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
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. GOLF
(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 )
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined): |
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing. |
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(1 )
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed: |
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Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.
11000 N. IH-35
Austin, Texas 78753
Dear Stockholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management, I cordially invite you to attend the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (the Company) to be held
at our corporate headquarters at 11000 N. IH-35, Austin, Texas 78753 on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at
8:00 a.m. (CDT).
The Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement accompanying this letter describe the
specific business to be acted upon.
In addition to the specific matters to be acted upon, there will be a report on the
progress of the Company and an opportunity for questions of general interest to the stockholders.
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. Please review the
instructions on the proxy or voting instruction card. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual
meeting, I hope you will vote as soon as possible. Please complete, sign, date and promptly return
the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or follow the alternate voting
procedures described on the proxy.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Martin Hanaka |
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Martin Hanaka |
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Chief Executive Officer, President and |
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Chairman of the Board |
Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.
11000 N. IH-35
Austin, Texas 78753
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 6, 2008
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Golfsmith International
Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held at its corporate headquarters at 11000 N.
IH-35, Austin, Texas, 78753 on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. (CDT), for the following
purposes:
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The election of nine directors to serve one-year terms expiring at
the later of the annual meeting of stockholders in 2009 or until a
successor is elected and qualified; |
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The ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young, LLP as the
independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the
fiscal year ending January 3, 2009; and |
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The transaction of such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The proxy statement, which follows this notice, fully describes these items. We have not
received notice of other matters that may be properly presented at the annual meeting.
Stockholders
of record at the close of business on March 10, 2008, will be entitled to
vote at the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. If you wish to vote your shares at
the meeting, the inspector of elections will be available to record your vote at the meeting site
beginning at 7:30 a.m. (CDT) on the date of the meeting. Voting is expected to close at the
commencement of the meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting, but whether or not you expect to attend
in person, you are urged to mark, date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed
prepaid envelope or follow the alternative voting procedures described on the proxy.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ R. Scott Wood |
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R. Scott Wood |
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Secretary |
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March 26, 2008 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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i
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING, VOTING AND PROXIES
Date, Time and Place of Meeting
The Board of Directors of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (the Company) is soliciting
your proxy for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) to be held at our
corporate headquarters at 11000 N. IH-35, Austin, Texas 78753, on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 8:00
a.m. (CDT) and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. We are initially mailing this
Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card to stockholders of the Company on or about March
28, 2008.
Record Date, Outstanding Shares and Quorum
Only
holders of record of the Companys common stock at the close of business on March 10,
2008 (the Record Date) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, we
had 15,777,145 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. If a majority of the shares
outstanding on the Record Date are present at the Annual Meeting, either in person or by proxy, we
will have a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Any shares represented by proxies that are marked for,
against or to abstain from voting on a proposal will be counted as present in determining whether
we have a quorum. Abstentions are included in the determination of shares present for quorum
purposes. Because abstentions represent shares entitled to vote, the effect of an abstention is
the same as a vote against a proposal, except that abstentions have no effect on the election of
directors. If a broker, bank, custodian, nominee or other record holder of the Companys common
stock indicates on a proxy card that it does not have discretionary authority to vote certain
shares on a particular matter, the shares held by that record holder (referred to as broker
non-votes) will also be counted as present in determining whether we have a quorum, but will not
be counted or entitled to vote on that particular matter. Please note that banks and brokers will vote
their clients shares only if the proposal is a matter on which they have discretion to vote (such
as the election of directors and the ratification of our independent registered public accounting
firm), or if their client provides instructions on how to vote by following the instructions
provided by such broker.
Voting Rights and Voting of Proxies
Holders of the Companys common stock are entitled to one vote for each share they held as of
the Record Date. Cumulative voting for directors is not permitted. Directors will be elected by a
plurality of the votes cast by the shares of common stock present at the Annual Meeting (either in
person or by proxy), which means that the nine nominees with the most votes will be elected.
Approval of Proposal No. 2 requires approval by the holders of a majority of the shares of common
stock present at the Annual Meeting (either in person or by proxy). Abstentions and broker
non-votes will not have an effect on determining the number of shares voted.
Solicitation and Voting of Proxies
The proxy included with this Proxy Statement is solicited by the Board of Directors of the
Company for use at the Annual Meeting. You can submit your proxy card by mailing it in the envelope
provided. If your proxy card is properly completed and received, and is not revoked before the
Annual Meeting, your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting according to the instructions
indicated on your proxy card. If you sign and return your proxy card but do not give any voting
instructions, your shares will be voted in favor of the election of each of the director nominees
listed in Proposal No. 1 and in favor of Proposal No. 2. To our knowledge, no other matters will be
presented at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters of business are properly presented,
the proxy holders named on the proxy card are authorized to vote the shares represented by proxies
according to their judgment. Most beneficial owners whose stock is held in street name receive
voting instructions forms from their banks, brokers or other agents, rather than the Companys
proxy/voting instruction card. Beneficial owners may also be able to vote by telephone or the
Internet. They should follow the
1
instructions on the form they receive from their bank, broker, or
other agent. The method of voting used will not limit a stockholders right to attend the Annual
Meeting.
Who can attend the meeting?
Subject to space availability, all common stockholders as of the record date, or their duly
appointed proxies, may attend the meeting. Since seating is limited, admission to the meeting will
be on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will begin at
7:45 a.m. (CDT). If you attend,
please note that you may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a drivers
license or passport. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted
at the meeting. Please also note that if you hold your shares in street name (that is, through a
broker or other nominee), you will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your
stock ownership as of the record date and check in at the registration desk at the meeting.
Expenses of Solicitation
The Company will pay the costs of preparing, printing and mailing this Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, the enclosed proxy card and the Companys 2007 Annual
Report to Stockholders. We will also reimburse brokerage firms and others for reasonable expenses
incurred by them in connection with their forwarding of proxy solicitation materials to beneficial
owners. The solicitation of proxies will be conducted primarily by mail, but may also include
telephone, facsimile or oral communications by directors, officers or regular employees of the
Company acting without special compensation.
Revocation of Proxies
If you submit the enclosed proxy card, you may revoke it at any time before voting takes place
at the Annual Meeting. There are three ways you can revoke your proxy: (1) deliver to the Secretary
of the Company a written notice, dated later than the proxy you want to revoke, stating that the
proxy is revoked; (2) deliver to the Secretary of the Company a signed proxy with a later date than
the proxy you want to revoke; or (3) attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. For this
purpose, communications should be addressed to R. Scott Wood, Secretary, 11000 N. IH-35, Austin,
Texas, 78753, and must be received before the time that the proxy you wish to revoke is voted.
Please note that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish
to revoke a previously given proxy, you must contact that entity.
2
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTE
Proposal 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors (the Board of Directors) consists of nine members, five of whom are
affiliated with First Atlantic Capital, Ltd. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation
provides that members of our Board of Directors will be elected to one-year terms. The terms of
each of our nine current directors will expire at the Annual Meeting, and each of the directors has
been nominated for reelection to serve until the next Annual Meeting or until a successor is
elected and qualified. In the case of a vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors during the
year, the remaining Board of Directors may elect another director as a replacement, may leave the
vacancy unfilled or may reduce the number of directors.
A
stockholder may (a) vote for the election of any one or more of
the nominees, or (b)
withhold authority to vote for one or more of the nominees by so indicating on the proxy card. Your
shares will be voted as you specify on the enclosed proxy card or as you instruct via the
alternative voting procedure described on the proxy card. If you sign, date and return the proxy
card without specifying how you want your shares voted, they will be voted for the election of the
Director nominees. If unforeseen circumstances (such as death or disability) require the Board of
Directors to substitute another person for any of the Director nominees, your shares will be voted
for that other person.
Directors are elected by a plurality of votes of the shares represented at the meeting and
entitled to vote. The effects of abstentions and broker non-votes are discussed under
Information About the Meeting, Voting and Proxies.
NOMINEES
The following table sets forth information as to each nominee for election, including their
age (as of the Record Date), background and principal occupations:
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Principal Occupation, Business |
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Director |
Name and Age |
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Experience and Directorships |
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Since |
Martin Hanaka 58 |
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Martin E. Hanaka became a director
and the Chairman of the
Board in April 2007, Chief Executive
Officer on January 9, 2008, and serves on our Compensation and
Nominating Committees. Mr. Hanaka has
served as Chairman Emeritus of the board of
directors of The Sports Authority, Inc.
since June 2004. Mr. Hanaka was the Chairman
of the Board of The Sports Authority, Inc.
from November 1999 until June 2004 and was
its Chief Executive Officer from September
1998 until August 2003. Mr. Hanaka joined
The Sports Authority, Inc.s Board of
Directors in February 1998. From 1994-1997,
Mr Hanaka was president, Chief Operating
Officer and a director of Staples, Inc. Mr.
Hanaka is also a director of Transworld
Entertainment Corp., a leading retailer of
movies, music and games. Mr. Hanaka also
serves on the board of governors of the Boys
and Girls Club of America.
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2007 |
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Thomas Berglund 47 |
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Thomas A. Berglund became a
director in May 2007, and has been a Managing
Director of First Atlantic Capital, Ltd.
since 2004. Prior to joining First Atlantic
Capital, Ltd. Mr. Berglund had been a
partner at Jupiter Partners, a middle-market
private equity firm since 1994. He is
currently a director of Precision Parts
International.
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Principal Occupation, Business |
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Director |
Name and Age |
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Experience and Directorships |
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Since |
Roberto Buaron 61 |
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Roberto Buaron became a director in October
2002, and serves on our Nominating Committee.
Mr. Buaron has been the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of First Atlantic Capital,
Ltd. since he founded the firm in 1989. From
1986 to 1989, Mr. Buaron was a senior
partner with Overseas Partners Inc., a New
York middle market private equity firm.
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2002 |
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Glenda Chamberlain 54 |
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Glenda Chamberlain became a director in
August 2006, and serves on our Audit and
Compensation Committees. Ms. Chamberlain has
been the Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Whole Foods Market, Inc.
since 1988, and prior to that held various
positions in public accounting, retail and
businesses consulting. She also serves on the
board of directors, the compensation
committee and audit committee for Credit
Acceptance Corporation.
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2006 |
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James Grover 36 |
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James Grover became a director in October
2002. Mr. Grover has been a Managing Director
at First Atlantic Capital, Ltd. since March
2007. Prior to that Mr. Grover served as a
principal at First Atlantic Capital, Ltd.
since May 2004, as a Vice President from
August 2000 until May 2004, and as an
associate from July 1998 until August 2000.
Mr. Grover is a director of Prestolite
Electric, Inc., Precision Parts
International and Country Pure Foods, Inc.
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2002 |
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Thomas G. Hardy 62 |
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Thomas G. Hardy became a director in October
2002. Mr. Hardy has served as an Operating
Partner for an affiliate of First Atlantic
Capital, Ltd. since August 2004. Mr. Hardy
has been the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the American University of Paris
since May 2003 and a member of the Advisory
Board of Main Street Resources, a private
equity fund specializing in small and medium
sized management buy-outs since May 2002.
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2002 |
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Marvin E. Lesser 66 |
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Marvin E. Lesser became a director in June
2006, and serves as Chairman of our Audit
Committee. Mr. Lesser has been the Managing
Partner of Sigma Partners, L.P., a private
investment partnership, since 1993, and the
President of Alpina Management, L.L.C., an
investment advisor, since 2000. He is a
director of USG Corporation and St. Moritz
2000 Fund, Ltd.
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2006 |
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James Long 65 |
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James Long became a director in October 2002.
Mr. Long has been a Senior Advisor to First
Atlantic Capital, Ltd. since January 1, 2005,
and has been a Managing Director at First
Atlantic Capital, Ltd. since 1991. From 1970
to 1975, Mr. Long was Director of
Acquisitions for The Sperry and Hutchinson
Company.
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2002 |
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Noel Wilens 45 |
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Noel Wilens became a director in October of
2002, serves on our Compensation Committee, and as chairman of our
Nominating Committee. Mr. Wilens has been a
Managing Director of First Atlantic Capital,
Ltd. since May 2004. From May 2001 until May
2004, he was a principal at First Atlantic
Capital, Ltd. From October 1995 until May
2001, Mr. Wilens was a general partner of
Bradford Equities Fund, L.L.C., a New
York-based private equity firm. Mr. Wilens
serves as a director of Prestolite Electric,
Precision Parts International, and Country
Pure Foods, LLC.
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2002 |
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Beneficial ownership information for these individuals is shown under the heading Security
Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers and is based on information furnished by the
respective individuals.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote to elect Mr. Hanaka, Mr. Berglund, Mr. Buaron,
Ms. Chamberlain, Mr. Grover, Mr. Hardy,
Mr. Lesser, Mr. Long, and Mr. Wilens as directors for
a one-year term.
4
Proposal 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Companys Audit Committee recommends to the stockholders the ratification of the selection
of Ernst & Young, LLP (Ernst & Young), an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit
the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for 2008. Ernst & Young has served as the
independent registered public accounting firm for the Company since 1994.
Pre-Approval Policy
A representative of Ernst & Young will be present at the Annual Meeting, may make a statement
if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. The Audit
Committee pre-approves and reviews audit services performed by Ernst & Young as well as the fees
charged by Ernst & Young for such services. To avoid certain potential conflicts of interest in
maintaining auditor independence, the law prohibits a publicly-traded company from obtaining
certain non-audit services from its independent registered public accounting firm. During fiscal
2006 and 2007, the Company did not engage Ernst & Young to provide any prohibited non-audit
services and obtained such services as necessary from other service providers. For additional
information concerning the Audit Committee and its activities with Ernst & Young, see Report of
the Audit Committee and Committees of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee pre-approved
all audit services provided by Ernst & Young in fiscal 2007. In the future, the Company may engage
Ernst & Young to provide certain permitted audit-related and non-audit services in accordance with
applicable law.
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the Company for the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006, by Ernst & Young:
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Audit fees |
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$ |
395,463 |
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992,816 |
(1) |
Audit-related fees |
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17,600 |
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Tax fees |
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43,940 |
(2) |
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218,550 |
(2) |
All other fees |
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1,624 |
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1,624 |
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$ |
458,627 |
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$ |
1,212,990 |
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Includes approximately $673,000 in fees related to the Companys filing of a registration
statement in
connection with its initial public offering. |
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Tax services include professional services rendered for preparation of the Companys federal
and state
income tax returns and for tax consulting associated with regulatory tax agencies. |
5
In the event the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young, the Audit
Committee will consider the possible selection of other auditors for the subsequent year. Even if
the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select a new independent
accounting firm at any time during the year if it feels that such a change would be in the best
interest of the Company and its stockholders.
The Board of Directors Recommends that you vote FOR Proposal 2.
6
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The following report 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 we specifically incorporate this
information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, a copy of which is available in the Investor Relations section of the Companys
website at www.golfsmith.com, under Corporate Governance.
As
of March 10, 2008, the Audit Committee was comprised of Marvin E. Lesser and Glenda
Chamberlain. Mr. Lesser and Ms. Chamberlain are independent directors, as defined in Item 401(h)
of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and the rules of the
Nasdaq Global Market (Nasdaq). Martin Hanaka, Chairman of the Board of Directors was an
independent director and a member of the Audit Committee until
January 9, 2008, when Mr. Hanaka
was appointed interim Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of our former Chief
Executive Officer, James Thompson. Upon taking his position as interim Chief Executive Officer,
Mr. Hanaka stepped down as a member of the Audit Committee in order to comply with the audit
committee independence requirement as set forth in Marketplace Rule 4350 of Nasdaq Stock Market,
Inc. (Nasdaq), leaving two directors on that Committee. Rule 4350 requires a listed issuer to
have an audit committee consisting of at least three independent directors. The Company notified
Nasdaq on January 23, 2008 that the Company no longer had three
independent directors, which notification was expected to trigger a non-compliance response
letter from Nasdaq.
On January 23, 2008, the Company received a Staff Determination letter from Nasdaq stating
that the Company no longer complied with the requirements for continued listing because it no
longer satisfied the audit committee requirements set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350.
Consistent with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350(d)(4), Nasdaq provided the Company with a cure period
until July 7, 2008 in order to regain compliance. The Company expects to fill the vacancy created
by Mr. Hanakas resignation from the Audit Committee prior to July 7, 2008 by appointing a new
independent director to the Audit Committee.
Notwithstanding the deficiency described above, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr.
Lesser and Ms. Chamberlain, both independent directors, each qualify as audit committee financial
expert(s) in accordance with SEC rules. Stockholders should understand that this designation is an
SEC disclosure requirement related to Mr. Lessers and Ms. Chamberlains experience and
understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not
impose on Mr. Lesser or Ms. Chamberlain any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater
than are generally imposed on either of them as members of the Audit Committee and the Board of
Directors, and their designation as audit committee financial experts pursuant to this SEC
requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit
Committee or the Board of Directors.
The primary focus of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its general
oversight of the Companys financial reporting, internal controls and audit function. Management
has the primary responsibility for preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys
financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, internal controls and
procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, and applicable laws
and regulations. The Companys independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for
performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards in the United States. Members of the Audit Committee are not
auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or certify the activities of management
and the independent auditors, nor can the Audit Committee certify that the independent auditors are
independent under applicable rules.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit
Committee that the audited financial statements of the Company included in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the
7
year ended December 29, 2007, were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the
consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting
firm. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114, The Auditors
Communication with Those Charged With Governance. The Audit Committees discussions with the
independent registered public accounting firm were held both with and without management present,
and included the scope of their respective audits, their evaluation of the Companys internal
controls and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting.
In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public
accounting firm their independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the
written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, and approved the fees for audit services provided by Ernst &
Young. During fiscal 2006 and 2007, the Company did not engage Ernst & Young to provide any
prohibited non-audit services in light of the possible effect of the performance of such services
on the auditors independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors approved, that the audited consolidated financial
statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007, as
filed with the SEC on March 6, 2008. The Audit Committee has recommended (which recommendation was
adopted by the Board of Directors) the selection of the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm, subject to stockholder approval.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Marvin E. Lesser, Chairman
Glenda Chamberlain
8
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY
Our Board of Directors takes corporate governance very seriously and is committed to sound
corporate governance practices. Our Board of Directors has the responsibility for establishing
broad corporate policies and for the overall performance of the Company. In accordance with
applicable Delaware law, the business of the Company is managed under the direction of its Board of
Directors. Pursuant to the Companys amended and restated bylaws (the Amended and Restated
Bylaws), the Board of Directors is to consist of not fewer than
five, nor more than thirteen
directors. Our Board of Directors currently consists of nine directors. During 2007, the Board of
Directors met seven times (not including committee meetings) and took action by written consent on
two other occasions. The Company does not have a policy on attendance at the annual meeting;
however, eight out of our nine nominee directors attended the Annual Meeting in 2007.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Executives and Financial Officers, which
applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice PresidentFinance and
Accounting Operations, Controller and any other employee with any responsibility for the
preparation and filing of documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, the
Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics which applies to all directors, officers
and employees. Copies of each of these codes are available in the Investor Relations section of the
Companys website at www.golfsmith.com, under Corporate Governance. The information on
the Companys website is not incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement. The Company will
disclose, on a Form 8-K, amendments to provisions of the Code of Ethics and the Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics by posting such amendments on its website. In addition, any such amendments, as
well as any waivers of the Code of Ethics for directors or executive officers, will be disclosed in
a report on a Form 8-K.
INDEPENDENCE OF DIRECTORS
The Company is a controlled company under the Nasdaq corporate governance rules. A
controlled company is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an
individual, group or another company. Based on a voting rights and stockholders agreement among
Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. (Atlantic Equity Partners), and Carl Paul and Franklin Paul,
Atlantic Equity Partners holds more than 50% of our voting power. Among other things, the
controlled company exemption eliminates the requirements that (1) a majority of the Board of
Directors consist of independent directors, and (2) the Company establish a nominating committee
and a compensation committee that are composed entirely of independent directors with a written
charter addressing the purpose and responsibilities of the compensation committee. The controlled
company exemption does not modify the independence requirements for our Audit Committee. In
addition, if the Company ceases to qualify as a controlled company in the future, the Board of
Directors will be required to be composed of a majority of independent directors and the
Compensation and Nominating Committees will be required to be composed entirely of independent
directors within one year of the date that the Company ceases to be a controlled company.
Notwithstanding the controlled company exemption, the Board of Directors has determined that
two of its nine members are independent directors in accordance with the requirements of the Nasdaq
Global Market. These requirements include a series of objective tests, including that the director
is not an employee of the Company and has not engaged in various types of business dealings with
the Company. In addition, as further required by the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market, the Board
of Directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no
relationships exist which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making
these determinations, the Board of Directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the
Board of Directors and the Company with regard to each directors business and personal activities
as they may relate to the Company and its management. The Board of Directors has reviewed the
independence of the current non-
9
management directors under these standards and found Mr. Lesser and Ms. Chamberlain to be
independent. Martin Hanaka, our interim CEO is not an employee and no
employees serve on the Companys Board of Directors.
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has established a process to receive communications from stockholders.
Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors, or individual directors, may send
correspondence to them care of R. Scott Wood, Secretary of the Company, 11000 North IH-35, Austin,
Texas, 78753.
The Board of Directors has instructed the Secretary to review all communications so received
to determine whether the contents represent a message to the directors. Any contents that are not
in the nature of advertising, promotions of a product or service, patently offensive material or
matters deemed inappropriate for the Board of Directors will be forwarded promptly to the
addressee. However, any director may at any time request the Secretary to forward any and all
communications received by the Secretary but not forwarded to the directors.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has designated an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a
Nominating Committee. The members of each committee are appointed by the Board of Directors and
serve one-year terms.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Lesser (Chairman) and Ms. Chamberlain. Mr.
Lesser and Ms. Chamberlain are independent directors, as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K
of the SEC and the rules of Nasdaq. Martin Hanaka, Chairman of the Board of Directors was an
independent director and a member of the Audit Committee until
January 9, 2008, when Mr. Hanaka
was appointed interim Chief Executive Officer when our previous CEO, James Thompson, resigned.
Upon taking his position as interim Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hanaka stepped down as a member of
the Audit Committee in order to comply with the audit committee independence requirement as set
forth in Marketplace Rule 4350 of Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Nasdaq), leaving two directors on
that Committee. Rule 4350 requires a listed issuer to have an audit committee consisting of at
least three independent directors. The Company notified the Nasdaq on January
23, 2008 that the Company no longer had three independent directors,
which notification was expected to trigger a non-compliance response
letter from Nasdaq.
On January 23, 2008, the Company received a Staff Determination letter from Nasdaq stating
that the Company no longer complied with the requirements for continued listing because it no
longer satisfied the audit committee requirements set forth in Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350.
Consistent with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350(d)(4), Nasdaq provided the Company with a cure period
until July 7, 2008 in order to regain compliance. The Company expects to fill the vacancy created
by Mr. Hanakas resignation from the Audit Committee prior to July 7, 2008 by appointing a new
independent director to the Audit Committee.
All Audit Committee members must be financially literate, and at least one member must have
accounting or related financial management expertise. The Company believes that Mr. Lesser and Ms.
Chamberlain meet the requirements for a financial expert under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
as defined by Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K of the SEC. The Companys Board of Directors has
adopted a charter setting forth the responsibilities of the Audit Committee, which include:
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retaining and terminating the Companys independent auditor; |
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discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent auditor, and reviewing
with management and the independent accountant the Companys interim and year-end operating
results; |
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reviewing the adequacy of the Companys internal accounting controls and audit procedures; and |
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approving (or, as permitted, pre-approving) all audit and non-audit services to be performed
by the independent auditor. |
10
The responsibilities and activities of the Audit Committee are described in greater detail in
Report of the Audit Committee herein, and the Audit Committee charter, a copy of which is available in
the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at www.golfsmith.com, under
Corporate Governance. During 2007, the Audit Committee met eight times.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Hanaka (Chairman), Ms. Chamberlain and
Mr. Wilens. The Companys Board of Directors has adopted a charter setting forth the
responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, which include:
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determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer based on the achievement of
corporate objectives (Mr. Hanaka has recused himself from any
discussion or vote on his compensation as interim CEO); |
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reviewing and recommending approval of compensation of the Companys executive officers; |
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administering the Companys equity incentive plans; and |
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reviewing and making recommendations to the Companys Board of Directors with respect
to incentive compensation and equity plans. |
During 2006, the Compensation Committee met twice and took action by written consent four
times. The Compensation Committee is governed by a written charter, a copy of which is available in
the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at www.golfsmith.com, under
Corporate Governance.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2007, the following directors served as members of our Compensation Committee: Noel
Wilens and Martin Hanaka.
Mr. Hanaka currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hanaka does not, and did not
in 2007, participate in any Compensation Committee or Board of Directors discussion or approval of
his own compensation. Mr. Wilens served as an officer and a member of the Compensation Committee
prior to our initial public offering. Ms. Chamberlain was appointed to the Compensation Committee
in February 2008.
None
of the members of the Compensation Committee during 2007, or as of the date of this proxy
statement, had any relationship requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the
Exchange Act. None of our executive officers serve on the compensation committee or board of any
entity that has one or more executive officers serving on the Companys Board of Directors or
Compensation Committee.
The
report of the Compensation Committee appears on page 20.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee currently consists of Mr. Buaron, Mr. Hanaka and Mr. Wilens
(Chairman). The Companys Board of Directors has adopted a charter setting forth the
responsibilities of the committee, which include:
11
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developing and recommending criteria for selecting new directors and evaluating and
recommending nominees to the Board of Directors; |
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supervising the selection and composition of committees for the Board of Directors; |
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evaluating the performance of the Board of Directors and of individual directors; and |
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identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors individuals qualified to
become executive officers. |
The Nominating Committee met twice in 2007 and is governed by a written charter, a copy of which is
available in the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at www.golfsmith.com,
under Corporate Governance.
DIRECTOR NOMINATION PROCESS
Directors may be nominated by the Board of Directors or by stockholders in accordance with the
Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws and consistent with the terms of the management rights
agreement by and between the Company and Atlantic Equity Partners (the Management Rights
Agreement), for so long as the Management Rights Agreement is in place. As a matter of course, the
Nominating Committee reviews the qualifications of various persons to determine whether they
represent good candidates for consideration for membership on the Board of Directors. The
Nominating Committee reviews all proposed nominees for the Board of Directors, including those
proposed by stockholders. The Nominating Committee evaluates candidates proposed by stockholders
using the same criteria as for other candidates. This process includes a review of the candidates
character, judgment, experience, independence, understanding of our business or related industries
and such other factors as the Nominating Committee determines are relevant in light of the needs of
the Board of Directors and the Company. The Nominating Committee selects qualified candidates and
reviews its recommendations with the Board of Directors, which will decide whether to invite a
candidate to be a nominee for election to the Board of Directors. The Company does not currently
pay a fee to any third party to identify or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees.
The Management Rights Agreement allows Atlantic Equity Partners to designate, after the Company
ceases to be a controlled company under the rules of the Nasdaq Global Market, a certain number of
directors for nomination to the Board until Atlantic Equity Partners ownership falls below 10%.
Stockholder recommendations for director candidates may be submitted to the Secretary of the
Company at 11000 N. IH-35, Austin, Texas, 78753, and such recommendations will be forwarded to the
Nominating Committee. Such nominations must be made in accordance with the provisions of the
Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws, including the requirement that they are received by the
Secretary of the Company not less than 90 days prior to any meeting of stockholders called for the
election of directors.
12
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Certain information concerning the Companys executive officers and key employees is set
forth below:
Martin
E. Hanaka, age 58, became a director and Chairman of the Board in April 2007, and interim
Chief Executive Officer on January 9, 2008. Mr. Hanaka
serves on our Nominating Committee and as chair of our Compensation
Committee. Mr. Hanaka is not an employee of the Company. Mr.
Hanaka has served as Chairman Emeritus of the board of directors of The Sports Authority, Inc.
since June 2004. Mr. Hanaka was the Chairman of the Board of The Sports Authority, Inc. from
November 1999 until June 2004 and was its Chief Executive Officer from September 1998 until August
2003. Mr. Hanaka joined The Sports Authority, Inc.s board of directors in February 1998. From
1994-1997, Mr Hanaka was president, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Staples, Inc. Mr.
Hanaka is also a director of Transworld Entertainment Corp, a leading
retailer of movies, music and
games. Mr. Hanaka also serves on the board of governors of the Boys and Girls Club of America.
Virginia Bunte, age 42, joined us in 1995 and has served as our Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer since January 2003 and as a Senior Vice President since February 2006. From 1995 to 2003,
Ms. Bunte served in various positions with us including Assistant Controller, Controller and Vice
President Finance.
Matthew Corey, age 41, joined us in November 2004 as our Vice President Marketing. Prior to
joining us, Mr. Corey served as Vice President Marketing and eCommerce for The Bombay Company
from April 2002 until November 2004 and prior to that as Senior Manager of marketing and
operations, business development strategy and partnerships for The Home Depot, Inc. from October
1999 until February 2002.
Gillian Felix, age 39, joined us in August 2006 as our Vice President Human Resources,
and was promoted to Senior Vice President Human Resources and Guest Experience in October 2007.
Prior to joining us Ms. Felix served as Vice President of Human
Resources for Hoovers, Inc. since
February 2005. Ms. Felix served as Vice President of Human Resources at NextLeft between October
2003 and November 2004. Previously she held various management
roles for Virgin Retail, Inc. in
London, United Kingdom and in the United States between June 1989 and September 2003.
Frederick Quandt, age 38, joined us in 1995 and became Senior Vice President Merchandising
in February 2006. Prior to that, from October 2002 to February 2006, he served as our Vice
President Merchandising. From 1995 until October 2002, Mr. Quandt served as Director of
Merchandising and Divisional Merchandise Manager and in various other merchandising positions.
Andrew Spratt, age 37, joined us in October 2007 as our Vice President-Information Services.
From February 2003 to October 2007, Mr. Spratt was an IT Management Consultant to British
Petroleum. Prior to that, from February 2001 through April 2003, Mr. Spratt served as Operations
Director for Interliant UK, and previous to that from January 2000 through February 2001, he was
Head of IT Operations within the Caudwell Group. Previous to these positions from 1992 to 2000, Mr.
Spratt held various management roles within Swissairs airline services business.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This compensation discussion describes the material elements of the compensation awarded to,
earned by, or paid to our officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table who are considered
to be named executive officers during our last fiscal year. Named executive officers consist of
any individual who served as our Chief Executive Officer during 2007, any individual who served as
our Chief Financial Officer during 2007, and the three other executive officers who received the
highest amount of total compensation in 2007. For purposes of this section, named executive
officers refers to: James D. Thompson, former Chief Executive Officer; Virginia Bunte, Chief
Financial Officer; David M. Pritchett, former Senior Vice President Retail; Frederick Quandt,
Senior Vice President Merchandising; and Gillian Felix, Senior Vice PresidentHuman
Resources and Guest Experience.
13
Objectives of Compensation Programs
The primary objective of our executive compensation program is to attract talented executives
to our management team and to align management activities with the creation of long-term value for
our stockholders. To achieve this goal, we utilize data from third-party compensation specialists
to enhance our compensation plans in order to encourage and reward all employees for financial and
operating performance and leadership excellence. We have an employment agreement with our Chief
Financial Officer detailing her compensation. Elements of compensation for our other named
executive officers consist of: (a) annual base salary; (b) annual cash bonus based on achievement
of clear corporate goals; (c) stock-based compensation to align executive goals with stockholder
value; (d) perquisites and other personal benefits; and (e) severance benefits.
Setting Executive Compensation and Role of Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Process
In deciding on the type and amount of compensation for each executive officer, we focus on the
market value and current pay of the individual. We combine the compensation elements for each
executive officer in a manner we believe optimizes the executive officers contribution to the
Company.
In 2007 we retained Aon Corporation (Aon) to (a) evaluate the Companys compensation
philosophy as it relates to base and variable pay; (b) administer compensation surveys to the
Companys executive officers, including the CEO and the CFO; (c) provide industry data related to
executive compensation in similarly-sized organizations, including the market for comparable
positions in Austin, Texas; and (d) prepare a report detailing its findings and generally
identifying which of the Companys named executive officers were compensated at the 50th
or higher percentile for similar positions (the Aon Report). We have supplemented the Aon Report
with reports from Mercer Corp., Watson Wyatt, and Economic Research
Institute (jointly, the
Compensation Surveys) on compensation for executives in our peer group.
The peer group did not focus on specific companies, but instead identified peer groups of
national companies with annual revenue between $300 million and $700 million with an average of
$500 million. The data was compiled to show 50th and 75th percentiles for
base and total cash compensation, median bonus target as a percentage of payroll. The surveys
used do not specify specific peer group companies, but include, for example, (a) the Mercer 2006
Retail Compensation and Benefits Survey with 200 retail participants; (b) the Mercer 2006
Financial, Accounting & Legal Survey with 2,332 companies; (c) the Mercer 2006 IT Survey with
2,000+ companies; (d) the Watson Wyatt 2006 Middle Management Survey with over 200 companies; and
(e) the Economic Resources Institute 2006 Salary Assessor.
Our Compensation Committee seeks to maintain compensation for named executive officers between
the 50th
and 75th percentile for each position, as identified by the
Compensation Surveys.
Our Compensation Committee expects to rely on the Aon Report and Compensation Surveys, or
future updates of the same, to determine 50th percentile compensation amounts for any
given executive position, which is then used as a target compensation figure for that position.
Otherwise, the Compensation Committee has not relied on, and has not determined how it wishes to
implement, any suggestions from the Aon Report.
The Compensation Committee does not use a formulaic approach in determining the appropriate
compensation mix for any named executive officer. Rather, it determines each executive officers
base salary, annual bonus and equity grant compensation by considering both the external market
data, including the Aon Report and Compensation Surveys, and internal equity amongst our executive
officers based on their experience, performance, and the nature and scope of their roles within the
organization. The Compensation Committees goal in setting the components of compensation is to
provide a competitive total compensation package that balances market competitiveness to attract
and retain talented employees with internal equity and also provides a sufficient portion of total
compensation tied to individual and corporate performance.
The Compensation Committee has not adopted a policy with regard to the relationship of
compensation
among the named executive officers or other employees, but may consider the appropriateness of
an individual named executive officers compensation relative to the compensation of other
executive officers in determining
14
actual compensation. The Compensation Committee considered no
such factors in reaching the decisions discussed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Compensation Committee seeks to maintain base and total cash compensation for named executive
officers between the 50th and 75th percentile of total targeted compensation
for each position as identified by the Compensation Surveys and median bonus target as a percentage
of payroll.
The process described above was followed twice in 2007, when our Senior Vice President-Human
Resources, Ms. Felix, identified and prepared job descriptions for then open executive positions
including our Vice PresidentInformation Technology and Vice PresidentFinance and Accounting. Ms.
Felix reviewed the Aon Report for total targeted compensation for similar positions in other retail
corporations and presented a plan to Mr. Thompson, our former CEO, detailing target compensation
for each open position. Mr. Thompson discussed the target compensation with the Compensation
Committee and the Committee approved, with certain modifications, the proposed package for the new
hires.
Variations from this procedure may occur as dictated by the experience level of the individual
or market factors. Additionally, on an annual basis, we benchmark our compensation structure
against peer companies to ensure we are competitive and to establish annual salary increases and
equity grants, if any.
During 2007, our CEO did not discuss his own compensation with the compensation consultant,
except to the extent of completing the compensation survey administered by the compensation
consultant, and did not have any influence over our Compensation Committees final decision
regarding his own compensation. Further, our CEO had no influence over the Compensation
Committees decisions regarding his own compensation.
Our CEO is involved in compensation discussions related to other named executive officers in
that he approves any plan prepared by our SVP Human Resources for base, annual bonus or equity
compensation prior to submission of the plan to our Compensation Committee for approval.
The Compensation Committee has the right to exercise discretion in modifying any compensation
plan recommended by our CEO and ultimately approves all compensation decisions for the Companys
executive officers.
A significant percentage of total compensation is expected to be allocated to incentives as a
result of the philosophy discussed above. There is no pre-established policy or target for the
allocation between cash and non-cash or short-term and long-term incentive compensation. Rather,
we review individual performance and intend to use information provided by Aon Corporation to
determine the appropriate level and mix of incentive compensation.
Elements of Compensation
Our compensation program consists of four basic elements:
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base salary; |
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annual cash bonus; |
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stock-based compensation; |
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perquisites and other personal benefits; and |
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severance benefits. |
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Base salary
We believe base salaries are an essential element of a competitive compensation program to
attract and retain qualified executives. In 2007, we paid Mr. Thompson, our then Chief Executive
Officer, in accordance with his employment agreement. We pay our interim Chief Executive Officer,
Mr. Hanaka, pursuant to our Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, or as otherwise administered
by the Board of Directors. Additionally, we pay our Chief Financial Officers base salary in
accordance with the terms of her employment agreement.
For other named executive officers, we determine base salaries by (a) identifying a position
and responsibilities associated therewith; (b) identifying the
50th percentile amount;
and (c) examining the individuals experience and anticipated or actual contribution to the
organization as a whole. Our Compensation Committee annually reviews and periodically adjusts
salaries of its executive officers based on individual performance during the prior calendar year,
cost of living, and changes in executive responsibilities. Our Compensation Committee anticipates
that base salaries for named executive officers will not increase in 2008.
We
plan, over the next five years, to rely on the Aon Report and
Compensation Surveys, or future updates of the same or similar
surveys, to
assist in hiring and retaining talented executives and in determining their competitive total
compensation packages. The Compensation Committee seeks to create and maintain an internally
consistent compensation program. However, the similarities or differences in the amounts of the
compensation among our named executive officers, if any, are generally attributable to differences
in the Compensation Surveys for the positions held by those executives and those differences
reflect the scope of authority and responsibility for the relevant positions. Unless individual
employment agreements provide otherwise, for executive officers whose compensation either exceeds
or is under the 50th percentile of base and annual bonus compensation, the Compensation
Committee plans to adjust their compensation levels to bring them closer to the 50th
percentile, taking into account individual skills, experience and performance.
Annual bonus program
We believe the payment of cash bonuses provides meaningful incentives, rewards performance
that benefits our business and is consistent with creation of stockholder value. Our annual
bonuses are designed to be earned and paid to our named executive officers at the discretion of our
Compensation Committee. Any potential annual bonuses are based upon achievement of earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) targets. The Companys Compensation
Committee may exercise full discretion to award or withhold any and all annual bonus compensation
without regard to attainment or non-attainment of relevant performance goals.
The Compensation Committee did not set an annual bonus plan in 2007 for our named executive
officers and, exercising its discretion, did not pay out any annual bonus for fiscal 2007
performance.
On February 27, 2008, the Compensation Committee approved a cash bonus plan for our employees,
including our named executive officers, for the year 2008 (the 2008 Bonus Plan). The 2008 Bonus
Plan is intended to assist us in attracting, retaining and motivating executive officers and key
employees, and to reward them for assisting in achievement of our operational and strategic goals
during fiscal 2008. The 2008 Bonus Plan was adopted to provide an outcome-based annual cash
incentive to executive officers and key employees. Payments under the 2008 Bonus Plan, if any, are
contingent upon our achievement of certain corporate objectives, as well as the employees
continued employment with us on the date of payment. The payment date for executive officers is
expected to be in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
The Compensation Committee set an EBITDA target as a condition to funding the 2008 Bonus Plan.
We believe that Instruction 4 to Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K is applicable to the specific EBITDA
target because such disclosure would cause us competitive harm as the financial target involves
confidential information. Other than historical targets, we treat our internal financial targets as
confidential, have not disclosed these targets publicly in the past and do not plan to disclose
these targets publicly in the future prior to
announcement of financial results for the given year. We believe competitors could use this
information in devising their own market and growth strategies in order to compete more
successfully with us. If we were to
16
fail to attain targets for a particular fiscal period, we
believe competitors could use that information in competing with us for both business and
employees. Moreover, if existing and potential vendors or competitors were able to gain access to
the forecasted revenue, operating income and net income reflected in our performance targets, we
believe those vendors or competitors may be able to estimate our projected gross margins and then
use that information to negotiate lower prices for our services. We believe that given the general
economic conditions and slow growth in the retail golf market, it may be difficult for the
executive officers to achieve their goals in order to be eligible for a bonus in fiscal 2008.
While the Compensation Committee did not set specific individual performance targets for our
named executive officers, other than the EBITDA target discussed above, it has identified the
potential annual bonus for executive officers as a percentage of base salary by rank as follows:
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Potential Annual Bonus as a Percentage of 2008 Base Salary |
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Senior Vice President
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0-40% |
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Vice President
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0-25% |
The 2008 Bonus Plan includes a potential bonus for Virginia Bunte, the Chief Financial
Officer. If we achieve the EBITDA target, we will pay an annual bonus to Ms. Bunte pursuant to the
terms of her employment agreement. We expect to disclose any annual bonus plan for our new Chief
Executive Officer when he or she is appointed. Among the named executive officers to whom the 2008
Bonus Plan applies are Matthew Corey, Vice PresidentMarketing and Brands; Gillian Felix, Senior
Vice PresidentHuman Resources and Guest Experience; and Frederick Quandt, Senior Vice
PresidentMerchandising.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Committee retains full discretion to grant a
bonus at fiscal year end and may decide to award or withhold an award for an individual based upon
overall Company performance or upon each named executive officers personal performance during the
year.
Stock-based compensation
We believe stock-based compensation provides appropriate long-term incentives to our
executives and aligns their interests with those of our other equity holders. The Compensation
Committee considers and grants options to our executives and employees at regularly scheduled
meetings. The exercise price of our options is the closing price of our common stock on the date of
the grant. Equity grants are determined not on any individual basis, but are instead equal for
executives sharing the same rank in the organization at the time of grant such as Senior Vice
President or Vice President. Our management receives options in different amounts based upon their
respective positions and responsibilities. These grants vest in 20% increments over five years,
and no shares vest before the one-year anniversary of the grant. We spread the vesting over a
five-year period to compensate executives for their contributions over time. From time to time, as
we modified our capital structure in the past, we granted additional options to maintain ownership
levels or to provide retention incentives for executives.
In the future, our Compensation Committee and Board of Directors may consider awarding
additional or alternative forms of equity incentives, such as stock appreciation rights (SARs),
restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance unit awards, performance share awards,
cash-based awards and other stock-based awards under our 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.
Perquisites and other personal benefits
The Company maintains a number of other broad-based employee benefit plans in which executive
officers participate on the same terms as other employees meeting the eligibility requirements,
subject to any legal limitations on amounts that may be contributed to or benefits payable under
the plans. Benefits include:
17
|
|
|
Medical and dental insurance and cafeteria plan: Our medical
and dental insurance and cafeteria plan is administered
pursuant to Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. The plan includes medical and dental
insurance, medical reimbursement and dependent care
reimbursement plans.
|
|
|
|
|
401(k) plan: Pursuant to our 401(k) plan, we match 50% up to
the first 6% of an employees contribution. 401(k)
contributions from highly compensated employees are
currently limited to a maximum of 5% of compensation,
subject to statutory limits. |
|
|
|
|
Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
insurance: Pursuant to our Life Insurance and Accidental
Death and Dismemberment Insurance plans, we pay the premium
on a $10,000 term life insurance policy and a $10,000
accidental death and dismemberment insurance policy. |
Severance Benefits
Our severance pay plan provides severance benefits to our employees should their employment
with us be terminated without cause and unrelated to a sale of a division or subsidiary, or as
otherwise determined by the severance committee (consisting of human resources personnel and
management), whereby the employee is entitled to an amount calculated based upon current position,
salary and length of service. Our named executive officers are entitled, after completion of one
year of service, to 52 weeks of severance pay at their base salary if their employment services are
terminated without cause at any time. Employees at director level are entitled, after completion of
one year of service, to two weeks of severance pay at their base salary for each year of service
with a minimum of four weeks payment if their employment services are terminated without cause at
any time; and managers are entitled to two weeks of severance pay at their base salary with a
minimum of two weeks payment with the same restrictions.
No severance pay plan payments were made to our executive officers in fiscal 2007.
Payments Upon Change of Control
Prior to our initial public offering (the IPO) on June 15, 2006, our Board of Directors
negotiated annual, automatically renewing Employment Agreements with its Chief Executive and Chief
Financial Officers. The Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers negotiated salary, severance
and change of control benefits in amounts similar to their expiring agreements based upon their
rank in the organization, with additional consideration offered for performance in their roles to
that date. The Board of Directors approved the amounts similar to those offered to persons in
similar positions in similarly-sized organizations.
Except for Ms. Bunte, our executive officers do not have individual agreements that affect the
amount paid or benefits provided following termination or change in control. In the event of a
change of control, our executive officers do not receive any severance benefits under the Severance
Pay Plan unless they are involuntarily terminated or had no reasonable opportunity to continue to
work for the purchaser or acquirer of the organization. See Severance Benefits, above.
POTENTIAL PAYMENT UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Severance |
Named Executive |
|
Benefit as of |
Officers |
|
December 29, 2007 ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
Gillian Felix |
|
|
170,890 |
|
David Pritchett |
|
|
207,239 |
|
Frederick Quandt |
|
|
207,239 |
|
Under the terms of Ms. Buntes amended and restated employment agreement, had she been
terminated at December 29, 2007 she would be entitled to certain benefits following termination of change in control. See
the Employment
18
Agreements section for additional discussion regarding Ms. Buntes employment agreement. Had
Ms. Bunte resigned or been terminated without cause or good reason on December 29, 2007, she would
have received: (a) 200% of her current total annual base salary (a total benefit of approximately
$414,000); and (b) all of Ms. Buntes then-outstanding options to acquire our common stock that
were granted under our equity incentive plan would continue to vest following in accordance with
their then-current vesting schedules (our approximate expense for the vesting of Ms. Buntes
options would have been approximately $21,000). We would also have
been required to make any COBRA
continuation coverage premium payments for Ms.Bunte and her dependents for the earlier of two years
and the date that she is eligible to be covered under another substantially equivalent medical
insurance plan by a subsequent employer (a total benefit of approximately $21,000 assuming the
standard cost of medical benefits at our present premium level).
Pursuant
to Mr. Thompsons resignation in January 2008, we will provide Mr. Thompson with the
benefits to which he would be entitled pursuant to his employment
agreement upon his resignation for good
cause, or termination without
cause, consisting of: (a) 200% of Mr. Thompsons current total annual base salary (a total benefit
of $750,000); (b) Mr. Thompsons earned pro rata bonus
for fiscal 2008; and (c) all
then-outstanding options to acquire our common stock that were granted to Mr. Thompson under our
equity incentive plan shall continue to vest following in accordance with their then-current
vesting schedules. We will also make any COBRA continuation coverage premium payments for Mr.
Thompson and his dependents for the earlier of two years and the date that he his is eligible to be
covered under another substantially equivalent medical insurance plan by a subsequent employer.
Tax Consequences of Compensation
Our annual tax aggregate deductions for each named executive officers compensation (other
than the Chief Financial Officers compensation) are potentially limited by Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the Code) to the extent the aggregate amount paid to an executive officer
exceeds $1.0 million per year, unless it is paid under a predetermined objective performance plan
meeting certain requirements, or satisfies one of various other exceptions provided under Section
162(m) of the Code. At our current named executive officer compensation levels, we do not presently
anticipate that Section 162(m) of the Code should be applicable, and accordingly, our Compensation
Committee did not consider its impact in determining compensation levels for our named executive
officers in fiscal 2007.
19
The following report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this
information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under the Securities Act of 1933
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee has reviewed the above section titled Compensation Discussion and
Analysis and discussed it with management. Based on its review and discussions, the Compensation
Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be
included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2007 and the Companys 2008 proxy
statement filed pursuant to Schedule 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Martin Hanaka, Chairman
Noel Wilens
Glenda Chamberlain
20
The following Summary Compensation Table summarizes the total compensation paid to or earned
by our named executive officers.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Award(s) ($) |
|
Awards ($) |
|
Compensation $ |
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Bonus ($) |
|
(1) |
|
(2) |
|
(3) |
|
Total $ |
James D. Thompson
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
403,580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
214,200 |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
|
|
620,030 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
325,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
738,956 |
|
|
|
55,470 |
|
|
|
6,357 |
|
|
|
1,125,783 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia Bunte
Senior Vice President Chief Financial |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
207,239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,200 |
|
|
|
6,217 |
|
|
|
274,656 |
|
Officer and Treasurer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
205,039 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,988 |
|
|
|
12,481 |
|
|
|
6,600 |
|
|
|
286,108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gillian M. Felix (4)
Senior Vice President, Human Resources |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
170,890 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
151,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
322,289 |
|
and Guest Experience |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Pritchett
Senior Vice President Retail |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
207,239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
268,439 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
179,135 |
|
|
|
61,470 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,306 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
268,911 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frederick Quandt
Senior Vice President Merchandising |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
207,239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,200 |
|
|
|
5,421 |
|
|
|
273,860 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
205,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,131 |
|
|
|
12,481 |
|
|
|
5,288 |
|
|
|
283,343 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents grants of restricted stock units that became fully vested upon the
completion of our initial public offering in June 2006. The restricted stock units were
valued as of June 15, 2006 at $11.50 per unit. Amounts shown do not reflect compensation
actually received by the named executive officer, but represent the calculated compensation cost recognized by us in fiscal 2006 as determined pursuant to SFAS
123R. The assumptions underlying the calculation under SFAS 123R are discussed under Note
13, Stockholders Equity and Stock-based Compensation, in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 29, 2007. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the named executive
officer, but represent the calculated compensation cost recognized by us in fiscal 2006 as
determined pursuant to SFAS 123R. The assumptions underlying the calculation under SFAS
123R are discussed under Note 13, Stockholders Equity and Stock-based Compensation, in
our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents matching contributions made by us under our Retirement Savings Plan, and
in the case of Mr. Thomson, the value of personal benefits that are less than the minimum
amount required to be reported. |
|
(4) |
|
Ms. Felix became our Senior Vice President Human Resources and Guest Experience
in October 2007. Previously, Ms. Felix was our Vice President Human Resources. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Pritchett became our Senior Vice President Retail in March 2006. Upon his acceptance of
his position at Golfsmith, Mr. Pritchett received a signing bonus. |
21
Equity Compensation Arrangements
2002 Incentive Stock Plan
In 2002, we adopted our 2002 Incentive Stock Plan (the 2002 Plan). Under the 2002 Plan,
certain employees, members of our Board of Directors and third-party consultants may be granted
options to purchase shares of our common stock, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock
grants. Options are exercisable and vest in accordance with each option agreement. As of December
29, 2007, we had outstanding options to purchase 634,634 shares of our common stock under this
plan. Following the adoption of our 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan,
we have not, and do not intend
to grant any more options under our 2002 Plan, although options previously granted under the 2002
Plan will remain outstanding and subject to its terms.
Options, stock grants and stock appreciation rights granted under the 2002 Plan will
accelerate and become fully vested in the event we are acquired or merge with another company. In
addition, our Board of Directors may, upon a change in control, cancel the options, stock grants or
stock appreciation rights, but only after providing the optionees or grantees with a reasonable
period to exercise his or her options or stock appreciation rights or take appropriate action to
receive stock subject to any stock grants. Under the 2002 Plan, our Board of Directors will not be
permitted, without the adversely affected optionees or grantees prior written consent, to amend,
modify or terminate our stock plan if the amendment, modification or termination would impair the
rights of optionees or grantees. The plan will terminate in 2012 unless terminated earlier by our
board of directors.
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
The Board of Directors adopted the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2006 Plan)
effective June 16, 2006. Under the 2006 Plan we may issue or grant up to 1,800,000 options to
purchase shares of our common stock, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock grants or
performance units to employees, members of our Board of Directors and third-party consultants. The
exercise price of options grated is equal the common stock share price on the date granted. As of
December 29, 2007, we had outstanding options to purchase 624,437 shares of our common stock under
the 2006 Plan.
The Compensation Committee may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents with respect to
shares of common stock subject to an award.
The Compensation Committee administers the 2006 Plan. The Board of Directors may, subject to
any legal limitations, exercise any powers or duties of the Compensation Committee concerning the
2006 Plan. The Compensation Committee will select eligible employees, directors and/or consultants
of us and our subsidiaries or affiliates to receive options or other awards under the 2006 Plan and
will determine the number of shares of common stock covered by those options or other awards, the
terms under which options or other awards may be exercised. The Compensation Committee is
authorized to interpret the 2006 Plan and awards and to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of
awards subject to the limitations of the 2006 Plan. Holders of options, SARs, unvested restricted
stock and other awards may not transfer those awards, unless they die or, except in the case of
incentive stock options, if the Compensation Committee determines otherwise.
If we undergo a change of control, the Compensation Committee may adjust outstanding awards by
substituting stock or other securities of any successor or another party to the change of control
transaction, or cash out outstanding options, SARs and other awards
generally based on the consideration received by our shareholders in the transaction.
Subject to particular limitations specified in the 2006 Plan, the Board of Directors may amend
or terminate the 2006 Plan, and the Compensation Committee may amend awards outstanding under the
2006 Plan. The 2006 Plan will continue in effect until all shares of the common stock available
under the 2006 Plan are delivered and all restrictions on those shares have lapsed, unless the 2006
Plan is terminated earlier by the Board of Directors.
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining Available for |
|
|
|
to Be Issued upon |
|
|
Weighted- Average |
|
|
Future Issuance Under |
|
|
|
Exercise of |
|
|
Exercise Price of |
|
|
Equity Compensation |
|
|
|
Outstanding Options |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Plans Excluding Securities |
|
|
|
and Rights |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Reflected in Column (a) |
|
Plan Category |
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) |
|
|
1,300,260 |
(2) |
|
$ |
7.59 |
(3) |
|
|
1,286,999 |
(4) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,300,260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,286,999 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of our 2002 and 2006 Stock Incentive Plans |
|
(2) |
|
Includes 41,189 number of shares of DSUs granted to our Board members that vest upon
termination of their membership. |
|
(3) |
|
Calculated without taking into account 41,189 shares of common stock subject to oustanding
DSUs that will become issuable as those units vest without any cash consideration for such
shares. |
|
(4) |
|
Consists of shares available for future issuance under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. |
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table summarizes the awards made to our named
executive officers during fiscal 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards: |
|
Exercise or |
|
Fair Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Base Price |
|
of Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
of Option |
|
and Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
Name |
|
Grant Date (1) |
|
Options (#) |
|
($/Sh) |
|
(2) |
James D. Thompson (3) |
|
|
8/20/07 |
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
214,200 |
|
|
Virginia E. Bunte |
|
|
8/20/07 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
61,200 |
|
|
Gillian R. Felix |
|
|
8/20/07 |
|
|
|
49,477 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
151,400 |
|
|
David M. Pritchett (3) |
|
|
8/20/07 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
61,200 |
|
|
Frederick Quandt |
|
|
8/20/07 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
61,200 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents grant made under the 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan. |
|
(2) |
|
A discussion of the assumptions used in calculating these values may be found in
Note 13 to our 2007 audited financial statements of our Form 10-K filed March 6, 2008. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Thompson and Mr. Pritchett are no longer with the Company. |
23
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table contains information concerning equity awards as of December 29, 2007 for
each named executive. These options were granted under the 2002 Stock Incentive Plan or the 2006
Incentive Compensation Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|
Grant |
|
Options (#) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
James D. Thompson |
|
|
6/16/2003 |
|
|
|
140,362 |
|
|
|
35,091 |
(1) |
|
|
6.84 |
|
|
|
6/15/13 |
|
|
|
|
8/20/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
(2) |
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
8/19/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia E. Bunte |
|
|
6/16/2003 |
|
|
|
31,581 |
|
|
|
7,896 |
(1) |
|
|
6.84 |
|
|
|
6/15/13 |
|
|
|
|
8/20/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
(2) |
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
8/19/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gillian R. Felix |
|
|
8/20/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,477 |
(2) |
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
8/19/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Pritchett |
|
|
6/15/2006 |
|
|
|
7,895 |
|
|
|
31,582 |
(2) |
|
|
11.50 |
|
|
|
6/15/16 |
|
|
|
|
8/20/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
(2) |
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
8/19/17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frederick Quandt |
|
|
6/16/2003 |
|
|
|
31,581 |
|
|
|
7,896 |
(1) |
|
|
6.84 |
|
|
|
6/15/13 |
|
|
|
|
8/20/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
(2) |
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
8/19/17 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
When granted, the stock option was subject to a seven-year vesting period based on the
Companys attainment of financial goals, with complete vesting upon the seventh anniversary of the
grant date. In June 2006, the vesting provisions of the stock options under the 2002 Incentive
Stock Plan were modified to accelerate vesting of the underlying stock options, upon the completion
of the initial public offering, such that the options vested and became exercisable in a series of
installments, with 20% on the first anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining portion in
equal annual installments over the remaining four years on the anniversary of the initial public
offering, or June 15. As a result, these options were vested at 60% at June 15, 2006 based on the
original grant date of June 16, 2003. |
|
(2) |
|
The stock option vests and becomes exercisable in a series of installments, with 20% on the
first anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining portion in equal annual installments over
the remaining four years. |
Employment Agreements
The
Employment Agreement with our former Chief Executive Officer,
Mr. Thompson, terminated upon his
resignation in January 2008 and we have no further liability thereunder.
Virginia Bunte
Under Ms. Buntes amended and restated employment agreement entered into in May 2006,
Ms. Bunte agreed to serve as our Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer with
the powers normally and customarily associated with such positions in a company of similar size and
operating in a similar industry. The initial term of Ms. Buntes employment agreement is one year
from June 2006, with automatic successive
24
one-year extensions unless terminated by either party. Ms. Buntes base salary was $207,000
for fiscal 2006, including a possible annual bonus based upon attainment of financial targets for
that fiscal year. Ms. Bunte reports to our Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors will
have the right to terminate Ms. Buntes employment at any time with or without cause. If Ms. Bunte
is terminated without cause, or she resigns for good reason, as those terms are defined in the
employment agreement, she will be entitled to receive her earned but unpaid base salary and earned
but unpaid bonus for any completed year, plus 200% of her current total annual base salary, the
earned pro rata bonus for the year of termination, and payment by us of her and her dependents
healthcare continuation coverage premiums for two years following her termination, or, if earlier,
until she is eligible for coverage under another substantially equivalent plan, and her options
under the 2002 Incentive Stock Plan will continue to vest following termination. This obligation
will remain in effect even if Ms. Bunte accepts other employment. Ms. Bunte will have the right to
terminate her employment with us at any time with or without good reason. Should Ms. Buntes
employment be terminated for cause, or if she resigns without good reason, she will have the right
to receive her earned but unpaid salary up to the date of termination and earned but unpaid bonus
for any completed year. The board of directors will also have the right to terminate Ms. Buntes
employment on or after the date she has a disability, as such term is defined in the employment
agreement. While employed by us and thereafter until the end of the restricted period, as such term
is defined in the employment agreement, Ms. Bunte may not be employed by or operate a competing
business, as such term is defined in the employment agreement, and Ms. Bunte may not solicit
certain of our officers, employees and independent contractors, within the meaning of the
employment agreement.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Board of Directors has adopted the Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (the Director
Compensation Plan) under which it compensates directors that are not employees of the Company or
First Atlantic Capital, Ltd. Directors who are employees of either the Company or First Atlantic
Capital, Ltd. may be reimbursed for their expenses, but are not otherwise compensated for service
as a director.
The Director Compensation Plan provides for Martin Hanaka, the Chairman of the Board, to
receive an annual retainer in the amount of $135,000 for services and attendance at meetings of the
Board of Directors and an annual grant of deferred stock units (DSUs) in the amount of $100,000
to be issued following the Companys Annual Meeting each year. Mr. Hanaka became Chariman of the
Board in April 2007. Upon Mr. Hanakas appointment as interim Chief Executive Officer in January
2008, the Board of Directors also approved an additional payment of $70,000 on account of the
services performed by Mr. Hanaka in 2007, and a grant of 100,000 deferred share units for his
services as interim Chief Executive Officer. Upon termination of Mr. Hanakas role as Chairman of
the Companys Board of Directors, Mr. Hanaka will receive cash compensation of $135,000 and a grant
of DSUs in the amount of $100,000. Mr. Hanaka will continue to receive an annual grant of DSUs in
the amount of $100,000 to be issued following the Companys annual meeting for his continued
service as a director of the Company.
25
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned |
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
or Paid |
|
Awards ($) |
|
|
Name |
|
in Cash ($) (1) |
|
(2) |
|
Total |
Martin Hanaka |
|
|
114,250 |
|
|
|
116,546 |
|
|
|
230,796 |
|
|
Thomas Hardy |
|
|
45,258 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
85,258 |
|
|
Marvin E. Lesser |
|
|
62,258 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
102,258 |
|
|
Glenda Chamberlain |
|
|
47,758 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
87,758 |
|
|
Lawrence Mondry |
|
|
30,750 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
55,750 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents annual retainer and board meeting attendance fees paid pursuant
to the Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan in 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents deferred stock units granted in 2006 under the Non-Employee Director
Compensation Plan. Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the
directors, but represent the calculated fair value of the DSUs in fiscal 2007 as determined
pursuant to SFAS 123R. The assumptions underlying the calculation under SFAS 123R are
discussed under Note 13, Stockholders Equity and Stock-based Compensation in our Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007. |
Additionally, the Director Compensation Plan provides a $36,000 annual retainer for each
non-employee director, as well as an annual retainer of $15,000 for the chair of the Audit
Committee, and $5,000 annual retainers for the non-employee chairs of other standing committees.
Directors are paid a fee of $1,500 for each board meeting and $1,000 for each committee meeting
that they attend or equivalent time for director related special services performed outside of
board or committee meetings as approved by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and are
reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses. The plan also authorizes an annual grant of DSUs in the
amount of $40,000 to be issued to directors following the Companys Annual Meeting each year.
26
SECURITY OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND OWNERS OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT OF OUR COMMON STOCK
The
following table sets forth, as of March 10, 2008, the beneficial ownership of the
Companys common stock by each of the named executive officers and directors named in this Proxy
Statement, and all of our directors and officers as a group, and all other beneficial owners of
more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. Each beneficial owner has sole voting and investment
power of the shares, except as noted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
Vested Common |
|
Total Common |
|
Percent of |
Name (1) |
|
Owned |
|
Share Rights |
|
Share Rights |
|
Class Owned |
Directors and Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Berglund (2) |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Roberto Buaron (2) |
|
|
9,463,558 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,463,558 |
|
|
|
57.8 |
% |
Virginia Bunte |
|
|
6,510 |
|
|
|
31,581 |
|
|
|
38,091 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Glenda Chamberlain |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,902 |
(8) |
|
|
7,902 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Matthew Corey |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
23,686 |
|
|
|
28,686 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gillian Felix |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
James Grover (2) |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Martin Hanaka |
|
|
51,032 |
|
|
|
116,128 |
(8) |
|
|
167,160 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
Thomas G. Hardy |
|
|
42,382 |
|
|
|
8,579 |
(8) |
|
|
50,961 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Marvin E. Lesser |
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
8,579 |
(8) |
|
|
12,079 |
|
|
|
* |
|
James Long (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Frederick Quandt |
|
|
3,931 |
|
|
|
31,581 |
|
|
|
35,512 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Noel Wilens (2) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All Directors and Officers as a group (20 persons) |
|
|
9,587,658 |
|
|
|
252,539 |
|
|
|
9,840,197 |
|
|
|
60.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% Holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carl Paul |
|
|
1,523,140 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,523,140 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
% |
Franklin Paul |
|
|
1,523,140 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,523,140 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
% |
Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. (2) |
|
|
9,457,558 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,457,558 |
|
|
|
57.8 |
% |
Wellington Management Company, LLP (3) |
|
|
1,675,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,675,600 |
|
|
|
10.2 |
% |
BlackRock, Inc. (4) |
|
|
1,812,945 |
|
|
|
, |
|
|
|
1,812,945 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Represents less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, the address for the beneficial owners named above
is 11000 North I H 35, Austin, TX 78753. |
|
(2) |
|
The address for these beneficial owners is c/o First Atlantic Capital, Ltd., 135 East 57th
Street, New York, NY 10022. |
|
(3) |
|
The address for these beneficial owners is 75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109. |
|
(4) |
|
The address for these beneficial owners is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. |
|
(5) |
|
Consists of 7,934,418 shares owned by Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. Mr. Buaron is the sole
member of Buaron Capital Corporation III, LLC. Buaron Capital Corporation III, LLC is the managing
member of Atlantic Equity Associates III, LLC. Atlantic Equity Associates III, LLC is the sole
general partner of Atlantic Equity Associates III, L.P., which is the sole general partner of
Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. and, as such, exercises voting and investment power over shares
of capital stock owned by Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P., including shares of our common stock.
Mr. Buaron, as the sole member of Buaron Capital Corporation III, LLC has voting and investment
power over, and may be deemed to beneficially own, the shares of our common stock owned by Atlantic
Equity Partners III, L.P. Includes 1,523,140 shares owned by Carl and Franklin Paul which Atlantic
Equity Partners III, L.P. that may be deemed to beneficially own by virtue of the stockholders
agreement described in footnote (7). Mr. Buaron disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned
by Carl and Franklin Paul and, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, the shares
held by Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. This number also includes 6,000 shares of Common Stock
that Mr. Buaron directly holds. |
|
(6) |
|
Consists of 992,206 shares owned by Carl Paul and 530,934 shares owned by Franklin Paul. Does
not include 7,934,413 shares owned by Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. that are subject to the
stockholders agreement described in footnote 3. |
|
(7) |
|
Consists of 7,934,418 shares owned by Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. Includes 1,523,140
shares owned by Carl and Franklin Paul that are subject to a stockholders agreement pursuant to
which Carl and Franklin Paul have agreed to vote such shares in favor of nominees to our board of
directors proposed by Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. As a result of this arrangement, Atlantic
Equity Partners III, L.P. may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares held by Carl and
Franklin Paul. Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
As described in footnote 5 above, Roberto Buaron, one of our directors, has voting and investment
power over the shares of our common stock of owned by Atlantic Equity Partners III, L.P. |
|
(8) |
|
Represents Deferred Stock Units granted under the Director Compensation Plan that are fully
vested, but are exercisable only upon completion of Board service. |
27
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
It is our policy not to participate in material related-party transactions with officers,
directors, controlling persons and other insiders. Pursuant to the Companys Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees and Code of Ethics for Senior
Executive and Financial Officers adopted on June 12, 2006 (each, the Code), directors,
officers and employees must report, in person or in writing, any known or suspected violations of
laws, governmental regulations or the Code, to Human Resources, the General Counsel or any member
of the Audit Committee. Additionally, directors, officers, and employees may contact Human
Resources or the General Counsel with a question or concern about the Code or a business practice.
Upon receipt of a complaint under the Code, we will investigate the complaint and will involve
agencies and resources outside of the company if and/or when such outside involvement appears
advisable or necessary.
If it is determined that a director, officer or employee of the company has violated the Code,
we will take appropriate action including, but not limited to, disciplinary action, up to and
including termination of employment. Such action shall be reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing
and to promote accountability for adherence to the Code. In determining what action is appropriate
in a particular case, the Board of Directors or such designee shall take into account all relevant
information, including the nature and severity of the violation, whether the violation was
intentional or inadvertent, the extent of the likely damage to the company and its stockholders
resulting from the violation and whether the individual has committed previous violations of this
Code or other corporate policy concerning ethical behavior. The Board of Directors shall provide a
written notice to the individual involved in the violation stating that the Board of Directors or
such designee has determined that there has been a violation and indicating the action to be taken
by the Board of Directors against the individual.
Management Consulting Agreement
In connection with our acquisition by Atlantic Equity Partners in October 2002, we entered
into a management consulting agreement with First Atlantic Capital, pursuant to which First
Atlantic Capital agreed to advise us on management matters. We terminated the management consulting
agreement upon the closing of our initial public offering in June 2006, but retained an obligation
to reimburse First Atlantic Capital for expenses incurred in connection with meetings between
representatives of First Atlantic Capital and us in connection with First Atlantic Capitals
investment in us for so long as First Atlantic Capital holds at least 20% of our outstanding shares
of common stock, but will not otherwise pay any fees under the Agreement. We did not reimburse
First Atlantic Capital for any expenses incurred in 2007.
Management Rights Agreement
We have entered into a management rights agreement with Atlantic Equity Partners effective
June 2006.
In the event that we are not, or we cease to be, a controlled company because Atlantic
Equity Partners does not beneficially own, on its own or as part of a group, more than 50% of our
outstanding common stock, and we are required by Nasdaq regulations to have a majority of
independent directors on our Board of Directors, to the extent necessary, the Board of Directors
will simultaneously be reduced or increased, as the case may be, in size to nine directors. This
reduction or increase would be effective immediately following the first annual or special meeting
of our stockholders at which directors are to be elected (a Director Election) or effective
immediately upon board action by written consent. The Board of Directors shall remain at this size
until the first Director Election after the date on which Atlantic Equity Partners holds less than
10% of our outstanding common stock.
28
For so long as Atlantic Equity Partners continues to hold more than 25% of our outstanding
common stock, it shall retain the right to designate three nominees for election to our Board of
Directors, subject to compliance with Nasdaq regulations. If Atlantic Equity Partners continues to
hold (1) less than 25% but at least 15% of our outstanding common stock, it will retain the right
to designate two director nominees, and (2) less than 15% but at least 10% of our outstanding
common stock, it will retain the right to designate one director nominee, and in each case,
Atlantic Equity Partners will cause such number of directors nominated by Atlantic Equity Partners
to resign as would be necessary to make the number of remaining directors correspond with Atlantic
Equity Partners designation rights unless our Board of Directors decides that any such directors
should continue to serve on our Board of Directors. Once Atlantic Equity Partners holds less than
10% of our outstanding common stock, it shall have no right to designate directors. Pursuant to the
management rights agreement, for so long as Atlantic Equity Partners owns any shares of our common
stock, Atlantic Equity Partners shall have the right to nominate a non-voting observer to attend
board or committee meetings of us and our subsidiaries, subject to such observer signing a
confidentiality undertaking with us.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Atlantic Equity Partners will have the right to
include in any committee of our Board of Directors, or the Board of Directors or any committee of
the Board of Directors of any of our subsidiaries, a number of directors equal to or greater than
the proportion of directors nominated by Atlantic Equity Partners to our Board of Directors at that
time.
Indemnification Agreements and Liability Insurance
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive
officers and have purchased directors and officers liability insurance, appropriate for a public
company. The indemnification agreements and our amended certificate of incorporation and bylaws
require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
MISCELLANEOUS
Voting on Other Matters
Management is not aware of any other business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. The
Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws outline procedures, including minimum notice provisions, for
stockholder nomination of directors and submission of other stockholder business to be transacted
before the meeting. If any stockholder proposals or other business to be transacted properly come
before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the shares represented by proxies will be voted in
accordance with the judgment of the persons authorized to vote them.
Proposal of Stockholders for the 2009 Annual Meeting
Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the annual meeting in the year 2009 (the
2008 Annual Meeting) must deliver the proposal to the Secretary at 11000 N. IH-35, Austin, Texas
78753:
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|
|
not less than 120 calendar days before the date that the Companys
proxy statement is released to stockholders in connection with the
2008 Annual Meeting, if the proposal is submitted for inclusion in our
proxy materials for that meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
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|
not earlier than 120 calendar days and not later than the close of
business on the 90th calendar day prior to the first anniversary of
the 2008 Annual Meeting, if the proposal is submitted pursuant to the
Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws, in which case we are not
required to include the proposal in our proxy materials. |
29
The
Company is not required to include in its proxy statement any form of
proxy or stockholder
proposal that fails to meet the requirements for stockholders set forth in its Amended and Restated
Bylaws and/or established by the regulations of the SEC.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Companys
directors, executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of the Companys Common
Stock (Section 16 Persons) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership in the Companys
Common Stock with the SEC and Nasdaq. Based on the Companys records and other information the
Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements for the Section 16 Persons, except Mr.
Berglund, have been complied with during or with respect to the fiscal year ended December 29,
2007. An initial report under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was not timely
filed for Mr. Berglund when he became a director of the Company on May 10, 2007. Mr. Berglund held
no shares of the Companys Common Stock at that time.
* * *
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign, date and promptly
return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or follow the alternate
voting procedures described on the proxy.
30
c/o National City Bank
Shareholder Services
Operations
Locator 5352
P. O.
Box 94509
Cleveland, OH
44101-4509
V o t e b y T e l e p h o n e
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.
V o t e b y I n t e r n e t
Have your proxy card available when you
access the website www.cesvote.com and
follow the simple instructions presented
to record your vote.
V o t e b y M a i l
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 15253.
Vote by Telephone
Call Toll-Free using a
Touch-Tone phone:
1-888-693-8683
Vote by Internet
Access the website and
cast your vote:
www.cesvote.com
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
GOLFSMITH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
This Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.
for use at the Annual Meeting on May 6, 2008.
By signing this proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint Mr. Hanaka and Mr. Wood, and each
of them, with each having the full power to appoint his substitute, to represent and to vote all
the shares of Common Stock of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. you held in your account on
March 10, 2008, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc.,
and any adjournment or postponement of such meeting, in the manner specified on this proxy. In
their discretion, Mr. Hanaka and Mr. Wood are also authorized to vote upon such other matters as
may properly come before the meeting. Management presently is not aware of any such matters to be
presented for action.
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Dated:
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, 2008 |
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Signature |
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(Signature if held jointly) |
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Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on Proxy.
If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign.
Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title
and authority. Corporations should provide full name
of corporation and title of authorized officer
signing the proxy. |
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
If you do not vote by telephone or Internet, please sign and date this proxy card and return it
promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope to National City Bank, PO Box 535300, Pittsburgh, PA
15235, so your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. If you vote by telephone or Internet,
it is not necessary to return this proxy card.
ê Please fold and detach card at perforation before mailing.
ê
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GOLFSMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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PROXY |
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN WILL BE
VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR proposals 1 and 2.
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Nominees:
|
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(1) Martin Hanaka
|
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(2) Thomas Berglund
|
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(3) Roberto Buaron |
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(4) Glenda Chamberlain
|
|
(5) James Grover
|
|
(6) Thomas G. Hardy |
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(7) Marvin E. Lesser
|
|
(8) James Long
|
|
(9) Noel Wilens |
|
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q
|
|
FOR all nominees listed
|
|
q
|
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |
|
|
(except as marked to the contrary below)
|
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|
to vote for all nominees listed above. |
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominees name on the space provided below.)
2. |
|
The ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending January 3, 2009. |
q FOR q AGAINST q ABSTAIN
3. |
|
To consider and transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof. |
Continued on the reverse side.