def14a
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant þ |
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨ |
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-11(c) or §240.14a-12 |
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INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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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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(2)
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(3)
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Per unit price or other underling value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined): |
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(4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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(5)
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing. |
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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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(3)
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Filing Party: |
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(4)
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Date Filed: |
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INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May 31, 2006
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of Inter-Tel, Incorporated (the
Company), an Arizona corporation, will
be held on May 31, 2006, at 8:00 a.m., local time, at
the Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel located at 1600 S. 52nd
Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281, for the following purposes:
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1. To elect directors to serve for the ensuing year and
until their successors are duly elected and qualified; |
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2. To approve the reincorporation of the Company into
Delaware; |
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3. To approve a special resolution authorizing the
Companys Board of Directors (sometimes referred to below
as the Board of Directors, the Board or
the Inter-Tel Board) to effect an amendment to the
Companys charter documents requiring the approval of a
majority of disinterested shareholders to effect certain
business combination transactions involving interested parties; |
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4. To consider and ratify the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm; and |
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5. To consider and ratify a proposal to adjourn the Annual
Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional votes in favor of
Proposals 1 through 4. |
We will transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Each of the foregoing items of business is more fully described
in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice and will be
discussed at the Annual Meeting with adequate time allotted for
shareholder questions.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on
March 22, 2006 (the Record Date)
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. A copy of
the Companys 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders, which
includes certified financial statements, will be mailed with
this Notice and Proxy Statement on or about May 15, 2006 to
all shareholders of record on the Record Date. YOUR VOTE IS
IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY OR HOW FEW SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE
SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE PROMPTLY. PROPERLY VOTING THE ENCLOSED PROXY
CARD AUTOMATICALLY REVOKES ANY PROXY PREVIOUSLY SIGNED OR
RETURNED BY YOU.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in
person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting,
you are urged to sign, date and return the Proxy Card as
promptly as possible in the postage-prepaid envelope provided.
Any shareholder attending the meeting may vote in person even if
he or she has previously returned a proxy. If you hold your
shares through a bank, broker or other custodian, you must
present a legal proxy from the record holder of your shares in
order to vote at the meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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KURT R. KNEIP, Secretary |
Phoenix, Arizona
May 10, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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i
INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED
1615 S. 52nd Street
Tempe, Arizona 85281
PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
General
This Proxy Statement is furnished by Inter-Tel, Incorporated
(Inter-Tel or the
Company), for use at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 31, 2006 at
8:00 a.m., local time or at any postponement or
continuation of the meeting, as applicable, or at any
adjournment thereof (as applicable, the Annual
Meeting), for the purposes set forth herein and in
the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The
Annual Meeting will be held at the Sheraton Phoenix Airport
Hotel located at 1600 S. 52nd Street, Tempe, Arizona
85281. These proxy solicitation materials were mailed on or
about May 15, 2006 to all shareholders entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting.
Record Date and Share Ownership
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the
Record Date, or March 22, 2006, are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date,
26,386,651 shares of the Companys Common Stock were
issued and outstanding.
Revocability of Proxies
The enclosed proxy is being solicited by the Board of Directors
of the Company. Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation
may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before its
use by delivering to the Company a written notice of revocation
or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the
meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.
Voting and Solicitation
Every shareholder voting at the Annual Meeting for the election
of directors may either (i) cumulate such
shareholders votes and give one nominee for director a
number of votes equal to (a) the number of directors to be
elected (eleven), multiplied by (b) the number of shares of
the Companys Common Stock held by such shareholder; or
(ii) distribute such shareholders votes on the same
principle among as many nominees for director as the shareholder
thinks fit, provided that votes cannot be cast for more than
eleven nominees. However, no shareholder will be entitled to
cumulate votes for any nominee unless such nominees name
has been placed in nomination in accordance with the
Companys bylaws prior to the voting and such shareholder,
or another shareholder, has given notice at the Annual Meeting
prior to the voting for directors of the intention of such
shareholder to cumulate such shareholders votes.
If you choose to cumulate your votes, you will need to submit a
proxy card or a ballot and make an explicit statement of your
intent to cumulate your votes, either by so indicating in
writing on the proxy card or by indicating in writing on your
ballot when voting at the annual meeting. If you hold shares
beneficially in street name and wish to cumulate votes, you
should contact your broker, trustee or nominee. If you sign your
proxy card or voting instruction card with no further
instructions, the proxy holders may cumulate and cast your votes
in favor of the election of some or all of the applicable
nominees in their sole discretion, except that none of your
votes will be cast for any nominee as to whom you instruct that
your votes be withheld.
Cumulative voting applies only to the election of directors. For
all other matters, each share of common stock outstanding as of
the close of business on the Record Date is entitled to one vote
and one vote may be cast for each share of the Companys
Common Stock held by a shareholder.
A quorum will be present if a majority of the votes entitled to
be cast are present in person or by valid proxy. Directors will
be elected by a plurality of votes cast; the eleven persons
receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected as the
directors of the Company.
Proposal Nos. 2 and 3 must be approved by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes
resulting from a brokers inability to vote a clients
shares on non-discretionary matters will have the same effect as
votes against the approval of Proposal Nos. 2, and 3.
Proposal Nos. 4 and 5 must be approved by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at the
Annual Meeting. Consequently, with respect to such proposals,
abstentions and Broker non-votes resulting from a
brokers inability to vote a clients shares on
non-discretionary matters will have no effect on the outcome of
the vote on such proposals.
If the enclosed Proxy Card is properly executed and returned to
the Company in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting, it will
be voted as specified on the proxy, unless it is properly
revoked prior thereto. If no instructions are indicated with
respect to certain proposals, the proxy will be voted with
respect to such proposals as follows: FOR the nominees listed in
Proposal 1, with such votes being cumulated at the sole
discretion of the proxy holders; and FOR Proposals 2,
3, 4, 5.
It is the intent of the Companys proxy holders to retain
discretionary authority to vote on matters presented to the
meeting for which the Company did not have adequate notice
pursuant to
Rule 14a-4(c)(1).
The cost of this proxy solicitation will be borne by the
Company, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing
of solicitation materials. We will provide copies of
solicitation materials to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries
and custodians holding shares of our Common Stock beneficially
owned by others to forward these materials to the beneficial
owners of our Common Stock. In addition, the Company may
reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing
beneficial owners of shares of the Companys Common Stock
for expenses incurred in forwarding solicitation material to
such beneficial owners. Although solicitation of proxies will
generally be made by mail, proxies also may be solicited by
certain of the Companys directors, officers and regular
employees, personally or by telephone or facsimile without
additional compensation. We previously retained Innisfree
M&A Incorporated as our proxy solicitor; however, in light
of recent events, we no longer require their proxy solicitation
services.
Deadline for Receipt of Shareholder Proposals
Proposals of shareholders of the Company that are intended to be
presented by such shareholders at the annual meeting of the
Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 must
be received by the Company no later than January 10, 2007,
in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to such meeting.
SEC rules also establish a different deadline for submission of
shareholder proposals that are not intended to be included in
the Companys proxy statement with respect to discretionary
voting. The discretionary vote deadline for the 2006 Annual
Meeting was April 8, 2006. If a shareholder gives notice of
such a proposal after the discretionary vote deadline, the
Companys proxy holders will be allowed to use their
discretionary voting authority to vote against the shareholder
proposal when and if the proposal is raised at the
Companys year 2007 Annual Meeting. Your Proxy when
properly executed will be voted as directed or, if no direction
is given, will be voted for each of proposals 1 through 5,
and in the discretion of the Companys proxy holders on
such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournments or postponements thereof. The discretionary
vote deadline for the 2007 Annual Meeting is April 1, 2007, 45
calendar days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of
this proxy statement.
Independent Auditors
The independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005 were Ernst & Young LLP. A
representative of Ernst & Young LLP will attend the
annual meeting for purposes of responding to appropriate
questions.
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Multiple Shareholders Sharing One Address
In some instances, we may deliver to multiple stockholders
sharing a common address only one copy of this proxy statement
and its attachments. If requested by phone or in writing, we
will promptly provide a separate copy of the proxy statement and
its attachments to a stockholder sharing an address with another
stockholder. Requests by phone should be directed to our
Corporate Secretary at (480) 449-8900, and requests in
writing should be sent to Inter-Tel, Incorporated, Attention:
Corporate Secretary, 1615 S. 52nd Street, Tempe,
Arizona 85281. Stockholders sharing an address who currently
receive multiple copies and wish to receive only a single copy
should contact their broker or send a signed, written request to
us at the address above.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal No. 1)
Settlement of Proxy Contest
On May 5, 2006, the Company and members of the Companys
Board of Directors entered into a settlement agreement (the
Settlement Agreement) with Mr. Steven G.
Mihaylo (Mr. Mihaylo) and Summit Growth
Management LLC, a wholly owned affiliate of Mr. Mihaylo
(Summit). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the
Company increased the size of the board to eleven members from
eight and has elected Mr. Mihaylo, Anil K. Puri
and Kenneth L. Urish (the Mihaylo Nominees) as
members of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Settlement
Agreement provides, among other things, that the Company will
nominate, and recommend the election of, the Mihaylo Nominees
for election to the Board of Directors at the 2006 Annual
Meeting. Mr. Mihaylo will withdraw his proposals and his
proxy solicitation for the 2006 Annual Meeting, and vote in
favor of the slate of 11 directors nominated by the Company,
which slate will include the Mihaylo Nominees, and the other
proposals presented by the Company. In accordance with the terms
of the Settlement Agreement, the Company will provide
Mr. Mihaylo and his advisors and financing sources with
access to confidential information regarding the Company,
subject to a non-disclosure agreement, in order to facilitate
his ability to make an all cash acquisition proposal should he
choose to do so. The Company will review and make a
determination with regards to any acquisition proposal submitted
by Mr. Mihaylo in a timely manner. Prior to
December 31, 2006, subject to earlier termination under
certain circumstances, Mr. Mihaylo may not make an offer to
acquire the Company other than pursuant to an all cash proposal
to acquire all the shares of common stock (other than those held
by Mr. Mihaylo) which offer he has notified the Company
about at least five (5) business days in advance. If the
Board of Directors determines that the initial acquisition
proposal, if any, submitted by Mr. Mihaylo prior to
June 15, 2006, is not in the best interests of
shareholders, then, upon the request of Mr. Mihaylo made
within the following two weeks, the Company will promptly call a
special meeting of shareholders to consider any proposals
submitted by Mr. Mihaylo to the Company in his request. In
these regards, while the Company may not contest the calling of
the special meeting as to a proposal urging the Board to arrange
for the prompt sale of the Company to the highest bidder, the
Company may contest the calling of the meeting for other
purposes and the submission of any other proposal and the
Company may oppose any proposal set forth in
Mr. Mihaylos request. Subject to certain limitations
discussed in the Settlement Agreement, the Company has agreed
not to adopt a bylaw or amend its articles or certificate of
incorporation to prevent Mr. Mihaylo from calling any such
special meeting. Nothing in the Settlement Agreement prevents
Inter-Tel from having discussions, or entering into a definitive
acquisition agreement, with third parties. The Settlement
Agreement, a related Non-Disclosure Agreement and a press
release announcing the settlement were filed by the Company with
the Securities & Exchange Commission on Schedule 14A on
May 5, 2006.
Nominees.
Eleven (11) directors are to be elected at the Annual
Meeting. All eleven nominees named below are currently directors
of the Company. In the event that any nominee of the Company
becomes unavailable for any reason or if a vacancy should occur
before election (which events are not currently anticipated
by the Company), the shares represented by the enclosed proxy
may be voted for such other person as may be determined by the
holders of such proxy. In the event that additional persons are
nominated for election as directors, the proxy holders intend to
vote all proxies received by them cumulatively, in their
discretion, in such a manner as to ensure the election of as
many of the nominees listed below as possible. In such event,
the specific nominees to be voted for will be determined by the
proxy holders in their discretion. The term of office of each
person elected as a director will continue until the next annual
meeting and until his successor has been duly elected and
qualified.
4
The names of the nominees and certain biographical information
relating to the nominees are set forth below.
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Name of Nominee |
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Current Position |
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Director Since |
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Norman Stout
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Director and Chief Executive Officer |
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2006 |
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Alexander Cappello
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50 |
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Chairman of the Board |
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2005 |
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J. Robert Anderson
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Director |
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1997 |
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Jerry W. Chapman
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Director |
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1999 |
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Gary D. Edens
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Director |
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Steven E. Karol
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Director |
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2006 |
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Robert Rodin
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Director |
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2006 |
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Agnieszka Winkler
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Director |
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2005 |
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Steven G. Mihaylo
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Director |
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2006 |
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Dr. Anil K. Puri
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Director |
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2006 |
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Kenneth L. Urish
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Director |
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2006 |
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(1) |
Mr. Mihaylo had served as a director of Inter-Tel from July
1969 to October 1982 and from September 1983 to March 6,
2006 when he voluntarily resigned. Pursuant to the terms of the
Settlement Agreement Mr. Mihaylo was appointed to the Board
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MR. STOUT was appointed Chief Executive Officer and
a member of Inter-Tels Board of Directors on
February 22, 2006. He began his tenure at Inter-Tel in 1994
as a director. Four years later, he resigned from the board and
joined Inter-Tel as executive vice president, chief
administrative officer and president of Inter-Tel Software and
Services. Prior to joining Inter-Tel, Mr. Stout was Chief
Operating Officer of Oldcastle Architectural Products and since
1996, Mr. Stout also had served as President of Oldcastle
Architectural West. Mr. Stout held previous positions as
President of Superlite Block; Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Executive Officer (successively) of Boorhem-Fields, Inc. of
Dallas, Texas; and as a Certified Public Accountant with
Coopers & Lybrand. He currently serves on the board of
directors of Hypercom Corporation, a public company
headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Stout holds a
Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from
Texas A&M and an MBA from the University of Texas.
MR. CAPPELLO was elected as one of our directors in
the April, 2005 annual meeting of shareholders, and to Chairman
at the July, 2005 Board meeting. Since March 1996,
Mr. Cappello has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Cappello Group, Inc., a global boutique merchant
bank, which includes Cappello Capital Corp. (member SIPC-NASD).
He has over thirty years experience in corporate
management & finance, investment banking, merchant
banking both in the U.S. and overseas. He is currently or has
been a member of the board of directors of several companies and
institutions including: University of Southern California
(USC) Board of Trustees/ President-Elect of the Board of
Governors & Alumni Association, RAND Corporation-Center
for Middle East Public Policy, Genius Products, Inc.
(NASDAQ:GNPI), CytRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTR), and
Swiss American Financial & Euro American
Financial (Chairman). Mr. Cappello is a member
of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), where he has
served as Chairman of the International Board from 2003-2005. He
received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Marshall School
of Business at USC in 1977 with honors. He has been a guest
lecturer at the USC, UCLA, and Harvard Business Schools and is a
contributing author of The New Investor Relations,
being published by Bloomberg PRESS.
MR. ANDERSON has served as one of our directors
since February 1997 and currently serves as the Chairman of our
Compensation Committee. Mr. Anderson held various positions
at Ford Motor Company from 1963 to 1983, serving as President of
the Ford Motor Land Development Corporation from 1978 to 1983.
He served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
as a member of the board of directors of The
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Firestone Tire and Rubber Company from 1983 to 1989, and as Vice
Chairman of Bridgestone/ Firestone, Inc. from 1989 through 1991.
He most recently served as Vice Chairman, Chief Financial
Officer and as a member of the board of directors of the Grumman
Corporation from 1991 to 1994. He currently serves on the boards
of GenCorp, Inc. and B-G Corp. Mr. Anderson is currently
semi-retired, and he is an active leader in various business,
civic and philanthropic organizations.
MR. CHAPMAN was elected as one of our directors in
December 1999 and previously served as one of our directors from
1989 to 1992. He currently serves as the Chairman of our Audit
Committee. As a Certified Public Accountant, he served with a
local accounting firm from 1963 through 1969, at which time he
joined Ernst & Ernst, a predecessor entity of
Ernst & Young LLP. He became a partner of
Ernst & Young in 1977 and, until retiring from the firm
in 1989, served as engagement partner on a wide variety of
audit, assurance and consulting engagements. Additionally, he
managed Ernst & Youngs practices in Arizona as
well as various offices in the adjoining southwest states from
1980 through 1989. He then operated his own consulting firm
through 1992 and joined Arthur Andersen in 1993 as a partner
specializing in providing business consulting services. He
retired from Arthur Andersen in 1999. Mr. Chapman currently
serves on the board of directors of CoBiz Inc., a public company
headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, he provides
services for a small number of clients requiring strategic and
market-driven services.
MR. EDENS has served as one of our directors since
October 1994 and currently serves as the Chairman of our
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. He was an
executive with Southern Broadcasting Company 1968-1982,
Harte-Hanks Radio, Inc,
chief executive officer, 1982-1984, and Edens Broadcasting,
Inc., chairman and chief executive officer 1984-1994.
Mr. Edens has served on a number of corporate boards, such
as Great Western Bank and Citibank (Arizona), as well as holding
leadership positions on the Radio Advertising Board, National
Radio Broadcasters Association and Young Presidents
Organization. In 1998 he was chairman of the annual
international financial seminar for Chief Executives
Organization and World Presidents Organization. Since
1994, he has been president of The Hanover Companies, Inc., a
private investment firm. He holds a B.S. Degree in Business
Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. In 2005 he participated in continuing education for
directors at Harvard Business School.
MR. KAROL was elected as one of our directors in
February 2006. Mr. Karol is founder, Managing Partner, and
Chairman of HMK Enterprises, Inc. and Watermill Group, which
consists of Watermill Ventures and Watermill Advisors. He has
been an investor, operator, and advisor for almost thirty years.
Through HMK and Watermill, he has owned and operated close to
50 companies and has built both into enterprises with over
$1 billion in revenue on several occasions. Mr. Karol
serves on several corporate boards including: Mooney Aircraft
Company (OTC:MNYG.OB) (Chairman), StockerYale (NASDAQ: STKR),
and J. Walter Company. He is also on several not-for-profit
boards, including the Tufts University Board of Overseers for
the School of Engineering (Chairman), the Vermont Academy Board
of Trustees (Chairman), and The Brain Tumor Society (Chairman of
Strategic Planning). He is a former International President of
the Young Presidents Organization where he held many
positions throughout his twenty-six year relationship with the
organization. He is a former trustee of the Boston Ballet and a
former overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Karol
received his Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University in
1976. He completed the Presidents Program of Leadership at
the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard
University in 1997.
MR. RODIN who was elected as one of our directors in
February 2006, is currently the Chairman and CEO of RDN Group;
strategic advisors focused on corporate transitions, customer
interface, sales and marketing, and supply chain management.
Previously, Mr. Rodin was Chairman and CEO of eConnections,
a provider of extended supply chain intelligence solutions,
which he founded in 1999. From 1991 to 1999, he served as the
CEO of Marshall Industries (NYSE:MI), a $1.8 billion
industrial electronics distributor and supply chain management
company. Marshall Industries was recognized as the
Worlds Number One Business to Business
Website, by Advertising Age Magazine and Information
Week Magazine highlighted Marshall Industries as the
Worlds Number One Company in the Use of
Technology, Additionally, CIO Magazine recognized
Mr. Rodin as one of the Top 100 Leaders for the New
Millennium. Following the sale of Marshall to Avnet
(NYSE:AVT) in 1999, Mr. Rodin served as president of global
supply chain
6
management and electronic commerce solutions and as a member of
the Avnet Global Managing Board. Mr. Rodin currently serves
as director of Napster (NASDAQ: NAPS), director and Vice
Chairman of CommerceNet and director of SM&A (NASDAQ: WINS).
Mr. Rodins best selling book, Free, Perfect and
Now: Connecting to the Three Insatiable Customer Demands,
chronicles the radical transformation of Marshall Industries.
The changes he led have been taught as case studies at Harvard
Business School, Columbia, USC, MIT, and Stanford University.
MS. WINKLER was elected as one of our directors in
the April 2005 annual meeting of shareholders. Ms. Winkler
was the founder, Chairman and CEO of two companies, Winkler
Advertising, founded in 1984, and TeamToolz, Inc., founded in
1999, both of which were acquired. She is currently founder and
Chairman of The Winkler Group, a management consultancy
specializing in marketing efficiency and effectiveness for
Fortune 1000 companies. She has served on the board of
directors of two NASDAQ companies, SuperCuts and RenoAir, and
currently serves on the board of directors of IP Locks, Inc. and
the Board of Trustees of Santa Clara University. In
addition, she has served on the boards of numerous professional
and civic institutions throughout her career and currently sits
on the boards of the Committee of 200 Foundation and the Western
Folklife Center. Winkler has a BA and an MA and received an MBA
from Santa Clara University in 1981. A frequent keynote
speaker on the subjects of marketing and branding at industry
meetings globally, she is also the author of Warp Speed
Branding: The Impact of Technology on Marketing, published by
Wiley in the US, China and Turkey.
STEVEN G. MIHAYLO, age 62, is a private investor.
Mr. Mihaylos business address is P.O. Box 19790,
Reno, Nevada 89509. He is the founder of Inter-Tel, and served
as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Inter-Tel from July
1969 to October 1982 and from September 1983 to July 2005. He
served as President of Inter-Tel from 1969 to 1983, from 1984 to
December 1994, and from May 1998 to February 2005. He served as
Inter-Tels Chief Executive Officer from the time of the
Companys formation in July 1969 to February 22, 2006.
Mr. Mihaylo received a bachelors degree in business
administration, with a concentration in Accounting and Finance,
from California State University, Fullerton. In 2004,
Mr. Mihaylo pledged $3 million to California State
University, Fullerton (since increased to $4.5 million),
payable over five years, the largest cash pledge in the history
of California State University, Fullerton, toward a new College
of Business and Economics building that will bear his name.
Mr. Mihaylo was initially approached by
Dr. Anil K. Puri, Dean of the College of Business and
Economics and one of the Mihaylo Nominees, about making a
donation to the College of Business and Economics. In 2005,
California State University, Fullerton, conferred an honorary
doctorate of humane letters upon Mr. Mihaylo in recognition
of excellence and extraordinary achievement in significant areas
of human endeavor. Mr. Mihaylo has been active in and
supported educational charitable endeavors during his career,
including Junior Achievement of Arizona, Big Bear Lake
California High School, the University of Arizona, Arizona State
University, Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, the University
of Nevada, Reno, The Arizona Science Center, Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation, The Goldwater Institute and The Desert
Botanical Gardens.
DR. ANIL K. PURI, age 57, has served as the Dean of
the College of Business and Economics at California State
University, Fullerton from 1998 to present. His business address
is 800 North State College Boulevard, California State
University, Fullerton, California 92834. California State
University, Fullerton is not a parent, subsidiary or other
affiliate of the Company. Dr. Puri received bachelors and
masters degrees in economics from Panjab University in India and
a masters degree and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of
Minnesota. Dr. Puri is a member of the American Economic
Association, the Western Economic Association, the National
Association of Business Economists and the Association of
University Bureaus of Economic Research. He is the author of
numerous journal articles in the field of economics, and makes
numerous presentations every year to business, community, and
professional organizations and at university events, and has
presented the California State University, Fullerton Annual
Economic Forecasts since 1993.
7
KENNETH L. URISH, age 55, is managing member of Urish
Popeck & Co., LLC, a certified public accounting firm with
multi-disciplinary practice units. Mr. Urishs
business address is Three Gateway Center, 24th Floor,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222. He has been a member of Urish
Popeck & Co., LLC from its inception in February 1976 to
present. Urish Popeck & Co., LLC is not a parent, subsidiary
or other affiliate of the Company. Mr. Urish has a
bachelors degree in accounting from The Pennsylvania State
University. He has served on the Board of Directors, and as a
member of the Audit Committee thereof, of Black Rock Liquidity
Funds from 1999 to present. Mr. Urish is the co-editor of
Financial Management and Analysis: Methodologies to Manage
and Improve Operating Performance, which was adapted as a
business development series. He is a member of the American,
Pennsylvania, and Florida Institutes of Certified Public
Accountants, President of the Board of Trustees of The
Pittsburgh Catholic, the official newspaper of the
Pittsburgh Diocese, a member of the National Association of
Certified Fraud Examiners, a member of the Board of Trustees of
Holy Family Foundation, a former Division Chair of the United
Way of Allegheny County, the former Chairman and former
President of DFK Accountancy Group, and a former member of the
Board of Directors of DFK International. Mr. Urish has
recently been named The Pennsylvania State University Alumnus of
the Year of the Department of Accounting for 2005.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
FOR EACH NOMINEE LISTED ABOVE.
8
TO APPROVE THE REINCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY IN DELAWARE
(Proposal No. 2)
The Board has approved a proposal to change the Companys
state of incorporation from Arizona to Delaware (the
Reincorporation). The Board believes
the Reincorporation to be in the best interests of the Company
and its shareholders for several reasons, as more fully
discussed below.
The Reincorporation will be effected by merging the Company into
a newly formed Delaware company (the Delaware
Company). Shareholders are urged to read this
section of the Proxy Statement carefully, including the related
annexes referenced below and attached to this Proxy Statement,
before voting on the Reincorporation. The following discussion
summarizes material provisions of the Reincorporation. This
summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the
Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reincorporation (the
Reincorporation Agreement) that will
be entered into by the Company and the Delaware Company in
substantially the form attached hereto as Annex A, the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Delaware Company (the
Delaware Certificate), in
substantially the form attached hereto as Annex B, as
altered to effect changes approved by the Companys
shareholders in Proposal No. 3, if applicable, and the
bylaws of the Delaware Company (the Delaware
Bylaws), in substantially the form attached hereto
as Annex C. Copies of the Articles of Incorporation of the
Company filed in Arizona, as amended to date (the
Arizona Articles), and the bylaws of
the Company, as amended to date (the Arizona
Bylaws), are available for inspection at the
principal office of the Company and copies will be sent to
shareholders free of charge upon written request.
Mechanics of the Reincorporation
The Reincorporation will be effected by the merger of the
Company with and into the Delaware Company, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company that will be incorporated under the
Delaware General Corporation Law (Delaware
Law) for purposes of the Reincorporation. The
Company will disappear as a result of the merger, and the
Delaware Company will be the surviving corporation and will
continue to operate the business of the Company. Assuming
approval by the shareholders of the Company (the
Shareholders), the Reincorporation
will become effective as soon as practicable.
At the effective time of the Reincorporation (the
Effective Time), the Company will be
governed by the Delaware Certificate, the Delaware Bylaws and
Delaware Law. Although the Delaware Certificate and the Delaware
Bylaws are patterned after the Arizona Articles and the Arizona
Bylaws, they nevertheless include provisions that do not exist
in the current Arizona Articles, Arizona Bylaws or under the
Arizona Business Corporation Act (Arizona
Law). See Certain Differences in Corporate
Governance and Other Differences Between the
Corporation Laws of Arizona and Delaware below. It is
important to note that, if Proposal No. 3 is adopted
and the additional provision described there is included to the
Delaware Certificate, the additional provision would be an
important difference between the current Arizona Articles and
the Delaware Certificate as filed. The description that follows
in this Proposal No. 2 refers to the documents and
laws governing the Company, without discussing the adoption of
or describing the terms of the additional provision described in
Proposal No. 3.
In the event the Reincorporation is approved, upon effectiveness
of the Reincorporation, (1) each outstanding share of
Company Common Stock will automatically be converted into one
share of Common Stock of the Delaware Company (the
Delaware Company Common Stock). In
addition, each outstanding option to purchase shares of Company
Common Stock will be converted into an option to purchase the
same number of shares of the Delaware Company Common Stock with
no other changes in the terms and conditions of such options.
The Companys other employee benefit arrangements will be
continued by the Delaware Company upon the terms and subject to
the conditions then in effect.
CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES IN THE COMPANY WILL AUTOMATICALLY
REPRESENT SHARES IN THE DELAWARE COMPANY UPON COMPLETION OF THE
MERGER, AND SHAREHOLDERS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO EXCHANGE STOCK
CERTIFICATES AS A RESULT OF THE REINCORPORATION.
9
The Reincorporation will not result in any change in the
business, location, management, assets, liabilities or net worth
of the Company, nor will it result in any change in location of
Company employees, including the Companys management. The
consolidated financial condition and results of operations of
the Delaware Company immediately after consummation of the
Reincorporation will be the same as those of the Company
immediately prior to the consummation of the Reincorporation.
The capitalization of the Company immediately after consummation
of the Reincorporation will be the same as immediately prior to
the consummation of the Reincorporation. In addition, upon the
effectiveness of the Merger, the Board of the Delaware Company
(the Delaware Company Board) will
consist of those persons elected to the current Board of the
Company and the individuals serving as executive officers of the
Company immediately prior to the Reincorporation will continue
as executive officers of the Delaware Company. Upon
effectiveness of the Reincorporation, the Delaware Company will
be the successor in interest to the Company and the Shareholders
will become stockholders of the Delaware Company (the
Stockholders).
The Reincorporation Agreement provides that the Board may
abandon the reincorporation at any time prior to the Effective
Time if the Board determines that the Reincorporation is
inadvisable for any reason. For example, Delaware Law or Arizona
Law may be changed to reduce the benefits that the Company hopes
to achieve through the Reincorporation, or the costs of
operating as a Delaware corporation may be increased, although
the Company does not know of any such changes that are
contemplated. The Reincorporation Agreement may be amended at
any time prior to the Effective Time, either before or after the
shareholders have voted to adopt the proposal subject to
applicable law. The Company will re-solicit the
shareholders approval of the Reincorporation if the terms
of the Reincorporation Agreement are changed in any material
respects.
Principal Reasons for the Reincorporation; Recommendation
Predictability, Flexibility and Responsiveness to Corporate
Needs. Delaware has adopted comprehensive and flexible
corporate laws which are revised regularly to meet changing
business circumstances. The Delaware Legislature is particularly
sensitive to issues regarding corporate law and is especially
responsive to developments in modern corporate law. In addition,
Delaware offers a system of specialized chancery courts to deal
with corporate law questions. These courts have developed
considerable expertise in dealing with corporate issues as well
as a substantial and influential body of case law construing
Delawares corporate law. In addition, the Delaware
Secretary of State is particularly flexible, expert and
responsive in its administration of the filings required for
mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions. Delaware
has become a preferred domicile for most major American
corporations and Delaware law and administrative practices have
become comparatively well-known and widely understood. As a
result of these factors, it is anticipated that Delaware law
will provide greater efficiency, predictability and flexibility
in the Companys legal affairs than is presently available
under Arizona law.
Directors and Officers. The Board believes that
reincorporation under Delaware law will enhance the
Companys ability to attract and retain qualified directors
and officers as well as encourage directors and officers to
continue to make independent decisions in good faith on behalf
of the Company. The law of Delaware offers greater certainty and
stability from the perspective of those who serve as corporate
officers and directors. The intense competition that has
characterized the communications products and services industry
has greatly expanded the challenges and risks facing the
directors and officers of companies within the communications
products and services industry. To date, the Company has not
experienced difficulty in retaining directors or officers.
However, as a result of the significant potential liability and
relatively small compensation associated with service as a
director, the Company believes that the better understood, and
comparatively stable corporate environment afforded by Delaware
will enable it to compete more effectively with other public
companies, most of which are incorporated in Delaware, in the
recruitment of talented and experienced directors and officers.
The parameters of director and officer liability are more
extensively addressed in Delaware court decisions and are
therefore better defined and better understood than under
Arizona law. The Board believes that reincorporation in Delaware
will enhance the Companys ability to recruit and retain
directors and officers in the future, while providing
appropriate protection for shareholders from possible abuses by
directors and
10
officers. In this regard, it should be noted that
directors personal liability is not, and cannot be,
eliminated under Delaware law for intentional misconduct, bad
faith conduct or any transaction from which the director derives
an improper personal benefit.
Takeover Response. The Company currently has in place a
limited number of measures designed to protect shareholder
interests in the event of a hostile takeover attempt against the
Company. The Company proposes to include similar measures in the
charter and bylaws of the Delaware Company. These measures
include a requirement that holders of a substantial percentage
of voting stock act together to call a special meeting of
shareholders, advance notice provisions for shareholder
proposals or director nominations at an annual meeting of
shareholders, and the requirement that actions by written
consent of shareholders be unanimous. Many of these measures
have not been as fully tested in the Arizona courts as in the
Delaware courts. As a result, Delaware law affords greater
certainty that these measures will be interpreted, sustained and
applied in accordance with the intentions of the Board. In
general, Delaware case law provides a well developed body of law
defining the proper duties and decision making process expected
of a Board in evaluating potential and proposed corporate
takeover offers and business combinations. The Board believes
that these measures and related Delaware law will help the Board
to protect the Companys corporate strategies, to consider
fully any proposed takeover and alternatives, and, if
appropriate, to negotiate terms that maximize the benefit to the
Companys shareholders.
Other reasons for the Boards recommendation of the
Reincorporation include the availability in Delaware of
statutory protection for Stockholders against potentially unfair
business combinations and a greater ability under Delaware Law
for a corporations Board to exercise influence over the
timing of stockholder action. These aspects of Delaware Law are
intended both to prevent any potential acquirors of control of
the Company from using coercive or abusive takeover-related
tactics and to encourage such acquirors to negotiate directly
with the Board. The Board believes that the overall effect of
the Reincorporation will be to enhance the Boards ability
to consider all appropriate courses of action for the benefit of
all Shareholders and to negotiate effectively on their behalf in
the context of a takeover attempt, thereby maximizing the
benefits of any takeover for all Stockholders.
The Company is not seeking through this Proposal No. 2
to change the current charter and bylaw provisions of the
Company and, except for those changes resulting from differences
between Arizona and Delaware law, this Proposal No. 2
does not seek to alter the rights of the Companys
shareholders or the rules by which the Company operates or by
which its affairs are governed. The Board recommends that
shareholders vote in favor of the Reincorporation.
As described in Proposal No. 3 in this proxy
statement, the Board also is recommending that the shareholders
approve changes to the Companys charter to impose a
requirement of a majority approval of disinterested shareholders
of any business combination involving the Company and an
interested shareholder. The approval of Proposal No. 3
is to be considered and approved separately from the
Reincorporation. You may vote in favor of the Reincorporation
whether or not you choose to vote in favor of Proposals
No. 3.
Possible Negative Considerations
Notwithstanding the belief of the Board as to the benefits to
the Shareholders of the Reincorporation, some Shareholders may
find the proposal disadvantageous to the extent it has the
effect of discouraging a future attempt to acquire control of
the Delaware Company that is not presented to and approved by
the Delaware Company Board, but that a substantial number and
perhaps even a majority of the Stockholders might believe to be
in their best interests or in which Stockholders might receive a
substantial premium for their shares over then current market
prices. As a result of such effects, Stockholders who might
desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an
opportunity to do so. In addition, unapproved tender offers and
takeover attempts may be made at times and in circumstances that
are beneficial to and in the interests of certain Stockholders.
Furthermore, a negotiated transaction is not necessarily more
advantageous to the Stockholders than a non-negotiated
transaction.
In addition, franchise taxes in Delaware will be greater than in
Arizona. See below for a comparison of
shareholders/stockholders rights and powers of
management and under Delaware and Arizona law. Also, the
11
corporate name Inter-Tel, Incorporated was not
available from the Delaware Secretary of State, necessitating
that the Company use Inter-Tel (Delaware),
Incorporated as its corporate name after the
reincorporation and file a dba in order to continue to use
Inter-Tel and Inter-Tel, Incorporated as trade
names.
The Board has considered the potential disadvantages of the
Reincorporation and has concluded that the potential benefits
outweigh the possible disadvantages.
Differences Between the Corporation Laws of Arizona and
Delaware
In general, the Companys corporate affairs are governed at
present by Arizona Law as well as the Arizona Articles and the
Arizona Bylaws, which have been adopted pursuant to Arizona law.
As noted above, if the Reincorporation is effected, the Company
will merge into, and its business will be continued by, the
Delaware Company. Following the merger, issues of corporate
governance and control would be controlled by Delaware, rather
than Arizona Law and by the Arizona Articles and Arizona Bylaws,
will, in effect, be replaced by the Delaware Certificate and the
Delaware Bylaws. Accordingly, the differences among these
documents and between Delaware and Arizona law are relevant to
your decision whether to approve the reincorporation proposal.
Provisions of Arizona Law and Delaware Law differ in certain
respects, and it is not practical to summarize all differences
here. A summary of the material differences that may affect the
rights and interests of Stockholders in the Delaware Company,
however, is set forth below.
Indemnification and Limitation of Liability. Arizona Law
provides that a corporation may indemnify a director or officer
of the corporation, or a person who was serving at the
corporations request as a director, officer, partner,
trustee, employee or agent of another enterprise or employee
benefit plan, provided that the person (a) acted in good
faith, (b) reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in
his official capacity with the corporation, that the conduct was
in the best interest of the corporation and, in all other cases,
that his conduct was at least not opposed to the
corporations best interests, and (c) in the case of
criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe the
conduct was unlawful. No indemnification of an officer or
director may be made in connection with a proceeding (i) by
or in the right of the corporation in which the person has been
adjudged to be liable to the corporation, or (ii) in
connection with any other proceeding in which the person was
adjudged liable on the basis that a financial benefit was
improperly received by such a person.
Under Arizona Law, to the extent that an officer or director has
been successful in the defense of the proceeding, he must be
indemnified by the corporation for reasonable expenses incurred
in connection with the proceeding. Unless otherwise limited by a
companys articles of incorporation or Arizona Law, an
outside director must be indemnified against liability, Expenses
must be paid in advance of the final disposition of a suit upon
receipt of the claimants written affirmation of good faith
belief that he has met the statutory standard of conduct and
undertaking to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined
that he did not meet the statutory standard of conduct. Special
rules apply to outside directors who are neither
officers, directors nor 5% stockholders. Unless a court has
determined before payment that an outside director failed to
meet the statutory standard of conduct, an outside director must
be indemnified against liability and his expenses must be paid
in advance of a final disposition upon receipt from such outside
director of a written affirmation of his good faith belief that
he has met the statutory standard of conduct and an undertaking
to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he did
not meet such standard.
Unless mandatory indemnification applies, indemnification may be
made under Arizona Law only upon determination that the person
has met the statutory standard of conduct. This determination is
made by (i) a majority vote of the directors not at the
time parties to the proceeding, (ii) special legal counsel
selected by majority vote of the disinterested directors, or, if
there are no disinterested directors, by majority vote of the
board, or (iii) by the shareholders, provided that shares
owned by or voted under the control of directors who are at the
time parties to the proceeding shall not be voted on the
determination. Arizona Law does not limit a corporations
power to further indemnify and advance expenses to employees,
agents or officers who are not acting as directors, provided
that in the case of such officers, indemnification may not be
provided for (x) liability in connection with a proceeding
by or in the right of the corporation other than for reasonable
expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding and
(y) liability arising out of conduct that constitutes
12
receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which the
officer is not entitled, an intentional infliction of harm on
the corporation or shareholders, or an intentional violation of
criminal law.
Delaware Law permits a corporation to include a provision in its
certificate of incorporation, which is included in the Delaware
Certificate, which eliminates or limits the personal liability
of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty. However, no such
provision may eliminate or limit director monetary liability
for: (a) breaches of the directors duty of loyalty to
the corporation or its stockholder; (b) acts or omissions
not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing
violations of law; (c) the payment of unlawful dividends or
unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or
(d) transactions in which the director received an improper
personal benefit. Under Delaware Law, a corporation has the
power to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agents
against judgments, settlements, and expenses in any litigation
or other proceeding, except a proceeding by, or in the right of,
the corporation, if the person acted in good faith and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to a
criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or
her conduct was unlawful. The indemnification provisions of
Delaware Law require indemnification of a present or former
director or officer to the extent that he has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any action or claim.
Delaware law also permits indemnification of expenses in a suit
by, or in the right of, the corporation if the person acted in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
subject to court approval if the person is adjudged liable. The
Delaware Certificate and the Delaware Bylaws generally require
the Delaware Company to indemnify and advance litigation
expenses to its directors and officers to the extent permitted
by Delaware Law.
Cumulative Voting for Directors. Cumulative voting
permits the holder of each share of stock entitled to vote in
the election of directors to cast that number of votes which
equal the number of directors to be elected. The holder may
allocate all votes represented by a share to a single candidate
or may allocate those votes among as many candidates as he
chooses. Thus, a shareholder with a significant minority
percentage of the outstanding shares may be able to elect one or
more directors if voting is cumulative.
Under Arizona Law cumulative voting in the election of directors
is mandatory. Cumulative voting generally is not available under
Delaware Law and is only available if so provided in the
corporations certificate of incorporation. In order to
establish for Stockholders of the Delaware Company a set of
rights approximating as closely as possible the rights of the
Companys Shareholders, the Delaware Certificate so
provides for cumulative voting.
Number of Directors. Arizona Law requires corporations to
have at least one director but allows the number of persons
constituting the Board of a corporation to be fixed by the
bylaws or the articles of incorporation, and permits the bylaws
to provide that the number of directors may vary within a
specified range, with the exact number to be determined by the
Board.
Delaware Law allows the number of persons constituting the Board
of a corporation to be fixed by the certificate of incorporation
or the bylaws, or fixed in the manner provided in the bylaws.
The Delaware Certificate and Bylaws provide that the number of
directors shall be determined from time to time exclusively by
resolution of the Board.
The Arizona Bylaws fix the number of directors at nine, or such
other number fixed by resolution of the Board. Presently, by
virtue of such resolutions, the number of directors is eleven.
The Delaware Bylaws fix the number of directors at eight, or
such other number fixed by resolution of the Board. Accordingly,
despite the technical difference in the Delaware Bylaws, there
will be no change in the number of directors if the Delaware
Bylaws are adopted pursuant to the approval of this proposal.
Classified Board. Arizona Law and Delaware Law permit,
but do not require, the adoption of a classified Board with
staggered terms. Neither the Arizona Articles or Bylaws, nor the
Delaware Certificate or Delaware Bylaws provide for a classified
Board.
Removal of Directors. Under Arizona Law, a director may
be removed with or without cause, unless the articles of
incorporation provide that they may be removed only for cause,
by the affirmative vote of a majority
13
of the outstanding shares. A director may not be removed,
however, if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director
by cumulative voting is voted against removal of the director.
The Arizona Articles do not provide that directors may be
removed only for cause.
Delaware Law provides that any director or the entire board may
be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority
of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors,
except as follows: (i) unless the certificate of
incorporation otherwise provides, in the case of a corporation
where the board is classified, stockholders may effect such
removal only for cause; or (ii) in the case of a
corporation having cumulative voting, if less than the entire
board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause
if the votes cast against such directors removal would be
sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at
an election of the entire Board if there are classes of
directors or at an election of the class of directors of which
such director is a part.
Neither the Arizona Articles nor the Delaware Certificate
provide that directors may be removed only for cause.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors. Under Arizona Law,
unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, if a
vacancy occurs on a board of directors, including a vacancy
resulting from an increase in the number of directors, either
(i) the shareholders may fill the vacancy, (ii) the
board of directors may fill the vacancy, or (iii) if the
directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of
the board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of
a majority of all of the directors remaining in office. If the
vacant position was held by a director elected by a voting group
of shareholders, only the holders of shares of that voting group
are entitled to vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the
shareholders. If at any time by reason of death or resignation
or other cause a corporation has no directors in office, any
officer or any shareholder may call a special meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of electing directors.
Under Delaware Law, unless otherwise provided in the certificate
of incorporation or bylaws, vacancies on the board of directors
and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in
the authorized number of directors may be filled by the vote of
a majority of directors then in office, even though less than a
quorum. Delaware Law also provides that where directors are
elected by classes or series of stock, vacancies are to be
filled by the remaining directors elected by the class or series
in whose directorships the vacancy occurs. The Delaware
Certificate and Bylaws provide that newly created directorships
resulting from any increase in the authorized number of
directors or any vacancies in the Delaware Company Board for any
other reason may be filled only by a majority vote of the
directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy
shall be elected to hold office until the next election of
directors, subject to the election and qualification of his or
her successor and to his or her earlier death, resignation or
removal.
Shareholder Power to Call Special Meeting. Under Delaware
Law, a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the
Board or by any other person(s) authorized to do so in the
certificate of incorporation or the bylaws. Under Arizona Law a
special meeting of shareholders may be called by the Board or
the person or persons authorized to do so by the articles of
incorporation or bylaws. Arizona Law further provides that
special meetings of the shareholders of issuing public
corporations may be called by (i) the president,
(ii) the secretary, (iii) two or more directors,
(iv) a person authorized in the articles of incorporation
or bylaws, or (v) a shareholder or shareholders holding ten
percent or more of the voting power of all shares, except that a
special meeting for the purpose of considering any action to
directly or indirectly facilitate or effect a business
combination, including any action to change or otherwise affect
the composition of the Board for that purpose, must be called by
twenty-five percent or more of the voting power of all shares.
Both the Delaware and the Arizona Bylaws authorize the parties
listed in (i) through (v) above to call special
meetings of shareholders. Both the Arizona Bylaws and Delaware
Bylaws provide that any request for a special meeting shall
state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting and, if
submitted by holder of less than twenty-five percent (25%) in
amount of the entire capital stock of the Corporation, shall be
accompanied by a declaration under penalty of perjury that the
meeting is not being held for the purpose of considering any
action to directly or indirectly facilitate a business
combination, including any action to change or otherwise
affect the composition of the Board for that purpose.
14
Actions by Written Consent of Shareholders. Under Arizona
Law and Delaware Law, shareholders may execute an action by
written consent in lieu of a shareholder meeting. Arizona law
provides that action by written consent is permitted so long as
all of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter
provide consent in writing. Delaware Law permits a corporation
to eliminate actions by written consent in its certificate of
incorporation.
Both the Arizona Bylaws and Delaware Bylaws provide that written
consent is permitted if signed by the holders of all of the
shares of outstanding stock entitled to vote with respect to the
subject matter of the action.
Advance Notice Requirement for Shareholder Proposals and
Director Nominations. There is no specific statutory
requirement under either Arizona Law or Delaware Law with regard
to advance notice of director nominations and shareholder
proposals. However, both the Arizona and the Delaware Bylaws
provide that, in order for a shareholder to propose business to
be conducted or to nominate directors for election at an annual
meeting of shareholders, such shareholder must provide notice to
the Company not less than ninety (90) days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting;
provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is
called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days
before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder
must be so received not later than the close of business on the
tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure made,
whichever occurs first. Both the Arizona Bylaws and the Delaware
Bylaws further provide that, in the year the advance provisions
come into effect, if they come into effect less than one hundred
(100) days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual meeting of shareholders, notice also would be
timely if received by the tenth (10th) day following the day on
which the advance notice provisions became effective.
These notice requirements help ensure that shareholders are
aware of all proposals to be voted on at the meeting and have
the opportunity to consider each proposal in advance of the
meeting.
In addition to the relevant bylaw provisions, federal securities
laws generally provide that shareholder proposals that the
proponent wishes to include in the Companys proxy
materials must be received not less than 120 days in
advance of the date of the proxy statement released in
connection with the previous years annual meeting.
Anti-takeover Measures. Delaware Law has been widely
viewed to permit a corporation greater flexibility in governing
its internal affairs and its relationships with stockholders and
other parties than do the laws of many other states. In
particular, Delaware Law permits a corporation to adopt a number
of measures designed to reduce a corporations
vulnerability to hostile takeover attempts. Among these measures
is the establishment of a stockholder rights plan. While certain
types of stockholder rights plans have been upheld by Delaware
courts, Arizona courts have yet to decide on the validity of
many of such defenses, thus rendering their effectiveness in
Arizona less certain. As discussed herein, differences between
Arizona and Delaware Law, effective without additional action by
the Delaware Company, could have a bearing on unapproved
takeover attempts.
As further discussed, some of the anti-takeover provisions of
Arizona Law may continue to apply to the Company so long as it
is deemed an issuing public corporation under
Arizona Law. An issuing public corporation is defined as a
public company which is either incorporated in Arizona or has
its principal place of business or principal executive office in
Arizona and owns or controls assets located within Arizona with
a fair market value of at least $1 million and has more
than 500 employees residing in Arizona.
Delaware Business Combination Law. Section 203 of
the Delaware Law (Section 203)
was adopted by Delawares legislature to encourage
potential acquirors to negotiate with a target companys
Board and, in the absence of successful (or any) negotiations,
to provide minority stockholders with protections against
certain takeover-related abuses.
Section 203 regulates certain transactions incident to or
following large accumulations of shares, including those made by
tender offers. Section 203 may have the effect of
significantly delaying a purchasers ability to acquire the
entire interest sought if such acquisition is not approved by a
corporations Board. In general, Section 203 prevents
an Interested Stockholder (defined generally as a
person with 15% or more of a corporations outstanding
voting stock), from engaging in a Business Combination, as
defined below, with a
15
Delaware corporation for three years following the date such
person became an Interested Stockholder. For purposes of
Section 203, the term Business Combination
includes, without limitation: (a) mergers with the
Interested Stockholder; (b) sales or other dispositions to
the Interested Stockholder (except proportionately with the
corporations other stockholders) of assets of the
corporation or a subsidiary having a market value equal to 10%
or more of the aggregate market value of the corporations
consolidated assets or its outstanding stock; (c) the
issuance or transfer by the corporation or a subsidiary of stock
of the corporation or such subsidiary to the Interested
Stockholder (except for certain transfers in a conversion or
exchange or a pro rata distribution or certain other
transactions, none of which increase the Interested
Stockholders proportionate ownership of any class or
series of the corporations or such subsidiarys
stock); (d) any transaction involving the corporation or a
subsidiary that increases the proportionate share of the stock
or convertible security of the corporation or such subsidiary
owned by the Interested Stockholder (except as a result of
immaterial adjustments or any purchase or redemption of stock
not caused by the Interested Stockholder) or (e) receipt by
the Interested Stockholder (except proportionately as a
stockholder), directly or indirectly, of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or
through the corporation or a subsidiary.
The three-year moratorium imposed on Business Combinations with
Interested Stockholders by Section 203 does not apply if,
among other things: (a) prior to the date on which such
stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder the Board approves
either the Business Combination or the transaction that resulted
in the person becoming an Interested Stockholder; (b) the
Interested Stockholder owns 85% of the corporations voting
stock upon consummation of the transaction that made him or her
an Interested Stockholder (excluding from the 85% calculation
shares owned by directors who are also officers of the target
corporation and shares held by employee stock plans that do not
permit employees to decide confidentially (e.g., by
giving confidential instructions to a plans trustee)
whether to accept a tender or exchange offer); or (c) on or
after the date such person becomes an Interested Stockholder,
the Board approves the Business Combination and it is also
approved at a stockholder meeting by holders of two-thirds
(662/3
%) of the voting stock not owned by the Interested
Stockholder.
Under Section 203, the restrictions described above do not
apply if, among other things, the corporations original
certificate of incorporation contains a provision expressly
electing not to be governed by Section 203. The Delaware
Certificate does not opt out of the statute.
Arizona Business Combinations Law. Arizona law contains a
provision (the Business Combinations
Provision) that provides, subject to certain
exceptions specified therein, that an issuing public corporation
may not engage in any business combination (as
defined) or vote, consent or otherwise act to authorize a
subsidiary of the issuing public corporation to engage in any
business combination with respect to, proposed by or on behalf
of or pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding
with any interested shareholder (as defined below)
of the issuing public corporation or any affiliate or associate
of the interested shareholder for a three-year period following
the date that such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder
unless prior to such date (the Shares Acquisition
Date) a committee of the Board, formed in the
manner described below (the Business Combinations
Committee), approved either the business
combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder
becoming an interested shareholder.
After such three-year period, the issuing public corporation may
engage in such transactions only if (i) prior to the Shares
Acquisition Date, the Board of the issuing public corporation
approved either the business combination or the transaction
which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested
shareholder; (ii) the business combination is approved by
the affirmative vote of the shareholders holding a majority of
the voting power of all shares, excluding shares beneficially
owned by the interested shareholder or any affiliate or
associate of the interested shareholder; or (iii) the
business combination meets certain conditions relating to price
and form of consideration.
The Business Combinations Provision provides that the Business
Combinations Committee shall be comprised of all of the
disinterested directors (as defined below) of the
issuing public corporation, except that if there are no
disinterested directors the Board must select three or more
disinterested persons to be committee members. For purposes of
the Business Combinations Provision, an interested shareholder is
16
defined to include (i) any person that is the owner of 10%
or more of voting power of the outstanding shares of the issuing
public corporation or (ii) any affiliate or associate of
the issuing public corporation that at any time within the
three-year period immediately before the date in question was
the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the
then outstanding shares of the issuing public corporation. For
purposes of the Business Combinations Provision, a director or
person is deemed to be disinterested if the director or person
is not an interested shareholder, an affiliate or associate of
an interested shareholder or a present or former officer or
employee of the issuing public corporation or of an affiliate or
associate of the issuing public corporation or of the interested
shareholder. An issuing public corporation may amend its
articles of incorporation or bylaws, with the approval of
shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting power
of all shares, excluding shares beneficially owned by an
interested shareholder whose Share Acquisition Date is prior to
the effective date of such amendment from the restrictions
imposed under the Business Combinations Provision.
Compensation Agreements. Arizona law provides that during
any tender offer or request or invitation for tenders of any
class or series of shares of an issuing public corporation,
other than an offer by the issuing corporation, the issuing
public corporation may not enter into or amend agreements
containing provisions that increase the current or future
compensation of any officer or director of the issuing public
corporation, other than routine increases in compensation or
other routine compensation agreements undertaken in the ordinary
course of the issuing public corporations business.
Delaware law does not contain a similar provision.
Control Share Acquisitions. Arizona law contains a
provision (the Control Share Acquisitions
Provision) that generally provides that if any
person or group of persons (a Purchasing
Person) acquires shares of an issuing public
corporation that, when added to all other shares of the issuing
public corporation beneficially owned by the Purchasing Person,
would result in the percentage of the corporations voting
power that the Purchasing Person is entitled to exercise, or
direct the exercise, being increased above certain specified
levels (one-fifth, one-third or a majority) of the shares of the
corporation, then the Purchasing Person will not have the right
to vote the shares in excess of that level, except for the
election of directors (the Excess
Shares) unless such voting rights are approved by
the holders of a majority of the voting power of all shares,
excluding all shares beneficially owned by the Purchasing Person
or its affiliates or associates or by any officer or director of
the issuing public corporation. In addition, unless otherwise
provided in the articles of incorporation or in bylaws approved
by the shareholders, the issuing public corporation may call for
redemption of all but not less than all of the Excess Shares at
a redemption price equal to the market value of the shares at
the time the call of redemption is given if either (i) the
Purchasing Person fails to deliver certain written information
to the issuing public corporation by the tenth day after
crossing the specified level; or (ii) the shareholders vote
not to accord voting rights to such shares. The Purchasing
Person must submit for the approvals described above each time
such shareholders seek to acquire the power to vote shares at
the next level. Delaware law does not contain a provision
similar to the Control Share Acquisition Provision.
Duties of Directors. Arizona Law provides that, in
discharging the duties of the position of director with respect
to corporate takeovers, a director of an issuing public
corporation must consider the long-term as well as the
short-term interests of the corporation and its shareholders
including the possibility that these interests may be best
served by the continued independence of the corporation.
Delaware law does not contain such a provision.
Limitation of Share Repurchase. Under Arizona Law, an
issuing public corporation may not purchase or agree to purchase
any shares from a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the voting
power of the issuing public corporation for more than the
average market price (as defined) of the shares if
the shares have been beneficially owned by the beneficial owner
for less than three years unless either (i) the purchase or
agreement to purchase is approved at a meeting of shareholders
by the affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the
outstanding shares excluding shares beneficially owned by the
beneficial owner, its affiliates or associates or by any officer
or director of the issuing public corporation; or (ii) the
issuing public corporation makes an offer, of at least equal
value per share, to all holders of shares of such class or
series and to all holders of any class or series into which the
shares may by converted. Delaware law does not contain a similar
provision.
17
There can be no assurance that the Board would not adopt any
further anti-takeover measures available under Delaware Law
(some of which may not require stockholder approval). The
availability of anti-takeover measures under Delaware Law,
whether or not implemented, may have the effect of discouraging
a future takeover attempt which a majority of the Delaware
Companys stockholders may deem to be in their best
interests or in which shareholders may receive a premium for
their shares over then current market prices. As a result,
stockholders who might desire to participate in such
transactions may not have the opportunity to do so. Stockholders
should recognize that, if adopted, the effect of such measures,
along with the possibility of discouraging takeover attempts,
may be to limit in certain respects the rights of stockholders
of the Delaware Company compared with the rights of shareholders
of the Company.
Amendment of Bylaws. The Arizona Bylaws and Delaware
Bylaws may be repealed, altered or amended, and new bylaws may
be enacted by the Board or by the holders of a majority in
interest of the outstanding stock of the Company.
Inspection of Shareholder Lists. Arizona Law provides
that any shareholder of at least six months or the holder of a
beneficial interest of 5% or more of the outstanding stock has a
right to inspect the Company records, including shareholder
lists. Arizona law also provides that any shareholder has a
right to inspect the Companys shareholder list in
anticipation of a noticed shareholder meeting.
Delaware Law permits any stockholder of record to inspect the
stockholder list for any purpose reasonably related to that
persons interest as a stockholder and, under certain
circumstances, to inspect the books and records of the
corporation.
Appraisal Rights. Arizona Law grants to shareholders the
right to dissent in the case of (i) consummation of a plan
of merger if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the merger
or the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its
parent, (ii) consummation of a plan of share exchange to
which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares
will be acquired, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the
plan, (iii) a sale or exchange by a corporation of all or
substantially all of its property not made in the usual and
regular course of its business, if the shareholder is entitled
to vote on the sale or exchange, including a sale in
dissolution, but not including a sale pursuant to an order of a
court or a sale for cash on terms requiring that all or
substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale be distributed
to the shareholders in accordance with their respective interest
within one year after the date of sale, (iv) an amendment
of the articles of incorporation that materially adversely
affects rights in respect of a dissenters shares, and
(v) any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder
vote to the extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a
resolution of the Board provides for dissenters rights.
The dissenters right do not apply, unless the corporations
articles of incorporation provide otherwise, to the holders of
shares if the shares are listed on a national securities
exchange or the Nasdaq National Market or held of record by at
least 2,000 shareholders do not have the right to dissent
from such corporation action.
Delaware Law grants appraisal rights only in the case of a
merger or consolidation and not in the case of a sale or
exchange of assets, regardless of the number of shares of stock
being issued. Such appraisal rights are not available:
(a) with respect to the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the assets of a corporation; (b) with
respect to a merger or consolidation by a corporation the shares
of which are either (i) listed on a national securities
exchange or designated as a national market system security on
an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of record by more
than 2,000 holders if such stockholders receive only shares of
the surviving corporation or shares of any other corporation
that are either listed on a national securities exchange or
designated as a national market system security on an
interdealer quotation system by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000
holders, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares of such
corporations; or (c) to stockholders of a corporation
surviving a merger if no vote of the stockholders of the
surviving corporation is required to approve the merger under
Delaware law.
Delaware Law does not provide stockholders with voting or
appraisal rights when a corporation acquires another business
through the issuance of its stock in exchange for assets or
stock or in a merger with a subsidiary.
18
Because the Companys Common Stock is currently listed on
the Nasdaq National Market, appraisal rights will not be
available under Arizona Law to the Companys shareholders
in connection with the reincorporation in Delaware.
Dividends and Redemptions. Under Arizona Law, the
directors of every corporation are permitted, subject to the
articles of incorporation, to make distributions to shareholders
unless, after giving effect to such a distribution, the
corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become
due in the usual course of business, or the corporations
total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities
plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the dissolution
rights of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to
those receiving the distribution.
Delaware Law allows the payment of dividends out of surplus
(including paid-in and earned surplus) or, in certain
circumstances, out of net profits for the current and
immediately preceding fiscal years. Shares may be redeemed or
repurchased out of surplus, or, in limited circumstances, out of
capital. The Company expects that its ability to pay cash
dividends in accordance with its prior practices will not be
affected by the Reincorporation.
Dissolution. Under Arizona Law, the Board is required to
recommend dissolution to the shareholders and the shareholders
entitled to vote shall approve the proposal by a majority in
interest of the outstanding shares unless the articles of
incorporation requires a greater vote. The Arizona Articles do
not require a greater vote.
Under Delaware Law, dissolution requires either the approval of
the Board and a majority of the outstanding shares, or unanimous
approval of the stockholders.
Interests of the Companys Directors and Officers
The Companys shareholders should be aware that
reincorporation in Delaware may be of benefit to the
Companys directors by reducing the directors
potential personal liability and increasing the scope of
permitted indemnification, by strengthening the directors
ability to resist a takeover bid, and in other respects. The
Reincorporation is not intended to and will not affect the
rights of any parties to any of the lawsuits to which the
Company is a party. The interests of the Board in recommending
the Reincorporation may therefore be in conflict with the
interests of the shareholders, and the interests of the Board,
management and affiliated shareholders in voting on the
Reincorporation proposal may not be the same as those of
unaffiliated shareholders.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reincorporation
The following discussion addresses the material federal income
tax considerations that are generally applicable to holders of
Common Stock of the Company who receive Common Stock of the
Delaware Company in exchange for their Common Stock of the
Company in the Reincorporation. This discussion does not address
all of the tax consequences of the Reincorporation that may be
relevant to particular of the Companys shareholders in
light of their particular circumstances, such as shareholders
who are dealers in securities, who are foreign persons, who do
not hold their Common Stock of the Company as Capital Assets or
who acquired their Common Stock of the Company through stock
option or stock purchase programs or in other compensatory
transactions. The tax consequences to holders of options to
acquire Common Stock of the Company are also not discussed
herein. In addition, the following discussion does not address
the tax consequences of transactions effected prior to or after
the Reincorporation (whether or not such transactions are in
connection with the Reincorporation). Finally, no foreign, state
or local tax considerations are addressed herein. Accordingly,
the Companys shareholders are urged to consult their own
tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to them of the
Reincorporation and related transactions, including the
applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to
them of the Reincorporation and such related transactions.
The following discussion is based on the interpretation of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code), applicable Treasury
Regulations, judicial authority and administrative rulings and
practice, all as of the date hereof. The Internal Revenue
Service (the IRS) is not precluded
from adopting a contrary
19
position. In addition, there can be no assurance that future
legislative, judicial or administrative changes or
interpretations will not adversely affect the accuracy of the
statements and conclusions set forth herein. Any such changes or
interpretations could be applied retroactively and could affect
the tax consequences of the Reincorporation to the Company, the
Delaware Company and/or the Companys shareholders. A
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service will not be requested
in connection with the Reincorporation.
Subject to the limitations, qualifications and exceptions
described herein, and assuming the Reincorporation qualifies as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Code (a Reorganization), the
following federal income tax consequences will generally result:
|
|
|
|
|
No gain or loss will be recognized by holders of the Common
Stock of the Company upon receipt of Common Stock of the
Delaware Company pursuant to the Reincorporation; |
|
|
|
The aggregate tax basis of the Common Stock of the Delaware
Company received by each shareholder of the Company in the
Reincorporation will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the
Common Stock of the Company surrendered in exchange therefor; |
|
|
|
The holding period of the Common Stock of Delaware Company
received by each shareholder of the Company will include the
period for which such shareholder held the Common Stock of the
Company surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that such
Common Stock of the Company was held by such shareholder as a
capital asset at the time of the Reincorporation; and |
|
|
|
No gain or loss will be recognized by the Company or Delaware
Company as a result of the Reincorporation. |
Although a successful IRS challenge to the Reorganization status
of the Reincorporation is unlikely, such a challenge should
result in a shareholder recognizing gain or loss with respect to
each share of Common Stock of the Company exchanged in the
Reincorporation equal to the difference between the
shareholders basis in such share and the fair market
value, as of the time of the Reincorporation, of the Common
Stock of the Delaware Company received in exchange therefor. In
such event, a shareholders aggregate basis in the shares
of Common Stock of the Delaware Company received in the exchange
would equal the fair market value of such shares at the time of
the Reincorporation, and the shareholders holding period
for such shares would begin the day after the Reincorporation.
The Companys shareholders will be required to attach a
statement to their tax returns for the year of the
Reincorporation that contains the information listed in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.368-3(b). Such statement must
include, among other things, the shareholders tax basis in
the shareholders Common Stock of the Company and a
description of the Common Stock of the Delaware Company received.
Other Regulatory Requirements
Except as set forth above, no federal or state regulatory
requirements must be complied with nor must approvals be
obtained in connection with the Reincorporation, except under
federal securities laws applicable to proxy solicitations.
Rule 144
Under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the holding period for the Delaware Company Common
Stock received in exchange for Company Common Stock will include
the period during which Company Common Stock was held.
Required Approvals
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock, is required for approval of the
Reincorporation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR
PROPOSAL NO. 2.
20
TO APPROVE A SPECIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
COMPANYS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO EFFECT AN AMENDMENT TO THE
COMPANYS
CHARTER DOCUMENTS
REQUIRING THE APPROVAL OF A MAJORITY OF DISINTERESTED
SHAREHOLDERS TO EFFECT CERTAIN BUSINESS COMBINATION
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING INTERESTED PARTIES
(Proposal No. 3)
The Board recommends that the shareholders approve a special
resolution authorizing the Board to amend the Arizona Articles,
or, in the event that Proposal No. 2 is approved,
include in the Delaware Certificate a provision, to require the
approval of a majority of the disinterested shareholders to
effect certain business combination transactions involving
shareholders holding 15% or more of the Companys stock
(Interested Shareholders).
The Board believes that such a provision is in the best
interests of the shareholders because it may have the effect of
delaying an Interested Shareholders ability to acquire the
corporation and because it would require an Interested
Shareholder to seek significant agreement from other
shareholders, helping to deflect abusive takeover tactics and
helping ensure that shareholders and the Board have the means
and opportunity to obtain the best price and the most favorable
terms for any proposed takeover of the Company.
The proposed provision has been drafted to mirror in many
respects Section 203 of the Delaware Law, as described in
detail in Proposal No. 2. The principal differences
between the statutory regime and the proposed charter provision
are (i) that the charter provision would apply to all
Interested Shareholders, regardless of when such an Interested
shareholder acquired a 15% interest in the Companys voting
stock or for how long such an Interested Shareholder has held
such interest and (ii) rather than requiring the approval
of two-thirds of the disinterested shareholders to consummate a
business transaction as required by Section 203 of the
Delaware Law, the proposed provision would require the approval
of only a majority of disinterested shareholders. The Board
believes that these alterations will provide wider protections
against takeover abuses by Interested Shareholders than those
afforded by statute without imposing more onerous approval
burdens.
Due to the increased burden it places on takeover attempts, the
provision may have the effect of discouraging a future attempt
to acquire control of the Company that is not presented to and
approved by the Board, but that a substantial number of the
shareholders might believe to be in their best interests or in
which shareholders might receive a substantial premium for their
shares over then current market prices. As a result of such
effects, shareholders who might desire to participate in such a
transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. In addition,
unapproved tender offers and takeover attempts may be made at
times and in circumstances that are beneficial to and in the
interests of certain shareholders. Furthermore, a negotiated
transaction is not necessarily more advantageous to the
shareholders than a non-negotiated transaction.
If this Proposal No. 3 is approved, the Board will be
authorized to include in the Arizona Articles (or the Delaware
Certificate if Proposal No. 2 related to the
Reincorporation is approved) a proposal substantially as set
forth on Annex D, as adjusted for the Arizona Articles or
the Delaware Certificate, as applicable.
The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock is required for approval of
Proposal 3.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR
PROPOSAL NO. 3.
21
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
(Proposal No. 4)
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed
Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors to audit the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 2006.
Although Inter-Tel is not required to seek shareholder
ratification of this appointment, the Board of Directors
believes it to be sound corporate governance to do so. If the
appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will
investigate the reasons for shareholder rejection and will
reconsider the appointment.
Ernst & Young LLP has issued its report, included in
the Companys
Form 10-K, on the
consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year
ending December 31, 2005. Ernst & Young LLP has
served as the Companys independent auditors in every year
in which the Companys stock has been publicly traded.
Before selecting Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee
carefully considered Ernst & Young LLPs
qualifications as independent auditors. This included a review
of the qualifications of the engagement team, the quality
control procedures the firm has established, any issues raised
by the most recent quality control review of the firm, as well
as its reputation for integrity and competence in the fields of
accounting and auditing.
Fees Billed by Ernst & Young LLP During Fiscal 2005
and 2004.
The Audit Committee has established a policy of pre-approving
audit and non-audit services provided by the auditors of
Inter-Tel. Each of the fees for services listed below for 2005
were pre-approved by Inter-Tels Audit Committee. The Audit
Committees review included matters to be considered under
the rules of the SEC, including the nature and extent of
non-audit services, to ensure that the auditors
independence would not be impaired. The Audit Committee
expressed its satisfaction with Ernst & Young LLP in
all of these respects. The Audit Committee of our board of
directors has determined that the provision of services by
Ernst & Young LLP other than for audit related services
is compatible with maintaining the independence of
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors.
The following table sets forth the approximate aggregate fees
billed by Ernst & Young LLP to Inter-Tel during fiscal
2005 and 2004:
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2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
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| |
|
| |
Audit Fees(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit of consolidated financial statements
|
|
$ |
283,000 |
|
|
$ |
231,000 |
|
Sarbanes-Oxley section 404 attestation of internal controls
|
|
|
431,000 |
|
|
|
439,000 |
|
Statutory audit of Lake Communications
|
|
|
42,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Timely quarterly reviews
|
|
|
62,000 |
|
|
|
55,500 |
|
Total Audit Fees
|
|
|
818,000 |
|
|
|
725,500 |
|
Audit-Related Fees(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consultation on SEC matters
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,200 |
|
Section 404 assistance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
Total Audit-Related Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,700 |
|
All Other Fees(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Form S-8, Stock Options and Other
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
Total All Other Fees
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
Total Fees
|
|
$ |
820,500 |
|
|
$ |
710,700 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes fees and expenses related to the fiscal year audit and
interim reviews, notwithstanding when the fees and expenses were
billed or when the services rendered. |
22
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Includes fees and expenses for services rendered from January
through December of the fiscal year, notwithstanding when the
fees and expenses were billed. |
The Company did not engage Ernst & Young LLP to provide
any separate information technology services during the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2005 or 2004. Representatives of
Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement
if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this
proposal shall constitute ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006.
23
TO ADJOURN THE ANNUAL MEETING, IF NEEDED, TO SOLICIT
ADDITIONAL VOTES
(Proposal No. 5)
At the Annual Meeting, if the Board of Directors determines that
the Company needs additional time to solicit votes to approve
any or all of Proposals 1 through 4, the shareholders
are being asked to vote upon a proposal to adjourn the annual
meeting for the purpose of allowing additional time for the
solicitation of additional votes. The Company presently intends
to exercise such authority at the Annual Meeting if the majority
of the Board of Directors present at the Annual Meeting
determines that such adjournment may increase the likelihood of
obtaining sufficient votes to approve any or all of
Proposals 1 through 4.
THE BOARD OR DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN
FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE MEETING, IF NECESSARY TO
PROVIDE MORE TIME TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL VOTES FOR
PROPOSALS 1 THROUGH 4.
24
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OTHER MATTERS
Board Meetings and Committees
The Board of Directors of the Company held a total of four
(4) regularly scheduled meetings during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005 and six (6) special meetings.
The Board of Directors has Audit, Compensation, and Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committees. Each of these committees
has adopted a written charter. All members of the committees are
appointed by the Board of Directors, and are non-employee
directors. The Board of Directors also held numerous special
board meetings and special committee and special subcommittee
meetings during 2005. The information provided below describes
each committee, its current membership, the number of meetings
held during fiscal year 2005 and its function.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, each
director attended all of the Board meetings with the following
exception: Ms. Winkler was unable to attend the board
meeting on April 26, 2005 due to a prior commitment.
Dr. Roland Haden served as a member of the Board from the
beginning of 2005 through his resignation effective
November 1, 2005; Dr. Haden attended all of the Board
meetings during his tenure in 2005.
Director Independence
The Board of Directors has determined that each of its current
directors, including all directors standing for
re-election, except the
Chief Executive Officer, has no material relationship with
Inter-Tel and is independent within the meaning of the NASDAQ
Stock Market, Inc. (Nasdaq) director
independence standards, as currently in effect and as they may
be changed from time to time.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors consists of
directors Chapman, Anderson, Cappello and Edens and, until
July 22, 2005 when he resigned from the Audit Committee,
Dr. Roland Haden was also a member of the Audit Committee.
Each of the current members of the Committee is independent
within the meaning of the Nasdaq director independence
standards, as currently in effect, and Dr Haden was independent
by such standards during his tenure as well. The Board of
Directors has determined that director Chapman is an Audit
Committee financial expert as defined in SEC rules.
Mr. Chapman serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee
reviews, acts and reports to the Board of Directors of the
Company on various auditing and accounting matters, including
the appointment of the Companys independent auditors, the
scope of the Companys annual audits, fees to be paid to
the Companys independent auditors, the performance of the
Companys independent auditors, the sufficiency of the
Companys internal controls and the Companys
accounting and financial management practices.
The Audit Committee met four (4) times during the last
fiscal year. The Audit Committee also meets with our independent
auditors in an executive session, without the presence of our
management, on a quarterly basis, following completion of their
quarterly reviews and annual audit and prior to our earnings
announcements, to review the results of their work. The Audit
Committee Charter, as amended, is attached as Exhibit A to
this Proxy Statement. A report of the Audit Committee is set
forth below.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee currently consists of directors
Anderson, Winkler and Rodin. Mr. Rodin joined the committee
March 29, 2006. Mr. Edens was a member of the
Compensation Committee until July 22, 2005, when
Ms. Winkler joined the Committee in his place.
Dr. Roland Haden was also a member of the Compensation
Committee through the date of his retirement from the board of
directors effective November 1, 2005. Each of the members
of the Compensation Committee is independent within the meaning
of the Nasdaq director independence standards, as currently in
effect and as they may be changed from time to time, and
Dr. Haden was independent for such purposes during his
tenure. The Compensation Committee
25
reviews employee compensation and makes recommendations thereon
to the Board of Directors and administers the Companys
stock incentive plans. The Compensation Committee also
determines, upon review of relevant information, the employees
to whom options shall be granted. Mr. Anderson serves as
Chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee met three (3) times during the last fiscal year.
The Charter of the Compensation Committee was attached as
Exhibit A to Inter-Tels Proxy Statement filed on
March 18, 2004. A report of the Compensation Committee is
set forth below.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
During fiscal year 2005, no member of the Compensation Committee
was an officer or employee of Inter-Tel. During fiscal year
2005, no member of the Compensation Committee or executive
officer of Inter-Tel served as a member of the Board of
Directors or Compensation Committee of any entity that has an
executive officer serving as a member of our Board of Directors
or Compensation Committee.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee consists of
directors Edens, Cappello, Chapman, Karol and Winkler, each of
whom is independent within the meaning of the Nasdaq director
independence standards, as currently in effect and as they may
be changed from time to time. The Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee was formed in February 2004 and met five
(5) times during the last fiscal year. Mr. Cappello
joined the Committee on December 20, 2005. Dr. Roland
Haden was also a member of the Committee through the date of his
retirement from the board of directors effective
November 1, 2005. Mr. Karol joined the committee
March 29, 2006. Mr. Edens serves as Chairman of the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Charter of
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee was attached
as Exhibit B to Inter-Tels Proxy Statement filed on
March 18, 2004.
The responsibilities of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee include:
|
|
|
|
|
considering and periodically reporting on matters relating to
the identification, selection and qualification of the Board of
Directors and candidates nominated to the Board of Directors and
its committees; |
|
|
|
developing and recommending corporate governance principles
applicable to us; |
|
|
|
overseeing the evaluation of management, the Board of Directors
and the committees thereof; and |
|
|
|
evaluating and recommending compensation for the Board of
Directors. |
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will also
consider properly submitted shareholder recommendations for
candidates for membership on the Board of Directors as described
below. In evaluating such recommendations, the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee seeks to achieve a balance
of knowledge, experience and capability on the Board of
Directors and to address our director membership criteria. Any
shareholder recommendations proposed for consideration by the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee should include the
candidates name and qualifications for membership on the
Board of Directors and should be addressed to:
|
|
|
Inter-Tel, Incorporated |
|
1615 S. 52nd Street, |
|
Tempe, Arizona 85281 |
|
Attn: Corporate Secretary. |
The procedures for shareholder direct nomination of directors
are described in detail in our bylaws, which will be provided to
you upon written request. A report of the Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee is set forth below.
Director Qualifications
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee uses a variety
of criteria to evaluate the qualifications and skills necessary
for members of our Board of Directors. Under these criteria,
members of
26
the Board of Directors should have the highest professional and
personal ethics and values, consistent with longstanding
Inter-Tel values and standards. Director nominees should have
broad experience at the policy-making level in business,
government, education, technology or public interest. They
should be committed to enhancing shareholder value and should
have sufficient time to carry out their duties and to provide
insight and practical wisdom based on experience. Their service
on other boards of public companies should be limited to a
number that permits them, given their individual circumstances,
to perform responsibly all director duties. Each director must
represent the interests of all shareholders.
Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Director
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee utilizes a
variety of methods for identifying and evaluating nominees for
director. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board of
Directors, and whether any vacancies on the Board of Directors
are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that
vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise arise, the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee will consider various
potential candidates for director. Candidates may come to the
attention of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
through current members of the Board of Directors, professional
search firms, shareholders or other persons. These candidates
will be evaluated at regular or special meetings of the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and may be
considered at any point during the year. In evaluating the
suitability of the candidates, the committee will consider
relevant factors, including, among other things, issues of
character, judgment, independence, age, expertise, diversity of
experience, length of service, other commitments and the like.
The committee will evaluate such factors, among others, and
considers each individual candidate in the context of the
current perceived needs of the board of directors as a whole.
As described above, the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee will consider properly submitted shareholder
recommendations for candidates for the Board of Directors. In
evaluating such recommendations, the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee will use the qualifications standards
discussed above and seek to achieve a balance of knowledge,
experience and capability on the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors has final authority on determining the
selection of director candidates for nomination to the Board.
These policies and procedures may be modified at any time as may
be determined by the committee.
Directors Standing for Election for the First Time
Director nominees Steven E. Karol, Robert Rodin and Norman Stout
each were appointed by the Board after the 2005 annual meeting
of shareholders in order to fill vacancies on the Board. The
vacancies filled by the appointment of Messrs. Karol and
Rodin were created by the resignation of Dr. Roland Haden
from the Board and by a resolution to increase in the total
number of directors to eight approved by the Board in February
2006. Mr. Stout was appointed as a member of the Board
following a subsequent increase in the total number of directors
in February 2006 to nine. In March 2006, Steven G. Mihaylo
resigned from the Board and the total number of directors was
reduced to eight. Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement
Agreement, the total number of directors was increased to eleven
and Messrs. Mihaylo, Puri, and Urish were appointed to fill
the resulting vacancies. As a result, there presently are no
vacancies on the Board.
Each of Messrs. Karol, Rodin and Stout has been nominated
by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee for
election at the annual meeting. Prior to becoming our Chief
Executive Officer and a director, Mr. Stout was the
Companys Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative
Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. Messrs. Karol and Rodin
were introduced to the Company and to the Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee by Mr. Cappello, the Chairman of
the Board and an outside director. The Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee reviewed numerous candidates prior to
nominating Messrs. Karol and Rodin for election to the
Board. Mr. Stout was nominated in connection with his
appointment as Chief Executive Officer. Each of Messrs. Mihaylo,
Puri and Urish were nominated to the Board pursuant to the terms
of the Settlement Agreement.
27
Communications with the Board of Directors
Shareholders may communicate with the Board of Directors by
submitting an email to financialinfo@inter-tel.com or by writing
to us at Inter-Tel, Incorporated, Attention: Investor Relations,
1615 S. 52nd Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281.
Communications received electronically or in writing will be
distributed to the chairman of the board or the other members of
the board as appropriate depending on the facts and
circumstances outlined in the communication received.
Board Attendance at Annual Shareholder Meetings
Although the Company does not have a formal policy regarding
attendance by members of the board at the Companys annual
meeting of shareholders, the Company encourages, but does not
require, directors to attend. With the exception of
Ms. Winkler, all of the Companys directors attended
the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Inter-Tel has a Code of Business Conduct
(Code) that applies to all of our
employees, including our principal executive officer and
principal financial and accounting officer. This code is posted
on our Internet web site. The Internet address for our web site
is http://www.inter-tel.com, and the code may be found as
follows:
|
|
|
1. From our main web page at http://www.inter-tel.com,
first click on Company. |
|
|
2. Then click on About Inter-Tel. |
|
|
3. Next, click on Code of Business Conduct. |
We will provide a copy of the Code upon request made by email to
financialinfo@inter-tel.com or by writing to us at Inter-Tel,
Incorporated, Attention: Investor Relations,
1615 S. 52nd Street, Tempe, Arizona 85281. We intend
to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of
Form 8-K regarding
an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this Code by
posting such information on our web site, at the address and
location specified above, and to the extent required, by filing
a Current Report on
Form 8-K with the
SEC disclosing such information.
28
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2005
The Audit Committee oversees the Companys financial
reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Management has the primary responsibility for the financial
statements and the reporting process including the systems of
internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities,
the Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements in
the Annual Report with management including a discussion of the
quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting
principles, the reasonableness of significant accounting
judgments and the clarity of the Companys disclosures in
the financial statements.
In addition, the Audit Committee reviewed with the independent
auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the
conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States, their
judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the
Companys accounting principles and such other matters as
are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee under
generally accepted auditing standards, and in particular, SAS
61. Furthermore, the Audit Committee discussed with the
independent auditors the auditors independence from
management and the Company including the matters in the written
disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1, and considered the compatibility of
non-audit services with the auditors independence.
The Audit Committee also discussed with the Companys
internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans
for their respective audits. At each regularly scheduled
meeting, the Audit Committee meets with the internal auditors
and independent registered public accounting firm, with and
without management present, to discuss the results of their
examinations, their evaluations of the Companys internal
control, and the overall quality of the Companys financial
reporting.
The Audit Committee held four (4) meetings during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The members of the
Audit Committee are Mr. Chapman (Chairman),
Mr. Anderson, Mr. Cappello and Mr. Edens, all of
whom meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq stock
market. Mr. Cappello joined the Audit Committee on
October 17, 2005. Dr. Roland Haden was a member of the
Audit Committee through July 22, 2005 and met the
independence requirements of the Nasdaq stock market during his
tenure. The Board has determined that Mr. Chapman is an
Audit Committee financial expert.
Non-management directors meet regularly in executive sessions
without management. Non-management directors are all
those who are not Company officers. An executive session is held
in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting and
other sessions may be called by directors in their discretion or
at the request of the Board.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and
the Board approved, that the audited financial statements be
included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee has also appointed,
subject to shareholder ratification, Ernst & Young LLP,
as the Companys independent registered public accounting
firm.
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE: |
|
|
Jerry W. Chapman (Chairman), |
|
J. Robert Anderson, |
|
Alexander Cappello and |
|
Gary Edens. |
February 13, 2006
29
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2005
Executive Compensation Principles
The Companys Compensation Committees
responsibilities include determining the cash and non-cash
compensation of executive officers. The Compensation
Committees policy regarding compensation of the
Companys executive officers is to provide generally
competitive salary levels and compensation incentives in order
to attract and retain individuals of outstanding ability; to
recognize and reward individual performance and the performance
of the Company; and to support the Companys primary goal
of increasing shareholder value. Through 2005, except as noted
in Certain Other Benefits below, non-cash
compensation had been limited to stock option grants to purchase
Common Stock at fair market value at the grant date and other
perquisites. All executive officers and certain employees of the
Company have participated in such stock incentive plans. All
options to purchase Common Stock were granted with exercise
prices equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. These plans are designed to attract and retain
qualified personnel and to tie their performance to the
enhancement of shareholder value. Stock options vest at the end
of either four or five years from the date of grant.
Executive officers, together with other permanent Inter-Tel
employees, may also participate in the Companys 401(k)
Thrift Savings Plan. All executive officers may also participate
in the Inter-Tel Employee Stock Purchase Plan except for
Mr. Mihaylo, who is not eligible to participate because he
owns greater than 5% of the Companys Common Stock. Please
refer to the Summary Compensation Table below for
additional information.
Executive Compensation Program for Key Executives
The total compensation program for executives includes both cash
and equity-based compensation. The Compensation Committee
determines the level of salary for executive officers and
determines the salary or salary ranges based upon periodic
reviews of base salary levels for comparable officer positions
in similar companies of comparable size. Salary changes are
based upon comparable market rates, the Compensation
Committees assessment of the executives performance,
and the scope and complexity of the position held.
At the beginning of 2005, the Compensation Committee considered
the Companys target earnings per share goals and the
operating plans of the Company. Consideration included past and
anticipated performance, new product and market expectations,
assets employed and similar factors. The Compensation Committee
set earnings per share performance levels for the consolidated
Company, upon which incentives were established for each of the
executives. Cash bonus awards, based upon meeting or exceeding
such performance levels (limited to a maximum percentage of base
salary), were set for each executive officer. With the exception
of Mr. Ford, Named Executive Officer bonuses were based
entirely on Inter-Tel earnings per share targets. Two-thirds
(2/3)
of the performance award opportunity for Mr. Ford was based
on earnings and other specific measurements within his operating
segment of the Company, and one-third
(1/3
) was based on Inter-Tel earnings per share targets.
Maximum bonus awards as a percentage of annual base compensation
were set for the Named Executive Officers, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum 2005 Bonus Award |
|
|
(as a Percentage of |
Officer |
|
Annual Base Compensation) |
|
|
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
|
125 |
% |
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Norman Stout
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Kurt R. Kneip
|
|
|
60 |
% |
For 2005, bonus goals based on earnings per share calculations
excluded the impact of in-process research and development
charges incurred in connection with acquisitions, to the extent
applicable. In addition, the
30
Committee is authorized to use its discretion to revise the
calculated bonus amounts upwards or downwards based on any
information the Committee deems appropriate.
The cash bonuses in the Summary Compensation Table reflect the
performance of the Named Executive Officers against the targets
established at the beginning of each year. No bonuses were
earned in connection with earnings per share goals for 2005,
although Mr. Ford earned a bonus of $14,261 based on
measurements within his operating segment of the Company.
The Company granted stock options to 3 of the 5 Named Executive
Officers during the year ended December 31, 2005. Refer to
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year table for
additional information.
To remain competitive in the market for a high caliber
management team, Inter-Tel provides some of its executive
officers, including the CEO, with certain fringe benefits,
including a car allowance, 401(k) match, selected reimbursement
of club dues, selected use of Inter-Tel telephone systems in the
home and business use of corporate aircraft. During 2005, $7,938
was included in Mr. Rauchles income in connection
with travel costs incurred by him and his guest for attendance
at company-sponsored business trips. In addition, during 2003,
Mr. Rauchle received other compensation related to
reimbursement of health and welfare benefits for a family
member. The Committee periodically reviews fringe benefits made
available to the Companys executive officers, including
the CEO. For additional information regarding fringe benefits
made available to the Companys executive officers, please
see Summary Compensation Table.
Chief Executive Officer
The Chief Executive Officers salary for 2005 was
determined based upon a review of the salaries of Chief
Executive Officers of similar companies of comparable size and
capitalization and upon a review of the Chief Executive
Officers performance compared with the prior year and the
2004 budget. The Compensation Committee determined that the
CEOs 2005 maximum bonus opportunity should increase to
125% of base salary compared to 100% of base salary in prior
years. For 2006, the Compensation Committee determined that the
CEOs 2006 target bonus opportunity should be 100% of base
salary, with a maximum bonus opportunity of 150% of base salary.
No stock options were granted to Mr. Mihaylo to
purchase Inter-Tel stock during 2005.
|
|
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: |
|
|
J. Robert Anderson |
|
(Chairman) and |
|
Agnieszka Winkler |
February 13, 2006
31
GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT FOR
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is composed of
four directors, all of whom meet the Nasdaq director
independence standards. The Committee operates under a written
charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Charter
was filed with our proxy dated March 18, 2004 and this
proxy may be found on Inter-Tels website at
http://www.inter-tel.com.
Composition of Board of Directors/Nominees
The Committee recommends to the Board the nominees for all
directorships to be filled by the Board. The Committee also
reviews and makes recommendations to the Board on matters such
as the size and composition of the Board in order to ensure the
Board has the requisite expertise and its membership consists of
persons with sufficiently diverse and independent backgrounds.
Between annual shareholder meetings, the Board may elect
directors to vacant Board positions to serve until the next
annual meeting. The Board proposes a slate of nominees for
election to the Board at the annual meeting. Shareholders may
also propose nominees (other than self-nominations) for
consideration by the Committee by submitting the names,
qualifications and other supporting information to: Secretary,
Inter-Tel, Incorporated, 1615 S. 52nd Street, Tempe,
AZ 85281. Properly submitted recommendations must be received at
the Companys principal executive offices not less than
120 calendar days before the date of the Companys
proxy statement released to shareholders in connection with the
previous years annual meeting, to be considered by the
Committee for inclusion in the following years nominations
for election to the Board. Properly submitted candidates will be
evaluated in the same manner as those candidates recommended by
other sources. All candidates are considered in light of the
needs of the Board with due consideration given to the
qualifications described below.
Qualifications
The Committee considers several qualifications when considering
candidates for the Board. Among the most important qualities
directors should possess are the highest personal and
professional ethical standards, integrity and values. Candidates
should be committed to representing the long-term interests of
all of the shareholders. Directors must also have practical
wisdom and mature judgment. Directors must be objective and
inquisitive. Directors must be willing to devote sufficient time
to carrying out their duties and responsibilities effectively,
and should be committed to serve on the Board for an extended
period of time. Directors should also be prepared to offer their
resignation in the event of any significant change in their
personal circumstances that could affect the discharge of their
responsibilities as directors of the Company, including a change
in their principal job responsibilities.
Identification of Directors
The Committee conducts all necessary and appropriate inquiries
into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates
as directors. It has the sole authority to retain and terminate
any search firm to be used to assist it in identifying and
evaluating candidates to serve as directors of the Company.
The Committee identifies candidates through a variety of means,
including search firms, recommendations from members of the
Committee and the Board, including the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, and suggestions from Company management. The
Committee performs interviews of candidates for further
consideration for election to the Board of Directors, and may
invite member of management or others to join in such
interviews. Upon the recommendation of the Committee,
prospective board members are nominated to the Board of
Directors for election the Companys Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, or earlier if approved by the Board of Directors.
32
Corporate Governance and the Code of Business Conduct
The Committee reviews managements monitoring of compliance
with the Companys Code of Business Conduct. In addition,
the Committee has established a process for shareholders to send
communications to the Board, as outlined in the Code of Business
Conduct, which may be found on the Companys website at
www.inter-tel.com. See the Corporate Governance
section below for more information on our corporate governance
practices.
|
|
|
Corporate Governance |
|
and Nominating Committee: |
|
|
Gary D. Edens (Chairman), |
|
Alexander Cappello, |
|
Jerry Chapman and |
|
Agnieszka Winkler. |
February 13, 2006
Corporate Governance
Inter-Tel has operated under sound corporate governance
practices for many years. We believe it is important to disclose
to shareholders a summary of our major corporate governance
practices. Some of these practices have been in place for many
years. Others have been adopted in response to regulatory and
legislative changes. We will continue to assess and refine our
corporate governance practices and share them with you.
A majority of the directors must be independent directors under
the Nasdaq rules. The Nasdaq rules provide that no director can
qualify as independent unless the Board affirmatively determines
that the director has no material relationship with the listed
company. The Board has adopted the Nasdaq standards in
determining whether or not a director has a material
relationship with the Company:
Based on these independence standards and all of the relevant
facts and circumstances, the Board determined that, with the
exception of Steven G. Mihaylo, all directors are considered
independent.
|
|
|
Committee Charters/Codes of Ethics |
The Company has published in public filings listed on its
website (inter-tel.com) the Charter of each of the Audit,
Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees
of the Board, as well as its Code of Business Conduct, which
apply to all officers and employees. Any waiver of, or
amendments to, the codes of ethics for directors or executive
officers, including the chief executive officer and the chief
financial officer must be approved by the Board of Directors and
would be posted on the Companys website within four
business days of any such waiver or amendment. Copies of each of
the committee charters and the codes of ethics referred to above
are also available by writing to our Investor Relations
Department, 1615 S. 52nd Street, Tempe AZ 85281.
|
|
|
Executive Sessions of Non-Employee Directors |
Independent directors ordinarily meet in executive session
without management present at regularly scheduled Board meetings
and may meet at other times at the discretion of the presiding
independent director or at the request of any non-employee
director. Jerry Chapman, an independent director, financial
expert and Chairman of the Audit Committee, is the presiding
independent director for the executive sessions of
non-management directors. Additionally, all of the independent
directors meet at least once annually without management or
non-independent directors present.
33
The Charter of the Audit Committee provides that a member of the
Audit Committee generally may not serve on the audit committee
of more than two other public companies. The Board has
designated Jerry W. Chapman as an Audit Committee financial
expert. Mr. Chapman meets the independence standards for
audit committee members under the Nasdaq and SEC rules. The lead
partner of the Companys independent public accountants is
rotated at least every five years.
Only independent directors serve on the Audit, Compensation and
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees, in accordance
with the independence standards of the Nasdaq rules and the
Companys Corporate Governance Principles. The Board, and
each committee of the Board, has the authority to engage
independent consultants and advisors at the Companys
expense.
|
|
|
Communications with the Board/ Annual Meeting
Attendance |
The Board has established a process by which shareholders may
send communications to the Board. For a description of the
manner in which you can send communications to the Board, please
visit the Companys website (www.inter-tel.com). All
members of the Board are requested to attend the annual meeting,
unless unusual circumstances would prevent such attendance. All
directors who were then members of the Board attended last
years annual meeting.
34
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
The following graph compares the cumulative total return of the
Companys Common Stock with the Nasdaq U.S. Index and
the Nasdaq Telecommunications Stocks index from December 2000 to
December 2005. Inter-Tel selected the Nasdaq Telecommunications
Stock index for comparisons in this second graph and for future
comparative periods.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS AMONG
INTER-TEL, NASDAQ U.S. AND NASDAQ TELECOM INDICES
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Description |
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12/29/00 |
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12/31/01 |
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12/31/02 |
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12/31/03 |
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12/31/04 |
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12/30/05 | |
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INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED
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100.0 |
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250.97 |
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274.44 |
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330.52 |
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366.05 |
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276.53 |
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Nasdaq U.S.
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100.0 |
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79.32 |
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54.84 |
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81.99 |
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89.22 |
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91.12 |
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Nasdaq Telecommunications Stocks:
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(SIC 4800-4899 US & Foreign)
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100.0 |
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66.54 |
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30.63 |
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50.94 |
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54.32 |
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51.61 |
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Notes: A. The lines represent monthly index levels
derived from compounded daily returns that include all
dividends. B. The indexes are re-weighted daily, using the
market capitalization on the previous trading day. C. If the
monthly interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading
day, the preceding trading day is used. D. The index level for
all series was set to $100.0 on 12/29/00.
35
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table summarizes our equity compensation plan
information as of December 31, 2005. Information is
included for both equity compensation plans approved by
Inter-Tel shareholders and equity compensation plans not
approved by Inter-Tel shareholders.
|
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Common Shares | |
|
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|
|
|
Available for | |
|
|
Common Shares | |
|
|
|
Future Issuance | |
|
|
to Be Issued | |
|
Weighted-Average | |
|
Under Equity | |
|
|
upon Exercise of | |
|
Exercise Price of | |
|
Compensation Plans | |
|
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
(Excluding Securities | |
|
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Reflected in Column (a)) | |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by Inter-Tel shareholders
|
|
|
3,580,508 |
(1) |
|
$ |
16.18 |
|
|
|
1,211,807 |
(2) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by Inter-Tel shareholders
|
|
|
275,480 |
(3) |
|
$ |
18.62 |
|
|
|
152,076 |
|
Totals:
|
|
|
3,855,988 |
|
|
$ |
16.36 |
|
|
|
1,363,883 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes options to purchase shares outstanding under the plans
approved by Inter-Tel shareholders. Of these shares, options to
purchase 100,800 shares were outstanding from the
Inter-Tel 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan, options to
purchase 3,337,208 shares were outstanding from the
Inter-Tel 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan and options to
purchase 142,500 shares were outstanding from the 1990
Inter-Tel Director Option Plan. |
|
(2) |
Includes shares available for future issuance under the
Inter-Tel 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Inter-Tel 1997
Long-Term Incentive Plan, the 1990 Inter-Tel Director Option
Plan and the Inter-Tel 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
excludes securities reflected in column (a). Of these shares,
33,676 shares were available under the 1994 Long-Term
Incentive Plan, 708,372 shares were available under the
Inter-Tel 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 72,500 shares were
available under the 1990 Inter-Tel Director Option Plan and
397,259 shares were available under the Inter-Tel 1997
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Under the Inter-Tel 1997 Long-Term
Incentive Plan, the amount of shares authorized for issuance
increases annually by the lesser of (a) 2.5% of the
outstanding shares on that date, (b) 750,000 shares
(subject to appropriate adjustments for stock splits, dividends,
subdivisions, combinations, recapitalizations and like
transactions) or (c) a lesser amount as determined by the
Inter-Tel Board of Directors. |
|
(3) |
As of December 31, 2005, individual options to purchase a
total of 275,480 shares had been assumed or issued in
connection with acquisition transactions by Inter-Tel, at a
weighted average exercise price of $18.62 per share. These
options were issued under the Inter-Tel Acquisition Stock Option
Plan, which has not been approved by Inter-Tel shareholders. |
36
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table and footnotes thereto set forth the
beneficial ownership of Common Stock of the Company as of the
Record Date, by (a) each director and nominee for director
of the Company who owned shares as of such date, (b) each
of the Named Executive Officers (defined below), (c) all
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group and
(d) each person known by the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock:
|
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|
|
|
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
|
|
|
|
|
Owned |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
Excluding |
|
Right to |
|
Number of |
|
Percent of |
Name |
|
Stock Options |
|
Acquire(2) |
|
Shares(1) |
|
Total(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Robert Anderson
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alexander Cappello
|
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|
|
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jerry W. Chapman
|
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|
4,069 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
39,069 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
Gary D. Edens
|
|
|
19,792 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
54,792 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Agnieszka Winkler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Norman Stout
|
|
|
18,861 |
|
|
|
380,333 |
|
|
|
399,194 |
(5) |
|
|
1.5 |
|
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
5,898 |
|
|
|
355,190 |
|
|
|
361,088 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
63,672 |
|
|
|
134,000 |
|
|
|
197,672 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
Kurt R. Kneip
|
|
|
25,078 |
|
|
|
41,500 |
|
|
|
66,578 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
|
5,179,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,179,498 |
|
|
|
18.9 |
|
|
P.O. Box 19790,
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Reno, NV 89511
|
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|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)
|
|
|
5,336,868 |
|
|
|
1,031,024 |
|
|
|
6,367,892 |
|
|
|
23.2 |
|
Other Beneficial Owners:
|
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|
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|
|
Dr. Anil K. Puri
|
|
|
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|
* |
|
Kenneth L. Urish
|
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|
* |
|
Entities Affiliated with Barclays(8)
|
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|
2,340,549 |
|
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|
2,340,549 |
(8) |
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
45 Fremont Street,
|
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San Francisco, CA 94105
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|
Dalton, Greiner, Hartmen, Maher & Co LLC
|
|
|
1,356,607 |
|
|
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|
1,356,607 |
|
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4.9 |
|
|
565 Fifth Ave., Suite 2101,
|
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|
New York, NY 10017
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|
|
(1) |
Determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under this
rule, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of
securities that can be acquired by such person within
60 days from the Record Date upon the exercise of options.
Each beneficial owners percentage ownership is determined
by assuming that all options held by such person (but not those
held by any other person) that are exercisable within
60 days from the Record Date have been exercised. All
persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares issuable pursuant to stock options.
Unless otherwise noted in subsequent footnotes to this table,
the Company believes that all persons named in the table have
sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
Common Stock beneficially owned by them. |
|
(2) |
Shares that can be acquired through stock options vested through
March 22, 2006, or within 60 days of that date. |
|
(3) |
Determined by dividing total number of shares by the sum of the
total consolidated outstanding shares on the Record Date of
26,386,651 plus 1,031,024 shares that can be acquired
through stock options as identified in item (2) above. |
37
|
|
(4) |
With respect to 4,069 of these shares, Mr. Chapman shares
voting and investment power with his spouse. |
|
(5) |
With respect to 18,861 of these shares, Mr. Stout shares
voting and investment power with his spouse. |
|
(6) |
With respect to 62,417 of these shares, Mr. Ford shares
voting and investment power with his spouse. |
|
(7) |
With respect to 20,000 of these shares, Mr. Kneip shares
voting and investment power with his spouse. |
|
(8) |
Based solely upon information contained in a Schedule 13G
filed January 31, 2006. Of the total 2,340,549 shares
owned, 1,821,669 shares were reported by Barclays Global
Investors, NA and 518,880 shares were reported by Barclays
Global Fund Advisors. Of these shares, the number of shares
to which Barclays has sole power to vote or direct the vote
totaled 2,084,456 shares, and sole power to dispose or to
direct the disposition of totaled 2,340,549 shares. |
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
On July 22, 2005, Inter-Tels board of directors
elected Alexander Cappello as the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Inter-Tel effective July 23, 2005. Inter-Tel
also revised its director compensation on this same date to
provide a quarterly stipend the new non-employee Chairman of the
Board. On November 11, 2005, Inter-Tel again revised its
director compensation. We did not pay Mr. Mihaylo, who was
also an officer of the Company, additional compensation for his
service as a director. During 2005, compensation for each
non-employee director included the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
|
1-1-05 to 7-22-05 | |
|
7-23-05 to 10-4-05 | |
|
After 10-4-05 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Each regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting attended
|
|
|
$1,500 |
|
|
|
$1,500 |
|
|
|
$2,000 |
|
Quarterly stipend for non-chairman committee members
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
Quarterly stipend for compensation committee chairman
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
Quarterly stipend for governance and nominating committee
chairman
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
Quarterly stipend for non-employee chairman of the board of
directors
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
Quarterly stipend for audit committee chairman
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
Each compensation committee meeting attended
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
Each governance and nominating committee meeting attended
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
Each audit committee meeting attended
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
Each meeting of a special committee of the Board or a
subcommittee thereof
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
Each special meeting of the Board or committee of the Board,
including unanimous written consents in lieu of board meetings
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
Expenses of attending Board and Committee meetings
|
|
|
As incurred |
|
|
|
As incurred |
|
|
|
As incurred |
|
The Company also allows each director to elect to participate in
the health benefit plans each year. Directors are offered
participation in the same plans offered to employees, subject to
payment by each electing director at employee participant rates,
plus all applicable co-pays and/or deductibles
|
|
Participation offered in Company plans |
|
Participation offered in Company plans |
|
Participation offered in Company plans |
38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
|
1-1-05 to 7-22-05 | |
|
7-23-05 to 10-4-05 | |
|
After 10-4-05 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Director continuing education expenses
|
|
50% of eligible tuition plus expenses |
|
50% of eligible tuition plus expenses |
|
50% of eligible tuition plus expenses |
Annual stock option grants to purchase shares of Common Stock,
pursuant to the Companys Director Stock Option Plan (as
amended), at the market price five(5) business days after
the date of the annual Board meeting
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Selected board members used the corporate aircraft during 2005
only to attend the Companys board meetings |
The following fees were paid to non-employee directors for board
services during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
(such fees exclude expense reimbursements, other benefits, and
the value of stock options granted during 2005):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director |
|
|
|
Total 2005 Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
Alexander Cappello
|
|
Chairman of the Board and member of the Audit Committee and
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
|
$ |
74,000 |
|
J. Robert Anderson
|
|
Board member, Chairman of the Compensation Committee and member
of the Audit Committee |
|
$ |
86,500 |
|
Jerry W. Chapman
|
|
Board member, Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee |
|
$ |
95,000 |
|
Gary D. Edens
|
|
Board member, Chairman of the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee and member of the Audit Committee |
|
$ |
82,000 |
|
Dr. Roland Haden
|
|
Former Board member, member of the Audit Committee and
Compensation Committee (resigned effective November 1, 2005) |
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
Agnieszka Winkler
|
|
Board member, member of the Compensation Committee and Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee |
|
$ |
67,500 |
|
39
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the
compensation earned for services rendered to the Company during
the fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003 by the Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company who were serving as executive officers
of the Company at the end of 2005 and whose aggregate salary and
bonus in fiscal 2005 exceeded $100,000 (the Named
Executive Officers).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards; Securities |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Underlying Options |
|
Compensation |
Name and Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($)(2) |
|
(#) |
|
($)(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(g) |
|
(i) |
Steven G. Mihaylo(1)(4)(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
46,707 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,032 |
|
Norman Stout(1)(4)(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
335,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
16,247 |
|
|
Exec. Vice President, |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,729 |
|
|
Chief Administrative Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
46,707 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
15,998 |
|
|
and Chief Strategy Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig W. Rauchle(4)(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
335,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
47,201 |
|
|
President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,574 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
|
46,707 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
50,610 |
|
Jeffrey T. Ford(4)(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
281,000 |
|
|
|
14,261 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
6,291 |
|
|
Sr. Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
263,000 |
|
|
|
107,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,905 |
|
|
Chief Technology Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
263,000 |
|
|
|
88,894 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
Kurt R. Kneip(5)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
201,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,029 |
|
|
Sr. Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
188,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,857 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
188,000 |
|
|
|
14,726 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Mr. Mihaylo resigned as Chief Executive Officer on
February 22, 2006 and resigned from the Companys
Board of Directors on March 6, 2006. Pursuant to the
Settlement Agreement, Mr. Mihaylo was re-appointed to the Board
of Directors on May , 2006.
Norman Stout was named as Chief Executive Officer and as a
member of the Board of Directors on February 22, 2006. |
|
(2) |
The Compensation Committee set earnings per share performance
levels for the consolidated Company, upon which incentives were
placed for each of the Named Executive Officers. Cash bonus
awards, based upon meeting or exceeding such performance levels
and limited to a percentage of base salary, were set for each
executive officer. The maximum bonuses ranged from
60 percent to 125 percent as a percentage of base
salary, as noted in the table below. For each of the officers
except for Jeff Ford, the bonus to be earned was dependent
entirely on meeting established earnings per share goals.
Mr. Fords 2005 bonus was determined one-third on
meeting the earnings per share goal and two-thirds on meeting
divisional targets. The bonuses are earned on a sliding scale,
with minimum targets that must be met to earn any bonus and
maximum targets that must be achieved to earn the highest
potential bonus. The bonus payout increases ratably for
achievements between the minimum and maximum targets. For 2005,
bonus goals based on earnings per share calculations excluded
the impact of in-process research and development charges
incurred in connection with acquisitions. In addition, although
the Committee was authorized to use its discretion to revise the
calculated bonus amounts upwards or downwards based on any
information the Committee deems appropriate, no adjustments were
made for 2005. The specific earnings per share and divisional
targets have not been included in this description in order to
maintain the confidentiality of the Companys confidential
or commercial business information. Column (d) above
reflects net bonuses achieved for these performance targets. |
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 Maximum Bonus |
|
2005 Maximum Bonus |
|
|
|
|
2005 Salary |
|
Opportunity |
|
Opportunity |
|
2005 Bonus |
|
|
(#) |
|
(%) |
|
($) |
|
Achieved |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
125 |
% |
|
|
437,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Norman Stout
|
|
|
335,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
335,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
335,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
335,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
281,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
281,000 |
|
|
|
14,261 |
|
Kurt R. Kneip
|
|
|
201,000 |
|
|
|
60 |
% |
|
|
120,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
All Other Compensation included in column (i) above for
2005 includes the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auto |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
Name |
|
Allowance |
|
401K Match |
|
Club Dues |
|
(see below) |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
Norman Stout
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
6,291 |
|
|
|
3,956 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,247 |
|
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
5,263 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
7,938 |
|
|
|
47,201 |
|
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,291 |
|
Kurt R. Kneip
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,029 |
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
Norman Stout
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
5,905 |
|
|
|
6,824 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,729 |
|
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
5,465 |
|
|
|
5,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,574 |
|
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,905 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,905 |
|
Kurt R. Kneip
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,857 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,857 |
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
|
6,032 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,032 |
|
Norman Stout
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
|
|
4,968 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,998 |
|
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
|
|
4,195 |
|
|
|
35,385 |
|
|
|
50,610 |
|
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
Kurt R. Kneip
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,030 |
|
Other: During 2005, $7,938 was included in
Mr. Rauchles income in connection with travel costs
incurred by him and his guest for attendance at
company-sponsored business trips. In addition, during 2003,
Mr. Rauchle received $35,385 in other compensation related
to reimbursement of health and welfare benefits for a family
member. No compensation is present under omitted columns (e),
(f) and (h).
|
|
(4) |
Fringe benefits include use of IP telephones or complete
Inter-Tel telephone systems in the home. No amounts have been
included in the above tables for such use. |
|
(5) |
Messrs. Mihaylo, Rauchle, Stout, Ford and Kneip had access
to the company aircraft principally for business use. No amounts
have been included in the above tables for such use based on the
de minimis incremental costs to the Company. |
41
The following table below sets forth information concerning
stock options held or acquired by each of the Named Executive
Officers during the year ended December 31, 2005:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 2005 AND DECEMBER 31,
2005 OPTION VALUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Options |
|
In-the-Money Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
at December 31, |
|
at December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 (#) |
|
2005 ($)(2) |
|
|
Shares Acquired on |
|
Value Realized |
|
Exercisable/ |
|
Exercisable/ |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
($)(1) |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(i) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/ |
|
|
|
/ |
|
Norman Stout
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
3,354,465 |
|
|
|
262,600/134,400 |
|
|
|
1,219,766/1,079,367 |
|
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
4,283,000 |
|
|
|
317,600/134,400 |
|
|
|
3,000,568/1,079,367 |
|
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119,000/14,000 |
|
|
|
1,027,785/116,875 |
|
Kurt R. Kneip
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
366,685 |
|
|
|
36,000/8,500 |
|
|
|
359,685/69,155 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Based upon the market price of the purchased shares on the
exercise date less the option exercise price paid for such
shares. |
|
(2) |
Based upon the market price of $19.57 per share, which was
the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the
Nasdaq National Market on the last day of the Companys
2005 fiscal year, less the option exercise price payable per
share. |
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realizable Value at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Annual Rates of |
|
|
Number of |
|
Percent of Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price Appreciation |
|
|
Securities |
|
Options Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
for Option Terms(3) |
|
|
Underlying |
|
To Employees in |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
|
|
Name |
|
Options Granted |
|
Fiscal Year(1) |
|
Price($/Sh) |
|
Date(2) |
|
5% ($) |
|
10% ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Norman Stout
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
9.9% |
|
|
$ |
19.13 |
|
|
|
5/3/2015 |
|
|
$ |
842,153 |
|
|
$ |
2,134,181 |
|
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
|
70,000 |
|
|
|
9.9% |
|
|
$ |
19.13 |
|
|
|
5/3/2015 |
|
|
$ |
842,153 |
|
|
$ |
2,134,181 |
|
Jeffrey T. Ford
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
2.1% |
|
|
$ |
19.13 |
|
|
|
5/3/2015 |
|
|
$ |
180,461 |
|
|
$ |
457,324 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in market value of the Companys Common Stock for
all shareholders at assumed annual rates of stock price
appreciation (as used in the table above) from $19.57 per
share, over the ten- year period, based on 26.3 million
shares outstanding on December 31, 2005
|
|
5% (to $31.88/sh)
$323.2 million |
|
10% (to $50.76/sh)
$819.2 million |
|
|
(1) |
The Company granted options to purchase 707,300 shares
of Common Stock to employees and directors in fiscal 2005
pursuant to the Companys 1997 Long Term Incentive Plan and
Director Stock Option Plan, in each case as amended. The above
listed executive officer option grants vest 1/3 per annum
on the anniversary of the grant date over 3 years. All
Director Stock Option Plan grants vest six months from the date
of grant. The exercise price for each option to purchase Common
Stock equals the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of such grant. |
|
(2) |
The term of each option is ten years. Options may terminate
before their expiration upon the termination of the
optionees status as an employee or consultant, or upon the
death of the optionee. |
|
(3) |
Potential realizable value assumes that the stock price
increases from the date of grant until the end of the option
term (10 years) at the annual rate specified (5% and 10%).
Annual compounding results in total appreciation of 62.9% (at
5% per year) and 159.4% (at 10% per year). The assumed
annual rates of appreciation are mandated by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent |
42
|
|
|
the Companys estimate or projection of future stock price
growth. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises are
dependent upon the Companys future financial performance,
overall market conditions and the option holders continued
employment or consultancy through the vesting period. |
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
In February 2004, our Board of Directors approved two forms of
Key Employee Change of Control Severance Agreements
(Change of Control Agreements),
entered into between the Company and each of our executive
officers and one other key employee, as set forth in the table
below. We entered into Change of Control Agreements with the
following executive officers and key employee in March 2004:
Change of Control Severance Agreements
|
|
|
Tier 1(a) |
|
Tier 2(b) |
|
|
|
Steven G. Mihaylo
|
|
Jeffrey T. Ford |
Norman Stout
|
|
John L. Gardner |
Craig W. Rauchle
|
|
Kurt R. Kneip |
|
|
(a) |
Refer to Exhibit 10.63 to our Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed
March 12, 2004 for a copy of the sample Tier 1
Agreement. |
|
(b) |
Refer to Exhibit 10.64 to our Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed
March 12, 2004 for a copy of the sample Tier 2
Agreement. |
As noted, Steven G. Mihaylo resigned as Chief Executive Officer
of the Company on February 22, 2006. Accordingly, the Key
Employee Change of Control Severance Agreement between
Mr. Mihaylo and the Company terminated as of such date,
with Mr. Mihaylo receiving no benefits pursuant to the
terms of the agreement.
Inter-Tel Integrated Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Company, employs Carter Chapman as one of its Directors of
Channel Sales. Carter Chapman is the son of Jerry Chapman, one
of the Companys directors. In fiscal 2005, Carter
Chapmans base salary and incentive-based sales commissions
paid by the Company totaled $95,899, and he was granted a stock
option to acquire 1,250 shares of Inter-Tel Common Stock at
the fair market value on the date of grant in May 2005.
Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
requires the Companys directors and executive officers,
and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class
of the Companys equity securities, to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership
and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other
equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and
greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC
regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file.
To the Companys knowledge, based on review of the copies
of such reports furnished to the Company and written
representations that no other reports were required, during the
year ended December 31, 2005, all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to its officers, directors and ten
percent shareholders were complied with, except as follows: On
May 3, 2005, stock options were granted pursuant to the
terms of the Director Stock Option Plan to each of the
independent directors. The stock options for Agnieszka Winkler
were not reported on Form 4 within two business days
because Company representatives were unable to obtain a power of
attorney to complete the filings because Ms. Winkler was
out of the country. For the same reason, the Company was also
unable to file Ms. Winklers Form 3 on a timely
basis.
43
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any matters that will be
presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than
those described in this Proxy Statement. If any other matters
properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named on
the accompanying Proxy will have the authority to vote on those
matters in accordance with their own judgment.
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
Kurt R. Kneip, |
|
Secretary |
May 10, 2006
44
EXHIBIT A
INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER, AS AMENDED
FEBRUARY 17, 2003
Organization
This Audit Committee Charter (the
Charter) governs the operations of the
Audit Committee (the Committee) of
Inter-Tel, Incorporated (Inter-Tel or
the Corporation). The charter will be
reviewed and reassessed by the Committee annually, and proposed
changes, if any, will be recommended to the Board for approval.
The Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall comprise
at least three directors, each of whom shall be qualified to
serve on the Committee pursuant to the following requirements
(as well as any additional criteria required by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the SEC) or
NASDAQ:
|
|
|
|
|
Each member will be an independent director, as defined in
(i) NASDAQ Rules and (ii) the rules of the SEC. |
|
|
|
Each member will be able to read and understand fundamental
financial statements, in accordance with the NASDAQ National
Market Audit Committee requirements; and |
|
|
|
At least one member of the Committee will qualify as a
financial expert, in accordance with the rules of
the SEC. |
The Chairman of the Committee (the
Chairman) shall be designated by the
Board, provided, however, that if the Board does not so
designate a Chairman, the members of the Committee, by majority
vote, may designate the Chairman.
Statement of Purpose
The Committees purpose is to:
|
|
|
|
|
To take such actions as are necessary to monitor: (i) the
integrity of the Corporations financial reporting,
(ii) the Corporations compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements, (iii) the internal and independent
auditors qualifications, independence and performance, and
(iv) the Corporations internal accounting and
financial controls; |
|
|
|
Outline to the Board improvements made, or to be made, in
internal accounting controls; |
|
|
|
Appoint, determine funding for, and oversee the independent
auditors; |
|
|
|
Prepare the report that the rules of the SEC require be included
in the Corporations annual proxy statement; |
|
|
|
Provide the Corporations Board with the results of its
monitoring and recommendations derived therefrom; and |
|
|
|
Provide to the Board such additional information and materials
as it may deem necessary to make the Board aware of significant
financial matters that require the attention of the Board. |
It is the responsibility of the Committee to maintain free and
open communication between the Committee, independent auditors,
the internal auditors, Board of Directors and Corporation
Management. In discharging its oversight role, the Committee is
empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention
with full access to all books, records, facilities and personnel
of the Corporation and, further, it has the power to retain
outside counsel, or other experts, for this purpose.
45
Responsibilities and Processes
The primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the
Corporations financial reporting process on behalf of the
Board and report the results of its activities to the Board.
Management is responsible for preparing the Corporations
financial statements. The Committee, in carrying out its
responsibilities, believes its policies and procedures should
remain flexible in order to best react to changing conditions
and circumstances.
The Committee shall have the following authority and
responsibilities. Such authority and responsibilities are set
forth as a guide with the understanding that the Committee or
the Board may amend or supplement them from time to time as
appropriate.
|
|
|
|
|
Review and approve the Corporations independent
auditors annual engagement letter, including the proposed
fees contained therein; |
|
|
|
Pre-approve audit and non-audit services provided to the
Corporation by the independent auditors (or subsequently
approving non-audit services in those circumstances where a
subsequent approval is necessary and permissible). In this
regard, (x) the Committee shall have the sole authority to
approve the hiring and firing of the independent auditors, all
audit engagement fees and terms and all non-audit engagements,
as may be permissible, with the independent auditors and
(y) the Committee may elect to form and delegate authority
to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when
appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of
audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions
of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented
to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting; |
|
|
|
Review the performance of the Corporations independent
auditors and make recommendations to the Board regarding the
replacement or termination of the independent auditors when
circumstances warrant; |
|
|
|
Oversee the independence of the Corporations independent
auditors by, among other things: |
|
|
|
|
|
requiring the independent auditors to deliver to the Committee
on a periodic basis a formal written statement delineating all
relationships between the independent auditors and the
Corporation consistent with Independent Standards Board Standard
No. 1; |
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actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditors
with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may
impact the objectivity and independence of the independent
auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action
in to satisfy itself of the auditors independence; and |
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Reviewing reports submitted to the audit committee by the
independent auditors in accordance with the applicable SEC
requirements. |
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Instruct the Corporations independent auditors that they
are ultimately accountable to the Committee and the Board, and
that the Committee and the Board are responsible for the
selection, evaluation and termination of the Corporations
independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements
between management and the auditor regarding financial
reporting); |
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Discuss with the Corporations independent auditors the
financial statements and audit findings, including any
significant adjustments, management judgments and accounting
estimates, significant new accounting policies and disagreements
with management and any other matters described in SAS
No. 61, as may be modified or supplemented; |
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Review and discuss the results of the year-end audit of the
Corporation, including any comments or recommendations of the
Corporations independent auditors, and the audited
financial statements and related MD&A to be included in the
Corporations Annual Report on
Form 10-K; |
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Review with management and the independent auditors the
Corporations interim financial statements and the related
MD&A included in Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q,
including the results of the independent auditors reviews
of the quarterly financial statements; |
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Direct the Corporations independent auditors to review
before filing with the SEC the Corporations interim
financial statements included in Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, using
professional standards and procedures for conducting such
reviews; |
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Review with management and the independent auditors weaknesses
in internal controls and any significant suggestions for
improvements provided to management by the independent auditors; |
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Review before release the unaudited quarterly operating results
in the Corporations quarterly earnings release, including
the use of pro-forma or adjusting
non-GAAP information, as well as financial information and
earnings guidance provided to analysts, rating agencies or
similar external audiences; |
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Meet at least quarterly with the senior internal auditing
executive and the independent auditor in separate executive
sessions; |
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Request from the Corporation that appropriate funding be
provided, as determined by the Committee, for payment of
compensation to the independent auditor for the purpose of
rendering or issuing an audit report and to any advisor employed
by the Committee; |
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Provide a report in the Corporations proxy statement; |
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Unless submitted to another comparable independent body of the
Board, as and to the extent required under applicable federal
securities laws and related rules and regulations, and/or the
NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, related party transactions shall be
submitted to the Committee for review and the Committee shall
approve or disapprove such related party transactions; |
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Obtain from the Corporations independent auditors any
information pursuant to Section 10A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934; |
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Establish procedures for receiving, retaining and treating
complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls or auditing matters and procedures
for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; |
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Report regularly to the Board on its activities, as appropriate. |
The Committee, as necessary or appropriate, shall also:
In regards to Financial Statement and Disclosure Matters:
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Review with management and the independent auditor the effect of
regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance
sheet structures on the Corporations financial statements; |
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Receive periodic reports from the Corporations independent
auditors and management of the Corporation regarding the review,
selection, application and disclosure of Corporations
significant accounting policies; |
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Review with management and the Corporations independent
auditors such accounting policies (and changes therein) of the
Corporation, including any financial reporting issues which
could have a material impact on the Corporations financial
statements, as are deemed appropriate for review by the
Committee prior to any interim or year-end filings with the SEC
or other regulatory body; |
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Review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporations
accounting, disclosure and internal control policies and
procedures through inquiry, discussion and periodic meetings
with the Corporations independent auditors and management
of the Corporation and to review before release the disclosure
regarding such system of internal controls required under SEC
rules to be contained in the Corporations periodic filings
and the attestations or reports of the independent auditors
relating to such disclosure; |
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Review with management the Corporations administrative,
operational and accounting internal controls, and advise the
Board as to any concerns regarding whether the Corporation is
operating in accordance with its prescribed policies, procedures
and codes of conduct; |
In regards to Oversight of the Companys Relationship
with the Independent Auditor:
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Review the independent auditors most recent internal and
external quality control review (if applicable); |
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Review and accept, if appropriate, the annual audit plan of the
Corporations independent auditors, including the scope of
audit activities, and monitor such plans progress and
results during the year; |
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Review the experience and qualifications of the senior members
of the independent auditor team and the quality control
procedures of the independent auditor; |
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Review with management the guidelines/practices for the
Corporations hiring of employees of the independent
auditor who were engaged on the Corporations account; |
In regards to Compliance Oversight Responsibilities:
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Oversee compliance with the requirements of the SEC for
disclosure of auditors services and audit committee
members, member qualifications and activities; |
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Review with management and the independent auditor any
correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies or
published reports which raise material issues regarding the
Corporations financial statements or accounting policies; |
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Meet with the general counsel and outside counsel when
appropriate, to review legal and regulatory matters, including
any matters that may have a material impact on the financial
statements of the Corporation; |
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Review the Corporations program to monitor compliance with
the Corporations Code of Conduct or similar ethics code
(including policies related to conflicts of interest), and meet
periodically with the Corporations Compliance Officer to
discuss compliance with the Code of Conduct, including the
review of reports and disclosures of insider and affiliated
party transactions; |
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Review, in conjunction with counsel, any legal matters that
could have a significant impact on the Corporations
financial statements; |
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Provide oversight and review at least annually of the
Corporations risk management policies, including its
investment policies; and |
and, in General:
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Perform such additional activities, and consider such other
matters, within the scope of its responsibilities, as the
Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate. |
While the Committee has the duties and responsibilities set
forth in this charter, the Committee is not responsible for
planning or conducting the audit or for determining whether the
Corporations financial statements are complete and
accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Similarly, it is not the responsibility
of the Committee to ensure that the Corporation complies with
all laws and regulations and its Code of Conduct.
Members of the Committee shall receive such fees, if any, for
their service as Committee members as may be determined by the
Board in its sole discretion. Such fees may include retainers or
per meeting fees. Fees may be paid in such form of consideration
as is determined by the Board. Members of the Committee may not
receive any compensation from the Corporation except the fees
that they receive for service as a member of the Board or any
committee thereof.
48
MEETINGS
The Committee will meet as often as it determines, but not less
frequently than once quarterly. The Committee, in its
discretion, will ask members of management or others to attend
its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent
information as necessary. The Committee will meet separately
with the Chief Executive Officer and separately with the Chief
Financial Officer of the Corporation at such times as it deems
appropriate in order to review the financial affairs of the
Corporation. The Committee will meet periodically in separate
executive session with the independent auditors as well as any
internal auditors of the Corporation at such times as it deems
appropriate in order to review the financial controls of the
Corporation and to otherwise fulfill the responsibilities of the
Committee under this charter. The Committee may also meet with
the Corporations investment bankers or financial analysts
who follow the Corporation.
MINUTES
The Committee will maintain written minutes of its meetings,
which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of
the Board.
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/s/Jerry Chapman |
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Jerry Chapman, |
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Audit Committee Chair |
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/s/J. Robert Anderson |
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J. Robert Anderson, |
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Audit Committee Member |
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/s/Gary D. Edens |
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Gary D. Edens, |
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Audit Committee Member |
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/s/Dr. C. Roland Haden |
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Dr. C. Roland Haden, |
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Audit Committee Member |
February 17, 2003
49
ANNEX A
REINCORPORATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REINCORPORATION
BETWEEN
INTER-TEL, (DELAWARE) INCORPORATED, A DELAWARE CORPORATION,
AND
INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED, AN ARIZONA CORPORATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REINCORPORATION, dated as
of May , 2006, (the
Agreement) is made by and between
Inter-Tel (Delaware), Incorporated, a Delaware corporation
(Inter-Tel Delaware) and Inter-Tel,
Incorporated, an Arizona corporation (Inter-Tel
Arizona). Inter-Tel Delaware and Inter-Tel Arizona
are sometimes referred to herein as the Constituent
Corporations.
R E C I T A L S
A. Inter-Tel Delaware is a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has an
authorized capital of 100,000,000 shares, which are
designated Common Stock, with no par value. As of
the date of this Agreement, 1,000 Shares of Inter-Tel
Delaware Common Stock are issued and outstanding.
B. Inter-Tel Arizona is a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Arizona and has an
authorized capital of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock.
As of the date of this Agreement,
[ ] shares
of Common Stock are issued and outstanding.
C. The Board of Directors of Inter-Tel Arizona has
determined that, for the purpose of effecting the
reincorporation of Inter-Tel Arizona in the State of Delaware,
it is advisable and in the best interests of Inter-Tel Arizona
and its shareholders that Inter-Tel Arizona merge with and into
Inter-Tel Delaware upon the terms and conditions herein provided.
D. The Board of Directors of Inter-Tel Arizona has further
determined that it is in the best interests of Inter-Tel Arizona
and its shareholders to approve this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated herein and has directed the
undersigned officers of Inter-Tel Arizona to submit this
Agreement to its shareholder for adoption and approval. The
Board of Directors of Inter-Tel Arizona has directed the
undersigned officers of Inter-Tel Arizona, upon the approval of
this Agreement by the shareholders of Inter-Tel Arizona, to
execute and deliver this Agreement.
E. The Board of Directors of Inter-Tel Delaware has
approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein
and has directed the undersigned officers of Inter-Tel Delaware
that it be submitted to a vote of its sole stockholder,
Inter-Tel Arizona, for adoption and approval. The Board of
Directors of Inter-Tel Delaware has directed the undersigned
officers of Inter-Tel Delaware, upon the approval of this
Agreement by the shareholders of Inter-Tel Arizona, to execute
and deliver this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and
covenants set forth herein, Inter-Tel Delaware and Inter-Tel
Arizona hereby agree, subject to the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, as follows:
1.1 Merger. In
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the DGCL) and
the Arizona Business Corporation Act (the
ABCA), Inter-Tel Arizona shall be
merged with and into Inter-Tel Delaware (the
Merger), the separate existence of
Inter-Tel Arizona (the Non-Surviving
Corporation) shall cease and Inter-Tel Delaware
shall be the surviving corporation (sometimes referred to herein
as the Surviving Corporation), and the name of the
Surviving Corporation shall be Inter-Tel, Incorporated.
A-1
1.2 Filing and
Effectiveness. The Merger shall become effective when
the following actions shall have been completed:
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(a) This Agreement and the Merger shall have been adopted
and approved by the stockholders of each Constituent Corporation
in accordance with the requirements of the DGCL and the ABCA; |
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(b) All of the conditions precedent to the consummation of
the Merger specified in this Agreement shall have been satisfied
or duly waived by the party entitled to satisfaction thereof; |
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(c) An executed Agreement and Plan of Merger meeting the
requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law shall have
been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
and; and |
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(d) An executed Articles of Merger, in the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto, meeting the requirements of
Section 10-1105 of the ABCA, shall have been filed with the
Arizona Corporation Commission and the Surviving Corporation and
the Non-Surviving Corporation hereby stipulate that they will
cause to be performed all necessary acts therein and elsewhere
to effectuate the Merger. |
The date and time when the Merger shall become effective,
pursuant to the provisions of (i) Section 103 of the
DGCL and (ii) Section 10-123 of the ABCA, is herein
called the Effective Date of the
Merger.
1.3 Effect of the
Merger. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, the
separate existence of Inter-Tel Arizona shall cease and
Inter-Tel Delaware, as the Surviving Corporation, (i) shall
continue to possess all of its assets, rights, powers and
property as constituted immediately prior to the Effective Date
of the Merger, (ii) shall be subject to all actions
previously taken by Inter-Tel Arizonas Board of Directors,
(iii) shall succeed, without other transfer, to all of the
assets, rights, powers and property of Inter-Tel Arizona in the
manner more fully set forth in Section 259 of the DGCL,
(iv) shall continue to be subject to all of the debts,
liabilities and obligations of Inter-Tel Arizona as constituted
immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger and
(v) shall succeed, without other transfer, to all of the
debts, liabilities and obligations of Inter-Tel Arizona in the
same manner as if Inter-Tel Delaware had itself incurred them,
all as more fully provided under the applicable provisions of
the DGCL and the ABCA.
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II. |
CHARTER DOCUMENTS, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
2.1 Certificate of
Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of
Inter-Tel Delaware as in effect on the Effective Date of the
Merger in the jurisdiction of its organization will be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and
said Certificate of Incorporation shall continue in full force
and effect until amended and changed in the manner prescribed by
the provisions of the DGCL.
2.2 Bylaws. The
Bylaws of Inter-Tel Delaware on the Effective Date of the Merger
in the jurisdiction of its organization will be the Bylaws of
the Surviving Corporation and will continue in full force and
effect until changed, altered, or amended as therein provided
and in the manner prescribed by the provisions of the DGCL.
2.3 Directors and
Officers. The directors and officers of Inter-Tel
Arizona on the Effective Date of the Merger shall be the
directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their
successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until
as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation or the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation.
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III. |
MANNER OF CONVERSION OF STOCK |
3.1 Inter-Tel Arizona Common
Shares. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, each
share of Inter-Tel Arizona Common Stock, no par value, issued
and outstanding immediately prior thereto shall by virtue of the
Merger and without any action by the Constituent Corporations,
the holder of such shares or any other person, be converted into
and exchanged for one fully paid and non-assessable share of
Common Stock, no par value, of the Surviving Corporation.
A-2
3.2 Inter-Tel Arizona
Options, Stock Purchase Rights and Convertible
Securities.
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(a) Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, the Surviving
Corporation shall assume the obligations of Inter-Tel Arizona
under, and continue, the option plans and all other employee
benefit plans of Inter-Tel Arizona and certain stock option
agreements by and between certain employees of Inter-Tel Arizona
and Inter-Tel Arizona. Each outstanding and unexercised option,
other right to purchase, restricted stock unit or security
convertible into, Inter-Tel Arizona Common Stock (a
Right) shall become, subject to the
provisions in paragraph (c) hereof, an option, right
to purchase, a restricted stock unit or a security convertible
into the Surviving Corporations Common Stock on the basis
of one share of the Surviving Corporations Common Stock,
as the case may be, for each one share of Inter-Tel Arizona
Common Stock, as the case may be, issuable pursuant to any such
Right, on the same terms and conditions and at an exercise price
equal to the exercise price applicable to any such Inter-Tel
Arizona Right at the Effective Date of the Merger. |
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(b) A number of shares of the Surviving Corporations
Common Stock shall be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
options, stock purchase rights and convertible securities equal
to the number of shares of Inter-Tel Arizona Common Stock so
reserved immediately prior to the Effective Date of the Merger. |
3.3 Inter-Tel Delaware Common
Stock. Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, each share
of Common Stock, no par value, of Inter-Tel Delaware issued and
outstanding immediately prior thereto shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action by Inter-Tel Delaware, the holder
of such shares or any other person, be canceled and returned to
the status of authorized but unissued shares.
3.4 Exchange of
Certificates. After the Effective Date of the Merger,
each holder of an outstanding certificate representing shares of
Inter-Tel Arizona Common Stock may be asked to surrender the
same for cancellation to an exchange agent, whose name will be
delivered to holders prior to any requested exchange (the
Exchange Agent), and each such holder
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a certificate
or certificates representing the number of shares of the
Surviving Corporations Common Stock, as the case may be,
into which the surrendered shares were converted as herein
provided. Until so surrendered, each outstanding certificate
theretofore representing shares of Inter-Tel Arizona Common
Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the number
of shares of the Surviving Corporations Common Stock into
which such shares of Inter-Tel Arizona Common Stock were
converted in the Merger.
The registered owner on the books and records of the Surviving
Corporation or the Exchange Agent of any such outstanding
certificate shall, until such certificate shall have been
surrendered for transfer or conversion or otherwise accounted
for to the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, have and
be entitled to exercise any voting and other rights with respect
to and to receive dividends and other distributions upon the
shares of Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation represented
by such outstanding certificate as provided above.
Each certificate representing Common Stock of the Surviving
Corporation so issued in the Merger shall bear the same legends,
if any, with respect to the restrictions on transferability as
the certificates of Inter-Tel Arizona so converted and given in
exchange therefore, unless otherwise determined by the Board of
Directors of the Surviving Corporation in compliance with
applicable laws.
If any certificate for shares of the Surviving
Corporations stock is to be issued in a name other than
that in which the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor
is registered, it shall be a condition of issuance thereof that
the certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and
otherwise be in proper form for transfer, that such transfer
otherwise be proper and comply with applicable securities laws
and that the person requesting such transfer pay to the Exchange
Agent any transfer or other taxes payable by reason of issuance
of such new certificate in a name other than that of the
registered holder of the certificate surrendered or establish to
the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such tax has
been paid or is not payable.
A-3
4.1 Covenants of Inter-Tel
Delaware. Inter-Tel Delaware covenants and agrees that
it will:
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(a) Qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in the
State of Arizona by filing an application of authority with the
Arizona Corporations Commission as required under the provisions
of
Sections 10-1503
of the ABCA; |
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(b) File any and all documents with the Arizona Department
of Revenue, necessary for the assumption by Inter-Tel Delaware
of all of the tax liabilities of Inter-Tel Arizona; and |
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(c) Take such other actions as may be required by the ABCA. |
4.2 Further Assurances. From
time to time, as and when required by Inter-Tel Delaware or by
its successors or assigns, there shall be executed and delivered
on behalf of Inter-Tel Arizona such deeds and other instruments,
and there shall be taken or caused to be taken by it such
further and other actions as shall be appropriate or necessary
in order to vest or perfect in or conform of record or otherwise
by Inter-Tel Delaware the title to and possession of all the
property, interests, assets, rights, privileges, immunities,
powers, franchises and authority of Inter-Tel Arizona and
otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and the
officers and directors of Inter-Tel Delaware are fully
authorized in the name and on behalf of Inter-Tel Arizona or
otherwise to take any and all such action and to execute and
deliver any and all such deeds and other instruments.
4.3 Shareholder and Stockholder
Approval. This Agreement shall be submitted to a vote of the
shareholders of Inter-Tel Arizona and the sole stockholder of
Inter-Tel Delaware in accordance with the laws of the State of
Arizona and the State of Delaware, respectively. In the event
that this Agreement shall be not approved by the requisite vote
of holders of a majority of Inter-Tel Arizonas Common
Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at Inter-Tel
Arizonas 2006 annual meeting or any adjournment thereof,
this Agreement shall thereupon be terminated without further
action of the parties hereto.
4.4 Abandonment. At any time
before the Effective Date of the Merger, this Agreement may be
terminated and the Merger may be abandoned for any reason
whatsoever by the Board of Directors of either Inter-Tel Arizona
or of Inter-Tel Delaware, or of both, notwithstanding the
approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of Inter-Tel
Arizona or by the stockholders of Inter-Tel Delaware, or by both.
4.5 Amendment. The Boards of
Directors of the Constituent Corporations may amend this
Agreement (or certificate in lieu thereof) at any time before
the Effective Date of the Merger, provided that an amendment
made subsequent to the adoption of this Agreement by the
stockholders of either Constituent Corporation shall not:
(i) alter or change the amount or kind of shares,
securities, cash, property and/or rights to be received in
exchange for or on conversion of all or any of the shares of any
class or series thereof of such Constituent Corporation,
(ii) alter or change any term of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation to be effected by the
Merger or (iii) alter or change any of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement if such alteration or change would
adversely affect the holders of any class or series of capital
stock of any Constituent Corporation.
4.6 Registered Office. The
registered office of the Surviving Corporation in the State of
Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of
New Castle, Delaware 19801 and Corporation Trust Center is
the registered agent of the Surviving Corporation at such
address.
4.7 Agreement. Executed
copies of this Agreement will be on file at the principal place
of business of the Surviving Corporation at
1615 S. 52nd Street, Tempe, AZ 85281, and copies
thereof will be furnished to any stockholder of either
Constituent Corporation, upon request and without cost.
4.8 Governing Law. This
Agreement shall in all respects be construed, interpreted and
enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware and, so far as applicable, the merger
provisions of the ABCA.
A-4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement having first been approved by
the resolutions of the Board of Directors of Inter-Tel Delaware
and Inter-Tel Arizona is hereby executed on behalf of each of
such two corporations and attested by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized.
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INTER-TEL (DELAWARE), INCORPORATED |
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a Delaware corporation |
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Norman Stout, |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED |
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a Arizona corporation |
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Norman Stout, |
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Chief Executive Officer |
A-5
ANNEX B
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
INTER-TEL (DELAWARE), INCORPORATED
Article I
The name of the corporation is Inter-Tel (Delaware),
Incorporated (the Corporation).
Article II
A. The registered agent and the address of the registered
office in the State of Delaware are:
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Corporation Trust Company 1209 Orange Street Wilmington,
Delaware 19801 County of New Castle |
B. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
DGCL).
Article III
The Corporation shall be authorized to issue one class of stock
to be designated Common Stock. The total number of shares of
Common Stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue
is 100,000,000. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock
may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of
shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock.
A. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by
law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each holder
of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of
stock held by such holder of record on the books of the
corporation for the election of directors and on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders of the corporation.
B. Dividends. The holders of shares of Common Stock
shall be entitled to receive, when and if declared by the Board
of Directors (the Board), out of the
assets of the corporation which are by law available therefor,
dividends payable either in cash, in property or in shares of
capital stock.
C. Dissolution, Liquidation or Winding Up. In the
event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
affairs of the corporation, holders of Common Stock shall be
entitled, unless otherwise provided by law, to receive all of
the remaining assets of the corporation of whatever kind
available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion
to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them
respectively.
D. No Pre-Emptive Rights. No holders of shares of
the Common Stock of the Corporation shall have any preferential
or preemptive rights to subscribe for, purchase or receive any
shares of the Corporation, or any options or warrants for such
shares, or any rights to subscribe for, purchase or receive any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares,
which may at any time be issued, sold or offered for sale by the
Corporation.
Article IV
A. Number of Directors. The authorized number of
directors of the corporation shall be determined from time to
time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of the
majority of the entire Board at any regular or special meeting
of the Board, within any limits prescribed in the By-laws of the
Corporation.
B. Vacancies and Removal. Subject to the provisions
hereof, newly created directorships resulting from any increase
in the authorized number of directors, any vacancies on the
Board resulting from death,
B-1
resignation, disqualification, removal, or other cause, may be
filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
remaining directors then in office, even though less than a
quorum of the Board. Any director elected in accordance with the
preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the
full term of the class, if any, of directors in which the new
directorship was created or in which the vacancy occurred, and
until such directors successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation,
removal from office, death or incapacity. Subject to the
provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, no decrease in
the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the
term of any incumbent director.
C. Cumulative Voting. At the request of any
stockholder in an election of members of the Board, each holder
of stock shall be entitled to as many votes as shall equal the
number of votes which (except for this Section C) such
holder would be entitled to cast for the election of directors
with respect to such holders shares of stock multiplied by
the number of directors to be elected by such holder. Such
holder may cast all of such votes for a single director or may
distribute them among the number to be voted for, or for any two
or more of them as such holder may see fit.
Article V
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by
the laws of the State of Delaware:
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A. The Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or
repeal the By-laws of the Corporation by vote of at least a
majority of the members of the Board. |
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B. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot
unless the By-laws of the Corporation shall so provide. |
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C. The books of the Corporation may be kept at such place
within or without the State of Delaware as the By-laws of the
Corporation may provide or as may be designated from time to
time by the Board. |
Article VI
A. Exculpation. To the fullest extent permitted by
the DGCL, as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, a
director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to
the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the Delaware
Corporation Law hereafter is amended to further eliminate or
limit the liability of directors, then the liability of a
director of the Corporation, in addition to the limitation on
personal liability provided herein, shall be limited to the
fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. Any repeal or
modification of this paragraph by the stockholders of the
Corporation shall be prospective only and shall not adversely
affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of
the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or
modification.
B. Indemnification.
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1. Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or
is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is
otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise
(hereinafter a proceeding), by reason
of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of
the Corporation or, while serving as a director or officer of
the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to an employee
benefit plan (hereinafter an
indemnitee), whether the basis of such
proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a
director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity
while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the
fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment,
except as may be prohibited by applicable law, only to the
extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide
broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto),
against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or
suffered by such indemnitee in |
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connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as
to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
indemnitees heirs, executors and administrators; provided,
however, that, except as provided in Section B.3 of this
Article VI with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to
indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such
indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part
thereof) was authorized by the Board. |
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2. Right to Advancement of Expenses. The right to
indemnification conferred in Section B.1 shall include the
right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in
defending any proceeding for which such right to indemnification
is applicable in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter
an advancement of expenses); provided,
however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses
incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director
or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was
or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made
only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking
(hereinafter an undertaking), by or on
behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if
it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision
from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a
final adjudication) that such
indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses
under this Section or otherwise. |
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3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. The rights to
indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in
Sections B.1 and B.2 shall be contract rights. If a claim
under Section B.1 or Section B.2 is not paid in full
by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written
claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case
of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the
applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee
may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to
recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole
or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to
the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to
be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit.
In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a
right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by
the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses)
it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to
the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled
to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the
indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for
indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of
the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel,
or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee
is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met
the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an
actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board,
independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the
indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the
applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit
brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any
suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to
indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or
by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses
pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving
that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to
such advancement of expenses, under this Section or otherwise
shall be on the Corporation. |
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4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights to
indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in
this Section B shall not be exclusive of any other right
which any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any
statute, the Corporations certificate of incorporation,
bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise. |
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5. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain
insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or
not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such
Person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL. |
B-3
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6. Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the
Corporation. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized
from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification,
and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of
the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this
Section with respect to the indemnification and advancement of
expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation. |
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7. Amendment. Neither any amendment nor repeal of
this Article VI, nor the adoption of any provision of the
Corporations Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent
with this Article VI, shall eliminate or reduce the effect
of this Article VI in respect of any matter occurring, or
action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this
Article VI, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment,
repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision. |
Article VII
Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of
Incorporation, the Corporation reserves the right to amend or
repeal any provision, rescind or amend in any respect any
provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the
manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights
conferred upon a stockholder herein are granted subject to this
reservation.
* * *
I, the undersigned, as the incorporator of the Company, have
signed this Certificate of Incorporation on May [31], 2006.
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Norman Stout, |
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Chief Executive Officer |
Attest:
Kurt R. Kneip,
Secretary
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ANNEX C
BY-LAWS OF INTER-TEL (DELAWARE), INCORPORATED
(a Delaware corporation)
Article I. Offices
1.1 Principal Office.
The Board of Directors shall fix the location of the principal
executive office of the Corporation at any place within or
outside the State of Delaware.
1.2 Additional
Offices. The Board of Directors (the
Board) may at any time establish
branch or subordinate offices at any place or places.
Article II. Meeting
of Stockholders
2.1 Place of Meeting.
Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place, either
within or without Delaware, as determined by the Board. The
Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting
shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely
by means of remote communication as authorized by Delaware law.
If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject
to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt,
stockholders and proxy holders not physically present at a
meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:
(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and
(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of
stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated
place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that
(A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to
verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at
the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or
proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement
reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy
holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting
and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including
an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting
substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and
(C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other
action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record
of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the
Corporation.
2.2 Annual Meeting.
Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held at such date and
time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and
stated in the notice of the meeting. At such annual meetings,
the stockholders shall elect directors and transact such other
business as may properly be brought before the meetings.
2.3 Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the stockholders may be called for any
purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or
by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, by the Board of
Directors and shall be called by the President or Secretary at
the request in writing of stockholders owning at least ten
percent (10%) in amount of the entire capital stock of the
Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote except
that a special meeting for the purpose of considering any action
to directly or indirectly facilitate a business
combination as defined in Section 10-2701.6 of the
Arizona Corporations Law, including any action to change or
otherwise affect the composition of the board of directors for
that purpose, may only be called at the request in writing of
stockholders owning at least twenty-five percent (25%) in amount
of the entire capital stock of the Corporation. Such request
shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting and,
if submitted by holder of less than twenty-five percent (25%) in
amount of the entire capital stock of the Corporation, shall be
accompanied by a declaration under penalty of perjury that the
meeting is not being held for the purpose of considering any
action to directly or indirectly facilitate a business
combination, including any action to change or otherwise
affect the composition of the board of directors for that
purpose. Upon request in writing that a special meeting of
stockholders be called, directed to the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice
President or the Secretary, the person forthwith shall cause
notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote that a
meeting will be held at a time requested by the person or
persons calling the meeting, such time not to be less
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than ten (10), nor more than sixty (60), days after receipt of
the request. Such notice shall state the purpose or purposes of
the proposed meeting.
2.4 Notice of
Meetings. Written notice of stockholders meetings,
stating the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the
means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders
and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote
at such meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the
meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder entitled
to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10), nor more than
sixty (60), days prior to the meeting.
When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time,
written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the
place, if any, date and time thereof and the means of remote
communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders
may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned
meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is
taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned
meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for
which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record
date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the
place, date and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in
conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may
be transacted which might have been transacted at the original
meeting.
2.5 Business Matter of a
Special Meeting. Business transacted at any special
meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated
in the notice.
2.6 List of
Stockholders. The officer in charge of the stock ledger
of the Corporation or the transfer agent shall prepare and make,
at least ten (10) days before every meeting of
stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to
vote at the meeting arranged in alphabetical order, and showing
the address of each stockholder and the number of shares
registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be
open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a
period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting:
(i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided
that the information required to gain access to such list is
provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during
ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of
the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to
make the list available on an electronic network, the
Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such
information is available only to stockholders of the
Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the
list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the
meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by
any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held
solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall
also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the
whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic
network, and the information required to access such list shall
be provided with the notice of the meeting.
2.7 Organization and Conduct
of Business. The Chairman of the Board or, in his or her
absence, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or, in
their absence, such person as the Board may have designated or,
in the absence of such a person, such person as may be chosen by
the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are
present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting
of the stockholders and act as Chairman of the meeting. In the
absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the Secretary of
the meeting shall be such person as the Chairman appoints.
The Chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the
order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including
such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of
discussion as seems to him or her in order.
2.8 Quorum and
Adjournments. Except where otherwise provided by law or
in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws,
the holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote, present in person or represented in proxy,
shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders.
The stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in
person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the
meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which
a quorum is present or represented, any business may be
transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as
originally noticed.
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2.9 Voting Rights.
Except as provided in the next following sentence and except as
may be provided in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the
capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder. In
the election of directors, each such stockholder complying with
the following paragraph and entitled to vote at any election of
directors may cumulate such stockholders votes and give
one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors
to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which the
stockholders shares are normally entitled, or distribute
the stockholders votes on the same principle among as many
candidates as the stockholder thinks fit.
In the election of directors, no stockholder shall be entitled
to cumulate votes in favor of any candidate or candidates unless
such candidates or candidates names have been placed
in nomination prior to the voting and one stockholder has given
notice at the meeting prior to the voting of that
stockholders intention to cumulate the stockholders
votes. If any one stockholder has given such notice, such fact
shall be announced to all stockholders and proxies present, who
may then cumulate their votes for candidates in nomination.
In any election of directors, the candidates receiving the
highest number of affirmative votes of the shares entitled to be
voted for them, up to the number of directors to be elected by
such shares, are elected. Votes against a director and votes
withheld shall have no legal effect.
Voting may be by voice or ballot, provided that any election of
directors must be by ballot upon the demand of any stockholder
made at the meeting and before the voting begins.
2.10 Majority Vote.
When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders
of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person
or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before
such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express
provision of the statutes or of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or of these By-laws, a different vote is required,
in which case such express provision shall govern and control
the decision of such question.
2.11 Record Date for
Stockholder Notice and Voting.
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(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors
may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the
date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be
more than sixty or fewer than ten days before the date of such
meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors,
the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice
of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment
thereof shall be at the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which the meeting is held. |
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(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date,
which record date shall not precede the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of
Directors, and which record date shall not be more that
10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the
record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If no record
date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date
for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the
Board of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the
first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the
action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the
Corporation at its principal executive office. If no record date
has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the
Board of Director is required by applicable law, the Certificate
of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action
in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business
on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts the
resolution taking such prior action. |
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(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or
other distribution, or allotment of any rights, or the
stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any
change, conversion, or exchange of capital stock, or for the
purpose of any other |
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lawful action, except as may otherwise be provided in these
Bylaws, the Board of Directors may fix a record date. Such
record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution
fixing such record date is adopted, and shall not be more than
sixty days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the
record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose
shall be the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. |
2.12 Advance Notice of
Stockholder Business. To be properly brought before an
annual meeting, any business must be (a) specified in the
notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the
meeting by a shareholder (i) who is a shareholder of record
on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this
Section 2.12 and on the record date for the determination
of shareholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and
(ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in
this Section 2.12.
For such business to be considered properly brought before the
meeting by a shareholder such shareholder must, in addition to
any other applicable requirements, have given timely written
notice of demand to the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary of
the Corporation in proper written form.
To be timely, such shareholders notice must be delivered
to or mailed and received by the Chief Executive Officer or
Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices
of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days prior to
the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual
meeting; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting
is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days
before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder
to be timely must be so received not later than the close of
business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such
notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure made, whichever occurs first; provided further, that
in the event this Section 2.12 becomes effective less than
one hundred (100) days prior to the anniversary date of the
immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders, notice by
the shareholder would also be timely if so received not later
than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the
day on which this Section 2.12 became effective.
To be in proper written form, a shareholders notice to the
Secretary shall set forth:
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a) the name and record address of the shareholder who
intends to propose the business and the class or series and
number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are
owned beneficially or of record by such shareholder; |
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b) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of
record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such
meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the
meeting to introduce the business specified in the notice; |
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c) a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting
such business at the annual meeting; and |
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d) any material interest of the shareholder in such
business. |
No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of
shareholders except business brought before the annual meeting
in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section;
provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought
before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures,
nothing in this Section 2.12 shall be deemed to preclude
discussion by any shareholder of any such business. The Chairman
of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the proposal of any
business not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.
2.13 Advance Notice of
Director Nominations. Only persons who are nominated in
accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for
election as directors of the Corporation. To be properly brought
before an annual meeting nominations for the election of
director must be (a) specified in the Corporations
notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (b) made by
or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly
authorized committee thereof) or (c) made by any
shareholder (i) who is a shareholder of record on the date
of the giving of the notice provided for in this
Section 2.13 and on the record date for the
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determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting
and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth
in this Section 2.13.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a
nomination to be made by a shareholder, such shareholder must
have given timely written notice of demand to the Chief
Executive Officer or Secretary of the Corporation in proper
written form.
To be timely, a shareholders notice to the Chief Executive
Officer or Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received
at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less
than ninety (90) days prior to the anniversary date of the
immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders; provided,
however, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for
a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after
such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be
timely must be so received not later than the close of business
on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice
of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure of the date of the annual meeting; provided further,
that in the event this Section 2.13 becomes effective less
than one hundred (100) days prior to the anniversary date
of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders,
notice by the shareholder would also be timely if so received
not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day
following the day on which this Section 2.13 became
effective.
To be in proper written form, a shareholders notice to the
Secretary must set forth:
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a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to
nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age,
business address and residence address of the person,
(ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person
over at least the last five years, (iii) the class or
series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation
which are owned beneficially or of record by the person,
(iv) a statement as to the persons citizenship, and
(v) any other information relating to the person that would
be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other
filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of
proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act), and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder; and |
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b) as to the shareholder giving the notice (i) the
name and record address of such shareholder, (ii) the class
or series and number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such
shareholder, (iii) a description of all arrangements or
understandings between such shareholder and each proposed
nominee and any other person or persons (including their names)
pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such
shareholder, (iv) a representation that such shareholder
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
nominate the persons named in its notice and (v) any other
information relating to such shareholder that would be required
to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required
to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for
election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent
of each proposed nominee who consents to being named as a
nominee and to serve as a director if elected. |
No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the
Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this Section 2.13. If the Chairman of the
meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance
with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the
meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective
nomination shall be disregarded.
2.14 Proxies. Every
person entitled to vote for directors or on any other matter
shall have the right to do so either in person or by one or more
agents authorized by a written proxy signed by the person and
filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A proxy shall be
deemed signed if the stockholders name is placed on the
proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic
transmission, electronic transmission or otherwise) by the
stockholder or the stockholders
attorney-in-fact. A
validly executed proxy which does not state that it is
irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless
(a) revoked by the person executing it, before the vote
pursuant to that proxy, by a writing delivered to the
Corporation stating that the proxy is revoked or by a subsequent
proxy executed by the maker of the proxy, or by that
persons attendance and vote at the meeting; or
(b) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker
of that proxy is received by the
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Corporation before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted;
provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after the
expiration of eleven months from the date of the proxy, unless
otherwise provided in the proxy.
2.15 Inspectors of
Election. Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board
may appoint any person other than nominees for office to act as
inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no
inspectors of election are so appointed, the Chairman of the
meeting may, and on the request of any stockholder or a
stockholders proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election
at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one
(1) or three (3). If inspectors are appointed at a meeting
on the request of one or more stockholders or proxies, the
holders of a majority of shares or their proxies present at the
meeting shall determine whether one (1) or three
(3) inspectors are to be appointed. If any person appointed
as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the
Chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any
stockholder or a stockholders proxy shall, appoint a
person to fill that vacancy or to act in place of such inspector.
2.16 Action Without Meeting
by Written Consent. All actions required to be taken at
any annual or special meeting may be taken without a meeting,
without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or
consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be
signed by the holders of all shares of outstanding voting stock
and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its
registered office, its principal place of business, or an
officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book
in which proceedings of meetings or stockholders are recorded.
Article III. Directors
3.1 Number; Qualifications;
Election. The authorized number of directors shall
initially be eleven (11), such number to be changed from time to
time by resolution of the Board, subject to Section 4 of
Article VII of the Corporations Restated Certificate
of Incorporation.
Directors need not be stockholders. A person will not qualify
for initial election or appointment as a director if such
persons 70th birthday occurs on or has occurred
before the date of such election or appointment. A person who is
a director is qualified for re-election after his or her
70th birthday, but will not qualify for re-election if
their 75th birthday occurs on or has occurred before the
date of such election or appointment. A person who has qualified
by age for his or her most recent election as a director may
serve throughout the term for which such person was elected,
notwithstanding the occurrence of his or her 75th birthday
between the date of such election and the end of such term.
Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting or at any
special meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in
Section 3.2 hereof, and each director so elected shall hold
office until the expiration of the term for which elected, or
until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his
earlier resignation or removal. All elections of directors shall
be by written ballot, unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation; if authorized by the Board, such
requirement of a written ballot shall be satisfied by a ballot
submitted by electronic transmission, provided that any such
electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted
with information from which it can be determined that the
electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or
proxy holder.
3.2 Resignation and
Vacancies. A vacancy or vacancies in the Board shall be
deemed to exist in the case of the death, resignation or removal
of any director, or if the authorized number of directors be
increased. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the
remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining director, unless otherwise provided in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. The stockholders may elect a
director or directors at any time to fill any vacancy or
vacancies not filled by the directors. If the Board accepts the
resignation of a director tendered to take effect at a future
time, the Board shall have power to elect a successor to take
office when the resignation is to become effective. If there are
no directors in office, then an election of directors may be
held in the manner provided by statute. In the event of a
vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining directors,
except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporations
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, may
exercise the powers of the full Board of Directors until the
vacancy is filled.
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3.3 Removal of
Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by statute, or by
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any
director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without
cause, by the holders of at least a majority of the shares
entitled to vote at an election of directors provided, however,
unless the entire Board is removed, an individual director shall
not be removed without cause if the votes cast against removal
would be sufficient to elect such director if voted then
cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of
votes were cast. No reduction of the authorized number of
directors shall have the effect of removing any director before
his term of office expires.
3.4 Powers. Subject
to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and
the Corporations Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
the business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the
direction of the Board which may exercise all such powers of the
Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things which are not
by statute or by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by
these By-laws directed or required to be exercised or done by
the stockholders.
Without prejudice to these general powers, the directors shall
have the power to:
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(a) Select and remove all officers, agents, and employees
of the Corporation; prescribe any powers and duties for them
that are consistent with law, with the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, and with these By-laws and fix their compensation; |
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(b) Confer upon any office the power to appoint, remove and
suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents; |
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(c) Change the principal executive office or the principal
business office in the State of California, or any other state,
from one location to another; cause the Corporation to be
qualified to do business in any other state, territory,
dependency or country, and conduct business within or without
the State of California; and designate any place within or
without the State of California for the holding of any
stockholders meeting, or meetings, including annual meetings; |
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(d) Adopt, make, and use a corporate seal; prescribe the
forms of certificates of stock; and alter the form of the seal
and certificates; |
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(e) Authorize the issuance of shares of stock of the
Corporation on any lawful terms; |
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(f) Borrow money and incur indebtedness on behalf of the
Corporation, and cause to be executed and delivered for the
Corporations purposes, in the corporate name, promissory
notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges,
hypothecation and other evidences of debt and securities; |
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(g) Declare dividends from time to time in accordance with
law; |
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(h) Adopt from time to time such stock option, stock
purchase, bonus or other compensation plans for directors,
officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries as it may determine; and |
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(i) Adopt from time to time policies not inconsistent with
these By-laws for the management of the Corporations
business and affairs. |
3.5 Place of
Meetings. The Board may hold meetings, both regular and
special, either within or without the State of Delaware.
3.6 Annual Meetings.
The annual meeting of the Board shall be held immediately
following the annual meeting of stockholders, and no notice of
such meeting shall be necessary to the Board, provided a quorum
shall be present. The annual meetings shall be for the purposes
of organization, for an election of officers, and for the
transaction of other business.
3.7 Regular Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such
time and place as may be determined from time to time by the
Board.
3.8 Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of
the Board or the Chief Executive Officer and shall be called by
the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or
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the Secretary upon the written request of a majority of the
Board Notice shall be given to each Director in any one of the
following manners:
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(a) if delivered in person or by telephone, such notice
shall be delivered at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to
the time the meeting is to be held. Such notice may be
communicated either to the director or to a person at the home
or business of the director when the person delivering the
notice has reason to believe such person will promptly
communicate it to the director. Such notice shall be considered
delivered when the person noticing the meeting believes in good
faith that the notified person has heard and acknowledged the
notice; |
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(b) if delivered by telegram, such notice shall be
delivered to a common carrier, charges prepaid, for transmission
to the director at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to
the time the meeting is to be held. Delivery to a common carrier
shall be due and legal notice to such director; |
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(c) if delivered by overnight courier service, including
without limitation such services as Express Mail and Federal
Express, such notice shall be delivered to such courier service,
charges prepaid, for delivery to the director no later than one
day prior to the day upon which the meeting is to be held.
Delivery to a courier service shall be due and legal notice to
such director; |
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(d) if delivered by facsimile transmission, such notice
shall be either delivered to a common carrier, charges prepaid,
for transmission to the director or transmitted by or under the
direction of the person giving notice to the director at least
twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time the meeting is to
be held. Delivery to a common carrier or transmission of a
facsimile shall be due and legal notice to such director; |
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(e) if delivered by first-class mail, such notice shall be
deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, at least
four (4) days prior to the date of the meeting to be held.
Deposit in the U.S. mail shall be due and legal notice to
such director. |
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(f) if delivered by electronic mail (e-mail) transmission,
such notice shall be transmitted by or under the direction of
the person giving notice to the directors at least twenty-four
(24) hours prior to the time the meeting is to be held.
Transmission of an
e-mail shall be legal
notice to such director. |
If the notice is given in the (a) manner and the
communication is not with the director or if the notice if given
in the (b), (d), or (f) manner and the receipt of the
notice is not confirmed by the director by phone, voicemail,
e-mail, fax or
telegram, then to constitute proper notice, the notice must also
be timely given in another of the (a), (b), (d), or
(f) manners. The notice need not specify the business to be
conducted or the place of the meeting if the meeting is to be
held at the principal office of the Corporation.
The notice need not specify the business to be conducted or the
place of the meeting if the meeting is to be held at the
principal office of the Corporation.
3.9 Quorum and
Adjournments. At all meetings of the Board, a majority
of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the
directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum
shall be the act of the Board, except as may otherwise be
specifically provided by law or by the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present
may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal
of directors, if any action taken is approved of by at least a
majority of the required quorum for that meeting. A majority of
the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may
adjourn any meeting to another time and place. Notice of the
time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given
to absent directors if the time and place are fixed at the
meeting being adjourned, except that if the meeting is adjourned
for more than twenty-four (24) hours such notice shall be
given prior to the adjourned meeting to the directors who were
not present at the time of the adjournment.
3.10 Action Without
Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or
of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all
members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent
thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with
the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
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3.11 Telephone
Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any member of the
Board or of any committee may participate in a meeting by means
of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by
means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear
each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute
presence in person at the meeting.
3.12 Waiver of
Notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any
director who signs a waiver of notice or provides a waiver by
electronic transmission or a consent to holding the meeting or
an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the
meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, either
prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to such
director. All such waivers, consents and approvals or any waiver
by electronic transmission shall be filed with the corporate
records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
3.13 Fees and Compensation of
Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the Board shall
have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The
directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at
each meeting of the Board, and may be paid a fixed sum for
attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as
director. No such payment shall preclude any director from
serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving
compensation therefor; provided, that, no person who
concurrently serves as a member of the Board and also serves as
an officer of the Corporation shall receive additional
compensation from the Corporation, other than the reimbursement
of expenses, for service on the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. Members of special or standing committees may be
allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
Article IV. Committees
of Directors
4.1 Selection. The
Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire
Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to
consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The
Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members
of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified
member at any meeting of the committee.
In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee
other than a designee of Cypress (in its capacity as a
stockholder of the Corporation), the member or members thereof
present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether
or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously
appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the
place of any such absent or disqualified member.
4.2 Power. Any such
committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the
Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority
of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of
the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation
to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such
committee shall have the power or authority in reference to
amending the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (except that
a committee may, to the extent authorized in the resolution or
resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock
adopted by the Board as provided in section 151(a) of the
General Corporation Law of Delaware, fix any of the preferences
or rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption,
dissolution, any distribution of assets of the Corporation or
the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares
of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or
any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation),
adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending
to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the Corporations property and assets,
recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the
Corporation or a revocation of dissolution, removing or
indemnifying directors or amending the By-laws of the
Corporation; and, unless the resolution or the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation expressly so provides, no such
committee shall have the power or authority to declare a
dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a
certificate of ownership and merger. Such committee or
committees shall have such name or names as may be determined
from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board.
4.3 Committee
Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of
its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.
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Article V. Officers
5.1 Officers
Designated. The officers of the Corporation shall be
chosen by the Board and shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a
President, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer. The Board
may also choose a Chairman of the Board, Chief Operating
Officer, one or more Vice Presidents and one or more assistant
Secretaries. Any number of offices may be held by the same
person, unless the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
these By-laws otherwise provide.
5.2 Appointment of
Officers. Subject to Section 4 of Article VII
of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation,
the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be
appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3
or 5.5 hereof, shall be appointed by the Board, and each shall
serve at the pleasure of the Board, subject to the rights, if
any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
5.3 Subordinate
Officers. The Board or any duly authorized committee may
appoint, and may empower the Chief Executive Officer to appoint,
such other officers and agents as the business of the
Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such
period, have such authority and perform such duties as are
provided in the By-laws or as the Board or duly authorized
committee may from time to time determine.
5.4 Removal and Resignation
of Officers. Subject to the rights, if any, of an
officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be
removed, either with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of
the majority of the Board or authorized committee, at any
regular or special meeting of the Board or such committee, or,
except in case of an officer chosen by the Board or authorized
committee, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be
conferred by the Board or authorized committee.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to
the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date
of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in
that notice; and, unless otherwise specified in that notice, the
acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights,
if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the
officer is a party.
5.5 Vacancies in
Offices. A vacancy in any office because of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall
be filled in the manner prescribed in these By-laws for regular
appointment to that office.
5.6 Compensation. The
salaries of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed from
time to time by the Board, and no officer shall be prevented
from receiving a salary because he is also a director of the
Corporation.
5.7 The Chairman of the
Board. If the Board of Directors appoints a Chairman of
the Board, such Chairman shall, when present, preside at all
meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman shall
perform such duties and possess such powers as are customarily
vested in the office of the Chairman of the Board or as may be
vested in the Chairman by the Board of Directors.
5.8 The Chief Executive
Officer. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as
may be given by the Board to the Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or
if there be none, at all meetings of the Board, shall have
general and active management of the business of the Corporation
and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are
carried into effect. He or she shall execute bonds, mortgages
and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the
Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be
otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and
execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to
some other officer or agent of the Corporation.
5.9 The President.
The President shall, in the event there be no Chief Executive
Officer or in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer or in
the event of his or her disability or refusal to act, perform
the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting,
shall have the powers of and subject to all the restrictions
upon the Chief Executive Officer. The President shall perform
such other duties and have such
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other powers as may from time to time be prescribed for such
person by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer or these By-laws.
5.10 The Vice
President. The Vice President (or in the event there be
more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by
the directors, or in the absence of any designation, in the
order of their election), shall, in the absence of the President
or in the event of his disability or refusal to act, perform the
duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the
President. The Vice President(s) shall perform such other duties
and have such other powers as may from time to time be
prescribed for them by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President, the Chairman of the Board or these By-laws.
5.11 The Secretary.
The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and the
stockholders and record all votes and the proceedings of the
meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall
perform like duties for the standing committees, when required.
The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board, and
shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be
prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer or the President, under whose supervision he
or she shall act. The Secretary shall have custody of the seal
of the Corporation, and the Secretary, or an Assistant
Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any
instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, the seal may be
attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such
Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any
other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest
the affixing thereof by his or her signature. The Secretary
shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive
office or at the office of the Corporations transfer agent
or registrar, as determined by resolution of the Board, a share
register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of
all stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of
shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued
for the same, and the number and date of cancellation of every
certificate surrendered for cancellation.
5.12 The Assistant
Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more
than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order designated by
the Board (or in the absence of any designation, in the order of
their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary, or in
the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the
duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall
perform such other duties and have such other powers as may from
time to time be prescribed by the Board.
5.13 The Chief Financial
Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the
custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep
full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in
books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys
and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the
Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the
Board. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of
the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper
vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chief
Executive Officer and the Board, at its regular meetings, or
when the Board so requires, an account of all his or her
transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial
condition of the Corporation.
5.14 Representation of Shares
of Other Corporations. The Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial
Officer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of this
Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board of
Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, is authorized to vote,
represent and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights
incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or
corporations standing in the name of the Corporation. The
authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person
directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or
power of attorney duly executed by such person having the
authority.
Article VI. Indemnification
of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents
6.1 Indemnification of
Directors and Officers. The Corporation shall, to the
maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, indemnify each of its directors and
officers against expenses (including attorneys fees),
judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually
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and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative,
investigative or otherwise, arising by reason of the fact that
such person is or was an agent of the Corporation. For purposes
of this Section 6.1, a director or
officer of the Corporation includes any person
(a) who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation,
(b) who, while serving as a director of officer of the
Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or (c) who was a
director or officer of a corporation which was a predecessor
corporation of the Corporation or of another enterprise at the
request of such predecessor corporation.
6.2 Indemnification of
Others. The Corporation shall have the power, to the
maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, to indemnify each of its employees
and agents (other than directors and officers) against expenses
(including attorneys fees), judgments, fines, settlements
and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection
with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such
person is or was an agent of the Corporation. For purposes of
this Section 6.2, an employee or
agent of the Corporation (other than a director or
officer) includes any person (a) who is or was an employee
or agent of the Corporation, (b) who is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, or (c) who was an employee or agent of a
corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the
Corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such
predecessor corporation.
6.3 Payment of Expenses in
Advance. Expenses incurred in defending any action or
proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to
Section 6.1 hereof, or for which indemnification is
permitted pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, following
authorization thereof by the Board of Directors, shall be paid
by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such
action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on
behalf of the indemnified party to repay such amount, if it
shall ultimately be determined that the indemnified party is not
entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Article 6.
6.4 Indemnity Not
Exclusive. The indemnification provided by this
Article 6 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any
bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in an official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such
office, to the extent that such additional rights to
indemnification are authorized in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.
6.5 Insurance. The
Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and
incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of
his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would
have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability
under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.
6.6 Conflicts. No
indemnification or advance shall be made under this
Article 6, except where such indemnification or advance is
mandated by law or the order, judgment or decree of any court of
competent jurisdiction, in any circumstance where it appears:
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(a) That it would be inconsistent with a provision of the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws, a
resolution of the stockholders or an agreement in effect at the
time of the accrual of the alleged cause of the action asserted
in the proceeding in which the expenses were incurred or other
amounts were paid, which prohibits or otherwise limits
indemnification; or |
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(b) That it would be inconsistent with any condition
expressly imposed by a court in approving a settlement. |
Article VII. Stock
Certificates
7.1 Certificates for
Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be
represented by certificates or shall be uncertificated.
Certificates shall be signed by, or be in the name of the
Corporation by, the Chairman of the
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Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice
President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.
Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of
uncertified stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered
owner thereof a written notice containing the information
required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
or a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge
to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations,
preferences and relative participating, optional or other
special rights of each class of stock or series thereof, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences
and/or rights.
7.2 Signatures on
Certificates. Any or all of the signatures on a
certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer
agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature
has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such
officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is
issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect
as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the
date of issue.
7.3 Transfer of
Stock. Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer
agent of the Corporation of a certificate of shares duly
endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession,
assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of
the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person
entitled thereto, to cancel the old certificate and record the
transaction upon its books. Upon receipt of proper transfer
instructions from the registered owner of uncertificated shares,
such uncertificated shares shall be canceled, and issuance of
new equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated shares
shall be made to the person entitled thereto, and the
transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the Corporation.
7.4 Registered
Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its
books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote
as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a
percent registered on its books as the owner of shares, and
shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to
or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other
person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice
thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.
7.5 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed
Certificates. The Board may direct that a new
certificate or certificates be issued to replace any certificate
or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of
stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing the
issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board may, in
its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed
certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative,
to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require, and/or
to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against the
Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been
lost, stolen or destroyed.
Article VIII. Notices
8.1 Notice. Whenever,
under the provisions of the statutes or of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or of these By-laws, notice is
required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall
not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be
given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or
stockholder, at his or her address as it appears on the records
of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such
notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same
shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to
directors may also be given by telegram, telephone or electronic
transmission.
8.2 Waiver. Whenever
any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the
statutes or of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of
these By-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person
or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
C-13
Article IX. General
Provisions
9.1 Dividends.
Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to
any restrictions contained in the General Corporation Laws of
Delaware or the provisions of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board at any
regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in
property or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the
provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
9.2 Dividend Reserve.
Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of
any funds of the Corporation available for dividends, such sum
or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute
discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet
contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or
maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other
purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interest
of the Corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any
such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
9.3 Checks. All
checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall
be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or
persons as the Board may from time to time designate.
9.4 Corporate Seal.
The Board may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of
the Corporation, which seal shall be in charge of the Secretary.
If and when so directed by the Board or a committee thereof,
duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or
by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.
9.5 Execution of Corporate
Contracts and Instruments. The Board, except as
otherwise provided in these By-laws, may authorize any officer
or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or
execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the
Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the
Board or within the agency power of an officer, no officer,
agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the
Corporation by any contract or engagement, or to pledge its
credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
9.6 Books and
Records. The Corporation shall keep at its principal
executive office the original or a copy of these by-laws as
amended to date, which by-laws shall be open to inspection by
the stockholders at all reasonable times during office hours.
The secretary shall, upon the written request of any
stockholder, furnish to that stockholder a copy of these by-laws
as amended to date.
Article X. Amendments
In addition to the right of the stockholders of the Corporation
to make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the By-laws of
the Corporation, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized
to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation by vote
of at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors.
CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
I, the undersigned, hereby certify:
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1. That I am the duly elected, acting and qualified
Secretary of Inter-Tel (Delaware), Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation; and |
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2. That the foregoing By-laws, comprising 17 pages
(excluding this Certificate), constitute the By-laws of such
corporation as duly adopted by action of the Board of Directors
of such corporation pursuant to written consent
dated ,
2006. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name as of
this day
of ,
2006.
C-14
ANNEX D
BUSINESS COMBINATION PROVISION
ARTICLE
[ ]
(a) The corporation shall not engage in any business
combination with any interested [shareholder/stockholder]
following the time that such [shareholder/stockholder] became an
interested [shareholder/stockholder], unless at or subsequent to
such time the business combination is approved by the board of
directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
[shareholder/stockholder]s, and not by written consent, by the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding
voting stock which is not owned by the interested
[shareholder/stockholder].
(b) As used in this article only, the term:
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(1) Affiliate means a person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
another person. |
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(2) Associate, when used to
indicate a relationship with any person, means: (i) Any
corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other
entity of which such person is a director, officer or partner or
is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any
class of voting stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in
which such person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as
to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary
capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person,
or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as
such person. |
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(3) Business combination, when
used in reference to any corporation and any interested
[shareholder/stockholder] of such corporation, means: |
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(i) Any merger or consolidation of the corporation or any
direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation
with (A) the interested [shareholder/stockholder], or
(B) with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated
association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is
caused by the interested [shareholder/stockholder] and as a
result of such merger or consolidation
subsection (a) of this section is not applicable to
the surviving entity; |
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(ii) Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer
or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of
transactions), except proportionately as a
[shareholder/stockholder] of such corporation, to or with the
interested [shareholder/stockholder], whether as part of a
dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the corporation or of any
direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation
which assets have an aggregate market value equal to 10% or more
of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the
corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate
market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation; |
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(iii) Any transaction which results in the issuance or
transfer by the corporation or by any direct or indirect
majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation of any stock of the
corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested
[shareholder/stockholder], except: (A) Pursuant to the
exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for,
exchangeable for or convertible into stock of such corporation
or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior
to the time that the interested [shareholder/stockholder] became
such; (B) pursuant to a merger under [§10-1103(G) of
the Arizona Revised Statutes][§251(g) of the Delaware
General Corporation Law]; (C) pursuant to a dividend or
distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or
conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or
convertible into stock of such corporation or any such
subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all
holders of a class or series of stock of such corporation
subsequent to the time the interested [shareholder/stockholder]
became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the
corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all
holders of said stock; or (E) any issuance or transfer of
stock by the corporation; provided however, that in no case
under items (C)-(E) of this subparagraph shall there be an
increase in the |
D-1
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interested [shareholder/stockholder]s proportionate share
of the stock of any class or series of the corporation or of the
voting stock of the corporation; |
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(iv) Any transaction involving the corporation or any
direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation
which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the
proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or
securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of
the corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the
interested [shareholder/stockholder], except as a result of
immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a
result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not
caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested
[shareholder/stockholder]; or |
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(v) Any receipt by the interested [shareholder/stockholder]
of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately
as a [shareholder/stockholder] of such corporation), of any
loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits
(other than those expressly permitted in
subparagraphs (i)-(iv) of this paragraph) provided by or
through the corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned
subsidiary. |
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(4) Control, including the terms
controlling, controlled by
and under common control with, means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct
or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by
contract or otherwise. A person who is the owner of 20% or more
of the outstanding voting stock of any corporation, partnership,
unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to
have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence to the contrary; Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where
such person holds voting stock, in good faith and not for the
purpose of circumventing this section, as an agent, bank,
broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who
do not individually or as a group have control of such entity. |
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(5) Interested
[shareholder/stockholder] means any person (other
than the corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned
subsidiary of the corporation) that (i) is the owner of 15%
or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or
(ii) is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and is
the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation, and the affiliates and associates of such person;
provided, however, that the term interested
[shareholder/stockholder] shall not include any person
whose ownership of shares in excess of the 15% limitation set
forth herein is the result of action taken solely by the
corporation; provided that such person shall be an interested
[shareholder/stockholder] if thereafter such person acquires
additional shares of voting stock of the corporation, except as
a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or
indirectly, by such person. For the purpose of determining
whether a person is an interested [shareholder/stockholder], the
voting stock of the corporation deemed to be outstanding shall
include stock deemed to be owned by the person through
application of paragraph (9) of this subsection but
shall not include any other unissued stock of such corporation
which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants
or options, or otherwise. |
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(6) Person means any individual,
corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other
entity. |
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(7) Stock means, with respect to
any corporation, capital stock and, with respect to any other
entity, any equity interest. |
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(8) Voting stock means, with
respect to any corporation, stock of any class or series
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and,
with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity
interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the
governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage
of voting stock shall refer to such percentage of the votes of
such voting stock. |
D-2
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(9) Owner, including the terms
own and
owned, when used with respect to any
stock, means a person that individually or with or through any
of its affiliates or associates: |
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(i) Beneficially owns such stock, directly or
indirectly; or |
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(ii) Has (A) the right to acquire such stock (whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights,
exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided,
however, that a person shall not be deemed the owner of stock
tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such
person or any of such persons affiliates or associates
until such tendered stock is accepted for purchase or exchange;
or (B) the right to vote such stock pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that
a person shall not be deemed the owner of any stock because of
such persons right to vote such stock if the agreement,
arrangement or understanding to vote such stock arises solely
from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy
or consent solicitation made to 10 or more persons; or |
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(iii) Has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for
the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting
pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in item
(B) of subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph), or
disposing of such stock with any other person that beneficially
owns, or whose affiliates or associates beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, such stock. |
D-3
INTER-TEL, INCORPORATED ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Tuesday, May 31, 2006, 8:00 A.M.
Tempe, Arizona
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on May 31, 2006.
The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment account will be voted as
you specify on the reverse side. If no choice is specified, the
proxy will be voted FOR Items
1 through 5.
By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint Norman Stout, Jeffrey T. Ford and
Kurt R. Kneip, and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on the
matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting
and all adjournments or postponements thereof.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE
VOTED FOR EACH OF PROPOSALS 1 THROUGH 5.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
INTER-TEL INCORPORATED
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY IN THE
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
The
Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 through 5.
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Election of directors: |
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01
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Norman Stout
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04
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Jerry W. Chapman
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07
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Robert Rodin |
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Anil K. Puri |
02
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Alexander Cappello
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05
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Gary D. Edens
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08
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Agnieszka Winkler |
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Kenneth L. Urish |
03
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J. Robert Anderson
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06
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Steven E. Karol |
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09 |
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Steven G. Mihaylo |
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¨ Vote FOR all nominees (except as marked) |
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Vote WITHHELD from all nominees |
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(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee,
write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line provided to the right.)
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To approve the reincorporation of the Company into Delaware |
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¨ For ¨ Against ¨ Abstain |
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To approve a special resolution authorizing the Companys Board of Directors to effect an
amendment to the Companys charter documents requiring the approval of a majority of
disinterested shareholders to effect certain business combination transactions involving
interested parties; |
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¨ For ¨ Against ¨ Abstain |
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To consider and ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent
auditors. |
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¨ For ¨ Against ¨ Abstain |
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To adjourn the meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional shareholder votes. |
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¨ For ¨ Against ¨ Abstain |
The
Company will transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Date: , 2006
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Signature
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Signature |
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Title(s) |
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Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear hereon. 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.