UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant þ

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

                                                                                                              (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

þ  Definitive Proxy Statement

 

o  Definitive Additional Materials

 

o  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12

 

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 8, 2007

 

To Our Stockholders:

 

The 2007 annual meeting of stockholders of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. will be held at our corporate headquarters, 121 South 17^th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938 on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at 9:00 a.m., central time. The 2007 annual meeting of stockholders is being held for the following purposes:

 

1. To elect two Class II directors to serve for a term of three years, in accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws (Proposal No. 1);

 

2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 (Proposal No. 2); and

 

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 21, 2007 are entitled to vote at the meeting or at any postponement or adjournment thereof.

 

We hope that as many stockholders as possible will personally attend the meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please complete the enclosed proxy card and sign, date and return it promptly so that your shares will be represented. Sending in your proxy will not prevent you from voting in person at the meeting.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Steven J. Shirar

Senior Vice President, President of

Enterprise Operations and Secretary

 

April 6, 2007

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

121 South 17^th Street

Mattoon, Illinois 61938

 

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

 

 

This proxy statement contains information related to the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders of Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “Consolidated,” “we” or “us”), that will be held at our corporate headquarters, 121 South 17^th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938 on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at 9:00 a.m., central time, and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The approximate first date of mailing for this proxy statement, proxy card, as well as a copy of our combined 2006 annual report to stockholders and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, is April 6, 2007.

 

The purpose of this proxy statement is to provide information regarding matters to be voted on at the 2007 annual meeting of our stockholders. Additionally, it contains certain information that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires us to provide annually to stockholders. The proxy statement is also the document used by our board to solicit proxies to be used at the 2007 annual meeting. Proxies are solicited by our board to give all stockholders of record an opportunity to vote on the matters to be presented at the annual meeting, even if the stockholders cannot attend the meeting. The board has designated Steven J. Shirar and David J. Doedtman as proxies, who will vote the shares represented by proxies at the annual meeting in the manner indicated by the proxies.

 

Stockholders will vote on the following proposals at the annual meeting:

 

 

Each outstanding share entitles its holder to cast one vote on each matter to be voted upon at the annual meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date, March 21, 2007, are entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote the shares of common stock that they held on that date at the meeting, or any postponement or adjournment of the meeting. If your shares are held by a beneficial holder in “street name” please refer to the information forwarded to you by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see what you must do to vote your shares. Please see the next question below on page 2 for a description of a beneficial owner in “street name.”

 

A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder at our corporate headquarters, 121 South 17^th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938, during normal business hours for a period of ten days before the annual meeting and at the time and place of the annual meeting.

 

If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered a stockholder of record with respect to those shares. If this is the case, the stockholder proxy materials have been sent or provided directly to you by us.

 

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial holder” of the shares held for you in what is known as “street name.” If this is the case, the proxy materials have been forwarded to you by your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, which is considered the stockholder of record with respect to these shares. As the beneficial holder, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares. Please contact your broker, bank, or other nominee for instructions on how to vote any shares you beneficially own.

 

All stockholders of record as of March 21, 2007, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the meeting. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the meeting. If you hold your shares in “street name,” you will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date and check in at the registration desk at the meeting.

 

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold the annual meeting. The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum. As of March 21, 2007, the record date, 26,129,956 shares of our common stock were outstanding. Proxies received but marked as abstentions or broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the number of shares considered present at the meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum. In the event that a quorum is not present at the annual meeting, we expect that the annual meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional proxies.

 

You may vote in person at the meeting or by proxy. We recommend that you vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the meeting so that we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to hold the meeting. If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it to us, it will be voted as you direct on the proxy card. If you are a stockholder of record and attend the meeting, you may vote at the meeting or deliver your completed proxy card in person. You should follow the instructions set forth on the proxy card, being sure to complete it, to sign it and to mail it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

 

If your shares are held in “street name,” please refer to the information forwarded to you by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see what you must do in order to vote your shares. If you are a “street name” stockholder and you wish to vote in person at the meeting, you will need to obtain a proxy from the institution that holds your shares and present it to the inspector of elections with your ballot when you vote at the annual meeting.

 

Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change your vote at any time before the proxy is voted by:

 

 

If your shares are held in “street name,” you may vote in person at the annual meeting if you obtain a proxy as described in the answer to the previous question. The powers of the proxy holders with regard to your shares will be suspended if you attend the meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a previously granted proxy.

 

No. We have not instituted any mechanism for telephone or electronic voting. “Street name” stockholders, however, may be able to vote electronically through their bank, broker or other holder of record. If so, instructions regarding electronic voting will be provided by the bank, broker or other holder of record to you as part of the package that includes this proxy statement.

 

Directors are elected by a plurality vote. Accordingly, the two director nominees who receive the greatest number of votes cast will be elected. The proposal to ratify the selection of our independent auditors requires the approval of a majority of the votes present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the matter.

 

If a stockholder abstains from voting on any proposal, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” that proposal, except with respect to Proposal No. 1, where it will have no effect. Broker non-votes and shares as to which proxy authority has been withheld with respect to any matter are not entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether stockholder approval for that matter has been obtained and, therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on any such matter. A broker “non-vote” occurs on a proposal when shares held of record by a broker are present or represented at the meeting but the broker is not permitted to vote on that proposal without instruction from the beneficial owner of the shares and no instruction has been given.

 

Stockholders should specify their choice for each matter on the enclosed proxy. If no specific instructions are given, proxies that are signed and returned will be voted “FOR” the election of each of the nominees for Class II director and “FOR” the proposal to ratify the appointment of our independent auditors.

 

No arrangements or contracts have been made or entered into with any solicitors as of the date of this proxy statement, although we reserve the right to engage solicitors if we deem them necessary. If done, such solicitations may be made by mail, telephone, facsimile, e-mail or personal interviews.

 

Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the enclosed proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the board of directors.

 

The board’s recommendations, together with the description of each proposal, are set forth in this proxy statement. In summary, the board recommends that you vote:

 

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 14a-4(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to any other matter that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the board of directors or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

 

Other than the two proposals described in this proxy statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the annual meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders on the enclosed proxy card will vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting as recommended by the board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

 

Representatives of Computershare Trust Company, N.A., our transfer agent, will tabulate the votes and act as Inspector of Elections.

 

We have enclosed our 2006 annual report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 with this proxy statement. The annual report includes our audited financial statements, along with other financial information about us, which we urge you to read carefully.

 

Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC, is included in the 2006 annual report to stockholders, which accompanies this proxy statement.

 

You can also obtain, free of charge, a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K by:

 

 

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. — Investor Relations
121 South 17^th Street
Mattoon, Illinois 61938; or

 

 

You can also obtain a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K and other periodic filings that we make with the SEC from the SEC’s EDGAR database at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The following table sets forth certain information that has been provided to us with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock for (i) each stockholder who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5.0% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 23, and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each stockholder shown on the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by that stockholder. Unless otherwise indicated this information is current as of March 21, 2007, and the address of all individuals listed in the table is as follows: Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., 121 South 17th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938-3987.

 

 

 

 

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for the classification of our board of directors into three classes of directors, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in size as is practicable, serving staggered three-year terms. One class of directors is elected each year to hold office for a three-year term or until successors of such directors are duly elected and qualified. The corporate governance committee has recommended, and the board also recommends, that the stockholders elect Mr. Blumenstein and Mr. Moore, the nominees designated below as the Class II directors, at this year’s annual meeting to serve for a term of three years expiring in 2010 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The nominees for election to the position of Class II director, and certain information with respect to their backgrounds and the backgrounds of non-nominee directors, are set forth below.

 

It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy card, unless otherwise instructed, to vote to elect the two nominees named herein as the Class II directors. Each of the nominees named herein presently serves on our board of directors, and each has consented to serve as a director if elected at this year’s annual meeting. In the event either nominee named herein is unable to serve as a director, discretionary authority is reserved to the board to vote for a substitute. The board has no reason to believe that either nominee named herein will be unable to serve if elected.

 

 

 

Jack W. Blumenstein has served as a director since July 2005. Mr. Blumenstein is President and Chief Executive Officer of AirCell LLC, a provider of airborne cellular and satellite telecommunications systems and services. He has been the co-President of Blumenstein/Thorne Information Partners, LLC since October 1996, and is a co-founder of that private equity investment firm. Blumenstein/Thorne focuses on capital transactions in the telecommunications and information industry. From October 1992 to September 1996, Mr. Blumenstein held various positions with The Chicago Corporation (now ABN AMRO, Inc.), serving most recently as Executive Vice President, Debt Capital Markets Group and a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Blumenstein was President and Chief Executive Officer of Ardis, a joint venture of Motorola and IBM, and has held various senior management positions in product development and sales and marketing for Rolm Corporation and IBM. Mr. Blumenstein also presently serves on the boards of eCollege, AirCell LLC, and ShopperTrak, Inc.

 

Roger H. Moore has served as a director since July 2005. Mr. Moore was President and Chief Executive Officer of Illuminet Holdings, Inc., a provider of network, database and billing services to the communications industry, since October 1998, a member of its board of directors since July 1998, and was its President and Chief Executive Officer from January 1996 to August 1998. In December of 2001, Illuminet was acquired by VeriSign, Inc. and Mr. Moore retired at that time. From September 1998 to October 1998, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors of VINA Technologies, Inc., a telecommunications equipment company. Mr. Moore also presently serves as a director of Tut Systems, Inc., VeriSign, Inc., Western Digital Corporation, and Arbinetthexchange, Inc.

 

 

Robert J. Currey serves as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director. Mr. Currey has served as one of our directors and as a director of our predecessors since 2002 and as our President and Chief Executive Officer since 2002. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Currey served as Vice Chairman of RCN Corporation, a competitive telephone company providing telephony, cable and Internet services in high-density markets nationwide. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Currey served as President and Chief Executive Officer of 21st Century Telecom Group. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Currey served as Director and Group President of Telecommunications Services of McLeodUSA, which acquired our predecessor in 1997. Mr. Currey joined our predecessor in 1990 and served as President through its acquisition in 1997. Mr. Currey is also a director of The Management Network Group, Inc., and the USTelecom Association and the Illinois Business RoundTable.

 

Maribeth S. Rahe has served as a director since July 2005. Ms. Rahe has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., since November 2003. From January 2001 to October 2002, Ms. Rahe was President and a member of the board of directors of U.S. Trust Company of New York, and from June 1997 to January 2001, was its Vice Chairman and a member of the board of directors.

 

Richard A. Lumpkin is the Chairman of our board of directors. Mr. Lumpkin has served in this position and as a director with us and our predecessor since 2002. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Lumpkin served as Vice Chairman of McLeodUSA, which acquired our predecessor in 1997. From 1963 to 1997, Mr. Lumpkin served in various positions at our predecessor, including Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Treasurer. Mr. Lumpkin is currently a director of Ameren Corp., a public utility holding company, Agracel, Inc., a real estate investment company, and serves on the advisory board of Eastern Illinois University and as a trustee of The Lumpkin Family Foundation. Mr. Lumpkin is also a former director, former President and former Treasurer of the USTelecom Association, a former president of the Illinois Telecommunications Association and a former director of First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (“First Mid-Illinois”), a financial services holding company. Mr. Lumpkin has also served on the University Council Committee on Information Technology for Yale University.

 

 

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each nominee named above (Proposal No. 1 on the accompanying proxy card).

 

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting at which a quorum is present is required for the election of each nominee.

 

 

Yes. The corporate governance committee undertook its annual review of director independence and reviewed its findings with the board of directors. During this review, the board of directors considered relationships and transactions between each director or any member of his or her immediate family and Consolidated and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including those reported under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” below. The board of directors also examined relationships and transactions between directors or their affiliates and members of our senior management. The purpose of this review was to determine whether any such transactions or relationships compromised a director’s independence.

 

As a result of this review, our board of directors affirmatively determined that Messrs. Blumenstein and Moore and Ms. Rahe are independent for purposes of both Rule 4200(a)(15) of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.’s (“NASDAQ”) Marketplace Rules and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

We pay our non-employee directors an annual cash retainer of $12,500. Board members also are paid $1,000 for each board meeting attended in person, $500 for each board committee meeting attended in person. Meeting fees are halved for each board or board committee meeting attended by means of telephone conference call. We reimburse all non-employee directors for reasonable expenses incurred to attend board or board committee meetings.

 

In addition, the chairperson of the audit committee receives an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000, and the chairperson of the compensation committee and the corporate governance committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000.

 

Each non-employee director is eligible to receive grants of stock options, stock grants and stock unit grants, stock appreciation rights and cash bonuses pursuant to one or more cash incentive programs that may be adopted under our 2005 long-term incentive plan, subject to certain limitations on the number and amount of such grants contained in the plan. In 2006, each non-employee director of the Company received a restricted stock award of 4,000 shares on January 6, 2006 under this plan. One quarter of such shares will vest on each anniversary of the date of grant.

 

Mr. Lumpkin and Mr. Currey, directors who also serve as executive officers, do not receive any additional compensation for their service on the board.

 

This table discloses all compensation provided to each non-employee director of the Company in 2006.

 

 

 

 

The board met six times during calendar 2006. Each director attended at least 75% of the board meetings and meetings of board committees on which they served. During 2006, the non-employee directors also met four times in executive session.

 

Absent special circumstances, each director is expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. All of the Company’s directors attended the 2006 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

The board has standing audit, corporate governance and compensation committees. The membership of the standing committees was as of December 31, 2006, and currently is, as follows:

 

 

 

 

Audit Committee.  The audit committee consists of Messrs. Blumenstein and Moore and Ms. Rahe. The board has determined that all members of the audit committee are independent for purposes of Rule 4200(a) (15) of NASDAQ’s Marketplace Rules and Rule 10A-3(b) (1) of the Exchange Act. Each of the audit committee members is financially literate as determined by our board in its business judgment. The board has also determined that in addition to being independent, each of Mr. Blumenstein, Mr. Moore and Ms. Rahe is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined under the applicable SEC rules.

 

The audit committee met seven times during 2006. The board has adopted an audit committee charter, which may be found by accessing the investor relations section of our website at http://ir.consolidated.com and clicking on the “Corporate Governance” link.

 

The principal duties and responsibilities of the audit committee are to assist the board in its oversight of:

 

 

Our audit committee is also responsible for the following:

 

 

The audit committee has the power to investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties. It also has the authority to retain counsel and advisors to fulfill its responsibilities and duties. See the “Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors” on page 12.

 

Corporate Governance Committee.  The corporate governance committee consists of Messrs. Blumenstein and Moore and Ms. Rahe, who serves as the Chairperson. The board has determined that each of Ms. Rahe, Mr. Blumenstein, and Mr. Moore are independent for purposes of Rule 4200(a)(15) of NASDAQ’s Marketplace Rules.

 

The governance committee met once during 2006. The board has adopted a corporate governance committee charter, a copy of which may be found by accessing the investor relations section of our website at http://ir.consolidated.com and clicking on the “Corporate Governance” link.

 

The principal duties and responsibilities of the corporate governance committee are as follows:

 

 

In evaluating candidates for directorships, our board, with the assistance of the corporate governance committee, will take into account a variety of factors it considers appropriate, which may include strength of character and leadership skills; general business acumen and experience; broad knowledge of the telecommunications industry; knowledge of strategy, finance, internal business and relations between telecommunications companies and government; age; number of other board seats; and willingness to commit the necessary time to ensure an active board whose members work well together and possess the collective knowledge and expertise required by the board. We have not previously paid a fee to any third party in consideration for assistance in identifying potential nominees for the board.

 

Compensation Committee.  The compensation committee consists of Messrs. Blumenstein and Moore, who serves as its Chairperson, and Ms. Rahe. The board has determined that each of Mr. Blumenstein, Mr. Moore and Ms. Rahe is independent for purposes of Rule 4200(a)(15) of NASDAQ’s Marketplace Rules. The compensation committee met three times during 2006. The board has adopted a compensation committee charter, a copy of which may also be found by accessing the investor relations section of our website at http://ir.consolidated.com and clicking on the “Corporate Governance” link.

 

The principal duties and responsibilities of the compensation committee are as follows:

 

 

Additional information on the compensation committee’s processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive and director compensation are addressed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement.

 

As noted above, the corporate governance committee considers and establishes procedures regarding recommendations for nomination to the board, including nominations submitted by stockholders. Recommendations of stockholders should be timely sent to us, either in person or by certified mail, to the attention of the

Secretary. Any recommendations submitted to the Secretary should be in writing and should include whatever supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate in support of that recommendation, but must include the information that would be required to be disclosed under the SEC’s rules in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such candidate and a signed consent of the candidate to serve as our director if elected. The corporate governance committee will evaluate all potential candidates in the same manner, regardless of the source of the recommendation. Based on the information provided to the corporate governance committee, it will make an initial determination whether to conduct a full evaluation of a candidate. As part of the full evaluation process, the corporate governance committee may, among other things, conduct interviews, obtain additional background information and conduct reference checks of the candidate. The corporate governance committee may also ask the candidate to meet with management and other members of the board.

 

Stockholders interested in communicating directly with the board or the independent directors may do so by writing to the Secretary, Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc., 121 South 17^th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938-3987. The Secretary will review all such correspondence and forward to the board or the independent directors a summary of that correspondence and copies of any correspondence that, in his opinion, deals with functions of the board or that he otherwise determines requires their attention. Any director or any independent director may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by the Company that is addressed to members of the board or independent directors and request copies of such correspondence. Any concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters will be brought to the attention of the audit committee and handled in accordance with the procedures established by our audit committee with respect to such matters.

 

The board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”), a copy of which may be found by accessing the investor relations section of our website at http://ir.consolidated.com and clicking on the “Corporate Governance” link. Under the Code, we insist on honest and ethical conduct by all of our directors, officers, employees and other representatives, including the following:

 

 

We are also committed to providing our stockholders and investors with full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the documents that we file with the SEC. Further, we will comply with all laws, rules and regulations that are applicable to our activities and expect all of our directors, officers and employers to obey the law.

 

Our board of directors and audit committee have established the standards of business conduct contained in this Code and oversee compliance with this Code. Training on this Code will be included in the orientation of new employees and has been provided to existing directors, officers and employees.

 

If it is determined that one of our directors, officers or employees has violated the Code, we will take appropriate action including, but not limited to, disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. If it is determined that a non-employee (including any contractor, subcontractor or other agent) has violated the Code, we will take appropriate corrective action, which could include severing the contractor, subcontractor or agency relationship.

 

The audit committee is made up solely of independent directors, as defined in the applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules, and it operates under a written charter, dated July 2005, which is available by accessing the investor relations section of our website at http://ir.consolidated.com. The charter of the audit committee specifies that the purpose of the audit committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility for:

 

 

In carrying out these responsibilities, the audit committee, among other things, supervises the relationship between the Company and its independent auditors including making decisions with respect to their appointment or removal, reviewing the scope of their audit services, pre-approving audit engagement fees and non-audit services and evaluating their independence. The audit committee oversees and evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s systems of internal and disclosure controls and internal audit function. The audit committee has the authority to investigate any matter brought to its attention and may engage outside counsel for such purpose.

 

The Company’s management is responsible, among other things, for preparing the financial statements and for the overall financial reporting process, including the Company’s system of internal controls. The independent auditor’s responsibilities include (i) auditing the financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of the audited financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and (ii) auditing the financial statements and expressing an opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

The audit committee met seven times during fiscal year 2006. The audit committee schedules its meetings with a view to ensuring that it devotes appropriate attention to all of its tasks. The audit committee’s meetings include executive sessions with the Company’s independent auditor and, at least quarterly and at other times as necessary, sessions without the presence of the Company’s management.

 

As part of its oversight of the Company’s financial statements, the audit committee reviewed and discussed with management and Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent auditor, the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The audit committee discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, such matters as are required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Communication with Audit Committees), relating to the conduct of the audit. The audit committee also has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP, the auditor’s independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosures the audit committee received from the independent auditor as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditor’s independence.

 

Based on its review and discussions referred to above, the audit committee has recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, for filing with Securities and Exchange Commission. The audit committee has also selected Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for 2007.

 

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Jack W. Blumenstein

Maribeth S. Rahe

Roger H. Moore

 

 

* The information in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filings.

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Audit Committee Charter, all audit and audit-related work and all non-audit work performed by the independent auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, must be submitted to the audit committee for specific approval in advance by the audit committee, including the proposed fees for such work. The audit committee has not delegated any of its responsibilities under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to management.

 

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2006 and 2005 totaled approximately $1.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Audit fees for fiscal 2006 also include services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of our internal controls over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Audit fees for fiscal 2005 also included fees billed for professional services rendered with respect to engagements, consents, comfort letters and assistance with the review of our filings with the SEC in connection with our initial public offering and SEC registered exchange offer of our 93/4% senior notes due 2012.

 

There were no additional audit-related services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during fiscal 2006 or fiscal year 2005.

 

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during fiscal 2006 and 2005 for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning in connection with our tax returns totaled approximately, $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

 

None.

 

 

The audit committee of the board of directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2007. Our stockholders are being asked to ratify this appointment at the annual meeting. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our auditors since December 31, 2002, when Homebase Acquisition, LLC, acquired our Illinois operations from McLeodUSA.

 

The board of directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2007 (Proposal No. 2 on the proxy card).

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes represented at the annual meeting in person or by proxy will be required for approval. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP, expected to be present at the 2007 annual meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

If the appointment is not ratified, the audit committee will consider the selection of another accounting firm.

 

The following is a description of the background of our executive officers who are not directors:

 

Steven L. Childers, age 51, serves as our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Childers has served in this position since April 2004. From April 2003 to April 2004, Mr. Childers served as Vice President of Finance. From January 2003 to April 2003, Mr. Childers served as the Director of Corporate Development. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Childers served in various capacities at McLeodUSA, including as Vice President of Customer Service and, a Vice President of Sales as a member of its Business Process Teams, leading an effort to implement new revenue assurance processes and controls. Mr. Childers joined our predecessor in 1986 and served in various capacities through its acquisition in 1997, including as President of its then existing Market Response division and in various finance and executive roles. Mr. Childers is a member of the board of directors and serves as President of the Eastern Illinois University Foundation.

 

Joseph R. Dively, age 47, serves as our Senior Vice President and President of Illinois Telephone Operations. Mr. Dively has served in this position since 2002. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Dively served as Vice President and General Manager of Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company. In 2001, Mr. Dively also assumed responsibility for the then existing non-regulated subsidiaries of our predecessor, including Operator Services, Public Services and Market Response. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Dively served as Senior Vice President of Sales of McLeodUSA. Mr. Dively joined our predecessor in 1991 and served in various capacities through its acquisition in 1997, including Vice President and General Manager of Consolidated Market Response and Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Consolidated Communications. Mr. Dively is currently a director of First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. Mr. Dively currently serves as the Chairman of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System, and the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is also past president of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Illinois University’s Alumni Association. He previously chaired Eastern Illinois University’s Business School Advisory Board and served on the board of the USTelecom Association.

 

Steven J. Shirar, age 48, serves as our Secretary and Senior Vice President and President of Enterprise Operations. Mr. Shirar has served as Secretary since February 2006 and has served as Senior Vice President and President of Enterprise Operations since 2003. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Shirar served in various capacities at McLeodUSA, progressing from Chief Marketing Officer to Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Shirar served as President of our predecessor’s then existing software development subsidiary, Consolidated Communications Systems and Services, Inc.

 

C. Robert Udell, Jr., age 41, serves as our Senior Vice President and President of Texas Telephone Operations. Mr. Udell has served in this position since 2004. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Udell served in various capacities at the predecessor of our Texas operations, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the predecessor of our Texas operations in March 1999, Mr. Udell was employed by our predecessor from 1993 to 1999 in a variety of senior roles including Senior Vice President, Network Operations, and Engineering. Mr. Udell currently serves as President of the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance and is a member of the USTelecom Association Policy committee. He serves on the Board of the Katy Economic Development Council, South Montgomery County/The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership, Greater Conroe Economic Development Council, and The Woodlands Advisory Council for Memorial Hermann Hospital.

 

Christopher A. Young, age 51, serves as our Chief Information Officer. Mr. Young has served in this position since 2003. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Young served as Chief Information Officer of NewSouth Communications, Inc., a broadband communications provider. From 1998 to 2000, Mr. Young served as Chief Information Officer for 21st Century Telecom Group.

 

Each of Messrs. Lumpkin, Shirar, Dively and Childers were employed by McLeodUSA during 2002. In January 2002, in order to complete a recapitalization, McLeodUSA filed a pre-negotiated plan of reorganization through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. In April 2002, McLeodUSA’s plan of reorganization became effective and McLeodUSA emerged from Chapter 11 protection. Messrs. Lumpkin and Shirar resigned from McLeodUSA in April 2002 and June 2002, respectively. In addition, Mr. Currey was employed by RCN Corporation from 2000 to 2002. In May 2004, RCN filed a plan of reorganization through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on a voluntary basis.

 

The compensation committee of the board of directors has furnished the following report to the stockholders of the Company in accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The compensation committee reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement.

 

Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the compensation committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

 

This report is submitted on behalf of the members of the compensation committee:

 

Roger H. Moore, Chairperson

Jack W. Blumenstein

Maribeth S. Rahe

 

 

* The information in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed filed with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filings.

 

Our compensation committee has designed our executive compensation program to achieve the following objectives:

 

 

Each key element of total compensation serves a specific purpose that helps achieve the objectives of the executive compensation program.

 

The three key elements of the current executive compensation program are annual base salary, cash bonuses, and long-term, equity-based incentives. The Company also provides its executive officers with severance and change-in-control benefits as well as a limited number of perquisites and other personal benefits. Our discussion below under the caption “Elements of Executive Compensation” contains additional explanation of each of these elements. In evaluating the mix of these compensation components, as well as the short-term and long-term value of the executive compensation plans, the compensation committee considers both the performance and skills of each executive, as well as the compensation paid to those in similar organizations with similar responsibilities.

 

The following discussion explains how the compensation committee uses the three key compensation elements to meet the objectives of its executive compensation program.

 

Provide incentives to our executive to maximize stockholder return.  In the past, the compensation committee has used restricted shares in an effort to unify the interests of the Company’s executives and stockholders. While the Company did not grant restricted shares in 2006, it granted restricted shares to its executives in March 2007. The compensation committee believes that granting restricted shares that vest incrementally over time, but only so long as an executive remains employed by the Company, encourages an executive to increase the Company’s stock value over time so the executive can realize a greater value of those shares once they vest. In addition, performance shares (discussed below) also have a time-vesting element that serves the same purpose.

 

Enable us to attract, retain and reward aggressive, results-oriented managers capable of leading key areas of the Company’s business.  In order to achieve this objective, the compensation committee believes that it must pay our executives competitive compensation.

 

Before the Company’s initial public offering in 2005, the Company conducted significant compensation planning through a competitive, market benchmark analysis.

 

In order to assist the compensation committee in setting compensation levels for 2007, the Committee obtained a custom survey of compensation paid by the following companies that operate in the integrated communications, wireless telecommunications, communications equipment and broadcasting and cable television industries and that had annual revenues ranging from $100 million to $1 billion:

 

 

The compensation committee selected these companies because the Company competes with them for executive talent and because these companies also compete with the Company in the capital markets for investors.

For 2007, the compensation committee used the information it obtained from this benchmark survey as guidance for decisions regarding the:

 

 

The compensation committee then re-evaluated all these elements of its executive compensation program and made certain changes which it felt were appropriate and necessary given its objective of paying total direct compensation (consisting of salary, bonus and long-term equity) at roughly the 50th percentile of the benchmark group.

 

In general, the compensation committee encourages executives to remain with the Company by paying annual cash bonuses, which motivates executives to remain employed through the year and by granting restricted shares and performance shares, which grants require a long-term commitment to the Company since executives must generally remain employees for at least four years in order to realize the full value of the shares when they vest.

 

Reward the management team for achieving key financial and operational objectives which will promote the long-term health of the business.  Our bonus plan ties the level of achievement of Company annual financial and operational performance goals to the amount of annual incentive compensation we pay to each of our executives. As a result, a significant portion of our executives’ total compensation is dependent on the degree to which we achieve these goals. This provides an incentive for our executives to increase our performance with respect to these measures, and in turn increases stockholder value.

 

The key elements of the compensation committee’s executive compensation program for 2006 were:

 

 

In addition, the Company provides severance and change-in-control benefits, as well as a limited number of perquisites and other personal benefits to all of its executive officers.

 

For 2006, the compensation committee determined that each of the named executive officers was eligible to receive an annual base salary and a cash bonus. However, the compensation committee did not provide for any new long-term, equity-based incentive compensation during the year because in 2005 there were a number of still outstanding awards prior to our initial public offering, and because the compensation committee wished to complete the benchmark survey of total direct compensation before taking any action. As this survey was not completed until late in the fourth quarter, the compensation committee did not complete its review until the early part of 2007. The Summary Compensation Table shows the compensation of each of the named executive officers for 2006.

 

In general, the compensation committee reviews executive compensation and executive performance on an annual basis, in the first quarter following the completion of the previous performance year. For 2006 performance, the review took place in February of 2007.

 

The Company pays all of its executive officers a fixed, annual salary, which the compensation committee believes provides financial stability for executives and reflects their level of responsibility with the Company and that salary increases reward an individual’s contributions to the Company, and may reflect market increases.

 

The compensation committee reviews and may revise, at its discretion, salaries for executive officers when it feels those changes are warranted. In its annual review of the salaries of executive officers, the compensation committee considers the following principal factors:

 

 

For 2006, the compensation committee did not increase from the prior year the base salary levels for any of the named executive officers because the Company focused on controlling expenses in its first full year as a public company and had not yet completed its benchmarking survey. The “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table shows the salaries paid for 2006 to each of the named executive officers.

 

In February, 2007, the compensation committee established the salaries for the named executive officers for 2007. The compensation committee increased the salary levels for each of the named executive officers because the benchmark survey found the base salaries to be below the targeted 50^th percentile relative of comparable salaries in the benchmark companies; because the Company exceeded its key operating and financial performance goals in 2006; and because no executive salary increases had been granted since 2005.

 

The Company maintains a bonus plan that is designed to reward achievement of annual, short-term Company performance levels, the consistent attainment of which the Company believes are critical to its long term success. Each of the named executive officers is eligible to participate in the bonus plan, which provides them with the opportunity to earn a cash bonus payment. The payment, if any, is measured as a percentage of the executive officer’s salary and is based on the achievement of objective criteria established by the compensation committee. For 2006, the compensation committee based its performance targets on the following measures and in the following amounts:

 

 

The compensation committee determined these measures in February, 2006 and used these specific performance targets because it believes that these measures most effectively promote the Company’s primary short-term goals of increasing earnings, sustaining its dividend, and adding broadband subscribers.

 

For 2006, the compensation committee established the bonus payouts, as a percentage of 2006 salary levels, based on its assessment of appropriate balance and mix between base salary and short-term bonus in determining the total cash to be paid to each executive.

 

The bonus payout for our Chief Executive officer was 120% of salary, and in the case of the other named executive officers, 50% of salary. The compensation committee did not increase the levels from 2005 for any of the named executive officers because the compensation committee was focused on controlling expenses in its first full year as a public company, and because it had not completed its benchmarking survey. The compensation committee had full discretion to increase or decrease the amount of any actual payout, including discretion to pay no bonus.

 

The “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table shows the cash bonus the compensation committee awarded to each of the named executive officers for 2006 pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. For 2006, the Company achieved the performance targets at the following levels:

 

 

Since the Company exceeded each of its three targets, the compensation committee exercised its discretion to make bonus payments to each of the named executive officers in amounts that exceeded the target levels. The bonuses, all of which were paid in March 2007, represented the following percentages of each named executive officer’s respective 2006 annual salary level:

 

 

For 2007, the bonus plan target payouts have again been established as 120% of base salary for Mr. Currey, and 50% of base salary for each of Mr. Childers, Mr. Dively, Mr. Shirar, and Mr. Udell. The objective categories and weighting are:

 

 

The Company maintains a stockholder-approved long-term incentive plan that provides for grants of stock options, stock grants and stock unit grants, stock appreciation rights and the adoption of one or more cash incentive programs. Our non-employee directors and certain employees, including each of the named executive officers, are eligible for grants under the plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide these individuals with incentives to maximize stockholder return, otherwise contribute to our success and enable us to attract, retain and reward the best available individuals for positions of responsibility. Our compensation committee administers the plan and determines if and when awards should be granted. As explained below, prior to 2007, only one named executive officer received a grant under the long-term incentive plan and no awards were made in 2006 under the long-term incentive plan.

 

In August 2003, the board of managers of our predecessor company adopted a restricted share plan to which we succeeded upon completion of our initial public offering in July 2005. The restricted share plan authorized the board of directors to grant to members of management, as incentive compensation, awards of restricted shares of common stock or securities convertible into shares of common stock. In connection with our initial public offering, the restricted share plan was amended to eliminate our board’s ability to make any future awards of restricted common stock under the plan. The Company has granted restricted shares pursuant to this plan to each of the named executive officers. With respect to these shares, except the restricted shares granted to Mr. Udell, 25% vested on December 31, 2004, and 25% vested on the day prior to the completion of our initial public offering on July 27, 2005. An additional 16.7% vested on each of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the remaining 16.7% will vest in one remaining installment on December 31, 2007. With respect to Mr. Udell’s restricted shares, 19,965 were granted under our restricted share plan. Of these shares, 75% have vested, including 25% that vested on December 31, 2006, and the remaining 25% will vest in one remaining installment on December 31, 2007. In addition, on October 13, 2005, the Company granted 30,000 restricted shares to

Mr. Udell under our long-term incentive plan. Twenty-five percent of these shares vested on October 13, 2006, and the remaining 75% will vest in equal installments on October 13, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Holders of our restricted shares are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions, if any, as and when declared by our board of directors.

 

After reviewing its executive compensation program, the compensation committee decided to implement a new equity program under the long-term incentive plan, and in February, 2007, adopted the Executive Long -Term Incentive Program (the “program”). The program is intended to provide eligible executives with long-term incentive compensation at or near the 50^th percentile of our custom comparator group. Under the program, each year the compensation committee determines for each executive eligible to participate, including each named executive officer, and by comparable job position, the economic value of target annualized long-term incentive compensation at the 50^th percentile of the custom comparator group. Half of this value is paid to the executive in an award of restricted shares and half is paid to the executive in an award of performance shares.

 

The restricted shares vest at a rate equal to 25% per year on each December 5^th following the date of grant, except for our Chief Executive Officer whose restricted shares vest 67% on the December 5^th following the date of grant, and 33% on the second December 5^th following the date of grant. The performance shares entitle the executive to receive an award of restricted shares in the next subsequent year, if certain goals based on current year Company performance are attained. Attainment of the goals at the target levels will result in the target number of performance shares awarded as restricted shares, and attainment of the goals at above or below the target levels will result in an increased or decreased number of restricted shares awarded. The performance shares also vest at a rate equal to 25% per year on each December 5^th following the date of grant, except for our Chief Executive Officer, which vest 100% on the first December 5^th following the date of grant.

 

In March 2007, the compensation committee approved awards of restricted stock and performance shares to the named executive officers as follows:

 

 

The long-term equity incentive compensation levels were determined in November, 2006. The fair market value of the shares of restricted stock were determined based on the average closing price for all trading days in the month of November, 2006 and the value of the performance shares were based on such share price, with a 10% discount to reflect the risk of attaining performance goal results at below the target levels. The performance goals and minimum, target and maximum payouts set by the compensation committee for the 2007 performance share awards are the same as those approved for the bonus plan.

 

As part of our executive compensation program, we provide certain of our executives with the following other benefits:

 

 

The “All Other Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 23 shows the amounts of such compensation paid for fiscal 2006 to each of the named executive officers.

 

The compensation committee reviewed the amounts and types of perquisites and other benefits the Company provides to its executive officers as part of its benchmark survey in the fourth quarter, 2006, and expects to revisit periodically to determine if adjustments are appropriate.

 

On February 20, 2007 the Company adopted Employment Security Agreements with each of its named executive officers, as well as certain other executives. Payments under the agreements are provided if (i) there is a change in control of the Company and (ii) within two years following the change in control, either the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (i.e., commission of a felony, fraud, negligence in the performance of duties, or violation of the Company’s code of conduct resulting in termination of employment) or the executive terminates his employment for “good reason” (i.e., reduction in salary, bonus or job responsibilities, or relocation more than 30 miles away). Change in control is defined in the agreements and includes the acquisition of a majority of the Company’s common stock, certain mergers, consolidations and asset transfers, or the election of a majority of the directors not recommended by the incumbent board.

 

Change in control benefits under the agreements generally include a lump sum cash payment equal to one year base salary and bonus, a prorata bonus for the year in which the termination occurs, and continuation of medical, dental, life insurance and similar benefits for one year. The agreements also provide for reimbursement to the executive for any excise tax imposed on payments under the agreements or otherwise in connection with the change in control as well as taxes imposed on such reimbursement amounts. The agreements include covenants that prohibit the executives from competing and from soliciting Company employees for one year following a termination of employment.

 

The Company believes that the protections afforded by the agreements are a valuable incentive for attracting and retaining top managers. It believes that the agreements are particularly important because the Company does not have employment agreements or long-term arrangements with its executives. The Company also believes that, in the event of an extraordinary corporate transaction, the agreements could prove crucial to the Company’s ability to retain top management through the transaction process.

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the deductibility of executive compensation paid to the chief executive officer and to each of the four other most highly compensated officers of a public company to $1 million per year. However, compensation that is considered qualified “performance-based compensation” generally does not count toward the $1 million deduction limit. Section 162(m) contains a transition rule that delays the application of its deductibility limits to compensation paid by a company that becomes public pursuant to an initial public offering. The Company generally can rely on this transition rule with respect to its compensation arrangements until the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders (subject to earlier termination of the transition rule in certain situations). Accordingly, all compensation paid to the named executive officers in 2006 is fully deductible by the Company without regard to Code Section 162(m).

 

The compensation committee determines and makes recommendations to the board of directors concerning the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, including the named executive officers, and non-employee directors. The compensation committee reviews and approves:

 

 

 

The Chief Executive Officer prepares a performance review for each of the other executives each year. Based on his assessment of each individual’s performance during the preceding calendar year, as well as a review of how each executive’s compensation compares with the benchmark companies, the Chief Executive Officer recommends to the compensation committee, for each such executive, base salary amounts, restricted stock and performance share awards and annual performance goals under the bonus plan and the long-term incentive plan.

 

The compensation committee has directly engaged Watson Wyatt & Company as its outside consultant for 2006 and 2007 to assist it in reviewing the effectiveness and competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation and outside director programs and policies. In particular, Watson Wyatt & Company assists the compensation committee with the following:

 

 

The following table lists information regarding the compensation for the year ended December 31, 2006, of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and each of the other executive officers named in this section, to whom we refer to, collectively, as the named executive officers.

 

 

 

 

Salary.  The “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table shows the salaries paid in 2006 to each of the named executive officers.

 

Stock Awards.  The amounts in the “Stock Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table show the Company’s expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 with respect to all outstanding restricted shares held by each named executive officer, disregarding any adjustments for estimated forfeitures.

 

The Company has granted to each of the named executives restricted shares pursuant to a plan adopted in August 2003 by the board of managers of our predecessor company. With respect to these shares, except the restricted shares granted to Mr. Udell, 25% vested on December 31, 2004, and 25% vested on the day prior to the completion of our initial public offering on July 27, 2005. An additional 16.7% vested on each of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the remaining 16.7% will vest in one remaining installment on December 31, 2007. With respect to Mr. Udell’s restricted shares, 19,965 were granted under our restricted share plan. Of these shares, 75% have vested, including 25% that vested on December 31, 2006, and the remaining 25% will vest in one remaining installment on December 31, 2007. In addition, on October 13, 2005, the Company granted 30,000 restricted shares to Mr. Udell under our long-term incentive plan. Twenty-five percent of these shares vested on October 13, 2006, and the remaining 75% will vest in equal installments on October 13, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Holders of our restricted shares are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions, if any, as and when declared by our board of directors.

 

Non-Equity Incentive Compensation.  The “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table shows the cash bonus the Company awarded to each of the named executive officers for 2006 pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. (For more information, please refer to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement on page 16.) The Company paid all of these amounts in March 2007.

 

2006 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

This table sets forth information for each named executive officer with respect to estimated possible payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards that could have been earned for 2006.

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2006 Fiscal Year-End

 

This table sets forth information for each named executive officer with respect to each award of restricted shares that had been made at any time, had not vested, and remained outstanding at December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

 

2006 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

This table sets forth information concerning shares of common stock acquired on vesting during 2006 of shares granted as restricted shares and the value of those vested shares.

 

 

 

 

 

Except as described below, the Company does not maintain any plans or arrangements that would provide a named executive officer with benefits in addition to those benefits to which employees would be entitled upon a termination of employment generally (i.e., vested retirement benefits accrued as of the date of termination, stock awards that are vested as of the date of termination, and the right to elect continued health benefits pursuant to COBRA). The named executive officers have outstanding awards of restricted stock of the Company granted under the Company’s restricted share plan and/or 2005 long-term incentive plan (the “LTIP”). Both plans provide for enhanced benefits upon a change in control of the Company as follows:

 

Under the restricted share plan, the restrictions on all outstanding stock awards will lapse if within 12 months following a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Plan) (a) the participant’s employment with the

Company is terminated by the Company without cause, (b) the participant’s compensation is reduced to 90% or less of the compensation in effect immediately prior to the change in control, or (c) the participant, without his consent, is assigned duties and responsibilities materially inconsistent with his level of responsibility, and the Company does not cure the situation within 30 days of written notice.

 

For this purpose, “cause” means the participant’s (a) gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties, (b) willful or grossly negligent failure to perform his or duties, (c) breach of any written covenants to the Company, (d) dishonest or unlawful behavior or becoming subject to a regulatory judgment or decree that restricts his ability to work for the Company, or (e) willful or reckless breach of a Company policy concerning conflict of interest, business standards or employment practices.

 

The long-term incentive plan provides that if there is a change in control of the Company (as defined in the plan) and there is no assumption of outstanding plan awards by the successor entity, or conversion of outstanding plan awards into comparable equity awards of the successor entity, all restrictions on all outstanding stock awards will lapse. The plan also provides that if in connection with the change in control the plan awards are assumed or converted by the successor entity as described above, and within 24 months following the change in control the participant’s employment is terminated without cause or the participant terminates employment for good reason, all restrictions on all outstanding stock awards will lapse.

 

For purposes of the long-term incentive plan:

 

(a) “cause” means the participant’s (i) conviction or admission of guilt with respect to any felony, fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement, (ii) malfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of his duties that is materially detrimental to the Company, or (iii) breach of any Company code of conduct, if the consequence would be termination of employment.

 

In each case, the Company must give the participant written notice of the existence of cause, and if the act is capable of being cured, 30 days in which to cure.

 

(b) “good reason” means (i) a material reduction in the participant’s base salary and/or bonus opportunity without his consent, (ii) a material reduction in the scope or importance of the participant’s duties and responsibilities without his consent, or (iii) a transfer of the participant’s primary worksite of more than 30 miles (unless the new worksite is closer to the participant’s residence).

 

In each case, the participant must give written notice within 90 days and the Company has 30 days in which to cure the action constituting good reason.

 

The following table sets forth the value of the accelerated vesting of the outstanding restricted stock awards of the named executive officers, assuming an event triggering full vesting occurred on December 31, 2006:

 

 

 

 

On July 28, 2006, the Company repurchased 3,782,379 shares of common stock from Providence Equity Partners IV L.P. and its affiliates, (“Providence”) in a privately negotiated transaction. The total purchase price was approximately $56.7 million, or $15.00 per share. Providence was an original equity investor in the Company and owned approximately 12.7% of the Company’s outstanding shares prior to the share repurchase.

 

In 2002, in connection with our predecessor company’s acquisition of ICTC and several related businesses from McLeodUSA, each of ICTC and Consolidated Communications Market Response, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into separate agreements with LATEL, pursuant to which each of them sold to LATEL real property for total consideration of approximately $9.2 million and then leased the property back from LATEL. The sale prices for the properties sold to LATEL were determined based upon an appraisal of each property. LATEL is owned 50.0% by Mr. Lumpkin and 50.0% by Agracel. Agracel is the sole managing member of LATEL. Mr. Lumpkin, together with members of his family, beneficially own 49.7% of Agracel. In addition, Mr. Lumpkin is a director of Agracel.

 

The initial term of both leases was one year beginning on December 31, 2002. Each lease automatically renews for successive one year terms through 2013, unless either ICTC or Consolidated Communications Market Response, Inc. provides one year prior written notice that it intends to terminate its respective lease. On August 1, 2005, LATEL exercised its option in the leases to convert the term of the leases to a fixed term of six years. After the fixed term expires on July 31, 2011, the leases will revert back to the initial lease terms through 2013.

 

Collectively, the lease expense for 2006 was approximately $1.3 million, of which ICTC paid approximately $1.1 million and Consolidated Communications Market Response, Inc. paid the remainder. These lease payments represent 100.0% of the revenues of LATEL. The annual rent for each lease will increase by 2.5% upon each renewal. Currently, the leases are recorded as operating leases of ICTC and Consolidated Market Response, Inc.

 

In 1997, prior to our predecessor company’s acquisition of ICTC at the end of 2002, Consolidated Communications Market Response, Inc. entered into a lease agreement with MACC, LLC (“MACC”), an Illinois limited liability company, pursuant to which Consolidated Communications Market Response, Inc. agreed to lease office space for a period of five years. Agracel, which is 49.7% owned by Mr. Lumpkin together with members of his family, is the sole managing member and 66.7% owner of MACC. Mr. Lumpkin and members of his family directly own the remainder of MACC. The parties extended the lease for an additional five years beginning October 14, 2002. Consolidated Communications Market Response, Inc. paid MACC rent for 2006 in the amount of $0.1 million. The lease provides for a cost of living increase to the annual lease payments based on the “Revised Consumers Price Index, All Urban Consumers” published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the United States Department of Labor. Neither party has the right to terminate this agreement by the terms of the agreement.

 

Pursuant to various agreements with CCI, First Mid-Illinois provides the Company with general banking services, including depository, disbursement and payroll accounts, on terms comparable to those available to other large unaffiliated business accounts. Mr. Lumpkin and members of his family own approximately 29.7% of the common stock of First Mid-Illinois and Mr. Dively owns less than 1.0% of the common stock of First Mid-Illinois. In addition, Mr. Dively is a director of First Mid-Illinois. The fees charged and earnings received on deposits, through repurchase agreements, are based on First Mid-Illinois’s standard schedule for large customers. During 2006, the Company paid maintenance and activity related charges of $9,767 to First Mid-Illinois and earned $206,399 of interest on its deposits. In addition, First Mid-Illinois administers the Company’s hourly 401(k) plan. During 2006, CCI paid $99,975 to First Mid-Illinois for this service, which is a competitive market rate based on assets under management that we believe is comparable to rates charged by independent third parties.

 

In 2006, The Checkley Agency, a wholly-owned insurance brokerage subsidiary of First Mid Illinois received a $129,844 commission in 2006 relating to insurance and risk management services provided to CCI in connection with a co-brokerage arrangement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.

 

CCI provides First Mid-Illinois with local dial tone, custom calling features, long distance and other telecommunications services. In 2006, First Mid-Illinois paid CCI $0.5 million for these services. These services are based on standard prices for strategic business customers.

 

In March 2007, our audit committee adopted a written Related Person Transactions Policy, which provides for procedures for review, approval and ratification of transactions involving the Company and “related persons” (which consists of directors, director nominees, executive officers and stockholders owning five percent or more of the Company’s outstanding stock, any of their immediate family members, and any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed, is a general partner, principal or in a similar position or has, together with the beneficial ownership interests of all other “related persons,” a 10% or greater beneficial ownership interest). The policy covers any related person transaction that would be required to be disclosed in our proxy statement under applicable SEC rules (generally, transactions in which the Company is a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which a “related person” has a direct or indirect material interest).

 

Certain transactions are not subject to specific approval under the policy by virtue of being exempt from the set of related person transactions that must be disclosed pursuant to applicable SEC rules. In addition, the audit committee has approved in the policy the provision of products or services by the Company and its subsidiaries to “related persons,” if conducted in the ordinary course of business and on terms that are no less favorable to the Company then those available to customers who are not related to the Company.

 

The policy requires, prior to a party entering into any related person transaction covered by the policy, to provide notice to the Company of the proposed related person transaction. The audit committee or its chairperson may approve only those related person transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, as the audit committee or its chairperson, as applicable, determines in good faith. In the event the Company becomes aware of a related person transaction that has not been previously approved or previously ratified under the policy that is pending or ongoing, it will be submitted to the audit committee or its chairperson, as applicable, which shall evaluate all options, including but not limited to ratification, amendment or termination of the related person transaction, and (if appropriate) any disciplinary actions recommended. No member of the audit committee may participate in the consideration, approval or ratification of any related person transaction with respect to which such member or any of his or her immediate family members is the “related person” or in which he, she or they otherwise have an interest.

 

Our combined 2006 annual report to stockholders and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 accompanies this proxy statement.

 

The proxy rules of the SEC permit our stockholders, after notice to the Company, to present proposals for stockholder action in our proxy statement where such proposals are consistent with applicable law, pertain to matters appropriate for stockholder action and are not properly omitted by our action in accordance with the proxy rules. In order for any stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement to be issued in connection with our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, that proposal must be received at our principal executive offices, 121 South 17^th Street, Mattoon, Illinois 61938 (Attention: Secretary), no later than December 7, 2007.

 

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that certain additional requirements be met in order that business may properly come before the stockholders at the annual meeting. Among other things, stockholders intending to bring business before the annual meeting must provide written notice of such intent to the Secretary of the

Company. Such notice must be given not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which mailed our proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting. In addition, the following information must be provided regarding each proposal: as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, the name, age, business address and, if known, residential address, principal occupation or employment, the class, series and number of shares beneficially owned by such nominee and all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required by Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting; the text of any resolution proposed to be adopted at the meeting; and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting; and a statement of any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and, in the case of director nominations, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other persons (naming them) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder.

 

In addition, the following information must be provided regarding the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made: the name and address of such stockholder, as it appears on the Company’s stock transfer books, and of such beneficial owner; the class, series and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; a representation that the stockholder giving the notice is a stockholder of record and intends to appear in person or by a qualified representative at the annual meeting to bring the business proposed in the notice before the meeting; a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination; and any other information relating to such stockholder 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 the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and any persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our stock, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our stock. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. As a matter of practice, our administrative staff assists our executive officers and directors in preparing and filing such reports with the SEC.

 

To our knowledge, based solely upon a review of filings with the SEC and written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that all of our directors and executive officers complied during 2006 with the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that 433 shares of our common stock owned by Ms. Rahe were purchased by her pursuant to an automatic dividend reinvestment plan through her broker during 2005 and 2006 and were reported late due to an inadvertent administrative error.

 

The expenses of preparing and mailing this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card and the cost of solicitation of proxies, if any, will be borne by us. In addition to the use of mailings, proxies may be solicited by personal interview and telephone and by our directors, officers and regular employees without special compensation therefore. We expect to reimburse banks, brokers and other persons for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in handling proxy materials for beneficial owners of our common stock.

 

Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the proxy card, all shares of common stock represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and not revoked before they are voted) will be voted “FOR” all of the proposals described in this proxy statement.

 

Our board does not know of any other matters that are to be presented for action at the 2007 annual meeting. Should any other matter come before the annual meeting, however, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to such matter in accordance with their judgment.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Steven J. Shirar
Senior Vice President, President of
Enterprise Operations and Secretary

 

Dated: April 6, 2007

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

X

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

6 PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 6

A

Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2.

1.

Election of Directors:

For

Withhold

For

Withhold

+

01 - Jack W. Blumenstein

o

o

02 - Roger H. Moore

o

o

For

Against

Abstain

2.

Approval of Ernst & Young, LLP, as the independent registered public accounting firm.

o

o

o

B

Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

	C   Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below
	Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.
	Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.				Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.		Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
	/	/

n				2 1 A V			C N S L 1			+

6 PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 6

Proxy — CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, INC.

Steven J. Shirar and David J. Doedtman, or either of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Consolidated Communications Holdings to be held on May 8, 2007 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof.

(Continued and to be voted on reverse side.)