def14a
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the
Registrant þ |
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Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
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Check the appropriate box:
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement
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o Confidential, for Use
of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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þ Definitive Proxy Statement
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o Definitive Additional Materials
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o Soliciting Material
Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 |
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No
fee required.
o Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies:
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(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (Set
forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
how it was determined): |
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
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Fee paid previously with
preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee
is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its
filing.
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(1) Amount previously paid:
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
(3) Filing party:
(4) Date filed:
Riverside Commerce Center
120 Corporate Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23502
Notice of Fifth Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on May 18, 2007
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, INC:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of PORTFOLIO RECOVERY
ASSOCIATES, INC. (the Company), which will be held at the Companys Norfolk, Virginia
headquarters located at Riverside Commerce Center, 120 Corporate Blvd, Suite 100, Norfolk,
Virginia 23502, on May 18, 2007, at 12:00 Noon, local time. More information about the Annual
Meeting is included in the Proxy Statement. At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to:
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Elect two directors to serve for three year terms, |
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Ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as the Companys accountants and
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007,
and |
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Transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
The enclosed Proxy Statement contains detailed information about the business to be transacted at
the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the election of each director
nominee and FOR the ratification of KPMG LLP as the Companys accountants and independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
In addition to considering the matters described above, Steve Fredrickson, the President, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will provide a summary of significant developments
since the 2006 Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 23,
2007 as the Record Date for the determination of the stockholders who are entitled to this notice,
and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on
March 23, 2007 will be entitled to receive notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of
such stockholders will be available during regular business hours at the Companys headquarters, at
120 Corporate Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia 23502, for ten days before the Annual Meeting for inspection
by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting.
If you have any questions or need additional information about the Annual Meeting, please contact
the Companys investor relations liaison at telephone number 757-961-3510, by fax at 757-554-0586,
or via email, at info@portfoliorecovery.com .
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Judith S. Scott
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
April 18, 2007
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please act promptly to vote your shares
with respect to the proposals described above. You may vote your proxy by marking, signing, dating
and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you
attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote your shares in person, even if you have previously
submitted your proxy in writing. If you vote in person, any previously voted proxy will be
withdrawn.
PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, INC.
120 CORPORATE BOULEVARD
NORFOLK, VA 23502
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT NOON ON MAY 18, 2007
Solicitation of Proxy and Voting Information
The Board of Directors (the Board) of Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. (the Company) is
soliciting your proxy to vote at its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting),
which is scheduled to begin at 12:00 Noon, local time, on Friday, May 18, 2007, at the Companys
corporate headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. This Proxy Statement describes the proposals which
will be on the ballot at the Annual Meeting, and any adjournments or postponements thereof, as well
as other important information about the Company. The proposals for which your vote is being
solicited are:
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The election of two Directors for a term of three years, |
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2. |
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The ratification of the selection of the Companys independent auditors for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, and |
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3. |
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Such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. |
At the conclusion of the Annual Meeting, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
will present a report on the Companys operations, and will respond to stockholder questions.
This Proxy Statement gives you information that will help you make an informed voting decision.
Included with this Proxy Statement are the Companys 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, which
includes the Companys audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2006, the Notice of the 2007 Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement and your Proxy Card. These
materials are all first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 16, 2007. The information
contained in these documents is accurate as of the dates specified therein. Changes or updates in
the data, information or facts contained in such documents may occur after the mailing date.
VOTING AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Date, Time and Place of the Annual Meeting
We will hold the Annual Meeting at our corporate headquarters, located in Norfolk, Virginia. Our
address is:
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Riverside Commerce Center
120 Corporate Blvd., Suite 100
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 12:00 Noon, local time, on May 18, 2007.
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Who May Vote
Each holder of shares of the Companys common stock at the close of business on March 23, 2007 (the
Record Date) will be entitled to receive a notice of the Annual Meeting, and to attend and vote
at the Annual Meeting. Such persons are considered holders of record. As of the Record Date,
approximately 15,996,104 shares of common stock of the Company were issued, outstanding and
entitled to vote, which were held by approximately 22 holders of record maintaining shares on
behalf of 34,456 beneficial owners. Entities holding shares on behalf of the owners of the shares,
such as banks, brokerage firms and other nominees who are beneficial holders of the Companys
common stock as of the close of business on March 23, 2007, are requested to forward these
materials to beneficial stockholders. The Company will pay the reasonable mailing expenses incurred
for this purpose. Any stockholder who does not receive a copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting,
this Proxy Statement and the Proxy Card may obtain these materials at the Annual Meeting, by
contacting the Companys investor relations liaison in advance of the Annual Meeting, at telephone
number 757-961-3510, by fax at 757-554-0586, or via email, at
info@portfoliorecovery.com .
Quorum for the Annual Meeting
A majority of holders of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company entitled
to vote, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum. Continental Stock Transfer
and Trust Company has been appointed by the Companys Board of Directors to act as the inspector of
election. The inspector of election will tabulate the votes cast by proxy or in person at the
Annual Meeting, and will determine whether or not a quorum is present. In the event that a quorum
is not present, the Annual Meeting will likely be adjourned or postponed in order to solicit
additional proxies.
How to Vote
As a holder of common stock of the Company, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and vote
your shares in person. You also may vote your proxy by mail. You are entitled to cast one vote
per share owned as of the Record Date for each proposal to be considered at the Annual Meeting.
Voting By Mail
If you do not expect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, and choose to vote on the proposals on
the agenda by mail, simply complete the enclosed Proxy Card, sign and date it, and return it in the
postage-paid envelope provided. With respect to any other matters not on the agenda which may
properly come before the Annual Meeting, your proxy will be voted at the discretion of Penelope
Kyle and James Voss, in accordance with their best judgment. If you are a stockholder whose shares
are held in street name (i.e., in the name of a broker, bank or other record holder), you may
obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the record holder. You may sign the proxy card and
return it to the Company, or you may direct the record holder of your shares to vote your proxy in
the manner you specify.
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Voting At the Annual Meeting
If you are planning to attend the Annual Meeting and wish to vote your shares in person, you will
be given a ballot for that purpose at the Annual Meeting. If you require special assistance at the
Annual Meeting due to a disability or other reasons, please contact the Corporate Secretary at the
address below. If you are a stockholder whose shares are held in street name (i.e., in the name
of a broker, bank or other record holder), you must obtain a proxy from your broker, banker,
trustee or nominee, giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting.
Changing or Revoking Your Proxy
You may change or revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by the
following methods:
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Send a written notice of revocation of your proxy so that it is received before the taking
of the vote at the Annual Meeting to: |
Judith S. Scott
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.
Riverside Commerce Center
120 Corporate Blvd, Suite 100
Norfolk, VA 23502
jsscott@portfoliorecovery.com
Fax: 757-321-2518
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Attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting will not
in and of itself revoke your proxy. In order to revoke your proxy, you must also notify the
Corporate Secretary of your intent to vote in person, and vote your shares at the Annual
Meeting. |
If you require assistance in changing or revoking your proxy, please contact the Corporate
Secretary at the address above.
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting. The Company
will also publish final voting results in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter
of fiscal year 2007.
STOCK OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth the persons or entities known by the Company to be the beneficial
owners of more than five percent (5%) of the common stock of the Company as of March 23, 2007,
based on available information.
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Shares |
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Shares Beneficially |
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Beneficially |
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Owned (1) |
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Owned
(2) |
Name |
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(#) |
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(%) |
TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC (3)
1177 Avenue of the Americas, 39th Floor
New York, NY 10036 |
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910,900 |
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5.69 |
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Second Curve Capital, LLC (4)
405 Lexington Avenue, 52nd Floor
New York, NY 10174 |
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902,849 |
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5.64 |
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Barclays Global Investors, N.A.(5)
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
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803,802 |
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5.02 |
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(1) |
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Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) and includes voting and investment power with respect to shares. |
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Ownership percentage is based on 15,996,104 shares of common shares outstanding as of the
Record Date. |
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Based on information filed in a Schedule 13G with the SEC on March 30, 2007 (dated as of
December 31, 2007) in which TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC is reported as the beneficial owner
of 910,900 shares of the Companys common stock with sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of 910,900 shares. Based on information provided by TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC
to the Company in March 2007, the total number of shares beneficially owned as of March 29, 2007
was 1,005,200 and the percentage of shares beneficially owned by TimesSquare Capital Management,
LLC as of March 29, 2008 was 6.28%. |
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Based on information filed in a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2007, in which
Thomas K. Brown is identified as the owner of Second Curve Capital, LLC, and beneficial owner of
902,849 shares of the Companys common stock with shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of 902,849 shares. |
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(5) |
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Based on information filed in a Schedule 13G with the SEC on January 23, 2007, in which
Barclays Global Investors, N.A. is reported as the beneficial owner of 365,207 shares of the
Companys common stock with sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 365,207 shares,
Barclays Global Fund Advisors is reported as the beneficial owner of 428,491 shares of the
Companys common stock with sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 428,491 shares,
and Barclays Global Investors, Ltd. is reported as the beneficial owner of 10,104 shares of the
Companys common stock with sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 10,104 shares. |
Security Ownership of Management and Directors
The following table contains information about the beneficial ownership of the Companys common
stock as of March 23, 2007, beneficially owned by the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial and Administrative Officer, the other five most highly compensated executives, each of
the Companys non-employee Directors, and all Directors and executives as a group. Except as
indicated by footnote and subject to community property laws where applicable, to the knowledge of
the Company the persons or entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them. In
computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person or entity and the percentage
ownership of that person or entity, all outstanding stock options currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of March 23, 2007 are deemed outstanding.
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Options |
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Nonvested
Shares |
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Vesting |
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Vesting |
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Shares |
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Vested |
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within 60 |
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Not |
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within 60 |
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Beneficial |
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Owned |
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Options |
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days of 3/23 |
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Vested |
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days of 3/23 |
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Ownership |
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% Owned |
Management |
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Steve Fredrickson, CEO |
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224,385 |
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38,000 |
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0 |
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5,000 |
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1,000 |
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263,385 |
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1.6 |
% |
Kevin Stevenson, CFO |
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56,860 |
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24,000 |
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0 |
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5,000 |
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1,000 |
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81,860 |
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0.5 |
% |
Craig Grube, EVP |
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28,525 |
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13,800 |
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0 |
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5,000 |
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1,000 |
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43,325 |
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0.3 |
% |
Judith Scott, EVP |
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10,600 |
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0 |
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0 |
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3,500 |
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300 |
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10,900 |
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0.1 |
% |
William F. ODaire, SVP |
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13,167 |
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0 |
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0 |
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5,200 |
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600 |
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13,767 |
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0.1 |
% |
Michael J. Petit, SVP |
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7,070 |
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30,000 |
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0 |
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11,380 |
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1,000 |
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38,070 |
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0.2 |
% |
Chris Graves, SVP |
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1,565 |
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0 |
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0 |
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10,000 |
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0 |
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1,565 |
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0.0 |
% |
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Non-Employee Directors |
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William Brophey |
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2,100 |
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4,500 |
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0 |
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2,400 |
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0 |
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6,600 |
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0.0 |
% |
Penelope Kyle |
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400 |
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0 |
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0 |
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2,600 |
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0 |
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400 |
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0.0 |
% |
David Roberts |
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96,832 |
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7,000 |
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0 |
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2,400 |
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0 |
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103,832 |
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0.6 |
% |
Scott Tabakin |
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1,000 |
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0 |
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0 |
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3,000 |
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0 |
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1,000 |
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0.0 |
% |
James Voss |
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1,600 |
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7,000 |
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0 |
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2,400 |
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0 |
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8,600 |
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0.1 |
% |
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All Executives & Directors |
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444,104 |
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124,300 |
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0 |
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57,880 |
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4,900 |
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573,304 |
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3.6 |
% |
Corporate Governance
The Companys corporate governance principles and the current charters of each of the committees of
the Companys Board of Directors (the Board) are posted on the Investor Relations page of the
Companys website at www.portfoliorecovery.com. These materials are also available in print to any stockholder upon request. The Board regularly reviews major corporate
governance developments and modifies its governance principles, committee charters and key
practices as warranted. Additionally, each year the Board conducts an assessment of each of its
committees and itself. At the conclusion of these assessments, the Board uses the information
obtained to evaluate and refine its processes and committee charters, as necessary. These
procedures enhance director, committee and Board effectiveness, and also enable the Board to
determine whether any charter modifications are appropriate. In February 2007, the Audit Committee,
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee amended their
charters.
Board of Directors
The Board is the ultimate decision-making body of the Company, except with respect to those matters
reserved to the stockholders. The Board advises senior management and monitors its performance.
The Board held four regular meetings and four special meetings in 2006. The Board also held
informal discussions by telephone during the year, as needed. Non-employee Directors meet regularly
in executive session without management present, and hold at least one meeting each year for the
purpose of reviewing and assessing the Boards effectiveness and the effectiveness of each
committee. Executive sessions of non-employee Directors are generally chaired by the Director who
is the chairman of the Committee responsible for the issue being discussed. During fiscal year
2006, the Board held four executive sessions of non-employee Directors. There is no formal policy
regarding Directors attendance at Board meetings or at annual meetings; however, all
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Board members are expected to attend all meetings, either in person or telephonically. It is the
Boards practice to schedule its meetings and the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders at times
and dates to permit maximum attendance by Directors, taking into account the Directors schedules
and the timing requirements of applicable laws. All Directors attended the Companys 2006 annual
meeting, and each Director attended 100% of the regular meetings and at least 75% of the special
meetings of the Board in fiscal year 2006.
The Board currently consists of six Directors, divided evenly into three classes. The terms of each
class expire at successive annual meetings. Stockholders elect one class of Directors at each
annual meeting to serve three year terms. The election of two Directors, William Brophey and David
Roberts, both of whom are in the 2nd class of Directors, will take place at the 2007
Annual Meeting.
Communications with Directors. Stockholders may communicate with members of the Board by
transmitting correspondence by mail or facsimile addressed to one or more directors. All such
communications should be sent to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, at the Companys
headquarters address specified herein, or to fax number 757-321-2518.
Communications from stockholders to one or more directors will be collected and organized by the
Corporate Secretary and forwarded to the Chairman of the Board, or if addressed to an identified
Independent Director, to that identified Director, as soon as practicable. Communications that are
abusive, in bad taste or that present safety or security concerns may be handled differently. If
multiple communications are received on a similar topic, the Corporate Secretary may forward only
representative correspondence.
The Corporate Secretary will determine whether any communication addressed to the entire Board as a
whole should be properly addressed by the entire Board, or to a committee of the Board. If a
communication is sent to the Board as a whole, or to a committee of the Board, the Chairman of the
Board or the Chairman of that committee, as the case may be, will determine whether or not a
response to the communication is warranted. Any communications individually addressed to a Director
will be forwarded to that Director. If a response to the communication is warranted, the content
and method of the response will be coordinated with the Companys General Counsel. The Companys
confidential hot line may be used by any stockholder who prefers to raise his or her concern to the
Board in a confidential or anonymous manner, by dialing 1-800-290-1650. Hot line calls are referred
to the Chairman of the Audit Committee who will assure that the matter is properly investigated.
The Companys President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
respond to communications from the investment community regarding the Companys financial and
business matters, to the extent that such communications may not be adequately addressed by the
Companys Investor Relations Liaison.
Director Independence. It is the policy of the Company that the Board consists of a majority of
independent Directors who do not have any direct or indirect material relationship with the
Company. The Board has established guidelines which conform to the independence requirements of the
NASDAQ Global Stock Markets (NASDAQs) listing
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standards, to assist it in determining director independence. In February and March 2007, the
Directors provided updated responses to a questionnaire which requested information from them about
any of their relationships with the Company (and those of their immediate family members),
potential conflicts of interest, job changes, and any transactions, relationships, or arrangements
between the Company and the Directors or parties related to the Directors. A Directors immediate
family members include the Directors spouse, parents, children, siblings, mothers- and
fathers-in-law, sons- and daughters-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and anyone (other than
domestic employees) who shares the Directors home. Based on the responses received and other
available information, it was determined that all of the non-employee Directors of the Company are
independent, and that each of the members of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate
Governance committees also meet the independence tests. This determination was made based upon a
number of facts, including, but not limited to, the following:
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Except for Steven D. Fredrickson, the Companys President, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, no Director is, or has ever been, an
executive officer of the Company or employed by the Company or its
subsidiaries; |
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No Director has an immediate family member who is an employee or
officer of the Company or its subsidiaries, has accepted any
compensation or payments from the Company or has any current or past
material relationship with the Company; |
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No Director, other than Mr. Fredrickson, has ever received any
compensation from, worked for, been retained by, or received anything
of substantial value from the Company aside from director
compensation; |
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|
No Director or any member of any Directors immediate family is, or
ever was, employed by the independent auditors for the Company, or
ever worked on the Companys audit at any time; |
|
|
No executive officer of the Company serves on the board of directors
of any company that employs a director or any member of the immediate
family of a director, and no director or any member of the immediate
family of a director has been an executive officer of any entity
having a compensation committee on which one or more of the Companys
executive officers has concurrently served; and |
|
|
No Director and no family member of any Director is a partner or
controlling stockholder, director or executive officer of any entity
from which the Company purchases goods or services, or to which the
Company makes charitable contributions, in excess of 2% of the
entitys consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000. |
Review and Approval of Transactions With Related Persons. The Company reviews all
relationships and transactions in which it, its Directors, executive officers or their immediate
family members are participants, and any stockholders owning five percent or greater of the
Companys outstanding common stock. The Companys General Counsel is primarily responsible for
developing and implementing the policy and procedures relative to the review and approval of
related party transactions.
The current policy covers any related person transaction that meets the minimum threshold for
disclosure in this Proxy Statement under the relevant SEC rules (generally,
transactions involving amounts exceeding $120,000 in which a related person has a direct or
indirect material interest).
7
Procedure for the Approval of Related Party Transactions
|
1. |
|
The complete details of the proposed transaction are presented to the Companys
General Counsel by the party intending to enter into the transaction. |
|
|
2. |
|
The Companys General Counsel prepares a written analysis and recommendation to
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, based on the nature of the
transaction, the related persons interest in the transaction, the dollar value of the
transaction, the importance of the transaction to the business of the Company, the
material terms of the transaction and the overall fairness of the transaction to the
Company. |
|
|
3. |
|
Based on the foregoing factors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
decides whether or not to recommend that the proposed transaction be brought before the
full Board for consideration. |
|
|
4. |
|
If the matter is presented to the Board for a vote, and a related party is
involved in the transaction, he or she will be recused from all discussions and
decisions about the transaction. |
|
|
5. |
|
If the Board approves the transaction, the Companys General Counsel will ensure
that the written contract between the parties is appropriately executed by all parties. |
There are no related person transactions with the Company which require disclosure in this Proxy
Statement.
The following table sets forth information concerning the Companys Directors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
Age |
|
Title |
|
Appointed |
|
Class |
Steve Fredrickson
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
President, CEO and
Chairman of the Board
|
|
March 1996(1)(4)
|
|
1st |
|
William Brophey
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2002(2)
|
|
2nd |
|
Penelope Kyle
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Director
|
|
October 2005(4)
|
|
1st |
|
David Roberts
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Director
|
|
March 1996(1)(2)
|
|
2nd |
|
James Voss
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2002(3)
|
|
3rd |
|
Scott Tabakin
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
Director
|
|
October 2004 (3)
|
|
3rd |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Fredrickson and Mr. Roberts were appointed as directors of the Company upon its
creation in August 2002. They were each managers of Portfolio Recovery Associates,
L.L.C., the predecessor entity to the Company, since its creation in March 1996. |
|
(2) |
|
The terms of Mr. Brophey and Mr. Roberts will expire at the 2007 Annual Meeting. |
|
(3) |
|
The terms of Mr. Voss and Mr. Tabakin will expire at the 2008 Annual Meeting. |
|
(4) |
|
The terms of Mr. Fredrickson and Ms. Kyle will expire at the 2009 Annual Meeting. |
8
|
|
|
|
|
Summary: Board of Directors Information |
|
2006 |
Size of Board
|
|
|
6 |
|
Average Age of Directors
|
|
|
55 |
|
Number of Independent Directors
|
|
|
5 |
|
Lead Independent Director
|
|
Yes
|
Independent Audit Committee
|
|
Yes
|
Independent Compensation Committee
|
|
Yes
|
Independent Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
Yes
|
Number of Board Meetings Held
|
|
|
8 |
|
Corporate Governance Guidelines Approved by the Board
|
|
Yes
|
Outside Directors Hold Meetings Without Management Present
|
|
Yes
|
Annual Board Self-Evaluation
|
|
Yes
|
Annual Review of Independence of Board
|
|
Yes
|
Annual Committee Self Evaluations
|
|
Yes
|
Charters for Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees
|
|
Yes
|
Annual Equity Grants to Non-Employee Directors
|
|
Yes
|
Corporate Compliance Program
|
|
Yes
|
Code of Ethics
|
|
Yes
|
The positions of Chairman of the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company are combined; however, the Board has designated a non-employee Director, David Roberts, to
serve as its Lead Director, to coordinate the activities of the other non-employee Directors,
consult with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer regarding agendas, scheduling and information
needs for Board and committee meetings, act as a liaison between the non-employee Directors and
management, and perform other duties and responsibilities as described below.
The Lead Director facilitates information flow and communication between the Directors and top
management and, after obtaining input from the other Directors and the Companys executive
officers, assists in establishing the agenda for Board meetings. Any member of the Board may
request that an item be included on the agenda. Board materials related to agenda items are
provided sufficiently in advance of Board meetings to allow the Directors to prepare for discussion
of the items at their meetings. Members of senior management are invited to attend Board meetings
or portions thereof, for the purpose of participating in discussions and providing management
reports on operations. Directors have access to all other members of management and employees of
the Company and, as necessary and appropriate, may consult with independent legal, financial and
accounting advisors to assist in their duties to the Company and its stockholders.
9
The Board has determined that all members of its committees are independent and satisfy relevant
SEC and NASDAQ independence requirements applicable to members of such committees. Members of the
Audit Committee also satisfy a separate SEC independence requirement, which provides that they may
not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than their Directors compensation. All committees report
their activities to the full Board. The Board is regularly kept informed of the Companys business
through regular written management reports and reports of operations, financial and other reports
presented at meetings and between meetings of the Board and its committees.
The table below shows current membership for each of the standing committees of the Board: the
Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating and Corporate |
|
Compensation |
Audit
Committee |
|
Governance
Committee |
|
|
James Voss(1) |
|
William Brophey(1) |
|
David Roberts(1) |
William Brophey |
|
Scott Tabakin |
|
Penelope Kyle |
Scott Tabakin |
|
Penelope Kyle |
|
Scott Tabakin |
|
|
James Voss |
|
William Brophey |
|
|
David Roberts |
|
|
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee held thirteen regular meetings during 2006, and met informally between
meetings. Committee meetings are typically held in conjunction with scheduled Board meetings;
however, the Audit Committee also holds meetings between Board meeting dates as needed. Each
member of the Audit Committee is independent, as that term is defined by the applicable standards
promulgated by NASDAQ, and meets the heightened criteria for independence applicable to members
audit committees under Rule 4200(a)(15) and Rule 4350(d)(2)(A) of the NASDAQ listing standards.
The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and that
Mr. Voss and Mr. Tabakin are both qualified as audit committee financial experts, pursuant to
Section 401(h) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee is primarily concerned with the integrity of
the Companys financial statements, the Companys compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, the independence and qualifications of the independent auditor and the performance of
the Companys internal audit function and independent auditor. The Audit Committee is not
responsible for the planning or conduct of the audits, or the determination that the Companys
financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. As described in its charter, the Audit Committees primary duties include:
|
(1) |
|
selecting and overseeing the independent auditor and approving audit and
non-audit services and related fees; |
|
|
(2) |
|
reviewing the scope and the results of the audit; |
10
|
(3) |
|
overseeing financial reporting activities, including quarterly and annual
reports, and the accounting standards and principles followed; |
|
(4) |
|
reviewing the organization and scope of the Companys internal audit
function; |
|
|
(5) |
|
providing independent, objective oversight of the Companys accounting
functions, and reviewing with management and independent auditors the adequacy of the
Companys internal controls, and |
|
|
(6) |
|
performing such other duties as set forth in its charter. |
The Audit Committee conducted a review of its charter in 2006, and as a result, amended its charter
in February 2007. At the time of its charter review, the Audit Committee also reviewed the
practices and procedures to assure continued compliance with the internal control reporting
provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulatory requirements. The Audit
Committees current charter is available at the Companys web site, at
www.portfoliorecovery.com. The Audit Committees charter will be mailed to any stockholder
who sends a request therefor to the Corporate Secretary at the Companys mailing address. The
Audit Committees report appears in this Proxy Statement on page 32.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held three meetings during 2006. Each member of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent, as such term is defined by
NASDAQ Rule 4200(a)(15).
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews the composition of all
committees, reviews Director compensation, oversees Director development, oversees the annual self
evaluations of the Board and its committees and makes recommendations concerning Board dynamics. In
addition, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews the Companys corporate
governance practices, and related public issues important to the Company, and makes recommendations
to the Board on such issues.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for the selection and
recommendation of nominees to the Board for election as directors. In addition to considering
candidates suggested by current Directors and by Company officers and employees, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee considers any candidates who may be recommended by stockholders, in
accordance with the provisions of the Companys by-laws, which establish the information and notice
requirements for such nominations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee screens all
candidates in the same manner, regardless of the source of the recommendation. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committees initial review is typically based on written materials provided to
it with respect to the candidate. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members
determine whether the candidate meets the Companys general Board membership qualifications and
possesses the skills required of directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also
determines whether requesting additional information from a nominee is necessary, and conducts
personal interviews as appropriate.
11
Certain minimum qualifications must be met by a nominee for a position on the Board. Specifically,
nominees should understand that the principal duty of a director is to represent the stockholders
of the Company. Nominees should also possess the highest level of professional and personal
ethics, integrity and values, be free of any material conflicts of interest with respect to Board
service, have competence at the policy-making level and the have the ability to exercise sound
judgment. Nominees must also be independent, as defined in NASDAQ Rule 4200(a)(15), be able to
understand and relate to the culture of the Company, have sufficient time to properly discharge the
duties associated with serving as a director, and have sufficient experience and knowledge to
enhance or maintain the diversity of business and policy-making expertise among Board members.
Final approval of a candidate is determined by the full Board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has determined that one or more of the Companys
Directors must possess satisfactory experience as a director or officer of a publicly held company
and the competence and expertise necessary to qualify as an audit committee financial expert as
defined in Item 401(h)(2) of Regulation S-K.
Any stockholder may make nominations with respect to the election of directors in accordance with
the provisions of the Companys by-laws, which establish the information and notice requirements
for such nominations. Prior to 120 days in advance of the anniversary date of the Proxy Statement
for the 2006 annual meeting, the Company did not receive any recommendations of potential director
candidates from stockholders for consideration.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended to the Board the candidates for
re-election which are included on the ballot for the Annual Meeting. Any nominee for director who
receives a greater number of votes withheld from or against his election than votes for his
election shall tender his resignation for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders and shall recommend to the full Board the action to be taken with
respect to the tendered resignation.
The activities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are specified in its charter.
The charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which was amended in February
2007, is available at the Companys web site, at www.portfoliorecovery.com. The charter of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be mailed to any stockholder who sends a
request therefor to the Corporate Secretary at the Companys mailing address.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee held three meetings during 2006 and met informally between meetings.
Each member of the Compensation Committee has been determined to be independent, as that term is
defined by the applicable standards promulgated by NASDAQ. As described in its charter, the
Compensation Committees primary responsibilities include:
|
(1) |
|
Establishing compensation policies, approving total executive
compensation, including stock based compensation, |
12
|
(2) |
|
Monitoring the Companys management resources, planning, and
the development, selection and performance of key executives,
and |
|
|
(3) |
|
Assisting with the preparation of the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis and other executive compensation disclosures to
be included in this Proxy Statement. |
The Compensation Committee is responsible for setting annual and long-term performance goals
and compensation for the President and Chief Executive Officer and setting the compensation of the
executives who report directly to him. Their decisions are approved or ratified by action of the
non-employee directors of the Board at a meeting in executive session. The Compensation Committee
also approves all equity awards in accordance with the Companys Amended and Restated Portfolio
Recovery Associates 2002 Stock Option Plan and 2004 Restricted Stock Plan (the Amended Plan). The
Compensation Committee also ensures that the Company has established succession plans with respect
to each of its key executives. To assist the Compensation Committee, the Senior Vice President of
Human Resources provides the committee with progress reports of the succession planning activities
of the Companys key executives, which includes assessments of their subordinates succession
potential. The Compensation Committee is also provided a summary of the succession plans for the
persons who are considered to be the potential successors to the incumbents in certain senior
management positions.
The Charter of the Compensation Committee, which was amended in February 2007, is available at the
Companys web site, at www.portfoliorecovery.com, and is also available in print to any stockholder who sends a request therefor to the Corporate Secretary at the Companys mailing
address. The Compensation Committees report appears in this Proxy Statement on page 26.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. All of the members of the Compensation
Committee are non-employee directors and none are former officers of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries. No member of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries and none of the Executive Officers has served on the
compensation committee or board of directors of any company of which any Director is an executive
officer. None of the Directors has any relationship required to be disclosed under this caption
under the rules of the SEC.
Director Compensation
The Board sets the compensation for non-employee Directors so as to fairly compensate them for the
work required of them, based on the Companys size and scope. The Board also has established
annual equity awards to Directors in order to align each Directors interests with the long-term
interests of the Companys stockholders. The non-employee Directors, other than the Lead Director
and the Chairman of the Audit Committee, receive a quarterly retainer fee of $7,500. The Lead
Director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receive a quarterly retainer fee of $8,750. Each
Director is also reimbursed for travel expenses in connection with attendance at Board
meetings. In addition, the Company pays all reasonable expenses for any Director who wishes to
attend director continuing education programs, and maintains policies of directors and officers
liability insurance.
13
Non-employee Directors appointed prior to 2004 received two stock option grants: an initial
grant of 5,000 stock options upon their appointment to the Board, and an additional grant of 5,000
stock options, to which they became entitled on the anniversary date of their initial appointment.
Stock options vest and are exercisable in five equal installments on the first five anniversaries
of the grant date, and expire seven years after the grant date. In accordance with the provisions
of the Amended Plan, Directors are no longer being granted annual stock options. Instead, newly
appointed Directors receive 2,000 nonvested shares upon their initial appointment to the Board,
and are awarded 1,000 nonvested shares each year thereafter, on the anniversary date of their
appointment. Nonvested shares vest at the rate of 20% per year for five years. Recognizing that
each Director should have a substantial personal investment in the Company, the Board has adopted
a targeted stock policy which applies to each Director, requiring a personal holding by each
Director of a number of shares valued at not less than two times the Directors annual retainer.
Directors are expected to acquire and maintain this share ownership threshold within two years of
joining the Board. The Company offers no retirement benefits to Directors. The table
below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to non-employee Directors for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006. Compensation paid to the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer is not listed because he received no additional compensation for his service as a
Director.
Fiscal Year 2006 Director Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred |
|
All |
|
|
|
|
Paid in |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Compensation |
|
Other |
|
Total |
|
|
Cash |
|
Awards(1) |
|
Awards(2) |
|
Earnings |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($) |
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Brophey |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
15,803 |
|
|
|
6,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
52,100 |
|
Penelope Kyle |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
18,119 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
48,119 |
|
David Roberts |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
15,326 |
|
|
|
4,967 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
55,293 |
|
Scott Tabakin |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
22,446 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
52,446 |
|
James Voss |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
15,803 |
|
|
|
6,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
57,100 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts reported in the Stock Awards column represent the expense recognized for
financial statement reporting purposes in 2006 under FAS 123R for nonvested share awards
made to the non-employee directors in 2006 and prior years. The grant date fair value of
the 2006 nonvested share awards was $46,720 for Messrs. Brophey and Voss; $43,140 for Ms.
Kyle; $46,530 for Mr. Roberts and $42,720 for Mr. Tabakin. The grant date fair value for
the nonvested share awards was obtained by multiplying the number of nonvested shares
granted by the closing stock price of the Companys common stock on the grant date. The
actual amount of compensation that will be realized at the time an award vests will depend
upon the market price of the Companys common stock at the vesting date. The nonvested
share awards vest in five equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of
the date of grant. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts reported in the Option Awards column represent the expense recognized for
financial statement reporting purposes under FAS 123R for stock options awards made to the
non-employee directors in prior years. No stock options were granted in 2006. |
14
The aggregate number of outstanding stock options held by each of the Companys Directors as
of December 31, 2006 is provided in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
Director |
|
Outstanding (#) |
William Brophey |
|
|
7,500 |
|
Penelope Kyle |
|
|
0 |
|
David Roberts |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Scott Tabakin |
|
|
0 |
|
James Voss |
|
|
10,000 |
|
Nominees for Election to Three-year Terms Which Will Expire in 2010
William Brophey, Director Mr. Brophey was appointed as a Director in 2002 and subsequently
elected at the Companys next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Currently retired, Mr. Brophey has
more than 35 years of experience as president and chief executive officer of Brad Ragan, Inc., a
(formerly) publicly traded automotive product and service retailer and as a senior executive at The
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Throughout his career, he held numerous field and corporate
positions at Goodyear in the areas of wholesale, retail, credit, and sales and marketing, including
general marketing manager, commercial tire products. He served as president and chief executive
officer and a member of the board of directors of Brad Ragan, Inc. (a 75% owned public subsidiary
of Goodyear) from 1988 to 1996, and vice chairman of the board of directors from 1994 to 1996, when
he was named vice president, original equipment tire sales world wide at Goodyear. From 1998 until
his retirement in 2000, he was again elected president and chief executive officer and vice
chairman of the board of directors of Brad Ragan, Inc. Mr. Brophey has a business degree from Ohio
Valley College and attended advanced management programs at Kent State University, Northwestern
University, Morehouse College and Columbia University.
David N. Roberts, Director Mr. Roberts has been a Director since its formation in 1996. Mr.
Roberts joined Angelo, Gordon & Company, L.P. in 1993. He manages the firms private equity and
special situations area and was the founder of the firms opportunistic real estate area. Mr.
Roberts has invested in a wide variety of real estate, corporate and special situations
transactions. Prior to joining Angelo, Gordon, Mr. Roberts was a principal at Gordon Investment
Corporation, a Canadian merchant bank from 1989 to 1993, where he participated in a wide variety of
principal transactions including investments in the real estate, mortgage banking and food
industries. Prior to joining Gordon Investment Corporation, he worked in the Corporate Finance
Department of L.F. Rothschild where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions. He holds a B.S.
degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Directors
Continuing in Office Terms Expiring in 2008
James Voss, Director Mr. Voss was appointed as a Director in 2002 and subsequently elected at
the Companys next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Voss has more than 35 years of experience as
a senior finance executive. He currently heads Voss Consulting, Inc., serving as a consultant to
community banks regarding policy, organization, credit risk
15
management and strategic planning. From 1992 through 1998, he was with First Midwest Bank as
executive vice president and chief credit officer. He served in a variety of senior executive roles
during a 24 year career (1965-1989) with Continental Bank of Chicago, and was chief financial
officer at Allied Products Corporation (1990-1991), a publicly traded (NYSE) diversified
manufacturer. Currently, he serves on the board of Elgin State Bank. Mr. Voss holds both an MBA and
Bachelors Degree from Northwestern University.
Scott Tabakin, Director Mr. Tabakin was appointed as a Director in 2004 and subsequently
elected at the Companys next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Tabakin currently serves as
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Elder Health, Inc., a privately owned
Medicare managed health-care company. From November 2003 until July 2006, Mr. Tabakin was an
independent financial consultant. Mr. Tabakin has more than 20 years of public-company experience.
He served as Executive Vice President and CFO of AMERIGROUP Corporation, a managed health-care
company, from May 2001 until October 2003. Prior to May 2001, Mr. Tabakin was Executive Vice
President and CFO of Beverly Enterprises, Inc., then the nations largest provider of long-term
health care. Earlier in his career, Mr. Tabakin was an executive with the accounting firm of Ernst
& Young. He is a certified public accountant and received a B.S. degree in accounting from the
University of Illinois.
Directors Continuing in Office Terms Expiring in 2009
Steven D. Fredrickson, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Prior to
co-founding the Company in 1996, Mr. Fredrickson was Vice President, Director of Household Recovery
Services (HRSC) Portfolio Services Group from late 1993 until February 1996. At HRSC Mr.
Fredrickson was ultimately responsible for HRSCs portfolio sale and purchase programs, finance and
accounting, as well as other functional areas. Prior to joining HRSC, he spent five years with
Household Commercial Financial Services managing a national commercial real estate workout team and
five years with Continental Bank of Chicago as a member of the FDIC workout department,
specializing in corporate and real estate workouts. He received a B.S. degree from the University
of Denver and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Illinois. He is a past board member of the
American Asset Buyers Association.
Penelope W. Kyle, Director. Ms. Kyle was appointed as a Director in 2005 and subsequently
elected at the Companys next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Ms. Kyle currently serves as
President of Radford University. Prior to her 2005 appointment as President of Radford University,
Ms. Kyle was the Director of the Virginia Lottery, where she served for ten years, for three
Virginia Governors. Earlier in her career, Kyle worked as an attorney in a prominent Richmond,
Virginia law firm. She was later employed at CSX Corporation, where, during a 13-year career she
became the companys first female officer and a vice president in the finance department. Ms. Kyle
also has prior service as a director and chairman of the audit committee of a publicly traded
company. She received an M.B.A. degree from the College of William and Mary, and a law degree from
the University of Virginia.
16
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board presently consists of six members classified into three classes. Each Director serves a
three year term. Only one class of Directors is elected at each annual meeting of
stockholders. At the Annual Meeting, the names of two Directors, William Brophey and David
Roberts, will be placed on the ballot for election to the Board, and upon their election, will hold
office for three-year terms, expiring on the date of the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or
until their successors are elected and qualified. Mr. Brophey currently serves as Chairman of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and also serves as a member of the Audit Committee
and the Compensation Committee. Mr. Roberts was elected as the Lead Director of the Board, and
serves as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Roberts is also a member of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Both nominees have been determined to be independent
directors in accordance with the NASDAQ listing standards. Both nominees have consented to be named
as nominees for election in this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. However, if for any
reason either nominee is unable to serve (which is not anticipated), the shares represented by all
valid proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as the Board may nominate at the
Annual Meeting.
Proxies will be voted for the election of the above two nominees for re-election to the Board.
Under Delaware General Corporate Law, an abstaining vote is not deemed a vote cast or represented
by proxy. As a result, abstentions are not included in the tabulation of the results on the
election of Directors, and therefore do not have the effect of votes in opposition. Broker
non-votes (i.e. where brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary authority for beneficial
owners who have not returned a proxy) will be treated as abstentions.
Nominees for Director who receive the affirmative votes of a plurality of the common shares
represented and voting in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be elected.
However, in accordance with a policy recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and adopted by the Board in fiscal year 2005, in an uncontested election, any nominee for
election as Director who receives a greater number of votes withheld from his or her election
than votes for such election (a Majority Withheld Vote) shall promptly offer his or her
resignation following certification of the stockholder vote. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee shall consider the resignation offer and recommend to the Board whether to
accept it, after determining whether or not the interests of the Company and its stockholders would
be best served by accepting or rejecting the candidates tendered resignation. Any Director who
tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision shall not participate in the committee
deliberations or Board action regarding whether to accept the resignation offer. The Board will act
on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees recommendation within 90 days following the
certification of the stockholder vote. Thereafter, the Board will promptly disclose its decision
whether to accept the Directors resignation offer (and the reasons for rejecting the resignation
offer, if applicable) in a press release to be disseminated in the manner that the Companys press
releases are typically distributed.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the nominees named above.
17
2008 Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement
for the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders under Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the Exchange Act), the proposal must be received at the
Companys office by December 15, 2007. Proposals submitted thereafter will be opposed as not having
been timely filed. The Companys By-laws and Certificate of Incorporation provide that any
stockholder of record entitled to vote at an annual meeting who intends to make a nomination for
Director must notify the Corporate Secretary in writing not less than 60 days and not more than 90
days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. The notice must
meet other requirements contained in the Companys By-laws and Certificate of Incorporation, copies
of which are available on the Companys Investor Relations website at www.portfoliorecovery.com.
Copies of such documents can also be obtained from the Corporate Secretary at the address set forth
herein, or from the SEC. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider qualified
nominees for Board membership submitted by stockholders. A stockholder wishing to nominate a
candidate must be an owner of the Companys stock who meets the eligibility standards under Rule
14a-8 for submitting such a proposal, must have owned the Companys common stock for at least one
year, must continue to own the stock through the date of the 2008 annual meeting and must attend
the 2008 annual meeting. The candidates name and a detailed background of the candidates
qualifications must be sent to the attention of the Corporate Secretary, and should include
principal occupations or employment held over the past five years, and a written statement of the
nominee indicating his or her willingness to serve if elected. Generally, candidates for the
position of director must be highly qualified and have broad training and experience in their
chosen fields. They should also represent the interests of all stockholders and not those of a
special interest group.
Evaluation of stockholder recommendations is the responsibility of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee. If after reviewing the materials submitted by stockholders concerning a
candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the candidate merits
additional consideration, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will interview the
candidate and conduct appropriate reference checks. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will determine whether to recommend to the Board that the Board place the candidates
name on the ballot at the next annual meeting, based upon the candidates skills, ability,
perceived commitment, ability to devote sufficient time to carry out the duties and
responsibilities of a director, the candidates relevant experience in relation to the capabilities
already present on the Board, and such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee may deem to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
The Company did not receive any recommendations from stockholders of potential director candidates
for consideration at the 2007 Annual Meeting.
Code of Ethics. The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics which applies to all officers, employees
and Directors, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial and Administrative
Officer. The Code of Ethics addresses, among other items, conflicts of interest, confidentiality,
fair dealing, protection and use of corporate assets, compliance with laws and the reporting of
illegal or unethical behavior. A copy of the Code of Ethics, and the Companys corporate
governance principles, are posted on the Companys website at www.portfoliorecovery.com . Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the Code of
Ethics by sending a request in writing, addressed to the Corporate Secretary, at the Companys
corporate headquarters. The Company will disclose all amendments to the Code of Ethics,
as well as any waivers thereof, on its website to the extent permissible by the rules and
regulations of the SEC and NASDAQ.
18
Each employee of the Company is required to participate in ethics training and take an ethics quiz
at least annually. Further, on an annual basis, each Director and executive officer is obligated to
complete a Director and Officer Questionnaire which requires disclosure of any transactions with
the Company in which the Director or executive officer, or any member of his or her immediate
family, have a direct or indirect material interest. The Company also has established and published
a confidential telephone hot line for the reporting of suspected policy violations, fraud,
embezzlement, and other criminal and/or unethical activities concerning the Companys accounting
practices, auditing and reporting of financial results. This number is operational 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.
Any employee who has a concern about the Companys ethical conduct, accounting, internal
controls or auditing matters may anonymously communicate his or her concerns directly to the
Chairman of the Audit Committee. All such communications are entirely confidential, and may be
reported by phone to an independently maintained toll-free phone number which is posted in a
prominent place at all Company work sites, and is also published on the Companys intranet. All
such communications will be promptly reviewed by the Chairman of the Audit Committee and addressed
by the Companys General Counsel, as appropriate. The Audit Committee and the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee assist in the Boards oversight with respect to matters covered in
the Code of Ethics.
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Compensation Committee adheres to the principle that compensation of Executive Officers,
including the Chief Executive Officer, should first and foremost be directly and materially linked
to each executives individual performance and the Companys overall performance, and should also
be reasonable in comparison to like positions in like companies. The Compensation Committee has
established objectives for executive compensation, which are: (1) to enhance the long-term value
of the Company, (2) to assist the Company in attracting and retaining high quality talent, (3) to
reward past performance and motivate future performance and (4) to align executives long-term
interests with those of the Companys stockholders.
Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
When determining the amount or form of compensation of the Companys executives, the Compensation
Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer (except with respect to his
compensation) and his perspective on the factors described above in developing recommendations for
each executives compensation, including salary adjustments, annual cash bonuses and equity grants,
along with a market comparison of the Companys executives salaries with those of executives in
comparable positions in a
peer group of businesses that compete with the Company for executive talent (the Compensation Peer
Group).
19
Setting
Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee discusses the Chief Executive Officers recommendations in executive
session, and determines how the recommendations compare against the Compensation Peer Group
compensation data. The Compensation Committee then approves or modifies the Chief Executive
Officers recommendations and makes the ultimate compensation decisions for all executive officers.
The Compensation Peer Group utilized in 2006 consists of 33 business services companies which were
selected based on certain metrics, including revenue, net income and market capitalization, which
are comparable to those of the Company.
The companies comprising the Compensation Peer Group are as follows:
Compensation Peer Group*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory Board Co
|
|
Asset Acceptance Capital Corp.
|
|
Asta Funding, Inc. |
|
Barra Inc/CA |
Brands Inc/DE
|
|
CRA International, Inc.
|
|
Corinthian Colleges Inc. |
|
CSG Systems International, Inc. |
Digitas Inc.
|
|
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
|
|
Euronet Worldwide |
|
FTI Consulting, Inc. |
Gevity HR Inc.
|
|
Healthcare Services Group
|
|
Heidrick & Struggles Intl Inc. |
|
Huron Consulting Group Inc. |
Interpool Inc.
|
|
ICT Group Inc.
|
|
IPayment Inc. |
|
Interline |
Infousa Inc.
|
|
J2 Global Communications
|
|
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service |
|
KForce |
Korn Ferry International
|
|
Layne Christensen Co.
|
|
McGrath Rentcorp |
|
Navigant Consulting Inc |
New England Business Service
|
|
Resources Connection Inc.
|
|
Schawk Inc. |
|
Sapient Corp |
Wright Express Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
The Compensation Peer Group includes some companies which are not named in the stock
performance graph which is included in the Companys Annual Report. The Compensation
Peer Group was made more extensive, in order to allow the Compensation Committee to analyze a
broader range of companies for the purpose of making its compensation comparisons. |
Total cash compensation for each executive is determined by using the Compensation Peer Group
compensation data, and may be adjusted based on the Companys performance, individual performance
and individual experience. The Company did not utilize the services of a compensation consultant in
2006.
Although base pay for most of the Companys executives is generally lower than the mean salaries of
comparable positions of the Companys peers, the Company includes additional elements of
compensation in its total compensation package. Accordingly, the Company compensates its executives
through three primary sources: base pay, annual cash bonuses and equity incentives. Using this
approach, the base salary portion of the compensation of the Companys executives is fixed;
however, a substantial additional portion of total compensation is uncertain. This practice ensures
that the Companys executive compensation packages include a combination of base pay and incentives
that are appropriate and competitive in the relevant marketplace, as well as risk-based in relation
to the individuals performance and the Companys performance.
20
The Companys compensation program is designed to reward performance by tying a substantial portion
of each executives total potential compensation to individual performance and the Companys
performance. The extent to which the Company and each executive achieve performance targets
determines whether annual bonuses may be awarded, and if so, the amount of such awards. Through its
practice of granting equity awards, the compensation program also promotes and rewards an
executives tenure and longevity with the Company, as well as the executives role in the Companys
financial performance.
The Compensation Committee did not utilize a set formula for allocating compensation among the
elements of total compensation in fiscal year 2006. Consideration was given to the executive
officers current salary, the executive officers prior-year bonus and the accumulated potential
value of prior stock based awards. The subjective decisions regarding the amount and mix of
elements which comprised the compensation awarded the executive officers were principally based
upon an assessment of each executive officers leadership, performance and contribution to the
achievement of the Companys overall financial goals, as well as subjective judgments about each
executive officer individually, rather than on rigid guidelines or formulas. Key factors include
the executive officers performance; the nature, scope and level of the executive officers
responsibilities; the executive officers contribution to the Companys overall financial results,
and the executive officers effectiveness in leading initiatives to increase stockholder value,
productivity, and revenue growth. The compensation of the executive officers which have the
greatest ability to influence the Companys performance, however, is predominately
performance-based, which is consistent with the overall compensation philosophy as described above.
The decisions concerning specific base compensation elements and the total compensation paid or
awarded to the Companys Executive Officers in fiscal year 2006, including the compensation of the
President and Chief Executive Officer, were made within this framework.
Elements of Compensation
The Company believes that in order to attract and retain highly effective people it must maintain a
flexible compensation structure, including base salary, cash bonuses and equity-based compensation
awards as described below.
Base Pay. Base pay is structured to ensure that the Companys employees are fairly and equitably
compensated. Base pay is used to appropriately recognize and reward the experience and skills that
employees bring to the Company and provides motivation for career development and enhancement.
During their tenure, base pay ensures that all employees continue to receive a basic level of
compensation that reflects any acquired skills which are competently demonstrated and are
consistently used at work.
Base pay for the Companys executive officers is initially established based on their prior
experience, the scope of their responsibilities and the applicable competitive market compensation
paid by other companies for similar positions, and is reviewed annually after employment. The
Companys base salaries are generally lower than those of its peers. In accordance with their
employment agreements, the Companys executive officers base pay may be increased from year to
year in an amount not less than 4% of their current base pay, based on their performance and the
achievement of established
individual goals. An executive officers base pay is not dependent upon the Companys achievement
of its performance goals.
21
Bonus Program. The Company maintains a cash bonus program to reward superior performance for the
year and to provide executive officers with incentives to meet or exceed profitability targets.
Each year, a cash bonus pool is established, from which the Company pays annual cash bonuses to the
Companys executive officers upon the direction of the Compensation Committee. Bonuses
for fiscal year 2006 were paid in January 2007. Bonuses are based on an evaluation of each
executive officers prior years performance, taking into consideration the recommendations of the
Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committees assessment of the overall performance of the
Company and the executive officers business units performance in achieving the specific financial
and other key goals established for the Company and the executive officers business unit. This
evaluation also includes an assessment of the executive officers individual performance compared
to the operational and strategic goals and objectives established for the executive officer at the
beginning of the year. If the results of operations meet or exceed net profitability goals, the
amount of an executive officers bonus may be increased at the discretion of the Compensation
Committee, and if the results of operations for the year are not positive, or do not achieve net
profitability goals, the Compensation Committee may determine whether or not a bonus will be
awarded at all. Executive officers bonus targets are set as a percentage of base salary; however,
with respect to bonuses awarded in 2007, no pre-established metrics were communicated to the
executive officers in advance of the awards. The annual bonus awarded to the executive officer who
manages a specific operating division of the Company depended to a significant degree, on that cost
centers contributions toward the achievement of the Companys financial targets. Because the
Chief Executive Officer has a broad role with final accountability for the Companys overall
results, the Compensation Committee sets his bonus target higher than the other executive officers.
Cash bonuses awarded to the Companys executive officers in January 2007 for fiscal year 2006
performance ranged from approximately 100% to 200% of the executive officers 2006 base salary,
amounting to an aggregate pay out of $1,775,000, of which amount, the Chief Executive Officer
earned a bonus of $690,000. The annual bonuses paid to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
and Administrative Officer and the other five most highly paid executives of the Company for their
fiscal year 2006 performance are shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 27.
Equity Incentives. The Company utilizes long-term equity incentive awards to promote the success of
each executive officer, motivate outstanding performance and encourage and reward employment
longevity. The Companys current equity compensation program consists of the award of nonvested
shares of the Companys common stock pursuant to the Amended Plan, and a targeted executive share
ownership program which was adopted by the Board in fiscal year 2005. Targeted stock ownership
guidelines ensure that the Companys executives acquire and retain substantial levels of ownership
of common stock in the Company. Through the award of nonvested shares, executive officers are
motivated to remain employed by the Company, due to the fact that the total shares awarded vest
over a period of five years, beginning on the first anniversary date of the award. The recipient
must be employed with the Company in order to receive any nonvested shares. The Company has no
written policy concerning the timing of equity awards; however, with the exception of equity awards
granted as a recruitment incentive to new hires, all fiscal
year 2006 equity awards to employees were made on April 19, 2006, immediately following the first
quarter regular meeting of the Board, which was six days prior to the Companys first quarter 2006
earnings release. All such awards were in the form of grants of nonvested shares.
22
In an effort to further link pay with performance, the Company has been actively exploring new
approaches to its equity compensation program for fiscal year 2007. In March 2007, the Company
granted performance shares under the Amended Plan to its Executive Officers and approximately 35
other executives. The number of shares that each executive can earn will depend on the Companys
performance against pre-established goals relating to earnings per share over a period of three
years.
Compensation of Executive Officers In 2006
In fiscal year 2006, the aggregated base salaries of the Companys executives listed in the Summary
Compensation Table herein constituted approximately 30% of their total aggregated compensation;
bonuses constituted approximately 50%, and equity awards constituted approximately 20%; however,
the individual allocations of compensation varied considerably.
Targeted Executive Share Ownership
Ownership by executive officers of equity in the Company serves to align their interests with those
of the Companys stockholders and demonstrates to the investing public and all of the Companys
other employees, senior managements commitment to the Company. The Companys targeted executive
stockholdings policy establishes for each executive officer, as well as other executives and
managers in key leadership roles, individual equity ownership goals which are to be achieved within
a specified time frame. Each executive officers employment agreement provides that in the event
that the targeted equity goals are not achieved within the required time frame, the annual bonus
may be paid in shares of nonvested stock, rather than in cash, until such targets are met. The
specific share requirements for each executive officer are based on a multiple of annual base pay.
Pursuant to the targeted executive stock ownership program, the Chief Executive Officers equity
target is thirteen times his base salary.
Each year, prior to the payment of any annual cash bonus, the Companys Chief Executive Officer is
required to provide a report to the Compensation Committee detailing the status of stockholding for
each executive officer. This report includes the executive officers base compensation, total
compensation, anticipated bonus, targeted stockholdings, actual stockholdings, increased or
decreased actual stockholdings during the prior year, and the amount of both awarded and vested
options and/or nonvested shares. As of March 23, 2007, each of the Companys executive officers had
exceeded their stock ownership targets.
The matrix below details the equity ownership targets established for the executives listed in the
Summary Compensation Table and their actual stockholdings as of March 23, 2007.
23
Targeted Levels of Executive Stockholdings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Targeted Multiple of |
|
Minimum Targeted |
|
|
Name |
|
Base Compensation |
|
Stockholdings |
|
Actual Stockholdings |
Steve Fredrickson, CEO |
|
13 times |
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
224,385 |
|
|
Kevin Stevenson, CFO |
|
8 times |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
56,860 |
|
|
Craig Grube, EVP |
|
5 times |
|
|
28,500 |
|
|
|
28,525 |
|
|
Judith Scott, EVP/GC |
|
2.5 times |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
10,600 |
|
|
Chris Graves, SVP |
|
3 times |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
1,565 |
|
|
Michael Petit, SVP |
|
3 times |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
7,070 |
|
|
William ODaire, SVP |
|
3 times |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
13,167 |
|
Perquisites
The Compensation Committee ensures that the Companys executive officers are paid fairly, and that
the Company has a uniform set of benefits and perquisites that apply to all employees. Accordingly,
the Companys executive officers are provided no Company paid or reimbursed unique perquisites
which are not offered to other employees. It is the philosophy of the Companys executive officers
and the Board that each executive, including the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial and Administrative Officer, may determine, within the limits of his or her own
compensation, whether or not to personally purchase non-reimbursable luxury travel, private
flights, housing, security systems, car service, club memberships, financial planning services, or
other such goods and services, including those which are sometimes provided as executive
perquisites by other companies, but not offered by the Company. This is consistent with the
Companys general operating principles.
Other than the standard employee benefits, such as health, dental, life, hospitalization, surgical,
major medical and disability insurance, participation in its 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other
similar Company-wide benefits which may be in effect from time to time for all other employees, the
Company does not provide additional perquisites, personal direct or indirect benefits, or use any
separate set of standards in determining the benefits for its executive officers or Directors. The
Company believes that its base pay and total compensation package are reasonable and competitive in
the industry, and the Company has demonstrated that it is able to hire and retain talented
executives without offering additional perquisites.
Pension Plans, Retirement Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. The Company does not
offer any pension or retirement plans to any of its Directors or employees, including its executive
officers. The Company does not offer its Directors or
employees a non-qualified defined contribution plan; however, the Company sponsors a 401(k) plan
for its employees, but not for its Directors.
24
401(k) Plan. The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan for its employees who are at least twenty-one
years of age or over. This plan is a long-term savings vehicle that enables employees to make
pre-tax contributions via payroll deductions, and receive tax-deferred earnings on the
contributions made. Employees are eligible to make voluntary contributions to the plan of up to
100% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations, after completing six
months of service. Employees who were at least fifty years of age by the end of the fiscal year
were also eligible to make 401(k) catch-up contributions up to a maximum of $5,000. The Company
makes matching cash contributions of up to 4% to each participating employees salary. Employees
are able to direct their own investments in the Companys 401(k) plan. No withdrawals or
distributions were made to any of the Companys Executive Officers under the Companys 401(k) plan
in 2006.
The Companys executive officers are required by policy to submit to regular comprehensive physical
examinations at the Companys expense, at a cost of approximately $5,000 each.
The following table identifies the Companys benefit plans and identifies employees who may be
eligible to participate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit Plan |
|
Executive Officers |
|
All Full Time Employees |
401(k) Plan |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Medical/Dental/Vision
Plans |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Life and Disability
Insurance |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Legal Resources
Assistance Plan |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Employee Assistance Plan |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
Defined Benefit Pension
Plan |
|
Not Offered |
|
Not Offered |
Deferred Compensation
Plan |
|
Not Offered |
|
Not Offered |
The Company has never made a loan to any of its executive officers or Directors.
25
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), imposes a $1 million
limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for certain executive remuneration paid or
accrued with respect to each covered employee as of the end of the year. While the Compensation
Committee is mindful of the potential impact upon the Company of Section 162(m) of the Code, it
reserves the right to extend such compensation arrangements as may from time to time be necessary
to retain or attract top-quality management. The Compensation Committee has historically structured
executive compensation arrangements so as to minimize the impact of the limitations of Section
162(m) of the Code. In fiscal 2006, each of the Companys executive officers received a base salary
less than $1 million and each executive officer, other than Mr. Fredrickson, received other
compensation that would not be limited by the $1 million threshold imposed by Section 162(m). Mr.
Fredricksons salary and other cash compensation earned during fiscal year 2006 totaled $1.04
million. Therefore, $40,000 of Mr. Fredricksons compensation exceeded the $1 million limit imposed
by Section 162(m), and was consequently not deductible. The entire amount of each other executive
officers compensation earned during fiscal year 2006 was deductible.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
FASB Statement 123(R), Share-Based Payments, (FAS 123R) requires companies to expense the fair
value of employee stock options and other forms of equity compensation. Since January 1, 2002 the
Company has been expensing equity based compensation under FAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, and beginning January 1, 2006 under FAS 123R. The Company has not issued stock
options to its employees since its adoption of the Amended Plan in 2004. The Company has never
back dated stock options.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the section of this Proxy Statement entitled,
Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management as required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K
and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board
that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement, and incorporated
by reference into the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006. This report is provided by the following independent Directors who comprise the committee:
David Roberts, Chairman
William Brophey
Scott Tabakin
Penelope Kyle
COMPENSATION SUMMARY
The following table sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the Companys
Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and the other five most
highly compensated executives for all services rendered to the Company and its subsidiaries for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, except as may otherwise be specifically noted:
26
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
All |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards/ |
|
Non-equity |
|
Pension Value |
|
Other |
|
|
Name and Principal |
|
FY 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Incentive |
|
& Nonqualified |
|
Comp.(5) |
|
Total |
Position |
|
Salary($) |
|
Bonus(1)($) |
|
($)(2)(3) |
|
Plan Comp |
|
Deferred Comp(4) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
Steve Fredrickson, CEO |
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
690,000 |
|
|
|
32,163/89,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
1,170,361 |
|
Kevin Stevenson, CFO |
|
|
235,000 |
|
|
|
460,000 |
|
|
|
32,163/49,404 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
785,367 |
|
Craig Grube, EVP |
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
|
32,163/49,404 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
765,367 |
|
Judith Scott, EVP |
|
|
169,615 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
28,598/11,765 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
393,778 |
|
Chris Graves, VP (6) (7) |
|
|
152,019 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
115,450/0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
148,298 |
|
|
|
590,767 |
|
Michael Petit, SVP (6) |
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
425,000 |
|
|
|
111,161/58,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
757,984 |
|
William ODaire, SVP (6) |
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
40,237/35,289 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,238 |
|
|
|
423,764 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This table reflects for a given year all bonuses earned by the above executives in 2006.
The Company typically pays bonuses in the year following the year in which the bonus was
earned. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts included in the Stock Awards column represent the expense recognized for
financial reporting purposes in 2006 under FAS 123R for grants of nonvested shares in 2006 and
prior years. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see the Companys 2006 Consolidated
Financial Statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1,
2007. The shares awarded vest ratably over a five year period, beginning on the first
anniversary of the award date. The actual amount of compensation that will be realized at the
time an award vests will depend upon the market price of the Companys common stock at the
vesting date. |
|
(3) |
|
The amounts included in the Option Awards column represent the expense recognized for
financial reporting purposes in 2006 under FAS 123R for grants of stock options in prior
years. There were no stock options granted in 2006. |
|
(4) |
|
The Company has no defined benefit pension plans or non-qualified deferred compensation
plans. |
|
(5) |
|
Except for Mr. Graves, these amounts represent company matching contributions to the
recipients 401(k) plan up to limits for such plans under federal income tax rules. With
respect to the compensation of Mr. Graves, these amounts also include non-qualified relocation
expenses of $85,716 and a signing bonus of $59,117. |
|
(6) |
|
Although Mr. Petit, Mr. Graves and Mr. ODaire are not executive officers of the Company,
their compensation details are included in this table due to their level of compensation. |
|
(7) |
|
Compensation in 2006 includes $85,716 as non-qualified relocation expenses paid for by the
Company, a $59,117 signing bonus and $3,465 as the Companys matching contribution to Mr.
Graves 401(k) plan account. |
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
In fiscal year 2006, the Company did not have a non-equity incentive compensation plan for its
Named Executive Officers. There were no threshold, target and maximum performance bonus award
amounts for the 2006 performance year set in 2005 or in 2006. The following table sets forth
information regarding grants of annual equity based compensation awards granted in fiscal year 2006
pursuant to the Amended Plan. Awards granted in fiscal year 2006 consisted exclusively of nonvested
shares. There were no stock option awards made by the Company in fiscal year 2006.
27
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Awards * |
|
|
|
|
|
Closing Market |
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Base Price of |
|
Price |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
|
|
Underlying Securities |
|
Stock |
|
On |
|
of |
Name |
|
Grant Dates |
|
(#) |
|
Awards |
|
Grant Date |
|
Stock Awards |
Steve Fredrickson
|
|
04/19/2006
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
47.16 |
|
|
$ |
235,800 |
|
Kevin Stevenson
|
|
04/19/2006
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
47.16 |
|
|
$ |
235,800 |
|
Craig Grube
|
|
04/19/2006
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
47.16 |
|
|
$ |
235,800 |
|
Judith Scott
|
|
04/19/2006
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
47.16 |
|
|
$ |
70,740 |
|
Chris Graves
|
|
01/02/2006
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
46.44 |
|
|
$ |
580,500 |
|
Michael Petit
|
|
04/19/2006
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
47.16 |
|
|
$ |
235,800 |
|
William ODaire
|
|
04/19/2006
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
47.16 |
|
|
$ |
141,480 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
The amounts reported in the column entitled, All Equity Awards relates to the nonvested
shares awarded to the above executives in April 2006, or in the case of Mr. Graves, January 2006.
In accordance with FAS date 123R, the grant date fair value of the nonvested share awards is the
closing price of the stock as of the grant times the number of nonvested shares granted. The grant
date fair value was based on the closing price of the Companys common stock on the NASDAQ Global
Stock Market on the grant date. The shares vest in five equal annual installments beginning on the
first anniversary of the date of grant. |
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table provides information concerning the exercises of stock options
and shares acquired on vesting during fiscal year 2006 on an aggregated basis for each of the
executives named, and includes the value realized upon exercise or upon vesting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Value Realized |
|
Number of Shares |
|
Value Realized |
|
|
Acquired on Exercise |
|
on Exercise ($) |
|
Acquired on Vesting |
|
on Vesting($) |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
|
|
(#) |
|
|
Steve
Fredrickson |
|
|
38,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,270,720 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Kevin Stevenson |
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
2,010,900 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Craig Grube |
|
|
23,600 |
|
|
|
789,598 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Judith Scott |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
550 |
|
|
|
23,127 |
|
Chris Graves |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Michael Petit |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,690 |
|
|
|
115,124 |
|
William ODaire |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
502,950 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
25,212 |
|
The following table provides information on the current holdings of stock option awards and
nonvested share awards by the named executives. This table includes unexercised and unvested option
awards and nonvested share awards. Each equity grant is shown for each named executive as of the
end of fiscal year 2006.
28
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2006 Fiscal Year-End
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units of |
|
Market Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercise |
|
Underlying |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
That Have |
|
of Stock that |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
Unexercised Options |
|
Exercise |
|
Option |
|
Not |
|
Have Not |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable(1) |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
|
Vested |
|
Vested as of |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
Date |
|
(#) |
|
12/31/06 (2) ($) |
Steve
Fredrickson |
|
|
11/07/02 |
|
|
|
38,000 |
|
|
|
38,000 |
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
|
|
11/07/09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
233,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Stevenson |
|
|
11/07/02 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
|
|
11/07/09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
233,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig Grube |
|
|
11/07/02 |
|
|
|
18,400 |
|
|
|
21,000 |
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
|
|
11/07/09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
233,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judith Scott |
|
|
11/07/02 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
|
|
11/07/09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
07/20/04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
$ |
28,014 |
|
|
|
|
07/28/05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,400 |
|
|
$ |
65,366 |
|
|
|
|
04/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
$ |
70,035 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Graves |
|
|
01/02/06 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
$ |
583,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Petit |
|
|
07/31/03 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
27.77 |
|
|
|
07/31/10 |
|
|
|
4,180 |
|
|
$ |
195,164 |
|
|
|
|
07/20/04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
$ |
28,014 |
|
|
|
|
07/28/05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
$ |
74,704 |
|
|
|
|
04/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
233,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William ODaire |
|
|
11/07/02 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
|
|
11/07/09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
07/20/04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
$ |
28,014 |
|
|
|
|
07/28/05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
$ |
74,704 |
|
|
|
|
04/19/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,070 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Option awards are exercisable in five equal, annual installments beginning on the
first anniversary of the date of grant. |
|
(2) |
|
Value is calculated based on the closing price ($46.69) of the Companys common stock
on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market as of 12/31/2006. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Under the Amended Plan, 2,000,000 shares have been made available for issuance to the Companys
employees and Directors. The table below reflects the number of shares subject to outstanding
awards and the amount available for future issuance. Prior to the adoption of the Amended Plan in
2004, such awards were in the form of stock options with an exercise price equal to the fair market
value of the stock at the grant date. After the adoption of the Amended Plan, such awards were in
the form of grants of shares of nonvested shares.
29
The table below provides information with respect to the Amended Plan, as of December 31,
2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities to be |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued Upon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Number of |
|
Outstanding |
|
Weighted-average |
|
Securities |
|
|
Securities |
|
Options, Warrants, |
|
Exercise Price of |
|
Remaining Available |
|
|
Authorized for |
|
and Rights or Upon |
|
Outstanding |
|
for Future Issuance |
|
|
Issuance Under the |
|
Vesting of |
|
Options, Warrants |
|
Under Equity |
Plan Category |
|
Plan |
|
Nonvested Shares |
|
and Rights(1) |
|
Compensation Plans(2) |
Equity
compensation plans
approved by
security holders |
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
472,127 |
|
|
$ |
10.48 |
|
|
|
995,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
472,127 |
|
|
$ |
10.48 |
|
|
|
995,300 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes grants of nonvested shares, for which there is no exercise price, but with
respect to which shares are awarded without cost when the restrictions have been realized.
Excluding the impact of the nonvested shares, the weighted average exercise price of
outstanding options is $16.43. |
|
(2) |
|
Excludes 532,573 exercised options and vested shares, which are not available for
re-issuance. |
Severance Arrangements
All of the executives named below executed employment agreements with the Company, the terms of
which began on January 1, 2006, and expire on December 31, 2008. Each employment agreement
contains confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition and indemnification provisions.
Payment of any severance benefits is conditioned on the employees execution of a full release of
all claims against the Company. Prior to the execution of their employment agreements, the
executive officers of the Company specifically requested that there be no provisions in their
employment agreements providing for payments to them in the event of change of control of the
Company; consequently, in accordance with their requests, their employment agreements do not
contain any such provisions. Likewise, the employment agreements of the other most highly
compensated executives of the Company do not contain provisions providing for payments upon change
of control. Each employment agreement provides for severance payments under involuntary
termination circumstances other than death, disability or Cause.
The following table shows the potential severance payments which may be made to the executives
listed below pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, under various employment
termination scenarios.
30
SUMMARY OF SEVERANCE TERMS AND POTENTIAL PAYMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary, Bonus and |
|
|
|
Options and |
|
|
|
|
Constructive |
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
Termination |
|
|
|
Vacation |
|
|
|
(4)(5) |
|
Total |
Name |
|
Provisions |
|
Conditions (2) |
|
Severance Payment |
|
(1) (3)($) |
|
Benefits ($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Steven Fredrickson |
|
Yes |
|
Constructive discharge, |
|
Two years salary, |
|
2,113,525 |
|
105,696 |
|
1,289,080 |
|
3,508,301 |
|
|
|
|
non-renewal of employment |
|
two times target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
agreement or reasons other |
|
bonus in termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than Cause, death or |
|
year, accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
disability |
|
vacation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
benefits for one |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Stevenson |
|
Yes |
|
Constructive discharge, |
|
Two years salary, |
|
1,412,500 |
|
75,411 |
|
831,000 |
|
2,318,911 |
|
|
|
|
non-renewal of employment |
|
two times target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
agreement or reasons other |
|
bonus in termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than Cause, death or |
|
year, accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
disability |
|
vacation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
benefits for one |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig Grube |
|
Yes |
|
Constructive discharge, |
|
Two years salary, |
|
1,371,551 |
|
72,625 |
|
497,256 |
|
1,941,432 |
|
|
|
|
non-renewal of employment |
|
two times target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
agreement or reasons other |
|
bonus in termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than Cause, death or |
|
year, accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
disability |
|
vacation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
benefits for one |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judith Scott |
|
Yes |
|
Constructive discharge, |
|
One years salary, |
|
366,762 |
|
36,941 |
|
13,716 |
|
417,419 |
|
|
|
|
non-renewal of employment |
|
one times target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
agreement or reasons other |
|
bonus in termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than Cause, death or |
|
year and accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
disability |
|
vacation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
benefits for one |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Petit(6) |
|
No |
|
Non-renewal of employment |
|
One years salary, |
|
591,877 |
|
34,683 |
|
584,220 |
|
1,210,780 |
|
|
|
|
agreement or reasons other |
|
one times target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than Cause, death or |
|
bonus in termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
disability |
|
year, accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
vacation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
benefits for one |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William ODaire |
|
No |
|
Non-renewal of employment |
|
Six months salary, |
|
181,877 |
|
21,501 |
|
27,432 |
|
230,810 |
|
|
|
|
agreement or reasons other |
|
one-half of target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than Cause, death or |
|
bonus in termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
disability |
|
year and accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
vacation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
benefits for one |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Graves (6) |
|
No |
|
Non-renewal of employment |
|
One years salary, |
|
341,865 |
|
27,467 |
|
0 |
|
369,332 |
|
|
|
|
agreement or reasons other |
|
one times target |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than Cause, death or |
|
bonus in termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
disability |
|
year, accrued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
vacation and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
benefits for one |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Based on 2006 compensation. |
|
(2) |
|
In the event of their death or disability, executives or their estates will receive their base
salary earned through the month of the date of their death or disability, plus a pro-rata portion
of their target bonus for that year. |
|
(3) |
|
Assumes payment of maximum accrued vacation and bonus. |
31
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Options cease to be exercisable 90 days after the date of termination for reasons other than
Cause. No options may be exercised and no nonvested shares may be granted upon termination for
Cause. |
|
(5) |
|
Represents total equity compensation that would be realized upon termination, including all
vested options and all options and nonvested shares vesting within 60 days of the Record Date,
based upon NASDAQs closing price of the Companys common stock on the Record Date. |
|
(6) |
|
The Company may extend Mr. Petits and Mr. Graves non-competition/non-solicitation period for
an additional year by paying them additional severance compensation equal to one years salary. In
this scenario, Mr. Petits total severance payment would be $1,365,780 and Mr. Graves total
severance payment would be $524,332. |
No severance payments were made to any executive officers of the Company during fiscal year
2006.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee has furnished the following report to stockholders of the Company in accordance
with rules adopted by the SEC.
Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director, as defined in NASDAQ Rules
4200(a)(15) and 4350(d)(2). Each member of the committee also satisfies the SECs additional
independence requirement for members of audit committees according to Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule
14A under the Exchange Act and NASDAQ Rules 4200(a)(15) and 4350(d)(2). In addition, the Board has
determined that James Voss and Scott Tabakin are audit committee financial experts, as defined
by paragraph (h)(2) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K.
The Audit Committees policy is to pre-approve audit and permissible non-audit services provided by
the Companys independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related
services, tax services, services related to internal controls and other services. The independent
auditors and the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the services provided by the independent
auditor in accordance with this pre-approval.
The Companys executives have primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal financial controls, preparing the Companys consolidated financial statements and managing
the public reporting process. The Companys independent auditors are responsible for expressing
opinions on the conformity of the Companys audited consolidated financial statements with
generally accepted accounting principles and on managements assessment of the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting.
· The
Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management, the Companys audited
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, including a
discussion of the acceptability and appropriateness of significant accounting principles and
managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting. The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys independent auditors its evaluation of
the Companys internal control over financial reporting and other business matters. The Audit
Committee also reviewed with management and the independent auditors the reasonableness of
significant estimates and judgments made in preparing the financial statements, as well as the
clarity of the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.
32
The Audit Committee has discussed with the Companys independent auditors, the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as modified or supplemented,
Communications with Audit Committees, as amended.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended or supplemented, and has discussed with
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP their independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the audit and
non-audit services which were provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in 2006 were compatible with,
and did not negatively impact their independence.
The Audit Committee met with the Companys internal auditor and with its independent auditors, with
and without management present, to discuss the overall quality of the Companys financial
reporting. In reliance on such discussions, and its review and discussions with management of the
Companys audited consolidated financial statements and the acceptability and appropriateness of
significant accounting principles, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities
of the Audit Committee referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has
approved, that the Companys audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with the SEC.
On March 8, 2007, the Audit Committee dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as its independent
auditors, and engaged KPMG LLP (KPMG) to serve as its independent auditors for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2007. This decision was made following a comprehensive review by the Audit
Committee and management of KPMGs qualifications. The reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on the
consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2005
and 2006 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the two fiscal years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2006 and the subsequent interim period through March 8, 2007, there were no
disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved
to their satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the
disagreement in connection with their reports. None of the reportable events described in Item
304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K occurred within the two fiscal years of the Company ended December
31, 2006 or within the subsequent interim period through March 8, 2007. The Company provided
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and attached a copy of their
letter, dated March 13, 2007, in which they stated their agreement with such statements as an
exhibit to the Form 8-K that was filed by the Company on March 13, 2007.
During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, and the subsequent interim period through
March 8, 2007, the Company did not consult with KPMG regarding any of the matters or events set
forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K.
33
The Company is requesting that the stockholders ratify the Audit Committees selection of KPMG as
its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. In the
event the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will consider it a
direction to consider other accounting firms for the subsequent year.
This report is submitted on behalf of the following independent Directors, who constitute the Audit
Committee:
James Voss (Chairman)
William Brophey
Scott Tabakin
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP acted as independent auditors with respect to the audit of the Companys
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and has performed
certain non-audit-related services for the Company. Also, during 2006, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
audited the Companys internal control over financial reporting. In connection with its 2006
corporate income tax returns, which are anticipated to be completed in 2007, the Company retained a
separate tax accounting firm which is not related to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services rendered during the years ended December
31, 2006 and December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Audit |
|
$ |
522,799 |
|
|
$ |
410,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advice (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investigation Review Fees (3) |
|
|
58,004 |
|
|
|
|
|
Subscription Fees (2) |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59,504 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Accountant Fees |
|
$ |
582,303 |
|
|
$ |
421,475 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Tax advice fees relate to work done on cost recovery method research for tax
purposes. |
|
(2) |
|
Subscription fees represent fees paid for an annual subscription to the
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP research tool, Comperio. |
|
(3) |
|
Investigation review fees relate to the work performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP to review and assess the adequacy and results of the internal control deficiency investigation initiated by the
Audit Committee. See Item 9A of the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 30, 2006, filed on August 3, 2006, for more information. |
Audit Fees include fees for the audit of the Companys annual consolidated financial
statements, reviews of the related quarterly consolidated financial statements, and services
normally performed in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Audit Fees also include
fees related to the audit of the Companys internal control over financial reporting, and for the
attestation of managements report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting in connection with the Companys compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
and related regulations.
34
PROPOSAL TWO: APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board has selected KPMG as independent auditors
for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 to audit its consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007, and to perform other audit-related
services, relating to the Companys quarterly reports and registration statements filed with the
SEC. Even if the selection of KPMG is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select
a different registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that
such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
KPMG will have a representative at the Annual Meeting who will be available to respond to
appropriate questions. The KPMG representative will also have an opportunity to make a statement
if desired.
A majority of votes cast in person or represented by proxy will constitute ratification of the
appointment of KPMG. Broker non-votes (i.e. where brokers are prohibited from exercising
discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not returned a proxy) will be treated as
abstentions. Under Delaware General Corporate Law, an abstaining vote is not deemed a vote cast
or represented by proxy. As a result, abstentions are not included in the tabulation of the
results on the ratification of the appointment of KPMG.
The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the
appointment of KPMG as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2007.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys executive officers and Directors and
persons who beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of the Companys common stock to file
initial reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such common stock with the SEC and NASDAQ.
As a practical matter, the Company typically assists its Directors and executive
officers with these transactions by completing and filing Section 16 reports on their
behalf. The Company also reviews directors and officers questionnaires and written
representations from the executive officers and Directors that no other reports are required to be
filed. The Company believes that all such reports were filed on a timely basis by its executive
officers and Directors during fiscal year 2006.
Costs of Solicitation
The Company will pay all of the costs of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. Curran &
Connors has been retained to print the proxies, at a cost of $4,900. ADP has estimated the mailing
costs to be $8,307. Continental Stock Transfer and Trust has been retained to develop the mailing
list, mail out the solicitation for proxy votes and to verify certain records related to the
solicitation. The Company will pay Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company a fee of $1,000 as
compensation for its services, which will include tabulating votes, and will also reimburse
Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company for its related out-of-pocket expenses, including its
mailing expenses. In addition to
35
solicitation by mail, the Directors, officers and agents of the Company may also solicit proxies
from stockholders by telephone, telecopy, telegram, Internet or in person. All such costs will be
paid by the Company. Upon request, the Company will also reimburse brokerage houses and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in sending the proxy materials
to beneficial owners.
Annual Report
A copy of the Companys 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, its audited financial statements,
together with other related information, are all being mailed to you with this Proxy Statement.
Additionally, the Companys 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders and its Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC, and all financial statements or
schedules required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 13a-1 may be obtained from our web
site at www.portfoliorecovery.com, or by contacting the Companys investor
relations liaison at the Companys headquarters, at 120 Corporate Blvd., Suite 100, Norfolk, VA
23502. A copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other periodic filings also may be
obtained from the SECs EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
Electronic Delivery of 2008 Proxy Materials and Annual Report. Instead of receiving paper
copies of next years Proxy Statement and Annual Report in the mail, stockholders may elect to
access their 2008 proxy materials online. The Company encourages all stockholders to make the
election to obtain the 2008 proxy materials online in order to save the Company the cost of
producing and mailing these documents, reduce the amount of stockholder mail and help preserve
environmental resources.
Other Matters
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board does not intend to bring any other business
before the Annual Meeting except items incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting. The Company
has not received notice from any stockholder of intent to present a proposal at the Annual Meeting.
The enclosed Proxy Card will confer discretionary authority with respect to matters which are not
presently known to the Board at the time of the printing hereof and which may properly come before
the Annual Meeting. It is the intention of the persons named on the Proxy Card to vote such Proxy
Card with respect to such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
By the Order of the Board of Directors.
Judith S. Scott
Secretary
Norfolk, Virginia
36
Proxy Card
PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, INC.
Proxy Solicited by the Board of Directors
For Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 18, 2007
For Holders of Record as of March 23, 2007
The undersigned hereby appoints Penelope Kyle and Scott Tabakin, the proxies selected by the
Companys Board of Directors, with the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present,
and with full power of substitution, to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of PORTFOLIO
RECOVERY ASSOCIATES, INC. to be held at Noon on May 18, 2007, and at any adjournments thereof, on
the following proposals:
1. Election of Directors
|
|
|
Nominees: |
|
1. William Brophey
2. David Roberts |
2. Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Auditors: KPMG, LLP |
The proxies named above are authorized to vote in their discretion with respect to other
matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. As of April
18, 2007 (the approximate date of this mailing), Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc. does not know
of any such other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes, SEE REVERSE
SIDE. Your shares cannot be voted unless you sign, date and return this card, or vote your
shares by using either of the means described on the reverse side.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
Please mark /x/ in only one box.
When this Proxy is properly executed, the shares to which it relates will be voted in the
manner directed herein.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the above directors.
|
|
|
|
|
FOR All Nominees
|
|
o
|
|
|
Withhold Authority From Both Nominees
|
|
o |
|
|
FOR Nominee 1 Only
|
|
o |
|
|
FOR Nominee 2 Only
|
|
o |
|
|
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the selection of the above Independent Auditors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
o
|
|
|
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
o |
|
|
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
o |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
|
|
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|
Date |
|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
I pan to attend the Annual Meeting in person o |
|
|
NOTE: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator or guardian, please give full title as such.
The signer hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by the signer to vote at said meeting or any
adjournments thereof. By signing this proxy card, you acknowledge receipt of the Proxy Statement
and the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 18, 2007.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. THANK YOU FOR VOTING.
Detach
EACH STOCKHOLDER MAY BE ASKED TO PRESENT VALID PICTURE IDENTIFICATION, SUCH AS DRIVERS LICENSE OR
EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION BADGE, IN ADDITION TO THIS ADMISSION TICKET.
|
|
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|
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|
|
PLEASE ADMIT:
|
|
|
|
NON-TRANSFERABLE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADMISSION TICKET |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
CONTROL NUMBER |