ADVANCED REMOTE COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Formerly BOATRACS, INC.)
10675 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200
San Diego, California, 92121
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 2000
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders ("Annual Meeting") of Advanced Remote
Communication Solutions, Inc., a California corporation ("ARCOMS" or the
"Company"), will be held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5975 Lusk Boulevard, San
Diego, California 92121 on May 23, 2000, at 10:00 a.m. for the following
purposes:
1. To elect eight directors of the Company, all of whom shall serve until the
2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (and until the election and qualification of
their successors);
2. To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify and approve an amendment to the
Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan increasing the number of available shares to
6,000,000, and
3. To consider and act upon any other matters which may properly come before the
Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 23, 2000 as the
record date for the determination of the holders of common stock entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person.
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign and
date the enclosed Proxy and return it as promptly as possible in the enclosed
pre-addressed and postage paid envelope. The prompt return of Proxies will
ensure a quorum and save the Company expense of further solicitation. Any
shareholder returning the enclosed Proxy may revoke it prior to its exercise by
voting in person at the Annual Meeting or by filing with the Secretary of the
Company a written revocation or duly executed Proxy bearing a later date.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Michael Silverman
Chairman
San Diego, California
April 7, 2000
Advanced Remote Communication Solutions, Inc.
10675 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92121
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 2000
I. PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by or on behalf of the Board of Directors ("Board") of Advance Remote
Communication Solutions, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), for use
at the Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 23, 2000
at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 5975 Lusk Boulevard, San Diego, California 92121 at
10:00 a.m., and at any and all adjournments thereof (the "Annual Meeting"), for
the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
Any shareholder may revoke his or her proxy by delivering written notice of
revocation to the Secretary of the Company at its principal office, 10675
Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92121, by a delivery of
proxy bearing a later date, or by attendance at the Annual Meeting and voting in
person.
This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report of the Company for the year ended
December 31, 1999, will be mailed on or about April 7, 2000, to each shareholder
of record as of the close of business on March 23, 2000.
The solicitation of proxies is being made by use of the mails. The cost of
preparing, assembling and mailing these proxy materials will be paid by the
Company. Following the mailing of this Proxy Statement, directors, officers and
regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies by mail, telephone,
telegraph or personal interview. Such persons will receive no additional
compensation for such services. Brokerage houses and other nominees, fiduciaries
and custodians nominally holding shares of the Company's common stock of record
will be requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners
of the shares, and will be reimbursed by the Company for their reasonable out-of
pocket expenses incurred in forwarding these materials.
When your proxy is returned properly signed, the shares represented will be
voted in accordance with your directions. Where specific choices are not
indicated, proxies will be voted in favor of the eight persons nominated to be
directors in Proposal One and in favor of Proposal Two. If a proxy indicates
that a shareholder or nominee abstains from voting or that shares are not to be
voted on a particular proposal, the shares will not be counted as having been
voted on that proposal, and those shares will not be reflected in the final
tally of the votes cast with regard to that proposal, although such shares will
be counted as in attendance at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a
quorum. Additionally, broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast on any
matter to which they relate.
The presence at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy of the holders of a
majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is
necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
brought before the Annual Meeting and to cumulate votes for the election of
directors. A shareholder may not cumulate votes unless the shareholder has
announced at the Annual Meeting the intention to do so before the voting has
begun, but if any shareholder makes such an announcement, all shareholders may
cumulate votes. Cumulative voting rights entitle a shareholder to give one
nominee as many votes as are equal to the number of directors to be elected,
multiplied by the number of shares owned by the shareholder, or to distribute
his or her votes as the shareholder sees fit among two or more nominees on the
same principle, up to the total number of nominees to be elected. The eight
nominees for director receiving the highest number of votes at the Annual
Meeting from the holders of common stock will be elected.
An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at the
Annual Meeting is required for approval of Proposal Two.
Directors and officers beneficially own approximately 49% of the outstanding
shares of common stock. The directors and officers have indicated that they
intend to vote for each of the nominees for director and in favor of Proposal
Two.
The Company had 20,825,928 shares of common stock, no par value (the "common
stock"), outstanding as of March 23, 2000. Holders of record of shares of the
common stock at the close of business on March 23, 2000 will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and will be entitled to one vote for
each such share.
II. Securities Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Set forth below is certain information concerning the ownership of the Company's
common stock as of March 23, 2000, by (i) all persons known to the Company to be
beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding common stock, (ii) each
director and nominee for director of the Company, (iii) each executive officer
of the Company, and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company as
a group. Except as otherwise indicated, and subject to applicable community
property and similar laws, the persons named have sole voting and investment
power with respect to the securities owned by them.
Name and Address ......................... Number of Shares Percent of
of Shareholder(1) ........................ Beneficially Owned Outstanding
Shares
QUALCOMM Incorporated .................... 1,172,265 5%
5775 Moorehouse Drive
San Diego, CA 92121
Irene Shinsato ........................... 2,373,075 11
Michael L.Silverman ...................... 3,821,837 17
Jon S. Gilbert ........................... 3,308,300 15
Giles H.Bateman .......................... 712,824 3
Luis Maizel .............................. 137,920 *
Mitchell G. Lynn ......................... 148,166 *
Scott T.Boden ............................ 1,609,575 7
Thomas Bernard ........................... 11,043 *
Mohammed G. Abutaleb ..................... 541,125 2
Daniel W. Negroni ........................ 36,600 *
Charles J. Drobny, Jr .................... 256,921 1
Peter A. Carides ......................... 60,000 *
All Directors and Executive
Officers as a group
(11 persons)(9) (10) ..................... 10,644,311 49%
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(1) The address for all directors and executive officers is 10675 Sorrento
Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego, California, 92121.
(2) Includes 244,225 warrants and 663,500 options issued in connection with
the acquisition of Enerdyne Technologies, Inc. in July 1998. All the
securities are in trusts for which Ms. Shinsato is a trustee.
(3) Shares are held in a family trust of which Mr. Gilbert is a trustee.
(4) Includes 83,600 shares held by the Maizel Family Trust of which Mr.
Maizel is a trustee and 15,321 shares held in a retirement plan for
which Mr. Maizel is a trustee.
(5) Includes 20,000 shares held in trust for children for which Mr. Lynn
disclaims beneficial ownership. The number also includes 50,000
options issued under a Non-Circumvention Agreement dated January 9,
1996 exercisable at $1.50 per share.
(6) Includes 244,225 warrants issued in connection with the
acquisition of Enerdyne Technologies, Inc. in July, 1998. (7) Shares
were issued in connection with the Company's acquisition of Innovative
Communications Technologies, Inc effective August 1999.
(8) 240,000 of the shares are represented by restricted stock granted
under an agreement and 16,921 shares were issued under the terms of an
employment agreement.
(9) Mr. Dean Kernus joined the Company in February 2000 as Chief Financial
Officer. He does not hold any beneficial ownership in the Company's
common stock. Mr. John Major, a nominee for Director does not hold any
Company common stock.
(10) Includes shares issuable upon the exercise of options within sixty day
of March 23, 2000 as follows:
Mr. Silverman 50,000 shares
Mr. Gilbert 50,000
Mr. Bateman 48,999
Mr. Maizel 38,999
Mr. Lynn 80,666
Mr. Bernard 8,334
Mr. Negroni 21,600
Mr. Carides 60,000
* Less than 1%
III. Election Of Directors (Proposal No. 1 on Proxy Card)
The persons named below have been nominated by management for election as
directors of the Company to serve until the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify.
Unless otherwise instructed, the enclosed proxy will be voted for election of
the nominees listed below, except that the persons designated as proxies reserve
full discretion to cast their votes for another person recommended by management
in the unanticipated event that any nominee is unable to or declines to serve.
The Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable or unwilling
to serve.
Name of Nominee .............Age Position with the Company
Michael Silverman ........... 55 Chairman, Director
President, Chief Executive Officer
Jon Gilbert ................. 56 Director, Director of Strategic and
Business Development
Giles Bateman ............... 55 Director
Mitchell Lynn ................51 Director
Scott T. Boden ...............38 Director, Chief Technology Officer,
Enerdyne Technologies, Inc.
Thomas Bernard ............. 68 Director
Mohammed Abutaleb ........... 42 Director, President, Innovative
Communications Technologies, Inc.
John Major .................. 54 Director
Mr. Silverman formed BOATRACS, Inc. in 1990 ("Old BOATRACS") and served as its
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of that company from
its inception until the merger of Old BOATRACS with the Company (the "Merger")
on January 12, 1995, at which time he assumed the same positions with the
Company. Mr. Silverman served the Company as President and Chief Executive
Officer from the date of the Merger until October 1997 and again from November
1999 to the present date. He continues to serve as Chairman. Mr. Silverman is a
Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and received a Master of Business
Administration degree from Stanford University.
Mr. Gilbert joined the Company as its President, Chief Executive Officer and
director in October 1997 and resigned from the positions in November 1999 when
he assumed the title of Director of Strategic and Business Development. Mr.
Gilbert continues to serve as a director. Mr. Gilbert was with Maintenance
Warehouse the previous 12 years and held several executive positions, including
the title of Chief Executive Officer. Mr.Gilbert earned a Bachelor of Science
degree from UCLA. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, he holds
a Masters in Accounting degree.
Mr. Bateman was elected a director of Old BOATRACS in 1994 and became a director
of the Company upon the Merger. Since 1991, Mr. Bateman has served as a director
of Comp USA, a superstore computer retailer, from 1991 until March 2000, and as
that Company's chairman from 1993 until March 2000. Mr. Bateman was a co-founder
of The Price Company and served as Chief Financial Officer and a director of
that company from 1976 to 1991 and as vice chairman from 1986 to 1991. Mr.
Bateman holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University,
England and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
Mr. Lynn became a director of the Company in June 1997. He is also President and
Managing Director of Combined Resources International, a manufacturer of picture
frames and other items. Mr. Lynn was President of The Price Company, a San Diego
based warehouse club retailer from 1990-1993 and later senior executive vice
president of Price/Costco until he resigned in 1994. He is a California
Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and
a Master of Business Administration degree from UCLA.
Mr. Boden was selected as a director on September 2, 1998. Mr. Boden founded
Enerdyne Technologies, Inc. ("Enerdyne") in 1984 and was its Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Technology Officer until July 1998, when the Company acquired
Enerdyne. Prior to founding Enerdyne, Mr. Boden was a designer of video
products for Cinematroncis Inc. Mr. Boden attended San Diego State University.
He also serves the Company as Chief Technology Officer of Enerdyne.
Mr. Bernard has served as Executive Vice President and Director of Leap Wireless
International since its formation in September 1998. Prior to that time, he
served as a Senior Vice President of QUALCOMM Incorporated ("QUALCOMM") and
General Manager of QUALCOMM's Infrastructure Product Division from April 1996
through June 1998. Mr. Bernard first joined QUALCOMM in September 1986 as Vice
President and General Manager for the OmniTRACS Division. Prior to joining
QUALCOMM, Mr. Bernard was Executive Vice President and General Manager of
M/A-COM Telecommunications Division, Western Operations.
Mr. Abutaleb joined the Company in September 1999 upon the merger of Innovative
Communications Technologies, Inc. ("ICTI") and the Company. Mr. Abutaleb
co-founded ICTI in 1989. Prior to joining ICTI, Mr. Abutaleb was employed by
COMSAT Corporation and Fairchild Industries. While working for these companies
he held technical and technical management positions. Mr. Abutaleb received a
Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Maryland with an emphasis in communications and semiconductor physics.
He was appointed a director of the Company in November 1999.
Mr. Major is Chief Executive Officer of the Wireless Internet Solutions Group.
Previously Mr. Major was President and Chief Executive Officer of Wireless
Knowledge, a QUALCOMM and Microsoft joint venture, which he joined in November
1998. Prior to joining Wireless Knowledge, Mr. Major served as corporate
executive vice president of QUALCOMM and president of its Wireless
Infrastructure Division. Mr. Major has held several executive positions at
Motorola from 1977 until 1997 when he joined QUALCOMM. He received a Bachelor of
Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Rochester
and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of
Illinois and holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern
University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University.
There is no family relationship between any of the Company's directors and
officers. There are no arrangements or understandings between any director or
executive officer and any other person pursuant to which any person has been
elected or nominated as a director or executive officer. All directors and
executive officers serve for a term of one year until the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 1999, the Board held five meetings where all
directors were present except Mr. Maizel who missed one meeting. The Company
presently has a Compensation Committee of the Board consisting of Mitchell Lynn,
Chairman, and Giles Bateman. The Compensation Committee's primary function is to
establish compensation for employees and effect promotions. The Audit Committee,
consisting of Giles Bateman, Chairman, Mitchell Lynn and Luis Maizel, advises
the Board as to the selection of the Company's independent accountants, reviews
with the independent accountants the accounting principles and practices
followed by the Company and the adequacy thereof, approves the Company's annual
audit and financial results and any material change thereto and makes
recommendations to the Board regarding such matters. The Board does not have a
standing Nominating Committee. During 1999, the Compensation Committee met six
times and the Audit Committee met once.
Executive Officers
In addition to those listed above, the following individuals are also Executive
Officers:
Name Age Position with the Company
Daniel W. Negroni, Esq. 34 Vice President, Sales and
Marketing, BOATRACS
Charles J. Drobny, Jr. 49 Vice President, Application
Development, BOATRACS Gulfport
Peter A. Carides 34 Chief Operating Officer, BOATRACS
Dean B. Kernus 41 Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Negroni joined the Company in October 1997 as Vice President of Business
Development and Domestic Sales. In January 1999, Mr. Negroni became Vice
President, Sales and Marketing of the Company's subsidiary Enerdyne
Technologies, Inc. until October 1999 when he returned to the Company's
BOATRACS division. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Negroni was with
Seltzer Caplan Wilkins & McMahon where he focused on business transactional
law within the high technology industry. From 1993 to 1995, he held the
position of Vice President, Sales and Marketing, at Dearan Imports. Mr.
Negroni holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston
University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center
in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Drobny joined the Company in December 1997 as Vice President, Application
Development when the Company purchased MED Associates Inc. ("MED"). MED is
now known as BOATRACS Gulfport. Mr. Drobny founded MED as Management
Engineering Design in September, 1993. Prior to 1993, Mr. Drobny was Vice
President and General Manager of Genesis Systems in Bay St. Louis, a
manufacturer of marine information systems.
Mr. Carides joined the Company in March 1998 as Managing Director of the
Company's wholly owned subsidiary, BOATRACS (Europe) B.V. He became Director of
BOATRACS Operations, International in January 1999 until September 1999 when he
became Chief Operating Officer of the Company's BOATRACS division. Prior to
joining the Company Mr. Carides had four years technical and eight years of
management responsibilities in Hong Kong. He held the position of Executive
Director with Brightpoint China Ltd. from July, 1996 to early 1998 with SafKong
Holdings Ltd., from 1993 to early 1998 and with Technology Resources
International Ltd. from 1994 through 1996.
Mr. Kernus joined the Company in February 2000 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior
to joining the Company, Mr. Kernus was Vice President of Corporate and Project
Accounting for SeaWest WindPower, Inc., and an Audit Manager with McGladrey and
Pullen, LLP and with PricewaterhouseCoopers. His experience includes mergers and
acquisitions and business development. In public accounting, Mr. Kernus
concentrated on high technology and real estate companies. Mr. Kernus holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Public Accountant.
IV. Executive Compensation
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth for the years indicated certain compensation of
the Company's Chairman and the persons occupying the office of Chief Executive
Officer and the Company's executive officers of the Company who actually earned
or who were paid on a basis of more than $100,000 in salary and bonuses in such
years.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
No. of shares
Annual ..... underlying
Principal Position .............Year Salary Bonus Options
Michael L. Silverman ........ 1999 $ 120,242 200,000
Chairman, CEO & .............. 1998 115,368
President (1) 1997 103,291
Jon S. Gilbert (2) .......... 1999 $ 120,698 200,000
Director, Director of ........ 1998 120,000
Strategic and Business ....... 1997 26,154
Development
Peter A. Carides ............ 1999 $ 132,000 100,000
Chief Operating Officer, ..... 1998 120,000 100,000
BOATRACS division
Daniel W. Negroni ............. 1999 $ 141,643 125,000
Vice President, Sales and .... 1998 116,128 60,000 4,000
Marketing, BOATRACS ........... 1997 19,885 100,000
division
Charles J. Drobny, Jr. (3) ... 1999 $ 153,997
Vice President, ............ 1998 145,934
BOATRACS Gulfport ........... 1997 25,000
division
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(1) Mr. Silverman has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since November 1999 and previously from inception until October 1997 at
a current annual salary of $120,000. He also serves as Chairman of the Board.
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Michael Silverman,
effective January 1, 1995. Under the agreement, Mr. Silverman's annual base
compensation was $100,000 subject to increases at the Board's discretion. The
employment agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless
terminated, and is terminable by the Company at any time for good cause as
defined in the agreement.
(2) Mr. Gilbert joined the Company during October 1997. In connection with the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Jon Gilbert
described below under "Certain Transactions", in the event that the Board of
Directors terminates the employment of Mr. Gilbert without cause, Mr. Gilbert
may require the Company to repurchase up to 2,416,665 shares of common stock for
a price equal to the outstanding principal and interest due under the Promissory
Note entered into in connection with the transaction.
(3) Mr. Drobny became Vice President effective November 1, 1998 as a consequence
of the acquisition of his Company, MED (now known as BOATRACS Gulfport). In
connection with the Company's purchase of MED in November 1997, the Company
entered into a four-year employment agreement with Mr. Drobny, MED's founder.
Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Drobny will be paid base
compensation of $150,000 for two years commencing November 1, 1997 and $180,000
for the following two years. Mr. Drobny may receive, at his election, up to
$30,000 per year in the form of shares of the Company's common stock for the
first two years, and up to $60,000 per year in the form of shares of common
stock for the second two years. The salary shown for 1999 and 1998 above
includes $30,000 which Mr. Drobny has deferred in salary to purchase Company
stock.
The following table sets forth the information concerning individual grants of
stock options and appreciation rights during the last fiscal year to the
Company's chief executive officer and the executive officers of the Company who
earned more than $100,000 last year.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
(Individual Grants) Percent Of
Number of Total Options
Securities Granted
Underlying To Employees Exercise Or Expiration
Options In Fiscal Year Base Price
Name Granted (#) ($/Share)
Michael Silverman 200,000 9.2% $2.50 2004
Jon Gilbert 200,000 9.2% $2.50 2004
Peter Carides 100,000 4.6% $1.88 2006
Daniel Negroni 125,000 5.7% $1.88 2006
Charles Drobny, Jr. 0
The following table sets forth the information concerning each exercise of stock
options during the last fiscal year by each of Company's chief executive officer
and the executive officers of the Company who earned more than $100,000 last
year, and the fiscal year value of unexercised options.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
Number Of
Securities Value Of
Underlying Unexercised
Shares Unexercised In-The-Money
Acquired Options Options
On Value At FY-End (#) At FY-End($)
Exercise Realized Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name (#) ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
Michael Silverman 0 0/200,000 0/$600,000
Jon Gilbert 0 0/200,000 0/$600,000
Peter Carides 0 20,000/180,000 $60,000/$540,000
Daniel Negroni 0 40,800/188,200 $122,400/$564,600
Charles Drobny, Jr. n/a ----- -----
Compensation Committee Interlock and Insider Participation
During fiscal year 1999, Michael Silverman and Jon Gilbert, officers and
directors of the Company, attended Compensation Committee meetings concerning
executive officer compensation.
Director Compensation
Through May 1998, non-employee directors of the Company received $500 for each
Board meeting they attended. Non-employee directors currently receive stock
options to purchase common stock as compensation for Board meetings.
Non-employee directors Messrs. Bateman and Maizel have received 10,000 options
at an exercise price of $1.00 each in April, 1996 and options to purchase 10,000
shares at an exercise price of $1.25 per share in February 1997. Mr. Lynn
received 10,000 options at an exercise price of $1.19 per share in June 1997.
Messrs. Bateman and Lynn received 10,000 common stock purchase warrants, each
exercisable at $2.44 per share in March 1998. Messrs. Bateman, Maizel and Lynn
each received options to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock each exercisable
at $4.63 per share in May 1998 and options to purchase 25,000 shares of common
stock each exercisable at $2.44 per share in May 1999. Mr. Bernard received
25,000 options to purchase common stock exercisable at $2.44 per share in May
1999.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10%
of the Company's stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive
officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by
applicable regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file.
Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company
and information involving securities transactions of which the Company is aware,
the Company believes that during the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999 all
its executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial shareholders
complied with Section 16(a) filing requirements.
V. Certain Transactions
The Company has a number of contractual relationships with QUALCOMM, which owns
1,172,265 shares (5%) of the outstanding common stock.
The Company entered into a License Agreement and Distribution Agreement dated
June 13, 1990, which grants the Company certain exclusive rights to distribute
QUALCOMM's OmniTRACS System for marine applications in the coastal waters of the
United States and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This agreement has been
amended from time to time. The agreement has an initial term of five years and
three five-year extensions. The Company exercised its first extension in 1995,
which will continue until 2000. The Company has exercised its option for the
next additional five-year term.
The Company also entered into a License Agreement with QUALCOMM in March, 1995,
which requires QUALCOMM to pay to the Company a per copy royalty for certain
interface software developed and owned by the Company as an enhancement to the
OmniTRACS System. The License Agreement terminates upon termination of the
License and Distribution Agreement.
In May 1999, the Company issued 60,000 restricted common shares to QUALCOMM as
full payment on $153,600 of certain accounts payable. The shares were issued at
fair market value of $2.56.
In October 1997, the Company entered into a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
with Jon Gilbert who was the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer,
and a related Promissory Note and Pledge Agreement. Under the Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement, Mr. Gilbert purchased 2,900,000 shares of common stock for
$2,320,000 ($.80 per share). Mr. Gilbert paid $389,085 in cash and the remaining
$l,930,915 by a promissory note bearing interest at a rate of 5.77%. The
promissory note is secured by 2,416,665 of the purchased shares. The note was
payable in four semi-annual installments of $420,241, with all remaining
principal and accrued interest due April 15, 2000. During June 1998 the note and
accrued interest was purchased by an unrelated third party at a discount of
$44,274 which was recorded as a deduction to the common stock originally issued.
See also "Executive Compensation."
Effective November 1, 1997, the Company purchased certain assets and liabilities
of BOATRACS Gulfport (formerly MED) for $500,000 cash, and 300,000 shares of
common stock. The stock payment was subject to an option in favor of the Company
exercisable if BOATRACS Gulfport ("Gulfport") did not achieve a certain target
earnings level for the 1998 fiscal year whereby the Company may repurchase for a
nominal price one share of such stock for every dollar by which Gulfport
earnings fall short of the target. In December, 1998, the agreement was amended
and the cash payable still outstanding in the amount of $250,000 was reduced to
$30,000. In addition, the shares to be issued were reduced to 240,000. Charles
J. Drobny, Jr., Gulfport's founder, became Vice President of Applications
Development of the Company at the time of the acquisition.
On July 7, 1998, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Enerdyne
Technologies, Inc. ("Enerdyne"), a provider of versatile, high performance
digital video compression products to government and commercial markets.
Enerdyne was formed in 1984 and is located in Santee, California. The
acquisition price of $22.6 million included the payment of $2 million in cash,
and the issuance of 3 million shares of the Company's common stock and
promissory notes of $10,000,000. In addition, options and warrants were granted
to the previous owners. A patent in the amount of $18 million and goodwill in
the amount of $10.5 million were recorded as a result of the acquisition. The
two selling shareholders of Enerdyne signed employment contracts with the
Company for one and two years, respectively, and one selling shareholder was
elected to the Company's board of directors in September 1998.
The first amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the
"Amendment") in connection with the Enerdyne acquisition was executed effective
July 7, 1998. The Amendment increased the number of compensatory option shares
and exercise price subject to a specific paydown on the acquisition notes
payable to the selling shareholders. On December 29, 1998 bank financing was
obtained to effect the compensatory contingency per the Amendment and the
options were revised to 663,500 at an exercise price of $2.65 in accordance with
the calculations and provisions in the Amendment.
Effective August 1, 1999, the Company completed the acquisition, by reverse
merger, of all of the shares of Innovative Communications Technologies, Inc.
("ICTI"), a privately held company located in Gaithersburg, Maryland that is
engaged in the design and implementation of bandwidth efficient multi-media
satellite networks. The purchase price to the former shareholders of ICTI
included the payment of $1.5 million in cash, and the issuance of 1,665,000
shares of the Company's common stock and the delivery of promissory notes in the
amount of $600,000. In addition, the Company delivered a non-interest note in
the amount of $400,000 that is subject to attainment of certain revenue targets.
This note will be recorded in the Company's accounts if and when these targets
are met. The Company effectively acquired ICTI's assets of $1.6 million, assumed
its liabilities of $1.5 million, and recorded goodwill in the amount of $5.5
million. Mr. Abutaleb, a founder of ICTI was appointed a director of the Company
November 1999.
VI. Approval of Amendments to 1996 Stock Option Plan (Proposal No. 2 on Proxy
Card)
The Board has approved an amendment to the 1996 Stock Option Plan ("Plan") to
increase the shares authorized under the Plan to 6,000,000 shares of common
stock. Prior to this amendment there were 4,000,000 shares authorized under the
Plan. A summary of the Plan follows, but shareholders should read the entire
Plan attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix I for a full understanding of
the Plan.
Options and Shares
Shares purchased upon exercise of options granted under the Plan may be composed
of authorized and unissued shares. If an option granted under the Plan expires
or is otherwise terminated prior to exercise, the shares subject to that option
will become available for future grants under the Plan. The total number of
shares subject to outstanding options under the Plan or under any other stock
option or similar plan may not exceed 30% of the total number of shares of
common stock outstanding on the date of the grant of any option under the Plan.
Administration
The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or by a committee designated
by the Board consisting of at least two directors who are not also employees of
the Company (the "Committee"). The Committee currently consists of Mitchell Lynn
and Giles Bateman. The structure of the Committee may be changed as necessary to
comply with any future changes in tax or securities laws or regulations. For
convenience, the following summary refers to the Committee as the administering
body under the Plan, although the Plan may be administered by the Board as a
whole. The Committee has authority consistent with the provisions of the Plan to
establish the terms of the stock options granted, to establish rules and
regulations appropriate for Plan administration and to interpret and make
determinations under the Plan.
Stock Options and Participation
Options issued under the Plan may be either incentive stock options ("Incentive
Options") under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), or non-qualified stock options ("Non-Qualified Options"). The
differences between these options are discussed below. Persons who receive
options pursuant to the Plan are referred to as either "optionees" or
"grantees."
The Committee may grant Non-Qualified Options to any person who has or has
agreed to have any of the following relationships ("Relationships") with the
Company or any of its subsidiaries: officer, director, employee or consultant.
The Committee may grant Incentive Options only to employees (including officers
or directors who are employees) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The
amendment of the Plan may benefit the current executive officers and directors
of the Company; however, because of the discretionary nature of the Plan, the
Company cannot at this time determine the amount of benefit to any particular
executive officer or director or to all executive officers and directors as a
group.
Incentive Options granted under the Plan will expire ten years after the grant
date. Options may terminate prior to their expiration date if the Relationship
between the optionee and the Company terminates prior to the expiration date
(see below). Incentive Options and Non Qualified Options issued to persons who
own more than 10% of the outstanding common stock of the Company on the date of
the grant will expire 5 years after the grant date.
All options granted under the Plan will be exercisable as the Committee or Board
determines. Despite the preceding sentence, all options will be exercisable at a
minimum as follows: 20% percent of the shares subject to the option ("option
shares") may be purchased beginning on the first anniversary after the grant and
an additional 20% of the shares will become available for purchase after each
successive one year anniversary. Accordingly, all option shares will be
available for purchase (to the extent not previously purchased) on the fifth
anniversary of the grant date. Once an option is exercisable, an optionee may
exercise all or any part of the option which is then exercisable.
The exercise price of Incentive Options must be at least 100% of the fair market
value of the common stock on the grant date, or at least 110% of the fair market
value in the case of Incentive Options granted to a person who owns more than
10% of the outstanding common stock. The purchase price for shares subject to a
Non-Qualified Option must be at least 85% of the fair market value of the common
stock on the grant date. Non Qualified options granted to a person holding more
than 10% of the outstanding common stock must have a purchase price of at least
110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date. A grantee
exercising a Non Qualified Option must pay the exercise price plus any
withholding tax due at the time of exercise. This amount may be paid in cash or
in shares of the common stock valued at the then current fair market value of
such shares, or a combination of both. The Committee may in its discretion allow
other forms of payment.
Options granted under the Plan may not be transferred or assigned except upon
the death of the optionee, by will or by the laws of descent. Upon the
termination of an optionee's Relationship with the Company by reason other than
death or disability, his or her Non Qualified Options will automatically
terminate 30 days from the date the Relationship terminates and his or her
Incentive Options will terminate three months from the date of termination.
During the applicable post-termination period, the optionee may exercise his or
her options to the extent the options were exercisable on the date of
termination of the Relationship. The optionee will also be entitled to exercise
a percentage of the options that are not yet exercisable as determined by a
formula based on the length of service during each period that the options
become exercisable.
Unless the Committee expressly determines otherwise, any Non Qualified Options
granted to a person whose Relationship with the Company terminates because of
death or disability will terminate six months after the date of death or
disability. Any Incentive Option will terminate one year after the date of death
or disability. (If an option would have expired before the expiration of such
period, it will terminate on its natural expiration date.) The options will be
exercisable during the applicable exercise period to the extent they were
exercisable on the date of death or disability. The optionee will also be
entitled to exercise a percentage of the options that are not yet exercisable as
determined by a formula based on the length of service during each period that
the options become exercisable. If the Relationship is terminated by death, the
option may be exercised by the heir or devisee of the optionee.
These and other terms and conditions of the options will be reflected in an
agreement entered into between the Company and the optionee at the time an
option is granted to the optionee.
Term and Amendment
The Plan became effective December 7, 1995 and will terminate February 8, 2004
or when all shares available under the Plan have been distributed. The Board of
Directors may modify or discontinue the Plan at any time, but no modification
may adversely affect any outstanding grant unless the recipient of that grant
gives written consent. Amendments which (i) materially increase the benefits
accruing to participants under the Plan, (ii) increase the number of shares of
common stock which may be issued under the Plan, or (iii) materially modify the
requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan, will require
shareholder approval unless such changes are required to comply with federal or
state securities laws.
Adjustments
The number of shares available under the Plan and the number and the exercise
price of shares underlying outstanding options will be adjusted appropriately in
the event of a merger, reorganization, reclassification, stock split, stock
dividend or other similar transaction which affects all shares of common stock.
If the Company dissolves, sells all of its assets or mergers with another
company where the Company is not the surviving company, the Plan and each
outstanding option will terminate. In that event, the surviving or acquiring
company may at its election issue to the optionees under the Plan comparable
replacement options to purchase common stock in the surviving or acquiring
company. If the surviving or acquiring company does not issue replacement
options, all options then outstanding under the Plan will become fully
exercisable immediately before the effective date of the transaction, even if
those options would not have otherwise been fully exercisable as of the date of
the transaction.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the federal income tax consequences to both the
grantee and the Company of options granted under the Plan. Because tax laws vary
in their applicability to different individuals, and because they are subject to
change at any time, the Company urges persons granted options under the Plan to
seek advice from their own tax advisers concerning the options.
Incentive Options. The Company believes that Incentive Options granted under the
Plan will qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code. The
following summarizes the principal federal income tax aspects of Incentive
Options.
In general, an optionee does not recognize income at the time an Incentive
Option is granted or at the time it is exercised. If the optionee does not sell
or otherwise dispose of the shares received upon exercise of an Incentive Option
either within two years from the grant date or one year from the exercise date,
the optionee will recognize capital gain or loss when the optionee disposes of
the shares. The gain or loss will be measured by the difference between the
exercise price and the sale price of the shares.
If the optionee sells or disposes of shares acquired upon exercise of an
Incentive Option before the expiration of either of the one-year or two-year
holding periods described above (a "disqualifying disposition"), the difference
between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares at the time
of exercise will be taxable as ordinary income in the year the shares were sold.
In most situations, a disqualifying disposition of the shares acquired upon
exercise causes part of the profit realized upon sale to be taxed as ordinary
income rather than as capital gain. For most taxpayers, this means a higher tax
rate and a loss of the ability to offset some of the gain against other capital
losses.
The Company will not be allowed a deduction for federal income tax purposes at
the time of the grant or exercise of an Incentive Option. To the extent any
optionee recognizes ordinary income as a result of a disqualifying disposition,
the Company will generally be entitled to an offsetting deduction of the amount
recognized by the employee as ordinary income.
Non-Qualified Options. An optionee does not recognize income at the time a
Non-Qualified Option is granted. An optionee will recognize ordinary income at
the time he or she exercises a Non-Qualified Option. The income recognized will
be equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value
of the shares on the exercise date.
The Company generally will be entitled to an offsetting income tax deduction in
the year an optionee recognizes ordinary income from the exercise of a
Non-Qualified Option.
When an optionee sells common stock acquired by exercise of a Non-Qualified
Option, he or she will recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between the sale price of the stock and the option exercise price.
The Company will in most cases have a legal obligation to withhold for taxes due
upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Option by an employee of the Company. Where
withholding obligations apply, the Company will require the optionee to pay such
amounts on exercise, or the Company may at its option offset the withholding
amount against salary or other payments due to the optionee.
Vote Required
Approval of the amendment to the Plan requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock which
are present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
Board Recommendation
Because each of the directors may receive options under the Plan if the
shareholders approve the amendment to the Plan, the Board has a conflict of
interest in connection with the Plan amendment. Nonetheless, the Board believes
that adoption of the amendment to the Plan will help the Company attract and
retain qualified individuals to serve as employees, consultants, officers and
directors of the Company. The Board also believes the amendment will give the
Board and the Compensation Committee additional flexibility to structure
compensation packages to better align the financial interests of the Company's
directors, officers, consultants and employees with those of the Company's
shareholders. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR the
approval of the amendment to the Plan.
VII. Date for Submission of Shareholder Proposals - For 2001 Annual Meeting
Any proposal relating to a proper subject which a shareholder may intend to
present for action at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and which such
shareholder may wish to have included in the Company's proxy materials for such
meeting must, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, be received in proper form by the Company
at its principal executive office not later than December 1, 1999. It is
suggested that any such proposal be submitted by certified mail, return receipt
requested.
VIII. Other Business
Management is not aware of any matters to come before the Annual Meeting other
than those stated in this Proxy Statement. However, inasmuch as matters of which
management is not now aware may come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof, the proxies confer discretionary authority with respect to
acting thereon, and the persons named in such proxies intend to vote, act, and
consent in accordance with their best judgment with respect thereto. Upon
receipt of such proxies (in the form enclosed and properly signed) in time for
voting, the shares represented thereby will be voted as indicated thereon and in
this Proxy Statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
MICHAEL SILVERMAN, Chairman of the Board
San Diego, California
April 7, 2000
APPENDIX I
Dated: March 23, 2000
ADVANCED REMOTE COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
(as amended March 24, 1997, March 20, 1998 and March 13, 2000)
1. Purposes of the Plan.
The Advanced Remote Communication Solutions, Inc. ("ARCOMS") 1996 Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan") is intended to promote the interests of ARCOMS, a California
corporation (the "Company"), by providing a method whereby (i) employees of the
Company (or its parent or subsidiary corporations) responsible for the
management, growth and financial success of the Company (or its parent or
subsidiary corporations), and (ii) officers, directors and consultants who
provide valuable services to the Company (or its parent or subsidiary
corporations), as determined by the Plan Administrator, may be offered
incentives and rewards which will encourage them to acquire a proprietary
interest, or otherwise increase their proprietary interest, in the Company and
continue to render services to the Company (or its parent or subsidiary
corporations).
2. Administration of the Plan.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board") or, to the extent provided by the Board, a committee (the "Committee")
appointed by the Board, which shall consist of not less than two non-employee
directors (as such term is defined in Rule 16b-3, or any successor rule, under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), who shall serve at the pleasure of the
Board; provided, however, that the Plan may be administered by the Board. For
purposes of the Plan, the term "Plan Administrator" shall mean the Board, or if
the Board delegates responsibility for any matter to the Committee. The Board
may alter the Plan administration so that the Plan administration is structured
to comply with the rules governing a discretionary plan under Rule 16b-3.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have
full power and authority to select the Optionees (as defined in Section 3) to be
granted the options under the Plan, and to determine (i) whether each granted
option is to be an incentive stock option ("Incentive Stock Option") which
satisfies the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code") or a non-statutory Stock Option not
intended to meet such requirements, (ii) the number of shares to be subject to
such option; (iii) the exercise prices of such shares, (iv) the terms of
exercise, (v) the expiration dates and (vi) all other terms and conditions upon
which such option may be exercised. The Plan Administrator shall have the full
power and authority (subject to the provisions of the Plan) to establish such
rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate for the proper administration
of the Plan and to make such determinations under, and issue such
interpretations of, the Plan and any outstanding option as it may deem necessary
or advisable. Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding on
all parties who have an interest in the Plan or any outstanding option. No
person acting under this subsection shall be held liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any option granted
under the Plan.
(c) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Committee member and each
director of the Company, and the estate and heirs of such Committee member or
director, against all claims, liabilities, expenses, penalties, damages or other
pecuniary losses, including legal fees, which such Committee member or director,
his or her estate or heirs may suffer as a result of his or her
responsibilities, obligations or duties in connection with the Plan, to the
extent that insurance, if any, does not cover the payment of such items.
3. Eligibility for Option Grants.
The persons eligible to receive option grants pursuant to the Plan ("Optionees")
are as follows:
(a) Employees of the Company (or its parent or subsidiary corporations,
including officers and directors who are employees) who contribute to the
success and growth of the Company (or its parent or subsidiary corporations) or
who may reasonably be anticipated to contribute to the future success and growth
of the Company (or its parent or subsidiary corporations); and
(b) Directors, officers and consultants who provide valuable services to the
Company (or its parent or subsidiary corporations).
4. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of the Company's
authorized but unissued or reacquired common stock (the "common stock"). The
aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed
6,000,000 shares of common stock. The total number of shares issuable under the
Plan shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 4.
(b) Should an option be terminated for any reason without being exercised or
surrendered in whole or in part, the shares subject to the portion of the option
not so exercised or surrendered shall be available for subsequent option grants
under the Plan.
(c) In the event that the outstanding shares of common stock issuable under the
Plan as a class are increased or decreased, or changed into or exchanged for a
different number or kind of shares or securities, as a result of any Corporate
Transactions (as defined in Section 7), stock splits, stock dividends, or the
like affecting the outstanding common stock as a class, then appropriate
adjustments shall be made to the aggregate number of shares issuable under the
Plan and to the number of shares and price per share of the common stock subject
to each outstanding option, in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of
benefits under such outstanding options.
5. Terms and Conditions of Options.
Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be authorized by action of the Plan
Administrator and may, at the Plan Administrator's discretion, be either
Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Individuals who are not
employees of the Company or its parent or subsidiary corporations may only be
granted Non-Qualified Stock Options. Each granted option shall be evidenced by
one or more written instruments in a form approved by the Plan Administrator;
provided, however, that each such instrument shall comply with and incorporate
the terms and conditions specified in this Section 5.
(a) Option Price.
(1) Subject to sub paragraph (a) (2), the option price per share (the "Option
Price"), (a) with respect to a Non-Qualified Stock Option, shall be between
eighty-five percent (85%) and one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market
value of a share of common stock on the date of the option grant, as determined
by the Company on a case by case basis and (b) with respect to an Incentive
Stock Option, be one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of a share
of common stock on the date of the option grant.
(2) 10% Shareholder. If any Optionee under the Plan on the date of grant of an
Incentive Stock Option or Non Qualified Stock Option is the owner of stock (as
determined under Section 424(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) possessing ten
percent (10%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the Company or any one of its parent or subsidiary corporations (a "10%
Shareholder"), then the option price per share acquired pursuant to exercise of
the Incentive Stock Option or Non Qualified Stock Option shall not be less than
one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the fair market value of a share of common
stock on the date of the option grant.
(3) The option price shall become immediately due upon exercise of the option
and shall, subject to the provisions of the instrument evidencing the grant, be
payable in one of the alternative forms specified below:
(i) full payment in cash or cash equivalents; or
(ii) full payment in shares of common stock having a fair market value on the
Exercise Date (as defined below) in an amount equal to the option price; or
(iii) a combination of shares of common stock valued at fair market value on the
Exercise Date and cash or cash equivalents, equal in the aggregate to the option
price; or
(iv) any other form of consideration as the Plan Administrator may approve.
For purposes of this Section 5(a)(3), the Exercise Date shall be the first date
on which the Company shall have received both written notice of the exercise of
the option and payment of the option price for the purchased shares of common
stock.
(4) For all valuation purposes under the Plan, the fair market value of a share
of common stock shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:
(i) If the common stock is not at the time listed or admitted to trading on any
stock exchange but is traded in the over-the-counter market, the fair market
value shall be the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked prices (or, if
such information is available, the closing selling price) of one share of common
stock in the over-the-counter market, as such prices are reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers through its NASDAQ system or any
successor system, on the date of the option grant or Exercise Date, as the case
may be. If there are no reported bid and asked prices (or closing selling price)
for the common stock on the date in question, then the mean between the highest
bid price and lowest asked price (or the closing selling price) on the last
preceding date for which such quotations exist shall be determinative of fair
market value.
(ii) If the common stock is at the time listed or admitted to trading on any
stock exchange, then the fair market value shall be the closing selling price of
one share of common stock on the date in question on the stock exchange
determined by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the common
stock, as such price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions
on such exchange. If there is no reported sale of common stock on such exchange
on the date in question, then the fair market value shall be the closing selling
price on the exchange on the last preceding date for which such quotation
exists.
(iii) If the common stock at the time is neither listed nor admitted to trading
on any stock exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, then the fair
market value shall be determined by the Plan Administrator in accordance with
Section 260.140.50 of the California Code of Regulations or any successor rule.
(b) Option Period.
The term of each Non Qualified Option shall commence on the date of grant and
shall be for a term not exceeding ten (10) years. The term of each Incentive
Option shall be ten (10) years. Despite the preceding sentence, if an Incentive
Stock Option or Non Qualified Stock Option is granted to an Optionee who,
immediately before the grant of the Incentive Stock Option or Non Qualified
Stock Option owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or
subsidiary corporations, the exercise period specified in the option agreement
for which the Incentive Stock Option or Non Qualified Stock Option thereunder is
granted, shall not exceed five years from the date of grant. Subject to other
provisions of the Plan, each option shall be exercisable during its term as to
at least twenty percent (20%) of the option shares during the twelve (12) months
beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and twenty percent
(20%) thereafter during each of the four (4) next successive twelve (12) month
periods. Additionally, if an Optionee shall not in any period purchase all of
the option shares which the Optionee is entitled to purchase in such period,
then the Optionee may purchase all or any part of such shares subject to this
Agreement at any time after the end of such period and prior to the expiration
of the option. Despite the foregoing, the Board may at its discretion provide
for earlier exercisability.
(c) Effect of Termination.
(1) Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, should an Optionee cease to be
an employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries for death or permanent disability as defined in Section 22 (e)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code, then any option or options granted under the Plan
to such Optionee and outstanding on the date of termination shall remain
exercisable for a period not to exceed six (6) months from the date of such
termination in the case of Non Qualified Stock Options and one year in the case
of Incentive Stock Options, the specific amount of time to be determined at the
time of granting the option; provided, however, that under no circumstances
shall such options be exercisable after the expiration date of the option term
specified in the instrument evidencing the option grant. If the optionee's
relationship with the Company terminates for reasons other than death or
disability, the Board may fix a such shorter period of exercisability following
the termination date, as determined by the Company at the time of original
grant, but in no event less than thirty (30) days in the case of a Non Qualified
Stock Option or three (3) months in the case of an Incentive Stock Option. Each
such option shall, during such period, be exercisable to the extent of the
number of shares (if any) for which the option is exercisable on the termination
date (the "Vested Shares"), and to the extent that on the termination date the
number of shares (if any) for which the option is not exercisable will become
exercisable within the following year, the Optionee may exercise the option for
a percentage of such shares based on the following fraction: the numerator shall
be the number of days from the last anniversary date of the grant of the option
to the termination date and the denominator shall be the number of days from the
last anniversary date of the grant of the option to the next anniversary date of
the grant of the option. Upon the expiration of such applicable period or (if
earlier) upon the expiration of the option term, the option shall terminate and
cease to be exercisable.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (c)(1) above, the Plan Administrator shall have
complete discretion, exercisable either at the time the option is granted or at
the termination date to provide that options held by such Optionee may be
exercised not only with respect to Vested Shares as of the termination date, but
also with respect to one or more subsequent installments of shares for which the
option would otherwise have become exercisable.
(3) For purposes of the Plan, the Optionee shall be deemed to be a consultant of
the Company for so long as the Optionee renders periodic services to the Company
or one or more of its parent or subsidiary corporations.
(d) No Employment or Service Contract. Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the
Optionee any right to continue in the service of the Company (or any parent or
subsidiary corporation of the Company employing or retaining the Optionee) for
any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any
way the rights of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the
Company employing or retaining Optionee) or the Optionee, to terminate the
service provider status of Optionee at any time for any reason or no reason
whatsoever, with or without cause.
(e) Shareholder Rights. An Optionee shall have none of the rights of a
shareholder with respect to any shares covered by the option until such
individual shall have duly exercised the option and paid the option price.
6. Exercise of Options.
(a) Each Option may be exercised in whole or in part (but not as to fractional
shares) by delivering it for surrender or endorsement to the Company, attention
of the Corporate Secretary, at the Company's principal office, together with
payment of the Exercise Price and an executed Notice and Agreement of Exercise
in the form prescribed by the Company.
(b) Exercise of each Option is conditioned upon the agreement of the Optionee to
the terms and conditions of this Plan and of such Option as evidenced by the
Optionee's execution and delivery of a Notice and Agreement of Exercise in a
form to be determined by the Committee in its discretion. Such Notice and
Agreement of Exercise shall set forth the agreement of the Optionee that: (a) no
Option Shares will be sold or otherwise distributed in violation of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") or any other applicable federal or
state securities laws, (b) each Option Share certificate may be imprinted with
legends reflecting any applicable federal and state securities law restrictions
and conditions, (c) the Company may comply with said securities law restrictions
and issue "stop transfer" instructions to its Transfer Agent and Registrar
without liability, (d) each Optionee will timely file all reports required under
federal securities laws, and (e) each Optionee will report all sales of Option
Shares to the Company in writing on a form prescribed by the Company.
(c) No Option shall be exercisable unless and until any applicable registration
or qualification requirements of federal and state securities laws, and all
other legal requirements, have been fully complied with. The Company will use
reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of a Registration Statement
under the Securities Act for the issuance of Options and shares acquired
thereunder, but there may be times when no such Registration Statement will be
currently effective. The exercise of Options may be temporarily suspended
without liability to the Company during times when no such Registration
Statement is currently effective, or during times when, in the reasonable
opinion of the Committee, such suspension is necessary to preclude violation of
any requirements of applicable law or regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over
the Company. If any Option would expire for any reason except the end of its
term during such a suspension, then if exercise of such Option is duly tendered
before its expiration, such Option shall be exercisable and exercised (unless
the attempted exercise is withdrawn) as of the first day after the end of such
suspension. The Company shall have no obligation to file any Registration
Statement covering resales of Option Shares.
(d) Withholding Taxes. The Company shall have the right at the time of exercise
of any Stock Option to make adequate provision for any federal, state, local, or
foreign taxes which it believes are or may be required by law to be withheld
with respect to such exercise.
(e) Dollar Limitation. The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the
respective date or dates of grant) of the common stock for which one or more
options granted to any Employee under the Plan (or any other option plan of the
Company or its parent or subsidiary corporations) may for the first time become
exercisable as Incentive Stock Options during any one calendar year shall not
exceed the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000). In the event that
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code is amended to alter the limitation set
forth therein so that following such amendment such limitation shall differ from
the $100,000 limitation set forth above, the dollar limitation of this Section
6(e) shall be automatically adjusted accordingly. To the extent the Employee
holds two or more such options which become exercisable for the first time in
the same calendar year, the foregoing limitation on the exercisability thereof
as Incentive Stock Options shall be applied on the basis of the order in which
such options are granted, and any Incentive Stock Options subject to the
limitations of this Section 6(e) shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options
subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan.
7. Corporate Transactions.
(a) In the event of any of the following transactions (a "Corporate
Transaction"):
(i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity,
except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the State
of the Company's incorporation,
(ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, or
(iii) any reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in
which fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company's outstanding voting stock is
transferred to holders different from those who held the stock immediately prior
to such merger, then each outstanding option which is not to be assumed by the
successor corporation or parent thereof (or to be replaced with a comparable
option to purchase shares of the capital stock of such successor corporation or
parent thereof) automatically shall be accelerated so that each such option,
immediately prior to the specified effective date for such Corporate
Transaction, shall become fully exercisable with respect to the total number of
shares of common stock purchasable under such option. Any such accelerated
options not exercised as of the consummation of the Corporate Transaction shall
terminate and cease to be exercisable, unless assumed by the successor
corporation or parent thereof (or replaced with a comparable option to purchase
shares of the capital stock of such successor corporation or parent thereof).
(b) In connection with any Corporate Transaction, the exercisability of any
accelerated options under the Plan as an Incentive Stock Option shall remain
subject to the applicable dollar limitation of Section 6(e).
(c) The Plan Administrator shall have the right and power at any time to waive
in whole or in part, absolutely or conditionally, any right of the Company
contained in any instrument or option agreement evidencing any options granted
under the Plan.
(d) The grant of options under the Plan shall in no way affect the right of the
Company to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change its capital or
business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or
transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
8. Amendment of the Plan.
(a) The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and authority to amend or
modify the Plan in any or all respects whatsoever; provided, however, that no
such amendment or modification shall, without the consent of the holders,
adversely affect rights and obligations with respect to options at the time
outstanding under the Plan; and provided further, that the Board shall not,
without the approval of the shareholders of the Company where required by law.
(b) The provisions of this Plan pertaining to Incentive Stock Options are
intended to comply with all requirements of the Internal Revenue Code pertaining
to qualification of such incentive stock options as Incentive Stock Options
under the Internal Revenue Code and all provisions of the Plan with respect
thereto shall be construed in a manner consistent therewith.
9. Effective Date and Term of Plan.
(a) The Plan shall become effective when adopted by the Board, but no option
granted under the Plan shall become exercisable unless and until the Plan shall
have been approved by the shareholders of the Company. If such shareholder
approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board's
adoption of the Plan, then all options previously granted under the Plan shall
terminate and no further options shall be granted. Subject to such limitation,
the Plan Administrator may grant options under the Plan at any time after the
Plan effective date and before the date fixed herein for termination of the
Plan.
(b) Unless sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Plan
shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the eight (8) year
period measured from the date of the Board's adoption of the Plan or (ii) the
date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been
issued or canceled pursuant to the exercise or surrender of options granted
under the Plan.
10. Regulatory Approvals.
The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any option under the Plan, and
the issuance of common stock upon the exercise or surrender of any such option,
shall be subject to the procurement by the Company of all approvals and permits
required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the
options granted under the Plan and the common stock issued pursuant to the Plan.
11. Requests for Information.
For additional information about the Plan or the Plan Administrator, please
direct all such requests to the Chief Financial Officer of Advanced Remote
Communication Solutions, Inc., 10675 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 200, San Diego,
CA 92121, telephone number (619) 657-0100.
12. Financial Reports.
The Company shall deliver financial and other information regarding the Company,
on an annual or other periodic basis, to each individual holding an outstanding
option under the Plan, to the extent the Company is required to provide such
information pursuant to Section 260.140.46 (or any successor thereto) of the
Rules of the California Corporations Commissioner.
13. Successors in Interest.
The Company shall not assign or delegate to any other person this Plan or any
rights or obligations under this Plan. Subject to any restriction on
transferability contained in this Plan, this Plan shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the successors-in-interest and assigns of each
party to this Plan. Nothing in this Paragraph shall create any rights
enforceable by any person not a party to this Plan, except for the rights of the
successors-in-interest and assigns of each party to this Plan, unless such
rights are expressly granted in this Plan to other specifically identified
persons.
14. Governing Law.
This Plan shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of
the State of California.
15. Attorney's Fees.
In the event any litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other proceeding
("Proceeding") is initiated by any party(ies) against any other party(ies) to
enforce, interpret or otherwise obtain judicial or quasi-judicial relief in
connection with this Plan the prevailing party(ies) in such Proceeding shall be
entitled to recover from the unsuccessful party(ies) all costs, expenses, and
actual attorney's and expert witness fees relating to or arising out of (a) such
Proceeding (whether or not such Proceeding proceeds to judgment), and (b) any
post-judgment or post-award proceeding including without limitation one to
enforce any judgment or award resulting from any such Proceeding. Any such
judgment or award shall contain a specific provision for the recovery of all
such subsequently incurred costs, expenses, and actual attorney's and expert
witness fees.
16. Prior Understandings.
This Plan contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter of the Plan, is intended as a final expression with respect to
such terms as are included in the Plan, and supersedes all negotiations,
stipulations, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, if
any, with respect to such subject matter, which precede or accompany the
execution of the Plan.
17. Arbitration.
All disputes pertaining to this Plan shall be resolved by the American
Arbitration Association pursuant to its rules in San Diego, California.
18. Option Non-Transferable; Exceptions
This option shall be neither transferable nor assignable by Optionee other than
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised, during
Optionee's lifetime, only by Optionee.
