Blair Corporation PRE 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant
x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
o
Check the appropriate box:
x 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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o 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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Blair 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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No fee required.
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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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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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BLAIR CORPORATION
Warren, Pennsylvania
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
BLAIR CORPORATION
to be held on Thursday, April 20, 2006
To The Stockholders:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Blair Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held at
The Library Theatre, 302 Third Avenue West, Warren,
Pennsylvania, on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at
11:00 a.m., for the following purposes:
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1. |
To elect nine directors to serve for a term of one year and
until their successors are elected and qualified; |
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2. |
To approve an amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Blair Corporation to authorize five million
shares of preferred stock; and |
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3. |
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as
independent public accountants of Blair Corporation for the year
2006; and |
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4. |
To transact such other business as may lawfully come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
March 3, 2006 as the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting,
or any postponements or adjournments thereof.
To assure that your shares are represented at the meeting,
please date, sign and return the enclosed proxy. A postage-paid,
self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience in
returning the proxy. If you decide to attend the meeting, you
may revoke the proxy at any time before it is voted.
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Daniel R. Blair
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Secretary |
Warren, Pennsylvania
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BLAIR CORPORATION
Warren, Pennsylvania
March 21, 2006
PROXY STATEMENT
Solicitation and Voting of Proxies
This Proxy Statement solicits proxies on behalf of Blair
Corporation (the Company) for use at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to be held at
11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at The Library
Theatre, 302 Third Avenue West, Warren, Pennsylvania. The
Companys principal executive offices are located at 220
Hickory Street, Warren, Pennsylvania 16366.
Under Delaware law, any person giving a proxy pursuant to this
solicitation may revoke it at any time before it is voted by
filing a written notice of revocation with the Corporate
Secretary of the Company, by delivering to the Company a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual
Meeting and voting in person.
The shares represented by proxies received by the Company will
be voted at the meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, in
accordance with the specifications made therein. If no
specifications are made on a proxy card, it will be voted FOR
the nominees listed on the proxy card and FOR the other matters
specified on the proxy card. Stockholders should note that while
broker non-votes and votes for ABSTAIN will count toward
establishing a quorum, passage of any proposal considered at the
Annual Meeting will occur only if a sufficient number of votes
are cast FOR the proposal. Accordingly, votes to ABSTAIN and
votes AGAINST will have the same effect in determining
whether the proposal is approved.
Other than the matters listed on the attached Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, the Board of Directors knows of no
additional matters that will be presented for consideration at
the Annual Meeting. Execution of the proxy card, however,
confers on the designated proxies discretionary authority
to vote the shares of Common Stock in accordance with their best
judgment on such other business, if any, that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
A copy of the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
including financial statements and a description of the
Companys operations for 2005 accompanies this Proxy
Statement, but is not incorporated in this Proxy Statement by
this reference. This Proxy Statement and the Notice of Meeting
and enclosed proxy card are first being mailed to stockholders
on or about March 21, 2006.
Voting Securities
The securities, which may be voted at the Annual Meeting,
consist of shares of common stock of the Company, without
nominal or par value (the Common Stock), with each
share entitling its owner to one vote on all matters to be voted
on at the Annual Meeting. There is no cumulative voting for the
election of directors.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
March 3, 2006 as the record date (the Record
Date) for the determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any
adjournments thereof. As reported by the transfer agent, there
were 3,960,766 shares of the Companys Common Stock
outstanding as of the Record Date.
The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of
the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum. In the
event there are insufficient votes for a quorum or to approve or
ratify any proposal at the time of the Annual Meeting, the
Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit the further
solicitation of proxies.
As to the election of directors, the enclosed proxy card enables
a stockholder to vote FOR the election of the nominees
proposed by the Board, or to WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one
or
more of the nominees being proposed. Under Delaware law and the
Companys bylaws, directors are elected by a majority of
votes cast, without regard to either (i) broker non-votes;
or (ii) proxies as to which authority to vote for one or
more of the nominees being proposed is withheld.
As to the approval of an amendment to the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Company authorizing five million shares
of preferred stock, by checking the appropriate box a
stockholder may (i) vote FOR the item;
(ii) vote AGAINST the item; or (iii) ABSTAIN from
voting on such item. Under Delaware law and the Companys
bylaws, an amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation requires a majority vote of all of the outstanding
Common Stock in favor of such amendment.
As to the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as
independent auditors of the Company and all other matters that
may properly come before the Annual Meeting, by checking the
appropriate box a stockholder may (i) vote FOR the
item; (ii) vote AGAINST the item; or
(iii) ABSTAIN from voting on such item. Under the
Companys bylaws, all such matters shall be determined by a
majority of the votes cast without regard to either
(a) broker non-votes; or (b) proxies marked ABSTAIN as
to that matter.
Proxies solicited hereby will be returned to the Companys
transfer agent and will be tabulated by inspectors of election
designated by the Company who will not be employed by or be
directors of the Company or any of its affiliates. After the
final adjournment of the Annual Meeting the proxies will be
returned to the Company for safekeeping.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
(a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain
information with respect to each person and institution known to
the Companys management to be the beneficial owner of more
than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of the
Companys Common Stock.
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Amount and Nature of |
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Percent |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficial Ownership |
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of Class |
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The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
249 5th Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 |
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290,194(2 |
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7.33(1 |
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Barclays Global Investors, NA
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
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257,483(3 |
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6.50(1 |
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Robert W. Blair
311 East Street
Warren, Pennsylvania 16365 |
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232,730(4 |
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5.88(1 |
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Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401 |
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208,699(5 |
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5.27(1 |
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Paradigm Capital Management, Inc.
Nine Elk Street
Albany, New York 12207 |
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199,493(6 |
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5.04(1 |
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Loeb Partners Corporation
61 Broadway
New York, NY 10006 |
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*(7 |
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6.68%(7 |
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Opportunity Santa Monica Group
1865 Palmer Avenue
Larchmont, NY 10538 |
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**(8 |
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9.8%(8 |
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(1) |
For purposes of calculating the percent of class ownership, the
figure used for the amount of outstanding Common Stock is
3,960,766, which amount represents the figure reported as
outstanding by the transfer agent as of the Record Date. |
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(2) |
PNC Bank, N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Bancorp, Inc.,
which is itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Financial
Services Group, Inc. (collectively referred to herein as
PNC), is deemed to have beneficial ownership of
290,194 shares of the Companys Common Stock of which
PNC has shared dispositive power with respect to
10,000 shares. |
The above information was provided to the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC) in a Schedule 13G filed on
February 14, 2006 by PNC.
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(3) |
Barclays Global Investors, NA, Barclays Global
Fund Advisors, Barclays Global Investors, Ltd. and Barclays
Global Investors Japan Trust and Banking Company Limited
(collectively referred to herein as Barclays) are
deemed to have beneficial ownership of 257,483 shares of
Common Stock, which shares are held by Barclays in trust
accounts for the economic benefit of the beneficiaries of these
accounts. |
Barclays provided the above information to the SEC in a
Schedule 13G filed on January 26, 2006.
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(4) |
Mr. Blair disclaims beneficial ownership of certain shares
not included herein that are held in several trusts of which
Mr. Blair is a beneficiary of but as to which
Mr. Blair has neither voting or dispositive power. |
Robert W. Blair provided the information set forth in the
table above to the SEC in a Schedule 13G filed on
February 10, 2006.
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(5) |
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. (Dimensional),
a registered investment advisor, is deemed to have beneficial
ownership of 208,699 shares of Common Stock, all of which
shares are held in portfolios of four registered investment
companies for which Dimensional serves as investment advisor and
certain other investment vehicles, including co-mingled group
trusts and separate accounts for which Dimensional serves as
investment manager. The portfolios own all of the shares and
Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares,
however Dimensional possesses voting and dispositive power for
such shares. |
The above information was provided to the SEC in a
Schedule 13G filed on February 6, 2006 by
Dimensional.
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(6) |
Paradigm Capital Management, Inc. (Paradigm) is
deemed to have beneficial ownership of 199,493 shares of
Common Stock all of which shares are owned by advisory clients
of Paradigm. |
The above information was provided to the SEC in a
Schedule 13G filed on February 15, 2006 by
Paradigm.
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(7) |
Loeb consists of eight entities, (1) Loeb Arbitrage Fund
(LAF), a New York limited partnership, is a
registered broker-dealer, (2) Loeb Arbitrage Management
(LAM), a Delaware corporation, is the general
partner of LAF, (3) Loeb Partners Corporation
(LPC), a Delaware corporation, is a registered
broker-dealer and a registered investment advisor, (4) Loeb
Holding Corporation (LHC), a Maryland corporation,
is the sole stockholder of LAM and LPC, (5) Loeb Offshore
Fund, Ltd. (LOF), a Cayman Islands exempted company,
(6) Loeb Offshore Management, LLC (LOM), a
Delaware limited liability company, is a registered investment
advisor, is wholly owned by LHC and is LOFs and
LMOFs investment advisor, (7) Loeb Marathon Fund
(LMF), a Delaware limited partnership, whose general
partner is LAM, and (8) Loeb Marathon Offshore Fund, Ltd.
(LMOF), a Cayman Islands exempted company. |
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* |
Together Loeb owns 551,327 shares of Common Stock as of
May 6, 2005, including certain shares of Common Stock
purchased and sold for the account of one customer of LPC as to
which it has investment discretion. |
The information, including the amount and percentage of
shares of Common Stock, set forth in the table above was
provided to the SEC in a Schedule 13D filed on May 10, 2005
by Loeb, which date was prior to the Companys tender offer
and therefore the percentage of shares of Common Stock is
3
based on 8,247,426 shares outstanding, the number of
shares outstanding immediately prior to the tender offer.
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(8) |
Opportunity Santa Monica Group is comprised of Santa
Monica Partners Opportunity Fund L.P. (SMPOP)
and Santa Monica Partners, L.P. (SMP) each a New
York limited partnership, and Santa Monica Partners Asset
Management LLC and SMP Asset Management LLC, each Delaware
limited liability companies, which act as general partner for
SMPOP and SMP, respectively. |
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** |
Phillip Goldstein is deemed to be the beneficial owner of
418,450 shares of Common Stock, Andrew Dakos is deemed to
be the beneficial owner of 49,500 shares of Common Stock
and Lawrence J. Goldstein is deemed to be the beneficial owner
of 340,550 shares of Common Stock. Power to dispose of
Common Stock resides solely with Mr. Phillip Goldstein for
418,450 shares. Power to vote Common Stock resides
solely with Mr. Phillip Goldstein for 137,150 shares
and jointly for 6,400 shares. Power to dispose and
vote Common Stock resides solely with Mr. Dakos for
49,500 shares. Power to dispose of Common Stock resides
solely with Mr. Lawrence Goldstein for 340,550 shares. |
The information, including the amount and percentage of
shares of Common Stock, set forth in the table above was
provided to the SEC in a Schedule 13D filed on May 3, 2005
by Opportunity Santa Monica Group, which date was
prior to the Companys tender offer and therefore the
percentage of shares of Common Stock is based on
8,247,426 shares outstanding, the number of shares
outstanding immediately prior to the tender offer.
(b) Security Ownership of Management. The following
table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain information
with respect to Common Stock owned beneficially by each director
and nominee for election as a director, the named executive
officers included below under Executive
Compensation, and by all current directors and executive
officers of the Company as a group. Please note that as of
October 28, 2005, Robert Crowley resigned as Senior Vice
President (Menswear, Home and Marketing Services) and director
of the Company.
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Amount and Nature of |
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Percent |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficial Ownership(1) |
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of Class** |
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Robert Crowley
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21,434 |
(2)(3) |
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* |
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Harriet Edelman
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3,575 |
(4) |
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* |
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David N. Elliott
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4,920 |
(7) |
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* |
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Cynthia A. Fields
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2,075 |
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* |
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John O. Hanna
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14,350 |
(2) |
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* |
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Jerel G. Hollens
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125 |
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* |
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Craig N. Johnson
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6,900 |
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* |
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John A. Lasher
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19,639 |
(2)(3)(8) |
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* |
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Murray K. McComas
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50,475 |
(2)(4) |
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1.27 |
% |
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Ronald L. Ramseyer
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3,325 |
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* |
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Michael A. Rowe
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12,565 |
(3) |
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* |
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Randall A. Scalise
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15,806 |
(2)(3) |
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* |
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Michael A. Schuler
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2,250 |
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* |
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John E. Zawacki
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113,795 |
(2)(3) |
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2.87 |
% |
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All directors and executive officers as a group (includes
[19] persons)
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308,247 |
(2)(3)(5)(6) |
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7.78 |
% |
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** |
For purposes of calculating the percent of class ownership,
the figure used for the amount of outstanding Common Stock is
3,960,766, which amount represents the figure reported as
outstanding by the transfer agent as of the Record Date. |
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(1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned. |
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(2) |
The share totals include the following shares of Common Stock
held by and for the benefit of members of the immediate families
of certain directors, nominees and executive officers, as to
which the indicated directors, nominees and executive officers
have no voting or investment power, beneficial interest in which
is disclaimed by such directors, nominees and executive
officers: Robert D. Crowley (8,234 shares), John O.
Hanna (3,100 shares), John A. Lasher (390 shares),
Murray K. McComas (2,480 shares), Randall A. Scalise
(225 shares) and John E. Zawacki (31,230 shares). |
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(3) |
The share totals include the following shares of Common Stock
underlying stock options granted by the Company, which are
exercisable now or within 60 days of the Record Date:
Robert D. Crowley (5,000 shares), John A. Lasher
(2,067), Michael A. Rowe (5,018 shares), Randall A. Scalise
(2,067 shares), and John E. Zawacki (58,105 shares)
and all directors and executive officers listed as a group
78,193 shares). |
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(4) |
The share totals include the following shares, which were
deferred pursuant to the Companys Stock Accumulation and
Deferred Compensation Plan for non-management directors: Harriet
Edelman (2,075 shares) and Murray K. McComas
(2,250 shares). |
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(5) |
This share total includes 544 shares of Common Stock, which
are held by or for the benefit of members of the immediate
families of executive officers of the Company not identified
individually in this chart, as to which such executive officers
have no voting or investment power, beneficial interest in which
is disclaimed by such executive officers. |
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(6) |
Such share totals include an aggregate of 575 shares of
Common Stock jointly owned by certain of the directors and
executive officers with their spouses. |
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(7) |
Includes 1,600 shares of Company Common Stock, which
Mr. Elliott holds in an IRA. |
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(8) |
Such shares total includes 562 shares of Common Stock held
of record and beneficially by the estate of Marguerite M. Lasher
of which Mr. Lasher is the executor. |
5
PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
One of the purposes of the meeting is to elect nine directors to
serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until
their successors have been elected and qualified. The persons
named in the proxy intend to vote the proxy FOR the election of
directors, the nominees named below. If, however, any nominee is
unwilling or unable to serve as a director, which is not
expected as of the date of this Proxy Statement, the persons
named in the proxy reserve the right to vote FOR such other
person as may be nominated by the Nominating and Corporate
Goverance Committee of the board of directors. Directors will be
elected by a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting
without regard either (i) broker non-votes, or
(ii) proxies as to which authority to vote for one or more
of the nominees being proposed is withheld.
The table below sets forth the name of each nominee for election
as a director and the nominees age, position with the
Company, business experience and principal occupation during the
past five years, and familial relationships with other
directors. With the exception of Jerel G. Hollens, who was
appointed as a Director effective February 24, 2006, all of
the nominees were elected as directors at the Companys
2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Board of Directors recommends the election of each
nominee for director listed below.
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Business |
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Position with |
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Director |
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Experience During |
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Company |
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Past Five Years |
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Harriet Edelman
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50 |
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Director |
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2001 |
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Director, Hershey Foods Corp. (makers of chocolate and candy
products), April 2003 present; Senior Vice
President, Business Transformation and Chief Information
Officer, Avon Products, Inc. (direct seller of cosmetics,
clothing, toys, perfume, jewelry, books and videos), New York,
NY, January 2000 present. |
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Cynthia A. Fields
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56 |
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Director |
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2003 |
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Director, Boston Proper (retailer of womens apparel), June
2001 present; President, CFC Consulting (consulting
firm), June 2000 present. |
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John O. Hanna
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74 |
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Director |
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1992 |
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Member of Executive Committee, January 2000 present;
Director, JLB Service Bank, August 2003 present;
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Northwest Bancorp, Inc.
(savings and loan holding company), Warren, PA, July
2001 July 2003; Director, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Northwest Bancorp, Inc., Warren, PA, November
1994 July 2001; Chairman, Northwest Savings Bank,
Warren, PA, July 1998 July 2003; Director, Jamestown
Savings Bank (depository institution), Jamestown, NY, November
1995 June 2005; President and Chief Executive
Officer, Jamestown Savings Bank, Jamestown, NY, July
1998 July 2003. |
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Position with |
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Director |
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Experience During |
Name |
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Age |
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Company |
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Since |
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Past Five Years |
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Jerel G. Hollens
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53 |
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Director |
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2006 |
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Independent consultant, November 2005 present;
Senior Vice President Supply Chain, Dicks
Sporting Goods (online sporting goods retailer), Pittsburgh, PA,
September 2003 November 2005; Vice President
Business Design, Gap Inc. (specialty retailer),
San Francisco, CA, July 2001 April 2003; Vice
President Supply Chain, Toys R Us (toy store),
Paramus, NJ, March 1997 July 2001 |
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Craig N. Johnson
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64 |
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Chairman of the Board |
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1997 |
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Chairman of the Board, April 2003 present; Member of
Executive Committee, January 2000 present; Managing
Director and Partner, Glenthorne Capital, Inc. (financial
advisory and investment banking services), Philadelphia, PA,
February 1994 February 2002. |
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Murray K. McComas
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69 |
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Director |
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1977 |
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Member of Executive Committee 1987-2003; Chairman of the Board,
April 1987 April 2003. |
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Ronald L. Ramseyer
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63 |
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Director |
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2001 |
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Executive Vice President Chief Marketing Officer,
Casual Male Retail Group, Inc. (big and tall mens clothing
retailer), Canton, MA, March 2005 present;
Consultant strategic planning &
multi-channel marketing, Ramseyer Direct (consulting firm),
November 2002 February 2005; President of Direct
Marketing, Bass Pro Shops (outdoor gear retailers), Springfield,
MO, April 2001 November 2002; President and Chief
Executive Officer, Macys By Mail, Inc. (mail order apparel
catalogue), September 1997 March 2001. |
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|
|
|
|
|
Business |
|
|
|
|
Position with |
|
Director |
|
Experience During |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Company |
|
Since |
|
Past Five Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Schuler
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Director |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, Westny Building Products
Co.,( a distributor of residential and commercial window and
door products), December 2003 present; President and
Chief Executive Officer, Donerail Investments, Ltd. (private
investment partnership), Bradford, PA, March 2001
December 2003; Chairman of Audit Committee, National City
Corporation (financial holding company), Cleveland, OH
2000 2002; Board Member, Audit Committee Member,
Public Policy Committee Member, National City Corporation,
Cleveland, OH, 1996 2002; Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Zippo Manufacturing Co. (retailer of
lighters, pocket knives, key holders, money clips, writing
instruments and tape measures), Bradford, PA, September
1986 March 2001. |
|
|
|
|
John E. Zawacki
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Director,
President, and
Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
1988 |
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer, December 1999
present; Member of Executive Committee 1996-present; Manager and
President, Blair Payroll LLC, May 2000 present. |
The table below sets forth the name of each executive officer of
the Company not listed above, his or her age, position with the
Company and business experience during the past five years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position with |
|
Officer |
|
Business Experience During |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Company |
|
Since |
|
Past Five Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel R. Blair
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Corporate Secretary |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
Corporate Secretary, April 2003 present; Corporate
Human Resources Representative, March 2001 present. |
|
|
|
|
Cynthia L. Dziendziel
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Vice President (Customer Services) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Vice President (Customer Services), October 2005
present; Merchandising Director (Menswear) October
2004 October 2005; General Manager, The Bon Ton
(department stores offering apparel, cosmetics, home
furnishings, bedding and furniture and fine jewelry), February
1992 October 2004. |
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position with |
|
Officer |
|
Business Experience During |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Company |
|
Since |
|
Past Five Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Senior Vice President (Merchandising and Design) |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
Senior Vice President (Merchandising and Design), October
2005 present; Senior Vice President (Womenswear),
July 2004 October 2005; Vice President and General
Merchandising Manager, Ross Simons (retailer of jewelry, luxury
items and gifts), Cranston, RI, 2003 July 2004;
Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Product Development,
Petals, Inc. (retailer of flowers, wedding accessories, bridal
jewelry and unity candles), Tarrytown, NY, 1994 2003. |
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey H. Parnell
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Vice President (Marketing) |
|
|
2000 |
|
|
Vice President (Marketing), March 2001 present. |
|
|
|
|
Larry J. Pitorak
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Interim Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Interim Chief Financial Officer, September 2005
present; Partner, Tatum LLC, (executive services and consulting
firm), Cleveland, OH, 2002 present; Senior Vice
President-Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, The
Sherwin-Williams Company (manufacturer and retailer of paints,
coatings and related products), Cleveland, OH, 1973
2001. |
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Chief Information Officer and Vice President (Information
Services) |
|
|
2000 |
|
|
Chief Information Officer, July 2002 present; Vice
President (Information Services), January 2000
present. |
|
|
|
|
Theresa A. Ruby
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Vice President (Cultural Change & Human Resources) |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
Vice President (Cultural Change & Human Resources),
March 2005 present; Corporate Director of Leadership
Supply, Bechtel Group, Inc., 2002 March 2005; Vice
President, HRMG, Inc., 1999 2002. |
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Vice President (Fulfillment) |
|
|
1993 |
|
|
Vice President (Fulfillment), March 2001 present. |
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Position with |
|
Officer |
|
Business Experience During |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Company |
|
Since |
|
Past Five Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence R. Vicini
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Vice President (Merchandise Procurement) |
|
|
1992 |
|
|
Vice President (Merchandise Procurement) October
2005 present; Vice President (International Trade)
June 1992 October 2005; Director and President,
Blair International Holdings, Inc., December 2000
present; Director, Blair International, Ltd., January
2001 present; Director, Blair International
Singapore Pte. Ltd., January 2001 present. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
(the Exchange Act) requires the Companys
officers (as defined in regulations promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
thereunder), directors and persons who own more than ten percent
(10%) of a registered class of the Companys equity
securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership
with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent
(10%) stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments
thereto furnished to the Company during fiscal year 2005,
Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the Company
with respect to fiscal year 2005, and any written
representations provided by a director or officer that no
Form 5 is required with respect to fiscal year 2005, the
Company believes that during fiscal year 2005 its officers and
directors complied with all filing requirements with the
exception of Cynthia L. Dziendziel. Ms. Dziendziel filed a
late report on Form 3 and there were no transactions
reported on that report. The Company does not have any greater
than ten percent (10%) beneficial owners.
PROPOSAL 2. APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION AUTHORIZING PREFERRED STOCK
On February 10, 2006, our Board of Directors unanimously
approved an amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, authorizing five million shares of
preferred stock and permitting the Board of Directors to issue
shares of preferred stock having whatever voting powers,
designations, preferences, limitations, restrictions, dividend
rates, conversion prices, redemption prices and relative rights
as the directors shall establish from time to time, in a
resolution or resolutions approving the issuance of such
preferred stock. The Board of Directors has directed that the
amendment be put to a vote of the stockholders at the 2006
Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has no present intention
to issue shares of preferred stock if the amendment is approved.
In reaching its decision, the Board of Directors stated that it
believes that being able to create and issue preferred stock
with custom tailored terms will assist the Company to raise
additional financing if and when it may be needed.
Further authorization, for future issuances of shares of
preferred stock, by a vote of the stockholders of the
Companys stock will not be solicited at the time of any
such issuances.
The Board of Directors recommends approval of the amendment
to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
authorizing five million shares of preferred stock and granting
the Board of Directors the authority to issue shares of
preferred stock from time to time in a resolution or
resolutions.
10
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the compensation earned by and
awarded to the Companys chief executive officer, John E.
Zawacki, its four most highly compensated executive officers
other than Mr. Zawacki, and Robert Crowley who served as an
executive officer for a portion of 2005 (the named
executive officers), for all services rendered to the
Company during 2005 and for each of the previous two years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Restricted | |
|
Securities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Annual | |
|
Stock | |
|
Underlying | |
|
All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus(1) | |
|
Compensation(2) | |
|
Awards(3) | |
|
Options(4) | |
|
Compensation(5) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
471,993 |
|
|
$ |
329,773 |
|
|
$ |
344,886 |
|
|
$ |
390,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
47,751 |
|
President and CEO
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
490,148 |
|
|
|
179,480 |
|
|
|
111,895 |
|
|
|
411,243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,501 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
461,499 |
|
|
|
108,194 |
|
|
|
5,155 |
|
|
|
69,225 |
|
|
|
26,502 |
|
|
|
34,339 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott(6)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
309,391 |
|
|
|
152,043 |
|
|
|
204,075 |
|
|
|
122,064 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,980 |
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
129,239 |
|
|
|
90,390 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
401,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,558 |
|
(Merchandising & Design)
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
240,795 |
|
|
|
132,715 |
|
|
|
178,511 |
|
|
|
24,638 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,830 |
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
239,803 |
|
|
|
62,531 |
|
|
|
36,595 |
|
|
|
24,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,255 |
|
(Information Services)
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
233,825 |
|
|
|
38,853 |
|
|
|
9,419 |
|
|
|
10,725 |
|
|
|
6,201 |
|
|
|
12,186 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
242,805 |
|
|
|
106,132 |
|
|
|
42,940 |
|
|
|
51,496 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,688 |
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
240,862 |
|
|
|
62,574 |
|
|
|
65,076 |
|
|
|
24,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,775 |
|
(Fulfillment)
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
228,645 |
|
|
|
36,219 |
|
|
|
40,278 |
|
|
|
10,725 |
|
|
|
6,201 |
|
|
|
16,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher(7)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
241,731 |
|
|
|
103,307 |
|
|
|
334,454 |
|
|
|
24,638 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,927 |
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
244,384 |
|
|
|
56,394 |
|
|
|
6,801 |
|
|
|
24,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,431 |
|
(Advertising)
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
235,331 |
|
|
|
44,866 |
|
|
|
1,703 |
|
|
|
10,725 |
|
|
|
6,201 |
|
|
|
17,855 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley(8)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
296,303 |
|
|
|
177,389 |
|
|
|
267,855 |
|
|
|
58,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,936 |
|
Senior Vice President
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
288,425 |
|
|
|
96,028 |
|
|
|
91,728 |
|
|
|
141,128 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,678 |
|
(Menswear, Home and
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
273,505 |
|
|
|
56,755 |
|
|
|
38,540 |
|
|
|
34,613 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
23,781 |
|
Marketing Services) retired
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
On January 17, 2005, the Compensation Committee approved an
incentive award schedule for fiscal year 2005. Executive
officers were eligible to receive awards equal to a percentage
of their salary income for 2005. The base payout goal for 2005
was $18,000,000, such that no incentive awards would be received
unless the Companys income before income taxes equaled or
exceeded this threshold figure. The income before income taxes
(as determined by the Company in accordance with the incentive
plan) in 2005 was $28,885,454. Therefore, incentive compensation
was paid to the Companys executive officers in 2006 for
fiscal year 2005. Incentive compensation was paid by the Company
to its executive officers in 2005 for 2004 and in 2004 for 2003. |
|
|
|
The figure for 2005 includes the following amounts paid by the
Company to the named executive officers to allow such officers
to pay in full for restricted stock awards issued pursuant to
the Companys Employee Stock Purchase Plan in 1997: John E.
Zawacki ($5,683); Randall A. Scalise ($3,789); and John A.
Lasher ($3,789) |
|
|
(2) |
The figure for 2005 includes the sum of (i) amounts
reimbursed to the named executive officers for the payment of
taxes on restricted stock awards and the underlying vesting of
shares, (ii) interest imputed on the deferred payment for
restricted stock not yet fully paid for by the named executive
officers, (iii) with respect to shares purchased by the
named executive officers through the exercise of nonqualified
stock options, the dollar value of the difference between the
price paid by the named executive officers and the fair market
value of such security at the date of purchase,
(iv) amounts paid out to compensate the named executive
officers for personal days, of which employee is entitled to
five, not utilized during the year, and (v) amounts
reimbursed to certain executive officers for a reduction in
earned vacation days available for use due to a Company policy
change. |
|
(3) |
The figures for restricted stock awards made prior to August
2002 under the 2000 Omnibus Stock Plan (the Omnibus
Plan) include the dollar value of the difference between
the purchase price paid to date by the named executive officer
for stock and the fair market value of the stock on the |
11
|
|
|
date of grant. The purchase price of shares awarded pursuant to
the Omnibus Plan prior to August 2002 is paid over time out of
cash dividends, when and if declared and paid by the Company.
Seven years after the grant of restricted stock, the participant
may elect to pay off any outstanding amount still owed for the
purchase price of such restricted stock. Although the Company
did not receive any cash at the time the shares were awarded,
the recipient was immediately entitled to receive dividends and
vote the shares. If the participants employment with the
Company is terminated for any reason other than death,
retirement, termination without cause or disability, shares
previously awarded are subject to reversion to the Company and
in such event, the Company reimburses the participant for any
dividends previously applied towards the purchase price of such
restricted stock. For stock received under the employee stock
purchase plan (the ESPP) or the Omnibus Plan prior
to August 2002 vesting occurs when the stock has been fully paid
for. Therefore, the timing of payment in full is impacted by
changes to the Companys dividend policy from year to year.
Dividends are paid on all shares of restricted stock received
pursuant to the ESPP or the Omnibus Plan prior to August 2002 as
and when dividends are declared by the Company with respect to
its outstanding Common Stock. Dividends are paid on all shares
of restricted stock received pursuant to the ESPP or the Omnibus
Plan after August 2002 when such restricted stock is deemed
outstanding pursuant to a five year vesting schedule whereby the
restricted stock vests and therefore is deemed outstanding in
five equal installments. After August 2002, the Company no
longer issues stock subject to deferred payment for named
executive officers. |
|
|
|
Aggregate restricted stock holdings and the related amount owed
at the end of 2005 for each of the named executive officers were: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
Number of Shares | |
|
Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(on 12/31/05) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
John E. Zawacki
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
$ |
54,675 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott(**)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
18,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
3,804 |
|
|
|
15,431 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
14,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
5,100 |
|
|
|
21,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
The information provided in this table is included in the
Executive Compensation table above and is broken out here for
the readers convenience. |
|
|
|
(**) |
Mr. Elliott joined the Company after it ceased issuing
stock subject to deferred payment at less than the fair market
value. |
|
|
|
Restricted stock awards were made in 2005 under the Omnibus
Plan. In January of 2005, the Company entered into restricted
stock award agreements with certain of the executive officers
pursuant to which awards made under the Omnibus Plan are subject
to matching grants to the extent the executive officer purchases
shares during the vesting period at fair market value. The award
and matching grant each vest over a five-year period, commencing
in 2006. The 2005 issuance is described more fully below under
Report of the Compensation Committee. The Company
has decided to discontinue the provision of matching grants
starting in 2006. |
12
|
|
|
Aggregate restricted stock awards and matching grants awarded in
2005 for each of the named executive officers were: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Amount of | |
(*) |
|
Shares Awarded | |
|
Matching Award | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
|
5,125 |
|
|
|
5,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
The information provided in this table is included in the
Executive Compensation table above and is broken out here for
the readers convenience. |
|
|
|
(4) |
Pursuant to the Omnibus Plan, in 2003 the Company issued
nonqualified stock options to certain eligible participants. |
|
(5) |
Includes the Companys contributions made for the benefit
and on behalf of the named executive officer under the following: |
|
|
|
|
A. |
Life Insurance The dollar value of premiums for
term life insurance paid by the Company for the benefit of each
of the named executive officers is: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
$ |
1,139 |
|
|
$ |
1,924 |
|
|
$ |
2,178 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
289 |
|
|
|
711 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
316 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
324 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
533 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher
|
|
|
513 |
|
|
|
513 |
|
|
|
530 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
619 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
1,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
The information provided in this table is included in the
Executive Compensation table above and is broken out here for
the readers convenience. |
|
|
|
|
|
B. |
The Companys Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan |
The Companys Profit Sharing
and 401(k) Plan (the Plan) has two components, a
savings component, and a profit sharing component. Under the
savings component, which is available to all employees of the
Company with at least six months of service, the Company matches
employees 401(k) contributions to the Plan of one percent
(1%) to five percent (5%) of that employees salary.
Employee contributions and matching employer contributions are
immediately one hundred percent (100%) vested. The amount
allocated to each of the named executive officers in 2005 was
$10,500, in 2004 was $10,250, and in 2003 was
$10,000 except that Mr. Elliott received no
allocation in 2004 and 2003.
Under the 2005 profit sharing
component of the Plan, which covers all employees of the Company
with one or more years of service, the Company contributed
twelve percent (12%) of its adjusted net income, as
defined in the Plan, to the Plans trust fund. Amounts
contributed by the Company to the trust fund are allocated among
participating employees based on salary and years of service to
the Company. The salary portion of the allocations to the
executive officers listed in this table were capped by the
annual compensation limit which was $200,000 in 2003, $205,000
in 2004 and $210,000 in 2005. The amounts allocated are invested
in accordance
13
with the instructions of the individual Plan participants in
investments approved by the Plan trustees. Amounts allocated to
the named executive officers are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
$ |
4,868 |
|
|
$ |
5,631 |
|
|
|
9,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,819 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
4,808 |
|
|
|
5,630 |
|
|
|
9,857 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
4,863 |
|
|
|
5,625 |
|
|
|
9,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher
|
|
|
4,858 |
|
|
|
5,620 |
|
|
|
9,954 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
4,868 |
|
|
|
5,631 |
|
|
|
9,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
The information provided in this table is included in the
Executive Compensation table above and is broken out here for
the readers convenience. |
|
|
|
|
|
C. |
Benefit Restoration Plans The following
amounts provided pursuant to the Companys benefit
restoration plans compensate the named executive officers for
benefits not otherwise paid under the savings component of the
Companys Plan due to limitations imposed by tax law: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
$ |
13,075 |
|
|
$ |
15,165 |
|
|
$ |
13,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,937 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
1,384 |
|
|
|
1,962 |
|
|
|
1,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
1,348 |
|
|
|
2,641 |
|
|
|
1,456 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
|
|
2,048 |
|
|
|
1,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
3,675 |
|
|
|
4,972 |
|
|
|
4,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
The information provided in this table is included in the
Executive Compensation table above and is broken out here for
the readers convenience. |
|
|
|
|
The following amounts provided pursuant to the Companys
benefit restoration plans compensate the named executive
officers for benefits not otherwise paid under the profit
sharing component of the Companys Plan due to limitations
imposed by tax law: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
$ |
6,144 |
|
|
$ |
7,530 |
|
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,454 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
486 |
|
|
|
855 |
|
|
|
1,357 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
469 |
|
|
|
859 |
|
|
|
1,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher
|
|
|
784 |
|
|
|
977 |
|
|
|
1,356 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
1,689 |
|
|
|
2,150 |
|
|
|
3,879 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
The information provided in this table is included in the
Executive Compensation table above and is broken out here for
the readers convenience. |
|
|
|
|
The above-stated amounts under the Companys benefit
restoration plans were paid by the Company to the named
executive officers in 2006 for 2005, in 2005 for 2004 and in
2004 for 2003. |
|
|
|
|
D. |
Temporary Housing and Transportation Expenses
The amount disclosed for Mr. Elliott under the heading
All Other Compensation in the Executive Compensation
table above |
14
|
|
|
|
|
includes amounts paid to cover temporary housing and
transportation expenses provided as a condition of his
employment in the amount of $28,558 for 2005 and $5,689 for 2004. |
(6) Mr. Elliott was not an executive officer of the
Company prior to 2004.
(7) Mr. Lasher retired effective February 24,
2006.
(8) Mr. Crowley, who retired as a Senior Vice
President, effective October 28, 2005, is included as a
named executive officer because he would have been reported as
one of the Companys four most highly compensated executive
officers other than the Chief Executive Officer if he had been
serving as an executive officer at December 31, 2005.
Stock Option Grants
The Omnibus Plan, which is administered by the Compensation
Committee, permits the grant of awards to officers, directors,
employees and consultants of the Company or of any of the
Companys affiliates (each, a Participant). The
Compensation Committee may grant, to eligible Participants,
awards of incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options;
provided, however, that awards of incentive stock options shall
be limited to employees of the Company or of any subsidiary of
the Company. The Company did not grant any incentive stock
options or nonqualified stock options during the last fiscal
year.
The following
table(1)
provides certain information with respect to the number of
shares of Common Stock represented by outstanding options held
by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2005.
Also reported are the values for
in-the-money
options, which represent the positive spread between the
exercise price of any such existing stock options and the
year-end price of the Common Stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
Value of Unexercised In the | |
|
|
Options at December 31, | |
|
Money Options at | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
December 31, 2005(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
|
49,271 |
|
|
|
8,834 |
|
|
$ |
902,932 |
|
|
$ |
135,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
76,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
31,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
2,951 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
|
|
45,268 |
|
|
|
31,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
3,484 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
|
|
59,538 |
|
|
|
31,708 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The information provided in this table is included in the
Executive Compensation table above and is broken out here for
the readers convenience. |
|
(2) |
Based on the market value of the underlying Common Stock at
December 31, 2005 ($38.94) minus the relevant exercise
price (either $17.10, $19.30, or $23.60). |
15
Long Term Compensation Program
The following table summarizes the awards made to named
executive officers in the last completed fiscal year under the
Companys Long Term Compensation Program (the
Program):
Long-Term Compensation Plan Awards in Last Fiscal
Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts under | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Stock Price-Based Plans(3)(4) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(a) |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
(d) | |
|
(e) | |
|
(f) | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Performance or | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares, Units | |
|
Other Period | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Other | |
|
Until Maturation | |
|
Threshold | |
|
Target | |
|
Maximum | |
Name |
|
Rights(1) | |
|
or Payment(2) | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
John E. Zawacki
|
|
|
5,125 |
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
148,092 |
|
|
|
296,183 |
|
|
|
592,366 |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert D. Crowley
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
13,465 |
|
|
|
26,930 |
|
|
|
53,860 |
|
|
|
|
|
David N. Elliott(5)
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
48,090 |
|
|
|
96,179 |
|
|
|
192,358 |
|
|
|
|
|
John A. Lasher(5)
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
7,478 |
|
|
|
14,955 |
|
|
|
29,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
Michael A. Rowe
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
19,173 |
|
|
|
38,345 |
|
|
|
76,690 |
|
|
|
|
|
Randall A. Scalise
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
3 years |
|
|
|
19,173 |
|
|
|
38,345 |
|
|
|
76,690 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The number of shares reflected in this column have already been
awarded under the Program and are reflected in the Executive
Compensation table above. |
|
(2) |
The period reflected in this column applies only to the dollar
amounts in columns (d), (e) and (f). |
|
(3) |
The dollar amounts in columns (d), (e) and
(f) represent amounts that may be earned, if any, pursuant
to the Program, by the named executive officers over the next
three years only if certain goals set at the initiation of the
Program are met. |
|
(4) |
The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may elect to
award shares, cash or a combination of both. |
|
(5) |
The amounts estimated for Messrs. Crowley and Lasher have
been adjusted to reflect their retirement from the Company. |
Severance Agreements
John Zawacki and each of the named executive officers (with the
exception of Mr. John Lasher, who retired on
February 24, 2006) currently have change in control
severance agreements (each a CIC Agreement and
collectively referred to herein as the CIC
Agreements) with the Company. The CIC Agreements are for a
term of three years and will be extended by the Board of
Directors of the Company for an additional year upon each annual
anniversary date of the date of the CIC Agreement such that the
remaining term is always three years. The CIC Agreements provide
that at any time within three years following a change in
control of the Company, if the Company terminates the
executives employment with the Company for any reason
other than death, disability, retirement, or
cause (as defined in the CIC Agreements), or
the executive voluntarily terminates his employment following
demotion, loss of title, office, significant authority or
responsibility, any material reduction in compensation or
benefits, or relocation of his principal place of employment,
the executive will be entitled to receive a payment in an amount
equal to three times (two times for Messrs. Rowe and
Scalise) his respective base annual salary in effect immediately
prior to the change in control or his termination (whichever is
greater) plus the greater of (a) the executives
average annual incentive bonus over the previous three years or
(b) the higher of the target incentive bonus in the year of
the change in control or the year of termination. In addition,
the CIC Agreements grant Messrs. Elliott and Zawacki the
right to walk-away from the Company in the thirteenth month
following a change in control rather than accept a demotion,
loss of title, office, significant authority or responsibility,
or any material reduction in compensation or benefits. The CIC
Agreements also provide for the acceleration of vesting of any
stock options or stock awards, the payment of three times (two
times for Messrs. Rowe and Scalise) the amount of any
target award
16
under the Program, the continuation of certain life and medical
insurance benefits as well as retirement and out placement
benefits. In addition, the Company will make gross
up payments to the executive if any payments or benefits
to be made under the CIC Agreement are subject to excise tax.
Mr. Elliott also has a severance arrangement with the
Company that provides for twelve (12) months of his then
current salary in the event of his involuntary separation with
the company for other than material cause, retirement or death.
Robert D. Crowley and John A. Lasher (the
Executives) have each entered into a separation and
release agreement with the Company, effective October 25,
2005 and February 24, 2006, respectively (the
Agreements). Pursuant to the Agreements, the Company
has agreed to continue to provide each of the Executives their
weekly salary for a specific severance period from the effective
date of each Agreement, 66 weeks and 58 weeks for
Messrs. Crowley and Lasher, respectively. Under the
Agreements, the Executives will also be compensated for any
unused accrued vacation or personal time, either in a lump sum
or over a run-off period. The Executives may also continue
coverage under any Company group health plan for a certain
period of time. Additionally, any options or restricted shares
granted on or before the effective date of the Agreements will
vest on the effective date and the Executives will also receive
a lump sum payment in consideration of participation in certain
performance share plans.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During 2005, the Board of Directors held thirteen meetings. Each
incumbent member of the Board of Directors attended more than
75 percent of the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors and the total number of meetings of all committees of
the Board on which he or she served. All members of the Board of
Directors attended the prior years annual meeting. While
the Company does not have a policy with regard to board
members attendance at annual meetings, the Company
strongly encourages such attendance.
The Board of Directors has the following standing committees,
which met during fiscal year 2005: Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee, Executive Committee and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee.
During 2005 a Special Committee was established to assist the
Board of Directors respond to an unsolicited takeover bid,
negotiate the sale of the Companys credit portfolio and
commence a tender offer. The Special Committee consisted of
Bryan J. Flanagan, Craig N. Johnson, Thomas P. McKeever, Ronald
L. Ramseyer, Michael A. Schuler, and John E. Zawacki. Two of the
non-management members of the Special Committee, Ronald L.
Ramseyer and Michael A. Schuler, received a cash grant of
$17,500 and $35,000, respectively, for their service on the
Special Committee; Craig N. Johnson received no additional
compensation. The Special Committee was dissolved after
termination of the tender offer.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of Harriet Edelman, John O. Hanna,
Craig N. Johnson, and Michael A. Schuler. The Audit Committee
met seven times during 2005. The Audit Committee assists the
Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities concerning
corporate accounting, the reporting practices of the Company and
the integrity and quality of financial reports of the Company.
All members of the Audit Committee are independent
as that term is defined by the American Stock Exchange. Michael
A. Schuler is the Audit Committee Financial Expert
as that term is defined in Item 401(h) of
Regulation S-K.
17
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors adopted a revised
written charter on February 25, 2004. The Audit Committee
will reassess the adequacy of the Audit Committee charter on a
periodic basis.
In accordance with its written charter the Audit Committee
assists the Board of Directors by fulfilling its responsibility
for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting,
auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company.
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit
process, the Audit Committee has obtained from the
Companys independent auditors a formal written statement
describing all relationships between the auditors and the
Company that might bear on the auditors independence
consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees, has discussed with the auditors any
relationships that may impact their objectivity and
independence, and satisfied itself as to the auditors
independence.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and satisfied itself regarding
the Companys internal auditors and independent auditors,
the overall scope and plans for their respective audits, and the
results of internal audit examinations. The Audit Committee has
also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the
independent auditors, the quality and adequacy of the
Companys internal controls as well as the overall quality
of the Companys financial reporting process.
The Audit Committee has discussed, reviewed, and satisfied
itself with respect to the independent auditors
communications required by generally accepted accounting
principles, including those described in Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, as amended, Communication with
Audit Committees and has discussed and reviewed the
results of the independent auditors examination of the
Companys financial statements. In addition, the Audit
Committee considered the compatibility of non-audit services
with the auditors independence.
The Audit Committee, or its Chairman on behalf of the Audit
Committee, has discussed the interim financial information
contained in the Companys quarterly earnings announcements
with management and the independent auditors prior to public
release. The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited financial
statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, with management and the independent
auditors.
Based on the above-mentioned reviews and discussions with
management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board that the Companys audited
financial statements be included in its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The Audit Committee
also recommended the reappointment, subject to shareholder
ratification, of Ernst & Young LLP as independent
public accountants of the Company for fiscal year 2006 and the
Board of Directors concurred in such recommendation.
Members of the Audit Committee
John O. Hanna (Chairman)
Harriet Edelman
Craig N. Johnson
Michael A. Schuler
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee, consisting of Cynthia A. Fields,
Craig N. Johnson, Murray K. McComas and Ronald L. Ramseyer,
recommends policies for and levels of executive officer
compensation, administers the Companys 2000 Omnibus Stock
Plan and provides oversight of corporate compensation and
benefit programs and policies. All members of the Compensation
Committee are
18
independent as that term is defined by the American
Stock Exchange. The Compensation Committee held seven meetings
during 2005.
Compensation of Directors
In 2005, non-management members of the Board of Directors each
received an annual retainer consisting of a stock grant of
750 shares of the Companys Common Stock, which was
issued on April 21, 2005, and a cash grant of $25,000.
Non-management members of the Board of Directors also received
compensation in 2005 in the amount of $1,500 for each meeting of
the Board of Directors attended and $1,000 for each meeting
attended of each of the Committees of the Board of Directors on
which such director serves.
Craig N. Johnson earned $11,500 per month for serving as
the Companys Chairman of the Board. Beginning in April
2005, Committee chair retainers were increased to the following
amounts on an annual basis: Audit Committee ($10,000),
Compensation Committee ($5,000), and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee ($5,000). In 2005, John O. Hanna deferred
the $25,000 cash grant and all other fees he was entitled to for
his service as a member of the Board and committees thereof.
Management members of the Board of Directors are not compensated
for attending meetings of the Board of Directors or its
Committees.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
The Compensation Committee consists of Cynthia A. Fields, Craig
N. Johnson, Murray K. McComas and Ronald Ramseyer.
Mr. McComas was formerly an officer of the Company.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Officer
Compensation
For fiscal year 2005, the Compensation Committee made decisions
on compensation for executive officers of the Company. In
accordance with the rules of the SEC designed to enhance
disclosure of policies concerning executive compensation, set
forth below is the report submitted by the Compensation
Committee addressing the Companys compensation policies
with respect to executive officers for fiscal year 2005.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
General. The Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors is responsible for salary levels, bonuses and other
compensation components for all officers of the Company deemed
by the Board of Directors to be within the SECs definition
of executive officer, i.e., a companys
president, any vice president in charge of a principal business
unit, division or function or any other officer or person who
performs similar policymaking functions for the Company. All
named executive officers of the Company are considered
executive officers.
The Compensation Committees decisions on compensation
levels for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive
officers with respect to all compensation, with the exception of
compensation received pursuant to the incentive programs (see
discussion below under Incentive Awards and
Restricted Stock Awards), ultimately were subjective
and were based on consideration of a number of qualitative
factors. A market analysis for each executive position is
performed by Towers Perrin, including an assessment of market
based compensation at the 50th percentile (base salary),
benchmarking target total annual compensation (base salary and
target annual incentive), and target total direct compensation
(base salary, targeted annual incentive and long term
incentives). No one factor was determinative of the compensation
level of any of the executive officers. Moreover, the
Compensation Committee did not weigh any one factor against any
other in the determination of the salaries, bonuses and other
compensation components of the executive officers.
19
John E. Zawacki, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, participated, at the request of the Compensation
Committee, in the evaluation and discussion of appropriate
salary levels for all executive officers, except his own
compensation. Mr. Zawacki does not participate in the
evaluation or determination of his own compensation except that
he has requested, and the Compensation Committee has agreed, to
receive no increases in his own base salary. This has occurred
in both 2005 and 2004.
Executive Salaries and Bonuses. The Compensation
Committee annually reviews and evaluates base salaries and
annual bonuses for its Chief Executive Officer and other
executive officers pursuant to a compensation schedule (the
Schedule), which is based both upon the
recommendations of internal management and upon those of an
outside compensation consultant. The Schedule was most recently
updated in 2005 when a review was conducted of the compensation
paid to the Companys exempt employees, inclusive of all
executive officers. The Schedule includes compensation ranges
for differing position grades and levels based upon a review
process that included a proxy analysis and a survey of
compensation levels of related position responsibilities among
similar industries, as well as the regional market, provided by
the Companys outside compensation consultant.
Individual salaries for the Chief Executive Officer and other
executive officers are determined on the basis of the executive
officers job grade, experience, and individual
performance. The Chief Executive Officer and executive
officers salary ranges are reviewed annually, with
assistance from the Companys outside compensation
consultant, to provide for as-needed and market-based
adjustments. Ongoing market benchmarking relative to the
placement of individual executive officer positions within the
compensation structure is performed commensurate with changes in
assigned duties and responsibilities. With the assistance of the
Companys outside compensation consultant, a comprehensive
and market-based assessment of the Chief Executive Officer and
other executive officer compensation structure is performed
every three to four years.
In 2005, the Compensation Committee reviewed the base salary
ranges of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive
officer levels and compared the Companys base salary
ranges with documented market ranges provided by the
Companys outside compensation consultant. The Chief
Executive Officer and all executive officer base salaries fell
within the market ranges for their respective salary levels.
Incentive Awards. On January 17, 2005, the
Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the incentive award
schedule for fiscal year 2005. Under this incentive award
schedule, executive officers, including the Chief Executive
Officer, were eligible to receive awards equal to a percentage
of their base salary income for the year. The percentage is
dependent upon the Companys income before income taxes for
the year. The threshold income before income taxes figure for
2005 was $18,000,000. No incentive awards are received unless
the Companys income before income taxes equals or exceeds
this threshold figure. If the Companys income before
income taxes exceeds the threshold incentive awards are
increased within a graduated range. The Companys income
before income taxes in 2005 (as determined by the Company in
accordance with the incentive plan) was $28,885,454;
consequently, incentive compensation was paid by the Company to
its executive officers, including its Chief Executive Officer,
for fiscal year 2005.
Stock Option Grants. The Omnibus Plan, a comprehensive
benefits plan adopted at the Companys April 18, 2000
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, gives the Company the ability to
offer a variety of equity-based incentives to persons who are
key to the Companys growth, development, and financial
success. There were no stock option grants in 2005.
Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards under
the Omnibus Plan are designed to recognize the contributions of
individual employees, key to the Companys performance and
to align the interests of management with that of our
stockholders. For many years, the Company has endorsed the view
that management and key employees of the Company should be
stockholders of the Company, so that they will be motivated to
increase stockholder value. This policy is implemented through
the award
20
of rights to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Omnibus
Plan to selected employees of the Company.
In 2004, the Compensation Committee adopted a new long-term
compensation program (the Program) for executive
officers, which provides for the grant of restricted stock and
performance shares. On January 17, 2005, the Compensation
Committee reviewed and approved the award schedule for the
Program for 2005. The Program provides for executive officers to
be paid an amount, which is a percentage of the employees
base salary, and is dependent in part on the cumulative results
of the Companys pre-tax net income for the three years
beginning in 2005. The percentage is determined using market
survey data provided by an outside consultant. The compensation
is payable in two equal parts: half is an award of restricted
stock; and the other half is an award of performance shares
payable in cash or stock at the end of the performance period,
with the decision as to whether cash, stock or a combination of
both should be paid is within the discretion of the Compensation
Committee as ratified by the Board of Directors. The amount of
the latter half is determined on the basis of a comparison of
the Companys actual three-year results against cumulative
goals set by the Board of Directors at the initiation of the
three-year period. Please see the Long Term Incentive
Plans Awards in Last Fiscal Year table on
page for the threshold,
target and maximum share amounts under the Program.
On January 18, 2005, in accordance with the Program,
restricted stock awards were made to sixteen executive officers
totaling 18,575 shares, with individual grants ranging from
275 to 5,125 shares. All awards made to executive officers
in 2005 (under the Program) are subject to a five-year vesting
schedule, whereby shares vest in five equal annual installments.
Executive officers were also eligible to qualify for matching
share awards based on their purchases of Common Stock in the
open market or through their personal dividend reinvestment plan
accounts, during the period from February 18, 2005 to
December 15, 2005. These awards were granted on
December 16, 2005, to six qualifying participants. A total
of 7,821 restricted share awards were granted as fully paid at
the closing price on December 16, 2005 ($39.79). The
Company has decided to discontinue the provision of matching
grants starting in 2006.
Decisions of the Committee are final and binding on the Company,
subject to ratification by the Board of Directors.
Members of the Compensation Committee
Craig N. Johnson (Chairman)
Murray K. McComas
Ronald L. Ramseyer
Cynthia A. Fields
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors consists of
John O. Hanna, Craig N. Johnson, Harriet Edelman and John E.
Zawacki. Mr. Johnson is the Chairman of the Executive
Committee. The Executive Committee has the power to act on
behalf of the board and to direct and manage the business and
affairs of the Company whenever the board is not in session. The
Executive Committee held five meetings during 2005.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which
consists of Cynthia A. Fields, Murray K. McComas, Ronald L.
Ramseyer and Michael A. Schuler, held four meetings during 2005.
All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
are independent as that term is defined by the
American Stock Exchange. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is responsible for considering and recommending the
nominees for director to stand for election at the
Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders, as well as
recommending director candidates in the interim and reviewing
recommendations of nominees for executive officer positions. In
addition, the
21
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for
developing, recommending, reviewing and evaluating various
corporate governance principles and practices.
Effective March 23, 2004, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee adopted a Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee charter. A copy of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee charter is available on the
Companys website: www.blair.com.
The Company does not have a policy with regard to the
consideration of any director candidates recommended by security
holders. The Board of Directors believes a policy specific to
candidates recommended by security holders is not necessary
because the Board follows the same evaluation procedures whether
directors or stockholders recommend a candidate.
In identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers whether
the candidate has the highest ethical standards and integrity
and sufficient education, experience and skills necessary to
understand and wisely act upon the complex issues that arise in
managing a publicly-held company.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually
assesses the qualifications, expertise, performance and
willingness to serve of existing directors. If at any time
during the year the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee determines a need to add a new director with specific
qualifications or to fill a vacancy on the Board, an
independent director, within the meaning of the
American Stock Exchange and SEC rules, designated by the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will initiate a
search, working with staff support and seeking input from other
directors and senior management, and considering any nominees
previously submitted by stockholders. The assistance of a
corporate recruiting firm specializing in director level
searches may be employed to assist in this process.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for identifying an initial slate of candidates satisfying the
qualifications set forth above for election at each annual
meeting of stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will then determine if other directors or members of
senior management have relationships with the candidates and can
initiate contact. To the extent feasible, all of the members of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate
the prospective candidates. Evaluations and recommendations of
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be
submitted to the whole Board for final evaluation. The Board
will meet to consider such information and to select candidates
for election or appointment to the Board.
With the exception of Jerel G. Hollens, each of the nominees
approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
for inclusion on the Companys Proxy Card are nominees who
are directors standing for re-election. A non-management
director recommended Mr. Hollens for nomination.
22
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following line graph compares the yearly percentage change
in the cumulative total stockholder return on the Common Stock
with the cumulative total return of the AMEX Market Value Index
and the S&P 1500 Retailing Index. The graph below assumes
$100 invested, after the close of the American Stock Exchange on
Friday December 31, 2000, in each of the Common Stock, AMEX
Market Value Index and S&P 1500 Retailing Index and further
assumes that all quarterly dividends were reinvested at the
average of the closing prices at the beginning and end of each
such quarter.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Blair Corporation Common Stock, AMEX Market Value
Index
S&P 1500 Retailing Index and Peer Group Index
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Blair Corporation | |
|
AMEX Market Value Index | |
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S&P 1500 Retailing Index | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
1/1/2001
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|
100 |
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100 |
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|
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100 |
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2001
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126 |
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|
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94 |
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119 |
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2002
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133 |
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92 |
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|
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92 |
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2003
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143 |
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131 |
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131 |
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2004
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214 |
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|
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160 |
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160 |
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2005
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238 |
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196 |
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163 |
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1/1/2001 | |
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2001 | |
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2002 | |
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2003 | |
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2004 | |
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2005 | |
Blair Corporation
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$ |
100 |
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$ |
126 |
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$ |
133 |
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$ |
143 |
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$ |
214 |
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$ |
238 |
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AMEX Market Value Index
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100 |
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94 |
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92 |
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131 |
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160 |
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196 |
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S&P 1500 Retailing Index
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100 |
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119 |
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92 |
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|
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131 |
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160 |
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163 |
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The Report of the Compensation Committee and the Stock
Performance Graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference
by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy
Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates this information by
reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such
Acts.
Security Holder Communications with the Board of Directors
The Company has established procedures for security holders to
communicate directly with the Board of Directors on a
confidential basis. Security holders who wish to communicate
with the Board or with a particular director may send a letter
to the Corporate Secretary of Blair Corporation at 220 Hickory
Street, Warren, PA 16366. The mailing envelope must contain a
clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a
Security Holder-Board Communication or
Security Holder-Director
23
Communication. All such letters must identify the author
as a security holder and clearly state whether the intended
recipients are all members of the Board or just certain
specified individual directors. If a security holder wishes the
communication to be confidential, such security holder must
clearly indicate on the envelope that the communication is
confidential.
PROPOSAL 3. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Companys independent public accountants for the year
ended December 31, 2005 were Ernst & Young LLP.
The Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors has
reappointed Ernst & Young LLP to continue as
independent public accountants for the Company for the year
ending December 31, 2006, subject to the ratification of
such appointment by the stockholders. Fees for the last two
fiscal years were:
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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Audit Fees
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$ |
718,448 |
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$ |
823,974 |
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Audit-Related Fees(1)
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44,800 |
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50,200 |
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Tax Fees(2)
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14,398 |
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57,964 |
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All Other Fees
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(1) |
Fees billed for assurance and related services relating to audit
and financial statements (Profit Sharing and Savings Plan Audit). |
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(2) |
Fees billed for professional services rendered for foreign tax
services. |
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance
approval of all audit, audit-related, tax services, and other
services performed by the independent public accountant. The
policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit Committee of
specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the
specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect
to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted
service before the independent public accountant is engaged to
perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of
the Audit Committee authority to approve permitted services
provided that the Chair reports any decisions to the Committee
at its next scheduled meeting.
All audit related services, tax services and other services were
pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which concluded that the
provision of such services by Ernst & Young LLP was
compatible with the maintenance of that firms independence
in the conduct of its auditing functions.
A resolution calling for the ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP will be presented at the Annual
Meeting. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP will be
present at the Annual Meeting to make a statement if they desire
to do so and to respond to appropriate questions.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors recommends
ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young
LLP.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any matters to be brought before the
meeting other than the matters that are set forth in the Notice
of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders that accompanies this
Proxy Statement and are described herein. In the event that any
such matters do come properly before the meeting, it is intended
that the persons named in the form of proxy solicited by
management will vote all proxies in accordance with their best
judgment.
24
Receipt of Stockholder Proposals
Any stockholder proposals, which are to be presented for
inclusion in the Companys proxy materials for the 2007
Annual Meeting of Stockholders in reliance on
Rule 14a-8 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 must be received by the
Corporate Secretary of Blair Corporation, 220 Hickory Street,
Warren, Pennsylvania 16366, no later than November 20,
2006. Notice of any stockholder proposal submitted outside of
the process provided for in
Rule 14a-8 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 must be received by the
Corporate Secretary of Blair Corporation, 220 Hickory Street,
Warren, Pennsylvania 16366, no later than January 20, 2006.
The proxy to be solicited on behalf of the Company for the 2007
Annual Meeting of Stockholders may confer discretionary
authority to vote on any such proposal not considered to have
been timely received that nonetheless properly comes before the
2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Expense of Solicitation of Proxies
The cost of solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Company is
borne by the Company. Directors, officers and other employees of
the Company, without being provided additional compensation, may
also solicit proxies. The Company will also request persons,
firms and companies holding shares in their names, or in the
name of a nominee, which are beneficially owned by others, to
send proxy materials to and obtain proxies from such beneficial
owners, and the Company will reimburse such holders for their
reasonable expenses in doing so.
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Daniel R. Blair
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Secretary |
March 21, 2006
25
c/o National City Bank
Corporate Trust Operations
Locator 5352
P. O. Box 92301
Cleveland, OH 44101-4301
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Vote by Telephone |
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Have your proxy card available when you call the Toll-Free Number 1-888-693-8683 using a touch-tone phone and follow the simple instructions to record your vote. |
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Vote by Internet |
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Have your proxy card available when you access the website www.cesvote.com and follow the simple instructions presented to record your vote. |
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Vote by Mail |
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Please mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided or return to: National City Bank, P.O. Box 535300, Pittsburgh, PA 15230. |
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Vote by Telephone
Call Toll-Free using a
Touch-Tone phone:
1-888-693-8683
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Vote by Internet
Access the website and
cast your vote:
www.cesvote.com
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Vote by Mail
Return your proxy
in the postage-paid
envelope provided. |
Vote 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
If you vote by telephone or Internet, please do not send your proxy by mail
If voting by mail, Proxy must be signed and dated below.
ê Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing. ê
Blair Corporation
Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 20, 2006
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Craig N. Johnson, Daniel R. Blair, and John E. Zawacki, and each of
them with power of substitution in each, as proxies to represent the undersigned at the annual
meeting of the stockholders of Blair Corporation, to be held at the Library Theatre, 302 Third
Avenue West, Warren, Pennsylvania on Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. and at any adjournments
thereof, to vote the same number of shares and as fully as the undersigned would be entitled to
vote if then personally present in the manner directed by the undersigned. The signer hereby
revokes all proxies heretofore given by the signer to vote at said meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
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Dated: |
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, 2006 |
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Signature(s) of stockholders(s) |
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Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, trustee, administrator or guardian, please give full title as such. |
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you can be sure your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope.
ê Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing. ê
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO DIRECTION
IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF NOMINEES IN ITEM 1, FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ITEM 2, AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF AUDITORS IN ITEM 3;
AND THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR JUDGMENT, TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS
AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
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1. |
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Election of Directors |
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q
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FOR all nominees listed below
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q
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |
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(except as marked to the contrary below)
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to vote for all nominees listed below |
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Nominees:
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(1) Harriet Edelman
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(2) Cynthia A. Fields
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(3) John O. Hanna |
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(4) Jerel G. Hollens
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(5) Craig N. Johnson
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(6) Murray K. McComas |
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(7) Ronald L. Ramseyer
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(8) Michael A. Schuler
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(9) John E. Zawacki |
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INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any such nominee(s), write the name(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below: |
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2. |
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The proposal to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Blair Corporation to authorize five million shares of preferred stock. |
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q FOR |
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q AGAINST |
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q ABSTAIN |
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3. |
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The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors. |
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q FOR
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q AGAINST
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q ABSTAIN |
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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
(Continued, and to be signed, on the other side)