make a $500,000 annual contribution to his SERP. However, if control of the Company changes and Mr. Lampert remains employed by us thereafter, we will be obligated to pay Mr. Lampert $500,000 within 30 days after the date of the change in control and annually during the remaining term of his employment with us on the first business day of each calendar year following the change in control.
Beginning in fiscal 2000, as a result of the deferral of certain incentive compensation awards, additional credits were made to Mr. Lampert’s SERP for, among other things, the LTCIP award (described below under “Deferred Long-Term Compensation”). In August 2007, the remaining vested account balance in Mr. Lampert’s SERP was distributed to him, following which Mr. Lampert had no undistributed nonqualified deferred compensation.
Mr. Robinson’s employment agreement, as amended to date, provides for (i) an annual base salary of $210,000 effective April 1, 2006 and an increase from $210,000 to $220,000, which was effective October 1, 2006 upon Mr. Robinson’s satisfaction of certain performance objectives mutually agreed upon by our CEO and Mr. Robinson; (ii) an annual automobile allowance of $9,000; and (iii) automatic renewals of Mr. Robinson’s employment with us until terminated either by us for “cause” (as defined in the agreement) or at any time by either party for any reason or no reason with 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party. Mr. Robinson’s employment agreement entitles him to participate generally in all pension, retirement, insurance, savings, welfare and other employee benefit plans and arrangements and fringe benefits and perquisites maintained by us from time to time for senior executives of a comparable level.
Mr. Angeli’s employment agreement, as amended to date, provides for an annual base salary of $275,000 effective January 1, 2007 and an annual automobile allowance of $12,000. Mr. Angeli’s employment agreement had an initial three-year term beginning January 1, 2003 and renews annually on January 1 unless sooner terminated by us for “cause” (as defined in the agreement) or by either party for any reason or no reason with three months’ prior written notice to the other party. Mr. Angeli’s employment agreement entitles him to participate generally in all pension, retirement, insurance, savings, welfare and other employee benefit plans and arrangements and fringe benefits and perquisites maintained by us from time to time for senior executives of a comparable level.
Mr. Angeli received two grants of deferred compensation in 2001 and 2004, which are described under “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for Named Executive Officers” below. In December 2005, the vested account balance in Mr. Angeli’s SERP, consisting of the principal and accumulated interest of the deferred compensation in the form of non-elective deferrals, was distributed to Mr. Angeli pursuant to elections that he made in November 2005. Additional installments that vested during fiscal 2007, consisting of the principal and accumulated interest, were distributed to Mr. Angeli during fiscal 2007. In accordance with Mr. Angeli’s election in November 2005, the remaining unvested funds in Mr. Angeli’s SERP, which consisted of principal and accumulated interest in an amount of $26,655 at June 30, 2007, will be distributed to him immediately as each installment vests. See “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below.
Mr. Stampfli’s employment agreement, as amended to date, provides for an annual base salary of $275,000 effective January 1, 2007 and an annual automobile allowance of $12,000. Mr. Stampfli’s employment agreement will expire on January 1, 2008 unless sooner terminated by us for “cause” (as defined in the agreement) or by either party with 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party. Mr. Stampfli’s employment agreement entitles him to participate generally in all pension, retirement, insurance, savings, welfare and other employee benefit plans and arrangements and fringe benefits and perquisites maintained by us from time to time for senior executives of a comparable level.
A credit was made to Mr. Stampfli’s SERP for the LTCIP award (described below under “Deferred Long-Term Compensation”). In December 2005, the vested account balance in his SERP, consisting of the principal and accumulated interest of the first two installments of the LTCIP award, was distributed to Mr. Stampfli pursuant to elections that he made in November 2005. The third installment, consisting of the principal and accumulated interest
on the third and final installment of the LTCIP award in an amount of $94,795, was distributed to Mr. Stampfli in August 2006. Following this distribution, Mr. Stampfli had no undistributed nonqualified deferred compensation. See “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” below.
Scott L. Lampert
Mr. Scott Lampert’s employment agreement, as amended to date, provides for (i) an annual base salary of $210,000 effective April 1, 2006 and an increase from $210,000 to $220,000, which was effective October 1, 2006 upon Mr. Lampert’s satisfaction of certain performance objectives mutually agreed upon by our CEO and Mr. Lampert; (ii) an annual automobile allowance of $9,000; and (iii) automatic annual renewals of Mr. Lampert’s employment with us until terminated either by us for “cause” (as defined in the agreement) or at any time by either party for any reason or no reason with 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party. Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement entitles him to participate generally in all pension, retirement, insurance, savings, welfare and other employee benefit plans and arrangements and fringe benefits and perquisites maintained by us from time to time for senior executives of a comparable level.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for Named Executive Officers
Pursuant to Mr. Ira Lampert’s employment agreement, we adopted a SERP for his benefit. A specified amount of deferred compensation, which was $500,000 through June 30, 2005, was credited to his SERP account each year. These yearly credits were 100% vested and not subject to forfeiture. As a result of the Company’s poor financial performance, Mr. Lampert voluntarily reduced the amount of the credit that was made in January 2005 from $500,000 to $350,000. Effective as of July 1, 2005, we were no longer obligated to make $500,000 annual contributions to Mr. Lampert’s SERP. However, if a change of control of the Company occurs and Mr. Lampert remains employed by us thereafter, we will be obligated to pay Mr. Lampert $500,000 within 30 days after the date of the change of control and annually during the remaining term of his employment on the first business day of each calendar year following the change of control. We also approved a one-time grant of deferred compensation to Mr. Lampert in the amount of $1,549,998 which vested in three equal annual installments on January 1, 2001, January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2003, and Mr. Lampert’s SERP was amended to include appropriate terms to govern this one-time grant of deferred compensation.
Effective as of April 19, 2000, we adopted a SERP for Mr. Stampfli’s benefit in connection with a one-time grant of deferred compensation of $110,000 to him, which vested in three equal annual installments on January 1, 2001, January 1, 2002 and January 1, 2003.
In connection with a one-time grant of $115,000 in deferred compensation to Gerald J. Angeli, we adopted a SERP for his benefit as of July 31, 2001. Pursuant to Mr. Angeli’s SERP, the grant vested, so long as Mr. Angeli continued to be employed by us, in five annual installments on June 11, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. As of March 22, 2004, Mr. Angeli’s SERP was amended pursuant to an amendment to his employment agreement granting him an additional amount of $50,000 in deferred compensation. The additional grant vested and continues to vest, so long as Mr. Angeli continues to be employed by us, in five equal annual installment of $10,000 each on March 22, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. If his employment with us terminates for any reason (or no reason), Mr. Angeli will forfeit the balance of this additional grant that had not vested as of the termination date.
Each time we credited an executive’s account under a SERP agreement, we simultaneously contributed an equal amount to a trust established for the purpose of accumulating funds to satisfy the obligations incurred by us pursuant to the SERP. In addition, each account under a SERP agreement was subject to adjustment for income, expenses, gains or losses sustained as a result of investment of the SERP funds as directed by the executive (or an investment manager chosen by the executive) in his sole discretion, except that we directed the investment, in accordance with our Cash Investment Policy, which sets forth the Board’s guidelines for the investment of Company cash, of any unvested balances in an account established as a result of the deferred LTCIP award to Mr. Lampert. See “Deferred Long-Term Compensation” below for information regarding SERP elections made by Messrs. Lampert, Angeli and Stampfli, pursuant to which we made distributions to them from their respective SERPs during fiscal 2007.
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Although the SERP agreements for Messrs. Lampert, Stampfli and Angeli have not been terminated, each SERP participant elected to terminate his participation in his SERP as a result of the adoption of Section 409A under the Internal Revenue Code. Any remaining balances as of December 31, 2005 were distributed (or will be distributed immediately upon vesting) to the SERP participants, and no elective or non-elective contributions have been made to any of the SERPs since Section 409A was adopted.
Deferred Long-Term Compensation
As of August 6, 2003, Messrs. Ira B. Lampert and Stampfli were awarded $670,474 and $274,021, respectively, of deferred compensation under the 2002 LTCIP with respect to the fiscal 2002-2003 performance period, the distribution of which was contingent on their continued employment with us.
The LTCIP award to Mr. Stampfli vested, so long as he continued to be employed by us, in three equal annual installments on August 6, 2004, 2005 and 2006, or immediately upon: (i) a change of control of the Company; or (ii) his death or disability.
Mr. Lampert voluntarily agreed to delay the vesting of his LTCIP award by one year, and it vested in three equal installments beginning on August 6, 2005, 2006 and 2007, instead of August 6, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Otherwise, the LTCIP award granted to Mr. Lampert had substantially the same terms and conditions as the award granted to Mr. Stampfli, except that, in addition to the events that would have accelerated the vesting of Mr. Stampfli’s award, Mr. Lampert’s award provides for immediate vesting in the event of termination without cause, a constructive termination of employment without cause or the non-renewal of his employment agreement.
Mr. Lampert’s SERP and Mr. Stampfli’s SERP were amended to include appropriate terms to govern the LTCIP awards. We contributed the foregoing amounts to trusts established for the purpose of holding funds to satisfy our obligations under the LTCIP awards.
Management Equity Provisions of 1993 Incentive Plan
In August 1995, the Committee approved stock purchase awards under the Management Equity Provisions (“MEP”) of our 1993 Incentive Plan. We received commitments for the purchase of 888,000 shares (the “Purchased Shares”). Each purchaser was also granted the right to receive a contingent restricted stock award covering a number of shares equal to the number of shares he had purchased based upon attainment of increases in shareholder value in accordance with the plan.
In November 1995, each then participating member of the MEP group entered into a Voting Agreement pursuant to which each member agreed to vote all of his Purchased Shares and contingent restricted stock awarded pursuant to the MEP in accordance with the determination of the holder of a majority of all of the Purchased Shares and contingent restricted stock held by the purchasers. To effect the foregoing, each of the members delivered an irrevocable proxy to Mr. Ira B. Lampert. In February 1997, the Voting Agreement and the irrevocable proxies were amended and restated to govern the options to purchase shares of our common stock (“Option Shares”) awarded to the then members of the MEP group in December 1996 in lieu of the contingent restricted stock.
During fiscal 2006, the MEP group consisted of Mr. Ira B. Lampert and Mr. Keith L. Lampert, our former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The MEP was terminated on November 16, 2006 and Mr. Ira B. Lampert relinquished the voting proxy he held to vote the 21,000 Purchased Shares held by Mr. Keith Lampert. In April 2007, Mr. Ira B. Lampert purchased the 21,000 Purchased Shares from Mr. Keith Lampert in a private transaction.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2007 Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information at June 30, 2007 regarding unexercised stock options that we granted to each of our named executive officers.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2007 Fiscal Year-End
| | Number of | | Number of | | | | | |
| | Securities | | Securities | | | | | |
| | Underlying | | Underlying | | | | | |
| | Unexercised | | Unexercised | | Option | | |
| | Options | | Options | | Exercise | | Option |
| | (#) | | (#) | | Price | | Expiration |
Name | | | Exercisable | | Unexercisable | | ($) | | Date |
Ira B. Lampert | | 52,600 | | | — | | | 29.85 | | | 4/23/2010 |
Blaine A. Robinson | | 3,000 | | | — | | | 27.75 | | | 2/10/2013 |
| | 400 | | | 600 | (1) | | 8.80 | | | 9/21/2014 |
Gerald J. Angeli | | 13,500 | | | — | | | 29.85 | | | 4/16/2010 |
Urs W. Stampfli | | 9,000 | | | — | | | 13.75 | | | 5/14/2008 |
| | 3,733 | | | — | | | 29.85 | | | 4/23/2010 |
Scott L. Lampert | | 1,800 | | | — | | | 13.83 | | | 6/13/2009 |
| | 900 | | | — | | | 29.85 | | | 9/06/2010 |
| | 600 | | | — | | | 27.50 | | | 9/16/2011 |
| | 160 | | | 240 | (2) | | 5.70 | | | 3/29/2016 |
____________________
(1) | | These stock options vest in five equal annual installments, with the first installment having vested on August 13, 2005. |
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(2) | | These stock options vest in five equal annual installments, with the first installment having vested on August 1, 2006. |
Option Exercises during Fiscal 2007
The following table provides information regarding stock options that our named executive officers exercised during fiscal 2007.
Option Exercises during Fiscal 2007
| | Number of Shares | | Value Realized |
| | Acquired on Exercise | | on Exercise |
Name | | | (#) | | ($) |
Ira B. Lampert | | 75,532 | | | 1,511 | (1) |
Blaine A. Robinson | | — | | | — | |
Gerald J. Angeli | | — | | | — | |
Urs W. Stampfli | | — | | | — | |
Scott L. Lampert | | — | | | — | |
____________________
(1) | | We computed the dollar amount of value realized on exercise by multiplying the number of shares times the difference between the market price of the underlying common stock on the exercise date and the exercise price of the options. The market price was determined by the closing price on the trading day immediately preceding the exercise date. |
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Pension Benefits
None of our named executive officers is covered by a pension plan or other similar benefit plan that provides for payments or other benefits at, following or in connection with retirement, except for the SERPs, which constitute nonqualified defined contribution plans. The earnings and distributions related to the SERPs during fiscal 2007 are disclosed below under “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.”
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The table below provides information about nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements with our named executive officers. Please refer to the Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table – Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans for Named Executive Officers, for a discussion of the SERP accounts of our named executive officers.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation at 2007 Fiscal Year-End
| | Aggregate | | Aggregate | | Aggregate |
| | Earnings in | | Withdrawals/ | | Balance at Last |
| | Last Fiscal Year | | Distributions | | Fiscal Year End |
| | ($)(1)(2) | | ($) | | ($) |
Ira B. Lampert | | 12,680 | | | 285,731 | (3) | | 246,709 | (5) |
Blaine A. Robinson | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Gerald J. Angeli | | 4,253 | | | 12,705 | (4) | | 26,655 | |
Urs W. Stampfli | | 459 | | | 94,795 | (3) | | — | |
Scott L. Lampert | | — | | | — | | | — | |
____________________
(1) | | Amounts reflected in this column were not reported as compensation to the named executive officers in our summary compensation table for fiscal year 2007. |
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(2) | | Earnings on nonqualified compensation disclosed in this table are based on the rate of return of the investment options selected by the named executive officer, except that the Company directed the investment of any unvested balances in an account established as a result of the 2002 LTCIP award to Mr. Ira Lampert in accordance with its cash investment policy. |
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(3) | | Represents distributions of the principal that vested during fiscal 2007 and accumulated interest under awards approved on August 6, 2003 under the 2002 LTCIP in effect for the performance period comprising fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The 2002 LTCIP awards made to Messrs. Lampert and Stampfli for this performance period were in the form of contingent non-elective deferred compensation to be earned over three years and governed by terms and conditions of their respective SERPs. SeeExecutive Employment Arrangements, “Deferred Long-Term Compensation,” above. |
|
(4) | | Represents distributions from Mr. Angeli’s SERP of the principal that vested during fiscal 2007 and accumulated interest thereon in connection with deferrals of Mr. Angeli’s salary. |
|
(5) | | This amount represents the principal of the third and final installment of Mr. Lampert’s 2002 LTCIP award plus interest accumulated as of June 30, 2007 that was deferred under his SERP. The amount was distributed to Mr. Lampert as of August 6, 2007 with any additional interest for the period July 1, 2007 through the distribution date. |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Ira B. Lampert
The compensation due Mr. Lampert in the event of the termination of his employment agreement with us varies depending on the nature of the termination.
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Termination upon Death or Disability.Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement provides that if his employment with us is terminated by reason of death or disability, Mr. Lampert or his legal representative would be entitled to receive, in addition to accrued compensation (including, without limitation, any earned but unpaid bonus or long-term incentive awards, any amount of base salary accrued or earned but unpaid, any deferred compensation earned but unpaid, any accrued but unused vacation pay and unreimbursed business expenses (the “Accrued Amounts”)), his base salary for the scheduled balance of the term (payable in the case of death in a lump sum), a prorated bonus for the year in which the death or disability occurred, and any other or additional benefits owed to Mr. Lampert under our then applicable employee benefit plans or policies, subject in the case of disability to offset against the base salary payment by the amount of any disability benefits provided to him by us or under any disability insurance that we provide or pay for.
Under Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement, “disability” is defined as his inability, due to physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform his duties and responsibilities under the employment agreement for a period of 180 consecutive days or for 180 days during a 365-day period.
If we had terminated Mr. Lampert’s employment with us by reason of death on June 30, 2007, Mr. Lampert or his legal representative would have received from us a lump-sum payment in the amount of $2,121,957.
If we had terminated Mr. Lampert’s employment with us due to disability on June 30, 2007, Mr. Lampert would have received from us over the balance of his employment term payments in accordance with our regular payroll practices in the amount of $921,957.
Termination for Cause or Resignation. If we terminate Mr. Lampert’s employment for cause, or he voluntarily resigns, he will only receive the Accrued Amounts and benefits provided in benefit plans. Under Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement, “cause” is defined as: (i) Mr. Lampert is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (excluding offenses such as driving while intoxicated); or (ii) Mr. Lampert (A) perpetrates a fraud upon the Company or (B) materially breaches his employment agreement which causes, in the case of clause (B), material economic harm to the Company.
If we had terminated Mr. Lampert’s employment for cause or he resigned voluntarily on June 30, 2007, Mr. Lampert would have received from us a lump-sum payment in the amount of $321,957.
Termination or Constructive Termination without Cause. If we terminate Mr. Lampert’s employment with us without cause or if there is a constructive termination without cause, Mr. Lampert would be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts, his base salary and continuation of his benefits (or the economic equivalent of such benefits), the additional life and disability insurance and certain perquisites for the scheduled balance of the term and for an additional 12 months thereafter, and a prorated bonus for the year in which the termination occurred.
Under the terms of Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement, “constructive termination without cause” is defined as a termination of Mr. Lampert’s employment at his initiative following the occurrence, without his prior written consent, of one or more of the following events (except in consequence of a prior termination): (i) a reduction in or elimination of (A) Mr. Lampert’s then current annual base salary, (B) his bonus opportunity for which he is eligible, or (C) his opportunity for any long-term incentive award for which he is eligible under his employment agreement or the termination or material reduction of any employee benefit or perquisite he enjoys; (ii) the failure to elect or reelect Mr. Lampert to any of the positions described in the employment agreement or his removal, without cause, from any such position; (iii) a material diminution in Mr. Lampert’s duties as our Chairman and CEO or the assignment to Mr. Lampert of duties which are materially inconsistent with such duties or which materially impair Mr. Lampert’s ability to function as our Chairman and CEO; (iv) the failure to continue Mr. Lampert’s participation in any incentive compensation plan for which he is eligible unless a plan providing a substantially similar opportunity is substituted; (v) the relocation of our principal office, or Mr. Lampert’s own office location as assigned to him by us, to a location more than 50 miles from Hollywood, Florida; or (vi) our failure to obtain the assumption in writing of our obligation to perform the employment agreement by any successor to all or substantially all of our assetswithin 45 days after the merger, consolidation, sale or similar transaction resulting in such succession, provided that Mr. Lampert may not treat such failure as a constructive termination without cause unless such failure is not cured within 10 days after receipt of notice thereof by such successor from Mr. Lampert.
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The relocation of our principal office from New Jersey to Florida resulted in an amendment to Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement dated August 25, 1998 that provided him with relocation expenses estimated to be $15,000 and continuation of the partial reimbursement of his housing costs of $4,000 per month.
If we had terminated Mr. Lampert’s employment with us without cause or if there had been a constructive termination without cause on June 30, 2007, Mr. Lampert would have received payments in accordance with our regular payroll practices in the amount of $3,717,580, payable for the scheduled balance of his employment term and for an additional 12 months thereafter.
Termination following a Change in Control. Under the terms of Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement, a “change in control” is defined as the occurrence of any one of the following events: (i) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d) of the Exchange Act (other than Mr. Lampert), becomes a “beneficial owner,” as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, of 25% or more of our voting shares; (ii) the majority of our Board consists of individuals other than “incumbent directors,” which term means the members of the Board on the date of Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement; provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was supported by two-thirds of the directors who then comprised the “incumbent directors” will be considered to be an “incumbent director”; (iii) we adopt any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of our assets; (iv) all or substantially all of the assets of our business are disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction (unless our shareholders immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned our voting shares, the voting shares or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that succeed to our business); or (v) we combine with another company and we are the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, our shareholders immediately prior to the combination hold, directly or indirectly, 50% or less of the voting shares of the combined company (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such shareholders, but not from the voting shares of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of the other company in exchange for stock of such other company).
If a termination without cause or constructive termination followed a change in control of the Company, Mr. Lampert would be entitled to receive the salary continuation benefit as a lump-sum payment without any discount. In addition, subject to limited exceptions, any benefits, including options, in which he is not at such time fully vested would become fully vested and any options would remain exercisable for the full stated term of the option. If the severance payments to Mr. Lampert under his employment agreement follow a change in control and, together with other amounts paid to Mr. Lampert, exceed certain threshold amounts and are determined to constitute a parachute payment (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code), Mr. Lampert is to receive an additional amount to cover the federal excise tax with respect thereto on a “grossed up” basis.
Under the terms of Mr. Lampert’s employment agreement, as amended to date, if a change in control of the Company occurs and Mr. Lampert remains employed by us thereafter, we will be obligated to pay Mr. Lampert $500,000 within 30 days after the date of the change in control and annually during the remaining term of his employment with us on the first business day of each calendar year following the change of control.
If a change in control had occurred on June 30, 2007 that resulted in the termination of Mr. Lampert’s employment with us, he would have received a lump-sum payment in the amount of $3,717,580.
Blaine A. Robinson
Under the terms of Mr. Robinson’s employment agreement, as amended to date, he will receive severance payments consisting of four months’ annual base salary and his automobile allowance if we terminate his employment at any time without cause. “Cause” is defined as: (i) continued failure to obey reasonable instructions of the person(s) to whom Mr. Robinson reports; (ii) continued neglect of duties and responsibilities; (iii) willful misconduct; (iv) fraud or dishonesty; (v) any action in bad faith that is to our detriment and/or the detriment of any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; or (vi) failure to comply with any of the non-compete provisions or our Code of Conduct annexed asexhibits to the employment agreement. If Mr. Robinson’s employment terminates for any reason at all, voluntarily or involuntarily, benefits provided to him will terminate as of the last day of employment, unless otherwise specified in any employee benefit plan or unless otherwise required by law.
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If we had terminated Mr. Robinson’s employment on June 30, 2007, he would have received payments in accordance with our regular payroll practices in the amount of $76,333.
Gerald J. Angeli
Mr. Angeli’s employment agreement can be terminated by him or by us for any reason or no reason upon providing three months’ written notice to the other party. The agreement provides that if the termination is effective before such notice period expires, we are required to pay Mr. Angeli his base salary for the remainder of the notice period. Additionally, as consideration for the non-competition covenants set forth in his employment agreement, Mr. Angeli is entitled to receive up to 12 months’ base salary, payable in accordance with our regular payroll practices, but in no event shall the combination of notice and non-compete payments exceed 12 months’ base salary.
If Mr. Angeli’s employment terminates for cause, he is not entitled to receive any severance payment. Under the terms of Mr. Angeli’s employment agreement, “cause” is defined as: (i) continued failure to obey reasonable instructions of the person(s) to whom Mr. Angeli reports; (ii) continued neglect of duties and responsibilities; (iii) willful misconduct; (iv) fraud or dishonesty; (v) any action in bad faith that is to our detriment and/or the detriment of any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; or (vi) failure to comply with any of the non-compete provisions or our Code of Conduct annexed as exhibits to the employment agreement.
If Mr. Angeli’s employment terminates for any reason at all, voluntarily or involuntarily, benefits provided to him will terminate as of the last day of employment, unless otherwise specified in any employee benefit plan or unless otherwise required by law.
If we had terminated Mr. Angeli’s employment without cause by providing him notice on June 30, 2007, he would have received payments in accordance with our regular payroll practices totaling $275,000. If Mr. Angeli had notified us of his desire to terminate his employment with us on June 30, 2007 and his termination was effective immediately, he would have received a payment equal to $68,750 in lieu of the three months’ notice. If the termination had been effective at any time during the notice period, his payment in lieu of three month’s notice would have been prorated accordingly.
Urs W. Stampfli
Under the terms of Mr. Stampfli’s employment agreement, if we terminate his employment at any time without cause, or if Mr. Stampfli terminates his employment after the stated term of his employment agreement, he is entitled to severance payments equal to twelve months consisting of his then base salary and automobile allowance, payable in installments in accordance with our regular payroll practices. “Cause” is defined under Mr. Stampfli’s employment agreement as: (i) continued failure to obey reasonable instructions of the person(s) to whom Mr. Stampfli reports; (ii) continued neglect of duties and responsibilities; (iii) willful misconduct; (iv) fraud or dishonesty; (v) any action in bad faith which is to our detriment and/or the detriment of any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; or (vi) failure to comply with any of the non-compete provisions or our Code of Conduct annexed as exhibits to the employment agreement.
If we had terminated Mr. Stampfli’s employment without cause on June 30, 2007, he would have received payments in accordance with our regular payroll practices totaling $287,000.
Scott L. Lampert
Under the terms of Mr. Scott Lampert’s employment agreement, as amended to date, he will receive severance payments consisting of four months’ annual base salary and automobile allowance if we terminate his employment at any time without cause. “Cause” is defined as: (i) continued failure to obey reasonable instructions of the person(s) to whom Mr. Lampert reports; (ii) continued neglect of duties and responsibilities; (iii) willful misconduct; (iv) fraud or dishonesty; (v) any action in bad faith which is to our detriment and/or the detriment of any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; or (vi) failure to comply with any of the non-compete provisions or our Code of Conduct annexed asexhibits to the employment agreement. If Mr. Lampert’s employment terminates for any reason at all, voluntarily or involuntarily, benefits provided to him will terminate as of the last day of employment, unless otherwise specified in any employee benefit plan or unless otherwise required by law.
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If we had terminated Mr. Lampert’s employment on June 30, 2007 without cause, he would have received payments in accordance with our regular payroll practices in the amount of $76,333.
Beneficial Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information as of October 3, 2007 about the beneficial ownership of our common stock by: (i) each person or group who we know beneficially owns more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) each director; (iii) each named executive officer; and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group.
| | Amount and Nature of | | Percent |
Name of Beneficial Owner | | | Beneficial Ownership(1) | | of Class(1) |
(i) Beneficial Owners of More Than 5% of the Common Stock | | | | | | |
MT Trading LLC, Sondra Beit, RH Trading LLC and | | | | | | |
LTC Racing LLC as a group | | 1,370,342 | (2) | | 23.2 | % |
c/o MT Trading LLC | | | | | | |
530 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 130 | | | | | | |
Wethersfield, CT 06109 | | | | | | |
MT Trading LLC | | 1,107,614 | (2) | | 18.7 | % |
530 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 130 | | | | | | |
Wethersfield, CT 06109 | | | | | | |
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. | | 345,951 | (2) | | 5.9 | % |
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11thFloor | | | | | | |
Santa Monica, CA 90401 | | | | | | |
(ii) Directors | | | | | | |
Ira B. Lampert | | 585,641 | (3) | | 9.8 | % |
Ronald S. Cooper | | 7,800 | (4) | | * | |
Morris H. Gindi | | 8,200 | (4)(5) | | * | |
William J. O’Neill, Jr. | | 5,200 | (6) | | * | |
(iii) Named Executive Officers | | | | | | |
Gerald J. Angeli | | 14,700 | (7) | | * | |
Scott L. Lampert | | 3,460 | (6) | | * | |
Blaine A. Robinson | | 3,600 | (6) | | * | |
Urs W. Stampfli | | 12,732 | (6) | | * | |
(iv) Directors and executive officers as a group 8 persons)(8) | | 641,333 | | | 10.7 | % |
____________________
* | | Indicates less than one percent (1%). |
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(1) | | For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership was determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act based upon information furnished by the persons listed or contained in filings made by them with the SEC; the inclusion of shares as beneficially owned should not be construed as an admission that such shares are beneficially owned for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. As of October 3, 2007, we had5,913,610 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. All shares were owned directly with sole voting and investment power unless otherwise indicated. |
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(2) | | Based on information contained in a Form 4 filed with the SEC on November 17, 2005 by MT Trading LLC as to its beneficial ownership at November 16, 2005, a Form 4 filed on November 14, 2005 by LTC Racing LLC as to its beneficial ownership at November 10, 2005, a Form 4 filed with the SEC on October 27, 2005 by RH Trading LLC as to its beneficial ownership at October 25, 2005, a Form 4 filed with the SEC on September 1, 2005 by Sondra Jay Beit as to her beneficial ownership at August 31, 2005, a Schedule 13G/A filed February 9, 2007 by Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. as to its beneficial ownership at December 31, 2006 and additional discussions between us and MT Trading LLC. The 1,107,614 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by MT Trading LLC at November 16, 2005 constitute the majority of the 1,370,342 shares beneficially owned by MT Trading LLC and the other members of the group listed first in this footnote. |
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(3) | | Represents: (i) 52,600 shares that may be acquired pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days after October 3, 2007; (ii) 527,441 shares owned, as to all of which Mr. Lampert has sole dispositive power; and (iii) 5,600 shares held by a §501(c)(3) charitable trust of which Mr. Lampert is a trustee with voting and dispositive power. |
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(4) | | Includes 5,200 shares that may be acquired pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days after October 3, 2007. |
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(5) | | Includes 3,000 shares held by the Notra Trading Inc. Profit Sharing Plan & Trust, a retirement plan of which Mr. Gindi is a co-trustee and participant. |
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(6) | | Represents shares that may be acquired pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days after October 3, 2007. |
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(7) | | Includes 13,500 shares that may be acquired pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days after October 3, 2007. |
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(8) | | The group is comprised of Messrs. Ira B. Lampert, Cooper, Gindi, O’Neill, Angeli, Robinson, Scott Lampert and Stampfli. |
Fiscal Year-End Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth aggregated information concerning our equity compensation plans outstanding at June 30, 2007.
| | | | | | | | Number of Securities |
| | Number of Securities | | | | | Remaining Available |
| | to be Issued upon | | | | | for Future Issuance |
| | Exercise of | | | | | Under Equity |
| | Outstanding Options, | | Weighted-Average | | Compensation Plans |
| | Warrants and Rights | | Exercise Price of | | (excluding shares |
| | Outstanding | | Outstanding Options, | | reflected in |
Plan Category | | | at FY End (#) | | Warrants and Rights | | the 1st column) |
Equity Compensation Plans | | | | | | | | | |
Approved by Shareholders | | 114,307 | | | $26.56 | | | — | |
Equity Compensation Plans | | | | | | | | | |
Not Approved by Shareholders | | 89,644 | | | $19.01 | | | 150,773 | |
Total | | 203,951 | | | $23.24 | | | 150,773 | |
At June 30, 2007, we had a total of ten (10) compensation plans under which shares of our common stock were authorized for issuance that were adopted without shareholder approval: (i) the 2002 Incentive Plan for Non-Officer Employees, New Recruits and Consultants (the “First 2002 Incentive Plan”) and the 2002 Incentive Plan for New Recruits (the “Second 2002 Incentive Plan”; collectively with the First 2002 Incentive Plan, the “2002 Plans”); and (ii) eight (8) individual stock option plans, seven (7) of which were issued to employees (two of whom are executive officers) as an inducement to their employment with us and one (1) of which was issued to a consultant as a retention inducement. None of the options issued under any of these plans qualifies as an incentive stock option for federal tax purposes.
At June 30, 2007, 99,600 and 100,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding options granted under and options available for grant under the First 2002 Incentive Plan and the Second 2002 Incentive Plan, respectively. New recruits (including officers), non-officer employees and consultants in our service are eligible to participate in the First 2002 Incentive Plan. Only new recruits (including officers) are eligible to participate in the Second 2002 Incentive Plan. The 2002 Plans generally provide for the granting of stock, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares or any combination of the foregoing to eligible participants. Shares subject to any outstanding options under each of these plans which expire or otherwise terminate prior to exercise will be available for subsequent issuance under the plan. Except as otherwise required by law or the plan, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee or the Board determine which eligible individuals are to receive option
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grants, the number of shares subject to each such grant, the vesting schedule for the option grant, the maximum term for which any granted option is to remain outstanding, and the exercise price. The exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of the option shares on the grant date.
At June 30, 2007, 40,817 shares of our common stock in the aggregate were reserved for issuance under individual stock option plans that were issued to employees (two of whom are executive officers) as an inducement to their becoming employed by us, and to a consultant as an inducement for his continued services, or were subsequently received by the employee or consultant, in exchange for their inducement option, in connection with a stock option repricing program. These plans were adopted for inducement of new employees and consultants and have substantially the same terms and conditions as options issued under the 2002 Plans. These stock options generally vest in three annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the employee’s start date or the grant date, have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and expire ten years after the grant date. For those stock options that were received in exchange for the person’s inducement option, the vesting schedule and expiration date of the inducement option were carried forward into the person’s repriced stock option. The consultant’s stock option began vesting on the date of grant, continued vesting in annual installments and became vested in full on April 24, 2004 since the consultant continued to make his services available to us.
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PROPOSAL TWO:
APPROVAL OF THE CONCORD CAMERA CORP. FISCAL 2008 INCENTIVE PLAN
General
A proposal will be presented at the Annual Meeting to approve the Concord Camera Corp. Fiscal 2008 Incentive Plan (the “Fiscal 2008 Plan”), which was adopted by our Board as of October 24, 2007, subject to approval by our shareholders. The complete text of the Fiscal 2008 Plan is set forth in Appendix C to this proxy statement, and shareholders are urged to review it together with the following information, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to Appendix C.
The Fiscal 2008 Plan will become effective upon shareholder approval and will continue in effect until the tenth anniversary of the date that the Fiscal 2008 Plan is approved by our shareholders. The Fiscal 2008 Plan is designed so that performance-based nonqualified stock options would generally not be subject to the tax deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The purpose of this proposal is to request shareholder approval of the material terms of the Fiscal 2008 Plan in order to achieve application of the qualified performance-based compensation exception to the Section 162(m) deduction limitation and to comply with the shareholder approval requirements of NASDAQ Rule 4350(i). Approval of this proposal will ensure that we are able to receive tax deductions for the full amount of performance-based compensation paid to our executive officers in the form of nonqualified stock options under the Fiscal 2008 Plan One of the requirements for performance-based compensation is that our shareholders must approve the material terms of the performance-based compensation. The material terms that must be approved include (1) the employees eligible to receive the performance-based compensation, (2) the objectives under which the performance-based compensation will be determined, and (3) the maximum amount of performance-based compensation that could be paid to any executive in a fiscal year.
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Fiscal 2008 Plan.
Description of the Fiscal 2008 Plan
Purpose
The purpose of the Fiscal 2008 Plan is to attract and retain and provide incentives to eligible participants of the Company and to thereby increase overall shareholders’ value.
Eligibility
The Fiscal 2008 Plan provides that any one of our executive officers, other than our current CEO, who voluntarily opted not to receive awards under the Fiscal 2008 Plan, or an executive officer of one of our subsidiaries selected by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Committee”) is eligible to receive an award under the Fiscal 2008 Plan. This group currently consists of four persons.
Awards
The Fiscal 2008 Plan generally provides for grants of nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of our common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, unrestricted shares of our common stock, performance-based nonqualified stock options, other stock-based awards that are related to or serve a similar function to the foregoing awards, or any combination of the foregoing.
(a) Nonqualified Stock Options. The Committee may grant awards of stock options that will not comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code for incentive stock options. The exercise price of such nonqualified stock options will be set by the Committee and stated in the award agreement and may not be less than 100% of fair market value of the underlying shares of our common stock on the date of grant.
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(b) Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). The Committee may award SARs together with stock options under the Fiscal 2008 Plan. Generally, SARs permit the holder to receive an amount (in cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof) equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is surrendered over the option price set forth in the award agreement.
(c) Restricted Shares. The Committee may award shares of our common stock that are subject to forfeiture until such restrictions, terms and conditions that the Committee may impose are fulfilled.
(d) Dividends or Dividend Equivalents. The Committee may grant a right to receive dividends or their equivalent in value in shares of our common stock, cash or in a combination of both with respect to any new or previously granted award under the Fiscal 2008 Plan.
(e) Stock Awards. A participant may receive an unrestricted transfer of ownership of shares of our common stock.
(f) Performance Awards. The Committee may award to any participant performance-based nonqualified stock options to purchase up to 50,000 shares of our common stock during a fiscal year. Such an option would vest only upon achievement of certain performance targets set by the Committee in accordance with Code Section 162(m). Section 162(m) prevents a publicly held corporation from claiming tax deductions for annual compensation in excess of $1,000,000 to certain of its senior executives. The executives subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) include any individual who, as of the last day of the corporation’s taxable year, is the corporation’s chief executive officer or among the four most highly compensated officers other than the chief executive officer. Compensation is exempt from this limitation if it is qualified “performance-based compensation.”
(g) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant other stock-based awards in such amount and upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee. Such awards many include the grant of shares of our common stock based on certain conditions, the payment of cash based on the performance of our common stock and the grant of securities convertible into shares of common stock.
Shares Subject to the Fiscal 2008 Plan
The aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be subject to awards under the Fiscal 2008 Plan, subject to adjustment upon a change in capitalization, is 400,000 shares. Such shares of common stock may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired, shares of common stock. Shares of common stock that were subject to Fiscal 2008 Plan awards and expire or become unexercisable without having been exercised in full will become available for future awards under the Fiscal 2008 Plan. On October 3, 2007, the closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market was $3.05.
Administration
The Fiscal 2008 Plan will be administered by the Committee, which is comprised of not less than two members who shall be (i) “Non-Employee Directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) (or any successor rule) promulgated under the Exchange Act; (ii) “outside directors” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3) under Section 162(m) of the Code; and (iii) “independent directors” as defined under the applicable rules of the NASDAQ Global Market or the SEC. Subject to the provisions of the Fiscal 2008 Plan, the Committee has the power to select the eligible participants and to determine the terms of each award granted, including vesting schedules, price, restriction or option period, dividend rights, post-retirement and termination rights, payment alternatives, such as cash, stock, contingent awards or other means of payment consistent with the purpose of the Fiscal 2008 Plan, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Fiscal 2008 Plan at any time, subject to the rights of participants with respect to any outstanding awards. No amendment of the Fiscal 2008 Plan may be made without approval of our shareholders if the amendment will: (i) increase the total number of shares which may be issued under the Fiscal 2008 Plan; (ii) increase the maximum number of shares with respect to stock options, SARs and other awards that may be granted to any individual under the Fiscal 2008 Plan; (iii) change the types of factors on which performance-based awards are to be based under the Fiscal 2008 Plan; (iv) modify an award to reduce the exercise price thereof or to substitute
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an award at a lower price in exchange for the higher price award; (v) modify the Fiscal 2008 Plan in any way that would require shareholder approval under any regulatory requirement that the Committee determines applicable; or (vi) modify the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Fiscal 2008 Plan.
General Terms and Conditions of Awards
Each award granted under the Fiscal 2008 Plan is evidenced by a written agreement between the grantee and us and shall contain provisions for vesting, exercisability, permissible payment options for the exercise price and/or any and all withholding taxes, etc., and shall also be subject to the following general terms and conditions:
(a) Assignability. Generally, an award granted under the Fiscal 2008 Plan is not transferable by the grantee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the grantee’s lifetime only by the grantee. In the event of the grantee’s death, an option or SAR may be exercised by a person who acquires the right to exercise the award by bequest or inheritance. If expressly permitted by the award agreement, stock options may be assigned to family members of the optionee or trusts or partnerships in which the participants or beneficiaries are limited to the optionee and/or such family members.
(b) Termination of Employment. The Committee shall determine the disposition of an award under the Fiscal 2008 Plan if a participant retires, is disabled, dies or the participant’s employment is otherwise terminated.
(c) Payments by Participants. The Committee may determine that awards for which a payment may be due from the participant may be payable by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; pursuant to a “cashless exercise”; by a combination of the foregoing; or by such other methods that the Committee may deem appropriate.
Performance-Based Awards
Any stock options awarded under the Fiscal 2008 Plan may be granted in a manner such that the award qualifies for the performance-based compensation exemption of Section 162(m) of the Code (“Performance-Based Awards”). As determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, either the granting or vesting of such Performance-Based Awards will be based upon the achievement of various key performance indicators in one or more business criteria that apply to the individual participant, one or more business units or the Company as a whole. The business criteria shall be as follows, individually or in combination: return on equity, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, return on capital, return on assets, return on equity, earnings before interest and taxes, EBITDA, EBITDA minus capital expenditures, sales or sales growth, customer or customer growth, revenue or revenue growth, gross margin return on investment, increase in the fair market value of common stock, share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return), operating profit, net earnings, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on investment (which equals net cash flow divided by total capital), inventory turns, financial return ratios, total return to stockholders, market share, earnings measures/ratios, economic value added (EVA), balance sheet measurements such as receivable turnover, internal rate of return, increase in net present value, or expense targets, customer satisfaction surveys and productivity; each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, where applicable, as consistently applied by the Company. Performance criteria may be measured on an absolute (e.g., plan or budget) or relative basis. Relative performance may be measured against a group of peer companies, a financial market index or other acceptable objective and quantifiable indices.
With respect to Performance-Based Awards, the Committee shall establish in writing, (x) the goals applicable to a given period and such performance goals shall state, in terms of an objective formula or standard, the method for computing the amount of compensation payable to the participant if such performance goals are obtained, and (y) the individual employees or class of employees to which such performance-based goals apply, no later than 90 days after the commencement of such period (but in no event after 25% of such period has elapsed). No Performance-Based Award shall be payable to, or vest with respect to, as the case may be, any participant for a given fiscal period until the Committee certifies in writing that the objective performance goals (and any other material terms) applicable to such period have been satisfied.
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Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization
In the event of changes in our outstanding common stock because of any stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, combination or reclassification or other change in our capital structure, our Board will make an appropriate adjustment in: (i) the number of shares of common stock subject to the Fiscal 2008 Plan; (ii) the number of shares of common stock subject to any award outstanding under the Fiscal 2008 Plan; and (iii) the price of any such outstanding award.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
As previously stated, pursuant to the Fiscal 2008 Plan, we may grant nonqualified stock options,stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, dividends or dividend equivalents, stock awards, performance-based nonqualified stock options or other stock-based awards.
An optionee will not recognize any taxable income at the time he or she receives a nonqualified stock option grant. However, upon exercise of the nonqualified stock option, the optionee will recognize ordinary taxable income generally measured as the excess of the fair market value of the shares purchased on the date of exercise over the purchase price. Any taxable income recognized in connection with an option exercise by an optionee who is also our employee will be subject to withholding tax. Upon the sale of such shares by the optionee, any difference between the sale price and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise of the stock option will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period. We will be entitled to a tax deduction in the same amount as the ordinary income recognized by the optionee with respect to shares acquired upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option.
With respect to stock awards and stock appreciation rights that may be settled either in cash or in shares of our common stock that are either transferable or not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture under Section 83 of the Code, the grantee will realize ordinary taxable income, subject to tax withholding, equal to the amount of the cash or the fair market value of the shares of common stock received. We will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the compensation income is received by the participant.
With respect to restricted shares of common stock that are both nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture the participant will realize ordinary taxable income equal to the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the first time the shares of common stock are either transferable or not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. We will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the ordinary taxable income is realized by the grantee.
The Fiscal 2008 Plan allows a participant to satisfy tax withholding requirements under federal and state tax laws in connection with the exercise or receipt of an award by electing to pay cash or, if the award agreement permits, to have shares withheld.
We will be entitled to a tax deduction for performance-based compensation in connection with an award only in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by the participant and at the time the participant recognizes such income, and if applicable withholding requirements are met. In addition, Code Section 162(m) contains special rules regarding the federal income tax deductibility of compensation paid to our chief executive officer and to each of our four other most highly compensated executive officers. The general rule is that annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be deductible only to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000. However, we can preserve the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1,000,000 if it complies with certain conditions imposed by rules under Code Section 162(m) (including the establishment of a maximum number of shares with respect to which awards may be granted to any one employee during one year) and if the material terms of such compensation are disclosed to and approved by our shareholders. We have structured the Fiscal 2008 Plan with the intention that compensation resulting from certain awards under the Fiscal 2008 Plan can qualify as “performance-based compensation” and, if so qualified, would be deductible. Such continued treatment is subject to, among things, approval of the Fiscal 2008 Plan by our shareholders; accordingly, we are seeking such approval.
The foregoing is only a summary of the effect of federal income taxation upon the participant and us with respect to the grant and exercise of awards under the Fiscal 2008 Plan, does not purport to be complete, and does not discuss the tax consequences of the participant’s death or the income tax laws of any municipality, state or foreign country in which a grantee may reside.
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New Plan Benefits under the Fiscal 2008 Plan
Because future awards under the Fiscal 2008 Plan will be granted at the discretion of the Committee, the type, number, recipients, and other terms of such awards cannot be determined at this time. Information regarding our recent practices with respect to incentive awards and share-based compensation under existing plans is presented in the “Summary Compensation Table” and these related tables: “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2007 Fiscal Year-End,” and “Option Exercises during Fiscal 2007,” elsewhere in this proxy statement, and in our financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K that accompanies this proxy statement.
If shareholders decline to approve the Fiscal 2008 Plan, no awards will be granted under the Fiscal 2008 Plan, but awards may continue to be granted under our other compensation plans.
Our Board recommends a vote FOR approval of the Fiscal 2008 Plan and it is intended that proxies not marked to the contrary will be so voted.Approval of the Fiscal 2008 Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting shares present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
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PROPOSAL THREE:
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
BDO Seidman, LLP (“BDO Seidman”), an independent registered public accounting firm, was appointed by the Audit Committee to audit our financial statements for fiscal 2008. We expect that a representative of BDO Seidman will attend the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The following table presents fees for professional audit services provided by BDO Seidman for the audit of our annual financial statements during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 (in thousands):
| FY 2007 | | FY 2006 |
Audit Fees | $453 | | | $770 | |
Audit Related Fees | — | | | — | |
Tax Fees | — | | | — | |
All Other Fees | — | | | — | |
Total | $453 | | | $770 | |
Audit Fees included fees for services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and consents and other services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees would principally include fees for due diligence in connection with potential transactions and accounting consultations.
Tax Fees would include fees for services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. We obtain these types of services from a professional services firm other than BDO Seidman.
All Other Fees would include fees for all other services rendered to us that do not constitute Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees or Tax Fees.
In considering the nature of the services provided by BDO Seidman, the Audit Committee determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The Audit Committee discussed these services with BDO Seidman and management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Approval Policy
All services rendered by our independent auditors are pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with our Audit and Non-Audit Pre-Approval Policy for independent auditor services and are monitored both as to spending level and work content by the Audit Committee to maintain the appropriate objectivity and independence of the core service of the independent registered public accounting firm, which is the audit of our consolidated financial statements. Under the policy, the terms and fees of annual audit services, and any changes thereto, must be approved by the Audit Committee.
The policy also sets forth detailed pre-approved categories of other audit, audit-related and other non-audit services that may be performed by our independent auditors during the fiscal year, subject to the dollar limitations set by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may, in accordance with the policy, delegate to any of its members the authority to approve audit and non-audit services to be performed by the independent auditors. Any Audit Committee member who exercises this delegated authority must report any approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The foregoing pre-approval requirements are subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act that are approved by the Audit Committee prior to completion of the audit.
The Board is seeking shareholder ratification of its selection of BDO Seidman. If shareholders do not ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2008 at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee may reconsider the selection.
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Our Board recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2008.Ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2008 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
OTHER INFORMATION
Shareholder Proposals for the 2008 Annual Meeting
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, our shareholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy and for consideration at the next annual meeting by submitting their proposals to us in a timely manner. Any shareholder of the Company who wishes to present a proposal for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy for action at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2008 Annual Meeting”) must comply with our By-Laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, each as then in effect. Such proposals must be mailed to us at our offices at 4000 Hollywood Boulevard, Presidential Circle – 6th Floor, North Tower, Hollywood, Florida 33021, attention: Secretary. Under the rules of the SEC, any shareholder proposal intended to be presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting must be received no later than July 1, 2008 in order to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to such meeting. If a shareholder notifies us of an intent to present a proposal at the 2008 Annual Meeting at any time after September 14, 2008 (and for any reason the proposal is voted on at that meeting), it will be considered untimely and our proxy holders will have the right to exercise discretionary voting authority with respect to the proposal, if presented at the meeting, without including information regarding the proposal in our proxy materials.
Expenses of Solicitation
We will bear the cost of this proxy solicitation. In addition to the use of the mails, some of our regular employees, without additional remuneration, may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or facsimile. Athough we have not retained a third-party solicitation firm as of the date of this proxy statement, we may determine in the future to retain such a firm and in such case we will bear the cost of such solicitation. We will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks, and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners of our common stock.
Other Business
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board knows of no business to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than as set forth in this proxy statement. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any of its adjournments, the persons named as proxies will vote on such matters in their discretion.
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CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
CONCORD CAMERA CORP.
I. Purpose
The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is appointed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Concord Camera Corp. (the “Company”) to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to: (1) the integrity of the financial statements of the Company; (2) the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; (3) the performance of the Company’s independent auditor and the audits of the Company’s financial statements; (4) the adequacy of the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and systems of internal accounting and financial controls; and (5) the Company’s compliance with ethics policies and legal and regulatory requirements. The Committee will fulfill these responsibilities by carrying out the activities enumerated in Section III of this Charter. The Committee shall report to the Board with respect to such matters and initiate and/or approve appropriate changes in any or all of these areas when necessary.
II. Committee Membership
The Committee shall consist of no fewer than three directors, each of whom shall: (1) meet the independence and experience requirements of the NASDAQ Global Market listing standards, Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”); and (2) have not participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or any current subsidiary of the Company at any time during the past three years. At least one member of the Committee shall in the judgment of the Board be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the Commission and at least one member (who may also serve as the financial expert) shall, in the judgment of the Board, have the accounting or related financial management expertise required by the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Market. All members of the Committee shall in the judgment of the Board have, at the time of his or her appointment to the Committee, a working familiarity with basic finance and accounting practices and the ability to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.
III. Committee Authority and Responsibilities
The Committee shall have the sole authority to appoint or replace the independent auditor (subject, if applicable, to shareholder ratification). The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Committee.
The Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor, subject to the de minimus exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act which are approved by the Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee shall promptly report the approval of any permitted non-audit services to management for disclosure in the Company’s periodic reports.
The Committee shall have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties, to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of: (i) compensation to the independent auditor for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company; (ii) compensation to any advisors employed by the Committee; and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
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The Committee shall review management’s budget and plan for each fiscal year.
The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
The Committee, as required by applicable law, rules or regulations and otherwise to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, shall:
Financial Statement and Disclosure Matters |
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| 1. | | Review with management and the independent auditor the financial statements and disclosures made in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior to the filing of the Form 10-K), including their judgment about the quality, not just the acceptability, of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements. Also discuss the results of the annual audit and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditor under generally accepted auditing standards including matters relating to the conduct of the audit, including any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management. Recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
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| 2. | | Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company’s quarterly financial statements, including disclosures made in MD&A, prior to the filing of its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, including the results of the independent auditor’s reviews of the quarterly financial statements and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditor under generally accepted auditing standards. |
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| 3. | | Prepare the report required by the rules of the Commission to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. |
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| 4. | | Discuss with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, including any significant changes in the Company’s selection or application of accounting principles, any issues as to the adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and any special steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies. |
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| 5. | | Review and discuss regular reports from the independent auditor on: |
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| | | (a) | | all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; |
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| | | (b) | | all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor; and |
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| | | (c) | | other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. |
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| 6. | | 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. Such discussion may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made). The Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate responsibility for these discussions to the Chairman of the Committee. |
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| 7. | | Discuss with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as any off-balance sheet structures on the Company’s financial statements. |
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| 8. | | Discuss with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company’s risk assessment and risk management policies. |
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| 9. | | Review disclosures made to the Committee by the Company’s CEO and Principal Financial Officer during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls. |
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Oversight of the Company’s Relationship with the Independent Auditor |
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| 10. | | Obtain and review a report from the independent auditor at least annually regarding all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. Evaluate the qualifications, performance, objectivity and independence of the independent auditor, including considering whether the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence, and taking into account the opinions of management. The Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the Board. |
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| 11. | | Obtain and review the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditor required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and discuss with the independent auditor the independent auditor’s independence. |
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| 12. | | Review with the independent auditor its policy regarding the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law. |
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| 13. | | Recommend to the Board policies for the Company’s hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company. |
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| 14. | | Meet with the independent auditor and financial management of the Company prior to the audit to discuss the planning and staffing of the audit, the scope of the prospective audit and the audit procedures to be utilized, the estimated fees therefore and such other matters pertaining to the audit as the Committee may deem appropriate. At the conclusion thereof, review the audit, including any comments or recommendations made by the independent auditor. |
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Compliance Oversight Responsibilities |
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| 15. | | Obtain from the independent auditor assurance that Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act has not been implicated. |
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| 16. | | Review and approve all related party transactions in accordance with the listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Market. |
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| 17. | | Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
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| 18. | | Discuss with management and the independent auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports which raise material issues regarding the Company’s financial statements or accounting policies. |
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| 19. | | Investigate such matters as it deems appropriate in connection with fulfilling its duties and responsibilities. |
IV. Meetings; Reports to the Board
The Committee shall meet as often as it deems necessary, but not less frequently than quarterly. The Committee shall meet periodically with the Principal Financial Officer and the independent auditor in separate executive sessions. The purpose of the meetings in executive session is for the Committee to independently receive input on: (i) the adequacy of financial and operating controls; (ii) the capabilities of financial, accounting and auditing personnel, and the sufficiency of resources devoted by the Company in the financial and accounting areas; (iii) the appropriateness of accounting principles utilized by the Company; and (iv) the level of cooperation given to the independent auditors
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by the Company. The Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s outside counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee.
The Committee shall make regular reports to the Board and shall submit to the Board the minutes of all meetings of the Committee or otherwise communicate to the Board the matters discussed at each of the Committee’s meetings, including any disclosures needed to be made as a result of the Committee’s meetings in executive session.
V. Limitation of Audit Committee’s Role
While the Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or 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 auditor.
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CHARTER OF THE
COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION
COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
CONCORD CAMERA CORP.
Purpose
To review and report to the Board of Directors of Concord Camera Corp. (the “Company”) regarding the performance and development of the Company’s senior management in achieving corporate goals and objectives, and to assure that senior executives of the Company are compensated effectively in a manner consistent with the strategy of the Company and competitive practices. Toward that end, the Compensation and Stock Option Committee (hereinafter, the “Committee”) shall oversee the Company’s compensation and personnel policies, programs and plans for senior executives of the Company, including those regarding management development and succession, and advise on the setting of compensation for senior executives whose compensation is not otherwise set by the Committee.
Membership/Qualifications
The Committee shall be comprised of two or more directors, all of whom in the judgment of the Board of Directors shall be: (i) Independent Directors as defined in the applicable NASDAQ stock market rules (as the same may be amended from time to time); and (ii) “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Oversight Areas
- Compensation of directors, the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and other senior officers who are “officers” of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act (“Section 16 Officers”), and any officer, employee or agent having a familial relationship to the CEO
(The full Board must approve compensation of directors and typically will approve compensation of the CEO, and any officer, employee or agent having a familial relationship to the CEO.)
- Compensation strategy for Section 16 Officers
- Compensation policies and programs for Section 16 Officers
- Establishment of annual and long-term performance goals and objectives for Section 16 Officers and evaluation of performance in light of approved performance goals and objectives
- Management development and succession
- Employee benefit plans for Section 16 Officers
- Administration of stock plans, stock option plans, non-employee director stock plans, and other officer and director compensation arrangements
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, employ a compensation consultant to assist in the evaluation of the compensation of the Company’s CEO and other Section 16 Officers. The Committee shall have the sole authority to approve the fees and other retention terms with respect to such a compensation consultant.
Meetings; Agenda Items; Reports to the Board
The Committee typically meets on one or more of the dates on which the Board meets and on such additional dates as the Committee deems necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. The CEO may not be present during deliberations or voting regarding compensation of the CEO and/or any officer, employee or agent having a familial relationship to the CEO.
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The items to be addressed by the Committee are developed from year to year by the Committee in consultation with management and may include:
- Long-term incentive compensation
- Compensation of the CEO and other Section 16 Officers
- Compensation of any other officer, employee or agent having a familial relationship to the CEO
- Stock option grants
- Annual incentive and/or long-term cash incentive awards to the CEO and other Section 16 Officers, andany other officer, employee or agent having a familial relationship to the CEO
- Policies and processes for development of employees
- Management resources available versus current needs
- Projected resources versus future needs
- Changes in benefit plans
- Changes in appointments, compensation plans or merit increases
The Committee shall cause to be kept adequate minutes of all of its proceedings, and will report its actions to the Board, as appropriate.
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CONCORD CAMERA CORP.
FISCAL 2008 INCENTIVE PLAN
I. Purpose
The purpose of the Concord Camera Corp. Fiscal 2008 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to attract and retain and provide incentives to eligible participants of the Corporation, and to thereby increase overall shareholders’ value. The Plan generally provides for the granting of stock, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares or any combination of the foregoing to the eligible participants.
II. Definitions
(a) “Award” includes, without limitation, stock options with or without stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, stock awards, restricted share awards, or other awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, the Common Stock (“other Common Stock-Based Awards”), all on a stand alone, combination or tandem basis, as described in or granted under this Plan.
(b) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of each Award made under this Plan.
(c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(d) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(e) “Committee” means the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board from time to time to administer this Plan, the members of which shall consist solely of members of the Board who are “Non-Employee Directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and are “outside directors” for purposes of Code Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
(f) “Common Stock” means the no par value common stock of the Corporation.
(g) “Corporation” means Concord Camera Corp., a New Jersey corporation.
(h) “Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is approved by the Corporation’s shareholders as set forth in Section XV.
(i) “Employee” means an employee of the Corporation or a Subsidiary.
(j) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(k) “Executive Officer” means (i) the Chief Executive Officer (other than the person serving as the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer on the Effective Date); (ii) any management Employee who reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer; and (iii) any other Employee who has been designated an “Officer” of the Corporation by the Board for securities law reporting purposes.
(l) “Fair Market Value” means the closing price for the Common Stock as officially reported on the relevant date (or if there were no sales on such date, on the next preceding date on which such closing price was recorded) by the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading, or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any such national securities exchange, the closing price as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers through NASDAQ or a similar organization if NASDAQ is no longer reporting such information, or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on NASDAQ, as determined in good faith by resolution of the Board (whose determination shall be conclusive), based on the best information available to it.
(m) “Participant” means an Executive Officer who has been granted an Award under the Plan.
(n) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.
(o) “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Corporation has or obtains, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than 50% by reason of stock ownership or otherwise.
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III. Eligibility
Any Executive Officer of the Corporation or a Subsidiary selected by the Committee is eligible to receive an Award.
IV. Plan Administration
(a) Except as otherwise determined by the Board, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Board, or the Committee to the extent determined by the Board, shall periodically make determinations with respect to Participants in the Plan and, except as otherwise required by law or this Plan, the grant terms of Awards, including vesting schedules, price, restriction or option period, dividend rights, post-retirement and termination rights, payment alternatives such as cash, stock, contingent awards or other means of payment consistent with the purposes of this Plan, and such other terms and conditions as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate which shall be contained in an Award Agreement with respect to a Participant.
(b) The Committee shall have authority to interpret and construe the provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement and make determinations pursuant to any Plan provision or Award Agreement which determinations shall be final and binding on all persons. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith, and the members shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement in the manner provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time.
(c) The Committee shall have the authority at any time to provide for the conditions and circumstances under which Awards shall be forfeited.
V. Capital Stock Subject to the Provisions of this Plan
(a) The capital stock subject to the provisions of this Plan shall be shares of authorized but unissued Common Stock and shares of Common Stock held as treasury stock. Subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section XI, and subject to Sections V(b) and V(c) below, the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan shall be 400,000, and thereafter the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan shall be automatically adjusted at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Corporation to be reduced by the number of shares of Common Stock issued during such fiscal quarter upon exercise of options theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan. The Treasurer of the Corporation shall maintain a ledger showing at any time the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the provisions of the Plan.
(b) Any shares ceasing to be subject to an option because of the surrender of such option in lieu of exercise shall become again available for Awards under the Plan. The grant of a restricted share Award shall be deemed to be equal to the maximum number of shares which may be issued under the Award. Awards payable only in cash will not reduce the number of shares available for Awards granted under the Plan.
(c) There shall be carried forward and be available for Awards under the Plan, in addition to shares available for grant under paragraph (a) of this Section V, all of the following: (i) any unused portion of the limit set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section V; (ii) shares represented by Awards which are cancelled, forfeited, surrendered, terminated, paid in cash or expire unexercised; and (iii) the excess amount of variable Awards which become fixed at less than their maximum limitations.
VI. Awards under this Plan
As the Board or Committee may determine, the following types of Awards and other Common Stock-Based Awards may be granted under this Plan on a stand alone, combination or tandem basis:
(a)Stock Option. A right to buy a specified number of shares of Common Stock at a fixed exercise price during a specified time, all as the Committee may determine; provided that the exercise price of any option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the Award.
(b)No Incentive Stock Options. Awards under the Plan will not comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code for Incentive Stock Options.
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(c)Stock Appreciation Right. A right contained in the grant of a stock option to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the option is surrendered over the option exercise price contained in the Award Agreement.
(d)Restricted Shares. A transfer of Common Stock to a Participant subject to forfeiture until such restrictions, terms and conditions as the Committee may determine are fulfilled.
(e)Dividend or Equivalent. A right to receive dividends or their equivalent in value in Common Stock, cash or in a combination of both with respect to any new or previously existing Award.
(f)Stock Award. An unrestricted transfer of ownership of Common Stock.
(g)Performance Awards. A Stock Option that vests only upon the achievement of certain performance targets set by the Committee in accordance with Code Section 162(m).
(h)Other Stock-Based Awards. Other Common Stock-Based Awards which are related to or serve a similar function to those Awards set forth in this Section VI.
VII. Award Agreements
Each Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award and executed by the Corporation and Participant.
VIII. Other Terms and Conditions
(a)Assignability. Except as provided in the next following sentence, no Award shall be assignable or transferable except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of a Participant, the Award shall be exercisable only by such Participant. If expressly permitted by the Award Agreement, Stock Options may be assigned to or otherwise transferred by the optionee to family members of the optionee or trusts or partnerships in which the participants or beneficiaries are limited to the optionee and/or such family members; provided, however, that as so transferred or assigned, all provisions of any such option, including provisions relating to forfeiture and vesting, shall continue in full force and effect.
(b)Termination of Employment. The Committee shall determine the disposition of the grant of each Award in the event of the retirement, disability, death or other termination of a Participant’s employment or other relationship with the Corporation or a Subsidiary.
(c)Rights as a Shareholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to shares covered by an Award until the date the Participant is the holder of record. No adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such date.
(d)No Obligation to Exercise. The grant of an Award shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise the Award.
(e)Payments by Participants. The Committee may determine that Awards for which a payment is due from a Participant may be payable: (i) in U.S. dollars by personal check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Corporation, by money transfers or direct account debits; (ii) pursuant to a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” program if established by the Corporation; (iii) by a combination of the methods described in (i) and (ii) above; or (iv) by such other methods as the Committee may deem appropriate.
(f)Withholding. The Corporation shall deduct from all cash distributions under the Plan any taxes required to be withheld by federal, state or local government. Whenever the Corporation proposes or is required to issue or transfer shares of Common Stock under the Plan or upon the vesting of any Award, the Corporation shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Corporation an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate(s) for such shares or the vesting of such Award. A Participant may pay the withholding tax in cash, or, if the Award Agreement so provides, a Participant may elect to have the number of shares of Common Stock he is to receive reduced by the smallest number of whole shares of Common Stock which, when multiplied by the Fair Market Value of the shares determined as of the tax date, is sufficient to satisfy statutorily required federal, state and local, if any, withholding taxes arising from exercise or payment of an Award.
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(g)Performance Awards
(i) The Committee is hereby authorized to grant performance-based nonqualified stock options (“Performance Awards”) to Participants with terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan. Each grant of Performance Awards shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which contains the terms and conditions determined by the Committee.
(ii) The Committee may specify that any stock option shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the right of a Participant to exercise the stock option, and the timing thereof, upon achievement or satisfaction of such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the performance goals to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award granted and the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement.
(iii) Every Performance Award shall, if the Committee intends that such Performance Award should constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), include a pre-established formula, such that payment, retention or vesting of the Performance Award is subject to the achievement during a performance period or periods, as determined by the Committee, of a level or levels of, or increases in, in each case as determined by the Committee, one or more performance measures with respect to the Corporation, including without limitation the following: return on equity, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, return on capital, return on assets, return on equity, earnings before interest and taxes, EBITDA, EBITDA minus capital expenditures, sales or sales growth, customer or customer growth, revenue or revenue growth, gross margin return on investment, increase in the fair market value of common stock, share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return), operating profit, net earnings, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on investment (which equals net cash flow divided by total capital), inventory turns, financial return ratios, total return to stockholders, market share, earnings measures/ratios, economic value added (EVA), balance sheet measurements such as receivable turnover, internal rate of return, increase in net present value, or expense targets, customer satisfaction surveys and productivity; each as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, where applicable, as consistently applied by the Corporation. Performance criteria may be measured on an absolute (e.g., plan or budget) or relative basis. Relative performance may be measured against a group of peer companies, a financial market index, or other acceptable objective and quantifiable indices. Except in the case of a Performance Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, if the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Corporation, or the manner in which the Corporation conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render the performance objectives unsuitable, the Committee may modify the performance objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and equitable. Performance measures may vary from Performance Award to Performance Award, respectively, and from Participant to Participant, and may be established on a stand-alone basis, in tandem or in the alternative. The maximum number of shares subject to any such Performance Award granted in any fiscal year to a Participant shall be 50,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided in Section XI. The Committee shall have the power to impose such other restrictions on Performance Awards subject to this Section VIII(g)(iii) as it may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure that such Performance Awards satisfy all requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, or any successor provision thereto. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee shall not be authorized to increase the amount payable under any Performance Award to which this Section VIII(g)(iii) applies upon attainment of such pre-established formula.
(iv) Settlement of Performance Awards shall be in cash, shares of Common Stock, other Awards or other property, or a combination thereof, in the discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Performance Awards will be distributed only after the end of the relevant performance period. The Committee may, in its discretion, increase or reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount payable to a Participant in respect of a Performance Award subject to Section VIII(g)(iii) above. Any settlement that changes the form of payment from that originally specified shall be implemented in a manner such that the Performance Award does not,
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solely for that reason, fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant.
IX. Additional Conditions Applicable to Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation under Section 409A
In the event any stock option or stock appreciation right under the Plan is materially modified and deemed a new grant at a time when the Fair Market Value exceeds the exercise price, or any other Award is otherwise determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the following additional conditions shall apply and shall supersede any contrary provisions of this Plan or the terms of any agreement relating to such 409A Award.
(a)Exercise and Distribution. Except as provided in Section IX(b) hereof, no 409A Award shall be exercisable or distributable earlier than upon one of the following:
(i)Specified Time. A specified time or pursuant to a fixed schedule set forth in the written instrument evidencing the 409A Award.
(ii)Separation from Service. Separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A) by the 409A Award grantee; provided, however, that if the 409A Award grantee is a “key employee” (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) and any of the Common Stock is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, exercise or distribution under this Section IX(a)(ii) may not be made before the date that is six months after the date of separation from service.
(iii)Death. The date of death of the 409A Award grantee.
(iv)Disability. The date the 409A Award grantee becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section IX(c)(ii) hereof).
(v)Unforeseeable Emergency. The occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency (within the meaning of Section IX(c)(iii) hereof), but only if the net value (after payment of the exercise price) of the number of shares of Common Stock that become issuable does not exceed the amounts necessary to satisfy such emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the exercise, after taking into account the extent to which the emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the grantee’s other assets (to the extent such liquidation would not itself cause severe financial hardship).
(vi)Change-in-Control Event. The occurrence of a Change-in-Control Event (within the meaning of Section IX(c)(i) hereof), including the Corporation’s discretionary exercise of the right to accelerate vesting of such grant upon a Change-in-Control Event or to terminate the Plan or any 409A Award granted hereunder within 12 months after the Change in Control Event to the extent permitted by Section 409A.
(b)No Acceleration. A 409A Award may not be accelerated or exercised prior to the time specified in Section IX(a) hereof, except in the case of one of the following events:
(i)Domestic Relations Order. The 409A Award may permit the acceleration of the exercise or distribution time or schedule to an individual other than the grantee as may be necessary to comply with the terms of a domestic relations order (as defined in Section 414(p)(1)(B) of the Code).
(ii)Conflicts of Interest. The 409A Award may permit the acceleration of the exercise or distribution time or schedule as may be necessary to comply with the terms of a certificate of divestiture (as defined in Section 1043(b)(2) of the Code).
(iii)Change-in-Control Event. The Committee may exercise the discretionary right to accelerate the vesting of such 409A Award upon a Change-in-Control Event or to terminate the Plan or any 409A Award granted thereunder within 12 months after the Change-in-Control Event and cancel the 409A Award for compensation to the extent permitted by Section 409A.
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(c)Definitions. Solely for purposes of this Section IX and not for other purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(i) “Change-in-Control Event” means the occurrence of a change in the ownership of the Corporation, a change in effective control of the Corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation (as defined in the most recent authoritative guidance (as determined by the Committee in good faith) from the Department of the Treasury).
(ii) “Disabled” means a grantee who (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering Employees.
(iii) “Unforeseeable Emergency” means, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, a severe financial hardship to the grantee resulting from an illness or accident of the grantee, the grantee’s spouse or a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code) of the grantee, loss of the grantee’s property due to casualty or similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the grantee.
X. Termination, Modification and Amendments
(a) The Plan may from time to time be terminated, modified or amended by the Board.
(b) No termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may adversely affect the rights conferred by an Award without the consent of the recipient thereof.
(c) In the event that the Committee determines in good faith that any distribution or settlement of an Award pursuant to the terms of this Plan or an Award Agreement may subject a grantee to tax under Section 409A, the Corporation shall, with the prior written consent of the Participant, modify the Plan or applicable Award Agreement in the least restrictive reasonable manner (as determined by the Committee in good faith) necessary in order to comply with Section 409A and/or any rules, regulations or other regulatory guidance heretofore or hereafter issued under such provision.
XI. Recapitalization
The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to which Awards may be granted to Participants, the number of shares thereof covered by each outstanding Award and the price per share thereof in each such Award, shall all be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or other capital adjustment, or the payment of a stock dividend or other increase or decrease in such shares, effected without receipt of consideration by the Corporation, or other change in corporate or capital structure; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated. The Committee may also make the foregoing changes and any other changes, including changes in the classes of securities available, to the extent it is deemed necessary or desirable to preserve the intended benefits of the Plan for the Corporation and the Participants in the event of any other reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, extraordinary dividend or other distribution or similar transaction.
No adjustment shall be made under this Section XI in the case of a stock option or stock appreciation right, without the consent of the grantee, if it would constitute a modification of the stock option or stock appreciation right such that the stock option or stock appreciation right becomes treated as “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A.
XII. No Right to Employment
No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of, or in the other relationship with, the Corporation or a Subsidiary. Further, the Corporation and each Subsidiary expressly reserve the right at any time to dismiss a Participant free from any liability, or any claim under the Plan except as provided herein or in any Award Agreement issued hereunder.
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XIII.Governing Law
To the extent that federal laws do not otherwise control, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Florida.
XIV. Savings Clause
This Plan is intended to comply in all aspects with applicable laws and regulations. In case any one or more of the provisions of this Plan shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable law and regulation, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision shall be deemed null and void; however, to the extent permissible by law, any provision which could be deemed null and void shall first be construed, interpreted or revised retroactively to permit this Plan to be construed in compliance with all applicable laws so as to foster the intent of this Plan.
XV. Effective Date and Term
This Plan was adopted by the Board as of October 24, 2007 and was approved by the shareholders on December 13, 2007. No grants will be made under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.
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![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001206774-07-002464/concord_def14a4x13x1.jpg)
ADMISSION TICKET
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Concord Camera Corp. 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
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DECEMBER 13, 2007
10:00 A.M., LOCAL TIME
MARRIOTT RESIDENCE INN AT AVENTURA MALL
19900 WEST COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE
AVENTURA, FL 33180
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/DEF 14A/0001206774-07-002464/concord_def14a4x13x2.jpg)
CONCORD CAMERA CORP.
4000 HOLLYWOOD BLVD.
PRESIDENTIAL CIRCLE - - 6TH FLOOR, NORTH TOWER
HOLLYWOOD, FL 33021
VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE SHAREHOLDER
COMMUNICATIONS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Concord Camera Corp. in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access shareholder communications electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Concord Camera Corp., c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: | CONCA1 | KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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| | DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
CONCORD CAMERA CORP. | | | | | | | | |
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| Vote On Directors | | | For All | Withhold All | For All Except | | To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. | | |
| 1. | ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. NOMINEES: 01) Ira B. Lampert, 02) Ronald S. Cooper, 03) Morris H. Gindi and 04) William J. O’Neill, Jr. | | | | | o | o | o | | | |
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| Vote On Proposals | | | | | | | | | For | Against | Abstain | |
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| 2. | APPROVAL OF THE CONCORD CAMERA CORP. FISCAL 2008 INCENTIVE PLAN. | o | o | | o | |
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| 3. | RATIFICATION OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 28, 2008. | o | o | | o | |
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| If no specification is made, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3 listed above. | | | | | |
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| Please sign exactly as name or names appear on this Proxy. For joint accounts, each joint owner must sign. Please give full title if signing in a representative capacity. | | | | | |
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| For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated. | o | | | | | | | |
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| Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting. | | o | o | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Yes | No | | | | | | | | |
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| Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | | | | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date | | | |
PROXY
CONCORD CAMERA CORP.
4000 Hollywood Boulevard, Presidential Circle - 6th Floor, North Tower
Hollywood, Florida 33021
THlS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - DECEMBER 13, 2007
The undersigned hereby appoints Blaine A. Robinson and Scott L. Lampert, and each of them severally, as proxies of the undersigned, each with full power to appoint his substitute, to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Concord Camera Corp. (the “Company”) to be held on December 13, 2007, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote thereat all shares of common stock of the Company held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on October 22, 2007 in accordance with the instructions set forth on this proxy card and, in their discretion, to vote such shares on any other business as may properly come before the meeting and on matters incident to the conduct of the meeting. Any proxy heretofore given by the undersigned with respect to such stock is hereby revoked.
Address Changes/Comments: | |
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(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)
PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THlS PROXY ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE