def14a
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
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þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
ARI Network Services, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
December 7, 2006
To the Shareholders of ARI Network Services, Inc.:
The 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ARI Network Services, Inc. will be held at the
headquarters of ARI Network Services, Inc., 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect two directors to serve until 2009.
2. To ratify the appointment of Wipfli LLP as independent auditors.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 20, 2006 are entitled to notice of
and to vote at the meeting and at all adjournments thereof.
Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares must be present in person or by proxy in order
for the meeting to be held. Shareholders are urged to date, sign and return the accompanying proxy
in the enclosed envelope whether or not they expect to attend the annual meeting in person. If you
attend the meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may do so by revoking your proxy at
any time prior to the voting thereof.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Timothy Sherlock, Secretary
November 8, 2006
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224
(414) 973-4300
PROXY STATEMENT
The Board of Directors of ARI Network Services, Inc. (the Company) submits the enclosed
proxy for the annual meeting to be held on the date, at the time and place and for the purposes set
forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Each shareholder of record at
the close of business on October 20, 2006 will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common
Stock registered in such shareholders name. As of October 20, 2006, the Company had outstanding
6,227,335 shares of Common Stock. The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock outstanding on the record date is required for a quorum at the meeting. This proxy
statement and the accompanying proxy and Annual Report to Shareholders are being sent to the
Companys shareholders commencing on or about November 8, 2006.
Any shareholder executing and delivering the enclosed proxy may revoke the same at any time
prior to the voting thereof by written notice of revocation given to the Secretary of the Company.
Unless otherwise directed, all proxies will be voted FOR the election of the individuals
nominated to serve as director and FOR the other proposal. The directors will be elected by a
plurality of votes cast at the meeting (assuming a quorum is present). In other words, the
nominees receiving the two largest numbers of votes will be elected. Any shares not voted, whether
by withheld authority, broker non-vote or otherwise, will have no effect on the election of
directors except to the extent that a failure to vote for an individual results in another
individual receiving a larger number of votes. Any votes attempted to be cast against a
candidate are not given legal effect and are not counted as votes cast in an election of directors.
The other proposal will be approved if the affirmative votes exceed the votes cast against.
Broker non-votes and abstentions are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is
present at the meeting but are not affirmative votes or votes against and, therefore, will have no
effect on the outcome of the voting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of
shares of Common Stock by each person known by the Company to beneficially own 5% or more of the
Common Stock, by each director or nominee of the Company, by named executive officers of the
Company, and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group as of October 20,
2006. The address for each of the persons listed below is 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224, unless otherwise specified.
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NAME AND ADDRESS OF |
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AMOUNT AND NATURE OF |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERS |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1) |
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PERCENT |
Briggs & Stratton Corporation (2)
12301 West Wirth Street
Milwaukee, WI 53201 |
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840,000 |
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13.5 |
% |
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Peter H. Kamin (3) |
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591,500 |
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9.5 |
% |
c/o The Nelson Law Firm, LLC
75 South Broadway, 4th Floor
White Plains, NY 10601 |
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John C. Bray |
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155,544 |
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2.4 |
% |
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Gordon J. Bridge |
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170,527 |
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2.7 |
% |
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Brian E. Dearing (4) |
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614,191 |
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9.7 |
% |
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Ted C. Feierstein |
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73,647 |
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1.2 |
% |
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Jeffrey E. Horn (5) |
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20,648 |
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* |
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NAME AND ADDRESS OF |
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AMOUNT AND NATURE OF |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERS |
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1) |
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PERCENT |
William C. Mortimore |
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37,375 |
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* |
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Timothy Sherlock |
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73,278 |
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1.2 |
% |
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Frederic G. Tillman |
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99,097 |
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1.6 |
% |
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Richard W. Weening (6) |
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254,224 |
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4.0 |
% |
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All executive officers and directors as a group
(10 persons) |
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1,462,997 |
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21.0 |
% |
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* |
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Less than 1% |
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(1) |
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Except as otherwise noted, the persons named in the above table have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Includes
options exercisable within 60 days of October 20, 2006 as follows: Mr. Bray (122,750 shares),
Mr. Bridge (111,785 shares), Mr. Dearing (114,083 shares), Mr. Feierstein (73,647 shares), Mr.
Mortimore (37,375 shares), Mr. Sherlock (65,000 shares), Mr. Tillman (86,250 shares), Mr.
Weening (117,887 shares), and all executive officers and directors as a group (728,777
shares). |
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(2) |
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Stock information is provided as of March 16, 2000 based upon Schedule 13D amendment files
April 3, 2000. |
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(3) |
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Stock ownership information is provided as of December 31, 2004 based upon Schedule 13G
amendment filed February 2, 2005. Mr. Kamins total includes 151,900 shares held by the Peter
H. Kamin Childrens Trust, 103,200 shares held by the Peter H. Kamin Profit Sharing Plan,
28,100 shares held by the Peter H. Kamin Family Foundation and 25,000 shares held by 3K
Limited Partnership. |
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(4) |
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Mr. Dearings total includes 303,988 shares held in the Companys 401(k) plan, of which Mr.
Dearing is a trustee with voting power. Mr. Dearing disclaims any beneficial ownership in
these shares in excess of his pecuniary interest (11,451 shares). |
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(5) |
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Mr. Horn resigned his position with the Company effective August 1, 2006 |
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(6) |
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Mr. Weenings total also includes 50,677 shares held by Quaestus Management Corp., 85,000
shares held by RPI Holdings, Inc., 535 shares held in tenancy in common with a third party and
125 shares held by his spouse. Mr. Weening disclaims any beneficial ownership in the shares
held by third parties in excess of his pecuniary interest. |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Companys directors are divided into three classes, with staggered terms of three years
each. At the meeting, shareholders will vote on two directors to serve until 2009: Gordon J.
Bridge and Ted C. Feierstein.
Nominees For Election To Serve
Until The Annual Meeting In 2009
Gordon J. Bridge, 64; Mr. Bridge, a director since December 1995, owns an IT consulting
business. From January 2004 to September 2006 Mr. Bridge was president, and from May 2005 to
September 2006 was Chief Executive Officer of CM IT Solutions, a nationwide franchise system
providing information technology consulting and support services to small and medium sized
businesses. From December 1999 to August 2001, Mr. Bridge was Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of SurferNETWORK. From November 1995 to January 2000, Mr. Bridge was Chairman of
the Board and from April 1997 to March 1998 was Chief Executive Officer of ConnectInc.com Company.
Mr. Bridge held various executive management positions with AT&T from 1988 to 1995, including
president of three business units for AT&T: Consumer Interactive Services, EasyLink Services and
Computer Systems. Prior to joining AT&T, Mr. Bridge was with the IBM Corporation for nearly 23
years holding the positions of Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Marketing for the US
for the National Accounts Division in the mid 1980s. Mr. Bridge holds a B.A. in Mathematics from
Bradley University.
2
Ted C. Feierstein, 48; Mr. Feierstein, a director since January 2000, is a partner in Ascent
Partners (Ascent), a merchant bank specializing in investments, mergers and acquisitions, and
strategic assistance for Internet, software and information technology-focused professional service
companies. Mr. Feierstein is also a founding partner of Prism Capital, a private equity fund.
Prior to co-founding Ascent, Mr. Feierstein was a senior vice-president with the Corum Group, a
firm specializing in merger and acquisition advisory services to the software industry, and was a
venture capitalist with Wind Point Partners, a private equity fund. Mr. Feierstein received an MBA
from the Harvard Business School in 1989 and a BBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in
1979.
Directors Whose Term
Expires At The Annual Meeting In 2007
William C. Mortimore, 61; Mr. Mortimore, a director since 2004, was the founder of Merge
Technologies Incorporated (MTI) and its Chief Strategist from September 2000 until July 2006,
interim Chief Executive Officer from May 2006 until July 2006, Chairman of the Board from September
2000 until May 2006, President and Chief Executive Officer from November 1987 through August 2000
and a member of the Board of Directors since its inception in November 1987 until July 2006. MTI
is a global healthcare software and services company that trades on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol MRGE. Mr. Mortimore has served as co-founder and a senior manager of several
businesses in the fields of information communications technology, healthcare services and real
estate and has been responsible for securing public and private financing for these organizations.
Mr. Mortimore was an original member of the American College of Radiology / National Association of
Electrical Manufacturers (ACR / NEMA) committee responsible for establishing and maintaining the
DICOM medical imaging standard. Mr. Mortimore has also served as a member of the Board of
Directors of MRI Devices, Inc., a privately held diagnostic imaging manufacturer, from November
2002 until its sale to Intermagnetics General Corporation in mid 2004 . Mr. Mortimore received a
B. S. in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University, an M.E.E. from the University of
Minnesota and pursued doctoral studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota.
Richard W. Weening, 60; Mr. Weening, a director since 1981, organized the Company in 1981 as a
business information publishing subsidiary of Raintree Publishers, Inc., now known as RPI Holdings,
Inc. (RPI). He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company until October
1987, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company until October 1990, and Chairman of the
Board of Directors until 1997. Mr. Weening is also the President, Chief Executive Officer and
director of QUAESTUS & Co., Inc., a private equity investment firm; the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of Prolitec Inc., an environmental technology and services company and
Chief Executive Officer of Prolitec Defense Systems. Mr. Weening has served as President of RPI
from 1972 to the present. In 1996 Mr. Weening founded Cumulus Media Inc. (NASDAQ:CMLS), a radio
broadcasting group, and served as its executive chairman until June 2000. In November 2003, Mr.
Weening, without admitting or denying the allegations, entered into a Final Judgment and Order of
Permanent Injunction to settle litigation instituted by the Securities and Exchange Commission
relating to record-keeping and internal controls violations in connection with his position at
Cumulus Media, Inc. Without admitting or denying the Commissions findings, Mr. Weening consented
to the issuance of the order that required him to pay a $75,000 civil penalty and be permanently
enjoined from violating the record-keeping and internal controls requirements under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, including Section 13(b)(5) and Rules 13b2-1 and 13b2-2 promulgated
thereunder, and from aiding and abetting violations of Section 13(b)(2)(A) of the Exchange Act.
Director Whose Term
Expires At The Annual Meeting In 2008
Brian E. Dearing, 51; Mr. Dearing is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. He has been a director since 1995 and was elected Chairman of the Board
of Directors in 1997. Prior to joining ARI in 1995, Mr. Dearing held a series of electronic
commerce executive positions at Sterling Software, Inc. in the U.S. and in Europe. Prior to
joining Sterling in 1990, Mr. Dearing held a number of marketing management positions in the EDI
business of General Electric Information Services since 1986. Mr. Dearing holds a Masters Degree
in Industrial Administration from Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and a BA in
Political Science from Union College.
The Board of Directors held ten meetings in fiscal 2006. Each incumbent director attended 75
percent or more of the combined number of meetings of the Board and committees on which such
director served, during the period for which he has been a director or served on the committee,
except Mr. Weening. Directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of shareholders, but the
Company has not adopted a formal policy requiring attendance at the annual meeting. Four of the
Companys five directors attended the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders.
3
The Board of Directors currently does not have a formal process for shareholders to send
communications to the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, efforts are made to ensure that the views
of shareholders are heard by the Board or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate
responses are provided to shareholders on a timely basis. The Board of Directors believes that
informal communications are sufficient to communicate questions, comments and observations that
could be useful to the Board. However, shareholders wishing to formally communicate with the Board
of Directors may send communications directly to ARI Network Services, Inc., Attention: Chairman,
11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224. The Chairman will review such
communications and, if appropriate, forward such communications to other board members.
The Companys Board of Directors has established an audit committee which is currently
composed of Mr. Bridge (chairman), Mr. Mortimore and Mr. Weening. The Board of Directors has
adopted a written charter for the audit committee. Information regarding the functions performed
by the audit committee, its membership, and the number of meetings held during fiscal 2006 is set
forth in the Report of the Audit Committee, included in this annual proxy statement. The members
of the audit committee are independent under the rules adopted by the NASD regarding the
independence of audit committee members. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Bridge,
Mr. Mortimore and Mr. Weening are each an audit committee financial expert and are each
independent as those terms are defined under NASD listing standards.
The Companys Board of Directors has established a compensation committee that currently is
composed of Mr. Bridge and Mr. Feierstein. The duties of the compensation committee are to approve
all executive compensation, to administer the Companys 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 2000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 1993 Director Stock Option Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan
and to recommend director compensation for approval by the entire Board. The compensation
committee met three times during fiscal 2006.
The Companys Board of Directors has not established a nominating committee, as decisions
regarding Board membership are made by the full Board. Due to the small size of the Companys
Board of Directors, as well as the recent lack of turnover in the Board of Directors, the Board has
determined not to have a separate nominating committee. Likewise, the Board has not adopted a
written charter governing director nominating decisions. Messrs. Bridge, Feierstein, Mortimore and
Weening meet the NASD definition of independence as it would apply to a nominating committee, but
Mr. Dearing does not because he is an executive officer of the Company.
The Board will consider candidates for director that are nominated by shareholders in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the Companys by-laws. Under the by-laws, nominations,
other than those made by the Board of Directors, must be made pursuant to timely notice in proper
form to the secretary of the Company. To be timely, a shareholders request to nominate a person
for director, together with the written consent of such person to serve as a director, must be
received by the secretary of the Company at the principal office not later than 90 days and not
earlier than 150 days prior to the anniversary date of the annual meeting of shareholders in the
immediately preceding year. To be in proper written form, the notice must contain certain
information concerning the nominee and the shareholder submitting the nomination.
The Board will consider proposed nominees whose names are submitted to it by shareholders.
However, it does not have a formal process for that consideration because it believes that the
informal consideration process has been adequate given the historical absence of shareholder
proposals. The Board intends to review periodically whether a formal policy should be adopted.
The Board has generally identified nominees based upon suggestions by non-management
directors, management members and/or shareholders. The Board considers factors important for
potential members of the Board, including the individuals integrity, general business background
and experience, experience with our industry, and the ability to serve on the Board. The Board
does not evaluate proposed nominees differently based on who made the proposal.
For fiscal 2006 service, non-employee directors received an annual cash retainer of $18,000
and options for 6,000 shares, which were granted on December 8, 2005. Audit committee members
received an additional $6,000 per year ($8,000 for the chairman) and compensation committee members
an additional $2,500. The options have a 10-year term and have an exercise price equal to the fair
market value of the stock on the date of grant. The options vest in two equal annual increments,
commencing on July 31, 2006. The Board determined not to reduce Mr. Weenings compensation for
fiscal 2006 despite his not attending 75% or more of the board and committee meetings.
Compensation for fiscal 2007 is currently the same as it was for fiscal 2006. The stock options
are expected to be granted in December 2006 and vest in two equal annual increments, commencing on
July 31, 2007.
4
Code of Ethics
ARI has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal
financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and persons performing similar
functions. The code of ethics is designed to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the
ethical handling of conflicts of interest, compliance with applicable laws, and full, accurate,
timely and understandable disclosure in reports we send to our shareholders or file with the SEC.
Violations of the code of ethics are to be reported to the audit committee. A copy of the code of
ethics may be obtained, without charge, by sending a request to ARI Network Services, Inc.,
Attention: Corporate Secretary, 11425 West Lake Park Drive, Suite 900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53224.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth compensation for the last three fiscal years for each of the
Companys executive officers as of July 31, 2006.
Summary Compensation Table
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Long Term |
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Annual Compensation |
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Compensation |
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Awards |
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Payouts |
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Securities |
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Other Annual |
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Underlying |
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Name and |
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Compensation |
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Options/SARs |
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LTIP |
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All Other |
Principal Position |
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Year |
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Salary |
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Bonus |
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(1) |
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(#) (2) |
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Payouts ($) |
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Compensation (3) |
Brian E. Dearing, |
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2006 |
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$ |
192,687 |
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$ |
41,357 |
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$ |
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$ |
73,934 |
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$ |
2,913 |
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President and Chief |
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2005 |
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$ |
192,687 |
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$ |
72,839 |
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$ |
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50,000 |
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$ |
75,482 |
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$ |
1,927 |
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Executive Officer |
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2004 |
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$ |
179,610 |
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$ |
93,859 |
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$ |
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20,833 |
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$ |
135,170 |
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$ |
1,863 |
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Timothy Sherlock |
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2006 |
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$ |
163,890 |
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$ |
22,990 |
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$ |
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$ |
44,354 |
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$ |
2,521 |
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Chief Financial |
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2005 |
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$ |
163,890 |
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$ |
41,944 |
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$ |
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22,500 |
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$ |
45,903 |
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$ |
1,694 |
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Officer, Secretary, |
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2004 |
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$ |
163,890 |
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$ |
56,728 |
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$ |
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$ |
18,058 |
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$ |
441 |
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Treasurer and VP of
Finance |
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John C. Bray, |
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2006 |
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$ |
157,661 |
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$ |
14,109 |
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$ |
3,416 |
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$ |
25,723 |
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$ |
1,720 |
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Vice President of |
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2005 |
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$ |
157,661 |
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$ |
29,431 |
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$ |
14,269 |
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22,500 |
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$ |
27,927 |
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$ |
1,061 |
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New Market |
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2004 |
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$ |
147,853 |
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$ |
37,132 |
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$ |
29,815 |
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35,000 |
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$ |
87,510 |
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$ |
892 |
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Development |
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Jeffrey E. Horn, |
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2006 |
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$ |
108,890 |
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$ |
15,326 |
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$ |
56,229 |
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$ |
9,326 |
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$ |
2,344 |
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Vice President of |
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2005 |
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$ |
108,890 |
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$ |
30,505 |
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$ |
95,902 |
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22,500 |
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$ |
33,384 |
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$ |
1,523 |
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Global Sales and |
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2004 |
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$ |
108,890 |
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$ |
41,257 |
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$ |
65,439 |
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$ |
8,866 |
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$ |
1,434 |
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Marketing (4) |
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Frederic G.
Tillman, |
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2006 |
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$ |
129,134 |
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$ |
22,990 |
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$ |
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$ |
42,744 |
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$ |
1,830 |
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Vice President of |
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2005 |
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$ |
118,745 |
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$ |
40,569 |
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$ |
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22,500 |
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|
$ |
43,406 |
|
|
$ |
1,600 |
|
Technology |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
$ |
118,745 |
|
|
$ |
53,978 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
17,972 |
|
|
$ |
1,772 |
|
Development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Other annual compensation consists of commissions paid on sales. |
|
(2) |
|
Options granted during fiscal 2004 were awarded pursuant to an option exchange program. |
|
(3) |
|
Amounts represent a Company match in common stock under the Companys 401(k) plan. |
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Horn resigned effective August 1, 2006. On September 12, 2006, the Company hired Mr. Roy
W. Olivier as the Companys Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. |
5
The table below provides information regarding the exercises of stock options during fiscal
2006 and the value of stock options held at July 31, 2006 by the persons named in the Summary
Compensation Table. During fiscal 2006, no options were granted to such persons.
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises
In Last Fiscal Year And Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number Of Securities Underlying |
|
Value Of Unexercised |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Option/SARS At |
|
In-The-Money Options At |
|
|
Acquired On |
|
Value |
|
Fiscal Year End (#) |
|
Fiscal Year End |
Name |
|
Exercise (#) |
|
Realized ($) |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable/Unexercisable (1) |
Brian E. Dearing |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
$ |
21,738 |
|
|
|
114,083 / 25,000 |
|
|
$ |
62,552/22,500 |
|
|
Timothy Sherlock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,000 / 11,250 |
|
|
$ |
94,738/10,125 |
|
|
John C. Bray |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,750/ 11,250 |
|
|
$ |
97,513/10,125 |
|
|
Jeffrey E. Horn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,250 / 11,250 |
|
|
$ |
45,450/10,125 |
|
|
Frederic G. Tillman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86,250 / 11,250 |
|
|
$ |
99,200/10,125 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
For valuation purposes, a July 31, 2006 market price of $2.25 was used. |
The table below provides information regarding long-term incentive plan awards in fiscal 2006
to the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under Non-Stock Price-Based Plans |
|
|
Number |
|
Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
of Units |
|
Until Payment |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
Brian E. Dearing |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
26,910 |
|
|
$ |
35,880 |
|
|
$ |
71,760 |
|
|
Timothy Sherlock |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
14,967 |
|
|
$ |
19,956 |
|
|
$ |
39,911 |
|
|
John C. Bray |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
9,176 |
|
|
$ |
12,235 |
|
|
$ |
24,470 |
|
|
Jeffrey E. Horn (3) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
6,937 |
|
|
$ |
9,249 |
|
|
$ |
18,498 |
|
|
Frederic G. Tillman |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
14,967 |
|
|
$ |
19,956 |
|
|
$ |
39,911 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of contingent, deferred cash and stock awards. |
|
(2) |
|
Consists of three consecutive one year performance periods commencing with fiscal 2007.
The amount of the payout is adjusted on a sliding scale based upon the extent to which the
Companys revenue plan is achieved for each of the three years, ranging from a floor of 75%
of the target award if the Companys revenue plan is not met to a cap of 200% of the target
award if revenue equals or exceeds 150% of plan. One-half of the threshold amount is paid
in ARI stock, valued at the time of payment, and the remainder is paid in cash. The award
is paid in three annual installments following fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, provided
the participant is then employed by the Company. |
|
|
|
Targets for fiscal 2007 will equal the fiscal 2007 bonuses earned, up to 40% of the target
bonuses, adjusted upward if the Company overachieves its fiscal 2007 net income objective.
Payouts will be adjusted as noted above based on the Companys revenue during fiscal years
2008, 2009 and 2010 and paid in installments following each of those fiscal years, provided
the employee is then employed by the Company. One-half of the threshold amount will be paid
in ARI stock, valued at the time of payment, and the remainder paid in cash. |
6
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Horns award was forfeited upon his resignation from the Company effective August
1, 2006. |
The Company has entered into Change of Control Agreements (Change of Control
Agreements) with each of its executive officers. The Change of Control Agreements are intended to
reduce the incentive for officers not to support a transaction that is beneficial to shareholders
for fear that their employment would be terminated, retain the services of these officers and
provide for continuity of management in the event of any Change of Control, as defined below.
These Change of Control Agreements provide that each officer shall receive severance benefits equal
to two times the sum of salary and targeted bonuses and medical and dental plan continuation for
two years if, within two years following a Change of Control, as defined below, the officers
employment is terminated without cause. For this purpose, terminated without cause is defined to
include: (i) a significant reduction in the executives compensation, duties, title or reporting
responsibilities; (ii) a change in the executives job location; or (iii) the termination by the
officer of his employment for certain enumerated reasons. In addition, the officer will receive a
prorated portion of the officers average annual bonus for the preceding three fiscal years. If
the officer leaves ARI for any other reason, within two years following a Change of Control, the
officer will receive a prorated portion of the officers average annual bonus for the preceding
three fiscal years. The officer is under no obligation to mitigate amounts payable under the
Change of Control Agreements. In addition, upon a Change of Control, all stock options and similar
awards become immediately vested and all deferred compensation becomes payable.
For purposes of the Change of Control Agreements, a Change of Control means any of the
following events: the acquisition (other than from ARI) by any individual, entity or group, subject
to certain exceptions, of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the
combined voting power of ARIs then outstanding voting securities; (ii) a merger, consolidation,
share exchange, or sale or disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (iii)
approval by the Companys shareholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
On January 3, 2005, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Ascent Partners, Inc.
Under the agreement, Ascent provided consulting services at a rate of $300 per hour, plus
reimbursement for modeling expenses of approximately $5,000. During fiscal 2005, Ascent was paid
approximately $45,200 under the agreement. No services were provided during fiscal 2006. Mr.
Feierstein, a director of the Company, is a partner of Ascent.
Briggs & Stratton Corporation (Briggs) is one of the Companys customers and owns more than
5% of the Companys stock. Briggs has entered into customer contracts with the Company in the
ordinary course business. Generally, the contracts are for one year and renew annually unless
either party elects otherwise. The Company invoiced Briggs approximately $480,000 for products and
services provided during fiscal 2006. In addition, during fiscal 2006, Briggs provided graphic
design and printing services to the Company for which the Company was charged approximately
$186,000.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based solely upon its review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the
Company pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, all of such
forms were filed on a timely basis by reporting persons during fiscal 2006.
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee has appointed Wipfli LLP to serve as the Companys independent accountant
to audit the books and accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending July
31, 2007. The Board of Directors has recommended that shareholders ratify this appointment. It is
intended that the shares represented by the proxy will be voted (unless the proxy indicates to the
contrary) for ratification of the appointment. Wipfli LLP also served as the Companys independent
accountant for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006. A representative of Wipfli LLP is expected to
be present at the meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so,
and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
7
Auditors Fees
Fees for professional services provided by our independent auditors in each of the last two
fiscal years, in each of the following categories, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
111,875 |
|
|
$ |
102,500 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
10,766 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
$ |
5,500 |
|
|
$ |
6,497 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
450 |
|
Total Fees |
|
$ |
117,375 |
|
|
$ |
120,213 |
|
Tax services rendered by our independent auditors included consultations on state sales and
use tax. Audit related fees included consultations related to Sarbanes Oxley 404. All other
services rendered by our independent auditors in fiscal 2005 included consultations on accounting
matters regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The audit committee pre-approves all audit and allowable non-audit services provided by the
independent auditors, unless such pre-approval is waived in accordance with Item 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C)
of Regulation S-X. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services
and other services. The audit committee has delegated the authority to grant pre-approval of
auditing or allowable non-audit services to the chairman of the audit committee. Each pre-approval
decision pursuant to this delegation is to be presented to the full audit committee at its next
scheduled meeting.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth certain information about shares of the Companys Common Stock
outstanding and available for issuance under the Companys existing equity compensation plans, the
1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 1993 Director Stock Option Plan, the 2000 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan and the 2000 Stock Option Plan. The table details securities authorized for issuance
under the Companys equity compensation plans as of July 31, 2006. The table below does not
include stock option grants, exercises or cancellations since July 31, 2006 and, in accordance with
SEC rules, excludes information concerning the Companys 401(k) plan. The Company has discontinued
granting options under the 1991 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 1993 Director Stock Option Plan,
although options are outstanding under those plans.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
securities to be |
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
issued upon |
|
|
|
|
|
future issuance under |
|
|
exercise of |
|
Weighted-average |
|
equity compensation |
|
|
outstanding |
|
exercise price of |
|
plans [excluding |
|
|
options, warrants |
|
outstanding options, |
|
securities reflected in |
Plan category |
|
and rights |
|
warrants and rights |
|
column (a) |
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
|
1,452,350 |
|
|
$ |
1.38 |
|
|
|
162,426 |
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders
(1) |
|
|
30,789 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Total |
|
|
1,483,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
162,426 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents estimated number of shares to be issued pursuant to long-term
incentive plan awards described above, based on an assumed value of $1.90 per share
(the October 20, 2006 closing stock price). |
8
OTHER MATTERS
Other Proposed Action
The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters which may come before the
meeting. However, if any matters other than those referred to above should properly come before
the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote such proxy in accordance with their
discretion.
Shareholder Proposals
All proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Companys 2007 Annual Meeting
must be received by the Company at its executive offices on or before September 8, 2007, in order
to be presented at the meeting (and must otherwise be in accordance with the requirements of the
Bylaws of the Company) and must be received by July 11, 2007 to be considered for inclusion in the
proxy statement for that meeting.
Costs of Solicitation
The expenses of printing and mailing proxy materials, including reasonable expenses involved
in forwarding materials to beneficial owners of Common Stock, will be borne by the Company. In
addition, directors, officers or employees of the Company may solicit the return of proxies from
certain shareholders by telephone, e-mail, facsimile or personal solicitation.
SHAREHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A COPY OF THE COMPANYS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AT NO COST BY WRITING TO THE INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, ARI
NETWORK SERVICES, INC., 11425 WEST LAKE PARK DRIVE, SUITE 900, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53224.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Timothy Sherlock, Secretary
November 8, 2006
9
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the Companys financial
reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and to report the results of its activities
to the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the
reporting process including the systems of internal controls. A complete description of the
Committees duties is set forth in its charter.
In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed the audited financial
statements in the Annual Report with management 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.
The Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an
opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States, their judgments as to the quality, not just the
acceptability, of the Companys accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be
discussed with the Committee under standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States).
In addition, the Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors independence
from management and the Company including matters in the written disclosures required by the
Independence Standards Board and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with auditors
independence.
The Committee discussed with the Companys independent auditors the overall scope and plans
for their audit. The Committee meets with the independent auditors, with and without management
present, to discuss the results of their examination and their evaluation of the Companys internal
controls, and the overall quality of the Companys financial reporting. The Committee held five
meetings during fiscal 2006.
In reliance on the views and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included
in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended July 31, 2006 for filing with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Committee has also approved the selection of the Companys
independent auditors.
/s/ Gordon J. Bridge
Gordon J. Bridge, Chairman of the Audit Committee
/s/ Richard W. Weening
Richard W. Weening, Audit Committee Member
/s/ William C. Mortimore
William C. Mortimore, Audit Committee Member
A-1
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
December 7, 2006
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible
¯ Please
detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope
provided. ¯
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|
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN
BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x
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FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN |
1. |
Election of Director:
|
|
|
2. |
|
To
ratify the selection of Wipfli LLP as the Companys independent public accountants for fiscal 2007.
|
|
¨ |
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¨ |
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¨ |
¨ |
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NOMINEES: |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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3. |
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In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may
properly come before the 2006 Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
¨ |
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |
¡ |
GORDON J. BRIDGE |
|
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¡ |
TED C. FEIERSTEIN |
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¨
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
(See Instructions below) |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE
UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF
THE NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR THE OTHER PROPOSAL. |
INSTRUCTION:
To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL
EXCEPT and fill the circle next to
each nominee you wish to withhold, as
shown here:
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To change the address on your account,
please check the box at right and indicate
your new address in the address space
above. Please note that changes to this
the registered name(s) on the account may
not be submitted via this method.
|
¨
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Signature of Shareholder
|
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Date:
|
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date:
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n
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Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When
shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, attorney, trustee
or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporate name by duly
authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
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0 n
ARI NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned, a shareholder of ARI Network Services, Inc. (the Company), hereby appoints Brian E. Dearing
and Timothy Sherlock, and each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint a substitute, and hereby authorizes
each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all of the shares of stock of the Company held
of record by the undersigned on October 20, 2006, at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on
December 7, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. and at any and all adjournments thereof.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
n
n