SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
EUGENE C. WIELEPSKI, VICE PRESIDENT--FINANCE,
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CORPORATE SECRETARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
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and 0-11.
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I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC.
3840 Bank Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21224-2522
(410) 342-8200
April 26, 1999
To Our Stockholders:
On behalf of our Directors, I cordially invite you to attend the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc. The Annual Meeting will
be held at 11:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, June 3, 1999, at the Best
Western and Conference Center, 5625 O'Donnell Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
The formal Notice of the Annual Meeting is attached hereto.
The Proxy Statement describes matters that we expect will be acted upon at
the Annual Meeting. The stockholders who are present will have the opportunity
to ask questions.
We are gratified by our stockholders' interest in the Company and hope that
many of you vote your shares in person or by proxy. We urge you to return your
proxy card as soon as possible.
Cordially yours,
Robert J. Arnot
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive
Officer
Gerald W. Lear
President and Chief Operating Officer
I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC.
3840 Bank Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21224-2522
(410) 342-8200
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 3, 1999
------------------------
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") of I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC. (the "Company") will be held on
Thursday, June 3, 1999, at the Best Western and Conference Center, 5625
O'Donnell Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, at 11:00 a.m., local time. The
Meeting will be held for the following purposes:
1. To elect three Class II directors, each for a term of three years
and/or until their successors are elected and qualified;
2. To approve the Company's Amended and Restated 1997 Omnibus Stock
Plan;
3. To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 19, 1999, as
the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only
those stockholders of record of the Company as of the close of business on that
date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments or
postponements thereof. Accompanying this notice is a Proxy Card and Proxy
Statement and a copy of the Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Robert J. Arnot
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive
Officer
Gerald W. Lear
President and Chief Operating Officer
Eugene C. Wielepski
Vice President--Finance, Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate
Secretary
Baltimore, Maryland
April 26, 1999
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR
SHARES BE REPRESENTED REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER YOU OWN. IF YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO
BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING OR EVEN IF YOU ANTICIPATE THAT YOU WILL ATTEND, PLEASE
SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE
WITHOUT DELAY. YOU WILL BE MOST WELCOME AT THE MEETING AND MAY THEN VOTE IN
PERSON IF YOU SO DESIRE, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY HAVE EXECUTED AND RETURNED THE
PROXY. ANY STOCKHOLDER WHO EXECUTES SUCH A PROXY MAY REVOKE IT AT ANY TIME
BEFORE IT IS EXERCISED. YOUR PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR PROXY WILL HELP AVOID THE
COST OF FURTHER SOLICITATIONS.
I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC.
3840 Bank Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21224-2522
(410) 342-8200
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 3, 1999
------------------------
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and the
accompanying Proxy Card are furnished to stockholders of I.C. Isaacs & Company,
Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Company's Board of Directors to be used at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held on Thursday, June 3,
1999, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Meeting will be at the
Best Western and Conference Center, 5625 O'Donnell Street, Baltimore, Maryland
21224, at 11:00 a.m., local time. The Meeting will be held for the following
purposes:
1. To elect three Class II directors, each for a term of three years
and/or until their successors are elected and qualified;
2. To approve the Company's Amended and Restated 1997 Omnibus Stock
Plan;
3. To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 3, 1999; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, Proxy Card and the Company's 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K
containing the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 1998 are first being mailed to stockholders on or about April 26,
1999.
RECORD DATE AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 19, 1999 (the
"Record Date") are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any
adjournments or postponements thereof. On the Record Date, the Company had
outstanding and entitled to vote 6,782,200 shares of Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "Common Stock"). For information regarding security
ownership by management and certain other holders of the Company's Common Stock,
see "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."
VOTING AND SOLICITATION
With respect to the proposal regarding election of Class II directors,
stockholders may (a) vote in favor of all nominees, (b) withhold their votes as
to all nominees, or (c) withhold their votes as to any specific nominee by so
indicating in the appropriate space on the enclosed Proxy Card. With respect to
the proposals to approve the Company's Amended and Restated 1997 Omnibus Stock
Plan and to ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999, stockholders
may (a) vote FOR, (b) vote AGAINST or (c) ABSTAIN from voting as to each such
matter. All properly executed Proxy Cards delivered by stockholders and not
revoked will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the directions given.
Properly executed proxies not marked to indicate any desired vote will be voted
FOR the election of the nominees for directors named below, FOR the approval of
the Company's Amended and Restated 1997 Omnibus Stock Plan and FOR the
ratification
of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's independent auditors for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999. If any other matters are properly
brought before the Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxies will
vote the shares represented by such proxies on such matters as instructed by the
Board of Directors of the Company, who have instructed the proxies to vote in
accordance with the proxies' own best judgment in the absence of express
instruction from the Board.
The expenses of preparing, printing, and mailing the proxy materials will be
borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be
solicited by directors and officers of the Company in person or by telephone or
telegram. The Company will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses, in accordance with Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") regulations, in sending this proxy statement and
proxies to the beneficial owners of its Common Stock.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
A proxy is enclosed for use at the Meeting. Each stockholder is urged to
complete and return the enclosed proxy immediately, even if the stockholder
anticipates attending the Meeting in person. The Board of Directors has selected
Messrs. Robert J. Arnot and Gerald W. Lear, and each of them, to act as proxies
with full power of substitution. Any stockholder executing a proxy has the power
to revoke the proxy at any time before it is voted by delivering to the
Secretary of the Company a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing
a later date. Any proxy may also be revoked by (i) the stockholder's attendance
at the Meeting, (ii) filing a written notice of revocation with the Secretary of
the Meeting, and (iii) voting in person. The presence of a stockholder at the
Meeting will not automatically revoke that stockholder's proxy. All notices of
revocation should be sent to the attention of the Company's Corporate Secretary,
Eugene C. Wielepski, I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc., 3840 Bank Street, Baltimore,
Maryland 21224-2522.
QUORUM AND VOTING RIGHTS
The presence, in person or represented by proxy, of at least a majority of
the total number of outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock is
necessary to constitute a quorum at the Meeting. Shares of Common Stock
represented by a properly signed and returned proxy will be counted as present
at the Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, without regard to whether
the proxy is marked as casting a vote or abstaining. Shares of Common Stock held
by nominees that are voted on at least one matter coming before the Meeting will
also be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum, even if the
beneficial owner's discretion has been withheld (a "broker non-vote") for voting
on some or all other matters.
Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters that may
properly come before the Meeting other than the election of directors. In the
election of directors, each share is entitled to cast one vote for each director
to be elected. Directors of the Company shall be elected by a plurality of votes
cast at the Meeting. The holders of Common Stock may not vote their shares
cumulatively for the election of directors. For purposes of the election of
directors, abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered to be votes cast
and do not affect the plurality vote required for the election of directors. All
other matters to come before the Meeting require the approval of a majority of
the shares of Common Stock present, in person or by proxy, at the Meeting and
entitled to vote. Therefore, abstentions will have the same effect as votes
against the proposals on such matters. Broker non-votes, however, will be deemed
shares not present to vote on such matters, and therefore will not count as
votes for or against the proposals, and will not be included in calculating the
number of votes necessary for approval of such matters.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company provide that the number of
directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be as determined from time
to time by the Board. The Board has acted to fix the number of directors at
nine.
2
Pursuant to the terms of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the Board of Directors is divided into three classes, as nearly
equal in number as reasonably possible, with terms expiring at the Meeting
("Class II"), the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ("Class III") and at the
2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders ("Class I"), respectively. Mr. Gary B.
Brashers, who had previously served as a Class II director of the Company and as
its Vice President--Manufacturing and Chief Operating Officer, resigned as an
officer, director and employee of the Company in August 1998. He continues to
serve the Company as a consultant. The Board of Directors appointed Mr. Thomas
P. Ormandy, Vice President--Sales, to fill the vacancy on the Board created by
Mr. Brashers' resignation. Mr. Ira J. Hechler, who had previously served as a
Class II director of the Company, died in April 1999. The Board of Directors
appointed Mr. Daniel J. Gladstone, President--Girbaud-Registered Trademark-
Division, to fill the vacancy on the Board created by Mr. Hechler's death.
The Company's Board of Directors met on five occasions in 1998. Each of
Messrs. Robert J. Arnot, Gerald W. Lear, Eugene C. Wielepski, Ronald S. Schmidt,
Neal J. Fox, Anthony J. Marterie, Ira J. Hechler and Jon Hechler attended at
least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors and the total number of meetings of all committees on which they
served. During the portion of 1998 in which he served as a director, Mr.
Brashers attended all three of the meetings of the Board that were held. During
the portion of 1998 in which he served as a director, Mr. Ormandy did not attend
the one meeting of the Board that was held. The Board of Directors has standing
Audit and Compensation Committees as described below.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Ronald S. Schmidt
(Chairman), Neal J. Fox and Anthony J. Marterie. The Audit Committee is
responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors the engagement of the
independent auditors of the Company and reviewing with the independent auditors
the scope and results of the audits, the internal accounting controls of the
Company, audit practices and the professional services furnished by the
independent auditors. Two meetings of the Audit Committee were held in 1998.
Each of the members of the Audit Committee other than Mr. Marterie attended all
of the meetings of the Audit Committee. Mr. Marterie did not attend one of the
meetings.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. During 1998, the Compensation Committee consisted
of Messrs. Ira J. Hechler (Chairman), Jon Hechler and Ronald S. Schmidt. The
Compensation Committee reviews and determines the compensation of the Company's
executive officers and recommends the granting of awards to eligible employees
pursuant to the Company's 1997 Omnibus Stock Plan. See "Compensation Committee
Report on Executive Officer Compensation," below. Three meetings of the
Compensation Committee were held in 1998 and all members attended each meeting.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Directors who are employees of the Company receive no compensation for
serving on the Board of Directors. Directors who are not employees of the
Company (the "Outside Directors") receive an annual retainer fee of $10,000 for
their services and attendance fees of $750 per Board or committee meeting
attended. All directors are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with
attendance at Board or committee meetings. In addition, members of the Board of
Directors are eligible to participate in the Company's 1997 Omnibus Stock Plan.
In 1998, each of the Outside Directors other than Messrs. Ira J. Hechler and Jon
Hechler was awarded non-qualified stock options to purchase 10,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.125 per share.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF THREE CLASS II DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, three directors are to be elected as Class II directors,
each for a term of three years, or until their successors have been elected and
qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated for election as Class II
directors, Messrs. Jon Hechler, Daniel J. Gladstone and Thomas P. Ormandy, each
of whom currently serves on the Board as a Class II director. The proxies
solicited hereby, unless directed to the contrary therein, will be voted FOR the
Board nominees for Class II directors. All of the nominees for
3
Class II directors have consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to
serve if elected. The Board has no reason to believe that any nominee for
election as a Class II director will not be a candidate or will be unable to
serve, but if either event occurs, it is intended that the shares represented by
proxies will be voted FOR such substituted nominee or nominees as the Board, in
its discretion, may designate.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION OF ITS NOMINEES FOR CLASS II DIRECTORS.
The following sets forth certain biographical information, present
occupation and business experience for the past five years for each of the
nominees for election as Class II directors and for each of the Class I and
Class III incumbent directors.
CLASS II: NOMINEES WHOSE TERMS WILL EXPIRE AT THE 2002 ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS.
JON HECHLER, age 45, has been a director of the Company since 1984. He has
been employed by Ira J. Hechler and Associates, an investment company, since
1980. He also serves as President of T. Eliot, Inc., a manufacturer of bathroom
equipment.
DANIEL J. GLADSTONE, age 42, has been a director since April 1999 and
President--Girbaud-Registered Trademark- Division since January 1999. He reports
directly to Mr. Arnot and is responsible for the design, sales and marketing of
the Girbaud-Registered Trademark- lines. Mr. Gladstone served as President of
Calvin Klein Jeans at WARNCO, Inc. from 1997 to 1998 and as President of Calvin
Klein Jeans at Designer Holding Ltd. from 1994 to 1997.
THOMAS P. ORMANDY, age 48, has been a director since 1998 and Vice
President--Sales of the Company since 1986. He is responsible for the sales and
marketing of the BOSS-Registered Trademark- men's, boys' and juniors' lines as
well as the Beverly Hills Polo Club-Registered Trademark- men's line.
CLASS I: INCUMBENTS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE AT THE 2001 ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS.
ROBERT J. ARNOT, age 50, has been a director of the Company since 1984,
Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1991 and Chief Executive Officer since
1996. He was Vice President of Planning and Corporate Development from 1989 to
1991. He has been employed by the Company since 1989.
GERALD W. LEAR, age 56, has been a director of the Company since 1980 and
President since 1987. He was Co-Chief Executive Officer with Mr. Arnot from 1987
to 1998, when he stepped down as Co-Chief Executive Officer and assumed the role
of Chief Operating Officer. He was Vice President from 1975 to 1984 and
Executive Vice President from 1984 to 1986. He has been employed by the Company
since 1962.
EUGENE C. WIELEPSKI, age 52, has been a director, Vice President--Finance
and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1991. He has also held the
positions of Secretary and Treasurer since 1976. From 1976 to 1990 he was
Controller. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has been employed by the
Company since 1973.
CLASS III: INCUMBENTS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE AT THE 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS.
RONALD S. SCHMIDT, age 55, has been a director of the Company since 1990. He
is President and Chief Executive Officer of I.B. Diffusion, a manufacturer of
ladies' apparel.
NEAL J. FOX, age 65, has been a director of the Company since February 1998.
From 1989 through March 1999, he served as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Sulka, an international menswear retailer.
ANTHONY J. MARTERIE, age 60, has been a director of the Company since
February 1998. Since 1989 he has served as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of North Coast Industries, a producer and distributor of casual women's
sportswear under the Blast-Registered Trademark- brand, which is not competitive
with the Company's brands.
4
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the compensation for the
past three years of each of the Company's five most highly compensated officers,
including the Chief Executive Officer (collectively, the "Named Executive
Officers"):
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS(2)
ANNUAL COMPENSATION (1) -------------------
--------------------------------- NUMBER OF SHARES
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS YEAR SALARY BONUS UNDERLYING OPTIONS
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- -------------------
Robert J. Arnot (3).......................................... 1998 $ 396,686 $ -- 30,000
Chairman of the Board and 1997 379,542 -- --
Chief Executive Officer 1996 275,676 50,000 --
Gerald W. Lear (3)........................................... 1998 406,042 -- 30,000
President and 1997 386,918 -- --
Chief Operating Officer 1996 300,220 50,000 --
Daniel J. Gladstone (4)...................................... 1998 -- -- --
President--Girbaud-Registered Trademark- Division 1997 -- -- --
1996 -- -- --
Gary B. Brashers (3)(5)...................................... 1998 162,764 -- 15,000
Vice President--Manufacturing and 1997 235,328 -- --
Chief Operating Officer 1996 200,220 25,000 --
Eugene C. Wielepski (3)...................................... 1998 197,808 -- 15,000
Vice President--Finance and 1997 190,885 -- --
Chief Financial Officer 1996 160,220 20,000 --
Thomas P. Ormandy (3)........................................ 1998 295,812 -- 15,000
Vice President--Sales 1997 301,581 -- --
1996 240,000 110,000 --
Marc Baff.................................................... 1998 193,998 -- 10,000
Vice President--Sales 1997 119,150 -- --
1996 107,620 -- --
- ------------------------
(1) The Company also provides certain perquisites and other benefits. The
aggregate dollar cost to the Company of such perquisites and other benefits
in each of the last three years did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10%
of the amount reflected in the Salary and Bonus columns for any of the Named
Executive Officers.
(2) Except for Mr. Baff's options, all of the options reflected in this column
that were outstanding as of December 31, 1998 were forfeited in January
1999. In 1999, the Board of Directors granted the Named Executive Officers
options to acquire an aggregate of 329,250 additional shares of Common
Stock. These additional options are contingent upon the stockholders
approving the Company's proposed Amended and Restated 1997 Omnibus Stock
Plan.
(3) In his capacity as a stockholder of the Company, this Named Executive
Officer (a) was reimbursed during 1996 and 1997 for payment of taxes on
income of the Company that was passed through to the stockholders and (b)
received, in connection with the Company's initial public offering in 1997,
a dividend distribution representing a portion of the earned but
undistributed S corporation earnings of the Company.
(4) Mr. Gladstone joined the Company in January 1999. The Board of Directors
granted Mr. Gladstone options to acquire 244,000 shares of Common Stock when
he joined the Company.
(5) Mr. Brashers resigned as an officer, director and employee of the Company in
August 1998. He continues to serve the Company as a consultant under a
consulting agreement. Mr. Brashers received consulting payments of $52,250
from the Company in 1998.
5
OPTION GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth information regarding options to purchase
shares of the Company's Common Stock granted to the Named Executive Officers
during the last fiscal year:
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS(1) VALUE OF ASSUMED
--------------------------------------------------------- ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
NUMBER OF PRICE APPRECIATION
SECURITIES PERCENT OF FOR
UNDERLYING TOTAL OPTIONS EXERCISE OPTION TERM (3)
OPTIONS GRANTED TO PRICE PER EXPIRATION ---------------------
NAME GRANTED EMPLOYEES SHARE(2) DATE 5% 10%
- ----------------------------------------- ----------- ----------------- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------
Robert J. Arnot.......................... 30,000 9.5% $ 2.125 08/28/2008 $ 40,050 $ 101,500
Gerald W. Lear........................... 30,000 9.5 2.125 08/28/2008 40,050 101,500
Daniel J. Gladstone (4).................. -- -- -- -- -- --
Gary B. Brashers (5)..................... -- -- -- -- -- --
Eugene C. Wielepski...................... 15,000 4.8 2.125 08/28/2008 20,025 50,775
Thomas P. Ormandy........................ 15,000 4.8 2.125 08/28/2008 20,025 50,775
Marc Baff................................ 10,000 3.2 2.125 08/28/2008 13,350 33,850
- ------------------------------
(1) Except for Mr. Baff's options, all of the options shown in the table that
were outstanding as of December 31, 1998 were forfeited in January 1999.
(2) The exercise price equaled the fair market value of the Common Stock as
determined by the Board of Directors on the date of grant.
(3) The assumed annual rates of appreciation of 5% and 10% would result in the
price of the Common Stock increasing to $3.46 and $5.51, respectively, from
the exercise price of $2.125 per share during the 10-year term of the
options. The vesting of unvested options may be accelerated at any time by
the Company. The 5% and 10% assumed annual rates of stock price appreciation
used to calculate potential gains to optionees are mandated by the rules of
the SEC. The potential realizable value does not represent the Company's
prediction of its stock price performance. There can be no assurance that
the stock price will actually appreciate over the 10-year option term at the
assumed 5% and 10% levels or at any other level.
(4) Mr. Gladstone joined the Company in January 1999.
(5) Mr. Brashers resigned as an officer, director and employee of the Company in
August 1998. He continues to serve the Company as a consultant.
OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END HOLDINGS.
The following table sets forth information concerning the number and value
of unexercised options to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock held at
the end of the fiscal year by the Named Executive Officers. No options were
exercised by any of the Named Executive Officers in 1998.
VALUE OF
UNEXERCISED
IN-THE-MONEY
NUMBER OF OPTIONS
SECURITIES AT YEAR END
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE UNDERLYING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE/
NAME UPON EXERCISE REALIZED AT YEAR END(1) UNEXERCISABLE(1)
- -------------------------------------------- --------------- --------- ------------------ -------------------
Robert J. Arnot............................. -- -- 30,000 --
Gerald W. Lear.............................. -- -- 30,000 --
Daniel J. Gladstone......................... -- -- -- --
Gary B. Brashers............................ -- -- -- --
Eugene C. Wielepski......................... -- -- 15,000 --
Thomas P. Ormandy........................... -- -- 15,000 --
Marc Baff................................... -- -- 10,000 --
- ------------------------------
(1) The exercise price of all of the options shown in the table exceeded the
market price of the Company's Common Stock on December 31, 1998. None of the
options shown in the table were exercisable as of December 31, 1998. Except
for Mr. Baff's options, all of the options shown in the table that were
outstanding as of December 31, 1998 were forfeited in January 1999.
6
DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN
The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan (the "Pension Plan")
for its employees. The normal retirement benefit, payable at age 65, is 20.0% of
base compensation up to $10,000 plus 39.5% of base compensation over $10,000,
prorated for service less than 30 years. A reduced benefit is also payable on
early retirement, after age 55 and after 15 years of service. The Pension Plan
also provides disability retirement and death benefits. The Company pays the
full cost of the benefits under the Pension Plan through its contributions to a
trust. The Company's cash contributions to the Pension Plan during the year
ended December 31, 1998 aggregated approximately $1.6 million.
The Pension Plan Table below provides the estimated annual benefits payable
under the Pension Plan upon retirement in specified compensation and years of
service classifications:
PENSION PLAN TABLE
YEARS OF SERVICE
-----------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 15 20 25 30 35
- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
$100,000..................................................... $ 13,838 $ 18,451 $ 23,063 $ 27,676 $ 27,676
125,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
150,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
175,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
200,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
225,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
250,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
300,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
400,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
450,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
500,000...................................................... 13,838 18,451 23,063 27,676 27,676
The compensation considered in determining benefits under the Pension Plan
(as provided in the column titled "Remuneration") is the annual average
compensation for the five consecutive calendar years producing the highest
average. The compensation considered is limited to $75,000. All amounts of
salary, bonus and other compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation
Table, up to $75,000, are included in compensation considered under the Pension
Plan. The amounts of benefit provided in the Pension Plan Table are the amounts
of benefit payable per year in equal monthly installments for the life
expectancy of the participants (i.e., straight life annuity amounts). The
Pension Plan is integrated with Social Security, and its benefit formula is as
follows: (i) 0.6667% of compensation, multiplied by years of service up to 30
years; plus (ii) 0.65% of compensation in excess of $10,000 multiplied by years
of service up to 30 years.
7
The estimated credited years of service for each of the Named Executive
Officers were as follows, estimated as of January 1, 1999:
ESTIMATED CREDITED
NAME YEARS OF SERVICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
Robert J. Arnot............................................................ 7
Gerald W. Lear............................................................. 36
Gary B. Brashers........................................................... 19
Daniel J. Gladstone........................................................ 0
Eugene C. Wielepski........................................................ 25
Thomas P. Ormandy.......................................................... 12
Marc Baff.................................................................. 21
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Prior to its initial public offering in December 1997, the Company entered
into individual employment agreements (the "Executive Employment Agreements")
with each of Messrs. Arnot, Lear, Wielepski, Brashers and Ormandy. Mr. Brashers'
Executive Employment Agreement was terminated in August 1998 when he resigned as
an officer, director and employee of the Company. He continues to serve the
Company as a consultant pursuant to a consulting agreement (the "Consulting
Agreement"). The Consulting Agreement has a term of two years subject to certain
early termination provisions and provides for an annual fee of $217,000. The
amount of the annual fee will increase to $247,000 for the remainder of the term
after the Company achieves positive net earnings in two consecutive fiscal
quarters. The Consulting Agreement includes noncompetition, nonsolicitation and
confidentiality provisions. In the event Mr. Brashers is terminated without
cause (as such term is defined in the Consulting Agreement), he will receive as
severance his annual fee during the remainder of the term of the Consulting
Agreement.
As amended in August 1998, the term of each of the Executive Employment
Agreements began on May 15, 1997 (the "Effective Date") and will terminate on
the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date in the case of Messrs. Arnot and
Lear and on the third anniversary of the Effective Date in the case of Messrs.
Wielepski and Ormandy. The Executive Employment Agreements will automatically
extend after the initial term for successive one-year terms, unless notice not
to extend is given by either party at least 60 days prior to the end of the then
current term. In addition to the base salary amounts described below, the
Executive Employment Agreements also provide that the Executives are entitled to
participate in any bonus and stock option plans, programs, arrangements and
practices as may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors of
the Company for the benefit of such executive employees, in accordance with the
terms of such plans. Each Executive is also entitled to certain fringe benefits,
including Company-paid health and life insurance. If any of the Executives is
terminated without cause (as such term is defined in the Executive Employment
Agreements), then such Executive will receive as severance his then current base
salary for the remainder of the term of his Executive Employment Agreement. The
Executive will also continue to participate in Company-sponsored health, life
insurance and other fringe benefit plans and programs during the severance
period.
The Executive Employment Agreements of Messrs. Arnot and Lear initially
provided for an annual base salary of $400,000, which may be increased based on
periodic reviews by the Compensation Committee. Pursuant to amendments to the
Executive Employment Agreements of Messrs. Arnot and Lear entered into in
February 1999, the annual base salary was reduced to $350,000, provided that the
annual base salary will increase to its initial level for the remainder of the
term after the Company achieves positive net earnings in two consecutive fiscal
quarters. The Executive Employment Agreements of Messrs. Arnot and Lear include
a two-year noncompetition provision as well as nonsolicitation and
confidentiality provisions.
8
The Executive Employment Agreement of Messrs. Wielepski and Ormandy
initially provided for an annual base salaries of $200,000 and $300,000,
respectively, which may be increased based on periodic reviews by the
Compensation Committee. Pursuant to an amendment to the Executive Employment
Agreements entered into in February 1999, the annual base salaries were reduced
to $175,000 and $262,500, respectively, provided that the annual base salaries
will be increased to their initial levels for the remainder of the term after
the Company achieves positive net earnings in two consecutive fiscal quarters.
The Executive Employment Agreements of Messrs. Wielepski and Ormandy include
one-year noncompetition provision as well as nonsolicitation and confidentiality
provisions.
Upon joining the Company in January 1999, Mr. Gladstone entered into an
employment agreement (the "Gladstone Agreement") with the Company. The Gladstone
Agreement is substantially similar to the Executive Employment Agreements
described above except as described in this paragraph. The Gladstone Agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $350,000, which may be increased based on
periodic reviews by the Compensation Committee. The term of the Gladstone
Agreement began on January 21, 1999 and will terminate on January 21, 2001. The
Gladstone Agreement will automatically extend after the initial term for
successive one-year terms, unless notice not to extend is given by either party
at least 60 days prior to the end of the then current term. In addition to his
base salary and other benefits, Mr. Gladstone is entitled to receive incentive
compensation following each fiscal year during the term in which the Company's
net sales of Girbaud sportswear exceeds $20 million. The amount of such
incentive compensation will be equal to one-half of one percent of the amount by
which the Company's net sales of Girbaud sportswear exceeds $20 million. If Mr.
Gladstone is terminated without cause (as such term is defined in the Gladstone
Agreement), in the event of termination due to non-renewal of the Gladstone
Agreement or in the event of a change of control (as such term is defined in the
Gladstone Agreement) of the Company followed by a voluntary or involuntary
termination of Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Gladstone will receive as severance (i) the
greater of one year's worth of his then current base salary or his base salary
for the remainder of the term and (ii) earned but unpaid incentive compensation.
The Gladstone Agreement includes a 90-day noncompetition provision (which does
not apply in the event Mr. Gladstone is terminated after a change of control) as
well as two-year nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
OBJECTIVES
The Company's compensation policies and procedures have historically been
aligned with the Company's entrepreneurial traditions. The Company seeks to
compensate its officers (including the Named Executive Officers) in a manner
which is:
(i) consistent with the Company's conservative traditions and cost
structure;
(ii) sufficient to attract and retain key executives critical to the success
of the Company;
(iii) reflective of current performance of both the individual officer and
the Company; and
(iv) remuneration of successful long-term strategic management and
enhancement of shareholder values.
COMPONENTS OF COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") approves the design of,
assesses the effectiveness of, and administers the executive compensation
programs of the Company in support of stockholder interests. The key elements of
the Company's executive compensation program are base salary, annual incentives
and long-term incentive compensation. These key elements are addressed
separately below. In determining each component of compensation, the Committee
considers all elements of an executive's total compensation package.
9
BASE SALARY
The Committee regularly reviews each executive's base salary. Base salaries
are not necessarily compared to other institutions, although market rates for
comparable executives with comparable responsibilities are considered in some
cases. Base salaries are adjusted by the Committee to recognize varying levels
of responsibility, experience, breadth of knowledge, internal equity issues, as
well as external pay practices. Increases to base salaries are driven primarily
by individual performance. Individual performance is evaluated based on
sustained levels of individual contribution to the Company. The annual base
salary of Mr. Arnot, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, was decreased to
$350,000 pursuant to the terms of an amendment to his Executive Employment
Agreement in consideration of the deterioration in the Company's operating
results for 1997 compared to 1998. The annual base salaries of the other Named
Executive Officers (other than Mr. Gladstone, who joined the Company in January
1999, and Mr. Baff, who does not have an employment agreement) were decreased
for the same reason. See "--Employment Agreements."
ANNUAL INCENTIVES
The annual incentive program promotes the Company's pay-for-performance
philosophy by providing the Chief Executive Officer and other Named Executive
Officers with direct financial incentives in the form of annual cash bonuses to
achieve corporate and, in some cases, individual performance goals. Annual bonus
opportunities allow the Company to communicate specific goals that are of
primary importance during the coming year and motivate executives to achieve
these goals. The Company did not pay any bonuses to any of the Named Executive
Officers in 1998.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVES
In keeping with the Company's commitment to provide a total compensation
package which includes at-risk components of pay, long-term incentive
compensation comprises a significant portion of the value of an executive's
total compensation package. When awarding long-term grants, the Committee
considers an executive's level of responsibility, prior compensation experience,
historical award data, and individual performance criteria. Long-term incentives
are in the form of stock options awards under the Company's Plan.
Stock options are granted at an option price equal to the fair market value
of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, stock options have value
only if the stock price appreciates. This design focuses executives on the
creation of stockholder value over the long term. The size of stock option
grants is based on competitive practice, individual performance factors and
historical award data. The Company granted an aggregate of 100,000 stock options
to the Named Executive Officers in 1998. Except for Mr. Baff's options, all of
those options that were outstanding as of December 31, 1998 were forfeited in
January 1999.
CONCLUSION
The Committee believes these executive compensation policies and programs
serve the interests of the Company and its stockholders effectively. The various
compensation vehicles offered are appropriately balanced to provide increased
motivation for executives to contribute to the Company's overall future success,
thereby enhancing the value of the Company for the stockholders' benefit.
We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Company's total
compensation program to meet the current and future needs of the Company.
Members of the Compensation Committee:
Jon Hechler and Ronald S. Schmidt
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information as of April 19, 1999 with
respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock (including
shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options that are exercisable as
of that date or within 60 days thereafter) by (i) each person (or group of
affiliated persons) who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than
5.0% of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company's directors,
(iii) the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other Named Executive Officers
of the Company, and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the Company as
a group:
SHARES BENEFICIALLY
OWNED (2)
-----------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS NUMBER PERCENT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------- -----------
Robert J. Arnot (1)..................................................... 447,792 6.6%
Marc Baff............................................................... 1,000 *
Neal J. Fox............................................................. -- *
Daniel J. Gladstone..................................................... -- *
Ira J. Hechler (1)(3)................................................... 811,361 11.9
Jon Hechler (1)......................................................... 365,791 5.4
Gerald W. Lear (1)...................................................... 447,792 6.6
Anthony J. Marterie..................................................... -- *
Thomas P. Ormandy....................................................... 158,320 2.3
Ronald S. Schmidt....................................................... -- *
Eugene C. Wielepski..................................................... 194,242 2.9
All directors and executive officers as a group
(11 persons).......................................................... 2,425,298 35.8%
- ------------------------
* Less than one percent.
(1) The business address of such person is c/o I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc., 3840
Bank Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224-2522.
(2) Except as described below and subject to the Restated Shareholders'
Agreement and applicable community property laws and similar laws, each
person listed above has sole voting and investment power with respect to
such shares. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions--Restated
Shareholders' Agreement."
(3) Mr. Hechler died in April 1999. The disposition of his shares is not yet
known by the Company.
11
STOCK PERFORMANCE TABLE
The Company is required by the SEC to provide a five-year comparison of the
cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock compared with
that of a broad equity market index and either a published industry index or a
Company-constructed peer group index.
The following chart compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Company's Common Stock during the period beginning December 18, 1997, (the date
of the Company's initial public offering) and ending December 31, 1998, with the
cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index and a peer
group index. The peer group is comprised of the following companies: Guess ?,
Inc., Liz Claiborne, Inc., Mossimo, Inc., Nautica Enterprises, Inc., Polo Ralph
Lauren Corporation, Tarrant Apparel Group, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, Tropical
Sportswear Int'l Corporation and V.F. Corporation. Total return for the peer
group is based on market capitalization, weighted for each year. As with the
peer group, the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is market weighted. The
comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 18, 1997, in the Company's
Common Stock and in each of the foregoing indices. It also assumes reinvestment
of any dividends.
The Company does not make, nor does it endorse, any predictions as to future
stock performance.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
DOLLARS
12/18/97 12/97 3/98 6/98 9/98 12/98
I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC. 100.00 101.25 70.00 35.00 20.00 16.25
S&P 500 COMPOSITE INDEX 100.00 101.64 115.81 119.63 107.75 130.68
PEER GROUP INDEX 100.00 100.97 124.90 123.91 84.01 103.35
12
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
RESTATED SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
The Company's Shareholders' Agreement dated December 20, 1984, as amended,
was amended and restated (the "Restated Shareholders' Agreement"), effective as
of the time of consummation of the Company's initial public offering in December
1997. No consideration was paid in connection with the execution of the Restated
Shareholders' Agreement. Pursuant to the Restated Shareholders' Agreement,
Messrs. Robert J. Arnot, Gerald W. Lear, Ira J. Hechler and Jon Hechler are
designated as principal shareholders (the "Principal Shareholders") and the
other stockholders of the Company immediately prior to consummation of the
initial public offering are designated as non-principal shareholders (the "Non-
Principal Shareholders"). The Principal Shareholders and the Non-Principal
Shareholders have agreed to vote their shares of Common Stock, in elections to
fill Class I and Class II of the Board of Directors, to elect nominees of the
Principal Shareholders. The Restated Shareholders' Agreement provides that each
of the Principal Shareholders has granted to each of the other Principal
Shareholders and to the Company rights of first refusal (the "Refusal Right")
with respect to the sale of any shares of the Company's outstanding Common
Stock. The Restated Shareholders' Agreement provides that each of the Non-
Principal Shareholders holding, at the time of the contemplated transfer, in
excess of 0.5% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company has granted to (i)
each of the Principal Shareholders, (ii) each of the Non-Principal Shareholders
and (iii) the Company, rights of first refusal with respect to the sale of any
shares of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. The Restated Shareholders'
Agreement also provides that in the event that any two of (i) Robert J. Arnot,
(ii) Gerald W. Lear and (iii) Ira J. Hechler and Jon Hechler (a "Majority")
agree to enter into a transaction with a third party for the tender of shares
(including, without limitation, in a change of control transaction), the rights
of first refusal set forth above shall not apply and the Majority or the Company
may require the other Principal Shareholders and Non-Principal Shareholders to
participate in such transaction on the same terms and conditions applicable to
the Majority. The Refusal Right terminates upon the earlier of May 15, 2001 or
upon the Principal Shareholders beneficially owning 20.0% or less of the shares
of Common Stock outstanding. The remainder of the Restated Shareholders'
Agreement terminates upon the earlier of May 15, 2003 or upon the Principal
Shareholders beneficially owning 20.0% or less of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED 1997 OMNIBUS STOCK
PLAN
The Board of Directors proposes that the stockholders of the Company approve
the adoption of the Company's amended and restated 1997 Omnibus Stock Plan (the
"Plan"). The following is a fair and complete summary of the Plan as proposed;
it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, which
appears as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
The Plan, as initially adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the
stockholders, became effective May 15, 1997. Awards with respect to the 500,000
shares initially reserved for issuance under the Plan are currently outstanding.
The proposed amendment and restatement of the Plan increases, to an aggregate of
1,100,000 shares, the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to awards
under the Plan. In addition, it adds a maximum limit of 500,000 shares on the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to awards of any combination that may
be granted during any fiscal year of the Company to any individual under the
Plan. There are awards with respect to 329,250 shares of Common Stock that have
been awarded contingent upon the stockholders approving the amended and restated
Plan as proposed.
GENERAL
PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term growth and
profitability of the Company by providing key people with incentives to improve
stockholder value and contribute to the
13
growth and financial success of the Company, and by enabling the Company to
attract, retain and reward the best-available persons.
SHARES AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN. The number of shares of Common Stock that
may be issued with respect to awards granted under the Plan and the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock subject to awards of any combination that may
be granted during any fiscal year of the Company to any individual are subject
to adjustment to reflect any stock dividends, split-ups, recapitalizations,
mergers, consolidations, business combinations or exchanges of shares and the
like. If any award, or portion of an award, under the Plan expires or terminates
unexercised, becomes unexercisable or is forfeited or otherwise terminated,
surrendered or canceled as to any shares, or if any shares of Common Stock are
surrendered to the Company in connection with any award (whether or not such
surrendered shares were acquired pursuant to any award), the shares subject to
such award and the surrendered shares shall thereafter be available for further
awards under the Plan. As of April 19, 1999, the fair market value of a share of
the Company's Common Stock, determined by the last reported sale price per share
of Common Stock on such date as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, was
$1.1875.
ADMINISTRATION. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of
the Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the "Administrator"). The
Administrator has full power and authority to take all actions necessary to
carry out the purpose and intent of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the
authority to: (i) determine the eligible persons to whom, and the time or times
at which awards are granted; (ii) determine the types of awards to be granted;
(iii) determine the number of shares to be covered by or used for reference
purposes for each award; (iv) impose such terms, limitations, restrictions and
conditions upon any such award as the Administrator deems appropriate; (v)
modify, amend, extend or renew outstanding awards, or accept the surrender of
outstanding awards and substitute new awards (provided however, that, except as
noted below, any modification that would materially adversely affect any
outstanding award may not be made without the consent of the holder); (vi)
accelerate or otherwise change the time in which an award may be exercised or
becomes payable and to waive or accelerate the lapse, in whole or in part, of
any restriction or condition with respect to such award, including, but not
limited to, any restriction or condition with respect to the vesting or
exercisability of an award following termination of any grantee's employment or
consulting relationship; and (vii) establish objectives and conditions, if any,
for earning awards and determining whether awards will be paid after the end of
a performance period.
In the event of changes in the Common Stock of the Company by reason of any
stock dividend, split-up, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, business
combination or exchange of shares and the like, the Administrator shall, in its
discretion, make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number and kind of
shares reserved for issuance or with respect to which awards may be granted
under the Plan and to the number, kind and price of shares covered by
outstanding awards, and shall, in its discretion and without the consent of
holders of awards, make any other adjustments in outstanding awards, including
but not limited to reducing the number of shares subject to awards or providing
or mandating alternative settlement methods such as settlement of the awards in
cash or in shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or of any
other entity, or in any other matters which relate to awards as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines to be necessary or
appropriate.
Without the consent of holders of awards, the Administrator, in its sole
discretion, may make any modifications to any awards, including but not limited
to cancellation, forfeiture, surrender or other termination of the awards in
whole or in part regardless of the vested status of the award, in order to
facilitate any business combination that is authorized by the Board of Directors
of the Company to comply with requirements for treatment as a pooling of
interests transaction for accounting purposes under generally accepted
accounting principles.
Without the consent of holders of awards, the Administrator in its
discretion is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and
the criteria included in, awards in recognition of unusual
14
or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the
Company or any affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or
accounting principles, whenever the Administrator determines that such
adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
PARTICIPATION. Participation in the Plan is open to all employees,
officers, directors and consultants of the Company or any of its affiliates, as
may be selected by the Administrator from time to time. As of March 31, 1999,
the Company's four non-employee directors, and approximately 450 employees and
consultants were eligible to participate in the Plan.
TYPE OF AWARDS
The Plan allows stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards,
phantom stock awards and performance awards to be granted. These awards may be
granted separately or in tandem with other awards. The Administrator determines
the prices, expiration dates and other material conditions upon which such
awards may be exercised. The Company or its affiliate may make or guarantee
loans to assist grantees in exercising awards and satisfying any withholding tax
obligations arising from awards.
STOCK OPTIONS. The Plan allows the Administrator to grant either awards of
incentive stock options as that term is defined in section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or nonqualified stock options;
provided, however, that awards of incentive stock options shall be limited to
employees of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company. Options intended
to qualify as incentive stock options under Code section 422 must have an
exercise price at least equal to fair market value on the date of grant, but
nonqualified stock options may be granted with an exercise price less than fair
market value. The option exercise price may be paid in cash, by a broker-
assisted cashless exercise in accordance with Regulation T of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or by any other means the Administrator
approves.
To date, all options granted under the Plan are nonqualified stock options,
each having an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying
shares when granted. The outstanding options that are contingent upon the
stockholders approving the Plan as proposed will have an exercise price per
share equal to the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of the Meeting.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Plan allows the Administrator to grant
awards of Stock Appreciation Rights ("SAR"). An SAR entitles the holder to
receive a payment in cash, in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of
both, having an aggregate value equal to the product of (i) the excess of (A)
the fair market value on the exercise date of one share of Common Stock over (B)
the base price per share specified in the grant agreement, times (ii) the number
of shares specified by the SAR, or portion thereof, which is exercised.
STOCK AND PHANTOM STOCK AWARDS. The Plan allows the Administrator to grant
restricted or unrestricted stock awards, or awards denominated in stock-
equivalent units ("phantom stock") to eligible participants with or without
payment of consideration by the grantee. Stock awards and phantom stock awards
may be paid in cash, in shares of Common Stock, or in a combination of both.
PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The proposed Plan allows the Administrator to grant
performance awards which become payable in cash, in shares of Common Stock, or
in a combination of both, on account of attainment of one or more performance
goals established by the Administrator. Performance goals established by the
Administrator may be based on the Company's or an affiliate's operating income
or one or more other business criteria selected by the Administrator that apply
to an individual or group of individuals, a business unit, or the Company or an
affiliate as a whole, over such performance period as the Administrator may
designate.
15
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Board of Directors of the Company may terminate, amend or modify the
Plan or any portion thereof at any time.
AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN
Because participation and the types of awards granted under the Plan are
subject to the discretion of the Administrator, the benefits or amounts that
will be received by any participant or groups of participants if the Plan is
approved are not currently determinable except as provided in the table below.
The following table provides information regarding awards granted under the Plan
that are contingent upon the stockholders approving the proposed Amended and
Restated 1997 Omnibus Stock Plan:
NUMBER OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK
UNDER CONTINGENT
NAME VALUE (1) AWARDS (2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- -------------------
Robert J. Arnot................................................................... -- 25,000
Gerald W. Lear.................................................................... -- 25,000
Daniel J. Gladstone(3)............................................................ -- 233,000
Gary B. Brashers(4)............................................................... -- 15,000
Eugene C. Wielepski............................................................... -- 12,500
Thomas P. Ormandy................................................................. -- 18,750
Marc Baff......................................................................... -- --
Executive Group................................................................... -- 96,250
Non-Executive Director Group...................................................... -- --
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group.............................................. -- --
- ------------------------------
(1) The value of each award is zero because the exercise price of the award will
be equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of
the Meeting (determined by the last reported sale price per share of Common
Stock on such date as reported by the Nasdaq National Market).
(2) Messrs. Arnot, Lear, Gladstone, Wielepski, Ormandy and Brashers received
options under the Plan, subject to the stockholders' approval of the Plan,
as amended and restated. Each of these options has a ten-year term. None of
these options may be exercised prior to August 27, 2000, unless a change of
control of the Company shall occur, in which case vesting and exercisability
is accelerated. Mr. Brashers' option is fully vested. However, the options
of Messrs. Arnot, Lear, Gladstone, Wielepski, and Ormandy will not become
vested until August 27, 2000, or an earlier change of control of the
Company, or upon their termination of employment due to death or total and
permanent disability. They must be continuously employed by the Company from
the grant date through the vesting date in order for vesting to occur. The
options of Messrs. Arnot, Lear, Gladstone, Wielepski and Ormandy terminate
30 days after their termination of employment or consulting relationship
with the Company; Mr. Brashers' option terminates at the end of its ten-year
term.
(3) Mr. Gladstone joined the Company in January 1999.
(4) Mr. Brashers resigned as an officer, director and employee of the Company in
August 1998. He continues to serve the Company as a consultant.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general summary of the current federal income tax
treatment of stock options, which are authorized to be granted under the Plan,
based upon the current provisions of the Code and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. Incentive stock options under the Plan are
intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422. No tax consequences
result from the grant of the option. If an option holder acquires stock upon the
exercise, no income will be recognized by the option holder for ordinary income
tax purposes (although the difference between the option exercise price and the
fair market value of the stock subject to the option may result in alternative
minimum tax liability to the option holder) and the
16
Company will be allowed no deduction as a result of such exercise, provided that
the following conditions are met: (a) at all times during the period beginning
with the date of the granting of the option and ending on the day three months
before the date of such exercise, the option holder is an employee of the
Company or of a subsidiary; and (b) the option holder makes no disposition of
the stock within two years from the date the option is granted nor within one
year after the stock is transferred to the option holder. The three-month period
is extended to one year in the event of disability and is waived in the event of
death of the employee. In the event of a sale of such stock by the option holder
after compliance with these conditions, any gain realized over the price paid
for the stock ordinarily will be treated as capital gain, and any loss will be
treated as capital loss, in the year of the sale.
If the option holder fails to comply with the employment requirement
discussed above, the tax consequences will be the same as for a nonqualified
option, discussed below. If the option holder fails to comply with the holding
period requirements discussed above, the option holder will recognize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market
value of the stock on the date the option was exercised over the exercise price
or (ii) the excess of the amount realized upon such disposition over the
adjusted tax basis of the stock. Any additional gain ordinarily will be
recognized by the option holder as capital gain, either long-term or short-term,
depending on the holding period of the shares. If the option holder is treated
as having received ordinary income because of his or her failure to comply with
either condition above, an equivalent deduction will be allowed to the Company
in the same year.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS. No tax consequences result from the grant of
the option. An option holder who exercises a nonqualified stock option with cash
generally will realize compensation taxable as ordinary income in an amount
equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of
the shares on the date of exercise, and the Company will be entitled to a
deduction from income in the same amount in the fiscal year in which the
exercise occurred. The option holder's basis in such shares will be the fair
market value on the date income is realized, and when the holder disposes of the
shares he or she will recognize capital gain or loss, either long-term or
short-term, depending on the holding period of the shares.
DISALLOWANCE OF DEDUCTIONS. The Code disallows deductions for publicly held
corporations with respect to compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to the
corporation's chief executive officer and its four other most highly compensated
officers. However, compensation payable solely on account of attainment of one
or more performance goals is not subject to this deduction limitation if the
performance goals are objective, pre-established and determined by a
compensation committee comprised solely of two or more outside directors, the
material terms under which the compensation is to be paid are disclosed to the
stockholders and approved by a majority vote, and the compensation committee
certifies that the performance goals and other material terms were in fact
satisfied before the compensation is paid. Under this exception, the deduction
limitation does not apply with respect to compensation otherwise deductible on
account of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted at fair market
value under a plan which limits the number of shares that may be issued to any
individual and which is approved by the corporation's stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED 1997 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN.
PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has
appointed the firm of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent auditors of the Company
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999. BDO Seidman, LLP has served as the
Company's independent auditors since 1985. Although not
17
legally required to do so, the Board is submitting the selection of BDO Seidman,
LLP for ratification by the Company's stockholders at the Meeting.
A representative of BDO Seidman, LLP will be present at the Meeting and will
have the opportunity to make a statement, if he of she desires to do so, and to
respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1999.
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 beneficially own
10% or more of the Company's Common Stock (the "Reporting Persons"), to file
reports regarding their Company Common Stock ownership and changes in ownership
with the SEC. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to
the Company and written representations from certain of the Reporting Persons,
the Company believes that during 1998 and through the date hereof, the Reporting
Persons complied with all Section 16(a) reporting requirements applicable to
them.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
IN COMPENSATION DECISIONS
None of the directors serving on the Compensation Committee is an employee of
the Company, and neither the Chief Executive Officer nor any of the Named
Executive Officers has served on the Compensation Committee. No director or
executive officer of the Company is a director or executive officer of any other
corporation that has a director or executive officer who is also a director or
board committee member of the Company.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The deadline for submission of stockholder proposals to be considered for
inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders is December 27, 1999. Any such proposal received by the
Corporation's principal executive offices after such date will be considered
untimely and may be excluded from the proxy statement and form of proxy.
The deadline for submission of stockholder proposals to be presented at the
2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but which will not be included in the proxy
statement and form of proxy relating to such meeting, is March 6, 2000. Any such
proposal received by the Corporation's principal executive offices after such
date will be considered untimely and the persons named in the proxy for such
meeting may exercise their discretionary voting power with respect to such
proposal.
18
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of the Company does not know of any matters other
than those described in this Proxy Statement that will be presented for action
at the Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting,
the persons named in the accompanying proxies will vote the shares represented
by such proxies on such matters as instructed by the Board of Directors of the
Company, who have instructed the proxies to vote in accordance with the proxies'
own best judgment in the absence of express instruction from the Board.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Robert J. Arnot
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive
Officer
Gerald W. Lear
President and Chief Operating Officer
Eugene C. Wielepski
Vice President--Finance, Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate
Secretary
Baltimore, Maryland
April 26, 1999
19
EXHIBIT A
I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
1997 OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN
1. ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE AND TYPES OF AWARDS
I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
established and maintains the I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc. 1997 Omnibus Stock
Plan which is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to be known hereafter
as the I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc. Amended and Restated Omnibus Stock Plan (the
"Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term growth and
profitability of the Company by (i) providing key people with incentives to
improve stockholder value and to contribute to the growth and financial success
of the Company, and (ii) enabling the Company to attract, retain and reward the
best-available persons.
The Plan permits the granting of stock options (including incentive stock
options qualifying under Code section 422 and nonqualified stock options), stock
appreciation rights, restricted or unrestricted stock awards, phantom stock,
performance awards, or any combination of the foregoing.
2. DEFINITIONS
Under this Plan, except where the context otherwise indicates, the following
definitions apply:
(a) "AFFILIATE" shall mean any entity, whether now or hereafter existing,
which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company
(including, but not limited to, joint ventures, limited liability companies, and
partnerships). For this purpose, "control" shall mean ownership of 50% or more
of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock or interests
of the entity.
(b) "AWARD" shall mean any stock option, stock appreciation right, stock
award, phantom stock award, or performance award.
(c) "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(d) "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(e) "COMMON STOCK" shall mean shares of common stock of the Company, par
value of $0.0001 per share.
(f) "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(g) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" of a share of the Company's Common Stock for any
purpose on a particular date shall be determined in a manner such as the
Administrator shall in good faith determine to be appropriate; provided that in
the event the Common Stock shall become registered under Section 12(b) of the
Exchange Act, then thereafter the Fair Market Value of the Company's Common
Stock for any purpose on a particular date shall mean the last reported sale
price per share of Common Stock, regular way, on such date or, in case no such
sale takes place on such date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices,
regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on a national securities exchange or included for quotation on the
Nasdaq-National Market, or if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted to
trading or included for quotation, the last quoted price, or if the Common Stock
is not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices, regular way,
in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no
longer in use, the principal other automated quotations system that may then be
in use or, if the Common Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, as furnished by a
professional market maker making a market in the Common Stock as selected in
good faith by the Administrator or by such other source or sources as shall be
selected in good faith by the Administrator. If, as the case may be, the
relevant date is not a trading day, the determination shall be made as of the
next
preceding trading day. As used herein, the term "trading day" shall mean a day
on which public trading of securities occurs and is reported in the principal
consolidated reporting system referred to above, or if the Common Stock is not
listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange or included for
quotation on the Nasdaq-National Market, any business day.
(h) "GRANT AGREEMENT" shall mean a written document memorializing the terms
and conditions of an Award granted pursuant to the Plan and shall incorporate
the terms of the Plan.
(i) "PARENT" shall mean a corporation, whether now or hereafter existing,
within the meaning of the definition of "parent corporation" provided in Code
section 424(e), or any successor thereto.
(j) "SUBSIDIARY" AND "SUBSIDIARIES" shall mean only a corporation or
corporations, whether now or hereafter existing, within the meaning of the
definition of "subsidiary corporation" provided in Code section 424(f), or any
successor thereto.
3. ADMINISTRATION
(a) ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. The Plan shall be administered by the Board
or by such committee or committees as may be appointed by the Board from time to
time (the Board, committee or committees hereinafter referred to as the
"Administrator").
(b) POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. The Administrator shall have all the
powers vested in it by the terms of the Plan, such powers to include authority,
in its sole and absolute discretion, to grant Awards under the Plan, prescribe
Grant Agreements evidencing such Awards and establish programs for granting
Awards.
The Administrator shall have full power and authority to take all other
actions necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the Plan, including,
but not limited to, the authority to: (i) determine the eligible persons to
whom, and the time or times at which Awards shall be granted; (ii) determine the
types of Awards to be granted; (iii) determine the number of shares to be
covered by or used for reference purposes for each Award; (iv) impose such
terms, limitations, restrictions and conditions upon any such Award as the
Administrator shall deem appropriate; (v) modify, amend, extend or renew
outstanding Awards, or accept the surrender of outstanding Awards and substitute
new Awards (provided however, that, except as provided in Section 7(d) of the
Plan, any modification that would materially adversely affect any outstanding
Award shall not be made without the consent of the holder); (vi) accelerate or
otherwise change the time in which an Award may be exercised or becomes payable
and to waive or accelerate the lapse, in whole or in part, of any restriction or
condition with respect to such Award, including, but not limited to, any
restriction or condition with respect to the vesting or exercisability of an
Award following termination of any grantee's employment or other relationship
with the Company; and (vii) establish objectives and conditions, if any, for
earning Awards and determining whether Awards will be paid after the end of a
performance period.
The Administrator shall have full power and authority, in its sole and
absolute discretion, to administer and interpret the Plan and to adopt and
interpret such rules, regulations, agreements, guidelines and instruments for
the administration of the Plan and for the conduct of its business as the
Administrator deems necessary or advisable.
(c) NON-UNIFORM DETERMINATIONS. The Administrator's determinations under
the Plan (including without limitation, determinations of the persons to receive
Awards, the form, amount and timing of such Awards, the terms and provisions of
such Awards and the Grant Agreements evidencing such Awards) need not be uniform
and may be made by the Administrator selectively among persons who receive, or
are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan, whether or not such persons are
similarly situated.
(d) LIMITED LIABILITY. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no member of
the Administrator shall be liable for any action taken or decision made in good
faith relating to the Plan or any Award thereunder.
(e) INDEMNIFICATION. To the maximum extent permitted by law and by the
Company's charter and by-laws, the members of the Administrator shall be
indemnified by the Company in respect of all their activities under the Plan.
(f) EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION. All actions taken and decisions and
determinations made by the Administrator on all matters relating to the Plan
pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder shall be in the Administrator's
sole and absolute discretion and shall be conclusive and binding on all parties
concerned, including the Company, its stockholders, any participants in the Plan
and any other employee, consultant, or director of the Company, and their
respective successors in interest.
4. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR THE PLAN; MAXIMUM AWARDS
Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 7(d) of the Plan, the shares
of Common Stock that may be issued with respect to Awards granted under the Plan
shall not exceed an aggregate of 1,100,000 shares of Common Stock. The Company
shall reserve such number of shares for Awards under the Plan, subject to
adjustments as provided in Section 7(d) of the Plan. If any Award, or portion of
an Award, under the Plan expires or terminates unexercised, becomes
unexercisable or is forfeited or otherwise terminated, surrendered or canceled
as to any shares, or if any shares of Common Stock are surrendered to the
Company in connection with any Award (whether or not such surrendered shares
were acquired pursuant to any Award), the shares subject to such Award and the
surrendered shares shall thereafter be available for further Awards under the
Plan; provided, however, that any such shares that are surrendered to the
Company in connection with any Award or that are otherwise forfeited after
issuance shall not be available for purchase pursuant to incentive stock options
intended to qualify under Code section 422.
Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 7(d) of the Plan, the maximum
number of shares of Common Stock subject to Awards of any combination that may
be granted during any one fiscal year of the Company to any one individual under
this Plan shall be limited to 500,000 shares. Such per-individual limit shall
not be adjusted to effect a restoration of shares of Common Stock with respect
to which the related Award is terminated, surrendered or canceled.
5. PARTICIPATION
Participation in the Plan shall be open to all employees, officers,
directors, and consultants of the Company, or of any Affiliate of the Company,
as may be selected by the Administrator from time to time.
6. AWARDS
The Administrator, in its sole discretion, establishes the terms of all
Awards granted under the Plan. Awards may be granted individually or in tandem
with other types of Awards. All Awards are subject to the terms and conditions
provided in the Grant Agreement.
(a) STOCK OPTIONS. The Administrator may from time to time grant to
eligible participants Awards of incentive stock options as that term is defined
in Code section 422 or nonqualified stock options; provided, however, that
Awards of incentive stock options shall be limited to employees of the Company
or of any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Options intended to qualify as
incentive stock options under Code section 422 must have an exercise price at
least equal to Fair Market Value on the date of grant, but nonqualified stock
options may be granted with an exercise price less than Fair Market Value. No
stock option shall be an incentive stock option unless so designated by the
Administrator at the time of grant or in the Grant Agreement evidencing such
stock option.
(b) STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Administrator may from time to time
grant to eligible participants Awards of Stock Appreciation Rights ("SAR"). An
SAR entitles the grantee to receive, subject to the provisions of the Plan and
the Grant Agreement, a payment having an aggregate value equal to the product of
(i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of one share of
Common Stock over (B) the base price per share specified in the Grant Agreement,
times (ii) the number of shares specified by the SAR, or portion thereof, which
is exercised. Payment by the Company of the amount receivable upon any exercise
of an SAR may be made by the delivery of Common Stock or cash, or any
combination of Common Stock and cash, as determined in the sole discretion of
the Administrator. If upon settlement of the exercise of an SAR a grantee is to
receive a portion of such payment in shares of Common Stock, the number of
shares shall be determined by dividing such portion by the Fair Market Value of
a share of Common Stock on the exercise date. No fractional shares shall be used
for such
payment and the Administrator shall determine whether cash shall be given in
lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares shall be
eliminated.
(c) STOCK AWARDS. The Administrator may from time to time grant restricted
or unrestricted stock Awards to eligible participants in such amounts, on such
terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or
such minimum consideration as may be required by law, as it shall determine. A
stock Award may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, or in a combination of Common
Stock and cash, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(d) PHANTOM STOCK. The Administrator may from time to time grant Awards to
eligible participants denominated in stock-equivalent units ("phantom stock") in
such amounts and on such terms and conditions as it shall determine. Phantom
stock units granted to a participant shall be credited to a bookkeeping reserve
account solely for accounting purposes and shall not require a segregation of
any of the Company's assets. An Award of phantom stock may be settled in Common
Stock, in cash, or in a combination of Common Stock and cash, as determined in
the sole discretion of the Administrator. Except as otherwise provided in the
applicable Grant Agreement, the grantee shall not have the rights of a
stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock represented by a phantom
stock unit solely as a result of the grant of a phantom stock unit to the
grantee.
(e) PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The Administrator may, in its discretion, grant
performance awards which become payable on account of attainment of one or more
performance goals established by the Administrator. Performance awards may be
paid by the delivery of Common Stock or cash, or any combination of Common Stock
and cash, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. Performance
goals established by the Administrator may be based on the Company's or an
Affiliate's operating income or one or more other business criteria selected by
the Administrator that apply to an individual or group of individuals, a
business unit, or the Company or an Affiliate as a whole, over such performance
period as the Administrator may designate.
7. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. Grantees and holders of Awards shall pay to the
Company or its Affiliate, or make provision satisfactory to the Administrator
for payment of, any taxes required to be withheld in respect of Awards under the
Plan no later than the date of the event creating the tax liability. The Company
or its Affiliate may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax
obligations from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee or holder
of an Award. In the event that payment to the Company or its Affiliate of such
tax obligations is made in shares of Common Stock, such shares shall be valued
at Fair Market Value on the applicable date for such purposes.
(b) LOANS. The Company or its Affiliate may make or guarantee loans to
grantees to assist grantees in exercising Awards and satisfying any withholding
tax obligations.
(c) TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator,
and in any event in the case of an incentive stock option or a stock
appreciation right granted with respect to an incentive stock option, no Award
granted under the Plan shall be transferable by a grantee otherwise than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution. Unless otherwise determined by the
Administrator in accord with the provisions of the immediately preceding
sentence, an Award may be exercised during the lifetime of the grantee, only by
the grantee or, during the period the grantee is under a legal disability, by
the grantee's guardian or legal representative.
(d) ADJUSTMENTS; BUSINESS COMBINATIONS. In the event of changes in the
Common Stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend, spin-off, split-up,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, business combination or exchange of
shares and the like, the Administrator shall, in its discretion, make
appropriate adjustments to the maximum number and kind of shares reserved for
issuance or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan as
provided in Section 4 of the Plan and to the number, kind and price of shares
covered by outstanding Awards, and shall, in its discretion and without the
consent of holders of Awards, make any other adjustments in outstanding Awards,
including but not limited to reducing the number of shares subject to Awards or
providing or mandating alternative settlement
methods such as settlement of the Awards in cash or in shares of Common Stock or
other securities of the Company or of any other entity, or in any other matters
which relate to Awards as the Administrator shall, in its sole discretion,
determine to be necessary or appropriate.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary and without the consent
of holders of Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may make any
modifications to any Awards, including but not limited to cancellation,
forfeiture, surrender or other termination of the Awards in whole or in part
regardless of the vested status of the Award, in order to facilitate any
business combination that is authorized by the Board to comply with requirements
for treatment as a pooling of interests transaction for accounting purposes
under generally accepted accounting principles.
The Administrator is authorized to make, in its discretion and without the
consent of holders of Awards, adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and
the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring
events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any
Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting
principles, whenever the Administrator determines that such adjustments are
appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or
potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
(e) SUBSTITUTION OF AWARDS IN MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS. Awards may be
granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for Awards held by
employees, officers, consultants or directors of entities who become or are
about to become employees, officers, consultants or directors of the Company or
an Affiliate as the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing entity
with the Company or an Affiliate, or the acquisition by the Company or an
Affiliate of the assets or stock of the employing entity. The terms and
conditions of any substitute Awards so granted may vary from the terms and
conditions set forth herein to the extent that the Administrator deems
appropriate at the time of grant to conform the substitute Awards to the
provisions of the awards for which they are substituted.
(f) TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION OF THE PLAN. The Board may
terminate, amend or modify the Plan or any portion thereof at any time.
(g) NON-GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE. Nothing in the Plan or in any
Grant Agreement thereunder shall confer any right on an individual to continue
in the service of the Company or shall interfere in any way with the right of
the Company to terminate such service at any time with or without cause or
notice.
(h) NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create
or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between the Company and a grantee or any other person. To the
extent that any grantee or other person acquires a right to receive payments
from the Company pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the
right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan, of
Grant Agreements entered into pursuant to the Plan, and of any rules,
regulations, determinations or decisions made by the Administrator relating to
the Plan or such Grant Agreements, and the rights of any and all persons having
or claiming to have any interest therein or thereunder, shall be determined
exclusively in accordance with applicable federal laws and the laws of the State
of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
(j) EFFECTIVE DATE; TERMINATION DATE. The Plan initially became effective
May 15, 1997, and shall continue in effect as amended and restated herein,
subject to approval of the stockholders of the Company at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of the Stockholders or a special meeting of the stockholders at which
the Plan, as amended and restated, is presented for approval, provided that any
such special meeting is held within twelve months of the date this amended and
restated Plan is adopted by the Board. No Award shall be granted under the Plan
after the close of business on May 14, 2007. Subject to other applicable
provisions of the Plan, all Awards made under the Plan prior to such termination
of the Plan shall remain in effect until such Awards have been satisfied or
terminated in accordance with the Plan and the terms of such Awards.
I.C. ISAACS & COMPANY, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 3, 1999
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Robert J. Arnot and Gerald
W. Lear, as attorneys and proxies with full power of substitution, to attend and
vote all of the shares which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of I.C. Isaacs & Company, Inc. (the "Company") to be
held at the Best Western and Conference Center, 5625 O'Donnell Street,
Baltimore, Maryland 21224, at 11:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, June 3, 1999
and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof, with the same force
and effect as if the undersigned were personally present, and the undersigned
hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote as follows with respect to
the matters described in the Proxy Statement:
1. To elect three Class II directors to the Company's Board of Directors,
each for a term of three years or until their successors have been
elected and qualified. The following three persons have been nominated to
serve as Class II directors: Jon Hechler, Daniel J. Gladstone and Thomas
P. Ormandy.
/ / FOR all nominees listed above / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all
nominees listed below
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL
NOMINEES, WRITE THE NAME OF EACH SUCH NOMINEE ON THE LINE PROVIDED ABOVE.)
2. To approve the adoption of the Company's Amended and Restated 1997
Omnibus Stock Plan.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. To ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY,
WHICH RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR
PROPOSAL 2 AND FOR PROPOSAL 3. AS TO ANY OTHER MATTER WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME
BEFORE THE MEETING, EACH OF THE PROXIES NAMED HEREIN WILL VOTE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH HIS BEST JUDGMENT.
THIS PROXY when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
herein. If no direction is given, the proxy will be voted FOR the director
nominees listed in Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2 and FOR Proposal 3. This Proxy may
be revoked in writing prior to its exercise. The undersigned hereby revokes any
proxies heretofore given to vote upon or act with respect to the undersigned's
shares.
/ / Please indicate by check mark if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders.
Dated _______________________, 1999
___________________________________
(Signature)
___________________________________
(Signature)
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this card. Joint
owners should each sign personally. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, personal representative, trustee or guardian, please give full
titles as such. (Please sign, date and return this proxy promptly in the
enclosed envelope)