<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant /x /
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/X / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.
________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/ / $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/X / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or
Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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</TABLE>
<PAGE> 2
[logo]
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.
41 South High Street
Suite 2410
Columbus, Ohio 43215
April 8, 1996
To Our Shareholders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc.
(the "Company"), will be held at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday,
May 8, 1996, at the Capital Club in The Huntington Center, 41 S. High Street,
Columbus, Ohio.
Enclosed is a copy of our 1995 Annual Report, notice of the meeting, a
proxy statement and a proxy card. Please record your vote on the card and
return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
We look forward to reviewing the activities of the Company at the
meeting. We hope you can be with us.
Sincerely,
Irving E. Schottenstein,
Chief Executive Officer
and President
PLEASE SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY
IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE
<PAGE> 3
[logo]
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.
41 S. High Street, Suite 2410
Columbus, Ohio 43215
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held May 8, 1996
To Each Shareholder of M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at 9:00 a.m. Eastern
Daylight Time on May 8, 1996, at the Capital Club in The Huntington Center, 41
S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio, for the following purposes:
1) To elect three (3) directors to serve until the 1999 annual meeting of
shareholders or until their successors have been duly elected and
qualified;
2) To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the "Articles") by (i)
deleting Article EIGHTH therein in order to leave all director and
officer indemnification provisions to the Company's Regulations and
(ii) deleting Article ELEVENTH therein in order to permit the Company
to become subject to Chapter 1704 of the Ohio General Corporation Law
(the "OGCL");
3) To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend and restate the
Company's Regulations in the form attached hereto as Appendix I; and
4) To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the
meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15,
1996, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof. A complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at the
meeting will be available for examination by any shareholder at the executive
offices of the Company for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary
business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.
<PAGE> 4
It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting.
Whether or not you intend to be present, please sign, date and send the
enclosed proxy in the envelope provided. Proxies are revocable at any time and
shareholders who are present may withdraw their proxy and vote in person if
they so desire.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Paul S. Coppel,
Secretary
April 8, 1996
<PAGE> 5
[logo]
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.
41 S. High Street, Suite 2410
Columbus, Ohio 43215
PROXY STATEMENT
for the
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held May 8, 1996
April 8, 1996
GENERAL
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc.
(the "Company") will be held on May 8, 1996 (the "Annual Meeting"), for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders. The Company expects that this proxy statement and the
accompanying form of proxy will be mailed on or about April 8, 1996, to each
shareholder of record as of March 15, 1996. This proxy statement is furnished
in connection with the solicitation by the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board") of proxies to be used at such meeting and at any adjournment thereof.
The Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995,
including financial statements, is being mailed to all shareholders together
with this proxy statement.
A proxy for use at the Annual Meeting is enclosed. A proxy may be
revoked by a shareholder at any time before it is exercised by filing with the
Company a notice in writing revoking it or by duly executing a proxy bearing a
later date. Proxies also may be revoked by any shareholder present at the
Annual Meeting who expresses a desire to vote his or her shares in person.
Subject to such revocation and except as otherwise stated herein or in the form
of proxy, all proxies duly executed and received prior to, or at the time of,
the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the specifications of the
proxies. If no specification is made, proxies will be voted for the nominees
for election of directors set forth herein, for Proposal Nos. 2 and 3, and
at the discretion of the proxyholders on all other matters that may properly be
brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
<PAGE> 6
OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS
There were 8,800,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), issued and outstanding on March 15, 1996
(the "Record Date"), which date has been set as the record date for the purpose
of determining shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual
Meeting. On any matter submitted to a shareholder vote, each holder of Common
Stock will be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of
Common Stock registered in his or her name on the books of the Company as of
the Record Date. Under Ohio law and the Company's Regulations, the aggregate
number of votes entitled to be cast by all shareholders present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting, whether those shareholders vote for,
against or abstain from voting on any matter, will be counted for purposes of
determining the minimum number of affirmative votes required for approval of
such matters, and the total number of votes cast for each of these matters will
be counted for purposes of determining whether sufficient affirmative votes
have been cast. Abstentions, withheld votes and broker non-votes with respect
to any matter will have the same legal effect as a vote against the matter.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
A class of three directors is to be elected at the Annual Meeting.
The Board has nominated the persons set forth below for election as directors
of the Company at the Annual Meeting. All of the nominees are currently
serving as directors of the Company. The three nominees receiving the greatest
number of votes cast will be elected to serve until the 1999 annual meeting of
shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Information concerning the nominees and the remaining members of the Board is
set forth below. Steven Schottenstein, Holly S. Kastan and Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.
will serve until the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. Robert H. Schottenstein, Eric J.
Schottenstein and Friedrich K.M. Bohm will serve until the 1998 annual meeting
of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying proxy, the shares voted
pursuant thereto will be voted FOR each of the persons named below as nominees
for election as directors. The Melvin L. Schottenstein Marital Trust,
together with those members of Melvin L. Schottenstein's family who are
shareholders, or trusts for their benefit, and the Irving and Frankie
Schottenstein Trust, together with those members of Irving E. Schottenstein's
family who are shareholders, or trusts for their benefit, who collectively own
5,331,900 shares of Common Stock of the Company (60.6% of the outstanding
shares), have entered into an agreement which obligates both families to vote
for the election of the three directors selected by each of the families as
their representatives on the Board. The family of Melvin L. Schottenstein has
selected Lenore G. Schottenstein as their representative in the class being
voted upon at the Annual Meeting, and the family of Irving E. Schottenstein
has selected Irving E. Schottenstein as their representative in the class being
voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
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<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR FIRST
CURRENT POSITIONS SERVED
NAME AGE WITH COMPANY AS DIRECTOR
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NOMINEES
Irving E. Schottenstein 67 Chief Executive Officer, 1973 (1)
President, Director (Chairman),
member of Executive Committee
(Chairman), member of
Compensation Committee
John B. Gerlach 69 Director, member of Audit Committee, 1993 (2)
member of Compensation
Committee (Chairman), member of
Executive Committee
Lenore G. Schottenstein 61 Director, member of Executive 1993
Committee, member of Compensation
Committee, Director of Community
Relations
DIRECTORS
Robert H. Schottenstein 43 Executive Vice President/Regional 1993 (3)
Manager-Cincinnati Division and
Midwest Land Operations,
Assistant Secretary, Director
Steven Schottenstein 39 Executive Vice President/Regional 1993 (3)
Manager-Washington, D.C.
Region, Indiana Region
and Carolina Region,
Assistant Secretary, Director
Friedrich K. M. Bohm 54 Director, member of Audit Committee, 1994
member of Compensation Committee
Lewis R. Smoot, Sr. 62 Director, member of Audit 1993
Committee (Chairman), member of
Compensation Committee
Eric J. Schottenstein 36 Director 1993 (4)
Holly S. Kastan 40 Director 1993 (3)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 8
(1) Irving E. Schottenstein has been a director of the Company or its
predecessors since its inception.
(2) John B. Gerlach was a director of the Company's predecessor from 1986 until
1990.
(3) Robert H. Schottenstein, Steven Schottenstein and Holly S. Kastan were
directors of the Company's predecessor from 1980 until 1986.
(4) Eric J. Schottenstein was a director of the Company's predecessors from
1980 until 1990.
Irving E. Schottenstein is the father of Steven Schottenstein and
Robert H. Schottenstein. Lenore G. Schottenstein is the mother of Holly S.
Kastan and Eric J. Schottenstein.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Irving E. Schottenstein has been Chief Executive Officer since August
1986, and President and a Director of the Company or its predecessors since
1973. He was also the Chairman of the Board or President of M/I Financial
Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("M/I Financial"), from 1983
until August 1995. He was a Director of M/I Financial Corp. from 1983 until
August 1995.
John B. Gerlach was one of the founders and was the President from
1969 until May 1994, when he was appointed Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, of Lancaster Colony Corporation, a publicly held company
based in Columbus, Ohio. Lancaster Colony Corporation, through its
subsidiaries, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive accessories,
consumer glassware, industrial glass products, candles and specialty food
products. He was a Director of the Company's predecessor from 1986 to November
1990. He is also a partner in the public accounting firm of John Gerlach &
Company and a Director of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Drug Emporium,
Inc., Scioto Downs, Inc. and Worthington Foods, Inc.
Lenore G. Schottenstein is the widow of Melvin L. Schottenstein. She
has been and continues to be a major participant in many community
organizations in Columbus, Ohio and was appointed as the Company's Director of
Community Relations in January 1994.
Robert H. Schottenstein has been an Executive Vice President since
February 1994 and an Assistant Secretary since March 1991. He served as a
Senior Vice President from September 1993 until February 1994 and became a Vice
President of the Company in March 1991. He became the Regional Manager for the
Cincinnati Division in April 1994 and for the Midwest Land Operations in
January 1993. He began his service with the Company in field operations and
has been responsible for the Ohio Land Division since November 1992. He was a
Director of the Company's predecessor from 1980 until August 1986. From 1977
to 1991, he was engaged in the private practice of law with Schottenstein, Zox
& Dunn Co., L.P.A. and was of counsel to that firm until September 1993. He
currently serves as a Director of Huntington National Bank, a subsidiary of
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.
Steven Schottenstein has been an Executive Vice President since
February 1994 and an Assistant Secretary since April 1992. He served as a
Senior Vice President from September 1993 until February 1994 and was a Vice
President from June 1990 until September 1993. He became a Regional Manager
for the Washington, D.C. Region in December 1990, Regional Manager for
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<PAGE> 9
the Indiana Region in April 1992 and Regional Manager for the Carolina Region
in February 1994. From 1984 to June 1990, he was Vice President/Division
Manager-Orlando Division. He was a Director of the Company's predecessor from
1980 until August 1986.
Friedrich K. M. Bohm has been the Managing Partner and Chief Executive
Officer of NBBJ, the second largest architectural firm in the United States,
since 1987. He is a director, and currently serves as a member of the
executive committee of the Board of Directors, of Huntington National Bank, a
subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, and as a Director of The
Daimler Group and 55 Restaurants, Inc.
Lewis R. Smoot, Sr. has been the President and Chief Executive Officer
of The Smoot Corporation since 1987, a construction contractor and construction
management concern. He currently serves as a Director of Huntington Bancshares
Incorporated.
Eric J. Schottenstein was employed by the Company from 1983 until
December 1993 and is currently the President of The Joshua Company. While he
was employed by the Company he held a number of positions, including Director
of the Company's predecessors from 1980 until November 1990, Vice
President/Division Manager-Tampa Division from March 1988 until January 1990,
regional responsibilities for the Raleigh Division from October 1990 until
April 1992, Regional Manager-Carolina Region from April 1992 until December
1993, Vice President from April 1990 until September 1993, Senior Vice
President from September 1993 until December 1993 and Assistant Secretary from
April 1992 until December 1993.
Holly S. Kastan was employed by Fidelity Investments, Inc. in its
commercial real estate division from 1979 until 1984. She was a Director of
the Company's predecessor from 1980 until August 1986. Since 1987, she has
been a private investor.
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
Nomination for the election of directors may be made by the Board or a
committee appointed by the Board or by any shareholder entitled to vote in the
election of directors generally. Unless and until the Company's Regulations
are amended and restated as contemplated by Proposal No. 3 herein, to nominate
one or more persons for election as a director, the Company's Regulations
require that a shareholder give written notice of his or her intent to make
such nomination or nominations by personal delivery or by United States Mail,
postage pre-paid, to the Secretary of the Company, not later than the close of
business on the seventh day following the date on which shareholders are first
given notice of the meeting at which directors are to be elected. Such notice
shall set forth: 1) the name and address of the person or persons to be
nominated; 2) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record
entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at
the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; 3) a
description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and
each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons)
pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the
shareholder; 4) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by the
shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed
pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"), had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be
5
<PAGE> 10
nominated, by the Board; and 5) the consent of each nominee to serve as a
director of the Company, if so elected. The Chairman of the meeting may refuse
to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the
foregoing procedure.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Board held four meetings during 1995. All current members of the
Board attended at least 75% of all meetings of the Board and of the committees
on which they served. The Board does not have a nominating committee. The
full Board selects the nominees for directors.
The Board's Audit Committee consists of Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.
(Chairman), John B. Gerlach and Friedrich K. M. Bohm. The Audit Committee's
responsibilities include reviewing the Company's audit procedures and policies,
reviewing potential conflicts of interest, monitoring internal controls and
financial reporting, selecting the Company's independent accountants and making
recommendations concerning these matters to the Board. The Audit Committee met
five times in 1995.
The Board also has a Compensation Committee, whose members are John B.
Gerlach (Chairman), Lewis R. Smoot, Sr., Friedrich K. M. Bohm, Irving E.
Schottenstein and Lenore G. Schottenstein. The Compensation Committee's duties
include reviewing and reporting to the Board on specific compensation matters
for officers and top executives and administering the Company's stock incentive
plan. The Compensation Committee met four times in 1995.
In March 1995, the Board created the CEO Compensation Subcommittee of
the Compensation Committee (the "Subcommittee"), whose members were John B.
Gerlach (Chairman), Lewis R. Smoot, Sr., and Friedrich K. M. Bohm, in response
to guidelines published by the Internal Revenue Service regarding the
deductibility of executive officer compensation. The Subcommittee's duties
include developing and administering the plans necessary to ensure that the
compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company will be tax
deductible. The Subcommittee met one time in 1995.
Between meetings of the Board or when the Board is not in session, the
Executive Committee may exercise, to the extent permitted by law, all the
powers and duties of the Board. The members of the Executive Committee are
Irving E. Schottenstein (Chairman), Lenore G. Schottenstein and John B.
Gerlach. During 1995, the Executive Committee did not hold any meetings but
did take written actions without a meeting on twelve occasions, which were
subsequently ratified by the Board.
6
<PAGE> 11
PROPOSAL NO. 2
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES
TO DELETE ARTICLES EIGHTH AND ELEVENTH
PROPOSAL
The Board proposes to amend the Articles by (i) deleting Article
EIGHTH therein in order to leave all director and officer indemnification
provisions to the Company's Regulations and (ii) deleting Article ELEVENTH
therein in order to permit the Company to become subject to Chapter 1704 of the
OGCL. These proposed amendments are described in more detail below.
A. DELETE ARTICLE EIGHTH OF THE ARTICLES REGARDING
INDEMNIFICATION
Article EIGHTH of the Company's Articles and Article VIII of
the Company's Regulations both contain provisions respecting the
indemnification of directors, officers, employees and agents of the
Company. The Board proposes to amend the Articles to delete Article
EIGHTH and to rely solely on the indemnification provisions in the
Regulations which it also proposes to amend. See "Proposal No. 2 -
PROPOSED ADOPTION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED REGULATIONS - J. Revise
Indemnification Provisions" beginning at page 10.
The effect of this amendment will be to make the Company
subject to Section 1701.13(E)(5)(a) of the Ohio Revised Code which is
inapplicable to the Company under current Article EIGHTH of the
Articles. This section provides that an Ohio corporation in most cases
is required by statute to advance expenses to a director that are
incurred in defending any action, so long as the director agrees (i)
to repay such advancements if it is proved by clear and convincing
evidence that his actions or failure to act involved an act or
omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the
corporation or was undertaken with reckless disregard for the best
interests of the corporation, and (ii) to cooperate with the
corporation concerning the action. Currently under Article VIII of
the Company's Regulations a director is required to repay expenses
which are advanced if it is ultimately determined that the director
did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed
to be in, and not opposed to, the best interest of the Company. Thus,
Section 1701.13(E)(5)(a) provides additional protection to directors
by establishing a higher standard for repayment of such advancements
to the Company.
While, to date, the Company has not experienced difficulty in
attracting qualified candidates for director or in retaining
directors, the Board believes that enhancing the right of directors to
receive and retain the advance payment of litigation expenses will,
over the long-term, facilitate the Company's ability to recruit and
retain qualified outside directors.
7
<PAGE> 12
B. DELETE ARTICLE ELEVENTH OF THE ARTICLES AND BECOME SUBJECT TO
CHAPTER 1704 OF THE OGCL
The following summary of Chapter 1704 of the OGCL does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the text of Chapter 1704, which is attached hereto as Appendix II.
Chapter 1704 of the OGCL (the "Merger Moratorium Statute")
generally prohibits a wide range of business combinations and other
transactions (including mergers, consolidations, asset sales, loans,
disproportionate distributions of property and disproportionate
issuances or transfers of shares or rights to acquire shares) between
an Ohio corporation and a person that owns, alone or with other
related parties, shares representing at least 10% of the voting power
of the corporation (an "Interested Shareholder") for a period of three
years after such person becomes an Interested Shareholder, unless,
prior to the date that the Interested Shareholder became such, the
directors approve for purposes of Chapter 1704 either the transaction
or the acquisition of the corporations shares that resulted in the
person becoming an Interested Shareholder. Following the three-year
moratorium period, the corporation may engage in covered transactions
with an Interested Shareholder only if, among other things, (i) the
transaction receives the approval of the holders of two-thirds of all
the voting shares and the approval of the holders of a majority of the
voting shares held by persons other than an Interested Shareholder,
(ii) the directors approved the acquisition of the corporation's
shares that resulted in the person becoming an Interested Shareholder
or (iii) the remaining shareholders receive an amount for their shares
equal to the higher of the highest amount paid in the past by the
Interested Shareholder for the corporation's shares or the amount that
would be due the shareholders if the corporation were to dissolve. The
Merger Moratorium Statute is designed to prevent many of the
self-dealing activities that often accompany highly-leveraged
acquisitions by prohibiting an Interested Shareholder from using the
corporation or its assets or shares for his special benefit.
Article ELEVENTH of the Company's Articles currently provides
that Chapter 1704 shall not apply to the Company. The Board proposes
that the shareholders adopt an amendment to the Articles to delete
Article ELEVENTH.
The effect of such an amendment will be that the Merger
Moratorium Statute will apply to the Company. The Board believes that,
while the Merger Moratorium Statute may make a takeover more
difficult, it will encourage potential tender offerors to negotiate
with the Board to ensure that the shareholders of the Company receive
fair and equitable consideration for their shares. See "PROTECTION
AGAINST NON-NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS." However, the Merger Moratorium
Statute presents potential pitfalls for unwary shareholders. Close
attention to the impact of common corporate actions, such as the grant
of employee stock options, is necessary to determine whether such
actions are encompassed by the Merger Moratorium Statute.
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<PAGE> 13
The Board believes that the limitation on business
combinations and other transactions between the Company and an
Interested Shareholder provided by the Merger Moratorium Statute
substantially outweigh the disadvantage that shareholders may not have
the opportunity to consider or approve such transactions until a
period of three years has elapsed after a person becomes an Interested
Shareholder.
If the proposed amendment to the Articles is adopted by the
shareholders, the Board intends to adopt a resolution to ensure, to
the greatest extent practicable, that increases in the number of
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned for purposes of Chapter 1704
by the members of the Melvin L. Schottenstein and Irving E.
Schottenstein families, individually or in the aggregate, are exempted
from the Merger Moratorium Statute.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock is required to adopt the amendments to the Articles to
delete Article EIGHTH and Article ELEVENTH. The Company's executive officers
and directors and members of the Melvin L. Schottenstein and Irving E.
Schottenstein families, who collectively own, or have voting power with respect
to, approximately 61% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, have indicated
that they intend to vote FOR approval of Proposal No. 2.
YOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL NO.
2.
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<PAGE> 14
PROPOSAL NO. 3
PROPOSED ADOPTION OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGULATIONS
PROPOSAL
The Board proposes that the shareholders adopt Amended and Restated
Regulations in the form attached hereto as Appendix I. The proposed Amended and
Restated Regulations contain several amendments to the current Regulations.
These amendments primarily serve one of three purposes: to clarify certain
provisions of the Regulations and to bring them into stricter conformity with
Ohio law, to provide the Company with additional flexibility or to provide
certain anti-takeover protections to the Company. See "PROTECTION AGAINST
NON-NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS." The amendments contained within the proposed Amended
and Restated Regulations are discussed in more detail below. Additions to the
current Regulations are highlighted in bold typeface in the proposed Amended
and Restated Regulations attached hereto as Appendix I. Deletions are marked
with a "/\".
AMENDMENTS CONTAINED WITHIN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED REGULATIONS
The following summary of the various amendments contained in the
Amended and Restated Regulations does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated Regulations
which are attached hereto as Appendix I.
A. ADOPT A NON-STATUTORY VERSION OF SECTION 1701.831 OF THE OHIO
GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
Unless an Ohio public corporation's articles or regulations
otherwise provide, Section 1701.831 of the OGCL (the "Control Share
Acquisition Statute") requires shareholder approval of any proposed
"control share acquisition" of an Ohio public corporation. A "control
share acquisition" is the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any
person (including any individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, society, association or two or more persons who
have a joint or common interest) of shares of a corporation that, when
added to all other shares of the corporation that may be voted,
directly or indirectly, by the acquiring person, would entitle such
person to exercise or direct the exercise of 20% or more (but less
than 33 1/3%) of the voting power of the corporation in the election
of directors or 33 1/3% or more (but less than a majority) of such
voting power or a majority or more of such voting power. Under the
Control Share Acquisition Statute, the control share acquisition must
be approved in advance by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting shares represented at a meeting at which a quorum is present
and by the holders of a majority of the portion of the outstanding
voting shares represented at such a meeting excluding the voting
shares owned by the acquiring shareholder and certain "interested
shares," including shares owned by officers elected or appointed by
the directors of the corporation and by directors of the corporation
who are also employees of the corporation.
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<PAGE> 15
Article TWELFTH of the Company's Articles provides that the
provisions of the Control Share Acquisition Statute shall not apply to
the Company. However, while the Control Share Acquisition Statute does
not directly apply to the Company, the Board believes that it would be
in the best interests of the shareholders to adopt an amendment to the
Company's Regulations pursuant to Section 1701.11(B)(9) of the OGCL to
provide the Company with substantially the same protections as are
provided by the Control Share Acquisition Statute.
The proposed Amended and Restated Regulations contain a new
article entitled "ARTICLE IX - CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION PROVISIONS,"
which provides substantially the same protections to the Company as
the Control Share Acquisition Statute, with one very significant
difference: the new Article IX in the Amended and Restated Regulations
provides that a control share acquisition must be approved in advance
by the shareholders ONLY if the Board has not first pre-approved such
control share acquisition. The intent of this provision is to allow
friendly acquisitions, which would otherwise trigger the shareholder
vote requirement of the Control Share Acquisition Statute, to proceed
without the delay and expense associated with a shareholder meeting.
In addition, the Control Share Acquisition Provisions in the Amended
and Restated Regulations provide the Board with more flexibility in
setting a date for the special meeting of shareholders to consider the
proposed control share acquisition than the Control Share Acquisition
Statute. The Board believes that the time periods set forth in the
Control Share Acquisition Statute are difficult, if not impossible, to
comply with in the context of a likely review of the requisite proxy
materials by the SEC. The Board does not believe that the flexibility
provided by the Control Share Acquisition Provisions of the Amended
and Restated Regulations will result in any undue incremental burden
to potential acquirors.
The purpose of the Control Share Acquisition Provisions in the
proposed Amended and Restated Regulations is to give shareholders of
the Company a reasonable opportunity to express their views on a
proposed shift in control which has not been approved by the Board,
thereby reducing the coercion inherent in an unfriendly takeover. The
Control Share Acquisition Provisions in the proposed Amended and
Restated Regulations grant to the shareholders of the Company
the assurance that they will have adequate time to evaluate
the proposal of the acquiring person, that they will be permitted to
vote on the issue of authorizing the acquiring person's purchase
program to go forward in the same manner and with the same proxy
information that would be available to them if a proposed merger of
the Company were before them and, most importantly, that the interests
of all shareholders will be taken into account in connection with such
vote and the probability will be increased that they will be treated
equally regarding the price to be offered for their shares of Common
Stock if the implementation of the proposal is approved.
The Control Share Acquisition Provisions of the proposed
Amended and Restated Regulations apply not only to traditional tender
offers but also to open market purchases and privately negotiated
transactions which have not been pre-approved by the Board. The
procedural requirements of the Control Share Acquisition Provisions
could render
11
<PAGE> 16
approval of any control share acquisition which has not been
pre-approved by the Board difficult in that a majority of the voting
power of the Company, EXCLUDING "interested shares," must be
represented at the meeting and majority of such voting power
represented at the meeting must be voted in favor of the acquisition.
It is recognized that any corporate defense against persons seeking to
acquire control may have the effect of discouraging or preventing
offers which some shareholders might find financially attractive. On
the other hand, the need on the part of the acquiring person to
convince the Board and/or the shareholders of the Company of the value
and validity of his offer may cause such offer to be more financially
attractive in order to gain Board and/or shareholder approval. The
Board believes that the potential benefit of the procedures
contemplated by the Control Share Acquisition Provisions substantially
outweighs the disadvantage that shareholders may not have the
opportunity to consider or accept certain offers. See "PROTECTION
AGAINST NON-NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS."
B. RESTRICT THE ABILITY OF SHAREHOLDERS TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS
Ohio law provides that a corporation shall call a special
meeting of its shareholders on the demand of the holders of 25% of all
shares outstanding and entitled to vote at such meeting, unless a
higher or lower percentage is contained in the articles of
incorporation or regulations. Article I(b) of the Company's Regulations
provides that special meetings may be called by shareholders holding
an aggregate of not less than 25% of all shares entitled to vote at
the meeting. The proposed amendment would increase to 50% the voting
power required to be held by shareholders desiring to call a special
meeting.
The Board has observed that proxy fights at special meetings
have been utilized by potential acquirors to attempt to undercut the
authority of a board of directors to negotiate on behalf of a
corporation and its shareholders. Where a board has determined that a
takeover bid is unfair or inadequate, some potential acquirors have
used the power to call special shareholders meetings to remove
directors, replace them with nominees of the acquiror, or to take
other actions to reverse prior actions of the board taken to protect
the corporation and its shareholders. Under present Ohio law, a
potential acquiror with a 25% interest in the Companys Common Stock,
or with the ability to solicit proxies sufficient to represent that
number of shares, can put the Company to the expense of a special
meeting, and can place before the meeting any proposals that the
potential acquiror desires, so long as they are appropriate for
shareholder action. During the time between the calling of the
meeting and the date it is held, the Board may feel constrained to
preserve shareholders freedom of action at the meeting by foregoing
actions the Board might otherwise take in response to an unfair or
inadequate bid.
The proposed amendment to Article I(b) of the Regulations
would strengthen the position of the Board in dealing with potential
acquirors. It would make more difficult for a potential acquiror,
opposed to the position taken by the Board with respect to a bid, to
initiate the process of removing the directors and replacing them with
nominees disposed to accept the potential acquirors offer. Only when
the acquiror has acquired at least 50% of the outstanding shares,
would the acquiror be able to call a special meeting
12
<PAGE> 17
without the consent of the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the
President or the Vice President authorized to act in the President's
absence, who otherwise have the power to call such meetings.
The proposed amendment would limit the power of shareholders
to call special meetings, whether to remove and replace the incumbent
directors or for other purposes, by raising the required percentage of
shares from 25% to 50% of the outstanding shares. To this extent, the
proposed amendment might make more secure the positions and decisions
of the existing members of the Board. The proposed amendment may also
discourage certain potential acquirors from making unsolicited offers
for control of the Company, if they anticipate that their offer will
be viewed negatively by the Board. See "PROTECTION AGAINST
NON-NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS."
C. REDUCE THE MINIMUM NOTICE PERIOD REQUIRED FOR SHAREHOLDER
MEETINGS
Ohio law requires that shareholders be provided written notice
not less than seven nor more than 60 days before the date of a
shareholder meeting, unless the corporations articles or regulations
specify a longer period. The Company's Regulations currently provide
for a minimum notice period of 30 days. The Board proposes to reduce
the minimum notice period for meetings of shareholders from 30 days to
seven days. The purpose of this amendment is primarily for the sake of
convenience and flexibility and to conform to Ohio law. The Board does
not currently anticipate utilizing a notice period of less than 20
days. However, the Board believes that it is in the best interest of
the Company to retain the maximum flexibility permitted under Ohio law
in order to provide for unforeseen circumstances. Notwithstanding the
purpose, the effect of permitting a shortened notice period may be to
hinder non-negotiated takeovers. See "PROTECTION AGAINST
NON-NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS."
D. RESTRICT THE ABILITY TO NOMINATE DIRECTORS
The Board proposes that Article III(e) of the Company's
Regulations be amended to establish more stringent procedures with
respect to the nomination of persons for election as directors. The
amendment provides that a shareholder intending to nominate a director
for election at an annual meeting of shareholders must give written
notice of such intention to the Company not less than 60 days nor more
than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's
annual meeting (or, if the date of annual meeting is changed by more
than 30 days from the anniversary date of the preceding year's annual
meeting, within seven days after the date the Company mails or
otherwise gives notice of the date of the meeting). With respect to an
election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders called for
the purpose of electing directors, a shareholder intending to nominate
a director would be required to give written notice of that intention
to the Company within seven days following the date on which notice of
the special meeting was first mailed to the shareholders by the
Company. Article III(e) currently requires merely that shareholder
nominations be made not later than seven days after the date the
Company gives notice of a meeting at which directors are to be
elected.
13
<PAGE> 18
The proposed amendment requires that any notice of intention
to nominate a director contain certain information about the proposed
nominee and about the shareholder intending to make the nomination.
Current Article III(e) requires, and Article III(e), as amended, would
continue to require, that each shareholder's notice of intent to make a
nomination set forth: (a) the name and address of the shareholder who
intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be
nominated; (b) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of
record of shares of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting and
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the
person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each
nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or
persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be
made by the shareholder; (d) such other information regarding each
nominee proposed by such shareholder as would be required to be
included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the
SEC had the nominee been nominated by the Board of the Company; and
(e) the written consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the
corporation if so elected. The proposed amendment also requires that
the shareholder represent that he will continue to hold his shares
until the meeting at which his proposed nominee is to be considered
and authorizes the Company to require any proposed nominee to furnish
other information reasonably required by the Company to determine the
proposed nominees qualifications to serve as a director. It is
anticipated that any request by the Company for additional information
will be made or confirmed in writing, and the nominee will be asked to
submit the requested additional information in writing.
The purpose of increasing the amount of advance notice
required to be given by a shareholder of a nomination is to afford the
Board a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of any
proposed nominee and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by
the Board, to inform shareholders about such qualifications. This
additional time, it is believed, will further the objectives of the
Board to identify candidates who have the character, experience and
proven accomplishments which provide promise of significant
contribution to the Company's business and to provide the Company's
shareholders with sufficient time to meaningfully consider the
candidates qualifications. The amendment has not been proposed as
the result of specific efforts of which the Company is aware to
nominate or elect any director, to accumulate shares or to obtain
control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer,
solicitation in opposition of management or otherwise.
While the amendment does not give the Board any power to
approve or disapprove a shareholder nomination, it will preclude a
shareholder nomination from the floor or by other means if the proper
procedures are not followed. Although the Board does not believe that
the amendment will have a significant impact on any attempt by a third
party to obtain control of the Company, it is possible that the
amendment may deter a third party from conducting a solicitation of
proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempt to
obtain control of the Company or effect a change in management,
irrespective of whether such action would be beneficial to
shareholders generally. See "PROTECTION AGAINST NON-NEGOTIATED
TAKEOVERS."
14
<PAGE> 19
E. LIMIT THE REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS EXCEPT FOR CAUSE
The Company's Regulations provide for a Board consisting of
three classes of at least three directors each serving staggered
three-year terms. As a result, approximately one-third of the Board is
elected each year. In addition to providing continuity and stability,
the purpose of such a staggered board is to permit shareholders two
years to consider whether they want to cede control of the board to an
insurgent in a proxy contest. The current Regulations provide,
however, that all the directors, all the directors of a particular
class or any individual director may be removed, with or without
cause, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of
the Company. Such a provision effectively eviscerates the purposes
underlying a staggered board.
Therefore, the Board proposes to add a provision to the
Amended and Restated Regulations stating that directors may be removed
only for cause.
The effect of the staggered board, when coupled with the new
provision requiring removal for cause and the existing provision of
the Regulations authorizing only the Board to fill vacant
directorships, will preclude a shareholder from removing incumbent
directors without cause and simultaneously gaining control of the
Board by filling the vacancies created by such removal with its own
nominees. See "PROTECTION AGAINST NON-NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS."
F. REQUIRE SUPERMAJORITY VOTES TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
REGULATIONS
Currently, Article X of the Regulations provides that the
Regulations can be amended or repealed, or new Regulations adopted, by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power
of the Company at any meeting called and held for that purpose, or
without a meeting by the written consent of the holders of a majority
of the voting power of the Company.
The Board proposes increasing the vote required at a meeting
or by the written consent of the shareholders from a majority of the
voting power to two-thirds of the voting power of the Company to amend
or repeal the Amended and Restated Regulations, or adopt new
Regulations, with respect to any of the following: (1) the special
meeting provisions set forth in Article I(b) of the Amended and
Restated Regulations; (2) the special meeting notice provisions set
forth in Article I(c) of the Amended and Restated Regulations; (3) the
staggered board provisions set forth in Article III(b) of the Amended
and Restated Regulations; (4) the provisions regarding newly created
directorships and vacancies on the Board set forth in Article III(c)
of the Amended and Restated Regulations; (5) the nomination of
directors provisions in Article III(e) of the Amended and Restated
Regulations; (6) the director conflict of interest provisions of
Article III(m) of the Amended and Restated Regulations; (7) the
removal for cause provisions of new Article III(n) of the Amended and
Restated Regulations; (8) the indemnification provisions set forth in
Article VIII of the Amended and Restated Regulations; (9) the Control
Share Acquisition Provisions of new Article IX of the Amended and
Restated Regulations; and (10) amendments to the supermajority
provisions of Article X of the
15
<PAGE> 20
Amended and Restated Regulations. In addition, the Board proposes
increasing the vote required at a meeting or by the written consent of
the shareholders from a majority of the voting power to 75% of the
voting power of the Company to amend or repeal the change in the
number of directors provision in Article III(d) of the Amended and
Restated Regulations.
On all other matters, the required vote will remain a majority
of the voting power of the Company.
The proposed amendment will make it more difficult to amend
the provisions in the Amended and Restated Regulations relating to
the Board and the ability of shareholders to nominate directors or
call special meetings. The proposed amendment will also protect the
Control Share Acquisition Provisions. The aggregate effect of the
proposed amendment likely will make it more difficult for an
unfriendly person to acquire control of the Board through a proxy
contest or a tender offer. Therefore, the proposed amendment may have
the effect of discouraging or preventing offers which some
shareholders might find financially attractive. See "PROTECTION
AGAINST NON- NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS."
G. ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF A SHAREHOLDER LIST IN CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES
Article I(h) of the Regulations currently requires that, at
least 10 days before every meeting of shareholders, a complete list of
the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order and showing the address of each shareholder and the
number of shares registered in the name of each shareholder, be
prepared and be open to examination of any shareholder, for any
purpose germane to the meeting, either at a place within the city
where the meeting is to be held specified in the meeting notice, or,
if not specified in the notice, at the place where the meeting is to
be held.
The Board recommends that this provision be deleted because it
imposes an unnecessary cost and administrative burden on the Company
if a shareholder meeting is held outside of Columbus, Ohio, and is not
necessary to assure shareholder access to the shareholder list. Under
Ohio law, a shareholder, upon written demand stating the specific
purpose, has the right in person or by agent or attorney at any
reasonable time and for any reasonable and proper purpose to inspect
the record of shareholders. In addition, upon request of any
shareholder at a meeting of shareholders, the Company must produce at
such meeting an alphabetically arranged list, or classified lists, of
the shareholders of record as of the applicable record date, who are
entitled to vote, showing their respective addresses and the number
and classes of shares held by each. Therefore, deletion of Article
I(h) will not adversely affect the rights of shareholders or the
ability of an unfriendly person to wage a proxy contest or make a
tender offer.
16
<PAGE> 21
H. INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS REQUIRED FOR COMMITTEES
Article IV of the Regulations currently authorizes the Board
to create an Executive Committee, a Compensation Committee and an
Audit Committee, each consisting of two or more directors. These
provisions are inconsistent with Ohio law which requires that all
Board committees consist of not less than three directors. Therefore,
the Board proposes to amend Article IV to fix the membership of the
Executive, Compensation and Audit Committees at not less than three
directors.
I. CLARIFY CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND PRESIDENT S DUTIES.
The Regulations currently contain somewhat conflicting
provisions regarding the chairmanship of meetings of shareholders and
directors of the Company. Article I(k) provides that the President
shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders, while Article
VII(b) provides that the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all
meetings of shareholders. In addition, Article VII(a) provides that
the Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of directors,
while Article VII(b) provides that the Chief Executive Officer shall
preside at all meetings of the Board.
Currently, Irving E. Schottenstein holds the positions of
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Therefore, the current inconsistencies in the Regulations are without
import. However, the Board believes that it is in the best interest of
the Company to amend the Regulations to clarify that the Chairman of
the Board shall preside at all meetings of directors, and that the
Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of shareholders
at which he is present. In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer,
the President shall preside at all meetings of shareholders.
J. REVISE INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS
The Board proposes to amend Article VIII of the Regulations to
provide for the indemnification of the Company's directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by Ohio law in order that the
Company may continue to attract and retain qualified outside directors
and officers.
The Amended and Restated Regulations provide that the Company
must indemnify officers and directors against expenses (including
attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
incurred in connection with any pending, threatened or completed
action (whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative) by
reason of the fact that such individual is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request
of the Company as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member,
manager or agent of another corporation or other entity so long as
such individual acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.
Unlike the current Regulations, the Amended and Restated Regulations
create a presumption that a director or officer has acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the Company. Because of this presumption,
the Company believes
17
<PAGE> 22
that a director or officer will not have the initial burden of showing
that he acted in good faith or in a manner he reasonably believed to
be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company. In
addition, the Amended and Restated Regulations require the Company to
advance expenses on behalf of officers and directors if they agree in
writing to repay such amounts if certain conditions are not met. For a
description of the standard for repayment applicable to directors, see
"Proposal No. 2 - PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES TO DELETE
ARTICLES EIGHTH AND ELEVENTH."
The Amended and Restated Regulations state that the
indemnification provided thereby is not exclusive of any other rights
to which any person seeking indemnification may be entitled and
provide that the Company may purchase and maintain insurance or other
similar arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company, or who is or was serving
another entity at the request of the Company, against any liability
asserted against him and incurred by him in such capacity, or arising
out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the
obligation or power to indemnify him under the Amended and Restated
Regulations.
The Company is not aware of any current or past
indemnification or liability issues that will or could be presented to
the Company in the event the Amended and Restated Regulations are
adopted and the indemnification provisions are so revised.
K. ELIMINATE ORDER OF BUSINESS REQUIREMENT
Article IX of the current Regulations establishes the order of
business for all shareholder meetings, which order may be changed by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
represented at a meeting. The Board proposes to delete this provision
because it is inconsistent with other provisions of the Regulations
and unnecessarily restricts the ability of the Board and the Chairman
of the meeting to control the conduct of the meeting.
Article IX, for example, provides for the selection of a
Chairman and secretary of the meeting while other provisions of the
Regulations provide that the Chief Executive Officer or President
shall preside at all meetings of shareholders and that the Secretary
(or in his absence, a person appointed by the Chairman of the meeting)
shall act as secretary of all meetings. Article IX also makes
appointment of inspectors an item of business although the Regulations
elsewhere provide that the inspectors are appointed by the Board or by
the Chairman of the meeting.
Since the OGCL does not contain provisions regarding the
conduct of shareholder meetings or limiting the Board's authority with
respect to this subject, the Board also believes that the Board and
the Chairman of the meeting should retain the flexibility to set the
agenda and to prescribe other procedures for the conduct of all
shareholder meetings. The directors believe that the deletion of
Article IX will not adversely affect
18
<PAGE> 23
the rights of shareholders or the ability of an unfriendly person to
wage a proxy contest or make a tender offer.
RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock is required to adopt the Amended and Restated
Regulations. The Company's executive officers and directors and members of the
Melvin L. Schottenstein and Irving E. Schottenstein families, who collectively
own, or have voting power with respect to, approximately 61% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, have indicated that they intend to vote FOR adoption of
the Amended and Restated Regulations.
YOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ADOPTION OF THE AMENDED
AND RESTATED REGULATIONS. ---
PROTECTION AGAINST NON-NEGOTIATED TAKEOVERS
The Company's Regulations provide for a board of directors consisting
of three classes of at least three directors each serving staggered three-year
terms. As a result, approximately one-third of the Board is elected each year.
In addition to providing continuity and stability, the purpose of such a
staggered board is to permit shareholders two years to consider whether they
want to cede control of the board to an insurgent in a proxy contest. The
combined effect of the Company's staggered Board, the proposal to amend the
Articles to make the Merger Moratorium Statute applicable to the Company and
the proposal to amend and restate the Regulations to include, among other
things, provisions making a non-statutory version of Ohio's Control Share
Acquisition Statute applicable to the Company, reducing the minimum notice
period required for a shareholder meeting, restricting the ability of
shareholders to call special meetings and to nominate directors, limiting the
ability to remove directors except for cause and requiring supermajority votes
to amend certain provisions in the Regulations may have an anti-takeover
impact and may make tender offers, proxy contests and certain mergers more
difficult. The Board believes that it is in the best interest of the Company
and its shareholders to require potential acquirors to negotiate with the Board
prior to engaging in any such transactions.
The Board is not aware of any efforts to obtain control of the Company
or to effect substantial accumulations of the shares of Common Stock of the
Company.
19
<PAGE> 24
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company leases approximately 27,000 square feet of office space in
Columbus, Ohio pursuant to a lease agreement dated September 1, 1992, with M/I
Office Development Company, an Ohio general partnership of which the Irving and
Frankie Schottenstein Trust and the Melvin L. Schottenstein Marital Trust are
partners. Under the terms of its lease agreement, the Company pays base rent
of $8.16 per square foot plus operating expenses which are estimated to be an
additional $7.56 per square foot annually. The Company subleases 4,760 square
feet of this space. The Company paid rent of approximately $358,000 in 1995
pursuant to this lease. The Company believes that the terms of this lease are
no less favorable than those reasonably available from unaffiliated third
parties for comparable space.
In 1992, the Company became a limited partner in two limited
partnerships formed to purchase and develop land and lots in the Washington,
D.C. market. The general partner of these two limited partnerships is The
Fabulous Eight, Inc., an Ohio corporation wholly owned by eight beneficial
owners of the Company's Common Stock: Gary L. Schottenstein, Robert H.
Schottenstein, Linda S. Fisher, Steven Schottenstein, Holly S. Kastan, Eric J.
Schottenstein, Amy D. Schottenstein and Julie B. Saar. The Irving and Frankie
Schottenstein Trust and the Melvin L. Schottenstein Marital Trust are not
shareholders of The Fabulous Eight, Inc. The general partner's share of income
from these two limited partnerships was $1,766 in 1995. These limited
partnerships were formed to develop a total of 199 lots. During 1995, the
Company purchased the remaining lots from the limited partnerships totalling
$2,953,000 in the aggregate. As of December 31, 1995, the Company had
receivables of approximately $459,000 from the limited partnerships, including
$440,000 in the form of notes receivable which bear interest at prime plus
1/2%.
In October 1995, the Company sold a model home to Kerrii B. Anderson,
the Chief Financial Officer, for $111,360, under the Company's sale and
leaseback program available to the general public. Ms. Anderson entered into a
seven month lease agreement with the Company regarding the model home for
$1,000 per month. The Company has the right to renew the lease for a one year
term upon the expiration of the current term. The Company believes that the
terms of the sale of the model home and the lease are no less favorable than
those reasonably available from unaffiliated third parties.
20
<PAGE> 25
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
those executive officers of the Company who are not also directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT POSITIONS YEAR STARTED
NAME AGE WITH COMPANY WITH COMPANY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Kerrii B. Anderson 38 Senior Vice President, Chief 1987
Financial Officer, Assistant
Secretary
Paul S. Coppel 37 Senior Vice President/General 1994
Counsel and Secretary
Phillip G. Creek 43 Senior Vice President, Treasurer 1993
Lloyd T. Simpson 50 Senior Vice President/Regional 1984
Manager-Columbus Region
James D. Bagley 61 Senior Vice President/Regional 1987
Manager-Florida Region
Robert C. Moesle 44 Senior Vice President/Regional 1990
Manager-Washington, D.C. Region
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Kerrii B. Anderson is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Assistant Secretary of the Company. She became a Senior Vice President in
September 1993 and has been Chief Financial Officer since 1988. She was also
made a Vice President in 1988 and has been Chief Financial Officer of M/I
Financial since 1988. Ms. Anderson is a certified public accountant and holds
a Masters of Business Administration degree.
Paul S. Coppel joined the Company in January 1994 as Senior Vice
President/General Counsel. Mr. Coppel became the Secretary in February 1995.
He became the Secretary of M/I Financial in August 1995. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Coppel was engaged in the private practice of law with Vorys,
Sater, Seymour and Pease, Columbus, Ohio from April 1993 until December 1993;
Schwartz, Kelm, Warren & Rubenstein, Columbus, Ohio from September 1986 until
April 1993 and Fuller and Henry, Toledo, Ohio from June 1984 until September
1986.
Phillip G. Creek joined the Company in January 1993 as Vice President
and Treasurer and became a Senior Vice President in September 1993. He became
the Vice President of M/I
21
<PAGE> 26
Financial in August 1995. From 1986 to 1993, Mr. Creek was employed with The
Ryland Group, Inc., a national homebuilder, as Controller and in 1992 was made
a Vice President and Planning Officer for The Ryland Group, Inc.
Lloyd T. Simpson joined the Company in 1984 and has been Vice
President/Regional Manager-Columbus Region since February 1996. From 1989
until February 1996, he was the Vice President/Regional Manager-Ohio Region.
He became a Senior Vice President in September 1993 and assumed division
manager responsibilities for the Columbus Division in April 1994. He had
regional manager responsibilities for Tampa and Orlando from 1985 to 1987, in
addition to division manager responsibilities for Columbus, Ohio. From 1981
to 1984, he served as Vice President/Regional Manager of The Ryland Group,
Inc. during which time his responsibilities included supervision of
homebuilding and sales operations for several cities in Ohio, Kentucky and
Indiana.
James D. Bagley has been Vice President/Regional Manager-Florida
Region since September 1987. He became a Senior Vice President in September
1993. Before joining the Company, he was employed with Ryan Homes, Inc., a
national homebuilder, where he was a Senior Vice President-Operations with
responsibility for operations in Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte and Raleigh, North
Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida from 1986 to 1987 and a Group Manager, with
responsibility for operations in Jacksonville, Florida; Tidewater, Virginia and
Syracuse and Rochester, New York from 1984 to 1986.
Robert C. Moesle joined the Company in December 1990 as Division
Manager of the Washington, D.C. division and became Vice President/Regional
Manager-Washington, D.C. Region in September 1991. He became a Senior Vice
President in September 1993. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Moesle was
employed with NV Homes L.P., a regional homebuilder, where he was an Executive
Vice President, with responsibility for operations in Virginia and the
Maryland/Delaware Valley from 1988 to 1990 and a Senior Vice President of
Operations of all home-building divisions from 1986 to 1988.
22
<PAGE> 27
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the number and percentage of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock held by each person who, to the knowledge of
the Company, beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, by each of the Company's directors, nominees and executive officers and
by all of the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
Except as set forth in the footnotes to the table, the shareholders have sole
voting and investment power over such shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF COMMON STOCK OF CLASS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Irving E. Schottenstein . . . . . . . 523,600 (1) 5.95%
Melvin L. Schottenstein Marital
Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500,000 (2) 5.68%
Gary L. Schottenstein . . . . . . . . 563,800 (3) 6.41%
Robert H. Schottenstein . . . . . . . 572,300 (4)(5) 6.50%
Linda S. Fisher . . . . . . . . . . . 569,300 (6) 6.47%
Steven Schottenstein . . . . . . . . 527,000 (5)(7) 5.99%
Holly S. Kastan . . . . . . . . . . . 496,700 5.64%
Eric J. Schottenstein . . . . . . . . 519,000 5.90%
Amy D. Schottenstein . . . . . . . . 534,500 6.07%
Julie B. Saar . . . . . . . . . . . . 537,500 6.11%
Kerrii B. Anderson . . . . . . . . . 6,400 (5) (8)
Paul S. Coppel . . . . . . . . . . . 4,600 (5) (8)
Phillip G. Creek . . . . . . . . . . 4,500 (5) (8)
Lloyd T. Simpson . . . . . . . . . . 4,000 (5) (8)
James D. Bagley . . . . . . . . . . . 3,500 (5) (8)
Robert C. Moesle . . . . . . . . . . 3,000 (5) (8)
Lenore G. Schottenstein . . . . . . . - -
Friedrich K. M. Bohm . . . . . . . . 5,000 (8)
John B. Gerlach . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000 (8)
Lewis R. Smoot, Sr. . . . . . . . . . 2,000 (8)
All directors and executive officers
as a group (15 persons) . . . . . 3,181,600
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Irving E. Schottenstein is the trustee of (i) the Irving and
Frankie Schottenstein Trust which holds 478,300 shares, and (ii)
the Steven Schottenstein Descendants Trust which holds 45,300
shares, and exercises all rights with regard to such shares. Does
not include an aggregate of 2,154,700 shares held in trust as
described in footnote 9 below. As trustee of such trusts, Irving
E. Schottenstein may be deemed the beneficial owner of such
shares.
(2) Lenore G. Schottenstein, Holly S. Kastan and Eric J. Schottenstein
are co-trustees of the Melvin L. Schottenstein Marital Trust and
collectively exercise all rights with regard to such shares.
23
<PAGE> 28
(3) 550,000 of these shares are held in trust by Irving E.
Schottenstein in accordance with footnote 9 below. 2,800 of these
shares are held by Gary L. Schottenstein individually. 11,000 of
these shares are held in trust by Gary L. Schottenstein, as
trustee, for the benefit of his children pursuant to trust
agreements dated December 22, 1994. As trustee, Gary L.
Schottenstein is empowered to exercise all rights with regard to
such shares and may be deemed the beneficial owner of such shares.
(4) 550,000 of these shares are held in trust by Irving E.
Schottenstein in accordance with footnote 9 below. 2,800 of these
shares are held by Robert H. Schottenstein individually. 16,500 of
these shares are held in trust by Robert H. Schottenstein, as
trustee, for the benefit of his children pursuant to trust
agreements dated December 22, 1994. As trustee, Robert H.
Schottenstein is empowered to exercise all rights with regard to
such shares and may be deemed the beneficial owner of such shares.
(5) Includes 3,000 shares of Common Stock that underlie exercisable
stock options.
(6) 550,000 of these shares are held in trust by Irving E.
Schottenstein in accordance with footnote 9 below. 2,800 of these
shares are held by Linda S. Fisher individually. 16,500 of these
shares are held in trust by Mrs. Fisher, as trustee, for the
benefit of her children pursuant to trust agreements dated December
22, 1994. As trustee, Mrs. Fisher is empowered to exercise all
rights with regard to such shares and may be deemed the beneficial
owner of such shares.
(7) 504,700 of these shares are held in trust by Irving E.
Schottenstein in accordance with footnote 9 below. 2,800 of these
shares are held by Steven Schottenstein individually. 16,500 of
these shares are held in trust by Steven Schottenstein, as trustee,
for the benefit of his children pursuant to trust agreements dated
December 22, 1994. As trustee, Steven Schottenstein is empowered
to exercise all rights with regard to such shares and may be deemed
the beneficial owner of such shares.
(8) Less than 1% of the outstanding shares.
(9) These shares are held in trust by Irving E. Schottenstein, as
trustee, pursuant to trust agreements dated August 1986, as
amended. As trustee, Mr. Schottenstein is empowered to exercise
all rights with regard to such shares, revoke each trust, and with
the agreement of each beneficiary, amend each trust.
The address of Irving E. Schottenstein, Robert H. Schottenstein,
Steven Schottenstein, Gary L. Schottenstein and Linda S. Fisher is c/o Irving
E. Schottenstein, 41 South High Street, Suite 2410, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The
address of Lenore G. Schottenstein and the Melvin L. Schottenstein Marital
Trust is 291 N. Drexel Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43209. The address of Amy D.
Schottenstein is 6727 185th Avenue, N.E., Redmond, Washington 98052. The
address of Julie B. Saar is Ha Eshel #12, Apt. 32, Kfar Saba 441521 Israel.
The address of Holly S. Kastan is 2355 Commonwealth Park S., Columbus, Ohio
43209. The address of Eric J. Schottenstein is c/o The Joshua Company, 110 E.
Wilson-Bridge Rd., Suite 280, Worthington, Ohio 43085.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of
the Company's common stock to file with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange
reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Company's common stock.
Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by
SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file.
Based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the
Company, the Company believes that, during 1995, all filing requirements
applicable to its executive officers, directors and greater than 10%
shareholders were complied with except that one report, covering an aggregate
of ten transactions, was filed late by Lenore G. Schottenstein; one report,
covering
24
<PAGE> 29
an aggregate of nine transactions, was filed late by Holly S. Kastan;
and one report, covering an aggregate of eight transactions, was filed late by
Eric J. Schottenstein.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the annual compensation and other
compensation for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and for the additional executive
officers who together comprise the five highest paid executive officers of the
Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
-------------------------------------------- --------------------
AWARDS PAYOUTS
------- -------
OTHER SECURITIES
ANNUAL UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
POSITION YEAR ($) (1) ($) ($) (#) ($) (2) ($) (3) (4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Irving E. Schottenstein 1995 575,000 544,101 (5) - (6) - 58,388
Chief Executive Officer 1994 575,000 715,605 (5) - - - 36,890
and President 1993 575,000 650,000 (7) - - - 3,154
Lloyd T. Simpson 1995 225,000 406,829 (5) - 5,000 48,059 2,220
Senior Vice President/ 1994 225,000 372,259 (5) - 5,000 45,257 3,140
Regional Manager 1993 222,916 257,854 (8) - - 43,549 3,154
Robert H. Schottenstein 1995 300,000 145,355 (5) - 5,000 - 2,220
Executive Vice President/ 1994 292,239 140,000 (5) - 5,000 - 3,140
Regional Manager and 1993 209,000 170,060 (7) - - - 3,154
Assistant Secretary
Steven Schottenstein 1995 300,000 145,355 (5) - 5,000 - 2,220
Executive Vice President/ 1994 292,239 140,000 (5) - 5,000 - 3,140
Regional Manager and 1993 209,000 170,060 (7) - - 6,490 3,154
Assistant Secretary
Robert C. Moesle 1995 200,000 202,507 (5) - 5,000 42,821 2,220
Senior Vice President, 1994 200,000 47,400 (5) - 5,000 40,324 3,140
Regional Manager - 1993 200,000 654,774 (8) - - 38,803 3,154
Washington, D.C. Region
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
25
<PAGE> 30
(1) The amounts in this column include payments for salary and, in 1993,
amounts paid as fees to directors or advisory committee members.
(2) Represents compensation pursuant to an executive deferred compensation
plan for Mr. Simpson and Mr. Moesle and compensation pursuant to a
phantom stock option plan for Steven Schottenstein.
(3) The amounts shown represent the individual's share of the Company's
discretionary contribution for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, under
the Company's 401(k) plan, with the exception of Irving E. Schottenstein
for 1995, as detailed in footnote 4 below.
(4) "All Other Compensation" for Irving E. Schottenstein for the 1995 fiscal
year includes his share of the Company's discretionary contribution for
1995 under the Company's 401(k) plan in the amount of $2,220, the term
portion of the premium for a split-dollar life insurance policy of $5,693
and the non-term portion of the premium of $50,475.
(5) Represents amounts accrued pursuant to bonus incentive plans approved by
the Compensation Committee of the Board, except for 1995 regarding Irving
E. Schottenstein, Robert H. Schottenstein and Steven Schottenstein which
includes a discretionary bonus of $10,406 for each of these executive
officers.
(6) Irving E. Schottenstein is not eligible to receive stock options.
(7) Represents amounts awarded at the discretion of the Board and accrued as a
discretionary bonus.
(8) Represents amounts accrued pursuant to bonus incentive plans approved by
the Chief Executive Officer.
On August 9, 1994, the Company and Irving E. Schottenstein entered
into an employment agreement under which the Company agreed to purchase and
maintain a split-dollar life insurance policy for Mr. Schottenstein in an
amount not less than $1.5 million. In the event Mr. Schottenstein becomes
disabled, he will receive disability payments from the Company for a period of
up to three years, in an annual amount equal to the average of the salary and
bonus earned by Mr. Schottenstein during the three calendar years preceding his
disability. In the event Mr. Schottenstein's employment ends, he has agreed to
serve as a consultant to the Company for a period of two years for which he
will be paid $500,000 per year.
26
<PAGE> 31
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth the nonqualified stock options granted
by the Board during the 1995 fiscal year to each of the five highest paid
executive officers of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE VALUE AT
ACCRUED ANNUAL RATES OF
STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS (1) FOR OPTION TERM
----------------------------------------------- ------------------------
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED
OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE EXPIRATION
GRANTED FISCAL YEAR PRICE DATE 5% 10%
NAME (#) (%) ($/SH) ($) ($)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Irving E. Schottenstein (2)
Lloyd T. Simpson 5,000 7.3 6.75 4/30/05 21,225 53,789
Robert H. Schottenstein 5,000 7.3 6.75 4/30/05 21,225 53,789
Steven Schottenstein 5,000 7.3 6.75 4/30/05 21,225 53,789
Robert C. Moesle 5,000 7.3 6.75 4/30/05 21,225 53,789
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The nonqualified stock options granted by the Board are scheduled to vest
at a rate of 20% per year over the first five years and to lapse after ten
years unless sooner exercised or forfeited. All stock options were
granted at the closing market price on the date of grant.
(2) Irving E. Schottenstein is not eligible to receive stock options.
27
<PAGE> 32
FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock
that underlie the unexercised nonqualified stock options, and the value of the
in-the-money options at the end of the fiscal year, granted by the Board during
1994 and 1995 to each of the five highest paid executive officers of the
Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
AT FISCAL YEAR END AT FISCAL YEAR END
(#) (1) ($)
----------------------------- ----------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Irving E. Schottenstein (2) - - -
Lloyd T. Simpson 3,000 7,000 5,000 20,000
Robert H. Schottenstein 3,000 7,000 5,000 20,000
Steven Schottenstein 3,000 7,000 5,000 20,000
Robert C. Moesle 3,000 7,000 5,000 20,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The nonqualified stock options granted by the Board are scheduled to vest
at a rate of 20% per year over the first five years and to lapse after ten
years unless sooner exercised or forfeited.
(2) Irving E. Schottenstein is not eligible to receive stock options.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
John B. Gerlach, Lewis R. Smoot, Sr. and Friedrich K. M. Bohm, the
independent directors on the Board, were paid a fee of $4,000 per quarter
during 1995. In addition, they were paid a fee of $1,000 for one special
meeting of the Audit Committee during 1995. Mr. Gerlach, Mr. Smoot and Mr.
Bohm received $17,000 each for their services.
Eric J. Schottenstein resigned his positions with the Company in
December 1993. Mr. Schottenstein agreed to serve as a consultant to the
Company for a period of three years, for which he was paid $207,436 in 1995 and
will be paid approximately $200,000 during 1996.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee is comprised of five members: John B.
Gerlach (Chairman), Lewis R. Smoot, Sr., Friedrich K. M. Bohm, Irving E.
Schottenstein and Lenore G. Schottenstein. Irving E. Schottenstein is the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Lenore G. Schottenstein is the
Director of Community Relations for the Company.
28
<PAGE> 33
NBBJ, an architectural firm for which Friedrich K. M. Bohm is the
Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, is currently providing certain
interior design services for the Company. The services being rendered by NBBJ
involve the design of tenant improvements for new office space for the Company
in a building that will be built, owned and operated by a limited liability
company in which the Company has a minority equity interest. In addition, a
joint venture in which a company controlled by Lewis R. Smoot, Sr. has a
minority equity interest will construct certain tenant improvements for the
building. These contracts have not been formalized, but were approved by the
Audit Committee at its February 1996 meeting. The Company expects that NBBJ's
fee for its services will be approximately $275,000. The contract with the
Smoot joint venture will total approximately $2,300,000, from which sum the
joint venture will be obligated to pay all subcontractors and other
construction expenses. The Company believes that the terms of the contracts
are no less favorable than those reasonably available from competitive firms.
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General. The Compensation Committee's overall compensation policy
applicable to the Company's executive officers is to provide a compensation
program that is intended to attract and retain qualified executives for the
Company and to provide them with incentives to achieve Company goals and
increase shareholder value. The Compensation Committee implements this policy
through establishing salaries, bonuses and stock options. The Compensation
Committee's current policy is not to provide pension or other retirement plans
for the Company's executive officers other than the 401(k) Plan.
Base Salary. The base salary for the Company's executive officers is
intended to be set at levels slightly higher than paid for comparable positions
by publicly-held, national homebuilders, such as The Ryland Group, Inc.,
Centex, Inc. and NVR L.P. These homebuilders are different from the
homebuilders used for the Company's Peer Group (see "Performance Graph")
because the Company has usually hired executive officers from the national
homebuilders when looking for quality management personnel. The salary levels
are slightly higher because of the Compensation Committee's belief that the
Company's executive officers have greater responsibilities and receive lower
fringe benefits compared to similar positions with the publicly-held, national
homebuilders.
Bonuses. A significant portion of the total compensation paid to
Regional Managers and Division Managers is earned through annual bonuses. The
performance bonus that can be earned by each Regional Manager is based upon the
region's level of income before income taxes, the region's level of customer
satisfaction and the region's level of growth in income before income taxes.
The total amount that can be earned under the bonus programs by each Regional
Manager has been capped at three times his annual base salary. The performance
bonus that can be earned by each Division Manager is based upon the division's
level of income before income taxes, the division's level of customer
satisfaction and the division's level of growth in income before income taxes.
The total amount that can be earned under the bonus programs by each Division
Manager has been capped at two times his annual base salary.
29
<PAGE> 34
The Compensation Committee adopted revised bonus programs for the
Executive Vice Presidents in May 1995. The performance bonus that can be
earned by the Executive Vice Presidents is based on two factors. The first
factor is that if the Company earns income before income taxes in the amount of
$10 million (the "Triggering Level"), the Executive Vice Presidents receive a
percentage of the earnings that exceed the Triggering Level. For each $1
million increment in excess of the Triggering Level, the Executive Vice
Presidents earn a graduated percentage of each dollar earned by the Company.
The second factor is that if the Company's income before income taxes is at
least fifty percent (50%) of Budgeted Net Income and the Company achieves a 90%
customer satisfaction rating as measured by a customer survey conducted by the
Company, the Executive Vice Presidents receive 15% of their base salary as a
bonus. This percentage increases as the level of customer satisfaction
increases and is capped at 25% of their base salary. The total amount that can
be earned under the bonus program by the Executive Vice Presidents has been
capped at three times their annual base salary.
The Compensation Committee adopted revised bonus programs for the
Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the General Counsel in May 1995.
These executive officers' performance bonus is predicated upon the Company
earning income before income taxes in excess of the Triggering Level. If the
Company earns income before income taxes in excess of the Triggering Level, the
Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and the General Counsel will earn an
increasing percentage of their annual base salary as a bonus. The total amount
that can be earned by the Chief Financial Officer under her bonus program has
been capped at 100% of her annual base salary and the total amount that can be
earned by the Treasurer and the General Counsel under their bonus programs has
been capped at 85% of their annual base salary.
Stock Options. It is the Company's intent to award stock options to
the Company's executive officers in amounts reflecting the participant's
position and ability to influence the Company's overall performance. Options
are intended to retain and motivate executive officers to improve long-term
stock market performance. The Chief Executive Officer is not eligible to
receive stock options. It cannot be determined in advance which executive
officers might receive stock options or in what amounts. During 1995, the
Compensation Committee approved the award of nonqualified stock options
("NQSOs") for the purchase of a total of 68,200 shares of Common Stock at
prices of $6.75 and $9.25 per share. NQSOs for the purchase of 18,000 shares
of Common Stock were forfeited during 1995. The NQSOs are scheduled to vest at
a rate of 20% per year over the first five years and to lapse after ten years
unless sooner exercised or forfeited.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. The Chief Executive Officer's
base salary for 1995 was intended to be set at a level slightly higher than
paid for chief executive officers of publicly-held, national homebuilders. The
level of his base salary is based upon the Compensation Committee's belief that
the Chief Executive Officer receives lower fringe benefits compared with the
chief executive officers of the publicly-held, national homebuilders.
The bonus for the Chief Executive Officer for 1995 was determined
pursuant to the amended Performance-Based Bonus Plan which was approved by the
Company's shareholders at the 1995 annual meeting. The amended
Performance-Based Bonus Plan uses two factors to determine his bonus. The
first factor is that if the Company earns income before income taxes
30
<PAGE> 35
in the amount of the Triggering Level, the Chief Executive Officer receives a
percentage of the earnings that exceed the Triggering Level. For each $1
million increment over the Triggering Level, the Chief Executive Officer earns
a certain percentage of each dollar earned by the Company. The Chief Executive
Officer's percentage for each $1 million increment varies between $.02 per
dollar and $.085 per dollar depending on the level of income before incomes
taxes earned by the Company, but is not a steadily rising or steadily falling
percentage. Under this factor, the Chief Executive Officer earned $420,420 as
a result of the Company's performance during 1995.
The second factor is that if the Company's income before income taxes
is at least fifty percent (50%) of Budgeted Net Income and the Company achieves
a 92% customer satisfaction rating as measured by a customer survey conducted
by the Company, the Chief Executive Officer receives 17% of his base salary as
a bonus. This percentage increases as the level of customer satisfaction
increases and is capped at 25% of his base salary. The Chief Executive Officer
earned $113,275 as a result of the Company's 94.7% customer satisfaction rating
during 1995. The total bonus that may be earned by the Chief Executive Officer
under the Performance-Based Bonus Plan was capped at four times his annual base
salary.
John B. Gerlach, Chairman
Lewis R. Smoot, Sr.
Friedrich K. M. Bohm
Irving E. Schottenstein
Lenore G. Schottenstein
31
<PAGE> 36
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
This chart graphs the Company's performance in the form of cumulative
total return to shareholders from November 3, 1993 (the date the Company
completed its initial public offering) until December 31, 1995 in comparison to
Standard and Poor's 500 and the cumulative return on the common stock of seven
publicly traded peer issuers deemed by the Company to be its principal
competitors (the "Peer Group"). The Peer Group includes Continental Homes
Holding Corporation; D.R. Horton, Inc.; Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.; Kaufman
and Broad Home Corporation; Lennar Corporation; Toll Brothers, Inc. and
Washington Homes, Inc.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
NOVEMBER 3, 1993 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
11/3/93 12/31/93 12/31/94 12/31/95
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. 100 126.96 48.70 81.74
S&P 500 Index 100 101.41 102.75 141.35
Peer Group 100 114.11 64.36 108.71
</TABLE>
(1) Assumes that the value of the common stock of the Company and the indices
was 100 on November 3, 1993 and that all dividends were reinvested.
32
<PAGE> 37
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS-DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
----------------------------------------------
ANNUAL RETURN PERCENTAGE
YEARS ENDING
COMPANY/INDEX DEC93 DEC94 DEC95
============================================================================
S&P INDEX 1.41 1.32 37.58
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES INC 26.96 -61.64 67.86
PEER GROUP 14.13 -43.60 68.89
INDEXED RETURNS
YEARS ENDING
3-NOV-93 DEC93 DEC94 DEC95
============================================================================
S&P 500 INDEX 100 101.41 102.75 141.36
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES INC 100 126.96 48.70 81.74
PEER GROUP 100 114.13 64.37 108.71
PEER GROUP COMPANIES:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTINENTAL HOMES HOLDING CP
D R HORTON INC
HOVNANIAN ENTRPRS INC -CL A
KAUFMAN & BROAD HOME
LENNAR CORP
TOLL BROTHERS INC
WASHINGTON HOMES INC
Prepared By Standard & Poor's Compustat -- Custom Business Unit -- 2/15/96
33
<PAGE> 38
SELECTION OF AUDITORS
The Board will select the Company's independent auditors for 1996 based
upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee which is anticipated to be made
in May 1996. Deloitte & Touche LLP were the independent auditors for 1995. A
representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting,
will have an opportunity to make a statement, if he or she so desires, and will
be available to respond to appropriate questions.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any proposals of shareholders which are intended to be presented at the
next annual meeting of shareholders must be received by the Company at its
principal executive offices by December 9, 1996. Such proposals may be
included in next year's proxy statement if they comply with certain rules and
regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
The entire expense of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the
proxy form and the form of material used in the solicitation of proxies will be
paid by the Company. The Company does not expect to pay any compensation for
the solicitation of proxies.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board knows of no other matters to be presented at the Annual
Meeting. If any other matter is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it
is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote in their discretion
upon such matters in accordance with their judgement.
You are urged to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the envelope
provided. No postage is required if the envelope is mailed from within the
United States. If you subsequently decide to attend the Annual Meeting and
wish to vote your shares in person, you may do so. Your cooperation in giving
this matter your prompt attention is appreciated.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Paul S. Coppel,
Secretary
34
<PAGE> 39
APPENDIX I
AMENDED AND RESTATED
REGULATIONS
OF
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.
ARTICLE I - MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
-----------------------------------
(a) ANNUAL MEETINGS. An annual meeting of shareholders,
for the election of directors, for the consideration of any reports and for the
transaction of such other business as may be brought before the meeting, shall
be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Ohio as may be
specified in the notice. The date of each annual meeting of the shareholders
shall be held no earlier than sixty (60) days, but no later than two hundred
seventy (270) days subsequent to the corporation's year end. The specific
meeting date within such time period shall be determined by the Board in its
sole and absolute authority; provided, however, that each meeting date shall be
within the 13 month period following the last annual meeting of the
Shareholders. If this date shall fall upon a legal holiday, the meeting shall
be held on the next succeeding business day.
(b) SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the
shareholders of this corporation shall be called by the Secretary, pursuant to
a resolution of the Board, or upon written direction of the Chairman of the
Board, the President or, in the case of the President's absence, death or
disability, a Vice President authorized to exercise the authority of the
President, or upon written request by shareholders representing 50% of the
shares issued and entitled to vote thereat. Calls for special meetings shall
specify the time, place and object or objects thereof, and no business other
than that specified in the call therefor shall be considered at any such
meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders may be held at such time and
place either within or without the State of Ohio, as may be designated in the
notice thereof.
(c) NOTICES OF MEETINGS. A written or printed notice of
the annual or any special meetings of the shareholders, stating the time and
place, and in case of special meetings, the objects thereof, shall be given by
the Secretary to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting appearing on
the books of the corporation, by mailing the same to his address as same
appears on the records of the corporation or of its Transfer Agent or Agents,
at least seven (7) days, but no more than sixty (60) days, before any such
meeting. Notice of adjournment of a meeting need not be given if the time and
place to which it is adjourned are fixed and announced at the meeting.
(d) QUORUM. Those shareholders present in person or by
proxy entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power shall
constitute a quorum for any meeting of shareholders, except when a greater
proportion is required by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Code of
Regulations. In the event of an absence of a quorum at any meeting or any
adjournment thereof, a majority of those present in person or by proxy and
entitled to vote may
Appendix I - 1
<PAGE> 40
adjourn such meeting from time to time. At any adjourned meeting at which a
quorum may be present, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally called.
(e) PLACE OF MEETINGS. The annual or any special
meeting of shareholders may be held at such place or places within or without
the State of Ohio, as may be specified in the notice of any such meetings.
(f) PROXIES. At any meeting of shareholders, any person
who is entitled to attend, or to vote thereat, and to execute consents, waivers
or releases, may be represented at such meeting or vote thereat, and execute
consents, waivers and releases, and exercise any of his other rights, by proxy
or proxies appointed by a writing signed by such person and submitted to the
Secretary at or before such meeting. Voting by proxy or proxies shall be
governed by all of the provisions of Ohio law, including the provisions
relating to the sufficiency of the writing, the duration of the validity of the
proxy or proxies, and the power of substitution and revocation.
(g) DETERMINING SHAREHOLDERS OF RECORD. The Board may
fix in advance a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled
to notice of and to vote at any meeting of the shareholders. The record date
so fixed shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the
meeting. When a record date is so fixed, only shareholders of record on that
date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting, notwithstanding any
transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date.
If the Board does not fix such a record date, only persons in whose names
shares entitled to vote stand on the stock records of the corporation on the
close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given
or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which the meeting is held, are entitled to vote at the meeting.
(h) VOTING. At all meetings of the shareholders, every
registered owner of shares entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy and
shall have one vote for each share standing in his name on the books of the
corporation. The vote at any meeting of the shareholders on any questions need
not be by ballot, unless so directed by the Chairman of the meeting or required
by the Articles of Incorporation. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be
signed by the shareholder voting, or by his proxy if there be such proxy, and
it shall state the number of shares voted. At any meeting at which a quorum is
present, all questions and business which shall come before the meeting shall
be determined by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power,
except when a different proportion is required by law, the Articles of
Incorporation or these Code of Regulations.
(i) INSPECTORS. The Board, in advance of any meeting of
the shareholders, may appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. If
inspectors are not so appointed, the Chairman presiding at the meeting may
appoint one or more inspectors. If any person so appointed fails to appear or
act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board in advance of
the meeting or at the meeting by the Chairman presiding thereat. Each
inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and
sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at the meeting with
strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors
so appointed shall (i) determine the number of shares outstanding, the
Appendix I - 2
<PAGE> 41
shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the
authenticity, validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive votes, ballots,
waivers, releases or consents, (iii) hear and determine all challenges and
questions arising in connection with the right to vote, (iv) count and tabulate
all votes, ballots, waivers, releases or consents, (v) determine and announce
the results of each election or vote and (vi) do such acts as are proper to
conduct each election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of
the Chairman presiding at the meeting, the inspectors shall make a report in
writing of any challenge, question or matter determined by them and execute a
certificate of any fact found by them. Any report or certificate made by them
shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated and of the vote as certified
by them.
(j) CHAIRMAN OF MEETING. The Chief Executive Officer
shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders. In the absence of the Chief
Executive Officer, the President shall preside at all meetings of the
shareholders. In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer and the President,
the Board may appoint the Chairman of the Board or any other officer of the
corporation to act as chairman of the meeting.
(k) SECRETARY OF MEETING. The Secretary of the
corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the shareholders; and, in
his absence, the Chairman may appoint any person to act as Secretary of the
meeting.
ARTICLE II - SHARES
-------------------
(a) CERTIFICATES. Certificates evidencing the ownership
of shares of the corporation shall be issued to those entitled to them by
transfer or otherwise. Each certificate for shares shall bear a distinguishing
number, the signature of the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice
President and the signature of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the
Treasurer, or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation, and such recitals as
may be required by law. If authorized by the Board and to the extent permitted
by, and subject to any conditions imposed under applicable law, the signatures
of any of said officers on the certificates may be facsimile, engraved, stamped
or printed. The certificates for shares shall be of such tenor and design as
the Board from time to time may adopt.
(b) TRANSFERS. The shares of the corporation shall be
assignable and transferable only on the books and records of the corporation or
of its Transfer Agent or Agents by the registered owner, or by his duly
authorized attorney, upon surrender of the certificate duly and properly
endorsed with proper evidence of authority to transfer. The corporation or its
Transfer Agent or Agents shall issue a new certificate for the shares
surrendered to the person or persons entitled thereto.
(c) LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The holder
of any shares in the corporation shall immediately notify the Secretary of any
lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, and the corporation may issue a new
certificate in the place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen
or destroyed. The Board may, at its discretion, require the owner of a lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate or his legal representative to give the
corporation a bond on such terms
Appendix I - 3
<PAGE> 42
and with such sureties as it may direct, to indemnify the corporation against
any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate. The Board may, however, at its discretion, refuse to
issue any such new certificate except pursuant to legal proceedings in a court
having jurisdiction over such matter pursuant to Ohio law.
(d) FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board shall have power
to fix in advance a date not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of
any meeting of shareholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the
date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any rights in respect of any
change, conversion or exchange of capital stock may be exercised, and in such
cases, such shareholders only as shall be shareholders of record on the date so
fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to
receive payment of such dividends, or to receive such allotment of rights, or
to exercise the rights in respect of such change, conversion or exchange of
capital stock.
(e) DIVIDENDS. Subject to law and the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation, if any, the directors may declare dividends upon the
capital stock of the corporation as and when they deem expedient. Before
declaring any dividend, there may be set apart out of any funds of the
corporation available for their discretion think proper for working capital or
as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for equalizing dividends or for such
other purposes as the directors shall think conducive to the interest of the
corporation.
(f) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. A restriction on
the hypothecation, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the
corporation may be imposed either by the Articles of Incorporation or by these
Code of Regulations or by an agreement among any number of shareholders or
among such holders and the corporation or by resolution of the Board
determining that restriction is reasonably necessary for compliance with the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. No restriction so imposed shall be binding
with respect to the securities issued prior to the adoption of the restriction
unless the holders of such securities are parties to an agreement or voted in
favor of the restriction. Unless noted conspicuously on the share certificate,
a restriction, even though permitted by this Section, is ineffective except
against a person with actual knowledge of the restriction.
ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS
-----------------------
(a) MANAGEMENT OF CORPORATION. Except where the law,
the Articles of Incorporation or this Code of Regulations requires actions to
be authorized or taken by the shareholders, all of the authority of the
corporation shall be exercised and the property, business, and affairs of the
corporation shall be managed and controlled by, and under the direction of, its
Board.
(b) NUMBER AND TERM. The number of members of the Board
shall be initially fixed at nine (9) and shall be divided into three classes.
The first class shall be comprised of three directors, and the directors
initially elected to such class shall hold office until the next succeeding
annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are duly elected
and
Appendix I - 4
<PAGE> 43
qualified. The second class shall be comprised of three directors, and the
directors initially elected to such class shall hold office until the second
succeeding annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are
duly elected and qualified. The third class shall be comprised of three
directors, and the directors initially elected to such class shall hold office
until the third succeeding annual meeting of the shareholders and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. Thereafter, at each annual meeting
of shareholders, directors to succeed those whose terms are expiring at such
annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the third succeeding
annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are duly elected
and qualified.
(c) NEWLY CREATED DIRECTORSHIPS AND VACANCIES. A
resignation from the Board shall be deemed to take effect upon its receipt by
the Secretary, unless some other time is specified therein. The acceptance of
any resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified
in the resignation. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in
the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death,
resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause, may be filled at any
duly convened meeting by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining
directors then in office, even though the number of then serving directors is
less than a quorum of the Board; provided, however, that any vacancy resulting
from the removal of a director by the shareholders shall be filled only by the
vote of the shareholders entitled to vote for the election of directors. Any
director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office
for the remainder of the full term for which the new directorship was created
or the vacancy occurred and until such director s successor shall have been
elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the
Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(d) CHANGE IN NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of
directors of the corporation and the number of directors in each class may be
changed either by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors or by an
affirmative vote of the holders of record of at least 75% of the voting power
of the corporation at a meeting of the shareholders called for that purpose and
for the purpose of electing directors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the classes
shall be of approximately equal size and in no event shall any class contain
more than six directors. No reduction in the number of directors, either by a
vote of the directors or shareholders, shall of itself have the effect of
shortening the term of any incumbent director.
(e) NOMINATIONS. Nominations for the election of
directors may be made by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board or by
any shareholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally.
However, any shareholders entitled to vote in the election of directors
generally may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at a
meeting only if written notice of such shareholder's intent to make such
nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by
United States Mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the corporation not
less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first
anniversary of the date of the preceding year's annual meeting (or, if the date
of annual meeting is changed by more than thirty (30) days from the anniversary
date of the preceding year's annual meeting or in the case of a special
meeting, within seven (7) days after the date the Company mails or otherwise
gives notice of the date of the meeting). Each such notice shall set forth:
(a) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the
Appendix I - 5
<PAGE> 44
nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation
that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled
to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the
meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a
description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and
each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons)
pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the
shareholder; (d) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such
shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed
pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the
nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board; and (e) the
consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the corporation if so
elected. The Chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination
of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.
(f) REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board
shall be held at such frequency and on such dates as the Board may from time to
time designate.
(g) SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board
shall be called by the Secretary upon written request of the Chairman of the
Board, the President or any two (2) directors.
(h) NOTICE OF MEETINGS. The Secretary shall give
written notice of the time and place of each meeting of the Board, whether
regular or special, to each member of the Board, either by personal delivery or
by mail, telegram, cablegram or other means authorized by law, at least two (2)
days prior to such meeting.
(i) QUORUM. A majority of the Directors in office at
the time shall constitute a quorum at all meetings thereof.
(j) PLACE OF MEETINGS. The Board may hold its meetings
at such place or places within or without the State of Ohio as the Board may
from time to time determine.
(k) COMPENSATION. Directors shall be entitled to receive
as compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred as directors, such
amounts as the Board may determine. Members of any committees created
hereunder or by the Board may be allowed such compensation as the Board may
determine for attending committee meetings.
(l) TELECONFERENCES. Meetings of the Board, or any
committee thereof, may be held through any communications equipment if all
persons participating in such meeting can hear each other, and participation in
any meeting in this manner shall constitute presence at such meeting.
(m) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. A director of the
corporation shall not be disqualified by his office from dealing or contracting
with the corporation as a vendor, purchaser, employee, agent or otherwise. No
transaction, contract or other act of the corporation shall be void or voidable
or in any way affected or invalidated solely by reason of the fact that any
director or any firm, corporation or trust in which such director is a member
or is a beneficiary,
Appendix I - 6
<PAGE> 45
shareholder, director, officer or trustee, is in any way interested in such
transaction, contract or other act, provided that the conditions of Section
1701.60 of the General Corporation Law of Ohio, as the same now exists or may
hereafter be amended, are satisfied. No director shall be accountable or
responsible to the corporation for or in respect of any such transaction,
contract or other act of the corporation or for any gains or profits realized
by him by reason of the fact that he or any firm of which he is a member or any
corporation or trust which he is a beneficiary, shareholder, director, officer
or trustee is interested in such transaction, contract or other act.
(n) REMOVAL FOR CAUSE. No director may be removed from
office by the shareholders except for cause with the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than a majority of the total voting power of the
corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors.
ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES
-----------------------
(a) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Board shall, by resolution
or resolutions passed by a majority of the Board, designate three (3) or more
of their number, which shall include the Chairman of the Board, to constitute
an Executive Committee to serve during the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman
of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Executive Committee. The Board is
authorized to remove at any time, without notice, any member of the Executive
Committee, except the Chairman of the Board, and elect another member in his
place and stead.
The Board may appoint one (1) or more directors as alternate members
of the Executive Committee who may take the place of any absent member or
members at any meeting of the Executive Committee.
Except as otherwise provided herein, in the Articles of Incorporation
or by law, the Board may delegate to such Committee, during the interval
between meetings of the Board, authority to exercise all of the powers, or only
specifically enumerated or described powers, of the Board in the management of
the business and affairs of the corporation.
The Executive Committee shall keep full and fair records and accounts
of its proceedings and transactions. All action by the Executive Committee
shall be reported to the Board at its meeting next succeeding such action and
shall be subject to control, revision and alteration by the Board; provided
that no rights of third persons shall be prejudicially affected thereby.
Vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Board.
(b) COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The Board shall appoint the
Compensation Committee, which shall consist of three (3) or more directors, a
majority of which are independent directors. For purposes of this section, an
independent director is a director who is not an employee, officer or former
officer of the corporation or a subsidiary or division
Appendix I - 7
<PAGE> 46
thereof, or a relative of a principal executive officer, or who is not an
individual member of an organization acting as an advisor, consultant or legal
counsel receiving compensation on a continuing basis from the corporation in
addition to director's fees. The Board shall designate one (1) of the members
as Chairman of the Committee. The Compensation Committee shall review and
report to the Board on company compensation programs and policies to assure
that they are competitive and provide for internal equity; review and advise
the President on specific compensation matters for officers and top executives;
and perform such other duties as the Board may require.
(c) AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Board shall appoint the Audit
Committee, which shall consist of not less than three (3) or more directors who
are independent directors of the corporation. The Board shall designate one
(1) of the members as Chairman of the Committee. The Audit Committee shall
review and report to the Board on the corporation's audit procedures and
policies, make recommendations concerning such policies and procedures, and
perform such other duties as the Board may require.
(d) GENERAL. The Board may by resolution provide
for such other standing committees or special committees as it deems desirable
and discontinue the same at its pleasure. Each such committee shall have such
powers and perform such duties, not inconsistent with law, as may be delegated
to it by the Board. The Board shall appoint the members of any and all such
committees and shall designate the Chairman of each such committee. Subject to
the provisions of these Code of Regulations, committees formed by the Board
shall fix their own rules of procedure and shall meet as provided by such rules
or by resolutions of the Board, and they shall also meet at the call of the
Chairman of the Board, the President, any two members of the committee, or the
sole surviving member of the committee. A majority of the surviving members of
a committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. Any committee,
including the Executive Committee, may act in writing, or by cable or telegraph
or by telephone with written confirmation, without a meeting; but no such
action of a committee shall be effective unless concurred in by all members of
the committee.
ARTICLE V - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
--------------------------------
At the first meeting of the Board in each year (at which a
quorum shall be present) held next after the annual meeting of the
shareholders, the Board shall elect the officers of the corporation. Officers
may also be elected at any regular meeting of the Board or at any special
meeting called for such purpose.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
---------------------
(a) DESIGNATION. The officers of this corporation shall
be a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more
Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer,
and such other officers as the Board may, from time to time, elect, all of whom
may or may not be directors. The Chairman of the Board must be
Appendix I - 8
<PAGE> 47
a director of the corporation. Any person may hold two or more offices, except
that one person may not simultaneously hold the offices of President and
Secretary. Said officers shall be chosen by the Board and shall hold office
for one (1) year, or until their successors are elected and qualified.
(b) REMOVAL. Any officer elected by the Board may be
removed at any time, with or without cause, upon vote of the majority of the
whole Board. Any officer appointed not by the Board but by an officer or
committee to which the Board shall have delegated the power of appointment may
also be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the committee or
superior officer (including successors) who made the appointment, or by any
committee or officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the
Board.
(c) RESIGNATIONS. Any officer may resign at any time by
giving written notice to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the President,
or the Secretary of the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at
the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
(d) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. An officer of the
corporation shall not be disqualified by his office from dealing or contracting
with the corporation as a vendor, purchaser, employee, agent or otherwise. No
transaction, contract or other act of the corporation shall be void or voidable
or in any way affected or invalidated solely by reason of the fact that any
officer or any firm, corporation or trust in which such officer is a member or
is a beneficiary, shareholder, director, officer or trustee, is in any way
interested in such transaction, contract or other act, provided that the
conditions of Section 1701.60 of the General Corporation Law of Ohio, as the
same now exists or may hereafter be amended, are satisfied. No officer shall
be accountable or responsible to the corporation for or in respect of any such
transaction, contract or other act of the corporation or for any gains or
profits realized by him by reason of the fact that he or any firm of which he
is a member or any corporation or trust in which he is a beneficiary,
shareholder, director, officer or trustee is interested in such transaction,
contract or other act.
ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
--------------------------------
(a) CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board
shall preside at all meetings of directors. He shall exercise, subject to the
control of the Board and the shareholders of the corporation, a general
supervision over the affairs of the corporation, and shall perform generally
all duties incident to the office and such other duties as may be assigned to
him from time to time by the Board.
(b) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Chief Executive Officer
shall have general control and management of the business affairs and policies
of the corporation. He shall be generally responsible for the proper conduct
of the business of the corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the
Articles of Incorporation, this Code of Regulations or resolution
Appendix I - 9
<PAGE> 48
of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall possess the same power as the
President to sign all certificates, contracts, and other instruments of the
corporation. During the absence or disability of the President, the Chief
Executive Officer shall exercise all the powers and discharge all of the duties
of the President. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of
the shareholders. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and
perform such other duties as from time to time may be conferred upon him by the
Board.
(c) PRESIDENT. The President shall be the principal
operating and administrative officer of the corporation. If there is no Chief
Executive Officer or during the absence or disability of the Chief Executive
Officer, he shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of
the Chief Executive Officer. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles
of Incorporation, this Code of Regulations or resolution of the Board, the
President shall possess the power to sign all certificates, contracts and other
instruments of the corporation. The President shall, in the absence of the
Chief Executive Officer, preside at all meetings of the shareholders. The
President shall perform all other duties as are incident to his office or are
properly required by him by the Board.
(d) VICE PRESIDENT. The Vice Presidents shall have such
powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board or the
President.
(e) SECRETARY. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be
given, notice of all meetings of shareholders and directors and all other
notices required by law or by these Code of Regulations and, in case of his
absence or refusal or neglect to do so for a period of fifteen (15) days, any
such notice may be given by a person thereunto directed by the President, or by
the directors or shareholders upon whose request the meeting is called as
provided in these Code of Regulations. The Secretary shall record all the
proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the directors in a book
to be kept for that purpose and shall perform such other duties as may be
assigned to him by the Board or the President. The Secretary shall have the
custody of the seal of the corporation, if any, and shall affix the same to all
instruments requiring it, when authorized by the directors or the President,
and attest the same.
(f) TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have the custody of
the funds and securities of the corporation which may come into his hands, and
shall do with the same as may be ordered by the Board. When necessary or
proper, he may endorse on behalf of the corporation, for collection, checks,
notes and other obligations. He shall deposit the funds of the corporation to
its credit in such hands and depositories as the Board may, from time to time,
designate. He shall also have such further duties as may be assigned to him by
the Board.
Appendix I - 10
<PAGE> 49
ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION
------------------------------
(a) MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION. The corporation shall
indemnify any officer or director of the corporation who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (including, without limitation, any action threatened or
instituted by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that
he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee,
officer, employee, member, manager or agent of another corporation (domestic or
foreign, nonprofit or for profit), limited liability company, partnership,
joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court reporters' fees and transcript
costs), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation. A person claiming indemnification under
this section shall be presumed, in respect of any act or omission giving rise
to such claim for indemnification, to have acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and the termination of any action suit or proceeding by judgment,
order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, rebut such presumption. Any indemnification
under this section, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation
only upon a determination that the director or officer has met the applicable
standard of conduct and such determination shall be made by (i) a majority vote
of a quorum consisting of directors of the corporation who were and are not
parties to, or threatened with, any such action, suit or proceeding, (ii) if
such a quorum is not obtainable or if a majority of a quorum of disinterested
directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other
than an attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who has been
retained by or who has performed services for or any person to be indemnified,
within the past five years, or (iii) by the shareholders.
(b) INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCES FOR EXPENSES.
Anything contained in the Regulations or elsewhere to the contrary
notwithstanding, to the extent that an officer or director of the corporation
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit
or proceeding, he shall be promptly indemnified by the corporation against
expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court
reporters' fees and transcript costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him
in connection therewith. Expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys'
fees, filing fees, court reporters' fees and transcript costs) incurred in
defending any action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding to or on
behalf of the officer or director promptly as such expenses are incurred by him
if: (i) in respect of any claim, except one in which the only liability
asserted against a director is pursuant to Section 1701.95 of the Ohio Revised
Code, the corporation receives an undertaking by or on behalf of the director,
in which he agrees to repay all such amounts if it is proved by clear and
convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that his action or
failure to act involved an act or omission undertaken with deliberate
intent to cause injury to the
Appendix I - 11
<PAGE> 50
corporation or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best interests of the
corporation and agrees to cooperate reasonably with the corporation concerning
the action, suit, or proceeding; or (ii) the corporation receives an
undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer in which he agrees to
repay all such amounts if it ultimately is determined that he is not entitled
to be indemnified by the corporation under section (a) of this Article VIII.
(c) ARTICLE VIII NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification provided by this
Article VIII shall not be exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any other
rights to which any person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any
agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both
as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity
while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be an officer or director of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of
the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
(d) INSURANCE. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance
or furnish similar protection, including but not limited to trust funds,
letters of credit, or self-insurance, on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee,
member, manager or agent of another corporation (domestic or foreign, nonprofit
or for profit), limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by
him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not
the corporation would have the obligation or the power to indemnify him against
such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX - CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION PROVISIONS
-------------------------------------------------
(a) Unless the Directors of the corporation have pre-approved
a proposed Control Share Acquisition, such Control Share Acquisition shall be
made only with the prior authorization of the shareholders of the corporation
in accordance with this Article IX.
(b) Unless the Directors waive such requirement with respect
to any particular proposed Control Share Acquisition, any person who proposes
to make a Control Share Acquisition shall deliver notice (an "Acquiring Person
Statement") to the corporation at the corporation's principal executive
offices. Such Acquiring Person Statement shall set forth all of the following:
(1) The identity of the Acquiring Person;
(2) A statement that the Acquiring Person Statement is
given pursuant to this Article IX;
(3) The number of shares of Common Stock of the
corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Acquiring Person;
Appendix I - 12
<PAGE> 51
(4) The range of Voting Power, described in Article
IX(f)(2)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) hereof, under which the proposed
Control Share Acquisition would, if consummated, fall;
(5) A description in reasonable detail of the terms of
the proposed Control Share Acquisition; and
(6) Representations of the Acquiring Person, together
with a statement in reasonable detail of the facts upon which
they are based, that the proposed Control Share Acquisition,
if consummated, will not be contrary to law, and that the
Acquiring Person has the financial capacity to make the
proposed Control Share Acquisition.
(c) As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of an
Acquiring Person Statement that complies with Article IX(b) hereof, the
Directors shall set a date for a special meeting of shareholders for the
purpose of voting on the proposed Control Share Acquisition, which date, unless
the Acquiring Person agrees in writing to another date, shall be within ninety
(90) days after receipt by the corporation of the Acquiring Person Statement;
PROVIDED, that in no event shall such special meeting shall be held sooner than
thirty (30) days after receipt by the corporation of the Acquiring Person
Statement or later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after receipt by the
corporation of the Acquiring Person Statement.
(d) Notice of the special meeting of shareholders shall be
given as promptly as reasonably practicable by the corporation to all
shareholders of record as of the record date set for such meeting, whether or
not entitled to vote thereat. Such notice shall include or be accompanied by
both of the following:
(1) A copy of the Acquiring Person Statement delivered to
the corporation pursuant to this Article IX; and
(2) A statement by the corporation, authorized by the
Directors, of its position or recommendation, or that it is
taking no position or making no recommendation, with respect
to the proposed Control Share Acquisition.
(e) Unless the Directors of the corporation have pre-approved
a proposed Control Share Acquisition, the Acquiring Person may make the
proposed Control Share Acquisition only if both of the following occur:
(1) The shareholders of the corporation who hold shares
of the corporation entitling them to vote in the election of
directors authorize such acquisition at the special meeting
held for that purpose at which a quorum is present by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Voting Power represented
at such meeting in person or by proxy, an a majority of such
Voting Power excluding the Voting Power of Interested Shares.
A quorum shall be deemed to be present at such special meeting
if at least a majority
Appendix I - 13
<PAGE> 52
of the Voting Power, and a majority of the portion of such
Voting Power excluding the Voting Power of Interested Shares
are represented at such meeting in person or by proxy; and
(2) Such acquisition is consummated, in accordance with
the terms so authorized, no later than three hundred sixty
(360) days following shareholder authorization of the Control
Share Acquisition.
(f) For purposes of this Article IX, the following terms
have the following meanings:
(1) "Acquiring Person" means any person who has delivered
an Acquiring Person Statement.
(2) (A) "Control Share Acquisition" means the
acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person of shares
of the corporation that, when added to all other shares of the
corporation in respect of which such person may exercise or
direct the exercise of Voting Power, would entitle such
person, immediately after such acquisition, directly or
indirectly, alone or with others, to exercise or direct the
exercise of the Voting Power within any of the following
ranges of such Voting Power:
(i) One-fifth or more but less than one-third of
such Voting Power;
(ii) One-third or more but less than a majority of
such Voting Power; or
(iii) A majority or more of such Voting Power.
A bank, broker, nominee, trustee or other person who
acquires shares in the ordinary course of business for the
benefit of others in good faith and not for the purpose of
circumventing this Article IX shall, however, be deemed to
have Voting Power only of shares in respect of which such
person would be able, without further instructions from
others, to exercise or direct the exercise of votes on a
proposed Control Share Acquisition at a meeting of
shareholders called pursuant to this Article IX.
(B) The acquisition by any person of any shares
of the corporation does not constitute a Control Share
Acquisition for the purposes of this Article IX if the
acquisition was or is consummated in, results from or is the
consequence of any of the following circumstances:
(i) By bequest or inheritance, by operation of
law upon the death of an individual, or by any other
transfer without valuable consideration, including a
gift, that is made in good faith and not for
Appendix I - 14
<PAGE> 53
the purpose of circumventing this Article IX;
(ii) Pursuant to the satisfaction of a pledge or
other security interest created in good faith and not
for the purpose of circumventing this Article IX;
(iii) Pursuant to a merger or consolidation
adopted, or a combination or majority share
acquisition authorized, by shareholder vote in
compliance with the provisions of Section 1701.78,
1701.781 or 1701.83 of the Ohio Revised Code (or any
successors to such provisions) provided that the
corporation is the surviving or new corporation in
the merger or consolidation or is the acquiring
corporation in the combination or majority share
acquisition;
(iv) The person's being entitled, immediately
thereafter, to exercise or direct the exercise of
Voting Power within the same range theretofore
attained by that person either in compliance with the
provisions of this Article IX or as a result solely
of the corporations purchase of shares issued by it.
The acquisition by any person of shares of the
corporation in a manner described under Article IX(f)(2)(B)
shall be deemed a Control Share Acquisition authorized
pursuant to this Article IX within the range of Voting Power
under Article IX(F)(2)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) that such person
is entitled to exercise after such acquisition, provided in
the case of an acquisition in a manner described under Article
IX(F)(2)(B)(i) or (ii), the transferor of shares to such
person had previously obtained any authorization of the
Directors or shareholders required under this Article IX in
connection with such transferor's acquisition of shares of the
corporation.
(C) The acquisition of shares of the corporation
in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this
Article IX from any person whose Control Share Acquisition
previously had been approved by the Directors or authorized by
the shareholders in compliance with this Article IX, or from
any person whose previous acquisition of shares of the
corporation would have constituted a Control Share Acquisition
but for Article IX(F)(2)(B) or (C), does not constitute a
Control Share Acquisition for the purposes of this Article IX
unless such acquisition entitles the person making the
acquisition, directly or indirectly, alone or with others, to
exercise or direct the exercise of Voting Power in excess of
the range of such Voting Power authorized pursuant to this
Article IX, or deemed to be so authorized under Article
IX(F)(2)(B).
(3) "Interested Shares" means the shares of the
corporation in respect of which any of the following persons
may exercise or direct the exercise of Voting Power:
Appendix I - 15
<PAGE> 54
(A) An Acquiring Person;
(B) Any officer of the corporation elected or
appointed by the Directors; or
(C) Any employee of the corporation who is also a
Director.
(4) "Voting Power" means voting power of the corporation
in the election of Directors.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
----------------------
These Regulations may be adopted, amended or repealed by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares empowered to vote thereon at any
meeting called and held for that purpose, notice of which meeting has been
given pursuant to law, or without a meeting by the written consent of the
owners of a majority of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote thereon;
provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling
them to exercise not less than two-thirds of the voting power of the
corporation, or two-thirds of the voting power of any class or classes of
shares of the corporation which entitle the holders thereof to vote in respect
of any such matter as a class, shall be required, whether at any meeting called
and held for that purpose, or without a meeting in an action by written
consent, to adopt, amend or repeal any of the following provisions of these
Regulations: (1) Article I(b); (2) Article I(c); (3) Article III(b); (4)
Article III(c); (5) Article III(e); (6) Article III(m); (7) Article III(n); (8)
Article VIII; (9) Article IX; or (10) this Article X; provided, further, that
the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise not
less than 75% of the voting power of the corporation, or 75% of the voting
power of any class or classes of shares of the corporation which entitle the
holders thereof to vote in respect of any such matter as a class, shall be
required, whether at any meeting called and held for that purpose, or without a
meeting in an action by written consent, to adopt, amend or repeal Article
III(d) of these Regulations.
Appendix I - 16
<PAGE> 55
APPENDIX II
CHAPTER 1704
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING INTERESTED SHAREHOLDERS
1704.01 DEFINITIONS
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(A) "Corporation," "domestic corporation," "foreign corporation,"
"state," "articles," "shareholder," "person," "principal office," "express
terms," "treasury shares," "parent corporation," "parent," "subsidiary
corporation," "subsidiary," "combination," "transferee corporation," "majority
share acquisition," "acquiring corporation," "voting shares" when used in
connection with a combination or majority share acquisition, "constituent
corporation," "surviving corporation," "close corporation agreement," and
"issuing public corporation" have the same meanings as in section 1701.01 of
the Revised Code.
(B) "Chapter 1704. transaction" means any of the following:
(1) A merger, consolidation, combination or majority share
acquisition between or involving an issuing public corporation or any
subsidiary of an issuing public corporation and any of the following:
(a) An interested shareholder;
(b) A person, partnership, corporation, or other entity, however
organized, whether or not it is an interested shareholder, that is, or after
the merger, consolidation, combination, or majority share acquisition would be,
an affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder.
(2)(a) Subject to the exception in division (B)(2)(b) of this
section, a purchase, lease, sale, distribution, dividend, exchange, mortgage,
pledge, transfer, or other disposition of assets, directly or indirectly owned
or controlled by the issuing public corporation, by, to, with, or for the
benefit of an interested shareholder or an affiliate or associate of an
interested shareholder in one or more transactions, if, in any of those
transactions, the assets meet any of the following conditions:
(i) The assets have an aggregate fair market value equal to at
least five per cent of the aggregate fair market value of all the assets,
determined on a consolidated basis, of the issuing public corporation;
(ii) The assets have an aggregate fair market value equal to at
least five per cent of the aggregate fair market value of all the outstanding
shares of the issuing public corporation;
(iii) The assets represent at least ten per cent of the earning
power or income of the issuing public corporation, determined on a consolidated
after-tax basis and after excluding any transaction other than in the ordinary
course of business.
Appendix II-1
<PAGE> 56
(b) One or more transactions in the ordinary course of business of
an issuing public corporation on terms no more favorable to the interested
shareholder than those acceptable to third parties, as shown by contemporaneous
transactions, is not a Chapter 1704. transaction under division (B)(2)(a) of
this section.
(3)(a) Subject to the exception in division (B)(3)(b) of this
section, a purchase, lease, sale, exchange, transfer, or other disposition of
assets directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the interested shareholder
or an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder, by, to, with, or
for the benefit of the issuing public corporation in one or more transactions,
if, in any of those transactions, the assets meet any of the conditions set
forth in division (B)(2)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.
(b) One or more transactions in the ordinary course of business of
an issuing public corporation on terms no more favorable to the interested
shareholder than those acceptable to third parties, as shown by contemporaneous
transactions, is not a Chapter 1704. transaction under division (B)(3)(a) of
this section.
(4) The issuance or transfer to an interested shareholder or an
associate or affiliate of an interested shareholder, of any shares, or of any
rights to acquire shares, of the issuing public corporation or a subsidiary of
the issuing public corporation, in one or more transactions, if the shares, or
the rights, have an aggregate fair market value equal to at least five per cent
of the aggregate fair market value of all the outstanding shares of the issuing
public corporation and if the shares, or the rights, are not issued or
transferred pursuant to the exercise of warrants, rights, or options to
purchase that have been issued, or pursuant to a dividend paid or a
distribution made, proportionately to all shareholders of the issuing public
corporation.
(5) The adoption of a plan or a proposal for the dissolution,
winding up of the affairs, or liquidation of the issuing public corporation
that is proposed by, on behalf of, or pursuant to a written or unwritten
agreement, arrangement, or understanding with an interested shareholder or an
affiliate or associate of an interested shareholder.
(6) Any of the following, if the direct or indirect effect is to
increase the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of the issuing
public corporation or a subsidiary of the issuing public corporation
beneficially owned by an interested shareholder or an affiliate or associate of
an interested shareholder, unless the increase is the result of immaterial
changes due to fractional share adjustments:
(a) A reclassification of securities, including a share split, a
share dividend or other distribution of shares, or a reverse share split;
(b) A recapitalization of the issuing public corporation;
(c) A merger, consolidation, combination, or majority share
acquisition between or involving the issuing public corporation and a
subsidiary of the issuing public corporation;
Appendix II-2
<PAGE> 57
(d) Any other transaction, whether or not with, into, or involving
the interested shareholder, that is proposed by, on behalf of, or pursuant to a
written or unwritten agreement, arrangement, or understanding with the
interested shareholder or an affiliate or associate of the interested
shareholder.
(7) Receipt by an interested shareholder or an affiliate or
associate of an interested shareholder of the direct or indirect benefit of a
loan, advance, pension or any other employee benefit plan termination,
guarantee, pledge, mortgage, security agreement, financing statement, deed of
trust, or other financial assistance, or a tax credit or other tax advantage,
provided by or through the issuing public corporation or any subsidiary of the
issuing public corporation unless the interested shareholder receives the
benefit proportionately as a holder of shares of the issuing public
corporation.
(C) When used in connection with a Chapter 1704. transaction:
(1) "Affiliate" means a person that directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, is under common
control with, or acts in concert with, a specified person.
(2) "Announcement date" means the date of the first public
announcement of a definitive proposal for a Chapter 1704. transaction.
(3) "Associate" of a person means any of the following:
(a) A corporation, partnership, or other entity, however
organized, of which the person is an officer, director, or partner or is the
beneficial owner of shares entitling that person to exercise at least ten per
cent of the voting power in the election of the directors or other governing
body of that corporation, partnership, or other entity;
(b) A trust or other estate, including any employee stock
ownership or benefit plan, however, designated, in which the person has a
substantial beneficial interest or as to which the person serves as trustee or
in a similar fiduciary capacity;
(c) A relative or spouse of the person, or a relative of the
spouse of the person, who has the same principal residence as the person.
(4) "Beneficial owner" of shares means a person who, with respect
to particular shares, meets any of the following conditions:
(a) The person directly or indirectly, alone or with others,
including affiliates or associates of that person, beneficially owns the
shares;
(b) The person directly or indirectly, alone or with others,
including affiliates or associates of that person, has the right, whether
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, conditionally,
unconditionally, or otherwise, to acquire the shares pursuant to a written
Appendix II-3
<PAGE> 58
or unwritten agreement, arrangement, or understanding or upon the exercise of
conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants, calls, options, or otherwise;
(c) The person directly or indirectly, alone or with others,
including affiliates or associates of that person, has the right to vote or
direct the voting of the shares pursuant to a written or unwritten agreement,
arrangement, or understanding;
(d) The person has a written or unwritten agreement, arrangement,
or understanding with another person who is directly or indirectly a beneficial
owner, or whose affiliates or associates are direct or indirect beneficial
owners, of the shares, if the agreement, arrangement, or understanding is for
the purpose of the first person's or the other person's acquiring, holding,
disposing of, voting, or directing the voting of the shares to or for the
benefit of the first person. A bank, broker, nominee, trustee, or other person
who acquires shares for the benefit of others in the ordinary course of
business in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions
of this chapter shall, however, be deemed to be the beneficial owner only of
shares in respect of which that person, without further instruction from
others, holds voting power.
(5) "Consummation date" means the date on which consummation of a
Chapter 1704. transaction occurs.
(6) "Control," or "controlled by," or "under common control with"
refers to the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through
the exercise of or the ability to exercise voting power, by contract, or
otherwise, except that "control" of a corporation is not established for
purposes of this division if a person, in good faith and not for the purpose of
circumventing the provisions of this chapter, holds voting power as an agent,
custodian, bank, broker, nominee, or trustee for one or more beneficial owners
who do not individually or as a group have control of the corporation.
(7) "Exchange Act" means the "Securities Exchange Act of 1934," 48
Stat. 881, 15 U.S.C.A. 78a-78jj, as amended, and any successor or replacement
legislation and amendments to the successor or replacement legislation.
(8) "Interested shareholder," with respect to an issuing public
corporation, means a person other than the issuing public corporation, a
subsidiary of that issuing public corporation, any employee stock ownership or
benefit plan of the issuing public corporation or a subsidiary of that issuing
public corporation, or any trustee or fiduciary with respect to any such plan
acting in such capacity who is the beneficial owner of a sufficient number of
shares of the issuing public corporation that, when added to all other shares
of the issuing public corporation in respect of which that person may exercise
or direct the exercise of voting power, would entitle that person, directly or
indirectly, alone or with others, including affiliates and associates of that
person, to exercise or direct the exercise of ten per cent of the voting power
of the issuing public corporation in the election of directors after taking
into account all of that person's beneficially owned shares that are not
currently outstanding.
Appendix II-4
<PAGE> 59
(9) "Disinterested shares" means voting shares beneficially owned
by any person not an interested shareholder or an affiliate or associate of an
interested shareholder.
(10) "Share acquisition date," with respect to any person, means
the date on which that person first becomes an interested shareholder of an
issuing public corporation.
(11) "Voting shares" means shares of a domestic or foreign
corporation, entitling the holder of the shares to vote at the time in the
election of directors of the corporation without regard to the voting power
represented by shares that thereafter may exist upon a default, failure, or
other contingency.
1704.02 TRANSACTIONS WITHIN THREE YEARS OF INTERESTED SHAREHOLDER'S SHARE
ACQUISITION DATE
An issuing public corporation shall not engage in a Chapter 1704.
transaction for three years after an interested shareholder's share acquisition
date unless either of the following applies:
(A) Prior to the interested shareholder's share acquisition date,
the directors of the issuing public corporation have approved, for the purposes
of this chapter, the Chapter 1704. transaction or the purchase of shares by the
interested shareholder on the interested shareholder's share acquisition date;
(B) Any of the provisions of section 1704.05 of the Revised Code
makes this chapter inapplicable, except that if the Chapter 1704. transaction
is of a type described in section 1701.76, 1701.78, 1701.79, 1701.80, 1701.801,
or 1701.86 of the Revised Code, there also must be compliance with the
provisions of that section.
1704.03 TRANSACTIONS LATER THAN THREE YEARS AFTER INTERESTED SHAREHOLDER'S
SHARE ACQUISITION DATE
(A) At any time after the three-year period described in section
1704.02 of the Revised Code, the issuing public corporation may engage in a
Chapter 1704. transaction, provided that if the Chapter 1704. transaction is of
a type described in section 1701.76, 1701.78, 1701.79, 1701.80, 1701.801, or
1701.86 of the Revised Code, there is compliance with the provisions of that
section, and provided that at least one of the following is satisfied:
(1) Any of the provisions of section 1704.05 of the Revised Code
makes this chapter inapplicable;
(2) Prior to the interested shareholder's share acquisition date,
the directors of the issuing public corporation had approved the purchase of
shares by the interested shareholder on the interested shareholder's share
acquisition date;
(3) The Chapter 1704. transaction is approved, at a meeting held
for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of the
issuing public corporation entitling them
Appendix II-5
<PAGE> 60
to exercise at least two-thirds of the voting power of the issuing public
corporation in the election of directors, or of such different proportion as
the articles may provide, provided the Chapter 1704. transaction is also
approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
disinterested shares;
(4) The Chapter 1704. transaction meets both of the following
conditions:
(a) It results in the receipt per share by the holders of all
outstanding shares of the issuing public corporation not beneficially owned by
the interested shareholder of an amount of cash that, when added to the fair
market value, as of the consummation date of the Chapter 1704. transaction, of
noncash consideration, aggregates at least the higher of the following:
(i) The figure determined under division (B)(1) of this section;
(ii) The preferential amount per share, if any, to which holders of
shares of that class or series of shares are entitled upon voluntary or
involuntary dissolution of the issuing public corporation, plus the aggregate
amount per share of dividends declared or due that those holders are entitled
to receive before payment of dividends on another class or series of shares,
unless the aggregate amount per share of those dividends is included in the
preferential amount.
(b) The form of consideration to be received by holders of each
particular class or series of outstanding shares of the issuing public
corporation in the Chapter 1704. transaction, apart from any portion that is
interest, is in cash or, if the interested shareholder previously purchased
shares of that class or series, is in the same form the interested shareholder
previously paid to acquire the largest number of shares of that class or
series, but in no event shall the fair market value of the consideration
received by a holder of a share of a particular class or series of outstanding
shares in the Chapter 1704. transaction be less than the current fair market
value of a share of the issuing public corporation of the same class or series.
(B)(1) For purposes of making a determination under division
(A)(4)(a) of this section, the figure to be used in division (A)(4)(a)(i) of
this section shall be the highest, after taking into account interest to the
extent provided in division (B)(2) of this section, of the following:
(a) The fair market value per share on the announcement date of
the Chapter 1704. transaction;
(b) The fair market value per share on the interested shareholder
s share acquisition date;
(c) The highest price per share paid, including brokerage
commissions, transfer taxes, and soliciting dealers fees, by the interested
shareholder, or by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder, for
shares of the same class or series within the three years immediately before
and including the announcement date of the Chapter 1704. transaction;
(d) The highest price per share paid, including brokerage
commissions, transfer taxes, and soliciting dealers' fees, by the interested
shareholder, or by an affiliate or associate of the
Appendix II-6
<PAGE> 61
interested shareholder, for shares of the same class or series within the three
years immediately before and including the interested shareholder's share
acquisition date.
(2) Each determination under division (B)(1)(a), (b), (c), or (d)
of this section shall include interest compounded annually from the earliest
date as of which the per share fair market value was determined or on which
that highest per share purchase price was paid through the consummation date of
the Chapter 1704. transaction, at the rate of interest paid on one-year United
States treasury obligations from time to time in effect, less the aggregate
amount of any cash and the fair market value, as of the payment date, of any
noncash dividends or other distributions paid per share since that date, up to
the amount of the interest.
1704.04 DETERMINATION OF FAIR MARKET VALUE
(A) For purposes of this chapter, the fair market value on the date in
question of shares shall be determined as follows:
(1) If that class or series of shares is listed on a United States
securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act, the fair market value
shall be the simple arithmetic average closing sale price during the thirty
calendar days immediately before the date in question of a share of that class
or series on the principal such exchange on which that class or series is
listed;
(2) If that class or series of shares is not listed on an exchange
described in division (A)(1) of this section, the fair market value shall be
the simple arithmetic average closing bid quotation during the thirty calendar
days immediately before the date in question for a share of that class or
series on the national association of securities dealers automated quotation
system or any similar system then in use;
(3) If no quotations described in division (A)(1) or (2) of this
section are available, the fair market value shall be determined in good faith
by the directors of the issuing public corporation.
(B) For purposes of this chapter, the fair market value on the
date in question of property other than cash or shares shall be determined in
good faith by the directors of the issuing public corporation.
Appendix II-7
<PAGE> 62
1704.05 EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS
This chapter does not apply to any of the following:
(A) A Chapter 1704. transaction if on the interested shareholder's
share acquisition date, the issuing public corporation, other than a bank as
defined in section 1101.01 of the Revised Code, did not have a class of voting
shares registered or traded on a national securities exchange or registered
under section 12(g) of the Exchange Act or was not required to file periodic
reports and information pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(B)(1) A Chapter 1704. transaction if the interested shareholder was
an interested shareholder on the date immediately preceding the effective date
of this section; except that this chapter shall apply, and the share
acquisition date shall be the date, when the interested shareholder increases
its beneficial ownership of voting power of the issuing public corporation to a
proportion in excess of the proportion of voting power that the interested
shareholder beneficially owned on the date immediately preceding the effective
date of this section unless the interested shareholder's subsequent increase in
beneficial ownership results from or is the consequence of any of the following
circumstances:
(a) The increase is by bequest or inheritance, by operation of law
upon the death of any individual, or by any other transfer without valuable
consideration, including a gift, that is made in good faith and not for the
purpose of circumventing the provisions of this chapter;
(b) The increase is pursuant to the satisfaction of a pledge or
other security interest created in good faith and not for the purpose of
circumventing the provisions of this chapter;
(c) The increase is a result solely of the purchase by the issuing
public corporation of shares issued by it;
(d) The increase is in accordance with approval by the directors
of the issuing public corporation before the increase occurred.
(2) If this chapter would have applied to the increase of
beneficial ownership described in division (B)(1) of this section but for the
application of an exception described in division (B)(1)(a), (b), (c), or (d)
of this section, this chapter shall apply if the interested shareholder's
subsequent increase in its proportion of beneficial ownership is not the result
or a consequence of any of the circumstances described in division (B)(1)(a),
(b), (c), or (d) of this section.
(C) A Chapter 1704. transaction if the interested shareholder was
an interested shareholder on the date immediately preceding the effective date
of this section and inadvertently increases its beneficial ownership of voting
power of the issuing public corporation to a proportion in excess of the
proportion of voting power that the interested shareholder beneficially owned
on the date immediately preceding the effective date of this section, provided
that, as soon as practicable, the interested shareholder divests itself of
beneficial ownership of a sufficient
Appendix II-8
<PAGE> 63
number of voting shares of the issuing public corporation that the interested
shareholder is no longer the beneficial owner of a proportion of voting power
in excess of the proportion of voting power that the interested shareholder
beneficially owned on the date immediately preceding the effective date of this
section.
(D)(1) A Chapter 1704. transaction if a person becomes an interested
shareholder through an acquisition of voting shares that resulted from or was
the consequence of any of the circumstances described in division (B)(1)(a),
(b), (c), or (d) of this section, except that this chapter shall apply, and the
share acquisition date shall be the date, when the interested shareholder
increases its beneficial ownership of voting power of the issuing public
corporation to a proportion in excess of the proportion of voting power that
the interested shareholder beneficially owned on the date on which it became an
interested shareholder unless the interested shareholder's subsequent increase
in beneficial ownership results from or is a consequence of any of the
circumstances described in division (B)(1)(a), (b), (c), or (d) of this
section.
(2) If this chapter would have applied to the acquisition of
voting shares described in division (D)(1) of this section but for the
application of an exception described in division (B)(1)(a), (b), (c), or (d)
of this section, this chapter shall apply if the interested shareholder's
subsequent increase in its proportion of beneficial ownership is not the result
or a consequence of any of the circumstances described in division (B)(1)(a),
(b), (c), or (d) of this section.
(E) A Chapter 1704. transaction if a person became an interested
shareholder inadvertently, provided that, as soon as practicable, the person
divests itself of beneficial ownership of a sufficient number of voting shares
of the issuing public corporation that the person no longer is an interested
shareholder.
(F)(1) Subject to division (F)(2) of this section, a Chapter 1704.
transaction if the original articles of the issuing public corporation state,
or if the articles of the issuing public corporation have been amended in
compliance with the provisions of section 1701.70, 1701.71, or 1701.72 of the
Revised Code to state, by specific reference to this chapter, that this chapter
does not apply to the corporation and if any of the following applies:
(a) The corporation had fewer than fifty shareholders or was not
an issuing public corporation when the statement initially was set forth in the
articles.
(b) No shareholder of the corporation qualified as an interested
shareholder when the statement was initially set forth in the articles.
(c) The statement was contained in an amendment to the articles
and the amendment was approved by the holders of two-thirds of all outstanding
shares of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors and by
the holders of two-thirds of all outstanding disinterested shares of the
acquiring public corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors.
(2) If, however, a Chapter 1704. transaction would have been
prohibited but for the adoption of an amendment to the articles in compliance
with division (F)(1)(b) or (c) of this
Appendix II-9
<PAGE> 64
section, the issuing public corporation shall not engage in a Chapter 1704.
transaction for twelve months following the adoption of the amendment; in
addition, if this chapter would have applied to a person who became an
interested shareholder prior to the adoption of such an amendment, this chapter
shall continue to apply to a Chapter 1704. transaction between the issuing
public corporation and the interested shareholder as if the amendment had not
been adopted.
(G) A Chapter 1704. transaction between an acquiring public
corporation and any employee benefit plan, or any trust under any employee
benefit plan, established by the issuing public corporation, and any
distribution or payment made by the employee benefit plan or trust to any
beneficiary.
(H) A Chapter 1704. transaction that involves any acquisition of
securities of an issuing public corporation pursuant to an employee stock
option plan, an employee stock purchase plan, an employee stock bonus plan, an
employee stock ownership plan, or any similar plan designed to benefit one or
more employees established by the issuing public corporation, provided the
acquisition of the securities and the establishment of, and amendment to, and
the administration of the plan are in good faith and not for the purpose of
circumventing the provisions of this chapter.
(I) A Chapter 1704. transaction that involves compensation
directly or indirectly received by a director, officer, employee, agent, or
independent contractor of an issuing public corporation in return for services
rendered or to be rendered to the issuing public corporation, provided the
payment of the compensation and the services rendered, or to be rendered, are
in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this
chapter.
(J) A Chapter 1704. transaction that involves any loan of money or
property of an issuing public corporation to a director, officer, employee,
agent, or independent contractor of the issuing public corporation, provided
the loan is designed to encourage the rendering of needed, valuable, and
efficient services to the issuing public corporation and provided the loan is
made and the services are rendered, or are to be rendered, in good faith and
not for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this chapter.
(K) A Chapter 1704. transaction in which an issuing public
corporation makes a loan of money or other property to, guarantees any loan of
money or other property to, or guarantees any obligation of, an employee stock
ownership plan, as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the "Internal Revenue Code
of 1986," 68A Stat. 3, 26 U.S.C.A 1, as amended, of the issuing public
corporation.
1704.06 AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OR AMENDMENT OR ADOPTION OF REGULATIONS
CONCERNING APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER
(A) If the original articles of an issuing public corporation
state, or if the articles of an issuing public corporation have been amended to
state, by specific reference to this chapter, that this chapter does not apply
to the corporation, the corporation may amend its articles, in
Appendix II-10
<PAGE> 65
compliance with the provisions of section 1701.70, 1701.71, or 1701.72 of the
Revised Code, to eliminate or modify that statement.
(B) For any corporation, whether or not it is an issuing public
corporation, regulations of the corporation may be adopted or amended, in
compliance with the provisions of section 1701.11 of the Revised Code, to
include both a statement that the provisions of this chapter apply to the
corporation, whether or not it is or continues to be an issuing public
corporation, in a transaction that would be a Chapter 1704. transaction for a
corporation that is an issuing public corporation, and reasonable sanctions for
failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
1704.07 APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS; PRESERVATION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND DUTIES;
SEVERABILITY OF CHAPTER
(A) The requirements of this chapter are in addition to the
requirements of other applicable law, including the provisions of Chapter 1701.
and 1707. of the Revised Code.
(B) Except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary by
this chapter, nothing in this chapter shall limit or affect the application of
any provision of Chapter 1701. or 1707. of the Revised Code that is not
inconsistent with, in conflict with, or contrary to the provisions of this
chapter.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, nothing in this
chapter shall be construed to affect or impair any right, remedy, obligation,
duty, power, or authority of any interested shareholder, any issuing public
corporation, the directors of any interested shareholder or any issuing public
corporation, or any other person under the laws of this or any other state or
of the United States.
(D) If any application of any provision of this chapter for any
reason held to be illegal or invalid, the illegality or invalidity shall not
affect any legal and valid provision or application of this chapter, and the
parts and applications of this chapter shall be severable.
Appendix II-11
<PAGE> 66
PROXY
M/I SCHOTTENSTEIN HOMES, INC.
41 S. HIGH STREET, SUITE 2410, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS, MAY 8, 1996
The undersigned hereby appoints Irving E. Schottenstein and Paul S. Coppel and
each of them, proxies, with power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common
Stock of M/I Schottenstein Homes, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 8, 1996, or any
adjournment thereof, as follows:
SAID PROXIES ARE DIRECTED TO VOTE AS CHECKED BELOW AND, IN THEIR DISCRETION,
UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY
ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
1. To elect the nominees named below as directors.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary below) to vote for all nominees listed below.
</TABLE>
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE
A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE LIST BELOW.)
IRVING E. SCHOTTENSTEIN, JOHN B. GERLACH, LENORE G. SCHOTTENSTEIN
2. [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST approval of the proposal to amend the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation
3. [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST approval of the proposal to amend and restate the
Regulations
4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
(To be signed on reverse side.)
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTIVE IS MADE, THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NAMED
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS AND "FOR" APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL NOS. 2 AND 3.
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME OR NAMES APPEAR HEREON. Joint owners should
each sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, and others should
give their full title. Corporations and partnerships should sign in their full
name by president or other authorized person.
Dated: _________________________________, 1996
_____________________________________________
Signature of Shareholder
_____________________________________________
Signature of Shareholder (held jointly)
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
