SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
(PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
<Table>
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as
permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
</Table>
Ascential Software Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] 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 of schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
---------------------
JUNE 14, 2002
10:00 A.M.
---------------------
To the Stockholders of Ascential Software Corporation:
Notice is hereby given that the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Ascential Software Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held on Friday,
June 14, 2002, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Crowne Plaza, Plaza Ballroom,
1360 Worcester Street, Natick, Massachusetts 01760, for the following purposes:
1. To elect two directors to Class III of the Company's Board of Directors
to serve until the expiration of their term or until their successors
are duly qualified and elected or appointed; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the proxy
statement accompanying this notice. Only holders of record of common stock of
the Company at the close of business on April 25, 2002 are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. To
assure that holders of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Ascential
are represented at the meeting, however, such holders are urged to mark, sign,
date and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in the
postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK MAY
REVOKE THEIR PROXIES IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT
AT ANY TIME BEFORE THEY HAVE BEEN VOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. ANY HOLDER OF
COMMON STOCK ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING MAY VOTE IN PERSON EVEN IF HE OR SHE
HAS RETURNED A PROXY.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ASCENTIAL SOFTWARE CORPORATION
/S/ SCOTT N. SEMEL
SCOTT N. SEMEL
SECRETARY
WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS
MAY 8, 2002
ASCENTIAL SOFTWARE CORPORATION
50 WASHINGTON STREET
WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS 01581
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2002 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
------------------------
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
GENERAL
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Ascential Software Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Ascential" or the
"Company"), for use at the 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") to be held on Friday, June 14, 2002, at 10:00 a.m., local time, or at
any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth herein and
in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Notice of
Annual Meeting"). The Annual Meeting will be held at the Crowne Plaza, Plaza
Ballroom, 1360 Worcester Street, Natick, Massachusetts 01760. The Company's
principal executive offices are located at 50 Washington Street, Westborough,
Massachusetts 01581, and its telephone number at that address is (508) 366-3888.
The Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy
card and Ascential's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December
31, 2001, including financial statements, are expected to be mailed on or about
May 8, 2002 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
VOTING BY AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
When proxies are properly dated, executed and returned, the shares of
common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock"), that they represent
will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions of the
stockholder. If no specific instructions are given, the shares will be voted:
(i) for the election of the nominees for Class III directors of the Company's
Board of Directors as set forth herein; and (ii) at the discretion of the proxy
holders, upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Any proxy given pursuant to the solicitation may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by: (i) filing
with the General Counsel of the Company at or before the taking of the vote at
the Annual Meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the
proxy; (ii) duly executing a later dated proxy relating to the same shares and
delivering it to the General Counsel of the Company at or before the taking of
the vote at the Annual Meeting; or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting
in person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself
constitute a revocation of a proxy). Any written notice of revocation or
subsequent proxy should be delivered to Ascential Software Corporation at 50
Washington Street, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581, Attention: General Counsel,
or hand-delivered to the General Counsel at or before the taking of the vote at
the Annual Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTES REQUIRED
The holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on April 25,
2002 (the "Record Date") are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual
Meeting. At the Record Date, the Company had issued and outstanding and entitled
to vote 255,533,312 shares of Common Stock.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid annual meeting. Under
Ascential's Restated Bylaws, a quorum will exist at the Annual Meeting if a
majority of the shares of Ascential's stock entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting are present in person or represented by proxy. For purposes of
determining the
presence or absence of a quorum, votes withheld, abstentions and "broker
non-votes" (where a broker or nominee does not exercise discretionary authority
to vote on a matter) will be counted as present. A plurality of the votes of the
shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual
Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors is required for the
election of the Class III directors.
ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES
Shares that abstain from voting on a particular matter and shares held in
"street name" by brokers or nominees who indicate on their proxies that they do
not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular matter
will not be counted as votes in favor on such matter and will also not be
counted as votes cast on such matter. Accordingly, abstentions and "broker
non-votes" will have no effect on the voting on each matter that requires the
affirmative vote of a certain percentage of the votes cast or shares voting on a
matter.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The expense of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be borne by the
Company. The Company has retained Morrow & Co., Inc., a proxy solicitation firm,
to solicit proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting at a cost of
approximately $7,500 plus expenses. In addition, the Company may reimburse
banks, brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding
soliciting materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by
certain of the Company's directors, officers and employees, personally or by
telephone, telegram, facsimile or other means of communication. No additional
compensation will be paid for such services.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2003 ANNUAL MEETING
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 2003 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), must be received no later
than January 8, 2003 in order that they may be included in the proxy statement
and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
Under the Company's Restated Bylaws, proposals of stockholders intended to
be submitted for a formal vote at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (other
than proposals intended to be included in the Company's proxy statement and form
of proxy in accordance with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act) may
be made only by a stockholder who has given written notice of the proposal to
the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive offices not less than
120 days prior to the date of the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating
in the practice of "householding" proxy statements and annual reports. This
means that only one copy of the Company's Proxy Statement or Annual Report to
Stockholders may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your household. The
Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to you if you
write to the following address or call the following phone number: Ascential
Software Corporation, 50 Washington Street, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581,
(508) 366-3888. If you wish to receive separate copies of the Annual Report to
Stockholders and Proxy Statement in the future, or if you are receiving multiple
copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should
contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or you may contact
Ascential at the above address or phone number.
2
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaws
provide that the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, with
each class having a three-year term. Except for directorships relating to the
rights of the holders of preferred stock, if any, and vacancies in such
directorships, vacancies on the Board may be filled only by persons elected by a
majority of the remaining directors. A director elected by the Board to fill a
vacancy (including a vacancy created by an increase in the size of the Board of
Directors) shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class of
directors in which the vacancy occurred and until such director's successor is
duly qualified and elected or until such director's death, resignation or
removal.
There are currently five members of the Board of Directors. Class I
presently consists of one director who is serving a three-year term expiring in
2003. Class II presently consists of two directors who are serving three year
terms expiring in 2004. Class III presently consists of two directors whose
three-year terms expire as of this Annual Meeting. At each annual meeting of
stockholders, directors elected to succeed those in the class whose terms expire
will be elected for three-year terms so that the term of one class of directors
will expire each year. In each case, a director serves for the designated term
and until his or her respective successor is duly qualified and elected, or
until any such director's death, resignation or removal.
Two Class III directors are to be elected at this Annual Meeting to serve
three-year terms expiring in 2005. The Board of Directors has nominated Peter
Gyenes and Robert M. Morrill for election to the Class III board seats (the
"Class III Nominees"). Shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be
voted for the Class III Nominees, unless the proxy is marked in such a manner as
to withhold authority to so vote. If either nominee is unable or declines to
serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxy may be voted
for a substitute nominee designated by the present Board of Directors to fill
the vacancy. It is not presently expected that either of the Class III Nominees
will be unable or will decline to serve as directors.
The name of the Class III Nominees and the Company's other current
directors and certain information about them as of March 29, 2002 are set forth
below. Information as to the stock ownership of each director and all current
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group is set forth below
under "Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners."
<Table>
<Caption>
DIRECTOR EXPIRATION OF TERM
NAME OF DIRECTOR AGE POSITION(S) WITH THE COMPANY SINCE AT ANNUAL MEETING
- ---------------- --- ---------------------------- -------- ------------------
Class I Director
John J. Gavin, Jr.(1).............. 46 Director 2001 2003
Class II Directors
James L. Koch(2)(3)................ 58 Director 1991 2004
David J. Ellenberger(1)(3)......... 46 Director 2002 2004
Class III Directors
*Peter Gyenes...................... 56 Chairman and Chief 2000 2002
Executive Officer
*Robert M. Morrill(1).............. 64 Director 2000 2002
</Table>
- ---------------
* Nominee for Class III Director
(1) Member of Audit Committee
(2) Member of Nominating Committee
(3) Member of Compensation Committee
John J. Gavin, Jr. has served as a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since October 2001. Until December 2001, Mr. Gavin served as the
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cambridge Technology
Partners, which was acquired by Novell, Inc. Prior to his work at Cambridge
Technology Partners, Mr. Gavin spent twelve years at Data General Corporation
rising through the financial
3
organization to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gavin also spent
ten years at Price Waterhouse in various accounting and audit positions
including serving as Senior Manager in charge of multi-national audits. Mr.
Gavin earned a B.S. degree at Providence College.
James L. Koch has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since July 1991. Since July 1990, Mr. Koch has served in various positions at
Santa Clara University, including since July 1997, as the Founding Director of
the Center for Science, Technology and Society and, since July 1990, as a
Professor of Management. In addition, from July 1990 to June 1996, Mr. Koch
served as Dean of the Leavey School of Business Administration at Santa Clara
University. Mr. Koch holds a B.A. degree in business administration from San
Francisco State University and M.B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in business
administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.
David J. Ellenberger has served as a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since January 2002. Mr. Ellenberger currently serves as the Chief
Executive Officer of Vividon Inc., a leading provider of Internet infrastructure
devices for high-volume streaming media applications. Before joining Vividon,
Mr. Ellenberger served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DataSage
Inc., a leading provider of e-marketing and personalization applications, where
he completed the sale of the company to Vignette Corporation. Mr. Ellenberger
began his career at Bell Laboratories and, prior to his tenure at DataSage,
served for more than ten years at Data General Corporation in progressive
leadership and general management positions for the Eclipse, AViiON and NT
Business Units. Mr. Ellenberger holds an M.B.A. degree from the University of
Chicago, an M.S. degree in Computer Engineering from Stanford University and a
B.S.E.E. degree from Iowa State University.
Peter Gyenes is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company. Mr. Gyenes has served as a member of the Company's
Board of Directors since March 2000. Prior to the Company's acquisition of
Ardent Software, Inc. ("Ardent") in March 2000, Mr. Gyenes served as Chairman of
Ardent's Board from February 1998 to March 2000, President and Chief Executive
Officer from April 1997 to March 2000, Executive Vice President Worldwide Sales
from August 1996 to March 1997 and Executive Vice President International
Operations from May 1996 to August 1996. From May 1995 to May 1996, Mr. Gyenes
was President and Chief Executive Officer of Racal InterLan Inc., a supplier of
local area networking products. From 1994 to May 1995, Mr. Gyenes was President
of the American Division of Fibronics International, Inc., a data communication
supplier. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Gyenes was Vice President and General Manager
of the international operations and also, for the latter portion of the term,
the minicomputer business unit, of Data General Corporation, a manufacturer of
computer equipment. Mr. Gyenes is also a director of Applix, Inc., an Internet
software applications company, Axis Computer Systems, a supplier of software for
manufacturing companies, Davox Corp., a customer interaction management
solutions company, and the Massachusetts Software and Internet Council. Mr.
Gyenes served in various management positions at Encore Computer Corp. from May
1986 to April 1990 and at Prime Computer, Inc. from November 1977 to June 1982.
Mr. Gyenes also served in various technical, sales and management positions with
Xerox Data Systems from November 1971 to November 1977 and in various technical
positions with IBM from April 1964 to November 1971. Mr. Gyenes holds a B.A.
degree in Mathematics and an M.B.A. degree in Marketing from Columbia
University.
Robert M. Morrill has served as a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since March 2000. Since 1991, Mr. Morrill was the general partner of
Morrill Associates, L.P. Mr. Morrill was a private investor in Ardent Software,
Inc. since 1984. Mr. Morrill was Chairman of the Board of Ardent from 1984 until
March 1997 and Chief Executive Officer and President of Ardent from March 1996
to March 1997. Mr. Morrill has served on numerous private and public company
boards over the past 15 years. He holds a B.A. degree in liberal arts from Ohio
Wesleyan University where he serves as a member of the Board of Trustees.
There is no family relationship among any of the directors or executive
officers of the Company.
VOTE REQUIRED AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATION
A plurality of the votes of the shares of Common Stock present in person or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election
of directors is required for the election of the Class III
4
Nominees. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE CLASS III NOMINEES
AND RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE CLASS III
NOMINEES.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Company's Board of Directors held 10 meetings during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001. No incumbent director during fiscal 2001 attended fewer
than 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors held during the period for which such person was a director and (ii)
the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on
which such person served during the period such person served. The Board of
Directors has standing Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees.
The members of the Audit Committee during fiscal 2001 were Thomas A.
McDonnell, Leslie G. Denend, Robert M. Morrill, commencing on May 17, 2001, and
John J. Gavin, Jr., commencing on October 22, 2001. David J. Ellenberger has
served on the Audit Committee since April 23, 2002. The Audit Committee held
five meetings during fiscal 2001. The purposes of the Audit Committee are: (i)
to oversee the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of
Directors and review with the Company's management and its independent
accountants such matters as internal accounting controls and procedures, the
plan and results of the annual audit and suggestions of the independent
accountants for improvements in accounting procedures; (ii) to nominate the
Company's independent accountants; and (iii) to provide such additional
information as the Audit Committee may deem necessary in order to make the Board
of Directors aware of significant financial matters that require the Board's
attention. Thomas A. McDonnell resigned from the Board of Directors and the
Audit Committee on January 18, 2002, and Leslie G. Denend resigned from the
Board of Directors and the Audit Committee on October 22, 2001.
The members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2001 were James L.
Koch and Thomas A. McDonnell. Mr. Ellenberger joined the Compensation Committee
on January 18, 2002. The Compensation Committee held two meetings during fiscal
2001. The purposes of the Compensation Committee are: (i) to review and approve
the compensation to be paid or provided to certain of the Company's executive
officers; and (ii) to administer the Company's 1994 Stock Option and Award Plan
(the "1994 Plan") and the Company's 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the
"1998 Plan"). Peter Gyenes, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, participates in all discussions regarding the
compensation and performance of certain executives of the Company, but is
excluded from discussions regarding his own compensation. Thomas A. McDonnell
resigned from the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee on January
18, 2002.
The members of the Nominating Committee during fiscal 2001 were James L.
Koch and Leslie G. Denend. The Nominating Committee held no meetings during
fiscal 2001. The Nominating Committee may consider the names and qualifications
of candidates for the Board submitted by stockholders in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Company's Restated Bylaws and described above under
the heading "Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for 2003 Annual
Meeting." The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to seek qualified
candidates for nomination and appointment to the Board of Directors.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Employee directors do not receive any additional compensation for serving
as a director. For fiscal 2001, the Company paid each non-employee director a
quarterly fee of $5,000 and an additional fee of $1,000 for each board meeting
attended. In addition, members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee
received $1,000 for each committee meeting attended. Members of the Nominating
Committee do not receive additional compensation for their attendance at
committee meetings. For fiscal 2002, outside directors will receive a quarterly
fee of $5,000, an additional fee of $1,000 for each board meeting attended and
an additional fee of $1,000 for each Audit Committee or Compensation Committee
meeting attended. The Company reimburses each director, whether or not an
employee, for out-of-pocket expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in
connection with attending board and committee meetings. In addition, from time
to time, the Company invites the directors' spouses to accompany the directors
to board meetings and, when
5
invited, the Company also pays the travel expenses incurred by the spouses. In
2001, the Company incurred no travel expenses for directors' spouses.
The Company's 1989 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Director
Plan") provides for the grant of options to non-employee directors pursuant to
an automatic, non-discretionary grant mechanism. Directors are automatically
granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock upon initial
election to the Board of Directors and an additional option to purchase 15,000
shares of common stock annually thereafter. Each such option is granted at the
fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant. Because directors serve
three year terms, options granted under the Director Plan become exercisable
over three years with one-third of the shares vesting on each anniversary of the
grant date.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock as of March 29, 2002 by: (i) each person or entity
who is known by the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock; (ii) each director of the Company; (iii) each person
who served as the Company's chief executive officer during the last fiscal year;
(iv) each of the Company's four most highly compensated executive officers other
than its Chief Executive Officer who were serving as officers of the Company at
the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 and whose salary and bonus
for fiscal 2001 exceeded $100,000; (v) up to two additional persons for whom
(iv) above would have applied but for the fact that they were no longer serving
as executive officers of the Company at the end of fiscal 2001 (the individuals
specified in subsections (iii), (iv) and (v) hereof are referred to herein as
the "Named Executive Officers"); and (vi) all directors and current executive
officers of the Company as a group.
Information with respect to beneficial ownership is based upon information
furnished by each director and executive officer or contained in filings made
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission and
includes voting and investment power with respect to shares. Unless otherwise
indicated, to the Company's knowledge, all persons named in the table below have
sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of Common Stock,
except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. Shares
of Common Stock subject to options or warrants that are presently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2002 are deemed to be beneficially owned
by the person holding such options or warrants for the purpose of computing the
percentage of beneficial ownership of such person, but are not treated as
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of any
other person.
<Table>
<Caption>
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
----------------------
PERCENT OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF STOCKHOLDER NUMBER CLASS(1)
- ------------------------------- --------- ----------
Peter Gyenes(2)............................................. 2,404,875 *
John J. Gavin, Jr........................................... -- *
James L. Koch(3)............................................ 51,825 *
David J. Ellenberger........................................ -- *
Robert M. Morrill(4)........................................ 1,301,384 *
Peter Fiore(5).............................................. 734,609 *
Robert C. McBride........................................... 6,509 *
James Foy(6)................................................ 1,301,745 *
Cornelius P. McMullan(7).................................... 554,998 *
All directors and current executive officers as a group (8
people)(8)................................................ 4,500,097 1.7%
</Table>
- ---------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) The percentage of ownership for each person listed in the table above is
based on 256,632,165 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 29,
2002, together with applicable options or warrants for such person.
6
(2) Includes 2,142,355 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2002. Mr. Gyenes is the Chairman of
the Company's Board of Directors, and is also the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company.
(3) Includes 50,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding
options which are presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60
days of March 29, 2002. Mr. Koch is a member of the Company's Board of
Directors.
(4) Includes 665,719 shares of Common Stock held in trust for the benefit of Mr.
Morrill's children. Mr. Morrill and his wife each serve as trustee over such
trusts and Mr. Morrill has shared voting and shared investment power over
the shares held therein. Also includes 635,665 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of outstanding options which are presently
exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2002. Mr.
Morrill is a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
(5) Includes 716,252 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 200. Mr. Fiore is the President of
the Company.
(6) Includes 8,000 shares of Common Stock held by each of Mr. Foy's three
children and 1,206,028 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2002. Mr. Foy served as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company's database business,
which was sold to International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") during
the third quarter of 2001, until his resignation effective October 19, 2001.
(7) Includes 554,998 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2002. Mr. McMullan served as the
Vice President, Sales of the Company's database business, which was sold to
IBM during the third quarter of 2001, until his resignation effective
October 2, 2001.
(8) Includes 3,544,272 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options which are presently exercisable or will become
exercisable within 60 days of March 29, 2002.
7
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table summarizes the total compensation awarded to, earned
by, or paid for services rendered to the Company in all capacities during each
of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, by
each of the Named Executive Officers.
Peter Gyenes, the Company's Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer, and Peter Fiore, the Company's President, have each
voluntarily reduced their respective annual salaries to $375,000, effective May
1, 2002.
<Table>
<Caption>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1) ------------
---------------------------------- SECURITIES
FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS(#) COMPENSATION(7)
- --------------------------- ------ -------- -------- ------------ ------------ ---------------
Peter Gyenes(2)........... 2001 $600,000 $ -- $ -- 1,000,000 $ 927,171(8)
Chairman of the Board of 2000 393,746 150,000 -- 1,530,000 877,866(8)
Directors and Chief 1999 -- -- -- -- --
Executive Officer
Peter Fiore(3)............ 2001 591,667 -- -- 600,000 196,892(9)
President 2000 325,480 125,000 -- 750,000 155,780(9)
1999 -- -- -- -- --
Robert C. McBride(4)...... 2001 131,731 -- -- 400,000 53,661(10)
Vice President and Chief 2000 -- -- -- -- --
Financial Officer 1999 -- -- -- -- --
James Foy(5).............. 2001 591,667 -- -- -- 198,324(11)
Former Senior Vice 2000 325,480 125,000 -- 750,000 157,177(11)
President and President, 1999 -- -- -- -- --
Informix Software
Cornelius P. McMullan(6)... 2001 376,923 -- -- -- 2,224,878(12)
Former Vice President, 2000 245,417 125,000 -- 500,000 273,197(12)
Sales, Informix Software 1999 -- -- -- -- --
</Table>
- ---------------
(1) Other than the salary, bonus and other compensation described herein, the
Company did not pay any of the Named Executive Officers any fringe
benefits, perquisites or other compensation in excess of 10% of such
executive officer's salary and bonus during 2001, 2000 or 1999.
(2) Mr. Gyenes became an executive officer of the Company in July 2000.
Accordingly, Mr. Gyenes received no reportable income from the Company for
1999. On April 29, 2002, Mr. Gyenes was granted an option under the 1994
Plan to purchase 500,000 shares of Common Stock. Such option will vest as
to 25% of the shares of Common Stock on the first anniversary of the grant
date, and in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter.
(3) Mr. Fiore became an executive officer of the Company in August 2000.
Accordingly, Mr. Fiore received no reportable income from the Company for
1999. On April 29, 2002, Mr. Fiore was granted an option under the 1994
Plan to purchase 300,000 shares of Common Stock. Such option will vest as
to 25% of the shares of Common Stock on the first anniversary of the grant
date, and in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter.
(4) Mr. McBride joined the Company in June 2001. Accordingly, Mr. McBride
received no reportable income from the Company for 2000 or 1999.
(5) Mr. Foy became an executive officer of the Company in August 2000.
Accordingly. Mr. Foy received no reportable income from the Company for
1999. Mr. Foy left the Company in January 2002 when his position was
eliminated after the sale of the Company's database business to IBM.
8
(6) Mr. McMullan became an executive officer of the Company in August 2000.
Accordingly, Mr. McMullan received no reportable income from the Company
for 1999. Mr. McMullan left the Company in October 2001 when his position
was eliminated after the sale of the Company's database business to IBM.
(7) All other compensation includes, for Messrs. Gyenes, Fiore and Foy, the
taxable income associated with the premiums paid by the Company during the
year on an insurance policy on the life of the executive purchased in
connection with a split-dollar agreement. Each policy is a whole life
policy on which the Company pays the remaining premiums in connection with
the change of control that occurred with the acquisition of Ardent
Software, Inc. in 2000. The Company has limited rights to borrow against
the policy and the right to receive an amount equal to all premiums paid by
it not later than upon the death of the respective executive. The
executives have the right to borrow limited amounts against the policies
and to receive the respective death benefits net of premium amounts paid by
the Company. The taxable income was $1,195 and $1,726 for Mr. Gyenes; $390
and $510 for Mr. Fiore and $1,120 and $1,556 for Mr. Foy in 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
(8) Includes $875,000 of retention payments for each of 2001 and 2000 due to
Mr. Gyenes pursuant to Mr. Gyenes' July 2000 employment arrangement with
the Company; $46,154 in accrued sabbatical payments in 2001; $2,500 in
matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan in 2001; and $2,322
and $1,140 in group life insurance paid by the Company in 2001 and 2000,
respectively.
(9) Includes $155,000 of retention payments for each of 2001 and 2000 due to
Mr. Fiore pursuant to Mr. Fiore's July 2000 employment arrangement with the
Company; $38,462 in accrued sabbatical payments in 2001; $2,500 in matching
contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan in 2001; and $540 and $270 in
group life insurance paid by the Company in 2001 and 2000, respectively.
(10) Includes a $50,000 sign-on payment in 2001 that was paid by the Company
pursuant to Mr. McBride's June 2001 employment arrangement with the
Company; $2,500 in matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan
in 2001; and $1,161 in group life insurance paid by the Company in 2001.
(11) Includes $155,000 of retention payments in each of 2001 and 2000 that were
paid by the Company pursuant to Mr. Foy's employment agreement with the
Company; $38,462 in accrued sabbatical payments in 2001; $2,500 in matching
contributions under the Company's 401(k) plan in 2001; and $1,242 and $621
in group life insurance paid by the Company in 2001 and 2000, respectively.
(12) Includes $2,000,000 in severance payments in 2001 in respect of Mr.
McMullan's departure from the Company and $116,250 in severance payments in
2000 in respect of Mr. McMullan's prior departure from the Company;
$155,000 of retention payments in each of 2001 and 2000 that were paid by
the Company pursuant to Mr. McMullan's employment agreement with the
Company; $38,359 in accrued vacation payments in 2001; $28,846 in accrued
sabbatical payments in 2001; and $2,673 and $1,947 in group life insurance
paid by the Company in 2001 and 2000, respectively.
9
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2001
The following table provides information relating to stock options awarded
to each of the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December
31, 2001.
<Table>
<Caption>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
-------------------------------------------------------------- POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUES
PERCENT OF AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF TOTAL OPTIONS STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
SECURITIES GRANTED TO OPTIONS TERM(1)
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE PRICE EXPIRATION -----------------------------
OPTIONS GRANTED FISCAL 2001(2) PER SHARE(3) DATE 5% 10%
--------------- -------------- -------------- ---------- ------------- -------------
Peter Gyenes........... 500,000(a) 6.73% $5.00 7/30/11 $1,572,237 $3,984,356
500,000(b) 6.73 5.00 7/30/11 1,572,237 3,984,356
Peter Fiore............ 500,000(a) 6.73 5.00 7/30/11 1,572,237 3,984,356
100,000(b) 1.35 5.00 7/30/11 314,447 796,871
Robert C. McBride...... 400,000(a) 5.38 3.67 10/16/11 923,217 2,339,614
James Foy.............. -- -- -- -- -- --
Cornelius P.
McMullan............. -- -- -- -- -- --
</Table>
- ---------------
(a) Represents options granted under the 1994 Plan. Options granted under the
1994 Plan vest as to 25% after the first year and in 36 equal monthly
installments thereafter.
(b) Represents options granted under the 1998 Plan. Options granted under the
1998 vest as to 25% after the first year and in 36 equal monthly
installments thereafter.
(1) Potential realizable value is based on the assumption that the Common Stock
of the Company appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded annually)
from the date of grant until the expiration of the ten year option term.
These numbers are calculated based on the requirements promulgated by the
Commission and do not reflect the Company's estimate of future stock price
growth.
(2) Based on options to acquire 7,431,117 shares granted to employees of the
Company during fiscal 2001.
(3) Options were granted at an exercise price equal to not less than the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market. The exercise price may be paid in cash, check, by
delivery of already owned shares of Common Stock subject to certain
conditions or pursuant to a cashless exercise procedure under which the
optionee provides irrevocable instructions to a brokerage firm to sell the
purchased shares and to remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds, an
amount equal to the exercise price plus all applicable withholding taxes.
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR 2002 AND FISCAL YEAR 2001 OPTION END
VALUES
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the exercise
of stock options by the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2001 and stock options held as of December 31, 2001 by the Named
Executive Officers.
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
SHARES DECEMBER 31, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2001(1)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE --------------------------- ---------------------------
NAME EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Peter Gyenes.................. -- -- 2,039,751 2,032,396 $1,579,252 $ --
Peter Fiore................... -- -- 601,669 1,110,417 325,306 --
Robert C. McBride............. -- -- -- 400,000 -- 152,000
James Foy..................... -- -- 1,206,028 -- 558,601 --
Cornelius P. McMullan......... -- -- 554,998 -- -- --
</Table>
- ---------------
(1) Based on the closing sales price of $4.05 of the underlying securities as of
December 31, 2001, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, minus the
exercise price.
10
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary in any of the Company's
previous or future filings with the Commission, this Report of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors is not "soliciting material," shall not be
deemed "filed" with the Commission and shall not be incorporated by reference
into any such filings.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors establishes the
general compensation policies of the Company and the compensation plans and the
specific compensation levels for senior executives, including the Company's
Chief Executive Officer.
General Compensation Philosophy
The primary objectives of the Company's executive compensation policies
include the following:
- to attract, motivate and retain a highly qualified executive management
team;
- to link executive compensation to the Company's financial performance as
well as to defined individual management objectives established by the
Compensation Committee with the recommendations of the Company's Chief
Executive Officer;
- to compensate competitively with the practices of technology companies
that are determined, to the extent possible, to be similarly situated, or
that represent likely sources of, or competitors for, the Company's
executive talent ("Comparison Companies");
- to create incentives designed to enhance stockholder value;
- to review the performance of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and
the other executive officers of the Company; and
- to review the reasonableness of compensation paid to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and the other executive officers of the Company, as
well as how the Company's overall compensation levels compare to that
paid by Comparison Companies.
The Company competes in very aggressive and dynamic industries and, as a
result, believes that hiring, motivating and retaining quality employees,
particularly senior management, sales personnel and technical personnel, are key
factors to the Company's future success. The Compensation Committee's
compensation philosophy seeks to align the interests of stockholders and
management by tying compensation to the Company's financial performance, either
directly in the form of salary and bonuses paid in cash or indirectly in the
form of appreciation of stock options and stock purchase rights granted to
employees through the Company's equity incentive programs.
The Compensation Committee reviews the reasonableness of compensation paid
to executive officers of the Company and how the overall level of compensation
paid to executive officers compares to that paid by the Comparison Companies.
The Compensation Committee reviews and analyzes information, to the extent that
it is available, relating to the Comparison Companies to ensure that the
Comparison Companies represent companies that either could be the source of
executive employees for the Company or could offer employment to candidates from
the Company. Based upon its reviews and analyses, the Compensation Committee
modifies the group of Comparison Companies from time to time. The Comparison
Companies are a group of companies in the high technology and software industry
and are generally headquartered in the same geographic area as the Company and
have similar international presence.
In determining the present compensation packages of management, the
Compensation Committee considered the leadership of the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and the significant contribution of senior management in the
successful sale of the Company's database business to IBM for $1 billion in
cash, which was completed on August 1, 2001. This sale positioned the Company to
focus on its core data integration platform. As part of the transaction, the
Company entered into a strategic alliance with IBM whereby IBM markets and sells
the Company's products to IBM's extensive customer base, deepening the Company's
access to a broad spectrum of potential customers. During 2001, the Company also
entered into strategic
11
alliances with several leading enterprise systems integration companies, and
completed the acquisition of Torrent Systems Inc. The success of these
transactions is a significant factor in the Company's overall financial and
market potential and, therefore, was operative in determining the compensation
of the executive management team.
Cash Compensation
Cash compensation for the Company's executives officers consists of a fixed
base salary and an annual bonus. The Company's goal is to provide cash
compensation targeted at the 50th percentile of that provided by the Comparison
Companies for base pay and to provide total cash compensation through incentive
bonuses at the 75th percentile or higher for superior performance.
In connection with determining annual bonuses, the Compensation Committee
established a bonus target for the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each
other executive officer under the Company's Key Employee Incentive Compensation
Plan (the "KEICP"). In setting annual goals for executive bonuses, the
Compensation Committee references the corporate business plan. The target bonus
for an executive is intended to relate to his or her potential impact on
corporate results, and the percentage of the target bonus actually received is
based on the corporate objectives actually achieved in 2001. The financial
objectives are reviewed by the Compensation Committee each year and those used
in a particular year are intended to reflect the areas that are most critical to
maximize the return to investors. Depending on an employee's position within the
Company, target compensation under the KEICP ranges from 20% to 100% of the
employee's base salary. If the Company exceeds its financial objectives, it is
possible for the actual bonus amount to exceed the target amount. Conversely, if
the Company does not meet its financial objectives, the Compensation Committee,
in its discretion, may pay bonuses at a reduced rate. For 2001, the Company did
not pay any bonuses pursuant to the KEICP. The Compensation Committee attempts
to set aggressive but realizable objectives that will result, directly or
indirectly, in increased revenues and improved operating profit. In order to
achieve the purposes of the plan, the Compensation Committee communicates
corporate objectives and the corresponding bonus targets to executives at the
beginning of each year.
Equity Incentive Programs
Long-term equity incentives, including stock options granted pursuant to
the Company's 1994 Plan and 1998 Plan, help to align the economic interests of
the Company's management and employees with those of its stockholders. Stock
options are a particularly strong incentive because they are valuable to
employees only if the fair market value of the Common Stock increases above the
exercise price, which is generally set at the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date the option is granted.
In addition to aligning executive and stockholder incentives through
establishing an exercise price for options equal to the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date such exercise price is determined, in order to promote
the long-term economic interests of the Company, in general, employees must
remain employed with the Company for a fixed period of time for their options to
fully vest.
Prior to May 2000, options granted under the 1994 Plan and 1998 Plan vested
in equal annual installments over four years. Beginning in May 2000, however,
options granted under both the 1994 Plan and the 1998 Plan vest 25% after the
first year and in 36 equal monthly installments thereafter. The number of
options granted to each executive officer is determined by the Compensation
Committee. In making its determination, the Compensation Committee considers the
executive officer's position at the Company, his or her individual performance,
the number and nature of options held by the executive officer, with particular
attention to the executive officer's unvested option position, and other
factors.
The Compensation Committee may also grant performance shares under the 1994
Plan from time to time to certain executive officers. In 1998, the Board granted
35,000 performance shares to a former executive; however, the executive resigned
from the Company before the performance criteria were met and, therefore, no
shares were issued by the Company. To date the Committee has not granted any
other performance shares under the 1994 Plan. Such performance shares would be
subject to the Company's achievement of specific financial milestones, such as
percentage increases in the Company's revenues. In addition, the
12
Company may impose certain additional restrictions on the vesting of performance
shares, including requiring the grantee to remain an employee of the Company for
a fixed time before the performance shares would vest.
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
Generally, in determining the Company's Chief Executive Officer's
compensation, the Compensation Committee considers comparative financial and
compensation data of the Comparison Companies and other companies. In addition,
the Compensation Committee also considers the Company's goals, strategies,
market position and results achieved in creating stockholder value. The
Compensation Committee also evaluates the Chief Executive Officer's leadership
in identifying and implementing corporate strategies designed to assure the
creation of long-term value.
The Company will continue to grant stock options (and may grant performance
shares) to the Chief Executive Officer primarily based on the Compensation
Committee's evaluation of his ability to influence the Company's long-term
growth and profitability. The Committee determines the size of the option grant
based on its estimate of the equity incentive value of the Chief Executive
Officer's existing unvested option position.
Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally
disallows a tax deduction to public companies for certain compensation in excess
of $1 million paid to the company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other
most highly compensated executive officers. Certain compensation, including
qualified performance-based compensation, will not be subject to the deduction
limit if certain requirements are met. In general, the Company structures and
administers the 1994 Plan in a manner intended to comply with the
performance-based exception to Section 162(m). Nevertheless, there can be no
assurance that compensation attributable to awards granted under the 1994 Plan
will be treated as qualified performance-based compensation under Section
162(m). In addition, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to use its
judgment to authorize compensation payments that may not be deductible when the
Compensation Committee believes such payments are appropriate and in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders, after taking into consideration
changing business conditions and the performance of its employees.
Respectfully submitted,
The Compensation Committee
James L. Koch
David J. Ellenberger
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The members of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2001 were James L.
Koch and Thomas A. McDonnell. Messrs. Koch and McDonnell were not at any time
during the Company's 2001 fiscal year or at any other time an officer or
employee of the Company. No executive officer of the Company serves as a member
of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other committee serving
an equivalent function) of any entity which has one or more executive officers
serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary in any of the Company's
previous or future filings with the Commission, this Report of the Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors is not "soliciting material," shall not be
deemed "filed" with the Commission and shall not be incorporated by reference
into any such filings.
13
The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors is comprised of
three members, who are independent directors as defined by the Company's Audit
Committee charter and the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee
operates pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy
of which has been previously filed with the Commission on April 30, 2001 as an
appendix to the Company's proxy statement.
The role of the Audit Committee is (i) to oversee the Company's financial
reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and review with the
Company's management and its independent accountants such matters as internal
accounting controls and procedures, the plan and results of the annual audit and
suggestions of the independent accountants for improvements in accounting
procedures; (ii) to nominate the Company's independent accountants; and (iii) to
provide such additional information as the Audit Committee may deem necessary to
make the Board of Directors aware of significant financial matters which require
the Board's attention. Management of the Company has the primary responsibility
for the Company's financial statements as well as the Company's financial
reporting process, principles and internal controls. The independent accountants
are responsible for performing an audit of the Company's financial statements
and expressing an opinion as to the conformity of such financial statements with
generally accepted accounting principles.
In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited
financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31,
2001 with management and the independent accountants. The Audit Committee has
discussed with the independent accountants the matters required to be discussed
by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees,
as currently in effect. In addition, the Audit Committee has received the
written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees, as currently in effect, and the Audit Committee has discussed with
the independent accountants the matters disclosed in the letter and their
independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has also considered whether
the independent accountants' provision of non-audit services (as described below
under the heading "All Other Fees") to the Company is compatible with
maintaining the accountants' independence.
The members of the Audit Committee are not engaged in the accounting or
auditing profession and, consequently, are not experts in matters involving
auditing or accounting. In the performance of their oversight function, the
members of the Audit Committee necessarily relied upon the information,
opinions, reports and statements presented to them by management of the Company
and by the independent accountants. As a result, the Audit Committee's oversight
and the review and discussions referred to above do not assure that management
has maintained adequate financial reporting processes, principles and internal
controls, that the Company's financial statements are accurate, that the audit
of such financial statements has been conducted in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards or that the Company's accountants meet the
applicable standards for auditor independence.
Based on the reports and discussions described above, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2001 for filing with the Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
The Audit Committee
David J. Ellenberger
John J. Gavin, Jr.
Robert M. Morrill
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
As recommended by the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors has selected
the firm of KPMG LLP ("KPMG") as the Company's independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2002.
14
Representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with
the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to
be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by KPMG for
the audit of the Company's annual consolidated financial statements for the 2001
fiscal year and the reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in
the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the 2001 fiscal year were
approximately $2.4 million.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION FEES
KPMG did not render any information technology services to the Company of
the type described in Rule 2-01(c)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-X during the 2001
fiscal year.
ALL OTHER FEES
The aggregate fees billed for services rendered by KPMG, other than fees
for the services referenced under the captions "Audit Fees" and "Financial
Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees," during the 2001 fiscal year
were approximately $6,620,000. These fees were attributable to both
audit-related and non-audit services. Audit-related services consisted of
approximately $358,000 for statutory audits of foreign subsidiaries;
approximately $1,733,000 for accounting advice and research on transactions, due
diligence, Commission filings and pre-audit support; and approximately
$1,724,000 for special-purpose reports related to the sale of the Company's
database business to IBM. Non-audit services consisted of approximately
$2,805,000 for domestic and foreign tax compliance and tax consulting. The Audit
Committee has determined that the provision of services described above in this
paragraph is compatible with maintaining the independence of KPMG.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the Company's executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10%
of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of
ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the
Commission. Such officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by
Commission rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports
they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it
or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes
that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to its officers, directors, and 10% stockholders were
satisfied on a timely basis, with the exception of Forms 3 filed for Messrs.
Semel, Gavin and McBride. In making these statements, the Company has relied
upon the written representations of its officers and directors.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS WITH NAMED EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
On July 31, 2000, the Company entered into an employment arrangement with
Peter Gyenes, currently the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
which provides for an annual base salary of $600,000 and an annual incentive
cash bonus payable pursuant to the terms of the Company's executive bonus plan
at a target incentive of 100% of his annual base. This arrangement also provided
for a retention payment of $875,000 which was paid on August 1, 2000 and for an
equal retention payment of $875,000 which was paid on April 15, 2001. In
connection with this arrangement, the Company also granted Mr. Gyenes an option
under the 1994 Plan to acquire 985,000 shares of Common Stock and an option
under the Company's 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan") to
acquire 515,000 shares of Common Stock, in each case at $4.9375 per share. The
shares granted under the 1994 Plan vest at the rate of 25% on July 14, 2000 and
2.08% each month thereafter. The shares granted under the 1997 Plan vest at the
rate of 25% per year.
On August 28, 2000, the Company entered into a Change of Control and
Severance Agreement with Mr. Gyenes. The agreement provides for acceleration of
unvested options, excise tax protection, and cash
15
severance payments in the event of a change of control. With respect to the
acceleration of option vesting, the agreement provides that if the change of
control occurs within six months after the effective date of the options,
vesting will accelerate as to two years' additional vesting, but if the change
of control occurs on or after the six-month period, vesting will accelerate in
full, provided in either case that Mr. Gyenes is employed by the Company on the
date on which the change of control occurs. With respect to cash severance
payments, Mr. Gyenes' agreement provides that if his employment is terminated by
him for any reason or by the surviving entity for any reason other than for
cause within one year after a change of control, he shall be paid two years'
base salary and two years' on target earnings. Mr. Gyenes' agreement also
provides that if his employment is terminated by the Company for any reason
other than for cause, he shall be paid two years' base salary. The sale of the
Company's database business to IBM would have triggered the change of control
provisions in the agreement; however, Mr. Gyenes agreed to waive his rights
under the agreement in connection with the transaction.
On July 31, 2000, the Company entered into a compensation arrangement with
Peter Fiore, currently the Company's President, which provided for an annual
base salary of $500,000 and an annual incentive bonus issued under the Company's
executive bonus plan. This annual incentive bonus was based on the Company's
achievement for a fiscal year measured against objectives for the fiscal year
established by the Company's Board of Directors. This arrangement also provided
for a retention payment of $155,000 which was paid on July 31, 2000 and for an
equal retention payment of $155,000 which was paid on April 15, 2001. In
connection with his employment, the Company granted Mr. Fiore an option under
the 1994 Plan to acquire 500,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price
equal to the fair market value per share on the grant date, subject to vesting
at a rate of 25% on after one year, and 2.08% each month thereafter.
On August 2, 2000, the Company entered into a Change of Control and
Severance Agreement with Mr. Fiore, currently the Company's President, which
provides for acceleration of unvested options, excise tax protection and cash
severance payments in the event of a change of control. With respect to
acceleration of option vesting, the agreement provides that if a change of
control occurs within six months after the effective date of options granted to
Mr. Fiore to purchase Common Stock, vesting will accelerate as to two years'
additional vesting, but if the change of control occurs on or after the
six-month period, vesting will accelerate in full, provided in either case that
Mr. Fiore is employed by the Company on the date on which the change of control
occurs. With respect to cash severance payments, Mr. Fiore's agreement provides
that if his employment is terminated by him for any reason or by the surviving
entity for any reason other than for cause within one year after a change of
control, he will be paid two years' base salary and two years' on target
earnings. Mr. Fiore's agreement also provides that if his employment is
terminated by the Company for any reason other than for cause, he will be paid
two years' base salary. The sale of the Company's database business to IBM would
have triggered the change of control provisions in the agreement; however, Mr.
Fiore agreed to waive his rights under the agreement in connection with the
transaction.
On June 13, 2001, the Company entered into an employment arrangement with
Robert C. McBride, currently the Company's Chief Financial Officer, which
provides for an annual base salary of $250,000 and an annual incentive bonus
issued under the Company's executive bonus plan. The annual incentive bonus is
based on the Company's achievement for a fiscal year measured against objectives
for the fiscal year established by the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. McBride
also received a $50,000 sign-on payment, which is repayable to the Company upon
his voluntary termination of employment within twelve months of Mr. McBride's
date of hire. In connection with his employment, Mr. McBride was granted an
option under the 1994 Plan to acquire 400,000 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price equal to the fair market value per share on the grant date,
subject to vesting at a rate of 25% on after one year, and 2.08% each month
thereafter.
On June 21, 2001, the Company entered into a Change of Control and
Severance Agreement with Mr. McBride. The agreement provides for acceleration of
unvested options, excise tax protection and cash severance payments in the event
of a change of control. With respect to acceleration of option vesting, the
agreement provides that if a change of control occurs within six months after
the effective date of options granted to Mr. McBride to purchase Common Stock,
vesting will accelerate as to two years' additional vesting, but if the change
of control occurs on or after the six-month period, vesting will accelerate in
full, provided in
16
either case that Mr. McBride is employed by the Company on the date on which the
change of control occurs. With respect to cash severance payments, Mr. McBride's
agreement provides that if his employment is terminated by the surviving entity
for any reason other than for cause within one year after a change of control,
he will be paid two years' base salary and target bonuses. Mr. McBride's
agreement also provides that if his employment is terminated by the Company for
any reason other than for cause, he will be paid two years' base salary.
On July 31, 2000, the Company entered into a compensation arrangement with
James Foy, the Company's former Senior Vice President and General Manager,
Solutions Business Operations, which provided for an annual base salary of
$500,000 and an annual incentive bonus issued under the Company's executive
bonus plan. This annual incentive bonus was based on the Company's achievement
for a fiscal year measured against objectives for the fiscal year established by
the Company's Board of Directors. This arrangement also provided for a retention
payment of $155,000 which was paid on July 31, 2000 and for an equal retention
payment of $155,000 which was paid on April 15, 2001. In connection with his
employment, the Company granted Mr. Foy an option under the 1994 Plan to acquire
500,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market
value per share on the grant date, subject to vesting at a rate of 25% after one
year and 2.08% each month thereafter.
On August 2, 2000, the Company entered into a Change of Control and
Severance Agreement with Mr. Foy. The agreement provided for acceleration of
unvested options, excise tax protection and cash severance payments in the event
of a change of control. With respect to acceleration of option vesting, the
agreement provided that if a change of control occurred within six months after
the effective date of options granted to Mr. Foy to purchase Common Stock,
vesting would accelerate as to two years' additional vesting, but if the change
of control occurred on or after the six-month period, vesting would accelerate
in full, provided in either case that Mr. Foy continued to be employed by the
Company on the date on which the change of control occurs. With respect to cash
severance payments, Mr. Foy's agreement provided that if his employment were
terminated by him for any reason or by the surviving entity for any reason other
than for cause within one year after a change of control, he would be paid two
years' base salary and target bonuses. Mr. Foy's agreement also provided that if
his employment were terminated by the Company for any reason other than for
cause, he would be paid two years' base salary. In connection with the sale of
the Company's database business to IBM, which triggered the change of control
provisions in the agreement, 687,500 unvested options held by Mr. Foy became
immediately exercisable. On October 19, 2001, Mr. Foy ceased to serve as Senior
Vice President and General Manger, Database Business Operations and, in
recognition of his contributions to the Company, was permitted a period of 27
months following the date of termination of his employment to exercise his
options to purchase Common Stock that were vested on the date of termination.
Mr. Foy's employment with the Company was terminated in January 2002 and in
connection with the termination, Mr. Foy was paid $2,400,000 in severance and
entered into a letter agreement with the Company containing certain negative
covenants including non-competition, non-solicitation, nondisparagement, and
confidentiality.
On July 31, 2000, the Company entered into a compensation arrangement with
Cornelius P. McMullan, the Company's former Vice President, Sales of the
Company's database business, which was sold to IBM during the third quarter of
2001. This arrangement provided for an annual base salary of $500,000 and an
annual incentive bonus issued under the Company's executive bonus plan. This
annual incentive bonus was based on the Company's achievement for a fiscal year
measured against objectives for the fiscal year established by the Company's
Board of Directors. This arrangement also provided for a retention payment of
$155,000 which was paid on July 31, 2000 and for an equal retention payment of
$155,000 which was paid on April 15, 2001. In connection with his employment,
the Company granted Mr. McMullan an option under the 1994 Plan to acquire
500,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market
value per share on the grant date, subject to vesting at a rate of 25% after one
year and 2.08% each month thereafter. In connection with the sale of the
Company's database business to IBM, which triggered the change of control
provisions in the agreement, 500,000 unvested options held by Mr. McMullan
became immediately exercisable. In October 2001, Mr. McMullan ceased to serve as
Vice President, Sales of the Company's database business and his employment was
terminated. In connection with the termination,
17
Mr. McMullan was paid $2,000,000 in severance and, in recognition of his
contributions to the Company, was permitted a period of 27 months following the
date of termination of his employment to exercise his options to purchase Common
Stock that were vested on the date of termination.
The Company previously entered into a Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement
with each of Messrs. Gyenes, Fiore and Foy, pursuant to which the Company pays
the premiums on a whole life insurance policy on the life of each executive. The
Company has limited rights to borrow against each policy and the right to
receive an amount equal to all premiums paid by it not later than upon the death
of the respective executive. The executives have the right to borrow limited
amounts against the policies and to receive the respective death benefits net of
premium amounts paid by the Company. The agreements were entered into in June
1996, September 1996 and April 1997 with Mr. Gyenes, Mr. Fiore and Mr. Foy,
respectively.
The Company has also adopted a Stockholders' Rights Agreement and in
connection therewith has declared a dividend of one purchase right (each a
"Right" and, collectively, the "Rights") for each share of Common Stock
outstanding on September 17, 1991 and each share of Common Stock thereafter
issued. The Rights trade together with the Common Stock and generally become
exercisable on the tenth day after a person or group (i) acquires 20% of more of
the outstanding Common Stock or (ii) commences a tender offer or exchange offer
that would result in such a person or group owning 20% or more of the Common
Stock. In the event that a person or group acquires 20% or more of the Common
Stock (a "Stock Acquisition"), each Right not owned by the 20% or more
stockholder (the "Acquiring Person") and its affiliates would become exercisable
for the exercise price of the Right (currently, $60) for Common Stock (or in the
event that sufficient Common Stock is not available, either preferred stock,
debt securities or other assets available to the Company with a value equal to a
share of Common Stock) in an amount equal to the then current exercise price of
the Right divided by one half the then current market price of a share of Common
Stock. Alternatively, in the event of certain business combinations following a
Stock Acquisition, each Right not owned by the Acquiring Person and its
affiliates would become exercisable for the exercise price of the Right for
common stock of the Acquiring Person in an amount equal to the then current
exercise price of the Right divided by one half the market price of the
Acquiring Person's common stock. At any time until ten days following a Stock
Acquisition, the Rights are redeemable by the Company's Board of Directors at a
price of $.01 per Right. The Rights have no voting privileges. The Rights will
terminate upon the earlier of the date of their redemption or July 25, 2005.
Other than as described above, the Company does not have any employment
contracts, termination arrangements or change of control arrangements with any
Named Executive Officer. See also "Certain Transactions" below.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to both Article VI of the Company's Restated Bylaws and Section 6
of the Indemnity Agreement the Company enters into with its executive officers
and directors, the Company has agreed to advance expenses incurred by
indemnified parties in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or
appeal of threatened, pending or completed action or suits against such parties
in their capacity as an agent of the Company. Under both the Company's Restated
Bylaws and the Indemnity Agreement, the indemnified party will repay the Company
for any advanced expenses if it is ultimately determined that the indemnified
party is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. As of December 31, 2001,
the Company had received invoices for legal fees of approximately $104,496.42
incurred by certain of its former executive officers and/or directors in
connection with certain actions and investigations alleging various violations
of federal securities laws and state corporate laws.
18
COMPANY PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary in any of the Company's
previous or future filings with the Commission, this Company Performance Graph
is not "soliciting material," shall not be deemed "filed" with the Commission
and shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.
The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total return
for the Common Stock through December 31, 2001 relative to the Nasdaq Stock
Market Index (US) and the JPMorgan H&Q Computer Software Index.
Performance Graph
<Table>
<Caption>
ASCENTIAL SOFTWARE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET - JPMORGAN H&Q COMPUTER
CORPORATION U.S. SOFTWARE
------------------ --------------------- ---------------------
Dec-96 100.00 100.00 100.00
Dec-97 23.31 122.48 120.91
Dec-98 48.47 172.68 157.96
Dec-99 56.13 320.89 359.39
Dec-00 14.57 193.01 268.70
Dec-01 19.88 153.15 175.80
</Table>
Assumes $100 invested on the last trading day of December 1996 at the
closing sales price in the Common Stock, the Nasdaq Stock Market Index (US) and
the JPMorgan H&Q Computer Software Index. Total return assumes reinvestment of
dividends for the Nasdaq Stock Market Index (US) and the JPMorgan H&Q Computer
Software Index. The Company has never paid dividends on the Common Stock and has
no present plans to do so.
The Nasdaq Stock Market Index (US) was prepared by the Center for Research
in Security Prices and includes all United States Nasdaq Stock Market companies.
The JPMorgan H&Q Computer Software Index is a subset of the JPMorgan H&Q
Technology Index and is comprised of publicly traded stocks considered by
JPMorgan H&Q as representative of the software marketplace as a whole.
OTHER MATTERS
The Company knows of no other matters to be submitted at the Annual
Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote the shares
they represent as the Board of Directors may recommend.
19
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting, regardless
of the number of shares which you hold. Therefore, the Company urges you to
mark, sign, date, and return the accompanying proxy card as promptly as possible
in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Scott N. Semel
SCOTT N. SEMEL
SECRETARY
DATED: MAY 8, 2002
20
1670-PS-02
[FORM OF PROXY]
ASCENTIAL SOFTWARE CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE 2002 ANNUAL MEETING
The undersigned hereby appoints Peter Gyenes, Robert C. McBride and
Scott N. Semel and each of them as attorneys of the undersigned, with full power
of substitution (the "Proxy Holders"), to vote all shares of stock which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Ascential Software Corporation, to be held at the Crowne Plaza, Plaza Ballroom,
1360 Worcester Street, Natick, Massachusetts 01760, on Friday, June 14, 2002 at
10:00 a.m., local time, and at any continuation or adjournment thereof, with all
the powers which the undersigned might have if personally present at the
meeting.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, dated May 8, 2002, and hereby
expressly revokes any and all proxies heretofore given or executed by the
undersigned with respect to the shares of stock represented by this Proxy and by
filing this Proxy with the Secretary of the Corporation, gives notice of such
revocation.
THIS PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE TIME IT IS VOTED.
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
/SEE REVERSE/ CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE /SEE REVERSE/
/SIDE/ /SIDE/
[Reverse of Proxy]
/X/ Please mark
votes as in
this example.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE FOLLOWING:
1. ELECTION OF CLASS III DIRECTORS:
Nominees: (1) Peter Gyenes
(2) Robert M. Morrill
FOR WITHHELD
/ / / /
/ / -------------------------------
For all nominees except as noted above
In their discretion, the Proxy Holders are authorized to vote upon such other
matter[s] which may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment[s]
thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE
VOTED FOR THE LISTED NOMINEES IN THE ELECTION OF CLASS III DIRECTORS.
MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT / /
Please date and sign exactly as your name or names appear hereon. Corporate or
partnership proxies should be signed in full corporate or partnership name by an
authorized person. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should indicate their
full titles in such capacity. If shares are held by joint tenants or as
community property, both should sign.
Signature: Date:
---------------------------------- -----------------------
Signature: Date:
---------------------------------- -----------------------