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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.           )

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Check the appropriate box:

 

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

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Definitive Proxy Statement

 

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Definitive Additional Materials

 

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Orchids Paper Products Company
 
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

    
 
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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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GRAPHIC

Notice of 2009
Annual Meeting
And
Proxy Statement


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Orchids Paper Products Company
4826 Hunt Street
Pryor, Oklahoma 74361

April 17, 2009

Dear Stockholder:

        You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Orchids Paper Products Company to be held at the Ambassador Hotel located at 1324 South Main Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

        At the meeting you will be asked to elect seven directors, to ratify the appointment of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for 2009 and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

        The formal Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement accompanying this letter provide detailed information concerning matters to be considered and acted upon at the meeting.

        Your vote is important. I urge you to vote as soon as possible, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. Regardless of whether you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote by completing, signing, dating and mailing the proxy card.

        Thank you for your continued support of Orchids Paper Products Company.

    Sincerely,

 

 

Robert A. Snyder
    Robert A. Snyder
President and Chief Executive Officer

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ORCHIDS PAPER PRODUCTS COMPANY
4826 Hunt Street
Pryor, Oklahoma 74361

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 19, 2009

        The 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ORCHIDS PAPER PRODUCTS COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Ambassador Hotel located at 1324 South Main Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time (the "meeting") to consider and act upon the following matters:

        At the meeting, stockholders will also transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

        The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Items 1 and 2 on the proxy card.

        Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2009, are entitled to notice of and to vote in person or by proxy at the meeting. At least ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote will be available for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, at the office of the Secretary of the Company at 4826 Hunt Street, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361. As a stockholder of record, you are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Regardless of whether you expect to be present at the meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy and mail it promptly in the enclosed envelope. Returning the enclosed proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting.

        The enclosed proxy solicitation material is being mailed to stockholders on or about April 17, 2009, with a copy of the Company's Annual Report, which includes financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm's report thereon.

    By Order of the Board of Directors
    Keith R. Schroeder
    Keith R. Schroeder
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 19, 2009. The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at http://www.orchidspaper.com by selecting "Investors" followed by "Proxy Statement" for the proxy statement and "Annual Reports" for the 2008 Annual Report.

Even though you may plan to attend the meeting in person, please execute the enclosed proxy card and mail it promptly. A return envelope (which requires no postage if mailed in the United States) is enclosed for your convenience. Should you attend the meeting in person, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person.

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  Page  

Proxy Statement

    1  

About the Meeting

    1  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

    3  
 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

    5  

Proposal I. Election of Directors

    6  
 

Nominees for Election as Directors

    6  
 

Board of Directors

    8  
 

Director Independence

    8  
 

Board Committees

    8  
 

Selection of Nominees for the Board of Directors

    9  
 

Process by Which Security Holders May Send Communications to the Board of Directors

    10  

Report of the Audit Committee

    11  

Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

    12  

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

    13  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

    13  

Executive Compensation

    21  
 

Summary Compensation Table

    21  
 

Stock Option Grants in 2008

    21  
 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

    22  
 

Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year

    22  
 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

    22  

Directors Compensation

    24  
 

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

    25  
 

Employee Benefit Plans

    26  

Agreements with Named Executive Officers

    27  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

    28  

Proposal II. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    29  
 

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    29  
 

Policy Regarding Pre-Approval of Services Provided by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    30  

Stockholder Proposals

    30  

Code of Ethics

    31  

Other Matters

    31  

Solicitation of Proxies

    31  

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ORCHIDS PAPER PRODUCTS COMPANY
4826 Hunt Street
Pryor, Oklahoma 74361


2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
PROXY STATEMENT

        This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Orchids Paper Products Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to be voted at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "annual meeting" or the "meeting") and any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. The meeting will be held at the Ambassador Hotel located at 1324 South Main Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, for the purposes contained in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and in this proxy statement. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy will be first sent or given to stockholders on or about April 17, 2009.


ABOUT THE MEETING

Why Did I Receive This Proxy Statement?

        Because you were a stockholder of the Company as of April 10, 2009 (the "Record Date") and are entitled to vote at the annual meeting, the Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the meeting.

        This proxy statement summarizes the information you need to know to vote at the meeting. This proxy statement and form of proxy were first mailed to stockholders on or about April 17, 2009.

What Am I Voting On?

        You are voting on two items:

How Do I Vote?

        Stockholders of Record:     If you are a stockholder of record, there are two ways to vote:

        Street Name Holders:     Shares which are held in a brokerage account in the name of the broker are said to be held in "street name." If your shares are held in street name, you should follow the voting instructions provided by your broker. You may complete and return a voting instruction card to your broker, or, in many cases, your broker may also allow you to vote via the telephone or internet. Check your proxy card for more information. If you hold your shares in street name and wish to vote at the meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker and bring that proxy to the meeting.

        Regardless of how your shares are registered, if you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it to the address indicated, it will be voted as you direct.

What Are the Voting Recommendations of the Board of Directors?

        The Board of Directors recommends the following votes:


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        Unless you give contrary instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.

Will Any Other Matters Be Voted On?

        We do not know of any other matters that will be brought before the stockholders for a vote at the annual meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to Robert Snyder and Keith Schroeder to vote on such matters in their discretion.

Who Is Entitled to Vote at the Meeting?

        Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of and to participate in the annual meeting. If you were a stockholder of record on that date, you will be entitled to vote all of the shares that you held on that date at the meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the meeting.

        If you own shares in street name, you should ask your broker or bank for a legal proxy to bring with you to the meeting. If you do not receive the legal proxy in time, however, you will not be able to vote your shares at the meeting.

How Many Votes Do I Have?

        You will have one vote for every share of Orchids Paper Products Company common stock you owned on the Record Date.

How Many Votes Can Be Cast by All Stockholders?

        6,452,030 consisting of one vote for each share of Orchids Paper Products Company common stock outstanding on the Record Date. There is no cumulative voting.

How Many Votes Must Be Present to Hold the Meeting?

        The holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of Orchids Paper Products Company's common stock outstanding on the Record Date, or 3,226,015 votes, must be present in person, or by proxy, at the meeting in order to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the meeting.

        If you vote, your shares will be part of the quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted in determining the quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a bank or broker holding shares in street name submits a proxy that states that the broker does not vote for some or all of the proposals because the broker has not received instructions from the beneficial owners on how to vote on the proposals and does not have discretionary authority to vote in the absence of instructions.

        We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the meeting so that we will know as soon as possible that a quorum has been achieved.

What Vote Is Required to Approve Each Proposal?

        In the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting is required. A proxy that has properly withheld authority with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be voted with respect to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum.

        For the proposal to ratify the appointment of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal will be required for approval. An

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abstention with respect to this proposal will be counted for the purpose of determining the number of shares entitled to vote that are present in person or by proxy. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote.

Can I Change My Vote?

        Yes. Just send in a new proxy card with a later date or send a written notice of revocation to the Company's Corporate Secretary at the address on the cover of this proxy statement. Also, if you attend the meeting and wish to vote in person, you may request that your previously submitted proxy not be used.

When Will There Be Discretionary Voting Authority?

        If you return a proxy card without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted as follows: (i) for each of the nominees for director named in this proxy statement; (ii) for ratification of the appointment of HoganTaylor LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for 2009; and (iii) in accordance with the recommendation of management on any other matter that may properly be brought before the meeting and any adjournment of the meeting. Should a nominee for director become unavailable to serve, the shares will be voted for a substitute designated by the Board of Directors, or for fewer than seven nominees if, in the judgment of the proxy holders, such action is necessary or desirable.

How Can I Access Orchids Paper Products Company's Proxy Materials and Annual Report Electronically?

        This proxy statement and the 2008 annual report are available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company's website, which can be accessed from the Company's homepage at http://www.orchidspaper.com by selecting "Investors" followed by "Annual Reports" for the 2008 Annual Report and "Proxy Statement" for the proxy statement.

Who Will Bear the Cost of Soliciting Proxies?

        The Company will bear the cost of making solicitations from our stockholders and will reimburse banks and brokerage firms for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation. Proxies may be solicited by mail or in person by directors, officers, or employees of the Company.


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

        On the Record Date there were 6,452,030 outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the "Common Stock"). The following tables set forth certain information known to us with respect to beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of March 31, 2009 by:

        Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and generally includes voting or investment power over securities. The tables below include the number of shares underlying options and warrants that are currently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2009. With respect to each person, beneficial ownership is therefore based on 6,452,030 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2009, plus the number of options or warrants held by such person which are currently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2009. Shares of Common Stock subject to options and warrants that are currently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2009 are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by

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the person holding the options or warrants for the purposes of computing beneficial ownership of that person and of the directors and executive officers as a group, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. To our knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person's name. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons in this table is as follows: c/o Orchids Paper Products Company, 4826 Hunt Street, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361.

Beneficial Owners of More Than Five Percent

Name of Beneficial Owner
  Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
  Percent
Beneficially
Owned
 

Robert F. Taglich(1)
700 New York Avenue
Huntington, New York 11743

    439,067     6.8 %

Michael N. Taglich(2)
700 New York Avenue
Huntington, New York 11743

   
468,966
   
7.3

%

Edward H. Arnold(3)
815 Tudor Lane
Lebanon, Pennsylvania 17042

   
431,472
   
6.7

%

(1)
Includes 52,575 shares of Common Stock issuable under warrants held by Robert F. Taglich.

(2)
Includes 52,575 shares of Common Stock issuable under warrants held by Michael N. Taglich.

(3)
Mr. Arnold is the Managing Member of Arnold Holdings, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, which is the General Partner of Arnold Income Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and Arnold Venture Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership. Arnold Income Fund, L.P. owns 57,634 shares of common stock of Orchids Paper Products Company and Arnold Venture Fund, LP owns 197,598 shares of common stock of Orchids Paper Products Company. Mr. Arnold's wife, Jeanne Donlevy Arnold, owns 15,000 shares of common stock of Orchids Paper Products Company. The ownership of Arnold Income Fund, LP, Arnold Venture Fund, LP, and Jeanne Donlevy Arnold are included here, but such inclusion shall not be deemed an admission that Mr. Arnold beneficially owns the securities for which he reports shared voting power and shared dispositive power.

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Beneficial Ownership of Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers

Name of Beneficial Owner
  Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
  Percent
Beneficially
Owned
 

Robert Snyder(1)

    92,200     1.4 %

Keith R. Schroeder(2)

    151,033     2.3 %

Gary P. Arnold(3)

    185,427     2.9 %

Steven R. Berlin(4)

    16,650     *  

John C. Guttilla(5)

    18,225     *  

Douglas E. Hailey(6)

    168,823     2.6 %

Jeffrey S. Schoen(7)

    11,250     *  

Jay Shuster(8)

    47,624     *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)

    691,232     10.7 %

*
Indicates ownership of less than 1%.

(1)
Includes 90,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Snyder.

(2)
Includes 142,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Schroeder.

(3)
Includes 15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Arnold.

(4)
Includes 15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Berlin.

(5)
Includes 15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Guttilla.

(6)
Includes 45,000 shares of Common Stock issuable under warrants held by Mr. Hailey and 7,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Hailey.

(7)
Includes 11,250 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Schoen.

(8)
Includes 23,750 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan held by Mr. Shuster.


Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's directors and executive officers, persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, and certain other persons to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC, and to furnish the Company with copies of the forms. Based solely on its review of the forms it received, or written representations from reporting persons, the Company believes that all of its directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of greater than ten percent of the outstanding Common Stock complied with all such filing requirements during 2008 except that Douglas E. Hailey purchased 8,500 shares of Common Stock on November 26, 2008 that was reported on Form 4 on December 2, 2008.

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PROPOSAL I.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        The Company's Board of Directors presently has seven members with each member serving a one-year term.

        All of the Company's directors hold office until the end of the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors has nominated each of the Company's current directors, Gary P. Arnold, Steven R. Berlin, John C. Guttilla, Douglas E. Hailey, Jeffrey S. Schoen, Jay Shuster and Robert A. Snyder, to be re-elected to serve until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR" THE NAMED NOMINEES

        Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named below. Unless otherwise specified, all proxies will be voted in favor of the seven nominees listed above for election as directors of the Company.

        The Board of Directors has no reason to expect that any of the nominees will be unable to stand for election on the date of the meeting or for good cause will not serve. If a vacancy occurs among the original nominees prior to the meeting, the proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee named by the Board of Directors and for the remaining nominees. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting.

        The following information is furnished as of March 31, 2009, for each of the nominees for the Board of Directors:


Nominees for Election as Directors

        Set forth below is the name, age, position and a brief account of the business experience of each of the Company's directors and nominees.

    Gary P. Arnold, 67 Director since 2005 Former Chief Executive Officer of Analogy, Inc.

        Mr. Arnold has significant international and domestic experience in the electronics industry in the areas of finance, strategic planning and operations, and has been involved in numerous capital market transactions. He spearheaded the turnaround at Tektronix Corp. where he was Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to 1992, and later served as Chairman and CEO of Analogy, Inc., a provider of design automation software used in the automotive industry, from 1993 to 2000. Since 2000, Mr. Arnold has been a private investor, and currently serves on the boards of directors of National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: NSM) and Gulfstream International Group, Inc. (NYSE Amex: GIA). Mr. Arnold is a certified public accountant and holds a BS degree in accounting from East Tennessee State University and a JD degree from the University of Tennessee School of Law.

    Steven R. Berlin, 64 Director since 2005 Former Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Kaiser-Francis Oil Company

        Since January 2006, Mr. Berlin has been an independent financial consultant. Mr. Berlin was Vice President of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company from 2004 to January 2006, and the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company from 1999 to 2004. He held the positions of Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of PetroCorp Corporation from 1999 to 2004 and was a director of PetroCorp Corporation from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Berlin was on the faculty of the University of Tulsa, where he taught business and finance courses, from 1996 to 1999. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Tulsa, Mr. Berlin worked for CITGO Petroleum Corporation and its predecessors in various

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financial and management positions, including the last ten years as Chief Financial Officer. He is a member of the board of directors of North American Palladium Limited (NYSE Amex: PAL). Mr. Berlin received his BSBA degree from Duquesne University, his MBA from the University of Wisconsin and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program. He is a certified public accountant.

    John C. Guttilla, 52 Director since 2005 Principal of Rotenberg Meril Solomon Bertiger & Guttilla, P.C.

        Since 1988, Mr. Guttilla has been a principal and director in the financial services department of the public accounting firm of Rotenberg Meril Solomon Bertiger & Guttilla, P.C. Mr. Guttilla focuses on providing tax structuring and compliance advice in the area of real estate, entertainment, brokerage, manufacturing, printing, restaurant and construction. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Guttilla holds a BS degree in accounting from Fordham University and a Masters degree in taxation from St. John's University.

    Douglas E. Hailey, 47 Director since 2005 Managing Director of Taglich Brothers, Inc.

        Mr. Hailey is a Managing Director of the Investment Banking Division of Taglich Brothers, Inc., a New York-based full service brokerage firm that specializes in private equity placements for small public companies. Mr. Hailey joined Taglich Brothers in 1994. Mr. Hailey serves on the board of directors of Williams Controls, Inc. (NASDAQ: WMCO). Mr. Hailey received a BA degree in Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University and an MBA from the University of Texas.

    Jeffrey S. Schoen, 48 Director since 2007 Former Executive Vice President of Cumberland Swan, Inc.

        From 2002 through 2006, Mr. Schoen served as Executive Vice President of Cumberland Swan, Inc., a private label manufacturer of personal care products. From 1999 through 2002, Mr. Schoen was employed by Paragon Trade Brands, a private label manufacturer of disposable diapers and training pants, last serving as Vice President of Operations. Mr. Schoen holds a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

    Jay Shuster, 54 Director since 2006 Chairman of the Board of Orchids Paper Products Company and Former Chief Operating Officer of Rock-Tenn Company

        For the past eight years Mr. Shuster has worked as an independent consultant. Mr. Shuster was employed by Rock-Tenn Company (NYSE: RKT) from 1979 through 2000 last serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer from 1991 through 2000. Prior to 1991, he held the positions of Executive Vice President Consumer Packaging Group, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Folding Carton Division and Chief Financial Officer. He serves on the board of directors of Box Board Products Inc. Mr. Shuster is a certified public accountant and holds a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

    Robert A. Snyder, 60 Director since 2007 Chief Executive Officer and President of Orchids Paper
Products Company

        Mr. Snyder has been the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President since August 2007. He previously served as General Manager and Vice President and General Manager of Kruger, Incorporated, responsible for a premium grade tissue mill from October 2005 to July 2007 and newsprint mill, timberlands and power company where he served as Vice-President and General Manager from October 2002 to October 2005. He was a Mill Manager for Great Northern Paper, Inc. from January 2002 to October 2002, and General Manager of the Paper Business unit for Alliance Forest Products U.S. Corporation from 1999 to 2001. Previously, Mr. Snyder was the Vice President and General Manager (1992-1999) and the Production Manager (1985-1992) for Bear Island Paper Co. and Bear Island Timber Co. Mr. Snyder received a BS degree in Paper Science and Engineering from the State University of New York at Syracuse and a BS degree from Syracuse University.

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Board of Directors

        Currently, we have a seven-member Board of Directors. All of the directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly qualified.

        The Board of Directors held six meetings during the fiscal year which ended December 31, 2008. During 2008, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the regular meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the committees of the Board on which he served. All of the directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 20, 2008. The directors discharge their responsibilities throughout the year, not only at such Board of Directors and committee meetings, but through personal meetings and other communications with members of management and others regarding matters of interest and concern to the Company.


Director Independence

        The Company periodically reviews the independence of each director. Pursuant to this review, the directors and officers of the Company, on an annual basis, are required to complete and forward to the Corporate Secretary a detailed questionnaire to determine if there are any transactions or relationships between any of the directors, officers and the Company (including immediate family and affiliates). If any transactions or relationships exist, the Company then considers whether such transactions or relationships are inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent in accordance with the applicable standards of the NYSE Amex and the SEC. Pursuant to this process, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Arnold, Mr. Berlin, Mr. Guttilla, Mr. Hailey, Mr. Schoen and Mr. Shuster qualify as independent directors.


Board Committees

        The Board of Directors has three committees established in the Company's bylaws: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is an independent director.

        Audit Committee.    The Company has established an Audit Committee consisting of Mr. Guttilla, who chairs the committee, and Messrs. Berlin and Schoen. The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter, available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company's website which can be accessed from the Company's homepage at http//www.orchidspaper.com by selecting "Investor Relations" and then "Corporate Governance," which must be reviewed, and amended if necessary, on an annual basis. Under the charter, the Audit Committee must meet at least four times a year and is responsible for reviewing the independence, qualifications and quality control procedures of the Company's independent auditors, and is responsible for recommending the initial or continued retention, or a change in, the Company's independent auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee is required to review and discuss with the Company's management and independent auditors the Company's financial statements and the Company's annual and quarterly reports, as well as the quality and effectiveness of the Company's internal control procedures and critical accounting policies. The Audit Committee Charter also requires the Audit Committee to review potential conflict of interest situations, including transactions with related parties, and to discuss with the Company's management other matters related to the Company's external and internal audit procedures. The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy for the provision of audit and non-audit services performed by the Company's independent auditors. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Berlin is an Audit Committee financial expert. The Audit Committee held six meetings in 2008. A copy of the report of the Audit Committee is on page 11.

        Compensation Committee.    The Company has also established a Compensation Committee consisting of Mr. Arnold, who chairs the committee, and Messrs. Schoen and Guttilla. The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter, available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company's website which can be accessed from the Company's homepage at http://www.orchidspaper.com by selecting "Investor Resources" and then "Corporate Governance." The Compensation Committee is responsible for

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making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding compensation arrangements for the Company's executive officers, including annual bonus compensation, and consults with the Company's management regarding compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee also reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding compensation of directors. The Compensation Committee also makes recommendations concerning the adoption of any compensation plans in which management is eligible to participate, including the granting of stock options or other benefits under those plans. The processes and procedures used for the consideration and determination of executive compensation are described in the section of the proxy captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." The Compensation Committee held three meetings in 2008. A copy of the report of the Compensation Committee is on page 12.

        Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.    The Company has also established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of Mr. Berlin, who chairs the committee, and Messrs. Arnold and Shuster. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is governed by a written charter, available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company's website which can be accessed from the Company's homepage at http://www.orchidspaper.com by selecting "Investor Resources" and then "Corporate Governance." The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for submitting to the Board of Directors a proposed slate of directors for submission to the stockholders at the Company's annual meeting, recommending director candidates in view of pending additions, resignations or retirements, developing criteria for the selection of directors, reviewing suggested nominees received from stockholders and reviewing corporate governance policies and recommending changes to the full Board of Directors. As set forth above, the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee qualify as "independent directors" under the NYSE Amex rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings in 2008.


Selection of Nominees for the Board of Directors

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors candidates to serve as members of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not adopted specific, minimum qualifications that nominees must meet in order for the committee to recommend them to the Board of Directors, but rather each nominee is individually evaluated based on his or her individual merits, taking into account the needs of the Company and the composition of the Board of Directors.

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates submitted from a variety of sources (including, without limit, incumbent directors, stockholders, Company management and third-party search firms) when reviewing candidates to fill vacancies and/or expand the Board of Directors. The committee will then evaluate each potential candidate's educational background, employment history, outside commitments and other relevant factors to determine whether he/she is potentially qualified to serve on the Board of Directors. The committee will seek to identify and recruit the best available candidates, and will endeavor to evaluate qualified stockholder nominees on the same basis as those submitted by members of the Board of Directors, third-party search firms or other sources.

        After completing this process, the committee will determine whether one or more candidates are sufficiently qualified to warrant further investigation. If the process yields one or more desirable candidates, the committee will rank them by order of preference, depending on their respective qualifications and the Company's needs. The committee chair, or another director designated by the committee chair, will then contact the preferred candidate(s) to evaluate their potential interest and to set up interviews with the full committee. All such interviews will be held in person, to the extent possible, and will include only the candidate and the committee members. Based upon interview results and appropriate background checks, the committee will decide whether it will recommend the candidate's nomination to the full Board of Directors.

        The committee may, in its discretion, choose to use additional resources (including independent third-party search firms) if it determines that such resources could enhance a particular director search.

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        Any stockholder wishing to submit a candidate for consideration should send the following information to the Corporate Secretary, Orchids Paper Products Company, 4826 Hunt Street, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361:

        The Corporate Secretary will forward such materials to the committee chair and the Chairman of the Board. The Corporate Secretary will also maintain copies of such materials for future reference by the committee when filling Board of Directors positions.

        Stockholders may submit potential director candidates at any time pursuant to these procedures. The committee will consider such candidates if a vacancy arises or if the Board of Directors decides to expand its membership, and at such other times as the committee deems necessary or appropriate. Separate procedures apply, as provided in the Bylaws, if a stockholder wishes to submit at an annual meeting a director candidate that is not approved by the committee or the Board of Directors. See "STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS."


Process by Which Stockholders May Send Communications to the Board of Directors

        The Board of Directors has adopted a policy to provide a process for holders of the Company's common stock to send written communications to the Board of Directors. Any stockholder wishing to send communications to the Board of Directors should send the written communication and the following information to the Company's Corporate Secretary, Orchids Paper Products Company, 4826 Hunt Street, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361:

        The Corporate Secretary, or his or her designee, will collect and organize all of such stockholder communications as he or she deems appropriate and, at least once each year, forward these materials to the Chairman of the Board, any committee chair or individual director. The Corporate Secretary may refuse to forward material which he or she determines in good faith to be scandalous, threatening or otherwise inappropriate for delivery. The Corporate Secretary will also maintain copies of such materials.

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

        The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Orchids Paper Products Company (the "Committee") is composed of three directors who, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, meet the independence requirements of the Company's charter and the NYSE Amex rules. The Committee operates under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the Company's financial reporting processes. Management is responsible for the Company's financial statements and overall reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for conducting annual audits and quarterly reviews of the Company's financial statements and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of the annual financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

        The Committee submits the following report pursuant to the SEC rules:

    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

John C. Guttilla, Chairman
Steven R. Berlin
Jeffrey S. Schoen

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Orchids Paper Products Company is primarily responsible for reviewing, approving and overseeing Orchids' compensation plans and practices, and works with management and the committee's compensation consultant to establish Orchids' executive compensation philosophy and programs. The committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008 with management and has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gary P. Arnold, Chairman
Jeffrey S. Schoen
John C. Guttilla

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        The Report of the Audit Committee and the Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation will not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement or portions thereof into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and will not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

        The Compensation Committee is comprised of Gary P. Arnold, who chairs the committee, John C. Guttilla and Jeffrey S. Schoen, none of whom are employees or current or former officers of the Company, and none of whom had any relationship with the Company required to be disclosed under "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS." None of the Company's Compensation Committee members and none of the Company's executive officers have a relationship that would constitute an interlocking relationship with executive officers or directors of another entity or insider participation in compensation decisions.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

        This section provides information regarding the compensation for Mr. Snyder, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Schroeder, our Chief Financial Officer, whom we refer to collectively as the "named executive officers". This section includes information regarding the overall objectives of our compensation programs, the means by which we make compensation decisions and each element of compensation that we provide.

        The compensation of our named executive officers is composed principally of a base salary, a cash bonus and equity-based compensation in the form of stock options. In addition, our named executive officers are entitled to matching contributions to our 401(k) plan and certain perquisites.

        Compensation decisions are made by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, with significant input from Mr. Shuster, the chairman of our Board of Directors, and from Mr. Snyder for compensation of his direct reports.

Objectives of Compensation

        In general, the objectives of our compensation programs are to:

        To achieve these goals, the Compensation Committee implements and maintains compensation plans that tie a substantial portion of our named executive officers' overall compensation to productivity and profitability improvement, and thus improved stockholder value. Both of our named executive officers have entered into employment agreements and their base compensation is based on the contractual obligations under those agreements. In addition, the Compensation Committee evaluates compensation on an ongoing basis and makes adjustments as it believes are necessary to fairly compensate our executives and to retain their services.

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Establishing Executive Compensation

        Role of the Compensation Committee.    The Compensation Committee discharges the Board of Directors' responsibilities relating to compensation matters. Its role is to review our compensation programs, policies and practices and to set the compensation for each named executive officer.

        The Compensation Committee reviews the performance of each named executive officer, the financial and other performance of the Company and considers the appropriate level of compensation for each named executive officer. The Compensation Committee considers the total compensation for each named executive officer as well as the individual elements of their compensation, including base salary and potential cash bonus payments, vested and unvested stock options, perquisites and payments under various termination and change of control scenarios. In setting compensation, the committee's decisions are informed by the Company's compensation objectives and by the market for executive talent based on the committee members' personal experience, contacts in the paper industry, and publicly available information.

        In January or February of each year, the committee determines bonus payments for the named executive officers based on individual and Company performance against the targets set in the prior year's bonus program and determines whether any of the discretionary bonus pool available in the bonus plan should be paid to any of the named executive officers. In December of the preceding year, the Compensation Committee determines the metrics for the new year's bonus program, based, in part, on input received from the Chief Executive Officer.

        As part of this annual review, the Compensation Committee also considers the structure of the Company's compensation arrangements and how well that structure furthers the Company's compensation objectives. In 2007, the Compensation Committee decided to restructure the bonus program to be primarily driven by quantitative performance metrics that are critical to the Company's success. The annual review is conducted in consultation with Jay Shuster acting as a compensation consultant. The Company's Chief Executive Officer participates in the process for setting the compensation for Mr. Schroeder, and both Mr. Snyder and Mr. Schroeder have considerable input in determining the metrics used in the bonus program and in making compensation decisions for other employees.

        Role of Compensation Consultants.    The Company and the Compensation Committee have not historically relied upon the advice of compensation consultants in determining the structure of its compensation arrangements or named executive officer compensation. In 2007, however, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of our Chairman, Jay Shuster, to review the compensation package of our officers and to develop the metrics to be used in our bonus program. We compensated Mr. Shuster for these services as part of his consulting arrangement with the Company. Mr. Shuster had industry expertise, and was interviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. Our named executive officers work with Mr. Shuster each year to define the metrics to be used for the Company's current year bonus program and prepare recommendations for the Compensation Committee.

        Role of the Chief Executive Officer.    The Chief Executive Officer assists the Compensation Committee in reaching compensation decisions by developing recommended compensation for the Company's other officers. The Chief Executive Officer may also consult informally with the Compensation Committee and the Chairman prior to presenting his recommendations to the Compensation Committee for their review and discussion to ensure that his recommendations will best reflect our compensation objectives. The Chief Executive Officer also prepares recommendations for the metrics of the bonus plan each year, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Shuster, as consultant to the Company.

        Role of Employment Agreements.    We consider employment agreements to be an important part of recruiting and retaining qualified executive officers. All of the named executive officers have entered into employment agreements with us. Our employment agreements with the named executive officers establish the named executive officers' initial base compensation. In the case of our Chief Executive Officer the employment agreement also requires that his base salary be increased on an annual basis based on increases to the consumer price index for the Midwest Urban metropolitan area with a population between

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50,000 and 1,500,000 people. Employment agreement terms also include provisions regarding severance, change-in-control, confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation. The Compensation Committee's judgment is that employment agreements are beneficial for us. These employment agreements are described in further detail under "AGREEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS."

Elements of Compensation

        Our employment agreement with Mr. Snyder was entered into effective August 20, 2007 in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer and our employment agreement with Mr. Schroeder was entered into effective March 1, 2009, corresponding to the expiration of his previous employment agreement. The terms of these employment agreements were individually developed based on a number of factors, including the particular executive's position, his scope of duties, his experience, his past performance, our compensation goals and the market for executive talent.

        Our chief competitors for executive talent are other pulp and paper industry companies. Based on the knowledge and experience of Mr. Shuster and the Compensation Committee, we consider the market for executive talent in our industry and in our region as a way to improve our ability to attract and retain talented executive officers. As such, when we consider the appropriate level of compensation to be externally competitive, we primarily consider the market for executive talent based upon the experience of the Compensation Committee members and Mr. Shuster and their contacts in the paper industry. We do not benchmark our overall compensation arrangements, or any of the individual elements of compensation, against the compensation arrangements of any other company or group of companies.

        Most of our compensation elements fulfill one or more of our compensation objectives. The elements of total compensation for our named executive officers are:

        Base compensation.    In general, we provide our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer a competitive, annual base salary. We do so in order to attract and retain a high caliber of talent for the position, and to provide a base wage that is not subject to the Company's performance risk. For the named executive officers, the minimum base salary is established in their employment agreements, subject to increases based upon increases in the applicable consumer price index for our Chief Executive Officer and at the discretion of our Board of Directors for our Chief Financial Officer. The base salary is established such that it is competitive for the responsibilities of the position taking into account our industry and geographic location. Under the terms of his employment agreement, on each September 1, Mr. Snyder's base salary adjusts upward based on increases to the consumer price index for the Midwest Urban metropolitan area with a population between 50,000 and 1,500,000 people. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews base salaries for the Company's executive officers periodically and makes increases or decreases based on both Company and individual performance and competitive considerations.

        The following table lists the base compensation set by the Compensation Committee for each of the named executive officers in 2007 and 2008, along with the percentage change from year to year:

 
  2007   2008   Percentage
Change
 

Robert A. Snyder

  $ 250,000   $ 266,250     6.5 %

Keith R. Schroeder

  $ 154,800   $ 165,025     6.6 %

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        Mr. Snyder's base compensation was adjusted per the terms of his employment agreement for the change in the consumer price index. No other adjustments were made to Mr. Snyder's base compensation. Mr. Schroeder's base compensation was reviewed and adjusted in 2008 due to his performance and the performance of the Company and for internal equity purposes.

        Cash bonus compensation.    In 2007, the Company engaged Jay Shuster to design a new performance bonus program. Mr. Shuster recommended a more formalized, formula driven program, including target metrics and potential bonus ranges based on the elements critical to our financial results and on his knowledge and experience in the industry. This program was adopted for 2007 and ensuing years. Although the new program allows for subjectively based awards, including awards from a discretionary bonus pool, as well as the formula driven ones, the committee believes that formula driven awards provide fairer results for both the employees and the Company's stockholders. Historically, the Company has not granted significant subjectively determined bonuses under the new program and the Company does not expect this to change.

        The Company's principal financial metric is earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA"). For purposes of the bonus calculation and establishing the effective tax rate, bonus accruals we estimate are added back to the EBITDA calculation. For the manufacturing of parent rolls, we use an efficiency metric based on tons of paper produced per day. This represents a change from the paper making efficiency metric we used in 2007, as discussed in more detail below. For our converting process, we use an efficiency metric based on actual output versus rated capacity for our converting machines. Cash bonuses for named executive officers are determined based on the Company's performance against predetermined targets for each of these three metrics for the fiscal year. In addition, the Compensation Committee may identify additional operational challenges for the Company and create specific bonus objectives linked to successfully addressing those challenges. For certain sales and marketing employees, the Company uses a sales volume metric to calculate a substantial portion of their bonus payments. Per the terms of the employment agreements for each of the Company's named executive officers, cash bonus compensation is capped at 100% of their respective base salary.

        In 2008, a discretionary bonus pool was added to the program. The amount of the bonus pool is set each year by the Compensation Committee, following the receipt of a recommended amount from the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Shuster, as consultant. For 2008, the amount available in the discretionary bonus pool was $50,000 and for 2009, the amount available in the discretionary bonus pool is $75,000. The discretionary bonus pool allows the Company to award both named executive officers and other employees for specific performance not named in the performance metrics of the formula-driven bonus plan.

        Late in the Company's fiscal year, the Compensation Committee begins working with our executive officers to establish performance goals for the next year. The bonus program is designed to provide additional compensation to those individuals whose performance has helped the Company meet or exceed its annual performance targets. In general, the program is designed such that those who can most affect the Company's performance have the largest portion of their total potential compensation at risk.

        Our objective is to provide clear incentives to achieve the Company's goals for the next year and to position the Company to achieve higher levels of financial performance for future years. Accordingly, it is the expectation of the Compensation Committee that the Company should earn a minimum EBITDA level, and improve its productivity so that it achieves its goal of being a low cost producer of tissue products. Productivity improvements are expected in both paper and converting production. The range of target metrics and percentage payouts that correspond to the target metric range are established each year to provide a graduated payout scale.

        For 2008, named executive officers were first eligible to receive bonus payments when current year performance exceeded the prior year's performance in the operating metrics of EBITDA, papermaking efficiency and converting efficiency. These minimum targets reflected the committee's expectations for improvement in each of the operating metrics. The Compensation Committee targeted a bonus payment of 60% of the maximum bonus available for achievement of each of the operating metrics. Bonus levels

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increased on a graduated scale from the fixed minimums to the target levels, which represent the achievement of the operating metrics used in our annual budget. As a result, our executive officers have significant financial incentive to exceed our budget.

        For 2007, the Compensation Committee originally set the performance at which executive officers were first eligible to receive bonus payments at a level above the Company's actual performance in 2006. These minimum targets reflected the committee's expectations for improvement in each of EBITDA, papermaking efficiency and converting efficiency. Bonus levels increased on a graduated scale from these fixed minimums, with a target bonus based upon budget projections equal to 50% of the maximum payment. In the middle of 2007, in connection with the retirement of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee reviewed the bonus scale and determined to adjust it downward. The Company's performance to that point in the year suggested that the original minimum bonus levels were unattainable, due to the unexpected rise in the price of waste paper and the disruption to management caused by the retirement of the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The minimum EBITDA and efficiency targets were adjusted downward. The new minimum targets still required improved performance over 2006. In order to provide incentives for the executive officers to achieve improvements in Company performance, and because of the unusual events hindering the achievement of the original targets, the committee believed that it was in the best interest of the Company to have attainable bonus targets.

        The Company's Chief Financial Officer certifies the accuracy and consistency of the bonus calculation and presents the calculations to the Compensation Committee in the first quarter of each year and at other times as requested by the Compensation Committee.

        The following table summarizes the bonus payments made to each of our named executive officers for 2007 and 2008 and the targeted bonus payments for 2009:

 
  2007   2008   Percentage
Change
  Targeted
2009
  Percentage
Change
 

Robert A. Snyder

  $ 150,000 (1) $ 137,747     (8.1 )% $ 244,941     77.8 %

Keith R. Schroeder

  $ 60,000   $ 85,364     42.3 % $ 151,800     77.8 %

(1)
Mr. Snyder was paid a bonus of $54,650 for 2007, representing $150,000 multiplied by the number of days Mr. Snyder was employed by us during 2007 (133) divided by 365. The $150,000 bonus target was the result of a market-based negotiation in order to attract Mr. Snyder.
 
  Robert A. Snyder  
Metric
  2008 Bonus   2008 Payment   2009 Bonus   Targeted
2009 Payment
 

EBITDA

    80 % $ 111,831     80 % $ 212,992  

Converting Efficiency

    10 % $ 9,053     10 % $ 13,312  

Paper Making Efficiency

    10 % $ 16,863     10 % $ 18,637  
 

Maximum Bonus

    100 % $ 137,747     100 % $ 244,941  

 


 

Keith R. Schroeder

 
Metric
  2008 Bonus   2008 Payment   2009 Bonus   Targeted
2009 Payment
 

EBITDA

    80 % $ 69,304     80 % $ 132,000  

Converting Efficiency

    10 % $ 5,610     10 % $ 8,250  

Paper Making Efficiency

    10 % $ 10,450     10 % $ 11,550  
 

Maximum Bonus

    100 % $ 85,364     100 % $ 151,800  

        The Compensation Committee places great emphasis on EBITDA because it believes that Mr. Schroeder, as the Chief Financial Officer, should focus primarily on the Company's key financial metric and should be encouraged to consider all means for improving EBITDA, including converting

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efficiency and paper making efficiency as well as other operational and financial means for improving overall financial results.

        The following table shows the Company's performance targets for EBITDA and the corresponding percentage of the bonus award tied to such metric that is payable if the Company meets such target:

 
  EBITDA  
 
  2008
Goals
  Bonus   2009
Goals
  Bonus(1)  
    ‹$ 8,600,000     0 % ‹$ 11,351,000     0 %
      9,700,000     20 %   12,500,000     30 %
      10,600,000     30 %   13,700,000     45 %
      11,500,000     40 %   14,900,000     60 %
      12,500,000     50 %   16,100,000     75 %
      14,255,000     60 %   17,542,000     100 %
      14,750,000     70 %   18,800,000     115 %
      15,250,000     80 %   19,620,000     125 %
      15,750,000     90 %            
      16,250,000     100 %            

(1)
Bonus percentages for 2009 are calculated on a graduated scale between all target thresholds.

        The established target range is intended to provide our named executive officers the opportunity to earn substantial bonuses beyond the targeted bonus level if the Company achieves levels of EBITDA beyond the targeted level, thereby providing incentives to maximize the Company's financial performance. The EBITDA bonus goals for 2009 have been established using the actual results from 2008 as a base. Based on our annual budgets, we set the target bonus for 2008 at 60% of executive's salaries and the target bonus for 2009 at 100% of executive's salaries for named executive officers. The EBITDA targets were increased for 2009 following a review of the Company's historical payouts versus the targeted payouts. Historical cash bonus payouts have not achieved target levels and, as a result, our named executive officers total compensation has not achieved the overall goals of the Company's compensation strategy. Following a review of the Company's expected earnings for 2009 and the Company's financial performance in the last two quarters of 2008, and a discussion of the underlying causes of the historical bonus payouts not achieving the targeted levels, the EBITDA target for 2009 was increased. The increase in targeted levels provides the opportunity for our named executive officers to earn a cash bonus compensation amount that, when averaged over the last several years, would be closer to targeted levels. The performance targets for papermaking efficiency for both 2008 and 2009 are designed to reward our named executive officers if the Company achieves levels of papermaking efficiencies beyond the prior year's performance. Papermaking efficiency is based on the daily average tons of paper we produce. Based on our annual budgets, we set the target bonus for 2008 at 60% and the target bonus for 2009 at 60% and we expect that the Company will achieve the budget objectives. By setting the target bonus at these levels, the named executive officers have incentives to outperform the target levels. Achievement of the target bonus for 2009 will require an improvement of 1.3% in papermaking efficiency over 2008 levels. The threshold for the maximum bonus is approximately 6.0% above the threshold for the minimum bonus, and approximately 4.5% above the threshold for the target bonus.

The performance targets for converting efficiency for both 2008 and 2009 are designed to reward our named executive officers if the Company achieves levels of converting efficiency beyond the prior year's performance. In 2008, converting efficiency was measured as the actual production of our converting machines as a percentage of their rated capacity, on an annual basis. Beginning in 2009, converting efficiency will be based on the daily average of finished product cases we produce. We changed this metric to provide a more straight-forward calculation. Based on our annual budgets, we set the target bonus for 2008 at 60% and the target bonus for 2009 at 60% and we expect that the Company will achieve the budget objectives. As with papermaking efficiency, we expect that setting the target bonus at these levels provides

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the named executive officer with incentives to outperform the target levels. Achievement of the target bonus for 2009 will require an improvement of 19.2% in converting efficiency over 2008 levels. The threshold for the maximum bonus is approximately 27.9% above the threshold for the minimum bonus, and approximately 7.3% above the threshold for the target bonus.

        Equity-based compensation.    Orchids' Stock Incentive Plan's purpose is to provide the Company with a means to assist in recruiting, retaining, and rewarding certain employees, directors, and consultants and to motivate such individuals to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company by providing incentives through the granting of awards. By granting awards to such individuals, the Company expects that the interests of the recipients will be better aligned with those of the Company.

        The Company's Compensation Committee is the administrator of the Stock Incentive Plan. Subject to the express provisions of the plan, the committee has plenary authority, in its discretion, to determine the individuals to whom, and the time or times which, awards shall be granted and the number of shares, if applicable, to be subject to each award. In making such determinations, the committee may take into account the nature of services rendered by the respective individuals, as well as their present and potential contributions to the Company's success.

        Stock option awards can be made at the commencement of employment. Additionally, grants can be made following a significant change in job responsibilities or to meet other special retention objectives. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves stock option awards to executive officers based upon a number of factors, including the number of shares vesting for each named executive officer in each year and the amount of equity held by each named executive officer in the aggregate, its assessment of individual performance, and retention considerations. Periodic stock option awards are made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee to eligible employees and, in appropriate circumstances, the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of members of management.

        The following table shows the vested equity for each named executive officer as of December 31, 2007, the number of shares vesting each year until the option is fully vested and the aggregate number of shares subject to the outstanding option grants:

 
  Vested
Year-end
2007
  2008   2009   2010   2011   Total
Option
Shares
 

Robert R. Snyder(1)

    45,000     45,000     45,000     45,000     45,000     225,000  

Keith R. Schroeder(2)

    85,500     28,500     28,500     10,000     10,000     162,500  

(1)
Mr. Snyder's option was awarded upon his commencement of service to the Company and was based on the number of shares issuable under options granted to our previous President and Chief Executive Officer.

(2)
Mr. Schroeder was awarded an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock in January 2009.

        There were no grants of equity-based compensation in 2008.

        401(k) plans.    We have three 401(k) retirement saving plans. One covers all non-union employees, one covers the Company's union employees in the paper mill, and one covers the Company's union employees in the converting facility. Our executive officers are covered by the non-union plan. The Company may make matching or additional contributions to the plan, to be determined annually by the Compensation Committee, for the benefit of all participants. In recent years the Company's policy has been to make a matching contribution of 75% of a salaried employee's deferrals up to 8% of wages paid, which deferrals are limited by the IRS prescribed maximum.

        Perquisites.    We offer a very limited array of perquisites to our named executive officers. All salaried employees of the Company receive a term life insurance benefit of one year's base salary while employed by the Company, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage. The Company believes that these certain limited perquisites are an important element of compensation for attracting and

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retaining high caliber executive officers, but that perquisites are not the most effective means of achieving the Company's compensation objectives.

        In addition to these perquisites, we agreed to provide certain benefits associated with Mr. Snyder's relocation to Tulsa. These include reimbursing Mr. Snyder for the closing costs associated with selling his residence in Memphis, the closing costs associated with buying a residence in Tulsa, actual moving expenses associated with moving to Tulsa as well as an additional moving allowance of $23,500 upon completing the move, and a gross up payment to cover taxes associated with these expense reimbursements and allowances. During the first 12 months of his employment (through August 2008) we reimbursed Mr. Snyder for the cost of reasonable temporary living in an apartment in Tulsa and of reasonable travel between Tulsa and Memphis to visit his family. The Compensation Committee believed that offering such benefits to Mr. Snyder was necessary to induce him to accept the Chief Executive Officer position with us. In addition, Mr. Snyder received a payment of $40,000 in August 2008 as compensation for continuing temporary living expenses and travel. The Compensation Committee believed that the additional payment should be made based upon the decline in the housing market and the difficulty Mr. Snyder has had in selling his residence in Memphis. In 2008, the perquisites provided to Mr. Snyder totaled $59,818.

        Severance, change in control, and other post-employment payments.    The Company's named executive officers have severance and change in control provisions as part of their employment agreements. The purpose of these provisions is to aid in retention and recruitment. In addition, by providing for change of control payments, we are able to encourage continued attention and dedication to assigned duties during periods involving a possible change in control of the Company and protect the earned benefits of the officer against adverse changes resulting from a change in control. The level of payments provided under these provisions is consistent with what the Compensation Committee views as common industry practices. These arrangements are described in greater detail in the section of the proxy captioned "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION - Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control."

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. In 2008, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer were the Company's only executive officers and, therefore, there were no other executive officers whose aggregate cash compensation exceeded $100,000 during the year. We refer to these persons as the "named executive officers" elsewhere in this proxy statement.


Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary   Bonus   Option
Awards(1)
  All Other
Compensation
  Total  

Robert A. Snyder(2)

    2008   $ 256,156   $ 137,747   $ 141,396   $ 59,818 (3) $ 595,117  
 

President and
Chief Executive Officer

    2007   $ 91,346   $   $ 192,783   $ 17,003 (3) $ 301,132  

Keith R. Schroeder

   
2008
 
$

162,647
 
$

85,364
 
$

46,590
 
$

11,997

(4)

$

306,598
 
 

Chief Financial Officer

    2007   $ 152,385   $ 58,000   $ 68,134   $ 11,625 (4) $ 290,144  
 

    2006   $ 145,806   $ 70,000   $ 68,134   $ 11,250 (4) $ 295,190  

(1)
The amounts in this column represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to fiscal 2008 for the fair value of stock options granted to each named executive officer in fiscal 2008, as well as prior fiscal years, in accordance with SFAS 123(R). Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The amounts in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by each named executive officer. For the relevant assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock option awards, refer to "Stock Option Expense" in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2009.

(2)
Mr. Snyder joined the Company on August 20, 2007.

(3)
Consists of personal travel and temporary housing allowance, and matching contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan.

(4)
Consists of matching Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan.


Stock Option Grants in 2008

        None of our executive officers received stock option grants during the year ended December 31, 2008.

        The Company's Stock Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance-based awards, as well as other stock based awards and cash based awards. With respect to executive officers and directors, the Company makes equity awards under the Stock Incentive Plan to encourage them to focus on long-term Company performance.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

        The following table sets forth information on the holdings of stock options by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2008.

 
  Options Awards
 
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)(1)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)(1)
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date(2)

Robert A. Snyder

    90,000     135,000   $ 6.81   August 20, 2017

Keith R. Schroeder

    114,000     18,500   $ 5.33   April 14, 2015

(1)
Options vest and become exercisable in increments of 20% each on the date of grant and the anniversary thereof over the next four years.

        The table below provides the grant date for each outstanding equity award at the end of fiscal 2008 and the respective vesting schedule:

 
   
   
  Vesting Period  
 
   
  Number
Of Stock
Options
Granted
 
Officer
  Grant
Date
  Prior to
2008
  2008   2009   2010   2011   2012  

Robert A. Snyder

  August 20, 2007     225,000     45,000     45,000     45,000     45,000     45,000      

Keith R. Schroeder

  April 14, 2005     142,500     85,500     28,500     28,500              
(2)
The expiration date of each option occurs ten years after the date of grant of each option.


Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year

        None of our named executive officers exercised options during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.


Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 
  Termination
With
Cause
  Termination
Due To
Death,
Disability,
Injury Or
Illness
  Termination
Within
12 Months of
Change In
Control(1)
  Termination
After
12 Months
from
Change In
Control
  Termination
Without
Cause
  Termination
By Employee
After
Material
Change
  Termination
By Employee
 

Robert A. Snyder

  $   $   $ 862,412   $ 266,250   $ 266,250   $ 266,250   $  

Keith R. Schroeder

  $   $   $ 464,376   $ 190,025   $ 190,025   $ 190,025   $  

(1)
The payments upon a change in control include the value of the executive's unvested stock options which would vest upon such an event. The value of such options in this column represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to fiscal 2008 for the fair value of stock options granted to each named executive officer in fiscal 2008, as well as prior fiscal years, in accordance with SFAS 123(R). Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The amounts in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value that will be realized by each named executive officer. For the relevant assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock option awards, refer to "Stock Option Expense" in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2008.

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        The Company has agreed, in their respective employment agreements, to provide the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Chief Financial Officer with certain payments in connection with their severance from employment. These employment agreements were designed to provide a competitive compensation package to the named executive officers, encourage continued attention and dedication to assigned duties during periods involving a possible change in control of the Company and to protect the earned benefits of the officer against adverse changes resulting from a change in control. Severance payments would not be made in the event the named executive officer is terminated for cause. Cause is defined in the Company's employment agreements as:

        If either executive is terminated for cause, no severance is provided. If an executive is terminated without cause, severance payments equal one year's salary and are paid over the course of the year. If an executive is terminated within 12 months of a change in control, severance payments equal two year's salary and are paid in a lump sum on the date that is 90 days after the termination. In addition, upon a change in control, all stock options under the Stock Incentive Plan vest immediately. Change in control is defined in the Company's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan to mean:

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DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION

        The Company's non-employee directors are paid an annual fee of $20,000; the Company's chairman receives an annual fee of $50,000 because of the additional responsibilities and time commitment of the position. The chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional fee of $10,000, members of the audit committee receive an additional fee of $5,000 per year, and the chairman of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee each receive an additional fee of $5,000. The Company reimburses members of the Board of Directors for travel expenditures related to their services to the Company.

        The committee believes directors' incentives should be to improve the long-term value of the Company and promote stockholder returns. Accordingly, they are also compensated with awards under the Stock Incentive Plan. It has been the Company's practice to award options covering 3,750 shares of Common Stock upon a new non-employee director's election to the Board of Directors. The Company also awarded options covering 3,750 shares of stock in connection with the ongoing non-employee members of the board's re-election at the 2007 and 2008 annual meetings of Stockholders and options covering an additional 6,250 were awarded to the Chairman of the Board in each year.

Name
  Year   Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash ($)
  Option Awards ($)(1)   All Other
Compensation ($)
  Total  

Gary P. Arnold

    2008   $ 22,500 (2) $ 11,550 (3)       $ 34,606  

    2007   $ 20,000 (2) $ 8,000 (3)     $ 28,000  

Steven R. Berlin

    2008   $ 27,500 (4) $ 11,550 (5)       $ 39.606  

    2007   $ 22,500 (4) $ 8,000 (5)     $ 30,500  

John C. Guttilla

    2008   $ 30,000 (6) $ 11,550 (7)       $ 41,550  

    2007   $ 25,000 (6) $ 8,000 (7)     $ 33,000  

Douglas E. Hailey

    2008   $ 20,000 (8) $ 11,550 (9)       $ 31,550  

    2007   $ 35,000 (8) $ 8,000 (9)     $ 43,000  

Jeffrey S. Schoen

    2008   $ 25,000 (10) $ 11,550 (11)       $ 36,550  

    2007   $ 22,500 (10) $ 22,000 (11)     $ 44,500  

Jay Shuster

    2008   $ 50,000   $ 30,800 (13) $ 70,000 (14) $ 150,800  

    2007   $ 35,000 (12) $ 22,000 (13) $ 70,000 (14) $ 127,000  

(1)
The amounts in this column represent the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to fiscal 2007 for the fair value of stock options granted to each named executive officer in fiscal 2007, as well as prior fiscal years, in accordance with SFAS 123(R). Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. The amounts in this column reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value that will be realized by each named executive officer. For the relevant assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock option awards, refer to "Stock Option Expense" in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2009.

(2)
Mr. Arnold's fees were earned for his service as a non-employee director ($20,000 in each of 2007 and 2008) and as chairman of the compensation committee ($2,500 in 2008).

(3)
Mr. Arnold holds a total of 15,000 option shares under the Stock Incentive Plan, 3,750 of which were granted in each of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(4)
Mr. Berlin's fees were earned for his service as a non-employee director ($20,000 in each of 2007 and 2008), as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee ($2,500 in 2007 and $5,000 in 2008), and as a member of the audit committee ($2,500 in 2008).

(5)
Mr. Berlin holds a total of 15,000 option shares under the Stock Incentive Plan, 3,750 were of which granted in each of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

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(6)
Mr. Guttilla's fees were earned for his service as a non-employee director ($20,000 in each of 2007 and 2008) and as chairman of the audit committee ($5,000 in 2007 and $10,000 in 2008).

(7)
Mr. Guttilla holds a total of 15,000 option shares under the Stock Incentive Plan, 3,750 of which were granted in each of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(8)
Mr. Hailey's fees were earned for his service as Chairman of the Board ($25,000 in 2007) and for his service as a non-employee director ($10,000 in 2007 and $20,000 in 2008).

(9)
Mr. Hailey holds a total of 7,500 option shares under the Stock Incentive Plan, 3,750 of which were granted in each of 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition he holds 45,000 shares pursuant to underwriter warrants that were issued in 2005.

(10)
Mr. Schoen's fees were earned for his service as a non-employee director ($20,000 in each of 2007 and 2008), as chairman of the compensation committee ($5,000 in 2007) and as a member of the audit committee ($2,500 in 2008).

(11)
Mr. Schoen holds a total of 11,250 option shares under the Stock Incentive Plan, 3,750 of which were granted in each of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(12)
Mr. Shuster's fees were earned for his service as chairman of the board of directors ($25,000 in 2007 and $50,000 in 2008) and as a non-employee director ($10,000 in 2007).

(13)
Mr. Shuster holds a total of 23,750 option shares under the Stock Incentive Plan, 10,000 of which were granted in each of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(14)
Includes $70,000 in fees in connection with Mr. Shuster's consulting arrangement with the Company.


Limitation of Liability and Indemnification

        The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we may indemnify the Company's directors, officers, employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The Company maintains a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy that insures such persons against the costs of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment under certain circumstances. We believe that these indemnification and liability provisions are essential to attracting and retaining qualified persons as officers and directors.

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        In addition, the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits the personal liability of the Company's directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. This provision in the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not eliminate a director's duty of care, and, in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as an injunction or other forms of non-monetary relief remain available. Each director will continue to be subject to liability for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us, for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, for acts or omissions that the director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the Company or its stockholders, for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, for improper transactions between the director and the Company, and for improper distributions to stockholders and loans to directors and officers. This provision also does not affect a director's responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

        The Company has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of the Company's directors and officers which are broader than the specific indemnification provision contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under these agreements, the Company is required to indemnify them against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any actual, or any threatened, proceeding if any of them may be made a party because he or she is or was one of the Company's directors or officers. The Company is obligated to pay these amounts only if the officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the Company's best interests. With respect to any criminal proceeding, the Company is obligated to pay these amounts only if the officer or director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements also set forth procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification under such agreements.


Employee Benefit Plans

        Stock Incentive Plan.    The Company's Stock Incentive Plan was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders in April 2005. In May 2008, an amendment to increase the shares issuable under the Stock Incentive Plan to 897,500 was adopted by the Board and approved by the stockholders. The plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options to employees and for the granting of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and other cash or stock-based awards to employees, directors and consultants selected by the Company's Compensation Committee.

        401(k) Plan.    The Company established three 401(k) retirement savings plans in 1998. One plan covers all salaried employees, one covers the Company's union employees in the paper mill and one covers the Company's union employees in the converting facility. Each of the Company's participating employees may contribute to the 401(k) plan, through payroll deductions, not less than 1% nor more than 25% of his or her compensation. The Company may make matching or additional contributions to the 401(k) plan in amounts to be determined annually by the Company's Board of Directors in the case of the Company's 401(k) plan for salaried employees, and by the respective union contracts in the case of the 401(k) plans for union employees. Employees may elect to invest their contributions in various established mutual funds. All amounts contributed by employee participants are fully vested at all times. Under the two union plans, employer matching contributions are fully vested at all times. Under the salaried employees' plan, the employer matching contributions vest ratably over the first four years of employment. For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, administrative expenses paid to the third-party provider related to the 401(k) plans were $19,000, $15,000 and $8,000 respectively.

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AGREEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        The Company has employment agreements with Robert Snyder, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and Keith R. Schroeder, the Company's Chief Financial Officer.

        Mr. Snyder's agreement has an initial term ending on December 31, 2011 and is automatically renewed for one-year terms thereafter unless terminated by either party upon 60 days notice prior to the end of the then-current term. The agreement may be terminated by us prior to the end of the term upon Mr. Snyder's death, disability or for cause (as defined in the agreement). As compensation for his services, Mr. Snyder receives a base salary, currently $266,250, subject to annual adjustments to reflect any increase from the previous year in the consumer price index for the Midwestern Urban metropolitan area with a population between 50,000 and 1,500,000 people. Mr. Snyder is entitled to an annual bonus targeted at 60% of his annual salary. Mr. Snyder is entitled to a severance payment of one year's salary if the Company terminates him without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason, and no severance payment if he is terminated for cause or if he terminates his employment other than for good reason. If the Company terminates Mr. Snyder without cause of if he terminates his employment for good reason within the 12 months following a change of control, he is entitled to a severance payment of two year's salary. On August 18, 2008, the Company approved an amendment to Mr. Snyder's agreement to provide a one-time payment of $40,000 to compensate him for continuing temporary living expenses and travel.

        The Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Schroeder which became effective on March 1, 2009. Mr. Schroeder's agreement has an initial term ending on December 31, 2011 and is automatically renewed for one-year terms thereafter unless terminated by either party upon 60 days notice prior to the end of the then-current term. The agreement may be terminated by the Company prior to the end of the term upon Mr. Schroeder's death, disability or for cause (as defined in the agreement). As compensation for his services, Mr. Schroeder receives an annual base salary of $190,025, subject to annual adjustments at the discretion of the Board. Mr. Schroeder is entitled to an annual bonus targeted at 60% of his annual salary. Mr. Schroeder is entitled to a severance payment of one year's salary if the Company terminates him without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason, and no severance payment if he is terminated for cause or if he terminates his employment other than for good reason. If the Company terminates Mr. Schroeder without cause of if he terminates his employment for good reason within the 12 months following a change of control, he is entitled to a severance payment of two year's salary.


REVIEW, APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

        We review all transactions and relationships in which the Company and any of our Directors, nominees for Director or executive officers, or any of their immediate family members, are participants, so as to determine whether any of these individuals have a direct or indirect material interest in any such transaction. We have developed and implemented processes and controls to obtain information from the Directors and executive officers about related person transactions, and for then determining, based on the facts and circumstances, whether a related person has a direct or indirect material interest in any such transaction. Transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to a related person are disclosed in the Company's proxy statement.

        Pursuant to these processes, all Directors and executive officers annually complete, sign and submit a Directors' and Officers' Questionnaire that is designed to identify related person transactions and both actual and potential conflicts of interest. We also make appropriate inquiries as to the nature and extent of business that the Company conducts with other companies for whom any of our Directors or executive officers also serve as directors or executive officers.

        Under the Company's Business Conduct Policy, any direct or indirect conflict of interest is prohibited, unless specifically consented to by the Company. A conflict of interest exists if, in the course of employment, the officer's or director's judgment and discretion is or may be influenced by considerations of personal gain, either for one's self or a third party. Any conflict or potential conflict of interest is required to be reported to the Company's Chief Financial Officer or the Chairman of the nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. A waiver of a conflict of interest with respect to executive offices and directors may only be granted by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

        Since the beginning of 2008, there has not been, nor is there currently planned, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which the Company was or is a party in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer or holder of more than 5% of the Company's common stock or any member of such persons' immediate families had or will have a direct or indirect material interest other than agreements which are described under the caption "AGREEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS" and the transactions described below.

Indemnification and Employment Agreements

        As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws that authorize and require us to indemnify the Company's officers and directors to the full extent permitted under Delaware law, subject to limited exceptions. The Company's amended and restated bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify the Company's directors and officers, and may indemnify the Company's employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The Company currently has a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy that insures such persons against the costs of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment under certain circumstances. We believe that these indemnification and liability provisions are essential to attracting and retaining qualified persons as officers and directors. The Company has also entered into employment agreements with the Company's named executive officers. See "AGREEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS."

        The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with the Company's directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, the Company is required to indemnify them against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any actual, or any threatened, proceeding if any of them may be made a party because he or she is or was one of the Company's directors or officers. The Company is obligated to pay these amounts only if the officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the Company's best interests. With respect to any criminal proceeding, the Company is obligated to pay these amounts only if the officer or director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The indemnification agreements also set forth procedures that will apply in the event of a claim for indemnification under such agreements.

        In addition, the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits the personal liability of the Company's directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. This provision in the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not eliminate a director's duty of care, and, in appropriate circumstances, equitable remedies such as an injunction or other forms of non-monetary relief would remain available. Each director will continue to be subject to liability for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us, for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law, for acts or omissions that the director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the Company or the Company's stockholders, for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, for improper transactions between the director and the Company, and for improper distributions to stockholders and loans to directors and officers. This provision also does not affect a director's responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal securities laws or state or federal environmental laws.

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PROPOSAL II.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        The firm of HoganTaylor LLP (formerly Tullius Taylor Sartain & Sartain LLP) served as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed HoganTaylor LLP to act in that capacity for the year ending December 31, 2009. A representative of HoganTaylor LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and to be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

        Although the Company is not required to submit this appointment to a vote of the stockholders, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors continues to believe it appropriate as a matter of policy to request that the stockholders ratify the appointment of HoganTaylor LLP as independent registered public accounting firm. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will investigate the reasons for stockholder rejection and consider whether to retain HoganTaylor LLP or appoint another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF HOGANTAYLOR LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009.


Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        Audit Fees.    The aggregate fees for professional services rendered by HoganTaylor LLP for the audit of the Company's financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, for the internal control audit required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and for the review of the Company's financial statements included in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008 were approximately $123,000. Of this total, fees attributable to the internal control audit amounted to $28,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008. Comparable fees for the 2007 audit and three quarterly reviews amounted to $156,000. Comparable fees for the 2006 audit and three quarterly reviews amounted to $89,000.

        Audit-Related Fees.    The aggregate fees billed for audit-related services rendered by HoganTaylor LLP were approximately $9,500, $8,500, and $8,500 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These fees primarily relate to audits of the Company's defined contribution pension plans in each year.

        Tax Fees.    The aggregate fees paid to HoganTaylor LLP for tax compliance and tax consulting amounted to approximately $11,000, $15,000, and $10,000 in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

        All Other Fees.    There were no other fees paid to, or services rendered by, HoganTaylor LLP in 2008, 2007 and 2006.

        The following table sets forth fees paid to HoganTaylor LLP:

 
  Audit Fees   Audit-Related Fees   Tax Fees   All Other Fees  

2006

  $ 90,000   $ 8,500   $ 10,000   $  

2007

  $ 156,000   $ 8,500   $ 15,000   $  

2008

  $ 123,000   $ 9,500   $ 11,000   $  

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Policy Regarding Pre-Approval of Services Provided by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        The Audit Committee Charter requires the committee's pre-approval of all services, both audit and permitted non-audit, to be performed for the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm.

        Prior to engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year's audit, management will submit a schedule of all proposed services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of services to the Audit Committee for approval. The Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of service. In determining whether proposed services are permissible, the committee considers whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining auditor independence. As part of its consideration of proposed services, the committee may (i) consult with management as part of the decision making process, but may not delegate this authority to management, and (ii) delegate, from time to time, its authority to pre-approve such services to one or more committee members, provided that any such approvals are presented to the full committee at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting.

        The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.

        The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 that were attributable to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees was less than 50%.


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

        The Company's amended and restated bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice in writing. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the Company's principal executive offices not more than 120 days or less than 90 days before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, or between January 19, 2010 and February 18, 2010 in the case of the 2010 annual meeting. However, if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after the anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be received before the close of business on the 10th day after the date on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed to stockholders or made public, whichever first occurs. The Company's amended and restated bylaws specify the requirements for the form and content of a stockholder's notice. These provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.

        Stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2010 annual meeting must be received at the Company's principal executive office no later than February 18, 2010, in order to be included in the Company's proxy statement and proxy relating to that meeting. The Company will determine whether to include such proposal in accordance with regulations governing the solicitation of proxies.

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Table of Contents


CODE OF ETHICS

        The Company has a Business Conduct Policy ("Code of Ethics") that applies to all of its directors, officers, and employees, including its senior financial officers. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available in the Corporate Governance section of the Company's website, which can be accessed from the homepage at http://www.orchidspaper.com by selecting "Investor Relations" followed by "Corporate Governance." We will post any amendments to the Code of Ethics in the same section of the Company's website.


OTHER MATTERS

        Management intends to bring before the meeting only the matters specifically described above and knows of no other matters to come before the meeting. If any other matters or motions properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with the recommendation of management on such matters or motions, including any matters dealing with the conduct of the meeting.


SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

        The Company will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies for the meeting. The Company are requesting that brokerage houses, banks, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries forward the proxy material to beneficial owners and their reasonable expenses of forwarding will be reimbursed by us. Solicitation will be made by mail and also may be made personally or by telephone, facsimile or other means by the Company's officers, directors and employees, without special compensation for the solicitation.

    By Order of the Board of Directors
    Keith R. Schroeder
    Keith R. Schroeder
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

April 17, 2009

 

 

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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF ORCHIDS PAPER PRODUCTS COMPANY May 19, 2009 NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at www.orchidspaper.com Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. Signature of Stockholder Date: Signature of Stockholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: To elect as directors for one-year terms expiring at the Company’s next annual meeting. Gary P. Arnold Steven R. Berlin John C. Guttilla Douglas E. Hailey Jeffrey S. Schoen Jay Shuster Robert A. Snyder 2. RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM: To ratify the appointment of HoganTaylor LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2009. 3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE BUT THE PROXY IS SIGNED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN FOR ALL NOMINEES WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) INSTRUCTIONS:To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: NOMINEES: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. --------------- ---------------- 20730000000000001000 4 051909 MARK “X” HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.

 

 

0 14475 REVOCABLE PROXY ORCHIDS PAPER PRODUCTS COMPANY ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 19, 2009 This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Orchids Paper Products Company The undersigned stockholder(s), revoking all prior proxies, hereby appoint(s) Robert A. Snyder and Keith R. Schroeder, or either of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, agents and as proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to act and to vote all of the common stock of Orchids Paper Products Company that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Ambassador Hotel located at 1324 South Main Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The proxies are directed to vote as instructed on the matters set forth on this card and all other matters at their discretion which may properly come before the meeting. The matters listed on the reverse side were proposed by the Company. The undersigned acknowledges that he/she has received a copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER REQUESTS FOR PROXIES TO ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. A SELF-ADDRESSED, POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)