def14a
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant: |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for use of the Commission only |
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(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12 |
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Conns, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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2)
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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3)
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Per unit price or other underlying
value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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5)
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part
of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
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1)
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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3)
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Filing Party: |
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4)
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Date Filed: |
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CONNS, INC.
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
(409) 832-1696
NOTICE OF 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 31, 2006
To the Stockholders of Conns, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders of Conns, Inc. will be held on
Wednesday, May 31, 2006, at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, commencing at 10:00 a.m.
local time, for the following purposes:
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to elect nine (9) directors; |
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to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to the Conns, Inc.
Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan to provide for an
increase in maximum number of shares with respect to which options may be
granted to employees of the Company; |
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to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to the Conns, Inc. 2003
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan to provide for (i) an increase in the maximum
number of shares of Company stock with respect to which options may be granted to
non-employee directors under and pursuant to the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock
Option Plan, and (ii) to provide for vesting of the annual grant of options to
non-employee directors one year after the date of the grant ; and |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting. |
A copy of the proxy statement relating to the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, in which
the foregoing matters are described in more detail, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K outlining
our operations for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006, accompanies this notice of 2006 annual
meeting of stockholders. For your additional convenience, the Company is posting a copy of this
Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 on
the Companys website at www.conns.com, under annual meeting information.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2006 are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof. A list of
such stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of and the number of
shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, will be available for examination by any
stockholder for any purpose relating to the meeting during ordinary business hours for a period of
at least ten days prior to the meeting at the principal offices of the Company located at 3295
College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you expect to be present at the meeting, please
complete, sign, date and return promptly the enclosed form of proxy in the enclosed pre-addressed,
postage-paid return envelope.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/ Sydney K. Boone, Jr.
SYDNEY K. BOONE, JR.
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Secretary |
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April 25, 2006
Beaumont, Texas
This proxy statement is first being mailed to our stockholders on or about April 28, 2006.
PROXY STATEMENT
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
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Date:
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May 31, 2006 |
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Time:
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10:00 a.m. local time |
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Location:
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Conns, Inc., 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701 |
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Record Date and
Number of Votes:
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April 14, 2006. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for
each share of common stock they owned as of the close of business on
April 14, 2006. You may not cumulate votes. |
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Agenda:
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1. |
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to elect nine directors; |
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2. |
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to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to the Conns, Inc.
Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan to provide for an
increase in maximum number of shares with respect to which options may be
granted to employees of the Company; |
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3. |
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to consider a proposal to approve an amendment to Conns, Inc. 2003
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan to provide for (i) an increase in
the maximum number of shares of Company stock with respect to which
options may be granted to non-employee directors under and pursuant to
the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, and (ii) to provide for
vesting of the annual grant of options to non-employee directors one year
after the date of the grant; and |
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4. |
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting. |
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Proxies:
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Unless you tell us on the enclosed form of proxy to vote differently, we
will vote signed returned proxies FOR the board nominees, FOR
approval of the amendment to our incentive stock option plan, and FOR
approval of the amendment to the non-employee director stock option plan.
The proxy holders will use their discretion on other matters. If a
nominee cannot or will not serve as a director, the proxy holders will
vote for a person whom they believe will carry on our present policies. |
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Proxies |
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Solicited By:
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The Board of Directors |
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First Mailing Date:
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We are first mailing this Proxy Statement and the form of proxy on or
about April 28, 2006. |
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Revoking Your
Proxy:
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You may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the meeting. To revoke
your proxy, follow the procedures listed on page 2 under General
Information Regarding the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; Revocation
of Proxies. |
PLEASE VOTE BY RETURNING YOUR PROXY. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
Prompt return of your proxy will help reduce the costs of re-solicitation.
Table of Contents
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i
GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE 2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Quorum
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the
2006 annual meeting of stockholders, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at
the meeting. However, if a quorum is not present or represented at the meeting, the stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, have the power to
adjourn the meeting, without notice, other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is
present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented,
any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.
Votes Required to Approve Proposals
To be elected, directors must receive a plurality of the shares voting in person or by proxy,
provided a quorum exists. A plurality means receiving the largest number of votes, regardless of
whether that is a majority. The amendment to our incentive stock option plan and our non-employee
director stock plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote that
are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting.
Record Date, Shares Outstanding and Number of Votes
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 14, 2006, the record date set
for the meeting by our board, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any
adjournments of the meeting. On the record date, there were 23,634,662 shares of our common stock
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one
vote per share.
Method of Counting Votes, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
Votes cast by proxy or in person will be counted by the inspector of election appointed by the
Company.
Those who fail to return a proxy or who do not attend the meeting will not count towards
determining any required quorum, plurality or majority of votes cast. Stockholders and brokers
returning proxies or attending the meeting who abstain from voting on the election of directors
will count towards determining a quorum. Such abstentions will have no effect on the election of
our directors and will have the effect of a no vote on the proposal to amend our incentive stock
option plan and our non-employee director stock option plan, but will not impact how the shares in
the Conns Voting Trust are voted, which votes in the same proportion as the votes cast for and
against a proposal by all other shareholders, not counting abstentions.
Brokers holding shares of record for customers generally are not entitled to vote on certain
matters unless they receive voting instructions from their customers. Brokers are permitted to
vote on routine, non-controversial proposals in instances where they have not received voting
instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock but are not permitted to vote on non-routine
matters. In the event that a broker does not receive voting instructions for non-routine matters,
a broker may notify us that it lacks voting authority to vote those shares. These broker
non-votes refer to votes that could have been cast on the matter in question by brokers with
respect to uninstructed shares if the brokers had received their customers instructions. The
inspector of election will treat broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled to vote
for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. However, for the purpose of determining
the outcome of any matter as to which the broker has indicated on the proxy that it does not have
discretionary authority to vote, those shares will be treated as not present and not entitled to
vote with respect to that matter (even though those shares are considered entitled to vote for
quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other matters). Approval of or amendments to equity
compensation plans like our incentive stock option plan and our non-employee director stock plan
proposals are generally considered non-routine matters. These broker non-votes will have no effect
on the outcome of the election of our directors or the proposals to amend our incentive stock
option plan and non-employee director stock option plan.
How the Proxies Will Be Voted
The enclosed proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions you place on the form
of proxy. Unless you tell us on the enclosed form of proxy to vote differently, we will vote
signed returned proxies FOR the board nominees, FOR approval of the amendment to our incentive
stock option plan, and FOR approval of the amendment to the non-employee director stock option
plan. The proxy holders will use their discretion on other matters. If a nominee cannot or will
not serve as a director, the proxy holders will vote for a person whom they believe will carry on
our present policies.
Pursuant to the terms of a voting trust agreement entered into by Stephens Group, Inc.,
Stephens Inc. and certain affiliates of Stephens Inc., which collectively own approximately 47.9%
of our common stock, unless the voting trust is revoked, the trustee of the voting trust must vote
the shares of common stock held by the voting trust FOR or AGAINST any proposal or other matter
submitted to the stockholders of the company for approval in the same proportion as the votes cast
FOR and AGAINST such proposal or other matter by all other stockholders, not counting
abstentions. Therefore, each proxy received voting FOR or AGAINST any proposal will result in
a proportionate number of shares held in the voting trust to be voted FOR or AGAINST a
proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not impact how the shares in the voting trust are
counted.
Revocation of Proxies
You may revoke your proxy before it is voted. Any stockholder returning the enclosed form of
proxy may revoke such proxy at any time prior to its exercise by:
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delivering a signed proxy, dated later than the original proxy, to our transfer
agent, Computershare., at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, Attention:
Jay Volner (please make sure our transfer agent receives your proxy at least two
business days prior to the date of the meeting); |
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delivering a signed, written revocation letter, dated later than the proxy, to our
transfer agent, Computershare, at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021,
Attention: Jay Volner (please make sure our transfer agent receives your revocation
letter at least two business days prior to the date of the meeting); or |
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attending the meeting and voting in person (attending the meeting alone will not
revoke your proxy). |
Your last vote is the vote that will be counted.
Stockholder Proposals and Other Business
From time to time, stockholders seek to nominate directors or present proposals for inclusion
in our proxy statement and form of proxy for consideration at an annual meeting of stockholders.
To be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy or considered at our next annual meeting,
you must timely submit nominations of directors or proposals, in addition to meeting other legal
requirements. We must receive your nominations and/or proposals for the 2007 annual meeting no
later than December 29, 2006 for possible inclusion in the proxy statement or for possible
consideration at the meeting no earlier than December 29, 2006 or later than January 29, 2007.
However, if the date of the 2006 annual meeting changes by more than 30 days from the date of this
years meeting, then we must receive your nominations and/or proposals within a reasonable time
before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials.
We do not intend to bring any business before the 2006 annual stockholders meeting other than
the matters described in this proxy statement nor have we been informed of any matters that may be
presented at the meeting by others. If however, any other business should properly arise, the
persons appointed in the enclosed proxy have discretionary authority to vote in accordance with
their best judgment.
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Solicitation of Proxies
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation
of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made by our directors, officers and employees by other
means, including telephone, email or in person. No special compensation will be paid to directors,
officers or employees for the solicitation of proxies. To solicit proxies, we also will request
the assistance of banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries, and, upon
request, will reimburse such organizations or individuals for their reasonable expenses in
forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners and in obtaining authorization for the
execution of proxies.
Annual Report
The booklet containing this proxy statement also contains our annual report to stockholders
and Form 10-K including audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31,
2006. The booklet has been mailed to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on
April 14, 2006. Any stockholder that has not received a copy of our annual report may obtain a
copy, without charge, by writing to us at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention:
Sydney K. Boone, Jr., Corporate General Counsel. You may also obtain a copy of this proxy
statement and Form 10-K together with all of our SEC filings through the Companys website at
www.conns.com and at the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
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PROPOSALS FOR STOCKHOLDER ACTION
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Number of Directors To Be Elected
Our board is currently constituted with nine director positions, all of which positions are to
be elected at the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders. The nine directors elected at the annual
meeting will hold office until the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective
successors have been elected and qualified. You may not vote for a greater number of directors
than those nominated.
Expansion of Board; Board Nominees
Our board of directors met in March 2006 and considered and did approve the expansion of the
number of director positions from eight to nine positions, and additionally considered the
candidates for election to the board at the 2006 annual meeting. A majority of our independent
directors recommended that the board nominate:
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Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
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Marvin D. Brailsford |
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Jon E.M. Jacoby |
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Bob L. Martin |
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Douglas H. Martin |
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Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr. |
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Scott L. Thompson |
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William T. Trawick |
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Theodore M. Wright |
for re-election to the Board at the 2006 annual meeting. In making these recommendations, the
independent directors considered the requirements and qualifications discussed under Board of
Directors; Nominating Policies on page 16 of this proxy statement. Based on this recommendation,
our board has nominated:
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Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
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Marvin D. Brailsford |
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Jon E.M. Jacoby |
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Bob L. Martin |
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Douglas H. Martin |
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Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr. |
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Scott L. Thompson |
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William T. Trawick |
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Theodore M. Wright |
to be elected by the stockholders at the 2006 annual meeting. All nominees have consented to serve
as directors. The board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or
unwilling to act as a director. In the event any of these nominated directors is unable to stand
for election, the board of directors may either reduce the size of the board or designate a
substitute.
For biographical information regarding each of the boards nominees for director, please refer
to Board of Directors; Board Nominees on page 14 of this proxy statement.
We Recommend That You Vote For Each Of The Board Nominees.
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PROPOSAL TWO:
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 2003 INCENTIVE STOCK
OPTION PLAN
Effective January 2003, our board of directors adopted the Conns, Inc. Amended and Restated
2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The plan was approved by our stockholders at the January 17,
2003 special meeting of the stockholders of Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor corporation. At
the annual meeting of stockholders held June 3, 2004, an amendment to the plan was approved by the
stockholders of the Company requiring the plan to be administered by the Board or a committee
appointed by the Board, which committee is to be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws and
permitting the Chief Executive Officer of the Company the authority to grant options to
non-executive officers of the Company under guidelines or formulae approved or adopted by the
committee. The purpose of the plan is to secure for Conns and our stockholders the benefits of the
incentives inherent in the ownership of our common stock by our present and future employees. On
March 28, 2006, our board of directors, subject to shareholder approval, amended our Amended and
Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock that may
be issued under the plan from 2,559,767 to 3,859,767.
General Description of the Plan
Under the plan, officers and employees are eligible to receive awards in the form of stock
options. As of January 31, 2006, we had approximately 2,600 full-time employees and 200 part-time
employees. Generally, the plan is for ten years subject to early termination. If this proposal to
amend the plan is adopted, the term of the plan will be increased until March 29, 2016, 10 years
from the date our board of directors adopted the amendment increasing the number of shares reserved
for issuance under the plan. Copies of the full text of the plan are available for review at our
principal offices and we will furnish copies to our stockholders without charge upon written
request directed to Conns, Inc., 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: Chief
Financial Officer. Further, for your convenience, a copy of the plan is posted on the Companys
website at www.conns.com, under annual meeting documents.
Options granted under the plan may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock
options. Subject to early termination provisions, options may have a term of up to 10 years,
provided, however, an option granted to an employee who owns stock representing more than 10% of
the voting power of our stock on the date of the grant may not have a term greater than five years.
Each option generally vests in twenty percent increments commencing on the first annual
anniversary of the grant date unless otherwise provided in the option agreement. However, the
vesting may accelerate under certain conditions. The exercise price for the incentive stock
options is to be not less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of the
grant unless the option is being granted to an employee who, at the date of grant, owns more than
10% of our voting power, in which case, the exercise price is not to be less than 110% of the fair
market value. The exercise price for non-qualified stock options is determined by our compensation
committee, as the administrator of the plan. Options granted under the plan may not be sold,
pledged, assigned, or otherwise disposed of other than by will or by the laws of descent or
distribution. During the lifetime of the employee to whom the option was granted, the option may
only be exercised by that employee.
The plan, prior to the amendment, provides for 2,559,767 shares of Company common stock
available for issuance. At January 31, 2006, a total of 1,625,556 shares of common stock were
subject to options issued and outstanding under the plan, 481,262 outstanding options had been
exercised, and 452,949 shares remain available for issuance under the plan. If this proposal had
been adopted on January 31, 2006, there would have been 1,754,949 shares available for issuance at
January 31, 2006. All of the shares authorized for issuance under the plan that have been approved
by the stockholders are registered on a Form S-8 filed with the SEC. If this proposal is adopted,
we intend to file a new registration statement on Form S-8 to cover the registration of the
additional shares.
Administration
The plan is administered by our board of directors and the compensation committee of our
board. Except as provided in the NASD exemptions, the members of the compensation committee must
be non-employee directors as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
outside directors as required under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Our
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compensation committee currently consists of Jon E.M. Jacoby, Theodore M. Wright and William T.
Trawick, who are independent directors.
The board or the compensation committee has discretion in determining the terms, restrictions
and conditions of each award granted under the plan. The board or the compensation committee is
permitted, in its discretion, to change and/or rescind the terms of any award granted under the
plan as long as such change or rescission does not adversely affect the rights of the award
recipient as stated in the applicable award agreement.
Amendment
The plan may be amended or terminated by the board or the compensation committee at any time.
However, an amendment that would impair the rights of a recipient of any outstanding award will not
be valid with respect to such award without the recipients consent. In addition, our stockholders
must approve any amendment to increase the number of authorized shares under the plan, to change
employees eligible to participate in the plan, to change the manner in which options are issued or
exercised, to extend the term of the plan or to adopt any amendment which requires stockholder
approval under NASD rules.
Proposed Amendment to the Plan
We proposed to amend the plan as follows:
The first paragraph of Section 4 of the plan will be amended and restated to read as follows:
4. Shares Subject to this Plan. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 13, the
maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Options and sold under this Plan
is 3,859,767. The Shares may be authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock.
Section 6(a) of the plan will be amended and restated to read as follows:
(a) Options may be granted only to Employees. The maximum number of Shares with
respect to which Options may be granted during a specified period to any single
Employee is 500,000.
The remaining provisions of the plan will remain the same and in full force and effect.
Purposes of the Amendment
One of the purposes of the proposed amendment to the plan is to (i) ensure that the plan has
sufficient shares for issuance, and (ii) ensure that compensation related to stock options granted
under the plan is considered performance-based compensation that is
excluded from the $1.0 million
deduction limit of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and therefore remains fully
deductible. Section 162(m) requires that (i) the grant must be made by the compensation committee;
(ii) the plan under which the option is granted states the maximum number of shares with respect to
which options may be granted during a specified period (usually a fiscal year or a calendar year)
to any employee; and (iii) under the terms of the option, the amount of compensation the employee
could receive is based solely on an increase in the value of the stock after the date of grant.
The other purpose of the amendment to the plan is to further promote our ability to attract
and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide
additional incentive to our employees and to promote the success of the Companys business.
Accordingly, the board of directors unanimously determined to propose to the stockholders the
increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the plan, and the increase of the
maximum number of shares with respect to which options may be granted during a specified period to
any single employee.
6
Tax Effects of Participation in the Plan
The following is a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences arising with
respect to options granted under the plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and the
exact tax consequences to the participant will depend on various factors and his or her particular
circumstances. The summary is based on present laws, regulations and interpretations and does not
purport to be a complete description of federal tax consequences. This summary of federal tax
consequences may change in the event of a change in the Internal Revenue Code or regulation
thereunder or interpretations thereof. We urge participants to consult with a tax advisor with
respect to any state, local or foreign tax considerations or particular federal tax implications of
options granted under the plan prior to taking action with respect to an option. The plan is not
intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Withholding
We may deduct from all amounts paid by us to the participant in cash or other form, any
federal, state, or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments. The
participant receiving shares of common stock issued under the plan upon the exercise of options
will be required to pay us the amount of any taxes which we are required to withhold with respect
to such shares of common stock.
Incentive Stock Options
The grant or exercise of an incentive stock option will not result in ordinary taxable income
to the participant or a tax deduction for us. However, when the option is exercised, the
difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on the date of
exercise will be considered income for the purposes of the alternative minimum tax. Accordingly,
the exercise of an incentive stock option may result in an alternative minimum tax liability.
Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option ordinarily receive
capital gain or loss treatment on their sale or other disposition. However, if the holder disposes
of the shares acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option within two years after the
date of grant or one year after the date of exercise (a disqualifying disposition), the holder
will generally recognize ordinary income in the amount of the excess of the fair market value of
the shares on the date the option exercised over the exercise price, and we will be entitled to a
corresponding tax deduction, provided we comply with applicable income tax reporting requirements.
Any excess of the amount realized by the holder on the disqualifying disposition over the fair
market value of the shares on the date of exercise of the option will generally be a capital gain.
If an option is exercised through the use of shares previously owned by the holder, such
exercise generally will not be considered a taxable disposition of the previously owned shares and
thus no gain or loss will be recognized with respect to those shares upon such exercise.
Non-qualified Stock Options
Some of the options granted under the plan may be non-qualified stock options, that is,
options not intended to be incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
There are no tax consequences to the participant or us by reason of the grant of a
non-qualified stock option. Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant
normally will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stocks fair
market value on the date the non-qualified stock option is exercised over the exercise price of the
option. Upon disposition of the stock, the participant will recognize a gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized as a result of the sale and the sum of the exercise price
plus any amount recognized as ordinary income when the non-qualified stock option was exercised or,
if later, when the shares subject to the non-qualified stock option are no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on
whether the stock was held for more than the applicable capital gains holding period.
7
If we comply with applicable income reporting requirements, we will be entitled to a federal
income tax deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the participant recognizes ordinary
income, subject to any deduction limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code,
which is discussed below.
Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a public companys tax
deduction for compensation paid in excess of $1.0 million in any tax year to its chief executive
officer, or the individual acting in that capacity, and the four most highly compensated
executives. However, compensation that qualifies as performance-based compensation is excluded
from this $1.0 million deduction limit and therefore remains fully deductible by the company that
pays it. We intend that options granted (i) with an exercise price at least equal to 100% of the
fair market value of the underlying shares of common stock at the date of grant and (ii) to
employees the compensation committee expects to be named executive officers at the time a deduction
arises in connection with these options, qualify as performance-based compensation so these
options will not be subject to the Section 162(m) deduction limitation.
8
Options Granted Under the Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan
As of January 31, 2006, the closing sale price of our common stock was $43.48 per share, as
reported by Nasdaq. The following table sets forth information with respect to options granted to
the listed persons and groups under the plan through January 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number Of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Grant |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Expiration |
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Options |
|
|
Date |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Date |
|
Thomas J. Frank, Sr., |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2005 |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2004 |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
|
56,500 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr., |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2005 |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
Executive Vice Chairman of the Board |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2004 |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
and Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
56,500 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
|
28,070 |
|
|
|
7/15/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/15/2011 |
|
David W. Trahan, |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2005 |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
Senior Vice President-Retail |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2004 |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/24/2013 |
|
Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr. |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2005 |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
Senior Vice President-Credit |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2004 |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/24/2013 |
|
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
|
7/15/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/15/2011 |
|
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
1/25/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
1/25/2011 |
|
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
7/28/2000 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/28/2010 |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2005 |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
President |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2004 |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
|
56,140 |
|
|
|
7/15/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/15/2011 |
|
Executive officers as a group |
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2005 |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
11/30/2004 |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
|
184,500 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
|
231,210 |
|
|
|
7/15/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/15/2011 |
|
|
|
|
94,500 |
|
|
|
1/25/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
1/25/2011 |
|
|
|
|
49,000 |
|
|
|
7/28/2000 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/28/2010 |
|
All employees (excluding executive officer group) |
|
|
98,700 |
|
|
|
11/30/2005 |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
|
131,300 |
|
|
|
11/30/2004 |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
10/6/2004 |
|
|
$ |
14.48 |
|
|
|
10/6/2014 |
|
|
|
|
37,900 |
|
|
|
5/26/2004 |
|
|
$ |
16.49 |
|
|
|
5/26/2014 |
|
|
|
|
142,300 |
|
|
|
11/25/2003 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
|
56,000 |
|
|
|
6/28/2002 |
|
|
$ |
10.83 |
|
|
|
6/28/2012 |
|
|
|
|
17,250 |
|
|
|
12/3/2001 |
|
|
$ |
9.91 |
|
|
|
12/3/2011 |
|
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
8/1/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
8/1/2011 |
|
|
|
|
171,808 |
|
|
|
7/15/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/15/2011 |
|
|
|
|
171,500 |
|
|
|
1/25/2001 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
1/25/2011 |
|
|
|
|
255,500 |
|
|
|
7/28/2000 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/28/2010 |
|
|
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
|
1/10/2000 |
|
|
$ |
4.29 |
|
|
|
1/10/2010 |
|
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
12/1/1999 |
|
|
$ |
4.29 |
|
|
|
12/1/2009 |
|
9
Equity Compensation Plan Information Prior to Stockholder Approval of the Amendment to the Plan
The following table provides information about our common stock that may be issued upon the
exercise of options under all of our existing equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
|
(B) |
|
|
(C) |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
Securities to be |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Remaining Available for |
|
|
|
Issued upon |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Future Issuance Under |
|
|
|
Exercise of |
|
|
of Outstanding |
|
|
Equity Compensation |
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Options, |
|
|
Plans (Excluding |
|
|
|
Options, Warrants |
|
|
Warrants and |
|
|
Securities Reflected in |
|
Plan Category |
|
and Rights |
|
|
Rights |
|
|
Column (A)) |
|
Equity Compensation
Plans Approved by
Stockholders |
|
|
1,625,556 |
|
|
$ |
16.31 |
|
|
|
452,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Compensation
Plans Not Approved
by Stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,625,556 |
|
|
$ |
16.31 |
|
|
|
452,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We Recommend That You Vote For Approval Of
The Amendment To The Conns, Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
10
PROPOSAL THREE:
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2003 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION
PLAN
Effective January 2003, our board of directors adopted the Conns, Inc. 2003 Non-Employee
Directors Stock Option Plan. The plan was approved by our stockholders at the January 17, 2003
special meeting of the stockholders of Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor corporation. The
purpose of the plan is to attract and retain persons of outstanding competence to serve on the
board of directors who are not employed by the Company. On March 28, 2006, our board of directors,
subject to shareholder approval, amended our 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan to
increase the number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the plan from 300,000 to
600,000, and to provide for the vesting of the annual option grants after the directors fourth
anniversary as a director on the one year anniversary date of the issuance of such options.
General Description of the Plan
Under the plan, non-employee directors are awarded non-qualified stock options as specifically
directed and required under the plan. We currently have seven non-employee directors. It is
intended that there will be no tax consequences to the non-employee director or the Company by
reason of the issuance of the options to the non-employee director. Upon election to the board,
each non-employee director is awarded options to acquire 40,000 shares of Company common stock.
Each non-employee director is also awarded options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock
following each annual stockholder meeting after the fourth anniversary of each non-employee
directors initial election or appointment to the board. Each option vests in twenty-five percent
increments commencing on the first annual anniversary of the grant date, unless otherwise stated in
the option agreement granting the options. Currently, each option agreement for all non-employee
directors states that the options vest equally over a three year period. If a non-employee
director resigns or is not reelected prior to the vesting of all of his/her options, the unvested
portion of the options as well as all vested but unexercised within three years of the date of such
resignation or non-election is returned to the shares available for issuance.
Options granted under the plan are non-qualified stock options. Subject to early termination
provisions, options may have a term of up to 10 years. The exercise price for non-qualified stock
options is determined by our board of directors, as the administrator of the plan. Options granted
under the plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned, or otherwise disposed of other than by will or
by the laws of descent or distribution. During the lifetime of the non-employee director to whom
the option was granted, the option may only be exercised by that non-employee director.
The plan, prior to the amendment, provides and the Form S-8 filed with the SEC registered
300,000 shares of Company common stock for issuance under the plan. At January 31, 2006, each of
the Companys seven non-employee directors have received the required, under the plan, options to
40,000 shares of company stock, for a total of 258,000 shares of common stock subject to options
issued and outstanding under the plan, 22,000 outstanding options had been exercised, and 20,000
shares remain available for issuance subject to options under the plan. All of the shares
authorized for issuance under the plan have been approved by the stockholders and are registered on
a Form S-8 filed with the SEC. If this proposal had been adopted on January 31, 2006, there would
have been 600,000 shares available for issuance at January 31, 2006. If this proposal is adopted,
we intend to file a new registration statement on Form S-8 to cover the registration of the
additional shares.
Administration
The plan is administered by our board of directors.
The board, as administrator of the plan, has discretion in determining the terms,
restrictions and conditions of each award granted under the plan. The board is permitted, in its
discretion, to change and/or rescind the terms of any award granted under the plan as long as such
change or rescission does not adversely affect the rights of the award recipient as stated in the
applicable award agreement.
11
Amendment
The plan may be amended or terminated by the board at any time. However, an amendment that
would impair the rights of a recipient of any outstanding award will not be valid with respect to
such award without the recipients consent. In addition, our stockholders must approve any
amendment to increase the number of authorized shares under the plan, to change the manner in
which options are issued or exercised, to extend the term of the plan or to adopt any amendment
which requires stockholder approval under NASD rules.
Proposed Amendment to the Plan
We proposed to amend the plan as follows:
The first paragraph of Paragraph 4 of the plan will be amended and restated to read as
follows:
4. Shares Subject to this Plan. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 17, the
maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Options and sold under this Plan
is 600,000. The Shares may be authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock.
Paragraph 6(b) of the plan will be amended and restated, to read as follows:
Unless stated otherwise in the Option Agreement, Options granted under this Plan
shall vest and become exercisable, subject to the other terms of this Plan, at the
rate of 25% per annum on each anniversary of the Date of Grant, except that Options
granted under this Plan pursuant to Paragraph 6(a)(ii) above shall vest on the first
annual anniversary date of the Date of Grant.
The remaining provisions of the plan will remain the same and in full force and effect.
Purpose of the Amendment
One of the purposes of the proposed amendment to the plan is to ensure that the plan has
sufficient shares for its required issuance, plus discretionary issuance. Currently, as described
above, the plan has 20,000 shares remaining for issuance subject to options. Six of the current
directors, if they do not resign, are re-nominated and are reelected through the annual meeting in
2007, shall receive additional grants of 10,000 options each and an additional grant of 10,000
shares on each anniversary thereafter, as prescribed by the plan. A seventh director will be
entitled to such additional 10,000 shares commencing in 2008, if he does not resign, is
re-nominated and is reelected through the annual meeting in 2008. The number of shares available
for issuance under the plan is not sufficient to support these requirements.
The other purpose of the amendment to the plan is to further promote our ability to attract
and retain the best available persons for our board, to provide for discretionary granting rights
by the board, at the instance of the compensation committee to issue non-employee director options
for such purpose, and to provide for convenience in utilizing such discretion to bring before the
full board the granting of such discretionary options.
Tax Effects of Participation in the Plan
The following is a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences arising with
respect to options granted under the plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and the
exact tax consequences to the participant will depend on various factors and his or her particular
circumstances. The summary is based on present laws, regulations and interpretations and does not
purport to be a complete description of federal tax consequences. This summary of federal tax
consequences may change in the event of a change in the Internal Revenue Code or regulation
thereunder or interpretations thereof. We urge participants to consult with a tax advisor with
respect to any state, local or foreign tax considerations or particular federal tax implications of
options granted under the plan prior to taking action with respect to an option. The plan is not
intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
12
Withholding
Optionees may satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold
from the shares to be issued upon exercise of an option that number of shares having a fair market
value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. We may deduct from all amounts paid by
us to the participant in cash or other form, any federal, state, or local taxes required by law to
be withheld with respect to such payments. The
participant receiving shares of common stock issued under the plan upon the exercise of
options will be required to pay us the amount of any taxes which we are required to withhold with
respect to such shares of common stock.
Non-qualified Stock Options
All of the options granted under the plan may be non-qualified stock options, that is, options
not intended to be incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code.
There are no tax consequences to the participant or us by reason of the grant of a
non-qualified stock option. Upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option, the participant
normally will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the stocks fair
market value on the date the non-qualified stock option is exercised over the exercise price of the
option. Upon disposition of the stock, the participant will recognize a gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized as a result of the sale and the sum of the exercise price
plus any amount recognized as ordinary income when the non-qualified stock option was exercised or,
if later, when the shares subject to the non-qualified stock option are no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture. Such gain or loss will be long-term or short-term depending on
whether the stock was held for more than the applicable capital gains holding period.
If we comply with applicable income reporting requirements, we will be entitled to a federal
income tax deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the participant recognizes ordinary
income.
Equity Compensation Plan Information Prior to Stockholder Approval of the Amendment to the Plan
The following table provides information about our common stock that may be issued upon the
exercise of options under the non-employee director stock option plan as of January 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
(B) |
|
(C) |
|
|
Number of |
|
Weighted- |
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
Securities to be |
|
Average |
|
Remaining Available for |
|
|
Issued upon |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Future Issuance Under |
|
|
Exercise of |
|
of Outstanding |
|
Equity Compensation |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Options, |
|
Plans (Excluding |
|
|
Options, Warrants |
|
Warrants and |
|
Securities Reflected in |
Plan Category |
|
and Rights |
|
Rights |
|
Column (A)) |
Equity Compensation
Plans Approved by
Stockholders |
|
|
258,000 |
|
|
|
$14.36 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
Equity Compensation
Plans Not Approved
by Stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
258,000 |
|
|
|
$14.36 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We Recommend That You Vote For Approval Of
The Amendment To The Conns, Inc. 2003 Non-Employee Director
Stock Option Plan.
13
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Nominees
Our board of directors met in March 2006 and considered the candidates for election to the
board at the 2006 annual meeting. A majority of our independent directors recommended that the
board nominate:
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
Marvin D. Brailsford
Jon E.M. Jacoby
Bob L. Martin
Douglas H. Martin
Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr.
Scott L. Thompson
William T. Trawick
Theodore M. Wright
for re-election at the 2006 annual meeting. Based on this recommendation, our board has
nominated:
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
Marvin D. Brailsford
Jon E.M. Jacoby
Bob L. Martin
Douglas H. Martin
Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr.
Scott L. Thompson
William T. Trawick
Theodore M. Wright
to be elected by all of our stockholders.
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. was appointed as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in
1994. He has been employed by us for 46 years, has been a member of our board of directors since
1980 and has held every key management position within the organization, including responsibilities
for distribution, service, credit, information technology, accounting and general operations. Mr.
Frank holds a B.A. degree in industrial arts from Sam Houston State University and attended
graduate courses at Texas A&M University. Mr. Frank completed the SCMP course at Harvard
University. Mr. Frank is 66 years old.
Marvin D. Brailsford has served as a director since September 2003. From 1996 until 2002,
General Brailsford served as Vice President-Material Stewardship Project Manager for the U.S.
governments Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site where he was responsible for managing
engineered systems and commodities purchasing. From 1992 to 1996, General Brailsford was president
of the Brailsford Group, Inc., a management consulting company, and served as president of Metters
Industries, Inc., an information technology and systems engineering company, during this time
period. In 1992, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant General, after 33 years of service,
most recently where he served as Deputy Commanding General Materiel Readiness/Executive Director
for Conventional Ammunition at the U.S. Materiel Command in Alexandria, Virginia. Since 1996,
General Brailsford has served on the board of directors of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. and has been a
member of its audit committee and chairman of its corporate governance committee. He also serves or
has served on the boards of directors of various private and governmental entities. General
Brailsford earned a B.S. degree in biology from Prairie View A & M University and a M.S. degree in
bacteriology from Iowa State University. He is also a graduate of the Executive Program at the
Graduate School of Business Administration, University of California at Berkley; Harvard
Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College;
and the Army War College. General Brailsford is 67 years old.
Jon E. M. Jacoby has served as a director since April 2003. Mr. Jacoby is a director of
Stephens Group, Inc. In September 2003, he retired as a Senior Executive Vice President of Stephens
Inc., where
14
he had been employed since 1963. His positions included Investment Analyst, Assistant
to the President and Manager of the Corporate Finance Department and the Special Investments
Department for Stephens Group, Inc. Mr. Jacoby serves on the board of directors of Delta and Pine
Land Company, Power-One, Inc., Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. and Eden Bioscience Corporation. He
received his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Jacoby is 68 years old.
Bob L. Martin has served as director since September 2003. Mr. Martin has over 31 years of
retailing and merchandising experience. Prior to retiring from the retail industry in 1999, he
headed the international operations of Wal-Mart International, Inc. for 15 years. From 1968 to
1983 Mr. Martin was responsible for technology services for Dillards, Inc. He currently serves on
the board of directors of Dillards, Inc., Gap, Inc., Sabre Holdings Corporation and Guitar Center,
Incorporated. He has experience as chairman of the corporate governance committee and compensation
committee, and has been a member of the audit committee of publicly held companies. Mr. Martin
attended South Texas University and holds an honorary doctorate degree from Southwest Baptist
University. Mr. Martin is 57 years old.
Douglas H. Martin has served as a director since 1998. Mr. Martin is an Executive Vice
President of Stephens Group, Inc. and Stephens Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stephens Group,
Inc., where he has been employed since 1981. He is responsible for the investment of the firms
capital in private companies. Mr. Martin serves as a member of the board of directors of numerous
privately held companies. He received his B.A. in physics and economics from Vanderbilt University
and his M.B.A. from Stanford University. Mr. Martin is 52 years old.
Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr. was appointed to our board as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board
by the board of directors on March 28, 2006, to fill the newly created ninth board position. Dr.
Nylin has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 1995. From 1995 until April 1, 2006, Dr.
Nylin also served as our President.. He was a member of our Board commencing in 1993, and remained
a member until September 2003, when the Company became a publicly held entity. In addition to
performing responsibilities as President and Chief Operating Officer, he has direct responsibility
for credit granting and collections, information technology, human resources, distribution, service
and training. From 1984 to 1995, Dr. Nylin held several executive management positions, including
Deputy Chancellor and Executive Vice President of Finance and Operation at Lamar University in
Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Nylin obtained his B.S. degree in mathematics from Lamar University, and
holds both a masters and doctorate degree in computer sciences from Purdue University. He has also
completed a post-graduate program at Harvard University. Dr. Nylin is 63 years old.
Scott L. Thompson has served as a director since June 2004. Mr. Thompson is recently retired
from Group 1 Automotive where he played a major role in the founding and subsequent growth of that
New York Stock Exchange listed and Fortune 500 company. He served as Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Group 1 from February 2002 until his retirement. From 1996
until February 2002, Mr. Thompson served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer of Group 1. Mr. Thompson has extensive experience in automotive retailing, investments,
energy and professional sports and is a certified public accountant. Mr. Thompson is 47 years old.
William T. Trawick has served as a director since September 2003. Since August 2000, Mr.
Trawick has served as Executive Director of NATM Buying Corporation where he oversees the
administrative activities of the multi-billion dollar regional group purchasing program of which we
are a member. He also functions as a consultant to our merchandising department on an ongoing
basis. From September 1996 to July 1999, Mr. Trawick served as our Vice President of Merchandising
and was responsible for all product purchasing, merchandising and store operations. Mr. Trawick is
59 years old.
Theodore M. Wright has served as a director since September 2003. Mr. Wright served as the
President of Sonic Automotive, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed and Fortune 300 automotive
retailer, from October 2002 until his retirement, and served as one of its directors since 1997.
Previously Mr. Wright served as its chief financial officer from April 1997 to April 2003. From
1995 to 1997, Mr. Wright was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLPs Columbia, South Carolina
office. From 1994 to 1995, he was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLPs National Office of
Accounting Research and SEC Services Department. Mr. Wright received a B.A. from Davidson College.
Mr. Wright is 43 years old.
15
These directors will serve one year terms which expire at our 2007 annual meeting of
stockholders.
Independent Board Composition
The board has determined that the following directors are independent as defined by NASD
listing standards: Marvin D. Brailsford, Jon E.M. Jacoby, Bob L. Martin, William T. Trawick, Scott
L. Thompson, and Theodore M. Wright. The independent directors of the board held executive
sessions at each meeting of the board of directors during fiscal 2006.
Board Meetings
During fiscal 2006, the board held four regularly scheduled meetings. Each person serving as
a director during fiscal 2006 attended at least 75% of the aggregate board and committee meetings
held during the period he served as director during fiscal 2006.
Policy Regarding Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
It is our policy that each member of the board of directors is encouraged to attend our annual
meeting of stockholders. Each director serving at the time of last years annual meeting attended
our annual meeting of stockholders.
Committees of the Board
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of our independent auditors. It also approves
audit reports and plans, accounting policies, audit fees and certain other expenses. In connection
with the rules adopted by the SEC and NASD, we adopted a revised written charter for the Audit
Committee, which is posted on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations. The Audit
Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the written charter on an annual basis.
Messrs. Wright, Brailsford and Thompson serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee
held four meetings in fiscal 2006, which were attended by all of the members and one telephonic
meeting with full participation by all members. The board has determined that each of Mr. Wright
and Mr. Thompson is an audit committee financial expert as defined by SEC rules. In addition,
each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined by the NASD listing
standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee determines executive officer compensation and administers our
compensation and incentive plans. The Compensation Committee also evaluates the competitiveness of
our compensation and the performance of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive
Officer. In connection with the rules adopted by the SEC and NASD, we adopted a revised written
charter for the Compensation Committee, which is posted on our website at www.conns.com under
Investor Relations.
Messrs. Jacoby, Trawick, and Wright serve on the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee held two regular meetings, and one by written consent in lieu of a meeting, in fiscal
2006, which were attended by all the members. All members of the Compensation Committee are
independent directors as defined by NASD regulations.
Nominating Policies
In preparation of our initial public offering, we conducted a thorough process of selecting
qualified directors for our board. All directors whose terms expire at this annual meeting, except
Mr. Jacoby, Dr. Nylin, and Mr. Thompson, were appointed in September 2003 in preparation for that
offering. Mr. Jacoby
16
was appointed to our board in April 2003, Mr. Thompson was appointed to our
board in June 2004, and Dr. Nylin was appointed to our Board in March 2006. We do not currently
have a standing nominating committee. Our board believes that at this time it would not be a
prudent use of our boards resources to have a separate nominating committee and those resources
are better utilized on our other committees and board functions. Thus, in accordance with Nasdaq
rules, a majority of our independent directors will continue to recommend director nominees for the
boards selection.
The goal of our board has been, and continues to be, to identify nominees for service on the
board of directors who will bring a variety of perspectives and skills from their professional and
business experience. In furtherance of this goal, our board has adopted nominating policies and
procedures which are available on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations. The
independent directors will consider candidates for nomination proposed by stockholders so long as
they are made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14 of our Bylaws.
For the independent directors to consider candidates recommended by stockholders, Section 2.14
of our Bylaws requires that the stockholder provide written notice to our Secretary no later than
the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business
on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the
anniversary date of the proxy statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting of the
stockholders. The notice to our Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, information relating to
such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (including such persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee
and to serve as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes
to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such business, the reasons for conducting such
business at the meeting and any material interest in the business by the stockholder and the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder
giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is
made (i) the name and address, as they appear on the companys books, of such stockholder and
beneficial owner; and (ii) the class and number of shares of the company that are owned
beneficially and held of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner. Notwithstanding
this procedure, the Board may, in its discretion, exclude from any proxy materials set to
stockholders any matters that may properly be excluded under the Exchange Act, Securities and
Exchange Commission rules or other applicable laws.
The independent directors believe that the minimum requirements for a person to be qualified
to be a member of the board of directors, are that a person must (i) be an individual of the
highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, vision, a willingness to ask hard
questions and the ability to work well with others; (ii) be free of any conflict of interest that
would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper and reasonable
performance of the responsibilities of a director; (iii) be willing and able to devote sufficient
time to the affairs of the company and be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a director
and board committee member (including developing and maintaining sufficient knowledge of the
company and its industry; reviewing and analyzing reports and other information important to the
board and committee responsibilities; preparing for, attending and participating in board and
committee meetings; and satisfying appropriate orientation and continuing education guidelines);
and (iv) have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interest of the stockholders
as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency. The independent directors
evaluate whether certain individuals possess the foregoing qualities and recommends to the board
for nomination candidates for election or re-election as directors at the annual meeting of
stockholders, or if applicable, at a special meeting of stockholders. This process is the same
regardless of whether the nominee is recommended by our board or one of our stockholders.
Compensation of Directors
Through May 25, 2005, non-employee directors received an annual retainer of $5,000.
Additionally, non-employee directors received $1,000 for each board meeting, and $750 for each
committee meeting attended on the same day as the board meeting and $1,250 for each committee
meeting attended on a different day than the board meeting. The non-employee directors were
reimbursed for their expenses in attending such meetings. Commencing May 26, 2005 through the 2007
annual meeting, each non-employee director of the board in respect of his or her service on the
board receive:
17
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an annual retainer of $15,000 through the 2006 annual meeting, and $25,000 through the
2007 annual meeting; |
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$2,500 for each board meeting attended; |
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$1,000 for each audit committee meeting attended by a member of the audit committee
(excluding the chair of the audit committee) on the same day as a board meeting; |
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$1,500 for each audit committee meeting attended by the chair of the audit committee on
the same day as a board meeting; |
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$2,500 for each audit committee meeting attended by a member of the audit committee
(excluding the chair of the audit committee) on a day other than the day of the board
meeting; |
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$3,500 for each audit committee meeting attended by the chair of the audit committee
meeting on a day other than the day of the board meeting; |
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$500 per meeting for participation in a telephonic meeting of the board; |
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$750 for each compensation committee meeting attended by a member of the compensation
committee on the same day as a board meeting; |
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$1,250 for each compensation committee meeting attended by a member of the compensation
committee on a day other than the day of a board meeting. |
In addition our non-employee directors (i) are allowed to participate in the Companys medical
plan at the same contributories with all the benefits of full-time active employees, (ii) receive a
merchandise discount in the same amount as the discount our employees receive; and (iii) are
reimbursed for their expenses in attending board and committee meetings. .
We adopted the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan in February 2003 in connection
with our initial public offering. The plan is administered by the board of directors. Only
non-employee directors are eligible grantees. Upon the closing of the initial public offering, we
granted each of our then-current non-employee directors an option to purchase 40,000 shares of our
common stock, and we have and will grant an option to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock to
any new board member. We will also grant our non-employee directors an option to purchase an
additional 10,000 shares following each annual stockholders meeting on and after the fourth
anniversary of each non-employee directors initial election or appointment to the board of
directors. All options issued to non-employee directors vest equally over a three year period. The
plan provides for 300,000 shares for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under the plan,
subject to adjustment for capitalization changes. The exercise price of each option is equal to the
fair market value of our common stock at the time the option is granted. The options have a term of
up to ten years. Upon a change in control or sale of the company, optionees have special vesting
and exercise rights. If the proposed amendment to the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan is
approved by the shareholders, the plan will provide for 600,000 shares for issuance, and options
granted on the fourth anniversary date of the date of a directors election to the board of
directors and on each anniversary date thereafter, as required by the plan, will vest on the first
anniversary date of the date of each grant of such options.
Indemnification Arrangements
As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws that provide for the indemnification of our directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. These provisions, among other things,
indemnify each of our directors and officers for certain expenses, including judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of actions or threatened actions, incurred by
reason of the fact that such person was a director or officer of Conns or of any other corporation
which such person served in any capacity at the request of Conns.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors
pursuant to which we will indemnify them against judgments, claims, damages, losses and expenses
incurred as a result of the fact that any director, in his capacity as a director, is made or
threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding. The indemnification agreements also
provide for the advancement of certain expenses (such as attorneys fees, witness fees, damages,
judgments, fines and settlement costs) to our directors in connection with any such suit or
proceeding.
18
We maintain a directors and officers liability insurance policy to insure our directors and
officers against certain losses resulting from acts committed by them in their capacities as our
directors and officers, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
Stockholder Communications with the Board
We have adopted a policy that allows stockholders to communicate directly with the board of
directors. Stockholders may contact the board or any committee of the board by any one of the
following methods:
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By telephone:
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By mail:
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By e-mail: |
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(409) 832-1696 Ext. 3218
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Board of Directors
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Conns1890tf@aol.com |
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3295 College Street |
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Beaumont, Texas 77701 |
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All communications submitted under this policy will be compiled by the Compliance Officer of
the company and submitted to the board or the requisite board committee on a periodic basis.
Complaints or concerns relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters
will be referred to the Audit Committee under the policy adopted by the Audit Committee. This
policy and procedure is posted on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations.
19
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Committee
Our board of directors established the Audit Committee to recommend the appointment of our
independent auditors and to oversee the companys (i) financial reporting process; (ii) internal
audits, internal control policies and procedures implementation and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley
Section 404 requirements, and authorities; and (iii) financial, tax, and risk management policies.
The Audit Committee is composed of three members and operates under a written charter, a copy of
which is published on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations. The Audit Committee
has prepared the following report on its activities with respect to the companys financial
statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006.
Review and Discussion
Management is responsible for the Companys financial reporting process including its system
of internal controls, and for the preparation of Conns consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Ernst & Young LLP, the companys
independent auditors, is responsible for auditing those financial statements for attesting to
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, and for assessing the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. It is the Audit Committees
responsibility to monitor and review these processes. The members of the Audit Committee are not
employees of the Company and do not represent themselves to be or to serve as, accountants or
auditors by profession or experts in the field of accounting or auditing.
In connection with the preparation of the Companys audited financial statements for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 2006, the Audit Committee:
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reviewed and discussed the Companys annual report on Form 10-K, including the
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and Managements Report on
Internal Control over Financial Reporting for the year ended January 31, 2006 with
management; |
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discussed with Ernst & Young the matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61; |
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received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees), and discussed with Ernst & Young its independence from Conns, including
whether Ernst & Youngs provision of non-audit services to the company is compatible
with the auditors independence. |
The Audit Committee meets with the companys independent auditors to discuss the results of
their examinations, their evaluations of the companys internal controls and the overall quality of
the companys financial reporting. The Audit Committee held five meetings, including one
telephonic meeting during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006.
Recommendation
Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the
board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006, for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE: |
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Theodore M. Wright, Chairman |
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Marvin D. Brailsford |
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Scott L. Thompson |
20
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Committee
The Compensation Committee determines the compensation of the companys Chief Executive
Officer and other executive officers of the company, evaluates the compensation plans, policies and
programs applicable to executive officers of the company and makes recommendations to the board
concerning such plans, policies and programs, advises the board regarding compensation plans,
policies and programs applicable to non-employee directors for their services as a director and
administers the companys stock option, stock purchase and other plans, which under their terms are
to be administered by the Compensation Committee.
Overall Philosophy and Objectives
We have developed a compensation program for executives and key employees designed to: (i)
reward performance that increases the value of our common stock; (ii) attract, retain and motivate
executives and key employees with competitive compensation opportunities; (iii) build and encourage
ownership of our shares; and (iv) address the concerns of our stockholders, employees, the
financial community and the general public.
To meet these objectives, we reviewed competitive compensation data and implemented the base
salary and incentive programs discussed below.
Executive Compensation
The available forms of executive compensation include base salary, cash bonus awards and
incentive stock options. Our performance is a key consideration in determining executive
compensation. However, our compensation policy recognizes that stock price performance is only one
measure of performance and, given industry business conditions and our long-term strategic
direction and goals, it may not necessarily be the best current measure of executive performance.
Therefore, our compensation policy also gives consideration to the achievement of specified
business objectives when determining executive officer compensation. The Compensation Committee,
in certain cases, offers employees and executive officers equity compensation in addition to salary
in keeping with our overall compensation philosophy, which attempts to place equity in the hands of
our employees in an effort to further instill stockholder considerations and values in the actions
of all our employees and executive officers.
Compensation paid to executive officers is based upon a company-wide compensation structure
that emphasizes incentive bonus compensation based upon individual and company performance and is
consistent for each position relative to its authority and responsibility. Stock option awards in
fiscal 2006 were used to reward certain officers and to retain them through the potential of
capital gains and equity buildup in Conns. The number of stock options granted is determined by
the subjective evaluation of the officers ability to influence our long-term growth and
profitability. Stock options granted to our senior management have been granted only pursuant to
our Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The board believes the award of options
represents an effective incentive to create value for our stockholders.
CEO Compensation
The Compensation Committee established a base salary for Mr. Thomas Frank of $480,000 for
fiscal year 2006. The Compensation Committee also awarded Mr. Thomas Frank a bonus of $900,000 for
services rendered in fiscal year 2006. For the 2007 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee
established a base salary for Mr. Thomas Frank of $480,000. The Compensation Committee deemed the
2006 bonus and the salary level for 2006 to be generally commensurate with the Chief Executive
Officers position at comparable publicly owned companies and in recognition of the
responsibilities associated with our growth, performance and public company status. In determining
Mr. Thomas Franks salary and bonus, the Compensation Committee considered his industry experience,
past performance and other subjective factors.
21
The Compensation Committee believes that the Chief Executive Officers 2006 and 2007
compensation levels were and are justified by Conns financial progress and performance against the
goals set by the Compensation Committee.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: |
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Jon E.M. Jacoby, Chairman |
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William T. Trawick |
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Theodore M. Wright |
22
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph provides a comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return on our
common stock against the Nasdaq U.S. Stock Market Index and the average of a peer group index
comprised of five publicly traded consumer electronic and/or
appliance retailers(1) since
our initial public offering on November 24, 2003. Since we have not been publicly traded for five
years, we have selected November 24, 2003, the date our initial public offering, and the end of
each of our fiscal quarters between November 24, 2003 and January 31, 2006 (the last trading day of
our fiscal year) for comparison purposes. The graph reflects the value of a $100 investment as of
November 24, 2003 in either our stock or the indices presented at the dates of measurement,
including reinvestment of dividends. The corresponding index values and common stock price values
are summarized in the table below by measurement date.
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NASDAQ |
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Peer |
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Conns |
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US Stock |
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Group |
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Closing |
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Conns |
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Market |
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Stock |
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Stock |
Trade Date |
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Index |
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Index |
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Index1 |
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Price |
November 24, 2003 |
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$ |
100.00 |
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$ |
100.00 |
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$ |
100.00 |
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$ |
14.00 |
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January 31, 2004 |
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114.29 |
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106.11 |
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105.51 |
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16.00 |
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April 30, 2004 |
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118.57 |
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98.61 |
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102.22 |
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16.60 |
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July 31, 2004 |
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119.36 |
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96.93 |
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117.86 |
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16.71 |
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October 31, 2004 |
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109.43 |
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101.43 |
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140.87 |
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15.32 |
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January 31, 2005 |
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118.21 |
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105.92 |
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137.22 |
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16.55 |
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April 30, 2005 |
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121.64 |
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98.69 |
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157.15 |
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17.03 |
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July 31, 2005 |
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191.36 |
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112.21 |
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184.58 |
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26.79 |
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October 31, 2005 |
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209.07 |
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108.89 |
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150.92 |
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29.27 |
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January 31, 2006 |
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310.57 |
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|
|
118.42 |
|
|
|
178.18 |
|
|
|
43.48 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
The peer group index consists of the simple
average of the indices of Sears, Roebuck & Co., Best Buy Co., Inc., Circuit
City Stores, Inc., Rex Stores Corp. and Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. |
23
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Biographical Information
The board appoints our executive officers at the first board meeting following our annual
meeting of stockholders and updates the executive officer positions as necessary. Our executive
officers serve at the discretion of the board and until their successors are elected and qualified
or until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal.
The following sets forth certain biographical information regarding our executive officers,
including service with Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years of Service |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Positions |
|
with
Conns |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
46 |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr.
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
Executive Vice Chairman of the Board
and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
13 |
|
David L. Rogers
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
9 |
|
Timothy L. Frank
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
President
|
|
|
10 |
|
David R. Atnip
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
|
|
|
13 |
|
Walter M. Broussard
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Sales
|
|
|
20 |
|
Robert B. Lee, Jr.
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Services and Logistics
|
|
|
6 |
|
David W. Trahan
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Retail
|
|
|
18 |
|
Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Credit
|
|
|
7 |
|
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. was appointed as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in
1994. He has been employed by us for 46 years, has been a member of our board of directors since
1980 and has held every key management position within the organization, including responsibilities
for distribution, service, credit, information technology, accounting and general operations. Mr.
Frank holds a B.A. degree in industrial arts from Sam Houston State University and attended
graduate courses at Texas A&M University. Mr. Frank completed the SCMP course at Harvard
University. Mr. Frank is the father of Timothy L. Frank, our Senior Vice President-Retail.
William C. Nylin, Jr. On March 28, 2006, Dr. Nylin was appointed to our board of directors as
its Executive Vice Chairman. He has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 1995, and from
1995 until April 1, 2006, he also served as our President. He became a member of our board of
directors in 1993 and served in that capacity until September 2003, and was appointed to our board
of directors on March 28, 2006 by our board. In addition to performing responsibilities as Chief
Operating Officer, he has direct responsibility for credit granting and collections, information
technology, human resources, distribution, service and training. From 1984 to 1995, Dr. Nylin held
several executive management positions, including Deputy Chancellor and Executive Vice President of
Finance and Operations at Lamar University. Dr. Nylin obtained his B.S. degree in mathematics from
Lamar University and holds both a masters degree and a doctorate degree in computer sciences from
Purdue University. He has also completed a post-graduate program at Harvard University.
David L. Rogers was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer Designate, effective September 1,
2004 and our Chief Financial Officer effective January 31, 2005. Mr. Rogers joined us in October
1996 and served as our Legal Manager until August 1997. He has served as our Controller from
September 1997 until September 1, 2004. Prior to his joining our Company, Mr. Rogers served in
various accounting positions during a twenty-year career with a Fortune 500 public utility. Mr.
Rogers obtained his B.B.A. in accounting from Lamar University in December, 1974.
Timothy L. Frank was elected President of our Company by our board of directors on March 28,
2006, effective April 1, 2006. Mr. Frank has previously served as our Senior Vice President
Retail from May,, 2005. He joined us in September 1995 and has served in various roles throughout
our Company, including Director of Advertising, Director of Credit, Director of Legal Collections,
Director of Direct Marketing, and as Vice President of Special Projects. Prior to joining our
Company, Mr. Frank served in various marketing positions with a nationally known marketing
consulting company. Mr. Frank holds a BS
24
in Liberal Arts from Texas A & M University and an MBA in
Marketing from the University of North Texas. Mr. Frank has also completed a post-graduate program
at Harvard University. Mr. Frank is the son of Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer.
David R. Atnip has served as our Senior Vice President since October 2001 and as our Treasurer
since 1997. He joined us in 1992 and served as Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to 1997 and as our
Secretary from
1997 to 2005. In 1995, he joined our board of directors and served in that capacity until
September 2003. Mr. Atnip holds a B.B.A. in accounting from The University of Texas at Arlington
and has over 20 years of financial experience in the savings and loan industry.
Walter M. Broussard has served as our Senior Vice President Sales since 2005, and previously
served as our Senior Vice President Store Operations from October 2001. Mr. Broussard has served
us in numerous retail capacities since 1985, including working on the sales floor as a sales
consultant, store manager and district manager. He has over 25 years of retail sales experience. He
attended Lamar University and has completed special study programs at Harvard University, Rice
University and the University of Notre Dame.
Robert B. Lee, Jr. has served as our Senior Vice President Service and Logistics since
April, 2005,after serving as our Vice President Advertising, and was our Senior Vice President
Advertising from October 2001 and Vice President
Advertising from January, 199 until October
2001. His responsibilities include managing our Service Division and Distribution Division. The
Service Division is responsible for providing factory authorized service from the Companys five
regional service centers for the majority of the products that we sell. The Distribution Division
consists of warehousing, transportation and delivery operations from our five regional warehouse
and two cross-dock facilities. He also chairs our site selection committee and manages our
Facility Maintenance department. From 1990 until 1998, he was a partner in Ann Lee & Associates, a
Beaumont-based advertising agency and public relations firm where he served as Chief Operating
Officer. Mr. Lee obtained a B.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and completed a
post-graduate program at the University of Notre Dame.
David
W. Trahan was elected Senior Vice President Retail by our
Board of Directors on March
28, 2006, effective April 1, 2006. He has previously served as our Senior Vice President -
Merchandising from October 2001. He has been employed by us since 1986 in various capacities,
including sales, store operations and merchandising. He has been directly responsible for our
merchandising and product purchasing functions, as well as product display and pricing operations,
for the last four years. Mr. Trahan has completed special study programs at Harvard University,
Rice University and Lamar University.
Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr. has served as our Senior Vice President Credit since October
2001 and also serves as President of our Credit subsidiary. Since joining us in 1998, he has served in positions that involve direct responsibility for
credit underwriting, customer service inbound operations, collections, recovery of charge-offs and
legal activities. Mr. de la Fuente has worked in the credit receivables industry since 1986 with
national credit organizations. His responsibilities included the strategic direction and
development of large credit portfolios. Mr. de la Fuente obtained his B.B.A. in finance from The
University of Texas at San Antonio and holds an M.B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio.
Code of Ethics
Our board has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for our employees, a code of
ethics for our chief executive officer and senior financial professionals and a code of business
conduct and ethics for our board of directors. A copy of these codes are published on our website
at www.conns.com under Investor Relations. We intend to make all required disclosures concerning
any amendments to, or waivers from, these codes on our website.
25
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued by us for the fiscal
years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 on behalf of each of our named executive officers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Company |
|
|
|
Fiscal |
|
|
Annual Compensation |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Contributions |
|
Name and Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
(No. of Shares) |
|
|
to 401(k) Plan |
|
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
465,000 |
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
|
|
56,500 |
|
|
$ |
11,100 |
(1) |
Chairman of the Board |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
8,200 |
|
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr.
Executive Vice Chairman |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
290,000 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
56,500 |
|
|
|
9,804 |
(1) |
of the Board and Chief |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
314,167 |
|
|
|
455,000 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
8,200 |
|
Operating Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
360,000 |
|
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
David W. Trahan |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
180,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
7,284 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
182,000 |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
8,200 |
|
-Retail |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
204,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
Reymundo de la Fuente |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
7,200 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
138,333 |
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
8,200 |
|
-Credit |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
162,500 |
|
|
|
320,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
8,400 |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
President |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
122,000 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
8,200 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
160,500 |
|
|
|
320,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
7,040 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes $1,500 in fees paid to these officers for service as a director during fiscal 2004. |
Employment Agreements
We have employment agreements with Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, William C. Nylin, Jr., our Executive Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief
Operating Officer, David L. Rogers, our Chief Financial Officer and David R. Atnip, our Senior Vice
President and Secretary/Treasurer. Under the terms of these employment agreements, each of our
executive officers is entitled to payment of an annual salary plus a bonus based upon attainment of
performance goals determined by our Compensation Committee, to participate in our employee benefit
plans and to receive options to purchase shares of our common stock. In the event that we terminate
the executive officers employment other than for cause or we do not renew the employment agreement
when it expires, we are obligated to pay the executive officer severance
in an amount equal to the executive officers annual base salary. All of our executive
officers employment agreements with us contain confidentiality and other customary provisions.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
% of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value at |
|
|
Underlying |
|
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Annual Stock Price |
|
|
Options |
|
in Fiscal |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
Appreciation for Option Term |
Name |
|
Granted |
|
2003 |
|
Price |
|
Date |
|
5% |
|
10% |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
% |
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
$ |
532,674 |
|
|
$ |
1,349,900 |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
319,604 |
|
|
|
809,940 |
|
David W. Trahan |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
319,604 |
|
|
|
809,940 |
|
Reymundo de la Fuente |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
319,604 |
|
|
|
809,940 |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
319,604 |
|
|
|
809,940 |
|
26
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
The following table provides certain information with respect to options to purchase common
stock held by our named executive officers as of January 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
Value of Unexercised |
|
|
Acquired |
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
In-the-Money Options |
|
|
on |
|
Value |
|
Options at Fiscal Year End |
|
at Fiscal Year End |
Name |
|
Exercise |
|
Realized |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,600 |
|
|
|
86,900 |
|
|
$ |
846,498 |
|
|
$ |
1,960,372 |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,056 |
|
|
|
82,514 |
|
|
|
1,638,521 |
|
|
|
2,062,378 |
|
David W. Trahan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,200 |
|
|
|
27,800 |
|
|
|
145,836 |
|
|
|
491,504 |
|
Reymundo de la Fuente |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,800 |
|
|
|
36,200 |
|
|
|
3,306,028 |
|
|
|
787,772 |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
44,912 |
|
|
$ |
1,584,046 |
|
|
|
5,200 |
|
|
|
39,028 |
|
|
|
145,836 |
|
|
|
887,516 |
|
Equity Incentive Plans
Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan
In February 2003, we adopted our Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and
amended the Plan in June 2004. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our board
of directors. Our employees and employees of our subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions, are
eligible to participate in the plan. Option grants are made within the discretion of the
Compensation Committee. Options may be granted for such terms as the Compensation Committee may
determine, but not for terms greater than ten years from the date of grant. The maximum number of
shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is 2,559,767 shares, subject to
adjustment, and 3,859,767 shares subject to adjustment assuming Proposal Two is adopted.. All
options issued vest equally over either a three-year term or a five-year term. At January 31, 2006,
there were options to purchase 1,625,556 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding under
the plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In February 2003, we adopted our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee of our board of directors. Our employees and employees of our subsidiaries,
subject to certain exclusions, are eligible to participate in the plan. Eligible employees are able
to purchase shares of our common stock without brokerage commissions and at a discount from market
prices. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is
1,267,085 shares, subject to adjustment.
2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
We also have the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, which we adopted in February
2003 and is discussed on page 10. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be
issued under this plan is 300,000 shares, subject to adjustment, and 600,000 shares subject to
adjustment assuming Proposal Two is adopted. All options issued to a director when he or she
becomes a director currently vest equally over a three-year term. At January 31, 2006, there were
options to purchase 258,000 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding under the plan.
The following table provides information regarding the number of shares of our common stock
that may be issued on exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants under our existing equity
compensation plans as of January 31, 2006. These plans are as follows:
|
|
|
the Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan; |
|
|
|
|
the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan; and |
|
|
|
|
the Employee Stock Purchase Program. |
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
|
(B) |
|
|
(C) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available for |
|
|
|
Number of Securities to be |
|
|
Weighted-Average |
|
|
Future Issuance Under Equity |
|
|
|
Issued upon Exercise of |
|
|
Exercise Price of |
|
|
Compensation Plans |
|
|
|
Outstanding Options, |
|
|
Outstanding Options, |
|
|
(Excluding Securities |
|
Plan Category |
|
Warrants and Rights |
|
|
Warrants and Rights |
|
|
Reflected in Column (A)) |
|
Equity
Compensation Plans
Approved by
Stockholders |
|
|
1,883,556 |
(1) |
|
$ |
16.05 |
|
|
|
472,949 |
(1) |
Equity
Compensation Plans
Not Approved by
Stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,883,556 |
|
|
$ |
16.05 |
|
|
|
472,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 258,000 outstanding options and 20,000 options available for future issue
applicable to the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. |
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common
stock for each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our voting
securities, for each director and named executive officer, and for all directors and executive
officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, each person named below has sole
voting and investment power over the shares indicated. For purposes of this table, a person is
deemed to be the beneficial owner of the number of shares of common stock that such person has
the right to acquire within 60 days of April 14, 2006 through the exercise of any option, warrant
or right, through the conversion of any security, through the power to revoke a trust,
discretionary account, or similar arrangement, or through the automatic termination of a trust,
discretionary account or similar arrangement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
Name |
|
Common Stock Owned |
|
Owned |
Conns Voting Trust (1) |
|
|
11,501,348 |
|
|
|
48.66 |
% |
Stephens Group, Inc. (2) |
|
|
1,005,772 |
|
|
|
4.26 |
% |
Stephens Inc. |
|
|
328,902 |
|
|
|
1.39 |
% |
Warren A. Stephens |
|
|
3,693,012 |
(3) |
|
|
15.63 |
% |
W.R. Stephens, Jr. |
|
|
3,282,253 |
(4) |
|
|
13.89 |
% |
Elizabeth Stephens Campbell |
|
|
3,024,724 |
(5) |
|
|
12.80 |
% |
Pamela Dianne Stephens Trust One |
|
|
1,682,862 |
|
|
|
7.12 |
% |
Jackson T. Stephens Trust No. One |
|
|
208,105 |
|
|
|
0.88 |
% |
Bess C. Stephens |
|
|
2,093,741 |
(6) |
|
|
8.86 |
% |
Jon E.M. Jacoby |
|
|
2,756,278 |
(7) |
|
|
11.66 |
% |
Douglas H. Martin |
|
|
342,170 |
(8) |
|
|
1.45 |
% |
All other Stephens Affiliates |
|
|
378,600 |
|
|
|
1.60 |
% |
GAM London Ltd |
|
|
1,386,442 |
|
|
|
5.87 |
% |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
967,879 |
(9) |
|
|
4.10 |
% |
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
282,941 |
(10) |
|
|
1.20 |
% |
David W. Trahan |
|
|
169,730 |
(11) |
|
|
0.72 |
% |
Rey de la Fuente |
|
|
130,800 |
(12) |
|
|
0.55 |
% |
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
96,572 |
(13) |
|
|
0.41 |
% |
Marvin D. Brailsford |
|
|
26,667 |
(14) |
|
|
0.11 |
% |
Bob L. Martin |
|
|
26,667 |
(15) |
|
|
0.11 |
% |
William T. Trawick |
|
|
26,667 |
(16) |
|
|
0.11 |
% |
Theodore M. Wright |
|
|
9,667 |
(17) |
|
|
0.04 |
% |
Scott L. Thompson |
|
|
1,546 |
(18) |
|
|
|
|
Directors and officers (16 persons) |
|
|
4,837,584 |
(19) |
|
|
20.47 |
% |
28
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These shares have been contributed to a voting trust
agreement and are held and voted by an independent third party as voting
trustee. The voting trust will vote the shares held in the voting trust in the
same proportion as votes cast for or against any proposals by all other
stockholders. The voting trust agreement imposes substantial limitations on
the sale or other disposition of the shares subject to the voting trust. The
voting trust agreement will expire in November 2013 or such earlier time as
Stephens Inc. ceases to be an affiliate of ours or a market maker of our common
stock. |
|
(2) |
|
The principal stockholders of Stephens Group, Inc. are the
Jackson T. Stephens Trust No. One UID 1/4/88 and the Bess C. Stephens Trust UID
1/4/85. Warren A. Stephens is a director and an officer of Stephens Group,
Inc. and its subsidiary Stephens Inc. W.R. Stephens, Jr. is a director and an
officer of Stephens Group, Inc. and Stephens Inc. Mr. Jacoby is a director of
Stephens Group, Inc. Mr. Martin is a director and an officer of Stephens
Group, Inc. Jackson T. Stephens is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Bess
C. Stephens is a director of Stephens Group, Inc. The address of each of the
above named persons is c/o Stephens Group, Inc., 111 Center Street, Little
Rock, Arkansas 72201. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 1,906,549 shares owned by Warren A. Stephens Trust,
4,356 shares owned by Warren Miles Amerine Stephens Trust, 4,356 shares owned
by John Calhoun Stephens Trust and 4,356 shares owned by Laura Whitaker
Stephens Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which
Mr. Stephens has no power to vote and sole power of disposition; 665,100 shares
owned by Grandchilds Trust #2 and 208,105 shares owned by Jackson T. Stephens
Trust No. One, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which
Mr. Stephens has no power to vote and shared power of disposition; 739,100
shares owned by Harriet C. Stephens Trust, which have been contributed to the
voting trust; 4,245 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners III LLC,
120,723 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000 LLC and 36,122 shares
owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001 LLC, as to which Mr. Stephens, as
co-manager, has shared power to vote and shared power of disposition. Does not
include shares owned by Stephens Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates, except
as mentioned in this footnote. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 1,162,530 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Revocable
Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr.
Stephens, as trustee, has no power to vote and sole power of disposition;
202,774 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Childrens Trust, 30,489 shares held
by W.R. Stephens III Trust, 30,489 shares held by Arden Jewell Stephens Trust
and 1,682,862 shares held by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One, which have been
contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as a co-trustee
or otherwise, has no power to vote and shared power of disposition; 12,019
shares owned by Carol Stephens which have been contributed to the voting trust;
4,245 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners III LLC, 120,723 shares
owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000 LLC and 36,122 shares owned by
Stephens Investment Partners 2001 LLC, as to which Mr. Stephens, as co-manager,
has shared power to vote and shared power of disposition. Does not include
shares owned by Stephens Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates, except as
mentioned in this footnote. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 1,091,531 shares owned by Elizabeth S. Campbell
Revocable Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to
which Ms. Campbell, as trustee, has no power to vote and sole power of
disposition; 1,682,862 shares owned by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One and 250,331
shares owned by Francine, Inc., which have been contributed to the voting trust
and as to which Ms. Campbell, as a co-trustee or otherwise, has no power to
vote and shared power of disposition. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 202,774 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Childrens
Trust, 208,105 shares owned by Bess. C. Stephens Trust and 1,682,862 shares
owned by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One, which have been contributed to the
voting trust and as to which Ms. Stephens, as a co-trustee, has no power to
vote and shared power of disposition. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 570,280 shares owned by Mr. Jacoby, 168,498 shares
owned by Warren A. Stephens Grantor Trust, 918,123 shares owned by Warren &
Harriet Stephens Childrens Trust, 51,282 shares owned by Warren Miles Amerine
Stephens 95 Trust, 51,282 shares owned by John Calhoun Stephens 95 Trust and
51,282 shares owned by Laura Whitaker Stephens 95 Trust, which have been
contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Jacoby, as sole trustee or
otherwise, has no power to vote and sole power of disposition; 665,100 shares
owned by Grandchilds Trust #2 and 208,105 shares owned by Jackson T. Stephens
Trust No. One, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which
Mr. Jacoby, as a co-trustee, has no power to vote and shared power of
disposition; and 42,857 shares owned by Smiley Holdings, LLC, as to which Mr.
Jacoby, as a manager, has sole power to vote and sole power of disposition;
2,803 shares owned by Mr. Jacoby which have not been contributed to the voting
trust; and 26,666 shares which Mr. Jacoby has the right to receive upon the
exercise of options exercisable on or within 60 days after April 15, 2006.
Does not include shares owned by Stephens Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates,
except as mentioned in this footnote. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 154,414 shares owned by Mr. Martin, which have been
contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Martin has no voting power
and sole dispositive power; 4,245 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners
III LLC, 120,723 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000 LLC and
36,122 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001 LLC, as to which Mr.
Martin, as co-manager, has shared power to vote and shared power of
disposition; and 26,666 shares which Mr. Martin has the right to receive upon
the exercise of options exercisable on or within 60 days after April 15, 2006.
Does not include shares owned by Stephens Group, Inc. or any of its affiliates. |
29
|
|
|
(9) |
|
Includes 338,279 shares owned by a trust over which Mr. Frank is
the trustee and exercises sole voting power and sole dispositive power but over
which Mr. Frank has no pecuniary interest and for which Mr. Frank disclaims
beneficial ownership. Also includes options to purchase 29,600 shares of common
stock. . |
|
(10) |
|
Includes options to purchase 52,056 shares of common stock. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes options to purchase 5,200 shares of common stock. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes options to purchase 94,800 shares of common stock. |
|
(13) |
|
Includes options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock. |
|
(14) |
|
Includes options to purchase 26,667 shares of common stock. |
|
(15) |
|
Includes options to purchase 26,667 shares of common stock. |
|
(16) |
|
Includes options to purchase 26,667 shares of common stock. |
|
(17) |
|
Includes options to purchase 9,667 shares of common stock. |
|
(18) |
|
Includes options to purchase 1,546 shares of common stock. |
|
(19) |
|
Includes options to purchase 506,591 shares of common stock. |
30
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Lease Arrangement
Since 1996, we have leased one of our Houston, Texas store locations containing approximately
19,150 square feet from Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer. The lease provides for base monthly rental payments of $17,235 plus escrow for taxes,
insurance and common area maintenance expenses, which escalate annually, per month through January
31, 2011. We also have an option to renew the lease for two additional five-year terms. Mr. Frank
received total payments under this lease of $281,000 in each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Based on current market lease rates for comparable retail space in the area, we believe that the
terms of this lease were at or better than fair market value at the date of the lease commencement.
Independent Contractor
William T. Trawick has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2003 and
served as an advisory director of Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor company, since August
1999. In addition to the fees paid to Mr. Trawick in his capacity as a director, we paid him
consulting fees in the amount of $58,000 in fiscal 2004, $48,000 in fiscal 2005, and $48,000 in
fiscal 2006 Mr. Trawick is also the President and Executive Director of NATM Buying Corporation, a
national buying group representing nine regional retailers, including us, in the appliance and
electronics industry. NATM coordinates the buying and merchandising strategies for its member
retailers. We recorded expenses of cash payments to NATM for membership dues of $83,000 in fiscal
years 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Indirect Ownership in Service Provider
During fiscal year 2006, we engaged the services of Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc., or DMS,
for a substantial portion of our direct mailing advertising. Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc. is
partially owned the Stephens Group Inc., members of the Stephens family, Jon E.M. Jacoby and Doug
Martin. Thomas J. Frank, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of our board of directors
owned approximately 0.7% of DMS until July, 2005, at which time he divested his ownership. The
Stephens Group Inc. and the members of the Stephens family are significant shareholders of our
company, and Messrs. Jacoby and Martin are members of our Board of Directors. The fees we paid to
DMS during fiscal 2005 and 2006 amounted to approximately $1.8 million and $4.1 million,
respectively. When DMS was initially engaged to perform direct marketing services for us, a
competitive analysis was performed from submissions by various marketing groups, with DMS
presenting the low price point in these analyses. During fiscal 2006, additional competitive
analyses have been performed which continually support that DMS offers us the lowest cost for this
service. We will, at least annually, seek competitive bids for the services performed by DMS.
31
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our directors, executive officers and other
persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of our common stock with the SEC. Officers, directors and other
stockholders who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock are required by the SEC to
furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
To our knowledge, based on a review of reports and information furnished to us by those
persons who were directors, executive officers and/or the beneficial holders of 10% or more of our
common stock at any time during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 and upon representations
from such persons, we believe that all stock ownership reports required to be filed under section
16(a) by such reporting persons during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 were timely made.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent public accountants for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2006. The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young as our independent public
accountants for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2006. Representatives of Ernst & Young will
attend the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions that may be asked by stockholders. These representatives will also have an opportunity
to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so.
We paid the following fees to Ernst & Young for professional and other services rendered by
them during fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended January 31, |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Audit
Fees |
|
$ |
152,500 |
|
|
$ |
663,536 |
|
|
$ |
636,624 |
|
Audit-Related
Fees |
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
68,300 |
|
|
|
100,634 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees (primarily
IPO) |
|
|
670,895 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Audit Committee Charter requires pre-approval of all services to be rendered by our
independent auditors. It was determined that no services rendered by our outside auditors in
fiscal 2006 were prohibited under the new requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Fees
associated with the audit for fiscal 2006 were approved in advance of services being rendered. In
addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether Ernst & Youngs provision of services, other
than services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and reviews
of our financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q for the most recent fiscal year, is
compatible with maintaining Ernst & Youngs independence and has determined that such services
rendered met the requirements of independence.
32
Conns, Inc.
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 31, 2006
FORM OF PROXY
By my signature below, I revoke all previous proxies and appoint Thomas J. Frank, Sr. and Sydney K. Boone, Jr. as proxy,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to represent and to vote, as designated below, all shares of common stock of
Conns, Inc. that I held of record as of the close of business on April 14, 2006 at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be
held at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, on May 31, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. local time, or any adjournments thereof. The above
named proxy is hereby instructed to vote as shown on the reverse side.
THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN THE BOXES BELOW USING DARK INK ONLY
Proposals:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. To elect the nine directors listed below: |
|
FOR |
|
WITHHOLD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUTHORITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marvin D. Brailsford |
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR (To |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jon E.M. Jacoby |
|
withhold authority to vote for either |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bob L. Martin |
|
individual nominee, write the nominees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas H. Martin |
|
name in the space provided below): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott L. Thompson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William T. Trawick |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theodore M. Wright |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. |
|
|
To approve an amendment to the Conns, Inc. Amended and
Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
|
|
FOR 1
|
|
AGAINST 1
|
|
ABSTAIN 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. |
|
|
To approve an amendment to the Conns, Inc. 2003
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
|
|
FOR 1
|
|
AGAINST 1
|
|
ABSTAIN 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. |
|
|
In the above named proxys discretion, to act upon such
other business as may properly come before the meeting.
|
|
FOR 1
|
|
AGAINST 1
|
|
ABSTAIN 1 |
IMPORTANT This proxy must be signed and dated on the reverse side.
If you execute and return this proxy it will be voted in the manner you have indicated on the reverse side. If you execute and
return this proxy without indicating any voting preference, this proxy will be voted FOR proposals 1, 2 and 3, and in the
discretion of the above named person acting as proxy on such other matters that may properly come before the meeting.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this proxy. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as a fiduciary, such as an
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, etc., please give your full title as such. Please return this form of proxy
promptly in the enclosed envelope.
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of the Notice of 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the Proxy Statement accompanying such
Notice, each dated April 25, 2006.
|
|
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|
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|
Print Name |
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|
|
Print Name |
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
Signature(s) |
|
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|
Signature(s) |
|
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Date
|
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Date |
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