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 / /
Filed by a party other than the registrant /X/
Check the appropriate box:
/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)2))
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14(a)-12
United Capital Corp.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Kenneth A. Schlesinger
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or
14a- 6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
<PAGE>
/ / 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:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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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<PAGE>
PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIAL
UNITED CAPITAL CORP.
--------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 11, 1996
--------------
To the Stockholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") of UNITED CAPITAL CORP, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will
be held at the offices of the Company, 9 Park Place, Great Neck, New York 11021,
on June 11, 1996, at 10:00 A.M., Local Time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect four (4) members of the Board of
Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors have been duly
elected and qualified;
2. To provide performance criteria for the payment of
bonuses to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company;
3. To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP
as the Company's independent auditors for the year ending
December 31, 1996; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly be
brought before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 10, 1996
as the record date for the Meeting. Only stockholders of record on the stock
transfer books of the Company at the close of business on that date are entitled
to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
DENNIS S. ROSATELLI,
Secretary
Dated: May 14, 1996
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED
TO FILL IN, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE THAT IS
PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
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<PAGE>
PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIAL
UNITED CAPITAL CORP.
9 PARK PLACE
GREAT NECK, NEW YORK 11021
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JUNE 11, 1996
----------------
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to stockholders by the Board of
Directors of United Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in
connection with the solicitation of the accompanying Proxy for use at the 1996
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at the
offices of the Company, 9 Park Place, Great Neck, New York 11021, on June 11,
1996, at 10:00 A.M., Local Time, or at any adjournment thereof.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 9 Park
Place, Great Neck, New York 11021. The approximate date on which this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying Proxy will first be sent or given to stockholders
is May 14, 1996.
RECORD DATE AND VOTING SECURITIES
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on May 10, 1996,
the record date (the "Record Date") for the Meeting, will be entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of the close of
business on the Record Date, there were _________ outstanding shares of the
Company's common stock, $.10 par value (the "Common Stock"). Each of such shares
is entitled to one vote. There was no other class of voting securities of the
Company outstanding on that date. All shares of Common Stock have equal voting
rights. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present in person
or by proxy is required for a quorum.
VOTING OF PROXIES
Shares of Common Stock represented by Proxies, which are properly
executed, duly returned and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the
instructions contained therein. If no specification is indicated on the Proxy,
the shares of Common Stock represented thereby will be voted (i) for the
election as Directors of the persons who have been nominated by the Board of
Directors, (ii) to provide performance criteria for the payment of bonus
compensation to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (iii) for the
ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the year
<PAGE>
ending December 31, 1996 and (iv) for any other matter that may properly be
brought before the Meeting in accordance with the judgment of the person or
persons voting the Proxies.
The execution of a Proxy will in no way affect a stockholder's right to
attend the Meeting and vote in person. Any Proxy executed and returned by a
stockholder may be revoked at any time thereafter if written notice of
revocation is given to the Secretary of the Company prior to the vote to be
taken at the Meeting, or by execution of a subsequent proxy which is presented
to the Meeting, or if the stockholder attends the Meeting and votes by ballot,
except as to any matter or matters upon which a vote shall have been cast
pursuant to the authority conferred by such Proxy prior to such revocation. For
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the
Meeting, abstentions and broker "non-votes" (i.e., proxies from brokers or
nominees indicating that such persons have not received instructions from the
beneficial owner or other persons entitled to vote shares on a particular matter
with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary power)
will be treated as shares that are present but which have not been voted.
The cost of solicitation of the Proxies being solicited on behalf of
the Board of Directors will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of
the mails, proxy solicitation may be made by telephone, telegraph and personal
interview by officers, directors and employees of the Company. The Company will,
upon request, reimburse brokerage houses and persons holding Common Stock in the
names of their nominees for their reasonable expenses in sending soliciting
material to their principals.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
The following table sets forth information concerning ownership of the
Company's Common Stock, as of the Record Date, by each person known by the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Common
Stock, each director, each executive officer, and nominee for election as a
director and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Shares Percentage
Of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned of Class
- ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
A.F. Petrocelli 3,094,091(1)(2) 53.9%
9 Park Place
Great Neck, NY 11021
Beverly Petrocelli 500,000(2) 9.0%
c/o 9 Park Place
Great Neck, NY 11021
Dennis S. Rosatelli 30,333(3) *
9 Park Place
Great Neck, NY 11021
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Shares Percentage
Of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned of Class
- ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Arnold S. Penner 20,000(4) *
545 Madison Avenue
7th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Howard M. Lorber [66,000(5)] 1.2%
70 E. Sunrise Highway
Valley Stream, NY 11581
Robert J. McInerney - -
9 Park Place
Great Neck, NY 11021
All executive officers and 3,210,424(1)(3)(4) 55.3%
directors as a group (5)
(5 persons)
</TABLE>
- --------------------
*Less than 1%
(1) Mr. Petrocelli owns directly 2,902,424 shares of Common Stock;
presently exercisable options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share; presently
exercisable options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $5.50 per share, and presently exercisable
options to purchase 66,667 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $11.00 per share. Does not include shares held by the
wife, adult children or the grandchildren of Mr. Petrocelli. Mr.
Petrocelli disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by
his wife, adult children and grandchildren.
(2) Beverly Petrocelli is the wife of Mr. Petrocelli. Mr. Petrocelli
disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by Mrs.
Petrocelli. Does not include shares held by the adult children or
the grandchildren of Mrs. Petrocelli. Mrs. Petrocelli disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares held by her husband, adult
children and grandchildren.
(3) Mr. Rosatelli owns directly 2,000 shares of Common Stock and holds
presently exercisable options to purchase 5,000 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share; presently
exercisable options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $5.50 per share; and presently exercisable
options to purchase 3,333 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price of $11.00 per share.
(4) Consists of presently exercisable options to purchase 20,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share.
(5) Includes 21,700 shares owned by Mr. Lorber's wife, 24,300 shares
owned by the Howard M. Lorber Irrevocable Trust and presently
exercisable options to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at
an exercise price of $5.50 per share. Mr. Lorber disclaims
beneficial ownership of all shares owned by Mr. Lorber's wife and
the Howard M. Lorber Irrevocable Trust.
-3-
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL I--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
Unless otherwise specified, all Proxies received will be voted in favor
of the election of the persons named below as directors of the Company, to serve
until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company and until their
successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Directors shall be elected by a
plurality of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at the Meeting. Abstentions
from voting and broker nonvotes on the election of directors will have no effect
since they will not represent votes cast at the Meeting for the purpose of
electing directors. All nominees are currently directors of the Company and were
elected at the last Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The terms of the current
directors expire at the Meeting and when their successors are duly elected and
qualified. Management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be
unable or unwilling to serve as a director, if elected. Should any of the
nominees not remain a candidate for election at the date of the Meeting, the
Proxies will be voted in favor of those nominees who remain candidates and may
be voted for substitute nominees selected by the Board of Directors. The names
of the nominees and certain information concerning them are set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
First
Year
Became
Name Principal Occupation Age Director
- ------------------------------ -------------------------------------- ------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
A.F. Petrocelli Chairman of the Board, 52 1981
President and Chief
Executive Officer of the
Company
Dennis S. Vice President, Chief 48 1991
Rosatelli Financial Officer and
Secretary of the Company
Arnold S. Penner Self employed real estate 59 1989
investor and broker
Howard M. Lorber President of Hallman & Lorber 47 1991
Associates, Inc.
</TABLE>
A.F. PETROCELLI, has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer since December, 1987, President of the Company since June, 1991 and from
June, 1983 to March, 1989 and a Director of the Company since June 1981. Mr.
Petrocelli is a Director of Prime Hospitality Corp., a New York Stock Exchange
listed company, and a Director of Nathan's Famous Inc.
("Nathan's").
DENNIS S. ROSATELLI, has been a Director of the Company since January,
1991 and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since March,
1989. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, a member of the New Jersey Society of Public
Accountants, and has been a member of the New Jersey Society's Committee on
Accounting and Audit Standards.
-4-
<PAGE>
ARNOLD S. PENNER, has been a Director of the Company since 1989 and has
worked for more than the past five years as a private real estate investor and
as a self-employed real estate broker in New York.
HOWARD M. LORBER, has been a Director of the Company since
May 1991. Mr. Lorber has been President of Hallman & Lorber
Associates, Inc., a consulting and actuarial firm for pension and
profit sharing plans, since 1975. Mr. Lorber is Chairman of the
Board of Directors of Nathan's. Mr. Lorber is a member of the
Boards of Directors of New Valley Corporation f/k/a Western Union
Corp., Prime Hospitality Corp. and Alpine Lace Brands, Inc., and
a Trustee of the Board of Long Island University. Since before
1990, Mr. Lorber has also been a general partner or shareholder
of a corporate general partner of various limited partnerships
organized to acquire and operate real estate properties. Several
of these partnerships filed for protection under the federal
bankruptcy laws in 1991.
Other Executive Officers
Robert J. McInerney has been an Executive Vice President of
the Company since June 1995 and President of its Dorne Margolin
subsidiary from August 1994 to June 1995. Prior thereto, Mr.
McInerney was President of the Commercial Products Division of
Arrow Electronics Inc. for more than five years.
Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH
OF THE NOMINEES.
Meetings
The Board of Directors held two meetings, during the year ended
December 31, 1995. From time to time, the members of the Board of Directors act
by unanimous written consent pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware.
The Company has a standing Audit Committee and a Compensation and Stock
Option Committee whose members are Howard M. Lorber and Arnold S. Penner, the
independent directors of the Company. The Audit Committee annually recommends to
the Board of Directors, independent public accountants as auditors of the
Company's books, records and accounts, reviews the scope of the audits performed
by such auditors and the audit reports prepared by them, and reviews and
monitors the Company's internal accounting procedures. The Compensation and
Stock Option Committee, which was formed in December 1993, recommends to the
Board of Directors compensation for the Company's key employees and administers
the Company's 1988 Joint Incentive and Non- Qualified Stock Option Plan (the
"Joint Plan") and the 1988 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "Incentive Plan")
and awards stock options thereunder.
-5-
<PAGE>
Directors of the Company who are not officers of the Company are
entitled to receive compensation for serving as directors in the amount of
$6,000 per annum and $500 per Board meeting and Committee meeting attended.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth, for the Company's 1995 fiscal year, all
compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the chief executive officer
("CEO") and the other two most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company other than the CEO who were executive officers of the Company during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 whose salary and bonus exceeded $100,000
(two individuals) with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation
--------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Other Annual All Other
Name and Principal Compensation Number of Compensation
Position Year Salary($) Bonus($) ($)(1) Options ($)
- ------------------------------- ------- ------------------- ---------- -------------- --------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A.F. Petrocelli, 1995 $650,000 $700,000 ---- ---- ----
Chairman of the 1994 650,000 700,000 ---- ---- ----
Board, President 1993 650,000 700,000 ---- 100,000 ----
and Chief Executive
Officer
Dennis S. Rosatelli, 1995 $150,000 ---- ---- ---- ----
Vice President and 1994 150,000 $60,000 ---- ---- ----
Chief Financial 1993 150,000 60,000 ---- 5,000 ----
Officer
Robert J. McInerney, 1995 $180,000 ---- ---- ---- ----
Executive Vice 1994 ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
President (2) 1993 ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
</TABLE>
(1) Perquisites and other personal benefits, securities or property to each
executive officer did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of such
executive officer's salary and bonus.
(2) Mr. McInerney became Executive Vice President of the Company in June
1995. Prior thereto, he was employed by a subsidiary of the Company. All
amounts shown reflect payments from the Company or from such subsidiary.
Option Grants During 1995 Fiscal Year
The Company granted no options during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995 to Messrs. Petrocelli, Rosatelli or McInerney.
95630.2
-6-
<PAGE>
Fiscal Year End Option Values
No options were exercised by either Mr. Petrocelli or Mr. Rosatelli
during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 1995. Mr. McInerney holds no options.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the options held by
executive officers during the fiscal year-ended December 31, 1995 by each of Mr.
Petrocelli and Mr. Rosatelli.
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Options at in-the-Money Options
December 31, 1995 at December 31, 1995
Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
Name (#) ($)(1)
- ---- --------------------------- ------------------------
A.F. Petrocelli......... 191,667/ $184,375/0
33,333(3)
Dennis S. Rosatelli..... 28,334/ $36,875/0
1,666(2)
- ----------------
(1) Based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock ($6.875 as
reported by the American Stock Exchange on December 29,1995.)
(2) The unexercisable options held by Messrs. Petrocelli and Rosatelli
were not in the money at December 31, 1995.
Employee Retirement Plan
The Company, through one of its subsidiaries, has a noncontributory
pension plan that covers the executive officers of the Company. The following
table discloses estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement in specified
compensation and years of service classifications, based on current limits set
by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Projected Annual Benefit at Retirement
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years of Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary 10 15 20 25 30 35
------
---------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 20,000............... $1,750 $2,625 $3,500 $4,375 $5,250 $6,125
30,000............... 3,250 4,875 6,500 8,125 9,750 11,375
40,000............... 4,750 7,125 9,500 11,875 14,250 16,625
50,000............... 6,250 9,375 12,500 15,625 18,750 21,875
60,000............... 7,750 11,625 15,500 19,375 23,250 27,125
70,000............... 9,250 13,875 18,500 23,125 27,750 32,375
80,000............... 10,750 16,125 21,500 26,875 32,250 37,625
90,000............... 12,250 18,375 24,500 30,625 36,750 42,875
100,000............... 13,750 20,625 27,500 34,375 41,250 48,125
150,000............... 21,250 31,875 42,500 53,125 63,750 74,375
</TABLE>
-7-
<PAGE>
The Company did not make any contributions for the benefit of executive
officers for the year ended December 31, 1995.
The estimated credited years of service for each of the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table is as
follows: A.F. Petrocelli eight years and Dennis S. Rosatelli
seven years, respectively. Mr. McInerney has less than one year
of credited service under the noncontributory pension plan.
Subject to compensation limitations under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, which was $150,000 in 1995, benefits are computed as
follows: For each year of credited service after June 30, 1989, the sum of one
percent (1%) of annual compensation, as defined, up to $25,000 plus one and
one-half percent (1 1/2%) of annual compensation in excess of $25,000.
Employment Contracts
The Company has an employment contract with Mr. Petrocelli which
provides for a base salary of $650,000 per annum plus a bonus as determined by
the Board of Directors. In the event of a change of control of the Company as
defined in the employment agreement, the Company shall pay Mr. Petrocelli a lump
sum severance payment equal to three years salary and purchase outstanding
options owned by Mr. Petrocelli. The employment agreement provides for
successive one year terms unless either the Company or Mr. Petrocelli gives the
other written notice that the employment agreement is terminated.
Effective July 1, 1991, the Company entered into an employment agreement
with Dennis S. Rosatelli which provides for a base salary of $125,000 per annum
plus a bonus as determined by the Board of Directors. In January, 1993, the
Board of Directors voted to increase Mr. Rosatelli's base salary to $150,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1993.
Stock Option Agreements
On July 17, 1991 the Company entered into Stock Option Agreements with
each of Howard M. Lorber, Arnold S. Penner and Dennis S. Rosatelli pursuant to
which each of said individuals received presently exercisable five-year options
to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per
share.
COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
General
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee determine the
cash and other incentive compensation, if any, to be paid to the
Company's executive officers and key employees. Messrs. Lorber
and Penner, non-employee directors of the Company, serve as
members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and are
-8-
<PAGE>
"disinterested directors" (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under
the Act).
Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee's executive compensation
philosophy is to base management's pay, in part, to the achievement of the
Company's annual and long-term performance goals by (a) setting levels of
compensation designed to attract and hold superior executives in a highly
competitive business environment, (b) providing incentive compensation that
varies directly with the Company's financial performance and individual
initiative and achievement contributions to such performance, (c) linking
compensation to elements which effect the Company's annual and long-term
performance, (d) evaluating the competitiveness of executive compensation
programs based upon information drawn from a variety of sources, and (e)
establishing salary levels and bonuses intended to be consistent with
competitive practice and level of responsibility, with salary increases and
bonuses reflecting competitive trends, the overall financial performance of the
Company, the performance of the individual executive and the contractual
arrangements that may be in effect with the individual executive.
Section 162(m) of the Code, prohibits a publicly held corporation, such
as the Company, from claiming a deduction on its federal income tax return for
compensation in excess of $1 million paid for a given fiscal year to the chief
executive officer (or person acting in that capacity) at the close of the
corporation's fiscal year and the four most highly compensated officers of the
corporation, other than the chief executive officer, at the end of the
corporation's fiscal year. The $1 million compensation deduction limitation does
not apply to "performance-based compensation." The Company believes that any
compensation received by executive officers in connection with the exercise of
options granted under the Joint Plan and the Incentive Plan qualifies as
"performance-based compensation." The Company will continue to review its
compensatory criteria and plans and to assess the desirability of further
revisions as the final regulations are issued, the Internal Revenue Service
begins to issue interpretations, and competitive practices begin to emerge.
Salaries
Base salaries for the Company's executive officers are determined
initially by evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the
experience of the individual, and by reference to the competitive marketplace
for management talent, including a comparison of base salaries for comparable
positions at comparable companies within the Company's industries. Annual salary
adjustments are determined consistent with the Company's compensation policy by
evaluating the competitive marketplace, the performance of the Company, the
performance of the executive particularly with respect to the ability to manage
growth of the Company, the length of the executive's service to the Company and
-9-
<PAGE>
any increased responsibilities assumed by the executive. The
Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Rosatelli, which
sets the base salary for such executive. Mr. McInerney's base
salary is determined by the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee in consultation with the Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Annual Bonuses
The Company from time to time considers the payment of bonuses to its
executive officers although no formal plan currently exists. Bonuses would be
determined based, first, upon the level of achievement by the Company of its
strategic and operating goals and, second, upon the level of personal
achievement by participants. The achievement of personal goals includes the
actual performance of the Company for which the executive officer has
responsibility as compared to the planned performance thereof, other individual
contributions, the ability to manage and motivate reporting employees and the
achievement of assigned projects. Bonuses are determined annually after the
close of each fiscal year.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Petrocelli's base salary of $650,000 is based upon the terms of his
employment agreement and the factors described in the "Salaries" paragraph
above. Mr. Petrocelli will receive the same base salary in 1996. Mr. Petrocelli
received a bonus in 1996 of $700,000 for services rendered during the 1995
fiscal year. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee awarded the bonus due
to (i) the increase in revenues of the Company's core businesses, (ii) total
revenues of the Company and (iii) the additional duties imposed on Mr.
Petrocelli relating to the dissolution of Kentile, Inc. The Compensation and
Stock Option Committee has recommended that the stockholders approve a
performance criteria which requires the Company to achieve at least $70,000,000
in total revenues in order for the Chief Executive Officer to be eligible to
receive a bonus. This proposal is designed to qualify bonuses paid to the Chief
Executive Officer as "performance based" for purposes of Section 162 of the
Internal Revenue Code. See "Proposal II--Performance Criteria for Chief
Executive Officer Bonus Compensation."
Compensation and Stock Option Committee: Arnold S. Penner,
and Howard M. Lorber.
COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE: Set forth below is a graph comparing the
total shareholder returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends, if any) of the
Company, AMEX and a peer group ("The Peer Group") compiled by the Company
consisting of publicly traded companies in industry segments corresponding to
those in which the Company competes. The Peer Group, which includes the Company
consists of the following companies: Base Ten Systems, Comtech
Telecommunications, EDO Corporation, EQK Realty Investments, Keystone
Consolidated Industries, Inc., Larizza
-10-
<PAGE>
Industries, Inc., Pacific Gateway Properties, Inc. and Watkins-
Johnson Company.
The Peer Group consolidation was done on a weighted average basis
(market capitalization basis, adjusted at the end of each quarter). The graph
assumes $100 invested on December 31, 1990, in the Company and each of the other
indices.
TOTAL RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS REINVESTED DIVIDENDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Return Return Return Return Return
Company/Index Name 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
- ------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
United Capital Corp. 29.41 13.64 188.00 -5.56 -19.12
American Stock Exchange Ind. 28.22 1.06 19.52 -9.11 26.42
Peer Group 1.11 23.01 54.92 -1.35 32.06
</TABLE>
Indexed/Cumulative Returns
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Base
Period Return Return Return Return Return
Company/Index Name 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
- ------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
United Capital Corp. 100 129.41 147.06 423.53 400.00 323.53
American Stock Exchange 100 128.22 129.57 154.86 140.75 177.93
Peer Group 100 101.11 124.37 192.68 190.09 251.03
</TABLE>
PEER GROUP POPULATION
BASE TEN SYSTEMS - CL A
COMTECH TELECOMMUN
EDO CORP
EQK REALTY INVESTORS I
KEYSTONE CONS INDUSTRIES INC
LARIZZA INDUSTRIES INC
PACIFIC GATEWAY PPTYS INC
UNITED CAPITAL CORP
WATKINS-JOHNSON
This total shareholders return model assumes reinvested dividends.
Prepared by Standard & Poor's Compustat, a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The following sets forth the transactions involving the Company and its
subsidiaries and its executive officers and/or Directors from January 1, 1995.
Specific descriptions of these transactions are provided below.
In May 1995, the Company participated in a $4.5 million loan
transaction secured by an assignment of a mortgage note covering a commercial
office building in New York City. The Company advanced approximately $2.5
million in connection with this loan. The remaining amounts were advanced by the
following: The Howard M. Lorber Irrevocable Trust, $500,000; Beverly Petrocelli,
$1.45 million; and the balance by unrelated parties. The note bears interest at
14% per annum, payable monthly and matures in May 1996. The participants also
received a commitment fee of 4% in connection with the loan. Upon maturity, the
note can be extended for two six month periods, each in consideration of 2% of
the outstanding balance and an additional eight month period in consideration of
3% of the outstanding balance. Arnold Penner is a shareholder of the borrower
and also a guarantor of the note. Howard M. Lorber disclaims beneficial
ownership of the participation interest held by the Trustees of the Howard M.
Lorber Irrevocable Trust. A.F. Petrocelli disclaims beneficial interest of the
participation interest held by his spouse.
The Company's two hotel properties are managed by a publicly traded
company for which A.F. Petrocelli and Howard M. Lorber are directors. Fees paid
for the management of these properties is based upon a percentage of revenue and
was approximately $120,000 for 1995. In addition, the Company has committed to
loan this company $4 million over a six year period. This loan will be secured
by a second mortgage on real property. No amounts have been advanced to date.
In May 1994, the Company participated in a $2,650,000 loan transaction
secured by a first mortgage covering a leasehold estate. The Company advanced
$265,000 in connection with this loan. The remaining amount was advanced by a
company in which Arnold Penner owns a substantial interest. The note bore
interest at 15% per annum, payable monthly and was fully satisfied together with
accrued interest in May 1995. In addition, the participants received a
commitment fee of 3% on their advances from the borrower.
In connection with the purchase of an interest in a real estate loan
from Arnold Penner in 1992 the Company issued a Note in the amount of $198,000.
The Note bore interest at 10% per annum and was fully satisfied in February
1995.
During 1995 the Company advanced, in the aggregate, $415,000 to A.F.
Petrocelli. These advances bore interest at the Company's borrowing rate under
its revolving credit facility. All amounts advanced have been repaid together
with accrued interest thereon.
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In April, 1994, the Company participated in a $5,000,000 loan
transaction secured by a second mortgage covering a leasehold estate. Five
Million Dollars was advanced including approximately $2,253,000 by the Company
and the balance by Beverly Petrocelli ($1,000,000), the Howard M. Lorber
Irrevocable Trust ($500,000), Arnold S. Penner ($250,000), Dennis Rosatelli
($50,000), officers of the Company ($39,000) and certain unrelated parties,
including a former Director ($908,000). The note bore interest at 15% per annum,
payable monthly and was fully satisfied together with accrued interest in
February 1995. In addition, the participants received a commitment fee of 3% on
their advances from the borrower. Howard M. Lorber disclaims beneficial
ownership of the participation interest held by the Trustees of the Howard M.
Lorber Irrevocable Trust and A.F. Petrocelli disclaims beneficial ownership of
the participation interest held by his spouse.
The Company has Indemnity Agreements with each director (individually
each an "Indemnitee"), indemnifying each Indemnitee against the various legal
risks and potential liabilities to which such individuals are subject due to
their position with the Company, in order to induce and encourage highly
experienced and capable persons such as the Indemnitees to continue to serve as
directors of the Company.
PROPOSAL II--CRITERIA FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BONUS
COMPENSATION PERFORMANCE
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally
disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million
paid to the corporation's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly
compensated executive officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation will
not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. The
Company's Compensation and Stock Option Committee has structured a formula,
subject to stockholder approval, by which it believes all future bonuses payable
to its Chief Executive Officer are in a manner that complies with the new
statute. Under this formula, all bonuses to be paid to the Chief Executive
Officer will be based on the total revenues of the Company. The Chief Executive
Officer currently receives a base salary of $650,000 pursuant to the terms of
his employment contract. In any year that the total revenues of the Company
exceeds $70,000,000, the Chief Executive Officer will be entitled to receive a
bonus of $700,000. The revenue criteria will be adjusted in the next four years
by increases in the Consumer Price Index. The Compensation and Stock Option
Committee will certify that the performance goals have been satisfied before
payment of the bonus.
The Board of Directors and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee
recommend that stockholders vote in favor of this proposal. The Board of
Directors and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee believe that the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company should be awarded for the growth of the
Company. The Board of Directors and the Compensation and Stock Option
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Committee believe that if the Company were to meet the established target it
would demonstrate the value that the Chief Executive Officer provides to the
Company, particularly since several of the Company's core businesses are in
industries which have had little or no growth over the last few years. The Board
of Directors and the Compensation and Stock Option Committee expect these trends
to continue for the foreseeable future, and consequently they believe that the
bonus to the Chief Executive Officer should be awarded if the Company meets the
prescribed revenue targets. The Company and the Compensation and Stock Option
Committee will continue to review the performance goal to assess the
desirability of further revisions as the final regulations to Section 162(m) are
issued, the Internal Revenue Service begins to issue interpretations, and
competitive practices begin to emerge.
Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO
PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR THE COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO THE CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
PROPOSAL III--RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors appointed Arthur Andersen LLP, certified public
accountants, as the Company's independent auditors for the year ending December
31, 1996. Although the selection of auditors does not require ratification, the
Board of Directors has directed that the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP be
submitted to stockholders for ratification due to the significance of their
appointment to the Company. If stockholders do not ratify the appointment of
Arthur Andersen LLP, the Board of Directors will consider the appointment of
other certified public accountants. The approval of the proposal to ratify the
appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes cast by all shareholders represented and entitled to vote thereon.
An abstention, withholding of authority to vote or broker non-vote, therefore,
will not have the same legal effect as an "against" vote and will not be counted
in determining whether the proposal has received the required shareholder vote.
The Company's auditors for the year ended December 31, 1995 were Arthur
Andersen LLP.
Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS THE COMPANY'S
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1996.
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ANNUAL REPORT
All stockholders of record as of the Record Date, have been sent, or
are concurrently herewith being sent, a copy of the Company's 1995 Annual Report
for the year ended December 31, 1995, which contains certified consolidated
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
ANY STOCKHOLDER OF THE COMPANY MAY OBTAIN WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE
COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
(WITHOUT EXHIBITS), AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, BY
WRITING TO DENNIS S. ROSATELLI, VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND
SECRETARY AT UNITED CAPITAL CORP., 9 PARK PLACE, GREAT NECK, NEW YORK 11021.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy materials to be
distributed in connection with the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the
Company, stockholder proposals for such meeting must be submitted to the Company
no later than January 24, 1997.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, management knows of no matters
other than those set forth herein which will be presented for consideration at
the Meeting. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before the
Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy
will have discretionary authority to vote, or otherwise act, with respect to
such matters in accordance with their judgment.
Dennis S. Rosatelli
Secretary
May 14, 1996
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PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIAL
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
UNITED CAPITAL CORP.
Proxy -- Annual Meeting of Stockholders
June 11, 1996
The undersigned, a stockholder of United Capital Corp., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby appoint A.F. Petrocelli and
Dennis S. Rosatelli, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys and proxies
with full power of substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to vote all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company which the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the 1996 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the offices of the Company,
9 Park Place, Great Neck, New York 11021, on June 11, 1996, at 10:00 A.M., Local
Time, or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The undersigned hereby instructs said proxies or their
substitutes:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
The election of the following directors: Howard M.
Lorber, Arnold S. Penner, A.F. Petrocelli and Dennis S.
Rosatelli to serve until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors have been duly
elected and qualified.
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
WITHHOLD TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE(S),
FOR ___ VOTE ___ PRINT NAME(S) BELOW
-------------------------
2. BONUS CRITERIA:
To approve the proposal to provide performance
criteria for the payment of bonuses to the Chief
Executive Officer.
______ FOR _____ AGAINST _____ ABSTAIN
<PAGE>
3. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS:
To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as
the independent auditors of the Company for the year
ending December 31, 1996.
______ FOR _____ AGAINST _____ ABSTAIN
4. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY: To vote with discre-
tionary authority with respect to all other
matters which may come before the Meeting.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY DIRECTIONS
HEREINBEFORE GIVEN. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED TO
ELECT DIRECTORS, TO PROVIDE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES TO
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore
given, and ratifies and confirms that all the proxies appointed hereby, or any
of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Notice of
Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, both dated May 14, 1996, and a copy of
either the Company's Annual Report or Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1995.
Dated _______________________ 1996
_____________________________ (L.S.)
