SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Information Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14c-5(d)(2))
[ ] Definitive Information Statement
First Priority Group
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
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1) Amount Previously Paid:
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4) Date Filed:
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First Priority Group, Inc.
270 Duffy Avenue
Hicksville, New York 11801-2828
NOTICE OF 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of First
Priority Group, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Company"), will be held at
First Priority Group, Inc., 270 Duffy Avenue, Hicksville, New York, on Monday,
May 6, 1996 at 11:00 A.M. local time for the following purposes, all of which
are more completely set forth in the accompanying Information Statement:
(1) To elect three persons as Directors to hold office until the next
Annual Meeting or until their respective successors are elected and
qualified;
(2) To ratify the selection by the Board of Directors of Nussbaum Yates
& Wolpow, P.C. as the independent accountants to audit the Company's
financial statements for 1996.
(3) To ratify the 1995 Incentive Stock Plan previously adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company.
(4) Approve the split of the common stock of the Company by a one to
three ratio ("Reverse Split"), previously approved by the Board of
Directors.
(5) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 12, 1996,
as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Barry Siegel
Co-Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
April 15, 1996
We Are Not Asking You for a Proxy and You are Requested Not To Send Us a Proxy
First Priority Group, Inc.
270 Duffy Avenue
Hicksville, New York 11801-2828
Information Statement
This Information Statement, expected to be mailed on or about April 15,
1996, is furnished in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on May 6, 1996, at 11:00 A.M., at First Priority Group, Inc., 270 Duffy
Avenue, Hicksville, New York, and at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes
set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting.
Only the holders of the Company's common stock of record at the close of
business on April 12, 1996 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting. As of April 12, 1996, there were outstanding 5,883,883 shares
of the Company's common stock. Each share of common stock is entitled to one
(1) vote on each matter to be voted on, and a majority of the shares entitled to
vote, represented in person or by proxy, is required to constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business.
Each of the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding
shares of the Company's common stock represented and voting at the meeting. The
three nominees receiving a plurality of the votes cast for election of directors
of the Company will be elected as directors of the Company.
The Corporation's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is being mailed
concurrently to the Shareholders of the Corporation, does not form any part of
this Information Statement.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the
Proposals discussed in this Information Statement and FOR each
of the persons nominated to be elected directors of the
Company.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Three persons have been nominated as Directors of the Company. All of the
nominees are currently Directors of the Company. The term of office of each
Director elected will be one year or until the election and qualification of his
successor.
The names of the three nominees, the age and principal occupation of each
and the period during which each has served as a Director of the Company are set
forth below:
Three Nominees to the Board of Directors:
Name and Five Year Business Experience Age
- -------------------------------------- ---
Michael Karpoff 52
Michael Karpoff has been President of the Company since June, 1986. Mr.
Karpoff became a director of the Company at its inception and became Co-Chairman
of the Company's Board of Directors and Co-Chief Executive Officer in October,
1987. Mr. Karpoff was President of National Fleet Service, Inc. from August,
1984 until January, 1991. On October 22, 1992, Mr. Karpoff was again elected
President of National Fleet Service, Inc. and has continued to hold this
position through the present date.
Barry Siegel 44
Barry Siegel became a director of the Company at its inception and became
Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Co-Chief Executive Officer in October,
1987. Mr. Siegel was the Executive Vice-President of the Company from June,
1986 until October, 1987. He became the Company's Treasurer in June, 1986, and
its Secretary in November, 1987. He was the Executive Vice-President of
National Fleet Service, Inc. from February 1984 until October, 1987, and he has
been the Treasurer of National Fleet Service, Inc., since February, 1984 and the
Secretary of National Fleet Service, Inc., since January, 1991. He is married
to Lisa Siegel.
Leonard Giarraputo 51
Leonard Giarraputo was elected a director of the Company in September,
1988. He has also been a director of National Fleet Service, Inc. since
February, 1984. Since March, 1972, he has been Vice President of Block Trading
with Paine Webber Incorporated, a member of the New York Stock Exchange.
Other Executive Officers of the Company
Name and Five Year Business Experience Age
- -------------------------------------- ---
Lisa Siegel 35
Lisa Siegel was elected Vice President of Operations of the Company and its
wholly owned subsidiary, National Fleet Service, Inc. in February, 1994.
Previously, she held the position of Manager of Subrogation Services. She has
held various management positions in the Company since its inception. She is
married to Barry Siegel.
There are no arrangements or understandings between any of the Company's
directors or officers, or anyone else, pursuant to which directors or officers
were, or are, to be selected for a particular office or position.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors has the responsibility to serve as the
representative of the Shareholders. The Board establishes broad corporate
policies and oversees the overall performance of the Company. However, the
Board is not involved in day-to-day operating details. Members of the Board are
kept informed of the Company's business activities through discussion with the
Chief Executive Officer, by reviewing analyses and reports sent to them by
management and by participating in board meetings. At present, the Board of
Directors has no standing committees.
During 1995 there were five meetings of the Board of Directors, and all
directors attended more than 75% of the Board of Directors' meetings. Directors
received no compensation for their service on the Board of Directors.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following information is as of March 28, 1996.
(a) Security ownership of certain beneficial owners.
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Name and Amount and
Title Address of Nature of Percent of
of Class Beneficial Owner Beneficial Owner Common Stock(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Kirlin Holding Corp. 1,140,000(2) 15.60
6901 Jericho Turnpike
Syosset, NY. 11791
Common Kirlin Securities, Inc. 1,140,000(2) 15.60
6901 Jericho Turnpike
Syosset, NY. 11791
Common Frances Giarraputo 1,005,999(3) 13.76%
6 Fox Hunt Court
Huntington, NY 11743
- ---------------------------------------
(1) The percentages set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB have been
calculated in accordance with Instruction 3 to Item 403 of Regulation S-B.
(2) Includes 800,000 shares owned directly by Kirlin Holding Corp. and
warrants to purchase 40,000 and 300,000 shares of the Company's common
stock that are exercisable in full, held by Kirlin Securities, Inc.
(3) Includes 749,000 owned directly by Frances Giarraputo, 56,999 shares
owned directly or as custodian for others by Leonard Giarraputo, and
200,000 shares representing options that are exercisable within sixty days
by Leonard Giarraputo to purchase the common stock of the Company. Leonard
and Frances Giarraputo are husband and wife. Each disclaims beneficial
ownership of shares held by the other.
(b) Security ownership of management.
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Name and Amount and
Title Address of Nature of Percent of
Class Beneficial Owner Beneficial Owner Common Stock(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Michael Karpoff 952,333(3) 13.03%
32 Gramercy Park South
New York, NY 10010
Common Barry Siegel 992,568(4) 13.58%
8 Indian Well Court
Huntington, NY 11743
Common Leonard Giarraputo 1,005,999(2) 13.76%
6 Fox Hunt Court
Huntington, NY 11743
Common Lisa Siegel 992,568(4) 13.58%
8 Indian Well Court
Huntington, NY 11743
Common Directors and officers
as a group 2,950,900 40.37%
- ----------------------------------------
(1) The percentages set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB have been
calculated in accordance with Instruction 3 to Item 403 of Regulation S-B.
(2) Includes 749,000 owned directly by Frances Giarraputo, 56,999 shares
owned directly or as custodian for others by Leonard Giarraputo, and
200,000 shares representing options that are exercisable within sixty days
by Leonard Giarraputo to purchase the common stock of the Company. Leonard
and Frances Giarraputo are husband and wife. Each disclaims beneficial
ownership of shares held by the other.
(3) Owned jointly with another. Includes 150,000 shares representing options
that are exercisable within sixty days by Michael Karpoff to purchase the
common stock of the Company.
(4) Includes 801,667 shares held directly by Barry Siegel, options exercisable
by Barry Siegel within sixty days to purchase 150,000 shares, 3,334 shares
held by Barry Siegel as custodian for two nephews, 67 shares held directly
by Barry Siegel's wife, Lisa Siegel, and 37,500 shares representing options
held by her that are exercisable within sixty days. Both Barry and Lisa
Siegel disclaim beneficial ownership of shares held by the other.
(c) Changes in control. None.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
In May 1992, certain directors, officers and employees of the Company
loaned National Fleet Service, Inc. $60,000 in the aggregate in order to permit
National Fleet Service, Inc. to create a fund that National Fleet Service, Inc.
could use to pay certain of its accounts payable prior to their due dates where,
and only where, such early payment would result in National Fleet Service,
Inc.'s receiving a discount on the amount payable. To compensate the persons
making such loans for doing so, National Fleet Service, Inc. agreed to pay to
each such lender, on a pro rata basis, a fee equal to 80 percent of the amount
of any discounts obtained as the result of any such early payments made with the
proceeds of such loans (the "Loan Fees"). National Fleet Service, Inc. is not
required to use money from the fund created by such loans to pay its accounts
payable early, and may use any other funds available to it to do so in any
instance, in which case such lenders will not receive any fee with respect to
such early payment. (In this regard, since the date that the loans referred to
above were made, National Fleet Service, Inc.'s practice has been to apply
$75,000 from its operating funds each month to the prepayment of its accounts
payable before applying the proceeds of such loans for such purpose.) Except
for the fee referred to above, no other amount (including interest) is payable
to the makers of such loans in respect of such loans. The principal amount of
each such loan is subject to repayment in full upon 30 days' notice from the
maker thereof.
The Company determined to obtain the loans referred to above for National
Fleet Service, Inc. from the directors, executive officers and employees of the
Company who made such loans only after the Company determined that National
Fleet Service, Inc. would not have sufficient cash flow to enable it to take
full advantage of the opportunities available to it to pay its accounts payable
early and after it determined that it would not be able to obtain financing from
commercial sources to permit it to take full advantage of such opportunities.
In July, 1992, the persons making such loans to National Fleet Service,
Inc. loaned, in the aggregate, an additional $30,000 to National Fleet Service,
Inc., such additional loans being upon the same terms and conditions, and for
the same purpose, as the earlier loans.
The names of the persons making the loans referred to above, their offices
in the Company and the total amount loaned by each, are as follows: Michael
Karpoff, Co-Chairman of the Company, $22,500; Barry Siegel, Co-Chairman,
Treasurer and Secretary of the Company, and his wife, Lisa Siegel, Vice
President of Operations of the Company, $22,500 in the aggregate; Leonard
Giarraputo, a director of the Company, $22,500. The entire $22,500 principal
amount owed to one participant was repaid when his employment with the Company
terminated in October, 1992. In December, 1994 the Company repaid the
outstanding notes totaling $67,500 to officers and directors of the Company.
Loan Fees totaled $16,482 in 1994 and $12,960 in 1993
The Company entered into an Investment Banking Agreement with Kirlin
Securities, Inc. ("Kirlin") (the "Investment Banking Agreement") on August 1,
1995. For a term of eighteen months, Kirlin will provide financial consulting
and investment banking services to the Company. It is anticipated that Kirlin
will assist the Company in exploring the possibility of raising additional
capital through the issuance of additional shares of its common stock. In
consideration, Kirlin has been granted a warrant to purchase 750,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock which is exercisable at various prices.
On December 18, 1995, the Company sold through a private placement, 1
million shares of common stock generating net proceeds of $435,000. Kirlin
Holding Corp. parent of its wholly owned subsidiary Kirlin Securities, and the
principal shareholders of Kirlin Holding Corp., were the sole purchasers of the
1 million shares of this private placement. Kirlin earned a placement agent fee
from this private placement, under the Investment Banking Agreement, of $50,000,
non-accountable expenses of $15,000, and a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of
the Company's common stock.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
The Company does not have a class of securities registered under Section 12
of the Exchange Act and therefore the affiliates of the Company need not comply
with Section 16 (a) of the Exchange Act.
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
(b) Summary Compensation Table
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Annual Compensation
-------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Name
and
Principal
Position Year Salary($) Bonus($)
- -------- ---- --------- --------
Michael Karpoff 1995 $125,000 $11,771(1)
Co-Chairman 1994 $122,319 $ 6,229(2)
of the Board 1993 $120,000 $ 0
of Directors,
Co-Chief Executive
Officer and President
Barry Siegel 1995 $125,000 $11,771(1)
Co-Chairman 1994 $122,319 $ 6,229(2)
of the Board 1993 $120,000 $ 0
of Directors, Co-
Chief Executive
Officer, Treasurer
and Secretary
- -------------------------------------
(1) Incentive compensation for the year ended December 31, 1995 was paid in
1996.
(2) Incentive compensation for the year ended December 31, 1994 was paid in
1995.
(c) Option/SAR Grants Table
Individual Grants
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Number of % of Total
Securities Options/SARs
Underlying Granted to
Options/SARs Employees in Exercise or Base Expiration
Name Granted (#) Fiscal Year Price($/Sh) Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Karpoff 100,000 10.5 $.22 7/19/00
300,000(1) 31.6 $.41 9/30/00
Barry Siegel 100,000 10.5 $.22 7/19/00
300,000(1) 31.6 $.41 9/30/00
Lisa Siegel 75,000 7.9 $.14 6/11/00
- -----------------------------------
(1) Options granted under 1995 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan") which is
subject to shareholder approval within twelve months of adoption by the
Company. Should the shareholders not approve this Plan within the
requisite period, this option grant will be voided.
(d) Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises and Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Value Table
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options/SARs at Options/SARs at
Shares FY-End (#) FY-End ($)
Acquired on Value Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise (#) Realized ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Karpoff None None 150,000/450,000 $134,500/283,500
Barry Siegel None None 150,000/450,000 $134,500/283,500
Lisa Siegel None None 37,500/112,500 $ 33,750/ 95,250
(f) Compensation of Directors
No compensation is paid to the directors in consideration of the director's
service on the board.
(g) Employment contracts and termination of employment and change in control
arrangements.
The Company has employment agreements with its two principal officers,
Barry Siegel and Michael Karpoff. The Company entered into employment
agreements that expire on December 31, 1998. The agreements provide for minimum
annual salaries each of $175,000 effective January 1, 1996; $192,500 effective
January 1, 1997; and $211,750 effective January 1, 1998. Each contract provides
for options to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's common stock under the
1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan. Additionally, the agreements also provide for
additional incentive compensation based on a stated percentage of earnings as
defined in the agreements. Incentive compensation for the year ended December
31, 1995 totaled $23,542.
These employment agreements also contain a change in control provision
whereby the executive, following a change of control as defined in the
agreement, would receive: (a) a severance payment of 300 percent of the average
annual salary for the past five years, less $100; (b) the cash value of the
outstanding, but unexercised stock options, and (c) other perquisites, should
the executive be terminated for various reasons as defined in the agreement.
The agreements provide that in no event, shall the severance payment exceed the
amount deductible by the Company under the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code.
PROPOSAL 2
The Board of Directors has selected Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C.,
independent certified public accountants, as the auditors for the 1996 fiscal
year. The Company has been advised by Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C. that
neither the firm nor any of its associates has any material relationship with
the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In accordance with a resolution of the
Board of Directors, such selection is being presented to the shareholders for
ratification at the Annual Meeting. If the foregoing proposal is not approved
by a majority vote of the shareholders present, in person or by proxy, at the
Annual Meeting or if prior to the Annual Meeting, Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C.
shall decline to serve, then the Board of Directors will designate another firm
to audit the financial statements of the Company for 1995 fiscal year, whose
continued employment thereafter will be subject to ratification by the
shareholders.
It is not expected that a representative of Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C.
will be present at the Annual Meeting.
Nussbaum Yates & Wolpow, P.C. is the accounting firm which examined and
reported on the Company's financial statements for the last two fiscal years.
The opinion on the 1995 and 1994 financial statements contained no disclaimer
and were unqualified.
PROPOSAL 3
The Company's Incentive Stock Option Plan (the "ISO Plan") originally
adopted in 1988 will expire in 1998. Additionally, 700,000 shares of the
1,000,000 shares reserved under the ISO Plan have been granted. This ISO Plan
also does not permit the grant of options to non-employees or directors, nor
does it establish a Stock Option Committee of Disinterested Persons within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Therefore, the Board of Directors
has determined that instead of amending the ISO Plan that will expire in 1998, a
new plan should be developed.
The Board of Directors has adopted, subject to shareholders approval, the
Company's 1995 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan"). This Plan provides for a
Stock Option Committee consisting of at least three Disinterested Persons, or in
the absence of a Stock Option Committee, the entire Board of Directors, to
grant, in their sole discretion, stock options to employees (including directors
and officers who are employees), directors (who are not employees) and to
consultants (who are neither employees nor directors) of the Company, as an
incentive to promote loyalty and a high level of service for the benefit of the
Company. The Plan provides for the grant of three distinct options:
1. Statutory options or incentive stock options, pursuant to Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") ("Incentive Stock Options"). These
options carry favorable tax benefits for the option holders should the
holder and the Company meet the requirements under the Code.
2. Non-statutory options do not carry the tax benefits of the Incentive Stock
Options, but also do not have any requirements other than the grantee being
eligible under the Plan.
3. Formula options will be granted under the Plan to every non-employee
member of the Board of Directors following the end of the Company's fiscal
year. Such option grant shall provide the right to purchase 15,000 shares
of the Company's common stock at the fair market value on the date of
grant.
The Plan provides for the issuance of up to 3 million shares of the
Company's common stock being reserved for future grants under the Plan. The
Plan will expire in 2005. A copy of the Plan is attached as Exhibit A of this
Information Statement.
PROPOSAL 4
The Board of Directors of the Company have approved a split of the
Company's common stock in a ratio of one for three (a "Reverse Split"). This
Reverse Split will divide the number of issued and outstanding common stock
shares by three, thereby resulting in 1,961,294 shares being issued and
outstanding. Presently there are 5,883,883 shares outstanding. The current par
value of the common stock is $.015 per share. Following the Reverse Split, the
par of the common stock will be $.045 per share. All shareholders proportionate
interest will remain unchanged. Additionally, all options previously granted
will be divided by the split ratio of three, while the exercise price of all
options will be multiplied inversely to the split ratio, by three.
The Board of Directors believes that the following benefits will be derived
form this Reverse Split:
1. The investment community will perceive the Company's common stock as a
more attractive investment vehicle with the common stock trading at
approximately three times its present price.
2. The Company's earnings will appear more substantial and provide the
Company with added credibility in the investment community.
3. The increased stock price associated with the Reverse Split will enable
the Company to more easily meet the Nasdaq SmallCap listing criteria, in
the future, that requires a minimum bid price of $3.
A vote for this proposal authorizes the officers of the Company to amend
the Certificate of Incorporation to effect this Reverse Split.
PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Proposals of any shareholders of the Company which are to be presented at
the Company's 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which such shareholder wishes
to be included in the Company's Information Statement or Proxy Statement
relating to such Annual Meeting, must be received by the Company no later than
January 1, 1997. The next Annual Meeting of Shareholders is anticipated to be
held on May 5, 1997.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Annual Meeting is called for the purposes set forth in the Notice of
1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Board of Directors does not intend to
present, and knows of no one who intends to present, any matter for action by
shareholders at such meeting other than the matters referred to in that Notice.
Barry Siegel
Co-Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
First Priority Group, Inc.
270 Duffy Avenue
Hicksville, New York 11801
April 15, 1996
Exhibit A
1995 Incentive Stock Plan
of
First Priority Group, Inc.
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. This 1995 Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan") is
designed to provide an incentive to employees (including directors and officers
who are employees), directors (who are not employees) and to consultants (who
are neither employees nor directors) of First Priority Group, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), and its present and future Subsidiary corporations,
as defined in Paragraph 19, and to offer an additional inducement in obtaining
the services of such individuals. The Plan provides for the grant of Incentive
Stock Options ("ISO") within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and Non-statutory Options ("NSO"), but
the Company makes no warranty as to the qualification of any option as an ISO
under the Code.
2. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 12,
the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock $.015 par value per share of the
Company ("Common Stock") for which options may be granted under the Plan shall
not exceed Three Million (3,000,000). Such shares of Common Stock may in the
discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors")
consist either in whole or in part of authorized, but unissued shares of Common
Stock or shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. The
Company shall at all times during the term of the Plan reserve and keep
available such number of shares of Common Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy
the requirements of the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 13, any
shares of Common Stock subject to an option which for any reason expires, is
canceled or is terminated, unexercised or which ceases for any reason to be
exercisable shall again become available for the granting of options under the
Plan.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. The Plan shall be administered by a Stock
Option Committee (the "Committee") consisting of not less than three members of
the Board of Directors each of whom shall be a "disinterested person" within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). A majority of
the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of a
majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and
any acts approved in writing by all members without a meeting shall be the acts
of the Committee.
Should the Board of Directors not appoint a Stock Option Committee, or not be
able to appoint to the Committee three members of the Board of Directors who
shall each be a "disinterested person" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 (or any
successor rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act, then the Plan
shall be administered by the Board of Directors, with all rights and obligations
of the Committee as set forth in the Plan, until such time as a properly
qualified Committee is appointed.
Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the
authority, in its sole discretion, except as set forth in Paragraph 4A, to
determine the employees, directors and consultants who shall receive options:
the times when they shall receive options; whether an option granted to an
employee shall be an ISO or a NSO; the number of shares of Common Stock to be
subject to each option; the term of each option; the date each option shall
become exercisable; whether an option shall be exercisable in whole or in part
or in installments, and , if installments, the number of shares of Common Stock
to subject to each installment; whether the installments shall be cumulative;
the date each installment shall become exercisable and the term of each
installment; whether to accelerate the date of exercise of any installment;
whether shares of Common Stock may be issued on exercise of an option as partly
paid, and if so, the dates when future installments of the exercise price shall
become due and the amounts of such installments; the exercise price of each
option; the form of payment of the exercise price; the amount, if any, necessary
to satisfy the Company's obligation to withhold taxes; whether to restrict the
sale or other disposition of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon the
exercise of an option and to waive any such restriction; whether to subject the
exercise of all or any portion of an option to the fulfillment of contingencies
as specified in the Contract (as described in Paragraph 11), including without
limitations, contingencies relating to entering into a covenant not to compete
with the Company and its Subsidiaries, a division, a product line or other
category, and/or the period of continued employment for the optionee with the
Company, or its Subsidiaries, and to determine whether such contingencies have
been met; to construe the respective Contract and the Plan, with consent of the
optionee, to cancel or modify the option, provided such option as modified would
be permitted to be granted on such date under the terms of the Plan; and to make
all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. The
determinations of the Committee on matters referred to in this Paragraph 3 shall
be conclusive. No member or former member of the Committee shall be liable for
any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any
option granted hereunder.
4. ELIGIBILITY OF GRANTS. The Committee may, consistent with the purpose of
the Plan, grant options from time to time, to employees (including officers and
directors who are employees), to directors who are not employees ("Non-employee
Directors")and/or consultants (who are neither employees or directors) of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Options granted shall cover such number of
shares of Common Stock as the Committee may determine provided, however, that
the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the option with
respect to the stock is granted) of stock with respect to which ISO's are
exercisable for the first time by any individual during any calendar year (under
all plans of the individual's employer corporation and its Parent and Subsidiary
corporation) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be treated as options which
are not incentive stock options. The $100,000 limitation shall be applied by
taking options into account in the order in which they were granted.
A. Non-employee Director Stock Options.
(a) Eligibility. Each Non-Employee Director shall be granted options to
purchase shares of Common Stock in accordance with this Paragraph 4A. All
options granted under this Paragraph 4A shall constitute a NSO.
(b) Grants of Stock Option. Each Non-employee Director shall be granted
NSOs as follows:
(I) Time of grant. On the date following the end of the Company's
fiscal year in 1996 and each year thereafter, each Non-employee Director who is
a Non-employee Director after the end of the Company's fiscal year shall be
granted an option to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price
equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant
of such option.
(ii) Option Period and Exercisability. Each option granted under this
Paragraph 4A shall be exercisable in part or in full at any time after the grant
thereof provided: (1) each such option shall expire ten (10) ten years after its
date of grant or on such earlier date as is hereinafter provided and (2) no
Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of such options shall be sold or
transferred by the person exercising such option during the six month period
following the date of exercise of such option if such person shall be a director
of the Company on the date such option is exercised. An exercisable option, or
portion thereof, may be exercised in whole or in part only with respect to whole
shares of Common Stock. Options granted under this Paragraph 4A shall be
exercisable in accordance with Paragraph 7.
5. EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price of the shares of Common Stock under
each option shall be determined by the Committee, provided, however, that the
exercise price shall not be less than 100 percent of the fair market value of
the Common Stock subject to such option on the date of grant; and further
provided, that if, at the time an ISO is granted, the optionee owns, or is
deemed to own in excess of 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the corporation or its Subsidiary corporations, the exercise
price of such ISO shall not be less than 110 percent of the fair market value of
the Common Stock subject to such ISO on the date of grant.
6. TERM. The term of each option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be
such term as is established by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at or
before the time such option is granted: provided, however, that the term of
each ISO granted pursuant to the Plan shall be for a period not exceeding 10
years from the date of grant thereof, and further provided, that if, at the time
an ISO is granted, the optionee owns, or is deemed to own, stock possessing more
than 10 percent of total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, the term of the ISO shall be for a period
not exceeding five years from the date of grant. Options shall be subject to
earlier termination as hereinafter provided.
7. EXERCISE. An option (or any part or installment thereof), to the
extent then exercisable, shall be exercised by giving written notice to the
Company, at its principal office (at present 270 Duffy Avenue, Hicksville, New
York 11801, Attention: Stock Option Committee), stating which option is being
exercised, specifying the number of shares of Common Stock as to which such
option is being exercised and accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate
exercise price thereof (or the amount due on exercise if the Contract permits,
with previously acquired shares of Common Shares having an aggregate fair market
value, on the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate exercise price of all
options being exercised, or with any combination of cash, certified check or
shares of Common Stock.
A person entitled to receive Common Stock upon the exercise of an option shall
not have the rights of a shareholder with respect to such shares of Common Stock
until the date of issuance of a stock certificate is issued, any option holder
using previously acquired shares of Common Stock in payment of an option
exercise price shall continue to have the rights of a shareholder with respect
to such previously acquired shares.
In no case, may a fraction of a share of Common Stock be purchased or issued
under the Plan.
8. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Any holder of an option granted to an
employee whose employment with the Company (and/or its Subsidiaries) has
terminated for any reason other than his or her death or Disability (as defined
in Paragraph 19) may exercise such option, to the extent exercisable on the date
of termination, at any time within three months after the date of termination;
but not thereafter and in no event after the expiration of the term of the
option; provided, however, that if his or her employment shall be terminated
either (a) for cause, or (b) without the consent of the Company, said option
shall be terminate immediately. Options granted to employees under the Plan
shall not be affected by any change in the status of the holder so long as he
continues to be a full-time employee of the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries
(regardless of having been transferred from one corporation to another).
For purposes of the Plan, an employment relationship shall be deemed to exist
between an individual and a corporation if, at the time of the determination,
the individual was an employee of such a corporation for purposes of Section
422(a) of the Code. As a result, an individual on military, sick leave or other
bona fide leave of absence shall continue to be considered an employee for
purposes of the Plan during such period if the leave does not exceed 90 days,
or, if longer, so long as the individual's right to reemployment with the
Company (or related corporation) is guaranteed whether by statute or by
contract. If the period of leave exceeds 90 days and individual's right to
reemployment is not guaranteed by statute or by contract, the employment
relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave.
An option granted to a consultant may be exercised at any time during its term.
It shall not be affected by a change in the holder's relationship with the
Company or its Subsidiaries.
An option granted to a director, who is not an employee of the Company or a
Subsidiary, may exercise such option, to the extent it is exercisable on the
date of the end of his or her term as a member of the Board of Directors, at any
time within one (1) year after the end of said term, unless the Committee
affirmatively extends the term of said option. Notwithstanding the previous
sentence, should the director be removed as a member of the Board of Directors,
for cause, the option shall terminated immediately.
Nothing in the Plan or in any option granted under the Plan shall confer on any
individual any right to continue in the employ, or to serve as a consultant or a
director of the Company or a Subsidiary, or interfere in any way with the right
of the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate the holder's employment
or consulting or remove the holder as a member of the Board of Directors, at any
time for any reason whatsoever without liability to the Company of any of its
Subsidiaries.
9. DEATH OF DISABILITY OF AN OPTIONEE. If an employee or director to whom
an option was granted dies (a) while he is employed by the Company, or its
Subsidiaries; or (b) within 90 days after termination of his employment (unless
such termination was for cause or without the consent of the Company; or (c)
while serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company; or (d)
within 90 days after the expiration of his or her term as a member of the Board
of Directors; or (e) within one year following the termination of his employment
by reason of Disability, the option may be exercised, to the extent exercisable
on the date of death, by his or her executor, administrator or other person at
the time entitled by law to his rights under such option, at any time within one
year after death, but not thereafter and in no event after the expiration of the
term of the option.
The holder of an option granted to an employee whose employment has terminated
by reason of Disability may exercise such option, to the extent exercisable upon
the effective date of such termination, at any time within one year after such
date, but not thereafter and in no event after the expiration of the term of the
option.
The term of an option granted to a consultant shall not be affected by the death
or Disability of the consultant. In such event, the option may be exercised by
the executor, administrator or other person a the time entitled by law to his
rights under such option to the extent exercisable at the time of the
consultant's death or Disability at any time during the term of the option, but
not thereafter.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS. The Committee may require, in its
discretion, as a condition to the exercise of any option that either (a) a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") with respect to the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon
such exercise shall be effective and current at the time of exercise, or (b)
there is an exemption from registration under the Securities Act for the
issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise. Nothing shall be construed as
requiring the Company to register shares subject to any option under the
Securities Act.
The Committee may require the optionee to execute and deliver to the Company his
or her representation and warranty in form and substance satisfactory to the
Committee, that the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of the
option are being acquired by the optionee for his own account, for investment
only and not with a view to the resale or distribution thereof. In addition,
the Committee may require the optionee to represent and warrant in writing that
any subsequent resale or distribution of shares of Common Stock by such optionee
will be made only pursuant to (I) a Registration Statement under the Securities
Act which is effective and current with respect to the shares of Common Stock
being sold, or (ii) a specific exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act, but in claiming such exemption, the optionee shall provide
the Company with a favorable written opinion of counsel in form and substance
satisfactory to the Company, as to the applicability of such exemption to the
proposed sale or distribution.
In addition, if at any time the committee shall determine in its discretion that
the listing or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject to such
option on any securities exchange or under any applicable law, or the consent,
or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a
condition of, or in connection with, the granting of an option, or the issue of
shares of Common Stock thereunder, such option may not be exercised in whole or
in part, unless such listing, qualification, consent or approval shall have been
effective or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.
11. STOCK OPTION CONTRACTS. Each option shall be evidenced by an
appropriate contract which shall be duly executed by the Company and the
optionee, shall contain such terms and conditions not inconsistent herewith as
may be determined by the Committee (the "Contract").
12. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of the Plan, in the event of any change in the outstanding Common
Stock by reason of a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger in
which the Company is the surviving corporation, split-up, combination or
exchange or the like, the aggregate number and kind of shares subject to the
Plan, the aggregate number and kind of shares subject to each outstanding option
and the exercise price thereof shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of
Directors, including options granted pursuant to Paragraph 4A, whose
determination shall be conclusive.
In the event of (a) the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, (b) a merger
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or a consolidation, or (c)
any other capital reorganization in which more than 50 percent of the shares of
Common Stock of the Company entitled to vote are exchanged, any outstanding
options shall become exercisable in full.
13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors,
without further approval of the Company's shareholders , may at any time suspend
or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part, or amend it from time to time in
such respects as it may deem advisable, including without limitation, in order
to fully comply with the Code and Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
The Plan may not be amended without consent of the Company's shareholders for
those changes that require shareholders' approval under the Code. No
termination, suspension or amendment of the Plan shall, without the consent of
the holder of an existing option affected thereby, adversely affect his rights
under such option. The power of the Committee to construe and administer any
options granted under the Plan prior to the termination or suspension of the
Plan nevertheless shall continue after such termination or during such
suspension.
14. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. No option granted under the Plan
shall be transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and options may be exercised, during the lifetime of the holder
thereof, only by him or his legal representatives. Except to the extent
provided above, options may not be assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated
or disposed of in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall
not be subject to execution attachment or similar process.
15. WITHHOLDING TAXES. The Company may withhold cash and or shares of
Common Stock to be issued with respect thereto having an aggregate fair market
value equal to the amount which it determines is necessary to satisfy its
obligation to withhold Federal, state and local income taxes incurred by reason
of the grant or exercise of an option, its disposition, or the disposition of
the underlying shares of Common Stock. Alternatively, the Company may require
the holder to pay to the Company such amount, in cash, promptly upon demand.
The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock pursuant
to any such option until all required payments have been made.
16. LEGENDS; PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company may endorse such legend or
legends upon the certificates for shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of
an option under the Plan and may issue such "stop transfer" instructions to its
transfer agent in respect of such shares as it determines in its discretion, to
be necessary or appropriate to (a) prevent a violation of, or to perfect an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, (b)
implement the provisions of the Plan or any agreement between the Company and
the optionee with respect to such shares of Common Stock, or (c) permit the
Company to determine the occurrence of a "disqualifying disposition", as
described in Section 421(b) of the Code, of the shares of Common Stock
transferred upon the exercise of an ISO granted under the Plan.
The Company shall pay all issuance taxes with respect to the issuance of shares
of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option granted under the Plan, as well
as all fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with such
issuance.
17. USE OF PROCEEDS. The cash proceeds from the sale of shares of Common
Stock pursuant to the exercise of options under the Plan shall be added to the
general funds of the Company and used for its general corporate purpose as the
Board of Directors may determine.
18. SUBSTITUTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS OF OPTIONS OF CERTAIN CONSTITUENT
CORPORATIONS. Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the Board
of Directors may, without further approval by the shareholders substitute new
options for prior options of a Constituent Corporation (as defined in Paragraph
19) or assume the prior options of such Constituent Corporation.
19. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Subsidiary(ies). Term Subsidiary(ies) shall have the same definition
as "Subsidiary Corporation" in Section 424(f) of the Code.
(b) Parent. The term "Parent" shall have the same definition as "Parent
Corporation" in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(c) Constituent Corporation. The term "Constituent Corporation" shall mean
any corporation which engages with the company, its Parent or any Subsidiary in
a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies (or would apply if the
option assumed or substituted were an ISO), or any Parent or any subsidiary of
such corporation.
(d) Disability. The term "Disability" shall mean a permanent and total
disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
20. GOVERNING LAW. The Plan, such options as may be granted hereunder and
all related matters shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of New York.
21. PARTIAL INVALIDITY. The invalidity or illegality of any provision
herein shall not affect the validity of any other provision.
22. STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. This Plan shall be subject to approval by the
holders of a majority of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock
entitled to vote thereon. No options granted pursuant to this Plan shall be
exercised prior to such approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Plan
is not approved by a vote of the shareholders of the Company prior to the
expiration of the twelve month period commencing on the date this Plan is
adopted by the Board of Directors, then this Plan shall be terminated.
