Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

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.          )

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

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

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Liquidity Services, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

o

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
    (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        
 
    (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        
 
    (5)   Total fee paid:
        
 

o

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o

 

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.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
    (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
        
 
    (3)   Filing Party:
        
 
    (4)   Date Filed:
        
 

Table of Contents

LOGO

Fellow Stockholders:

        We are pleased to invite you to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Liquidity Services, Inc. to be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, located at 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

        Details regarding admission to the Annual Meeting and the business to be conducted are more fully described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement.

        Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. You may vote over the Internet, by telephone or by mailing a proxy or voting instruction card. Voting over the Internet, by phone or by written proxy will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting regardless of whether you attend in person. Please review the instructions on the proxy or voting instruction card regarding each of these voting options.

        Thank you for your ongoing support and continued interest in Liquidity Services, Inc.

  Sincerely,

 

/s/ WILLIAM P. ANGRICK, III


William P. Angrick, III
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

Table of Contents


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF LIQUIDITY SERVICES, INC. STOCKHOLDERS

        Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting to be Held on March 17, 2010: This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, Annual Report and Other Proxy Materials are Available at www.envisionreports.com/LQDT.

Time and Date   3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 17, 2010.

Place

 

The offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, located at 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

Items of Business

 

•       Elect three Class I directors to the Board of Directors to hold office until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2013 or until their respective successors have been elected or appointed;

 

•       Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010; and

 

•       Transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.


Adjournments and Postponements

 

Any action on the items of business described above may be considered at the Annual Meeting at the time and on the date specified above or at any time and date to which the Annual Meeting may be properly adjourned or postponed.

Record Date

 

You are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement that may take place only if you were a stockholder as of the close of business on January 28, 2010.

Annual Meeting Admission

 

You will need an admission ticket or proof of ownership to enter the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee and you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you must present proof of your ownership of Liquidity Services stock, such as a bank or brokerage account statement, to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. If you would rather have an admission ticket, you may obtain one in advance by mailing a written request, along with proof of your ownership of Liquidity Services stock, to: Liquidity Services, Inc., Attn: Julie Davis, 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. All stockholders also must present a form of personal identification in order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the Annual Meeting.

Table of Contents

Voting   Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to read this proxy statement and submit your proxy or voting instruction card as soon as possible. You may submit your proxy or voting instruction card for the Annual Meeting by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy or voting instruction card in the pre-addressed envelope provided, or, in most cases, by using the telephone or the Internet. For specific instructions on how to vote your shares, please refer to the section entitled "Questions and Answers" beginning on page 1 of this proxy statement and the instructions on the proxy or voting instruction card. You may revoke a proxy prior to its exercise at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions in the accompanying proxy statement. Any stockholder attending the Annual Meeting may personally vote on all matters that are considered, in which event the signed proxy will be revoked.

        This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, proxy statement, proxy card and voting instructions and our 2009 Annual Report are first being mailed on or about February 12, 2010.

  By order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/ JAMES E. WILLIAMS


James E. Williams
Vice President, General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary

Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    1  

GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

   
5
 

COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

   
14
 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2009

   
15
 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

   
16
 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

   
18
 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   
18
 

PROPOSALS REQUIRING YOUR VOTE

   
19
 

ITEM 1—Election of Directors

   
19
 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   
20
 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND MANAGEMENT

   
22
 

ITEM 2—Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   
23
 

AUDITORS

   
23
 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   
25
 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

   
47
 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

   
48
 

REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING DEADLINES, FOR SUBMISSION OF PROXY PROPOSALS, NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER BUSINESS OF STOCKHOLDERS

   
48
 

i


Table of Contents


LIQUIDITY SERVICES, INC.
1920 L STREET, NW, 6th FLOOR
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
PROXY STATEMENT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Why did I receive these proxy materials?

        We are sending you this proxy statement as part of a solicitation by the Board of Directors of Liquidity Services, Inc. for use at our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and at any adjournment or postponement that may take place. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "us," "we," "our" and the "Company" include Liquidity Services, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

        You are invited to attend our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, beginning at 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, located at 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

        This Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, proxy statement, proxy card and voting instructions and our 2009 Annual Report are first being mailed on or about February 12, 2010.

Do I need a ticket to attend the Annual Meeting?

        You will need an admission ticket or proof of ownership to enter the Annual Meeting. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote your proxy prior to the Annual Meeting but keep the admission ticket and bring it with you to the Annual Meeting.

        If your shares are held beneficially in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee and you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you must present proof of your ownership of Liquidity Services common stock, such as a bank or brokerage account statement, to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. If you would rather have an admission ticket, you may obtain one in advance by mailing a written request, along with proof of your ownership of Liquidity Services stock, to:


Liquidity Services, Inc.
Attn: Julie Davis
1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20036

        All stockholders also must present a form of personal identification in order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting.

        No cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the Annual Meeting.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

        Holders of Liquidity Services common stock at the close of business on January 28, 2010 (the "Record Date") are entitled to receive this Notice and to vote their shares at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 27,133,863 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. All holders of common stock shall vote together as a single class on each matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting.

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

        If your shares are registered directly in your name with Liquidity Services' transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered the "stockholder of record" with respect to

1


Table of Contents


those shares. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, proxy statement, proxy card and voting instructions and our fiscal 2009 Annual Report have been sent directly to you by Liquidity Services.

        If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the "beneficial owner" of shares held in street name. Access to the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, proxy statement, voting instruction card and voting instructions and our fiscal 2009 Annual Report is being provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee, who is considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card included in the mailing or by following their instructions for voting by telephone or on the Internet (if available).

How do I vote?

        You may vote using any of the following methods:

        Complete, sign and date the proxy card or voting instruction card and return it in the prepaid envelope. If you are a stockholder of record and you return your signed proxy card but do not indicate your voting preferences, the persons named in the proxy card will vote the shares represented by that proxy as recommended by the Board of Directors.

        If you are a stockholder of record, and the prepaid envelope is missing, please mail your completed proxy card to Liquidity Services, Inc., 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, Attn: Corporate Secretary.

        The telephone and Internet voting procedures established by Liquidity Services for stockholders of record are designed to authenticate your identity, allow you to give your voting instructions and confirm that those instructions have been properly recorded.

        You may vote by calling the toll-free telephone number on your proxy card. Please have your proxy card in hand when you call. Easy-to-follow voice prompts allow you to vote your shares and confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you are located outside the United States, see your proxy card for additional instructions.

        The website for Internet voting is www.envisionreports.com/LQDT. Please have your proxy card available when you go online. As with telephone voting, you can confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote on the Internet, you also can request electronic delivery of future proxy materials.

        Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day, and will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 16, 2010.

        The availability of telephone and Internet voting for beneficial owners will depend on the voting processes of your broker, bank or other nominee. Therefore, we recommend that you follow the voting instructions in the materials you receive.

        If you vote by telephone or on the Internet, you do not have to return your proxy card or voting instruction card.

2


Table of Contents

        All stockholders may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. You may also be represented by another person at the Annual Meeting by executing a legal proxy designating that person. If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you must obtain a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee and present it to the inspectors of election with your ballot to be able to vote at the Annual Meeting.

What can I do if I change my mind after I vote my shares?

        If you are a stockholder of record, you can revoke your proxy before it is exercised by:

        If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker, bank or other nominee. You may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting if you obtain a legal proxy as described in the answer to the previous question.

        All shares represented by properly executed proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.

What shares can I vote?

        You can vote all shares that you owned on the Record Date. These shares include (1) shares held directly in your name as the stockholder of record; and (2) shares held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or other nominee. Each outstanding share of Liquidity Services stock entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter to be voted upon.

What is "householding" and how does it affect me?

        We have adopted a procedure approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") called "householding." Under this procedure, stockholders of record who have the same address and last name and do not participate in electronic delivery of proxy materials will receive only one copy of our Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement, unless one or more of these stockholders notifies us that they wish to receive an individual copy. This procedure will reduce our printing costs and postage fees and conserve natural resources.

        Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.

        If you are eligible for householding, but you and other stockholders of record with whom you share an address currently receive multiple copies of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement, or if you hold stock in more than one account, and in either case you wish to receive only a single copy of each of these documents for your household, please contact our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (in writing: P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078; from within the United States by telephone: (800) 662-7232; from outside the United States by telephone: (781) 575-2879).

        If you participate in householding and wish to receive a separate copy of this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement, please contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as indicated above and, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of these documents will be delivered to you. Additionally, if you do not wish to participate in householding and prefer to receive separate

3


Table of Contents


copies of these documents in the future, please contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as indicated above.

        If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may request information about householding from your broker, bank or other nominee.

Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

        The names of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at the Annual Meeting and for ten days prior to the Annual Meeting for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at our principal executive offices at 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, by contacting the Corporate Secretary of the Company.

How can I vote on each of the matters?

        In the election of directors, you may vote "for" all of the nominees, or your vote may be "withheld" with respect to one or both of the nominees. For the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, you may vote "for" or "against," or you may indicate that you wish to "abstain" from voting on this matter.

What are the voting requirements to elect the directors and to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010?

        The presence of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, is necessary to constitute a quorum. Abstentions and "broker non-votes" are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A "broker non-vote" occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.

        This is the first year that brokers, banks and other nominees are not permitted to vote on the election of directors without instructions from the beneficial owner. Therefore, if your shares are held through a broker, bank or other nominee, they will not be voted in the election of directors unless you affirmatively vote your shares in one of the ways described above. If you are a beneficial owner, your broker, bank or other nominee is permitted to vote your shares on the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm even if the broker, bank or other nominee does not receive voting instructions from you.

        A plurality of the votes cast is required for the election of directors. This means that the director nominees with the most "for" votes will be elected. Thus, shares as to which a stockholder withholds voting authority and broker non-votes will not be counted towards any director nominee's achievement of a plurality and will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes in favor of any one nominee.

        The affirmative vote of the majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter is required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, are not counted as votes "for" or "against" this item.

        If you sign your proxy card or voting instruction card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board ("for" all director nominees named in the proxy statement and "for" the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010).

4


Table of Contents

Could other matters be decided at the Annual Meeting?

        At the date of this proxy statement, we did not know of any matters to be raised at the Annual Meeting other than those referred to in this proxy statement.

        If other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting for consideration, the proxy holders named on the proxy card will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you.

Can I access the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement on the Internet?

        The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement are available under the Investors section of our website at www.liquidityservicesinc.com. Instead of receiving future copies of our proxy statement by mail, most stockholders can elect to receive an e-mail that will provide electronic links to them. Opting to receive your proxy materials online will save us the cost of producing and mailing documents to your home or business, and also will give you an electronic link to the proxy voting site.

        Stockholders of Record:    You may enroll in the electronic proxy delivery service at any time in the future by going directly to www.computershare.com/investor and following the enrollment instructions.

        Beneficial Owners:    If you hold your shares in a brokerage account, you also may have the opportunity to receive copies of these documents electronically. Please check the information provided in the proxy materials mailed to you by your broker, bank or other nominee regarding the availability of this service.

Who will pay for the cost of this proxy solicitation?

        We will pay the cost of soliciting proxies. Proxies may be solicited on our behalf by directors, officers or employees, acting without special compensation, in person or by telephone, electronic transmission or facsimile transmission.

Who will count the vote?

        Representatives of our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., will tabulate the votes and act as inspectors of election.


GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

Our Principles of Corporate Governance

        The Board of Directors has adopted a set of corporate governance principles as a framework for the governance of the Company. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reviews the principles annually and recommends changes to the Board of Directors as appropriate. Our Corporate Governance Principles are available on our website, www.liquidityservicesinc.com, at "Investors—Corporate Governance—LSI—Corporate Governance Principles." Stockholders may request free copies of our Corporate Governance Principles by sending a written request to our Corporate Secretary at Liquidity Services, Inc., 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036.

        Among other matters, the Corporate Governance Principles contain the following items concerning the Board of Directors:

5


Table of Contents

6


Table of Contents

Governance Information

        Liquidity Services' independent directors meet in executive session without management present at least twice per year. The presiding director at the executive session is selected by a majority of the independent directors.

        Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board of Directors by writing c/o the Corporate Secretary, Liquidity Services, Inc., 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Communications intended for a specific director or directors should be addressed to the attention of the relevant individual(s) c/o the Corporate Secretary at the same address.

        Our Corporate Secretary will review all correspondence intended for the Board and will regularly forward to the Board a summary of such correspondence and a copy of correspondence that, in the opinion of the Corporate Secretary, is of significant importance to the functions of the Board or otherwise requires the Board's attention. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by the Corporate Secretary that is intended for the Board and request copies of any such correspondence.

        In addition, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has established a procedure for parties to submit concerns regarding what they believe to be questionable accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters. Concerns may be reported through our Compliance Hotline at (888) 475-8376. Concerns may be submitted anonymously and confidentially.

        Pursuant to the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. listing standards, the Board of Directors has adopted a set of categorical standards to assist it in assessing the independence of directors. Under these standards, an independent director is a person that the Board of Directors determines to be free of any relationship with Liquidity Services and to meet the then-current requirements for "Director Independence" of the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. The listing standards specify the criteria by which independence will be determined, including guidelines for directors and their immediate family members with respect to employment or past employment with Liquidity Services, receipt of compensation from Liquidity Services, relationships with Liquidity Services' internal or external auditor, employment with a company if an executive officer of Liquidity Services serves on that company's Compensation Committee, employment with a company that has made payments to or received payments from Liquidity Services in excess of certain amounts, or service as an executive officer of a non-profit organization to which Liquidity Services has made contributions in excess of certain amounts.

7


Table of Contents

        Based on the standards set forth in our Principles of Corporate Governance and outlined above, the Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Clough, Fowler, Gross, Kramer and Perdue are independent under these standards.

        Our Board of Directors has adopted a Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code") applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees in order to protect and promote organization-wide integrity and to enhance Liquidity Services' ability to achieve its mission.

        The Code embodies general principles such as compliance with laws, acting with honesty and integrity, avoidance of conflicts of interest, maintenance of accurate and timely financial and business records, use of the Company's assets, working with customers, suppliers and governments, protecting the Company's information and obtaining information regarding other companies.

        All directors, officers, and employees are obligated to report violations and suspected violations of the Code and any concerns they may have pertaining to non-compliance with the Code by following certain procedures described in the Code. All reports of suspected Code violations will be forwarded to the General Counsel, except for complaints and concerns involving accounting or auditing matters, which will be handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee.

        The Code is available on our website, www.liquidityservicesinc.com, at "Investors—Corporate Governance—LSI—Code of Business Conduct and Ethics." A free printed copy is available to any stockholder who requests it by writing to us at the address on page 1.

Board and Committee Membership

        Our Board of Directors is composed of seven directors, divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The term for each class of directors expires at successive annual meetings. The Class I directors are William P. Angrick, III, F. David Fowler and David A. Perdue, Jr., the Class II directors are Phillip A. Clough and Jaime Mateus-Tique, and the Class III directors are Patrick W. Gross and Franklin D. Kramer.

        Our bylaws provide that our Board of Directors shall consist of at least three members. The exact number of members of our Board of Directors will be determined from time to time by resolution of our Board of Directors. A majority of our Board of Directors are "independent directors" as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. As of the date of this proxy statement, Messrs. Clough, Fowler, Gross, Kramer and Perdue are our independent directors.

        The Board of Directors met seven times and acted once by unanimous written consent during fiscal 2009. Each of our directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held while he was a director and of each standing committee on which he served during the period in which the director served as a member of that committee. Our Board has adopted a policy that our directors are encouraged to attend each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Three members of our Board of Directors attended the 2009 Annual Meeting.

8


Table of Contents

        The table below provides fiscal 2009 membership information for the Board of Directors and for each standing committee of the Board.

Name
  Position   Year
Current
Term
Expires
  Audit
Committee
Member
  Compensation
Committee
Member
  Corporate
Governance and
Nominating
Committee
Member
 

Mr. Angrick

  Class I director     2010                    

Mr. Fowler

  Class I director     2010     X *            

Mr. Clough

  Class II director     2011           X     X  

Mr. Mateus-Tique

  Class II director     2011                    

Mr. Gross

  Class III director     2012     X     X *   X  

Mr. Kramer

  Class III director     2012     X     X     X *

*
Chair

        Under the terms of its Charter, the Audit Committee meets at least four times per fiscal year, including periodic meetings in executive session with Liquidity Services' management and Liquidity Services' independent registered public accounting firm, and reports regularly to the full Board of Directors with respect to its activities. The Audit Committee represents and assists the Board of Directors in overseeing Liquidity Services' accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of Liquidity Services' financial statements, including the integrity of the financial statements, Liquidity Services' compliance with legal and regulatory authority requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications and independence, the performance of Liquidity Services' independent registered public accounting firm, and the preparation of a report of the Audit Committee to be included in Liquidity Services' annual proxy statement. Specifically, the Audit Committee is responsible for:

9


Table of Contents

        The Audit Committee has the authority to retain, at Liquidity Services' expense, such outside counsel, experts and other advisors as it determines appropriate to assist it in the full performance of its functions.

        The Audit Committee met four times and acted by unanimous written consent once during fiscal 2009.

10


Table of Contents

        The members of the Audit Committee as of the date of this proxy statement are Messrs. Fowler (Chairperson), Gross and Kramer. The Board of Directors has determined that each is independent, as defined by the Company's director independence standards and the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and the SEC, and that Mr. Fowler is an "audit committee financial expert" for purposes of the rules of the SEC.

        Under the rules of the SEC, members of the Audit Committee must meet heightened independence standards. The Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Fowler, Gross and Kramer meets these heightened independence standards.

        The report of the Audit Committee is included herein on page 24. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on our website, www.liquidityservicesinc.com, at "Investors—Corporate Governance—Audit Committee." A free printed copy is available to any stockholder who requests it by writing to us at the address on page 1.

        Under the terms of its Charter, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, recommending director candidates to the Board, developing and recommending amendments to the Corporate Governance Principles to the Board and undertaking a leadership role in shaping corporate governance. Specifically, the committee is responsible for:

11


Table of Contents

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has the authority to retain, at the Company's expense, such outside counsel, experts and other advisors as it determines appropriate to assist it in the full performance of its functions.

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee met four times and acted once by unanimous written consent during fiscal 2009.

        The members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee as of the date of this proxy statement are Messrs. Kramer (Chairperson), Gross, Clough and Perdue. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is independent, as defined by the Company's director independence standards and the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and the SEC.

        A copy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter is available on our website, www.liquidityservicesinc.com, at "Investors—Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee." A free printed copy is available to any stockholder who requests it by writing to us at the address on page 1.

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending candidates for election to the Board and believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including the highest level of integrity, an ability to exercise sound judgment, an ability to make independent analytical inquiries, a willingness to devote adequate time and resources to diligently perform Board duties and appropriate and relevant business experience and acumen. The Committee considers the number of other boards of public companies on which the candidate serves. The Committee believes that the Board should also include members who have specific industry experience and familiarity with general issues affecting our business.

        The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee uses a variety of methods to identify and evaluate nominees for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Committee through current Board members, professional search firms (to whom we pay a fee), stockholders or other persons. The Committee evaluates candidates for the Board on the basis of the standards and qualifications set forth above, and seeks to achieve a diversity of strengths and backgrounds on the Board, particularly in the areas described above.

        The Company's Corporate Governance Principles contains a policy addressing the consideration of candidates for director suggested by our stockholders. Pursuant to this policy, the Committee will consider candidates for director suggested by our stockholders, provided that the recommendations are made in accordance with the procedures required under our bylaws and described in this proxy statement under the heading "Requirements, Including Deadlines, for Submission of Proxy Proposals, Nomination of Directors and Other Business of Stockholders." Stockholder nominees whose nominations comply with these procedures and who meet the criteria outlined above, in the Committee's Charter and in our Corporate Governance Principles will be evaluated by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee in the same manner as the Committee's nominees.

        Under the terms of its Charter, the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in discharging its responsibilities relating to compensation of Liquidity Services' executive officers and to

12


Table of Contents

produce the annual report on executive compensation to be included in Liquidity Services' annual proxy statement. The Compensation Committee is specifically responsible for:

        The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain, at Liquidity Services' expense, such outside counsel, experts and other advisors as it determines appropriate to assist it in the full performance of its functions.

        The Compensation Committee met eight times and acted once by unanimous written consent in fiscal 2009.

        The members of the Compensation Committee as of the date of this proxy statement are Messrs. Gross (Chairperson), Kramer, Clough and Perdue. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee is independent, as defined by the Company's director independence standards and the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and the SEC.

        A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is available on our website, www.liquidityservicesinc.com, at "Investors—Corporate Governance—Compensation Committee." A free printed copy is available to any stockholder who requests it by writing to us at the address on page 1.

        For additional information about the Compensation Committee's policies and procedures, please see the "Compensation Discussion & Analysis," beginning on page 25.

13


Table of Contents


COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

        Our non-employee directors receive a combination of equity and cash compensation for service on our Board of Directors. Directors who are employed by the Company do not receive any compensation for their service as directors. The Compensation Committee, in consultation with Towers Perrin, its independent compensation consultant, periodically reviews non-employee director compensation and recommends changes based on competitive market data. In fiscal 2009, the Compensation Committee recommended an increase to our non-employee director compensation program based on a review of data compiled by Towers Perrin in fiscal 2008 from our "peer group" (described below in the "Compensation Discussion & Analysis") that indicated our director compensation program was below the median of the peer group. On April 28, 2009, the Board of Directors approved the new fiscal 2009 non-employee director compensation program recommended by the Compensation Committee, which became effective on that date.

        Prior to the adoption of the new compensation program, each of our non-employee directors received an annual cash retainer of $25,000. Committee chairs received an additional annual retainer as follows: $10,000 for the Audit Committee and $5,000 for each of the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. All amounts paid to our non-employee directors are paid quarterly in arrears, unless an election was made otherwise. Our non-employee directors have the opportunity to receive payment of their retainers in the form of stock option grants or grants of restricted stock by making an irrevocable one-time annual election. Stock options received pursuant to this election vest on the last day of the fiscal year with respect to which such stock options were granted. All restrictions applicable to the restricted shares received pursuant to this election also lapse on the last day of the fiscal year with respect to which such restricted shares were granted.

        In addition to a cash retainer, prior to the adoption of the new compensation program, each non-employee director was to receive an annual equity award with an aggregate value of $75,000 granted under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. Sixty percent of the annual equity award was to be provided in the form of stock options with a grant date fair value of $45,000, and forty percent of the annual equity award was to be provided in the form of restricted stock having a grant date fair value of $30,000. The determination of the number of stock options to be granted is made using the Black-Scholes model. The number of shares of restricted stock to be granted is determined by dividing the value of the award by the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.

        Under the new compensation program, the annual retainer increased from $25,000 to $30,000. Annual retainers payable to Committee Chairpersons of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees remained unchanged, except that such retainers are to be paid in advance (such retainers were pro-rated in fiscal 2009 through the end of the year). The total target value for the annual equity component of director compensation was increased from $75,000 to $90,000 and continues to be awarded in the same mix of stock options and restricted stock. Based on this new compensation program, on April 28, 2009, we granted each of our non-employee directors options to purchase 21,086 shares of our common stock with an exercise price per share of $8.55 and 3,509 shares of restricted stock. All of these options vest, and all restrictions lapse on these restricted stock awards, on February 18, 2010 and expire ten years from the date of grant. The Board intends to grant future annual equity awards in February coinciding with our annual meeting. Such annual awards are to vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.

14


Table of Contents

        The non-employee director compensation described above, which became effective April 28, 2009. is summarized in the following table:

Annual Compensation Element for Role
  Board Compensation

General Board Service—Cash Retainer

  $30,000

Committee Chair Service

   
 

Audit

  $10,000
 

Compensation

  $5,000
 

Corporate Governance and Nominating

  $5,000

General Board Service—Equity

   
 

Stock Option Value (60%)

  $54,000
 

Restricted Stock Value (40%)

  $36,000
 

Vesting Schedule

  Stock options and restricted stock
vest on the one-year anniversary of
the grant date

        In addition to the compensation described above, our non-employee directors are reimbursed for expenses they incur in attending meetings of the Board of Directors or Board committees.


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2009

        The following table sets forth the total cash and equity compensation paid to our non-employee directors for their service on the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors during fiscal 2009.

Name
  Retainer fees
paid in cash
($)(1)
  Stock Awards
($)(2)(3)
  Option Awards
($)(2)(4)
  Total
($)
 

Phillip A. Clough

  $ 24,999   $ 32,501   $ 48,750   $ 106,250  

F. David Fowler

   
42,083
   
32,501
   
48,750
   
123,334
 

Patrick W. Gross

   
35,417
   
32,501
   
48,750
   
116,668
 

Franklin D. Kramer

   
35,417
   
32,501
   
48,750
   
116,668
 

(1)
Retainer fees, at the election of each director, may be payable in cash or in the form of stock options or restricted stock. For fiscal 2009, Mr. Clough elected to receive restricted stock. As a result, Mr. Clough was granted 2,917 shares of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $24,999 on November 5, 2008. The restrictions on these shares lapsed on September 30, 2009.

(2)
This column shows the dollar amounts recognized for reporting purposes for fiscal 2009, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, disregarding estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Amounts shown cover awards granted in fiscal 2009 and in prior years which continued to be expensed in fiscal 2009. For additional information about the assumptions used in these calculations, see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. As described above, in fiscal 2009, each non-employee director was granted an option to purchase 21,086 shares of our common stock which had a grant date fair value of $54,000. Each non-employee director also was granted 3,509 shares of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $36,000. We calculate the grant date fair value of a restricted stock award by multiplying the closing price of our common shares on the grant date by the number of shares subject to such award.

15


Table of Contents

(3)
At September 30, 2009, each of our non-employee directors had 3,509 shares of restricted stock outstanding.

(4)
At September 30, 2009, each of our non-employee directors had the following stock option awards outstanding, some of which were not fully vested: Phillip A. Clough, 74,121 options; F. David Fowler, 69,318 options; Patrick W. Gross, 77,711 options; and Franklin D. Kramer, 77,711 options.


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

        The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of our common stock as of January 25, 2010, other than as set forth below, by each of our directors and named executive officers, all of our directors and executive officers as a group and the holders of 5% or more of our common stock known to us. The information in this table is based on our records, information filed with the SEC and information provided to us. To our knowledge, except as disclosed in the table below, none of our stockholders hold more than 5% of our common stock. Except as otherwise indicated, (1) each person has sole voting and investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the shares set forth in the following table and (2) the business address of each person shown below is 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, other than for JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ashford Capital Management, Inc., Royce & Associates, LLC and Trigran Investments, Inc.

 
  Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
  Percentage of
Shares
Outstanding
 

5% Stockholders:

             

JPMorgan Chase & Co.(1)

    2,128,641     7.8 %
 

270 Park Avenue

             
 

New York, NY 10017

             

Ashford Capital Management, Inc.(2)

    1,808,300     6.7 %
 

P.O. Box 4172

             
 

Wilmington, DE 19807

             

Royce & Associates, LLC(3)

    1,751,923     6.5 %
 

745 Fifth Avenue

             
 

New York, NY 10151

             

Trigran Investments, Inc.(4)

    1,510,836     5.6 %
 

630 Dundee Road, Suite 230

             
 

Northbrook, IL 60062

             

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

             

William P. Angrick, III(5)

    7,581,897     27.9 %

Jaime Mateus-Tique(6)

    2,755,596     10.2 %

James M. Rallo(7)

    260,623     1.0 %

Thomas B. Burton(8)

    200,247     *  

Eric C. Dean(9)

    185,039     *  

Philip A. Clough(10)

    1,409,810     5.2 %

Patrick W. Gross(11)

    293,793     1.0 %

Franklin D. Kramer(12)

    143,793     *  

F. David Fowler(13)

    75,400     *  

David A. Perdue, Jr. 

    0     *  

All executive officers and directors as a group

    12,906,198     47.6 %

*
Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

16


Table of Contents

(1)
As of December 31, 2009, based on a review of a Schedule 13 G/A filed on January 21, 2010, JPMorgan Chase & Co. beneficially owned, and had sole dispositive power with respect to, 2,128,641 shares, and had sole voting power with respect to 1,954,226 shares.

(2)
As of December 31, 2008, based on a review of a Schedule 13 G/A filed on February 17, 2009, Ashford Capital Management, Inc. beneficially owned, and had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to, 1,808,300 shares.

(3)
As of December 31, 2009, based on a review of a Schedule 13G report filed on January 25, 2010, Royce & Associates, LLC beneficially owned, and had sole voting and dispositive power with respect to, 1,751,923 shares.

(4)
As of December 31, 2008, based on a review of a Schedule 13G report filed on February 13, 2009, Trigran Investments, Inc. beneficially owned, and had shared voting and dispositive power with respect to, 1,510,836 shares.

(5)
Includes 5,798,696 shares of common stock held by the William P. Angrick, III Revocable Trust, 873,379 shares of common stock held by the William P. Angrick III 2005 Irrevocable Trust, 314,468 shares of common stock held by the Stephanie S. Angrick Revocable Trust, 289,377 shares of common stock held by the Stephanie S. Angrick 2005 Irrevocable Trust and 99,367 shares of common stock held by the Stephanie S. Angrick 2005 Qualified Grantor Retained Annuity Trust. Mr. Angrick disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities. This amount also includes 166,581 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Angrick that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.

(6)
Includes 700,000 shares of common stock held by the Jaime Mateus-Tique 2009 GRAT, 359,000 shares of common stock held by the Em El 2007 Irrevocable Trust, 257,311 shares of common stock held by the Jaime Mateus-Tique 2005 Irrevocable Trust, 28,400 shares of common stock held by the Mateus-Tique Foundation and 141,540 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Mateus-Tique that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.

(7)
Includes 4,270 shares of common stock held by Mr. Rallo's spouse, 510 shares held by Mr. Rallo's children and 178,027 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Rallo that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.

(8)
Includes 200,247 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Burton that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.

(9)
Includes 185,039 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Dean that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.

(10)
Includes 74,121 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Clough that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date. This amount also includes 1,326,690 shares held by ABS Capital Partners VI, LP, ABS Capital Partners VI-A, LP, ABS Capital Partners VI Offshore, LP, (the "ABS Entities"). Mr. Clough is a managing member of ABS Partners VI, LLC, the general partner of the ABS Entities. ABS Partners VI, LLC exercises voting and dispositive power over the shares held by the ABS Entities. Mr. Clough disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. The address for these entities affiliated with ABS Capital Partners is 400 East Pratt Street, Suite 910, Baltimore, MD 21202-3116.

(11)
Includes 150,000 shares of common stock held by Sheila Gross, 26,250 shares of common stock held by the Geoffrey Gross Trust, 26,250 shares of common stock held by the

17


Table of Contents

    Stephanie Gross Trust and 77,711 options held by Mr. Gross that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.

(12)
Includes 77,711 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Kramer that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.

(13)
Includes 69,318 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to options held by Mr. Fowler that are exercisable as of January 25, 2010 or within 60 days of such date.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of greater than ten percent of our common stock to file reports of holdings and transactions in Liquidity Services' common stock with the SEC. Based solely on these records, we believe that in fiscal 2009 all persons satisfied these filing requirements on a timely basis.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        The Company did not participate in or review any potential related party transactions during fiscal 2009. To be considered a related party transaction under current SEC rules, a transaction must include the Company as a participant, and one of our officers, directors or greater than 5% stockholders must have a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. To date, we have not participated in any related party transactions requiring disclosure as such under the SEC disclosure requirements. Should we consider participating in a related party transaction in the future, such transaction would be reviewed and subject to approval by the Audit Committee, in accordance with our written Audit Committee Charter. We have not adopted specific standards that would govern such review.

        As a general matter, our written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics prohibits conflicts of interest. We consider a conflict of interest to exist when a person's private interest interferes in any way with the interests of our Company, including: (i) a conflict that makes it difficult for an employee, officer or director to perform his or her work objectively and effectively; (ii) when an employee, officer or director, or any member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in or with our Company; or (iii) when an employee, officer or director is engaged in a business or business activity that is in competition with or injurious to us. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires that the General Counsel be consulted with any questions about conflicts of interest in addition to requiring that our directors and officers consult with the General Counsel before engaging in any potential conflict of interest transactions.

18


Table of Contents


PROPOSALS REQUIRING YOUR VOTE

ITEM 1—Election of Directors

        Our Board of Directors is composed of seven directors, divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. Our Class I directors are William P. Angrick, III, F. David Fowler and David A. Perdue, Jr., and their term ends at this Annual Meeting of Stockholders upon the election and qualification of their successors.

        Mr. Perdue was appointed to the Board by our Board of Directors on December 1, 2009 and will be up for election for the first time at this Annual Meeting. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, after a review of several potential candidates, evaluated Mr. Perdue's qualifications and recommended his appointment to the Board.

        Our Class II directors are Phillip A. Clough and Jaime Mateus-Tique, and their term ends at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2011. Our Class III directors are Patrick W. Gross and Franklin D. Kramer, and their term ends at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2012.

        With respect to the Class I directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting, each nominee for director will, if elected, continue in office until our Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2013 or until the director's successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until the earlier of the director's death, resignation or retirement.

        The proxy holders named on the proxy card intend to vote your proxy if you are a stockholder of record for the election of each of these nominees, unless you indicate on the proxy card that your vote should be withheld from any or all of the nominees. This is the first year that brokers, banks and other nominees are not permitted to vote on the election of directors without instructions from the beneficial owner. Therefore, if your shares are held through a broker, bank or other nominee, they will not be voted in the election of directors unless you affirmatively vote your shares.

        Each nominee has consented to be named as a nominee in this proxy statement, and we expect each nominee for election as a director to be able to serve if elected. If any nominee is unable to serve, proxies will be voted in favor of the other nominees and may be voted for substitute nominees, unless the Board chooses to reduce the number of directors serving on the Board.

        The principal occupation of and certain other information about the nominees and the additional members of our Board of Directors are set forth on the following pages.

        The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the election of these nominees as directors.

19


Table of Contents


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Name and Age as of
February 12, 2010
  Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships

William P. Angrick, III
Age 42

  Mr. Angrick is a co-founder of Liquidity Services who has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of LSI since January 2000. Mr. Angrick also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Liquidity Services' wholly-owned subsidiary, DOD Surplus, LLC. Prior to co-founding Liquidity Services, Mr. Angrick was at Deutsche Bank Alex Brown from 1995 to 1999, where he served as Vice President of the Consumer and Business Services Investment Banking Group after serving as an Associate. Mr. Angrick holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.B.A. with honors from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Angrick earned his CPA certificate in 1990.

Jaime Mateus-Tique
Age 43

 

Mr. Mateus-Tique is a co-founder of Liquidity Services who served as its President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2000 to September 2009 and who has served as a director of LSI since April 2000. Mr. Mateus-Tique served as a senior engagement manager at McKinsey & Co., a management consulting firm, from September 1995 to March 2000. Mr. Mateus-Tique holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a master's degree from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Paris.

Phillip A. Clough
Age 48

 

Mr. Clough has served as a director of Liquidity Services since September 2004. Since January 2007, Mr. Clough has been a Managing General Partner of ABS Capital Partners ("ABS"), a private equity firm focused on investments in growth companies in the technology, business services, media and communications and health care industries. From September 2001 to January 2007, Mr. Clough was a General Partner of ABS. Prior to joining ABS, Mr. Clough was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sitel Corporation, a global provider of outsourced customer support services, from May 1998 to March 2001. In addition to serving as a director of Liquidity Services, Mr. Clough currently serves on the boards of directors of American Public Education, Inc., a provider of exclusively online post-secondary education, Rosetta Stone Inc., a provider of technology-based language learning solutions, and various private companies.

F. David Fowler
Age 76

 

Mr. Fowler has served as a director of Liquidity Services since February 2006. Mr. Fowler was the dean of the School of Business and Public Management at The George Washington University from July 1992 until his retirement in June 1997 and a member of KPMG LLP from 1963 until his retirement in June 1992. As a member of KPMG, Mr. Fowler served as managing partner of the Washington, DC office from 1987 until 1992, as partner in charge of human resources for the firm in New York City, as a member of the firm's board of directors, operating committee and strategic planning committee and as chairman of the KPMG Foundation and the KPMG personnel committee. Mr. Fowler has served as a director of American Public Education, Inc. since May 2007.

20


Table of Contents

Name and Age as of
February 12, 2010
  Position, Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Directorships

Patrick W. Gross
Age 65

 

Mr. Gross has served as a director of LSI since February 2001. Mr. Gross has served as Chairman of The Lovell Group, a private business and technology advisory and investment firm, since October 2002. Mr. Gross is a founder of, and served in a variety of positions from 1970 to September 2002 at, American Management Systems, Inc., a publicly traded information technology consulting, software development and systems integration firm. Mr. Gross is also a director of Capital One Financial Corporation, a publicly traded financial services company, Career Education Corporation, a publicly traded provider of post-secondary educational services, Rosetta Stone Inc., a provider of technology-based language learning solutions, Taleo Corporation, a publicly traded provider of talent management solutions, and Waste Management, Inc., a publicly traded provider of integrated waste services. Mr. Gross also currently serves on the boards of directors of various private companies.

Franklin D. Kramer
Age 64

 

Mr. Kramer has served as a director of LSI since September 2001. Since February 2004, Mr. Kramer has been an independent consultant. From March 2001 to May 2005, Mr. Kramer was a lawyer with Shea & Gardner, now Goodwin Procter LLP. Mr. Kramer served as a director of Changing World Technologies, Inc., a privately held energy and environmental service company from February 2002 to April 2006. From February 2002 to December 2003, Mr. Kramer served as Executive Vice President of Changing World Technologies. From January 2004 to January 2006, Mr. Kramer served as a consultant to Changing World Technologies. From March 1996 through February 2001, Mr. Kramer served as Assistant U.S. Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. Mr. Kramer currently serves on the boards of directors and boards of advisors of various organizations and private companies. Since March 2007, Mr. Kramer has been an Operating Advisor for Pegasus Capital.

David A. Perdue, Jr.
Age 60

 

Mr. Perdue has served as a director of LSI since December 2009. Mr. Perdue served as Chief Executive Officer of Dollar General Corporation, a retail organization, from April 2003 to July 2007. From July 2002 to March 2003, Mr. Perdue served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pillowtex Corporation, a textile manufacturing company. Prior to 2003, Mr. Perdue held senior management positions with Reebok International Ltd., Haggar Corporation and Sara Lee Corporation. Mr. Perdue has served on the board of directors of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., a specialty retailer of fabrics and crafts, since 2008 and the board of directors of Alliant Energy Corporation, a public utility holding company, since 2001.

21


Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND MANAGEMENT

        Below you can find information, including biographical information, about our executive officers (other than Messrs. Angrick and Mateus-Tique, whose biographical information appears above):

Name
  Age   Position

Thomas B. Burton

    51   President and Chief Operating Officer, DOD Surplus, LLC

Eric C. Dean

   
57
 

Chief Information Officer

James M. Rallo

   
44
 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

G. Cayce Roy

   
45
 

Executive Vice President, President of the Asset Recovery Division

James E. Williams

   
42
 

Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

        Thomas B. Burton has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DOD Surplus, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, since June 2005 and served in various capacities at the Company prior to that date. Mr. Burton served as LSI's Director of Government Surplus from September 2000 through May 2001. Prior to joining our company in September 2000, Mr. Burton served as the Western Region Director of EG&G Technical Services, a government contractor, from August 1990 to September 2000. Mr. Burton holds a B.S. from Cameron University.

        Eric C. Dean has served as our Chief Information Officer since October 2007. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Dean served as Senior Vice President and CIO for Schaller Anderson. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. Dean served as an independent consultant, providing advice and support to executives and management with responsibility for large IT projects. Mr. Dean also previously served as CIO for Andersen Worldwide and as CIO of UAL Corporation, the parent of United Airlines. Mr. Dean holds a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Indiana University.

        James M. Rallo has served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of LSI since February 2005. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Rallo served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Sleep Services of America, Inc. from July 1999 to February 2005. Mr. Rallo served as Vice President of Deutsche Banc Alex Brown's Healthcare Investment Banking Group from June 1995 to July 1999. Mr. Rallo holds an M.B.A. from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and a B.S. from Washington and Lee University. Mr. Rallo is a CPA.

        G. Cayce Roy has served as our Executive Vice President and President of the Asset Recovery Division since August 2008. From 2000 to 2007, Mr. Roy held a number of management positions at Amazon.com, Inc., an online retailer. Most recently, from June 2004 to January 2007, Mr. Roy served as Vice President and General Manager of Amazon Services, LLC. Prior to that, from August 2001 to June 2004, Mr. Roy led Amazon's North American fulfillment operations. Prior to his employment at Amazon, Mr. Roy served with TNT Post Group in Europe.

        James E. Williams has served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since November 2005. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Williams was an independent consultant from March 2004 to November 2005. Mr. Williams served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from October 2003 until February 2004 and as Senior Corporate Counsel from July 2002 to September 2003 for Acterna, a provider of telecommunications and test and measurement solutions that was acquired by JDS Uniphase Corporation in late 2005. From June 2000 to June 2002 he served as Assistant General Counsel for PathNet Telecommunications, formerly a wholesale telecommunications provider. Mr. Williams was a corporate associate at the law firms of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He received his B.A. from Brown University and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

22


Table of Contents

ITEM 2—Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010.

        We are asking our stockholders to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Although ratification is not required by our bylaws or otherwise, we are submitting the selection of Ernst & Young LLP to our stockholders for ratification because we value our stockholders' views on the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and as a matter of good corporate practice. In the event that our stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will review its future selection of the independent registered public accounting firm. Even if this selection is ratified, pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm and may determine to change the firm selected at such time and based on such factors as it determines to be appropriate.

        Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to answer questions. They also will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.

        Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2010.


AUDITORS

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

        The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008, and for fees billed for other services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during those periods.

 
  Fiscal 2009   Fiscal 2008  

Audit fees(1)

  $ 929,800   $ 964,300  

Audit-related fees(2)

  $ 83,500   $ 75,600  

Tax fees(3)

  $ 106,075   $ 154,240  
 

Subtotal

  $ 1,119,375   $ 1,194,140  

All other fees

    N/A     N/A  

Total fees

  $ 1,119,375   $ 1,194,140  

(1)
Audit fees consisted principally of work performed in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements and the review of the unaudited quarterly financial statements. This amount includes $62,000 and $68,300 in costs during fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively, related to the statutory audits of our subsidiaries Liquidity Services, Ltd. and Liquidity Services, GMBH and other related services.

(2)
Audit-related fees consisted principally of fees incurred in connection with our employee benefit plans.

(3)
Tax fees consisted principally of tax return preparation, planning and compliance work.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        Pursuant to its Charter, Audit Committee policy and applicable law, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered

23


Table of Contents


public accounting firm. The pre-approval policy applies to audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee has delegated authority to the Chair of the Audit Committee in some cases to pre-approve the provision of services by our independent registered public accounting firm, which pre-approvals the Chair then communicates to the full Audit Committee. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, the law prohibits a publicly traded company from obtaining certain non-audit services from its independent registered public accounting firm. We obtain these services from other service providers as needed.

Audit Committee Report

        Liquidity Services' management is responsible for Liquidity Services' financial statements, internal controls and financial reporting process. Liquidity Services' independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, is responsible for auditing the financial statements and for expressing an opinion as to whether those audited financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee was established for the purpose of representing and assisting the Board of Directors in overseeing Liquidity Services' accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of Liquidity Services' annual financial statements, including the integrity of Liquidity Services' financial statements, Liquidity Services' compliance with legal and regulatory authority requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications and independence and the performance of Liquidity Services' independent registered public accounting firm. The members of the Audit Committee are not professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management and the independent registered public accounting firm.

        In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, "Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence." The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence.

        Based upon the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors approved including the audited financial statements in the Company's Annual Report.

  The Audit Committee:    

  F. David Fowler, Chair    

  Patrick W. Gross    

  Franklin D. Kramer    

        The Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate the Audit Committee Report by reference therein.

24


Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion & Analysis

        This section describes our compensation strategy, programs and practices for the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table that follows this discussion. In this proxy statement, we refer to these individuals as our named executive officers.

Executive Summary

        Our executive compensation philosophy and the elements of our executive compensation program with regard to fiscal 2009 are summarized below:

General Compensation Philosophy

        Liquidity Services' executive compensation programs are designed to support the attainment of our short- and long-term financial and strategic objectives, reward executives for continuous growth in earnings and stockholder value, and align executives' interests with those of our stockholders. The goal of Liquidity Services' compensation programs is to attract, retain and motivate key executives, and to encourage a long-term commitment to Liquidity Services. To achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee uses a variety of compensation elements, including: base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, long-term incentive compensation and certain other compensation and benefits.

25


Table of Contents

        Factors Considered When Determining Compensation.    The Compensation Committee seeks to set executive compensation at competitive levels that the Compensation Committee considers appropriate for a company of our size and stage of growth. On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee determines and approves the total compensation level of each of our named executive officers based on its evaluation of external market conditions, Company performance and each named executive officer's individual performance relative to pre-established performance goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee also considers each executive's level of experience, unique skills and abilities critical to the Company, and the executive's tenure, position and responsibilities with the Company. The Compensation Committee considers recommendations from the Chairman and CEO regarding levels for base salary, annual incentive awards and long-term incentive awards for named executive officers. The Chairman and CEO annually provides to the Compensation Committee historical and prospective breakdowns of the total direct compensation components for each named executive officer. The Chairman and CEO also recommends financial and non-financial performance goals for each named executive officer under the annual cash incentive compensation plan.

        Market Data.    Periodically, the Compensation Committee has engaged a leading industry compensation consultant to assess the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program in order to assure that our program attracts and retains executive talent essential to achieve our business plans. The most recent independent consultant review was conducted in fiscal 2008 by Towers Perrin. For 2008, the scope of the consultant's work included a review of the Company's executive compensation practices, assistance with development of an appropriate peer group, and presentation to the Compensation Committee of a report regarding executive compensation trends for similarly sized companies and the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee did not engage a consultant to review the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program for purposes of evaluating and determining fiscal 2009 compensation. Historically, we have utilized the services of an independent compensation consultant approximately every other year. Consistent with this approach, the Compensation Committee engaged Towers Perrin in fiscal 2009 to assess the market competitiveness of our executive compensation program for purposes of evaluating and setting fiscal 2010 executive compensation. We anticipate that in future years we will utilize the services of an independent compensation consultant annually to ensure that our executive compensation program meets our objectives.

        To assist the Compensation Committee in its market review in fiscal 2008, the Committee's compensation consultant prepared an analysis of the market competitiveness of the aggregate value of total direct compensation (base salary, annual incentive bonus and long-term incentives) as well as the market competitiveness of each element of compensation for each named executive officer (other than Mr. Dean, who commenced employment on October 15, 2007). The market review was based upon two different sources of compensation data provided by Towers Perrin—published surveys and a selected peer group of e-commerce companies.

        The survey sources relied upon for the 2008 review were national surveys and contained compensation data for both high-technology sector companies as well as similarly sized general industry companies. For fiscal 2008, these survey sources were the 2007 Towers Perrin CDB Executive Compensation Database; the 2007 Towers Perrin Long-Term Incentive Plan Report and the 2007/2008 Watson Wyatt Industry Report on Top Management Compensation. The survey data was used as a market reference to assess how the Company's compensation practices for top executives compare to market practices and to confirm that the overall compensation mix is reasonably aligned with the marketplace.

        The peer companies utilized in the review were approved by the Compensation Committee and developed based on the Company's 2006 peer group and input from the Compensation Committee's consultant and management. The peer group data was based on the most recent publicly available information. In selecting the companies for inclusion in the peer group, the Compensation Committee

26


Table of Contents


considered revenues, number of employees and companies in the e-commerce industry or in our geographic area. The 2008 peer group included companies with revenues $48 million to $913 million. The peer group companies in fiscal 2008 were:

•        1-800-FLOWERS. COM Inc.

 

•       Blue Nile Inc.*

•       Overstock.com Inc.

 

•       Blackboard Inc.

•       GSI Commerce Inc.*

 

•       BIDZ.com Inc.

•       NeuStar Inc.*

 

•       U.S. Auto Parts Network Inc.

•       VistaPrint Ltd.*

 

•       LoopNet Inc.*


*
Also included in 2006 peer group

        As noted above, the Compensation Committee did not commission a new independent consultant review when evaluating and determining fiscal 2009 executive compensation. However, the Compensation Committee considered the results of the fiscal 2008 market review and fiscal 2008 compensation when establishing fiscal 2009 compensation levels. The compensation decisions specific to each component of total direct compensation for the named executive officers are discussed below.

        Pay Mix.    Because our named executive officers are in a position to directly influence the Company's performance, a significant portion of their compensation is delivered in the form of annual cash incentive bonus and long-term incentive compensation. We rely on a mix of compensation components intended to reward short-term results (in the form of annual cash incentive bonuses) and motivate long-term performance (in the form of option grants that vest over several years). We do not have a specific allocation target between cash and equity-based compensation or between annual and long-term incentive compensation. Instead, we retain the flexibility when determining the compensation mix to react to our evolving business environment and our specific hiring and retention requirements. In fiscal 2009, with the exception of Mr. Mateus-Tique, who was expected to resign as an officer of the Company at fiscal year-end, approximately 66% or more of each of our named executive officer's target total direct compensation was performance-based (in the form of target annual cash incentive bonuses and stock options), consistent with the Company's compensation philosophy to link executive compensation with stockholder returns and achievement of strategic business objectives.

Base Salary

        Purpose.    Salaries for named executive officers are designed to be competitive when compared with prevailing market rates and are based on a variety of factors, including level of responsibility, performance and the recommendations of the Chairman and CEO (other than with respect to his own compensation). Base salaries are reviewed annually or at the time of promotion or other changes in responsibilities. In determining whether to award base salary increases, the Compensation Committee considers the Company's overall business outlook, the Company's budget, the executive's individual performance, historical compensation, market compensation levels for comparable positions, internal pay equity and other factors, including any retention concerns. Under the terms of the employment agreements in place with our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee may not adjust the salary of a named executive officer downward unless the named executive officer consents to a reduction.

        Periodically, the Compensation Committee utilizes a report of market compensation levels prepared by its independent compensation consultant in order to evaluate the executive's base salaries. Such a report was prepared for use by the Compensation Committee in setting base salaries for fiscal 2008. In years a report is not prepared, as was the case in establishing the fiscal 2009 base salaries, the most recent report's findings are typically reviewed by the Compensation Committee when determining

27


Table of Contents


any salary adjustments. The Compensation Committee generally seeks to set base salaries between the 25th and 50th percentile of the peer group, adjusting for experience and other factors such as tenure, individual performance and responsibilities.

        Fiscal 2009 Decisions.    The Compensation Committee approved base salary increases for our named executive officers in fiscal 2009. These increases were based on the Compensation Committee's evaluation of individual performance, internal pay equity, increases in the cost of living and the 2008 study of market compensation. In light of these factors, the Compensation Committee approved increases for our named executive officers ranging from 4 to 6%. These increases primarily reflect a cost of living adjustment over the prior year's base salary that had been determined based on the fiscal 2008 report of market compensation.

        Effective October 1, 2008, our named executive officers received the following salary increases:

Named Executive Officer
  2008
Salary
  2009
Salary
  Percentage
Increase
 

William P. Angrick, III

  $ 288,750   $ 303,188     5 %

James M. Rallo

    252,000     267,120     6 %

Jaime Mateus-Tique

    260,000     270,300     4 %

Eric C. Dean

    250,000     265,000     6 %

Thomas B. Burton

    255,000     267,750     5 %

Annual Incentive Compensation

        Purpose.    Annual incentive compensation is an "at risk" performance-based cash bonus that is designed to motivate our named executive officers to achieve pre-established corporate financial and individual performance objectives that are consistent with the Company's strategic plan. Bonuses under the plan are payable if, and only to the extent that, these pre-established objectives are achieved. Compensation paid under the plan has varied significantly from year to year. For example, over the last three years, the bonus of our Chairman and CEO has ranged from 0 to 112% of his base salary.

        The annual incentive bonus plan is also designed to attract and retain key employees by providing our named executive officers with a significant opportunity to earn additional annual cash compensation. As noted below, the target opportunities of our named executive officers range from 50% to 100% of base salary, with a maximum opportunity of between 100% to 200% of base salary. The Committee strives to set the annual incentive plan target opportunity at the median of the peer group with potential for upper quartile pay based on superior performance of the Company and the individual.

        Fiscal 2009 Target Bonus Opportunities.    At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Committee establishes the performance goals and target and maximum cash bonus awards for each named executive officer. Each target and maximum cash bonus award is set as a percentage of each named executive officer's base salary. The amount of the cash bonus ultimately awarded depends on the achievement of performance goals. The "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009" table on page 41 shows the range of possible payments to each of our named executive officers under the annual incentive bonus plan in fiscal 2009.

28


Table of Contents

        For fiscal 2009, the annual incentive cash award target and maximum bonus of our named executive officers were:

Named Executive Officer
  Fiscal 2009 Target
Bonus Percentage
of Base Salary
  Fiscal 2009 Annual
Incentive Target
  Fiscal 2009
Maximum Bonus
Percentage of Base
Salary
 

William P. Angrick, III

    100 % $ 303,188     200 %

James M. Rallo

    60 %   160,272     100 %

Jaime Mateus-Tique

    80 %   216,240     200 %

Eric C. Dean

    50 %   132,500     100 %

Thomas B. Burton

    80 %   214,200     160 %

        The Committee established these target and maximum cash bonus award opportunities based upon (1) the relative scope and responsibility of the named executive officer's position and his respective impact on overall Company performance and (2) comparative compensation data based on the Committee's review of the competitive market conducted in fiscal 2008. For fiscal 2009, the Committee only increased the bonus opportunity for Mr. Rallo, which changed from 50% to 60% of his base salary. The Compensation Committee increased his target bonus to reflect his expanded role in the Company's strategic business acquisition program and his contributions to the Company's strategic plan. The Compensation Committee determined that the target bonus opportunities of our other named executive officers were at or near the median of the competitive market data reviewed in fiscal 2008.

        Fiscal 2009 Performance Goals.    During the beginning of the fiscal year, the Compensation Committee established performance goals for the plan based on recommendations from management. For fiscal 2009, the Committee determined that awards under the plan for our named executive officers other than Mr. Burton would be based on the achievement of two corporate performance goals and achievement of certain individual strategic objectives. For Mr. Burton, the Committee determined that his bonus would be based almost entirely on one financial performance goal of the DOD Surplus Division rather than Company-wide performance metrics. The Compensation Committee also evaluates individual performance measured against the individual management objectives described below to determine the actual bonus earned by a named executive officer. The performance goals carry different weights for our named executive officers based on their position and responsibilities. Based on recommendations of management, Messrs. Angrick's and Mateus-Tique's performance goals in fiscal 2009 were significantly weighted towards the achievement of individual performance objectives. As described further below, the individual performance objectives of Messrs. Angrick and Mateus-Tique include important strategic and operational goals that the Compensation Committee determined were

29


Table of Contents


necessary to further the Company's strategic plan and profitability. The relative weights assigned to corporate, divisional and individual goals for fiscal 2009 are as follows:

Name and Principal Position
  Corporate
GMV
  Corporate
Adjusted
EBITDA
  Divisional
Performance
  Individual
Performance
 

William P. Angrick, III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    20 %   20 %   0 %   60 %

James M. Rallo
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   
35

%
 
35

%
 
0

%
 
30

%

Jaime Mateus-Tique
President, Chief Operating Officer

   
20

%
 
20

%
 
0

%
 
60

%

Eric C. Dean
Chief Information Officer

   
15

%
 
15

%
 
0

%
 
70

%

Thomas B. Burton
President and Chief Operating Officer, DOD Surplus, LLC

   
0

%
 
0

%
 
90

%
 
10

%

        Similar to fiscal 2008, the Committee's evaluation of the Company's financial performance under the plan for fiscal 2009 was based on two Company-wide goals—Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) and Adjusted EBITDA. GMV measures the total sales volume of all merchandise sold through the Company's marketplaces during a given period. Adjusted EBITDA is based on the measurement of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for non-cash stock compensation expense. The Committee selected these metrics as the corporate performance measures because they continue to be key metrics used by management to measure the Company's business performance and the basis upon which we communicate forward-looking financial information to the investment community. The target GMV goal for fiscal 2009 was $413.7 million, approximately 15% greater than fiscal 2008 results. If the Company had achieved a GMV of less than $395.0 million, then no bonus would have been earned with respect to this goal. The target Adjusted EBITDA goal established for fiscal 2009 was $26.6 million, reflecting a 1.5% increase over fiscal 2008 results. If the Company had achieved an Adjusted EBITDA of less than $24.0 million, then no bonus would have been earned with respect to this goal. If the threshold goal for either GMV or Adjusted EBITDA had been achieved, then a named executive officer would have earned 60% of his target bonus percentage for that goal.

30


Table of Contents

        The performance goal selected for the DOD Surplus Division for fiscal 2009 was based on the division's Adjusted EBITDA. Similar to the corporate metric, Adjusted EBITDA for the DOD Surplus Division is based on the measurement of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for non-cash stock compensation expense. Because we believe disclosure of the Adjusted EBITDA results for the DOD Surplus Division would cause the Company competitive harm by publishing sensitive information that would not otherwise be disclosed, the Company is not disclosing this target. The Committee cannot specify the degree of difficulty required to meet the Adjusted EBITDA target, but believes that achievement of the target goal would have required substantial and sustained performance by the division. The target Adjusted EBITDA goal was consistent with the Company's annual business plan and strategic objectives, and achievement of the target goal required the successful competition for and award of our surplus contract with the Department of Defense and year over year growth of 42% when adjusting for the change in commodity prices and the loss of certain property categories under the terms of our new surplus contract. Achievement of the threshold Adjusted EBITDA goal, which would have resulted in 44% of the target bonus percentage for this goal being earned, required the successful competition for and award of our surplus contract with the Department of Defense and year over year growth of 28% when adjusting for the change in commodity prices and the loss of certain property categories under the terms of our new surplus contract.

        The individual performance goals established for each of our named executive officers varied based on his relative job responsibilities and emphasized improvement in metrics or operational objectives within the control of each named executive officer. Each of our named executive officers, other than Mr. Burton, had four individual management objectives designed to further each of the following Company strategic initiatives: diversification and growth, client retention, expansion of the Company's service offerings and operational effectiveness. Mr. Burton had one individual management objective, as noted above, that was linked to the performance of the DOD Surplus Division. Each individual management objective is weighted differently as noted below. To the extent that an objective was determined to be critical to the Company's strategy and business plan, it may have served as an individual objective of more than one named executive officer. In order to receive a bonus for this component, with the exception of Mr. Burton, at least 60% of the individual objectives must be achieved.

        Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer's individual performance was evaluated based on the following four individual objectives:

        Mr. Rallo's individual performance was evaluated based on the following four individual objectives:

31


Table of Contents

        Mr. Mateus-Tique's individual performance was evaluated based on the following four individual objectives:

        Mr. Dean's individual performance was evaluated based on the following four individual objectives:

        Mr. Burton's individual performance was evaluated based on the DOD Surplus Division's Adjusted EBITDA results and the following individual objective:

        Fiscal 2009 Results and Payouts.    At the end of the performance year, our Chairman and CEO assessed the achievement of the Company and individual performance goals and made a recommendation to the Committee regarding the annual bonus payouts. The target cash bonus of each of our named executive officers is shown in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009" table, and the actual amounts earned by our named executive officers are shown in the "Non-Equity Incentive Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table.

        In determining the amount of the fiscal 2009 awards, the Committee assessed the Company's and each named executive officer's performance measured against the previously described corporate, divisional and individual management objectives. For fiscal 2009, the Company did not achieve the threshold performance goals with respect to either Adjusted EBITDA or GMV, and, as a result, these components were not included in determining the annual bonus to be paid to our named executive

32


Table of Contents


officers. The failure to achieve these threshold performance goals was primarily attributable to the current economic downturn and a significant decline in commodity prices.

        The Compensation Committee did not award an annual cash incentive bonus to Messrs. Angrick and Mateus-Tique because the Company failed to achieve its threshold corporate performance goals, and neither executive achieved the threshold level to receive a bonus payment based on individual management objectives. Mr. Angrick achieved 57% of his individual objectives, including successfully launching the Company's new surplus contract, completing a strategic acquisition in fiscal 2009, and improving inventory velocity. Mr. Mateus-Tique achieved 43% of his individual objectives, including completing a strategic acquisition and improving inventory velocity. Mr. Rallo was awarded 31% of his target bonus, resulting in a bonus payment of $49,684, based on the achievement of 92% of his individual management objectives. Mr. Rallo achieved all his individual management objectives except for attainment of improved inventory accuracy in the UK commercial operations. Mr. Rallo's bonus was increased slightly to $50,000 because his employment agreement requires that he receive a minimum bonus of $50,000. Mr. Dean was awarded 70% of his target bonus due to his achievement of each of his individual management objectives. Mr. Burton was awarded 110% of his target bonus due to the DOD Surplus Division's achievement of 110% of its Adjusted EBITDA target and Mr. Burton's achievement of 95% of his target inventory aging objective.

        Fiscal 2010 Bonus Plan.    At its December 2009 meeting, the Compensation Committee determined that the corporate financial measures for our fiscal 2010 annual incentive compensation plan will be GMV and Adjusted EBITDA, similar to our fiscal 2009 plan. A portion of each named executive officer's annual bonus that may be earned based on the corporate GMV and Adjusted EBITDA goals may be paid quarterly based on the Company's pro-rata performance compared to each annual goal established for these corporate financial measures. Quarterly bonus payments will be adjusted each quarter based on cumulative performance. With the exception of Mr. Burton, a portion of each named executive officer's bonus will be based on GMV for the Asset Recovery Division. GMV for the Asset Recovery Division was added as a divisional performance goal in fiscal 2010 because of the Compensation Committee's desire to incentivize the Company's executive officers to improve the performance of this division. The Compensation Committee kept bonus opportunities for our named executive officers consistent with fiscal 2009. The relative weight assigned to corporate, divisional and individual goals for fiscal 2010 is as follows:

Name and Principal Position
  Corporate
GMV
  Corporate
Adjusted
EBITDA
  Divisional
Performance*
  Individual
Performance
 

William P. Angrick, III

    15 %   35 %   25 %   25 %
 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                         

James M. Rallo

   
30

%
 
30

%
 
10

%
 
30

%
 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

                         

Eric C. Dean

   
20

%
 
20

%
 
10

%
 
50

%
 

Chief Information Officer

                         

Thomas B. Burton

   
0

%
 
0

%
 
90

%
 
10

%
 

President and Chief Operating Officer, DOD

                         
 

Surplus, LLC

                         

*
Divisional Performance for Messrs. Angrick, Rallo and Dean is measured with respect to the Asset Recovery Division; for Mr. Burton, Divisional Performance is measured with respect to the DOD Surplus Division.

33


Table of Contents

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

        Purpose.    We grant equity-based compensation to our named executive officers in order to attract, retain and reward our executives and strengthen the mutuality of interests between our named executive officers and Liquidity Services' stockholders. The Compensation Committee annually determines whether to grant stock options or other equity-based incentives to executives. In making its determinations, the Compensation Committee considers factors such as market data, the executive's and the Company's performance in the last year and the results achieved by the executive, the executive's base salary and the Compensation Committee's view regarding the future potential of long-term contributions of the executive. Recommendations of the Chairman and CEO are also taken into consideration.

        The Compensation Committee has historically granted our named executive officers long-term incentive awards in the form of stock options. Our long-term incentive compensation program in fiscal 2009 provided grants of stock options and restricted stock under our 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, which has been approved by our stockholders. The Compensation Committee has historically granted annual equity awards with respect to each fiscal year after financial results are available for the prior fiscal year at a regularly scheduled meeting. As the Compensation Committee's meeting schedule is established prior to the start of each fiscal year, the proximity of any award grants to earnings announcements or other market events is coincidental. For annual awards, the Compensation Committee's policy is to grant options on the date it approves them. The exercise price is determined in accordance with the terms of the plan under which the award is granted (generally, the closing price on the date of grant) and cannot be less than the fair market value of our Common Stock as of that date. In addition to annual options awards, our named executive officers may receive stock options in connection with the commencement of employment or upon promotion. In these cases, the exercise price is typically the closing price of our common stock on the date the executive begins employment or the effective date of the promotion.

        Fiscal 2009 Awards.    In 2008, the Compensation Committee approved grants of stock options to our named executive officers except for Mr. Mateus-Tique. The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Mateus-Tique restricted stock whose restrictions lapsed at fiscal-year end because he was expected to resign from his service as an officer of the Company at that time.

        In determining the size of the grants to our named executive officers, the Compensation Committee considered the size of equity awards granted in fiscal 2008, the scope of job responsibilities, the current economic environment and recommendations of management. Generally, the Committee seeks to target named executive officers' annual long-term incentive award values at a level between the 50th and 75th percentile of the Company's fiscal 2008 peer group based on a target value as a percentage of base salary. The grant date fair values of options awarded to our named executive officers in fiscal 2008 were within this range. However, in fiscal 2009, the Compensation Committee did not determine the size of equity awards to be granted to named executive officers based on a grant date fair value. Instead, the Compensation Committee determined to award option grants to our named executive officers based on the number of options granted in fiscal 2008. Our named executive officers other than Messrs. Angrick and Mateus-Tique were granted a higher number of options than were granted to such officers in fiscal 2008. Mr. Angrick received slightly less than the number of options he received in fiscal 2008.

        The Compensation Committee determined to grant a higher number of option awards in fiscal 2009 to Messrs. Rallo, Dean and Burton than were granted to such officers in fiscal 2008 in order to retain and incentivize these named executive officers. The Compensation Committee believes that the value of issued but unvested option awards meaningfully encourages executives to remain with the Company because leaving the Company results in the forfeiture of the unvested value of previously accumulated long-term equity awards. Since our stock price had declined to $7.48 at the time fiscal

34


Table of Contents


2009 awards were granted, most of the outstanding stock options held by our named executive officers had exercise prices that exceeded our share price. As long as the exercise price exceeds our share price, the Compensation Committee determined that outstanding options have little value to our executives and will not serve the Company's retention and incentive objectives. The Compensation Committee determined that granting increased equity awards in fiscal 2009 as compared to the number of options granted in fiscal 2008 was appropriate and consistent with our philosophy of awarding long-term equity incentives to retain and reward our executives and to strengthen the mutuality of interests between our named executive officers and our stockholders. To increase the retentive value of these awards, the Compensation Committee increased the vesting period to a five-year period, with 25% vesting on October 1, 2009, and the remainder vesting in equal monthly increments over the following 48 months. The Company's standard vesting schedule for stock options has previously been four years. The Compensation Committee did not grant an annual equity award in fiscal 2010 to named executive officers who received an equity award in fiscal 2009 that was larger than the fiscal 2008 award.

        Mr. Angrick did not receive an "enhanced" equity award in fiscal 2009 because the Compensation Committee determined that a larger award would not more effectively serve the Company's retention objectives with respect to Mr. Angrick because he is currently a significant stockholder in the Company. As noted above, Mr. Angrick received slightly less than the number of stock options he received in fiscal 2008. Mr. Mateus-Tique received a restricted stock award because of the transition of the day-to-day management responsibilities for the Asset Recovery Division from Mr. Mateus-Tique to Cayce Roy at fiscal year-end. The grant date fair value of Mr. Angrick's stock option award was approximately 95% of his base salary, determined by multiplying the Black-Scholes value per option by the number of options awarded. Mr. Mateus-Tique's restricted stock award had a grant date fair value equal to 28% of his base salary, calculated by multiplying the closing price of our common shares on the grant date times the number of restricted shares awarded.

        The number of stock options and restricted stock granted to our named executive officers in fiscal 2009 is included in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009" table. The terms and conditions of the grants are more fully described in the footnotes and narrative following that table.

        Fiscal 2010 Equity Awards.    At its December 2009 meeting, the Compensation Committee granted Mr. Angrick a mix of stock options and restricted stock awards for fiscal 2010. These awards were granted on December 1, 2009. Approximately 60% of the equity award value was in the form of stock options, and 40% was in the form of restricted stock. Messrs. Rallo, Dean and Burton did not receive a similar annual equity award grant in fiscal 2010 because of the number of stock options granted to them in fiscal 2009, as described above.

        Each of our named executive officers who remained employed in fiscal 2010 was also awarded performance-based restricted stock whose restrictions will lapse upon achievement of a consolidated Adjusted EBITDA goal established by the Compensation Committee based on recommendations of management. The restrictions on these shares of restricted stock may lapse during fiscal 2010 if the performance goal is achieved, but the awards will expire on December 31, 2010 if the goal is not achieved by that date.

Other Compensation and Benefit Programs

        Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in benefit plans that are available to substantially all of our employees, including participation in the Liquidity Services, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing and Trust Plan, medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance and disability insurance programs.

35


Table of Contents

Perquisites

        Except with respect to Mr. Burton, we do not provide our named executive officers with any additional benefits or perquisites not available to all other employees. In fiscal 2009, Mr. Burton was provided the use of a Company-owned car. The value of this benefit is described in the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table on page 37.

Employment Agreements

        We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers that provide for, among other things, specified payments in the event of termination of employment in certain circumstances. The terms of these agreements are described beginning on page 37 of this proxy statement. The Committee believes it is important to provide our named executive officers with some measure of financial security in the event that their employment with the Company is terminated without cause or in connection with certain unforeseen circumstances. The Committee believes that these arrangements encourage an executive to comply with post-termination restrictive non-competition covenants and to cooperate with the Company both before and after his employment is terminated. The Committee believes that these arrangements are reasonable and that it is beneficial to have agreements in place that specify the exact terms and benefits an executive receives if the Company elects to terminate a named executive officer's employment.

Stock Ownership

        There are no equity ownership requirements or guidelines that any of our employees must meet or maintain. Our current named executive officers collectively own a significant amount of Company Common Stock. As a group, our named executive officers own 40.6% of the Company.

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

        Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Internal Revenue Code), limits publicly-held companies to an annual deduction for federal income tax purposes of $1 million for compensation paid to a company's chief executive officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers (not including the chief financial officer) determined at the end of each year. This limitation does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements under Section 162(m) for "qualifying performance-based" compensation. For fiscal 2009, payments of annual bonuses and the grants of stock options were intended to qualify as performance-based compensation. In fiscal 2009, none of our named executive officers received compensation above the $1 million threshold.

36


Table of Contents

Summary Compensation Table

        The following table summarizes the compensation of our named executive officers, which includes our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers.

Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary
($)(1)
  Stock
Awards
$(2)
  Option
Awards
($)(2)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
  Total
($)
 

William P. Angrick, III

  2009   $ 303,188       $ 323,023   $ 0   $ 7,854   $ 634,065  
 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  2008     288,750         253,234     324,555     7,000     873,539  

  2007     275,000         141,806     275,000     5,833     697,639  

James M. Rallo

 

2009

   
267,120
   
   
252,879
   
50,000
   
8,722
   
578,721
 
 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

  2008     252,000         140,393     141,246     8,291     541,930  

  2007     240,000         104,649     155,000     5,017     504,666  

Jaime Mateus-Tique(5)

 

2009

   
270,300
   
74,800
   
280,101
   
0
   
8,229
   
633,430
 
 

President, Chief Operating Officer

  2008     260,000         205,301     10,400     7,000     482,701  

  2007     245,000         104,485     196,000     5,833     551,318  

Eric C. Dean(6)

 

2009

   
265,000
   
   
540,244
   
92,750
   
11,887
   
909,881
 
 

Chief Information Officer

  2008     239,584         438,750     131,750     53,184     863,268  

                                       

Thomas B. Burton

 

2009

   
267,750
   
   
298,647
   
236,657
   
11,283
   
814,337
 
 

President and Chief Operating Officer,

  2008     255,000         197,406     331,500     28,765     812,671  
 

DOD Surplus, LLC

  2007     240,000         92,777     180,000     36,050     548,827  

(1)
Each of the named executive officers contributed a portion of his salary to the Liquidity Services, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing and Trust Plan.

(2)
The amounts reported in these columns are recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the applicable year, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, disregarding estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Under the methodology required under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the compensation expense reflected is for grants made in fiscal 2009 and grants made in prior years that continued to be expensed in fiscal 2009. The full grant date fair value of awards granted in fiscal 2009, as determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, is included in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009" table included in this proxy statement. For additional information about the assumptions used in these calculations, see Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009. No stock or option awards granted to our named executive officers were forfeited during fiscal 2009, 2008 or 2007.

(3)
The amounts in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column represent the annual cash incentive bonuses described under the section of this proxy statement entitled "Annual Incentive Compensation." These annual cash bonuses were paid in fiscal 2010 for performance in fiscal 2009. We accrued these amounts for financial reporting purposes in fiscal 2009.

(4)
The amounts in this column for each named executive officer include Company matching contributions to the Liquidity Services, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing and Trust Plan. For Mr. Burton, the amount represents $4,234 in matching contributions and $7,049 for a car provided by the Company.

(5)
Mr. Mateus-Tique resigned from his employment with the Company effective September 30, 2009, but continued his service as a non-employee director effective October 1, 2009.

(6)
Mr. Dean became our Chief Information Officer effective October 15, 2007 and was not a named executive officer in fiscal year 2007. In accordance with SEC rules, the table above does not provide 2007 data for him.

Employment Agreements

        We have entered into employment agreements with all of our named executive officers that provide for, among other things, the term of employment, compensation and benefits payable during the term of the agreement and certain compensation payable when an executive's employment is terminated under certain conditions.

37


Table of Contents

        We also have confidentiality, non-competition and intellectual property agreements with the named executive officers. These agreements typically provide that the employee may not disclose or transfer any of our confidential information to any person, business entity or other organization without authorization from us, and that the employee may not, during his or her employment with us and for 24 months thereafter, hire or solicit any of our employees for employment with another person or entity or in any way interfere with the relationship we have with any of our employees, clients or other business relationships. Further, these agreements also typically provide that the employee may not, during his employment with us and for up to 24 months thereafter, compete with us. These agreements typically also provide that all ideas, designs, works and inventions made by the employee in the course of his or her employment with us are our exclusive property, and that the copyrights of all writings produced by the employee during the course of his or her work for us are the property of our Company.

        We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Angrick effective as of January 1, 2004. The agreement provides that Mr. Angrick will be employed as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and that his employment will continue until terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The agreement provided for an initial annual base salary of $210,000, which may be increased but not decreased. During fiscal 2009, Mr. Angrick received a salary of $303,188, which was approved by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Angrick is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus under a sliding scale as approved by the Compensation Committee that is equal to up to 100% of his base salary based upon the achievement of our financial budget each year. In addition, he is eligible to receive an additional bonus amount for the completion of projects that increase stockholder value, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. If Mr. Angrick's employment is terminated as a result of his death, his estate will receive his base salary through the next full calendar month and all other unpaid amounts. If Mr. Angrick's employment is terminated because of disability, he is entitled to his base salary through the third full calendar month after termination and all other unpaid amounts, provided that his base salary will be reduced by any amounts received under any disability insurance provided by the Company.

        The agreement also provides that if his employment with the Company is terminated by us other than for cause, disability or death, or is terminated by Mr. Angrick for good reason, Mr. Angrick is entitled to receive: (1) his base salary through the date of termination and all other unpaid amounts and (2) a lump-sum severance package equal to six months of the sum of his base salary plus an amount equal to six months of his average annual bonus for the previous two fiscal years. All severance payments made by us to Mr. Angrick will be payable within 30 days of notice of termination. Mr. Angrick's employment agreement was amended effective January 26, 2006 to address certain requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and effective January 9, 2007 to extend the term from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2009. Mr. Angrick's employment agreement has been extended until December 31, 2010, after which date the agreement shall be renewed automatically for a term of one year unless either party terminates the agreement.

        We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Rallo effective as of February 21, 2005. The agreement provides that Mr. Rallo will be employed as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer until February 20, 2012. During fiscal 2009, Mr. Rallo received a salary of $267,120, which was approved by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Rallo is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus of up to 60% of his salary and it must be at least $50,000, subject to the achievement of certain deliverables and milestones.

38


Table of Contents

        If Mr. Rallo's employment is terminated as a result of his death, his estate will receive his base salary through the next full calendar month and all other unpaid amounts. If Mr. Rallo's employment is terminated because of disability, he is entitled to his base salary through the third full calendar month after termination and all other unpaid amounts, provided that his base salary will be reduced by any amounts received under any disability insurance provided by the Company. This agreement also provides that if his employment with our Company is terminated by us other than for cause, disability or death, or is terminated by Mr. Rallo for good reason, Mr. Rallo is entitled to receive: (1) his base salary through the date of termination and all other unpaid amounts; and (2) a lump-sum severance package equal to the sum of twelve months of his base salary plus an amount equal to his average annual bonus for the previous two fiscal years. All severance payments made by us to Mr. Rallo will be payable within 30 days of notice of termination. Mr. Rallo's employment agreement was amended effective January 25, 2006 to address certain requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

        We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Mateus-Tique effective as of January 1, 2004. Mr. Mateus-Tique was employed by us under this agreement until he resigned as our President and Chief Operating Officer as of September 30, 2009. The agreement provided for an initial annual base salary under the agreement of $180,000, which may be increased but not decreased. During fiscal 2009, Mr. Mateus-Tique received a salary of $270,300, which was approved by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Mateus-Tique was also eligible for an annual incentive bonus under a sliding scale as approved by the Compensation Committee that is equal to up to 80% of his base salary based upon the achievement of certain performance goals. He was also eligible to receive bonuses for the completion of projects that increase stockholder value, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. If Mr. Mateus-Tique's employment was terminated as a result of his death, his estate would have received his base salary through the next full calendar month and all other unpaid amounts. If Mr. Mateus-Tique's employment was terminated because of disability, he would have been entitled to his base salary through the third full calendar month after termination and all other unpaid amounts, provided that his base salary would have been reduced by any amounts received under any disability insurance provided by the Company. This agreement also provided that if his employment with our Company was terminated by us other than for cause, disability or death, or was terminated by Mr. Mateus-Tique for good reason, Mr. Mateus-Tique would have been entitled to receive: (1) his base salary through the date of termination and all other unpaid amounts; and (2) a lump-sum severance package equal to six months of the sum of his base salary plus an amount equal to six months of his average annual bonus for the previous two fiscal years. All severance payments made by us to Mr. Mateus-Tique were payable within 30 days of notice of termination. Mr. Mateus-Tique's employment agreement was amended effective January 25, 2006 to address certain requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and effective January 9, 2007 to extend the term from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2009.

        We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Dean, effective as of October 15, 2007. The agreement provides that Mr. Dean will be employed as our Chief Information Officer and that his employment will continue until October 15, 2010, or until terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of $250,000, which may be increased but not decreased. During fiscal 2009, Mr. Dean received a salary of $265,000, which was approved by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Dean is also eligible for an annual incentive bonus; for fiscal 2009, the annual bonus target was 50% of his base salary, based upon the achievement of certain deliverables or goals agreed upon by Mr. Dean and the Company. The agreement also set forth the terms of an initial hire option award, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee.

39


Table of Contents

Mr. Dean was granted an option to purchase 250,000 shares of our common stock at a per share exercise price equal to $13.56, which was the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant.

        If Mr. Dean's employment is terminated as a result of his death, his estate will receive his base salary through the next full calendar month and all other unpaid amounts. If Mr. Dean's employment is terminated because of disability, he is entitled to his base salary through the third full calendar month after termination and all other unpaid amounts, provided that his base salary will be reduced by any amounts received under any disability insurance provided by the Company. This agreement also provides that if his employment with our Company is terminated by us other than for cause, disability or death, or is terminated by Mr. Dean for good reason, Mr. Dean is entitled to receive: (1) his base salary through the date of termination and all other unpaid amounts; and (2) a lump-sum severance package equal to one month of his base salary plus an amount equal to one month of the average bonus for the previous two fiscal years. After three months of employment, the lump-sum severance package will be equal to six months of his base salary plus an amount equal to six months of the average bonus for the previous two fiscal years. All severance payments made by us to Mr. Dean will be payable within 30 days of notice of termination.

        We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Burton effective as of June 15, 2001, with a one-year term with automatic one year renewals. The agreement provides that Mr. Burton will be employed as President of DOD Surplus, LLC, our subsidiary, and that his employment will continue until terminated by either party pursuant to the terms of the agreement. The agreement provided for an initial annual base salary under the agreement of $175,000, in addition to payment of 50% of the premiums for medical and dental insurance for Mr. Burton, his spouse and dependents. During fiscal 2009, Mr. Burton received a salary of $267,750, which was approved by the Compensation Committee. In addition, Mr. Burton is eligible to receive a bonus upon the attainment of certain performance milestones.

        If Mr. Burton's employment is terminated as a result of his death, his estate will receive his base salary through the last day of the calendar month of the date of termination and all other unpaid amounts. This agreement also provides that if his employment with our Company is terminated by us other than for cause or Mr. Burton's disability or death, Mr. Burton is entitled to receive: (1) his base salary through the date of termination; and (2) a lump-sum severance package equal to six months of the sum of his base salary plus healthcare benefits. All severance payments made by us to Mr. Burton will be conditioned upon Mr. Burton's execution of a release of all claims against us, our affiliates, officers, directors and employees. Mr. Burton's employment agreement was amended effective January 25, 2006 to address certain requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

40


Table of Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009

        The following table provides additional information about plan-based awards granted to our named executive officers in fiscal 2009. Our named executive officers generally received three types of plan-based awards: Incentive Compensation Plan awards, stock options and restricted stock awards.

 
   
   
   
   
  All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)(2)
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(3)
   
   
 
 
   
  Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
   
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock &
Option
Awards
($)(5)
 
 
   
  Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Share)(4)
 
Name
  Equity
Award
Grant Date
  Threshold
($)
  Target ($)   Maximum
($)
 

William P. Angrick, III

                                               
 

Incentive Compensation Plan

        36,383     303,188     606,376                          
 

2009 Option Grant

  12/29/2008                             80,000   $ 8.23     289,128  

James M. Rallo

                                               
 

Incentive Compensation Plan

        28,849     160,272     267,120                          
 

2009 Option Grant

  12/29/2008                             140,000     7.48     590,576  

Jaime Mateus-Tique

                                               
 

Incentive Compensation Plan

        25,949     216,240     540,600                          
 

2009 Restricted Stock Grant

  12/29/2008                       10,000                 74,800  

Eric C. Dean

                                               
 

Incentive Compensation Plan

        11,925     132,500     265,000                          
 

2009 Option Grant

  12/29/2008                             120,000     7.48     506,208  

Thomas B. Burton

                                               
 

Incentive Compensation Plan

        21,420     214,200     428,400                          
 

2009 Option Grant

  12/29/2008                             120,000     7.48     506,208  

(1)
Amounts shown represent the threshold, target and maximum awards that could be earned by the named executive officer under our annual incentive bonus plan for fiscal 2009. Actual bonuses paid for fiscal 2009 are shown in the Summary Compensation Table in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column. For a discussion of this plan, see "Executive Compensation—Annual Incentive Compensation."

(2)
The stock awards granted during fiscal 2009 were granted under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan and fully vested on September 30, 2009. The shares of restricted stock accrue dividend equivalents that are payable upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable to such shares.

(3)
The options reported in this column were granted under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. The options granted to Mr. Angrick vest over a four-year period, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and 2.083% per month vesting thereafter for the following 36 months and have a term of 10 years. The options granted to Messrs. Rallo, Dean and Burton vest over a five-year period, with 20% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and 1.67% per month vesting thereafter for the following 48 months and have a term of 10 years.

(4)
All stock options other than those granted to Mr. Angrick have an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the grant date ($7.48). The exercise price of options granted to Mr. Angrick was $8.23, or 110% of the closing price of our common stock on the grant date, determined in accordance with the 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan.

(5)
The amounts reported in this column for awards represent the full grant date fair value of the awards calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The value of the restricted stock as of the grant date is calculated by multiplying the closing price of our common shares on the grant date times the number of restricted shares awarded. For option awards the grant date fair value is calculated by multiplying the Black-Scholes value by the number of options awarded. The grant date fair value per option for the stock options granted on December 29, 2008 to Mr. Angrick and the other named executive officers was $3.614 and $4.218, respectively, computed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. For additional information about the assumptions used in these calculations, see Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

41


Table of Contents

        The following is a description of material factors necessary to understand the information regarding the awards reflected in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009" table.

        For information regarding the incentive compensation plan, please see "Annual Incentive Compensation" beginning on page 28. Awards under this plan are paid in cash.

        Stock option awards granted in fiscal 2009 were granted under our 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. The 2006 plan provides that the option price of each option shall be at least the fair market value on the grant date of a share of our common stock; provided, however, that if the grantee is a 10% stockholder, the option price of an option granted to such person will be at least 110% of the fair market value on the grant date. Under the plan, the fair market value of a share of common stock is generally the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.

        The option awards reflected in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal 2009" table under "2009 Option Grant" are qualified and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of our common stock which were approved by the Compensation Committee and granted to the named executive officers as a part of our 2009 annual grant of long-term incentive awards. Mr. Angrick's options vest over a four-year period, with 25% vesting on October 1, 2009, and the remainder vesting in equal monthly increments over the following 36 months. Option awards granted to other named executive officers in fiscal 2009 vest over a five-year period, with 25% vesting on October 1, 2009, and the remainder vesting in equal monthly increments over the following 48 months. The options may vest earlier upon a change of control of the Company if the options are not assumed or substituted by the surviving corporation. Unvested options will also vest if the executive is involuntarily terminated by the Company within one year following a change of control. The options generally have a term of ten years, but that term may be shorter in the event of death, disability or termination of service.

        The restrictions on restricted stock granted to Mr. Mateus-Tique in fiscal 2009 lapsed on September 30, 2009.

42


Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year-End

        The following table provides information on the current holdings of stock options of each named executive officer at September 30, 2009.

 
  Option Awards  
Name
  Grant
Date
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
Exercisable
  Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
  Option
Exercise
Price($)(5)
  Option
Expiration
Date
 

William P. Angrick, III

    09/21/06 (2)   74,999     25,001   $ 17.63     9/21/2016  

    12/04/07 (2)   40,249     43,751     12.02     10/01/2017  

    12/29/08 (2)       80,000     8.23     12/29/2018  

James M. Rallo

   
02/25/05

(2)
 
12,500
   
   
2.00
   
2/25/2015
 

    10/28/05 (3)   67,500         7.00     10/28/2015  

    03/30/06 (2)   13,125     3,751     12.89     3/30/2016  

    12/04/07 (2)   33,541     36,459     10.93     10/01/2017  

    12/29/08 (4)       140,000     7.48     12/29/2018  

Jaime Mateus-Tique

   
12/22/05

(1)
 
30,000
   
   
7.00
   
12/22/2015
 

    09/21/06 (2)   56,249     18,751     17.63     9/21/2016  

    12/04/07 (2)   36,416     39,584     12.02     10/01/2017  

Eric C. Dean

   
10/15/07

(2)
 
119,790
   
130,210
   
13.56
   
10/15/2017
 

    12/29/08 (4)       120,000     7.48     12/29/2018  

Thomas B. Burton

   
06/08/05

(1)
 
47,500
   
   
3.00
   
6/8/2015
 

    3/30/06 (2)   65,624     9,376     12.89     3/30/2016  

    12/4/07 (2)   35,937     39,063     10.93     10/01/2017  

    12/29/08 (4)       120,000     7.48     12/29/2018  

(1)
These stock options were granted under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and became vested and exercisable over a four-year period in equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant.

(2)
These stock options were granted under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan and vest over a four-year period, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and 2.083% per month vesting thereafter for the following 36 months.

(3)
These stock options vested 10% on the completion of our initial public offering in February 2006 and 90% upon the finding by our independent registered public accountants that there were no weaknesses in our internal control procedures upon the completion of their review of our internal control procedures for fiscal 2007.

(4)
These stock options were granted under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan and vest over a five-year period, with 20% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and 1.67% per month vesting thereafter for the following 48 months.

(5)
The closing price of our common stock on the grant date is the exercise price for stock options, except stock options granted to Messrs. Angrick and Mateus-Tique. The exercise price for Messrs. Angrick's and Mateus-Tique's outstanding stock options is 110% of the closing price of our common stock on the grant date.

43


Table of Contents

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Fiscal 2009

        The following table shows the stock options that were exercised, and the restricted stock whose restrictions lapsed, during fiscal 2009 for each of our named executive officers. The values shown below are before payment of any applicable withholding tax and/or broker commissions.

 
  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
  Value Realized
upon Exercise
($)(1)
  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
  Value
Realized on
Vesting
($)(2)
 

William P. Angrick, III

    75,000   $ 39,750          

James M. Rallo

   
47,417
   
180,659
   
   
 

Jaime Mateus-Tique

   
30,000
   
24,000
   
10,000
 
$

103,200
 

Eric C. Dean

   
   
   
   
 

Thomas B. Burton

   
   
   
   
 

(1)
The value realized on exercise is calculated as the difference between (A) either (i) the actual sales price of the shares underlying the options exercised if the shares were immediately sold or (ii) the closing price of the shares underlying options exercised if the shares were held and (B) the applicable exercise price of the options.

(2)
The value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying (A) the closing price of a common share on the vesting date and (B) the number of shares acquired on vesting before withholding taxes.

Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment and Change of Control

        We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers that provide compensation upon certain triggering events that result in termination of employment. These agreements are described beginning on page 37 of this proxy statement. The table below quantifies the compensation that would have become payable under existing plans and arrangements if each named executive officer's employment had terminated on September 30, 2009 upon certain triggering events. Mr. Mateus-Tique resigned from his employment with the Company effective September 30, 2009, but continued his service as a non-employee director effective October 1, 2009. The table below shows the severance amounts that were payable to him upon his resignation. As the table illustrates, he received no severance upon his resignation of employment. His outstanding unvested options did not terminate upon his resignation as an employee but continue to vest in accordance with their terms based on his service as a non-employee director. For all other named executive officers, the amounts are estimates only, as the actual obligation can only be determined at the time of a named executive officer's separation from our Company. The amounts described below are in addition to benefits that are generally available to our employees such as distributions under our 401(k) plan, life insurance, disability benefits and accrued vacation.

        Unvested stock options granted under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan do not accelerate upon death, disability or retirement. Unvested options also do not accelerate upon termination of employment by the Company with or without cause or by the executive for "good reason" unless such termination occurs within one year following a "corporate transaction"

44


Table of Contents


as further described below. All values were computed as of September 30, 2009 based on the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal year ($10.32).

 
  Type of Termination  
Name
  Death   Disability   By Company
with Cause or
By the
Executive
without Good
Reason
  By Company
without Cause or
By the Executive
with Good
Reason
  Retirement  

William P. Angrick, III

                               
 

Salary

  $ 50,531 (1) $ 75,797 (2) $   $ 151,594   $  
 

Bonus

                81,139      
 

Option Awards

                     
                       
 

TOTAL

    50,531     75,797           232,733        
                       

James M. Rallo

                               
 

Salary

    44,520 (1)   66,780 (2)       267,120      
 

Bonus

                95,623      
 

Option Awards

                     
                       
 

TOTAL

    44,520     66,780           362,743        
                       

Jaime Mateus-Tique

                               
 

Salary

                     
 

Bonus

                     
 

Option Awards

                     
                       
 

TOTAL

                         
                       

Eric C. Dean

               
             
 

Salary

    44,167 (1)   66,250 (2)       132,500      
 

Bonus

                56,125      
 

Option Awards

                     
                       
 

TOTAL

    44,167     66,250           188,625        
                       

Thomas B. Burton

               
             
 

Salary

    22,313 (3)           133,875 (4)    
 

Bonus

                     
 

Health Benefits

                9,094 (4)    
 

Option Awards

                     
                       
 

TOTAL

    22,313             142,969        
                       

(1)
Upon termination of employment as a result of death, the named executive officer is entitled to continued salary through the next full month following the date of termination. The amount shown in this column is the maximum payment that will be paid and represents two months' base salary.

(2)
Upon termination of employment as a result of disability, the named executive officer is entitled to continued salary through the third full month following the date of termination. The amount shown in this column is the maximum payment that will be paid and represents four months' base salary. This amount may be reduced by the amount of any disability benefit payments from insurance provided by the Company.

45


Table of Contents

(3)
Upon termination of employment as a result of death, the named executive officer is entitled to continued salary through the month in which the date of termination occurs. The amount shown in this column is the maximum payment that will be paid and represents one month's base salary.

(4)
Mr. Burton is entitled to these benefits only if his employment is terminated by the Company without cause.

        Employment Agreements.    We do not provide additional change of control benefits to our named executive officers under their respective employment agreements.

        Stock Options.    Our named executive officers hold unvested stock options under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. This plan contains provisions regarding the treatment of any unvested stock options in connection with a change of control of the Company.

        Under the Liquidity Services, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan, in the event of a "corporate transaction" either (1) all of the options will vest in full and become exercisable for fifteen days prior to the scheduled consummation of the change of control, or (2) the Board may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding awards of options and pay to the holder an amount in cash or securities equal to the number of options multiplied by the amount the fixed price paid to stockholders exceeds the option price. Under the plan, a "corporate transaction" generally means (1) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a merger, consolidation, or reorganization of the Company with one or more other entities in which the Company is not the surviving entity, (2) the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company or (3) any transaction which results in any person or entity (other than persons who are stockholders or affiliates of the Company at the time the plan was approved by the Company's stockholders) owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of all of the classes of stock of the Company. If the options are assumed or continued by the surviving company, or the surviving company substitutes the options with a substantially equivalent option, then no such acceleration of vesting or cancellation of options shall occur.

        Unvested options will also vest if the named executive officer's service with the Company is involuntarily terminated within one year following a "corporate transaction." For this purpose, an involuntary termination means a termination of service with the Company without cause or a voluntary resignation of the named executive officer following a material adverse change in the executive's title or responsibilities, a material reduction in base salary, or receipt of a notice that the executive's principal workplace will be relocated more than 50 miles.

        The table below shows our estimates of the amount of the benefit each of our named executive officers would have received if the unvested options held by them as of September 30, 2009 had become fully vested as a result of a change of control or an involuntary termination within one year following a change in control. The estimated amount of benefit was calculated by multiplying the number of unvested options held by the applicable named executive officer by the difference between

46


Table of Contents


the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal year, which was $10.32, and the exercise price of the option.

Name
  Number of Unvested
Options at
September 30, 2009
(#)
  Estimated Benefit
($)(1)
 

William P. Angrick, III

    148,752   $ 167,200  

James M. Rallo

   
180,210
   
397,600
 

Jaime Mateus-Tique

   
58,335
   
0
 

Eric C. Dean

   
250,210
   
340,800
 

Thomas B. Burton

   
168,439
   
340,800
 

(1)
For vesting of unvested stock options, the values are based on the number of options that would have vested on the last business day of fiscal 2009, multiplied by the difference between the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of the fiscal year ($10.32) and the exercise price of the unvested option. If the exercise price of any unvested option was greater than the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of fiscal 2009, no value was attributed to the acceleration of these unvested options.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

        The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained within this proxy statement with management and, based on such review and discussions, our Compensation Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

    Compensation Committee
Patrick W. Gross, Chair
Phillip A. Clough
Franklin D. Kramer
David A. Perdue, Jr.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        The members of our Compensation Committee in fiscal 2009 were Messrs. Gross, Clough and Kramer. No member of the Compensation Committee has been an officer or employee of Liquidity Services or any of our subsidiaries at any time. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or our Compensation Committee.

47


Table of Contents


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

        Shares of our common stock are authorized for issuance to directors, employees and consultants under our 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. We have also issued shares under our 2005 Stock Option and Incentive Plan in the past. We will not make any further awards under the 2005 plan. Both of these plans have been approved by our stockholders. The following table provides information as of September 30, 2009 about outstanding options and shares reserved for issuance under these plans.

Plan Category
  Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options
  Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options
($)
  Number of Securities Remaining
Available for Future Issuance
Under Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (a))
 
 
  (a)
  (b)
  (c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    4,609,226   $ 10.95     5,189,996  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

    0     0     0  
               

Total

    4,609,226   $ 10.95     5,189,996  


REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING DEADLINES, FOR SUBMISSION OF PROXY PROPOSALS,
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER BUSINESS OF STOCKHOLDERS

        Under the rules of the SEC, if a stockholder would like us to include a proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy for presentation at our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must be received by us at our principal executive offices at 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, no later than October 15, 2010.

        Our bylaws, as permitted by the rules of the SEC, contain certain procedures that a stockholder must follow to nominate persons for election as directors or to introduce an item of business at an Annual Meeting of Stockholders. These procedures provide that for nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder:

        To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Therefore, in order to be considered timely with

48


Table of Contents


respect to the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, it must be received no earlier than November 17, 2010 and no later than December 17, 2010.

        If, however, the date of the Annual Meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 70 days after the anniversary of the preceding year's Annual Meeting, notice by the stockholder must be delivered no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of:

        In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period or extend any time period for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above.

        In addition, notwithstanding the above timelines, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and we do not make a public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year's Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a stockholder's notice shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which we first made such public announcement.

        Such notice shall set forth the following information:

49


Table of Contents

        If any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman of the meeting has the power to declare that any defectively proposed business or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.

        Stockholders must also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. These procedures do not affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Company's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.


ANNUAL REPORT

        Our Annual Report to stockholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 is included with these proxy solicitation materials. A copy of our Annual Report, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules included therein, is also available without charge by visiting our website, www.liquidityservicesinc.com, or upon written request to us at Liquidity Services, Inc., 1920 L Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036, Attn: Corporate Secretary.

50


 

<STOCK#> NNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNN 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 NNNNNNN 0 2 4 2 7 4 1 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND NNNNNNNNN C 1234567890 J N T C123456789 1234 5678 9012 345 Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. X 0152MB 3 1 A V + Annual Meeting Proxy Card Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below C Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. + B Non-Voting Items A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all of the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2. For Against Abstain 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2010. Change of Address — Please print new address below. 01 - William P. Angrick, III 02 - F. David Fowler 03 - David A. Perdue, Jr. 1. Election of Directors: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  Electronic Voting Instructions You can vote by Internet or telephone! Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 16, 2010. Vote by Internet • Log on to the Internet and go to www.envisionreports.com/LQDT • Follow the steps outlined on the secured website. Vote by telephone • Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada any time on a touch tone telephone. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call. • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message.

 


ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MARCH 17, 2010 Solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Liquidity Services, Inc. William P. Angrick, III and James E. Williams, or each of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Liquidity Services, Inc. to be held on March 17, 2010 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the stockholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR Item 1 and FOR Item 2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side.) Please sign on the reverse side and return this proxy in the enclosed envelope. Please date, sign and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.  Proxy — Liquidity Services, Inc.  IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.