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Note 10 - Stockholders' Equity
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
10.  
Stockholders’ Equity

Stock-Based Compensation Plan and Warrants

The Company has a stock-based incentive plan which is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 2012 Form 10-K for further information.  We recorded stock-based compensation expense of $278,000 and $105,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, Sterling issued 100,000 shares of restricted stock to our CEO.  These shares will vest on March 31, 2018 subject to the completion of a performance condition.  In order to recognize this compensation expense the Company must assess, at each reporting period, whether it is probable that the performance condition will be met.  These shares must also be re-valued at each reporting period until they vest.

At March 31, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards was $2.2 million.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.4 years.  There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options at March 31, 2013 and 2012.  Proceeds received by the Company from the exercise of options for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $9,150 and $5,000, respectively.  No options were granted in the three months ended March 31, 2013 or 2012.

At March 31, 2013, there were 288,178 and 19,200 shares of common stock covered by outstanding restricted stock and stock options, respectively.  All of the stock options were vested while the restricted stock has not vested.