidelines and can be found on our website at http://investors.tecnoglass.com/corporate-governance.cfm, include, but are not limited to:
● Establish, review and approve the overall executive compensation philosophy and policies of the Company, including the establishment, if deemed appropriate, of performance-based incentives that support and reinforce the Company's long-term strategic goals, organizational objectives and stockholder interests.
Review and approve the Company's goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO, annually evaluate the CEO's performance in light of those goals and objectives, determine the CEO's compensation level, including, but not limited to, salary, bonus or bonus target levels, long and short-term incentive and equity compensation, retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans as the compensation committee deems appropriate. In determining the long-term incentive component of the CEO's compensation, the compensation committee is required to consider, among other factors, the Company's performance and relative stockholder return, the value of similar incentive awards to CEO's at comparable companies, and the awards given to the Company's CEO in past years. The CEO shall not be present during voting and deliberations relating to CEO compensation.
Determine the compensation of all other executive officers, including, but not limited to, salary, bonus or bonus target levels, long and short-term incentive and equity compensation, retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans, as the compensation committee deems appropriate. Members of senior management may report on the performance of the other executive officers of the Company and make compensation recommendations to the compensation committee, and the compensation committee will review and, as appropriate, approve the compensation recommendations.
● Administer or delegate the power to administer the Company's incentive and equity-based compensation plans, including the grant of stock options, restricted stock and other equity awards under such plans.
● Review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the adoption of, and amendments to, incentive compensation and equity-based plans and approve for submission to the stockholders all new equity compensation plans that must be approved by stockholders pursuant to applicable law.
● Review and approve for the CEO and the other executive officers of the Company any employment agreements, severance arrangements, and change in control agreements or provisions.
● Review and discuss with the Company's management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, Item 402, if required, and, based on such review and discussion, determine whether to recommend to the Board of Directors of the Company that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company's annual report or proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders.
Provide, over the names of the members of the compensation committee, the Compensation Committee Report for the Company's annual report or proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders, if required.
Conduct an annual performance evaluation of the compensation committee. In conducting such review, the committee is required to evaluate and address all matters that the committee considers relevant to its performance, including at least the following: (a) the adequacy, appropriateness and quality of the information received from management or others; (b) the manner in which the committee's recommendations were discussed or debated; (c) whether the number and length of meetings of the committee were adequate for the committee to complete its work in a thorough and thoughtful manner; and (d) whether the charter of the compensation committee appropriately addresses the matters that are or should be within its scope.
The compensation committee has the authority, to the extent it deems appropriate, to conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the compensation committee's scope of responsibilities and to retain one or more compensation consultants to assist in the evaluation of CEO or executive compensation or other matters. The compensation committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any such consulting firm, and to approve the firm's fees and other retention terms. The compensation committee is required to evaluate whether any compensation consultant retained or to be retained by it has any conflict of interest in accordance with Item 407(e)(3)(iv) of Regulation S-K. The compensation committee also has the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to retain legal counsel or other advisors. In retaining compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisors, the compensation committee must take into consideration factors specified in the Nasdaq listing rules. The Company will provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the compensation committee, for payment of any such investigations or studies and the compensation to any consulting firm, legal counsel or other advisors retained by the compensation committee.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation Philosophy
Our policies with respect to the compensation of our executive officers are administered by our board in consultation with our compensation committee. Our compensation policies are intended to provide for compensation that:
● is sufficient to attract and retain executives of outstanding ability and potential;
● is tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of our company;
● considers individual value and contribution to our success;
● is designed to motivate our executive officers to achieve our annual and long-term goals by rewarding performance based on the attainment of those goals;
● is designed to appropriately take into account risk and reward in the context of our business environment;
● reflects an appropriate relationship between executive compensation and the creation of shareholder value; and
● is sensitive to market benchmarks.
The compensation committee is charged with recommending executive compensation packages to our board that meet these goals. In making decisions about executive compensation, the compensation committee relies on the experience of its members as well as subjective considerations of various factors, including individual and corporate performance, our strategic business goals, each executive's position, experience, level of responsibility, and future potential, and compensation paid by companies of similar size in our industry. The compensation committee does not set specific targets or benchmarks for overall compensation or for allocations between different elements of compensation.
Our compensation committee is charged with performing an annual review of our executive officers' cash compensation and equity holdings to determine whether they provide adequate incentives and motivation to executive officers and whether they adequately compensate the executive officers relative to comparable officers in other companies. As part of this review, management submits recommendations to the compensation committee.
We believe it is important when making compensation-related decisions to be informed as to current practices of similarly situated publicly held companies in our industry. Our compensation committee stays appraised of the cash and equity compensation practices of publicly held companies in the glass and aluminum industries through the review of such companies' public reports and through other resources. The companies chosen for inclusion in any benchmarking group would have business characteristics comparable to our company, including revenues, financial growth metrics, stage of development, employee headcount and market capitalization. While benchmarking may not always be appropriate as a stand-alone tool for setting compensation due to the aspects of our business and objectives, we generally believe that gathering this information is an important part of our compensation-related decision-making process.
Base Salaries
Each of our named executive officers is employed on an at-will basis. We do not have employment agreements in place for our named executive officers. Base salaries for our executive officers are individually determined by our compensation committee each year to ensure that each executive's base salary forms part of a compensation package which appropriately rewards the executive for the value he or she brings to our company. Each executive's base salary may be increased or decreased in the discretion of the compensation committee in accordance with our compensation philosophy.
In addition to their base salaries, our named executive officers are entitled to receive annual performance bonuses based on the company's financial performance and achievement of certain targets throughout the year.
Other Compensation and Benefits
Named executive officers receive additional compensation in the form of vacation, medical, 401(k), and other benefits generally available to all of our employees. We do not provide any other perquisites or other personal benefits to our named executive officers.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the total compensation for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of each of our named executive officers.
Name and principal position Year Salary Bonus Total
Jose M. Daes (1) 2018 $ 1,020,000 $ 102,000 $ 1,122,000
Chief Executive Officer 2017 $ 965,805 $ - $ 965,805
Christian T. Daes (2) 2018 $ 1,020,000 $ 102,000 $ 1,122,000
Chief Operating Officer 2017 $ 873,262 $ - $ 873,262
Santiago Giraldo (3) 2018 $ 183,971 $ 50,000 $ 233,971
Chief Financial Officer 2017 $ 160,000 $ 11,451 $ 171,451
(1) Mr. Daes also serves as chief executive officer of ES.
(2) Mr. Daes also serves as chief executive officer of TG.
(3) Mr. Giraldo's 2018 salary was paid in Colombian pesos. The $183,971 salary represents Mr. Giraldo's receipt of an aggregate of $588 million pesos, converted to US dollars at an exchange rate of 3,196.15 pesos per dollar, which was the spot rate exchange rate on December 4, 2018.
Compensation Arrangements with Named Executive Officers
On November 29, 2018, our compensation committee approved the following compensation arrangements for 2019 for each of Messrs. Daes, Daes, and Giraldo: (i) with respect to each of Messrs. Daes and Daes, a base salary of $1,200,000 plus a bonus of up to $240,000; and (ii) with respect to Mr. Giraldo, a base salary of approximately $184,000 payable in pesos and a bonus of up to $55,000 per year. Each of the bonuses will be based on our 2019 financial performance and achievement of certain to-be-agreed upon targets throughout the year.
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
As of December 31, 2018, we had not granted any share options, share appreciation rights or any other awards under long-term incentive plans to any of our executive officers.
Director Compensation
Historically, each of our non-employee directors receives an annual award of ordinary shares of the Company with a grant date fair value equal to approximately $50,000. Additionally, our chairwoman of the Audit Committee and each other member of our Audit Committee receives an annual award of ordinary shares of the Company with a grant date fair value equal to approximately $18,000 and $8,000, respectively, for serving on our Audit Committee. Non-employee directors do not receive cash compensation for their service.
On November 29, 2018, our compensation committee approved increases in compensation for our non-employee directors to $52,000 per year, and increases in additional compensation for the Audit Committee chair to $16,640, and for each other member of our Audit Committee to $8,320, all payable annually and in cash.
The following table summarizes the compensation of our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Name Fees earned or paid in cash Stock Awards Total
Samuel R. Azout $ 58,000 $ 8,000 (2) $ 58,000
Martha L. Byorum $ 68,000 $ 18,000 (2) $ 68,000
Luis Fernando Castro Vergara (1) $ 7,692 - $ 7,692
Julio A. Torres $ 58,000 $ 8,000 (2) $ 58,000
Juan Carlos Vilariño $ 50,000 - $ 50,000
A. Lorne Weil $ 50,000 - $ 50,000
(1) Reflects the pro-rated non-executive director compensation owed to Mr. Castro Vergara for his service as a director beginning on November 6, 2018. Director compensation is paid annually in cash.
Represents the grant date fair value of shares issued in 2018 for committee fees owed for 2017 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, as described in Note 2 to our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Equity Compensation Plans
Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in
the first column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders — — 1,593,917 (1)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders — — —
Total — — 1,593,917
(1) On December 20, 2013, our shareholders approved our 2013 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. Under this plan, 1,593,917 ordinary shares are reserved for issuance in accordance with the plan's terms to eligible employees, officers, directors and consultants. As of December 31, 2018, no awards had been made under the 2013 Plan.
Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions
Ventanas Solar S.A.
Ventanas Solar S.A. ("VS"), a Panama sociedad anonima, is an importer and installer of the Company's products in Panama. Family members of the Company's CEO and COO and other related parties own 100% of the equity in VS. The Company's sales to VS for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $2.9 million, $3.7 million and $8.3 million, respectively. Outstanding receivables from VS at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $6.2 million, $6.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively, as a portion of receivables is tied up in retainage.
Vidrio Andino Joint Venture
On January 11, 2019, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Saint-Gobain, a world leader in the production of float glass, a key component of our manufacturing process, whereby the Company will acquire an approximate 25% minority ownership interest in Vidrio Andino Holdings S.A.S, a Colombia-based subsidiary of Saint-Gobain. The transaction was consummated on May 3, 2019. The purchase price for the Company's interest in the joint venture was $34.1 million in cash and land worth $10.9 million near the Company's facility in Barranquilla, which will be contributed by January 2020 by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, José M. Daes and Christian T. Daes.
Indemnification Agreements
Effective March 5, 2014, we entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and members of our board of directors. The indemnification agreements supplement our Third Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association and Cayman Islands law in providing certain indemnification rights to these individuals. The indemnification agreements provide, among other things that we will indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted by Cayman Islands law and to any greater extent that Cayman Islands law may in the future permit, including the advancement of attorneys' fees and other expenses incurred by such individuals in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or other proceeding, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory, legislative or investigative nature, relating to any occurrence or event before or after the date of the indemnification agreements, by reason of the fact that such individuals is or were our directors or executive officers, subject to certain exclusions and procedures set forth in the indemnification agreements, including the absence of fraud or willful default on the part of the indemnitee and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that the indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
Related Party Policy
Our Code of Conduct requires us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under guidelines approved by the board of directors (or the audit committee). Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which (1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) we or any of our subsidiaries are a participant, and (3) any (a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our ordinary shares, or (c) immediate family member, of the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial owner of another entity). A conflict of interest situation can arise when a person takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise if a person, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position.
Our audit committee, pursuant to its written charter, is responsible for reviewing and approving material or significant related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such transactions. The audit committee will consider all relevant factors when determining whether to approve a related party transaction, including whether the related party transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party's interest in the transaction. No director may participate in the approval of any transaction in which he is a related party, but that director is required to provide the audit committee with all material information concerning the transaction. Additionally, we require each of our directors and executive officers to complete an annual directors' and officers' questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the part of a director, employee or officer.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit committee of our board of directors is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm that audits our financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting. The audit committee has selected PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltda. ("PwC") as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2019. The audit committee annually reviews PwC's independence and performance in deciding whether to retain PwC or engage a different independent registered public accounting firm.
The following fees were paid to PwC for services rendered in years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Year Ended December 31,
Audit Fees(1) $ 885,669 $ 437,863
Audit-Related Fees(2) 190,109 201,199
Tax Fees 0 0
All Other Fees(3) 3,398 0
Total Fees $ 1,079,176 $ 639,063
(1) Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services by PwC for audit and quarterly review of the Company's consolidated financial statements during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and related services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2) Audit-related fees represent the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related professional services rendered by PwC that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements and are not reported under "Audit Fees," including the issuance of consents in connection with registration statement filings with the SEC and comfort letters in connection with securities offerings.
(3) Other fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered by PwC in connection with subscription to information services and training.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. In accordance with Section 10A(i) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, before we engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement is approved by our audit committee. Our audit committee approved all of the fees referred to in the rows titled "Audit Fees," "Audit-Related Fees," and "All Other Fees" in the table above.
Representatives of PwC are expected to attend the annual general meeting. The representatives will have an opportunity to make any statements and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
PROPOSAL 2 — VOLUNTARY DELISTING FROM BVC
Our board of directors has proposed the voluntary delisting of the Company's ordinary shares from the BVC and cancellation of its registry before the RNVE. After delisting from the BVC, and cancelling registration before the RNVE, the ordinary shares will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market ("Nasdaq").
The Colombia stock listing is secondary to our primary listing on Nasdaq, which will serve as the exclusive exchange to transact Tecnoglass ordinary shares upon completion of the delisting from the Colombia Stock Exchange. With over 99% of Tecnoglass shares traded on Nasdaq over the past year, the delisting of secondary trading on the BVC is expected to save on expenses, time and administrative resources associated with the Company's listing on a secondary exchange.
Information on the Cancelation Decision: Taking into account that the process of voluntary cancelation of the registration of ordinary shares of the Company from National Registry of Securities and Issuers and the Colombian Stock Exchange is developed under the provisions of the Article 5.2.6.1.2 of Decree 2555 of 2010 in Colombia, local shareholders are informed that, if the delisting proposal is approved and the Company delists its ordinary shares from the BVC, the Company will have the following obligations:
Registration in the RNVE and BVC: The Company will maintain its listing on the RNVE and the BVC during at least the six (6) months following the publication of the authorization to delist issued by the Colombian Superintendence of Finance, which will be disclosed by the Company to the local public with the periodicity and content defined by the Superintendence. To this end, the Company may execute with third parties the agreements it deems necessary as long as they meet the requirement of the Colombian Superintendence of Finance and are concluded with such authority.
Nasdaq Listing: The Company will maintain the listing of its ordinary shares on Nasdaq at the time of the cancelation approval by the Colombian Superintendence of Finance and for the time necessary to execute the disposal mechanism of ordinary shares by local shareholders in the said trading system. This time will be at least six (6) months after the expiration of the first six (6) months following the publication of the approval of delisting issued the Colombian Superintendence of Finance.
Share Disposal Mechanism for Local Shareholders: The Company will maintain a mechanism that allows local shareholders to dispose of their shares in Nasdaq for at least six (6) months following the publication of the approval of delisting issued by the Colombian Superintendence of Finance. To this end, the Company may execute with third parties the agreements it deems necessary as long as they meet the requirement of the Colombian Superintendence of Finance and are concluded with such authority.
Trading of shares: While listed on the RNVE and the BVC, in terms of article 7.1 of the statutes and section 1.11 of the Prospectus, shares are freely tradeable and those trades happening in Colombia must be performed subject to the laws that regulate the securities of the country. Once the cancelation of the listing on the RNVE and the BVC becomes effective, with prior approval of the Colombian Superintendence of Finance, the ordinary shares will only be tradeable on Nasdaq in the United States of America and subject to the rules of the SEC and federal securities laws.
No obligation to carry out a Public Acquisition Offer: The approval of the voluntary cancelation of the registration on the RNVE and the BCV does not give rise to an obligation for shareholders who vote favorably on this decision to carry out a public acquisition offer aimed at absent or dissenting shareholders.
Withdrawal rights: According to Company's memorandum and articles of association, the decision to voluntarily cancel the listing on the NRVE and the BVC does not give rise to withdrawal rights to absent or dissenting shareholders.
Local Shareholder Services: Any concern related to the cancelation of the listing of the Company's ordinary shares on the RNVE and the BVC will be handled by the investor relations office at the Corporate Offices of Tecnoglass, Inc. at the following address: Avenida Circunvalar a 100 metros de la Vía 40, Barrio Las Flores, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Telephone +57 (5) 373-4000, email investorrelations@tecnoglass.com
Authorization: The Company, upon approval of the shareholders, will request authorization to delist from the Colombian Superintendence of Finance and the BVC.
Shareholder approval of the voluntary delisting of the Company's ordinary shares from the BVC is not required under Cayman Islands law, however it is required under the BVC rules.
The approval of this proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company's ordinary shares present (in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) and entitled to vote on such proposal at the annual general meeting.
Unless authority is withheld or the shares are subject to a broker non-vote, the proxies solicited by the board of directors will be voted "FOR" this proposal.
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2.
PROPOSAL 3 – SAY ON PAY
At the annual general meeting, shareholders will vote on the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Tecnoglass Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of Tecnoglass Inc.'s Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (which include the compensation tables and related narrative discussion).
Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 ("Dodd-Frank Act"), and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") thereunder, enable our shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer (collectively, our "Named Executive Officers") as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC's rules. Our compensation policies are intended to ensure that executive compensation is competitive yet reasonable, supportive of organizational objectives and shareholder interests, and designed to align the interests of executive officers with the Company's long-term performance and increase shareholder value. An explanation of our policies and procedures in determining executive compensation is found above under the heading "Executive Officer Compensation" and specific information regarding the current compensation of our Named Executive Officers is found in the compensation tables included above.
The Say on Pay vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers. We believe that the executive compensation as disclosed in our tabular disclosures and other narrative executive compensation disclosure in this proxy statement aligns with our compensation policies.
The Say on Pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, our board of directors, or the compensation committee of the board of directors. As a matter of policy, the compensation committee has decided to take into consideration the results of the Say on Pay vote when making compensation decisions and reviewing its compensation policies and practices.
The advisory approval of this proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company's ordinary shares present (in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative) and entitled to vote on such proposal at the annual general meeting.
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
"FOR" PROPOSAL 3.
PROPOSAL 4 – FREQUENCY OF SAY ON PAY VOTE
Shareholders will also vote on the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Tecnoglass Inc. determine, on an advisory basis, that the frequency with which the shareholders of Tecnoglass Inc. should have an advisory vote on the compensation of Tecnoglass Inc.'s Named Executive Officers as described in the compensation tables and the accompanying narrative disclosure set forth in Tecnoglass Inc.'s proxy statement is:
Choice 1 — every year;
Choice 2 — every two years;
Choice 3 — every three years; or
Choice 4 — abstain from voting.
At least once every six years, the Dodd-Frank Act enables our shareholders to indicate how frequently they believe we should conduct a Say on Pay vote (as such vote is described above). After careful consideration, we have determined that a three-year cycle is consistent with our policies and practices for evaluating and determining compensation of our Named Executive Officers as described in this proxy statement under the heading "Executive Officer Compensation" and will allow our board of directors and the compensation committee to engage with investors to understand any concerns about executive compensation and meaningfully implement any desired changes to our compensation policies and practices.
Like the Say on Pay vote, the Say on Pay Frequency vote is not binding on the Company, the compensation committee, or our board of directors. The compensation committee and our board of directors have decided to account for the results of the most recent Say on Pay Frequency vote when making a decision regarding how often to hold Say on Pay votes. We, however, may choose to hold Say on Pay votes more or less frequently than the option chosen by shareholders if we determine that it is in the best interest of the shareholders and the Company.
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR
"EVERY THREE YEARS" ON PROPOSAL 4
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The solicitation of proxies in the enclosed form is made on behalf of our board of directors and we are bearing the cost of this solicitation. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone using the services of directors, officers and regular employees at nominal cost. Banks, brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries will be reimbursed by us for expenses incurred in sending proxy material to beneficial owners of our ordinary shares.
2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS
In order for any shareholder proposal or nominations to be presented at the annual general meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020 or to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement for such meeting, we must receive it at our principal executive offices by July 30, 2020. Each proposal should include the exact language of the proposal, a brief description of the matter and the reasons for the proposal, the name and address of the shareholder making the proposal and the disclosure of that shareholder's number of ordinary shares owned, length of ownership of the shares, representation that the shareholder will continue to own the shares through the shareholder meeting, intention to appear in person or by proxy at the shareholder meeting and material interest, if any, in the matter being proposed.
Shareholders who wish to recommend to our nominating committee a candidate for election to our board of directors should send their letters to Tecnoglass Inc., Avenida Circunvalar a 100 mts de la Vía, Barrio Las Flores Barranquilla, Colombia, Attention: Nominating Committee. Shareholders must follow certain procedures to recommend to our nominating committee candidates for election as directors. In general, in order to provide sufficient time to enable our nominating committee to evaluate candidates recommended by shareholders in connection with selecting candidates for nomination in connection with our annual general meeting of shareholders, we must receive the shareholder's recommendation no later than thirty days after the end of our fiscal year.
The recommendation must contain the following information about the candidate:
● Name and age;
● Current business and residence addresses and telephone numbers, as well as residence addresses for the past 20 years;
● Principal occupation or employment and employment history (name and address of employer and job title) for the past 10 years (or such shorter period as the candidate has been in the workforce);
● Educational background;
● Permission for us to conduct a background investigation, including the right to obtain education, employment and credit information;
● The number of our ordinary shares beneficially owned by the candidate;
● The information that would be required to be disclosed by us about the candidate under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such candidate as a director (which currently includes information required by Items 401, 404 and 405 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission); and
● A signed consent of the nominee to serve as a director, if elected.
OTHER SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors provides a process for shareholders and interested parties to send communications to the board. Shareholders and interested parties may communicate with our board of directors, any committee chairperson or the non-management directors as a group by writing to the board or committee chairperson in care of Tecnoglass Inc., Avenida Circunvalar a 100 mts de la Vía, Barrio Las Flores, Barranquilla, Colombia, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Each communication will be forwarded, depending on the subject matter, to the board of directors, the appropriate committee chairperson or all non-management directors. More information respecting communications with our board of directors may be found at investors.tecnoglass.com/contactboard.cfm.
DISCRETIONARY VOTING OF PROXIES
Pursuant to Rule 14a-4 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, shareholders are advised that our management will be permitted to exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies it solicits and obtains for our 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders with respect to any proposal presented by a shareholder at such meeting, without any discussion of the proposal in our proxy statement for such meeting, unless we receive notice of such proposal at our principal office in Barranquilla, Colombia, not later than October 13, 2020.
Our board of directors knows of no matter that will be presented for consideration at the meeting other than the matters referred to in this proxy statement. Should any other matter properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.


text:
tv Arts and Culture Deutsche Welle January 6, 2020 7:45pm-8:00pm CET
beautiful book called on good turn by robots via. the same. box we begin with the golden globes and in the ongoing war between streaming services and hollywood it seems hollywood was the big winner this time netflix did have 34 nominations but only walked away with 2 prizes. best movie in the comedy or musical category went to quentin tarantino's once upon a time in hollywood and brad pitt also picked up best supporting actor that. best actor in a drama others surprisingly went to joaquin phoenix for his amazing tool to force in the joker. and also no surprise best actress to run a zellweger for her portrayal i am singing in judy. and the big surprise came in the best movie drama category it wasn't the 2 netflix front
runners the arash men or marriage story that took the prize but 1917 directed by sam mendez the movie is played out in real time as though it's one continuous to shot his more. good. 970 is the story of 2 young british world war one soldiers on an almost impossible life or death mission. because. soldiers show field and blake have to get through enemy lines of boy booby traps and pan to live in a very clear message to their comrades they even come into direct contact with the enemy. at the height of world war one the germans have pretended to retreat but are really lying in wait for 1600. british
soldiers to fall into their trap. colonel mckenzie has not seen these aerials yet means new line around here to. deliver this to colonel mckenzie is a direct order to call off tomorrow morning's attack. if you don't it will be a massacre. and the golden. is to sam and i the film picked up 2 golden globes including best director. finally i'd like to dedicate this to my grandfather alfred hubert mendez who inspired this film he signed up for the 1st world war he was age 17 and i hope is looking down on us and i hope i fervently hope it never ever happens again when the movie picks up the golden globe for best drama director sam mendes took the opportunity to take a swipe at streaming service netflix i really hope this means that people will turn up and see it on
a big screen for which it was intended. the world war one drama $917.00 not made by that flicks hits cinemas around the globe later this month. in the jewish religion music plays a very important role in the synagogue indeed the council leads people in prayer in religious services and in the past always men no longer and the 1st female to train for the role here in europe was sofia fog of it she'll be my guest in just a moment after this. how do you 'd call it. so if your lives with her family in paris but she's frequently on the move visiting different synagogues to help lead prayers this time she's headed to the country where she grew up to germany. should be paying a special visit to the jewish community in the city of freiburg.
talk of its new from a young age that she wanted to be a cantor. ruth. or. women are not usually allowed to lead songful prayer in orthodox synagogue such as this one. female cantors are accepted in more liberal communities but here she's only allowed to lead prayer at a special service for women normally men and women here pray separately with the women in the back. our. motion high unit is the community's official counter. who. could tell me it says the voice of a woman could distract men and prevent them from concentrating on their prayers.
they'd hear the beauty of the woman's voice and perhaps see her beauty too and they wouldn't see god you for now faucher vetch is one of the very few female cantors here in europe something she hopes will change. soon. which joins me live in the studio now welcome. the 1st female council trained in europe so how did you go about becoming more actually how did you manage that. well in 1st place i had a strong feeling i could contribute and innovates this music style and. my life has led me to. study through the music i was attracted to this music to the art form can toral arts and. this is how i came into
this direction into this career path but how did you get someone to teach you well i was trained at a college where it was allowed for the only college in europe where it's possible for women to have a training like this and it opened up it opened a door for can control training actually when when it was possible when i started studying the 1st time and i could do also a part of the training in jerusalem in in israel. possible how do you feel when someone says like we saw in that report a woman so you would distract from. this is often every action like this i could say if you were beard distracts me from prayers should i not listen to your voice you know i mean i often get obviously various reactions and some very strong reactions but they come before the prayers and before the
concerts after we talk about completely different topics. this is a cliché. for many people but jewish music the way you hear is more for our i think it's sounds to me as though it's nearly always in the meineke is it well it is kind of a cliche and to some extent these are very ancient prayers these music was written at a time where people had time to reflect and there was time for intersection. interest. which modern society that is very fast moving and could benefit from i think. joy and tragic events always went hand in hand and this is very reflective in the music obviously well let me let me do this let me give you an example. i'm sure you know this so let's try something like.
how. i'm going into the improvisation right now. who and i'm staying still in the same moment of. oh so there's very george joyful you for points so it's not but it is often. i hear it as abuses but it changes of all it goes from agents of mind it has various specific modes that are very different interests music. now does it differ as well to seem normal classical music i mean it is a different because you do that as well and it's a different style of the it's a completely different approach into a different style and text it's very important the music underlines the text
ok now most away as in classical music the music is more in the foreground stream that's true in the text is more important yeah ok now more of this beautiful distinct voice can be heard on your latest cd which in english is called the voice of sacred average soldier music on that yeah yeah it's just a company by the old and wonderful. and it's no soul in the meineke sophia fog of which thank you very much for being with especially thank you for singing it was studio today thank you very much. now to our series 100 german must reads the best of german language literature available in english today the swiss novelist or robot vies who struggle with life not only financially but spiritually as well and this is reflected in his novel. and here's more from aa
man david leavitt's who seems to have ideas of his own from the book mom dad i'm running away from home to see the world i know it's crazy i'm only 32 years old but i think i can manage please don't come looking for me and send. fame fortune freedom those are the things young people hope to find when they run away from home at least in most stories but the title character in all about divides us now. doesn't seem interested in any of those things the 17 year old leaves his wealthy family to attend a school for servants hoping for a life of humility and submission. undersigned. son of
honorable parents entered the benyam mental institute as a pupil in order to acquire knowledge of the few things necessary for entering someone service the same has no high hopes of life he wishes to be treated strictly so that he may know what it means to pull himself together. the boy's boarding school is an eerie surreal world where the instructors and the brother sister team try to teach their peoples respect reality and fantasy blends together with the fast pace of the big city the close quarters of the school and a stream of truly bizarre characters is it all the joke swiss author of vi's a wrote the book in berlin where he himself trains to become a butler but he wasn't prepared for the mostly negative reactions to his book at the time he returned to switzerland where he later and it up spending the last 17 years of his life in the mental hospital. and unforgettably tragic life that
produced this unforgettable wonderful book. 'd mall on old v 100 joan must reads on our website at d.w. dot com slash culture and many of the stories from the world of awesome cultures well that's it for this edition thanks for watching and by. by.
friday's from john minus 30 celsius on the german kona research station the scientists want to send a message. that on the frontline of climate change research take a look at their findings. disappearing ice climate change in the antarctic. close up their. w. . stand for. lawyer. and language courses. video audio. anytime anywhere. w.
. frankfurt to help watch international gateway to the best connection self road and rail. located in the heart of europe you are connected to the whole world. experienced outstanding shopping and office triallists services. biala guest. managed by from.
this is v.w. news live in the u.s. and iranian presidents trading threats amid global worries of war iran's supreme leader shown today with weeping at the funeral of the general who was assassinated in a u.s. drone strike in baghdad also coming up tonight the trial of former film producer harvey weinstein begins in new york he faces.
Deutsche Welle January 6, 2020 7:45pm-8:00pm CET
Captioning provided by Automated Speech Recognition, not the broadcaster
Europe 5, Netflix 3, Hollywood 3, Mckenzie 2, Ruth 1, Harvey Weinstein 1, George 1, Alfred Hubert Mendez 1, David Leavitt 1, Joan 1, John 1, Blake 1, Faucher Vetch 1, Sam 1, Brad Pitt 1, Joaquin Phoenix 1, Zellweger 1, Judy 1, Sam Mendez 1, Quentin Tarantino 1
Channel Channel 85
Deutsche Welle Television Archive Television Archive News Search Service
Uploaded by TV Archive on January 6, 2020

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Description: American Soldier is a shooting 3D game where you will run in to a village infested with waves of enemies that you have to kill with your weapons. To keep advancing in the game, kill all enemies on time. Earning points for the total score and rank high if you can.. American Soldier is a Shooting Games.
Instructions: Arrow keys to move and X to shoot.
Z and C to move Sidewards..


For the last few months, I have been struggling with writing. You may have noticed my lack of posting consistently over the last couple of months. I'm not sure what is stopping the words from flowing. God has been good to give me words to write for the last ten years – the newsletters and the blog postings. But for some reason, the words are not there or maybe my lack of desire to sit down and write is not there. Maybe it's the season I'm in; things are a bit overwhelming – political chaos, disasters, and grief – are a bad combination for creativity.
Typically, I read quite a bit each day. From my quiet time to dinner time, I read – news articles, health articles, and of course God's Word. It's all important to stay connected with what's going on around me. But sometimes (or most of the time), the news can be bad. It's hard not to get sucked into the negativity. God's word grounds me for the things I read going on in this world. Every disaster – flooding, fires, and earthquakes – just seems to get worse. But God's word is constant. God's word is life-giving. It's thought provoking. It's challenging. It's informative about the world we currently live in.
There are times when I get overwhelmed with the chaos; however, the chaos never diminishes the peace that reigns in my heart. Peace is there no matter what is happening on the outside. Peace is just there filling every fiber of my being. Do you have that peace too – no matter what?
The Bible tells us we don't fight flesh and blood – there is a spiritual enemy that is working against us. In every regard, he is throwing this world into chaos. It's what he does – it's who he is. Deceptive. Manipulative. Destructive. He challenges God's plan by throwing in chaos. Scripture tells us we shouldn't be surprised by the events that take place in our world today. God's word foretold it all.
God's plan will be successful, but the enemy always tries to stop it. His time is drawing to a close. We know this by God's word – the birth pains of the end are growing closer together. Disasters are more frequent and intensity is ramping up. Historical flooding, historical fires and crazy times tell us things are coming to a crescendo.
One day, Jesus will return. We've heard this since Jesus left the first time. Sometimes it's hard to comprehend this will all end one day. But it will. Maybe we'll see it, or maybe we will all die before that Day. But we will all have to stand before Jesus one day. We are told to be ready – regardless. We are never promised another day. Accidents happen. Heart attacks are too common these days.
We never know how long we are given for this life. Scripture tells us to number our days – we need to make the most of what we're given. We are told though, we have an eternal life. What we have here is very short. We should be striving for the eternal. God's word tells us to store up the treasures in heaven. We are to make a difference in people's lives – these things will be stored in heaven for us for our eternal home.
There has been a thought circulating in my mind for the last few months. (Not scriptural – just strange thoughts I have at times.) What if the things we do here for eternity purpose is our resource to live on there? If we do nothing here for eternity purpose, we will be just getting by in heaven (for eternity) – we will be in the poverty section of heaven (for eternity). Our street will be paved in silver instead of gold. I know, at least we're in heaven, right? But we might miss out on some of the best adventures with God. It could be life-changing for us and for those we could impact. But if we miss it, what are we losing for eternity?
What we do matters. It's not how we're saved – we aren't saved by works. We are saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, His Son. But because we're saved, we should want to do more (faith and works are woven together). You might have heard the term – hurt people hurt people. This concept should be true of us: saved people save people. This is what we're called to do.
These times shouldn't surprise us and it shouldn't thwart the work that needs to be done. We might get overwhelmed for a minute, but it shouldn't throw us into despair. It's part of the plan. We need to understand: God is still on the throne and He is still our good, good Father. Let's not get sucked into the chaos, but remember we are His hands and feet for such a time as this. He arranged it just for us. Time to be about the Father's business – eternity is just around the corner.


We have just heard a story of a death in the family. It was a sudden death, and devastating to the surviving family members. The grief of the two sisters of Lazarus cannot be avoided – nor their anger: "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." The impact that a death in the family brings is worth thinking about.
Jesus cries twice in the Scripture that we know of – once over Jerusalem and here at Lazarus's death. He cries in the face of a death in a family that he loved. He cries because he has lost his friend. But perhaps there is another reason he cries. Jesus is moved to tears because he sees the power of death over the living, and how it effects their relationship with him. In this story the power of death blocks everyone from coming to full faith in Jesus.
No one in this story comes to full belief, and especially not Martha. Martha's conversation with Jesus starts with a rebuke. "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." Martha has only been able to go so far on the way to faith. Mary goes further. It looks like Mary has it right – she trusts in Jesus. But then she is pulled back in the grief of the moment; she goes back to weeping. And the Jews with her are weeping.
Here we see the power of death over the living. There is not one person who is not taken up in grief. There is no one who trusts in Jesus as the resurrection and the life. Not the disciples, not Martha, not Mary, not the Jews… no one. The power of death overwhelms them all.
And in the meantime, we continue to do our Lenten preparation: to fast, to pray, and to reach out in generosity and care toward those in need. To this end, today, we receive the bread of life and the chalice of salvation – to renew our life in Christ, to continue our transformation into an Easter community and new life.