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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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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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GRAPHIC


NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS


to be held at


Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha—Downtown
1212 Cuming Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102


on


May 2, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. (Local Time)


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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held May 2, 2012

        The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Ballantyne Strong, Inc. will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha—Downtown, 1212 Cuming Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, on May 2, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., Local Time, for the following purposes:

        Only those stockholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2012, (the "Record Date") shall be entitled to notice of the meeting and to vote at the meeting.

        Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please submit your proxy as soon as possible to assure a quorum. Please vote in one of these three ways:

        If you vote on the website or by telephone you do not need to return the proxy card by mail.

        Voting by any of these methods will ensure that you are represented at the Annual Meeting even if you are not there in person. Stockholders who have previously voted but attend the meeting may withdraw their proxy if they wish to do so, and vote in person.

        If you desire assistance in scheduling overnight accommodations in Omaha, contact Mei Wu at Ballantyne at (402) 453-4444, ext. 303. Early reservations are encouraged.

        The formal meeting of stockholders will be followed by a review of our business. I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

        Dated this 19th day of March, 2012.


 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

 



GRAPHIC
    Gary L. Cavey
President and Chief Executive Officer

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

  1

Who may vote?

  1

What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

  1

Who may attend the Annual Meeting?

  1

What constitutes a quorum?

  1

May I vote by proxy card, by telephone or through the internet?

  2

May I vote confidentially?

  2

May I change my vote?

  2

How does the Board recommend I vote?

  2

How many votes are required to approve each Proposal?

  2

What is a broker non-vote?

  3

Who pays the expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies?

  3

How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?

  3

How may I get additional copies of the Annual Report?

  3

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 
4

PROPOSAL ONE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 
6

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 
6

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 
8

Board Leadership Structure and Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

  8

Board Independence

  8

Communication to the Board

  9

Board Meeting Attendance

  9

Board Attendance at Annual Meeting

  9

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors and Officers

  9

BOARD COMMITTEES

 
10

Audit Committee

  10

Compensation Committee

  11

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

  11

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 
13

Executive Summary

  13

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

  13

Compensation Risk Assessment

  18

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

  18

Compensation Committee Report

  18

Executive Compensation

  19

Summary Compensation Table

  19

Grants of Plan-based Awards for Fiscal 2011

  20

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

  21

Options Exercised and Stock Vested

  21

Director Compensation

  22

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 
23

Independent Registered Public Accountants

 
24

PROPOSAL TWO ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 
25

Background

  25

Non-Binding Advisory Resolution

  25

Required Vote

  25

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 
26

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 
26

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PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 2, 2012

        This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (the "Company"). The 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on May 2, 2012 at 9:00 a.m., Local Time, at the Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha—Downtown, 1212 Cuming Street , Omaha, Nebraska 68102 and its telephone number is 402-345-5500.


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 2, 2012

        As permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the Company is making this Proxy Statement and its Annual Report available to its stockholders electronically via the internet. On March 23, 2012, the Company mailed to many stockholders a Notice of Interest Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access this Proxy Statement, the Company's Annual Report and vote online. Those stockholders who do not receive such a Notice, including stockholders who have previously requested to receive paper copies of proxy materials, will receive a copy of this Proxy Statement, the proxy card, and the Annual Report by mail. This Notice also contains instructions on how you can (i) receive a paper copy of the Proxy Statement, proxy card and Annual Report if you only received a Notice by mail, or (ii) elect to receive your Proxy Statement, proxy card and Annual Report over the internet next year if you received them by mail this year.


GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

Who may vote?

        The Company has one class of voting shares outstanding. Only stockholders of record of our common stock at the close of business on March 8, 2012, the Record Date, are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote the shares of common stock that they held on the Record Date. At the close of business on March 8, 2012, the Company had 14,264,538 shares of outstanding common stock, all of which are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of common stock will have one vote on each matter to be voted on. The shares of common stock held in treasury will not be voted.


What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?

        At the Company's Annual Meeting, stockholders will act upon the matters described in the accompanying notice of meeting. In addition, management will report on Ballantyne's performance during fiscal 2011 and respond to questions from stockholders.


Who may attend the Annual Meeting?

        All stockholders as of the Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting.


What constitutes a quorum?

        The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the Company's common stock outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum, permitting the meeting to conduct its business. As of the Record Date, 14,264,538 shares of common stock were outstanding. Broker non-votes, abstentions and proxies marked "withheld" for the election of directors, will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of

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business, but will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast with respect to a proposal.


May I vote by proxy card, by telephone or through the internet?

        You may vote by proxy card, by telephone or through the internet. Voting by any of these methods will ensure that you are represented at the Annual Meeting even if you are not there in person.


May I vote confidentially?

        Yes. The Company's policy is to treat all stockholder meeting proxies, ballots and voting tabulations of a stockholder confidentially, if the stockholder has requested confidentiality on the proxy or ballot. Please refer to the proxy card for instructions.

        If you so request, your proxy will not be available for examination and your vote will not be disclosed prior to the tabulation of the final vote at the Annual Meeting, except (i) to meet applicable legal requirements, (ii) to allow the independent election inspectors to count and certify the results of the vote or (iii) if there is a proxy solicitation in opposition to the Board of Directors, based upon an opposition proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The independent election inspectors may at any time inform us whether or not a stockholder has voted.


May I change my vote?

        You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. You may change your vote on the internet or by telephone (only your latest internet or telephone proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted), or by signing and returning a new proxy card with a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. However, your attendance at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you vote again at the meeting or specifically request in writing that your prior proxy be revoked.


How does the Board recommend I vote?

        Unless you give instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board's recommendation is set forth in the description of each proposal in this Proxy Statement. With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.


How many votes are required to approve each Proposal?

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What is a broker non-vote?

        If you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. In this situation, a "broker non-vote" occurs. Shares constituting broker non-votes are not counted or deemed to be present or represented for the purpose of determining whether stockholders have approved a matter, but they are counted as present for the purpose of determining a quorum at the Annual Meeting.


Who pays the expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies?

        The Company will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies, including the charges and expenses of brokers and others for forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners of stock. In addition to the use of mail, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone or facsimile. Computershare, Inc., the Company's Transfer Agent, is prepared to assist the Company to solicit proxies, if necessary.


How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?

        Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be published in a Current Report on Form 8-K that we expect to file within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Form 8-K within four business days after the meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an amendment to the Form 8-K to publish the final results.


How may I get additional copies of the Annual Report?

        Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, including financial statements, is available through our website at www.strong-world.com. For additional printed copies, please contact our Corporate Secretary by mail at the address listed below:

Attn: Corporate Secretary
Ballantyne Strong, Inc.
4350 McKinley Street
Omaha, NE 68112

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Largest Owners of Ballantyne Shares

        The following table shows each person or entity Ballantyne knows to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company's outstanding common stock as of the Record Date of March 8, 2012.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
  Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership   Percent of Class(2)  

Ariel Investments, LLC

    917,752     6.43 %

200 E. Randolph Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL, 60601

             

(1)
This information is based on a Form 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2012.

(2)
Based upon 14,264,538 shares outstanding on March 8, 2012.


Share Ownership of Directors and Officers

        The following chart sets forth, as of the close of business on March 8, 2012, certain information concerning beneficial ownership of common stock by each director and director nominee of the Company, each of the named executive officers (as defined below), and all directors and executive officers as a group.

Name
  Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1)   Percent of Common Stock(2)

Gary L. Cavey, President and CEO

    53,429 (3) *

Mary A. Carstens, CFO

    5,489 (4) *

Christopher D. Stark, Vice President of Operations and COO

    29,313 (5) *

Ray F. Boegner, Senior Vice President

    32,473 (6) *

Kevin S. Herrmann, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer

    31,775 (7) *

William F. Welsh, II, Chairman of the Board

    133,550 (8) *

Alvin Abramson, Director

    35,925 (9) *

Marc E. LeBaron, Director

    27,800 (10) *

Mark D. Hasebroock, Director

    34,925 (11) *

Samuel C. Freitag, Director

    2,100 (12) *

Donde Plowman, Director

    2,100 (13) *

James C. Shay, Director Nominee

      *

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

    388,879 (14) 2.7%

*
Less than 1% of common stock outstanding.(1)

        All executive officers beneficially own 152,479 shares including exercisable stock options and restricted stock, or 1.1% of the outstanding common stock.(1)(15)

(1)
Each director, nominee and officer not shown as being a part of a group owns all outstanding shares directly and has sole or shared voting and investment power over such shares. The number of shares shown for stockholders reporting ownership as part of a group represents the total

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(2)
Based upon 14,264,538 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 8, 2012. Each named person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares of common stock that may be acquired within 60 days of March 8, 2012, upon the exercise of stock options. The shares also include restricted stock which will vest within 60 days of March 8, 2012, as the individuals have sole or shared voting and investment power over such shares. Accordingly, the number of shares and percentage set forth next to the name of such person, all executive officers as a group and all directors, nominees and executive officers as a group includes the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to presently exercisable stock options and non-vested restricted stock. However, the shares of common stock so issuable upon exercise of stock options or unvested restricted stock by any such person are not included in calculating the percentage of common stock beneficially owned by any other stockholder.

(3)
Includes 11,762 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Cavey, 25,000 shares held in the Gary L. Cavey Revocable Trust of which Mr. Cavey is the Trustee and 16,667 shares purchasable pursuant to presently exercisable stock options.

(4)
Includes 5,489 shares of common stock directly owned by Ms. Carstens.

(5)
Includes 29,313 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Stark.

(6)
Includes 32,473 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Boegner.

(7)
Includes 31,775 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Herrmann.

(8)
Includes 131,450 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Welsh and 2,100 shares of restricted common stock vesting within 60 days of March 8, 2012.

(9)
Includes 33,825 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Abramson, and 2,100 shares of restricted common stock vesting within 60 days of March 8, 2012.

(10)
Includes 25,700 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. LeBaron and, 2,100 shares of restricted common stock vesting within 60 days of March 8, 2012.

(11)
Includes 32,825 shares of common stock directly owned by Mr. Hasebroock and 2,100 shares of restricted common stock vesting within 60 days of March 8, 2012.

(12)
Includes 2,100 shares of restricted common stock owned by Mr. Freitag vesting within 60 days of March 8, 2012.

(13)
Includes 2,100 shares of restricted common stock owned by Dr. Plowman vesting within 60 days of March 8, 2012.

(14)
Includes 334,612 shares of common stock owned directly by all directors, nominees and executive officers as a group, 25,000 shares owned indirectly by the Gary L. Cavey Revocable Trust, 12,600 shares of restricted common stock vesting within 60 days of March 8, 2012 and 16,667 shares purchasable pursuant to presently exercisable stock options.

(15)
Includes 110,812 shares of common stock owned directly by all executive officers, 25,000 shares owned indirectly by the Gary L. Cavey Revocable Trust and 16,667 shares purchasable pursuant to presently exercisable stock options.

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PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Ballantyne's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as amended, provide for the annual election of all directors. The Bylaws allow the Board to set the number of directors from time to time and to appoint directors between Annual Meetings. For purposes of this 2012 Annual Meeting the Board of Directors has set the number of directors at seven (7).

        At the 2011 Annual Meeting stockholders elected five (5) directors namely William F. Welsh, II, Alvin Abramson, Gary L. Cavey, Marc E. LeBaron and Mark D. Hasebroock. Two (2) additional directors, Donde Plowman and Samuel C. Freitag were appointed by the Board on June 6, 2011. Six (6) of the presently-serving directors have been nominated for re-election. Alvin Abramson previously announced his retirement from the Board and James C. Shay has been nominated for election as one of the seven (7) directors. Information on these individuals, the other current directors and Ballantyne's corporate governance disclosures follow this proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE
"FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL THE NOMINEES.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

        Set forth below is a list of the seven (7) current directors and certain information regarding them. The chart below also sets forth the year in which each current director became a director of the Company. Each of these individuals, except for Mr. Abramson, has been nominated for election at the 2012 Annual Meeting. In addition, information on James C. Shay, who has been nominated for election as a new director is set forth below.

        William F. Welsh, II, age 70, was Chairman/CEO of Election Systems & Software from 1993 until his retirement in October 2003. He has served as a director of Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN) since 2001. Mr. Welsh has served as a director of Ballantyne since 2000. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Welsh's prior executive level leadership and experience as a Chief Executive Officer give him the operational expertise and breadth of knowledge to understand Ballantye's business operations. His service on other boards of directors also provides a high level of expertise in strategic matters and corporate governance. All of these qualities are supportive of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's selection of Mr. Welsh as a director.

        Alvin Abramson, age 83, is a self-employed business consultant since 2000. He is a retired Certified Public Accountant with over 45 years of professional experience. Mr. Abramson has served as a director of Ballantyne since 2002. Mr. Abramson is retiring from the Board and is not standing for re-election.

        Gary L. Cavey, age 63, has been the Company's President and CEO and a director since November 2010. From 2009 until joining the Company, Mr. Cavey served as COO of Midland Radio Corporation, an international industry leader in the manufacture and sale of two-way wireless communications systems for consumer and industrial applications. From 1999 until 2008, Mr. Cavey was President/CEO & Chairman of MAC Equipment, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of pneumatic conveying and air filtration systems serving numerous industries. In selecting Mr. Cavey to serve as a director, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considered his 15-plus years' experience serving as a senior executive with his previous employers, his prior and current service on other corporate boards and the Company's history of having its CEO serve on the Board.

        Marc E. LeBaron, age 57, has served as Chairman/CEO of Lincoln Industries from 2001 to present. He previously served as President of Lincoln Industries from 1982 until becoming Chairman/CEO. He is also a director of Assurity Life Insurance Company. Mr. LeBaron has served as a director

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of Ballantyne since 2005. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. LeBaron's 30-plus years of organizational leadership experience, his ability to identify and implement business strategy and knowledge of corporate governance give him the operational expertise and breadth of knowledge which qualify him to serve as a director.

        Mark D. Hasebroock, age 52, is the founder of Dundee Venture Capital (which was founded in 2010), a venture capital firm investing in growth companies with an e-commerce and web services focus. He is also Co-founder, Director and Secretary of Hayneedle.com (formerly Netshops, Inc.) from 2002 to present. Prior to co-founding Hayneedle, he served as an investment banker with McCarthy & Co., for approximately 13 years. Mr. Hasebroock has served as a director of Ballantyne since 2003. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Hasebroock's executive level leadership, technology experience and financial background give him the operational expertise and breadth of knowledge which qualify him to serve as a director.

        Samuel C. Freitag, age 56, has been an independent private investor since January of 2004. From July 2002 to December 2003, he was President of McCarthy Capital Corporation, a private equity fund manager of approximately $300 million in capital. From 1986 until 1997; he held various positions with George K. Baum Merchant Bank, LLC, including serving as Senior Managing Director and Director, Investment Banking. Mr. Freitag has served as a director of Ballantyne since June 2011. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Freitag's investment banking experience and service on other boards of directors provide him the executive experience and knowledge to qualify him to serve as a director.

        Donde Plowman, age 59, has been the Dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Business Administration and a Professor of Management since July 2010. She was previously the head of the Department of Management at the University of Tennessee from 2007 to 2010. She previously held the position of Professor of Management at the University of Texas in San Antonio from 2007 to 2010, and Associate Dean for graduate programs and research and director of the Ph.D. program at the College of Business from 2000 to 2003. Dr. Plowman has published more than 40 articles and book chapters on management topics and has served as a management training consultant. Dr. Plowman has served as a director of Ballantyne since June 2011. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Dr. Plowman's experience in business management academics, senior level academic leadership and management experience qualify her to serve as a director.

        James C. Shay, age 48, is the Senior Vice President, Finance and Strategic Planning, and Chief Financial Officer for Great Plains Energy, Inc. (NYSE: GXP) and Kansas City Power & Light Company, a position he has held since July 2010. Previously, Mr. Shay served as Chief Financial Officer for Northern Power Systems from 2009 to 2010, Managing Director of Frontier Investment Bank from 2007 to 2009, Chief Financial Officer for Machine Laboratory, LLC (after its acquisition from BHA) from 2004 to 2006 and in various positions with BHA from 1992 until its acquisition of Machine Laboratory LLC in 2004. Mr. Shay is a Certified Public Accountant. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Shay's extensive background in finance and accounting as well as his executive experience qualify him to serve as a director.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

        The Board of Directors operates pursuant to the provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation (as amended) and Bylaws (as amended) and has also adopted several corporate governance policies to address significant corporate governance issues. The Board of Directors has adopted the following governance documents:

        These corporate governance documents are available on the Company's website at www.strong-world.com.


Board Leadership Structure and Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

        The Chairman of our Board and the Chief Executive Officer are not the same person. Since 2001, our Board has separated these duties, operating under the belief that a Board comprised of a majority of independent directors should be chaired by an independent director. It is also our Board's belief that separation of these roles is appropriate for Ballantyne so as to create a distinction between strategic and operational leadership of our business. That said, it has also been the Board's belief that our Chief Executive Officer, as the central operational and hands-on decision maker and the officer charged with implementing and overseeing the policies set by the Board, should serve as a director. Accordingly, Mr. Cavey serves as a director, as did his predecessor.

        One of the Board's key functions is informed oversight of the Company's risk management process. The Board does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through the Board as a whole, as well as through various Board standing committees that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In particular, the Board is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic and operational risk exposure. The Audit Committee has the responsibility to consider and discuss major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control these exposures, including guidelines and policies to govern the process by which risk assessment and management is undertaken. The Audit Committee also provides oversight of the performance of the internal audit function. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the effectiveness of the Company's corporate governance guidelines and the selection of prospective Board members and their qualifications. The Compensation Committee, in conjunction with the Audit Committee, assesses and monitors whether any of the Company's compensation policies and programs have the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. Typically, the entire Board meets with management and the applicable Board committees at least annually to evaluate and monitor respective areas of oversight. Both the Board as a whole and the various standing committees receive periodic reports from individuals responsible for risk management, as well as incidental reports as matters may arise. It is the responsibility of the committee chairs to report findings regarding material risk exposures to the Board as quickly as possible.


Board Independence

        The Board of Directors is composed of a majority of independent directors as defined by the listing requirements of the NYSE Amex. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Welsh, Abramson, LeBaron, Hasebroock and Freitag, and Dr. Plowman are and in the case of

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Mr. Shay will be, independent directors of the Company under the listing standards adopted by the NYSE Amex. It is the policy of the Board that the independent directors meet in executive session (i.e. without management present) at each regular Board Meeting as well as when they as a group deem such meeting appropriate or necessary. During 2011, the independent directors met four (4) times in person. In addition, they held one (1) meeting via teleconference. All independent directors attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate number of meetings held.


Communication to the Board

        Stockholders wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors should address written correspondence to the Secretary of the Company who will present the communication to the Board.


Board Meeting Attendance

        The Board of Directors held four (4) meetings in person during 2011. In addition, the Board of Directors held six (6) meetings via teleconference. Each current director attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate number of meetings held.


Board Attendance at Annual Meeting

        All members of the Board of Directors are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting. All directors serving at the time, except Messrs. Beach and Schuster, attended the 2011 Annual Meeting.


Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors and Officers

        The Company's Corporate Governance Principles state that directors are expected to own the number of shares of common stock equal to the value of three times their annual retainer. New directors have three years in which to meet this expectation. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the status of this expectation. The Chief Executive Officer is expected to own shares equal to the value of 75% of his annual base salary. Other officers are expected to own shares in an amount indexed to that of the CEO based upon their respective base salaries. Officers have three years from the date of their appointment to satisfy this expectation. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the status of this expectation.

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BOARD COMMITTEES

        The Board has an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee. The current charters for each of the Committees are available on our website, www.strong-world.com. The members of the Board committees, as of the date of this Proxy Statement, are identified in the following table:

Director
  Audit Committee   Compensation Committee   Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

William F. Welsh

      X   Chair

Alvin Abramson

  Chair       X

Marc E. LeBaron

  X   Chair   X

Mark D. Hasebroock

  X   X   X

Samuel C. Freitag

  X   X   X

Donde Plowman

  X       X


Audit Committee

        The Board, acting under a written charter, has a standing Audit Committee. The Audit Committee consists of directors Abramson (Chair), Hasebroock, LeBaron, Freitag and Plowman, who are independent directors, as defined by NYSE Amex listing requirements. All Audit Committee members are financially literate. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Abramson is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing, and reporting practices of the Company, and performs such other duties as are directed by the Board. The Committee's role includes a particular focus on the qualitative aspects of financial reporting to stockholders, and on the Company's processes to manage business and financial risk, and for compliance with significant applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirements.

        The Committee is directly responsible for the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged to prepare and issue an audit report on the financial statements and internal controls of the Company and periodically reviews and evaluates their performance and independence from management. All audit and permitted non-audit services are pre-approved by the Committee. Any services not covered by prior pre-approval or services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels, must be approved in advance by the Committee. The Committee has delegated the responsibility of approving proposed non-audit services that arise between Committee meetings, to the Chairman, provided that the decision to approve the services is presented for ratification at the next scheduled Committee meeting. During 2011, the Committee held four (4) meetings in person. In addition, the Committee held one (1) meeting via teleconference. All Committee members attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate number of meetings held.

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Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors consists of directors LeBaron as Chair, Welsh, Hasebroock and Freitag. All members of the Committee are independent as defined by the NYSE Amex listing requirements. The Compensation Committee acts under a written charter, adopted by the Board of Directors. The Committee functions include, but are not limited to:

        The Compensation Committee has engaged Compensation Strategies, Inc., as the Committee's independent executive compensation consultant as needed. Compensation Strategies reports directly to the Committee and provides advice on the structure and amounts of executive and director compensation. In addition, they also assisted with the development of the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

        The Committee held one (1) meeting in person during 2011. In addition, the Committee held three (3) meetings via teleconference. All Committee members attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate number of meetings held.


Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

        The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are directors Welsh (Chair), Abramson, LeBaron, Hasebroock, Freitag and Plowman. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent as defined by the NYSE Amex listing requirements. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee acts under a written charter, adopted by the Board of Directors. The functions of the Committee include, among other items, overseeing all aspects of the Company's corporate governance functions including compliance with significant legal, ethical and regulatory requirements. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also reports to, and assists, the Board of Directors in identifying individuals for membership to the Board and recommends to the Board the director nominees for the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held two (2) meetings in person during 2011. In addition the Committee held one (1) meeting via teleconference. All Committee members attended at least seventy-five percent of the aggregate number of meetings held.

        Director Nomination Process—The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the Company is well-served by its current directors. In the ordinary course, absent special circumstances or a material change in the criteria for Board membership, the Committee will re-nominate incumbent directors who continue to be qualified for Board service and are willing to continue as directors. If, as in the case of Mr. Abramson, an incumbent director is not standing for re-election, or if a vacancy occurs between annual stockholder meetings, the Committee will seek out potential candidates for Board appointment who meet the criteria for selection as a nominee and have the specific qualities or skills being sought. Director candidates will be selected based upon input from the members of the Board, senior management of the Company and, if the Committee deems appropriate, a third-party search firm.

        Candidates will be chosen for their ability to represent all of the stockholders, and for their character, judgment, fairness and overall ability. As a group, they are expected to set the appropriate policy for the Company, and to bring to the Board of Directors broad experience in business matters

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and an insight and awareness of the appropriate and ever-changing role that corporations should have in society. Because the advice of those facing similar issues is of particular value, executive officers of other corporations are desirable candidates. Ballantyne does not have a set policy or process for considering "diversity", however that term may be defined, in identifying nominees. However, Ballantyne's corporate governance principles provide that the Nominating and Governance Committee shall strive to identify and recruit individuals whose diverse talents, experiences and backgrounds enhance the inclusive environment in which the Board currently functions. The Committee relies upon its judgment of the foregoing general criteria and the following personal criteria in selecting candidates for nomination to the Board of Directors:

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluated Messrs. William F. Welsh, II, Gary L. Cavey, Marc E. LeBaron, Mark D. Hasebroock, Samuel C. Freitag and Donde Plowman, all of whom are incumbent directors, and recommended their nomination to the Board of Directors. The Board, in turn, nominated these six persons for re-election as directors at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also evaluated James C. Shay and recommended his nomination to the Board who, in turn, nominated him for election as a director at the 2012 Annual Meeting.

        The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider proposals for nominees for director from stockholders which are made in writing to the Secretary of the Company and comply with Bylaw requirements. The recommendation must contain sufficient background information concerning the nominee to enable a proper judgment to be made as to his or her qualifications. Recommendations must also include a written statement from the candidate expressing a willingness to serve.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Executive Summary

        The following is a list of the names and ages of the current executive officers of the Company, their business history and their term of office with the Company.

Name
  Age   Position and Principal Occupation   Officer
Since
 

Gary L. Cavey

    63   Director, President and CEO of the Company since November 2010. From 2009 to 2010 served as COO of Midland Radio Corporation. From 1999 until 2008, served as President/CEO & Chairman of MAC Equipment, Inc.     2010  

Mary A. Carstens

    55   Chief Financial Officer since July, 2011. From 2005 until March 31, 2011, Ms. Carstens worked for Belden, Inc. (NYSE:BDC), a global manufacturer of cable and networking products. She held a number of different positions with BDC, with her latest assignment being the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of the Asia Pacific Division.     2011  

Christopher D. Stark

    51   Senior Vice President and COO since May 2010. From 2009 to 2010 he served as Vice President of Operations and COO, and was Vice President of Operations from 2007-2009. Served as General Manager for Nobbies, Inc. from September 1999 to April 2007.     2007  

Ray F. Boegner

    62   Senior Vice President; previously Senior Vice President of Sales; Vice President of Sales prior to November 1996; joined Company in 1985.     1997  

Kevin S. Herrmann

    46   Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer since July 2011. He was CFO, Secretary and Treasurer from September 2006 to July 2011. He joined the Company as Controller in 1997.     2006  


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Compensation Philosophy

        Decisions with respect to executive compensation are made by the Compensation Committee on an individual basis based upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the provisions of any existing employment contract with an executive officer, evaluation of the executive officer's performance, the level of responsibility associated with the executive officer's office, recruitment requirements and the performance of the Company. The Compensation Committee periodically utilizes Compensation Strategies, Inc. as its independent executive compensation consultant. Compensation Strategies reports directly to the Committee and provides advice from time to time to the Committee on the structure and amounts of executive and director compensation. Compensation Strategies provides no other services to the Company.

        Compensation of the executive officers of the Company has historically been structured to motivate, reward and retain the executive officers consistent with the needs of the Company from time to time. The major elements of the executive officers' compensation are base salary, short-term

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incentives in the forms of cash, restricted and unrestricted stock, and long-term incentives in the forms of stock options, restricted stock and units, stock appreciation rights and performance shares and units.

        The overall goal of the Company's compensation policy is to maximize stockholder value by attracting, retaining and motivating the executive officers that are critical to its long-term success. To that end, the Board of Directors adopted; and the stockholders approved, the Ballantyne Strong, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Board of Directors believes that the 2010 Plan, coupled with the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, is essential to recruit, motivate and retain a high caliber management team and is expected to advance the long-term success of the Company by rewarding executive officers and key employees for the achievement of certain performance goals designed to increase stockholder value over a multi-year period.


Compensation Recoupment Policy

        The Board has adopted, as part of its Corporate Governance Principles, a policy on recoupment of executive compensation. If the Board learns of any misconduct by an officer that damages the Company's operation, reputation, or standing, or that causes the Company to have to restate its financial statements, the Board may among other actions, and to the extent permitted by governing law, require the surrender, forfeiture and cancellation of all restricted stock awards, options or other non-cash compensation previously granted to the officer. The Board may also require reimbursement of any performance-based cash compensation received by the officer and which award was influenced by the misconduct in question.


Say on Pay Vote

        The Company conducted its first advisory vote on executive compensation in May 2011. The resolution passed with 96% of the vote. The Company's stockholders in May 2011 also cast 89% of their votes in favor of an annual say-on-pay vote. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee considered these results in determining compensation policies and decisions for the remainder of 2011 and for 2012. The Board and the Committee also determined to hold annual say-on-pay votes and, based on the significant level of stockholder support, to continue the current compensation objectives, strategies, processes and practices described below.


Base Salary

        The base salaries of executive officers have historically reflected, and will continue to reflect their individual contribution to the Company. Base salaries have historically been reviewed annually and may be changed based on the individual's performance or a change in competitive pay levels in the marketplace.

        The Compensation Committee reviews and establishes the base salary of the Chief Executive Officer based on independent competitive data, his leadership in establishing performance standards in the conduct of the Company's business, and its expectation as to his future contributions in directing the long-term success of the Company and its business.


Cash and Restricted Stock Bonuses

        The Committee believes that the annual bonus of key employees, including executive officers, should be based on optimizing profits and prudent management of the capital employed in the business. Annual incentive compensation is determined and paid pursuant to the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan ("STI Plan"). The STI Plan is an annual incentive program that provides the executive officers and key management bonuses if the Company achieves certain goals. Each payout is further subject to the achievement of certain individual goals, as defined. The STI Plan provides for a bonus payout in the form of cash, restricted and unrestricted stock or some combination thereof based on

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certain criteria. The bonuses paid for fiscal 2011 performance were generally in the form of cash and unrestricted stock. For the 2011 STI Plan, the Compensation Committee established certain target award percentages of base salary to determine the target award for the named executive officers and certain key employees. The target award for Mr. Cavey was set at 50% of his base salary while the target awards for the remaining named executive officers were set at 35% of their base salaries.

        The Compensation Committee set three universal tactical goals that comprised 85% of the entire target award that applied to each of the participants of the STI Plan. The first universal goal was that fiscal year 2011 pre-tax income exceed certain thresholds as set forth in the Plan. This goal represented 45% of the target award. The second universal goal was fiscal year 2011 Strong-MDI sales exceeding certain thresholds as set forth in the Plan. This goal represented 30% of the target award. The final universal tactical goal was fiscal year 2011 Strong Technical Services revenue exceeding certain thresholds set forth in that Plan. This goal represented 15% of the target award. The Committee also set certain goals specific to each participant's area of responsibility and represented the final 10% of the target award. Each goal was established whereby in the event that a particular goal was not met, no particular payout for that particular individual goal would occur. There were no minimum or maximum performance levels.

        The Committee deemed all the goals described above effective in focusing management on continued profitability even with the challenges of operating under the Company's transition from being a film manufacturing company to one based on the distribution and service of digital equipment.

        Two of the three universal tactical goals were achieved. Not all participants achieved their individual goals. The payouts for the target awards are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table on page 14. The cash payments or issuances of stock were made in 2012.


Stock Plans

        During 2005, the Committee adopted and the stockholders subsequently approved, the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan. The Committee believes the Plan provides a mechanism to link executive and stockholder interests and assists the Company in attracting and retaining key executives. In January 2011, 20,959 shares of common stock were granted to key employees under the Plan as partial payment for goals met under the STI Plan for fiscal 2010. In March 2012, 28,210 shares of common stock were granted to key employees under the Plan as partial payment for goals met under the STI Plan for fiscal 2011. A total of 41,310 shares remain available for issuance pursuant to this Plan. The Plan is set to expire in September of 2013.

        The Company also has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan to provide a method by which eligible employees may purchase common stock on a discounted basis through payroll deductions. The maximum number of shares of common stock that can be purchased by an eligible employee pursuant to any plan year is 2,000 shares. The Committee believes that participation in the Plan provides eligible employees at all levels with a greater incentive to contribute to the success of the Company. A total of 68,177 shares have been reserved and remain available for issuance pursuant to this Plan. The Plan is set to expire in October of 2013.


2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan

        The 2010 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The 2010 Plan provides the Committee with the flexibility to design compensatory awards that are responsive to the Company's needs. Subject to the terms of the 2010 Plan, the Committee has the discretion to determine the terms of each award, including which award, if any, may be subject to vesting upon a "change in control" of the Company, as such term is defined in the 2010 Plan. In general, all awards under the 2010 Plan to Company executive officers and other key employees will be made by the Committee. However, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the day-to-day administration of the

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Plan. Awards under the 2010 Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted units, performance shares or performance units. The Company expects that executive officers and key employees may receive awards from time to time under the 2010 Plan. The benefits or awards that may be received by or allocated to participants will be determined at the discretion of the Committee based on the development of a series of long-term strategic goals that the Board of Directors believes will significantly enhance stockholder value if achieved. The maximum number of shares as to which stock awards may be granted under the 2010 Plan is 600,000 shares, subject to adjustments by the Committee for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, acquisitions and other similar transactions or events. The 2010 Plan will terminate on May 19, 2020.


401K Retirement Plan

        The Company has adopted a Retirement and Savings 401(k) Plan (the "Plan"), which is a combination savings and profit sharing plan designed to qualify under Section 401 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), including the provisions of Section 401(k). All employees of Ballantyne who are at least eighteen years old and who have completed six months of service are eligible to participate in the Plan. Each participant may defer up to 100% of their compensation. The Company will match 50% of the amount deferred up to 6% of their compensation. In addition, the Company may elect, at the discretion of the Board, to contribute an additional amount. All contributions to the Plan are non-forfeitable. For 2011, no participant could contribute more than $16,500 to the Plan and receive a deduction for federal income tax purposes while certain participants age 50 or older could contribute up to $22,000. Benefits may be distributed to participants or their beneficiaries, as the case may be, in the event of a participant's death, retirement or other termination of service, or, if the participant so requests, on reaching age 591/2. Participants may be eligible to withdraw benefits in case of hardship.

        Contributions to the Plan made by the Company on behalf of the named executive officers of the Company are included in the Summary Compensation Table.


Other Employee Benefits

        At the end of 2010 the Company changed its policy of providing automobiles to certain named executive officers. The Company is allowing the leases to expire pursuant to their terms. The Company also provides its executives with certain benefits which are generally available to all employees of the Company, such as excess life and disability insurance. These benefits for the named executive officers of the Company are included in the Summary Compensation Table.


Employment Contracts

        During fiscal 2011, the Company had written employment agreements with each of Mr. Cavey, Ms. Carstens, Mr. Stark, Mr. Boegner and Mr. Herrmann. The material provisions of each of these agreements are discussed below.

        Mr. Cavey's agreement provides for an annual salary of $300,000, which is subject to annual review and adjustment based upon his performance. He is eligible for performance-based compensation in the form of an annual bonus under the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan and is eligible to participate in Ballantyne's 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. He is eligible to participate in and/or receive other benefits provided to other employees of the Company. He was also granted 50,000 non-qualified stock options, the details of which are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. The agreement obligates Mr. Cavey to acquire and maintain holdings of Ballantyne's common stock equivalent to at least 75% of his base salary within three years of his hiring, which is consistent with the Company's stock ownership requirements set forth in the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. In the event his employment is terminated by Ballantyne without good cause or by Mr. Cavey for good

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reason, as these terms are defined in the agreement, then he will receive his base salary through the later of October 31, 2013, or nine months after the date his employment is terminated. In addition, Ballantyne will pay for or reimburse Mr. Cavey for the cost of health insurance during this same period or for 12 months whichever is shorter. The agreement with Mr. Cavey provides that in the event of a change-in-control (as defined in the agreement) the agreement will continue in effect and any termination of the agreement will be treated as being without cause, entitling Mr. Cavey to the severance benefit discussed above. Assuming a termination date of December 31, 2011, as required by SEC rules, the approximate value of the severance benefits would have been $569,978 for Mr. Cavey. In addition, the terms of the stock options granted to Mr. Cavey provide for accelerated vesting in the event of a change-in-control. Assuming that a change-in-control occurred at December 31, 2011, as required by SEC rules, the approximate value of the vesting stock options would have been zero as the exercise price to be paid by Mr. Cavey exceeded the Company's stock price at December 31, 2011.

        Ms. Carstens' employment agreement with the Company provides for a base salary of $200,000 per year. She is eligible for performance-based compensation in the form of an annual bonus under the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan and is eligible to participate in the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan. She received relocation reimbursement and six-months of temporary living expense reimbursement and a stock option grant of 2,200 non-qualified stock options, the details of which are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. The agreement requires Ms. Carstens to acquire and maintain holdings of Ballantyne's Common Stock equivalent to 50% of her base salary within three years of her hiring, which is consistent with the Company's stock ownership requirements set forth in the Company's Corporate Governance Principles. In the event that her employment is terminated by Ballantyne without good cause or by Ms. Carstens without good reason, as these terms are defined in the agreement, then she will receive her base salary for a period of six (6) months after the date her employment is terminated. In addition, Ballantyne will pay for or reimburse Ms. Carstens for the cost of health insurance during this same period. She is eligible to participate in and/or receive other benefits provided to other employees of the Company. The agreement with Ms. Carstens provides that in the event of a change-in-control (as defined in the agreement) the agreement will continue in effect and any termination of the agreement will be treated as being without cause, entitling Ms. Carstens to the severance benefits discussed above. Assuming a termination date of December 31, 2011, as required by SEC rules, the approximate value of the severance benefits would have been $103,917 for Ms. Carstens. In addition, the terms of the stock options granted to Ms. Carstens provide for accelerated vesting in the event of a change-in-control. Assuming that a change-in-control occurred at December 31, 2011, as required by SEC rules, the approximate value of the vesting stock options would have been $44.

        Mr. Stark's base compensation was $195,700 per year during fiscal year 2011. He is eligible to participate in the Short-Term Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan and other normal employee benefits. Mr. Stark's employment contract expired in February 2011, and consistent with a change in Company policy his employment was "at will" through December 31, 2011.

        Mr. Boegner's base compensation was $206,000 per year during fiscal 2011. He is eligible to participate in the Short-Term Incentive Plan, Long-Term Incentive Plan and other normal employee benefits. Mr. Boegner's employment contract expired in January 2011, and consistent with a change in Company policy his employment was "at will" through December 31, 2011.

        Mr. Herrmann's base compensation was $175,100 per year during fiscal year 2011. He was eligible to participate in the Short-Term Incentive Plan, Long-Term Incentive Plan and other normal employee benefits. Mr. Herrmann's employment contract expired in May 2011 and his employment was "at will" through December 31, 2011. In January 2012, Mr. Herrmann notified the Company that he would resign effective in April 2012. Mr. Herrmann and the Company entered into a written retention agreement providing for his continued employment through April 2, 2012. Mr. Herrmann will receive his present salary through his last day of employment. He will also receive a one-time retention

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payment of approximately $105,000, and the cash value of accrued vacation days of approximately $20,000, both of which are payable after the retention period is completed. The agreement also contains a customary release of claims.

        Messrs. Stark, Boegner and Herrmann are entitled to severance and other benefits such as accrued vacation pursuant to the Company's then-existing severance policy. Assuming a termination date of December 31, 2011, as required by SEC rules and assuming applicability of the Company's then-existing severance policy of providing employees with over 10 years of service with two weeks for each year of employment, the approximate value of the severance and benefits would have been $231,219 for Mr. Boegner and $115,269 for Mr. Herrmann. Given a policy of providing employees with fewer than five years of service one week of severance for each year of employment, the value of severance and benefits for Mr. Stark under the same assumptions would have been approximately $33,082.


Compensation Risk Assessment

        The Company has evaluated its compensation policies and practices as they relate to risk management and risk taking incentives. Based upon this evaluation we have concluded that the risks arising from the Company's relatively modest and uncomplicated compensation structure are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the business.


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        During 2011 there were no compensation committee interlocks and no insider participation in compensation decisions that were required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.


Compensation Committee Report

        The Compensation Committee oversees the Company's compensation program on behalf of the Board. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth in this Proxy Statement and based on such review and discussion, has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Marc E. LeBaron, Chair
William F. Welsh, II
Mark D. Hasebroock
Samuel C. Freitag

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Executive Compensation

        The following table sets forth information regarding all forms of compensation earned by the Company's Named Executive Officers during the last three fiscal years. Each Named Executive Officer, except Ms. Carstens was employed by the Company during all of fiscal 2011.


Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock award(s)
($)(5)
  Option Awards
($)
  Non-Equity Incentive Plan Comp.
($)(4)
  Change in Pension Value & Nonqualified Def. Comp. Earnings
($)
  All Other Compensation
($)(16)
  Total
($)
 

Gary L. Cavey(1)

    2011     300,000         57,751 (6)       57,749         8,064     423,564  

President and Chief

    2010     50,000             256,005 (3)               306,005  

Executive Officer

                                                       

Mary A. Carstens(2)

    2011     80,000         26,951 (7)   4,409 (3)   26,949         12,232     150,541  

Chief Financial Officer

                                                       

Ray F. Boegner,

    2011     206,000         27,756 (8)       27,761         14,273     275,790  

Senior Vice President

    2010     200,000         31,500 (9)       31,500         23,711     286,711  

    2009     195,000         44,362 (10)       23,888         13,595     276,845  

Christopher D. Stark

    2011     195,700         26,053 (11)       26,049         15,452 (17)   263,254  

Senior Vice President and

    2010     190,000         29,925 (12)       29,925         19,175     269,025  

Chief Operating Officer

    2009     170,000         38,671 (13)       20,829         8,045     237,545  

Kevin Herrmann

    2011     175,100                   37,975         11,575     224,650  

Chief Financial Officer,

    2010     170,000         26,775 (14)       26,775         23,862     247,412  

Secretary and Treasurer

    2009     160,000         27,999 (15)       28,001         13,690     229,690  

(1)
Mr. Cavey was hired by the Company in November 2010.

(2)
Ms. Carstens was hired by the Company in July 2011.

(3)
The option award of non-qualified stock options was made outside of the Company's existing stock compensation plans pursuant to applicable regulations allowing for such an arrangement.

(4)
These amounts represent annual cash incentive awards received under the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(5)
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value calculated in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. For additional information relating to the assumptions made in valuing and expensing these awards for 2010 refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC.

(6)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 11,762 shares of restricted stock granted during 2012 achieving 2011 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(7)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 5,489 shares of restricted stock granted during 2012 for achieving 2011 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(8)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 5,653 shares of restricted stock granted during 2012 for achieving 2011 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(9)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 4,054 shares of restricted stock granted during 2011 for achieving 2010 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(10)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 10,820 shares of stock granted during 2010 for achieving 2009 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(11)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 5,306 shares of restricted stock granted during 2012 for achieving 2011 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

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(12)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 3,851 shares of restricted stock granted during 2011 for achieving 2010 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(13)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 9,432 shares of stock granted during 2010 for achieving 2009 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(14)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 3,446 shares of restricted stock granted during 2011 for achieving 2010 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(15)
Consists of the grant date fair value of 6,829 shares of restricted stock granted during 2010 for achieving 2009 performance targets under the Short-Term Incentive Plan.

(16)
The Company provides its executives with certain employee benefits. These benefits include excess life and disability insurance, certain auto expenses, moving and temporary allowance reimbursements and contributions made by the Company under the Ballantyne Retirement and Savings Plan described herein and are identified and quantified for 2011 below:

   
  Mr. Cavey   Ms. Carstens   Mr. Boegner   Mr. Stark   Mr. Herrmann  
 

Auto Expenses

  $         4,128     1,264     5,396  
 

Moving and temporary living expenses

          11,428              
 

Employer match on Retirement and Savings Plan

    4,500           6,581     5,910     5,369  
 

Excess life and disability insurance

    3,564     804     3,564     1,242     810  
                         
 

Total All Other Compensation

  $ 8,064     12,232     14,273     8,416     11,575  
                         
(17)
Includes $7,036 in accrued vacation pay-out.

        The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to the Company's Named Executive Officers during the last completed fiscal year.


Grants of Plan-based Awards for Fiscal 2011

 
   
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards ($)(1)
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards (# of shares)
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
  All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units
(#)(2)
  All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
  Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
($/share)
  Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
($)(3)
 
Name
  Grant Date   Threshold   Target   Maximum   Threshold   Target   Maximum  

Gary L. Cavey

    1/12/11     62,250     75,000     106,875     12,678     15,275     21,767                  

Mary C. Carslens

    1/12/11     29,050     35,000     49,875     5,916     7,128     10,158                  

Christopher D. Stark

    1/12/11                             3,851             29,922  

    1/12/11     28,469     34,300     48,878     5,798     6,986     9,955                  

Ray F. Boegner

    1/12/11                             4,054             31,500  

    1/12/11     29,922     36,050     51,371     6,094     7,342     10,463                  

Kevin S. Herrmann

    1/12/11                             3,446             26,775  

    1/12/11     50,838     61,250     87,281                              

(1)
Non-Equity incentive awards were made with respect to the Company's Short-Term Incentive Plan for fiscal 2011.

(2)
Reflects total grant awards made during 2011 pursuant to the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan as partial payment for goals met under the Short-Term Incentive Plan for fiscal 2010.

(3)
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value calculated in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718 during the applicable fiscal year. For additional information relating to the assumptions made in valuing and expensing these awards for 2011 refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC.

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        The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding equity awards for each of the Company's Named Executive Officer as of the end of the last completed fiscal year.


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 
  Option Awards    
   
   
   
 
 
  Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable    
  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options    
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable    
   
  Stock Awards  
Name
  Option Exercise Price
($)
  Option Expiration Date   Number Of Shares or Units Of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
  Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number Of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#)
  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
 

Gary L. Carvey

    16,667     33,333         8.32     11/01/2020                  

Mary C. Carstens

        2,200         4.07     07/25/2021                  

        The following table sets forth information concerning exercised options and vesting of stock awards for each of the Company's Named Executive Officers as of the end of the last completed fiscal year.


Options Exercised and Stock Vested

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
(#)
  Value Realized On Exercise
($)(1)
  Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
(#)
  Value Realized On Vesting
($)(1)
 

Christopher D. Stark

            13,095     102,950  

Ray F. Boegner

    50,000     156,500     13,129     103,193  

Kevin S. Herrmann

            13,050     102,647  

(1)
Difference between the exercise price and the market price on the date of vesting or exercise.

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Director Compensation

        The following table sets forth the compensation paid to the Company's directors in fiscal 2011. Mr. Cavey serves as a director however he receives no separate compensation for this service and his compensation is reflected within the various other tables in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this Proxy Statement.

 
  Fees Earned
Or Paid in
Cash
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)(3)
  Option
Awards
($)(4)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Comp. Earn.
($)
  All Other
Comp.
($)
  Total
($)
 

William F. Welsh, II(2)(5)

    27,000     13,335                     40,335  

Alvin Abramson(1)(5)

    32,000     13,335                     45,335  

Marc E. LeBaron(2)(5)

    26,500     13,335                     39,835  

Mark D. Hasebroock(2)(5)

    26,000     13,335                     39,335  

Samuel C. Freitag(3)(6)

    8,874     10,668                     19,542  

Donde Plowman(3)(6)

    9,874     10,668                     20,542  

Christopher E. Beach(4)

    12,868                         12,868  

Steven J. Schuster(4)

    13,868                         13,868  

(1)
In 2011, Mr. Abramson received (a) an annual retainer of $25,000 which consisted of a $20,000 retainer received as director compensation and a $5,000 retainer received as Chairman of the Audit Committee; (b) $1,000 for each Board meeting attended; and (c) $500 for each Board meeting held via teleconferencing. Although not included in the above table, the director is reimbursed for his out-of-pocket expenses of attending Board meetings.

(2)
In 2011, Messrs. Welsh, LeBaron and Hasebroock received (a) an annual retainer of $20,000; (b) $1,000 for each Board meeting attended; and (c) $500 for each Board meeting held via teleconferencing. Although not included in the above table, the directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses of attending Board meetings.

(3)
In 2011, Dr. Plowman and Mr. Freitag received (a) a pro rated annual retainer from the date they were elected a director of $6,374; (b) $1,000 for each Board meeting attended; and (c) $500 for each Board meeting held via teleconference. Although not included in this table, the director is also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for attending Board meetings.

(4)
Former directors of the Company whose terms ended in May 2011 and did not stand for re-election. In 2011, each of Mr. Beach and Mr. Schuster received (a) a prorated annual retainer through the end of their term of $11,868; (b) $1,000 for each Board meeting attended; and (c) $500 for each Board meeting held via teleconference. Although not included in this table, the director is also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for attending Board meetings.

(5)
In May 2011, Messrs. Abramson, Hasebroock, LeBaron and Welsh were each granted 2,100 shares of restricted stock under the 2008 Non-Employee Directors' Restricted Stock Plan. The restricted stock vests on the day preceding the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The amounts shown in this column include the fair value of the annual restricted stock award on the date of grant which was $6.35. For additional information relating to the assumptions made in valuing and expensing these awards for 2011 refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC.

(6)
In June 2011, Dr. Plowman and Mr. Freitag were each granted 2,100 shares of restricted stock under the 2008 Non-Employee Director's Restricted Stock Plan. The restricted stock vests on the day preceding the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The amounts shown in this column include the fair value of the annual restricted stock award on the date of grant which was $5.08. For additional information reflecting the assumption made in valuing and expensing these awards for 2011, refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the SEC.

        The Company does not pay directors who are also officers or employees of the Company any additional compensation for their service as directors.

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

        The following report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall this report be incorporated by reference into any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

        The Audit Committee is comprised of Alvin Abramson (Chair), Marc E. LeBaron, Mark D. Hasebroock, Samuel C. Freitag and Donde Plowman, each of whom is an independent director of the Company under the rules adopted by Securities and Exchange Commission and the NYSE Amex.

        The Company's management is responsible for the preparation of the Company's financial statements and for maintaining an adequate system of internal controls and processes for that purpose. KPMG LLP acts as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and they are responsible for conducting an independent audit of the Company's annual financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and issuing a report on the results of their audit. The Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of both of these processes.

        The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 with management of the Company and with representatives of KPMG. The discussions with KPMG also included the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standard No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.

        In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed the independence of KPMG. The Audit Committee discussed KPMG's independence with them and have received written disclosures and a letter from KPMG regarding their independence as required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant's communications with the audit committee concerning independence.

        Based upon its review and the discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company's audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

        The foregoing report is submitted by the Audit Committee in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations there under.

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Independent Registered Public Accountants

        KPMG LLP, certified public accountants, is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company. Representatives of KPMG LLP, are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make any statement they might desire and will also be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional service rendered by KPMG LLP, for each of the last two fiscal years:

Category of Fee
  2011   2010  

Audit Fees(1)

  $ 347,270   $ 321,595  

Audit Related Fees

         

Tax Fees(2)

    70,000     71,275  

All Other Fees

         
           

Total

  $ 417,270   $ 392,870  
           

(1)
Includes fees for professional services rendered during the fiscal year for the audit of our annual financial statements and for reviews of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

(2)
Includes fees related to tax preparation and tax compliance.

        As discussed on page 8, the Audit Committee has implemented pre-approval procedures consistent with the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        There were no fees billed by KPMG LLP, for the Company's most recent fiscal year for professional services rendered in connection with financial information systems design and implementation.

        KPMG has been selected as the Company's independent registered public accountants for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

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PROPOSAL TWO
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Background

        At the 2011 Annual Meeting, the stockholders' approved, by advisory vote, annual frequency for future advisory votes on executive compensation ("say-on-pay vote"). This advisory vote was accepted by the Board of Directors.

        The annual advisory say-on-pay vote on executive compensation is a non-binding vote on the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules promulgated by the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure. The advisory say-on-pay vote is not a vote on the Company's general compensation policies, compensation of the Board, or the Company's compensation policies as they relate to risk management.

        The Compensation Committee believes the Company's executive compensation program reflects a strong philosophy that rewards performance and is closely aligned with stockholders' long-term interests. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement provides a more detailed discussion of the Company's executive compensation policies and practices.


Non-Binding Advisory Resolution

        We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for the Company's executive compensation program as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our Named Executive Officers' compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement. Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

        This advisory say-on-pay vote on executive compensation is not binding on the Board. However, the Board values the opinion of our stockholders and will take into account the result of the vote when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.


Required Vote

        If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve this resolution.

        Our Board recommends a vote FOR adoption of the advisory resolution approving the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers.

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

        In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, stockholder proposals must be received by November 17, 2012 to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which is expected to be held in May 2013. It is suggested that any stockholder desiring to submit a proposal, do so by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. Stockholders should also note that, in addition to the requirement of timely receipt by the Board of Directors of a proposal as stated above, such proposal will not be included in the proxy solicitation material for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders unless it otherwise complies with the Company's Bylaws, requirements of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated and in effect thereunder.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of the Company's stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Ballantyne believes that all persons, subject to these reporting requirements filed the required reports on a timely basis during 2011.

26


Fulfillment 18965 18864 FOLD AND DETACH HERE YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY. We encourage you to take advantage of Internet or telephone voting. Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Internet and telephone voting is available through 11:59 PM Eastern Time the day prior to the stockholder meeting date. OR If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card. To vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. INTERNET http://www.proxyvoting.com/btn Use the Internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site. TELEPHONE 1-866-540-5760 Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. BALLANTYNE STRONG, INC. Mark Here for Address Change or Comments SEE REVERSE NOTE: Please sign as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. Signature Signature Date Please mark your votes as indicated in this example X FOR ALL Nominees: WITHHOLD FOR ALL *EXCEPTIONS Proposal 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS 01 William F. Welsh, II 02 Gary L. Cavey 03 Samuel C. Freitag 04 Marc E. LeBaron 05 Mark D. Hasebroock 06 Donde Plowman 07 James C. Shay (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the “Exceptions” box above and write that nominee’s name in the space provided below.) *Exceptions Proposal 2 – The advisory (non-binding) resolution regarding executive compensation. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN

 


Fufillment 18965 18864 You can now access your Ballantyne Strong, Inc. account online. Access your Ballantyne Strong, Inc. account online via Investor ServiceDirect® (ISD). The transfer agent for Ballantyne Strong, Inc., now makes it easy and convenient to get current information on your shareholder account. • View account status • View payment history for dividends • View certificate history • Make address changes • View book-entry information • Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form Visit us on the web at http://www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess For Technical Assistance Call 1-877-978-7778 between 9am-7pm Monday-Friday Eastern Time Investor ServiceDirect® Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-800-370-1163 BALLANTYNE STRONG, INC. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON MAY 2, 2012 The undersigned hereby appoints Gary L. Cavey and Mary A. Carstens, and each of them, with power to act without the other and with power of substitution, as proxies and attorneys-in-fact and hereby authorizes them to represent and vote, as provided on the other side, all the shares of Ballantyne Strong, Inc. Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote, and, in their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha-Downtown at 1212 Cuming Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, on the 2nd day of May 2012 at 9:00 a.m., Local Time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with all powers which the undersigned would possess if present at the Meeting. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED, FOR APPROVAL OF THE NON-BINDING RESOLUTION REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS TO ANY OTHER MATTERS. Address Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side) SHAREOWNER SERVICES P.O. BOX 3550 SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606-9250 Choose MLinkSM for fast, easy and secure 24/7 online access to your future proxy materials, investment plan statements, tax documents and more. Simply log on to Investor ServiceDirect® at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess where step-by-step instructions will prompt you through enrollment. FOLD AND DETACH HERE (Continued and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)