Each of the Nominees has consented to serve as a director until the expiration of his respective term and until such Nominee’s successor has been elected and qualified or until the earlier resignation or removal of such Nominee. We have no reason to believe that any of the Nominees named above will be disqualified or unable or unwilling to serve if elected. However, if either of the Nominees is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, proxies may be voted for another person nominated by us to fill the vacancy.
In the event the Company purports to increase the number of nominees to be elected at the annual meeting pursuant to its By-laws, we reserve the right to nominate such number of additional persons as directors as necessary to fill any vacancies created by the increase and to vote the GOLD proxies in favor of the election of such nominees.
As discussed in further detail in the Company’s proxy statement, the Company’s Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending April 3, 2011. The Company is asking stockholders to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for the Company’s year ending April 3, 2011. According to the Company’s proxy statement, the proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Series A Common Stock present or voting by proxy at the 2010 Annual Meeting for approval. An abstention will not count as a vote cast against this matter.
The Wynnefield Group makes no recommendation on Proposal 2.
While this proposal also appears on the Company’s WHITE proxy card, you cannot vote for the Wynnefield Group’s Nominees on that proxy card and thus we request that you use the GOLD proxy card to vote on this matter. If you return the GOLD proxy card and no direction is made with respect to this proposal, you will be deemed to have given a direction to vote all the shares represented by the GOLD proxy card FOR this proposal.
We are not aware of any other proposals to be brought before the 2010 Annual Meeting. Should other proposals be brought before the 2010 Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed GOLD proxy card will vote on such matters in their discretion.
CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE PARTICIPANTS AND NOMINEES
Mr. Keating does not beneficially own any shares of Series A Common Stock of the Company and there have been no purchases or sales of the Series A Common Stock of the Company effected within the past two years by or on behalf of Mr. Keating. Mr. Biro’s beneficial ownership of Series A Common Stock of the Company and purchases or sales of the Series A Common Stock of the Company effected within the past two years by or on behalf of Mr. Biro is set forth in Appendices A and B hereto.
During the last ten years, neither of the Nominees has been (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding or is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, which as a result of such proceeding, was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
Neither any Wynnefield Group member, any Nominee, nor any associate of any Wynnefield Group member nor any Nominee has any interest in the matters to be voted upon at the 2010 Annual Meeting, other than an interest, if any, as a stockholder of the Company or, with respect to the Nominees, as a nominee for director.
Certain Wynnefield Group members entered into a certain Governance and Standstill Agreement dated as of July 1, 2008 with the Company (the “Standstill Agreement”). A copy of the Standstill Agreement was filed as Exhibit 7 to the Schedule 13D filed by Wynnefield Group members with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2008, and is incorporated by reference herein.
Except as otherwise described herein, neither any Wynnefield Group member, any Nominee nor any associate of any Wynnefield Group member or any Nominee is now, or within the past year has been, a party to any contract, arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any securities of the Company (including, but not limited to, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies).
Except as otherwise described herein, neither any Wynnefield Group member, any Nominee, nor any associate of any Wynnefield Group member or any Nominee: (1) has engaged in or has a direct or indirect interest in any transaction or series of transactions since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or in any currently proposed transaction, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party where the amount involved was in excess of $120,000; (2) has borrowed any funds for the purpose of acquiring or holding any securities of the Company; (3) has any arrangement or understanding with any person regarding any future employment by the Company or its affiliates, or any future transaction to which the Company or any of its affiliates will or may be a party; or (4) is the beneficial or record owner of any securities of the Company or any parent or subsidiary thereof.
The Wynnefield Group is not aware of any material proceedings to which any Nominee, or any associate of any Nominee is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Additional information concerning the Wynnefield Group, including, but not limited to, beneficial ownership of and transactions in the Series A Common Stock, is set forth in Appendices A and B hereto. Each of the individuals listed in Appendix A is a citizen of the United States.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company’s proxy statement contains information regarding: (1) securities ownership of certain beneficial owners and management; (2) meetings and committees of the Board; (3) the background of the Company’s nominees for the Board; (4) the compensation and remuneration paid and payable to the Company’s directors and management; (5) voting procedures, including the share vote required for approval or election, at the 2010 Annual Meeting; (6) the submission of stockholder proposals at the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders; and (7) information regarding fees and services of the Company’s independent auditors. The Wynnefield Group takes no responsibility for or has no knowledge of the accuracy or completeness of the Company’s disclosures in its proxy materials.
SOLICITATION; EXPENSES
Proxies may be solicited by the Wynnefield Group and the Nominees by mail, advertisement, telephone, facsimile, and personal solicitation. Banks, brokerage houses, and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries will be requested to forward the Wynnefield Group’s solicitation material to their customers for whom they hold shares and the Wynnefield Group will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Our proxy materials are available on the following web site: www.myproxyonline.com/okapimaterials.
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The Wynnefield Group has retained Okapi Partners to assist in the solicitation of proxies and for related services. The Wynnefield Group will pay Okapi Partners a retainer of [$_______], subject to final agreement, for its services and has agreed to reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Wynnefield Group has agreed to indemnify Okapi Partners against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission deems such indemnification to be against public policy. Approximately ________ employees of Okapi Partners will be involved in the solicitation of proxies.
The entire expense of preparing, assembling, printing, and mailing this proxy statement and related materials and the cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Wynnefield Group.
Although no precise estimate can be made at the present time, the Wynnefield Group currently estimates that the total expenditures relating to the proxy solicitation incurred by us will be approximately $_______ of which approximately $________ has been incurred to date. The Wynnefield Group intends to seek reimbursement from the Company for those expenses incurred by us in connection with this proxy solicitation, if any or all of our Nominees are elected, but does not intend to submit the question of such reimbursement to a vote of the stockholders.
VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
For the proxy solicited hereby to be voted, the enclosed GOLD proxy card must be signed, dated, and returned to the Wynnefield Group, c/o Okapi Partners, in the enclosed envelope in time to be voted at the 2010 Annual Meeting. If you wish to vote for our Nominees, you must submit the enclosed GOLD proxy card and must NOT submit the Company’s WHITE proxy card. If you have already returned the Company’s WHITE proxy card, you have the right to revoke it as to all matters covered thereby signing, dating, and mailing the enclosed GOLD proxy card. If you later vote on the Company’s WHITE proxy card (even if it is to withhold authority to vote for the Company’s nominees), you will revoke your previous vote for the Nominees. ONLY YOUR LATEST DATED PROXY WILL COUNT AT THE 2010 ANNUAL MEETING. WE URGE YOU NOT TO RETURN ANY WHITE PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY THE COMPANY.
If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or nominee, only such brokerage firm, bank, or nominee can vote such shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions. Accordingly, please promptly contact the person responsible for your account at such institution and instruct that person to execute and return the GOLD proxy card on your behalf. You should also promptly sign, date, and mail the voting instruction form (or GOLD proxy card) that your broker or banker sends you. Please do this for each account you maintain to ensure that all of your shares are voted. If any of your shares were held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or nominee on the Record Date, you will need to give appropriate instructions to such institution if you want to revoke your proxy. IF YOU DO NOT GIVE INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE, YOUR SHARES WILL NOT BE VOTED.
If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, that bank, brokerage firm or nominee may allow you to deliver your voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet. Stockholders whose shares are held by a brokerage firm, bank or nominee should refer to the voting instruction card forwarded to them by that brokerage firm, bank or other nominee holding their shares.
Execution of a GOLD proxy card will not affect your right to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting and to vote in person. Any proxy may be revoked as to all matters covered thereby at any time prior to the time a vote is taken by: (i) filing with the Secretary of the Company a later dated written revocation; (ii) submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Wynnefield Group or to the Company; or (iii) attending and voting at the 2010 Annual Meeting in person. Attendance at the 2010 Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation.
Although a revocation will be effective only if delivered to the Company, the Wynnefield Group requests that either the original or a copy of all revocations be mailed to the Wynnefield Group, c/o Okapi Partners, so that the Wynnefield Group will be aware of all revocations and can more accurately determine if and when the requisite proxies for the election of the Nominees as directors have been received. The Wynnefield Group may contact stockholders who have revoked their proxies.
Shares of Series A Common Stock represented by a valid and unrevoked GOLD proxy card will be voted as specified. Shares represented by a GOLD proxy card where no specification has been made will be voted FOR the Nominees.
Except as set forth in this proxy statement, the Wynnefield Group is not aware of any other matter to be considered at the 2010 Annual Meeting. The persons named as proxies on the enclosed GOLD proxy card will, however, have discretionary voting authority as such proxies regarding any other business that may properly come before the 2010 Annual Meeting. Except as set forth herein, the proxies may exercise discretionary authority only as to matters unknown to the Wynnefield Group a reasonable time before this proxy solicitation.
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Only holders of record of Series A Common Stock on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record on the Record Date, you will retain the voting rights in connection with the 2010 Annual Meeting even if you sell such shares after the Record Date. Accordingly, it is important that you vote the shares of Series A Common Stock held by you on the Record Date, or grant a proxy to vote such shares on the GOLD proxy card, even if you sell such shares after such date.
The Wynnefield Group believes that it is in your best interest to elect the Nominees as directors at the 2010 Annual Meeting. THE WYNNEFIELD GROUP STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Wynnefield Group has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission statements on Schedule 13D and various amendments thereto which contain information in addition to that furnished herein. The Schedule 13D and any amendments thereto may be accessed free of charge at the website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and from the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission located at 100 F Street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549.
If you have any questions, require assistance in voting your GOLD proxy card, or need additional copies of the Wynnefield Group’s proxy materials, please call Okapi Partners at the phone numbers listed below:
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/PREC14A/0000930413-10-003725/c62062_prec14ax17x1.jpg)
_________________
780 Third Avenue, 30th Fl.
New York, NY 10017
Call Collect: (212) 297-0720
or
Call Toll Free: (877) 285-5990
E-Mail: info@okapipartners.com
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APPENDIX A
Beneficial Ownership of the Wynnefield Group
The following table sets forth for the Wynnefield Group and their affiliates the number of shares of the Company’s Series A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Shares”) directly beneficially owned by the members of the Wynnefield Group. None of the purchase price or market value of the Shares identified below is represented by funds borrowed or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring or holding such securities.
| | | | Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Shares(1) | |
| | Number of Shares | | |
Name | | | |
|
Wynnefield Partners LP | | 568,908 | | 6.15 | % |
Wynnefield Offshore | | 350,035 | | 3.78 | % |
Wynnefield Partners I | | 641,030 | | 6.93 | % |
Channel | | 11,600 | | | * |
Profit Sharing Plan | | 2,000 | | | * |
Total | | 1,573,573 | | 17.00 | % |
* Less than one percent. | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
(1) Based upon 9,254,986 Shares outstanding as of June 7, 2010, as set forth in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 28, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2010. |
WCM is the sole general partner of Wynnefield Partners LP and Wynnefield Partners I and, accordingly, is the indirect beneficial owner (as that term is defined under Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of the Shares that Wynnefield Partners LP and Wynnefield Partners I beneficially own. WCM, as the sole general partner of Wynnefield Partners LP and Wynnefield Partners I, has the sole power to direct the voting and disposition of the Shares that Wynnefield Partners LP and Wynnefield Partners I beneficially own. Nelson Obus and Joshua Landes are the co-managing members of WCM and, accordingly, each of Messrs. Obus and Landes is the indirect beneficial owner (as that term is defined under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Shares that WCM beneficially owns.
Each of Messrs. Obus and Landes, as co-managing members of WCM, shares with the other the power to direct the voting and disposition of the Shares that WCM beneficially owns. WCI is the sole investment manager of Wynnefield Offshore and, accordingly, is the indirect beneficial owner (as that term is defined under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Shares that Wynnefield Offshore beneficially owns.
WCI, as the sole investment manager of Wynnefield Offshore, has the sole power to direct the voting and disposition of the Shares that Wynnefield Offshore beneficially owns. Messrs. Obus and Landes are executive officers of WCI and, accordingly, each of Messrs. Obus and Landes is the indirect beneficial owner (as that term is defined under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Shares that WCI beneficially owns. Each of Messrs. Obus and Landes, as executive officers of WCI, shares with the other the power to direct the voting and disposition of the Shares that WCI beneficially owns.
Mr. Obus is the sole portfolio manager of the Profit Sharing Plan and, accordingly, is the indirect beneficial owner (as that term is defined under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Shares that Profit Sharing Plan beneficially owns. Mr. Obus, as the sole portfolio manager of the Profit Sharing Plan, has the sole power to direct the voting and disposition of the Shares beneficially owned by Profit Sharing Plan.
Mr. Obus is the sole general partner of Channel and, accordingly, is the indirect beneficial owner (as that term is defined under Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Shares that Channel beneficially owns. Mr. Obus, as the general partner of Channel, has the sole power to direct the voting and disposition of the Shares beneficially owned by Channel.
Reference is made to the Schedule 13D filing of the Wynnefield Group, as amended, for a more complete description of the beneficial ownership interests of the respective parties.
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Beneficial Ownership of Nominee Mr. Jon C. Biro
The following table sets forth for Mr. Jon C. Biro the number of Shares directly beneficially owned by him. None of the purchase price or market value of the Shares identified below is represented by funds borrowed or otherwise obtained for the purpose of acquiring or holding such securities.
| | | | Approximate Percentage of Outstanding Shares(1) | |
| | Number of Shares | | |
Name | | | |
|
Jon C. Biro | | 5,000 | | * | |
* Less than one percent. | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
(1) Based upon 9,254,986 Shares outstanding as of June 7, 2010, as set forth in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended March 28, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2010. |
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APPENDIX B
Trading Activity of the Wynnefield Group
The following table contains a summary description of all purchases and sales of Shares, if any, effected within the past two years by or on behalf of the Wynnefield Group.
| Holder | | No. of Shares | | Action | | Date | |
|
| Wynnefield | | 30,000 | | Purchase | | 2/13/09 | |
| | | 9,700 | | Purchase | | 8/18/09 | |
| | | 208 | | Purchase | | 8/25/09 | |
| | | 4,800 | | Purchase | | 10/13/09 | |
| | | 800 | | Purchase | | 11/11/09 | |
| Wynnefield Partners I | | 5,000 | | Purchase | | 11/13/08 | |
| | | 23,050 | | Purchase | | 2/13/09 | |
| | | 9,700 | | Purchase | | 8/18/09 | |
| | | 800 | | Purchase | | 8/20/09 | |
| | | 6,600 | | Purchase | | 10/13/09 | |
| | | 2,680 | | Purchase | | 11/12/09 | |
| Wynnefield Offshore | | 9,200 | | Purchase | | 8/18/09 | |
| | | 100 | | Purchase | | 10/9/09 | |
| | | 5,600 | | Purchase | | 10/13/09 | |
| Profit Sharing Plan | | 2,000 | | Purchase | | 3/10/09 | |
Trading Activity of Nominee Mr. Jon C. Biro
The following table contains a summary description of all purchases and sales of Shares, if any, effected within the past two years by or on behalf of Mr. Biro.
| Holder | | No. of Shares | | Action | | Date | |
|
| Jon C. Biro | | 4,360 | | Purchase | | 6/16/10 | |
| | | 640 | | Purchase | | 6/17/10 | |
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Preliminary Copy – Subject to Completion
CONTROL NUMBER:
GOLD PROXY CARD
CROWN CRAFTS, INC.
2010 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF WYNNEFIELD PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE, L.P. AND
ITS AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “WYNNEFIELD GROUP”)
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CROWN CRAFTS, INC. IS NOT SOLICITING THIS PROXY
P R O X Y
The undersigned appoints Stephen Zelkowicz and Nelson Obus, and each of them, attorneys and agents with full power of substitution to vote all shares of Series A Common Stock of Crown Crafts, Inc. (the “Company”) which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company scheduled to be held the Company’s headquarters, 916 South Burnside Ave, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737 on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. central daylight time, and including at any adjournments or postponements thereof and at any meeting called in lieu thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).
The undersigned hereby revokes any other proxy or proxies heretofore given to vote or act with respect to the shares of Series A Common Stock of the Company held by the undersigned, and hereby ratifies and confirms all action the herein named attorneys and proxies, their substitutes, or any of them may lawfully take by virtue hereof. If properly executed, this Proxy will be voted as directed on the reverse and in the discretion of the herein named attorneys and proxies or their substitutes with respect to any other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting that are unknown to the Wynnefield Group a reasonable time before this solicitation. The Wynnefield Group intends to vote your shares in their discretion on matters not described in this Proxy Statement that the Wynnefield Group does not know within a reasonable time before this solicitation, which are to be presented at the Annual Meeting, and that properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSAL ON THE REVERSE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” SUCH PROPOSAL.
This Proxy will be valid until the sooner of one year from the date indicated on the reverse side and the completion of the Annual Meeting. This Proxy will only be valid in connection with the Wynnefield Group’s solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
[X] Please mark vote as in this example
THE WYNNEFIELD GROUP RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE WYNNEFIELD GROUP NOMINEES LISTED BELOW IN PROPOSAL NO. 1 BELOW.
Proposal 1. | The Wynnefield Group’s proposal to elect Jon C. Biro and Melvin L. Keating. There is no assurance that the nominees of the Company will serve if elected with Mr. Biro and/or Mr. Keating. |
| | | | | | |
| | FOR ALL WYNNEFIELD | | WITHHOLD | | FOR ALL EXCEPT |
| | GROUP NOMINEES | | AUTHORITY TO VOTE | | WYNNEFIELD GROUP |
| | | | FOR ALL WYNNEFIELD | | NOMINEES WRITTEN |
| | | | GROUP NOMINEES | | BELOW |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
The Wynnefield Group intends to use this proxy to vote (i) FOR Mr. Biro and Mr. Keating, and (ii) FOR up to one of the three Class I candidates who have been nominated by the Company to serve as directors, as the Wynnefield Group may determine in its discretion. There is no assurance that the nominees of the Company will serve if elected with Mr. Biro and/or Mr. Keating. You should refer to the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy distributed by the Company for the names, backgrounds, qualifications and other information concerning the Company’s nominees.
NOTE: If you do not wish for your shares to be voted “FOR” a particular Wynnefield Group Nominee, mark the “FOR ALL EXCEPT NOMINEES WRITTEN BELOW” box and write the name of the nominee you do not support on the line below such box. Your shares will be voted for the remaining Wynnefield Group Nominee. You may also withhold authority to vote for one or more additional Company nominees by writing the name(s) of the Company nominee(s) in the space provided below:
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING COMPANY NOMINEES(S): |
| | | | |
______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ |
Proposal 2. | To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent auditor for the fiscal year ending April 3, 2011. |
| | | | |
| | FOR_______ | AGAINST_______ | ABSTAIN_______ |
THE WYNNEFIELD GROUP MAKES NO RECOMMENDATION ON PROPOSAL 2.
IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSAL 2, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 2.
Proposal 2. | MARK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING | o |
| | |
| MARK HERE IF AN ADDRESS CHANGE HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD | o |
| | | | |
| Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy. | | |
| | | | |
| SIGNATURE(S) OF STOCKHOLDER(S) | DATE | |
| | | | |
| TITLE, IF ANY | | |
| | | | |
| SIGNATURE (IF HELD JOINTLY): | | |
When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate officer or partner, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
___________________________________________