def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment
No. )
Filed by the
Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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o Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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þ Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o Definitive
Additional Materials
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o Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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MORGANS FOODS, 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):
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þ |
No fee required.
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o |
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which
transaction applies:
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(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of
transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined):
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(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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o |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as
provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or
Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1) |
Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
MORGANS FOODS, INC.
4829 Galaxy Parkway, Suite S
Cleveland, Ohio 44128
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 27, 2008
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:
You are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Morgans Foods, Inc., an
Ohio corporation (the Company), will be held at the Marriott Cleveland East, 26300 Harvard Rd.,
Warrensville Heights, OH 44122, on Friday, June 27, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time,
for the following purposes:
1. To elect the Board of Directors of the Company.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on May 14, 2008 will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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KENNETH L. HIGNETT |
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Secretary |
June 6, 2008
SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE TO ENSURE THAT THEIR SHARES
ARE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
MORGANS FOODS, INC.
4829 Galaxy Parkway, Suite S
Cleveland, Ohio 44128
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on
behalf of the Board of Directors of Morgans Foods, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the Company), for
use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the Meeting) to be held at the Marriott
Cleveland East, 26300 Harvard Rd., Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44122, on Friday, June 27, 2008 at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, and at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy statement and accompanying notice and form of proxy are being mailed to
shareholders on or about June 6, 2008. A copy of the Companys Annual Report to Shareholders,
including financial statements, for the fiscal year ended March 2, 2008 (the 2008 fiscal year) is
enclosed with this proxy statement.
The presence of any shareholder at the Meeting will not operate to revoke his proxy. Any
proxy may be revoked, at any time before it is exercised, in open meeting, or by giving notice to
the Company in writing, or by filing a duly executed proxy bearing a later date.
If the enclosed proxy is executed and returned to the Company, the persons named therein will
vote the shares represented by it at the Meeting. The proxy permits specification of a vote for
the election of directors, or the withholding of authority to vote in the election of directors, or
the withholding of authority to vote for one or more specified nominees.
Where a choice is specified in the proxy, the shares represented thereby will be voted in
accordance with such specification. If no specification is made, such shares will be voted at the
Meeting FOR the election as directors of the nominees set forth herein under Election of
Directors.
Under Ohio law and the Companys Articles of Incorporation, broker non-votes and abstaining
votes will not be counted in favor of or against election of any nominee.
The close of business on May 14, 2008, has been fixed as the record date for the determination
of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of May 14, 2008, the
Companys outstanding voting securities consisted of 2,934,995 Common Shares, without par value,
each of which is entitled to one vote on all matters to be presented to the shareholders at the
Meeting.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, shares represented by proxies will be voted, unless otherwise specified in
such proxies, for the election of the seven nominees to the Board of Directors named in this proxy
statement and the enclosed proxy. These nominees were selected by the Board of Directors and will,
if elected, serve as directors of the Company until the next annual meeting of the shareholders and
until their successors are elected and shall qualify. All of the nominees are currently members of
the Board of Directors and all nominees have consented to be nominated and to serve if elected.
If, for any reason, any one or more nominees becomes unavailable for election, it is expected that
proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominees as may be designated by the
Board of Directors.
If notice in writing is given by any shareholder to the President or the Secretary of the
Company, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for holding the Meeting, that such
shareholder desires that the voting
1
for the election of directors shall be cumulative, and if an
announcement of the giving of such notice is made upon the convening of the Meeting by the
President or Secretary or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving such notice, each shareholder
shall have the right to cumulate such voting power as he possesses at such election and to give one
candidate an amount of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the
number of his shares, or to distribute his votes on the same principle among two or more
candidates, as he sees fit.
If voting for the election of directors is cumulative, the persons named in the enclosed proxy
will vote the shares represented by proxies given to them in such fashion as to elect as many of
the nominees as possible.
The table below sets forth, as of May 14, 2008, certain information about each of the nominees
for director. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote for the following nominees:
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Principal Occupation |
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Director of the |
Name |
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Age |
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for the Past Five Years |
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Company Since |
Lawrence S. Dolin |
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64 |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Noteworthy Medical Systems, Inc. (electronic
health records software)
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1981 |
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Bahman Guyuron, M.D., F.A.C.S. |
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62 |
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Kiehn-DesPrez Professor and Chief
Division of Plastic Surgery
University Hospitals Case Medical Center
and Case Western Reserve University
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2003 |
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Kenneth L. Hignett |
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61 |
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Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary of the Company (March 1992 to
present); Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Company (January 1991 to
March 1992); Vice President and Treasurer of
the Company (June 1989 to January 1991)
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1993 |
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Steven S. Kaufman |
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58 |
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Partner and Executive Committee Member,
Thompson Hine LLP (law firm)
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1989 |
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Bernard Lerner |
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81 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer,
Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. (manufacturer
of packaging materials and machinery)
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1989 |
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James J. Liguori |
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59 |
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President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company (July 1988 to present);
Executive Vice President of the Company
(August 1987 to July 1988); Vice President
of the Company (June 1979 to August 1987)
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1984 |
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Leonard R. Stein-Sapir |
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69 |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company (April 1989 to present)
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1981 |
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2
Lawrence S. Dolin also serves as a director of Falconstor Software, Inc., a company in the
business of providing software IP storage.
The Board of Directors has determined that each of the following members is an independent
director as defined by the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market: Lawrence S. Dolin,
Bernard Lerner, Steven S. Kaufman and Bahman Guyuron.
The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, and a Compensation and
Human Resources Committee. The Company does not have a nominating committee. The Board of
Directors as a whole functions as the nominating committee due to the relatively small size of the
Board and the smaller market capitalization of the Company.
The Executive Committee consists of James J. Liguori, Lawrence S. Dolin, Bernard Lerner and
Leonard R. Stein-Sapir. This committee has the authority, between meetings of the Board of
Directors, to exercise substantially all of the powers of the Board in the management of the
business of the Company.
The Audit Committee consists of Lawrence S. Dolin (Chairman), Steven S. Kaufman and Bernard
Lerner. This committee, as set forth in more detail in the Audit Committee Charter which is
attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit A, approves the Companys retention of independent
auditors and pre-approves any audit or non-audit services performed by them. It reviews with such
accountants the arrangements for, and the scope of, the audit to be conducted by them. It also
reviews with the independent accountants and with management the results of audits and various
other financial and accounting matters affecting the Company. The Board has determined that
Lawrence S. Dolin qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The members of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee are Steven S. Kaufman, Bernard
Lerner (Chairman), Bahman Guyuron and Lawrence S. Dolin. This committee administers the Companys
compensation, benefits and stock option plans. At its meeting on June 22, 2007, the Board of
Directors of the Company adopted a charter establishing the duties and responsibilities of the
Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors. The charter of the
Compensation and Human Resources Committee is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit B.
The Board of Directors met four times, the Audit Committee met four times, the Compensation
and Human Resources Committee met once and the Executive Committee did not meet, during the 2008
fiscal year. Each director currently serving on the Board attended 75% or more of the meetings
held during such year by the Board and the meetings of the committee(s) on which he served. The
Company encourages the attendance of all directors at the annual shareholders meetings. Four of
the Companys directors attended the annual shareholders meeting last year.
Nominations for Director are made by the Board as a whole. When selecting new Director
nominees, the Board considers any requirements of applicable law, as well as a candidates strength
of character, judgment, business experience, specific areas of expertise, and factors relating to
the composition of the Board (including its size and structure). The Board will review any
candidate recommended by shareholders of the Company in light of its criteria for selection of new
directors. If a shareholder wishes to recommend a candidate, he or she should send his or her
recommendation, with a description of the candidates qualifications, to the secretary of the
Company, Kenneth L. Hignett, 4829 Galaxy Pkwy., Suite S, Cleveland, Ohio 44128.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee is composed of three directors, all of whom are independent under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted on June 23, 2000,
reviewed annually and ratified most recently on June 22, 2007 (a copy of the charter is attached as
Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement). The Committees responsibilities include oversight of the
Companys independent auditors
as well as oversight of managements conduct in the Companys financial reporting process.
The Committee
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also approves the Companys retention of independent auditors and pre-approves any
audit or non-audit services performed by them. Management is responsible for the Companys
internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent auditors are responsible
for performing an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and
issuing a report thereon. For fiscal 2008, the Committee met and held discussions with management
and the independent auditors. Management represented to the Committee that the Companys
consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, and the Committee has reviewed and discussed the
consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Committee
discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be discussed by the statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as
adopted by the Public Company Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. The Companys independent auditors
also provided to the Committee the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No.1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3600T and the
Committee discussed with the independent auditors their firms independence. The Audit Committee
has considered whether the provision of non-audit services by the independent auditors is
compatible with maintaining the auditors independence.
Based on the Committees discussion with management and the independent auditors and the
report of the independent auditors to the Committee, the Committee recommended that the Board of
Directors include the audited consolidated financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 2, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The Audit Committee
Lawrence S. Dolin, Chairman
Steven S. Kaufman
Bernard Lerner
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FEES
The aggregate audit fees billed or to be billed to the Company for the fiscal year ended March
2, 2008 by the Companys independent auditors, Grant Thornton LLP, are $173,342 and for the fiscal
year ended February 25, 2007 by the Companys independent auditors were $11,672 for Deloitte &
Touche LLP and $174,684 for Grant Thornton LLP. There were no tax, audit-related or other fees
paid to our independent auditors for the years ended March 2, 2008 and February 25, 2007.
4
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to all persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more
than 5% of the Companys outstanding Common Shares as of May 14, 2008.
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Name and Address |
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Percent of |
of
Beneficial Owner |
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Number of Shares |
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Class |
Leonard R. Stein-Sapir (1) |
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4829 Galaxy Pkwy., Suite S |
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Cleveland, OH 44128 |
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805,281 |
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26.8 |
% |
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Moab Partners LP (2) |
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152 East 62nd Street |
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New York, NY 10021 |
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322,376 |
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10.9 |
% |
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Blackhorse Capital Advisors LLC (2) |
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45 Rockefeller Center, 20th Floor |
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New York, NY 10111 |
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340,200 |
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11.5 |
% |
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Hoak Public Equities LP (3) |
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500 Crescent Court, Suite 220 |
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Dallas TX 75201 |
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150,000 |
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5.1 |
% |
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(1) |
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Includes 98 shares owned by Mr. Stein-Sapirs children and 1,666 shares owned by his
wife. Mr. Stein-Sapir disclaims any beneficial interest in the shares owned by his wife
and children. |
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(2) |
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Based on the most recent filings of SEC Form 4 by the reporting parties. |
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(3) |
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Based on Schedule 13G filing dated March 27, 2008. |
Security Ownership of Management. The following table sets forth information as of May 14,
2008, with respect to Common Shares beneficially owned by all directors and nominees for election
as directors of the Company and by all officers and directors of the Company as a group. Each
person owns beneficially and of record the shares indicated and has sole voting and investment
power with respect thereto, except as otherwise set forth in the footnotes to the table.
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Percent of |
Name |
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Number of Shares |
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Class |
Lawrence S. Dolin (1) |
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106,125 |
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3.6 |
% |
Bahman Guyuron |
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90,823 |
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3.0 |
% |
James J. Liguori (2) |
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81,539 |
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2.7 |
% |
Steven S. Kaufman |
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4,686 |
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* |
Leonard R. Stein-Sapir (3) |
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805,281 |
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26.8 |
% |
Bernard Lerner |
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103,066 |
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3.5 |
% |
Kenneth L. Hignett |
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41,522 |
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1.4 |
% |
Barton J. Craig (4) |
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20,000 |
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* |
Ramesh J. Gursahaney |
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250 |
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* |
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All officers and directors as a group
(11 persons) (5) |
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1,254,729 |
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41.8 |
% |
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* |
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Less than one percent of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company. |
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Includes 43,000 shares owned by a partnership of which Mr. Dolin is a general partner and 625
shares owned by Mr. Dolins wife. Mr. Dolin disclaims any beneficial interest in the shares
owned by his wife. |
5
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(2) |
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Includes 83 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Liguori disclaims any beneficial interest in the
shares owned by his wife and 50,000 shares subject to exercisable options. |
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(3) |
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Includes 98 shares owned by Mr. Stein-Sapirs children and 1,666 shares owned by his wife.
Mr. Stein-Sapir disclaims any beneficial interest in the shares owned by his wife and
children. |
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Includes 20,000 shares subject to exercisable options. |
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(5) |
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Includes 70,000 shares subject to exercisable options. |
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Administration of the Compensation Plan - The proxy statement disclosure rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission require the Company to provide certain information concerning
the compensation of the Principal Executive Officer and the other executive officers of the
Company. The Companys compensation plan is administered by the Compensation and Human Resources
Committee of the Board of Directors and decisions on the compensation of the Companys Officers are
made by the Committee.
Objectives of the Compensation Program The objective of the Companys compensation program
is to provide competitive compensation to retain key management and to reward them for success in
increasing shareholder value.
Principles of the Compensation Program The Companys compensation program is formulated to
recognize the abilities and experience which each executive brings to his position. The annual
review is expected to reward executives for the successful performance of their duties and to
provide an incentive for future performance.
Elements of Compensation - Compensation of the Companys executive officers and officers
consists primarily of base salary and stock option grants. The Company also provides a matching
contribution to deferred compensation under a 401(k) Plan described in a separate section of this
proxy statement. Stock options are used by the Company to align the interests of executives more
closely with those of the shareholders. The granting of stock options also aids in the retention
of high quality executives by providing long-term incentives. The Company has no formal bonus plan
for executives. The Board of Directors has in the past authorized discretionary bonuses for
executives. The Company does not provide retirement benefits.
Base Salary - Since 1999, the Company has relied on its own informal surveys of compensation
levels to gauge the reasonableness of the compensation of Leonard Stein-Sapir, the Companys Chief
Executive Officer. Mr. Stein-Sapirs compensation was at an annual rate of $250,000 at the
beginning of the 2005 fiscal year which was unchanged since February 28, 2000 but was voluntarily
reduced at January 1, 2005 to an annual rate of $25,000, was raised to $50,000 in April 2006 and to
$125,000 in August 2006 has continued at that rate through the end of fiscal 2008.
All executive officer salaries are reviewed on an annual basis. In deciding on changes in the
annual base salary of the Chief Executive Officer the Board considers several performance factors.
Among these are operating and administrative efficiency and the maintenance of an appropriately
experienced management team. The Board also evaluates the Chief Executive Officers performance in
the area of finding and evaluating new business opportunities to establish the most productive
strategic direction for the Company. Salary changes for other executives are based primarily on
their performance in supporting the strategic initiatives of the Chief Executive Officer, meeting
individual goals and objectives set by the Chief Executive Officer, and improving the operating
efficiency of the Company. Also, where applicable, changes in the duties and responsibilities of
each other executive officer may be considered in deciding on changes in annual salary. Due to the
cash needs of the Company, the salaries of the Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel were
also voluntarily reduced to an annual rate of $25,000 annually, effective January 1, 2005,
increased to $50,000 in April 2006 and then to $100,000 in August 2006.
Compensation and Human Resources Committee Report
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We have reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by
Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K and, based on the review and discussion, we recommended to the Board
of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
The Compensation and Human Resources Committee
Bernard Lerner, Chairman
Lawrence S. Dolin
Steven S. Kaufman
Bahman Guyuron
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth for each of the Companys last two fiscal years the
compensation earned by or awarded or paid to the Companys Principal Executive Officer, Principal
Financial Officer and each of the Companys other three most highly compensated officers earning
more than $100,000 during the 2008 fiscal year:
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Name and
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All Other |
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Total |
Position |
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Year |
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Salary |
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Compensation (1) |
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Compensation |
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Leonard R. Stein-Sapir |
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2008 |
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$ |
127,404 |
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$ |
14,458 |
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$ |
141,862 |
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Chairman and Chief |
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2007 |
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89,423 |
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4,694 |
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94,117 |
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Executive Officer |
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James J. Liguori |
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2008 |
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178,365 |
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12,636 |
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191,001 |
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President and Chief |
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2007 |
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175,000 |
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16,215 |
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191,215 |
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Operating Officer |
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Kenneth L. Hignett |
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2008 |
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101,923 |
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3,607 |
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105,530 |
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Sr. Vice President, Chief |
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2007 |
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75,000 |
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3,215 |
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78,215 |
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Financial Officer & |
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Secretary |
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Barton J. Craig |
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2008 |
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101,923 |
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5,004 |
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106,927 |
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Sr. Vice President, |
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2007 |
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75,000 |
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5,004 |
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80,004 |
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General Counsel |
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Ramesh J. Gursahaney |
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2008 |
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152,885 |
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2,752 |
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155,637 |
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Vice President, |
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2007 |
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146,154 |
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4,663 |
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150,817 |
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Operations |
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(1) |
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Represents the value of insurance premiums paid by the Company with respect to term life
insurance for the benefit of the named executives, the matching contribution made by the
Company to the 401(k) Plan and expense allowances. |
OUTSTANDING OPTION AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
AND OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 2008
The following table sets forth certain information about the number of options exercised
during the 2008 fiscal year and the number of unexercised nonqualified stock options held as of
March 2, 2008 by each executive named in the Summary Compensation Table.
7
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Unexercised Options as of |
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Shares Acquired |
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March 2, 2008 |
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Exercise |
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on Exercise |
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Value Realized |
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Exercisable |
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Unexercisable |
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Price |
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Expiration Date |
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Leonard R. Stein-Sapir |
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50,000 |
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$ |
360,237 |
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James J. Liguori |
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50,000 |
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$ |
4.125 |
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April 1, 2009 |
Kenneth L. Hignett |
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25,000 |
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$ |
157,494 |
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Barton J. Craig |
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7,500 |
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$ |
3.000 |
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January 6, 2010 |
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12,500 |
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$ |
4.125 |
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April 1, 2009 |
Ramesh J, Gursahaney |
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Retirement and Savings Plan 401(k)
Since October 1, 1993, the Company has maintained a Retirement and Savings Plan under IRS Code
Section 401(k) (the 401(k) Plan). The 401(k) Plan allows eligible employees to defer a portion
of their compensation before federal income tax to a qualified trust. All employees who are at
least 21 years of age are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. The participants may choose
from sixteen investment options for the investment of their deferred compensation. In addition,
the Company matches 30% of each participants salary deferral, for the first 6% of their salary,
with a cash contribution. For the fiscal year ended March 2, 2008, the Company contributed $92,974
to the 401(k) Plan and paid or accrued $10,572 in administrative fees.
Director Compensation
Messrs. Dolin, Kaufman, Lerner and Dr. Guyuron each received $12,000 for serving on the Board
of Directors during the fiscal year ended March 2, 2008. Directors who are also officers of the
Company do not receive additional compensation as Directors. Additional compensation of $2,000 per
meeting was paid to Directors serving on the Audit Committee. No additional compensation is paid
to Directors for serving on other Committees of the Board. The following table lists the
compensation paid to directors in the fiscal year ended March 2, 2008:
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Total |
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Fees Earned |
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Compensation |
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Lawrence S. Dolin |
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$ |
20,000 |
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$ |
20,000 |
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Bernard Lerner |
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$ |
20,000 |
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$ |
20,000 |
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Stephen S. Kaufman |
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$ |
16,000 |
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$ |
16,000 |
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Bahman Guyuron |
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$ |
12,000 |
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$ |
12,000 |
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SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Grant Thornton LLP serves as the Companys independent auditors. The Board of Directors of
the Company has not selected independent auditors for the Company and its subsidiaries for the
fiscal year ending March 1, 2009. Representatives of Grant Thornton LLP are expected to be present
at the Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate
questions.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder who intends to present a proposal for inclusion in the proxy statement and
form of proxy relating to the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is advised that the proposal must
be received by
the Company at its principal executive offices not later than February 6, 2009. The Company is not
required to include in its proxy statement or form of proxy a shareholder proposal which is
received after that date or which otherwise fails to meet requirements for shareholder proposals
established by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
If a shareholder intends to raise, at the Companys annual meeting in 2009, a proposal that he
does not seek to have included in the Companys proxy statement, he must notify the Company of the
proposal on or
8
before April 23, 2009. If the shareholder fails to notify the Company, the
Companys proxies will be permitted to use their discretionary voting authority with respect to
such proposal when and if it is raised at such annual meeting, whether or not there is any
discussion of such proposal in the proxy statement for that meeting.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Companys directors and
executive officers, and owners of more than ten percent of the Companys Common Shares (10%
stockholders), to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Shares of the Company. Executive officers,
directors and 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies
of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a).
To the Companys knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to
the Company, and with respect to the officers and directors, representations that no other reports
were required, during the fiscal year ended March 2, 2008, all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to its executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders were complied with.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use
of the mail, proxies may be solicited by regular employees of the Company, either personally or by
telephone. The Company does not expect to pay any compensation for the solicitation of proxies,
but it may reimburse brokers and other persons holding shares in their names or in the names of
nominees for their expenses in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners and obtaining proxies
from such owners.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD
Shareholders may communicate with Board Members by addressing a letter to the Secretary of the
Company at 4829 Galaxy Pkwy., Suite S, Cleveland, OH 44128.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any matter to be presented for action at the Meeting
other than that shown in this document. Should any other matters be properly presented for action
at the Meeting, the enclosed proxy confers upon the proxy holders named therein the authority to
vote on such matters in accordance with their judgment.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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KENNETH L. HIGNETT |
Cleveland, Ohio
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Secretary |
June 6, 2008 |
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9
Exhibit A
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Organization |
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This charter governs the operations of the audit committee. The committee shall
review and reassess the charter at least annually and obtain the approval of the
board of directors. The committee shall be appointed by the board of directors and
shall comprise at least three directors, each of whom are independent of management
and the Company. Members of the committee shall be considered independent if they
have no relationship that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from
management and the Company. All committee members shall be financially literate, or
shall become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after
appointment to the committee and at least one member shall have accounting or
related financial management expertise. |
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Statement of Policy |
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The audit committee shall provide assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling
their oversight responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, the
investment community, and others relating to the Companys financial statements and
the financial reporting process, the systems of internal accounting and financial
controls, the annual independent audit of the Companys financial statements, and
the legal compliance and ethics programs as established by management and the board.
In so doing, it is the responsibility of the committee to maintain free and open
communication between the committee, independent auditors and management of the
Company. 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 Company and the power to retain outside
counsel, or other experts for this purpose. |
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Responsibilities and Processes |
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The primary responsibility of the audit committee is to oversee the Companys
financial reporting process on behalf of the board and report the results of their
activities to the board. Management is responsible for preparing the Companys
financial statements, and the independent auditors are responsible for auditing
those 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 should take the appropriate
actions to set the overall corporate tone for quality financial reporting, sound
business risk practices, and ethical behavior. |
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The following shall be the principal recurring processes of the audit committee in
carrying out its oversight responsibilities. The processes are set forth as a guide
with the understanding that the committee may supplement them as appropriate. |
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The committee shall have a clear understanding with management and the
independent auditors that the independent auditors are ultimately accountable to
the board and the audit committee, as representatives of the Companys
shareholders. The committee shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility
to evaluate and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditors. The
committee shall discuss with the auditors their independence from management and
the Company and the matters included in the written disclosures required by the
Independence Standards Board. Annually, the committee shall review and recommend
to the board the selection of the Companys independent auditors, subject to
shareholders approval. |
A1
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The committee shall discuss with the independent auditors the overall scope and
plans for their respective audits including the adequacy of staffing and
compensation. Also, the committee shall discuss with management and the
independent auditors the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and financial
controls, including the Companys system to monitor and manage business risk, and
legal and ethical compliance programs. Further, the committee shall meet separately with the independent auditors, with and without
management present, to discuss the results of their examinations. |
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The committee shall review the interim financial statements with management and
the independent auditors prior to the filing of the Companys Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q. Also, the committee shall discuss the results of the quarterly review
and any other matters required to be communicated to the committee by the
independent auditors under generally accepted auditing standards. The chair of the
committee may represent the entire committee for the purposes of this review. |
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The committee shall review with management and the independent auditors the
financial statements to be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K (or
the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior to the filing of Form 10-K),
including their judgment about the quality, not just acceptability, of accounting
principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of the
disclosures in the financial statements. Also, the committee shall discuss the
results of the annual audit and any other matters required to be communicated to
the committee by the independent auditors under generally accepted auditing
standards. |
A2
Exhibit B
CHARTER OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Purpose of Committee |
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The role of the Compensation Committee (the Committee) is to establish and oversee
the compensation policies of Morgans Foods, Inc. (the Company) on behalf of the
Board of Directors (the Board). The Committee will discharge the duties of the
Board, to the extent delegated to the Committee, and approve or make recommendations
to the Board, with respect to compensation of the Companys senior officers. The
Committee will produce an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in
the Companys proxy statement, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and any exchange or
over-the-counter market on which the Companys stock is then listed. |
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The Committee shall ensure that a proper system of long-term and short-term
compensation is in place for management, and that compensation plans are appropriate
and competitive and properly reflect the objectives and performance of management
and the Company. |
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Committee Membership |
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The Committee shall be compromised of at least three members of the Board each of
whom has been affirmatively determined in the judgment of the Board to qualify as an
independent director under the applicable rules of the SEC and any exchange or
over-the-counter market on which the Companys stock is then listed. Each Committee
member must also be a non-employee director as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and an outside director within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Board shall designate
the Chairperson of the Committee, provided that if the Board does not so designate a
Chairperson, the members of the Committee, by majority vote, may designate a
Chairperson. |
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Any vacancy of the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board at the
next meeting of the Board following the occurrence of the vacancy. No member of the
Committee shall be removed except by majority vote of the Board. |
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Meetings |
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The Committee will meet at least once each year, with authority to convene
additional meetings as circumstances require. All Committee members are expected to
attend each meeting, either in person or by teleconference. Meeting agendas will be
prepared and provided in advance to members, along with appropriate briefing
materials. Committee members will be furnished with copies of the minutes of each
meeting. The Committee, at its discretion, may ask members of management, the
Companys counsel, or others to attend its meetings (or portions thereof) and to
provide pertinent information as necessary; provided however, that the President and
Chief Executive Officer (the CEO) or any other officer may not be present during
the Committees deliberation or voting processes with respect to setting and
approving any aspect of the compensation for that person. |
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Committee Duties and Responsibilities |
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The Committee shall carry out the duties and responsibilities set forth below.
These functions should serve as a guide, with the understanding that the Committee
may carry out additional functions and adopt additional policies and practices as
may be appropriate in light of changing business, legislative, regulatory, legal, or
other conditions. |
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Review and approve all aspects of the compensation of the Companys officers
(other than the CEO), including their participation in incentive-compensation
plans, performance-based compensation, and equity-based compensation plans; |
B1
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Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation
of the CEO, and, after an evaluation of the CEOs performance in light of those
goals and objectives, set the compensation of the CEO (in determining any long-term
incentive component of the CEOs compensation, the Committee should consider, among
other factors, the Companys performance and relative shareholder return, the value
of similar incentive awards for chief executive officers at comparable companies
and the awards given to the CEO in past years); |
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Review and make periodic recommendations to the Board with respect to the
Companys policies and practices regarding general compensation, benefits, and
perquisites, including, without limitation, the Companys incentive-compensation
plans and equity-based compensation plans (in circumstances in which equity-based
compensation plans are not subject to shareholder approval, such plans shall be
subject to Committee approval); |
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Monitor compliance with the Companys policies and practices with regard to
general compensation, benefits, and perquisites; |
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Prepare the Compensation Committee Report and authorize its inclusion in the
Companys annual proxy statement in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the SEC; |
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Monitor disclosure with regard to compensation matters in the Companys proxy
statement; and |
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Report to the Board at least once a year. |
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Delegation |
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The Committee may delegate its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee
consisting of one or more members of the Committee, or to senior officers of the
Company. Any delegation may be made only to the extent permitted by SEC rules,
exchange rules, over-the-counter market rules, and applicable law. The Committee
may not, however, delegate any of its duties and responsibilities with regard to (i)
compensation arrangements, including salary and short-term and long-term incentive
awards, with respect to the CEO and any other officer identified as an executive
officer by the Board, or (ii) the Companys annual proxy statement. |
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Surveys and Studies |
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The Committee may conduct or authorize surveys or studies of matters within the
Committees scope of responsibilities as described above, including, but not limited
to, surveys or studies of compensation practices in relevant industries, to maintain
the Companys competitiveness and ability to recruit and retain highly qualified
personnel, and may retain and terminate, at the expense of the Company, independent
counsel or other consultants necessary to assist in any such survey or study. If
any compensation consultant or firm is to assist in the evaluation of the
compensation of the CEO or any other officer identified as an executive officer by
the Board, the Committee shall have the sole authority to retain and terminate the
compensation consultant or firm and approve such firm or persons fees and other
retention terms. |
B2
MORGANS FOODS, INC.
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The undersigned hereby
appoints Lawrence S. Dolin, Leonard R. Stein-Sapir and James J.
Liguori, and each of them, attorneys and proxies of the
undersigned with full power of substitution to attend the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Morgans Foods, Inc. (the
Company) at Marriott Cleveland East, 26300 Harvard
Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio, on Friday, June 27, 2008
at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, or any adjournment
thereof, and to vote the number of shares of the Company which
the undersigned would be entitled to vote and with all the power
the undersigned would possess, if personally present, as follows:
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1. o FOR,
or
o WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY to vote for the following nominees for election as
directors: Leonard R. Stein-Sapir, Lawrence S. Dolin, James J.
Liguori, Steven S. Kaufman, Bernard Lerner, Kenneth L. Hignett
and Bahman Guyuron, M.D.
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, write that nominees name on the line
provided below.) |
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2. On such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
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(continued, and to be signed, on the other
side)
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(Continued from other side) |
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The proxies will vote
as specified above or if a choice is not specified they will
vote FOR the nominees listed in Item 1. |
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Receipt of Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and Proxy State ment dated June 6, 2008, is
hereby acknowledged.
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Dated
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 2008 |
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Signature(s) |
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(Please sign exactly as your name or names
appear(s) hereon, indicating, where proper, official position or
representative capacity.)
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY |
Proxy Card