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 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, 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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No fee required. |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
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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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A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.
130 A.C. MOORE DRIVE
BERLIN, NEW JERSEY 08009
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 7, 2007
To the Shareholders of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc.:
The 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (referred to as the 2007 Annual Meeting) of A.C.
Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. (referred to as A.C. Moore) will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2007, at
11:00 a.m., prevailing time, at A.C. Moores corporate offices, located at 130 A.C. Moore Drive,
Berlin, New Jersey, 08009 for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:
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to elect two Class B directors to hold office for a term of three years and
until each of their respective successors is duly elected and qualified, as described
in the accompanying proxy statement; |
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to approve the A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as
described in the accompanying proxy statement; |
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to approve the A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Annual Incentive Plan, as
described in the accompanying proxy statement; |
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to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as A.C. Moores
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2007;
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to transact such other business as may properly come before the 2007 Annual
Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 27, 2007 are entitled to receive
the notice of, and to vote at, the 2007 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
If the 2007 Annual Meeting is adjourned for one or more periods aggregating at least 15 days
because of the absence of a quorum, those shareholders entitled to vote who attend the reconvened
meeting, if less than a quorum as determined under applicable law, shall nevertheless constitute a
quorum for the purpose of acting upon any matter set forth in this Notice of the 2007 Annual
Meeting.
If you are a shareholder of record (that is, if your stock is registered in your name), you
may vote by telephone or electronically through the Internet, by following the instructions
included with your proxy card. The deadline for voting by telephone or electronically through the
Internet is 11:59 p.m., prevailing time, on June 6, 2007. If you vote by telephone or
electronically through the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card. If your shares are
held in street name (that is, if your stock is registered in the name of your broker, bank or
other nominee), please check your proxy card or contact your broker, bank or nominee to determine
whether you will be able to vote by telephone or electronically through the Internet.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. WHETHER OR NOT YOU
EXPECT TO ATTEND THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY TO
ENSURE THEY ARE REPRESENTED AT THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING. YOU MAY SUBMIT YOUR PROXY VOTE BY TELEPHONE
OR ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE INTERNET AS DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS OR BY COMPLETING AND
SIGNING THE
ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE PROVIDED. NO POSTAGE IS
REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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Amy Rhoades |
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Corporate Secretary |
Berlin, New Jersey
April 30, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.
130 A.C. MOORE DRIVE
BERLIN, NEW JERSEY 08009
(856) 768-4930
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Board of Directors (referred to as the Board) of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc.
(referred to as A.C. Moore) is soliciting proxies for use at the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (referred to as the 2007 Annual Meeting) and any adjournment or postponement of the
2007 Annual Meeting. This proxy statement and accompanying proxy card are first being mailed or
given to shareholders on or about April 30, 2007.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
When is the 2007 Annual Meeting and where will it be held?
The 2007 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., prevailing
time, at A.C. Moores corporate offices, located at 130 A.C. Moore Drive, Berlin, New Jersey 08009.
What is the purpose of the 2007 Annual Meeting?
At the 2007 Annual Meeting, shareholders will consider and act upon the matters outlined in
the Notice of the 2007 Annual Meeting, including:
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election of two Class B directors; |
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approval of the A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (referred
to as the Stock Incentive Plan); |
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approval of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Annual Incentive Plan (referred to
as the Annual Incentive Plan); |
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ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (referred to as
PricewaterhouseCoopers) as the independent registered public accounting firm of A.C.
Moore for the year ending December 31, 2007; and |
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such other business as may properly come before the 2007 Annual Meeting or any
adjournment or postponement of the 2007 Annual Meeting. |
The nominees for director are Michael J. Joyce and Neil A. McLachlan. All nominees currently
serve as Class B directors of A.C. Moore.
Who is entitled to vote at the 2007 Annual Meeting?
The Board has set April 27, 2007 as the record date for the 2007 Annual Meeting (referred to
as the Record Date). If you were a shareholder of record, as shown on the stock transfer books of
A.C.
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Moore, at the close of business on the Record Date, you are entitled to receive the notice of,
and to vote at, the 2007 Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the 2007 Annual
Meeting. Each share of A.C. Moore common stock, no par value per share (referred to as Common
Stock), is entitled to one vote on each matter which may be brought before the 2007 Annual
Meeting.
On the Record Date, there were 20,232,666 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and,
therefore, eligible to vote at the 2007 Annual Meeting.
How many shares must be present to hold the 2007 Annual Meeting?
The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date must
be present, in person or represented by proxy, at the 2007 Annual Meeting in order to hold the 2007
Annual Meeting and conduct business. This is called a quorum. If you submit a properly executed
proxy card, vote by telephone or electronically through the Internet, then your shares will be
counted as part of the quorum. All shares of A.C. Moores Common Stock present in person or
represented by proxy (including broker non-votes) and entitled to vote at the 2007 Annual Meeting,
no matter how they are voted or whether they abstain from voting, will be counted in determining
the presence of a quorum.
A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on
a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to
that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.
If the 2007 Annual Meeting is adjourned because of the absence of a quorum, those shareholders
entitled to vote who attend the adjourned meeting, although constituting less than a quorum as
provided herein, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing directors. If
the 2007 Annual Meeting is adjourned for one or more periods aggregating at least 15 days because
of the absence of a quorum, those shareholders entitled to vote who attend the reconvened 2007
Annual Meeting, if less than a quorum as determined under applicable law, shall nevertheless
constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon any matter set forth in the Notice of the 2007
Annual Meeting.
What vote is required for the election of directors or for a proposal to be approved?
The election of directors will be determined by a plurality vote and the two nominees
receiving the most for votes will be elected. Approval of any other proposal will require the
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal.
How do I vote my shares?
In order to vote your shares, you may attend the 2007 Annual Meeting and vote in person, or
vote by proxy. If your shares are held in street name (that is, if your stock is registered in
the name of your broker, bank or other nominee) and you wish to vote at the 2007 Annual Meeting,
you will need to contact your broker, bank or other nominee regarding how to vote at the 2007
Annual Meeting.
If you are a shareholder of record (that is, if your stock is registered in your name), you
may vote by proxy, by telephone, electronically through the Internet, or by mail by following the
instructions included with your proxy card. The deadline for shareholders of record to vote
telephonically or electronically through the Internet is 11:59 p.m., prevailing time, on June 6,
2007.
A.C. Moore encourages you to take advantage of these ways to vote your shares for matters to
be covered at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Set forth below is a summary of the three voting methods
which shareholders of record may utilize to submit their votes by proxy.
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Vote by Telephone 1-866-626-4508. Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. Have your proxy card in hand when you call. You will be prompted to enter your
control number(s) which are located on your proxy card and then follow the directions given.
Vote Electronically through the Internet http://www.votestock.com. Use the Internet to vote
your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web
site. You will be prompted to enter your control number(s) which are located on your proxy card to
create and submit an electronic ballot.
Vote by Mail. Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return such card in the postage-paid
envelope A.C. Moore has provided you.
IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE INTERNET, YOU DO NOT NEED TO RETURN
YOUR PROXY CARD.
Please note that although there is no charge to you for voting by telephone or electronically
through the Internet, there may be costs associated with electronic access such as usage charges
for Internet service providers and telephone companies. A.C. Moore does not cover these costs; they
are solely your responsibility. The telephone and Internet voting procedures being made available
to you are valid forms of granting proxies under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law.
If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, that institution will send
you separate instructions describing the procedure for voting your shares.
What if I do not specify how I want my shares voted?
If you submit a signed proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or electronically through
the Internet but do not indicate how you want your shares voted, the persons named in the enclosed
proxy will vote your shares of Common Stock for:
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the election of each of the persons identified below in Proposal 1: Election of
Directors as nominees for election as directors; |
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the approval of the Stock Incentive Plan; |
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the approval of the Annual Incentive Plan; and |
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the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the independent
registered public accounting firm of A.C. Moore for the year ending December 31, 2007;
and |
With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the 2007 Annual Meeting, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote your shares of Common Stock in their discretion in
accordance with their best judgment and in the manner they believe to be in the best interest of
A.C. Moore.
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If I abstain from voting or withhold authority to vote for any proposal, will my shares be counted
in the vote?
Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, an abstention, withholding of authority to
vote or broker non-vote is not considered a vote cast and therefore will have no effect on the
vote and will not be counted in determining whether any proposal has received the required
shareholder vote.
Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?
Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the 2007 Annual
Meeting. If you are a shareholder of record, you may revoke your proxy by:
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submitting a later-dated proxy by telephone, Internet or mail; or |
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attending the 2007 Annual Meeting and voting in person. Your attendance alone will
not revoke your proxy. You must also vote in person at the 2007 Annual Meeting. |
The last vote received chronologically will supersede any prior vote. The deadline for
changing your vote telephonically or electronically through the Internet is 11:59 p.m., prevailing
time, on June 6, 2007.
If you hold your shares in street name, you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee
regarding how to change your vote.
What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?
If you receive more than one proxy card, it means that you hold shares that are registered in
more than one account. To ensure that all of your shares are counted in the vote at the 2007 Annual
Meeting, you will need to vote the shares associated with each proxy card by telephone, Internet or
mail.
Who pays for the cost of the solicitation of proxies?
A.C. Moore will bear the cost of this solicitation. In addition to solicitation by mail,
officers, directors or employees of A.C. Moore may also solicit proxies in person or by telephone
or facsimile without additional compensation. Upon request, A.C. Moore will pay the reasonable
expenses incurred by record holders of Common Stock who are brokers, dealers, banks or voting
trustees, or their nominees, for mailing proxy materials and annual shareholder reports to the
beneficial owners of the shares they hold of record.
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CHANGES IN MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On June 1, 2006, A.C. Moore appointed Rick A. Lepley as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr.
Lepley succeeded John (Jack) E. Parker, who retired as A.C. Moores Chief Executive Officer and
director effective June 1, 2006. Mr. Lepley was also appointed on June 1, 2006 to serve as a
director of A.C. Moore.
On September 13, 2006, A.C. Moore appointed Marc Katz as its new Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer. Leslie H. Gordon, former Chief Financial Officer of A.C. Moore, retired
effective July 31, 2006.
On July 24, 2006, A.C. Moore appointed Amy Rhoades as Vice President and General Counsel.
Patricia A. Parker, former Executive Vice President, Merchandising of A.C. Moore, retired
effective June 30, 2006. Ms. Parker is the wife of Jack Parker and the mother of Janet Parker, A.C.
Moores former Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing, who resigned effective July
31, 2006. Jeffrey C. Gerstel, former Executive Vice President, Store Operations, resigned
effective November 17, 2006.
Eli J. Segal, Lead Director of the Board, passed away on February 20, 2006. Mr. Segal joined
A.C. Moore as a director in August 2002 and became A.C. Moores Lead Director in 2004.
On June 12, 2006, Michael J. Joyce, a director of A.C. Moore since June 2004, was appointed
Chairman of the Board. Mr. Joyce succeeded William Kaplan, who retired from his position as
Chairman of the Board but remained as a director of A.C. Moore until November 22, 2006. In
addition, on June 12, 2006, Joseph F. Coradino was appointed to serve as a director of A.C. Moore.
In February 2007, each of Richard J. Bauer, Richard J. Drake and Richard G. Lesser, directors
of A.C. Moore, retired.
On February 16, 2007, the Board appointed Neil A. McLachlan and Thomas S. Rittenhouse to serve
as directors of A.C. Moore.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
A.C. Moores Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that the Board shall consist of
not fewer than one nor more than 15 directors, with the exact number to be fixed by the Board. The
Board has fixed the number of directors at seven. Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of
A.C. Moore, as amended, the directors are divided into three classes, which are required to be as
nearly equal in number as possible. One class of directors is to be elected annually for a term of
three years.
At the 2007 Annual Meeting, shareholders will elect two Class B directors, each to serve for a
term of three years and until his respective successor is duly elected and qualified except in case
of his earlier resignation or removal. Unless directed otherwise, the persons named in the enclosed
proxy intend to vote such proxy for the election of the listed nominees or, in the event of
inability of a nominee to serve for any reason, for the election of such other person as the Board
may designate to fill the vacancy. The Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will not be
a candidate or will be unable to serve.
The Board has nominated Michael J. Joyce and Neil A. McLachlan to serve as the Class B
directors based upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each
nominee currently serves as a director. The nominees have consented to being named in the proxy
statement and to serve if elected.
The following table sets forth information, as of the Record Date, concerning A.C. Moores
directors and nominees for election to the Board:
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Michael J. Joyce (1)
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65 |
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Chairman of the Board
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AC*, CC and N&CGC
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B
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2004 |
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Rick A. Lepley
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Chief Executive
Officer and Director
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Joseph F. Coradino
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Director
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N&CGC* and CC
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A
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2006 |
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Lawrence H. Fine
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President, Chief
Operating Officer
and Director
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2002 |
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Neil A. McLachlan (1)
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Director
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N&CGC
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Thomas S. Rittenhouse
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Director
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A
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Lori J. Schafer
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Director
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CC* and AC
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A
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Nominee for director. |
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AC Audit Committee; CC Compensation Committee; and N&CGC Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee. |
The following information about A.C. Moores directors is based, in part, upon
information supplied by such persons. Unless otherwise indicated, each individual has had the same
principal occupation for more than five years.
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Mr. Joyce has been a director of A.C. Moore since June 2004 and the Chairman of the Board
since June 2006. From 1975 through May 2004, Mr. Joyce was a partner in the public accounting firm
of Deloitte & Touche, LLP and served as the New England Managing Partner from May 1995 until his
retirement in May 2004. Mr. Joyce is a director of each of Brandywine Realty Trust, a New York
Stock Exchange traded real estate investment trust, and Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, a New
York Stock Exchange traded specialty materials producer. Mr. Joyce also served as a director of
Heritage Property Investment Trust, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange traded real estate investment
trust, until October 2006, when Heritage merged with and into affiliates of Centro Properties
Group.
Mr. Lepley has been Chief Executive Officer and a director of A.C. Moore since June 2006.
Previously, Mr. Lepley served as Executive Vice President of North American Retail for Office
Depot, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange traded global supplier of office products and services, a
position he held from March 2004 to April 2006. Mr. Lepley was President, Office Depot Japan from
May 2001 to March 2004 and was responsible for all of that companys operations in Japan. From 1994
to 2000, Mr. Lepley served as founder and President of Retail Investment Concepts, Inc., an
independent retailer and Office Depot licensee for Eastern Europe. From 1982 to 1993, Mr. Lepley
was employed by Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc., the exclusive U.S. distributor of
Mitsubishi Motors-brand cars and vehicles, where he held various positions, including Senior Vice
President of Sales and Marketing and was responsible for more than 500 Mitsubishi Motors
dealerships in the United States. He was one of 11 executives who founded Mitsubishi Motor Sales of
America, Inc. in 1982.
Mr. Coradino has been a director of A.C. Moore since June 2006. Mr. Coradino is a member of
the Board of Trustees and Office of the Chairman of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust
(referred to as PREIT), a New York Stock Exchange traded equity real estate investment trust with
a primary investment focus on retail enclosed shopping malls and open air shopping centers located
in the United States. Since June 2004, Mr. Coradino has been President of PREIT Services, LLC and
PREIT-Rubin, Inc., both management affiliates of PREIT, and has also served as Executive Vice
President-Retail of PREIT since December 2001. From November 1998 to June 2004, he was Executive
Vice President-Retail Division and Treasurer of PREIT-Rubin, Inc. From 1981 to 1998, Mr. Coradino
held various positions with PREIT, including Senior Vice President-Retail Division and Treasurer,
PREIT-Rubin, Inc.
Mr. Fine has been a director of A.C. Moore since August 2002. Mr. Fine has served as A.C.
Moores President since June 2001 and A.C. Moores Chief Operating Officer since February 2003.
Previously Mr. Fine was Executive Vice PresidentGeneral Merchandise Manager for arts and crafts
retailer Michaels Stores, Inc., a position he held since November 1996. From 1995 until joining
Michaels in November 1996, he was Senior Vice President of Merchandising for Party City Corp., a
specialty retailer of party merchandise. Prior to joining Party City, Mr. Fine held a variety of
merchandising positions with the Jamesway Corporation, a retail mass-merchandiser, for nearly 16
years.
Mr. McLachlan has been a director of A.C. Moore since February 2007. Mr. McLachlan is
President of the Consumer & Office Products Group of MeadWestvaco Corporation, a New York Stock
Exchange traded manufacturer of packaging, consumer and office products, specialty chemicals and
specialty papers. As President of the Consumer & Office Products Group, a position which he has
held since March 1999, Mr. McLachlan is responsible for the groups approximately $1.1 billion in
sales, 4,200 employees and 12 manufacturing and distribution locations. Before joining
MeadWestvaco Corporation, Mr. McLachlan served as Senior Vice President, International of
Fisher-Price, Inc., overseeing the development of Mattels infant and preschool business around the
world.
Mr. Rittenhouse has been a director of A.C. Moore since February 2007. Mr. Rittenhouse has a
39-year career in the retail and global supply chain industries. From July 1965 through January
1997, Mr. Rittenhouse was employed by Strawbridge & Clothier, Inc., a NASDAQ traded department and
discount
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store chain, where he held various key officer positions overseeing both operations and
finance, including as President of Strawbridge & Clover, Inc. From January 1997 to his retirement
in January 2004, he served as President and Chief Executive officer of the Uniform Code Council,
Inc., a global organization which sets standards for bar-coding and electronic commerce. Since
September 2004, he has been a consultant to Ralston Center, a not-for-profit organization which
develops programs and services that address the medical, mental health and quality of life needs of
older adults. Mr. Rittenhouse is a director of Boardwalk Bancorp, Inc., a NASDAQ traded bank
holding company, and Loftware, Inc. and StarCite, LLC, both of which are private software
companies.
Ms. Schafer has been a director of A.C. Moore since September 2005. Ms. Schafer has served as
the Vice President of the Global Retail Practice of SAS Institute, Inc., a provider of business
intelligence software and analytics, since October 2003, when Marketmax, Inc. was acquired by SAS.
Ms. Schafer had served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marketmax, a
merchandise intelligence software company, from October 1996 to October 2003. Prior to October
1996, Ms. Schafer held various positions at The Procter & Gamble Company, a New York Stock Exchange
traded provider of consumer products. Ms. Schafer is a director of Trans World Entertainment
Corporation, a NASDAQ traded retail company, and geoVue, Inc., a private business intelligence
software provider.
Independence
The Board has determined that the following directors, constituting a majority of the members
of the Board, are independent as defined in the applicable listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock
Market LLC (referred to as NASDAQ): Joseph F. Coradino, Michael J. Joyce, Neil A. McLachlan,
Thomas S. Rittenhouse and Lori J. Schafer. The Board also determined that the following former
directors were independent as defined in the applicable NASDAQ listing standards: Richard J.
Bauer, Richard J. Drake, William Kaplan and Richard G. Lesser.
Communication with the Board
Shareholders may communicate with the Board, including the non-management directors, by
sending a letter to an individual director or to A.C. Moores Board, c/o Amy Rhoades, Vice
President and General Counsel, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc., 130 A.C. Moore Drive, Berlin, New
Jersey 08009. All shareholder communications received by Ms. Rhoades will be delivered to A.C.
Moores Chairman of the Board or to the director to whom such correspondence is addressed.
Meetings of the Board and Committees
The Board held five meetings during 2006. The Board has three standing committees: the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
Audit Committee held 10 meetings, the Compensation Committee held three meetings and the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings during 2006. During 2006, each of the current
directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) all of the meetings of the Board (held
during the period in which he or she was a director) and (ii) all of the meetings of all committees
of the Board on which such director served (during the period that he or she served).
Attendance at Annual Meeting of Shareholders
The Board has adopted a policy that all of the directors should attend the annual meeting of
shareholders, absent exceptional cause. All directors, except for Richard J. Bauer, and Messrs.
McLachlan and Rittenhouse, who were not then directors of A.C. Moore, attended the 2006 annual
meeting of shareholders.
8
Committees of the Board
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment,
compensation, retention and oversight of the work of A.C. Moores independent registered public
accounting firm; reviews the independence of A.C. Moores independent registered public accounting
firm; discusses with management and A.C. Moores independent registered public accounting firm the
quality and adequacy of A.C. Moores controls over financial reporting; discusses A.C. Moores
annual audited financial statements and quarterly financial statements with management and A.C.
Moores independent registered public accounting firm; establishes procedures for the receipt,
retention and treatment of complaints received by A.C. Moore regarding accounting, controls over
financial reporting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee also pre-approves the professional
services provided by A.C. Moores independent registered public accounting firm. The
responsibilities of the Audit Committee are further described in the Audit Committee Charter
adopted by the Audit Committee and the Board, which charter was amended in April 2007 to add that
the Audit Committee is primarily responsible for approving any related party transactions. A copy
of the Audit Committee Charter, as amended, can be found on A.C. Moores website at
www.acmoore.com/corporate.asp.
The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Joyce (Chair) and Rittenhouse, and Ms.
Schafer. Mr. Coradino was appointed to the Audit Committee in June 2006 and served through
February 2007. Mr. Bauer served as a member of the Audit Committee throughout 2006, and resigned
from the Board and the Audit Committee in February 2007. Mr. Rittenhouse was appointed to the
Audit Committee in February 2007. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee
is independent as defined in the applicable NASDAQ listing standards and Securities and Exchange
Commission (referred to as the SEC) regulations. The Board of A.C. Moore has determined that Mr.
Joyce and Mr. Rittenhouse each qualify as an audit committee financial expert as that term is
defined in SEC regulations. The report of the Audit Committee is set forth on page 12 of this proxy
statement.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the
Board regarding the salaries, bonuses and other forms of compensation for executive officers and
directors of A.C. Moore and administers various compensation and benefit plans. The
responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are further described in the Compensation Committee
Charter adopted by the Compensation Committee and the Board, a copy of which can be found on A.C.
Moores website at www.acmoore.com/corporate.asp. For a discussion of A.C. Moores processes and
procedures for the consideration and determinations of executive compensation, see Compensation
Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 21 of this proxy statement and for a discussion of A.C.
Moores processes and procedures for the consideration and determinations of director compensation,
see Director Compensation Process and Procedures for Determining Director Compensation.
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Ms. Schafer (Chair) and Messrs. Coradino
and Joyce. Ms. Schafer was appointed to the Compensation Committee in February 2006 and appointed
as Chair of the Compensation Committee in November 2006. Mr. Lesser served as the Chair of the
Compensation Committee until November 2006. Mr. Lesser served as a member of the Compensation
Committee throughout 2006 and resigned from the Board and the Compensation Committee in February
2007. Mr. Coradino was appointed to the Compensation Committee in November 2006. The Board has
determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent as defined in the
applicable NASDAQ listing standards. The report of the Compensation Committee begins on page 28 of
this proxy statement.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the size of the Board and each committee of
the Board; identifies individuals qualified to become members of the Board consistent with
9
the criteria approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; establishes
policies regarding the consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders;
establishes procedures to be followed by shareholders in submitting recommendations for director
candidates; considers candidates nominated by shareholders in accordance with A.C. Moores amended
and restated bylaws (referred to as the bylaws); recommends to the Board the director nominees
for each annual meeting of shareholders; assists the Board in the event of a vacancy by identifying
individuals to fill such vacancy; makes recommendations to the Board regarding determinations of
independence of the members of the Board; makes annual recommendations to the Board regarding
director nominees for each board committee; develops and recommends to the Board corporate
governance guidelines; monitors and updates A.C. Moores corporate governance principles and
policies; reviews and makes recommendations to the Board with respect to A.C. Moores code of
ethics; advises the Compensation Committee and the Board on director compensation from time to
time; oversees new director orientation to A.C. Moore and leads the Boards annual review of the
Boards performance. The responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are
further described in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter adopted by the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board, a copy of which can be found on A.C.
Moores website at www.acmoore.com/corporate.asp.
The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Messrs. Coradino
(Chair), Joyce and McLachlan. Mr. Bauer served as the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee until June 2006. He served as a member of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee throughout 2006, and resigned from the Board and from the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee in February 2007. Mr. Drake served as a member of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee throughout 2006, and resigned from the Board and the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee in February 2007. Mr. Kaplan was appointed to the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee in February 2006 after the death of Eli J. Segal, Lead Director, in
February 2006, and became its Chair in June 2006 upon Mr. Bauers resignation from this position.
Mr. Kaplan resigned from the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in
November 2006. Richard G. Lesser was appointed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee in November 2006, and resigned from the Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee in February 2007. Messrs. Coradino and McLachlan were each appointed to the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee in February 2007. Mr. Joyce was appointed to the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee in April 2007. The Board has determined that each member of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent as defined in the applicable NASDAQ
listing standards.
The information on the website listed above is not, and should not be, considered part of this
proxy statement and is not incorporated by reference in this document. This website is, and is only
intended to be, an inactive textual reference.
Director Nomination Process
Director Qualifications. While the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not
established any specific, minimum qualifications that must be met by nominees, in considering
possible candidates for nomination as a director, nominees are selected on the basis of outstanding
achievement in their careers; broad experience; education; independence under applicable rules of
NASDAQ and SEC; financial expertise; integrity; financial integrity; ability to make independent,
analytical inquiries; understanding of the business environment; and willingness to devote adequate
time to Board and committee duties. Finally, the proposed nominee should be free of conflicts of
interest that could prevent such nominee from acting in the best interests of shareholders.
Additional special criteria apply to directors being considered to serve on a particular committee
of the Board. For example, members of the
10
Audit Committee must meet additional standards of independence and have the ability to read
and understand A.C. Moores financial statements.
Director Nominee Selection Process. In the case of an incumbent director whose term of office
expires, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews such directors service to A.C.
Moore during the past term, including, but not limited to, the number of board and committee
meetings attended, as applicable, quality of participation and whether the candidate continues to
meet the general qualifications for a director outlined above, including the directors
independence, as well as any special qualifications required for membership on any committees on
which such director serves.
In the case of a new director candidate, the selection process for director candidates
includes the following steps:
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identification of director candidates by the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee based upon suggestions from current directors and executives and
recommendations received from shareholders; |
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possible engagement of a director search firm; |
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interviews of candidates by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; |
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reports to the Board by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on the
selection process; |
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recommendations by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and |
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formal nominations by the Board for inclusion in the slate of directors at the
annual meeting. |
Mr. McLachlan was proposed as a candidate by non-management members of the Board based on the
recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. After evaluating Mr. McLachlans qualifications,
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended him to the Board as a director
candidate.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominating properly submitted
shareholder recommendations for director candidates. Director candidates recommended by
shareholders are given the same consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
as candidates suggested by directors and executive officers.
Consideration of Director Candidates Recommended by Shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to
recommend a prospective director nominee should submit the shareholders recommendation to the
Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in writing c/o A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts,
Inc., 130 A.C. Moore Drive, Berlin, New Jersey 08009. The following information must be included in
or attached to the letter:
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the name and address of the shareholder making the recommendation and each
recommended nominee; |
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a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of capital stock of A.C.
Moore entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at
the meeting to vote for the person or persons recommended for nomination; |
11
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a description of all arrangements and understandings between the shareholder and
each recommended nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or
persons) pursuant to which the recommendation was made by the shareholder; |
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such other information regarding each recommended nominee as would be required to be
included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC if the
nominee were to be nominated by the Board; and |
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the consent of each recommended nominee to serve as a director of A.C. Moore if so
nominated and elected. |
The deadline for submitting shareholder recommendations pursuant to the foregoing procedures
for the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders is December 31, 2007. All shareholder recommendations
which are late or non-conforming will be rejected by A.C. Moore.
In addition, under A.C. Moores bylaws, shareholders are permitted to nominate directors to be
elected at a meeting of shareholders by providing notice and the other required information
specified in the bylaws. A.C. Moores bylaws are available, at no cost, at the SECs website,
www.sec.gov, as Exhibit 3.3 to A.C. Moores Form 8-K filed on August 27, 2004, or upon the
shareholders written request to Amy Rhoades, Vice President and General Counsel, A.C. Moore Arts &
Crafts, Inc., 130 A.C. Moore Drive, Berlin, New Jersey 08009. Nominations with respect to the 2008
annual meeting of shareholders must be received on or prior to December 31, 2007. All late or
non-conforming nominations will be rejected.
Audit Committee Report
On March 8, 2007, the Audit Committee met with management to review and discuss the audited
financial statements as well as managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting. Management represented to the Audit Committee that A.C. Moores
financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America. The Audit Committee also conducted discussions with A.C. Moores
independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, regarding the matters
required by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board. As required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussion with Audit Committees), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board, the Audit Committee has discussed with and received the required written
disclosures and confirming letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers regarding its independence and has
discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers its independence. Based upon the review and discussions
referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial
statements as well as managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting be included in A.C. Moores Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
This Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any document
previously or subsequently filed with the SEC that incorporates by reference all or any portion of
this proxy statement, except to the extent that A.C. Moore specifically requests that the Report be
specifically incorporated by reference.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Michael J. Joyce (Chair)
Lori J. Schafer
Thomas S. Rittenhouse
12
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation of non-employee directors for their service as
directors during 2006. Each of Messrs. Lepley and Fine is, and Mr. Parker was, an employee of A.C.
Moore and, as such, not compensated as a director. Messrs. McLachlan and Rittenhouse did not serve
as directors during 2006 and are therefore not included in the table below.
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Fees Earned |
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|
or Paid in |
|
Option |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($)(1)(2)(3) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Richard J. Bauer |
|
|
38,000 |
|
|
|
161,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
199,858 |
|
Joseph F. Coradino |
|
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18,125 |
|
|
|
35,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,250 |
|
Richard J. Drake |
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
|
161,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
194,358 |
|
Michael J. Joyce |
|
|
97,500 |
(4) |
|
|
104,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
201,625 |
|
William Kaplan (5) |
|
|
24,625 |
|
|
|
35,125 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59,750 |
|
Richard G. Lesser |
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
161,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
196,858 |
|
Lori J. Schafer |
|
|
38,125 |
|
|
|
66,958 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,083 |
|
Eli J. Segal (6) |
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|
33,753 |
|
|
|
219,900 |
(7) |
|
|
63,910 |
(8) |
|
|
317,563 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (referred to as FAS) No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment, as modified or supplemented (referred to as FAS 123R) based on
assumptions set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in A.C.
Moores Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (referred to as the
2006 Form 10-K) and disregarding estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting
conditions. These dollar amounts include amounts for awards granted in and prior to 2006. |
|
(2) |
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With the exception of Mr. Segal, the directors were each granted options to purchase 10,000
shares of Common Stock under A.C. Moores 2002 Stock Option Plan (referred to as the 2002
Plan) on August 3, 2006 with an exercise price of $16.88 per share. The options vest and
become exercisable in full on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The grant date fair
value, as computed in accordance with FAS 123R based on assumptions set forth in Note 1 to the
consolidated financial statements included in A.C. Moores 2006 Form 10-K of each of these
option awards is $84,300. |
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(3) |
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The following table sets forth information concerning unexercised options for the directors
as of December 31, 2006, except that the option expiration dates for options held by Messrs.
Bauer, Drake, Kaplan and Lesser have been updated to reflect the Boards approval in 2007 of a
five-year exercisability period beginning on their respective dates of retirement. With the
exception of the grants expiring on August 3, 2016, all stock options vest and become
exercisable in three equal installments each year beginning on the first anniversary of the
date of grant. The grants expiring on August 3, 2016 vest in full on the first anniversary of
the date of grant. All options have a 10-year term. |
13
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Option Awards |
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Number of |
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Securities |
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Number of Securities |
|
Underlying |
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|
Underlying |
|
Unexercised |
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|
Unexercised Options |
|
Options |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
(#) |
|
(#)(1) |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Option Expiration |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
($) |
|
Date |
Richard J. Bauer |
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.88 |
|
|
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07/19/2009 |
|
|
|
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20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.94 |
|
|
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07/18/2010 |
|
|
|
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20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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8.32 |
|
|
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07/18/2011 |
|
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|
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20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.11 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.67 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
6,668 |
|
|
|
3,332 |
|
|
|
21.95 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
16.88 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph F. Coradino |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
16.88 |
|
|
|
08/03/2016 |
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|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Richard J. Drake |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.32 |
|
|
|
07/18/2011 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.11 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.67 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
6,668 |
|
|
|
3,332 |
|
|
|
21.95 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
16.88 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Joyce |
|
|
6,668 |
|
|
|
3,332 |
|
|
|
21.95 |
|
|
|
08/26/2014 |
|
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
08/25/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
16.88 |
|
|
|
08/03/2016 |
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
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William Kaplan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
16.88 |
|
|
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11/22/2011 |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Richard G. Lesser |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.11 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.67 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
6,668 |
|
|
|
3,332 |
|
|
|
21.95 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
16.88 |
|
|
|
02/19/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lori J. Schafer |
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
08/25/2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
16.88 |
|
|
|
08/03/2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eli J. Segal |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.11 |
|
|
|
02/20/2011 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.67 |
|
|
|
02/20/2011 |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.95 |
|
|
|
02/20/2011 |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
02/20/2011 |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Includes $25,000 for service as Chair of the Boards Chief Executive Officer Search
Committee. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Kaplan retired effective November 22, 2006. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Segal passed away on February 20, 2006. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes an additional $56,000 in incremental fair value recognized under FAS 123R due to the
immediate vesting of Mr. Segals options upon his date of death. Mr. Segals estate has five
years from his date of death to exercise all vested options. |
|
(8) |
|
Represents a death benefit of $50,000 and $13,910 payment for secretarial services. |
14
Process and Procedures for Determining Director Compensation
The Compensation Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the
compensation of A.C. Moores non-employee directors. From time to time, the Compensation Committee
solicits input from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as from independent
outside consultants engaged by the Compensation Committee. The full Board, upon the recommendation
of the Compensation Committee, approves director compensation. In February 2007, the Compensation
Committee asked Hay Group, the independent outside compensation consultant retained to assist the
Compensation Committee in its analysis of A.C. Moores executive compensation programs, to perform
an analysis of A.C. Moores non-employee director compensation and make recommendations to the
Compensation Committee regarding any changes to director compensation, including the implementation
of director stock ownership guidelines. Hay Group presented data on director compensation at
comparable companies in A.C. Moores market to the Compensation Committee. Hay Group worked
directly with the Compensation Committee, receiving assignments and direction from the Compensation
Committee Chair.
2006 Compensation
Fees. The compensation payable to all of A.C. Moores non-employee directors in 2006 was as
follows:
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an annual cash retainer of $30,000; |
|
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|
|
an additional annual cash retainer of $50,000 for the Chairman of the Board; |
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|
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an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000 for the chair of the Audit Committee
and $5,000 for each other member of the Audit Committee; |
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|
an additional annual cash retainer of $5,000 for the chair of the Compensation
Committee and $2,500 for each other member of the Compensation Committee; and |
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|
|
an additional annual cash retainer of $3,500 for the chair of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee and $2,500 for each other member of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. |
Mr. Coradinos compensation was pro-rated based upon the portion of the year during which he
served as a director.
Mr. Joyce also received a $25,000 fee in 2006 for his services as Chair of the Boards Chief
Executive Officer Search Committee.
Stock Options. In August 2006, each non-employee director was granted an option to purchase
10,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $16.88 per share, the NASDAQ closing price on
the grant date. These options become exercisable in full on the first anniversary of the grant
date and have a term of 10 years.
Benefits for Mr. Segal. In consideration of Mr. Segals services as the Lead Director, in
March, 2006, the Board approved an award to Mr. Segals estate of a death benefit equal to $50,000
in cash and agreed to have A.C. Moore continue to pay the expenses related to Mr. Segals secretary
for a period of two months from the date of his death. The Board also approved the immediate
vesting of all of Mr.
15
Segals options and a five-year exercise period from his date of death, not to exceed the
original 10-year term for each option.
2007 Compensation
Fees. Based on recommendations by Hay Group, A.C. Moores outside compensation consultant,
in April 2007, the Board approved the following new compensation structure for non-employee
directors:
|
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an annual cash retainer of $35,000; |
|
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|
an additional annual cash retainer of $50,000 for the Chairman of the Board; |
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|
an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000 for the chair of the Audit Committee
and $10,000 for each other member of the Audit Committee; |
|
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|
an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000 for the chair of the Compensation
Committee and $5,000 for each other member of the Compensation Committee; |
|
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an additional annual cash retainer of $7,500 for the chair of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee and $5,000 for each other member of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee; and |
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|
an annual grant of restricted stock with a market value of approximately $50,000 on
the date of grant. |
These changes will be effective as of the 2007 Annual Meeting, provided the shareholders
approve the Stock Incentive Plan, which provides for the grant of restricted stock as one of the
types of awards available under the Stock Incentive Plan. See Proposal 2: Approval of Stock
Incentive Plan for a discussion of the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan.
Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors. Subject to shareholder approval of the Stock
Incentive Plan and based on Hay Groups recommendations, the Board has approved the implementation
of stock ownership guidelines for the non-employee directors. Requiring minimum levels of stock
ownership by non-employee directors is consistent with the Boards objective of aligning director
and shareholder interests.
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|
Directors Subject to Guidelines |
|
Ownership Multiple of Annual Cash Retainer |
All Non-Employee Directors
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Three (3) times |
Non-employee directors are expected to comply with these ownership requirements by the
end of a five-year period beginning in 2007. Shares that are counted for purposes of satisfying
ownership requirements are shares directly or indirectly owned and grants and awards under equity
incentive plans (such as vested and unvested restricted stock). Stock options do not count towards
satisfaction of the ownership requirements.
Stock Options to New Non-Employee Directors. In February 2007, the Board granted an option to
purchase 3,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $20.37, the NASDAQ closing price on
the grant date, to each of Mr. McLachlan and Mr. Rittenhouse. These options become exercisable in
full on the first anniversary of the grant date and have a term of seven years.
16
Benefits for Retiring Directors
In November 2006, Mr. Kaplan retired from the Board and, in February 2007, Messrs. Bauer,
Drake and Lesser retired from the Board. In consideration of their many years of service to A.C.
Moore, in April 2007 the Board approved a one-time retirement award of $9,375, $8,125 and $8,750,
respectively, for Messrs. Bauer, Drake and Lesser, which payments would have been received had
these directors remained on the Board through the 2007 Annual Meeting. In addition, in accordance
with their options granted under A.C. Moores 1997 Plan (as defined below) and 2002 Plan, unvested
stock options held by Messrs. Bauer, Drake, Kaplan and Lesser will continue to vest over their
remaining terms and they will have up to five years from their respective dates of retirement to
exercise all vested stock options, not to exceed the original 10-year term of each option.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION AS DIRECTORS OF THE NOMINEES NAMED IN
THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
17
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of Common Stock by (i) each person who is known by A.C. Moore to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of Common Stock, (ii) each director and nominee for director of
A.C. Moore, (iii) each executive officer of A.C. Moore named in the Summary Compensation Table and
(iv) all directors and executive officers of A.C. Moore as a group. The information about the
beneficial owners contained in the table below is based on information supplied by such persons or
SEC filings. Except as otherwise indicated, to the knowledge of A.C. Moore, the beneficial owners
of Common Stock listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares.
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Shares Beneficially Owned (1) |
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Amount and |
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|
Nature of |
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|
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Percent of |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Ownership |
|
Class |
Rick A. Lepley |
|
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53,333 |
(2) |
|
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* |
|
Lawrence H. Fine |
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230,778 |
(3) |
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1.1 |
|
Marc Katz |
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0 |
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* |
|
Amy Rhoades |
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0 |
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* |
|
Jack Parker |
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530,680 |
(4) |
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2.6 |
|
Leslie H. Gordon |
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35,000 |
(5) |
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* |
|
Patricia A. Parker |
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47,500 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
Jeffrey C. Gerstel |
|
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0 |
(7) |
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* |
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Joseph F. Coradino |
|
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0 |
|
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|
* |
|
Michael J. Joyce |
|
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10,001 |
(8) |
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* |
|
Neil A. McLachlan |
|
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0 |
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|
* |
|
Thomas S. Rittenhouse |
|
|
1,000 |
(9) |
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|
* |
|
Lori J. Schafer |
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3,333 |
(10) |
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* |
|
All
executive officers and directors as a group (9 persons) |
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298,445 |
(11) |
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1.5 |
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Citadel Limited Partnership
Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C.
Kenneth Griffin
Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. |
|
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1,035,157 |
(12) |
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5.1 |
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
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1,141,946 |
(13) |
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5.6 |
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Highside Capital Management, L.P.
Highside Management, LLC
H. Lee S. Hobson |
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1,450,000 |
(14) |
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7.2 |
|
Royce & Associates, LLC |
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1,297,900 |
(15) |
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6.4 |
|
S.A.C. Capital Advisors, LLC
S.A.C. Capital Management, LLC
S.A.C. Capital Associates, LLC |
|
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1,630,111 |
(16) |
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8.1 |
|
Steven Cohen |
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1,680,111 |
(16) |
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8.3 |
|
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. |
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2,171,360 |
(17) |
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10.7 |
|
Vardon Capital, LLC
Vardon Partners, LP
Vardon Partners II, LP
Vardon International, Ltd.
Vardon International BP, Ltd.
Vardon Focus Fund, LP
Vardon Focus Fund II, LP
|
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1,280,310 |
(18) |
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6.3 |
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18
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Shares Beneficially Owned (1) |
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Amount and |
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Nature of |
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|
Beneficial |
|
Percent of |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Ownership |
|
Class |
Vardon Focus Fund International, Ltd.
Vardon Focus International BP, Ltd.
Vardon Continuum Fund, LP |
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Vardon Capital Management, LLC
Richard W. Shea, Jr. |
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1,390,417 |
(18) |
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6.9 |
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Wells Fargo & Company |
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1,402,750 |
(19) |
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6.9 |
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* |
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Denotes less than 1%. |
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(1) |
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes
voting or investment power with respect to Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock issuable upon
the exercise of securities currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date are deemed outstanding for computing the share ownership and percentage ownership of the
person holding such securities, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of
any other person. |
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(2) |
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Includes 53,333 options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
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(3) |
|
Includes (i) 23,500 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 206,674 options exercisable within 60 days
of the Record Date; (iii) 4 shares of Common Stock allocated to Mr. Fines account under A.C.
Moores 401(k) Plan; and (iv) 600 shares of Common Stock held in a custodial account for the
benefit of Mr. Fines child. |
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(4) |
|
Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on November 9, 2006. Mr. Parker retired
as A.C. Moores Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2006. The filing indicates that Mr.
Parkers holdings exclude the following owned by his spouse, Patricia A. Parker, as to all of
which Mr. Parker disclaims beneficial ownership: (i) 35,000 shares of Common Stock; and (ii)
22,500 options exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 2006. For information on Patricia A.
Parkers beneficial ownership based on information available to A.C. Moore as of the Record
Date, see the table above and footnote (6) below. |
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(5) |
|
Based on information available to A.C. Moore as of the Record Date. Mr. Gordon retired as
A.C. Moores Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective July 31, 2006.
Includes 35,000 options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
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(6) |
|
Based on information available to A.C. Moore as of the Record Date. Ms. Parker retired as
A.C. Moores Executive Vice President, Merchandising effective June 30, 2006. Includes (i)
35,000 shares of Common Stock; and (ii) 12,500 options exercisable within 60 days of the
Record Date. |
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(7) |
|
Based on information available to A.C. Moore as of the Record Date. Mr. Gerstel resigned as
A.C. Moores Executive Vice President, Store Operations effective November 17, 2006. |
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(8) |
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Includes 10,001 options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
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(9) |
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Includes 1,000 shares of Common Stock held jointly with his spouse. |
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(10) |
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Includes 3,333 options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. |
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(11) |
|
Includes 273,341 options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date and 4 shares of Common
Stock allocated to the accounts of executive officers under A.C. Moores 401(k) Plan.
Excludes shares beneficially owned by Jack Parker, Leslie H. Gordon, Patricia A. Parker and
Jeffrey C. Gerstel, each of whom was not an executive officer or a director as of the Record
Date. |
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(12) |
|
Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 21, 2007 by Citadel Limited
Partnership (referred to as CLP), Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C. (referred to as CIG),
Kenneth Griffin (referred to as Griffin) and Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. (referred to as
CEF). The filing indicates that each of CLP, CIG, Griffin and CEF has shared
voting power and shared dispositive power over 1,035,157 shares of Common Stock. The address
of each of CLP, CIG, Griffin and CEF is 131 S. Dearborn Street, 32nd Floor, Chicago, Illinois
60603. |
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(13) |
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Based solely on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2007 by Dimensional Fund
Advisors LP (referred to as Dimensional Fund). The address of Dimensional Fund is 1299
Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401. These securities are owned by various
individual and/or institutional investors, which Dimensional Fund serves as investment adviser
with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of
the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (referred to as
the Exchange Act), Dimensional Fund is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities;
however, Dimensional Fund expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of
such securities. |
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(14) |
|
Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on October 30, 2006, Highside Capital
Management, L.P. (referred to as HCM), Highside Management, LLC (referred to as HM) and H.
Lee S. Hobson (referred to as Hobson). The filing indicates that HCM, HM and Hobson have
sole voting power and sole dispositive power over these shares of Common Stock. HCM serves as
an investment adviser to certain funds, HM is the general partner of HCM and Hobson is the
President and managing partner of HM. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the
Exchange Act, each of HCM, HM and Hobson is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such
securities; however, each of them expressly disclaims being, in fact, the beneficial owner of
such securities. The address of each of HCM, HM and Hobson is 100 Crescent Court, Suite 860,
Dallas, Texas 75201. |
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(15) |
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Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 17, 2007 by Royce & Associates,
LLC. The filing indicates that Royce & Associates, LLC has sole voting power and
sole dispositive power over these shares of Common Stock. The address of Royce & Associates,
LLC is 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019. |
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(16) |
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Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2007 by S.A.C. Capital
Advisors, LLC, S.A.C. Capital Management, LLC, S.A.C. Capital Associates, LLC, Sigma Capital
Management, LLC and Steven A. Cohen. The filing indicates that each of S.A.C. Capital
Advisors, LLC, S.A.C. Capital Management, LLC, S.A.C. Capital Associates, LLC and Mr. Cohen
has shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 1,630,111 shares. In addition, Mr.
Cohen and Sigma Capital Management, LLC share voting and dispositive power over 50,000 shares
of Common Stock. The address of S.A.C. Capital Advisors, |
19
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LLC and Mr. Cohen is 72 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. The address of
S.A.C. Capital Management, LLC and Sigma Capital Management, LLC is 540 Madison Avenue, New
York, New York 10022. The address of S.A.C. Capital Associates, LLC is P.O. Box 58, Victoria
House, The Valley, Anguilla, British West Indies. For purposes of the reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act, S.A.C. Capital Advisors, LLC, S.A.C. Capital Management, LLC, S.A.C.
Capital Associates, LLC, Sigma Capital Management, LLC and Mr. Cohen are deemed to be
beneficial owners of such securities; however, S.A.C. Capital Advisors, LLC, S.A.C. Capital
Management, LLC, Sigma Capital Management, LLC and Mr. Cohen expressly disclaim that they are,
in fact, the beneficial owners of such securities. |
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(17) |
|
Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2007 by T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc. (referred to as Price Associates). The address of Price Associates is 100
E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. These securities are owned by various individual
and institutional investors, which Price Associates serves as investment adviser with power to
direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act, Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such
securities; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial
owner of such securities. |
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(18) |
|
Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2007 by (i) Vardon Capital,
LLC (referred to as VC), general partner of Domestic Funds, as defined below, (ii) Vardon
Capital Management, LLC (referred to as VCM), investment manager of Domestic Funds and
Offshore Funds, as defined below, (iii) Richard W. Shea, Jr., sole managing member of VC and
VCM (referred to as Shea), (iv) Vardon Partners, LP, Vardon Partners II, LP, Vardon Focus
Fund, LP, Vardon Focus Fund II, LP and Vardon Continuum Fund, LP (collectively referred to as
Domestic Funds); and (v) Vardon International, Ltd., Vardon International BP, Ltd., Vardon
Focus Fund International, Ltd. and Vardon Focus International BP, Ltd. (collectively referred
to as Offshore Funds). The filing indicates that VC, Domestic Funds and Offshore Funds have
shared voting power and shared dispositive over 1,280,310 shares of Common Stock. Each of VCM
and Shea has shared voting power and shared dispositive over 1,390,417 shares of Common Stock.
The address of VC, VCM, Shea and Domestic Funds is 120 West 45th Street, 17th Floor, New
York, New York 10036. The address of Offshore Funds is Admiral Financial Center, P.O. Box
32021 SMB, 90 Fort Street, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I. |
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(19) |
|
Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 24, 2007 by Wells Fargo &
Company on its own behalf and on behalf of the following subsidiaries: Wells Capital
Management Incorporated, Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Peregrine Capital Management, Inc.
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. The filing indicates that Wells Fargo &
Company has sole voting power over 1,331,250 shares of Common Stock and sole dispositive power
over 1,397,950 shares of Common Stock. The address of Wells Fargo & Company is 420 Montgomery
Street, San Francisco, California 94104. |
20
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT ALSO DIRECTORS
A.C. Moores executive officers, as of the Record Date, who are not also directors are as
follows:
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Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Marc Katz
|
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|
42 |
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Amy Rhoades
|
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|
35 |
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Vice President and General Counsel |
Mr. Katz has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of A.C. Moore
since September 2006. Previously, Mr. Katz was Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
of Foot Locker, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange traded specialty athletic retailer, a position he
held from May 2003 to September 2006. Mr. Katz served as Vice President and Chief Information
Officer of Foot Locker from July 2002 to May 2003. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Katz served in the
following capacities at the financial services center of Foot Locker: Vice President and Controller
from July 2001 to July 2002; Controller from December 1999 to July 2001; Retail Controller from
October 1997 to December 1999; and Director Inventory Control from June 1997 to October 1997. Prior
to his employment with Foot Locker, Mr. Katz served for eight years at The May Department Stores
Company, an operator of department store chains, in various financial positions.
Ms. Rhoades has served as Vice President and General Counsel of A.C. Moore since July 2006.
From April 2003 to July 2006, Ms. Rhoades was an attorney with Blank Rome LLP, a law firm based in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Rhoades joined Blank Rome as a summer associate in 2001.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
A.C.
Moore has experienced significant changes in the composition of its
senior management and Board during 2006 and early 2007. Three of our four named executive officers are new to A.C. Moore,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer who joined us in June and
September 2006, respectively. Since June 2006, four members of our Board retired after decades of
service to A.C. Moore and three new directors were appointed to our Board. We are focused on
improving profitability and are restructuring our compensation program to achieve this goal.
Unless otherwise indicated, this Compensation Discussion and Analysis sets forth the executive
compensation program which we have developed and are now implementing. We have also included
information about our compensation program and philosophy prior to these recent developments as
appropriate.
Our Philosophy
Our compensation program is based on the principles and objectives set forth below.
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We structure our compensation program to target the median of the market in which we
compete for executive talent. |
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We strive to develop compensation programs that emphasize pay-for-performance. |
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|
We strive to ensure the compensation programs maintain an appropriate balance
between base salary, annual and long-term incentive compensation. |
21
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We motivate our executives to achieve financial and operational goals by providing
them with opportunities to earn short and long-term incentive payments, at market
amounts, based on above-market performance. |
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We strive to align the earnings prospects and interests of executives with those of
our shareholders. |
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We believe our executives should have meaningful levels of ownership of A.C. Moore
stock. |
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|
We seek to retain and motivate a talented management team to continually maximize
shareholder value. |
Components of Compensation
In line with our philosophy, A.C. Moore provides a compensation program with both fixed and
variable components. Fixed compensation, which consists of base salary, is designed to attract and
retain executive talent. Variable compensation, which consists of annual and long-term incentive
programs, delivers potential awards to executives which depend, in part, upon both A.C. Moores and
the individuals performance. In addition, A.C. Moore offers a limited number of benefits
programs. The main elements of A.C. Moores executive compensation programs are outlined in the
table below.
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Compensation Element |
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Purpose |
|
Key Considerations |
Base Salary
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|
Represents pay for
an individuals
primary duties and
responsibilities.
|
|
Base salaries are
reviewed annually
and are established
based on scope of
responsibility,
internal equity,
individual
performance and
competitiveness
versus the relevant
external market or
peer group and A.C.
Moores operating
performance. |
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Annual Incentives (1)
|
|
Rewards achievement
of specific,
short-term
financial goals
with adjustments
based on the
individuals
performance.
|
|
Represents a
performance-based
annual cash
incentive
opportunity. The
amount earned
varies relative to
the targeted level
based on A.C.
Moores actual
results as well as
the individuals
performance.
Target awards are
set at
approximately the
median of the
market. |
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Long-Term
Incentive:
Stock Options Under the 1997
and 2002 Plans
|
|
Rewards
participants if the
value of A.C. Moore
stock increases.
Aligns executives
interest with that
of shareholders.
|
|
Represents a
long-term equity
incentive
opportunity. The
value realized
depends on A.C.
Moores performance
as compared to
metrics established
and approved by the
Compensation
Committee.
Historically, A.C.
Moore has used
stock options as
its primary
long-term incentive
vehicle for
management. |
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|
Long-Term
Incentive:
Equity Grants Under Stock
Incentive Plan (Subject to
Shareholder Approval)
(2)
|
|
Motivates and
rewards
participants for
meeting long-term
goals. Allows for
flexibility in
granting future
awards. Permits
grants of
appreciation only
vehicles, full
value vehicles and
performance-based
awards.
|
|
The mix of
long-term incentive
vehicles should
strike an
appropriate balance
between
performance,
shareholder value
and executive
retention. |
22
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation Element |
|
Purpose |
|
Key Considerations |
Retirement Benefits
|
|
Provide benefits to
executives and
other employees
upon retirement
from A.C. Moore.
|
|
We provide a 401(k)
employee
contribution plan
with A.C. Moore
contributions,
which is available
to all employees. |
|
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|
Employee Welfare Plans and
Other Benefits
|
|
Provide basic
health, life and
income security
needs.
|
|
These plans offer
medical, life,
dental, disability
and other employee
welfare benefits
and severance and
change-in-control
protection. The
receipt of certain
perquisites such as
automobile
allowances and
special insurance
policies was
eliminated in June
and July of 2006. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The Annual Incentive Plan for performance in the year 2007 was previously approved
by A.C. Moores Board. A.C. Moore is now seeking shareholder approval of the Annual Incentive
Plan to satisfy requirements of the Code, as defined below. See Proposal 3: Approval of
Annual Incentive Plan beginning on page 54 of this proxy statement for more information about
the Annual Incentive Plan. |
|
(2) |
|
The Stock Incentive Plan was previously approved by A.C. Moores Board. A.C.
Moore is seeking shareholder approval of the Stock Incentive Plan to satisfy certain
requirements of the Code and the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. See Proposal 2: Approval of
Stock Incentive Plan beginning on page 45 of this proxy statement for more information about
the Stock Incentive Plan. |
Compensation Committee Process
The Compensation Committee of our Board determines our overall compensation philosophy. The
Compensation Committee is also responsible for reviewing and recommending to the Board the elements
of our executive officers compensation. The other duties and responsibilities of the Compensation
Committee are set forth on page 9 of this proxy statement.
The Compensation Committee recommends to the full Board the Chief Executive Officers overall
compensation. The Compensation Committee and the other independent members of the Board discuss
the Chief Executive Officers compensation during executive session based on their assessment of
his individual performance and the financial and operating performance of A.C. Moore. Compensation
for the other named executive officers is based on recommendations to the Compensation Committee
from the Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Human Resources. The Compensation
Committee considers these recommendations based on individual responsibility, experience and
overall performance. Generally, the full Board, upon the Compensation Committees recommendation,
approves the compensation and employment agreements of A.C. Moores principal executive, financial
and operating officers; and the Board has delegated to the Compensation Committee the authority to
approve the compensation for all other officers.
During 2006, the Board and the Compensation Committee negotiated an employment agreement with
Rick A. Lepley, Chief Executive Officer who joined us in June 2006. For the Chief Executive
Officer search, the Board retained Korn/Ferry International, an executive search firm which
provided the Board with data relating to the compensation of chief executive officers at peer
companies. In addition, during 2006, the Board and the Compensation Committee also approved
employment agreements with Marc Katz, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer who
joined us in September 2006, and Amy Rhoades, our Vice President and General Counsel who joined us
in July 2006. The terms of the employment agreements with Mr. Lepley, Mr. Katz and Ms. Rhoades are
discussed on pages 33 to 38.
23
The Board and the Compensation Committee believe the terms of the compensation for the current
executive officers and agreements with Mr. Lepley, Mr. Katz and Ms. Rhoades are consistent with the
practices of other similarly situated retailers.
To assist the Compensation Committee in executing its responsibilities, including, but not
limited to, developing the Annual Incentive Plan and Stock Incentive Plan, the Compensation
Committee approved the retention of an independent outside consultant (Hay Group). In October
2006, A.C. Moore also retained Hay Group to perform an executive compensation analysis. The
consultant worked with the Compensation Committee through management, principally, our Vice
President of Human Resources, to develop information and guidance concerning best practices and
trends in executive compensation and to provide analysis of A.C. Moores compensation programs
based on retail market data. The consultant received assignments and direction by the Chair of the
Compensation Committee with input from the Vice President of Human Resources and other members of
management, as appropriate. Reports and information from these assignments were presented to the
Compensation Committee for consideration and appropriate action at Compensation Committee meetings.
Generally, the Compensation Committee reviews and adjusts targeted compensation levels
annually at its first meeting of the year. The Compensation Committee will also meet periodically
during the year to consider compensation programs and to gain relevant information and context for
determining compensation for executives.
A.C. Moore believes that to attract and retain qualified management, pay levels (including
base salary, incentive compensation and benefits) should be targeted at the 50th percentile or
median of pay levels of comparable positions at comparable companies in the market, including the
peer group. Actual compensation may vary from these targets based on several factors, including
individual performance, experience, roles and responsibilities and A.C. Moore performance.
The primary reference points for the determination of market pay practices are the
compensation levels (base salary, short-term and long-term incentives) for retail companies with
sales and market capitalizations generally consistent with that of A.C. Moore. A.C. Moore believes
that pay levels should reflect the complexity and size of our business, and that sales and market
capitalization are good surrogates for these factors. In this regard, we rely on information
generated by our Human Resources department as well as information prepared by outside consultants.
Retail market data is used, in part, to set compensation for the executive officers, but it is
not the sole point of reference. Total compensation of executive officers, including the Chief
Executive Officer, is determined after reviewing the executives performance, long-term potential,
responsibilities and experience within the context of the market data. In addition to these
factors, A.C. Moore also considers internal pay equity within the executive group.
The Compensation Committee takes into account the estimated accounting (pro forma expense) and
the tax impact of all material changes to the executive compensation program and discusses such
matters periodically during the year. In general, the policy of A.C. Moore and the Compensation
Committee is to optimize the tax deductibility of executive compensation so long as deductibility
is consistent with the more important objectives of retaining executives and maintaining
competitive, motivational and performance-based compensation programs that are aligned with
shareholder interests. The Compensation Committee has been advised that, based on current
interpretations, awards under the 1997 Director, Employee and Consultant Stock Option Plan
(referred to as the 1997 Plan), the 2002 Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan and the Annual Incentive
Plan, subject to shareholder approval of the Stock Incentive Plan and the Annual Incentive Plan at
the 2007 Annual Meeting, should satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
24
amended (referred to as the Code). The Compensation Committee has also been advised that
restricted stock awards which vest based on continued employment with A.C. Moore do not qualify as
performance-based compensation, and so may not be tax-deductible under Code Section 162(m), unless
the number of the restricted stock awards to be granted is based on the satisfaction of performance
criteria.
Elements of Our Compensation Program
Base Salary. Base salaries are an important element of compensation and provide executives
with a base level of income. In determining base pay, the Compensation Committee considers
multiple factors, including the executives responsibilities, individual performance against
predetermined objectives, base salary competitiveness as compared to the external market, internal
equity, and A.C. Moores financial and operating performance. The Compensation Committee does not
use a specific formula for evaluating the executive. Instead, executives are assessed primarily by
the Chief Executive Officer based upon how they contributed to A.C. Moores business success in
their areas of responsibility. None of our current executive officers received an increase or
decrease in base salary during 2006 or in 2007 as of the date of this proxy statement. Our former
executive officers likewise did not receive any base salary increases or decreases in 2006.
Annual Incentives. Annual cash bonuses under the Annual Incentive Plan are intended to reward
performance during the year, and therefore, can be highly variable from year to year. In February
2007, the Compensation Committee and the Board approved the Annual Incentive Plan for performance
in 2007 for A.C. Moores employees, including the current executive officers. For performance in
2007, most participants in the Annual Incentive Plan will be eligible to receive a cash payment
denominated as a percentage of base salary depending on both A.C. Moores performance relative to
pre-tax income targets and the individuals achievement of pre-determined, measurable performance
goals. The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer will be
eligible to receive a cash payment denominated as a percentage of base salary depending solely on
A.C. Moores performance in 2007 relative to pre-tax income targets. The pre-tax income targets
and individual performance goals are based on A.C. Moores budget and operating plan approved by
the Board. The plan has a minimum level of pre-tax income achievement below which no bonuses are
paid as well as a maximum level that limits annual bonus payouts. See Proposal 3: Approval of
Annual Incentive Plan beginning on page 54 of this proxy statement for a discussion of the terms
of the Annual Incentive Plan.
For 2006, executive officers employed with A.C. Moore in January 2006 had an opportunity to
earn cash rewards based on attainment of earnings per share goals determined by the former
management of A.C. Moore and adopted in the first quarter of 2006. The earnings per share
objectives for the 2006 award period were set at minimum, target and maximum levels of earnings per
share, none of which were achieved. No executive officer to whom the 2006 annual bonus opportunity
applied received a bonus for A.C. Moores 2006 performance as earnings per share performance did
not meet the required minimum level.
The Compensation Committee may make negative adjustments to reduce a potential award in whole
or in part based on the Compensation Committees assessment of individual performance by an
executive against the established individual objectives. However, the Compensation Committee
cannot use its discretion to increase the award.
Award levels at target generally reflect the median of the competitive market with the
opportunity to earn more or less depending on actual financial performance of A.C. Moore and
individual performance.
25
The Compensation Committee and the Board have the authority to award discretionary cash
bonuses in addition to annual incentive awards, if in their judgment, there has been exceptional
performance by an executive officer which has contributed to superior operating results of A.C.
Moore in a calendar year. The Board believes that the potential for such awards will help to
motivate and retain more talented executive officers.
Long-Term Equity Incentives. Long-term incentive equity awards are granted to executives
under the 1997 Plan and the 2002 Plan, each previously approved by shareholders, and subject to
approval by shareholders, the Stock Incentive Plan. The Vice President of Human Resources, with
input from the Chief Executive Officer and other members of management, recommends to the
Compensation Committee the actual grants for approval. The named executive officers participate in
this process in order to provide insight into performance of individuals over whom they have
supervision and adjust the size of the grant accordingly. The Compensation Committee recommends
these grants and the Board approves them. When approving the amount of the grants, the
Compensation Committee takes into consideration individual and A.C. Moore performance, both within
the context of market practices. As with other elements of compensation, A.C. Moore targets the
median of the market with regard to the size of long-term equity grants.
Historically, A.C. Moore has relied on stock options as its primary long-term equity vehicle.
A.C. Moore used stock option grants to align the long-term interests of executive officers and
shareholders by creating a direct link between executive compensation and shareholder return, to
enable executives to develop and maintain a long-term equity interest in A.C. Moore and to create
retention through extended vesting (typically over three years). In prior years, grants of stock
options were made on an annual basis in July or August of each year. Option exercise prices are
computed based on the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of grant. Awards may also
be granted at the time of a special event, such as upon employment, or at the Compensation
Committees discretion.
A.C. Moore believes the Stock Incentive Plan will provide flexibility in granting future
awards through a variety of equity vehicles. The Stock Incentive Plan permits grants of
appreciation only vehicles (such as stock options or stock appreciation rights), full value
vehicles (such as restricted stock or restricted stock units) and performance-based awards (such as
performance shares or performance vested restricted stock). A.C. Moore intends that the types of
equity awards granted, vesting schedules and the mix of equity vehicles used under the Stock
Incentive Plan will directly support the objectives of A.C. Moores compensation program. In
addition, in reaching the decision as to what types of equity will be awarded under the Stock
Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee will evaluate, among other considerations, industry
long-term incentive practices and changes to the required accounting and tax treatment of equity
awards.
The Compensation Committee provided the 2006 long-term incentive opportunity to the current
executive officers through a grant of stock options made in February 2007 for services in 2006.
Members of management, with input from the outside compensation consultant, recommended to the
Compensation Committee the amounts of the actual February 2007 grants to individuals over whom they
have supervision based on performance potential and market data. The number of shares of the
February 2007 stock option grant to Mr. Lepley was provided for in his employment agreement entered
into in June 2006.
In 2006, Mr. Lepley, Mr. Katz and Ms. Rhoades also received stock option grants on their
respective dates of employment as provided in their employment agreements, with an exercise price
equal to the NASDAQ closing price of A.C. Moore stock on the date of grant, a three-year ratable
vesting period and a 10-year term. The grant date fair value of these stock option grants is
presented in the executive compensation tables and accompanying notes beginning on page 29. The
terms of the stock
26
option grants made to the current executive officers in February 2007 were identical to the
2006 grants, except for the term of the option which was decreased from 10 to seven years.
Retirement Plans and Other Company Benefits
The Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers are eligible to participate in
the full range and scope of retirement and health and welfare and other benefits plans, as do all
other employees of A.C. Moore. A.C. Moore targets these types of benefits to be competitive with
the median of the market.
Retirement Benefits. A.C. Moore sponsors a 401(k) retirement plan for salaried and hourly
employees. The 401(k) plan is a tax-qualified, defined contribution plan under which fixed
contributions are made to the account of each participating employee each year. Under the 401(k)
plan, a matching contribution is made in the amount of 25% of the first 6% of eligible compensation
to a maximum of $1,500 so long as an employee has reached 21 years of age and has three months of
service. Participating employees may direct the investment of A.C. Moore matching and individual
contributions into one or more of the investment options offered by the 401(k) plan.
Other Benefits. A.C. Moore believes that its employee benefit plans, including retirement
plans and health and welfare plans, are of the type commonly offered by other employers. These
benefits form part of our compensation philosophy because A.C. Moore believes they are necessary in
order to attract, motivate and retain talented executives. In prior years, A.C. Moore provided
certain perquisites to named executive officers, specifically special insurance policies and
automobile allowances. These perquisites were eliminated in June and July 2006.
Employment, Change-in-Control and Severance Agreements
The employment agreements, which include change-in-control provisions, between A.C. Moore and
Rick A. Lepley, Chief Executive Officer, Marc Katz, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, and Amy Rhoades, Vice President and General Counsel, are summarized at pages 33 to 38 of
this proxy statement. These agreements were entered into in 2006, and A.C. Moore believes that
they reflect market practice at the time they were signed.
During 2006, A.C. Moore entered into severance agreements with John E. Parker, A.C. Moores
former Chief Executive Officer who retired in June 2006, Leslie H. Gordon, A.C. Moores former
Chief Financial Officer who retired in July 2006, and Patricia A. Parker, A.C. Moores former
Executive Vice President of Merchandising who retired in June 2006. The terms of these agreements
are discussed below beginning on page 38 of this proxy statement.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Consistent with its executive compensation philosophy and the principle of aligning executive
and shareholder interests, A.C.
Moore believes officers should retain minimum ownership levels of A.C. Moores Common Stock.
Subject to shareholder approval of the Stock Incentive Plan and upon recommendation of Hay Group,
the following stock ownership guidelines were established by the Board in April 2007.
|
|
|
Executive |
|
Ownership Multiple of Base Salary |
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Three (3) times |
Chief Financial Officer and President/Chief Operating Officer
|
|
One (1) times |
All Other Officers at the Vice President level and above
|
|
One (1) times |
27
The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer are
expected to comply with these ownership requirements by the end of a five-year period beginning in
2007. A five-year compliance period for all other officers at the Vice President level will begin
in 2008. Shares that are counted for purposes of satisfying ownership requirements are shares
directly and indirectly owned, grants and awards under equity incentive plans (such as vested and
unvested restricted stock), and shares held in the officers account under A.C. Moores 401(k)
plan. Stock options and stock appreciation rights do not count towards satisfaction of the
ownership requirements.
In conclusion, this Compensation and Discussion Analysis provides material information about
our compensation programs as required by SEC rules. Shareholders should also read the tables and
narratives below, which are relevant to the Compensation and Discussion Analysis and offer
supporting documentation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. Based on
such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in A.C. Moores Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006 and this proxy statement.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Lori J. Schafer (Chair)
Joseph F. Coradino
Michael J. Joyce
28
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table for 2006
The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to A.C. Moores
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, two other most highly compensated executive
officers, former Chief Executive Officer, former Chief Financial Officer and two other former
executive officers (collectively referred to as the Named Executive Officers) for all services
rendered in all capacities to A.C. Moore and its subsidiaries during 2006.
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
Option |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Name and Principal Position |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
Rick A. Lepley, Chief
Executive Officer (2) |
|
|
320,833 |
|
|
|
280,000 |
(3) |
|
|
276,578 |
|
|
|
35,986 |
(4) |
|
|
913,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Katz, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer (5) |
|
|
82,500 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
(3) |
|
|
50,111 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
(6) |
|
|
224,111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence H. Fine, President
and Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
554,083 |
|
|
|
1,500 |
(6) |
|
|
905,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amy Rhoades, Vice President
and General Counsel (7) |
|
|
74,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,167 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack Parker, former Chief
Executive Officer (8) |
|
|
202,604 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
724,674 |
(9) |
|
|
927,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leslie H. Gordon, former
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer (10) |
|
|
142,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
449,761 |
(11) |
|
|
250,506 |
(12) |
|
|
842,965 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patricia A. Parker, former
Executive Vice President,
Merchandising (13) |
|
|
139,455 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,214 |
(14) |
|
|
215,978 |
(15) |
|
|
419,647 |
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|
|
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|
Jeffrey C. Gerstel, former
Executive Vice President,
Store Operations (16) |
|
|
198,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,706 |
(17) |
|
|
1,500 |
(6) |
|
|
217,668 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance with FAS 123R based on assumptions set forth
in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in A.C. Moores 2006 Form 10-K and
disregarding forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. These dollar amounts
include amounts granted in and prior to 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Lepley was appointed A.C. Moores Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2006. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents a retention bonus required per his employment agreement. |
|
(4) |
|
Represents (i) $34,486 in relocation expenses and (ii) $1,500 A.C. Moore contribution to
401(k) plan. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Katz was appointed A.C. Moores Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
effective September 13, 2006. |
|
(6) |
|
Represents $1,500 A.C. Moore contribution to 401(k) plan. |
|
(7) |
|
Ms. Rhoades was appointed A.C. Moores Vice President and General Counsel effective July 24,
2006. |
|
(8) |
|
Mr. Parker retired effective June 1, 2006. |
29
|
|
|
(9) |
|
Includes (i) $675,000 as a lump sum severance payment, (ii) $42,040 in A.C. Moore-paid life
insurance premiums; (iii) $6,134 in health insurance premiums; and (iv) $1,500 A.C. Moore
contribution to 401(k) plan. |
|
(10) |
|
Mr. Gordon retired effective July 31, 2006. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes an additional $288,528 in incremental fair value recognized under FAS 123R due to
the continued vesting of Mr. Gordons options over their remaining terms post-retirement. Mr.
Gordon has five years from July 31, 2007 to exercise all vested options. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes (i) $244,625 in severance payments equal to one years compensation paid on a
monthly basis; (ii) $4,381 in health insurance premiums; and (iii) $1,500 A.C. Moore
contribution to 401(k) plan. |
|
(13) |
|
Ms. Parker retired effective June 30, 2006. |
|
(14) |
|
Includes an additional $11,472 in incremental fair value recognized under FAS 123R due to the
continued vesting of Ms. Parkers options over their remaining terms post-retirement. Ms.
Parker has five years from her retirement date to exercise all vested options. |
|
(15) |
|
Includes (i) $214,478 as a lump sum severance payment and (ii) $1,500 A.C. Moore contribution
to 401(k) plan. |
|
(16) |
|
Mr. Gerstel resigned effective November 17, 2006. |
|
(17) |
|
15,000 of Mr. Gerstels options were forfeited upon his resignation. Compensation expense
was recognized by A.C. Moore in 2006 for these forfeited options in accordance with FAS 123R. |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2006
The following table sets forth information regarding each grant of options made under the 2002
Plan to the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year 2006.
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Exercise Price of |
|
Grant Date Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Option Awards |
|
Value of Option |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Approval Date |
|
Options (#)(1) |
|
($/Sh) |
|
Awards ($)(2) |
Rick A. Lepley |
|
06/01/2006 |
|
06/01/2006 |
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
17.74 |
|
|
|
1,422,400 |
|
Marc Katz |
|
09/13/2006 |
|
09/06/2006 (3) |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
18.32 |
|
|
|
451,000 |
|
Lawrence H. Fine |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amy Rhoades |
|
07/24/2006 |
|
07/24/2006 |
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
16.38 |
|
|
|
102,000 |
|
Jack Parker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leslie H. Gordon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patricia A. Parker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeffrey C. Gerstel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Grants vest and become exercisable in three equal installments each year beginning on the
first anniversary of the date of grant. All options have a 10-year term. |
|
(2) |
|
Grant date fair value of option awards is computed in accordance with FAS 123R based on
assumptions set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in A.C.
Moores 2006 Form 10-K. |
|
(3) |
|
The Board approved Mr. Katzs employment agreement on September 6, 2006. Mr. Katzs
employment agreement provided for the grant of options to be made on his date of employment,
September 13, 2006. |
30
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2006
The following table sets forth information concerning unexercised options for each Named
Executive Officer outstanding as of the end of the fiscal year 2006. All stock options were
granted under either A.C. Moores 1997 Plan or 2002 Plan.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Unexercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Options |
|
Options |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
(#) |
|
(#)(1) |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Option Expiration |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
($) |
|
Date |
Rick A. Lepley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
|
17.74 |
|
|
|
06/01/2016 |
|
Marc Katz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
18.32 |
|
|
|
09/13/2016 |
|
Lawrence H. Fine |
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.11 |
|
|
|
08/22/2012 |
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.67 |
|
|
|
08/29/2013 |
|
|
|
|
33,340 |
|
|
|
16,660 |
|
|
|
21.95 |
|
|
|
08/26/2014 |
|
|
|
|
8,334 |
|
|
|
16,667 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
08/25/2015 |
|
Amy Rhoades |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
16.38 |
|
|
|
07/24/2016 |
|
Jack Parker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leslie H. Gordon |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.11 |
|
|
|
07/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.67 |
|
|
|
07/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
21.95 |
|
|
|
07/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
07/31/2012 |
|
Patricia A. Parker |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.11 |
|
|
|
06/30/2011 |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26.67 |
|
|
|
06/30/2011 |
|
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
06/30/2011 |
|
Jeffrey C. Gerstel |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.15 |
|
|
|
02/15/2007 |
|
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.51 |
|
|
|
02/15/2007 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
All stock options vest and become exercisable in three equal installments each year beginning
on the first anniversary of the date of grant. All options have a 10-year term. |
Option Exercises in 2006
The following table presents information concerning each exercise of stock options during 2006
for each Named Executive Officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Option Awards |
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Value Realized on |
|
|
Acquired on Exercise |
|
Exercise |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
Rick A. Lepley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Katz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence H. Fine |
|
|
35,835 |
(1) |
|
|
316,442 |
(2) |
Amy Rhoades |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jack Parker |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leslie H. Gordon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patricia A. Parker |
|
|
35,000 |
(3) |
|
|
498,250 |
(2) |
Jeffrey C. Gerstel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Fine exercised 22,051 options with an exercise price of $5.45 per share on February 27,
2006 and 13,334 options with an exercise price of $19.11 per share on November 21, 2006. |
31
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Value realized on exercise does not include payments of the exercise price or related taxes.
Amount was calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired upon exercise of the stock
options by the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the closing
price of a share of Common Stock on NASDAQ on the applicable date of exercise. |
|
(3) |
|
On September 5, 2006, Ms. Parker exercised 20,000 options with an exercise price of $2.88 per
share and 15,000 options with an exercise price of $3.94 per share. |
Stock Option Plans
A.C. Moores stock option plans consist of the 2002 Plan and the 1997 Plan (referred to
together as the Existing Plans). The purpose of the Existing Plans is to encourage ownership of
A.C. Moores Common Stock by employees and directors of A.C. Moore (and by certain consultants in
the case of the 1997 Plan) in order to attract such persons, induce them to work for the benefit of
A.C. Moore and provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of A.C. Moore. Options
granted under each plan may be incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the
Code, or options not intended to so qualify, except that incentive stock options may only be
granted to employees. The maximum total number of shares of A.C. Moores Common Stock for which
awards may be granted under the 2002 Plan and 1997 Plan is 1,500,000 and 2,000,000 shares,
respectively, subject to adjustment in a manner determined by the Compensation Committee of the
Board to reflect changes in A.C. Moores Common Stock. Payment of the exercise price for options
granted under the Existing Plans may be made in cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of
both. All options granted pursuant to the Plans are exercisable in accordance with a vesting
schedule and prior to an expiration date, each of which are set at the time of the issuance of the
option.
As of December 31, 2006, there were options to purchase 1,084,118 and 283,560 shares of Common
Stock outstanding under the 2002 Plan and 1997 Plan, respectively. Shares available for future
grants under the 2002 Plan and 1997 Plan amounted to 384,981 and 18,444 shares, respectively, as of
December 31, 2006.
All directors, officers and key employees (and certain consultants in the case of the 1997
Plan) are eligible to receive options under the Existing Plans. The Existing Plans are administered
by the Compensation Committee or, at the option of the Board, the Board may administer the Existing
Plans. The Compensation Committee approves the optionees and determines the nature of the option
granted, the number of shares subject to each option, the option vesting schedule and other terms
and conditions of each option. The Compensation Committee may modify or amend each Plan, provided
that without the consent of the participant, such action may not affect a participants rights
under previously granted options. With the consent of a participant, the Compensation Committee may
amend outstanding options in a manner not inconsistent with the applicable Plan.
If shareholders approve the Stock Incentive Plan, as described in Proposal 2 below, it will
effectively replace the Existing Plans and no further grants or awards will be made under the
Existing Plans. All subsequent grants and awards will be made under the shareholder-approved Stock
Incentive Plan. The Existing Plans will continue in effect until their respective expiration dates
for the limited purpose of administering such plans.
Agreements with Named Executive Officers
We have entered into employment agreements, which include change of control provisions, with
certain of our current executive officers. Material terms of these agreements include the term of
the agreement (including renewal provisions), the elements of the executives compensation, the
amounts and benefits payable on various termination events (including a change of control of A.C.
Moore), and
32
restrictions relating to non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality of information.
These employment agreements are summarized below.
These employment agreements provide for enhanced payments and benefits in the event of a
change of control (as defined in these agreements). The basic rationale for this change of control
protection is to diminish the potential distraction due to personal uncertainties and risks that
inevitably arise when a change of control is threatened or pending. In light of this rationale,
the Compensation Committee and the Board determined to provide these executives with what they
determined to be competitive change of control compensation and benefits.
The termination benefits payable in connection with a change of control generally require a
double trigger, which means that after a change of control (the first trigger) a covered
executives employment is either involuntarily terminated without cause or the executive resigns
for good reason (as both terms are defined in the relevant agreement), either of which would
constitute the second trigger. A double trigger was selected to increase the likelihood that an
executive would remain with A.C. Moore after a change of control. The agreements of Mr. Lepley,
Mr. Katz and Ms. Rhoades have a single trigger approach with regard to stock options held on the
date of a change in control, which means that all options held on such date immediately vest and
become exercisable upon a change in control. In addition, the Stock Incentive Plan and Annual
Incentive Plan, discussed under Proposal 2 and Proposal 3, respectively, contain a single trigger
approach with regard to vesting of awards.
In 2006, we entered into separation agreements with certain of the former executive officers
of A.C. Moore named in the Summary Compensation Table. The material terms of these separation
agreements are also described below.
Employment Agreement with Rick A. Lepley
On June 1, 2006, A.C. Moore entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lepley to serve as
A.C. Moores Chief Executive Officer effective as of June 1, 2006. Mr. Lepleys employment
agreement has an initial term of three years to be extended automatically for successive one year
terms, unless A.C. Moore or Mr. Lepley provides to the other party written notice of termination at
least six months prior to the end of the employment term. Mr. Lepley receives a base salary of
$550,000 per fiscal year (using a fiscal year starting on June 1) to be reviewed at least annually
by the Compensation Committee and subject to increase as the Compensation Committee may determine
based on, among other things, market price and performance. On June 1, 2006, Mr. Lepley received a
cash sign-on lump sum retention bonus of $280,000. Mr. Lepley earns one-twenty fourth of this
retention bonus for each month that he remains employed by A.C. Moore. If A.C. Moore terminates his
employment for cause (as defined in his employment agreement) or Mr. Lepley terminates his
employment without good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), Mr. Lepley must repay the
unearned portion of this retention bonus. Pursuant to his employment agreement, in March 2007 Mr.
Lepley received a guaranteed cash bonus of $320,000, which bonus was required to be paid on or
prior to March 31, 2007. After December 31, 2006 and for each following calendar year of his
employment with A.C. Moore, Mr. Lepley will be entitled to participate in A.C. Moores annual bonus
plan as administered by the Compensation Committee.
The employment agreement also provided for an initial grant to Mr. Lepley on June 1, 2006 of
an option to purchase 160,000 shares of Common Stock, and provides for future annual grants of an
option to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock for each calendar year after December 31, 2006.
Mr. Lepley is entitled to paid vacation, reimbursement for reasonable expenses consistent with A.C.
Moores policies, and all medical, insurance, retirement and other benefits maintained for A.C.
Moores officers. Mr. Lepley receives relocation benefits, including reimbursement for moving
expenses, payment for temporary housing and monthly round trip travel for him and his spouse in
connection with his relocation.
33
Mr. Lepleys employment agreement contains restrictive covenants relating to confidentiality,
non-competition and non-solicitation. The confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions protect
A.C. Moores confidential information and work product. Mr. Lepley may not compete with, solicit
employees from or interfere with business relationships of A.C. Moore for the same term during
which he is entitled to receive base salary after termination, with a minimum of no less than 12
months in any circumstance. The non-competition provision prohibits Mr. Lepley from engaging in
any business competing with A.C. Moores business as such business exists or is in process on the
date of the termination of Mr. Lepleys employment, within any geographical area in which A.C.
Moore engages or actively plans to engage in such business. If Mr. Lepley violates these
post-employment covenants, among other remedies, A.C. Moore is entitled to cease making
post-employment payments to Mr. Lepley.
If A.C. Moore terminates Mr. Lepleys employment without cause or Mr. Lepley terminates for
good reason during the first 24 months of the employment term, Mr. Lepley is entitled to receive
base salary and insurance benefits from the termination date through the remaining months of the
three-year employment term and bonus amounts that vary depending on whether the termination occurs
after or on or before December 31, 2006. If the termination occurs during the last 12 months of the
initial term or any extension term, Mr. Lepley will receive base salary and insurance benefits
through the twelfth month anniversary of the termination date and his pro rata bonus earned under
A.C. Moores annual bonus plan. In either case, Mr. Lepley will be entitled to receive vested and
earned but unpaid amounts under A.C. Moores incentive plans and his retention bonus will be deemed
completely earned. If A.C. Moore terminates his employment for cause or Mr. Lepley terminates
without good reason, Mr. Lepley is entitled to receive base salary through the termination date and
vested and earned but unpaid amounts under A.C. Moores health plans. He will not be entitled to
payment of a pro rata bonus. If termination occurs due to death or disability, his retention bonus
will be deemed completely earned and Mr. Lepley or his estate will be entitled to receive the sum
of his base salary through the termination date, his pro rata bonus and vested and earned but
unpaid amounts under incentive plans, health and welfare plans and other programs.
Upon a change of control (as defined in his employment agreement), Mr. Lepleys employment
agreement provides for an automatic two-year term from the date of the change of control, during
which Mr. Lepleys base salary, annual bonus and other benefits are guaranteed to be at least at
the level which he received in the 12 months prior to the change of control. If during this
two-year term A.C. Moore terminates Mr. Lepleys employment other than for cause, death or
disability or Mr. Lepley terminates for good reason, Mr. Lepley is entitled to receive a single
lump sum cash payment equal to the aggregate of his base salary through the date of termination,
two times the pro rata portion of his annual bonus, any previously deferred compensation and two
times the amount of his base salary. For termination due to death or disability following a change
of control, he or his estate as applicable will receive a cash lump sum payment equal to the
aggregate of his base salary through the date of death or disability and a pro rata bonus
determined in the same manner as if there were no change of control, plus all other benefits he
would be entitled to through the date of death or disability, as applicable. If A.C. Moore
terminates for cause or Mr. Lepley terminates without good reason following a change of control, he
is only entitled to base salary through the date of termination and the benefits to which he would
be entitled through the date of termination.
If any payments to Mr. Lepley upon a change in control as described above would constitute an
excess payment under Code Section 280G and be subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section
4999 on such excess payments, Mr. Lepley is entitled to a tax gross-up payment of such amount
that would leave him in the same tax position as if no such excise tax (including related penalties
or interest) was applicable.
34
On November 15, 2006, A.C. Moore entered into an amendment to Mr. Lepleys employment
agreement. The amendment provides for the following changes:
|
|
|
A.C. Moore is obligated to pay severance to Mr. Lepley in the event of non-renewal
of his employment agreement. |
|
|
|
|
Upon a termination without cause following a change of control, all options to
purchase common stock to which Mr. Lepley would be entitled to receive will immediately
be deemed granted and vested and Mr. Lepley will have 18 months after the termination
date to exercise these options. |
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|
|
|
All options held by Mr. Lepley on the date of a change of control will immediately
vest. If Mr. Lepleys employment is terminated without cause following the change of
control, he will have until the earlier of the end of the original option term and 18
months after the termination date to exercise the options. |
|
|
|
|
Mr. Lepley will receive each annual option grant to which he is entitled under his
employment agreement on the date in each calendar year that the Board otherwise grants
equity to management. In the event that the Board does not grant equity to management
and Mr. Lepley remains employed by A.C. Moore on June 1 of that year, Mr. Lepley will
receive the annual grant on December 31 regardless of whether he is still employed with
A.C. Moore on December 31 for that year. |
Employment Agreement with Marc Katz
On September 6, 2006, and effective as of September 13, 2006, A.C. Moore entered into an
employment agreement with Marc Katz to serve as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Katzs employment agreement has an initial term of two years to be extended
automatically for successive one year terms, unless A.C. Moore or Mr. Katz provides to the other
party written notice of termination at least 60 days prior to the end of the term.
Mr. Katz received a base salary of $275,000 per year under his employment agreement. On
September 13, 2006, Mr. Katz received a cash sign-on lump sum retention bonus of $90,000 (referred
to as the 2006 Retention Bonus). In March 2007, Mr. Katz received a cash lump sum retention bonus
of $30,000 (referred to as the 2007 Retention Bonus), which bonus was required to be paid on or
prior to March 31, 2007. Mr. Katz earns one-twenty fourth of the 2006 Retention Bonus and
one-eighteenth of the 2007 Retention Bonus for each month after receipt that he remains employed by
A.C. Moore. If A.C. Moore terminates his employment for cause (as defined in his employment
agreement) or Mr. Katz terminates without good reason (as defined in his employment agreement), Mr.
Katz must repay the unearned portions of the 2006 Retention Bonus and 2007 Retention Bonus. Mr.
Katz will also be entitled to participate in A.C. Moores annual bonus plan as administered by the
Compensation Committee. Mr. Katz was granted an option to purchase 50,000 shares of A.C. Moores
Common Stock on September 13, 2006, his start date, pursuant to his employment agreement. He will
be entitled to future equity grants as determined by the Board. Mr. Katz is entitled to paid
vacation and expense reimbursement consistent with A.C. Moores policies, and all medical,
insurance, retirement and other benefits maintained for A.C. Moores officers.
For up to 10 months from September 13, 2006, A.C. Moore agreed to pay Mr. Katzs current car
lease obligation of approximately $1,100 per month. In February 2007, A.C. Moore paid Mr. Katzs
car lease obligation in full.
35
If A.C. Moore terminates his employment without cause or Mr. Katz terminates for good reason,
Mr. Katz is entitled to receive base salary, pro rata bonus, vested and earned but unpaid amounts
under A.C. Moores incentive plans and insurance benefits through the twelfth-month anniversary of
the termination date. If A.C. Moore terminates for cause or Mr. Katz terminates without good
reason, Mr. Katz is entitled to receive base salary through the termination date and vested and
earned but unpaid amounts under A.C. Moores health plans, but will not be entitled to payment of a
pro rata bonus. If termination occurs due to death or disability, Mr. Katz or his estate will be
entitled to receive the sum of his base salary through the termination date, his pro rata annual
bonus and vested and earned but unpaid amounts under incentive plans, health and welfare plans and
other programs.
Mr. Katzs employment agreement contains restrictive covenants relating to confidentiality,
non-competition and non-solicitation that are substantively the same as those described above for
Mr. Lepley, except that the non-competition and non-solicitation prohibition is for 12 months
following the termination of his employment.
Upon a change of control (as defined in his employment agreement), Mr. Katzs employment
agreement provides for an automatic one-year term from the date of the change of control, during
which Mr. Katz is guaranteed a base salary equal to 12 times his highest monthly base salary during
the 12-months preceding the change of control, as well as an annual cash bonus at least equal to
the amount received for the last full calendar year. If A.C. Moore terminates his employment other
than for cause, death or disability or Mr. Katz terminates for good reason, Mr. Katz is entitled to
receive a single lump sum cash payment equal to the aggregate of (i) base salary through the date
of termination, plus (ii) pro rata bonus, plus (iii) any previously deferred compensation and plus
(iv) the amount of his base salary through the twelfth-month anniversary of the date of
termination. Mr. Katz will also receive insurance payments through the twelfth-month anniversary of
the termination date. For termination due to death or disability, he or his estate as applicable
will receive a cash lump sum payment equal to the aggregate of his base salary through the date of
death or disability and a pro rata bonus, plus all other benefits to which he would be entitled
through the date of death or disability, as applicable. If A.C. Moore terminates for cause or Mr.
Katz terminates without good reason following a change of control, he is only entitled to base
salary, and applicable benefits, through the date of termination. The employment agreement provides
that Mr. Katzs options vest immediately upon a change of control. If Mr. Katzs employment is
terminated without cause following a change in control, he will have until the earlier of the
original option term or 18 months after the termination date to exercise the options.
Under Mr. Katzs employment agreement, any payments received by him in connection with a
change in control or the termination of his employment will be reduced to the extent necessary so
that no portion of such payments is subject to the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999 but only
if, by reason of such reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by him exceeds the net
after-tax benefit that would be received by him if no such reduction was made.
Employment Agreement with Amy Rhoades
On July 24, 2006, A.C. Moore entered into an employment agreement with Amy Rhoades to serve as
our Vice President and General Counsel. Ms. Rhoades employment agreement has an initial term of
one year to be extended automatically for successive one year terms, unless A.C. Moore or Ms.
Rhoades provides to the other party written notice of termination at least 60 days prior to the end
of the term.
Ms. Rhoades receives a base salary of $175,000 per year under her employment agreement. Ms.
Rhoades was granted an option to purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock on July 24, 2006, her start
date pursuant to her employment agreement. Ms. Rhoades will be entitled to future equity grants as
36
determined by the Board. Ms. Rhoades is entitled to paid vacation and expense reimbursement
consistent with A.C. Moores policies, and all medical, insurance, retirement and other benefits
maintained for A.C. Moores officers.
If A.C. Moore terminates her employment without cause (as defined in her employment agreement)
or Ms. Rhoades terminates for good reason (as defined in her employment agreement), Ms. Rhoades is
entitled to receive base salary, pro rata bonus and vested and earned but unpaid amounts under A.C.
Moores incentive plans. If A.C. Moore terminates for cause or Ms. Rhoades terminates without good
reason, Ms. Rhoades is entitled to receive base salary through the termination date and vested and
earned but unpaid amounts under A.C. Moores health plans, but will not be entitled to payment of a
pro rata bonus. If termination occurs due to death or disability, Ms. Rhoades or her estate will be
entitled to receive the sum of her base salary through the termination date, her pro rata bonus and
vested and earned but unpaid amounts under incentive plans, health and welfare plans and other
programs.
Ms. Rhoades employment agreement contains restrictive covenants relating to confidentiality,
non-competition and non-solicitation that are substantively the same as those described above for
Mr. Lepley, except that the non-competition and non-solicitation prohibition is for 12 months
following the termination of her employment.
Upon a change of control (as defined in her employment agreement), Ms. Rhoades employment
agreement provides for an automatic one-year term from the date of the change of control, during
which Ms. Rhoades is guaranteed a base salary equal to 12 times her highest monthly base salary
during the 12-months preceding the change of control, as well as an annual cash bonus at least
equal to the amount received for the last full calendar year. If A.C. Moore terminates her
employment other than for cause, death or disability or Ms. Rhoades terminates for good reason, Ms.
Rhoades is entitled to receive a single lump sum cash payment equal to the aggregate of (i) base
salary through the date of termination, plus (ii) pro rata bonus, plus (iii) any previously
deferred compensation and plus (iv) the amount of her base salary through the twelfth-month
anniversary of the date of termination. Ms. Rhoades will also receive insurance payments through
the twelfth-month anniversary of the termination date. For termination due to death or disability,
she or her estate as applicable will receive a cash lump sum payment equal to the aggregate of her
base salary through the date of death or disability and a pro rata bonus, plus all other benefits
to which she would be entitled through the date of death or disability, as applicable. If A.C.
Moore terminates for cause or Ms. Rhoades terminates without good reason following a change of
control, she is only entitled to base salary, and applicable benefits, through the date of
termination.
On November 15, 2006, A.C. Moore entered into an amendment to Ms. Rhoades employment
agreement. The amendment provides for the following changes:
|
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A.C. Moore is obligated to pay severance to Ms. Rhoades in the event of non-renewal
of the employment agreement. |
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|
All options held by Ms. Rhoades on the date of a change of control will immediately
vest. If Ms. Rhoadess employment is terminated without cause following the change of
control, she will have until the earlier of the end of the original option term and 18
months after the termination date to exercise the options. |
Separation Agreement with Jack Parker
On June 1, 2006, A.C. Moore and Mr. Parker entered into an agreement and complete and full
general release pursuant to which Mr. Parkers employment terminated effective as of June 1, 2006.
Pursuant to his separation agreement, Mr. Parker received a single lump sum payment from A.C. Moore
37
in the amount of $675,000, an amount equal to 18 months of his annual base salary at the time
of his separation. Mr. Parkers separation agreement also provides for his release of A.C. Moore
from all claims, A.C. Moores reimbursement for health insurance premiums paid for 18 months
(approximately $16,000 in total) and confidentiality provisions, as well as Mr. Parkers agreement
for 18 months not to directly or indirectly compete with A.C. Moore within any geographic area in
which A.C. Moore engages in business as of the separation date.
Separation Agreement with Leslie H. Gordon
On June 1, 2006, A.C. Moore and Mr. Gordon entered into an agreement and complete and full
general release pursuant to which Mr. Gordons employment terminated effective as of July 31, 2006.
Following the separation date, Mr. Gordon will receive severance payments from A.C. Moore in an
amount equal to one years compensation at his current rate, paid in 12 equal monthly installments.
In addition, Mr. Gordons unvested stock options will continue to vest over their remaining terms
and he will have up to five years from July 31, 2007 to exercise all vested stock options. Mr.
Gordons separation agreement also provides for his release of A.C. Moore from all claims, A.C.
Moores reimbursement for health insurance premiums paid for 17 months (approximately $15,000 in
total) and confidentiality provisions, as well as Mr. Gordons agreement for 17 months not to
directly or indirectly compete with A.C. Moore within any geographic area in which A.C. Moore
engaged in business as of the separation date or solicit employees from A.C. Moore. Pursuant to
his separation agreement, Mr. Gordon agreed that for a period of one year following his separation
date, at the request of A.C. Moore, he would provide on average two to three days per week
transition assistance to A.C. Moore, for which he would not receive any additional compensation
beyond the separation payments.
On September 6, 2006, A.C. Moore and Mr. Gordon amended his separation agreement. Pursuant to
the amendment, Mr. Gordons obligation to provide transition assistance to A.C. Moore terminated on
December 31, 2006, instead of July 31, 2007.
Separation Agreement with Patricia A. Parker
On June 8, 2006, A.C. Moore and Ms. Parker entered into an agreement and complete and full
general release pursuant to which Ms. Parkers employment terminated effective as of June 30, 2006.
Following the separation date, Ms. Parker received a severance payment from A.C. Moore in an amount
equal to one years compensation at her current rate, paid in one lump sum payment. In addition,
Ms. Parkers unvested stock options will continue to vest over their remaining terms and she will
have up to five years from June 30, 2006 to exercise all vested stock options. Ms. Parkers
separation agreement also provides for her release of A.C. Moore from all claims and
confidentiality provisions, as well as Ms. Parkers agreement for 12 months not to directly or
indirectly compete with A.C. Moore within any geographic area in which A.C. Moore engaged in
business as of the separation date or solicit employees from A.C. Moore.
Tabular Information Relating to Potential Payments or Benefits upon Termination and Change in
Control
The following tables quantify the potential termination and change in control payment and
benefit amounts for Mr. Lepley, Mr. Katz and Ms. Rhoades pursuant to their employment agreements,
assuming a hypothetical triggering event had occurred as of December 29, 2006. The terms and
conditions of the post-employment and change in control provisions for Mr. Lepley, Mr. Katz and Ms.
Rhoades are described in detail above under Agreements with Named Executive Officers.
38
Rick A. Lepley
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for Cause or |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
w/o Good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Cause or |
|
|
|
|
|
w/o Cause or |
|
Reason |
|
Termination |
|
|
Termination |
|
Resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation |
|
(including |
|
due to Death |
|
|
w/o Cause or |
|
w/o Good |
|
|
|
|
|
for Good |
|
Retirement) |
|
or Disability |
|
|
Resignation |
|
Reason |
|
Termination |
|
Reason upon |
|
upon a |
|
upon a |
Item of |
|
for Good |
|
(including |
|
due to Death |
|
a Change in |
|
Change in |
|
Change in |
Compensation |
|
Reason (1) |
|
Retirement) |
|
or Disability |
|
Control |
|
Control |
|
Control |
Cash Payment
(Salary and Bonus) |
|
$ |
1,649,167 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
320,000 |
(3) |
|
$ |
1,100,000 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
320,000 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retention Bonus (5) |
|
$ |
198,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
198,800 |
|
|
$ |
198,800 |
(6) |
|
$ |
198,800 |
(6) |
|
$ |
198,800 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options (7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,220,800 |
(8) |
|
$ |
628,800 |
(9) |
|
$ |
628,800 |
(9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Insurance
Premiums |
|
$ |
28,768 |
(10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
23,808 |
(11) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excise Tax and
Gross-Up |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,876,735 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
518,800 |
|
|
$ |
2,543,408 |
|
|
$ |
827,600 |
|
|
$ |
1,147,600 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts reflect payments assuming triggering event within first 24 months of Mr. Lepleys
employment agreement. See the narrative above under Agreements with Named Executive
Officers for information on provisions relating to the last 12 months of his employment
agreement. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects (i) $1,329,167 for 29 months of base salary paid on a monthly basis and (ii)
$320,000 in pro rata bonus paid in a lump sum. |
|
(3) |
|
Reflects a lump sum payment for pro rata bonus. |
|
(4) |
|
Reflects lump sum payment equal to two times annual base salary. Mr. Lepley did not receive
any annual bonus, as defined in his employment agreement, in 2006. |
|
(5) |
|
Reflects balance of retention bonus in original amount of $280,000 deemed completely earned. |
|
(6) |
|
Mr. Lepley will be deemed to have completely earned the retention bonus upon a change in
control, irrespective of any subsequent termination. |
|
(7) |
|
Mr. Lepley receives immediate vesting and exercisability of all stock options held at the
time of a change of control irrespective of any subsequent termination and will have until the
end of the term of the option to exercise such options. In the event his employment is
terminated for any reason (other than cause) after the change in control, he will have until
the earlier of (a) the end of the original option term and (b) 18 months after termination to
exercise these options. If he is terminated for cause following the change in control, his
options terminate effective immediately. |
|
(8) |
|
Reflects (i) $628,800 in value realized upon immediate vesting of all options held at the
time of a change in control, calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of
the options and the closing price of Common Stock on December 29, 2006 multiplied by the
number of options and (ii) $592,000 in fair value for an additional 200,000 options deemed
immediately granted and exercisable calculated under FAS 123R using |
39
|
|
|
|
|
the following assumptions: (a) an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common
Stock on December 29, 2006; (b) an 18-month granted term and an expected nine month term; (c) a
risk-free interest rate of 5.0%; and (d) a volatility rate of 37.4%. |
|
(9) |
|
Reflects value realized upon immediate vesting of all options held at the time of a change in
control, calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of the options and the
closing price of Common Stock on December 29, 2006 multiplied by the number of options. |
|
(10) |
|
Reflects 29 months of health insurance premiums paid on a monthly basis. |
|
(11) |
|
Reflects 24 months of health insurance premiums paid on a monthly basis. |
40
Marc Katz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Cause or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
Resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Cause or |
|
|
|
|
|
w/o Cause or |
|
w/o Good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation |
|
Reason |
|
Termination |
|
|
Termination w/o |
|
w/o Good |
|
|
|
|
|
for Good |
|
(including |
|
due to Death |
|
|
Cause or |
|
Reason |
|
Termination |
|
Reason upon a |
|
Retirement) |
|
or Disability |
Item of |
|
Resignation for |
|
(including |
|
due to Death |
|
Change in |
|
upon a Change |
|
upon a Change |
Compensation |
|
Good Reason |
|
Retirement) |
|
or Disability |
|
Control |
|
in Control |
|
in Control |
Cash Payment
(Salary and Bonus) |
|
$ |
275,000 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
275,000 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retention Bonus (4) |
|
$ |
63,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
63,750 |
(5) |
|
$ |
63,750 |
(5) |
|
$ |
63,750 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
167,500 |
(6) |
|
$ |
167,500 |
(6) |
|
$ |
167,500 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Insurance
Premiums (7) |
|
$ |
11,904 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11,904 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction Resulting
from Excise Tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
350,654 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
518,154 |
|
|
$ |
231,250 |
|
|
$ |
231,250 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Mr. Katzs employment agreement does not contain a gross-up provision. |
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Katz is entitled to receive a pro rata portion under any current bonus plan in place
calculated as if the target amount under such plan had been reached; however, there was no
annual bonus plan applicable to Mr. Katz in 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects 12 months of base salary paid on a monthly basis. |
|
(3) |
|
Reflects a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of base salary. |
|
(4) |
|
Reflects balance of retention bonus in original amount of $90,000 deemed completely earned. |
|
(5) |
|
Mr. Katz will be deemed to have completely earned the retention bonus upon a change in
control, irrespective of any subsequent termination. |
|
(6) |
|
Reflects value realized upon immediate vesting of all options held at the time of a change in
control, calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of the options and the
closing price of the Common Stock on December 29, 2006 multiplied by the number of options.
Mr. Katz receives immediate vesting and exercisability of all stock options held at the time
of a change of control irrespective of any subsequent termination and will have until the end
of the term of the option to exercise such options. In the event his employment is terminated
for any reason (other than cause) after the change in control, he will have until the earlier
of (a) the end of the original option term and (b) 18 months after termination to exercise
these options. If he is terminated for cause following the change in control, his options
terminate effective immediately. |
|
(7) |
|
Reflects 12 months of health insurance premiums paid on a monthly basis. |
41
Amy Rhoades
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Cause or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
w/o Good |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Cause or |
|
|
|
|
|
Termination |
|
Reason |
|
Termination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation |
|
|
|
|
|
w/o Cause or |
|
(including |
|
due to Death |
|
|
Termination w/o |
|
w/o Good |
|
|
|
|
|
Resignation for |
|
Retirement) |
|
or Disability |
|
|
Cause or |
|
Reason |
|
Termination |
|
Good Reason |
|
upon a |
|
upon a |
Item of |
|
Resignation for |
|
(including |
|
due to Death |
|
upon a Change |
|
Change in |
|
Change in |
Compensation |
|
Good Reason |
|
Retirement) |
|
or Disability |
|
in Control |
|
Control |
|
Control |
Cash Payment
(Salary and Bonus) |
|
$ |
175,000 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
175,000 |
(1)(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
66,125 |
(4) |
|
$ |
66,125 |
(4) |
|
$ |
66,125 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Insurance
Premiums (5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10,601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
251,726 |
|
|
$ |
66,125 |
|
|
$ |
66,125 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Ms. Rhoades employment agreement does not provide for a retention bonus or contain a
gross-up or excise tax reduction provision. |
|
(1) |
|
Ms. Rhoades is entitled to receive a pro rata portion under any current bonus plan in place
calculated as if the target amount under such plan had been reached; however, there was no
annual bonus plan applicable to Ms. Rhoades in 2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects 12 months of base salary paid on a monthly basis. |
|
(3) |
|
Reflects a lump sum payment equal to 12 months of base salary. |
|
(4) |
|
Reflects value realized upon immediate vesting of all options held at the time of a change in
control, calculated based on the difference between the exercise price of the options and the
closing price of Common Stock on December 29, 2006 multiplied by the number of options. Ms.
Rhoades receives immediate vesting and exercisability of all stock options held at the time of
a change of control irrespective of any subsequent termination and will have until the end of
the term of the option to exercise such options. In the event her employment is terminated
for any reason (other than cause) after the change in control, she will have until the earlier
of (a) the end of the original option term and (b) 18 months after termination to exercise
these options. If she is terminated for cause following the change in control, her options
terminate effective immediately. |
|
(5) |
|
Reflects 12 months of health insurance premiums paid on a monthly basis. |
Potential Benefits Generally Available to Participants under Existing Plans
Under the Existing Plans, Mr. Fine receives benefits upon termination due to retirement, death
or disability and upon an adverse employment event following a change in control. Mr. Lepley, Mr.
Katz and Ms. Rhoades also receive benefits under the Existing Plans in the event of death or
disability. The Existing Plans do not discriminate in terms of scope, terms or operation in favor
of executive officers and these benefits are available generally to all participants.
42
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The following persons served as members of the Compensation Committee at various times in
2006: Lori J. Schafer, Joseph F. Coradino, Michael J. Joyce, Richard G. Lesser and Eli J. Segal.
No person who served as a member of the Compensation Committee during 2006 was a current or former
officer or employee of A.C. Moore or engaged in certain transactions with A.C. Moore required to be
disclosed by regulations of the SEC except as disclosed below under Other Related Transactions.
Additionally, there were no compensation committee interlocks during 2006, which generally means
that no executive officer of A.C. Moore served as a director or member of the compensation
committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director or member of the
Compensation Committee of A.C. Moore.
Related Party Transactions Policy and Procedures
In April 2007, the Board adopted a written Related Party Transactions Policy and Procedures.
This policy applies to transactions or arrangements in which A.C. Moore is a participant and a
related party (namely directors, nominees for director, executive officers, 5% shareholders and
their respective immediate family members) with a direct or indirect material interest in the
transaction, including transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Under this policy, no related party transaction can occur unless it is approved or ratified by the
Audit Committee or approved by the disinterested members of the Board. The Audit Committee is
primarily responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions, and in doing so, will
consider all matters it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the dollar value of the
proposed transaction, the relative benefits to be obtained and obligations to be incurred by A.C.
Moore, and whether the terms of the transaction are comparable to those available to third parties.
Other Related Transactions
Richard J. Drake, a director of A.C. Moore during 2006, who retired in February 2007, is a
member of a law firm which A.C. Moore retains. A.C. Moore paid fees to Mr. Drakes firm in the
amount of $56,972 during the year ended December 31, 2006.
Michael J. Joyce, a director of A. C. Moore since 2004 and chair of A.C. Moores Audit
Committee, was a director of Heritage Property Investment Trust, Inc., until October 5, 2006, when
Heritage merged with and into affiliates of Centro Properties Group. A.C. Moore paid rent to
Heritage in the amount of $249,742 during the year ended December 31, 2006.
Neil A. McLachlan, a director of A.C. Moore since February 2007, is President of the Consumer
& Office Products Group of MeadWestvaco Corporation. A.C. Moore is currently considering a
purchase from MeadWestvaco Corporation of merchandise to sell in its stores in an approximate
amount of $100,000. Mr. McLachlan is not involved in this transaction and will not receive any
compensation for this transaction.
The employment of Janet Parker, A.C. Moores former Executive Vice President, Merchandising
and Marketing, terminated effective July 31, 2006. Ms. Parker is the daughter of Jack Parker, A.C.
Moores former Chief Executive Officer and Patricia A. Parker, A.C. Moores former Executive Vice
President, Merchandising. A.C. Moore and Janet Parker entered into a separation agreement in July
2006 pursuant to which she receives severance in an amount equal to one years compensation at her
then current rate paid in twelve monthly installments. In 2006, Ms. Parker received salary in the
amount of
43
$102,083, severance of $72,917 and a matching contribution by A.C. Moore to her 401(k) account
in the amount of $1,500.
The employment of Michael Kott, a former District Manager of A.C. Moore, terminated effective
September 29, 2006. Mr. Kott is the son-in-law of Jack Parker and Patricia A. Parker and the
brother-in-law of Janet Parker. A.C. Moore and Mr. Kott entered into a separation agreement in
October 2006 pursuant to which he received severance in an amount equal to eight weeks
compensation at his then current rate paid in eight weekly installments. In 2006, Mr. Kott
received salary in the amount of $124,974, severance of $27,481 and a matching contribution by A.C.
Moore to his 401(k) account in the amount of $1,500.
The employment of Jill Kott, former Store Cash Office Manager and Operations Training Manager
of A.C. Moore, terminated effective December 1, 2006. Ms. Kott is the daughter of Jack Parker and
Patricia A. Parker, sister of Janet Parker and spouse of Michael Kott. In 2006, Ms. Kott received
salary in the amount of $53,643, a bonus paid in March 2006 of $7,500 and a matching contribution
by A.C. Moore to her 401(k) account in the amount of $383.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires A.C. Moores directors and executive officers, and
persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of A.C. Moores Common Stock, to file with the
SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other
equity securities of A.C. Moore. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent
shareholders are required by regulation of the SEC to furnish A.C. Moore with copies of all Section
16(a) reports they file.
To A.C. Moores knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to
A.C. Moore and written representations that no other reports were required during 2006, all Section
16(a) filing requirements applicable to A.C. Moores executive officers, directors and greater than
ten-percent beneficial owners were complied with during 2006.
44
PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Subject to shareholder approval at the 2007 Annual Meeting, the Board adopted the A.C. Moore
Arts & Crafts, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan on April 27, 2007. The reason for seeking shareholder
approval of Proposal 2 is to satisfy certain requirements of (i) the Code related to Incentive
Stock Options, as defined below, and performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) and
(ii) the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
By approving the Stock Incentive Plan, shareholders are also approving the material terms of
the performance measures set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan that form the basis upon which the
Compensation Committee may issue Performance-Based Awards, as defined below. See Summary of the
Stock Incentive Plan Performance-Based Awards and Performance Goals below for a description of
the performance measures.
A.C. Moore is authorized to grant stock options under the Existing Plans. If shareholders
approve the Stock Incentive Plan, it will effectively replace the Existing Plans and no further
grants or awards will be made under the Existing Plans; all subsequent equity-based grants and
awards will be made under the shareholder-approved Stock Incentive Plan. The Existing Plans will
continue in effect until their respective expiration dates for the limited purpose of administering
such plans.
Summary of the Stock Incentive Plan
Set forth below is a summary of the material terms of the Stock Incentive Plan. This summary
is not intended to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed provisions of the
Stock Incentive Plan attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A. Capitalized terms
used in the summary but not defined in it will have the meanings assigned to them in the Stock
Incentive Plan.
Purpose of the Stock Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Stock Incentive Plan is to provide
incentives to attract, retain, motivate and reward non-employee directors, executive officers and
other key employees of A.C. Moore or any of its Affiliates by providing them opportunities to
receive shares of Common Stock or to receive monetary payments based on the value of such shares.
A.C. Moores success depends, in large measure, on its ability to attract and retain talented
employees and outside directors with outstanding abilities and experience. The Compensation
Committee and the Board of A.C. Moore believe that A.C. Moore will significantly benefit from
having A.C. Moores non-employee directors, executive officers and other key employees receive
equity Awards, as defined below, under the Stock Incentive Plan. Providing an opportunity to the
foregoing participants in the Stock Incentive Plan to receive Common Stock or benefit from the
appreciation of such Common Stock is valuable in attracting and retaining highly qualified
employees and outside directors and in providing additional motivation to such persons to use their
best efforts on behalf of A.C. Moore.
Furthermore, the Stock Incentive Plan is intended to assist in further aligning the interests
of participants in the Stock Incentive Plan with those of A.C. Moores shareholders.
Awards. The following types of awards or any combination of them may be granted under the
Stock Incentive Plan: (i) Stock Options (both Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified
Options) to receive shares of Common Stock; (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, which entitle the
grantee to receive an amount in cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination of cash and shares
of Common Stock, determined by reference to appreciation in Common Stock value; (iii) Stock
Awards, which entitle the grantee to receive shares of Common Stock which may be subject to
certain restrictions such as
45
restrictions on transferability; (iv) Performance Awards, which entitle the grantee to
receive, without payment, an award following the attainment of performance goals; and (v) Stock
Units, which entitle the grantee to receive an amount in cash or, if the grantee and the
Compensation Committee so agree, in shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of
Common Stock, with or without other payments by the grantee, as may be determined by the
Compensation Committee (each as described above is referred to as an Award and collectively, the
Awards). In addition, other forms of awards valued in whole or in part by reference to A.C.
Moores Common Stock may be granted either alone or in addition to the foregoing Awards.
Awards are evidenced by Award agreements in such forms as the Compensation Committee approves
from time to time. Each Award is subject to such terms and conditions consistent with the Stock
Incentive Plan, as determined by the Compensation Committee and as set forth in the Award
agreement. The Compensation Committee will have the authority to retract any Award granted under
the Stock Incentive Plan in case of a material restatement of the financial statements of A.C.
Moore or if it is otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee that the previously granted
Award was not earned by the participant.
The terms and conditions applicable to any Award may be amended or modified by mutual
agreement between A.C. Moore and the participant or any other persons as may then have an interest
in the Award.
Administration. The Stock Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee.
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Lori J. Schafer (Chair), Joseph F. Coradino
and Michael J. Joyce. The Stock Incentive Plan requires that the Compensation Committee be
composed of not less than two non-employee directors for the purpose of Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act and outside directors for the purpose of the performance-based compensation
exception under Code Section 162(m).
Under the Stock Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee has the power to interpret the
Stock Incentive Plan and to adopt such rules and regulations as it considers necessary for purposes
of administering the Stock Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant
Awards to the participants in the Stock Incentive Plan and to determine the number and types of
such Awards and the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to each such Award. The
Compensation Committee may delegate its powers and authority under the Stock Incentive Plan to
designated officers or employees of A.C. Moore. In addition, the independent members of the full
Board may exercise any of the powers and authority of the Compensation Committee under the Stock
Incentive Plan. The selection of members of the Compensation Committee, and any delegation of
power by the Compensation Committee to officers or employees of A.C. Moore, must comply with
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the performance-based provisions of Code Section 162(m), and any
regulations promulgated under each of such statutory provisions, except to the extent that the
Board determines that such compliance is not necessary or desirable.
Eligibility and Participation. All non-employee directors, executive officers and other key
employees of A.C. Moore or any of its Affiliates who are significantly responsible for the success
and future growth and profitability of A.C. Moore, as determined by the Compensation Committee, are
eligible to be participants in the Stock Incentive Plan. As of the date of this proxy statement,
five non-employee directors, four executive officers and approximately 40 key employees were
eligible to be participants. A participants right, if any, to continue to serve A.C. Moore as a
director, executive officer, other key employee, or otherwise, will not be enlarged or otherwise
affected by his or her designation as a participant under the Stock Incentive Plan. Participants
may receive one or more Awards under the Stock Incentive Plan.
46
The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted or
measured to any participant under the Stock Incentive Plan during any calendar year, or part of
such calendar year, is 300,000 shares, subject to adjustments for stock splits, recapitalizations
and other specified events.
Shares Subject to Awards. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject
to Awards, including shares of Common Stock underlying Stock Options, to be granted under the Stock
Incentive Plan is 1,000,000 shares, subject to adjustments for stock splits, recapitalizations and
other specified events. This share reserve will be increased by a number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable pursuant to option grants (referred
to as the Existing Options) outstanding under the Existing Plans as of the effective date of the
Stock Incentive Plan that but for the suspension of the Existing Plans would otherwise have
reverted to the share reserve of the Existing Plans, as applicable, as a result of the expiration,
termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such Existing Options. As of the Record Date, there
were 1,553,016 Existing Options outstanding. The shares reserved under the Stock Incentive Plan
may be treasury shares or authorized but unissued shares. If any outstanding Award is canceled,
forfeited, delivered to A.C. Moore as payment for the exercise price or surrendered to A.C. Moore
for tax withholding purposes, shares of Common Stock allocable to such Award may again be available
for Awards under the Stock Incentive Plan. As of the Record Date, the closing price of Common
Stock on NASDAQ was $20.81 per share. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to
which Incentive Stock Options may be granted is 100,000 shares, subject to adjustments for stock
splits, recapitalizations and other specified events.
Stock Options. Stock Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan may be either Incentive
Stock Options (within the meaning of Code Section 422) or Non-Qualified Stock Options which do not
qualify as Incentive Stock Options.
The Compensation Committee determines the exercise price at which shares underlying a Stock
Option may be purchased, whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
However, the exercise price may not be less than the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common
Stock on the date the Stock Option is granted.
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to executive officers and other key employees of
A.C. Moore or any of its Affiliates, and Non-Qualified Stock Options may be granted to any
participant in the Stock Incentive Plan.
No Stock Option will be exercisable later than ten years after the date it is granted. A
participant in the Stock Incentive Plan may pay the exercise price in cash or, in the discretion of
the Compensation Committee, either in shares of Common Stock then owned by the participant for at
least 6 months, by the withholding of shares of Common Stock for which a Stock Option is
exercisable, or by a combination of these methods, or by any other appropriate method.
Incentive Stock Options are subject to certain limitations, including the following. The
aggregate market value (determined as of the date of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar
year may not exceed $100,000. Furthermore, Incentive Stock Options may not be granted to any
participant who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all outstanding classes of stock of A.C. Moore or any of its subsidiaries, unless
the exercise price is fixed at not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common
Stock on the date of grant and the Stock Option cannot be exercised more than five years after the
date of grant.
47
Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right is a right to receive a payment in
cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, in an amount
equal to the increase in the Fair Market Value, or other specified valuation, of a specified number
of shares of Common Stock from the date the right is granted to the date the right is exercised.
Stock Awards. A Stock Award may include restrictions on the sale or other disposition of the
shares covered by the Award, or A.C. Moore may have the right to reacquire such shares for no
consideration upon termination of the participants employment within specified periods. The Award
agreement will specify whether the participant will have, with respect to the shares of Common
Stock subject to a Stock Award, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock, including
the right to receive dividends and to vote the shares.
Performance Awards. The Compensation Committee will set performance targets at its discretion
which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number of shares of Common
Stock or Stock Units that may be subject to each Performance Award and the number and/or value of
Performance Awards that will be paid out to the participants. Performance targets may be based
upon company-wide, divisional and/or individual performance.
Payment of earned Performance Awards may be made in shares of Common Stock or in cash and will
be made in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed or authorized by the Compensation
Committee. The Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit the deferral of the
receipt of Performance Awards based upon a performance period of at least 12 months, provided that
the participant performed services continuously from a date no later than the date upon which the
performance criteria are established through a date no earlier than the date upon which the
participant makes such deferral election. Such deferral election must comply with the Code Section
409A and Treasury regulations, rulings and notices of the Internal Revenue Services (referred to as
IRS) issued under Section 409A.
Stock Units. A Stock Unit is a notional account representing one share of Common Stock. The
Compensation Committee determines the vesting criteria for Stock Units. Upon vesting, shares of
Common Stock are distributed, subject to certain exceptions, to the participant unless the
participant and the Compensation Committee agree to make payment in cash or partly in cash and
partly in shares of Common Stock. The Compensation Committee may grant a participant the right to
receive the amount of any dividend paid on the share of Common Stock underlying a Stock Unit
(payable in cash or in additional Stock Units). The Compensation Committee, in its sole
discretion, may permit a participant to elect to defer the receipt of any Stock Unit that is
subject to a vesting period of at least 12 months, provided such election is made on or before the
30th day after the grant of the Stock Unit and at least 12 months in advance of the
earliest date on which the vesting period could expire. Such deferral election must comply with
the Code Section 409A and Treasury regulations, rulings and notices of the IRS issued under Section
409A.
Performance-Based Awards and Performance Measures. Certain Awards made under the Stock
Incentive Plan may be granted so that they qualify as performance-based compensation (as this
term is used in Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder) and are exempt from the
deduction limitation imposed by Code Section 162(m) (these Awards are referred to as
Performance-Based Awards). Under Code Section 162(m), A.C. Moores tax deduction may be limited
to the extent total compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer, or any of the four most
highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer) exceeds $1 million
in any one tax year. Among other criteria, Awards only qualify as Performance-Based Awards if at
the time of grant the Compensation Committee is comprised solely of two or more outside directors
(as this term is used in Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder). In addition, A.C.
Moore must obtain shareholder approval of material terms of the performance measures for such
performance-based compensation.
48
All Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Stock Incentive Plan and
certain Stock Awards, Performance Awards, and Stock Units granted under the Stock Incentive Plan,
and the compensation attributable to such Awards, are intended to (i) qualify as Performance-Based
Awards or (ii) be otherwise exempt from the deduction limitation imposed by Code Section 162(m).
The Compensation Committee may use the following performance measures (either individually or
in any combination) to set performance targets with respect to Awards intended to qualify as
Performance-Based Awards: net sales; pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and
bonus; budget; earnings per share; net income; division, group or corporate financial goals; return
on shareholders equity; return on assets; return on net assets; return on investment capital;
gross margin return on investment; gross margin dollars or percent; sales per square foot or per
hour; payroll as a percentage of sales; inventory shrink; comparable store sales; inventory
turnover; employee turnover; sales, general and administrative expense; attainment of strategic and
operational initiatives; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of Common Stock or any
other publicly-traded securities of A.C. Moore, if any; market share; gross profits; earnings
before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; economic
value-added models; comparisons with various stock market indices; and/or reductions in costs. The
foregoing criteria will have any reasonable definitions that the Compensation Committee may
specify, which may include or exclude any or all of the following items as the Compensation
Committee may specify: extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items; effects of accounting
changes; effects of financing activities; expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives;
other non-operating items; spending for acquisitions; effects of divestitures; and effects of
litigation activities and settlements. Any such performance criterion or combination of such
criteria may apply to the participants Award opportunity in its entirety or to any designated
portion or portions of the Award opportunity, as the Compensation Committee may specify.
Adjustments to Awards Due to Changes in A.C. Moores Capital Structure. In the event of any
change in the shares of Common Stock by reason of a merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, exchange of shares, or other similar change in the
corporate structure or distribution to shareholders, each outstanding Stock Option and Stock
Appreciation Right will be adjusted. The adjustments will make each Award exercisable thereafter
for the securities, cash and/or other property as would have been received in respect of Common
Stock subject to such Award had the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right been exercised in full
immediately prior to the change or distribution. Furthermore, in the event of any such change or
distribution, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of participants rights under the Stock
Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to make equitable adjustments to,
among other things, the number and kind of shares and exercise price of outstanding Awards.
Effect of Change in Control. All unvested Awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan will
become fully vested immediately upon the occurrence of the Change of Control and such vested Awards
will be paid out or settled, as applicable, within 60 days upon the occurrence of the Change of
Control, subject to requirements of applicable laws and regulations. The Compensation Committee
may determine that, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, each outstanding Stock Option and
Stock Appreciation Right will terminate and the holder will receive, within 60 days upon the
occurrence of the Change in Control, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the
shares underlying the Award immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the
exercise price per share of such Award. This cash out amount is payable in cash, in one or more
kinds of property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a combination
thereof.
Termination of Employment. If a participants employment is terminated due to death or
disability, as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan, then the participants unvested Stock Awards or
Stock Units and unexercisable Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights become vested or
exercisable, as
49
applicable, immediately as of the date of the termination of the participants employment.
All Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights that were or became exercisable as of the date of
the participants termination of employment due to death or disability will remain exercisable
until the earlier of (i) the end of the one-year period following the participants termination of
employment due to death or disability, as the case may be, or (ii) the date the Stock Option or
Stock Appreciation Right would otherwise expire.
All unearned or unvested Performance Awards held by the participant on the date of the
participants termination of employment due to death or disability, as the case may be, will
immediately become earned or vested as of such date and will be paid out and/or settled based on
A.C. Moores and/or the participants performance immediately prior to the date of the
participants termination of employment due to death or disability on a pro-rated basis with a
minimum of at least one year into a performance period.
A participant whose employment is terminated for cause, as defined in the Stock Incentive
Plan, forfeits all Awards, whether or not vested, exercisable or earned, granted to the
participant.
A participant whose employment is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation,
retirement, other than for cause, death or disability, forfeits all unvested, unexercisable and
unearned Awards granted to the participant. All exercisable Stock Options and all exercisable
Stock Appreciation Rights held by the participant on the date of the termination of his or her
employment for any reason other than for cause, death or disability will remain exercisable until
the earlier of (i) the end of the 90-day period following the date of the termination of the
participants employment, or (ii) the date the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right would
otherwise expire. The Stock Incentive Plans provisions relating to termination of employment may
be modified in the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Transferability. Each Award granted under the Stock Incentive Plan is not transferable
otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and/or is exercisable, during the
participants lifetime, only by the participant. The Compensation Committee may allow a Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right to be exercisable during a period after the death of the
participant by the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased participant or the
person or persons to whom the deceased participants rights under the Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right will pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Compensation
Committee also may permit an Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option) to be transferred by a
participant solely to members of the participants immediate family or trusts or family
partnerships for the benefit of such persons, subject to any restriction included in the Award
agreement.
Term and Amendment. If the shareholders approve the Stock Incentive Plan at this 2007 Annual
Meeting, the Stock Incentive Plan will become effective as of June 7, 2007 and no award will be
granted more than ten years after June 7, 2007. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the
Stock Incentive Plan at any time and from time to time. Without shareholder approval, no amendment
will (i) increase the total number of shares which may be issued under the Stock Incentive Plan or
the maximum number of shares with respect to which Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and
other Awards that may be granted to any individual under the Stock Incentive Plan; (ii) modify the
requirements as to eligibility for Awards under the Stock Incentive Plan; (iii) effect the
repricing of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights; or (iv) otherwise materially amend the
Stock Incentive Plan as provided in the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules or the rules of another public
trading market on which shares of Common Stock are then listed or quoted.
50
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following information is not intended to be a complete discussion of the federal income
tax consequences of participation in the Stock Incentive Plan and is qualified in its entirety by
references to the Code and the regulations adopted under the Code. The provisions of the Code
described in this section include current tax law only and do not reflect any proposals to revise
current tax law. The federal income tax consequences applicable to officers, directors, and other
persons who are subject to potential liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act may be
different than the federal income tax consequences applicable to persons who are not subject to
Section 16(b). The federal income tax consequences applicable to all persons, whether or not
subject to Section 16(b), are described below.
Incentive Stock Options. Generally, under the Code, an optionee will not realize taxable
income by reason of the grant or exercise of an Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the
Stock Incentive Plan (see, however, discussion of alternative minimum tax below). If an optionee
exercises an Incentive Stock Option and does not dispose of the shares until the later of (i) two
years from the date the option was granted and (ii) one year from the date of exercise, the entire
gain, if any, realized upon disposition of such shares will be taxable to the optionee as long-term
capital gain, and A.C. Moore will not be entitled to any deduction. If an optionee disposes of the
shares within the period of two years from the date of grant or one year from the date of exercise
(referred to as a disqualifying disposition), the optionee generally will realize ordinary income
in the year of disposition and A.C. Moore will receive a corresponding deduction in an amount equal
to the excess of (i) the lesser of (a) the amount, if any, realized on the disposition and (b) the
fair market value of the shares on the date the option was exercised over (ii) the option price.
Any additional gain realized on the disposition will be short-term or long-term capital gain and
any loss will be long-term or short-term capital loss. The optionee will be considered to have
disposed of a share if he or she sells, exchanges, makes a gift of or transfers legal title to the
share (except transfers, among others, by pledge, on death or to a spouse). If the disposition is
by sale or exchange, the optionees tax basis will equal the amount paid for the shares plus any
ordinary income realized as a result of the disqualifying disposition.
The exercise of an Incentive Stock Option may subject the optionee to the so-called
alternative minimum tax (referred to as AMT). The amount by which the fair market value of the
shares purchased at the time of the exercise exceeds the option exercise price is an adjustment for
purposes of computing the AMT. In the event of a disqualifying disposition of the shares in the
same taxable year as exercise of the Incentive Stock Option, no adjustment is then required for
purposes of the AMT, but regular income tax, as described above, may result from such disqualifying
disposition.
An optionee who surrenders shares as payment of the exercise price of his or her Incentive
Stock Option generally will not recognize gain or loss on his or her surrender of such shares. The
surrender of shares previously acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option in payment of
the exercise price of another Incentive Stock Option, is, however, a disposition of such stock.
If the Incentive Stock Option holding period requirements described above have not been satisfied
with respect to such stock, such disposition will be a disqualifying disposition that may cause the
optionee to recognize ordinary income as discussed above.
Under the Code, all of the shares received by an optionee upon exercise of an Incentive Stock
Option by surrendering shares will be subject to the Incentive Stock Option holding period
requirements. Of those shares, a number of shares (referred to as the Exchange Shares) equal to
the number of shares surrendered by the optionee will have the same tax basis for capital gains
purposes (increased by any ordinary income recognized as a result of a disqualifying disposition of
the surrendered shares if they were Incentive Stock Option shares) and the same capital gains
holding period as the shares surrendered.
For purposes of determining ordinary income upon a subsequent disqualifying disposition of the
Exchange Shares, the amount paid for such shares will be deemed to be the fair market value of the
shares
51
surrendered. The balance of the shares received by the optionee will have a tax basis (and a
deemed purchase price) of zero and a capital gains holding period beginning on the date of
exercise. The Incentive Stock Option holding period for all shares will be the same as if the
option had been exercised for cash.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. Generally, there will be no federal income tax consequences to
either the optionee or A.C. Moore on the grant of Non-Qualified Stock Options pursuant to the Stock
Incentive Plan. On the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the optionee has taxable ordinary
income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired on the exercise date
over the option price of the shares. A.C. Moore will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction
(subject to the limitations contained in Code Section 162(m)) in an amount equal to such excess,
provided that A.C. Moore complies with applicable reporting rules.
Upon the sale of stock acquired by exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, optionees will
realize long-term or short-term capital gain or loss depending upon their holding period for such
stock. For individuals, capital losses are deductible only to the extent of capital gains for the
year plus $3,000. An optionee who surrenders shares in payment of the exercise price of a
Non-Qualified Stock Option will not recognize gain or loss with respect to the shares so delivered
unless such shares were acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and the
delivery of such shares is a disqualifying disposition. See Incentive Stock Options above. The
optionee will recognize ordinary income on the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option as
described above. Of the shares received in such an exchange, that number of shares equal to the
number of shares surrendered have the same tax basis and capital gains holding period as the shares
surrendered. The balance of shares received will have a tax basis equal to their fair market value
on the date of exercise and the capital gains holding period will begin on the date of exercise.
Stock Appreciation Rights. A participant who is awarded a Stock Appreciation Right will not
have taxable income upon the grant of such Stock Appreciation Right and A.C. Moore will not be
entitled to a tax deduction by reason of such grant. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation
Right, a participant will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the amount of cash and the
fair market value of any shares of common stock received. A.C. Moore may generally claim a
deduction at that time equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income by the participant.
Stock Awards. The taxability of a Stock Award to a participant is dependent upon the extent
to which the award is restricted on the date of grant. If a Stock Award is either transferable or
not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, a participant will recognize taxable ordinary
income on the date of grant. If a Stock Award is both non-transferable and subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture on the date of grant, then unless an election is made as described
below, a participant will not recognize taxable ordinary income on the date of grant, but will at
such time or times as the Stock Award becomes either transferable or not subject to a substantial
risk of forfeiture in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares at that time. Within
thirty days of receipt of a Stock Award that is not transferable and subject to a substantial risk
of forfeiture, a participant may file an election with the Internal Revenue Service to include as
taxable ordinary income in the year of receipt an amount equal to the fair market value of the
shares subject to the award at the time of receipt. In such event, any subsequent appreciation in
the value of such shares will not be taxable as compensation to a participant upon the vesting of
shares subject to the award. However, if shares subject to the award are forfeited subsequent to
such election, a participant will not be entitled to a tax deduction. For purposes of determining
the amount of taxable gain or loss upon a subsequent disposition of shares issued pursuant to such
an award, the amount recognized as ordinary income to a participant will be treated as the cost
basis for such shares. Shares which are held for more than one year after vesting (or in the event
of an election as described above, the date of receipt) generally will qualify for long-term
capital gain treatment. A.C. Moore will be entitled to a deduction in such amount and at such time
as ordinary income becomes taxable to the participant.
52
Performance Awards. The tax consequences of a performance award depend upon the nature of the
underlying award and if and when the performance goals are achieved. If a performance award
consists of a promise to deliver common stock at a future date based upon the satisfaction of
certain targets, such awards will be subject to federal income taxation as ordinary income based
upon the fair market value of the common stock on the date such performance awards are earned by a
participant by satisfying the performance targets, provided such awards are not then subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture.
Stock Units. A participant will not be subject to federal income taxation upon the grant of a
Stock Unit. A participant will be subject to tax as ordinary taxable income upon payout of a stock
unit in an amount equal to the sum of the cash and the fair market value of common stock received.
Withholding of Tax; Company Deduction. Generally, whenever a participant realizes ordinary
income under the Stock Incentive Plan, a corresponding deduction is available to A.C. Moore
provided A.C. Moore complies with certain reporting requirements. Under Code Section 162(m),
however, A.C. Moore will be denied a deduction for certain compensation exceeding $1,000,000 paid
to its Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive officers, excluding (among
other things) certain performance-based compensation. The deduction limit does not apply to
payments that qualify as performance-based provided certain requirements are met. See Summary
of the Stock Incentive Plan Performance-Based Awards and Performance Measures and Proposal 3:
Approval of the Annual Incentive Plan Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences below for
discussion of the requirements related to Code Section 162(m).
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table details information regarding the Existing Plans as of December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
future issuance under |
|
|
Number of securities to |
|
Weighted-average |
|
equity compensation |
|
|
be issued upon exercise |
|
exercise price of |
|
plans (excluding |
|
|
of outstanding options, |
|
outstanding options, |
|
securities reflected in |
Plan Category |
|
warrants and rights |
|
warrants and rights |
|
column (a) |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
1,367,678 |
|
|
$ |
19.50 |
|
|
|
403,425 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
|
1,367,678 |
|
|
$ |
19.50 |
|
|
|
403,425 |
|
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 2.
53
PROPOSAL 3
APPROVAL OF ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
Subject to shareholder approval at the 2007 Annual Meeting, the Board adopted the A.C. Moore
Arts & Crafts, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan and certain Performance Criteria on February 19, 2007.
On April 27, 2007, the Board ratified the formal language of the Annual Incentive Plan included in
this proxy statement as Appendix B. The reason for seeking shareholder approval of this
Proposal 3 is to satisfy requirements of the Code, which require shareholder approval in order for
the Awards under the Annual Incentive Plan to satisfy certain conditions of Code Section 162(m)
applicable to performance-based compensation (referred to as Code Section 162(m) Awards). It is
the intent of A.C. Moore that the Annual Incentive Plan and any Code Section 162(m) Awards granted
under the Annual Incentive Plan satisfy the applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m). The
Annual Incentive Plan does not preclude a participant from receiving an Award that is not a Code
Section 162(m) Award.
The Annual Incentive Plan was effective as of February 28, 2007 (referred to as the Effective
Date). However, no Award under the Annual Incentive Plan will be payable to a covered employee
within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) until the Annual Incentive Plan has been approved by the
shareholders.
By approving the Annual Incentive Plan, shareholders are also approving the material terms of
the Performance Criteria, as defined below that form the basis upon which the Compensation
Committee may issue Code Section 162(m) Awards providing for compensation from A.C. Moore that
qualifies as performance-based compensation for purposes of Code Section 162(m). See Summary
of the Annual Incentive Plan Awards and Performance Criteria below for a description of
Performance Criteria.
Summary of the Annual Incentive Plan
Set forth below is a summary of the material terms of the Annual Incentive Plan. This summary
is not intended to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed provisions of the
Annual Incentive Plan attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B. Capitalized terms
used in the summary but not defined in it will have the meanings assigned to them in the Annual
Incentive Plan.
Purpose of the Annual Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Annual Incentive Plan is to provide
an annual performance based incentive for employees who are in a position to contribute materially
to the success of A.C. Moore and its Affiliates. The Compensation Committee and the Board believe
that A.C. Moore will significantly benefit from having A.C. Moores employees receive cash bonus
Awards under the Annual Incentive Plan. A.C. Moores success depends, in large measure, on its
ability to attract and reward talented employees with outstanding abilities and experience. To
achieve this objective, the Board adopted the Annual Incentive Plan as a tool to attract and
provide additional motivation to such key employees to use their best efforts in performing their
respective duties and obligations at A.C. Moore.
Eligibility. All present and future employees, including executive officers, of A.C. Moore or
any of its Affiliates will be eligible to receive Awards under the Annual Incentive Plan. A
participant in the Annual Incentive Plan will be selected, from time to time, by the Compensation
Committee among such employees.
Status as an employee eligible to receive Awards under the Annual Incentive Plan will not be
construed as a commitment that any Award will be made under the Annual Incentive Plan to such
eligible employee. Nothing contained in the Annual Incentive Plan or in any Award Agreement (or in
any other
54
documents related to the Annual Incentive Plan or to any Award or Award Agreement) will confer
upon any participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of A.C. Moore or its
Affiliate or limit in any way the right of A.C. Moore or its Affiliate to change such persons
compensation or other benefits. As of the Record Date, approximately 25 employees were eligible to
participate in the Annual Incentive Plan.
Awards and Performance Criteria. An Award under the Annual Incentive Plan entitles a
participant to receive an amount in cash as set forth in an Award Agreement evidencing the Award.
The Award Agreement will include (i) the Performance Goals, as defined below, for each Performance
Criteria, as defined below, (ii) the maximum bonus payable and (iii) such other terms and
conditions applicable to the Award, as determined by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee may use the following Performance Criteria (either individually or
in combination) to set Performance Goals to measure a participants performance for a Plan Year,
including, but not limited to: net sales; pretax income before allocation of corporate overhead and
bonus; budget; earnings per share; net income; division, group or corporate financial goals; return
on shareholders equity; return on assets; return on net assets; return on investment capital;
gross margin return on investment; gross margin dollars or percent; sales per square foot or per
hour; payroll as a percentage of sales; inventory shrink; comparable store sales; inventory
turnover; employee turnover; sales, general and administrative expense; attainment of strategic and
operational initiatives; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of Common Stock or any
other publicly-traded securities of A.C. Moore, if any; market share; gross profits; earnings
before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; economic
value-added models; comparisons with various stock market indices; and/or reductions in costs. The
foregoing criteria will have any reasonable definitions that the Compensation Committee may
specify, which may include or exclude any or all of the following items as the Compensation
Committee may specify: extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items; effects of accounting
changes; effects of financing activities; expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives;
other non-operating items; spending for acquisitions; effects of divestitures; and effects of
litigation activities and settlements.
Anything else in the Annual Incentive Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the aggregate
maximum amount payable under the Annual Incentive Plan to any participant in any Plan Year will be
the lesser of 300% of the participants Base Salary or $3,000,000. In the event of any conflict
between an Award Agreement and the Annual Incentive Plan, the terms of the Annual Incentive Plan
will govern.
The Compensation Committee will establish the Performance Goals (i.e., one or more levels of
performance as to each Performance Criteria) for A.C. Moore and the participants, as applicable,
each Plan Year. The Compensation Committee will also determine the extent to which each applicable
Performance Criteria will be weighted in determining Awards. The Compensation Committee may vary
the Performance Criteria, Performance Goals and weightings from participant to participant, Award
to Award and Plan Year to Plan Year.
The Compensation Committee will establish for each participant the Performance Percentage,
which percentage may be up to a minimum of 300%, payable at specified levels of performance, based
on the Performance Goal for each applicable Performance Criteria and the weighting established for
such criteria. All such determinations regarding the achievement of any Performance Goals will be
made by the Compensation Committee; provided, however, that the Compensation Committee may not
increase during a Plan Year the amount of the Award that would otherwise be payable upon
achievement of the Performance Goal or Goals.
55
The actual Award for a participant will be calculated by multiplying the participants Base
Salary by the Performance Percentage in accordance with the Award Schedule. All calculations of
actual Awards will be made by the Compensation Committee.
Awards will be paid, in a lump sum cash payment, as soon as practicable during the first
calendar year that begins after the close of the Plan Year for which they are earned; provided,
however, that no Awards will be paid except to the extent that the Compensation Committee has
certified in writing that the Performance Goals have been met.
An Award will not be assignable or transferable by the participant except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution.
The Compensation Committee will have the right to allow participants to elect to defer the
payment of Awards subject to such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may determine;
provided, however, that the participants election to defer the payment of Awards complies with
Code Section 409A and Treasury Regulations, Rulings and Notices of IRS, including, but not limited
to, the requirement that the election to defer such payment is made before the first day of the
taxable year during which the participants services are performed.
Administration. The Annual Incentive Plan generally will be administered by the Compensation
Committee comprised of not less than two members who each qualifies as an outside director within
the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder. The Compensation Committee will
have general authority to impose any limitation or condition upon an Award the Compensation
Committee deems appropriate to achieve the objectives of the Award and the Annual Incentive Plan.
The Compensation Committee will have the power and complete discretion to determine which
employees will receive an Award and the nature of the Award, (ii) the amount of each Award, (iii)
the time or times when an Award will be granted, (iv) whether a disability exists, (v) the terms
and conditions applicable to Awards, and (vi) any additional requirements relating to Awards that
the Compensation Committee deems appropriate.
The Compensation Committee will be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations
and to establish non-uniform and selective Performance Criteria, Performance Goals and the
weightings thereof.
The Compensation Committee may adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the Annual
Incentive Plan. The interpretation and construction of any provision of the Annual Incentive Plan
by the Compensation Committee will be final and conclusive.
Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, in addition to any action required or
authorized by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Compensation Committee may, in its sole
discretion, take any of the following actions as a result, or in anticipation, of any such event to
assure fair and equitable treatment of participants: (a) accelerate time periods for purposes of
vesting in, or receiving any payment with regard to, any outstanding Award; (b) make adjustments or
modifications to outstanding Awards as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate to maintain and
protect the rights and interests of participants following such Change in Control; or (c) terminate
the Annual Incentive Plan within 30 days preceding, or twelve months following, the Change in
Control and distribute all deferred payments of Awards to the participants who elected to defer
such payments under the Annual Incentive Plan. Any such action approved by the Compensation
Committee will be conclusive and binding on A.C. Moore and all participants.
56
Termination and Amendment. If not sooner terminated by the Board, the Annual Incentive Plan
will terminate at the close of business on February 28, 2012. No Awards will be granted under the
Annual Incentive Plan after its termination. The Board may terminate the Annual Incentive Plan or
may amend the Annual Incentive Plan in such respects as it will deem advisable; provided that, if
and to the extent required by the Code, no change will be made that changes the Performance
Criteria, or materially increases the maximum potential benefits for participants under the Plan,
unless such change is authorized by the shareholders of A.C. Moore. The Board may unilaterally
amend the Annual Incentive Plan and Awards as it deems appropriate to cause Awards to meet the
requirements of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. Except as provided in the
preceding sentence, a termination or amendment of the Annual Incentive Plan will not, without the
consent of the participant, adversely affect a participants rights under an Award previously
granted to such participant.
Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
A participant will realize ordinary income upon payment of an Award under the Annual Incentive
Plan. Generally, whenever a participant realizes ordinary income under the Annual Incentive Plan,
a corresponding deduction is available to A.C. Moore provided A.C. Moore complies with certain
reporting requirements. Under Code Section 162(m), A.C. Moores tax deduction may be limited to
the extent total compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer, or any of the four most highly
compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer) exceeds $1 million in any
one tax year. The deduction limit does not apply to payments that qualify as performance-based
provided certain requirements are met.
One of those requirements is that A.C. Moore must obtain shareholder approval of the material
terms of Performance Criteria for such compensation. In accordance with Code Section 162(m) and
the Treasury regulations issued thereunder, the material terms of the Performance Criteria that the
shareholders approve form the basis upon which the Compensation Committee may issue Code Section
162(m) Awards providing for compensation from A.C. Moore that qualifies as performance-based
compensation for purposes of Code Section 162(m). Under Code Section 162(m), the Compensation
Committee must be comprised solely of two or more outside directors.
The material terms that must be approved by shareholders of A.C. Moore include: (i) the
employees eligible to receive compensation; (ii) a description of the business factors upon which
the Performance Criteria are based; and (iii) the maximum dollar amount of compensation that could
be paid to the employee.
Generally, it is the intent of the Compensation Committee to structure A.C. Moores cash and
stock-based compensation programs so that compensation payments and stock-based awards are tax
deductible. We are seeking shareholder approval of the Annual Incentive Plan and the material terms
of the Performance Criteria set forth thereunder in order to ensure future bonus awards under the
Annual Incentive Plan meet the requirements for deductibility under Code Section 162(m). However,
the Compensation Committee reserves the discretion to make payments that are not tax deductible.
57
New Annual Incentive Plan Benefits
The following table sets forth information regarding potential new plan benefits that may be
received by certain Named Executive Officers for whom such benefits are determinable as of the
Record Date.
|
|
|
Name and Position |
|
Dollar Value (1) |
Rick A. Lepley, Chief Executive Officer |
|
$103,400 - $722,150 |
Marc Katz, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
$51,700 - $361,075 |
Lawrence H. Fine, President and Chief Operating Officer |
|
$65,800 - $459,550 |
Executive Group |
|
$220,900 - $1,542,775 |
Non-Executive Director Group |
|
-0- |
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group |
|
-0- |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the range of the minimum and maximum potential annual Awards that may be granted
to the Named Executive Officers listed in the table provided the applicable Performance Goals
are met as specified in the Annual Incentive Plan. |
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 3.
58
PROPOSAL 4
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
A.C. Moores independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31,
2006 was the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers. The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed
PricewaterhouseCoopers, independent registered public accounting firm, to serve as A.C. Moores
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2007. Shareholders
will be asked to ratify this appointment. Although action by the shareholders on this matter is not
required, the Audit Committee believes it is appropriate to seek shareholder ratification of the
appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm to provide a forum for
shareholders to express their views with regard to the Audit Committees appointment. If the
shareholders do not ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the selection of the
independent registered public accounting firm may be reconsidered by the Audit Committee; provided,
however, the Audit Committee retains the right to continue to engage PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Notwithstanding the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers as A.C. Moores independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2007, the Audit Committee retains the right
to replace PricewaterhouseCoopers at any time without shareholder approval. A representative of
PricewaterhouseCoopers is expected to be present at the 2007 Annual Meeting and to be available to
respond to appropriate questions. The representative will have the opportunity to make a statement
if he or she so desires.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for A.C. Moore by PricewaterhouseCoopers as
of or for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services Rendered (1) |
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
646,500 |
|
|
$ |
590,000 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
657,500 |
|
|
$ |
590,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The aggregate fees included in Audit Fees are fees billed for the fiscal years. The aggregate
fees included in each of the other categories are fees billed in the fiscal years. |
Audit fees for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, were for
professional services rendered for the audits of the consolidated financial statements of A.C.
Moore and for the audit of A.C. Moores internal control over financial reporting as required by
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, quarterly reviews, issuance of consents, and assistance with review
of documents filed with the SEC.
Audit related fees for the year ended December 31, 2006 were for assurance and related
services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of A.C. Moores
consolidated financial statements and are not reported under Audit Fees. Audit-related services
consisted of inventory analysis and other services.
There were no tax fees or all other fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers for the year ended
December 31, 2006. There were no audit related fees, tax fees or all other
fees paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers for the year ended December 31, 2005.
59
The Audit Committee has considered and determined that the services provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers are compatible with PricewaterhouseCoopers maintaining its independence.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit
related, tax services and other services performed by the independent registered public accounting
firm. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit Committee of specifically defined audit and
non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to
that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before the independent registered
public accounting firm is engaged to perform it. The Audit Committee pre-approved all of the audit
and non-audit services provided to A.C. Moore by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2006 and 2005.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 4.
60
OTHER MATTERS
A.C. Moore is not presently aware of any matters (other than procedural matters) which will be
brought before the 2007 Annual Meeting which are not reflected in the attached Notice of the 2007
Annual Meeting. The enclosed proxy confers discretionary authority to vote with respect to any and
all of the following matters that may come before the 2007 Annual Meeting: (i) matters which A.C.
Moore did not receive notice by May 15, 2007 were to be presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting; (ii)
approval of the minutes of a prior meeting of shareholders, if such approval does not amount to
ratification of the action taken at the meeting; (iii) the election of any person to any office for
which a bona fide nominee named in this proxy statement is unable to serve or for good cause will
not serve; (iv) any proposal omitted from this proxy statement and the form of proxy pursuant to
Rules 14a-8 or 14a-9 under the Exchange Act; and (v) matters incident to the conduct of the 2007
Annual Meeting. In connection with such matters, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote
in accordance with their best judgment.
HOUSEHOLDING
In order to reduce printing costs and postage fees, A.C. Moore has adopted the process called
householding for mailing its annual report and proxy statement to street name holders, which
refers to shareholders whose shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other
nominee. This means that street name holders who share the same last name and address will receive
only one copy of A.C. Moores annual report and proxy statement, unless A.C. Moore receives
contrary instructions from a street name holder at that address. A.C. Moore will continue to mail a
proxy card to each shareholder of record.
If you prefer to receive multiple copies of A.C. Moores proxy statement and annual report at
the same address, you may obtain additional copies by writing to A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc.
Attention: Marc Katz, Chief Financial Officer, 130 A.C. Moore Drive, Berlin, New Jersey 08009 or by
calling (856) 768-4930, ext. 122. Eligible shareholders of record receiving multiple copies of the
annual report and proxy statement can request householding by contacting A.C. Moore in the same
manner.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under A.C. Moores bylaws, shareholder proposals with respect to the 2008 annual meeting of
shareholders, including nominations for directors, which have not been previously approved by the
Board must be submitted to the Secretary of A.C. Moore not later than December 31, 2007. Any such
proposal must be in writing and sent either by personal delivery, nationally-recognized express
mail or U.S. mail, postage prepaid to A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc., 130 A.C. Moore Drive, Berlin,
New Jersey 08009, Attention: Secretary of A.C. Moore. Each nomination or proposal must include the
information required by the bylaws. All late or nonconforming nominations or proposals will be
rejected.
Shareholder proposals for the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders must be submitted to A.C.
Moore on or prior to December 31, 2007 to receive consideration for inclusion in A.C. Moores proxy
statement relating to the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders. Any such proposal must also comply
with the proxy rules under the Exchange Act, including Rule 14a-8.
In addition, shareholders are notified that the deadline for providing A.C. Moore timely
notice of any shareholder proposal to be submitted outside of the Rule 14a-8 process for
consideration at A.C. Moores 2008 annual meeting of shareholders is December 31, 2007. As to all
such matters which A.C. Moore does not have notice on or prior to December 31, 2007, discretionary
authority shall be granted to the persons designated in A.C. Moores proxy statement related to the
2008 annual meeting of shareholders to vote on such proposal.
61
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS AND 2006 FORM 10-K
This proxy statement is accompanied by A.C. Moores 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders which
includes a copy of A.C. Moores 2006 Form 10-K as filed with the SEC. Each shareholder solicited
under this proxy statement can obtain a copy of A.C. Moores 2006 Form 10-K as filed with the SEC,
without charge, except for exhibits to such report, by sending a written request to: Amy Rhoades,
Vice President and General Counsel, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc., 130 A.C. Moore Drive, Berlin,
New Jersey 08009.
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amy Rhoades, Corporate Secretary |
Berlin, New Jersey
April 30, 2007
62
APPENDIX A
A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.
2007 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose
The A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) is intended to
provide incentives which will attract, retain, motivate and reward non-employee directors,
executive officers and other key employees of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. (the Company) or any
of its Affiliates, by providing them opportunities to acquire shares of the common stock, no par
value per share, of the Company (Common Stock) or to receive monetary payments based on the value
of such shares pursuant to Awards (as defined in Section 4 below) described herein. Affiliate, as
used herein, shall mean any corporation or other entity owning, directly or indirectly, 50% or more
of the outstanding stock of the Company, or in which the Company or any such corporation or other
entity owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the outstanding capital stock (determined by
aggregate voting rights) or other voting interests. Furthermore, the Plan is intended to assist in
further aligning the interests of the Companys non-employee directors, executive officers and
other key employees with those of its shareholders. The Plan has been adopted and approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) and shall become effective as of the Effective
Date, as defined in Section 26 below.
2. Administration
a. The Plan generally shall be administered by a committee (the Committee) which shall be
the Compensation Committee of the Board or another committee appointed by the Board from among its
members. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the Committee shall be comprised solely of not
less than two members who each shall qualify as a (i) Non-Employee Director within the meaning of
Rule 16b-3(b)(3) (or any successor rule) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act), and (ii) an outside director within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and the regulations thereunder. The
Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to establish such rules and
regulations as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and to make such
determinations and interpretations and to take such action in connection with the Plan and any
Awards granted hereunder as it deems necessary or advisable. All determinations and
interpretations made by the Committee shall be binding and conclusive on all Participants, as
defined below, and their legal representatives.
b. No member of the Board, no member of the Committee and no agent of the Committee who is an
employee of the Company shall be liable for any act or failure to act hereunder, except in
circumstances involving his or her bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, or for any
act or failure to act hereunder by any other member or employee or by any agent to whom duties in
connection with the administration of this Plan have been delegated. The Company shall indemnify
members of the Board, members of the Committee and any agent of the Committee who is an employee of
the Company against any and all liabilities or expenses to which they may be subjected by reason of
any act or failure to act with respect to their duties on behalf of the Plan, except in
circumstances involving such persons bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
c. The Committee shall have the authority to grant Awards to the Participants. The Committee
may delegate such of its powers and authority under the Plan as it deems appropriate to designated
officers or employees of the Company. In addition, the independent members of the full Board may
exercise any of the powers and authority of the Committee under the Plan. In the event of such
A-1
delegation of authority or exercise of authority by the Board, references in the Plan to the
Committee shall be deemed to refer, as appropriate, to the agent of the Committee or the Board. The
selection of members of the Committee or any subcommittee thereof, and any delegation by the
Committee to designated officers or employees, under this Section 2(c) shall comply with Section
16(b) of the Exchange Act, the performance-based provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the
regulations promulgated under each of such statutory provisions, or the respective successors to
such statutory provisions or regulations, as in effect from time to time, except to the extent that
the Board determines that such compliance is not necessary or desirable. The Committee may employ
such legal or other counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration
of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion or computation received from any such counsel, consultant
or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee in the engagement of such counsel, consultant or
agent shall be paid by the Company or any of its Affiliates whose employees have benefited from the
Plan, as determined by the Committee.
3. Participants
Participants shall consist of such partners, members, non-employee directors, executive
officers and other key employees (individually, Participant and collectively, Participants) of
the Company or any of its Affiliates as the Committee in its sole discretion determines to be
significantly responsible for the success and future growth and profitability of the Company and
whom the Committee may designate from time to time to receive Awards under the Plan. Designation
of a Participant in any year shall not require the Committee to designate such person to receive an
Award in any other year or, once designated, to receive the same type or amount of Award as granted
to the Participant in any other year. The Committee shall consider such factors as it deems
pertinent in selecting Participants and in determining the type and amount of Awards.
4. Types of Awards and Vesting Restrictions
Awards under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of (1) Stock Options, (2)
Stock Appreciation Rights, (3) Stock Awards, (4) Performance Awards, and (5) Stock Units (each as
described above an Award, and collectively, Awards).
Stock Awards, Performance Awards and Stock Units may, as determined by the Committee, in its
discretion, constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11 below. Awards granted
to Participants under the Plan may be subject to a graded vesting schedule with a minimum vesting
period of three years, unless otherwise determined by the Committee. Awards shall be evidenced by
Award agreements (which need not be identical) in such forms as the Committee may from time to time
approve; provided, however, that in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan
and any such agreements, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail.
Other forms of awards (Other Awards) valued in whole or in part by reference to, or
otherwise based on, Company Stock may be granted either alone or in addition to other Awards under
the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and complete
authority to determine the Participants to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards
shall be granted, the number of shares of Company Stock to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards
or the manner in which such Other Awards shall be settled (in cash and/or in shares of Company
Stock), or the conditions to the vesting and/or payment of such Other Awards (which may include,
but not be limited to, achievement of performance goals) and all other terms and conditions of such
Other Awards.
5. Common Stock Available Under the Plan
A-2
a. Shares Available. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be
subject to Awards, including shares of Common Stock underlying Stock Options, granted under this
Plan shall be 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, which may be authorized and unissued or treasury
shares, subject to any adjustments made in accordance with Section 12 below; provided, however,
that such share reserve shall be increased from time to time by a number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable pursuant to option grants
(Existing Options) outstanding under the Companys 1997 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock
Option Plan and the 2002 Stock Option Plan (collectively, the Old Plans) as of the Effective Date
that but for the suspension of the Old Plans, as described below, would otherwise have reverted to
the share reserve of the Old Plans pursuant to the terms thereof as a result of the expiration,
termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such Existing Options. As of the Effective Date, there
were [ ] Existing Options outstanding. Starting from the Effective Date, no additional
grants shall be made under each of the Companys Old Plans. Existing Options shall continue to be
governed by their respective terms under the Old Plans. The maximum number of shares of Common
Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under this Plan shall be 100,000
shares of Common Stock.
b. Limits on Shares of Common Stock with Respect to Which Awards May Be Granted or
Measured under the Plan. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which
Awards may be granted or measured to any Participant under the Plan during any calendar year or
part thereof shall not exceed 300,000 shares, subject to adjustments made in accordance with
Section 12 below. The maximum number of such shares with respect to which Stock Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights may be granted under this Plan during any calendar year or part thereof shall
be 300,000 shares of Common Stock.
c. Shares Underlying Awards That Again Become Available. The following shares of
Common Stock shall again become available for Awards: (1) any shares of Common Stock subject to an
Award that remain unissued upon the cancellation, surrender, exchange or termination of such Award
without having been exercised or settled; (2) any shares of Common Stock subject to an Award that
are retained by the Company as payment of the exercise price or tax withholding obligations with
respect to an Award; and (3) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of previously
owned shares of Common Stock surrendered to the Company as payment of the exercise price of a Stock
Option or to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to an Award. In addition, (A) to the
extent an Award is paid or settled in cash, the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to
which such payment or settlement is made shall again be available for grants of Awards pursuant to
the Plan and (B) in the event of the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in relation to
a Stock Option, the excess of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock
Appreciation Right over the number of shares delivered upon the exercise of the Stock Appreciation
Right shall again be available for grants of Awards pursuant to the Plan.
6. Stock Options
a. In General. The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Options and shall, in its
sole discretion, determine such Participants in the Plan who will receive Stock Options and the
number of shares of Common Stock underlying each Stock Option. Stock Options may be (i) incentive
stock options (Incentive Stock Options) within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or (ii)
Stock Options which do not qualify as Incentive Stock Options (Non-Qualified Stock Options). The
Committee may grant one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types
of Stock Options. Each Stock Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions consistent with
the Plan as shall be determined by the Committee and as set forth in the Award agreement. In
addition, each Stock Option shall be subject to the following limitations set forth in this Section
6.
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b. Exercise Price. Each Stock Option granted hereunder shall have such per-share
exercise price as the Committee may determine on the date of grant; provided, however, subject to
Section 6(e) below, that the per-share exercise price shall not be less than 100 percent of the
Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 18 below) of Common Stock on the date the Stock Option is
granted.
c. Payment of Exercise Price. The Stock Option exercise price may be paid in cash or,
in the discretion of the Committee, by the delivery of shares of Common Stock then owned by the
Participant for at least six months, by the withholding of shares of Common Stock for which a Stock
Option is exercisable, or by a combination of these methods. In the discretion of the Committee, a
payment may also be made by delivering a properly executed exercise notice to the Company together
with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount
of sale or loan proceeds to pay the exercise price with the requirement of the broker same day
reconciliation or as otherwise determined by the Company. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company
may enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms. The
Committee may prescribe any other method of paying the exercise price that it determines to be
consistent with applicable law and the purpose of the Plan, including, without limitation, in lieu
of the exercise of a Stock Option by delivery of shares of Common Stock then owned by a Participant
for at least six months, providing the Company with a notarized statement attesting to the number
of shares owned, where upon verification by the Company, the Company would issue to the Participant
only the number of incremental shares to which the Participant is entitled upon exercise of the
Stock Option. In determining which methods a Participant may utilize to pay the exercise price,
the Committee may consider such factors as it determines are appropriate; provided, however, that
with respect to Incentive Stock Options, all such discretionary determinations shall be made at the
time of grant and specified in the Award agreement.
d. Exercise Period. Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such
time or times as specified in the Plan and the Award agreement; provided, however, that no Stock
Option shall be exercisable later than ten years after the date it is granted.
e. Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted
only to Participants who are executive officers or other key employees of the Company or any
subsidiary corporation of the Company as that term is defined in Section 424 of the Code. The
aggregate market value (determined as of the time the Stock Option is granted) of Common Stock with
respect to which Incentive Stock Options (under all option plans of the Company) are exercisable
for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. For
purposes of the preceding sentence, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the
order in which they are granted. Incentive Stock Options may not be granted to a Participant who,
at the time of grant, owns stock possessing (after the application of the attribution rules of
Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all
outstanding classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary corporation of the Company as that
term is defined in Section 424 of the Code, unless the exercise price is fixed at not less than 110
percent of the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date of grant and the exercise of such
Incentive Stock Option is prohibited by its terms after the expiration of five years from the date
of grant of such Incentive Stock Option.
7. Stock Appreciation Rights
The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights and shall, in its sole
discretion, determine such Participants who will receive Stock Appreciation Rights and the number
of shares of Common Stock with respect to each Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation
Right shall mean a right to receive a payment in cash, Common Stock or a combination thereof, in
an amount equal to the excess of (x) the Fair Market Value, or other specified valuation, of a
specified number of shares of Common Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised
over (y) the Fair Market Value, or
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other specified valuation (which shall be no less than the Fair Market Value), of such shares
of Common Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted, all as determined by the
Committee. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions consistent
with the Plan as shall be determined by the Committee and as set forth in the Award agreement. At
the time of grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may impose such restrictions on or
conditions to the exercisability of the Stock Appreciation Right as it, in its absolute discretion,
deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, achievement of performance goals based on one or
more business criteria. The term of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not exceed ten years from the
date of grant.
8. Stock Awards
The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Awards and shall, in its sole discretion, determine
such Participants in the Plan who will receive Stock Awards and the number of shares of Common
Stock underlying each Stock Award. Each Stock Award shall be subject to such terms and conditions
consistent with the Plan as shall be determined by the Committee and as set forth in the Award
agreement, including, without limitation, restrictions on the sale or other disposition of such
shares, and the right of the Company to reacquire such shares for no consideration upon termination
of the Participants employment within specified periods. The Committee may require the
Participant to deliver a duly signed stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to Common Stock
covered by such Stock Award and/or that the stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in
custody or bear restrictive legends until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed. The Award
agreement shall specify whether the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Common
Stock subject to a Stock Award, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock, including
the right to receive dividends and to vote the shares.
9. Performance Awards
a. In General. The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards and shall, in
its sole discretion, determine such Participants who will receive Performance Awards and the number
of shares of Common Stock or Stock Units (as described in Section 10 below) that may be subject to
each Performance Award. Each Performance Award shall be subject to such terms and conditions
consistent with the Plan as shall be determined by the Committee and as set forth in the Award
agreement. The Committee shall set performance targets at its discretion which, depending on the
extent to which they are met, will determine the number and/or value of Performance Awards that
will be paid out to the Participants, and may attach to such Performance Awards one or more
restrictions. Performance targets may be based upon, without limitation, Company-wide, divisional
and/or individual performance.
b. Adjustment of Performance Targets. With respect to those Performance Awards that
are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Awards (as described in Section 11 below), the
Committee shall have the authority at any time to make adjustments to performance targets for any
outstanding Performance Awards which the Committee deems necessary or desirable unless at the time
of establishment of goals the Committee shall have precluded its authority to make such
adjustments.
c. Payout. Payment of earned Performance Awards may be made in shares of Common Stock
or in cash and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed or authorized
by the Committee. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to elect to
defer the receipt of any Performance Award based upon a performance period of at least twelve (12)
months, provided that the Participant performed services continuously from a date no later than the
date upon which the performance criteria are established through a date no earlier than the date
upon which the Participant makes such deferral election. An election to defer the receipt of a
Performance Award must be made no later than the date that is six (6) months before the end of the
performance period, provided that in no event may an election to defer a Performance Award be made
after such Performance Award
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has become both substantially certain to be paid and readily ascertainable. Notwithstanding
the foregoing to the contrary, a Participant shall not be permitted to elect to defer the receipt
of a Performance Award unless such election complies with Code Section 409A and Treasury
Regulations, Rulings and Notices of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued thereunder.
10. Stock Units
a. In General. The Committee is authorized to grant Stock Units and shall, in its
sole discretion, determine such Participants who will receive Stock Units and the number of shares
of Common Stock with respect to each Stock Unit. The Committee shall determine the criteria for
the vesting of Stock Units. A Stock Unit granted by the Committee shall provide payment in shares
of Common Stock at such time as the Award agreement shall specify. Shares of Common Stock issued
pursuant to this Section 10 may be issued with or without other payments therefor as may be
required by applicable law or such other consideration as may be determined by the Committee. The
Committee shall determine whether a Participant granted a Stock Unit shall be entitled to a
Dividend Equivalent Right (as defined below). Each Stock Unit shall be subject to such terms and
conditions consistent with the Plan as shall be determined by the Committee and as set forth in the
Award agreement.
b. Payout. Upon vesting of a Stock Unit, unless the Committee has determined to defer
payment with respect to such unit or a Participant has elected to defer payment under Section 10(c)
below, shares of Common Stock representing the Stock Units shall be distributed to the Participant
unless the Committee, with the consent of the Participant, provides for the payment of the Stock
Units in cash or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock equal to the value of the
shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be distributed to the Participant.
c. Deferral. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit a Participant to elect
to defer the receipt of any Stock Unit that is subject to a vesting period of at least twelve (12)
months, provided such election is made on or before the thirtieth (30th) day after the
Participant is granted the Stock Unit and further provided that the election is made at least
twelve (12) months in advance of the earliest date on which the vesting period could expire.
Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, a Participant shall not be permitted to elect to
defer the receipt of a Stock Unit unless such election complies with Code Section 409A and Treasury
Regulations, IRS Rulings and IRS Notices issued thereunder.
d. Definitions. A Stock Unit shall mean a notional account representing one share
of Common Stock. A Dividend Equivalent Right shall mean the right to receive the amount of any
dividend paid on the share of Common Stock underlying a Stock Unit, which shall be payable in cash
or in the form of additional Stock Units.
11. Performance-Based Awards
a. In General. All Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the
Plan, and certain Stock Awards, Performance Awards, and Stock Units granted under the Plan, and the
compensation attributable to such Awards, are intended to (i) qualify as Performance-Based Awards
(as defined in the next sentence) or (ii) be otherwise exempt from the deduction limitation imposed
by Section 162(m) of the Code. Certain Awards granted under the Plan may be granted in a manner
such that Awards qualify as performance-based compensation (as such term is used in Section
162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder) and thus be exempt from the deduction limitation
imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code (Performance-Based Awards). Awards may only qualify as
Performance-Based Awards if at the time of grant the Committee is comprised solely of two or more
outside directors (as such term is used in Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations
thereunder).
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b. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation
Rights granted under the Plan with an exercise price at or above the Fair Market Value of Common
Stock on the date of grant should qualify as Performance-Based Awards.
c. Other Performance-Based Awards. Stock Awards, Performance Awards, and Stock Units
granted under the Plan should qualify as Performance-Based Awards if, as determined by the
Committee, in its discretion, either the granting or vesting of such Award is subject to the
achievement of a performance target or targets based on one or more of the performance measures
specified in Section 11(d) below. With respect to such Awards intended to qualify as
Performance-Based Awards:
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(1) |
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the Committee shall establish in writing (x) the objective
performance-based goals applicable to a given period and (y) the individual
employees or class of employees to which such performance-based goals apply no
later than 90 days after the commencement of such period (but in no event after
25 percent of such period has elapsed); |
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(2) |
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no Performance-Based Awards shall be payable to or vest with
respect to, as the case may be, any Participant for a given period until the
Committee certifies in writing that the objective performance goals (and any
other material terms) applicable to such period have been satisfied; and |
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(3) |
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after the establishment of a performance goal, the Committee
shall not revise such performance goal or increase the amount of compensation
payable thereunder (as determined in accordance with Section 162(m) of the
Code) upon the attainment of such performance goal. |
d. Performance Measures. The Committee may use the following performance measures
(either individually or in any combination) to set performance targets with respect to Awards
intended to qualify as Performance-Based Awards: net sales; pretax income before allocation of
corporate overhead and bonus; budget; earnings per share; net income; division, group or corporate
financial goals; return on shareholders equity; return on assets; return on net assets; return on
investment capital; gross margin return on investment; gross margin dollars or percent; sales per
square foot or per hour; payroll as a percentage of sales; inventory shrink; comparable store
sales; inventory turnover; employee turnover; sales, general and administrative expense; attainment
of strategic and operational initiatives; appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of Common
Stock or any other publicly-traded securities of the Company, if any; market share; gross profits;
earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;
economic value-added models; comparisons with various stock market indices; and/or reductions in
costs. The foregoing criteria shall have any reasonable definitions that the Committee may
specify, which may include or exclude any or all of the following items as the Committee may
specify: extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items; effects of accounting changes; effects of
financing activities; expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; other non-operating
items; spending for acquisitions; effects of divestitures; and effects of litigation activities and
settlements. Any such performance criterion or combination of such criteria may apply to the
Participants Award opportunity in its entirety or to any designated portion or portions of the
Award opportunity, as the Committee may specify.
12. Adjustment Provisions
If there shall be any change in Common Stock of the Company, through merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up,
spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, dividend in kind or other like change in
capital structure or
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distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to shareholders of the Company, an adjustment
shall be made to each outstanding Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right such that each such
Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall thereafter be exercisable for such securities, cash
and/or other property as would have been received in respect of Common Stock subject to such Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right had such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right been exercised
in full immediately prior to such change or distribution, and such an adjustment shall be made
successively each time any such change shall occur. In addition, in the event of any such change
or distribution, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants rights under the
Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to adjust, in an equitable manner, the number and kind
of shares that may be issued under the Plan, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding
Awards, the exercise price applicable to outstanding Awards, and the Fair Market Value of Common
Stock and other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards. Appropriate adjustments may
also be made by the Committee in the terms of any Awards under the Plan to reflect such changes or
distributions and to modify any other terms of outstanding Awards on an equitable basis, including
modifications of performance targets and changes in the length of performance periods. In
addition, other than with respect to Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards
intended to constitute Performance-Based Awards, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments to
the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or
nonrecurring events affecting the Company or any of its Affiliates or the financial statements of
the Company, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any adjustment with respect to an Incentive Stock Option shall
comply with the rules of Section 424(a) of the Code, and (ii) in no event shall any adjustment be
made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted hereunder other than an incentive stock
option for purposes of Section 422 of the Code.
13. Change In Control
a. Accelerated Vesting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, if there is a Change in Control of the
Company (as defined in Section 13(b) below), all unvested Awards granted under the Plan shall
become fully vested immediately upon the occurrence of the Change in Control and such vested Awards
shall be paid out or settled, as applicable, within 60 days upon the occurrence of the Change in
Control, subject to requirements of applicable laws and regulations. The Committee shall have full
discretion, notwithstanding anything herein or in an Award agreement to the contrary, with respect
to an outstanding Award, upon the merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, to provide that the securities of another entity
may be substituted hereunder for the shares of Common Stock and to make equitable adjustment with
respect thereto.
b. Definition. For purposes of this Section 13, (i) if there is an employment
agreement or at will offer letter between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates
in effect, Change in Control shall have the same definition as the definition of Change in
Control contained in such employment agreement or at will offer letter; or (ii) if Change in
Control is not defined in such employment agreement or at will offer letter or if there is no
employment agreement or at will offer letter between the Participant and the Company or any of its
Affiliates in effect, Change in Control of the Company shall be deemed to have occurred upon any
of the following events:
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(1) |
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The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the Exchange Act)) (a Person) of beneficial ownership (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 50%
of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock (the Outstanding
Company Common Stock) or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding |
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voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities); provided,
however, that for purposes of this subsection (1), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or
(iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which
complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (3) of this Section
13(b); or |
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(2) |
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Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board
(the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by
the Companys shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though
such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or |
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(3) |
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Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company (a Business Combination), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding
Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately
prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock and
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or
through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as
the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such
Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the
Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the
then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination, or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership
existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the
members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing
for such Business Combination; or |
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(4) |
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Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company. |
c. Cashout. The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that, upon the occurrence
of a Change in Control of the Company, each Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right outstanding
hereunder shall terminate and such holder shall receive, within 60 days upon the occurrence of the
Change in Control, with respect to each share of Common Stock subject to such Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common
Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control over the exercise price per
share of such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; such amount to be payable in cash, in one
or more kinds of property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a
combination thereof, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine.
14. Termination of Employment
a. Subject to any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its
Affiliates, if a Participants employment is terminated due to death or Disability (as defined in
Section 14(f) below):
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(1) |
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all unvested Stock Awards and all unvested Stock Units held by
the Participant on the date of the Participants termination of employment due
to death or the date of the termination of his or her employment related to
Disability, as the case may be, shall immediately become vested as of such
date; |
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(2) |
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all unexercisable Stock Options and all unexercisable Stock
Appreciation Rights held by the Participant on the date of the Participants
termination of employment due to death or the date of the termination of his or
her employment related to Disability, as the case may be, shall immediately
become exercisable as of such date and shall remain exercisable until the
earlier of (i) the end of the one-year period following the date of the
Participants termination of employment due to death or the date of the
termination of his or her employment related to Disability, as the case may be,
or (ii) the date the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right would otherwise
expire; |
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(3) |
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all exercisable Stock Options and all exercisable Stock
Appreciation Rights held by the Participant on the date of the Participants
termination of employment due to death or the date of the termination of his or
her employment related to Disability, as the case may be, shall remain
exercisable until the earlier of (i) the end of the one-year period following
the date of the Participants termination of employment due to death or the
date of the termination of his or her employment related to Disability, as the
case may be, or (ii) the date the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right
would otherwise expire; and |
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(4) |
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all unearned and/or unvested Performance Awards held by the
Participant on the date of the Participants termination of employment due to
death or the date of the termination of his or her employment related to
Disability, as the case may be, shall immediately become earned or vested as of
such date and shall be paid out and/or settled based on the Companys and/or
Participants performance immediately prior to the date of the Participants
termination of employment due to death or the date of the termination of his or
her employment related to |
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Disability on a pro-rated basis with a minimum of at least one year into a
performance period. |
b. Subject to any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its
Affiliates, if a Participants employment is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in
Section 14(g) below), all Awards, whether or not vested, earned or exercisable, held by the
Participant on the date of the termination of his or her employment for Cause shall immediately be
forfeited by such Participant as of such date.
c. Subject to any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its
Affiliates, if a Participants employment is terminated for any reason, including, without
limitation, retirement, other than for Cause or other than due to death or Disability:
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(1) |
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all unvested, unearned or unexercisable Awards held by the
Participant on the date of the termination of his or her employment shall
immediately be forfeited by such Participant as of such date; and |
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(2) |
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all exercisable Stock Options and all exercisable Stock
Appreciation Rights held by the Participant on the date of the termination of
his or her employment shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the end
of the 90-day period following the date of the termination of the Participants
employment, or (ii) the date the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right would
otherwise expire. |
d. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may, in its
discretion, provide that:
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(1) |
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any or all unvested Stock Awards and/or any or all unvested
Stock Units held by the Participant on the date of the Participants death
and/or the date of the termination of the Participants employment shall
immediately become vested as of such date; |
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(2) |
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any or all unexercisable Stock Options and/or any or all
unexercisable Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant on the date of
the Participants death and/or the date of the termination of his or her
employment shall immediately become exercisable as of such date and shall
remain exercisable until a date that occurs on or prior to the date the Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right is scheduled to expire, provided, however,
that Incentive Stock Options shall remain exercisable not longer than the end
of the 90-day period following the date of the termination of the Participants
employment; |
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(3) |
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any or all exercisable Stock Options and/or any or all
exercisable Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant on the date of
the Participants death and/or the date of the termination of his or her
employment shall remain exercisable until a date that occurs on or prior to the
date the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right is scheduled to expire,
provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options shall remain exercisable not
longer than the end of the 90-day period following the date of the termination
of the Participants employment; and/or |
e. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan to the contrary, (i) the provisions
contained in this Section 14 shall be applied to an Incentive Stock Option only if the application
of such
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provision maintains the treatment of such Incentive Stock Option as an Incentive Stock Option
and (ii) the exercise period of an Incentive Stock Option in the event of a termination due to
Disability provided in Section 14(a)(3) above shall only apply if the Participants Disability
satisfies the requirement of permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code.
f. For the purposes of this Section 14, (i) if there is an employment agreement or at will
offer letter between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates in effect,
Disability shall have the same definition as the definition of Disability contained in such
employment agreement or at will offer letter; or (ii) if Disability is not defined in such
employment agreement or at will offer letter or if there is no employment agreement or at will
offer letter between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates in effect,
Disability shall mean either of the following, as may be further modified or supplemented by the
Committee in its sole discretion:
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(1) |
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the Participants inability to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last
for a continuous period of not less than twelve months; or |
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the Participants receipt, by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in
death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
twelve months, of income replacement benefits for a period of not less than
three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the
Company. |
g. For purposes of this Section 14, (i) if there is an employment agreement or at will offer
letter between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates in effect, Cause shall
have the same definition as the definition of Cause contained in such employment agreement or at
will offer letter; or (ii) if Cause is not defined in such employment agreement or at will offer
letter or if there is no employment agreement or at will offer letter between the Participant and
the Company or any of its Affiliates in effect, Cause shall include, but is not limited to the
following, as may be further modified or supplemented by the Committee in its sole discretion:
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(1) |
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any willful and continuous neglect of or refusal to perform the
employees duties or responsibilities with respect to the Company or any of its
Affiliates, insubordination, dishonesty, gross neglect or willful malfeasance
by the Participant in the performance of such duties and responsibilities, or
the willful taking of actions which materially impair the Participants ability
to perform such duties and responsibilities, or any serious violation of the
rules or regulations of the Company; |
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(2) |
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the violation of any local, state or federal criminal statute,
including, without limitation, an act of dishonesty such as embezzlement, theft
or larceny or conviction of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to,
a felony; |
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(3) |
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intentional provision of services in competition with the
Company or any of its Affiliates, or intentional disclosure to a competitor of
the Company or any of its Affiliates of any confidential or proprietary
information of the Company or any of its Affiliates; or |
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(4) |
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any similar conduct, including, without limitation,
disparagement of the Company or any of its Affiliates, by the Participant with
respect to which the |
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Company determines in its discretion that the Participant has terminated
employment under circumstances such that the payment of any compensation
attributable to any Award granted under the Plan would not be in the best
interest of the Company or any of its Affiliates. |
For purposes of this Section 14, the Committee shall have the authority to determine whether
the Cause exists and whether subsequent actions on the part of the Participant have cured the
Cause.
15. Section 409A of the Code
a. Awards under the Plan are intended either to be exempt from the rules of Section 409A of
the Code or to satisfy those rules and shall be construed accordingly. However, the Company shall
not be liable to any Participant or other holder of an Award with respect to any Award-related
adverse tax consequences arising under Section 409A or other provision of the Code.
b. If any provision of the Plan or an Award agreement contravenes any regulations or Treasury
guidance promulgated under Code Section 409A or could cause an Award to be subject to the interest
and penalties under Code Section 409A, such provision of the Plan or Award shall be deemed
automatically modified to maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the
applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A. Moreover, any
discretionary authority that the Administrator may have pursuant to the Plan shall not be
applicable to an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A to the extent such discretionary
authority will contravene Section 409A or the regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.
c. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Plan or any Award granted hereunder to the contrary,
no acceleration shall occur with respect to any Award to the extent such acceleration would cause
the Plan or an Award granted hereunder to fail to comply with Code Section 409A.
d. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Plan or any applicable Award agreement to the
contrary, no payment shall be made with respect to any Award granted under this Plan to a
specified employee (as such term is defined for purposes of Code Section 409A) prior to the
six-month anniversary of the employees separation of service to the extent such six-month delay in
payment is required to comply with Code Section 409A.
16. Transferability
Each Award granted under the Plan to a Participant shall not be transferable otherwise than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution and/or shall be exercisable, during the Participants
lifetime, only by the Participant. In the event of the death of a Participant, each Stock Option
or Stock Appreciation Right theretofore granted to him or her shall be exercisable in accordance
with Section 14 above and then only by the executor or administrator of the estate of the deceased
Participant or the person or persons to whom the deceased Participants rights under the Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Committee, an Award (other than an
Incentive Stock Option) may permit the transferability of such Award by a Participant solely to
members of the Participants immediate family or trusts or family partnerships for the benefit of
such persons, subject to any restriction included in the Award agreement.
17. Other Provisions
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Awards granted under the Plan may also be subject to such other provisions (whether or not
applicable to the Award granted to any other Participant) as the Committee determines on the date
of grant to be appropriate, including, without limitation, for the installment purchase of Common
Stock under Stock Options, for the installment exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights, to assist the
Participant, excluding an executive officer or a non-employee director, in financing the
acquisition of Common Stock, for the forfeiture of, or restrictions on resale or other disposition
of, Common Stock acquired under any form of the Award, for the acceleration of exercisability or
vesting of Awards, or to comply with federal and state securities laws, or understandings or
conditions as to the Participants employment, in addition to those specifically provided for under
the Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to retract any Award granted under the Plan in
case of a material restatement of the financial statements of the Company or if it is otherwise
determined by the Committee that the previously granted Award was not earned by the Participant.
18. Fair Market Value
For purposes of this Plan and any Awards granted hereunder, Fair Market Value shall mean, as
of any given date, the closing price of a share of Common Stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC or
such other public trading market on which shares of Common Stock are listed or quoted on that date.
If there is no regular public trading market for shares of Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of
a share of Common Stock shall be determined by the Committee in good faith. In each case, the Fair
Market Value shall be determined without regard to whether shares of Common Stock are restricted or
represent a minority interest.
19. Withholding
All payments or distributions of Awards made pursuant to the Plan shall be net of any amounts
required to be withheld pursuant to applicable federal, state and local tax withholding
requirements. If the Company proposes or is required to distribute Common Stock pursuant to the
Plan, it may require the Participant receiving such Common Stock to remit to it or to the Affiliate
that employs such Participant an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding requirements
prior to the delivery of any certificates for such Common Stock. In lieu thereof, the Company or
the Affiliate employing the Participant shall have the right to withhold the amount of such taxes
from any other sums due or to become due from the Company or the Affiliate, as the case may be, to
the Participant receiving Common Stock, as the Committee shall prescribe. The Committee may, in
its discretion, and subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt (including any as may be
required to satisfy applicable tax and/or non-tax regulatory requirements), permit a Participant to
pay all or a portion of the federal, state and local withholding taxes arising in connection with
any Award consisting of shares of Common Stock by electing to have the Company withhold shares of
Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of tax to be withheld, such tax
calculated at rates required by statute or regulation.
20. Tenure
A Participants right, if any, to continue to serve the Company as a non-employee director,
executive officer, other key employee, or otherwise shall not be enlarged or otherwise affected by
his or her designation as a Participant under the Plan.
21. Unfunded Plan
Participants shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments which
the Company may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the
Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a
trust of any kind, or
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a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal
representative or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive
payments from the Company under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an
unsecured general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from
the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established and no
segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth
in the Plan. The Plan is not intended to be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended.
22. No Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any
Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, or Awards, or other property shall be issued or
paid in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be
forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
23. Duration, Amendment and Termination
No Award shall be granted more than ten years after the Effective Date; provided, however,
that the terms and conditions applicable to any Award granted prior to such date may thereafter be
amended or modified by mutual agreement between the Company and the Participant or such other
persons as may then have an interest therein. The Board or the Committee may amend the Plan from
time to time or suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. However, no action authorized by this
Section 23 shall reduce the amount of any existing Award or change the terms and conditions thereof
without the Participants consent, except as otherwise provided for in Section 12. No amendment of
the Plan shall, without approval of the shareholders of the Company, (i) increase the total number
of shares which may be issued under the Plan or the maximum number of shares with respect to Stock
Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and other Awards that may be granted to any Participant under
the Plan; (ii) modify the requirements as to eligibility for Awards under the Plan; (iii) effect
the repricing of Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, including the cancellation and
reissuing with other awards with a lower exercise price; or (iv) otherwise materially amend the
Plan as provided in NASDAQ Marketplace Rules or the rules of another public trading market on which
shares of Common Stock are then listed or quoted; provided, however, that no amendment may be made
without approval of the shareholders of the Company if the amendment will disqualify any Incentive
Stock Options granted hereunder.
24. Governing Law
This Plan, Awards granted hereunder and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed
and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (regardless of the
law that might otherwise govern under applicable Pennsylvania principles of conflict of laws).
25. Severability
In case any provision of this Plan shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.
26. Effective Date
a. The Plan shall be effective as of the date on which the Plan is approved by the
shareholders of the Company at an annual meeting or any special meeting of shareholders of the
Company (the Effective Date) and such approval of shareholders shall be a condition to the right
of each Participant to receive Awards hereunder.
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b. This Plan shall terminate on the 10th anniversary of the Effective Date (unless sooner
terminated by the Board).
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APPENDIX B
A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.
2007 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of the A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Annual Incentive Plan (the
Plan) is to provide an annual performance based incentive for eligible Participants who are in a
position to contribute materially to the success of the Company and its Affiliates.
2. Definitions.
(a) Affiliate means any corporation or other entity owning, directly or indirectly,
50% or more of the outstanding stock of the Company, or in which the Company or any such
corporation or other entity owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the outstanding
capital stock (determined by aggregate voting rights) or other voting interests.
(b) Award means an award made pursuant to the Plan.
(c) Award Agreement means the agreement entered into between the Company and a
Participant, setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award granted to the
Participant.
(d) Award Schedule means the schedule pursuant to which a Participants Award is
determined based on the extent that the applicable Performance Goals were achieved during
the Plan Year.
(e) Base Salary means a Participants gross salary in effect on the date of the Award
Schedule, as set forth in the Participants employment agreement or at will offer letter, or
if there is no employment agreement or at will offer letter between the Participant and the
Company or any of its Affiliates in effect, as set forth in the books and records of the
Company.
(f) Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g) Change in Control means (i) if there is an employment agreement or at will offer
letter between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates in effect, Change
in Control shall have the same definition as the definition of Change in Control
contained in such employment agreement or at will offer letter; or (ii) if Change in
Control is not defined in such employment agreement or at will offer letter or if there is
no employment agreement or at will offer letter between the Participant and the Company or
any of its Affiliates in effect, Change in Control of the Company shall be deemed to have
occurred upon any of the following events:
(1) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a Person) of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of
more than 50% of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock (the
Outstanding Company Common Stock) or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities); provided,
however, that for purposes of this subsection (1), the following acquisitions shall
not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company,
(ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any
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acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (iv) any
acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (3) of this Section 2(g); or
(2) Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the
Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the
Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then
comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened
election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other
actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person
other than the Board; or
(3) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a Business
Combination), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common
stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation,
a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or
substantially all of the Companys assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding
any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such
Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of,
respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination, or the combined voting power of the
then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from
such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for
such Business Combination; or
(4) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.
(h) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(i) Code Section 162(m) Award means an Award intended to satisfy the requirements of
Code Section 162(m) and designated as such in an Award Agreement.
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(j) Committee means the committee appointed by the Board as defined in Section 5
below.
(k) Company means A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc.
(l) Covered Employee means a covered employee within the meaning of Code Section
162(m)(3).
(m) Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Section 12
below.
(n) Employee means an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates whether now
existing or hereafter created or acquired.
(o) Exchange Act means Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(p) IRS means Internal Revenue Service.
(q) Participant means an Employee selected from time to time by the Committee to
participate in the Plan.
(r) Performance Criteria means the criteria (either individually or in any
combination) selected by the Committee to measure a Participants performance for a Plan
Year, including, but not limited to: net sales; pretax income before allocation of
corporate overhead and bonus; budget; earnings per share; net income; division, group or
corporate financial goals; return on shareholders equity; return on assets; return on net
assets; return on investment capital; gross margin return on investment; gross margin
dollars or percent; sales per square foot or per hour; payroll as a percentage of sales;
inventory shrink; comparable store sales; inventory turnover; employee turnover; sales,
general and administrative expense; attainment of strategic and operational initiatives;
appreciation in and/or maintenance of the price of the Companys common stock or any other
publicly-traded securities of the Company, if any; market share; gross profits; earnings
before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization;
economic value-added models; comparisons with various stock market indices; and/or
reductions in costs. The foregoing criteria shall have any reasonable definitions that the
Committee may specify, which may include or exclude any or all of the following items as the
Committee may specify: extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items; effects of accounting
changes; effects of financing activities; expenses for restructuring or productivity
initiatives; other non-operating items; spending for acquisitions; effects of divestitures;
and effects of litigation activities and settlements.
(s) Performance Goal means one or more levels of performance as to each Performance
Criteria, as established by the Committee, that will result in the Performance Percentage
that is established by the Committee for each such level of performance.
(t) Performance Percentage means the percentage, as set forth in an Award Schedule,
that will, when multiplied by a Participants Base Salary, determine the amount of a
Participants Award, which percentage may be up to a maximum of 300%.
(u) Plan Year means the period starting from the Effective Date until December 31,
2007 for the 2007 fiscal year of the Company and, thereafter, the full fiscal year of the
Company.
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3. Eligibility. All present and future Employees shall be eligible to receive Awards under
the Plan.
4. Awards.
(a) Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the Performance
Goals for each Performance Criteria, the maximum bonus payable and such other terms and
conditions applicable to the Award, as determined by the Committee, not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan. Anything else in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the
aggregate maximum amount payable under the Plan to any Participant in any Plan Year shall be
the lesser of 300% of the Participants Base Salary or $3,000,000. In the event of any
conflict between an Award Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern.
(b) The Committee shall establish the Performance Goals for the Company and the
Participants, as applicable, each Plan Year. The Committee shall also determine the extent
to which each applicable Performance Criteria shall be weighted in determining Awards. The
Committee may vary the Performance Criteria, Performance Goals and weightings from
Participant to Participant, Award to Award and Plan Year to Plan Year.
(c) The Committee shall establish for each Participant the Performance Percentage
payable at specified levels of performance, based on the Performance Goal for each
applicable Performance Criteria and the weighting established for such criteria. All such
determinations regarding the achievement of any Performance Goals shall be made by the
Committee; provided, however, that the Committee may not increase during a Plan Year the
amount of the Award that would otherwise be payable upon achievement of the Performance Goal
or Goals.
(d) The actual Award for a Participant shall be calculated by multiplying the
Participants Base Salary by the Performance Percentage in accordance with the Award
Schedule. All calculations of actual Awards shall be made by the Committee.
(e) Awards shall be paid, in a lump sum cash payment, as soon as practicable during the
first calendar year that begins after the close of the Plan Year for which they are earned;
provided, however, that no Awards shall be paid except to the extent that the Committee has
certified in writing that the Performance Goals have been met. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Section 4(e), the Committee shall have the right to allow
Participants to elect to defer the payment of Awards subject to such terms and conditions as
the Committee may determine; provided, however, that the Participants election to defer the
payment of Awards complies with Code Section 409A and Treasury Regulations, Rulings and
Notices of IRS, including, but not limited to, the requirement that the election to defer
such payment is made before the first day of the taxable year during which the Participants
services are performed. In the case of performance-based compensation that is based upon a
performance period of at least 12 months, an election to defer such compensation may
generally be made no later than the date that is six months before the end of the
performance period. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, a Participant may elect
to defer the receipt of an Award payable under this Plan with respect to the Plan Year in
which he/she was first eligible to participate in any Company-sponsored account balance
plan (as defined under Code Section 409A and the rulings, regulations, and IRS notices
issued thereunder), including this Plan, and such election will be deemed to apply to an
Award paid for services performed subsequent to the election; provided, however, that the
election applies only to the portion of the Award equal to the total amount of the Award for
the service period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the
performance period after the election over the total number of days in the performance
period.
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(f) Whenever payments under the Plan are to be made, the Company and/or the Affiliate
will withhold therefrom an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable governmental
withholding tax requirements related thereto.
(g) Nothing contained in the Plan will be deemed in any way to limit or restrict the
Company, any of its Affiliates, or the Committee from making any award or payment to any
person under any other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter
in effect.
5. Administration. The Plan generally shall be administered by a committee (the Committee),
which shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board or another committee appointed by the Board
from among its members. Unless the Board determines otherwise, the Committee shall be comprised
solely of not less than two members who each shall qualify as an outside director within the
meaning of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder. The Committee shall have general
authority to impose any limitation or condition upon an Award the Committee deems appropriate to
achieve the objectives of the Award and the Plan and, in addition, and without limitation and in
addition to powers set forth elsewhere in the Plan, shall have the following specific authority:
(a) The Committee shall have the power and complete discretion to determine (i) which
Employees shall receive an Award and the nature of the Award, (ii) the amount of each Award,
(iii) the time or times when an Award shall be granted, (iv) whether a disability exists,
(v) the terms and conditions applicable to Awards, and (vi) any additional requirements
relating to Awards that the Committee deems appropriate.
(b) The Committee may adopt rules and regulations for carrying out the Plan. The
interpretation and construction of any provision of the Plan by the Committee shall be final
and conclusive. The Committee may consult with counsel, who may be counsel to the Company,
and shall not incur any liability for any action taken in good faith in reliance upon the
advice of counsel.
(c) As to any Code Section 162(m) Awards, it is the intent of the Company that this
Plan and any Code Section 162(m) Awards hereunder satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner
that satisfy, the applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m). If any provision of this
Plan or if any Code Section 162(m) Award would otherwise conflict with the intent expressed
in this Section 5(c), that provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted so as to
avoid such conflict. To the extent of any remaining irreconcilable conflict with such
intent, such provision shall be deemed void as applicable to Covered Employees. Nothing
herein shall be interpreted to preclude a Participant who is or may be a Covered Employee
from receiving an Award that is not a Code Section 162(m) Award.
(d) The Committees determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made
by it selectively among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards under the
Plan, whether or not such persons are similarly situated. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled, among other things, to make nonuniform
and selective determinations and to establish nonuniform and selective Performance Criteria,
Performance Goals and the weightings thereof.
6. Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, in addition to any
action required or authorized by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Committee may, in its sole
discretion, take any of the following actions as a result, or in anticipation, of any such event to
assure fair and equitable treatment of Participants: (a) accelerate time periods for purposes of
vesting in, or receiving
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any payment with regard to, any outstanding Award; (b) make adjustments or modifications to
outstanding Awards as the Committee deems appropriate to maintain and protect the rights and
interests of Participants following such Change in Control; or (c) terminate the Plan within 30
days preceding, or twelve months following, the Change in Control and distribute all deferred
payments of Awards to the Participants who elected to defer such payments under the Plan. Any such
action approved by the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and all
Participants.
7. Nontransferability of Awards. An Award shall not be assignable or transferable by the
Participant except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
8. Termination, Modification, Change. If not sooner terminated by the Board as provided in
Section 6 above or otherwise, this Plan shall terminate at the close of business on February 28,
2012. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after its termination. The Board may terminate
the Plan or may amend the Plan in such respects as it shall deem advisable; provided that, if and
to the extent required by the Code, no change shall be made that changes the Performance Criteria,
or materially increases the maximum potential benefits for Participants under the Plan, unless such
change is authorized by the shareholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board
may unilaterally amend the Plan and Awards as it deems appropriate to cause Awards to meet the
requirements of Code Section 162(m), and regulations thereunder. Except as provided in the
preceding sentence, a termination or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of the
Participant, adversely affect a Participants rights under an Award previously granted to him.
9. Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. No provision of the Plan or any Award
Agreement will require the Company or any of its Affiliates, for the purpose of satisfying any
obligations under the Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to
which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor will the Company or any of
its Affiliates maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence
of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants will
have no rights under the Plan other than as unsecured general creditors of the Company and its
Affiliates, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional
compensation by performance of services, they will have the same rights as other employees under
generally applicable law.
10. Liability of Company. Any liability of the Company or an Affiliate to any Participant
with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon contractual obligations created by the Plan and
the Award Agreement. Neither the Company nor an Affiliate, nor any member of the Board or of the
Committee, nor any other person participating in any determination of any question under the Plan,
or in the interpretation, administration or application of the Plan, shall have any liability to
any party for any action taken or not taken in good faith under the Plan. Status as an eligible
Employee shall not be construed as a commitment that any Award will be made under this Plan to such
eligible Employee or to eligible Employees generally. Nothing contained in this Plan or in any
Award Agreement (or in any other documents related to this Plan or to any Award or Award Agreement)
shall confer upon any Employee or Participant any right to continue in the employ or other service
of the Company or an Affiliate or constitute any contract or limit in any way the right of the
Company or an Affiliate to change such persons compensation or other benefits.
11. Interpretation. If any term or provision contained herein will to any extent be invalid
or unenforceable, such term or provision will be reformed so that it is valid, and such invalidity
or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or part hereof. The Plan, the Award
Agreements and all actions taken hereunder or thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to the conflict of law
principles thereof.
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12. Effective Date of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective as of February 28, 2007 (the
Effective Date) and shall be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval. No Award
shall be payable to a Covered Employee until the Plan has been approved by the shareholders.
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A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.
BERLIN, NEW JERSEY
PROXY FOR 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, JUNE 7, 2007
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
A.C. MOORE ARTS & CRAFTS, INC.
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Rick A. Lepley and Marc Katz, and each of
them, as attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in the
name, place and stead of the undersigned, to appear at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders of
A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. to be held on the 7th day of June, 2007, and at any adjournment or
postponement thereof, and to vote all of the shares of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. common stock
which the undersigned is entitled to vote, with all the powers and authority the undersigned would
possess if personally present.
THIS PROXY WILL, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTIONS TO THE
CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN THE BOXES PROVIDED, THE PERSONS NAMED HEREIN INTEND TO VOTE FOR ALL
DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.
BOTH PROXY AGENTS PRESENT AND ACTING IN PERSON OR BY THEIR SUBSTITUTES (OR IF ONLY ONE IS
PRESENT AND ACTING, THEN THAT ONE) MAY EXERCISE ALL THE POWERS CONFERRED HEREBY. DISCRETIONARY
AUTHORITY IS CONFERRED HEREBY AS TO CERTAIN MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT.
(1) The election of 01 Michael J. Joyce and 02 Neil A. McLachlan as Class B directors of
A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. to hold office for a term of three years and until each of their
respective successors is duly elected and qualified, as described in the accompanying proxy
statement.
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FOR all nominees listed
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
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(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD |
above (except as marked
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to vote for the nominees
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AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY |
to the contrary at right.)
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listed above.
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INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, WRITE |
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THAT NOMINEES NAME IN THE |
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SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.) |
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(Continued and to be marked, signed and dated on the reverse side)
Proxy Card - Page 1
(2) Approval of the A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as described in
the accompanying proxy statement.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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(3) Approval of the A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. 2007 Annual Incentive Plan, as described in
the accompanying proxy statement.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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(4) Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent
registered public accounting firm of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. for the year ending December
31, 2007, as described in the accompanying proxy statement.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN |
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(5) In their discretion, upon other matters as may properly come before the
2007 annual meeting of shareholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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Receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy
Statement dated April 30, 2007 and 2006 Annual Report to
Shareholders of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. is hereby
acknowledged. |
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Signature |
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Signature |
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Dated: |
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear hereon, including
any official position or representative capacity. If shares are
registered in more than one name, all owners should sign. |
PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE.
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Proxy Card - Page 2
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
VOTE TODAY IN ONE OF THREE WAYS:
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VOTE BY TELEPHONE: After you call the phone number below, you will be asked to enter the
control number at the bottom of the page. You will need to respond to only a few simple
prompts. Your vote will be confirmed and cast as directed. |
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Call toll-free in the U.S. or Canada at 1-866-626-4508
on a touch-tone telephone |
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Log-on to www.votestock.com
Enter your control number printed below
Vote your proxy by checking the appropriate boxes
Click on Accept Vote |
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VOTE BY MAIL: If you do not wish to vote by telephone or by the Internet, please complete,
sign, date and return the above proxy card in the pre-paid envelope provided. |
YOUR CONTROL NUMBER IS:
You may vote by telephone or Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Telephone
and Internet voting is available through 11:59p.m., prevailing time, on June 6,
2007. Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote in
the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card by mail.
Proxy Card - Page 3