def14a
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant: |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for use of the Commission only |
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(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12 |
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Conns, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
CONNS, INC.
3295 College Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
(409) 832-1696
NOTICE OF 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held May 30, 2007
To the Stockholders of Conns, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders of Conns, Inc. will be held on
Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, commencing at 10:00 A.M.
local time, for the following purposes:
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to elect nine (9) directors; |
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to ratify the Audit Committees appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as
our independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2008;
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
A copy of the proxy statement relating to the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, in which
the foregoing matters are described in more detail, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K outlining
our operations for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007, accompanies this notice of 2007 annual
meeting of stockholders. For your additional convenience, the Company is posting a copy of this
Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 on
the Companys website at www.conns.com, under investor relations annual meeting information.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 13, 2007 are entitled to notice
of and to vote at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof. A list of
such stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of and the number of
shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, will be available for examination by any
stockholder for any purpose relating to the meeting during ordinary business hours for a period of
at least ten days prior to the meeting at the principal offices of the Company located at 3295
College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you expect to be present at the meeting, please
complete, sign, date and return promptly the enclosed form of proxy in the enclosed pre-addressed,
postage-paid return envelope.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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/s/ Sydney K. Boone, Jr.
SYDNEY K. BOONE, JR.
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Secretary |
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April 25, 2007
Beaumont, Texas
This proxy statement is first being mailed to our stockholders on or about April 27, 2007.
PROXY STATEMENT
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
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Date:
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May 30, 2007 |
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Time:
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10:00 A.M. local time |
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Location:
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Conns, Inc., 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701
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Record Date and Number of Votes:
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April 13, 2007. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock they
owned as of the close of business on April 13, 2007. You may not cumulate votes. |
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Agenda:
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1. to elect nine directors; |
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2. to ratify the Audit Committees appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as
our independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending January 31,
2008; and |
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3. to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
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Proxies:
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Unless you tell us on the enclosed form of proxy to vote differently, we
will vote signed returned proxies FOR the board nominees. The proxy
holders will use their discretion on other matters. If a nominee cannot or
will not serve as a director, the proxy holders will vote for a person whom
they believe will carry on our present policies. |
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Proxies Solicited By:
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The Board of Directors |
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First Mailing Date:
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We are first mailing this Proxy Statement and the form of proxy on or about
April 27, 2007. |
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Revoking Your Proxy:
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You may revoke your proxy before it is voted at the meeting. To revoke
your proxy, follow the procedures listed on page 2 under General
Information Regarding the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; Revocation
of Proxies. |
PLEASE VOTE BY RETURNING YOUR PROXY. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
Prompt return of your proxy will help reduce the costs of re-solicitation.
Table of Contents
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i
GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Quorum
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the
2007 annual meeting of stockholders, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum at
the meeting. However, if a quorum is not present or represented at the meeting, the stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, have the power to
adjourn the meeting, without notice, other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is
present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented,
any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.
Votes Required to Approve Proposals
To be elected, directors must receive a plurality of the shares voting in person or by proxy,
provided a quorum exists. A plurality means receiving the largest number of votes, regardless of
whether that is a majority. A majority of the votes cast is required to approve the ratification
of Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent public accountants, provided a quorum exists.
Record Date, Shares Outstanding and Number of Votes
Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 13, 2007, the record date set
for the meeting by our board, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any
adjournments of the meeting. On the record date, there were 23,543,160 shares of our common stock
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one
vote per share.
Method of Counting Votes, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
Votes cast by proxy or in person will be counted by the inspector of election appointed by the
Company.
Those who fail to return a proxy or who do not attend the meeting will not count towards
determining any required quorum, plurality or majority of votes cast. Stockholders and brokers
returning proxies or attending the meeting who abstain from voting on the election of directors or
on the proposal to ratify Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent public accountants will count
towards determining a quorum. Such abstentions will have no effect on the election of our
directors and will not impact how the shares in the Conns Voting Trust are voted, which votes in
the same proportion as the votes cast for and against a proposal by all other shareholders, not
counting abstentions.
Brokers holding shares of record for customers generally are not entitled to vote on certain
matters unless they receive voting instructions from their customers. Brokers are permitted to
vote on routine, non-controversial proposals in instances where they have not received voting
instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock, e.g., ratification of independent public
accountants, but are not permitted to vote on non-routine matters. In the event that a broker does
not receive voting instructions for non-routine matters, a broker may notify us that it lacks
voting authority to vote those shares. These broker non-votes refer to votes that could have
been cast on the matter in question by brokers with respect to uninstructed shares if the brokers
had received their customers instructions. The inspector of election will treat broker non-votes
as shares that are present and entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the presence of a
quorum. However, for the purpose of determining the outcome of any matter as to which the broker
has indicated on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority to vote, those shares will
be treated as not present and not entitled to vote with respect to that matter (even though those
shares are considered entitled to vote for quorum purposes and may be entitled to vote on other
matters). These broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of our
directors or on the proposal to ratify Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent public accountants.
How the Proxies Will Be Voted
The enclosed proxies will be voted in accordance with the instructions you place on the form
of proxy. Unless you tell us on the enclosed form of proxy to vote differently, we will vote
signed returned
proxies FOR the board nominees and FOR ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young as
our independent public accountants for our fiscal year ending January 31, 2008 . The proxy holders
will use their discretion on other matters. If a nominee cannot or will not serve as a director,
the proxy holders will vote for a person whom they believe will carry on our present policies.
Pursuant to the terms of a voting trust agreement entered into by Stephens Group, Inc.,
Stephens Inc. and certain affiliates of Stephens Inc., which collectively own approximately 47% of
our common stock, unless the voting trust is revoked, the trustee of the voting trust must vote the
shares of common stock held by the voting trust FOR or AGAINST any proposal or other matter
submitted to the stockholders of the company for approval in the same proportion as the votes cast
FOR and AGAINST such proposal or other matter by all other stockholders, not counting
abstentions. Therefore, each proxy received voting FOR or AGAINST any proposal will result in
a proportionate number of shares held in the voting trust to be voted FOR or AGAINST a
proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not impact how the shares in the voting trust are
counted.
Revocation of Proxies
You may revoke your proxy before it is voted. Any stockholder returning the enclosed form of
proxy may revoke such proxy at any time prior to its exercise by:
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delivering a signed proxy, dated later than the original proxy, to our transfer
agent, Computershare., at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, Attention:
Patrick E. Thebado (please make sure our transfer agent receives your proxy at least
two business days prior to the date of the meeting); |
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delivering a signed, written revocation letter, dated later than the proxy, to our
transfer agent, Computershare, at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021,
Attention: Patrick E. Thebado (please make sure our transfer agent receives your
revocation letter at least two business days prior to the date of the meeting); or |
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attending the meeting and voting in person (attending the meeting alone will not
revoke your proxy). |
Your last vote is the vote that will be counted.
Stockholder Proposals and Other Business
From time to time, stockholders seek to nominate directors or present proposals for inclusion
in our proxy statement and form of proxy for consideration at an annual meeting of stockholders.
To be included in our proxy statement and form of proxy or considered at our next annual meeting,
you must timely submit nominations of directors or proposals, in addition to meeting other legal
requirements. We must receive your nominations and/or proposals for the 2008 annual meeting no
later than December 29, 2007 for possible inclusion in the proxy statement or for possible
consideration at the meeting no earlier than December 29, 2007 or later than January 28, 2008.
However, if the date of the 2008 annual meeting changes by more than 30 days from the date of this
years meeting, then we must receive your nominations and/or proposals within a reasonable time
before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials.
We do not intend to bring any business before the 2007 annual stockholders meeting other than
the matters described in this proxy statement nor have we been informed of any matters that may be
presented at the meeting by others. If however, any other business should properly arise, the
persons appointed in the enclosed proxy have discretionary authority to vote in accordance with
their best judgment.
Solicitation of Proxies
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation
of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made by our directors, officers and employees by other
means, including telephone, email or in person. No special compensation will be paid to directors,
officers or employees for the solicitation of proxies. To solicit proxies, we also will request
the assistance of banks,
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brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries, and, upon request, will
reimburse such organizations or individuals for their reasonable expenses in forwarding soliciting
materials to beneficial owners and in obtaining authorization for the execution of proxies.
Annual Report
The booklet containing this proxy statement also contains our Annual Report to Stockholders on
Form 10-K, including audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2007.
The booklet has been mailed to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 13,
2007. Any stockholder that has not received a copy of our annual report may obtain a copy, without
charge, by writing to us at 3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, Attention: Sydney K. Boone,
Jr., Corporate General Counsel. You may also obtain a copy of this proxy statement and Form 10-K
together with all of our SEC filings through the Companys
website at www.conns.com and at the
SECs website at www.sec.gov.
3
PROPOSALS FOR STOCKHOLDER ACTION
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Number of Directors to be Elected
Our board is currently constituted with nine director positions, all of which positions are to
be elected at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders. The nine directors elected at the annual
meeting will hold office until the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders or until their respective
successors have been elected and qualified or their earlier death resignation or removal. You may
not vote for a greater number of directors than those nominated.
Board Nominees
Our board of directors met in March 2007 and considered the candidates for election to the
board at the 2007 annual meeting. A majority of our independent directors recommended that the
board nominate:
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
Marvin D. Brailsford
Jon E.M. Jacoby
Bob L. Martin
Douglas H. Martin
William C. Nylin, Jr.
Scott L. Thompson
William T. Trawick
Theodore M. Wright
for re-election to the Board at the 2007 annual meeting. Each of the nominated directors were
elected and served on the board of directors from the 2006 annual meeting. In making these
recommendations, the independent directors considered the requirements and qualifications discussed
under Board of Directors; Nominating Policies on page 11 of this Proxy Statement. Based on this
recommendation, our board has nominated:
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
Marvin D. Brailsford
Jon E.M. Jacoby
Bob L. Martin
Douglas H. Martin
William C. Nylin, Jr.
Scott L. Thompson
William T. Trawick
Theodore M. Wright
to be elected by the stockholders at the 2007 annual meeting. All nominees have consented to serve
as directors. The board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or
unwilling to act as a director. In the event any of these nominated directors is unable to stand
for election, the board of directors may either reduce the size of the board or designate a
substitute.
For biographical information regarding each of the boards nominees for director, please refer
to Board of Directors; Board Nominees on page 6 of this Proxy Statement.
We Recommend That You Vote For Each Of The Board Nominees.
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PROPOSAL TWO:
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent public accountants for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2007. The Audit Committee of the Board has selected Ernst & Young, LLP as our
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2008. Our Board of Directors
has further directed that we submit the selection of our independent public accountants for
ratification by the stockholders at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Stockholder ratification of the
selection of Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent public accountants is not required by our Bylaws
or otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of Ernst & Young, LLP to the
stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. The Audit Committee believes
it to be in the best interests of our stockholders to retain Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent
public accountants for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008. If the stockholders fail to ratify
the selection, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain Ernst & Young, LLP.
Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment
of a different independent public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine
that such a change would be in our best interests and those of our stockholders. The Audit
Committee annually reviews the performance of our independent public accountants and the fees
charged for their services. The Audit Committee anticipates, from time to time, obtaining
competitive proposals from other independent public accounting firms for our annual audit. Based
upon the Audit Committees analysis of this information, we will determine which independent public
accounting firms to engage to perform our annual audit each year. Representatives of Ernst &
Young, LLP will attend the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions that may be asked by stockholders. These representatives will also have an
opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so.
We Recommend That You Vote For the Ratification of Ernst & Young, LLP As Our Independent Public
Accounting Firm.
5
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Director Nominees:
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. was appointed as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in
1994. He has been employed by us for 47 years, has been a member of our board of directors since
1980 and has held every key management position within the organization, including responsibilities
for distribution, service, credit, information technology, accounting and general operations. Mr.
Frank holds a B.A. degree in industrial arts from Sam Houston State University and attended
graduate courses at Texas A&M University. Mr. Frank completed the SCMP course at Harvard
University. Mr. Frank is 67years old.
Marvin D. Brailsford has served as a director since September 2003. From 1996 until 2002,
General Brailsford served as Vice President-Material Stewardship Project Manager for the U.S.
governments Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site where he was responsible for managing
engineered systems and commodities purchasing. From 1992 to 1996, General Brailsford was president
of the Brailsford Group, Inc., a management consulting company, and served as president of Metters
Industries, Inc., an information technology and systems engineering company, during this time
period. In 1992, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant General, after 33 years of service,
most recently where he served as Deputy Commanding General Materiel Readiness/Executive Director
for Conventional Ammunition at the U.S. Materiel Command in Alexandria, Virginia. Since 1996,
General Brailsford has served on the board of directors of Illinois Tool Works, Inc. and has been a
member of its audit committee and chairman of its corporate governance and nominating committee. He
also serves or has served on the boards of directors of various private and governmental entities.
General Brailsford earned a B.S. degree in biology from Prairie View A & M University and a M.S.
degree in bacteriology from Iowa State University. He is also a graduate of the Executive Program
at the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of California at Berkley; Harvard
Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College;
and the Army War College. General Brailsford is 68 years old.
Jon E. M. Jacoby has served as a director since April 2003. In September 2006 Mr. Jacoby was
elected Vice Chairman and Senior Principal of Stephens Group LLC, a family-owned investment
company, and, on June 30, 2006, was elected as Executive Vice President of SF Holdings, Inc.,
formerly known as The Stephens Group, Inc. In September 2003, he retired as a Vice Chairman of
Stephens Inc., where he was employed since 1963. His positions included Investment Analyst,
Assistant to the President and Manager of the Corporate Finance Department and the Special
Investments Department for Stephens Group, Inc. Mr. Jacoby serves on the board of directors of
Delta and Pine Land Company, Power-One, Inc. and Eden Bioscience Corporation. He received his B.S.
from the University of Notre Dame and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Mr. Jacoby is 68
years old.
Bob L. Martin has served as director since September 2003. Mr. Martin has over 32 years of
retailing and merchandising experience. Prior to retiring from the retail industry in 1999, he
headed the international operations of Wal-Mart International, Inc. for 15 years. From 1968 to
1983 Mr. Martin was responsible for technology services for Dillards, Inc. He currently serves on
the board of directors of Gap, Inc., Sabre Holdings Corporation, Furniture Brands International and
Guitar Center, Incorporated. He has experience as chairman of the corporate governance committee
and compensation committee, and has been a member of the audit committee of publicly held
companies. Mr. Martin attended South Texas University and holds an honorary doctorate degree from
Southwest Baptist University. Mr. Martin is 58 years old.
Douglas H. Martin has served as a director of the predecessor to the Company since 1998, and
was appointed a director of the Company in September 2003, when it became a publicly held entity.
Mr. Martin is an Executive Vice President of Stephens Inc. where he has been employed since 1981.
He is responsible for the investment of the firms capital in private companies. Mr. Martin serves
as a member of the board of directors of numerous privately held companies. He received his B.A. in
physics and economics from Vanderbilt University and his M.B.A. from Stanford University. Mr.
Martin is 53 years old.
6
William C. Nylin, Jr. was appointed to our board as Executive Vice Chairman of the Board by
the board of directors on March 28, 2006, to fill the newly created ninth board position. Dr.
Nylin has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 1995. From 1995 until April 1, 2006, Dr.
Nylin also served as our President. He was a director of the predecessor to the Company commencing
in 1993, and remained a member until September 2003, when the Company became a publicly held
entity. In addition to responsibilities as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer,
Dr. Nylin has direct responsibility for credit granting and collections, information technology,
risk management, distribution, and service. From 1984 to 1995, Dr. Nylin held several executive
management positions, including Deputy Chancellor and Executive Vice President of Finance and
Operation, at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Nylin obtained his B.S. degree in
mathematics from Lamar University, and holds both a masters and doctorate degree in computer
sciences from Purdue University. He has also completed a post-graduate program at Harvard
University. Dr. Nylin is 64 years old.
Scott L. Thompson has served as a director since June 2004. Mr. Thompson is recently retired
from Group 1 Automotive where he played a major role in the founding and subsequent growth of that
New York Stock Exchange listed and Fortune 500 Company. He served as Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Group 1 from February 2002 until his retirement in January
2005. From 1996 until February 2002, Mr. Thompson served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer of Group 1. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Thompson served as Executive Vice
President, Operations and Finance for KSA Industries, Inc., a billion dollar diversified enterprise
with interests in automotive retailing, investments, energy and professional sports. Mr. Thompson
is also a director of UAP Holding Corp. and Houston Wire and Cable. Mr. Thompson has extensive
experience in automotive retailing, investments, energy and professional sports and is a certified
public accountant. Mr. Thompson is 48 years old.
William T. Trawick has served as a director of the Company since September 2003, when the
Company became a publicly held entity. Since August 2000, Mr. Trawick has served as Executive
Director of NATM Buying Corporation where he oversees the administrative activities of the
multi-billion dollar regional group purchasing program of which we are a member. He also functioned
as a consultant to our merchandising department until September, 2006. From September 1996 to July
1999, Mr. Trawick served as our Vice President of Merchandising and was responsible for all product
purchasing, merchandising and store operations. Mr. Trawick is 60 years old.
Theodore M. Wright has served as a director since September 2003, when the Company became a
publicly held entity. Mr. Wright served as the President of Sonic Automotive, Inc., a New York
Stock Exchange listed and Fortune 300 automotive retailer, from October 2002 until his retirement
in April 2005. Previously Mr. Wright served as its chief financial officer from April 1997 to
April 2003. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Wright was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLPs Columbia,
South Carolina office. From 1994 to 1995, he was a Senior Manager in Deloitte & Touche LLPs
National Office of Accounting Research and SEC Services Department. Mr. Wright received a B.A. from
Davidson College. Mr. Wright is 44 years old.
These directors will serve one year terms which expire at our 2008 annual meeting of
stockholders.
Nomination Policies and Procedures Governance
In preparation of our initial public offering, we conducted a thorough process of selecting
qualified directors for our board. All directors whose terms expire at this annual meeting, except
Mr. Jacoby, Dr. Nylin, and Mr. Thompson, were appointed in September 2003 in preparation for that
offering. Mr. Jacoby was appointed to our board in April 2003, Mr. Thompson was appointed to our
board in June 2004, and Dr. Nylin was appointed to our Board in March 2006. We do not currently
have a standing nominating committee. Our board believes that at this time it would not be a
prudent use of our boards resources to have a separate nominating committee and those resources
are better utilized on our other committees and board functions. Thus, in accordance with Nasdaq
rules, a majority of our independent directors recommend and will continue to recommend director
nominees for the boards selection.
The goal of our board has been, and continues to be, to identify nominees for service on the
board of directors who will bring a variety of perspectives and skills from their professional and
business experience. In furtherance of this goal, our board has adopted nominating policies and
procedures which
7
are
available on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations Governance. The
independent directors will consider candidates for nomination proposed by stockholders so long as
they are made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14 of our Bylaws.
For the independent directors to consider candidates recommended by stockholders, Section 2.14
of our Bylaws requires that the stockholder provide written notice to our Secretary no later than
the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business
on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the anniversary date of the proxy
statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting of the stockholders. The notice to our
Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for
election or re-election as a director, information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each
case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including such persons
written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if
elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a
brief description of such business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any
material interest in the business by the stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address, as they
appear on the companys books, of such stockholder and beneficial owner; and (ii) the class and
number of shares of the company that are owned beneficially and held of record by such stockholder
and such beneficial owner. Notwithstanding this procedure, the Board may, in its discretion,
exclude from any proxy materials set to stockholders any matters that may properly be excluded
under the Exchange Act, Securities and Exchange Commission rules or other applicable laws.
The independent directors believe that the minimum requirements for a person to be qualified
to be a member of the board of directors, are that a person must (i) be an individual of the
highest character and integrity and have an inquiring mind, vision, a willingness to ask hard
questions and the ability to work well with others; (ii) be free of any conflict of interest that
would violate any applicable law or regulation or interfere with the proper and reasonable
performance of the responsibilities of a director; (iii) be willing and able to devote sufficient
time to the affairs of the company and be diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities of a director
and board committee member (including developing and maintaining sufficient knowledge of the
company and its industry; reviewing and analyzing reports and other information important to the
board and committee responsibilities; preparing for, attending and participating in board and
committee meetings; and satisfying appropriate orientation and continuing education guidelines);
and (iv) have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interest of the stockholders
as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency. The independent directors
evaluate whether certain individuals possess the foregoing qualities and recommends to the board
for nomination candidates for election or re-election as directors at the annual meeting of
stockholders, or if applicable, at a special meeting of stockholders. This process is the same
regardless of whether the nominee is recommended by our board or one of our stockholders.
Independent Board Composition
Nasdaq requires that a majority of the board of directors of a listed company be
independent. Nasdaqs rules provide that an independent director is a person other than an
officer or employee of the company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a
relationship that, in the opinion of the companys board of directors, would interfere with the
exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Utilizing and
applying the rules of Nasdaq as to whether a director is considered to not be independent, the
board has determined during fiscal 2007 that the following directors are independent as defined by
NASD listing standards: Marvin D. Brailsford, Jon E.M. Jacoby, Bob L. Martin, William T. Trawick,
Scott L. Thompson, and Theodore M. Wright.
In the course of determination of each directors independence, the board considered Mr.
Jacobys service as Vice Chairman and Senior Principal of Stephens Group LLC, a merchant banking
firm, and as Executive Vice President of SF Holdings, Inc. Warren Stephens owns 50% of SF
Holdings, Inc. and the other 50% is owned by the owners of Stephens Group LLC. Stephens Group, LLC
and SF Holdings, Inc. were each a part of the Stephens Group, Inc., which, along with certain
affiliates and family members of the Stephens Family beneficially, own approximately 47% percent of
the outstanding shares of Conns, together with Mr. Jacobys direct and indirect ownership of
common stock of Conns. Warren Stephens owns 100% of Stephens Inc., the former investment banking
group of Stephens Group, Inc.
8
Mr. Jacoby retired from Stephens Group, Inc. in 2003, but continued to serve as a director of
Stephens Group, Inc. until 2006. Until 2006, Stephens Group, Inc. owned Stephens, Inc. Stephens,
Inc. has provided investment banking and brokerage services to us in the past. After taking into
account such positions held by Mr. Jacoby with a significant shareholder, given his exercise of
independent judgment as one of our directors over the years, the fact that Mr. Jacoby is not
involved with Stephens, Inc., the investment banking firm, and his lack of control of the voting of
common stock, our board of directors determined that above-described relationship would not
interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as one
of our directors.
The independent directors of the board held executive sessions at each meeting of the board of
directors during fiscal 2007.
Board Meetings
During fiscal 2007, the board held four regularly scheduled meetings and one telephonic
meeting. Each person serving as a director during fiscal 2007 attended at least seventy-five
percent (75%) of the board meetings held during the period he served as director during fiscal
2007, except for Bob L. Martin who attended sixty percent (60%) of the board meetings.
Policy Regarding Director Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
It is our policy that each member of the board of directors is encouraged to attend our annual
meeting of stockholders. Each director serving at the time of last years annual meeting attended
our annual meeting of stockholders.
Committees of the Board
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of our independent auditors. It also approves
audit reports and plans, accounting policies, audit fees and certain other expenses. In connection
with the rules adopted by the SEC and NASD, we adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee,
which is posted on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations. The Audit Committee
reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the written charter on an annual basis.
Messrs. Wright, Brailsford and Thompson serve on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee
held four regularly scheduled meetings and five telephonic meetings in fiscal 2007, each of which
was attended by all of the members, and one unanimous written consent in lieu of meeting which was
executed by all members of the Committee. The board has determined that each of Mr. Wright and Mr.
Thompson is an audit committee financial expert as defined by SEC rules. In addition, each of the
members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined by the NASD listing standards and the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee establishes, reviews and approves the CEO compensation package, and
reviews and approves other senior executive officer compensation. It also evaluates the
compensation plans, policies and programs to the executive officers of the company and makes
recommendations to the board of directors concerning such plans, policies and programs, advises the
board regarding compensation plans, policies and programs applicable to non-employee directors for
their services as a director and administers the Companys stock option, stock purchase and other
plans. The Compensation Committee also evaluates the competitiveness of our compensation and the
performance of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer. In connection with
the rules adopted by the SEC and NASD, the Company adopted a written charter for the Compensation
Committee, which is posted on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations.
Messrs. Jacoby, Trawick, and Wright serve on the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee held four regular meetings in fiscal 2007 and one telephonic meeting, each of which was
attended by all members of the Committee. All members of the Compensation Committee
9
were determined to be independent directors as defined by NASD regulations. Additional
information on the Committees processes and procedures for consideration of executive compensation
are addressed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement below.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
We have developed a compensation program for executives and key employees designed to: (i)
reward performance that increases the value of our common stock; (ii) attract, retain and motivate
executives and key employees with competitive compensation opportunities; and (iii) build and
encourage ownership of our shares of common stock. Toward these goals, our compensation program
has been designed and implemented to reward our executives for strong financial and operating
performance and leadership attributes and examples, and to coordinate these criteria with those of
our shareholders. These goals are intended to reward our executive officers and encourage their
long term commitment to the Company. We believe that our compensation programs, consisting of base
salary, annual bonus programs tied to the objective success of our Companys financial performance,
and equity incentive compensation program through granting of stock options tied to the executive
officers performance and retention desires, fulfill our objectives.
Objectives/Reward
Reward Performance: The Companys performance is a key consideration in determining executive
compensation, combined with the continued performance and service to the Company by each executive
officer over an extended period of time in the accomplishment of strategic direction and goals,
including specific business objectives. While our compensation policy recognizes that stock price
performance is one measure of performance, given industry business conditions and our long-term
strategic direction and goals, it may not necessarily be the best current measure of executive
performance. The Company compensation packages are based upon a company-wide compensation
structure that emphasizes bonus compensation based upon company pre-tax income performance and is
consistent for each position relative to its authority and responsibility.
Attract, Retain and Motivate: Our Company designs our compensation program with the goal to obtain
and retain the benefits of excellent executives in our Companys significant areas of operations
sales, merchandising, distribution, product service, consumer credit and training. We understand
that we must be competitive within our industry, and must provide long-term compensation as part of
our overall compensation program, including the extended vesting periods of five (5) years for our
stock option programs for all but three of our employees. This equity compensation aligns our
executive officers goals with those of our shareholders, in providing for long term growth and
related compensation.
Encourage Ownership of our Shares of Common Stock: Equally important in our compensation
objectives is our desire for our executive officers to obtain and benefit from ownership of our
common stock. This is accomplished through the deferred vesting of our stock option program, as
explained above, and the resulting accumulation of shares of common stock by our executive
officers.
Elements of and Determining Compensation
Our compensation program consists of three basic elements: (i) base salary; (ii) bonus (both
predetermined and individual performance based); and (iii) equity awards. These components work
together in determining the overall compensation of our executive officers.
10
For each of these elements, with the exception of the CEO, the Compensation Committee in making its
final determination, receives recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and our
Chief Operating Officer, or COO, of the amounts and timing of each, based upon their respective day
to day working knowledge of the performance of each individual and each such individuals areas of
responsibility and expectations for future performance and rewards. The Compensation Committee
alone determines the compensation of the CEO. The Compensation Committee also relies on its
explicit knowledge of the industry and the Companys peers in determining the final salary, bonus
and equity awards on a comparative basis as deemed appropriate and necessary to reward and maintain
the executives as an integral part of the Companys executive team and its overall performance and
achievements.
Base Salary: Each executive officer receives a base salary determined by the Compensation
Committee to be commensurate with the officers area of responsibility and that officers areas of
responsibility in relation to the performance of the Company as a whole. The determination of this
component is made at the first Compensation Committee meeting during the Companys fiscal year, and
is set for the ensuing fiscal year, or at other meetings as deemed necessary by the Compensation
Committee. When the base is determined, it is designed to provide the executive officer with a
competitive and equitable living salary.
Bonus: The Compensation Committee establishes our bonus program for all executive officers and
other employees of the Company, after receiving recommendations from the CEO and the COO for each
individual executive officer and employee with the exception of the CEO. The bonus program is
based on the Companys achievement of predetermined profit goals for the next ensuing fiscal year.
Individual executive officers and other employees levels of bonus, is recommended by the CEO and
the COO, and determined by the Compensation Committee based upon that officer or employees level
of responsibility and ability to affect the performance of his area of responsibility and the
Companys performance. At the end of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee may additionally
establish individual performance bonus awards for each executive officer and employee upon
recommendation by the CEO and the COO. The Compensation Committee approves the final dispensation
of all bonus awards under the plan. The bonus level determination is made by the Compensation
Committee at the first Committee meeting of each fiscal year for that fiscal year. The base bonus
program is pre-determined based upon financial profit goals of the Company based upon level of
financial performance for the applicable bonused fiscal year over that of the previous fiscal year.
The bonuses will vary from year to year. For example, during the Companys fiscal year 2006,
bonuses determined by the Compensation Committee utilizing these standards were increased through
the individual performance of executive officers and employees on the Companys performance and the
Companys attainment of high profitability as a partial result of the positive effects of
Hurricanes Rita and Katrina on the Gulf Coast, while the actual bonuses paid during fiscal 2007
were at a lower level due to the use of the 2006 fiscal year financial performance as a base for
the 2007 profit goals..
Equity Awards: The Company utilizes its 2003 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan to grant stock
options to executive officers and other employees to reward and retain them through the potential
of capital gains and equity buildup in the Company. The Compensation Committee determines the
number of stock options to be granted to individuals at its committee meeting following the
Companys third fiscal quarter of each year, and, if necessary, in subsequent telephonic meetings
if necessary to finalize the grants. The number of options approved by the Compensation Committee
for each individual is a part of the total number of options approved by the Compensation Committee
to be distributed to all employees, with the exception of the CEO, based on the Compensation
Committees experience and discussions with and recommendations by our CEO and COO. These grants
are also partially based on the individuals deemed value to the Company and the grants previously
made to that individual. The exercise price of each grant is the closing price of our common stock
on the date of the approval of the grant. For newly hired executive officers and other employees,
we may grant stock options as necessary to obtain and retain individuals for such offices. The
price of these stock options will be the closing price of our common stock on the date of approval
by the Compensation Committee of the grants for that individual. The options vest equally over
five (5) years on the anniversary date of the grant, except for certain options granted the CEO,
the COO and the CFO which vest equally over three (3) years from the date of grant. The vesting
schedule for the stock options for the named executive officers are as described in the table on
page 15 hereof. In accordance with the terms of the 2003 Amended and
Restated Stock Option Plan, the stock options granted contain change in control vesting as
described on page 16 hereof, to protect the employees vested interest in
and commitment to the Company for which the grants were initially awarded.
11
Employment Agreements
Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer each have been
accorded Employment Agreements expiring on January 31, 2008. Our Chief Financial Officer announced
his retirement effective January 31, 2008, and as a result his Employment Agreement was amended to
remove any further obligation of the Company to him beyond that point for further compensation.
Each employment agreement may be renewed for successive one year periods upon the mutual written
consent of the Company and the executive officer. Under the terms of these employment agreements,
each of these officers is entitled to payment of an annual salary plus a bonus based upon
attainment of performance goals determined by our Compensation Committee, to participate in our
employee benefit plans and receive options to purchase shares of our common stock. In the event
that we terminate the executive officers employment other than for cause or we do not renew the
employment agreement when it expires, other than our CFOs employment agreement, we are obligated
to pay the executive officer severance in an amount equal to the executive officers annual base
salary. Under these employment agreements, the executive agreed to a confidentiality agreement as
well as not to compete with the Company for period of one year following the termination of the
Agreement and not to solicit our employees to work for anyone else for a period of two years
following the termination of the Agreement.
Other Compensation
We provide our named executive officers with other benefits, as reflected in the All Other
Compensation column in the Summary Compensation Table on page 13, which we believe are reasonable,
competitive and consistent with the Companys executive compensation program.
Compensation for the Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2007
CEO Compensation
Our CEOs annual compensation package was determined in accordance with our Companys policies and
procedures for all executive officers. With respect to the Companys fiscal year ended January 31,
2007, the Chief Executive Officer was eligible to receive an annual cash bonus (the Incentive
Compensation), the amount of such bonus determined by the Compensation Committee in accordance
with a pre-established performance goal which satisfies the requirements of Section 1.162-27(e)(2)
of the Treasury regulations, taking into account any one or more of the following criteria with
respect to Conns or any affiliates or divisions of Conns: (a) total revenues or any component
thereof; (b) operating income, pre-tax or after-tax income, EBITA, EBITDA or net income; (c) cash
flow, free cash flow or net cash form operations; (d) earnings per share; (e) value of the Conns
stock or total return to stockholders; and (f) any combination of any or all of the foregoing
criteria, in each case on an absolute or relative basis. The Incentive Compensation award for any
year may not exceed $1,920,000. Due to the financial performance of the Company, our CEO received
a cash bonus based on minimum achievement of financial results, as reflected in the Summary
Compensation Table. The other components of our CEOs compensation package are also reflected in
the Summary Compensation Table and the footnotes following.
Other Named Executive Officers Compensation
Each of the other Named Executive Officers compensation was determined in accordance with our
Companys policies and procedures for all executive officers, including bonus, stock option and
other benefits. Each of the components is addressed in the Summary Compensation Table and the
footnotes following for each Named Executive Officer.
12
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussed
the Analysis with Management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Committee
recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in
the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 and the Companys
2007 Proxy Statement. This report is provided by the following independent directors, who comprise
the Compensation Committee.
Jon E.M. Jacoby, Chairman
William T. Trawick
Theodore M. Wright
Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table
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(a) |
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(b) |
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(c) |
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(d) |
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(e) |
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(f) |
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(g) |
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(h) |
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(i) |
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(j) |
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Change in Pension |
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Value and |
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Non-Equity |
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Nonqualified |
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Stock |
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Option |
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Incentive Plan |
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Deferred Compen- |
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All Other |
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Name and Principal |
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Fiscal |
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Salary |
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Bonus |
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Awards |
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Awards |
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Compensation |
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sation Earnings |
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Compensation |
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Total |
Position |
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Year |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
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2007 |
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441,000 |
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500,000 |
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16,778 |
(1) |
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12,157 |
(2) |
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969,935 |
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Chairman and CEO |
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David L. Rogers |
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2007 |
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240,000 |
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147,916 |
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13,422 |
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11,800 |
(3) |
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413,138 |
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CFO |
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William C. Nylin, Jr. |
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2007 |
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350,000 |
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313,147 |
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16,778 |
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13,800 |
(4) |
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693,725 |
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Executive Vice |
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Chairman and COO |
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Timothy L. Frank |
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2007 |
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180,000 |
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168,416 |
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8,300 |
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15,509 |
(5) |
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372,225 |
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President |
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David W. Trahan |
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2007 |
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204,000 |
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168,416 |
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8,300 |
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15,309 |
(6) |
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396,025 |
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Sr. Vice President |
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(1) |
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Fair value of options granted in the current fiscal year for the requisite service period; see outstanding equity
and grants of plan-based awards tables for more information. Information on assumptions used in calculating the
fair value can be obtained from Notes 1 and 7 to the financial statements contained in the Companys annual report
on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2007. |
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(2) |
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Company matched 401K contributions, $8,800; company-paid portion of health insurance, $3,357. |
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(3) |
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Company matched 401K contributions, $8,800; use of automobile (including fuel), $3,000. |
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(4) |
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Company matched 401K contributions, $8,800; use of automobile (including fuel), $5,000. |
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(5) |
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Company matched 401K contributions, $8,800; company-paid portion of health insurance, $4,509; use of
automobile (including fuel), $2,200. |
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(6) |
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Company matched 401K contributions, $8,800; company-paid portion of health insurance, $4,509; use of
automobile (including fuel), $2,000. |
13
Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
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Estimated Future |
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payouts under |
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Estimated future payouts |
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All other stock |
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All other option |
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Grant |
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non-equity |
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under equity incentive |
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awards; Number of |
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awards; Number of |
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Exercise or base |
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Date Fair Value of |
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incentive plan awards |
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plan awards |
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shares of stock or |
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securities |
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price of option |
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Stock and Option |
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Threshold |
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Target |
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Maximum |
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Threshold |
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Target |
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Maximum |
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units |
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underlying options |
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awards |
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Awards |
Name |
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Grant Date |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
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(#) |
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(#) |
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(#) |
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(#) |
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(#) |
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($/Sh) |
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($) |
(a) |
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(b) |
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(c ) |
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(d) |
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(e) |
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(f) |
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(g) |
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(h) |
|
(i) |
|
(j) |
|
(k) |
|
(l) |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
12/4/2006 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
22.68 |
|
|
|
302,000 |
|
David L. Rogers |
|
|
12/4/2006 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
22.68 |
|
|
|
241,600 |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
12/4/2006 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
22.68 |
|
|
|
302,000 |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
12/4/2006 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
22.68 |
|
|
|
249,000 |
|
David W. Trahan |
|
|
12/4/2006 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
22.68 |
|
|
|
249,000 |
|
14
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: Market or |
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
Payout |
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
Plan Awards: Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Awards: Number |
|
Value of Unearned |
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying Unexer- |
|
of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock That |
|
Market Value of |
|
of Unearned Shares, |
|
Shares, |
|
|
Unexercised |
|
cised |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have |
|
shares or Units of |
|
Units or Other |
|
Units or Other |
|
|
Options- Exer- |
|
Options-Unexer- |
|
Unexcercised |
|
Option |
|
Option Expiration |
|
Not |
|
Stock That Have Not |
|
Rights That Have |
|
Rights That Have |
|
|
cisable |
|
cisable |
|
Unearned Options |
|
Exercised Price |
|
Date |
|
Been Vested |
|
Been Vested |
|
Not Vested |
|
Not Vested |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
|
|
|
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c ) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
(f) |
|
(g) |
|
(h) |
|
(i) |
|
(j) |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
33,900 |
|
|
|
22,600 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Chairman and CEO |
|
|
23,333 |
|
|
|
11,667 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
|
16,667 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
22.68 |
|
|
|
12/4/2016 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
David L. Rogers |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
CFO |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
11,667 |
|
|
|
23,333 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
22.68 |
|
|
|
12/4/2016 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
33,900 |
|
|
|
22,600 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Executive Vice |
|
|
23,333 |
|
|
|
11,667 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Chairman and COO |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
22.68 |
|
|
|
12/4/2016 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
11,228 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
7/26/2011 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
President |
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
|
3,200 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
22.68 |
|
|
|
12/4/2016 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
David W. Trahan |
|
|
4,800 |
|
|
|
3,200 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
|
|
11/25/2013 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Sr. Vice President |
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
17.73 |
|
|
|
11/30/2014 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
33.88 |
|
|
|
11/30/2015 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
22.68 |
|
|
|
12/4/2016 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value Realized on |
|
Number of Shares |
|
Value Realized on |
|
|
Exercise |
|
Exercise |
|
Acquired on Vesting |
|
Vesting |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
David L. Rogers |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
39,623 |
|
|
|
561,355 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
David W. Trahan |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
15
Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements
The following table indicated the quantitative disclosure of the estimated payments that would
have been provided to our named executive officers if they were terminated without cause or if
their employment agreement is not renewed, as of January 31, 2007:
The following table also indicated the quantitative disclosure of the estimated benefit of the
acceleration of each named executive officers unvested options had a change of control occurred on
January 31, 2007 and is calculated based on the closing price of the Companys common stock on
January 31, 2007:
Termination/Change in Control Benefits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
|
(b) |
|
Compensation in lieu |
(a) |
|
Vesting acceleration |
|
of salary/bonus upon |
Named |
|
of options upon change |
|
termination not for |
Excutive |
|
in control |
|
cause |
Officer |
|
(# of shares) |
|
($) |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
75,934 |
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
69,267 |
|
|
|
360,000 |
|
David L. Rogers |
|
|
60,333 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
41,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
David W. Trahan |
|
|
41,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
(b) Assumes vesting would accelerate on all unvested options per the employee stock option plan:
1. Acceleration of Vesting and Exercise Dates. The other provisions of this
Agreement notwithstanding and pursuant to Paragraph 12 of the Plan:
(a) In the event of a proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company and at
the discretion of the Administrator, this Option may be immediately exercised for the
entire number of Shares covered hereby until fifteen (15) days prior to such
dissolution or liquidation;
(b) In the event of a Merger Transaction in which this Option shall not be
assumed or an equivalent option issued as a substitute by a successor entity, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing that this Option shall be
exercisable for the entire number of Shares covered hereunder for a period of fifteen
(15) days from the date of such notice; or
In the event of a Merger Transaction that constitutes a Change of Control in
which this Option is assumed or an equivalent option is issued by a successor entity,
an Involuntary Termination of the Optionee within one (1) year after the effective
date of the Change of Control shall cause this Option or the equivalent substitute
option to be immediately exercisable for the full number of Shares covered hereunder.
(c) These amounts would be paid in equal installment in such intervals as the base salary would
have been paid, i.e., semi-monthly. Assumes termination occurred on February 1, 2007 and that
termination satisfies the following language from the employment agreements in force:
1. In the event (i) Conns exercises its right of termination other than for
Cause or (ii) this Agreement is not renewed by Conns when it expires, Conns shall be
obligated to pay Executives Base Salary and Incentive Compensation, if any, earned
and accrued but unpaid through the date of termination. In addition, Conns shall pay
as severance pay one (1) year of Executives current Base Salary. Such payments shall
be
16
made in equal installments in such intervals as the Base Salary was paid at the
time of such termination or expiration.
Compensation of Non-Employee Directors
|
|
|
Each non-employee director of the board in respect of his or her service on the board receives: |
|
|
|
|
an annual retainer of $25,000 through the 2007 annual meeting; |
|
|
|
|
$2,500 for each board meeting attended; |
|
|
|
|
$1,000 for each audit committee meeting attended by a member of the audit committee
(excluding the chair of the audit committee) on the same day as a board meeting; |
|
|
|
|
$1,500 for each audit committee meeting attended by the chair of the audit committee on
the same day as a board meeting; |
|
|
|
|
$2,500 for each audit committee meeting attended by a member of the audit committee
(excluding the chair of the audit committee) on a day other than the day of the board
meeting; |
|
|
|
|
$3,500 for each audit committee meeting attended by the chair of the audit committee
meeting on a day other than the day of the board meeting; |
|
|
|
|
$500 per meeting for participation in a telephonic meeting of the board; |
|
|
|
|
$750 for each compensation committee meeting attended by a member of the compensation
committee on the same day as a board meeting; |
|
|
|
|
$1,250 for each compensation committee meeting attended by a member of the compensation
committee on a day other than the day of a board meeting. |
In addition our non-employee directors (i) are allowed to participate in the Companys medical
plan at the same contributories with all the benefits of full-time active employees, (ii) receive a
merchandise discount in the same amount as the discount our employees receive; and (iii) are
reimbursed for their expenses in attending board and committee meetings.
We adopted the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan in February 2003 in connection
with our initial public offering, and amended the Plan by vote of shareholders at our 2006 annual
meeting of shareholders. The plan is administered by the board of directors. Only non-employee
directors are eligible grantees. Upon the closing of the initial public offering, we granted each
of our then-current non-employee directors the option to purchase 40,000 shares of our common
stock, and we have and will grant an option to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock to any
new board member. We will also grant our non-employee directors an option to purchase an additional
10,000 shares following each annual stockholders meeting on and after the fourth anniversary of
each non-employee directors initial election or appointment to the board of directors. The initial
options to purchase 40,000 shares of our common stock issued to non-employee directors vest equally
over a three year period, and the additional options to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock
issued to non-employee directors vests on the first annual anniversary date of the date of the
grant. The exercise price of each option is equal to the price per share of our common stock at the
close of market on the date the option is granted. The options have a term of up to ten years. Upon
a change in control or sale of the company, optionees have special vesting and exercise rights.
Accordingly, if reelected at the 2007 Annual Meeting, six of the nominated non-employee
directors, Messrs. Brailsford, Jacoby, Bob L. Martin, Douglas H. Martin, Trawick and Wright, shall
each be granted an option to purchase an additional 10,000 shares of our common stock, with the
option vesting on the annual anniversary date of the date of grant.
17
Director Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-equity |
|
deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees earned or paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
incentive plan |
|
compensation |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
in cash |
|
Stock Awards |
|
Option Awards |
|
compensation |
|
earnings |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Name |
|
$ |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
$ |
|
($) |
|
($) |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c ) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
|
(f) |
|
(g) |
|
(h) |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marvin D. Brailsford |
|
|
48,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,500 |
|
Jon E. M. Jacoby |
|
|
39,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,750 |
|
Bob L. Martin |
|
|
31,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,250 |
|
Douglas H. Martin |
|
|
33,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,500 |
|
Scott L. Thompson |
|
|
48,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,500 |
|
William T. Trawick |
|
|
39,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
71,750 |
|
Theodore M. Wright |
|
|
56,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56,250 |
|
|
|
|
(g) |
|
Mr. Trawick was a paid consultant of the Company through September 30, 2006. |
Indemnification Arrangements
As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws that provide for the indemnification of our directors and
certain executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law. These provisions, among other things, indemnify each of our directors and
certain officers for certain expenses, including judgments, fines and amounts paid in settling or
otherwise disposing of actions or threatened actions, incurred by reason of the fact that such
person was a director or officer of Conns or of any other corporation which such person served in
any capacity at the request of Conns.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors
pursuant to which we will indemnify them against judgments, claims, damages, losses and expenses
incurred as a result of the fact that any director, in his capacity as a director, is made or
threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding. The indemnification agreements also
provide for the advancement of certain expenses (such as attorneys fees, witness fees, damages,
judgments, fines and settlement costs) to our directors in connection with any such suit or
proceeding.
We maintain a directors and officers liability insurance policy to insure our directors and
officers against certain losses resulting from acts committed by them in their capacities as our
directors and officers, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Code of Ethics
Our board has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for our employees, a code of
ethics for our chief executive officer and senior financial professionals and a code of business
conduct and ethics for our board of directors. A copy of these codes is published on our website
at www.conns.com under Investor Relations. We intend to make all required disclosures concerning
any amendments to, or waivers from, these codes on our website.
18
Stockholder Communications with the Board
We have adopted a policy that allows stockholders to communicate directly with the board of
directors. Stockholders may contact the board or any committee of the board by any one of the
following methods:
|
|
|
|
|
By telephone: |
|
By mail: |
|
By e-mail: |
|
|
Board of Directors
|
|
Conns1890tf@aol.com |
|
|
3295 College Street |
|
|
(409) 832-1696 Ext. 3218
|
|
Beaumont, Texas 77701 |
|
|
All communications submitted under this policy will be compiled by the Compliance Officer of
the company and submitted to the board or the requisite board committee on a periodic basis.
Complaints or concerns relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters
will be referred to the Audit Committee under the policy adopted by the Audit Committee. This
policy and procedure is posted on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations.
19
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Committee
Our board of directors established the Audit Committee to recommend the appointment of our
independent auditors and to oversee the companys (i) financial reporting process; (ii) internal
audits, internal control policies and procedures implementation and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley
Section 404 requirements, and authorities; and (iii) financial, tax, and risk management policies.
The Audit Committee is composed of three members and operates under a written charter, a copy of
which is published on our website at www.conns.com under Investor Relations. The Audit Committee
has prepared the following report on its activities with respect to the companys financial
statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007.
Review and Discussion
Management is responsible for the Companys financial reporting process including its system
of internal controls, and for the preparation of Conns consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Ernst & Young, LLP, the companys
independent auditors, is responsible for auditing those financial statements for attesting to
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, and for assessing the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. It is the Audit Committees
responsibility to monitor and review these processes. The members of the Audit Committee are not
employees of the Company and do not represent themselves to be or to serve as, accountants or
auditors by profession or experts in the field of accounting or auditing.
In connection with the preparation of the Companys audited financial statements for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 2007, the Audit Committee:
|
|
|
reviewed and discussed the Companys annual report on Form 10-K, including the
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and Managements Report on
Internal Control over Financial Reporting for the year ended January 31, 2007 with
management; |
|
|
|
|
discussed with Ernst & Young the matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61; |
|
|
|
|
received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees), and discussed with Ernst & Young its independence from Conns, including
whether Ernst & Youngs provision of non-audit services to the company is compatible
with the auditors independence. |
The Audit Committee meets with the companys independent auditors to discuss the results of
their examinations, their evaluations of the companys internal controls and the overall quality of
the companys financial reporting. The Audit Committee held four regularly scheduled meetings and
five telephonic meetings during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007.
Recommendation
Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the
board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007, for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
|
|
|
|
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE: |
|
|
|
|
|
Theodore M. Wright, Chairman |
|
|
Marvin D. Brailsford |
|
|
Scott L. Thompson |
20
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph provides a comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return on our
common stock against the Nasdaq U.S. Stock Market Index and the average of a peer group index
comprised of five publicly traded consumer electronic and/or
appliance retailers(1) since
our initial public offering on November 24, 2003. Since we have not been publicly traded for five
years, we have selected November 24, 2003, the date our initial public offering, and the end of
each of our fiscal quarters between November 24, 2003 and January 31, 2007 (the last trading day of
our fiscal year) for comparison purposes. The graph reflects the value of a $100 investment as of
November 24, 2003 in either our stock or the indices presented at the dates of measurement,
including reinvestment of dividends. The corresponding index values and common stock price values
are summarized in the table below by measurement date.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NASDAQ |
|
Peer |
|
Conns |
|
|
|
|
|
|
US Stock |
|
Group |
|
Closing |
|
|
Conns |
|
Market |
|
Stock |
|
Stock |
Trade Date |
|
Index |
|
Index |
|
Index1 |
|
Price |
November 24, 2003
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
14.00 |
|
January 31, 2004
|
|
|
114.29 |
|
|
|
106.11 |
|
|
|
105.51 |
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
April 30, 2004
|
|
|
118.57 |
|
|
|
98.61 |
|
|
|
102.22 |
|
|
|
16.60 |
|
July 31, 2004
|
|
|
119.36 |
|
|
|
96.93 |
|
|
|
117.86 |
|
|
|
16.71 |
|
October 31, 2004
|
|
|
109.43 |
|
|
|
101.43 |
|
|
|
140.87 |
|
|
|
15.32 |
|
January 31, 2005
|
|
|
118.21 |
|
|
|
105.92 |
|
|
|
137.22 |
|
|
|
16.55 |
|
April 30, 2005
|
|
|
121.64 |
|
|
|
98.69 |
|
|
|
157.15 |
|
|
|
17.03 |
|
July 31, 2005
|
|
|
191.36 |
|
|
|
112.21 |
|
|
|
184.58 |
|
|
|
26.79 |
|
October 31, 2005
|
|
|
209.07 |
|
|
|
108.89 |
|
|
|
150.92 |
|
|
|
29.27 |
|
January 31, 2006
|
|
|
310.57 |
|
|
|
118.42 |
|
|
|
178.18 |
|
|
|
43.48 |
|
April 30, 2006
|
|
|
244.07 |
|
|
|
119.28 |
|
|
|
205.04 |
|
|
|
34.17 |
|
July 31, 2006
|
|
|
183.71 |
|
|
|
107.41 |
|
|
|
171.86 |
|
|
|
25.72 |
|
October 31, 2006
|
|
|
171.57 |
|
|
|
121.55 |
|
|
|
206.15 |
|
|
|
24.02 |
|
January 31, 2007
|
|
|
167.64 |
|
|
|
126.54 |
|
|
|
190.06 |
|
|
|
23.47 |
|
1 The peer group index consists of the
simple average of the indices of Sears Holding Co.,
Best Buy Co., Inc., Circuit City Stores, Inc.,
Rex Stores Corp. and Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc.
21
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Biographical Information
The board appoints our executive officers at the first board meeting following our annual
meeting of stockholders and updates the executive officer positions as necessary. Our executive
officers serve at the discretion of the board and until their successors are elected and qualified
or until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal.
The following sets forth certain biographical information regarding our executive officers,
including service with Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years of Service |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Positions |
|
with Conns |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
47 |
|
William C. Nylin, Jr.
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
Executive Vice Chairman of the Board
and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
14 |
|
David L. Rogers
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
10 |
|
Timothy L. Frank
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
President
|
|
|
11 |
|
David R. Atnip
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
|
|
|
14 |
|
Walter M. Broussard
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Sales/Store Operations
|
|
|
21 |
|
Robert B. Lee, Jr.
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Service and Logistics
|
|
|
7 |
|
David W. Trahan
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Retail
|
|
|
19 |
|
Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr.
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Senior Vice President Credit
|
|
|
8 |
|
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. was appointed as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in
1994. He has been employed by us for 47 years, has been a member of our board of directors since
1980 and has held every key management position within the organization, including responsibilities
for distribution, service, credit, information technology, accounting and general operations. Mr.
Frank holds a B.A. degree in industrial arts from Sam Houston State University and attended
graduate courses at Texas A&M University. Mr. Frank completed the SCMP course at Harvard
University. Mr. Frank is the father of Timothy L. Frank, our President.
William C. Nylin, Jr.. On March 28, 2006, Dr. Nylin was appointed to our board of directors as
its Executive Vice Chairman. He has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 1995. From 1995
until April 1, 2006, he also served as our President. He became a member of our board of directors
in 1993 and served in that capacity until September 2003, and was appointed to our board of
directors on March 28, 2006 by our board. In addition to performing responsibilities as Chief
Operating Officer, he has direct responsibility for credit granting and collections, information
technology, risk management, distribution and service. From 1984 to 1995, Dr. Nylin held several
executive management positions, including Deputy Chancellor and Executive Vice President of Finance
and Operations at Lamar University. Dr. Nylin obtained his B.S. degree in mathematics from Lamar
University and holds both a masters degree and a doctorate degree in computer sciences from Purdue
University. He has also completed a post-graduate program at Harvard University.
David L. Rogers was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer Designate, effective September 1,
2004 and our Chief Financial Officer effective January 31, 2005. Mr. Rogers joined us in October
1996 and served as our Legal Manager until August 1997. He has served as our Controller from
September 1997 until September 1, 2004. Prior to his joining our Company, Mr. Rogers served in
various accounting positions during a twenty-year career with a Fortune 500 public utility. Mr.
Rogers obtained his B.B.A. in accounting from Lamar University in December, 1974. Mr. Rogers has
announced his retirement effective January 31, 2008.
Timothy L. Frank was elected President of our Company by our board of directors on March 28,
2006, effective April 1, 2006. Mr. Frank has previously served as our Senior Vice President
Retail from May, 2005. He joined us in September 1995 and has served in various roles throughout
our Company, including Director of Advertising, Director of Credit, Director of Legal Collections,
Director of Direct Marketing, and as Vice President of Special Projects. Prior to joining our
Company, Mr. Frank served in
22
various marketing positions with a nationally known marketing consulting company. Mr. Frank
holds a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. in Marketing from the
University of North Texas. Mr. Frank has also completed a post-graduate program at Harvard
University. Mr. Frank is the son of Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer.
David R. Atnip has served as our Senior Vice President since October 2001 and as our Treasurer
since 1997. He joined us in 1992 and served as Chief Financial Officer from 1994 to 1997 and as our
Secretary from 1997 to 2005. In 1995, he joined our board of directors and served in that capacity
until September 2003. Mr. Atnip holds a B.B.A. in accounting from The University of Texas at
Arlington and has over 20 years of financial experience in the savings and loan industry.
Walter M. Broussard has served as our Senior Vice President Sales since 2005, and previously
served as our Senior Vice President Store Operations from October 2001. Mr. Broussard has served
us in numerous retail capacities since 1985, including working on the sales floor as a sales
consultant, store manager and district manager. He has over 25 years of retail sales experience. He
attended Lamar University and has completed special study programs at Harvard University, Rice
University and the University of Notre Dame.
Robert B. Lee, Jr. has served as our Senior Vice President Service and Logistics since
April, 2005, after serving as our Vice President Advertising, and was our Senior Vice President
Advertising from October 2001 and Vice President Advertising from January, 1999 until October
2001. His responsibilities include managing our Service Division and Distribution Division. The
Service Division is responsible for providing factory authorized service from the Companys five
regional service centers for the majority of the products that we sell. The Distribution Division
consists of warehousing, transportation and delivery operations from our five regional warehouse
and two cross-dock facilities. He also chairs our site selection committee and manages our
Facility Maintenance department. From 1990 until 1998, he was a partner in Ann Lee & Associates, a
Beaumont-based advertising agency and public relations firm where he served as Chief Operating
Officer. Mr. Lee obtained a B.B.A. in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and completed
a post-graduate program at the University of Notre Dame.
David W. Trahan was elected Senior Vice President Retail by our board of directors on March
28, 2006, effective April 1, 2006. He has previously served as our Senior Vice President
Merchandising from October 2001. He has been employed by us since 1986 in various capacities,
including sales, store operations and merchandising. He has been directly responsible for our
merchandising and product purchasing functions, as well as product display and pricing operations,
for the last four years. Mr. Trahan has completed special study programs at Harvard University,
Rice University and Lamar University.
Reymundo de la Fuente, Jr. has served as our Senior Vice President Credit since October
2001. Since joining us in 1998, he has served in positions that involve direct responsibility for
credit underwriting, customer service inbound operations, collections, recovery of charge-offs and
legal activities. Mr. de la Fuente has worked in the credit receivables industry since 1986 with
national credit organizations. His responsibilities included the strategic direction and
development of large credit portfolios. Mr. de la Fuente obtained his B.B.A. in finance from The
University of Texas at San Antonio and holds an M.B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio.
Michael J. Poppe. In connection with the announcement by David Rogers, our CFO, of his
retirement effective January 31, 2008, our Board appointed Michael J. Poppe, our current Controller
and Assistant Chief Financial Officer, as our Chief Financial Officer effective February 1, 2008.
Mr. Poppe, 39, has served as our Controller and Assistant Chief Financial Officer and Assistant
Treasurer since he joined us in September 2004. In the 14 years prior to his joining us, Mr. Poppe
served in various accounting and finance management positions in public accounting at Arthur
Andersen LLP and in automotive retail companies, most recently as Vice President and Corporate
Controller of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Mr. Poppe spent from January 1997 until May 2004 at Group 1,
a New York Stock Exchange listed, Fortune 500 retail company, and was a member of the founding
management team. Mr. Poppe is a certified public accountant and obtained his B.B.A in accounting
and finance from Texas A&M University.
23
Equity Incentive Plans
Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan
In February 2003, we adopted our Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and
amended the Plan in June 2004. The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our board
of directors. Our employees and employees of our subsidiaries, subject to certain exclusions, are
eligible to participate in the plan. Option grants are made within the discretion of the
Compensation Committee. Options may be granted for such terms as the Compensation Committee may
determine, but not for terms greater than ten years from the date of grant. The maximum number of
shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is 3,859,767 shares, subject to
adjustment. All options issued vest equally over either a three-year term or a five-year term. At
January 31, 2007, there were options to purchase 1,755,018 shares of our common stock issued and
outstanding under the plan.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In February 2003, we adopted our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The plan is administered by the
Compensation Committee of our board of directors. Our employees and employees of our subsidiaries,
subject to certain exclusions, are eligible to participate in the plan. Eligible employees are able
to purchase shares of our common stock without brokerage commissions and at a discount from market
prices. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under this plan is
1,267,085 shares, subject to adjustment.
2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan
We also have the 2003 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, which we adopted in February
2003 and is discussed on page 10. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be
issued under this plan is 600,000 shares, subject to adjustment. All options issued to a director
when he or she becomes a director currently vest equally over a three-year term, while those issued
to a director on his fourth anniversary date of becoming a director vest on the first anniversary
date of the grant. At January 31, 2007, there were options to purchase 251,000 shares of our common
stock issued and outstanding under the plan.
The following table provides information regarding the number of shares of our common stock
that may be issued on exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants under our existing equity
compensation plans as of January 31, 2006. These plans are as follows:
|
|
|
the Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive Stock Option Plan; |
|
|
|
|
the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan; and |
|
|
|
|
the Employee Stock Purchase Program. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
|
(B) |
|
|
(C) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-Average |
|
|
Remaining Available for |
|
|
|
Number of Securities to be |
|
|
Exercise Price of |
|
|
Future Issuance Under |
|
|
|
Issued upon Exercise of |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans |
|
|
|
Outstanding Options, Warrants |
|
|
Options, Warrants |
|
|
(Excluding Securities |
|
Plan Category |
|
and Rights |
|
|
and Rights |
|
|
Reflected in Column (A)) |
|
Equity
Compensation Plans
Approved by
Stockholders |
|
|
2,006,018 |
(1) |
|
$ |
18.36 |
|
|
|
1,724,249 |
(1) |
Equity
Compensation Plans
Not Approved by
Stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,006,018 |
|
|
$ |
18.36 |
|
|
|
1,724,249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 251,000 outstanding options and 320,000 options available for future issue
applicable to the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. |
24
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common
stock for each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our voting
securities, for each director and named executive officer, and for all directors and executive
officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, each person named below has sole
voting and investment power over the shares indicated. For purposes of this table, a person is
deemed to be the beneficial owner of the number of shares of common stock that such person has
the right to acquire within 60 days of April 13, 2007 through the exercise of any option, warrant
or right, through the conversion of any security, through the power to revoke a trust,
discretionary account, or similar arrangement, or through the automatic termination of a trust,
discretionary account or similar arrangement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
Name |
|
Common Stock Owned |
|
Owned |
Conns Voting Trust (1) |
|
|
11,293,243 |
|
|
|
47.09 |
% |
SF Holding Corp. (2) |
|
|
1,011,115 |
|
|
|
4.22 |
% |
Stephens Inc. |
|
|
313,859 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
% |
Warren A. Stephens |
|
|
2,743,354 |
(3) |
|
|
11.44 |
% |
W.R. Stephens, Jr. |
|
|
2,871,163 |
(4) |
|
|
11.97 |
% |
Elizabeth Stephens Campbell |
|
|
2,774,722 |
(5) |
|
|
11.57 |
% |
Pamela Dianne Stephens Trust One |
|
|
1,182,862 |
|
|
|
4.93 |
% |
Bess C. Stephens |
|
|
1,843,740 |
(6) |
|
|
7.69 |
% |
Jon E.M. Jacoby |
|
|
643,391 |
(7) |
|
|
2.68 |
% |
Douglas H. Martin |
|
|
300,717 |
(8) |
|
|
1.25 |
% |
GAM London Ltd |
|
|
1,880,000 |
|
|
|
7.84 |
% |
Thomas J. Frank, Sr. |
|
|
918,279 |
(9) |
|
|
3.83 |
% |
William C. Nylin, Jr. |
|
|
281,585 |
(10) |
|
|
1.17 |
% |
David W. Trahan |
|
|
164,330 |
(11) |
|
|
0.69 |
% |
David L. Rogers |
|
|
30,667 |
(12) |
|
|
0.13 |
% |
Timothy L. Frank |
|
|
114,600 |
(13) |
|
|
0.48 |
% |
Marvin D. Brailsford |
|
|
40,000 |
(14) |
|
|
0.17 |
% |
Bob L. Martin |
|
|
40,000 |
(15) |
|
|
0.17 |
% |
William T. Trawick |
|
|
40,000 |
(16) |
|
|
0.17 |
% |
Theodore M. Wright |
|
|
23,000 |
(17) |
|
|
0.10 |
% |
Scott L. Thompson |
|
|
28,213 |
(18) |
|
|
0.12 |
% |
Directors and officers (12 persons) |
|
|
2,624,782 |
(19) |
|
|
10.95 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These shares have been contributed to a voting trust
agreement and are held and voted by an independent third party as voting
trustee. The voting trust will vote the shares held in the voting trust in the
same proportion as votes cast for or against any proposals by all other
stockholders. The voting trust agreement imposes substantial limitations on
the sale or other disposition of the shares subject to the voting trust. The
voting trust agreement will expire in November 2013 or such earlier time as
Stephens Inc. ceases to be an affiliate of ours or a market maker of our common
stock. |
|
(2) |
|
The principal voting stockholders of SF Holding Corp. are the
Jackson T. Stephens Trust No. One UID 1/4/88 and the Bess C. Stephens Trust.
Warren A. Stephens is a director and co-chairman of SF Holding Corp. and a
director and president of Stephens Inc. W.R. Stephens, Jr. is a director and
co-chairman of SF Holding Corp. Mr. Jacoby is a officer of SF Holding Corp.
Mr. Martin is a director and an officer of SF Holding Corp and an officer of
Stephens Inc. The address of Warren A. Stephens and Doug Martin is c/o
Stephens Inc., 111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. The address of
W.R. Stephens, Jr. and Jon E.M. Jacoby is c/o The Stephens Group, LLC, 100
Morgan Keegan Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 1,871,549 shares owned by Stephens Investments Holdings
LLC, 4,356 shares owned by Warren Miles Amerine Stephens Trust, 4,356 shares
owned by John Calhoun Stephens Trust and 4,356 shares owned by Laura Whitaker
Stephens Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which
Mr. Stephens, as trustee or otherwise, has no power to vote and sole power of
disposition; 739,100 shares owned by Harriet C. Stephens Trust, which have been
contributed to the voting trust; 119,322 shares owned by Stephens Investment
Partners 2000 LLC and 315 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001
LLC, as to which Mr. Stephens, as co-manager, has shared power to vote and
shared power of disposition. Does not include shares owned by SF Holding
Corp., Stephens Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, except as
mentioned in this footnote. |
25
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Includes 1,162,530 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Revocable
Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr.
Stephens, as trustee, has no power to vote and sole power of disposition;
202,774 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Childrens Trust, 155,489 shares
held by W.R. Stephens III Trust, 155,489 shares held by Arden Jewell Stephens
Trust, and 1,182,862 shares held by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One, which have
been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Stephens, as a
co-trustee or otherwise, has no power to vote and shared power of disposition;
and 12,019 shares owned by Carol Stephens which have been contributed to the
voting trust. Does not include shares owned by SF Holding Corp. or any of its
affiliates, except as mentioned in this footnote. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 1,091,531 shares owned by Francine, Inc., which have
been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Ms. Campbell, as an
executive officer, has no power to vote and sole power of disposition;
1,182,862 shares owned by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One, 250,331 shares owned by
MAM International, Inc., and 83,333 shares owned by each of Craig Dobbs
Campbell, Jr. 1992 Trust, Susan Stephens Campbell 1992 Trust, and Elizabeth S.
Campbell 1992 Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to
which Ms. Campbell, as a co-trustee or otherwise, has no power to vote and
shared power of disposition. |
|
|
|
(6) Includes 202,774 shares owned by W.R. Stephens, Jr. Childrens
Trust, 208,105 shares owned by Bess. C. Stephens Trust, 1,182,862 shares owned
by Pamela D. Stephens Trust One, and 83,333 shares owned by each of Craig Dobbs
Campbell, Jr. 1992 Trust, Susan Stephens Campbell 1992 Trust, and Elizabeth S.
Campbell 1992 Trust, which have been contributed to the voting trust and as to
which Ms. Stephens, as a co-trustee, has no power to vote and shared power of
disposition. |
|
|
|
(7) Includes 570,280 shares owned by Coral Two Corporation which
have been contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Jacoby, as an
executive officer, has no power to vote and sole power of disposition; 42,857
shares owned by Smiley Holdings, LLC, as to which Mr. Jacoby, as a manager, has
sole power to vote and sole power of disposition; 3,588 shares owned by Mr.
Jacoby which have not been contributed to the voting trust; and 40,000 shares
which Mr. Jacoby has the right to receive upon the exercise of options
exercisable on or within 60 days after April 13, 2007. Does not include shares
owned by SF Holding Corp. or any of its affiliates, except as mentioned in this
footnote. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 154,414 shares owned by Mr. Martin, which have been
contributed to the voting trust and as to which Mr. Martin has no voting power
and sole dispositive power; 119,322 shares owned by Stephens Investment
Partners 2000 LLC and 315 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001
LLC, as to which Mr. Martin, as co-manager, has shared power to vote and shared
power of disposition; and 40,000 shares which Mr. Martin has the right to
receive upon the exercise of options exercisable on or within 60 days after
April 13, 2007. Does not include shares owned by SF Holding Corp., Stephens
Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, except as mentioned in this
footnote. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 338,279 shares owned by a trust over which Mr. Frank is
the trustee and exercises sole voting power and sole dispositive power but over
which Mr. Frank has no pecuniary interest and for which Mr. Frank disclaims
beneficial ownership and includes options to purchase 65,566 shares of common
stock. . |
|
(10) |
|
Includes options to purchase 50,700 shares of common stock. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes options to purchase 11,800 shares of common stock. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes options to purchase 24,667 shares of common stock. |
|
(13) |
|
Includes options to purchase 23,028 shares of common stock. |
|
(14) |
|
Includes options to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock. |
|
(15) |
|
Includes options to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock. |
|
(16) |
|
Includes options to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock. |
|
(17) |
|
Includes options to purchase 23,000 shares of common stock. |
|
(18) |
|
Includes options to purchase 28,000 shares of common stock. |
|
(19) |
|
Includes options to purchase 438,294 shares of common stock. |
26
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
We review all relationships and transactions in which the Company and our directors and
executive officers or their immediate family members are participants to determine whether such
persons have a direct or indirect material interest, and if so, if the transactions are at arms
length and are acceptable to the Board of Directors. As required under SEC rules, transactions
that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to the Company or a related person are
disclosed in the Companys Proxy Statement. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews any related
person transaction that is required to be disclosed, and submits to the full board of directors
such relationship for approval. In the course of its review of these relationships, the committee
considers:
|
|
|
the nature of the related persons interest in the transaction; |
|
|
|
|
the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and
type of transaction, and the timing of the entering of such transaction; |
|
|
|
|
the importance of the transaction to the related person; |
|
|
|
|
the importance of the transaction to the Company; |
|
|
|
|
whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to
act in the best interest of the Company; and |
|
|
|
|
any other matters the committee deems appropriate. |
Lease Arrangement
Since 1996, we have leased one of our Houston, Texas store locations containing approximately
19,150 square feet from Thomas J. Frank, Sr., our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer. The lease provides for base monthly rental payments of $17,235 plus escrow for taxes,
insurance and common area maintenance expenses, which escalate annually, per month through January
31, 2011. We also have an option to renew the lease for two additional five-year terms. Mr. Frank
received total payments under this lease of $281,000 in each of fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007.
Based on current market lease rates for comparable retail space in the area, we believe that the
terms of this lease were at or better than fair market value at the date of the lease commencement.
Independent Contractor
William T. Trawick has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2003 and
served as an advisory director of Conn Appliances, Inc., our predecessor company, since August
1999. In addition to the fees paid to Mr. Trawick in his capacity as a director, we paid him
consulting fees in the amount of $48,000 in fiscal 2005, $48,000 in fiscal 2006 and $32,000 in
fiscal 2007. Mr. Trawick is also the President and Executive Director of NATM Buying Corporation,
a national buying group representing nine regional retailers, including us, in the appliance and
electronics industry. NATM coordinates the buying and merchandising strategies for its member
retailers. We recorded expenses of cash payments to NATM for membership dues of $83,000 in fiscal
years 2005, 2006, and 2007. The Company terminated its consulting contract with Mr. Trawick in
September, 2006.
Indirect Ownership in Service Provider
During fiscal year 2007, we engaged the services of Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc., or DMS,
for a substantial portion of our direct mailing advertising. Direct Marketing Solutions, Inc. is
partially owned (less than 50%) by the SF Holding Corp., members of the Stephens family, Jon E.M.
Jacoby and Douglas H. Martin. SF Holding Corp. and the members of the Stephens family are
significant shareholders of our company, and Messrs. Jacoby and Martin are members of our Board of
Directors. Thomas J. Frank, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
indirectly owned a small percentage (0.7%) at the end of fiscal year 2005, but divested his
interest during the first half of fiscal 2006. The fees we paid to DMS during fiscal 2005, 2006
and 2007 amounted to approximately $1.8 million, $4.3 million and $5.8 million, respectively. When
DMS was initially engaged to perform direct marketing services for us, a competitive analysis was
performed from submissions by various marketing groups, with DMS presenting the low price point in
these analyses. During fiscal 2006 and 2007, additional competitive
27
analyses have been performed which continually support that DMS offers us the lowest cost for
this service. We, at least annually, seek competitive bids for the services performed by DMS.
Stock repurchase services
The Company engaged the services of Stephens Inc. to act as its broker under its stock
repurchase program. Stephens Inc. is a shareholder of the Company, and Doug Martin, an Executive
Vice President of Stephens Inc., is a member of the Companys Board of Directors. During the year
ended January 31, 2007, the Company incurred fees payable to Stephens Inc. of $5,040 related to the
purchase of 168,000 shares of its common stock. Based on a review of competitive bids received from
various broker candidates, the Company believes the terms of this arrangement are no less favorable
than it could have obtained in an arms length transaction.
28
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our directors, executive officers and other
persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of our common stock with the SEC. Officers, directors and other
stockholders who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock are required by the SEC to
furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
To our knowledge, based on a review of reports and information furnished to us by those
persons who were directors, executive officers and/or the beneficial holders of 10% or more of our
common stock at any time during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 and upon representations
from such persons, we believe that all stock ownership reports required to be filed under section
16(a) by such reporting persons during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 were timely made.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Ernst & Young LLP served as our independent public accountants for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2007. The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young as our independent public
accountants for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2008, subject to shareholder ratification.
Representatives of Ernst & Young will attend the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions that may be asked by stockholders. These
representatives will also have an opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to
do so.
We paid the following fees to Ernst & Young for professional and other services rendered by
them during fiscal 2005, 2006 and 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended January 31, |
|
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
663,536 |
|
|
$ |
636,624 |
|
|
$ |
897,578 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
68,300 |
|
|
|
100,634 |
|
|
|
101,251 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees . |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
133,656 |
|
Our Audit Committee Charter requires pre-approval of all services to be rendered by our
independent auditors. It was determined that no services rendered by our outside auditors in
fiscal 2007 were prohibited under the new requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Fees
associated with the audit for fiscal 2007 were approved in advance of services being rendered. In
addition, the Audit Committee has considered whether Ernst & Youngs provision of services, other
than services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and reviews
of our financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q for the most recent fiscal year, is
compatible with maintaining Ernst & Youngs independence and has determined that such services
rendered met the requirements of independence.
29
Conns, Inc.
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 30, 2007
FORM OF PROXY
By my signature below, I revoke all previous proxies and appoint Thomas J. Frank, Sr. and
Sydney K. Boone, Jr. as proxy, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to represent and
to vote, as designated below, all shares of common stock of Conns, Inc. that I held of record as
of the close of business on April 13, 2007 at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at
3295 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, on May 30, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. local time, or any
adjournments thereof. The above named proxy is hereby instructed to vote as shown on the reverse
side.
THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN THE BOXES BELOW USING DARK INK ONLY
Proposals:
|
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|
1 |
|
To elect the nine directors listed below: |
|
FOR |
|
WITHHOLD |
|
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|
AUTHORITY |
|
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|
Thomas J. Frank, Sr.
|
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o
|
|
o |
|
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|
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|
Marvin D. Brailsford
Jon E.M. Jacoby
Bob L. Martin
Douglas H. Martin
Dr. William C. Nylin, Jr.
Scott L. Thompson
William T. Trawick
Theodore M. Wright |
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR (To
withhold authority to vote for
either individual nominee, write
the nominees name in the space
provided below):
|
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2
|
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|
to ratify the Audit Committees
appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as our
independent public accountants for the
fiscal year ending January 31, 2008.
|
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FOR
o
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AGAINST
o |
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3.
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In the above named proxys discretion,
to act upon such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.
|
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FOR
o
|
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AGAINST
o
|
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ABSTAIN
o |
|
IMPORTANT This proxy must be signed and dated on the reverse side.
If you execute and return this proxy it will be voted in the manner you have indicated on the
reverse side. If you execute and return this proxy without indicating any voting preference, this
proxy will be voted FOR Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2, and in the discretion of the above named
person acting as proxy on such other matters that may properly come before the meeting.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this proxy. Joint owners should each sign. When
signing as a fiduciary, such as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, etc.,
please give your full title as such. Please return this form of proxy promptly in the enclosed
envelope.
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of the Notice of 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the
Proxy Statement accompanying such Notice, each dated April 25, 2007.
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Print Name
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Print Name |
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Signature(s)
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Signature(s) |
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Date
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Date |
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