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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO.___)
Filed by the Registrant
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
CORVEL CORPORATION
(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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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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Date Filed:
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August 17, 2005
Dear CorVel Stockholder:
We are pleased to invite you to our 2005 Annual Meeting which will be held at CorVels principal
executive offices at 2010 Main Street, Suite 600, Irvine, California 92614, on Thursday, September
15, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Voting on election of directors and other matters is
also scheduled. The items to be voted on at the 2005 Annual Meeting are addressed in the enclosed
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.
Several significant milestones reached in fiscal 2005 deserve special mention:
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CorVel reported revenues of $291 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. |
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CorVel continued to invest in its MedCheck medical review software, which offers unique
Application Service Provider (ASP) solutions for large insurers and third party
administrators (TPAs). |
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CorVel expanded Preferred Provider Networks (PPO) operations 5.6% year-over-year,
despite a drop in industry claims volume. |
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CorVels healthcare management portal CareMC has been expanded to include increasing
integration with the claims systems of insurers and TPAs, integrating scanning and document
management features allowing CareMC customers to implement advanced workflow management
techniques tailored to their own unique needs. |
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete
and mail the enclosed proxy card to ensure that your shares will be represented at the meeting.
A postage pre-paid envelope has been provided for your convenience.
We look forward to seeing you at our Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
V. Gordon Clemons,
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
CorVel Corporation
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held September 15, 2005
To the Stockholders of CorVel Corporation:
Notice is hereby given that the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) of
CorVel Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Company), will be held at the Companys principal
executive offices, at 2010 Main Street, Suite 600, Irvine, California 92614, on Thursday, September
15, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time for the following purposes, as more fully described in
the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice:
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To elect five directors to serve until the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders; |
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To approve amendments to the Companys 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase
Plan) to (i) avoid compensation expense charges under a new accounting rule, and (ii)
increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance over the term
of the Purchase Plan from 750,000 shares to 950,000 shares; |
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To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as independent auditors of the Company
for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006; and |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 5, 2005, are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection at the principal executive offices of
the Company and at the Annual Meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether or not you plan to
attend the Annual Meeting, you can be sure your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly
voting and submitting your proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy
card in the enclosed, self-addressed, postage pre-paid envelope provided for your convenience.
Should you receive more than one proxy because your shares are registered in different names and
addresses, each proxy should be signed and returned to assure that all your shares will be voted.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company entitled to vote
must be present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting in order to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. Please return your proxy card in order to ensure that a
quorum is obtained and to avoid the additional cost to the Company of adjourning the Annual Meeting
until a later time and resoliciting proxies.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY.
By order of the Board of Directors,
RICHARD J. SCHWEPPE
Secretary
Irvine, California
August 17, 2005
CorVel Corporation
PROXY STATEMENT
Proxies are being solicited on behalf of the Companys Board of Directors (the Board) for use at
the Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Companys principal executive offices located at 2010
Main Street, Suite 600, Irvine, California 92614, on Thursday, September 15, 2005, at 1:00 p.m.
Pacific Daylight Time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the Annual Meeting).
Stockholders of record at the close of business on August 5, 2005, are entitled to notice of and to
vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of that meeting. A list of
stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection at the
principal executive offices of the Company and at the Annual Meeting.
On August 5, 2005, the record date (the Record Date) for determination of stockholders entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were 9,882,108 shares of Common Stock of the
Company outstanding and approximately 1204 holders of record according to information provided by
the Companys transfer agent. No shares of the Companys preferred stock were outstanding as of
August 5, 2005. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote on all matters brought before the Annual
Meeting for each share of Common Stock of the Company held by such stockholder on the Record Date.
Stockholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors.
The presence at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company entitled to vote will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. In the election of directors under Proposal One, the five nominees
receiving the highest number of affirmative votes shall be elected. The affirmative vote of the
holders of Common Stock of the Company representing a majority of the voting power present or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter is required
for approval of Proposal Two and is being sought for approval of Proposal Three.
All votes will be tabulated by the Companys inspector of election appointed for the Annual
Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker
non-votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for purposes of determining
whether a quorum exists for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. With regard to
Proposal One, broker non-votes and votes marked withheld will not be counted towards the
tabulations of votes cast on such proposal presented to the stockholders. With regard to Proposals
Two and Three, abstentions will be counted towards the tabulations of votes cast on such proposals
presented to the stockholders and will have the same effect as negative votes, whereas broker
non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining whether such proposals have been
approved.
If the enclosed proxy card is properly signed and returned, the shares represented thereby will be
voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions specified thereon. If the proxy
card does not specify how the shares represented thereby are to be voted, the proxy will be voted
FOR the election of the directors in Proposal One unless the authority to vote for the election of
such directors is withheld and, if no contrary instructions are given, the proxy will be voted FOR
the approval of Proposal Two and FOR the ratification of Proposal Three described in the
accompanying Notice and this Proxy Statement. In their discretion, the proxies named on the proxy
card will be authorized to vote upon any other matter that may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. A proxy may be revoked or changed at or prior
to the Annual Meeting by delivery of a written revocation or by presentation of another properly
signed proxy card with a later date to the Secretary of the Company at the Companys principal
executive offices at 2010 Main Street, Suite 600, Irvine, California 92614, or by attendance at the
Annual Meeting and voting in person by ballot.
This Proxy Statement, the enclosed proxy card and the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, were mailed on or about August 17, 2005 to stockholders of record
on August 5, 2005.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 2010 Main Street, Suite 600, Irvine,
California 92614. The Companys telephone number is (949) 851-1473.
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MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five individuals have been nominated to serve as directors of the Company. The Companys
stockholders are being asked to elect these nominees to the Board at the Annual Meeting. The
Companys Nomination and Governance Committee selected and recommended, and the Board, including
its independent directors, approved the nomination of, each of the five individuals listed below
for election to serve for a one-year term ending on the date of the Companys next annual meeting
of stockholders or until his successor has been duly elected and qualified. The term may be
shorter if such individual resigns, becomes disqualified or disabled, or is otherwise removed.
Unless otherwise instructed or unless the proxy is marked withheld, the proxy holders will vote
the proxies received by them FOR the election of each of the nominees named below. Each such
nominee is currently serving as a director and has indicated his willingness to continue to serve
as a director if elected. In the event that any such nominee becomes unable or declines to serve
at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will exercise discretionary authority to vote
for a substitute person selected and recommended by the Companys Nomination and Governance
Committee and nominated by the Board.
Director Nominees for Term Ending Upon the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The names and certain information as of May 31, 2005 about the nominees for director are set forth
below:
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V. Gordon Clemons |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Steven J. Hamerslag(1)(2)(3) |
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Director |
Alan R. Hoops(1)(2) |
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Director |
R. Judd Jessup(1) |
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Director |
Jeffrey J. Michael(2)(3) |
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Director |
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Member of the Audit Committee. |
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Member of the Compensation Committee. |
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Member of the Nomination and Governance Committee. |
Mr. Clemons joined the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 1988 and
became Chairman of the Board in April 1991. Mr. Clemons was President of Caremark, Inc., the
then-largest home intravenous therapy company in the United States, from May 1985 to September
1987, at which time the company was purchased by Baxter International, Inc. From 1981 to 1985, Mr.
Clemons was President of INTRACORP, a medical management company and subsidiary of CIGNA
Corporation. Mr. Clemons has 28 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance industries.
Mr. Hamerslag has served as a director of the Company since May 1991. Mr. Hamerslag has been
Managing Director of Titan Investment Partners, a venture capital firm, since November 2002. Mr.
Hamerslag served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of publicly held J2Global
Communications, a unified communication services company, from June 1999 until January 2001. Mr.
Hamerslag served as the CEO of publicly held MTI Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of
enterprise storage solutions, from 1987 to 1996.
Mr. Hoops has served as a director of the Company since May 2003. Mr. Hoops has been Chairman of
Benu, Inc., a regional benefits administration/marketing company since 2000, and Chairman of
Enwisen, Inc., a human resources services software company since 2001. Mr. Hoops was Chief
Executive Officer and a Director from 1993 to 2000, of Pacificare Health Systems, Inc., a national
health consumer services company. Mr. Hoops has 32 years of experience in the healthcare and
managed care industries.
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Mr. Jessup has served as a director of the Company since August 1997. Mr. Jessup has been Chief
Executive Officer of U.S. LABS since April 2002. U.S. LABS is a national laboratory which provides
cancer diagnostic and genetic testing services. Mr. Jessup was President of the HMO Division of
FHP International Corporation, a diversified health care services company, from 1994 to 1996. From
1987 to 1994, Mr. Jessup was President of TakeCare, Inc., a publicly traded HMO operating in
California, Colorado, Illinois and Ohio, until it was acquired by FHP. Mr. Jessup has 31 years of
experience in the healthcare and managed care industries. Mr. Jessup has been a director of
Pacific Dental Benefits, a dental HMO, since November 1997, a director of U.S. LABS since May 1998,
and a director of NovaMed Eyecare Services since August 1998.
Mr. Michael has served as a director of the Company since September 1990. Mr. Michael has been the
President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Corstar Holdings, Inc., one of the Companys
significant stockholders and a holding company owning businesses engaged in voice and data
connectivity and networking products and services, since March 1996. Mr. Michael has been a
director of Michael Foods, Inc., a food processing and distribution company formerly affiliated
with North Star (predecessor of Corstar Holdings), since April 1990.
There are no family relationships among any of the Companys directors or executive officers.
Corporate Governance, Board Composition and Board Committees
Independent Directors
The Board has determined that each of the Companys current directors other than Mr. Clemons
qualifies as an independent director in accordance with the published listing requirements of the
Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq). The Nasdaq independence definition includes a series of objective
tests, such as that the director is not also one of the Companys employees and has not engaged in
various types of business dealings with the Company. In addition, as further required by the Nasdaq
rules, the Board has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no
relationships exist which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of
independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these
determinations, the Companys directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the
directors and the Company with regard to each directors business and personal activities as they
may relate to the Company and the Companys management.
Board Structure and Committees
The Board has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nomination and
governance committee. The Board and its committees set schedules to meet throughout the year, and
also can hold special meetings and act by written consent from time to time as appropriate. The
independent directors of the Board also hold separate regularly scheduled executive session
meetings at least twice a year at which only independent directors are present. The Board has
delegated various responsibilities and authority to its committees as generally described below.
The committees will regularly report on their activities and actions to the full Board. Each member
of each committee of the Board qualifies as an independent director in accordance with the Nasdaq
standards described above. Each committee of the Board has a written charter approved by the Board.
A copy of each charter is posted on the Companys web site at http://www.corvel.com under the
Investor Relations section. The inclusion of the Companys web site address in this Proxy Statement
does not include or incorporate by reference the information on the Companys web site into this
Proxy Statement or the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, a copy of the charter of
the audit committee is included as Appendix A to the Companys definitive proxy statement for the
2004 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on
July 7, 2004.
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Audit Committee
The audit committee of the Board reviews and monitors the Companys corporate financial statements
and reporting and the Companys internal and external audits, including, among other things, the Companys
internal controls and audit functions, the results and scope of the annual audit and other services
provided by the Companys independent auditors and the Companys compliance with legal matters that
have a significant impact on the Companys financial statements. The Companys audit committee also
consults with the Companys management and the Companys independent auditors prior to the
presentation of financial statements to stockholders and, as appropriate, initiates inquiries into
aspects of the Companys financial affairs.
The Companys audit committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment
of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and for the
confidential, anonymous submission by the Companys employees of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters. In addition, the Companys audit committee is directly responsible
for the appointment, retention, compensation and oversight of the work of the Companys independent
auditors, including approving services and fee arrangements. All related party transactions are
approved by the Companys audit committee before the Company enters into them. The current members
of the Companys audit committee are Messrs. Hamerslag, Hoops and Jessup. Mr. Michael was a member
of the audit committee during fiscal year 2005 until his resignation from the audit committee on
May 6, 2004. The vacancy created on the audit committee by Mr. Michaels resignation was filled by
Mr. Hoops in May 2004. The audit committee held four meetings during fiscal 2005.
In addition to qualifying as independent under the Nasdaq rules described above, each member of the
Companys audit committee can read and has an understanding of fundamental financial statements,
and each member currently qualifies as independent under special standards established by the SEC
for members of audit committees. The Companys audit committee includes at least one member who has
been determined by the Board to meet the qualifications of an audit committee financial expert in
accordance with SEC rules. Mr. Hamerslag is the independent director who has been determined to be
an audit committee financial expert. Stockholders should understand that this designation is a
disclosure requirement of the SEC related to Mr. Hamerslags experience and understanding with
respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not impose on Mr.
Hamerslag any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than are generally imposed on him
as a member of the Companys audit committee and the Board, and his designation as an audit
committee financial expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations
or liability of any other member of the Companys audit committee or Board.
Compensation Committee
The compensation committee of the Board reviews and approves the Companys general
compensation policies and all forms of compensation to be provided to the Companys executive
officers and directors, including, among other things, annual salaries, bonuses, and stock option
and other incentive compensation arrangements. In addition, the Companys compensation committee
administers the CorVel Corporation 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the CorVel Corporation
Restated 1988 Executive Stock Option Plan, as amended (the Option Plan), including reviewing and
granting stock options. The Companys compensation committee also reviews and approves various
other of the Companys compensation policies and matters. The current members of the Companys
compensation committee are Messrs. Hamerslag, Hoops and Michael. The compensation committee held
four meetings during fiscal 2005.
Nomination and Governance Committee
The nomination and governance committee of the Board reviews and reports to the Board on a periodic
basis with regard to matters of corporate governance, and reviews, assesses and makes
recommendations on the effectiveness of the Companys corporate governance policies. In addition,
the nomination and governance committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding
the size and composition of the Board and the appropriate qualities and skills required of the
Companys directors in the context of the then current make-up of the Board.
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This includes an assessment of each candidates independence, personal and professional integrity,
financial literacy or other professional or business experience relevant to an understanding of the
Companys business, ability to think and act independently and with sound judgment, and ability to
serve the Companys and the Companys stockholders long-term interests. These factors, and others
as considered useful by the Companys nomination and governance committee, are reviewed in the
context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at a particular point in time. As a
result, the priorities and emphasis of the nomination and governance committee and of the Board may
change from time to time to take into account changes in business and other trends, and the
portfolio of skills and experience of current and prospective directors.
The nomination and governance committee leads the search for and selects, or recommends that the
Board select, candidates for election to the Board (subject to legal rights, if any, of third
parties to nominate or appoint directors). Consideration of new director candidates typically
involves a series of committee discussions, review of information concerning candidates and
interviews with selected candidates. Candidates for nomination to the Board typically have been
suggested by other members of the Board or by the Companys executive officers. From time to time,
the nomination and governance committee may engage the services of a third-party search firm to
identify director candidates. Each of the current nominees is standing for re-election at the
Annual Meeting. The nomination and governance committee selected these candidates and recommended
their nomination to the Board. The current members of the Companys nomination and governance
committee are Messrs. Hamerslag and Michael. The nomination and governance committee held one
meeting during fiscal 2005.
Although the nomination and governance committee does not have a formal policy on stockholder
nominations, it will consider candidates proposed by stockholders of any outstanding class of the
Companys capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors, provided such proposal is
in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Companys Bylaws and in the charter of the
nomination and governance committee. Nominations by such stockholders must be preceded by
notification in writing received by the Companys Secretary, at 2010 Main Street, Suite 600,
Irvine, California 92614, not less than sixty (60) days prior to any meeting of stockholders called
for the election of directors. Such notification shall contain the written consent of each
proposed nominee to serve as a director is so elected and the following information as to each
proposed nominee and as to each person, acting alone or in conjunction with one or more other
persons as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group, who participates or is
expected to participate in making such nomination or in organizing, directing or financing such
nomination or solicitation of proxies to vote for the nominee: (a) the name, age, residence,
address, and business address of each proposed nominee and of each such person; (b) the principal
occupation or employment, the name, type of business and address of the corporation or other
organization in which such employment is carried on of each proposed nominee and of each such
person; (c) the amount of the Companys stock owned beneficially, either directly or indirectly, by
each proposed nominee and each such person; and (d) a description of any arrangement or
understanding of each proposed nominee and of each such person with each other or any other person
regarding future employment or any future transaction to which the Company will or may be a party.
All such recommendations will be brought to the attention of the Companys nomination and
governance committee. Candidates proposed by stockholders will be evaluated by the Companys
nomination and governance committee using the same criteria as for all other candidates.
Board and Committee Meetings
The Board held four meetings during fiscal 2005. Each director attended or participated in 75% or
more of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board and (ii) the total number of
meetings held by all committees of the Board on which such director served during fiscal 2005.
Although the Company does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board at
the Companys annual meetings of stockholders, directors are encouraged and expected to attend each
of the Companys annual meetings of stockholders in addition to each meeting of the Board and of
the committees on which he or she serves. All of the Companys directors attended the Companys
2004 annual meeting of stockholders.
5
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
The Board has adopted a code of ethics and business conduct that applies to all of the Companys
employees, officers (including the Companys principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions) and
directors. The full text of the Companys code of ethics and business conduct is posted on the
Companys web site at http://www.corvel.com under the Investor Relations section. The Company
intends to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of the Companys code of ethics and
business conduct, or waivers of such provisions, applicable to the Companys directors and
executive officers (including the Companys principal executive officer, principal financial
officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions), at
the same location on the Companys web site identified above. The inclusion of the Companys web
site address in this proxy does not include or incorporate by reference the information on the
Companys web site into this proxy or the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
Communications from Stockholders to the Board
The Board has implemented a process by which stockholders may send written communications to the
attention of the Board, and committee of the Board or any individual Board member, care of the
Companys Secretary at 2010 Main Street, Suite 600, Irvine, CA 92614. This centralized process
will assist the Board in reviewing and responding to stockholder communications in an appropriate
manner. The name of any specific intended Board recipient should be noted in the communication.
The Companys Secretary, with the assistance of the Companys Director of Legal Services, will be
primarily responsible for collecting, organizing and monitoring communications from stockholders
and, where appropriate depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication,
providing copies of such communications to the intended recipients. Communications will be
forwarded to directors if they relate to appropriate and important substantive corporate or board
matters. Communications that are of a commercial or frivolous nature or otherwise inappropriate
for the Boards consideration will not be forwarded to the Board. Any communications not forwarded
to the Board will be retained for a period of three months and made available to any of the
Companys independent directors upon their general request to view such communications.
Compensation of Directors
Each non-employee director receives an amount equal to $2,000 for each Board meeting attended in
person, as well as reimbursement for all associated travel expenses. Other than the Chairman of
the Audit Committee, who in fiscal 2006 will begin receiving $1,000 for each Audit Committee
meeting attended, the directors do not receive fees for committee or telephonic meetings.
When an individual who has not previously been in the employ of the Company first becomes a
non-employee member of the Board, he or she will receive an automatic option grant for 15,000
shares of Common Stock under the Option Plan. In addition, on the date of each annual stockholders
meeting, each non-employee director who has served as a non-employee Board member for at least six
months, whether or not such individual has been in the prior employ of the Company, will be granted
an option to purchase 4,500 shares of Common Stock.
Accordingly, as a non-employee director who was re-elected at the 2004 annual meeting of
stockholders, each of Messrs. Hamerslag, Hoops, Jessup and Michael received an option to purchase
4,500 shares of Common Stock on August 5, 2004 (the date of the 2004 annual meeting of
stockholders), with an exercise price of $25.71, which was the fair market value of the Common
Stock on such date. In addition, each of Messrs. Hamerslag, Hoops, Jessup, and Michael will be
granted an option to purchase an additional 4,500 shares of Common Stock on August 4, 2005 (the
date of the Annual Meeting) at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock
on such date, provided such director is re-elected at the Annual Meeting, and maximum term of ten
years measured from the grant date. Each automatic grant will become exercisable in a series of
four equal and successive annual
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installments over the optionees period of Board service, with the first such installment to become
exercisable twelve months after the grant date.
Stockholder Approval
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes present or represented by proxy at the Annual
Meeting. The five nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes cast at the Annual
Meeting will be the elected directors of the Company.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE.
PROPOSAL TWO
AMENDMENTS TO 1991 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The Companys stockholders are being asked to approve amendments to the Companys 1991
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan) to (i) avoid compensation expense charges under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (SFAS 123(R)), for employee stock purchases pursuant to the Purchase Plan as
currently in effect, and (ii) increase the maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance over the term of the Purchase Plan from 750,000 shares to 950,000 shares.
The Purchase Plan became effective on October 1, 1991. It has been amended and restated on several
occasions. The amendments to the Purchase Plan for which stockholder approval is sought under this
Proposal were approved by the Board on May 5, 2005.
Proposed Amendments
SFAS 123(R)
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has adopted SFAS 123(R) regarding the expensing of
employee stock-based compensation, which requires companies to report the fair value of their
stock-based compensation. Although most of the attention regarding SFAS 123(R) has focused on
employee stock options, it also applies to employee stock purchase plans such as the Purchase Plan
and treats the purchase rights granted to employees under such plans as options that must be so
valued.
The Purchase Plan as currently in effect provides that the purchase price of the Companys Common
Stock acquired at the end of each purchase period is equal to the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair
market value per share of Common Stock on the date on which such purchase right is granted or (ii)
85% of the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the date on which the purchase right is
exercised. Accordingly, employees are currently afforded a 15% discount on the fair market value
of the Companys Common Stock, and further given the benefit of looking back and using the fair
market value of the Companys Common Stock on the date their purchase right was granted if lower
than the fair market value of the Companys Common Stock on the date they exercise their purchase
right, which is the last day of the purchase period.
To avoid compensation expense charges under SFAS 123(R), the Company needs to change the way the
purchase price is determined and the discount on fair market value that is provided. Accordingly,
the Company must sell its Common Stock under the Purchase Plan to participants based only on the
fair market value of the Common Stock as of the end of the purchase period in order to eliminate
the look back to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the purchase right was
granted. In addition, there can only be a maximum discount of 5% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock. Under the proposed amendment, the purchase price for the Companys
7
Common Stock under the Purchase Plan will be 95% of the fair market value of the Companys Common
Stock on the last day of the purchase period.
Increase in Shares Reserved for Issuance under the Purchase Plan
The Company currently has 750,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Purchase
Plan. However, as of June 1, 2005, 715,733 shares of Common Stock have been issued under the
Purchase Plan and only 34,267 shares were available for issuance. Consequently, the Company has
few shares available for existing and future employees. As of June 1, 2005, the Company had
9,909,417 shares of Common Stock outstanding. The future issuance of additional shares of Common
Stock pursuant to the Purchase Plan will have the effect of diluting the ownership interest of
existing stockholders; however, the Board believes that the issuance of stock under the Purchase
Plan is an effective compensation tool from both a perspective of remuneration as well as
retention.
Description of the Purchase Plan as Amended
The following is a summary of the terms and provisions of the Purchase Plan, including the
amendments which will become effective upon stockholder approval of this Proposal. This summary,
however, does not purport to be a complete description of the Purchase Plan. Copies of the actual
plan document may be obtained by any stockholder upon written request to the Corporate Secretary at
the Companys executive offices at 2010 Main Street, Suite 600, Irvine, CA 92614.
Purpose
The purpose of the Purchase Plan is to provide eligible employees of the Company and its
participating subsidiaries with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company
through participation in a plan intended to qualify for the favorable tax benefits afforded
employee stock purchase plans under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the Code).
Administration
The Purchase Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has
full authority to adopt administrative rules and procedures and to interpret the provisions of the
Purchase Plan. All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Purchase Plan will be
paid by the Company without charge to participants.
Shares Subject to the Purchase Plan
The maximum number of shares that may be issued over the term of the Purchase Plan is 950,000
shares. The Common Stock purchasable under the Purchase Plan may be either shares newly-issued by
the Company or shares reacquired by the Company, including shares purchase on the open market. As
of June 1, 2005, 715,733 shares of Common Stock have been issued under the Purchase Plan.
In the event any change is made to the Common Stock (whether by reason of recapitalization, stock
dividend, stock split, combination of share, or other similar change in corporate structure
effected without receipt of consideration), appropriate adjustments will be make to (i) the class
and maximum number of shares issuable over the term of the Purchase Plan, (ii) the class and
maximum number of shares purchasable per participant under any outstanding purchase right and (iii)
the class and number of shares purchasable and the price per outstanding purchase right.
Eligibility and Participation
Any individual who is customarily employed by the Company or a participating subsidiary for more
than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year will be eligible to participate
in the Purchase Plan. However,
8
employees of the Company who are deemed to be Highly Compensated Employees under Code Section
414(q) will not be eligible to participate in the Purchase Plan for one or more purchase periods
if, on the first day of any such purchase period, they hold unvested options under the Option Plan
to purchase more than 30,000 shares of Common Stock. An individual who is eligible to participate
in the Purchase Plan on the first day of a purchase period may join at the time.
As of June 1, 2005, approximately 2,900 employees, including one executive officer, were eligible
to participate in the Purchase Plan.
Purchase Period
Each purchase period under the Purchase Plan will be six calendar months long. Purchase periods
being on the first day of April and October each year. Each participant has a separate purchase
right for each purchase in which he or she participates. The purchase right is granted on the
first business day of the purchase period and will be automatically exercised on the last business
day of the purchase period.
Purchase Price
The purchase price of the Common Stock acquired at the end of each purchase period will equal 95%
of the fair market value per share of Common Stock on the last day of the purchase period.
The fair market value of the Common Stock on any relevant date will be the closing selling price
per share on such date as reported on the National Market and published in The Wall Street Journal.
The closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on May 31, 2005,
was $26.54 per share.
Purchase Rights; Stock Purchases
Each participant may authorize periodic payroll deductions in any multiple of $10.00, up to a
dollar maximum not in excess of 20% of his or her base pay each purchase period to be applied
toward the purchase of shares of Common Stock under the Purchase Plan. Base pay includes the
participants regular salary or wages, plus the commissions received during the purchase period,
plus any pre-tax contributions made by such individual to the Companys Section 401 (k) Plan, but
excludes overtime, bonuses and other incentive-type payments.
On the last business day of each purchase period, the payroll deductions of each participant are
automatically applied to the purchase of whole shares of Common Stock at the purchase price in
effect for that purchase period. Any amount remaining in the Participants account after
purchasing whole shares shall be refunded to the participant at the end of each purchase period.
Special Limitations
The Purchase Plan imposes certain limitations upon a participants rights to acquire Common Stock,
including the following limitations:
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|
|
Purchase rights may not be granted to any individual who would, immediately after the
grant, own stock (including stock purchasable under any outstanding purchase rights) or
hold outstanding options or other rights possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting
power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary. |
|
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|
|
No participants may purchase more than 1,000 shares of Common Stock during one purchase
period. |
|
|
|
|
Purchase rights granted to a participant may not permit such individual to purchase more
than $25,000 worth of Common Stock (valued at the time each purchase right is granted)
during any one calendar year. |
9
Termination of Purchase Rights
The purchase right of a participant will terminate if the participant ceases to be eligible to
participate. Any payroll deductions which the participant may have made with respect to the
terminated purchase right will be refunded. If the participant withdraws from the Purchase Plan or
ceases active employment during the purchase period by reason of disability, death, or leave of
absence, the participant (or the personal representative of his estate) will be refunded
any payroll deductions already made in that purchase period or may have the right to elect to have
such payroll deductions applied to the purchase of Common Stock at the end of that purchase period.
Stockholder Rights
No participant will have any stockholder rights with respect to the shares covered by his or her
purchase rights until shares are actually purchased on the participants behalf. No Adjustments
will be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the
date of such purchase.
Assignability
No Purchase right will be assignable or transferable by participant, except by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution, and the purchase rights will be exercisable only by the participant.
Merger or Liquidation of Company
In event the Company or its stockholders enter into an agreement to dispose of all or substantially
all of the assets or outstanding capital stock of the Company means of a sale, merger or
reorganizations ( other than a reorganization effected primarily to change the state in which the
Company is incorporated) or in the event the Company is liquidated, all outstanding purchase rights
will automatically be exercised immediately prior to the effective date of such sale, merger,
reorganization or liquidation, by applying all payroll deductions previously collected from
participants during the purchase period of such transaction toward the purchase of whole shares of
Common Stock (subject to the Special Limitations discussed above).
Amendment and Termination
The Board may from time to time alter, amend, suspend or discontinue the provisions of the Purchase
Plan provided such charges are effective following the close of a purchase period. Currently, the
Board may not, without stockholder approval, (1) materially increase the number of shares issuable
under the Purchase Plan, or maximum number of shares which any participant may purchase during a
single period except in connection with certain changes in the Companys capital structure, (2)
alter the purchase price formula so as to reduce the purchase price, (3) materially increase the
benefits accruing to participants or (4) materially modify the requirements for eligibility to
participate in the Purchase Plan. Assuming stockholder approval of this Proposal is obtained, the
Board will not be able to amend the Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares issuable under
the Purchase Plan or modify the requirements for eligibility to participate in the Purchase Plan
without first obtaining the approval of the Companys stockholders.
The Purchase Plan will terminate upon the earliest of (a) September 30, 2011, (b) the date on which
all shares available for issuance thereunder are sold pursuant to exercised purchase rights, (c)
the date on which all purchase rights are exercised in connection with change in control, or (d)
termination by the Board.
Federal Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of the federal income tax aspects of the share purchase rights
under the Purchase Plan based upon federal income tax laws in effect on the date of this proxy
statement. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not describe foreign, state or
local tax consequences.
10
The Purchase Plan, and the right of participants to make purchases of the Companys Common Stock
pursuant to the Purchase Plan, are intended to be eligible for the favorable tax treatment provided
by Sections 421 and 423 of the Code. There are no tax deductions available for amounts paid by
participants to acquire shares under the Purchase Plan. A participant will realize no income upon
the grant of the share purchase rights or upon the purchase of Common Stock under the Purchase
Plan, and the Company will not be entitled to any deduction at the time of grant of the rights or
purchase of the shares. Taxable income will not be recognized until there is a sale or other
disposition of the shares acquired under the Purchase Plan or in the event the participant should
die while still owning the purchased shares.
The amount of a participants tax liability upon disposition of the shares acquired will depend on
whether or not the participant satisfies the prescribed holding period as summarized below. If the
participant holds the shares purchased for the prescribed holding period of two years from the
grant of the share purchase right and one year from the purchase date, then upon disposition of
shares the Company will receive no deduction and the participant will recognize:
|
|
|
ordinary income on the lesser of the participants gain on the sale or the purchase
price discount under the Purchase Plan, applied to the fair market value of the shares at
the first day of the offering period; and |
|
|
|
|
long-term capital gain (or loss) on the difference between the sale price and the sum of
the purchase price and any ordinary income recognized on the disposition. |
However, consequences for both the Company and the participant would differ if the participant did
not satisfy the prescribed holding period described above. In the event that the shares are sold or
disposed of (including by way of gift) before the expiration of the prescribed holding periods, the
excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date such shares are purchased over the
purchase price of such shares will be treated as ordinary income to the participant. This excess
will constitute ordinary income in the year of sale or other disposition even if no gain is
realized on the sale or a gratuitous transfer of the shares is made. The balance of any gain will
be treated as capital gain and will be treated as long-term capital gain if the shares have been
held more than one year. Even if the shares are sold for less than their fair market value on the
date the shares are purchased, the same amount of ordinary income is attributed to a participant
and a capital loss is recognized equal to the difference between the sales price and the value of
the shares on such date of purchase. The Company ordinarily will be allowed a tax deduction at the
time and in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the participant.
If the participant still owns the purchased shares at the time of death, the excess difference of
the fair market value of the shares on the date of death over the purchase price of such shares
will be treated as ordinary income in the year of death. The Company ordinarily will be allowed a
tax deduction at the time and in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the participant.
Accounting Treatment
Under present accounting principles, the issuance of Common Stock under the Purchase Plan will not
result in any charge to the Companys earnings. However, the Company must disclose in pro-forma
statements to the Companys financial statements, the impact the purchase rights granted under the
Purchase Plan would have on the Companys reported earnings were the value of those purchase rights
treated as a compensation expense.
Plan Benefits
No current executive officer or director purchased shares of Common Stock under the Purchase Plan
during the period from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005 (the most recent purchase date). During the
same time period, all employees as a group (721 persons) purchased 48,883 shares of Common Stock
under the Purchase Plan with an average weighted purchase price of $21.33. The Company cannot
currently determine the exact number of purchase rights to be granted in the future under the
Purchase Plan to its Named Executive Officers (as such term is
11
defined below under the caption Executive Compensation), to all executive officers as a group, to
all directors who are not executive officers as a group or to all employees as a group.
Stockholder Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy at
the Annual Meeting is required for approval of the amendments to the Purchase Plan.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENTS TO THE PURCHASE PLAN.
PROPOSAL THREE
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Companys stockholders are being asked to ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP
to serve as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
Stockholder ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Companys
independent auditors is not required by the Companys Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board is
submitting the Audit Committees appointment of Grant Thornton LLP to the stockholders for
ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the
appointment by an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock present or
represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, the Audit Committee may reconsider whether to
retain Grant Thornton LLP as the Companys independent auditors. Even if the appointment is
ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different
independent accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would
be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.
Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP attended or participated by telephone in all
meetings of the Audit Committee during fiscal 2005. The Audit Committee pre-approves and reviews
audit and permissible non-audit services performed by Grant Thornton LLP as well as the fees
charged by Grant Thornton LLP for such services. In its pre-approval and review of
permissible non-audit service fees, the Audit Committee considers, among other factors, the
possible effect of the performance of such services on the auditors independence. Under certain de
minimis circumstances described in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC), the Audit Committee may approve permissible non-audit services prior to the
completion of the audit in lieu of pre-approving such services. In recent years, the Company has
not obtained any non-audit services from Grant Thornton LLP that are prohibited under the
rules and regulations of the SEC.
The Company expects that representatives of Grant Thornton LLP will attend the Annual
Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions posed by stockholders.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit Fees. Audit fees include the audit of the Companys annual financial statements, review of
financial statements included in the Companys Form 10-Q quarterly reports, and services that are
normally provided by Grant Thornton LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory
filings or engagements for the relevant fiscal years. Audit fees billed by Grant Thornton
LLP for services rendered to the Company in the audit of annual financial statements and
the reviews of the financial statements included in the Companys Forms 10-Q were approximately
$262,085 for the 2005 fiscal year and $136,000 for the 2004 fiscal year.
12
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees consist of assurance and related services provided by Grant
Thornton LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the
Companys financial statements and are not reported above under Audit Fees.
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Fiscal 2005 |
|
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Audit of the financial statements of CorVel Incentives Savings Plan |
|
$ |
12,500 |
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Fiscal 2004 |
|
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Audit of the financial statements of CorVel Incentives Savings Plan |
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$ |
10,000 |
|
Tax Fees. Tax fees consist of professional services rendered by Grant Thornton LLP for
tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The Company engaged Grant Thornton LLP to
perform the following tax services for the fiscal year 2005 and fiscal year 2004:
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Fiscal 2005 |
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Preparation of Forms 5500 and tax consulting services |
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$ |
15,505 |
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Fiscal 2004 |
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Preparation of Forms 5500 and tax consulting services |
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$ |
12,154 |
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All Other Fees. There were no such services rendered by Grant Thornton LLP during the fiscal year
2005 or fiscal year 2004.
The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of the above non-audit services by Grant
Thornton LLP was compatible with their maintenance of accountant independence.
Stockholder Approval
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock present or represented by
proxy at the Annual Meeting is being sought for ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton
LLP as the Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP AS
THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2006.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If any
other matter is properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the
proxies will be voted by the persons named therein in accordance with the Board of Directors
recommendation. Discretionary authority with respect to such other matters is granted by the
execution of the enclosed proxy.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company as of May 31, 2005, with
respect to beneficial ownership of Common Stock by (i) each person (or group of affiliated persons)
who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii)
each director and/or nominee for director, (iii) the Named Executive Officers (named under the
heading Executive Compensation below), and (iv) all current directors and executive officers as a
group, together with the approximate percentages of outstanding Common Stock beneficially owned by
each of them. The following table is based upon information supplied by directors, executive
officers and principal stockholders, and Schedules 13D and 13G filed with the SEC. Except as
13
otherwise noted, the persons named in the following table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws
where applicable.
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Name and Address of |
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Amount of Common |
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Percentage of Common |
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Beneficial Owner |
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Stock Beneficially Owned |
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Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
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Jeffrey J. Michael |
|
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2,963,658 |
(2) |
|
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29.8 |
% |
10901 Red Circle Drive, Suite 370
Minnentonka, MN 55343 |
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Corstar Holdings, Inc. |
|
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2,890,000 |
|
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29 |
% |
10901 Red Circle Drive, Suite 370
Minnentonka, MN 55343 |
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FMR Corporation |
|
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1,424,863 |
(3) |
|
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14.4 |
% |
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109 |
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V. Gordon Clemons |
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1,134,679 |
(4) |
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11.4 |
% |
2010 Main Street, Suite 600
Irvine, CA 92614 |
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Wellington Management Company, LLP |
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737,696 |
(5) |
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7.4 |
% |
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109 |
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Kestrel Investment Management Corporation |
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597,050 |
(6) |
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6.0 |
% |
Abbott J. Keller, David J. Steirman
411 Borel Avenue, Suite 403
San Mateo, CA 94402 |
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Babson Capital Management LLP |
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577,350 |
(7) |
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5.8 |
% |
One Memorial Drive
Combridge, MA 02142 |
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Eaton Vance Corp. |
|
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552,050 |
(8) |
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5.6 |
% |
255 State Street
Boston, MA 02109 |
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Steven J. Hamerslag |
|
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68,250 |
(9) |
|
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* |
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|
|
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|
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R. Judd Jessup |
|
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68,050 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
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|
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Peter E. Flynn |
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52,525 |
(11) |
|
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* |
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|
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Richard J. Schweppe |
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37,170 |
(12) |
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* |
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Alan R. Hoops |
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8,625 |
(13) |
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* |
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All current executive officers and directors as
a group (7 individuals) |
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4,338, 926 |
(14) |
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42.3 |
% |
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* |
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Less than 1% |
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(1) |
|
Applicable percentage ownership is based on 9,914,003 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
May 31, 2005, which excludes a total of 6,482,913 shares repurchased by the Company in accordance
with the Stock Repurchase Program and held by the Company in its treasury. Any securities not
outstanding but which are subject to options exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2005, are deemed
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of outstanding Common Stock beneficially
owned by any person holding such options but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by any other person. |
14
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(2) |
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Includes 2,890,000 shares owned by Corstar, 39,908 shares owned directly by Mr. Michael, a
director of Corstar and the Company, and 33,750 shares subject to options held by Mr. Michael that
are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2005. Mr. Michael is the President, Chief Executive
Officer and a director of Corstar. In addition, Mr. Michael is the trustee of the Michael Family
Grantor Trust (formerly Michael Acquisition Corporation Trust), which is the sole shareholder of
Corstar. Based on the foregoing, Mr. Michael may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the
shares of Common Stock of the Company held by Corstar. Mr. Michael disclaims such beneficial
ownership except to the extent of any indirect pecuniary interest therein. |
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(3) |
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According to the Schedule 13G of Fidelity Management & Research Company (Fidelity) dated
February 14, 2005, Fidelity is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp.. Edward C. Johnson, FMR
Corp., through its control of Fidelity, and the funds each have sole power to dispose the shares,
while power to vote the shares resides in the Funds Board of Trustees. |
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(4) |
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Includes 1,104,679 shares owned by Mr. Clemons directly, and 30,000 shares subject to options
that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2005. |
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(5) |
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According to Schedule 13G of Wellington Management Company (Wellington) dated February 14,
2005, Wellington shares investment power, along with its clients, with respect to the shares. |
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(6) |
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According to the Schedule 13G of Kestrel Investment Management Corporation (Kestrel)
dated February 14, 2005, Abbott J. Keller and David J. Steirman are the sole shareholders of
Kestrel, with sole investment power with respect to the shares. |
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(7) |
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According to Schedule 13G of Babson Capital Management, LLP (Babson) dated January 20, 2005,
Babson, in its capacity as investment advisor, shares investment power along with its clients with
respect to the shares. |
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(8) |
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According to Schedule 13G of Eaton Vance Corp. (Eaton) dated February 14, 2005, Eaton has
sole investment power with respect to the shares. |
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(9) |
|
Includes 43,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Hamerslag and 24,750 shares subject to options
that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2004. |
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(10) |
|
Includes 41,900 shares owned directly by Mr. Jessup and 26,850 shares subject to options that
are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2004. |
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(11) |
|
Includes 14,900 shares owned directly by Mr. Flynn, 14,000 shares owned by Mr. Flynns spouse
(Mr. Flynn disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of any applicable
community property laws.) and 900 shares owned indirectly by Mr. Flynn as custodian for his
children, and 43,594 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2005. |
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(12) |
|
Includes 22,791 shares owned directly by Mr. Schweppe and 14,379 shares subject to options
that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31, 2004. |
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(13) |
|
Consists of 8,625 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 31,
2005. |
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(14) |
|
Includes the information set forth in notes 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 above. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of March 31, 2005, with respect to the shares of Common
Stock of the Company that may be issued under the Companys existing equity compensation plans.
The Company has not assumed any equity compensation plans in connection with any mergers or
acquisitions.
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A |
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Number of Securities Remaining |
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Available for Future Issuance |
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Number of Securities to be |
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Weighted Average |
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Under Equity Compensation |
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Issued Upon Exercise of |
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|
Exercise Price of |
|
|
Plans (Excluding Securities |
|
Plan Category |
|
Outstanding Options |
|
|
Outstanding Options |
|
|
Reflected in Column A) |
|
Equity
Compensation Plans
Approved by
Shareholders (1) |
|
|
969,887 |
(2) |
|
$ |
25.29 |
|
|
|
667,134 |
(3) |
Equity
Compensation Plans
Not Approved by
Shareholders |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Total |
|
|
969,887 |
|
|
$ |
25.29 |
|
|
|
667,134 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists solely of the 1988 Executive Stock Option Plan and the 1991 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan. |
|
(2) |
|
Excludes purchase rights accruing under the Companys 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which
has a stockholder approved reserve of 750,000 shares. Under the Purchase Plan, each eligible
employee may purchase up to 1,500 shares of Common Stock of the Company at semi-annual intervals on
the last business day of March and September each year at a purchase price per share equal to 85%
of the lower of (i) the fair market value of a share of Common Stock of the Company on the date on
which the purchase right is granted or (ii) the fair market value of a share of Common Stock of the
Company on the date the purchase right is exercised. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes shares available for future issuance under the 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As
of March 31, 2005, an aggregate of 34,267 shares of Common Stock of the Company were available for
issuance under the 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
15
Share issuances under the 1988 Executive Stock Option Plan will not reduce or otherwise affect
the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company available for issuance under the 1991 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, and share issuances under 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan will not reduce or
otherwise affect the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company available for issuance under
the 1988 Executive Stock Option Plan.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table set forth certain information regarding the directors and executive officers of
the Company as of May 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
V. Gordon Clemons |
|
61 |
|
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Steven J. Hamerslag |
|
48 |
|
Director |
Alan R. Hoops |
|
57 |
|
Director |
R. Judd Jessup |
|
57 |
|
Director |
Jeffrey J. Michael |
|
48 |
|
Director |
Richard J. Schweppe |
|
50 |
|
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
The following is a brief description of the capacities in which each of the Companys directors and
executive officers has served during the past five years. The biographies of Messrs. Clemons,
Hamerslag, Hoops, Jessup and Michael appear earlier in this Proxy Statement and are incorporated
here by reference. See Proposal One: Election of Directors.
Mr. Schweppe has been the Companys Chief Financial Officer since April 1991 and Secretary since
June 1995. From March 1988 to April 1991, Mr. Schweppe was the Director of Finance for the
Company. From May 1983 to February 1988, Mr. Schweppe was the Manager, Technical Accounting for
Caremark, Inc.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Companys officers
and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Companys equity
securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers,
directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company
with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations
from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, the Company
believes that, during fiscal year 2005, all transactions required to be reported by its officers,
directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were reported in a timely manner, except as
described below.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Messrs. Hamerslag, Hoops and Michael served as members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal
year 2005. Mr. Michael is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Corstar Holdings, Inc., a
beneficial owner of more than 10% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company. No member of the
Compensation Committee was, during fiscal 2005, an employee or officer of the Company or was
formerly an officer of the Company.
During fiscal 2005, no current executive officer of the Company served as a member of the board of
directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has or had one or more executive
officers serving as a member of the Companys Board or Compensation Committee.
16
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation earned by the Companys Chief Executive Officer and
each of the other executive officers, whose total salary and bonus for fiscal year 2005 exceeded
$100,000, for the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003. The listed individuals
shall be referred to in this Proxy Statement as the Named Executive Officers. No other executive
officers who would otherwise have been included in such table on the basis of salary and bonus
earned for the 2005 fiscal year has been excluded by reason of termination of employment or change
in executive status during fiscal year 2005.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
|
Long-Term Compensation |
|
Name of Individual |
|
Fiscal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Underlying |
|
|
All Other |
|
and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary(1) |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Options Granted |
|
|
Compensation(3) |
|
V. Gordon Clemons |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
350,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
546 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
291,938 |
(2) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
652 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
350,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Schweppe |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
122,254 |
|
|
$ |
14,697 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
$ |
393 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
120,000 |
|
|
$ |
21,565 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
$ |
435 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
115,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,163 |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
$ |
593 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter E. Flynn (4) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
137,964 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
2,600 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
V.P., Business Development |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
137,500 |
|
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
|
|
8,500 |
|
|
$ |
566 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes employee contributions to the Companys Section 401(k) Plan. |
|
(2) |
|
In fiscal 2004, Mr. Clemons agreed to reduce his salary due to market conditions. As of April
16, 2004, Mr. Clemons salary was restored to its full level. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents matching contributions by the Company to the Companys Section 401(k) Plan and
annual premiums paid by the Company for the purchase of group term life insurance in an amount
equal to each executive officers annual salary as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company Contributions to |
|
|
Company-Paid Life |
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
|
Section 401(k) Plan |
|
|
Insurance Premiums |
|
V. Gordon Clemons |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
546 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
337 |
|
|
$ |
315 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
683 |
|
|
$ |
431 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J. Schweppe |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
393 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
284 |
|
|
$ |
151 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
451 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter E. Flynn |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
392 |
|
|
$ |
174 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Flynn resigned as V.P., Business Development, on November 20, 2004. |
17
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
The following table provides information with respect to stock option grants made during fiscal
year 2005 to the Named Executive Officers. No options were granted to Mr. Clemons during fiscal
year 2005. Except for the limited stock appreciation rights described in footnote 1 below the
table, no stock appreciation rights were granted during such fiscal year to the Named Executive
Officers.
Option Grants In Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable |
|
|
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value at Assumed |
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted to |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Rate of Stock Price |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Grant |
|
|
Employees in |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Expiration |
|
|
Appreciation for Option Term |
|
Name |
|
Granted (1) |
|
|
Date |
|
|
Fiscal Year(2) |
|
|
($/Share)(3) |
|
|
Date |
|
|
5% (4) |
|
|
10% (4) |
|
Peter E. Flynn |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
6/10/04 |
|
|
|
1.53 |
% |
|
$ |
26.02 |
|
|
|
6/10/09 |
|
|
$ |
14,378 |
|
|
$ |
31,771 |
|
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
8/5/04 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
% |
|
$ |
25.71 |
|
|
|
8/5/09 |
|
|
$ |
4,262 |
|
|
$ |
9,418 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard J.
Schweppe |
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
6/10/04 |
|
|
|
0.38 |
% |
|
$ |
26.02 |
|
|
|
6/10/09 |
|
|
$ |
3,594 |
|
|
|
7,943 |
|
|
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
8/05/04 |
|
|
|
0.38 |
% |
|
$ |
25.71 |
|
|
|
8/5/09 |
|
|
$ |
3,552 |
|
|
$ |
7,848 |
|
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
3/03/05 |
|
|
|
0.76 |
% |
|
$ |
21.14 |
|
|
|
3/03/10 |
|
|
$ |
5,841 |
|
|
$ |
12,906 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Each option will become exercisable for 25% of the option shares one year from the grant
date and thereafter the remaining shares become exercisable in 36 equal monthly installments. To
the extent not already exercisable, the options become exercisable upon (a) a sale of assets, (b) a
merger in which the Company does not survive or (c) a reverse merger in which the Company survives
but ownership of 50% or more of the voting power of the Companys stock is transferred, unless the
option is assumed or replaced with a comparable option by the successor corporation. The options
are also subject to limited stock appreciation rights pursuant to which the options, to the
extent exercisable at the time a hostile tender offer occurs, will automatically be canceled in
return for a cash payment equal to the tender-offer price minus the exercise price multiplied by
the number of shares for which the option was exercisable. Each option has a maximum term of five
years subject to earlier termination in the event of the optionees cessation of employment with
the Company. |
|
(2) |
|
The Company granted options to employees to purchase a total of 145,750 shares of Common Stock
during fiscal year 2005. |
|
(3) |
|
The exercise price is equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the grant date and
may be paid in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at fair market value on the exercise date or
through a cashless exercise procedure involving a same-day sale of the purchased shares. For
employees who are not executive officers or directors, the Company also may finance the option
exercise by loaning the optionee sufficient funds to pay the exercise price for the purchased
shares and the Federal and state income tax liability incurred by the optionee in connection with
such exercise. |
|
(4) |
|
The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of compounded stock price appreciation are mandated by the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent the Companys
estimate or projection of the future trading prices of the Companys common stock. Amounts
represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the respective options if exercised at the
end of the ten-year option term. These amounts represent assumed rates of appreciation in the value
of the Companys common stock from the fair market value on the date of grant. Actual gains, if
any, on stock option exercises are dependent on numerous factors, including the Companys future
performance, the future performance of the Companys common stock, overall business and stock
market conditions, and the option holders continued employment with the Company throughout the
entire vesting period and option term, which factors are not reflected in this table. The values
reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved. Potential realizable values are net of
exercise price, but before the payment of taxes associated with exercise. |
Stock Option Exercises and Holdings
The following table provides information with respect to the Named Executive Officer concerning the
exercise of options during the 2005 fiscal year and unexercised options held as of the end of such
fiscal year. No stock appreciation rights were exercised during the 2005 fiscal year and except
for the limited stock appreciation rights described in footnote 1 to the table above, no stock
appreciation rights were held by any Named Executive Officer at the end of such fiscal year.
18
Aggregated Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year
And Fiscal Year-End Option Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Options at Fiscal |
|
|
Net Value of Unexercised In-the-Money |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-End 2004 |
|
|
Options at Fiscal Year-End(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
acquired on |
|
|
Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
exercise |
|
|
Realized(2) |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
V. Gordon Clemons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,750 |
|
|
|
1,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter E. Flynn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,553 |
|
|
|
15,047 |
|
|
$ |
241,140.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Schweppe |
|
|
5,250 |
|
|
$ |
45,875.03 |
|
|
|
16,166 |
|
|
|
4,509 |
|
|
$ |
58,192.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
180 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The value of unexercised in-the-money options has been calculated based on multiplying the
number of shares underlying the options by the difference between the exercise price per share
payable upon exercise of the options and $21.32, the closing sales price of the Companys common
stock on the last trading day of the 2005 fiscal year. |
|
(2) |
|
The value realized upon option exercise has been calculated based on multiplying the number of
shares acquired on exercise of each respective option by the difference between the respective
exercise price per share paid upon exercise and the closing sales price of the Companys common
stock on the respective dates of exercise. |
Employment Agreements, Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements
On January 26, 1988, the Company and North Star entered into an employment agreement with Mr.
Clemons. The agreement became effective on February 15, 1988 and has an indefinite term. The
agreement initially provided Mr. Clemons with an annual salary of $250,000, payable in semi-monthly
installments. Mr. Clemons may terminate the agreement at any time on four months notice and the
Company may terminate the agreement at any time with or without cause. If Mr. Clemons is
terminated without cause, the Company is required to pay Mr. Clemons his salary for one year after
such termination, less any other employment compensation received by Mr. Clemons during such one
year period. The Compensation Committee approved an increase in Mr. Clemons annual salary to
$350,000, effective January 1, 2002.
The Company does not have any existing employment agreements with any other Named Executive
Officer.
In the event of a Corporate Transaction, each outstanding option granted under the Discretionary
Option Grant Program will automatically become exercisable as to all of the option shares
immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction. However, no acceleration
will occur if and to the extent: (a) such option is either to be assumed by the successor
corporation or parent thereof or replaced by a comparable option to purchase shares of the capital
stock of the successor corporation or parent thereof, (b) such option is to be replaced with a cash
incentive program of the successor corporation designed to preserve the option spread existing at
the time of the Corporate Transaction and incorporating the same vesting schedule applicable to the
option or (c) acceleration of such option is subject to other applicable limitations imposed by the
Compensation Committee at the time of grant.
The Compensation Committee, as the administrator of the Option Plan, has the authority to provide
for accelerated vesting of the shares of Common Stock subject to any outstanding options held by
any of the Named Executive Officers in connection with certain changes in control of the Company or
the subsequent termination of the officers employment following a change in control.
19
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT *
The Audit Committee carries out its responsibilities pursuant to its written charter, and the
members of the fiscal year 2005 Audit Committee have prepared and submitted this Audit Committee
report. Each Audit Committee member is considered independent because each member satisfies the
independence requirements for board members prescribed by the applicable rules of Nasdaq and Rule
10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Among other things, the Audit Committee oversees the Companys financial reporting process on
behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the
reporting process, including the system of internal control. In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed the Companys audited financial statements in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K with management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the
acceptability, of the accounting principles; the reasonableness of significant judgments; and the
clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
The Audit Committee also reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing
an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted
accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
Companys accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with audit
committees by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication With Audit Committees, as
amended. In addition, the audit committee discussed with the independent auditors their
independence from management and the Company; such discussions included matters in the written
disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions With
Audit Committees. Throughout the year and prior to the performance of any such services the Audit
Committee also considered the compatibility of potential non-audit services with the auditors
independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys independent auditors their overall approach, scope
and plans for the audit. At the conclusion of the audit, the Audit Committee met with the
independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their
examination, their evaluation of the Companys internal control and the overall quality of the
Companys financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee has also recommended the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as independent
auditors for the year ending March 31, 2006.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Steven J. Hamerslag
R. Judd Jessup
Jeffrey J. Michael (resigned May 2004)
Alan R. Hoops (joined May 2004)
|
|
|
* |
|
The material in this report is not
soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not
to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the 1933 Act
or the 1934 Act. |
20
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT *
The Compensation Committee administers the Companys executive compensation programs,
including the Option Plan. After the Compensation Committee determines the salaries of all elected
officers, including those of the Named Executive Officers, the full Board reviews those
determinations.
General Compensation Goals
The design and implementation of all executive compensation arrangements are based on certain goals
derived from Company values, business strategy and management requirements. These goals may be
summarized as follows:
|
|
Pay competitive salaries to attract, retain and motivate a highly
competent executive team essential to the long-term success of the
Company; |
|
|
|
Tie an individuals total compensation to individual and profit
center performance and the financial success of the Company; |
|
|
|
Reward executives for long-term corporate success by facilitating
their ability to acquire an ownership interest in the Company; and |
|
|
|
Align the financial interests of the executives and the stockholders. |
Factors
Several of the more important factors, which were considered in establishing the components of each
executive officers compensation package for the 2005 fiscal year are summarized below. Additional
factors were also taken into account, and the Compensation Committee may in its discretion apply
entirely different factors, particularly different measures of financial performance, in setting
executive compensation for future fiscal years. All compensation decisions will be designed to
further the general compensation goals indicated above.
Base Salaries
Base salaries are targeted to be moderate yet competitive in relation to salaries commanded by
those in similar positions with other companies in the same industry. The base salary for each
executive officer is reviewed annually and is set on the basis of personal performance, the
relative importance of the functions the officer performs, the scope of the officers ongoing
responsibilities, the salary levels in effect for comparable positions with the Companys principal
competitors, and internal equity considerations. The weight given to each of these factors varies
from individual to individual.
Annual Incentive Awards
Although the Company has a March 31 fiscal year end, it has calendar year budgets and annual
incentive plans which are based on the calendar year. Incentive awards to the Chief Executive
Officer and the other Named Executive Officers are shown in the Bonus column of the Summary
Compensation Table, which follows this report. Annual bonuses are designed to reward personal
contributions to the success of the Company and are earned under a structured formula that
considers the following factors:
Company Profit Center Financial Performance
Each profit center of the Company submits a proposed annual operating budget including annual
profit goals for review of and approval by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in
conjunction with ratification by the Compensation Committee. At the end of the calendar year, the
Compensation Committee evaluates actual financial performance against these targets and actual
revenue growth. The resulting performance
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* |
|
The material in this report is not
soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not
to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the 1933 Act
or the 1934 Act. |
21
evaluation dictates whether an increase or decrease in an executives normal incentive
compensation award is granted. For executive officers with operations responsibilities, the annual
incentive award can range from zero to 70% of base salary depending upon performance as compared to
budget. For executive officers with corporate staff responsibilities, such awards are based upon
departmental objectives.
Individual Performance
Each executive has some portion of his or her annual bonus measured against individual management
by objective goals (MBOs) established for that person. The maximum amount that any executive may
earn based on the MBO element is variable, with full achievement of MBOs resulting in a minimum 75%
payout and increasing up to 100% payout for achievement exceeding established MBOs. For executive
officers with operations responsibilities, this element comprises a lesser percentage of the annual
incentive award for the individual and for executive officers with corporate staff
responsibilities, it comprises a greater percentage of the annual incentive award.
Discretionary Awards
The Compensation Committee also has the discretion under extraordinary circumstances to award
bonuses based on a percentage of base salary.
Stock Options
Stock option grants accomplish the third and fourth compensation objectives: to motivate executive
officers to manage the business, to improve long-term Company performance and to align the
interests of executive officers and stockholders. Customarily, option grants are made with
exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the shares on the grant date and will be of no
value unless the market price of the Companys outstanding shares appreciates, thereby aligning a
substantial part of the executive officers compensation package with the return realized by the
stockholders. The option generally vests over a period of four years, contingent upon the
executive officers continued employment with the Company. Accordingly, the option will provide a
return to the executive officer only if the officer remains employed by the Company and the market
price of the underlying shares appreciates over the option term. The size of the option grant is
designed to create a meaningful opportunity for stock ownership and is based upon the individuals
current position with the Company, internal comparability with option grants made to other Company
executives and the individuals potential for future responsibility and promotion over the option
term. The Committee has established certain general guidelines in making option grants to the
executive officers in an attempt to target a fixed number of unvested option shares based upon the
individuals position with the Company and the officers existing holdings of unvested options.
However, the Compensation Committee does not adhere strictly to these guidelines and will
occasionally vary the size of the option grant made to each executive officer as circumstances
warrant.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
The annual base salary for the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Clemons, was established on
January 26, 1988, when the Company and North Star entered into an employment agreement with Mr.
Clemons. The agreement became effective on February 15, 1988 and has an indefinite term. The
agreement provides Mr. Clemons with an annual salary of $250,000, payable in semi-monthly
installments. Mr. Clemons may terminate the agreement at any time on four months notice and the
Company may terminate the agreement at any time with or without cause. If Mr. Clemons is
terminated without cause, the Company is required to pay Mr. Clemons his then-current salary for
one year after such termination, less any other employment compensation received by Mr. Clemons
during such one-year period. The Compensation Committee, exclusive of Mr. Clemons, approved an
increase in Mr. Clemons annual salary to $350,000, effective January 1, 2002. The Companys
financial performance had been consistently strong and Mr. Clemons salary had not been increased
in eleven years.
22
Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
Code Section 162(m) generally disallows a tax deduction to publicly-held corporations for
compensation paid to certain of the corporations executive officers to the extent that
compensation exceeds $1.0 million for any such officer in any one year. The limitation applies
only to compensation, which is not considered to be performance-based. The Option Plan is
structured so that any compensation deemed paid to an executive officer in connection with the
exercise of options with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
grant date that is granted by a committee comprised solely of outside directors will qualify as
performance-based compensation which will not be subject to the $1.0 million limitation. The
non-performance based compensation to be paid to the Companys executive officers for fiscal 2004
did not exceed the $1.0 million limit per officer, nor is it expected that the non-performance
based compensation to be paid to the Companys executive officers for fiscal 2005 will exceed that
limit. Because it is very unlikely that the cash compensation payable to any of the Companys
executive officers in the foreseeable future will approach the $1.0 million limit, the Compensation
Committee has decided at this time not to take any other action to limit or restructure the
elements of cash compensation payable to the Companys executive officers. The Compensation
Committee will reconsider this decision should the individual compensation of any executive officer
ever approach the $1.0 million level.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Steven J. Hamerslag
Alan R. Hoops
Jeffrey J. Michael
23
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH *
The graph depicted below shows a comparison of cumulative total stockholder returns for the
Company, the Nasdaq and the Nasdaq Health Services Index over a five year period beginning on March
31, 2000. The data depicted on the graph are as set forth in the chart below the graph. The graph
assumes that $100 was invested in the Companys Common Stock on March 31, 2000, and in each index,
and that all dividends were reinvested. No cash dividends have been paid or declared on the Common
Stock. Stockholder returns over the indicated period should not be considered indicative of future
stockholder returns.
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March 31, 2000 |
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March 31, 2001 |
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March 31, 2002 |
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March 31, 2003 |
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March 31, 2004 |
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March 31, 2005 |
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CorVel Corporation |
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100.00 |
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136.06 |
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172.19 |
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188.00 |
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208.89 |
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123.02 |
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Nasdaq |
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100.00 |
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40.03 |
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40.34 |
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29.61 |
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43.71 |
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44.00 |
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Nasdaq Health Services Index |
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100.00 |
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121.17 |
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148.98 |
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122.04 |
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209.07 |
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258.18 |
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CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
During fiscal year 2005, there was not any transaction or series of similar transactions to
which the Company was or is a party in which the amount involved exceeded or exceeds $60,000 and in
which any director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of any class of the Companys voting
securities, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have
a direct or indirect material interest.
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* |
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The material in this graph is not
soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not
to be incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the 1933 Act
or the 1934 Act. |
24
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
FOR THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING
A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005,
has been mailed to stockholders concurrently with this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report sent to
stockholders is not incorporated into this Proxy Statement, is not considered soliciting
material, is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not incorporated by reference in any filing of
the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Proposals from stockholders of the Company that are intended to be presented by such stockholders
at the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting and that such stockholders desire to have included in the
Companys proxy materials relating to the 2006 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no
later than March 3, 2006, which is 120 calendar days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date
for this years proxy materials. All stockholder proposals must be in compliance with applicable
laws and regulations.
If a stockholder wishes to present a proposal at the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting and the proposal
is not intended to be included in the Companys proxy statement relating to the 2006 Annual
Meeting, the stockholder must give notice of a proposal to the Company no less than 30 days and no
more than 60 days prior to the 2006 Annual Meeting. However, in the event that less than 40 days
notice of the date of the meeting is given, stockholder proposals intended for presentation at the
2006 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no later than the tenth day following the date
on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or publicly disclosed by the Company. If a
stockholder gives notice of such proposal after this deadline, the stockholder will not be
permitted to present the proposal to the stockholders for a vote at the meeting. All stockholder
proposals must be in the form required by the Companys Bylaws. If a stockholder gives notice of a
proposal after the 30th day prior to the 2006 Annual Meeting, the Companys proxy holders will be
allowed to use their discretionary voting authority to vote the shares they represent as the Board
may recommend, which may include a vote against the stockholder proposal when and if the proposal
is raised at the Companys 2006 Annual Meeting. The Company has not been notified by any
stockholder of his or her intent to present a stockholder proposal from the floor of the 2005
Annual Meeting. The enclosed Proxy grants the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote on any
matter properly brought before the 2005 Annual Meeting.
COSTS OF SOLICITATION
Proxies will be solicited by mail and by telephone by regular employees of the Company without
additional remuneration. The Company will request banks, brokerage houses and other institutions
to forward the soliciting material to persons for whom they hold shares and to obtain authorization
for the execution of proxies. The Company will reimburse banks, brokerage houses and other
institutions for their reasonable expenses in forwarding the Companys proxy materials to
beneficial owners of the Common Stock of the Company. All costs associated with the solicitation
of proxies, including the preparation, printing and mailing of this proxy statement and Proxy, will
be borne by the Company. Except as described above, the Company does not presently intend to
solicit proxies other than by mail.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Richard J. Schweppe
Secretary
August 17, 2005
Irvine, California
25
EXHIBIT A
CORVEL CORPORATION
1991 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
AS AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON
AUGUST 4, 2005
The CorVel Corporation 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated by the Board
of Directors on August 4, 2005 (the Plan), is intended to provide eligible employees of the
Company and one or more of its Corporate Affiliates with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary
interest in the Company through participation in a plan designed to qualify as an employee stock
purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code).
For purposes of administration of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
BASE SALARY means the regular base earnings paid to a Participant by one or more
Participating Companies during such individuals period of participation in the Plan, plus (i) one
hundred percent (100%) of the commissions paid to such individual during each purchase period in
which he or she participates in the Plan and (iii) any salary deferral contributions made by such
Participant to any Code Section 401(k) Plan of the Company or any Company Affiliate during such
period. There shall be excluded from the calculation of Base Salary (i) all overtime payments,
bonuses, profit-sharing distributions and other incentive-type payments and (ii) all contributions
(other than Code Section 401(k) contributions) made by the Company or its Corporate Affiliates for
such individuals benefit under any employee benefit or welfare plan now or hereafter established.
BOARD means the Board of Directors of the Company.
COMPANY means CorVel Corporation, a Delaware corporation1, and any corporate
successor to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of the Company that shall by
appropriate action adopt the Plan.
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1 |
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The Company was previously known as FORTIS
Corporation and assumed all of the rights and responsibilities of FORTIS
Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (FORTIS Minnesota),
with respect to the Plan pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger by
and between the Company and FORTIS Minnesota, effective May 16, 1991,
under which FORTIS Minnesota changed its state of incorporation from
Minnesota to Delaware by merging with and into the Company, which was a
wholly owned subsidiary of FORTIS Minnesota. |
CORPORATE AFFILIATE means any company that is either the parent corporation or a subsidiary
corporation of the Company (as determined in accordance with Section 424 of the Code), including
any parent or subsidiary corporation that becomes such after the Effective Date.
EFFECTIVE DATE means October 1, 1991; provided, however, that any Corporate Affiliate that
becomes a Participating Company in the Plan after October 1, 1991, shall designate a subsequent
Effective Date with respect to its employee-Participants.
ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE means any person who is regularly engaged, for a period of more than
twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months per calendar year, in the rendition of
personal services to the Company or any other Participating Company for earnings considered wages
under Section 3121(a) of the Code. However, employees of the Company who, at the start of any
purchase period under the Plan, (i) are deemed to be Highly Compensated Employees within the
meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code and (ii) hold unvested options to purchase more than 30,000
shares of Stock under the Companys Restated 1988 Executive Stock Option Plan shall not be treated
as Eligible Employees for that purchase period and shall accordingly be ineligible to participate
in the Plan for such period. A person shall not continue to be an Eligible Employee because of the
payment of compensation following termination of employment whether as part of a severance
agreement with the Company or otherwise.
FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Stock on any relevant date shall be determined in accordance
with the following provisions:
(a) If the Stock is at the time listed on the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per share of Stock on the
date in question, as such price is reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers on
the Nasdaq National Market or the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and published in The Wall Street Journal.
(b) If the Stock is at the time listed on any stock exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall
be the closing selling price per share of Stock on the date in question on the stock exchange
determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Stock, as such price is
officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange and published in The Wall
Street Journal.
(c) If the Stock is not listed on the Nasdaq National Market, Nasdaq SmallCap Market or a
national securities exchange, the Fair Market Value shall be the average of the closing bid and ask
prices of the Stock on that day as reported by the Nasdaq bulletin board or any comparable system
on that day.
(d) If the Stock is not traded included in the Nasdaq bulletin board or any comparable system,
the Fair Market Value shall be the of the closing bid and ask prices on that day as furnished by
any member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by
the Company for that purpose.
(e) If the date in question is not a trading day, then the Fair Market Value shall be
determined based on prices for the trading day prior to the date in question.
2
PARTICIPANT means any Eligible Employee of a Participating Company who is actively
participating in the Plan.
PARTICIPATING COMPANY means the Company and such Corporate Affiliate or Affiliates as may be
authorized from time to time by the Board to extend the benefits of the Plan to their Eligible
Employees. The Participating Companies in the Plan are listed in attached Schedule A.
PERMANENT DISABILITY OR PERMANENTLY DISABLED shall mean the inability of the Participant to
engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or
mental impairment expected to result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve months or
more.
STOCK means shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $.0001 per share.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the Committee) consisting of one or more
Board members appointed by the Board. Members of the Committee shall serve for such period of time
as the Board may determine and shall be subject to removal by the Board at any time.
(b) The Committee is hereby designated as the Plan Administrator and shall have full authority
to administer the Plan, including authority to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and
to adopt such rules and procedures for administering the Plan as it may deem necessary in order to
comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall
be final and binding on all parties who have an interest in the Plan.
(c) To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify each member of the
Committee and every other member of the Board, as well as any other employee with duties under the
Plan, against all liabilities and expenses (including any amount paid in settlement or in
satisfaction of a judgment) reasonably incurred by the individual in connection with any claims
against the individual by reason of the performance of the individuals duties under the Plan. This
indemnity shall not apply, however, if (i) it is in the action, lawsuit, or proceeding that the
individual is guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct in the performance of those
duties; or (ii) the individual fails to assist the Company in defending against any such claim.
The Company shall have the right to select counsel and to control the prosecution or defense of the
suit. The Company shall not be obligated to indemnify any individual for any amount incurred
through any settlement or compromise of any action unless the Company consents in writing to the
settlement or compromise.
(a) Stock shall be offered for purchase under the Plan through a series of successive purchase
periods until such time as (i) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance under
the Plan shall have been issued pursuant to purchase rights granted under the Plan or (ii) the Plan
shall have been sooner terminated in accordance with Article IX.
3
(b) Each purchase period shall have a duration of six (6) months. Purchase periods shall
commence on the first day of April and October.
(c) The Participant shall be granted a separate purchase right for each purchase period in
which he or she participates. The purchase right shall be granted on the first business day of the
purchase period and shall be automatically exercised on the last business day of the purchase
period.
(d) Under no circumstances shall any shares of Stock be issued hereunder, until such time as
the Company shall have complied with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, all applicable listing requirements of any securities exchange on which the Stock is
listed and all other applicable requirements established by law or regulation.
(e) The acquisition of Stock through participation in the Plan for any purchase period shall
neither limit nor require the acquisition of Stock by the Participant in any subsequent purchase
period.
V. |
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ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION |
(a) Each individual who is an Eligible Employee of a Participating Company on the first day of
any purchase period may begin participation in the Plan on the first day of any purchase period
following the commencement of his or her employment with the Company or any other Participating
Company.
(b) In order to participate in the Plan for a particular purchase period, an Eligible Employee
must complete the enrollment forms prescribed by the Plan Administrator (including a stock purchase
agreement and a payroll deduction authorization) and file such forms with the Plan Administrator
(or its designee) during the specified enrollment period for that purchase period.
(c) The payroll deduction authorized by a Participant for purposes of acquiring Stock under
the Plan may be any multiple of $10.00, up to a dollar maximum not in excess of 20% of the Base
Salary paid to the Participant during the purchase period. The deduction rate so authorized shall
continue in effect for the entire purchase period, unless the Participant shall, prior to the end
of the purchase period for which the purchase right is in effect, change the rate by filing the
appropriate form with the Plan Administrator (or its designee). The changed rate shall become
effective as soon as practicable following the filing of such form. Payroll deductions, however,
will automatically cease upon the termination of the Participants purchase right in accordance
with Section VII(d) or (e) below.
VI. |
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STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN |
(a) The Stock purchasable by Participants under the Plan shall, solely in the Boards
discretion, be made available from either authorized but unissued Stock or from reacquired Stock,
including shares of Stock purchased on the open market. The total number of shares that
4
may be
issued under the Plan shall not exceed 950,0002 shares (subject to adjustment
under subparagraph (b) below). If any outstanding purchase right is terminated for any reason prior
to its exercise, the shares allocable to the purchase right may again become subject to purchase
under the Plan.
(b) In the event any change is made to the Stock purchasable under the Plan by reason of any
stock dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, combination of shares,
recapitalization or other change affecting the outstanding Stock as a class without the Companys
receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Plan Administrator to (i)
the class and maximum number of shares issuable over the term of the Plan, (ii) the class and
maximum number of shares purchasable per Participant under any one purchase right, and (iii) the
class and number of shares and the price per share in effect under each purchase right at the time
outstanding under the Plan.
Each Eligible Employee who participates in the Plan for a particular purchase period shall
have the right to purchase Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth below and shall execute a
purchase agreement embodying such terms and conditions and such other provisions (not inconsistent
with the Plan) as the Plan Administrator may deem advisable.
(a) Purchase Price. The purchase price per share of Stock shall be 95% of the Fair
Market Value of a share of Stock on the date the purchase right is exercised.
(b) Number of Purchasable Shares.
(i) The number of shares of Stock purchasable by a Participant upon the exercise of an
outstanding purchase right shall be the number of whole shares obtained by dividing the amount
collected from the Participant through payroll deductions during the purchase period for which such
purchase right is outstanding, by the purchase price per share in effect for that purchase period.
However, the maximum number of shares purchasable by any Participant during any one purchase period
shall not exceed 1,000 shares (subject to adjustment under Section VI(b)). However, the Plan
Administrator shall have the discretionary authority, exercisable prior to the start of any
purchase period under the Plan, to increase or decrease the limitations to be in for the number of
shares of Stock purchasable per Participant during that purchase period.
(ii) Under no circumstances shall purchase rights be granted the Plan to any Eligible Employee
if such individual would, after the grant, own (within the meaning of Code Section 424(d)), or hold
outstanding options or other rights to purchase, stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined
voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Corporate Affiliate. For this
purpose an Eligible Employees ownership interest shall be determined in accordance with Code
Section 424(d), which rules are as follows:
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2 |
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Reflects an increase of 200,000 shares pursuant
to the amendment approved by the Board as of August 4, 2005 and submitted to
the stockholders for approval at the 2005 Annual Meeting. |
5
i. The Eligible Employee is treated as owning any stock owned, directly or indirectly,
by:
(1) Brothers and sisters (whether by whole or half-blood);
(2) Spouse; and
(3) Lineal descendants and/or ancestors.
ii. Stock owned, directly or indirectly, by a corporation, partnership, estate, or
trust is treated as owned proportionately by or for its stockholders, partners, or
beneficiaries.
iii. Stock that can be acquired by the exercise of an option is treated as being owned
by the Eligible Employee for purposes of determining the number of shares owned by the
Eligible Employee, but not for purposes of determining the total number of shares of Stock
outstanding. Options are taken into account for this purpose whether or not they are
currently exercisable.
(c) Payment. Payment for the Stock purchased under the Plan shall be effected through
the Participants authorized payroll deductions. Such deductions shall begin on the first pay day
coincident with or immediately following the commencement date of the purchase period and shall
terminate with the pay day ending with or immediately prior to the last business day of such
purchase period. The amounts so collected shall be credited to the Participants individual
account under the Plan, but no interest shall be paid on the balance from time to time outstanding
in the account. The collected amounts shall not be required to be held in any segregated account
or trust fund and may be commingled with the Companys general assets and used for any corporate
purpose.
(d) Termination of Purchase Rights.
(i) A Participant may terminate his or her outstanding purchase right under the Plan by filing
the prescribed notification form with the Plan Administrator (or its designee) at least two
business days before the last business day of any purchase period. No further payroll deductions
shall be collected from the Participant with respect to such purchase right, and the Participant
shall have the following election with respect to any payroll deductions made by such individual
with respect to such purchase right: (A) have the Company refund those payroll deductions or (B)
have such payroll deductions held for the purchase of shares at the end of the purchase period. If
no such election is made, then such payroll deductions shall automatically be refunded at the end
of such purchase period. Immediately following the refund or purchase of shares, the purchase
right shall terminate.
(ii) The request for termination shall be irrevocable with respect to the particular purchase
right to which it pertains, and the Participant may not subsequently rejoin the purchase period
covered by such right.
6
(e) Termination of Service.
(i) Except as set forth in Paragraph VII(e)(ii) below, if a Participant ceases to be an
Eligible Employee while his or her purchase right remains outstanding, then such purchase right
shall immediately terminate, and all sums previously collected from the Participant during the
purchase period in which such termination occurs shall be refunded (without interest) to the
Participant.
(ii) Should the Participant die or become Permanently Disabled or should the Participant cease
active employment by reason of a leave of absence taken in accordance with the Companys leave of
absence policy, then the Participant (or the person or persons to whom the rights of the deceased
Participant under the Plan are transferred by will or by the laws of descent and distribution)
shall have the election, exercisable up until the end of the purchase period in which the
Participant dies or becomes Permanently Disabled or in which the leave of absence commences, to (i)
withdraw all the funds credited to the Participants account at the time of his or her cessation of
employment or at the commencement of such leave or (ii) have such funds held for the purchase of
shares at the end of such purchase period. If no such election is made, then such funds shall
automatically be held for the purchase of shares at the end of such purchase period. In no event,
however, shall any further payroll deductions added to the Participants account following his or
her cessation of employment or the commencement of such leave. Upon the Participants return to
active employment of twenty (20) hours a week (x) within ninety (90) days following the
commencement of such leave or (y) prior to the expiration of any longer period for which such
Participants right to reemployment with the Company is guaranteed by statute or contract, his or
her payroll deductions under the Plan shall automatically resume at the rate in effect at the time
the leave began, unless the Participant withdraws from the Plan prior to his or her return. An
individual who returns to active employment following a leave of absence that exceeds in duration
the applicable (x) or (y) time period will no longer be an Eligible Employee for purposes of
subsequent participation in the Plan, will receive a refund (without interest) of the payroll
deductions that the Participant made during that purchase period with respect to such purchase
right not previously exercised, and must accordingly re-enroll in the Plan (by making a timely
filing of the prescribed enrollment forms) on or before the first day of the new purchase period
once he or she qualifies as an Eligible Employee.
(f) Stock Purchase. The Stock subject to the purchase right of each Participant
(other than Participants whose payroll deductions have been refunded in accordance with Section
VII(d) or (e) above) shall be automatically purchased on the Participants behalf on the last
business day of the purchase period. The purchase shall be effected by applying the amount credited
to each Participants account on the last business day of the purchase period to the purchase of
whole shares of Stock (subject to the limitations on the maximum number of purchasable shares set
forth in Section VII(b)) at the purchase price in effect for such purchase period. Any amount
remaining in the Participants account after such application shall be refunded.
(g) Proration of Purchase Rights. Should the total number of shares of Stock that are
to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any particular date exceed the number of
shares then available for issuance under the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall make a pro-rata
allocation of the available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, and any amounts
7
credited to the accounts of Participants shall, to the extent not applied to the purchase of
Stock, be refunded to the Participants.
(h) Rights as Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder of the
Company with respect to shares covered by his or her outstanding purchase right under the Plan
until the shares are actually purchased on the Participants behalf in accordance with Section
VII(f). No adjustments shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the
record date is prior to the date of such purchase.
(i) Assignability. No purchase right granted under the Plan shall be assignable or
transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution
following the Participants death, and during the Participants lifetime the purchase right shall
be exercisable only by the Participant.
(j) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. A Participant must notify the Company if the
Participant disposes of stock acquired pursuant to the Plan prior to the expiration of the holding
periods required to qualify for long-term capital gains treatment on the sale proceeds.
(k) Merger or Liquidation of Company. In the event the Company or its stockholders
enter into an agreement to dispose of all or substantially all of the assets or outstanding capital
stock of the Company by means of a sale, merger, reorganization or similar transaction (other than
a reorganization effected primarily to change the State in which the Company is incorporated) or in
the event the Company is liquidated (a Change in Control), each outstanding purchase right shall
automatically be exercised, immediately prior to the effective date of any Change in Control, by
applying the payroll deductions of each Participant for the purchase period in which such Change in
Control occurs to the purchase of whole shares of Stock at a purchase price per share equal to
eighty-five percent (85%) of the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the first
day of the purchase period in which such Change in Control occurs or (ii) the Fair Market Value per
share of Stock immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control. However, the
applicable limitation on the number of shares of Stock purchasable per Participant shall continue
to apply to any such purchase. Any amount not applied to the purchase of Stock by reason of the
Section VII(b) limitation on the maximum number of purchasable shares shall be refunded. The
Company shall use its best efforts to provide at least ten (10) days prior written notice of the
occurrence of any Change in Control, and Participants shall, following the receipt of such notice,
have the right to terminate their outstanding purchase rights prior to the effective date of the
Change in Control.
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ACCRUAL LIMITATIONS |
(a) No Participant shall be entitled to accrue rights to acquire Stock pursuant to any
purchase right outstanding under the Plan if and to the extent such accrual, when aggregated with
(i) rights to acquire Stock accrued under other purchase rights granted to the Participant under
this Plan and (ii) similar rights accrued by the Participant under other employee stock purchase
plans (within the meaning of Code Section 423) of the Company or its Corporate Affiliates, would
otherwise permit such Participant to purchase more than $25,000 worth of Stock of the Company or
any Corporate Affiliate (determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value of such
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stock on the date or dates such rights are granted to the Participant) for each calendar year
such rights are at any time outstanding.
(b) For purposes of applying the accrual limitations of Section VIII(a), the right to acquire
Stock pursuant to each purchase right granted under the Plan shall accrue as follows:
(i) The right to acquire Stock under each such purchase right shall accrue when the purchase
right first becomes exercisable on the last business day of the purchase period for which such
right is granted.
(ii) To the extent the Participants purchase right does not, by reason of the Section VIII(a)
limitations, accrue on the last business day of the particular purchase period for which such right
is granted, then the payroll deductions that the Participant made during that purchase period with
respect to such purchase right shall be refunded.
(c) In the event there is any conflict between the provisions of this Article VIII and one or
more provisions of the Plan or any instrument issued thereunder, the provisions of this Article
VIII shall be controlling.
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AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION |
The Board may from time to time alter, amend, suspend or discontinue the Plan to become
effective immediately following the close of a purchase period; provided, however, the Plan may be
amended or terminated immediately upon Board action, if and to the extent necessary to assure that
the Company will not recognize, for financial reporting purposes, any compensation expense in
connection with the shares of Stock offered for purchase under the Plan, should the financial
accounting rules applicable to the Plan at the Effective Date be subsequently revised so as to
require the Company to recognize compensation expense in the absence of such amendment or
termination. The Board may not, without the approval of the Companys stockholders, increase the
number of shares issuable under the Plan (provided, however, the Plan Administrator shall have the
authority to effect adjustments pursuant to Section VI(b) without stockholder approval), or modify
the requirements for eligibility to participate in the Plan.
(a) Effective Date. The Plan became effective on the Effective Date. On June 15,
1992, the Board approved a restatement of the Plan, to be effective as of October 1, 1992. The
restatement was approved by the Companys stockholders at the 1992 Annual Meeting. On May 4, 1994,
the Board approved an amendment to the Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares issuable
over the term thereof from 100,000 to 150,000 shares. The amendment was approved by the Companys
stockholders at the 1994 Annual Meeting. In June 1997, the Board approved another amendment to the
Plan to increase the aggregate number of shares issuable over the term thereof from 150,000 to
250,000 shares. The amendment was approved by the Companys stockholders at the 1997 Annual
Meeting.
On June 14, 1999, the Company effected a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a 100 percent
stock dividend distributed to stockholders of record as of May 31, 1999. On May 20, 2001, the
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Board approved amendments to the Plan to (i) effect certain technical revisions to the
provisions of the Plan in order to facilitate the administration and interpretation of the Plan,
(ii) modify the type of amendments to the Plan which require stockholder approval and (iii) extend
the termination date of the Plan by ten years to September 30, 2011. The amendments were approved
by the Companys stockholders at the 2001 Annual Meeting. On August 31, 2001, the Company effected
a 3-for-2 stock split in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend distributed to stockholders of
record as of August 17, 2001.
On August 4, 2005, the Board approved amendments to the Plan to (i) avoid compensation expense
charges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation and (ii) increase the aggregate number of shares issuable over the term of
the Plan from 750,000 to 950,000 shares, subject to stockholder approval at the 2005 Annual
Meeting.
(b) Termination. The Plan shall terminate upon the EARLIEST of (i) September 30,
2011, (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been sold
pursuant to purchase rights exercised under the Plan, (iii) the date on which all purchase rights
are exercised in connection with a Change in Control or (iv) termination by the Board. No further
purchase rights shall be granted or exercised, and no further payroll deductions shall be collected
under the Plan following such termination.
(c) Costs. All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan shall be
paid by the Company; however, each Plan Participant shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by
such individual in the sale or other disposition of any shares purchased under the Plan.
(d) No Employment Rights. Neither the action of the Company in establishing the Plan,
nor any action taken under the Plan by the Board or the Plan Administrator, nor any provision of
the Plan itself shall be construed so as to grant any person the right to remain in the employ of
the Company or any of its Corporate Affiliates for any period of specific duration, and such
persons employment may be terminated at any time, with or without cause.
(e) Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California.
(f) Annual Statements. To the extent required, the Company shall provide a statement
containing the information required by Code Section 6039(a) to Participants no later than January
31st of the calendar year following prior to the calendar year in which they purchase Stock
pursuant to the Plan. This notice shall contain the following items of information:
(i) The name, address, and employer identification number of the corporation transferring the
Stock;
(ii) The name, address, and identifying number of the Participant to whom the share or shares
of Stock were transferred;
(iii) The name and address of the corporation the stock of which is the subject of the option
(if other than the corporation transferring the stock);
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(iv) The date the option was granted;
(v) The date the shares were transferred to the person exercising the option;
(vi) The fair market value of the Stock at the time the option was exercised;
(vii) The number of shares of Stock transferred pursuant to the option;
(viii) The type of option under which the transferred shares were acquired; and
(ix) The total cost of all the shares.
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
CorVel Corporation, a Delaware corporation
CorVel Healthcare Corporation, a California corporation
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PROXY
CORVEL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September 15, 2005
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned revokes all previous proxies, acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be held on September 15, 2005 and the accompanying Proxy Statement, and appoints
V. Gordon Clemons and Richard J. Schweppe, or either of them, the proxy of the undersigned, with
full power of substitution, to vote all shares of the Common Stock of CorVel Corporation which the
undersigned is entitled to vote, either on his or her own behalf or on behalf of an entity or
entities, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of CorVel Corporation to be held at 2010 Main
Street, Suite 600, Irvine, California, on Monday, September 15, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight
Time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, with the same force and effect as the
undersigned might or could do if personally present thereat. In their discretion, the proxies are
authorized to vote upon any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof. The shares represented by this proxy shall be voted in the
following manner:
PLEASE RETURN YOUR EXECUTED PROXY TO U.S. STOCK TRANSFER CORPORATION IN THE
ENCLOSED SELF-ADDRESSED, POSTAGE PRE-PAID ENVELOPE.
6 DETACH PROXY CARD HERE 6
1. To elect the following directors to serve for a term of one year.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |
Director
Nominees: V. Gordon Clemons, Steven J. Hamerslag, Alan R. Hoops, R. Judd Jessup, Jeffrey J. Michael
2. To approve amendments to the Companys 1991 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the Purchase Plan) to (i) avoid
compensation expense charges under a new accounting rule, and (ii) increase the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance over the term of the Purchase Plan from 750,000 shares to 950,000 shares.
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3. To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Companys independent auditors for fiscal 2006.
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4. In accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders, to act upon all matters incident
to the conduct of the meeting and upon other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees and the proposals
set forth above. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as specified above.
This Proxy will be voted FOR the nominees listed above and FOR the other Proposals if no specification is made.
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MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE ON CARD |
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Dated:
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(Print name(s) as it (they) appear(s) on certificate) |
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(Authorized Signature(s)) |
Please print the name(s) appearing on each share certificate(s) over which you have voting authority. |