def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
AMERISAFE, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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AMERISAFE, Inc.
2301 Hwy. 190 West, DeRidder, LA 70634-6006
(800) 256-9052 (337) 463-9052
April 30, 2007
Dear AMERISAFE Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AMERISAFE, Inc. The
meeting will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at our corporate
headquarters, which are located at 2301 Highway 190 West in DeRidder, Louisiana.
Information about the meeting and the nominees for election as directors is presented in the
following Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement. At the meeting, management
will report on the Companys operations during 2006 and comment on our outlook for 2007. The
report will be followed by a question and answer period.
We hope that you will plan to attend the Annual Meeting. It is important that your shares be
represented. Accordingly, please sign, date and promptly mail the enclosed proxy card in the
enclosed pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting on June 14th.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ C. Allen Bradley, Jr.
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C. Allen Bradley, Jr. |
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Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
AMERISAFE, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on June 14, 2007
The 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AMERISAFE, Inc. (the Company) will be held on
June 14, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Companys corporate headquarters, which are located at
2301 Highway 190 West in DeRidder, Louisiana. The meeting will be held for the following purposes:
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to elect three directors to serve until the 2010 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders; |
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to elect one director to serve until the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; |
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to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for 2007; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Information concerning the matters to be voted upon at the meeting is set forth in the
accompanying Proxy Statement. Holders of record of the Companys common stock and Series C
convertible preferred stock as of the close of business on April 18, 2007 are entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the meeting.
If you plan to attend the meeting and will need special assistance or accommodation due to a
disability, please describe your needs on the enclosed proxy card. Also enclosed is the Companys
Annual Report for 2006.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ Todd Walker
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Todd Walker |
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Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary |
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DeRidder, Louisiana
April 30, 2007
IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, please vote by
signing, dating and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the
pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope.
AMERISAFE, INC.
2301 Highway 190 West
DeRidder, Louisiana 70634
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement provides information in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Board of Directors (the Board) of AMERISAFE, Inc. (the Company) for use at the Companys
2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or any postponement or adjournment thereof (the Annual
Meeting). This Proxy Statement also provides information you will need in order to consider and
to act upon the matters specified in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are being mailed to shareholders on or about April
30, 2007.
Record holders of the Companys common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock as of
the close of business on April 18, 2007 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each record
holder of common stock on that date is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting for each share of
common stock held. As of April 18, 2007, there were 18,794,593 shares of common stock outstanding.
Each record holder of Series C convertible preferred stock on that date is entitled to one vote
for each share of common stock that would be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of
Series C convertible preferred stock held by that holder. As of April 18, 2007, there were 50,000
shares of Series C convertible preferred stock outstanding entitling those holders to an aggregate
of 242,953 votes. Holders of common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock will vote
together as a single class on all matters to be voted on by shareholders of the Company at the
Annual Meeting. As of April 18, 2007, record holders of the Companys common stock and Series C
convertible preferred stock are entitled to an aggregate of 19,037,546 votes.
You cannot vote your shares unless you are present at the Annual Meeting or you have
previously given your proxy. You can vote by proxy by signing, dating and returning the enclosed
proxy card in the enclosed pre-addressed, postage paid envelope. If you vote by proxy, you can
revoke that proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting. You can do this by:
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delivering a written notice revoking your proxy to the Companys Secretary at the address above; |
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delivering a new proxy bearing a date after the date of the proxy being revoked; or |
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voting in person at the Annual Meeting. |
All properly executed proxies, unless revoked as described above, will be voted at the Annual
Meeting in accordance with your directions on the proxy. If a properly executed proxy gives no
specific instructions, the shares of common stock or Series C convertible preferred stock
represented by your proxy will be voted:
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FOR the election of each of the three director nominees to serve a three-year term
expiring at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; |
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FOR the election of the director nominee to serve a two-year term expiring at the
2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; |
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FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for 2007; and |
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at the discretion of the proxy holders with regard to any other matter that is
properly presented at the Annual Meeting. |
If you own shares of common stock or Series C convertible preferred stock held in street
name, and you do not instruct your broker how to vote your shares using the instructions your
broker provides you, your broker may choose not to vote your shares. To be sure your shares are
voted in the manner you desire, you should instruct your broker how to vote your shares.
Holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of the Companys
common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock must be present, either in person or by
proxy, to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the Annual Meeting. The directors will be
elected by a plurality of the votes cast by holders of the Companys common stock and Series C
convertible preferred stock. If you withhold authority to vote for a director nominee, your shares
will not be counted in the vote for that director nominee.
The Company pays the costs of soliciting proxies. Our employees may solicit proxies by
telephone or in person. However, they will not receive additional compensation for soliciting
proxies. The Company may request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries to
forward copies of these proxy materials to the beneficial holders and to request instructions for
the execution of proxies. The Company may reimburse these persons for their expenses in so doing.
Proxies are solicited to give all record holders of the Companys common stock and Series C
convertible preferred stock an opportunity to vote on the matters to be presented at the Annual
Meeting, even if they cannot attend the meeting.
2
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, one director will be elected to serve a two-year term expiring at our
annual shareholder meeting in 2009 and three directors will be elected to serve three-year terms
expiring at our annual shareholder meeting in 2010. This section contains information relating to
the four director nominees and the directors whose terms of office continue after the Annual
Meeting. The director nominees were selected by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
and approved by the Board for submission to the shareholders. The nominees for election are Jared
A. Morris, Daniel Phillips, Sean M. Traynor, and Millard E. Morris.
Jared A. Morris and Sean M. Traynor are currently directors of the Company. Mr. J. Morris
has served as a director of the Company since 2005, and Mr. Traynor has served as a director since
2001. Millard E. Morris and Daniel Phillips were recommended to the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee by C. Allen Bradley, Jr., our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Board recommends a vote FOR election of each of the nominees.
Nominees to be Elected whose Term will Expire at the Annual Meeting in 2010
Jared A. Morris, age 32, has served as director of the Company since September 2005. Since
2002, he has been an officer and a principal owner of Marine One Acceptance Corp. and Dumont Land,
LLC, both of which are subprime finance companies. Jared A. Morris is being nominated for a term
that expires at the Companys 2010 annual shareholder meeting.
Daniel Phillips, age 60, is President and Chief Executive Officer of PAX, Inc., a supplier of
fabricated heavy industrial steel to the petrochemical, petroleum refining, and power industries
headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mr. Phillips founded PAX, Inc. in 1979, and has been an
owner and officer of that company since that time. Daniel Phillips is being nominated for a term
that expires at the Companys 2010 annual shareholder meeting.
Sean M. Traynor, age 38, has served as a director of the Company since April 2001. He is
currently a general partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, a private equity investment firm
that he joined in 1999. Mr. Traynor also serves as a director for AmCOMP Incorporated, Ameripath,
Inc., Select Medical Corporation, and several private companies. Sean M. Traynor is being
nominated for a term that expires at the Companys 2010 annual shareholder meeting.
Nominee to be Elected whose Term will Expire at the Annual Meeting in 2009
Millard E. Morris, age 62, founded the Company in 1985, and was its Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, and principal shareholder until it was sold to a private investment group in 1997. He
continued to serve on the Companys board of directors until 2005. He has been the managing member
of Dumont Management Group, LLC, a privately held company that provides management services to
various affiliated finance and investment companies, since 1996. Millard E. Morris is the father
of Jared A. Morris. Millard E. Morris is being nominated for a term that expires at the Companys
2009 annual shareholder meeting.
Current Directors whose Terms Expire at the Annual Meeting in 2008
C. Allen Bradley, Jr., age 55, has served as Chairman of the Board since October 2005, Chief
Executive Officer since December 2003 and President since November 2002. Mr. Bradley has served as
a director since June 2003. From November 2002 until December 2003 he served as the Companys
Chief Operating Officer. Since joining the Company in 1994, Mr. Bradley has had principal
responsibility for the management of underwriting operations (December 2000 through June 2005) and
safety services (September 2000 through November 2002) and has served as General Counsel (September
1997 through December 2003) and Secretary (September 1997 through November 2002). Prior to joining
the Company, he was engaged in the private practice of law.
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Austin P. Young III, age 66, has served as a director of the Company since November 2005. Mr.
Young served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of CellStar
Corporation, a logistics service provider to the wireless communications industry, from 1999 until
his retirement in December 2001. From 1996 to 1999, he served as Executive Vice President-Finance
and Administration of Metamor Worldwide, Inc. Mr. Young was also Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of American General Corporation for more than eight years, and was a partner in
the Houston and New York offices of KPMG LLP for 22 years before joining American General
Corporation. Mr. Young currently serves as a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committees of
Administaff, Inc. and Tower Group, Inc. He is a member of the Houston and State Chapters of the
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, and Financial Executives International.
Current Directors whose Terms Expire at the Annual Meeting in 2009
Thomas W. Hallagan, age 45, has served as a director of the Company since May 2006. He is
currently a private investor. Mr. Hallagan was Managing Director-Head of U.S. Private Equity for
Najeti Ventures, LLC, a private equity investment firm, from May 2002 until December 2005. Mr.
Hallagan has served on numerous public and private company boards and was a certified public
accountant with Deloitte Haskins + Sells.
Randy Roach, age 56, has served as a director of the Company since March 2007. He was elected
to fill the unexpired term of Paul B. Queally, who resigned from the Board effective March 1, 2007.
Mr. Roach has served as the Mayor of Lake Charles, Louisiana since 2000, and is a former member of
the House of Representatives of the Louisiana Legislature.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2007
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm for 2007. The Board is asking shareholders to ratify this appointment.
Although SEC regulations and the Nasdaq listing requirements require the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm to be engaged, retained and supervised by the Audit Committee,
the Board considers the selection of an independent registered public accounting firm to be an
important matter to shareholders and considers a proposal for shareholders to ratify such
appointment to be an opportunity for shareholders to provide input to the Audit Committee and the
Board on a key corporate governance issue.
Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will
be offered the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. They will also be available to
answer questions.
The Board recommends a vote FOR Proposal 2.
4
THE BOARD, ITS COMMITTEES AND ITS COMPENSATION
Board of Directors
The Board presently consists of six members, five of whom are non-employee directors. If all
four director nominees are elected at the Annual Meeting, the Board will consist of eight members,
seven of whom will be non-employee directors. The Board is currently divided into three classes
with each class serving three-year terms. The term of one class expires at each annual meeting of
shareholders of the Company.
Director Compensation
Cash Compensation. Each non-employee director of the Company receives an annual cash retainer
of $30,000. Directors who are employees of the Company do not receive additional compensation for
serving as directors. The chair of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual cash retainer
of $15,000 and each other member of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual cash retainer
of $5,000. The chairs of the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional cash retainer of $5,000. The
Company reimburses all directors for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with
their service as directors.
Stock-Based Compensation. Under our Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan, non-employee
directors receive an annual award of restricted stock equal to $15,000 divided by the closing price
of our common stock on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders at which the non-employee
director is elected or is continuing as a member of the Board. Non-employee directors that are
first elected or appointed to the Board other than at an annual meeting of shareholders receive a
pro rata restricted stock grant. In either case, these shares of restricted stock vest at the next
annual meeting of shareholders.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of our
non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2006.
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Fees Earned or |
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Thomas W. Hallagan (2) |
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24,500 |
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9,413 |
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33,913 |
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Jared A. Morris |
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40,000 |
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16,910 |
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56,910 |
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Paul B. Queally (3) |
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35,000 |
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16,910 |
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51,910 |
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Sean M. Traynor |
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33,431 |
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16,910 |
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50,341 |
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Austin P. Young |
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45,000 |
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16,910 |
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61,910 |
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On May 15, 2006, each non-employee director was granted 1,222 shares of restricted stock.
The grant date fair value of each award, calculated in accordance with FAS 123R, was $14,994.
The amounts shown represent the expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, in accordance with FAS 123R, with respect to the
shares of restricted stock. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown in this column exclude
the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. See Note 13
to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006 for information regarding the assumptions made in determining
these values. As of December 31, 2006, each non-employee director held 1,222 shares of
restricted stock. |
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Mr. Hallagan was first elected a director at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2006. |
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Mr. Queally resigned from the Companys board of directors, effective March 1, 2007. On that
date, Mr. Queally held 1,222 shares of restricted stock that were forfeited. |
5
Corporate Governance
The Board and senior management of the Company believe that one of their primary
responsibilities is to promote a corporate culture of accountability, responsibility and ethical
conduct throughout the Company. Consistent with these principles, the Company has, among other
things, adopted:
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corporate governance guidelines that describe the principles under which the Board operates; |
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a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all employees; and |
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written charters for its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee and Investment Committee. |
Our corporate governance guidelines, code of business conduct and ethics, and committee
charters are available on the Companys website (www.amerisafe.com) in the Investor Relations
section. Copies of these documents are also available upon written request to the Companys
Secretary. The Company will post information regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, its code
of business conduct and ethics on its website in the Investor Relations section.
The Board periodically reviews its corporate governance policies and practices. Based on
these reviews, the Board may adopt changes to policies and practices that are in the best interests
of the Company and as appropriate to comply with any new SEC or Nasdaq listing requirements.
Director Independence
As part of the Companys corporate governance guidelines, the Board has established a policy
requiring a majority of the members of the Board to be independent, as that term is defined in the
Nasdaq listing requirements. The Board has determined that the current non-employee directors,
Messrs. J. Morris, Roach, Traynor, Young and Hallagan, and both of the nominees for election as
director, Messrs. M. Morris and Phillips, are each independent of the Company and its management
within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing requirements. The Board has also determined that Mr.
Queally, who served as a director prior to his resignation in March 2007, was independent of the
Company and its management with the meaning of the Nasdaq listing requirements.
Board Meetings
The Board held four meetings during 2006. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of
the total number of meetings of the Board and committees on which he served. Under the Companys
corporate governance guidelines, each director is expected to devote the time necessary to
appropriately discharge his responsibilities and to rigorously prepare for and attend and
participate in all Board meetings and meetings of Board committees on which he serves.
The Board has established a policy that its independent directors meet in executive session,
without members of senior management present, at each regularly scheduled meeting of the full
Board. The chairs of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee and Investment Committee each preside as chair at meetings of independent
directors at which the principal items to be considered are within the scope of the authority of
the applicable committee. This approach is intended to provide leadership at all meetings of
independent directors without the need to designate a single lead independent director.
Annual Meetings of Shareholders
The Companys directors are encouraged to attend our annual shareholder meetings, however, we
do not currently have a policy relating to directors attendance at these meetings. Two members of
the Board attended the 2006 annual shareholder meeting.
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Audit Committee
The Audit Committee presently consists of Mr. Young (Chair), Mr. Hallagan and Mr. J. Morris.
The Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the
Companys financial statements. The functions and responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:
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establishing, monitoring and assessing the Companys policies and procedures with
respect to business practices, including the adequacy of the Companys internal
controls over accounting and financial reporting; |
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engaging the Companys independent registered public accounting firm and conducting
an annual review of the independence of that firm; |
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pre-approving any non-audit services to be performed by the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm; |
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reviewing the annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial
information with management and the independent registered public accounting firm; |
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reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the scope and the
planning of the annual audit; |
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reviewing the findings and recommendations of the independent registered public
accounting firm and managements response to the recommendations of that firm; |
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overseeing compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including
ethical business standards; |
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preparing the Audit Committee report to be included in our annual proxy statement; |
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establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints
received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing
matters; |
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establishing procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and |
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reviewing the adequacy of the Audit Committee charter on an annual basis. |
The Audit Committee met seven times during 2006. Our independent registered public accounting
firm reports directly to the Audit Committee. Each member of the Audit Committee has the ability
to read and understand fundamental financial statements. The Board has determined that all of the
members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined in the Nasdaq listing requirements.
The Board has also determined that Mr. Young meets the requirements of an audit committee
financial expert as defined by the rules of the SEC. In addition, the Board has determined that
Mr. Young, Mr. Hallagan and Mr. J. Morris satisfy the SEC requirements relating to independence of
audit committee members.
7
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee presently consists of Mr. Traynor (Chair), Mr. J. Morris and Mr.
Young. The Compensation Committee has sole authority for establishing, administering, and
reviewing the Companys policies, programs, and procedures for compensating our executive officers
and the Board. Under its charter, the Compensation Committee may delegate its responsibilities to
a subcommittee comprised of Committee members. The functions and responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee include:
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evaluating the performance of and determining the compensation for the Companys
executive officers, including its chief executive officer; |
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administering and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the Companys
equity incentive plans; |
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overseeing regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters; |
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reviewing and approving employment or severance arrangements with senior management; |
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reviewing director compensation policies and making recommendations to the Board; |
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reviewing and approving the Compensation Discussion and Analysis to be included in
the annual proxy statement; and |
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reviewing the adequacy of the Compensation Committee charter. |
The Compensation Committee met twice during 2006. Each of the members of the Compensation
Committee is independent under the Nasdaq listing requirements.
As described in more detail under Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and
Analysis beginning on page 12 of this proxy statement, at the request of the Compensation
Committee, our chief executive officer makes recommendations with respect to changes in base
salaries and annual incentive compensation awards for executive officers, other than for himself.
Neither our chief executive officer nor any other executive officer participates in the
Compensation Committees decisions with respect to executive compensation. In early 2007, the
Compensation Committee retained Schiffers Associates, a compensation consulting firm, to assist it
in evaluating the Companys annual incentive program. The Chairman of the Compensation Committee
recommended the retention of this firm.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Mr. J. Morris (Chair), Mr.
Traynor and Mr. Young. The functions and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee include:
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developing and recommending corporate governance principles and procedures
applicable to the Board and the Companys employees; |
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recommending committee composition and assignments; |
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identifying individuals qualified to become directors; |
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recommending director nominees; |
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recommending whether incumbent directors should be nominated for re-election to the Board; and |
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reviewing the adequacy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter. |
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met three times during 2006. Each of the
members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent under the Nasdaq
listing requirements.
Qualifications for Director Nominees. In considering nominees for election as director, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers a number of factors, including the
following:
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personal and professional qualities, characteristics, attributes, accomplishments
and reputation in the business community, insurance industry and otherwise; |
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reputation in a particular field or area of expertise; |
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experience as a senior executive of a company or other organization of comparable
size to the Company; |
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current knowledge and relationships in the markets and regions in which the Company
does business and in the insurance industry and other industries relevant to the
Companys business; |
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the ability to exercise sound business judgment; |
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the ability and willingness to commit to participate in activities of the Board,
including attendance at, and active participation in, meetings of the Board and its
committees; |
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the skills and personality of the nominee and how the Committee perceives the
nominee will be a fit with existing directors and other nominees in maintaining a Board
that is collegial and responsive to the needs of the Company and its shareholders; |
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the ability and willingness to represent the best interests of all of the Companys shareholders; |
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consistent demonstration of integrity; |
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increasing the diversity of viewpoints, background, and experience in addition to
those of existing directors and other nominees; and |
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whether the nominee would meet the independence criteria of the Nasdaq listing
requirements applicable to the Company and the rules promulgated by the SEC. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider other criteria for
director candidates included in its committee charter, the Companys corporate governance
guidelines, or as may be established from time to time by the Board. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee will identify nominees based upon recommendations by members of the committee
or other Board members, members of the Companys management, or by shareholders of the Company, as
discussed below. Upon identification of a potential nominee, members of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee will interview the candidate, and based upon that interview, the
Committee will make its recommendation to the Board.
9
Shareholder Recommendations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate
any director candidates recommended by a shareholder according to the same criteria as a candidate
identified by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Company has never received
any recommendations for director candidates from our shareholders. In considering director
candidates recommended by shareholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also
take into account such additional factors as it considers relevant, including:
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the personal and professional qualities, characteristics, attributes,
accomplishments and reputation of the candidate being submitted for consideration; |
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the investment the shareholder submitting the director candidate has in the Company; |
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the length of time that the submitting shareholder has been a shareholder of the Company; and |
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whether the director candidate is independent as determined in accordance with the
rules promulgated by the SEC, the Nasdaq listing requirements and the Companys
corporate governance guidelines. |
Shareholders may recommend candidates at any time, but to be considered by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement for the next annual
meeting of shareholders, recommendations must be submitted in writing no later than 150 calendar
days before the first anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its proxy materials
for the prior years annual meeting of shareholders. A shareholders notice must contain the
following:
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the name of the shareholder recommending the director candidate for consideration,
the name of the director candidate, and the written consent of the shareholder and the
director candidate to be publicly identified; |
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a written statement by the director candidate agreeing to be named in the Companys
proxy materials and to serve as a member of the Board (and any committee of the Board
to which the director candidate is assigned to serve by the Board) if nominated and
elected; |
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a written statement by the shareholder and the director candidate agreeing to make
available to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee all information
reasonably requested in connection with the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committees consideration of the director candidate; and |
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the director candidates name, age, business and residential address, principal
occupation or employment, number of shares of the Companys common stock and other
securities beneficially owned, a resume or similar document detailing personal and
professional experiences and accomplishments, and all other information relating to the
director candidate that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other
filing made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of
directors pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules of the
SEC and the listing requirements and other criteria established by Nasdaq. |
The shareholders notice must be signed by the shareholder recommending the director candidate
for consideration and sent to the following address: AMERISAFE, Inc., 2301 Highway 190 West,
DeRidder, Louisiana 70634, Attn: Corporate Secretary (Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee Communication / Director Candidate Recommendation).
10
Investment Committee
The Investment Committee is comprised of four directors, Mr. Hallagan (Chair), Mr. Bradley,
Mr. J. Morris and Mr. Traynor. The functions and responsibilities of the Investment Committee
include:
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establishing a written investment policy for the Company consistent with our
strategies, goals and objectives, which investment policy and any amendments must be
reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors; |
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reviewing the investment strategy relative to our investment policy; |
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reviewing the performance of our external investment managers; and |
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reviewing our investment activities and performance at least quarterly. |
The Investment Committee met three times in 2006.
Communications with the Board
Any shareholder or other interested party who wishes to communicate directly with the Board or
any of its members may do so by writing to: Board of Directors, c/o AMERISAFE, Inc., 2301 Highway
190 West, DeRidder, Louisiana 70634, Attn: Corporate Secretary. The mailing envelope should
clearly indicate whether the communication is intended for the Board as a group, the non-employee
directors or a specific director.
11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Program Objectives
Our compensation program is intended to attract, retain, and motivate the key people necessary
to lead our Company to achieve its strategic objective of increased shareholder value over the long
term, reflecting the Committees belief that executive compensation should seek to align the
interests of the Companys executives and other key employees with those of our shareholders. Our
compensation program is also designed to differentiate compensation based upon individual
contributions and performance.
In establishing compensation, the Compensation Committee seeks to provide employees, including
our executive officers, with a competitive total compensation package. The Compensation Committee
sets compensation in this manner to ensure that our compensation practices do not put the Company
at a competitive disadvantage in retaining and attracting executives and other employees while
ensuring an appropriate cost structure for our Company.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation program for executives is designed and implemented under the direction of our
Compensation Committee, which is comprised of three independent directors. We completed our
initial public offering in November 2005. For additional information regarding our Compensation
Committee, its authority and responsibilities, see The Board, Its Committees and Its
CompensationCompensation Committee on page 8 of this proxy statement.
During 2006, the Committee began an evaluation of our executive compensation program. The
base salary survey described below was a part of this review. In early 2007, the Compensation
Committee retained Schiffers Associates, a compensation consulting firm, to assist the Committee in
evaluating our annual incentive compensation program. Sean M. Traynor, the Chairman of our
Compensation Committee, recommended the retention of this firm.
Executive Compensation Programs and Policies
The components of our executive compensation program provide for a combination of fixed and
variable compensation. As described in more detail below, these components are:
base salary;
annual incentive compensation;
long-term equity incentive compensation;
broad-based employee benefits; and
severance benefits and limited other perquisites.
Base Salary. Base salaries are determined on the basis of management responsibilities, level
of experience and tenure with our Company, as well as internal and market comparisons. In setting
base salaries for the executive officers of the Company, the Compensation Committee seeks to
provide a reasonable level of fixed compensation that we believe is competitive with base salaries
for comparable positions at similar companies. At the request of the Committee, Allen Bradley, our
chief executive officer, makes annual recommendations with respect to changes in base salary for
our executive officers, other than for himself, as well as other members of the senior management.
Neither our chief executive officer nor any other executive officer participates in the Committees
decisions regarding the base salaries of our executive officers.
12
At the Committees direction, during 2006, management conducted a survey of compensation at
comparable companies in order to determine whether the base salaries for our chief executive
officer and other executive officers were competitive. A more detailed discussion of this survey
is described below under the caption 2006 and 2007 Compensation on page 15 of this proxy
statement.
Annual Incentive Compensation. The Company maintains a discretionary annual incentive program
that is administered by the Compensation Committee. Awards are considered annually, following the
completion of the audit of the Companys financial statements for the preceding fiscal year. In
making awards, the Committee considers both Company performance as well as the individual
contributions of those eligible to receive an award. Our existing annual compensation program does
not use specific performance targets or formulas to determine the incentive award for our executive
officers. At the Committees request, our chief executive officer makes initial recommendations
with respect to incentive awards to executive officers, other than for himself. However, neither
our chief executive officer nor any other executive officer participates in the Compensation
Committees decisions relating to these awards.
The Committee believes annual incentive compensation is a key element of the total
compensation of each executive officer. The Committee also believes that placing a significant
portion of executive compensation at risk each year, subject to the results of Company and
individual performance, appropriately motivates executives to achieve the Companys financial and
other objectives, thereby enhancing shareholder value.
In assessing the Companys performance for the purpose of determining annual incentive
compensation, the Committee primarily focuses on gross written premium, combined ratio and return
on shareholder equity, along with other relevant measures of Company financial performance and the
general business environment in which the Company operated, in each case for the year in which the
awards are considered. In that manner, annual incentive compensation is intended to link the
near-term financial interest of the executives to that of the Company and its shareholders. As an
executive or other key employee progresses to greater levels of responsibility within the Company,
the Committee believes that the annual incentive award should represent an increasing portion of
potential annual compensation.
The Committee has not adopted a formal policy regarding recovery of incentive awards for
fiscal years for which financial results are later restated. While not anticipated, the Committee
would expect to consider any restatement in establishing incentive and other compensation awards
for executives in future periods.
Long-term Incentive Compensation. In connection with our initial public offering in November
2005, the Board and our shareholders approved our Equity Incentive Plan. The Equity Incentive Plan
is administered by the Board and the Committee and is designed to provide incentive compensation to
executive officers and other key employees, principally in the form of stock options. The grants
are designed to align the interests of management with those of our shareholders and are intended
as a long-term incentive for future performance. To date, all option grants that have been awarded
under our Equity Incentive Plan have been non-qualified stock options, thereby providing us with
the ability to realize tax benefits upon the exercise of these option awards. The Committee also
views these awards as an additional means to encourage management retention.
Substantially all of the stock options awarded to date to our executive officers were made in
a single grant in November 2005 in connection with our initial public offering. The only
exceptions are the grants made in September 2006 and March 2007 to our two new executives. As a
result, the Compensation Committee has not addressed the issue as to whether the value of existing
equity awards should be considered in the context of future awards. However, our Compensation
Committee intends to make appropriate executive compensation decisions annually, so that our
executives receive a total compensation package that is competitive and has a significant component
that is at risk. When making equity-based incentive awards, the Committee takes into consideration
the dates on which the Company expects to make public announcements regarding earnings as well as
other events or circumstances that have not been publicly announced that may be deemed material to
the Company, our shareholders and other investors. The increase in the value of equity awards is
directly linked to an increase in shareholder return, subject to continued employment by our
executives with respect to unvested equity awards. The Committee believes, as a general matter,
that this positive result should not negatively impact future compensation decisions.
13
Employee Benefits. We do not provide our executives or other employees with defined pension
benefits, supplemental retirement benefits, post-retirement payments, or deferred compensation
programs. We do provide a 401(k) defined contribution plan that is available to all employees. We
match up to 2% of compensation for participating employees subject to limitations under applicable
law. Our executives and other employees are fully vested in Company contributions to this plan
after five years. We also provide health, life and other insurance benefits to our executives on
the same basis as our other full-time employees.
Severance and Change-in-Control Benefits. We have employment agreements with each of our
executive officers. Among other things, these employment agreements provide each executive officer
with severance compensation consisting of base salary and continued health benefits for a period of
12 months (18 months for our chief executive officer), in the event that an executives employment
is terminated by us without cause or by the executive under certain circumstances, including a
change in control of the Company. These employment agreements also provide that the terminated
executive will not engage in activities that are competitive with our business for 12 months (18
months for our chief executive officer). For additional information regarding the employment
agreements with our executives, see Employment Agreements on page 19 of this proxy statement.
Under the terms of our Equity Incentive Plan and the related award agreements, unvested stock
options and restricted stock awards become fully vested upon a change in control of the Company.
The Compensation Committee believes that these benefits are necessary and appropriate in order
to attract and retain qualified executive officers insofar as these benefits are generally made
available by other companies. In addition, the Compensation Committee recognizes that it may be
difficult for our executive officers to find comparable employment in a short period of time and
therefore these benefits address a valid concern, making an executive position with our Company
more attractive. These issues are particularly significant to us, given that our corporate
headquarters are not located in a major metropolitan area and it is unlikely that our executives
could secure comparable employment without relocating to another city.
Executive Perquisites. Executive compensation also includes a limited number of perquisites
that have historically been provided to our executives and that the Committee believes enhance our
ability to attract and retain qualified executives. These perquisites include car allowances,
reimbursement for annual medical examinations and limited club memberships. Our executive officers
are also permitted to accrue unused vacation on a basis more favorable than other Company
employees. Our employees (other than executive officers) are permitted to accrue up to 150% of
their annual vacation time. Vacation accruals for our executive officers are not subject to this
limitation. The Compensation Committee believes that this policy is appropriate given that the
management responsibilities of our executive officers often do not permit them the flexibility to
utilize their vacation time on an annual basis.
In addition, in connection with their employment with the Company, Mr. Narigon and Mr. Walker
each received a one-time cash bonus of $25,000. Both of these executives will also be reimbursed
for out-of-pocket costs associated with relocating to our corporate headquarters. The purpose of
these bonuses was to incentivize these individuals to accept employment with the Company and to
offset incidental expenses of relocating to our corporate headquarters.
For additional information regarding perquisites provided to our executives, see All Other
Compensation on page 19 of this proxy statement.
Stock Ownership Guidelines. The Compensation Committee encourages ownership of our common
stock by our executive officers and other key employees. As described below, in each of the prior
two years the Committee has paid a portion of the annual incentive award to our executive officers
in restricted stock to increase share ownership by management. We do not currently have a policy
that requires our executives to own a specific number of shares, or dollar amount, of our common
stock, nor do we require our executives to retain any specific percentage of any restricted stock
award upon vesting or shares received upon exercise of options. The Compensation Committee
presently intends to consider implementing stock ownership guidelines, stock retention guidelines
or both.
14
No Tax Gross-Up Payments. We do not provide, and no executive officer is entitled to
receive, any tax gross-up payments in connection with compensation, severance, perquisites, or
other benefits provided by the Company.
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code provides
that compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the chief executive officer or to any of the
other four most highly compensated executive officers of a public company is not deductible for
federal income tax purposes unless the compensation qualifies as performance based compensation
under Section 162(m). Awards granted under our Equity Incentive Plan are intended to qualify for
deduction under federal tax law and regulation. The Committee reviews on an annual basis the
potential impact of this deduction limitation on executive compensation. Based on current
compensation levels, the Committee presently believes that no action is necessary at this time.
The Compensation Committee intends to continue to evaluate the Companys potential exposure to this
deduction limitation.
2006 and 2007 Compensation
Base Salary. The Compensation Committee considered adjustments to base salaries for our
executive officers at its meeting in March 2006. However, the Committee decided to defer any
decision pending the review of the market survey described below. As a result, none of our
executive officers that were employed by the Company on January 1, 2006 received an increase in
base salary for 2006.
Under the direction of the Compensation Committee, in 2006, management performed a survey of
base compensation for positions comparable to those of the Companys executive officers at other
property and casualty insurance companies. The survey group consisted of 14 publicly traded
insurance companies with reported gross revenues for 2005 comparable to those of our Company. The
companies in the survey group were:
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Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. |
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Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. |
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Atlantic American Corporation |
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North Pointe Holdings Corporation |
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Bristol West Holdings, Inc. |
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ProCentury Corporation |
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Direct General Corporation |
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RTW, Inc. |
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EMC Insurance Group, Inc. |
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SeaBright Insurance Holdings, Inc. |
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James River Group, Inc. |
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Specialty Underwriters Alliance, Inc. |
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Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. |
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Tower Group, Inc. |
Based on this survey, the Compensation Committee concluded that our chief executive officers
base salary was significantly below the 50th percentile of chief executive officer base salary at
the survey companies, and that our chief financial officers base salary was also somewhat below
the 50th percentile for that position at the survey companies. The survey results were
inconclusive with respect to the base salary of Mr. Leach, as there were few comparable positions
at the companies included in the survey group. At its meeting in December 2006, the Committee
approved increases to executive base salaries shown in the table below. After these increases, Mr.
Bradleys base salary was 85% of the mean chief executive officer salary of the survey companies
and Mr. Bantas salary was slightly less than the mean salary for the mean chief financial officer
salary of the survey companies. Mr. Leachs salary increase was determined by reference to the
average base salary increase for all Company employees for 2007. These increases were effective as
of January 1, 2007.
Arthur Hunt, the Companys Executive Vice President and General Counsel retired in November
2006. In addition to his duties as General Counsel, Mr. Hunt had management responsibility with
respect to a number of operations including claims and human resources. In anticipation of Mr.
Hunts retirement, and after giving consideration to the added responsibilities of the legal and
accounting functions following the Companys initial public offering, our chief executive officer
decided, in consultation with our Board, to reorganize certain management responsibilities and
create two new positions. In September 2006, David O. Narigon was hired as Executive Vice
President with responsibility for claims, premium audit and information technology. Also in
September 2006, the Company hired Todd Walker, as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary. In addition to his general counsel responsibilities, Mr. Walker manages the human
resources and regulatory compliance functions. The base salaries of Mr. Narigon and Mr. Walker
were not established by reference to the compensation survey described above, but were determined
by the Committee based upon market conditions, base
15
salaries of our other executives, Mr. Hunts base salary prior to his retirement, as well as the
negotiations with these executives in connection with their employment by the Company. Further, in
connection with his employment, Mr. Narigon negotiated a $15,000 increase in his base salary
effective on January 1, 2007.
The following table summarizes the base salaries of each of our executive officers for 2006
and 2007:
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2006 |
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2007 |
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|
Percentage |
Executive and Principal Position |
|
Base Salary |
|
Base Salary |
|
Increase |
|
Increase |
C. Allen Bradley, Jr.
Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer (1)
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
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|
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
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|
33.3 |
% |
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Geoffrey R. Banta
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer (1)
|
|
$ |
220,000 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
% |
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Craig P. Leach
Executive Vice President,
Sales and Marketing (1)
|
|
$ |
220,000 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
% |
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David O. Narigon
Executive Vice President (2)
|
|
$ |
185,000 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
15,000 |
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|
8.1 |
% |
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Todd Walker
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary (2)
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
% |
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Arthur L. Hunt
Former Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary (1)
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$ |
220,000 |
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(1) |
|
As described above, the base salaries for these executive officers in 2006 were the same
as their base salaries in 2005. |
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(2) |
|
As described above, these individuals were hired by the Company in September 2006. |
2006 Annual Incentive Compensation Awards. In determining the executive officers annual
incentive awards for 2006, the Compensation Committee considered the Companys record financial
results in 2006, which included a 14.3% increase in gross written premium, a decrease of over 10%
in the Companys net combined ratio, and a return on average shareholders equity of 22.6%.
Additionally, in determining awards for Messrs. Bradley and Banta, the Compensation Committee
considered their contributions to the successful secondary offering of the Companys common stock
by certain of the Companys shareholders in November 2006. In determining Mr. Leachs award for
the year, the Committee considered his leadership role in increasing the Companys gross written
premium in 2006. Finally, in setting annual incentive awards for Mr. Bradley, Mr. Banta and Mr.
Leach, the Committee took into consideration that these executives did not receive increases in
base salary for 2006, and measured the dollar amount of these awards as a percentage of their 2007
base salaries.
Prior to our initial public offering, annual incentive compensation awards were made in the
form of cash bonuses. In making the decision with respect to annual incentive awards for 2005, the
Committee decided to make awards using a combination of cash bonuses and shares of restricted stock
granted under our Equity Incentive Plan. The Committee decided to again use this approach in 2006
for our chief executive officer and each of our other executive officers that had been employed by
the Company for the full year.
16
The percentage of the total annual incentive award paid in restricted stock for 2006 was 40%
for Mr. Bradley, 25.6% for Mr. Banta and 14.3% for Mr. Leach. The number of shares was determined
by dividing the portion of the total award payable in restricted stock by the closing price of our
common stock on the grant date. All shares of restricted stock awarded will vest one year after
the date of the grant, subject to the executives continued employment with our Company. The
decision to award restricted stock as part of the short-term incentive compensation for 2005 and
2006 was to encourage ownership of common stock by the executive officers and other members of the
Companys senior management. The Committee believes that the one-year vesting requirement also
serves as an additional incentive for our executives to remain with our Company.
Because Mr. Narigon and Mr. Walker joined the Company in September 2006, the Committee, in
considering their contributions to the Companys performance and individual contributions, awarded
these executives smaller awards, payable solely in cash. As described below, these two executives
also received additional stock option awards in March 2007.
Mr. Hunt was not eligible to receive a short-term incentive award for 2006 as a result of his
retirement in November 2006. Further, 3,283 shares of restricted stock awarded to Mr. Hunt as a
portion of his 2005 incentive compensation award were forfeited upon his retirement.
The table below summarizes the awards made under our annual incentive compensation program for
2006.
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Paid in |
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Restricted Stock |
|
Percentage of |
Executive and Principal Position |
|
Total Award |
|
Paid in Cash |
|
(No. of Shares) |
|
2007 Base Salary |
C. Allen Bradley, Jr. |
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
160,000 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Chairman, President |
|
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|
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(9,065 shares) |
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and Chief Executive Officer |
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Geoffrey R. Banta |
|
$ |
195,000 |
|
|
$ |
145,000 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
81.3 |
% |
Executive Vice President |
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(2,832 shares) |
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and Chief Financial Officer |
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Craig P. Leach |
|
$ |
140,000 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
|
62.2 |
% |
Executive Vice President, |
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(1,133 shares) |
|
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|
Sales and Marketing |
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|
|
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|
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David O. Narigon |
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
% |
Executive Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(no shares) |
|
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|
Todd Walker |
|
$ |
18,000 |
|
|
$ |
18,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
10.3 |
% |
Executive Vice President, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(no shares) |
|
|
|
|
General Counsel and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur L. Hunt |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Former Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. In connection with our initial public offering, the
Board and our shareholders approved the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. Each of our then-executive
officers received a significant award of stock options, subject to the completion of the public
offering. All of these grants were made at $9.00 per share, the initial price to the public in the
offering and fair market value at the time of grant. The number of options granted to specific
executives and other key employees was determined based upon the individuals performance,
potential for promotion and expected impact on the future performance of the Company. At the time
of these initial grants, the Committee advised management that it did not intend to make annual
awards of stock options. No stock options awards were made in 2006, other than to Mr. Narigon and
Mr. Walker.
In connection with the negotiation of their respective employment agreements with the Company,
Mr. Narigon received options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price
of $10.94 per share and Mr. Walker received options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock
with an exercise price of $9.98 per share. For each of these executives, the effective date of the
grant was the executives first day of employment and the exercise price was the closing price of
our common stock on that date.
17
At its meeting on February 27, 2007 to review incentive compensation awards for 2006, the
Committee discussed additional stock option grants for Mr. Narigon and Mr. Walker. The Company was
expected to issue an earnings release on February 27, 2007. As a result, the Committee deferred
authorizing these awards. The Committee met again on March 2, 2007, and awarded each of these
executives options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock at $17.65 per share, the closing price
of our common stock on that date. The Committees purpose in granting additional stock options to
these executives was to further align the financial interests of these executives with those of our
shareholders and to provide a greater incentive to remain with our Company. The Committee also
considered the relative number of stock options granted to these individuals compared with our
other executives.
Under the terms of his award, unvested options to purchase 190,000 shares of our common stock
were forfeited by Mr. Hunt upon his retirement in November 2006.
All options that have been granted to date under our Equity Incentive Plan vest 20% each year
commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and if unexercised, expire on the tenth
anniversary of the grant date. For additional information regarding outstanding equity awards held
by our executive officers, see Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End on page 23 of this
proxy statement.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the compensation of our chief
executive officer, our chief financial officer, each of our other executive officers, and one
former executive officer for the year ended December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
All Other |
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus (1) |
|
Awards (2) |
|
Awards (2) |
|
Compensation (3) |
|
Total |
C. Allen Bradley, Jr.
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
240,000 |
|
|
$ |
60,619 |
|
|
$ |
339,530 |
|
|
$ |
29,831 |
|
|
$ |
969,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoffrey R. Banta
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
28,289 |
|
|
|
169,765 |
|
|
|
14,873 |
|
|
|
597,927 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig P. Leach
Executive Vice President,
Sales and Marketing
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
20,206 |
|
|
|
169,765 |
|
|
|
24,977 |
|
|
|
534,948 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David O. Narigon (4)
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
61,667 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,167 |
|
|
|
6,176 |
|
|
|
132,010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd Walker (4)
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
47,115 |
|
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
10,293 |
|
|
|
2,043 |
|
|
|
102,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur L. Hunt (5)
Former Executive Vice
President, General Counsel and
Secretary
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
201,667 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
69,038 |
|
|
|
270,705 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts in this column represent the cash amount paid to our executive officers under our
annual incentive compensation program for 2006. As a portion of the annual incentive
compensation awards for 2006, our Compensation Committee also granted restricted stock to
three of our executive officers as follows: Mr. Bradley (9,065 shares), Mr. Banta (2,832
shares), and Mr. Leach (1,133 shares). These shares of restricted stock will vest on March 2,
2008, the first anniversary of the grant date. See
"Compensation Discussion and Analysis2006 and 2007 Compensation on page 15 of this proxy
statement. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents the expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the year
ended December 31, 2006, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No.
123(R) (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R), with respect to (a) shares of
restricted stock (under the Stock Awards column), and (b) stock options (under the Option
Awards column). Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown in these columns exclude the impact
of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. See Note 13 to our
consolidated financial statements included in our Annual |
18
|
|
|
|
|
Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2006 for information regarding the assumptions made in determining these
values. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes compensation as described under All Other Compensation below. |
|
(4) |
|
These executives joined our Company in September 2006. The amounts shown under the Bonus
column for these executives includes a $25,000 one-time cash payment made to each of them upon
their joining the Company. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Hunt retired from our Company on November 30, 2006. Upon his retirement, Mr. Hunt held
(a) 3,283 shares of restricted stock that were forfeited and (b) 190,000 unexercisable options
that expired. |
All Other Compensation
The following table provides information regarding each component of compensation included in
the All Other Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Car |
|
401(k) |
|
Accrued |
|
Medical |
|
Moving |
|
Insurance |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Allowance |
|
Contributions |
|
Vacation (1) |
|
Examinations |
|
Expenses |
|
Premiums |
|
Other |
|
Total |
C. Allen Bradley, Jr. |
|
$ |
8,045 |
|
|
$ |
4,400 |
|
|
$ |
17,354 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
29,831 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoffrey R. Banta |
|
|
8,045 |
|
|
|
4,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig P. Leach |
|
|
12,188 |
|
|
|
4,400 |
|
|
|
5,111 |
|
|
|
2,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
850 |
(2) |
|
|
24,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David O. Narigon |
|
|
2,682 |
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,140 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd Walker |
|
|
2,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur L. Hunt |
|
|
7,374 |
|
|
|
4,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
54,780 |
(3) |
|
|
69,038 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
For each executive officer (other than Mr. Hunt), represents the dollar value of vacation
accrued during 2006, in excess of the vacation accrual permitted for Company employees
generally. The dollar values were determined by reference to the executive officers base
salaries in effect at December 31, 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents Company reimbursed club membership fees for Mr. Leach. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents vacation accrued and not taken for years prior to 2006, for which Mr. Hunt was
paid at the time of his retirement on November 30, 2006. |
Employment Agreements
We have an employment agreement with each of our executive officers. The employment agreements
with Mr. Bradley, Mr. Banta and Mr. Leach each expire in January 2008, unless extended. The
employment agreements with Mr. Narigon and Mr. Walker each expire in September 2009, unless
extended. The term of each agreement is automatically extended for an additional one-year term
unless either party provides notice not to extend the term at least 30 days prior to the expiration
date. The agreements provide for an annual base salary of not less than $275,000 for Mr. Bradley,
$200,000 for Mr. Banta, $215,000 for Mr. Leach, $185,000 for Mr. Narigon and $175,000 for Mr.
Walker. They are also entitled to receive an annual bonus in an amount, if any, determined by our
Compensation Committee. Each executive officer may participate in present and future benefit plans
that are provided to our executive officers from time to time.
If we terminate the employment of one of our executive officers without cause, the terminated
executive officer will be entitled to receive his base salary for a period of 12 months (18 months
for Mr. Bradley) payable in regular installments. In addition, we have agreed to pay the
terminated executive officer the actual cost of
19
continuing health coverage premiums for a period of
12 months (18 months for Mr. Bradley) after the date of his termination.
An executive officer is deemed to have been terminated without cause if:
|
|
|
we elect not to extend the terms of his employment agreement or he is terminated by
us for any reason other than: |
- death or disability;
- indictment or arrest for a felony;
- misconduct that is materially detrimental to the Company;
- actions the executive officer reasonably knew would materially harm the Company;
- failure to comply with reasonable and lawful instructions of our Board of Directors; or
- gross negligence or willful disregard in the performance of his duties;
or
|
|
|
the executive terminates his employment with us following |
- a significant reduction in his authority or responsibility;
- a reduction in base salary;
- relocation of his principal place of work without his consent;
- a material breach of the employment agreement by us; or
- a change of control.
A change of control is defined as:
|
|
|
a sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets; |
|
|
|
|
a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another company; or |
|
|
|
|
a sale, transfer and/or acquisition of a majority of shares of our common stock to
any person or entity. |
Each of our executive officers has agreed during the term of his employment by us not to
engage in any business competitive with us or solicit our employees, agents, or policyholders
without our prior written consent. If one of our executive officers is terminated by us without
cause, the prohibition on engaging in competitive activities or soliciting our employees, agents,
or policyholders extends for a period of 12 months (18 months for Mr. Bradley) after the date of
termination. If an executive officer is terminated by us for cause, the executive officer
terminates his employment other than for one of the reasons specified above or if an executive
officer elects not to renew the term of his employment agreement, we have the option to extend the
restriction on engaging in competitive or solicitation activities for a period of 12 months (18
months for Mr. Bradley) after the date of termination or non-renewal by (a) delivering a written
notice to the executive officer within 180 days after his termination or non-renewal, and (b)
paying his base salary and the actual cost of his continuing health coverage premiums for a period
of 12 months (18 months for Mr. Bradley) after the date of his termination or non-renewal.
Equity Incentive Plan and 2006 Awards
Our Equity Incentive Plan was approved by our Board and shareholders in October 2005 and is
administered by our Compensation Committee. The Equity Incentive Plan permits awards in the form
of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. The maximum number of shares of our
common stock that may be issued pursuant to equity awards under the Equity Incentive Plan is 1.9
million shares. Options granted under the Equity Incentive Plan are required to have an exercise
price of not less than the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date.
Agreements evidencing awards may provide for accelerated vesting upon a change in control of
our Company. Under the Equity Incentive Plan, a change in control is defined as:
|
1. |
|
the acquisition by any person, entity or group of 35% or more of our voting
stock, other than the Company or its subsidiaries or a Company benefit plan, other than
in a transaction that is not deemed a change in control under 2 below; |
20
|
2. |
|
a reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale, or other disposition of all or
substantially all of our assets, or other transaction unless: |
|
|
|
the holders of our voting stock immediately prior to the transaction
beneficially own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving
entity; |
|
|
|
|
no person, entity, or group beneficially owns 35% or more of the combined voting
power of the surviving entity; and |
|
|
|
|
a majority of the directors of the surviving entity were directors of our
Company prior to the transaction; |
|
3. |
|
when a majority of our directors (a) have not been approved by two-thirds of
our then directors or (b) were elected or appointed as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest; or |
|
|
4. |
|
approval by our shareholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Company. |
In March 2006, the Compensation Committee approved annual incentive compensation awards for
2005 using a combination of cash bonuses and shares of restricted stock granted under our Equity
Incentive Plan. For each of our then executive officers, the restricted stock component was 25% of
the total 2005 incentive compensation award. These shares of restricted stock vested on March 10,
2007, the first anniversary of the grant date.
In connection with the negotiation of their employment agreements with the Company, Mr.
Narigon received options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of
$10.94 per share and Mr. Walker received options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock with
an exercise price of $9.98 per share. For each of these executives, the effective date of the
grant was the executives first day of employment and the exercise price was the closing price of
our common stock on that date. The options were granted under our Equity Incentive Plan, vest 20%
each year commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date and, if unexercised, expire on the
tenth anniversary of the grant date. The vesting of these option awards will accelerate upon a
change in control of our Company.
21
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table contains information regarding stock options and restricted stock awarded
to our executive officers in the year ended December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Stock |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board or |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Exercise or |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Committee |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Base Price of |
|
|
of Stock and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approval |
|
|
Shares of Stock |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Option |
|
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
|
Date |
|
|
or Units (1) |
|
|
Options (2) |
|
|
Awards (3) |
|
|
Awards (4) |
|
C. Allen Bradley, Jr. |
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
7,035 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
74,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoffrey R. Banta |
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
3,283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig P. Leach |
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
2,345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David O. Narigon (5) |
|
|
09/01/2006 |
|
|
|
08/09/2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
10.94 |
|
|
|
212,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd Walker (5) |
|
|
09/25/2006 |
|
|
|
08/09/2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
9.98 |
|
|
|
193,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur L. Hunt |
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
03/10/2006 |
|
|
|
3,283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,997 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The shares of restricted stock held by these executive officers were awarded as a portion
of the 2005 annual incentive compensation. These restricted stock awards (other than the
award granted to Mr. Hunt) vested on March 10, 2007, the first anniversary of the grant date.
The shares of restricted stock awarded to Mr. Hunt were forfeited upon his retirement in
November 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
The stock options granted to Mr. Narigon and Mr. Walker vest 20% each year commencing on the
first anniversary of the grant date. |
|
(3) |
|
The exercise price of these stock options was the closing price of our common stock on the
grant date. |
|
(4) |
|
Represents the grant date value in accordance with FAS 123R of the shares of restricted stock
and stock options granted to our executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2006. |
|
(5) |
|
The grant date of these awards was the first day of employment of these executive officers by
the Company with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on that
date. |
22
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table contains information regarding stock options and restricted stock awarded
to our executive officers that were outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Market Value |
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares or |
|
of Shares or |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
Units of Stock |
|
Units of Stock |
|
|
Options |
|
Options |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
That Have Not |
|
That Have Not |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable (1) |
|
Price (2) |
|
Date |
|
Vested (3) |
|
Vested (4) |
|
C. Allen Bradley, Jr. |
|
|
95,000 |
|
|
|
380,000 |
|
|
$ |
9.00 |
|
|
|
11/17/2015 |
|
|
|
7,035 |
|
|
$ |
108,761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoffrey R. Banta |
|
|
47,500 |
|
|
|
190,000 |
|
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
11/17/2015 |
|
|
|
3,283 |
|
|
|
50,755 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig P. Leach |
|
|
47,500 |
(5) |
|
|
190,000 |
|
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
11/17/2015 |
|
|
|
2,345 |
|
|
|
36,254 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David O. Narigon |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
10.94 |
|
|
|
09/01/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd Walker |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
9.98 |
|
|
|
09/25/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur L. Hunt (6) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
All outstanding options vest 20% each year commencing on the first anniversary of the
grant date. |
|
(2) |
|
The exercise price of the stock option awards to Mr. Bradley, Mr. Banta, and Mr. Leach was
the price to the public in our initial public offering in November 2005, the fair market value
at the time of the grant. The exercise price of the stock option awards to Mr. Narigon and
Mr. Walker was the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. |
|
(3) |
|
The shares of restricted stock held by these executive officers were awarded as a portion of
the annual incentive awards for 2005 and vested on March 10, 2007, the first anniversary of
the grant date. |
|
(4) |
|
Represents the value of the shares of restricted stock at December 31, 2006 based upon the
closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2006, or $15.46. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Leach exercised the option to purchase these 47,500 shares on March 12, 2007. |
|
(6) |
|
Upon his retirement, Mr. Hunt held (a) 3,283 shares of restricted stock that were forfeited
and (b) 190,000 unexercisable options that expired. |
23
Option Exercises
The following table contains information regarding the acquisition of our common stock by our
executive officers upon the exercise of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2006.
None of the shares of restricted stock held by our executive officers vested during the year ended
December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value Realized |
Name |
|
Exercise |
|
on Exercise (1) |
C. Allen Bradley, Jr. |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Geoffrey R. Banta |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig P. Leach |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David O. Narigon |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd Walker |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur L. Hunt |
|
|
47,500 |
|
|
|
199,822 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the difference between the closing price of our common stock on the date of
exercise and the exercise price of the stock options. |
24
Employment Termination and Change-in-Control Benefits
The table below quantifies potential compensation that would become payable to each of our
executive officers under existing employment and equity award agreements and Company plans and
policies if their employment had terminated on December 29, 2006 (the last business day of 2006),
given the executive officers base salary as of that date, and, if applicable, the closing price of
our common stock on December 29, 2006. For additional information regarding the definitions of
cause and change in control, see Employment Agreements and Equity Incentive Plan and 2006
Awards on pages 19 and 20 of this proxy statement.
Due to the factors that may affect the amount of any benefits provided upon the events
described below, any actual amounts paid or payable may be different than those shown in this
table. Factors that could affect these amounts include the date the termination event occurs, the
base salary of an executive on the date of termination of employment and the price of our common
stock when the termination event occurs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Severance |
|
Accrued |
|
Healthcare |
|
Acceleration of |
|
|
|
|
Payments (1) |
|
Vacation (2) |
|
Premiums (3) |
|
Equity Awards (4) |
|
Total |
C. Allen Bradley, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary Termination |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
53,862 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
53,862 |
|
Termination With Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
Termination Without Cause |
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
|
|
21,997 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
525,859 |
|
Death or Disability |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
Retirement |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
Change in Control |
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
|
53,862 |
|
|
|
21,997 |
|
|
|
2,563,561 |
|
|
|
3,089,420 |
|
|
Geoffrey R. Banta |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary Termination |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Termination With Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Termination Without Cause |
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
11,136 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
231,136 |
|
Death or Disability |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Retirement |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Change in Control |
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
11,136 |
|
|
|
1,278,155 |
|
|
|
1,509,291 |
|
|
Craig P. Leach |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary Termination |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
65,095 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
65,095 |
|
Termination With Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
Termination Without Cause |
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
|
|
14,665 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
299,760 |
|
Death or Disability |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
Retirement |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
Change in Control |
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
65,095 |
|
|
|
14,665 |
|
|
|
1,263,654 |
|
|
|
1,563,414 |
|
|
David O. Narigon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary Termination |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Termination With Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Termination Without Cause |
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,665 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
199,665 |
|
Death or Disability |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Retirement |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Change in Control |
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,665 |
|
|
|
226,000 |
|
|
|
425,665 |
|
|
Todd Walker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary Termination |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
Termination With Cause |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Termination Without Cause |
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,665 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
189,665 |
|
Death or Disability |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Retirement |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Change in Control |
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
14,665 |
|
|
|
274,000 |
|
|
|
463,665 |
|
|
Arthur L. Hunt (5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
54,778 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
54,778 |
|
25
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Cash severance is payable in installments over 12 months (18 months for Mr. Bradley). |
|
(2) |
|
Upon termination of employment, all employees, including our executive officers, are entitled
to a cash payment for any accrued vacation. The amounts shown in the table above represent
accrued vacation in excess of that permitted to be accrued by employees generally. For
additional information regarding our vacation policy, see Executive CompensationCompensation
Discussion and AnalysisExecutive Compensation Programs and PoliciesExecutive Perquisites on
page 14 of this proxy statement. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents COBRA health insurance premiums payable on behalf of the executives following
termination of employment for a period of 12 months (18 months for Mr. Bradley). |
|
(4) |
|
Under the terms of the agreements representing awards of stock options and restricted stock,
any unvested awards become vested upon a change in control, as defined in the award
agreements. The dollar amounts in this column represent the value of unvested stock options
and restricted stock on December 29, 2006, at $15.46 per share, the closing price of our
common stock on that date. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Hunt retired from our Company on November 30, 2006. The amount shown under the Accrued
Vacation column for Mr. Hunt is the cash payment he received upon his retirement for accrued
vacation. |
|
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions |
Policy. The Company has adopted a written policy regarding the approval of any transaction or
series of transactions in which the Company and a related party have an interest. A related party
is one of the Companys executive officers, directors, director nominees, a person owning more than
5% of any class of the Companys securities, an entity in which any of such persons is employed or
is a partner or principal, or an immediate family member of such a person. Related party
transactions are required, when circumstances permit, to be submitted to and approved by the Audit
Committee at a regular meeting held in advance of the transaction. The chair of the Audit
Committee has the authority to approve related party transactions in circumstances in which the
Companys general counsel determines it is impracticable or undesirable to wait until the next
regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting. Aspects of proposed related party transactions to be
considered in granting approval include whether the transaction benefits the Company, whether the
goods or services in question are available from other sources, and whether the terms of the
proposed transaction are comparable to those available in transactions with unrelated third
parties.
Registration Rights Agreement. In 1998, we entered into a registration rights agreement with
the holders of our convertible preferred stock and certain holders of our common stock, including
our then principal shareholder, Welsh Carson, and three of our present and former directors, Paul
B. Queally, Sean M. Traynor and Jared Morris (as trustee of the Jared Morris 1997 Trust). Under
the registration rights agreement, these holders may require us to register any or all of their
shares of common stock (including shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our
outstanding convertible preferred stock) under the Securities Act of 1933.
Under the registration rights agreement, we are also obligated to pay all expenses, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, in connection with these registrations, including legal and
accounting fees incurred by us, printing costs and the fees of one law firm for the selling
shareholders. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify these holders of our common stock and
convertible preferred stock against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.
In 2006, Welsh Carson and certain other parties to the registration rights agreement
(including Mr. Queally) exercised their rights under this agreement to cause us to register their
shares of common stock in a public offering. The sale of these shares was completed in November
2006. We incurred expenses of $1.1 million in connection with this offering. Following this
offering, Welsh Carson did not own any shares of our common stock. As a result, we have no further
obligation to Welsh Carson under the registration rights agreement.
26
PAX, Inc. Daniel Phillips is a director nominee. He is currently the President, Chief
Executive Officer and part owner of PAX, Inc. PAX has been a Company policyholder at various times
since 1994. PAX paid premiums to the Company of $144,067 in 2006, and is expected to pay premiums
to the Company of approximately $240,000 in 2007. The Company believes that the terms of the
policies issued to PAX were established on an arms length basis.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as the Board as a whole, considered
this information in connection with Mr. Phillips nomination to become a Board member, as well as
in connection with determining that, if elected, he would be considered an independent director
within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing requirements.
Concentra Inc. The Company has entered into arms length agreements with subsidiaries of
Concentra Inc., pursuant to which they provide the Company with health care management, cost
containment and claims management services. Affiliates of Welsh Carson, the Companys former
principal shareholder, beneficially own a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of
Concentra. One of our current directors, Sean M. Traynor, and one of our former directors, Paul B.
Queally, are general partners of Welsh Carson. In addition, Mr. Queally is the Chairman of the
Board and a director of Concentra. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company made payments
to Concentra subsidiaries of $1.7 million in 2006. The Company will make payments to Concentras
subsidiaries under these agreements in 2007.
27
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
As of December 31, 2006, the Companys 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and 2005 Non-Employee
Director Restricted Stock Plan were the only compensation plans under which securities of the
Company were authorized for issuance. These plans were approved by the Companys shareholders.
The table provides information as of December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares of |
|
Weighted-average |
|
Number of shares of common |
|
|
common stock to be issued |
|
exercise price of |
|
stock remaining available for |
|
|
upon exercise of outstanding |
|
outstanding options, |
|
future issuance under equity |
Plan Category |
|
options, warrants and rights |
|
warrants and rights |
|
compensation plans |
Equity compensation plans approved
by shareholders |
|
|
1,392,000 |
|
|
$ |
9.10 |
|
|
|
488,395 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans not
approved by shareholders |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents 447,837 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2005 Equity
Incentive Plan and 40,558 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2005
Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. |
28
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL HOLDERS
The tables below provide information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Companys
common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock as of April 18, 2007 for:
|
|
|
each of our directors and director nominees; |
|
|
|
|
each of our executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
all directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group; and |
|
|
|
|
each beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Companys common stock or
Series C convertible preferred stock. |
The tables below list the number of shares and percentage of shares beneficially owned based
on 18,794,593 shares of common stock and 50,000 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock
outstanding as of April 18, 2007. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote and each
share of Series C convertible preferred stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common
stock into which it is convertible. The conversion price used to determine the number of shares of
our common stock into which each share of Series C convertible preferred stock is $20.58 per share.
Holders of Series C convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote on all matters to be voted on
by our shareholders and vote as a single class with the holders of our common stock.
Beneficial ownership of the Companys common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock is
determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and generally includes voting power or
investment power with respect to securities held. Except as indicated and subject to applicable
community property laws, to our knowledge the persons named in the tables below have sole voting
and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock or Series C convertible preferred
stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Share Ownership |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of |
|
Percentage |
|
|
Number of |
|
Outstanding |
|
of Total |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares |
|
Shares |
|
Vote (1) |
Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Allen Bradley, Jr. (2) |
|
|
126,494 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Thomas W. Hallagan (3) |
|
|
1,222 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jared A. Morris (3)(4) |
|
|
49,872 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Randy Roach (5) |
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Sean M. Traynor (3) |
|
|
2,057 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Austin P. Young III (3) |
|
|
2,555 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Millard E. Morris |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Daniel Phillips |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Geoffrey R. Banta (2) |
|
|
53,615 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Craig P. Leach (2) |
|
|
4,265 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
David O. Narigon |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Todd Walker |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Arthur L. Hunt (6) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors, director
nominees, and executive
officers as a group (13
persons) |
|
|
250,224 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
% |
|
|
1.3 |
% |
29
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Combined voting power of common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock. Each share
of common stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Series C convertible preferred stock
is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock into which it is convertible. The
conversion price used to determine the number of shares of common stock into which each share
of Series C convertible preferred stock is convertible is $20.58 per share. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days as
follows: Mr. Bradley (95,000 shares) and Mr. Banta (47,500 shares). Also includes shares of
restricted stock for which the executive officer has sole voting power, but no dispositive
power, as follows: Mr. Bradley (9,065 shares), Mr. Banta (2,832 shares), and Mr. Leach (1,133
shares). |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 1,222 shares of restricted stock granted on the date of our 2006 annual meeting of
shareholders pursuant to our non-employee director restricted stock plan. The director has
sole voting power, but no dispositive power, with respect to these shares. These shares vest
on the date of our annual meeting. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 47,817 shares beneficially owned through the Jared Morris 1997 Trust, of which Mr.
J. Morris is a trustee. |
|
(5) |
|
Pursuant to our non-employee director restricted stock plan, Mr. Roach was granted 142 shares
of restricted stock when he became a director in March 2007. These shares vest on the date of
our annual meeting. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Hunt retired in November 2006. |
Five Percent Holders
The following table sets forth information regarding the number and percentage of shares of
common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock held by all persons and entities who are
known by the Company to beneficially own five percent or more of the Companys outstanding common
stock or Series C convertible preferred stock. The information regarding beneficial ownership of
common stock by the entities identified below is included in reliance on a report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission by such entity, except that the percentages are based upon the
Companys calculations made in reliance upon the number of shares reported to be beneficially owned
by such entity in such report and the number of shares of common stock outstanding on April 18,
2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Share Ownership |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of |
|
Percentage |
|
|
Number of |
|
Outstanding |
|
of Total |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares |
|
Shares |
|
Vote (1) |
Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neuberger Berman (2) |
|
|
1,436,850 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
% |
|
|
7.6 |
% |
Wells Fargo & Company (3) |
|
|
1,383,600 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
% |
|
|
7.3 |
% |
SuNOVA (4) |
|
|
1,298,413 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
6.8 |
% |
Delaware Management Holdings (5) |
|
|
1,246,826 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
% |
|
|
6.6 |
% |
The Guardian Life Insurance Company
of America (6) |
|
|
1,073,087 |
|
|
|
5.7 |
% |
|
|
5.6 |
% |
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America (7) |
|
|
971,817 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
% |
|
|
5.1 |
% |
Credit Suisse (8) |
|
|
937,670 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
% |
|
|
4.9 |
% |
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jackson National Life Insurance
Company (9) |
|
|
49,251 |
|
|
|
98.5 |
% |
|
|
1.3 |
% |
30
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Combined voting power of common stock and Series C convertible preferred stock. Each share
of common stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Series C convertible preferred stock
is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock into which it is convertible. The
conversion price used to determine the number of shares of common stock into which each share
of Series C convertible preferred stock is convertible is the current conversion price of
$20.58 per share. |
|
(2) |
|
According to a Schedule 13G filed by Neuberger Berman, Inc. (NBI), NBI has sole voting
power with respect to 436,850 shares of common stock and, together with Neuberger Berman, LLC
(NBLLC) and Neuberger Berman Management Inc. (NBMI), is deemed to have shared voting power
with respect to 360,400 shares of common stock. The Schedule 13G provides that the remaining
shares beneficially owned by NBI are for individual client accounts of NBLLC over which NBLLC
does not have voting power. The Schedule 13G further provides that NBI, NBLLC, and NBMI have
shared dispositive power with respect to 1,436,850 shares of common stock. The address for
NBI is 605 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10158. |
|
(3) |
|
According to a Schedule 13G filed by Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo) and Wells Capital
Management Incorporated (Wells Capital), Wells Fargo has sole voting power with respect to
1,315,750 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,367,100 shares
of common stock, Wells Capital has sole voting power with respect to 1,235,500 shares of
common stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,367,100 shares of common stock, and
these reporting persons beneficially own in the aggregate 1,383,600 shares of common stock.
The address for Wells Fargo is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94104. The
address for Wells Capital is 525 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105. |
|
(4) |
|
According to a Schedule 13G filed by SuNOVA Partners, L.P. (SuNOVA Partners), SuNOVA
Long-Term Opportunity Fund, L.P. (SuNOVA Long-Term), SuNOVA Holdings, LLC (SuNOVA
Holdings), SuNOVA Capital, LP (SuNOVA Capital), SuNOVA, LLC (SuNOVA LLC), Mr. Matthew
Byrnes, and Ms. Felice Gelman, SuNOVA Partners has shared voting and dispositive power with
respect to 408,350 shares of common stock, SuNOVA Long-Term has shared voting and dispositive
power with respect to 71,300 shares of common stock, SuNOVA Holdings has shared voting and
dispositive power with respect to 479,650 shares of common stock, each of SuNOVA Capital and
SuNOVA LLC has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 818,763 shares of common
stock, and each of Matthew Byrnes and Felice Gelman has shared voting and dispositive power
with respect to 1,298,413 shares of common stock. The address for SuNOVA is 780 Third Avenue,
5th Floor, New York, New York 10017. |
|
(5) |
|
According to a Schedule 13G filed by Delaware Management Holdings (Delaware Holdings) and
Delaware Management Business Trust (Delaware Management), Delaware Holdings and Delaware
Management have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 1,246,826 shares of common
stock. The address for Delaware Holdings is 2005 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19103. |
|
(6) |
|
According to a Schedule 13G filed by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
(Guardian Insurance), Guardian Investor Services LLC (Guardian Services), RS Investment
Management Co. LLC (RS Investment LLC), RS Investment Management, L.P., and George R. Hecht,
Guardian Insurance, Guardian Services, and RS Investment LLC have shared voting and
dispositive power with respect to 1,073,087 shares of common stock. The Schedule 13G provides
that RS Investment LLC is a registered investment adviser and is the parent company of former
registered investment advisers whose clients had the right to receive or the power to direct
the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of common stock.
The address for Guardian Insurance is 7 Hanover Square, New York, New York 10004. |
31
|
|
|
(7) |
|
According to a Schedule 13G filed by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
(Teachers), Teachers has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 971,817 shares of
common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the conversion of Series D convertible preferred
stock into non-voting common stock, and the subsequent conversion of the non-voting common
stock into common stock. The address for Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of
America is 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017. |
|
(8) |
|
According to a Schedule 13G filed by Credit Suisse, Credit Suisse has shared voting and
dispositive power with respect to 937,670 shares of common stock. The address for Credit
Suisse is Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010. |
|
(9) |
|
The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series C
convertible preferred stock represents less than five percent of both the outstanding shares
of common stock and the percentage of total vote. The address for Jackson National Life
Insurance Company is c/o PPM America, Inc., 225 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. |
32
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Messrs. Traynor, J. Morris, Queally, and Young served on the Compensation Committee for all or
some part of 2006. None of these directors is or ever has been an officer or employee of the
Company. In 1998, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with certain of its
shareholders. Mr. Queally and a trust for which Mr. J. Morris is a trustee are parties to this
agreement. In addition, the Company has agreements with subsidiaries of Concentra Inc. Mr.
Queally is a director of Concentra. Further, Welsh Carson, our former principal shareholder,
beneficially owns a majority of Concentras outstanding shares. Mr. Queally and Mr. Traynor are
general partners of Welsh Carson. See Executive CompensationCertain Relationships and Related
Transactions on page 26 of this proxy statement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors of the Company that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
be included in the Companys 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and this proxy statement.
This report is submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Members of the Compensation Committee
|
|
|
|
|
Sean M. Traynor (Chair)
|
|
Jared A. Morris
|
|
Austin P. Young III |
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Management is responsible for the Companys system of internal controls over financial
reporting. The Companys independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, is
responsible for performing an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements
in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing managements
conduct of the financial reporting process and system of internal control.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with both management and the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm all annual financial statements prior to their issuance. During
2006, management advised the Audit Committee that each set of financial statements reviewed had
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and reviewed significant
accounting and disclosure issues with the Audit Committee. These reviews included discussion with
the independent registered public accounting firm of matters required to be discussed pursuant to
Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as amended by
SAS No. 90 (Audit Committee Communications), including the quality of the Companys accounting
principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the
financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed with its independent registered public
accounting firm matters relating to its independence, including a review of audit and non-audit
fees and the written disclosures and letter from Ernst & Young LLP to the Audit Committee pursuant
to Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees).
Taking all of these reviews and discussions into account, all of the Audit Committee members,
whose names are listed below, recommended to the Board that it approve the inclusion of the
Companys audited financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006, for filing with the SEC.
Members of the Audit Committee
|
|
|
|
|
Austin P. Young III (Chair)
|
|
Jared A. Morris
|
|
Thomas W. Hallagan |
33
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Selection. Ernst & Young LLP served as the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm for 2006 and has been selected by the Audit Committee to serve as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for 2007. Representatives of Ernst & Young will attend the
Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to
questions.
Audit and Non-Audit Fees. The following table presents fees for audit services rendered by
Ernst & Young for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements for 2006 and 2005, and
fees billed for other services rendered by Ernst & Young.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
1,384,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,308,059 |
|
Audit-Related Fees (2) |
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
Tax Fees (3) |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
26,270 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit Fees consist principally of fees for the audit of the Companys consolidated
financial statements and reviews of the Companys quarterly financial information. The audit
fees for 2006 include $185,000 related to a secondary offering of the Companys common stock
by certain of the Companys shareholders that was completed in November 2006 and $490,000
related to the audit of internal control over financial reporting required by the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The fees for 2005 also include $746,522 related to the Companys initial
public offering. |
|
(2) |
|
Audit-Related Fees consist of service costs related to the Companys use of Ernst & Youngs
online accounting and reporting research tool. |
|
(3) |
|
Tax Fees consist principally of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Audit Committees policy is to pre-approve all
audit and non-audit services provided to the Company by its independent registered public
accounting firm (except for items exempt from pre-approval requirements under applicable laws and
rules).
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the
Companys executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class
of its equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC.
Officers, directors, and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC rules to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company, the Company
believes that during 2006 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers,
directors and greater than 10% shareholders were in compliance with Section 16(a), except that Paul
B. Queally (a former director) and certain Welsh Carson affiliates, including Welsh Carson Anderson
& Stowe VII LP and WCAS Healthcare Partners LP, did not report timely one sale of common stock in
connection with the secondary public offering of our common stock. The reports were filed on
November 22, 2006, two business days after the reports were required to be filed.
34
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
In order to be included in the Companys proxy materials for the annual meeting of
shareholders in 2008, a shareholder proposal must be received in writing by Company at 2301 Highway
190 West, DeRidder, Louisiana 70634 by January 1, 2008, and otherwise comply with all requirements
of the SEC for shareholder proposals.
In addition, the Companys Bylaws provide that any shareholder who desires to bring a proposal
before an annual meeting must give timely written notice of the proposal to the Companys
Secretary. To be timely, the notice (other than a notice recommending a director candidate) must
be delivered to the above address not less than 60 nor more than 90 calendar days prior to the
annual meeting. In the event public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is not made at
least 75 calendar days prior to the date of the annual meeting, the notice must be received not
later than the close of business on the 10th calendar day following the day on which public
announcement is first made of the date of the annual meeting. Under the Companys Bylaws, a notice
recommending a director candidate must be delivered to the above address not less than 60 nor more
than 90 calendar days before the anniversary of the date on which the Company first mailed its
proxy materials for the prior years annual meeting of shareholders. To be timely, a notice
recommending a director candidate must be received no earlier than January 31, 2008 and no later
than March 1, 2008. The notice must also describe the shareholder proposal in reasonable detail
and provide certain other information required by the Companys Bylaws. A copy of the Companys
Bylaws is available upon request from the Companys Secretary.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not know of any other matters that are to be presented for action at the Annual
Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof, it is intended that the enclosed proxy will be voted in accordance with the
judgment of the persons voting the proxy.
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|
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|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors,
|
|
|
/s/ Todd Walker
|
|
|
|
Todd Walker |
|
|
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary |
|
|
DeRidder, Louisiana
April 30, 2007
35
AMERISAFE, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 14, 2007
Todd Walker and Geoffrey R. Banta, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorneys,
agents
and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, are hereby
authorized to represent and to vote all shares of common stock and Series C convertible preferred
stock of AMERISAFE, Inc. (the Company) held of record by the undersigned on April 18, 2007, at
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 9:00 a.m. (local time) on June 14, 2007, at the
Companys corporate headquarters located at 2301 Highway 190 West, DeRidder, Louisiana 70634
and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Any and all proxies heretofore given are hereby
Revoked.
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DESIGNATED BY THE
UNDERSIGNED. IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH
DIRECTOR NOMINEE AND FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)
ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS OF
AMERISAFE, INC.
June 14,
2007
Please date, sign
and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
ê Please detach along perforated line and mail
in the envelope provided. ê
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THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND
FOR PROPOSAL 2. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN
HERE x
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
1. Election of
Directors
Class with Term Ending in 2010:
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|
2. |
|
Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
registered accounting firm for 2007.
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o |
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o |
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o |
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NOMINEES: |
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o
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FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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¡ |
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Jared A. Morris
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¡ |
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Sean M. Traynor
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o |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
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¡ |
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Daniel Phillips |
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Discretionary
authority is hereby granted with respect to such other matters as may
properly come before the meeting. The shareholder below acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Proxy
Statement and the Annual Report, each of which has been furnished herewith.
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o |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) |
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INSTRUCTION:
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL
EXCEPT and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to
withhold, as shown here: l |
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PLEASE MARK, SIGN,
DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. |
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Class with Term Ending in 2009: |
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NOMINEE: |
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o
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FOR NOMINEE |
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Millard E. Morris |
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o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR NOMINEE |
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To change the address on your account, please check the box at right
and indicate your
new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered names(s) on the account
may not be submitted via this method.
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Signature of
Shareholder |
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Date: |
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date: |
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Note: |
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are
held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executer, administrator, attorney, trustee
or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate
name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
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