BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Number, Term and Election of Directors
Our articles of incorporation provide
that the number of directors shall be determined in the manner provided by our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that the number of directors shall not be
less than four or more than ten, with the precise number to be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is currently
composed of eight directors and divided into three classes as follows:
|
|
Two Class I Directors Messrs. Ivesdal and Pahre, whose
terms will expire at the 2008 annual meeting. |
|
|
Three Class II Directors Messrs. Gonzalez and James and
Ms. Maza, whose terms will expire at the 2009 annual meeting. |
|
|
Three Class III Directors Dr. Atkins, Mr. Jacoby and Dr.
Weyerhaeuser, whose terms will expire at the 2007 annual meeting. Drs. Atkins and Weyerhaeuser and Mr. Jacoby have been nominated for re-election at
the 2007 annual meeting to serve three-year terms ending in 2010. |
Generally, one class of directors will
be elected each year by our shareholders. Each director will hold office until the election and qualification of his or her successor or upon earlier
resignation or removal. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes
so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of an equal number of directors.
The following individuals are
continuing Class I Directors (terms to expire in 2008) and are not standing for election this year:
Roger M. Ivesdal (age 62) has
served as one of our directors since September 20, 2005. Mr. Ivesdal has spent 33 years in various sales, marketing, and management roles in the
agricultural chemicals industry. Mr. Ivesdal started his career in 1970 as a sales representative for Helena Chemical Company in Des Moines, Iowa and
became sales manager for Helena Proprietary Products in 1974. In 1977, Mr. Ivesdal became a sales representative for Ostlund Chemical in Fargo, ND. In
1982, he became sales manager, and in 1988 he became General Manager, of Ostlund. In 1998, Mr. Ivesdal was named Executive Vice President for the
Western Region for United Agri Products, an operating company of ConAgra, and was responsible for managing four operating companies in the western
United States. In 2003, Mr. Ivesdal retired from UAP. Mr. Ivesdal received a BS degree in agronomy from North Dakota State University.
Richard N. Pahre (age 66) has
served as one of our directors since February 2003. Mr. Pahre is a certified public accountant and, effective December 31, 2002, retired as a partner
of Moss Adams LLP, a public accounting firm that provides services to a wide-range of public and private clients. From February 1977 to December 2002,
Mr. Pahre served as an audit partner of Moss Adams LLP. Since February 2005, Mr. Pahre has served as a Director of CityBank, a public commercial bank,
headquartered in Lynnwood, Washington. Since 1993, Mr. Pahre has served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer (non-executive) of Seattle Goodwill,
a nonprofit organization. Mr. Pahre received a B.A. degree in accounting from the University of Washington.
The following individuals are
continuing Class II Directors (terms to expire in 2009) and are not standing for election this year:
Gilberto H. Gonzalez (age 59)
has served as one of our directors since February 2003. Mr. Gonzalez currently serves as Chairman of Evergreen Business Group, LLC, a company involved
in real estate marketing, investing and development, and as Chairman of Select Capital Group, a financial services company. Beginning in 1970, Mr.
Gonzalez has worked in the agricultural chemical business in various executive capacities in sales and marketing. Most recently, Mr. Gonzalez served as
Executive Vice President of Micro Flo Company, an agricultural chemical production company, from 1991 to 1999, and Regional Sales Manager from 1985 to
1989. From 1970 to 1985, Mr. Gonzalez worked for Helena Chemical Company in a variety of managerial roles, most notably Division
4
Manager of the Midwest and
Northcentral Divisions, and as Director of the Andean Block for Vertac International, an international division of Helena. Mr. Gonzalez received a B.S.
degree in Agricultural Business and Economics from Texas A&M University.
Albert A. James (age 75) has
served as one of our directors since May 1995 and as our Secretary from May 1995 to June 2000. Mr. James is a private investor and currently serves as
a general partner in several real estate projects in the western United States. Mr. James has also served as a director of several privately held
companies. From 1982 to November 1997, Mr. James served as Managing Partner of Bellevue Associates, a commercial real estate management company. He
served as Secretary and Treasurer of Anthonys Restaurants, a regional chain of restaurants, from 1976 to June 1995, and, from 1981 to March 1994,
Mr. James served as Vice President of Alpine Industries, a window and laminated glass manufacturing company. In 1957, Mr. James founded a discount drug
and cosmetic business that merged with a chain of discount retail drug stores, which was ultimately sold to Payless Drug Stores Northwest in 1969. Mr.
James received a B.S. degree in Pharmacy from the University of Washington.
Agatha L. Maza (age 67) has
served as one of our directors since May 1995. From February 1994 to October 1995, Ms. Maza served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Testing
Laboratory in Portland, a division of the American Red Cross involved in biological testing of blood. From July 1991 to January 1994, she served as
Chief Executive Officer of Medical Arts Laboratory and, from January 1988 to December 1990, as Chief Executive Officer of Eastside Medical Laboratory,
both of which are medical diagnostics services laboratories. From 2001 to 2005, Ms. Maza served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Roadable
Aircraft International, Inc., a start-up company involved in the research and development of new transportation technologies. Currently, Ms. Maza
serves as managing partner of several privately held companies. Ms. Maza received a B.S. degree from Seattle University and an M.B.A. degree from City
University and has completed the Executive Marketing Management Program at Stanford University.
Independence of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors has reviewed the
relationships between Eden Bioscience and each of its directors and has determined that all of the directors, other than Dr. Atkins, Eden
Biosciences President and Chief Executive Officer until December 2006, are independent under Nasdaq corporate governance listing
standards.
Board Attendance
During 2006, there were 17 meetings of
the Board of Directors. Each director attended 80% or more of the Board meetings and the meetings of the Board Committees on which he or she
served.
The Board of Directors has adopted a
policy that each director is encouraged to attend Eden Biosciences regularly scheduled annual meeting of shareholders. Seven out of eight
directors as of May 16, 2006 attended Eden Biosciences 2006 annual meeting of shareholders held on that date.
Board of Directors Compensation
Our directors do not receive cash
compensation for their services as directors or members of committees of the Board of Directors, but are reimbursed for their reasonable expenses
incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees. We do not have a standard arrangement pursuant to which directors receive
equity compensation for their services as directors. Rather, directors in the past have been and may in the future be granted equity awards at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. The amounts shown below in the column titled Option Awards represent stock compensation expense recognized in our
consolidated financial statements in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised
2004), Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R).
5
Name
|
|
|
|
Option Awards ($)(1)
|
|
Total ($)
|
William T.
Weyerhaeuser |
|
|
|
$ |
7,050 |
|
|
$ |
7,050 |
|
Gilberto H.
Gonzalez |
|
|
|
|
1,031 |
|
|
|
1,031 |
|
Roger M.
Ivesdal |
|
|
|
|
6,700 |
|
|
|
6,700 |
|
Jon E. M.
Jacoby |
|
|
|
|
7,050 |
|
|
|
7,050 |
|
Albert A.
James |
|
|
|
|
7,050 |
|
|
|
7,050 |
|
Agatha L. Maza
|
|
|
|
|
7,050 |
|
|
|
7,050 |
|
Richard N.
Pahre |
|
|
|
|
1,031 |
|
|
|
1,031 |
|
(1) |
|
The assumptions used in calculating these amounts are provided
in Note 1 (Accounting for Stock Compensation) of our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2007. |
No equity awards were granted to
directors in 2006. In September 2005, the Board of Directors granted Mr. Ivesdal an option to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise
price of $2.70 per share, with the option to vest annually in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. The
options expire in September 2015. In February 2003, the Board of Directors granted each of Messrs. Gonzalez and Pahre an option to purchase 11,666
shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.20 per share, of which options to purchase 1,666 shares were vested immediately and the remaining
options vest annually in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. The options expire in February 2013. In
July 2003, the Board of Directors granted each non-employee director, except for Messrs. Gonzalez and Pahre, an option to purchase 10,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $5.55 per share, with each option to vest annually in equal installments on the first, second and third
anniversaries of the date of grant. The options expire in July 2013. The total stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006 for each of the directors
were:
Name
|
|
|
|
Total Outstanding Stock Options
|
William T.
Weyerhaeuser |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
Gilberto H.
Gonzalez |
|
|
|
|
11,666 |
|
Roger M.
Ivesdal |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
Jon E. M.
Jacoby |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
Albert A.
James |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
Agatha L.
Maza |
|
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
Richard N.
Pahre |
|
|
|
|
11,666 |
|
Stock options granted to directors have
an exercise price equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. We do not have a program, plan or practice to time stock
option grants to our existing or new directors in coordination with the release of material nonpublic information nor do we have a program, policy or
practice to release material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of director compensation.
Dr. Atkins served as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company until December 15, 2006. He did not receive any compensation as a nonemployee director for 2006. He received $7,500 for
consulting services rendered from December 15 to December 31, 2006 and $30,000 for consulting services rendered from January 1 to February 28,
2007.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee currently
consists of Messrs. Jacoby, James and Gonzalez (Chair). Each member of the Compensation Committee is an independent director under Nasdaq listing
standards.
6
The primary function of the
Compensation Committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the Board of Directors relating to the compensation of Eden Biosciences chief
executive officer and other executives. The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for approving and evaluating executive officer
compensation plans, policies and programs. In addition, the Compensation Committee considers incentive compensation plans for our employees and carries
out duties assigned to it under our option plans. The Compensation Committee is also responsible for performing other related responsibilities set
forth in its written charter posted on Eden Biosciences website at www.edenbio.com. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain
and terminate compensation consulting firms, including authority to approve the firms fees and other retention terms. The Committee when
appropriate may form and delegate authority to subcommittees and may delegate authority to one or more designated members of the Board or Company
officers. To date, the Compensation Committee has not engaged compensation consultants for assistance in compensation matters.
The Compensation Committee establishes,
and reviews as necessary, policies regarding executive compensation. With respect to our Chief Executive Officer, each year, the Compensation Committee
solicits input from the full Board and, based on that input, develops and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to the CEOs
compensation, evaluates the CEOs performance in light of those goals and objectives and sets the CEOs compensation based on this evaluation
and other relevant information. The CEO provides the Compensation Committee a performance assessment and recommendation regarding performance goals and
compensation for other executive officers. The Compensation Committee reviews this information and the recommendations, as well as other relevant
information, and approves the compensation of these officers on an annual basis.
Minutes of each meeting of the
Compensation Committee are prepared by the Compensation Committee Chair or by his designee and sent to each Compensation Committee member. In addition,
the Compensation Committee reports regularly to the Board on any significant matters arising from the Compensation Committees work, including
awards to top executives, compensation and severance arrangements. The Compensation Committee held five meetings in 2006.
Audit Committee
Eden Bioscience has a
separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Audit Committee currently consists of Ms. Maza and Messrs. Gonzalez and Pahre (Chair). Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent
director under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nasdaq listing standards. The Board of Directors has
determined that Mr. Pahre meets the definition of an audit committee financial expert under SEC rules. In making this determination, the
Board of Directors considered, among other factors, Mr. Pahres experience as a former audit partner of Moss Adams LLP.
The primary function of the Audit
Committee is to represent and assist the Board of Directors with the oversight of:
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the integrity of Eden Biosciences financial statements and
internal controls; |
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Eden Biosciences compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements; |
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the independent auditors qualification; and |
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the performance of the audit function by the independent
auditor. |
In addition, the Audit Committee has
ultimate authority to select, evaluate, and where appropriate, replace the independent auditor, approve all audit engagement fees and terms, and engage
outside advisors, including its own counsel and other advisors, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. The Audit Committee is also
responsible for reviewing and approving all related person transactions and performing other related responsibilities set forth in its written charter,
which is posted on Eden Biosciences website at www.edenbio.com.
The Audit Committee held five meetings
in 2006.
7
Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee
Each member of the Board of Directors,
other than Dr. Atkins, is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is an independent director under Nasdaq listing standards.
The primary function of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee is to:
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identify individuals qualified to become members of the Board of
Directors; |
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approve and recommend to the Board of Directors candidates for
election to the Board of Directors; |
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|
develop, update as necessary and recommend to the Board of
Directors corporate governance principles and policies applicable to Eden Bioscience; and |
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monitor compliance with such principles and
policies. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is also responsible for performing other related responsibilities set forth in its written charter posted on Eden Biosciences website
at www.edenbio.com.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee held one meeting in 2006.
Director Nomination Procedures
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is generally responsible for the identification, review, selection and recommendation to the Board of Directors of candidates for director
nominees, including the development of policies and procedures to assist in the performance of these responsibilities. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee reviews with the Board of Directors the requisite qualifications, skills and characteristics for Board of Directors nominees and
composition and the specific considerations relating to individual director candidates. Upon the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees
recommendations, the Board of Directors recommends the director nominees to the shareholders for election.
Potential director candidates are
referred to the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, which may then recommend the director candidate to the Board of Directors for its consideration, if deemed appropriate. If necessary or
desirable in the opinion of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will determine
appropriate means for seeking additional director candidates, including engagement of an outside consultant to assist in the identification of director
candidates.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders. Shareholders wishing to suggest director candidates should submit their suggestions in
writing to the Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o the Corporate Secretary of Eden Bioscience Corporation at 11618
North Creek Parkway N., Bothell, WA 98011-8201, providing the candidates name, biographical data and other relevant information.
Shareholders who intend to nominate a
director for election at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders must provide advance written notice of such nomination to the Corporate Secretary of
Eden Bioscience in the manner described below under Shareholder Proposals for 2008 Annual Meeting.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has adopted, Director Selection Guidelines set out in Exhibit A to the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. In accordance with the Director Selection Guidelines, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and the Board of Directors, as appropriate, will review the following considerations, among others, in their evaluation of candidates for
Board of Directors nomination:
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|
personal and professional ethics; |
8
|
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training and experience in making and overseeing policy in
business, government and/or educational sectors; |
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willingness and ability to keep an open mind when considering
matters affecting interests of Eden Bioscience and its constituents; |
|
|
willingness and ability to devote the required time and effort
to effectively fulfill the duties and responsibilities related to the Board of Directors and committee membership; |
|
|
willingness and ability to serve on the Board of Directors for
multiple terms to enable development of a deeper understanding of Eden Biosciences business affairs; |
|
|
willingness not to engage in activities or interests that may
create a conflict of interest with a directors responsibilities and duties to Eden Bioscience and its constituents; |
|
|
willingness to act in the best interests of Eden Bioscience and
its constituents; |
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|
professional experience, industry knowledge, skills and
expertise; |
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|
leadership qualities; and |
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|
previous public company board of directors and committee
experience. |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee periodically reviews with the Board of Directors the appropriate process for and the considerations to be made in the evaluation of director
candidates. In the event there is a vacancy on the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will initiate the effort to
identify appropriate director candidates.
Shareholder Communications with the Board of
Directors
Shareholders of Eden Bioscience may
contact the Board of Directors as a group or an individual director by the U.S. Postal mail directed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, c/o the
Corporate Secretary of Eden Bioscience Corporation at 11618 North Creek Parkway N., Bothell, WA 98011-8201. Shareholders should clearly specify in each
communication the name of the individual director or group of directors to whom the communication is addressed. All communications will be forwarded to
the intended directors or to the Board of Directors as a whole, as applicable.
Shareholders wishing to submit
proposals for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders should follow the procedures specified under the
sections below entitled Shareholder Proposals for 2008 Annual Meeting. These sections outline the procedures for submission of shareholder
proposals for inclusion in Eden Biosciences proxy statement for the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders and submission of nominations of persons
for election to the Board of Directors or proposals for other business to be considered at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.
Additional Corporate Governance
Information
The following corporate governance
materials of Eden Bioscience are available in the Investor Information section of Eden Biosciences website at www.edenbio.com, and a copy of the
materials will be mailed to you upon request to Eden Bioscience Corporation, Investor Relations, 11618 North Creek Parkway N., Bothell, WA 98011-8201
or by calling 425-984-2120:
|
|
Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee Charters; |
|
|
Code of Ethics for our CEO and senior financial officers;
and |
9
|
|
Code of Conduct applicable to all directors, officers and
employees of Eden Bioscience. |
If we waive any material provision of
our Code of Ethics for our CEO and senior financial officers or substantively change the Code of Ethics, we will disclose that fact on our website
within four business days.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
During the year ended December 31,
2006, Messrs. Jacoby, James and Gonzalez served on our Compensation Committee, and none of these committee members served as an officer or employee of
Eden Bioscience during that time. Mr. James served as our Secretary from May 1995 to June 2000. None of our executive officers serves as a member of
the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as members of our Board of Directors or
Compensation Committee.
Related Person Transactions
Under its written Audit Committee
Charter, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is required to review and approve all related person transactions. Other than the Audit
Committee Charter, our Board of Directors has not adopted a separate written policy for the review and approval or ratification of related person
transactions.
Our directors and executive officers
are expected to disclose to our Chief Financial Officer the material facts of any transaction that could be considered a related person transaction
promptly upon gaining knowledge of the transaction. In addition, on an annual basis we require our directors and officers to complete written
questionnaires designed to identify any potential related person transactions. A related person transaction is defined as any transaction required to
be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Any transaction reported to the CFO or disclosed in the annual questionnaire is reviewed to determine
if disclosure of the transaction is required under the SECs related person transaction disclosure rule. If disclosure is required, the CFO will
submit the transaction to the Audit Committee for review and approval or ratification.
When determining whether to approve or
ratify a related person transaction, the Audit Committee will review relevant facts regarding the related person transaction,
including:
|
|
the extent of the related persons interest in the
transaction; |
|
|
whether the terms are comparable to those generally available in
arms length transactions; and |
|
|
whether the related person transaction is consistent with the
best interests of the Company. |
If any related person transaction is
not approved or ratified, the Audit Committee may take such action as it may deem necessary or desirable in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders.
There were no related person
transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K in fiscal year 2006.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Bradley S. Powell (age 46) was
appointed President on December 15, 2006. He served as our Interim President from November 2001 to June 2002, and has served as Secretary since June
2000 and as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance since July 1998. From March 1994 to July 1998, he served as Vice President and
Corporate Controller of Omega Environmental, Inc., a provider of products and services to owners of underground storage tanks. In 1983, Mr. Powell
joined KPMG Peat Marwick, an international public accounting firm, as a certified public accountant and, from 1990 to March 1994, served as a Senior
Audit Manager. Mr. Powell received a B.S. degree from Central Washington University.
10
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management
The following table summarizes certain
information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 15, 2007 for:
|
|
each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation
Table; |
|
|
all our directors and executive officers as a group;
and |
|
|
each person or group that we know owns more than 5% of our
common stock. |
Beneficial ownership is determined in
accordance with SEC rules and includes shares over which the indicated beneficial owner exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Shares of
our common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2007 are deemed outstanding for
computing the percentage ownership of the person holding the options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership
of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe the beneficial owners of our common stock listed below, based on information furnished
by them, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares listed opposite their names. Unless otherwise indicated, the following
officers, directors and shareholders can be reached at the principal offices of Eden Bioscience.
|
|
|
|
Shares of Eden Bioscience Corporation Common
Stock
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owners
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
|
|
Percent of Class (1)
|
Executive
Officers and Directors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William T.
Weyerhaeuser |
|
|
|
|
429,473 |
(2) |
|
|
5.26 |
% |
Agatha L. Maza
|
|
|
|
|
234,156 |
(3) |
|
|
2.86 |
% |
Jon E. M.
Jacoby |
|
|
|
|
194,998 |
(4) |
|
|
2.39 |
% |
Albert A.
James |
|
|
|
|
203,898 |
(5) |
|
|
2.50 |
% |
Rhett R.
Atkins |
|
|
|
|
168,866 |
(6) |
|
|
2.03 |
% |
Bradley S.
Powell |
|
|
|
|
138,064 |
(7) |
|
|
1.67 |
% |
Richard N.
Pahre |
|
|
|
|
13,666 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Gilberto H.
Gonzalez |
|
|
|
|
12,166 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
Roger Ivesdal
|
|
|
|
|
3,333 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
All directors
and executive officers as a group (10 persons) |
|
|
|
|
1,398,620 |
(11) |
|
|
16.31 |
% |
Other 5%
Shareholder:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SF Holding
Corp. (formerly Stephens Group, Inc.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 Center
Street Suite 2500 Little Rock, AR 72201
|
|
|
|
|
1,353,111 |
(12) |
|
|
16.60 |
% |
Yorktown
Avenue Capital, LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
415 South
Boston, 9th Floor Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
|
|
|
|
|
795,495 |
(13) |
|
|
9.76 |
% |
(1) |
|
Based on 8,149,554 shares outstanding as of March 23,
2007. |
11
(2) |
|
Represents 86,500 shares owned directly by Dr. Weyerhaeuser;
319,557 shares held by the WBW Trust Number One, of which Dr. Weyerhaeuser is trustee; 3,333 shares owned by Dr. Weyerhaeusers wife; 83 shares
owned by a trust for Dr. Weyerhaeusers son, of which Dr. Weyerhaeusers wife is trustee; and 20,000 shares subject to options exercisable
within 60 days after March 23, 2007. Dr. Weyerhaeuser disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by his wife, one of his sons and the trust
established for his other son, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such shares. |
(3) |
|
Represents 103,400 shares owned directly by Ms. Maza; 50,397
shares held by Prudential Securities as custodian for the Agatha L. Maza IRA; 333 shares owned by Ms. Mazas spouse; 45,026 shares held by the
Maza Family LLC, of which Ms. Maza is a co-manager; and 35,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2007. Ms.
Maza disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by the Maza Family LLC, except to the extent of her pecuniary interest in such shares. |
(4) |
|
Includes 15,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Jacoby; 71,130
shares owned by Jacoby Enterprises, Inc., of which Mr. Jacoby is President; 62,667 shares held by Stephens EBC, LLC for the benefit of Jacoby
Enterprises, Inc. and that are subject to the voting trust described in footnote 12; 7,000 shares held by Stephens EBC, LLC for the benefit of J
& J Partners, of which Mr. Jacoby is a partner and that are subject to the voting trust described in footnote 12; 7,703 shares owned by Smiley
Holdings, LLC, of which Mr. Jacoby is a manager and member; and 20,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 23,
2007. Also includes the following shares as to which Mr. Jacoby disclaims beneficial ownership: 666 shares owned by Grandchilds Trust One and 666
shares owned by Grandchilds Trust Three, as to which Mr. Jacoby, as co-trustee, has shared power of disposition and shared power to vote; 6,833
shares owned by Etablissement Landeco Vaduz and 3,333 shares owned by Fuerstliech Oettingen Spielberg Partnership, as to which Mr. Jacoby has shared
power of disposition and no power to vote pursuant to powers of attorney granted to Mr. Jacoby. Does not include shares beneficially owned by SF
Holding Corp. (formerly Stephens Group, Inc.), of which Mr. Jacoby was an executive officer until his retirement on October 1, 2003 and of which he was
a director until November 2006. |
(5) |
|
Represents 38,518 shares held by the Albert A. James Family
Partnership, of which Mr. James is a co-general partner; 145,380 shares held by the Albert A. James Living Trust, of which Mr. James is trustee; and
20,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2007. |
(6) |
|
Represents 2,200 shares owned directly by Dr. Atkins and 166,666
shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2007. |
(7) |
|
Represents 137,998 shares subject to options exercisable within
60 days after March 23, 2007; and 66 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Powells minor sons, of which Mr. Powells father serves
as trustee. Mr. Powell disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares held in trust, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in such
shares. |
(8) |
|
Represents 2,000 shares owned directly by Mr. Pahre and 11,666
shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2007. |
(9) |
|
Represents 500 shares owned directly by Mr. Gonzalez and 11,666
shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days after March 23, 2007. |
(10) |
|
Represents 3,333 shares subject to options exercisable within 60
days after March 23, 2007. |
(11) |
|
Includes 426,329 shares subject to options that are exercisable
within 60 days after March 23, 2007. |
(12) |
|
Represents 1,353,111 shares beneficially owned by Stephens
EBC, LLC, of which SF Holding Corp. (formerly Stephens Group, Inc.) is the sole managing member. Jon E. M. Jacoby, a director of Eden
Bioscience, was an executive vice president of SF Holding Corp. until October 1, 2003 and a director of SF Holding Corp. until November 2006. Stephens
EBC, LLC has contributed all of its shares to a voting trust pursuant to which the trustee of the trust, an individual not affiliated with
Stephens Group, Inc., has sole voting power. The trustee is required to vote such shares for or against proposals submitted to
our shareholders in the same proportion as the votes cast for or against such proposals by all other shareholders, excluding
abstentions. The voting trust agreement also imposes limitations on the sale or other disposition of the shares subject to the voting
trust. |
12
(13) |
|
Information provided is based on a Schedule 13D filed on April
12, 2007 (the Schedule 13D) by Yorktown Avenue Capital, LLC (Yorktown), Boston Avenue Capital, LLC (Boston), Value
Fund Advisors, LLC (Value Fund) and Charles M. Gillman (Gillman). According to the Schedule 13D, (a) the amount shown above
includes 524,762 held by Yorktown and 270,733 held by Boston, (b) Boston and Yorktown are Oklahoma limited liability companies whose principal business
is business investment, (c) Value Fund is an Oklahoma limited liability company whose principal business is investment management, and (d) Gillman is a
U.S. citizen in the business of managing various investment entities. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table presents summary
information about our equity compensation plans at December 31, 2006:
Plan category
|
|
|
|
(a) Number of securities to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
|
(b) Weighted average exercise price
of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
|
(c) Number of securities remaining available
for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
741,384 |
|
|
$ |
8.31 |
|
|
|
521,340 (1 |
) |
(1) |
|
The Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the
2000 Plan) incorporates an evergreen formula pursuant to which the number of shares authorized for issuance is increased annually on the
first day of each fiscal year by a number of shares equal to the lesser of (a) 500,000 shares; (b) 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock on a
fully diluted basis as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year; and (c) a lesser amount as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
Since the inception of the 2000 Plan, the Board of Directors has never used the evergreen provision to add shares. Under the 2000 Plan, in addition to
options, we may make awards of our common stock or awards denominated in units of our common stock. |
13
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 requires Eden Biosciences officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of Eden
Biosciences equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater-than-10%
shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish Eden Bioscience with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of the
copies of such forms we received, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no forms were required for those persons, we believe
that during 2006 all of our officers, directors and greater-than-10% beneficial owners complied with all applicable filing requirements of Section
16(a).
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview
As described in greater detail in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2007, we completed the
sale on February 28, 2007 of our proprietary harpin protein technology and substantially all of the assets related to our worldwide agricultural and
horticultural markets (the Harpin Protein Technology) to Plant Health Care, Inc. We retained our cash, accounts receivable and assets
relating to our home and garden business, consisting primarily of our inventory of harpin protein-based products designated for the home and garden
market. We have no current intention of making substantial additional investments in our home and garden business. Our business strategy is to use any
revenue generated by our home and garden business to support our continued operations while we explore whether there may be opportunities to realize
potential value from our remaining business assets, primarily our tax loss carryforwards.
As a result of the sale of the Harpin
Protein Technology, we substantially reduced our administrative, marketing, sales, manufacturing and development personnel, and currently have four
employees. Dr. Rhett Atkins, our former Chief Executive Officer and President, resigned from those positions effective December 15, 2006 as part of the
reduction in force. Dr. Atkins continues to serve as a director of the company and provided us consulting services in connection with operational
issues through February 28, 2007. Dr. Zhongmin Wei, formerly our Vice President and Chief Science Officer, resigned from his position with the Company
on February 28, 2007. Our board appointed Bradley S. Powell, our Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, to also serve as our President
and principal executive officer, effective December 15, 2006.
Objectives and Components
The objectives of our executive
compensation program are:
|
|
to align executive financial interests with those of our
shareholders; |
|
|
to maintain a significant portion of our executives total
compensation at risk, tied to both the annual and long-term financial performance of Eden Bioscience; |
|
|
to reward outstanding initiative and achievement;
and |
|
|
to attract and retain highly qualified executives with skills
necessary to build shareholder value. |
The components of our executive
compensation program are:
|
|
annual incentives in the form of cash bonuses; and |
|
|
long-term incentives in the form of stock option
grants. |
14
Total Compensation
Our compensation program for executive
officers was designed to encourage and reward performance that we believe will increase value for our shareholders over the long-term. We have incurred
significant operating losses since our inception and we believe that increasing product revenue and reducing operating losses represents the best way
to build value for our shareholders.
We have three components in our
compensation programbase salaries, cash bonuses and stock option grants. We believe we would be unusual if we did not offer all three of these
components. We believe all three of these components are important for recruiting and retaining executives.
We do not compare our compensation
program to other companies. Due to our continuing operating losses and limited revenue from harpin protein-based products, our stock options are highly
speculative. Unless we are able to significantly increase our product revenue and ultimately generate profits, these stock options are unlikely to have
substantial value over the long-term. We believe the stock options must be viewed independently from the two elements of cash compensation.
Accordingly, we make no decisions regarding allocation of total compensation between cash and non-cash; we establish each separately and each at levels
we believe will be competitive.
Base Salaries
We seek to establish base salaries that
allow us to attract and retain highly skilled executives. We base an executive officers salary on a subjective evaluation of the executives
experience, skills, scope of responsibilities and performance in achieving specific objectives. For 2006 salaries, annual base salary of each Named
Executive Officer was increased by 3% over salaries from 2005, based on the increase in the cost of living. The cost of living based increase reflects
the compensation committees desire to keep base salaries low and tie a significant portion of cash compensation to the performance of the
Company.
Annual Incentives
We seek to structure annual incentives
to encourage executives to focus on achieving important near-term business objectives. These objectives take the form of both corporate and individual
goals. As part of the process of establishing our operating plan for the coming year, the executive officers identify the goals most important to
building our value and advancing towards our long-term business objectives. These corporate goals are then submitted to the board of directors for
review and approval.
Executives are eligible for annual
incentive awards, paid in the form of a cash bonus, based on the accomplishment of corporate goals and other important contributions to our performance
for the year. For 2006, our corporate goals covered the following areas:
|
|
Achievement of planned revenue targets; |
|
|
Management of expenditures to levels established in the annual
budget; and |
|
|
Advancement toward development of new markets for our current
products. |
All annual incentive awards are
determined based on actual company performance versus these corporate goals. The compensation committee assesses overall company performance versus the
corporate goals. Based on this evaluation, the committee determines and approves the incentive amounts to be paid to each executive
officer.
The compensation committee has
established the following payout ranges, as a percent of base salary in effect as of the year of the year, for 2006 annual incentive
awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of Base Salary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than Minimum
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Target
|
|
Maximum
|
Chief
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
30 |
% |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
50 |
% |
Vice
Presidents |
|
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
15 |
% |
|
|
20 |
% |
|
|
25 |
% |
15
Based on the compensation
committees assessment of our overall performance, a percentage of target level is determined. 100% of the target level is awarded in cases where
we or the executive had met all goals and performed up to expectations. If there are deficiencies, a percentage below 100% is awarded. Target levels
may be exceeded to reward exceptional performance beyond expectations. In addition, the compensation committee retains a general discretion to make an
award of more or less than that determined by the payout ranges to take account of unforeseen or special circumstances.
We did not meet our corporate goals in
2006 and no annual incentive awards were paid to executive officers.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement,
in light of the significant change in our business as a result of the sale of our Harpin Protein Technology, our Compensation Committee has not
established an annual incentive plan for our executive officer in 2007. However, the Compensation Committee may do so in the future, particularly as
our post-sale business plans and objectives become more developed and can therefore form the basis for measurable near-term goals.
Long-Term Incentives
Long-term incentive awards, which
consist solely of stock option grants, are a fundamental element in our compensation program. We believe that stock options are an effective way to
emphasize long-term company performance, rewarding employees for creation of value on the same basis as our shareholders.
An executive officer typically receives
a sizeable stock option grant when he or she joins the company, receives a significant promotion or makes significant advances towards corporate goals.
In determining the size of an initial option grant, we consider our ability to attract highly skilled executives and the level of responsibility in the
Company.
Executive officers are eligible for
annual stock option grants based on the achievement of the same corporate goals that form the basis for the annual cash incentives. The compensation
committee has established the following ranges for 2006 annual stock option grants:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than Minimum
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Target
|
|
Maximum
|
Chief
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
5,555 |
|
|
|
9,722 |
|
|
|
13,888 |
|
Vice
Presidents |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,777 |
|
|
|
4,861 |
|
|
|
6,944 |
|
The compensation committee determined
the forgoing ranges using a subjective analysis of the executives responsibility and prior option grants.
Based on the compensation
committees assessment of our overall performance, a percentage of target level is determined. 100% of the target level is awarded in cases where
we had met all goals and performed up to expectations. If there are deficiencies, a percentage below 100% is awarded. Target levels may be exceeded to
reward exceptional performance beyond expectations. In addition, the compensation committee retains general discretion to make an award of more or less
than that determined by the payout ranges to take account of unforeseen or special circumstances.
We did not meet our corporate goals in
2006 and no annual incentive awards were paid executive officers.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement,
our Compensation Committee has not established any program for granting stock options to our executive officer in 2007. However, as our post-sale
business plans and objectives become more developed, the Compensation Committee may establish such incentive programs or other grants of stock options
which the Compensation Committee believes will appropriately align the interests of our executives with the creation of value for our
shareholders.
The compensation committee and board of
directors approve all stock option grants to executive officers. Stock options granted to executive officers have an exercise price equal to the
closing market price of our common stock on the grant date and vest over a period of three or four years. We do not have a program,
16
plan or practice to time stock
option grants to our existing or new executive officers in coordination with the release of material nonpublic information nor do we have a program,
policy or practice to release material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
Perquisites
We generally do not provide perquisites
to our executives. However, we reimbursed Dr. Atkins for moving expenses in 2006 totaling $10,193 upon his resignation from the
Company.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We do not require our directors or
executive officers to own our stock.
Benchmarking
We do not perform comparisons of our
executive compensation program to other companies.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in
Control
We believe that the payments described
later in this Proxy Statement under the heading Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements are
customary in the industry and necessary to attract and retain qualified, experienced executive personnel.
Tax and Accounting
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code imposes a limitation on deductibility of compensation payments in excess of $1 million to each of our Chief Executive Officer and our other named
executive officers. Certain performance-based compensation is not subject to the limitation on deductibility. For awards under our 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan (the 2000 Plan) to continue to be deductible under Section 162(m) as performance-based compensation, shareholders were asked at our
2006 Annual Meeting to approve the material terms of the 2000 Plan. Shareholders gave the requested approval and, therefore, awards granted under the
2000 Plan will continue to be designed to qualify for the performance-based exception to the $1 million limitation on deductibility of compensation
payments. In 2006, compensation to our Chief Executive Officer and each of our other executive officers did not exceed $1 million for purposes of
Section 162(m) and we expect the same to be true for 2007.
17
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides
information concerning the compensation for services rendered to Eden Bioscience in all capacities for the year ended December 31, 2006 by our chief
executive officer and our other two executive officers. We refer to these executive officers in other parts of this Proxy Statement as our Named
Executive Officers. Dr. Atkins resigned from his positions with the Company on December 15, 2006, but continues to serve as a director of the
Company. Dr. Wei resigned from his positions with the Company on February 28, 2007.
Name and Principal Position
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
Option Awards ($)(1)
|
|
All Other Compensation ($)
|
|
Total ($)
|
Bradley S.
Powell |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
174,739 |
|
|
$ |
31,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
206,083 |
|
President,
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhett R.
Atkins |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
187,363 |
|
|
|
57,813 |
|
|
$ |
17,693 |
(2) |
|
|
262,869 |
|
Director and
former President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhongmin Wei
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
178,870 |
|
|
|
5,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
184,842 |
|
Former Vice
President and Chief Science Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts in this column represent stock compensation expense
recognized in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with FAS 123R. The assumptions used in calculating these amounts are provided in Note
1 (Accounting for Stock Compensation) of our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 30, 2007. |
(2) |
|
Consists of $10,193 of reimbursement expenses incurred by Dr.
Atkins in connection with his relocation and $7,500 for consulting services rendered from December 15 to December 31, 2006. Dr. Atkins also received
$30,000 for consulting services rendered from January 1 to February 28, 2007. |
18
2006 Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides
information for each Named Executive Officer regarding the range of estimated potential payouts under our annual and long-term incentive compensation
plans. Because the performance goals established for these awards were not met, no annual incentive awards or long-term incentive awards were granted
to Named Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 2006. During 2006, we granted options to purchase a total of 9,999 shares of our common
stock to our employees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Potential Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
Threshold ($)
|
|
Target ($)
|
|
Maximum ($)
|
|
Threshold (#)
|
|
Target (#)
|
|
Maximum (#)
|
Bradley S.
Powell |
|
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
27,000 |
|
|
$ |
36,000 |
|
|
$ |
45,000 |
|
|
|
2,777 |
|
|
|
4,861 |
|
|
|
6,944 |
|
Rhett R.
Atkins |
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
54,000 |
|
|
|
72,000 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
5,555 |
|
|
|
9,722 |
|
|
|
13,888 |
|
Zhongmin Wei
|
|
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
36,000 |
|
|
|
45,000 |
|
|
|
2,777 |
|
|
|
4,861 |
|
|
|
6,944 |
|
(1) |
|
On January 24, 2006, the Companys Board of Directors
approved a 2006 cash and equity incentive compensation arrangement for Dr. Atkins. The arrangement provided for cash and equity awards based on the
achievement of specified annual net revenue goals for the year ending December 31, 2006. Under the arrangement, Mr. Atkins could earn a cash bonus of
between $54,000, if the minimum revenue goal is achieved, and $90,000, if the maximum revenue goal is achieved. In addition, Mr. Atkins could be
granted fully vested stock options to purchase between 5,555 shares of our common stock, if the minimum revenue goal is achieved, and 13,888 shares if
the maximum revenue goal is achieved. Stock options granted under the arrangement would be granted pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2000 Stock
Incentive Plan and would have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The Company did not achieve
specified annual net revenue goals in 2006 and none of the payouts shown in the table above were awarded and will not be awarded in the
future. |
(2) |
|
On March 14, 2006, the Companys Board of Directors added
Zhongmin Wei, our Vice President and Chief Science Officer, and Bradley S. Powell, our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to the 2006 cash and
equity incentive compensation arrangement. Under the arrangement, Dr. Wei and Mr. Powell could each be awarded 50% of the cash and equity awards, if
any, granted to Dr. Atkins, based on achievement of the same annual net revenue goals for 2006. The Company did not achieve specified annual net
revenue goals in 2006 and none of the payouts shown in the table above were awarded and will not be awarded in the future. |
19
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2006 Fiscal
Year-End
The following table sets forth
information regarding outstanding equity awards held by Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2006.
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options (#)
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options (#)
|
|
Name
|
|
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Grant Year
|
|
Option Exercise Price ($)
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
Bradley S.
Powell |
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 |
|
|
$ |
9.00 |
|
|
|
7/16/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
18.00 |
|
|
|
2/17/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
42.00 |
|
|
|
8/9/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
4.62 |
|
|
|
6/14/2012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
4.92 |
|
|
|
1/21/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,667 |
|
|
|
8,333 |
(1) |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
2.25 |
|
|
|
11/16/2014 |
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
136,999 |
|
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhett R.
Atkins |
|
|
|
|
166,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
4.62 |
|
|
|
6/14/2012 |
|
Zhongmin Wei
|
|
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1997 |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
11/1/2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1998 |
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
|
|
5/12/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1999 |
|
|
|
12.00 |
|
|
|
6/1/2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
4.92 |
|
|
|
2/17/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
4.92 |
|
|
|
8/9/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
4.92 |
|
|
|
1/21/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,111 |
|
|
|
3,555 |
(2) |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
2.25 |
|
|
|
11/16/2014 |
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
146,442 |
|
|
|
3,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Unexercisable options vest on November 16, 2007. |
(2) |
|
Dr. Weis unexercisable options will not vest due to his
resignation from the Company on February 28, 2007. |
2006 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides
information for each Named Executive Officer regarding stock option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
|
|
Value Realized on Exercise ($)
|
Bradley S. Powell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhett R. Atkins
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhongmin Wei
|
|
|
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
$ |
13,840 (1 |
) |
(1) |
|
Represents the difference between the closing price of Company
common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price. |
20
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in
Control
The following table describes the
estimated incremental compensation payable upon termination or change in control for Bradley S. Powell, our President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary, and Zhongmin Wei, our former Vice President and Chief Science Officer, assuming the termination was effective as of the last business day of
fiscal year 2006 (i.e., December 29, 2006) and that the closing price of the common stock upon which certain of the calculations are made was $0.57 on
that date. The actual amount of compensation can only be determined at the time of termination.
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Before Change in Control
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After Change in Control
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Name
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Benefit
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Termination w/o Cause or for Good Reason
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Termination w/o Cause or for Good Reason
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Bradley S.
Powell |
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Severance
Pay |
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$ |
87,370 |
(1) |
|
$ |
436,848 |
(2) |
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Stock Option
Vesting Acceleration |
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|
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|
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|
(3) |
Zhongmin Wei
(4) |
|
|
|
Severance
Pay |
|
|
89,435 |
|
|
|
447,174 |
(2) |
|
|
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Stock Option
Vesting Acceleration |
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(1) |
|
Payable in the course of our Company regular scheduled payroll
over six months. |
(2) |
|
Consists of (a) a lump sum payment under the change of control
agreement equal to twice the sum of the executives annual base salary and the average of his past three annual bonuses, and (b) $87,370 in the
case of Mr. Powell and $89,435 in the case of Dr. Wei in each case payable pursuant to the executives severance agreement only in the case of
termination by Eden Bioscience (or its successor) that is not based upon fraud, criminal activity or breach of fiduciary duties. |
(3) |
|
The closing price of our common stock on December 29, 2006 was
less than the exercise price of accelerated stock option vesting. |
(4) |
|
As part of the sale of the Harpin Protein Technology, all
obligations under the change-in-control agreement with Dr. Wei were assumed by PHC on February 28, 2007. |
Severance Agreements
As of December 31, 2006, we had
severance agreements with two employees, Zhongmin Wei, our former Chief Science Officer, and Bradley S. Powell, our President and Chief Financial
Officer. These severance agreements require us to make severance payments equal to six months annual base salary if we terminate the executives
employment without cause. Dr. Weis severance agreement expired on February 28, 2007 when he resigned from his employment with us and Mr.
Powells agreement continues in effect. Under these agreements, cause means any act involving fraud, criminal activity or breach of
fiduciary duties.
Change-in-Control Agreements
In August 2000, we entered into
change-in-control agreements with Mr. Powell and Dr. Wei. The agreements provide that, upon a change in control, we or the acquiring company would
continue to employ each executive officer for a period of two years following the change in control. During that time, the agreements each provide that
the position, authority, duties and responsibilities of the executives would be substantially the same as they were during the 90-day period prior to
the change in control, and that their annual base salaries would be at least equal to their annual base salaries established by our Board of Directors
prior to the change in control. If, during this two-year period, the employment of the executives is terminated by us or the acquiring company, as
applicable, other than for cause, or by the executives for good reason, the terminated executive would be entitled to receive (1) his annual base
salary, and pro rata annual bonus, through the date of termination, and any deferred compensation; and (2) a severance payment equal to twice the sum
of his annual base salary and the average of his past three annual bonuses.
21
As part of the sale of our Harpin
Protein Technology assets to PHC, all obligations under the change-in-control agreement with Dr. Wei were assumed by PHC on February 28, 2007. Mr.
Powells agreement continues in effect, and the sale of our Harpin Protein Technology constituted a sale of substantially all of our assets and a
change of control under the agreement. If, during the two year period following completion of the sale, the employment of Mr. Powell is terminated by
us other than for cause or Mr. Powell resigns for good reason, he will be entitled to receive the benefits under his change in control
agreement.
Cause means the occurrence
of one or more of the following events:
|
|
failure or refusal by the executive to carry out his lawful
duties or directions received from the Board of Directors, |
|
|
a violation by the executive of a state or federal criminal law
involving a felony or commission of a crime against Eden Bioscience, |
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the use by the executive of illegal substances, deception,
fraud, misrepresentation, dishonesty by the executive or any incident materially compromising the executives reputation or ability to represent
Eden Bioscience, |
|
|
any act or omission by the executive impairing Eden
Biosciences business, goodwill or reputation or other misconduct, or |
|
|
a violation by the executive officer of any material provision
of his change of control agreement. |
Good reason means the
occurrence of any of the following events or conditions and failure to cure within 20 days after receipt of written notice from the
executive:
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|
assignment by Eden Bioscience of any duties inconsistent in any
material respect with the executives position, authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated in the change of control agreement, or any
other action by Eden Bioscience which results in a diminution of position, authority, duties or responsibilities, except where promptly remedied
following receipt of notice, or |
|
|
failure by Eden Bioscience to comply with compensation covenants
contained in the change of control agreement, except where promptly remedied following receipt of notice. |
In Dr. Weis change of control
agreement only, good reason also means the departure of our president and chief executive officer with or without cause or for good
reason.
Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Incentive
Plan
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated
2000 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2000 Plan), in the event of certain corporate transactions, except as otherwise provided in the instrument
evidencing the stock option, each outstanding stock option will be assumed or replaced with a comparable award by the successor corporation or parent
thereof. If the successor corporation will not assume or replace the stock options, the stock options will automatically accelerate and become 100%
vested and exercisable immediately before the corporate transaction. All stock options will terminate and cease to remain outstanding immediately
following a corporate transaction, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation.
If awards are assumed or replaced in a
corporate transaction, such awards will become fully vested and exercisable (and any forfeiture or repurchase rights applicable to restricted stock
awards will lapse) if the executives employment or services are terminated in contemplation of the corporate transaction or within three years
following the corporate transaction, unless employment or services are terminated for cause or the participant terminates employment or services
without good reason. Corporate transaction means any of the following events: (a) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another corporation or (b) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all the Companys outstanding securities or assets,
subject to certain enumerated exceptions.
22
Cause means the dishonesty,
fraud, misconduct, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets, or conviction or confession of a crime punishable by
law (except minor violations).
Good reason means the
occurrence of any of the following events or conditions and the failure of the successor corporation to cure such event within 30 days after receipt of
written notice:
|
|
a substantial reduction of, or removal from, the status, title,
position or responsibilities of the participant or the assignment of duties, status, title, position or responsibilities that are materially
inconsistent with those assigned prior to the corporate transaction, except for cause or by the participant for good reason, |
|
|
a reduction in the executives annual base
salary, |
|
|
a requirement that the executive be based outside of a 50-mile
radius of his place of employment prior to the corporate transaction, subject to certain exceptions, |
|
|
a failure by the successor corporation to continue in effect any
material compensation or benefit plan or provide the executive with substantially equivalent compensation benefits, |
|
|
a material breach by the successor corporation of its
obligations under the 2000 Plan or a substantially equivalent plan, or |
|
|
any purported termination of the participant for cause by the
successor corporation that is not in accordance with the definition of cause under the 2000 Plan. |
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
The Compensation Committee has reviewed
and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on the Compensation Committees review and discussions, the
Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis be included in Eden Biosciences Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and proxy statement for filing
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Compensation Committee
of the
Board of Directors
Gilberto H. Gonzalez,
Chairman
Jon E. M. Jacoby
Albert A. James
23
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The members of the Audit Committee are
independent under SEC rules and Nasdaq listing standards. The Board of Directors adopted a written Audit Committee Charter, which is available in the
Investor Information section of Eden Biosciences web site at www.edenbio.com.
In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit
Committee also met separately with the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit Committee that Eden
Biosciences audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 were prepared in accordance with U.S generally accepted
accounting principles. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the audited
financial statements for the 2006 fiscal year.
The Audit Committee also discussed with
the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, including a
discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of
disclosures in the financial statements. In addition, the Audit Committee has received from the independent registered public accounting firm the
written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and discussed with the independent registered public
accounting firm their independence relating to Eden Bioscience. In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Audit Committee pre-approves all
audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors.
Based on the Audit Committees
review and discussions of the matters referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has
approved, that the audited financial statements be included in Eden Biosciences Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee
of the Board
of Directors
Richard N. Pahre, Chairman
Gilberto H. Gonzalez
Agatha L. Maza
24
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firms
On March 6, 2007, we filed a Current
Report on Form 8-K with the SEC (the Original 8-K) reporting that on March 2, 2007, KPMG LLP (KPMG), the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm, notified the Company that the auditor-client relationship between the Company and KPMG would cease upon
the completion of the audit of the Companys financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, and the issuance of KPMGs
report thereon. KPMG completed the audit of the Companys financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and issued their
report thereon dated March 28, 2007, which report is included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006
filed on March 30, 2007. Accordingly, as we reported on an amendment to the Original 8-K filed with the SEC on April 4, 2007 (the Amended
8-K) the auditor-client relationship between the Company and KPMG effectively ceased on March 30, 2007 as KPMG declined to stand for re-election.
KPMGs decision to decline to stand for re-election as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm was not recommended or
approved by the Audit Committee of the Companys Board of Directors.
The audit reports of KPMG on the
Companys consolidated financial statements as of and for the years December 31, 2006 and 2005 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of
opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles except as follows:
|
|
KPMGs report on the consolidated financial statements of
the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, and for the year ended December 31, 2006 contained a separate paragraph stating that As
discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, Eden Bioscience Corporation and subsidiaries adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, effective January 1, 2006. |
|
|
KPMGs report on the consolidated financial statements of
the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 contained a separate paragraph stating that As discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated
financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for asset retirement obligations effective January 1, 2003. |
During the fiscal years ended December
31, 2006 and 2005 and the subsequent interim period through March 30, 2007, there were no disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have
caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006
and 2005 and the subsequent interim period through March 30, 2007, there were no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K.
We provided KPMG with copies of the
Original 8-K and the Amended 8-K and requested KPMG to furnish us with letters addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether KPMG
agreed with the statements made by us in those filings, and, if not, identifying the statements with which it does not agree. KPMGs letters are
filed as Exhibits 16.1 to the Original 8-K and the Amended 8-K.
Representatives of KPMG are expected to
be present at Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
25
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The aggregate fees billed for
professional services rendered by KPMG LLP (KPMG) for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
KPMG
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
Audit Fees
|
|
|
|
$ |
174,660 |
|
|
$ |
164,172 |
|
Audit-Related
Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees
|
|
|
|
$ |
174,660 |
|
|
$ |
164,172 |
|
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee has adopted a
policy for the pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. The policy is designed
to ensure that the provision of these services does not impair the registered public accounting firms independence. Under the policy, any
services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, including audit, audit-related, tax and other services, must be specifically
pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee may delegate
pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions
to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee does not delegate responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the
independent registered public accounting firm to management.
For 2006, all services provided by KPMG
were pre-approved.
2007 Independent Auditors
Our Audit Committee engaged Peterson
Sullivan PLLC as our independent registered public accounting firm as of April 23, 2007 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. Since January 1,
2005 through April 23, 2007, we did not consult Peterson Sullivan PLLC with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified
transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial statements, or any other
matters or reportable events set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.
Representatives of Peterson Sullivan
PLLC are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to
be available to respond to appropriate questions.
26
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2008 ANNUAL
MEETING
Submission of Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in the Proxy
Statement
Under the SECs proxy rules,
shareholder proposals that meet certain conditions may be included in Eden Biosciences proxy statement and form of proxy for a particular annual
meeting. Shareholders that intend to present a proposal at Eden Biosciences 2008 annual meeting of shareholders must give notice of the proposal
to Eden Bioscience no later than December 25, 2007 to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 2008 annual
meeting of shareholders.
Advance Notice Procedures for Director Nominations and Other
Business
Shareholders who intend to nominate
persons for election to the Board of Directors or to present a proposal at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders without inclusion of the proposal in
our proxy materials must provide advance written notice of such nomination or proposal in the manner required by Eden Biosciences Bylaws. Notice
of nominations or other business proposed to be considered by shareholders, complying with Sections 2.6 or 3.3, as applicable, of the Bylaws, must be
delivered to the Corporate Secretary no earlier than February 24, 2008 and no later than March 25, 2008. Notices should be sent to: Corporate
Secretary, Eden Bioscience Corporation, 11816 North Creek Parkway, Bothell, Washington 98011-8201.
For proposals that are not timely
filed, Eden Bioscience retains discretion to vote proxies it receives. For such proposals that are timely filed, Eden Bioscience retains discretion to
vote proxies it receives provided that (1) Eden Bioscience includes in its proxy statement advice on the nature of the proposal and how it intends to
exercise its voting discretion and (2) the proponent does not issue a proxy statement.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement,
the Board of Directors does not intend to present, and has not been informed that any other person intends to present, any matters for action at the
Annual Meeting other than the matters specifically referred to in this Proxy Statement. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is
intended that the holders of the proxies will act with respect thereto in accordance with their best judgment.
Copies of the Eden Bioscience 2006
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC, are being mailed to shareholders, together with this
Proxy Statement, form of proxy and Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Additional copies may be obtained from the Corporate Secretary of Eden
Bioscience Corporation at 11816 North Creek Parkway N., Bothell, Washington 98011-8201.
By order of the Board of
Directors,
Bradley S.
Powell
President, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary
Bothell, Washington
April 23, 2007
27
|
PROXY
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FOR THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
EDEN BIOSCIENCE CORPORATION
This Proxy Is Solicited On Behalf Of The Board Of Directors
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The
undersigned hereby appoints Bradley S. Powell and Richard N. Pahre (collectively, the
Proxies), and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to vote the shares that the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Eden Bioscience Corporation
to be held at the Country Inn & Suites, 19333 North Creek Parkway, Bothell, Washington on Thursday,
May 24, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and at any adjournments thereof. Such shares shall be voted
as indicated with respect to the proposals listed on the reverse side hereof and in the Proxies discretion
on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
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Address Change/Comments (Mark
the corresponding box on the reverse side)
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You can now access your Eden Bioscience Corporation account online.
Access
your Eden Bioscience Corporation shareholder account online via Investor ServiceDirect® (ISD).
Mellon Investor Services
LLC, Transfer Agent for Eden Bioscience Corporation, now makes it easy and convenient
to get current information on your shareholder account.
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View account status
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View payment history for dividends
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View certificate history
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Make address changes
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View book-entry information
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Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form
|
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Establish/change your PIN
|
Visit us on the web at http://www.melloninvestor.com
For Technical Assistance Call 1-877-978-7778 between 9am-7pm
Monday-Friday Eastern Time
Investor ServiceDirect® is a registered trademark of Mellon Investor Services LLC
****TRY IT OUT****
www.melloninvestor.com/isd/
Investor ServiceDirect®
Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
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TOLL FREE NUMBER:
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1-800-370-1163
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This proxy, when
properly signed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the
undersigned shareholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR
PROPOSAL 1.
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Please
Mark Here
for Address
Change or
Comments
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SEE REVERSE SIDE
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1.
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ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
Class III (terms expiring 2010)
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FOR ALL
NOMINEES
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01 Rhett R. Atkins
02 Jon E. M. Jacoby
03 William T. Weyerhaeuser
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WITHHOLD
ALL NOMINEES
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o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR
ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE. WRITE
NUMBER(S) OF NOMINEE(S) BELOW.
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IMPORTANT PLEASE
SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY.
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Signature __________________________
Signature ______________________
Dated _________, 2007
When shares
are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full title as
such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President
or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership
name by an authorized person.
FOLD AND DETACH HERE