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3235-0059 |
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant To
Section 14(a) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment
No. )
Filed by the
Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
þ |
Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
STONEPATH GROUP, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Fee not required. |
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Fee computed on table
below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. |
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transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth
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Persons who are to respond to the
collection of information contained in this form are not required to
respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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STONEPATH GROUP, INC.
2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98121
April 14, 2006
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the Meeting) of Stonepath Group, Inc.
(the Company), which will be held at the Bell Harbor
International Conference Center, Pier 66, 2211 Alaskan Way,
Seattle, Washington 98121, on Friday, May 26, 2006, at
10:00 a.m. local time. Your Board of Directors and
management look forward to personally greeting those
stockholders able to attend.
At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked to:
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(1) |
elect the Companys directors; |
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(2) |
approve the issuance of more than 8,698,832 shares of
Common Stock under a convertible note and warrant issued to
Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (Laurus) and certain
additional convertible notes which may be issued to Laurus in
the future; |
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(3) |
ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the
Companys independent auditors for the year ended
December 31, 2006; and |
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(4) |
consider such other matters as may be properly brought before
the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. |
These matters are discussed in greater detail in the
accompanying Proxy Statement.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of
the proposals listed above.
Regardless of the number of shares you own or whether you plan
to attend, it is important that your shares be represented and
voted at the Meeting. Please sign, date and mail the enclosed
proxy promptly.
A copy of the Companys Annual Report for the year ended
December 31, 2005 is enclosed for your information. No
material contained in the Annual Report is to be considered a
part of the proxy solicitation material.
We wish to thank you for your loyal support of the Company and
your participation in this process.
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Dennis L. Pelino |
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Chairman of the Board |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STONEPATH GROUP, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 26, 2006
April 14, 2006
To the Stockholders of Stonepath Group, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the Meeting) of Stonepath Group, Inc. (the
Company) will be held at the Bell Harbor
International Conference Center, Pier 66, 2211 Alaskan Way,
Seattle, Washington 98121, on Friday, May 26, 2006, at
10:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
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(1) |
to elect the Companys directors; |
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(2) |
to approve the issuance of more than 8,698,832 shares of
Common Stock under a convertible note and warrant issued to
Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. (Laurus) and certain
additional convertible notes which may be issued to Laurus in
the future; |
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(3) |
to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the
Companys independent auditors for the year ended
December 31, 2006; and |
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(4) |
to consider such other matters as may be properly brought before
the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. |
A copy of the Companys Annual Report for the year ended
December 31, 2005 is enclosed for your information. No
material contained in the Annual Report is to be considered a
part of our proxy solicitation material.
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on
April 7, 2006 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting and
any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting.
However, to assure your representation at the Meeting, you are
urged to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card
as promptly as possible in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed
for that purpose. Any stockholder attending the Meeting may vote
in person even if he or she has returned a proxy.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Robert Arovas |
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
STONEPATH GROUP, INC.
2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98121
PROXY STATEMENT
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors of Stonepath Group, Inc. (the Company) to
be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
Meeting) of the Company to be held at the Bell
Harbor International Conference Center, Pier 66, 2211 Alaskan
Way, Seattle, Washington 98121, on Friday, May 26, 2006 at
10:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment(s) or
postponement(s) thereof for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The proxy
solicitation materials were mailed on or about April 14,
2006 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting.
Record Date and Stock Ownership
Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 7,
2006 (the Record Date) are entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Meeting, and at any adjournment(s) or
postponement(s) thereof. At the Record Date,
43,749,693 shares of the Companys Common Stock,
$0.001 par value per share (the Common Stock)
were issued, outstanding and entitled to notice of and to vote
on all matters at the Meeting and at any adjournment(s) or
postponement(s) thereof.
Quorum and Voting Requirements
The Companys Bylaws provide that the stockholders holding
a majority of the shares issued, outstanding and entitled to
vote on the Record Date must be present in person or by proxy at
the Meeting to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at the Meeting.
All shares of Common Stock represented by valid proxies received
by the Secretary of the Company prior to the Meeting will be
voted as specified in the proxy. If no specification is made,
the shares will be voted FOR the election of each of the
Boards nominees to the Board of Directors and FOR each of
the other matters submitted by the Board of Directors for vote
by the stockholders. Unless otherwise indicated by the
stockholder, the proxy card also confers discretionary authority
on the Board-appointed proxies to vote the shares represented by
the proxy on any matter that is properly presented for action at
the Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes (which arise from
proxies delivered by brokers and others, where the record holder
has not received direction on voting and does not have
discretionary authority to vote on one or more matters) are each
included in the determination of the number of shares present
for purposes of determining a quorum. At the Meeting, directors
will be elected by a plurality vote and all other matters will
be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock present at the meeting, in person or by proxy,
and entitled to vote. Abstentions are counted as shares present
at the meeting for purposes of determining the votes cast on any
matter and have the effect of a vote against any matter as to
which abstention is specified. Broker non-votes are not
considered shares present for purposes of the vote on any matter
as to which the broker non-vote is specified and will not affect
the outcome of the vote.
The execution of a proxy will not affect a stockholders
right to attend the Meeting and vote in person. Any proxy given
pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time before it is used at the Meeting by filing
with the Secretary of the Company either: (i) a written
notice of revocation; (ii) a proxy bearing a later date
than the most recently submitted proxy; or (iii) by
attendance at the Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at
the Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
Registered stockholders (those who hold shares directly rather
than through a bank or broker) can simplify their voting by
voting via the internet at www.votestock.com. Internet
voting information is provided on the Proxy Card. Use of a
Control Number is designed to verify stockholders
identities and allow stockholders to vote their shares and
confirm that their voting instructions have been properly
recorded. The Control Number is identified and located on the
Proxy Card. If a stockholder holds shares through a bank or
broker, the stockholder will receive separate instructions on
the form received from the bank or broker.
Although most banks and brokers now offer Internet voting,
availability and specific processes will depend on their voting
arrangements.
Annual Report
A copy of the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
(Annual Report) for the year ended December 31,
2005 accompanies this Proxy Statement. No material contained in
the Annual Report is to be considered a part of our proxy
solicitation material.
The mailing address of the Companys executive offices is
2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98121.
Solicitation
The cost of this proxy solicitation will be borne by the
Company. The Company will reimburse brokers and other persons
holding stock in their names or in the names of nominees for
their expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to principals
and obtaining their proxies.
Stockholder Proposals
Proposals of stockholders that are intended to be included
within the proxy material for our 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders must comply with the requirements of SEC
Rule 14a-8 and
must be received no later than December 15, 2006 in order
to be included in the Proxy Statement and proxy relating to that
Annual Meeting.
In addition, the Companys advance notice bylaw provisions
require that any shareholder proposal to be presented from the
floor of the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be
submitted in writing to the Companys Corporate Secretary
at 2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98121 not less
that 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date
of that meeting, unless less than 70 days notice or prior
public disclosure of such date has been made to stockholders, in
which case notice of the proposal must be received by the
Company no later than the close of business on the tenth day
following such notice or public disclosure by the Company. Any
such notice of a shareholder proposal must include (a) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before
the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the
meeting, and, in the event that such business includes a
proposal to amend any document, the language of the proposed
amendment, (b) the name and address of the stockholder,
(c) the class and number of shares beneficially owned by
the stockholder, and (d) any material interest of the
stockholder in such business.
2
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees for Consideration at the Meeting
The Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of
such number of directors as is established from time to time by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.
The Board has resolved to have six (6) directors. Each
person who is appointed or elected to the Board of Directors
will hold that position until the close of the next annual
meeting of stockholders, until he or she ceases to be a director
by operation of law or until he or she resigns.
The six (6) persons listed below have been nominated by the
Board of Directors to serve as directors of the Company.
Unless otherwise specified, each properly executed proxy
received will be voted for the election of the nominees named
below to serve as directors until the end of their respective
terms or until his successor is elected and qualified. The
Company is not aware of any reason that any nominee will be
unable to serve or will decline to serve as a director. In the
event that any nominee is unable to serve or will not serve as a
director, it is intended that the proxies solicited hereby will
be voted for such other person or persons as shall be nominated
by management.
INFORMATION ABOUT NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to each of the nominees for director and their current positions
with the Company.
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Year in Which | |
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Directors Name and Age |
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Dennis L. Pelino, 58
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Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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2001 |
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J. Douglass Coates, 63
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Principal-Manalytics International, Inc. |
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2001 |
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Robert McCord, 47
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Managing Director-PA Early Stage |
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2001 |
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David R. Jones, 57
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Private Consultant |
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2000 |
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Aloysius T. Lawn, IV, 47
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Executive Vice President and General Counsel-Talk America
Holdings, Inc. |
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2001 |
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John H. Springer, 49
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Director of Global Operations Golf Division, Nike,
Inc. |
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2003 |
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Dennis L. Pelino has served as our Chairman of the Board of
Directors since June 21, 2001 and was also our Chief
Executive Officer from that date until October 14, 2004.
Mr. Pelino has over two decades of executive experience in
the logistics industry. From 1986 to 1999, he was employed by
Fritz Companies, Inc., initially as Director of International
Operations and Sales and Marketing, in 1993 as its Chief
Operating Officer and commencing in 1996, also as its President.
Mr. Pelino was also a member of the Board of Directors of
Fritz Companies from 1991 to 1999. During Mr. Pelinos
tenure, he acquired or started over 50 companies for Fritz
as it became one of the leading global logistics companies.
Prior to Fritz, Mr. Pelino held senior executive positions
in the container shipping industry and in the domestic
full-service truck leasing industry. Most recently, from 1999
through 2001, Mr. Pelino has been involved as a director
and principal of a number of private ventures which explored
opportunities in the logistics industry and which provided
consulting services relative to business opportunities in Latin
America, China and other Far Eastern regions.
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J. Douglass Coates has served as a member of our Board
of Directors since August 2001. He has been a principal of
Manalytics International, Inc., a transportation, logistics and
supply chain consulting firm, now a division of Transystems
Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri. He was previously
President of ACS Logistics, a division of American President
Lines, and President of Milne Truck Lines, then a subsidiary of
the Sun Company. Mr. Coates holds a B.S. in Engineering
from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from the Wharton
School of the University of Pennsylvania.
David R. Jones has served as a member of our Board of Directors
since September 2000. Mr. Jones has been President of DR
Jones Financial, Inc., a privately-held consulting firm since
its formation in September 1995. He is presently a director of
Financial Asset Securities Corporation, an affiliate of
Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. Mr. Jones was Senior Vice
President-Asset Backed Finance of Greenwich Capital Markets,
Inc. from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Jones served as a Vice
President, and subsequently as a Managing Director of The First
Boston Corporation, an investment banking firm, from 1982 to
1989 and as Manager-Product Development of General Electric
Credit Corp., an asset-based lender and financial services
company, from 1981 to 1982. Mr. Jones is a graduate of
Harvard College and has an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of
Business Administration.
Aloysius T. Lawn has served as a member of our Board of
Directors since February 2001. Mr. Lawn is the Executive
Vice President General Counsel and Secretary of Talk
America Holdings, Inc., an integrated communications service
provider with programs designed to benefit the residential and
small business markets. Prior to joining Talk America Holdings,
Inc. in 1996, Mr. Lawn was an attorney in private practice
with extensive experience in private and public financings,
mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation and corporate
governance from 1985 through 1995. Mr. Lawn graduated from
Yale University and Temple University School of Law.
Robert McCord has served as a member of our Board of Directors
since March 2001. He is also a Managing Director of PA Early
Stage, a family of early stage funds based in Wayne,
Pennsylvania. At PA Early Stage, which he co-founded in 1997,
Mr. McCord specializes in business development for
portfolio companies. He also serves as Chairman of the Eastern
Technology Council, a consortium of more than
800 technology-oriented companies. Mr. McCord has also
served as a director of several private companies. Previously,
Mr. McCord served as Vice President of Safeguard
Scientifics, Inc., a leader in identifying, developing and
operating premier technology companies. Before joining
Safeguard, Mr. McCord spent a decade on Capitol Hill, where
he served as Chief of Staff, Speechwriter and Budget Analyst in
a variety of congressional offices. He specialized in budget and
deregulatory issues and, as Chief Executive Officer of the
bipartisan Congressional Institute for the Future, he ran a
staff which tracked legislation and provided policy analyses and
briefings. Mr. McCord earned his A.B., with high honors,
from Harvard University and his MBA from the Wharton School of
the University of Pennsylvania.
John H. Springer has served as a member of our Board of
Directors since May 2003. Mr. Springer has extensive global
supply chain management and logistics experience, having held
both domestic U.S. and international logistics positions at IBM
Corporation, Union Pacific Corporations third party
logistics unit, and at Dell Computer from 1995 to 2002.
Mr. Springer joined Nike, Inc. in 2002 and is its Director
of Global Operations Golf Division.
Mr. Springer has been active in the Council of Logistics
Management throughout his career, including holding the position
of President for the Central Texas region. He earned his B.S. at
Syracuse University in Transportation & Distribution
Management, and his MBA from St. Edwards University in Austin,
Texas.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR THE COMPANYS DIRECTORS
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INFORMATION ABOUT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Our executive officers as of March 31, 2006 are as follows:
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Dennis L. Pelino, 58
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Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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2001 |
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Jason F. Totah, 49
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Chief Executive Officer |
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2004 |
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Robert Arovas, 63
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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2004 |
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Sarah B. Dorscht, 35
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Senior Vice President, International Operations |
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2006 |
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Richard F. Manner Jr., 43
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Senior Vice President, Domestic Operations |
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2006 |
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For biographical information regarding Mr. Pelino, please
see his biography under Information about Nominees for
Director set forth above.
Jason F. Totah has served as our Chief Executive Officer since
October 2004. Prior to that, he was the Chief Executive Officer
of Stonepath Logistics International Services, Inc.
(SLIS) and Stonepath Logistics Domestic Services,
Inc. (SLDS). Mr. Totah joined SLIS in 1990 and
has held several positions including Seattle Branch Manager and
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and Senior Vice
President of Sales and Operations. Prior to joining SLIS, he
worked in international logistics for Amoco Petroleum, stationed
in various locations around the world. He graduated from Oregon
State in 1983 with a degree in Agriculture Engineering.
Robert Arovas has served as our President since October 2004 and
our Chief Financial Officer since December 2005. From June 1999
to July 2002, Mr. Arovas was the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Geologistics Corporation, a privately held
global logistics provider. Prior to that, Mr. Arovas was
the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Fritz Companies from 1997 to 1999. Earlier in his career,
Mr. Arovas held executive positions at various companies,
including The Pittston Company and Burlington Air Express. Since
2002, Mr. Arovas has been on the board of directors of a
privately held company, provided consulting services and been
part of an acquisition group in the logistics area, among other
interests. Mr. Arovas holds a Bachelor of Science from
Syracuse University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Sarah B. Dorscht has been our Senior Vice President,
International Operations since January 2006 and has been serving
as a Senior Vice President of our international subsidiary since
December 2004. Prior to that, from March 1997 through November
2004, Ms. Dorscht served in several different positions,
including General Manager and Air/ Ocean Inbound Manager, with
Global Container Line, Inc. and its parent SLIS, which we
acquired in April 2002. Ms. Dorscht began her career with
Nippon Express, where she was employed from September 1993 to
March 1997. Ms. Dorscht holds a Bachelor of Arts in History
from the University of Washington.
Richard F. Manner Jr. has served as our Senior Vice
President, Domestic Operations January 2006 and has been serving
as a Senior Vice President of our domestic subsidiary since
December 2004. Prior to that, from March 2003 through November
2004, Mr. Manner held a number of positions with us and
with M.G.R., Inc., a subsidiary we acquired in October 2001,
including Central Area Vice President, General Manager of
Automotive Operations, and Director of Business Development.
From March 1996 to March 2003, Mr. Manner was employed by
Gage Marketing Services in a variety of positions, including
General Manager
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and Director of Automotive Operations and most recently as a
Vice President. Mr. Manner has held numerous other
positions in the transportation and logistics industries since
1986. Mr. Manner holds a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration from Bowling Green State University.
Board Meetings
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Board of
Directors held five (5) meetings and acted by unanimous
consent on two (2) occasions. There were eight
(8) Audit Committee meetings during 2005. The Compensation
Committee held two (2) meetings during 2005 and acted by
unanimous consent on one (1) occasion. During 2005, each
Board member attended 75% or more of the meetings held by the
Board and any committee upon which such director served.
The Company invites, but does not require, directors who are up
for election at an annual meeting of stockholders to attend that
meeting. Four of the Companys directors attended last
years annual meeting of stockholders.
Board Committees
The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity
of the Companys financial statements and reporting
processes and systems of internal control regarding finance,
accounting, and legal compliance and approving the engagement of
its independent auditors. The Audit Committee held eight
(8) meetings in 2005. The members of the Audit Committee
are David R. Jones, Chairman, Aloysius T. Lawn, IV, and Robert
McCord. Each of these Audit Committee members is independent as
defined in the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange
and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Board has determined that Mr. Jones qualifies as an
audit committee financial expert as defined in the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission by virtue of his
education and experience in complex financial matters and the
analysis and review of financial statements and has designated
Mr. Jones as the audit committee financial
expert. For a description of Mr. Jones relevant
experience, see Information About Nominees for
Director David R. Jones.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the
compensation of the officers and employees of the Company and
administering the Companys compensation plans. During
2005, the Compensation Committee held two (2) meetings and
acted by unanimous written consent on one (1) occasion. The
members of the Compensation Committee are Aloysius T. Lawn, IV,
Chairman, as well as David R. Jones and John H. Springer. Each
of these Compensation Committee members is independent as
defined in the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange
and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Board Nominating Procedures
Given the relatively small size of the Board of Directors and
the existence of other committees of the Board requiring
substantial attention and effort, the Board has determined that
it is appropriate not to establish a separate nominating
committee. The Board has also determined that a nominating
committee is not necessary in light of the written nominating
procedures it has adopted and the fact that nominations are
determined by the vote of a majority of the directors who are
independent.
The Board will consider candidates for membership suggested by
its members, as well as by the Companys management and
stockholders. The Board may also from time to time retain a
third-party executive search firm to identify candidates.
A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for
the Board of Directors should notify the Companys
Corporate Secretary in writing with whatever supporting material
the stockholder considers appropriate.
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Once the Board has identified a prospective nominee, it will
make an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full
evaluation of the candidate. This initial determination will be
based on the need for additional Board members to fill vacancies
or to expand the size of the Board. If it is determined that
there is a need for additional Board members, the Board will
then evaluate the prospective nominee considering the following
factors:
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the candidates ability to represent the interests of the
Companys stockholders; |
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the candidates skill, integrity, and independence of
thought and judgment; |
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the candidates experience with businesses and other
organizations of comparable size and stage of development; |
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the relationship of the candidates experience to the
experience of other members of the Board and whether the
candidate adds to the range of talent, skill and expertise
possessed by the existing members of the Board; and |
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the candidates ability to dedicate sufficient time, energy
and attention to the diligent performance of a directors
duties, including the candidates service on other boards
of directors. |
The Board will also consider such other relevant factors as it
deems appropriate, including the current composition of the
Board, the balance of management and independent directors, the
need for audit committee expertise and the evaluations of other
prospective nominees.
As part of the evaluation, the Board will have the prospective
nominee interviewed by one or more of its members, and others as
appropriate, either in person or by telephone. After completing
this evaluation and interview, the Board will then determine, by
a vote of a majority of directors who are independent, whether
to elect the prospective nominee to the Board in the case where
stockholder approval is not required, or to nominate the
candidate for election by the Companys stockholders.
Stockholder Communications to Directors
The Board of Directors has adopted a written process for
stockholders to send communications to the Board of Directors.
All correspondence which a stockholder desires to send to the
members of the Board of Directors should be forwarded to the
Corporate Secretary of the Company. The Corporate Secretary will
review all correspondence to determine whether it deals with the
functions of the Board of Directors or its committees and, if
so, shall forward the correspondence to all directors. Concerns
relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters
shall be immediately brought to the attention of the Audit
Committee.
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PROPOSAL 2
ISSUANCE OF MORE THAN 8,698,832 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UNDER
A
CONVERTIBLE NOTE AND WARRANT ISSUED TO LAURUS MASTER FUND,
LTD.
(LAURUS) AND CERTAIN ADDITIONAL CONVERTIBLE
NOTES WHICH MAY BE
ISSUED TO LAURUS IN THE FUTURE
Background
On August 31, 2005, Stonepath Group, Inc. and certain of
its domestic subsidiaries entered into several agreements with
Laurus providing for a new $25 million domestic revolving
credit facility. The agreements included, among others, a
Security Agreement, a Secured Convertible Minimum Borrowing Note
(the Note) and a Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the
Warrant). The principal amount of the Note is
convertible into 9,382,624 shares of the Companys
Common Stock and the Warrant is exercisable for
2,500,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock, in
each case subject to anti-dilution adjustments. In addition, the
holder of the Note may from time to time convert accrued
interest and fees under the Note into shares of the
Companys Common Stock.
The Note and Warrant have anti-dilution adjustments which may
result in the issuance of more than the 11,882,624 shares
of Common Stock than are now issuable under the terms of those
instruments. In addition, once the original Note or any
subsequent Secured Convertible Minimum Borrowing Note has been
converted in full, a new Secured Minimum Borrowing Note (each, a
Subsequent Note) may be issued which will also be
convertible into additional shares of Common Stock. These
features of the Note, Warrant, and Subsequent Notes are more
fully described below.
Under the terms of the Security Agreement, the Company has an
obligation to list the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Note and exercise of the Warrant on the
American Stock Exchange (Amex). In response to a
listing application filed by the Company, the staff of Amex
indicated that it would list only 8,698,832 shares of
Common Stock with respect to the Laurus transaction and that the
issuance of additional shares would require stockholder approval
under Amexs rules. As a result, the Company filed an
amended application seeking the listing of only
8,698,832 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
of the Note. Amex approved that amended application.
The Company is now seeking stockholder approval for the issuance
of more than 8,698,832 shares of Common Stock pursuant to
the Note, for the issuance of shares of Common Stock under any
and all Subsequent Notes, and for the issuance of shares of
Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant.
Terms of Note, Subsequent Notes and Warrant
The Note has a principal amount of $10 million and has a
three year maturity. It bears an annual interest rate of prime
plus 1%, subject to a floor of 5.5%. Amounts due under the Note
are convertible into the Companys Common Stock at a
conversion price of $1.0658 per share, subject to certain
anti-dilution adjustments.
The anti-dilution adjustments provide for an adjustment in the
number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Note in the
event of a reclassification of Common Stock, a stock split, a
stock combination, or a dividend paid in shares of Common Stock.
The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Note is
also subject to adjustment in the event that the Company issues
any shares of Common Stock or, subject to certain exceptions,
securities convertible into Common Stock or exercisable or
exchangeable for, Common Stock for a price less than the
conversion price then in effect under the Note. In that case,
the conversion price will be adjusted downward pursuant to a
weighted average formula.
The obligations under the Note are secured by a global security
interest in the assets of the Companys domestic
subsidiaries, excluding any stock held in a foreign subsidiary.
8
The Note may be prepaid, subject to a prepayment premium of 23%
in the first year, 22% in the second year, and 21% in the third
year of the Note. Following the occurrence and during the
continuance of an event of default under the Note, the holder of
the Note may require the repayment of 120% of the outstanding
principal amount, in addition to interest and other amounts due
under the Note.
In the event that the Note or any Subsequent Note has been
converted in full into the Companys Common Stock and there
is at least $11 million outstanding under the Laurus
revolving credit facility, a new Subsequent Note will be issued
by the Company. The terms of each such Subsequent Note will be
the same as the Note or Subsequent Note it replaces, except for
the conversion price, which will be 115% of the average closing
price of the Companys Common Stock for the ten trading
days immediately prior to the date such Subsequent Note is
issued, but in no event greater than 120% of the closing price
of the Common Stock on such date.
The Warrant entitles the holder to
purchase 2,500,000 shares of the Companys Common
Stock for a period of five years, at an exercise price which
varies with the number of shares purchased under the Warrant.
The exercise price is $1.13 for the first 900,000 shares
purchased, $1.41 for the next 700,000 shares purchased,
$4.70 for the next 450,000 shares purchased, and $7.52 for
the last 450,000 shares purchased under the Warrant.
The exercise price of the Warrant and the number of shares
issuable upon exercise of the Warrant are subject to adjustment
in the event that the Company issues additional shares of Common
Stock as a dividend or subdivides or combines its outstanding
shares of Common Stock. Upon the occurrence of any of those
events, the exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the
then current exercise price by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately prior to such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
after such event. In addition, the number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant will be adjusted by
multiplying the number of shares otherwise issuable by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the exercise price in effect
prior to the adjustment and the denominator of which is the
exercise price in effect on the date of the exercise of the
Warrant.
Stockholder Approval Required by the American Stock
Exchange
The Company is subject to the Amex rules applicable to companies
whose securities are listed on that exchange. Section 713
of the Amex Company Guide requires each company that is listed
on Amex to obtain stockholder approval in connection with
(a) a transaction involving: (1) the sale, issuance,
or potential issuance of Common Stock (or securities convertible
into Common Stock) at a price less than the greater of book or
market value which, together with sales by officers, directors
or principal stockholders, equals 20% or more of its outstanding
Common Stock; or (2) the sale, issuance or potential
issuance of Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common
Stock) equal to 20% or more of its outstanding Common Stock for
less than the greater of book or market value; or (b) a
transaction which would involve the application of Amexs
original listing standards set forth in Section 341 of the
Amex Company Guide.
On August 31, 2005, the date of the transaction with
Laurus, the closing price of the Companys Common Stock on
Amex was $0.91. As a result, the conversion price of the Note
($1.0658) and the exercise price of the Warrant (a minimum of
$1.13) are well in excess of the market price of the Common
Stock on that date. However, in its review of the Companys
listing application, the staff of Amex expressed the view that
the anti-dilution adjustment provision of the Note could result
in a conversion price of less than the $0.91 market value and
that Section 713 required shareholder approval before the
Company could issue more than 19.9% of the outstanding Common
Stock of the Company as of August 31, 2005 with respect to
the Laurus transaction.
Stockholder approval is not required under the Delaware law for
the issuance of Common Stock under the Notes, the Subsequent
Notes, or the Warrant. However, stockholder approval would be
required under the Delaware law to amend the Companys
Certificate of Incorporation in the event that the anti-dilution
9
provisions of the Note and Warrant or the issuance of Subsequent
Notes required the issuance of more shares of Common Stock than
remain available for issuance under the Companys
Certificate of Incorporation.
Dilutive Impact and Effect on Stock Price
The issuance of shares of our Common Stock upon conversion of
the Notes, the Subsequent Notes, and the Warrant would dilute
the ownership interests and proportionate voting power of our
existing stockholders. As of April 7, 2006,
43,749,693 shares of our Common Stock were outstanding. A
total of 11,882,624 shares of Common Stock are now issuable
under the terms of the Note and the Warrant.
The resale of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of
the Note, Subsequent Notes, and Warrant may reduce the market
price of our stock. Under the terms of the Note and Warrant,
they are not exercisable to the extent that the number of shares
beneficially owned by the holder after giving effect to such
issuance would result in beneficial ownership of more than 4.99%
of our outstanding shares of Common Stock. We have agreed to
register the shares issuable under the Note, Subsequent Notes,
and Warrant for resale under the federal securities laws.
Accordingly, upon conversion of the Note or any Subsequent Note
and upon exercise of the Warrant, the holder will have an
incentive to sell most or all of the shares in the market. The
sale by the holder of a substantial number of shares in the
market from
time-to-time could
cause the trading price of our Common Stock to decline.
Effect if Proposal Not Approved
If this proposal does not receive stockholder approval, the
Company may be required to issue more than 8,698,832 shares
of our Common Stock under the terms of the Note, Subsequent
Notes, and Warrant. Amex has indicated that such issuance
without stockholder approval would violate Section 713 of
the Amex Company Guide. As a result, without stockholder
approval, the issuance of more than 8,698,832 shares of
Common Stock under the Note, Subsequent Notes, and Warrant could
result in the delisting of the Companys shares from Amex.
Under Delaware law, the Companys Board of Directors has
the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue the Note,
the Subsequent Notes, and the Warrant and to issue shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the terms thereof. Stockholders are not
entitled to dissenters rights or appraisal rights in
connection with the issuance of the Note, the Subsequent Notes,
the Warrant, or the Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms
thereof. In addition, stockholders have no preemptive rights in
connection with the issuance of the Note, the Subsequent Note,
the Warrant, or the Common Stock issuable pursuant thereto.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF MORE THAN 8,698,832 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK PURSUANT
TO THE CONVERTIBLE NOTE AND WARRANT ISSUED TO LAURUS AND
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL CONVERTIBLE NOTES WHICH MAY BE ISSUED TO
LAURUS IN THE FUTURE
10
PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP
AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2006
Grant Thornton LLP has been selected by the Audit Committee and
the Board of Directors to serve as the independent auditors for
the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.
Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be present
at the Meeting to make a statement if they so desire and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors will consider the
selection of another accounting firm to serve as the
Companys independent auditors in the event that the
stockholders do not approve the selection of Grant Thornton LLP
as the Companys independent auditors.
On June 17, 2004, the Company dismissed KPMG LLP
(KPMG) as the Companys independent
accountants. On June 24, 2004, the Company engaged Grant
Thornton LLP as its new independent accountants.
KPMGs audit reports on our consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and
2002 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of an
opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
The decision to change accountants was made by our Audit
Committee.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002,
and the subsequent interim period through the Companys
change in independent accountants, there were no disagreements
with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure,
which disagreements, if not resolved to KPMGs
satisfaction, would have caused KPMG to make reference to the
subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its
report.
For the years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31,
2005, professional services were provided to the Company by
Grant Thornton LLP, our current independent auditors. The
following table presents fees for professional services rendered
by Grant Thornton LLP for the audit of the Companys annual
financial statements for each of the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2005.
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|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
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| |
|
| |
Audit fees
|
|
$ |
630,862 |
|
|
$ |
688,898 |
|
Audit related fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,291 |
|
All other fees
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
630,862 |
|
|
$ |
727,189 |
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|
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|
|
|
Our Audit Committee approves the engagement of our independent
auditors to render audit and non-audit services before they are
engaged. All of the services for which fees are listed above
were pre-approved by our Audit Committee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
RATIFICATION OF
GRANT THORNTON LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
FOR
THE 2006 FISCAL YEAR
11
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF GREATER THAN 5% OF
THE COMPANYS VOTING SECURITIES
The following tables set forth information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of Common Stock owned, as of March 1,
2006, by:
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|
|
the holders of more than 5% of any class of the Companys
voting securities; |
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|
each of the directors; |
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|
each of the executive officers; and |
|
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|
all directors and executives officers of the Company as a group. |
As of March 1, 2006, an aggregate of 43,749,693 shares
of Common Stock were issued and outstanding. For purposes of
computing the percentages under the following tables, it is
assumed that all options and warrants to acquire Common Stock
which have been issued to the directors, executive officers and
the holders of more than 5% of Common Stock and are fully vested
or will become fully vested within 60 days from
March 1, 2006 have been exercised by these individuals and
the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock have been
issued to these individuals.
COMMON STOCK
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Shares Owned | |
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Beneficially and | |
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Position | |
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of Record(1) | |
|
Percentage of Class | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Gruber and McBaine Capital Management, LLC
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|
Beneficial Owner |
|
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3,844,800(2) |
|
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|
8.79 |
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|
50 Osgood Place, Penthouse,
San Francisco, CA 94133 |
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Dennis L. Pelino
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Director |
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6,065,822(3) |
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12.30 |
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2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98121 |
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Jason F. Totah
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Officer |
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|
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748,100(4) |
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1.68 |
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Robert Arovas
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|
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Officer |
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|
|
263,725(5) |
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* |
|
Thomas L. Scully
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Officer |
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|
|
7,779(6) |
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* |
|
Sarah B. Dorscht
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Officer |
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|
|
99,307(7) |
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* |
|
Richard F. Manner Jr.
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Officer |
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96,851(8) |
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* |
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David R. Jones
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Director |
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|
230,000(9) |
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* |
|
Aloysius T. Lawn, IV
|
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Director |
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|
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135,000(10) |
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* |
|
Robert McCord
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Director |
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|
132,500(11) |
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* |
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J. Douglass Coates
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Director |
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62,500(12) |
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* |
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John H. Springer
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Director |
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97,500(13) |
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* |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 people)
|
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|
7,939,084 |
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15.56 |
|
(*) Less than one percent.
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(1) |
The securities beneficially owned by an individual
are determined in accordance with the definition of
beneficial ownership set forth in the regulations of
the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act). They may include
securities owned by or for, among others, the spouse and/or
minor children of an individual and any other relative who has
the same home as such individual, as well as, other securities
as to which the individual has or shares voting or investment
power. The number of shares beneficially owned by the individual
may include options to |
12
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|
purchase shares of our Common Stock exercisable as of, or within
60 days of March 1, 2006. Beneficial ownership may be
disclaimed as to certain of the securities. |
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(2) |
Based upon Schedule 13G filed on February 11, 2005 by
a group consisting of Gruber and McBaine Capital Management,
LLC, Jon D. Gruber, J. Patterson McBaine, Eric B. Swergold, and
J. Lynne Rose. Gruber and McBaine Capital Management, LLC,
Eric B. Swergold, and J. Lynne Rose reported shared
voting and dispositive power of 2,007,750 shares.
Jon D. Gruber reported sole voting and dispositive power of
219,100 shares and shared voting and dispositive power of
2,007,750 shares. J. Patterson McBaine reported sole
voting and dispositive power of 251,350 shares and shared
voting and dispositive power of 2,007,750 shares. |
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(3) |
Includes 50,000 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Pelino. Includes 431,222 shares of Common Stock
held by Dennis Pelino and Meredith L. Pelino Declaration of
Trust, of which Dennis L. Pelino and his spouse are trustees and
beneficiaries, though beneficial ownership of which may be
disclaimed. Also includes 5,584,600 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of vested options presently exercisable.
Does not include 150,000 shares issuable pursuant to
options not presently exercisable and not exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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|
(4) |
Includes 55,000 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Totah. Also includes 693,100 shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of vested options presently
exercisable and exercisable within 60 days of March 1,
2006. Does not include 350,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to options not presently exercisable and not
exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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(5) |
Includes 261,111 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of vested options presently exercisable and exercisable
within 60 days of March 1, 2006. Does not include
238,889 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to options
not presently exercisable and not exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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(6) |
Includes 7,779 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Scully. |
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(7) |
Includes 14,807 shares of Common Stock held by
Ms. Dorscht and 2,000 shares of Common Stock held
jointly with Ms. Dorschts spouse. Also includes
82,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
vested options presently exercisable and exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2006. Does not include
37,500 shares issuable pursuant to options not presently
exercisable and not exercisable within 60 days of
March 1, 2006. |
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(8) |
Includes 6,851 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Manner. Also includes 90,000 shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of vested options presently
exercisable and exercisable within 60 days of March 1,
2006. Does not include 50,000 shares issuable pursuant to
options not presently exercisable and not exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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(9) |
Includes 95,000 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Jones. Also includes 135,000 shares of Common
Stock issuable upon the exercise of vested options presently
exercisable and exercisable within 60 days of March 1,
2006. Does not include 15,000 shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to options not presently exercisable and not
exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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(10) |
Includes 135,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of vested options presently exercisable. Does not
include 15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
options not presently exercisable and not exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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|
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(11) |
Includes 132,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of vested options presently exercisable. Does not
include 12,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
options not presently exercisable and not exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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(12) |
Includes 62,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of vested options presently exercisable. Does not
include 12,500 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
options not presently exercisable and not exercisable within
60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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(13) |
Includes 15,000 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Springer. Also includes 82,500 shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of vested options presently
exercisable. Does not include 12,500 shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to options not presently exercisable and not
exercisable within 60 days of March 1, 2006. |
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13
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the
Companys directors and executive officers to file reports
of ownership and changes in ownership of their equity securities
of the Company with the SEC and to furnish the Company with
copies of such reports. To the best of the Companys
knowledge, all of the filings by the Companys directors
and executive officers were made on a timely basis during the
2005 fiscal year. However, a timely Form 3 for the
Companys principal accounting officer, Robert Christensen,
was not filed. Mr. Christensen was appointed in May 2005.
At such date and through the date of this proxy statement,
Mr. Christensen has held no shares of the Companys
Common Stock. Mr. Christensens Form 3 was
subsequently filed in February 2006, reflecting a grant of
options related to his appointment as principal accounting
officer.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
Compensation Committee) consists of three
(3) directors who are not employees of the Company and who
are considered independent under the rules of the
American Stock Exchange.
Role of the Committee
The Compensation Committee establishes, oversees and directs the
Companys executive compensation programs and policies and
administers the Companys stock option and other long-term
incentive plans. The Compensation Committee seeks to align
executive compensation with Company objectives and strategies,
business financial performance and enhanced stockholder value.
The Compensation Committee regularly reviews and approves
generally all compensation and fringe benefit programs of the
Company and also reviews and determines the actual compensation
of the Companys executive officers, as well as all stock
option grants and cash incentive awards to all key employees.
The Compensation Committee reviews and administers the
Companys Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive Plan
and the Companys 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The Compensation Committees objectives include
(i) attracting and retaining exceptional individuals as
executive officers, and (ii) providing key executives with
motivation to perform to the full extent of their abilities, to
maximize Company and deliver enhanced value to the
Companys stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes
it is important to place a greater percentage of executive
officers total compensation, principally in the form of
equity, at risk through the grant of stock options whose value
is derived from the performance of the business and value of the
Common Stock. Executive compensation consists primarily of an
annual salary, annual bonuses linked to the performance of the
Company and long-term equity-based compensation.
Compensation
Salary payments in 2005 were made to compensate the ongoing
performance of the Companys executive officers. Bonuses
paid and stock options awarded in 2005 were made to recognize
contributions to the Companys business strategy during
2005. The Committees specific decisions concerning 2005
compensation for each executive officer were made in light of
each officers level of responsibility and the
Committees judgment with respect to whether that executive
officers compensation provides appropriate recognition for
performance and an incentive for future performance.
The Compensation Committee took a variety of actions during 2005
to address the need to retain executives with relevant industry
experience.
The actions taken by the Compensation Committee during 2005 were
designed to reward the Companys senior management group
for their efforts in implementing the Companys strategic
objectives and to provide additional incentives to continue
their efforts to continue to accomplish those objectives. The
Compensation
14
Committee also recognized specifically senior managements
contributions and progress in the Companys restructuring
initiatives, corporate finance objectives and efforts to return
to profitability.
In determining the compensation to be provided to the
Companys senior management group during 2005, the
Compensation Committee took into account the following matters:
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Overall responsibilities and the importance of these
responsibilities to accomplishing the Companys strategic
objectives; |
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Experience and ability; and |
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Past short-term and long-term job performance. |
The Compensation Committee believes that the foregoing
compensation actions have helped develop a senior management
group dedicated to improving the short-term and long-term
financial performance of the Company.
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|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
Aloysius T. Lawn, IV, Chairman |
|
David R. Jones |
|
John H. Springer |
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation
paid or accrued for the three fiscal years ended
December 31, 2005 to or for the benefit of our Chief
Executive Officer and our five most highly compensated executive
officers whose total annual salary and bonus compensation
exceeded $100,000 (the Named Executive Officers).
Summary Compensation Table
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Long-Term | |
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Compensation Awards | |
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Annual Compensation | |
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| |
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Restricted | |
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Number of | |
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All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
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Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Stock Awards | |
|
Options | |
|
Compensation(1) | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Dennis L. Pelino,
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2005 |
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|
$ |
360,000 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
360,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,034,600 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
360,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
700,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
Jason F. Totah,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
285,964 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
325,476 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
493,100 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
259,436 |
|
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Arovas,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
245,833 |
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
34,103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas L. Scully,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
152,944 |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
former Vice President, |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
116,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,000 |
(9) |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer, |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
105,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,300 |
(10) |
|
|
|
|
|
Controller, Secretary and Treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sarah B. Dorscht,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
127,083 |
|
|
$ |
65,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
(11) |
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President,
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
104,654 |
|
|
$ |
4,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
(12) |
|
|
|
|
|
International Operations
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
88,526 |
|
|
$ |
41,846 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
(13) |
|
|
|
|
Richard F. Manner Jr.,
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
150,769 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
(14) |
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Vice President,
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
117,764 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,000 |
(15) |
|
|
|
|
|
Domestic Operations
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
91,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
During the periods reflected, certain of the officers named in
this table received perquisites and other personal benefits not
reflected in the amounts of their respective annual salaries or
bonuses. The dollar amount of these benefits did not, for any
individual in any year, exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of
the total annual salary and bonus reported for that individual
in any year, unless otherwise noted. |
|
|
(2) |
The grant of 300,000 options occurred on October 7, 2005,
of which 150,000 vested on October 7, 2005 and 50,000
options vest annually on October 8, 2006, 2007 and 2008. |
|
|
(3) |
The first grant of 550,000 options occurred on January 23,
2004. The second grant of 125,600 options occurred on
February 16, 2004. The third grant of 359,000 options
occurred on March 11, 2004. All of these options are vested. |
|
|
(4) |
These options were granted on March 10, 2003. All of these
options are vested. |
|
|
(5) |
The grant of 300,000 options occurred on October 7, 2005,
of which 150,000 vested on October 7, 2005 and 50,000
options vest annually on October 8, 2006, 2007 and 2008. |
|
|
(6) |
The first grant of 80,000 options occurred on January 9,
2004 and are now vested. The second grant of 13,100 options
occurred on February 26, 2004 and are now vested. The third
grant of 400,000 options occurred on October 13, 2004, of
which 133,333 vested on October 14, 2004, 66,667 options
vested on October 14, 2005, 66,667 options vest annually on
October 14, 2006 and 2007 and 66,666 vest on
October 14, 2008. |
16
|
|
|
|
(7) |
The grant of 300,000 options occurred on October 7, 2005,
of which 150,000 vested on October 7, 2005 and 50,000
options vest annually on October 8, 2006, 2007 and 2008. |
|
|
(8) |
The grant of 200,000 options occurred on October 13, 2004,
of which 66,666 vested on October 13, 2004, 44,445 options
vested on October 13, 2005, 44,445 options vest on
October 13, 2006 and 44,444 options vest on
October 13, 2007. |
|
|
(9) |
The first grant of 25,000 options occurred on January 9,
2004. The second grant of 6,000 options occurred on
February 26, 2004. The third grant of 25,000 options
occurred on May 21, 2004. All of these options are vested.
Mr. Scully served as our Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Controller, Secretary and Treasurer through November
2005. |
|
|
(10) |
The first grant of 8,300 options occurred on March 25,
2003. The second grant of 25,000 options occurred on
August 21, 2003. All of these options are vested. |
|
(11) |
The grant of 50,000 options occurred on October 7, 2005, of
which 25,000 vested on October 7, 2005, 8,334 options vest
on October 8, 2006 and 8,333 options vest annually on
October 8, 2007 and 2008. |
|
(12) |
The grant of 25,000 options occurred on December 1, 2004,
of which 12,500 options are now vested and 6,250 options vest
annually on November 30, 2006 and 2007. |
|
(13) |
The grant of 25,000 options occurred on August 21, 2003,
and are now vested. |
|
(14) |
The grant of 50,000 options occurred on October 7, 2005, of
which 25,000 vested on October 7, 2005, 8,334 options vest
on October 8, 2006 and 8,333 options vest annually on
October 8, 2007 and 2008. |
|
(15) |
The first grant of 20,000 options occurred on January 9,
2004, and are now vested. The second grant of 20,000 options
occurred on February 26, 2004, and are now vested. The
third grant of 50,000 options occurred on December 1, 2004,
of which 12,500 options vested on December 1, 2004, 12,500
options vested on November 30, 2005, and 12,500 options
vest annually on November 30, 2006 and 2007. |
Employment Agreements
On March 11, 2004, effective as of January 1, 2004, we
entered into an amended employment agreement with our Chairman,
Dennis L. Pelino. This agreement amended our prior agreements
with Mr. Pelino dated February 22, 2002 and
June 21, 2001. Pursuant to this amendment, we agreed to
extend the term of employment of Mr. Pelino through June
2009. The amendment also increased the annual compensation
payable to Mr. Pelino by granting him, in addition to his
current base salary of $360,000, options to
purchase 359,000 shares of our Common Stock which vest
in equal installments over the term of his employment. This
grant of options was intended to provide Mr. Pelino with
incremental compensation of $700,000 over the term of his
employment. In addition to his base salary, Mr. Pelino is
entitled to bonus compensation based upon the achievement of
certain target objectives, as well as discretionary merit
bonuses that can be awarded at the discretion of our Board of
Directors. Mr. Pelino is also entitled to certain severance
benefits upon his death, disability or termination of
employment. Pursuant to the employment agreement,
Mr. Pelino is also entitled to fringe benefits including
participation in pension, profit sharing and bonus plans, as
applicable, and life insurance, hospitalization, major medical,
paid vacation and expense reimbursement.
In connection with our acquisition of SLIS we entered into an
employment agreement with Jason F. Totah, then the President and
Chief Executive Officer of that subsidiary and the current Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. On April 1, 2004, we
amended Mr. Totahs employment agreement to extend the
term of his employment until April 1, 2009.
Mr. Totahs employment agreement provides him with the
right to a base annual salary of no less than $250,000, subject
to minimum annual
cost-of-living
increases of five percent, subject to the approval of the Board
of Directors. Mr. Totah is entitled to an annual
performance bonus at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Totah is also entitled to certain severance benefits
upon his death, disability or termination of employment.
Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Totah is also
entitled to fringe benefits including participation in pension,
profit sharing and bonus plans, as applicable, and life
insurance, hospitalization major medical, paid vacation and
expense reimbursement.
On February 3, 2005, we entered into an employment
agreement with our President, Robert Arovas, providing for an
employment term of five years ending on October 14, 2009.
It provides Mr. Arovas with the
17
right to an annual salary of $250,000 (which may be increased or
decreased by our Board of Directors, but not to an amount less
than $250,000), annual bonuses at our discretion, and options to
purchase 200,000 shares of our Common Stock.
Mr. Arovas is also entitled to certain severance benefits
upon his death, disability or termination of employment.
Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Arovas is also
entitled to fringe benefits including participation in pension,
profit sharing and bonus plans, as applicable, and life
insurance, hospitalization, major medical, paid vacation and
expense reimbursement.
On December 1, 2004, we entered into an employment
agreement with our Senior Vice President, International
Operations, Sarah B. Dorscht, providing for a term of employment
of three years ending on December 1, 2007. Under the
agreement, Ms. Dorscht has the right to an annual salary of
no less than $125,000 and annual bonuses at our discretion.
Ms. Dorscht is also entitled to certain severance benefits
upon her death, disability or termination of employment.
Pursuant to the agreement, Ms. Dorscht is also entitled to
fringe benefits including participation in pension, profit
sharing and bonus plans, as applicable, and life insurance,
hospitalization, major medical, paid vacation and expense
reimbursement.
On December 1, 2004, we entered into an employment
agreement with our Senior Vice President, Domestic Operations,
Richard F. Manner Jr., providing for a term of employment of
three years ending on December 1, 2007. Under the
agreement, Mr. Manner has the right to an annual salary of
no less than $150,000 and annual bonuses at our discretion.
Mr. Manner is also entitled to certain severance benefits
upon his death, disability or termination of employment.
Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Manner is also entitled to
fringe benefits including participation in pension, profit
sharing and bonus plans, as applicable, and life insurance,
hospitalization, major medical, paid vacation and expense
reimbursement.
Change in Control Arrangements
Our Chairman and our President are each employed under
agreements that contain change in control arrangements. If
employment of any of these officers is terminated following a
change in control (other than for cause), then we must pay such
terminated employee a termination payment equal to 2.99 times
his salary and bonus, based upon the average annual bonus paid
to him prior to termination of his employment. In addition, all
of their unvested stock options shall immediately vest as of the
termination date of their employment due to a change in control.
In each of their agreements, a change in control is generally
defined as the occurrence of any one of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
any Person (as the term Person is used
in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange
Act), except for the affected employee, becoming the beneficial
owner, directly or indirectly, of our securities representing
50% or more of the combined voting power of our then outstanding
securities; |
|
|
|
a contested proxy solicitation of our stockholders that results
in the contesting party obtaining the ability to vote securities
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of our
then outstanding securities; |
|
|
|
a sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of 50% or more
in value of our assets to another Person or entity, except to an
entity controlled directly or indirectly by us; |
|
|
|
a merger, consolidation or other reorganization involving us in
which we are not the surviving entity and in which our
stockholders prior to the transaction continue to own less than
50% of the outstanding securities of the acquirer immediately
following the transaction, or if a plan involving our
liquidation or dissolution other than pursuant to bankruptcy or
insolvency laws is adopted; or |
|
|
|
during any period of twelve consecutive months, individuals who
at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board of Directors unless the election, or the nomination
for election by our stockholders, of each new director was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
still in office who were directors at the beginning of the
period. |
Under Mr. Arovas employment agreement, a change of
control would also occur if Dennis L. Pelino is no longer the
Chairman of the Company and his direct superior.
18
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a change of control
is not deemed to have occurred (i) in the event of a sale,
exchange, transfer or other disposition of substantially all of
our assets to, or a merger, consolidation or other
reorganization involving, any entity in which the affected
employee has, directly or indirectly, at least a 25% equity or
ownership interest; or (ii) in a transaction otherwise
commonly referred to as a management leveraged
buy-out.
In addition, the existing stock options granted to these
executive officers fully vest upon a change in
control, as defined within our Amended and Restated 2000
Stock Incentive Plan.
Directors Compensation
Non-employee directors are paid $3,750 per quarter,
provided that each member attends 75% of all meetings. In
addition, a quarterly fee of $5,750 is paid to the chairman of
the Audit and Compensation Committees, and a quarterly fee of
$1,000 is paid to each other committee member. Upon joining our
Board of Directors, each of our non-employee directors received
an option to purchase 50,000 shares of our Common
Stock with an exercise price equal to the closing price of our
Common Stock on the trading day prior to the date of grant.
One-half of these options vested on the first anniversary of the
directors membership on the Board, and the balance vest on
the second anniversary of Board membership. In addition, on
October 7, 2005, the chairmen of each of our Audit
Committee and Compensation Committee received immediately
exercisable options to purchase 30,000 shares of our
Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.91 per share. On
the same date, other members of the Audit and Compensation
Committees received immediately exercisable options to
purchase 20,000 shares of our Common Stock at an
exercise price of $0.91 per share, and our Chairman
received options to purchase 300,000 shares of our
Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.91 per share (of
which 150,000 shares vested on October 7, 2005, and
50,000 shares vest on each of October 8, 2006, 2007
and 2008).
Stock Options and Warrants
The following table sets forth information on option grants in
fiscal 2005 to the Named Executive Officers.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock Price | |
|
|
|
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
Market | |
|
|
|
Appreciation for | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Options Granted to | |
|
|
|
Price on | |
|
|
|
Option Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
Employees in | |
|
Exercise | |
|
Date of | |
|
|
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted | |
|
Fiscal-Year | |
|
Price | |
|
Grant | |
|
Expiration Date | |
|
5% | |
|
10% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Dennis L. Pelino
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
17.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
|
October 2015 |
|
|
$ |
171,688 |
|
|
$ |
435,092 |
|
Jason F. Totah
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
17.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
|
October 2015 |
|
|
$ |
171,688 |
|
|
$ |
435,092 |
|
Robert Arovas
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
17.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
|
October 2015 |
|
|
$ |
171,688 |
|
|
$ |
435,092 |
|
Thomas L. Scully
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sarah B. Dorscht
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
2.97 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
|
October 2015 |
|
|
$ |
28,615 |
|
|
$ |
72,515 |
|
Richard F. Manner Jr.
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
2.97 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
|
October 2015 |
|
|
$ |
28,615 |
|
|
$ |
72,515 |
|
19
The following table sets forth information concerning year-end
option values for fiscal 2005 for the Named Executive Officers.
The value of the options was based on the closing price of our
Common Stock on December 30, 2005 of $0.72.
Fiscal Year End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at | |
|
In-The-Money Options at |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Fiscal Year End | |
|
Fiscal Year End |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
Value | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Exercise | |
|
Realized | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Dennis L. Pelino
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,584,600 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Jason F. Totah
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
693,100 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Arovas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
261,111 |
|
|
|
238,889 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas L. Scully
|
|
|
6,900 |
|
|
$ |
15,699 |
|
|
|
132,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sarah B. Dorscht
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard F. Manner Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding Stock Options |
The Amended and Restated Stonepath Group, Inc. 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan, (the Stock Incentive Plan) covers
15,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Under its terms,
employees, officers and directors of the Company and its
subsidiaries are currently eligible to receive non-qualified
stock options, restricted stock awards and incentive stock
options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code. In
addition, advisors and consultants who perform services for the
Company or its subsidiaries are eligible to receive
non-qualified stock options under the Stock Incentive Plan. The
Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Board of Directors
or a committee designated by the Board of Directors.
All stock options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan are
exercisable for a period of up to ten years from the date of
grant. The Company may not grant incentive stock options
pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan at exercise prices which
are less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. The term of an incentive stock option granted
under the Stock Incentive Plan to a stockholder owning more than
10% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock may not exceed
five years and the exercise price of an incentive stock option
granted to such stockholder may not be less than 110% of the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The
Stock Incentive Plan contains certain limitations on the maximum
number of shares of the Common Stock that may be awarded in any
calendar year to any one individual for the purposes of
Section 162(m) of the Code.
Generally, most of the options under the Stock Incentive Plan
are granted subject to periodic vesting over a period of between
three and four years, contingent upon continued employment with
the Company. In addition to the stock options covered by the
Stock Incentive Plan, the Company has outstanding options to
purchase 552,000 shares of Common Stock. The following
schedule identifies the vesting schedule associated with all of
the Companys outstanding options as of December 31,
2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan | |
|
Non-Plan | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Vested as of 12/31/05
|
|
|
10,677,895 |
|
|
|
552,000 |
|
|
|
11,229,895 |
|
To vest in 2006
|
|
|
615,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
615,292 |
|
To vest in 2007
|
|
|
522,780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
522,780 |
|
To vest in 2008
|
|
|
365,817 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
365,817 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,181,784 |
|
|
|
552,000 |
|
|
|
12,733,784 |
|
|
|
|
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At December 31, 2005, these options were outstanding at the
following exercise prices:
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Number of Options | |
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Range of Exercise |
Plan |
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Non-Plan | |
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Total | |
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Prices |
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5,203,334 |
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422,000 |
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5,625,334 |
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$0.50 to $1.00 |
3,987,950 |
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3,987,950 |
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$1.01 to $2.00 |
2,935,500 |
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120,000 |
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3,055,500 |
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$2.01 to $4.00 |
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10,000 |
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10,000 |
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$6.38 |
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12,126,784 |
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552,000 |
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12,678,784 |
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On April 28, 2005, the Compensation Committee (the
Committee) of the Board of Directors approved the
acceleration of the vesting of unvested stock options having an
exercise price of more than $0.92 per share granted under
the Companys Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan that are held by the Companys employees, including
executive officers. As a result of this action, options to
purchase 1,931,244 shares of the Companys Common
Stock became immediately exercisable, representing approximately
17.2% of the Companys total outstanding options. Because
the accelerated options had exercise prices in excess of the
current market value of the Companys Common Stock, they
were not fully achieving their original objectives of incentive
compensation and employee retention. The Company accelerated the
vesting of these options to create a positive effect on employee
morale, retention and perception of value. The acceleration was
also intended to eliminate future compensation expense the
Company would otherwise have to recognize in its statement of
operations, aggregating approximately $0.5 million for the
years ending December 31, 2006 through 2009, with respect
to the accelerated options.
Outstanding Warrants
As of December 31, 2005, warrants to
purchase 3,476,778 shares of Common Stock were
outstanding. Most of these warrants were granted in connection
with investment-related transactions and have the following
exercise prices:
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Number of Shares | |
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Exercise Price | |
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1,177,778 |
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$1.13 |
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700,000 |
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1.41 |
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99,000 |
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1.49 |
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450,000 |
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4.70 |
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600,000 |
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5.00 |
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450,000 |
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7.52 |
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21
Equity Compensation Plan Information at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth information, as of
December 31, 2005, with respect to the Companys stock
option plan under which Common Stock is authorized for issuance,
as well as other compensatory options granted outside of the
Companys stock option plan.
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(c) | |
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Number of Securities | |
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(a) | |
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Remaining Available for | |
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Number of Securities | |
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(b) | |
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Future Issuance Under | |
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to be Issued Upon | |
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Weighted-Average | |
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Equity Compensation | |
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Exercise of | |
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Exercise Price of | |
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Plan (Excluding | |
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Outstanding Options, | |
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Outstanding Options, | |
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Securities Reflected in | |
Plan Category |
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Warrants and Rights | |
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Warrants and Rights | |
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Column (a)) | |
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Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
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12,126,784 |
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$1.50 |
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1,437,123(1) |
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Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
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552,000 |
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$1.67 |
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Total
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12,678,784 |
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$1.50 |
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1,437,123 |
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(1) |
Does not include options to purchase 1,436,093 shares
of our Common Stock under the Companys stock option plan
which have been exercised. |
22
PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
The following graph shows the total stockholder return of an
investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 2000 for
(i) the Companys Common Stock, (ii) the AMEX
Market Index, and (iii) a peer group consisting of C.H.
Robinson Worldwide, Inc., EGL, Inc., Expeditors International of
Washington, Inc., Forward Air Corporation, and UTi Worldwide
Inc., weighted by their market capitalization. Historic stock
performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price
performance. All values assume reinvestment of the full amount
of any dividends and are calculated daily.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE FIVE YEAR TOTAL RETURN
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
Stonepath Group
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$ |
370.00 |
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$ |
290.00 |
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$ |
452.00 |
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$ |
240.00 |
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$ |
144.00 |
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AMEX Market Index
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$ |
94.41 |
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$ |
91.83 |
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$ |
130.72 |
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$ |
159.77 |
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$ |
195.94 |
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Peer Group Index
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$ |
94.76 |
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$ |
101.70 |
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$ |
125.08 |
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$ |
193.95 |
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$ |
248.99 |
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23
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
STONEPATH GROUP, INC.
The following is the report of the Audit Committee for the year
ended December 31, 2005. The Audit Committee is composed of
three (3) directors, each of whom meets the American Stock
Exchanges independence standards. The Audit Committee had
historically operated under a written charter adopted by the
Board of Directors in 2000. At a meeting held on March 25,
2003, the Board of Directors adopted a new written charter for
the Audit Committee, which was amended by the Board of Directors
on January 28, 2004. The Audit Committee, which is composed
of independent directors, as a whole meets regularly with the
Companys management and independent auditors to discuss
the adequacy of the Companys internal control environment
and financial reporting, accounting matters, audit results, and
compliance with its corporate responsibility program.
In carrying out its responsibilities and fulfilling obligations
under its charter, the Audit Committee, among other things:
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reviewed with the independent auditors their audit plan, audit
scope, and identified audit risks; |
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discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
Communications with Audit Committees, as modified or
supplemented, including, among other items, matters related to
the conduct of the audit of the Companys consolidated
financial statements; |
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obtained from the independent auditors a written statement
describing all relationships between the independent auditors
and the Company that might bear on the auditors
independence, consistent with Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees; |
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discussed with the independent auditors any relationships that
may impact their objectivity and independence, and generally
satisfied itself that the auditors are independent; |
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reviewed and discussed the Companys audited consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005
with management and the independent auditors; |
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obtained from management the representation that the
Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America; and |
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discussed with management and the independent auditors the
quality and adequacy of the Companys internal controls. |
Based on its review, analysis and discussions with management
and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Companys Board of Directors (and the Board approved)
that the Companys audited consolidated financial
statements for the three years ended December 31, 2005 be
included in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. The Audit Committee and the
Board, in recognition and consideration of the recommendation of
management, have also appointed Grant Thornton LLP as the
Companys independent auditors for 2006.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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David R. Jones, Chairman |
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Aloysius T. Lawn, IV |
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Robert McCord |
24
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure
None.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Amendment of Stock Purchase Agreement
Jason F. Totah, our Chief Executive Officer, is one of the
former shareholders of SLIS (formerly known as Global
Transportation Services, Inc.). We purchased all of the
outstanding capital stock of SLIS from Mr. Totah and the
other shareholders on April 4, 2002 pursuant to the terms
of a Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 5, 2002 (the
Purchase Agreement).
Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we paid the former
shareholders $5.0 million at the closing and agreed to pay
an additional $7.0 million in earn-out payments over a
five-year earn-out period based upon the future financial
performance of SLIS. The earn-out payments included a total of
$5.0 million in base earn-out payments, payable in
installments of $0.8 million in 2003, $1.0 million in
2004 through 2007, and $0.2 million in 2008, with each
installment payable in full if SLIS achieves pre-tax income of
$2.0 million in each of the years preceding the year of
payment (or the pro rata portion thereof in 2002 and 2007). We
also provided the former SLIS shareholders with an incentive to
generate earnings in excess of the base $2.0 million annual
earnings target (the SLIS tier-two earn-out). Under
the SLIS tier-two earn-out, the former shareholders are entitled
to receive 40% of the cumulative pre-tax earnings in excess of
$10.0 million generated during the five-year earn-out
period, subject to a maximum additional earn-out opportunity of
$2.0 million. SLIS would need to generate cumulative
earnings of $15.0 million over the five-year earn-out
period to receive the full $7.0 million in contingent
earn-out payments. Based upon 2005 performance, the former
shareholders are entitled to receive a base earn-out payment of
$1.0 million in April 2006. On a cumulative basis, SLIS has
generated approximately $17.0 million in adjusted earnings,
providing its former shareholders with a total of
$3.8 million in cash, and accrued earn-out payments through
the end of 2005 and excess earnings of $9.5 million to
carry forward and apply to future earnings targets. SLISs
actual cumulative pre-tax earnings through the end of 2005 has
exceeded the maximum earning necessary for the former
shareholders to receive the maximum additional tier-two earn-out
payment of $2.0 million.
On March 30, 2006, we entered into an agreement with the
representative of the former SLIS shareholders (the
Amendment), subject to the approval of our Board of
Directors. The Amendment, if approved, would, among other
things, amend the Purchase Agreement by (i) extending the
date for the payment of the base earn-out payment payable to the
former shareholders for 2005 performance from April 2006 until
June 2006, (ii) requiring the base earn-out payment for the
pro rata portion of 2007 to be made on April 30, 2007
instead of in 2008, (ii) accelerating the date for the
determination of 50% of the payment of the SLIS tier-two
earn-out payment from December 31, 2006 to
December 31, 2005, (iii) requiring that payment to be
made in 2006 instead of 2007, and (iv) requiring the final
payment of the SLIS tier-two earn-out to be made in 2007 instead
of 2008. As the former owner of 39.288% percent of the SLIS
capital stock, Mr. Totah will receive the benefits and
burdens of the Amendment if it is approved by our Board of
Directors.
Loans to Executive Officers
In connection with our acquisition of SLIS on April 4,
2002, we advanced the sum of $350,000 to Jason Totah.
Mr. Totah was a former shareholder of SLIS and is now the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The advance to
Mr. Totah is to be repaid through 2006 by offset against
the earn-out amounts that are
25
otherwise due to Mr. Totah under the Stock Purchase
Agreement. As of December 31, 2005, the entire sum of the
advance has been offset against Mr. Totahs earn-out
payments.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Dennis L. Pelino |
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Chairman of the Board |
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Dated: April 14, 2006 |
26
STONEPATH GROUP, INC.
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Dennis L. Pelino and Robert Arovas, and each
of them, with full power of substitution, as proxy, to vote for the undersigned all shares of the
common stock, par value $.001 per share of Stonepath Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company), that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held in the Pacific Board Room at the Bell Harbor International
Conference Center, Pier 66, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121, at 10:00 a.m. local time on
Friday, May 26, 2006, or at any adjournments thereof, upon the matters described in the
accompanying proxy statement and upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
Said proxy is directed to vote or refrain from voting on the matters set forth in the accompanying
proxy statement in the manner set forth on this proxy.
You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box (SEE REVERSE SIDE),
but you need not mark any box if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors
recommendations.
THE PROXY CANNOT VOTE YOUR SHARES UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD
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1. |
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Proposal 1 |
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
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FOR |
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WITHHELD |
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Nominees: Dennis L. Pelino, J. Douglass Coates, Robert McCord, |
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David R. Jones, Aloysius T. Lawn, IV, John H. Springer |
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For, except vote withheld for the following nominee(s): |
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(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO
DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF STONEPATH GROUP, INC.
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2.
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Proposal 2 |
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Approve the issuance of more
than 8,698,832 shares of
common stock under a
convertible note and warrant
issued to Laurus Master Fund,
Ltd. and certain additional
convertible notes which may be
issued to Laurus Master Fund,
Ltd. in the future.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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3.
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Proposal 3 |
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Ratification of the
appointment of Grant Thornton
LLP to serve as the auditors
for the Company for the fiscal
year ending
December 31, 2006.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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Check appropriate box
Indicate changes below:
Address Change o Name Change o
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The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the proxy statement. |
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PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE
REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. |
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NOTE: Please sign name(s) exactly as printed hereon.
Joint owners must each sign. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. |
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SIGNATURE(S) |
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DATE
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, 2006 |
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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
VOTE TODAY IN ONE OF TWO WAYS:
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VOTE BY INTERNET:
Log-on to www.votestock.com
Enter your control number printed below
Vote your proxy by checking the appropriate boxes
Click on Accept Vote |
OR
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VOTE BY MAIL: If you do not wish to vote over the internet, please complete, sign, date and
return the above proxy card in the pre-paid envelope provided. |
YOUR CONTROL NUMBER IS:
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You may vote over the internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. |
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Your internet vote authorizes the named Proxies to vote in the same manner as if you |
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marked, signed and returned your proxy card. |
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