SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
MLC HOLDINGS, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): N/A
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A
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(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
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(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
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(3) Filing party:
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(4) Date filed:
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MLC HOLDINGS, INC.
400 Herndon Parkway
Suite B
Herndon, VA 20170
July 30, 1999
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of MLC
Holdings, Inc. on September 13, 1999. The Annual Meeting will begin at 10:00
a.m. local time at the Hyatt Regency Reston, 1800 Presidents Street, Reston, VA
20191.
Information regarding each of the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting
is contained in the attached Proxy Statement. We urge you to read the Proxy
Statement carefully. The Proxy Statement is being mailed to all Stockholders on
or about August 9, 1999.
Because it is important that your shares be voted at the Annual Meeting, whether
or not you plan to attend in person, we urge you to complete, date, and sign the
enclosed proxy card and return it as promptly as possible in the accompanying
envelope. If you are a Stockholder of record and do attend the meeting and wish
to vote your shares in person, even after returning your proxy, you still may do
so.
We look forward to seeing you in Reston, VA on September 13, 1999.
Very truly yours,
Phillip G. Norton, President
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MLC HOLDINGS, INC.
400 Herndon Parkway, Suite B
Herndon, Virginia 20170
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held September 13, 1999
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To the Stockholders of MLC Holdings, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of MLC Holdings,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held on September 13,
1999, at the Hyatt Regency Reston, 1800 Presidents Street, Reston, VA 20191, at
10:00 a.m. local time, and thereafter as it may from time to time be adjourned
(the "Annual Meeting"), for the purposes stated below:
1. To elect two Class III directors to serve for three years and until their
respective successors have been duly elected and shall qualify.
2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for our fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.
3. To adopt an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to
change the Company's name to "ePlus Inc."
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
All Stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Under the
provisions of the Bylaws, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business
on July 28, 1999, as the record date for the determination of Stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
thereof. The stock transfer books will not be closed.
Stockholders should note that our Bylaws provide that in order for Stockholders
to bring business before a meeting or to make a nomination for the election of
directors, such Stockholder must give written notice complying with the
requirements of the Bylaws to the Secretary of the Company not later than 90
days in advance of such meeting or, if later, the seventh day following the
first public announcement of the date of such meeting.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, PLEASE DATE AND SIGN THE
ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TO FIRST
UNION NATIONAL BANK, 1525 W.W.T. HARRIS BLVD., 3C3, CHARLOTTE, NC 28288-1113.
MLC HOLDINGS, INC.
July 30, 1999 Kleyton L. Parkhurst, Senior Vice
President and Secretary
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MLC HOLDINGS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
Dated July 29, 1999
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Board of Directors of MLC Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), for use at the annual meeting of the Company's Stockholders to be
held on September 13, 1999, at the Hyatt Regency Reston, 1800 Presidents Street,
Reston, VA 20191, at 10:00 a.m. local time, and at any adjournments thereof (the
"Annual Meeting"). Our principal executive office is located at 400 Herndon
Parkway, Suite B, Herndon, VA 20170 and our telephone number is (703) 834-5710.
The Annual Meeting has been called to consider and take action on the following
proposals:
1. to elect two Class III directors to serve for three years and until
their successors have been duly elected and shall qualify;
2. to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the Company's fiscal year ending March 31, 2000;
3. to adopt an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to
change the Company's name to "ePlus Inc."
4. to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The Company's Board of Directors has unanimously approved each of the foregoing
proposals and recommends that the Stockholders vote in favor of each of the
proposals. All of the holders of record of common stock at the close of business
on July 28, 1999 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. The stock transfer books will not be closed.
THE APPROXIMATE DATE ON WHICH THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS,
PROXY STATEMENT AND PROXY CARD ARE FIRST SENT OR GIVEN TO STOCKHOLDERS IS AUGUST
7, 1999.
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
As of July 28, 1999, the Record Date, there were outstanding 7,482,762 shares of
the Common Stock. Only holders of shares of Common Stock of record as of the
close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting, such holders being entitled to one vote on all matters presented at the
Annual Meeting for each share held of record. The holders of record of a
majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, at the
Annual Meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. If a quorum should not be present,
the Annual Meeting may be adjourned until a quorum is obtained. The nominees to
be selected as Class III directors named in Proposal 1 must receive a plurality
of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. The approval of
Proposal 2 to be considered at the Annual Meeting will require the affirmative
vote of at least a majority of the shares present in person or represented by
proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. The approval of
Proposal 3 to be considered at the Annual Meeting will requires the affirmative
vote of at least a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote on
the matter whether voting in person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker
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non-votes will be counted only for the purpose of determining the existence of a
quorum, but will not be counted as an affirmative vote for purposes of
determining whether a proposal has been approved. Therefore, because Proposal 3
requires the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, a failure to return
your proxy card or appear in person to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting
will have the effect of a vote against Proposal 3.
As of the Record Date, all of the present directors, as a group of six persons,
and all of the present directors and executive officers of the Company, as a
group of nine persons, owned beneficially 4,958,039 shares (63.2 % of the total
outstanding shares) of the Company. To the knowledge of management, as of the
Record Date, the only officers, directors and nominees for director who owned
beneficially five percent or more of the Company's outstanding shares were
Phillip G. Norton, Bruce M. Bowen, Carl J. Rickertsen and Dr. Paul G. Stern.
Proxies given by stockholders of record for use at the Annual Meeting may be
revoked at any time prior to the exercise of the powers conferred. In addition
to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, Stockholders of record
giving a proxy may revoke the proxy by an instrument in writing, executed by the
Stockholder or his attorney authorized in writing or, if the stockholder is a
corporation, under its corporate seal, by an officer or attorney thereof duly
authorized, and deposited either at the corporate headquarters of the Company at
any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the
Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, at which the proxy is to be used, or
with the chairman of such Annual Meeting on the day of the Annual Meeting or
adjournment thereof, and upon either of such deposits the proxy is revoked.
ALL PROXIES RECEIVED WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHOICES SPECIFIED ON
SUCH PROXIES. PROXIES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF A PROPOSAL IF NO CONTRARY
SPECIFICATION IS MADE. ALL VALID PROXIES OBTAINED WILL BE VOTED AT THE
DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY
COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Solicitation of proxies may be made by use of the mails, and may also be made in
person or by telephone, e-mail or other electronic communications. The cost of
soliciting proxies in the accompanying form will be borne by us. We will
reimburse brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding proxy
materials to the beneficial owners and soliciting them to execute the proxies.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999,
including audited financial statements, will accompany the mailing to
Stockholders of this Proxy Statement.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL
The Board of Directors does not propose any action for which the laws of the
State of Delaware, or the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or corporate
resolutions of the Company provide a right of a Stockholder to dissent and
obtain payment for shares.
INTEREST OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Officers or directors of the Company have a substantial interest in certain of
the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Class
III directors have been nominated for re-election to the office of director for
a term of three years.
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VOTING SECURITIES, PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
THEREOF, AND MANAGEMENT
Only holders of record of the outstanding 7,482,762 shares of Common Stock as of
the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. The Company has no
other voting securities outstanding. The following table sets forth certain
information as of the Record Date with respect to: (1) each executive officer,
director and the director nominees; (2) all executive officers and directors of
the Company as a group; and (3) all persons known by the Company to be the
beneficial owners of five percent or more of Common Stock.
Shares Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner(1) Number Percent
Phillip G. Norton(2) (4) 2,860,521 37.5%
Bruce M. and Elizabeth D. Bowen (3) 738,000 9.8%
Kleyton L. Parkhurst (5) 155,000 2.0%
Thomas B. Howard, Jr. 12,500 *
Steven J. Mencarini 16,400 *
Terrence O'Donnell 30,000 *
Carl J. Rickertsen (7) 1,131,111 7.4%
C. Thomas Faulders, III 13,507 *
Dr. Paul G. Stern(7) 1,111,111 7.4%
Eric D. Hovde (8) 468,124 6.3%
Laifer Capital Management(6) 526,800 7.0%
All directors and named executive officers as a group 4,958,039 63.2%
(9 individuals)
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less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated and subject to community property laws, where
applicable, each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned by such
stockholder. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that
can be acquired by such person within 60 days upon exercise of options and
warrants. Each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming
options that are held by such person (but not those held by any other person)
and that are exercisable within sixty days have been exercised.
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(2) Includes 2,040,000 shares held by J.A.P. Investment Group, L.P., a Virginia
limited partnership, of which J.A.P., Inc., a Virginia corporation, is the sole
general partner, and Patricia A. Norton, trustee for the benefit of Phillip G.
Norton, Jr., u/a dated as of July 20, 1983, Patricia A. Norton, trustee for the
benefit of Andrew L. Norton u/a dated as of July 20, 1983, Patricia A. Norton,
trustee for the benefit of Jeremiah O. Norton u/a dated as of July 20, 1983, and
Patricia A. Norton are the limited partners. Patricia A. Norton, spouse of
Phillip G. Norton, is the sole stockholder of J.A.P., Inc. and Phillip G. Norton
is the sole director and President of J.A.P., Inc. Phillip G. Norton holds sole
voting rights as to all of the shares of Common Stock and as to all shares of
voting stock acquired in the future held by J.A.P. Investment Group, L.P., Kevin
M. Norton and Patrick J. Norton, Jr. under the Irrevocable Proxy and Stock
Rights Agreement. See also footnote (4). Also includes 136,250 shares of Common
Stock that Phillip G. Norton has rights to acquire pursuant to options, which
vested upon completion of the Offering and which are immediately exercisable and
excludes 18,750 options to acquire shares of Common Stock which are not vested
and not immediately exercisable. See " Irrevocable Proxy and Stock Rights
Agreement" and "Executive Compensation -- Compensation Arrangements and
Employment Agreements."
(3) Includes 600,000 shares held by Bruce M. and Elizabeth D. Bowen, as tenants
by the entirety, and includes 160,000 shares held by Bowen Holdings L.L.C., a
Virginia limited liability company which has as members, Bruce M. Bowen and
three minor children, Daniel Bowen, Sarah Bowen and Margaret Bowen, of whom
Bruce M. Bowen is legal guardian and for which Bruce M. Bowen serves as manager.
Also includes 18,000 shares of Common Stock that Bruce M. Bowen has rights to
acquire pursuant to options and excludes 12,000 options to acquire Common Stock
which are not vested and not immediately exercisable. See "Executive
Compensation -Compensation Arrangements and Employment Agreements."
(4) Phillip G. Norton holds sole voting rights as to 344,100 shares for Kevin M.
Norton and 340,171 shares for Patrick J. Norton of Common Stock under an
Irrevocable Proxy and Stock Rights Agreement. See "Irrevocable Proxy and Stock
Rights Agreement." Phillip G. Norton, Kevin M. Norton and Patrick J. Norton are
brothers.
(5) Includes 13,000 shares held by Kleyton L. Parkhurst, 30,000 shares held by
three minor children of Kleyton L. Parkhurst, Charlotte A. Parkhurst, Madeline
M. Parkhurst, and Kleyton L. Parkhurst, Jr., all of which are voted by Kleyton
L. Parkhurst, Custodian, under the Virginia Uniform Gift to Minors Act and
112,000 shares of Common Stock that Kleyton L. Parkhurst has option rights to
acquire, and excludes 48,000 options to acquire Common Stock which are not
vested and not immediately exercisable. See "Executive Compensation --
Compensation Arrangements and Employment Agreements."
(6) Share ownership was provided on Form 13D as filed by the holder, Laifer
Capital Management, Inc., which is the beneficial owner of 526,800 shares, or
7.0%. The 526,800 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Laifer Capital
Management, Inc. includes 273,300 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
Laifer Capital Management, Inc. in its capacity as General Partner and
investment advisor to Hilltop Partners, L.P.; and 253,500 shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by Laifer Capital Management, Inc. in its capacity as
investment advisor to various other clients. Lance Laifer, as president, sole
director and principal stockholder of Laifer Capital Management, Inc., is deemed
to have the same beneficial ownership as Laifer Capital Management, Inc.
(7) TC Leasing LLC owns 1,111,111 shares of Common Stock. Both Carl J.
Rickertsen and Dr. Paul G. Stern are Directors of the Company and Directors of
TC Leasing LLC. See "Change in Number of Board of Directors in connection with
Recent Sale of Unregistered Securities".
(8) Share ownership was provided on Form 13D/A as filed by the holder. Eric D.
Hovde is the beneficial owner of 468,124 shares or 6.3%. This total consists of
373,300 shares beneficially owned as managing member of Hovde Capital, LLC,
25,000 of the shares beneficially owned as trustee for Hovde Financial, Inc.
Profit Sharing Trust, 10,000 of the shares beneficially owned as managing member
of Hovde Acquisition, LLC, 20,000 of the shares beneficially owned as trustee
for the Eric D. Hovde Foundation and 36,824 of the shares are held directly.
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Irrevocable Proxy and Stock Rights Agreement
Phillip G. Norton and J.A.P. Investments Group, L.P., Kevin M. Norton and
Patrick J. Norton have entered into an agreement entitled "The Irrevocable Proxy
and Stock Rights Agreement" dated as of September, 1996, pursuant to the terms
of which each of J.A.P. Investments, L.P., Kevin M. Norton and Patrick J. Norton
have granted Phillip G. Norton an irrevocable proxy to vote their shares of
Common Stock. This proxy terminates only upon the death or mental incapacity of
Phillip G. Norton or in the event of his death or mental incapacity, then to
Patricia A. Norton, if then living, or upon the sale or transfer to a third
party of the shares of Common Stock. Kevin M. Norton or Patrick J. Norton have
granted to Phillip G. Norton, their brother, a first right to buy their shares
of Common Stock in the event they desire to sell or transfer any shares of
Common Stock to a third party. The foregoing first right to buy is at 85% of the
market value, or if sold for less, for a period of three years from November 20,
1996 (the date of closing of the Offering) and at 95% of the market value
thereafter. Phillip G. Norton may assign his first right to buy to a third
party, and if exercised, the terms of the Irrevocable Proxy and Stock Rights
Agreement provide for a deferred purchase money note to finance the purchase.
Any shares of Common Stock which Kevin M. Norton or Patrick J. Norton offers to
Phillip G. Norton and which are subsequently sold or transferred to a third
party after Phillip G. Norton's nonexercise of his first right to buy, will no
longer be subject to the Irrevocable Proxy and Stock Rights Agreement.
CHANGE IN NUMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECENT SALE OF
UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
On October 23, 1998, TC Leasing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company,
purchased 1,111,111 shares of common stock of MLC Holdings, Inc. for a price of
$9.00 per share for a total consideration of $10,000,000. In addition to the
common stock acquired, the company also provided to the purchaser stock purchase
warrants, dated as of October 23, 1998, granting the right to purchase an
additional 1,090,909 shares of MLC common stock at a price of $11.00 per share,
subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The warrant is exercisable through
December 31, 2001, unless it is extended pursuant to the terms of the warrant.
The shares issued to TC Leasing, LLC were not registered under the Securities
Act of 1933 and were issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The managing member of TC Leasing,
LLC is Thayer Equity Investors III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. The
general partner of Thayer Equity Investors III, L.P., is TC Equity Partners,
L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company. Three individuals, Frederic V.
Malek, Carl J. Rickertsen, and Dr. Paul G. Stern, are the only founding members
of TC Equity Partners III, L.L.C. and, accordingly, control TC Leasing, LLC,
which purchased the shares of MLC common stock. Mr. Rickertsen has served as a
director of the Company since November 1996. Dr. Stern has served as a director
of the Company since October 1998.
As a condition to entering into the Common Stock Purchase Agreement, TC Leasing,
LLC entered into a Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 23, 1998, with
the Company, Phillip G. Norton, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, Bruce M. Bowen, a Director and the Executive Vice
President of the Company, J.A.P. Investment Group, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, Kevin M. Norton, and Patrick J. Norton, Jr., (its "Management
Stockholders"). MLC agreed to expand the Board of Directors to six persons. The
Stockholders Agreement gave TC Leasing, LLC, the right to name two of the
directors. Mr. Rickertsen and Dr. Stern will serve as its representatives. The
Management Stockholders are permitted to name two of the remaining four
directors. Mr. Phillip Norton and Mr. Bowen, both of whom are already serving on
the Board of Directors of MLC, will serve as their representatives. Under the
terms of the Stockholders Agreement, the last two positions, the independent
directors, are to be chosen by a nominating committee consisting of one
representative of TC Leasing, LLC and one representative of the Management
Stockholders. To satisfy this last provision, TC Leasing, LLC and the Management
Stockholders have agreed that C. Thomas Faulders, III and Terrence O'Donnell,
both of whom currently serve on the Board of Directors of MLC will continue to
serve as directors of MLC.
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The Stockholders Agreement also grants TC Leasing, LLC preemptive rights which
restricts the ability of the Management Stockholders and TC Leasing, LLC to
transfer their shares of MLC common stock and permits TC Leasing, LLC to force
the sale of the entire Company under certain limited circumstances. Until April
23, 1999, the Company could not issue, without the prior written consent of TC
Leasing, LLC, any shares of MLC common stock, any convertible debt securities,
any security which is a combination of a debt and equity security or any option
warrant or other right to subscribe for such a security. Until October 23, 1999,
the Company may not issue any such securities without first offering to sell
them to TC Leasing, LLC. Finally, until October 23, 2000, the Company may not
sell any such securities without first giving TC Leasing, LLC the opportunity to
purchase enough of such securities to maintain their percentage ownership
position in the Company. However, except for a few instances set forth in the
Stockholders Agreement, regardless of the other rights set forth in the
Stockholders Agreement, without the prior written consent of holders of a
majority of the shares held by the Management Stockholders, TC Leasing, LLC may
not beneficially own more than 33.3% of the issued and outstanding shares of MLC
common stock on a fully diluted basis.
TC Leasing, LLC and the Management Stockholders may transfer their shares of MLC
common stock to their respective affiliates subject to certain restrictions. In
particular, such transferee must join in the Stockholders Agreement. The
limitations on transferability also prevent TC Leasing, LLC from controlling
more than 33.3 percent of the shares of MLC common stock outstanding on a fully
diluted basis without the prior consent of the Management Stockholders, except
for a few instances set forth in the Stockholders Agreement. The limitations
also prevent TC Leasing, LLC and the Management Stockholders from transferring
shares if such transfer would result in TC Leasing, LLC and the Management
Stockholders controlling less than 51 percent of the outstanding shares of MLC
common stock. The Management Stockholders may in certain circumstances sell
their shares for value to the public subject to TC Leasing, LLC having a right
of first refusal and "tag-along" (i.e., the right to participate in such a sale)
rights in certain circumstances. TC Leasing, LLC may only sell a block of
shares, i.e., shares constituting more than 5 percent of the total outstanding
shares of MLC common stock, if TC Leasing, LLC first offers the shares to the
Management Stockholders. Certain other restrictions on the transfer of MLC
common stock by the parties to the Stockholders Agreement are set forth in the
agreement.
Under the Stockholders Agreement, TC Leasing, LLC can force a sale of the
Company unless the Management Stockholders agree to purchase TC Leasing, LLC's
shares for the same value as would be paid in the sale transaction. Such a
forced sale may only occur if the consideration to be paid to stockholders of
the Company in the transaction meets certain threshold levels set forth in the
Stockholders Agreement. The Stockholders Agreement also gives TC Leasing, LLC
certain demand, shelf and piggy-back registration rights in connection with the
shares TC Leasing, LLC purchased or has the option to purchase pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Warrant.
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The directors, executive officers and key employees of the Company are as
follows:
Name Age Position Class
- ---- --- -------- -----
Phillip G. Norton........... 55 Chairman of the Board,
President, and Chief
Executive Officer III
Thomas B. Howard, Jr........ 52 Vice President; Executive
Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of MLC Group
Bruce M. Bowen ............. 47 Director and Executive Vice
President III
Steven J. Mencarini ........ 44 Senior Vice President, and
Chief Financial Officer
C. Thomas Faulders, III..... 49 Director I
Terrence O'Donnell.......... 55 Director II
Carl J. Rickertsen.......... 39 Director II
Dr. Paul G. Stern........... 60 Director II
Kleyton L. Parkhurst........ 36 Senior Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer
The name and business experience during the past five years of each director,
executive officer and key employee of the Company are described below.
Phillip G. Norton joined the Company in March, 1993 and has served since then as
its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. From October, 1990
through March, 1993, Mr. Norton was an investor and devoted the majority of his
time to managing his personal investments. From October, 1992 to March, 1993,
Mr. Norton served as a consultant to the Company and engaged in private
investment activity. Prior to 1990, Mr. Norton was President and Chief Executive
officer of PacifiCorp Capital, Inc., an information technology leasing company
(formerly Systems Leasing Corporation) which was a wholly-owned indirect
subsidiary of PacifiCorp, Inc. Mr. Norton started his leasing career as the
National Sales Manager at Federal Leasing, Inc. Mr. Norton is a 1966 graduate of
the U.S. Naval Academy.
Bruce M. Bowen founded the Company in 1990 and served as its President until
September 1, 1996. Since September 1, 1996, Mr. Bowen has served as a director
and Executive Vice President and from September 1, 1996 to June 18, 1997, he
served as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bowen has been a director of the Company
since it was formed. Prior to founding the Company, from 1986 through 1990, Mr.
Bowen was Senior Vice President of PacifiCorp Capital, Inc. Prior to his tenure
at PacifiCorp Capital Inc., Mr. Bowen was with Systems Leasing Corporation and
Federal Leasing, Inc., where his leasing career started in 1975. Mr. Bowen is a
past President of the Association of Government Leasing and Finance and
currently serves as Vice-Chairman for the State and Local Public Enterprise
Committee of the Information Technology Association of America. Mr. Bowen is a
1973 graduate of the University of Maryland and in 1978 received a Masters of
Business Administration from the University of Maryland.
Thomas B. Howard, Jr. joined the Company in January of 1997 as Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Howard was
President of Allstate Leasing, Inc., a third party lessor, from 1995 to January,
1997. Mr. Howard has spent over 20 years in the banking industry, most recently
having served as President of Signet Leasing and a Senior Vice President of
Signet Bank. As President of Signet Leasing, Mr. Howard directed all of the
capital equipment financing and leasing products for commercial, federal and
municipal accounts at the leasing Company. Mr. Howard began his career at Signet
in 1975 as an Assistant Vice President at Union Trust Bancorp, one of its
predecessor banks. Mr. Howard is a 1970 graduate of the University of Maryland
and received an MBA in Finance from Loyola College of Maryland.
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Steven J. Mencarini joined the Company in June of 1997 as Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Mencarini was
Controller of the Technology Management Group of Computer Sciences Corporation,
a New York Stock Exchange company and one of the nation's three largest
information technology outsourcing organizations. Mr. Mencarini joined CSC in
1991 as Director of Finance and was promoted to Controller in 1996. Prior to
working at CSC, Mr. Mencarini was the Vice President-Finance of PacifiCorp
Capital from 1981 to 1991, and was Senior Auditor of Deloitte Haskins & Sells
from 1979 to 1981. Mr. Mencarini is a 1976 graduate of the University of
Maryland, has a Masters of Taxation from American University and is a Certified
Public Accountant.
Terrence O'Donnell joined the Company's Board of Directors upon the completion
of the Company's Initial Public Offering. Mr. O'Donnell is a partner with the
law firm of Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C. Mr. O'Donnell has practiced
law with Williams & Connolly since 1977, with the exception of the period from
1989 through 1992 when he served as general counsel to the U.S. Department of
Defense. Prior to commencing his law practice, Mr. O'Donnell served as Special
Assistant to President Ford from 1974 through 1976 and as Deputy Special
Assistant to President Nixon from 1972 through 1974. Mr. O'Donnell presently
also serves as a director of IGI, Inc., a Nasdaq National Market Company
(Nasdaq: "IG") which manufactures and markets a broad range of animal health
products used in poultry production and pet care. IGI also markets cosmetics,
consumer products and human pharmaceuticals. Mr. O'Donnell is a 1966 graduate of
the U.S. Air Force Academy, and in 1971, received a Juris Doctor from Georgetown
University Law Center.
Carl J. Rickertsen joined the Company's Board of Directors upon the completion
of the Company's Initial Public Offering. Mr. Rickertsen is a partner in Thayer
Capital Partners, a $436 million institutional private equity fund based in
Washington, D.C. Mr. Rickertsen has been with Thayer Capital Partners since
September 1994. Prior to his tenure at Thayer Capital Partners, Mr. Rickertsen
acted as a private financial consultant from 1993 through 1994 and was a partner
of Hancock Park Associates, a private equity investment firm, from 1989 through
1993. Prior to that, Mr. Rickertsen was associated with Brentwood Associates
from 1987 through 1989 and was a Financial Analyst with Morgan Stanley & Co.,
Incorporated from 1983 through 1985. Mr. Rickertsen is a 1983 graduate of
Stanford University and, in 1987, received a Masters of Business Administration
from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.
C. Thomas Faulders, III joined the Board of Directors on July 14, 1998. Mr.
Faulders is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LCC
International, Inc. (Nasdaq: "LCCI") and is Chairman of Telesciences, Inc
(Nasdaq: "TLSI"), formerly Axiom Inc. (Nasdaq: "AXIM") a provider of real-time
billing data collection and processing, fraud management and traffic management
systems. Mr. Faulders was most recently Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer of BDM International, Inc., a prominent systems
integration company which is a wholly owned subsidiary of TRW, Inc. Prior to
BDM, Mr. Faulders was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Comsat
Corporation; Senior Vice President, Business Marketing and Vice President, and
Vice President and Treasurer of MCI Communications Corporation; and Treasurer of
Satellite Business Systems. Mr. Faulders was in the U.S. Navy from 1971 to 1979.
He is a 1971 graduate of the University of Virginia and has an MBA from the
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 1981. Mr. Faulders is
on the Board of Directors of Intersolv, Inc., a software development company
(Nasdaq: "ISLI"), Universal Technology and Systems, Inc., a private company, and
the Ronald Reagan Institute for Emergency Medicine at George Washington
University Hospital, the Northside Hospital Advisory Board in Atlanta, and the
Leukemia Society of America.
-11-
<PAGE>
Dr. Paul G. Stern is a Partner and Co-founder of Thayer Capital Partners, L.L.P.
and Arlington Capital Partners, L.L.P. Dr. Stern has been a director of the
Company since October, 1998. Dr. Stern is Co-Chairman and director of Aegis
Communications, Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company and SAGA
SOFTWARE, Inc. Dr. Stern was a Special Partner at Forstmann Little & Co. from
1993 to 1995, a Limited Director of Northern Telecom from 1988 to 1993, Vice
Chairman and CEO from 1989 to 1990, CEO from 1990 to 1993, and Chairman of the
Board from 1990 to1993. He was President of Unisys Corporation (formerly
Burroughs Corporation) form 1982 to 1987. He is a board member of the Lauder
Institute and the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied
Science and the Wharton School Dr. Stern is a member of the Board of Trustees,
Library of Congress, and the Treasurer of the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Kleyton L. Parkhurst joined the Company in 1991 as Director of Finance and,
since September 1, 1996, has served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company,
and since July, 1998, as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. Mr.
Parkhurst is responsible for all of the Company's financing activities, mergers
and acquisitions, equity syndications, and bank facilities. Mr. Parkhurst has
syndication expertise in commercial nonrecourse debt, federal government leases,
state and local taxable and tax-exempt leases, and computer lease equity
placements. From 1988 through 1991, Mr. Parkhurst was an Assistant Vice
President of PacifiCorp Capital, Inc.
Mr. Parkhurst is a 1985 graduate of Middlebury College.
Each officer of the Company is chosen by the Board of Directors and holds his or
her office until his or her successor shall have been duly chosen and qualified
or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or be removed as
provided by the Bylaws.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more
than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to
file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of equity securities of the
Company with the SEC and NASDAQ National Market. Officers, directors and
greater-than-ten-percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish
the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, Forms 4 and Forms 5 furnished to the
Company pursuant to Rule 16a-3 under the Exchange Act, the Company believes that
all such forms required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act were timely filed, as necessary, by the officers, directors and security
holders required to file.
The Board of Directors
The Company's Bylaws were amended on October 22, 1998, which increased from five
to six, the number of directors of the Company. The revised Company's Bylaws
provide that the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes: Class
I, comprised of two directors; Class II, comprised of two directors; and Class
III, comprised of two directors. Subject to the provisions of the Bylaws, at
each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to the class of directors
whose term shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring
at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. Each director shall hold
office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and shall qualify
or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner
provided in the Bylaws.
-12-
<PAGE>
The Board of Directors is composed of three classes of directors as follows:
Class I - Thomas Faulders III and Dr. Paul G. Stern, Class II - Terrence
O'Donnell and Carl J. Rickertsen and Class III - Phillip G. Norton and Bruce M.
Bowen. Class I Directors are expected to stand for re-election at the annual
meeting of stockholders in 2000 (the annual meeting to be held in one year);
Class II Directors are expected to stand for re-election in 2001 (the annual
meeting to be held in two years); and Class III Directors are expected to stand
for re-election at the annual meeting of Stockholders in 1999 (the upcoming
Annual Meeting). Each member of the Board of Directors then elected will serve
for a term of three years or until a successor has been elected and qualified.
The classification of the Board of Directors, with staggered terms of office,
was implemented for the purpose of maintaining continuity of management and of
the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors met two times during the fiscal year ended March 31,
1999. No incumbent director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of
meetings held by the Board of Directors.
There are no material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of
the Company, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of
any class of voting securities of the Company, or any associate of any such
director, officer, affiliate of the Company or security holder is a party
adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest
adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Audit Committee. The audit committee of the Board of Directors (the "Audit
Committee") is responsible for making recommendations to the Board concerning
the engagement of independent public accountants, monitoring and reviewing the
quality and activities of the Company's internal and external audit functions
and monitoring the adequacy of the Company's operating and internal controls as
reported by management and the external or internal auditors. The members of the
Audit Committee are Terrence O'Donnell and Carl J. Rickertsen. During the fiscal
year, no meetings of the audit committee were held.
Compensation Committee. The compensation committee of the Board of Directors
(the "Compensation Committee") is responsible for reviewing the salaries,
benefits and other compensation, including stock based compensation, of Mr.
Norton and Mr. Bowen and making recommendations to the Board based on its
review. The members of the Compensation Committee are Terrence O'Donnell, C.
Thomas Faulders III and Carl J. Rickertsen. Mr. Norton and Mr. Bowen, as
directors, will not vote on any matters affecting their personal compensation.
Mr. Bowen and Mr. Norton will be responsible for reviewing and establishing
salaries, benefits and other compensation, excluding stock based compensation,
for all other employees. During the fiscal year, no meetings of the Compensation
Committee were held.
Stock Incentive Committee. The stock incentive committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Stock Incentive Committee") is authorized to award stock, and
various stock options and rights and other stock based compensation grants under
the Company's Master Stock Incentive Plan and its component plans, which include
the Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Amended and Restated
Outside Director Stock Option Plan, the Amended and Restated Nonqualified Stock
Option Plan, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The members of the Stock
Incentive Committee presently are Mr. Bowen, Mr. Rickertsen, and Mr. Norton.
Except for formula plan grants to the outside directors under the Amended and
Restated Outside Director Stock Option Plan and grants that are approved by a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors, no member of
the Stock Incentive Committee or the Compensation Committee is eligible to
receive grants under the Stock Incentive Plan or the Long Term Compensation
Plan. During the fiscal year, no meetings of the Stock Incentive Committee were
held
The Company has no nominating committee or any committee serving a similar
function.
-13-
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides certain summary information concerning the
compensation earned, for services rendered in all capacities to the Company, by
the Company's Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers
(together with the Chief Executive Officer, the "Named Executive Officers") of
the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Certain
columns have been omitted from this summary compensation table as they are not
applicable.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
-------------------
Other
Bonus/ Annual All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Commission Compensation Compensation
- --------------------------- ---- ------ ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Phillip G. Norton 1999 $200,000 $ $1,500(2) ---
Chairman, Chief Executive 1998 200,000 --- 348 ---
Officer and President 1997 67,265 --- 348 90,000(1)
Bruce M. Bowen 1999 150,000 --- 1,500(2) ---
Director, Chief Financial 1998 150,000 10,000 1,500(2) ---
Officer, Executive Vice President 1997 130,000 10,000 12,729(2)(3) ---
Kleyton L. Parkhurst 1999 120,000 65,000 1,500(2) ---
Senior Vice President, 1998 120,000 20,000 1,500(2) ---
Secretary and Treasurer 1997 40,000(4) 117,567 1,500(2) ---
Thomas B. Howard, Jr. 1999 125,000 15,000 1,500(2) ---
Chief Operating Officer, 1998 125,000(5) 20,000 --- ---
Vice President, Executive Vice President 1997 --- --- --- ---
of MLC Group, Inc.
Steven J. Mencarini 1999 137,500 20,000 775(2) ---
Chief Financial Officer, Senior 1998 97,596(5) --- --- ---
Vice President 1997 --- --- --- ---
- ----------------------------
(1) Represents guarantee fees paid to Mr. Norton's spouse, Patricia Norton.
(2) Employer 401(k) plan match.
(3) Includes $11,229 in fiscal year 1997 for interest paid on loans by Mr.
Bowen to the Company; the balance represents employer 401(k) plan match
amounts.
(4) Until December 1, 1996 Kleyton L. Parkhurst was paid on a commission basis
and thereafter, pursuant to his employment agreements received base salary
plus bonus. See "Compensation Arrangements and Employment Agreements."
(5) Mr. Howard commenced employment in January 1997. Mr. Mencarini commenced
employment in June, 1997. See "Compensation Arrangements and Employment
Agreements."
</TABLE>
-14-
<PAGE>
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to options
granted during the last fiscal year to the Named Executive Officers in the above
Summary Compensation Table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent of
Number of Total
Securities Options/SARS Potential Realizable Value at
Underlying Granted to Exercise or Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
Options/SARS Employees in Base Price Expiration Price Appreciation for Option
Name Granted (#) Fiscal Year(3) ($/Sh) Date Term (4)
---- ----------- -------------- ------ ---- --------
5% ($) 10% ($)
------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Kleyton L. Parkhurst 50,000(1) 23.75% $8.75 09/16/2008 $275,141 $697,262
Steven J. Mencarini 25,000(2) 11.88% $8.00 10/01/2008 $125,779 $318,748
- ------------------------------
(1) The options were granted on September 16, 1998. These options were issued
under 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, a component of the Company's Master
Stock Incentive Plan and are exercisable in three annual installments of
20% one year after date of grant, 30% on second anniversary of date of
grant and 50% on the third anniversary of the date of grant or first date
upon which the closing price of MLC Holdings Stock as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market has been at or above $20.00 per share for sixty
consecutive trading days.
(2) The options were granted on October 1, 1998. These options were issued
under the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, a component plan of the Company's
Master Stock Incentive Plan and are exercisable in three annual
installments of 20% one year after date of grant, 30% on second anniversary
of date of grant and 50% on the third anniversary of the date of grant.
(3) Based on an aggregate of 210,507 shares granted during fiscal 1999 to
certain employees of the Company.
(4) Potential realizable value is calculated based on an assumption that the
price of the Company's Common Stock will appreciate at the assumed annual
rates shown (5% and 10%), compounded annually, from the date of grant of
the option until the end of the option term (10 years). The 5% and 10%
assumed rates of appreciation are required by the rules of the SEC and do
not represent the Company's estimate of future market prices of the Common
Stock.
</TABLE>
-15-
<PAGE>
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-end
Option/SAR Values
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to options
exercised during the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 by the Named
Executive Officers in the Summary Compensation Table, and with respect to
unexercised options held by such persons at the end of fiscal year 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares
Acquired Number of Securities Value of Unexercised in the
On Value Underlying Unexercised Money Options/SARs at
Name Exercise Realized Options/SARS at FY-End (#) FY-End ($)(1)
---- -------- -------- -------------------------- -------------
Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Philip G. Norton --- --- 103,750 51,250 $0.00 $0.00
Bruce M. Bowen --- --- 14,250 15,750 0.00 0.00
Kleyton L. Parkhurst --- --- 77,000 83,000 138,750 46,250
Thomas B. Howard, Jr. --- --- 6,500 26,000 0.00 0.00
Steven J. Mencarini --- --- 7,140 53,560 0.00 6,250
(1) Based on a closing bid price of $8.25 per share as of the close of business
on March 31, 1999.
</TABLE>
Director Compensation. Directors who are also employees of the Company do
not currently receive any compensation for service as members of the Board of
Directors. Each outside director receives a $10,000 annual retainer, and $500
for each special committee meeting. All directors will be reimbursed for their
out-of-pocket expenses incurred to attend board or committee meetings.
Compensation Arrangements and Employment Agreements. The Company has
entered into employment agreements with Phillip G. Norton, Bruce M. Bowen, and
Kleyton L. Parkhurst, each effective as of September 1, 1996, with Thomas B.
Howard, Jr. effective as of April 1, 1997 and with Steven J. Mencarini effective
as of June 18, 1997. Each employment agreement provides for an initial term of
three years, and is subject to an automatic one-year renewal at the expiration
thereof unless the Company or the employee provides notice of an intention not
to renew at least three months prior to expiration. The current annual base
salary ($200,000 in the case of Phillip G. Norton; $150,000 in the case of Bruce
M. Bowen; $120,000 in the case of Kleyton L. Parkhurst; $125,000 in the case of
Thomas B. Howard, Jr. and $150,000 in the case of Steven J. Mencarini) are in
effect and each employee may be eligible for commissions or performance bonuses.
The performance bonus for Phillip G. Norton for each fiscal year is equal to 5%
of the increase in the Company's net income before taxes over net income before
taxes for the preceding fiscal year, not to exceed $150,000 for any fiscal year.
The performance bonus for Bruce M. Bowen for each fiscal year is equal to 5% of
the increase in the Company's net income before taxes over net income before
one-time charges before taxes for the preceding fiscal year, not to exceed
$100,000 for any fiscal year. The performance bonus for Kleyton L. Parkhurst,
Thomas B. Howard, Jr. and Steven J. Mencarini are paid based upon performance
criteria established by Phillip G. Norton and Bruce M. Bowen, not to exceed
$80,000 each per fiscal year as to Kleyton L. Parkhurst, and not to exceed
$100,000 for Thomas B. Howard, Jr. and not to exceed $25,000 for Steven J.
Mencarini.
-16-
<PAGE>
Under the employment agreements, each receives certain other benefits including
medical, insurance, death and long term disability benefits, 401(k), and
reimbursement of employment related expenses. Mr. Bowen's country club dues are
paid by the Company. The employment agreements of Messrs. Norton, Bowen, Howard
and Mencarini contain a covenant not to compete on the part of each, whereby in
the event of a voluntary termination of employment, upon expiration of the term
of the agreement or upon the termination of employment by the Company for cause,
each are subject to restrictions upon acquiring, consulting with or otherwise
engaging in or assisting in the providing of capital needs for competing
business activities or entities within the United States for a period of one
year after the date of such termination or expiration of the term of the
employment agreement.
Under his original employment agreement, Phillip G. Norton was granted options
to acquire 130,000 shares of Common Stock at a price per share equal to $8.75
per share. These options have a ten year term, and became exercisable and vested
25% on November 20, 1996, and the balance will be exercisable and vest in 25%
increments over three years on November 20, 1997, November 27, 1998, and
November 20, 1999, respectively, subject to acceleration upon certain
conditions. Mr. Norton was also granted 25% incentive stock options in February,
1998 at $12.65 per share. The Company had paid a $120,000 annual guarantee fee
payable in $10,000 monthly payments to Patricia A. Norton, wife of Phillip G.
Norton, in consideration of providing certain guarantees and collateral for the
NationsBank and First Union Facilities. This fee was terminated when these
credit facilities were terminated and the guarantee released. See "Certain
Transactions -- Guarantee Fees."
Under his original employment agreement, Bruce M. Bowen was granted options to
acquire 15,000 shares of Common Stock at a price equal to $8.75 per share. Mr.
Bowen was also granted 15,000 options in February, 1998 at $11.50 per share.
These options have a ten year term, and became exercisable and vested 25% on
November 20, 1996, and the balance will be exercisable and vest in 25%
increments over three years on November 20, 1997, November 27, 1998, and
November 20, 1999, respectively, subject to acceleration upon certain
conditions.
Under his original employment agreement, Kleyton L. Parkhurst was granted
options to acquire 100,000 shares of Common Stock at a price per share equal to
$6.40 per share. These options have a ten year term, and became exercisable and
vested 25% on November 20, 1996, and the balance will become exercisable and
vest in 25% increments over three years on November 20, 1997, November 20, 1998,
and November 20, 1999, respectively, subject to acceleration upon certain
conditions. Mr. Parkhurst was also granted 10,000 options at $11.50 per share in
February, 1998 and 50,000 options in September, 1998 at a $8.75 per share.
In connection with his original employment, Thomas B. Howard, Jr. was granted
incentive stock options to acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock at a price
equal to $11.00 per share. Mr. Howard was also granted 2,500 options at $11.50
in February, 1998. See "Executive Compensation -- Master Stock Incentive Plan."
These options have a ten year term, and will be exercisable and vest 20% at the
end of each year of service over five years, and are subject to acceleration
upon certain conditions.
In connection with his original employment, Steven J. Mencarini was granted
incentive stock options to acquire 16,200 shares of Common Stock at a price
equal to $12.75 per share. See "Executive Compensation -- Master Stock Incentive
Plan." These options have a ten year term, and will be exercisable and vest 20%
at the end of each year of service over five years, and are subject to
acceleration upon certain conditions. Mr. Mencarini was also granted 5,100
options in September, 1997 at $13.75 per share, 9,400 options in December, 1997
at $12.35 per share, 5,000 options in February, 1998 at $11.50 per share and
25,000 options in October, 1998 at $8.00 per share.
The Company maintains key-man life insurance on Mr. Norton in the amount of $10
million. The Company maintains key-man life insurance on Mr. Norton in the form
of two separate policies, one with the First Colony Life Insurance Company and
the second with CNA/Valley Forge, each in the amount of $5 million.
-17-
<PAGE>
Master Stock Incentive Plan. The Company has established a stock
incentive program (the "Master Stock Incentive Plan") to provide an opportunity
for directors, executive officers, independent contractors, key employees, and
other employees of the Company to participate in the ownership of the Company.
The Master Stock Incentive Plan provides for the award to eligible directors,
employees, and independent contractors of the Company, of a broad variety of
stock-based compensation alternatives under a series of component plans. These
component plans include tax advantaged incentive stock options for employees
under the Incentive Stock Option Plan, formula length of service based
nonqualified options to nonemployee directors under the Outside Director Stock
Plan, nonqualified stock options under the Nonqualified Stock Option Plan, a
program for employee purchase of Common Stock of the Company at 85% of fair
market value under a tax advantaged Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as well as
other restrictive stock and performance based stock awards and programs which
may be established by the Board of Directors. The aggregate number of shares
reserved for grant under all plans which are a part of the Master Stock
Incentive Plan is set at a floating number equal to 20% of the issued and
outstanding stock of the Company (after giving effect to pro forma assumed
exercise of all outstanding options and purchase rights). The number that may be
subject to options granted under the Incentive Stock Option Plan or purchased
under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also further capped at a maximum of
4,000,000 shares to comply with IRS requirements for a specified maximum. As of
July 28, 1999, based on 7,482,762 shares outstanding, this 20% number would be
1,496,552 shares. As of July 28, 1999, the Company had issued 362,984 incentive
stock options (of which 96,768 were exercisable), 353,336 non-qualified stock
options (of which 199,258 were exercisable), 63,507 outside director stock
options (of which 40,000 were exercisable).
The Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Stock Incentive Committee, which
is authorized to select from among the eligible participants the individuals to
whom options, restricted stock purchase rights and performance awards are to be
granted and to determine the number of shares to be subject thereto and the
terms and conditions thereof. The Stock Incentive Committee is also authorized
to adopt, amend and rescind the rules relating to the administration of the
Stock Incentive Plan. Except for grants that are approved by a majority of the
Company's Board of Directors, no member of the Stock Incentive Committee is
eligible to participate in future grants of options in the Stock Incentive Plan.
Incentive stock options issued under the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan are
designed to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and are subject to restrictions contained in the Code,
including a requirement that exercise prices be equal to at least 100% of fair
market value of the shares of Common Stock on the grant date and a ten-year
restriction on the option term. The incentive stock options may be subsequently
modified to disqualify them from treatment as incentive stock options. Under the
Stock Incentive Plan and the Code, non-employee directors are not permitted to
receive incentive stock options.
Nonqualified stock options issued under the Stock Incentive Plan, may be granted
to directors, officers, independent contractors and employees and will provide
for the right to purchase shares of Common Stock at a specified price which may
be less than fair market value on the date of grant, and usually will become
exercisable in installments after the grant date. Nonqualified stock options may
be granted for any reasonable term.
The Outside Director Stock Option Plan provides for the grant of options for
10,000 shares to each non-employee director (30,000 annually in the aggregate)
on each anniversary of service, at an exercise price equal to the market price
as of the date of grant, with each option being exercisable on the first
anniversary of grant.
The Company has adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Under the plan,
employees are eligible to purchase up to $2,500 of stock each calendar quarter,
subject to a $10,000 annual maximum, by committing to the number of shares
desired at the beginning of each plan period and purchasing the shares at the
end of the plan period at a price equal to 85% of the lesser of (a) the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first day of the calendar quarter
or (b) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the last day of the calendar
quarter.
-18
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. For the
year ended March 31, 1999, all decisions regarding executive compensation were
made by the Compensation Committee when applicable or by Mr. Norton as
President. None of the executive officers of the Company currently serves on the
Compensation Committee of another entity or any other committee of the board of
directors of another entity performing similar functions. For a description of
transactions between the Company and Mr. Bowen, see "Certain Transactions."
The role of the Compensation Committee is limited to the review of the
compensation, excluding stock-based compensation for Mr. Norton and Mr. Bowen,
who are principal shareholders of the Company. As the salaries and bonuses of
Mr. Norton and Mr. Bowen are pursuant to the terms of their respective three
year of their employment agreements, the Compensation Committee did not take any
action during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.
Performance Graph
The following graph shows the value as of March 31, 1999 of a $100 investment
made on November 15, 1996 in the Company's Common Stock (with dividends, if any,
reinvested), as compared with similar investments based on (i) the value of the
NASDAQ Stock Market Index (U.S.) (with dividends reinvested) and (ii) the value
of the NASDAQ financial index. The stock performance shown below is not
necessarily indicative of future performance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/15/96 12/96 3/97 6/97 9/97 12/97 3/98 6/98 9/98 12/98 3/99
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MLC HOLDINGS, INC. 100 100 126 139 142 128 145 142 84 94 87
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) 100 103 97 115 134 126 147 151 136 177 198
NASDAQ FINANCIAL 100 105 109 127 149 160 170 166 137 155 152
</TABLE>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Advances and Loans to Employees and Stockholders
The Company has in the past provided loans and advances to employees and certain
stockholders. Such balances are to be repaid from personal funds or commissions
earned by the employees/stockholders on successful sales or financing
arrangements obtained on behalf of the Company. Loans and advances totalled
$70,612, $53,582, and $20,078, for March 31, 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.
Reimbursement of Certain Expenses
The Company is reimbursed for certain general and administrative expenses by a
company owned, in part, by an executive of a subsidiary of the Company. The
reimbursements totaled $176,075, $81,119, and $25,500 for the years ended March
31, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
The Company leases certain office space from entities that are owned, in part,
by executives of subsidiaries of the Company. During the years ended March 31,
1997, 1998, and 1999, rent expense paid to these related parties was $124,222,
$306,479, and $269,558 respectively.
-19-
<PAGE>
Indemnification Agreements
The Company has entered into separate but identical indemnification agreements
(the "Indemnification agreements") with each director and executive officer of
the Company and expects to enter into Indemnification Agreements with persons
who become directors or executive officers in the future. The Indemnification
Agreements provide that the Company will indemnify the director or officer (the
"Indemnitee") against any expenses or liabilities in connection with any
proceeding in which such Indemnitee may be involved as a party or otherwise, by
reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the
Company or by reason of any action taken by or omitted to be taken by such
Indemnitee while acting as an officer or director of the Company, provided that
such indemnity shall only apply if;
(i) the Indemnitee was acting in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee
reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company, and, with
respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe the
Indemnitee's conduct was unlawful,
(ii) the claim was not made to recover profits made by such indemnitee in
violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended, or any
successor statute,
(iii) the claim was not initiated by the Indemnitee, or
(iv) the claim was not covered by applicable insurance, or
(v) the claim was not for an act or omission of a director of the Company from
which a director may not be relieved of liability under Section 103(b)(7)
of the DGCL. Each Indemnitee has undertaken to repay the Company for any
costs or expenses paid by the Company if it shall ultimately be determined
that such Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under the
Indemnification Agreements.
Future Transactions
Certain of the transactions described above may be on terms more favorable to
officers, directors and principal stockholders than they could obtain in
transactions with an unaffiliated party. The Company's policy requires that all
material transactions between the Company and its officers, directors or other
affiliates must be approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors of the Company, and be on terms no less favorable to the
Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
PROPOSAL 1
TO ELECT TWO CLASS III DIRECTORS TO SERVE FOR THREE YEARS
AND UNTIL THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS HAVE BEEN DULY ELECTED AND SHALL QUALIFY
The Board of Directors has concluded that the re-election of Phillip G. Norton
and Bruce M. Bowen as Class III Directors is in the best interest of the Company
and recommends Stockholder approval of the re-election of Phillip G. Norton and
Bruce M. Bowen as Class III directors. The remaining four Directors will
continue to serve in their positions for the remainder of their terms.
Biographical information concerning Phillip G. Norton and Bruce M. Bowen and the
Company's other Directors can be found under "Directors and Executive Officers."
Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, the
enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of Phillip G. Norton and Bruce M.
Bowen, the nominees listed herein. Although the Board of Directors of the
Company does not contemplate that such nominees will be unable to serve, if such
a situation arises prior to the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the
enclosed proxy will vote for the election of such other person or persons as may
be nominated by the Board of Directors.
Vote Required for Approval. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at
the annual meeting entitled to vote is required to elect a Class III director.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF PHILLIP
G. NORTON AND BRUCE M. BOWEN, THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
PROPOSAL 2
TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS
THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE COMPANY'S
FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
Subject to stockholder ratification, the Board of Directors has reappointed the
firm of Deloitte and Touche LLP as the independent auditors to examine the
Company's financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.
Deloitte & Touche has audited the Company's and its principal operating
subsidiary, MLC Group, Inc.'s books since 1990. The Board of Directors
recommends that Stockholders vote FOR such ratification. If the Stockholders do
not ratify this appointment, other independent auditors will be considered by
the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Audit Committee.
Representatives of Deloitte & Touche are expected to attend the Annual Meeting
and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire and to respond
to appropriate questions.
Vote Required for Approval. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting on this proposal will constitute approval of the
ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent
auditors.
The Board of Directors Unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the
RATIFICATION OF THE APPROVAL OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP as independent auditors.
PROPOSAL 3
TO ADOPT AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CHANGE THE COMPANY'S
NAME TO "ePLUS INC."
Subject to stockholder approval, the Board of Directors has adopted an amendment
to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to change the Company's name to
"ePlus Inc." The proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation would
delete Article (First) of the Certificate of Incorporation and replace it with a
new Article (First) that would read as follows: "The name of the Corporation is:
ePlus Inc." The Board of Directors recommends that Stockholders vote FOR the
adoption of the proposed amendment.
Vote Required for Approval. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting on this proposal will constitute adoption of the amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation changing the Company's name to "ePlus
Inc."
The Board of Directors Unanimously recommends a vote FOR the adoption of the
amendment to the COMPANY'S certificate of incorporation changing the company's
name to "ePlus Inc."
OTHER PROPOSED ACTION
The Board of Directors does not intend to bring any other matters before the
Annual Meeting, nor does the Board of Directors know of any matters which other
persons intend to bring before the Annual Meeting. If, however, other matters
not mentioned in this Proxy Statement properly come before the Annual Meeting,
the persons named in the accompanying form of Proxy will vote thereon in
accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
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Stockholders should note that the Company's Bylaws provide that in order for a
stockholder to bring business before a meeting or to make a nomination for the
election of directors, such stockholder must give written notice complying with
the requirements of the Bylaws to the Secretary of the Company not later than 90
days in advance of such meeting or, if later, the seventh day following the
first public announcement of the date of such meeting.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND SUBMISSIONS
If any Stockholder wishes to present a proposal for inclusion in the proxy
materials to be solicited by the Company's Board of Directors with respect to
the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, that proposal must be presented to the
Company's management prior to December 31, 1999.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU ARE A
STOCKHOLDER OF RECORD AND ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING AND WISH TO VOTE IN PERSON,
YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE VOTE.
MLC HOLDINGS, INC.
Kleyton L. Parkhurst, Secretary
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MLC HOLDINGS, INC. PROXY
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
MLC HOLDINGS, INC.
ON SEPTEMBER 13, 1999
THE PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Phillip G. Norton, Bruce M. Bowen, C. Thomas
Faulders, III, Terrence O'Donnell, Carl J. Rickertsen and Dr. Paul G. Stern, and
each or any of them, proxies, with power of substitution, to vote all shares of
the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of MLC Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to be held on September 13, 1999 at 10:00
a.m. at Hyatt Regency Reston, 1800 Presidents Street, Reston, VA 20191, or at
any adjournment thereof, upon the matters set forth in the Proxy Statement for
such meeting, and in their discretion, upon such other business as may properly
come before the meeting.
1. TO ELECT TWO CLASS III DIRECTORS TO SERVE FOR THREE YEARS AND UNTIL THEIR
SUCCESSORS HAVE BEEN DULY ELECTED AND SHALL QUALIFY.
[ ]FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW [ ]WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FROM
Bruce M. Bowen and Phillip G. Norton
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, list the name:
_____________________
2. TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY'S
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE COMPANY'S FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2000.
[ ]FOR [ ]AGAINST [ ]ABSTAIN
3. TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION CHANGING
THE COMPANY'S NAME TO "ePlus Inc."
[ ]FOR [ ]AGAINST [ ]ABSTAIN
Dated: , 1999
Signature
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Signature if held jointly
NOTE: When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. Persons signing
as Executor, Administrator, Trustee, etc. should so indicate. Please sign
exactly as the name appears on the proxy.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY ALL PROXIES RECEIVED WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE CHOICES SPECIFIED ON SUCH PROXIES. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY A PROXY WILL BE
VOTED IN FAVOR OF A PROPOSAL IF NO CONTRARY SPECIFICATION IS MADE. ALL VALID
PROXIES OBTAINED WILL BE VOTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH
RESPECT TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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