def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.
265 Turner Drive
Durango, Colorado 81303
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON July 18, 2008
To Our Shareholders:
The 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. will be held
on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. (local time), at The Doubletree Hotel, 501 Camino Del Rio,
Durango, Colorado 81301 for the following purposes:
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1. |
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To elect five directors to serve until the fiscal 2009 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. |
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2. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof. |
Only holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on June 9, 2008 will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Each shareholder, even though he or she now plans to attend the meeting, is requested to
promptly mark, sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy in the envelope provided. Any shareholder
present at the meeting may withdraw his or her Proxy and vote personally on each matter brought
before the meeting.
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By order of the Board of Directors
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/S/ Virginia M. Perez
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Virginia M. Perez |
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Secretary |
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Durango, Colorado
June 18, 2008
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC.
265 Turner Drive
Durango, Colorado 81303
PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Shareholders July 18, 2008
SOLICITATION AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of Proxies by the Board
of Directors of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (the Company) for use only at the Annual
Meeting of the Companys shareholders to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set
forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Each shareholder, even though he or she now plans to attend the meeting, is requested to
promptly mark, sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy in the envelope provided. Any shareholder
present at the meeting may withdraw his or her Proxy and vote personally on each matter brought
before the meeting.
It is anticipated that the Proxy Statement, together with the Proxies and the Companys 2008
Annual Report on Form 10-K, will first be mailed to the Companys shareholders on or about June 18,
2008. A person giving the enclosed Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is
exercised by (1) delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company (2) duly
executing and delivering a Proxy for the Annual Meeting bearing a later date or (3) voting in
person at the Annual Meeting.
The Company will bear the cost of this solicitation of Proxies, including the charges and
expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners
of the Companys Common Stock, par value $0.03 per share (the Common Stock). In addition, the
Companys officers, directors and other regular employees, without additional compensation, may
solicit Proxies by mail, personal interview, telephone or telegraph.
VOTING SECURITIES
The close of business on June 9, 2008 has been fixed as the record date for the determination
of holders of record of the Common Stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
On the record date, approximately 5,994,651 shares of the Common Stock were outstanding and
eligible to be voted at the Annual Meeting.
For each share of Common Stock held on the record date, a shareholder is entitled to one vote
on all matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, except the election of directors.
Shareholders have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, and there is no
condition precedent to the exercise of those rights. Under cumulative voting, each shareholder is
entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of his or her shares multiplied by six, the
number of directors to be elected, and he or she may cast all of those votes for a single nominee
or divide them among any two or more nominees as he or she sees fit. It is the intention of the
Proxy holders to exercise voting rights in order to elect the maximum number of nominees named
below. An instruction on the Proxy to withhold authority to vote for any nominee will be deemed an
authorization to vote cumulatively for the remaining nominees, unless otherwise indicated.
VOTING PROCEDURES
The vote required for the election of directors is a plurality of the shares of Common Stock
present or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, provided a quorum is
present. The vote required for the approval of any other item to be acted upon at the Annual
Meeting is the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the matter and
present or represented by proxy at the meeting, provided a quorum is present. A quorum is
established by the presence or representation at the Annual Meeting of the holders of a majority of
the Companys voting shares. Brokers who hold shares in street name have discretionary authority
to vote on certain routine items even if they have not received instructions from the persons
entitled to vote such shares. However, brokers do not have authority to vote on nonroutine items
without such instructions. Such broker non-votes (shares held by brokers or nominees as to which
they have no discretionary power to vote on a particular matter and have received no instructions
from the persons entitled to vote such shares) are counted as present and entitled to vote for
purposes of
1
determining whether a quorum is present but are not considered entitled to vote on any
nonroutine matter to be acted upon. For matters requiring the affirmative vote of a plurality of
the shares of Common Stock present or represented at the Annual Meeting, such as Proposal 1, broker
non-votes would have no effect on the outcome of the vote. For matters requiring the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented at the Annual Meeting and
entitled to vote, broker non-votes would not be counted as among the shares entitled to vote with
respect to such matters. Thus, the effect of any broker non-votes with respect to such matters
would be to reduce the number of affirmative votes required to approve the proposals and the number
of negative votes required to block such approval.
Shareholders are not entitled to any rights of appraisal or similar dissenters rights with
respect to any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, because, pursuant to Colorado law,
the matters to be acted upon do not give rise to any such dissenters rights.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information, as of May 30, 2008, with respect to the shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned (i) by each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner
of more than 5% of the Common Stock, (ii) by each director or nominee for election as a director
and each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and (iii) by all current
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. As of May 30, 2008, 5,984,919 shares
of Common Stock were outstanding.
The number of shares beneficially owned includes shares of Common Stock with respect to which
the persons named below have either investment or voting power. A person is also deemed to be the
beneficial owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of that
security within 60 days through the exercise of an option or through the conversion of another
security. Except as noted, each beneficial owner has sole investment and voting power with respect
to the Common Stock.
Common Stock not outstanding that is subject to options or conversion privileges is deemed to
be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by
the person holding such options or conversion privileges, but is not deemed to be outstanding for
the purpose of computing the percentage of Common Stock beneficially owned by any other person.
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Amount and Nature |
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Name of Beneficial Owner |
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of Beneficial Ownership |
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Percent of Class |
Franklin E. Crail* |
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691,852 |
(1) |
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11.56 |
% |
Hodges Capital Management, Inc. |
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1,012,252 |
(6) |
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16.91 |
% |
Clyde Wm. Engle* et al. |
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49,775 |
(5) |
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0.83 |
% |
Bryan J. Merryman* |
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120,225 |
(3) |
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1.99 |
% |
Fred M. Trainor* |
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7,468 |
(2) |
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0.12 |
% |
Edward L. Dudley |
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92,189 |
(3) |
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1.53 |
% |
Gerald A. Kien* |
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74,168 |
(2) |
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1.24 |
% |
Lee N. Mortenson* |
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17,554 |
(2) |
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0.29 |
% |
Jay B. Haws |
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66,465 |
(3) |
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1.10 |
% |
Gregory L. Pope |
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125,818 |
(3) |
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2.07 |
% |
All executive officers and
directors as a group (12
persons) |
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1,314,347 |
(4) |
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20.83 |
% |
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* |
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Director |
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Mr. Crails address is the same as the Companys address. Of the 691,852 shares indicated as
being beneficially owned by Mr. Crail, 2,117 shares are owned beneficially by members of Mr.
Crails immediate family. Mr. Crail disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his
family members. |
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Includes shares that these directors have the right to acquire within 60 days through the
exercise of options granted pursuant to the Companys 2000 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for
Non-employee Directors (Directors Plan) as follows: Mr. Trainor, 6,468 shares; Mr.
Mortenson 9,702 shares; and Mr. Kien, 12,936 shares. |
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Includes shares that these officers have the right to acquire within 60 days through the
exercise of options granted pursuant to the Companys 1995 Stock Option Plan and the Companys
2004 Stock Option Plan as follows: Mr. Dudley, 52,720 shares; Mr. Merryman, 47,355 shares; Mr.
Haws, 34,125 shares; and Mr. Pope, 105,000 shares. |
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Includes 325,783 shares that officers and directors as a group have the right to acquire
within 60 days through the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Companys 1995 Stock
Option Plan, Directors Plan and the 2004 Stock Option Plan. |
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The following information was calculated by the Company for Mr. Engle based upon publicly
available Form 4 filings and record keeping for the Companys 2000 Directors Plan. Of the
49,775 shares indicated as being beneficially owned by Mr. Engle, 39,073 shares are owned by
members of Mr. Engles immediate family and 9,702 are shares that Mr. Engle has the right to
acquire within 60 days through the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Companys
Directors Plan. Mr. Engle disclaims ownership of the shares owned by his family members. |
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Based solely on the information contained in a filing on Schedule 13G filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2008. Hodges Capital Management, Inc.
reported beneficial ownership of 1,004,606 shares, which would be 16.79% of the class for
purposes of this table, in a filing on Form 13F-HR, Quarterly report filed by institutional
managers, Holdings, filed with the SEC for the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2008. The
address of Hodges Capital Management, Inc. is 2905 Maple Ave., Dallas, Texas 75201. |
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
The Companys Bylaws provide for no fewer than three or more than nine directors. The Board
has previously fixed the current number of directors at five. Directors are elected for one year.
Five directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. All of the nominees are currently directors
of the Company.
Proxies will be voted, unless authority to vote is withheld by the shareholder, FOR the
election of Messrs. Crail, Merryman, Kien, Mortenson and Engle to serve until the 2009 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and until the election and qualification of their respective successors.
If any such nominee shall be unable or shall fail to accept nomination or election by virtue of an
unexpected occurrence, Proxies may be voted for such other person or persons as shall be determined
by the Proxy holders in their discretion. Shareholders may not vote for more than six persons for
election as directors at the Annual Meeting.
Set forth below is certain information concerning each nominee for election as a director:
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Name |
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Positions With Company |
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Age |
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Director Since |
Franklin E. Crail |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
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66 |
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1982 |
Bryan J. Merryman |
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Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Director |
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47 |
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1999 |
Gerald A. Kien |
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Director |
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76 |
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1995 |
Lee N. Mortenson |
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Director |
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72 |
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1987 |
Clyde Wm. Engle |
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Director |
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65 |
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2000 |
Franklin E. Crail. Mr. Crail co-founded the first Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory store in
May 1981. Since the incorporation of the Company in November 1982, he has served as its President
and a director, and, from September 1981 to January 2000 as its Treasurer. He was elected Chairman
of the Board in March 1986. Prior to founding the Company, Mr. Crail was cofounder and President
of CNI Data Processing, Inc., a software firm which developed automated billing systems for the
cable television industry.
Bryan J. Merryman. Mr. Merryman joined the Company in December 1997 as Chief Financial
Officer and Vice President Finance. Since April 1999, Mr. Merryman has also served the Company
as the Chief Operating Officer, as a director, and since January 2000 as the Companys Treasurer.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Merryman was a principal in Knightsbridge Holdings, Inc. (a
leveraged buyout firm) from January 1997 to December 1997. Mr. Merryman also served as Chief
Financial Officer of Super
Shops, Inc., a retailer and manufacturer of aftermarket auto parts from July 1996 to November
1997 and was employed for more than eleven years by Deloitte and Touche LLP, most recently as a
Senior Manager.
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Gerald A. Kien. Mr. Kien became a director in August 1995. He retired in 1995 from his
positions as President and Chief Executive Officer of Remote Sensing Technologies, Inc., a
subsidiary of Envirotest Systems, Inc., a company engaged in the development of instrumentation for
vehicle emissions testing located in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Kien has served as a director and as
Chairman of the Executive Committee of Sun Electric Corporation since 1980 and as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Electric until retirement in 1993.
Lee N. Mortenson. Mr. Mortenson has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since
1987. Mr. Mortenson has been engaged in consulting and investment activities since July 2000 and
was a Managing Director of Kensington Partners, LLC (a private investment firm) from June 2001 to
April 2006. Mr. Mortenson has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Newell Resources LLC
since 2002 providing management consulting and investment services. Mr. Mortenson served as
President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Telco Capital Corporation of Chicago, Illinois
from January 1984 to February 2000. Telco Capital Corporation was principally engaged in the
manufacturing and real estate businesses. He was President, Chief Operating Officer and a director
of Sunstates Corporation from December 1990 to February 2000. Sunstates Corporation is a company
primarily engaged in real estate development and manufacturing. Mr. Mortenson was a director of
Alba-Waldensian, Inc. from 1984 to July 1999, and also served as its President and Chief Executive
Officer from February 1997 to July 1999. Alba was principally engaged in the manufacturing of
apparel and medical products.
Clyde Wm. Engle. Mr. Engle has served as a director of the Company since January 2000. Mr.
Engle is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Sunstates Corporation
and Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincolnwood
Bancorp, Inc. (formerly known as GSC Enterprises, Inc.), a one-bank holding company, and Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Bank of Lincolnwood.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the election of
the five nominees named above.
Information Regarding Corporate Governance, the Board of Directors
and Executive Officers
Nasdaq Rule 4350(c) requires that a majority of the Board of Directors must be comprised of
independent directors as defined in Nasdaq Rule 4200. The Board of Directors has determined that
Gerald A. Kien, Lee N. Mortenson and Clyde Wm. Engle are each independent directors under Nasdaq
Rule 4200.
During
the last fiscal year, the Companys Board of Directors held seven meetings. Each
director attended 100% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors held and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which
he served, during the period he was a director, except that Mr. Trainor attended 89% and Mr. Engle
attended 57% of such meetings. The Company has no policy regarding directors attending the annual
meeting. Mr. Crail and Mr. Merryman, the Companys two employee-directors, attended last years
annual meeting.
No family relationships exist between any director or executive officer and any other director
or executive officer of the Company.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing
similar functions. In addition, in accordance with Nasdaq Rule 4350(n), the Company has adopted a
Code of Conduct applicable to all officers, directors and employees of the Company. The text of
the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct is posted on the Companys website at www.rmcf.com.
Committees and Meetings
The Board of Directors has a standing Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee and Audit
Committee.
4
Audit Committee: 5 meetings in Fiscal 2008
Members: |
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Lee N. Mortenson* |
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Fred M. Trainor* |
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Gerald A. Kien* |
Responsibilities: |
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Assists the full Board |
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Oversight of the Companys accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and
internal controls and procedures |
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Oversight of the Companys financial statements and the independent audit thereof |
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Selecting, evaluating and, where deemed appropriate, replacing the independent auditors;
and |
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Evaluating the independence of the independent auditors. |
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* |
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The Board of Directors has determined that Gerald A. Kien, Lee N. Mortenson and Fred M.
Trainor are all independent directors under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules applicable to
Audit Committee members. |
The Board of Directors has determined that Lee N. Mortenson is a financial expert as defined
in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and thus possesses financial sophistication as that term is defined by Nasdaq Rule 4350(d). The
Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the
Audit Committee Charter is available under Corporate Governance on the Investor Relations page of
the Companys website at www.rmcf.com.
If the nominees identified above are elected to serve as directors for fiscal 2009, the 2009
Audit Committee will consist of: Lee N. Mortenson and Gerald A. Kien.
Compensation Committee: 5 meetings in Fiscal 2008
Members: |
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Lee N. Mortenson* |
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Fred M. Trainor* |
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Gerald A. Kien* |
Responsibilities: |
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Assists the full Board |
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Approving remuneration arrangements for the Companys executive
officers. |
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Approving and administering grants of equity compensation awards to the
Companys directors |
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Approving and administering grants of equity compensation awards under
the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. |
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* |
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The Board of Directors has determined that Gerald A. Kien, Lee N. Mortenson and Fred M.
Trainor are all independent directors, outside directors and non-employee directors
under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. |
The Compensation Committee has full authority delegated to it by the Board of Directors to
determine compensation for the Companys executive officers and directors. Under applicable
corporate laws and regulations, the Compensation Committee may delegate its duties, but did not do
so during fiscal year 2008 and does not intend to do so in the future. The Compensation Committee
determines compensation for the Companys executive officers based on recommendations from the
Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is not
present during voting or deliberation on his own compensation. The Compensation Committee has not
historically used compensation consultants in connection with performance of its duties. The
Compensation Committee does not have a written charter.
If the nominees identified above are elected to serve as directors for fiscal 2009, the 2009
Compensation Committee will consist of: Lee N. Mortenson and Gerald A. Kien.
5
Nominating Committee: 1 meeting in Fiscal 2008
Members: |
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Lee N. Mortenson* |
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Fred M. Trainor* |
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Gerald A. Kien* |
Responsibilities: |
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Assists the full Board. |
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Identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board of
Directors. |
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Approving and recommending to the full Board director candidates. |
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* |
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The Board of Directors has determined that Gerald A. Kien, Lee N. Mortenson and Fred M.
Trainor are all independent directors under applicable Nasdaq rules. |
The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.
A copy of the Nominating Committee Charter is available under Corporate Governance on the Investor
Relations page of the Companys website at www.rmcf.com.
If the nominees identified above are elected to serve as directors for fiscal 2009 the 2009
Nominating Committee will consist of: Lee N. Mortenson and Gerald A. Kien.
Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has adopted a Policy on Shareholder Communications with the Board of
Directors in order to facilitate shareholder communications with the Board of Directors. Under the
Policy, shareholders are encouraged to contact the Board of Directors or any individual director or
group of directors in writing by sending communications to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.,
265 Turner Drive, Durango, Colorado 81303; Attn: Corporate Secretary, Shareholder Communication. A
copy of the Policy on Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors is posted on the
Companys website at www.rmcf.com.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Management is responsible for the Companys internal controls and the financial reporting
process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an
independent audit of the Companys financial statements in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America and to issue a report thereon. The Audit
Committees responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. It is not our duty or our
responsibility to conduct auditing or accounting reviews or procedures. We are not employees of
the Company and we may not be, and we may not represent ourselves to be, or to serve as,
accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or auditing.
Therefore, we have relied, without independent verification, on managements representation that
the financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and on the
representations of the independent registered public accounting firm included in the report on the
Companys financial statements. Our oversight does not provide us with an independent basis to
determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles
or policies, or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with
accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, our considerations and
discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm do not assure
that the Companys financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, that the audit of the Companys financial statements has been carried out in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States) or that the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm is in fact independent.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions separately with management
and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit
Committee that the Companys audited financial statements were prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Audit Committee
has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the independent
registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered
public accounting firm matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No.
61, Communication with Audit Committees, as currently in effect.
6
The Companys independent registered public accounting firm also provided to the Audit
Committee the written disclosure required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,
Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm that firms independence and considered whether the non-audit
services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm are compatible with
maintaining its independence.
Based on the Audit Committees discussion with management and the independent registered
public accounting firm, and the Audit Committees review of the representation of management and
the report of the independent registered public accounting firm to the Audit Committee, the Audit
Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited financial statements in the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 29, 2008 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors,
Lee N. Mortenson
Gerald A. Kien
Fred M. Trainor
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The Nominating Committee consists of three non-employee directors, Lee N. Mortenson, Gerald A.
Kien and Fred M. Trainor, each of whom has been determined to be independent as that term is
defined in Nasdaq Rule 4200. The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted by
the Board of Directors.
The purposes of the Nominating Committee are: (i) to assist the Board of Directors in
identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors; and (ii) to approve
and recommend to the Board of Directors qualified director candidates.
The Nominating Committee will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders when
such recommendation is made in writing and (i) delivered pursuant to the Companys Policy on
Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors; (ii) received by a date no later than the
120th calendar day before the anniversary of the mailing date of the Companys proxy
statement released to shareholders in connection with the previous years annual meeting; and (iii)
signed by one or more shareholders that beneficially owned 5% or more of the Companys voting
Common Stock for at least one year as of the date the recommendation is made.
In determining whether an individual is qualified to serve on the Companys Board of
Directors, whether recommended by the by the Nominating Committee or by the shareholders, the
Nominating Committee considers relevant factors, including, but not limited to, an individuals
independence, knowledge, skill, training, experience and willingness to serve on the Board of
Directors.
Each nominee for director identified above is a director standing for re-election.
Submitted by the Nominating Committee of the Companys Board of Directors,
Lee N. Mortenson
Gerald A. Kien
Fred M. Trainor
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee is responsible for administering the compensation program for
executive officers of the Company and making all related decisions. In fulfilling its
responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Companys
Compensation Disclosure and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement. Based on this review and
discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Companys
Compensation Disclosure and Analysis be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008 and this Proxy Statement.
7
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors:
Lee N. Mortenson
Gerald A. Kien
Fred M. Trainor
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Objectives of Our Compensation Programs
The goals of the Companys compensation program for its named executive officers are to ensure
that a strong relationship exists between executive compensation and the creation of shareholder
value, and that executive officers are strongly motivated and retained. The Company seeks to
create a direct relationship between the level of total executive officer compensation and the
Companys success in meeting its annual performance goals as represented by its annual business
plan. The Company also seeks to reward equitably the relative contribution and job performance of
individual executive officers.
The Compensation Committee believes that linking executive compensation to corporate
performance results in a better alignment of compensation with corporate goals and shareholder
interests. As the Companys management team meets or exceeds the performance goals approved by the
Compensation Committee, which focus on aggressive growth on a year-over-year basis, resulting in
increased value to shareholders, the executives are rewarded commensurately. The Company believes
that given the strong link between pay and performance, the amount of compensation for its
executive officers is inherently limited by their ability to grow the Company because of the type
and size of the Companys business and its profitability. The Committee believes that compensation
levels during fiscal 2008 adequately reflect the Companys compensation goals and policies.
How We Set Compensation
The Company sets compensation for its named executive officers as a team based on the overall
performance of the Company according to its business plan. The Board typically meets in December
of each year to establish the Companys business plan for the following fiscal year. The
Compensation Committee typically meets again following fiscal year-end when the results are
completed to approve payment of bonuses and/or salary increases based on the prior fiscal years
performance and to approve compensation for the current fiscal year. Mr. Crail, the Companys
Chairman of the Board and President, and Mr. Merryman, the Companys Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, generally make recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding
both payout amounts for the prior fiscal year and compensation amounts for the current fiscal year
for all the named executive officers, including themselves.
The Compensation Committee has complete discretion to pay compensation even if performance
does not meet established performance goals or to otherwise reduce or increase the size of any
award or payout, including a decrease to zero, and may also do so based on performance other than
the established performance goals. The Compensation Committee has complete discretion to recognize
individual performance.
The Company has no policy on adjusting or recovering awards or payments if the Company
restates or otherwise adjusts the relevant company performance measures in a manner that would
reduce the size of an award or payment.
At the beginning of fiscal year 2008 the Compensation Committee and Mr. Crail determined that
Mr. Crails base compensation would not be increased at the beginning of the year. A performance
incentive was implemented so that Mr. Crails base salary would be increased retroactively if a
certain target was met during the year. Specifically, the Compensation Committee determined that
in the event the Company achieved 100% of budgeted net income (which budgeted number was 20% higher
than the prior years net income), Mr. Crail would receive an additional 10% salary increase which
would be applied retroactively and paid at the end of fiscal 2008. The net income target was not
achieved; therefore, Mr. Crails compensation was not accordingly increased.
For more information about the Compensation Committee, see disclosure under Election of
Directors.
8
Elements of Compensation
The principal elements of the compensation program for the Companys named executive officers
are base salary, performance-based annual bonuses and long-term incentive compensation in the form
of equity compensation granted under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2007 Plan).
Base Salary and Benefits. The Company pays base salary primarily to provide a base level of
income to the named executive offers and to encourage their continued service to the Company.
Annual salaries for the Companys executive officers are generally reviewed annually and the
Compensation Committee evaluates potential base salary increases based on a number of objective and
subjective factors. Salary decisions are based primarily on the Compensation Committees
subjective analysis of the factors contributing to the Companys success and of the executives
individual contributions to that success. In addition, in the event that the Company hired a new
key executive at a higher base salary, the Compensation Committee would evaluate the base salaries
of the other executives and consider adjusting them for parity.
For fiscal year 2008 the Compensation Committee approved a 10% salary increase for all named
executive officers retroactive to the beginning of fiscal year 2008 if the Company achieved net
income of $5,700,000 for fiscal year 2008, with the retroactive portion of the salary increase for
fiscal year 2008 to be paid in a lump sum after year-end when the Compensation Committee determines
that the performance goal was met. In May 2008 the Compensation Committee determined not to award
these retroactive salary increases to the named executive officers because the Company had actual
net income for fiscal year 2008 of $4,961,000, which fell short of the applicable performance goal.
Our named executive officers generally receive health and welfare benefits under the same
programs and subject to the same terms and conditions as our other salaried employees. Other
elements of compensation for the Companys named executive officers are participation in
company-wide life insurance, long-term disability insurance, medical benefits and the ability to
defer compensation pursuant to a 401(k) plan. The named executive officers also receive matching
contributions by the Company under the Companys 401(k) plans at a rate of 25% of 6% of base
salary, which is the same benefit available to all salaried employees.
Performance-Based Annual Incentive Bonuses. Cash bonuses based on the Companys performance
are awarded to the executive officers under an incentive compensation plan. Under the plan that
served as the basis for bonuses paid for fiscal year 2008, executive officers received awards
pursuant to which they could earn a bonus calculated as a percentage of their base pay based on the
Companys achievement of targeted levels of fiscal year 2008 net income of $5,700,000, including
the effect of the bonus accrual. Additional bonuses may be awarded at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee in recognition of special accomplishments. Whether the executive officers
total pay is comparable to the compensation of executives with similar responsibilities at
comparable companies may vary from year to year depending upon the Companys performance.
For fiscal year 2008, the named executive officers would be eligible to earn a portion of
their target bonus award if the Company achieved net income, net of the applicable bonus amount
accrual, at or above threshold level. The incentive compensation bonus award target amounts are
set forth below as a percentage of each named executive officers fiscal year 2008 annual salary.
For fiscal year 2008, the Compensation Committee established a threshold level performance at 75%
of the target level, at which point the named executive officers would receive 50% of their target
bonus amounts. If the Company achieved net income for fiscal year 2008 below this threshold level,
the named executive officers would receive zero bonus. For performance between the threshold and
target levels, or above the target level, the executive officers would be entitled to a bonus
payment calculated based on the ratio between actual performance and the target performance.
For fiscal year 2008, the Company failed to achieve net income at the targeted level of
performance. In light of this result, Mr. Crail and Mr. Merryman recommended to the Compensation
Committee that the named executive officers receive no bonus payment for fiscal year 2008 in the
interest of the Company and its shareholders. The Compensation Committee approved the
recommendation and no level of performance based compensation was paid, as set forth in the table
below. Factoring in the effect of no bonus payments, the Company achieved net income for fiscal
year 2008 at 87% of the targeted level.
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Bonus |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year 2008 |
|
Paid for Fiscal |
|
|
|
|
Annual Incentive |
|
Year 2008 |
|
|
|
|
Target Bonus Amount |
|
as a Percentage |
|
|
|
|
as a Percentage of |
|
of Target Bonus |
|
Fiscal Year 2008 |
Name of Executive Officer |
|
Annual Base Salary |
|
Amount |
|
Base Salary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franklin E. Crail, |
|
|
50 |
% |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
264,000 |
|
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and
President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan J. Merryman, |
|
|
45 |
% |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
230,000 |
|
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory L. Pope |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
169,000 |
|
Sr. Vice President Franchise Support
and Development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward L. Dudley, |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
173,000 |
|
Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jay B. Haws |
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
158,000 |
|
Vice President Creative Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Awards of stock options and other forms of stock-based
compensation strengthen the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and retain executives of
superior capability and more closely align the interests of management with those of its
shareholders. The Compensation Committee considers on an annual basis the grant of stock-based
compensation to executive officers and key managers under the 2007 Plan. The number granted is
generally based upon the position held by a participant and the Compensation Committees subjective
evaluation of such participants contribution to the Companys future growth and profitability.
The grant of options is an annual determination, but the Compensation Committee may consider the
size of past awards and the total amounts outstanding in making such a determination. Stock
options are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the current market price of the
Companys stock and will have value only if the Companys stock price increases, resulting in a
commensurate benefit for the Companys shareholders.
No stock-based compensation was awarded to executive officers or others in fiscal 2008. The
Company terminated use of stock options upon its adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) in fiscal year 2006 because it believed that the expense
associated with stock options outweighs their incentive value. To create a long-term incentive in
lieu of additional stock option grants the Compensation Committee granted stock options before the
Company adopted FAS 123R that were fully vested at grant, but with an exercise prices significantly
in excess of the then-current per share price of the Companys stock (e.g., at 20%, 40%, etc. over
the then-current stock price) so that the stock options would only have value recognizable by the
option holders as the Companys stock price increases over time to exceed these exercise prices.
In making these awards, the Compensation Committee looked primarily at the number of shares for
each executive and the potential dilutive effect on the Company, rather than at the potential value
of those shares. Options presently held by current executive officers and directors under the
Companys option plans cover a total of 325,783 shares, and all of these options are vested and
exercisable. The Company accelerated vesting on all outstanding stock options in advance of
adopting FAS 123R.
Change-in-Control Severance Payments
The Company entered into employment agreements with certain executives of the Company which
contain, among other things, change in control severance provisions, at a time when the Company was
facing a potentially hostile takeover attempt to protect
interests of the executive team and keep them focused on the Companys business. These
potential payments are discussed further below.
10
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2008
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to annual compensation for the
years indicated for the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and each of the
three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company who met the minimum
compensation threshold of $100,000 for inclusion in the table during the fiscal year ended February
29, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franklin E. Crail,
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
and President |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
264,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
14,471 |
(1) |
|
$ |
278,471 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
264,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
13,454 |
|
|
$ |
277,454 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan J. Merryman,
Chief Operating Officer,
Chief Financial Officer
and Director |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
230,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
230,000 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
230,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
80,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
310,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward L. Dudley,
Sr. Vice President
Sales and Marketing |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
173,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
173,000 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
173,000 |
|
|
$ |
5,250 |
|
|
$ |
46,750 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory L. Pope
Sr. Vice President
Franchise Support and
Development |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
169,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
169,000 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
169,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
52,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
221,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jay B. Haws
Vice President Creative
Services |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
$ |
158,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
158,000 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
158,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
188,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of $14,471 for life insurance premiums paid by the Company. |
11
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for Fiscal Year 2008
The following table provides information regarding grants of plan-based awards for each of the
Companys named executive officers for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Possible Payouts Under |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
Name |
|
Type of Award |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franklin E. Crail |
|
Incentive Bonus |
|
$ |
66,000 |
|
|
$ |
145,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
|
Incentive Bonus |
|
$ |
51,750 |
|
|
$ |
114,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward L. Dudley |
|
Incentive Bonus |
|
$ |
34,600 |
|
|
$ |
76,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory L. Pope |
|
Incentive Bonus |
|
$ |
33,800 |
|
|
$ |
74,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jay B. Haws |
|
Incentive Bonus |
|
$ |
19,750 |
|
|
$ |
44,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2008 Fiscal Year-End Table
The following table provides information regarding the number and estimated value of outstanding
stock options and unvested stock awards held by each of the Companys named executive officers at
2008 fiscal year-end.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
Exercise |
|
Option |
|
|
Grant |
|
Options (#) |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
($) |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franklin E. Crail, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
Chairman of the
Board, Chief
Executive Officer
and President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan J. Merryman,
Chief Operating
Officer,
Chief
Financial Officer
and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
6/18/2004 |
|
|
|
35,280 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
7.41 |
|
|
|
6/18/2014 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
15.09 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
16.46 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
17.83 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
20.57 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
Exercise |
|
Option |
|
|
Grant |
|
Options (#) |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
($) |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward L. Dudley,
Sr. Vice President
Sales and
Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1995 Plan |
|
|
3/1/2001 |
|
|
|
6,468 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
1.53 |
|
|
|
3/1/2011 |
|
1995 Plan |
|
|
3/1/2002 |
|
|
|
12,127 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
|
|
3/1/2012 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
6/18/2004 |
|
|
|
22,050 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
7.41 |
|
|
|
6/18/2014 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
15.09 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
16.46 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
17.83 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
20.57 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory L. Pope
Sr. Vice President
Franchise
Support and
Development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1995 Plan |
|
|
6/18/2001 |
|
|
|
6,379 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
3.02 |
|
|
|
6/18/2011 |
|
1995 Plan |
|
|
5/23/2003 |
|
|
|
18,191 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
3.30 |
|
|
|
5/23/2013 |
|
1995 Plan |
|
|
3/1/2002 |
|
|
|
24,255 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
|
|
3/01/2012 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
6/18/2004 |
|
|
|
44,100 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
7.41 |
|
|
|
6/18/2014 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
15.09 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
16.46 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
17.83 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
20.57 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jay B. Haws
Vice President
Creative Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
6/18/2004 |
|
|
|
22,050 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
7.41 |
|
|
|
6/18/2014 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
15.09 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
16.46 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
17.83 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
2004 Plan |
|
|
2/21/2006 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
|
|
-0- |
|
|
$ |
20.57 |
|
|
|
2/21/2016 |
|
13
Potential Payments on Termination or Change in Control
We have arrangements with each of our named executive officers providing for post-employment
payments under certain conditions, as described below.
Employment Agreements. The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain
executives of the Company which contain, among other things, change in control severance
provisions. Specifically, the Company has entered into employment agreements with Franklin E.
Crail, Edward L. Dudley, Jay B. Haws and Bryan J. Merryman. The employment agreements generally
provide that, if the Company terminates the executives employment under circumstances constituting
a triggering termination, the executive will be entitled to receive, among other benefits, 2.99
times the sum of (i) the executives annual salary and (ii) the lesser of (a) two times the bonus
that would be payable to the executive for the bonus period in which the change in control occurred
and (b) 25% of the executives annual salary. The executive will also receive an additional
payment of $18,000, which represents the estimated cost to the executive of obtaining accident,
health, dental, disability and life insurance coverage for the 18-month period following the
expiration of COBRA coverage.
A change in control, as used in these employment agreements, generally means a change in the
control of the Company following (1) a person acquiring direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
20% or more of the Companys then outstanding voting securities, without the prior approval of
two-thirds of the Board of Directors, (2) a merger or other consolidation transaction in which the
Companys Board of Directors prior to the transaction constitutes less than a majority of the
Companys Board of Directors after the transaction or (3) the members of the Companys Board of
Directors during any consecutive two-year period ceasing to be the majority of the Board of
Directors at the conclusion of that period. A triggering termination generally occurs when an
executive is terminated during a specified period preceding a change in control of the Company, or
if the executive or the Company terminates the executives employment under circumstances
constituting a triggering termination during a specified period after a change in control. A
triggering termination also includes a voluntary termination by the executive within five business
days before an anticipated change in control with the concurrence of two concurring persons (either
the Chairman of the Board of Directors or a member of the Companys Compensation Committee) that
the change in control is likely to occur during such five-business day period. In such event, the
executive must agree to continue to work on an at-will basis, without compensation, until the
change in control occurs. If the change in control does not occur within ten business days, the
executive must refund the severance payment to the Company.
Assuming the applicable triggering event took place on February 29, 2008, the named executive
officers would have been eligible for payments set forth in the following table. These payments are
estimates. If a specific triggering event had actually occurred, the named executive officer would
only receive the payments that applied to that specific triggering event. These payments would come
from us if the triggering event occurred before a change in control and from the successor company
if after a change in control.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Control |
|
Payment for |
|
|
Severance Payment |
|
Insurance Coverage |
Name of Executive Officer |
|
($)(1) |
|
($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franklin E. Crail, |
|
$ |
986,700 |
|
|
$ |
18,000 |
|
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryan J. Merryman, |
|
$ |
859,625 |
|
|
$ |
18,000 |
|
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer
and Director |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward L. Dudley, |
|
$ |
646,588 |
|
|
$ |
18,000 |
|
Sr. Vice President Sales and Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jay B. Haws |
|
$ |
590,525 |
|
|
$ |
18,000 |
|
Vice President Creative Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These amounts are based on 2.99 times 125% of each executives salary in place during fiscal
year 2008. |
14
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Directors of the Company do not receive any compensation for serving on the Board.
Compensation committee members are paid quarterly, $750 each for committee members and $1,500 for
the committee chairman. Audit committee members are paid quarterly, $500 each for committee
members and $1,500 for the committee chairman. Additionally, audit committee members receive $250
for each meeting held by phone and $500 for each meeting held in person. Also, an audit committee
member attending all of the audit meetings for any fiscal year will receive a $1,000 bonus for that
year. Directors who are not also officers or employees of the Company are entitled to receive
stock awards under the 2007 Plan.
Formerly, the 2000 Directors Plan provided for automatic grants of nonqualified stock options
to directors of the Company who are not also employees or officers of the Company. The 2000
Directors Plan provided that, during the term of the 2000 Directors Plan, options were granted
automatically to new nonemployee directors upon their election. Each such option permitted the
nonemployee director to purchase 32,340 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the option. Each year following
adoption of the 2000 Directors Plan, on a date established by the Compensation Committee, during
the term of the 2000 Directors Plan, options to purchase 3,234 shares of Common Stock were granted
automatically to each nonemployee director, if any, who is serving the Company as a director on
such date. On August 17, 2007 shareholders approved the Companys 2007 Equity Incentive Plan which
replaced all outstanding equity plans, including the 2000 Directors Plan. The 2007 Plan does not
provide for automatic grants of nonqualified stock options to directors of the Company who are not
also employees or officers of the Company. Each year following adoption of the 2007 Plan the
Compensation Committee, in its administration of the Plan, will make a determination if any awards
to nonemployee directors, including awards to nonemployee directors upon their election, are to be
made. On May 19, 2008 the compensation committee approved the issuance of 1,000 shares of
unrestricted stock to each nonemployee director.
Director Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2008
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation of the Companys nonemployee
directors for fiscal year 2008, which consisted of cash compensation and stock option awards,
including amounts associated with serving and/or chairing Board committees. Each of these
components is described in more detail above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
or Paid in Cash |
|
Awards (1) |
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Lee N. Mortenson |
|
$ |
14,500 |
|
|
$ |
8,300 |
|
|
$ |
22,800 |
|
Gerald A. Kien |
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
|
$ |
8,300 |
|
|
$ |
15,800 |
|
Fred M. Trainor |
|
$ |
6,250 |
|
|
$ |
8,300 |
|
|
$ |
14,550 |
|
Clyde Wm. Engle |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
8,300 |
|
|
$ |
8,300 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These amounts represent the amount of expense we took in fiscal 2008 for stock options
granted to the indicated director in fiscal 2008. On March 22, 2007, each director was
granted an option to purchase 3,080 shares with a grant date fair value of $2.69. A summary of
the assumptions we apply in calculating these amounts is set forth in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended February 29, 2008. As of February 29, 2008, the total number of outstanding options
held by each director was as follows: Mr. Mortenson, 9,702 shares; Mr. Kien, 12,936 shares;
Mr. Trainor, 6468 shares, and Mr. Engle, 9,702 shares. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal year 2008 the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors
consisted of Lee N. Mortenson, Gerald A. Kien and Fred M. Trainor. None of the foregoing persons
is or has been an officer of the Company.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
For information on director independence, see disclosure under Election of Directors.
15
Policies and Procedures for Approving Transactions with Related Persons
The independent members of the Board of Directors have the responsibility to review and
approve related person transactions, either in advance or when we become aware of a related person
transaction that was not reviewed and approved in advance; however, the Board of Directors has not
adopted a written policy or procedures governing its approval of transactions with related persons.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The Company has no knowledge that any person who was a director, named executive officer or
10% or more shareholder (a Reporting Person) at any time during fiscal 2008 failed to file, or
was late in filing, any Form 3, 4 or 5. In making these disclosures, the Company has relied solely
on written representations of its Reporting Persons, including certain written representations from
Reporting Persons, that Forms 5 were not required, and on the reports filed by such Reporting
Persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman (EKS&H) was the independent registered public accounting firm
for the Company for the year ended February 29, 2008. It is expected that representatives of EKS&H
will be present at the Annual Meeting to make any statement they desire and to respond to
appropriate questions.
Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman has been appointed as independent registered public
accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2009. Shareholders are not
being asked to ratify the appointment.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT AUDIT FEES AND SERVICES
For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2007 and February 29, 2008, EKS&H, our independent
registered public accounting firm, billed the approximate fees as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Audit fees |
|
$ |
149,252 |
|
|
$ |
158,336 |
|
Audit-related fees(1) |
|
$ |
17,313 |
|
|
$ |
16,200 |
|
Tax fees(2) |
|
$ |
23,000 |
|
|
$ |
25,548 |
|
All other fees(3) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit-related fees consist of assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Companys financial
statements. This category includes fees related to the performance of audits and attest
services not required by statute or regulations, audits of the Companys benefit plans,
and additional compliance procedures related to performance of the review or audit of
the Companys financial statements, and accounting consultations about the application
of GAAP to proposed transactions. These services support the evaluation of the
effectiveness of internal controls. |
|
(2) |
|
Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered
for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning services. |
|
(3) |
|
No fees of this category were incurred. |
The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation for and overseeing the
work of the independent auditor. The Audit Committee has established a policy regarding
pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent
auditor. Such policy requires that all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by
the independent auditor must be submitted to the Audit Committee for approval at a meeting of the
Audit Committee or by unanimous written consent of the Audit Committee in lieu of a meeting. The
Audit Committee has determined that the provision of the services listed above is compatible with
maintaining the principal accountants independence, and has approved the same.
16
DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder of the Company wishing to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the
Companys 2009 proxy solicitation materials must submit the proposal to the Company at the address
below on or before February 19, 2009. Any shareholder of the Company wishing to have a proposal
brought before the meeting, but not considered for inclusion in the companys 2009 proxy
solicitation materials as described above, must submit the proposal to the Company at the address
below on or before May 4, 2009, and the proxy holders will have discretionary authority granted by
the proxies to vote on these proposals. All shareholder proposals must comply with the procedures
outlined in the Companys Bylaws and in SEC regulations regarding the inclusion of shareholder
proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the
Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company at 265 Turner Drive,
Durango, Colorado 81303. A copy of the Companys Bylaws is available under Corporate Governance on
the Investor Relations page of the Companys website at www.rmcf.com
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Companys 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders, which consists of the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008, is being mailed to shareholders
with this Proxy Statement. Shareholders may request to receive an additional copy of the Companys
Annual Report at no charge by writing to the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive
offices of the Company at 265 Turner Drive, Durango, Colorado 81303.
HOUSEHOLDING
Each shareholder of record will receive a separate set of voting materials. If you share an
address with another shareholder and have received multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may
request delivery of a single copy of these materials in writing to the Secretary of the Company at
the principal executive offices of the Company at 265 Turner Drive, Durango, Colorado 81303. If
you share an address with another shareholder and have previously requested to receive a single
copy of our proxy materials, you may receive only one set of proxy materials (including our annual
report to shareholders and proxy statement). If you wish to receive a separate set of proxy
materials now or in the future, you may write to us at the above address to request a separate copy
of these materials.
OTHER MATTERS AT THE MEETING
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, management knows of no matters not described herein to
be brought before the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Should any other matters properly come
before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying Proxy will vote
thereon according to their best judgment in the interest of the Company.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO PROMPTLY MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
/S/ Bryan J. Merryman
|
|
|
Bryan J. Merryman |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
June 18, 2008
17
Proxy
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
Meeting
Details
265 Turner Drive
Durango, Colorado 81303
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints FRANKLIN E. CRAIL and VIRGINIA M. PEREZ, and each of them, as
the undersigneds attorneys and proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute, and
hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as directed below, all the shares of Common Stock
of ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY, INC. (the Company) held of record by the undersigned on June
9, 2008, at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on July 18, 2008 or any adjournment
thereof.
Please mark boxes in black ink.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned.
IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR MANAGEMENTS NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS
DIRECTORS AND AS THE PROXY HOLDER MAY DETERMINE IN HIS OR HER DISCRETION WITH REGARD TO ANY OTHER
MATTER PROPERLY BROUGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
(Continued and to be voted on reverse side.)
1
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc.
[ ] Mark this box with an X if you have made changes to your name or address details
below.
Use a black pen. Print in
CAPITAL letters inside the grey A B C 1 2 3 X
areas as shown in this example.
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
1. Election of Directors
FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), strike a line through
the nominees name or write a zero (0) in the space following his name below. To exercise
cumulative voting by casting two or more votes per share for any individual nominee(s), write the
number of votes cast for the nominee in the space following his name. Each share of common stock
is entitled to six votes, in the aggregate.)
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For
|
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Withhold
|
|
Number of Votes |
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|
01 - Franklin E. Crail
|
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ] |
|
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|
|
02 - Lee N. Mortenson
|
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ] |
|
|
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|
|
03 - Bryan J. Merryman
|
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ] |
|
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|
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|
|
04 - Gerald A. Kien
|
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ] |
|
|
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|
|
05 - Clyde Wm. Engle
|
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ] |
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|
2. Issues
Each of the above-named attorneys and proxies (or his or her substitute) is authorized to vote in
his or her discretion upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
4.
Authorized Signatures - Sign Here - This section must be completed for your instructions to be
executed.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
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Signature 1 |
|
Signature 2 |
|
Date (dd/mm/yyyy) |
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/
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/ |
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1
U P X |
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2