SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.--)
Filed by the Registrant |X|
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |_|
Check the appropriate box:
|_| Preliminary Proxy Statement |_| Confidential, For Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted
|X| Definitive Proxy Statement by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|_| Definitive Additional Materials
|_| Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11 or Rule 14a-12
ORLEANS HOMEBUILDERS, INC.
(formerly known as FPA Corporation)
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|X| No Fee required.
|_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(I)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on
which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined).
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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|_| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
|_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement no.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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ORLEANS HOMEBUILDERS, INC.
3333 Street Road, Suite 101
Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
DECEMBER 7, 2000
------------------
To the Stockholders of Orleans Homebuilders, Inc.:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. (the
"Company") will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2000, at 11:00 a.m.,
Philadelphia time, at the offices of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan
Square, 18th and Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Conference Room
21D), for the following purposes:
1. Election of Directors;
2. Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
independent accountants of the Company for the 2001 fiscal year;
and
3. Transaction of such other business as properly may be brought
before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 20,
2000 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Meeting. Only stockholders of record on the transfer books of
the Company at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Meeting.
IT WILL BE APPRECIATED IF THOSE WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING
WILL MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED FOR
THAT PURPOSE. A PERSON GIVING A PROXY HAS THE POWER TO REVOKE IT BY WRITTEN
NOTICE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY, AND ANY STOCKHOLDER WHO IS PRESENT AT
THE MEETING MAY WITHDRAW THE PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
October 27, 2000 By Order of the Board of Directors
JOSEPH A. SANTANGELO,
Secretary-Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
ORLEANS HOMEBUILDERS, INC.
Corporate Headquarters:
One Greenwood Square, Suite 101
3333 Street Road
Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020
Telephone Number: (215) 245-7500
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PROXY STATEMENT
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GENERAL
This proxy statement is furnished to stockholders of Orleans
Homebuilders, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation, by order
of the Board of Directors of the Company, of proxies for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the "Meeting") to be held on Thursday, December 7, 2000, at 11:00
a.m., Philadelphia time, at the offices of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, One Logan
Square, 18th and Cherry Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the purposes
set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This
proxy statement, the foregoing notice and the enclosed proxy are being sent to
stockholders on or about October 27, 2000.
The record date of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Meeting has been fixed as the close of business on October 20, 2000. The
transfer books have not been and will not be closed. Only stockholders of record
at the close of business on the record date shall be entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Meeting.
As of October 19, 2000, the Company had outstanding 11,357,893 shares
of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), and 1,340,238
shares held in treasury, which are not eligible to be voted. Each share of
outstanding Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote, without cumulation, on
each matter to be voted upon at the Meeting. The presence at the Meeting, in
person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum.
The enclosed proxy is being solicited on behalf of the Board of
Directors of the Company and any costs of solicitation will be borne by the
Company. Such costs include preparation, printing and mailing of the Notice of
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy, this proxy statement and the Annual
Report, which are herewith enclosed. The solicitation will be conducted
principally by mail, although Directors, officers and regular employees of the
Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or telegram. Arrangements
will be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for proxy material to be sent to their principals, and the Company
will reimburse such persons for their reasonable expenses in so doing.
Shares of the Company's Common Stock represented by any unrevoked proxy
in the enclosed form will be voted in accordance with the specifications made on
such proxy, if it is properly executed and received prior to voting at the
Meeting. Any properly executed proxy received on a timely basis on which no
specification has been made by the stockholder will be voted (i) "FOR" the
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election as Directors of the nominees listed herein (or for such substitute
nominees as may be nominated in the event the initial nominees become
unavailable); and (ii) in the discretion of the Proxy Committee of the Board of
Directors, upon all other matters requiring a vote of stockholders which may
properly come before the Meeting and of which the Board of Directors was not
aware a reasonable time before this solicitation.
The Proxy Committee, selected by the Board of Directors, consists of
Jeffrey P. Orleans, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company, and Benjamin D. Goldman, Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company. If the enclosed proxy is executed and returned, it
may, nevertheless, be revoked at any time before it has been exercised upon
written notice to the Secretary of the Company. The proxy shall be deemed
revoked if a stockholder is present at the Meeting and elects to vote in person.
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
The stockholders are being asked to elect seven Directors, who will
comprise the entire Board of Directors of the Company, to serve for the ensuing
year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The nominees
constitute the current members of the Board of Directors, all of whom were
previously elected by the stockholders. Assuming a quorum is present, the seven
nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will
be elected Directors. For such purposes, the withholding of authority to vote or
the specific direction not to cast a vote, such as a broker non-vote, will not
constitute the casting of a vote in the election of directors.
In the event that any nominee for Director should become unavailable,
which event the Board of Directors does not anticipate, it is intended that
votes will be cast pursuant to the enclosed proxy for such substitute nominee as
may be nominated by the Board of Directors unless otherwise indicated by the
stockholder on the proxy.
Director
Name Age Present Position with the Company Since
- ---- --- --------------------------------- -------
Sylvan M. Cohen(1)(3)(4)...........86 Director 1965
Benjamin D. Goldman(5)(6)..........54 Vice Chairman of the Board 1992
Robert N. Goodman(2)...............48 Director 1994
Andrew N. Heine(2).................71 Director 1994
David Kaplan(2)(3)(4)..............55 Director 1994
Lewis Katz(1)(3)(4)(5).............58 Director 1987
Jeffrey P. Orleans(1)(5)(6)........54 Chairman of the Board 1983
and Chief Executive Officer
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(1) Member of the Executive Committee, of which Mr. Cohen is Chairman.
(2) Member of the Audit Committee, of which Mr. Kaplan is Chairman.
(3) Member of the Compensation Committee, of which Mr. Kaplan is Chairman.
(4) Member of the committee designated to administer the 1992 Plan (the "1992
Incentive Stock Option Committee"), of which Mr. Kaplan is Chairman.
(5) Member of the committee designated to administer the 1992 Stock Option Plan
for Non-Employee Directors (the "1992 Director Option Plan Committee"), of
which Mr. Orleans is Chairman.
(6) Member of the committee designated to administer the 1995 Plan (the "1995
Director Option Plan Committee").
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Directors
Jeffrey P. Orleans has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since September 1986. From September 1986 to
May 1992, he also served as President of the Company. In addition, Mr. Orleans
is a general partner of Orleans Builders & Developers and served as the Chief
Executive Officer and the sole shareholder of Orleans Construction Corp.
("OCC"), residential real estate developers, until its acquisition by the
Company on October 22, 1993. Mr. Orleans is a Trustee of Pennsylvania Real
Estate Investment Trust.
Benjamin D. Goldman was elected Vice-Chairman of the Board in April
1998 and has been a Director of the Company since May 1992. From May 1992 until
April 1998, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.
Sylvan M. Cohen has been a Director of the Company since 1965. Until
October 1995, Mr. Cohen was a senior partner in the law firm of Cohen, Shapiro,
Polisher, Shiekman and Cohen, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which prior to October
1995 served as counsel to the Company. In October 1995, Mr. Cohen became Of
Counsel to the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, which currently serves as counsel to the Company. Mr. Cohen is
also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment
Trust.
Lewis Katz has been a Director of the Company since 1987. Since March
1998, he has been compensated by Resorts at Palm-Aire, Inc. , of which he and
Mr. Orleans are each 50% shareholders. From 1972 to 1997, he was a partner in
the law firm of Katz, Ettin, Levine, Kurzweil, Weber & Scialaeba, P.A., Cherry
Hill, New Jersey, which has performed legal services for the Company in the past
year, and he is now Of Counsel to such law firm. Mr. Katz is a Director of
Central Parking System.
Robert N. Goodman has been a Director of the Company since April 1994.
For more than five years, he has served as President and Chief Operating Officer
of Goodtab Corporation, Los Angeles, California, which is engaged principally in
real estate and financial consulting on a nationwide basis. Since 1998, Mr.
Goodman has served as President of Olympic Realty Advisors, a finance company
providing equity and debt capital for single family residential homebuilding
projects in California. Mr. Goodman owns a controlling equity interest in JDT
Consulting Group, the sole general partner of La Jolla Village Professional
Center Associates, L.P., a California limited partnership (the "Partnership").
The Partnership filed for a Petition under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy
Code on April 23, 1996.
Andrew N. Heine has been a Director of the Company since April 1994.
For more than five years, Mr. Heine has been an attorney and private investor in
New York, New York. Mr. Heine is a Director of Citizens Utilities Company.
David Kaplan has been a Director of the Company since April 1994. Since
1996, Mr. Kaplan has been a principal in Autumn Hill Capital, Inc., a real
estate advisory and investment banking firm and managing partner of Kingsbridge
Partners LLC, a real estate investment firm. Prior to that time, he was a
principal of Victor Capital Group, L.P., which engaged in real estate advisory
services and investment banking.
-3-
Executive Officers
In addition to Messrs. Orleans and Goldman, the following persons serve
as executive officers of the Company:
Michael T. Vesey, 41, was elected President and Chief Operating Officer
of the Company on April 20, 1998. From July 1994 to April 1998, he was the
Executive Vice President-Project Management of the Company. Prior to 1994, Mr.
Vesey was responsible for project management of the Company's Pennsylvania
communities.
Joseph A. Santangelo, 46, is Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Secretary of the Company. He has held the position of Chief Financial Officer
since July 1994, and he has been Treasurer of the Company since 1987.
Michael Karmatz, 61, was elected Senior Vice President on September 24,
1998. Prior to that date and since February 1992, Mr. Karmatz was Senior Vice
President of OCC, a subsidiary of the Company.
Gary G. Schaal, 50, is Executive Vice President-Sales and Marketing of
the Company. He has held that position since September, 1995. From July 1987 to
November 1994, Mr. Schaal was a Senior Vice President of Scarborough Corporation
and a Vice President of Scarborough Homes, Inc.
Committees and Meetings of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors held three meetings during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2000 ("Fiscal 2000"). The Company has standing Executive, Audit,
Compensation, 1992 Incentive Stock Option, 1992 Director Option Plan and 1995
Director Option Plan Committees. The Board of Directors does not have a standing
Nominating Committee. The functions of a nominating committee are carried on by
the Board of Directors as a whole.
The Executive Committee has and exercises the authority of the Board of
Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Company between
meetings of the Board. During Fiscal 2000, the Executive Committee acted by
unanimous consent and held no formal meetings.
The Audit Committee recommends the appointment of independent
accountants, reviews with the independent accountants the adequacy of the system
of internal accounting controls of the Company and discusses with management and
the independent accountants the annual financial statements and principal
accounting matters. During Fiscal 2000, the Audit Committee met three times.
The Compensation Committee reviews the general compensation
arrangements and structure of the Company, reviews salaries and other
compensation arrangements for the executive officers of the Company and makes
recommendations concerning such compensation to the Board of Directors. The
Compensation Committee held no formal meetings during Fiscal 2000.
The 1992 Incentive Stock Option Committee administers the Company's
1992 Plan and awards grants thereunder. The 1992 Incentive Stock Option
Committee held no formal meetings during Fiscal 2000.
The 1992 Director Option Plan Committee awards options under the 1992
Director Option Plan. The 1992 Director Option Plan Committee held no formal
meetings during Fiscal 2000.
-4-
The 1995 Director Option Committee was established in February 1995 to
administer the 1995 Plan. The 1995 Director Option Committee held no formal
meetings in Fiscal 2000.
During Fiscal 2000, Messrs. Cohen, Goldman, Kaplan, Katz and Orleans
attended in person or by conference call at least 75% of the total number of
meetings of the Board of Directors. Messrs. Goodman and Heine attended two of
the three meetings of the Board of Directors held in such year, and Messrs.
Heine and Katz attended two of the three Audit Committee meetings held during
Fiscal 2000.
Compensation of Directors
Each Director who is not an employee of the Company is entitled to
receive a basic fee of $6,000 annually for his service on the Board, plus an
attendance fee of $1,500 for each Board meeting and $500 for each Committee
meeting.
Each Director of the Company who was not an employee of the Company or
any affiliate of the Company and who had been a Director for at least three
years as of January 4, 1993 (the "1992 Eligible Directors") was granted an
option to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock under the 1992
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "1992 Director Option Plan").
Under the 1992 Director Option Plan, shares subject to an option became eligible
for purchase on a cumulative basis in equal installments of 6,250 shares each,
beginning on August 19, 1994, the date stockholders approved the 1992 Director
Option Plan, and on January 1 of each of the years 1994 through 1996, inclusive.
Each option granted under the 1992 Director Option Plan expires 10 years from
the date of the grant and is subject to earlier termination upon the occurrence
of certain events, including under certain circumstances termination of service
on the Board of Directors. Messrs. Cohen and Katz have received options for
25,000 shares each under the 1992 Director Option Plan.
On February 27, 1995, the Board of Directors adopted, subject to
stockholder approval, the 1995 Plan. Under the 1995 Plan, options for 25,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock were granted on February 28, 1995, subject
to stockholder approval, to each Director who was not an employee of the Company
or any affiliate of the Company or who was ineligible to participate in any
other stock option plan of the Company on February 28, 1995. Options for 25,000
shares each were granted to Messrs. Goodman, Heine and Kaplan. Under the terms
of the 1995 Plan, 6,250 shares of Common Stock became eligible for purchase on
December 8, 1995, the date that the 1995 Plan was approved by the Company's
stockholders, and on each of February 28, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
On April 20, 1998, the Board of Directors adopted, subject to
stockholder approval, amendments to the 1995 Plan. Under the amended 1995 Plan,
options for 10,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock were granted to each
Director who was not an employee of the Company or any affiliate of the Company
and who is ineligible to receive grants under any other stock option plan of the
Company in effect on that date. Options for 10,000 shares each were granted to
Messrs. Cohen, Goodman, Heine, Kaplan and Katz. Under the terms of the 1995
Plan, 2,500 shares of Common Stock became eligible for purchase on December 11,
1998, the date that the amendments to the 1995 Plan were approved by the
Company's stockholders, and on each of April 20, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
During Fiscal 2000, Mr. Kaplan was paid a fee of $60,000 for services
provided in connection with the Company's October 13, 2000 acquisition of Parker
& Lancaster Corporation, a privately-held residential home builder with
operations in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
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PROPOSAL 2. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has determined to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as independent accountants of the Company for the Company's 2001 fiscal
year, subject to ratification of such appointment by the stockholders at the
Meeting. The ratification of the appointment of independent accountants by the
stockholders is not required by law or by the Company's Bylaws; however, the
Board of Directors has decided to submit this matter to the stockholders because
it believes that it is good practice to do so. A majority of the votes cast on
the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is necessary
to approve this matter. For such purposes, the withholding of authority to vote,
an abstention or the specific direction not to cast a vote, such as a broker
non-vote, will not constitute the casting of a vote in favor of the
ratification. If a majority of the votes cast on this matter are not cast in
favor of the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the
Board of Directors will appoint other independent accountants as soon as
practical and before the close of the 2001 fiscal year. In the absence of
instructions to the contrary, proxies will be voted in favor of the ratification
of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants of
the Company to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be
present at the Annual Meeting to make a statement if desired and will be
available to respond to any appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTING "FOR" RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001.
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware at present of any other matters
which will or may come before the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and which
require a vote of the stockholders. If any such matter is properly brought
before the meeting, the Proxy Committee will vote thereon in its discretion. You
are urged to mark, sign and date your proxy and return it immediately.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), requires the Company's executive officers and directors
and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's
equity securities (collectively, the "reporting persons") to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and to furnish the Company with copies of these reports.
Based on the Company's review of the copies of these reports received
by it, and written representations, if any, received from reporting persons with
respect to the filing of reports on Form 3, 4 and 5, the Company believes that
all filings required to be made by the reporting persons for Fiscal 2000 were
made on a timely basis.
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth as of the close of business on September
30, 2000, certain information with respect to the beneficial shareholdings of
each director or nominee, each of the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table, and all executive officers and directors as a group, as well
as the holdings of each stockholder who was known to the Company to be the
beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of more than
5% of the Company's shares of Common Stock, based upon Company records or
Securities and Exchange Commission records. Each of the persons listed below has
sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares, unless otherwise
indicated.
Number of Shares Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned of Class
- ------------------------ ------------------ --------
Jeffrey P. Orleans, Director and Executive Officer........... 11,324,828(1) 73.7%
3333 Street Road, Suite 101
Bensalem, PA 19020
Robert N. Goodman, Director ................................. 47,500(2) *
11400 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 1560
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Benjamin D. Goldman, Director & Vice Chairman of the Board... 1,198,558(3) 7.8
Lewis Katz, Director ........................................ 486,500(4) 3.2
Sylvan M. Cohen, Director.................................... 87,002(5) *
Joseph A. Santangelo, Executive Officer...................... 95,000(6) *
Michael T. Vesey, President and Chief Operating Officer ..... 361,500(7) 2.4
David Kaplan, Director ...................................... 66,500(8) *
Michael Karmatz, Senior Vice President....................... 40,400(9) *
Gary Schaal, Executive Officer............................... 85,000(10) *
Andrew N. Heine, Director ................................... 32,500(11) *
All directors and executive officers
as a group (11 persons) ................................... 13,912,476(12) 85.1
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* Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
(1) The shares reflected include (a) 5,000 shares of 10,000 shares owned by a
privately-held corporation, of which Mr. Orleans is a 50% stockholder, (b)
700 shares held as custodian for a minor son and minor daughter, (c)
2,000,000 shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's $3,000,000
Convertible Subordinated 7% Note, and (d) 2,000,000 shares issuable upon
conversion of 100,000 shares of the Company's Series D Preferred Stock,
which has a liquidation value of $3,000,000.
(2) The shares reflected consist of (a) 15,000 shares owned by Goodtab
Corporation (of which Mr. Goodman is the sole shareholder), and (b) 32,500
shares issuable upon exercise of the vested portion of outstanding stock
options.
(3) Includes (a) 450 shares held by Mr. Goldman's daughter (for which Mr.
Goldman disclaims beneficial ownership), (b) 400,000 shares issuable upon
exercise of the vested portion of outstanding stock options, and (c)
604,550 shares held in five separate trusts for the benefit of the children
of Mr. Orleans, as to which Mr. Goldman is, in each case, sole trustee.
(4) The shares reflected include 32,500 shares issuable upon exercise of the
vested portion of outstanding stock options.
(5) The shares reflected include (a) 5,000 shares of 10,000 shares owned by a
privately-held corporation of which Mr. Cohen is a 50% shareholder, (b) 450
shares held by Mr. Cohen's sons (for which Mr. Cohen disclaims beneficial
ownership), (c) 6,125 shares held by Mr. Cohen's wife (for which Mr. Cohen
disclaims beneficial ownership), and (d) 32,500 shares issuable upon
exercise of the vested portion of outstanding stock options.
(6) The shares reflected include 62,500 shares issuable upon the exercise of
vested portion of outstanding stock options.
(7) The shares reflected include (a) 500 shares held as custodian for Mr.
Vesey's minor daughters, and (b) 195,000 shares issuable upon exercise of
the vested portion of outstanding stock options.
(8) The shares reflected include 32,500 shares issuable upon exercise of the
vested portion of outstanding stock options.
(9) Includes (a) 14,000 shares held by Mr. Karmatz's wife (for which Mr.
Karmatz disclaims beneficial ownership), and (b) 25,000 shares issuable
upon exercise of the vested portion of outstanding stock options.
(10) Includes 60,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of the vested portion of
outstanding stock options.
(11) Consists of 32,500 shares issuable upon exercise of the vested portion of
outstanding stock options.
(12) The shares reflected consist of (a) 992,188 shares issuable upon exercise
of the vested portion of outstanding stock options, and (b) 2,000,000
shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's $3,000,000 Convertible
Subordinated 7% Note, and (c) 2,000,000 shares issuable upon conversion of
100,000 shares of the Company's Series D Preferred Stock, which has a
liquidation value of $3,000,000.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information as to all compensation paid by
the Company for services in each of the Company's last three fiscal years ended
June 30 to (i) the Company's Chief Executive Officer and (ii) the four most
highly compensated officers other than the Chief Executive Officer who were
serving as executive officers at the end of Fiscal 2000 and whose total annual
salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 in Fiscal 2000 (together with the Chief
Executive Officer, the "Named Executive Officers").
Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
------------
Annual Compensation Number of
------------------- Securities
Other Annual Underlying
Name and Principal Position Fiscal Year Salary Bonus Compensation* Options
- --------------------------- ----------- ------ ----- ------------- -----------
Jeffrey P. Orleans 2000 $ 300,000 $ 400,830 $3,200 --
Chairman and CEO 1999 300,000 285,390 3,200 --
1998 300,000 88,620 3,123 --
Benjamin D. Goldman 2000 250,000 200,415 3,200 --
Vice Chairman of the Board 1999 250,000 142,695 3,200 --
1998 250,000 59,080 1,722 --
Michael T. Vesey 2000 200,000 200,415 3,200 --
President and Chief Operating 1999 200,000 142,695 3,200 --
Officer 1998 178,845 30,000 2,888 40,000
Gary G. Schaal 2000 125,000 100,208 2,500 --
Executive Vice President 1999 125,000 95,130 2,129 --
Sales and Marketing 1998 125,000 29,540 2,240 20,000
Joseph A. Santangelo 2000 135,000 80,000 3,200 --
Chief Financial Officer, 1999 135,000 54,000 3,100 --
Secretary and Treasurer 1998 127,500 20,000 2,790 30,000
- ------------------
* In all cases, amounts contributed by the Company to a 401(k) (defined
contribution) retirement plan.
On July 18, 1994, the Board of Directors, upon the favorable
recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted a bonus compensation plan
(the "Bonus Plan") to be applied in fiscal 1995 and thereafter. For a summary of
the Bonus Plan (including recent amendments thereto) and certain awards made
thereunder, see "Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation."
-9-
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option
Values
The following table sets forth individual exercises of stock options
during Fiscal 2000 and year-end values by the Named Executive Officers.
Number of Securities
Underlying Value of Unexercised
Unexercised Options at In-the-Money Options
June 30, 2000 (#) at June 30, 2000 ($)(1)
----------------------------- -----------------------------
Shares
Acquired Value
Name on Exercise (#) Realized ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- ------------- ---------------
Jeffrey P. Orleans -- -- -- -- -- --
Benjamin D. Goldman -- -- 400,000 -- $325,000 --
Michael T. Vesey -- -- 195,000 140,000 20,000 $10,625
Joseph A. Santangelo -- -- 62,500 7,500 23,488 2,813
Gary G. Schaal -- -- 50,000 10,000 9,375 3,125
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(1) In-the-money options are those where the fair market value of the
underlying securities exceeds the exercise price of the option. The closing
market price of the Company's Common Stock on June 30, 2000 was $1.5625 per
share.
Option/SAR Grants Table
Neither the Chief Executive Officer nor the other most highly compensated
executed officers named in the "Summary Compensation Table" above, were granted
stock options or stock appreciation rights during the fiscal year ended June 30,
2000.
Performance Graph
The graph set forth below compares the yearly percentage change in the
cumulative total stockholder return on the Common Stock of the Company during
the five years ended June 30, 2000 with (i) the cumulative total return on the
American Stock Exchange Index and (ii) the cumulative total return on a selected
peer group index. The Company changed its peer group index for the five years
ended June 30, 2000 to the Standard & Poor's Homebuilding Index. As a result of
acquisitions and divestitures, the Company's selected peer group for the five
years ended June 30, 2000 has diminished from six companies to four companies.
Due to the limited number of companies remaining in its selected peer group and
the potential volatility that may result from the reduced number of companies,
the Company has elected to change its peer group to a broader peer index for the
five years ended June 30, 2000. The Company's former peer group consisted of
Continental Homes Holding Corp. (acquired April 1998), Hovnanian Enterprises,
Inc. (Class A), Oriole Homes Corp. (Class B), Calton Inc. (sold homebuilding
operations in December 1998), Standard-Pacific Corp. and Toll Brothers, Inc. The
comparison assumes $100 was invested on June 30, 1995 in the Company's Common
Stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes the reinvestment of any
dividends. The closing market price of the Company's Common Stock as of June 30,
2000 was $1.5625.
-10-
Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Return
300 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| __*__ORLEANS HOMEBUILDERS, INC.
| __#__AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE IND
| __&__HOMEBUILDING - 500
250 | __+__PEER GROUP
|
| +
D | *
O 200 | & +
L | * #
L | & +
A | #
R 150 | + # *
S | # #
| + &
| &* &
100 | *#&+ *
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUNE 1995 JUNE 1996 JUNE 1997 JUNE 1998 JUNE 1999 JUNE 2000
Years Ending
YEARS ENDING
JUNE 1995 JUNE 1996 JUNE 1997 JUNE 1998 JUNE 1999 JUNE 2000
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
ORLEANS HOMEBUILDERS, INC. 100 105.93 82.39 223.63 176.55 147.08
AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE IND 100 115.31 124.47 144.20 159.53 187.11
HOMEBUILDING - 500 100 104.42 123.85 208.84 175.92 129.45
PEER GROUP 100 119.59 146.45 242.87 177.06 154.07
During Fiscal 2000, Messrs. Cohen, Kaplan and Katz served on the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Cohen is Of Counsel to
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, counsel to the Company, and Mr. Katz is Of Counsel
to Katz, Ettin, Levine, Kurzweil, Weber & Scialaeba, P.A., which has performed
legal services for the Company in the past year. On July 18, 1994, the 1992
Incentive Stock Option Committee was reconstituted with Messrs. Cohen, Kaplan
and Katz as its sole members.
Mr. Cohen is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania Real
Estate Investment Trust ("PREIT"). Mr. Orleans also serves as a Trustee of
PREIT. Mr. Katz receives a salary from Resorts at Palm- Aire, Inc., of which he
and Mr. Orleans are each 50% shareholders.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Cohen, Kaplan and Katz.
The Committee is chaired by Mr. Kaplan and reviews and recommends salaries,
bonuses and other forms of compensation for officers and key employees of the
Company. On July 18, 1994, the members of the current Compensation Committee
were appointed as the sole members of the 1992 Incentive Stock Option Committee.
Overview and Philosophy
The Compensation Committee is mindful of the need to align the
interests of management with the interests of the Company's stockholders. The
establishment of the 1992 Plan was designed to permit the Company to attract and
retain talented managers and motivate such managers to enhance profitability and
stockholder returns. The Committee believes that the utilization of stock option
plans serves the interests of the stockholders, especially by permitting the
Company to preserve cash for other operational purposes. The Committee believes
that the objectives of the stockholders will be best achieved by having a
substantial portion of executive cash compensation tied to annual corporate
earnings and by providing incentives to management through the use of stock
options.
Senior Executive Officers' Compensation
In Fiscal 1994, after approval by the Board of Directors and review of
the matter by the Compensation Committee, it was determined that the
compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey P. Orleans, will
be $300,000 and the salary of Benjamin D. Goldman, Vice Chairman of the Board,
will be $250,000, each on an annualized basis. During Fiscal 1998, the salary of
Mr. Vesey, President and Chief Operating Officer, was increased to $200,000 on
an annualized basis. During Fiscal 2000, the Compensation Committee made no
changes in the base salaries of any of the senior officers.
-11-
Other Executive Officers' Compensation
The Compensation Committee has assumed responsibility for the cash and
other incentive compensation, if any, to be paid to the Company's executive
officers and key employees, other than compensation under the Company's stock
option plans. The amount and nature of the compensation received by the
Company's executives in Fiscal 2000 was determined in accordance with the
recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. The executive compensation
program consists of three major components: base salaries, potential for annual
bonuses and stock options.
Base Salary
The compensation to executive officers of the Company is generally in
the low range of base salary amounts paid to comparable executive officers at
similar companies. Increases in base salaries have been limited over the last
several fiscal years and are adjusted based on the performance of an individual
executive, increased responsibilities assumed by such executive, compensation
trends in the real estate industry and general market compensation levels for
comparable positions.
Incentive Compensation Programs
The Compensation Committee believes that it is important for the
Company to further align its executive officers and key employees with the
stockholders' interests by establishing a direct link between executive pay and
the Company's operating financial performance. Accordingly, on July 18, 1994,
the Board of Directors, upon the favorable recommendation of the Compensation
Committee, adopted a bonus compensation plan (the "Bonus Plan") to be applied in
fiscal 1995 and thereafter, which, as amended by the Board of Directors on
September 16, 1999, to be retroactive to July 1, 1998, is as follows:
A total of eight percent (8%) of the Company's consolidated
operating profits (before taxes and excluding nonrecurring
items, income or loss arising from extraordinary items,
discontinued operations, debt repurchase at a discount, and
the amount of awards under the Bonus Plan ("Pre-Tax Profits"),
if any) shall be allocated for award as bonus compensation.
Three percent (3%) of the Pre-Tax Profits shall be awarded as
an incentive to the Chairman and one and one-half percent
(1.5%) of the Pre-Tax Profits shall be awarded to each of the
Vice Chairman and President and Chief Operating Officer,
respectively, provided each is in office at the end of the
fiscal year, subject to certain exceptions. Two percent (2%)
of the Pre-Tax Profits shall be allocated for award at the
discretion of the Chairman in consultation with the Vice
Chairman to other executive officers and key employees of the
Company whose performance merits recognition under goals and
policies established by the Board. Any award will be pro-rated
for any eligible employee who has served less than the full
year with the Company.
-12-
For Fiscal 2000, the Board continued management performance goals which
included continued growth in profitability, reduction of unproductive assets,
acquisition and financing of new and existing assets, and improvements by
management to reduce overhead and increase efficiency. With respect to Fiscal
2000, pursuant to the Bonus Plan, 3% of the Pre-Tax Profits were awarded to Mr.
Orleans and 1.5% of the Pre-Tax Profits were awarded to each of Messrs. Goldman
and Vesey, respectively. The remaining 2% of Pre-Tax Profits was awarded to the
Company's other senior officers based upon their attainment of certain
performance goals, except that Mr. Schaal was awarded .75% of the Pre-Tax
Profits under a separate agreement with him.
1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan
The 1992 Plan established by the Board of Directors is intended to
align directly the interests of the Company's executives and the stockholders in
the enhancement of stockholder value. The ultimate value, if any, received by
option holders is directly tied to increases in the Company's stock price and,
therefore, stock options serve to link closely the interests of management and
stockholders by motivating executives to make decisions that will serve to
increase the long-term return to the stockholders. Additionally, grants under
the 1992 Plan include vesting and termination provisions which the Board
believes will encourage option holders to remain employees of the Company.
Generally, options granted under the 1992 Plan have exercise prices equal to the
fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant, become
exercisable in installments within a period of three years from the date of
grant, and are contingent upon the grantee's continued employment. The number of
shares for which options may be granted to an individual varies according to his
or her job title, level of responsibility, and performance results.
With respect to stock option awards granted in previous fiscal years,
considerations of the 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan Committee have included
recognition of the Company's progress with respect to its restructuring and
financing transactions, the fact that the Company has been engaged in several of
these long-term transactions of substantial complexity extending over several
years and the effect of continuing efforts to restore profitability by reducing
overhead and increasing operating efficiency. The Company's success is
considered to depend in large part on the sustained effort and commitment of
management. The Board of Directors and Compensation Committee believe that
option awards provide long-term incentive to focus managers on building
profitability and stockholder value and, as a consequence, intend to continue to
utilize option awards in the future.
-13-
Other Benefits
The Company makes available health care benefits and a 401(k) plan for
executive officers on terms generally available to all Company employees. The
Board of Directors believes that such benefits are comparable to those offered
by other real estate developers of similar size. The amount of perquisites as
determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to executive compensation, did not exceed $50,000 or 10% of
the salary of any executive officer in the last fiscal year.
Respectfully submitted,
The Compensation Committee
David Kaplan, Chairman
Sylvan M. Cohen
Lewis Katz
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In connection with the Company's discretionary secured line of credit
in the maximum principal amount of $6.6 million entered into in April, 1996, the
Company and the lending bank agreed to enter into certain arrangements with
Jeffrey P. Orleans, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
relating to existing borrowings by the Company from Mr. Orleans. These
arrangements included the subordination to the bank of $3 million of advances by
Mr. Orleans to the Company.
The Board appointed a Special Committee of non-employee directors to
review and recommend the permanent terms of the aggregate $3 million in advances
by Mr. Orleans to the Company and the terms of an additional $2 million to be
advanced by Mr. Orleans to the Company. On July 9, 1996, after receiving the
report of the Special Committee and a preliminary report from Howard, Lawson &
Co., an investment banking firm, on the fairness of the proposed terms, the
Board of Directors unanimously approved the proposed terms (Mr. Orleans
abstaining), and delegated to the Special Committee the authority to approve the
final documentation, subject to the receipt of a written opinion from Howard,
Lawson & Co. as to the fairness of the proposed terms to the shareholders of the
Company. In August 1996, after receipt of an opinion from Howard, Lawson & Co.,
to the effect that the proposed arrangements with Mr. Orleans relating to such
advances were fair to the stockholders of the Company, other than Mr. Orleans,
from a financial point of view, the Special Committee approved the documentation
under which these advances would be made by Mr. Orleans to the Company.
The $3 million advance by Mr. Orleans to the Company referred to above
is evidenced by the Company's $3 million Convertible Subordinated 7% Note (the
"Convertible Note"), issued pursuant to a note purchase agreement dated as of
August 1, 1996, as amended and restated as of June, 1997. In December, 1999, by
unanimous consent of the Board of Directors, the maturity date of the
Convertible Note was extended one year to January 1, 2003. The Amended
Convertible Note provides for interest at 7% per annum and principal payments of
$1 million on or before January 1 of each of 2001, 2002 and 2003. The
-14-
Convertible Note contains commercially standard default and other provisions.
The holder of the Convertible Note may convert all or any portion (in integral
multiples of $1 million) of the principal amount of the Convertible Note into
shares of the Company's Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per share,
subject to adjustment for splits, combinations, and other capital changes. The
closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on
July 8, 1996, the date the Board of Directors approved the terms of the
borrowing, was $1.125 per share.
The Company also entered into a note purchase agreement, also dated as
of August 1, 1996 and subsequently amended, with Mr. Orleans under which Mr.
Orleans agreed to advance to the Company the $2 million referred to above
against the Company's $2 million Variable Rate Note due December 31, 2000 (the
"Variable Rate Note"). As of June 30, 1998, the Company had borrowed the entire
$2 million under this agreement. The Variable Rate Note bears interest at 2% in
excess of the prime rate of interest. During Fiscal 1999, the Company entered
into an Exchange Agreement with Mr. Orleans under which Mr. Orleans exchanged
the Variable Rate Note for shares of Series D Preferred Stock. See below for
further discussion on this transaction.
In December 1997, the Company purchased land from Mr. Orleans in
exchange for a $500,000 Purchase Money Mortgage (the "PMM"), plus a share of
one-half of the gross profit in excess of 16% on a portion of the homes built
and sold on this land. During Fiscal 1998, the Company repaid $200,000 of the
PMM and began development of the land. The remaining balance of $300,000 will be
repaid from the proceeds of units sold at this development. During fiscal 2000,
the Company accrued approximately $161,000 and paid approximately $103,000 for
Mr. Orleans' share of the gross profit. The PMM bears interest at 7% annually
and is due no later than 60 months from the date of issuance.
On March 27, 1998 and April 6, 1998, the Company issued to Mr. Orleans
two demand notes in the aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 (the "Demand
Notes"). The Demand Notes were issued by the Company in consideration of a total
of $1,000,000 advanced as loans by Mr. Orleans that enabled the Company to
acquire land in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The Demand Notes bear interest,
payable quarterly, at a rate two percent in excess of the prime rate. During
Fiscal 1998, Mr. Orleans advanced to the Company an additional $1,496,000 to
fund various land acquisitions. The $1,496,000 was advanced in exchange for five
demand notes (the "Additional Demand Notes") and one revolving working capital
note (the "Working Capital Note"). Interest on the Additional Demand Notes is at
prime plus 2% and is payable quarterly. The Working Capital Note is for the
initial principal amount of $750,000, is due on November 30, 1998 (but may be
automatically renewed in one year increments annually) and bears interest
payable monthly at the prime rate. During Fiscal 1999, the Company entered into
an exchange agreement with Mr. Orleans to exchange a portion of the remaining
Demand Notes. See below for further discussion on this transaction. The
remaining Demand Notes, Additional Demand Notes and Working Capital Note were
repaid in full during Fiscal 1999. The Company maintains the right to reborrow
under the Working Capital Note.
On April 20, 1998, the Board approved, subject to the receipt of a
written opinion confirming the fairness of the transaction from an investment
banking firm satisfactory to the Board, the exchange with Mr. Orleans of an
aggregate of $3 million of indebtedness represented by the Variable Rate Note
and the Demand Notes for shares of the Company's Series D Preferred Stock (the
"Series D Preferred Stock"). On September 24, 1998, the Board received the
-15-
written opinion of Howard, Lawson & Co. to the effect that the proposed
exchange with Mr. Orleans was fair to the stockholders of the Company,
other than Mr. Orleans, from a financial point of view. The Board then took
final action to authorize the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock and the
execution of an Exchange Agreement with Mr. Orleans. On October 20, 1998,
the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with Mr. Orleans under which
Mr. Orleans exchanged the Variable Rate Note and the Demand Notes for
100,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock.
The 100,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock were issued from the
500,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized under the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation. The Series D Preferred Stock has a liquidation value of
$3,000,000, or $30.00 per share, and requires annual dividends of 7% of the
liquidation value. The dividends are cumulative and payable quarterly. The
Series D Preferred Stock is redeemable by the Company at any time after December
31, 2003, in whole or in part, at a cash redemption price equal to the
liquidation value plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on such shares to the
date of redemption. The Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into 2,000,000
shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per common share. The
closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on
April 20, 1998 (the date of Board approval of the issuance of the Series D
Preferred Stock) was $1.19.
If Mr. Orleans were to convert the Convertible Note and the Series D
Preferred Stock in full at its initial conversion prices of $1.50 per share, his
beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock would increase by 4,000,000
shares, and his percentage ownership of the outstanding common stock of the
Company, based on the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on September
30, 2000, would increase from 64.5% to approximately 73.7%.
During Fiscal 1999, the Company entered into a $4,000,000 unsecured
line of credit agreement with Mr. Orleans. The agreement provides for an annual
review by Mr. Orleans for a one-year extension and currently expires June 30,
2002, with annual interest at LIBOR plus 4% payable monthly. There is no
outstanding principal and interest at June 30, 2000.
A. P. Orleans Insurance Agency Inc., of which Mr. Orleans is the
sole shareholder, provided services to the Company in the placement of
insurance during Fiscal 2000. The Company paid fees of approximately $9,000
for such services.
In November, 1999, the Company engaged David Kaplan, a Director of the
Company, to provide services in connection with the acquisition of Parker &
Lancaster Corporation, a privately-held residential home builder headquartered
in Virginia. Per the terms of the arrangement, the Company paid Mr. Kaplan
$60,000 during Fiscal 2000, and $50,000 during Fiscal 2001.
On March 20, 2000, the Company hired Thomas Vesey to assist the Company
in evaluating and identifying opportunities for expansion into additional market
areas. Thomas Vesey is the brother of Michael T. Vesey, President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company. Thomas Vesey's annual salary is $130,000.
In the opinion of the Board of Directors, all of the transactions
described in "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions," insofar as they
involve transactions by affiliates of the Company with the Company, are on terms
that are comparable to, or not less favorable than, terms which would have been
obtainable by the Company from unaffiliated third parties.
-16-
Relationship with Independent Public Accountants
On September 13, 1999, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's
independent accountants resigned from their engagement as principal accountants
for the Company. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP resigned due to a question about
their independence under Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regulations.
The issue related to the fact that the sister of the President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company was employed by the Philadelphia office of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in its Health Care Consulting Practice. While not
connected in any way to the audit of the Company under the rules of the SEC, her
responsibilities would qualify her as a "manager" in the geographic office
performing a substantial portion of the audit of the Company. Accordingly,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP concluded that, under current SEC rules and
interpretations, they were no longer independent with respect to the Company.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reports on the two fiscal year ended June
30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of
opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or
accounting principles. In connection with its audits for the two fiscal years
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 and through September 13, 1999, there were no
disagreements with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or
procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, would have caused them to make reference thereto in
their reports on the financial statements for such years. During the two fiscal
years ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 and through September 13, 1999, there were no
"reportable events" as defined by Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
On October 5, 1999, the Company engaged KPMG LLP ("KPMG") as its
principal independent accountants to audit its financial statements for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999. Neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf
consulted KPMG during the Company's fiscal years ended June 30, 1999 or June 30,
1998 or the subsequent interim period prior to the Company's engagement of KPMG.
On November 11, 1999, KPMG, the Company's independent accountants, were
dismissed and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was engaged as the Company's principal
independent accountants for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000. KPMG's report
on the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 contained no adverse opinion or
disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty,
audit scope or accounting principles. In connection with its audit for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 and through November 11, 1999, there were no
disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices,
financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which
disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused
them to make reference thereto in their report or the financial statements for
such year. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 and through November 11,
1999, there were no "reportable events" as defined by Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K.
The aforementioned changes to independent accountants were approved by
the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the
Company.
-17-
Deadline for Filing Stockholder Proposals for 2001 Annual Meeting
Proposals which stockholders desire to have included in the Company's
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting in 2001 pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-5(e) must be received by the Company on or before June 29, 2001.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
THE COMPANY, UPON REQUEST, WILL FURNISH TO RECORD AND BENEFICIAL
HOLDERS OF ITS COMMON STOCK, FREE OF CHARGE, A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K (INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES BUT WITHOUT EXHIBITS) FOR
FISCAL 2000. COPIES OF EXHIBITS TO THE FORM 10-K ALSO WILL BE FURNISHED UPON
REQUEST AND THE PAYMENT OF A REASONABLE FEE. ALL REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
JOSEPH A. SANTANGELO, SECRETARY-TREASURER, AT THE OFFICES OF THE COMPANY SET
FORTH ON PAGE ONE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
October 27, 2000 By Order of the Board of Directors
JOSEPH A. SANTANGELO,
Secretary-Treasurer
-18-