mv04-1610_pre14a.htm
UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant x
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by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Under Rule 14a-12
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NEXTWAVE WIRELESS
INC.
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(Name
of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the
Registrant)
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10350
Science Center Drive, Suite 210
San
Diego, CA 92121
________________
PROXY
STATEMENT
________________
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To
Be Held June 3, 2010
________________
To our
stockholders:
You are
cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of NextWave
Wireless Inc. (“NextWave”) to be held on June 3, 2010 at 9 a.m. local time
at the Doubletree Del Mar Hotel, 11915 El Camino Real, San Diego,
CA 92130. You will need an admission ticket or proof of
ownership of NextWave stock to enter the meeting. The meeting will be
held for the following purposes:
1. To elect
the nominees named herein as Class I directors;
2. To ratify
the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public
accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of NextWave and
its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011;
3. To
consider and vote upon a proposal to amend our Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock
at a ratio of one for seven (1:7), and in connection therewith, to reduce the
number of authorized shares of common stock by the same ratio and increase the
par value per share of our common stock by the same ratio; and
4. To
consider any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
IF
STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT APPROVE THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL, WE WOULD LIKELY BE
DELISTED FROM THE NASDAQ GLOBAL MARKET DUE TO FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH NASDAQ
MARKETPLACE RULE 5450(a)(1) REQUIRING A MINIMUM BID PRICE FOR OUR COMMON STOCK
OF $1.00 PER SHARE. SUCH A DELISTING MAY HAVE A MATERIAL NEGATIVE
EFFECT ON YOUR ABILITY TO EFFICIENTLY PURCHASE OR SELL OUR COMMON
STOCK.
The Board
of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 28, 2010 as the record
date for the determination of the holders of our common stock, par value $0.001
per share, entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual
meeting. At the close of business on April 28, 2010, there
were shares
of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Stockholders of
record may vote their shares via a toll-free telephone number, over the Internet
or by signing, dating and mailing the proxy card in the envelope provided.
Instructions regarding all three methods of voting are contained on the proxy
card. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker, fiduciary or
custodian, follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from your
record holder. The availability of Internet and telephone proxies will depend on
their voting procedures.
Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be
Held on June 3, 2010. In accordance with new rules and
regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we
have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this
full set of proxy materials, including a notice of annual meeting, proxy card
and annual report, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy
materials on the Internet. The notice of annual meeting, proxy
statement, proxy card and 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders are available on
the Internet at http://www.proxyvote.com, using the 12-digit control number
printed on your proxy card, and may also be requested by calling toll-free at 1
(800) 579-1639 or by e-mail at sendmaterial@proxyvote.com.
This
proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being sent to
holders of our common stock on or about May ,
2010.
By Order
of the Board of Directors
FRANK A.
CASSOU
Chief
Legal Counsel and Secretary
May ,
2010
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IMPORTANT
Your
vote is important. Stockholders of record may vote their shares
via a toll-free telephone number, over the Internet or by signing, dating
and mailing the proxy card in the envelope provided. Instructions
regarding all three methods of voting are contained on the proxy card. If
your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker, fiduciary or
custodian, follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from
your record holder. The availability of Internet and telephone proxies
will depend on their voting procedures. This will assure that
your shares are represented at the meeting.
If
you need assistance in voting your shares, please call the firm assisting
us in the distribution and tabulation of proxies for the annual
meeting:
Broadridge
Financial Services
51
Mercedes Way
Edgewood,
NY 11717
800-579-1639
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THE
MEETING
Date,
Time and Place
We are
providing this proxy statement (this “Proxy Statement”) to you in connection
with the solicitation on behalf of our Board of Directors of proxies to be voted
at our 2010 annual meeting of stockholders or any postponement or adjournment of
that meeting. The annual meeting will be held on June 3, 2010, at
9:00 a.m. local time at The Doubletree Del Mar hotel located at 11915 El Camino
Real, San Diego, California 92130.
Matters
to be Considered
At the
annual meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider and vote (1) to elect the
nominees named herein as Class I directors, (2) to ratify the selection of our
independent registered public accounting firm and (3) to approve the proposal to
amend our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of
Incorporation”) to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock
at a ratio of one for seven (1:7), and in connection therewith, to reduce the
number of authorized shares of common stock by the same ratio and increase the
par value per share of the common stock by the same ratio. The Board
of Directors does not know of any matters to be brought before the meeting other
than as set forth in the notice of meeting. If any other matters
properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of
proxy or their substitutes will vote in accordance with their best judgment on
such matters.
Notice
of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
In
accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials
both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a notice of
annual meeting, proxy card and annual report, and by notifying you of the
availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. The notice of
annual meeting, proxy statement, proxy card and 2009 Annual Report to
Shareholders are available on the Internet at http://www.proxyvote.com, using
the 12-digit control number printed on your proxy card, and may also be
requested by calling toll-free at 1 (800) 579-1639 or by e-mail at
sendmaterial@proxyvote.com.
Stockholders
may sign up to receive future proxy statements, notices of internet availability
of proxy materials and other stockholder communications electronically instead
of by mail. In order to receive the communications electronically,
you must have an e-mail account, access to the Internet through an Internet
service provider and a web browser that supports secure connections. For
additional information regarding electronic delivery enrollment visit
www.investorvote.com (for holders of record) or www.proxyvote.com (for holders
through intermediaries) or contact our transfer agent or your
broker.
Record
Date; Stock Outstanding and Entitled to Vote
Holders
of our common stock as of the record date, i.e., the close of business
on April 28, 2010, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting. As of the record date, there were _____________ shares
of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Required
Votes
In order for the annual meeting to be
held, the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock as of
the record date must be present in person or by proxy duly
authorized. Assuming that such a quorum is present, our stockholders
may take action at the annual meeting with the votes described
below.
Election of
Directors. Under Delaware law and our Certificate of
Incorporation, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the
holders of our shares of common stock is required to elect each
director. Consequently, only shares that are voted in favor of a
particular nominee will be counted toward such nominee’s achievement of a
plurality.
Ratification of the selection of
Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting
firm. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting is
required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm.
Reverse stock
split. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the annual
meeting is required to approve the proposal relating to the amendment of our
Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split.
Other Matters. If
any other matters are properly presented at the meeting for action, including a
question of adjourning or postponing the meeting from time to time, the persons
named in the proxies and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on such
matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Effect
of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
If you are the beneficial owner of
shares held for you by a broker, your broker must vote those shares in
accordance with your instructions. If you do not give voting instructions to
your broker, your broker may vote your shares for you on any discretionary items
of business to be voted upon at the annual meeting, such as the ratification of
the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP. If you do not provide voting
instructions on a non-discretionary item, including the election of directors
and the proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse
stock split, the shares will be treated as “broker non-votes.”
For purposes of the annual meeting,
abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the number of shares
present for purposes of constituting a quorum, assuming such broker has
submitted a proxy or attends the annual meeting. With respect to the
proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock
split and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP,
abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against such
proposal.
Voting
and Revocation of Proxies
Stockholders
of record are requested to vote by proxy in one of three ways:
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By
telephone — Use the toll-free telephone number shown on your proxy
card;
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By
Internet — Visit the Internet website indicated on your proxy card and
follow the on-screen instructions;
or
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By
Mail — You can date, sign and promptly return your proxy card by mail in
the enclosed postage prepaid
envelope.
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Voting
instructions (including instructions for both telephonic and Internet proxies)
are provided on the proxy card. The Internet and telephone proxy procedures are
designed to authenticate stockholder identities, to allow stockholders to give
voting instructions and to confirm that stockholders’ instructions have been
recorded properly. A control number, located on the proxy card, will identify
stockholders and allow them to submit their proxies and confirm that their
voting instructions have been properly recorded. Costs associated with
electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and
telephone companies, must be borne by the stockholder. If you submit your proxy
by Internet or telephone, it will not be necessary to return your proxy
card.
If a
stockholder does not return a signed proxy card or submit a proxy by the
Internet or by telephone, and does not attend the meeting and vote in person,
his or her shares will not be voted. Shares of our common stock represented by
properly executed proxies that are received by us and are not revoked will be
voted at the meeting in accordance with the instructions contained
therein. If instructions are not given, such proxies will be voted
FOR election of each nominee
for director named herein, FOR
ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm, and FOR the approval of the
proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect a
reverse stock split. In addition, we reserve the right to exercise
discretionary authority to vote proxies, in the manner determined by the Company
in its sole discretion, on any matters brought before the 2010 annual meeting of
stockholders for which we did not receive adequate notice under the proxy rules
promulgated by the SEC.
If your
shares are held in the name of a bank, broker, fiduciary or custodian, follow
the voting instructions on the form you receive from your record holder. The
availability of Internet and telephone proxies will depend on their voting
procedures.
Any proxy
signed and returned by a stockholder or submitted by telephone or via the
Internet may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by giving written
notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, at our
address set forth herein, by executing and delivering a later-dated proxy
(either in writing, by telephone or via the Internet) or by voting in person at
the meeting. Attendance at the meeting will not, in and of itself,
constitute revocation of a proxy.
Proxy
Solicitation
We will bear the costs of solicitation
of proxies for the annual meeting, including preparation, assembly, printing and
mailing of this Proxy Statement, the annual report, the proxy card and any
additional information furnished to stockholders. Copies of our Proxy Statement
and related materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries
and custodians holding shares of common stock beneficially owned by others to
forward to such beneficial owners. We will bear the cost of maintaining a
website compliant with regulations promulgated by the SEC to provide internet
availability of this Proxy Statement, our annual report and proxy
card. The Company may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners
of common stock for their costs of forwarding solicitation material to such
beneficial owners. In addition, the Company has retained Broadridge
Financial Solutions to act as proxy solicitor in conjunction with the
meeting. The Company has agreed to pay that firm a base fee of
$16,316 plus customary call-based fees and reasonable out of pocket expenses for
proxy distribution and tabulation services. Solicitation of proxies
by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by
directors, officers, or other regular employees of the Company. No
additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other regular
employees for such services.
Householding
The SEC’s
rules permit us to deliver a single proxy statement and annual report to one
address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method is
referred to as “householding” and can result in significant cost savings. To
take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one proxy statement
and annual report to multiple stockholders who share an address, unless we
received contrary instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the
mailing date. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a
separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report to any stockholder at the
shared address to which a single copy of those documents was delivered. If you
prefer to receive separate copies of the proxy statement and annual report,
contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at +1-800-542-1061 or in writing at
Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York
11717.
If you
are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and wish
to receive only one copy of future stockholder communications for your
household, please contact Broadridge at the above phone number or
address.
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
We have
been advised that representatives of Ernst & Young LLP, our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010,
will attend the meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they
desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
PROPOSAL
NO. 1
ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
NextWave has a
classified board of directors, divided into three classes, and the term of the
Class I directors will expire on the date of the meeting. The
nominees to be elected as Class I directors with a three-year term expiring at
the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders are described below. Dr. Brailean
and Judge Webster are currently serving as Class I directors. The Board of
Directors has nominated each of the candidates for election. The Board of
Directors expects that each of the nominees will be available for election as a
director. However, if by reason of an unexpected occurrence, one or
more of the nominees is not available for election, the persons named in the
form of proxy have advised that they will vote for such substitute nominees as
the Board of Directors may propose.
Nominees
for Election
Name
and present position,
if
any, with the Company
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Age,
period served as a director, other business experience
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James
C. Brailean, Ph.D.
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Dr.
Brailean, 48, has served as a director since May 2007. In May 2009, Dr.
Brailean was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer and President. Dr. Brailean was co-founder of our subsidiary
PacketVideo Corporation. Under Dr. Brailean's leadership,
PacketVideo has become a leading independent supplier of embedded
multimedia solutions for mobile phones and other devices in the
world.
A
scientist who led the development of the MPEG-4 standards for transmission
of video and audio over wireless networks, Dr. Brailean holds 16 key U.S.
patents that enable advanced multimedia communications. Dr. Brailean
received his doctorate in electrical engineering from Northwestern
University. He holds a Master's of Science degree in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor's of
Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Michigan. Dr. Brailean serves on the Board of Directors of
DivX, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed digital media company.
Dr.
Brailean has extensive experience in the wireless multimedia business
space as the founder of PacketVideo. This position has given Dr. Brailean
specific and in-depth knowledge of our primary operating business, which
employs the substantial majority of our employees. Furthermore,
his expertise in both science and engineering related to wireless
transmission provide him with a skill-set and knowledge with respect to
potential applications for our wireless spectrum holdings.
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William
H. Webster
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Judge
Webster, 86, has served as a director since our inception. From
1991 through 2008, Judge Webster served as a senior partner in Milbank,
Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP’s Washington office. Judge
Webster is now a retired partner and continues to specialize in
arbitration, mediation and internal investigation. Prior to joining
Milbank, Judge Webster began a long and illustrious career in public
service. Judge Webster was U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of
Missouri, then a member of the Missouri Board of Law Examiners. In 1970,
he was appointed a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri, and then elevated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Eighth Circuit. Judge Webster resigned the judgeship to head the
Federal Bureau of Investigation for nine years. In 1987, he was sworn in
as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He led the CIA until his
retirement from public office in 1991. Judge Webster has received numerous
awards for public service and law enforcement and holds honorary degrees
from several colleges and universities. Judge Webster currently serves as
Chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory Council.
Judge
Webster has served as a member of our Board of Directors since inception
and the Board of Directors of our predecessor, NextWave Telecom Inc.,
since its formation in 1996. Judge Webster’s service with us
and our predecessor provides valuable continuity to our Board of
Directors. In addition, Judge Webster’s experience as an
attorney and as a judge provides a diversity of viewpoint and background
to our Board. Judge Webster dedicates substantial time to Board
matters, serving as a member of our Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, of which he
also serves as the chairman.
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The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the above named nominees.
Other
Members of the Board of Directors
Including
the nominees, the Board of Directors currently consists of 7 directors, each of
whom, other than the nominees, is described below. The term of the
Class II directors shall expire at the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders,
subject to the valid election and qualification of their respective
successors. The term of the Class III directors shall expire at the
2012 annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the valid election and
qualification of their respective successors.
Name
and present position,
if
any, with the Company
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Age,
period served as a director, other business experience
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Class
II Directors
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Jack
Rosen
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Mr.
Rosen, 63, has served as a director since our inception. Mr.
Rosen is chief executive of several commercial and residential real estate
firms and the current Chairman of the American Jewish Congress. In
addition, Mr. Rosen oversees a wide array of healthcare, cosmetic and
telecommunications business ventures throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Active in international government and political affairs, Mr. Rosen has
participated in numerous commissions and councils for former President
Bush and Clinton. Mr. Rosen is currently a member of the Council on
Foreign Relations.
Mr.
Rosen has experience in managing other companies in the telecommunications
industry both in the United States and internationally. His leadership
experience within a wide variety of industries and companies provides him
with a unique level of expertise for us and our businesses. Mr. Rosen
dedicates substantial time to Board matters, serving as a member of our
Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee.
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Carl
E. Vogel
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Mr.
Vogel, 52, is currently a member of the Board of Directors and a Senior
Advisor to Dish Network Corporation, a publicly traded company in the
multi-channel video business serving in excess of 14 million customers
throughout the United States. He is also a partner at SCP Worldwide, a
sports, media and entertainment company that owns and operates a variety
of companies including the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues and
Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake. Mr. Vogel served as President of
Dish Network from September 2006 to February of 2008 and served as Vice
Chairman from June 2005 until March 2009. From 2001 until 2005, Mr. Vogel
served as the President and CEO of Charter Communications Inc., a
publicly-traded company providing cable television and broadband services
to approximately six million customers. Between 1997 and 2001, Mr. Vogel
held various senior executive positions in companies affiliated with
Liberty Media Corporation. Mr. Vogel is also currently serving on the
Board of Directors and Audit Committees of Shaw Communications, Inc., a
publicly traded diversified communications company providing broadband
cable and direct-to-home satellite services in Canada, Universal
Electronics Inc., a publicly traded company providing wireless control
technology for the connected home and Ascent Media Corporation, a holding
public company which provides creative and technical services to the media
and entertainment industries.
Mr.
Vogel was nominated by Avenue Capital pursuant to the director designation
agreement entered into by the Company and Avenue Capital in connection
with the Senior-Subordinated Secured Second Lien Notes due 2011 (the
“Second Lien Notes”) financing in October 2008. Affiliates of
Avenue Capital hold substantial interests in the Company’s common stock
and secured notes and Robert Symington, a Senior Portfolio Manager at
Avenue Capital, is a member of the Board. Mr. Vogel is not
affiliated with
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Avenue Capital and will not receive any compensation from Avenue
Capital in connection with his service on the Board.
Mr.
Vogel brings to the Board of Directors a great deal of executive level
leadership experience in the communications industry as a result of his
high level executive roles at Dish Network Corporation, Charter
Communications Inc., and Liberty Media
Corporation. Furthermore, Mr. Vogel has extensive experience in
reviewing financial statements as a result of his background as a
certified public accountant and his role as a chief executive and senior
finance executive of public companies. Mr. Vogel is qualified
as an “audit committee financial expert,” applying the listing standards
of NASDAQ and in accordance with applicable rules of the SEC as of the
date of this Proxy Statement, and serves as the Chairman of our Audit
Committee.
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Class
III Directors
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Allen
Salmasi
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Mr.
Salmasi, 55, is currently Chairman of the Board of
Directors. Mr. Salmasi served as our Chief Executive Officer
and President from the inception of our Company in 2005 through April
2009, when he assumed a Chairman role with a special mandate for
maximizing the value of our wireless spectrum
assets. Previously, Mr. Salmasi served as Chairman and CEO of
NextWave Telecom, Inc. (“NextWave Telecom”) which he founded in 1995 and
subsequently sold to Verizon Wireless in 2005. Prior to NextWave Telecom,
Mr. Salmasi was a member of the Board of Directors, President of the
Wireless Telecommunications Division, and Chief Strategic Officer of
QUALCOMM Inc. He joined QUALCOMM in 1988 as a result of the merger of
QUALCOMM and Omninet Corporation, which Mr. Salmasi founded in 1984. Mr.
Salmasi initiated and led the development of CDMA technologies, standards
and the associated businesses at QUALCOMM until 1995. At Omninet, he
conceived and led the development of the first OmniTRACS system, which
provides two-way messaging and position reporting services to mobile
users.
Mr.
Salmasi has extensive experience managing and developing wireless
technology companies as a result of his executive roles at Omninet
Corporation and QUALCOMM Inc. He has been a leader in the
development of wireless technology and has over 25 years of experience in
the telecommunications industry. Mr. Salmasi has a depth of knowledge
relating to our business as a result of his role as the Chairman and CEO
of NextWave Telecom and, prior to May 5, 2009, Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President of our Company. Mr. Salmasi also holds a
substantial personal investment in our common stock and in our Third Lien
Subordinated Secured Convertible Notes due 2011 (the “Third Lien
Notes”).
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Douglas
F. Manchester
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Mr.
Manchester, 68, has served as a director of the Company since its
inception. He is also chairman of Manchester Financial Group, LP. Mr.
Manchester is one of San Diego’s leading private developers. His
development projects include hotels, high-rise office buildings,
residential properties, industrial parks and championship golf courses and
resorts.
Mr.
Manchester brings to the board a great deal of familiarity and experience
with our Company and our business as a result of having served as a
director since our inception. Mr. Manchester also has extensive
experience in the financing, purchasing and sale of assets as a result of
his role as chairman of Manchester Financial Corp. Mr.
Manchester dedicates substantial time to Board matters, serving as a
member of our Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. Mr. Manchester also holds a substantial interest in
our Third Lien Notes.
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Robert
T. Symington
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Mr.
Symington, 46, has served as a director of the Company since its
inception. Mr. Symington joined Avenue Capital Group in 2005 and is the
Senior Portfolio Manager for Avenue’s U. S. Funds. Mr. Symington, through
his prior management positions at M.D. Sass Investor Services and
Resurgence Asset Management, was an early investor in NextWave
Telecom.
Mr.
Symington brings to the board a great deal of familiarity and experience
with our Company and our business as a result of having served as a
director since our inception.
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Mr.
Symington has a wide range of knowledge of our business and our growth and
development as a result of his prior management positions at M.D. Sass
Investor Services and Resurgence Asset Management, which were early
investors in NextWave Telecom. Mr. Symington is a Senior Portfolio Manager
at Avenue Capital. As of January 2, 2010, Avenue Capital and its
affiliates held shares representing approximately 36.1% of our issued and
outstanding common stock, approximately $82.3 million, or 51.1% of the
aggregate principal amount of our 7% Senior Secured Notes due 2011 (the
“Senior Notes”), approximately $93.9 million, or 78.1% of the aggregate
principal amount of our Second Lien Notes and approximately $134.7
million, or 28.2% of the aggregate principal amount of our Third Lien
Notes. Mr. Symington dedicates substantial time to Board matters, serving
as a member of our Compensation Committee, of which he also serves as
chairman. |
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Independence
Standards for Directors
Our Board
of Directors is required to affirmatively determine that a majority of our
directors are independent under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market
LLC (“Nasdaq”), the principal securities exchange on which our common stock is
traded.
During
its annual review of director and nominee independence, our Board of Directors
considers all information it deems relevant, including without limitation, any
transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his
immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates. The purpose of this review is to determine whether any
relationships or transactions with NextWave
impair such director or nominee’s ability to exercise independent judgment in
carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board of
Directors has not adopted any categorical standards for assessing independence,
preferring instead to consider all relevant facts and circumstances in making an
independence determination, including without limitation, applicable
independence standards promulgated by Nasdaq. The Board of Directors considered
the transactions described under “TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS,” in making
its determination that all directors and nominees other than Mr. Salmasi and Dr.
Brailean are independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq.
Board
Committees
Our Board
of Directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation
Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our
Board of Directors has adopted charters for each of its standing committees.
Copies of our committee charters are available without charge upon request
directed to
NextWave
Wireless Inc. Investor Relations, 10350 Science Center
Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121, and from our website at
www.nextwave.com.
Audit
Committee
Our Audit
Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility
relating to (a) the integrity of our financial statements, (b) our compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements, (c) application of our codes of conduct
and ethics as established by the Board of Directors, (d) our independent
registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, engagement, compensation and
performance, their conduct of the annual audit of our financial statements, and
their engagement to provide any other services, (e) performance of our system of
internal controls, (f) preparation of the Audit Committee report, as required
pursuant to SEC rules and (g) maintenance and oversight of procedures for
addressing complaints about accounting matters. In discharging its duties, the
Audit Committee has the sole authority to select (subject to stockholder
ratification, which ratification is not binding on the Audit Committee),
compensate, evaluate and replace the independent accountants, review and approve
the scope of the annual audit, review and pre-approve the engagement of our
independent accountants to perform audit and non-audit services, meet
independently with our independent accountants and senior management, review the
integrity of our financial reporting process and review our financial statements
and disclosures and certain SEC filings.
The Board
of Directors has determined that all three members of the Audit Committee, Mr.
Manchester, Mr. Vogel and Judge Webster are independent, and that Mr. Vogel is
qualified as an “audit committee financial expert,” applying the listing
standards of NASDAQ and in accordance with applicable rules of the SEC as of the
date of this Proxy Statement. Mr. Vogel serves as chairman of the
Audit Committee.
The Audit
Committee met 9 times in 2009. The Audit Committee regularly holds
meetings at which it meets with our independent registered public accounting
firm and without management present.
Compensation
Committee
Our
Compensation Committee (a) administers our executive compensation program, (b)
determines and approves targeted total compensation, as well as each individual
compensation component for our executive officers, (c) determines and
recommends to the Board of Directors equity-based plans and (d) reviews and
approves any employee retirement plans, other benefit plans or any amendments
thereto.
The
members of our Compensation Committee are Mr. Rosen, Judge Webster and Mr.
Symington, who serves as the chairman of the Compensation
Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that all three
members of the Compensation Committee are independent pursuant to the listing
standards of NASDAQ.
Our Board
of Directors has delegated to the Compensation Committee sole decision-making
authority with respect to all compensation decisions for our executive officers,
including determinations of annual incentive award payments and grants of equity
awards. The Compensation Committee approves these payments and awards
after considering our corporate performance and the individual performance of
our executives (and considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer
in this regard). The Compensation Committee is also responsible for evaluating
the performance of our Chief Executive Officer, in light of our corporate
performance and his individual performance.
The
Compensation Committee’s decisions are made with input from our Chief Executive
Officer (except with respect to his own compensation) and, where appropriate,
other senior executives. The Compensation Committee also considers
information provided by and the input of our Human Resources department, which
evaluates publicly available compensation information along with other sources
of data. The Committee also considers our overall executive
compensation policies and goals in making its decisions. To assist in
performing its duties, the Compensation Committee has the authority to engage
external compensation consultants and other advisors. In 2009, the
Compensation Committee did not retain any consultants or advisors to assist it
in formulating or making executive compensation decisions.
The
Compensation Committee met 2 times in 2009.
Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee
Our
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (a) identifies and recommends to
the Board of Directors individuals qualified to serve as directors of our
company and on committees of the Board of Directors, (b) reviews corporate
governance, (c) reviews and recommends changes to the size of the Board of
Directors,
(d)
reviews the manner in which conflicts of interest are addressed and (e)
recommends to the Board of Directors any changes in director
compensation.
The
members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Mr. Manchester,
Mr. Rosen and Judge Webster, who serves as its chairman. As
indicated, the Board of Directors has determined that all three members of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent pursuant to the
listing standards of NASDAQ.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal
diversity policy but considers diversity as a component of evaluating the
composition of the Board of Directors in connection with the annual nomination
process.
The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met 1 time in 2009.
Designated
Director Agreement
In connection with our October 2008
issuance of Second Lien Notes, we entered into an agreement with Avenue Capital
Group providing that Avenue Capital Group shall have the right to nominate a
director to the Board of Directors as soon as the Board has a vacancy or at any
election of directors by the Company’s stockholders when there is not currently
an Avenue Capital Group designated director serving on the Board. The agreement
provides that Mr. Symington is not considered an Avenue Capital Group designated
director for this purpose. In October 2010, Avenue Capital Group
nominated Carl Vogel to fill the vacancy created by the December 2008
resignation of Dr. Jones.
Stockholder
Nominations
A
stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors may nominate one or
more persons for election as director at a meeting if written notice of that
stockholder’s intent to make the nomination has been given to us, with respect
to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders (A) not later
than the close of business on the 90th day
nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day
prior to the first anniversary of the date that our Proxy Statement is released
to stockholders in connection with the previous year's annual meeting of
stockholders, or (B) (i) if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or
(ii) the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or more
than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholders to be
timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the
120th day
prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the
later of the 90th day
prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day
following the day on which the date of the annual meeting is publicly announced
by the Company. With respect to an election to be held at a special
meeting of stockholders, written notice of that stockholder’s intent to make the
nomination shall have been given to us not less than ten (10) and not more than
sixty (60) days before the date of the special meeting.
The
notice shall include the name and address of the stockholder and his or her
nominees, a representation that the stockholder is entitled to vote at the
meeting and intends to nominate the person, a description of all arrangements or
understandings between the stockholder and each nominee, other information as
would be required to be included in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the
election of the stockholder’s nominees, and the consent of each nominee to serve
as a director of the Company if so elected. We may require any
proposed nominee to furnish other information as we may reasonably require to
determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as a director of the
Company. See “PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS” on page 32 of this
Proxy Statement for the deadline for nominating persons for election as
directors for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.
As
described above, the Company’s By-Laws contain provisions which address the
process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for election
to the Board at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. The
Board has also adopted a formal policy concerning stockholder recommendations of
Board candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. This policy is set forth in the Company’s Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee charter, which is available on the Company’s
website at www.nextwave.com. Under this policy, the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee considers director candidates recommended by
stockholders who satisfy the notice, information and consent requirements set
forth in the Company’s By-Laws.
We may
require any proposed nominee to furnish other information as we may reasonably
require to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as a
director of the Company. See “PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS” on
page 32 of this Proxy Statement for the deadline for nominating persons for
election as directors for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders.
Board
Role in Risk Oversight
Our Board
of Directors oversees the Company’s approach to risk management as part of its
role in approving the Company’s business strategy. The Board of
Directors also oversees the operation of the Company’s compliance program,
including the application and enforcement of the Company’s Code of Business
Conduct and Ethics that is targeted at principal areas of operational, ethical
and legal risk for the Company’s operations, and is applicable to all employees,
officers and directors of the Company.
Various
committees of the Board also have responsibility for risk management. The Audit
Committee, in connection with its quarterly and annual review of the Company’s
financial statements, receives reports from the Company’s Chief Financial
Officer and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm
regarding significant risks and exposures and will assess management’s steps to
minimize them. The Audit Committee also reviews policies and procedures relating
to the Company’s handling of its legal affairs and compliance with significant
applicable legal, ethical and regulatory requirements, and receives reports from
the Company’s Chief Legal Counsel relating to these matters. In setting
compensation, the Compensation Committee works with management to create
incentives that encourage a level of risk-taking that is consistent with the
Company’s business strategy and maximization of shareholder
value. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews
annually with the Board of Directors the composition of the Board of Directors
as a whole, including whether the Board of Directors reflects the appropriate
balance of independence, sound judgment, business specialization, technical
skills, diversity and other desired qualities.
Board Leadership
Structure
Mr. Salmasi
serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Dr. Brailean serves
as our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and President as well as
a member of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that
separate Chairman and Chief Executive Officer role is appropriate for the
Company at this time. All of our directors other than Mr. Salmasi and Dr.
Brailean have been determined to qualify as independent directors under the
listing rules of Nasdaq and the Company maintains Audit, Compensation and
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees composed solely of such
independent directors. The Company has not designated a lead
independent director.
Attendance
at Board and Committee Meetings
It is our
policy that directors are expected to dedicate sufficient time to the
performance of their duties as a director, including by attending meetings of
the stockholders, Board of Directors and committees of which they
are a member.
In 2009,
the Board of Directors held
22
meetings (including regularly scheduled and special meetings). All directors
attended at least
90% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors
and committees of the Board of Directors on which such director
served. All directors attended our 2009 annual meeting of
stockholders.
Stockholder
Communications with the Board of Directors
Our Board
of Directors provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the
Board of Directors.
Stockholders
and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Board of
Directors as a group, may do so by writing to the Board of Directors, c/o
Secretary, 10350
Science Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121.
The Secretary will review all correspondence and regularly forward to the Board
of Directors a summary of all such correspondence that, in the opinion of the
Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board of Directors or committees
thereof or that the Secretary otherwise determines requires
attention. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or
auditing matters will immediately be brought to the attention of the Chairman of
the Audit Committee. We have adopted a Whistleblower Policy, which establishes
procedures for submitting these types of concerns, either personally or
anonymously through a toll free telephone “hotline” operated by an independent
party. A copy of our Whistleblower Policy is available on our website at
www.nextwave.com.
Executive
Officers
The
following persons currently serve as our executive officers in the capacities
indicated below. Our executive officers are responsible for the
management of our operations, subject to the oversight of the Board of
Directors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and President
|
Dr.
James Brailean
|
|
|
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel and Secretary
|
Frank
A. Cassou
|
|
|
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
|
Francis
J. Harding
|
Biographical
information for our executive officers is presented below. See
“PROPOSAL NO. 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS – Other Members of the Board of
Directors” for the biographical information for Dr. Brailean.
Name
|
|
Position
|
Frank
A. Cassou
|
|
Frank
A. Cassou, 52, is Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and
Chief Legal Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Cassou
held similar positions at NextWave Telecom Inc., which he joined in
1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cassou was a partner at
the law firm of Cooley Godward LLP, where he practiced corporate law
representing telecommunications and technology companies. He
was outside corporate counsel to QUALCOMM Inc. from June 1991 through
February 1996, representing the company in its public financing and
acquisition transactions, licensing agreements and the formation of
strategic partnerships.
|
Francis
J. Harding
|
|
Francis
J. Harding, 65, has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company
since May 2009 and as Chief Accounting Officer from August 2005 to
May 2009. Mr. Harding has served 20 years in senior financial
management roles for international wireless carriers and wireless
technology development companies. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Harding served as Vice President, Network Finance and Vice President,
Finance for Leap Wireless International. He previously served ten
years at QUALCOMM, Inc., where he held senior positions, including Vice
President, Corporate Controller, Vice President Finance, CDMA and Vice
President Finance, International. Formerly, Mr. Harding served
as Executive Vice President and CFO of Monitor Technologies, Inc., in
addition to senior financial roles at LORAL Corporation. Mr. Harding
earned a bachelor degree in mathematics from the University of
Massachusetts and an MBA from Alliant International
University.
|
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have
adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”), that
applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal
executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting
officer. Copies of our Code are available without charge upon
requests directed to Investor Relations, 10350 Science Center
Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121, and from our
website at www.nextwave.com. Any amendments to, or waivers under, our Code which
are required to be disclosed by the rules promulgated by the SEC will be
disclosed on the Company’s website at www.nextwave.com.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),
requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own
more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely upon a
review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations
from our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial
stockholders, we believe that during the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010, all
persons subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) filed the
required reports on a timely basis.
The
information contained in this Proxy Statement with respect to the charter of the
Audit Committee, the description of the Audit Committee and the independence of
the members of the Audit Committee shall not be
deemed
to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any
future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by
reference in such a filing.
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK
Set forth
below is certain information as of April 5, 2010, with respect to the
beneficial ownership determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act of our common stock by (a) each person who, to our knowledge, is the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (b) each
director and nominee for director, (c) each of the executive officers named in
the Summary Compensation Table on page 14 of this Proxy Statement and (d)
all of our executive officers and directors as a group. Unless
otherwise stated, the business address of each person listed is c/o NextWave
Wireless Inc., 10350
Science Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego,
California 92121.
|
Securities
Beneficially Owned
|
Name
and Address
of
Beneficial Owner
|
Shares
Beneficially Owned
|
Percentage
of Shares
Outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
Security Holders:
|
|
|
|
Navation
Inc. (1)
|
21,897,960
|
13.4
|
%
|
Avenue
Capital Group (2)
|
62,254,490
|
36.1
|
%
|
Sola
Ltd. (3)
|
16,726,663
|
9.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Officers,
Directors and Nominees:
|
|
|
|
James
C. Brailean (4)
|
740,413
|
*
|
|
Frank
A. Cassou (5)
|
3,298,441
|
2.1
|
%
|
Frances
J. Harding (6)
|
494,329
|
*
|
|
Douglas
F. Manchester (7)
|
7,883,972
|
4.8
|
%
|
Jack
Rosen (8)
|
865,623
|
*
|
|
Allen
Salmasi (9)
|
31,394,401
|
19.0
|
%
|
Robert
T. Symington (10)
|
727,472
|
*
|
|
Carl
E. Vogel (11)
|
729,167
|
*
|
|
William
H. Webster (12)
|
850,040
|
1%
|
|
All
directors and officers as a group
|
46,992,920
|
26.5
|
%
|
* Less
than 1%
The
shares beneficially owned and ownership percentages reflected in the table above
are based on the inclusion in the calculations for each individual or entity of
(i) options held by such individual or entity that are exercisable within a
period of 60 days from the record date, (ii) convertible Third Lien Notes held
by such individual or entity that are convertible within a period of 60 days
from the record date and (iii) warrants held
by such individual or entity that are exercisable within a period of 60 days
from the record date, as applicable.
(1)
|
The
address for Navation, Inc. is c/o Mr. Alain Tripod, 15, rue
Général-Dufour, Case Postale 5556, CH - 1211 Genéve 11, Switzerland.
Includes 6,804,086 shares issuable upon conversion of Third Lien
Notes.
|
(2)
|
Based
on the Schedule 13D filed by Avenue Capital Group and its affiliates on
November 19, 2008, as amended on December 18, 2009. The address
for Avenue Capital Group is 535 Madison Avenue, New York, NY
10022. Robert T. Symington, a member of the NextWave Board of
Directors, is a portfolio manager of an Avenue Capital Group
affiliate. Includes 13,608,170 shares issuable upon conversion
of Third Lien Notes and 706,790 shares underlying options held by Mr.
Symington that are exercisable within 60 days. Marc Lasry is
the managing member of Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC, the
general partner of Avenue Capital II and exercises voting and investment
power over the securities beneficially owned by Avenue Capital II and by
the funds thereof.
|
(3)
|
Based
on the Schedule 13G filed by Solus Alternative Asset Management LP, Solus
GP LLC and Christopher Pucillo on February 16, 2010. The
address for Sola Ltd is 430 Park Avenue, 9th floor, New
York, NY 10022. Includes 6,250,000 shares held as common stock
with the remainder being held as notes and warrants which were convertible
into 10,476,663 shares of common stock. Mr. Pucillo is the
managing member of Solus GP LLC, the general partner of Solus Alternative
Asset Management LP and exercises voting and
investment
|
power
over the securities beneficially owned by Solus Alternative Asset Management
LP. The Third Lien Notes and warrants held by Sola Ltd. and its affiliates
provide that in no event will any holder of such securities be entitled to
receive common stock upon exercise or conversion to the extent (but only to the
extent) that such receipt would cause Sola Ltd. and its affiliates to become,
directly or indirectly, a beneficial owner of more than 9.9% of the shares of
our common stock outstanding at such time.
(4)
|
Includes
733,332 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days.
|
(5)
|
Includes
858,899 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days.
|
(6)
|
Includes
494,329 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days.
|
(7)
|
Represents
shares held by Douglas F. Manchester directly and indirectly through each
of Manchester Financial Group, LP and Manchester Grand Resorts, LP.
Includes 12,743 shares underlying options to purchase our common stock,
arising from the conversion of options to purchase CYGNUS common stock
that were converted into NextWave options in November 2006, 6,804,086
shares issuable upon conversion of Third Lien Notes and 748,944 shares
underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days.
|
(8)
|
Includes
690,457 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days.
|
(9)
|
Allen
Salmasi is Chief Executive Officer of Navation, Inc. Mr. Salmasi may be
deemed to beneficially own the shares of common stock held or record by
Navation, Inc. Represents shares held by Allen Salmasi directly and
indirectly through Navation, Inc. Includes 6,804,086 shares issuable upon
conversion of Third Lien Notes and 528,082 shares underlying options that
are exercisable within 60 days.
|
(10)
|
Includes
706,790 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days.
|
(11)
|
Includes
729,167 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days
|
(12)
|
Includes
741,707 shares underlying options that are exercisable within 60
days.
|
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
This
summary compensation table below provides information regarding the compensation
program in place for Mr. Allen Salmasi, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Dr. James Brailean, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and
President, Mr. Frank Cassou, our Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel
& Secretary, and Francis J. Harding, our Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).
2009
Summary Compensation Table
The following table
sets forth information with respect to the compensation of our Named Executive
Officers for services in all capacities to us and our subsidiaries.
Name
and
Principal Position
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
|
All
Other Compensation
($)(2)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
Allen
Salmasi
President,
CEO & Chairman of the Board of Directors (3)
|
2009
|
|
$ |
425,250 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
143,086 |
|
|
$ |
20,413 |
|
|
$ |
588,749 |
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
777,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
17,123 |
|
|
$ |
794,123 |
|
James
C. Brailean
Chief
Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer
(4)
|
2009
|
|
$ |
405,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
2,326,100 |
|
|
$ |
13,671 |
|
|
$ |
2,744,771 |
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
363,575 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
12,125 |
|
|
$ |
375,700 |
|
Frank
A. Cassou
EVP,
Chief Legal Counsel & Secretary
|
2009
|
|
$ |
520,020 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
272,370 |
|
|
$ |
20,298 |
|
|
$ |
812,688 |
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
491,940 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
17,123 |
|
|
$ |
509,063 |
|
Francis
J. Harding
EVP,
Chief Financial Officer (5)
|
2009
|
|
$ |
328,168 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
273,869 |
|
|
$ |
13,610 |
|
|
$ |
645,647 |
|
1.
|
The
amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair
value of the options to purchase shares of Company common stock (the
“Company Options”) granted to the Named Executive Officers and the
aggregate grant date fair value of the option to purchase shares of common
stock of our subsidiary PacketVideo Corporation (the “PacketVideo
Option”) granted to Dr. Brailean during fiscal 2009. Pursuant to SEC
rules, the amounts reported exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures
related to service-based vesting conditions. The assumptions made in
calculating the grant date fair value amounts for the Company Options and
the PacketVideo Option granted in fiscal 2009 are incorporated herein by
reference to the discussion of those assumptions in footnote 13 to the
financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2010. Note that the amounts
reported in this column reflect the Company’s accounting cost for these
options, and do not correspond to the actual economic value that will be
received by the Named Executive Officers from the options. Company Options
with an exercise price of $0.33 per share awarded to the Company’s
executive officers on May 19, 2009 (the “May Option Grant Date”) were as
follows: Dr. Brailean, 366,666 shares, of which 343,749 were exercisable
and 22,917 were unexercisable as of the May Option Grant Date; Mr.
Harding, 187,500 shares, of which 172,163 were exercisable and 15,337 were
unexercisable as of the May Option Grant Date; Mr. Cassou, 387,783 shares,
all of which were exercisable as of the May Option Grant Date; and Mr.
Salmasi, 528,082 shares, all of which were exercisable as of the May
Option Grant Date. The unexercisable portion of the option awarded to Dr.
Brailean vested in equal installments over 2 months. The unexercisable
portion of the option awarded to Mr. Harding will vest in equal
installments over 24 months. Such Company Options will expire on May 18,
2019, if not previously exercised or forfeited. Company Options with an
exercise price of $0.42 per share were awarded on August 4, 2009 to Mr.
Harding, 600,000 shares, and Mr. Cassou, 450,000 shares, all of which will
vest in 48 monthly installments. Such Company Options will expire on
August 3, 2019, if not previously exercised or terminated. On September 1,
2009, Dr. Brailean was awarded an option to purchase 1,500,000 shares of
PacketVideo common stock with an exercise price of $2.78 per share, of
which one-fourth will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. The
remainder of the option will vest in 36 monthly
installments
|
thereafter.
The PacketVideo Option will expire on August 31, 2019, if not previously
exercised or terminated.
2.
|
The
amounts reported in this column for fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively,
comprise health, disability, and life insurance premiums paid for each of
the Named Executive Officers.
|
3.
|
On
May 4, 2009, Mr. Salmasi assumed the role of Chairman with a special
mandate relating to the maximization of the value of the Company’s
wireless spectrum assets. In connection with the March 2010 Amendment to
our secured notes, Mr. Salmasi’s compensation has subsequently been
reduced to a level commensurate to that of our independent
directors.
|
4.
|
On
May 4, 2009, Dr. Brailean assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Operating Officer and
President.
|
5.
|
On
May 4, 2009, Mr. Harding assumed the role of Chief Financial
Officer.
|
Narrative
to Summary Compensation Table
In fiscal
2009, the primary components of our executive compensation program
were:
Base
Salary
We use
base salary to fairly and competitively compensate our executives, including the
Named Executive Officers, for the jobs we ask them to perform. We
view base salary as the most stable component of our executive compensation
program, as this amount is not at risk. We believe that the base
salaries of our executives should be targeted at or above the median of base
salaries for executives in similar positions with similar responsibilities at
comparable companies, consistent with our compensation
philosophy. Because of our emphasis on performance-based compensation
for executives, base salary adjustments are generally made only when we believe
there is a significant deviation from the market or an increase in
responsibility. The Compensation Committee reviews the base salary levels of our
executives each year to determine whether an adjustment is warranted or
necessary.
In May
2009, Mr. Salmasi assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors with a
special mandate relating to the maximization of the value of the Company’s
wireless spectrum assets, and his base salary was accordingly
reduced. Also in May 2009, Dr. Brailean assumed the role of Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and President of the Company and his
base salary was increased in recognition of his increased
responsibilities. Mr. Harding assumed the role of Chief Financial
Officer of the Company in May 2009 and his base salary was increased in
recognition of his increased responsibilities in this role and as a result of
the Company’s global restructuring and divestiture initiatives.
Annual
Incentives
The
Compensation Committee has the authority to make discretionary annual incentive
awards to our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, after the end
of the fiscal year, once the financial results for the year are
available. While we do not have a formal bonus plan for making these
awards, typically we follow the same general process for making the awards each
year. Using the target annual incentive award opportunities and the
Company’s financial and operational performance for the completed fiscal year,
our CEO establishes a proposed total bonus pool amount and tentative award
allocations among our employees, including our executives (except with respect
to his own award). The proposed total bonus pool amount and the tentative award
allocations are subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee. These
awards are intended to reward our employees and executives for achieving
strategic and operational objectives during the year. Our CEO also evaluates the
performance of each of our executives in order to formulate award
recommendations for the Compensation Committee.
Due to
our global restructuring initiatives and our overall need to reduce operating
costs, the decision was made not to pay annual incentive awards for fiscal 2008
performance. Mr. Harding received an annual incentive award in 2009
for retention purposes given his expanded role with the Company. The form
of payment for our annual incentive awards is subject to the discretion of the
Compensation Committee. In the past, the Compensation Committee has elected to
pay out the annual incentive awards in fully-vested shares of the Company’s
common stock and cash.
Equity
Compensation
We use
equity compensation to promote an ownership culture that encourages long-term
decision-making and building shareholder value. Through our equity
compensation plan, we provide designated employees, including our executives,
with equity incentives that help align their interests with those of our
stockholders. Our practice has been to grant equity awards to new
hires in an amount appropriate to their job level and
responsibilities. Additional equity awards have been granted in
connection with promotions (to make the total long term equity incentive held by
such individual commensurate with other individuals in their new pay grade) and
in lieu of annual cash incentive awards.
We
believe that the opportunity to acquire equity creates and maintains an
environment that motivates our employees to stay with the organization and
provides a key incentive to them to promote our long-term success and build
shareholder value. By providing employees a direct stake in our
economic success, equity compensation assures a closer identification of their
interests with those of the Company and our stockholders, stimulate their
efforts on our behalf, and strengthen their desire to remain with
us.
On May 19, 2009, the Compensation
Committee met to consider equity incentive compensation for officers and
employees of the Company. The Compensation Committee considered the
Company’s substantial completion of its global restructuring efforts, the desire
to provide officers and employees a continued equity incentive to best align
their interests with Company stockholders, and the extent to which the Company’s
existing options were substantially underwater (with a weighted average exercise
price of $6.42, as compared to the closing price of a share of Company common
stock on NASDAQ of $0.33 on May 19). After considering these factors,
and various alternatives, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of new
options to purchase an aggregate of 6,378,516 shares of the Company’s common
stock at an exercise price of $0.33 per share (the “New Stock Options”) pursuant
to the NextWave Wireless Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Each officer
and employee received a New Stock Option to purchase a number of shares equal to
the aggregate number of shares currently subject to options held by such
employee, with commensurate vesting terms. The New Stock Options will
expire on May 18, 2019, if not previously exercised or forfeited.
Other
Benefits
Historically,
we have not provided retirement benefits to our executives, including the Named
Executive Officers. However, we offer all of our U.S. employees,
including the Named Executive Officers, the opportunity to participate in our
tax-qualified defined contribution plan, a Section 401(k) savings
plan. This plan serves as the primary vehicle for our employees to
accumulate retirement benefits. Currently, we do not match any
employee contributions (including contributions of the Named Executive Officers)
made to the Section 401(k) plan. We believe that the total amount of
retirement benefits made available to our executives, including the Named
Executive Officers, under this plan, when added to our equity awards, is
consistent with the level of total compensation that we seek to provide to our
executives.
We
provide medical, disability and life insurance benefits to our executives,
including the Named Executive Officers, on the same terms and conditions as are
generally available to all of our salaried employees.
Employment,
Severance and Change-in-Control Agreements
Except
with respect to Mr. Harding, our Chief Financial Officer, our executives are not
parties to employment, severance or change in control agreements.
On May 4,
2009, we promoted Francis J. Harding to the role of Chief Financial Officer. In
addition to his new responsibilities, Mr. Harding will continue to maintain his
role as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting
Officer. On May 6, 2009 we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Harding
detailing certain terms governing the employment relationship between NextWave
and Mr. Harding (the “Letter Agreement”).
The
initial term of the Letter Agreement is three years, subject to extension for
all periods beyond the conclusion of the term that Mr. Harding remains employed
by us. As part of the Letter Agreement, Mr. Harding was entitled to a one time
retention payment of $30,000 and a base salary of $153.00 per hour, effective as
of January 1, 2009.
If Mr.
Harding’s employment with us is terminated for Good Reason, as defined in the
Letter Agreement, or without Cause, as defined in the Letter Agreement, then we
will pay to Mr. Harding (i) all accrued salary and wages as of the date of
termination; (ii) accrued vacation as of the date of termination and (iii) six
months of Mr. Harding’s base salary. Additionally, we will provide continued
medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for Mr. Harding for six months
from the date of the termination of his employment. Furthermore, if Mr.
Harding’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason or upon the
conclusion of the term of the Letter Agreement, we will retain Mr. Harding as a
independent contractor consultant, subject to execution of a mutually agreeable
contract, whereupon Mr. Harding will provide general managerial and financial
consultancy services to NextWave for the six month period following the
termination of Mr. Harding’s employment with us. Mr. Harding would be
compensated $5,000 per week to perform such services. If such services
provided by Mr. Harding exceed twenty hours per week, we will compensate Mr.
Harding with an additional payment of $250 per hour for every hour worked by Mr.
Harding in excess of twenty hours per week. In the event that we terminate
Mr. Hardings’s employment for Cause, the Letter Agreement provides that we will
pay Mr. Harding all of his accrued wages and salary that he is owed as part of
his employment with us.
For more
information about this arrangement, see the discussion of Potential Payments
Upon Termination or Change in Control and the accompanying narrative on page
19 of this Proxy Statement.
Both the
NextWave
Wireless Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Stock Incentive Plan”) and
the NextWave
Wireless 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 New Employee Stock
Incentive Plan”) provide for immediate and full vesting of all outstanding stock
options upon a change in control of the Company (as defined in the
plans). This provision applies to all of the outstanding stock
options held by our executives, including the Named Executive
Officers. We believe that this arrangement is important as a
recruitment and retention device, as most of the companies with which we compete
for executive talent have similar agreements in place for their senior
employees.
Rule
10b5-1 Trading Plans
Our
executives, including the Named Executive Officers, may implement a trading plan
under Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1 subject to pre-clearing the plan with the
Company’s Vice President—Investor Relations. Such plans may be implemented as
long as they are entered into (i) when the executive is not in possession of
material nonpublic information about the Company and (ii) during one of the
Company’s an open trading periods.
Tax
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the U.S. Federal tax
code prevents the Company from taking a tax deduction for certain
non-performance-based compensation in excess of $1 million in any fiscal year
paid to the chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated
named executive officers (excluding the chief financial
officer). While we generally seek to ensure the deductibility of the
incentive compensation paid to our executives, the Compensation Committee
retains the flexibility necessary to provide cash and equity compensation in
line with competitive practice, our compensation philosophy and the best
interests of stockholders even if these amounts are not fully tax
deductible.
2009
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
The following table sets forth
information as to the equity awards held by each of the Named Executive Officers
as of the end of fiscal 2009:
|
Name
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)(1)
|
|
|
Number
of
Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
(2)
|
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
|
Allen
Salmasi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April
13, 2005
|
|
|
416,666 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
6.00 |
|
4/12/15
|
|
|
April
27, 2006
|
|
|
111,416 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
4/26/16
|
|
|
May
19, 2009
|
|
|
528,082 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
5/18/19
|
|
|
Frank
A. Cassou
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April
13, 2005
|
|
|
333,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
6.00 |
|
4/12/15
|
|
|
April
27, 2006
|
|
|
54,450 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
4/26/16
|
|
|
May
19, 2009
|
|
|
387,783 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
5/18/19
|
|
|
August
4, 2009
|
|
|
450,000 |
|
|
|
412,500 |
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
8/3/19
|
|
|
James
C. Brailean
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
20, 2005
|
|
|
366,666 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
6.00 |
|
7/19/12
|
|
|
May
19, 2009
|
|
|
366,666 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
5/18/19
|
|
|
September
1, 2009(3)
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.78 |
|
8/31/19
|
|
|
Francis
J. Harding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August
1, 2005
|
|
|
83,333 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
6.00 |
|
7/31/15
|
|
|
April
27, 2006
|
|
|
84,722 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
6.00 |
|
4/26/16
|
|
|
May
24, 2007
|
|
|
19,445 |
|
|
|
6,887 |
|
|
$ |
9.00 |
|
5/23/17
|
|
|
May
19, 2009
|
|
|
187,500 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0.33 |
|
5/18/19
|
|
|
August
4, 2009
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
8/3/19
|
|
(1)
|
The
Company Options granted on April 13, 2005 were immediately exercisable in
full as of the option grant date, subject to an unvested share repurchase
right (at the option exercise price) in favor of the Company in the event
that the Named Executive Officer terminated employment with the Company
for any reason prior to the fourth anniversary of the date of
grant. This repurchase right expired in 48 equal monthly
installments over a four year period commencing on the date of grant,
beginning on May 13, 2005. As of January 2, 2010, Messrs.
Salmasi and Mr. Cassou had no shares that were subject to this repurchase
right. The Company Options granted on April 27, 2006 were granted in lieu
of a cash incentive award for performance in fiscal 2005 and were vested
in full as of the option grant
date.
|
(2)
|
The
Company Option granted on July 20, 2005 is exercisable in 48 equal monthly
installments over a four year period commencing on the date of grant,
beginning on August 20, 2005. The Company Options granted on
May 19, 2009 were immediately exercisable in full as of the option grant
date, with the exception of 25,667 options granted to Dr. Brailean and
15,000 options granted to Mr. Harding. The unexercisable
portion of the Company Option awarded to Dr. Brailean vested in equal
monthly installments over two months commencing on the date of grant,
beginning on June 19, 2009. The unexercisable portion of the Company
Option awarded to Mr. Harding will vest in equal monthly installments over
24 months commencing on the date of grant, beginning on June 19,
2009. The Company Options granted on August 4, 2009 become
exercisable in 48 equal monthly installments over a four year period
commencing on the date of grant, beginning on September 4,
2009.
|
(3)
|
One-fourth
of the PacketVideo Option granted on September 1, 2009 is exercisable
commencing one year after the date of grant, beginning on September 1,
2010. The remaining shares become exercisable in 36 monthly
installments thereafter.
|
2009 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
TABLE
None of our Named Executive Officers
exercised options to purchase our common stock or held restricted stock awards
subject to vesting during fiscal 2009.
2009
PENSION BENEFITS TABLE
The Company did not sponsor any defined
benefit pension plans for its employees, including the Named Executive Officers,
during fiscal 2009.
2009
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE
The Company did not maintain any
nonqualified defined contribution plan for its employees, including the Named
Executive Officers, during fiscal 2009.
POTENTIAL
PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION
OR
CHANGE IN CONTROL
Except for the Letter Agreement between
the Company and Francis J. Harding, as described on page 16 of this Proxy
Statement, the Company does not maintain any contracts, agreements, plans,
or arrangements that provide for payments to the Named Executive Officers at,
following, or in connection with any termination of employment, including,
without limitation, resignation, severance, retirement, or a constructive
termination of a Named Executive Officer, or a change in control of the Company
or a change in the Named Executive Officers responsibilities, except for the
accelerated vesting of equity awards under the circumstances described
below.
Upon the voluntary termination of
employment of any of our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, any
unvested portion of any outstanding stock options held by an executive is
cancelled and the employee has 90 days from the date of termination of
employment in which to exercise the vested portion of any such
options. After the expiration of the 90-day period, the vested
portion of any such options that remains unexercised is
cancelled. The Company may, in the discretion of our Board of
Directors of the Company and the Compensation Committee of the Board, accelerate
the vesting of any unvested portion of any outstanding stock option upon an
executive’s termination of employment.
Both the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive
Plan and 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan provide that, in the event of a
change in control of the Company (as defined in the respective plan), any
unvested portion of any outstanding stock option shall immediately vest in
full. This provision applies to all of the outstanding stock options
held by our employees, including the Named Executive Officers. We
believe that this arrangement is an important recruitment and retention device,
as most of the companies with which we compete for talent have similar
arrangements in place for their senior employees.
The following table sets forth the
potential estimated payments and benefits to which each Named Executive Officer
would be entitled upon a change in control of the Company, as a result of this
vesting acceleration provision.
|
Name
|
|
Number
of Unvested
Option
Shares
(#)
|
|
|
Intrinsic
Value of Options
Shares
Based on Accelerated
Vesting
as of January 2,
2010
($)
(1)
|
|
|
Allen
Salmasi
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
Frank
A. Cassou
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
James
C. Brailean
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
|
Francis
J. Harding
|
|
480,671 |
|
|
$ |
0.00 |
|
(1)
|
For
purposes of this calculation, the following assumptions were
used:
|
§
|
the
date of the change in control of the Company was January 2,
2010;
|
§
|
the
market price per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of the
change in control was equal to the last reported sale price for the shares
of the Company’s common stock on December 26, 2008 ($0.08 per
share);
|
§
|
the
number of unvested shares of the Company’s common stock as of January 2,
2010 was the number of shares that were subject to the Company’s unvested
share repurchase right as of that date;
and
|
§
|
the
value of the accelerated vesting of outstanding stock options is the
intrinsic value of the options as of January 2, 2010 (that is, the value
based upon the last reported sale price for the shares of the Company’s
common stock on January 2, 2010 less the option exercise
price).
|
The
amounts reported in the table above do not include payments and benefits to the
extent they may be provided on a non-discriminatory basis to all of the
Company’s salaried employees generally upon termination of
employment. These payments and benefits may include accrued salary
and vacation pay and welfare benefits provided to all former employees,
including medical and dental insurance and life insurance coverage.
2009
Director Compensation Table
The
following table sets forth, for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010, the total
compensation of the non-employee members of the Company’s Board of
Directors:
|
Name (1)
|
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid
in Cash
($) (2)
|
|
|
Option
Awards
($) (3)
|
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
Douglas
F. Manchester
|
|
$ |
76,750 |
|
|
$ |
152,962 |
|
|
$ |
229,712 |
|
|
Jack
Rosen
|
|
$ |
74,750 |
|
|
$ |
143,785 |
|
|
$ |
218,535 |
|
|
Robert
T. Symington
|
|
$ |
81,500 |
|
|
$ |
146,385 |
|
|
$ |
227,885 |
|
|
Carl
E. Vogel
|
|
$ |
10,417 |
|
|
$ |
1,289,868 |
|
|
$ |
1,300,285 |
|
|
William
H. Webster
|
|
$ |
81,500 |
|
|
$ |
156,892 |
|
|
$ |
238,392 |
|
(1)
|
As
employees of the Company, Mr. Salmasi and Dr. Brailean received no
compensation for serving as members of the Company’s Board of
Directors.
|
(2)
|
The
Company’s standard fee arrangements for non-employee directors are as
follows: a $2,000 cash fee for each Board meeting attended in person, a
$1,000 cash fee for each telephonic Board meeting attended, and a $750
cash fee for each Board committee meeting attended. In January 2009 the
Board of Directors also approved a $40,000 annual retainer for each
non-employee director. Also in January of 2009, the
non-employee directors (other than Mr. Vogel) also received an annual
stock option grant of 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for
service on the Board of Directors, with 200,000 shares subject to
immediate vesting and 150,000 shares subject to vesting over one year in
equal monthly increments. In addition, each non-employee
director (except for Mr. Vogel) received an annual stock option grant of
8,500 shares of the Company’s common stock for service on each Board
committee in respect of their fiscal 2008 service. The Board
also granted to Mr. Vogel an option to purchase an aggregate of 2.5
million shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s
2005 Stock Incentive Plan subject to vesting in 24 equal monthly
installments.
|
(3)
|
The
amounts reported in the Option Awards column represent the aggregate grant
date fair value of the Company Options granted to the non-employee
directors during fiscal 2009. Pursuant to SEC rules, the
amounts reported exclude the impact of estimated forfeitures related to
service-based vesting conditions. The assumptions made in
calculating the grant date fair value amounts for the Company Options
granted in fiscal 2009 and in prior years are incorporated herein by
reference to the discussion of those assumptions in footnote 13 to the
Company’s financial statements as contained in the 2009 Form 10-K filed
with the SEC on April 2, 2010. Note that the amounts reported in this
column reflect the Company’s accounting cost for these Company Options,
and do not correspond to the actual economic value that will be received
by the non-employee directors from the Company
Options.
|
The
aggregate number of stock options outstanding as of January 2, 2010 for each of
the non-employee directors was as follows:
|
Name
|
|
Number
of Shares
Underlying
Outstanding
Options
|
|
|
Douglas
F. Manchester (a)
|
|
751,652
|
|
|
Jack
Rosen (b)
|
|
693,165
|
|
|
Robert
T. Symington (c)
|
|
709,498
|
|
|
Carl
E. Vogel (d)
|
|
2,500,000
|
|
|
William
H. Webster (e)
|
|
744,832
|
|
(a)
|
Includes
an option to purchase 12,743 shares of the Company’s common stock with an
exercise price of $1.96 per share, granted on September 15, 2004; an
option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an
exercise price of $6.00 per share, granted on April 13, 2005; an option to
purchase 8,333 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price
of $6.00 per share, granted on April 27, 2006; an option to purchase
52,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of
$11.80 per share granted on February 26, 2007; an option to purchase
65,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of
$4.79 per share granted on March 28, 2008; an option to purchase 375,500
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.31 per
share granted on January 12, 2009; and an option to purchase 188,076
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.38 per
share granted on June 11, 2009.
|
(b)
|
Includes
an option to purchase 33,333 shares of the Company’s common stock with an
exercise price of $6.00 per share, granted on April 13, 2005; an option to
purchase 8,333 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price
of $6.00 per share, granted on April 27, 2006; an options to purchase
43,500 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of
$11.80 per share granted on February 26, 2007; an option to purchase 8,500
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $9.00 per
share granted on May 24, 2007; an option to purchase 65,000
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $4.79 per
share granted on March 28, 2008; an option to purchase 375,500 shares of
the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.31 per share
granted on January 12, 2009; and an option to purchase 158,999 shares of
the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.38 per share
granted on June 11, 2009.
|
(c)
|
Includes
an option to purchase 33,333 shares of the Company’s common stock with an
exercise price of $6.00 per share, granted on April 13, 2005; an option to
purchase 16,666 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise
price of $6.00 per share, granted on April 27, 2006; an option to purchase
52,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of
$11.80 per share granted on February 26, 2007; an option to purchase
65,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of
$4.79 per share granted on March 28, 2008; an option to purchase 375,500
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.31 per
share granted on January 12, 2009; and an option to purchase 166,999
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.38 per
share granted on June 11, 2009.
|
(d)
|
Includes
an option to purchase 2.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock
with an exercise price of $0.59 per share, granted on November 11,
2009.
|
(e)
|
Includes
an option to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an
exercise price of $6.00 per share, granted on April 13, 2005; an option to
purchase 8,333 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price
of $6.00 per share, granted on April 27, 2005; an option to purchase
60,500 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of
$11.80 per share granted on February 26, 2007; an option to purchase
75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of
$4.79 per share granted on March 28, 2008; an option to purchase 384,000
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.31 per
share granted on January 12, 2009; and an option to purchase 166,999
shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $0.38 per
share granted on June 11, 2009.
|
Perquisites
and other personal benefits provided to each of the non-employee directors in
fiscal 2009 were, in the aggregate, less than $10,000 per
director.
TRANSACTIONS
WITH RELATED PERSONS
On March 16, 2010, we entered
into an Amendment and Limited Waiver (the “Amendment and Waiver”) to the
agreements governing our Senior Notes, Second Lien Notes and Third Lien Notes.
In connection with the Amendment and Waiver, we entered into a Commitment Letter
with Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., acting on behalf of its managed
investment funds signatory thereto, and Solus Core Opportunities Master Fund Ltd
(“Solus”) and its affiliates and co-investors, to provide up to $25.0 million in
additional financing through the purchase of the Senior Incremental Notes (the
“Commitment Letter”). Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., is an
affiliate of Avenue Capital. Robert Symington, a portfolio manager with Avenue
Capital, is a member of our Board of Directors. As of January 2, 2010, Avenue
Capital and its affiliates held shares representing approximately 36.1% of our
issued and outstanding common stock, approximately $82.3 million, or 51.1% of
the aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes, approximately $93.9 million,
or 78.1% of the aggregate principal amount of our Second Lien Notes and
approximately $134.7 million, or 28.2% of the aggregate principal amount of our
Third Lien Notes. As of January 2, 2010, Solus beneficially owned
shares representing approximately 9.9% of our issued and
outstanding
common stock, approximately $27.3 million, or 16.9% of the aggregate principal
amount of our Senior Lien Notes, approximately $26.3 million, or 21.9% of the
aggregate principal amount of our Second Lien Notes and approximately $55.2
million, or 11.5% of the aggregate principal amount of our Third Lien
Notes. The terms of the Commitment Letter provide that we will be entitled
to borrow up to $25.0 million in one or more borrowings after March 16, 2010 but
prior to July 31, 2010, upon 10 business days notice. As with the
other Senior Notes, amounts outstanding under the Senior Incremental Notes will
bear interest at a rate of 15% per annum, payable in kind unless we elect to pay
cash, and will be secured by a first lien on the same assets securing the our
Senior Notes, on a pari passu basis. No commitment fee or
structuring fee is payable in connection with the Commitment
Letter.
As
consideration for the Amendment and Waiver, we paid an amendment fee to each of
Avenue Capital, Solus, Douglas F. Manchester, a member of our Board of Directors
and Navation, Inc. (“Navation”), an entity owned by Allen Salmasi, our Chairman,
through the issuance of additional Notes under the applicable Note Agreements in
an amount equal to 2.5% of the outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid
interest on such holder’s existing Notes as of March 16, 2010. The
Fee Notes were paid on March 16, 2010 by the issuance of Senior Notes, Second
Lien Notes and Third Lien Notes to Avenue Capital, Solus, Mr. Manchester and
Navation, and will accrue interest and become payable in accordance with the
terms of the respective Note Agreements. Avenue Capital received $2.3
million in Senior Notes, $2.8 million in Second Lien Notes and $3.8 million in
Third Lien Notes. Solus received $0.7 million in Senior Notes, $0.8
million in Second Lien Notes and $1.5 million in Third Lien
Notes. Mr. Manchester and Navation each received $1.9 million in
Third Lien Notes. The transactions contemplated by the Amendment and
Waiver and the Commitment Letter were approved and recommended to our Board of
Directors by an independent committee consisting of members of the Board of
Directors who do not have any direct or indirect economic interest in the
Notes.
In July
2009, we issued additional Second Lien Notes due 2010 in the aggregate principal
amount of $15.0 million, on the same financial and other terms applicable to our
existing Second Lien Notes. The Incremental Purchaser was Avenue AIV US, L.P.,
an affiliate of Avenue Capital. In connection with the issuance of the
Incremental Notes in July 2009, we issued warrants to purchase 7.5 million
shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share to the
purchaser of the Incremental Notes. The grant-date fair value of the warrants,
which totaled $3.5 million, was recorded to additional paid-in capital and
reduced the carrying value of the Second Lien Notes, and is recognized as
additional interest expense over the remaining term of the Second Lien Notes.
During the year ended January 2, 2010 Avenue AIV US, L.P. exercised all of these
warrants to purchase 7.4 million shares of common stock for 0.1 million net
common shares withheld.
We
entered into a binding commitment letter dated as of March 27, 2009, with
Navation, Inc., an entity controlled by Allen Salmasi, our Chairman, to provide
up to $15 million in working capital financing. The terms of the
commitment letter provided that we will be entitled to borrow up to $15
million in one or more borrowings after June 1, 2009, subject to conditions
including the completion of definitive documentation. As a condition to
such commitment we agreed to pay a commitment fee of $750,000 to Navation,
Inc. The terms of the commitment letter also provided that Mr.
Salmasi will be nominated to serve an additional three-year term as Chairman of
the Board of Directors, subject to stockholder approval at our annual meeting of
stockholders, and that Navation, Inc. will have a right of first refusal to
purchase the assets of our semiconductor business. The Company did
not borrow under the commitment letter and issued additional Second Lien Notes
in July 2009 as an alternative financing.
Under the
terms of the purchase agreements for our Senior Notes and Second Lien Notes, we
were required to enter into binding agreements to effect asset sales generating
net proceeds of at least $350 million no later than March 31, 2009 and
consummate such sales no later than six months following execution of such
agreements, unless closing is delayed solely due to receipt of pending
regulatory approvals (the “Asset Sale Condition”). We did not meet the Asset
Sale Condition. As a result, pursuant to the terms of the note purchase
agreements, the interest rate on the Senior Notes increased by 200 basis points
effective March 31, 2009 and, on April 8, 2009, we issued additional warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 10.0 million shares of our common stock at an exercise
price of $0.01 per share to the purchasers of the Second Lien Notes. Of the
warrants issued, 7.5 million were issued to Avenue AIV US, L.P. The grant-date
fair value of the warrants, which totaled $1.7 million, was recorded to
additional paid-in capital and reduced the carrying value of the Second Lien
Notes, and is recognized as additional interest expense over the remaining term
of the Second Lien Notes. During the year ended January 2, 2010 Avenue AIV US,
L.P. exercised all of these warrants to purchase 7.4 million shares of common
stock for 0.1 million net common shares withheld.
On
December 24, 2008, we sold a controlling interest in our IPWireless subsidiary
to IPW Holdings, Inc. (“IPW Holdings”) and an affiliate of IPW Holdings, for an
upfront cash payment of approximately $1.1 million, plus future cash payments of
up to $0.5 million for reimbursement of transaction-related expenses. IPW
Holdings was formed by the senior management team of IPWireless, including Dr.
William Jones, Ph.D. Dr. Jones resigned
from his
positions as a member of our Board of Directors and as chief executive officer
of our NextWave Networks Products division concurrent with the closing of the
sale.
Of the
Second Lien Notes issued in October 2008, Second Lien Notes in the aggregate
principal amount of $78.9 million were purchased by Avenue AIV US, L.P. The
issuance of the Second Lien Notes and related transactions were approved by an
independent committee of our Board of Directors. Additionally, in connection
with the Second Lien Notes issuance, we issued warrants to purchase of 30.0
million shares of our common stock and paid $5.6 million in fees to Avenue AIV
US, L.P. During the year ended January 2, 2010 Avenue AIV US, L.P. exercised all
of these warrants to purchase 29.4 million shares of common stock for 0.6
million net common shares withheld.
Of our
Series A Preferred Stock issued and sold in March 2007, 14%, 14% and 28% of the
shares were sold respectively, to Navation, Manchester Financial Group and
affiliates of Avenue Capital. These parties also participated on a pro rata
basis in the exchange of our Series A Preferred Stock for the Third Lien Notes
in November 2008, which was approved by an independent committee of our Board of
Directors.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The
following is the report of our Audit Committee with respect to our audited
financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010.
Review
with Management
The Audit
Committee reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements with
management.
Review
and Discussions with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit
Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with
management, which has primary responsibility for the financial
statements. Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public
accounting firm, is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of
the Company’s audited financial statements with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
The Audit
Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst
&Young LLP which is required by the applicable requirements of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s
communications with the Committee concerning independence, and has discussed
with Ernst & Young LLP their independence. The Audit Committee
also concluded that Ernst & Young LLP’s provision of audit and non-audit
services to the Company and its subsidiaries, as described in this Proxy
Statement, is compatible with Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.
Conclusion
Based
upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that its audited consolidated financial
statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 2, 2010 for filing with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Respectfully
submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Carl E.
Vogel, Chairman
Douglas
F. Manchester
William
H. Webster
The
information contained in the foregoing report shall not be deemed to be
“soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any
future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by
reference in a filing.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The
following table sets forth the aggregate fees (in thousands) for services
related to fiscal years 2008 and 2007 provided by Ernst & Young
LLP, our principal accountants.
|
|
|
Fiscal
2008
|
|
|
Fiscal
2007
|
|
|
Audit
Fees (1)
|
|
$ |
1,728 |
|
|
$ |
1,713 |
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees (2)
|
|
$ |
116 |
|
|
$ |
105 |
|
|
Tax
Fees (3)
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
All
Other Fees (4)
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
(1)
|
Audit
Fees represent fees billed for professional services rendered for the
audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, including reviews
of our quarterly financial statements, as well as audit services provided
in connection with other regulatory filings in connection with our fiscal
2008 and 2007 filings of registration statements on Form 10, Form S-1,
Form S-3, Form S-4, Form S-8 and current reports on Form
8-K.
|
|
(2)
|
Audit-Related
Fees represent fees billed for assurance services related to the audit of
our financial statements.
|
|
(3)
|
Tax
Fees represent fees for professional services related to tax reporting,
compliance and transaction services
assistance.
|
|
(4)
|
All
Other Fees represent fees for services provided to us not otherwise
included in the categories above.
|
The Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors has adopted a formal policy concerning the
approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by our principal
accountant, Ernst & Young LLP. The policy requires that all services Ernst
& Young LLP may provide to us, including audit services and permitted
audit-related and non-audit services, be pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit and non-audit services provided by
Ernst & Young LLP during fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan
The
Company granted options exercisable to purchase 15,419,632 shares of common
stock through 400 stock option awards under all of its compensation plans during
the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010. Information about our equity
compensation plans at January 2, 2010 is as follows:
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
|
Plan
Category
|
|
Number of Securities
to be
issued
upon exercise
of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and
rights
|
|
|
Weighted
Average exercise
price
of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and
rights
|
|
|
Number of securities
remaining available
for
future issuance
under
equity
compensation
plans
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
|
|
|
17,844,966 |
|
|
$ |
1.95 |
|
|
|
518,537 |
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders (2)
|
|
|
3,397,256 |
|
|
$ |
6.14 |
|
|
|
9,770,000 |
|
|
Total
|
|
|
21,242,222 |
|
|
$ |
2.62 |
|
|
|
10,288,537 |
|
(1) In
June 2006, NextWave Wireless LLC unit holders approved 20 million Units
(approximately 3,333,333 shares of our common stock) issuable upon the exercise
of options to be granted pursuant to the NextWave Wireless LLC 2005 Units Plan
(the “2005 Units Plan”). The remaining Units issuable pursuant to the
2005 Units Plan were approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court (the
“Bankruptcy Court”) in April 2005 in connection with the plan of reorganization
of NextWave Telecom, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including NextWave Wireless
LLC. On November 13, 2006, NextWave Wireless LLC merged with and into
NextWave Wireless
Inc, and
the 2005 Units Plan was assumed by NextWave Wireless Inc., becoming the 2005
Stock Incentive Plan. In May of 2007, NextWave Wireless Inc.
stockholders approved an amendment to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan to increase
the number of shares of common stock available for issuance from 12,500,000 to
27,500,000. Thus, 15,333,333 shares of our common stock issued or
available for issuance pursuant to grants under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan
have been approved by stockholders.
(2) The
remaining 9,166,666 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the grant of
options under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan were approved in April 2005 by the
Bankruptcy Court in connection with the plan of reorganization as described
above. The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of
nonqualified stock options, or restricted, performance-based, bonus, phantom or
other stock-based awards to directors, employees and consultants of NextWave.
Thus, 9,166,666 shares of our common stock issued or available for issuance
pursuant to grants under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan have not been approved by
our stockholders.
In
July 2005, NextWave acquired PacketVideo Corporation, which became our
wholly-owned subsidiary following the closing of the acquisition. In
August 2005, the Board of Directors of PacketVideo Corporation adopted the
PacketVideo Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “PacketVideo Plan”),
pursuant to which employees of PacketVideo Corporation were
authorized to receive up to 1,375,000 shares of our common stock upon the
exercise of stock options and similar rights (after giving effect to the
conversion described below). The PacketVideo Plan was subsequently
amended on two occasions to increase the aggregate number of authorized shares
to a total of 1,833,333 shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the
PacketVideo Plan, on January 3, 2007, when we listed our common stock on the
Nasdaq Global Market, each outstanding option, exercised or not, under the
PacketVideo Plan was automatically converted from an option or other award to
purchase PacketVideo common stock into an option or other award to purchase
shares of NextWave common stock. The PacketVideo Plan was not
approved by our stockholders.
Under the
NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, listed issuers are permitted to grant compensatory
equity to new employees for the purpose of inducing such persons to enter into
an employment relationship with the issuer without stockholder
approval. The 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan described below
was adopted by NextWave without stockholder approval pursuant to the inducement
exemption.
In
February 2007, NextWave adopted the 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan to
offer shares of NextWave common stock for equity awards to our new hires and the
new hires of our subsidiaries, including new employees who have joined us in
connection with acquisitions. The 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive
Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
NextWave, and provides for the grant of up to 2,500,000 shares of NextWave
common stock to our new hires as compensatory equity aimed at inducing such
persons to enter into an employment relationship with us. This plan
was then amended to provide up to 5,000,000 shares of NextWave common stock to
our new hires.
As of
January 2, 2010, options to acquire a total of 112,982 shares of common stock
are issued and outstanding under the 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan,
leaving 4,887,018 options available for future grant under the
plan.
PROPOSAL
NO. 2
RATIFICATION
OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board
of Directors recommends that the stockholders ratify the selection of Ernst
& Young LLP, as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit
our accounts and those of our subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending January 1,
2011. The Audit Committee approved the selection of Ernst & Young
LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal
2010. Ernst & Young LLP is currently our independent registered
public accounting firm.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
PROPOSAL
NO. 3
APPROVAL
OF AN AMENDMENT TO
THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
TO
EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The
Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a resolution approving and recommending
to the Company’s stockholders for their approval an amendment to the Company’s
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of
Incorporation”) which would effect a reverse stock split of its issued and
outstanding common stock at a ratio of one for seven (1:7), and in connection
therewith, would reduce its authorized shares of common stock by the same ratio
from 400,000,000 to 57,142,857 shares and increase the par value per share of
the common stock by the same ratio from $0.001 per share to $0.007 per share.
The Board of Directors’ primary purpose in proposing the reverse stock split is
to raise the per share trading price of the Company’s common stock to better
enable the Company to maintain the listing of its common stock on The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”).
If it is
approved by the stockholders, the reverse stock split, including the reduction
in the number of shares of authorized common stock and increase in the par value
per share of common stock, will be accomplished by the filing of an amendment to
the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware. The Board of Directors reserves the right to abandon the reverse stock
split or to delay the reverse stock split for up to six months after the annual
meeting if it determines that it is in the best interests of the Company and the
stockholders to do so. See “Board of Directors Discretion.”
Except
for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares as
described below, each stockholder will hold the same percentage of common stock
outstanding immediately following the reverse stock split as that stockholder
held immediately before the reverse stock split.
The form
of the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to accomplish the
reverse stock split is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the
proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
Purposes
of the Reverse Stock Split
NASDAQ
Listing. The Board of Directors’ primary objective in
proposing the reverse stock split is to raise the per share trading price of the
Company’s common stock to better enable the Company to maintain the listing of
its common stock on NASDAQ. The Company’s common stock is currently listed on
The NASDAQ Global Market. On October 7, 2008, we received a Staff Deficiency
Letter from NASDAQ notifying us that we were not in compliance with NASDAQ’s
Marketplace Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “Rule”) because the closing bid price for our
Common Stock had, for the preceding 30 consecutive business days, closed below
the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing. In accordance
with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were provided a period of 180
calendar days to regain compliance. On October 16, 2008, NASDAQ announced that
they had suspended the enforcement of the Rule until January 19, 2009, and as a
result, the period during which we had to regain compliance was extended to
July 10, 2009. On July 15, 2009, NASDAQ announced that they had determined to
continue the temporary suspension of the Rule until July 31, 2009, and as a
result, the period during which we had to regain compliance was extended to
January 21, 2010. On January 22, 2010, we received a Staff Determination letter
from the Listing Qualifications Department of NASDAQ indicating that our common
stock would be subject to delisting from The NASDAQ Global Market because of
non-compliance with the Rule, unless we requested a hearing before a NASDAQ
Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Panel”) by the close of business on January
29, 2010. We requested a hearing on the matter and such hearing
occurred on February 25, 2010. On March 26, 2010, the Panel granted our
request for continued listing, subject to the conditions that on or before May
1, 2010, we must inform the Panel that we have filed a proxy statement for our
annual meeting of stockholders including a vote on a reverse stock split in a
ratio sufficient to meet the $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing
and on or before July 21, 2010, we must have evidenced a closing bid price of
$1.00 or more for a minimum of ten prior consecutive trading days. If
we are unable to meet these exception requirements, the Panel will issue a final
determination to delist and suspend trading of our common stock.
The
reverse stock split is intended to raise the bid price of the common stock to
satisfy the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement. However, there can be no
assurance that the reverse stock split, if implemented, will have the desired
effect of sufficiently raising the common stock price. The effect of a reverse
stock split upon the market price of the common stock cannot be predicted with
any certainty. The market price of the common stock may vary
based on
other factors that are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding, including
the Company’s future performance. The Company also cannot assure you that the
common stock will not be delisted due to a failure to meet other continued
listing requirements even if after the reverse stock split the market price per
share of the common stock remains in excess of $1.00. If a delisting from NASDAQ
were to occur, the Company may seek to have the common stock traded on the OTC
Bulletin Board or in the “pink sheets.” These alternative markets are
generally considered to be less efficient and liquid than the NASDAQ Global
Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market.
Even if
the closing bid price of the common stock satisfies the minimum closing bid
price rule prior to the annual meeting, the Company may still effect the
reverse stock split if stockholders approve this proposal and the Board of
Directors determines that effecting the reverse stock split would be in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Risk
Factors Associated with the Reverse Stock Split
We cannot
assure you that the proposed reverse stock split, if implemented, will have the
desired effect of raising the price of our common stock over the long term. The
history of similar stock split combinations for companies in like circumstances
is varied. There is no assurance that:
|
•
|
the
trading price per share of common stock after the reverse stock split
would rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of pre-split
shares of common stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock
Split;
|
|
• |
the
market price per post-split share would either exceed or remain in excess
of the $1.00 minimum bid price as required by Nasdaq or that the Company
would otherwise meet the requirements for continued listing on
Nasdaq.
|
The
market price of our common stock would also be based on our performance and
other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding.
If the proposed reverse stock split is consummated and the trading price of our
common stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a
percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur
in the absence of the reverse stock split. Furthermore, the liquidity of our
common stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that
would be outstanding after the reverse stock split.
Anticipated
Effects of Reverse Stock Split
Effect on the Market Price
of the Common Stock. Although the Company expects that the
reverse stock split will result in an increase in the market price of the common
stock, the reverse stock split may not increase the market price of the common
stock in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of common stock
outstanding or result in a permanent increase in the market price. For example,
based on the closing price of the common stock on April 28, 2010 of [$0.__] per
share, if the stockholders approve, and the Board of Directors implements, the
reverse stock split, there can be no assurance that the post-split market price
of the common stock would be [ $_.__] (7x the current price) per share or
greater. The market price is dependent upon many factors, including the
Company’s performance, prospects and other factors detailed from time to time in
the Company’s reports filed with the SEC. If the reverse stock split is
accomplished and the market price of the common stock declines, the percentage
decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of the Company’s overall
market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of a
reverse stock split. In many cases, the market price of a company’s shares
declines after a reverse stock split.
Effect on the Market for the
Common Stock. If the Company is able to maintain the listing
of its common stock on NASDAQ, the Company would not suffer the potential loss
of liquidity resulting from delisting. Although the Company believes that a
higher stock price may help generate investor interest, there can be no
assurance that the reverse stock split will result in a per share price that
will attract institutional investors or investment funds or that the share price
will satisfy the investing guidelines of institutional investors or investment
funds. In addition, the reduced number of outstanding shares of common stock
resulting from the reverse stock split could adversely affect the liquidity of
the Company’s common stock. As a result, the trading liquidity of the common
stock may be adversely affected by the reverse stock split.
Effect on Authorized and
Outstanding Shares. Currently, we are authorized to issue up
to a total of four hundred million (400,000,000) shares of common stock, of
which
shares were outstanding as of April 28, 2010. Immediately following the
effectiveness of the proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation, the total authorized number of shares of common stock will be
fifty seven million one hundred forty two thousand, eight hundred fifty seven
(57,142,857).
The
following table contains approximate information relating to the common stock
under a proposed reverse stock split ratio of one for seven (1:7), without
giving effect to any adjustments for fractional shares of common stock, as of
April 28, 2010:
Common
Stock
|
|
Pre-Reverse
Split
|
|
|
Post
1-for-7 Reverse Split
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
Reserved
for future issuance pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2005 Stock
Incentive Plan
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
Reserved
for future issuance pursuant to the PacketVideo Corporation 2005 Equity
Incentive Plan
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
Reserved
for future issuance pursuant to the NextWave Wireless LLC 2005 Units
Plan
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
Reserved
for future issuance pursuant to the 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive
Plan
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
|
|
[______]
|
|
Currently,
the Company is authorized to issue up to a total of twenty five million
(25,000,000) shares of preferred stock. The proposed amendment to the Company’s
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will not impact the total
authorized number of shares of preferred stock.
The
proposed amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will
change the par value of the Company’s common stock to $0.007 per
share.
Effect on Outstanding Stock
Awards; Stock Plans. The reverse stock split, when
implemented, will affect outstanding restricted stock awards and options to
purchase the Company’s common stock. The [Company’s Amended and Restated 2005
Stock Incentive Plan, PacketVideo Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan,
NextWave Wireless LLC 2005 Units Plan and the Company’s 2007 New Employee Stock
Incentive Plan] (collectively, the “Plans”) include provisions for appropriate
adjustments to the number of shares of common stock covered by the Plans and to
stock options and other grants of stock-based awards under the Plans, as well as
the per share exercise prices. If stockholders approve the reverse stock split,
an outstanding stock option to purchase seven shares of common stock would
thereafter evidence the right to purchase one share of common stock consistent
with the reverse stock split ratio, and the exercise price per share would be a
corresponding multiple of the previous exercise price. For example, as a result
of the proposed 1-for-7 reverse stock split, a pre-split option for 700 shares
of common stock with an exercise price of $0.50 per share would be converted
post-split into an option to purchase 100 shares of common stock with an
exercise price of $3.50 per share. Further, the number of shares of common stock
reserved for issuance under each of the plans will be reduced by the same
ratio.
Effect on Existing
Stockholders. The number of shares of common stock held by
each stockholder will be reduced as a result of the reverse stock split. For
example, as a result of the 1-for-7 reverse stock split, a stockholder holding
7,000 shares of common stock before the reverse stock split would hold
1,000 shares of common stock immediately after the reverse stock split. Each
stockholder’s proportionate ownership of outstanding shares of common stock
would remain the same, except that stockholders who would otherwise receive
fractional shares as a result of the reverse stock split will receive cash
payments for such fractional shares. A reverse stock split may leave certain
stockholders with one or more “odd lots,” which are stock holdings in amounts of
fewer than 100 shares of common stock. These odd lots may be more difficult to
sell than shares of common stock in even multiples of 100. Stockholders selling
odd lots created by the reverse stock split may incur increased brokerage
commissions in selling such shares. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled
to receive fractional shares will only be entitled to a cash payment in lieu of
such shares and will no longer have any rights as a stockholder with respect to
the shares of common stock that would have been exchanged for such fractional
shares. The number of stockholders of record will not be affected by the reverse
stock split, except to the extent that any stockholder holds only a fractional
share interest.
Effect on the
Company. The Company expects its business and operations to
continue as they are currently being conducted and the reverse stock split is
not anticipated to have any effect upon the conduct of such business. The
Company expects to pay less than [$1,300] in consideration to cash out
fractional shares. The Company expects to incur expenses of approximately
[$36,000] to effect the reverse stock split.
Effect on Registration under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s common
stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and the Company is subject to the
periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The proposed
reverse stock split will not affect the registration of the common stock under
the Exchange Act. If the proposed reverse stock split is implemented, the
Company currently expects that the common stock will continue to be traded on
the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “WAVE,” provided that the Company
meets the continued listing requirements (although NASDAQ would likely add the
letter “D” to the end of the trading symbol for a period of 20 trading days to
indicate that the reverse stock split has occurred).
Accounting
Effects. Net earnings/loss per share and book value per share
will be increased as a result of the reverse stock split because there will be
fewer shares of common stock outstanding. Appropriate adjustments will be made
to the stockholders equity account on the Company’s balance sheet to reflect the
decrease in issued and outstanding shares, the increase in par value per share
and the repurchase of fractional shares.
Treatment
of Fractional Shares
No
fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the reverse
stock split. If, as a result of the reverse stock split, a stockholder of record
would otherwise hold a fractional share, the stockholder will receive a cash
payment equal to the fair value of the fractional share as of the effective date
of the reverse stock split, as determined by the Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors has approved utilizing the average closing sales price of the
common stock over the ten trading days immediately preceding the effective date
of the reverse stock split, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market, for
determining fair value, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors
prior to the effective date of the reverse stock split. No transaction costs
will be assessed to stockholders for the cash payment. Stockholders will not be
entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the effective date
of the reverse stock split and the date payment is made for fractional
shares.
After the
reverse stock split, then current stockholders will have no further interest in
the Company with respect to fractional shares. Such stockholders will only be
entitled to receive the cash payment described above. Such cash payments may
reduce the number of post-split stockholders; however, this is not the purpose
of the reverse stock split.
Stockholders
should be aware that under the escheat laws of the relevant jurisdictions, cash
payments not timely claimed after the effective date of the reverse stock split
may be required to be paid to designated agents for the relevant
jurisdictions.
Evidence
of Ownership
Computershare
Ltd. (“Computershare”), the Company’s stock transfer agent, will provide
instructions to stockholders relating to the issuance of book-entry evidence of
ownership giving effect to the reverse stock split. Shares held as part of the
DTC System, will be automatically adjusted on the same basis. New certificates
reflecting the reverse stock split will be issued upon request to
Computershare.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
The
following summary of the federal income tax consequences of a reverse stock
split is based on current law, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and is for general information only. The tax treatment of a stockholder
may vary depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of such
stockholder, and the discussion below may not address all the tax consequences
for a particular stockholder. For example, foreign, state and local tax
consequences are not discussed below. The summary does not address the tax
consequences to stockholders that are subject to special tax rules, such as
banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding
companies, foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers and
tax-exempt entities. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, each
stockholder should consult his, her or its tax advisor to determine the
particular tax consequences to him, her or it of a reverse stock split,
including the application and effect of federal, state, local and/or foreign
income tax and other laws. The following summary assumes that shares of common
stock are held as “capital assets” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended.
Generally,
a reverse stock split will not result in the recognition of gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes (except to the extent of cash received in lieu of a
fractional share). The adjusted basis of the new shares of common stock will be
the same as the adjusted basis of old shares of common stock exchanged for such
new shares of common stock, reduced by the amount of adjusted basis allocated to
the fractional share for which cash is received. The holding period of the new,
post-split shares of common stock resulting from implementation of the reverse
stock split will include the stockholder’s respective holding period for the
pre-split shares of common stock
exchanged
for the new shares of common stock. A stockholder who receives cash in lieu of a
fractional share generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the
difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the portion of the
adjusted basis in the shares of old common stock allocated to the fractional
share. If the shares of old common stock allocated to the fractional share were
held as a capital asset, the gain or loss generally will be taxed as capital
gain or loss. Such capital gain or loss will be short term if the pre-reverse
stock split shares were held for one year or less and long term if held more
than one year.
Board
of Directors Discretion
Although
the Board of Directors requests stockholder approval of the proposed amendment
to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board reserves the
authority to decide, in its discretion, to abandon or delay the reverse stock
split after such vote and before the effectiveness of the reverse stock split.
For example, the Board may decide in its discretion to abandon or delay the
reverse stock split if the Company is in compliance with the NASDAQ Global
Market continued listing requirements at the time of the annual meeting. If the
Board fails to effect the reverse stock split within six months after the annual
meeting, stockholder approval again would be required prior to implementing any
subsequent reverse stock split.
No
Dissenters’ Rights
The
holders of shares of common stock will have no dissenters’ rights of appraisal
under Delaware law, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws with respect
to the proposed amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to accomplish the reverse stock split.
Approval
Required
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock of the Company
entitled to vote thereon is required to approve the proposed amendment to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to accomplish a reverse stock split of
the Company’s common stock. The effect of an abstention or broker non-vote is
the same as that of a vote against the proposal.
The
Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote FOR approval of the
amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse
stock split of the Company’s common stock.
ANNUAL
REPORT AND COMPANY INFORMATION
A copy of
our 2009 Annual Report to Shareholders is being furnished to stockholders
concurrently herewith.
PROPOSALS
BY STOCKHOLDERS
In order
to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the Company’s
proxy statement and related form of proxy for a stockholder’s meeting,
stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated
under the Exchange Act.
Proposals
that stockholders wish to include in our proxy statement and form of proxy for
presentation at our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by us
at 10350 Science
Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121,
Attention, Secretary, no later than January 11, 2011. Any stockholder
proposal submitted for inclusion must be eligible for inclusion in our proxy
statement in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the
SEC.
With
respect to proposals submitted by a stockholder other than for inclusion in our
proxy statement and related form of proxy for our 2011 annual meeting of
stockholders, timely notice of any stockholder proposal must be received by us
in accordance with our By-Laws and our rules and regulations no later than
February 10, 2011, unless the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days
before or 60 days after the anniversary of the 2009 annual meeting of
stockholders. Any proxies solicited by the Board of Directors for the
2011 annual meeting of stockholders may confer discretionary authority to vote
on any proposals notice of which is not timely received. In order to
include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in our proxy
statement and form of proxy for a stockholder's meeting, stockholders must
provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the Exchange
Act.
The
notice shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring
before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be
brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business
at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the
Company’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and
number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business and
(v) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, in his capacity as a
proponent to a stockholder proposal.
A
stockholder’s notice relating to nomination for directors shall set forth as to
each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence
address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such
person, (C) the class and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially
owned by such person, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings
between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person(s) (naming such
person(s)) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder
and (E) any other information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise
required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act
(including without limitation such person's written consent to being named in
our Proxy Statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if
elected); and as to such stockholder giving notice, the information required to
be provided as set forth in the preceding paragraph and our By-laws. No person
shall be eligible for election as a director of the Company, unless nominated in
accordance with the procedures set forth herein and in our By-laws, as
amended.
It
is important that your proxy be returned promptly. The proxy may be
revoked at any time by you before it is exercised. If you attend the
meeting in person, you may withdraw any proxy and vote your own
shares.
By Order
of the Board of Directors.
FRANK A.
CASSOU
Secretary and Chief Legal
Counsel
APPENDIX A
PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO
THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION OF
NEXTWAVE
WIRELESS INC.
RESOLVED,
that the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NextWave Wireless
Inc. shall be amended as follows:
The first
paragraph of Article IV is hereby amended to read in its entirety as
follows:
The
Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated,
respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares
of Common Stock which this corporation has authority to issue is fifty seven
million, one hundred forty two thousand, eight hundred fifty seven (57,142,857)
with a par value of $0.007 per share. The total number of shares of Preferred
Stock which this corporation has authority to issue is twenty-five million
(25,000,000) with a par value of $0.001 per share.
The
following is hereby added at the end of Article IV:
Reverse
Stock Split
On the
effective date of the amendment revising Article IV and adding this
paragraph to Article IV pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the “Effective Date”), each share of Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the “Old Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately
before the Effective Date, shall be and hereby is, reclassified as and changed
into one-seventh (1/7) of a share of Common Stock, par value $0.007 per share
(the “New Common Stock”). Each outstanding stock certificate which immediately
before the Effective Date represented one or more shares of Old Common Stock
shall thereafter, automatically and without the necessity of surrendering the
same for exchange, represent the number of whole shares of New Common Stock
determined by multiplying the number of shares of Old Common Stock represented
by such certificate immediately prior to the Effective Date by one-seventh
(1/7), and shares of Old Common Stock held in uncertificated form shall be
treated in the same manner. No fractional shares of New Common Stock will be
issued, and stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive one or more
fractional shares of New Common Stock shall instead receive a cash payment equal
to the fair value, as determined by the Board of Directors, of such fractional
shares as of the Effective Date.