def14a
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 (Amendment No. _______)
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
Calavo Growers, 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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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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Since 1924
The First Name in Avocados
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 27, 2011
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CALAVO GROWERS, INC.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Calavo Growers, Inc., a
California corporation, will be held on April 27, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time at 15765 W.
Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, California, 93060 for the following purposes:
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To elect thirteen directors, each for a term of one year; |
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To ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm
for fiscal year 2011; |
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To approve the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011 Management Incentive Plan; |
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To conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation; |
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To conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes
on executive compensation; |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy statement accompanying this
Notice.
The close of business on February 28, 2011 has been fixed as the record date for the determination
of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at this Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or
postponement thereof. For ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of shareholders entitled
to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any shareholder, for any purpose
relating to the meeting, during ordinary business hours at our principal offices located at 1141-A
Cummings Road, Santa Paula, California.
Accompanying this Notice is a proxy. Whether or not you expect to be at the Annual Meeting, please
complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy and return it promptly. If you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may do so at any time before the proxy
is voted. To accommodate the largest number of shareholders at the meeting, we request that you
indicate your intent to attend by calling Eyvonne Ortega at (805) 921-3244 by April 22, 2011.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
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By order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ Lecil E. Cole
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Lecil E. Cole |
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Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Chief Executive Officer and President |
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March 10, 2011
Santa Paula, California
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Since 1924
The First Name in Avocados
1141-A Cummings Road
Santa Paula, California 93060
(805) 525-1245
This proxy statement contains information related to the annual meeting of shareholders of Calavo
Growers, Inc. to be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, beginning at 1:00 p.m. local time, at 15765
W. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, California, 93060 and at any postponements or adjournments thereof.
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy are being mailed to shareholders on or about March
10, 2011 in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of proxies for use at the
annual meeting.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
Proxy Materials
Why am I receiving these materials?
The Board of Directors (the Board) of Calavo Growers, Inc. (Calavo, the Company, we, our
or us), a California corporation, is providing these proxy materials for you in connection with
our annual meeting of shareholders, which will take place on April 27, 2011. As a shareholder, you
are invited to attend the annual meeting and are entitled to, and requested to, vote on the items
of business described in this proxy statement. This proxy statement includes information that we
are required to provide to you under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and
that is designed to assist you in voting your shares.
What is included in the proxy materials?
The proxy materials include:
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Our proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders; |
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Our 2010 Annual Report, which includes key information from our 2010 Form 10-K; and |
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A proxy card or a voting instruction card for the annual meeting. |
What information is contained in this proxy statement?
The information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the
annual meeting, the voting process, our Board and Board committees, the compensation of our
directors and current executive officers for fiscal 2010, and other required information.
How may I obtain a copy of Calavos 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders, Form 10-K and/or other
financial information?
A copy of our 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes key information from our 2010 Form
10-K, is enclosed. Shareholders may request another free hard copy of our 2010 Annual Report to
Shareholders and/or a free copy of our entire Form 10-K, from:
Corporate Controller
Calavo Growers, Inc.
1141A Cummings Road
Santa Paula, California 93060
(805) 525-1245
Calavo also will furnish any exhibit to our 2010 Form 10-K, if specifically requested, for a fee of
$0.20 per page to cover our expenses.
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Important Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder
Meeting to be Held on April 27, 2011 |
This proxy statement, the accompanying proxy, our 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders and our 2010
Form 10-K are also available on our website at http://www.calavo.com.
How may I request multiple sets of proxy materials if two or more shareholders reside in my
household?
To minimize our expenses, one proxy statement and one annual report to shareholders may be
delivered to two or more shareholders who share an address unless we have received contrary
instructions from one or more of the shareholders. We will deliver promptly upon written or oral
request a separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report to a shareholder at a shared
address to which a single copy of the proxy statement and annual report was delivered. Requests
for additional copies of the proxy statement and annual report, and requests that in the future
separate documents be sent to shareholders who share an address, should be directed by writing to
Calavo Growers, Inc., 1141-A Cummings Road, Santa Paula, California 93060, Attention James Snyder,
or by calling Mr. Snyder at (805) 525-1245.
How may I request a single set of proxy materials for my household?
If you share an address with another shareholder and have received multiple copies of our proxy
materials, you may write or call us at the address set forth in the preceding paragraph to request
delivery of a single copy of these materials.
What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy
statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your
shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for
each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a shareholder of record and your
shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please
complete, sign, date, and return each Calavo proxy card and voting instruction card that you
receive.
2
Voting Information
What items of business will be voted on at the annual meeting?
The items of business scheduled to be voted on at the annual meeting are:
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The election of directors |
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The ratification of Calavos independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011
fiscal year |
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Approval of the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011 Management Incentive Plan |
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Advisory vote on executive compensation |
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Advisory vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive
compensation |
We also will consider any other business that properly comes before the annual meeting. See
question below.
What happens if additional matters are presented at the annual meeting?
Other than the five items of business 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, Lecil E. Cole and J. Link Leavens, will have the discretion to vote your shares on
any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting. If for any reason any of our
nominees are not available as candidates for directors, the persons named as proxy holders will
vote your proxy for such other candidate or candidates as may be nominated by the Board.
How does the Board recommend that I vote?
Our Board recommends that you vote your shares FOR each of the thirteen nominees for election to
the Board, FOR the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011
fiscal year, FOR the approval of the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011 Management Incentive Plan, FOR the
approval of the compensation of Calavos named executive officers, and for an advisory vote every
one year on executive compensation.
What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
Many Calavo shareholders hold their shares through a broker, or other nominee, rather than directly
in their own names. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record
and those owned beneficially.
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If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare,
you are considered, with respect to those shares, the shareholder of record, and we are
sending these proxy materials directly to you. As the shareholder of record, you have the
right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the meeting. We
have enclosed a proxy card for you to use. |
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Beneficial Owner |
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If your shares are held in a brokerage account, or by another nominee, you are considered
the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, and these proxy materials are being
forwarded to you together with a voting instruction card. As the beneficial owner, you have
the right to direct your broker, trustee or nominee how to vote and are also invited to
attend the annual meeting. |
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Since a beneficial owner is not the shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares in
person at the meeting, unless you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee
that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting. Your
broker, trustee or nominee should provide voting instructions for you to use in directing
the broker, trustee or nominee how to vote your shares. |
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What shares can I vote?
Each share of Calavo common stock issued and outstanding as of the close of business on February
28, 2011, the Record Date for the annual meeting, is entitled to be voted on all items being voted
upon at the annual meeting. You may vote all shares owned by you as of this time, including (1)
shares held directly in your name as the shareholder of record, and (2) shares held for you as the
beneficial owner through a broker, trustee or other nominee such as a bank. On the Record Date,
Calavo had approximately 14.7 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
How can I vote my shares in person at the annual meeting?
Shares held in your name as the shareholder of record may be voted in person at the annual meeting.
Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted in person at the annual meeting only if you
obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the
right to vote the shares. Even if you plan to attend the annual meeting, we recommend that you
also submit your proxy or voting instructions as described below so that your vote will be counted
if you later decide not to attend the meeting.
How can I vote my shares without attending the annual meeting?
Whether you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or beneficially in street name, you
may direct how your shares are voted without attending the annual meeting. If you are a
shareholder of record, you may vote by submitting a proxy. If you hold shares beneficially in
street name, you may vote by submitting voting instructions to your broker, trustee or nominee.
For directions on how to vote, please refer to the instructions below and those included on your
proxy card or, for shares held beneficially in street name, the voting instruction card provided by
your broker, trustee or nominee.
Shareholders of record of Calavo common stock may submit proxies by completing, signing and dating
their proxy cards and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelopes. Calavo
shareholders who hold shares beneficially in street name may vote by mail by completing, signing
and dating the voting instruction cards provided and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed
envelopes.
What is the deadline for voting my shares?
If you hold shares as the shareholder of record, your vote by proxy must be received before the
polls close at the annual meeting.
If you are the beneficial owner of shares held through a broker, trustee or other nominee, please
follow the voting instructions provided by your broker, trustee or nominee.
May I change my vote?
You may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the annual meeting. If you are the
shareholder of record, you may change your vote by granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which
automatically revokes the earlier proxy), by providing a written notice of revocation to the
Corporate Secretary at the address shown under the question below titled, What is the deadline to
propose actions for consideration at next years annual meeting of shareholders? prior to your
shares being voted or by attending the annual meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the
meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically make
that request. For shares you hold beneficially in the name of a broker, trustee or other nominee,
you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trustee or nominee,
or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker or nominee giving you the right to vote
your shares, by attending the meeting and voting in person.
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Is my vote confidential?
Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are
handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either
within Calavo or to third parties, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements,
(2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote, and (3) to facilitate a
successful proxy solicitation. Occasionally, shareholders provide on their proxy card written
comments, which are then forwarded to Calavo management.
How may I vote on each proposal?
In the election of directors, you may vote FOR, WITHHOLD AUTHORITY or ABSTAIN with respect to each of
the nominees. You also may cumulate your votes as described in the question below titled, Is
cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors?.
You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN with respect to the proposal to ratify the appointment
of our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011 fiscal year.
With respect to the approval of the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011 Management Incentive Plan, you may
vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN.
You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN with respect to the advisory vote on executive
compensation.
With respect to the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, you may vote 1
YEAR, 2 YEARS, 3 YEARS or ABSTAIN.
If you provide specific instructions with regard to certain items, your shares will be voted as you
instruct on such items. If you vote by proxy card or voting instruction card and sign the card
without giving specific instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the
recommendations of the Board (FOR all of our nominees to the Board, FOR ratification of the
appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm, FOR approval of Calavo Growers,
Inc 2011 Management Incentive Plan, FOR the approval of the compensation of Calavos named
executive officers, and for an advisory vote every one year on executive compensation).
What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
In the election of directors, the thirteen director candidates receiving the highest number of
affirmative votes will be elected. Approval of the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011 Management Incentive
Plan, approval to ratify the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for
the 2011 fiscal year and approval of the advisory vote on executive compensation each requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of those shares present in person or represented by proxy and voting
on that proposal at the annual meeting. With respect to the advisory vote on the frequency of
holding future advisory votes on executive compensation, the option of one year, two years or three
years that receives the highest number of votes cast by shareholders will be the frequency of the
advisory vote on executive compensation that has been recommended by the shareholders.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization
that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules of various national and
regional securities exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on
routine matters but cannot vote on non-routine matters. If the organization that holds your shares
does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, the
organization that holds your shares will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the
authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a
broker non-vote.
Broker non-votes and abstentions will not affect the outcome of any of the proposals to be voted
upon.
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Which ballot measures are considered routine or non-routine?
The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm for 2011 (Proposal No. 2) is considered routine under applicable rules. A
broker or other nominee may generally vote on routine matters, and therefore no broker non-votes
are expected to exist in connection with Proposal No. 2.
The election of directors (Proposal No. 1), the approval of the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011
Management Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 3), the advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal
No. 4), and the advisory vote on the frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive
compensation (Proposal No. 5) are considered non-routine under applicable rules. A broker or other
nominee cannot vote without instructions on non-routine matters and, as a result, there may be
broker non-votes on Proposals Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5.
Is cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors?
In the election of directors, you may elect to cumulate your vote. Cumulative voting will allow
you to allocate among the director nominees, as you see fit, the total number of votes equal to the
number of director positions to be filled multiplied by the number of shares you hold. For
example, if you own 100 shares of stock and there are 13 directors to be elected at the annual
meeting, you may allocate 1,300 FOR votes (13 times 100) among as few or as many of the 13
nominees to be voted on at the annual meeting as you choose. You may not cumulate your votes
against a nominee.
If you are a shareholder of record and choose to cumulate your votes, you will need to submit a
proxy card or, if you vote in person at the annual meeting, submit a ballot and make an explicit
statement of your intent to cumulate your votes, either by so indicating in writing on the proxy
card or by indicating in writing on your ballot when voting at the annual meeting. If you hold
shares beneficially through a broker, trustee or other nominee and wish to cumulate votes, you
should contact your broker, trustee or nominee.
If you vote by proxy card or voting instruction card and sign your card with no further
instructions, Lecil E. Cole and J. Link Leavens, as proxy holders, may cumulate and cast your votes
in favor of the election of some or all of the applicable nominees in their sole discretion, except
that none of your votes will be cast for any nominee as to whom you vote against or abstain from
voting.
Cumulative voting applies only to the election of directors. For all other matters, each share of
common stock outstanding as of the close of business on February 28, 2011, the record date for the
annual meeting, is entitled to one vote.
Who will serve as inspector of elections?
The inspector of elections will be a representative from our transfer agent, Computershare.
Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the annual meeting?
We are making this solicitation and will pay substantially all of the costs of preparing,
assembling, printing, mailing and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. We have
retained Computershare, our transfer agent, to assist with the solicitation of proxies from the
shareholders of record for a fee of approximately $10,000, plus expenses. We will also reimburse
banks, brokers or other nominees for their costs of sending our proxy materials to beneficial
owners. Directors, officers or other employees of ours may also solicit proxies from shareholders
in person, by telephone, facsimile transmission or other electronic means of communication without
additional compensation.
Where can I find the voting results of the annual meeting?
We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the annual meeting and publish final results on
a Form 8-K filed with the SEC shortly after our annual meeting.
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What if I have questions for Calavos transfer agent?
Please contact our transfer agent, at the phone number or address listed below, with questions
concerning stock certificates, dividend checks, transfer of ownership or other matters pertaining
to your stock account.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
250 Royall St
Canton, MA 02021
(800) 962-4284
Annual Meeting Information
What is the purpose of the annual meeting?
At our annual meeting, shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the notice of meeting on
the cover page of this proxy statement, including the election of directors, the ratification of
our independent registered public accounting firm, the approval of the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011
Management Incentive Plan, an advisory vote on executive compensation and an advisory vote on the
frequency of holding future advisory votes on executive compensation. In addition, management will
report on our performance during fiscal year 2010 and respond to questions from shareholders.
Who can attend the meeting?
All shareholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the meeting.
To accommodate the largest number of shareholders at the meeting, we request that you indicate your
intent to attend by calling Eyvonne Ortega at (805) 921-3244 by April 22, 2011.
How many shares must be present or represented to conduct business at the annual meeting?
The quorum requirement for holding the annual meeting and transacting business is that holders of a
majority of shares of our common stock entitled to vote must be present in person or represented by
proxy. Both abstentions and broker non-votes described previously in the question above titled,
What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals? are counted for the purpose of
determining the presence of a quorum.
Shareholder Proposals, Director Nominations and Related Bylaw Provisions
What
is the deadline to propose actions for consideration at next years annual meeting of shareholders?
You may submit proposals for consideration at future shareholder meetings. For a shareholder
proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for the annual meeting next year,
the written proposal must be received by our Corporate Secretary, at our principal executive
offices, no later than November 11, 2011. If the date of next years annual meeting is moved more
than 30 days before the anniversary date of this years annual meeting, the deadline for inclusion
of proposals in our proxy statement is instead a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail
our proxy materials. Such proposals also will need to comply with Securities and Exchange
Commission regulations under Rule 14a-8 regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in
company-sponsored proxy materials. Proposals should be addressed to our corporate address:
Corporate Secretary
Calavo Growers, Inc.
1141A Cummings Road
Santa Paula, California 93060
7
If notice of a shareholder proposal submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8 is not received by
our Corporate Secretary by January 24, 2012, the persons named in our proxy for the next annual
meeting of shareholders will have discretionary authority to vote on the proposal in accordance
with their best judgment.
How may I recommend or nominate individuals to serve as directors?
You may propose director candidates for consideration by the Boards Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee. Any such recommendations should include the nominees name and
qualifications for Board membership and should be directed to our Corporate Secretary at the
address of our principal executive offices set forth above.
In addition, our bylaws permit a shareholder to nominate directors for election at an annual
shareholders meeting, but only if the shareholder complies with the procedures that are set forth
in the bylaws. Our bylaws state that the shareholder must deliver notice of the nomination to our
Corporate Secretary not less than 30 days, nor more than 120 days, prior to the date of the
meeting. The notice must set forth the information that is specified in the bylaws, including
information about both the director candidate and the shareholder who has proposed the candidate.
How may I obtain a copy of Calavos Bylaw provisions regarding shareholder proposals and director
nominations?
You may contact our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices for a copy of the
relevant bylaw provisions regarding the requirements for nominating director candidates.
How may I communicate with Calavos Board of Directors?
You may submit an e-mail to our Board at boardmembers@calavo.com. All directors have access to
this e-mail address.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES AND BOARD MATTERS
We are committed to having sound corporate governance principles. Having such principles is
essential to running our business efficiently and to maintaining our integrity in the marketplace.
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. A
copy of our code of ethics is posted on our Internet site at
http://www.calavo.com.
Shareholders may request free printed copies of our code of ethics and our Board committee charters
from:
Calavo Growers, Inc.
Attention: Corporate Secretary
1141-A Cummings Road
Santa Paula, CA 93060
(805) 525-1245
Board Structure, Independence of Directors and Committee Composition
As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board has thirteen directors. The Board has
recommended the election of the thirteen director nominees who are identified in this proxy
statement, each of whom currently is a director of Calavo.
The Board has determined that each of the following seven non-employee directors standing for
election is independent under applicable NASDAQ rules: Michael Hause, George Barnes, John Hunt,
Marc Brown, Alva Snider, Egidio Carbone, Jr., and Steven Hollister.
The Board has the following four committees: (1) Executive, (2) Audit, (3) Nominating and Corporate
Governance, and (4) Compensation. The membership during the last fiscal year through the date of
this proxy statement, and the function of each of the committees, are described below. During
fiscal year 2010, the Board held 12 meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of all Board and
applicable Committee meetings for which he or she served as a Committee member. Directors are
encouraged by the Board to attend annual meetings of Calavos shareholders, and all of our
directors attended the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders.
The Board has determined that each current member of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee and Compensation Committee is independent within the meaning of applicable
NASDAQ rules, and that each current member of the Audit Committee is independent within the meaning
of applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) regarding the
independence of audit committee members. The Board has also determined that each member of the
Compensation Committee is a non-employee director within the meaning of applicable SEC rules and
is an outside director within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
9
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Nominating |
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and Corporate |
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Executive |
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Audit |
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Governance |
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Compensation |
Director |
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Committee |
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Committee |
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Committee |
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Committee |
Lecil E. Cole |
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* |
* |
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Michael D. Hause |
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* |
* |
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* |
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* |
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Alva V. Snider |
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* |
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George H. Barnes |
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* |
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* |
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Harold S. Edwards |
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* |
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Egidio Carbone, Jr. |
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* |
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Donald M. Sanders |
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* |
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Dorcas H. McFarlane |
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* |
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Scott Van Der Kar |
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* |
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J. Link Leavens |
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* |
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John M. Hunt |
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* |
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* |
* |
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Steven Hollister |
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* |
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* |
* |
Marc L. Brown |
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* |
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Number of meetings
in fiscal year 2010 |
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0 |
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4 |
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2 |
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3 |
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Executive Committee. The Executive Committee exercises the authority of the Board of Directors
when the Board is not in session, as permitted by law and by policy.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for
generally overseeing our financial reporting processes and the audit of our financial statements,
including the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, the qualifications and independence of the independent registered public accounting
firm, the performance of our internal audit function and the independent registered public
accounting firm, and risk assessment and risk management. Among other things, the Audit Committee
prepares the Audit Committee report for inclusion in the annual proxy statement; appoints,
evaluates and determines the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm;
reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit, the audit fee and the financial statements;
reviews our disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls, internal audit function, and
corporate policies with respect to financial information and earnings guidance; oversees
investigations into complaints concerning financial matters; reviews other risks that may have a
significant impact on our financial statements; and reviews transactions with related persons. The
Audit Committee works closely with management as well as the independent registered public
accounting firm.
The Board has determined that Michael Hause is an audit committee financial expert as defined by
SEC rules and applicable listing standards.
The report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is included in the proxy statement on
page 42. The charter of the Audit Committee is on our website at
http://www.calavo.com.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
recommends candidates to be nominated for election as directors at our annual meeting, consistent
with criteria approved by the Board; develops and reviews corporate governance principles and
related policies for approval by the Board; periodically assesses the size and composition of the
Board, including developing and reviewing director qualifications for approval by the Board;
considers director candidates proposed by shareholders; reviews proposed changes to our Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws; and reviews shareholder proposals in conjunction with the Chairman of the
Board and recommends Board responses.
The charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is on our website at
http://www.calavo.com.
10
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the Compensation
Committee report required by the SEC for inclusion in the annual proxy statement and has authority
to retain compensation consultants. Other specific duties and responsibilities of the Compensation
Committee include reviewing and approving objectives relevant to executive officer compensation;
determining the compensation of executive officers in accordance with those objectives; approving
severance arrangements and other applicable agreements for executive officers; overseeing our
equity-based and incentive compensation plans for executive officers; and recommending compensation
policies and practices for service on the Board and its committees.
The
charter of the Compensation Committee is posted on our website at
www.calavo.com.
Leadership Structure
The leadership structure of the Board of Directors is centered on the concept of an appropriate
balance between management and the Board of Directors. The Board believes that it is in the best
interest of Calavo and its shareholders for the Board to make a determination regarding whether or
not to separate the roles of Chairman and CEO based upon applicable facts and circumstances. The
Board believes that presently it is in the best interest of Calavo and its shareholders that the
positions of Chairman of the Board and CEO should not to be separated. Mr. Coles diverse history
with Calavo, from both an operational standpoint and that of a member of management, are vital to
the Boards collective knowledge of Calavos day-to-day operations.
Although the Board has not designated any other director to serve as its lead independent
director, all of Calavos other directors have access to the CEO and other Calavo executives on
request. In addition, Calavos independent directors serve actively on Board committees and may
request agenda topics to be addressed at Board and committee meetings.
Risk Oversight
The Board has delegated certain duties with respect to risk oversight for Calavo to the Audit
Committee. One of the Audit Committees duties is to identify and review with senior corporate
management issues concerning the key areas of business and financial risk to which Calavo is
exposed. In this context business and financial risk is broadly construed to include risks, of
whatever nature or source: (1) to the achievement of Calavos strategic or tactical objectives and
its financial plans; (2) to management effectiveness; (3) to Calavos reputation or legal position;
and (4) to Calavos financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Board has delegated to the Compensation Committee the duty to consider whether Calavos
compensation practices and policies for its executive officers create unnecessary risks to Calavo.
The Compensation Committee reports back to the full Board with respect to its assessment.
Director Nominees
Shareholder Nominees
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider shareholder nominations for
candidates for membership on the Board. In evaluating such nominations, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability
on the Board. Any shareholder nominations proposed for consideration by the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee should include the nominees name and qualifications for Board
membership and should be addressed to:
Corporate Secretary
Calavo Growers, Inc.
1141A Cummings Road
Santa Paula, CA 93060
11
In addition, our bylaws permit shareholders to nominate directors for consideration at an annual
shareholder meeting. For a description of the process for nominating directors in accordance with
our bylaws, see Questions and AnswersShareholder Proposals, Director Nominations and Related
Bylaw ProvisionsHow may I recommend or nominate individuals to serve as directors?
Director Qualifications
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that members of the Board should have
the highest professional and personal ethics and values, consistent with longstanding Calavo values
and standards. They should have broad experience at the policy-making level in business,
government, education, technology or public interest. They should be committed to enhancing
shareholder value and should have sufficient time to carry out their duties and to provide insight
and practical wisdom based on experience. Their service on other boards of public companies should
be limited to a number that permits them, given their individual circumstances, to perform
responsibly all director duties. Each director must represent the interests of all shareholders.
Although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that director nominees should
add to the range of backgrounds and experiences of Calavo directors, neither the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee nor the Board has a policy regarding the consideration of diversity
in identifying and evaluating director nominees.
Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Director
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a variety of methods for identifying and
evaluating nominees for director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will
periodically assess the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are
expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that vacancies are anticipated, or otherwise
arise, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider various potential candidates
for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee through current Board members, professional search firms, shareholders or other persons.
These candidates will be evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, and may be considered at any point during the year. As described above, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers shareholder nominations for candidates for
the Board. If any materials are provided by a shareholder in connection with the nomination of a
director candidate, such materials will be forwarded to the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also review materials provided
by professional search firms or other parties in connection with a nominee who is not proposed by a
shareholder.
Director Compensation
Each of our non-employee directors is paid a $10,000 annual retainer for services rendered from
January to December and is reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
performance of his or her service as a director. Each non-employee director also receives cash
compensation of $2,000 for each day of attendance at each Board meeting. Additionally, committee
members receive $500 per committee meeting attended, although that per meeting fee has been
increased to $1,000 beginning with the 2011 fiscal year for members of the Executive Committee.
During the 2010 fiscal year, committee chairs each received a $2,500 retainer. For the 2011 fiscal
year, the chairs of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee will each receive a retainer
of $10,000, and the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive a
retainer of $5,000. Directors may, from time to time, be compensated related to their involvement
in special projects, as determined by the Board of Directors.
12
Director Compensation Table
The following table summarizes compensation that our directors (other than Lecil Cole, a named
executive officer) earned during fiscal 2010 for services as members of our Board of Directors.
|
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Fees Earned or |
|
Option |
|
Total |
Name |
|
Paid in Cash ($) |
|
Awards ($)(1) |
|
($) |
George Barnes |
|
$ |
60,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
60,500 |
|
Marc Brown |
|
$ |
32,500 |
|
|
$ |
64,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
96,500 |
|
Egidio Carbone(3) |
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
Harold Edwards(6) |
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
Michael Hause(4) |
|
$ |
62,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
62,500 |
|
Steven Hollister(7) |
|
$ |
62,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
62,000 |
|
John Hunt |
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
64,000 |
|
J. Link Leavens |
|
$ |
60,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
60,500 |
|
Dorcas McFarlane |
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
Donald Sanders(5) |
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
Alva Snider |
|
$ |
57,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
57,500 |
|
Scott Van Der Kar |
|
$ |
60,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
60,500 |
|
Fred Ferrazzano(9) |
|
$ |
16,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Valuation is based on the dollar amount of option grants recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718 with respect to fiscal 2010. These
amounts reflect our accounting expense for these awards and do not correspond to the actual value
that may be realized by the directors with respect to these awards. The assumptions we used with
respect to the valuation of option grants are set forth in Note 2 to our consolidated financial
statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2010. |
|
(2) |
|
The grant date fair value of options granted during fiscal year 2010 for Mr. Brown,
computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, was $64,000. Such grant vests in equal increments
over a five-year period and has an exercise price of $19.20 per share. Vested options have a term
of five years from the vesting date. The market price of our common stock at the grant date was
$19.20. Mr. Browns option covers 10,000 shares of common stock. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Carbone held options to purchase 9,000 shares of common stock at October 31,
2010. |
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Hause held options to purchase 14,000 shares of common stock at October 31,
2010. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Sanders held options to purchase 34,000 shares of common stock at October 31,
2010. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Edwards held options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at October 31,
2010. |
|
(7) |
|
Mr. Hollister held options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock at October 31,
2010. |
|
(8) |
|
Mr.Ferrazzano resigned from the board of directors in June 2010. |
13
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
There are thirteen nominees for election to our Board this year. All of the nominees, other than
Marc Brown (who was appointed by the Board as a director in June 2010 after having been recommended
for that position by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee) have served as directors
since the last annual meeting. Each director is elected annually to serve until the next annual
meeting or until his or her successor is elected. There are no family relationships among our
executive officers and directors.
The thirteen director candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes at the annual
meeting will be elected.
If you sign your proxy or voting instruction card, but do not give instructions with respect to
voting for directors, your shares will be voted for the thirteen persons recommended by the Board.
If you wish to give specific instructions with respect to voting for directors, you may do so by
indicating your instructions on your proxy or voting instruction card.
You may cumulate your votes in favor of one or more directors. If you wish to cumulate your votes,
you will need to indicate explicitly your intent to cumulate your votes among the thirteen persons
who will be voted upon at the annual meeting. See Questions and AnswersVoting InformationIs
cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors? for further information about how to
cumulate your votes.
All of the nominees have indicated to Calavo that they will be available to serve as directors. In
the event that any nominee should become unavailable, however, the proxy holders, Mr. Cole and Mr.
Leavens, will vote for a nominee or nominees designated by the Board.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lecil E. Cole
|
|
Director since 1982 |
Mr. Cole, age 71, has served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and
President since February 1999. He served as an executive of Safeway Stores from 1964 to 1976 and
as the Chairman of Central Coast Federal Land Bank from 1986 to 1996. Mr. Cole has served as the
Chairman and President of Hawaiian Sweet Inc. and Tropical Hawaiian Products, Inc. since 1996. Mr.
Cole farms a total of approximately 4,400 acres in California on which avocados and cattle are
produced and raised.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Coles vast and diverse history with Calavo, from both an operational standpoint and that of a
member of management, are vital to the Boards collective knowledge of our day-to-day operations.
Mr. Cole also provides great insight as to how Calavo grew into the organization that it is today.
His institutional knowledge is an invaluable asset to the Board in effecting its oversight of
Calavo and its path into the future. Mr. Coles presence on the Board also allows for a flow of
information and ideas between the Board and management.
|
|
|
|
|
|
George H. Barnes
|
|
Director since 2004 |
Mr. Barnes, age 78, has owned and operated avocado groves since 1988 and has served as a member of
the California Avocado Commission for eight years. Mr. Barnes was a director of Calavo from 2000
through 2002.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Barnes diverse experience in the agriculture industry has provided the Board insight and
understanding that has assisted the Boards oversight of Calavo.
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael D. Hause
|
|
Director since 2003 |
Mr. Hause, age 57, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Santa Clara Valley Bank
N.A since October 2001. Prior to October 2001, Mr. Hause served as Senior Vice President of Farm
Credit West (previously Central Coast Farm Credit) in the capacity of Director of Internal Audit
for a period of 8 years. Mr. Hause is a former Certified Internal Auditor and a former member of
the Institute of Internal Auditors.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Hauses wide array of experience in the business world give the Board a unique perspective on not
only its business, but the broader economy as well. Mr. Hauses collective experiences allow him
to better appreciate the issues management faces.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald M. Sanders
|
|
Director since 2002 |
Mr. Sanders, age 63, has served as President and Owner of S&S Grove Management Services, Inc. since
1991. In addition, Mr. Sanders has ownership interests in S&S Ranch and Rancho Santo Tomas which
include an aggregate of 134 acres of avocado orchards.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Sanders diverse experience in the agriculture industry has provided the Board vast insight and
understanding that has assisted the Boards oversight of Calavo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alva V. Snider
|
|
Director since 1987 |
Mr. Snider, age 94, has owned and managed a seven-acre avocado and specialty crop grove since 1968
and is a former director of the California Avocado Commission. He is a retired manager of Shell
Chemical Corp.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Sniders 25-year experience on the California Avocado Commission and operating an avocado grove for
many years has provided Mr. Snider experience in the agricultural industry that is very beneficial
to the Board and Calavo as a whole.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Van Der Kar
|
|
Director since 1994 |
Mr. Van Der Kar, age 56, has served as a manager of his familys farm, Pinehill Ranch, since 1978.
The Van Der Kar family farms approximately 100 acres of avocados and has been delivering avocados
to Calavo since 1959. He is a current member of the board of the California Chermoya Association,
a former member of the board of the Santa Barbara County Workforce Investment Board, and is a
former director of the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr. Van
Der Kars diverse experience in the agriculture industry has provided the Board with valuable
insight and understanding that has assisted the Boards oversight of Calavo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Link Leavens
|
|
Director since 1987 |
Mr. Leavens, age 59, is the general manager of Leavens Ranches, a family partnership, that farms
1100 acres of lemons and avocados in Ventura and Monterey Counties. He has served as President of
the Ventura County Farm Bureau, the Ventura County Resource Conservation District and was a
founding member of the University of California Hansen Trust Advisory Committee. Leavens Ranches
have been Calavo members since 1956.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Leavens experience in managing agricultural partnerships and properties for over 35 years provides
an invaluable asset to the Board of Directors as it evaluates not only Calavos present
circumstances, but the direction it will head in the future.
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dorcas H. McFarlane
|
|
Director since 1986 |
Ms. McFarlane, age 79, owns and operates the J.K. Thille Ranches, a 280-acre farm on which
avocados, lemons and vegetables have been grown since 1949. She is a former member of the board of
the Saticoy Lemon Association, as well as a former member of the Agricultural Issues Center of the
University of California. She served on the board of the Agricultural Council of California and as
chairman of the board. In addition, she served on the University of California Presidents
Advisory Commission.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Ms.
McFarlanes history with Calavo is vital to the Boards collective knowledge of Calavos
operations. Ms. McFarlane also provides great insight as to how Calavo grew into the organization
that it is today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Hunt
|
|
Director since 1993 |
Mr. Hunt, age 54, has served as the General Manager of Embarcadero Ranch since 1982 where he
manages a 400-acre avocado and citrus ranch.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Hunts diverse experience in the agriculture industry has provided the Board with significant
insight and understanding that has assisted the Boards oversight of Calavo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Egidio Carbone, Jr.
|
|
Director since 2005 |
Mr. Carbone, age 70, served as Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Secretary for Calavo from 1980
to 2002. He was also a CPA from 1967 to 2002 in the State of California and has taught accounting
and finance at the college level. He has served as a member of the board of directors of the
California Avocado Commission from 2008 to present.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Carbones experience as Calavos former Vice-President, Finance and Corporate Secretary is
invaluable to the insight of the Board of Directors. Mr. Carbones experience is also significant
to the Board and to the Audit Committee in understanding todays complex and ever-changing
accounting rules and regulations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harold Edwards
|
|
Director since 2006 |
Mr. Edwards, age 45, has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Limoneira Company, an
agricultural, real estate and community development company, since November 2004. Prior to joining
Limoneira Company, Mr. Edwards was the President of Puritan Medical Products, a division of Airgas
Inc. from January 2003 to November 2004; Vice President and General Manager of Latin America and
Global Expert of Fisher Scientific International, Inc. from September 2001 to December 2002;
General Manager of Cargill Animal Nutrition Philippines operations, a division of Cargill, Inc.,
from May 2001 to September 2001; and Managing Director of Agribrands Philippines, Inc., a division
of Agribrands International (Purina) from 1999 to 2001.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Edwards wide array of experiences in the business world give the Board a unique perspective on not
only its business, but also the broader economy. Mr. Edwards experiences as an executive of other
companies allow him to better appreciate the day-to-day issues management faces, thereby allowing
for better communications between the Board and management.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven Hollister
|
|
Director since 2008 |
Mr. Hollister, age 53, has been Vice President of Sunrise Mortgage & Investment Company, a
commercial mortgage broker, since 2006. Additionally, Mr. Hollister served as Chief Operating
Officer of Fess Parker Winery &
16
Vineyard and Santa Barbara County Wine Center from 2002 to 2006. In addition, Mr. Hollister was
Senior Vice President of Central Coast Farm Credit for 17 years.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Hollisters diverse business experience in finance and agriculture gives the Board insight into
Calavos present circumstances and future direction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc L. Brown
|
|
Director since 2010 |
Mr. Brown, age 59, has been a member of TroyGould PC, a Los Angeles law firm, since 2000.
TroyGould PC represents Calavo as legal counsel. Mr. Brown brings to the Board of Directors over
thirty years of experience counseling numerous public corporations in matters involving mergers and
acquisitions, corporate governance, executive compensation, and compliance with the United States
securities laws.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors believe that Mr.
Browns extensive experience as an attorney makes him a valuable resource for our Board of
Directors in its analysis of a variety of business and legal issues.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote your shares FOR each of the thirteen
nominees named above for election to the Board.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered
public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending
October 31, 2011. During fiscal 2010, Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent registered
public accounting firm and also provided certain tax services. See Principal Auditor Fees and
Services on page 42. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to attend the annual
meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions and, if they desire, make a
statement. If the appointment is not ratified, the Board will consider whether it should select
another independent registered public accounting firm.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2011 fiscal year.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF THE CALAVO GROWERS, INC.
2011 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
On December 9, 2010, the Board of Directors adopted the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011 Management
Incentive Plan (the 2011 Plan). Implementation of the 2011 Plan is subject to shareholder
approval at the annual meeting. A copy of the 2011 Plan is attached as Appendix A to this proxy
statement.
A summary of the 2011 Plan is set forth below. The summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the 2011 Plan.
Purpose
The purpose of the 2011 Plan is to promote the interests of Calavo and its shareholders by (1)
attracting, retaining and motivating directors, officers, employees and consultants (including
prospective directors, officers, employees and consultants) of Calavo and its subsidiaries and (2)
enabling 2011 Plan participants to participate in Calavos
17
growth and financial success. A related purpose of the 2011 Plan is to consolidate all of Calavos
equity and cash incentive plans for executive officers into one plan.
Administration
The 2011 Plan is administered by Calavos Compensation Committee, each member of which must be (1)
an outside director within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, including the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the Code), (2) a
non-employee director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, (3) an independent director under applicable rules and regulations of NASDAQ, and (4)
independent under rules that may subsequently be adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission or NASDAQ pursuant to applicable provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act regarding the independence of compensation committee members.
The Compensation Committee will select the participants who are eligible to receive awards under
the 2011 Plan and will determine the terms of such awards. However, the Board of Directors is
entitled, in its discretion, to grant awards under the 2011 Plan to directors who are not
employees. Also, the Compensation Committee is entitled to permit Calavos Chief Executive Officer
to make awards under the 2011 Plan to employees and consultants who are not executive officers of
Calavo.
Eligible 2011 Plan Participants
All directors, officers, employees and consultants (including prospective directors, officers,
employees and consultants) of Calavo and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the
2011 Plan. The grant of an award under the 2011 Plan will not give the award holder the right to
be retained as a director, officer, employee or consultant of or to Calavo or its subsidiaries.
Shares and Cash Available for Awards
Up to 1,500,000 shares of common stock may be issued by Calavo under the 2011 Plan. However, no
person may be granted awards under the 2011 Plan during any fiscal year that cover more than
150,000 shares of common stock. The preceding limits are subject to proportionate adjustment in
the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend or other specified corporate
transaction.
The maximum amount of a cash award that may be paid under the 2011 Plan to any participant in any
fiscal year is $4,000,000.
As of February 28, 2011, 2,002,000 shares of common stock were available for issuance by Calavo
under our 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and 2002 Stock Purchase Plan for Officers and Employees,
although we have discontinued granting awards under our 2002 Stock Purchase Plan for Officers and
Employees. The 2011 Plan provides that, following approval of the 2011 Plan by Calavos
shareholders, no new awards will be made under our 2005 Stock Incentive Plan or 2002 Stock Purchase
Plan for Officers and Employees, provided that outstanding awards under such plans will continue in
effect.
Types of Awards
Awards may be made under the 2011 Plan in the form of:
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Stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section
422 of the Code (incentive stock options), provided that incentive stock options may be
granted only to employees of Calavo and its subsidiaries; |
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Stock options that are not incentive stock options (nonqualified stock options); |
18
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Stock appreciation rights (SARs) that represent an unfunded and unsecured promise to
deliver shares of common stock, cash or other property equal in value to the excess, if
any, of the fair market value per share over the exercise (or base) price per share of the
SARs; |
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Shares of common stock that are subject to specified transfer restrictions, forfeiture
provisions and other terms specified in the award agreements (restricted shares); |
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Restricted stock units that represent an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver
shares of common stock, cash or other property in accordance with the terms of the
applicable award agreement (restricted stock units); |
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Other equity-based or equity-related awards that the Compensation Committee determines
are consistent with the purpose of the 2011 Plan and the interests of Calavo; |
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Awards that may be settled in cash (cash incentive awards); and |
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Awards, whether payable in cash, restricted shares, restricted stock units and/or other
forms of equity, that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code (performance awards). |
Terms of Awards
Final Date for Awards
No award may be granted under the 2011 Plan after December 9, 2020, which is the tenth anniversary
of the Boards adoption of the 2011 Plan.
Written Agreement
The terms of each award under the 2011 Plan will be evidenced by an agreement in a form approved by
the Compensation Committee.
Exercise Price; No Repricing
The exercise price of each share of common stock covered by a nonqualified stock option or an
incentive stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common
stock on the date of the grant of the nonqualified stock option or incentive stock option. With
respect to an employee who owns stock representing more than 10% of the total voting power of all
classes of our stock, the exercise price per share for an incentive stock option may not be less
than 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant of the
incentive stock option.
The exercise price (or base value) of each share of common stock covered by an SAR may not be less
than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant of the SAR.
The 2011 Plan does not specify a minimum purchase price for restricted shares, restricted stock
units or other equity-based or equity-related awards.
In no event may any nonqualified stock option, incentive stock option or SAR (1) be amended to
decrease its exercise price, (2) be cancelled at a time when its exercise price exceeds the fair
market value of the underlying shares of common stock in exchange for another option or SAR or any
restricted share, restricted stock unit, other equity-based award, award under any other
equity-compensation plan or any cash payment, or (3) be subject to any action that would be
treated, for accounting purposes, as a repricing of such option or SAR, unless such amendment,
cancellation or action is approved by Calavos shareholders.
19
Vesting
Nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, SARs, restricted shares and restricted stock
units will become exercisable or non-forfeitable (that is, vest) upon the terms specified by the
Compensation Committee in the applicable award agreement. Except as otherwise specified by the
Compensation Committee in the applicable award agreement, nonqualified stock options, incentive
stock options, SARs, restricted shares and restricted stock units will become vested with respect
to twenty percent of the shares of common stock subject to the awards on each of the first five
anniversaries of the date of grant.
Termination
Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable award agreement, each nonqualified stock option,
incentive stock option and SAR will automatically terminate, and will cease to be exercisable, upon
the earlier of (1) the tenth anniversary of the date the option or SAR is granted and (2) ninety
days after the date the participant who is holding the option or SAR ceases for any reason to be a
director, officer, employee or consultant of Calavo and its subsidiaries. In no event may a
nonqualified stock option, an incentive stock option or an SAR be exercisable after the tenth
anniversary of the date the option or SAR is granted. Except as otherwise set forth in the
applicable award agreement, a participants rights with respect to the unvested portion of
restricted shares or restricted stock units will terminate automatically terminate as of the date
that the participants service as a director, officer, employee or consultant terminates.
Transferability
Except as otherwise specified in the applicable award agreement, during a participants lifetime
each award (and any rights and obligations under the award) will be exercisable only by the
participant or, if permissible under applicable laws, rules and regulations, by the participants
legal guardian or representative, and no award may be assigned or otherwise transferred or
encumbered by a participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, provided
that the Board or the Compensation Committee may adopt rules permitting the transfer, solely as
gifts during the participants lifetime, of awards (other than incentive stock options) to
immediate family members, family trusts and charitable institutions.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
In the discretion of the Compensation Committee, an award agreement pertaining to restricted
shares, restricted stock units or any other award (excluding an option, an SAR or a cash incentive
award) may provide the participant with the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents,
payable in cash, shares of common stock or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such
terms as may be specified in the award agreement.
Performance Awards
Under Section 162(m) of the Code, an income tax deduction generally is not available to a public
company for annual compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to its chief executive officer or any
of its other four most highly compensated executive officers unless the compensation is
performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m). Nonqualified stock options,
incentive stock options and SARs will be considered performance-based under the 2011 Plan if
their exercise (or base) prices are equal to at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of
common stock on the date of grant.
Under the 2011 Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to designate cash incentive
awards and restricted share and restricted stock unit awards as performance-based compensation
under Section 162(m) of the Code. To be performance-based compensation within the meaning of
Section 162(m), such awards must be conditioned on the achievement of one or more objective
performance goals during a performance period specified by the Compensation Committee.
20
The 2011 Plan provides that, within the first ninety days of a performance period specified by the
Compensation Committee (which generally will be a fiscal year but which can be a longer or shorter
period), the Compensation Committee may designate which employees and other plan participants will
be eligible to receive performance awards with respect to the performance period. The Compensation
Committee has discretion to select (1) the type of performance awards to be issued (which can be
cash incentive awards and/or equity-based awards), (2) the performance criterion or criteria that
will be used to establish the performance goal or goals, (3) the performance goal or goals that
must be satisfied during the performance period, and (4) the objective performance formula that
will be used to determine whether all, some portion or none of the participants performance award
has been earned during the performance period.
The 2011 Plan provides that the performance criteria that will be used by the Compensation
Committee to establish the performance goal(s) with respect to performance awards will be based on
the attainment of specific levels of performance of Calavo or any of its subsidiaries, affiliates,
divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing, calculated over a period of
one fiscal year or any other shorter or longer period specified by the Compensation Committee, and
will be limited to the following: (1) net income; (2) income before income taxes; (3) net income
per share of common stock; (4) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization;
(5) increases in share price; (6) sales (including specified types or categories of sales); (7)
gross or net margin; (8) operating income; (9) reductions in costs and expenses (including
specified types or categories of costs and expenses); (10) cash flow (including specified types or
categories of cash flow); (11) return on shareholders equity or invested capital; (12) return on
assets or sales; (13) working capital; (14) objective measures of productivity or operating
efficiency; (15) market share (in the aggregate or by segment); (16) amount or performance of
business acquisitions; (17) market capitalization; and (18) book value. Such performance criteria
may be applied on an absolute basis, be relative to one or more peer companies of Calavo or indices
or any combination thereof or, if applicable, be computed on an accrual or cash accounting basis.
The 2011 Plan provides that the Compensation Committee will, within the first ninety days of the
applicable performance period, define in an objective manner the method of calculating the
performance criteria it selects to use for the performance period.
To date, the Compensation Committee has used Calavos net income as the applicable performance
criterion, but it reserves the right to use any of the other performance criteria listed in the
preceding paragraph.
The 2011 Plan gives the Compensation Committee limited discretion to modify performance goals for a
performance period to the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code. The 2011 Plan also
provides that: (1) unless otherwise specified in the applicable award agreement or agreed to by the
Compensation Committee with respect to specified causes of employment termination, a participant
must be employed by Calavo or a subsidiary on the last day of the performance period to be eligible
for any payment with respect to a performance award; (2) a participant is eligible to receive
payment of a performance award only to the extent that the Compensation Committee certifies in
writing that the performance goal has been achieved; (3) the Compensation Committee has discretion
to reduce or eliminate the amount of a performance award earned during a performance period; and
(4) no performance awards will be paid to any participants unless and until Calavos shareholders
have approved the 2011 Plan.
Amendment or Termination
The Board is authorized to amend or terminate the 2011 Plan, except that shareholder approval is
required for any amendment (1) that would increase the number of shares of common stock issuable
under the 2011 Plan, (2) that would permit the repricing of options or SARs, or (3) that requires
shareholder approval under Section 162(m) of the Code, under the rules of NASDAQ or under any other
applicable laws, rules or regulations. No amendment or termination of the 2011 Plan may, without
the consent of the participant to whom any award has been granted, materially and adversely affect
the rights of the participant under the award unless otherwise provided in the applicable award
agreement.
Change of Control
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable award agreements or unless otherwise determined by the
Compensation Committee, if a change of control occurs and if the agreements entered into by
Calavo with respect to the change
21
of control do not provide for (1) the continuation in full force and effect of the awards under the
2011 Plan that are outstanding as of the change of control, (2) the assumption in full by Calavos
successor in the change of control of the awards that are outstanding as of the change of control,
or (3) the substitution by Calavos successor in the change of control for such awards of new
awards with substantially similar terms, then:
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Any outstanding nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options or SARs held by
participants that are unexercisable or otherwise unvested will automatically be deemed
exercisable or otherwise vested, as the case may be, as of five days prior to the change of
control and will terminate on the date of the change of control; |
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All awards designated as performance awards will be paid out as if the date of the
change of control were the last day of the applicable performance period and target
performance levels had been attained; provided, however, that the Compensation Committee
has discretion to cancel, without payment, any or all outstanding incentive cash awards
that constitute performance awards if the change of control occurs prior to the completion
of at least fifty percent of the performance period governing the incentive cash awards;
and |
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All other outstanding awards held by participants that are unexercisable, unvested or
still subject to restrictions or forfeiture will automatically be deemed exercisable and
vested and all restrictions and forfeiture provisions related to such awards will lapse
immediately prior to the change of control. |
In general, a change of control means:
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The completion of a merger of Calavo with any other corporation, excluding a merger
which results in Calavos common stock outstanding immediately prior to the completion of
the merger continuing to represent more than fifty percent of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of Calavo or the surviving corporation outstanding
immediately after the completion of the merger; |
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The completion of the sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all, of
Calavos assets, excluding any sale or other disposition of Calavos assets in a merger
described in the preceding paragraph that does not constitute a change of control; or |
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Any person or group (as such term is defined in applicable securities laws), becomes
the beneficial owner of outstanding securities representing more than fifty percent of the
total voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of Calavo if, within two years
after such fifty percent ownership threshold has been exceeded, a merger of Calavo with or
into such person or group (or with or into an affiliate of such person or group) is
completed. |
Recoupment of Awards
If, due to Calavos material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement of the United
States securities laws, rules and regulations, Calavo is required to prepare an accounting
restatement of its financial statements, Calavo is entitled to obtain from a participant who
received an award during the three-year period preceding the date on which Calavo becomes required
to prepare such restatement a cash payment in an amount equal to the portion of the cash award that
the Compensation Committee determines was paid to the participant based upon erroneous data
contained in Calavos financial statements and would not have been paid to the participant based
upon Calavos restated financial statements. In the event of any such restatement of Calavos
financial statements, the 2011 Plan also authorizes Calavo to exercise similar remedies with
respect to a participant who received shares of common stock based upon erroneous data contained in
Calavos financial statements.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion summarizes the United States income tax consequences of awards granted
under the 2011 Plan under Federal income tax laws that are currently in effect. The following
discussion does not purport to be a
22
complete description of such Federal income tax consequences, nor does it address foreign, state or
local tax consequences. The tax consequences of a Plan participants awards may vary depending
upon particular circumstances, and the income tax laws and regulations change frequently.
Therefore, Plan participants are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding awards
received under the 2011 Plan.
Nonqualified Stock Options and Incentive Stock Options
A recipient of a nonqualified stock option or an incentive stock option will realize no taxable
income at the time of the grant of the option assuming that the exercise price of the option is not
less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant.
The holder of a nonqualified stock option will recognize ordinary income at the time of the
exercise of the option in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of
common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the shares. This taxable income
will be subject to payroll tax withholding if the holder is an employee of Calavo or a subsidiary.
When a holder disposes of shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock
option, any amount received in excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the
date of exercise will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain, depending upon the
holding period of the shares, and if the amount received is less than the fair market value of the
shares of common stock on the date of exercise, the loss will be treated as long-term or short-term
capital loss, depending upon on the holding period of the shares.
The holder of an incentive stock option will not recognize taxable income upon exercise of the
option. In order to retain this tax benefit, the holder must make no disposition of the shares of
common stock so received for at least one year from the date of exercise and for at least two years
from the date of the grant of the incentive stock option. The holders compliance with the holding
period requirement and other applicable tax provisions will result in the realization of long-term
capital gain or loss when he or she disposes of the shares, measured by the difference between the
exercise price and the amount received for the shares at the time of disposition.
If a holder disposes of shares acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option before the
expiration of the required holding period, the gain, if any, arising from such disqualifying
disposition will be taxable as ordinary income in the year of disposition to the extent of the
lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the shares over the exercise price on the date
the incentive stock option was exercised and (2) the excess of the amount realized over the
exercise price upon such disposition. Any amount realized in excess of the fair market value on
the date of exercise is treated as long-term or short-term capital gain, depending upon the holding
period of the shares. If the amount realized upon such disposition is less than the exercise
price, the loss will be treated as long-term or short-term capital loss, depending upon the holding
period of the shares.
For purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the holder will recognize as an addition to his or her
tax base, upon the exercise of an incentive stock option, an amount equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the shares of common stock at the time of exercise over the exercise price. If the
holder makes a disqualifying disposition in the year of exercise, the holder will recognize taxable
income for purposes of the regular income tax and the holders alternative minimum tax base will
not be additionally increased.
SARs
A recipient of SARs will realize no taxable income at the time of the grant or vesting of the SARs.
The holder of the SARs will recognize ordinary income at the time that the SARs are exercised in
an amount equal to the excess of the cash or fair market value of the shares of common stock
received by the holder over the amount, if any, paid by the holder for the SARs. This taxable
income will be subject to payroll tax withholding if the holder is an employee of Calavo or a
subsidiary.
23
Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
A recipient of restricted shares or restricted stock units will realize no taxable income at the
time of the grant so long as the restricted shares or restricted stock units are not vested (that
is, they are subject to forfeiture and are not transferable) and so long as an election under
Section 83(b) of the Code is not made with respect to the restricted shares.
The recipient of restricted shares or restricted stock units will recognize ordinary income when
the award vests (unless a deferral election is duly made by the holder of restricted stock units)
in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the time
of vesting over the purchase price for the shares, if any, and will be subject to payroll tax
withholding if the holder is an employee of Calavo or a subsidiary. When the recipient sells
shares of common stock, any amount received in excess of the fair market value of the shares on the
date of vesting will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain, depending upon the holding
period of the shares (after vesting has occurred), and if the amount received is less than the fair
market value of the shares on the date of vesting, the loss will be treated as long-term or
short-term capital loss, depending on the holding period of the shares. Dividends paid on
restricted shares or restricted stock units that have not vested (and that have not been the
subject of an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to restricted shares) are
treated as compensation income, subject to payroll tax withholding with respect to an employee of
Calavo or a subsidiary.
Section 83(b) of the Code permits the recipient of restricted shares to elect, not more than thirty
days after the date of receipt of the restricted shares, to include as ordinary income the
difference between the fair market value of the restricted shares on the date of grant and their
purchase price, if any, rather than being taxed when the restricted shares vest. If such an
election is made, the holding period for long-term capital gain or loss treatment will commence on
the day following the receipt of the restricted shares, dividends on the restricted shares will be
treated as such and not as compensation, and the tax basis of the shares will be their fair market
value at the date of grant.
Cash Incentive Awards
The recipient of a cash incentive award will recognize ordinary income when the award is paid to
the recipient.
Deductions for Calavo
Calavo will be entitled to a deduction for Federal income tax purposes at the same time and in the
same amount as the recipient of an award is considered to have realized ordinary income as a result
of the award, assuming that the limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code is not applicable.
Assuming that the holder of shares of common stock received on exercise of an incentive stock
option disposes of the shares after compliance with the holding period requirement described above,
Calavo will not be entitled to a Federal income tax deduction since the holder will not have
realized any ordinary income in the transaction.
Under Section 162(m) of the Code, an income tax deduction generally is not available to Calavo for
annual compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to our Chief Executive Officer or any of our other
four most highly compensated executive officers unless the compensation is performance-based
compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m). The 2011 Plan is structured to qualify
nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted stock
units, and cash incentive awards as performance-based compensation that is deductible by Calavo
under Section 162(m) of the Code.
New Plan Benefits
In January 2011, the Compensation Committee granted performance awards under the 2011 Plan to our
five executive officers. The performance awards are subject to shareholder approval of the 2011
Plan. No other awards have been made under the 2011 Plan. It is not currently possible to
determine the terms of future awards under the 2011 Plan.
24
The January 2011 performance awards provide that the following percentages of our 2011 fiscal year
net income will be paid to each of our five executive officers, but only if our net income is at
least $13,000,000. The percentage of total net income that will be paid to each executive officer
will increase by the percentage shown below for each $1,000,000 increase in our net income above
$13,000,000. For example, if our net income is $13,000,000, Mr. Coles performance award will
equal 3.5% of our net income, and if our net income is $15,000,000, Mr. Coles performance award
will equal 4.5% of our net income. The amount of the performance award payment to an executive
officer will be reduced if total 2011 fiscal year compensation for the officer exceeds the maximum
total compensation limit specified below. The total compensation limit excludes income
attributable to retention bonuses or exercises of stock options.
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Maximum 2011 Fiscal |
Executive Officer |
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Percentage of Net Income if Net Income is at Least $13,000,000 |
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Year Compensation |
Lecil Cole
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3.50%, with the percentage
increased by 0.50% for each
$1,000,000 increase in net
income above $13,000,000
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$ |
2,000,000 |
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Arthur Bruno
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1.25%, with the percentage
increased by 0.35% for each
$1,000,000 increase in net
income above $13,000,000
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$ |
850,000 |
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Alan Ahmer
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0.50%, with the percentage
increased by 0.25% for each
$1,000,000 increase in net
income above $13,000,000
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$ |
650,000 |
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Michael Browne
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0.50%, with the percentage
increased by 0.25% for each
$1,000,000 increase in net
income above $13,000,000
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$ |
650,000 |
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Robert Wedin
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0.50%, with the percentage
increased by 0.25% for each
$1,000,000 increase in net
income above $13,000,000
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$ |
650,000 |
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25
Information regarding the performance-based cash incentive awards that our executive officers
received with respect to the 2010 fiscal year is set forth below under Executive
CompensationCompensation Discussion and Analysis.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information regarding our compensation plans (including individual
compensation arrangements) under which shares of our common stock were authorized for issuance as
of October 31, 2010:
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Weighted-average |
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Exercise Price of |
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Number of Securities Remaining |
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Number of Securities to be |
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Outstanding |
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Available for Future Issuance Under |
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Issued Upon Exercise of |
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Options, |
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Equity Compensation Plans |
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Outstanding Options, |
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Warrants and |
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(Excluding Securities Reflected in |
Plan Category |
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Warrants and Rights |
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Rights |
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Column (a)) |
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(a) |
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(b) |
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(c) |
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Equity compensation
plans approved by
shareholders
(1) |
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87,000 |
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$ |
13.89 |
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2,002,000 |
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(1) |
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The plans in this category include only the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan of Calavo
Growers, Inc. No additional awards will be granted under that plan after approval of the 2011
Plan. |
Additional Information
The closing price per share of our common stock, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market on
February 25, 2011, was $23.94.
We intend to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-8 to cover our offer, sale and
issuance of shares of common stock under the 2011 Plan.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval of the 2011
Management Incentive Plan.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Section 951 of the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of
2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act), as set forth in Section 14A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the Exchange Act), enables Calavos shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory,
non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy
statement in accordance with SEC rules. Our five named executive officers are identified below in
the Summary Compensation Table.
Calavo has a pay-for-performance philosophy that forms the foundation of all decisions regarding
compensation of Calavos named executive officers. This compensation philosophy, and the program
structure approved by the Compensation Committee, is central to Calavos ability to attract, retain
and motivate individuals who can achieve superior financial results. This approach, which has been
used consistently over the years, has resulted in Calavos ability to attract and retain the
executive talent necessary to guide Calavo during a period of significant growth.
26
Please refer to
Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and Analysis for an overview of the compensation
of Calavos named executive officers.
We are asking for shareholder approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as
disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with SEC rules, which disclosures include the
disclosures under Executive CompensationCompensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation
tables and the narrative discussion following the compensation tables. This vote is not intended to
address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named
executive officers and the policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly,
we are asking you to approve the following resolution:
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RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the named executive officers of Calavo Growers,
Inc., as disclosed in the 2011 Proxy Statement of Calavo Growers, Inc. pursuant to Item 402
of SEC Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation
tables and narrative discussion, hereby is approved. |
This vote is advisory and therefore is not binding on Calavo, the Compensation Committee of the
Board, or the Board. The Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of Calavos
shareholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer
compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider those shareholders concerns,
and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those
concerns.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Calavo common stock present in person or
represented by proxy and voting on the proposal at the annual meeting is required for advisory
approval of this proposal.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the compensation of
Calavos named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation
disclosure rules of the SEC.
PROPOSAL NO. 5
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF HOLDING FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Section 951 of the Dodd-Frank Act, as set forth in Section 14A(a) of the Exchange Act, enables
Calavos shareholders to vote, on an advisory, non-binding basis, on how frequently they would like
to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of Calavos named executive officers. By voting on
this proposal, shareholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on named
executive officer compensation every one, two, or three years.
After careful consideration of the frequency alternatives, the Board believes that conducting an
advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis is appropriate for Calavo and its
shareholders at this time.
The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by
shareholders will be the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been
recommended by the shareholders. The Board will carefully consider the outcome of the vote when
making future decisions regarding the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation.
However, because this vote is advisory and not binding, the Board may decide that it is in the best
interests of Calavo and its shareholders to hold an advisory vote more or less frequently than the
alternative that has been selected by our shareholders. Shareholders may also abstain from voting
on the proposal. Accordingly, the following resolution is submitted for an advisory shareholder
vote at the annual meeting:
27
|
|
RESOLVED, that the highest number of votes cast by the shareholders of Calavo Growers, Inc.
for the option set forth below shall be the preferred frequency of the companys
shareholders for holding an advisory vote on the compensation of the companys executive
officers who are named in the summary compensation table of the companys proxy statement: |
|
|
|
every year; |
|
|
|
|
every two years; or |
|
|
|
|
every three years. |
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of an advisory vote every
year on the compensation of Calavos named executive officers.
28
COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information, as of February 1, 2011, concerning beneficial ownership
by:
|
|
|
Holders of more than 5% of our common stock; |
|
|
|
|
Calavo directors and nominees and each of the executive officers named below in the
Summary Compensation Table; and |
|
|
|
|
Current directors and Calavo executive officers as a group. |
The information provided in the table is based on Calavos records, information filed with the SEC
and information provided to Calavo.
The number of shares beneficially owned by each entity or individual is determined under SEC rules,
and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the entity or individual has
sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares that the entity or individual
has the right to acquire as of April 1, 2011 (60 days after February 1, 2011) through the exercise
of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and
investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the shares set
forth in the following table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of Common |
|
Percent of Common |
|
|
Stock Beneficially |
|
Stock Beneficially |
|
|
Owned as of |
|
Owned as of |
Name of Beneficial Owner (1) |
|
February 1, 2011 |
|
February 1, 2011 |
FMR LLC |
|
|
1,882,696 |
|
|
|
12.8 |
% |
Lecil E. Cole |
|
|
1,320,406 |
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
BlackRock Inc. |
|
|
924,395 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
Limoneira Company |
|
|
665,000 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
Alva V. Snider(2) |
|
|
95,000 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Scott Van Der Kar(3) |
|
|
151,376 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
J. Link Leavens(4) |
|
|
416,852 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
Dorcas H. McFarlane |
|
|
124,535 |
|
|
|
|
* |
John M. Hunt |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Marc L. Brown |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Michael D. Hause(5) |
|
|
10,800 |
|
|
|
|
* |
George H. Barnes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Donald M. Sanders |
|
|
23,733 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Egidio Carbone, Jr(6) |
|
|
7,300 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Robert J. Wedin |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Harold Edwards(8) |
|
|
8,900 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Steven Hollister(7) |
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Arthur J. Bruno |
|
|
9,942 |
|
|
|
|
* |
Michael A. Browne |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
Alan C. Ahmer |
|
|
5,422 |
|
|
|
|
* |
All directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons) |
|
|
2,221,266 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1.0%. |
|
(1) |
|
The address of FMR LLC is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109; and the
address of BlackRock, Inc. is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022. The
information for such entities presented in the above table and the preceding sentence is based
upon a Schedule 13G filed by each of FMR LLC and BlackRock, Inc. with the SEC and may not
reflect the current number of shares of common stock held by either entity. The address of
every other person named in the above table is the address of Calavo, which is 1141-A Cummings
Road, Santa Paula, CA, 93060. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes 95,000 shares held by Mr. Snider as trustee in a family trust. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 151,376 shares held by Mr. Van Der Kar as trustee in multiple family trusts. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 278,809 shares held by Mr. Leavens that are owned of record by partnerships of which
Mr. Leavens is a partner. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 5,600 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding stock options. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 1,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.
Includes 6,300 shares held by Mr. Carbone as trustee in a family trust. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 4,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding stock options. |
29
|
|
|
(8) |
|
Includes 8,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.
Also, Mr. Edwards is the Chief Executive Officer of Limoneira Company. Mr. Edwards disclaims
beneficial ownership of any shares of our common stock that are owned by Limoneira Company. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, executive
officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC reports regarding
their ownership and changes in ownership of our securities. We believe that, during fiscal year
2010, our directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements, with the following exceptions: Donald Sanders (late on one Form 4 representing one
transaction), and George H. Barnes (late on one Form 4 representing one transaction). In making
this statement, we have relied upon our examination of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5, and
amendments thereto, provided to us and the written representations of our directors, executive
officers and 10% shareholders.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Calavo has adopted a written policy for approval of transactions between Calavo and its directors,
director nominees, executive officers, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock, and
their respective immediate family members where the amount involved in the transaction exceeds or
is expected to exceed $100,000 in a single calendar year.
The policy provides that the Audit Committee reviews transactions subject to the policy and decides
whether or not to approve or ratify those transactions. In doing so, the Audit Committee
determines whether the transaction is in the best interests of Calavo. In making that
determination, the Audit Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate:
|
|
|
The extent of the related persons interest in the transaction; |
|
|
|
|
Whether the transaction is on terms generally available to an unaffiliated third-party
under the same or similar circumstances; |
|
|
|
|
The benefits to Calavo; |
|
|
|
|
The impact or potential impact on a directors independence in the event the related
party is a director, an immediately family member of a director or an entity in which a
director is a partner, shareholder or executive officer; |
|
|
|
|
The availability of other sources for comparable products or services; and |
|
|
|
|
The terms of the transaction. |
The Audit Committee has delegated authority to the chair of the Audit Committee to pre-approve or
ratify transactions where the aggregate amount involved is expected to be less than $200,000. A
summary of any new transactions pre-approved by the chair is provided to the full Board of
Directors for its review in connection with the Boards regularly scheduled meetings.
The Audit Committee has adopted standing pre-approvals under the policy for limited transactions
with related persons. Pre-approved transactions include:
|
1. |
|
Director compensation approved by the Board or the Compensation Committee; |
|
|
2. |
|
Transactions valued at the lesser than $200,000 or 2% of the other companys
consolidated gross revenues, where the related person has an interest only as an employee
(other than executive officer), director or beneficial holder of less than 10% of the other
companys shares; |
|
|
3. |
|
Transactions where all shareholders receive proportional benefits; and |
30
|
4. |
|
Avocados delivered to us from our directors pursuant to our customary marketing
agreements, as discussed below. |
Six of our thirteen directors are controlling shareholders, partners, and/or executive officers of
entities that market in excess of $120,000 per year of avocados through us pursuant to customary
marketing agreements. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, we paid the following amounts
to each of those six directors, including to any entity affiliated with the director, with respect
to avocados marketed through us:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts paid to |
|
|
director or affiliated |
|
|
entity pursuant to |
Director |
|
marketing agreements |
Lecil E. Cole |
|
$ |
2,839,611 |
|
Donald M. Sanders |
|
|
304,682 |
|
Scott Van Der Kar |
|
|
1,136,877 |
|
J. Link Leavens |
|
|
5,358,619 |
|
Dorcas H. McFarlane |
|
|
569,581 |
|
Harold Edwards(1) |
|
|
11,316,847 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As president of Limoneira Company |
Accounts payable to these Board members were $1.3 million as of October 31, 2010.
Director Marc Brown is a member of the law firm of TroyGould PC, which represents Calavo as legal
counsel. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, Calavo Growers, Inc. paid fees aggregating
approximately $204,000 to TroyGould PC, which amount represented less than 2.0% of the gross
revenues of TroyGould PC for its 2010 fiscal year.
31
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis explains the material elements of the compensation that
was awarded to, earned by, or paid to each of our executive officers who is named below in the
Summary Compensation Table during our 2010 fiscal year. Those executive officers are referred to
below as the named executive officers.
Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors oversees the design and administration of the
compensation program for our executive officers. The Compensation Committees primary objectives
in structuring and administering our executive officer compensation program are to:
|
|
|
attract, motivate and retain talented and dedicated executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
tie annual and long-term cash and stock incentives to achievement of measurable
corporate and individual performance objectives; and |
|
|
|
|
reinforce business strategies and objectives for enhanced shareholder value. |
To achieve these goals, the Compensation Committee maintains compensation plans that tie a portion
of executive officers overall compensation to key strategic goals, such as financial and
operational performance, as measured by metrics such as net income. The Compensation Committee
evaluates individual executive performance with a goal of setting compensation at levels the
Committee believes are comparable with those of executive officers at other public companies having
a similar size and, generally, line of business, while taking into account our relative performance
and our own strategic goals.
The principal elements of our executive compensation program are base salaries, annual cash bonus
awards that are based upon the achievement of objective performance goals such as net income
levels, and other benefits and perquisites. While not routine, from time to time the Compensation
Committee may issue long-term equity incentives in the form of stock options or restricted stock
grants. Our other benefits and perquisites consist of life, disability and health insurance
benefits, a qualified 401(k) savings plan and automobile allowances.
We view these components of compensation as related, but distinct. Although the Compensation
Committee does review total compensation, we do not believe that significant compensation derived
from one component of compensation should negate or offset compensation from other components. We
determine the appropriate level for each compensation component based in part, but not exclusively,
on competitive benchmarking consistent with our recruiting and retention goals, our view of
internal equity and consistency, and other considerations we deem relevant, such as rewarding
extraordinary performance.
Determination of Compensation Awards
The Compensation Committee currently performs at least annually a strategic review of our executive
officers compensation to determine whether such compensation provides adequate incentives and
motivation to our executive officers and whether it adequately compensates our executive officers
relative to comparable officers in other similarly situated companies. The Compensation
Committees most recent review occurred in January 2011.
Typically, the Compensation Committees meetings have included, for all or a portion of each
meeting, the Committee members, our Chief Executive Officer, a recording secretary and other
invited Board members. For compensation decisions relating to executive officers other than our
Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee typically considers recommendations from our
Chief Executive Officer.
32
When determining compensation for our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers
such factors as competitive industry salaries, an assessment of the Chief Executive Officers
contributions made during the preceding year and his industry expertise. Our Chief Executive
Officer does not attend the portion of the Compensation Committees meetings regarding his
compensation.
It is our policy generally to qualify compensation paid to executive officers for deductibility
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code to the maximum extent possible. Section 162(m)
generally prohibits us from deducting the compensation of a named executive officer that exceeds
$1,000,000 for a fiscal year unless that compensation is based on the achievement of objective
performance goals and unless other specified requirements of Section 162(m) are satisfied.
Assuming that our shareholders approve our 2011 Management Incentive Plan at the annual meeting, we
believe that the 2011 Management Incentive Plan is structured to qualify stock options, restricted
stock awards, other equity awards and cash incentive awards as performance-based compensation that
is deductible under Section 162(m). However, we reserve the discretion to pay compensation to our
executive officers that may not be deductible under Section 162(m) if we conclude that such
compensation is appropriate to retain and motivate our executive officers.
During our 2011 fiscal year, we engaged Ernst & Young LLP to assist us in ensuring that the
compensation arrangements for our executive officers comply with the requirements of Section 162(m)
and other applicable tax laws and regulations.
Review of Compensation Surveys
The Compensation Committee believes that it is important when making its compensation-related
decisions to be informed as to the current practices of similarly situated companies. As a result,
the Compensation Committee regularly reviews broad-based third-party surveys and other information
collected from public and private sources regarding the compensation for executive officers of
comparably sized companies. The Compensation Committee considers the information in these surveys
in connection with establishing the base salaries, performance-compensation awards, equity awards
and other benefits and perquisites for our named executive officers.
In October 2010, in connection with our consideration of the compensation of our executive officers
for the 2011 fiscal year, we prepared and considered a survey of the compensation that nine public
companies in our line of business paid to their named executive officers during the prior fiscal
year. The companies in the survey had market capitalizations ranging from $147 million to $842
million. The companies in the survey, in ascending order of market capitalization were: John B.
Sanfillippo & Son, Inc.; Landec Corp.; Limoneira Company; Smart Balance, Inc.; Chiquita Brands
International; The Andersons, Inc.; Lance, Inc.; Dole Food Company, Inc.; and Diamond Foods, Inc.
The Compensation Committee does not believe that the compensation of our named executive officers
should be established solely by reference to the compensation programs of other companies or that
the compensation of our named executive officers should be set as a specified percentage of the
average compensation that is paid to executive officers of other companies. However, the
Compensation Committee believes that collecting and reviewing this compensation survey information
is a useful resource in providing information about current compensation practices and in
confirming that Calavos executive compensation program remains competitive.
Base Salaries
We provide our named executive officers with base salaries that we believe enable us to hire and
retain individuals in a competitive environment and to reward individual performance and
contribution to our overall business goals, while taking into account the unique circumstances of
our company. We review base salaries for our named executive officers annually, and increases are
based on our performance and individual performance.
In February 2010, the compensation committee increased all of our executive officers annual base
salaries by 3%. Mr. Coles annual base salary increased to approximately $496,000, Mr. Brunos
base salary increased to approximately $275,000, and the base salaries of Messrs. Ahmer, Browne,
and Wedin increased to approximately
33
$220,000. In awarding these increases, the Committee primarily considered the base salaries paid
by our peer companies to similarly situated executives. The Compensation Committee believes that
this increase in these base annual salaries was necessary to continue to retain these services in a
competitive market. For 2010, the base salaries accounted for approximately 47% of total
compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and approximately 32% on average for our other named
executive officers.
In February 2011, the Compensation Committee increased our named executive officers base salaries
for the 2011 fiscal year by 3%, to the following amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Base Salary for Fiscal 2011 |
Lecil Cole |
|
$ |
514,640 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur Bruno |
|
$ |
285,459 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Ahmer |
|
$ |
228,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Browne |
|
$ |
228,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Wedin |
|
$ |
228,698 |
|
In awarding these base salary increases, the Compensation Committee reviewed the base salaries that
are paid to executive officers by the nine peer group companies in the compensation survey referred
to above under Review of Compensation Surveys. The Compensation Committee believes that this
increase in executive officers base salaries was necessary to retain these executive officers in a
competitive market.
Annual Performance-Based Cash Bonus Awards
During each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee evaluates our cash bonus compensation practices
in light of the objectives of the compensation program. As a result of this evaluation, the
Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate for our executive officers to be eligible
to receive performance-based cash payments upon our achievement of specified performance goals
based upon our net income for the 2010 fiscal year. For each named executive officer, the
Compensation Committee provided that the executive officer would receive a percentage of our net
income if we achieved a threshold net income of $10,000,000.
The Compensation Committee believes that basing cash bonuses on the achievement of specified levels
of net income provides a direct connection between executive compensation and company performance.
A named executive officers entitlement to a performance-based cash payment is not accelerated in
the event of the executive officers termination of employment or in the event of a
change-in-control of Calavo.
34
For the 2010 fiscal year, the percentage of our net income that each named executive officer was
entitled to receive as a performance-based cash bonus was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
Net |
|
Net |
|
Net |
|
Net |
|
Net |
|
Net |
|
Net |
|
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
|
$10M- |
|
$11M- |
|
$12M- |
|
$13M- |
|
$14M- |
|
$15M- |
|
$16M- |
|
$17M- |
|
|
$11M, |
|
$12M, |
|
$13M, |
|
$14M, |
|
$15M, |
|
$16M, |
|
$17M, |
|
$18M, |
|
|
bonus |
|
bonus |
|
bonus |
|
bonus |
|
bonus |
|
bonus |
|
bonus |
|
bonus |
|
|
percent of |
|
percent of |
|
percent |
|
percent |
|
percent of |
|
percent of |
|
percent of |
|
percent of |
Executive |
|
net |
|
net |
|
of net |
|
of net |
|
net |
|
net |
|
net |
|
net |
Officer |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
|
income: |
Lecil
Cole |
|
|
3.50 |
% |
|
|
4.00 |
% |
|
|
4.50 |
% |
|
|
5.00 |
% |
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
6.00 |
% |
|
|
6.50 |
% |
|
|
7.00 |
% |
Arthur Bruno |
|
|
1.25 |
% |
|
|
1.60 |
% |
|
|
1.95 |
% |
|
|
2.30 |
% |
|
|
2.65 |
% |
|
|
3.0 |
% |
|
|
3.35 |
% |
|
|
3.70 |
% |
Alan Ahmer |
|
|
0.50 |
% |
|
|
0.75 |
% |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
1.25 |
% |
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
1.75 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.25 |
% |
Michael Browne |
|
|
0.50 |
% |
|
|
0.75 |
% |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
1.25 |
% |
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
1.75 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.25 |
% |
Robert Wedin |
|
|
0.50 |
% |
|
|
0.75 |
% |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
1.25 |
% |
|
|
1.5 |
% |
|
|
1.75 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
2.25 |
% |
The executive officers shown above were not eligible to receive bonuses unless net income for our
2010 fiscal year was at least $10,000,000, which the Compensation Committee concluded was the
minimum net income that would result in increased shareholder value. For each $1,000,000 of our
net income above the $18,000,000 shown above, the percentage of net income that each named
executive officer was eligible to receive increased by 0.50% for Mr. Cole, 0.35% for Mr. Bruno, and
0.25% for Messrs. Ahmer, Browne and Wedin.
Our net income for the 2010 fiscal year was $17,764,000. In January 2011, the Compensation
Committee awarded the following cash bonuses to the named executive officers based upon the bonus
percentages set forth above and based upon our 2010 fiscal year net income:
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
Cash Bonus for Fiscal 2010 |
Lee Cole |
|
$ |
308,063 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthur Bruno |
|
$ |
637,094 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Ahmer |
|
$ |
387,422 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Browne |
|
$ |
387,422 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Wedin |
|
$ |
387,422 |
|
Under our compensation program for the 2010 fiscal year, no executive officer was entitled to
receive a total base salary and cash bonus in excess of $1,000,000. Therefore, Mr. Coles bonus
shown above was less than the amount that he would have received had his base salary and bonus not
been limited to $1,000,000.
In January 2011, the Compensation Committee established performance-based compensation awards for
the named executive officers for the 2011 fiscal year. These awards were made under our 2011
35
Management Incentive Plan, which the Board of Directors adopted on December 9, 2011, and are
subject to shareholder approval of the 2011 Management Incentive Plan at the annual meeting. The
January 2011 awards are summarized above under Approval of the Calavo Growers, Inc. 2011
Management Incentive Plan New Plan Benefits.
Equity Compensation Awards
Although we do not currently impose any requirement that an executive officer must own a specified
amount of our common stock, we believe that stock ownership by our named executive officers can
provide an important incentive to build shareholder value and align the interests of our named
executive officers with those of our shareholders. The Compensation Committee develops its equity
award determinations based on its judgments as to whether the complete compensation package
provided to our named executive officers (taking into account prior equity awards) is sufficient to
retain, motivate and adequately reward the executive officers.
We have not granted any equity awards to our named executive officers since our 2005 fiscal year.
In light of the appreciation in value of the stock options that we granted to our named executive
officers in our 2005 fiscal year, we believe that the 2005 equity awards, in conjunction with the
base salaries and the cash performance-based awards that our named executive officers have received
since 2005, have sufficiently motivated our executive officers and that the objectives of our
executive compensation program have been met without granting additional equity awards to our named
executive officers. The Compensation Committee has not yet determined whether it will make any
equity awards to our named executive officers for the 2011 fiscal year.
In November 2005, we began accounting for equity awards in accordance with the requirements of FASB
Statement 123R, and we currently account for equity awards in accordance with the requirements of
FASB ASC Topic 718. We do not have a policy of timing equity awards in conjunction with our
release of material non-public information.
Other Bonus Arrangements for Our Chief Executive Officer
In August 2006, we entered into a cash bonus award agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Cole. Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to pay five annual cash bonus payments to Mr. Cole,
with each payment being equal to 738 multiplied by the trading volume weighted average last
reported sales price of Limoneira Companys common stock for the immediately preceding thirty
business days from each anniversary. Mr. Cole was instrumental in structuring the transaction by
which Calavo acquired approximately 15% of the outstanding common stock of Limoneira Company.
During the 2009 fiscal year, the total bonus paid was approximately $98,000. With respect to our
2010 fiscal year, Mr. Cole received a bonus of $185,000 under this agreement.
In February 2011, in recognition of the extraordinary contributions that Mr. Cole has made to our
financial success and in order to encourage Mr. Cole to continue to serve as our Chief Executive
Officer and President, we entered into a retention bonus agreement with Mr. Cole pursuant to which
we will pay Mr. Cole a bonus of $100,000 for each of the quarters in our 2011 fiscal year in which
Mr. Cole continues to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President as of the last day of the
fiscal quarter. We have the option to extend the agreement for one or two fiscal years.
Executive Officers Benefits and Perquisites
We provide the opportunity for our named executive officers and other executives to receive certain
perquisites and general health and welfare benefits. We also offer participation in our defined
contribution 401(k) plan. After three months of service, we match 100% of the participants
contributions to their 401(k) plan, up to a maximum of 6% of compensation. General health and
welfare benefits and our defined contribution 401(k) plan are provided to substantially all of our
full-time U.S. employees. In addition, we provide a car allowance, company car, or both, to each
of our named executive officers. We provide these benefits to create additional incentives for our
executive officers and to remain competitive in the general marketplace for executive talent.
36
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Calavo Growers, Inc. has reviewed and
discussed with management the above Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on this review and
discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Steven Hollister, Chair
Michael Hause
37
The following table shows information concerning the annual compensation for services provided to
us by our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Operating and Financial Officer, and our three other
most highly compensated executive officers during the three preceding fiscal years.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
All |
|
|
Name and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan |
|
Other |
|
|
Principal |
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Lecil Cole |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
$ |
496,012 |
|
|
$ |
492,792 |
|
|
$ |
57,044 |
(2) |
|
$ |
1,045,848 |
|
Chief Executive |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
480,433 |
|
|
|
778,841 |
|
|
|
48,201 |
|
|
|
1,307,475 |
|
Officer, President |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
451,230 |
|
|
|
459,345 |
|
|
|
39,853 |
|
|
|
950,428 |
|
Arthur Bruno
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
275,127 |
|
|
|
637,094 |
|
|
|
42,592 |
(3) |
|
|
955,813 |
|
Chief Operating Officer, |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
266,486 |
|
|
|
374,349 |
|
|
|
40,578 |
|
|
|
681,413 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
250,287 |
|
|
|
96,636 |
|
|
|
41,233 |
|
|
|
388,156 |
|
Alan Ahmer |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
220,420 |
|
|
|
387,422 |
|
|
|
42,150 |
(4) |
|
|
649,992 |
|
Vice President, Processed Product |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
213,497 |
|
|
|
272,254 |
|
|
|
36,422 |
|
|
|
522,173 |
|
Sales and Production |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
200,519 |
|
|
|
38,654 |
|
|
|
38,811 |
|
|
|
277,984 |
|
Michael Browne |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
220,420 |
|
|
|
387,422 |
|
|
|
47,124 |
(5) |
|
|
654,966 |
|
Vice President, |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
213,497 |
|
|
|
272,254 |
|
|
|
45,353 |
|
|
|
531,104 |
|
Fresh Operations |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
200,519 |
|
|
|
38,654 |
|
|
|
43,741 |
|
|
|
282,914 |
|
Robert Wedin |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
220,420 |
|
|
|
387,422 |
|
|
|
37,719 |
(6) |
|
|
645,561 |
|
Vice
President, |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
213,497 |
|
|
|
272,254 |
|
|
|
35,106 |
|
|
|
520,857 |
|
Sales and
Fresh Marketing |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
200,519 |
|
|
|
38,654 |
|
|
|
36,973 |
|
|
|
276,146 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Reflects amounts that were earned under the cash bonus plan for officers
discussed above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and, for Mr. Cole, also
includes $185,000, $98,000 and $189,000 earned in 2010, 2009, and 2008 under the cash bonus
award agreement discussed above. |
|
(2) |
|
Consists of (i) $15,204 we paid on behalf of Mr. Cole related to health
insurance, (ii) $22,196 we paid to Mr. Cole related to a car allowance and an estimated
personal usage of a company-leased car (based upon the lease payments we made), (iii)
$14,700 of contributions made by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr. Cole, and (iv)
$4,944 we paid on behalf of Mr. Cole related to life insurance. |
|
(3) |
|
Consists of (i) $15,204 we paid on behalf of Mr. Bruno related to health
insurance, (ii) $11,196 we paid to Mr. Bruno related to a car allowance, (iii) $14,700 of
contributions made by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr. Bruno, and (iv) $1,492 we paid
on behalf of Mr. Bruno related to life insurance. |
|
(4) |
|
Consists of (i) $15,078 we paid on behalf of Mr. Ahmer related to health
insurance, (ii) $11,000, which represents the estimated personal usage of a company-leased
car (based upon the lease payments we made), (iii) $14,700 of contributions made by us to
our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr. Ahmer, and (iv) $1,372 we paid on behalf of Mr. Ahmer
related to life insurance. |
|
(5) |
|
Consists of (i) $20,757 we paid on behalf of Mr. Browne related to health
insurance, (ii) $11,196 we paid to Mr. Browne related to a car allowance, (iii) $14,700 of
contributions made by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr. Browne, and (iv) $471 we paid
on behalf of Mr. Browne related to life insurance. |
|
(6) |
|
Consists of (i) $10,451 we paid on behalf of Mr. Wedin related to health
insurance, (ii) $11,196 we paid to Mr. Wedin related to a car allowance, (iii) $14,700 of
contributions made by us to our 401(k) plan on behalf of Mr. Wedin, and (iv) $1,372 we paid
on behalf of Mr. Browne related to life insurance. |
38
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under Non-Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
|
|
Grant |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
Name |
|
Date |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Lecil Cole
Chief Executive Officer, President |
|
January 2010 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
308,063 |
(2) |
|
$ |
|
|
Arthur Bruno
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer |
|
January 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
637,094 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
Alan Ahmer |
|
January 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
387,422 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
Vice President, Processed Product Sales and
Production |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Browne
Vice President, Fresh Operations |
|
January 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
387,422 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
Robert Wedin
Vice President, Sales and Fresh Marketing |
|
January 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
387,422 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Our current cash bonus plan for officers discussed above under Compensation
Discussion and Analysis has minimum thresholds, by officer, but no target or maximum payout
amounts. For each performance objective, there is a formula that establishes a specific
cash payout for each executive officer based on a percentage of net income (see previous
discussion). Amounts shown above in the table reflect amounts that were earned by each
officer with respect to the 2010 fiscal year. |
|
(2) |
|
See the Summary Compensation Table and the discussion under Compensation
Discussion and Analysis. |
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
There were no outstanding options or other equity awards as of October 31, 2010 pursuant to our 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan.
39
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL YEAR 2010
The following table provides information regarding exercises of stock options by each of our named
executive officers during the 2010 fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Number of SharesAcquired on |
|
Value Realized on Exercise |
Name |
|
Exercise |
|
($)(1) |
Lecil Cole
Chief Executive Officer, President |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
1,952,956 |
|
Arthur Bruno
Chief Operating
Officer, Chief
Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Ahmer
Vice President,
Processed Product
Sales and Production |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
Browne
Vice President, Fresh Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Wedin
Vice President, Sales and Fresh Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of
the common stock on the date of exercise. |
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
In fiscal 2010, the members of our Compensation Committee were Steven Hollister and Michael D.
Hause, who were both non-employee directors. Neither of such committee members (1) was an officer
or employee of Calavo or any of our subsidiaries or (2) had any relationship requiring disclosure
by us pursuant to any paragraph of Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K.
2005 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN OF CALAVO GROWERS, INC.
The purpose of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan of Calavo Growers, Inc. 2005 Plan (the 2005 Plan) is
to (1) encourage employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors to improve operations
and increase the profitability of Calavo, (2) encourage selected employees, officers, directors,
consultants and advisors to accept or continue employment or association with Calavo or its
affiliates and (3) increase the interest of selected employees, officers, directors, consultants,
and advisors in Calavos welfare through participation in the growth in value of our common stock.
The 2005 Plan authorizes the granting of the following types of awards to persons who are
employees, officers, consultants, advisors, or directors of Calavo or any of its affiliates:
|
|
Incentive stock options that are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder; |
|
|
Non-qualified stock options that are not intended to be incentive stock options; and |
|
|
Shares of common stock that are subject to specified restrictions. |
Subject to the adjustment provisions of the 2005 Plan that are applicable in the event of a stock
dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or similar transaction, up to 2,500,000 shares of common
stock may be issued under the 2005
40
Plan and no person shall be granted awards under the 2005 Plan during any 12-month period that
cover more then 500,000 shares of common stock.
In August 2005, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of options to acquire a total of
400,000 shares of our common stock to various employees of Calavo. The options vested if the
closing price of our common stock was at least $11.00 per share at any time throughout the life of
the option. At no time, however, could any options vest within one year from the date of grant.
Additionally, such options have an exercise price of $9.10 per share and a term of five years from
the grant date. The market price of our common stock at the grant date was $9.10. In April 2006,
the price of our common stock reached $11.00 per share. Therefore, all 400,000 options related to
our stock option grant that took place in August 2005 vested in August 2006 for those persons still
employed by us.
In December 2006, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of options to acquire a total of
20,000 shares of our common stock to two members of our Board of Directors. Each grant to acquire
10,000 shares vests in increments of 2,000 per annum over a five-year period and has an exercise
price of $10.46 per share, which was equal to the market price of our common stock on the grant
date. Vested options have a term of five years from the vesting date.
In May 2008, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of options to acquire a total of 58,000
shares of our common stock to three members of our Board of Directors. Each grant vests in equal
increments over a five-year period and has an exercise price of $14.58 per share, which was equal
to the market price of our common stock on the grant date. Vested options have a term of five
years from the vesting date.
In December 2008, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of options to acquire a total of
10,000 shares of our common stock to one member of our Board of Directors. Such grant vests in
equal increments over a five-year period and has an exercise price of $8.05 per share, which was
equal to the market price of our common stock on the grant date. Vested options have a term of
five years from the vesting date.
In August 2010, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of options to acquire a total of
10,000 shares of our common stock to one member of our Board of Directors. Such grant vests in
equal increments over a five-year period and has an exercise price of $19.20 per share, which was
equal to the market price of our common stock on the grant date. Vested options have a term of
five years from the vesting date.
The 2005 Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for selecting the officers, employees, directors, consultants and advisers, if any, who
will receive options and restricted stock. Subject to the requirements imposed by the 2005 Plan,
the Compensation Committee is also responsible for determining the terms and conditions of each
option award, including the number of shares subject to the option, the exercise price, expiration
date and vesting period of the option and whether the option is an incentive stock option or a
non-qualified stock option. Subject to the requirements imposed by the 2005 Plan, the
Compensation Committee is also responsible for determining the terms and conditions of each
restricted stock grant, including the number of shares granted, the purchase price (if any) and the
vesting, transfer and other restrictions imposed on the stock. The Compensation Committee has the
power, authority and discretion to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
the administration of the 2005 Plan or of any award under the 2005 Plan.
Under current law, only officers and other employees are entitled to receive incentive stock
options. The exercise price for an incentive stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of the grant of the option. With respect to an option
holder who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total voting power of all classes of our
stock, the exercise price for an incentive stock option may not be less than 110% of the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of the grant of the option. The 2005 Plan also
requires that the exercise price for non-qualified stock options not be less than 100% of the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of the grant of the option.
Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, options granted under the 2005 Plan are
generally not transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Except as
otherwise provided in the option
41
agreement, an option ceases to be exercisable ninety days after the termination of the option
holders employment with us.
The Board of Directors may, at any time, amend, discontinue or terminate the 2005 Plan, and no
awards will be made under the 2005 Plan after Calavos shareholders have approved the 2011 Plan.
With specified exceptions, no amendment, suspension or termination of the plan may adversely affect
outstanding options or the terms that are applicable to outstanding restricted stock. No amendment
or suspension of the 2005 Plan requires shareholder approval unless such approval is required under
applicable law or under the rules of any stock exchange or NASDAQ market on which our stock is
traded.
PRINCIPAL AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2011. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP
are expected to be present at the annual meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if
they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Fees Incurred by Calavo Growers, Inc. to Ernst & Young LLP
The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by us for audit and other services provided by
EY for fiscal 2010 and 2009 (in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2009 |
|
Audit Fees (1) |
|
$ |
990 |
|
|
$ |
992 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees (2) |
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
276 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,226 |
|
|
$ |
1,268 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit
of our financial statements, including the audit of managements assessment of internal
control over financial reporting, and review of our quarterly financial statements and audit
services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory filings. |
|
(2) |
|
For fiscal year 2010, tax fees principally included tax compliance fees of approximately
$124,000, and tax advice fees totaling approximately $112,000. For fiscal year 2009, tax fees
principally included tax compliance fees of approximately $142,000, and tax advice fees
totaling approximately $134,000. |
All services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The
Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy that provides for the pre-approval of all
services to be performed for us by Ernst & Young LLP. The policy authorizes the Audit Committee to
delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services.
Pursuant to this policy, the Board delegated such authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
All pre-approval decisions must be reported to the Audit Committee at its next meeting. The audit
committee has concluded the provision of the non-audit services listed above is compatible with
maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee represents and assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general
oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, the independent registered public accounting firms qualifications and independence,
the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm,
and risk assessment and risk management. The Audit Committee manages our relationship with our
independent registered public accounting firm (which reports directly to the Audit Committee). The
Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from outside legal,
42
accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and
receives appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, from Calavo for such advice and
assistance.
Our management is primarily responsible for our internal control and financial reporting process.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, is responsible for performing
an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements and issuing opinions on the
conformity of those audited financial statements with United States generally accepted accounting
principles and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The Audit
Committee monitors our financial reporting process and reports to the Board on its findings.
In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:
1. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with our
management.
2. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the
matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended
(Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU 380), as adopted by the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) in Rule 3200T.
3. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent
registered public accounting firm required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526,
Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with the
independent registered public accounting firm its independence.
4. Based on the review and discussions referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial
statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31,
2010, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The undersigned members of the Audit Committee have submitted this Report to the Board of
Directors.
Audit Committee
Michael D. Hause, Chairman
George H. Barnes
John M. Hunt
Egidio Carbone
Steven Hollister
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY OBTAIN, WITHOUT CHARGE, A COPY OF OUR
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2010, OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH
REPORT, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST TO CALAVO GROWERS, INC., 1141-A CUMMINGS ROAD, SANTA PAULA,
CALIFORNIA 93060, TELEPHONE (805) 525-1245, ATTENTION ARTHUR J. BRUNO. WE WILL ALSO FURNISH TO
SUCH PERSONS A COPY OF ANY EXHIBITS TO OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR A FEE OF $.20 PER PAGE,
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. THIS FEE COVERS ONLY OUR REASONABLE EXPENSES IN FURNISHING THE EXHIBITS.
43
Appendix A
CALAVO GROWERS, INC.
2011 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
CALAVO GROWERS, INC.
2011 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE AND EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this 2011 Management Incentive Plan
is to promote the interests of Calavo Growers, Inc. and its shareholders by (a) attracting,
retaining and motivating directors, officers, employees and consultants (including prospective
directors, officers, employees and consultants) of the Company and its Affiliates and (b) enabling
such individuals to participate in the growth and financial success of the Company. Capitalized
terms in this Article I and in other Articles of the Plan have the respective meanings for such
terms that are set forth in Article II.
Section 1.2 Effective Date; Shareholder Approval Required. The effective
date of the Plan is December 9, 2010 (the Effective Date), which is the date on which the
Plan was approved and adopted by the Board. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Plan is
subject to approval by the Companys shareholders at the 2011 annual meeting of the Companys
shareholders.
Section 1.3 Expiration Date. No Award shall be granted under the Plan
after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. All Awards granted on or prior to the tenth
anniversary of the Effective Date will continue in effect after such tenth anniversary subject to
the terms of the Plan and of the Award Agreements pertaining to such Awards.
Section 1.4 Awards Under Other Company Plans. Following approval of the
Plan by the Companys shareholders, no new awards shall be made under the Companys 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan or 2002 Stock Purchase Plan for Officers and Employees, provided that outstanding
awards under such plans will continue in effect.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Section 2.1 Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall
have the meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate means (1) any Subsidiary of the Company or other entity
that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls or is under common control with, the
Company or (2) any other entity in which the Company has a significant equity ownership interest,
in either case as determined by the Committee.
(b) Annual Individual Plan Share Limit has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1(b).
(c) Award means any award that is permitted under Article V and granted
under the Plan.
A-1
Approved by the Board 12/9/10
(d) Award Agreement means any written or electronic agreement or other
instrument or document evidencing any Award, which may (but need not) require execution or
acknowledgment by a Participant.
(e) Beneficial Owner (including all variations of such term) has the
meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(f) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g) Cash Incentive Award means an Award (1) which is granted pursuant to
Section 10.1, (2) which may be settled only in cash, and (3) the potential value of which is set by
the Committee and is not calculated based on the Fair Market Value of a Share.
(h) Change of Control has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.
(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time, or any successor statute, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code.
(j) Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board. The
Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board who are appointed to the Committee by
the Board, subject to the power of the Board to remove Committee members and to appoint new
Committee members. Each member of the Committee shall be (1) an outside director within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, (2) a non-employee director within the meaning of Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and (3) an independent director under applicable rules and
regulations of NASDAQ or any other national securities exchange which may subsequently serve as the
primary trading market for the Shares. In addition, each member of the Committee must be
independent under any rules and regulations governing the composition of compensation committees
that may be adopted after the Effective Date by the SEC or by NASDAQ (or any other national
securities exchange which may subsequently serve as the primary trading market for the Shares)
pursuant to Section 10C(a) of the Exchange Act. The failure of the Committee to be comprised in
the manner described in the two preceding sentences shall not, however, affect the validity of any
action of the Committee (including the grant of any Award) that otherwise complies with the terms
of the Plan.
(k) Company means Calavo Growers, Inc., a California corporation,
together with any successor under applicable laws, rules and regulations to Calavo Growers, Inc. by
reason of a merger, consolidation or other transaction.
(l) Effective Date has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2.
(m) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated under the
Exchange Act.
(n) Exercise Price means (1) in the case of each Option, the price
specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the price-per-Share at which Shares may be purchased
pursuant to such Option or (2) in the case of each SAR, the price specified in the applicable
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Award Agreement as the reference price-per-Share used to calculate the amount payable to the
applicable Participant pursuant to such SAR.
(o) Fair Market Value means, except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Award Agreement, (1) with respect to any property other than Shares, the fair market
value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time
to time by the Committee and (2) with respect to Shares as of any date, (x) the closing per-share
sales price of the Shares as reported by NASDAQ for such date (or, if the Shares are listed on any
other national stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, as reported by such other
stock exchange or over-the-counter market for such date) or, if there were no sales on such date,
on the closest preceding date on which there were sales of Shares, or (y) in the event there is no
public market for the Shares on such date, the fair market value of the Shares as determined in
good faith by the Committee.
(p) Incentive Stock Option means an option to purchase Shares from the
Company that (1) is granted under Section 6.1 of the Plan and (2) is intended to qualify for
special federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code, and which is so
designated in the applicable Award Agreement.
(q) NASDAQ means the NASDAQ Stock Market.
(r) Nonqualified Stock Option means an option to purchase Shares from
the Company that (1) is granted under Section 6.1 of the Plan and (2) is not an Incentive Stock
Option.
(s) Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock
Option or both, as the context requires.
(t) Participant means any director, officer, employee or consultant
(including any prospective director, officer, employee or consultant) of the Company or any
Affiliate who is eligible for an Award under Section 5.1 and who is selected by the Committee to
receive an Award under the Plan or who receives a Substitute Award pursuant to Section 4.2(c).
(u) Performance Award means any Award designated by the Committee as a
Performance Award pursuant to Section 11.1 of the Plan.
(v) Performance Criteria means the criterion or criteria that the
Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period
with respect to any Performance Award under the Plan.
(w) Performance Formula means, for a Performance Period, the one or more
objective formulas applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the
Performance Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none
of such Award has been earned for the Performance Period.
(x) Performance Goal means, for a Performance Period, the one or more
goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.
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(y) Performance Period means the one or more Company fiscal years or
other shorter or longer periods of time as the Committee may select over which the attainment of
one or more Performance Goals shall be measured for the purpose of determining a Participants
right to a Performance Award.
(z) Person means an individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.
(aa) Plan means this 2011 Management Incentive Plan, as it may be
amended from time to time.
(bb) Plan ISO Limit has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
(cc) Plan Share Limit has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a).
(dd) Restricted Share means a Share that is granted under Section 8.1 of
the Plan that is subject to certain transfer restrictions, forfeiture provisions and/or other terms
specified in the Plan or in the applicable Award Agreement.
(ee) Restricted Stock Unit means a restricted stock unit Award that is
granted under Section 8.1 of the Plan and is designated as such in the applicable Award Agreement
and that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash, other securities,
other Awards or other property in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.
(ff) SAR means a stock appreciation right Award that is granted under
Section 7.1 of the Plan and that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares,
cash, other securities, other Awards or other property equal in value to the excess, if any, of the
Fair Market Value per Share over the Exercise Price per Share of the SAR, subject to the terms of
the applicable Award Agreement.
(gg) SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor
to the SEC and includes the staff of the SEC.
(hh) Shares means shares of common stock of the Company, $0.001 par
value, or such other securities of the Company (1) into which such shares shall be changed by
reason of a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or
other similar transaction or (2) as may be determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 4.2.
(ii) Subsidiary means any entity in which the Company, directly or
indirectly, possesses fifty percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
its stock or other securities.
(jj) Substitute Awards has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c).
(kk) Treasury Regulations means all proposed, temporary and final
regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time
(including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
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Section 2.2 Construction. In any interpretation of a provision of the
Plan, the masculine gender may include the feminine, and the singular may include the plural, and
vice versa. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience
to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the
construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision of the Plan. Whenever the words
include, includes or including are used in the Plan, they shall be deemed to be followed by
the words but not limited to.
ARTICLE III
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
Section 3.1 Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by
the Committee, except to the limited extent provided in Sections 3.5 and 3.6.
Section 3.2 Authority of the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan
and applicable laws, rules and regulations, and in addition to the other express powers and
authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full authority to
administer the Plan, including the authority to (a) designate Participants, (b) determine the type
or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant, (c) determine the number of Shares to be
covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in
connection with, Awards, (d) determine the terms of Awards, (e) determine the vesting schedules of
Awards and, if certain performance criteria must be attained in order for an Award to vest or be
settled or paid, establish such performance criteria and certify whether, and to what extent, such
performance criteria have been attained, (f) determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances, Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards
or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards
may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended, (g) determine whether, to what extent
and under what circumstances, cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property and
other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the
election of the holder of the Award or of the Committee, (h) interpret, administer, reconcile any
inconsistency in, correct any default in and/or supply any omission in, the Plan, any Award or any
Award Agreement, (i) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such
agents as it shall deem appropriate for the administration of the Plan, (j) accelerate the vesting
or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards, and (k) make any other
determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the
administration of the Plan.
Section 3.3 Committee Decisions. Unless otherwise expressly provided in
the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with
respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the discretion of the Committee, may be made at
any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons, including the Company, any
Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any shareholder of the
Company. Each designation, determination, interpretation or other decision by the Committee shall
require the affirmative vote or consent of a majority of the members of the Committee.
Section 3.4 Indemnification. Each Board and Committee member shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against (a) any loss, cost, liability or
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expense (including attorneys fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Person in
connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Person may be a
party or in which such Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken
under the Plan or any Award Agreement and (b) any and all amounts paid by such Person, with the
Companys approval, in settlement of such action, suit or proceeding, or paid by such Person in
satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Person. The
Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or
proceeding, and, once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company
shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Companys choice. The foregoing
right of indemnification shall not be available to a Board or Committee member to the extent that a
court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment or other final adjudication, in either case not
subject to further appeal, determines that the acts or omissions of such Person giving rise to the
indemnification claim resulted from such Persons bad faith, gross misconduct, fraud or willful
criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by
applicable laws, rules or regulations or by the Companys Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, in
each case as may be amended from time to time. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be
exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which Board or Committee members may be
entitled under the Companys Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or under applicable laws, rules
and regulations.
Section 3.5 Delegation of Authority. The Committee may delegate to the
Companys Chief Executive Officer, on such terms as the Committee determines in its discretion, the
authority to make grants of Awards to officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its
Affiliates (including any prospective officer, employee or consultant) and all necessary and
appropriate decisions and determinations with respect to such grants of Awards. Notwithstanding
the preceding sentence, the Chief Executive Officer shall under no circumstances have the authority
to make Awards to any officer or employee who is (or who is expected to be) (a) subject to Section
16 of the Exchange Act or (b) a covered employee within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code. The Committee may revoke any such delegation of authority at any time.
Section 3.6 Awards by the Board to Non-Employee Directors.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its discretion,
at any time and from time to time, grant Awards to directors who are not employees of the Company
or any of its Affiliates or administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the
Board shall have all of the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan with respect to such
Awards and references in the Plan to the Committee shall instead refer to the Board with respect to
such Awards to non-employee directors.
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ARTICLE IV
SHARES AND CASH SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
Section 4.1 Shares and Cash Available for Awards.
(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, the maximum aggregate number
of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be equal to one
million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) (the Plan Share Limit), of which one million
five hundred thousand (1,500,000) Shares may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options
granted under the Plan (the Plan ISO Limit). Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 4.2, each Share with respect to which an Award that can be settled in Shares is granted
under the Plan shall reduce the Plan Share Limit by one Share. Awards that are required to be
settled in cash shall not reduce the Plan Share Limit. If any Award granted under the Plan is
forfeited (or otherwise expires, terminates or is canceled without the delivery of all Shares
subject to the Award) or is settled other than wholly by delivery of Shares (including cash
settlement), then, in any such case, any number of Shares subject to such Award that were not
issued with respect to such Award shall not be treated as issued for purposes of this Section 4.1
and the Plan Share Limit shall be increased by such number of Shares. If Shares issued upon
exercise, vesting or settlement of an Award, or Shares owned by a Participant, are surrendered or
tendered to the Company in payment of the Exercise Price of an Award or any taxes required to be
withheld in respect of an Award, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement, the Plan Share Limit shall be increased by such number of surrendered
or tendered Shares; provided that the Plan ISO Limit shall not increase as a result of such
surrender or tendering.
(b) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2, (1) in the case of Awards
that are settled in Shares, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Awards may
be granted to any Participant in any fiscal year of the Company under the Plan shall be one hundred
fifty thousand (150,000) (the Annual Individual Plan Share Limit), and (2) in the case of
Awards that are settled in cash based on the Fair Market Value of a Share, the maximum aggregate
amount of cash that may be paid pursuant to Awards granted to any Participant in any fiscal year of
the Company under the Plan shall be equal to the per-Share Fair Market Value as of the relevant
vesting, payment or settlement date multiplied by the Annual Individual Plan Share Limit. In the
case of all Awards other than those described in the preceding sentence, the maximum aggregate
amount of cash and other property (valued at its Fair Market Value) other than Shares that may be
paid or delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan to any Participant in any fiscal year of the
Company shall be equal to four million dollars ($4,000,000).
Section 4.2 Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization and Similar Events.
(a) In the event of any extraordinary dividend or other extraordinary distribution
(whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, rights
offering, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up or spin-off, the Committee shall, in the
manner determined by the Committee to be appropriate or desirable, adjust any or all of (1) the
number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or
property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, including the
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Plan Share Limit, the Plan ISO Limit and the Annual Individual Plan Share Limit, and (2) the
terms of any outstanding Award, including the number of Shares or other securities of the Company
(or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which
outstanding Awards relate and the Exercise Price, if applicable, with respect to any Award. The
Companys annual or quarterly cash dividend on Shares shall not be considered an extraordinary
dividend or other distribution that requires an adjustment described in the preceding sentence.
(b) In the event that the Committee determines that any reorganization, merger,
consolidation, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company,
issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or
other similar corporate transaction or event (including any Change of Control) affects the Shares
such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its discretion to be appropriate or
desirable, then the Committee may (1) in such manner as it may deem appropriate or desirable,
adjust any or all of (x) the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and
kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, including the
Plan Share Limit, the Plan ISO Limit and the Annual Individual Plan Share Limit, and (y) the terms
of any outstanding Award, including the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or
number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which
outstanding Awards relate and the Exercise Price, if applicable, with respect to any Award, (2) if
deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, make provision for a cash payment to the holder
of an outstanding Award in consideration for the cancellation of such Award, including, in the case
of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment to the holder of such Option or SAR in
consideration for the cancellation of such Option or SAR in an amount equal to the excess, if any,
of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the Shares subject to such
Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Option or SAR, and (3) if deemed
appropriate or desirable by the Committee, cancel and terminate any Option or SAR having a
per-Share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a Share subject to
such Option or SAR without any payment or consideration therefor.
(c) Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in
assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or any
of its Affiliates or an entity acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the
Company or any of its Affiliates combines (Substitute Awards). However, in no event may
any Substitute Award be granted in a manner that would violate the prohibitions on repricing of
Options and SARs, as set forth in Section 12.2. The number of Shares underlying any Substitute
Awards shall be counted against the Plan Share Limit.
ARTICLE V
ELIGIBILITY AND TYPES OF AWARDS
Section 5.1 Eligibility. Any director, officer, employee or consultant
(including any prospective director, officer, employee or consultant) of the Company or any of its
Affiliates shall be eligible to be designated as a Participant.
Section 5.2 Types of Awards. Awards may be made under the Plan in the
form of (a) Options, (b) SARs, (c) Restricted Shares, (d) Restricted Stock Units, (e) other
equity-based or
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equity-related Awards that the Committee determines are consistent with the purpose of the
Plan and the interests of the Company, (f) Cash Incentive Awards, and (g) Performance Awards.
Awards may be granted in tandem with other Awards. No Incentive Stock Option (other than an
Incentive Stock Option that may be assumed or issued by the Company in connection with a
transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies) may be granted to a person who is
ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code.
ARTICLE VI
OPTIONS
Section 6.1 Grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have discretion to determine (a) the Participants to whom Options shall be granted, (b)
subject to Section 4.1, the number of Shares subject to each Option to be granted to each
Participant, (c) whether each Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock
Option, and (d) the terms of each Option, including the vesting criteria, term, methods of exercise
and methods and form of settlement. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms of such
grants shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the
Code, including applicable Treasury Regulations and including the requirement that the recipient of
an Incentive Stock Option must be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary. Each Option granted
under the Plan shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly
states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. If an Option is intended to be
an Incentive Stock Option, and if, for any reason, such Option (or any portion of such Option)
shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such
Option (or portion of such Option) shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately
granted under the Plan, provided that such Option (or portion of such Option) otherwise complies
with the Plans requirements relating to Nonqualified Stock Options.
Section 6.2 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of each Share covered by
each Option shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Share (determined as of
the date the Option is granted). However, in the case of each Incentive Stock Option granted to an
employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns stock representing more than 10% of the
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, the per-Share Exercise Price shall be no less
than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant. Each Option is, unless
otherwise specified by the Committee, intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code.
Section 6.3 Vesting and Exercise. Each Option shall be vested and
exercisable at such times, in such manner and subject to such terms as the Committee may, in its
discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement. Except as otherwise specified by the
Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, each Option may only be exercised to the extent that
it has already vested at the time of exercise. Except as otherwise specified by the Committee in
the applicable Award Agreement, each Option shall become vested and exercisable with respect to
twenty percent of the Shares subject to such Option on each of the first five anniversaries of the
date of grant. Each Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written or electronic notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award by the person
entitled to exercise the Award and full payment pursuant to Section 6.4 for the Shares with respect
to which the Award is exercised has been received by the Company. Exercise of
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each Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter
may be available for sale under the Option. The Committee may impose such conditions with respect
to the exercise of each Option, including any conditions relating to the application of federal or
state securities laws, rules and regulations, as it may deem necessary or advisable.
Section 6.4 Payment.
(a) No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until
payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares is received by the Company and the
Participant has paid to the Company (or the Company has withheld in accordance with Section 14.12)
an amount equal to any federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes required to be
withheld. Such payments may be made in cash or by check payable to the order of the Company or, in
the Committees discretion, (1) by exchanging Shares owned by the Participant (which are not the
subject of any pledge or other security interest), (2) if there shall be a public market for the
Shares at such time, subject to such rules as may be established by the Committee, through delivery
of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the Shares otherwise deliverable upon the exercise
of the Option and to deliver cash promptly to the Company (commonly referred to as a
broker-assisted cashless Option exercise), (3) by having the Company withhold Shares from the
Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Option, or (4) through any other method
(or combination of methods) as approved by the Committee; provided that the combined value of all
cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the Company,
together with any Shares withheld by the Company in accordance with this Section 6.4 or Section
14.12, as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to such aggregate Exercise Price and the
amount of any federal, state, local or foreign income or employment taxes required to be withheld,
if applicable.
(b) Wherever in the Plan or any Award Agreement a Participant is permitted to pay
the Exercise Price of an Option or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering
Shares, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such
delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such Shares, in which case the
Company shall treat the Option as exercised without further payment and shall withhold such number
of Shares from the Shares acquired by the exercise of the Option.
Section 6.5 Termination. Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable
Award Agreement, each Option shall automatically terminate, and shall cease to be exercisable, upon
the earlier of (a) the tenth anniversary of the date the Option is granted and (b) ninety days
after the date the Participant who is holding the Option ceases for any reason to be a director,
officer, employee or consultant of the Company or one of its Affiliates, and vesting of the Option
shall automatically terminate as of the date that the Participants service as a director, officer,
employee or consultant terminates. In no event may an Option be exercisable after the tenth
anniversary of the date the Option is granted.
Section 6.6 Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under
Section 421(b) of the Code. If any Participant shall make any disposition of Shares delivered
pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section
421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Participant shall notify
the Company of such disposition within ten days after the disposition.
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ARTICLE VII
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
Section 7.1 Grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have discretion to determine (a) the Participants to whom SARs shall be granted, (b) subject
to Section 4.1, the number of SARs to be granted to each Participant, (c) the Exercise Price of the
SARs, (d) whether the SARs will be granted in tandem with other Awards, and (e) the terms of each
SAR, including the vesting criteria, term, methods of exercise and methods and form of settlement.
Section 7.2 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of each Share covered by
an SAR shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Share (determined as of the
date the SAR is granted). Each SAR is, unless otherwise specified by the Committee, intended to
qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Section 7.3 Vesting and Exercise. Each SAR shall entitle the Participant
to receive an amount upon exercise equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a Share
on the date of exercise of the SAR over the Exercise Price of the SAR. The Committee shall
determine, in its discretion, whether an SAR shall be settled in cash, Shares, other securities,
other Awards, other property or a combination of any of the foregoing. Each SAR shall be vested
and exercisable at such times, in such manner and subject to such terms as the Committee may, in
its discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. Except as otherwise
specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, each SAR shall become vested with
respect to twenty percent of the Shares subject to such SAR on each of the first five anniversaries
of the date of grant.
Section 7.4 Termination. Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable
Award Agreement, each SAR shall automatically terminate, without any payment, upon the earlier of
(a) the tenth anniversary of the date the SAR is granted and (b) ninety days after the date the
Participant who is holding the SAR ceases for any reason to be a director, officer, employee or
consultant of the Company or one of its Affiliates. In no event may an SAR be exercisable after
the tenth anniversary of the date the SAR is granted.
ARTICLE VIII
RESTRICTED SHARES AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Section 8.1 Grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have discretion to determine (a) the Participants to whom Restricted Shares and Restricted
Stock Units shall be granted, (b) subject to Section 4.1, the number of Restricted Shares and
Restricted Stock Units to be granted to each Participant, (c) the duration of the period during
which, and the conditions, if any, under which, the Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
may vest or may be forfeited to the Company, and (d) the terms of each such Award, including the
vesting criteria, term, methods of exercise and methods and form of settlement.
Section 8.2 Transfer Restrictions. No Restricted Share may be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered except as provided in the Plan or as may be
provided in the applicable Award Agreement. Each Restricted Share may be evidenced in such
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manner
as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in
the name of the applicable Participant, such certificates must bear an appropriate
legend referring to the terms and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and the
Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of such certificates until such time as
all applicable restrictions lapse.
Section 8.3 Payment and Lapse of Restrictions.
(a) Each Restricted Stock Unit shall be granted with respect to a specified number
of Shares (or a number of Shares determined pursuant to a specified formula) or shall have a value
equal to the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares (or a number of Shares determined
pursuant to a specified formula). Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in cash, Shares, other
securities, other Awards or other property, as determined in the discretion of the Committee, upon
the lapse of applicable restrictions, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award
Agreement. Except as otherwise specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement,
Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units shall become vested with respect to twenty percent of
the Shares subject to such Awards on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant. If
a Restricted Share or a Restricted Stock Unit is intended to qualify as performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, all requirements set forth in Article XI must be
satisfied in order for the applicable restrictions to lapse.
(b) Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, (1) each
Restricted Share and Restricted Stock Unit shall cease to vest on the date that the Participant who
holds the Restricted Share or Restricted Stock Unit ceases for any reason to be a director,
officer, employee or consultant of the Company or one of its Affiliates, and (2) the Participants
rights with respect to the unvested portion of each Restricted Share or Restricted Stock Unit shall
terminate automatically terminate as of the date that the Participants service as a director,
officer, employee or consultant terminates.
Section 8.4 Requirement of Consent and Notification of Election Under Section
83(b) of the Code. No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in
the year of transfer the amounts specified in Section 83(b) of the Code) or under a similar
provision of law may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the applicable Award
Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. If an
Award recipient, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan or otherwise, is
expressly permitted under the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by such Committee action
to make such an election and the Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the
Committee of such election within ten days after filing notice of the election with the Internal
Revenue Service (or any successor) or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and
notification required pursuant to rules and regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code or
any other applicable provision.
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ARTICLE IX
OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS; DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS
Section 9.1 Other Stock-Based Awards. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, the Committee shall have discretion to grant to Participants other equity-based or
equity-related Awards (including both fully vested Shares and unfunded and unsecured covenants by
the
Company to deliver Shares in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreements, and
whether payable in cash, equity or otherwise) in such amounts and subject to such terms as the
Committee shall determine. If such other equity-based or equity-related Awards are intended to
qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, all requirements set
forth in Article XI must be satisfied with respect to such Awards.
Section 9.2 Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. In the discretion of the
Committee, an Award Agreement pertaining to Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or any other
Award (excluding an Option, an SAR or a Cash Incentive Award) may provide the Participant with the
right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other securities,
other Awards or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such terms as may be specified
in the Award Agreement, including, (a) payment directly to the Participant, (b) withholding of such
amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award, or (c) reinvestment in additional Shares,
Restricted Shares or other Awards.
ARTICLE X
CASH INCENTIVE AWARDS
Section 10.1 Grant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee
shall have discretion to determine (a) the Participants to whom Cash Incentive Awards shall be
granted, (b) subject to Section 4.1, the amount of cash that is payable under the Cash Incentive
Award granted to each Participant, (c) the duration of the period during which, and the conditions,
if any, under which, the Cash Incentive Awards may vest or may be forfeited to the Company, and (d)
the other terms of the Cash Incentive Awards. The Committee may, in its discretion, set
performance goals or other payment conditions that, depending on the extent to which they are met
during a specified performance period, shall determine the amount of cash that shall be paid to
each Participant under his or her Cash Incentive Award.
Section 10.2 Earning of Cash Incentive Awards. Subject to the provisions
of the Plan, after any applicable vesting or performance period has ended, the holder of a Cash
Incentive Award shall be entitled to receive a payment of the amount of cash earned by the
Participant over the specified vesting or performance period, to be determined by the Committee in
its discretion, as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals or other
conditions to payment have been achieved.
Section 10.3 Treatment of Cash Incentive Awards as Performance Awards.
Each Cash Incentive Award that is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code must satisfy the Performance Award requirements set forth in Article XI
in order for a Participant to be entitled to payment with respect to the Cash Incentive Award.
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ARTICLE XI
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
Section 11.1 General.
(a) Unless otherwise specified by the Committee, each Cash Incentive Award shall
be intended by the Committee to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code and all requirements set forth in this Article XI for a Performance
Award must be satisfied in order for a Participant to be entitled to payment with respect to a Cash
Incentive Award. The Committee has discretion to specify at the time of the grant of a Cash
Incentive Award that it is not intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code, in which event the requirements of Article XI shall not apply to the
Cash Incentive Award.
(b) The Committee shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award
other than a Cash Incentive Award, to designate such Award as a Performance Award in order for such
Award to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, in which
event the requirements set forth in this Article XI must be satisfied with respect to such Award.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, including
applicable Treasury Regulations, Options and SARs granted under the Plan shall not be required to
satisfy the requirements of this Article XI that are applicable to Performance Awards.
Section 11.2 Eligibility. The Committee shall, in its discretion,
designate within the first ninety days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum
period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) which Participants shall be eligible to receive
Performance Awards in respect of such Performance Period. Designation of a Participant as being
eligible to receive a Performance Award for a particular Performance Period shall not require
designation of such Participant as being eligible to receive a Performance Award in any subsequent
Performance Period, and designation of one Person as a Participant eligible to receive a
Performance Award shall not require designation of any other Person as a Participant eligible to
receive a Performance Award in such period or in any other period.
Section 11.3 Discretion of the Committee with Respect to Performance
Awards. With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have discretion to
select (a) the length of such Performance Period, (b) the type(s) of Performance Awards to be
issued, (c) the Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), (d)
the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goal(s) that is (are) to apply to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions or operational units, or any combination of the
foregoing, and (e) the Performance Formula. Within the first ninety days of a Performance Period
(or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee
shall, with regard to the Performance Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its
discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and
record the same in writing.
Section 11.4 Performance Criteria. The Performance Criteria that shall be
used to establish the Performance Goal(s) with respect to Performance Awards shall be based on the
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attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, Affiliates,
divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing, calculated over a period of
one fiscal year or any other shorter or longer period specified by the Committee, and shall be
limited to the following: (a) net income; (b) income before income taxes; (c) net income per
Share; (d) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization; (e) increases in
Share price; (f) sales (including specified types or categories of sales); (g) gross or net margin;
(h) operating income; (i) reductions in costs and expenses (including specified types or
categories of costs and expenses); (j) cash flow (including specified types or categories of
cash flow); (k) return on shareholders equity or invested capital; (l) return on assets or sales;
(m) working capital; (n) objective measures of productivity or operating efficiency; (o) market
share (in the aggregate or by segment); (p) amount or performance of business acquisitions; (q)
market capitalization; and (r) book value. Such Performance Criteria may be applied on an absolute
basis, be relative to one or more peer companies of the Company or indices or any combination
thereof or, if applicable, be computed on an accrual or cash accounting basis. To the extent
required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first ninety days of the
applicable Performance Period (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section
162(m) of the Code), define in an objective manner the method of calculating the Performance
Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period.
Section 11.5 Modification of Performance Goals. The Committee is
authorized at any time during the first ninety days of a Performance Period (or, if shorter, within
the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or any time thereafter (but only to
the extent the exercise of such authority after such ninety-day period, or such shorter period, if
applicable, would not cause the Performance Awards granted to any Participant for the Performance
Period to fail to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code), in
its discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance
Period to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (a) in the event of, or in
anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development
affecting the Company, or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to the
extent applicable to such Performance Goal) or (b) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any
other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries,
divisions or operating units (to the extent applicable to such Performance Goal), or the financial
statements of the Company or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, divisions or operating units (to
the extent applicable to such Performance Goal), or of changes in applicable rules, rulings,
regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting
principles, law or business conditions.
Section 11.6 Payment of Performance Awards.
(a) Condition to Receipt of Payment. Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable Award Agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for any payment in respect of a
Performance Award for such Performance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing and to the extent
permitted by Section 162(m) of the Code, in the discretion of the Committee, a full or partial
Performance Award may be paid to a Participant who has retired, or has terminated his or her
employment due to a long-term disability, in accordance with Company policies prior to the
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last day
of the Performance Period for which a Performance Award is made or to the designee or estate of a
Participant who has died prior to the last day of a Performance Period.
(b) Limitation. Except as otherwise permitted by Section 162(m) of the
Code, a Participant shall be eligible to receive payments in respect of a Performance Award only to
the extent that (1) the Performance Goal(s) for the relevant Performance Period is achieved and
certified by the Committee in accordance with Section 11.6(c) and (2) the Performance Formula
as applied against such Performance Goal(s) determines that all or some portion of such
Participants Performance Award has been earned for such Performance Period.
(c) Certification. Following the completion of a Performance Period and
prior to the payment of any Performance Awards, the Committee shall certify in writing whether, and
to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so,
certify in writing that amount of the Performance Awards earned for the period based upon the
Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the actual amount of each Participants
Performance Award for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply negative discretion as
authorized by Section 11.6(d).
(d) Negative Committee Discretion. In determining the actual amount of an
individual Performance Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may, in its discretion, reduce
or eliminate the amount of the Award earned in the Performance Period, even if applicable
Performance Goals have been attained, so long as the exercise of such discretion by the Committee
would not cause the Performance Award to fail to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code.
(e) Other Committee Discretion. Except as otherwise permitted by Section
162(m) of the Code, in no event shall any discretionary authority granted to the Committee by the
Plan be used to (1) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Awards for a Performance
Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained, (2) increase a
Performance Award for any Participant at any time after the first ninety days of the Performance
Period (or, if shorter, the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code, or (3)
increase the amount of a Performance Award above the maximum amount payable under Section 4.1(b) of
the Plan.
(f) Timing of Performance Award Payments; Shareholder Approval Required.
(i) The Performance Awards earned for a Performance Period shall be paid to
Participants as soon as administratively possible following completion of the certification
required by Section 11.6(c). However, in no event shall any Performance Award granted for a
Performance Period be paid later than the fifteenth day of the third month following the end of the
Performance Period.
(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article XI, no Performance
Award shall be paid to any Participant unless and until the approval by the Companys shareholders
regarding the Plan that is required by Section 162(m) of the Code has been obtained.
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ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
Section 12.1 Amendment or Termination of the Plan. The Plan (or any
portion of it) may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Board without the approval of the
shareholders of the Company, except that shareholder approval shall be required for any amendment
that would (a) increase the Plan Share Limit or increase the maximum number of
Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan,
provided, however, that any adjustment under Section 4.2 shall not constitute an increase for
purposes of this Section 12.1, (b) change the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 5.1 for
participation in the Plan, (c) result in an amendment, cancellation or other action described in
clause (a), (b) or (c) of the second sentence of Section 12.2, or (d) amend the Plan in any other
manner that requires shareholder approval under Section 162(m) of the Code, under the rules of
NASDAQ (or any successor exchange or quotation system on which the Shares may be listed or quoted)
or under any other applicable laws, rules or regulations. No amendment or termination of the Plan
may, without the consent of the Participant to whom any Award shall have been granted, materially
and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award, unless otherwise provided by
the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement.
Section 12.2 Amendments to Awards; No Repricing of Awards. The Committee
may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms or conditions of, or alter, suspend,
discontinue, cancel or terminate any Award that has been granted under the Plan, prospectively or
retroactively; provided, however, that, except as set forth in the Plan or the applicable Award
Agreement, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or
termination that would materially and adversely impair the rights of the Participant who holds the
Award shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the Participant.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event may any Option or SAR (a) be amended to
decrease the Exercise Price of the Option or SAR, (b) be cancelled at a time when its Exercise
Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares in exchange for another Option or SAR
or any Restricted Share, Restricted Stock Unit, other equity-based Award, award under any other
equity-compensation plan or any cash payment, or (c) be subject to any action that would be
treated, for accounting purposes, as a repricing of such Option or SAR, unless such amendment,
cancellation or action is approved by the Companys shareholders. For the avoidance of doubt, an
adjustment to the Exercise Price of an Option or SAR that is made in accordance with Section 4.2 or
Section 13.2 shall not be considered a reduction in the Exercise Price or a repricing of such
Option or SAR.
ARTICLE XIII
CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
Section 13.1 Definition. Change of Control means the occurrence
of any of the following events, unless a different definition of Change of Control is set forth
in the applicable Award Agreement:
(a) The completion of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation or entity, excluding a merger or consolidation which results in the voting securities
of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the completion of such merger or
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consolidation
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving corporation or other entity or its parent) more than fifty percent of
the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
corporation or other entity or its parent outstanding immediately after the completion of the
merger or consolidation;
(b) The completion of the sale or other disposition of all, or substantially all,
of the Companys assets (in one or a series of related transactions) to any corporation or other
entity or Person or group (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act), excluding any sale or other disposition of the Companys assets in a merger or consolidation
described in paragraph (a) above that does not constitute a Change of Control; or
(c) Any Person or group (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2)
of the Exchange Act), other than the Company, becomes the Beneficial Owner of outstanding
securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent of the total voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of the Company if, within two years after such fifty percent
ownership threshold has been exceeded, a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into such
Person or group (or with or into an Affiliate of such Person or group) is completed, with the date
of the Change of Control for purposes of this paragraph (c) to be the date of the completion of
such merger or consolidation.
Section 13.2 Effect of a Change of Control. Unless otherwise provided in
the applicable Award Agreements or unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Change of
Control occurs and if the agreements entered into by the Company with respect to the Change of
Control do not provide for, on a basis determined by the Committee to be appropriate, (x) the
continuation in full force and effect of the applicable Awards that are outstanding as of the
Change of Control, (y) the assumption in full by the Companys successor in the Change of Control
of such Awards that are outstanding as of the Change of Control, or (z) the substitution by the
Companys successor in the Change of Control for such Awards of new awards with substantially
similar terms, including securities of the successor corporation or its parent corporation (as
defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of
securities and exercise prices with respect to Options, SARs, Restricted Shares and Restricted
Stock Units, then:
(a) Any outstanding Options or SARs then held by Participants that are
unexercisable or otherwise unvested shall automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested,
as the case may be, as of five days prior to the Change of Control and shall terminate on the date
of the Change of Control;
(b) All Awards designated as Performance Awards shall be paid out as if the date
of the Change of Control were the last day of the applicable Performance Period and target
performance levels had been attained; provided, however, that the Committee shall have discretion
to cancel, without payment and effective as of the Change of Control, any or all outstanding
Incentive Cash Awards that constitute Performance Awards if the Change of Control occurs prior to
the completion of at least fifty percent of the Performance Period governing such Incentive Cash
Awards; and
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(c) All other outstanding Awards (i.e., other than Options, SARs and Awards
designated as Performance Awards) then held by Participants that are unexercisable, unvested or
still subject to restrictions or forfeiture, shall automatically be deemed exercisable and vested
and all restrictions and forfeiture provisions related to such Awards shall lapse immediately prior
to the Change of Control.
Section 13.3 Dissolution of the Company. If the Companys
shareholders approve the dissolution of the Company, all then-outstanding Awards under the Plan
shall terminate on the date that the Company files a certificate of dissolution with the California
Secretary of State pursuant to Section 1905 of the California General Corporation Law. At any time
after the Companys shareholders approve the dissolution of the Company but prior to the filing of
the certificate of dissolution, the Committee shall have discretion to make such adjustments to the
terms of any or all outstanding Awards as it determines are appropriate, including providing that
(a) any or all outstanding but unvested Options and SARs shall become vested and exercisable in
full for a period specified by the Committee and (b) any or all outstanding but unvested Restricted
Shares and Restricted Stock Units shall become vested in full.
ARTICLE XIV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 14.1 Award Agreements. Each Award under the Plan shall be
evidenced by an Award Agreement, in a form approved by the Committee and which shall be delivered
to the Participant and shall specify the terms of the Award including, if so desired by the
Committee, the effect on such Award of the death, disability or termination of employment or
service of a Participant and the effect, if any, of such other events as may be determined by the
Committee. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to, and governed by, all of the terms of the
Plan.
Section 14.2 Share Certificates. All certificates for Shares or other
securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the
exercise of any Award shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the
Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement or the rules,
regulations and other requirements of the SEC, NASDAQ or any other stock exchange or quotation
system upon which such Shares or other securities are then listed or quoted and any applicable
federal or state laws, rules and regulations, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be
placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
Section 14.3 Nontransferability. Except as otherwise specified in the
applicable Award Agreement, during a Participants lifetime each Award (and any rights and
obligations under the Award) shall be exercisable only by the Participant or, if permissible under
applicable laws, rules and regulations, by the Participants legal guardian or representative, and
no Award (or any rights and obligations under the Award) may be assigned, alienated, pledged,
attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge,
attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or
any Affiliate; provided that (a) the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an
assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance, and (b) the Board or the
Committee may adopt rules permitting the transfer, solely as gifts during the Participants
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lifetime, of Awards to (x) members of a Participants immediate family or to trusts, family
partnerships or similar entities for the benefit of such immediate family members (such term
meaning the Participants spouse, parent, child, stepchild, grandchild and the spouses of such
family members) and (y) charitable institutions. However, Incentive Stock Options granted under the
Plan shall not be transferable in any way that would violate applicable Treasury Regulations and in
no event may any Award (or any rights and obligations under the Award) be transferred in
any way in exchange for value. All terms of the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be
binding upon any permitted successors and assigns.
Section 14.4 Other Laws; Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. The
Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Award if,
acting in its discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Shares or such other
consideration might violate any applicable law, rule or regulation or entitle the Company to
recover a Participants profits under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered
to the Company by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of
such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be construed as an
offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until
the Committee in its discretion has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance
with all applicable requirements of federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations.
Section 14.5 No Rights to Awards. No Participant or other Person shall
have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of
Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms of Awards and the Committees
determinations and interpretations with respect to Awards need not be the same with respect to each
Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are
similarly situated.
Section 14.6 No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be
construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained as a director, officer, employee or
consultant of or to the Company or any Affiliate. Furthermore, the Company or an Affiliate may at
any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any directorship or consulting
relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly
provided in the applicable Award Agreement.
Section 14.7 Rights as a Shareholder. No Participant or holder or
beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares to be
distributed under the Plan until he or she has become the holder of such Shares. In connection
with each grant of Restricted Shares, except as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the
Participant shall be entitled to the rights of a shareholder (including the right to vote) in
respect of such Restricted Shares. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.2 or the applicable
Award Agreement, no adjustments shall be made for dividends or distributions on (whether ordinary
or extraordinary, and whether in cash, Shares, other securities or other property), or other events
relating to, Shares subject to an Award for which the record date is prior to the date such Shares
are delivered.
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Section 14.8 No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award
shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on the one hand, and a Participant or any other
Person, on the other. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the
Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any
unsecured general creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.
Section 14.9 No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued
or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash,
other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or
whether such fractional Shares or any rights to fractional Shares shall be canceled, terminated or
otherwise eliminated.
Section 14.10 No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements. Except as
provided in Section 1.4, nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate
from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not,
provide for the grant of options, restricted stock, shares, other types of equity-based awards and
cash incentive awards (subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required), and such
arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
Section 14.11 Recoupment of Awards.
(a) If, due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial
reporting requirement of the United States securities laws, rules and regulations, the Company is
required to prepare an accounting restatement of its financial statements, the Company shall take
the following actions with respect to each Award that was granted under the Plan during the
three-year period preceding the date on which the Company becomes required to prepare such
restatement, regardless as to whether such restatement is attributable to any Participants or
other Persons negligence, fraud or other misconduct:
(i) If an Award is unpaid, unvested or unexercised, the Company shall cancel all
or a portion of the Award, if and to the extent that the Committee determines that the Award to the
Participant was based upon erroneous data contained in the Companys financial statements and was
in excess of the Award that the Participant would have received based upon the Companys restated
financial statements;
(ii) If any Shares have been issued by the Company to the Participant under the
Award and have vested, the Participant shall be required to transfer to the Company, for no
consideration, all or a portion of such Shares or a cash amount equal to the Fair Market Value of
such Shares as of the date of the restated financial statements, if and to the extent that the
Committee determines that the Award of such Shares received by the Participant was based upon
erroneous data contained in the Companys financial statements and was in excess of the Shares that
the Participant would have received based upon the Companys restated financial statements; and
(iii) If an Award has been paid in cash by the Company to the Participant under
the Award, the Participant shall be required to return to the Company, for no
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consideration, all or
a portion of such cash, if and to the extent that the Committee determines that the Award of such
cash payment received by the Participant was based upon erroneous data contained in the Companys
financial statements and was in excess of the cash payment that the Participant would have received
based upon the Companys restated financial statements.
(b) After taking into account any proposed or final rules and regulations that may
be issued by the SEC under Section 10D of the Exchange Act regarding the recovery of
erroneously awarded compensation, the Board shall have the discretion to adopt a written
policy that implements, interprets and enforces the Awards recoupment requirements set forth in
Section 14.11(a), and all Awards made under the Plan shall be subject to any such written policy
that is adopted by the Board. The Board is also authorized to amend any or all of the terms of
Section 14.11(a) following its review of such proposed or final SEC rules and regulations under
Section 10D of the Exchange Act.
(c) An Award Agreement may include restrictive covenants, including
non-competition, non-disparagement and confidentiality conditions or restrictions, that the
Participant must comply with during employment by the Company or an Affiliate or for a specified
period thereafter as a condition to the Participants receipt or retention of all or any portion of
an Award.
Section 14.12 Withholding.
(a) Authority to Withhold. A Participant may be required to pay to the
Company or any Affiliate, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is authorized
to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan
or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Shares, other
securities, other Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of an
Award, its exercise or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such
other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all
obligations for the payment of such taxes.
(b) Alternative Ways to Satisfy Withholding Liability. Without limiting
the generality of Section 14.12(a), subject to the Committees discretion, a Participant may
satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by delivery of Shares owned by
the Participant (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) having a Fair
Market Value equal to such withholding liability or by having the Company withhold from the number
of Shares otherwise issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR, or the lapse of the
restrictions on any other Award (in the case of SARs and other Awards, if such SARs and other
Awards are settled in Shares), a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to such
withholding liability.
Section 14.13 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(a) It is intended that the provisions of the Plan shall comply with Section 409A
of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in a manner
consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code.
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(b) No Participant or the creditors or beneficiaries of a Participant shall have
the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code)
payable under the Plan to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any
deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to any Participant
or for the benefit of any Participant under the Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any
amount owing by any such Participant to the Company or any of its Affiliates.
(c) If, at the time of a Participants separation from service (within the meaning
of Section 409A of the Code), (1) such Participant shall be a specified employee (within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the
Company from time to time) and (2) the Company shall make a good faith determination that an amount
payable pursuant to an Award constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A
of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule
set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of
the Code, then the Company shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but
shall instead pay it on the first business day after such six-month period. Such amount shall be
paid without interest, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or as
otherwise provided in any applicable employment agreement between the Company and the relevant
Participant.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in light of the
uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, the Committee
reserves the right to make amendments to any Award as the Committee deems necessary or desirable to
avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. In any case, a
Participant shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties
that may be imposed on such Participant or for such Participants account in connection with an
Award (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company
nor any of its Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold such Participant
harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.
Section 14.14 Severability; Successor Statutes.
(a) If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would
disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law, rule or regulation deemed applicable by the
Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law,
rule or regulation, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of
the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be
construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan
and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(b) References in the Plan to specific sections of, or rules or regulations under,
the Code, the Exchange Act or any other statute include such sections, rules and regulations as
they may be amended after the Effective Date and include any successor provisions to such cited
sections, rules and regulations.
A-23
Approved by the Board 12/9/10
Section 14.15 Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the
Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of California, without giving effect to the
conflict of laws provisions of the State of California.
A-24
CALAVO GROWERS, INC.
PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 27, 2011
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The undersigned hereby appoints Lecil E. Cole and J. Link Leavens, and each of them, as the
attorneys, agents and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution to each, to
attend and act as proxy or proxies of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Calavo Growers, Inc. to be held at 15765 W. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, California, 93060 on
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof,
and to vote as specified herein the number of shares which the undersigned, if personally present,
would be entitled to vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE (1) FOR THE ELECTION OF THE THIRTEEN
DIRECTORS NOMINATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND NAMED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS PROXY, (2)
FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, (3) FOR APPROVAL OF THE CALAVO
GROWERS, INC. 2011 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN, (4) FOR ADVISORY APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION DISCLOSED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT, AND (5) FOR A FREQUENCY OF EVERY ONE
YEAR FOR FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, IT WILL
BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS PROXY AND FOR A
FREQUENCY OF EVERY ONE YEAR FOR FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (PROPOSAL 5). IF
NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THE VOTING POWER GRANTED TO THE PROXIES INCLUDES THE POWER TO VOTE
CUMULATIVELY IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS IF DEEMED NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE BY THE PROXIES.
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
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1.
ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
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o
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FOR all
nominees listed
below (except to
withhold authority
to vote for any
individual nominee
or nominees, strike
a line through the
name(s) of the
nominee(s) below.
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o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
to vote for all
nominees listed
below
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o
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* CUMULATIVE VOTING
ELECTION |
* (INSTRUCTIONS: If you desire to allocate your votes to individual nominees on a
cumulative basis, as explained in the accompanying Proxy Statement, mark the CUMULATIVE VOTING
ELECTION box and indicate the number of votes that you would like to have cast FOR each
nominee. The total of the votes you cast on this proxy may not exceed the number of shares you
own times thirteen. For example, if you own 100 shares, you are entitled to cast 1,300 votes
for director nominees. However, if you have cast your proxy for either of the other above two
choices, do not complete this table.)
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Director Nominee Name |
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Number of Votes |
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Lecil E. Cole
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Votes FOR |
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George H. Barnes
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Votes FOR |
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Michael D. Hause
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Votes FOR |
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Donald M. Sanders
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Votes FOR |
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Marc L. Brown
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Votes FOR |
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Alva V. Snider
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Votes FOR |
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Scott Van Der Kar
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Votes FOR |
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J. Link Leavens
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Votes FOR |
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Dorcas H. McFarlane
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Votes FOR |
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John M. Hunt
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Votes FOR |
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Egidio Carbone, Jr.
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Votes FOR |
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Harold Edwards
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Votes FOR |
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Steven Hollister
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Votes FOR |
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Total Votes Cast:
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2. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF CALAVO GROWERS, INC. FOR THE YEAR
ENDING OCTOBER 31, 2011 |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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o
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o
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o |
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3. APPROVAL OF THE
CALAVO GROWERS, INC. 2011 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
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o |
FOR
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o |
AGAINST
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o |
ABSTAIN
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4. ADVISORY VOTE APPROVING THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCLOSED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT
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o |
FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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5. ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
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o
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1 YEAR
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o
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2 YEARS
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o
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3 YEARS |
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o ABSTAIN
6. OTHER BUSINESS. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to
vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting and at
any and all adjournments or postponements thereof. The Board of Directors, at
present, knows of no other business to be presented at the meeting.
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I (WE)
WILL
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WILL
NOT
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ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. |
ADDRESS LABEL
THIS SPACE MUST BE LEFT BLANK
The undersigned hereby ratifies and
confirms all that the attorneys and proxies,
or either of them, or their substitutes,
shall lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof, and hereby revokes any and
all proxies heretofore given by the
undersigned to vote at the meeting. The
undersigned acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of Annual Meeting and the Proxy
Statement accompanying such notice.
Signature
Please date this proxy card and sign above
exactly as your name appears on this card.
Joint owners should each sign personally.
Corporate proxies should be signed by an
authorized officer. Executors,
administrators, trustee, etc., should give
their full titles.