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OMB APPROVAL |
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OMB Number:
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3235-0059 |
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Expires:
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14.75 |
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 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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x Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
United States Lime
& Minerals, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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x No fee required. |
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o
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (11-01) |
Persons who are to respond to the collection of information
contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid
OMB control number. |
United
States Lime & Minerals, Inc.
5429
LBJ Freeway, Suite 230
Dallas,
Texas 75240
April 6, 2007
Dear Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4, at the
Crowne Plaza Suites, 7800 Alpha Road, Dallas, Texas, 75240.
Please refer to the back of this letter for directions. The
meeting will be preceded by an informal reception starting at
9:30 a.m., at which you will have an opportunity to meet
our directors and officers.
Enclosed with this letter is a Notice of the Annual Meeting,
proxy statement, and proxy card. I urge you to complete, sign,
date, and mail the enclosed proxy card at your earliest
convenience. Regardless of the size of your holdings, it is
important that your shares be represented. If you attend the
meeting, you may withdraw your proxy and vote in person. You may
also withdraw your proxy by submitting to us, prior to the
meeting, a written notice of revocation.
I look forward to meeting and speaking with you at the meeting
on May 4, 2007.
Sincerely,
Timothy W. Byrne
President and Chief Executive Officer
Enclosures
United
States Lime & Minerals, INC.
Directions
to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Friday,
May 4, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.
Crowne
Plaza Suites
7800
Alpha Road
Dallas,
Texas 75240
Directions
from Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport:
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Take the North exit from the airport
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East on I-635 (Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway)
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Exit at Coit Road, turning North (left) onto Coit
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Turn left at first intersection onto Alpha Road
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Hotel entrance is on the left before junction with Blossomheath
Road
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Directions
from Downtown Dallas:
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North on North Central Expressway (U.S. 75)
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Exit at Coit Road (exit passes over U.S. 75 and joins Coit)
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Continue North on Coit until you cross over I-635 (Lyndon B.
Johnson Freeway)
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Turn left at first intersection onto Alpha Road
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Hotel entrance is on the left before junction with Blossomheath
Road
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNITED
STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
5429 LBJ Freeway
Suite 230
Dallas, Texas 75240
NOTICE OF 2007 ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 4,
2007
To the Shareholders of
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of United States Lime & Minerals, Inc., a
Texas corporation (the Company), will be held on
Friday, the 4th day of May, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. local
time, at the Crowne Plaza Suites, 7800 Alpha Road, Dallas, Texas
75240 (the Annual Meeting), for the following
purposes:
1. To elect five directors to serve until the next annual
meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors
have been duly elected and qualified; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly be
brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Information regarding the matters to be acted upon at the Annual
Meeting is contained in the proxy statement accompanying this
Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on
March 23, 2007 as the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Only shareholders of record
at the close of business on the record date are entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. A complete list of such shareholders will be available
for inspection during usual business hours for ten days prior to
the Annual Meeting at the office of the Company in Dallas, Texas.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual
Meeting. Shareholders are urged, whether or not they plan to
attend the Annual Meeting, to complete, sign, and date the
accompanying proxy card and to return it promptly in the
postage-paid return envelope provided. A shareholder who has
returned a proxy card may withdraw the proxy by sending the
Company a written notice of revocation or by attending the
Annual Meeting and voting in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Timothy W. Byrne
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dallas, Texas
April 6, 2007
UNITED STATES LIME &
MINERALS, INC.
5429 LBJ Freeway
Suite 230
Dallas, Texas 75240
FOR
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 4,
2007
INTRODUCTION
The accompanying proxy card, mailed together with this proxy
statement, is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors of United States Lime & Minerals, Inc., a
Texas corporation (the company, we or
our), for use at our 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at the time and place and for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice. The approximate
date on which this proxy statement and the proxy card were first
sent to our shareholders is April 6, 2007.
Shares of the our common stock, par value $0.10 per share,
represented by valid proxy cards, duly signed, dated, and
returned to us and not revoked, will be voted at the annual
meeting in accordance with the directions given. In the absence
of directions to the contrary, such shares will be voted:
FOR the election of the five nominees named in the proxy card to
our Board of Directors.
If any other matter is properly brought before the annual
meeting for action at the meeting, which is not currently
anticipated, the persons designated to serve as proxies will
vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Any shareholder returning a proxy card has a right to withdraw
the proxy at any time before it is exercised by attending the
annual meeting and voting in person or by giving written notice
of such revocation to us addressed to Timothy W. Byrne,
President and Chief Executive Officer, United States
Lime & Minerals, Inc., 5429 LBJ Freeway,
Suite 230, Dallas, Texas 75240; however, no such revocation
will be effective unless such notice of revocation has been
received by us at or prior to the annual meeting.
VOTING
SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Only holders of record of our common stock at the close of
business on March 23, 2007, the record date for the annual
meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or
any adjournment thereof. The presence of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of common stock is necessary
to constitute a quorum. On the record date for the meeting,
there were issued and outstanding 6,229,554 shares of
common stock. At the meeting, each shareholder of record on
March 23, 2007 will be entitled to one vote for each share
registered in such shareholders name on the record date.
The following table sets forth, as of March 23 2007, information
with respect to shareholders known to us to be the beneficial
owners of more than five percent of our issued and outstanding
shares:
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Name and Address
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Number of Shares
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Percent
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of Beneficial Owner
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Beneficially Owned(2)
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of Class(2)
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Inberdon Enterprises Ltd.
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3,594,033
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57.69
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%
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1020-789 West Pender
Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6C 1H2(1)
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Robert S. Beall
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674,997
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10.84
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%
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5300 Miramar Lane
Colleyville, Texas 76034
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(1) |
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Inberdon Enterprises Ltd. is principally engaged in the
acquisition and holding of securities of aggregate producing
companies located in North America. All of the outstanding
shares of Inberdon are held, indirectly through a number of
private companies, by Mr. George M. Doumet. |
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(2) |
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In the case of Inberdon, based on our records as of
March 23, 2007. In the case of Robert S. Beall, based on
his Schedule 13G filed on October 9, 2006 reporting
his beneficial ownership as of that date. Assuming
Mr. Beall continued to own 674,997 shares on
March 23, 2007, such shares would represent 10.84% of the
class as of such date. |
SHAREHOLDINGS
OF COMPANY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The table below sets forth the number of shares beneficially
owned, as of March 23, 2007, by all of our directors and
named executive officers individually and all directors and
executive officers as a group:
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Number of Shares
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Percent
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Name
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Beneficially Owned(1)
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of Class
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Timothy W. Byrne
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121,845
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(2)(3)(4)
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2.58
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%
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Richard W. Cardin
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8,533
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(3)
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(6
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Antoine M. Doumet
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8,000
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(3)(5)
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(6
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Wallace G. Irmscher
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14,408
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(3)
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(6
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Edward A. Odishaw
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4,000
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(3)
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(6
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Johnney G. Bowers
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19,337
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(2)(3)
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(6
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Billy R. Hughes
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71,883
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(2)(3)(4)
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1.13
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%
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M. Michael Owens
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16,526
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(3)(4)
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(6
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Russell W. Riggs
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4,000
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(3)(4)
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(6
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All Directors and Executive
Officers as a Group (9 persons)
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268,532
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(2)(3)(4)
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4.22
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%
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(1) |
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All shares are directly held with sole voting and dispositive
power unless otherwise indicated. |
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(2) |
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Includes 6,845, 493, and 3,860 shares allocated to
Messrs. Byrne, Bowers, and Hughes, respectively, under our
401(k) plan. |
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(3) |
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Includes the following shares subject to stock options
exercisable within the next 60 days granted under our 1992
Stock Option Plan, as Amended and Restated (1992
plan), or our 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2001
plan): Mr. Byrne, 57,500; Mr. Cardin, 2,000;
Mr. Doumet, 8,000; Mr. Irmscher, 2,000;
Mr. Odishaw, 4,000; Mr. Bowers, 14,833;
Mr. Hughes, 30,000; Mr. Owens, 8,500; and
Mr. Riggs, 2,500. |
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(4) |
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Includes the following shares of restricted stock granted under
our 2001 plan: Mr. Byrne, 7,500; Mr. Hughes, 500;
Mr. Owens, 900; and Mr. Riggs, 1,500. |
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(5) |
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The named individual is the brother of Mr. George M.
Doumet, who indirectly owns all of the outstanding shares of
Inberdon. |
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(6) |
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Less than 1%. |
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PROPOSAL:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five directors, constituting the entire Board of Directors, are
to be elected at the annual meeting to serve until the next
annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective
successors have been duly elected and qualified. All of the
nominees are currently directors.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the
holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of directors
at the annual meeting. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation
prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors. All
duly submitted and unrevoked proxy cards will be voted FOR the
nominees selected by our Board except where authorization to so
vote is withheld. Votes withheld and broker non-votes are not
counted in the election of directors.
Our Board recommends that all shareholders vote FOR
the election of all such nominees. If any nominee should become
unavailable for election for any presently unforeseen reason,
the persons designated to serve as proxies will have full
discretion to vote for another person nominated by the Board.
NOMINEES
FOR DIRECTOR
The five nominees for director are named below. Each has
consented to serve as a director if elected. Set forth below is
pertinent information with respect to each nominee:
Timothy
W. Byrne
Mr. Byrne, age 49, rejoined us on December 8,
2000 as our President and Chief Executive Officer, positions he
previously held during 1997 and 1998. Mr. Byrne has served
as a director since March 1991, and served in various positions,
including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and
Vice President of Finance and Administration, from 1990 to 1998.
Prior to rejoining us in December 2000, Mr. Byrne was
President of an Internet services and communications company
focused on strategy, marketing, and technology.
Richard
W. Cardin
Mr. Cardin, age 71, has served as a director since
August 1998. He is a certified public accountant and retired
partner of Arthur Andersen LLP since 1995, having spent
37 years with that firm. He was office managing partner
with Arthur Andersen LLP in Nashville, Tennessee from 1980 until
1994. He is a member of the board of directors of Atmos Energy
Corporation, a natural gas utility company, and was, until the
corporation was sold in November 2006, a member of the board of
directors of Intergraph Corporation, a global provider of
spatial information management software and services.
Antoine
M. Doumet
Mr. Doumet, age 47, has served as a director since
July 1993, as Chairman of the Board since May 2005 and as Vice
Chairman prior to May 2005. He is a private businessman and
investor. From 1989 to 1995, he served as a director of MELEC, a
French electrical engineering and contracting company. From 1988
to 1992, Mr. Doumet served as vice president and a director
of Lebanon Chemicals Company. Mr. Doumet is the brother of
Mr. George M. Doumet, who indirectly owns all of the
outstanding shares of Inberdon.
Wallace
G. Irmscher
Mr. Irmscher, age 84, has served as a director since
July 1993. He was a senior executive with 44 years of
diversified experience in the construction and construction
materials industry. From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Irmscher served
as a director of N-Viro International Corporation, a company
involved in the recycling of industrial waste. He also serves as
an advisory board member of U.S. Concrete, Inc., a producer
of construction materials. He is past chairman of the American
Concrete Paving Association (ACPA) and is presently a board
member of the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA).
Mr. Irmscher has performed consulting services for various
companies in the cement, construction, and environmental
industries.
3
Edward A.
Odishaw
Mr. Odishaw, age 71, has served as a director since
July 1993, as Vice Chairman of the Board since May 2005 and as
Chairman from July 1993 until May 2005. Mr. Odishaw is
chairman of Austpro Energy Corporation, a public Canadian
corporation. Between 1964 and 1999, he practiced law in
Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Canada, with emphasis on
commercial law, corporate mergers, acquisitions, and finance.
Between 1992 and 1999, Mr. Odishaw was a barrister and
solicitor with the law firm of Boughton Peterson Yang Anderson,
located in Vancouver, Canada. From 1972 to 1992,
Mr. Odishaw was a barrister and solicitor with the law firm
of Swinton & Company, Vancouver, Canada.
Mr. Odishaw holds directorships in numerous companies in
Canada. Mr. Odishaw is a member in good standing of the Law
Society of British Columbia and is a non-practicing member of
the Law Society of Saskatchewan.
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS
Billy R.
Hughes
Mr. Hughes, age 68, joined us in June 1973 and has
served as Senior Vice President Sales &
Marketing since December 1998. He has over 30 years of
experience in the lime and limestone industry. Mr. Hughes
began his employment with us as a salesperson for the Arkansas
Lime plant. In 1978, he was promoted to sales manager for
Arkansas Lime. In 1983, Mr. Hughes was appointed Vice
President Sales and Marketing for both Arkansas Lime
and Texas Lime.
M. Michael
Owens
Mr. Owens, age 53, joined us in August 2002 as our
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer. He has over 30 years of financial and accounting
experience. Prior to joining us, Mr. Owens was Vice
President Finance at Sunshine Mining and Refining
Company, a silver mining company. Mr. Owens held various
financial and accounting officer positions with Sunshine from
1983 to 2002.
Johnney
G. Bowers
Mr. Bowers, age 60, joined us in June 1997 and has
served as Vice President Manufacturing since that
date. He has over 30 years of engineering and operating
experience. From May 1991 until he joined us, Mr. Bowers
served as Director of Engineering with Chemical Lime Company.
Prior to May 1991, Mr. Bowers held various senior process
engineering and project manager positions in the mining and
processing industry.
Russell
W. Riggs
Mr. Riggs, age 49, joined us in January 2006 and
subsequently was appointed as our Vice President
Production. He has over 25 years of experience in the lime
and limestone industry. During 2005, he acted as a consultant
for various engineering companies, and also as a project manager
for a specialty minerals based company. Prior to 2005,
Mr. Riggs held various plant and operations management
positions with Chemical Lime Company.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
We have adopted corporate governance practices in accordance
with the listing standards of The NASDAQ Global Market and
commensurate with our size.
Our Board of Directors consists of five directors. Upon the
recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, the Board has determined that Messrs. Odishaw,
Cardin, Doumet and Irmscher are independent within the meaning
of the NASDAQ rules. In making the determination that
Mr. Doumet is independent, the Committee and the Board
considered the fact that Mr. Doumet is the brother of
Mr. George
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M. Doumet, who indirectly owns all of the outstanding shares of
Inberdon. The fifth director is Mr. Byrne, our President
and Chief Executive Officer.
The Board meets at least four times each year, and more
frequently as required, and is responsible for supervising the
management of the business and affairs of the company, including
the development of our major policy and strategy. The Board has
a standing Executive Committee, Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Board held six
meetings, the Executive Committee held no meetings, the Audit
Committee held eight meetings, the Compensation Committee held
two meetings, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee held one meeting. During the year ended
December 31, 2006, each director attended at least 75% of
the aggregate of (a) the total number of meetings held by
the Board and (b) the total number of meetings held by all
committees on which he served. The Board has a policy
encouraging each director to attend our annual meeting of
shareholders, and all of our directors attended the 2006 annual
meeting. The Board also has a policy that, in conjunction with
each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, the independent
directors will meet in executive session.
Governance responsibilities are undertaken by the Board as a
whole, with certain specific responsibilities delegated to the
four committees as described below:
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Our Executive Committee is composed of Messrs. Doumet
(Chairman), Odishaw and Byrne. Within the policy and strategic
direction provided by the Board, the Executive Committee may
exercise all of the powers of the Board, except those required
by law, regulation or NASDAQ listing standards to be exercised
by the full Board, or another committee of the Board, and is
required to report to the Board on all matters considered and
actions taken since the last meeting of the full Board.
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Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the
Nominating Committee) is composed of
Messrs. Doumet (Chairman), Cardin, Odishaw and Irmscher,
each of whom is an independent director. The primary purposes of
the Nominating Committee are to identify and recommend
individuals to serve as members of the Board, to recommend to
the Board the duties, responsibilities, and members of each
committee, and to assist the Board with other matters to ensure
effective corporate governance, including making independence
and other determinations related to director qualifications. The
Nominating Committee is responsible for establishing the
Boards procedures for consideration of director nominees
from shareholders and the Boards process for shareholder
communications with the directors. The Nominating Committee will
consider qualified candidates for nomination for election to the
Board recommended by our directors, officers and shareholders.
In considering all such candidates, the Nominating Committee
will take into account the candidates qualifications and
the size, composition and needs of the Board, in the following
areas of experience, judgment, expertise, and skills: our
industries; accounting and finance; business judgment;
management; leadership; business strategy; risk management; and
corporate governance. All candidates should have a reputation
for integrity, have experience in positions with a high degree
of responsibility, be leaders in the companies, institutions, or
professions with which they have been affiliated, and be capable
of making a contribution to the company. Shareholders wishing to
recommend a director candidate for consideration by the
Nominating Committee should send all relevant information with
respect to the individual to the chairman of the Committee in
care of our Secretary. Shareholders and other interested persons
who wish to contact the directors on other matters should
contact our Secretary. Our Secretary, who may be contacted by
mail at our corporate address or by
e-mail at
uslime@uslm.com, forwards communications to the
director(s) as addressed in such communication. The Nominating
Committee has adopted a written charter, which is available on
our website located at www.uslm.com. The Nominating
Committee reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter on an
annual basis.
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Our Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Cardin
(Chairman), Irmscher and Odishaw. Upon recommendation of the
Nominating Committee, our Board has determined that each member
of the Audit Committee is independent and meets the other
qualification standards set by law, regulation and applicable
NASDAQ listing standards. Based on his past education,
employment experience, and professional certification in public
accounting, the Board has determined that Mr. Cardin
qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined by
the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee is
directly
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responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and
oversight of the work of our independent registered public
accounting firm (independent auditors). The Audit
Committee is also responsible for overseeing the administration
of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is available
on our website located at www.uslm.com; reviewing and
approving all related-party transactions; and administering our
procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of
complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting control and
auditing matters and for the confidential anonymous submission
by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting
or auditing matters. Under our Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics and our whistleblower procedures, proposed
transactions with related persons and other transactions,
arrangements or relationships involving a director or executive
officer that may involve potential conflicts of interest are to
be submitted in advance to the Audit Committee for its review
and approval, with any involved director or executive officer
playing no role in the investigation and consideration of the
matter. In considering whether to approve any such related-party
transaction, including with Inberdon or Mr. Beall or their
affiliates, the Committee would consider whether the transaction
was in the best interests of the company and all of its
shareholders; whether the same or a similar transaction were
available to the company from unrelated third parties on equal
or better terms; and whether the terms of the related-party
transaction were negotiated at arms-length and were at
least as favorable to the company as any other reasonably
available transaction from another party. Advice from
independent advisors, including formal fairness opinions, would
be sought where appropriate. The Audit Committee has adopted a
written charter, which is available on our website located at
www.uslm.com. The Audit Committee reviews and assesses the
adequacy of the charter on an annual basis. The Report of the
Audit Committee is set forth below.
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The Compensation Committee is composed of three independent
directors, Messrs. Odishaw (Chairman), Irmscher and Doumet.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for the evaluation,
approval, and administration of salary, incentive compensation,
bonuses, benefit plans, and other forms of compensation for our
officers and directors. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for administering the 1992 plan and the 2001 plan.
The Report of the Compensation Committee is included on
page 13.
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REPORT OF
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee is composed of three independent directors
as defined under the applicable rules of The NASDAQ Global
Market, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Committee oversees the companys
financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation and oversight of the work of the companys
independent registered public accounting firm (independent
auditors). Management has primary responsibility for the
companys financial statements and reporting process,
including the systems of internal control. Grant Thornton LLP,
the companys independent auditors, is responsible for
performing an independent audit of the companys financial
statements in accordance with standards established by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, expressing an
opinion, based on its audit, as to the conformity of such
financial statements with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with management and the independent auditors. The
Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit
Committees, as amended. In addition, the Audit Committee has
received from the independent auditors the written disclosures
required by the pronouncements on the Independence Standards
Board and discussed with them their independence from the
company and its management. The Audit Committee has considered
whether the independent auditors provision of non-audit
services to the company is compatible with the auditors
independence.
The Audit Committee meets with the independent auditors, with
and without management present, to discuss the results of their
examinations, their evaluations of the companys internal
controls, and the overall quality of the companys
financial reporting.
6
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the
Audit Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors has
approved, the inclusion of the companys audited financial
statements in the companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with the
SEC.
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit Committee of
the Board of Directors,
Richard W. Cardin, Chairman
Wallace G. Irmscher
Edward A. Odishaw
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has the
responsibility for administering our executive compensation
program. The Committee reviews and, as appropriate, makes
recommendations to the full Board regarding the base salaries
and annual cash bonuses for executive officers, and administers
our 1992 plan and 2001 plan, including the grant of stock
options and shares of restricted stock. Where appropriate, we
have also entered into employment agreements with certain
executive officers.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives. Our
principal executive compensation policy, which is endorsed by
the Committee, is to provide a compensation program that will
attract, motivate and retain persons of high quality and will
support a long-standing internal culture of loyalty and
dedication to the interests of the company and our shareholders.
In administering the executive compensation program, the
Committee is mindful of the following principles and guidelines,
which are supported by the full Board:
|
|
|
|
|
Base salaries for executive officers should be competitive.
|
|
|
|
A sufficient portion of annual compensation should be at risk in
order to align the interests of executives with those of our
shareholders.
|
|
|
|
The variable part of annual compensation should reflect both
individual and corporate performance.
|
|
|
|
As a persons level of responsibility increases, a greater
portion of total compensation should be at risk and include more
stock-based compensation to provide executives long-term
incentives and help to align further the interests of executives
and shareholders in the enhancement of shareholder value.
|
Our executive officers compensation currently has three
primary components: base salary, annual cash bonuses and
stock-based awards granted pursuant to our 2001 plan. In
addition, executive officers receive certain benefits that are
specifically provided for in their employment agreements or are
generally available to all salaried employees. We do not have
any defined benefit pension plans, nonqualified deferred
compensation arrangements or supplemental retirement plans for
our executive officers.
For each executive officer, the Committee determines the
appropriate level for each compensation component based in part,
but not exclusively, on its view of competitive market factors,
internal equity and consistency, and other considerations deemed
relevant, such as rewarding extraordinary performance. Our Chief
Executive Officer provides the Committee with recommendations
for executive officers other than himself, which the Committee
reviews and approves as submitted or with revisions, if any. The
Committee has not adopted any formal or informal policies or
guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and
currently paid compensation, between cash and non-cash
compensation, or among different forms of non-cash compensation,
and has not sought to formally benchmark our compensation
against that of our peers.
Base Salaries. The Committee determines levels
of the executive officers base salaries so as to be
competitive with amounts paid to executives performing similar
functions in comparable size non-durable manufacturing
companies. The amount of each executives annual increase
in base salary, if any, is based on a number of largely
subjective factors, including changes in the individuals
duties and responsibilities, the personal
7
performance of such executive officer, the performance of the
company,
cost-of-living
increases, and such other factors as the Committee deems
appropriate, including the individuals overall mix between
fixed and variable compensation and between cash and stock-based
compensation.
Salary increases for Messrs. Byrne, Hughes, Owens and
Bowers in 2006 were 3.77%, 3.01%, 4.42% and 2.66%, respectively.
Mr. Riggs began work with us in January 2006. Salary
increases for Messrs. Byrne, Hughes, Owens, Bowers and
Riggs effective in 2007 are 5.45%, 2.92%, 3.85%, 1.94% and
2.86%, respectively. In determining these increases, the primary
factors considered were increases in the
cost-of-living,
the officers individual performances, the growth of the
company and changes in their duties and responsibilities.
Annual Cash Bonuses. Each of our executive
officers is eligible to receive annual cash bonuses based on
determinations made by the Committee. Except in the case of
Mr. Byrne, we have not adopted a formal or informal annual
bonus plan with preset criteria and targets. Rather, the
determination to pay a cash bonus, if any, is made after the
year end based on the Committees subjective judgment with
respect to the past performance of the individual or on the
individuals attainment of nonquantified performance goals
during the year. In either such case, the bonus may be based on
the specific accomplishments of the individual or on the overall
success of the company. In the case of Mr. Byrne, in
addition to the possibility of a subjective cash bonus in the
discretion of the Committee, Mr. Byrnes employment
agreement provides for an objective annual cash bonus based on
our EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and
amortization) compared to certain EBITDA levels set forth in
Mr. Byrnes agreement for each of 2006, 2007 and 2008
beginning at a bonus of $100,000 if EBITDA is $17,000,000 and
increasing $50,000 for each $500,000 increase in EBITDA up to a
maximum of the greater of $250,000 or his base salary at
December 31 of the year in respect of which the EBITDA
Bonus is being paid if EBITDA exceeds $18,500,000.
Mr. Byrnes EBITDA bonus for 2006 is reflected on
page 9 in the Summary Compensation Table.
Discretionary cash bonus awards are determined on an annual
basis. These bonuses are paid after our earnings for the
applicable year are released. Discretionary bonuses paid in 2007
for performance in 2006 are reflected on page 9 in the
Summary Compensation Table. The discretionary bonuses were
awarded based on the substantial growth of the company,
including increased production and sales, the performance of the
company and each officers individual performance and
accomplishments during 2006.
Stock-Based Awards. The Committee also
administers our 1992 plan and 2001 plan to provide stock-based
incentives to our key employees, including executive officers.
Grants of stock options, restricted shares of stock, and other
possible stock-based compensation are based on each
individuals position within the company, level of
responsibility, past performance, and expectation of future
performance. In determining the number of stock-based awards to
be granted to each executive officer, the Committee also
considers the number of stock-based awards made in prior years
to the executive officer.
Grants of stock-based awards to Mr. Byrne are made on the
last business day of the calendar year as set forth in his
employment agreement. Grants to other executive officers are
made on or soon after the date that earnings for the preceding
calendar year are released. The Committee also may make grants
to executive officers at other times during the year in
connection with new hires or promotions. The exercise price for
stock options is set at the closing per share market price of
our common stock on the date of grant.
Our stock-based compensation policies have been impacted by the
implementation of SFAS 123(R). Generally, SFAS 123(R)
requires all stock-based payments to employees, including grants
of employee stock options and restricted stock, to be expensed
based on their fair values over the vesting period. In December
2006, the Committee determined that the amount required to be
expensed for stock options was significantly greater than the
amount of benefit employees perceived they were receiving,
especially in light of the increase in the price of our stock in
recent years. Based on a review by the Committee and management
of recent trends in executive compensation, the fact that stock
options are comparatively more dilutive to earnings than
restricted stock, as well as the effects of SFAS 123(R)
noted above, the Committee decided to change the stock-based
component of our executive officers compensation package
to be weighted more heavily toward the granting of shares of
restricted stock.
Since 2003, Mr. Byrnes employment agreement has
provided for the grant to him of 30,000 options on the last
business day of each calendar year. On December 30, 2005,
the Committee granted Mr. Byrne 30,000 options. In December
2006, the Committee and Mr. Byrne agreed to amend his
employment agreement, effective December 29, 2006, to
provide for a combination of 7,500 options and 7,500 shares
of restricted stock instead of the 30,000
8
options. The Committee determined the ratio of options and
shares of restricted stock to be awarded based, in part, on the
amount of estimated expense that the company would recognize if
the previously required 30,000 options were granted.
Options and, in the case of Mr. Byrne, shares of restricted
stock, awarded in 2006 are reflected on page 10 in the
Grants of Plan-Based Awards table. In February 2007, the
Committee granted shares of restricted stock to the other
executive officers as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of
|
Name
|
|
Restricted Stock
|
|
Billy R. Hughes
|
|
|
500
|
|
M. Michael Owens
|
|
|
900
|
|
Johnney G. Bowers
|
|
|
0
|
|
Russell W. Riggs
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
Mr. Byrnes options that are designated incentive
stock options vest one year from the date of grant and his
nonqualified options vest immediately. His shares of restricted
stock vest in two semi-annual installments. The options and
shares of restricted stock granted to the other executive
officers in 2006 and to date in 2007, respectively, vest in
three annual installments for Messrs. Owens, Bowers and
Riggs, and two annual installments for Mr. Hughes.
Tax Implications. Internal Revenue Code
Section 162(m) generally limits the corporate income tax
deduction for compensation paid to certain named executive
officers to $1 million per year, except for certain
qualified and performance-based compensation. The Committee has
not seen any need to adopt a policy with regard to qualifying
bonus awards for tax deductibility under Section 162(m).
Our cash compensation and restricted stock grants are below the
level at which this tax limitation would apply, and options
granted under our 2001 plan are intended to constitute
performance-based compensation not subject to the
Section 162(m) limitation.
Summary
Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash
compensation for 2006 earned by our President and Chief
Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our three
other executive officers:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
Qualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
Deferred
|
|
All
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Option
|
|
Plan
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Name and Principal
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Awards
|
|
Awards
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Total
|
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
($)
|
|
($)(1)
|
|
($)(2)
|
|
($)(2)
|
|
($)(3)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)(4)
|
|
($)
|
|
Timothy W. Byrne
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
118,810
|
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,451
|
|
|
|
857,261
|
|
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Billy R. Hughes
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
167,114
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,366
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,370
|
|
|
|
226,850
|
|
Senior Vice President
Sales and Marketing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Michael Owens
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
129,083
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,365
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,972
|
|
|
|
182,420
|
|
Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnney G. Bowers
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
153,633
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,882
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,159
|
|
|
|
161,674
|
|
Vice President
Manufacturing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell W. Riggs(5)
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
139,013
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28,210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,180
|
|
|
|
216,050
|
|
Vice President
Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Reflects discretionary bonuses earned in 2006 and paid in 2007. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects the dollar amount of expense recognized for financial
reporting purposes in 2006 with respect to restricted stock and
stock option awards in accordance with FSAS 123(R) and
thus, in the case of option awards, includes amounts from awards
granted in and prior to 2006. The method and assumptions used to
determine the amount of expense recognized for options is set
forth in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements
included in our annual report on
Form 10-K. |
|
(3) |
|
Reflects Mr. Byrnes EBITDA bonus earned in 2006 and
paid in 2007. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes company contributions to the 401(k) plan, the value
attributable to personal use of company-provided automobiles as
included as compensation on each executive officers
W-2 and, for
Mr. Byrne, a $30,000 payment in lieu of our obligation to
fund a life insurance or retirement arrangement. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Riggs began work with us in January 2006. |
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth information with respect to
restricted stock and stock option awards granted to the named
executive officers during 2006:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
Awards:
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Possible Payouts
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts
|
|
Number
|
|
Number of
|
|
or Base
|
|
Date Fair
|
|
|
|
|
Under Non-Equity Incentive
|
|
Under Equity Incentive
|
|
of Shares
|
|
Securities
|
|
Price of
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Awards
|
|
Plan Awards
|
|
of Stock
|
|
Underlying
|
|
Option
|
|
Stock and
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
Threshold
|
|
Target
|
|
Maximum
|
|
Threshold
|
|
Target
|
|
Maximum
|
|
or Units
|
|
Options
|
|
Awards
|
|
Option
|
Name
|
|
Date
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
($)
|
|
(#)
|
|
(#)
|
|
(#)
|
|
(#)
|
|
(#)
|
|
($/Sh)
|
|
Awards($)
|
|
Timothy W.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Byrne
|
|
|
12/29/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226,125
|
|
|
|
|
12/29/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
30.15
|
|
|
|
79,725
|
|
Billy R. Hughes
|
|
|
2/2/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
24,620
|
|
M. Michael Owens
|
|
|
2/2/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
36,930
|
|
Johnney G. Bowers
|
|
|
2/2/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
12,310
|
|
Russell W. Riggs
|
|
|
2/2/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
92,325
|
|
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth information with respect to stock
option awards exercised by, and stock awards vested for,
executive officers during 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
Value Realized on
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
Value Realized on
|
Name
|
|
Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
|
Exercise ($)
|
|
Acquired on Vesting (#)
|
|
Vesting ($)
|
|
Timothy W. Byrne
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
1,157,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Billy R. Hughes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Michael Owens
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
182,280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnney G. Bowers
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
141,850
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell W. Riggs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table includes certain information with respect to
the value of all unexercised options and unvested shares of
restricted stock as of December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
Market or
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Payout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
Shares,
|
|
|
Shares,
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
|
Shares or
|
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock
|
|
|
Units of
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have
|
|
|
That Have
|
|
|
That
|
|
|
That Have
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Not
|
|
|
Not
|
|
|
Have Not
|
|
|
Not
|
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Expiration
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Timothy W. Byrne
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.35
|
|
|
|
12/31/14
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
(6)
|
|
|
226,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.47
|
|
|
|
12/30/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30.15
|
|
|
|
12/29/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Billy R. Hughes
|
|
|
12,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.00
|
|
|
|
2/20/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.00
|
|
|
|
11/17/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.56
|
|
|
|
1/30/14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.16
|
|
|
|
2/3/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
2/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Michael Owens
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.56
|
|
|
|
1/30/14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.16
|
|
|
|
2/3/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
2/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnney G. Bowers
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.00
|
|
|
|
2/20/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.00
|
|
|
|
11/17/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
500
|
(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.56
|
|
|
|
1/30/14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
2/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell W. Riggs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.98
|
|
|
|
2/2/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These options vested on February 3, 2007. |
|
(2) |
|
These options vested 50% on February 2, 2007 and will vest
50% on February 2, 2008. |
|
(3) |
|
These options vested on January 30, 2007. |
|
(4) |
|
These options vested 50% on February 3, 2007 and will vest
50% on February 3, 2008. |
|
(5) |
|
These options vested
331/3%
on February 2, 2007 and will vest
331/3%
on each of February 2, 2008 and February 2, 2009. |
|
(6) |
|
These shares of restricted stock will vest 50% on June 29,
2007 and 50% on December 29, 2007. |
11
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information with respect to our
equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Number of Shares to be Issued
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
Upon Exercise of Outstanding
|
|
Price of Outstanding Options,
|
|
Available for
|
Plan Category
|
|
Options, Warrants and Rights
|
|
Warrants and Rights
|
|
Future Issuance
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders
|
|
|
234,117
|
|
|
$
|
14.62
|
|
|
|
97,750
|
|
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
234,117
|
|
|
$
|
14.62
|
|
|
|
97,750
|
|
Employment
Agreements
We have employment agreements with Messrs. Byrne, Hughes,
and Bowers. The agreements provide for a base salary to be
reviewed annually. Mr. Byrnes amended and restated
agreement, dated as of May 2, 2003, as further amended on
December 29, 2006, provides him with an annual base salary
of at least $250,000. The agreements for Messrs. Hughes and
Bowers provide each of them with an annual base salary of at
least $80,000 and $130,000, respectively. The agreements for
Messrs. Byrne, Hughes and Bowers also provide for a
discretionary bonus to be determined by the Compensation
Committee. In addition to the possibility of a discretionary
bonus, Mr. Byrne is eligible to receive an objective bonus
based on our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and
amortization (EBITDA) compared to certain levels set forth in
his employment agreement, as discussed above.
Mr. Byrnes agreement also provides for grants of
7,500 options and 7,500 shares of restricted stock on the
last business day of each year, an annual $30,000 contribution
to fund a life insurance or retirement arrangement and a country
club membership. The agreements also provide for use of a
company car, reimbursement of business expenses, participation
in the companys 401(k) plan and other benefit programs on
the same basis as other salaried employees.
As set forth in the table below, in the event of a change of
control of the company, Mr. Byrne is entitled to severance
payments equal to two times his then-current annual base salary,
benefits and bonuses if he voluntarily terminates his employment
within nine months following the change of control or we
terminate his employment without cause within two years
following the change of control. Mr. Byrne is entitled to
severance payments equal to his then-current annual base salary,
benefits and bonuses for one year if he is terminated without
cause other than following a change of control. Unless he
provides us with three months notice, Mr. Byrne is
not entitled to any severance payments upon his voluntary
termination; if he does provide us with such notice, he is
entitled to severance equal to two months base salary. In
the case of Mr. Bowers, his severance payment would be six
months compensation. Mr. Hughes does not have a
severance arrangement, but is generally entitled to one
years notice before termination. Mr. Byrnes and
Mr. Hughes agreements contain certain
post-termination covenants not to compete.
Mr. Hughes and Mr. Bowers agreements have
no expiration dates. Mr. Byrnes agreement expires on
December 31, 2008, and is thereafter renewable for
successive one-year periods, unless the agreement is terminated
earlier by him or us. Pursuant to Mr. Byrnes
agreement, we have agreed to use our best efforts to cause
Mr. Byrne to remain on the Board and to be appointed a
member of the Executive Committee of the Board.
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
Regardless of the manner in which an executive officers
employment terminates, including upon death, disability or
termination for cause, he is entitled to receive amounts earned
during his term of employment. Such amounts include:
|
|
|
|
|
salary through the date of termination;
|
|
|
|
stock-based compensation in which he has vested; and
|
|
|
|
unused vacation pay.
|
12
In addition, Mr. Byrne may be entitled to a proportional
EBITDA bonus for the year of termination if termination occurs
in the second half of the year.
The following table summarizes the estimated severance payments
to be made under each employment agreement, plan or arrangement
which provides for payments to an executive officer at,
following or in connection with a termination of employment due
to voluntary resignation, involuntary termination not for cause,
death or disability or change in control:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Involuntary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voluntary
|
|
|
Termination
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination
|
|
|
without
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination
|
|
|
|
without Change
|
|
|
Change in
|
|
|
Death or
|
|
|
with Change in
|
|
|
|
in Control
|
|
|
Control
|
|
|
Disability
|
|
|
Control
|
|
Employee
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Timothy W. Byrne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance(1)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,400,000
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based
Awards(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226,125
|
|
|
|
226,125
|
|
Billy R. Hughes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
171,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
171,000
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based
Awards(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Michael Owens
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based
Awards(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnney G. Bowers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,150
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based
Awards(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell W. Riggs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accelerated Vesting of Stock-Based
Awards(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The estimated severance payments are based on base salaries at
December 31, 2006 and, in the case of Mr. Byrne, his
total cash bonus received for 2006. Does not include, in the
case of Mr. Byrne, any proportional EBITDA bonus to which
he may be entitled for the year of termination if termination
occurs in the second half of the year. |
|
(2) |
|
Does not include severance payment of two months base
salary which Mr. Byrne would be entitled to if he gave us
three months notice. |
|
(3) |
|
The estimated value of accelerated vesting of stock-based awards
is based on the nonvested options and shares of restricted stock
held by each executive officer on December 31, 2006 and the
closing per share market price of our common stock on that date. |
REPORT OF
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with
management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in
this proxy statement. Based on such review and discussion, the
Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors
that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the
proxy statement.
Compensation Committee
Edward A. Odishaw. Chairman
Antoine M. Doumet
Wallace G. Irmscher
13
DIRECTOR
COMPENSATION
We use a combination of cash and stock-based awards to attract
and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board. In
setting director compensation, we consider the significant
amount of time that our directors expend in fulfilling their
duties, as well as the skill-level required by us for members of
our Board.
The following table sets forth the annual compensation for
directors who are not also employees:
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Retainer
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
Daily Meeting Fee
|
|
$
|
1,000
|
|
Telephonic Meeting Fee
|
|
$
|
500
|
|
Additional Annual Retainers:
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Committee Chairman
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
Compensation Committee Chairman
|
|
$
|
5,000
|
|
Non-employee directors are also granted 2,000 stock options
annually under our 2001 plan on the date of our annual meeting
of shareholders. The options are granted at the closing per
share market price of our common stock on the date of grant and
vest immediately.
The following table summarizes the compensation paid to
non-employee directors during 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Incentive Plan
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in Cash
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Awards(1)
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Name
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
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($)
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($)
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|
($)
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|
|
Richard W. Cardin
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42,000
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
30,980
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72,980
|
|
Antoine M. Doumet
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|
27,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,980
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
58,480
|
|
Wallace G. Irmscher
|
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|
36,550
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,980
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,530
|
|
Edward A. Odishaw
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|
35,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,980
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,980
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial reporting
purposes for 2006 in accordance with FSAS 123(R), which
equates to the fair value of the immediately vested option
awards on the date of grant. The method and assumptions used to
determine the amount of expense recognized for options is set
forth in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.
As of December 31, 2006, each director had the following
number of options outstanding: Mr. Cardin, 2,000;
Mr. Doumet, 8,000; Mr. Irmscher, 2,000; and
Mr. Odishaw, 4,000. |
INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS
Fees for professional services provided by our independent
auditors, Grant Thornton LLP, for 2006 and from May 31,
2005 through December 31, 2005, in each of the following
categories, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Audit
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|
$
|
204,847
|
|
|
$
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209,000
|
|
Audit-Related
|
|
|
20,489
|
|
|
|
16,500
|
|
Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Total
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|
$
|
225,336
|
|
|
$
|
225,500
|
|
Audit Fees. Fees for audit services include
fees associated with our annual audits, the reviews of our
quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q,
and in the 2005 period, audit services related to the
acquisition of U.S. Lime Company St. Clair.
Audit-Related Fees. Audit-related fees
principally include fees relating to an employee benefit plan
audit and accounting consultations.
14
Tax Fees. Grant Thornton did not provide any
tax services in 2006 or 2005.
Representatives of Grant Thornton are expected to be present at
the annual meeting and will have an opportunity to make a
statement if they so desire and be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy relating
to the providing of services by our independent auditors. Under
the Committees pre-approval procedures, all services to be
provided by the auditors must be approved in advance by the
Committee. The Committee has delegated to the chairman of the
Committee the authority to approve such services up to $25,000
each in the case of either a change in the scope or cost of
previously approved services, or an additional type of services
that was not covered by a prior Committee approval. The
Committee does not delegate any of its approval authority to
management.
OTHER
MATTERS
The Board does not intend to present any other matters at the
annual meeting and knows of no other matters that will be
presented. However, if any other matters properly come before
the meeting, the persons designated as proxies on the enclosed
proxy card intend to vote thereon in accordance with their best
judgment.
SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Shareholder proposals submitted to us under SEC
Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for inclusion in our
proxy statement for our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must
be received by us at our office in Dallas, Texas, addressed to
Timothy W. Byrne, President and Chief Executive Officer, not
later than December 8, 2007. Such
Rule 14a-8 shareholder
proposals must comply with SEC rules.
We must receive notice of other matters, including
non-Rule 14a-8
proposals, that shareholders may wish to raise at the 2008
Annual Meeting of Shareholders by February 21, 2008. If we
do not receive timely notice of such other matters, the persons
designated as proxies for such meeting will retain general
discretionary authority to vote on such matters under SEC rules.
Such notices should also be addressed to Mr. Byrne.
The costs of solicitation of proxies for our annual meeting will
be borne by us. Solicitation may be made by mail, personal
interview, telephone,
and/or
facsimile by our officers and regular employees who will receive
no additional compensation. We may specifically engage a firm to
aid in our solicitation of proxies, for which services we would
anticipate paying a standard reasonable fee plus
out-of-pocket
expenses. We will bear the reasonable expenses incurred by
banks, brokerage firms, and other custodians, nominees, and
fiduciaries in forwarding proxy materials to our beneficial
owners.
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
Timothy W. Byrne
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dallas, Texas
April 6, 2007
15
+
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.
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000004 |
000000000.000 ext 000000000.000 ext 000000000.000 ext
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MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5
ADD 6 |
Least Address Line |
000000000.000 ext 000000000.000 ext
000000000.000 ext 000000000.000
ext
C 1234567890
J N T |
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o
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Mark this box with an X if you have made changes to your name or address details above. |
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
1. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees.
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For All
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Withhold All
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For All Except |
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01-T.
W. Byrne, 02-R. W. Cardin, |
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o
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o
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o
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03-A. M. Doumet, 04-W. G. Irmscher, |
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05-E.A. Odishaw |
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(Except
nominee(s) written above.)
In their discretion,
the proxies are authorized to vote
upon such other business as may properly be brought
before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
B |
Authorized Signatures - Sign Here - This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed. |
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and of the Proxy Statement.
Please sign exactly as name
appears. Joint owners should each sign personally. Where applicable, indicate your official position or representative capacity.
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Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box
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Signature 2 - Please keep signature within the box
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Date (mm/dd/yyyy) |
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/ / |
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0 0 7 8 8 0
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1 U P X
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C O Y
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+ |
Proxy - United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned
hereby appoints Antoine M. Doumet and Timothy W.
Byrne, and either of them, proxies, with power of substitution in
each, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below,
all shares of Common Stock of UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
standing in the name of the undersigned on March 23, 2007, at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 4, 2007, at the Crowne Plaza Suites,
7800 Alpha Road, Dallas, Texas 75240, and at any adjournment thereof, and especially to vote on
the item of business specified below, as more fully described in the Notice of the Meeting dated
April 6, 2007, and the Proxy Statement accompanying the same, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.
You are encouraged to record your vote on the following items of
business to be brought before the Annual Meeting, but you need not
mark any box
if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors recommendation.
The proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign, date, and return this Proxy Card.
Remember, you can revoke this Proxy Card and vote in person by attending the Annual Meeting,
or by submitting to the Company prior to the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! PLEASE MARK, SIGN, AND DATE THIS PROXY
CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)