UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule 14a-101)
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934 (Amendment No.)
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by the Registrant x
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Preliminary
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Confidential,
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(as
permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive
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Soliciting
Material Under Rule 14a-12
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NetSol
Technologies, 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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of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road, Suite 2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
Phone:
(818) 222-9195
Fax:
(818) 222-9197
March
28,
2008
Dear
Shareholders:
I
am
pleased to invite you to the NetSol Technologies, Inc. Annual Meeting, scheduled
for May 2, 2008 at our corporate headquarters in Calabasas, CA. At this meeting,
we will address the Company’s financial performance for Fiscal Year 2007, our
continuing goals for Fiscal Year 2008 as well as respond to your questions.
Enclosed with this proxy statement is a proxy card, voting instructions and
NetSol Technologies, Inc. Fiscal Year 2007 Form 10-KSB for the year ended June
30, 2007.
Fiscal
2007 represented a solid year of integration, execution and growth for NetSol
Technologies, Inc. In this period, NetSol moved forward with its plans to
organize all of the Company’s global entities under one marquee brand and to
present them as a seamlessly integrated company. At the same time, NetSol also
streamlined its operations to take advantage of the cost benefits of its
offshore development facilities.
Our
company is now comprised of three divisions NetSol North America, NetSol
Asia-Pacific (APAC) and NetSol Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). These
divisions allow for improved sales, marketing and implementation support in
the
local markets while taking advantage of the cost benefits of our Lahore,
Pakistan based development facility. NetSol also continued the diversification
of its IT outsourcing market verticals to include finance, e-government,
enterprise business, IT security, and defense.
Increasingly,
customers are looking beyond India when seeking low cost, high quality, IT
offshoring and outsourcing solutions. Consequentially, NetSol is positioning
itself to become a premiere player in the new wave of emerging market IT
services and outsourcing companies that have spawned from destinations such
as
Pakistan, the Philippines and Eastern and Central Europe.
Fiscal
Year 2007 Highlights and Review
For
Fiscal year 2007 our goal was to extend our top line growth trajectory while
trying to achieve GAAP profitability on first a quarterly basis. NetSol made
great strides towards these goals as we were able to achieve a 57%
year-over-year increase in revenues while maintaining our margins of greater
than 50%. In addition, NetSol achieved GAAP profitability in the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2007 generating $1.3 million in net income. These results were driven
by our successful efforts to reduce costs by offshoring development to our
Lahore IT facility, growing our software business in addition to further
penetrating new verticals such as through our joint venture effort with The
Innovation Group (TIG). Due to NetSol’s superior
quality
programming team, our relationship and business is granting stronger each day
with TIG. The earnings from this joint venture has contributed over 9% of our
total revenue. We anticipate continued growth in this venture while expressing
interest from our US based customers in similar relationships.
On
a
geographic basis, for fiscal year 2007, Asia-Pacific provided 64% of total
revenue versus 60% in fiscal 2006; North America provided 17% of total revenue
as the Company established a major new presence in this key geography; and
Europe provided 19% of total revenue versus 40% in fiscal 2006. NetSol also
expanded its global footprint and breadth of customers and as of June 30, 2007,
NetSol had close to 200 customers worldwide, versus less than 140 in the same
period in 2006.
Our
LeaseSoft software suite remains our leading growth driver particularly in
China
and the Asia-Pacific region where our product suite has become the de facto
standard in vehicle portfolio management. Fiscal 2007 also marked sales and
marketing progress with our LeasePak product in North America including new
customer penetration within the Fortune 500 universe of companies. By the end
of
fiscal 2007, our LeaseSoft offering supported customers and equipment finance
portfolios in 17 countries as well as 9 currencies.
As
a
complement to our strong software sales in the APAC region NetSol also increased
its attention in the local Pakistan market where demand for IT services is
steadily increasing. One of the most important drivers in Pakistan is in
e-Government services for public sector departments and ministries. Some of
these offerings include motor transport management systems, land record
management systems, enterprise content management and healthcare automation.
Our
first pilot project for land record moved forward and we remain one of the
leading candidates for a major win in 2008. Another promising segment of the
IT
market is computer-based training, and unit management systems, specifically
in
the defense sector in Pakistan.
In
North
America, we managed to allocate 15 offshore developers to the business,
leading to significant cost benefits to the division. This means that NetSol's
offshore resources at fiscal year end represented approximately 50% of the
North
American division's development efforts. We also expanded NetSol North America’s
IT outsourcing offerings by commencing the rollout of our North American IT
outsourcing and customized development services for the equipment finance
technology market. Our local onshore North American LeasePak services combined
with our offshore CMMI level-5 certified development resources to offer
concentrated domain expertise and is a major differentiator for NetSol as
compared to other offshore development providers. We believe these combined
resources and capabilities position us well to further penetrate and succeed
in
the North American market. To help jump start our efforts, we launched our
IT
services at a NetSol users' group conference in June 2007, which was attended
by
all our U.S. clients, providing excellent visibility for our new
offerings.
The
EMEA
division had several important customer wins including a leading French bank
which selected LeaseSoft for its end-to-end effort finance solutions, as well
as
helping Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander go live with credit card facility
enhancements. We also expanded our offshore resources team, increasing our
development and test capabilities. To ensure that NetSol stays at the forefront
of the captive finance market, we delivered a wide range of new products and
modules in fiscal 2007, including LeaseSoft Porthole, LeaseSoft Document
Manager, and LeaseSoft Auto Decision Engine, LeaseSoft EDI manager, and Evolve,
an entry-level software package for brokerages and small- to medium-sized
funders. We believe the EMEA division is well positioned to continue to
penetrate the European brokering market segment, both organically and through
strategic partnerships and alliances. Our joint venture with the Extended
Innovation Group led to a 60% increase in revenues as compared to fiscal 2006.
Accolades
Received
NetSol
was recognized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(“FPCCI”) for Best Export Performance for the Information and Technology
Services Sector for the period July 2005 to June 2006.
Looking
Ahead
NetSol’s
continues to grow and develop its core business and markets while expanding
its
global platform of offshore development centers, expanding its geographic
customer reach and entering new IT services business sector verticals. The
Company is projecting another strong year of growth in fiscal year 2008, having
guided to organic revenue growth of 25% to 30% year-over-year and maintaining
a
distinct focus on profitability for fiscal year 2008.
NetSol
is
in a strong position as it looks for means to best utilize its offshore
capabilities while ramping the local sales and marketing teams to cross sell
the
Company’s total breadth of products and services.
Concluding
Remarks
NetSol
remains committed to enhancing shareholder value for our investors now and
in
the future. We believe we have the right mix of products and strategy to move
forward as well in creating and sustaining greater shareholder value. I want
to
thank our investors for their confidence in our abilities. We plan to continue
to deliver and enhance value for you by growing NetSol to the next level of
revenue and profits. We need your continued support and trust in our strategy
and judgment.
I
also
would like to thank the NetSol employees worldwide for their hard work and
dedication to the Company. They are the reason for our success.
I
encourage you to vote your proxies and to attend the Annual Meeting on May
2,
2008 at our headquarters in Calabasas, California.
I
look
forward to providing you with an update next year.
Sincerely,
Najeeb
Ghauri
Chairman
and CEO
Sincerely,
Najeeb
Ghauri
Chief
Executive Officer
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road, Suite 2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
NOTICE
OF
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
be
held May 2, 2008
TO
THE
STOCKHOLDERS OF NETSOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTICE
IS
HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including any adjournments
or postponements thereof, of NetSol Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"), will
be
held on May 2, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the offices of the Company
located at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 for the
following purposes:
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1. |
To
consider and vote on the election of directors, each to hold office
for a
term of one year ending in 2009 or when their successors are
elected;
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2. |
To
consider and vote upon the ratification of the appointment of Kabani
&
Company as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year
2008-9;
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3. |
To
consider and vote on the amendment of our articles of incorporation
to
increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock of the
Company;
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4. |
To
consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the NetSol Technologies,
Inc.
2008 Equity Incentive Plan;
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5. |
To
consider such other matters as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting
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Only
stockholders of record as shown on the books of the Company at the close of
business on March 14, 2008, the record date and time fixed by the Board of
Directors, will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment
thereof.
By
order
of the Board of Directors
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
Najeeb
Ghauri
Chief
Executive Officer
Calabasas,
California
TO
ASSURE
YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY
IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND IN PERSON.
STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE MEETING MAY REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND VOTE IN PERSON
IF THEY DESIRE.
NetSol
Technologies, Inc.
23901
Calabasas Road Suite 2072
Calabasas,
CA 91302
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PROXY
STATEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION
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7
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Solicitation
of Proxies
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7
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Voting
and Revocation of Proxies
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Voting
Securities
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7
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Interests
of Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon
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8
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Voting
at the Meeting
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8
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Returned
Proxy Cards Which Do Not Provide Voting Instructions
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Shares
Held in Street Name
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Changing
Your Vote
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CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES
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9
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Board
Meetings and Board Committees
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Director
Independence
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Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions
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Director
Compensation
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Communications
Between Shareholders and Board of Directors
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Code
of Ethics |
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BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
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ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
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Information
Regarding Nominees
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RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF KABANI & COMPANY, INC. AS THE
COMPANY’S
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INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2008-09
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Audit
Fees
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Audit
Related Fees
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Tax
Fees
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All
Other Fees
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Pre-Approval
Procedures
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APPROVAL
TO AMEND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK FROM 50,000,000 TO
100,000,000
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APPROVAL
OF THE NETSOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE
PLAN
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Summary
of the 2008 Plan
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Summary
of Federal Income Tax Consequences of our 2008 Plan
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22
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COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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25
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DEADLINE
FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL 2008
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39
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FILINGS
UNDER SECTION 16(A)
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39
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VOTING
PROCEDURES
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39
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ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB
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39
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OTHER
MATTERS
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ANNEX
A NETSOL 2008
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
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PROXY
STATEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION
SOLICITATION
OF PROXIES
This
Proxy Statement is furnished to holders of the common stock, par value $.001
per
share, of NetSol Technologies, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"),
in
connection with the solicitation by the Company's Board of Directors of proxies
for use at the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting")
to be held on May 2, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. local time at the Company’s headquarters
located at 23901 Calabasas Road Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 and any and
all
adjournments thereof. The purpose of the Annual Meeting and the matters to
be
acted on there are set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
The
Annual Meeting has been called for the purpose of the following:
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To
consider and vote on the election of directors, each to hold office
for a
term of one year ending in 2009 or when their successors are
elected;
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2. |
To
consider and vote upon the ratification of the appointment of Kabani
&
Company as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year
2008-9;
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3. |
To
consider and vote on the amendment of our articles of incorporation
to
increase the number of authorized shares of capital stock from 50,000,000
to 100,000,000;
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4. |
To
consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the NetSol Technologies,
Inc.
2008 Equity Incentive Plan;
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5. |
To
consider such other matters as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
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The
board
of directors solicits the accompanying proxy to those stockholders of record
as
of the close of business on March 14, 2008. These materials are expected to
be
first mailed to stockholders on or about April 2, 2008. The cost of making
the
solicitation includes the cost of preparing and mailing the Notice of Annual
Meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card and the payment of charges made by
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding
documents to stockholders. In certain instances, directors and officers of
the
Company may make special solicitations of proxies either in person, telephone
or
by mail. Expenses incurred in connection with special solicitations are expected
to be nominal. The Company will bear all expenses incurred in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting.
VOTING
AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
A
stockholder, giving a proxy, on the enclosed form, may revoke it at any time
prior to the actual voting at the Annual Meeting by filing written notice of
the
termination of the appointment with an officer of the Company, by attending
the
Annual Meeting and voting in person, or by filing a new written appointment
of a
proxy with an officer of the Company. The revocation of a proxy will not affect
any vote taken prior to the revocation. Unless a proxy is revoked or there
is a
direction to abstain on one or more proposals, it will be voted on each proposal
and, if a choice is made with respect to any matter to be acted upon, in
accordance with such choice. If no choice is specified, the proxies intend
to
vote the shares represented thereby to approve Proposals No. 1 through 4 as
set
forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and in
accordance with their best judgment on any other matters that may properly
come
before the Annual Meeting.
VOTING
SECURITIES
As
of
March 10, 2008, there were 25,238,818 shares of common stock issued and
outstanding and 1,920 shares of Series A 7% Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock (the “Preferred”) . Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
The Preferred Stock bears voting rights in an amount equal to the conversion
value of the preferred stock into common stock, without giving effect to any
anti-dilution provisions of the Preferred Stock. Conversion of the Preferred
Stock is subject to beneficial ownership cap of 9.9% of the total number of
shares of common stock of the Company then issued and outstanding. For purpose
of this Annual Meeting, each share of Preferred Stock is entitled to the
equivalent of 606.06 common stock votes, subject to the 9.9%
cap.
INTERESTS
OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
No
director of executive officer holds a substantial interest, either directly
or
indirectly, in any matter to be acted upon.
VOTING
AT THE MEETING
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2008 are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Each
share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on the matters to be presented
at
the Annual Meeting.
A
majority of the votes entitled to be cast on matters to be considered at the
Annual Meeting, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at
the
Annual Meeting. If a share is represented for any purpose at the Annual Meeting,
it is deemed to be present for all other matters. Abstentions and broker
nonvotes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence
of
a quorum. "Broker nonvotes" are shares held by brokers or nominees which are
present in person or represented by proxy, but which are not voted on a
particular matter because instructions have not been received from the
beneficial owner. Under applicable Nevada law, the effect of broker nonvotes
on
a particular matter depends on whether the matter is one as to which the broker
or nominee has discretionary voting authority. Under applicable Nevada law,
as
it applies to the proposals presented to stockholders at this annual meeting,
Broker nonvotes shall be treated as an abstention and such Broker nonvotes
shall
be included in the total shares voted for the purpose of quorum requirements
and
determining whether a majority of stockholders have approved the transactions.
Treatment of Broker nonvotes as abstentions results in these votes being treated
as “no” votes in so far as a majority of all votes cast, including broker
nonvotes, must be voted in favor for a proposal to be approved. A majority
of
votes in favor must be acquired in order for the proposals to be approved.
RETURNED
PROXY CARDS WHICH DO NOT PROVIDE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Proxies
that are signed and returned will be voted in the manner instructed by a
stockholder. If you sign and return your proxy card with no instructions, the
proxy will be voted "For" with respect to the item set forth in the
Proposal.
SHARES
HELD IN “STREET NAME”
If
your
shares are held in “street name”, your broker can vote your shares only if you
provide instructions on how to vote. You should instruct your broker to vote
your shares in accordance with directions provided by your broker.
CHANGING
YOUR VOTE
You
may
revoke your proxy at any time before the proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting.
In order to do this, you must:
-
send us
written notice, stating your desire to revoke your proxy,
-
send us
a signed proxy that bears a later date than the one you intend to revoke,
or,
-
attend
the Annual Meeting and vote in person. In this case, you must notify the
Inspector of Elections or Secretary of the Company that you intend to vote
in
person.
A
list of
those stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available
for
a period of ten days prior to the Special Meeting for examination by any
stockholder at the Company's principal executive offices, 23901 Calabasas Road,
Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302, and at the Special Meeting.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES
BOARD
MEETINGS AND BOARD COMMITTEES
During
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company
met or acted by written consent three times with 100% attendance by all
directors. The Company requests that all board members attend annual meetings
of
the board and all board members were present at the last annual meeting of
the
board.
The
Board
of Directors of the Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee,
and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The charters for the Audit,
Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are posted
on
the Company’s web site at www.netsoltek.com
(select
“Investors” then the desired committee charter). All committee members are
appointed by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee met four times, the
Compensation Committee met two times, and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee also met twice during fiscal year 2007.
Audit
Committee.
The
Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Burki (Chairman), Beckert, Shakow and
Caton, all of whom are independent within the meaning of NASDAQ listing
standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“34
Act”).
Mr.
Burki
is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee.
The
Audit
Committee met four times during fiscal 2007. The Audit Committee was established
by the Board for the purpose of overseeing the Company’s accounting and
financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial
statements and reviewing the financial reports and other financial information
provided by the Company to any governmental body or the public and the Company’s
systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance,
and ethics. Its primary duties and responsibilities are to: (i) serve as an
independent and objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting
process, audits of the Company’s financial statements, and the Company’s
internal control system and (ii) appoint from time to time, evaluate, and,
when
appropriate, replace the registered public accounting firm engaged for the
purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit,
review, or attest services for the Company, determine the compensation of such
“outside auditors” and the other terms of their engagement, and oversee the work
of the outside auditors. The Company’s outside auditors report directly to the
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is also charged with establishing
procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received
by
the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing
matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
The
Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements
with
management and Kabani & Company, the Company’s independent auditors.
Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of
NetSol’s financial statements; accounting and financial reporting principles;
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in
Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)); establishing and maintaining internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f));
evaluating the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures; evaluating
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting; and evaluating
any change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over
financial reporting. Kabani & Company is responsible for performing an
independent audit of the consolidated financial statements and expressing an
opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as well as
expressing an opinion on (i) management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting and (ii) the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting.
The
Audit
Committee has discussed with Kabani & Company the matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended,
“Communication with Audit Committees” and PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2,
“An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction
with an Audit of Financial Statements.” In addition, Kabani & Company has
provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter
required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as amended,
“Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” and the Audit Committee has
discussed with Kabani & Company their firm’s independence.
Based
on
the discussions above, the Audit Committee did recommend that the financial
statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for filing
with the Commission.
Compensation
Committee.
The
Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Caton (Chairman), Shakow, Beckert
and Burki all of whom are independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ listing
standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the 34 Act. The Compensation Committee met
twice during the 2007 fiscal year. The primary function of the Compensation
Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities
relating to officer and director compensation. Its primary duties and
responsibilities are to: (i) oversee the development and implementation of
the
compensation policies, strategies, plans, and programs for the Company’s
executive officers and outside directors; (ii) review and determine the
compensation of the executive officers of the Company; and (iii) oversee the
selection and performance of the Company’s executive officers and succession
planning for key members of the Company’s management. The Compensation
Committee’s report is included below under “Compensation Discussion and
Analysis”.
Nominating
& Corporate Governance Committee.
The
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Messrs. Beckert
(Chairman), Burki, Caton and Shakow all of whom are independent within the
meaning of the NASDAQ listing standards and Rule 10A-3(b) under the 34 Act.
Mr.
Beckert is the Chairperson for the Committee. This Committee met twice during
the 2007 fiscal year. The primary function of the Nominating Committee is to
assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to Board and
committee membership and shareholder proposals. Its primary duties and
responsibilities are to: (i) establish criteria for Board and committee
membership and recommend to the Board proposed nominees for election to the
Board; and (ii) make recommendations regarding proposals and nominees for
director submitted by shareholders of the Company.
The
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominees
recommended by shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a person
or
persons for consideration as a Company nominee for election to the Board of
Directors must send a written notice by
mail
to: Corporate Secretary, NetSol Technologies, Inc., 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite
2072, Calabasas, CA, 91302 by fax to: 818-222-9197, that sets forth (i) the
name
of each person whom the shareholder recommends be considered as a nominee;
(ii)
a business address and telephone number for each nominee (an e-mail address
may
also be included) and (iii) biographical information regarding such person,
including the person’s employment and other relevant experience. Shareholder
considerations will only be considered if delivered
or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not
less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days
prior
to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of
Stockholders; provided,
however,
that in
the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within sixty
(60) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the Stockholder
in
order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business
on
the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual
meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting
was made, which ever first occurs.
The
Company’s nominating committee recommends that a nominee for a position on the
Company’s Board of Directors meet the following minimum qualifications:
· He
or she must be over 21 years of
age;
· He
or she must be able to read and
understand basic financial statements;
· He
or she must have experience in a
position with a high degree of responsibility in a business or other
organization;
· He
or she must possess integrity and
have high moral character
· He
or she must be willing to apply
sound, independent business judgment; and,
· He
or she must have sufficient time to
devote to the Company.
The
Company’s nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee by considering
whether the potential nominee meets the minimum qualifications described above,
as well as by considering the following factors:
· whether
the potential nominee has
leadership, strategic, or policy setting experience in a complex organization,
including any scientific, governmental, educational, or other non-profit
organization;
· whether
the potential nominee has
experience and expertise that is relevant to the Company’s business, including
any specialized business experience, technical expertise, or other specialized
skills, and whether the potential nominee has knowledge regarding issues
affecting the Company;
· whether
the potential nominee is
highly accomplished in his or her respective field;
· in
light of the relationship of the
Company’s business to the field of technology, whether the potential nominee has
received any awards or honors in the fields of technology or engineering and
whether he or she is recognized as a leader in that field;
· whether
the addition of the potential
nominee to the Board of Directors would assist the Board of Directors in
achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of background
and
experience, including diversity with respect to age, gender, national origin,
race, and competencies;
· whether
the potential nominee has high
ethical character and a reputation for honesty, integrity, and sound business
judgment;
· whether
the potential nominee can work
collegially with others;
· whether
the potential nominee is
independent, as defined by NASDAQ listing standards, whether he or she is free
of any conflict of interest or the appearance of any conflict of interest with
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and whether he or she
is
willing and able to represent the interests of all shareholders of the Company;
and
· Any
factor which would prohibit the
potential nominee to devote sufficient time to its business.
In
addition, with respect to an incumbent director whom the nominating committee
is
considering as a potential nominee for re-election, the Company’s nominating
committee reviews and considers the incumbent director’s service to the Company
during his or her term, including the number of meetings attended, level of
participation, and overall contribution to the Company. The manner in which
the
nominating committee evaluates a potential nominee will not differ based on
whether the potential nominee is recommended by a shareholder or the
Company.
The
Company did not pay any fee to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist
in identifying or evaluating potential nominees for director at the 2008 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. The Company did not receive, by December 4, 2007 (the
120th
calendar
day before the first anniversary of the date of the Company’s 2007 proxy
statement), any recommended nominee from a shareholder who beneficially owns
more than 5% of the Company’s stock or from a group of shareholders who
beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the Company’s
stock.
DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
Our
board
of directors has determined that: Eugen Beckert, Shahid Javed Burki, Mark Caton
and Alexander Shakow are independent in accordance with the Rule 4200(a)(15)
of
the NASDAQ listing standards and, that Najeeb Ghauri, Naeem Ghauri and Salim
Ghauri are not independent in accordance with Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ
listing standards due to their employment with the Company and their family
relationship.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During
fiscal year 2007, there were no material transactions between NetSol, any
director or executive officer of the Company, or any security holder known
to
hold more than five percent (5%) of our common stock (a “5%
Holder”).
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
Director
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our Directors
and/or paid to certain of our Directors pursuant to the Company's compensation
policies for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, other than Najeeb Ghauri,
Naeem Ghauri and Salim Ghauri who are executives and directors.
NAME
|
|
FEES
EARNED
OR
PAID
IN
CASH
($)
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
($)
(1)
|
|
TOTAL
($)
|
|
Eugen
Beckert
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
Shahid
Javed Burki
|
|
|
26,750
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
26,750
|
|
Mark
Caton
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
Alexander
Shakow (2)
|
|
|
1,333
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,333
|
|
Jim
Moody (3)
|
|
|
11,250
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
11,250
|
|
Derek
Soper (4)
|
|
|
14,667
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
14,667
|
|
(1) |
There
were no options awarded during fiscal year ended June 30, 2007
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Shakow joined the board upon his election by the Board of Directors
on
June 4, 2007.
|
(3) |
Mr.
Moody resigned from our Board of Directors effective December 31,
2007.
|
(4) |
Mr.
Soper did not stand for re-election to our Board of Directors and
his term
concluded on June 4, 2007.
|
Director
Compensation Policy
Messrs. Ghauri
are not paid any fees or other compensation for services as members of our
Board
of Directors.
The
non-employee members of our Board of Directors received as compensation for
services as directors as well as reimbursement for documented reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board of
Directors and the committees thereof. The Company paid the following amounts
to
members of the Board of Directors for the activities shown during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2007
BOARD
ACTIVITY
|
|
CASH
PAYMENTS
|
|
Annual
Cash Retainer
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
Committee
Membership
|
|
$
|
2,000
|
|
Chairperson
for Audit Committee
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
Chairperson
for Compensation Committee
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
Chairperson
for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
Members
of our Board of Directors are also eligible to receive stock option grants
both
upon joining the Board of Directors and on an annual basis in line with
recommendations by the Compensation Committee, which grants are non-qualified
stock options under our Employee Stock Option Plans. Further, from time to
time,
the non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to receive
stock
grants that may be granted if and only if approved by the shareholders of the
Company.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The
current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Caton (Chairman),
Mr. Beckert, Mr. Burki and Mr. Shakow. During the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was Mr. Beckert. From June
30,
2006, the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Beckert, Mr. Burki, Mr. Moody
and Mr. Soper. Mr. Moody resigned effective December 31, 2007. Mr. Moody was
replaced on the committee by Mr. Caton. Mr. Soper did not stand for reelection
to the board and accordingly, his committee membership concluded on June 4,
2007. There were no other members of the committee during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2007. All current members of the Compensation Committee are
"independent directors" as defined under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. None
of
these individuals were at any time during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007,
or at any other time, an officer or employee of the Company.
No
executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors
or
compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee.
COMMUNICATIONS
BETWEEN SHAREHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
Board
provides a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board or
any
of the Directors. Shareholders may send written communications to the Board
or
any one or more of the individual Directors by mail to: Secretary, 23901
Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302, or via fax to: 818-222-9197.
Such
communications will be reviewed by our Secretary, who shall remove
communications relating to solicitations, junk mail, customer service concerns
and the like. All other shareholder communications shall be promptly forwarded
to the applicable member(s) of our board of directors or to the entire board
of
directors, as requested in the shareholder communication.
CODE
OF ETHICS
The
Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s
employees, including but not limited to the Company’s chief executive officer
and principal financial and accounting officers and controller. The Company’s
Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s web site at www.netsoltek.com
(Select
“Investors,” and then “Code of Ethics”).
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of March 10, 2008, by (i) each person
who is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding
Common Stock with the address of each such person, (ii) each of the Company's
present directors and officers, and (iii) all officers and directors as a group:
Name
and
Address
|
|
Number
of
Shares(1)(2)
|
|
Percentage
Beneficially
owned(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
2,527,650
|
|
|
10.01
|
%
|
Naeem
Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
2,231,267
|
|
|
8.84
|
%
|
Salim
Ghauri (3)
|
|
|
2,424,406
|
|
|
9.60
|
%
|
Eugen
Beckert (3)
|
|
|
223,900
|
|
|
|
*
|
Shahid
Javed Burki (3)
|
|
|
194,000
|
|
|
|
* |
Alexander
Shakow (3)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
*
|
Patti
McGlasson (3)
|
|
|
145,000
|
|
|
|
*
|
Tina
Gilger (3)
|
|
|
81,731
|
|
|
|
*
|
The
Tail Wind Fund Ltd. (5)(6)
|
|
|
2,610,841
|
|
|
9.90
|
%
|
All
officers and directors as a group (nine persons)
|
|
|
7,827,954
|
|
|
31.02
|
%
|
*
Less
than one percent
(1)
Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that the beneficial owners
of the common stock listed below, based on information furnished by such owners,
have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject
to
community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined
in
accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities.
(2)
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to
securities. Shares of common stock relating to options currently exercisable
or
exercisable within 60 days of March 10, 2008 are
deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such
securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any
other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community property
laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have sole voting
and
investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by
them.
Includes shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days
as
follows: Mr. Najeeb Ghauri, 1,774,227; Mr. Naeem Ghauri, 1,784,227; Mr. Salim
Ghauri, 1,774,227; Mr. Eugen Beckert, 135,000; Mr. Shahid Burki, 150,000; Ms.
Tina Gilger, 70,000; and Ms. Patti McGlasson, 120,000.
(3)
Address c/o NetSol Technologies, Inc. at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072,
Calabasas, CA 91302.
(4)
Shares issued and outstanding as of March 10, 2008 were 25,238,818.
(5)
Address: The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (Bahamas) Ltd., Windermere House,
404 East Bay Street, P.O. Box SS-5539, Nassau, Bahamas. Tail Wind Advisory
&
Management Ltd., a UK corporation authorized and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority of Great Britain (“TWAM”), is the investment manager for The
Tail Wind Fund Ltd., and David Crook is the CEO and controlling shareholder
of
TWAM. Each of TWAM and David Crook expressly disclaims any equitable or
beneficial ownership of the shares being referred to hereunder and held by
The
Tail Wind Fund Ltd.
(6)
Subject to the Ownership Limitation (defined below), The Tail Wind Fund Ltd.
(“Tail Wind”) owns a total of 2,976,557 shares of Common Stock, including (i)
1,309,891 shares of Common Stock held, (ii) 1,060,606 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of $1,750,000 in liquidation preference of the issuer’s
Series A 7% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Preferred Stock”), (iii)
303,030 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants issued to
Tail
Wind on June 29, 2007, and (iv) 303,030 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of warrants issued to Tail Wind on October 29, 2007 (together with
the
warrants issued on June 29, 2007, the “Warrants”). In accordance with Rule 13d-4
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, because the number of
shares of Common Stock into which the Reporting Person's Preferred Stock and
Warrants are convertible and exercisable is limited, pursuant to the terms
of
such instruments, to that number of shares of Common Stock which would result
in
the Reporting Person having beneficial ownership of 9.9% of the total issued
and
outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Ownership Limitation"), the Reporting
Person disclaims beneficial ownership of any and all shares of Common Stock
that
would cause the Reporting Person's beneficial ownership to exceed the Ownership
Limitation. Therefore, in accordance with the Ownership Limitation, Tail Wind,
based upon 25,238,818 shares of common stock outstanding, beneficially owns
2,610,841shares of Common Stock and disclaims beneficial ownership of 2,629,261
shares of Common Stock.
Proposal
No. One
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
The
Bylaws of the Company provide that the Company is authorized to have up to
seven
directors, and that stockholders will elect the directors of the Company at
each
annual meeting. Directors are elected to serve a one-year term. Directors being
elected at the Annual Meeting will serve until the Company's next annual meeting
of stockholders, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors does not contemplate that any of the persons it will
nominate will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director. However, if that
should occur, the Board of Directors reserves the right to name a substitute
nominee at the Annual Meeting and persons named as nominees may exercise their
discretion to vote for such nominee.
The
board
is currently comprised of seven members. All of the seven members are standing
for re-election.
The
seven
nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares present
in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote for them, a quorum being
present, shall be elected as directors. Only votes cast for a nominee will
be
counted, except that the accompanying proxy will be voted for all nominees
in
the absence of instruction to the contrary. Abstentions, broker non-votes and
instructions on the accompanying proxy to withhold authority to vote for one
or
more nominees will result in the respective nominees receiving fewer votes.
However, the number of votes otherwise received by the nominee will not be
reduced by such action.
INFORMATION
REGARDING NOMINEES
All
nominees have consented to serve if elected, but if any becomes unable to serve,
the persons named as proxies may exercise their discretion to vote for a
substitute nominee. The stockholders have previously elected all director
candidates. The name, age, business experience and offices held by each director
nominee are as follows:
Name
and Age
|
|
Director
Since
|
|
Current
Position with the Company
|
Najeeb
U. Ghauri (55)
|
|
1997
|
|
Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer, Director
|
Naeem
Ghauri (50)
|
|
1999
|
|
President,
Director
|
Salim
Ghauri (53)
|
|
1999
|
|
President,
Director
|
Eugen
Beckert (63)
|
|
2001
|
|
Director
|
Shahid
Burki (67)
|
|
2003
|
|
Director
|
Mark
Caton (59)
|
|
2007
|
|
Director
|
Alexander
Shakow (71)
|
|
2007
|
|
Director
|
NAJEEB
U.
GHAURI is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NetSol. He has been a
Director of the Company since 1997, Chairman since 2003 and Chief Executive
Officer since October 2006. Mr. Ghauri is the founder of
NetSol Technologies, Inc. He was responsible for NetSol listing on
NASDAQ in 1999 and NetSol subsidiary listing on KSE (Karachi Stock
Exchange) in 2005. Mr. Ghauri was most instrumental in transforming
NetSol (formerly Mirage Holdings, Inc.) from a clothing/apparel business to
a
fully focused global IT company. Mr. Ghauri served as the Company's Chief
Executive Officer from 1999 to 2001 and as the Chief Financial Officer from
2001
to 2005. As CEO, Mr. Ghauri is responsible for managing the
day-to-day operations of the Company, as well as the Company's overall growth
and expansion plan. In addition to numerous accomplishments at
NetSol, Mr. Ghauri was honored to ring the closing bell at NASDAQ
Stock Exchange in September 2006. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ghauri
was part of the marketing team of Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) (now
acquired by BP), a Fortune 500 company, from 1987-1997. Prior to ARCO, he spent
nearly 5 years with Unilever as brand and sales managers. Mr. Ghauri received
his Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Economics from Eastern Illinois
University in 1979, and his M.B.A. in Marketing Management from Claremont
Graduate School in California in 1982. Mr. Ghauri was elected
Vice Chairman of US Pakistan Business Council in 2006. A Washington D.C. based
council of US Chamber of Commerce. He is also very active in several
philanthropic activities in emerging markets and is a founding director Pakistan
Human Development Fund, a non-profit organization, a partnership with UNDP
to
promote literacy, health services and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.
SALIM
GHAURI has been with the Company since 1999 as the President and Director of
the
Company. Mr. Ghauri is currently the Chairman and CEO of NetSol Technologies
Limited and President of the Asia Pacific Region and CEO of Global Services
Group. Mr. Ghauri was the founder of Network Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd. in 1995,
Later NetSol Technologies (Pvt) Limited. Built under his leadership, NetSol
gradually built a strong team of IT professionals and infrastructure in Pakistan
and became the first software house in Pakistan certified as ISO 9001 and CMMi
Level 5 assessed. Mr. Ghauri received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer
Science from University of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. Before NetSol
Technologies Ltd., Mr. Ghauri was employed with BHP in Sydney, Australia from
1987-1995, where he commenced his employment as a consultant. Mr. Ghauri was
appointed in 2007 as an Honorary Consul for Australia-Punjab
Region.
NAEEM
GHAURI has been a Director of the Company since 1999 and was the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer from August 2001 to October 2006. Mr. Ghauri serves as the
Managing Director of NetSol (UK) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
located in London, England. Mr. Ghauri was responsible for the launch of NetSol
Connect in Pakistan. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ghauri was Project
Director for Mercedes-Benz Finance Ltd., a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler,
Germany from 1994-1999. Mr. Ghauri supervised over 200 project managers,
developers, analysis and users in nine European Countries. Mr. Ghauri earned
his
degree in Computer Science from Brighton University, England. Mr. Ghauri serves
on the board of NetSol-CQ, a subsidiary of the Company.
EUGEN
BECKERT was appointed to the Board of Directors in August 2001 to fill a vacancy
and continues to serve on the Board. A native of Germany, Mr. Beckert received
his masters in Engineering and Economics from the University of Karlsruhe,
Germany. Mr. Beckert was with Mercedes-Benz AG/Daimler Benz AG from 1973,
working in technology and systems development. In 1992, he was appointed
director of Global IT (CIO) for Debis Financial Services, the services division
of Daimler Benz. From 1996 to 2000, he acted as director of Processes and
Systems (CIO) for Financial Services of DaimlerChrysler Asia Pacific Services.
During
this period he was instrumental to having the LEASESOFT products of NetSol
developed and introduced in several countries as a pilot customer.
From
2001 to 2004, he served as Vice President in the Japanese company of DCS. Mr.
Beckert retired from DaimlerChrysler in November 2006. Mr. Beckert is chairman
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Audit
and Compensation Committees.
SHAHID
JAVED BURKI was appointed to the Board of Directors in February 2003. He had
a
distinguished career with World Bank at various high level positions from 1974
to 1999. He was a Director of Chief Policy Planning with World Bank from
1974-1981. He was also a Director of International Relations from 1981-1987.
Mr.
Burki served as Director of China Development from 1987-1994 and, Vice President
of Latin America with the World Bank from 1994-1999. In between, he briefly
served as the Finance Minister of Pakistan from 1996-1997. Mr. Burki also served
as the CEO of the Washington based investment firm EMP Financial Advisors from
1992-2002. Presently, he is the Chairman of Pak Investment & Finance
Corporation. He was awarded a Rhodes scholarship in 1962 and M.A in Economics
from Oxford University in 1963. He also earned a Master of Public Administration
degree from Harvard University, Cambridge, MA in 1968. Most recently, he
attended Harvard University and completed an Executive Development Program
in
1998. During his lifetime, Mr. Burki has authored many books and articles
including: China's
Commerce
(Published by Harvard in 1969) and Accelerated
Growth in Latin America
(Published by World Bank in 1998). Mr. Burki is a chairman of the Compensation
Committee and a member of the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committees.
MARK
CATON joined the board of directors of NetSol on January 1, 2007 to fill a
vacancy and was elected to the board in June 2007. Mr. Caton is currently
President of Centela Systems, Inc. a distributor of computer peripheral
solutions in the multimedia and digital electronic market segment, a position
he
has held since 2003. Prior to joining Centela, Mr. Caton was President of NetSol
Technologies USA, responsible for US sales, from June 2002 to December 2003.
Mr.
Caton was employed by ePlus from 1997 to 2002 as Senior Account Representative.
He was a member of the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors and served
on
the Board of Directors of NetSol from 2002-2003. Mr. Caton is a Chairman of
the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Nominating Committees.
Mr.
Caton received his BA from UCLA in psychology in 1971.
ALEXANDER
SHAKOW was elected to the board on June 4, 2007. Mr. Shakow had a
distinguished career with the World Bank where he held various high level
positions from 1981-2002. Since 2002, he has been an independent
consultant for various international organizations. From 1968-1981
Mr. Shakow held many senior positions at the United States Agency for
International Development, including Assistant Administrator for Program and
Policy; Director -Office of Development Planning, Bureau for Asia; and,
Director-Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore Affairs. Mr. Shakow was
also a staff member of the United States Peace Corps from 1963-1968,
including Director for Indonesia. Mr. Shakow received his PhD from the
London School of Economics and Political Science in 1962. He earned his
undergraduate degree with honors from Swarthmore College in 1958. Mr.
Shakow is listed in Who’s
Who in America, Who’s
Who in the World and
Who’s Who in Finance and Business;
and
currently is a member of the Board of Trustees of EnterpriseWorks/VITA.
Mr. Shakow is a member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committees.
Messrs.
Najeeb Ghauri, Salim Ghauri and Naeem Ghauri are brothers.
THE
BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES
NAMED ABOVE.
Proposal
No. Two
RATIFICATION
OF APPOINTMENT OF KABANI & COMPANY, INC. AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2008-09
The
Audit
Committee along with the Board of Directors has appointed Kabani & Company,
Inc. (“Kabani”) as independent auditors of the Company with respect to its
operations for fiscal year 2008-09, and has further directed that management
submit such appointment for ratification by the holders of the Common Stock
at
the annual meeting of Stockholders. In taking this action, the members of the
Audit Committee along with the Board considered carefully Kabani’s reputation in
providing accounting services to other public and private companies in the
software and retail industries, its independence with respect to the services
to
be performed, its general reputation for adherence to professional auditing
standards and the performance of Kabani during the audit of the Company's
consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2002 through current.
Stockholder
ratification of the selection of Kabani as the Company's independent auditors
is
not required by the Company's Bylaws or otherwise. The Board, however, is
submitting the selection of Kabani to the stockholders for ratification as
a
matter of good corporate practice. Therefore, there will be present at the
Annual Meeting a proposal for the ratification of this appointment, which the
Board of Directors believes is advisable and in the best interests of the
stockholders. If the appointment of Kabani is not ratified, the Board of
Directors will consider the matter of the appointment of independent public
accountants.
Audit
Fees
Kabani
& Co. audited the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended
June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006. The aggregate fees billed by
Kabani & Co. for the annual audit and review of financial statements
included in the Company’s Form 10-KSB or services that are normally provided by
Kabani & Company that are normally provided by the accountant in connection
with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the year ended June
30,
2007 was $105,000, and for the year ended June 30, 2006 was $135,500.
Audit
Related Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by Kabani & Co. during fiscal 2007 including
assurance and related audit services not covered in the preceding paragraph
was
$40,000. These “Audit Related Fees” were primarily for services in connection
with the review of quarterly financial statements and the Company’s filing of a
Registration Statement and amendments thereto on Form S-3. The aggregate
fees billed by Kabani & Company during fiscal 2006 including assurance and
related audit services not covered in the preceding paragraph was $31,500.
These
“Audit Related Fees” were primarily for services in connection with the review
of quarterly financial statements and the Company’s filing of a Registration
Statement on Form S-8.
Tax
Fees
Tax
fees
for fiscal year 2007 were $12,500 and consisted of the preparation of the
Company’s federal and state tax returns for the fiscal years 2006. Tax fees for
fiscal year 2006 were $21,500 and consisted of the preparation of the Company’s
federal and state tax returns for the fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
All
Other Fees
There
were no other fees billed by Kabani & Co. or services rendered to
NetSol during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, other than as
described above.
Pre-Approval
Procedures
The
Audit
Committee and the Board of Directors are responsible for the engagement of
the
independent auditors and for approving, in advance, all auditing services and
permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors. The
Audit Committee maintains a policy for the engagement of the independent
auditors that is intended to maintain the independent auditor’s independence
from NetSol. In adopting the policy, the Audit Committee considered the various
services that the independent auditors have historically performed or may be
needed to perform in the future. The policy, which is to be reviewed and
re-adopted at least annually by the Audit Committee:
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(i)
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Approves
the performance by the independent auditors of certain types of service
(principally audit-related and tax), subject to restrictions in some
cases, based on the Committee’s determination that this would not be
likely to impair the independent auditors’ independence from
NetSol;
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(ii)
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Requires
that management obtain the specific prior approval of the Audit Committee
for each engagement of the independent auditors to perform other
types of
permitted services; and,
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(iii)
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Prohibits
the performance by the independent auditors of certain types of services
due to the likelihood that their independence would be
impaired.
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Any
approval required under the policy must be given by the Audit Committee, by
the
Chairman of the Committee in office at the time, or by any other Committee
member to whom the Committee has delegated that authority. The Audit Committee
does not delegate its responsibilities to approve services performed by the
independent auditors to any member of management.
The
standard applied by the Audit Committee in determining whether to grant approval
of an engagement of the independent auditors is whether the services to be
performed, the compensation to be paid therefore and other related factors
are
consistent with the independent auditors’ independence under guidelines of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable professional standards.
Relevant considerations include, but are not limited to, whether the work
product is likely to be subject to, or implicated in, audit procedures during
the audit of NetSol’s financial statements; whether the independent auditors
would be functioning in the role of management or in an advocacy role; whether
performance of the service by the independent auditors would enhance NetSol’s
ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality; whether performance
of the service by the independent auditors would increase efficiency because
of
their familiarity with NetSol’s business, personnel, culture, systems, risk
profile and other factors; and whether the amount of fees involved, or the
proportion of the total fees payable to the independent auditors in the period
that is for tax and other non-audit services, would tend to reduce the
independent auditors’ ability to exercise independent judgment in performing the
audit.
THE
BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KABANI
& COMPANY, INC. AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL
2008-09.
Proposal
No. 3
APPROVAL
TO AMEND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED
SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK FROM 50,000,000 TO 100,000,000
The
articles of incorporation of the Company currently authorize 50,000,000 shares
of capital stock of which 45,000,000 shares shall be shares of Common Stock,
$.001 par value (the “Common Stock”) and 5,000,000 shares shall be of Preferred
Stock, $.001 par value (“Preferred Stock”).
The
Company proposes to amend the first paragraph of Article III of the Articles
of
Incorporation to read as follows:
“Section
3: The Corporation shall be authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of capital
stock, of which 95,000,000 shares shall be shares of Common Stock, $.001 par
value (“Common Stock”) and 5,000,000 shares shall be shares of Preferred Stock,
$.001 par value (“Preferred Stock”).
The
remainder of section 3 shall remain unchanged by this amendment and shall read
as follows:
“The
board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is expressly
authorized to provide for issuance of all or any shares of the Preferred Stock
in one or more series, and to fix for each such series such voting powers,
full
or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative
participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the
resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the
issuance of such series and as may be permitted by the Nevada Revised Statutes
(as amended from time to time, the “NRS”), including, without limitation, the
authority to provide that any such class or series may be (i) subject to
redemption at any time or times and at such price or prices: (ii) entitled
to
receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates,
on
such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such
relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or any other
series; (iii) entitled to such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any
distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; (vi) entitled to vote separately
or together with any other series or class of stock of the Corporation; or
(v)
convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes
of
stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of
stock, of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange
and with such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or
resolutions.”
Possible
Benefits
The
Board
of Directors believes that an increase in the number of shares of authorized
capital stock would benefit us and our stockholders by giving us needed
flexibility in our corporate planning in responding to developments in our
business, including possible financing and acquisition transactions, common
stock splits or dividends and for other general corporate purposes. Having
such
authorized shares available for issuance in the future would provide us with
greater flexibility and, if necessary, allow common stock to be issued in the
future without expense or delay.
Possible
Effects
Unless
otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, the shares of common stock
to be authorized will be issued without further authorization by vote or consent
of the stockholders and on such terms and for such consideration as may be
determined by the Board of Directors. Further issuances could have a dilutive
effect on the ownership of current stockholders. Other than may otherwise be
stated in this proxy statement, the Company has no current plan to issue
additional shares of common stock. Accordingly, we do not anticipate the
increase in authorized stock to have an effect, including a dilutive effect,
upon the shareholders.
The
amendment of the articles requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares
represented and voting, in person or by proxy, at the Annual
Meeting.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE AMENDMENT
OF
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASETHE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK FROM
50,000,000 TO 100,000,000.
PROPOSAL
NO. 4
APPROVAL
OF THE
NETSOL
TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
On
March 6, 2008, subject to shareholder approval, our Board approved and adopted
our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (our 2008 Plan). Among other things, our 2008
Plan: (i) provides us with flexibility to motivate, attract, and retain
the services of employees upon whom our success depends and to provide them
with
an equity interest in our Company in order to motivate superior performance
and
grants of equity-based awards, including options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock awards or performance share awards or any other right or
interest relating to shares or cash, to eligible participants, and
(ii) reserves 1,000,000 shares of common stock for availability for awards
under our 2008 Plan. No options or other performance awards, deferred share
awards, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock awards are outstanding
under our 2008 Plan. Any grants made pursuant to our 2008 Plan will be subject
to shareholder approval of the plan and any such conditionally-awarded grants
may not be exercised prior to such shareholder approval.
Our
Board of Directors believes that our 2008 Plan is in the best interests of
our
Company and our shareholders and will bolster our recruitment, retention and
incentivization of employees, consultants and directors and will support and
encourage our continued growth.
OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL
OF
OUR 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock
present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at our annual meeting
of
shareholders is required to approve our 2008 Plan. Our 2008 Plan is included
as
Appendix A
to this
proxy statement.
The
principal features of our 2008 Plan are summarized below. This summary is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of our 2008 Equity
Incentive Plan in
Appendix A
to this
proxy statement.
Summary
of our 2008 Plan
General. The
purpose of our 2008 Plan is to provide us with flexibility to motivate, attract,
and retain the services of employees upon whom our success depends and to
provide them with an equity interest in our Company in order to motivate
superior performance. Our 2008 Plan currently provides for the grant of
equity-based awards, including options, stock appreciation rights, restricted
stock awards or performance share awards or any other right or interest relating
to shares or cash, to eligible participants.
Shares
Subject to our 2008 Plan. The
aggregate number of shares reserved and available for award under our 2008
Plan
is 1,000,000 (the Share Reserve). Our 2008 Plan contemplates the issuance of
common stock upon exercise of options or other awards granted to eligible
persons under our 2008 Plan. Shares issued under our 2008 Plan may be both
authorized and unissued shares or previously issued shares acquired by us.
Upon
termination or expiration of an unexercised option, stock appreciation right
or
other stock-based award under our 2008 Plan, in whole or in part, the number
of
shares of common stock subject to such award again become available for grant
under our 2008 Plan. Any shares of restricted stock forfeited as described
below
will become available for grant. The maximum number of shares that may be
granted to any one participant in any calendar year may not exceed 500,000
shares.
In
the event of any change in capitalization of our Company, such as a stock split,
merger, consolidation, separation, spin off, or other distribution of stock
or
property of our Company, any reorganization, any partial or complete liquidation
of our Company or any extraordinary cash or stock dividend, the Compensation
Committee (the Committee) will make appropriate substitutions or adjustments
in
the aggregate number and kind of shares reserved for issuance under our 2008
Plan, in the share limitations for awards set forth in our 2008 Plan and in
the
number of shares subject to and exercise price of outstanding awards, or will
make such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine to
be
appropriate.
Administration. Our
2008 Plan is administered by the Committee, which has the power to determine
the
terms and conditions of awards. In addition, the Committee has the authority
to
amend, modify or terminate our 2008 Plan. No action by the Committee may affect
any shares previously issued or any award previously granted under our 2008
Plan
without the participant's written consent.
Stock
Options. Options
granted under our 2008 Plan are not generally transferable and must be exercised
within 10 years, subject to earlier termination upon termination of the
option holder's employment, but in no event later than the expiration of the
option's term.
Each
option granted under our 2008 Plan must be evidenced by a written agreement
between us and the optionee specifying the number of shares subject to the
option and the other terms and conditions of the option, consistent with the
requirements of our 2008 Plan. The exercise price of each option may not be
less
than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant
(except in connection with the assumption or substitution for another option
in
a manner qualifying under Section 424(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code). Incentive stock options granted to any participant
who owns 10% or more of our outstanding common stock (a Ten Percent
Shareholder) must have an exercise price equal to or exceeding 110% of the
fair
market value of a share of our common stock on the date of the grant and must
not be exercisable for longer than five years.
Options
become vested and exercisable at such times or upon such events and subject
to
such terms, conditions, performance criteria or restrictions as specified by
the
Committee. The maximum term of any option granted under our 2008 Plan is ten
years, provided that an incentive stock option granted to a Ten Percent
Shareholder must have a term not exceeding five years. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, an option generally will remain exercisable for
90 days following the optionee's termination of service, except that if
service terminates as a result of the optionee's normal retirement, death or
disability, the option generally will remain exercisable for its remaining
term.
The Committee, in its discretion, may provide longer post-termination exercise
periods, but in any event the option must be exercised no later than its
expiration date.
Stock
options are not assignable or transferable by the optionee other than by will
or
by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to
the
extent permitted by the Committee, in its discretion, and as set forth in the
option award agreement, an option is assignable or transferable subject to
the
applicable limitations described in the General Instructions to Form S-8
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (which includes
transfers to family members, family trusts or pursuant to domestic relations
orders, but excludes transfers of options for consideration).
Performance
Awards. Under
our 2008 Plan, a participant may also be awarded a "performance award," which
means that the participant may receive cash, stock or other awards contingent
upon achieving performance goals established by the Committee. The Committee
may
also make "deferred share" awards, which entitle the participant to receive
our
stock in the future for services performed between the date of the award and
the
date the participant may receive the stock. The vesting of deferred share awards
may be based on performance criteria and/or continued service with our Company.
A participant who is granted a "stock appreciation right" under the Plan has
the
right to receive all or a percentage of the fair market value of a share of
stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right minus the grant
price of the stock appreciation right determined by the Committee (but in no
event less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant).
Finally, the Committee may make "restricted stock" awards under our 2008 Plan,
which are subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee determines
and
as are set forth in the award agreement related to the restricted stock. Unless
the Committee otherwise provides, upon termination of a participant's employment
during the period when the restrictions apply, the participant's restricted
stock is forfeited to us.
Section 162(m)
of the Code limits our federal income tax deduction for compensation paid to
our
Chief Executive Officer and our three most highly paid executive officers (other
than the Chief Financial Officer) for the applicable taxable year. The limit
is
$1,000,000 per officer per year, with certain exceptions. This deductibility
cap
does not apply to "performance-based compensation," if approved in advance
by
our shareholders. Our 2008 Plan provides that all or a portion of an award
that
is subject to performance-based vesting may be designed to qualify as deductible
"performance-based compensation." The performance criteria for that portion
of
any award that is intended to qualify as deductible performance-based
compensation will be a measure based on performance criteria, either
individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either our Company
as a whole or to a subsidiary, division or other area of our Company, and
measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute
basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years' results or
to
a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee which
may include the following: Awards other than Options and SARs made pursuant
to
the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals relating
to
one or more: (a) cash flow; (b) earnings (including gross margin,
earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT"), earnings before taxes ("EBT"),
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock option
expense ("EBITDASO"), and net earnings); (c) ethical conduct;
(d) market share; (e) earnings per share; (f) growth in earnings
or earnings per share; (g) stock price; (h) return on equity or
average shareholders' equity; (i) total shareholder return; (j) return
on capital; (k) return on assets or net assets; (l) return on
investment; (m) revenue; (n) income or net income; (o) operating
income or net operating income; (p) operating profit or net operating
profit; (q) operating margin; (r) return on operating revenue;
(s) overhead or other expense reduction; (t) growth in shareholder
value relative to the two-year moving average of the S&P 500 Index;
(u) growth in shareholder value relative to the two-year moving average of
the Dow Jones Industrial Average; (v) credit rating; (w) strategic
plan development and implementation; (x) succession plan development and
implementation; (y) retention of executive talent; (z) improvement in
workforce diversity; (aa) return on average shareholders' equity relative
to the ten year treasury yield; (bb) capital resource management plan
development and implementation; (cc) improved internal financial controls
plan development and implementation; (dd) corporate tax savings;
(ee) corporate cost of capital reduction; (ff) investor relations
program development and implementation; (gg) corporate relations program
development and implementation; (hh) executive performance plan development
and implementation; and (ii) tax provision rate for financial statement
purposes.
The
Committee may adjust the performance results to take into account extraordinary,
unusual, non-recurring, or non-comparable items. No award of restricted stock,
deferred stock or other awards granted under our 2008 Plan (other than stock
options and stock appreciation rights) that is intended to satisfy the
requirements for "performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of
the Code will be payable unless the Committee certifies in writing that the
applicable performance goals have been satisfied.
Change
in Control. In
the event of certain changes in control of NetSol Technologies, the Committee
has the discretion to provide that any award under our 2008 Plan that may be
exercised will become fully vested and exercisable, and/or that all restrictions
on any awards under our 2008 Plan will lapse as the Committee determines, which
may be prior to the change of control.
Termination
or Amendment. Our
2008 Plan will continue in effect until the first to occur of (i) its
termination by the Committee or (ii) the date on which all shares available
for issuance under our 2008 Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such
shares under the terms of our 2008 Plan and the agreements evidencing awards
granted under our 2008 Plan have lapsed. However, no incentive stock option
may
be granted under our 2008 Plan after May 2, 2018.
The
Committee may terminate or amend our 2008 Plan at any time, provided that
without shareholder approval, our 2008 Plan cannot be amended to increase the
Share Reserve, change the class of persons eligible to receive incentive stock
options or effect any other change that would require shareholder approval
under
any applicable law. No termination or amendment may affect any outstanding
award
unless expressly provided by the Committee, and, in any event, may not adversely
affect an outstanding award without the consent of the participant unless
necessary to comply with any applicable law.
The
foregoing summary of certain provisions of our 2008 Plan is qualified by
reference to the text of our 2008 Plan attached as Appendix A
to this
proxy statement.
Summary
of Federal Income Tax Consequences of our 2008 Plan
Stock
Options. ISOs
and non-qualified stock options (NQSOs) are treated differently for federal
income tax purposes. ISOs are intended to satisfy the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code. NQSOs need not satisfy such
requirements.
A
participant is not taxed on the grant or, except as described in the next
sentence, the exercise of an ISO. The difference between the exercise price
and
the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date, however, will be
a
preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, and thus a
participant could be subject to the alternative minimum tax as a result of
the
exercise of an ISO. If a participant holds the shares acquired upon exercise
of
an ISO for at least two years following the option grant date and at least
one
year following exercise, the participant's gain, if any, upon a subsequent
disposition of such shares is long-term capital gain. The measure of the gain
is
the difference between the proceeds received on disposition and the
participant's basis in the shares (which generally equals the exercise
price).
If
a participant disposes of shares acquired pursuant to exercise of an ISO before
satisfying the one and two-year holding periods described above, then:
(i) if the proceeds received exceed the exercise price of the ISO, the
participant will recognize capital gain equal to the excess, if any, of the
proceeds received over the fair market value of the shares on the date of
exercise, and will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of
the
lesser of the proceeds received or the fair market value of the shares on the
date of exercise over the exercise price of the ISO; or (ii) if the
proceeds received are less than the exercise price of the ISO, the participant
will recognize a capital loss equal to the excess of the exercise price of
the
ISO over the proceeds received. Capital gains recognized upon a disqualifying
disposition will be taxable as long term capital gains if the participant held
the shares for more than one year after the exercise of the ISO, or otherwise
as
short-term capital gains if the participant held the shares for less than one
year after the exercise of the ISO. Capital losses recognized upon a
disqualifying disposition will offset long term capital gains if the participant
held the shares for more than one year after the exercise of the ISO, or
otherwise will offset up to $3,000 of long-term or short-term capital gains
each
year with the remainder carried forward if the participant held the shares
for
less than one year after the exercise of the ISO.
Our
Company is not entitled to an income tax deduction on the grant or exercise
of
an ISO or on the participant's disposition of the shares after satisfying the
holding period requirements described above. If the holding periods are not
satisfied, our Company will be entitled to a deduction in the year the
participant disposes of the shares in an amount equal to the ordinary income
recognized by the participant.
The
recipient of an NQSO will not realize any taxable income upon the grant of
the
option. Upon exercise of such option, the participant will realize ordinary
income in an amount generally measured by the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option exercise price.
Our
Company will generally be entitled to a deduction in the same amount as the
ordinary income realized by the participant. Upon the sale of such shares,
the
participant will realize short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending
upon the length of time the shares are held. Such gain or loss will be measured
by the difference between the sale price of the shares and the fair market
value
on the date of exercise. Special rules will apply in cases where a recipient
of
an award pays the exercise or purchase price of the award or applicable
withholding tax obligations under our 2008 Plan by delivering previously owned
shares or by reducing the number of shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the
award. The surrender or withholding of such shares will in certain circumstances
result
in the
recognition of income with respect to such shares or a carryover basis in the
shares acquired, and may constitute a disposition for purposes of applying
the
ISO holding periods discussed above.
Stock
Appreciation Rights. There
will be no federal income tax consequences to either the participant or our
Company on the grant of a stock appreciation right or while the right remains
outstanding. Upon the exercise of such right, the participant will recognize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount of cash and/or the fair market
value, at the date of such exercise, of the shares received by such participant
as a result of such exercise. Our Company will generally be entitled to a
corresponding tax deduction.
Restricted
Stock. The
federal income tax consequences of a grant of restricted stock depend upon
whether or not a participant elects to be taxed at the time of the grant of
such
shares under Section 83(b) of the Code (an 83(b) election). If no 83(b)
election is made, the participant will not recognize taxable income at the
time
of the grant of the restricted stock. When the restrictions on the shares lapse,
the participant will recognize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal to
the
fair market value of the restricted stock at that time. If the 83(b) election
is
made, the participant will recognize taxable income at the time of the grant
of
restricted stock in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares
at
that time, determined without regard to any of the restrictions. If the shares
are forfeited before the restrictions lapse, the participant will be entitled
to
no deduction on account thereof.
The
participant's tax basis in the restricted stock is the amount recognized by
him
or her as income attributable to such shares. Gain or loss recognized by the
participant on a subsequent disposition of any such shares is capital gain
or
loss if the shares are otherwise capital assets.
Our
Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount as the income
recognized by the participant as a result of the grant of restricted stock
or
lapse of restrictions in the taxable year in which the participant recognizes
such income.
Deferred
Stock/Other Stock Awards. Participants
will not have taxable income upon the grant of deferred stock or other stock
awards. Recognition of taxable income is postponed until the restrictions on
the
awards lapse. At that time, the participant will recognize taxable income equal
to the then fair market value of the shares or other property issuable in
payment of such award, and such amount will be the tax basis for such shares.
Our Company will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount as the income
recognized by the participant as a result of the lapse of restrictions in the
taxable year in which the participant recognizes such income.
Other
Tax Issues. As
noted above, Section 162(m) of the Code limits our federal income tax
deduction for compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and any of the
three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief
Financial Officer) for the applicable taxable year. In certain instances, our
Company may be denied a compensation deduction for awards granted to certain
executive officers that do not qualify as "performance-based compensation"
to
the extent their aggregate compensation exceeds $1,000,000 in a given
year.
As
noted above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the payment
or vesting or release any restrictions on any awards in the event of a change
in
control of our Company (as defined in our 2008 Plan) or in the event of certain
tender offers. If a participant's award vests because of a change in
(i) the ownership or effective control of our Company or (ii) the
ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of our Company and the
participant is an officer, shareholder or highly-compensated employee of our
Company, such acceleration could be subject to the "golden parachute" provisions
of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. In that event, our Company could be
denied all or part of its tax deduction and the participant could be subject
to
excise tax.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This
Compensation Discussion and Analysis will describe the Compensation Committee's
compensation objectives and policies for our Named Executive Officers, including
executive pay decisions and processes and all elements of NetSol Technologies’
executive compensation program.
NetSol
Technologies’ Named Executive Officers, a group comprised of the Chief Executive
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and three other executive officers
in
2007, are the following five individuals:
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Chief
Executive Officer
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Salim
Ghauri
|
President
of Asia Pacific and Middle East Operations
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Tina
Gilger
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Chief
Financial Officer
|
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Secretary
and General Counsel
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Naeem
Ghauri
|
President
of European Operations
|
Compensation
Philosophy and Objectives
The
Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation
program is one that is designed to reward the achievement of specific annual,
long-term and strategic goals by the Company, and which aligns executives’
interests with those of the stockholders by rewarding performance at or above
established goals, with the ultimate objective of increasing stockholder
value.
The philosophy of the Compensation Committee is to evaluate both performance
and
compensation to ensure that we maintain our ability to attract and retain
superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key
employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly
situated executives of our peer companies. To that end, the Compensation
Committee believes executive compensation packages should include both cash
and
equity-based compensation that reward performance as measured against
established goals.
Setting
Executive Compensation
Management
develops our compensation plans by utilizing publicly available compensation
data in the media services and technology industries. We believe that the
practices of these groups of companies provide us with appropriate compensation
benchmarks, because these groups of companies are in similar businesses and
tend
to compete with us for executives and other employees. For benchmarking
executive compensation, we typically review the compensation data we have
collected from these groups of companies, as well as a subset of the data
from
those companies that have a similar number of employees as the Company. For
purposes of determining executive compensation, we have not engaged consultants
to help us analyze this data or to compare our compensation programs with
the
practices of the companies represented in the compensation data we review.
Based
on
management's analyses and recommendations, the Compensation Committee has
approved a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, which is intended
to
establish base salaries and total executive compensation (taking into
consideration the executive's experience and abilities) that are competitive
with those companies with a similar number of employees represented in the
compensation data we review.
We
work
within the framework of this pay-for-performance compensation philosophy
to
determine each component of an executive's initial compensation package based
on
numerous factors, including:
•
the
individual's particular background, track record and circumstances, including
training and prior relevant work experience;
•
the
individual's role with us and the compensation paid to similar persons in
the
companies represented in the compensation data that we review;
•
the
demand for individuals with the individual's specific expertise and experience;
•
performance goals and other expectations for the position; and,
•
uniqueness of industry skills.
The
terms
of each executive officer's compensation are derived from employment agreements
negotiated between the Company and the executive. Each executive's employment
agreement is generally negotiated to cover a one to three-year period, and
prescribes the base salary and other annual payments, if any, to the executive.
Employment agreements for all executive officers are approved by the Board
of
Directors and the Compensation Committee. Employment agreements for other
executives are approved by the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
2007
Executive Compensation Components
For
the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, the principal components of compensation
that
our named executive officers were eligible to receive were:
•
Base
salary;
•
Long
Term Equity Incentive Compensation;
•
Performance-based incentive compensation (discretionary bonus);
and,
•
Perquisites and other personal benefits.
Base
Salary
An
executive's base salary is evaluated together with components of the executive's
other compensation to ensure that the executive's total compensation is
consistent with our overall compensation philosophy.
The
base
salaries were established in arms-length negotiations between the executive
and
the Company, taking into account their extensive experience, knowledge of
the
industry, track record, and achievements on behalf of the Company.
Base
salaries are adjusted annually by the Compensation Committee.
Annual
Bonus
Our
compensation program includes eligibility for bonuses as rewarded by the
Compensation Committee. All executives are eligible for annual performance-based
cash bonuses in accordance with Company policies.
During
our fiscal year ended 2007, Mr. Najeeb Ghauri was awarded a cash bonus of
$50,000. Ms. Gilger was awarded a cash bonus of $7,004. Ms. McGlasson was
awarded a cash bonus of $6,536. Mr. Salim Ghauri was awarded a cash bonus
of
$50,000 and Mr. Naeem Ghauri was awarded a cash bonus of $50,000.
Long-Term
Equity Incentive Compensation
We
believe that long-term performance is achieved through an ownership culture
that
encourages long-term participation by our executives in equity-based awards.
Our
various Employee Stock Option Plans allow us to grant stock options to
employees. We currently make initial equity awards of stock options to new
executives and certain non-executive employees in connection with their
employment with the Company. Annual grants of options, if any, are approved
by
the Compensation Committee.
Equity
Incentives. Executives
and certain non-executive employees who join us may be awarded stock option
grants after they join the Company. These grants have an exercise price equal
to
the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. The stock option
awards are intended to provide the executive with incentive to build value
in
the organization over an extended period of time. The size of the stock option
award is also reviewed in light of the executive's track record, base salary,
other compensation and other factors to ensure that the executive's total
compensation is in line with our overall compensation philosophy. A review
of
all components of compensation is conducted when determining equity awards
to
ensure that total compensation conforms to our overall philosophy and
objectives.
Perquisites
and Other Personal Benefits
We
provide named executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits
that we and the Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent
with our overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract
and retain superior employees for key positions. The Compensation Committee
periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits
provided to executive officers.
We
maintain benefits and perquisites that are offered to all employees, including
health insurance and dental insurance. Benefits and perquisites may vary
in
different country locations and are consistent with local practices and
regulations.
Termination
Based Compensation
Upon
termination of employment, all executive officers are entitled to receive
severance payments under their employment agreements. In determining whether
to
approve, and as part of the process of setting the terms of, such severance
arrangements, the Compensation Committee recognizes that executives and officers
often face challenges securing new employment following termination. Further,
the Committee recognizes that many of the named executives and officers have
participated in the Company since its founding and that this participation
has
not resulted in a return on their investments. Termination and Change in
Control
Payments considered both the risk and the dedication of these executives’
service to the Company.
Our
Chief
Executive Officer, President of EMEA and President of APAC have employment
agreements that provide, if his employment is terminated without cause or
if the
executive terminates the agreement with Good Reason, he is entitled to
(a) all remaining salary to the end of the date of termination, plus salary
from the end of the employment term through the end of the third anniversary
of
the date of termination, and (b) the continuation by the Company of medical
and dental insurance coverage for him and his family until the end of the
employment term and through the end of the third anniversary of the date
of
termination. Provided, however, if such benefits cannot be continued for
this
extended period, the Executive shall receive cash (including a tax-equivalency
payment for Federal, state and local income and payroll taxes assuming Executive
is in the maximum tax bracket for all such purposes) where such benefits
may not
be continued. These agreements further provide for vesting of all options
and
restrictive stock grants, if any.
The
Secretary of the Company has an employment agreement that provides, if she
is
terminated without cause or if the executive terminates the agreement with
Good
Reason, she is entitled to (a) all remaining salary to the end of the date
of termination, plus salary from the end of the employment term through the
end
of the first anniversary of the date of termination, and (b) the
continuation by the Company of medical and dental insurance coverage for
her and
her family until the end of the employment term and through the end of the
first
anniversary of the date of termination. Provided, however, if such benefits
cannot be continued for this extended period, the Executive shall receive
cash
(including a tax-equivalency payment for Federal, state and local income
and
payroll taxes assuming Executive is in the maximum tax bracket for all such
purposes) where such benefits may not be continued. These agreements further
provide for vesting of all options and restrictive stock grants, if any.
Tax
and Accounting Implications
Deductibility
of Executive Compensation
As
part
of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility
of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code, which provides that we may not deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000
that is paid to certain individuals. We believe that compensation paid under
the
management incentive plans are generally fully deductible for federal income
tax
purposes.
Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation
Beginning
on July 1, 2006, we began accounting for stock-based payments, including
awards
under our Employee Stock Option Plans, in accordance with the requirements
of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based
Payment,
or
SFAS 123(R).
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table shows the compensation for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007
earned by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer
who is our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, and others considered
to
be executive officers of the Company.
Name
and Principle Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year
Ended
|
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($) (1)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
275,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
46,700
|
(5)
|
|
$
|
371,700
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer,
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
250,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
26,656
|
(5)
|
|
$
|
276,656
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
225,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
34,660
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
309,660
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer,
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
280,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
31,903
|
(6)
|
|
$
|
311,903
|
|
Global
Products Division
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
175,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
-
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
225,000
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer,
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
150,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
-
|
(7)
|
|
$
|
150,000
|
|
Global
Services Division
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tina
Gilger
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
95,000
|
|
|
$
|
7,004
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
17,587
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
119,591
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
95,000
|
|
|
$
|
7,096
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
12,188
|
(8)
|
|
$
|
114,284
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
|
$
|
6,536
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
(3)
|
|
$
|
-
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
116,536
|
|
Secretary,
General Counsel
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
19,397
|
(2)
|
|
$
|
-
|
(4)
|
|
$
|
-
|
(9)
|
|
$
|
129,397
|
|
(1)
No
stock was awarded to any officer during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007
and
therefore, no expense was recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
(2)
For
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, 10,000 shares of common stock were awarded
to Ms. McGlasson for compensation in her role as general counsel. Based on
the
fair market value at the date of issuance the Company recorded $19,397 in
expense for the stock awarded. No other officer was awarded stock during
the
fiscal year.
(3)
No
options were awarded to any officer during the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007
and therefore, no expense was recognized in the consolidated financial
statements.
(4)
See
Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included herein as to the
assumptions used to determine the fair value of our option awards. During
fiscal
year ended June 30, 2006, FAS 123R was not effective for the Company and
therefore, the Company did not record any expense for the options awarded.
The
following table reflects the options granted to each officer and the amount
the
Company would have been required to record had FAS 123R been
effective:
NAME
|
|
#
SHARES
|
|
EXERCISE
PRICE
|
|
BLACK
SCHOLES
VALUE
|
|
FAIR
VALUE
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
1.83
|
|
$
|
1.676
|
|
$
|
419,000
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
2.50
|
|
$
|
2.323
|
|
$
|
580,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
1.83
|
|
$
|
1.676
|
|
$
|
419,000
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
2.50
|
|
$
|
2.323
|
|
$
|
580,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
1.83
|
|
$
|
1.676
|
|
$
|
419,000
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
2.50
|
|
$
|
2.323
|
|
$
|
580,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tina
Gilger
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
$
|
1.86
|
|
$
|
1.249
|
|
$
|
12,490
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
$
|
2.79
|
|
$
|
1.106
|
|
$
|
11,060
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
$
|
1.65
|
|
$
|
1.108
|
|
$
|
22,160
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
$
|
2.25
|
|
$
|
1.012
|
|
$
|
20,240
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patti
McGlasson
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
$
|
1.65
|
|
$
|
1.108
|
|
$
|
22,160
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
$
|
2.25
|
|
$
|
1.012
|
|
$
|
20,240
|
|
(5)
Consists of $29,000 and $12,000 paid for automobile and travel allowance
and
$17,856 and $14,656 paid for medical and dental insurance premiums paid by
the
Company for participation in the health insurance program for the fiscal
years
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(6)
Consists of $31,876 and $29,340 paid for automobile and travel allowance
and
$2,784 and $2,562 paid for private medical insurance premiums paid by the
Company for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
(7)
The
amount paid to the officer was in aggregate less than $10,000 for the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(8)
Consists of $17,587 and $12,188 paid for medical and dental insurance premiums
paid by the Company for participation in the health insurance program for
the
fiscal years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
(9)
The
amount paid to the officer was in aggregate less than $10,000 for the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards
There
were no options granted to the named executives during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2007.
Discussion
of Summary Compensation Table
The
terms
of our executive officers' compensation are derived from our employment
agreements with them and the annual performance review by our Compensation
Committee. The terms of Mr. Najeeb Ghauri, Mr. Naeem Ghauri and Mr. Salim
Ghauri’s employment agreements with the Company were the result of negotiations
between the Company and the executives and were approved by our Compensation
Committee and Board of Directors. The terms of Ms. McGlasson’s employment
agreement with the Company were the result of negotiations between our Chief
Executive Officer and Ms. McGlasson and were approved by our Compensation
Committee and Board of Directors. The terms of Ms. Gilger’s employment were
the result of negotiations between our Chief Executive Officer and
Ms. Gilger and were approved by our Compensation Committee and Board of
Directors.
Employment
Agreement with Najeeb Ghauri
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our
Chief
Executive Officer, Najeeb Ghauri. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement between
Mr. Ghauri and the Company (the "CEO Agreement"), the Company agreed to
employ Mr. Ghauri as its Chief Executive Officer from the date of the CEO
Agreement through December 31, 2009. This Agreement was amended on February
11,
2008. Under the CEO Agreement, as amended, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to an
annualized base salary of $300,000 and is eligible for annual bonuses at
the
discretion of the Compensation Committee. In the February 11, 2008 amendment,
the Compensation Committee approved the grant of bonuses based on certain
benchmarks and accelerators. The bonus of $100,000 is payable if and only
if the
Company achieves company-wide gross revenues of $32,230,000 for the fiscal
year
ending June 30, 2008 and an earnings per share of at least $0.22. Additional
bonuses may be earned if certain “accelerator goals” are achieved. The bonus is
accelerated to 200% of the bonus amount if revenue of $35,000,000 is attained
and earnings per share of at least $0.27; and, to 300% if revenue of $40,000,000
is attained and earnings per share of at least $0.32. Once the minimum bonus
benchmarks are attained, the additional bonuses may be earned based on a
percentage of accelerator goals achieved. The Company retained the right
to
increase the base compensation as it deems necessary. In addition,
Mr. Ghauri is entitled to participate in the Company's stock option plans,
is entitled to two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year and is to receive
a
car allowance totaling $3,000 per month for the term of the CEO Agreement.
The
February 11, 2008 amendment grants options to purchase up to 750,000 shares
of
common stock to be issued from the 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan to vest
equally over twenty-four months beginning on the grant date. These options
are
only granted in the event the minimum bonus benchmark is achieved. The exercise
price of the Options will be $2.62 for 250,000 shares and $3.90 for 500,000
shares. Finally, during the term of the CEO Agreement, the Company shall
pay the
amount of premiums or other costs incurred for the coverage of Mr. Ghauri,
his spouse and dependent family members under the Company's health and related
benefit plans.
The
CEO
Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance, non-solicitation,
non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant to the CEO Agreement,
if he terminates his employment for Good Reason (as described below), or,
is
terminated prior to the end of the employment term by the Company other than
for
Cause (as described below) or death, he shall be entitled to all remaining
salary from the termination date until 36 months thereafter, at the rate
of
salary in effect on the date of termination, immediate vesting of all options
and, continuation of all health related plan benefits for a period of 36
months.
He shall have no obligation to seek other employment and any income so earned
shall not reduce the foregoing amounts. If he is terminated by the Company
for
Cause (as described below), or at the end of the employment term, he shall
not
be entitled to further compensation. Under the CEO Agreement, Good Reason
includes the assignment of duties inconsistent with his title, a material
reduction in salary and perquisites, the relocation of the Company's principal
office by 30 miles, if the Company asks him to perform any act which is illegal,
including the commission of a crime or act of moral turpitude, or a material
breach of the CEO Agreement by the Company. Under the CEO Agreement, Cause
includes conviction of crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform
his
duties to the Company, engaging in activities which are directly competitive
to
or intentionally injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the
CEO
Agreement by Mr. Ghauri.
The
above
summary of the CEO Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the
full text of the CEO Agreement, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to
our
form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
Employment
Agreement with Naeem Ghauri
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our
President of the EMEA Region, Naeem Ghauri. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement
between Mr. Ghauri and the Company (the "President EMEA Agreement"), the
Company agreed to employ Mr. Ghauri as its President of the EMEA region
from the date of the President EMEA Agreement through December 31, 2009.
This
Agreement was amended on February 11, 2008. Under the President EMEA Agreement,
Mr. Ghauri is entitled to an annualized base salary of £122,000
(approximately $247,794 based on the conversion rate on March 12, 2008) and
is
eligible for annual bonuses at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
In
the February 11, 2008 amendment, the Compensation Committee approved the
grant
of bonuses based on certain benchmarks and accelerators. The bonus of $24,250
is
payable if and only if the Company achieves company-wide gross revenues of
$32,230,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 and an earnings per
share
of at least $0.22. Additional bonuses may be earned if certain “accelerator
goals” are achieved. The bonus is accelerated to 200% of the bonus amount if
revenue of $35,000,000 is attained and earnings per share of at least $0.27;
and, to 300% if revenue of $40,000,000 is attained and earnings per share
of at
least $0.32. Once the minimum bonus benchmarks are attained, the additional
bonuses may be earned based on a percentage of accelerator goals achieved.
The
Company retained the right to increase the base compensation as it deems
necessary. In addition, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to participate in the
Company's stock option plans, is entitled to two weeks of paid vacation per
calendar year and is to receive a car allowance totaling $2,000 per month
for
the term of the President EMEA Agreement. The February 11, 2008 amendment
grants
options to purchase up to 525,000 shares of common stock to be issued from
the
2005 Employee Stock Option Plan to vest equally over twenty-four months
beginning on the grant date. These options are only granted in the event
the
minimum bonus benchmark is achieved. The exercise price of the Options will
be
$2.62 for 175,000 shares and $3.90 for 350,000 shares. Finally, during the
term
of the President EMEA Agreement, the Company shall pay the amount of premiums
or
other costs incurred for the coverage of Mr. Ghauri, his spouse and
dependent family members under the Company's health and related benefit plans.
The
President EMEA Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance,
non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant
to
the President EMEA Agreement, if he terminates his employment for Good Reason
(as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment
term
by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, he shall
be
entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 36 months
thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination,
immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related
plan
benefits for a period of 36 months. He shall have no obligation to seek other
employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts.
If
he is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the
end of
the employment term, he shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under
the
President EMEA Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties
inconsistent with his title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites,
the
relocation of the Company's principal office by 30 miles, if the Company
asks
him to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime
or
act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the President EMEA Agreement
by
the Company. Under the President EMEA Agreement, Cause includes conviction
of
crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his duties to the Company,
engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally
injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the President EMEA Agreement
by Mr. Ghauri.
The
above
summary of the President EMEA Agreement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the President EMEA Agreement, a copy of which
was
filed as an exhibit to our 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
Employment
Agreement with Salim Ghauri
Effective
January 1, 2007, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our
President of the APAC Region, Mr. Salim Ghauri. Pursuant to the Employment
Agreement between Mr. Ghauri and the Company (the "President APAC
Agreement"), the Company agreed to employ Mr. Ghauri as its President APAC
from the date of the President APAC Agreement through December 31, 2009.
The
President APAC Agreement was amended on February 11, 2008. Under the President
APAC Agreement, Mr. Ghauri is entitled to an annualized base salary of
$225,000 and is eligible for annual bonuses at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee. The Company retained the right to increase the base
compensation as it deems necessary. In the February 11, 2008 amendment, the
Compensation Committee approved the grant of bonuses based on certain benchmarks
and accelerators. The bonus of $50,000 is payable if and only if the Company
achieves company-wide gross revenues of $32,230,000 for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2008 and an earnings per share of at least $0.22. Additional bonuses
may be earned if certain “accelerator goals” are achieved. The bonus is
accelerated to 200% of the bonus amount if revenue of $35,000,000 is attained
and earnings per share of at least $0.27; and, to 400% if revenue of $40,000,000
is attained and earnings per share of at least $0.32. Once the minimum bonus
benchmarks are attained, the additional bonuses may be earned based on a
percentage of accelerator goals achieved. The Company retained the right
to
increase the base compensation as it deems necessary In addition,
Mr. Ghauri is entitled to participate in the Company's stock option plans,
is entitled to two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year. The February
11,
2008 amendment grants options to purchase up to 525,000 shares of common
stock
to be issued from the 2005 Employee Stock Option Plan to vest equally over
twenty-four months beginning on the grant date. These options are only granted
in the event the minimum bonus benchmark is achieved. The exercise price
of the
Options will be $2.62 for 175,000 shares and $3.90 for 350,000 shares. Finally,
during the term of the President APAC Agreement, the Company shall pay the
amount of premiums or other costs incurred for the coverage of Mr. Ghauri,
his spouse and dependent family members under the Company's health and related
benefit plans.
The
President APAC Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance,
non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant
to
the President APAC Agreement, if he terminates his employment for Good Reason
(as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment
term
by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, he shall
be
entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 36 months
thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination,
immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related
plan
benefits for a period of 36 months. He shall have no obligation to seek other
employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts.
If
he is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the
end of
the employment term, he shall not be entitled to further compensation. Under
the
President APAC Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties
inconsistent with his title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites,
the
relocation of the Company's principal office by 30 miles, if the Company
asks
him to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime
or
act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the President APAC Agreement
by
the Company. Under the President APAC Agreement, Cause includes conviction
of
crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his duties to the Company,
engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally
injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the President APAC Agreement
by Mr. Ghauri.
The
above
summary of the President APAC Agreement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the President APAC Agreement, a copy of which
was
filed as an exhibit to our Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007.
Employment
Agreement with Patti L. W. McGlasson
Effective
May 1, 2006, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with our Secretary
and General Counsel, Ms. Patti L. W. McGlasson. Pursuant to the Employment
Agreement between Ms. McGlasson and the Company (the "General Counsel
Agreement"), the Company agreed to employ Ms. McGlasson as its Secretary
and General Counsel from the date of the General Counsel Agreement through
April
30, 2008. Under the General Counsel Agreement, Ms. McGlasson was entitled
to an annualized base salary of $110,000 and is eligible for annual bonuses
at
the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer. Effective August 1, 2007,
Ms.
McGlasson’s annualized salary was raised to $130,000. The Company retained the
right to increase the base compensation as it deems necessary. In addition,
Ms. McGlasson is entitled to participate in the Company's stock option
plans and, is entitled to two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year. Finally,
during the term of the General Counsel Agreement, the Company shall pay the
amount of premiums or other costs incurred for the coverage of Ms. Ghauri,
hers spouse and dependent family members under the Company's health and related
benefit plans.
The
General Counsel Agreement also includes provisions respecting severance,
non-solicitation, non-competition, and confidentiality obligations. Pursuant
to
the General Counsel Agreement, if she terminates her employment for Good
Reason
(as described below), or, is terminated prior to the end of the employment
term
by the Company other than for Cause (as described below) or death, she shall
be
entitled to all remaining salary from the termination date until 12 months
thereafter, at the rate of salary in effect on the date of termination,
immediate vesting of all options and, continuation of all health related
plan
benefits for a period of 12 months. She shall have no obligation to seek
other
employment and any income so earned shall not reduce the foregoing amounts.
If
she is terminated by the Company for Cause (as described below), or at the
end
of the employment term, she shall not be entitled to further compensation.
Under
the General Counsel Agreement, Good Reason includes the assignment of duties
inconsistent with her title, a material reduction in salary and perquisites,
the
relocation of the Company's principal office by 60 miles, if the Company
asks
him to perform any act which is illegal, including the commission of a crime
or
act of moral turpitude, or a material breach of the President APAC Agreement
by
the Company. Under the General Counsel Agreement, Cause includes conviction
of
crime involving moral turpitude, failure to perform his duties to the Company,
engaging in activities which are directly competitive to or intentionally
injurious to the Company, or any material breach of the General Counsel
Agreement by Ms. McGlasson.
The
above
summary of the General Counsel Agreement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the General Counsel Agreement, a copy of which
was
filed as an exhibit to the Company’s 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2006 on September 27, 2006.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock
awards outstanding on June 30, 2007, the last day of our fiscal year, to
each of
the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table.
NAME
|
|
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS (#)
EXERCISABLE
|
|
NUMBER
OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS
(#)
UNEXERCISABLE
|
|
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE ($)
|
|
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE
|
|
Najeeb
Ghauri
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2.21
|
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
374,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.94
|
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2.21
|
|
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
2/16/12
|
|
|
|
|
374,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.94
|
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salim
Ghauri
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2.21
|
|
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75
|
|
|
1/2/14
|
|
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
2/16/12
|
|
|
|
|
374,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.94
|
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
|
4/1/15
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
6/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tina
Gilger
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1.86
|
|
|
7/20/15
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.79
|
|
|
7/20/15
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
|
7/7/15
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
7/7/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
1/1/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.64
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
|
|
3/26/14
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
|
7/7/15
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
7/7/15
|
|
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested
Mr.
Najeeb Ghauri exercised options to acquire 125,773 shares of common stock
of the
Company at the exercise price of $1.94 per share during the last fiscal year.
Mr.
Naeem
Ghauri exercised options to acquire 125,773 shares of common stock of the
Company at the exercise price of $1.94 per share during the last fiscal year.
Mr.
Salim
Ghauri exercised options to acquire 125,773 shares of common stock of the
Company at the exercise price of $1.94 per share during the last fiscal year.
Pension
Benefits
We
do not
have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans.
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change of Control
Generally,
regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer's employment
terminates, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of
employment. Such amounts include the portion of the executive's base salary
that
has accrued prior to any termination and not yet been paid and unused vacation
pay.
In
addition, we are required to make the additional payments and/or provide
additional benefits to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation
Table
in the event of a termination of employment or a change of control, as set
forth
below.
Change-in-Control
Payments
Najeeb
Ghauri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
In
the
event that Mr. Ghauri is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined
below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination
for
Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a one time payment equal to the product of
2.99
and his salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment equal
to
the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one percent
of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve (12)
months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment
equal
to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of
Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had
been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the
event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying
Executive’s options, he shall so notify the Company of his intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Ghauri assuming
his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on
June
30, 2007, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS
AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
TERMINATION
BY
US
WITHOUT
CAUSE
OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR
GOOD
CAUSE
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$
|
878,103
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
878,103
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
822,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
292,821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
1,399,145
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,442,319
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
878,103
|
|
Naeem
Ghauri, President EMEA
In
the
event that Mr. Ghauri is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined
below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination
for
Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a one time payment equal to the product of
2.99
and his salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment equal
to
the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one percent
of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve (12)
months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment
equal
to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of
Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had
been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the
event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying
Executive’s options, he shall so notify the Company of his intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Ghauri assuming
his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on
June
30, 2007, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS
AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON
DEATH OR
DISABILITY
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD CAUSE
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$
|
675,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
675,000
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
672,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
292,821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
1,406,745
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,097,316
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
675,000
|
|
Salim
Ghauri, President APAC
In
the
event that Mr. Ghauri is terminated as a result of a change in control (defined
below), he is entitled to all payments due in the event of a termination
for
Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a one time payment equal to the product of
2.99
and his salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time payment equal
to
the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and (ii) one percent
of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for the previous twelve (12)
months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c) a one-time cash payment
equal
to the cash value of all shares eligible for exercise upon the exercise of
Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and exercisable as if they had
been exercised in full (the “Change of Control Termination Payment”). In the
event Executive elects to receive the cash value of the shares underlying
Executive’s options, he shall so notify the Company of his intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Mr. Ghauri assuming
his employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on
June
30, 2007, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS
AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF CONTROL
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD CAUSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$
|
525,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
525,000
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
523,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
292,821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
1,414,345
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,805,416
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
525,000
|
|
Patti
L. W. McGlasson, Secretary and General Counsel
In
the
event that Ms. McGlasson is terminated as a result of a change in control
(defined below), she is entitled to all payments due in the event of a
termination for Cause or Good Reason and: (a) a one time payment equal to
the
product of 2.99 and her salary during the preceding 12 months; (b) a one-time
payment equal to the higher of (i) Executive’s bonus for the previous year and
(ii) one-half of one percent of the Company’s consolidated gross revenues for
the previous twelve (12) months; and, at the election of the Executive, (c)
a
one-time cash payment equal to the cash value of all shares eligible for
exercise upon the exercise of Executive’s Options then currently outstanding and
exercisable as if they had been exercised in full (the “Change of Control
Termination Payment”). In the event Executive elects to receive the cash value
of the shares underlying Executive’s options, she shall so notify the Company of
her intent.
The
following table summarizes the potential payments to Ms. McGlasson assuming
her employment with us was terminated or a change of control occurred on
June
30, 2007, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year.
BENEFITS
AND PAYMENTS
|
|
CHANGE
OF
CONTROL
|
|
TERMINATION
UPON DEATH
OR
DISABILITY
|
|
TERMINATION
BY US
WITHOUT
CAUSE OR BY
EXECUTIVE
FOR GOOD
CAUSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base
Salary
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
6,536
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
Multiple Pay-out
|
|
|
328,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonus
or Revenue One-time Pay-Out
|
|
|
146,410
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Cash Value of Options
|
|
|
136,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
728,646
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
Director
Compensation
Director
Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth a summary of the compensation earned by our Directors
and/or paid to certain of our Directors pursuant to the Company's compensation
policies for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, other than Najeeb Ghauri,
Naeem Ghauri and Salim Ghauri who are executives and directors.
NAME
|
|
FEES
EARNED
OR PAID
IN
CASH
($)
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
($) (1)
|
|
TOTAL
($)
|
|
Eugen
Beckert
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
Shahid
Javed Burki
|
|
|
26,750
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
26,750
|
|
Mark
Caton
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
Alexander
Shakow (2)
|
|
|
1,333
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,333
|
|
Jim
Moody (3)
|
|
|
11,250
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
11,250
|
|
Derek
Soper (4)
|
|
|
14,667
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
14,667
|
|
(1) |
There
were no options awarded during fiscal year ended June 30, 2007
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Shakow joined the board upon his election by the Board of Directors
on
June 4, 2007.
|
(3) |
Mr.
Moody resigned from our Board of Directors effective December 31,
2007.
|
(4) |
Mr.
Soper did not stand for re-election to our Board of Directors and
his term
concluded on June 4, 2007.
|
Director
Compensation Policy
Messrs. Ghauri
are not paid any fees or other compensation for services as members of our
Board
of Directors.
The
non-employee members of our Board of Directors received as compensation for
services as directors as well as reimbursement for documented reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our Board
of
Directors and the committees thereof. The Company paid the following amounts
to
members of the Board of Directors for the activities shown during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2007
BOARD
ACTIVITY
|
|
CASH
PAYMENTS
|
|
Annual
Cash Retainer
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
Committee
Membership
|
|
$
|
2,000
|
|
Chairperson
for Audit Committee
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
Chairperson
for Compensation Committee
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
Chairperson
for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
Members
of our Board of Directors are also eligible to receive stock option grants
both
upon joining the Board of Directors and on an annual basis in line with
recommendations by the Compensation Committee, which grants are non-qualified
stock options under our Employee Stock Option Plans. Further, from time to
time,
the non-employee members of the Board of Directors are eligible to receive
stock
grants that may be granted if and only if approved by the shareholders of
the
Company.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The
current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Caton (Chairman),
Mr. Beckert, Mr. Burki and Mr. Shakow. During the fiscal year ended June
30,
2007, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee was Mr. Beckert. From June
30,
2006, the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Beckert, Mr. Burki, Mr.
Moody
and Mr. Soper. Mr. Moody resigned effective December 31, 2007. Mr. Moody
was
replaced on the committee by Mr. Caton. Mr. Soper did not stand for reelection
to the board and accordingly, his committee membership concluded on June
4,
2007. There were no other members of the committee during the fiscal year
ended
June 30, 2007. All current members of the Compensation Committee are
"independent directors" as defined under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. None
of
these individuals were at any time during the fiscal year ended June 30,
2007,
or at any other time, an officer or employee of the Company.
No
executive officer of the Company serves as a member of the board of directors
or
compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee.
Employee
Stock Option Plans
The
2001
plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,000,000 options to purchase common
stock
of which 2,000,000 have been granted. The grant prices range between $.75
and
$2.50.
The
2002
plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,000,000 options to purchase common
stock
of which 2,000,000 options have been granted. The grant prices range between
$.75 and $5.00.
In
March
2004, our shareholders approved the 2003 stock option plan. This plan authorizes
up to 2,000,000 options to purchase common stock of which 1,189,606 have
been
granted. The grant prices range between $1.00 and $5.00.
In
March
2005, our shareholders approved the 2004 stock option plan. This plan authorizes
up to 5,000,000 options to purchase common stock of which 4,998,246 have
been
granted. The grant prices range between $1.50 and $3.00.
In
April
2006, our shareholders approved the 2005 stock option plan. This plan authorizes
up to 5,000,000 options to purchase common stock of which 1,780,000 have
been
granted. The grant prices range between $1.70 and $2.55.
Compensation
Committee Report
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed
the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of
Regulation S-B and contained within this Proxy Statement with management
and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and incorporated into NetSol
Technologies, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30,
2007, as previously filed.
Compensation
Committee
|
Mark
Caton (Chair)
|
Eugen
Beckert
|
Shahid
Javed Burki
|
Alexander
Shakow
|
DEADLINE
FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL 2008
The
Rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit stockholders of the Company,
after notice to the Company, to present proposals for stockholder action
in the
Company's proxy statement where such proposals are consistent with applicable
law, pertain to matters appropriate for stockholder action and are not properly
omitted by Company action in accordance with the proxy rules published by
the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's 2008 annual meeting of
stockholders is expected to be held on or about December 1, 2008 and proxy
materials in connection with that meeting are expected to be mailed on or
about
November 1, 2008. The Company must receive stockholder proposals prepared
in
accordance with the proxy rules between September 1, 2008 and October 1,
2008.
FILINGS
UNDER SECTION 16(A)
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and officers,
and
persons holding ten percent or more of a registered class of the Company's
equity securities, to file reports regarding their ownership and regarding
their
acquisitions and dispositions of the Company's equity securities with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than
ten-percent beneficial owners are required by applicable regulations to furnish
the Company with copies of any Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based
solely on copies of such forms furnished as provided above, or written
representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that
during
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to its executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of
more
than 10% of its Common Stock were complied with.
Voting
Procedures
Tabulation
of the Votes: The
votes
cast by proxy will be tabulated by American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company.
Effect
of an Abstention and Broker Non-Votes:
A
shareholder who abstains from voting on any of or all of the proposals will
be
included in the number of shareholders present at the meeting for the purpose
of
determining the presence of a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will
not
be counted either in favor of or against the election of the nominees or
other
proposals. Under the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
brokers holding stock for the accounts of their clients who have not been
given
specific voting instructions as to a matter by their clients may vote their
client’s proxies in their own discretion.
A
copy of
NetSol’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2007
which has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act will be furnished
to shareholders together with this Proxy Statement. Copies of the Annual
Report
are available without charge to each shareholder, upon written request to
the
Investor Relations department at our principal offices at 23901 Calabasas
Road,
Suite 2072, Calabasas, CA 91302 or from the Internet on SEC’s Edgar database at
www.sec.gov.
Other
Matters
The
Board
of Directors of the Company does not intend to present any business at the
Annual Meeting other than the matters specifically set forth in this Proxy
Statement and knows of no other business to come before the Annual Meeting.
However, on all matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting by the
Board
or by others, the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy will
vote
in accordance with their best judgment.
ALL
SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN AND MAIL PROXIES OR VOTE VIA THE INTERNET
PROMPTLY.
Your
attendance at the Annual Meeting is desired whether your holdings are large
or
small. We encourage shareholders to take an active interest in NetSol and
we
would appreciate your vote on the enclosed proxy card or via the Internet
through our transfer agent American Stock Transfer & Trust by visiting the
www.voteproxy.com
site and
following the screen instructions. If you plan to vote at the Annual Meeting
by
proxy, please either sign, date and mail your Proxy in the enclosed envelope
or
at www.voteproxy.com,
as
promptly as possible.
Dated:
March
28,
2008
Calabasas,
California
BY
ORDER OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Najeeb
Ghauri
Chairman and CEO
NETSOL
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Proxy
for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on May 2,
2008
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned hereby appoints Naeem Ghauri, with full power of substitution,
as
his or her Proxy to represent and vote, as designated below, all of the shares
of the Common Stock of NetSol Technologies, Inc., registered in the name
of the
undersigned on March 14, 2008 with the powers the undersigned would possess
if
personally present at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held
at the
Company’s headquarters located at 23901 Calabasas Road, Suite 2072, Calabasas,
CA 91302 at 10:00 A.M. local time, on May 2, 2008 and at any adjournment
thereof, hereby revokes any proxy or proxies previously given.
1.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
FOR
all
nominees listed below o
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY o
(except
as marked to the contrary to vote for all below)
(To
WITHHOLD authority to vote for any individual nominee strike a line
through
the
nominee's name below)
|
Naeem Ghauri
|
Salim Ghauri
|
|
Shahid Burki
|
Eugen Beckert
|
Mark Caton
|
Alexander Shakow
|
|
|
|
|
o For
|
o Against
|
o Abstain
|
|
2.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF KABANI & COMPANY INC. AS THE COMPANY’S
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL
2008-09.
|
o For
|
o Against
|
o Abstain
|
|
3.
APPROVAL TO AMEND THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE
NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK FROM 50,000,000 TO
100,000,000.
|
o For
|
o Against
|
o Abstain
|
|
4.
APPROVAL OF THE NETSOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2008 EQUITY INCENTIVE
PLAN
|
o For
|
o Against
|
o Abstain
|
|
Discretionary
authority is hereby granted with respect to such other matters as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting.
THIS
PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION
IS
GIVEN, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND, "FOR"
PROPOSALS NUMBER 2, 3 AND 4, AND IN THE PROXY'S DISCRETION ON ANY OTHER MATTERS
TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
Dated:
__________________________, 2008
|
|
______________________________________
|
(Signature)
|
|
______________________________________
|
(Second
signature)
|
|
PLEASE
DATE AND SIGN ABOVE exactly as your
name
appears on your Stock Certificate,
indicating
where appropriate, official
position
or representative
capacity.
|
ANNEX
A
NETSOL
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2008
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE
I
PURPOSE
1.1 General.
The
purpose of the NetSol Technologies, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan")
is to promote the success, and enhance the value, of NetSol Technologies, Inc.
(the "Company"), by linking the personal interests of its qualified directors,
officers, employees and consultants to those of Company shareholders and by
providing its qualified directors, officers, employees and consultants with
an
incentive for outstanding performance. The Plan is further intended to provide
flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain
the
services of employees upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the
successful conduct of the Company's operation is largely dependent. Accordingly,
the Plan permits the grant of incentive awards from time to time to selected
directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its
subsidiaries.
ARTICLE
2
EFFECTIVE
DATE
2.1 Effective
Date.
The
Plan will become effective on May 2, 2008, subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company. The Plan will be deemed to be approved by the
shareholders if it receives the approval of the holders of a majority of the
shares of stock of the Company in accordance with the applicable provisions
of
the Laws of the State of Delaware and the Bylaws of the Company. Any Awards
granted under the Plan prior to shareholder approval are effective when made
(unless the Committee specifies otherwise at the time of grant), but no Award
may be exercised or settled and no restrictions relating to any Award may lapse
before shareholder approval. If the shareholders fail to approve the Plan within
twelve (12) months of May 2, 2008, any Award previously made pursuant to
the Plan shall be automatically canceled without any further act.
ARTICLE
3
DEFINITIONS
3.1 Definitions.
When
appearing in this Plan with the initial letter capitalized, and the word or
phrase does not commence a sentence, the word or phrase shall generally be
given
the meaning ascribed to it in this Section or in Sections 1.1 or 2.1,
unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context. The following
words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
(a)
"Award"
means any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, or
Performance Share Award, or any other right or interest relating to Stock or
cash, granted to a Participant under the Plan.
(b)
"Award
Agreement" means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or
document evidencing an Award.
(c)
"Board"
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Code"
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.
(e)
"Committee"
means the committee of the Board described in Article 4.
(f)
"Company"
means NetSol Technologies, Inc.
(g)
"Disability"
shall mean any illness or other physical or mental condition of a Participant
that renders the Participant incapable of performing his customary and usual
duties for the Company, or any medically determinable illness or other physical
or mental condition resulting from a bodily injury, disease or mental disorder
which, in the judgment of the Committee, is permanent and continuous in nature.
The Committee may require such medical or other evidence as it deems necessary
to judge the nature and permanency of the Participant's condition. Such
disability determination shall be made in accordance with Code
section 22(e)(3).
(h)
"Effective
Date" has the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.1.
(i)
"Fair
Market Value" means with respect to Stock or any other property, the fair market
value of such Stock or other property determined by such methods or procedures
as may be established from time to time by the Committee.
(j)
"Incentive
Stock Option" means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.
(k)
"Non-Qualified
Stock Option" means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock
Option.
(l)
"Option"
means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to purchase Stock at
a
specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an
Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
(m)
"Participant"
means a person who, as a director, officer, employee or consultant of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, has been granted an Award under the
Plan.
(n)
"Performance
Award" means a right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive
cash, Stock, or other Awards, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving
certain performance goals established by the Committee (includes "Performance
Shares" and "Performance Units").
(o)
"Performance
Share" means a right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive
shares of Company Stock, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving
certain performance goals.
(p)
"Performance
Units" means a right granted to a Participant under Article 9 to receive
units the value of which is equivalent to $1.00, the payment of which is
contingent upon achieving certain performance goals.
(q)
"Plan"
means the NetSol Technologies, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, as it may be
amended from time to time.
(r)
"Restricted
Stock Award" means Stock granted to a Participant under Article 10 that is
subject to certain restrictions and to risk of forfeiture.
(s)
"Retirement"
means a Participant's termination of employment with the Company after attaining
any normal or early retirement age specified in any pension, profit sharing
or
other retirement program sponsored by the Company as provided in the Company's
policies or, if earlier, Social Security normal retirement age.
"Stock"
means the NetSol Technologies, Inc. $.001 par value common stock of the Company
and such other securities of the Company as may be substituted for Stock
pursuant to Article 12.
(u)
"Stock
Appreciation Right" or "SAR" means a right granted to a Participant under
Article 8 to receive a payment equal to the difference between the Fair
Market Value of a share of Stock as of the date of exercise of the SAR and
the
grant price of the SAR, as determined pursuant to Article 8.
(v)
"1933
Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time.
(w)
"1934
Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
time.
ARTICLE
4
ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Committee.
The
Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The
Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board who are
(i) "outside directors" as that term is used in Section 162 of the
Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) "non-employee
directors," as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3 promulgated
under Section 16 of the 1934 Act or any successor provision, except as may
be otherwise permitted under Section 16 of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
4.2 Action
by the Committee.
For
purposes of administering the Plan, the following rules of procedure shall
govern the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
The
acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting who are, at which
a
quorum is present and acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee
in
lieu of a meeting shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of
the
Committee is entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any report or other
information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the
Company, the Company's independent certified public accountants, or any
executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company
to assist in the administration of the Plan.
4.3 Authority
of Committee.
The
Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion to:
(a)
Designate
Participants;
(b)
Determine
the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;
(c)
Determine
the number of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of Stock to which
an
Award will relate;
(d)
Determine
the terms and conditions of any Award granted under the Plan, including but
not
limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any restrictions
or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions
or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers
thereof, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its
sole
discretion determines;
(e)
Determine
whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be granted,
or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in (cash, Stock, other Awards,
or
other property), or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or
surrendered;
Prescribe
the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each
Participant;
(g)
Decide
all other matters that must be determined in connection with an
Award;
(h)
Establish,
adopt or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable
to administer the Plan; and
(i)
Make
all
other decisions and determinations that may be required under the Plan or as
the
Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.
Decisions
Binding.
The
Committee is hereby granted discretionary authority to construe and interpret
the provisions of the Plan. The Committee's interpretation of the Plan, any
Awards granted under the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and
determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding,
and
conclusive on all parties.
ARTICLE
5
SHARES
SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
5.1 Number
of Shares.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 12.1, the aggregate number of shares
of Stock reserved and available for Awards shall be 1,000,000.
5.2 Lapsed
Awards.
To
the extent that an Award is canceled, terminates, expires or lapses for any
reason, any shares of Stock subject to the Award will again be available for
the
grant of an Award under the Plan and shares subject to SARs or other Awards
settled in cash will be available for the grant of an Award under the
Plan.
5.3 Stock
Distributed.
Any
Stock distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of
authorized and unissued Stock, treasury Stock or Stock purchased on the open
market.
5.4 Limitation
on Number of Shares Subject to Awards.
Notwithstanding
any provision in the Plan to the contrary, the maximum number of shares of
Stock
with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one Participant
over any one calendar year period during the term of the Plan shall not exceed
500,000 in the aggregate.
ARTICLE
6
ELIGIBILITY
6.1 General.
Awards
may be granted only to individuals who are directors (including non-employee
directors), officers or employees (including employees who also are directors
or
officers) of or consultants to the Company or to the Company's subsidiaries,
as
determined by the Committee.
ARTICLE
7
STOCK
OPTIONS
7.1 General.
The
Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants in such amounts as
it
deems appropriate in its discretion and subject to such conditions and based
on
such criteria as it may deem advisable (including performance based criteria
or
conditions) consistent with the other terms of the Plan and the
following:
(a)
Exercise
Price. The exercise price per share of Stock under an Option shall be determined
by the Committee but shall not be less than the Fair Market Value as of the
date
of the grant.
(b)
Time
and
Conditions of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at
which
an Option may be exercised in whole or in part. The Committee also shall
determine the performance or other conditions, if any, that must be satisfied
before all or part of an Option may be exercised.
(c)
Payment.
The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an
Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation, cash,
shares of Stock, or other property (including "cashless exercise" arrangements),
and the methods by which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be
delivered to Participants. Without limiting the power and discretion conferred
on the Committee pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Committee may, in
the
exercise of its discretion, but need not, allow a Participant to pay the Option
price by directing the Company to withhold from the shares of Stock that would
otherwise be issued upon exercise of the Option that number of shares having
a
Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the Option price, all as
determined pursuant to rules and procedures established by the
Committee.
(d)
Evidence
of Grant. All Options shall be evidenced by a written Award Agreement between
the Company and the Participant. The Award Agreement shall include such
provisions as may be specified by the Committee.
(e)
Dividend
Equivalents. Any Option may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents
to
the Participant on a current, deferred or contingent basis or may provide that
Dividend Equivalents be credited against the option price. The right to Dividend
Equivalents, if so provided, shall be evidenced in the Award Agreement. Any
such
right shall be structured in a manner that complies with Section 409A of
the Code.
7.2 Incentive
Stock Options.
The
terms of any Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan must comply with
the
following additional rules:
(a)
Exercise
Price. Subject to Section 7.2 (e) below, the exercise price per share
of Stock shall be set by the Committee, provided that the exercise price for
any
Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than the Fair Market Value as of the
date of the grant.
(b)
Exercise.
Subject to Section 7.2(e) below, in no event may any Incentive Stock Option
be exercisable for more than ten (10) years from the date of its
grant.
(c)
Lapse
of
Option. An Option shall lapse under the following circumstances:
(1)
A
vested
Option shall lapse according to the Stock Option Agreement entered into by
the
Participant and according to this Plan, provided, however, that vested Incentive
Stock Options not exercised within three months after the Participant's
termination of employment shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options as
defined by the Code.
(2)
If
the
Participant becomes disabled within the meaning of Disability under
Section 3.1(g) of the Plan, then the Option will lapse twelve
(12) months after employment ceased due to the Disability.
(3)
If
the
Participant dies before the Option lapses pursuant to paragraph (1),
(2) or (3) or before its original expiration as indicated above, the
Incentive Stock Option shall lapse, unless it is previously exercised, on the
date on which the Option would have lapsed had the Participant lived and had
his
employment status (i.e., whether the Participant was employed by the
Company on the date of his death or had previously terminated employment)
remained unchanged. Upon the Participant's death, any exercisable Incentive
Stock Options may be exercised by the Participant's legal representative or
representatives, by the person or persons entitled to do so under the
Participant's last will and testament, or, if the Participant shall fail to
make
testamentary disposition of such Incentive Stock Options or shall die intestate,
by the person or persons entitled to receive such Incentive Stock Options under
the applicable laws of descent and distribution.
(d)
Individual
Dollar Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time
an
Award is made) of all shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock
Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not
exceed $100,000.00.
(e)
Ten
Percent Owners. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any individual
who, at the date of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company unless the
exercise price per share of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market
Value per share of Stock at the date of grant and the Option expires no later
than five (5) years after the date of grant.
(f)
Expiration
of Incentive Stock Options. No Award of an Incentive Stock Option may be made
pursuant to the Plan after the day immediately prior to the tenth anniversary
of
the original Effective Date (i.e., April 28, 2008).
(g)
Right
to
Exercise. During a Participant's lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option may be
exercised only by the Participant.
(h)
Grants
only to Employees. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees
of
the Company.
ARTICLE
8
STOCK
APPRECIATION RIGHTS
8.1 Grant
of SARs.
The
Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following terms
and
conditions:
(a)
Right
to
Payment. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Participant to whom it is granted
has
the right to receive all or a percentage of:
(1)
The
Fair
Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise,
minus,
(2)
The
grant
price of the SAR as determined by the Committee. The grant price of the SAR
shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date
of grant.
(b)
Tandem
Awards. SARs may be granted alone or in tandem with options. If a SAR is granted
in tandem with an option, the SAR may only be exercised at a time when the
related option is exercisable and the difference between the Fair Market Value
and the grant price is a positive number. The exercise of the tandem SAR
requires the surrender of the related option for cancellation.
Other
Terms. All awards of SARs shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. The terms,
methods of exercise, methods of settlement, form of consideration payable in
settlement, and any other terms and conditions of any SAR shall be determined
by
the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award and shall be reflected
in
the Award Agreement. The grant of any SAR may include the right to Dividend
Equivalents as described in Section 7.1(e).
ARTICLE
9
PERFORMANCE
AWARDS
9.1 Grant
of Performance Awards.
The
Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants on such
terms and conditions as may be selected by the Committee (which may include
Performance Criteria). The Committee shall have the complete discretion to
determine the number of Performance Awards granted to each Participant. All
grants of Performance Awards shall be evidenced by an Award
Agreement.
9.2 Right
to Payment.
A
grant of Performance Awards gives the Participant rights, valued as determined
by the Committee, and payable to, or exercisable by, the Participant to whom
the
Performance Awards are granted, in whole or in part, as the Committee shall
establish at grant or thereafter. The Committee shall set performance goals
and
other terms or conditions to payment of the Performance Awards in its discretion
which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number
and value of Performance Shares that will be paid to the
Participant.
9.3 Other
Terms.
Performance
Awards may be payable in cash, Stock, or other property, and have such other
terms and conditions as determined by the Committee and reflected in the Award
Agreement.
ARTICLE
10
RESTRICTED
STOCK AWARDS
10.1 Grant
of Restricted Stock.
The
Committee is authorized to make Awards of Restricted Stock to Participants
in
such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by
the
Committee. All Awards of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by a Restricted
Stock Award Agreement.
10.2 Issuance
and Restrictions.
Restricted
Stock shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may choose to
impose. These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times,
under such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee
determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter. An award of
Restricted Stock will provide the Participant with voting, dividend and other
ownership rights provided in the Award Agreement.
10.3 Forfeiture.
10.4 Certificates
for Restricted Stock.
Restricted
Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee
shall determine. If certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock are
registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate
legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such
Restricted Stock, and the Company shall retain physical possession of the
certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
ARTICLE
10A
DEFERRED
SHARES
10A.1 Deferred
Shares.
The
Committee is authorized to make Awards of Deferred Shares to Participants in
such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as may be selected by
the
Committee. A Deferred Share Award shall entitle the Participant to receive
Stock
from the Company in the future in consideration for services performed during
the Deferral Period. All services required of the Participant for receipt of
the
Deferred Share shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
10A.2 Deferral
Period.
The
"Deferral Period" means the time period mandated by the Award Agreement during
which specified services are to be performed by the Participant that will merit
receipt of the Deferred Shares.
10A.3 Other
Conditions.
The
Committee may authorize Dividend Equivalents, defined under Section 7.1(e),
to be provided on or after the date of any grant under this Section. During
the
Deferral Period the Participant has no right to transfer any rights covered
by
the Award and no right to vote the Stock.
The
grant of any Deferred Shares may require the payment of additional
consideration. However, in no case shall the additional consideration exceed
the
Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of grant.
ARTICLE
11
PROVISIONS
APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
11.1 Stand-Alone,
Tandem, and Substitute Awards.
Awards
granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted
either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for, any
other Award granted under the Plan. If an Award is granted in substitution
for
another Award, the Committee may require the surrender of such other Award
in
consideration of the grant of the new Award. Awards granted in addition to
or in
tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a
different time from the grant of such other Awards.
11.2 Exchange
Provisions.
The
Committee may at any time offer to exchange or buy out any previously granted
Award for a payment in cash, Stock, or another Award (subject to
Section 12.1), based on the terms and conditions the Committee determines
and communicates to the Participant at the time the offer is made.
The
term of each Award shall be for the period as determined by the Committee,
provided that in no event shall the term of any Incentive Stock Option or a
Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with the Incentive Stock Option
exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant.
11.4 Form
of Payment for Awards.
Subject
to the terms of the Plan, the Award Agreement or any applicable law, payments
or
transfers to be made by the Company on the grant or exercise of an Award may
be
made in such form as the Committee determines at or after the time of grant,
including without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property,
or
any combination, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in
installments, or on a deferred basis, in each case determined in accordance
with
rules adopted by, and at the discretion of, the Committee.
11.5 Limits
on Transfer.
No
right or interest of a Participant in any Award may be encumbered or pledged
to
or in favor of any party other than the Company, or shall be subject to any
lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to any other party other
than
the Company. No Award shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant
other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, except in the case
of
an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order
as
defined in Section 414(p)(1)(B) of the Code, if the order satisfies
Section 414(p)(1)(A) of the Code.
11.6 Beneficiaries.
Notwithstanding
Section 13.5, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee,
designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive
any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant's death. A
beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming
any
rights under the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and
any
Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan
and
Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed
necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married, a
designation of a person other than the Participant's spouse as his beneficiary
with respect to more than 50 percent of the Participant's interest in the
Award shall not be effective without the written consent of the Participant's
spouse. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant,
payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto under the Participant's
will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a
beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time
provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.
11.7 Stock
Certificates.
All
Stock certificates delivered under the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer
orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable
to
comply with federal or state securities laws, rules and regulations and the
rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on
which
the Stock is listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on
any
Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the
Stock.
11.8 Acceleration
Upon Death or Disability.
11.9 Acceleration
Upon Certain Events.
In
the event of (i) the commencement of a public tender offer for all or any
portion of the Stock, (ii) a proposal to merge, consolidate or otherwise
combine with another company is submitted to the shareholders of the Company
for
approval, or (iii) the Board approves any transaction or event that would
constitute a change of control of the Company of a nature that would be required
to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of the 1934
Act, the Committee may in its sole discretion declare all outstanding Options,
Stock Appreciation Rights, and other Awards in the nature of rights that may
be
exercised to become fully exercisable, and/or all restrictions on all
outstanding Awards to lapse, in each case as of such date as the Committee
may,
in its sole discretion, declare, which may be on or before the consummation
of
such tender offer or other transaction or event. To the extent that this
provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set
forth in Section 7.2(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be
Non-Qualified Stock Options.
11.10 Performance
Criteria.
Awards
other than Options and SARs made pursuant to the Plan may be made subject to
the
attainment of performance goals relating to one or more business criteria within
the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. For purposes of this Plan, such
business criteria shall mean any one or more of the following performance
criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied
to
either the Company as a whole or to a subsidiary, division or other area of
the
Company, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years,
on
an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years'
results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the
Committee: (a) cash flow; (b) earnings (including gross margin,
earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT"), earnings before taxes ("EBT"),
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock option
expense ("EBITDASO"), and net earnings); (c) ethical conduct;
(d) market share; (e) earnings per share; (f) growth in earnings
or earnings per share; (g) stock price; (h) return on equity or
average shareholders' equity; (i) total shareholder return; (j) return
on capital; (k) return on assets or net assets; (l) return on
investment; (m) revenue; (n) income or net income; (o) operating
income or net operating income; (p) operating profit or net operating
profit; (q) operating margin; (r) return on operating revenue;
(s) overhead or other expense reduction; (t) growth in shareholder
value relative to the two-year moving average of the S&P 500 Index;
(u) growth in shareholder value relative to the two-year moving average of
the Dow Jones Industrial Average; (v) credit rating; (w) strategic
plan development and implementation; (x) succession plan development and
implementation; (y) retention of executive talent; (z) improvement in
workforce diversity; (aa) return on average shareholders' equity relative
to the ten year treasury yield; (bb) capital resource management plan
development and implementation; (cc) improved internal financial controls
plan development and implementation; (dd) corporate tax savings;
(ee) corporate cost of capital reduction; (ff) investor relations
program development and implementation; (gg) corporate relations program
development and implementation; (hh) executive performance plan development
and implementation; and (ii) tax provision rate for financial statement
purposes. The Committee may adjust the performance results to take into account
extraordinary, unusual, non-recurring, or non-comparable items. No Award (other
than Options and SARs) that is intended to satisfy the requirements for
"performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code will be
payable unless the Committee certifies in writing that the applicable
performance goals have been satisfied.
ARTICLE
12
CHANGES
IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE
12.1 General.
In
the event a stock dividend is declared upon the Stock, the shares of Stock
then
subject to each Award shall be increased proportionately without any change
in
the aggregate purchase price therefor. In the event of any change in the number
of outstanding shares of Stock, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock
available for Awards shall be adjusted proportionately. In the event the Stock
shall be changed into or exchanged for a different number or class of shares
of
stock or securities of the Company or of another company, whether through
reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, combination
of shares, merger or consolidation, there shall be substituted for each such
share of Stock then subject to each Award the number and class of shares into
which each outstanding share of Stock shall be so exchanged. The Committee
shall
make such adjustments to the aggregate purchase price for the shares then
subject to each Award as it deems necessary or advisable to put Participants
in
the same relative position after such change in capital structure as before
such
change.
ARTICLE
13
AMENDMENT,
MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION
13.1 Amendment,
Modification and Termination.
With
the approval of the Board, at any time and from time to time, the Committee
may
terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that no amendment of
the
Plan may be made without approval of the shareholders of the Company as may
be
required by the Code, by the insider trading rules of Section 16 of the
1934 Act, by any national securities exchange or automated quotation system
on
which the Stock is listed or reported.
13.2 Awards
Previously Granted.
No
termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect
any
Award previously granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the
Participant.
ARTICLE
14
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
14.1 No
Rights to Awards.
No
Participant or employee shall have any claim to be granted any Award under
the
Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat
Participants and employees uniformly.
14.2 No
shareholder Rights.
No
Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company
unless and until shares of Stock are in fact issued to such person in connection
with such Award.
14.3 Withholding.
The
Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require
a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal,
state, and local taxes (including the Participant's FICA obligation) required
by
law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of
the
Plan. With respect to withholding required upon any taxable event under the
Plan, the Committee may, at the time the Award is granted or thereafter, require
that any such withholding requirement be satisfied, in whole or in part, by
withholding shares of Stock having a Fair Market
Value on
the date of withholding equal to the amount to be withheld for tax purposes,
all
in accordance with such procedures as the Committee
establishes.
14.4 No
Right to Employment.
Nothing
in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way
the
right of the Company to terminate any Participant's employment at any time,
nor
confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ of the
Company.
14.5 Unfunded
Status of Awards.
The
Plan is intended to be an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred
compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant
pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement
shall
give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general
creditor of the Company.
14.6 Indemnification.
To
the extent allowable under applicable law, each member of the Committee shall
be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability,
or
expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in
connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to
which such member may be a party or in which he may be involved by reason of
any
action or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts
paid by such member in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or
proceeding against him provided he gives the Company an opportunity, at its
own
expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle and defend
it on his own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be
exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may
be
entitled under the Bylaws of the Company or as a matter of law, or otherwise,
or
any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them
harmless.
14.7 Relationship
to Other Benefits.
No
payment under the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits
under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare
or benefit plan of the Company.
14.8 Expenses.
The
expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the
Company.
14.9 Titles
and Headings.
The
titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference
only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such
titles or headings, shall control.
14.10 Gender
and Number.
Except
where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also
shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the
singular shall include the plural.
14.11 Fractional
Shares.
No
fractional shares of Stock shall be issued and the Committee shall determine,
in
its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional shares or
whether such fractional shares shall be eliminated by rounding up.
With
respect to any person who is, on the relevant date, obligated to file reports
under Section 16 of the 1934 Act, transactions under the Plan are intended
to comply with Rule 16b-3(d) as transactions between the Company and its
officers or directors. To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by
the
Committee fails to so comply, it shall be void to the extent permitted by law
and voidable as deemed advisable by the Committee.
14.13 Government
and Other Regulations.
The
obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Stock or otherwise shall
be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals
by government agencies as may be required. The Company shall be under no
obligation to register under the 1933 Act, any of the shares of Stock paid
under
the Plan. If the shares paid under the Plan may in certain circumstances be
exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, the Company may restrict the
transfer of such shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the
availability of any such exemption.
14.14 Governing
Law.
To
the extent not governed by federal law, the Plan and all Award Agreements shall
be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the state of
California.