SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by
the Registrant x
Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant ¨
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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¨
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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Multimedia
Games, Inc.
(Name of
Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
N/A
(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the
Registrant)
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computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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(2)
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box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
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previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
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No.:
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January
28, 2010
Dear
Shareholder:
You are
cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of Multimedia
Games, Inc., a Texas corporation, to be held on
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. local time, at our
corporate office, located at 206 Wild Basin Road South,
Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin, Texas 78746.
The
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and a Proxy Statement, which describe
the formal business to be conducted at the meeting, follow this letter. A copy
of our Annual Report to Shareholders is also enclosed for your
information.
Whether
or not you plan to attend the meeting, your vote is very important and we
encourage you to vote promptly. After reading the proxy statement, please
promptly mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the
prepaid envelope provided. Alternatively, you may vote your shares via a
toll-free telephone number or over the Internet. Instructions regarding all
three methods of voting are provided on the proxy card. If you attend
the meeting you will, of course, have the right to revoke the proxy and vote
your shares in person. If you hold your shares through an account
with a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions you
receive from them to vote your shares.
/s/
Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
President
and Chief Executive Officer
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD MARCH 23, 2010
TO THE
SHAREHOLDERS OF MULTIMEDIA GAMES, INC.:
NOTICE IS
HEREBY GIVEN that the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Multimedia
Games, Inc., a Texas corporation, will be held on March 23, 2010, at 10:00
a.m. local time, at our corporate office, located at 206 Wild Basin Road
South, Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin, Texas 78746, for the
following purposes:
1.
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To
elect the following nominees as directors to serve for the ensuing year
and until their respective successors are elected: Michael J. Maples,
Sr., Stephen J. Greathouse, Neil E. Jenkins, Justin A.
Orlando, Robert D. Repass, Anthony M. Sanfilippo, and Timothy S.
Stanley;
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2.
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To
approve the Consolidated Equity Incentive
Plan;
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3.
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To
ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as our independent
registered public accountants for our fiscal year ending
September 30, 2010; and
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4.
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To
transact such other business as may properly come before the annual
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, including approving
or any such postponement or adjournment, if
necessary.
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Each of
these items of business is more fully described in the Proxy Statement
accompanying this Notice.
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on January 22, 2010
are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. A complete list
of shareholders entitled to vote will be available for inspection by any
shareholder, for any purpose relating to the meeting, during normal business
hours at our principal executive offices, 206 Wild Basin South, Building B,
Fourth Floor, Austin, Texas, 78746, for ten days prior to the annual
meeting.
All of
you are invited to attend the annual meeting in person. However, to assure that
your vote is represented, you are urged to promptly mark, sign, and return the
enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope, or vote your
shares as promptly as possible by Internet or telephone, pursuant to the
instructions set forth on the proxy card. If you receive more than one proxy
card because you own shares registered in different names or addresses, you
should complete and return each proxy card, or vote by Internet or telephone for
each such proxy card. If you attend the annual meeting in person, and vote in
person, your proxy will be revoked automatically and only your vote at the
annual meeting will be counted.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE
AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE
HELD ON MARCH 23, 2010: Our Proxy Statement is
attached. Financial and other information concerning Multimedia
Games, Inc. is contained in our Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2009. A complete set of proxy materials
relating to our annual meeting is also available on the
Internet. These materials, consisting of the Notice of Annual
Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report to Shareholders, may be
viewed at http://ir.multimediagames.com/annuals.cfm. Information
on our website, including information in other documents referred to in this
proxy statement, does not constitute part of this proxy statement. If
you would like to obtain
directions
to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, please contact reception at
(512) 334-7500.
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By
order of the Board of Directors,
/s/
Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
President
and Chief Executive Officer
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Austin,
Texas
January
28, 2010
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MULTIMEDIA
GAMES, INC.
206
WILD BASIN ROAD SOUTH
BUILDING
B, FOURTH FLOOR
AUSTIN,
TEXAS 78746
(512) 334-7500
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD MARCH 23, 2010
General
The
accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Multimedia Games, Inc., a Texas corporation, for use at our 2010 annual meeting
of shareholders. The annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at
10:00 a.m. local time, at our corporate office, located at 206 Wild
Basin Road South, Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin,
Texas 78746.
This
Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are being mailed on or about
February 8, 2010 to all shareholders entitled to vote at the annual
meeting.
Voting
by proxy
You may
vote at the annual meeting by completing, signing and returning the enclosed
proxy card, or by properly following the instructions for telephone or Internet
voting set forth on the proxy card. If not revoked, your proxy will be voted at
the annual meeting in accordance with your instructions marked on the proxy card
or properly provided by Internet or telephone. If you fail to mark your proxy
with instructions, your proxy will be voted as follows:
§
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FOR
the election of the seven nominees for director listed in this Proxy
Statement;
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§
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FOR
the approval of the Consolidated Equity Incentive Plan;
and
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§
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FOR
the ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP, as our
independent registered public accountants for our fiscal year ending
September 30, 2010.
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As to any
other matter that may be properly brought before the annual meeting, your proxy
will be voted as our Board of Directors may recommend. If our Board of Directors
makes no recommendation, your proxy will be voted as the proxy holders named in
your proxy card deem advisable. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our
Board of Directors does not know of any other matter that is expected to be
presented for consideration at the annual meeting.
Broker
non-votes
A broker
non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy card with respect to shares held
in a fiduciary capacity (typically referred to as being held in “street name”)
but declines to vote on a particular matter because the broker has not received
voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Under the rules that govern
brokers who are voting with respect to shares held in street name, brokers have
the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters, but not on non-routine
matters. The ratification of auditors is a routine matter. The other
matters to be addressed at the annual meeting, including the election of
directors and the approval of the Consolidated Equity Incentive Plan are
non-routine matters.
You
may revoke your proxy and give a new proxy or vote in person
You may
revoke your proxy at any time prior to the voting of that proxy. To revoke a
prior proxy, you must do one of the following:
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A
properly executed proxy of a later
date;
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§
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An
executed, written notice of revocation to the Inspector of Elections, at
our principal executive offices, 206 Wild Basin South, Building B, Fourth
Floor, Austin, Texas 78746; or
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§
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Attend
the annual meeting and vote in person at the
meeting.
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Voting
and quorum requirements at the meeting
The
specific proposals to be considered and acted upon at the annual meeting are
summarized in the accompanying notice and are described in more detail in this
Proxy Statement. Only holders of record of shares of our common stock at the
close of business on January 22, 2010 (the “record date”) are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. On the record date, there were
27,310,795 shares of our common stock outstanding and no shares of our
preferred stock outstanding. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each
share of common stock held by such shareholder on the record date.
In order
to have a meeting, it is necessary that a quorum be present. A quorum will be
present if a majority of the shares of common stock are represented at the
annual meeting in person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be
counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as having voted either for
or against a proposal.
With
respect to proposal one, our bylaws provide that in an uncontested election,
directors will be elected by a majority vote, meaning that a nominee will be
elected to our Board of Directors if the number of votes cast “for” such
nominee's election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” such nominee's
election.
Any
nominee who is not currently a member of our Board of Directors and who receives
a greater number of votes “against” his or her election than “for” his or her
election may not be elected to our Board of Directors. Additionally, each
nominee who is standing for reelection at the annual meeting has tendered an
irrevocable resignation from our Board of Directors that will take effect if the
nominee does not receive the required majority vote and our Board of Directors
accepts the resignation.
If our Board of Directors accepts the resignation, the nominee will no longer
serve on our Board of Directors, and if our Board of Directors rejects the
resignation, the nominee will continue to serve until his or her successor has
been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier disqualification,
death, resignation, or removal. See “Corporate Governance Matters —
Majority-Voting Standard for Director Elections” on page 8.
For all
other matters, if a quorum is present, the following requirements must be met in
order to approve the following proposals:
Proposal
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Vote Required
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Two
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Affirmative
vote of the holders of the majority of the shares represented at the
meeting and who are entitled to vote on, and who vote for, against, or
expressly abstain with respect to Proposal Two.
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Three
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Affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented at
the annual meeting, and that actually vote for or against Proposal
Three.
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All votes
will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the annual meeting,
who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and
broker non-votes (i.e., a proxy submitted by a broker or nominee specifically
indicating the lack of discretionary authority to vote on the matter).
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of
determining a quorum for the transaction of business but will not be counted for
purposes of determining whether each proposal has been approved. If your shares
are held in the name of a broker, trust bank, or other nominee, you will need to
bring a proxy or letter from that broker, trust company, or nominee that
confirms that you are the beneficial owner of those shares, and that such
broker, trust company, or nominee has not voted those shares in any proxy
submitted by it in connection with the annual meeting.
Solicitation
of proxies
We are
paying for all our costs incurred with soliciting proxies for the annual
meeting. In addition to solicitation by mail, we may use our directors, officers
and regular employees to solicit proxies by telephone or otherwise. Our
directors, officers and regular employees will not be specifically compensated
for these services. We will pay persons holding shares of common stock for the
benefit of others, such as nominees, brokerage houses, banks, and other
fiduciaries, for the expense of forwarding solicitation materials to the
beneficial owner. In addition, we have retained Mackenzie Partners, Inc., a
proxy solicitation firm, for assistance in connection with the annual meeting at
a cost of approximately $6,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
and Vote Required to Elect Nominees
A board
of seven directors is to be elected at the annual meeting. Our bylaws provide
that in an uncontested election, directors will be elected by a majority vote,
meaning that a nominee will be elected to our Board of Directors if the number
of votes cast “for” such nominee's election exceeds the number of votes cast
“against” such nominee's election. See “Corporate Governance Matters —
Majority-Voting Standard for Director Elections” on page 8. You may vote
the number of shares of common stock you own for up to seven persons. Unless you
otherwise instruct by marking your proxy card, the proxy holders will vote the
proxies received by them FOR the election of each of the seven nominees named
below. If any of the nominees is unable or declines to serve as a director at
the time of the annual meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee
designated by our present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. We have no
reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve
if elected. The term of office of each person elected as a director will
continue until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until his successor
has been elected and qualified.
Our
bylaws set the size of our Board of Directors at seven members, or such other
number as set from time-to-time by resolution of our Board of Directors.
Following the annual meeting, our Board of Directors may increase the size of
our Board of Directors and fill any resulting vacancy or vacancies. If our Board
of Directors increases the size of our Board of Directors and elects a new
director to fill the resulting vacancy, the new director must stand for election
at the next year’s annual meeting.
The
Nominating and Governance Committee, or the Governance Committee, has informed
current director Emanuel R. Pearlman he will not be nominated to stand for
re-election this year, and he has not objected.
The
following table sets forth the nominees, their ages, their principal positions
and the year in which each became a director. Each of the nominees was
recommended for selection by the Governance Committee and approved by the
unanimous vote of our independent directors.
Name of Nominee
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Age
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Positions and Offices
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Director Since
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Michael
J. Maples, Sr. (1)
(2)
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67
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Director,
Chairman of the Board of Directors
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2004
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Stephen
J. Greathouse (2)
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58
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Director
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2009
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Neil
E. Jenkins (3)
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60
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Director
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2006
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Justin
A. Orlando
(3)
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39
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Director
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2009
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Robert
D. Repass (1)
(2)
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49
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Director
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2002
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Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
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51
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President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
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2008
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Timothy
S. Stanley
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44
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Director
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n/a
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(1)
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Currently
a member of the Governance Committee (Mr. Pearlman served as Chairman of
the committee).
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(2)
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Currently
a member of the Audit Committee (Mr. Repass serves as Chairman of the
committee).
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(3)
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Currently
a member of the Compensation Committee (Mr. Jenkins serves as Chairman of
the committee).
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Michael J.
Maples, Sr. has been a director of ours since August 2004 and has
served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since April 2006.
Mr. Maples held various management positions at Microsoft Corporation from
April 1988 to July 1995, including Executive Vice President of the
Worldwide Products Group. As a member of the Office of the President at
Microsoft, Mr. Maples reported directly to the Chairman. Previously,
Mr. Maples served as Director of Software Strategy for International
Business Machines Corp. and on the board of Motive, Inc., a service management
software company. Mr. Maples also currently serves on the boards of Lexmark
International, Inc., a laser and inkjet printer company, and Sonic Corp., an
operator and franchisor of drive-in restaurants. Mr. Maples is currently a
member of the Board of Visitors of the Engineering School at the University of
Oklahoma and the College of Engineering Foundation Advisory Council at the
University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Maples received a B.S. in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma City
University.
Stephen J.
Greathouse has been involved in the Las Vegas hotel and gaming industry
for more than 30 years, and from 1997 to 2005, he served as
Senior Vice President of Operations for the Mandalay Resort Group. Prior to his
time at Mandalay, in 1997, Mr. Greathouse served as President of
Boardwalk Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, and from
1994 to 1997, he served as Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Alliance Gaming Corporation, (renamed “Bally
Technologies, Inc.” in 2006). Mr. Greathouse spent 16 years with
Harrah’s, starting as a Race & Sports Book Manager in Reno and working his
way up to President, Casino-Hotel Division. Mr. Greathouse previously
served as a Commissioner for the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission
(SAGE Commission), a privately funded, bi-partisan panel created to review state
government operations that fall under the Executive Branch and to provide the
Governor of Nevada with recommendations for streamlining operations, improving
customer service, and maximizing the use of taxpayer dollars.
Mr. Greathouse received a B.S. in Business Administration from the
University of Missouri-Columbia.
Neil E.
Jenkins has been a director of ours since October 2006.
Since 2000, Mr. Jenkins has been an Executive Vice President and
Secretary and the General Counsel for Lawson Products, Inc., a publicly traded
industrial products company. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Jenkins
owned an SCH Golf Franchise that specialized in tours to Scotland and
Ireland. Beginning in 1974, Mr. Jenkins began working in labor
relations for Bally Manufacturing Corporation, and continued in the legal
department, rising to the position of General Counsel, a capacity he served in
from 1985 to 1992. In 1993, Mr. Jenkins became a member
of Bally Gaming International’s Executive Team, where he helped coordinate
business development, legal, and licensing matters for Bally Manufacturing’s
gaming industry spin-off. Mr. Jenkins received a B.A. in Political Science
from Brown University, a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University Chicago
School of Law, and a Master of Science degree in Financial Markets from the
Center for Law & Financial Markets at the Illinois Institute of
Technology.
Justin A.
Orlando is a managing director of Dolphin Limited Partnerships, a private
investment management firm focused on investing in undervalued public companies
across a diverse set of industries. Previously, from 1999 to 2002,
Mr. Orlando was a member of the healthcare investment banking group of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated where he was involved in
advisory work, financings, and control transactions. From
1996 to 1999, Mr. Orlando practiced corporate law with the law
firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, focusing on
mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance transactions. Mr. Orlando
received a B.A. in History from the University of Chicago and a Juris Doctor
degree from the Columbia University School of Law.
Robert D.
Repass has
been a director of ours since July 2002. In addition to his role as a
director, Mr. Repass serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Mr. Repass was the managing partner of the Austin office of
PricewaterhouseCoopers from December 1997 to March 2000, and from
March 2000 until December 2001, Mr. Repass was a partner with
TL Ventures, a Philadelphia based venture capital firm. From
January 2002 until March 2002, Mr. Repass was a private
consultant. Mr. Repass has also served as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Motion Computing, Inc., a mobile computing company,
from April 2002 through February 2009. Mr. Repass is currently a
partner with Maxwell, Locke & Ritter, an Austin based professional services
firm. From January 2003 until December 2005, Mr. Repass served on
the Board of Directors and as the Chairman of the Audit Committee of Bindview
Development Corporation, a software company. Mr. Repass has over
20 years of public accounting, Securities and Exchange Commission and
financial reporting experience. Mr. Repass received a B.S. in Accounting
from Virginia Tech.
Anthony M.
Sanfilippo joined us as President, Chief Executive Officer and
director in June 2008. Mr. Sanfilippo brings to us more than 25 years
of gaming industry experience. Prior to joining Multimedia Games, Mr.
Sanfilippo was employed with Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (Harrah’s), the
world's largest casino company and a provider of branded casino entertainment.
While at Harrah’s, Mr. Sanfilippo served as President of both the Western
Division (2003 – 2004) and the Central Division (1997 – 2002
and 2004 – 2007), overseeing the operations of more than two dozen
casino and casino-hotel destinations. Mr. Sanfilippo was also part of the
senior management team that led the successful integration of numerous gaming
companies acquired by Harrah's, including Jack Binion's Horseshoe Casinos, the
Grand Casino & Hotel brand, Players International, and Louisiana Downs
Racetrack. In addition to his duties as divisional President, Mr. Sanfilippo was
also President and Chief Operating Officer for Harrah's New Orleans and a member
of the Board of Directors of Jazz Casino Corporation prior to its acquisition by
Harrah's. Mr. Sanfilippo has directed tribal gaming operations in Arizona,
California and Kansas, and has held gaming licenses in most states that offer
legalized gambling.
Timothy S.
Stanley has over 20 years of business and technology leadership, and is
currently the President of Tekexecs, an executive advisory and consultancy firm;
and Founder of Innovatects, a business innovation and execution firm.
Previously, from December 2006 to January 2009, Mr. Stanley served as CIO and
Senior Vice President of Innovation, Gaming and Technology for Harrah’s
Entertainment, Inc., the largest provider of branded casino entertainment in the
world. From January 2003 to December 2006, he served as Harrah’s Chief
Information Officer and Senior Vice President, Information Technology; and from
February 2001 to January 2003 as Vice President, Information
Technology. Prior to Harrah’s, Mr. Stanley was a Partner leading the
Travel and Entertainment practice for USWeb; CIO & VP of Information
Technology for National Airlines; and led various marketing, product and
technology teams at Intel, Optima/KPMG, and Kimberly-Clark in the US and
abroad. He currently serves as a board member and advisor to VIRSIX, a
privately held interactive entertainment startup, and is a member of Tech Coast
Angels. He received a B.S. in Engineering from the University of
Washington, and a joint MBA / MOT degree in International Business &
Technology Management from Arizona State University and Thunderbird Global
School of Management.
Nominee
Recommendations
All
director nominees were approved by the Governance Committee for inclusion in our
proxy card for the annual shareholders meeting.
The
Governance Committee has proposed Timothy S. Stanley to stand as a nominee this
year. The Governance Committee selected Mr. Stanley as a nominee
after soliciting the names of potential nominees from management and the
existing directors. Mr. Stanley’s name was suggested by our
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sanfilippo. Mr. Stanley was
interviewed by existing directors and was asked to submit information concerning
his experience and background. Upon completing this process, the
Governance Committee determined that Mr. Stanley met or exceeded our
director nominee criteria (see “Corporate Governance Matters - Director
Nominations” on page 7), and, if elected, would strengthen the
Board.
There are
no family relationships among any of our executive officers and
directors.
Agreement
with Liberation Investments
Mr.
Jenkins was originally appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2006,
nominated for inclusion on the slate of candidates for election at the 2007
annual shareholders meeting and recommended by our Board of Directors to the
shareholders for election at the 2007 annual meeting pursuant to an
Agreement dated October 24, 2006, by and among us and Liberation
Investments, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, certain entities
affiliated with Liberation Investments, L.P., former director
Mr. Pearlman, an affiliate of Liberation Investments, L.P., and
Mr. Jenkins. A copy of the agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to a
Current Report on Form 8-K filed by us with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC, on October 26, 2006. The agreement does not
require our Board of Directors’ nomination of, or recommendation of a vote in
favor of, Mr. Jenkins for election as a director at the 2010 annual
shareholders meeting, and our Board of Directors’ nomination and recommendation
of Mr. Jenkins for election as a director at the 2010 annual shareholders
meeting has not been made pursuant to any obligation arising under such
agreement or any other agreement.
Recommendation
of Our Board of Directors
Our
Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the nominees
named above.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Determination
of Independence
Our Board
of Directors has determined that Messrs. Maples, Repass, Jenkins, Pearlman,
Orlando, Greathouse and Stanley each qualify as “independent” directors under
applicable Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. currently in
effect (the “Nasdaq Marketplace Rules”). Therefore, a majority of the members of
our Board of Directors are “independent” as such term is defined in such
Marketplace Rules. In addition, our Board of Directors has reviewed and
considered facts and circumstances relevant to the independence of such members
and has determined that such members are independent.
The
independent directors have committed to hold formal meetings, separate from
management, which they intend to hold at least four times a year.
Meetings
of Our Board of Directors
During
our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, our Board of Directors held
14 meetings and acted by unanimous written consent one time. During that
period, no director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of
(i) the total number of meetings of our Board of Directors held during the
period for which he was a director, and (ii) the total number of
meetings held by all committees of our Board of Directors during the period that
he served on such committees.
Committees of Our Board of
Directors
Our Board
of Directors has three standing committees: the Audit Committee; the
Compensation Committee; and the Governance Committee. Currently, all of the
members of each of our committees are “independent,” as determined by our Board
of Directors and in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. In addition, each
member of the Audit Committee also satisfies the independence requirements of
Rule-10A3(b)(1) of the SEC rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or the 1934 Act.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Messrs.
Repass, Maples, and Greathouse. Mr. Repass serves as the Chairman of the
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by
our Board of Directors, a current copy of which is located on our website under
the “Investor Relations” page. Our Internet website address is
http://www.multimediagames.com. A copy of the charter will also be made
available free of charge upon written request made to our Corporate Secretary,
at 206 Wild Basin Road South, Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin, Texas 78746. The
primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist our Board of Directors in
monitoring:
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The
integrity of our financial
statements;
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§
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The
independent registered accountants’ qualifications and independence;
and
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§
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The
performance of our independent registered public
accountants.
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The Audit
Committee is also directly responsible for the appointment, compensation,
retention, and oversight of the work of our independent registered public
accountants, BDO Seidman, LLP, and the preparation of the Audit Committee
Report, which is included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. Our independent
registered public accountants report directly to the Audit
Committee.
The Audit
Committee, consistent with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules
adopted thereunder, meets with management and the auditors prior to the filing
of all periodic reports under the 1934 Act, and prior to the filing of
officers’ certifications with the SEC to receive information concerning, among
other things, significant deficiencies, if any, in the design or operation of
our internal controls.
All Audit
Committee members are “independent” as defined and required under the Nasdaq
listing standards and the rules and regulations of the SEC. All Audit Committee
members also possess the level of financial literacy required by all applicable
laws and regulations. Our Board of Directors has determined that at least one
member of the Audit Committee, Mr. Repass, is a “financial
expert,” and that Mr. Repass is “independent” as
defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Audit
Committee Charter has been amended to
specifically state all of the Audit Committee
responsibilities set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(2), (3), (4) and
(5) of the rules and regulations promulgated under the
1934 Act. The Audit Committee met seventeen times during our fiscal
year ended September 30, 2009.
Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee currently is comprised of Messrs.
Jenkins, Pearlman and Orlando. Mr. Jenkins serves as the Chairman of the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is charged with the
responsibility of determining (or recommending to the independent members of our
Board of Directors to determine) the compensation of all executive officers,
including our Chief Executive Officer, and directors.
In
June 2004, our Board of Directors approved a charter of the Compensation
Committee, a current copy of which is located on our website under the “Investor
Relations” page. Our Internet website address is http://www.multimediagames.com.
A copy of the charter of the Compensation Committee will also be made available
free of charge upon written request made to our Corporate Secretary, at 206 Wild
Basin Road South, Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin, Texas 78746. During our
fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, the Compensation Committee met twelve
times.
Nominating and
Governance Committee. The Governance Committee is currently comprised of
Messrs. Maples, Repass, and Pearlman. Mr. Pearlman currently serves as
Chairman of the Governance Committee. The primary purpose of the Governance
Committee is to identify and recommend to our Board of Directors individuals who
are qualified to become members of our Board of Directors and the committees of
our Board of Directors. The Governance Committee is also responsible for
recommending to our Board of Directors corporate governance principles,
providing oversight of the annual performance review process of our Board of
Directors and the committees of our Board of Directors, and facilitating
interaction between our management and our Board of Directors and committees of
our Board of Directors.
All
members of the Governance Committee meet the test for independence set forth in
the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. In September 2009, our Board of Directors
approved a Charter of the Governance Committee, a current copy of which is located
on our website under the “Investor Relations” page. Our Internet website address
is http://www.multimediagames.com. A copy of the charter of the
Governance Committee will also be made available free of charge upon written
request made to our Corporate Secretary, at 206 Wild Basin Road South, Building
B, Fourth Floor, Austin Texas 78746. The Governance Committee met four times
during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.
Director
Nominations
Our
directors play a critical role in guiding our strategic direction and overseeing
the management of our business. The Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a
Board of Directors that brings to us a variety of perspectives and skills
derived from high quality business and professional experience. Board of
Director candidates are considered based upon various criteria, such as their
business and professional skills and experiences, personal and professional
ethics, integrity and values, long-term commitment to representing the best
interests of our shareholders and inquisitive and objective perspective and
mature judgment. Additionally, director candidates must have sufficient time
available to perform all Board of Directors and committee responsibilities. When
reviewing potential director candidates, the Governance Committee considers the
following factors:
§
|
The
appropriate size of our Board of Directors and its
committees;
|
§
|
The
perceived needs of our Board of Directors for particular skills,
background, and business
experience;
|
§
|
The
skills, background, reputation, and business experience of nominees in
relation to the skills, background, reputation, and business experience
already possessed by other members of our Board of
Directors;
|
§
|
Nominees’
independence from management;
|
§
|
Nominees’
experience with accounting rules and
practices;
|
§
|
Nominees’
background with regard to executive
compensation;
|
§
|
Applicable
regulatory and listing requirements, including independence requirements
and legal considerations, such as antitrust
compliance;
|
§
|
The
benefits of a constructive working relationship among directors;
and
|
§
|
The
desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic
injection of the fresh perspective provided by new
members.
|
The
Governance Committee may also consider from time to time, such other factors as
it may deem to be in the best interests of our business and shareholders. Other
than considering the factors listed above, we have no stated minimum criteria
for director nominees. The Governance Committee does, however, believe it
appropriate for at least one member of our Board of Directors to meet the
criteria for an “Audit Committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules, and
that a majority of the members of our Board of Directors meet the definition of
“independent” director under Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
The
Governance Committee will review the qualifications and backgrounds of the
current directors, as well as the overall composition of our Board of Directors,
and recommend to our full Board of Directors the slate of directors to be
nominated for election at the annual meeting of shareholders. In the case of
incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the Governance
Committee reviews such directors to determine whether to recommend these
directors for re-election. In the case of new director candidates, the questions
of independence and financial expertise are important to determine what roles
can be performed by the candidate, and the Governance Committee determines
whether the candidate meets the independence standards set forth in the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and SEC and Nasdaq rules, and the level of the
candidate’s financial expertise. Candidates for nomination as director come to
the attention of the Governance Committee from time to time through incumbent
directors, management, shareholders, or third parties. These candidates may be
considered at meetings of the Governance Committee at any point during the year.
The evaluation process may also include interviews and additional background and
reference checks for non-incumbent nominees, at the discretion of the Governance
Committee.
Pursuant
to the Governance Committee Charter, the Governance Committee will consider
nominees recommended by shareholders. Any shareholder wishing to recommend a
director candidate for consideration by the Governance Committee must provide
written notice not later than September 30, 2010, to our Corporate
Secretary at 206 Wild Basin Road South, Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin
Texas 78746.
Director Attendance at Annual
Meetings
Our
policy is that all directors attend our annual meetings of shareholders either
in person or telephonically. We take great care in scheduling meetings at times
when all of our directors are available to attend such meetings either in person
or telephonically. At our last annual shareholders meeting, which was held on
April 6, 2009, all of our then-current directors attended
in-person.
Majority-Voting
Standard for Director Elections
Our
Bylaws require that we use a majority-voting standard in uncontested director
elections and contain a resignation requirement for directors who fail to
receive the required majority vote. Under the majority-voting standard, a
director nominee should receive more votes cast “for” than “against” his or her
election in order to be elected to our Board of Directors. Any nominee who is
not currently a member of our Board of Directors and who receives a greater
number of votes “against” his or her election than “for” his or her election
will not be elected to our Board of Directors. Additionally, in accordance with
the majority-voting standard and resignation requirement, each nominee who is
standing for reelection at the annual meeting has tendered an irrevocable
resignation from our Board of Directors that will take effect if the nominee
does not receive the required majority vote and our Board of Directors accepts
the resignation If an incumbent director fails to receive the required vote for
re-election, the Governance Committee will act on an expedited basis to
determine whether to accept the director’s resignation and will submit such
recommendation for prompt consideration by our Board of Directors. Our Board of
Directors expects the director whose resignation is under consideration to
abstain from participating in any decision regarding that resignation. The
Governance Committee and Board of Directors may consider any factors they deem
relevant in deciding whether to accept a director’s resignation. If our Board of
Directors accepts the resignation, the nominee will no longer serve on our Board
of Directors, and if our Board of Directors rejects the resignation, the nominee
will continue to serve until his or her successor has been duly elected and
qualified or until his or her earlier disqualification, death, resignation, or
removal.
Shareholder
Communications with Our Board of Directors
Shareholders
may communicate with our Board of Directors by transmitting correspondence by
mail to the address below, or electronically through the “Investor Relations –
Corporate Governance Communications” form located on our website, which is
www.multimediagames.com.
Multimedia
Games, Inc.
ATTN:
Chairman of the Board of Directors
206 Wild
Basin Road South
Building
B, Fourth Floor
Austin,
Texas 78746
The
communications will be transmitted to the appropriate leadership of our Board of
Directors as soon as practicable, unless our Corporate Secretary, in
consultation with our legal counsel, determines there are safety or security
concerns that mitigate against further transmission of the communication. Our
Board of Directors shall be advised of any communication withheld for safety or
security reasons as soon as practicable.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have
adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our officers,
directors, and employees and which includes a separate, additional Code of
Ethics for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and
principal accounting officer. This code, including the separate, additional code
for our principal executive officer, principal financing officer, and principal
accounting officer, is available free of charge by writing to our Corporate
Secretary at 206 Wild Basin Road South, Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin,
Texas 78746, or is publicly available on the “Investor Relations” page
(under Corporate Governance) of our Internet website located at
http://www.multimediagames.com. If we make any amendments to this code other
than technical, administrative, or other non-substantive amendments, or grant
any waivers, including implicit waivers, from a provision of the code to our
principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer, or controller, or other persons performing similar functions that
requires disclosure by law or Nasdaq listing standard, we will disclose the
nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date and to whom it applies on
our website or in a report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.
Director
Compensation and Indemnification
We
maintain a plan to compensate the members of our Board of Directors for their
services as directors, including serving on committees of our Board of
Directors. Under the Director Compensation Plan, each of our directors
receives $37,500 per year, except for the Chairman of our Board
of Directors, who receives $75,000 per year. In addition, each
director receives $500 for each Board of Directors meeting attended in
person and $250 for each Board of Directors meeting attended by
telephone. Directors also receive the following amounts for serving on
committees of our Board of Directors:
Audit
Committee. The members of the Audit Committee each receive an
additional $15,000 per year for serving on the Audit Committee, except for
the Chairman of the Audit Committee, who receives $25,000 per year for
serving on the Audit Committee as its chairman. Each Audit Committee member also
receives $400 for each Audit Committee meeting attended in person
and $200 for each Audit Committee meeting attended by
telephone.
Nominating and
Governance Committee. The members of the Governance Committee each
receive an additional $7,500 per year for serving on the Governance
Committee, except for the Chairman of the Governance Committee, who receives
$15,000 per year for serving on the Governance Committee as its chairman.
Each Governance Committee member also receives $400 for each Governance
Committee meeting attended in person and $200 for each Governance Committee
meeting attended by telephone.
Compensation
Committee. The members of the Compensation Committee each
receive $15,000 per year for serving on the Compensation Committee, except
for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, who receives $25,000 per
year for serving on the Compensation Committee as its chairman. Each
Compensation Committee member also receives $400 for each Compensation
Committee meeting attended in person and $200 for each Compensation
Committee meeting attended by telephone.
Other Committees
of Our Board of Directors. The members of any other committee of our
Board of Directors which may be established from time to time, each receive an
additional $5,000 per year for serving on any such committee, except for
the chairman of any such committee, who receives $10,000 per year for
serving as chairman. Each member of any such committee also receives $400
for each meeting of such committee attended in person and $200 for each
meeting of such committee attended by telephone.
In
general, each sitting outside director will receive an option grant on an annual
basis for 10,000 shares of common stock that will vest six months from the
date of grant, subject to restrictions which prevent the sale of shares issuable
upon exercise of such options. These restrictions on the sale of the underlying
shares lapse with respect to 25% of the shares
annually.
Our
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, limit the personal liability of our
directors for breaches of fiduciary duties. Our Bylaws require us to indemnify
our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Texas law. We have entered into
indemnification agreements with our directors and officers. These
indemnification agreements are intended to permit indemnification of our
directors and officers to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the
Texas Business Organizations Code.
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION TABLE FOR OUR
FISCAL
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
The
following table provides a summary of total compensation paid to the Company’s
non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended September 30,
2009.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid in
Cash
(1)
($)
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
Option
Awards
(2)(3)(4)(5)
($)
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
Neil
E. Jenkins
|
|
71,450
|
|
–
|
|
26,861
|
|
–
|
|
98,311
|
Michael
J. Maples, Sr. (6)
|
|
108,900
|
|
–
|
|
26,861
|
|
–
|
|
135,761
|
Emanuel
R. Pearlman
|
|
78,050
|
|
–
|
|
26,861
|
|
–
|
|
104,911
|
Robert
D. Repass
|
|
81,800
|
|
–
|
|
26,861
|
|
–
|
|
108,661
|
John
M. Winkelman
(7)
|
|
39,550
|
|
–
|
|
26,861
|
|
–
|
|
66,411
|
Stephen
J. Greathouse
|
|
31,500
|
|
–
|
|
11,854
|
|
–
|
|
43,354
|
Justin
A. Orlando
|
|
31,500
|
|
–
|
|
11,854
|
|
–
|
|
43,354
|
(1)
|
Reflects
the amount of cash compensation earned by directors, including annual
retainers for Board of Directors and committee service, and meeting
fees.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
with respect to fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 in accordance with
ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Comparison” (formerly SFAS No. 123(R)
“Share Based Payment”), disregarding any estimate of forfeitures related
to serviced-based vesting conditions. The fair value was estimated using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model in accordance with ASC Topic 718
“Compensation-Stock Comparison” (formerly SFAS No. 123(R) “Share Based
Payment”).
|
(3)
|
Note
1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 sets forth the relevant
assumptions used to determine the valuation of our option
awards.
|
(4)
|
For
each director the grant date fair value for each option award granted
during fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 (computed in accordance with
ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Comparison” (formerly SFAS No. 123(R)
“Share Based Payment”)) was as follows: Mr. Jenkins $26,861; Mr. Maples
$26,861; Mr. Pearlman $26,861; Mr. Repass $26,861; Mr. Winkelman $26,861;
Mr. Greathouse $11,854; Mr. Orlando
$11,854.
|
(5)
|
As
of September 30, 2009, each of our non-employee directors had the
following number of outstanding options: Mr. Jenkins 30,000; Mr. Maples
77,500; Mr. Pearlman 30,000; Mr. Repass 202,500; Mr. Winkelman 222,000;
Mr. Greathouse 10,000; Mr. Orlando
10,000.
|
(6)
|
Mr. Maples
serves as the Company’s non-executive Chairman of the Board of
Directors.
|
(7)
|
Mr. Winkelman
did not stand for re-election at the April 6, 2009 meeting of
shareholders. His directorship terminated as of that
date.
|
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
|
During
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, the Compensation Committee
of our Board of Directors consisted of Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Pearlman and
Mr. Orlando. Mr. Orlando filled the vacancy on the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors caused by Mr. Winkelman’s decision not
to stand for re-election at the April 6, 2009 meeting of shareholders. None of
these individuals has served at any time as an officer or employee of the
Company or is an Executive Officer at any company where an Executive Officer of
the Company serves on the Compensation Committee.
APPROVAL
OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
We are
asking you to approve the Multimedia Games Consolidated Equity Incentive Plan
(the “Consolidated Plan”) which the Board adopted effective January 25,
2010. The primary purpose of the Consolidated Plan is to ease our
company’s administration of its equity incentive programs by combining the share
reserves currently available under our “Prior Plans” (defined below) into the
Consolidated Plan. In that regard, we specifically
note that we are not requesting the reserve of shares additional to those shares
already reserved under our Prior Plans. The maximum number of common shares
that may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the Consolidated Plan
equals 1,161,213, plus the amount of common shares subject to outstanding
awards under the Prior Plans that expire, are terminated or are cancelled
without having been exercised or settled in full. Upon shareholder
approval of the Consolidated Plan, the Prior Plans will become frozen so that no
further awards can be made under the Prior Plans. The Prior Plans and
their share reserves are as follows:
Prior Plans
|
|
Available
Share Reserve
as
of
December 31, 2009
|
2000
Stock Option Plan
|
|
1,215
|
2001
Stock Option Plan
|
|
212,098
|
2002
Stock Option Plan
|
|
200,414
|
2003
Outside Director Stock Option Plan
|
|
652,500
|
2008
Employment Inducement Award Plan
|
|
94,986
|
Total:
|
|
1,161,213
|
Another
purpose of the Consolidated Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value
of our company by linking the personal interests of employees and the members of
our Board to those of our shareholders. We believe that to be
successful, our employees need to think like owners. Consistent with
this philosophy, our equity program continues to be broad-based to provide us
with a competitive advantage in our efforts to hire and retain top
talent. In order to continue to make grants of equity in accordance
with the compensation philosophy adopted by the Compensation Committee, our
Compensation Committee and the Board have approved and are asking you to approve
the Consolidated Plan.
The
Consolidated Plan is drafted to comply with Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code, as amended ("Code"), which generally disallows a tax deduction to
public companies for certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to
certain of our executive officers unless such compensation is based on objective
performance goals that are approved by our shareholders. To qualify
under Section 162(m), the material terms under which the particular
performance-based compensation is to be paid, including (1) the performance
goals, (2) the group of employees whose compensation would be subject to the
performance goals, and (3) the maximum amount payable to an executive officer,
must be disclosed to, and approved by, our shareholders. Section
162(m) requires that the disclosure to our shareholders be specific enough for
them to determine the maximum amount of compensation that could be payable to
the employee under a performance goal during a specified period.
Material
Terms of the
Consolidated Plan
The
material terms are as follows:
Authorized Shares; Limits on Awards;
Lapsed Awards. The maximum number of common shares that may be
issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the Consolidated Plan equals
1,161,213, plus the amount of common shares subject to outstanding awards
under the Prior Plans that expire, are terminated or are cancelled without
having been exercised or settled in full. The maximum number of shares
that may be subject to incentive stock option treatment is
1,161,213. The total number of shares that may be issued for awards
to any single participant during a calendar year (i) for stock options and Stock
Appreciation Rights ("SARs") is 580,606, (ii) for restricted stock, restricted
stock units performance shares, performance units and other stock-based awards
(excluding stock options and SARs) is 580,606, and (iii) for cash awards is
$2,000,000.
Eligible. Persons
eligible to receive awards under the Consolidated Plan include our officers,
employees, consultants and member of our Board. The Administrator
determines from time to time the participants to whom awards will be
granted.
Performance
Goals. The performance goals for awards intended to qualify as
“performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) will be based on
measurable and attainable financial targets selected by the compensation
committee from the following list with respect to the company or its subsidiaries, divisions or
other business units: net income;
cash flow; cash flow on investment; pre-tax or post-tax profit levels or
earnings; operating income or earnings; return on investment; earned value
added; expense reduction levels; free cash flow; free cash flow per share;
earnings per share; net earnings per share; net earnings from continuing
operations; sales growth; sales volume; economic profit; expense reduction;
controlled expenses; return on assets; return on net assets; return on equity;
return on capital; return on sales; return on invested capital; organic revenue;
growth in managed assets; total shareholder return; stock price; stock price
appreciation; EBITA; adjusted EBITA; EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA; return in excess
of cost of capital; profit in excess of cost of capital; net operating profit
after tax; operating margin; profit margin; adjusted revenue; revenue; net
revenue; operating revenue; net cash provided by operating activities; net cash
provided by operating activities per share; cash conversion percentage; new
sales; net new sales; cancellations; gross margin; gross margin percentage; and
revenue before deferral.
Material
Features of the Consolidated
Plan
The
following summary of the principal terms of the Consolidated Plan is qualified
in its entirety by the full text of such Consolidated Plan, which has been filed
as an exhibit to this Proxy Statement that was filed electronically with the SEC
and can be reviewed on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also
obtain, free of charge, a copy of the Consolidated Plan by writing to our
Corporate Secretary at Multimedia Games, Inc., 206 Wild Basin Road South,
Building B, Austin, Texas 78746.
Purpose. The
purpose of our Consolidated Plan is to attract and retain employees by providing
them with additional incentives, and to promote the success of our company's
business.
Administration. Our
Board or one or more committees appointed by our Board will administer the
Consolidated Plan. For this purpose our Board has delegated general
administrative authority for the Consolidated Plan to the Compensation
Committee. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority with
respect to the Consolidated Plan to another committee of directors and may
delegate certain limited award grant authority to one or more officers of our
company. (The appropriate acting body, be it our board of directors,
a committee within its delegated authority, or an officer within his or her
delegated authority, is referred to in this summary as the
“Administrator.”) The Administrator determines the number of shares
that are subject to awards and the terms and conditions of such awards,
including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares or the
award. Along with other authority granted to the Administrator under
the Consolidated Plan, the Administrator may (i) determine fair market
value, (ii) select recipients of awards, (iii) determine the number of shares
subject to awards, (iv) approve form award agreements, (v) determine the terms
and conditions of awards, (vi) amend outstanding awards, and (vii) allow
participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations through a reduction of
shares.
Adjustments or Changes in
Capitalization. In the event of any change in the outstanding
shares of common stock by reason of a stock split, stock dividend or other
non-recurring dividends or distributions, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of stock,
reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction
that affects our common stock, the aggregate number of shares of common stock
available under the Consolidated Plan or subject to outstanding awards
(including the exercise price of any awards) will be adjusted as the
Administrator deems necessary or appropriate. In addition the
Administrator may adjust the terms and conditions of awards in recognition of
unusual or nonrecurring events affecting us or in response to changes in
applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles.
Incentive
Awards. The Consolidated Plan authorizes stock options, SARs,
restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance-based awards, as well as
other awards (described in the Consolidated Plan) that are responsive to
changing developments in management compensation. The Consolidated
Plan retains the flexibility to offer competitive incentives and to tailor
benefits to specific needs and circumstances. Any award may be paid
or settled in cash. An option or SAR will expire, or other award will
vest in accordance with the schedule set forth in the applicable award
agreement.
Stock Option. A
stock option is the right to purchase common shares at a future date at a
specified price per share generally equal to, but no less than, the fair market
value of a share on the date of grant. An option may either be an
Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”) or a nonstatutory stock option
(“NSO”). ISO benefits are taxed differently from NSOs, as described
under “Federal Income Tax Treatment of Awards under the Consolidated Plan,”
below. ISOs also are subject to more restrictive terms and are
limited in amount by the Code and the Consolidated Plan. Full payment
for shares purchased on the exercise of any option must be made at the time of
such exercise in a manner approved by the Administrator.
SARs. A SAR is the
right to receive payment of an amount equal to the excess of the fair market
value of a common share on the date of exercise of the SAR over the base price
of the SAR. The base price will be established by the Administrator
at the time of grant of the SAR but will not be less than the fair market value
of a share on the date of grant. SARs may be granted in connection
with other awards or independently.
Restricted Stock. A
restricted stock award is typically for a fixed number of common shares subject
to restrictions. The Administrator specifies the price, if any, the
participant must pay for such shares and the restrictions (which may include,
for example, continued service and/or performance standards) imposed on such
shares. A stock bonus may be granted by the Administrator to any
eligible person to reward exceptional or special services, contributions or
achievements in the manner and on such terms and conditions (including any
restrictions on such shares) as determined from time to time by the
Administrator. The number of shares so awarded shall be determined by
the Administrator and may be granted independently or in lieu of a cash
bonus.
Restricted Stock
Units. A restricted stock unit is similar to a SAR except that
it entitles the recipient to receive an amount equal to the fair market value of
a common share.
Acceleration of Awards; Possible
Early Termination of Awards. Subject to the terms of the award
agreement, upon a change in control of our company, outstanding awards under the
Consolidated Plan will be assumed or substituted on the same
terms. However, if the successor corporation does not assume or
substitute the outstanding awards, then vesting of these awards will fully
accelerate, and in the case of options or stock appreciation rights, will become
immediately exercisable. For this purpose a change in control is
defined to include certain changes in the majority of our Board, the sale of all
or substantially all of our company's assets, and the consummation of certain
mergers or consolidations.
Transfer
Restrictions. Subject to certain exceptions, awards under the
Consolidated Plan are not transferable by the recipient other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution and are generally exercisable, during the
recipient’s lifetime, only by him or her.
Termination of or Changes to the
Consolidated Plan. Our Board may amend or terminate the
Consolidated Plan at any time and in any manner. Unless required by
applicable law or listing agency rule, shareholder approval for any amendment
will not be required. Unless previously terminated by our Board, the
Consolidated Plan will terminate on March 23, 2020. Generally
speaking, outstanding awards may be amended, subject, however, to the consent of
the holder if the amendment materially and adversely affects the
holder.
Federal
Income Tax Treatment of Awards under the Consolidated Plan
Federal
income tax consequences (subject to change) relating to awards under the
Consolidated Plan are summarized in the following discussion. This
summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other considerations, does
not describe the deferred compensation provisions of Section 409A of the
Code to the extent an award is subject to and does not satisfy those rules, nor
does it describe state, local, or international tax consequences.
For
“NSOs”, our company is generally entitled to deduct (and the optionee recognizes
taxable income in) an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise
price and the fair market value of the shares at the time of
exercise. For ISOs, our company is generally not entitled to a
deduction nor does the participant recognize income at the time of
exercise. The current federal income tax consequences of other awards
authorized under the Consolidated Plan generally follow certain basic
patterns: SARs are taxed and deductible in substantially the same
manner as NSOs; nontransferable restricted stock subject to a substantial risk
of forfeiture results in income recognition equal to the excess of the fair
market value over the price paid (if any) only at the time the restrictions
lapse (unless the recipient elects to accelerate recognition as of the date of
grant); bonuses and performance share awards are generally subject to tax at the
time of payment; cash-based awards are generally subject to tax at the time of
payment; and compensation otherwise effectively deferred is taxed when
paid. Our company will generally have a corresponding deduction at
the time the participant recognizes income. However, as for those
awards subject to ISO treatment, our company would generally have no
corresponding compensation deduction.
If an
award is accelerated under the Consolidated Plan in connection with a change in
control (as this term is used under the Code), our company may not be permitted
to deduct the portion of the compensation attributable to the acceleration
(“parachute payments”) if it exceeds certain threshold limits under the Code
(and certain related excise taxes may be triggered). Furthermore, the
aggregate compensation in excess of $1,000,000 attributable to awards which are
not “performance-based” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code
may not be permitted to be deducted by our company in certain
circumstances.
Awards
are subject to the discretion of the Administrator. Therefore, it is
not possible to determine the benefits that will be received in the future by
participants in the Consolidated Plan.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following provides certain aggregate information with respect to our equity
compensation plans in effect as of December 31, 2009.
Plan
Category(1)
|
|
Number
of
securities
to
be
issued
upon
exercise
of
outstanding
options,
warrants,
and
rights
(#)
|
|
|
Weighted-average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants,
and right
($)
|
|
|
Number
of
securities
remaining
available
for
future
issuance
under
equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected
in
the
first column)
(#)
|
Equity
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
approved
by security holders (1)
|
|
|
4,306,359
|
|
|
$
|
6.26
|
|
|
|
1,066,227
|
Equity
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
not
approved by security holders (2)
|
|
|
2,465,014
|
|
|
|
4.40
|
|
|
|
94,986
|
Total
|
|
|
6,771,373
|
|
|
$
|
5.59
|
|
|
|
1,161,213
|
(1)
|
Includes
the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, 2000 Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Stock
Option Plan, the 2002 Stock Option Plan, and the 2003 Outside Director
Stock Option Plan.
|
(2)
|
Represents
94,986 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2008
Employment Inducement Plan.
|
Vote Required
The
affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the shares entitled to vote
on, and who vote for, against, or expressly abstain with respect to Proposal
Two, is required to approve adoption of the Consolidated Equity Incentive
Plan.
Recommendation
of Our Board of Directors
Upon
the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors
recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Consolidated
Equity Incentive Plan.
PROPOSAL
THREE
RATIFICATION
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit
Committee of our Board of Directors has selected BDO Seidman, LLP as independent
registered public accountants to audit our consolidated financial statements for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. BDO Seidman, LLP has served as
our independent registered public accountants since their appointment in our
1999 fiscal year. A representative of BDO Seidman, LLP is expected to
be present at the annual meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if
the representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond
to appropriate questions.
|
|
Year
Ended
|
|
|
Year
Ended
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
$ |
694,048 |
|
|
$ |
892,947 |
Audit-Related
Fees
|
|
|
128,500 |
|
|
|
145,000 |
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
132,349 |
|
|
|
128,251 |
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Total
|
|
$ |
934,897 |
|
|
$ |
1,166,198 |
Audit
Fees. Audit Fees represent fees for professional services provided in
connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and of management’s
assessment and the operating effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting including in our Form 10-K, the quarterly reviews of financial
statements included in our Form 10-Q filings and other statutory or
regulatory filings.
Audit-Related
Fees. Audit-Related Fees are fees for assurance and related services.
This category includes fees related to assistance in employee benefit and
compensation plan audits, SAS 70 audits and consulting on financial
accounting/reporting standards.
Tax Fees.
Tax Fees primarily include professional services performed with respect to
preparation and review of our original and amended tax returns and those of our
consolidated subsidiaries, and for state, local and international tax
consultation. Tax fees also include professional fees related to research and
development tax credit studies.
All Other
Fees. All other Fees includes the aggregate fees for products and
services provided by BDO Seidman, LLP that are not reported under “Audit Fees,”
“Audit Related Fees” or “Tax Fees.” There were no other fees in the fiscal years
ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.
The Audit
Committee has also adopted procedures for pre approving all audit and non-audit
services provided by BDO Seidman, LLP. These procedures include reviewing a
budget for audit and permitted non-audit services. The budget includes a
description of, and a budgeted amount for, particular categories of non-audit
services that are recurring in nature, and therefore anticipated at the time the
budget is submitted. Audit Committee approval is required to exceed the budget
amount for a particular category of non-audit services, and to engage the
independent auditor for any non-audit services not included in the budget. For
both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee considers whether such services
are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
The Audit Committee has
considered whether the provision by BDO Seidman, LLP of non-audit services
included in the fees set forth in the table above is compatible with maintaining
the independence of BDO Seidman, LLP, and has concluded that such services are
compatible with BDO Seidman, LLP’s independence as our
auditors.
Shareholder
ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as our independent
registered public accountants is not required by our bylaws or other applicable
legal requirement. However, the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP is
being submitted to the shareholders for ratification. If the shareholders fail
to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to
retain the firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee at its
discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered
public accountant at any time during the year if it determines that such a
change would be in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders.
Vote Required
Affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented at the
annual meeting, and that actually vote for or against Proposal
Three.
Recommendation
of Our Board of Directors
Upon
the recommendation of the Audit Committee, our Board of Directors recommends
that the shareholders vote “FOR” the ratification of BDO Seidman, LLP as our
independent registered public accountants for our fiscal year ending September
30, 2010.
OTHER
MATTERS
We know
of no other matters to be submitted to the shareholders at the annual meeting.
If any other matters properly come before the annual meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote the shares they
represent as our Board of Directors may recommend, or, in the absence of a
recommendation, as such persons deem advisable. Discretionary authority with
respect to such matters is granted by execution of the enclosed
proxy.
Security
Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners
The
following table sets forth information known to us with respect to the
beneficial ownership of our common stock as of January 22, 2010 by (i) each
person known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding
shares of our common stock, (ii) each director and director nominee,
(iii) each Named Executive Officer as identified on page 22, and
(iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group:
Beneficial Owner (1)
|
|
Number
of Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
|
Percent of
Class
(2)
|
Baupost
Group LLC/MA
|
|
2,600,000(3)
|
|
9.5%
|
PAR
Investment Partners, L.P.
|
|
2,344,723(4)
|
|
8.6%
|
Dolphin
Limited Partnership III, L.P.
|
|
1,887,935(5)
|
|
6.9%
|
Dimensional
Fund Advisors, Inc.
|
|
1,767,623(6)
|
|
6.5%
|
Epoch
Investment Partners, Inc.
|
|
1,624,383(7)
|
|
6.0%
|
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
|
|
2,061,800(8)
|
|
7.1%
|
Randy
S. Cieslewicz
|
|
0
|
|
*
|
Adam
D. Chibib
|
|
298,333(9)
|
|
1.1%
|
Patrick
J. Ramsey
|
|
365,000(10)
|
|
1.3%
|
Virginia
E. Shanks
|
|
310,000(11)
|
|
1.1%
|
Uri
L. Clinton
|
|
325,000(12)
|
|
1.1%
|
Michael
J. Maples, Sr.
|
|
107,500(13)
|
|
*
|
Robert
D. Repass
|
|
202,500(14)
|
|
*
|
Neil
E. Jenkins
|
|
30,000(15)
|
|
*
|
Emanuel
R. Pearlman
|
|
50,160(16)
|
|
*
|
Justin
A. Orlando
|
|
1,897,935(17)
|
|
7.0%
|
Stephen
J. Greathouse
|
|
35,000(18)
|
|
*
|
All
executive officers and directors (13 persons) as
a group
|
|
5,933,228(19)
|
|
19.3%
|
|
|
Represents
beneficial ownership of less than one
percent.
|
(1)
|
Unless
otherwise noted, the address for all officers and directors is the address
of our principal executive offices at 206 Wild Basin Road South,
Building B, Fourth Floor, Austin, Texas
78746.
|
(2)
|
Percentages
of ownership are based on 27,310,795 shares of common stock outstanding on
January 22, 2010. Shares of common stock subject to stock
options which are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within
60 days after January 22, 2010, are deemed outstanding for
computing the percentage for the person or group holding such options, but
are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage for any other
person or group.
|
(3)
|
Pursuant
to Schedule 13G/A dated February 12, 2009, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Baupost Group, LLC/MMA reported that as of December
31, 2008, it had sole voting power over 2,600,000 shares and sole
dispositive power of 2,600,000 shares and that its address is 10 St. James
Avenue, Suite 1700, Boston, Massachusetts
02116.
|
(4)
|
Pursuant
to Schedule 13G/A dated February 17, 2009, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, PAR Investment Partners, L.P. reported that as of
December 31, 2008, it had sole voting power over 2,344,723 shares and sole
dispositive power of 2,344,723 shares and that its address is One
International Place, Suite 2401, Boston, Massachusetts
02110.
|
(5)
|
Pursuant
to Schedule 13D/A dated January 8, 2009, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Dolphin Limited
Partnership III, L.P. reported that as of
December 26, 2008, it and certain related entities had shared
voting power over 1,887,935 shares and shared dispositive power over
1,887,935 shares. Dolphin Limited Partnership III, L.P.’s address is
96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford CT
06902.
|
(6)
|
Pursuant
to Schedule 13G/A dated February 9, 2009, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. reported that as of
December 31, 2008, it had sole voting power over 1,722,617 shares and sole
dispositive power over 1,767,623 shares and that its address is 1299 Ocean
Avenue, Santa Monica, California
90401.
|
(7)
|
Pursuant
to Schedule 13G/A dated February 17, 2009, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. reported that as of
December 31, 2008 it and certain related entities had shared voting power
over 1,624,383 shares and shared dispositive power of 1,624,383 shares and
that its address is 640 5th Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, New York
10019.
|
(8)
|
Consists
of (i) 461,800 shares owned by Mr. Sanfilippo, and (ii) 1,600,000 shares
issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are currently
exercisable.
|
(9)
|
Consists
of (i) 15,000 shares owned by Mr. Chibib, and (ii) 283,333 shares issuable
upon the exercise of stock options that are currently
exercisable.
|
(10)
|
Consists
of 365,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are
currently exercisable.
|
(11)
|
Consists
of 310,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are
currently exercisable.
|
|
(12) |
Consists
of 325,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are
currently exercisable.
|
(13)
|
Consists
of (i) 30,000 shares owned by Mr. Maples, and (ii) 77,500 shares
issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are currently
exercisable.
|
(14)
|
Consists
of 202,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are
currently exercisable.
|
(15)
|
Consists
of 30,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are
currently
exercisable.
|
(16)
|
Mr. Pearlman’s
interest consists of (i) 19,960 shares owned by Beach Lane
Opportunity, LLC, (ii) 200 shares of which are directly owned by Mr.
Pearlman and (iii) 30,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock
options. Mr. Pearlman is the Chief Executive Officer and majority
member of Liberation Investment Group, LLC and managing member of Beach
Lane Opportunity, LLC, and may be deemed to share voting and dispositive
power over the shares held by each of Liberation Investment
Group, LLC and its related entities and Beach Lane
Opportunity, LLC.
|
(17)
|
Consists
of (i) 1,887,935 shares held by Dolphin Limited Partnership III, L.P. (see
Footnote 5 above) and (ii) 10,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of
stock options that are currently exercisable. Mr. Orlando
may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to the
shares held by Dolphin Limited Partnership III, L.P. Mr. Orlando disclaims
beneficial ownership in such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary
interest therein.
|
(18)
|
Consists
of (i) 25,000 shares owned by Mr. Greathouse, and (ii) 10,000 shares
issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are currently
exercisable.
|
(19)
|
Consists
of (i) 542,000 shares owned directly,
(ii) 1,907,895 shares owned indirectly, and (iii) 3,483,333
shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are currently
exercisable.
|
The Audit
Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting process on behalf of
our Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the
financial statements and the reporting process, including internal control
systems. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for
performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in
accordance with the standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) and for issuing a report thereon. Additionally, the independent
registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent
audit of the operating effectiveness of the Company's internal controls over
financial reporting and for issuing a report thereon.
Based on
the Audit Committee’s:
§
|
Review
of our audited consolidated financial statements for our fiscal year ended
September 30, 2009;
|
§
|
Discussions
with our management regarding our audited financial
statements;
|
§
|
Discussion
with our independent registered public accounting firm
regarding matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 114 (“The Auditor’s Communication With Those Charged
With Governance”), as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). In addition, the Audit Committee received
from our independent registered public accounting firm the
written disclosures and letter required by applicable requirements of the
PCAOB regarding their communications with the Audit Committee
concerning its independence, and has discussed with their
independence from the Company and its management;
and
|
§
|
Other
matters the Audit Committee deemed relevant and
appropriate.
|
The Audit
Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the audited consolidated
financial statements as of and for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, be
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended
September 30, 2009, for filing with the SEC.
|
AUDIT
COMMITTEE
Robert
D. Repass, Chairman
Michael
J. Maples, Sr.
Stephen
J. Greathouse
|
Set forth
below is information regarding the executive officers and directors of the
Company as of January 28, 2010.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Positions and Offices
|
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
|
|
51
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
Adam
D. Chibib
|
|
43
|
|
Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
Patrick
J. Ramsey
|
|
36
|
|
Senior
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
Virginia
E. Shanks
|
|
49
|
|
Senior
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
|
Uri
L. Clinton
|
|
37
|
|
Senior
Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate
Secretary
|
Michael
J. Maples, Sr. (1)
(2)
|
|
67
|
|
Director,
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board
|
Robert
D. Repass (1)
(2)
|
|
49
|
|
Director
|
Emanuel
R. Pearlman (1) (3)
(4)
|
|
49
|
|
Director
|
Neil
E. Jenkins (3)
|
|
60
|
|
Director
|
Stephen
J. Greathouse (2)
|
|
58
|
|
Director
|
Justin
A. Orlando (3)
|
|
39
|
|
Director
|
(1)
|
Member
of the Governance Committee. Mr. Pearlman is Chairman of the
committee.
|
(2)
|
Member
of the Audit Committee. Mr. Repass is Chairman of the
committee.
|
(3)
|
Member
of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Jenkins is Chairman of the
committee.
|
(4)
|
Mr. Pearlman
is not standing for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors at
the annual meeting.
|
Officers
Anthony M.
Sanfilippo joined us as President, Chief Executive Officer and
director in June 2008. Mr. Sanfilippo brings to Multimedia Games more
than 25 years of gaming industry experience. Prior to joining
Multimedia Games, Mr. Sanfilippo was employed with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
(Harrah’s), the world's largest casino company and a provider of branded casino
entertainment. While at Harrah’s, Mr. Sanfilippo served as President of
both the Western Division (2003-2004) and the Central Division (1997-2002 and
2004-2007), overseeing the operations of more than two dozen casino and
casino-hotel destinations. Mr. Sanfilippo was also part of the senior
management team that led the successful integration of numerous gaming companies
acquired by Harrah's, including Jack Binion's Horseshoe Casinos, the Grand
Casino & Hotel brand, Players International, and Louisiana Downs Racetrack.
In addition to his duties as divisional President, Mr. Sanfilippo was also
President and Chief Operating Officer for Harrah's New Orleans and a member of
the Board of Directors of Jazz Casino Corporation prior to its acquisition by
Harrah's. Mr. Sanfilippo has directed tribal gaming operations in Arizona,
California and Kansas, and has held gaming licenses in most states that offer
legalized gambling.
Adam D. Chibib
was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Multimedia Games in
February 2009. Mr. Chibib brings over 20 years of financial
management and technology industry experience to the Company, as well as
relevant public company experience. Prior to joining us, Mr. Chibib ran a
financial consulting practice as a sole proprietor, where he assisted
early-stage technology companies with debt and equity fund raising, business
model and process improvement implementation, and merger and acquisition
advisory services. Mr. Chibib previously served
as Chief Financial Officer at NetSpend Corporation
(June 2007-July 2008); as Interim Chief Financial Officer
at Internet RIET while also working as a consultant with GrowLabs, LLC
(January 2006-June 2007); as Chief Financial Officer at
Tippingpoint Technologies (January 2004-January 2006); as Chief
Financial Officer at Waveset Technologies
(April 2003-December 2003); and as Chief Financial Officer at
BroadJump, Inc. (November 1998-March 2003). In each case he was an
integral member of the senior management teams that consistently improved
revenues and cash flow and was responsible for all internal operations. In
addition, as Controller at Tivoli Systems
(February 1997-January 1999), Mr. Chibib’s responsibilities
included managing the worldwide accounting and treasury functions of a
$1 billion software company. Mr. Chibib has also held various
positions, including senior level positions, at Coopers & Lybrand, LLP and
Price Waterhouse, LLP. Mr. Chibib received a B.B.A. in Accounting from
the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Certified Public
Accountant.
Patrick J. Ramsey
became our Chief Operating Officer in September 2008. Previously,
Mr. Ramsey was employed as the Vice President and Executive Associate to
the Vice Chairman of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. from November 2007
through September 2008, where he worked on domestic and international
development, design and construction, and sports and entertainment. Prior to
joining the corporate office of Harrah’s Entertainment in Las Vegas,
Mr. Ramsey worked as the Vice President of Slot Operations, Slot
Performance, and Security Operations at Caesars Atlantic City
(May 2006-November 2007). Mr. Ramsey has held several other
positions with Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., including roles in the Central
Division headquarters based in Memphis (November 2004-May 2006) and at
several of the Chicagoland properties (June 2003-November 2004).
Mr. Ramsey received a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and an
MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern
University.
Virginia (Ginny)
E. Shanks joined us as Chief Marketing Officer in July 2008.
Ms. Shanks brings to Multimedia Games more than 25 years of marketing
experience in gaming entertainment, most recently as Senior Vice President of
Brand Management for Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., the world's largest casino
company and provider of branded casino entertainment. During her time with
Harrah's Entertainment, Ms. Shanks was responsible for maximizing the value
of the company's key strategic brands – Caesars, Harrah's, and Horseshoe
Casinos; the Total Rewards player loyalty program; and the World Series of
Poker. In addition to setting overall corporate brand strategy, Ms. Shanks
oversaw sports and entertainment marketing, strategic alliances, consumer
insights, public relations, and nationwide casino promotions. Ms. Shanks
holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Nevada-Reno.
Uri L.
Clinton joined us as General Counsel and Secretary in
August 2008. Mr. Clinton serves as chief legal counsel for all
business operations, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and licensing
in the Legal Affairs Department. Mr. Clinton's professional experience
includes more than 10 years of business and legal experience including six
years in the Law Department at Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
(August 2002-August 2008), most recently
serving as Vice President of Legal Affairs for its Central Division. In that
capacity and in earlier positions, Mr. Clinton served as business
operations and regulatory compliance legal counsel for more than
13 casino/hotels located in seven Native American and commercial gaming
jurisdictions. Additionally, Mr. Clinton served as lead counsel for several
of Harrah's enterprise-wide departments and initiatives, including its National
Casino Marketing Air Charter program, Risk Management Department, Corporate
Diversity, and the 2004 integration of several Horseshoe branded casinos
into the Harrah's corporate structure. Mr. Clinton received a B.A. in
Political Science from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 1994, a Juris
Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1997, and an MBA from
the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management
in 2007.
Directors
For additional information about the
non-employee nominees for director, see “Proposal One-Election of
Directors.”
Section 16(A) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance
The
members of our Board of Directors, the executive officers, and persons who hold
more than 10% of our outstanding common stock are subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
which requires them to file reports with respect to their ownership of the
common stock and their transactions in such common stock. Based upon
the copies of Section 16(a) reports which we prepared or for which we
received from such persons for their fiscal year 2009 transactions in the
common stock and their common stock holdings, we believe that all reporting
requirements under Section 16(a) for such fiscal year were met in a timely
manner by our directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners, except Mr. Roemer, the Company’s Vice President of
Sales, filed a Form 4 on January 27, 2009 reporting a transaction that
occurred on January 13, 2009 and Mr. Sanfilippo filed a Form 4 on
February 20, 2009 reporting a transaction that occurred on February 13,
2009.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
This
Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides information regarding the
following:
§
|
The
objectives of our executive compensation program, including the behaviors
and results it is designed to encourage and
reward;
|
§
|
The
roles and responsibilities of management and the Compensation Committee in
the governance of our executive compensation
program;
|
§
|
The
elements of our executive compensation program and its purposes;
and
|
§
|
The
Compensation decisions with respect to our fiscal year ended September 30,
2009.
|
Objectives
of the Executive Compensation Programs
The
objective of our executive compensation program is to align the compensation
paid to our executive officers with shareholder and customer interests (on both
a short-term and long-term basis); attract, retain and motivate highly qualified
executive talent; and provide appropriate rewards for achievement of business
objectives and growth in shareholder value. It is the Company’s objective that
executive compensation be directly related to the achievement of our planned
goals, and the enhancement of corporate and shareholder value. The Compensation
Committee recognizes that the industry sector in which we operate is both highly
competitive and is challenged by significant legal and regulatory uncertainty.
In addition, the technology-related experience and skills of our executive
officers have applications to many other industry sectors besides our own. As a
result, there is substantial demand for qualified, experienced executive
personnel of the type we need to achieve our objectives. The Compensation
Committee considers it crucial that the Company be assured of retaining and
rewarding our senior executives, who are essential to the attainment of our
long-term goals.
For these
reasons, the Compensation Committee believes the Company’s executive
compensation arrangements must remain competitive with those offered by other
companies of similar size, scope, performance levels and complexity of
operations.
For the
purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the capitalized term
“Named Executive Officers” (or “NEOs”) refers to the executives who are named in
the Summary Compensation Table below. Included among the NEOs are Messrs.
Anthony M. Sanfilippo, Adam D. Chibib, Randy S. Cieslewicz, Patrick J.
Ramsey, Uri L. Clinton, and Ms. Virginia E. Shanks.
Determining
Executive Compensation
Our
management and the Compensation Committee strive to maintain an executive
compensation program that is structured to provide the executive officers with a
total compensation package that, at expected levels of performance, is
competitive with those provided to other executives holding comparable positions
or having similar qualifications in other similarly situated organizations in
our industry and the general market. Both management and the Compensation
Committee are involved in the development, review and evaluation of our
executive compensation programs. The Compensation Committee has sole
responsibility for the approval of such programs, and has the sole authority to
change our compensation practices at any time. The roles and responsibilities
are described below.
Management.
Our management works with our Board of Directors to set the strategic direction
for the Company and strives to design and maintain compensation programs that
motivate behaviors among the executive officers that are consistent with the
Company’s strategic goals and objectives. Each year, the Chief Executive
Officer, with assistance from other members of management, as appropriate,
conducts a review process covering each of the executive officers reporting to
the Chief Executive Officer. This annual review process focuses on an evaluation
of overall Company performance and the performance of each such executive
officer, including an evaluation of compensation levels delivered through each
element of compensation (as described below), competitive practices and trends,
and specific compensation issues as they arise. Based on the outcomes of this
review process, the Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the
Compensation Committee regarding the compensation of each of the executive
officers reporting directly to him. This recommendation typically provides
information regarding adjustments, if any, to base salaries, annual incentive
bonus award payments, and equity-based incentive awards.
During
fiscal year 2009, the Company successfully recruited Mr. Chibib to join the
Company as its Chief Financial Officer after Mr. Cieslewicz, the Company’s
former Chief Financial Officer, resigned from the Company effective
February 15, 2009. The compensation arrangement with Mr.
Chibib is described below in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control.” The Board of Directors believes the addition
of Mr. Chibib is important to the development and execution of financial
objectives that will guide the Company’s future and support the creation of
shareholder value.
Compensation
Committee. The Company’s Board of Directors established the Compensation
Committee in 1996 at the time of our initial public offering. The Compensation
Committee operates pursuant to a charter, which is available on the “Investor
Relations” page of the Company’s website at www.multimediagames.com. As stated
in the charter, the purpose of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the
Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation and benefits of the Company’s
executive officers and directors. The current members of the Compensation
Committee are Messrs. Jenkins (Chairman), Pearlman and Orlando, who are each
“independent” directors, as required by Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The
Compensation Committee convened twelve times during fiscal year 2009 to discuss
Company compensation programs and issues.
The
Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for the approval of executive
and director compensation programs that are appropriate, consistent with the
Company’s compensation philosophy, and support the Company’s business goals and
objectives. Specifically, the Compensation Committee has authority and
responsibility for the review, evaluation and approval of the compensation
structure and levels for all of the executive officers. The Compensation
Committee also approves all employment, severance, or change-in-control
agreements, and special or supplemental benefits or provisions applicable to
executive officers. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for reviewing
and making periodic recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation of
directors.
Each
year, the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation recommendations
submitted by the Chief Executive Officer. In general, the Chief Executive
Officer’s recommendations consider the following:
§
|
Performance
versus stated individual and Company business goals and
objectives;
|
§
|
Internal
equity (i.e., considering the pay for similar jobs and jobs at different
levels within the Company) and the critical nature of each Executive
Officer to the Company’s past and future
success;
|
§
|
The
need to retain talent; and
|
§
|
The
compensation history of each Executive Officer, including the value and
number of stock options awarded in prior
years.
|
The
Compensation Committee believes that input from management provides useful
information and perspective to assist the Committee with the determination of
its own views on compensation. Although the Compensation Committee receives
information and recommendations regarding the design and level of compensation
of the executive officers from management, the Compensation Committee makes the
final decisions as to the plan design and compensation levels for these
executives.
In making
decisions on each executive officer’s compensation, the Compensation Committee
considers the nature and scope of all elements of the executive officer’s total
compensation package, the executive officer’s responsibilities, and the
competitive posture of the executive officer’s current compensation. The
Compensation Committee also evaluates each executive officer’s performance
through reviews of objective results (both Company and individual results),
reports from the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management regarding
the executive’s effectiveness in supporting the Company’s key strategic,
operational and financial goals and, in some cases, personal
observation.
The base salary
and bonus opportunity of our Chief Executive Officer and our other NEO’s are set
forth in their respective employment agreements. With respect to the
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee is
responsible for the periodic review and approval of his total compensation,
including annual incentive bonus structure and equity-based incentive
compensation. The Compensation Committee also develops annual performance goals
and objectives, and conducts an evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer’s
performance relative to these goals and objectives. On a discretionary basis the
Compensation Committee considers and discusses the Chief Executive Officer’s
compensation in executive session without the Chief Executive Officer
present.
The
Compensation Committee has the sole authority to obtain advice from consultants,
legal counsel, accounting, or other advisors, as appropriate, to perform the
Committee’s duties and responsibilities. The Compensation Committee engaged
Hewitt Associates, a compensation consultant, to assist with a review and
evaluation of the compensation programs for its executive officers for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, with the objective of determining what, if
any, changes should be made to the incentive compensation components in future
periods.
Elements
of Executive Compensation
Management
and the Compensation Committee strive to implement executive compensation
programs that are designed to attract and retain individuals who possess the
qualities necessary to successfully execute the Company’s business strategy, and
to support the Company’s long-term financial success and drive shareholder
value. The key elements of our executive compensation program are as
follows:
Element
|
|
Objectives and Basis
|
|
Form
|
Base
Salary
|
|
Provide
base compensation that reflects each Executive Officer’s responsibilities,
tenure and performance and is competitive for each role.
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
Incentive Bonus
|
|
Provide
annual incentive to drive Company and individual
performance.
|
|
Cash
and/or equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity-Based
Incentives
|
|
Provide
long-term incentives to drive Company performance and align the Executive
Officers’ interests with shareholders’ interests; retain Executive
Officers through vesting and potential wealth
accumulation.
|
|
Stock
options
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health
and Welfare Benefits
|
|
Provide
for the health and wellness of our Executive Officers.
|
|
Various
plans (described below)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement
and Savings Plan
|
|
Assist
employees with retirement savings and capital accumulation on a
tax-advantaged basis.
|
|
401(k)
Plan, with Company matching contributions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discretionary
Bonuses and Awards
|
|
Attract
top executive talent from outside the Company; retain Executive Officers
through vesting and potential wealth accumulation; and recognize
promotions and significant individual contributions to the
Company.
|
|
Cash
and stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance
and Change-in-
Control
Benefits
|
|
Provide
financial security to Executive Officers and protect Company interests in
the event of the termination of employment; promotes balanced analysis of
strategic opportunities; attract and retain top executive
talent.
|
|
Cash
severance and acceleration of vesting of nonvested outstanding stock
options
|
Cash Compensation
The
Company believes that annual cash compensation should be paid commensurate with
executive talent and experience, and attained performance. Accordingly, our cash
compensation consists of fixed base compensation, paid in the form of an annual
base salary, and an annual incentive bonus program that is designed to motivate
and serve as a reward for the Company’s overall performance. The Compensation
Committee supports management’s compensation philosophy of moderate fixed
compensation with the potential for significant bonuses for achieving
performance-related goals. Base salary and bonus award decisions are made as
part of the Company’s structured annual review process.
Base
Salary. Base salaries are paid to our executive officers to provide an
appropriate fixed component of compensation. The base salary paid to each
executive officer generally reflects the officer’s responsibilities, tenure,
individual job performance, measurable contribution to our success, special
circumstances, and pay levels of similar positions with comparable companies in
the industry. Management and the Compensation Committee review the base salary
of each executive officer, including the Chief Executive Officer, on an annual
basis. When reviewing each executive officer’s base salary, the Compensation
Committee considers the level of responsibility and complexity of the executive
officer’s job, whether individual performance in the prior year was particularly
strong or weak, how the executive officer’s salary compares to the salaries of
other Company executives, and salaries paid for the same or similar positions.
In addition to these annual reviews, management and the Committee may, at any
time, review the salary of an executive officer who has received a significant
promotion, whose responsibilities have been increased significantly, or who is
the object of competitive recruitment. Any adjustments are based on increases in
the cost of living, job performance of the executive officer over time, and the
expansion of duties and responsibilities, if any. No pre-determined weight or
emphasis is placed on any one of these factors.
The
following table summarizes the base salaries for each of the Named Executive
Officers during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009:
Name
|
|
Annual Base
Salary
Effective
10/01/2008
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
Annual Base
Salary
Effective
09/30/2009
|
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
|
|
$450,000
|
|
—
|
|
$450,000
|
Adam
D. Chibib (1)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
$250,000
|
Randy
S. Cieslewicz (2)
|
|
$235,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Patrick
Ramsey
|
|
$300,000
|
|
—
|
|
$300,000
|
Virginia
E. Shanks
|
|
$250,000
|
|
—
|
|
$250,000
|
Uri
L. Clinton
|
|
$250,000
|
|
—
|
|
$250,000
|
(1)
|
Mr. Chibib
was hired as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Company
effective February 10, 2008. Additional details
regarding the terms of his employment are provided
below.
|
(2)
|
On December 1, 2008,
Mr. Cieslewicz, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer,
resigned from the Company effective
February 15, 2009.
|
The base
salary for Mr. Chibib, as the Company’s recently-hired Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, was the result of negotiations between
the Company and Mr. Chibib. The Company believes that Mr. Chibib’s
salary is appropriate, competitive, and is necessary to attract the caliber of
executive-level talent that Mr. Chibib
possesses. Mr. Chibib’s salary level was agreed to based upon
Mr. Chibib’s salary level at his previous employers, the roles and
positions he would be assuming with Multimedia Games, and other career
opportunities that Mr. Chibib was considering.
Annual Incentive
Bonus. The Company’s annual incentive bonus program is intended to
motivate the NEOs to achieve superior Company financial performance, recognize
and reward the executive officers for their contributions when superior annual
performance is achieved, and provide compensation opportunities which are
aligned with competitive practices. The program is designed so that for Mr.
Sanfilippo, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the annual incentive bonus
could potentially be the largest component of cash compensation only if the
Chief Executive Officer and the Company are able to meet or exceed
performance-related goals that, if attained, are expected to result in an
increase in overall company and shareholder value. Bonus award payments are
typically made in the first quarter of the fiscal year following the year in
which they were earned.
Historically
under our annual incentive bonus program, the NEOs did not have pre-set
performance goals or annual bonus targets, expressed as a percentage of base
salary. Rather, an annual incentive bonus pool was funded as a percentage of the
Company reported pre-tax income, which was the sole corporate measure of
performance for the funding of an incentive bonus pool. The bonus pool funding
percentage was developed and approved by the Board of Directors periodically,
based on the Company’s expected performance and an assessment of appropriate
awards the annual incentive bonus pool might generate given different
performance levels. If the Company’s performance resulted in the funding of the
annual incentive bonus pool, then the Chief Executive Officer would have
recommended to the Compensation Committee a bonus award amount for each of the
other NEOs. The Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations would have been based
on his assessment of each such NEOs contribution to the execution of the
Company’s business plans. The Compensation Committee would have considered the
Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations, and made changes to the recommended
award amounts, as appropriate. The Chief Executive Officer’s bonus award was
determined solely by the Compensation Committee based on its evaluation of his
performance.
With the
hiring of several new executive officers during fiscal year 2008, the
Company has implemented a new annual incentive approach. Under this approach,
each of the Executive Officers is assigned a target annual bonus opportunity,
expressed as a percentage of the executive’s annual base salary. Subject to the
achievement of pre-established performance targets developed by the Compensation
Committee in consultation with management, the Executives Officers may earn an
annual incentive bonus award above or below the bonus target opportunity. The
Compensation Committee determined that a target-based annual incentive approach
would allow for greater alignment between annual bonus awards and Company
performance than the previous approach. Specifically, the Compensation Committee
believes that the proposed target-based annual incentive approach will
facilitate the use of performance measures that are aligned with the creation of
shareholder value, and thus provide a direct incentive for Executive Officers to
perform.
The
Compensation Committee has evaluated potential annual incentive bonuses for
fiscal year 2009, and throughout the year worked with management to develop
a cash incentive program aligned with both our short-term operating and
long-term strategic objectives. On June 2, 2009, the Compensation
Committee gave final approval of a Management Bonus Plan exclusively for 2009,
in recognition that 2009 was a transition year for both the operational and
financial performance of the Company.
The 2009
Management Bonus Plan is designed to incentivize management to build shareholder
value by achieving Company financial targets as well as certain operational
objectives designed to improve future Company performance.
The 2009
Management Bonus Plan, approved by the Compensation Committee, is comprised of
two components, each of which represents fifty percent of the overall target
bonus opportunity: (i) individual management objectives set by the
participant’s manager, or set by the Board in the case of Chief Executive
Officer; and (ii) a financial component which will be based on the Company’s
EBITDA performance (EBITDA is defined as Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
Amortization, Depreciation and Accretion of Contract Rights) as adjusted, and,
for the Executive Officers, including the NEO’s, a cash flow target achieved by
the Company as adjusted for certain non-cash and extraordinary items.
Additionally, the Compensation Committee determined that a partial pro-rata cash
bonus would be paid if the Company achieved a minimum annualized performance
threshold and that the NEOs were eligible to receive up to 100% of their bonus
objectives, except the Company’s Chief Executive Officer who is entitled to
receive up to 300% of his bonus objective, if the Company exceeds the defined
annualized performance goals. The Committee retained the discretion
to modify or adjust financial targets and bonus objectives based on its business
judgment.
For each
of the financial component metrics chosen under the 2009 Management Bonus Plan,
the NEO bonus payout targets and our actual performance for fiscal year ended
September 30, 2009 can be summarized as follows:
|
Weighting
|
|
Target
Performance (3)
|
|
Maximum
Bonus
Level Performance (3)
|
|
Actual
2009
Performance
|
Adjusted
EBITDA(1)
|
25%
|
|
$72,000,000
|
|
$82,000,000
|
|
$69,000,000
|
Cash
Flow Target (2)
|
25%
|
|
$(4,600,000)
|
|
$16,000,000
|
|
$14,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Adjusted
EBITDA is based upon but not identical to Adjusted EBITDA as defined in
the Company’s credit agreement.
|
(2)
|
As
adjusted for certain items.
|
(3)
|
Target
award maximum was chosen pursuant to our employment agreements with our
NEOs as further discussed in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or
Change-in-Control” beginning on page
29.
|
Individual
performance objectives were discussed among management and the Compensation
Committee and were tailored to the specific roles and responsibilities of each
NEO. In the case of Mr. Sanfilippo, individual management objectives
included development of a Board-approved 2010 operating plan, pursuing a
strategy of increasing the licensed jurisdictions in which the Company operates,
maintaining compliance with the Company’s covenants under its credit facility,
and certain other targeted operating goals. In the case of the
remaining NEO’s, individual management objectives included development of the
2010 operating plan, development of longer-term strategic and operating plans,
controlling operating and capital expenditures, resolving outstanding litigation
and disputes, and developing certain new customer relationships and improving
existing customer relationships.
Payments
under the 2009 Management Bonus Plan were approved by the Compensation Committee
on November 9, 2009, after the Compensation Committee reviewed tally sheets
which summarized the total compensation paid for each of the Executive Officers
and consulted with Hewitt Associates. Bonuses for the NEOs are
consistent with the bonus structure set forth in each of the NEOs employment
agreements and were paid after confirmation of achieved targets by the
Compensation Committee. In making its determination regarding the
achievement of performance targets, the Compensation Committee determined it was
appropriate to consider the financial impact of market developments (such as the
impact of swine flu and the temporary closure of a significant customer
facility) deemed to be outside the control of management and that affected
Adjusted EBITDA. The Compensation Committee also considered that the
Company substantially exceeded its free cash flow target, and that each NEO had
met or exceeded his or her individual performance
objectives. Considering the relevant factors, the Compensation
Committee determined to pay the annual cash incentive bonus at the “on target”
level for Fiscal 2009. For fiscal year 2009, each of our NEOs
earned bonuses, which were paid during fiscal year 2010.
For our
fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, the bonus opportunity and the amount paid
in 2010 for our NEOs is reflected in the following table and in the “Summary
Compensation Table.”
Name
|
|
Target
Award
(% of Base Salary)
|
|
Maximum
Adjusted
Target
Award
(% of Base Salary)
|
|
Actual
Award
(% of Base Salary)
|
|
Actual
Award ($)
|
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
|
|
150%
|
|
300%
|
|
150%
|
|
$675,000
|
Adam
D. Chibib(1)
|
|
60%
|
|
100%
|
|
60%
|
|
$91,730
|
Patrick
J. Ramsey
|
|
60%
|
|
100%
|
|
60%
|
|
$180,000
|
Virginia
E. Shanks
|
|
60%
|
|
100%
|
|
60%
|
|
$150,000
|
Uri
L. Clinton
|
|
60%
|
|
100%
|
|
60%
|
|
$150,000
|
(1)
|
Mr.
Chibib was entitled to receive $20,000 per quarter based on quarterly
performance objectives during his first year of employment with the
Company, and received an additional $40,000 in fiscal year
2009. Mr. Chibib also received a $15,000 sign on
bonus. Neither of these bonuses is reflected in the above
chart.
|
Mr.
Sanfilippo earned a bonus award of $675,000 in recognition of his service
during fiscal year 2009 under the terms of his employment agreement, which
provides him with a target bonus opportunity equal to 150% of his base
salary, and a maximum bonus opportunity of 300% of his base
salary. The Board of Directors’ assessed Mr. Sanfilippo’s
overall performance relative to his performance objectives and determined to
award Mr. Sanfilippo with an “on target” bonus. This award entitled
Mr. Sanfilippo to a bonus award equal to 150% of the base salary he earned
during the fiscal year 2009. The other NEOs met their
objectives, and were awarded a bonus equal to 60% of their respective base
salaries earned during the fiscal year 2009. These awards are
reflected in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column in the Summary
Compensation Table.
Equity-Based
Incentives
We
provide our Executive Officers with long-term compensation in the form of
equity-based incentives, which are intended to align the interests of our
Executive Officers with the interest of the Company’s shareholders by supporting
the creation of long-term value for the organization, facilitate significant
long-term retention, and be consistent with competitive market practices. Over
time, it is the Compensation Committee’s intent that equity-based compensation
should represent a significant portion of each executive officer’s total
compensation, and the primary equity-based incentive vehicle we have used has
been stock options. Nonqualified and incentive stock options have been granted
to the Company’s executive officers and other employees. The Company expects to
continue to issue stock options to new employees as they are hired, as well as
to current employees as incentives from time to time. Our rationale for granting
stock options is as follows:
§
|
We
believe that stock options and other equity-based awards such as stock
appreciation rights are highly effective at aligning the long-term
interests of our Executive Officers with the interests of our
shareholders;
|
§
|
The
grant of stock options to Executive Officers has been an essential
ingredient to enabling us to achieve our growth and attain our business
objectives; and
|
§
|
We
regularly face significant legal, regulatory and competitive challenges to
our business that require extraordinary commitments of time and expertise
by the Executive Officers, who have met these challenges and made these
extraordinary commitments, largely because of the reward and incentive
provided by the historical and prospective grant of stock
options.
|
The
Compensation Committee periodically reviews the need to make grants of stock
options to the Executive Officers, typically based on recommendations from
management. When approving the grants of stock options, the Compensation
Committee considers, among other items, the number and terms of options
previously granted, industry practices, the executive officer’s level of
responsibility, assumed potential stock value in the future, and the advice of
consultants such as Hewitt Associates.
The
Company’s equity-based incentive awards are designed to comply with
Section 162(m) of the IRS code to allow tax deductibility of the awards.
Stock options are awarded under the Company’s stock plans – the 1996 Stock
Incentive Plan, the 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 Stock Option Plans. Our
Board of Directors has also adopted a 2008 Employment Inducement Award
Plan. Individual grants of options are documented by stock option agreements
which contain the specific terms and provisions pertaining to each grant,
including vesting, option term, exercise price, and termination provisions.
Options granted to the Executive Officers and other employees generally vest
over four years and expire seven years from the date of grant. The exercise
price of stock options granted to executive officers is equal to the market
value of a share of Company common stock on the date of grant. Therefore, our
executive officers will receive no benefit from the stock options unless the
quoted market price of a share of common stock exceeds the exercise
price.
Stock
option grants to Executive Officers and other employees have historically
consisted of a combination of incentive stock options, or ISOs,
and nonqualified stock options, or NSOs. The use of ISOs has allowed
recipients to take advantage of certain tax benefits the ISOs afford under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (and any successor provision of
the Code having a similar intent).
On September
14, 2009, after consultation with Hewitt Associates, the Compensation Committee
approved a compensation program for the group of senior Company executives
referred to by the Company as the Partner Group, which includes each of the NEOs
currently employed by the Company. The program provides for an annual
grant of an incentive stock option to purchase shares of the Company’s common
stock to each member of the Partner Group, effective as of September 30, the
last day of the Company’s fiscal year. The amount and terms of each
award will be based on the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation but
determined by, and within the discretion of, the Compensation
Committee. Annual awards will be granted from a pool of options that
is equal to twenty percent (20%) of all initial awards granted to each member of
the Partner Group upon joining the Company.
The
Compensation Committee believes the Partner Group Equity Compensation Plan
serves several important compensation objectives. It enhances the
Company’s ability to attract and retain experienced executive talent in the
gaming and technology industry. The program also furthers the
Company’s compensation objective of strongly aligning executive focus with the
interests of the Company’s shareholders in increased enterprise
value.
Options
awarded under the Partner Group Equity Compensation Plan will have a seven (7)
year term and will vest as to twenty-five percent (25%) of the award upon the
first anniversary of grant, with the remainder vesting in equal quarterly
installments for the succeeding three years. Awards will be made
under existing Company equity compensation plans, and will be subject to
shareholder approval of any required increases in shares reserved under such
plans.
For
Fiscal Year 2009, initial awards granted under the Partner Group Equity
Compensation Plan aggregated 573,333 options, effective September 30,
2009. Initial awards under the program were adjusted and pro-rated
for each member of the Partner Group based on the number of months that have
elapsed since the individual partner’s initial date of grant.
Upon
commencement of his employment with the Company, the Compensation Committee
approved grants of stock options to Mr. Chibib. These grants
were made to provide an immediate incentive for Mr. Chibib to focus on the
creation of shareholder value. In addition, the Company believes the level of
this equity award was necessary to attract Mr. Chibib. Details of
Mr. Chibib’s stock option grant are provided below in the section titled
“Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
Other
than the stock option awards described above, none of the other Named Executive
Officers received grants of stock options or any other form of equity-based
incentives during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.
The
Company does not currently maintain required levels of stock ownership by the
Executive Officers. The Company does have in place “Procedures and Guidelines
Governing Securities Trades by Company Personnel,” in order to comply with
federal and state securities laws governing (a) trading in Company
securities while in the possession of “material nonpublic information”
concerning the Company, and (b) tipping or disclosing material nonpublic
information to outsiders. In order to prevent even the appearance of improper
trading or tipping, the Company has adopted this policy for all of its
directors, officers and employees, venture capital and other entities (such as
trusts and corporations) over which such employees, officers or directors have
or share voting or investment control and specially designated outsiders who
have access to the Company’s material nonpublic information.
Benefit
Programs and Perquisites
We
provide our executive officers with benefits that are intended to be a part of a
competitive total compensation package and that will permit us to attract and
retain highly-qualified executives. These benefits include health and welfare
benefits, and a retirement and savings plan. Each of these benefits
is described below.
Health and
Welfare Benefits. The Company’s benefits program is designed to provide
employees (including the executive officers) and their families with security
and well being, and is an important part of the total compensation package.
These benefits are divided into the following major categories:
§
|
Health
Care Benefits – medical, dental and vision insurance
coverage;
|
§
|
Life
and Disability Benefits – basic, optional life and accident insurance as
well as short and long-term disability
coverage;
|
§
|
Flexible
Spending Accounts – health care and dependent care tax-free accounts;
and
|
§
|
Work
Life Benefits – employee assistance with everyday issues, financial and
legal issues, parenting, childcare, education and elder
care.
|
The NEOs
participate in these benefits programs on the same relative basis as our other
employees.
Retirement and
Savings. The Company maintains an employee retirement and savings plan
pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the 401(k)
Plan. The purpose of the 401(k) Plan is to permit employees, including
executive officers, to accumulate funds for retirement on a tax-advantaged
basis. Specifically, the 401(k) Plan permits each eligible employee to
contribute on a pre-tax basis a portion of his compensation to the 401(k)
Plan (for calendar year 2009, the maximum amount of compensation that may be
contributed to the 401(k) Plan was $16,500). During the fiscal year
ended September 30, 2009, the Company made a matching contribution to
the 401(k) Plan that is equal to 100% of the first 3% of
compensation contributed by employees and 50% of the next 2% of
compensation contributed by employees to the 401(k) Plan.
The
Company does not maintain a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan. In
addition, the Company does not maintain any non qualified supplemental
retirement plans or deferred compensation plans for the executive
officers.
Perquisites.
The Company does not provide perquisites to executive officers.
POTENTIAL
PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
The
Company is party to employment agreements with its current executive officers,
including the Named Executive Officers, but excluding Mr. Cieslewicz who
tendered his resignation effective February 15, 2009. The following
paragraphs provide summaries of the agreements with the Named Executive
Officers.
Agreements with
Anthony M. Sanfilippo. On June 15, 2008, the Company entered into
certain agreements with Mr. Sanfilippo, including an employment agreement
that sets forth certain terms and conditions relating to his employment as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Sanfilippo’s
employment agreement provides that he will receive an annual base salary
of $450,000, subject to covenants in the employment agreement and in an
Agreement Regarding Proprietary Developments, Confidential Information and
Non-Solicitation. The annual salary will be subject to an annual review by the
Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. In addition, he has an opportunity
to earn an annual bonus equal to 150% of his base salary upon achievement of
certain performance targets approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, and up
to a maximum of 300% of his base salary for overachievement of such performance
targets. The employment agreement also specifies that Mr. Sanfilippo will
be eligible to enroll in the Company’s benefit programs and vacation policies as
they are established from time-to-time for senior-level executive employees, or
be reimbursed for the cost to purchase comparable coverage at a benefit level
consistent with other senior-level executive employees. Mr. Sanfilippo will
also be reimbursed for the cost of co-payments under his current health and
medical benefit plans, and annual physical examinations for Mr. Sanfilippo
and his spouse.
Upon the
execution of the employment agreement, Mr. Sanfilippo was granted 1,300,000
stock options under the Company’s 2008 Employment Inducement Award
Plan. The options became immediately exercisable, but are subject to
a vesting over four years in equal quarterly installments. Specifically,
one-sixteenth (1/16) of the options vested on September 15, 2008, with
the remaining options vesting one-sixteenth (1/16) quarterly until fully
vested. In addition, Mr. Sanfilippo agreed to purchase 250,000 shares
of the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, under
which the shares were purchased at a price of $4.68 per share, such price
being the fair market value of each such share on the effective date of the
agreement.
Mr. Sanfilippo
will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer until his successor is
chosen and qualified or until his death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification or removal. Effective as of December 31, 2008, the
Company entered into a First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement with
each of its executive officers, which amended certain provisions of the original
employment agreements relating to 409A and certain termination
provisions. In the event of Mr. Sanfilippo’s death or
disability, voluntary termination, or termination for cause (each as defined
within the employment agreement and as set forth in the First Amendment), he
shall not be entitled to receive any severance, other than accrued but unpaid
salary, vacation, vested benefits, and unreimbursed expenses. Further, the
Company’s other obligations under the employment agreement shall cease. In the
event of Mr. Sanfilippo’s termination without cause or his termination of
employment for good reason (each as defined within the employment agreement),
the Company: (i) shall pay Mr. Sanfilippo (a) in the event that the
termination occurs on or before June 15, 2009, one year of base salary
continuation and target bonus, or (b) in the event that the termination occurs
after June 15, 2009, two years of base salary continuation and two years of
target bonus; and (ii) if Mr. Sanfilippo elects to continue health coverage
under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), the Company
will pay the premiums in an amount sufficient to maintain the level of health
benefits in effect on his last day of employment, for a period of up to one year
after the termination. The same termination benefits would apply in the event of
Mr. Sanfilippo’s termination without cause or his termination for good
reason, within one year following a change of control (as defined within the
employment agreement). In addition, stock options granted to Mr. Sanfilippo
would become fully vested in the event of his termination without cause or his
termination for good reason, within one year following a change of control. The
Company’s obligation to provide the severance benefits set forth above is
contingent upon Mr. Sanfilippo’s execution of a mutual release of claims
satisfactory to the Company. Mr. Sanfilippo is eligible to
receive a gross-up payment in the event that any payment by the Company to or
for the benefit of Mr. Sanfilippo is subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Agreements with
Adam D. Chibib. On February 1, 2009, the Company entered into
an executive employment agreement with Mr. Chibib, which sets forth certain
terms and conditions relating to his employment as Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of February 10, 2009.
Mr. Chibib’s employment agreement provides that he will receive an annual
base salary of $250,000, subject to covenants in the employment agreement and in
an Agreement Regarding Proprietary Developments, Confidential Information and
Non-Solicitation, and a sign-on bonus of $15,000. The annual salary will be
subject to an annual review by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. In
addition, he has an opportunity to earn an annual bonus equal to 60% of his
base salary upon achievement of certain performance targets approved by the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and up to a maximum of 100% of his base
salary for overachievement of such performance targets. In addition, beginning
on April 1, 2009, Mr. Chibib was eligible for a separate
discretionary bonus in an amount up to but not exceeding $20,000 per
quarter for that fiscal year, based upon criteria for quarterly objectives as
set by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement also
specifies that Mr. Chibib is eligible to enroll in the Company’s benefit
programs as they are established from time-to-time for senior level executive
employees.
Pursuant
to the employment agreement, on February 10, 2009, the Company granted
Mr. Chibib 250,000 stock options pursuant to the Company’s
2008 Employment Inducement Award Plan. The options became immediately
exercisable, but are subject to vesting over four years. Specifically,
one-fourth (1/4) of the options vest on February 10, 2010,
and the remaining options vest in equal quarterly installments until fully
vested.
Mr. Chibib
will serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until his
successor is chosen and qualified or until his death, disability, resignation,
retirement, disqualification or removal. In the event of
Mr. Chibib’s death or disability, voluntary termination, or termination for
cause (each as defined within the employment agreement), he shall not be
entitled to receive any severance, other than accrued but unpaid salary,
vacation, vested benefits, and unreimbursed expenses. Further, the
Company’s other obligations under the employment agreement shall
cease. In the event of Mr. Chibib’s termination without cause or
his termination of employment for good reason (each as defined within the
employment agreement), the Company: (i) shall pay Mr. Chibib (a) in the
event that the termination occurs after February 1, 2010, one year of base
salary continuation and target bonus, or (b) in the event that the termination
occurs after February 1, 2011, two years of base salary continuation and two
years of target bonus; and (ii) if Mr. Chibib elects to continue health
coverage under COBRA, the Company will pay the premiums in an amount sufficient
to maintain the level of health benefits in effect on his last day of
employment, for a period of up to one year after the termination. The same
termination benefits would apply in the event of Mr. Chibib’s termination
without cause or his termination for good reason, within one year following a
change of control (as defined within the employment agreement). In
addition, stock options granted to Mr. Chibib would become fully vested in
the event of his termination without cause or his termination for good reason,
within one year following a change of control. The Company’s obligation to
provide the severance benefits set forth above is contingent upon
Mr. Chibib’s execution of a mutual release of claims satisfactory to the
Company. Mr. Chibib is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in
the event that any payment by the Company to or for the benefit of
Mr. Chibib is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Agreements with
Patrick J. Ramsey. On September 14, 2008, the Company entered into
an executive employment agreement with Mr. Ramsey, which sets forth certain
terms and conditions relating to his employment as the Company’s Senior Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Ramsey’s employment agreement
provides that he will receive an annual base salary of $300,000, subject to
covenants in the employment agreement and in an Agreement Regarding Proprietary
Developments, Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation. The annual salary
will be subject to an annual review by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. In
addition, he has an opportunity to earn an annual bonus equal to 60% of his base
salary upon achievement of certain performance targets approved by the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer, and up to a maximum of 100% of his base salary for
overachievement of such performance targets. The employment agreement also
specifies that Mr. Ramsey will be eligible to enroll in the Company’s
benefit programs and vacation policies as they are established from time-to-time
for senior-level executive employees.
Pursuant
to the employment agreement, on September 14, 2008 the Company granted
Mr. Ramsey 300,000 stock options pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Employment
Inducement Award Plan. The options became immediately exercisable, but are
subject to vesting over four years. Specifically, one-fourth (1/4) of the
options vested on September 14, 2009 and the remaining options vest in equal
quarterly installments until fully vested.
Mr. Ramsey
will serve as Chief Operating Officer until his successor is chosen and
qualified or until his death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or
removal. Effective as of December 31, 2008, the Company entered into
a First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement with each of its executive
officers, which amended certain provisions of the original employment agreements
relating to 409A and certain termination provisions. In the event of
Mr. Ramsey’s death or disability, voluntary termination, or termination for
cause (each as defined within the employment agreement), he shall not be
entitled to receive any severance, other than accrued but unpaid salary,
vacation, vested benefits, and unreimbursed expenses. Further, the
Company’s other obligations under the employment agreement shall
cease. In the event of Mr. Ramsey’s termination without cause or
his termination of employment for good reason (each as defined within the
employment agreement and as set forth in the First Amendment), the Company: (i)
shall pay Mr. Ramsey (a) in the event that the termination occurs after
September 14, 2009, one year of base salary continuation and target bonus, or
(b) in the event that the termination occurs after August 16, 2009, two years of
base salary continuation and two years of target bonus; and (ii) if
Mr. Ramsey elects to continue health coverage under COBRA, the Company will
pay the premiums in an amount sufficient to maintain the level of health
benefits in effect on his last day of employment, for a period of up to one year
after the termination. The same termination benefits would apply in the event of
Mr. Ramsey’s termination without cause or his termination for good reason,
within one year following a change of control (as defined within the employment
agreement). In addition, stock options granted to Mr. Ramsey would become
fully vested in the event of his termination without cause or his termination
for good reason, within one year following a change of control. The Company’s
obligation to provide the severance benefits set forth above is contingent upon
Mr. Ramsey’s execution of a mutual release of claims satisfactory to the
Company. Mr. Ramsey is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in
the event that any payment by the Company to or for the benefit of
Mr. Ramsey is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Agreements with
Virginia E. Shanks. On July 22, 2008, the Company entered into an
executive employment agreement with Ms. Shanks, which sets forth certain
terms and conditions relating to her employment as the Company’s Senior Vice
President and Chief Marketing Officer. Ms. Shanks’ employment agreement
provides that she will receive an annual base salary of $250,000, subject
to covenants in the employment agreement and in an Agreement Regarding
Proprietary Developments, Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation. The
annual salary will be subject to an annual review by the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer. In addition, she has an opportunity to earn an annual bonus
equal to 60% of her base salary upon achievement of certain performance targets
approved by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and up to a maximum of 100%
of her base salary for overachievement of such performance targets. The
employment agreement also specifies that Ms. Shanks will be eligible to
enroll in the Company’s benefit programs and vacation policies as they are
established from time-to-time for senior-level executive employees.
Pursuant
to the employment agreement, on July 22, 2008 the Company granted
Ms. Shanks 250,000 stock options pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Employment
Inducement Award Plan. The options became immediately exercisable, but are
subject to vesting over four years. Specifically, one-sixteenth (1/16) of the
options vested on October 22, 2008, with the remaining options vesting
one-sixteenth (1/16) quarterly until fully vested.
Ms. Shanks
will serve as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer until her
successor is chosen and qualified or until her death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification or removal. Effective as of December 31, 2008, the
Company entered into a First Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement with
each of its executive officers, which amended certain provisions of the original
employment agreements relating to 409A and certain termination
provisions. In the event of Ms. Shanks’ death or disability,
voluntary termination, or termination for cause (each as defined within the
employment agreement), she shall not be entitled to receive any severance, other
than accrued but unpaid salary, vacation, vested benefits, and unreimbursed
expenses. Further, the Company’s other obligations under the
employment agreement shall cease. In the event of Ms. Shanks’
termination without cause or her termination of employment for good reason (each
as defined within the employment agreement and as set forth in the First
Amendment), the Company: (i) shall pay Ms. Shanks (a) in the event that the
termination occurs on or after July 22, 2009, one year of base salary
continuation and target bonus, or (b) in the event that the termination occurs
after July 22, 2010, two years of base salary continuation and two years of
target bonus; and (ii) if Ms. Shanks elects to continue health coverage
under COBRA, the Company will pay the premiums in an amount sufficient to
maintain the level of health benefits in effect on her last day of employment,
for a period of up to one year after the termination. The same termination
benefits would apply in the event of Ms. Shanks’ termination without cause
or her termination for good reason, within one year following a change of
control (as defined within the employment agreement). In addition,
stock options granted to Ms. Shanks would become fully vested in the event
of her termination without cause or her termination for good reason, within one
year following a change of control. The Company’s obligation to provide the
severance benefits set forth above is contingent upon Ms. Shanks’s
execution of a mutual release of claims satisfactory to the
Company. Ms. Shanks is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in
the event that any payment by the Company to or for the benefit of
Ms. Shanks is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Agreements with
Uri L. Clinton. On August 16, 2008, the Company entered into an
executive employment agreement with Mr. Clinton, which sets forth certain
terms and conditions relating to his employment as the Company’s General
Counsel. Mr. Clinton’s employment agreement provides that he will receive
an annual base salary of $250,000, subject to covenants in the employment
agreement and in an Agreement Regarding Proprietary Developments, Confidential
Information and Non-Solicitation. The annual salary will be subject to an annual
review by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. In addition, he has an
opportunity to earn an annual bonus equal to 60% of his base salary upon
achievement of certain performance targets approved by the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer, and up to a maximum of 100% of his base salary for
overachievement of such performance targets. The employment agreement also
specifies that Mr. Clinton will be eligible to enroll in the Company’s
benefit programs and vacation policies as they are established from time-to-time
for senior-level executive employees.
Pursuant
to the employment agreement, on August 16, 2008 the Company granted
Mr. Clinton 250,000 stock options pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Employment
Inducement Award Plan. The options became immediately exercisable, but are
subject to vesting over four years. Specifically, one-sixteenth (1/16) of the
option vested on November 16, 2008, with the remaining options vesting
one-sixteenth (1/16) quarterly until fully vested.
Mr. Clinton
will serve as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
until his successor is chosen and qualified or until his death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification or removal. Effective as of December 31,
2008, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Executive Employment
Agreement with each of its executive officers, which amended certain provisions
of the original employment agreements relating to 409A and certain termination
provisions. In the event of Mr. Clinton’s death or disability,
voluntary termination, or termination for cause (each as defined within the
employment agreement), he shall not be entitled to receive any severance, other
than accrued but unpaid salary, vacation, vested benefits, and unreimbursed
expenses. Further, the Company’s other obligations under the
employment agreement shall cease. In the event of Mr. Clinton’s
termination without cause or his termination of employment for good reason (each
as defined within the employment agreement and as set forth in the First
Amendment), the Company: (i) shall pay Mr. Clinton (a) in the event that
the termination occurs on or before August 16, 2009, one year of base salary
continuation and target bonus, or (b) in the event that the termination occurs
after August 16, 2009, two years of base salary continuation and two years of
target bonus; and (ii) if Mr. Clinton elects to continue health coverage
under COBRA, the Company will pay the premiums in an amount sufficient to
maintain the level of health benefits in effect on his last day of employment,
for a period of up to one year after the termination. The same termination
benefits would apply in the event of Mr. Clinton’s termination without
cause or his termination for good reason, within one year following a change of
control (as defined within the employment agreement). In addition, stock options
granted to Mr. Clinton would become fully vested in the event of his
termination without cause or his termination for good reason, within one year
following a change of control. The Company’s obligation to provide the severance
benefits set forth above is contingent upon Mr. Clinton’s execution of a
mutual release of claims satisfactory to the
Company. Mr. Clinton is eligible to receive a gross-up payment
in the event that any payment by the Company to or for the benefit of
Mr. Clinton is subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Internal Revenue Code.
Change-in-Control
Benefits. Generally, the Company does not provide executive officers with
any special benefits that are triggered solely upon a change-in-control.
However, upon a change-in-control, virtually all of the Company’s outstanding
stock options held by our executive officers become fully vested.
Change-in-control generally refers to certain corporate transactions involving
the Company such as a merger or consolidation, sale of assets, dissolution or
the acquisition by any person of at least 51% of our voting stock. The
Compensation Committee believes that for senior executives, including the Named
Executive Officers, accelerated vesting of stock options in the event of a
change-in-control is generally appropriate because in some change-in-control
situations, equity of the target company is cancelled making immediate
acceleration necessary in order to preserve the value of the option grants. In
addition, the Company relies on long-term incentive awards to provide our
executive officers with the opportunity to accumulate substantial resources to
fund their retirement income, and the Compensation Committee believes that a
change-in-control event is an appropriate liquidation point for awards designed
for such purpose.
Compliance with
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code restricts deductibility of executive compensation paid to
our Chief Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly compensated
executive officers holding office at the end of any year to the extent such
compensation exceeds $1,000,000 for any of such officers in any year and
does not qualify for an exception under Section 162(m) or related
regulations. The Compensation Committee’s policy is to qualify its executive
compensation for deductibility under applicable tax laws to the extent
practicable. Income related to stock options granted under our equity
compensation plans generally qualifies for an exemption from these restrictions
imposed by Section 162(m). In the future, the Compensation Committee will
continue to evaluate the advisability of qualifying its executive compensation
for full deductibility.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
We, the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, have reviewed and discussed
the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis with the management of the
Company. Based on such review and discussion, we are of the opinion that the
executive compensation policies and plans provide appropriate compensation to
properly align the Company’s performance and the interests of its shareholders
through the use of competitive and equitable executive compensation in a
balanced and reasonable manner, for both the short and long-term. Accordingly,
we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the foregoing Compensation
Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009, and in the proxy statement
relating to the Company’s 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Submitted
by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
|
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
Neil
E. Jenkins, Chairman of the Compensation Committee
Emanuel
R. Pearlman
Justin
A. Orlando
|
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following summary compensation table sets forth information concerning aggregate
compensation earned by or paid to (i) the individual serving as our Chief
Executive Officer during our 2009 fiscal year, (ii) the individuals
serving as our Chief Financial Officer during our 2009 fiscal year, and
(iii) our three other highly compensated executive officers who served in
such capacities during fiscal year 2009 and for portions of fiscal year
2008. We refer to these individuals as our “Named Executive
Officers.”
Name and Principal Position
|
|
Fiscal
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Option Awards (1)
($)
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation (2) ($)
|
|
|
Change
in Pension Value and
Non-Qualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation (3)
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo(4)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
816,480 |
|
|
|
675,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24,203 |
|
|
|
1,965,683 |
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
|
121,154 |
|
|
|
181,731 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
211,610
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
30,844 |
|
|
|
545,339 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adam
D. Chibib(5)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
152,885 |
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
296,844 |
|
|
|
91,730 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
596,459 |
Senior
Vice President and
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randy
S. Cieslewicz(6)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
94,904 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
40,775 |
|
|
|
135,679 |
Former
Vice President and
Chief
Financial Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
|
215,962 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
201,437 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,670 |
|
|
|
426,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick
J. Ramsey(7)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
176,903 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
79,178 |
|
|
|
736,081 |
Senior
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia
E. Shanks(8)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
163,296 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11,035 |
|
|
|
574,331 |
Senior
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
|
|
2008
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uri
L. Clinton(9)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
204,120 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
93,244 |
|
|
|
697,364 |
Senior
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
|
2008
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
(1)
|
Amounts
disclosed in the “Option Awards” column relate to grants of stock options
made under one or more of the Company’s stock option plans (See “Executive
Compensation” on page 21). With respect to each stock option grant, the
amounts disclosed generally reflect the compensation cost that the Company
recognized for financial accounting purposes in fiscal year 2009,
disregarding any estimate of forfeitures related to serviced-based vesting
conditions, in accordance with ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock
Comparison” (formerly SFAS No. 123(R) “Share Based Payment”). Generally,
ASC Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Comparison” (formerly SFAS No. 123(R)
“Share Based Payment”) requires the full grant-date fair value of a stock
option award to be amortized and recognized as compensation cost over the
service period that relates to the award. Note 1, “Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 sets forth the relevant assumptions
used to determine the valuation of our stock option
awards.
|
(2)
|
All
compensation earned for fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 was paid in
fiscal 2009, except amounts paid under the 2009 Management Bonus
Plan.
|
(3)
|
Amounts
disclosed in the “All Other Compensation” column include the following
Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan accounts of each Named
Executive Officer: Mr. Sanfilippo, $16,123 (fiscal year 2009) and
$4,154 (fiscal year 2008); Mr. Cieslewicz, $5,218 (fiscal year 2009)
and $8,640 (fiscal year 2008); Mr. Ramsey, $12,593 (fiscal year
2009); Ms. Shanks, $11,005 (fiscal year 2009); and Mr. Clinton,
$12,587 (fiscal year 2009). Amount for Mr. Sanfilippo includes
a relocation expense reimbursement during fiscal years 2008 of $26,690 and
insurance reimbursement of $8,050 during fiscal year 2009. Amount for Mr.
Cieslewicz includes payouts in respect of unused vacation of $35,527
during fiscal year 2009. Amount for Mr. Ramsey includes
relocation expense reimbursement of $50,006 as well as automobile,
commuting and rent reimbursements of $2,833, $1,633 and $12,083,
respectively, during fiscal year 2009. Amount for Mr. Clinton during
fiscal year 2009 includes a relocation expense reimbursement of $15,601
and a reimbursement of $65,026 for a tuition reimbursement owed by Mr.
Clinton to his former employer. Amounts for Messrs. Cieslewicz,
Ramsey, Clinton and Ms. Shanks include a $30 gift card provided to all
employees at Thanksgiving during fiscal year 2009 and amount for Mr.
Cieslewicz includes a $30 gift card provided to all employees at
Thanksgiving during fiscal year
2008.
|
(4)
|
Mr. Sanfilippo
commenced his employment with the Company effective June 15, 2008. In
recognition of his service during fiscal year 2008, he was awarded a
pro-rata bonus under the terms of his employment
agreement.
|
(5)
|
Mr. Chibib
commenced his employment with the Company effective February 10,
2009. In recognition of his service during fiscal year 2009, he
was awarded a pro-rata bonus under the terms of his employment agreement
as well as a sign-on bonus and was entitled to receive $20,000 per quarter
based on quarterly performance objectives during his first year of
employment with the Company, and Mr. Chibib received an additional $40,000
in fiscal year 2009.
|
(6)
|
Effective
February 15, 2009, Mr. Cieslewicz resigned as Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and ceased to be an Executive Officer of the
Company.
|
(7)
|
Mr. Ramsey
commenced his employment with the Company effective September 14,
2008.
|
(8)
|
Ms. Shanks
commenced her employment with the Company effective July 22,
2008.
|
(9)
|
Mr. Clinton
commenced his employment with the Company effective August 16,
2008.
|
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards in Our Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
The
following table provides information regarding grants of plan-based awards made
to each of the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended September
30, 2009.
Estimated
Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
|
Name
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
|
Date
Award Approved
|
|
|
Threshold
(#)
|
|
|
Target (#)
|
|
|
Maximum
(#)
|
|
|
All
Other
Stock
Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units
(#)
|
|
|
All
Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
|
|
|
Exercise or
Base Price of
Options Awards
($/Sh)
|
|
|
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock
and
Option Awards
($) (1)
|
Mr. Sanfilippo(2)(5)
|
|
9/30/2009
|
|
|
9/18/2009
|
|
|
|
675,000 |
|
|
|
675,000 |
|
|
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
5.12 |
|
|
|
816,480 |
Mr. Chibib(2) (3)
(7)
|
|
9/30/2009
|
|
|
9/18/2009
|
|
|
|
91,730 |
|
|
|
91,730 |
|
|
|
152,883 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
5.12 |
|
|
|
90,719 |
|
|
2/2/2009
|
|
|
2/2/2009
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
1.71 |
|
|
|
207,325 |
Mr. Cieslewicz(4)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Mr. Ramsey(2)
(7)
|
|
9/30/2009
|
|
|
9/18/2009
|
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
5.12 |
|
|
|
176,904 |
Ms. Shanks(2)
(6)
|
|
9/30/2009
|
|
|
9/18/2009
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
5.12 |
|
|
|
163,296 |
Mr.
Clinton(2)
(6)
|
|
9/30/2009
|
|
|
9/18/2009
|
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
5.12 |
|
|
|
204,120 |
(1)
|
The
amounts disclosed in the “Grant date fair value of stock and option
awards” column were computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718
“Compensation-Stock Comparison” (formerly SFAS No. 123(R) “Share Based
Payment”).
|
(2)
|
On
September 18, 2009, the Board of Directors approved an award to each of
the NEOs of incentive stock options, or ISOs. The options became
immediately exercisable, but will vest 25% after one year, and will
continue to vest in equal quarterly installments during each of the
following three years.
|
(3)
|
On
February 2, 2009, the members of the Compensation Committee approved an
award to Mr. Chibib, in connection with his appointment as the Company’s
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. These awards were
issued under the Company’s 2008 Employment Inducement Award Plan. The
options became immediately exercisable, but will vest 25% after one year,
and will continue to vest in equal quarterly installments during each of
the following three years.
|
(4)
|
Effective
February 15, 2009, Mr. Cieslewicz resigned as Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and ceased to be an Executive Officer of the
Company. Mr. Cieslewicz did not receive any awards in fiscal
year 2009.
|
(5)
|
These
awards were issued under the Company’s 2002 Stock Option
Plan.
|
(6)
|
These
awards were issued under the Company’s 2001 Stock Option
Plan.
|
(7)
|
These
awards were issued under the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan, exclusive
of Mr. Chibib’s February 2, 2009
grant.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Our Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
The
following table provides information concerning the current holdings of stock
options by the Named Executive Officers as of September 30, 2009. This table
includes unexercised and unvested option awards. Individual equity grants are
shown separately for each such Named Executive Officer.
|
|
|
|
|
Option
Awards
|
Name
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
(1)
|
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
(1)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
(2)
|
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
Mr. Sanfilippo(3)
|
|
06/15/2008
|
|
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4.6800 |
|
|
06/15/2018
|
|
|
09/30/2009
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5.1200 |
|
|
09/30/2016
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Chibib
|
|
02/02/2008
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.7100 |
|
|
02/02/2016
|
|
|
09/30/2009
|
|
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5.1200 |
|
|
09/30/2016
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
283,333 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Cieslewicz(4)
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Mr. Ramsey
|
|
09/14/2008
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4.4500 |
|
|
09/13/2015
|
|
|
09/30/2009
|
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5.1200 |
|
|
09/30/2016
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
365,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ms. Shanks(5)
|
|
07/22/2008
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3.9000 |
|
|
07/21/2015
|
|
|
09/30/2009
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5.1200 |
|
|
09/30/2016
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
310,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Clinton(5)
|
|
08/16/2008
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5.0400 |
|
|
08/15/2015
|
|
|
09/30/2009
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5.1200 |
|
|
09/30/2016
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
325,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Stock
options are generally exercisable immediately but are initially unvested
and will vest over a four year period. Mr. Chibib’s February 2,
2008 grant, Mr. Ramsey’s September 14, 2008 grant, and the September 30,
2009 grant to each of the NEOs vests 25% after one year, and will continue
to vest in equal quarterly installments during each of the following three
years.
|
(2)
|
The
option exercise price is equal to the closing share price of the Company’s
stock on the day of grant.
|
(3)
|
The
initial grant of options to Mr. Sanfilippo vests over four years in equal
quarterly installments.
|
(4)
|
All
of Mr. Cieslweicz's options were terminated prior to September 30,
2009.
|
(5)
|
Options
granted to Ms. Shanks on July 22, 2008 and to Mr. Clinton on August 16,
2008 vest over four years in sixteen equally quarterly
installments.
|
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2009
The
following table provides information regarding stock options exercised during
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, including the number of shares
acquired upon exercise and the value (value of common stock in excess of
exercise price at date of exercise) realized, before payment of applicable
withholding tax.
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
|
Name
|
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
|
|
|
Value Realized
on
Exercise
($)
|
Mr. Sanfilippo
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Mr. Chibib
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Mr. Cieslewicz
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Mr. Ramsey
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Ms. Shanks
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Mr. Clinton
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Pension
Benefits in Our Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
The
Company does not maintain a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement
plan.
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation in Fiscal Year 2009
The
Company does not maintain any non-qualified supplemental retirement plans or
deferred compensation plans for our executive officers.
Potential
Termination Payments
This section describes and quantifies
potential payments that may be made or benefits that may provided to each Named
Executive Officer at, following, or in connection with the resignation,
severance, retirement, or other termination of the Named Executive Officer or a
change of control of the Company. For this purpose, it is assumed that each of
the foregoing events occurred on the last day of the Company’s fiscal year ended
September 30, 2009. The determination of potential payments and benefits is
based on specific factors and assumptions which are further discussed below.
Since these factors and assumptions are subject to change, the payments and
benefits that may actually be made to a
Named Executive Officer
may differ materially from the payments and benefits disclosed in this
section.
Potential
termination payment values are not provided for Mr. Cieslewicz, who terminated
his employment with the Company before
September 30, 2009. Mr. Cieslewicz received regular
earnings and paid out vacation hours upon his departure.
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
Termination Event
|
|
Cash
Severance
($)
|
|
|
Acceleration and
Other Benefits from
Stock
Options (1)
($)
|
|
|
Other(2)
($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
Retirement
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Death
or Disability
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Voluntary
Resignation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
for Cause
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Involuntary
Termination without Cause, or Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason (3)
|
|
|
2,250,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,250,000 |
Change
in Control without Termination
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
without Cause following a Change in Control (4)
|
|
|
2,250,000 |
|
|
|
464,750 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,679,000 |
(1)
|
The
amounts reflect the aggregate in-the-money value of all nonvested
outstanding stock options, based on the Company’s closing share price
of $5.12 on September 30, 2009. If the options
are neither assumed nor continued pursuant to a change of control; or,
within one year of a change of control, if Mr. Sanfilippo is
terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, all of Mr.
Sanfilippo’s stock options would immediately
vest.
|
(2)
|
Mr. Sanfilippo
is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in the event that any payment by
the Company to or for the benefit of Mr. Sanfilippo is subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
(3)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Sanfilippo’s Employment Agreement,
as amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that termination occurs
after June 15, 2009, the Company would pay two years of base salary
continuation (to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
practices) and two years of target bonus (to be paid at the end of each
year); such payments must not extend beyond the second taxable year
following the taxable year in which the termination of employment
occurred.
|
(4)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Sanfilippo’s Employment Agreement,
as amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that there is a change of
control and within one year after the closing of the change of control,
Mr. Sanfilippo is terminated without cause or resigns for good
reason, the Company would pay a lump sum equal to two years of base salary
continuation and two years of target bonus within sixty (60) days of such
termination.
|
Adam
D. Chibib
Termination Event
|
|
Cash
Severance
($)
|
|
|
Acceleration and
Other Benefits from
Stock
Options (1)
($)
|
|
|
Other
(2)
(3)($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
Retirement
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Death
or Disability
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Voluntary
Resignation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
for Cause
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Involuntary
Termination without Cause, or Voluntary Resignation for Good
Reason
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Change
in Control without Termination
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
without Cause following a Change in Control(4)
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
852,500 |
|
|
|
14,293 |
|
|
|
1,666,793 |
(1)
|
The
amounts reflect the aggregate in-the-money value of all nonvested
outstanding stock options, based on the Company’s closing share price
of $5.12 on September 30, 2009. If the options
are neither assumed nor continued pursuant to a change of control; or,
within one year of a change of control, if Mr. Chibib is terminated
without cause or resigns for good reason, all of Mr. Chibib’s stock
options would immediately vest.
|
(2)
|
If
Mr. Chibib elects to continue health coverage under COBRA, for a period of
up to one year after termination, the Company will pay Mr. Chibib’s
premiums, in an amount sufficient to maintain the level of health benefits
in effect on Mr. Chibib’s last day of
employment.
|
(3)
|
Mr. Chibib
is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in the event that any payment by
the Company to or for the benefit of Mr. Chibib is subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
(4)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Chibib’s Employment Agreement, as
amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that there is a change of
control and within one year after the closing of the change of control,
Mr. Chibib is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason,
the Company would pay a lump sum equal to two years of base salary
continuation and two years of target bonus within sixty (60) days of such
termination.
|
Patrick
J. Ramsey
Termination Event
|
|
Cash
Severance
($)
|
|
|
Acceleration and
Other Benefits from
Stock
Options (1)
($)
|
|
|
Other
(2)
(3) ($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
Retirement
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Death
or Disability
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Voluntary
Resignation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
for Cause
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Involuntary
Termination without Cause, or Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason (4)
|
|
|
960,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,257 |
|
|
|
970,257 |
Change
in Control without Termination
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
without Cause following a Change in Control (5)
|
|
|
960,000 |
|
|
|
150,750 |
|
|
|
10,257 |
|
|
|
1,121,007 |
(1)
|
The
amounts reflect the aggregate in-the-money value of all nonvested
outstanding stock options, based on the Company’s closing share price
of $5.12 on September 30, 2009. If the options
are neither assumed nor continued pursuant to a change of control; or,
within one year of a change of control, if Mr. Ramsey is terminated
without cause or resigns for good reason, all of Mr. Ramsey’s stock
options would immediately vest.
|
(2)
|
If
Mr. Ramsey elects to continue health coverage under COBRA, for a period of
up to one year after termination, the Company will pay Mr. Ramsey’s
premiums, in an amount sufficient to maintain the level of health benefits
in effect on Mr. Ramsey’s last day of
employment.
|
(3)
|
Mr. Ramsey
is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in the event that any payment by
the Company to or for the benefit of Mr. Ramsey is subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
(4)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Ramsey’s Employment Agreement, as
amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that termination occurs
after August 16, 2009, the Company would pay two years of base salary
continuation (to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
practices) and two years of target bonus (to be paid at the end of each
year); such payments must not extend beyond the second taxable year
following the taxable year in which the termination of employment
occurred.
|
(5)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Ramsey’s Employment Agreement, as
amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that there is a change of
control and within one year after the closing of the change of control,
Mr. Ramsey is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason,
the Company would pay a lump sum equal to two years of base salary
continuation and two years of target bonus within sixty (60) days of such
termination.
|
Virginia
E. Shanks
Termination Event
|
|
Cash
Severance
($)
|
|
|
Acceleration and
Other Benefits from
Stock
Options (1)
($)
|
|
|
Other
(2)
(3) ($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
Retirement
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Death
or Disability
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Voluntary
Resignation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
for Cause
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Involuntary
Termination without Cause, or Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason (4)
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,006 |
|
|
|
408,006 |
Change
in Control without Termination
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
without Cause following a Change in Control (5)
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
228,750 |
|
|
|
8,006 |
|
|
|
1,036,756 |
(1)
|
The
amounts reflect the aggregate in-the-money value of all nonvested
outstanding stock options, based on the Company’s closing share price
of $5.12 on September 30, 2009. If the options
are neither assumed nor continued pursuant to a change of control; or,
within one year of a change of control, if Ms. Shanks is terminated
without cause or resigns for good reason, all of Ms. Shanks’ stock options
would immediately vest.
|
(2)
|
If
Ms. Shanks elects to continue health coverage under COBRA, for a
period of up to one year after termination, the Company will pay
Ms. Shanks’ premiums, in an amount sufficient to maintain the level
of health benefits in effect on Ms. Shanks’ last day of
employment.
|
(3)
|
Ms. Shanks
is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in the event that any payment by
the Company to or for the benefit of Ms. Shanks is subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
(4)
|
Represents
one year base salary continuation and one year target
bonus. Pursuant to Ms. Shanks’ Employment Agreement, as
amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that the termination
occurs after July 28, 2009 but on or before July 28, 2010, the
Company would pay her one year of base salary continuation (to be paid in
accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices) and target bonus
(to be paid at the end of each year); or in the event that the termination
occurs after February 10, 2011, two years of base salary continuation (to
be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices) and
target bonus (to be paid at the end of each year) and two years of target
bonus (to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
practices); such payments must not extend beyond the second taxable year
following the taxable year in which the termination of employment
occurred.
|
(5)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Ms. Shanks’ Employment Agreement, as
amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that there is a change of
control and within one year after the closing of the change of control,
Ms. Shanks is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason, the
Company would pay a lump sum equal to two years of base salary
continuation and two years of target bonus within sixty (60) days of such
termination and her stock options will immediately
vest.
|
Uri
L. Clinton
Termination Event
|
|
Cash
Severance
($)
|
|
|
Acceleration and
Other Benefits from
Stock
Options (1)
($)
|
|
|
Other
(2)
(3) ($)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
Retirement
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Death
or Disability
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Voluntary
Resignation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
for Cause
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Involuntary
Termination without Cause, or Voluntary Resignation for Good Reason (4)
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
14,293 |
|
|
|
814,293 |
Change
in Control without Termination
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
Termination
without Cause following a Change in Control (5)
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
14,293 |
|
|
|
829,293 |
(1)
|
The
amounts reflect the aggregate in-the-money value of all nonvested
outstanding stock options, based on the Company’s closing share price
of $5.12 on September 30, 2009. If the options
are neither assumed nor continued pursuant to a change of control; or,
within one year of a change of control, if Mr. Clinton is terminated
without cause or resigns for good reason, all of Mr. Clinton’s stock
options would immediately vest.
|
(2)
|
If
Mr. Clinton elects to continue health coverage under COBRA, for a period
of up to one year after termination, the Company will pay Mr. Clinton’s
premiums, in an amount sufficient to maintain the level of health benefits
in effect on Mr. Clinton’s last day of
employment.
|
(3)
|
Mr. Clinton
is eligible to receive a gross-up payment in the event that any payment by
the Company to or for the benefit of Mr. Clinton is subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
(4)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Clinton’s Employment Agreement, as
amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that a termination occurs
after August 16, 2009, the Company would pay two years of base salary
continuation (to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll
practices) and two years of target bonus (to be paid at the end of each
year); such payments must not extend beyond the second taxable year
following the taxable year in which the termination of employment
occurred.
|
(5)
|
Represents
two year base salary continuation and two year target
bonus. Pursuant to Mr. Clinton’s Employment Agreement, as
amended (described in the section titled “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control”), in the event that there is a change of
control and within one year after the closing of the change of control,
Mr. Clinton is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason,
the Company would pay a lump sum equal to two years of base salary
continuation and two years of target bonus within sixty (60) days of such
termination.
|
CERTAIN
INFORMATION NOT DEEMED INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN
ANY SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FILINGS
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings
under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, or the 1934
Act that might incorporate all or portions of future filings, including this
Proxy Statement, with the SEC, in whole or in part, the Report of the
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors and the Report of the Audit
Committee of our Board of Directors shall not be deemed to be incorporated by
reference into any such filing or deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed”
with the SEC under the Securities Act or the 1934 Act, or subject to the
liabilities of Section 18 of the 1934 Act. In addition, this Proxy
Statement includes certain website addresses intended to provide inactive,
textural references only. The information on these websites shall not be deemed
part of this Proxy Statement.
DEADLINE
FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
FOR
2011 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholders
who, in accordance with SEC Rule 14a-8, wish to present proposals for inclusion
in our proxy statement and form of proxy for our next annual meeting must submit
their proposals so that they are received by us at our principal executive
offices, addressed to our Corporate Secretary, no later than September
30, 2010. Shareholder proposals not submitted for inclusion in next year’s
proxy statement and form of proxy, but instead sought to be presented directly
at our next annual meeting of shareholders, may be brought before the annual
meeting so long as we receive notice of the proposal, addressed to the Corporate
Secretary, at our principal executive offices, no later than September
30, 2010. If received after September 30, 2010, such proposals will be
considered untimely. Unless we receive notice in the manner and by the dates
specified above, the proxy holders shall have discretionary authority to vote
for or against any such proposal presented at our next annual meeting of
shareholders.
ANNUAL
REPORT
A copy of
our annual report for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 has been mailed
concurrently with this Proxy Statement to all shareholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the annual meeting. The annual report is not incorporated into
this Proxy Statement and is not considered proxy solicitation
material.
FORM
10-K
We filed
an annual report on Form 10-K with the SEC on December 14, 2009.
Shareholders may obtain a copy of our annual report, including the amendments
thereto, without charge, by writing to our Corporate Secretary at our principal
executive offices, located at 206 Wild Basin Rd South, Bldg B,
Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78746.
|
By
order of the Board of Directors,
/s/
Anthony M. Sanfilippo
Anthony
M. Sanfilippo
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Austin,
Texas
January
28, 2010
|
|
Appendix
A
MULTIMEDIA
GAMES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose of the
Plan. The
purpose of the Plan is to: (i) attract and retain the best available personnel
for positions of substantial responsibility, (ii) provide additional incentive
to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and (iii) promote the success of the
Company’s business. The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock
Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted
Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and Other
Stock Based Awards.
2. Definition. As used in this Plan, the
following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board
or any of its Committees that shall be administering the Plan, in accordance
with Section 4 of the Plan.
(b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to
the administration of equity-based awards or equity compensation plans under
U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws,
the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is
listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction
where Awards are, or shall be, granted under the Plan.
(c) “Award” means, individually or
collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock,
Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares or Other Stock
Based Awards.
(d) “Award Agreement” means the
written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions
applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement
is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(e) “Awarded Stock” means the
Common Stock subject to an Award.
(f) “Board” means the Board of
Directors of the Company.
(g) “Change in Control” means,
except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, the occurrence of any of
the following events:
(i) Any
“person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act)
becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of
the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting
securities;
(ii) the
sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets other than (A) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, at least 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding
voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale or (B) pursuant to a
spin-off type transaction, directly or indirectly, of such assets to the
Company’s shareholders;
(iii) A change
in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period as a result
of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent
Directors. “Incumbent Directors” are
directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or
(B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative
votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such
election or nomination (but shall not include an individual whose election or
nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating
to the election of directors to the Company); or
(iv) a merger
or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger
or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity or its parent) at least 50% of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or
its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation.
(h) “Code” means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated
thereunder. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be a
reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.
(i) “Committee” means a committee
of Directors or other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the
Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan
(j) “Common Stock” means the
Common Stock of the Company, or in the case of Performance Units, Restricted
Stock Units, and certain Other Stock Based Awards, the cash equivalent thereof,
as applicable.
(k) “Company” means Multimedia
Games, Inc., a Texas corporation, and any successor to Multimedia Games,
Inc.
(l) “Consultant” means any person,
including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render
services to such entity.
(m) “Director” means a member of
the Board.
(n) “Disability” means total and
permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided
that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator
in its sole discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability
exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by
the Administrator from time to time.
(o) “Dividend Equivalent” means a
credit, made at the sole discretion of the Administrator, to the account of a
Participant in an amount equal to the value of dividends paid on one Share for
each Share represented by an Award held by such Participant. Under no
circumstances shall the payment of a Dividend Equivalent be made contingent on
the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(p) “Employee” means any person,
including officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or
Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment
of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute
“employment” by the Company.
(q) “Exchange Act” means the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(r) “Exchange Program” means a program under which (i)
outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the
same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of
a different type, and/or of cash, and/or (ii) the exercise price of an
outstanding Award is reduced. The terms and conditions of any
Exchange Program shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole
discretion.
(s) “Fair Market Value” means, as
of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i) If the
Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market
system, including without limitation the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ
Global Market (formerly the NASDAQ National Market) or the NASDAQ Capital Market
(formerly the NASDAQ SmallCap Market) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Fair
Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing
bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the day
of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the
Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of
a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked
prices for the Common Stock for the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or
such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii) In the
absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value
shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
Notwithstanding
the preceding, for federal, state, and local income tax reporting purposes and
for such other purposes as the Administrator deems appropriate, the Fair Market
Value shall be determined by the Administrator in accordance with uniform and
nondiscriminatory standards adopted by it from time to time.
(t) “Incentive Stock Option” means
an Option intended to qualify and receive favorable tax treatment as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, as
designated in the applicable Award Agreement.
(u) “Nonstatutory Stock Option”
means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option.
(v) “Option” means an option to
purchase Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(w) “Other Stock Based Awards”
means any other awards not specifically described in the Plan that are valued in
whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares and are
created by the Administrator pursuant to Section 12.
(x) “Outside Director” means an
“outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code.
(y) “Parent” means a “parent
corporation” with respect to the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as
defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(z) “Participant” means a Service
Provider who has been granted an Award under the Plan.
(aa) “Performance Goals” means
goals which have been established by the Committee in connection with an Award
and are based on one or more of the following criteria, as determined by the
Committee in its absolute and sole discretion: net income; cash flow; cash flow
on investment; pre-tax or post-tax profit levels or earnings; operating income
or earnings; return on investment; earned value added; expense reduction levels;
free cash flow; free cash flow per share; earnings per share; net earnings per
share; net earnings from continuing operations; sales growth; sales volume;
economic profit; expense reduction; controlled expenses; return on assets;
return on net assets; return on equity; return on capital; return on sales;
return on invested capital; organic revenue; growth in managed assets; total
shareholder return; stock price; stock price appreciation; EBITA; adjusted
EBITA; EBITDA; adjusted EBITDA; return in excess of cost of capital; profit in
excess of cost of capital; net operating profit after tax; operating margin;
profit margin; adjusted revenue; revenue; net revenue; operating revenue; net
cash provided by
operating activities; net cash provided by operating activities per share; cash
conversion percentage; new sales; net new sales; cancellations; gross margin;
gross margin percentage; and revenue before deferral.
(bb) “Performance Period” means the
time period during which the Performance Goals or performance objectives must be
met.
(cc) “Performance Share” means
Shares issued pursuant to a Performance Share Award under Section 10 of the
Plan.
(dd) “Performance Unit” means,
pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan, an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver
Shares, cash or other securities equal to the value set forth in the Award
Agreement.
(ee) “Period of Restriction” means
the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject
to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time,
the achievement of Performance Goals or other target levels of performance, or
the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.
(ff)
“Plan” means this Consolidated Equity Incentive Plan. The Plan is
the successor to the Prior Plans. The Plan was approved by the Board on
January 25, 2010 and by the Company’s shareholders on
[___________].
(gg) “Prior Plans” means the
following plans sponsored by the Company: (i) 2000 Stock Option Plan, (ii)
2001 Stock Option Plan, (iii) 2002 Stock Option Plan, (iv) 2003 Outside
Director Stock Option Plan, and (v) 2008 Employment Inducement Award
Plan.
(hh) “Restricted Stock” means
Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award under Section 8 or issued
pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.
(ii) “Restricted Stock Unit” means,
pursuant to Sections 4 and 11 of the Plan, an unfunded and unsecured promise to
deliver Shares, cash or other securities equal in value to the Fair Market Value
of one Share in the Company on the date of vesting or settlement, or as
otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement.
(jj) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3
of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion
is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(kk) “Section 16(b)” means Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(ll) “Service Provider” means an
Employee, Director or Consultant.
(mm) “Share” means a share of Common Stock, as
adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.
(nn) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means, pursuant to
Section 9 of the Plan, an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash
or other securities equal in value to the difference between the Fair Market
Value of a Share as of the date such SAR is exercised/settled and the Fair
Market Value of a Share as of the date such SAR was granted, or as otherwise set
forth in the Award Agreement.
(oo) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”
with respect to the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in
Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to the
Plan.
(a) Stock Subject to the
Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the
maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to all Awards
under the Plan is 1,161,213 Shares, representing the remaining shares available
for issuance under the Prior Plans, plus the amount of outstanding Common Stock
subject to Lapsed Awards (defined below) under the Prior Plans. The
maximum number of Shares that may be subject to Incentive Stock Option treatment
is 1,161,213. Shares shall not be deemed to have been issued pursuant
to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in
cash. Upon payment in Shares pursuant to the exercise of an Award,
the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced only
by the number of Shares actually issued in such payment. If a
Participant pays the exercise price (or purchase price, if applicable) of an
Award through the tender of Shares, or if Shares are tendered or withheld to
satisfy any Company withholding obligations, the number of Shares so tendered or
withheld shall again be available for issuance pursuant to future Awards under
the Plan.
(b) Lapsed
Awards. If any outstanding Award expires or is terminated or
canceled without having been exercised or settled in full, or if Shares acquired
pursuant to an Award subject to forfeiture or repurchase are forfeited or
repurchased by the Company, the Shares allocable to the terminated portion of
the Award or the forfeited or repurchased Shares shall again be available for
grant under the Plan (the “Lapsed
Awards”). Similarly, the shares subject to Lapsed Awards under
the Prior Plans shall add to the maximum number of Shares that are available for
grant under Section 3(a) of the Plan.
(c) Share
Reserve. The Company, during the term of the Plan, shall at
all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
4. Administration of the
Plan.
(i) Multiple Administrative
Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups
of Service Providers may administer the Plan.
(ii) Section
162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to
be desirable and necessary to qualify Awards granted under this Plan as
“performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more Outside
Directors.
(iii) Rule 16b-3. If a
transaction is intended to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange
Act, it shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule
16b-3.
(iv) Other
Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall
be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee constituted to satisfy
Applicable Laws.
(v) Delegation of Authority for
Day-to-Day Administration. Except to the extent prohibited by
Applicable Law, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the
day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in
this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.
(b) Powers of the
Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in
the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board
to the Committee, the Administrator shall
have the authority, in its discretion to:
(i) determine
the Fair Market Value of Awards;
(ii) select
the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted under this
Plan;
(iii) determine
the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted under this
Plan;
(iv) approve
forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v) determine
the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any
Award granted under this Plan, including but not limited to, the exercise price,
the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on
Performance Goals or other performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or
waiver of forfeiture or repurchase restrictions, and any restriction or
limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each
case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall
determine;
(vi) institute
an Exchange Program;
(vii) construe
and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the
Plan;
(viii) prescribe,
amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules
and regulations relating to sub-plans;
(ix) amend
the terms of any outstanding Award, including the discretionary authority to
extend the post-termination exercise period of Awards and accelerate the
satisfaction of any vesting criteria or waiver of forfeiture or repurchase
restrictions, provided that any amendment that would adversely affect the
Participant’s rights under an outstanding Award shall not be made without the
Participant’s written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an
amendment shall not be treated as adversely affecting the rights of the
Participant if the amendment causes an Incentive Stock Option to become a
Nonstatutory Stock Option or if the amendment is made to the minimum extent
necessary to avoid the adverse tax consequences of Section 409A of the
Code;
(x) allow
Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the
Company withhold from the Shares or cash to be issued upon exercise or vesting
of an Award that number of Shares or cash having a Fair Market Value equal to
the minimum amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of
any Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax
to be withheld is to be determined, and all elections by a Participant to have
Shares or cash withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under
such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or
advisable;
(xi) authorize
any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect
the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xii) allow a
Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of
Shares that would otherwise be due to the Participant under an
Award;
(xiii) determine
whether Awards shall be settled in Shares, cash or in a combination of Shares
and cash;
(xiv) determine
whether Awards shall be adjusted for Dividend Equivalents;
(xv) create
Other Stock Based Awards for issuance under the Plan;
(xvi) establish
a program whereby Service Providers designated by the Administrator can reduce
compensation otherwise payable in cash in exchange for Awards under the
Plan;
(xvii) impose
such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to
the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant or other subsequent
transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued as a result of or under an
Award, including without limitation, (A) restrictions under an insider trading
policy, and (B) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for
such resales or other transfers;
(xviii) establish
one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the
opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an
Award, satisfaction of Performance Goals or other performance criteria, or other
event that absent the election, would entitle the Participant to payment or
receipt of Shares or other consideration under an Award; and
(xix) make all
other determinations that the Administrator deems necessary or advisable for
administering the Plan.
The
express grant in the Plan of any specific power to the Administrator shall not
be construed as limiting any power or authority of the
Administrator. However, the Administrator may not exercise any right
or power reserved to the Board.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s
Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations,
actions and interpretations shall be final, conclusive and binding on all
persons having an interest in the Plan.
(d) Indemnification. The
Company shall defend and indemnify members of the Board, officers and Employees
of the Company or of a Parent or Subsidiary whom authority to act for the Board,
the Administrator or the Company is delegated (“Indemnitees”) to the maximum
extent permitted by law against (i) all reasonable expenses, including
reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with the defense of any claim,
investigation, action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal
therein (collectively, a “Claim”), to which any of them
is a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act in connection with
the Plan, or in connection with any Award granted under the Plan; and (ii) all
amounts required to be paid by them in settlement the Claim (provided the
settlement is approved by the Company) or required to be paid by them in
satisfaction of a judgment in any Claim. However, no person shall be
entitled to indemnification to the extent he is determined in such Claim to be
liable for gross negligence, bad faith or intentional misconduct. In
addition, to be entitled to indemnification, the Indemnitee must, within 30 days
after written notice of the Claim, offer the Company, in writing, the
opportunity, at the Company’s expense, to defend the Claim. The right
to indemnification shall be in addition to all other rights of indemnification
available to the Indemnitee.
5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory
Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock
Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and Other Stock Based Awards may
be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be
granted only to Employees.
6. Limitations.
(a) $100,000 Limitation for
Incentive Stock Options. Each Option shall be designated in
the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock
Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that
the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive
Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any
calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary)
exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock
Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options
shall be taken into account in the order in which they were
granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as
of the time the Options with respect to such Shares are granted.
(b) Special Annual
Limits. Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum number
of Shares that may be subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights granted to
any Service Provider in any calendar year shall equal 580,606 Shares and contain
an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock as of the
date of grant. Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum number
of Shares that may be subject to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units,
Performance Shares, Performance Units and Other Stock Based Awards, Other Stock
Based Awards granted to any Service Provider in any calendar year shall equal
580,606 Shares. Subject to Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum dollar
amount that may be subject to cash awards granted to any Service Provider in any
calendar year shall equal $2,000,000.
7. Options
(a) Term of
Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Award
Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall
be 10 years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in
the Award Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock
Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is
granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the
term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five years from the date of grant or
such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
(b) Option Exercise Price and
Consideration.
(i) Exercise
Price. The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be
issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:
(1) In
the case of an Incentive Stock Option
(A)
granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted,
owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.
(B)
granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A)
immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of
the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(2) In
the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be
determined by the Administrator, but shall not be less than Fair Market Value
for those subject to U.S. taxation. In the case of a Nonstatutory
Stock Option intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share exercise price shall be no
less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.
(3)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Incentive Stock Options may be granted with a per
Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the
date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent
with, Section 424(a) of the Code.
(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise
Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator
shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall
determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be
exercised. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may accelerate
the satisfaction of such conditions at any time.
(c) Form of
Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the
Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time
of grant. Such consideration, to the extent permitted by Applicable
Laws, may consist entirely of:
(iii) other
Shares which meet the conditions established by the Administrator to avoid
adverse accounting consequences (as determined by the
Administrator);
(iv) consideration
received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the
Company in connection with the Plan;
(v) a
reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant, including
any liability attributable to the Participant’s participation in any
Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;
(vi) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(vii) any other
consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares permitted by
Applicable Laws.
(d) Exercise of
Option.
(i) Procedure for Exercise;
Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted under this Plan
shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and
under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the
Award Agreement. An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company
receives: (x) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the
Award Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (y) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (including
provision for any applicable tax withholding). Full payment may
consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the
Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the
name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the
Participant and his spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced
by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any
other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Awarded Stock,
notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue
(or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is
exercised. No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 15 of the Plan or the applicable Award
Agreement. Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the
number of Shares thereafter available for sale under the Option, by the number
of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(ii) Termination of Relationship
as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service
Provider, other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant
may exercise his Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award
Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination
(but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set
forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in
the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for 30 days following
the Participant’s termination after which the Option shall
terminate. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the
date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his entire Option, the
Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the
Plan. If the Participant does not exercise his Option as to all of
the vested Shares within the time specified by the Award Agreement, the Option
shall terminate, and the remaining Shares covered by the Option shall revert to
the Plan.
(iii) Disability of
Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider
as a result of his Disability, the Participant may exercise his Option, to the
extent vested, within the time specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event
later than the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award
Agreement). If no time for exercise of the Option on Disability is
specified in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for 24
months following the Participant’s termination for Disability. Unless
otherwise provided by the Administrator, on the date of termination for
Disability, the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the
Plan. If after termination for Disability, the Participant does not
exercise his Option as to all of the vested Shares within the time specified by
the Award Agreement, the Option shall terminate and the remaining Shares covered
by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(iv) Death of
Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider,
the Option, to the extent vested, may be exercised within the time specified in
the Award Agreement (but in no event may the Option be exercised later than the
expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by
the beneficiary designated by the Participant prior to his death; provided that
such designation must be acceptable to the Administrator. If no
beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then the Option may be
exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate, or by the
persons to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or
in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. If the Award
Agreement does not specify a time within which the Option must be exercised
following a Participant's death, it shall be exercisable for 24 months following
his death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the
time of death, the Participant is not vested as to his entire Option, the Shares
covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the
Plan. If the Option is not exercised as to all of the vested Shares
within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and
the remaining Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the
Plan.
8. Restricted
Stock.
(a) Grant of Restricted
Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the
Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted
Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole
discretion, shall determine.
(b) Restricted Stock
Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced
by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number
of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Administrator
determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as
escrow agent until the restrictions on the Shares have lapsed.
(c) Removal of
Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8,
Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Award made under the Plan shall be
released from escrow as soon as practical after the last day of the Period of
Restriction. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may
accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse or be
removed.
(d) Voting
Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers
holding Shares of Restricted Stock may exercise full voting rights with respect
to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(e) Dividends and Other
Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service
Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all
dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any dividends or
distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same
restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted
Stock with respect to which they were paid.
(f) Return of Restricted Stock
to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the
Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the
Company and again shall become available for grant under the Plan.
9. Stock Appreciation
Rights
(a) Grant of
SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a SAR
may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as shall
be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The
Administrator shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs
granted to any Service Provider. The Administrator, subject to the
provisions of the Plan, shall have complete discretion to determine the terms
and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan, including the sole discretion to
accelerate exercisability at any time.
(b) SAR
Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award
Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term, the conditions of
exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole
discretion, shall determine.
(c) Expiration of
SARs. A SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date
determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, as set forth in the
Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Sections
7(d)(ii), 7(d)(iii) and 7(d)(iv) shall also apply to SARs.
(d) Payment of SAR
Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be
entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by
multiplying:
(i) The
difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over
the exercise price; times
(ii) The
number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
At the
sole discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon the exercise of a SAR may
be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination
thereof.
10. Performance units and
performance shares.
(a) Grant of Performance Units
and Performance Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan, Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service
Providers at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the
Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator shall have
complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and
Performance Shares granted to each Service Provider.
(b) Value of Performance Units
and Performance Shares. Each Performance Unit shall have an
initial value established by the Administrator on or before the date of
grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to
the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(c) Performance Objectives and
Other Terms. The Administrator shall set Performance Goals or
other performance objectives in its sole discretion which, depending on the
extent to which they are met, shall determine the number or value of Performance
Units and Performance Shares that shall be paid out to the
Participant. Each award of Performance Units or Performance Shares
shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Performance
Period and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator in its sole
discretion shall determine. The Administrator may set Performance
Goals or performance objectives based upon the achievement of Company-wide,
divisional, or individual goals (including solely continued service), applicable
federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the
Administrator in its sole discretion.
(d) Earning of Performance Units
and Performance Shares. After the applicable Performance
Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units or Performance Shares shall be
entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units or Performance
Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined
as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals or
performance objectives have been achieved. After the grant of
Performance Units or Performance Shares, the Administrator, in its sole
discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives for the Performance
Unit or Performance Share.
(e) Form and Timing of Payment
of Performance Units and Performance Shares. Payment of earned
Performance Units and Performance Shares shall be made after the expiration of
the applicable Performance Period at the time determined by the
Administrator. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay
earned Performance Units and Performance Shares in the form of cash, in Shares
(which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned
Performance Units or Performance Shares, as applicable, at the close of the
applicable Performance Period) or in a combination of cash and
Shares.
(f) Cancellation of Performance
Units or Performance Shares. On the date set forth in the
Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units and Performance
Shares shall be forfeited to the Company, and again shall be available for grant
under the Plan.
11. Restricted Stock
Units. Restricted Stock Units shall consist of a Restricted
Stock, Performance Share or Performance Unit Award that the Administrator, in
its sole discretion permits to be paid out in a lump sum, installments or on a
deferred basis, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the
Administrator
12. Other Stock Based
Awards. Other Stock Based Awards may be granted either alone,
in addition to, or in tandem with, other Awards granted under the Plan and/or
cash awards made outside of the Plan. The Administrator shall have
authority to determine the Service Providers to whom and the time or times at
which Other Stock Based Awards shall be made, the amount of such Other Stock
Based Awards, and all other conditions of the Other Stock Based Awards,
including any dividend or voting rights and whether the Award should be paid in
cash.
13. Leaves of
Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting
of Awards granted under this Plan shall be suspended during any unpaid leave of
absence and shall resume on the date the Participant returns to work on a
regular schedule as determined by the Company; provided, however, that no
vesting credit shall be awarded for the time vesting has been suspended during
such leave of absence. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an
Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii)
transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent,
or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no leave
of absence may exceed 90 days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave
is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration
of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not guaranteed by statute or
contract, then at the end of three months following the expiration of the leave
of absence, any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be
treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option.
14. Non-Transferability of
Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an
Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed
of in any manner other than by shall or by the laws of descent or distribution
and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the
Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such
Award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator
deems appropriate.
15. Adjustments; Dissolution or
Liquidation; Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments. In
the event of any change in the outstanding Shares of Common Stock by reason of
any stock split, stock dividend or other non-recurring dividends or
distributions, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination,
repurchase or exchange of stock, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or
other similar corporate transaction that affects the Common Stock, an adjustment
shall be made, as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate, in order to
prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended
to be made available under the Plan. Such adjustment may include an
adjustment to the number and class of Shares which may be delivered under the
Plan, the number, class and price of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, the
number and class of Shares issuable pursuant to Options, and the numerical
limits in Sections 3 and 6(b). Notwithstanding the preceding, the
number of Shares subject to any Award always shall be a whole
number.
(b) Dissolution or
Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as
soon as practical prior to the effective date of the proposed
transaction. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide
for a Participant to have the right to exercise his Award, to the extent
applicable, until 10 days prior to the transaction as to all of the Awarded
Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not
otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide
that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any Award
shall lapse 100%, and that any Award vesting shall accelerate 100%, provided the
proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner
contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised or
vested, an Award shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such
proposed action.
(c) Change in
Control. This Section 15(c) shall apply except as otherwise
provided in the Award Agreement.
(i) Stock Options and
SARs. In the Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in
Control, each outstanding Option and SAR shall be assumed or an equivalent
option or SAR substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary
of the successor corporation. Unless determined otherwise by the
Administrator, if the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for
the Option or SAR, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to
exercise the Option or SAR as to all of the Awarded Stock, including Shares as
to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an
Option or SAR is not assumed or substituted on the Change in Control, the
Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the
Option or SAR shall be exercisable, to the extent vested, for a period of up to
15 days from the date of such notice, and the Option or SAR shall terminate upon
the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this Section
15(c)(i), the Option or SAR shall be considered assumed if, following the Change
in Control, the option or SAR confers the right to purchase or receive, for each
Share of Awarded Stock subject to the Option or SAR immediately prior to the
Change in Control, the consideration (whether securities, cash, or property)
received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held
on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice
of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority
of the outstanding Shares). However, if the consideration received in
the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or
its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor
corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of
the Option or SAR, for each share of Awarded Stock subject to the Option or SAR,
to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in
Fair Market Value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common
Stock in the Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan
to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned, or is paid-out upon the
satisfaction of one or more performance objectives shall not be considered
assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of the performance
objectives without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification
to performance objectives only to reflect the successor corporation’s
post-Change in Control corporate structure shall not be deemed to invalidate an
otherwise valid Award assumption.
(ii) Restricted Stock,
Performance Shares, Performance Units, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock
Based Awards. In the event of a Change in Control, each
outstanding Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share,
Performance Unit, and Other Stock Based Award shall be assumed or an equivalent
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit,
and Other Stock Based Award shall be substituted by the successor corporation or
a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, if the successor corporation refuses
to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant shall fully vest in the
Award, including as to Shares or Units that would not otherwise be vested, all
applicable restrictions shall lapse, and all performance objectives and other
vesting criteria shall be deemed achieved at targeted levels. For the
purposes of this Section 15(c)(ii), an Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted
Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Other Stock Based Awards
shall be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the award
confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award
immediately prior to the Change in Control (and if a Restricted Stock Unit or
Performance Unit, for each Share as determined based on the then current value
of the unit), the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or
property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each
Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered
a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares). However, if the consideration
received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor
corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the
successor corporation, provide that the consideration to be received for each
Share (and if a Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Unit, for each Share as
determined based on the then current value of the unit) be solely common stock
of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per
share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in
Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, an
Award that vests, is earned, or is paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more
performance objectives shall not be considered assumed if the Company or its
successor modifies any of the performance objectives without the Participant’s
consent; provided, however, a modification to the performance objectives only to
reflect the successor corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure
shall not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award
assumption.
(iii) Outside Director
Awards. Notwithstanding any provision of Sections 15(c)(i) or
15(c)(ii) to the contrary, with respect to Awards granted to an Outside Director
that are assumed or substituted for, if on the date of or following the
assumption or substitution, the Participant’s status as a Director or a director
of the successor corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than upon a
voluntary resignation by the Participant, then the Participant shall fully vest
in and have the right to exercise his Options and Stock Appreciation Rights as
to all of the Award, including Shares as to which such Awards would not
otherwise be vested or exercisable, and all restrictions on Restricted Stock and
Restricted Stock Units, as applicable, shall lapse, and, with respect to
Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Other Stock Based Awards, all
performance goals and other vesting criteria shall be deemed achieved at target
levels and all other terms and conditions met.
16. Date of
Grant. The date of grant of an Award shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting
such Award, or a later date as is determined by the
Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each
Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
17. Shareholder Approval and
Term of Plan. The Plan became effective on [___________] and
thereafter shall continue in effect for a term of 10 years unless terminated
earlier under Section 18 of the Plan.
18. Amendment and Termination of
the Plan.
(a) Amendment and
Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend
or terminate the Plan.
(b) Shareholder
Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any
Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable
Laws.
(c) Effect of Amendment or
Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or
termination of the Plan shall materially or adversely impair the rights of any
Participant, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Participant and the
Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant
and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the
Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it under this Plan
with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of
termination.
19. Conditions upon issuance of
shares.
(a) Legal
Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Award unless the exercise of the Award and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.
(b) Investment
Representations. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of
an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving the Award
to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the
Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention
to sell or distribute the Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
such a representation is required.
(c) Taxes. No
Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Participant or other person
until the Participant or other person has made arrangements acceptable to the
Administrator for the satisfaction of any non-U.S., U.S.-federal, U.S.-state, or
local income and employment tax withholding obligations, including, without
limitation, obligations incident to the receipt of Shares. Upon
exercise or vesting of an Award, the Company shall withhold or collect from the
Participant an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations, including, but
not limited to, by surrender of the whole number of Shares covered by the Award
sufficient to satisfy the minimum applicable tax withholding obligations
incident to the exercise or vesting of an Award.
20. Severability. Notwithstanding
any contrary provision of the Plan or an Award to the contrary, if any one or
more of the provisions (or any part thereof) of this Plan or the Awards shall be
held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be
modified so as to make it valid, legal, and enforceable, and the validity,
legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions (or any part thereof)
of the Plan or Award, as applicable, shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.
21. Inability to obtain
authority. The inability of the company to obtain authority
from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the
company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares
hereunder, shall relieve the company of any liability in respect of the failure
to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have
been obtained.
22. No rights to
awards. No eligible service provider or other person shall
have any claim to be granted any award pursuant to the plan, and neither the
company nor the administrator shall be obligated to treat participants or any
other person uniformly.
23. No shareholder
rights. Except as otherwise provided in an award agreement, a
participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder with respect to
shares covered by an award until the participant becomes the record owner of the
shares.
24. Fractional
shares. No fractional shares shall be issued and the
administrator shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether cash shall be
given in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be
eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.
25. Governing
law. The plan, all award agreements, and all related matters,
shall be governed by the laws of the state of Texas, without regard to choice of
law principles that direct the application of the laws of another
state.
26. No effect on terms of
employment or consulting relationship. The plan shall not
confer upon any participant any right as a service provider, nor shall it
interfere in any way with his right or the right of the company or a parent or
subsidiary to terminate the participant’s service at any time, with or without
cause, and with or without notice.
27. Unfunded
obligation. Participants shall have the status of general
unsecured creditors of the company. Any amounts payable to
participants pursuant to the plan shall be unfunded and unsecured obligations
for all purposes, including, without limitation, title i of the employee
retirement income security act of 1974, as amended. Neither the
company nor any parent or subsidiary shall be required to segregate any monies
from its general funds, or to create any trusts, or establish any special
accounts with respect to such obligations. The company shall retain
at all times beneficial ownership of any investments, including trust
investments, which the company may make to fulfill its payment obligations under
this plan. Any investments or the creation or maintenance of any
trust for any participant account shall not create or constitute a trust or
fiduciary relationship between the administrator, the company or any parent or
subsidiary and participant, or otherwise create any vested or beneficial
interest in any participant or the participant’s creditors in any assets of the
company or parent or subsidiary. The participants shall have no claim
against the company or any parent or subsidiary for any changes in the value of
any assets that may be invested or reinvested by the company with respect to the
plan.
28. Section
409A. It is the intention of the Company that no Award shall
be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless and to
the extent that the Administrator specifically determines otherwise, and the
Plan and the terms and conditions of all Awards shall be interpreted
accordingly. The following rules shall apply to Awards intended to be
subject to Section 409A of the Code (“409A
Awards”):
(a) Any
distribution of a 409A Award following a separation from service that would be
subject to Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code as a distribution following a
separation from service of a “specified employee” (as defined under Section
409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) shall occur no earlier than the expiration of the
six-month period following such separation from service.
(b) In
the case of a 409A Award providing for distribution or settlement upon vesting
or lapse of a risk of forfeiture, if the time of such distribution or settlement
is not otherwise specified in the Plan or Award Agreement or other governing
document, the distribution or settlement shall be made no later than March 15 of
the calendar year following the calendar year in which such 409A Award vested or
the risk of forfeiture lapsed.
(c) In
the case of any distribution of any other 409A Award, if the timing of such
distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or Award Agreement or other
governing document, the distribution shall be made not later than the end of the
calendar year during which the settlement of the 409A Award is specified to
occur.
29. Construction. Headings
in this Plan are included for convenience and shall not be considered in the
interpretation of the Plan. References to sections are to Sections of
this Plan unless otherwise indicated. Pronouns shall be construed to
include the masculine, feminine, neutral, singular or plural as the identity of
the antecedent may require. This Plan shall be construed according to
its fair meaning and shall not be strictly construed against the
Company.
* * * * *