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SCHEDULE 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
VERIO INC.
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(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:
N/A
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
N/A
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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):
N/A
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
N/A
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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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LOGO
8005 SOUTH CHESTER STREET, SUITE 200
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
May 18, 1999
Dear Stockholder,
I am pleased to invite you to the first Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Verio Inc. The meeting will be held on June 17, 1999, starting at 1:00 p.m.,
Mountain Daylight Time, at the Inverness Hotel & Golf Club, 200 Inverness Drive
West, Englewood, Colorado 80112.
Important information concerning the matters to be acted upon at the Annual
Meeting is contained in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and Proxy Statement. After careful consideration, our Board of
Directors has unanimously approved the three proposals described in the Proxy
Statement and recommends that you vote FOR each proposal.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 7, 1999 as
the record date for determining those stockholders who are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
Your vote is important to us. Registered stockholders can vote their shares
over the Internet, by using a toll-free telephone number or by mailing back a
traditional proxy card. Voting over the Internet, by telephone or written proxy
will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting if you do not attend in
person. Instructions for using these convenient services are provided on the
proxy card. Mailing your completed proxy card or using Verio's Internet or
telephone voting procedures will not prevent you from voting in person at the
Annual Meeting if you wish to do so.
Our Board of Directors and members of management look forward to meeting
personally those stockholders who attend.
A copy of our 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders is being mailed
concurrently to all stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ JUSTIN L. JASCHKE
------------------------------------
Justin L. Jaschke
Chief Executive Officer
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VERIO INC.
8005 SOUTH CHESTER STREET, SUITE 200
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 17, 1999
To the Stockholders of VERIO INC.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") of Verio Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Verio"), will
be held at the Inverness Hotel & Golf Club, 200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood,
Colorado 80112, on Thursday, June 17, 1999, at 1:00 p.m., Mountain Daylight
Time, for the following purposes:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. To elect three Class I Directors of the
Company to serve until the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until
their successors are elected and qualified;
2. AMEND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. To authorize the Board
of Directors to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company to increase the total number of shares which the Company is
authorized to issue from one hundred thirty-seven million five hundred
thousand (137,500,000) shares to two hundred sixty-two million five hundred
thousand (262,500,000) shares, of which two hundred fifty million
(250,000,000) shares shall be common stock, par value $.001 per share, and
twelve million five hundred thousand (12,500,000) shares shall be
undesignated preferred stock, par value $.001 per share;
3. SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. To ratify the appointment of
KPMG LLP as the independent auditors for the Company for the year ending
December 31, 1999; and
4. OTHER BUSINESS. To transact such other business as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 7, 1999 as
the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to
vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE
URGED TO MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS
POSSIBLE IN THE POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED, USE VERIO'S INTERNET VOTING
PROCEDURES OR CAST YOUR VOTE VIA TELEPHONE, TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AND
THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU SEND IN YOUR PROXY CARD
OR USE VERIO'S INTERNET OR TELEPHONE VOTING PROCEDURES AND THEN DECIDE TO ATTEND
THE ANNUAL MEETING TO VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON, YOU MAY STILL DO SO. YOUR
PROXY IS REVOCABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THE PROXY
STATEMENT.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ JUSTIN L. JASCHKE
------------------------------------
Justin L. Jaschke
Chief Executive Officer
Englewood, Colorado
May 18, 1999
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Mailed to Stockholders
on or about May 18, 1999
VERIO INC.
8005 SOUTH CHESTER STREET, SUITE 200
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the stockholders of Verio Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Verio"), in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors (the "Board" or "Board of Directors") of
the Company of proxies in the accompanying form for use in voting at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on
Thursday, June 17, 1999 at 1:00 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, at the Inverness
Hotel & Golf Club, 200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, Colorado 80112, and any
adjournment or postponement thereof. The shares represented by the proxies
received, properly marked, dated, executed and not revoked will be voted at the
Annual Meeting.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation and any votes cast using
Verio's telephone or Internet voting procedures may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time before it is exercised by: (1) delivering to the Company
(to the attention of Carla Hamre Donelson, the Company's Secretary) a written
notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date; (2) casting
a later vote using the telephone or Internet voting procedures; or (3) attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
SOLICITATION AND VOTING PROCEDURES
The solicitation of proxies will be conducted by mail and the Company will
bear all attendant costs. These costs will include the expense of preparing and
mailing proxy materials for the Annual Meeting and reimbursements paid to
brokerage firms and others for their expenses incurred in forwarding
solicitation materials regarding the Annual Meeting to beneficial owners of
Verio's Common Stock. The Company may conduct further solicitation personally,
telephonically or by facsimile through its officers, directors and regular
employees, none of whom will receive additional compensation for assisting with
the solicitation. Additionally, solicitation of proxies of brokers, banks,
nominees and institutional investors will be made pursuant to the special
engagement of Skinner & Co., at a cost to the Company of $5,000, which combines
fees and out-of-pocket expenses, but excludes bulk bank and broker shipping
costs.
The close of business on May 7, 1999 has been fixed as the record date (the
"Record Date") for determining the holders of shares of Common Stock of the
Company entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the close
of business on the Record Date, the Company had shares of Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, held by
stockholders of record. The presence at the Annual Meeting of a majority, or
of these shares of Common Stock of the Company, either in person or by
proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual
Meeting. Each outstanding share of Common Stock on the Record Date is entitled
to one vote on all matters. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the
votes cast.
If any stockholder is unable to attend the Annual Meeting, such stockholder
may vote by proxy. The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board, and, when
returned properly completed, will be voted as you direct on your proxy card. In
the discretion of the proxy holder, shares represented by such proxies will be
voted upon any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. An
automated system administered by the Company's transfer agent will tabulate
affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker non-votes. An employee of
the transfer agent will tabulate votes cast in person at the Annual Meeting.
Abstentions and
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broker non-votes are each included in the determination of the number of shares
present and voting for quorum purposes, and each is tabulated separately. The
ratification of the independent auditors for the Company for the current year
will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Verio's Common
Stock present or represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The
amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of
authorized shares of capital stock will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of Verio's outstanding Common Stock. Because abstentions
are treated as shares present or represented and entitled to vote for the
purposes of determining whether a matter has been approved by the stockholders,
abstentions have the same effect as negative votes. Broker non-votes and shares
as to which proxy authority has been withheld with respect to any matter are not
deemed to be entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether stockholder
approval of that matter has been obtained and effectively count as votes against
Proposal No. 2, the amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
However, with respect to Proposal No. 3 requiring the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present and entitled to vote, broker non-votes shall have
no effect.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Bylaws authorize the number of directors to be not less than
five nor more than eleven. The number of directors on the Board is currently
fixed at eleven. The Company's Board of Directors is divided into three classes:
Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class serves staggered terms, with the
initial term of each class expiring, respectively, at the first, second and
third succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company held
following the Company's initial public offering in May 1998. The Board is
currently composed of three Class I Directors (Messrs. Arthur L. Cahoon, Paul J.
Salem and Herbert R. Hribar), whose terms will expire at the Annual Meeting and
who have been nominated by the Company's Board to continue to serve as a Class I
Director for a three-year term following the Annual Meeting; three Class II
Directors (Messrs. Steven C. Halstedt, James C. Allen and George J. Still, Jr.),
whose terms will expire upon the election and qualification of directors at the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2000; and three Class III Directors
(Messrs. Justin L. Jaschke, Trygve E. Myhren and Yukimasa Ito), whose terms will
expire upon the election and qualification of directors at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 2001. At each annual meeting of stockholders,
directors will be elected for full terms of three years to succeed those
directors whose terms are expiring.
On January 5, 1999, following Verio's acquisition of Best Internet
Communications, Inc. (which does business as Hiway Technologies, Inc., and which
we refer to as "Hiway"), Arthur L. Cahoon, the Chairman and CEO of Hiway prior
to the acquisition, was appointed to the Board as a Class I Director. On
September 3, 1998, prior to Mr. Cahoon's appointment, the Board amended the
Company's Bylaws to increase the maximum range of the Board from nine to eleven,
and to fix the number of directors serving on the Board at eleven, with one each
of the new directorships to be a Class I and a Class II directorship such that
the Board will consist of four members being Class I and Class II Directors and
three members being Class III Directors.
In January 1999, Stephen W. Schovee resigned as a Class I Director. The
remaining directors on the Board did not appoint any person to fill the Class I
vacancy. There are currently two vacancies on the Board, consisting of one Class
I directorship and one Class II directorship.
At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will elect three Class I Directors,
who will serve a three-year term until the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held in 2002 or until a successor is elected or appointed and qualified or until
such director's earlier resignation or removal. If any nominee is unable or
unwilling to serve as a director, proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee
designated by the present Board. The Board has no reason to believe that the
persons named below will be unable or unwilling to serve as nominees or as
directors if elected. Proxies received will be voted "FOR" the election of all
nominees unless marked to the contrary. Pursuant to applicable Delaware
corporation law, assuming the presence of a quorum, three directors will be
elected from among those persons duly nominated for such positions by a
plurality of the votes actually cast by stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting who are present in person or by proxy. Thus, nominees who receive the
first, second and third highest number of votes in favor of their election will
be elected, regardless of the number of abstentions or broker non-votes.
Certain information about each of the Class I nominees is furnished below:
Arthur L. Cahoon was appointed to the Board upon completion of the
Hiway acquisition on January 5, 1999. Mr. Cahoon served as Chairman of
Hiway's board of directors, CEO and a director of Hiway since May 1998.
From October 1997 to May 1998, he was Chairman of Hiway Florida. Since
March 1993, he has served as general partner of Rock Creek Partners, Ltd.,
an investment company, and executive vice president of James Dahl & Co., an
investment banking company. Since January 1995, Mr. Cahoon also has served
as Executive Vice President of Timberland Investment Services, LLP, an
investment management company, which he co-founded. In addition, from June
1995 to June 1996, he served as President of QuinStone Industries, Inc., a
manufacturing company. Prior to March 1993, Mr. Cahoon served as Executive
Vice President and CFO of Cain & Bultman, Inc., a wholesale distributor.
Mr. Cahoon holds a B.B.A. in accounting and finance from Stetson
University.
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Paul J. Salem has served as a director of Verio since December 1996.
Mr. Salem is Managing Director of Providence Equity Partners, Inc., and is
a partner of the general partner of Providence's private equity funds.
Providence manages over $500 million in equity and specializes in
communications and media investments. Mr. Salem has been responsible for
many of Providence's investment activities, including its investments in
competitive local exchange companies, enhanced specialized mobile radio,
wireless data networks, radio representation, telecommunications
infrastructure and other areas. From February 1992 to December 1996, Mr.
Salem was a Vice President at Narragnasett Capital, Inc., an investment
management company. He is currently a director of MetroNet Communications
Corp., Wired Ventures, Inc. and UniSite, Inc. He resigned from the board of
Interep National Radio Sales, Inc. on April 2, 1998. Prior to joining
Providence, Mr. Salem worked for Morgan Stanley & Co. in corporate finance
and mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Mr. Salem spent four years with
Prudential Investment Corporation, an affiliate of Prudential Insurance,
where his responsibilities included private placement financings, leveraged
buyout transactions and establishing Prudential's European investment
office. Mr. Salem received a Bachelor of Arts in business from Brown
University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business
School.
Herbert R. Hribar has served as President and Chief Operating Officer
of Verio since July 1998. Mr. Hribar joined Verio from Ameritech
Corporation, where he served as President of Ameritech Corporation's
cellular services business unit and was responsible for all aspects of the
business, including strategy, marketing, sales, network, customer service,
IT and business development. He was promoted to that position in 1997 after
working for Ameritech for two years, first as Vice President of
International Operations beginning in early 1995, and later as Managing
Director of Ameritech Europe. He also served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of ADSB Telecommunications, a consortium of international
telecommunications companies headed by Ameritech. Before joining Ameritech,
Mr. Hribar served in various capacities with Sprint Corporation from 1988
to 1995, including as Vice President and General Manager at Sprint
International, where he was responsible for the offshore network planning,
design, operations and information systems planning for Sprint's
international voice, data, messaging and fax services as well as private
data network systems. Mr. Hribar previously worked in senior management
positions at GTE Telenet and served in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Hribar holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval
Academy, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of Illinois, a Master of Business Administration from George
Washington University and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science
from Johns Hopkins University.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD TO AMEND THE COMPANY'S
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE
AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK
The Company's stockholders are being asked to act upon a proposal to
authorize the Board of Directors to amend, at any time prior to the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the total number of shares which the Company is
authorized to issue from 137,500,000 shares to 262,500,000 shares, of which
250,000,000 shares shall be common stock, par value $.001 per share, and
12,500,000 shares shall be undesignated preferred stock, par value $.001 per
share. On April 15, 1999, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, subject to stockholder
approval, to increase the authorized number of shares of capital stock of the
Company from 137,500,000 shares, $0.001 par value per share, to 262,500,000
shares, $0.001 par value per share. The Board has directed that the proposal to
authorize the Board to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation be
submitted to the Company's stockholders for consideration and action.
The text of the proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of capital stock as
described in this Proposal No. 2 is set forth in Exhibit A attached to this
Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.
If the amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is approved
by the stockholders, the amendment would become effective on any date (the
"Effective Date") selected by the Board of Directors on or prior to the
Company's next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which the Board anticipates will
be held in June 2000, and the Company will file a Certificate of Amendment of
its Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware reflecting the increase in authorized shares. If the amendment
is not effected by such date, the Board will take action to abandon the
amendment pursuant to Section 242(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
PURPOSES AND EFFECTS OF THE INCREASE IN THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF
CAPITAL STOCK
The amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation described in
this Proposal No. 2 would increase the number of shares of capital stock that
the Company is authorized to issue from 137,500,000 to 262,500,000 shares. The
Company believes that the availability of the additional shares will provide it
with the flexibility to meet business needs as they arise, to take advantage of
favorable opportunities and to respond to a changing corporate environment. For
example, shares of stock may be required in order to effect such things as
financings, corporate mergers or acquisitions, an increase in the number of
shares reserved under any of the Company's stock option or stock purchase plans,
stock dividends, stock splits or other corporate purposes. At present, the
Company has no specific plans, agreements or understandings to undertake any
such actions that would involve the issuance of additional shares of capital
stock. No further action or authorization by the stockholders would be necessary
prior to the issuance of additional shares unless applicable laws or regulations
require such approval.
Stockholders should note that certain disadvantages may result from the
adoption of this Proposal No. 2. After the proposed amendment to the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation is effected, there would be a greater number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance by the Company, and stockholders
could therefore experience a significant reduction in the stockholders' interest
in the Company with respect to earnings per share, voting, liquidation value and
book and market value per share if the additional authorized shares are issued.
The availability for issuance of additional shares of the Company's Common
Stock would also enable the Board to render more difficult or discourage an
attempt to obtain control of the Company. For example, the issuance of shares in
a public or private sale, merger or similar transaction would increase the
number of outstanding shares, thereby possibly diluting the interest of a party
attempting to obtain control of the Company. The Company is not aware of any
pending or threatened efforts to obtain control of the Company.
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Each additional share of Common Stock authorized by the amendment to the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation described in this Proposal No. 2 would
have the same rights and privileges as each share of Common Stock currently
authorized or outstanding.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AUTHORIZE
THE BOARD TO AMEND THE COMPANY'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED
NUMBER OF SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG LLP served as the Company's independent auditors in 1998, and have
been appointed by the Board to continue as the Company's independent auditors
for the Company's fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
Although the appointment of KPMG LLP is not required to be submitted to a
vote of the stockholders, the Board believes it appropriate as a matter of
policy to request that the stockholders ratify the appointment of the
independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999. In
the event a majority of the votes cast at the meeting are not voted in favor of
ratification, the adverse vote will be considered as a direction to the Board of
Directors of the Company to select other auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1999.
A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and
will be able to respond to appropriate questions submitted either orally or in
writing at the meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1999.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Verio's Common
Stock, as of April 19, 1999, by:
(1) each stockholder known by Verio to own beneficially more than five
percent, in the aggregate, of Verio's Common Stock;
(2) each director of Verio who owns shares of Verio's Common Stock;
(3) the Named Executive Officers determined for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998 who own shares of Verio's Common Stock;
(4) all executive officers and directors of Verio as a group who own
shares of Verio's Common Stock; and
(5) the number of shares of Verio's Common Stock subject to options or
warrants owned by any of the above-mentioned persons that are currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 19, 1999.
The beneficial ownership is calculated based on 36,990,259 total shares of
Common Stock outstanding as of April 19, 1999. In presenting the number of
shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that
person, shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants owned by such
person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 19,
1999 are deemed outstanding; provided, that such shares are not deemed
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of any
other person. Except as indicated below and pursuant to applicable community
property laws, each of the persons named in this table has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person's
name.
The ownership percentage shown for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone
Corporation ("NTT") is higher than the maximum percentage of fully diluted
shares that NTT was permitted to purchase in NTT's investment in Verio because
the percentage of beneficial ownership following Verio's initial public offering
reflected in this table is based on outstanding and not fully diluted shares.
MCI WorldCom (formerly known as World Com) may be deemed to indirectly
beneficially own the shares owned by Brooks as a result of the acquisition of
Brooks by MCI WorldCom, which resulted in Brooks becoming a wholly owned
subsidiary of MCI WorldCom.
Mr. Halstedt holds 1,258 shares of Verio's Common Stock personally. Mr.
Halstedt disclaims beneficial ownership of the options exercisable for 30,000
shares of Verio's Common Stock which were granted to him pursuant to the 1998
Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (of which options exercisable for
10,000 shares will vest on May 11, 1999); by contract with Centennial Holdings,
Inc., of which he is an officer and director, Mr. Halstedt is required to
transfer any economic benefit deriving from such options to Centennial Holdings,
Inc.
The shares of Verio's Common Stock held by James C. Allen include 55,840
shares that he transferred to the James C. Allen Revocable Trust. In accordance
with the rules of the Exchange Act, Mr. Allen may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of such shares.
On September 30, 1998, Mr. Myhren assigned to Myhren Media, Inc. ("Myhren
Media") the options exercisable for 30,000 shares of Verio's Common Stock which
were granted to him pursuant to the 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive
Plan (of which options exercisable for 10,000 shares will vest on May 11, 1999).
Mr. Myhren is the President of Myhren Media and may be deemed to indirectly
beneficially own these options. Mr. Myhren disclaims beneficial ownership of
these options.
Paul J. Salem holds 2,174 shares of Verio's Common Stock personally. The
sole general partner of Providence Equity Partners L.P. ("Providence") is
Providence Equity Partners LLC ("PEPLLC"). Mr. Salem is a member of PEPLLC and
may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the shares owned by Providence. Mr.
Salem disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. On October 9, 1998, Mr.
Salem assigned to Providence Equity Partners Inc. ("PEP") the options
exercisable for 30,000 shares of Verio's
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Common Stock which were granted to him pursuant to the 1998 Non-Employee
Director Stock Incentive Plan (of which options exercisable for 10,000 shares
will vest on May 11, 1999). Mr. Salem is Managing Director of PEP and may be
deemed to indirectly beneficially own these options. Mr. Salem disclaims
beneficial ownership of these options.
The shares of Verio's Common Stock held by Mr. Still include 41,047 shares
held of record by Still Family Partners. Mr. Still may be deemed to indirectly
beneficially own the shares held by Still Family Partners. On October 7, 1998,
Mr. Still assigned to Norwest Equity Partners V, L.P. the options exercisable
for 30,000 shares of Verio's Common Stock which were granted to him pursuant to
the 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (of which options
exercisable for 10,000 shares will vest on May 11, 1999). The sole general
partner of Norwest Equity Partners V, L.P. is Itasca Partners V, LLP. George J.
Still is Managing Partner of Itasca. Mr. Still may be deemed to indirectly
beneficially own the shares underlying these options. Mr. Still disclaims
beneficial ownership of these options.
The shares of Verio's Common Stock held by Arthur L. Cahoon do not include
the 21,892 shares held of record by Pam Fitch as Trustee of the Arthur Logan
Cahoon Grantor Retained Annuity Trust dated May 29, 1998. Mr. Cahoon may be
deemed to indirectly beneficially own the shares held by the Trust. Mr. Cahoon
disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
On September 11, 1998, Verio issued options to purchase 30,000 shares of
its Common Stock to Yukimasa Ito pursuant to the 1998 Non-Employee Director
Stock Incentive Plan. Mr. Ito assigned these options to NTT Rocky, Inc. on
October 14, 1998. Mr. Ito disclaims beneficial ownership of these options. NTT
Rocky, Inc. is affiliated with NTT, and NTT may be deemed to indirectly
beneficially own these options.
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE EXERCISABLE
HOLDERS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED OPTIONS/WARRANTS
- ------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation... 4,493,877 12.15% --
Global Communications Headquarters
Tokyo Opera City Tower
20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku 3-chome
Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 163-14, Japan
Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc................. 3,769,131 10.19% 704,160
425 Woods Mill Road South
Suite 300
Town & Country, Missouri 63017
Providence Equity Partners, L.P.............. 2,235,693 6.04% --
50 Kennedy Plaza
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Steven C. Halstedt........................... 1,258 * --
Herbert R. Hribar............................ -- -- --
Justin L. Jaschke............................ 369,778 1.00% 190,000
James C. Allen............................... 65,840 * 10,000
Trygve E. Myhren............................. 30,000 * 20,000
Paul J. Salem................................ 2,174 * --
George J. Still, Jr. ........................ 100,771 * --
Arthur L. Cahoon............................. 520,419 1.39% 456,947
Yukimasa Ito................................. -- -- --
Chris J. DeMarche............................ 109,083 * 72,000
Carla Hamre Donelson......................... 72,015 * 54,000
Peter B. Fritzinger.......................... 42,772 * 25,000
All executive officers and directors as a
group (13 persons)......................... 1,371,861 3.62% 871,947
- ---------------
* Less than 1%
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Board of
Directors and executive officers, as well as certain other members of senior
management, of Verio as of the Record Date:
NAME AGE POSITION(S)
- ---- --- -----------
Steven C. Halstedt...... 53 Chairman of the Board
Justin L. Jaschke....... 41 Chief Executive Officer, Director
Herbert R. Hribar....... 47 President and Chief Operating Officer, Director
James C. Allen.......... 52 Director
Trygve E. Myhren........ 62 Director
Paul J. Salem........... 35 Director
George J. Still, Jr. ... 41 Director
Yukimasa Ito............ 43 Director
Arthur L. Cahoon........ 43 Director
Sean G. Brophy.......... 40 Vice President of Corporate Development
James E. Cunningham..... 42 Vice President of Marketing
Chris J. DeMarche....... 42 Chief Technical Officer
Carla Hamre Donelson.... 43 Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Peter B. Fritzinger..... 41 Chief Financial Officer
Deb Mayfield Gahan...... 44 Vice President of Human Resources and
Organizational Development
James M. Kieffer........ 37 Vice President of Program Management
Eric S. Hood............ 46 Vice President of Central Operations and Regional
Engineering
All of the officers identified above serve at the discretion of the Board.
There are no family relationships between any persons identified above. There
are currently two vacancies on the Board. The following are brief biographies of
these individuals (other than the nominees whose biographies are described under
Proposal No. 1).
Steven C. Halstedt has served as Chairman of the Board since we were formed
in March 1996. Mr. Halstedt is a co-founder of The Centennial Funds. Mr.
Halstedt has 18 years of direct venture capital experience and serves as a
general partner of each of the Centennial Holdings' partnerships. Prior to co-
founding The Centennial Funds in 1981, he was Executive Vice President and
Director of Daniels & Associates, Inc., a private communications service company
involved in cable television system operations. Mr. Halstedt is a member of the
board of directors of Formus Communications, Inc., VIA Internet, Inc., Gabriel
Communications, Inc. and WALL International, Inc. He is a former Chairman of the
Board of OneComm Corporation, PageAmerica Group, Inc. and Orion Network Systems,
Inc., all publicly traded telecommunications companies. Mr. Halstedt received a
Bachelor of Science with distinction in management engineering from Worcester
Polytechnic Institute, and earned a Master of Business Administration from the
Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College, where he was
named an Edward Tuck Scholar. He attended the University of Connecticut School
of Law. He was a Platoon Leader and Battalion Operations Officer in a U.S. Army
Combat Engineer Battalion in Vietnam.
Justin L. Jaschke has served as Chief Executive Officer of Verio since we
were formed in March 1996. He also is a member of the Board. Prior to forming
Verio, Mr. Jaschke served as Chief Operating Officer for Nextel Communications
following its merger with OneComm in July of 1995. Mr. Jaschke served as
OneComm's President and a member of its board of directors from the time that he
joined that company in April 1993 until the merger with Nextel. Mr. Jaschke
currently serves as Chairman of the board of directors of VIA Internet, Inc. and
also serves on the board of directors of Metricom, a leading wireless data
communications provider, and on the board of directors of Dobson Communications,
a rural cellular and local exchange provider. From May 1990 to April 1993, Mr.
Jaschke served as President and CEO of Bay Area Cellular Telephone Company. From
November 1987 to May 1990, Mr. Jaschke was Vice President of
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Corporate Development of PacTel Cellular, and from 1985 to 1987 was Director of
Mergers and Acquisitions for PacTel Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Jaschke was
a management consultant with Marakon Associates. Mr. Jaschke received a Bachelor
of Science degree summa cum laude in mathematics from the University of Puget
Sound and a Master of Science degree in management from the Sloan School of
Management at MIT.
James C. Allen has served as a director of Verio since May 1996. Mr. Allen
served as CEO of Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc. until its acquisition by MCI
WorldCom. Mr. Allen has 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator,
financier, expert witness and advisor in cable television and broadband
telecommunications. Prior to joining Brooks, he served as Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Operating Officer of David Lipscomb University from which he
holds a Bachelor of Science degree. Mr. Allen was a founder and former
President, CFO and COO of Cencom Cable Associates, which was purchased by a
subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, and a former Vice President of Operations of
Telecom Engineering, Inc., a telecommunications engineering and consulting firm
with clients in both the telephone and cable television industries. Mr. Allen
previously held positions as Vice President of Operations of United Cable
Television, Divisional Manager of Continental Telephone Corporation, and Vice
President of Finance for National Communications Service Corporation. Mr. Allen
also previously was a member of the board of directors of MetroNet
Communications Corp., a local exchange carrier.
Trygve E. Myhren has served as a director of Verio since April 1997. Mr.
Myhren is President of Myhren Media, Inc., a private investment firm
concentrating in media, telecommunications, software and Internet-related and
consumer products companies. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Myhren was President and a
director of The Providence Journal Company. From 1975 until 1988, Mr. Myhren was
an officer of American Television and Communications Corporation, the cable
television subsidiary of Time, Inc., now Time/Warner Cable, serving as Chairman
and CEO from 1980 to 1988. Mr. Myhren also serves on the boards of The
Providence Journal Company, Advanced Marketing Services, Peapod, Inc.,
CableLabs, J.D. Edwards, Inc., WNP, Inc., Founders Funds and The University of
Denver. Previously, Mr. Myhren served as chairman of the National Cable
Television Association, and also served on the boards of Turner Broadcasting
Systems, Continental Cablevision, Inc., Citizens Bank and several internal Time,
Inc. boards, including Home Box Office, Temple-Eastex and Time Magazine Group.
He also served on the Federal Communications Commission's Advisory Committee on
High Definition TV. Mr. Myhren has an undergraduate degree in political science
and philosophy from Dartmouth and a Master of Business Administration from the
Amos Tuck Graduate School at Dartmouth. He served three and one-half years as a
naval officer with the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
George J. Still, Jr. has been a director of Verio since our inception in
March 1996. Mr. Still, based in Palo Alto, California, is a Managing Partner of
various Norwest Venture capital partnerships. From July 1984 until October 1989,
he was a General Partner with The Centennial Funds based in Denver, Colorado.
Prior to Centennial, Mr. Still was with Ernst & Whinney, now Ernst & Young, in
San Francisco. Currently, he is a director of PeopleSoft, Inc., a public
company. In addition, he serves on the board of several private companies,
including Metapath Software Corporation, Software Technologies Corp.,
ObjectStream, Inc., and Chordiant Software. Further, Mr. Still serves as a
director of the National Venture Capital Association. He holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in business administration from Pennsylvania State University and
a Master of Business Administration from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth
College.
Yukimasa Ito has been a director of Verio since September 11, 1998. Mr. Ito
is Vice President, Service Planning of NTT Worldwide Telecommunications Inc., a
corporation specializing in providing various international telecommunications
services to end-users. NTT Worldwide Telecommunications Inc. is a subsidiary of
NTT which, in turn, is an affiliate of Verio. Mr. Ito has held his current
position at NTT Worldwide Telecommunications Inc. since November 1997, prior to
which he was Vice President, Service Planning of NTT PC Communications, Inc.
from August 1994 to October 1997 and Director, Corporate Planning of NTT
America, Inc. from August 1991 until July 1994. Mr. Ito has worked for NTT or
its subsidiaries since 1980. Mr. Ito holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from
Waseda University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of
Washington. In 1990, Mr. Ito was an M.Sc. Sloan Fellow at Stanford University.
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Sean G. Brophy has served as Vice President of Corporate Development since
November 1997, and prior to that served as Vice President of Marketing and
Business Development for Verio since joining Verio in May 1996. Mr. Brophy
served as Vice President of Marketing for OneComm and then Nextel from 1994 to
1996. He worked at Northern Telecom from 1990 through 1994 in a variety of
capacities, including strategic planning and product management, where he had
global responsibilities for new products for Personal Communications Services.
Prior to that he worked at Bell Northern Research, the research and development
arm of Northern Telecom, designing telephone equipment and services ranging from
the DMS-100 to key systems. While there he was awarded patent and design
excellence awards. Mr. Brophy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer
engineering from McMaster University, a Master of Science degree in electrical
engineering from Carleton University and a Master of Science degree in
management from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.
James E. Cunningham was appointed as Verio's Vice President of Marketing on
April 15, 1999, and prior to that served as Vice President of Sales and
Marketing since June 1998. He served as the President of Verio's Northeast
regional operations from December 1997 to June 1998. He assumed that role after
acting as the President of Global Enterprise Services, Inc., one of Verio's
acquired ISPs, beginning in May 1997. Mr. Cunningham has 17 years of sales,
marketing and general management experience with both established and early
stage telecommunications companies. Mr. Cunningham most recently served as
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at U.S. One Communications, Inc.,
overseeing its eastern United States sales and service organization. Prior to
joining U.S. One Communications in 1996, Mr. Cunningham spent 10 years with MCI.
From 1995 to 1996, he served as Vice President, Sales & Marketing for network
MCI Digital Imaging, where he directed its Campus MCI program, which provided
Internet access and enhanced services for universities and local governments
around the country. Mr. Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Business Administration from Livingston University in Alabama.
Chris J. DeMarche has been Chief Technical Officer of Verio since joining
Verio in May 1996. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. DeMarche was CTO and Senior Vice
President of Nextel, where he was credited with addressing many critical
technology issues. From 1993 to 1995, he was Senior Vice President of
Engineering and Technology at OneComm, where he was responsible for building a
national engineering team and designing and implementing wireless communication
networks. Mr. DeMarche also worked in advanced technology areas at PacTel
Corporation and Hughes Aircraft Corporation and served in the U.S. Naval
Submarine Force. Mr. DeMarche received his Master of Business Administration
from UCLA in 1990, his Master of System Management from the University of
Southern California in 1986, and his Bachelor of Science from the United States
Naval Academy in 1978.
Carla Hamre Donelson has served as Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of Verio since joining Verio in October 1996 from the law firm of
Morrison & Foerster LLP, where she had practiced law since March 1987. She
served as a partner in that firm's business department from 1990 and as head of
the Denver business practice from 1993. While in private practice, Ms. Donelson
was engaged in a general corporate and transactional practice, focused primarily
on the communications and related technology industries, representing domestic
and foreign entities in numerous financing, merger, acquisition, investment, and
licensing transactions. She served as regular outside corporate counsel to
OneComm and represented OneComm in connection with a variety of its SMR
acquisitions as well as its merger with Nextel. Ms. Donelson received her
Bachelor of Arts degree in molecular biology from the University of Colorado,
her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver College of Law, and is a
member of the Colorado Bar Association.
Peter B. Fritzinger has served as Chief Financial Officer of Verio since
June 1997. From November 1993 until June 1997, Mr. Fritzinger served as Chief
Financial Officer of Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Corp., an independent, publicly
held oil and gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City. From 1991 to 1993, he
was Vice President -- Finance and Treasurer of Louis Dreyfus Energy Corp., a
diversified, global enterprise with investments in oil and gas reserves and
other petroleum-related industries. Mr. Fritzinger joined Louis Dreyfus Energy
Corp. from J.P. Morgan, where he was a Vice President in its corporate finance
group, having held various positions with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York since 1980. Mr. Fritzinger received his Bachelor of Arts degree in math and
psychology from Amherst College.
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Deb Mayfield Gahan has served as Vice President of Human Resources and
Organizational Development for Verio since September 3, 1998. Prior to that, Ms.
Gahan served as Vice President of Finance and Administration since joining Verio
in May 1996. She brings with her ten years of extensive start-up and
telecommunications experience. From 1994 to 1996, Ms. Gahan served as Vice
President of Business Services and Controller for OneComm and then for Nextel
following its acquisition of OneComm. From 1987 to 1994, she was Director of
Business Operations and Controller for American Cellular Communications and then
BellSouth Cellular Corp., a leading provider of cellular service in 15 states.
In these positions, she was responsible for implementing cost-effective
financial control systems, asset protection, revenue assurance, financial
reporting, treasury and business process development. Ms. Gahan is a Certified
Public Accountant and holds a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi
College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Mississippi State
University.
James M. Kieffer was appointed as Vice President of Program Management on
April 15, 1999. Prior to that he served as Vice President of Customer Operations
for Verio since joining Verio in July 1996. Previously, Mr. Kieffer served as
Nextel's Vice President of Customer Operations responsible for customer care,
billing, accounts receivable, and inventory management from August 1995. Prior
to OneComm's merger with Nextel, Mr. Kieffer led the development of OneComm's
customer care as Director of Customer Operations from January 1994 to August
1995. Prior to that, Mr. Kieffer served as National Customer Service Manager for
Motorola's Land Mobile Products Sector. During his six years with Motorola, he
held several key roles while developing a consolidated national customer care
organization from March 1990 until January 1994. Prior to joining Motorola, Mr.
Kieffer managed customer relations and accounts receivable for IBM. He received
his Master of Business Administration from DePaul University and holds a
Bachelor of Science in management from Illinois State University.
Eric S. Hood was appointed as Vice President of Central Operations and
Regional Engineering on April 15, 1999. From September 3, 1998 until his
appointment in April 1999, he served Verio as Vice President of Engineering and
Operations, having previously served as President and CEO of NorthWestNet, Inc.,
one of Verio's early acquisitions which at the time was the largest Internet
service provider in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Hood sits on the advisory board
for several Internet industry organizations, including Trustworthy
Systems/Computer Emergency Response Team, the top-level, international Internet
security organization; the U.S. Department of Justice Working Group on Internet
Security; and eCOMM Northwest, a regional consortium of businesses, including
Intel, Sequent, BC Tel and Nike, promoting Internet commerce in the Northwest.
From 1992 through 1994, Dr. Hood served as President of FARNET, the national
association of Internet service providers, telecommunications companies and
network equipment manufacturers, and from 1993 through 1995, he served on the
Steering Board for the U.S. Department of Energy's ESNet. Dr. Hood's research
and development programs in science, computing and network communications have
received funding support from the National Science Foundation, the U.S.
Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Education, US West and Digital
Equipment Corporation, among others. Dr. Hood received his doctoral degree in
Theoretical Chemistry from the University of California at Santa Barbara in
1983. He also held the research positions of Bantrell Fellow at the California
Institute of Technology and Visiting Scientist at IBM's Thomas J. Watson
Research Center.
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive
officers of the Company.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During 1998, the Board met 15 times, including regularly scheduled and
special meetings, and acted by written consent four times. No director attended
fewer than 75% of the aggregate of either (1) the total number of Board meetings
held during the period for which he was a director, except for Messrs. Allen and
Ito, or (2) the total number of committee meetings of the Board, on which he
served, held during the period for which he was a director and a member of such
committee, except for Messrs. Allen and Still.
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During 1998, the Board had four committees: an Executive Committee, a
Finance Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. Effective
April 15, 1999, the Board also established a Nominating Committee.
During 1998, the Executive Committee held no meetings and acted by written
consent once. The Executive Committee in 1998 was composed of Messrs. Halstedt
and Jaschke. Mr. Hribar was subsequently appointed to the Executive Committee
effective on April 15, 1999. The Executive Committee is responsible for
reviewing and, where appropriate, authorizing corporate action with respect to
the conduct of the business of Verio between Board meetings.
The Finance Committee held two meetings in 1998. The Finance Committee in
1998 was composed of Messrs. Halstedt, Jaschke, Still and Myhren. The Finance
Committee was reconstituted effective as of April 15, 1999, so that its members
now include Messrs. Allen, Jaschke and Salem. The Finance Committee is
responsible for reviewing and, where appropriate, authorizing certain corporate
actions with respect to the finances of Verio and certain acquisitions of
affiliates not involving the issuance of stock.
The Compensation Committee held five meetings in 1998. During 1998, the
Compensation Committee members included Messrs. Allen and Myhren, as well as
Stephen W. Schovee, who served on the Board from the time of Verio's inception
until his resignation in January 1999. The membership of the Compensation
Committee was modified on April 15, 1999 and now consists of Messrs. Myhren,
Still and Cahoon. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and
establishing the compensation structure for Verio's officers and directors,
including salary rates, participation in incentive compensation and benefit
plans, 401(k) plans, stock option and purchase plans, and other forms of
compensation.
The Audit Committee held one meeting in 1998. In 1998, the Audit Committee
consisted of Messrs. Myhren and Schovee. Effective as of April 15, 1999, the
Audit Committee membership was changed to consist of Messrs. Cahoon and
Halstedt. The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending the firm to be
appointed as independent accountants to audit Verio's financial statements,
discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent accountants,
reviewing the functions of management and independent accountants with respect
to Verio's financial statements and performing such other related duties and
functions as are deemed appropriate by the Audit Committee and the Board.
The Nominating Committee, which was just recently established in April 1999
and consists of Messrs. Still, Halstedt and Jaschke, is tasked with making
recommendations to the Board concerning the recruitment and selection of
potential Board candidates. In addition, this Committee assesses the performance
of the Board, reviews the size and composition of the Board and its committees,
and makes appropriate recommendations with respect to possible changes.
DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
Each non-employee director receives an annual retainer fee of $5,000 and a
fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board attended in person or $500 for each
meeting attended by telephone. The fee for Board committee meetings is $500 per
meeting. A director may elect to receive these payments in the form of Common
Stock. On May 11, 1998 -- the effective date of the registration statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's
initial public offering -- each non-employee director was automatically granted
an option to acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price per
share equal to the price per share in the initial public offering of the Common
Stock less underwriting discounts and commissions. Such options vest and become
exercisable in three equal installments on each yearly anniversary of the grant
date. Non-employee directors elected or appointed to the Board following the
initial public offering are granted automatically at the time of election or
appointment an option to acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock with the same
terms and conditions at an exercise price equal to the then fair market value of
the Common Stock. After the initial three-year vesting period for such options,
non-employee directors receive automatic annual grants of options to acquire an
additional 3,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock at the date of grant. Such options vest and
become exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date. In April 1998,
the Company adopted the 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan
("Director Option Plan") under which options may be
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granted and shares of Common Stock may be issued to non-employee directors in
accordance with these compensation arrangements.
On May 11, 1998, each of Messrs. Halstedt, Allen, Myhren, Salem and Still
was granted options to purchase up to 30,000 shares of Common Stock, at an
exercise price of $21.50 per share under the Director Option Plan. On September
11, 1998, Mr. Ito was granted options to purchase up to 30,000 shares of Common
Stock, at an exercise price of $20.50 per share under the Director Option Plan.
Each of Messrs. Myhren, Salem, Still and Ito has assigned his respective options
to Myhren Media, Inc., Providence Equity Partners Inc., Norwest Equity Partners
V, L.P. and NTT Rocky, Inc., respectively. By contract with Centennial Holdings,
Inc., Mr. Halstedt is required to transfer any economic benefit deriving from
such options to Centennial Holdings, Inc.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), requires the Company's directors, executive officers and
persons who own more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock (collectively,
"Reporting Persons") to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of
the Company's Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission and The
Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Copies of these reports are also required to be
delivered to the Company.
The Company believes, based solely on its review of the copies of such
reports received or written representations from certain Reporting Persons, that
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, all Reporting Persons complied
with all applicable filing requirements.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain summary information for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, concerning the
compensation paid and awarded to: (a) Verio's Chief Executive Officer and (b)
Verio's four most highly compensated other executive officers whose salaries and
bonuses exceeded $100,000 who were serving as executive officers as of December
31, 1998 ("Named Executive Officers").
As part of the Company's standard cash compensation package offered to all
employees (including the Named Executive Officers), the Company provides
targeted annual cash bonuses, the payment of which is based on the Company's
overall achievement of performance goals established by the Board at the
beginning of the year. Actual performance by the Company is measured against
those goals at or following the end of the year, and the actual amount of the
targeted bonus levels paid is determined based on actual performance relative to
those objectives.
Information shown for fiscal year 1996 covers the period from inception on
March 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996. Salary information for 1996 for Mr. Jaschke,
Mr. DeMarche and Ms. Donelson, for 1997 for Mr. Fritzinger, and for 1998 for Mr.
Hribar reflects compensation paid to each in his or her principal positions
commencing on April 1996, May 1996, October 1996, June 1997, and July 1998,
respectively. The bonus amount paid to Mr. Hribar in 1998 includes a signing
bonus of $125,000, plus a gross up for taxes, paid by Verio at the time of his
initial employment in July 1998. Information shown under "All Other
Compensation" represents costs of providing relocation benefits to Messrs.
Hribar and Fritzinger and represents costs of tax reimbursements paid to Ms.
Donelson.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
----------------------------- -----------------------
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
FISCAL STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) AWARDS($) OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION ($)
- --------------------------- ------ --------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------------
Justin L. Jaschke............. 1998 221,041 -- -- 300,000 --
Chief Executive Officer 1997 175,003 66,500 85,000 -- --
1996 124,631 44,867 -- 240,000 --
Herbert R. Hribar............. 1998 125,004 235,998 -- 350,000 29,646
President and Chief 1997 -- -- -- -- --
Operating Officer 1996 -- -- -- -- --
Chris J. DeMarche............. 1998 173,541 -- -- 100,000 --
Chief Technical Officer 1997 160,004 60,800 25,000 20,000 --
1996 106,666 38,215 -- 70,000 --
Carla Hamre Donelson.......... 1998 173,541 -- -- 140,000 --
Vice President, General 1997 160,004 57,760 -- 20,000 --
Counsel and Secretary 1996 26,320 13,680 50,000 60,000 42,678
Peter B. Fritzinger........... 1998 173,541 -- -- 110,000 --
Chief Financial Officer 1997 89,443 31,287 -- 75,000 70,267
1996 -- -- -- -- --
STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED IN 1998
The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock
options by Verio under Verio's stock option plans to the Named Executive
Officers in 1998.
Prior to the completion of Verio's initial public offering, all options
were granted at an exercise price per share equal to at least the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Board at
that time. Subsequent to Verio's initial public offering, all options were
granted at an exercise price equal to the market price of the Common Stock on
the last trading day before the date of grant.
The potential realizable value is calculated based on the fair market value
on the date of grant, which is equal to the exercise price of the options,
assuming that the stock appreciates in value from the date of grant compounded
annually until the end of the option term at the rate specified (5% or 10%) and
that the option is exercised and sold on the last day of the option term for the
appreciated stock price. Potential realizable value is net of the option
exercise price. The assumed rates of appreciation are specified in the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not represent
Verio's estimate or projection of future stock price. Actual gains, if any,
resulting from stock option exercises and common stock holdings are dependent on
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the future performance of the Common Stock and overall stock market conditions.
There can be no assurance that the amounts reflected in this table will be
achieved.
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
PERCENT OF VALUE AT ASSUMED
TOTAL ANNUAL
NUMBER OF OPTIONS RATES OF STOCK PRICE
SECURITIES GRANTED TO APPRECIATION FOR OPTION
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE TERM($)
OPTIONS FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------
GRANTED(#) YEAR(%) ($/SHARE) DATE 5% 10%
---------- ------------ --------- ------------- ---------- ----------
Justin L. Jaschke....... 200,000 3.6 13.50 Mar. 19, 2006 1,998,750 2,222,500
100,000 1.8 22.00 Dec. 16, 2006 149,375 261,250
Herbert R. Hribar....... 250,000 4.5 17.75 Jun. 23, 2006 1,435,937 1,715,625
100,000 1.8 22.00 Dec. 16, 2006 149,375 261,250
Chris J. DeMarche....... 40,000 0.7 13.50 Mar. 19, 2006 399,750 444,500
60,000 1.0 22.00 Dec. 16, 2006 89,625 156,750
Carla Hamre Donelson.... 40,000 0.7 13.50 Mar. 19, 2006 399,750 444,500
100,000 1.8 22.00 Dec. 16, 2006 149,375 261,250
Peter B. Fritzinger..... 40,000 0.7 13.50 Mar. 19, 2006 399,750 444,500
70,000 1.2 22.00 Dec. 16, 2006 104,562 182,875
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Named Executive Officers regarding the stock options exercised during 1998. It
shows the aggregate number of unexercised options to purchase Common Stock
granted in all years and held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31,
1998, and the value of unexercised in-the-money options (i.e., options that had
a positive spread between the exercise price and the fair market value of the
Common Stock) as of December 31, 1998. The value of unexercised options at
year-end is based on the December 31, 1998 closing price of $22.375 per share of
Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES FISCAL YEAR-END(#) AT FISCAL YEAR-END($)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
EXERCISE(#) REALIZED($) EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Justin L. Jaschke...... -- -- 70,000 410,000 1,356,250 3,943,750
Herbert R. Hribar...... -- -- -- 350,000 -- 1,193,750
Chris J. DeMarche...... -- -- 41,334 148,666 750,844 1,191,250
Carla Hamre Donelson... -- -- 37,334 182,666 673,344 1,090,000
Peter B. Fritzinger.... -- -- 15,000 170,000 245,625 1,363,750
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
As a general matter, Verio does not enter into employment agreements, and
has not entered into employment agreements with any of its officers. Rather, the
employment relationship with each officer is "at will." However, in connection
with the initial employment of each officer, Verio and the officer executed an
offer letter, in which the general compensation and benefits provided to the
officer are outlined, including base salary, targeted annual bonus, option
grants, employee benefits and severance. The compensation levels established in
such offer letters are subject to change from time to time, at the discretion of
the Compensation Committee. In connection with Mr. Hribar's initial employment,
Verio agreed to guarantee a minimum net equity value attributable to the options
granted to Mr. Hribar on the commencement of his employment and that vest and
become exercisable at the one-year anniversary of his initial employment (a
total of 62,500 underlying shares). The minimum net equity value fixed in Mr.
Hribar's offer letter is $1 million. So long as he remains employed on that
one-year anniversary date, if the net equity value of those options on that date
is less than $1 million, he may elect to exercise this equity protection right
for a period of 30 days thereafter.
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COMPENSATION PROTECTION AGREEMENTS
Verio has entered into compensation protection agreements with each of the
Named Executive Officers and certain additional officers of Verio. Each of the
compensation protection agreements contains substantially similar terms. The
compensation protection agreements are for a term of three years, subject to
automatic yearly extensions. In no event will the compensation protection
agreements terminate within 12 months of a change in control of Verio. "Change
in control" includes the following:
(a) An acquisition, other than directly from Verio, of any voting
securities of Verio by any person immediately after which such person has
beneficial ownership (as defined in the Exchange Act) of 40% or more of the
combined voting power of Verio's then outstanding voting securities. In
determining whether a change in control has occurred, voting securities
which are acquired in a "non-control acquisition," as defined in the
compensation protection agreements, do not constitute an acquisition which
would cause a change in control;
(b) The individuals who, as of the date the compensation protection
agreements were approved by the Board, are members of the Board, cease for
any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board (subject to
certain provisos);
(c) Approval by stockholders of Verio of a merger, consolidation or
reorganization involving Verio, unless such merger, consolidation or
reorganization satisfies certain specified conditions;
(d) Any other merger, consolidation or reorganization that at least
two-thirds of the incumbent Board determines constitutes a change in
control; and
(e) If a protected officer's employment is terminated prior to a
change in control and the Board determines that such termination was at the
request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps to
effect a change in control and who subsequently effectuates a change in
control, or occurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, a change in
control which actually occurs, then a change in control is considered to
have occurred with respect to that protected officer.
Upon termination within 12 months following a change in control, each
protected officer will receive the following compensation and benefits:
(1) If a protected officer's employment with Verio is terminated
within 12 months following a change in control by Verio for cause or by
reason of the protected officer's disability (as defined in the
compensation protection agreements), death or retirement, or by the
protected officer other than for good reason (as defined in the
compensation protection agreements), then Verio must pay to the protected
officer the accrued compensation due through the date of termination.
Accrued compensation includes base salary, reimbursement for reasonable and
necessary expenses incurred by the protected officer on behalf of Verio
during the period ending on the termination date, and vacation pay.
(2) If a protected officer's employment is terminated within 12 months
of a change in control for any other reason than specified above, the
protected officer will receive:
(A) his or her accrued compensation;
(B) a bonus amount equal to the product of a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in Verio's fiscal year through
the termination date and the denominator of which is 365, and the bonus
amount, which will be the greater of 100% of the last annual incentive
payment paid or payable to the protected officer prior to the
termination date, and the protected officer's incentive target for the
fiscal year in which the change in control occurs;
(C) an amount equal to two times the sum of the protected officer's
annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the change in control,
plus the bonus amount in (B). However, the amount paid to Mr. Jaschke
will be three times that sum;
(D) until the third anniversary of the termination date, the same
rights with respect to benefits provided by Verio, as were provided to
the protected officer as of the effective date of the
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compensation protection agreement, or, if greater, at any time within 90
days preceding the date of the change in control; and
(E) the immediate vesting and removal of all restrictions on any
outstanding incentive awards granted to the protected officer under
Verio's stock option and other stock incentive plans or arrangement.
The compensation protection agreements further provide that the protected
officers are not required to mitigate the amount of any payment by seeking
employment or otherwise. Protected officers may be entitled to additional
compensation or benefits in accordance with Verio's employee benefit plans and
other applicable programs, policies and practices then in effect. The
compensation protection agreements contain a "gross-up" provision pursuant to
which any severance payment, which would be subject to certain excise taxes
occurring as a result of a change in control, would include an additional
gross-up payment resulting in the protected officer retaining an additional
amount equal to these excise taxes.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee during fiscal 1998 consisted of Messrs. Allen,
Myhren and Schovee. Mr. Schovee served as its Chairman. No member of this
Committee is a present or former officer or employee of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries. No member of this Committee served on the board of directors
or compensation committee of any entity which has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Board or Compensation Committee.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's
previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange
Act, that might incorporate future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in
whole or in part, the following report and the Performance Graph which follows
shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filings.
The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors, which is
comprised solely of independent, non-employee Board members, has the authority
and responsibility to establish the overall compensation strategy for the
Company, including salary and bonus levels, administer the Company's incentive
compensation and benefit plans, 401(k) plans, and stock option and purchase
plans, and review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the
Company's executive compensation. Trygve Myhren, George Still and Arthur Cahoon
are the current members of the Compensation Committee.
COMPENSATION POLICY
The Company's overall compensation philosophy is to provide a competitive
compensation program that enables the Company to attract, reward, incent, and
retain highly capable executives and other employees who have the skills and
experience necessary to promote the short and long-term financial performance
and growth of the Company. The Company's compensation program is designed to
link the annual compensation received by its executives to the financial
performance of the Company and its achievement of annually established
Company-wide goals, and to provide them with long-term incentives, provided
principally in the form of stock options, thereby aligning their interests with
those of the Company's stockholders.
Compensation of the Company's executive officers consists of three
principal components, the amounts of which are established in order to provide,
in the aggregate, compensation that is comparable to that offered by similarly
situated companies: (1) a base salary; (2) an annual cash bonus opportunity that
is dependent on the achievement of Company-wide performance objectives
established annually by the Board; and (3) awards of stock options to provide a
long-term incentive that aligns management's interests with stockholders'
interests.
Salary. The base salaries of the Company's executive officers are initially
established, and thereafter periodically reviewed and adjusted, by the
Compensation Committee. When setting and adjusting base salary levels, in a
manner consistent with the Compensation Committee's policy outlined above, the
Committee
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takes into account competitive market conditions for executive compensation, the
Company's financial and stock price performance, historical compensation levels,
internal comparability considerations, and the performance of the individual
executive officer.
Bonus. Each executive officer (as well as each employee of the Company
generally), is provided an annual cash bonus opportunity, that is typically a
targeted percentage of base salary. At the beginning of each year, the Board
establishes performance objectives for the year. The actual amount of the bonus
paid is determined at the end of the year based on the Company's actual
performance against those objectives. While the specific performance objectives
vary from year to year, the general approach in establishing the objectives is
to (1) foster a single company attitude across the Company's operations, (2)
emphasize the importance of teamwork and the interdependent efforts required for
success, (3) compensate for results more than efforts, and (4) provide fair,
objective and easily measurable performance parameters.
For the year ended December 31, 1998, the performance objectives included,
in addition to the attainment of certain key financial performance thresholds, a
number of specific events, such as the successful completion of the Company's
initial public offering (which occurred in May 1998). In evaluating the
Company's actual performance against the designated objectives for the year, the
Compensation Committee determined that the Company's overall achievements during
the year were considerable and highly effective in positioning the Company for
future continued growth and success. Nonetheless, the Committee determined that
the Company's actual performance against certain important financial criteria
had fallen short of the targeted level by an amount that warranted payment of
bonuses at a level less than the full targeted amount. The Committee
acknowledged that in large part this was attributable to factors that had arisen
during the course of the year after the performance objectives for the year had
been established, including the acceleration of certain integration efforts and
corresponding expenses, the incurrence of certain unanticipated one-time
expenses, and the costs associated with certain strategic transactions that were
undertaken during the year. The Committee further acknowledged that, as a result
of these various activities and expenses, the Company was considerably better
positioned as it entered the following year. As a result, the Committee
determined to pay out a percentage of the targeted bonuses to the employees of
the Company other than senior management. Based on conversations with senior
management, the Committee also decided not to pay cash bonuses to the executive
officers and other members of senior management, but rather to provide an
additional grant of stock options. A portion of these options were made subject
to an additional performance-based vesting term that requires that the Company
reach a targeted financial performance criteria for the third quarter of the
following year. The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee in the
future will continue to establish performance criteria with respect to bonuses
paid to executive officers for any given fiscal year, which will vary based on
the operations, prospects and strategy of the Company at the time.
The Company agreed to pay certain bonuses to Mr. Hribar, who was retained
as the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer in July 1998, in
connection with his initial employment arrangements. Specifically, the Company
agreed to pay a "signing bonus" in the amount of $125,000, plus a gross up for
taxes. The aggregate amount of this payment was approximately $236,000. In
addition, the Company agreed that Mr. Hribar would receive a guaranteed
incentive bonus at the end of the year in the amount of $62,500, regardless of
the actual performance by the Company against its targeted performance
objectives for the year. Mr. Hribar has elected to defer the payment of that
guaranteed performance bonus until a later date.
Long-term Incentive Compensation. The Company believes that stock option
grants (1) align executive officer interests with stockholder interests by
creating a direct link between compensation and stockholder return, (2) give
executive officers a significant, long-term interest in the Company's success,
(3) provide each executive officer with a significant incentive to manage the
Company from the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the business,
and (4) help retain key executive officers in a competitive market for executive
talent.
The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the Board, or a committee thereof,
to grant stock options to employees, directors and consultants of the Company,
including the executive officers. Stock option grants generally are made to all
employees of the Company, including executive officers, at the time of initial
employment. Thereafter, additional grants may be made to individual employees,
including executive officers,
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from time to time, in order to continue to incent retention and long-term
performance. Additional options are not necessarily granted to each executive
officer during each year, but rather are made based on factors such as
individual performance, the Company's overall growth and financial performance,
the number of unvested options held by the individual at the time, and
competitive factors. The relative weight given to these various factors may vary
from individual to individual, at the Committee's discretion.
Under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, options granted to executive officers
vest as to 25% of the grant on the first anniversary of the date of grant with
the remaining options vesting, in equal increments, annually at the end of each
of the next three years (subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of certain
events, such as a change of control of the Company), and they expire eight years
from the date of grant. Prior to the adoption of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan,
grants of options to the Company's employees, including the executive officers,
were made under the 1996 Stock Incentive Plan. Options granted under that plan
vest as to 20% of the grant on the first anniversary of the date of grant with
the remaining options vesting, in equal increments, annually at the end of each
of the next four years (subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of certain
events, such as a change of control of the Company), and they expire ten years
from the date of grant. Details on stock options granted to certain executive
officers in 1998 are provided in the table entitled "Stock Options Granted in
1998."
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer. The Committee established the base
salary of Mr. Jaschke, who has served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer
since the Company's formation in March 1996, with the objective of maintaining
the competitiveness of his base salary with salaries paid to similarly situated
chief executive officers. Typical of its policy with respect to base salaries
provided to employees generally, it was the Committee's intent to provide Mr.
Jaschke, through the base salary, with a level of stability and certainty each
year and not have this particular component of his compensation affected to any
significant degree by Company performance factors. Payment of Mr. Jaschke's
annual performance bonus is determined based on the same factors as those that
apply to all of the Company's employees. As described above, no performance
bonuses were paid to any of the executive officers, including Mr. Jaschke, in
respect of the 1998 year. Mr. Jaschke received grants of options to purchase a
total of 300,000 shares of the Company's stock during 1998.
Compensation Policy Regarding Deductibility. Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally disallows a tax deduction to publicly
held companies for compensation exceeding $1 million paid to certain of the
corporation's executive officers. The limitation applies only to compensation
which is not considered to be performance-based. The non-performance based
compensation to be paid to the Company's executive officers in 1998 did not
exceed the $1 million limit per officer. The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan is
structured so that any compensation deemed paid to an executive officer in
connection with the exercise of option grants made under such plan will qualify
as performance-based compensation which will not be subject to the $1 million
limitation. The Compensation Committee currently intends to limit the dollar
amount of all other compensation payable to the Company's executive officers to
no more than $1 million. The Compensation Committee is aware of the limitations
imposed by Section 162(m), and the exemptions available therefrom, and will
address the issue of deductibility when and if circumstances warrant, and may
use such exemptions in addition to the exemption contemplated under the 1998
Stock Incentive Plan.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee:
James C. Allen
Trygve E. Myhren
Stephen W. Schovee
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STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Company's Common Stock with the cumulative total return on The Nasdaq Composite
Index and The Nasdaq Telecommunications Index. The period shown commences on May
12, 1998, the date that the Company's Common Stock was registered under Section
12 of the Exchange Act, and ends on December 31, 1998, the end of the Company's
last fiscal year. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on May 12, 1998, and
the reinvestment of any dividends.
The comparisons in the graph below are based upon historical data and are
not indicative of, nor intended to forecast, future performance of the Company's
Common Stock.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE
TOTAL RETURN TO STOCKHOLDERS (%)
MAY 12, 1998 TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
NASDAQ NASDAQ
MEASUREMENT PERIOD COMPOSITE TELECOM
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) VERIO INC. INDEX INDEX
5/12/98 100 100 100
5/31/98 84.52 95.63 98.92
6/30/98 91.92 101.86 107.91
7/31/98 104.39 100.66 112.01
8/31/98 81.75 80.60 85.33
9/30/98 91.45 91.06 95.00
10/31/98 51.27 95.23 104.10
11/30/98 70.21 104.80 110.96
12/31/98 82.68 117.88 130.90
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In connection with Mr. Hribar's employment, Verio agreed to guarantee a
minimum net equity value attributable to the options granted to Mr. Hribar on
the commencement of his employment and that vest and become exercisable at the
one-year anniversary of his initial employment (a total of 62,500 underlying
shares). The minimum net equity value fixed in Mr. Hribar's offer letter is $1
million. So long as he remains employed on that one-year anniversary date, if
the net equity value of those options on that date is less than $1 million, he
may elect to exercise this equity protection right for a period of 30 days
thereafter.
As a condition to the closing of the acquisition of Best Internet
Communications, Inc. (which does business as Hiway Technologies, Inc., and which
Verio refers to as "Hiway"), which occurred on January 5, 1999, all related
party indebtedness was to be repaid to Hiway on or prior to closing. However,
Verio agreed to waive the condition that Arthur L. Cahoon repay his indebtedness
to Hiway in the principal amount of $280,409 with interest at the then prime
rate.
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OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Brooks. On March 18, 1998, in response to an offer by Brooks, Verio entered
into an agreement with Brooks pursuant to which Verio agreed to repurchase the
$50.0 million principal amount of the 13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2004 held by
Brooks for an aggregate net purchase price of approximately $54.5 million, plus
accrued interest. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 10 3/8% Senior
Notes due 2005 was used to effect the repurchase described above.
NTT. On May 15, 1998 (the settlement date in connection with Verio's
initial public offering), pursuant to a Stock Purchase and Master Strategic
Relationship Agreement, dated as of April 7, 1998, between Verio and NTT, NTT
purchased 4,493,877 shares of Verio's Common Stock for approximately $100.0
million. Verio granted NTT certain registration rights with respect to the
Common Stock it had acquired.
Verio also entered into an investment agreement with NTT on April 7, 1998,
providing for certain arrangements effective from and after the completion of
the NTT investment, some or all of which could have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change of control of Verio. In particular, so long as
NTT continues to hold at least 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock acquired by it, Verio has agreed to appoint an individual designated by
NTT to the Board. The initial NTT designee, Yukimasa Ito, will serve for an
initial term ending as of the third annual stockholder meeting following the
closing of the initial public offering. Thereafter, for so long as NTT continues
to meet the share ownership requirement, Verio has agreed, subject to certain
exceptions, to nominate as a member of the Board at each subsequent election of
the applicable class of directors a person designated by NTT who will be subject
to election by Verio's stockholders.
In addition, NTT has agreed on behalf of itself and its affiliates to
certain "standstill" restrictions pursuant to which NTT and its affiliates may
only make open market or privately negotiated purchases of additional voting
securities, including the Common Stock, so long as the total holdings of NTT and
its affiliates do not exceed 17.5% of Verio's fully diluted Common Stock after
taking into account such acquisition. The "standstill" obligations terminate
five years after the completion of the NTT investment. NTT has also agreed,
among other things, that it will not (1) solicit proxies or participate in a
proxy solicitation or otherwise seek to influence voting with respect to Verio,
(2) call a stockholders meeting, or (3) make any announcement or proposal for a
tender offer that would result in NTT owning more than 17.5% of Verio's Common
Stock on a fully diluted basis. In addition, NTT has agreed that in connection
with any offer or agreement by a third party to acquire over 30% of the voting
power of Verio or over 50% of the assets or earning power of Verio, it will not
transfer any securities of Verio in connection with an acquisition proposal,
unless such acquisition proposal has been recommended by the Board or the Board
has not publicly recommended against such acquisition proposal within three
months of the public announcement or presentation to it of such acquisition
proposal.
The NTT investment agreement also imposes certain limitations on NTT's
ability to dispose of the shares of Common Stock that it has acquired. Verio has
been granted rights of first offer and rights of first refusal in the event that
NTT proposes to sell some or all of the shares that it has acquired. The
specific terms of these rights vary depending upon the quantity of shares
proposed to be sold and other terms of the proposed sale. The NTT investment
agreement also precludes NTT from transferring Common Stock to certain parties
specified by Verio (which list may include no more than 15 specified parties at
any one time) that are or are likely to become our competitors or, subject to
certain conditions, to any person that as a result of such transfer would
beneficially own more than 10% of the Common Stock.
In connection with the NTT investment agreement, Verio and NTT also entered
into an outside service provider agreement, under which Verio was designated as
the preferred provider of Internet access and related services to customers of
NTT America on a reseller basis. In addition Verio and NTT agreed to connect
their backbones and establish a peering and transit relationship, and that Verio
would provide NTT America with full back-office and engineering support. NTT
America has agreed to pay Verio for Verio's services at predetermined rates
reflective of the strategic relationship between the parties, under which NTT is
entitled to "most favored customer" status and pricing concessions. Under the
outside service provider agreement, Verio agreed to continue to negotiate the
specific terms of these arrangements with NTT. Recently, Verio executed
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a further strategic partner services agreement with NTT America describing the
details for implementing the specific technical and administrative aspects
arising under the outside service provider agreement. NTT America recently has
launched its branded Arcstar Internet service in the U.S., and will resell the
full range of Verio services under this brand. Under the NTT investment
agreement, NTT has designated three individuals to be employed by Verio in
corporate development, technical and marketing positions to assist in
implementing and carrying out the commercial relationship between Verio and NTT.
VIANet. In May 1998, Verio completed an additional equity investment in VIA
Internet, Inc. in which Verio purchased shares of VIANet's Series B Preferred
Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $8.0 million. As a result, Verio owns
an approximately 15% equity position in VIANet. Verio has no right to acquire
the remaining equity of VIANet. The Board has determined that its investment in
VIANet currently will be the primary component of its international expansion
strategy in the Internet access market in the near term. However, Verio also may
pursue direct investments in certain international markets where appropriate
opportunities exist. Verio believes that its indirect strategy through VIANet
currently is the most effective means to leverage its resources in pursuing
Internet access business internationally. Mr. Jaschke serves as the Chairman of
the board of directors of VIANet and Mr. Halstedt is a member of VIANet's board
of directors.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws require any
stockholder who wishes to bring any proposal before a meeting of stockholders or
to nominate a person to serve as a director to give written notice thereof and
certain related information to the Secretary of the Company not less than 30
days nor more than 60 days prior to the date one year from the date of the
immediately preceding annual meeting, if such proposal or nomination is to be
submitted at an annual meeting, provided, that in the event that less than 40
days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or
made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received
not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which
such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth, as
to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (1)
a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual
meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (2)
the name and record address of the stockholder proposing such business, (3) the
class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by
the stockholder, and (4) any material interest of the stockholder in such
business.
Management does not know of any matters which are likely to be brought
before the Annual Meeting other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement.
However, in the event that any other matters properly come before the Annual
Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote in accordance with
their judgment on such matters.
The presiding officer at the Annual Meeting may determine that any
stockholder proposal is not permissible under or was not made in accordance with
the foregoing procedures or is otherwise not in accordance with law and, if he
so determines, he may refuse to allow the stockholder proposal or nomination to
be considered at the Annual Meeting.
Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, stockholder
proposals intended to be presented at the next annual meeting (to be held in
2000) must be received by the Secretary of the Company on or before January 19,
2000 in order to be included in the proxy statement and proxy for that meeting.
Proposals should be directed to the Secretary, Verio Inc., 8005 South Chester
Street, Suite 200, Englewood, Colorado 80112.
A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes
financial statements and related data, accompanies this Proxy Statement.
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented
at the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the
Annual Meeting, it is intended that proxies in the enclosed form will be voted
in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the
proxies.
It is important that the proxies be returned promptly and that your shares
be represented. Stockholders are urged to mark, date, execute and promptly
return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed envelope.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ JUSTIN L. JASCHKE
------------------------------------
Justin L. Jaschke
Chief Executive Officer
May 18, 1999
Englewood, Colorado
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EXHIBIT A
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE FOUR OF THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION OF VERIO INC.
The following are the resolutions of the Board of Directors adopted at the
regular meeting of the Board held on April 15, 1999 regarding the amendment to
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation increasing the number of shares of
capital stock authorized for issuance:
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Verio Inc. (the "Company")
deems it advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), in order to increase the total number of shares
which the Company is authorized to issue from one hundred thirty-seven million
five hundred thousand (137,500,000) shares to two hundred sixty-two million five
hundred thousand (262,500,000) shares, of which two hundred fifty million
(250,000,000) shares shall be common stock, par value $.001 per share (the
"Common Stock"), and twelve million five hundred thousand (12,500,000) shares
shall be undesignated preferred stock, par value $.001 per share;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the form, terms and provisions of the
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the
"Certificate of Amendment"), attached hereto as Exhibit A, be, and the same
hereby are, approved;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Company be, and they hereby are,
authorized, directed and empowered to obtain the approval of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company entitled to vote
thereon, of such proposed Certificate of Amendment at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders currently scheduled for June 17, 1999; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that subject to the approval of the Certificate of
Amendment by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Company entitled to vote thereon, the proper officers of the Company be, and
each of them hereby is, authorized, directed and empowered, in the name and on
behalf of the Company, to make, execute and file, or cause to be filed, the
Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to pay all necessary
fees in connection with such filing, and to do all such other acts or things as
they deem necessary or advisable to carry out the foregoing resolutions.
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VERIO INC.
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 17, 1999
The undersigned stockholder of VERIO INC., a Delaware corporation
("Verio"), hereby (1) acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and the Proxy Statement, each dated May 18, 1999, and the 1999
Annual Report to Stockholders, and (2) appoints Justin L. Jaschke, Carla Hamre
Donelson and Peter B. Fritzinger, or any one of them, proxies, with full power
to each of substitution, on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to
represent the undersigned at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Verio to
be held on June 17, 1999 at 1:00 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time, at the Inverness
Hotel & Golf Club, 200 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, Colorado 80112, and at
any adjournment or adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of common stock
of Verio which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there
personally present, on the matters set forth below.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS
INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW, FOR THE
AMENDMENT TO THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF VERIO, FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF VERIO,
AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE
THE MEETING.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for
(except as indicated) all nominees listed below
IF YOU WISH TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE, STRIKE A LINE THROUGH
SUCH NOMINEE'S NAME LISTED BELOW.
ARTHUR L. CAHOON
PAUL J. SALEM
HERBERT R. HRIBAR
2. PROPOSAL TO AMEND VERIO'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE FROM
137,500,000 TO 262,500,000:
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS OF VERIO FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999:
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
31
DATED: ________________, 1999
------------------------------
(Signature)
------------------------------
(Signature)
This Proxy should be marked,
dated and signed by the
stockholder(s) exactly as his
or her name appears hereon,
and returned promptly in the
enclosed envelope. When
signing as executor,
administrator, attorney,
trustee or guardian, please
give your full title as such.
If a corporation, please sign
in full corporate name by
president or other authorized
person. If a partnership,
please sign in full
partnership name by authorized
person. If shares are held by
joint tenants or as community
property, both should sign.
[FOLD AND DETACH HERE]
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THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY
COMPANY #
CONTROL #
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Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares
in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
VOTE BY PHONE -- TOLL FREE -- 1-800- -
- Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
- You will be prompted to enter your 3-digit Company Number and your
7-digit Control Number which is located above to obtain your records and
create an electronic ballot.
VOTE BY INTERNET -- WWW.????.COM
- Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 yours a day, 7 days a week.
- You will be prompted to enter your 3-digit Company Number and your
7-digit Control Number which is located above to obtain your records and
create an electronic ballot.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-prepaid
envelope we have provided.
IF YOU VOTE BY PHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD