SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by Registrant [X]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
[ ] | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
[ ] | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
[ ] | Definitive Additional Materials | |
[ ] | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
Koger Equity, Inc.
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] | No Fee Required |
[ ] | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
(1) | Title of 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: | |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
(5) | Total fee paid: |
[ ] | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
[ ] | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: | |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
(3) | Filing Party: | |
(4) | Date Filed: |
April 28, 2004
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of shareholders of Koger Equity, Inc. to be held Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. local time. The meeting will take place at the Boca Raton Marriott, located at 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida.
The attached proxy statement, with formal notice of the meeting on the first page, describes the matters expected to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. We urge you to review these materials carefully and to use this opportunity to take part in the companys affairs by voting on the matters described in the proxy statement. At the Annual Meeting, we will also review Kogers operations, report on 2003 financial results and discuss Kogers plans for the future. Our Directors and management team will be available to answer any questions you may have. We hope that you will be able to attend.
Your vote is important to us. Whether you plan to attend the meeting or not, please either complete the enclosed proxy card and return it as promptly as possible, or vote via the internet or by calling the toll-free telephone number. The enclosed notice of the Annual Meeting of shareholders, proxy statement and proxy card each contain instructions regarding all three methods of voting. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may continue to have your shares voted as instructed in the proxy or you may withdraw your proxy at the meeting and vote your shares in person.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in Koger Equity, Inc.
Sincerely,
Victor A. Hughes, Jr.
Thomas J. Crocker
KOGER EQUITY, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Date: | Thursday, June 3, 2004 |
Place: |
Boca Raton Marriott 5150 Town Center Circle Boca Raton, Florida |
Dear Shareholder:
At our Annual Meeting, we will ask you:
1. | To elect a board of seven (7) Directors to serve for the ensuing year and until their respective successors are elected and qualified; | |
2. | To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004; | |
3. | To approve the Companys proposal to amend the Companys amended and restated articles of incorporation to change the Companys name to CRT Properties, Inc.; and | |
4. | To transact any other business that may properly be presented at the Annual Meeting. |
If you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on March 26, 2004, you may vote at the Annual Meeting.
If you do not plan to attend the meeting and vote your common shares in person, please cast your vote in one of the following ways:
1. | go to the website address shown on the proxy card and vote over the Internet; | |
2. | use the toll-free telephone number shown on the proxy card; or | |
3. | mark, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope according to the instructions printed on the card. |
Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by delivery of a later-dated proxy or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
Enclosed is a copy of the Koger Equity, Inc. Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003, which reports financial and other information.
By Order of the Board of Directors | |
William J. Wedge, Esq. | |
Secretary |
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April 28, 2004
KOGER EQUITY, INC.
225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 200
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Koger Equity, Inc. for use at the 2004 Annual Meeting of shareholders to be held on Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. The meeting will take place at the Boca Raton Marriott, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, Florida. This proxy statement, accompanying proxy card and the Koger Equity 2003 Annual Report, which includes our financial statements, are first being mailed to holders of our common shares on or about April 28, 2004.
This proxy statement summarizes the information you need to know to vote at the Annual Meeting. However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may follow the voting instructions on the enclosed proxy card. In this proxy statement, Koger Equity, Inc. is generally referred to as We, Koger Equity or the Company.
The attached proxy card indicates the number of shares of common stock of Koger Equity that you own. In this proxy statement, outstanding shares of Koger Equity common stock are sometimes referred to as the Shares.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Why am I receiving this proxy statement and proxy card?
You are receiving a proxy statement and proxy card from us because you owned Shares at the close of business on the March 26, 2004 record date for the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement describes matters on which we would like you, as a shareholder, to vote. It also gives you information on these matters so that you can make an informed decision.
When you sign and return the proxy card or vote by telephone or over the Internet, you appoint Thomas J. Crocker, Victor A. Hughes, Jr. and James C. Teagle, and each of them individually, as your representatives at the meeting. Messrs. Crocker, Hughes and Teagle will vote your Shares at the Annual Meeting as you have instructed them on the proxy card or via the telephone or Internet vote. This way, your Shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is a good idea to complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in advance of the Annual Meeting just in case your plans change. Returning the proxy card will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote.
If a matter comes up for vote at the Annual Meeting that is not described in this proxy statement or listed on the proxy card, Messrs. Crocker, Hughes and Teagle will vote your Shares, under your proxy, in their discretion.
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What is being voted on at the Annual Meeting?
At the Annual Meeting, shareholders entitled to vote will act upon the following matters as set forth in the accompanying notice of meeting:
| the election of all of the Directors; | |
| the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent accountants; | |
| the proposed amendment to the Companys amended and restated articles of incorporation to effect the change of the Companys name to CRT Properties, Inc.; and | |
| any other matters that may properly come before the meeting. |
Who is entitled to vote?
All holders of record of Shares at the close of business on March 26, 2004 are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote the Shares held by them on the record date. Each outstanding Share entitles its holder to cast one vote for each matter to be voted upon. Holders of our 8 1/2% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
May I attend the meeting?
All holders of record of the Shares at the close of business on the record date, or their designated proxies, are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting.
What constitutes a quorum in order to hold and transact business at the Annual Meeting?
Consistent with state law and the Companys by-laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of at least a majority of the total number of Shares entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, there were 26,837,085 Shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Shares held of record by shareholders or their nominees who do not vote by proxy or attend the Annual Meeting in person will not be considered present or represented at the Annual Meeting and will not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. Proxies that withhold authority or reflect abstentions or broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Broker non-votes are proxies received from brokerage firms or other nominees holding Shares on behalf of their clients who have not been given specific voting instructions from their clients and that are not voted or are not permitted to be voted by brokerage firms or nominees. See Will my Shares be voted if I do not sign and return my proxy card?
How do I vote?
Voting by Holders of Shares Registered in the Name of a Brokerage Firm, Bank or Other Nominee. If your Shares are held by a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee (i.e., in street name), you will receive directions from your nominee that you must follow in order to have your Shares voted. Street name shareholders who wish to vote in person at the Annual Meeting will need to obtain a proxy form from the brokerage firm or other nominee that holds their Shares of record.
Voting by Holders of Shares Registered Directly in the Name of the Shareholder. If you hold your Shares in your own name as a holder of record, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or instruct the proxy holders named in the enclosed proxy card how to vote your Shares by:
| Internet: You can go to the website address shown on the proxy card and vote over the Internet; | |
| Telephone: You can use the toll-free telephone number shown on the proxy card; or | |
| Mail: You can mark, sign, date and return the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope that we have provided to you. Please note that if you vote over the Internet or by telephone, you do not need to return your proxy card. |
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All valid proxies received and not revoked prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the shareholders instructions.
What are the Boards recommendations?
If no instructions are indicated on your valid proxy, the representatives holding proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. In summary, the Board of Directors recommends a vote:
| FOR the election of each of the seven nominees for Director; | |
| FOR the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent accountants; and | |
| FOR the adoption of the proposed amendment to the Companys amended and restated articles of incorporation to effect the change of the Companys name to CRT Properties, Inc. |
Will other matters be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
We are not aware of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those described in this proxy statement. If any other matters not described in the proxy statement are properly presented at the meeting, proxies will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of your proxy holders.
Will my vote be confidential?
We keep all the proxies, ballots and voting tabulations private as a matter of practice. We only let our Inspectors of Election, representatives of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and certain employees of our independent tabulating agent, Morrow & Co., Inc., examine these documents. The Inspectors of Election will not disclose your vote to management unless it is necessary to meet legal requirements. The Inspectors of Election will, however, forward to management any written comments you make, on the proxy card or elsewhere.
Can I revoke or change my proxy instructions?
You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before it has been exercised by:
| voting by telephone or over the Internet at a later date or sending in another proxy card with a later date; | |
| notifying the Secretary of the Company at 225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 200, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 in writing before the Annual Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or | |
| appearing in person and voting by ballot at the Annual Meeting. |
Any shareholder of record as of the record date attending the Annual Meeting may vote in person whether or not a proxy has been previously given, but the presence of a shareholder at the Annual Meeting without further action will not constitute revocation of a previously given proxy.
What vote is required to elect the Directors?
The election of Directors will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting if a quorum is present. This means that the seven nominees receiving the highest number of yes votes will be elected as Directors. Votes may be cast FOR or WITHHELD FROM each nominee. Votes cast FOR the nominees will count as yes votes; votes that are WITHHELD FROM the nominees will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no effect.
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What vote is required to approve the other proposals?
Under state law and the Companys by-laws, the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to approve proposals to (i) ratify Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent accountants and (ii) adopt the amendment to the Companys amended and restated articles of incorporation to effect the change of the Companys name to CRT Properties, Inc. This means that, assuming a quorum is present, the number of yes votes cast at the meeting for the proposal must exceed the number of no votes cast at the meeting in order for this proposal to be approved. Votes may be cast FOR or AGAINST this proposal. Votes cast FOR the proposal will count as yes votes and votes cast AGAINST the proposal will count as no votes. Both yes votes and no votes are counted as votes cast. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes are treated as votes cast under Florida law.
Will my Shares be voted if I do not sign and return my proxy card?
If your Shares are held in street name and you fail to give instructions as to how you want your Shares voted, such failure is sometimes called a non-vote, the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee who holds Shares on your behalf may in certain circumstances, but is not required to, vote your Shares in their discretion.
With respect to routine matters, such as the election of Directors, ratification of independent accountants and certain other matters, including the proposed amendment of the Companys amended and restated articles of incorporation to change the Companys name, a brokerage firm or other nominee has authority under the NYSE rules to vote its clients Shares if the clients do not provide instructions. When a brokerage firm or other nominee votes its clients Shares on routine matters without receiving voting instructions, these Shares are counted both for establishing a quorum to conduct business at the Annual Meeting and for determining the number of Shares voted FOR or AGAINST such routine matters.
If you do not vote your proxy, your brokerage firm or other nominee may either:
| vote your Shares on the routine matters presented in Proposals 1, 2 and 3; or | |
| leave your Shares unvoted altogether. |
We encourage you to provide instructions to your brokerage firm or other nominee by voting your proxy. This action ensures that your Shares will be voted at the meeting.
What other information should I review before voting?
Our 2003 Annual Report, including financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, is included in the mailing with this proxy statement. The Annual Report, however, is not part of the proxy solicitation material. A copy of our Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules, may be obtained without charge by:
| writing to the Secretary of the Company at the following address: 225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 200, Boca Raton, Florida 33432; | |
| accessing the EDGAR database at the SECs website at www.sec.gov; | |
| going to Koger Equitys website at www.koger.com; or | |
| contacting the SEC by telephone at (800) SEC-0330. |
Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. We will publish the final results in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2004. This quarterly report is required to be filed with the SEC by August 9, 2004. A copy of this quarterly report may be obtained without charge by any of the means outlined above for obtaining a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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What is householding?
The SEC rules allow for householding, which is the delivery of a single proxy statement and annual report to shareholders to an address shared by two or more shareholders. This delivery method is referred to as householding. A single copy of the Annual Report and of the proxy statement will be sent to multiple shareholders who share the same address unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders.
If you prefer to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement or the Annual Report, please write to Investor Relations, Koger Equity, Inc., 225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 200, Boca Raton, Florida 33432 or telephone our Investor Relations Department at (561) 395-9666, and we will promptly send you separate copies. If you are currently receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement and Annual Report at your address and would prefer to receive only a single copy of each to be delivered thereto, you may contact the Company at the address or telephone number provided above.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES AND BOARD MATTERS
The Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is currently comprised of seven members. The Board of Directors oversees the business and affairs of Koger Equity and monitors the performance of management. In accordance with corporate governance principles, the Board does not involve itself in day-to-day operations. The Directors keep themselves informed through discussions with the Chairman, key executive officers and the Companys principal external advisers (legal counsel, auditors, investment bankers and other consultants), by reading reports and other materials that are sent to them and by participating in Board and committee meetings.
The Board of Directors has determined that the following members of the Board, which constitute a majority thereof, are independent, as that term is defined under the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange: Messrs. Aloian, Bishop, Hiley, Hughes, Staudter and Teagle. The Board has adopted categorical standards to assist it in making determinations of independence. All Directors identified as independent in this proxy statement meet these standards. A copy of these standards is included in paragraph 3 of the Guidelines which are available on the Companys website at www.koger.com under the Investor Relations section.
Under the Guidelines, Directors are expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of Board committees on which they serve. The independent Directors meet in executive session with no members of management present prior to each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors met seven times in 2003. Each of the Directors attended at least 75% of the Board of Directors meetings and meetings held by committees of the Board of Directors of which they were members.
Director Attendance at Annual Meeting
The Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the Company for all members of the Board of Directors to attend the Annual Meeting of shareholders. All of the Companys Directors attended the 2003 Annual Meeting of shareholders.
Committees of the Board
The Audit Committee. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to (i) assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee management in (a) the conduct of the Companys financial reporting process, including overseeing the integrity of the financial statements and other financial information provided by the Company to any governmental or regulatory body, the public or other users thereof, (b) the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (c) independent auditors qualifications and independence, (d) the performance of the Companys internal audit function and its systems of internal
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The Board of Directors has determined that (i) each of the Audit Committee members is independent, as that term is defined under the enhanced independence standards for audit committee members in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules thereunder, as amended, as incorporated into the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange; and (ii) each of the Audit Committee members is financially literate as such qualification is interpreted in the Boards business judgment. The functions of the Audit Committee are further described under Report of the Audit Committee beginning on page 25 of this proxy statement.
The Audit Committee met eleven times in 2003 and members of the Audit Committee consulted with the officers of the Company, the firm which provides internal audit services and the independent auditors at various times throughout the year. On February 26, 2004, the Board of Directors adopted a new Charter for the Audit Committee, which is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement, and which may be found on the Companys website at www.koger.com under the Investor Relations section.
The Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible for (i) determining appropriate compensation levels for the Companys executive officers; (ii) evaluating officer and Director compensation plans, policies and programs; (iii) reviewing benefit plans for officers and employees; and (iv) producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the proxy statement. The Compensation Committee is presently composed of: Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr., Chairperson, D. Pike Aloian, and George F. Staudter. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the Compensation Committee members is independent as that term is defined in the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Compensation Committees Report on Executive Compensation begins on page 20 of this proxy statement. The Compensation Committee also reviews, approves and administers the Companys incentive compensation plans and equity-based compensation plans and has sole authority for awards under such plans, including timing, pricing and amount. The Compensation Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board for approval the compensation of Directors. The Compensation Committee met fourteen times during 2003. On February 26, 2004, the Board adopted a new Charter for the Compensation Committee, which may be found on the Companys website at www.koger.com under the Investor Relations section.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders and investment community by (i) identifying individuals qualified to serve as Directors and by selecting, or recommending that the Board select, the nominees for all directorships, whether such directorships are filled by the Board or the shareholders; (ii) developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance guidelines and principles; and (iii) reviewing, on a regular basis, the overall corporate governance of the Company and recommending improvements when necessary. The following Directors are the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: D. Pike Aloian, Chairperson, Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr. and George F. Staudter. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members is independent as that term is defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has no formal policy with respect to Director recommendations from shareholders or other sources, but will give such recommendations appropriate consideration. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider qualified candidates for Director that are nominated by qualified shareholders in accordance with the Companys by-laws. The procedures for Director nomination by a shareholder are discussed below under Shareholder Recommendations and Nominations and Shareholder Proposals. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met two times during 2003. On February 26, 2004, the Board adopted a new Charter for the Nominating and
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The Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is presently composed of Victor A. Hughes, Jr., Chairperson, Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr., Thomas J. Crocker and James C. Teagle. Although the Companys business is generally directed by its Board of Directors, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, on an interim basis, may act on behalf of the Board to the extent permitted under Florida law. The Executive Committee held no meetings during 2003.
The Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is presently composed of David B. Hiley, Chairperson, D. Pike Aloian, Thomas J. Crocker, Victor A. Hughes, Jr. and James C. Teagle. The Finance Committee reviews and oversees the Companys financial policies and planning, financial position, strategic planning and investments, and financing plans. The Finance Committee also monitors the Companys risk management activities, financial position and recommends changes to the Companys dividend policy and proposed budget. The Finance Committee held twenty meetings in 2003.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Board of Directors recently adopted and currently operates pursuant to an established set of written Corporate Governance Guidelines (the Guidelines) that set forth the Companys corporate governance philosophy and the governance policies and practices the Company has implemented in support of that philosophy. The Guidelines set forth the Boards mission to represent the interests of shareholders of the Company in achieving superior and sustainable business performance. The Company is managed under the direction of the Board, with the Board delegating the conduct of the business to the Chief Executive Officer and other senior executives. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the Company has in place a quality senior management team focused on achieving its performance goals.
The Guidelines articulate Board size, composition, independence criteria and general membership criteria. The Guidelines enumerate the procedures for selecting nominees and orienting Directors. The Guidelines require compliance with the New York Stock Exchange rules that require a majority of the Board of Directors to be independent. The Company presently has five board committees: Audit, Executive, Compensation, Finance, and Nominating and Corporate Governance. The Guidelines require all members of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees be independent Directors. The Guidelines do not include any term or age limits for Directors, but require the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to formally review each Directors continuation on the Board at the expiration of the Directors term.
The Guidelines limit the number of boards of public companies on which Directors may serve to three or five, with the lower limit applying to Directors engaged full-time in another position. Upon a Directors resignation or retirement from, or termination of, his or her principal current employment, or similar material change in the Directors professional occupation or association, the Director shall notify the Board of such event or change and shall volunteer to resign from the Board. The Board will have an opportunity to review the continued appropriateness of the individuals Board membership and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will make the initial recommendation as to the individuals continued Board membership. The Board encourages Directors to own Koger Equity common stock to enhance alignment of interests of Directors and shareholders.
The Guidelines provide that the Compensation Committee of the Board will evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis, using objective criteria, and will communicate the results of its evaluation to the full Board. The Guidelines also provide that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for conducting an annual assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the Board, and its standing committees, and individual Directors, and reporting the results of each assessment to the full Board annually.
The Guidelines provide that Board members have complete and free access to the Companys senior management, and can retain, at Company expense, independent advisors or consultants to assist the Board
7
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
In keeping with the Boards commitment to sound corporate governance, on February 26, 2004, the Board adopted a revised Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code of Ethics), which applies to the Company, its subsidiaries and entities controlled by it and all Company employees, officers and Directors. The Code of Ethics incorporates an effective reporting and enforcement mechanism. The Board has adopted the Companys Code of Ethics as its own standard. The Code of Ethics was prepared to help employees, officers and Directors understand the Companys standard of ethical business practices and to stimulate awareness of ethical issues that may be encountered in carrying out their responsibilities to the Company. The Code of Ethics is included in an employment manual, which is being supplied to all of the Companys employees, officers and Directors, who will be expected to read and acknowledge in writing that they understand the Companys policies in regard to business conduct and ethics. Board members, Company officers and Company employees will certify their compliance with the Code of Ethics on an annual basis.
Availability of Guidelines, Code of Ethics and Committee Charters
The Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are available on the Companys website at www.koger.com under the Investor Relations section, and are available in print to any shareholder upon request by writing to the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Koger Equity, Inc., 225 NE Mizner Blvd., Suite 200, Boca Raton, Florida 33432. The Audit Committee Charter is also attached hereto as Appendix A.
Shareholder Recommendations and Nominations
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter does not specifically provide a formal policy with respect to Director recommendations from shareholders. The Board does not believe that a formal policy is necessary because the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will give such shareholder recommendations appropriate consideration and because the Companys by-laws provide a means through which shareholders can make Director nominations. Shareholders should submit any such recommendations for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through the method described under Communications with the Board of Directors below. In addition, in accordance with the Companys by-laws, any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of Directors at the applicable meeting of shareholders may nominate persons for election to the Board of Directors if such shareholder complies with the notice procedures set forth in the by-laws and summarized in Shareholders Proposals below.
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Process for Identifying and Evaluating Director Candidates
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates all qualified Director candidates in accordance with the Director qualification standards described in the Corporate Governance Guidelines and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates an appropriate candidates qualifications to serve as a Director based on the skills and characteristics of individual Board members as well as the composition of the Board as a whole. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will assess issues with respect to the candidates independence, judgment, diversity and age, understanding of the office building industry in general, and knowledge of the Companys business, in particular, all in the context of the Boards perceived needs at that point in time.
Communications with the Board of Directors
The Board has approved a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board. Shareholders can send communications to the Board and if applicable, to its Committees or to specified individual Directors in writing c/o Koger Equity, Inc., 225 NE Mizner Blvd. Suite 200, Boca Raton, Florida 33432, Attention: Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
The Company screens mail addressed to the Board, its Committees or any specified individual Director for security purposes and to ensure that the mail relates to discrete business matters that are relevant to the Company. Mail that satisfies these screening criteria is required to be forwarded to the appropriate Director or Directors.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1
Introduction
The Board is currently comprised of seven Directors, each of which is elected annually by shareholders at the Annual Meeting. The Board has nominated seven Directors for election at the Annual Meeting. Each nominee is currently serving as one of our Directors. If re-elected, each will hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
We know of no reason why any nominee may be unable to serve as Director. If any nominee is unable to serve, the Board may propose another nominee or may reduce the number of Directors to be elected. If another nominee is proposed, your proxy may vote your Shares for such nominee. If any Director resigns, dies or is otherwise unable to serve out his term, or the Board increases the number of Directors, the Board may fill the vacancy until the next Annual Meeting of shareholders.
Vote Required
The Directors will be elected by plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding Shares of the Company is present and voting, either by proxy or in person. This means that the seven nominees receiving the highest number of votes FOR will be elected as Directors.
Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the following nominees. If you do not vote for a particular nominee on your proxy card, your vote will not count either for or against the nominee. Unless instructions are given to the contrary, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote the Shares to which the proxy is related FOR the election of each of the nominees.
Information Regarding Nominees, Executive Officers and Key Personnel
Nominees for Election as Directors
D. PIKE ALOIAN, age 49, currently serves as a Director of Koger Equity, Inc. Mr. Aloian first became a Director in 1993. Mr. Aloian is also a managing director of Rothschild Realty Inc., a real estate investment management firm based in New York that specializes in providing growth capital to public and private real estate companies. At Rothschild, Mr. Aloian is responsible for originating investment opportunities, for negotiating and structuring transactions and for monitoring the investments over their respective lives. Mr. Aloian is also a Director of EastGroup Properties, Inc., an industrial real estate investment trust (REIT), Brandywine Realty Trust (an office REIT), Merritt Properties, LLC, a privately held owner and developer of light industrial buildings, and Advance Realty Group, an office and industrial company. Mr. Aloian is an adjunct professor at Columbia Graduate School of Business where he teaches real estate finance. He received an MBA in finance and accounting from the Columbia Graduate School of Business and an AB degree in government from Harvard University. Committee Memberships: Audit, Compensation, Finance, and Nominating and Corporate Governance.
BENJAMIN C. BISHOP, JR., age 72, currently serves as a Director of Koger Equity, Inc. Mr. Bishop first became a Director in 1991. Mr. Bishop is the Chairman of the Board, and previously served as President until 2003, of Allen C. Ewing & Co., an investment banking company. He is a former Director of Grubb & Ellis Company, a national commercial real estate brokerage company, a former Trustee of GMR Properties, a diversified REIT, and a former Director of Cousins Properties, Inc., an office and retail REIT. He received an MBA from Harvard University and a BE from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Committee Memberships: Audit, Executive, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance.
THOMAS J. CROCKER, age 51, currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (since 2000) and a Director of Koger Equity, Inc. Mr. Crocker first became a Director in 2000. Mr. Crocker also currently serves as a Director of Innkeepers USA Trust, a hotel REIT. Mr. Crocker has been actively involved in real estate development, ownership and management businesses for over 20 years. Mr. Crocker was
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DAVID B. HILEY, age 65, currently serves as a Director of Koger Equity, Inc. Mr. Hiley first became a Director in 1993. Mr. Hiley previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Koger Equity, Inc. from April 1, 1998 to March 1, 2000. In January 2003, Mr. Hiley became a Director of Nortek Holdings, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiary Nortek, Inc., a building materials company. Mr. Hiley is currently a financial consultant. He was former Managing Director of Berkshire Capital Corporation, an investment banking services firm, a Director and former Senior Executive Vice President of Thomson McKinnon Securities, Inc., a securities broker-dealer, former consultant, Director and former Executive Vice President of Thomson McKinnon, Inc., a financial services holding company, and former Director of Newcity Communications, Inc., a communications firm. He received an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business and a BA from Dartmouth College. Committee Membership: Finance.
VICTOR A. HUGHES, JR., age 68, currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Koger Equity, Inc. and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer (until March 1, 2000). Mr. Hughes first became a Director in 1992. Mr. Hughes is a former President, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Koger Equity, Inc. Mr. Hughes is also a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Koger Realty Services, Inc., an affiliated entity. Mr. Hughes currently serves as a Director of St. Vincents Hospital Foundation and on the Elon University Board of Visitors and Advisory Board for Elon University Business School. He received an AB from the University of Tennessee. Committee Memberships: Executive and Finance.
GEORGE F. STAUDTER, age 72, currently serves as a Director of Koger Equity, Inc. Mr. Staudter first became a Director in 1993. Mr. Staudter is a managerial and financial consultant, Director of TD Waterhouse Family of Funds, Inc., a family of mutual funds, Trustee of TD Waterhouse Trust, a registered investment company, a former Director of Waterhouse Investor Services, Inc., a securities broker-dealer, and former President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Family Steak Houses of Florida, Inc., a restaurant chain. He received a BBA from Aldephi University. Committee Memberships: Audit, Compensation, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance.
JAMES C. TEAGLE, age 62, currently serves as a Director of Koger Equity, Inc. Mr. Teagle first became a Director in 1996. Mr. Teagle served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Koger Equity, Inc. until July 31, 2003 and prior to that the Company as Senior Vice President and Vice President. Mr. Teagle is also a former Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of Koger Realty Services, Inc., an affiliated entity. Prior to that, Mr. Teagle worked in real estate acquisitions for Shell Oil Company from 1963 until 1972. Mr. Teagle is also currently a director of Goodwill Endowment, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that provides financial support to Goodwill Industries of North Florida, Inc. and has been a member of the Endowment Board of Goodwill Industries since 2000. He received a BA from Florida State University. Committee Memberships: Executive and Finance.
Named Executive Officers and Key Personnel Who Are Not Directors or Nominees
STEVEN A. ABNEY, age 48, has been Vice President, Finance for Koger Equity, Inc since November 5, 2001 and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer since March 12, 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Abney was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Konover & Associates, Inc., a privately owned commercial real estate developer, owner and manager located in Farmington, Connecticut for the four years prior to employment with the Company. Mr. Abney is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University.
TODD J. AMARA, age 39, has been a Vice President of the Company since June 19, 2000 and previously held the position of Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of Crocker Realty Trust, Inc., a private real estate investment trust (REIT) from November 1997 to June 2000. He previously was Director of Financial Reporting of Crocker & Associates, L.P., a private real estate limited partnership,
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CHRISTOPHER L. BECKER, age 47, has been Senior Vice President of the Company since June 19, 2000, and previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Crocker Realty Trust, Inc., a private real estate investment trust from November 1997 to June 2000. Prior to that he was Senior Vice President of Crocker & Associates, L.P., a private real estate limited partnership, from July 1996 to November 1997. Mr. Becker served as Senior Vice President of Crocker Realty Trust, Inc., a public real estate investment trust from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1996. Mr. Becker holds a Master of International Management from the American Graduate School of International Business and a BS from Florida State University.
ANGELO J. BIANCO, age 35, has been a Vice President of the Company since November 1, 2001 and presently directs the Companys acquisitions and dispositions group. For the two years prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bianco held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Asset Recovery & Management, LLC, a cost-recovery firm founded as a joint venture between Mr. Bianco and Sterling Centrecorp, Inc. Prior thereto, Mr. Bianco worked as corporate counsel for Tishman Speyer Properties concentrating on the re-development of Rockefeller Center. Mr. Bianco holds a JD from University of Virginia School of Law and a BBA from George Washington University.
THOMAS C. BROCKWELL, age 41, has been Executive Vice President of the Company since February 26, 2004 and prior to that held the position of Senior Vice President beginning June 19, 2000. He previously held the position of Vice President of Crocker Realty Trust, Inc. for the five years prior to employment with the Company. Mr. Brockwell joined the Company with over sixteen years of experience in the areas of acquisitions and finance. During the last nine years, Mr. Brockwell has completed acquisitions and dispositions in excess of $2 billion throughout the Southeast and Texas for the Company. Mr. Brockwell holds a BA in Economics from Villanova University.
S. MARK CYPERT, age 44, has been Senior Vice President of the Company since March 1, 2003. Based in Dallas, Mr. Cypert is responsible for the Companys portfolio in Texas as well ongoing acquisition and development efforts in both Texas and northern Virginia. Prior to joining the Company, he was a Vice President and Investment Officer for Thomas Properties Group, where he was responsible for the companys nation-wide acquisitions efforts. Prior to that, Mr. Cypert spent ten years with UBS Realty Investors as a Director of Asset Management and Acquisitions. Mr. Cypert is also a senior instructor for the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute and he is a member of the faculty advisory board for Texas Tech University. Mr. Cypert holds a BS in Construction Engineering Technology from Texas Tech University.
BEN M. WAKEFIELD, age 49, has been a Vice President of the Company since July 5, 2002 and previously held the position of Vice President of Development of Higgins Development Partners, LLC, a private real estate developer from 1999 to 2001. He previously was Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer of De Guardioli Development, Inc. and President of Miller Properties, Inc., both private real estate developers. Mr. Wakefield also served as Senior Vice President of Crocker & Company, a private real estate developer. Mr. Wakefield holds a BBA from Furman University and an MBA from the University of Alabama.
WILLIAM J. WEDGE, ESQ., age 48, has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since March 2004. Mr. Wedge is responsible for overseeing all legal matters for the Company. Prior to joining the Company, he was Senior Vice President and Tax Counsel and Secretary at Boston Properties, Inc., one of the nations largest publicly traded office REITs from 1984 to 2003. At Boston Properties, Mr. Wedge oversaw all corporate and tax matters for the company and was instrumental in the acquisitions of some of the largest office properties in the country. He is a member of the Real Estate Roundtable and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Mr. Wedge holds a BA from Dartmouth College, a JD, cum laude, from Suffolk Law School and an LLM from Boston University School of Law.
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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Director Compensation
Annual Retainer Fee. Effective September 1, 2003, we compensate Directors who are not employees of Koger Equity or its subsidiaries with an annual retainer of $25,000, except for the Chairman of the Board of Directors, who receives an annual retainer of $65,000. In addition, the Chairman of each of the Compensation, Executive, Finance and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $4,000, and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $6,000. Annual retainer fees are paid monthly. Prior to September 1, 2003, Directors who were not officers of Koger Equity, Inc., each received an annual retainer of $20,000, except for the Chairman of the Board of Directors, who received an annual retainer of $50,000.
Meeting Fees. We pay non-employee Directors a fee of:
$2,000 for attendance at each Board meeting; and |
Expenses and Benefits. We reimburse all Directors for travel and other related expenses incurred in attending shareholder, Board and committee meetings.
Directors who are Koger Equity, Inc. Employees. We do not compensate our employees for service as a Director. We do, however, reimburse them for travel and other related expenses.
Stock Options Held by Board Members. Each member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company currently holds an option to purchase 4,000 Shares other than Messrs. Hughes and Teagle who were employees of the Company at the time of grant. These options were granted on August 19, 1997, and are fully exercisable at a per share price of $19.8125.
The Stock Investment Plan. Directors may elect to receive payment of part or all of their monthly retainer in Shares by participating in the Companys Stock Investment Plan. Additional information concerning the Stock Investment Plan is on page 18 of this proxy statement.
Executive Compensation Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows annual and long-term compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and certain other named executive officers whose salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, exceeded $100,000 (Named Officers).
Long Term | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Compensation | Compensation Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted | Underlying | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock | Options/ | All Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Awards | SARs (2) | Compensation (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
Thomas J. Crocker(4)
|
2003 | $ | 325,000 | $ | 331,250 | (1) | | | $ | 12,841 | ||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer
|
2002 | 325,000 | 287,883 | | | 1,229,377 | ||||||||||||||||||
2001 | 300,000 | 330,769 | | | 9,094 | |||||||||||||||||||
Robert E. Onisko(5)
|
2003 | $ | 128,173 | $ | 0 | | | $ | 704,510 | |||||||||||||||
Former Vice President, Chief
|
2002 | 215,000 | 4,135 | | | 530,405 | ||||||||||||||||||
Financial Officer and Secretary
|
2001 | 200,000 | 175,846 | | | 6,394 | ||||||||||||||||||
Thomas C. Brockwell(6)
|
2003 | $ | 225,000 | $ | 184,327 | (1) | | | $ | 359,191 | ||||||||||||||
Executive Vice President
|
2002 | 225,000 | 160,308 | | | 10,238 | ||||||||||||||||||
2001 | 200,000 | 183,846 | | | 5,956 | |||||||||||||||||||
Christopher L. Becker(7)
|
2003 | $ | 215,000 | $ | 164,135 | (1) | | | $ | 360,316 | ||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President
|
2002 | 215,000 | 143,449 | | | 7,913 | ||||||||||||||||||
2001 | 200,000 | 175,846 | | | 5,888 | |||||||||||||||||||
Steven A. Abney(8)
|
2003 | $ | 178,500 | $ | 149,877 | (1) | | | $ | 9,804 | ||||||||||||||
Vice President Finance
|
2002 | 177,042 | 78,433 | | | 7,692 | ||||||||||||||||||
2001 | | | | | |
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(1) | Includes a cash bonus which was earned for calendar year 2003, but was paid in 2004: as to Mr. Crocker, $325,000; as to Mr. Brockwell, $180,000; as to Mr. Becker, $160,000; and as to Mr. Abney, $146,444. |
(2) | There were no options granted to the Chief Executive Officer or the other Named Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. |
(3) | Includes the taxable portion of certain excess life insurance premiums (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code) paid by the Company on behalf of each qualifying employee, including the Named Officers and 401(k) Plan contributions, each of which were Company benefits which did not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of the Named Officers and were available generally to all salaried employees of the Company. Also includes a matching cash contribution for calendar year 2003 made by the Company to the account of each qualifying employee, including each Named Officer, under the 401(k) Plan, which contribution was equal to 50% of such employees contributions to his or her account under the 401(k) Plan, subject to a maximum employee contribution of six percent of eligible compensation. |
(4) | Mr. Crocker was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Company on March 1, 2000. For 2002, All Other Compensation includes $1,218,000 related to the January 2002 special dividend of $1.74 per share and was determinable by multiplying the special dividend of $1.74 per share times the equivalent of 700,000 Shares. This amount was earned by Mr. Crocker under the terms of an agreement with the Company which required, among other things, the Companys daily stock price closing above a stipulated amount for a minimum of sixty days during the six-month period ended February 28, 2003. For 2003, All Other Compensation includes life insurance premiums in the amount of $1,944 and a 401(k) contribution in the amount of $7,507. Also includes a Stock Investment Plan contribution in the amount of $3,390. |
(5) | Mr. Onisko was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company on March 1, 2000, Vice President of the Company on January 14, 2002, and Secretary of the Company on May 23, 2002. Mr. Onisko resigned from the Company on June 30, 2003. For 2002, All Other Compensation includes $522,000 related to the January 2002 special dividend of $1.74 per share and was determinable by multiplying the special dividend of $1.74 per share times the equivalent of 300,000 Shares. This amount was earned by Mr. Onisko under the terms of an agreement with the Company which required, among other things, the Companys daily stock price closing above a stipulated amount for a minimum of sixty days during the six-month period ended February 28, 2003. For 2003, All Other Compensation includes life insurance premiums in the amount of $972 . Also includes a payment of $703,538 made under the terms of a severance agreement between Mr. Onisko and the Company. |
(6) | Mr. Brockwell was appointed as Executive Vice President of the Company on February 26, 2004 and has served as Senior Vice President of the Company since June 19, 2000. For 2003, All Other Compensation includes life insurance premiums in the amount of $1,944 and a 401(k) contribution in the amount of $7,507. Also includes a Stock Investment Plan contribution in the amount of $1,740. Also includes $348,000 related to the January 2002 special dividend of $1.74 per share and was determinable in 2003 by multiplying the special dividend of $1.74 per share times the equivalent of 200,000 Shares. This amount was earned by Mr. Brockwell under the terms of an agreement with the Company which required, among other things, the Companys daily stock price closing above a stipulated amount for a minimum of sixty days during the six-month period ended July 1, 2003. |
(7) | Mr. Becker was appointed as Senior Vice President of the Company on June 19, 2000. For 2003, All Other Compensation includes life insurance premiums in the amount of $1,944 and a 401(k) contribution in the amount of $7,507. Also includes $348,000 related to the January 2002 special dividend of $1.74 per share and was determinable in 2003 by multiplying the special dividend of $1.74 per share times the equivalent of 200,000 Shares. This amount was earned by Mr. Becker under the terms of an agreement with the Company which required, among other things, the Companys daily stock price closing above a stipulated amount for a minimum of sixty days during the six-month |
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period ended July 1, 2003. Also includes a Stock Investment Plan contribution in the amount of $2,865. | |
(8) | Mr. Abney was appointed as Vice President, Finance of the Company on November 5, 2001 and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer on March 12, 2003. For 2003, All Other Compensation includes life insurance premiums in the amount of $1,944 and a 401(k) contribution in the amount of $7,507. Also includes a Stock Investment Plan contribution in the amount of $353. |
Options Granted During 2003
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, the Company did not grant any options to its Named Officers. The Company has no outstanding stock appreciation rights.
Aggregated Option Exercises During 2003 and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
The following table provides: (i) the aggregate number of options exercised and the value realized by the Named Officers during the year ended December 31, 2003, and (ii) the aggregate number of options and the value of the in-the-money options in each case held by the Named Officer as of December 31, 2003. The Company has no outstanding stock appreciation rights. In the event of a change of control (as defined in the option agreements), all stock options become vested.
Number of | ||||||||||||||||
Securities | ||||||||||||||||
Underlying | Value of Unexercised | |||||||||||||||
Unexercised | In-the-Money | |||||||||||||||
Options/SARs at | Options/SARs at | |||||||||||||||
Shares | Fiscal Year-End | Fiscal Year-End | ||||||||||||||
Acquired | Value | Exercisable/ | Exercisable/ | |||||||||||||
Name | on Exercise | Realized | Unexercisable | Unexercisable (1) | ||||||||||||
Thomas J. Crocker
|
| $ | | 700,000/0 | $ | 3,407,250/$0 | ||||||||||
Robert E. Onisko(2)
|
125,000 | $ | 561,842 | 125,000/0 | $ | 608,438/$0 | ||||||||||
Thomas C. Brockwell
|
| $ | | 200,000/0 | $ | 673,500/$0 | ||||||||||
Christopher L. Becker
|
| $ | | 200,000/0 | $ | 673,500/$0 | ||||||||||
Steven A. Abney
|
| $ | | / | $ | /$ |
(1) | This valuation represents the difference between $20.93, the closing price of the Koger Equity common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2003, and the exercise price of the stock options. In-the-money stock options are options for which the exercise price is less than the market price of the underlying stock on a particular date. |
(2) | During 2003, 50,000 options previously awarded to Mr. Onisko were cancelled under the terms of the severance agreement between the Company and Mr. Onisko. |
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Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
The Companys Long Term Incentive Plan (LTI) was adopted effective January 1, 2002. The following table shows all awards made to the Named Officers pursuant to the LTI.
Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Period Until | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Year | of Units | Payout (1) | Threshold | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||
Thomas J. Crocker
|
2003 | 20,968 | 1/1/2008 | 162,500 | 325,000 | 487,500 | ||||||||||||||||||
2002 | 19,939 | 1/1/2007 | 162,500 | 325,000 | 487,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
2001 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Thomas C. Brockwell
|
2003 | 11,613 | 1/1/2008 | 90,000 | 180,000 | 270,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
2002 | 11,043 | 1/1/2007 | 90,000 | 180,000 | 270,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
2001 | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Christopher L. Becker
|
2003 | 11,097 | 1/1/2008 | 86,000 | 172,000 | 258,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
2002 | 10,552 | 1/1/2007 | 86,000 | 172,000 | 258,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
2001 | | | | | |
(1) | Units are earned after a three-year period from the date of grant based on meeting certain shareholder return amounts. Earned grants vest on the third, fourth, and fifth anniversaries of the grant date. |
Stock Purchase Agreements
In 2000, the Company entered into Stock Purchase Agreements (SPAs) whereby it would finance the purchase of up to 500,000 Shares by Mr. Crocker and up to 150,000 Shares by Mr. Onisko. Under the SPAs, the Company was legally committed, before the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on July 30, 2002, to advance funds for these stock purchases. The Company has no discretion or termination right with respect to its obligations under the SPAs. The Board believes that because the SPAs pre-dated enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the SPAs are not prohibited by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and has been advised by outside counsel to that effect. Nevertheless, the Board is considering alternative compensation arrangements for Mr. Crocker that would replace his SPA. Although Mr. Onisko is no longer employed by the Company, the Company is still obligated to advance funds to him under this agreement.
At December 31, 2003, the Company had loans outstanding to Mr. Crocker of $3,799,774 (of which $3,172,694 is non-recourse) and to Mr. Onisko of $1,291,954 (of which $1,076,584 is non-recourse) in connection with their purchase of Shares pursuant to their SPAs, all of which was borrowed prior to June 30, 2002. The above indebtedness is secured by a pledge of the Shares purchased and bears interest at a rate of 150 basis points over the applicable LIBOR rate. Interest is paid quarterly and is current under this indebtedness. In 2000, Messrs. Crocker and Onisko acquired 302,495 Shares and 100,831 Shares, respectively, under the SPAs. In 2002, Messrs. Crocker and Onisko acquired 17,875 Shares and 1,659 Shares, respectively, under the SPAs. Neither Mr. Crocker nor Mr. Onisko purchased Shares under the SPAs in 2001 or 2003. For fiscal 2003, Mr. Crocker paid $114,860 and Mr. Onisko paid $37,522 in interest pursuant to their SPAs.
The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Other Retirement Benefits
The Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Executives of Koger Equity, Inc. and Participating Related Entities (the SERP) provides designated key executives with additional retirement benefits. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the Committee) administers the SERP. The Committee selects the key executives who will be Participants in the SERP and designates the participant category for which the executive will qualify.
Messrs. Hughes, Hiley and Teagle are retired officers of the Company that continue to serve on the Board of Directors. Messrs. Hughes, Hiley and Teagle continue to participate in the Companys medical
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Employment Agreements with Messrs. Crocker and Brockwell
The Company currently has employment agreements with each of Mr. Crocker and Mr. Brockwell that will continue in effect until December 31, 2004 and will be extended automatically for additional one-year terms unless either party notifies the other party otherwise at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the applicable term. Pursuant to the agreements, Messrs. Crocker and Brockwell received an initial annual base salary of $325,000 and $225,000, respectively. Such salaries are subject to annual review by the Board or the Compensation Committee. Currently, the annual base salaries of Messrs. Crocker and Mr. Brockwell are $450,000 and $325,000, respectively. Each such executive is entitled to participate in the Compensation Plan for Senior Officers of the Company (the Compensation Plan), pursuant to which he can receive cash bonuses and annual long-term incentive awards in the form of share units.
Upon termination of employment for any reason, each such executive will receive his base salary and incentives earned on or before termination. If (i) Mr. Crockers employment is terminated by the Company for cause (as defined in his agreement) or voluntarily by Mr. Crocker other than for good reason (as defined in his agreement) or (ii) Mr. Brockwells employment is terminated by the Company for cause (as defined in his agreement), voluntarily by Mr. Brockwell for any reason (other than for good reason after a change in control as defined in his agreement) or if Mr. Brockwells employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will not receive any additional pay or benefits and all unearned and unvested share units will be forfeited.
If the executives employment is terminated by the Company other than for death, disability or cause or by the executive for good reason (but in Mr. Brockwells case, only good reason after a change in control), he will receive: (i) two times (but in Mr. Crockers case in the event of termination by the Company without cause or by Mr. Crocker for good reason in anticipation of, or within twelve months after a change in control, three times) the sum of (a) his annual base salary plus (b) the average annual cash bonus earned for the three preceding calendar years; (ii) a prorated cash bonus under the Compensation Plan for the year of termination, determined and paid at the end of the year as if Mr. Crockers employment had continued and as if certain target performance levels had been attained; (iii) vesting on outstanding long-term incentive awards as follows: for any performance period ended on or before the termination date, earned but unvested share units will become vested and payable; for any performance period ending after the termination date, the number of share units earned will be determined as if the performance period had ended and will become vested and payable; and (iv) continued participation for the executive and his dependents, through the later of December 31, 2004 or the second anniversary (but in Mr. Brockwells case, the first anniversary) of his termination date, in all group health plans in which they were participating as of the termination date, on terms and conditions no less favorable than those generally applicable to other participants, with COBRA benefits available thereafter.
If the executives employment terminates as a result of expiration of the term of the agreement, any outstanding earned but unvested share units will become vested and payable. If the applicable performance period did not end on or before the termination date, the number of share units earned will be determined as if the performance period had ended, and will become vested and payable, except that if the executive provided the notice of non-renewal of the agreement, the number of share units will be prorated based on the total number of days in the shortened performance period relative to the total number of days in the original three-year performance period.
In the event of a change in control while the executive is still employed by the Company, he shall be entitled at his election, to the following with respect to his long-term incentive awards under the
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The Company will make an additional tax gross-up payment to the executive if any payment or benefit made or provided to him would be subject to the excise tax imposed on any excess parachute payments under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. The agreement also provides certain non-competition provisions that apply during the term of the agreement and for a period of two years thereafter and that generally prohibit the executive from becoming employed in an executive capacity similar to the capacity in which he served the Company for certain similar entities.
Stock Investment Plan
The Company has a Stock Investment Plan (the SIP) pursuant to which participating employees and Directors of the Company may purchase Shares. Under the SIP, the Company is authorized to purchase up to an aggregate of 200,000 Shares on behalf of such participating employees and Directors. Each participating employee pays for his or her Shares pursuant to a monthly payroll deduction plan established by the participating employee, and each participating Director pays for his Shares pursuant to a deduction from such Directors retainer. Investments are made in the SIP after the Company receives funds from the participant.
Under the SIP, the Company contributes a portion of the purchase price of such Shares, which contribution equals the following percentage of the total monthly deduction from such employees pay or such Directors retainer:
| 25% of each monthly deduction less than or equal to $50; | |
| 20% of each monthly deduction greater than $50 but less than or equal to $100; and | |
| 15% of each monthly deduction greater than $100 but less than or equal to $2,423. |
The Company also pays all commissions and related expenses of the SIP. The Companys contribution and expenses incurred in administering the SIP totaled approximately $39,100 for the year ended December 31, 2003.
During 2003, the Company contributed the following amounts on behalf of the following Directors:
Company | |||||
Director Name | Contribution | ||||
D. Pike Aloian
|
$ | 3,340 | |||
Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr.
|
3,090 | ||||
Thomas C. Crocker
|
3,390 | ||||
David B. Hiley
|
3,340 | ||||
George F. Staudter
|
3,340 | ||||
Total Contribution
|
$ | 16,500 | |||
In addition, the Company contributed an aggregate of $4,958 on behalf of executive officers as described in the Executive CompensationSummary Compensation Table above.
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SHARE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following line graph prepared by Koger Equity sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return on the Shares as compared with the cumulative total return of each of the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index and the NAREIT Total Return Index, in each case (i) on an annual basis for the period commencing December 31, 1998 and ending December 31, 2003 and (ii) assuming that $100 was invested on December 31, 1998 and that all dividends were reinvested.
Period Ending | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Index | 12/31/1998 | 12/31/1999 | 12/31/2000 | 12/31/2001 | 12/31/2002 | 12/31/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||
Koger Equity, Inc.
|
100.00 | 107.09 | 107.38 | 135.67 | 140.73 | 204.92 | ||||||||||||||||||
NYSE Composite Index
|
100.00 | 109.10 | 110.26 | 99.00 | 79.37 | 102.23 | ||||||||||||||||||
NAREIT All REIT Index
|
100.00 | 93.20 | 117.74 | 136.02 | 143.63 | 198.88 |
The Compensation Committee has determined that it is appropriate to use a different industry group for compensation comparisons from that used for the Companys shareholder return performance presentation.
The performance comparisons in the chart above shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this graph by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers Koger Equitys executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee has furnished the following report on executive compensation for 2003.
Executive Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee is responsible for setting the total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer (the CEO), the Executive Vice President (EVP), the Senior Vice Presidents (the SVPs) and certain of the Vice Presidents (the VPs). It also reviews the compensation, including year-end bonuses, proposed by management for other officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee has customarily sought and obtained the full Boards ratification of its actions concerning salary increases and bonuses granted to senior officers. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for (i) making grants under the Companys stock option, long term and other incentive plans and (ii) making contributions, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, under the 401(k) Plan and any other plan or plans as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
The Compensation Committee has designed Koger Equitys executive compensation program to support what it believes to be an appropriate relationship between executive pay and the creation of shareholder value. To emphasize equity incentives, we link a significant portion of executive compensation to shareholder total return. The objectives of our program are:
| To support a pay-for-performance policy among all senior executives based on both their individual performance and the performance of Koger Equity; | |
| To align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of shareholders through awards whose value over time depends upon the market value of Koger Equitys common stock; | |
| To provide compensation comparable to that offered by other leading companies in our industry, enabling Koger Equity to compete for and retain talented executives who are critical to our long-term success; and | |
| To motivate key executives to achieve strategic business initiatives and to reward them for their achievement. |
We compensate our executives through base salary, bonus paid in cash (or a combination of cash and Shares or restricted stock awards), and long-term incentive awards as described below.
We also provide our executives with employee benefits, such as retirement and health benefits. Koger Equity has entered into employment agreements containing change of control provisions with certain of our executive officers to provide for certain payments and other benefits if they are terminated.
In furtherance of the above objectives, the Compensation Committee developed a comprehensive compensation plan for senior officers (the Compensation Plan), which has been adopted by the Companys Board of Directors.
The Compensation Plan
The provisions of the Compensation Plan apply to senior officers of the Company selected to participate in the plan by the Companys Chief Executive Officer (the CEO) and approved by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which determines the salaries to be paid for the current year, the annual cash bonuses to be paid for the prior year, the long-term incentive grants to be provisionally awarded for the current year, and the extent to which long-term incentive grants provisionally awarded three years earlier have been earned. All determinations as to
20
The purpose of the Compensation Plan is to align the short and long-term economic interests of senior management with those of the shareholders of the Company. The Compensation Plan consists of three segments: (i) an annual cash salary, (ii) annual incentive compensation in the form of cash bonuses, and (iii) long-term incentive compensation to be awarded annually in Units (the Units) whose pay-out is based on the performance of the Companys common stock over three-year periods of measurement and the Companys performance compared to the real estate investment trusts (REITS) in its peer group.
1. Annual Cash Salary. The base salary for each executive selected to participate in the Compensation Plan (a Participant) is determined annually by the Compensation Committee during the first quarter of each year, with the base salary so determined to be made effective retroactive to January 1 of that year. The amount of the base salary for each Participant is based on recommendations of the CEO (with the exception of his own salary). The Compensation Committee also considers peer group salaries for comparable responsibilities, individual performance, etc.
2. Annual Cash Bonus. An annual cash bonus is determined by the Compensation Committee based primarily on Company performance and on individual performance in meeting the objectives and goals for the Participants position. Individual performance may be based on achieving the objectives of the relevant business unit, meeting budgets, individual skills in working with other members of management, special project performance, professional growth, etc.
Provided that specified levels of performance against specified criteria are satisfied, Participants who remain employed through year-end (except as otherwise provided in a Participants participation letter or employment agreement) earn aggregate bonuses (based on a percentage of their salary for the year of the award) for varying levels of performance, as follows:
Levels of Performance | ||||||||||||
Executive | Threshold | Target | High | |||||||||
CEO
|
25% | 50% | 100% | |||||||||
EVP, SVPs & VPs
|
20% | 40% | 80% |
The aggregate bonus opportunity is allocated among various identified objectives, with bonus amounts payable in respect of performance against each objective determined separately. Performance levels are linear ranging from Threshold through Target to High, not steps.
Cash bonuses are determined based on achieving the weighted objectives. Achievement of the corporate performance objective is measured against the performance of the Office-Suburban REIT (other than the Company) that are included throughout the year in the Morgan Stanley REIT Index, not including those entities considered Mixed-Use by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), based on calculations of total percentage return (i.e., percentage appreciation/depreciation, over the full year, in the value associated with a share of publicly traded common stock of the Company and of the other REIT, assuming contemporaneous reinvestment in Shares of all dividends and other distributions). Achievement of the business unit performance objectives and the corporate Funds From Operations (FFO) performance objective are measured against budgets approved annually by the Board. The performance targets and measures used to determine achievement of individual performance objectives are determined and measured by the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the CEO, on an annual basis depending on the requirements of the Company at that time.
Bonuses are paid in cash, based on financial statements and other data for the year being measured, and are paid 80% within thirty days of completion by the Company of its unaudited financial statements for the year to which the bonus relates and the Companys budget for the next following year, with the remaining 20% held back pending computations based on the audited financial statements for the Company to confirm the unaudited calculations.
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3. Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTI) is an integral part of the Compensation Plan and was effective as of January 1, 2002.
The LTI is designed to reward senior members of management who are Participants for sustained, superior performance by the Company measured over three-year periods. The LTI awards are based on the achievement by the Company of two corporate performance goals, the achievement of which should reflect higher value for the Companys shareholders. These measurements reflect:
| absolute Company performance; and | |
| Company performance relative to peer group performance. |
Performance levels are linear ranging from Threshold through Target to High, not steps.
A provisional LTI award is made to each Participant in an amount, expressed in Units, based on the salary paid to such Participant in the preceding year. The Compensation Committee meets for the purpose of finalizing each LTI award during the first quarter of the year in which the provisional award is being made. Pay-outs on annual LTI awards will depend on the degree to which specified three-year performance goals are achieved, and on satisfaction of additional vesting requirements, as described below.
Under the first performance goal, which governs 50% of each annual LTI award, the Companys common stock must achieve an annually compounded total percentage return per share, over the three-year period that begins with the year of award, equaling a minimum of 8.5% per year. At that threshold 8.5% level of performance, each Participant will earn 50% of the portion of his/her provisional award that is governed by absolute total percentage return per share. All of this portion of the award will be earned if the annually compounded total percentage return per share is 10% per year, and additional Units can be earned for performance above that level (up to 150% of this portion of the award). Total return per share of the Companys common stock is defined as total appreciation/depreciation over the three-year period that begins on January 1 of the year of award, assuming contemporaneous reinvestment in Shares of all dividends and other distributions, and with starting and ending Share values based on average closing prices for the first ten trading days of the month of January of the year of award and the last ten days of the second year following the calendar year of the award (provided that the starting Share value for provisional awards made in 2002 and 2003 were deemed to be $16.30 and $15.50, respectively).
Under the second performance goal, which governs the other 50% of each annual LTI award, the Companys common stock must achieve a total percentage return per Share, over the three-year period that begins on January 1 of the year of grant and ends on December 31 the second year following the year of grant, equal to or higher than the weighted average total percentage return per share over the same three-year period achieved by common shares of Office-Suburban REITs (other than the Company) that are included throughout the three-year period in the Morgan Stanley REIT Index, not including those entities considered Mixed-Use by NAREIT (the Peer Group). If the total percentage return per share of the Companys common stock over the three-year period equals the Peer Groups weighted average total percentage return per share over the same period (the Threshold Return), each Participant will earn 50% of the portion of his/her provisional award that is governed by relative total percentage return per share. All of this portion of the award will be earned if the total percentage return per share over the three years equals 110% of the Threshold Return, and additional Units can be earned for performance above that 110% level (up to 150% of this portion of the award).
Individual provisional awards under the LTI will be calculated as a specific dollar amount and made in the form of Units that are designed to mirror the performance of the Companys common stock. The dollar amount of the award for the CEO is 100% of his/her salary for the prior year. For other Participants, the dollar amount of the award is 80% of his/her salary for the prior year. The dollar amount of the award for each Participant is then divided by the average closing price of the Companys common stock during the first ten trading days of the month of the calendar year of the award (or, in the case of provisional awards made in 2003, $15.50), with the quotient (rounded to the nearest whole number) being the number of Units awarded to such Participant.
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Each Unit will serve as the provisional economic equivalent of one Share. The provisional value of a Unit at any time will be equal to the value then associated with a Share that was outstanding on January 1 of the year of award, assuming full contemporaneous reinvestment in Shares of all dividends and other distributions made thereon after January 1 of the year of award. For this purpose, the number of Shares deemed acquired upon assumed reinvestment of dividends and other distributions will be based on the closing price of a Share on the first trading day that coincides with, or follows, the date of the distribution.
As soon as practicable following the end of each three-year measurement period, provided the Participant remains employed by the Company through the last day of the three-year measurement period (except as otherwise provided in a Participants participation letter or employment agreement), the Compensation Committee will determine the number of Units actually earned by each Participant.
Any provisional Units that are not earned for a three-year measurement period will be deemed forfeited.
The Units earned by each Participant, as determined by the Compensation Committee, will be subject to a vesting requirement whereby one-third of the Units will be vested as of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of December 31 of the year of the award, with distribution to occur as promptly as reasonably practicable after vesting, subject to any proper deferral election the Participant may previously have made. Each Participant will have the option, upon election in accordance with procedures established by the Company that are designed to reasonably assure the tax-effectiveness of any deferral election, to (i) receive the vested amount in cash, (ii) receive the vested amount in Shares, or (iii) have the vested amount credited to an unfunded deferred investment account established by the Company.
Base Salaries and Bonuses of Executives
The base salaries of our executives approximate the median for salaries of executives in our comparison group. The Compensation Committee awarded bonus compensation for 2003 to each executive based on the executives scope of responsibility, the specific contributions made by the executive to Koger Equitys performance over all and the performance within the executives area of responsibility and the CEOs recommendation.
Base Salary and Bonus of the CEO
In arriving at the compensation paid Thomas J. Crocker, the CEO, during 2003, the Compensation Committee considered the outstanding performance of the Company under his leadership as CEO.
For 2003, Mr. Crocker was paid a base salary at the annual rate of $325,000, the same as was paid in 2002. For 2003, the Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Crockers contribution to Koger Equitys performance warranted a bonus of $325,000, payable in cash and was paid after completion of the audit of the Companys books of account for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. For 2004, the Compensation Committee approved a base salary for Mr. Crocker totaling $450,000.
Section 162(m) Limitation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), generally disallows a federal income tax deduction to public companies for certain compensation over $1,000,000 paid to Named Officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. Having considered the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Compensation Committee believes that awards made pursuant to its various plans meet such requirements and are, therefore, exempt from the limitations on deductibility. Although the Compensation Committee intends to structure most awards under its plans to comply with Section 162(m), it has reserved and will continue to reserve the right to structure awards that do not comply with that Section where it believes doing so is in the interest of the Company and its shareholders.
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Conclusion
The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation packages of the Companys executive officers have been generally commensurate with the Companys financial performance and the total value received by its shareholders. The Compensation Committee intends to continue the review of executive officers compensation with the assistance of an outside compensation consultant and will make such modifications in its approach to executive compensation as it determines to be appropriate in light of the Companys financial condition, the performance of its officers and peer group analysis.
This report is furnished by the Compensation Committee.
Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr., Chairman | |
D. Pike Aloian | |
George F. Staudter |
The foregoing report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act of 1934 except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Act.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee includes Messrs. Aloian, Bishop and Staudter, none of whom serves as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, none of the members of this Compensation Committee is an executive officer of a company for which an executive officer of Koger Equity determined compensation matters.
24
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, with the Companys management and with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Companys independent auditors. The Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees).
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and has discussed the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP with that firm.
Based upon the review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Companys audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Board of Directors has determined that each of the Audit Committee members is independent, as that term is defined under the enhanced independence standards for audit committee members in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules thereunder, as amended, as incorporated into the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.
This report is furnished by the Audit Committee.
George F. Staudter, Chairman | |
D. Pike Aloian | |
Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr. |
Unless specifically stated otherwise in any of the Companys filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Report of the Audit Committee shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.
AUDITORS FEES AND PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES
Auditors Fees Billed to Deloitte & Touche LLP
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Board of Directors, based upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee, appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent accountants. During 2003, the services of the independent accountants included the audit of the annual financial statements, a review of the quarterly data furnished by the Company to the SEC for the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2003, services performed in connection with the filing of the Companys proxy statement and the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC, attendance at meetings with the Companys Audit Committee and consultation on matters relating to accounting, tax and financial reporting. The Companys Audit Committee approved all services performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP in advance of their performance. Deloitte & Touche LLP has acted as independent certified public accountants for the Company since its organization on June 21, 1988. Neither Deloitte & Touche LLP nor any of its associates have any relationship to the Company or any of its subsidiaries except in its capacity as auditors.
25
The following table lists fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, for services rendered in fiscal years 2002 and 2003. Certain amounts for fiscal year 2002 have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal year 2003 presentation.
2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
Audit Fees
|
$ | 181,674 | $ | 103,500 | |||||
Audit-Related Fees
|
277,138 | 54,836 | |||||||
Tax Fees
|
45,750 | 54,300 | |||||||
All Other Fees
|
| | |||||||
Total Fees
|
$ | 504,562 | $ | 212,636 | |||||
Audit Fees include fees for the recurring audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements and assistance with the review of documents filed with the SEC.
Audit-Related Fees include fees for quarterly reviews of the Companys consolidated financial statements, audits of the financial statements of certain acquired properties, reviews and evaluations of the impact of new regulatory pronouncements, general assistance with implementation of the new SEC and Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requirements, professional services regarding the Companys issuance of preferred stock, and audits of the Companys employee benefit plan. The Audit Committee approved 100% of these services in 2002 and 2003.
Tax Fees include fees for the review of the Companys federal and state tax returns. The Audit Committee approved 100% of these services in 2002 and 2003.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for pre-approving the audit and non-audit services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP. These procedures include establishing pre-approved audit and permitted non-audit services and fee ranges, which are valid for a twelve month period once pre-approved unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. The procedure appendices include a description of, and a budgeted amount for, particular categories of audit and non-audit services that are recurring in nature and therefore anticipated at the time the procedure is submitted. Separate and specific Audit Committee pre-approval is required to provide a service not listed in the appendices. For any such pre-approval, the Audit Committee considers whether such services are consistent with the SECs rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee also considers whether the independent auditor is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, for reasons such as its familiarity with the Companys business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and whether the services enhance the Companys ability to manage or control risks and improve audit quality. With respect to each proposed pre-approved service, the independent auditor will provide detailed back-up documentation to the Audit Committee, regarding the specific services to be provided. The pre-approval policy also provides a list of prohibited non-audit services. The Audit Committee will designate the internal auditor or other designees to monitor the services rendered and actual fees paid to the independent auditors to ensure that such services are within the parameters approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committees pre-approval policies and procedures are available on the Companys website at www.koger.com under the Investor Relations section.
INFORMATION ABOUT KOGER EQUITY COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP
The following sections discuss the beneficial ownership of our Shares by significant shareholders and our officers and Directors. Beneficial ownership is a technical term broadly defined by the SEC to mean more than ownership in the usual sense. For example, an individual beneficially owns Koger Equity common stock not only if the individual holds it directly, but also if the individual indirectly (through a relationship, a position as a director or trustee, or a contract or understanding), has (or shares) the power to vote the stock, or to sell it, or has the right to acquire it within 60 days.
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Principal Shareholders
The following table shows, as of March 26, 2004, all persons we know to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of the Shares of Koger Equity. This information is based on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) by the firms listed in the table below. If you wish, you may obtain these reports from the SEC.
Shares Owned | ||||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Beneficially | Percent of Class | ||||||
Third Avenue Management LLC, et al.(1)
|
2,571,751 | 10.0 | % | |||||
Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC(2)
|
2,137,209 | 8.0 | % | |||||
AXA Financial, Inc.(3)
|
1,729,563 | 6.4 | % | |||||
Kensington Investment Group, Inc.(4)
|
1,665,467 | 6.2 | % |
(1) | Address is 622 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017. Sole voting power as to 2,231,986 Shares and sole dispositive power as to 2,240,386 Shares. Source: Schedule 13G/ A dated January 15, 2004. |
(2) | Address is 191 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Heitman Real Estate Securities serves as sub-investment advisor to the PBHG REIT Fund and the Penn Series Funds, Inc. REIT Fund, registered investment companies, and 2,881 separate account clients. Sole voting power as to 1,512,193 Shares and sole dispositive power as to 2,137,209 Shares. Source: Schedule 13G/A dated February 18, 2004. |
(3) | Address is 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104. Sole voting power as to 1,437,833 Shares and sole dispositive power as to 1,058,733 Shares. Shared voting power as to 13,800 Shares and shared dispositive power as to 670,830 Shares. Covering securities held by its subsidiaries (AXA Rosenberg670,830 Shares, Alliance Capital Management L.P.1,057,883 Shares, The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States850 Shares). Source: Schedule 13G dated February 13, 2004. |
(4) | Address is 4 Orinda Way, Suite 200C, Orinda, California 94563. Sole voting power and sole dispositive power as to 1,665,467 Shares. Source: Schedule 13G dated January 21, 2004. |
Management Shareholders
The following table shows, as of March 26, 2004, the Shares owned beneficially by Koger Equity Directors and executive officers.
Shares | |||||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Owned Beneficially | Percent of Class | |||||||
Directors:
|
|||||||||
D. Pike Aloian
|
21,055 | (1) | * | ||||||
Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr.
|
37,289 | (1) | * | ||||||
Thomas J. Crocker
|
1,035,291 | (2) | 3.76 | % | |||||
David B. Hiley
|
157,499 | (3) | * | ||||||
Victor A. Hughes, Jr.
|
504,904 | (4) | 1.87 | % | |||||
George F. Staudter
|
21,120 | (1) | * | ||||||
James C. Teagle
|
134,939 | (5) | * | ||||||
Executive Officers:
|
|||||||||
Steven A. Abney
|
37 | * | |||||||
Christopher L. Becker
|
201,427 | (6) | * | ||||||
Thomas C. Brockwell
|
202,236 | (6) | * | ||||||
Directors and Executive Officers as a group
(10 persons): |
2,315,797 | (7) | 8.17 | % | |||||
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* | Less than one percent (1%). |
(1) | Includes 4,000 Shares which are subject to presently exercisable options. |
(2) | Includes 700,000 Shares which are subject to presently exercisable options. |
(3) | Includes 129,000 Shares which are subject to presently exercisable options. |
(4) | Includes 180,000 Shares which are subject to presently exercisable options. |
(5) | Includes 100,000 Shares which are subject to presently exercisable options. Includes 13,950 Shares owned by spouse. |
(6) | Includes 200,000 Shares which are subject to presently exercisable options. |
(7) | Sole voting and dispositive power as to 2,301,847 Shares, and 13,950 Shares with shared voting and dispositive power. Includes 1,521,000 Shares which are subject to presently exercisable options, or options which are exercisable within 60 days. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys Directors and executive officers, and persons who have beneficial ownership of more than ten percent (10%) of the Common Stock of the Company to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Copies of all filed reports are required to be furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 16(a).
To the Companys knowledge, based solely on the reports received by the Company and on written representations from reporting persons, the Company believes that the Directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial owners complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, except as described below. Mr. Abney filed a Form 4 with the SEC on September 23, 2003 that was due on September 18, 2003. Messrs. Crocker, Brockwell, Amara, Abney, Becker, Aloian, Hiley, Staudter and Bishop did not file Form 4s with respect to their routine monthly purchase of Shares pursuant to the Companys Stock Investment Plan. All of these transactions have been reported on a Form 5 filed by the appropriate reporting individuals. The Form 5 filed by Messrs. Crocker, Brockwell, Amara, Abney, Becker, Aloian, Hiley, Staudter and Bishop related to 33, 30, 6, 11, 11, 32, 30, 32 and 33 routine purchases under the Companys Stock Investment Plan, respectively.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS
On January 15, 2004, the Company, through a newly formed subsidiary DownREIT limited partnership, acquired all of the partnership interests in Broward Financial Center in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida in a joint venture with an affiliate of Investcorp Properties Limited of New York (Investcorp), for approximately $60.1 million. The newly formed DownREIT limited partnership entered into a joint venture with Investcorp Properties Limited of New York to make the acquisition, and has a 30% interest in the joint venture. The Companys total investment in this joint venture is $5.1 million including closing costs and fees. The Companys Chief Executive Officer has a 50% ownership interest in entities which own approximately 14% of the selling partnership. These entities, which the Companys CEO has an interest in, contributed their partnership interests to the newly formed DownREIT in exchange for 97,948 DownREIT limited partnership units. The transaction was approved by the independent Directors and the pricing terms were determined by Investcorp.
During 2000, the Company entered into a management agreement (the Agreement) with Crocker Realty Trust (CRT) of which Mr. Crocker was the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer owning 2.8% of the outstanding CRT shares, Mr. Onisko was the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer owning 0.2% of the outstanding CRT shares, Mr. Becker was a Vice President owning 0.3% of the outstanding CRT shares, and Mr. Brockwell was a Vice President owning 0.2% of the outstanding CRT shares. The Agreement provided that the Company be paid a management fee for managing the properties
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In 2000, the Company entered into stock purchase agreements (SPA) whereby it would finance the purchase of up to 500,000 Shares by Mr. Crocker and up to 150,000 Shares by Mr. Onisko. Under the SPAs, the Company was legally committed, before the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on July 30, 2002, to advance funds for these stock purchases. The Company has no discretion or termination right with respect to its obligations under the SPAs. The Board believes that because the SPAs pre-dated enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the SPAs are not prohibited by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and has been advised by outside counsel to that effect. Nevertheless, the Board is considering alternative compensation arrangements for Mr. Crocker that would replace his SPA. Although Mr. Onisko is no longer employed by the Company, the Company is still obligated to advance funds to him under this agreement.
At December 31, 2003, the Company had loans outstanding to Mr. Crocker of $3,799,774 (of which $3,172,694 is non-recourse) and to Mr. Onisko of $1,291,954 (of which $1,076,584 is non-recourse) in connection with their purchase of Shares pursuant to their SPAs, all of which was borrowed prior to June 30, 2002. The above indebtedness is secured by a pledge of the Shares purchased and bears interest at a rate of 150 basis points over the applicable LIBOR rate. Interest is paid quarterly and is current under this indebtedness. In 2000, Messrs. Crocker and Onisko acquired 302,495 Shares and 100,831 Shares, respectively, under the SPAs. In 2002, Messrs. Crocker and Onisko acquired 17,875 Shares and 1,659 Shares, respectively, under the SPAs. Neither Mr. Crocker nor Mr. Onisko purchased Shares under the SPAs in 2001 or 2003. For fiscal 2003, Mr. Crocker paid $114,860 and Mr. Onisko paid $37,522 in interest pursuant to their SPAs.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
Introduction
The Audit Committee has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004 and has further directed that management submit the selection of independent accountants for ratification by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Shareholder ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent accountants is not required by the Companys by-laws or otherwise. However, the Company is submitting the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP to the shareholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the shareholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Deloitte & Touche LLP. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if it is determined that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present and voting, either in person or by proxy, is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not have any effect on the outcome of the proposal.
Recommendation
Your Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP, and proxies received will be so voted unless shareholders specify a contrary choice in their proxies.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF
Introduction
The purpose of the amendment to the Companys Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (Articles of Incorporation) is to change the Company name from Koger Equity, Inc. to CRT Properties, Inc. In all other respects, the terms and provisions of the Articles of Incorporation will remain unaltered. Additionally, if this proposal is approved, the corporate structure of the Company would remain the same.
The Company believes that it is in the Companys best interest to amend Article I of Articles of Incorporation to read as follows (without quotes):
Article I Name
The name of the Company is CRT PROPERTIES, INC. (the Company).
Reasons for the Amendment
The Board of Directors and management of the Company believe changing the Companys name will (i) enhance the Companys stature and reputation in the commercial real estate industry and in the investment community; (ii) recognize the fact that the Company is no longer investing in commodity type suburban office projects that historically comprised Koger Equitys portfolios (iii) signal the Companys continuing strategy to acquire dominant Class A properties in major Southeastern U.S., Texas and suburban Washington, D.C. markets; and (iv) validate the Companys new management team and operating platform.
The name change will not affect the validity or transferability of currently outstanding stock certificates, and shareholders will not be requested to surrender for exchange any certificates presently held by them. The Company expects to change its NYSE trading symbol in connection with the name change. The Company has reserved the NYSE trading symbol CRO and expects its common stock to trade under that symbol after the proposed name change is completed.
If shareholder approval of the name change is granted, the Company intends to effect the name change as soon as practicable. However, the Board will retain the discretion to determine when and whether to ultimately effect the name change. The name change will become effective as of the effective date set forth in the Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation that will be filed with the Florida Department of State. The Company will make a general press release announcement as to the effectiveness of the name change.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present and voting, either in person or by proxy, is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not have any effect on the outcome of the proposal.
Recommendation
Your Board recommends a vote FOR approval of the amendment of the Companys Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, and proxies will be so voted unless shareholders specify a contrary choice in their proxies.
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OTHER BUSINESS
It is not anticipated that there will be presented to the Annual Meeting any business other than the matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting attached hereto. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company was not aware of any other matters to be acted on at the Annual Meeting. If any other business should properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons named on the enclosed proxy will have discretionary authority to vote such proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals for Inclusion in the Proxy Statement
Proposals of shareholders under SEC Rule 14a-8 that are intended to be presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting must be in writing and received by the Company at its principal executive office by December 29, 2004 for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement and proxy relating to that meeting. Such proposals must also meet the requirements of the rules of the SEC relating to shareholder proposals. Upon receipt of any such proposal, the Company will determine whether or not to include such proposal in the proxy statement and proxy in accordance with regulations governing the solicitation of proxies.
Proposals of a Director Nominee and Related Procedures
In order for a shareholder to nominate a candidate for Director under the Companys by-laws, the shareholder must be entitled to vote for the election of Directors at a shareholders meeting. The proposing shareholder(s) must provide timely notice of the nomination in proper written form to the Companys Secretary (in it the Secretarys absence, the Assistant Secretary) must be received by the Company in advance of the meeting. Additionally, the notice must be accompanied by a petition signed by at least one hundred (100) record holders of the Companys common stock which shows the number of Shares owned by each person signing the petition and which represent in the aggregate one percent (1%) of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote in the election of Directors. To be timely, notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the Companys principal executive offices not less than 70 nor more than 90 days prior to the 2005 Annual Meeting. In the event that the Company provides less than 70 days notice or prior public disclosure of the meeting date, to be timely, notice must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made.
To be in proper written form, the shareholder filing the notice of nomination must include:
| as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a Director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of Directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation: |
o | the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of such person; | |
o | the principal occupation or employment of such person; | |
o | criminal background; | |
o | the class and number of shares of stock of the Company that are beneficially owned by such person; and | |
o | the written consent of such person to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a Director if elected. |
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| as to the shareholder giving the notice: |
o | the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Companys stock transfer books; and | |
o | the number of shares of stock of the Company beneficially owned by such shareholder. |
If the presiding officer at any meeting of shareholders determines that a shareholder nomination was not made in accordance with the by-laws, the Company may disregard such nomination.
Proposals of Other Business at the Meeting
In order for a shareholder to bring other business before a shareholder meeting, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Companys Secretary (or in the Secretarys absence, the Assistant Secretary) and the shareholder must be a shareholder of record at the time such notice is given. To be timely, notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the Companys principal executive offices not less than 70 nor more than 90 days prior to the 2005 Annual Meeting; provided however, that in the event that the meeting date is not publicly announced by the Company more than 70 days prior to the meeting, notice by the shareholder, to be timely, notice must be delivered not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such announcement of the date of the meeting was made.
Such notice must include as to each matter proposed to be brought before the meeting:
| a brief description of the matter desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting; | |
| the name and address as it appears on the Companys stock transfer books of the shareholder proposing such matter; | |
| the class and number of shares of stock of the Company beneficially owned by such shareholder; and | |
| any material interest of such shareholder in such matter. |
If the presiding officer at any meeting of shareholders determines that a shareholder proposal was not made in accordance with the by-laws, the Company may disregard such proposal. These requirements are separate from the requirements a shareholder must meet to have a proposal included in the Companys proxy statement.
In addition, if a shareholder submits a proposal outside of Rule 14a-8 for the 2005 Annual Meeting, and the proposal fails to comply with the advance notice procedure prescribed by the by-laws, then the Companys proxy may confer discretionary authority on the persons who have been appointed as proxies on behalf of management to vote on the proposal.
The Companys By-Laws
The foregoing procedures are set forth in the Companys Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated February 17, 2000. The Companys by-laws are available on the Companys website at and on the SECs website at www.sec.gov as Exhibit 3(b) to the Companys Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000. Any shareholder desiring a copy of the Companys by-laws will be furnished one without charge upon written request to the Companys Secretary.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The Company will bear the costs of solicitation of proxies. In addition to the use of telephone, Internet or the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone and telegram by Directors, officers and employees of the Company, and no additional compensation will be paid to such individuals. The Company also has retained Morrow & Co., Inc., 445 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022 to
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Companys Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes the Companys Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, which contains financial statements and other information, is being mailed to shareholders with this proxy statement, but it is not to be regarded as proxy soliciting material.
An additional copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC may be obtained, without charge, by any shareholder upon written request to Koger Equity, Inc., 225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 200, Boca Raton, Florida 33432; provided however, that a copy of the Exhibits to such Annual Report on Form 10-K, for which there may be a reasonable charge, will not be supplied to such shareholder unless specifically requested.
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APPENDIX A
KOGER EQUITY, INC.
I. | PURPOSE |
The Audit Committee (the Committee) of Koger Equity, Inc. (the Company) shall (i) assist the Board of Directors (the Board or the Board of Directors) in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee management in (A) the conduct of the Companys financial reporting process, including by overseeing the integrity of the financial statements and other financial information provided by the Company to any governmental or regulatory body, the public or other users thereof, (B) the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (C) independent auditors qualifications and independence, (D) the performance of the Companys internal audit function and its independent auditors and its systems of internal accounting and financial controls and (E) the Companys code of business conduct and ethics as established by the Board and (ii) prepare the Committee report required to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement.
II. | COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP |
The Committee shall be comprised of three or more members of the Board of Directors, each of whom is determined by the Board of Directors to be independent under Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. No member of the Committee may serve on the audit committee of more than three public companies, including the Company, unless the Board of Directors (i) determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Committee and (ii) discloses such determination in the annual proxy statement.
All members of the Committee must be financially literate, as such qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, and must be familiar with basic finance and accounting practices and be able to read and understand financial statements. At least one member of the Committee must be an audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.
The members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board at the annual organizational meeting of the Board and serve until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Any member may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors at any time.
The Board of Directors may appoint one member to be the Chairman. If the Board fails to appoint a Chairman, the members of the Committee shall elect a Chairman by majority vote of all members. The Chairman will chair all regular sessions of the Committee and set the agenda for Committee meetings.
III. | COMMITTEE MEETINGS |
The Committee shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently as they deem appropriate and as circumstances dictate. Any member of the Committee may call a special meeting of the Committee. Meetings of the Committee may be held telephonically.
The Committee shall periodically meet with each of management, the director of the internal auditing department or a partner of the firm engaged to perform the internal audit function for the Company and the independent auditors in separate executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these groups believe would be appropriate to discuss privately. In addition, the Committee should meet with the independent auditors and management quarterly to review the companys financial statements.
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All non-management Directors who are not members of the Committee may attend meetings of the Committee but may not vote. In addition, the Committee may invite to its meetings any Director, member of management of the company and such other persons as it deems appropriate in order to carry out its responsibilities. The Committee may also exclude from its meetings any persons it deems appropriate in order to carry out its responsibilities.
IV. | KEY RESPONSIBILITIES |
The Committees primary responsibility is one of oversight and it recognizes that the Companys management is responsible for preparing the Companys financial statements and that the independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements. The Committee also recognizes that financial management including the internal audit staff or the employees of the firm engaged to perform the internal audit function for the Company, as the case may be, as well as the outside auditors, have more time, knowledge and more detailed information on the Company than do Committee members; consequently, in carrying out its oversight responsibilities, the Committee is not providing any expert or special assurance as to the Companys financial statements or any professional certification as to the independent auditors work. The Committee shall also carry out any other responsibilities assigned to it by the Board of Directors from time to time.
The Committee may form, and delegate authority to, subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services provided that the decisions of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be in accordance with the Audit Committees pre-approval policies and procedures and shall be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee shall have the power and authority to investigate any matter brought to its attention. The Committee (i) shall be entitled to retain outside legal, accounting or other experts and advisors, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties, (ii) will receive appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from the Company to engage such persons, and (iii) shall determine the compensation to be paid and the other terms of such engagement.
The Committee shall be given full access to the companys internal audit group, Board of Directors, corporate executives, books and records of the company and independent accountants as necessary to carry out these responsibilities.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Committee shall:
Independent Auditors
1. | Have the direct responsibility for the appointment, termination, evaluation, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors. | |
2. | Have independent auditors report directly to the Committee, and the Committees responsibility includes the resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. | |
3. | Approve in advance any audit or permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Company by the independent auditors. | |
4. | Obtain and review a report by the independent auditors describing: (i) the firms internal quality-control procedures; (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, regarding one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and (iii) all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company. |
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5. | Review and discuss quarterly reports from the independent auditors on: (i) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; (ii) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor; and (iii) other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. | |
6. | Review and evaluate, at least annually, the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditors and report on its conclusions to the Board. In conducting its review and evaluation, the Committee should: |
(a) | Determine whether the lead audit partner (having primary responsibility for the audit) or the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit is required to rotate in compliance with applicable law. | |
(b) | Take into account the opinions of management and the companys internal auditors (or other personnel responsible for the internal audit function). | |
(c) | Consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, there should be a regular rotation of the firm of independent auditors. |
7. | Establish hiring policies for the Company in respect of employees and former employees of the independent auditors. |
Financial Reporting Process
8. | Consider and review with the independent auditors and management: (i) the adequacy of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls, including computerized information system disclosure controls and procedures and security; (ii) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the Companys internal controls which could adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; (iii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal controls; and (iv) the related findings and recommendations of the independent auditors together with managements responses. Without excluding other possibilities, the Committee may wish to review with the independent auditors (i) any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the auditors but were passed (as immaterial or otherwise), (ii) any communications between the audit team and the audit firms national office respecting auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement and (iii) any management or internal control letter issued, or proposed to be issued, by the independent auditors to the Company. | |
9. | Consider and review with the independent auditors: (i) significant findings during the year, including the status of previous audit recommendations; (ii) any audit problems or difficulties encountered in the course of audit work including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to required information; (iii) any changes required in the planned scope of the audit plan; (iv) the audit budget and staffing; (v) the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Companys internal audit function; and (vi) the coordination of audit efforts in order to monitor completeness of coverage, reduction of redundant efforts, and the effective use of audit resources. |
10. | Review periodically the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Company. |
11. | Review with management and the independent auditors significant risks or exposures to the Companys business and assess the steps management has taken to minimize such risks. Discuss with management and the independent auditors the Companys underlying policies and guidelines with respect to risk assessment and risk management. |
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Review of Reports and Earnings Press Releases
12. | Prior to public release, review with management and the independent auditors the Companys annual and quarterly financial statements, including the Companys disclosures under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and discuss with the independent auditors of the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61. |
13. | Discuss with management and the independent auditors the Companys earnings press releases (paying particular attention to the use of any pro forma or adjusted non-GAAP financial measures or information), as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. This review may be generally of disclosure and reporting policies. |
Legal Compliance
14. | Review periodically with the Companys counsel legal and regulatory matters that may have a material impact on the Companys financial statements. |
15. | Review any issues that arise under the Companys code of business conduct and ethics, including having the authority to approve or deny any waivers requested thereunder. |
16. | Establish and maintain procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
General
17. | Review and approve in advance all proposed transactions between the Company or its subsidiaries and any affiliate other than executive compensation decisions approved by the Compensation Committee or decisions relating to the compensation of Directors or Board committee members approved by the Board of Directors. |
18. | Prepare all reports required to be included in the Companys proxy statement, pursuant to and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. |
19. | Report regularly to the Board of Directors following each meeting, which reports shall include any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the companys financial statements, the companys compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the companys independent auditors or the performance of the internal audit function and with respect to such other matters as are relevant to the Committees discharge of its responsibilities. The Committee shall provide such recommendations as the Committee may deem appropriate. The report to the Board of Directors may take the form of an oral report by the Chairman or any other member of the Committee designated by the Committee to make such report. |
20. | Maintain, with the assistance of counsel, minutes or other records of meetings and activities of the Committee. |
Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on: (i) the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the Company from which it receives information, and (ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Audit Committee by such persons or organizations, absent actual knowledge to the contrary. In the event of such knowledge, this shall be reported promptly to the Board of Directors. It is not the responsibility of the Audit Committee to determine whether the Companys financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, to plan or conduct audits, to conduct investigations, or to assure compliance with laws, regulations, or any internal rules or policies of the Company.
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Annual Self-Evaluation
21. | Conduct an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Committee, including its effectiveness and compliance with the Charter of the Committee. In addition, the Committee shall annually review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter and recommend to the Board of Directors any improvements to this Charter that the Committee considers necessary or valuable. |
Approved and adopted by the Board of Directors at its regular meeting on February 26, 2004.
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Koger Equity, Inc.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Thursday June 3, 2004
9:00 a.m.
Boca Raton Marriott
5150 Town Center Circle
Boca Raton, Florida
[LOGO] Koger Equity, Inc. 225 NE Mizner Boulevard, Suite 200 Boca Raton, Florida 33432 |
PROXY |
The shares of stock you hold in your account will be voted as you specify on the reverse side.
If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted FOR all nominees for Director and FOR Proposals 2 and 3.
By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint Thomas J. Crocker, Victor A. Hughes, Jr. and James C. Teagle, and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on the matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting and all adjournments.
See reverse for voting instructions.
There are three ways to vote your Proxy.
Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the Named Proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. Please only vote by one method below, unless you intend to revoke a prior vote under one of the other methods. Only the latest vote received by Koger Equity, Inc. will count.
VOTE BY PHONE TOLL FREE 1-800-560-1965 QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE
| Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on June 2, 2004. |
| Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you. |
VOTE BY INTERNET http://www.eproxy.com/ke/ QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE
| Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on June 2, 2004. |
| Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic ballot. |
VOTE BY MAIL
| Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope weve provided or return it to Koger Equity, Inc., c/o Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873. |
Please detach here
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR All Nominees. |
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1. | Election of Directors: | ||||||||||||||||||||
01 | D. Pike Aloian | 05 | Victor A. Hughes, Jr. | o FOR all nominees (except as marked) |
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02 | Benjamin C. Bishop, Jr. | 06 | George
F. Staudter |
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03 | Thomas J. Crocker | 07 | James
C. Teagle |
o WITHHELD from all nominees. | |||||||||||||||||
04 | David
B. Hiley |
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(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.) | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Proposals 2 and 3. |
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2.
Ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent
accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. o FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN |
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3. Approve the amended and restated articles of incorporation to change the Companys
name to CRT Properties, Inc. o FOR o AGAINST o ABSTAIN |
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4. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment thereof. | |||||||||||||||||||||
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR ON ALL NOMINEES AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Address Change? Mark Box o | |||||||||||||||||||||
Indicate changes below: | Date: |
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Signature(s) in Box Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy. |
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