UNITED STATES
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
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Lynch Corporation
Lynch Corporation
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LYNCH CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
March 28, 2003
To the Shareholders of Lynch Corporation
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Lynch Corporation, an Indiana Corporation (the Corporation), will be held at the Biltmore Grand Heritage Hotel, Kennedy Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island on Thursday, May 1, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. for the following purposes:
1. To elect eight directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. | |
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
Information relating to the above matters is set forth in the attached Proxy Statement. As fixed by the Board of Directors, only Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2003 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors encourages all shareholders to personally attend the annual meeting. Your vote is very important regardless of the number of shares you own. Shareholders who do not expect to attend are requested to promptly date, complete and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed accompanying postage-paid envelope in order that their shares of common stock may be represented at the annual meeting. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
By Order of the Board of Directors | |
RAYMOND H. KELLER | |
Secretary |
IMPORTANT
LYNCH CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished by the Board of Directors of Lynch Corporation (the Corporation) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Biltmore Grand Heritage Hotel, Kennedy Plaza, Providence, Rhode Island on May 1, 2003, at 2:00 P.M. and at any adjournments thereof. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy is first being mailed to shareholders on or about March 28, 2003.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2003 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. As of the close of business on such date, 1,497,883 shares of the Corporations common stock, $0.01 par value (the Common Stock), were outstanding and eligible to vote. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the shareholders. Where a specific designation is given in the proxy, the proxy will be voted in accordance with such designation. If no such designation is made, the proxy will be voted FOR the nominees for director named below, and in the discretion of the proxies with respect to any other matter that is properly brought before the Annual Meeting. Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by delivering to the Secretary of the Corporation a written notice of revocation or duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by appearing at the Annual Meeting and revoking his or her proxy and voting in person.
No action may be taken on any matter to be acted upon at the meeting unless a quorum is present with respect to that matter. For each matter to be acted upon at the meeting, a quorum consists of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by all shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date for the meeting. The election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast.
An automated system administered by the Corporations transfer agent tabulates the votes. Pursuant to the Indiana Business Corporation Law and the By-laws of the Corporation, shares held by persons who abstain from voting on a proposal will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as voting either for or against such proposal. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will not be considered as present (for quorum purposes) or entitled to vote with respect to that matter, even though such shares will be considered present for purposes of determining a quorum and voting on other proposals.
ITEM NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Eight directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected. Except where authority to vote for directors has been withheld, it is intended that the proxies received pursuant to this solicitation will be voted FOR the nominees named below. If for any reason any nominee shall not be available for election, such proxies will be voted in favor of the remainder of those named and may be voted for substitute nominees in place of those who decline to be candidates. Management, however, has no reason to expect that any of the nominees will be unavailable for election.
The election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast.
All of the nominees except Marc J. Gabelli have served as directors of Lynch Corporation since before the last Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Marc J. Gabelli will become a director subject to, and effective upon, his election at the annual meeting. Marc J. Gabelli is the son of the Vice Chairman of the Corporation. The By-laws of the Corporation provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of no less than five and no more than thirteen members and that any vacancies on the Board of Directors for whatever cause arising, including newly created directorships, may be filled by the remaining directors until the next meeting of shareholders. Biographical summaries and ages as of March 28, 2003 of the nominees are set forth below. Data with respect to the number of shares of the Common Stock beneficially owned by each of them appears on page 7 of this Proxy Statement. All such information has been furnished to the Corporation by the nominees.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of its Nominees FOR Directors for terms to expire at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders.
Served as | Business Experience And Principal Occupation For Last | |||||
Director | 5 Years; and Directorships in Public Corporations | |||||
Name | Age | From | and Investment Companies | |||
E. Val Cerutti
|
63 | 1990 | Business Consultant (since 1992); President and Chief Operating Officer (1975-1992) of Stella Doro Biscuit Co., Inc., producer of bakery products; Director of Spinnaker Industries, Inc.; current Director or Trustee of four registered investment companies included within the Gabelli Funds Mutual Fund Complex; Director of Approach, Inc., a private company providing computer consulting services (since 1999); former Chairman of Board of Trustees of Fordham Preparatory School. | |||
Mario J. Gabelli
|
60 | 1986 | Chairman (1986 to August 2001) and Chief Executive Officer (1986 to January 2000; and April 2001 to August 2001) and Vice Chairman (since August 2001) of the Corporation; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Lynch Interactive Corporation (since September 1999); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gabelli Group Capital Partners (since 1980), a private Corporation which makes investments for its own account; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gabelli Asset Management Inc. (since 1999), a NYSE listed holding corporation for subsidiaries engaged in various aspects of the securities business; Director/ Trustee and/or President of all registered investment companies managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC (since 1986); Governor of the American Stock Exchange; Overseer of Columbia University Graduate School of Business; Trustee of Fairfield University, Roger Williams University, Winston Churchill Foundation and E.L. Wigend Foundation; Director of The National Italian American Foundation and The American-Italian Cancer Foundation; Chairman, Patrons Committee of Immaculate Conception School; and former trustee of Fordham Preparatory School. |
2
Served as | Business Experience And Principal Occupation For Last | |||||
Director | 5 Years; and Directorships in Public Corporations | |||||
Name | Age | From | and Investment Companies | |||
Avrum Gray
|
67 | 1999 | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of G-Bar Limited Partnership and affiliates (1982 to present), proprietary computer based derivative arbitrage trading companies; Gray Capital Corp., and ACI I (1958-1998); Chairman of the Board, Lynch Systems, Inc., (1997 through 2001); Director of Nashua Corp., a NYSE listed manufacturer of paper products and labels (2001 to present); Director of SL Industries, Inc., a NYSE listed manufacturer of power and data quality equipment and systems (since 2001); Current member of Illinois Institute of Technology Financial Markets and Trading Advisory Board; Former member of Illinois Institute of Technology Board of Overseers MBA Program; Former Chairman of Chicago Presidents Organization; Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Of Spertus College; Former Presidential Appointee to The U.S. Dept. of Commerce ISAC 16. | |||
Raymond H. Keller
|
65 | 2001 | Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary (since October 2001) of the Corporation; Chief Financial Officer of Avtek Inc., since 2000, a private holding company controlled by Ralph R. Papitto; Director and Chief Financial Officer of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ listed manufacturer and supplier of electrical distribution Products (1989 to 2000); Trustee of Roger Williams University; Prior financial management experience with Microdot, Inc. | |||
Richard E. McGrail
|
48 | 2001 | President and Chief Operating Officer (since October 2001) of the Corporation; President of Avtek Inc., since 2001, a private holding company controlled by Ralph R. Papitto; Division President of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ listed manufacturer and supplier of electrical distribution products (1993 to 2001); Prior general and marketing management experience with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). |
3
Served as | Business Experience And Principal Occupation For Last | |||||
Director | 5 Years; and Directorships in Public Corporations | |||||
Name | Age | From | and Investment Companies | |||
Ralph R. Papitto
|
76 | 1995 | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since August 2001) of the Corporation; Chief Executive Officer of Avtek Inc., since 2000, a private holding company controlled by Mr. Papitto; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AFC Cable Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ listed manufacturer and supplier of electrical distribution products (1990-1999); Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nortek, Inc., a NYSE listed manufacturer of construction products (1967-1990); Director of Global Sports & Gaming.Com; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Roger Williams University; Former Director of Lynch Interactive Corporation and Spinnaker Industries, Inc. | |||
Anthony R. Pustorino, CPA
|
77 | 2002 | Professor Emeritus, Pace University (2001 to Present), Professor of Accounting, Pace University (1965 to 2001), and former Assistant Chairman, Accounting Department at Pace University; President and Shareholder of Pustorino, Puglisi & Co., P.C., CPAs (1961 to 1989); Instructor, Fordham University (1961-1965); Assistant Controller, Olivetti-Underwood Corporation (1957-1961); CPA with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., CPAs (1953-1957); former Chairman, Board of Directors of New York State Board for Public Accountancy; former Chairman, CPA Examination Review Board of National Association of State Boards of Accountancy; former Member of Council of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; former Vice President, Treasurer, Director and member of Executive Committee of New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants; current Director or Trustee of eleven registered investment companies included within the Gabelli Funds Mutual Fund Complex. | |||
Marc J. Gabelli
|
35 | | Managing director of Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc., the parent company of Gabelli Asset Management, Inc. (1996 to present), a private Corporation which makes investments for its own account; President of Gemini Capital Management LLC; prior experience with Lehman Brothers International. |
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OPERATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
There were four meetings of the Board of Directors during 2002.
The Board of Directors has established three standing committees, the principal duties of which are described below:
Audit Committee: Recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of independent auditors; reviews the independence of the independent auditors; reviews with management and the independent auditors the annual financial statements prior to their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission; reviews the report by the independent auditors concerning management procedures and policies; and determines whether the independent auditors have received satisfactory access to the Corporations financial records and full cooperation of corporate personnel in connection with their audit of the Corporations records. The Audit Committee met five times during 2002. The present members are Messrs. Pustorino, Cerutti and Gray. Mr. Pustorino serves as Chairman and qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K. See the Report of the Audit Committee on page 13. Attached as Exhibit A hereto is the Charter of the Audit Committee. | |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Committee: Develops and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the Corporations executive compensation policies; recommends to the Board of Directors the compensation to be paid to executive officers; administers the Lynch Corporation Bonus Plan; and performs such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Board of Directors. The Executive Compensation and Benefits Committee met once during 2002. The present members are Messrs. Gabelli (Chairman), Cerutti and Papitto. | |
Executive Committee: Exercises all the power and authority of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by Delaware law or by the By-laws of the Corporation, in the management and affairs of the Corporation during intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee did not meet during 2002. The present members are Messrs. Papitto (Chairman), Cerutti and Gabelli. |
The Corporation does not have a nominating committee. Nominations for directors and officers of the Corporation are matters considered by the entire Board of Directors.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
In 2002, Directors who were not employees received (i) a cash retainer of $3,000 per quarter, (ii) a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person or telephonically that has a duration of at least one hour and (iii) a fee of $500 for each committee meeting the director attends in person or telephonically that has a duration of at least one hour. In addition, a non-employee director serving as a committee chairman receives an additional $1,000 annual cash retainer.
Effective September 26, 2002 and retroactive to 2001, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors receives a $50,000 annual stipend payable in equal quarterly installments.
A director who is an employee of the Corporation is not compensated for services as a member of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof.
During 2002, Mr. Cerutti received $1,000 for directors services applicable to 2001 from M-tron Industries, Inc.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of March 14, 2003, certain information with respect to all persons each known to the Corporation to own beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock of the Corporation, which is the only class of voting stock of the Corporation outstanding. The table also sets forth information with respect to the Corporations Common Stock beneficially owned by the directors, by each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 8 of this Proxy Statement, and by all directors and executive officers as a group. The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares to which a person has the sole or shared voting or investment power or any shares which the person can acquire within 60 days (e.g., through exercise of stock options or conversions of securities). Except as otherwise indicated, the shareholders listed in the table have sole voting and investment powers with respect to the Common Stock set forth in the table. The following information is either reflected in Schedule 13Ds and 13Gs or Form 3s, Form 4s and Form 5s that have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or which has otherwise been furnished to the Corporation.
Amount and | ||||||||
Nature of | ||||||||
Name of | Beneficial | Percent | ||||||
Beneficial Owner* | Ownership | of Class | ||||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.
|
77,300 | (1) | 5.16 | % | ||||
Mario J. Gabelli
|
460,982 | (2) | 30.78 | % | ||||
E. Val Cerutti
|
3,000 | (3) | ** | |||||
Avrum Gray
|
8,900 | (4) | ** | |||||
Ralph R. Papitto
|
180,952 | (5) | 10.78 | % | ||||
Richard E. McGrail
|
10,000 | (5) | ** | |||||
Raymond H. Keller
|
10,000 | (5) | ** | |||||
Anthony R. Pustorino
|
1,000 | (6) | ** | |||||
Marc J. Gabelli
|
1,000 | (6) | ** | |||||
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group
(8 in total)
|
675,834 | 39.80 | %(7) | |||||
* | The address of each holder of more than 5% of the Common Stock is as follows: Dimensional Fund Advisors 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Mr. Gabelli 401 Theodore Fremd Ave., Rye, NY 10580-1430, and Mr. Papitto Sailfish Point, 6863 S.E. Isle Way, Stuart, FL 34996. |
** | Represents holdings of less than one percent. |
(1) | Because of its investment and/or voting power over shares of Common Stock of the Corporation held in the accounts of its investment advisory clients, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc., an investment adviser (Dimensional), is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 77,300 shares. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares. |
(2) | Includes (i) 383,782 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Mr. Gabelli (including 8,768 held for the benefit of Mr. Gabelli under the Lynch Interactive Corporations 401(k) Savings Plan), (ii) 800 shares owned by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Gabelli is a trustee, (iii) 70,000 shares owned by a limited partnership in which Mr. Gabelli is the general partner and has an approximate 6% interest, and (iv) 6,400 shares owned by Lynch Interactive Corporation, of which Mr. Gabelli is its vice chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the beneficial officer of approximately 23% of the outstanding |
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common stock of Interactive. Mr. Gabelli disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the foundation, by Lynch Interactive Corporation, and by the partnership, except for his 6% interest therein. | |
(3) | 500 shares are jointly owned with his wife, with whom he shares voting and investment power. |
(4) | Includes 3,400 shares owned by Mr. Gray, 500 shares owned by a partnership of which Mr. Gray is the general partner, 1,600 shares owned by a partnership of which Mr. Gray is one of the general partners, 1,400 shares owned by Mr. Grays wife and 2,000 shares owned by a partnership of which Mr. Grays wife is one of the general partners. |
(5) | Includes 180,000, 10,000 and 10,000 shares, respectively, that may be acquired by the exercise of options granted to Messrs. Papitto, McGrail and Keller. None of the grants have been exercised. |
(6) | All shares are owned directly. |
(7) | Percent of class is based upon 1,697,883 shares (1,497,883 outstanding shares and 200,000 option shares). |
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation received in the Corporations last three completed fiscal years by the Corporations named executive officers as defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K.
Summary Compensation Table
Long Term | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Annual | Underlying | All Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salary | Bonus | Compensation | Options | Payments | Compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position | Year | ($) | ($)(1) | ($)(2) | (#)(3) | ($)(4) | ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ralph R. Papitto
|
2002 | 270,000 | 0 | 0 | | | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chairman of the Board
|
2001 | 40,000 | 0 | 37,333 | 180,000 | | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer(6)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mario J. Gabelli
|
2002 | 0 | 0 | 100,000 | | | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice Chairman of the Board(5)
|
2001 | 100,000 | 0 | 0 | | | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2000 | 150,000 | 0 | 0 | | 483,039 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Raymond H. Keller
|
2002 | 70,475 | 0 | 0 | | | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President &
|
2001 | 18,800 | 0 | 0 | 24,000 | | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Financial Officer & Secretary(7)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Richard E. McGrail
|
2002 | 73,430 | 0 | 0 | | | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
President & Chief Operating Officer(7)
|
2001 | 22,500 | 0 | 0 | 24,000 | | 0 |
(1) | Bonuses earned in any fiscal year are generally paid during the following fiscal year. |
(2) | For Mr. Gabelli, includes Vice-Chairmans fee of $100,000 paid in 2002. For Mr. Papitto, includes non-employee directors fees of $37,333 paid in 2001. |
(3) | Represents shares of Common Stock of Lynch Corporation underlying stock options granted to Messrs. Papitto, McGrail and Keller during 2001. |
(4) | Represents payments by Lynch Corporation under the Phantom Stock Plan of Lynch Corporation and Lynch Interactive Corporation in 2000 based upon December 31, 1999 stock values. Does not include $1,868,998 paid by Lynch Interactive Corporation in 2000 based upon December 31, 1999 stock values to Mr. Gabelli. The Phantom Stock Plan was terminated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation effective as of December 31, 1999. On September 1, 1999, the Corporation spun off Lynch Interactive Corporation. |
(5) | Mr. Gabelli resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in January 2000 upon the appointment of Louis A. Guzzetti, Jr. as President and Chief Executive Officer. When Mr. Guzzetti resigned as Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2001, Mr. Gabelli was reappointed as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors and served in those positions until August 17, 2001 when Mr. Papitto became Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Since August 17, 2001 Mr. Gabelli has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. |
(6) | Mr. Papitto was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors on August 17, 2001. |
(7) | On October 15, 2001 Mr. Keller was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation and Mr. McGrail was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation. |
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OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
There were no option grants in 2002.
AGGREGATED OPTIONS/ SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
The following table presents information regarding the exercise of stock options during 2002 by the named executive officers and the fiscal year-end value of their unexercised options:
Number of Securities | ||||||||||||||||
Shares | Underlying Unexercised | Value of Unexercised In- | ||||||||||||||
Acquired On | Value | Options/SARs At Fiscal | The-Money Options/SARs | |||||||||||||
Exercise | Realized | Year-End(#) | At Fiscal Year-End($) | |||||||||||||
Name(a) | (#) | ($) | Exercisable/Unexercisable | Exercisable/Unexercisable | ||||||||||||
Ralph R. Papitto
|
0 | 0 | 180,000/0 | 0/0 | ||||||||||||
Mario J. Gabelli
|
0 | 0 | None/None | |||||||||||||
Raymond H. Keller
|
0 | 0 | 8,000/16,000 | 0/0 | ||||||||||||
Richard E. McGrail
|
0 | 0 | 8,000/16,000 | 0/0 |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE REPORT
Overview and Philosophy
The Executive Compensation and Benefits Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors is responsible for developing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the Corporations executive compensation policies and administering the various executive compensation plans. In addition, the Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the annual compensation to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other executive officers of the Corporation, as well as to other key employees. The composition of the Committee is described below.
The objectives of the Corporations executive compensation program are to:
| Support the achievement of desired Corporation performance. | |
| Provide compensation that will attract and retain superior talent and reward performance. | |
| Ensure that there is appropriate linkage between executive compensation and the enhancement of shareholder value. | |
| Evaluate the effectiveness of the Corporations incentives for key executives. |
The executive compensation program is designed to provide an overall level of compensation opportunity that is competitive with companies of comparable size, capitalization and complexity. Actual compensation levels, however, may be greater or less than average competitive levels based upon annual and long-term Corporation performance, as well as individual performance. The Committee uses its discretion to recommend executive compensation at levels warranted in its judgment by corporate and individual performance.
Executive Officer Compensation Program
The Corporations executive officer compensation program is comprised of base salary, cash bonus compensation, 401(k) Savings Plan, and other benefits generally available to employees of the Corporation.
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Base Salary
Base salary levels for the Corporations executive officers are intended to be competitive. In recommending salaries the Committee also takes into account individual experience and performance and specific issues relating to the Corporation. A summary of the compensation awarded to the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table on page 8 of this Proxy Statement. Initial salaries for the Corporations executive officers were based upon a variety of judgmental factors, including their respective proposed responsibilities with the Corporation, their background and experience, and the size and nature of the Corporations business.
Bonus Plan
The Corporation has in place a bonus plan that is based on an objective measure of corporate performance and on subjective evaluation of individual performance for its executive officers and other key personnel. In general, the plan provides for an annual bonus pool equal to 20% of the excess of (i) the consolidated pre-tax profits of the Corporation for a calendar year less (ii) 25% of the Corporations average shareholders equity at the beginning of such year. Shareholders equity is the average of shareholders equity at the beginning of the period and at the beginning of the two preceding years. The Executive Compensation and Benefits Committee in its discretion may take into consideration other factors and circumstances in determining the amount of the bonus pool and awarding bonuses such as progress toward achievement of strategic goals and qualitative aspects of management performance. The breakdown of the bonus pool is not based upon a formula but upon judgmental factors.
No bonuses were paid to the named executive officers in 2002, 2001 and 2000.
Lynch Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan
All employees of the Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the Lynch Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan, after having completed one year of service (as defined in the Plan) and having reached the age of 18.
The 401(k) Plan permits employees to make contributions by deferring a portion of their compensation. Participating employees also share in contributions made by their respective employers. The annual mandatory employer contribution to each participants account is equal to 62.5% of the first $800 of the participants contribution. In addition, the employer may make a discretionary contribution of up to 37.5% of the first $800 of the participants contribution. A participants interest in both employee and employer contributions and earnings thereupon are fully vested at all times. Employee and employer contributions are invested in guaranteed investment contracts, certain mutual funds or Common Stock of the Corporation, as determined by the participants. The Companys executive officers were not participants in the 401(k) Plan in 2002.
Benefits
The Corporation provides medical, life insurance and disability benefits to the executive officers that are generally available to Corporation employees. There were no benefits of this nature applicable to the Companys executive officers in 2002.
Compensation to Chief Executive Officer and Other Executive Officers
Mr. Gabelli, who was Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation from 1986 to January 2000, received a salary of $500,000 per year for the years 1996 through 1999 (including payments from Lynch Interactive
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When Mr. Guzzetti resigned as Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2001, Mr. Gabelli agreed to be reappointed as Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis until a new Chief Executive Officer was appointed. Mr. Gabelli served as interim CEO until August 17, 2001 when Mr. Papitto was appointed Chief Executive Officer. For his service as Chairman (through March 31, 2001) and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (from April 1 through August 17, 2001), Mr. Gabelli received $100,000 in salary. On September 26, 2002, for his services as Vice Chairman of the Corporation, the Committee (Mr. Gabelli abstaining) awarded Mr. Gabelli an annual Vice Chairman fee of $50,000 per year, retroactive to 2001.
At a meeting of the entire Board of Directors on August 17, 2001, based upon the recommendation of Mr. Gabelli, the Board unanimously appointed Mr. Papitto as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
At a meeting of the entire Board of Directors on December 10, 2001, based upon the unanimous recommendation of the Executive Compensation and Benefits Committee (with Mr. Papitto abstaining), the Board of Directors unanimously: (a) authorized the payment of a salary to Mr. Papitto as Chief Executive Officer at the rate of $125,000 per annum for the period from August 17, 2001 to December 31, 2001 and at the rate of $250,000 per annum thereafter, and (b) authorized the Corporation, subject to shareholder approval, to grant to Mr. Papitto a stock option to purchase 180,000 shares of the Corporations Common Stock at an exercise price of $17.50 per share (being the then fair market value of the Common Stock). At the same meeting, the Board also unanimously: (a) authorized the payment of a salary to each of Mr. McGrail as President and Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Keller as Chief Financial Officer at the rate of $50,000 per annum commencing January 1, 2002 and (b) authorized the Corporation, subject to shareholder approval, to grant to each of Mr. McGrail and Mr. Keller a stock option to purchase 24,000 shares of the Corporations Common Stock, also at an exercise price of $17.50 per share.
MARIO J. GABELLI, Chairman of the | |
Executive Compensation and Benefits Committee | |
E. Val Cerutti (Member) | |
Ralph R. Papitto (Member) |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Since December 10, 2001, the Committee has consisted of Mr. Gabelli (Chairman), Mr. Cerutti and Mr. Papitto. Mr. Papitto has been Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since August 17, 2001.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Common Stock of the Corporation for the last five fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 with the cumulative total return over the same period (i) on the broad market, as measured by the American Stock Exchange Market Value Index, and (ii) on a peer group, as measured by a composite index based on the total returns earned on the stock of the publicly traded companies included in the Media General Financial Services database under the two Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes within which the Corporation conducts the bulk of its business operations: SIC Code 355, Special Industry Machinery; and SIC Code 367, Electronic Components
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Also presented in the graph is a peer group trend line representing total returns for a former peer group which utilized SIC Code 4813, Telephone Communications except Radio Telephones and SIC Code 4213, Trucking, except Local, and SIC Code 267 converted paper and paper products, except boxes. The Corporation made the switch because its Telephone Communications and Trucking operations were spun off in September 1999. SIC Code 267 is included in the Corporations former peer group because it represents the industry served by one of the Corporations subsidiaries, Spinnaker Industries, Inc. (Spinnaker) until deconsolidated on September 30, 2001.
COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
FISCAL YEAR ENDING
12/31/1997 | 12/31/1998 | 12/31/1999 | 12/31/2000 | 12/31/2001 | 12/31/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||
Lynch Corporation
|
$ | 100.00 | $ | 84.94 | $ | 31.10 | $ | 51.81 | $ | 21.69 | $ | 9.34 | ||||||||||||
Old Peer Group
|
$ | 100.00 | $ | 112.25 | $ | 149.17 | $ | 119.74 | $ | 116.91 | $ | 115.54 | ||||||||||||
AMEX Market Index
|
$ | 100.00 | $ | 98.64 | $ | 122.98 | $ | 121.47 | $ | 115.87 | $ | 111.25 | ||||||||||||
New Peer Group
|
$ | 100.00 | $ | 123.38 | $ | 284.11 | $ | 200.28 | $ | 179.43 | $ | 140.93 | ||||||||||||
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JANUARY 1, 1998
On September 1 1999, the Corporation spun off Lynch Interactive Corporation which owned the multimedia and services businesses previously owned by the Corporation. As a result, the returns for the pre and post Spin Off periods are not comparable. On September 1, 1999, the Corporations stock traded without giving effect to the Spin Off and closed at $87. On September 2, 1999, giving effect to the Spin Off, the
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TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN AFFILIATED PERSONS
Mr. Gabelli is affiliated with various entities which he directly or indirectly controls and which are engaged in various aspects of the securities business, such as an investment advisor to various institutional and individual clients including registered investment companies and pension plans, as a broker-dealer, and as managing general partner of various private investment partnerships. During 2002, the Corporation and its subsidiaries engaged in various transactions with certain of these entities and the amount of commissions, fees, and other remuneration paid to such entities, excluding reimbursement of certain expenses related to Mr. Gabellis employment by the Corporation, was less than $60,000.
The Corporations principal executive offices in Providence, Rhode Island are shared with Avtek Inc. (Avtek) a private holding company co-owned by Mr. Papitto and Mr. Gabelli until November 27, 2002 and now controlled by Mr. Papitto. Since August 2001, Avtek and the Corporation have shared, on an approximately equal basis, (i) all occupancy costs of the shared premises and (ii) the salary expense of certain persons employed by Avtek at the premises (including Mr. McGrail, the Corporations President and Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Keller, the Corporations Chief Financial Officer, and other administrative and clerical personnel) whose services are provided to both the Corporation and Avtek. The Corporations share of such occupancy and salary costs in 2002 was $231,500, a portion of which represents compensation to Mr. McGrail and Mr. Keller that is reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 8 of this Proxy Statement.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Independent Public Accountants
Ernst & Young LLP has audited the books of the Corporation for many years.
Ernst & Young LLP has been reappointed to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2002 and to report the results of their audit to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders. The Corporation has not yet selected a principal auditor for 2003 because it wanted to finalize the 2002 audit before considering auditors for 2003.
FEES BILLED TO THE COMPANY BY ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
Audit Fees
Audit fees incurred by Lynch Corporation from Ernst & Young LLP for all services performed to comply with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States totaled $347,500 for 2002, and $368,000 for 2001. Audit fees for 2002 and 2001 include the audit of the Corporations annual financial statements and review of those financial statements included in the Corporations quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in 2002, included services related to Lynch Corporations Registration Statement on form S-8.
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Audit Related Fees
Audit related fees billed to Lynch Corporation by Ernst & Young LLP during 2002 totaled $22,500, and during 2001 totaled $81,170. Audit related services generally include fees for services performed relating to employee benefit plans and other accounting consultations.
Tax Fees
Fees billed to Lynch Corporation by Ernst & Young LLP for tax services performed totaled $6,915 during 2002, and $34,706 during 2001. Tax services generally include fees for services performed related to tax compliance and consulting, customs services, and expatriate tax services.
All Other Fees
Lynch Corporation was not billed for non-audit services by Ernst & Young LLP during 2002 and 2001.
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is composed of 3 independent directors as defined in the American Stock Exchange listing standards (Mr. Pustorino, Chairman, who meets the standards of a audit committee financial expert, Mr. Cerutti and Mr. Gray) and operates under a revised written charter adopted by the Board of Directors in March 2003. The Audit Committee reviews the Corporations financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors, reviews the financial information issued to shareholders and others, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability of the accounting principles; the reasonableness of significant judgments; and the clarity of discussions in the financial statements, and monitors the systems of internal control and the audit process. Management has primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process.
The Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the independent auditors. In our discussion, management has represented to the Audit Committee that the Corporations consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with both management and Ernst & Young LLP, our independent auditors. The Audit Committee meets with our independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, the evaluations of the Corporations internal controls and the overall quality of the Corporations financial reporting. There were five such meetings in 2002. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees).
The Corporations independent auditors also provided to the Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and the Audit Committee has considered and discussed with Ernst & Young the firms independence and the compatibility of the non-audit services provided by the firm with its independence.
Based on the Audit Committees review of the audited financial statements and the various discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited consolidated
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AUDIT COMMITTEE | |
Anthony R. Pustorino (Chairman) | |
E. Val Cerutti (Member) | |
Avrum Gray (Member) |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Corporations directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of the Corporations Common Stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and American Stock Exchange initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in the ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Corporation. Such persons are required to furnish the Corporation with copies of all Section 16(a) filings. Based solely on the Corporations review of the copies of such filings it has received and written representations of directors and officers, the Corporation believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, its officers, directors, and 10% shareholders are in compliance with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them with the following exception: Mr. Papittos, Mr. McGrails and Mr. Kellers reports of ownership on Form 5 were inadvertently filed late.
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Office of the Secretary, Lynch Corporation, 50 Kennedy Plaza, Suite 1250, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, by no later than December 3, 2003, for inclusion in the Corporations proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 2004 Annual Meeting.
The date after which notice of a shareholder proposal intended to be submitted to the next annual meeting of the Corporation outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 will be considered untimely is February 16, 2004. If not received by that date, the persons named in the form of proxy accompanying the notice of meeting may vote on any such proposal in their discretion.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters which are likely to come before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
The solicitation of proxies is made on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and the cost thereof will be borne by the Corporation. The Corporation has employed the firm of Morrow & Co. Inc., 445 Park Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, New York, 10022 to assist in this solicitation at a cost of $3,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Corporation will also reimburse brokerage firms and nominees for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners of the Common Stock of the Corporation. In addition, officers and employees of the Corporation (none of whom will receive any compensation therefor in addition to their regular compensation) may solicit proxies. The solicitation will be made by mail and, in addition, may be made by telegrams and personal interviews, and the telephone.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Corporations Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, has been sent herewith to each shareholder. Such Annual Report, however, is not to be regarded as part of the proxy soliciting material.
By Order of the Board of Directors | |
RAYMOND H. KELLER | |
Secretary |
Dated: March 28, 2003
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EXHIBIT A
LYNCH CORPORATION
Organization
This Charter governs the operations of the Lynch Corporation (the Company) Audit Committee (the Committee). The Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall consist of at least three directors, each of whom are independent of management and the Company and are financially literate as those terms are used by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Statement of Policy
The Committee shall provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, the investment community, and others, with respect to the Companys financial statements and financial reporting process, the systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the annual independent audit of the Companys financial statements, and the legal compliance, conflict of interest and ethics programs as established by management and the Board. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the Committee to maintain free and open communication between the Committee, independent auditors and management of the Company. In discharging its oversight role, the Committee is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records, facilities, and personnel of the Company and the power to retain outside counsel, or other experts for this purpose.
Responsibilities and Processes
The Committees responsibility is oversight. The Companys management is responsible for maintaining appropriate systems for accounting and internal control and for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys financial statements. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements and are ultimately responsible to the Board and the Committee as representatives of shareholders. The Committee recognizes that financial management and the independent auditors have more time, knowledge and detailed information on the Company than do Committee members; consequently, in carrying out its oversight responsibilities, the Committee does not provide any expert or special assurance as to the Companys financial statements or any professional certification as to the independent auditors work.
The Committee, in carrying out its responsibilities, believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order best to react to changing conditions and circumstances. The Committee should take the appropriate actions to set the overall corporate tone for quality financial reporting, sound business risk practices, and ethical behavior. At least annually, it shall perform an evaluation of its performance to determine whether it is functioning effectively and shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter and obtain approval for its adoption by the full Board of Directors.
The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the Committee in carrying out its oversight responsibilities. The processes are set forth as guides with the understanding that the Committee may amend or supplement them as appropriate.
| The Committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to evaluate the independent auditors and shall approve their selection, retention, termination and compensation. | |
| The Committee shall pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors and shall not engage the independent auditors to perform the specific non-audit services |
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proscribed by law or regulation. The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to a member of the Audit Committee. The decisions of any Audit Committee member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated must be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting. | ||
| The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits, including the adequacy of staffing. It shall discuss with management and the independent auditors, the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial controls, including the Companys system to monitor business risk, and legal and ethical compliance programs. It shall meet separately with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations. | |
| At least annually, the Committee shall obtain and review formal written reports by the independent auditors describing: |
| the firms internal quality control procedures. | |
| any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities. | |
| all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard 1, to enable the Committee to evaluate the auditors attestation of their independence. |
| The Committee shall review managements assertion on its assessment of the effectiveness of internal accounting and financial controls as of the end of the most recent fiscal year and the independent auditors report on managements assertions. | |
| The Committee shall discuss with management, the internal auditors, and the independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of the Companys policies and procedures to assess, monitor, and manage business risk, and legal and ethical compliance programs (e.g., Companys Code of Conduct). | |
| The Committee shall receive regular reports from the independent auditors delineating the critical accounting policies and practices of the Company; all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management; and their reasoning for not recognizing material audit adjustments the auditors proposed. | |
| The Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. It shall receive corporate attorneys reports of evidence of a material violation of securities laws or breaches of fiduciary duty. | |
| The Committee shall set clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors that meet the SEC regulations and stock exchange listing standards. | |
| The Committee shall review the interim financial statements with management and the independent auditors prior to any earnings release and prior to the filing of the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. It shall discuss the results of the quarterly review and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. The chair of the Committee may represent the entire Committee for the purposes of its review. | |
| The Committee shall meet separately with management, the internal auditors, and the independent auditors to discuss issues and concerns warranting Committee attention. The Committee shall provide |
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sufficient opportunity for the internal auditors and the independent auditors to meet privately with the members of the Committee. | ||
| The Committee shall review with management and the independent auditors, prior to any press release and prior to filing, the financial statements to be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior to the filing of Form 10-K), including their judgment about the quality and appropriateness, not just the acceptability, of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity and completeness of the disclosures in the financial statements. It shall discuss the results of the annual audit and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. | |
| The Committee shall review the management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in the Companys Annual Report and oversee the CEO and CFOs Certifications of periodic reports required under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. | |
| The Committee shall prepare its report to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement, as required by SEC regulations. |
Limitation
Nothing in this Charter is intended to alter in any way the standard of conduct that applies to any of the directors of the Corporation under the Indiana Business Corporation Law, as amended, and this Charter does not impose, nor shall it be interpreted to impose, any duty on any director greater than, or in addition to, the duties or standards established by the Indiana Business Corporation Law.
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LYNCH CORPORATION
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned shareholder of LYNCH CORPORATION (the Corporation) hereby appoints Raymond H. Keller and Richard E. McGrail, or any one of them (each with power to act alone and with power of substitution), Proxies of the undersigned, with authority to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation to be held May 1, 2003 at 2:00 p.m., and at any adjournments thereof, all the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present, upon the matters proposed by the Corporation as specified below, and, in their discretion, upon such other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, and any adjournments thereof.
The shares represented by this Proxy shall be voted in accordance with the instructions given by the shareholder, but if no instructions are given, this Proxy will be voted FOR all of the nominees for Directors listed in Item 1, and, in the discretion of the Proxies, with respect to any other matter that is properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
(continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
Please mark your vote as indicated in this example |
x |
Item 1:Election of Directors Duly Nominated: | 01 E. Val Cerutti, 02 Avrum Gray, 03 Mario J. Gabelli, 04 Raymond H. Keller, 05 Richard E. McGrail, 06 Ralph R. Papitto, 07 Anthony R. Pustorino, and 08 Marc J. Gabelli. | |||||
FOR ALL o |
WITHHOLD ALL o |
FOR ALL EXCEPT o |
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for one or more individual nominees, mark For All Except and write such name or names on the space provided below.) | |||
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this Proxy. All joint owners must sign. When acting as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized person. If a partnership, please sign in full partnership name by authorized person. | ||||
Dated: | , 2003 | |||
(L.S.) | ||||
(Signature of Shareholder) | ||||
(L.S.) | ||||
(Signature of Shareholder) | ||||
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED |
LYNCH CORPORATION
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned shareholder of LYNCH CORPORATION (the Corporation) hereby appoints Fleet National Bank Retirement Services, as Trustee for shares of the Corporations Common Stock held in the Lynch Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan and/or the Lynch Interactive Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan, Proxies of the undersigned, with authority to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation to be held May 1, 2003 at 2:00 p.m., and at any adjournments thereof, all the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then personally present, upon the matters proposed by the Corporation as specified below, and, in their discretion, upon such other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, and any adjournments thereof.
The shares represented by this Proxy shall be voted in accordance with the instructions given by the shareholder, but if no instructions are given, this Proxy will be voted FOR all of the nominees for Directors listed in Item 1, and, in the discretion of the Proxies, with respect to any other matter that is properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
(continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
Please mark your vote as indicated in this example |
x |
Item 1:Election of Directors Duly Nominated: | 01 E. Val Cerutti, 02 Avrum Gray, 03 Mario J. Gabelli, 04 Raymond H. Keller, 05 Richard E. McGrail, 06 Ralph R. Papitto, 07 Anthony R. Pustorino, and 08 Marc J. Gabelli. | |||||
FOR ALL o |
WITHHOLD ALL o |
FOR ALL EXCEPT o |
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for one or more individual nominees, mark For All Except and write such name or names on the space provided below.) | |||
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this Proxy. All joint owners must sign. When acting as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized person. If a partnership, please sign in full partnership name by authorized person. | ||||
Dated: | , 2003 | |||
(L.S.) | ||||
(Signature of Shareholder) | ||||
(L.S.) | ||||
(Signature of Shareholder) | ||||
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED |