ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.
)
Filed by the Registrant
x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
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o Preliminary
Proxy Statement |
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o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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x Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o Definitive
Additional Materials
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o Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if
other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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x |
No fee required.
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o |
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(3) |
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) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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o |
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) |
Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319-3000
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 2, 2006
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Atlantic American
Corporation (the Company) will be held at the principal executive offices of the Company at 4370
Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia at 9:00 A.M., Eastern Time, on May 2, 2006, for the
following purposes:
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To elect eleven (11) directors of the Company for the ensuing year; |
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(2) |
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To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm for the 2006 fiscal year; and |
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(3) |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof. |
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 17, 2006, will be entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED WHEN MAILED IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IN THE UNITED STATES.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Janie L. Ryan |
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Corporate Secretary |
April 6, 2006
Atlanta, Georgia
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319-3000
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 2, 2006
GENERAL
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of Atlantic American Corporation (the Company) for use at the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the Meeting) to be held at the time and place and for the purposes specified in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and at any postponements or adjournments
thereof. When the enclosed proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares which it represents
will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions thereon. In the absence of any
such instructions, the shares represented thereby will be voted in favor of the election of
nominees for directors listed under the caption Election of Directors and the ratification of the
appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for
2006. Management does not know of any other business to be brought before the Meeting not
described herein, but it is intended that as to any such other business properly brought before the
Meeting, a vote will be cast pursuant to the proxy in accordance with the judgment of the proxies
appointed thereunder. This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being given
or mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about April 6, 2006.
Any shareholder who executes and delivers a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its use by:
(i) giving written notice of such revocation to the Secretary of the Company at 4370 Peachtree
Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319-3000; (ii) executing and delivering a proxy bearing a later date
to the Secretary of the Company at 4370 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319-3000; or (iii)
attending the Meeting and voting in person.
Only holders of record of issued and outstanding shares of $1.00 par value per share common stock
of the Company (Common Stock) as of March 17, 2006 (the Record Date) will be entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 21,394,735 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be acted upon.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Annual Report to Shareholders of the Company, which includes a copy of the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, including financial statements, is being
provided with this proxy statement.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The costs of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Officers, directors and employees of
the Company may solicit proxies by telephone or personal interview. No contract or arrangement
exists for engaging specially-paid employees or solicitors in connection with the solicitation of
proxies for the Meeting. Arrangements may be made with brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy materials to their principals, and the Company
will reimburse them for their expenses in so doing.
VOTE REQUIRED
A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock must be present in person or by proxy at the
Meeting in order to have the quorum necessary to transact business. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted as present in determining whether the quorum requirement is satisfied.
Directors are elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock present
in person or by proxy and actually voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present. In order for
shareholders to approve all other matters to be presented at the Meeting, the votes cast favoring
the proposal must exceed the votes cast opposing the proposal. Abstentions and non-votes will not
count as votes for or against any proposal as to which there is an abstention or non-vote. A
non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner votes on one proposal
pursuant to discretionary authority or instructions from the beneficial owner, but does not vote on
another proposal because the nominee has not received instruction from the beneficial owner and
does not have discretionary power.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
One of the purposes of the Meeting is to elect eleven directors to serve until the next annual
meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their
earlier resignation or removal. In the event any of the nominees should be unavailable to serve as
a director, which contingency is not presently anticipated, proxies will be voted for the election
of such other persons as may be designated by the present Board of Directors.
All of the nominees for election to the Board of Directors are currently Directors of the Company.
The following information is set forth with respect to the eleven nominees for Director to be
elected at the Meeting:
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Name |
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Age |
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Position with the Company |
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J. Mack Robinson
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82 |
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Chairman of the Board |
Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
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44 |
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Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Edward E. Elson
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72 |
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Director |
Harold K. Fischer
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73 |
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Director |
Samuel E. Hudgins
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77 |
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Director |
D. Raymond Riddle
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72 |
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Director |
Harriett J. Robinson
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75 |
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Director |
Scott G. Thompson
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61 |
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Director |
Mark C. West
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46 |
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Director |
William H. Whaley, M.D.
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66 |
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Director |
Dom H. Wyant
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79 |
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Director |
Mr. Robinson has served as Chairman of the Board since 1974 and served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company from September 1988 to May 1995. In addition, Mr. Robinson is also
a Director of Gray Television, Inc.
Mr. Howell has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1995, and prior
thereto served as Executive Vice President of the Company from October 1992 to May 1995. He has
been a Director of the Company since October 1992. Mr. Howell is the son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs.
Robinson. He is also a Director of Triple Crown Media, Inc. and Gray Television, Inc.
Mr. Elson is the former Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Denmark,
serving from 1993 through 1998. He has been a Director of the Company since October 1998, and
previously served as a Director from 1986 to 1993.
Mr. Fischer is the retired President of Association Casualty Insurance Company and Association Risk
Management General Agency, Inc., subsidiaries of the Company, positions which he held from 1984
through June 2001. He has been a Director of the Company since the Company acquired those two
subsidiaries in July 1999.
Mr. Hudgins has been an independent consultant since September 1997 and was a Principal in
Percival, Hudgins & Company, LLC, an investment bank, from April 1992 to September 1997. He has
been a Director of the Company since 1986.
Mr. Riddle is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of National Service Industries,
Inc., a diversified holding company, positions he held from September 1994 to February 1996, and
prior thereto he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of National Service
Industries, since January 1993. Prior thereto, he was President of Wachovia Bank of Georgia, N.A.,
the President of Wachovia Corporation of Georgia and Executive Vice President of Wachovia
Corporation. He has been a Director of the Company since 1976, and also serves as a Director of
AMC, Inc., AGL Resources, Inc. and Equifax Inc.
Mrs. Robinson, the wife of J. Mack Robinson, has been a Director of the Company since 1989. She is
also a Director of Gray Television, Inc.
Mr. Thompson has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of American Southern Insurance
Company, a subsidiary of the Company, since 2004; prior thereto he had been the President and Chief
Financial Officer of that company since 1984. He has been a Director of the Company since February
1996.
Mr. West has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Genoa Companies since 1990. He
has been a Director of the Company since July 1997.
Dr. Whaley has been a physician in private practice for more than the past five years. He has been
a Director of the Company since July 1992.
Mr. Wyant is a retired partner of the law firm of Jones Day, which serves as counsel to the
Company. He served as a Partner with that firm from 1989 through 1994, and as Of Counsel from 1995
through 1997. He has been a Director of the Company since 1985.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominees for Director.
2
Committees of The Board of Directors
As a result of the level of beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by J. Mack Robinson, one of
our director nominees and currently our Chairman of the Board, and his affiliates, the Company
meets the definition of a controlled company as defined pursuant to Rule 4350(c)(5) of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Marketplace Rules (the NASDAQ Rules).
Accordingly, the Company is exempt from certain requirements of the NASDAQ Rules, including the
requirement that a majority of its Board of Directors be independent, as defined in such rules, the
requirement that director nominees be selected, or recommended for the boards selection, by either
a majority of the independent directors or a nominating committee comprised solely of independent
directors, and certain requirements relating to the determination of executive officer
compensation.
The Board of Directors of the Company has three standing committees: the Executive Committee, the
Stock Option and Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee.
The Executive Committee is composed of Messrs. Robinson, Howell and Hudgins, and Dr. Whaley, and
its function is to act in the place and stead of the Board of Directors to the extent permitted by
law on matters which require Board action between meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive
Committee of the Company met or acted by written consent two times during 2005.
The Stock Option and Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Elson, Riddle and West and Dr.
Whaley. The Stock Option and Compensation Committees function is to establish the number of stock
options to be granted to officers and key employees and the annual salaries and bonus amounts
payable to officers of the Company. The Stock Option and Compensation Committee met or acted by
written consent one time during 2005.
The Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Elson, Riddle, West and Wyant. The Board of Directors
has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent and financially
literate, as such terms are defined in the NASDAQ Rules and the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that three of the members
of the Audit Committee, Messrs. Elson, Riddle and West, each have the attributes of an audit
committee financial expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Item 401(h) of
Regulation S-K. In making such determination, the Board took into consideration, among other
things, the express provision in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K that the determination that a person
has the attributes of an audit committee financial expert shall not impose any greater
responsibility or liability on that person than the responsibility and liability imposed on such
person as a member of the Audit Committee, nor shall it affect the duties and obligations of other
Audit Committee members or the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee held four meetings in 2005.
Information regarding the functions performed by the Audit Committee and its membership during 2005
is set forth in the Report of the Audit Committee, included below. The Audit Committee is
governed by a written charter, which was amended and restated in 2004.
Due to its status as a controlled company, and in part as a result of the historically small
turnover of its members, the Board does not foresee the need to establish a separate nominating
committee or adopt a charter to govern the nomination process. The Board of Directors has
generally addressed the need to retain members and fill vacancies after discussion among current
members, the members of the Executive Committee, and the Companys management. The Board of
Directors does not have any specific qualifications that have to be met by director candidates and
does not have a formal process for identifying and evaluating director candidates.
Additionally, the Board of Directors does not have a formal policy with respect to the
consideration of any director candidates recommended by shareholders and has determined that it is
appropriate not to have such a formal policy at this time. The Board of Directors, however, will
give due consideration to director candidates recommended by shareholders. Any shareholder that
wishes to nominate a director candidate should submit complete information as to the identity and
qualifications of the director candidate to the Board of Directors at the address and in the manner
set forth below for communication with the Board.
The Board of Directors met or acted by written consent five times in 2005. Each of the Directors
named above attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and its committees of which he or
she was a member during 2005. The Company does not have a formal policy regarding Director
attendance at its annual meetings, but attendance by the Directors is encouraged and expected. At
the Companys 2004 annual meeting of shareholders, ten of the Companys directors were in
attendance.
Shareholders may communicate with members of the Board of Directors by mail addressed to the full
Board of Directors, a specific member of the Board of Directors or a particular committee of the
Board of Directors at Atlantic American Corporation, 4370 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia
30319.
3
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee (the Committee) oversees the Companys (i) financial reports and other
financial information; (ii) systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal
compliance and ethics; and (iii) auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes. The
Companys management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting
processes, including the systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the Committee reviewed and discussed with management the audited financial
statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005, including a discussion of
the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant accounting judgments and estimates,
and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
The Companys independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an audit
of the Companys financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) and expressing an opinion thereon. During 2005, the Committee
reviewed with the independent auditors for the 2005 fiscal year their judgments as to the quality,
not just the acceptability, of the Companys accounting principles and such other matters as are
required to be discussed with the Committee under auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States, including the items set out in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication
with Audit Committees, as amended, promulgated by the Auditing Standards Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and rule 2-07 of Regulation S-X. In addition, the
Committee has discussed with the Companys independent auditors for the 2005 fiscal year the
auditors independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the written
disclosures received as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No.1, and considered the
compatibility of nonaudit services provided to the Company by Deloitte & Touche LLP with the
maintenance of the auditors independence.
The Committee discussed with the Companys independent auditors for the 2005 fiscal year the
overall scope and plans for the 2005 audit. The Committee met with such independent auditors, with
and without management present, to discuss, among other things, the results of their audit, their
considerations of the Companys internal controls, and the overall quality of the Companys
financial reporting. The Committee held four meetings during fiscal year 2005.
In performing its functions, the Committee acts only in an oversight capacity. The Committee
reviews the Companys periodic reports prior to filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and quarterly earnings announcements. In its oversight role, the Committee relies on the work and
assurances of the Companys management, which has the primary responsibility for financial
statements and reports, and of the independent auditors, who, in their report, express an opinion
on the Companys annual financial statements as to their conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
D. Raymond Riddle, Audit Committee Chair
Edward E. Elson, Audit Committee Member
Mark C. West, Audit Committee Member
Dom H. Wyant, Audit Committee Member
March 28, 2006
4
Compensation of Directors
The Companys policy is to pay all Directors an annual retainer fee of $12,000, to pay fees to
Directors at the rate of $2,000 for each Board meeting attended and $500 for each committee meeting
attended, and to reimburse Directors for actual expenses incurred in connection with attending
meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board. The annual retainer fee is paid
$6,000 in cash, with the remainder being paid in shares of Common Stock based on the market price
thereof as of the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the annual meeting.
In addition, pursuant to the Companys 2002 Incentive Plan (the 2002 Incentive Plan), all
Directors who are not employees or officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries are entitled
to receive stock options to purchase shares of Common Stock and other equity awards.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth Common Stock ownership information as of March 17, 2006 by: (i) each
person who is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company; (ii) each director; (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table below; and (iv) all of the Companys directors and executive officers as a
group.
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Amount and Nature |
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Name of Individual |
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of Beneficial |
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Percent |
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or Identity of Group |
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Ownership(1) |
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of Class |
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J. Mack Robinson |
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14,115,935 |
(2) |
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65.93 |
% |
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319 |
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Harriett J. Robinson |
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8,578,271 |
(3) |
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40.09 |
% |
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319 |
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Harold K. Fischer |
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1,344,546 |
(4) |
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6.28 |
% |
P.O. Box 9728
Austin, TX 78766 |
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Hilton H. Howell, Jr. |
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484,190 |
(5) |
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2.24 |
% |
Edward E. Elson |
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19,226 |
(6) |
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* |
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Samuel E. Hudgins |
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6,393 |
(6) |
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* |
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D. Raymond Riddle |
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123,694 |
(7) |
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* |
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Scott G. Thompson |
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105,266 |
(8) |
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* |
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Mark C. West |
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149,026 |
(9) |
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* |
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William H. Whaley, M.D. |
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36,226 |
(10) |
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* |
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Dom H. Wyant |
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16,226 |
(6) |
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* |
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John G. Sample, Jr. |
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68,260 |
(11) |
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* |
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All Directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons) |
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16,064,286 |
(12) |
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75.55 |
% |
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* |
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Represents less than 1% of class. |
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(1) |
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All such shares are owned beneficially and of record unless otherwise stated. |
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(2) |
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Includes: 3,490,144 shares owned by Gulf Capital Services, Ltd.; 946,702 shares owned
by Delta Life Insurance Company; and 300,000 shares owned by Delta Fire & Casualty Company,
all of which are companies controlled by Mr. Robinson and each of which has an address at 4370
Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319; and 14,398 shares held pursuant to the Companys
401(k) Plan. Also includes all shares held by Mr. Robinsons wife (see note 3 below). |
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(3) |
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Harriett J. Robinson is the wife of J. Mack Robinson. Includes 7,980,248 shares held by
Mrs. Robinson as trustee for her children, as to which she disclaims any beneficial ownership.
Also includes 2,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days, and
6,720 shares held jointly with her grandson. Does not include shares held by Mr. Robinson (see
note 2 above). |
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(4) |
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Includes 1,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. |
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(5) |
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Includes: 200,000 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options; 37,044 shares
held pursuant to the Companys 401(k) Plan; 3,200 shares owned by his wife; 38,000 shares
owned by his wife as custodian for their children; and 6,720 shares held in joint ownership
by Mr. Howells son and Harriett J. Robinson, as to which he disclaims any beneficial
ownership. |
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(6) |
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Includes 2,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. |
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(7) |
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Includes 2,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days, and
600 shares held by Mr. Riddles spouse, as to which he disclaims any beneficial ownership. |
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(8) |
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Includes 80,000 shares subject to presently exercisable options. |
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(9) |
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Includes 2,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days.
Also includes 127,500 shares owned by Atlantis Capital LLP, of which Mr. West is the President
of the General Partner. |
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(10) |
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Includes 2,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days,
and 6,000 shares owned by Dr. Whaleys spouse as custodian for his daughter. |
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(11) |
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Includes: 50,000 shares subject to presently exercisable options; 8,260 shares held
pursuant to the Companys 401(k) Plan; and 10,000 deferred shares granted pursuant to the
Companys 1992 Incentive Plan. |
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(12) |
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Includes 345,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options exercisable within 60 days
held by all directors and executive officers as a group. Also includes shares held pursuant to
the Companys 401(k) Plan described in notes 2, 5 and 11 above. |
5
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Under the securities laws of the United States, the Companys directors, executive officers, and
any persons holding more than ten percent of any registered class of the Companys equity
securities are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes of ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the
Company, and to furnish the Company with copies of such reports. To the Companys knowledge, all of
these filing requirements were timely satisfied during the year ended December 31, 2005. In making
this disclosure, the Company has relied on written representations of its directors and executive
officers and copies of the reports that have been timely filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
There is shown below information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services in
all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005,
2004 and 2003 of those persons who were: (i) chief executive officer and (ii) the only other
executive officers of the Company at December 31, 2005, whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000,
(the named executive officers):
Summary Compensation Table
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Long-Term |
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Annual |
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Compensation |
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Name and |
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Compensation |
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Awards |
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Principal Position |
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Year |
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Salary |
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Bonus |
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Other (1) |
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Stock Awards(#) |
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Hilton H. Howell, Jr. |
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2005 |
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$ |
456,500 |
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$ |
250,000 |
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-0- |
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President and CEO |
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2004 |
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415,000 |
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250,000 |
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-0- |
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2003 |
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375,000 |
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200,000 |
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100,000(2) |
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J. Mack Robinson |
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2005 |
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187,500 |
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75,000 |
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$ |
33,000 |
(3) |
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-0- |
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Chairman of the Board |
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2004 |
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|
|
170,500 |
|
|
|
75,020 |
|
|
|
32,500 |
(4) |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
68,200 |
|
|
|
33,645 |
(5) |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John G. Sample, Jr. |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
353,100 |
|
|
|
123,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Senior Vice President and CFO |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
330,000 |
|
|
|
123,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
99,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes perquisites or other personal benefits paid to or received by the named
executive officer to the extent they exceed the applicable reporting requirements. |
|
(2) |
|
Consists of options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock. |
|
(3) |
|
Consists of (i) contributions to Mr. Robinsons account under the Companys 401(k) Plan
of $7,000 in 2005; and (ii) fees paid for serving as a director of the company and
subsidiaries of $26,000 in 2005. |
|
(4) |
|
Consists of (i) contributions to Mr. Robinsons account under the Companys 401(k) Plan
of $6,500 in 2004; and (ii) fees paid for serving as a director of the Company and
subsidiaries of $26,000 in 2004. |
|
(5) |
|
Consists of (i) contributions to Mr. Robinsons account under the Companys 401(k) Plan
of $5,645 in 2003; and (ii) fees paid for serving as a director of the Company and
subsidiaries of $28,000 in 2003. |
6
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises In Last Fiscal Year and FY-End Option/SAR Values
The following table provides information related to option exercises during fiscal year 2005 and
the number and value of options held by the named executive officers at December 31, 2005.
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
|
Value of Unexercised In-the- |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options / SARs |
|
|
Money Options / SARs |
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
|
|
|
|
at Year-End (#) |
|
|
at Year-End ($)(1) |
|
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
|
Value Realized ($) |
|
|
Exercisable / Unexercisable |
|
|
Exercisable / Unexercisable |
|
Hilton H. Howell, Jr. |
|
-0- |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
200,000 /-0- |
|
|
$ |
256,000 / $-0- |
|
J. Mack Robinson |
|
-0- |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
-0- / -0- |
|
|
$ |
0 / $-0- |
|
John G. Sample, Jr. |
|
-0- |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
50,000 / -0- |
|
|
$ |
35,000 / $-0- |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Value is calculated on the difference between the option exercise price and the closing
price for the Companys Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on
December 31, 2005, which was $2.70, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock
underlying the option. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2005, Messrs. Elson, Riddle and West, and Dr. Whaley, none of whom was, during the year
or formerly, an officer or employee of the Company, were members of the Stock Option and
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. None of the Stock Option and Compensation
Committee members serve as members of the board of directors or compensation committee of any
entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Stock
Option and Compensation Committee.
Performance Graph
The graph below compares the cumulative total return to shareholders on the Common Stock for the
period from December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2005, with (i) the Russell 2000 Index, (ii) the
Nasdaq Insurance Index, (iii) a previously selected peer group of insurance companies (Insurance
Peer Group).
Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading in 12/00 in Atlantic American Corporation Common
Stock, the Russell 2000 Index, the Nasdaq Insurance Index and Insurance Peer Group.
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
2001 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Atlantic American Corporation |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
110.00 |
|
|
$ |
81.50 |
|
|
$ |
150.00 |
|
|
$ |
155.00 |
|
|
$ |
135.00 |
|
Russell 2000 Index |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
101.03 |
|
|
$ |
79.23 |
|
|
$ |
115.18 |
|
|
$ |
134.75 |
|
|
$ |
139.23 |
|
Nasdaq Insurance Index |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
107.10 |
|
|
$ |
105.11 |
|
|
$ |
108.90 |
|
|
$ |
130.45 |
|
|
$ |
142.52 |
|
Insurance Peer Group |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
97.13 |
|
|
$ |
71.14 |
|
|
$ |
83.10 |
|
|
$ |
120.47 |
|
|
$ |
155.14 |
|
Factual material is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the publisher is not
responsible for any errors or omissions contained herein. Source: Value Line, Inc. and Nasdaq
Insurance Peer Group includes: American Safety Insurance Company, Donegal Insurance Group J,
National Security Group, Inc., Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., Horace Mann Educators Corp.,
Unico American Corp. and Covanta Holding Group, previously known as Danielson Holding Group.
7
Report of the Stock Option and Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation
Compensation Philosophy
The Stock Option and Compensation Committee (the Compensation Committee) believes that
compensation of executives should be designed to motivate those persons to perform at their
potential over both the short and the long term. The Compensation Committee believes that
equity-based incentives can benefit the Company by increasing the retention of executives while
aligning their long-term interests with those of the Companys shareholders. Compensation
determinations are primarily based on the performance of the Company and the individual executive
officer during a particular year, and expectations and objectives for performance in the succeeding
year. The Compensation Committee also believes that compensation packages for executives must be
structured to take into account the nature and the growth of the Companys lines of business in
appropriate circumstances.
The compensation packages for the executive officers have generally consisted of three components:
base salaries, cash bonuses and equity incentives.
The Compensation Committee has retained the services of an outside compensation consultant, Mellon
Financial Corporations Human Resources & Investor Solutions group, to conduct an analysis of
Atlantic Americans executive compensation levels and practices and to make recommendations related
to short and long-term incentive programs. The Compensation Committee considered the input of this
outside consultant in connection with the determination of cash bonuses for the executive officers
relating to performance in 2005 and the determination of salary levels for such persons for 2006.
Cash Compensation. The Chairman of the Board annually reviews executive officer compensation and
recommends to the Compensation Committee proposed salaries and bonuses for himself and for each of
the other executive officers. Factors considered by the Chairman and the Compensation Committee are
based upon the growth of the Company with regard to net income, total assets, premiums and
shareholders equity. All of these factors were considered in establishing salary levels for each
of the executive officers, as were their individual duties and the growth and effectiveness of each
in performing those duties. In establishing compensation levels for the executive officers for
2005, the Compensation Committee sought to structure compensation packages that were designed both
to achieve the objective of the Compensation Committees compensation philosophy and to be
competitive with those offered by similarly situated companies. The
Compensation Committee increased the base salary for the named executive officers for 2005, having taken into consideration
the factors identified above. Upon the Chairman of the Boards recommendation, the Compensation
Committee awarded cash bonuses to each of the named executive officers, including to the Chief
Executive Officer as described below. The bonuses are generally determined as a percentage of the
executive officers base salary for the succeeding fiscal year. The bonuses, which were actually
paid in the first quarter of 2006, were consistent with the historical annual bonus award practices
of the Company and reflect an evaluation of the individual performance of the officers, as well as
the performance of the Company as a whole, during 2005.
Equity-Based Compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that equity-based compensation in
the form of stock options or other stock awards serves to motivate executives to seek to improve
the Companys short-term and long-term prospects and to align the interests of the Companys
executives with those of its shareholders. During 2005, the Compensation Committee granted stock
options to certain executives other than the named executive officers at prevailing market prices
on the dates of grant. The factors used in determining the size of the individual grant were the
same as those considered with respect to cash bonuses. The grants vested with respect to one-half
of the shares purchasable thereunder on the date of grant with the remainder vesting in equal
increments on each of the first and second anniversaries of the applicable date of grant. The
vesting schedule is designed to encourage both short-term and long-term performance.
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Howells compensation is generally evaluated on the same basis as the
Companys other executive officers. The Compensation Committee approved an increase of
approximately 10% in Mr. Howells base salary for 2005, and in 2006 awarded Mr. Howell a cash bonus
of $250,000 in recognition of his contributions during 2005. In 2005, the Compensation Committee
did not grant any stock options to Mr. Howell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward E. Elson |
|
|
|
|
D. Raymond Riddle |
|
|
|
|
Mark C. West |
|
|
|
|
Dr. William Whaley |
8
2. RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Committee is required by law and applicable NASDAQ Rules to be directly responsible for
the appointment, compensation and retention of the Companys independent public accountants. On
April 3, 2006, the Committee determined not to renew its
engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte) as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm, and appointed BDO Seidman, LLP
(Seidman) as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. While
shareholder ratification of the selection of Seidman as the
Companys independent registered public
accounting firm is not required by the Companys By-laws or otherwise, the Board of Directors is
submitting the selection of Seidman to the shareholders for ratification. If the shareholders fail
to ratify the selection, the Committee may, but is not required to, reconsider whether to retain
that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Committee in its discretion may direct the
appointment of a different independent registered public accounting
firm at any time during the year if it
determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Representatives from Deloitte and Seidman are expected to be present at the Meeting and will have
the opportunity to make any statement if such representatives desire to do so, and, if present,
will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Deloittes reports on the Companys consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2005 and
2004 and for the years then ended did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and
were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
In connection with the audits of the Companys financial statements for each of the two most recent
fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 and through the date hereof, there were no
disagreements between the Company and Deloitte on any matters of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved
to Deloittes satisfaction, would have caused Deloitte to make reference to the matter in its
reports. During the two most recent fiscal years and through the date hereof, there have been no
reportable events as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(v).
During fiscal year 2005, Deloitte was retained to provide services in the following categories and
amounts:
Audit Fees
The Company has paid or expects to pay Deloitte approximately $575,000, in the aggregate, for
professional services it rendered for the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements
and audits of subsidiary company statutory reports for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and
the reviews of the interim financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
filed during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The Company paid Deloitte $478,000, in the
aggregate, for professional services it rendered for the audit of the Companys consolidated
financial statements and audits of subsidiary company statutory reports for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004 and the reviews of the interim financial statements included in the Companys
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Audit Related Fees
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the Company paid Deloitte
$20,345 and $4,030, respectively, in the aggregate, in audit-related fees. These fees related to
professional services performed in connection with Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404, state insurance
examinations and SEC matters.
Tax Fees
Deloitte did not provide any tax services during either the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 or
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
All Other Fees
Deloitte did not provide any other category of products or services to the Company during either
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 or the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
The Committee considers whether the provision of non-audit services by the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm is compatible with maintaining auditor independence. All audit
and non-audit services to be performed by the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm must be approved in advance by the Committee. Pursuant to the Committees Audit and Non-Audit
Services Pre-Approval Policy (the Policy) and as permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission
rules, the Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to any of its members, provided that any
service approved in this manner is reported to the full Committee at its next meeting.
The Policy provides for a general pre-approval of certain specifically enumerated services that are
to be provided within specified fee levels. With respect to requests to provide specifically
enumerated services not specifically pre-approved pursuant to such general grant, such requests
must be submitted to the Committee by both the independent auditors and the Chief Financial Officer
and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request is consistent with
Securities
and Exchange Commission rules on auditor independence. Such requests must also be specific as to
the nature of the proposed service, the proposed fee and any other details the Committee may
request.
9
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company leases space for its principal offices, as well as the principal offices of certain of
its subsidiaries, in an office building located at 4370 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia,
from Delta Life Insurance Company, a corporation owned by Mr. Robinson and members of his immediate
family, under leases which expire at various times from August 31, 2011 to May 31, 2012. Under the
terms of the leases, the Company occupies approximately 65,489 square feet of office space as well
as covered parking garage facilities at an annual rental of approximately $611,000, plus a pro rata
share of all real estate taxes, general maintenance and service expenses and insurance costs with
respect to the office building and other facilities. The terms of the lease are believed by
management of the Company to be comparable to terms which could be obtained by the Company from
unrelated parties for comparable rental property.
Effective December 31, 1995, an aggregate of $13.4 million in principal amount of 8% and 9 1/2%
demand notes issued by the Company were canceled in exchange for the issuance by the Company of an
aggregate of 134,000 shares of a new series of preferred stock (the Series B Preferred Stock),
which has a stated value of $100 per share and accrues dividends at 9% per year. At December 31,
2005, the Company had accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock totaling
$12,060,000. All shares of Series B Preferred Stock are owned directly or indirectly by affiliates
of Mr. Robinson, Mrs. Robinson or Mr. Howell.
In 1991, certain of the Companys subsidiaries made loans to Leath Furniture, LLC (Leath), which
at the time was a subsidiary of the Company. In 1996, the Company sold Leath to Gulf Capital
Services, Ltd. (Gulf Capital). Gulf Capital is a partnership in which Mr. Robinson is the general
partner and certain of his affiliates are the limited partners. The loans are secured by mortgages
on certain properties owned by Leath. The loans had an outstanding principal balance of $1.9
million at December 31,
2005, bear interest at 9 1/4% per annum, are payable in monthly installments, and mature on December
1, 2016. The largest amount of this outstanding indebtedness during 2005 was $2,996,739. During
2005, Leath made principal and interest payments on such loans in the aggregate amount of
$1,305,665.
Certain of the Companys subsidiaries have, from time to time, purchased shares in Triple Crown
Media, Inc. (Triple Crown) and Gray Television, Inc. (Gray), in the ordinary course of
investing. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Howell are executive officers and members of the board of
directors of Triple Crown, Mr. Robinson is an executive officer of Gray, and each of Mr. Robinson
and Mr. Howell, and Mrs. Robinson, is on the board of directors of Gray. Additionally, each of Mr.
Robinson, Mrs. Robinson and Mr. Howell are beneficial owners of in excess of 5% of the voting power
of both Triple Crown and Gray. The value of the investments by the Companys subsidiaries in
Triple Crown and Gray at the end of 2005 was $2,139,290 and $8,021,363, respectively.
Certain members of management are shareholders and are on the Board of Directors of Triple Crown
Media, Inc (Triple Crown) and Gray Television, Inc. (Gray). On August 3, 2005, Gray announced
a plan to spin-off its newspaper publishing and wireless businesses to its shareholders. The new
company formed as a result of the spin-off, Triple Crown, then acquired Bull Run Corporation (Bull
Run). In connection with the spin-off, the Company received one share of Triple Crown common
stock for every ten shares of Gray common stock and for every ten shares of Gray class A common
stock owned. In connection with the Bull Run acquisition, the Company received 0.0289 shares of
Triple Crown common stock for each share of Bull Run common stock owned by it and Triple Crown
series A preferred stock in exchange for the shares of Bull Runs series D preferred stock. At
December 31, 2005, the Company owned 54,734 shares of Triple Crown common stock, 388,060 shares of
Gray common stock Class A and 106,000 shares of Gray common stock. The Company also owned 350
shares of Gray series C preferred stock and 2,360 shares of Bull Run series D preferred stock at
December 31, 2005. The aggregate carrying value of the Companys investments in Triple Crown and
Gray at December 31, 2005 was $2,139,000 and $8,021,000, respectively.
The Company has entered into a consulting agreement with Dr. Whaley, pursuant to which Dr. Whaley
provides certain medical consulting and advisory services to the Companys subsidiaries. Pursuant
to the agreement, Dr. Whaley receives $15,000 per year for such services.
The Company has entered into a consulting arrangement with Mr. Hudgins, pursuant to which Mr.
Hudgins provides various financial and other consulting services to the Company. Pursuant to the
agreement, Mr. Hudgins received $109,600 during 2005 for such services.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management of the Company knows of no other matters than those stated above which are to be brought
before the Meeting. However, if any such other matters should be presented for consideration and
voting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxies to vote thereon in accordance with
their best judgment.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals to be presented at the next annual meeting of shareholders must be received
by the Company no later than December 7, 2006, in order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy
statement for the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders. Any such proposal should be addressed to the
Companys President and mailed to 4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30319-3000. A shareholder not seeking to have his proposal included in the
Companys proxy statement, but seeking to have the proposal considered at the Companys 2007 annual
meeting of shareholders, should notify the Company in the manner set forth above of his proposal no
later than February 20, 2007. In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, if the shareholder has not given such notice to the Company by February 20, 2007, the
persons appointed as proxies for the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders may exercise discretionary
authority to vote on any such shareholder proposal.
10
PROXY
ATLANTIC
AMERICAN CORPORATION
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319-3000
Proxy Solicitation on Behalf of the Board of Directors of
the Company for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on May 2, 2006
The undersigned hereby appoints J. Mack Robinson, Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and John G.
Sample, Jr., or any of them, as proxies with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
to vote on the undersigneds behalf at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Atlantic
American Corporation, to be held at 9:00 A.M., Eastern Time, on May 2, 2006, at the offices
of the Company, 4370 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia and at all adjournments or
postponements thereof, upon all business as may properly come before the meeting, including
the business described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement,
receipt of which is acknowledged.
PROXIES WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY INSTRUCTIONS INDICATED BELOW. IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL DIRECTOR
NOMINEES AND ALL LISTED PROPOSALS. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO
VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. THIS PROXY IS
REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS USE.
1. Election Of Directors:
NOMINEES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.
|
|
J. Mack Robinson
|
|
|
5. |
|
|
Samuel E. Hudgins
|
|
|
9. |
|
|
Mark C. West |
2.
|
|
Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
|
|
|
6. |
|
|
D. Raymond Riddle
|
|
|
10. |
|
|
William H. Whaley, M.D. |
3.
|
|
Edward E. Elson
|
|
|
7. |
|
|
Harriett J. Robinson
|
|
|
11. |
|
|
Dom H. Wyant |
4.
|
|
Harold K. Fischer
|
|
|
8. |
|
|
Scott G. Thompson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOR
|
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for all nominees |
|
|
For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s):
2.
To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP.
Dated: , 2006
Signature
Signature
Sign exactly as your name(s) appears at left. Give full title of executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian, etc. Joint owners should each sign personally.