| SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION |
| DEFINITIVE NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT |
| PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE |
| SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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| Filed by a party other than the registrant __ | |
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| __ 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 under Rule 14a-12. | |
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To Our Shareholders:
We cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders (the "Meeting") of National HealthCare Corporation ("NHC" or the "Company"). The Meeting will be held at City Center, 14th Floor, 100 Vine Street, Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Thursday, April 24, 2003, at 4:30 PM CDT, for the following purposes:
1. To re-elect two directors; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any continuances of it.
The nominees for re-election as directors are Robert G. Adams and Olin O. Williams. They currently serve as directors of the Company.
The Board of Directors (the "Board") has fixed the close of business on Monday, February 24, 2003 as the record date for the determination of shareholders who are entitled to vote at the Meeting, including any continuances. We encourage you to attend the Meeting. Whether you are able to attend or not, we urge you to indicate your vote on the enclosed proxy card:
FOR the re-election of Mr. Adams and Dr. Williams as directors.
Please sign, date, and return the proxy card promptly in the enclosed envelope. If you attend the Meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously mailed a proxy card.
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., | |
| Secretary | |
| March 18, 2003 | |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee |
| NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION |
| 100 Vine Street |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130 |
| ------------------------------ |
| PROXY STATEMENT |
| ----------------------------- |
| ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS |
| TO BE HELD APRIL 24, 2003 |
The accompanying proxy is solicited by NHC's Board to be voted at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders (the "Meeting") to be held on Thursday, April 24, 2003, commencing at 4:30 p.m. CDT and at any continuances of the Meeting. The Meeting will be held at the City Center, 14th Floor, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is anticipated that this proxy material will be mailed on or before March 18, 2003, to all shareholders of record on February 24, 2003.
A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2002, including audited financial statements, is enclosed.
You have the power and right to revoke the proxy at any time before it is exercised. A proxy may be revoked by filing with the Secretary of the Company (i) a written revocation or (ii) your proxy with a later date than the prior proxy. Furthermore, if you attend the Meeting, you may elect to vote in person, thereby canceling the proxy.
How We Count the Votes
* Shares of common stock represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting (including shares which abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented at the Meeting) will be tabulated by the Company's Secretary who will determine whether or not a quorum is present.
* Abstentions will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the number of shares that are present and entitled to vote with respect to any particular matter, but will not be counted as votes in favor of such matter. Accordingly, an abstention from voting on the election of directors will have the same legal effect as a vote "against" the matter even though the stockholder or interested parties analyzing the results of the voting may interpret such vote differently.
* If a broker holding stock in "street name" indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter. Accordingly, a "broker non-vote" may effect establishment of a quorum, but, once a quorum is established, will have no effect on the voting on such matter.
* A majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote constitutes a quorum at the Meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting is required for the election of directors.
The outstanding voting securities of the Company as of December 31, 2002, consisted of 11,516,577shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"). Shareholders of record as of the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any continuances. Each holder of the shares of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters properly brought before the Meeting. Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate votes for the purpose of electing directors or otherwise.
The following information is based upon filings made by the entities identified below with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as set forth below, on December 31, 2002 no person was known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock:
Name and Address | Shares Beneficially Owned on 12/31/02 | Percent of Outstanding Shares on 12/31/02 |
| National Health Corporation | 1,271,147 | 11.0% |
| P. O. Box 1398 | ||
| Murfreesboro, TN 37133 | ||
| W. Andrew Adams | 1,082,064 | 9.4% |
| 100 Vine Street | ||
| Murfreesboro, TN 37130 | ||
| FMR Corp. | 1,054,200 | 9.1% |
| 82 Devonshire Street | ||
| Boston, MA 02109 | ||
| 1818 Fund II | 690,155(1) | 6.0% |
| 140 Broadway | ||
| New York, NY 10005 |
(1)This number does not include 40,000 shares in stock options outstanding to Mr. Tucker.
Pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation, the directors are divided into three groups. Each group is elected for a three-year term and only one group is up for election each year. At the April 24, 2003 Meeting, two directors will be elected to hold office, each for a term of three years or until their successors are elected.
The nominees for election at the Meeting are Robert G. Adams and Olin O. Williams, currently directors of the Company. Unless authority to vote for the election of directors has been specifically withheld, your proxyholder intends to vote for the election of Mr. Adams and Dr. Williams to hold office as directors.
If a nominee becomes unavailable for any reason (which event is not anticipated), the shares represented by the enclosed proxy may (unless such proxy contains instructions to the contrary) be voted for such other person as may be determined by the proxyholder.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES.
The following is information about the nominees, other board members, and executive officers:
| Name | Age | Position | Expiration of term as Director | Common Stock Beneficially Owned at 12/31/02(1) | Percent of Shares Outstanding 12/31/02 |
| Robert G. Adams | 56 | Director & Sr. V.P. | 2003 | 451,432 | 3.9% |
| W. Andrew Adams | 57 | Director & President | 2005 | 1,082,064 | 9.4% |
| Ernest G. Burgess III | 63 | Director | 2005 | 186,204 | 1.6% |
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. | 57 | Director & Secretary | 2004 | 389,996 | 3.4% |
| Lawrence C. Tucker(2) | 60 | Director | 2004 | 690,155 | 6.0% |
| Olin O. Williams | 72 | Director | 2003 | 140,842 | 1.2% |
| Joanne M. Batey | 58 | Vice President, Homecare | - | 54,768 | * |
| D. Gerald Coggin | 51 | V.P., Rehabilitation & Government Affairs | - | 329,328 | 2.8% |
| Donald K. Daniel | 56 | Vice President & Controller | - | 159,695 | 1.4% |
| Kenneth D. DenBesten | 50 | Vice President, Finance | - | 59,013 | * |
| David L. Lassiter | 48 | Vice President, Corporate Affairs | - | 14,250 | * |
| Julia W. Powell | 53 | Vice President, Patient Services | - | 87,010 | * |
| Charlotte A. Swafford | 55 | Treasurer | - | 137,176 | 1.2% |
| All Directors and Exec. Officers as a group (13 people) | - | 3,781,933 | 32.8% |
*Less than 1%
(1) Assumes exercise of stock options outstanding. See "Option Plans." Included in the amounts above are 40,000 shares to Mr. Burgess, 40,000 shares to Dr. Williams, 55,000 shares to Mr. W. A. Adams, 40,000 shares to Mr. R. G. Adams, 40,000 shares to Mr. LaRoche, 20,000 shares to Ms. Batey, 24,000 shares to Mr. Coggin, 24,000 shares to Mr. Daniel, 24,000 shares to Mr. DenBesten, 13,000 shares to Mr. Lassiter, 20,000 shares to Ms. Powell, and 24,000 shares to Ms. Swafford, of which all may be acquired upon the exercise of stock options granted under the Company's 1997 and 2002 Stock Option Plans.
(2) Mr. Tucker, as a general partner of the 1818 Fund II, is attributed the ownership of the 1818 Fund II shares, but does not claim beneficial ownership thereof. Otherwise, all shares are owned beneficially with sole voting and investment power. The number of shares does not include 40,000 shares in stock options outstanding to Mr. Tucker.
Robert G. Adams has served NHC 27 years - 15 years as Senior Vice President and 10 years on the Board of Directors. He also served NHC as a health care center administrator and Regional Vice President. He is NHC's Chief Operating Officer, serves on the Board of Directors of National Health Realty, Inc., and is Vice President of National Health Investors, Inc. Mr. Adams has a B.S. Degree from Middle Tennessee State University.
W. Andrew Adams has served as President of NHC since 1974 and Chairman of the Board since 1994. He has extensive long-term health care experience and served as President of the National Council of Health Centers, the trade association for multi-facility long-term health care companies. Adams serves as Chairman of the Board of National Health Investors, Inc., National Health Realty, Inc. and Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. In addition, he serves on the Board of SunTrust Bank, Nashville.
Ernest G. Burgess III served as Senior Vice President of Operations for 20 years before retiring in 1994. His Board of Director's position spans ten years and he serves as Chairman of NHC's Audit Committee. He has an M.S. degree from the University of Tennessee, and also serves on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Audit Committee of National Health Realty, Inc.
Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. has served 27 years with NHC as Secretary and General Counsel and 14 years as Senior Vice President, retiring from this position in May 2002. He was elected by the Board to fill the unexpired term of previous director J. K. Twilla, who retired in early 2002. He has a law degree from Vanderbilt University and an A.B. degree from Dartmouth College. Mr. LaRoche serves as Director and Secretary of National Health Investors, Inc. and as Secretary of National Health Realty, Inc. He also serves as a director and Audit Committee member for Z-Tel Technologies, Inc. and as a director of Lodge Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Tucker has been with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (BBH & Co.), private bankers, for 35 years and became a General Partner of the firm in January 1979. He serves on the firm's steering committee as well as being responsible for the corporate finance activities, which include management of The 1818 Fund, private equity investing partnerships with originally committed capital of approximately $2 billion. He is a director of Riverwood International Corporation, VAALCO Energy Inc., US Unwired, Inc., Z-Tel Technologies, Inc., Xspedius Holding Corporation, and Xspedius Management Corporation. Mr. Tucker serves on NHC's Audit Committee.
Dr. Olin O. Williams has served as Director of NHC for 30 years. He is a physician and was in private practice in Tennessee for more than 31 years. Dr. Williams also serves on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Murfreesboro and as director and Audit Committee member for National Health Realty, Inc.
Joanne M. Batey (Vice President, Homecare) has served NHC since 1976. She served as homecare coordinator for five years before being named Vice President in 1989. Prior to that she was director communication disorders services. Ms. Batey received her bachelor's and master's degrees in speech pathology from Purdue University.
D. Gerald Coggin (Vice President, Governmental and Rehabilitative Services) has been employed by NHC since 1973. He is related by marriage to Messrs. Adams. He has served as both Administrator and Regional Vice President before being appointed to the present position. He received a B.A. Degree from David Lipscomb University and an M.P.H. degree from the University of Tennessee. He is responsible for the Company's rehabilitation, managed care and legislative activities.
Donald K. Daniel (Vice President & Controller) joined the Company in 1977 as Controller. He received a B.A. degree from Harding University and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas. He is a certified public accountant.
Kenneth D. DenBesten (Vice President/Finance) has served as Vice President of Finance since 1992. From 1987 to 1992, he was employed by Physicians Health Care, most recently as Chief Operating Officer. From 1984-1986, he was employed by Health America Corporation as Treasurer, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. DenBesten received a B.S. in business administration and an M.S. in finance from the University of Arizona.
David L. Lassiter (Vice President, Corporate Affairs) joined the Company in 1995. From 1988 to 1995, he was Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration for Vendell Healthcare. From 1980-1988, he was in human resources positions with Hospital Corporation of America and HealthTrust Corporation. Mr. Lassiter has a B.S. and an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee.
Julia W. Powell (Vice President, Patient Services) has been with the Company since 1974. She has served as a nurse consultant and director of patient assessment computerized services for NHC. Ms. Powell has a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and a master's of art in sociology with an emphasis in gerontology from Middle Tennessee State University. She co-authoredPatient Assessment Computerized in 1980 with Dr. Carl Adams, the Company's founder.
Charlotte A. Swafford (Treasurer) has been Treasurer of the Company since 1985. She joined the Company in 1973 and has served as Staff Accountant, Accounting Supervisor and Assistant Treasurer. She has a B.S. degree from Tennessee Technological University.
Board of Directors and Committees of the Board
The Board of Directors held 4 meetings during 2002. All directors were present at the meetings of the Board and of committees on which they served. The three independent directors comprise the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee (Mr. Burgess, Mr. Tucker and Dr. Williams).
On July 30, 2002, the President signed into law the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the "S/O Act") which has or will impose new responsibilities on the Audit Committee, chief among which is the requirement that the Audit Committee appoint, compensate (out of Company funds), and provide oversight of the work of the independent auditors. Additionally, the S/O Act creates an independent accounting oversight board to oversee the conduct of auditors of public companies such as ours. This board may promulgate additional requirements for the Audit Committee.
Although the American Stock Exchange listing rules previously required most of the following, the S/O Act mandates that Audit Committee members be both independent of management and rely solely on director's compensation for their work, with no ability to otherwise receive remuneration from the Company. The S/O Act requires Audit Committees to ultimately have in place procedures to receive and address complaints regarding accounting, internal control, or auditing issues. At the NHC Board's February 12, 2003 meeting, the Board adopted a Restated Audit Committee Charter, which meets, in our opinion and the opinion of outside counsel, all current and reasonably anticipated requirements of the S/O Act, SEC regulations and AMEX Listing Rules.The Restated Audit Committee Charter is attached to this Proxy Statement and incorporated herein as though copied verbatim.
Finally, we note that the Board has found that the three members of the Audit Committee meet the S/O Act and AMEX definition of "independent board member"; additionally, its Chairman meets the SEC definition of "Audit Committee financial expert."
The Audit Committee, which met four times in 2002, has filed the following report for inclusion in this proxy:
During 2002 the Audit Committee reviewed the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements in the reporting process. Arthur Andersen LLP was NHC's independent auditor for December 31, 2001 and reviewed with the Audit Committee the first quarter 2002 financial statements. The Company engaged Ernst & Young LLP for the second and third quarter 2002 reviews and the December 31, 2002 audit. The Company's independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of NHC's audited financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles.
In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the audited financial statements, which are included in the materials accompanying this proxy. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Communication with Audit Committees). In addition, the Audit Committee has received from the independent auditors the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and discussed with them their independence from the Company and its management. Aggregate fees paid for the following categories of services are as follows:
| Audit and review of the Company's 2002 quarterly and annual financial statements | $177,500 |
| Other audit related services | 17,000 |
| All other services | -0- |
Ernst & Young LLP did not provide any financial information systems design and implementation or other services during 2002.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above and the Audit Committee Charter and legal requirements applicable for 2002, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and distribution to our shareholders.
Submitted by the National HealthCare Corporation Audit Committee.
| Ernest G. Burgess III, Chairman | |
| Lawrence C. Tucker | |
| Olin O. Williams |
We have carefully considered these compensation programs, always taking into account shareholders' concerns, and feel that our programs and the compensation which they produce, for not only our executive officers but also partners in all areas of the Company and its subsidiaries, are vital to our continuing efforts to obtain and retain our people and improve our competitive position.
| Lawrence C. Tucker, Chairman | |
| Ernest G. Burgess III | |
| Olin O. Williams |
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION, AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Cash Compensation
Directors not employed by NHC receive compensation for their Board service in the amount of $2,500 per meeting attended, plus an annual grant of a 15,000 share stock option, priced on the date of the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders. This automatic grant of options to independent directors was approved by our shareholders. The Company additionally reimburses all directors for travel expenses incurred in connection with their duties as directors of the Company.
The Company's executive officers were compensated per the following Table I. Two officers were added to this Table I for 2002.
| All Other Compen- sation ($)(i) | ||||||||
| Name and Principal Position (a) | Salary ($) (c) | Other annual compen- sation ($)(3) (e) | Restrict-ed Stock Award(s) ($) (f) | Securities Underlying Options/SARs (#)(4) (g) | ||||
| W. Andrew Adams, Pres. & CEO | 2002 | 25,000 | 670,000(5) | 1,060 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
| 2001 | 25,000 | 700,000 | 1,611 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | |
| 2000 | 24,954 | 850,000 | 2,584 | -0- | 55,000 | -0- | -0- | |
| Robert G. Adams, Sr. Vice Pres. & COO | 2002 | 140,154 | 461,600(5) | 9,670 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
| 2001 | 141,282 | 600,000 | 2,092 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | |
| 2000 | 140,940 | 750,000 | 5,554 | -0- | 40,000 | -0- | -0- | |
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., Sr. Vice Pres. & Secretary | 2002 | 56,633 | 418,700(5) | 9,820 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
| 2001 | 132,622 | 600,000 | 30,068 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | |
| 2000 | 127,802 | 750,000 | 3,442 | -0- | 40,000 | -0- | -0- | |
| Donald K. Daniel, Principal Acctg. Officer & Controller | 2002 | 115,086 | 251,200(5) | 27,304 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
| 2001 | 115,624 | 125,000 | 19,795 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | |
| 2000 | 114,048 | 100,000 | 15,994 | -0- | 24,000 | -0- | -0- | |
| Charlotte A. Swafford, Treasurer | 2002 | 115,014 | 251,200(5) | 10,385 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- |
| 2001 | 109,093 | 125,000 | 5,503 | -0- | -0- | -0- | -0- | |
| 2000 | 115,100 | 100,000 | 4,702 | -0- | 24,000 | -0- | -0- | |
| (1) Compensation deferred at the election of an executive has been included in columns (c) and (d). | ||||||||
| (2) These officers may also receive bonuses from National Health Investors, Inc. and National Health Realty, Inc. which are disclosed in those companies' Form 10-K and/or proxy statements. | ||||||||
| (3) Includes (a) life insurance benefit, (b) 401(k) matching contribution, (c) non qualified deferred compensation matching contribution, (d) ESOP contribution, and (e) any positive spread from participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. | ||||||||
| (4) These officers received stock options from National Health Investors, Inc. in 1997 and 1999 and stock options from National Health Realty, Inc. in 1999, which are disclosed in those companies' Form 10-K. No other Restricted Stock Awards, Options/SARs, or LTIP Payouts were given in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, or 2002. | ||||||||
| (5) The figure given represents income derived from forgiveness of indebtedness on Feb. 19, 2002, on a stock option exercise note; another bonus for 2002 may be earned but has not yet been declared or paid for 2002. | ||||||||
Equity Compensation Plans
The Company's grant or issuance of an incentive stock option under the 2002 Plan has no federal income tax consequences to either the Company or the optionee. Nor do any federal income tax consequences occur to either the Company or the optionee upon the optionee's exercise of his or her incentive stock option and purchase of Common Stock up to $100,000 per year, except that the difference between the fair market value of the stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the option and the amounts paid upon the option's exercise (the "Spread") would be included in the optionee's alternative minimum taxable income for alternative minimum tax purposes. For options purchased in excess of the $100,000 limit, or for options granted to non-employee directors, or which are not held for the time discussed in the next paragraph, the Spread is taxable as ordinary income to the optionee and deductible by the Company at the time of exercise.
After exercising the option, if the optionee holds the stock purchased for the requisite period under the Internal Revenue Code, then upon the optionee's disposition of the stock he or she will recognize capital gain (or loss) for federal income tax purposes on the amount of the difference between the optionee's cost and the net proceeds of the sale. The Company would not be entitled to a deduction upon such a disposition. To be entitled to such capital gains treatment, the optionee must not dispose of the underlying stock within two (2) years after the date the option is granted or one (1) year after the option is exercised.
If the optionee disposes of the stock prior to such time, then the optionee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the difference between the sales proceeds and the optionee's cost, or (ii) the difference between the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise and the optionee's cost. The balance of the gain on a premature disposition of the stock, if any, will be capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Such a premature disposition will entitle the Company to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee.
The 2002 Plan permits options to be exercised for cash or by surrender of NHC shares valued at the then fair market value. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the option agreement, no option shall be transferable other than by will, family gift, or the laws of descent and distribution. All shares which may be issued under the 2002 Plan and the exercise prices for outstanding options are subject to adjustment in the event that the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock will be changed by reason of stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications or recapitalizations. In addition, upon a merger or consolidation involving the Company, participants are entitled to shares in the surviving corporation.
The 2002 Plan also provides eligible employees the option to purchase shares of Company common stock through payroll deductions at the lesser of the closing price of the common stock as reported on the American Stock Exchange on the first trading day or the last trading day of each year. At the end of each year, funds accumulated in the employee's account will be used to purchase the maximum number of shares at the above price. The Company makes no contribution to the purchase price. 77,401 shares were issued pursuant to the Plan in January 2003 at a price of $14.75 per share, with all payroll deductions being made in 2002.
All employees (including officers and directors) may elect to participate in the Plan if they meet minimum employment requirements. The maximum payroll deduction is the employee's normal monthly pay. Participating employee's rights under the Plan are nontransferable. Prior to the end of a year, a participant may elect to withdraw from the Plan and the amount accumulated as a result of his payroll deductions shall be returned to him without interest. Any terminated employee immediately ceases to be a participant and also receives his or her prior contributions.
In no event may a participant in the Plan purchase thereunder during a calendar year, common stock having a fair market value more than $25,000. The stock purchased pursuant to the Plan is freely tradeable, except for any shares held by an "affiliate" of the Company, which would be subject to the limitations of Rule 144.
| 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 [excluding securities reflected in column(a)] |
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 1997: 662,500 | ||
| 2002: -0- | |||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | |||
| Total |
Director and Officer Options
The 2002 Plan provides for an automatic grant to each independent director of 15,000 shares on the date of the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders and at the closing price of NHC common stock on the American Stock Exchange that day. NHC shareholders approved, at their April 16, 2002, Annual Meeting, the 2002 Stock Option Plan (the "2002 Plan") and had previously approved the 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan"). Of the 1,301,208 shares available under the 1997 Plan and 2002 Plan, 953,078 remain available for grant as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
All of the Company's Executive Officers, except W. Andrew Adams, Joanne M. Batey, and Julia W. Powell, participated in the payroll deduction portion of the 2002 Plan during 2002 and any positive spread between the purchase price and the then fair market price is included in Table I, column (e).
Tables A and B set forth information regarding options which are outstanding, granted or exercised under the 1997 Plan or 2002 Plan as of December 31, 2002, for the Company's executive officers identified in Table I. Table C sets forth information regarding options outstanding and exercised during 2002 for the executive officers, all independent directors and all other NHC employees as a group. The Company has not granted any SARs and has never repriced any options.
| TABLE A |
| Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year [12-31-02] |
| Individual Grants | Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term | |||||
| Number of Securities underlying option/SARS Granted (#) | Percent of Total Options/ SARs Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year | Exercise of Base Price ($/Sh) | Expiration Date | 5% ($) | 10% ($) | |
| W. Andrew Adams | -0- | - | -0- | - | - | - |
| Robert G. Adams | -0- | - | -0- | - | - | - |
| Donald K. Daniel | -0- | - | -0- | - | - | - |
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. | -0- | - | -0- | - | - | - |
| Charlotte A. Swafford | -0- | - | -0- | - | - | - |
| TABLE B |
| Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year |
| and FY-End Option/SAR Values |
| Name | Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Value Realized ($) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options/SARs at Fiscal Year-End, (#) Exercisable | Value of Unexercised in-the-Money Options/SARs at Fiscal Year-End ($) Exercisable |
| W. Andrew Adams | -0- | -0- | 55,000 | $797,500 |
| Robert G. Adams | -0- | -0- | 40,000 | $580,000 |
| Donald K. Daniel | -0- | -0- | 24,000 | $348,000 |
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. | -0- | -0- | 40,000 | $580,000 |
| Charlotte A. Swafford | -0- | -0- | 24,000 | $348,000 |
TABLE C | |||||
| Name of Participant | Shares Under Option: 2002 | Expiration Date | Options Exercised: 2002 | Remaining Options | Exercise Price |
| W. Andrew Adams | 55,000 | 10/25/06 | -0- | 55,000 | $3.00 |
| Robert G. Adams | 40,000 | 10/25/06 | -0- | 40,000 | $3.00 |
| Donald K. Daniel | 24,000 | 10/26/06 | -0- | 24,000 | $3.00 |
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. | 40,000 | 10/25/06 | -0- | 40,000 | $3.00 |
| Charlotte A. Swafford | 24,000 | 10/26/06 | -0- | 24,000 | $3.00 |
| All Executive Officers (5 persons) | 183,000 | 10/25/06 | -0- | 183,000 | $3.00 |
| All Independent Directors (3 persons) | 30,000 | 4/26/2004 | -0- | 30,000 | $9.375 |
| 30,000 | 5/24/2005 | -0- | 30,000 | $ 4.75 | |
| 30,000 | 5/26/2006 | -0- | 30,000 | $10.40 | |
| 30,000 | 4/15/2007 | -0- | 30,000 | $17.25 | |
| All Other NHC Employees | 337,500 | 10/25/06 | -0- | 337,500 | $ 3.00 |
The 2002 Plan also provides that the Company can finance the exercise of any options by the acceptance of the option holder's full recourse Promissory Note bearing interest at a fixed rate equal to 2.5% below New York Prime on the date of the note, with interest payable quarterly and principal due and payable in 60 months. The notes are secured by shares having a fair market value of 200% of the amount of the principal of the note as established on the date of the loan. Additionally, such purchase money notes require the pledge of additional shares or for reduction in the principal of the note at any time that the value of the collateral drops below 150% of the base amount of the outstanding balance of the note. Pursuant to the congressionally enacted Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, federal law now prohibits such option financing for all of NHC's executive officers and directors, other than notes outstanding on July 30, 2002, which may not be extended or amended.
The below table indicates the current amount of option purchase money notes outstanding by directors and executive officers of NHC, individually and collectively as of December 31, 2002.
| Current Loan Outstanding 12-31-02 | Maximum Loan Outstanding Prior Five Years | |
| W. Andrew Adams | $ 291,200 | $ 1,641,920 |
| Robert G. Adams | 218,400 | 1,206,950 |
| Ernest G. Burgess III | 484,680 | 802,030 |
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. | 218,400 | 1,181,200 |
| Lawrence C. Tucker | -0- | -0- |
| Olin O. Williams | 51,650 | 369,000 |
| Joanne M. Batey | 131,040 | 708,720 |
| D. Gerald Coggin | 131,040 | 734,470 |
| Donald K. Daniel | 131,040 | 708,720 |
| Kenneth D. DenBesten | 131,040 | 708,720 |
| David L. Lassiter | 72,800 | 310,000 |
| Julia W. Powell | 131,040 | 708,720 |
| Charlotte A. Swafford | 131,040 | 708,720 |
| All Executive Officers & Directors as a Group (13) | $2,123,370 | $ 9,789,170 |
Section 16(a) Disclosure Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended requires officers, directors, and persons who own more than 10% of the Company's equity securities to file statements of changes in beneficial ownership (Forms 4 or 5) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and the American Stock Exchange. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all such forms they file, and also mandates that the individual make such filing within 2 days of any applicable transaction. The Company reminds all of the officers and directors of this requirement monthly.
To the Company's knowledge and based solely on the review of the copies of such forms received by it, the Company believes that during 2002 all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners were fulfilled.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
The Company's cumulative total return as compared with the S & P 500 Index and HealthCare-Nursing Home Index is shown in the graph on the last page of this proxy statement.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
October 1, 2003 is the date by which proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by us for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy. Your submission of any proposal will be reviewed in accordance with the procedures found in SEC Regulation 14a-8, which we will supply upon request.
The total cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. In addition to use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by directors and officers of the Company personally and by telephone, telegraph, or facsimile transmission.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be presented at the Meeting, but if other matters do properly come before the Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
| s/Richard F. LaRoche, Jr. | |
| Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., Secretary | |
| March 18, 2003 | |
| Murfreesboro, Tennessee |
| NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION |
| COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN |
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | |
| NHC | 100.0 | 39.5 | 13.4 | 19.1 | 39.1 | 44.5 |
| S&P 500 | 100.0 | 128.6 | 155.6 | 141.5 | 124.7 | 97.1 |
| HC Nursing Home | 100.0 | 55.4 | 27.5 | 39.2 | 51.1 | 41.8 |
Assumes $100 inv. 12/31/97 in NHC, S & P 500 and Health Care Nursing Home.
Exhibit A
| NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION |
| RESTATED AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER |
I. Purpose
The primary functions of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board of Directors of National HealthCare Corporation (the "Company") in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to: (i) the Company's systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and ethical behavior; (ii) the Company's auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes generally; (iii) the Company's financial statements and other financial information provided by the Company to its stockholders, the public and others; (iv) the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and (v) the performance of the Company's corporate audit department and independent auditors. Consistent with these functions, the Committee will encourage continuous improvement of, and foster adherence to, the Company's policies, procedures and practices at all levels.
Although the Audit Committee has the powers and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, the role of the Committee is oversight. The members of the Committee are not full-time employees of the Company and may or may not be accountants or auditors by profession or experts in the fields of accounting or auditing and, in any event, do not serve in such capacity. Consequently, it is not the duty of the Committee to conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of management and the independent auditors.
II. Organization
The Audit Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined by the Board of Directors, each of whom shall satisfy the independence, financial literacy and experience requirements of Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, The American Stock Exchange and any other regulatory requirements.
Committee members shall be elected by the Board at the annual organizational meeting of the Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee; members shall serve until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. The Committee's chairperson shall be designated by the full Board or, if it does not do so, the Committee members shall elect a chairperson by vote of a majority of the full Committee. The Audit Committee shall report its recommendations to the Board after each Committee meeting and shall conduct and present to the Board an annual performance evaluation of the Committee.
The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees when appropriate.
III. Meetings
The Audit Committee shall meet four times per year on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as circumstances require. The Committee shall require members of management, the independent auditors and others to attend meetings and to provide pertinent information, as necessary. As part of its job to foster open communications, the Committee shall meet in separate executive sessions during each of its four regularly scheduled meetings with management and the Company's independent auditors to discuss any matters that the Committee (or any of these groups) believes should be discussed privately.
IV. Responsibilities and Duties
In recognition of the fact that the Company's independent auditors are ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee, the Committee shall have the sole authority and responsibility to select, evaluate, and, where appropriate, replace the independent auditors or nominate the independent auditors for shareholder approval. The Committee shall approve all audit engagement fees and terms and all non-audit engagements with the independent auditors. The Committee shall consult with management but shall not delegate these responsibilities.
To fulfill its responsibilities and duties, the Audit Committee shall:
With respect to the independent auditors:
| 1. | Be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing its audit report or related work. |
| 2. | Have the sole authority to review in advance, and grant any appropriate pre-approvals of, (i) all auditing services to be provided by the independent auditors and (ii) all non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors as permitted by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (iii) connection therewith to approve all fees and other terms of engagement. The Committee shall also review and approve disclosures required to be included in Securities and Exchange Commission periodic reports filed under Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to non-audit services. |
| 3. | Review the performance of the Company's independent auditors on at least an annual basis. |
| 4. | On an annual basis, review and discuss with the independent auditors all relationships the independent auditors have with the Company in order to evaluate the independent auditors' continued independence. The Committee: (i) shall ensure that the independent auditors submit to the Committee on an annual basis a written statement (consistent with Independent Standards Board Standards No. 1) delineating all relationships and services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors; (ii) shall discuss with the independent auditors any disclosed relationship or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors; and (iii) shall satisfy itself as to the independent auditors' independence. |
| 5. | At least annually, obtain and review an annual report from the independent auditors describing (i) the independent auditors' internal quality control procedures and (ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, or peer review, of the independent auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the independent auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues. |
| 6. | Confirm that the lead audit partner, or the lead audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit, for the Company's independent auditors has not performed audit services for the Company for each of the five previous fiscal years. |
| 7. | Review all reports required to be submitted by the independent auditors to the Committee under Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| 8. | Review, based upon the recommendation of the independent auditors and the corporate audit department, the scope and plan of the work to be done by the independent auditors for each fiscal year. |
With respect to financial statements:
| 1. | Review and discuss with management and the independent auditors the Company's quarterly financial statements (including disclosures made in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the independent auditors' review of the quarterly financial statements) prior to submission to stockholders, any governmental body, any stock exchange or the public. |
| 2. | Review and discuss: (i) with management and the independent auditors the Company's annual audited financial statements (including disclosures made in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"). |
| 3. | Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, relating to the conduct of the audit. |
| 4. | Recommend to the Board of Directors, if appropriate, that the Company's annual audited financial statements be included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
| 5. | Prepare the report required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement and any other Committee reports required by applicable securities laws or stock exchange listing requirements or rules. |
Periodic and Annual Reviews:
| 1. | Periodically review separately with each of management and the independent auditors (i) any significant disagreement between management and the independent auditors in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, (ii) any difficulties encountered during the course of the audit (including any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information), and (iii) management's response to each. |
| 2. | Periodically discuss with the independent auditors, without management being present, (i) their judgments about the quality, appropriateness, and acceptability of the Company's accounting principles and financial disclosure practices, as applied in its financial reporting, and (ii) the completeness and accuracy of the Company's financial statements. |
| 3. | Consider and approve, if appropriate, significant changes to the Company's accounting principles and financial disclosure practices as suggested by the independent auditors or management. Review with the independent auditors and management at appropriate intervals, the extent to which any changes or improvements in accounting or financial practices, as approved by the Committee, have been implemented. |
| 4. | Review with management, the independent auditors and the Company's counsel, as appropriate, any legal, regulatory or compliance matters that could have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements, including significant changes in accounting standards or rules as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities with relevant jurisdiction. |
| 5. | Obtain and review an annual report from management relating to the accounting principles used in preparation of the Company's financial statements (including those policies for which management is required to exercise discretion or judgments regarding the implementation thereof). |
Discussions with Management:
| 1. | Review and discuss with management the Company's earnings press releases (including the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted" non-GAAP information) as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. |
| 2. | Review and discuss with management all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations) and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons, that may have a material current of future effect on financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, capital reserves or significant components of revenues or expenses. |
| 3. | Inquire about the application of the Company's accounting policies and its consistency from period to period, and the compatibility of these accounting policies with generally accepted accounting principles, and (where appropriate) the Company's provisions for future occurrences which may have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company. |
| 4. | Review and discuss with management (i) the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures (including management's risk assessment and risk management policies), and (ii) the program that management has established to monitor compliance with its code of business ethics and conduct for directors, officers and employees. |
| 5. | Review and discuss with management all disclosures made by the Company concerning any material changes in the financial condition or operations of the Company. |
| 6. | Obtain explanations from management for unusual variances in the Company's annual financial statements from year to year, and review annually the independent auditors' letter of the recommendations to management and management's response. |
With respect to the internal audit function and internal controls:
| 1. | Review, based upon the recommendation of the independent auditors, the scope, plan and personnel of the work to be done. |
| 2. | In consultation with the independent auditors and management, (a) review the adequacy of the Company's internal control structure and system, and the procedures designed to insure compliance with laws and regulations, and (b) discuss the responsibilities, budget and staffing needs of the corporate audit department. |
| 3. | Establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
Other:
| 1. | Review and approve all related-party transactions. |
| 2. | Review and approve (i) any change or waiver in the Company's code of business conduct and ethics for directors or executive officers, and (ii) any disclosure made on Form 8-K regarding such change or waiver. |
| 3. | Establish the policy for the Company's hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditors who were engaged on the Company's account. |
| 4. | Review any management decision to seek a second opinion from independent auditors other than the Company's regular independent auditors with respect to any significant accounting issue. |
| 5. | Review with management and the independent auditors the sufficiency and quality of the financial and accounting personnel of the Company. |
| 6. | Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend to the Board any changes the Committee deems appropriate. |
| 7. | The Committee shall conduct an annual performance evaluation. |
| 8. | Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the Company's By-laws and governing law as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate. |
V. Resources
The Audit Committee shall have the authority to retain independent legal, accounting and other consultants to advise the Committee. The Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company's outside counsel or independent auditors to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
The Committee shall determine the extent of funding necessary for payment of compensation to the independent auditors for purpose of rendering or issuing the annual audit report and to any independent legal, accounting and other consultants retained to advise the Committee.
This Charter will be made available on the Company's website at "www.nhccare.com".
Appendix: Form of Proxy
PROXY
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors.
The undersigned hereby appoints W. Andrew Adams and/or Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., as Proxies, each of them with power of substitution, to represent and vote on behalf of the undersigned all of the shares of National HealthCare Corporation which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 100 Vine Street, 14th Floor, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Thursday, April 24, 2003, at 4:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time and at any continuances thereof, hereby revoking all proxies heretofore given with respect to such stock, upon the following proposal more fully described in the notice of and proxy statement for the meeting (receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged).
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE DIRECTORS.
| ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | ___ For nominee listed below: | ___ Withhold Authority to vote for the nominee listed below: |
| ___ For nominee listed below: | ___ Withhold Authority to vote for the nominee listed below: | |
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before 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 VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS.
| Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full name as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. | |
| Dated:_____________________________ | |
| __________________________________________ | |
| Signature | |
| __________________________________________ | |
| Signature, if held jointly | |
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. | |
