SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrantx Filed by a Party other than the Registrant:¨
Check the appropriate box:
¨ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-11(c) or § 240.14a-12 |
Internet America, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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2. | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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¨ | 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. |
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Internet America, Inc.
350 North St. Paul, Suite 3000
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 861-2500
November 8, 2005
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Internet America, Inc., a Texas corporation, to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on December 6, 2005, at the Internet America offices located at 20 East Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77046. All shareholders of record as of October 28, 2005, are entitled to vote at the meeting. I urge you to be present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting.
The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement fully describe the formal business to be transacted at the meeting, which includes the election of directors. We have also enclosed a copy of our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005.
Internet America’s Board of Directors believes that a favorable vote on each of the matters to be considered at the meeting is in the best interests of Internet America and its shareholders and unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” each such matter. Accordingly, we urge you to review the attached material carefully and to return the enclosed proxy promptly.
Officers of Internet America will be present to help host the meeting and to respond to any questions that our shareholders may have. I hope that you will be able to attend. Even if you expect to attend the meeting, please complete, sign, date and return your proxy in the enclosed envelope without delay. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously mailed your proxy.
On behalf of your Board of Directors, thank you for your support.
Sincerely, |
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WILLIAM E. (BILLY) LADIN, JR. |
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Internet America, Inc.
350 North St. Paul, Suite 3000
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 861-2500
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held December 6, 2005
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Internet America, Inc. (“Internet America”) will be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on December 6, 2005, at the Internet America offices located at 20 East Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77046, for the purpose of considering and acting upon:
(1) The election of one member of the Board of Directors; and
(2) Such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The close of business on October 28, 2005, has been fixed as the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments thereof. For a period of at least ten business days prior to the Meeting, a complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be open for examination by any shareholder during ordinary business hours at the offices of Internet America at 350 North St. Paul, Suite 3000, Dallas, Texas 75201. Information concerning the matters to be acted upon at the Meeting is set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE (WHICH IS POSTAGE PREPAID IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES). EVEN IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR PROXY, YOU MAY STILL VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING. HOWEVER, IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN FROM THE RECORD HOLDER A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME.
By Order Of The Board Of Directors |
/s/ SANDRA T. EVERETT |
SANDRA T. EVERETT |
Secretary |
Dallas, Texas
November 8, 2005
Internet America, Inc.
350 North St. Paul, Suite 3000
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 861-2500
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held December 6, 2005
This Proxy Statement is being first mailed on or about November 8, 2005, to shareholders of Internet America, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Company”), by the Board of Directors to solicit proxies (the “Proxies”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) to be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on December 6, 2005 at the Company offices located at 20 East Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77046, or at such other time and place to which the Meeting may be adjourned (the “Meeting Date”).
The purpose of the Meeting is to consider and act upon: (1) the election of one director; and (2) such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
All shares represented by valid Proxies, unless the shareholder otherwise specifies, will be voted: (1) FOR the election of the person named herein under “Election of Director” as nominee for election as a director; and (2) at the discretion of the Proxy holder with regard to any other matter that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
Where a shareholder has appropriately specified how a Proxy is to be voted, it will be voted accordingly. The Proxy may be revoked by providing written notice of such revocation to our stock transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, Plaza Level, New York, New York, 10038, which notice must be received prior to the Meeting. If notice of revocation is not received by such date, a shareholder may nevertheless revoke a Proxy by attending the Meeting and voting in person; however, if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the Meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a Proxy issued in your name.
RECORD DATE AND VOTING SECURITIES
The record date for determining the shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting is the close of business on October 28, 2005 (the “Record Date”), at which time we had issued and outstanding 12,452,673 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”). Common Stock is our only class of outstanding voting securities. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted at the Meeting.
QUORUM AND VOTING
The presence in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business at the Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A holder of Common Stock on the Record Date shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of Common Stock registered in such holder’s name.
In order to be elected a director, a nominee must receive the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock voted in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Votes may be cast in favor of or withheld with respect to a director nominee. Votes that are withheld will be counted toward a quorum but will not be counted for purposes of the election of directors.
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The Board of Directors continues to seek strong independent candidates for two vacant positions on the Board of Directors. Due to this continued search, the Board of Directors is currently nominating only one director for Class III, which is fewer than the maximum number allowed by our Bylaws. Shareholders may not vote for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.
There are no rights of appraisal or similar dissenters’ rights with respect to any matter to be acted upon pursuant to this Proxy Statement.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information as of October 28, 2005, regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of (1) each person or group known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (2) each director, nominee for director and our Chief Executive Officer and up to four other most highly compensated executive officers who earned more than $100,000 during the 2005 fiscal year (the “Named Executive Officers”) and (3) all executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise noted, the persons named below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
Title of | Name and Address of Beneficial Owner or Group | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Class | |||||
Common Stock | William E. (Billy) Ladin, Jr. Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director c/o Internet America, Inc. 350 North St. Paul, Suite 3000 Dallas, Texas 75201 | 775,254 | (1) | 6.2 | % | |||
Common Stock | Ambassador John N. Palmer Director | 881,842 | (2) | 7.1 | % | |||
Common Stock | Justin McClure Director | 336,200 | (3) | 2.7 | % | |||
Common Stock | Troy LeMaile-Stovall Director | 15,000 | (4) | * | ||||
Common Stock | MicroCapital LLC (5) Ian P. Ellis MicroCapital Fund, L.P. MicroCapital Fund Ltd. 201 Post Street, Suite 1001 San Francisco, CA 94103 | 815,963 | 6.6 | % | ||||
Common Stock | J.N. Palmer Family Partnership (6) PO Box 3747 Jackson, MS 39207 | 776,667 | 6.2 | % | ||||
Common Stock | All directors and executive officers as a group (four persons) (7) | 1,776,296 | (8) | 14.3 | % |
* | Less than one percent. |
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(1) | Includes options to purchase 22,500 shares of Common Stock granted to Mr. Ladin that are exercisable within 60 days of October 28, 2005. |
(2) | Includes 776,667 shares held by J.N. Palmer Family Partnership, a limited partnership in which Ambassador Palmer owns a 40% limited partnership interest, 76,667 shares owned by GulfSouth Capital, Inc., a private investment firm in which Ambassador Palmer serves as Chairman. Ambassador Palmer disclaims beneficial ownership of 466,000 shares of the J.N. Palmer Family Partnership and those of GulfSouth Capital, Inc. |
(3) | Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock that are exercisable within 60 days of October 28, 2005, 155,333 shares representing the proportionate interest in shares held by J.N. Palmer Family Partnership, in which Mr. McClure’s spouse has a 20% limited partner interest, 44,400 shares owned by Mr. McClure’s children and 76,667 shares owned by GulfSouth Capital, Inc., in which Mr. McClure serves as an officer. Mr. McClure disclaims beneficial ownership of his spouse’s shares, the shares of his children and those of GulfSouth Capital, Inc. |
(4) | Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock that are exercisable within 60 days of October 28, 2005. |
(5) | Information reported about MicroCapital LLC, Ian P. Ellis, Micro Capital Fund, L.P. and MicroCapital Fund Ltd. is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by MicroCapital LLC, Ian P. Ellis, MicroCapital Fund LP and MicroCapital Fund Ltd. on February 26, 2004. |
(6) | Information reported about the J. N. Palmer Family Partnership is derived from a Schedule 13D filed on or about April 13, 2004 and company records. As stated above, Ambassador Palmer owns a 40% limited partner interest in the partnership and Mr. McClure’s spouse owns a 20% limited partner interest in the partnership. |
(7) | The group consists of Messrs. Ladin, McClure, Stovall and Palmer. |
(8) | Includes (i) options to purchase 42,500 shares of Common Stock that are exercisable within 60 days of October 28, 2005, (ii) 776,667 shares held by J.N. Palmer Family Partnership, a limited partnership, of which Ambassador Palmer disclaims beneficial ownership of 466,000 shares and Mr. McClure disclaims beneficial ownership of 155,333 shares, (iii) 76,667 shares owned by GulfSouth Capital, Inc., of which Messrs. Palmer and McClure disclaim beneficial ownership and (iv) 44,400 shares owned by Mr. McClure’s children and of which Mr. McClure disclaims ownership. |
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information as of June 30, 2005 concerning shares of Common Stock that are authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans | ||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) | 325,967 | $ | 2.02 | 1,959,096 | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2) | 181,626 | $ | 1.67 | 0 | |||
Total | 507,593 | $ | 1.89 | 1,959,096 |
(1) | Consists of the Internet America 1998 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan, the 1996 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Employee and Consultant Stock Option Plan adopted in connection with the Company’s acquisition of PDQ.Net, Inc. in 1999 and the 2004 Non-Employee Director Plan. |
(2) | Includes nonqualified stock option agreements to purchase 181,626 shares entered into with certain current and former employees and directors. These nonqualified stock option agreements provide for annual vesting in four equal parts and a ten-year expiration date. |
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTOR
The Board of Directors is divided into three classes of two directors serving staggered three-year terms. The directors in each class hold their positions until the annual meeting of shareholders at which the terms of such directors expire and their respective successors are elected and qualified. Our Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of at least one director. The term of office of the director in Class III will expire at this Meeting, the term of office of the directors in Class I will expire at the annual meeting for 2006 and the term of office of the director in Class II will expire at the annual meeting for 2007. Effective February 14, 2005, the Board of Directors elected Ambassador John N. Palmer as director. Effective June 6, 2005, David Hanna resigned as a member of the Board of Directors. There are currently two vacancies that will exist on the Board of Directors until replacements are elected in accordance with our Bylaws. Proxies cannot be voted for more than the number of nominees.
In connection with our acquisition of PDQ.Net in November 1999, the Company agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to elect Mr. Ladin to the Board of Directors for so long as Mr. Ladin and Ambassador Palmer collectively own more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock.
The Board of Directors has approved the submission to the shareholders of Troy LeMaile-Stovall as nominee to serve a three-year term as director expiring at the annual meeting for 2008, or until his successor is elected and has qualified. Mr. Stovall has served as director since April 2004. It is intended that the shares represented by Proxies will be voted for Mr. Stovall’s election. Mr. Stovall has indicated his willingness to serve as a member of the Board of Directors, if elected. However, if at the time of the
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Meeting, Mr. Stovall should be unwilling or unable to serve, the discretionary authority provided in the Proxy will be exercised to vote for a substitute, as the Board of Directors recommends. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that Mr. Stovall will be unwilling or unable to serve as a director. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the election of Mr. Stovall.
Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons
The following sets forth information about the nominee for election at the Meeting and each of the directors whose term of office will continue after the Meeting:
NAME | AGE | POSITION | CURRENT TERM EXPIRING | |||
Troy LeMaile-Stovall (1)(2) | 41 | Director | 2005 (Class III) | |||
Ambassador John N. Palmer | 71 | Director | 2006 (Class I) | |||
William E. (Billy) Ladin (3) | 64 | Chairman of the Board | 2006 (Class I) | |||
Justin McClure (2) | 41 | Director | 2007 (Class II) |
(1) | Nominee for a three-year term ending in 2008. |
(2) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(3) | In connection with our acquisition of PDQ. Net in November 1999, the Company agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to elect Mr. Ladin to the Board of Directors for so long as Mr. Ladin and Ambassador Palmer collectively own more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock. |
William E. (Billy) Ladin, Jr. Mr. Ladin became CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors in September 2003 after serving as Vice Chairman and as a director of the Company since January 2000. He joined the Company in connection with its acquisition of PDQ.Net, a Houston-based Internet service provider that Mr. Ladin formed in 1997. Mr. Ladin served as Chief Executive Officer of PDQ.Net until its acquisition by the Company.
Justin McClure.Mr. McClure became a director in April 2004. Mr. McClure currently serves as President of GulfSouth Capital, Inc., a Jackson, Mississippi based private investment firm which he joined in 1999. Additionally, Mr. McClure serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TelNet, Ltd., a telecommunications holding company based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Prior to joining GulfSouth Capital, Inc., Mr. McClure practiced telecommunications law with the Washington, DC firm of Lukas, Nace, Gutierrez and Sachs with an emphasis on wireless telecommunications. Mr. McClure is the son-in-law of Ambassador Palmer.
Troy LeMaile-Stovall. Mr. Stovall became a director in April 2004. Mr. Stovall has been Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations for Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson, Mississippi since July 2004. In addition, Mr. Stovall serves as Treasurer of the JSU Development Foundation. Prior to joining JSU, Mr. Stovall founded LeMaile Stovall LLC, a management consulting/advisory/interim senior management firm in 2001. Prior to 2001 Mr. Stovall was Chief Executive Officer of GulfSouth Capital, Inc., a Jackson, Mississippi based private investment firm.
Ambassador John N. Palmer. Ambassador Palmer became a director in February 2005. Ambassador Palmer currently serves as Chairman of GulfSouth Capital, Inc., a Jackson Mississippi based private investment firm which he founded in 1999. In October 2001, Ambassador Palmer was confirmed
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by the U.S. Senate as the Ambassador to Portugal. His term ended in September 2004. Prior to that, he served as Chairman of SkyTel from 1989 until 1999. Ambassador Palmer is Mr. McClure’s father-in law.
The following table sets forth information as to all executive officers of the Company.
NAME | AGE | POSITION | ||
William E. (Billy) Ladin | 64 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Glen Blackmon | 50 | President and Chief Operating Officer | ||
Sandra T. Everett | 49 | Controller, Chief Accounting Officer and Secretary |
William E. (Billy) Ladin. Please see above for biographical information for Mr. Ladin.
Glen Blackmon. Mr. Blackmon joined the Company as president and Chief Operating Officer in October 2005. Immediately prior to joining, he had been chairman and chief financial officer of AcademicPlanet, Inc., a Houston-based Internet service provider. He previously served as executive vice president, chief information officer and chief financial officer of Silicon Valley Bank in Santa Clara, California from 1993 to 1996 and as president of both First Interstate Management Services, Inc. (1988 to 1990) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and First Interstate Systems, Inc. (1990 to 1993) in Des Moines, Iowa. The latter two companies provided data and item processing services to commercial banks.
Sandra T. Everett.Ms. Everett joined the Company in April 2004 as Controller and was appointed Secretary in February 2005. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Everett operated Sandra T. Everett Consulting, which provided auditing and accounting consulting for clients in a variety of industries from August 1998 to October 2000 and again from February 2002 to March 2004. Ms. Everett was employed by Wireless WebConnect, Inc., a wireless internet service reseller as Controller and Chief Accounting Officer from November 2000 to August 2001 and Interim Chief Financial Officer from October 2001 to January 2002.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF TROY LEMAILE-STOVALL TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a general code of ethics that applies to all employees, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers. The text of the code of ethics is posted on the Company’s website at http://www.internetamerica.com.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
Our business is managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors meets on a regularly scheduled basis to review significant developments affecting us and to act on matters requiring approval of the Board of Directors. It also holds special meetings when an important matter requires attention or action by the Board of Directors between scheduled meetings. During fiscal 2005, the Board of Directors met 14 times and acted by unanimous written consent 4 times. During fiscal 2005, each member of the Board of Directors participated in greater than 75% of the Board meetings and applicable committee meetings held during the period for which he was a director. The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee. The Board does not have a standing compensation, nominating or governance committee.
Shareholder Communications with the Company’s Board of Directors.Any shareholder wishing to send written communications to the Company’s Board of Directors may do so by sending them in care of Sandra T. Everett, Corporate Secretary, at the Company’s principal executive offices. All such communications will be forwarded to the intended recipient(s).
The Company’s Board of Directors is strongly encouraged to attend the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Ambassador Palmer was not a Director until after the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders. All of the other current members of the Board of Directors attended the 2004 annual meeting.
Audit Committee. The Company has a standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the financial statements of the Company. The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee provides advice and direction to management and the independent registered public accounting firm based on information it receives from them, discussions with them, and the general business, financial and accounting experience of each committee member.
Among other matters, the Audit Committee reviews the professional services and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, as well as the adequacy of our accounting procedures and internal controls. The Audit Committee is responsible for hiring the firm selected to be our independent registered public accounting firm, and for approving the fees paid to and monitoring the performance of such firm. The Audit Committee also reviews the results and scope of the annual audit; reviews with management the status of internal accounting controls; evaluates any problem areas having a potential financial impact on us that may be brought to its attention by management, the independent registered public accounting firm or the Board of Directors; and evaluates all of our public financial reporting documents. The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
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The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy of which was filed as an appendix to the Company’s proxy statement for fiscal 2002. Beginning in April 2004, Messrs. McClure and Stovall were elected to the Audit Committee. Messrs. McClure and Stovall are independent, as defined by Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASD’s listing standards. Due to the Board of Directors’ small size at this point in time, the Audit Committee does not have a financial expert as defined in Item 401(h)(2) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. We are currently seeking qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee, and we intend to elect an audit committee financial expert in the future. During fiscal 2005, the Audit Committee met 4 times and did not act by unanimous written consent.
Compensation Committee. The Company does not maintain a standing Compensation Committee. Due to the Board of Directors’ small size at this point in time, the Board of Directors has not established a separate compensation committee. All members of the Board of Directors (with the exception of any member about whom a particular compensation decision is being made) participate in the compensation award process. During fiscal 2005, each person who was a member of the Board of Directors participated in deliberations concerning executive officer compensation.
Nominations to the Board of Directors.The Company does not maintain a standing Nominating Committee and does not have a Nominating Committee charter. Due to the Board of Directors’ small size at this point in time, the Board of Directors has not established a separate nominating committee and feels that all directors should have input into nomination decisions. As such, all members of the Board of Directors generally participate in the director nomination process. Under the rules promulgated by the SEC, the Board of Directors is, therefore, treated as a “nominating committee” for the purpose of the disclosures in this section of this Proxy Statement.
Messrs. McClure, Palmer and Stovall are independent, as defined by Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASD’s listing standards. Mr. Ladin is not independent because he is currently employed by the Company as its Chief Executive Officer.
The Board of Directors will consider qualified nominees recommended by shareholders. Shareholders desiring to make such recommendations should submit such recommendations to the Corporate Secretary, c/o Internet America, Inc., 350 North St. Paul, Suite 3000, Dallas, Texas 75201. The Board of Directors will evaluate candidates properly proposed by shareholders in the same manner as all other candidates.
With respect to the nominations process, the Board of Directors does not operate under a written charter, but under resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing and interviewing qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Directors, for making recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors, and for selecting the nominees for selection by the Company’s shareholders at each annual meeting. The Board of Directors has not established specific minimum age, education, experience or skill requirements for potential directors. The Board of Directors takes into account all factors they consider appropriate in fulfilling their responsibilities to identify and recommend individuals as director nominees. Those factors may include, without limitation, the following:
• | an individual’s business or professional experience, accomplishments, education, judgment, understanding of the business and the industry in which the Company operates, specific skills and talents, independence, time commitments, reputation, general business acumen and personal and professional integrity or character; |
• | the size and composition of the Board of Directors and the interaction of its members, in each case with respect to the needs of the Company and its shareholders; and |
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• | regarding any individual who has served as a director of the Company, his or her past preparation for, attendance at, and participation in meetings and other activities of the Board of Directors or its committees and his or her overall contributions to the Board of Directors and the Company. |
The Board of Directors may use multiple sources for identifying and evaluating nominees for directors, including referrals from the Company’s current directors and management as well as input from third parties, including executive search firms retained by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will obtain background information about candidates, which may include information from directors’ and officers’ questionnaires and background and reference checks, and will then interview qualified candidates. The Board of Directors will then determine, based on the background information and the information obtained in the interviews, whether to recommend that a candidate be nominated to the Board of Directors. We strongly encourage and, from time to time actively survey, our shareholders to recommend potential director candidates.
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s most recent audited financial statements with management, has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte & Touche”), our independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, as modified or supplemented, has received the written disclosures and letter from Deloitte & Touche required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as modified or supplemented, and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche its independence. Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. McClure and Stovall. Messrs. McClure and Stovall are independent, as defined by Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASD’s listing standards.
Submitted by the Audit Committee:
Justin McClure
Troy LeMaile-Stovall
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are not also our employees receive (i) an annual retainer of $12,000, payable quarterly in advance, (ii) $750 for each Board of Directors meeting attended in person or $250 for each Board of Directors meeting attended by telephone, (iii) $250 for each committee meeting attended and (iv) options issued annually. All of our directors are reimbursed for travel, lodging and other out-of-pocket expenses in connection with their attendance at Board of Directors and committee meetings. Non-employee directors also are eligible to participate in the Company’s health insurance plan, with the Company paying a portion of the premium. Under the 2004 Non-Employee Director Plan, on the first business day (the “Award Date”) following a non-employee director’s anniversary of election to the Board of Directors, such director will receive an option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (i) $20,000 divided by the per share fair market value of the Common Stock on the award date or (ii) 30,000 shares of Common Stock. On the next business day after the date an individual is appointed or elected as a non-employee director of the Company for the first time (the “Initial Award Date”), the non-employee director (A) will automatically receive an option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (i) $20,000 divided by the per share fair market value of such Common Stock on the Initial Award Date, or (ii) 30,000 shares, and a 30-day option to purchase a matching number of shares of Common Stock; and (B) may, at the discretion of the Board of
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Directors, receive (i) an option to purchase up to 50,000 shares of Common Stock and (ii) a 30-day option to purchase a matching number of shares of Common Stock. In the case of a non-employee director who is also appointed or elected as the Chairman of the Board for the first time, such Chairman of the Board will automatically receive a one-time grant of (A) an option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (i) $50,000 divided by the per share fair market value of such Common Stock on the Initial Award Date, or (ii) 70,000 shares of Common Stock, and (B) a 30-day option to purchase a matching number of shares of Common Stock. The price of an option is the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the Award Date or Initial Award Date.
Our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that we shall indemnify our executive officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law. We have also entered into an agreement with each of our directors and certain of our officers in which we have agreed to indemnify each of them to the fullest extent permitted by law.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Report on Executive Compensation
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act that might be incorporated by reference in future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Report shall not be incorporated into any such filings.
Our executive compensation objective is to maximize shareholder value by attracting, rewarding and retaining highly qualified, productive and motivated individuals who will assist us in achieving our strategic plans and goals. The key components of our executive compensation are base salary, stock options and incentive bonuses.
The factors considered in setting base salaries include (but are not necessarily limited to) salaries paid to persons holding comparably-responsible positions at other similarly-situated companies; the applicable cost of living; the Company’s overall financial performance; the individual’s past performance and potential with the Company; and input from the Chief Executive Officer. The consideration of additional factors and the weight given to any particular factor are within the discretion of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors annually reviews and establishes base salaries, which the Board of Directors believes are at levels competitive with industry and regional pay practices and economic conditions. In determining appropriate salary levels, the Board of Directors considers the individual’s level and scope of responsibility and performance contributions, as well as internal and market comparisons. We award stock options under the 1998 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan. Options and cash bonuses are to reward executive officers for meeting certain performance criteria and achieving certain financial and operational goals. Payment of cash bonuses is also contingent upon the Company attaining certain levels of operating profitability.
Submitted by Board of Directors:
William E. Ladin, Jr.
Justin McClure
Troy LeMaile-Stovall
Ambassador John N. Palmer
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Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid to the named executive officers for the fiscal periods indicated. No other executive officers were compensated over $100,000 in fiscal 2005.
Annual Compensation | Long Term Compensation | ||||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Restricted Stock | Stock Options | All Other Compensation | |||||||||
William E. (Billy) Ladin, Jr. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | 2005 2004 2003 | $ | 200,000 150,769 — | — — — | — — — | — — — | $ | — — 83,843 | (1) |
(1) | Consists of severance payments made to Mr. Ladin relating to his termination from PDQ.Net. |
Option Grants in Fiscal 2005
There were no grants of stock options or freestanding stock appreciation rights (SARs) to any of the named executive officers in fiscal 2005.
Fiscal Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth information regarding the value of stock options outstanding at June 30, 2005 held by each of the Named Executive Officers. No stock options were exercised by the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2005.
Name | Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized ($) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options as of June 30, 2005 (#) | Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options as of June 30, 2005 ($)(1) | ||||||||
Exercisable | Unexercisable | Exercisable | Unexercisable | |||||||||
William E. (Billy) Ladin | — | — | 22,500 | — | — | — |
(1) | The value of the options is based on the difference between the option exercise prices and $0.73 (which was the closing sales price per share of the Common Stock on June 30, 2005 as reported on the OTCBB. As the option exercise price of $13.19 is greater than $0.73, the options had no value as of June 30, 2005. Mr. Ladin was granted this option on January 3, 2000. |
Employment Contracts
There are no employment contracts with the named executive officers.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal 2005, the entire Board of Directors conducted deliberations concerning executive officer compensation. Mr. Ladin, Chief Executive Officer and a Director, participated in this process. None of our executive officers currently serves on the compensation committee of another entity or any other committee of the board of directors of another entity performing similar functions. None of our executive officers currently serves as a director of another entity with an executive officer serving on the Board of Directors of the Company.
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Stock Performance Graph
The following compares the cumulative total return among Internet America, Inc., the Nasdaq Market Index and the RDG Internet Composite Index assuming $100 is invested on June 30, 2000 and dividends are reinvested.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG INTERNET AMERICA, INC., THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) INDEX
AND THE RDG INTERNET COMPOSITE INDEX
* | $100 invested on 6/30/00 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending June 30. |
6/00 | 6/01 | 6/02 | 6/03 | 6/04 | 6/05 | |||||||
INTERNET AMERICA, INC. | 100.00 | 11.85 | 8.89 | 8.69 | 11.85 | 14.42 | ||||||
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) | 100.00 | 55.64 | 38.73 | 43.17 | 54.44 | 54.80 | ||||||
RDG INTERNET COMPOSITE | 100.00 | 49.51 | 32.51 | 36.73 | 47.18 | 44.31 |
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
We have a policy providing that all transactions between us and related parties are subject to approval by a majority of all disinterested directors and must be on terms no less favorable than those that could otherwise be obtained from unrelated third parties.
Transactions with Management and Others; Indebtedness of Management
In fiscal 2004, we entered into a transaction with Marc Ladin Consulting, which is wholly owned by Marc Ladin. As part of this transaction, we paid approximately $23,000 and $75,000 in fiscal years 2005 and 2004, respectively, to Mr. Ladin’s company for marketing consulting and related expenses. In August 2004 this arrangement was terminated and Mr. Ladin became an employee serving as the Company’s Vice President-Marketing and Sales. Mr. Ladin resigned that position in April 2005 and is no longer employed by the Company. During fiscal 2005 Mr. Ladin was paid wages, tax expense and expense reimbursement of approximately $103,000.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PULIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
For every fiscal year since 1998, including our most recent fiscal year, we have employed Deloitte & Touche as our independent registered public accounting firm. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche are not expected to be present at the Meeting. The Board of Directors has approved the use of Deloitte & Touche as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, we employed Montgomery Coscia Greilich, LLP and Farmer, Fuqua and Huff, P.C. to perform certain tax-related accounting and audit services.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit Fees
Deloitte & Touche has billed us aggregate fees of approximately $125,000 for professional services rendered for the audit of our financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2005 and for the reviews of our financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q for that year. Fees for such audit services by Deloitte & Touche billed in fiscal 2004 were $95,000. In fiscal 2005 we paid Deloitte & Touche $3,900 for services related to a Form S-8 filed by the Company. We incurred no other fees to Deloitte & Touche for audit or other services in fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
Audit Related Fees
There were no fees billed for audit-related services not disclosed in “Audit Fees” above.
Tax Fees
No tax fees were billed for services by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
All Other Fees
No other fees were billed for services rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
Compatibility of Certain Fees with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Independence
The Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures pursuant to which the engagement of any independent registered public accounting firm is approved. Such procedures govern
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the ways in which the Audit Committee will pre-approve audit and various categories of non-audit services that the auditor provides to the Company. In accordance with this policy, the Audit Committee has given its approval for the provision of audit services by Deloitte & Touche for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. Services which have not received pre-approval must receive specific approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is informed of each such engagement in a timely manner, and such procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to management. All of the audit services which were performed by Deloitte & Touche in fiscal 2005 were pre-approved by the audit committee.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Such persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it and representations from certain reporting persons regarding their compliance with the relevant filing requirements, the Company believes that all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and 10% shareholders were complied with during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, except for Troy LeMaile-Stovall who had one late filing covering one transaction, Justin McClure, who had one late filing covering one transaction and another late filing covering gifts received by his minor children, and John Palmer who had three late filings covering one transaction each.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for shareholder action at our subsequent annual meetings consistent with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Any proposal which a shareholder intends to present at next year’s annual meeting of shareholders must be received by us at our principal executive office not later than July 11, 2006, in order to be included in the proxy materials for such meeting. Notice of a shareholder proposal submitted outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 must be received by us at our principal executive office no later than September 24, 2006. Such proposals should be sent to Internet America, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 350 North St. Paul, Suite 3000, Dallas, Texas 75201.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, we know of no other business to be presented for action at the Meeting. As to any business which would properly come before the Meeting, the Proxies confer discretionary authority in the persons named therein and those persons will vote or act in accordance with their best judgment with respect thereto.
MISCELLANEOUS
This solicitation of Proxies is being made by Internet America, Inc. All costs of solicitation of Proxies will be borne by us. In addition to solicitation by mail, our officers and employees may solicit Proxies by telephone or personally, without additional compensation. We may also make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock held of record by such persons, and we may reimburse them for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Our Annual Report to Shareholders, including financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report is not to be deemed part of this Proxy Statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
/s/ SANDRA T. EVERETT |
SANDRA T. EVERETT Secretary |
November 8, 2005
Dallas, Texas
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Internet America, Inc.
[Name] | ||||
[Address] | Holder Account Number | |||
¨ Mark this box with an X if you have made changes to your name oraddress details above. |
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
[A] Election of Directors
1. The Board of Directors recommends a voteFOR the listed nominee.
For | Withhold | |||||
01 – Troy LeMaile-Stovall | ¨ | ¨ |
[C] Authorized Signatures - Sign Here - This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed.
NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title.
Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box
| Signature 2 - Please keep signature within the box
| |||||
Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
| ||||||
Proxy – Internet America, Inc.
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
Proxy-Annual Meeting of Shareholders – December 6, 2005
The undersigned holder of Common Stock of Internet America, Inc. (“Internet America”) hereby appoints William E. Ladin, Jr., proxy of the undersigned with full power of substitution, to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Internet America to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the 6th of December 2005, at Internet America offices located at 20 East Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, the number of votes that the undersigned would be entitled to cast if personally present.
In his discretion, the above named proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof and upon matters incident to the conduct of the meeting.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be votedFOR the election of the director nominee named on the reverse side, or if the nominee becomes unavailable,FOR another nominee to be selected by the Board of Directors.
Please mark, sign, date and return in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States.
(continued and to be signed on other side)