def14a
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
ARI Network Services, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
December 20, 2007
To the Shareholders of ARI Network Services, Inc.:
The 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ARI Network Services, Inc. will be held at the
headquarters of ARI Network Services, Inc., 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, on Thursday, December 20, 2007, at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
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1. |
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To elect two directors to serve until 2010. |
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2. |
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To approve an amendment to the Companys 2000 Stock Option Plan. |
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3. |
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To ratify the appointment of Wipfli LLP as independent auditors. |
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4. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2007 are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting and at all adjournments thereof.
Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares must be present in person or by proxy in order
for the meeting to be held. Shareholders are urged to date, sign and return the accompanying proxy
in the enclosed envelope whether or not they expect to attend the annual meeting in person. If you
attend the meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may do so by revoking your proxy at
any time prior to the voting thereof.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Brian E. Dearing, Acting Secretary
November 12, 2007
1
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
(414) 973-4300
PROXY STATEMENT
The Board of Directors of ARI Network Services, Inc. (the Company) submits the enclosed
proxy for the annual meeting to be held on the date, at the time and place and for the purposes set
forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each shareholder of record at
the close of business on November 2, 2007 will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common
Stock registered in such shareholders name. As of November 2, 2007, the Company had outstanding
6,653,377 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 (the Common Stock). The presence, in person
or by proxy, of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date is required
for a quorum at the meeting. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy and Annual Report to
Shareholders are being sent to the Companys shareholders commencing on or about November 12, 2007.
Any shareholder executing and delivering the enclosed proxy may revoke the same at any time
prior to the voting thereof by written notice of revocation given to the Acting Secretary of the
Company.
Unless otherwise directed, all proxies will be voted FOR the election of the individuals
nominated to serve as director and FOR the other proposals. The directors will be elected by a
plurality of votes cast at the meeting (assuming a quorum is present). In other words, the
nominees receiving the two largest numbers of votes will be elected. Any shares not voted, whether
by withheld authority, broker non-vote or otherwise, will have no effect on the election of
directors except to the extent that a failure to vote for an individual results in another
individual receiving a larger number of votes. Any votes attempted to be cast against a
candidate are not given legal effect and are not counted as votes cast in an election of directors.
The other proposals will be approved if the affirmative votes exceed the votes cast against.
Broker non-votes and abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is
present at the meeting but are not affirmative votes or votes against and, therefore, will have no
effect on the outcome of the voting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of
shares of Common Stock by each person known by the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of the
Common Stock, by each director or nominee of the Company, by certain executive officers of the
Company, and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group as of November 2,
2007 (unless otherwise indicated). The address for each of the persons listed below is 11425 West
Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224, unless otherwise specified.
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NAME AND ADDRESS OF |
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AMOUNT AND NATURE OF |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERS |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1) |
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PERCENT |
Briggs & Stratton Corporation (2) |
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840,000 |
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12.6 |
% |
12301 West
Wirth Street
Milwaukee, WI 53201 |
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Peter H. Kamin (3) |
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591,500 |
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8.9 |
% |
c/o The
Nelson Law Firm, LLC
75 South Broadway, 4th Floor
White Plains, NY 10601 |
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John C. Bray |
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162,010 |
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2.4 |
% |
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Gordon J. Bridge |
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176,527 |
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2.6 |
% |
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Brian E. Dearing (4) |
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649,412 |
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9.6 |
% |
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Ted C. Feierstein |
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79,647 |
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1.2 |
% |
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Roy W. Olivier |
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51,137 |
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* |
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2
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NAME AND ADDRESS OF |
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AMOUNT AND NATURE OF |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERS |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1) |
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PERCENT |
William C. Mortimore |
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43,375 |
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* |
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Timothy Sherlock |
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81,080 |
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1.2 |
% |
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Richard W. Weening (5) |
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260,224 |
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3.8 |
% |
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All executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons) |
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1,440,150 |
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19.6 |
% |
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* |
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Less than 1% |
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(1) |
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Except as otherwise noted, the persons named in the above table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Includes
options exercisable within 60 days of November 2, 2007 as follows: Mr. Bridge (117,785
shares), Mr. Dearing (126,583 shares), Mr. Feierstein (79,647 shares), Mr. Olivier (50,000
shares), Mr. Mortimore (43,375 shares), Mr. Sherlock (56,875 shares), Mr. Weening (123,887
shares), and all executive officers and directors as a group (689,027 shares). |
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(2) |
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Stock information is provided as of March 16, 2000 based upon Schedule 13D amendment filed
April 3, 2000. |
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(3) |
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Stock ownership information is provided as of December 31, 2004 based upon Schedule 13G
amendment filed February 2, 2005. Mr. Kamins total includes 151,900 shares held by the Peter
H. Kamin Childrens Trust, 103,200 shares held by the Peter H. Kamin Profit Sharing Plan,
28,100 shares held by the Peter H. Kamin Family Foundation and 25,000 shares held by
3K Limited Partnership. |
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Mr. Dearings total includes 326,709 shares held in the Companys 401(k) plan, of which Mr.
Dearing is a trustee with voting power. Mr. Dearing disclaims any beneficial ownership in
these shares in excess of his pecuniary interest (13,890 shares). Mr. Dearings total also
includes 103,500 shares which are held in family trust. |
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(5) |
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Mr. Weenings total also includes 50,677 shares held by Quaestus Management Corp., 85,000
shares held by RPI Holdings, Inc., 535 shares held in tenancy in common with a third party and
125 shares held by his spouse. Mr. Weening disclaims any beneficial ownership in the shares
held by third parties in excess of his pecuniary interest. |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Companys directors are divided into three classes, with staggered terms of three years
each. At the meeting, shareholders will vote on two directors to serve until 2010: William C.
Mortimore and Richard W. Weening.
Nominees for Election to Serve Until
the Annual Meeting in 2010
William C. Mortimore, 62; Mr. Mortimore, a director since 2004, was the founder of Merge
Technologies Incorporated (MTI) and its Chief Strategist from September 2000 until July 2006,
interim Chief Executive Officer from May 2006 until July 2006, Chairman of the Board from September
2000 until May 2006, President and Chief Executive Officer from November 1987 through August 2000
and a member of the Board of Directors since its inception in November 1987 until July 2006. MTI
(NASDAQ:MRGE) is a global healthcare software and services company. Since December 2006, Mr.
Mortimore has served as Managing Director of Healthcare Growth Partners LLC, a strategy and
financial advisor to emerging healthcare information technology companies. Mr. Mortimore has
served as co-founder and a senior manager of several businesses in the fields of information
communications technology, healthcare services and real estate and has been responsible for
securing public and private financing for these organizations. Mr. Mortimore is an original member
of the American College of Radiology / National Association of Electrical Manufacturers (ACR /
NEMA) committee responsible for establishing and maintaining the DICOM medical imaging standard.
Mr. Mortimore has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of MRI Devices, Inc., a
privately held diagnostic imaging manufacturer, from November 2002 until its sale to Intermagnetics
General Corporation in mid 2004. Mr. Mortimore received a B. S. in Electrical Engineering from
Michigan State University, an M.E.E. from the University of Minnesota and pursued doctoral studies
in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota.
Richard W. Weening, 61; Mr. Weening, a director since 1981, organized the Company in 1981 as a
business information publishing subsidiary of Raintree Publishers, Inc. He served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company until October 1987, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company until October 1990, and Chairman of the Board of Directors until 1997. Currently,
Mr. Weening is Chairman and CEO of Prolitec Inc., a
3
technology-enabled services company specializing in aerobiology and indoor air quality. He is
also a partner and officer of QUAESTUS & Co., Inc., a private equity investment firm. In 1996 Mr.
Weening co-founded Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ:CMLS), a radio broadcasting group, and served as its
executive chairman until June 2000. In November 2003, Mr. Weening, without admitting or denying
the allegations, entered into a Final Judgment and Order of Permanent Injunction to settle
litigation instituted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to record-keeping and
internal controls violations in connection with his position at Cumulus Media, Inc. Without
admitting or denying the Commissions findings, Mr. Weening consented to the issuance of the order
that required him to pay a $75,000 civil penalty and be permanently enjoined from violating the
record-keeping and internal controls requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
including Section 13(b)(5) and Rules 13b2-1 and 13b2-2 promulgated thereunder, and from aiding and
abetting violations of Section 13(b)(2)(A) of the Exchange Act.
Director Whose Term
Expires at the Annual Meeting in 2008
Brian E. Dearing, 52; Mr. Dearing is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. He has been a director since 1995 and was elected Chairman of the Board
of Directors in 1997. Prior to joining ARI in 1995, Mr. Dearing held a series of electronic
commerce executive positions at Sterling Software, Inc. in the U.S. and in Europe. Prior to
joining Sterling in 1990, Mr. Dearing held a number of marketing management positions in the EDI
business of General Electric Information Services since 1986. Mr. Dearing holds a Masters Degree
in Industrial Administration from Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and a BA in
Political Science from Union College.
Directors Whose Term Expires at
the Annual Meeting in 2010
Gordon J. Bridge, 65; Mr. Bridge, a director since December 1995, has worked on behalf of the
Company on various strategic growth opportunities as a one member committee of the ARI Board of
Directors, reporting to the Board of Directors, since September 2006. From January 2004 to
September 2006 Mr. Bridge was president, and from May 2005 to September 2006 was Chief Executive
Officer of CM IT Solutions, a nationwide franchise system providing information technology
consulting and support services to small and medium sized businesses. From December 1999 to August
2001, Mr. Bridge was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SurferNETWORK. From
November 1995 to January 2000, Mr. Bridge was Chairman of the Board and from April 1997 to March
1998 was Chief Executive Officer of ConnectInc.com Company. Mr. Bridge held various executive
management positions with AT&T from 1988 to 1995, including president of three business units;
Consumer Interactive Services (CSI), EasyLink Services and Computer Systems. Prior to joining
AT&T, Mr. Bridge was with the IBM Corporation for nearly 23 years holding the positions of Vice
President of Sales and Vice President of Marketing for the US for the National Accounts Division in
the mid 1980s. Mr. Bridge holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Bradley University.
Ted C. Feierstein, 50; Mr. Feierstein, a director since January 2000, is an investment banker
with First Analysis Securities Corporation, a Chicago-based institutional investment services firm
providing investment banking, equity research/institutional brokerage and venture/capital and
private equity services to growth companies and institutional investors. Mr. Feierstein is also a
venture partner of The Prism Opportunity Fund, a private equity fund. Prior to joining First
Analysis, Mr. Feierstein was an investment banker at his own firm, Ascent Partners Inc. and a
senior vice-president with the Corum Group, a firm specializing in merger and acquisition advisory
services to the software industry, and was an investment manager with Wind Point Partners, a
private equity fund. Mr. Feierstein received an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1989 and a
BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1979.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Board of Directors held fourteen meetings in fiscal 2007. Each incumbent director
attended 75 percent or more of the combined number of meetings of the Board and of the committees
on which such director served, during the period for which he has been a director or served on the
committee. Directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of shareholders, but the Company
has not adopted a formal policy requiring attendance at the annual meeting. Four of the Companys
five directors attended the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.
The Board of Directors currently does not have a formal process for shareholders to send
communications to the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, efforts are made to ensure that the views
of shareholders are heard by the Board or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate
responses are provided to shareholders on a timely basis. The Board of Directors believes that
informal communications are sufficient to communicate questions, comments and observations that
could be useful to the Board. However, shareholders wishing to formally communicate with the Board
of Directors may send communications directly to ARI Network Services, Inc., Attention: Chairman,
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224. The Chairman will review such
communications and, if appropriate, forward such communications to other board members.
4
The Companys Board of Directors has established an audit committee which is currently
composed of Mr. Mortimore (chairman) and Mr. Weening. The Board of Directors has adopted a written
charter for the audit committee, a copy of which was attached as Appendix A to the proxy statement
relating to the Companys 2005 annual meeting of shareholders. Information regarding the functions
performed by the audit committee, its membership, and the number of meetings held during fiscal
2007 is set forth in the Report of the Audit Committee, included in this proxy statement. The
members of the audit committee are independent under the NASDAQ regarding the independence of
directors, including audit committee members. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr.
Mortimore, and Mr. Weening are each an audit committee financial expert and are each
independent as those terms are defined under the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations
and NASDAQ listing standards.
The Companys Board of Directors has established a compensation committee that currently is
composed of Mr. Bridge and Mr. Feierstein. The duties of the compensation committee are to approve
all executive compensation, to administer the Companys 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 1993 Director Stock Option Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan
and to recommend director compensation for approval by the entire Board. The compensation
committee does not have a written charter, and does not engage the services of a compensation
consultant in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive or director compensation.
Mr. Dearing makes recommendations to the compensation committee regarding the numbers of
options to be granted to the Companys executive officers and other employees based in part on
input he receives from the Companys director of human resources. Mr. Dearing also makes
recommendations to the compensation committee with respect to other executive compensation, though
he recuses himself from portions of compensation committee meetings during which his own
compensation is discussed. The Companys chief financial officer has historically made
recommendations to the compensation committee regarding director compensation. The compensation
committee met three times during fiscal 2007.
The Companys Board of Directors has not established a nominating committee, as decisions
regarding Board membership are made by the full Board. Due to the small size of the Companys
Board of Directors, as well as the recent lack of turnover in the Board of Directors, the Board has
determined not to have a separate nominating committee. Likewise, the Board has not adopted a
written charter governing director nominating decisions. Messrs. Bridge, Feierstein, Mortimore and
Weening are independent under the NASDAQ listing standards, but Mr. Dearing is not because he is an
executive officer of the Company.
The Board will consider candidates for director that are nominated by shareholders in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the Companys by-laws. Under the by-laws, nominations,
other than those made by the Board of Directors, must be made pursuant to timely notice in proper
form to the secretary of the Company. To be timely, a shareholders request to nominate a person
for director, together with the written consent of such person to serve as a director, must be
received by the secretary of the Company at the principal office not later than 90 days and not
earlier than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the annual meeting of shareholders in the
immediately preceding year. To be in proper written form, the notice must contain certain
information concerning the nominee and the shareholder submitting the nomination.
The Board will consider proposed nominees whose names are submitted to it by shareholders.
However, it does not have a formal process for that consideration because it believes that the
informal consideration process has been adequate given the historical absence of shareholder
proposals. The Board intends to review periodically whether a formal policy should be adopted.
The Board has generally identified nominees based upon suggestions by non-management
directors, management members and/or shareholders. The Board considers factors important for
potential members of the Board, including the individuals integrity, general business background
and experience, experience with our industry, and the ability to serve on the Board. The Board
does not evaluate proposed nominees differently based on who made the proposal.
Code of Ethics
ARI has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal
financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons performing similar
functions. The code of ethics is designed to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the
ethical handling of conflicts of interest, compliance with applicable laws, and full, accurate,
timely and understandable disclosure in reports we send to our shareholders or file with the SEC.
Violations of the code of ethics are to be reported to the audit committee. A copy of the code of
ethics may be obtained, without charge, by sending a request to ARI Network Services, Inc.,
Attention: Corporate Secretary, 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224.
5
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth compensation for the Companys fiscal year ended July 31, 2007
for the Companys Chief Executive Officer and other two most highly compensated executive officers
who were serving as executive officers as of such date (to whom we refer collectively as the named
executive officers).
Summary Compensation Table
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Incentive Plan |
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All Other |
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Name and Principal |
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Salary |
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Awards |
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Compensation |
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Compensation |
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Total |
Position |
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Year |
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($) |
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($)(1) |
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(2) |
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($)(3) |
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($) |
Brian E. Dearing |
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2007 |
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192,687 |
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53,714 |
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72,596 |
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3,854 |
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322,851 |
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President and Chief
Executive Officer |
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Timothy Sherlock (4) |
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2007 |
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172,009 |
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24,171 |
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44,700 |
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3,440 |
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244,320 |
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Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary,
Treasurer and VP of
Finance |
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Roy W. Olivier |
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2007 |
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205,127 |
(5) |
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50,317 |
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10,753 |
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14,798 |
(6) |
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280,995 |
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Vice President of
Global Sales and
Marketing |
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(1) |
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The values set forth in this column represent the dollar amounts recognized in accordance
with Financial Accounting Standard No. 123(R) (FAS 123R) with respect to fiscal 2007,
disregarding the estimate of forfeitures for service-based vesting conditions. The expense
recognized by the Company in accordance with FAS 123R may differ from the amount that will
eventually be realized by the named executive officers. The assumptions used to determine the
FAS 123R values are described in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007. For each of
Messrs. Dearing and Sherlock, the values represent the expense attributable to option awards
granted in prior years to each individual. For Mr. Mr. Olivier, the value represents the
expense attributable to options granted to him in fiscal 2007. |
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(2) |
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Amounts represent annual and long-term incentive payments, respectively, earned during fiscal
2007, as follows: Mr. Dearing$13,038 and $59,558; Mr. Sherlock$8,736 and $35,964; and Mr.
Olivier$5,376 and $5,376. |
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(3) |
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Amounts represent a Company match under the Companys 401(k) plan. |
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(4) |
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Mr. Sherlock resigned his employment with the Company effective September 10, 2007. |
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(5) |
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Amount includes sales commissions paid during fiscal 2007 of $106,050. |
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(6) |
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Mr. Olivier served as a consultant to the Company to develop a tactical sales and marketing
plan from August 1, 2006 until September 11, 2006, at which time he commenced employment with
the Company. In addition to a Company match under the Companys 401(k) plan, this amount
includes $13,000 in consulting fees that he was paid for such service. |
Stock Option Grants. All of the Companys stock option grants qualify as incentive
stock options up to the $10,000 per year limitation and vest 25% per year on July 31, provided the
participant is an employee of the Company at such date. Options are exercisable up to ten years
after the date of grant, one year from the date of a termination of employment upon death or
disability of the participant, 90 days from the date of termination for any reason other than
cause or immediately upon termination for cause.
Annual Incentive Compensation. Under the Management Incentive Bonus Plan. The annual
component of the Companys Management Incentive Bonus Plan provides for annual cash incentives to
the participants, which includes all of the executive officers. The amount of the annual incentive
opportunity is equally weighted between three objective performance criteria (revenue, operating
income and cash, 25% each) and other management objectives (MBOs) agreed upon by the executive
officer and the chief executive officer (or Compensation Committee for the CEO) at the beginning of
the fiscal year which make up the remaining 25% of each executive officers annual incentive
opportunity. Payouts under each of the cash, operating income, and MBO components of the annual
incentives are limited to 50% of the amount payable based on actual results unless the threshold
revenue amount (80% of target revenue growth) under the revenue component is achieved. Therefore,
because the threshold revenue amount was not achieved for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, the
actual payouts under each of the cash, operating income and MBO components of the annual plan were
limited to 50% of the amounts that would have otherwise been paid if the revenue threshold had been
met. The combined results for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 under the annual plan
6
were between threshold and target performance levels set by the Compensation Committee and
resulted in payouts ranging from 27% to 69% of their respective base salaries for the fiscal year
ended July 31, 2007. Under the plan, Messrs. Dearing, Sherlock and Olivier each received payouts
of 61%, 69% and 27%, respectively, of their base salaries.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. The executive officers are awarded long-term incentive
compensation under the Companys Management Incentive Bonus Plan. These awards are based on a
target award equal to the executives actual fiscal 2007 annual incentive earned, adjusted based on
the Companys performance over three consecutive one-year performance periods. The amount of the
payout is adjusted on a sliding scale based on the extent to which the Companys revenue plan is
achieved for each of the three years, ranging from a floor of 75% of the target award if the
Companys revenue plan is not met to a cap of 200% of the target award if revenue equals or exceeds
150% of plan. Beginning with the long-term awards granted in fiscal 2006, one-half of the floor
amount (75% of the target award) is paid in Company Common Stock, valued at the time of payment,
and the remainder of the award is paid in cash. The award is paid in three annual payments
following each of the three years in the performance period, provided the participant is employed
by the Company at such time.
Targets for the long-term awards granted in fiscal 2007 will equal the executive officers
actual annual incentive earned for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007. In addition to an
individual executive officers cap of 200% of his target award, there is a cap (or pool) on the
amount of long-term incentive that all participants can earn under the plan. The amount of the
long-term incentive pool is equal to 40% of the total target annual incentives for the entire
executive management team, made up of the CEO, the CFO, the Vice President of Global Sales and
Marketing and Vice President of Business Development and Strategy for the fiscal year ended July
31, 2007 (hereinafter On Target Incentive Payout or OTIP), adjusted upward if the Company
overachieves its fiscal 2007 net income objective. As the Company did not overachieve its fiscal
2007 net income objective, the long-term incentive pool for awards granted in 2007 will be 40% of
the OTIP for fiscal 2007, or $133,200. Payouts will be adjusted as noted above based on the
Companys revenue during fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010 and paid in installments following each
of those fiscal years, provided the participant is employed by the Company at such time.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Options |
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
Option Exercise |
|
Option Expiration |
Name |
|
(#) Exercisable |
|
Options (#) Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
Brian E. Dearing |
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25 |
|
|
|
6/24/2008 |
|
|
|
|
26,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.13 |
|
|
|
12/17/2008 |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.06 |
|
|
|
9/5/2010 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
2/21/2011 |
|
|
|
|
20,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.57 |
|
|
|
5/21/2014 |
|
|
|
|
37,500 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
(1) |
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
10/12/2014 |
|
|
Timothy Sherlock |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.81 |
|
|
|
4/9/2011 |
|
|
|
|
16,875 |
|
|
|
5,625 |
(2) |
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
10/12/2014 |
|
|
Roy W. Olivier |
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
37,500 |
(3) |
|
|
2.10 |
|
|
|
9/15/2016 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
100% of options vest on July 31, 2008. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Sherlocks award was forfeited upon his resignation from the Company effective September
10, 2007. |
|
(3) |
|
33% of options will vest on each of July 31, 2008, 2009 and 2010. |
7
The Company has entered into Change of Control Agreements (Change of Control
Agreements) with each of its executive officers. The Change of Control Agreements are intended to
reduce the incentive for officers not to support a transaction that is beneficial to shareholders
for fear that their employment would be terminated, retain the services of these officers and
provide for continuity of management in the event of any Change of Control, as defined below.
These Change of Control Agreements provide that each officer shall receive severance benefits equal
to two times the sum of salary and targeted bonuses and medical and dental plan continuation for
two years if, within two years following a Change of Control, as defined below, the officers
employment is terminated without cause or by the executive for good reason. For this purpose,
good reason is defined to include: (i) a material diminution of or interference with the
officers duties and responsibilities: (ii) a change in the principal workplace of the officer to a
location outside of a 50-mile radius from Milwaukee, Wisconsin: (iii) a reduction or adverse change
in the salary, bonus, perquisites, benefits, contingent benefits or vacation time previously
provided to the officer: or (iv) an unreasonable increase in the workload of the officer. In
addition, the officer will receive a prorated portion of the officers average annual bonus for the
preceding three fiscal years. If the officer leaves ARI for any other reason, within two years
following a Change of Control, the officer will receive a prorated portion of the officers average
annual bonus for the preceding three fiscal years. The officer is under no obligation to mitigate
amounts payable under the Change of Control Agreements. In addition, upon a Change of Control, all
stock options and similar awards become immediately vested and all deferred compensation becomes
payable.
For purposes of the Change of Control Agreements, a Change of Control means any of the
following events: the acquisition (other than from ARI) by any individual, entity or group, subject
to certain exceptions, of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the
combined voting power of ARIs then outstanding voting securities; (ii) a merger, consolidation,
share exchange, or sale or disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii)
approval by the Companys shareholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Director Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid |
|
Option Awards |
|
All Other |
|
|
Name |
|
in Cash ($) |
|
($)(1)(2) |
|
Compensation ($) |
|
Total ($) |
Gordon J. Bridge |
|
|
24,500 |
|
|
|
20,064 |
|
|
|
171,000 |
(3) |
|
|
215,564 |
|
|
Ted C. Feierstein |
|
|
20,500 |
|
|
|
20,064 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,564 |
|
|
William C. Mortimore |
|
|
26,250 |
|
|
|
20,064 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,314 |
|
|
Richard W. Weening |
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
20,064 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,064 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The values set forth in this column represent the dollar amounts recognized in accordance
with FAS 123R with respect to fiscal 2007, disregarding the estimate of forfeitures for
service-based vesting conditions. The expense recognized by the Company in accordance with
FAS 123R may differ from the amount that will eventually be realized by the directors. The
assumptions used to determine the FAS 123R values are described in Note 8 to the consolidated
financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
July 31, 2007. For each director, expense attributable to option awards granted in fiscal
2007 was $7,669 and the expense attributable to option awards granted in prior years was
$12,395. |
|
(2) |
|
Total stock options held as of July 31, 2007 by individuals who served as directors of the
Company during fiscal 2007 were as follows: Mr. Bridge120,785; Mr. Feierstein82,647; Mr.
Mortimore46,375; and Mr. Weening126,887. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents fees paid to Mr. Bridge in connection with his work on behalf of the Company on
various strategic growth opportunities as a sole member of a Board committee established for
such purpose. |
8
For fiscal 2007 service, each non-employee director received an annual cash retainer of
$18,000 and an option to purchase 6,000 shares of Company Common Stock, which were granted on
December 28, 2006 (50% of which vested on July 31, 2007 and the remaining 50% of which will vest on
July 31, 2008). Audit committee members receive an additional $6,000 per year ($8,000 for the
chairman) and compensation committee members receive an additional $2,500 per year. The options
have a term of ten years and an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock
on the date of grant. In addition, Mr. Bridge receives fees in the amount of $4,500 per week in
connection with his work on behalf of the Company on various strategic growth opportunities as a
member of a Board committee established for such purpose.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Briggs & Stratton Corporation (Briggs) is one of the Companys customers and owns more than
5% of the Companys stock. Briggs has entered into customer contracts with the Company in the
ordinary course business. Generally, the contracts are for one year and renew annually unless
either party elects otherwise. The Company invoiced Briggs approximately $498,000 for products and
services provided during fiscal 2007. In addition, during fiscal 2007, Briggs provided graphic
design and printing services to the Company for which the Company was charged $290,000.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based solely upon its review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the
Company pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, all of such
forms were filed on a timely basis by reporting persons during fiscal 2007.
AMENDMENT OF THE
2000 STOCK OPTION PLAN
At the annual meeting, shareholders are being asked to approve an amendment to the Companys
2000 Stock Option Plan (the SOP) to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the SOP by 500,000 shares from 1,450,000 to 1,950,000. The Board of Directors
adopted the amendment on October 31, 2007.
As of November 2, 2007, there were outstanding options to purchase 923,664 shares of Common
Stock which have been granted under the SOP but remain unexercised. These outstanding options have
a weighted average exercise price of $1.48473. Of these shares, 800,425 were exercisable as of
November 2, 2007. As of November 2, 2007, there were 214,373 shares available for future grants
under the SOP.
The Board believes that the number of shares currently available under the SOP is insufficient
in light of the Companys need to use options to attract and retain employees and directors. Given
the importance of the SOP in the past in attracting and retaining key personnel, and the importance
that will be placed on the SOP in the future, particularly in connection with the Companys desire
to make acquisitions as one of its growth initiatives, the Board believes that the number of shares
available for issuance under the SOP must be increased to allow future option grants to be made.
The Board believes that the grant of options to employees, directors and certain contractors
under the SOP, including employees of companies that may be acquired by the Company in the future,
is an attractive way for the Company to be able to retain these personnel while conserving the
Companys limited cash resources. In addition, the Board believes that granting stock options
which vest over an extended period of time provides the optionee with an incentive to remain with
the Company and actively contribute towards improving the Companys performance. The Board further
believes that employee and director ownership provides a stronger incentive for these personnel to
put forth maximum effort for the long term success and growth of the Company in order to see the
value of their ownership grow.
Set forth below is a summary of the principal features of the SOP. The following summary,
however, does not purport to be a complete description of all the provisions of the SOP. Any
shareholder who wishes to obtain a copy of the actual plan document may do so upon written request
to the Secretary at the Companys principal offices at 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224.
9
Description of the Stock Option Plan
All directors, employees, or consultants who provide services to the Company (the
Participants) are eligible to receive options to purchase Common Stock under the SOP. As of
November 2, 2007, approximately 100 persons were eligible. The SOP is designed to provide
additional incentive compensation to Participants and provide them with an opportunity to acquire
an equity interest in the Company. The SOP is also designed to attract and retain the Companys
non-employee directors.
The SOP is administered by a compensation committee appointed by the Board of Directors.
Subject to the provisions of the SOP, the compensation committee has the authority to determine the
exercise prices applicable to the options, the eligible participants to whom and the time or times
at which options shall be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each option, and
the extent to which options may be exercisable in installments. The compensation committee also
has authority to interpret the SOP, and to prescribe, amend and rescind the rules and regulations
pertaining to the SOP.
Options granted under the SOP may be either (i) options granted to qualifying employees which
are intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the Code), or (ii) non-qualified stock options which may be granted to all
Participants.
Under the SOP, no Participant may be granted options for more than 500,000 shares during any
one-year period. If the proposal is approved by shareholders, the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued under the SOP may not exceed 1,950,000. The number of shares
reserved under the plan and for which awards may be granted to a Participant may be adjusted, as
determined by the compensation committee, in the event of certain changes due to a
recapitalization, reclassification, merger, spin-off, stock split, stock dividend, or other
increase or decrease. No stock options may be granted under the SOP after December 13, 2010.
Any incentive stock option that is granted under the SOP must be granted at a price no less
than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant (or no less than 110% of the
fair market value in the case of holders of 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company or of a subsidiary or parent of the Company). Non-qualified stock
options may be granted at the exercise price established by the compensation committee, which may
be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. As of November 2,
2007, the closing price of the Companys Common Stock was $1.59 per share.
Each incentive stock option granted under the SOP is exercisable for a period not to exceed 10
years from the date of grant (or five years in the case of a holder of more than 10% of the total
combined power of all classes of stock of the Company or of a subsidiary or parent of the Company)
and shall lapse upon the expiration of the period, or earlier upon termination of the recipients
employment or service with the Company or as determined by the compensation committee. These
limitations do not apply to non-qualified stock options. The compensation committee shall
determine the period of time during which an option may be exercised following termination of
employment or service due to death or disability, or following termination of employment or service
due to retirement.
The Board of Directors of the Company may amend the SOP at any time, except if shareholder
approval is required under tax, securities or any other applicable law. However, the Board may not
make an amendment that has an adverse effect on the rights of any Participant or beneficiary of any
award granted under the Plan without written consent to the amendment by the affected Participant.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Plan
The grant and exercise of options issued pursuant to the SOP should cause the federal income
tax consequences to the Participant and the Company described below.
Incentive Stock Options. Incentive stock options under the SOP are intended to be eligible
for the favorable federal income tax treatment accorded incentive stock options under Section 422
of the Code. Incentive stock options generally have the following tax consequences.
|
|
|
There are generally no federal income tax consequences to the optionee or the Company by
reason of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option. However, the exercise of an
incentive stock option may increase the optionees alternative minimum tax liability if any
and, to the extent that any incentive stock option is exercisable during any calendar year
with respect to shares having, as of the grant date, a fair market value exceeding
$100,000, such excess will be treated as a non-qualified stock option. |
|
|
|
|
If an optionee holds stock acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option
for more than two years from the date on which the option is granted and more than one year
from the date on which the shares are transferred to the optionee upon exercise of such
option, then any gain or loss on a disposition of such stock |
10
|
|
|
will be long-term capital gain or loss. However, if the optionee disposes of the stock
before the expiration of either of the above holding periods (a disqualifying disposition),
at the time of the disqualifying disposition of the option, the optionee will realize taxable
ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value on the date of
exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the optionees actual gain, if any, on the purchase
and sale. The optionees additional gain or any loss upon the disqualifying disposition will
be a capital gain or loss which will be long-term or short-term, depending on whether the
stock acquired from exercising the option was held for more than one year. |
|
|
|
|
Upon exercise of an incentive stock option, the excess of the stocks fair market value
on the date of exercise over the option exercise price will be considered a tax preference
item in calculating the optionees alternative minimum tax, if any. |
|
|
|
|
To the extent the optionee recognizes ordinary income by reason of a disqualifying
disposition, the Company will be entitled to a corresponding compensation expense deduction
in the tax year in which the disposition occurs. |
Non-Qualified Stock Options. At the time any non-qualified option is granted, the optionee
will not recognize any taxable income and the Company will not be entitled to any deduction. When
an optionee exercises a non-qualified option, the optionee will generally recognize ordinary income
in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock received on the date
of exercise over the option exercise price. The Company will be entitled to a deduction in an
amount equal to the income recognized by the optionee. The basis of the Common Stock received upon
the exercise of a non-qualified option will be the exercise price paid plus the amount recognized
by the optionee as taxable income attributable to such shares as a result of the exercise.
When an optionee sells stock acquired by the exercise of a non-qualified option, the
difference between the amount received and the adjusted tax basis of the stock will be capital gain
or loss if such shares constitute a capital asset in the hands of the optionee. The compensation
deduction by the Company upon exercise of non-qualified options by the CEO or any of the other four
most highly compensated executive officers may be limited by Section 162(m) of the Code, which
limits the deductibility of compensation in any one year to $1,000,000 unless the excess
compensation is performance-based.
Plan Benefits
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, none of the 500,000 shares that are subject to
shareholder approval have been granted. It is not determinable what options will be received by
Participants under the SOP in fiscal 2008. However, the following table provides information
concerning options awarded to employees and directors in fiscal 2007 under the SOP.
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Number of Options |
Brian E. Dearing |
|
|
0 |
|
Timothy Sherlock |
|
|
0 |
|
Roy W. Olivier |
|
|
50,000 |
|
All current executive officers as a group |
|
|
50,000 |
|
All current
non-employee directors as a group |
|
|
24,000 |
|
All employees who are not executive officers as a group |
|
|
53,000 |
|
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE SOP. PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE SOP AMENDMENT UNLESS
SHAREHOLDERS SPECIFY TO THE CONTRARY IN THEIR PROXIES.
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee has appointed Wipfli LLP to serve as the Companys independent accountant
to audit the books and accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending July
31, 2008. The Board of Directors has recommended that shareholders ratify this appointment. It is
intended that the shares represented by
11
the proxy will be voted (unless the proxy indicates to the contrary) for ratification of the
appointment. Wipfli LLP also served as the Companys independent accountant for the fiscal year
ended July 31, 2007. A representative of Wipfli LLP is expected to be present at the meeting with
the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and is expected to be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
Auditors Fees
Fees for professional services provided by our independent auditors in each of the last two
fiscal years, in each of the following categories, were as follows:
Tax services rendered by our independent auditors included consultations on state sales and
use tax. All other services rendered by our independent auditors in fiscal 2007 and 2006 included
consultations on accounting matters regarding newly adopted FAS 123R, acquisition related filings
and the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
106,935 |
|
|
$ |
111,875 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
17,178 |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
6,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
130,901 |
|
|
$ |
117,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The audit committee pre-approves all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by the
independent auditors, unless such pre-approval is waived in accordance with Item 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C)
of Regulation S-X. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services
and other services. The audit committee has delegated the authority to grant pre-approval of
auditing or allowable non-audit services to the chairman of the audit committee. Each pre-approval
decision pursuant to this delegation is to be presented to the full audit committee at its next
scheduled meeting.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth certain information about shares of the Companys Common Stock
outstanding and available for issuance under the Companys existing equity compensation plans: the
1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 1993 Director Stock Option Plan, the 2000 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan. The table details securities authorized for issuance
under the Companys equity compensation plans as of July 31, 2007. The table below does not
include stock option grants, exercises or cancellations since July 31, 2007 and, in accordance with
SEC rules, excludes information concerning the Companys 401(k) plan. The Company has discontinued
granting options under the 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 1993 Director Stock Option Plan,
although options are outstanding under those plans.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available |
|
|
securities to be |
|
|
|
|
|
for future issuance |
|
|
issued upon |
|
Weighted-average |
|
under equity |
|
|
exercise of |
|
exercise price of |
|
compensation plans |
|
|
outstanding |
|
outstanding |
|
[excluding securities |
|
|
options, warrants |
|
options, warrants |
|
reflected in column] |
|
|
and rights |
|
and rights |
|
(a) |
Plan category |
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
1,390,100 |
|
|
$ |
1.45 |
|
|
|
151,156 |
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders
(1) |
|
|
13,533 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Total |
|
|
1,403,633 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151,156 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents estimated number of shares to be issued pursuant to long-term incentive plan
awards described above, based on an assumed value of $1.59 per share (the November 2, 2007
closing stock price). |
12
OTHER MATTERS
Other Proposed Action
The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters which may come before the
meeting. However, if any matters other than those referred to above should properly come before
the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote such proxy in accordance with their
discretion.
Shareholder Proposals
All proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Companys 2008 Annual Meeting
must be received by the Company at its executive offices on or before September 22, 2008, in order
to be presented at the meeting (and must otherwise be in accordance with the requirements of the
Bylaws of the Company) and must be received by July 14, 2008 to be considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement for that meeting.
Costs of Solicitation
The expenses of printing and mailing proxy materials, including reasonable expenses involved
in forwarding materials to beneficial owners of Common Stock, will be borne by the Company. In
addition, directors, officers or employees of the Company may solicit the return of proxies from
certain shareholders by telephone, e-mail, facsimile or personal solicitation.
SHAREHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THE COMPANYS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AT NO COST BY WRITING TO THE INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, ARI
NETWORK SERVICES, INC., 11425 WEST LAKE PARK DRIVE, SUITE 900, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53224.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brian E. Dearing, Acting Secretary
November 12, 2007
13
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the Companys financial reporting
process on behalf of the Board of Directors and to report the results of its activities to the
Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting
process including the systems of internal controls. A complete description of the Committees
duties is set forth in its charter.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed the audited financial
statements in the Annual Report 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 Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an
opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States, 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 the Committee under standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States).
In addition, the Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors independence
from management and the Company including matters in the written disclosures required by the
Independence Standards Board and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with auditors
independence.
The Committee discussed with the Companys independent auditors the overall scope and plans
for their audit. The Committee meets with the independent auditors, with and without management
present, to discuss the results of their examination and their evaluation of the Companys internal
controls, and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting. The Committee held five
meetings during fiscal 2007.
In reliance on the views and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included
in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended July 31, 2007 for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Committee has also approved the selection of the Companys
independent auditors.
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/s/ William C. Mortimore |
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William C. Mortimore, Chairman of the Audit Committee
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/s/ Richard W. Weening |
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Richard W. Weening, Audit Committee Member |
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14
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
December 20, 2007
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
¯Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.¯ |
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE. |
1. Election of Director: 2. To approve an amendment to the Companys 2000 Stock Option Plan.
o FOR ALL NOMINEES NOMINEES: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
o WITHHOLD AUTHORITY o WILLIAM C. o o o
MORTIMORE 3. To ratify the appointment of Wipfli LLP as the Companys independent public
o FOR ALL EXCEPT o RICHARD W. WEENING accountants for fiscal 2008.
(See instructions below) FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
o o o
4. In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote upon such other
matters as may properly come before the 2007 Annual Meeting and at any
adjournment or postponement thereof. |
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY
any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
and fill the circle next to each nominee you with FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR THE OTHER PROPOSAL.
to withhold, as shown here: l |
To change the address on your account, please o
check the box at right and indicate your new
address in the address space above. Please note
that changes to this the registered name(s) on
the account may not be submitted via this method. |
Signature of Shareholder Date: Signature of
Shareholder Date: |
n Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are
held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, attorney, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporate name by duly
authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person. |
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
The undersigned, a shareholder of ARI Network Services, Inc. (the Company), hereby appoints
Brian E. Dearing and John C. Bray, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint a
substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the
reverse side, all of the shares of stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned on
November 2, 2007, at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on December
20, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof. |
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side) |