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United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
NUTRACEUTIX, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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NUTRACEUTIX, INC.
8340 - 154TH AVENUE N.E.
REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 24, 2001
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To the Stockholders of Nutraceutix, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
NUTRACEUTIX, INC. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, will be held at the
Edgewater Hotel, Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington on Thursday, May
24, 2001 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Savings Time. The purposes of the
Annual Meeting will be:
1. To elect one director to serve as the Class 3 director on the
Company's Board of Directors for a three-year term (Proposal No. 1); and
2. To consider and act upon any other matter which may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 13, 2001,
as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, and
to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Only holders of record of
common stock of the Company at the close of business on the record date will be
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournment thereof.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. A
review of the Company's operations for the year ended December 31, 2000 will be
presented. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND
PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, WHICH YOU MAY REVOKE AT ANY TIME PRIOR
TO ITS USE. A prepaid, self-addressed envelope is enclosed for your convenience.
Your shares will be voted at the meeting in accordance with your proxy. If you
attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ David T. Howard
David T. Howard
President and Chief Executive Officer
Redmond, Washington
April 16, 2001
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NUTRACEUTIX, INC.
8340 - 154TH AVENUE N.E.
REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052
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PROXY STATEMENT
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ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 24, 2001
SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Annual Report to Stockholders,
the Notice of Annual Meeting and the proxy card are being furnished to the
stockholders of Nutraceutix, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Company's Board of Directors
for use at the Company's 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") to be held at the Edgewater Hotel, Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle,
Washington, on May 24, 2001 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Savings Time, and
any adjournment thereof. All expenses of the Company associated with this
solicitation will be borne by the Company. The solicitation of proxies by mail
may be followed by personal solicitation of certain stockholders by officers or
regular employees of the Company.
The two persons named as proxies on the enclosed proxy card, David T.
Howard and Steven H. Moger, were designated by the Board of Directors. All
properly executed proxies will be voted (except to the extent that authority to
vote has been withheld) and where a choice has been specified by the stockholder
as provided in the proxy card, it will be voted in accordance with the
specification so made. Proxies submitted without specification will be voted FOR
Proposal No. 1 to elect the nominee as a Class 3 director.
A proxy may be revoked by a stockholder prior to its exercise by written
notice to the Secretary of the Company, by submission of another proxy bearing a
later date or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Such notice or later
proxy will not affect a vote on any matter taken prior to the receipt thereof by
the Company.
These proxy materials and the accompanying Annual Report to Stockholders
are being mailed on or about April 25, 2001 to stockholders of record on April
13, 2001 of the Company's common stock. The principal executive office and
mailing address of the Company is 8340 - 154th Avenue N.E., Redmond, Washington
98052.
VOTING AT THE MEETING
The shares of common stock constitute the only class of securities entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. In accordance with the Company's
Bylaws, the stock transfer records were compiled on April 13, 2001, the record
date set by the Board of Directors for determining the stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. On
April 13, 2001, there were 17,803,289 shares of common stock outstanding and
entitled to vote.
Each share of common stock outstanding on the record date is entitled to
one vote per share at the Annual Meeting. Shares registered in the names of
brokers or other "street name" nominees for which proxies are voted on some but
not all matters will be considered to be voted only as to those matters actually
voted, and will not be considered "shares present" as to the matters with
respect to which a beneficial holder has not provided voting instructions
(commonly referred to as "broker non-votes"). For purposes of determining the
existence of a quorum, abstentions from voting identified as such on the proxy
card and broker non-votes are treated as present at the Annual Meeting. With
respect to tabulating the vote necessary for stockholder action on Proposal No.
1 at the Annual Meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on
the votes. If a quorum (consisting of a majority of the shares of common stock
outstanding as of the record date) is present at the Annual Meeting, the nominee
for the director position who receives the greatest number of votes cast by
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the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote shall be elected.
PROPOSAL NO. 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTOR
In accordance with the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall
consist of no less than 4 and no more than 12 directors, the specific number to
be determined by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The size of the
Board is currently set at five persons, and the Board of Directors is divided
into three classes, with staggered three-year terms. Class 1 and Class 2 are
comprised of two directors and Class 3 is comprised of one director. One Class 3
director will be elected at the Annual Meeting.
The Class 1 directors, Arthur S. Pearson and Carl W. Schafer, have been
elected to a term that expires in 2002. The Class 2 directors, Herbert L. Lucas
and David Howard, have been elected to a term that expires in 2003. Mr. Howard
was appointed to the Board of Directors by the Board of Directors effective May
24, 2000. William D. St. John, who served as a Class 3 director since 1995,
resigned effective January 15, 2001.
NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR (PROPOSAL NO. 1)
The name and certain information concerning the person to be nominated by
the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting is set forth below. THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE
NAMED BELOW. Shares represented by proxies will be voted for the election of the
person named below unless authority has been withheld in the proxy. The nominee
has consented to serve as a director. The Board of Directors has no reason to
believe that the nominee will be unable to serve as director. In the event of
the death or unavailability of the nominee, the proxy holders will have
discretionary authority under the proxy to vote for a suitable substitute
nominee as the Board of Directors may recommend. Proxies may not be voted for
more than one nominee. The Board of Directors has nominated the person named in
the following table:
NAME AGE HAS BEEN A DIRECTOR SINCE
---- --- -------------------------
Daniel B. Ward................................... 73 1995
Daniel B. Ward has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since 1995 and as a director of BioTechniques Laboratories, Inc., ("BTL"), a
subsidiary of the Company, since 1983. Mr. Ward has had his own financial
consulting firm since 1977 which specializes in mergers and acquisitions. From
1976 to 1977, Mr. Ward was Vice President of Finance for Norfin, Inc., a
business machine manufacturer. From 1972 to 1975 he was Regional Director of the
Small Business Administration and from 1966 to 1972 was Director of the
Washington State Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Mr. Ward
received his BA from Princeton University in 1950.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors held five (5) meetings and took action pursuant to
three (3) unanimous written consents during the year ended December 31, 2000.
Mr. Lucas attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board
of Directors and Audit Committee during 2000.
During 2000, the members of the Compensation Committee were Mr. Lucas, Mr.
Pearson, Mr. Schafer and Mr. Ward. The Compensation Committee is responsible for
setting the compensation of the President and consults with the President
regarding the compensation of other corporate officers. The Compensation
Committee took action pursuant to one unanimous written consent during 2000.
During 2000, the members of the Audit Committee were Mr. Lucas, Mr.
Pearson, Mr. Schafer and Mr. Ward. The Audit Committee reviews the audited
financial statements with the Company's independent accountants and
representatives of management, and is responsible for the oversight of the
internal accounting and financial reporting process. In addition, the Chairman
of the Audit Committee reviewed the interim
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financial results included in the Company's quarterly reports with the Company's
independent accountants. The Audit Committee held two (2) meetings during 2000.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS*
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company ("Audit
Committee") is comprised of the following non-employee, independent directors:
Herbert L. Lucas, Arthur S. Pearson, Carl W. Schafer and Daniel B. Ward. The
members of the Audit Committee are "independent" as defined by Rule 4200(a)(15)
of the National Association of Securities Dealers' listing standards, as
applicable and as may be modified or supplemented. Management has the primary
responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including
the system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for
performing an independent audit of the Company's consolidated financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards and to
issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of
the Company's internal accounting and financial reporting process and the review
of the audited financial statements of the Company, together with a discussion
of pertinent matters with the management of the Company and the Company's
independent auditors in connection with the audited financials.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit
Committee and it is included in this proxy statement as Appendix A. The Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2000 with management and has discussed with Grant
Thornton LLP, the Company's independent auditors, the matters required to be
discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards,
AUsec.380), as may be modified or supplemented. Additionally, the Audit
Committee has received the written disclosures from Grant Thornton LLP required
by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as may be modified or
supplemented, and has discussed with Grant Thornton LLP the auditor's
independence.
Based on the foregoing reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee has
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 2000 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel B. Ward, Chairman
Herbert L. Lucas
Arthur S. Pearson
Carl W. Schafer
FEES PAID TO AUDITORS RELATED TO FISCAL YEAR 2000
Audit Fees.................................................. $52,250
Financial Information Systems...............................
Design and Implementation Fees.............................. $ -0-
All Other Fees.............................................. $10,517
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* The report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be "soliciting
material" or to be incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating this Proxy Statement into any filing under either the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act of 1934 (together the "Acts"),
except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such report by
reference; and further, such report shall not otherwise be deemed filed under
the Acts.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2001, certain information
furnished to the Company with respect to ownership of the Company's common stock
of (i) each director and director nominee, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer and
the former Chief Executive Officer, (iii) all persons known by the Company to be
beneficial owners of more than five percent (5%) of the Company's common stock,
and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group.
NUMBER PERCENT OF
OF SHARES
STOCKHOLDER SHARES OUTSTANDING(1)
----------- --------- --------------
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company............................. 1,920,000 10.78%
4666 Faries Parkway
Decatur, IL 62526
William D. St. John(2)..................................... 1,330,867 7.40%
2502 Canterbury Lane, #410
Seattle, WA 98052
David T. Howard(3)......................................... 160,000 *
Herbert L. Lucas(4)........................................ 693,824 3.84%
Arthur S. Pearson(5)....................................... 105,000 *
Carl W. Schafer(6)......................................... 305,000 1.68%
Daniel B. Ward(7).......................................... 278,000 1.54%
All directors and executive officers as a group (6
persons)(8).............................................. 1,852,126 9.8%
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* Less than one percent
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and includes voting and investment power
with respect to shares. Except as otherwise indicated, the stockholders
identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with regard
to the shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Shares of common stock
subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days of March 31, 2001 are deemed outstanding for computing the
percentage ownership of the person holding such options or warrants, but are
not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.
(2) Includes 179,000 shares subject to options exercisable as of May 30, 2001,
of which 94,000 shares are subject to options held by Patricia A. St. John,
Mr. St. John's wife. Mr. St. John served as the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from 1984 until May 24, 2000 and then served as Chief Scientific
Officer from May 24, 2000 to January 15, 2001, the effective date of his
resignation. Patricia St. John resigned as Vice President, Administration,
Secretary and Treasurer effective January 15, 2001. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions."
(3) Includes 160,000 shares subject to options exercisable as of May 30, 2001.
(4) Includes 235,000 shares subject to options exercisable as of May 30, 2001.
(5) Includes 85,000 shares subject to options exercisable as of May 30, 2001.
(6) Includes 265,000 shares subject to options exercisable as of May 30, 2001.
(7) Includes 235,000 shares subject to options exercisable as of May 30, 2001.
(8) Includes 1,079,166 shares subject to options exercisable as of May 30, 2001,
including shares of common stock and options beneficially owned by Mr.
Moger, but excluding shares of common stock and options beneficially owed by
William D. and Patricia A. St. John.
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table identifies the current directors and executive officers
of the Company, the positions which they hold, and the year in which they began
serving in their respective capacities. Officers of the Company are elected by
the Board of Directors immediately following each Annual Meeting of the
Company's stockholders to hold office until their successors are elected and
qualified.
NAME AGE CURRENT POSITION(S) WITH COMPANY POSITION HELD SINCE
---- --- -------------------------------- -------------------
David T. Howard................ 51 President, Director (Class 2, exp. 2003) 2000
Steven H. Moger................ 37 Vice President of Operations 1997
Herbert L. Lucas............... 73 Director (Class 2, exp. 2003) 1995
Arthur S. Pearson.............. 72 Director (Class 1, exp. 2002) 1998
Carl W. Schafer................ 65 Director (Class 1, exp. 2002) 1995
Daniel B. Ward................. 73 Director (Class 3, exp. 2001) 1995
For information on the business background of Mr. Ward, See "Nominee for
Director" above.
David T. Howard has served as the Company's President and a director since
May 24, 2000. From August 1997 to March 2000, Mr. Howard served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Novopharm International. Prior to that position, he
was President of Granutec, Inc. from July 1995 through December 1997 and
President of Stanley Pharmaceuticals from January 1990 to December 1999. Mr.
Howard serves on the board of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Steven H. Moger has served in various financial management positions for
the Company for the past 14 years. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Moger served as the
Controller/General Manager of the Company. In December of 1997 Mr. Moger was
promoted to Vice President of Operations/General Manager. Mr. Moger received his
BA in Accounting from Western Washington University in 1986 and obtained his CPA
in 1989.
Herbert L. Lucas has served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since 1995, and as a director of BioTechniques Laboratories, Inc., ("BTL") a
subsidiary of the Company, since 1983. Mr. Lucas was with Carnation
International, a multinational food processing company, from 1963 to 1981,
rising to the position of President and Director. Mr. Lucas serves on the board
of several corporations and non-profit institutions, including the Wellington
Trust Company, Boston, The J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, and the Winrock
International Institute for Agricultural Development, Morrilton, Arkansas. Mr.
Lucas received his BA from Princeton University in 1950 and MBA from the Harvard
University School of Business Administration in 1952.
Arthur S. Pearson has served as a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since 1998. Since 1981, Mr. Pearson has managed Arthur S. Pearson
Associates, Management Consultants. From 1977 to 1981, Mr. Pearson was Corporate
Vice President of Advertising of Standard Brands/Nabisco. Prior thereto, he
served in senior marketing positions at Bristol Myers Co. from 1963-1977; his
last position was Director of Marketing Services of the Clairol division. From
1960 to 1963, Mr. Pearson was Director of Marketing Research, Ralston Purina.
Carl W. Schafer has served as a member of the Board of Directors since
1995. He has served as President of the Atlantic Foundation since 1990 and from
1987 to 1990 was a principal of Rockefeller & Co., Inc. Prior thereto, he was
the Financial Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Princeton
University. Mr. Schafer was also chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee
of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 1985 to 1992. Mr. Schafer joined
Princeton in 1969 after serving as a principal staff assistant to the Committee
on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Schafer serves as a
director and/or trustee of a number of corporations and foundations, including
Frontier Oil Corporation, the Paine Webber and Guardian groups of mutual funds,
Harbor Branch Institution, Electronic Clearing House, Inc., Roadway Express,
Inc. and Labor Ready, Inc.
Officers serve at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. No
other family relationship exists among any directors or executive officers of
the Company or the nominees for election to the Company's Board of Directors.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table shows all the cash compensation, as well as certain
other compensation, paid by the Company to the President, and each of the
Company's other highly compensated executive officers (the "named executive
officers") during the fiscal years indicated. No other officer earned total
salary and bonus in excess of $100,000 for the periods indicated.
2000 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG-TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION AWARDS
-------------------------------- -------------------
OTHER SECURITIES
ANNUAL UNDERLYING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS
--------------------------- ---- ------- ----- ------------ -------------------
David T. Howard................... 2000 127,346(1) -0- 6,300(2) 800,000
President 1999 -0- -0- -0- -0-
1998 -0- -0- -0- -0-
William D. St. John............... 2000 175,000(3) 8,000(4) -0- -0-
President/Chief Scientific Officer 1999 175,000(3) 8,000(4) -0- 35,000
1998 148,500(3) 8,000(4) 36,015(5) 20,000
Lyndon C. Johnson................. 2000 82,788(6) -0- 5,000(7) 66,000
VP Sales & Marketing 1999 150,000 -0- -0- -0-
1998 50,576(6) -0- -0- 200,000
Steven H. Moger................... 2000 110,000(8) -0- -0- -0-
VP Operations 1999 110,000(8) -0- -0- 20,000
1998 87,500(8) -0- 12,833(9) 10,000
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(1) Mr. Howard's date of hire was May 24, 2000. His annual salary is $210,000.
(2) Mr. Howard received a car allowance of $6,300 during 2000.
(3) Mr. St. John received an annual base salary of $119,000 until April 1998.
From April 1998 to May 1998, his annual salary was $150,000. In October
1998, his annual salary was increased to $175,000. Mr. St. John resigned as
an officer and director of the Company effective as of January 15, 2001.
(4) Consists of premiums paid by the Company for life insurance and term life
insurance.
(5) Other Annual Compensation consists of commissions. Mr. St. John received a
commission on the Company's gross sales, as follows: 0.65% on all sales,
additional 2.0% over $150,000. All commissions payable to Mr. St. John on
the Company's sales terminated in May 1998.
(6) Mr. Johnson's date of hire was August 31, 1998. Mr. Johnson's annual salary
was $150,000. Mr. Johnson resigned effective July 12, 2000.
(7) Mr. Johnson received a commission payment of $5,000 in 2000.
(8) Mr. Moger received an annual base salary of $60,000 until April 1998. From
April 1998 to October 1998, his annual salary was $90,000. In October 1998,
his annual salary was increased to $110,000.
(9) Mr. Moger received a commission on the Company's gross sales as follows:
0.225% on all sales, additional 0.4% over $150,000. Mr. Moger also received
an additional 12% commission on sales of COBACTIN microbial feed additives
for dairy, BIOPOWER silage inoculant and private label manufacturing for
product sales made directly by Mr. Moger. All commissions payable to Mr.
Moger on the Company's sales terminated in May 1998.
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The following table sets forth all individual grants of stock options made
by the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 to the named
executive officers.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF TOTAL EXERCISE
SECURITIES OPTIONS GRANTED TO OR BASE
UNDERLYING OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE EXPIRATION
NAME GRANTED(#) FISCAL YEAR(1) ($/SHARE) DATE
---- ------------------ ------------------ --------- ----------
David T. Howard............................ 800,000 88% 0.63 5/24/10
William D. St. John........................ -- -- -- --
Steven H. Moger............................ -- -- -- --
Lyndon C. Johnson.......................... 66,000 7% 0.90 7/14/01
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(1) Based on stock options representing an aggregate of 908,060 shares of common
stock granted to employees during the year ended December 31, 2000.
The following table sets forth information on an aggregated basis,
concerning the exercise of stock options during the year ended December 31, 2000
by each of the named executive officers and the fiscal year-end value of the
unexercised options.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SECURITIES UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONEY
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS OPTIONS AT FY-END
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE REALIZED AT FY-END(#) ($)(2)
NAME ON EXERCISE(#) ($)(1) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
---- --------------- -------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
David T. Howard........... -- -- 80,000/720,000 --
William D. St. John....... 118,000 22,960 55,000/ 30,000 600/0
Steven H. Moger........... 7,500 1,875 95,834/ 16,666 4,425/0
Lyndon C. Johnson......... -- -- 66,000/ 0 --
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(1) Market value of the underlying securities at exercise date minus exercise
price of the options.
(2) The closing price of the Company's stock as of December 31, 2000 was $0.34.
Except as set forth above, the exercise price of all options held by the
named executive officers set forth in the table exceeds the market value of
the underlying shares.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
The Company had a three year employment contract with William D. St. John,
which commenced on April 1, 1998, and which was renewable for an additional
three-year period unless either party gave 180 days notice to the other. The
employment agreement provided for an initial base annual salary of not less than
$150,000. As of October 1, 1998, the base salary paid to Mr. St. John increased
from $150,000 to $175,000. Mr. St. John resigned, as an officer and director of
the Company, effective as of January 15, 2001 and the employment contract was
superseded and replaced with a Separation Agreement. See "Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions."
The Company had a three-year employment contract with Lyndon C. Johnson as
its Vice President of Sales and Marketing which commenced on September 8, 1998.
The employment agreement provided for an initial base salary of $150,000 plus
commissions and bonus not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the base salary.
There was no commission or bonus earned or paid to Mr. Johnson in 1999. Mr.
Johnson received a commission payment of $5,000 in 2000. Mr. Johnson resigned
effective July 12, 2000. The Company and Mr. Johnson executed a severance
agreement pursuant to which Mr. Johnson was granted a fully vested stock
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option for 66,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.90 per share which remains
exercisable through July 14, 2001.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The Company pays no additional remuneration to employees of the Company who
serve as directors. All directors are entitled to reimbursement for expenses
incurred in traveling to and from meetings of the Company's Board of Directors.
Effective September 24, 1999 and as further clarified on March 27, 2000, the
Board of Directors has adopted the following compensation plan for nonemployee
directors ("Eligible Directors"): (a) on October 1 of each year each Eligible
Director is granted an option exercisable for 30,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's
common stock on the date of grant, which option shall be fully vested as of the
date of grant, (b) on October 1 of the first year of service, each new Eligible
Director is granted an option for 2,500 shares for each whole month of service
prior to October 1, (c) in the event an Eligible Director resigns prior to
October 1 in any year, such eligible Director is granted an option on October 1
of the year of resignation for 2,500 shares for each whole month of service
completed prior to the date of resignation, and (d) each Eligible Director
receives a quarterly cash retainer paid in arrears in the amount of $3,750 for
services as a Director. In accordance with this compensation policy, on October
1, 2000, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Schafer, Mr. Pearson and Mr. Ward were each granted
nonqualified stock options exercisable for 30,000 shares of the Company's common
stock at an exercise price of $0.66 per share.
In addition, on January 13, 2000, the Board of Directors made an
extraordinary grant to each of Mr. Lucas, Mr. Schafer and Mr. Ward of a
nonqualified stock option fully exercisable for 15,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at an exercise price of $0.50 per share.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company and William D. St. John entered into a Separation Agreement
pursuant to which Mr. St. John's employment with the Company ceased as of
January 15, 2001. The Separation Agreement supersedes and replaces his
employment agreement. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. St. John's Separation
Agreement, he is entitled to receive 36 monthly severance payments of $12,500,
subject to certain offsets against future earnings. The severance payments are
also subject to general tax and other withholdings and deductions applicable to
wages. Additionally, Mr. St. John's options for 85,000 shares of the Company's
common stock became fully vested and were converted into nonqualified options,
exercisable until January 31, 2002.
The Company and Patricia A. St. John, wife of Mr. St. John, entered into a
Separation Agreement pursuant to which Mrs. St. John's employment as Vice
President Administration, Secretary and Treasurer ceased as of January 15, 2001.
Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, Mrs. St. John is entitled to
12 monthly severance payments of $7,088.33 for the period January 15, 2001 to
January 15, 2002, which payments are subject to general tax and other
withholdings and deductions applicable to wages. Additionally, Mrs. St. John's
options for 94,000 shares of the Company's common stock became fully vested and
were converted into nonqualified options, exercisable until January 31, 2002.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires the Company's directors and
executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of the outstanding
shares of the Company's common stock ("ten percent stockholders") to file with
the SEC initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in
beneficial ownership of shares of common stock and other equity securities of
the Company. To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company or otherwise in its files and on written
representations from its directors, executive officers and ten percent
shareholders that no
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other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. The
Company's officers, directors and ten percent stockholders complied with all
applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company must receive proposals by stockholders intended to be included
in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders at
its principal executive office no later than December 24, 2001. According to the
Company's Bylaws, proposals by stockholders intended to be presented at the
Company's 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company at
its principal executive office not less than 75 and not more than 90 days prior
to the meeting.
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Grant Thornton LLP was retained as the Company's independent accountants
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000 and is selected as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001.
A representative of Grant Thornton LLP is expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting. The representative will be given an opportunity to make a
statement on behalf of their firm if such representative so desires, and will be
available to respond to appropriate stockholder questions.
TRANSACTION OF OTHER BUSINESS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors is not aware
of any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting. It is the
intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote the proxy in
accordance with their best judgment if any other matters do properly come before
the Annual Meeting.
Please return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible. Unless a quorum
consisting of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is
represented at the Annual Meeting, no business can be transacted. Therefore,
please be sure to date and sign your proxy card exactly as your name appears on
your stock certificate and return it in the enclosed postage prepaid return
envelope. Please act promptly to insure that you will be represented at this
important meeting.
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE, WITHOUT CHARGE, ON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF ANY
BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB AS FILED
WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE COMPANY'S FISCAL YEAR
ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000. WRITTEN REQUESTS SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE SECRETARY,
NUTRACEUTIX, INC., 8340 - 154TH AVENUE N.E., REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98052.
By the Order of the Board of
Directors:
/s/ David T. Howard
David T. Howard
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: April 16, 2001.
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12
APPENDIX A
TO
PROXY STATEMENT
NUTRACEUTIX, INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
PURPOSE OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee (the "Committee") is to assist
the Board of Directors of Nutraceutix, Inc. (the "Board") in fulfilling its
responsibility to oversee management's conduct of the Company's financial
reporting process, including overseeing (a) the financial reports and other
financial information the Company provides to any governmental or regulatory
body, the public or other users thereof, (b) the Company's systems of internal
accounting and financial controls and (c) the annual independent audit of the
Company's financial statements.
In fulfilling its oversight role, the Committee is empowered to investigate
any matter brought to its attention with full access to all books, records,
facilities and personnel of the Company and the power to retain outside counsel,
auditors or other experts for this purpose.
The Board and the Committee are in place to represent the Company's
shareholders; accordingly, the outside auditor is ultimately accountable to the
Board and the Committee.
The Committee shall review the adequacy of this Charter on an annual basis.
MEMBERSHIP ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Committee shall be comprised of not less than three members of the
Board, and the Committee's composition will meet the requirements of the Audit
Committee Policy of the National Association of Securities Dealers.
Accordingly, all Committee members will be directors:
1. Who have no relationship to the Company that may interfere with the
exercise of their independence from management and the Company; and
2. Who are financially literate or who become financially literate within a
reasonable period of time after appointment to the Committee.
In addition, at least one member of the Committee will have accounting or
related financial management expertise.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Committee's job is one of oversight and it recognizes that the
Company's management is responsible for preparing the Company's financial
statements and that the outside auditors are responsible for auditing those
financial statements. Additionally, the Committee recognizes that financial
management, as well as the outside auditors, have more time, knowledge and more
detailed information on the Company than do Committee members. Consequently, in
carrying out its oversight responsibilities, the Committee is not providing any
expert or special assurance as to the Company's financial statements or any
professional certification as to the outside auditor's work.
The following functions shall be the common recurring activities of the
Committee in carrying out its oversight function. These functions are set forth
as a guide with the understanding that the Committee may diverge from this guide
as appropriate given the circumstances.
1. The Committee shall review with management and the outside auditors the
audited financial statements to be included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB (or the Annual Report to Shareholders if
distributed prior to the filing of Form 10-KSB) and review and consider
with the
10
13
outside auditors the matters required to be discussed by Statement of
Auditing Standards ("SAS") No. 61.
2. As a whole, or through the Committee chair, the Committee shall review
with the outside auditors the Company's interim financial results to be
included in the Company's quarterly reports to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the matters required to be
discussed by SAS No. 61; this review will occur prior to the Company's
filing of Form 10-QSB.
3. The Committee shall:
- request from the outside auditors annually, a formal written statement
delineating all relationships between the auditor and the Company
consistent with Independence Standards Board, Standard Number 1;
- discuss with the outside auditors any such disclosed relationships and
their impact on the outside auditor's independence;
- discuss with management and the outside auditors the quality and
adequacy of the Company's internal controls; and
- recommend that the Board take appropriate action to oversee the
independence of the outside auditor.
4. The Committee, subject to any action that may be taken by the full
Board, shall have the ultimate authority and responsibility to select
(or nominate for shareholder approval), evaluate and, where appropriate,
replace the outside auditor.
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PROXY
NUTRACEUTIX, INC.
PROXY CARD
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 24, 2001
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NUTRACEUTIX, INC.
The undersigned stockholder of record of Nutraceutix, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), hereby appoints David T. Howard and Steven H.
Moger, or either of them acting in absence of the other, with full power of
substitution, as proxy to cast all votes which the undersigned stockholder is
entitled to cast at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m.
PDT on May 24, 2001, at the Edgewater Hotel, Pier 67, 2411 Alaskan Way, Seattle,
Washington, or any adjournments or postponements thereof upon the matters listed
herein and in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. UNLESS DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEE LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS
TO OTHER MATTERS. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Company's
Proxy Statement and hereby revokes any proxy or proxies previously given. PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD TODAY IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED
ENVELOPE.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE)
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15
Please mark [X]
your votes as
indicated in
this example.
WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
FOR nominee for nominee
named below named below
1. PROPOSAL 1 - Election of Class 3 Director [ ] [ ]
Mr. Daniel B. Ward
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEE
NAMED ABOVE.
2. Upon such other matters as may properly come before, or incident to the
conduct of, the Annual Meeting, the Proxy holders shall vote in such manner
as they determine to be in the best interest of the Company. Management is
not presently aware of any such matters to be presented for action at the
meeting.
I DO DO NOT PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
[ ] [ ]
Signature(s)_____________________________________________Date:__________________
Please sign above exactly as your name appears on the Proxy Card. If shares are
registered in more than one name, all such persons should sign. A corporation
should sign in its full corporate name by a duly authorized officer, stating
his/her title. Trustee(s), guardian(s), executor(s) and administrator(s) should
sign in their official capacity, giving their full title as such. If a
partnership, please sign in the partnership name by authorized person(s). If you
receive more than one Proxy Card, please sign and return all such cards in the
accompanying envelope. Please return promptly in the enclosed envelope which
requires no postage if mailed in the U.S.A.
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